Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acute and Subchronic Tramadol Toxicity on Brain and Spinal Cord of Male Albino Rats

Tramadol is one of typical centrally acting opioids. It is indicated for management of moderate to severe pain. Now it is considered to be the most widely sold analgesic in the world. Aim: To detect the effect of subchronic administration of tramadol on brain and spinal cord of the experimental animals as histopathologic changes in brain cells. Methods: Sixty adult male albino rats were divided into three equal groups each was 20 rats. Control group, group I that received Tramadol orally at increasing doses 1/10 LD50, 1/5 LD50 and lastly four times the initial dose for the first, second and third months respectively, and Group II that received 1/10 LD50 for one month. All rats were scarified after 24 hours of the last dose at the end of each experimental period under ether anesthesia. Craniotomy and laminectomy were performed for histopathological studies. The presences of number of red neurons which are histological marker of apoptosis were investigated in brain and spinal cord. Results: The number of small sized neurons was greater in group II than in group I. There was statistical difference regarding neuopil density and color staining among three groups. Neuopil was lighter in staining and less dense in groups I and II comparing to control (p≤0.002 and p≤0.001) using SPSS program. The highest number of red neurons was found in hippocampal region followed by occipital and frontal regions. The abnormalities regions in the spinal cord tissue were less than those in the brain tissue. Conclusions: chronic use of Tramadol is an important factor responsible for histopathological changes in neurons.
Close contact behaviour in indoor environment and transmission of respiratory infection.

Close contact was first identified as the primary route of transmission for most respiratory infections in the early 20th century. In this review, we synthesise the existing understanding of the mechanisms of close contact transmission. We focus on two issues: the mechanism of transmission in close contact, namely the transmission of the expired particles between two people, and the physical parameters of close contact that affect the exposure of particles from one individual to another, or how the nature of close contact plays a role in transmission. We propose the existence of three sub-routes of transmission: short-range airborne, large droplets, and immediate body-surface contact. We also distinguish a "body contact", which is defined with an interpersonal distance of zero, from a close contact. We demonstrate herein that the short-range airborne sub-route may be most common. The timescales over which data should be collected to assess the transmission risk during close contact events are much shorter than those required for the distant airborne or fomite routes. The current paucity of high-resolution data over short distances and timescales makes it very difficult to assess the risk of infection in these circumstances.
The Adsorption of Methylene Blue on Eco-Friendly Reduced Graphene Oxide

Recently, green-prepared oxidized graphenes have attracted huge interest in water purification and wastewater treatment. Herein, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was prepared by a scalable and eco-friendly method, and its potential use for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from water systems, was explored. The present work includes the green protocol to produce rGO and respective spectroscopical and morphological characterizations, as well as several kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamic analyses to successfully demonstrate the adsorption of MB. The pseudo-second-order model was appropriated to describe the adsorption kinetics of MB onto rGO, suggesting an equilibrium time of 30 min. Otherwise, the Langmuir model was more suitable to describe the adsorption isotherms, indicating a maximum adsorption capacity of 121.95 mg g−1 at 298 K. In addition, kinetics and thermodynamic analyses demonstrated that the adsorption of MB onto rGO can be treated as a mixed physisorption–chemisorption process described by H-bonding, electrostatic, and π − π interactions. These results show the potential of green-prepared rGO to remove cationic dyes from wastewater systems.
Applications of Carbon Nanotubes in Bone Regenerative Medicine

Scaffolds are essential for bone regeneration due to their ability to maintain a sustained release of growth factors and to provide a place where cells that form new bone can enter and proliferate. In recent years, scaffolds made of various materials have been developed and evaluated. Functionally effective scaffolds require excellent cell affinity, chemical properties, mechanical properties, and safety. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are fibrous nanoparticles with a nano-size diameter and have excellent strength and chemical stability. In the industrial field, they are used as fillers to improve the performance of materials. Because of their excellent physicochemical properties, CNTs are studied for their promising clinical applications as biomaterials. In this review article, we focused on the results of our research on CNT scaffolds for bone regeneration, introduced the promising properties of scaffolds for bone regeneration, and described the potential of CNT scaffolds.
Relationship between 2-Hour Tacrolimus Concentrations and Clinical Outcomes in Long Term Kidney Transplantation

