Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measurement of low glucose concentrations using a microelectrochemical enzyme transistor

Using poly(aniline), with glucose oxidase immobilised in an electrochemically polymerised film of 1,2-diaminobenzene deposited on top and using tetrathiafulvalenium as a mediator, microelectrochemical enzyme transistors responsive to glucose which operate at pH 5 were prepared. By careful control and monitoring of both the initial electrochemical deposition of the poly(aniline) and of the immobilisation of the enzyme, it was possible to achieve good reproducibility from device to device. By optimisation of the washing and resetting conditions, it was possible to achieve excellent reproducibilty for replicate measurements with a single device. Studies of the effect of the drain voltage on the device performance show that for drain voltages up to 0.35 V the mechanism of operation is unchanged and both the maximum drain current and the maximum switching rate at a given glucose concentration increase linearly with the drain voltage. Above 0.35 V, the performance of the device is degraded by other electrochemical reactions occurring on the poly(aniline). Measurements with low concentrations of glucose show that glucose concentrations in the micromolar region can be determined and that at the lowest levels the detection limit is determined by the background switching rate of the device in glucose-free buffer. For the present devices the detection limit was found to be around 40 times lower than the detection limit for the same device operated as an amperometric sensor in air-saturated buffer solution.
ACE

Colour can convey a mood or elicit a particular emotion and, in terms of web design, colour can influence attitudes, perceptions, and behaviours. However, many websites demonstrate inaccessible colour choices. Numerous online colour palette design tools only focus on assisting designers with either the aesthetics or accessibility of colours. With a user-centered design approach, we developed the Accessible Colour Evaluator (ACE, daprlab.com/ace) which enhances web developers’ and designers’ ability to balance aesthetic and accessibility constraints. We distributed an online questionnaire to 28 web developers and designers to understand their attitudes and utilisation of accessibility guidelines, as well as to gather initial design requirements for ACE. With this information, we created three low-fidelity paper prototypes that were used to create two high-fidelity prototypes. The high-fidelity prototypes were discussed with 4 web developers and designers during a design workshop, and their feedback was used to develop the final version of ACE. A comparative evaluation of ACE and three existing alternative tools was conducted with 10 new web developers and designers. All participants were able to complete a colour palette design task when using ACE and identified ACE as their most preferred tool. The mean scores for the six TLX measures show ACE as providing the best performance and causing the lowest frustration. Finally, we conducted a small focus group with 3 web developers and designers to gather qualitative feedback about ACE. Participants identified a number of ACE’s strengths and made suggestions for future extensions and improvements.
The Potential Role of Hydrogen Sulfide in the Regulation of Cerebrovascular Tone

A better understanding of the regulation of cerebrovascular circulation is of great importance because stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases represent a major concern in healthcare leading to millions of deaths yearly. The circulation of the central nervous system is regulated in a highly complex manner involving many local factors and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is emerging as one such possible factor. Several lines of evidence support that H2S takes part in the regulation of vascular tone. Examinations using either exogenous treatment with H2S donor molecules or alterations to the enzymes that are endogenously producing this molecule revealed numerous important findings about its physiological and pathophysiological role. The great majority of these studies were performed on vessel segments derived from the systemic circulation but there are important observations made using cerebral vessels as well. The findings of these experimental works indicate that H2S is having a complex, pleiotropic effect on the vascular wall not only in the systemic circulation but in the cerebrovascular region as well. In this review, we summarize the most important experimental findings related to the potential role of H2S in the cerebral circulation.
A Preliminary Analysis of Tympanometric Parameters in a Local Multiethnic Population

Background: Tympanometry is a routine clinical test ordered at the Department of Otolaryngology, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) at Changi General Hospital (CGH). In combination with the pure tone audiogram, tympanograms aid in the diagnostic value of various middle ear disorders. However, its diagnostic value depends on the physician and audiologist’s accuracy of classifying and interpreting the tympanograms. Presently, Caucasian normative values are used in the classification of tympanograms, which could be inaccurate without population specific norms. Therefore, there is a need to understand ethnic differences in tympanometry parameters in order to usefully interpret the tympanogram. Thus far, there are no local studies on the differences in tympanometric parameters among multiethnic groups. Previous studies also had conflicting results on the effects of ethnicity with direct or indirect comparison only between two ethnic groups. To our knowledge, this is the first preliminary investigation on the effects of demographic and anthropometric measurements on tympanometric parameters. Materials and Methods: 90 patients’ medical charts were randomly selected and reviewed to extract demographic, anthropometric and clinical information. Tympanogram characteristics among ethnic groups were investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses. The mean ages of males and females in the study were 41.9 years ± 17.4 and 46.1 ± 19.2, respectively. Results: Gender significantly influenced ear canal volume (ECV). Chinese had marginally significant lower static admittance (SA) as compared to non-Chinese. There were, however, no effects of age or anthropometric measurements on tympanometric results. Conclusion: Further prospective large cohort analyses are warranted to expand this investigation to better elucidate differences observed in tympanometric parameters and establish population specific norms for appropriate and accurate tympanogram classifications.
Application of anthropometric methods in the nursing process of nursing research.

