Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vitro human digestion test to monitor the dissolution of silver nanoparticles

Nanotechnology is a scientific revolution that the food industry has experienced over the last years. Widely employed as food additives and/or food contact materials in consumer products, silver nanoparticles are an example of this innovation. However, their increasing use makes also likely the human ingestion, thus requiring a proper risk analysis. In this framework, a comprehensive characterization of biotransformation of silver nanoparticles in biological fluids is fundamental for the regulatory needs. Herein, we aimed at studying the dissolution behaviour of silver nanoparticles using an in vitro test, which simulates the human oral ingestion of NPs during their passage through the gastrointestinal tract. The nanoparticle suspensions were characterized in the different digestion phases using several techniques to follow the changes of key physical properties (e.g., size, surface charge and plasmon peak) and to quantify the biotransformed products arisen by the process, as for example free silver ions.
Combination of Dyeing Method and Ozone After-Treatment to Apply Natural Dyes on to Cotton Fabrics

ABSTRACT The textile industry has an important place in global marketing and trade. Both production and consumption of cotton and cotton-based materials were also considerably important. Until now, the essential term for the textile industry can be summarized as product diversity. However, today, in addition, the demand for natural and organic products has been in an increasing trend. In this respect, the use of natural dyes has become popular again. However, the need to use mordants, especially metal salts, is the most important dilemma in terms of natural production. This study was aimed to show the usability of ozone gas with natural dyeing and to introduce an alternative production that avoids use of mordants. It was observed that different ozone gas applications can be used to obtain color diversity from the same natural dye source, which at present is achieved by using different mordants. On the other hand, for the tested dyes, different fastnesses were analyzed in terms of the effect of ozone gas treatment style and different mordants. It was found that in general the tested natural dyes have good fastness values except for light fastnesses. The use of ozone gas only improved the wet rubbing fastness values when ozone gas was applied directly to the wet dyed sample. For other fastnesses, ozone did not show any significant effect.
Reward signalling in brainstem nuclei under fluctuating blood glucose

Phasic dopamine release from mid-brain dopaminergic neurons is thought to signal errors of reward prediction (RPE). If reward maximisation is to maintain homeostasis, then the value of primary rewards should be coupled to the homeostatic errors they remediate. This leads to the prediction that RPE signals should be configured as a function of homeostatic state and thus diminish with the attenuation of homeostatic error. To test this hypothesis, we collected a large volume of functional MRI data from five human volunteers on four separate days. After fasting for 12 hours, subjects consumed preloads that differed in glucose concentration. Participants then underwent a Pavlovian cue-conditioning paradigm in which the colour of a fixation-cross was stochastically associated with the delivery of water or glucose via a gustometer. This design afforded computation of RPE separately for better- and worse-than expected outcomes during ascending and descending trajectories of serum glucose fluctuations. In the parabrachial nuclei, regional activity coding positive RPEs scaled positively with serum glucose for both ascending and descending glucose levels. The ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra became more sensitive to negative RPEs when glucose levels were ascending. Together, the results suggest that RPE signals in key brainstem structures are modulated by homeostatic trajectories of naturally occurring glycaemic flux, revealing a tight interplay between homeostatic state and the neural encoding of primary reward in the human brain.
Estimating the basic reproductive number of varicella in South Korea incorporating social contact patterns and seroprevalence

ABSTRACT Varicella, which is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), is a common infectious disease affecting children. Varicella vaccines have been used for decades; however, vaccination policies vary across countries because of differences in VZV epidemiology. The basic reproductive number a transmissibility measure parameter, also differs from country to country. In this study for varicella was estimated in South Korea using the contact rate matrix derived from averaged POLYMOD contact data, the Korean population, and proportionality factor fitted to the Korean VZV seroprevalence for varicella in South Korea was estimated to be 5.67 (95% CI: 5.33, 6.33). Therefore, to reach the herd immunity threshold, the critical vaccine coverage should be greater than 82.4% with a perfect vaccine, or the primary vaccine failure proportion should be less than 17.6% with 100% coverage. Because of the relatively low seroconversion rate and rapidly waning immunity after one-dose vaccination in South Korea, the herd immunity threshold is difficult to attain with only a one-dose vaccine. Two doses of vaccination may be necessary to effectively interrupt varicella transmission and maintain herd immunity in South Korea. The study results can help guide the decision-making on an effective varicella vaccination policy in South Korea.
Different DNA-binding specificities of NLP and NIN transcription factors underlie nitrate-induced control of root nodulation