Background: Tacrolimus is routinely monitored using trough concentrations, however, recent data have suggested that area under the curve (AUC) provides better correlation with toxicity and efficacy. Area under the curve is cumbersome to measure, but studies have demonstrated that surrogate time points such as 2-hour concentrations are well correlated with AUC. Methods: This is a single center, retrospective study of adult kidney transplant recipients with 2-hour tacrolimus concentrations measured over three years post-transplant. The primary outcome was to determine the difference in serum creatinine (Scr) in those with 2-hour tacrolimus concentrations greater than 20 ng/mL versus those less than or equal to 20 ng/mL. Results: A total of 150 kidney transplant recipients were included. The mean Scr and glomerular filtration rate were 1.49 ± 1.01 mg/dL and 59 ± 23.2 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively, for the entire cohort. The rate of donor specific antibody formation was 2% and 8% experienced biopsy-proven rejection. The rate of cytomegalovirus viremia was 2% and BK viremia was 13%. There was no significant difference in kidney function over 36 months for the groups specified a priori. Conclusions: Long-term outcomes of maintaining tacrolimus 2-hour concentrations over 20 ng/mL is favorable with minimal opportunistic infections.
Isavuconazole As Successful Salvage Therapy for Mucormycosis in Pediatric Patients

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background: Mucormycosis is a rare but emerging life-threatening fungal disease with limited treatment options. Isavuconazole is a new triazole that has shown efficacy in adults for primary and salvage treatment of mucormycosis. However, data in children are scarce. Methods: The demographic and clinical data of pediatric patients with proven mucormycosis who were treated with isavuconazole in 2015 to 2019 at 2 centers were collected. Results: Four children of median age 10.5 years (range 7–14) met the study criteria. Three had underlying hematologic malignancies, and 1 had sustained major trauma. Isavuconazole was used as salvage therapy in all: in 3 patients for refractory disease, and in 1 after intolerance to another antifungal drug. Isavuconazole was administered alone or combined with other antifungal agents. Following treatment and surgical intervention, complete clinical, radiologic and mycologic responses were documented in all patients. A literature review identified 8 children with mucormycosis who were successfully treated with isavuconazole, as salvage therapy in the majority. Conclusion: Our limited experience supports the use of isavuconazole as salvage therapy in pediatric mucormycosis.
Doppler-Spectrum Feature-Based Human–Vehicle Classification Scheme Using Machine Learning for an FMCW Radar Sensor

In this paper, we propose a Doppler-spectrum feature-based human–vehicle classification scheme for an FMCW (frequency-modulated continuous wave) radar sensor. We introduce three novel features referred to as the scattering point count, scattering point difference, and magnitude difference rate features based on the characteristics of the Doppler spectrum in two successive frames. We also use an SVM (support vector machine) and BDT (binary decision tree) for training and validation of the three aforementioned features. We measured the signals using a 24-GHz FMCW radar front-end module and a real-time data acquisition module and extracted three features from a walking human and a moving vehicle in the field. We then repeatedly measured the classification decision rate of the proposed algorithm using the SVM and BDT, finding that the average performance exceeded 99% and 96% for the walking human and the moving vehicle, respectively.
S-POEM in treatment of achalasia and esophageal epiphrenic diverticula – single center experience

