Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design Criteria of Soft Exogloves for Hand Rehabilitation-Assistance Tasks

This paper establishes design criteria for soft exogloves (SEG) to be used as rehabilitation or assistance devices. This research consists in identifying, selecting, and grouping SEG features based on the analysis of 91 systems that have been proposed during the last decade. Thus, function, mobility, and usability criteria are defined and explicitly discussed to highlight SEG design guidelines. Additionally, this study provides a detailed description of each system that was analysed including application, functional task, palm design, actuation type, assistance mode, degrees of freedom (DOF), target fingers, motions, material, weight, force, pressure (only for fluids), control strategy, and assessment. Such characteristics have been reported according to specific design methodologies and operating principles. Technological trends are contemplated in this contribution with emphasis on SEG design opportunity areas. In this review, suggestions, limitations, and implications are also discussed in order to enhance future SEG developments aimed at stroke survivors or people with hand disabilities.
A Study of Cervical Smear Cytology in Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma

We examined the possibility of diagnosing Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma (LCNEC) by cervical smear cytology. The study findings suggest that if a large number of consistent cytology characteristic features specific to LCNEC are observed in the specimen, such as salt and pepper chromatin, molding arrangement of the nuclei, rosette formation and palisade-like arrangement at the periphery of cell clumps, cytological diagnosis is possible.
Self-Assembled Lecithin/Chitosan Nanoparticles Based on Phospholipid Complex: A Feasible Strategy to Improve Entrapment Efficiency and Transdermal Delivery of Poorly Lipophilic Drug

Purpose Lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles have shown great promise in the transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents. Baicalein, a natural bioactive flavonoid, possesses multiple biological activities against dermatosis. However, its topical application is limited due to its inherently poor hydrophilicity and lipophilicity. In this study, the baicalein-phospholipid complex was prepared to enhance the lipophilicity of baicalein and then lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles loaded with the baicalein-phospholipid complex were developed to improve the transdermal retention and permeability of baicalein. Methods Lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by the solvent-injection method and characterized in terms of particle size distribution, zeta potential, and morphology. The in vitro release, the ex vivo and in vivo permeation studies, and safety evaluation of lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles were performed to evaluate the effectiveness in enhancing transdermal retention and permeability of baicalein. Results The lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles obtained by the self-assembled interaction of chitosan and lecithin not only efficiently encapsulated the drug with high entrapment efficiency (84.5%) but also provided sustained release of baicalein without initial burst release. Importantly, analysis of the permeation profile ex vivo and in vivo demonstrated that lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles prolonged the retention of baicalein in the skin and efficiently penetrated the barrier of stratum corneum without displaying skin irritation. Conclusion These results indicate the potential of drug-phospholipid complexes in enhancing the entrapment efficiency and self-assembled lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles based on phospholipid complexes in the design of a rational transdermal delivery platform to improve the efficiency of transdermal therapy by enhancing its percutaneous retention and penetration in the skin.
Isoform-specific loss of dystonin causes hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy

