Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thymidine Phosphorylase Is Increased in COVID-19 Patients in an Acuity-Dependent Manner

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2), is a human respiratory disease. Hitherto, there is no effective treatment has been established. Patients with cardiovascular or diabetes comorbidities are a high-risk cohort. COVID-19 is accompanied by excessive systemic thrombotic events, but the mechanism is not yet known. Recent studies have indicated that thymidine phosphorylase (TYMP) plays an important role in platelet activation, thrombosis, and TYMP expression is increased in diabetic patients. By using data provided by the MGH (Massachusetts General Hospital) Emergency Department COVID-19 Cohort with Olink Proteomics, here we show that plasma TYMP level is correlated with the COVID-19 associated thrombotic event, inflammation, and organ damage, as evidenced by the positive correlations with plasma D-dimer, CRP (C reactive protein), and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), as well as Interferons (IFN). Plasma TYMP is also positively correlated with COVID-19 patients who had respiratory symptoms. TYMP thus could be an acuity marker for COVID-19 diagnosis. Targeting TYMP with tipiracil, a selective TYMP inhibitor, which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for clinical use, could be a novel effective medicine for COVID-19.
Can Machines Find the Bilingual Advantage? Machine Learning Algorithms Find No Evidence to Differentiate Between Lifelong Bilingual and Monolingual Cognitive Profiles

Bilingualism has been identified as a potential cognitive factor linked to delayed onset of dementia as well as boosting executive functions in healthy individuals. However, more recently, this claim has been called into question following several failed replications. It remains unclear whether these contradictory findings reflect how bilingualism is defined between studies, or methodological limitations when measuring the bilingual effect. One key issue is that despite the claims that bilingualism yields general protection to cognitive processes (i.e., the cognitive reserve hypothesis), studies reporting putative bilingual differences are often focused on domain specific experimental paradigms. This study chose a broader approach, by considering the consequences of bilingualism on a wide range of cognitive functions within individuals. We utilised 19 measures of different cognitive functions commonly associated with bilingual effects, to form a “cognitive profile” for 215 non-clinical participants. We recruited Welsh speakers, who as a group of bilinguals were highly homogeneous, as means of isolating the bilingualism criterion. We sought to determine if such analyses would independently classify bilingual/monolingual participant groups based on emergent patterns driven by collected cognitive profiles, such that population differences would emerge. Multiple predictive models were trained to independently recognise the cognitive profiles of bilinguals, older adults (60-90 years of age) and higher education attainment. Despite managing to successfully classify cognitive profiles based on age and education, the model failed to differentiate between bilingual and monolingual cognitive ability at a rate greater than that of chance. Repeated modelling using alternative definitions of bilingualism, and just the older adults, yielded similar results. In all cases then, using our “bottom–up” analytical approach, there was no evidence that bilingualism as a variable indicated differential cognitive performance – as a consequence, we conclude that bilinguals are not cognitively different from their monolingual counterparts, even in older demographics. We suggest that studies that have reported a bilingual advantage (typically recruiting immigrant populations) could well have confounded other key variables that may be driving reported advantages. We recommend that future research refine the machine learning methods used in this study to further investigate the complex relationship between bilingualism and cognition.
Resting Energy Expenditure of Master Athletes: Accuracy of Predictive Equations and Primary Determinants

Resting energy expenditure (REE) is determined mainly by fat-free mass (FFM). FFM depends also on daily physical activity. REE normally decreases with increased age due to decreases in FFM and physical activity. Measuring REE is essential for estimating total energy expenditure. As such, there are a number of different equations in use to predict REE. In recent years, an increasing number of older adults continue to participate in competitive sports creating the surge of master athletes. It is currently unclear if these equations developed primarily for the general population are also valid for highly active, older master athletes. Therefore, we tested the validity of six commonly-used equations for predicting REE in master athletes. In conjunction with the World Masters Athletic Championship in Malaga, Spain, we measured REE in 113 master athletes by indirect calorimetry. The most commonly used equations to predict REE [Harris & Benedict (H&B), World Health Organization (WHO), Müller (MÜL), Müller-FFM (MÜL-FFM), Cunningham (CUN), and De Lorenzo (LOR)] were tested for their accuracies. The influences of age, sex, height, body weight, FFM, training hours per week, phase angle, ambient temperature, and athletic specialization on REE were determined. All estimated REEs for the general population differed significantly from the measured ones (H&B, WHO, MÜL, MÜL-FFM, CUN, all p < 0.005). The equation put forward by De Lorenzo provided the most accurate prediction of REE for master athletes, closely followed by FFM-based Cunningham’s equation. The accuracy of the remaining commonly-used prediction equations to estimate REE in master athletes are less accurate. Body weight (p < 0.001), FFM (p < 0.001), FM (p = 0.007), sex (p = 0.045) and interestingly temperature (p = 0.004) are the significant predictors of REE. We conclude that REE in master athletes is primarily determined by body composition and ambient temperature. Our study provides a first estimate of energy requirements for master athletes in order to cover adequately athletes’ energy and nutrient requirements to maintain their health status and physical performance.
Single Cell Transcriptome Data Analysis Defines the Heterogeneity of Peripheral Nerve Cells in Homeostasis and Regeneration