Abstract Background: Standard treatment for esophageal epiphrenic diverticula associated with achalasia includes surgical diverticulectomy, myotomy and anterior fundoplication. However, several case reports published recently suggest that endoscopic approach using per oral endoscopic myotomy is a safe and effective alternative. Methods: This is a retrospective review of a single center case series of patients with achalasia and epiphrenic diverticula. During the treatment, the POEM guided on the opposite site of the diverticular neck without diverticulotomy was performed. Symptomatic outcome was evaluated 3 months after procedure and afterwards with the median follow-up time of 24 months. High resolution manometry was performed 3 months after the procedure. Results: Seven patients with esophageal epiphrenic diverticula were included. POEM was successfully performed in all patients, with no complications in the periprocedural period. We observed a significant reduction of Eckardt score and the relaxation pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter (31.8 vs. 8.8 mmHg, p < .0001). Conclusions: POEM is a promising approach in the management of achalasia and esophageal epiphrenic diverticula. We demonstrated its safety, efficiency and ability to provide symptom reduction and decrease of the LES relaxation pressure even without diverticulotomy. Multicentric studies on larger cohorts of patients and with longer follow-up time are required to confirm these results.
Peri-implant mucosae inflammation during osseointegration is correlated with low levels of epidermal growth factor/epidermal growth factor receptor in the peri-implant mucosae

Peri-implant mucosae inflammation during osseointegration period can promote host response imbalance and bone resorption by bacteria infiltration. Aim: To evaluate the association between EGF and EGFR gene expressions in the peri-implant tissue with mucosae inflammation during osseointegration period. Material and Methods: Forty-nine participants, with 59 endosseos implants, were recruited for this study. All participants included were rehabilitated with implants in two stages surgical protocol, presenting favorable bone quality and quantity. Osseointegration was evaluated one month after exposure surgery, wich was performed three months (mandible) and 6 months (maxillary) after implant placement. The criteria to consider the proper osseointegration were: Implant immobility; absence of peri-implant radiolucency; and no clinical signs of inflammation. Based on clinical and radiographic characteristics of peri-implant sites, participants were characterized as (i) having healing without complications (with proper osseointegration without mobility of the implant, and without clinical signs of mucosal inflammation) (control group) or (ii) failure peri-implant healing (with inadequate osseointegration characterized by signs of mucosae inflammation and/or implant mobility) (test group). Gingival biopsies were collected from 49 participants after osseointegration period, during the exposure procedure. Total RNA from gingival samples was isolated using the Trizol® reagent. The reaction of reverse transcription of PCR was performed for the synthesis of complementary DNA from 300ng RNA using Improm-II Reverse Transcription System™. Specific primers for EGF (NM_001963.4) and EGFR (NM_005228.3) were based on the BLAST data. The Livak method (2-ΔΔCT) was used to determine the relative quantification of the expression of EGF and EGFR. The values were normalized by relative expression of β-actin. Results: There was no difference between control and test groups to race, sex, age, alcohol consumption, general medical conditions, current medications, edentulism and periodontal phenotype. All RNA samples revealed proportions A260 nm/A280 nm more than 1.9. EGF and EGFR showed significant lower expression in gingival tissues removed from regions with failure healing (test group). EGF showed mRNA expression with an average of 44.53 ± 79.16 and 01.02 ± 1:33 in the control groups and test, respectively (P = 0.008). Similarly EGFR expression was significantly higher in the control group (102.03 ± 329.57) compared to the test group (7.85 ± 4.16) (P = 0:04). Conclusion: Low levels of EGF and EGFR are associated with inadequate healing of mucosal peri-implant during the osseointegration period.
Identification of Differentially Expressed MicroRNAs and Their Potential Target Genes in Adipose Tissue from Pigs with Highly Divergent Backfat Thickness