OBJECTIVES to identify anthropometric techniques and measurements related to nursing diagnoses and interventions, included in the NANDA International (NANDA-I) and Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC), respectively. METHODS descriptive study of the revision of the NANDA-I and NIC taxonomies by professors of Nursing of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. RESULTS A total of 24 nursing diagnoses, 20 nursing interventions and 71 nursing activities were identified that require the use of anthropometric measurements. CONCLUSIONS anthropometric measurements are necessary in the conduct of numerous nursing diagnoses and nursing interventions that are commonly used in healthcare practice. It would be useful to systematize the use of anthropometric techniques in the application of the nursing process and to standardize this training process.
Impact of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Its Major Virulence Factor CagA on DNA Damage Repair

Helicobacter pylori infection induces a plethora of DNA damages. Gastric epithelial cells, in order to maintain genomic integrity, require an integrous DNA damage repair (DDR) machinery, which, however, is reported to be modulated by the infection. CagA is a major H. pylori virulence factor, associated with increased risk for gastric carcinogenesis. Its pathogenic activity is partly regulated by phosphorylation on EPIYA motifs. Our aim was to identify effects of H. pylori infection and CagA on DDR, investigating the transcriptome of AGS cells, infected with wild-type, ΔCagA and EPIYA-phosphorylation-defective strains. Upon RNA-Seq-based transcriptomic analysis, we observed that a notable number of DDR genes were found deregulated during the infection, potentially resulting to base excision repair and mismatch repair compromise and an intricate deregulation of nucleotide excision repair, homologous recombination and non-homologous end-joining. Transcriptome observations were further investigated on the protein expression level, utilizing infections of AGS and GES-1 cells. We observed that CagA contributed to the downregulation of Nth Like DNA Glycosylase 1 (NTHL1), MutY DNA Glycosylase (MUTYH), Flap Structure-Specific Endonuclease 1 (FEN1), RAD51 Recombinase, DNA Polymerase Delta Catalytic Subunit (POLD1), and DNA Ligase 1 (LIG1) and, contrary to transcriptome results, Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endodeoxyribonuclease 1 (APE1) upregulation. Our study accentuates the role of CagA as a significant contributor of H. pylori infection-mediated DDR modulation, potentially disrupting the balance between DNA damage and repair, thus favoring genomic instability and carcinogenesis.
Essential Oils as Alternative Biocides for the Preservation of Waterlogged Archaeological Wood

Waterlogged archaeological wood is exposed to a high risk of biological degradation during the post-excavation phases of storage and restoration. For this reason, often biocides must be used to preserve wooden remains. In the present work three essential oils (cinnamon, wild thyme, and common thyme) were tested as possible alternative biocides to use in the preservation of waterlogged archaeological wood. The oils were first tested in vitro to establish the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and to evaluate the biocidal activity on selected fungal strains. Then, the established MIC was applied on waterlogged archaeological wood samples and during an actual restoration treatment. The effectiveness of the oils was evaluated through cultural analyses, ATP quantification, and next-generation sequencing. The results showed that the oils caused a significant decrease in the vitality of fungal mycelia grown in vitro and of the microbiota present in treated wood and storage water. Furthermore, an influence on the composition of the bacterial communities of treated wood samples was observed. Although further tests are needed to evaluate interferences with the materials used during restoration procedures, essential oils could be considered as a possible alternative to the currently used biocide.
Leisure physical activity of people with and without chronic non-communicable diseases.