The advances in single-cell RNA sequencing technologies and the development of bioinformatics pipelines enable us to more accurately define the heterogeneity of cell types in a selected tissue. In this report, we re-analyzed recently published single-cell RNA sequencing data sets and provide a rationale to redefine the heterogeneity of cells in both intact and injured mouse peripheral nerves. Our analysis showed that, in both intact and injured peripheral nerves, cells could be functionally classified into four categories: Schwann cells, nerve fibroblasts, immune cells, and cells associated with blood vessels. Nerve fibroblasts could be sub-clustered into epineurial, perineurial, and endoneurial fibroblasts. Identified immune cell clusters include macrophages, mast cells, natural killer cells, T and B lymphocytes as well as an unreported cluster of neutrophils. Cells associated with blood vessels include endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and pericytes. We show that endothelial cells in the intact mouse sciatic nerve have three sub-types: epineurial, endoneurial, and lymphatic endothelial cells. Analysis of cell type-specific gene changes revealed that Schwann cells and endoneurial fibroblasts are the two most important cell types promoting peripheral nerve regeneration. Analysis of communication between these cells identified potential signals for early blood vessel regeneration, neutrophil recruitment of macrophages, and macrophages activating Schwann cells. Through this analysis, we also report appropriate marker genes for future single cell transcriptome data analysis to identify cell types in intact and injured peripheral nerves. The findings from our analysis could facilitate a better understanding of cell biology of peripheral nerves in homeostasis, regeneration, and disease.
Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies New Candidate Markers for Somatic Cells Score in a Local Dairy Sheep

In the Mediterranean basin countries, the dairy sheep production is usually based on local breeds, which are very well-adapted to their production systems and environments and can indeed guarantee income, employment, and economic viability in areas where production alternatives are scarce or non-existent. Mastitis is still one of the greatest problems affecting commercial milk production. However, genetic evaluation of mastitis is particularly difficult because of its low heritability and the categorical nature of the trait. The aim of this study was to identify genomic regions putatively associated with somatic cells count (SCC) in the local economically important Valle del Belice sheep breed using of deregressed breeding values (DEBV) as response variables. All the samples were genotyped using the Illumina OvineSNP50K BeadChip. Genome-wide association analysis was carried out based on regression of DEBV. A total of eight markers were found to be significantly associated with log-transformed SCC. Several candidate genes associated with SCC were identified related to immunity system and udder conformation. The results can help improving the competitiveness of the local Valle del Belìce breed. Further studies considering a higher sample size or independent population will be needed to confirm our results.
Commercial Release of Genetically Modified Crops in Africa: Interface Between Biosafety Regulatory Systems and Varietal Release Systems

African countries face key challenges in the deployment of GM crops due to incongruities in the processes for effective and efficient commercial release while simultaneously ensuring food and environmental safety. Against the backdrop of the preceding scenario, and for the effective and efficient commercial release of GM crops for cultivation by farmers, while simultaneously ensuring food and environmental safety, there is a need for the close collaboration of and the interplay between the biosafety competent authorities and the variety release authorities. The commercial release of genetically modified (GM) crops for cultivation requires the approval of biosafety regulatory packages. The evaluation and approval of lead events fall under the jurisdiction of competent national authorities for biosafety (which may be ministries, autonomous authorities, or agencies). The evaluation of lead events fundamentally comprises a review of environmental, food, and feed safety data as provided for in the Biosafety Acts, implementing regulations, and, in some cases, the involvement of other relevant legal instruments. Although the lead GM event may be commercially released for farmers to cultivate, it is often introgressed into locally adapted and farmer preferred non-GM cultivars that are already released and grown by the farmers. The introduction of new biotechnology products to farmers is a process that includes comprehensive testing in the laboratory, greenhouse, and field over some time. The process provides answers to questions about the safety of the products before being introduced into the environment and marketplace. This is the first step in regulatory approvals. The output of the research and development phase of the product development cycle is the identification of a safe and best performing event for advancement to regulatory testing, likely commercialization, and general release. The process of the commercial release of new crop varieties in countries with established formal seed systems is guided by well-defined procedures and approval systems and regulated by the Seed Acts and implemented regulations. In countries with seed laws, no crop varieties are approved for commercial cultivation prior to the fulfillment of the national performance trials and the distinctness, uniformity, and stability tests, as well as prior to the approval by the National Variety Release Committee. This review outlines key challenges faced by African countries in the deployment of GM crops and cites lessons learned as well as best practices from countries that have successfully commercialized genetically engineered crops.
Spectrophotometric Determination of Thiocyanate in Human Saliva