Objective To determine the genetic cause of axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in a small family with 2 affected siblings, one of whom had cerebellar features on examination. Methods Whole-exome sequencing of genomic DNA and analysis for recessively inherited mutations; PCR-based messenger RNA/complementary DNA analysis of transcripts to characterize the effects of variants identified by exome sequencing. Results We identified compound heterozygous mutations in dystonin (DST), which is alternatively spliced to create many plakin family linker proteins (named the bullous pemphigoid antigen 1 [BPAG1] proteins) that function to bridge cytoskeletal filament networks. One mutation (c.250C>T) is predicted to cause a nonsense mutation (p.R84X) that only affects isoform 2 variants, which have an N-terminal transmembrane domain; the other (c.8283+1G>A) mutates a consensus splice donor site and results in a 22 amino acid in-frame deletion in the spectrin repeat domain of all BPAG1a and BPAG1b isoforms. Conclusions These findings introduce a novel human phenotype, axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth, of recessive DST mutations, and provide further evidence that BPAG1 plays an essential role in axonal health.
Clinical and Microbiological Effects of Weekly Supragingival Irrigation with Aerosolized 0.5% Hydrogen Peroxide and Formation of Cavitation Bubbles in Gingival Tissues after This Irrigation: A Six-Month Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction The study investigated the effect of weekly supragingival irrigation with aerosolized 0.5% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) solution as a maintenance periodontal therapy on clinical and microbiological parameters in patients with chronic periodontitis. The other purpose was to investigate whether cavitation bubbles can penetrate not only into periodontitis-damaged tissues but also into ex vivo porcine healthy periodontal tissues. Materials and Methods The study included 35 systemically healthy patients with chronic periodontitis (CP). After nonsurgical periodontal debridement (NSPD), all patients were randomized into two groups: the Control group (NSDP alone, n = 18) and the Test group (NSDP plus supragingival irrigation, n = 17). Clinical (Approximal Plaque Index (API), Bleeding Index (BI), and Modified Gingival Index (MGI)) and microbiological (Polymerase Chain Reaction technology (using a micro-IDent® kit)) measurements were performed at the initial time point, 3 months, and 6 months after NSPD. The impact of supragingival irrigation on diseased gingival tissues of CP patients (n = 5) and on ex vivo porcine healthy gingival tissue samples (n = 3) was evaluated to estimate morphological changes in healthy and diseased gingival tissues. Results Morphological data revealed that supragingival irrigation caused the formation of cavitation bubbles in diseased gingival tissue of CP patients and in healthy porcine gingival tissues. The decrease in API, BI, and MGI scores after 6 months in the Test group significantly (p ≤ 0.01, p ≤ 0.05, and p ≤ 0.01, respectively) exceeded that in the Control group. Test group patients demonstrated a decrease in periodontal sites showing Pocket Probing Depth > 4 mm and, after 6 months, a statistically significant decrease in the proportion of periopathogenic bacteria. Conclusion The effectiveness of mechanical periodontal treatment combined with weekly supragingival irrigation with aerosolized 0.5% H2O2 solution on clinical and microbiological parameters of periodontal tissues of periodontitis patients is reliably higher than that of mechanical periodontal debridement alone. It has been found that cavitation bubbles as a result of irrigation with the aerosolized 0.5% hydrogen peroxide solution can form not only in periodontal tissues of periodontitis patients but also in ex vivo porcine healthy gingival tissues.
The Silicon–Hydrogen Exchange Reaction: A Catalytic σ-Bond Metathesis Approach to the Enantioselective Synthesis of Enol Silanes

The use of chiral enol silanes in fundamental transformations such as Mukaiyama aldol, Michael, and Mannich reactions as well as Saegusa–Ito dehydrogenations has enabled the chemical synthesis of enantiopure natural products and valuable pharmaceuticals. However, accessing these intermediates in high enantiopurity has generally required the use of either stoichiometric chiral precursors or stoichiometric chiral reagents. We now describe a catalytic approach in which strongly acidic and confined imidodiphosphorimidates (IDPi) catalyze highly enantioselective interconversions of ketones and enol silanes. These “silicon–hydrogen exchange reactions” enable access to enantiopure enol silanes via tautomerizing σ-bond metatheses, either in a deprotosilylative desymmetrization of ketones with allyl silanes as the silicon source or in a protodesilylative kinetic resolution of racemic enol silanes with a carboxylic acid as the silyl acceptor.
Protein Glycoengineering: An Approach for Improving Protein Properties

Natural proteins are an important source of therapeutic agents and industrial enzymes. While many of them have the potential to be used as highly effective medical treatments for a wide range of diseases or as catalysts for conversion of a range of molecules into important product types required by modern society, problems associated with poor biophysical and biological properties have limited their applications. Engineering proteins with reduced side-effects and/or improved biophysical and biological properties is therefore of great importance. As a common protein modification, glycosylation has the capacity to greatly influence these properties. Over the past three decades, research from many disciplines has established the importance of glycoengineering in overcoming the limitations of proteins. In this review, we will summarize the methods that have been used to glycoengineer proteins and briefly discuss some representative examples of these methods, with the goal of providing a general overview of this research area.
Effects of Crude Palm Oil and Crude Palm Kernel Oil Upon Wax Inhibition