OBJECTIVES to analyze the leisure physical activity of people with and without chronic non-communicable diseases by the single health system of the city of Ribeirão Preto - São Paulo. METHODS observational cross-sectional study, data were collected by means of interviews in a sample for convenience and random of adults. RESULTS there were 719 people, where 70.1% had chronic non-communicable diseases, being 68.1% inactive. Physical inactivity presents a similar distribution between the groups with and without disease and a national average in leisure physical activity. CONCLUSIONS these data are aimed at health services that do not encourage physical and auditory leisure activities, such as multiprofessional activities in the health area.
Screen time and its effect on dietary habits and lifestyle among schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to determine the associations between recreational screen time and dietary habits and lifestyle factors in a representative sample of schoolchildren. METHODS Observational, cross-sectional study data were derived from 177,091 children aged 8 to 17 years participating in a health survey. Recreational screen time, physical activity (PA), and sleeping hours were assessed through self-completed questionnaires. Dietary habits were evaluated via the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents (KIDMED) test. Anthropometric and physical fitness (PF) estimations were obtained by trained investigators. RESULTS Binary logistic regression comparisons between screen time levels (e.g. < 2 vs. ≥ 2 - < 3 h/d, < 2 vs. ≥ 3 - < 4 h/d and < 2 vs. ≥ 4 h/d) and dietary habits showed that the longer the screen time the increased the odds of unhealthy dietary habits such as skipping breakfast, consuming fast food frequently, and eating sweets frequently, and the decreased the odds of healthy dietary habits such as consuming a second fruit every day, consuming fresh or cooked vegetables or/and fish regularly, in both genders, after adjusting for several covariates. Furthermore, the longer the screen time the increased the odds of total and central obesity, insufficient sleep (< 8-9 h/d), and inadequate PA, and the decreased the odds of healthy PF. CONCLUSIONS The longer the screen time the unhealthier dietary habits and lifestyle profile among schoolchildren, after adjusting for several covariates.
Diosgenin Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles with Potential Anticancer Efficacy

This study aims to determine the anticancer efficacy of diosgenin encapsulated poly-glycerol malate co-dodecanedioate (PGMD) nanoparticles. Diosgenin loaded PGMD nanoparticles (variants 7:3 and 6:4) were synthesized by the nanoprecipitation method. The synthesis of PGMD nanoparticles was systematically optimized employing the Box-Behnken design and taking into account the influence of various independent variables such as concentrations of each PGMD, diosgenin and PF-68 on the responses such as size and PDI of the particles. Mathematical modeling was done using the Quadratic second order modeling method and response surface analysis was undertaken to elucidate the factor-response relationship. The obtained size of PGMD 7:3 and PGMD 6:4 nanoparticles were 133.6 nm and 121.4 nm, respectively, as measured through dynamic light scattering (DLS). The entrapment efficiency was in the range of 77–83%. The in vitro drug release studies showed diffusion and dissolution controlled drug release pattern following Korsmeyer–Peppas kinetic model. Furthermore, in vitro morphological and cytotoxic studies were performed to evaluate the toxicity of synthesized drug loaded nanoparticles in model cell lines. The IC50 after 48 h was observed to be 27.14 µM, 15.15 µM and 13.91 µM for free diosgenin, PGMD 7:3 and PGMD 6:4 nanoparticles, respectively, when administered in A549 lung carcinoma cell lines.
Effects of Combined Strength and Endurance Training on Body Composition, Physical Fitness, and Serum Hormones During a 6-Month Crisis Management Operation

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Abstract Pihlainen, K, Kyröläinen, H, Santtila, M, Ojanen, T, Raitanen, J, and Häkkinen, K. Effects of combined strength and endurance training on body composition, physical fitness, and serum hormones during a 6-month crisis management operation. J Strength Cond Res 36(9): 2361–2370, 2022—Very few studies have examined the impact of training interventions on soldier readiness during an international military operation. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of combined strength and endurance training on body composition, physical performance, and hormonal status during a 6-month international military deployment consisting of typical peacekeeping tasks, e.g., patrolling, observation, and on-base duties. Soldiers (n = 78) were randomly allocated to a control group (C) or one of 3 combined whole-body strength and endurance training groups with varying strength-to-endurance training emphasis (Es = 25/75%, SE = 50/50% or Se = 75/25% of strength/endurance training). Body composition, physical performance (3000-m run, standing long jump [SLJ], isometric maximal voluntary contraction of the lower [MVC lower] and upper extremities [MVC upper ], muscle endurance tests), and selected serum hormone concentrations were determined prior to training (PRE), and after 9 (MID) and 19 (POST) weeks of training. Within- and between-group changes were analyzed using linear regression models. The average combined strength and endurance training frequency of the total subject group was 3 ± 2 training sessions per week. No changes were observed in physical performance variables in the intervention groups, whereas SLJ decreased by 1.9% in C (p < 0.05). Maximal voluntary contraction lower increased by 12.8% in the combined intervention group (p < 0.05), and this was significantly different to C (p < 0.05). Testosterone-to-cortisol ratio increased in SE and Se (p < 0.05), whereas no change was observed in C. The intervention groups maintained or improved their physical performance during deployment, which is beneficial for operational readiness. However, the high interindividual variation observed in training adaptations highlights the importance of training individualization during prolonged military operations.
Fertility and Reproduction after Recovery from Anorexia Nervosa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Long-Term Follow-Up Studies