Simple Summary The role of microRNA in fat deposition is very important and not clearly understood. We detected 318 pig microRNAs (miRNAs), among high and low backfat tissue samples, by high throughput sequencing. Among them, 18 miRNAs were differentially expressed between the high and low backfat groups. Some of the differentially expressed miRNAs were involved mainly in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and glycan biosynthesis and metabolism. In addition, in silico analysis of the mRNA and miRNA transcriptomes, revealed possible regulatory relationships for fat deposition. In particular, three miRNA–mRNA pairs, miR-137–PPARGC1A, miR-141–FASN, and miR-122-5p–PKM, were identified as candidate key regulators of fat deposition. Our findings provide an important insight into miRNA expression patterns in backfat tissue of pig and new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of fat deposition in pig. Abstract Fatty traits are very important in pig production. However, the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in fat deposition is not clearly understood. In this study, we compared adipose miRNAs from three full-sibling pairs of female Landrace pigs, with high and low backfat thickness, to investigate the associated regulatory network. We obtained an average of 17.29 million raw reads from six libraries, 62.27% of which mapped to the pig reference genome. A total of 318 pig miRNAs were detected among the samples. Among them, 18 miRNAs were differentially expressed (p-value < 0.05, |log2fold change| ≥ 1) between the high and low backfat groups; 6 were up-regulated and 12 were down-regulated. Functional enrichment of the predicted target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs, indicated that these miRNAs were involved mainly in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and glycan biosynthesis and metabolism. Comprehensive analysis of the mRNA and miRNA transcriptomes revealed possible regulatory relationships for fat deposition. Negatively correlated mRNA–miRNA pairs included miR-137–PPARGC1A, miR-141–FASN, and miR-122-5p–PKM, indicating these interactions may be key regulators of fat deposition. Our findings provide important insights into miRNA expression patterns in the backfat tissue of pig and new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of fat deposition in pig.
Metabolic Switching of Tumor Cells under Hypoxic Conditions in a Tumor-on-a-chip Model

Hypoxia switches the metabolism of tumor cells and induces drug resistance. Currently, no therapeutic exists that effectively and specifically targets hypoxic cells in tumors. Development of such therapeutics critically depends on the availability of in vitro models that accurately recapitulate hypoxia as found in the tumor microenvironment. Here, we report on the design and validation of an easy-to-fabricate tumor-on-a-chip microfluidic platform that robustly emulates the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. The tumor-on-a-chip model consists of a central chamber for 3D tumor cell culture and two side channels for medium perfusion. The microfluidic device is fabricated from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and oxygen diffusion in the device is blocked by an embedded sheet of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Hypoxia was confirmed using oxygen-sensitive probes and the effect on the 3D tumor cell culture investigated by a pH-sensitive dual-labeled fluorescent dextran and a fluorescently labeled glucose analogue. In contrast to control devices without PMMA, PMMA-containing devices gave rise to decreases in oxygen and pH levels as well as an increased consumption of glucose after two days of culture, indicating a rapid metabolic switch of the tumor cells under hypoxic conditions towards increased glycolysis. This platform will open new avenues for testing anti-cancer therapies targeting hypoxic areas.
Privacy-Preserving Non-Wearable Occupancy Monitoring System Exploiting Wi-Fi Imaging for Next-Generation Body Centric Communication

Nano-scaled structures, wireless sensing, wearable devices, and wireless communications systems are anticipated to support the development of new next-generation technologies in the near future. Exponential rise in future Radio-Frequency (RF) sensing systems have demonstrated its applications in areas such as wearable consumer electronics, remote healthcare monitoring, wireless implants, and smart buildings. In this paper, we propose a novel, non-wearable, device-free, privacy-preserving Wi-Fi imaging-based occupancy detection system for future smart buildings. The proposed system is developed using off-the-shelf non-wearable devices such as Wi-Fi router, network interface card, and an omnidirectional antenna for future body centric communication. The core idea is to detect presence of person along its activities of daily living without deploying a device on person’s body. The Wi-Fi signals received using non-wearable devices are converted into time–frequency scalograms. The occupancy is detected by classifying the scalogram images using an auto-encoder neural network. In addition to occupancy detection, the deep neural network also identifies the activity performed by the occupant. Moreover, a novel encryption algorithm using Chirikov and Intertwining map-based is also proposed to encrypt the scalogram images. This feature enables secure storage of scalogram images in a database for future analysis. The classification accuracy of the proposed scheme is 91.1%.
In vitro virtual reality: an anatomically explicit musculoskeletal simulation powered by in vitro muscle using closed-loop tissue–software interaction