Abstract Leguminous plants produce nodules for nitrogen fixation; however, nodule production incurs an energy cost. Therefore, as an adaptive strategy, leguminous plants halt root nodule development when sufficient amounts of nitrogen nutrients, such as nitrate, are present in the environment. Although legume NODULE INCEPTION (NIN)-LIKE PROTEIN (NLP) transcription factors have recently been identified, understanding how nodulation is controlled by nitrate, a fundamental question for nitrate-mediated transcriptional regulation of symbiotic genes, remains elusive. Here, we show that two Lotus japonicus NLPs, NITRATE UNRESPONSIVE SYMBIOSIS 1 (NRSYM1)/LjNLP4 and NRSYM2/LjNLP1, have overlapping functions in the nitrate-induced control of nodulation and act as master regulators for nitrate-dependent gene expression. We further identify candidate target genes of LjNLP4 by combining transcriptome analysis with a DNA affinity purification-seq approach. We then demonstrate that LjNLP4 and LjNIN, a key nodulation-specific regulator and paralog of LjNLP4, have different DNA-binding specificities. Moreover, LjNLP4–LjNIN dimerization underlies LjNLP4-mediated bifunctional transcriptional regulation. These data provide a basic principle for how nitrate controls nodulation through positive and negative regulation of symbiotic genes.
Dairy consumption and mortality after myocardial infarction: a prospective analysis in the Alpha Omega Cohort

ABSTRACT Background Population-based studies generally show neutral associations between dairy consumption and ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality, whereas weak inverse associations were found for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke mortality. Whether dairy consumption affects long-term survival after myocardial infarction (MI) is unknown. Objectives We studied types of dairy and long-term mortality risk in drug-treated post-MI patients. Methods We included 4365 Dutch patients from the Alpha Omega Cohort aged 60–80 y (21% women) with an MI ≤10 y before enrollment. Dietary data were collected at baseline (2002–2006) using a 203-item FFQ and patients were followed for cause-specific mortality through December 2018. HRs of CVD, IHD, stroke, and all-cause mortality for types of dairy were obtained from Cox models, adjusting for age, sex, energy intake, physical activity, smoking, alcohol intake, diabetes, obesity, and dietary factors. Results Most patients were Dutch, 24% were obese, 20% had diabetes, and 97% used cardiovascular medication. Median intakes were 39 g/d for plain yogurt, 88 g/d for total nonfermented milk, and 17 g/d for hard cheeses. Of the cohort, 10% consumed high-fat milk. During ∼12 y of follow-up (48,473 person-years) 2035 deaths occurred, including 903 from CVD, 558 from IHD, and 170 from stroke. Yogurt was linearly inversely associated with CVD mortality (HR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.93, 0.99; per 25 g/d) and nonlinearly inversely associated with all-cause mortality. Milk was not associated with any of the outcomes (HRs: ∼1.0 per 100 g/d), except for a higher mortality risk in high-fat milk consumers (HR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.49). Other dairy groups were not associated with mortality risk. Conclusions In Dutch post-MI patients, yogurt consumption was inversely associated with CVD mortality and all-cause mortality. Associations for milk and other dairy products were neutral or inconsistent. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03192410.
Impact of adherence to disease-modifying therapies on employment among veterans with multiple sclerosis

Abstract Purpose Patients who adhere to their disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) have a lower rate of MS-related relapses and disability. We sought to determine the adherence rate to DMTs and the association between adherence to DMTs and employment in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Method One hundred and forty-two patients with MS who were periodically followed in our clinic between January 2000 and January 2020. We compared three groups of patients, defined according to their adherence to DMTs (non-adherent; poorly adherent; adherent), on their obtaining paid employment. Results Forty-seven MS patients (33.1%) were non-adherent to any DMT medication, while 88 MS patients (62.0%) demonstrated good and 7 (4.9%) poor adherences. More patients in the good-adherence group were in paid employment 42.0% compared to 23.4% in the non-adherent group (p = 0.587) after controlling for potential co-founders. Conclusion In this study veterans who adhered to their DMTs were 2.4 times more likely to be in paid-employment compared to non- or poorly-adherent patients. The clinical significance of this study is to encourage MS patients to adhere to their DMTs as a motivating factor of being in paid-employment. Implications for rehabilitation What is known about this subject? In the setting of a randomized controlled trial adherence rates reported for different injectable DMTs vary from 79–85% for once a week interferon beta-1a (IM IFNb-1a) to 49–78% for other injectable DMTs. •What are the new findings and/or impact on clinical practice? •Paid employment was more common among veterans whose adherence to DMTs was good (42.0% employed) or poor (42.9%) than among those who were non-adherent (23.4%). Veterans who adhered to DMTs were also younger, had less severe MS, and displayed less cognitive and physically impairment than those who did not adhere. •Being employed can act as a motivating factor to encourage adherence to treatment aimed at preventing accumulation of mental and physical disabilities.
Design of novel chemical solvent for treatment of waxy crude

