Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Selective Adsorption of Aqueous Diclofenac Sodium, Naproxen Sodium, and Ibuprofen Using a Stable Fe3O4–FeBTC Metal–Organic Framework

The FeBTC metal–organic framework (MOF) incorporated with magnetite is proposed as a novel material to solve water contamination with last generation pollutants. The material was synthesized by in situ solvothermal methods, and Fe3O4 nanoparticles were added during FeBTC MOF synthesis and used in drug adsorption. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy characterized the materials, with N2-physisorption at 77 K. Pseudo-second-order kinetic and Freundlich models were used to describe the adsorption process. The thermodynamic study revealed that the adsorption of three drugs was a feasible, spontaneous exothermic process. The incorporation of magnetite nanoparticles in the FeBTC increased the adsorption capacity of pristine FeBTC. The Fe3O4–FeBTC material showed a maximum adsorption capacity for diclofenac sodium (DCF), then by ibuprofen (IB), and to a lesser extent by naproxen sodium (NS). Additionally, hybridization of the FeBTC with magnetite nanoparticles reinforced the most vulnerable part of the MOF, increasing the stability of its thermal and aqueous media. The electrostatic interaction, H-bonding, and interactions in the open-metal sites played vital roles in the drug adsorption. The sites’ competition in the multicomponent mixture’s adsorption showed selective adsorption (DCF) and (NS). This work shows how superficial modification with a low-surface-area MOF can achieve significant adsorption results in water pollutants.
Effect of Set-Structure on Upper-Body Muscular Hypertrophy and Performance in Recreationally-Trained Male and Female

Abstract Davies, TB, Halaki, M, Orr, R, Mitchell, L, Helms, ER, Clarke, J, and Hackett, DA. Effect of set structure on upper-body muscular hypertrophy and performance in recreationally trained men and women. J Strength Cond Res 36(8): 2176–2185, 2022—This study explored the effect of volume-equated traditional-set and cluster-set structures on muscular hypertrophy and performance after high-load resistance training manipulating the bench press exercise. Twenty-one recreationally trained subjects (12 men and 9 women) performed a 3-week familiarization phase and were then randomized into one of two 8-week upper-body and lower-body split programs occurring over 3 and then progressing to 4 sessions per week. Subjects performed 4 sets of 5 repetitions at 85% one repetition maximum (1RM) using a traditional-set structure (TRAD, n = 10), which involved 5 minutes of interset rest only, or a cluster-set structure, which included 30-second inter-repetition rest and 3 minutes of interset rest (CLUS, n = 11). A 1RM bench press, repetitions to failure at 70% 1RM, regional muscle thickness, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry were used to estimate changes in muscular strength, local muscular endurance, regional muscular hypertrophy, and body composition, respectively. Velocity loss was assessed using a linear position transducer at the intervention midpoint. TRAD demonstrated a significantly greater velocity loss magnitude (g = 1.50) and muscle thickness of the proximal pectoralis major (g = −0.34) compared with CLUS. There were no significant differences between groups for the remaining outcomes, although a small effect size favoring TRAD was observed for the middle region of the pectoralis major (g = −0.25). It seems that the greater velocity losses during sets observed in traditional-set compared with cluster-set structures may promote superior muscular hypertrophy within specific regions of the pectoralis major in recreationally trained subjects.
In Vitro Lung Models and Their Application to Study SARS-CoV-2 Pathogenesis and Disease

SARS-CoV-2 has spread across the globe with an astonishing velocity and lethality that has put scientist and pharmaceutical companies worldwide on the spot to develop novel treatment options and reliable vaccination for billions of people. To combat its associated disease COVID-19 and potentially newly emerging coronaviruses, numerous pre-clinical cell culture techniques have progressively been used, which allow the study of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, basic replication mechanisms, and drug efficiency in the most authentic context. Hence, this review was designed to summarize and discuss currently used in vitro and ex vivo cell culture systems and will illustrate how these systems will help us to face the challenges imposed by the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Effect of Oxygen Content on Microstructure and Tensile Properties of a 22Cr-5Al ODS Steel

