Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Post Space Volume Changes Following Fiber Post Removal Using Er,Cr:YSGG Laser Vs. Ultrasonic Instrument.

PURPOSE The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the post space volume changes following removal of glass fiber posts in endodontically treated teeth by using erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser to the conventional ultrasonic method. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twelve single-root human extracted teeth were cut into 13mm near cementoenamel junction (CEJ), and then underwent endodontic treatment. The post spaces were prepared to 8mm in length. Glass fiber posts were inserted with self-curing resin cement. Specimens were randomly assigned to laser or ultrasonic methods for their post removal. Post space volumes were measured using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) before post cementation and after post removal. Dentin thickness was measured after post removal at coronal, middle, and apical third of the root canal space. Paired t-test and t-test were used to compare space volumes between before post cementation and after post removal, and between laser and ultrasonic groups, respectively. RESULTS Six specimens were tested for each group. The average volume change was 6.499 mm3 in laser and 7.418mm3 in ultrasonic method. There was not a significant difference between laser and ultrasonic group in respect of post space volume changes (p = 0.71). Both methods showed significant volume increase following post-removal (p<0.05). Significantly less dentin was lost when laser was used for post removal in the coronal portion of the post space (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Er,Cr:YSGG laser can be used as effective option, comparable to the conventional ultrasonic method when removing posts in endodontically treated teeth. Laser has the potential to provide conservative post removal. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Effects of ethanol-and choline-treated astrocytes on hippocampal neuron neurite outgrowth in vitro

Exposure to ethanol in utero can result in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, which may cause long-lasting cognitive and behavioral abnormalities. Preclinical studies indicate that choline ameliorates the behavioral effects of developmental alcohol exposure in rodents, and clinical studies on the effectiveness of choline, administered early in pregnancy, showed that the adverse effects of heavy prenatal alcohol exposure on postnatal growth, and cognition in human infants were mitigated. However, little is known on the mechanisms behind the effects of choline. We have previously reported that astrocyte pre-treatment with 75 mM ethanol, in vitro, reduces neurite outgrowth in hippocampal neurons co-cultured with the pre-treated astrocytes. Our in vitro system allows us to study the effects of chemicals on astrocyte functions, able to modulate neuronal development. The main objective was to test the hypothesis that choline can ameliorate the astrocyte-mediated effects of ethanol on neurite growth. In this study, we exposed primary rat cortical astrocytes to ethanol, choline, ethanol plus choline, or control conditions for 24 h. Culture media was then removed, replaced with fresh media containing no ethanol or choline treatments and primary rat hippocampal neurons were plated on top of the astrocyte monolayer and cultured for 16 h. Neurons were then stained for β-III Tubulin and neurite outgrowth was measured. Astrocyte exposure to ethanol (25, 50, and 75 mM) decreases neurite outgrowth in co-cultured hippocampal pyramidal neurons, while astrocyte treatment with choline had no effect. Astrocyte treatment with ethanol and choline in combination, however, prevented the effect of ethanol, leading to levels of neurite outgrowth similar the control condition. Choline prevents the inhibitory effect of ethanol-treated astrocytes on neurite outgrowth while not altering normal neuronal development. These results suggest a new, astrocyte-mediated mechanism by which choline ameliorates the effects of developmental alcohol exposure.
Cost-Effectiveness of Adjuvant Treatment for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

PURPOSE Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) accounts for 20% of breast cancer cases in the United States and is potentially overtreated, leading to high expenditures and low-value care. We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis evaluating all adjuvant treatment strategies for DCIS. METHODS A Markov model was created with six competing treatment strategies: observation, tamoxifen (TAM) alone, aromatase inhibitor (AI) alone, radiation treatment (RT) alone, RT + TAM, and RT + AI. Baseline recurrence rates were modeled using the NSABP B17 and RTOG 9804 trials for standard-risk and good-risk DCIS, respectively. Relative risk reductions and adverse event rates for each treatment strategy were derived from meta-analyses of large randomized trials. We used a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000 in US dollars/quality-adjusted life-year and a lifetime horizon for two cohorts of women, age 40 and 60 years. Comprehensive sensitivity analyses evaluated the robustness of base-case results. RESULTS RT alone was cost-effective for patients with standard-risk DCIS, and observation was cost-effective for patients with good-risk DCIS, across both age groups. Strategies including TAM or AI resulted in fewer quality-adjusted life-years than observation, because of the prolonged decrement in quality of life outweighing the modest benefit in ipsilateral risk reduction. In sensitivity analysis, RT alone was cost-effective for age 40, good-risk patients when ipsilateral risk reduction matched that of the RTOG 9804 trial, there was minimal increased risk of contralateral breast secondary malignancy, or there was strong patient willingness to pursue RT. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that cost-effective and clinically optimal treatment strategies are RT alone for standard-risk DCIS and observation for good-risk DCIS, with personalization on the basis of patient age and preference for RT. Hormonal therapy is likely suboptimal for most patients with DCIS.
METHYLENE BLUE FOR TREATMENT OF HOSPITALIZED COVID-19 PATIENTS: A RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED, OPEN-LABEL CLINICAL TRIAL, PHASE 2.