Deposited wax in pipelines and well bores are not easily recoverable due to its solidification over time. This is responsible for losses in production. In this paper, chemical solvent derived from laboratory was used to recover the solidified wax. Twelve chemical solvents and three commercial dispersants were mixed in different volumetric proportions to study their solubility effect on waxy crude oil. Optimised solvent mixture capable of dissolving wax material was used on a laboratory prototype experiment to measure the recovery of deposited wax at different temperatures (pour point of crude oil to 90°C). Optimum composition of solvent was based on its toxicity, flammability, availability and other contributing factors like cost and recoverability. The formulated solvent dissolved about 72% and 83% wax after three hours and six hours of soaking time respectively at 25°C. Results implied that formulated solvent have immense potential to recover solidified wax in wellbores and in pipelines. [Received: January 10, 2016; Accepted: March 13, 2016]
Astrocytes and neurons share region-specific transcriptional signatures that confer regional identity to neuronal reprogramming

Region-specific gene expression shared with neurons imparts to astrocytes competence for region-specific neuronal reprogramming. Neural cell diversity is essential to endow distinct brain regions with specific functions. During development, progenitors within these regions are characterized by specific gene expression programs, contributing to the generation of diversity in postmitotic neurons and astrocytes. While the region-specific molecular diversity of neurons and astrocytes is increasingly understood, whether these cells share region-specific programs remains unknown. Here, we show that in the neocortex and thalamus, neurons and astrocytes express shared region-specific transcriptional and epigenetic signatures. These signatures not only distinguish cells across these two brain regions but are also detected across substructures within regions, such as distinct thalamic nuclei, where clonal analysis reveals the existence of common nucleus-specific progenitors for neurons and astrocytes. Consistent with their shared molecular signature, regional specificity is maintained following astrocyte-to-neuron reprogramming. A detailed understanding of these regional-specific signatures may thus inform strategies for future cell-based brain repair.
Increased Excitatory Synaptic Transmission Associated with Adult Seizure Vulnerability Induced by Early-Life Inflammation in Mice

Early-life inflammatory stress increases seizure susceptibility later in life. However, possible sex- and age-specific differences and the associated mechanisms are largely unknown. C57BL/6 mice were bred in house, and female and male pups were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 100 μg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle control (saline solution) at postnatal day 14 (P14). Seizure threshold was assessed in response to pentylenetetrazol (1% solution, i.v.) in adolescence (∼P40) and adulthood (∼P60). We found that adult, but not adolescent, mice treated with LPS displayed ∼34% lower seizure threshold compared with controls. Females and males showed similar increased seizure susceptibility, suggesting that altered brain excitability was age dependent, but not sex dependent. Whole-cell recordings revealed no differences in excitatory synaptic activity onto CA1 pyramidal neurons from control or neonatally inflamed adolescent mice of either sex. However, adult mice of both sexes previously exposed to LPS displayed spontaneous EPSC frequency approximately twice that of controls, but amplitude was unchanged. Although these changes were not associated with alterations in dendritic spines or in the NMDA/AMPA receptor ratio, they were linked to an increased glutamate release probability from Schaffer collateral, but not temporoammonic pathway. This glutamate increase was associated with reduced activity of presynaptic GABAB receptors and was independent of the endocannabinoid-mediated suppression of excitation. Our new findings demonstrate that early-life inflammation leads to long-term increased hippocampal excitability in adult female and male mice associated with changes in glutamatergic synaptic transmission. These alterations may contribute to enhanced vulnerability of the brain to subsequent pathologic challenges such as epileptic seizures. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Adult physiology has been shown to be affected by early-life inflammation. Our data reveal that early-life inflammation increases excitatory synaptic transmission onto hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in an age-dependent manner through disrupted presynaptic GABAB receptor activity on Schaffer collaterals. This hyperexcitability was seen only in adult, and not in adolescent, animals of either sex. The data suggest a maturation process, independent of sex, in the priming action of early-life inflammation and highlight the importance of studying mature brains to reveal cellular changes associated with early-life interventions.
Volume measurements on weightbearing computed tomography can detect subtle syndesmotic instability