The high tensile strength and irradiation resistance of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic steels is attributed to the ultrafine and dispersed oxides within the matrix. The high content of oxygen and yttrium is critical for the formation of dense Y-rich oxides. However, only few studies have reported the effect of oxygen content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ODS steels. Herein, we employed gas atomization reactive synthesis to prepare pre-alloy powders and then hot isostatic pressing (HIP) to consolidate two 22Cr-5Al ODS steels with different oxygen content. Our results showed Y-rich precipitates at and near grain boundaries of the as-HIPed alloys. Moreover, with the oxygen content increasing from 0.04 to 0.16 wt%, more precipitates precipitated in the as-HIPed alloy, and the ultimate tensile strength of the alloy was improved. However, increasing the oxygen content to 0.16 wt% led to formation of stripe and chain precipitates at and near grain boundaries, which caused a partial intergranular fracture of the as-HIPed alloy.
Neurofilaments as Emerging Biomarkers of Neuroaxonal Damage to Differentiate Behavioral Frontotemporal Dementia from Primary Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review

The behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is a clinical syndrome resulting from various causes of neuronal demises associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Symptoms include behavioral and personality changes, social cognitive impairment, and executive function deficits. There is a significant clinical overlap between this syndrome and various primary psychiatric disorders (PPD). Structural and functional neuroimaging are considered helpful to support the diagnosis of bvFTD, but their sensitivity and specificity remain imperfect. There is growing evidence concerning the potential of neurofilaments as biomarkers reflecting axonal and neuronal lesions. Ultrasensitive analytic platforms have recently enabled neurofilament light chains’ (NfL) detection not only from cerebrospinal fluid but also from peripheral blood samples in FTD patients. In this short review, we present recent advances and perspectives for the use of NfL assessments as biomarkers of neuroaxonal damage to differentiate bvFTD from primary psychiatric disorders.
Cancer-Associated Fibroblast-Derived IL-6 Determines Unfavorable Prognosis in Cholangiocarcinoma by Affecting Autophagy-Associated Chemoresponse

Simple Summary We aimed to validate with clinical and molecular data the hypothesis that CAF infiltration and release of IL-6 predict poor prognosis in CCA patients following dysregulation of autophagy in cancer cells. Stromal IL-6 and cancer-cell-associated autophagy proteins were assayed by Tissue MicroArray immunohistochemistry and their expression correlated with overall survival (OS) in a cohort of 70 CCA patients. We found that patients bearing a CCA with low stromal IL-6 and active autophagy flux in the cancer cells have the best prognosis and this correlates with a more effective response to post-operative chemotherapy. A similar trend was observed in CCA patients from the TCGA database. In vitro experiments with primary CAFs isolated from human CCA showed that IL-6 impairs the autophagy-associated apoptotic response to 5-FU in human CCA cells. Stromal IL-6 inhibition of autophagy in cancer cells was confirmed in an animal model of CCA. Our data support a therapeutic strategy that includes drugs limiting the stromal inflammation and enhancing autophagy to improve the survival of CCA patients. Abstract Background: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) released by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) has been shown to associate with the malignant behavior of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Here, we aimed to validate with clinical and molecular data the hypothesis that CAF infiltration and release of IL-6 predict poor prognosis in CCA patients following dysregulation of autophagy in cancer cells. Methods: Stromal IL-6 and cancer-cell-associated autophagy proteins LC3 and p62 were assayed by Tissue MicroArray immunohistochemistry and their expression correlated with overall survival (OS) in a cohort of 70 CCA patients. The 5-FU cytotoxicity and autophagy were determined in CCA cells cultured with CAF-conditioned medium. Results: We show that patients bearing a CCA with low production of stromal IL-6 and active autophagy flux in the cancer cells have the best prognosis and this correlates with a more effective response to post-operative chemotherapy. A similar trend was observed in CCA patients from the TCGA database. In vitro genetic manipulation of IL-6 production by primary CAFs isolated from human CCA showed that IL-6 impairs the autophagy-associated apoptotic response to 5-FU in human CCA cells. Stromal IL-6 inhibition of autophagy in cancer cells was confirmed in an animal model of CCA. Conclusion: Our data support a therapeutic strategy that includes autophagy-enhancing drugs along with adjuvants limiting the stromal inflammation (i.e., the secretion of IL-6) to improve the survival of CCA patients.
Carnosine Protects Macrophages against the Toxicity of Aβ1-42 Oligomers by Decreasing Oxidative Stress

Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) is a naturally occurring endogenous peptide widely distributed in excitable tissues such as the brain. This dipeptide has well-known antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aggregation activities, and it may be useful for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this disease, peripheral infiltrating macrophages play a substantial role in the clearance of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides from the brain. Correspondingly, in patients suffering from AD, defects in the capacity of peripheral macrophages to engulf Aβ have been reported. The effects of carnosine on macrophages and oxidative stress associated with AD are consequently of substantial interest for drug discovery in this field. In the present work, a model of stress induced by Aβ1-42 oligomers was investigated using a combination of methods including trypan blue exclusion, microchip electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence, flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, and high-throughput quantitative real-time PCR. These assays were used to assess the ability of carnosine to protect macrophage cells, modulate oxidative stress, and profile the expression of genes related to inflammation and pro- and antioxidant systems. We found that pre-treatment of RAW 264.7 macrophages with carnosine counteracted cell death and apoptosis induced by Aβ1-42 oligomers by decreasing oxidative stress as measured by levels of intracellular nitric oxide (NO)/reactive oxygen species (ROS) and production of peroxynitrite. This protective activity of carnosine was not mediated by modulation of the canonical inflammatory pathway but instead can be explained by the well-known antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activities of carnosine, enhanced macrophage phagocytic activity, and the rescue of fractalkine receptor CX3CR1. These new findings obtained with macrophages challenged with Aβ1-42 oligomers, along with the well-known multimodal mechanism of action of carnosine in vitro and in vivo, substantiate the therapeutic potential of this dipeptide in the context of AD pathology.
Supplemental O2 During Recovery Does Not Improve Repeated Maximal Concentric-Eccentric Strength-Endurance Performance in Hypoxia

Abstract Dünnwald, T, Morawetz, D, Faulhaber, M, Gatterer, H, Birklbauer, C, Koller, A, Weiss, G, and Schobersberger, W. Supplemental O2 during recovery does not improve repeated maximal concentric-eccentric strength-endurance performance in hypoxia. J Strength Cond Res 36(11): 3065–3073, 2022—An alpine ski racing training session typically includes repeated bouts of maximal exercise at high altitude. We evaluated whether hyperoxic recovery between 5 sets of high-intensity strength-endurance exercises, which resembled ski racing activity and were performed in hypoxia, has beneficial effects on performance and acid-base status. In this randomized, single blinded crossover study, 15 highly skilled ski athletes (4 f/11 m; 29.7 ± 5.7 years) performed 5 90 seconds flywheel sets (S) in a normobaric hypoxic chamber (3,500 m). The flywheel sets were separated by 4 15-minute recovery periods. During recovery, subjects received either 100% O2 (hyperoxic setting [HS]) or hypoxic air (nonhyperoxic setting [NHS]; FiO2: 0.146). Performance outcomes (e.g., power output [PO], concentric peak power [Conpeak], and eccentric peak power [Eccpeak]) and physiological parameters (e.g., heart rate, blood gases, and blood lactate) were evaluated. Mean PO, Conpeak, and Eccpeak from S1 to S5 did not differ between settings (146.9 ± 45 W and 144.3 ± 44 W, 266.9 ± 80 W and 271.2 ± 78 W, and 271.0 ± 93 W and 274.1 ± 74 W for HS and NHS, respectively; p ≥ 0.05). SpO2, PaO2, and CaO2 were higher during recovery in HS than in NHS (p ≤ 0.001). Lactate levels were significantly lower in the last recovery phase in HS than in NHS (p = 0.016). Hyperoxic recovery has no impact on performance in a setting resembling alpine ski racing training. Positive effects on arterial oxygen content and cellular metabolism, as indicated by reduced blood lactate levels during recovery in the hyperoxic setting, seem to be insufficient to generate a direct effect on performance.
Barriers to and Facilitators of Cervical Cancer Screening among Women in Southeast Asia: A Systematic Review