Background There is no pharmacological intervention on the treatment of hypoxemia and respiratory distress in COVID-19 patients. Objective The objective of the study was to study the effect of the reduced form of methylene blue (MB) on the improvement of oxygen saturation (SpO2) and respiratory rate (RR). Methods In an academic medical center, 80 hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 were randomly assigned to receive either oral MB along with standard of care (SOC) (MB group, n = 40) or SOC only (SOC group, n=40). The primary outcomes were SpO2 and RR on the 3rd and 5th days. The secondary outcomes were hospital stay and mortality within 28 days. Results In the MB group, a significant improvement in SpO2 and RR was observed on the 3rd day (for both, p < 0.0001) and also the 5th day (for both, p < 0.0001). In the SOC group, there was no significant improvement in SpO2 (p = 0.24) and RR (p = 0.20) on the 3rd day, although there was a significant improvement of SpO2 (p = 0.002) and RR (p = 0.01) on the 5th day. In the MB group in comparison to the SOC group, the rate ratio of increased SpO2 was 13.5 and 2.1 times on the 3rd and 5th days, respectively. In the MB group compared with the SOC group, the rate ratio of RR improvement was 10.1 and 3.7 times on the 3rd and 5th days, respectively. The hospital stay was significantly shortened in the MB group (p = 0.004), and the mortality was 12.5% and 22.5% in the MB and SOC groups, respectively. Conclusions The addition of MB to the treatment protocols significantly improved SpO2 and respiratory distress in COVID-19 patients, which resulted in decreased hospital stay and mortality. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04370288.
Magneto-transport properties of cubic NiMnAs film epitaxied on GaAs (110) substrate

The magneto-transport properties of cubic NiMnAs film epitaxied on the GaAs (110) substrate are investigated. The x-ray diffraction measurements reveal that the NiMnAs (111) crystal plane is parallel to the GaAs (110) crystal plane. The temperature dependence of resistivity at high temperature can be described by a thermal activation model, from which the thermal activation energy is obtained and found to be comparable with many other Heusler alloys. By fitting the temperature dependence of resistivity at low temperature, the coefficient of the quadratic temperature term is determined to be 1.34 × 10−3 μΩ cm K−2. This value suggests the possible presence of single-magnon scattering in the NiMnAs film. The negative magnetoresistance is attributed to the suppression of the spin-dependent scattering, which would not take place in a half-metal. The angle dependence of the anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) is measured, and the AMR ratios are positive even at low temperature. These magneto-transport properties indicate that the predicted half-metallicity is destroyed in the NiMnAs film. The absence of the half-metallicity may be attributed to the atomic disorder in the NiMnAs lattice, which needs to be confirmed by further experimental and theoretical studies.
Performance of Silica Nanoparticles in CO2 Foam for EOR and CCUS at Tough Reservoir Conditions

The use of nanoparticles for CO2-foam mobility is an upcoming technology for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) in mature fields. Silane-modified hydrophilic silica nanoparticles enhance the thermodynamic stability of CO2 foam at elevated temperatures and salinities and in the presence of oil. The aqueous nanofluid mixes with CO2 in the porous media to generate CO2 foam for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) by improving sweep efficiency, resulting in reduced carbon footprint from oil production by the geological storage of anthropogenic CO2. Our objective was to investigate the stability of commercially available silica nanoparticles for a range of temperatures and brine salinities to determine if nanoparticles can be used in CO2-foam injections for EOR and underground CO2 storage in high-temperature reservoirs with high brine salinities. The experimental results demonstrated that surface-modified nanoparticles are stable and able to generate CO2 foam at elevated temperatures (60 to 120°C) and extreme brine salinities (20 wt% NaCl). We find that (1) nanofluids remain stable at extreme salinities (up to 25 wt% total dissolved solids) with the presence of both monovalent (NaCl) and divalent (CaCl2) ions; (2) both pressure gradient and incremental oil recovery during tertiary CO2-foam injections were 2 to 4 times higher with nanoparticles compared with no-foaming agent; and (3) CO2 stored during CCUS with nanoparticle-stabilized CO2 foam increased by more than 300% compared with coinjections without nanoparticles.
Difference of Dragon's Blood from different extract processing