The ever-increasing demand for the finite source of oil has led oil production companies to produce and transport the produced crude oil as efficiently and economically as possible. One of the major concerns especially in waters like the South China Sea is the deposition of wax on the walls of the pipeline or wellbore, constricting and hindering the hydrocarbon flow. This is due to the low seabed temperatures, which can be below the wax appearance temperature (WAT), leading to the deposition of wax out of waxy crude oil through the molecular dispersion mechanism. Currently, many prevention and remedy methods are in place to overcome the problem, but most of the additives possess environmental threat, as most of the chemical solutions used are toxic, nonorganic, and costly. Hence, this paper aims to provide some insights into the effect of palm oil derivatives such as crude palm oil (CPO) and crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) on wax inhibition. The effect of aging time (i.e., immersion time) was also evaluated. A comparison was made between paraffin inhibition efficiency results (PIE %) obtained by CPO, CPKO, poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA), and triethanolamine (TEA). It was observed that the average efficiency of 81.67% was obtained when 1% CPO was added to heavy crude oil. The wax inhibition performance reached a plateau after 1.5 h of aging time for all of the investigated samples.
Lipid Testing Trends in the US Before and After the Release of the 2013 Cholesterol Treatment Guidelines

Background The 2013 ACC/AHA cholesterol treatment guidelines removed the recommendation to treat adults at risk of cardiovascular disease to goal levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). We anticipated that the frequency of LDL-C testing in clinical practice would decline as a result. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the frequency of LDL-C testing before and after the guideline release. Methods We used the MarketScan® Commercial and Medicare Supplemental claims data (1/1/2007–12/31/2016) to identify four cohorts: 1) statin initiators (any intensity), 2) high-intensity statin initiators, 3) ezetimibe initiators, and 4) patients at very high cardiovascular risk (≥2 hospitalizations for myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke, with prevalent statin use). Rates of LDL-C testing by calendar year quarter were estimated for each cohort. To estimate rates in the absence of a guideline change, we fit a time-series model to the pre-guideline rates and extrapolated to the post-guideline period, adjusting for covariates, seasonality, and time trend. Results Pre- and post-guideline rates (LDL-C tests per 1,000 persons per quarter) were 248 and 235, respectively, for 3.9 million statin initiators; 263 and 246 for 1.3 million high-intensity statin initiators; 277 and 261 for 323,544 ezetimibe initiators; and 180 and 158 for 42,108 very high-risk patients. For all cohorts, observed post-guideline rates were similar to model-predicted rates. On average, the difference between observed and predicted rates was 8.5 for patients initiating any statin; 2.6 for patients initiating a high-intensity statin; 11.4 for patients initiating ezetimibe, and −0.5 for high-risk patients. Conclusion We observed no discernible impact of the release of the 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines on LDL-C testing rates. Rather, there was a gradual decline in testing rates starting prior to the guideline change and continuing throughout the study period. Our findings suggest that the guidelines had little to no impact on use of LDL-C testing.
Sex Difference in Risk Factors, GRACE Scores, and Management among Post-Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients in Sri Lanka