In Southeast Asia, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women. Low coverage for cervical cancer screening (CCS) becomes a roadblock to disease detection and treatment. Existing reviews on CCS have limited insights into the barriers and facilitators for SEA. Hence, this study aims to identify key barriers and facilitators among women living in SEA. A systematic literature review was conducted on Pubmed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and SCOPUS. Primary qualitative and quantitative studies published in English that reported barriers and facilitators to CCS were included. The Mix Methods Appraisal Tool was used for the quality assessment of the included studies. Among the 93 included studies, pap smears (73.1%) were the most common screening modality. A majority of the studies were from Malaysia (35.5%). No studies were from Timor-Leste and the Philippines. The most common barriers were embarrassment (number of articles, n = 33), time constraints (n = 27), and poor knowledge of screening (n = 27). The most common facilitators were related to age (n = 21), receiving advice from healthcare workers (n = 17), and education status (n = 11). Findings from this review may inform health policy makers in developing effective cervical cancer screening programs in SEA countries.
Application of a Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model to Develop a Veterinary Amorphous Enrofloxacin Solid Dispersion

Zoonotic intestinal pathogens threaten human health and cause huge economic losses in farming. Enrofloxacin (ENR) shows high antibacterial activity against common intestinal bacteria. However, its poor palatability and low aqueous solubility limit the clinical application of ENR. To obtain an ENR oral preparation with good palatability and high solubility, a granule containing an amorphous ENR solid dispersion (ENR-SD) was prepared. Meanwhile, a PBPK model of ENR in pigs was built based on the physiological parameters of pigs and the chemical-specific parameters of ENR to simulate the pharmacokinetics (PK) of ENR-SD granules in the intestinal contents. According to the results of parameter sensitivity analysis (PSA) and the predicted PK parameters at different doses of the model, formulation strategies and potential dose regimens against common intestinal infections were provided. The DSC and XRD results showed that no specific interactions existed between the excipients and ENR during the compatibility tests, and ENR presented as an amorphous form in ENR-SD. Based on the similar PK performance of ENR-SD granules and the commercial ENR soluble powder suggesting continued enhancement of the solubility of ENR, a higher drug concentration in intestinal contents could not be obtained. Therefore, a 1:5 ratio of ENR and stearic acid possessing a saturated aqueous solubility of 1190 ± 7.71 µg/mL was selected. The predictive AUC24h/MIC90 ratios against Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella, and Escherichia coli were 133, 266 and 8520 (>100), respectively, suggesting that satisfactory efficacy against common intestinal infections would be achieved at a dose of 10 mg/kg b.w. once daily. The PSA results indicated that the intestinal absorption rate constant (Ka) was negatively correlated with the Cmax of ENR in the intestine, suggesting that we could obtain higher intestinal Cmax using P-gp inducers to reduce Ka, thus obtaining a higher Cmax. Our studies suggested that the PBPK model is an excellent tool for formulation and dose design.
A Membrane Filter-Assisted Mammalian Cell-Based Biosensor Enabling 3D Culture and Pathogen Detection

We have developed a membrane filter-assisted cell-based biosensing platform by using a polyester membrane as a three-dimensional (3D) cell culture scaffold in which cells can be grown by physical attachment. The membrane was simply treated with ethanol to increase surficial hydrophobicity, inducing the stable settlement of cells via gravity. The 3D membrane scaffold was able to provide a relatively longer cell incubation time (up to 16 days) as compared to a common two-dimensional (2D) cell culture environment. For a practical application, we fabricated a cylindrical cartridge to support the scaffold membranes stacked inside the cartridge, enabling not only the maintenance of a certain volume of culture media but also the simple exchange of media in a flow-through manner. The cartridge-type cell-based analytical system was exemplified for pathogen detection by measuring the quantities of toll-like receptor 1 (TLR1) induced by applying a lysate of P. aeruginosa and live E. coli, respectively, providing a fast, convenient colorimetric TLR1 immunoassay. The color images of membranes were digitized to obtain the response signals. We expect the method to further be applied as an alternative tool to animal testing in various research areas such as cosmetic toxicity and drug efficiency.
Polymeric Carriers Designed for Encapsulation of Essential Oils with Biological Activity