Object To identify the differences of chemical constituents of Dragon's Blood obtained by different extract processing. Methods The mentioned Dragon's Blood was analyzed by TLC, UV spectro photometry, and HPLC. Results The contents of dihydrochalcone in Dragon's Blood by the new extract processing were higher than that by traditional one's, while the contents of flavonoid and stibene were lower. Conclusion The heating free technology is a new technique that is an original with higher extract rate, and it is worth of spreading. It will promote the modernization of TCM.
Two Colors at the SASE3 Line of the European XFEL: Project Scope and First Measurements

The European XFEL is a high-repetition rate facility that generates high-power SASE radiation pulses in three beamlines. A joint upgrade project, with Finnish universities, to equip the SASE3 beamline with a chicane has been recently approved to generate two SASE pulses with different photon energies and temporal separation. In this work we report the status of the project, its expected performance, and recent experimental results. Additionally, we discuss methods to diagnose the properties of the generated radiation.
Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Sisal Fiber on the Partially Replaced Cement with Groundnut Shell Ash in Concrete

An investigation on the effect of sisal fiber on the partially replaced cement with Groundnut Shell Ash in Concrete was carried out. Sisal fiber of 3.5cm length which forms 1% of the mix by weight with groundnut shell ash as a partial replacement for cement was used in preparing the concrete specimen. Compressive strength test was carried out using 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% of Groundnut shell ash as replacement of cement at different curing ages of 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. It was observed that at 7 and 14days of curing, it is needless introducing the GSA since the maximum compressive strength obtained were at 0% GSA. At 21 and 28days of curing, a considerable increase in compressive strength was observed for 5% and 10% of GSA. However, 5% of GSA can be regarded as the optimum content since it gives the maximum compressive strength value of 30.1N/mm2 at 28days of curing. This is followed by 10% replacement of GSA yielding 28.10N/mm2 and then 0% GSA replacement yielding 25.01N/mm2.
Hometown Lending

Abstract Banks open more branches and make more lending near their CEOs’ childhood hometowns. The effects are stronger among informationally opaque borrowers and among CEOs who spend more time in their childhood hometowns. Furthermore, loans originated near CEOs’ hometowns contain more soft information and have lower ex post default rates, implying that hometown loans are more informed. Hometown lending does not affect aggregate bank outcomes, suggesting that credit is being reallocated from regions located farther away to regions proximate to bank CEOs’ hometowns.
Securitization, Covered Bonds, and Risk Appetite of Bank: Does Skin in the Game Matter?

This study empirically investigates the effects of securitisation and covered bonds on credit risk-taking behaviour of banks using data of 253 banks from 7 European countries for the period 2000-2014. The study uses the covariate balancing propensity score with difference-in-difference for the analysis. Initial results suggest that European banks do not securitise for credit risk transfer, rather main motive behind securitisation and CBs is liquidity generation. I examine effects of securitisation and CBs on credit risk-taking behaviour in the short and long-run and find that securitisation may not have a positive impact on credit risk-taking behaviour of banks. The findings do not support the perception that securitising banks under-price their risk. However, results indicate that CBs have a positive impact on credit risk-taking in the long run. These results are attributed to the recourse provided in securitisation transactions, competitive pressure and asset encumbrance in case of large scale CB issuance. The 'skin in the game' in form of on-balance sheet retention may not help reduce credit risk-taking.
The perception of health professionals regarding the care for the elderly with mental disorders *

* Paper extracted from doctoral dissertation “Social representations of professionals at a Psychosocial Care Center on the care of the elderly with mental disorders: qualitative case study”, presented to Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Enfermagem, Campinas, SP, Brazil. 1 Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Enfermagem, Campinas, SP, Brazil. Maria Giovana Borges Saidel1 http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3259-1760 Claudinei José Gomes Campos1 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9587-6694 Objective: to understand the perceptions of the staff of a Psychosocial Care Center regarding the care for the elderly with mental disorders. Method: qualitative study with a theoretical and methodological framework: Theory of Social Representations. The field of study was a Psychosocial Care Center in the state of São Paulo. Convenience sampling was used, and the sample consisting of 12 professionals was determined by saturation. Data were collected by semistructured interviews and analyzed by thematic content analysis. Results: three categories emerged, and they showed contradictions regarding the professionals’ perceptions of the CAPS role. Such contradictions may be supported on the representations concerning the difficulties reported in the care for the elderly, which overlap with those in the care for individuals with mental disorders. The lack of strategies for routine care is discussed, and professional education is mentioned as important although it is non-existent. The burnout of mental health professionals emerges, and the perception of the lack of human resources is revealed in the discourses. These problems bring about a representation of insufficient practices that will reflect on the care for the elderly with mental disorders. Conclusion: the study contributes with clarifications to be addressed in intervention studies in order to strengthen heath care change.
A Small Molecule, ACAi-028, with Anti-HIV-1 Activity Targets a Novel Hydrophobic Pocket on HIV-1 Capsid