Objective To assess sex-based differences in the prevalence of risk factor, their management, and differences in the prognosis among acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Sri Lanka. Methods Patients diagnosed with ACS were recruited from hospitals throughout the island. The Joint European Societies guidelines were used to assess recommended targets for coronary heart disease risk factors, and the GRACE score was used to assess the post-ACS prognosis. Age-adjusted regression was performed to calculate odds ratios for men versus women in risk factor control. Results A total of 2116 patients, of whom 1242 (58.7%) were men, were included. Significant proportion of women were nonsmokers; OR = 0.11 (95% CI 0.09 to 0.13). The prevalence of hypertension (p < 0.001), diabetes (p < 0.001), and dyslipidemia (p=0.004) was higher in women. The LDL-C target was achieved in a significantly higher percentage of women (12.6%); OR = 0.33 (95% CI 0.10 to 1.05). When stratified by age, no significant differences were observed in achieving the risk factor targets or management strategies used except for fasting blood sugar (p < 0.05) where more men achieved control target in both age categories. Majority of the ACS patients had either high or intermediate risk for one-year mortality as per the GRACE score. In-hospital and 1-year mean mortality risk was significantly higher among men of less than 65 years of age (p < 0.05). Conclusions Smoking is significantly lower among Sri Lankan women diagnosed with ACS. However, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia were more prevalent among them. There was no difference in primary and secondary preventive strategies and management in both sexes but could be further improved in both groups.
Hepcidin, Serum Iron, and Transferrin Saturation in Full-Term and Premature Infants during the First Month of Life: A State-of-the-Art Review of Existing Evidence in Humans

ABSTRACT Neonates regulate iron at birth and in early postnatal life. We reviewed literature from PubMed and Ovid Medline containing data on umbilical cord and venous blood concentrations of hepcidin and iron, and transferrin saturation (TSAT), in human neonates from 0 to 1 mo of age. Data from 59 studies were used to create reference ranges for hepcidin, iron, and TSAT for full-term-birth (FTB) neonates over the first month of life. In FTB neonates, venous hepcidin increases 100% over the first month of life (to reach 61.1 ng/mL; 95% CI: 20.1, 102.0 ng/mL) compared with umbilical cord blood (29.7 ng/mL; 95% CI: 21.1, 38.3 ng/mL). Cord blood has a high concentration of serum iron (28.4 μmol/L; 95% CI: 26.0, 31.1 μmol/L) and levels of TSAT (51.7%; 95% CI: 46.5%, 56.9%). After a short-lived immediate postnatal hypoferremia, iron and TSAT rebounded to approximately half the levels in the cord by the end of the first month. There were insufficient data to formulate reference ranges for preterm neonates.
Rare detections of North Pacific right whales in the Gulf of Alaska, with observations of their potential prey

The North Pacific right whale Eubalaena japonica was heavily exploited throughout the Gulf of Alaska by both historical whaling and 1960s illegal Soviet catches. It is now extremely rare in this region (2 sightings between 1966 and 2003 and passive acoustic detections on 6 days out of 80 months of recordings at 7 locations). From 2004 to 2006, 4 sightings of right whales occurred in the Barnabus Trough region on Albatross Bank, south of Kodiak Island, Alaska, USA. Sightings of right whales occurred at locations within the trough with the highest density of zooplankton, as measured by active acoustic backscatter. Net trawls through a high-density demersal layer (~150 to 175 m) revealed large numbers of euphausiids and oil-rich C5-stage copepods. Photo-identification and genotyping of 2 whales failed to reveal a match to Bering Sea right whales. Fecal hormone metabo- lite analysis from 1 whale estimated levels consistent with an immature male, indicating either recent reproduction in the Gulf of Alaska or movements between the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska. Large numbers of historic catches of right whales occurred in pelagic waters of the Gulf of Alaska, but there have been few recent detections in deep water. Given that there is no other location in the Gulf of Alaska where right whales have been repeatedly seen post-exploitation, the Barnabus Trough/Albatross Bank area represents important habitat for the relict population of North Pacific right whales in the Gulf of Alaska, and a portion of this area was designated as critical habitat under the US Endangered Species Act in 2006.
Pterygium Surgery Utilizing Limbal Conjunctival Autograft and Subconjunctival Amniotic Membrane Graft in High-Risk Populations