ABSTRACT Muscle force–length dynamics are governed by intrinsic contractile properties, motor stimulation and mechanical load. Although intrinsic properties are well characterised, physiologists lack in vitro instrumentation to account for combined effects of limb inertia, musculoskeletal architecture and contractile dynamics. We introduce in vitro virtual reality (in vitro-VR) which enables in vitro muscle tissue to drive a musculoskeletal jumping simulation. In hardware, muscle force from a frog plantaris was transmitted to a software model where joint torques, inertia and ground reaction forces were computed to advance the simulation at 1 kHz. To close the loop, simulated muscle strain was returned to update in vitro length. We manipulated (1) stimulation timing and (2) the virtual muscle's anatomical origin. This influenced interactions among muscular, inertial, gravitational and contact forces dictating limb kinematics and jump performance. We propose that in vitro-VR can be used to illustrate how neuromuscular control and musculoskeletal anatomy influence muscle dynamics and biomechanical performance. Highlighted Article: In vitro-VR: a method enabling an in vitro muscle to ‘remotely control’ a musculoskeletal limb simulation via a closed-loop hardware–software interface.
Vitamin Derived Nitrogen Doped Carbon Nanotubes for Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction and Arsenic Removal from Contaminated Water

Nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes (NCNT) that were prepared by simple microwave pyrolysis of Niacin (Vitamin B3) as noble metal free electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is reported. Our newly developed technique has the distinct features of sustainable and widely available niacin as a bi-functional source of both carbon and nitrogen, whereas the iron catalyst is cheap and the fourth most common element in the Earth’s crust. The results of the electrochemical tests show that our newly developed iron impregnated NCNT anchored on reduced graphene substrate (Fe@NCNT-rGO) catalyst exhibit: a positive half-wave potential (E1/2) of 0.75 V vs. RHE (reversible hydrogen electrode), four-electron pathway, and better methanol tolerance when compared to commercial 20% Pt/C. When applied as adsorbent for arsenic removal, our newly discovered NCNT-Fe illustrate the efficient and effective removal of arsenic across a wide range of pH values.
Systematic Analysis of Accuracy in Predicting Complete Oncological Resection in Pancreatic Cancer Patients—Proposal of a New Simplified Borderline Resectability Definition

Background: Borderline resectability in pancreatic cancer (PDAC) is currently debated. Methods: Patients undergoing pancreatic resections for PDAC were identified from a prospectively maintained database. As new borderline criteria, the presence of any superior mesenterico-portal vein alteration (SMPV) and perivascular stranding of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was evaluated in preoperative imaging. The accuracy of established radiological borderline criteria as compared to the new borderline criteria in predicting R status (sensitivity/negative predictive value) and overall survival was assessed. Results: 118 patients undergoing pancreatic resections for PDAC from 2013 to 2018 were identified. Forty-three (36.4%) had radiological perivascular SMA stranding and 55 (46.6%) had SMPV alterations. Interrater reliability was 90% for SMA stranding and 87% for SMPV alterations. The new borderline definition including SMPV alterations and perivascular SMA stranding was the best predictor of conventional R status (p = 0.040, sensitivity 53%, negative predictive value 81%) and Leeds/Wittekind circumferential margin status (p = 0.050, sensitivity 73%, negative predictive value 79%) as compared to established borderline resectability definition criteria. Perivascular SMA stranding qualified as an independent negative prognostic parameter (HR 3.066, 95% CI 1.078–5.716, p = 0.036). Conclusion: The radiological evaluation of any SMPV alteration and perivascular SMA stranding predicts R status and overall survival in PDAC patients, and may serve to identify potential candidates for neoadjuvant therapy.