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) capsid (CA) is an essential viral component of HIV-1 infection and an attractive therapeutic target for antivirals. Here, we report that a small molecule, ACAi-028, inhibits HIV-1 replication by targeting a hydrophobic pocket in the N-terminal domain of CA (CA-NTD). ABSTRACT The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) capsid (CA) is an essential viral component of HIV-1 infection and an attractive therapeutic target for antivirals. Here, we report that a small molecule, ACAi-028, inhibits HIV-1 replication by targeting a hydrophobic pocket in the N-terminal domain of CA (CA-NTD). ACAi-028 is 1 of more than 40 candidate anti-HIV-1 compounds identified by in silico screening and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Our binding model showed that ACAi-028 interacts with the Q13, S16, and T19 amino acid residues, via hydrogen bonds, in the targeting pocket of CA-NTD. Using recombinant fusion methods, TZM-bl, time-of-addition, and colorimetric reverse transcriptase (RT) assays, the compound was found to exert anti-HIV-1 activity in the early stage between reverse transcription and proviral DNA integration, without any effect on RT activity in vitro, suggesting that this compound may affect HIV-1 core disassembly (uncoating) as well as a CA inhibitor, PF74. Moreover, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) also showed that the compound binds directly and noncovalently to the CA monomer. CA multimerization and thermal stability assays showed that ACAi-028 decreased CA multimerization and thermal stability via S16 or T19 residues. These results indicate that ACAi-028 is a new CA inhibitor by binding to the novel hydrophobic pocket in CA-NTD. This study demonstrates that a compound, ACAi-028, targeting the hydrophobic pocket should be a promising anti-HIV-1 inhibitor.
Zika virus noncoding RNA cooperates with the viral protein NS5 to inhibit STAT1 phosphorylation and facilitate viral pathogenesis

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a re-emerging pathogenic flavivirus, which causes microcephaly in infants and poses a continuing threat to public health. ZIKV, like all other flaviviruses, produces highly abundant noncoding RNA known as subgenomic flaviviral RNA (sfRNA). Herein we utilized wild-type and mutant ZIKV defective in production of sfRNA to elucidate for the first time how production of sfRNA affects all aspects of ZIKV pathogenesis. We found that in mouse pregnancy model of infection sfRNA is required for trans-placental dissemination of ZIKV and subsequent infection of fetal brain. Using human brain organoids, we showed that sfRNA promotes apoptosis of neural progenitor cells leading to profound cytopathicity and disintegration of organoids. We also found by transcriptome profiling and gene network analysis that in infected human placental cells sfRNA inhibits multiple antiviral pathways and promotes apoptosis with STAT1 identified as a key shared factor linking these two interconnected sfRNA activities. We further showed for the first time that sfRNA inhibits phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of STAT1 by a novel mechanism which involves binding to and stabilizing viral protein NS5. This allows accumulation of NS5 at the levels required for efficient inhibition of STAT1 phosphorylation. Thus, we elucidated the molecular mechanism by which ZIKV sfRNA exerts its functions in vertebrate hosts and discovered a co-operation between viral noncoding RNA and a viral protein as a novel strategy employed by viruses to counteract antiviral responses.
The Transcriptome of Schistosoma mansoni Developing Eggs Reveals Key Mediators in Pathogenesis and Life Cycle Propagation

Schistosomiasis, the most important helminthic disease of humanity, is caused by infection with parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma. The disease is driven by the eggs laid by the parasites and becoming trapped in host tissues, followed by inflammation and granuloma formation. Despite abundant transcriptome data for most developmental stages of the three main human-infective schistosome species, i.e. Schistosoma mansoni, S. japonicum and S. haematobium, the transcriptomic profiles of developing eggs remain largely unexplored. In this study, we performed RNAseq of S. mansoni eggs laid in vitro during early and late embryogenesis (days 1-3 and 3-6 post-oviposition, respectively). Analysis of the transcriptomes identified hundreds of up-regulated genes during the later stage, including venom allergen-like (VAL) proteins, well-established host immunomodulators, and genes involved in organogenesis of the miracidium larva. In addition, the transcriptomes of the in vitro laid eggs were compared with existing publicly available RNA-seq dataset from S. mansoni eggs collected from the livers of murine hosts. Analysis of enriched GO terms and pathway annotations revealed cell division and protein synthesis processes associated with early embryogenesis, whereas cellular metabolic processes, microtubule-based movement, and microtubule cytoskeleton organization were found enriched in the later developmental time point. This is the first transcriptomic analysis of S. mansoni embryonic development, and will facilitate our understanding of infection pathogenesis, miracidia development and life cycle progression of schistosomes.