Objective To measure the outcomes of primary pterygium excision with a limbal conjunctival autograft when combined with the adjunctive use of a prophylactic subconjunctival graft of amniotic membrane to decrease the recurrence rate after surgery in an ethnically diverse population with a statistically higher risk for recurrence (African American, Asian, Caribbean, Asian, Latin). Design This is a retrospective, non-comparative study of post-operative outcomes. Participants A total of 355 patients, totaling 493 eyes, with clinically significant, primary pterygia. Patients and Methods Patients were enrolled into the study based on the need for pterygium surgery and if they underwent primary pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft with subconjunctival amniotic membrane placement. Patients with recurrent pterygium or those with pseudopterygium were excluded from this study. All surgeries took place at the Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute (Boynton Beach, FL) between June 2006 and October 2013 by a single surgeon (BAS). Patients were seen on post-operative day 1, 7, 30, 90, 180 and 365 to evaluate for pterygium recurrence. Pterygium recurrence is defined in this study as growth greater than 1 mm past the corneal limbus at or after 6 months. Results There were six cases of recurrent pterygium for a recurrence rate of 1.22% ± 0.97% (n=493, p=0.05). Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 6 years (mean 28 months). Conclusion Primary pterygium excision with a limbal conjunctival autograft and placement of a subconjunctival amniotic membrane graft has a low recurrence rate consistent with previously published data.
Management of psoriatic patients in biologic treatment associated with infectious comorbidities

Introduction Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting about 2% of population, involving both acquired and innate immunity. Psoriasis affects mainly skin, presenting multiple co-morbidities; among them infective ones. Re-activation of tuberculosis or viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV) still represents a therapeutic challenge in patients receiving treatment with biological drugs, as well as HIV infection. For this reason, a multidisciplinary approach with global treatment resulting from active collaboration of different specialists is highly recommended. Aim To investigate the most common infective diseases as co-morbidities associated with psoriasis and to provide algorithms for screening, follow-up and therapeutic management in psoriatic patients. Material and methods We examined the main infectious comorbidities that can affect moderate to severe psoriatic patients, influencing the therapeutic choice as during the biological treatment both viral and tuberculosis re-activation may occur. We have therefore evaluated the main diseases (TB, Hepatitis B and C, HIV) and the monitoring of patients during treatment with biological agents. Results Regular monitoring of psoriatic patients is recommended during long-term treatment with biological drugs in order to identify cases of re-activation of the latent infective agent or de novo acquired infection. Conclusions Here we report the state of art regarding management of psoriatic patients with these co-morbidities suggesting a specific screening and management for infectious diseases in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
Acute Kidney Injury in COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Single-Center Experience in Bahrain

Background Kidney disease accompanying coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is not well understood, and information about the presentation of acute kidney injury (AKI), its risk factors, and outcomes is scarce, particularly in Bahrain and the Gulf region. In this study, we aimed to determine the rate of AKI among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia at a tertiary hospital in Bahrain and to describe the various aspects of AKI in these patients, including its relationship with respiratory failure and in-hospital mortality. Methods This retrospective observational cohort study of patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia from April 1 to May 31, 2020, excluded those aged less than 18 years, those with end-stage renal disease, and those with renal transplants. Clinical and laboratory patient data were collected. The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria were used to define AKI. Results The mean age across the 73 included patients was approximately 54 years; about 60% were men, and nearly 58% were Bahraini nationals. Of the patients, 39.7% (29) developed AKI during hospitalization, out of which 11.0% reached stage 1, 15.1% reached stage 2, and 13.7% reached stage 3. Of all patients, seven (9.6%) required hemodialysis. Chronic kidney disease conferred an increased risk for AKI (P = 0.003) as did critical COVID-19 status (P < 0.001) and the necessity for mechanical ventilation or intensive care admission (P < 0.001 for both). Additionally, AKI was significantly associated with a lower PaO2/FiO2 (partial pressure of arterial oxygen/percentage of inspired oxygen) ratio (P < 0.001) and a greater number of medications for COVID-19 pneumonia (P = 0.003). Finally, in-hospital death tolls were remarkably higher in patients with AKI (P < 0.001). No association was found between AKI and each of the following therapies: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, tocilizumab, and convalescent plasma. Conclusions The rate of AKI in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia at our institution is relatively high and is strongly associated with disease severity, respiratory failure, and in-hospital mortality. Awareness of kidney disease in COVID-19 patients is crucial and of vital importance.