Reproductive health is compromised during anorexia nervosa (AN). However, it is still unclear whether this medical complication is reversible after recovery from AN. The purpose of this paper was to conduct a systematic review of the major reproductive health outcomes in females after recovery from AN. The review was conducted in adherence to preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data were collated using meta-analysis and a narrative approach. Of the 1186 articles retrieved, five studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. These studies monitored weight-restored females who had recovered from AN for a follow-up period of between six and 18 years. Their narrative analysis revealed that appropriate treatment of AN leads to the normalization of reproductive function, especially in terms of fertility, pregnancy, and childbirth rates. The meta-analysis confirmed this finding, where the pooled odds of childbirth rates between the AN group and the general population was not statistically significant (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.43–1.29, p = 0.41). We conclude that if patients undergo appropriate eating-disorder treatment and weight restoration, it appears to be unlikely that reproductive health is affected by AN. However, since this finding is derived from only a few studies, it requires replication and confirmation.
Antioxidant properties of novel curcumin analogues: A combined experimental and computational study.

The multi-target activity of curcumin makes it a promising pharmacological lead for structural modifications focused on the preparation of new better therapeutics with improved bioavailability. A possible modification is to "decompose" the parent curcumin structure into constituent units and to build up curcumin analogues with biphenyl structural moiety. The antioxidant properties of the so-called "monomers" (m1-m3) and "dimers" (d1-d3) are studied experimentally and computationally. Their protective effects as chain-breaking antioxidants are investigated for the individual compounds and in binary/ternary compositions with α-tocopherol (TOH) and ascorbyl palmitate (AscPH). All monomers manifest significant synergism up to 70% in mixtures with TOH. Synergistic effects are found for the ternary compositions of monomeric analogues upon addition to the binary mixture of standard antioxidants (TOH + AscPH). Dimers with biphenyl skeleton manifest a lower potential in compositions under lipid oxidation conditions. DFT computations provide a detailed insight into the structure and antiradical properties of the curcumin analogues and standard antioxidants. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Bioactive compounds in the diet play a crucial role in the prevention of numerous diseases in whose pathogenesis oxidative stress is well known to be involved. Therefore, enhancement of the antioxidant status of the biological target is often helpful. Two of the monomers studied are considered leading agents in the treatment or prophylaxis of smooth muscle disorders and are useful in the maintenance of the normal gut function- as a calmative for the gut and to ease upset stomach. We hypothesized that the presence of a biphenyl scaffold in the parent molecular structure can enhance the biological activity. Equimolar mixtures of TOH with studied compounds have potential application in food chemistry and medicine. A composition comprising the active agent and additional components (strong conventional antioxidants) may be administered in foodstuffs, as a food supplement, beverage supplement, or as a pharmaceutical composition.
Existential phenomenological view of health care experiences from the perspective of cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVES to understand the experience of post-discharge health care of primary cancer treatment from the perspective of survivors. METHODS a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, using Martin Heidegger's Existential Phenomenology framework. Analysis of semi-structured interviews of 11 cancer survivors, after primary treatment, was carried out through vague and median and hermeneutic understanding. RESULTS three units of meaning emerged in the search for the unveiling of the phenomenon: Respecting physical limitations after cancer; Transcending themselves after illness; and Overcoming the ghost of fear. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS cancer survivors experience care in intentional choices favorable to health, when they overcome their own limitations, fear of relapse or new cancer. The need to improve continuous professional monitoring in order to answer questions reinforce favorable attitudes and enhance the chances of better quality of life for cancer survivors.
A review on pain‐relieving activity of berberine

As isoquinoline alkaloid naturally occurs in Coptis and Berberis species, berberine (BER) has shown anti‐oxidant, anti‐tumour, anti‐bacterial and hepatoprotective activities and beneficial effects against digestive, cardiovascular and neurological conditions. Also, BER antiinflammatory, pain‐relieving and anti‐cholinesterase activities were widely studied. The present overview discusses the analgesic effects of BER. Based on the literature, BER exerted pain‐relieving activity against diabetic and chemotherapy‐induced neuropathy, and sciatic nerve injury‐induced pain via down‐regulation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, suppression of NF‐κB and modulation of μ and δ opioid receptors. Besides, BER could repress inflammatory markers tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐6 and IL‐1β, as well as prostaglandin E2, inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase‐2. The modulatory effects of BER on dopamine and N‐methyl d‐aspartate systems were also noted. Moreover, BER could induce Nrf2 expression but inhibits p38‐MAPK and STAT3 phosphorylation. Noteworthy, anti‐cholinesterase activity, which may potentially contribute to BER analgesic properties, warrants particular attention.