While weightbearing computed tomography (WBCT) allows three‐dimensional (3D) visualization of the distal syndesmosis, image interpretation has largely relied on one‐dimensional (1D) distance and, more recently, two‐dimensional (2D) area measurements. This study aimed to (1) determine the sensitivity and specificity of 2D area and 3D volume WBCT measurements towards detecting subtle syndesmotic instability, (2) evaluate whether the patterns of changes in the 3D shape of the syndesmosis can be attributed to the type of ligament injury. A total of 24 patients with unilateral subtle syndesmotic instability and 24 individuals with uninjured ankles (controls) with bilateral ankle WBCT were assessed retrospectively. First, 2D areas at 0, 1, 3, 5, and 10 cm, and 3D volumes at 1, 3, 5, and 10 cm above the tibial plafond were measured bilaterally. Secondly, the 3D model of the distal tibiofibular space was created based on WBCT in a subset of 8 out of 24 patients in whom the type of ligament injury was recognized via magnetic resonance imaging. The 3D model of the injured side was superimposed on the uninjured contralateral side to visualize the pattern of changes in different planes. Volume measurement up to 5 cm above the tibial plafond showed the lowest p‐value (<0.001 vs. other methods), higher sensitivity (95.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 87.8–100), and specificity (83.3%, 95% CI: 68.4–98.2) for detection of syndesmotic instability. No specific pattern of changes in the 3D shape could be attributed to a type of ligament rupture. We suggest 3D volume measurements, best measured up to 5 cm proximal to the plafond, as a promising means of diagnosing syndesmotic instability, particularly for subtle cases that are hard to detect. Clinical significance: The ability to compare the ankle joints bilaterally in a 3D manner under physiologic weight provided by weightbearing CT has led to a more accurate diagnostic method. Using volumetric measurement up to 5 cm above the tibial plafond showed higher sensitivity and specificity for recognizing an unstable syndesmosis, especially in subtle cases. However, our preliminary investigations showed that the pattern of 3D alterations in the distal tibiofibular joint space based on WBCT images does not indicate the type of syndesmotic ligamentous injury. Our results can also help image viewing programs to improve their measurement tools to facilitate 3D measurement for the syndesmosis as well as other conditions that may benefit from 3D evaluation of the clinical images.
mSphere of Influence: Drivers of Host-Associated Microbial Community Structure and Change

Vanessa L. Hale studies the role of the microbiome in disease susceptibility in animal and human health. ABSTRACT Vanessa L. Hale studies the role of the microbiome in disease susceptibility in animal and human health. In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on how the papers “Evolution of mammals and their gut microbes” (R. E. Ley, M. Hamady, C. Lozupone, P. J. Turnbaugh, et al., Science 320:1647–1651, 2008, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1155725) and “A dietary fiber-deprived gut microbiota degrades the colonic mucus barrier and enhances pathogen susceptibility” (M. S. Desai, A. M. Seekatz, N. M. Koropatkin, N. Kamada, et al., Cell 167:1339–1353.e21, 2016, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2016.10.043) have provided a foundation for studying drivers of gut microbial structure and change across host species in the context of evolution and disease risk.
µ-reactors for Heterogeneous Catalysis

This thesis is the summary of my work on the μ-reactor platform. The concept of μ-reactors is presented and some of the experimental challenges are outlined. The various experimental issues regarding the platform are discussed and the actual implementation of three generations of the setup is described in detail. Since heating and temperature measurement is an extremely important point in heterogeneous catalysis an entire chapter is dedicated to this subject. Three different types of heaters have been implemented and tested both for repeatability and homogeneity of the heating as well as the maximal achievable temperature. The currently best solution for heating and measuring temperature is to use several integrated Pt-strips as ohmic heaters and a separate 4-point Pt meander structure as a resistance thermometer. It is shown how it is possible to quantify the available amount of active catalyst surface area by reacting off an adsorbed layer of oxygen with CO. This procedure can be performed at temperatures low enough that sintering of Pt nanoparticles is not an issue. Some results from the reactors are presented. In particular an unexpected oscillation phenomenon of CO-oxidation on Pt nanoparticles are presented in detail. The sensitivity of the reactors are currently being investigated with CO oxidation on Pt thin films as a test reaction, and the results so far are presented. We have at this point shown that we are able to reach full conversion with a catalyst area of 38μm with a turn over frequency of approximately 10 site−1 s−1. The apparent activation energy for all sizes of thin films is found to be ∼ 1.2 eV. We expect to be able to go to even lower amounts of Pt and corresponding higher turn over frequencies by increasing the temperature further. Various methods of gaining insight into the reactor besides the normal quadropole mass spectrometer are discussed. In particular a chapter is devoted to the application of a Time-of-flight mass spectrometer on the setup. Finally the thesis contains an outlook of the possible future of the setup, and several suggestions for improvements are discussed.