The article reviews the possibilities of encapsulating essential oils EOs, due to their multiple benefits, controlled release, and in order to protect them from environmental conditions. Thus, we present the natural polymers and the synthetic macromolecular chains that are commonly used as networks for embedding EOs, owing to their biodegradability and biocompatibility, interdependent encapsulation methods, and potential applicability of bioactive blend structures. The possibilities of using artificial intelligence to evaluate the bioactivity of EOs—in direct correlation with their chemical constitutions and structures, in order to avoid complex laboratory analyses, to save money and time, and to enhance the final consistency of the products—are also presented.
Spatial-Light-Modulator-Based Multichannel Data Transmission by Vortex Beams of Various Orders

We report an atmospheric multichannel data transmission system with channel separation by vortex beams of various orders, including half-integer values. For the demultiplexing of the communication channels, a multichannel diffractive optical element (DOE) is proposed, being matched with the used vortex beams. The considered approach may be realized without digital processing of the output images, but only based on the numbers of informative diffraction orders, similar to sorting. The system is implemented based on two spatial light modulators (SLMs), one of which forms a multiplexed signal on the transmitting side, and the other implements a multichannel DOE for separating the vortex beams on the receiving side. The stability of the communication channel to atmospheric interference and the crosstalk between the channels are investigated.
Physical Activity Levels among Preschool-Aged Children in Family Child Care Homes: A Comparison between Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Children Using Accelerometry

Obesity prevalence among Hispanic children is twice that of non-Hispanic white children; Hispanic children may also engage in less physical activity (PA) compared to non-Hispanic white children. A large number of U.S. preschool-aged children are cared for in Family Child Care Homes (FCCH), yet few studies have examined PA levels and ethnicity differences in PA levels among these children. We examine baseline data from a cluster-randomized trial (Healthy Start/Comienzos Sanos) to improve food and PA environments in FCCHs. Children aged 2-to-5-years (n = 342) wore triaxial accelerometers for two days in FCCHs. Variables examined include percentage of time (%) spent in sedentary, and light, moderate, and vigorous PA. The full dataset (n = 342) indicated sedentary behavior 62% ± 11% of the time and only 10% ± 5% of the time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA. Among children in the upper-median half of wear-time (n = 176), Hispanic children had significantly greater % sedentary time vs. Non-Hispanic children (66.2% ± 8.3% vs. 62.6% ± 6.9%, p = 0.007), and lower % light PA (25.4% ± 6.3% vs. 27.7% ± 4.9%, p = 0.008) and moderate PA (5.5% ± 2.1% vs. 6.4% ± 2.2%, p = 0.018). Our results highlight that PA levels were lower among our sample compared to previous studies, and that Hispanic children were more sedentary and less active compared to non-Hispanic white children.
Assessment of the Analytical Performance of Three Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Instruments (Benchtop, Handheld and Portable) through the Investigation of Coriander Seed Authenticity

The performance of three near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) instruments was compared through the investigation of coriander seed authenticity. The Thermo Fisher iS50 NIRS benchtop instrument, the portable Ocean Insights Flame-NIR and the Consumer Physics handheld SCiO device were assessed in conjunction with chemometric modelling in order to determine their predictive capabilities and use as quantitative tools through regression analysis. Two hundred authentic coriander seed samples and ninety adulterated samples were analysed on each device. Prediction models were developed and validated using SIMCA 15 chemometric software. All instruments correctly predicted 100% of the adulterated samples. The best models resulted in correct predictions of 100%, 98.5% and 95.6% for authentic coriander samples using spectra from the iS50, Flame-NIR and SCiO, respectively. The development of regression models highlighted the limitations of the Flame-NIR and SCiO for quantitative analysis, compared to the iS50. However, the results indicate their use as screening tools for on-site analysis of food, at various stages of the food supply chain.