The equilibrium constant between iron(III) ion and thiocyanate ion to form a thiocyanatoiron(III) ion can be conveniently measured with visible spectrophotometry because the FeSCN+2 solutions are deep blood-red. Hence this reaction is often used when teaching chemical equilibrium to students of general chemistry. The same reaction can be exploited in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of SCN- ions in solution. The experiment can be easily made more attractive to students when the thiocyanate ion concentration measured is from human saliva. Here is described how qualitative and quantitative analysis of human saliva thiocyanate ion can be performed as a part of the laboratory exercise for the determination of chemical equilibrium between Fe+3 and SCN- ions. For qualitative analysis a few drops of saliva (each student is using his or her own saliva) is treated with a drop of acidic Fe(NO3)3 solution. The deep blood-red color of FeSCN+2 complex is clearly demonstrated. Then each student measures his or.
Synthesis, Characterization, Thermal Decomposition, and Antimicrobial Studies of Copper(I) Complexes of 1,3-Dihydro-4,5-Di(4-Methoxyphenyl)Imidazolin-2-Thione

The reaction between 1,3-dihydro-4,5-di-(4-methoxyphenyl)imidazolin-2-thione (MDPIT) with seven different copper(II) salts were carried out to synthesize and characterize the corresponding complexes. These complexes have the general formulae [CuLX(H2O)], where X=OAc, Cl, Br, NO3, ClO4 or CNS, and [Cu2L2(SO4)(H2O)]. Characterization of the complexes was done by chemical analyses, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility, electronic, infrared and 1H NMR spectral studies. Thermogravimetric studies of complexes were carried out and kinetic parameters for the various decomposition stages were also calculated. Preliminary investigations on the antifungal and antibacterial activities of the ligand and some of its complexes were also made.
High-Speed AlN/GaN MOS-HFETs With Scaled ALD {Al}_{2}{O}_{3} Gate Insulators

Highly scaled AlN/GaN metal-oxide-semiconductor heterojunction field-effect transistors (MOS-HFETs) with Al2O3 gate dielectrics of varying thicknesses deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) were fabricated, and their perfor- mance was compared with Schottky-barrier HFETs (SB-HFETs). MOS-HFETs with an ultrathin 2-nm-thick Al2O3 dielectric and a gate length of 40 nm had direct-current (dc) and radio- frequency (RF) performances similar to the SB-HFETs, with a high extrinsic transconductance of 415 mS/mm, fT of 134 GHz, and fmax of 261 GHz. In contrast, the dc and RF performances of a MOS-HFET with a 4-nm-thick Al2O3 dielectric were degraded by short-channel effects. The 2-nm-thick Al2O3 gate insulator reduced the forward-bias gate current by more than two orders of magnitude. The data suggest the promise of ultrathin ALD Al2O3 gate dielectrics for next-generation high-speed GaN HFETs. Index Terms—AlN, Al2O3, atomic layer deposition (ALD), GaN, gate dielectric, heterojunction field-effect transistor (HFET), high electron mobility transistor (HEMT), metal-organic-semi- conductor heterojunction field effect transistor (MOS-HFET).
Nanofibrous solid dosage form of living bacteria prepared by electrospinning

The aim of this work was to investigate the suitability of electrospinning for biodrug delivery and to develop an electrospinning-based method to produce vaginal drug delivery systems. Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria were encapsu- lated into nanofibers of three different polymers (polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone with two different molar masses). Shelf life of the bacteria could be enhanced by the exclusion of water and by preparing a solid dosage form, which is an advantageous and patient-friendly way of administration. The formulations were stored at -20, 7 and 25°C, respec- tively. Viability testing showed that the nanofibers can provide long term stability for huge amounts of living bacteria if they are kept at (or below) 7°C. Furthermore, all kinds of nanowebs prepared in this work dissolved instantly when they got in contact with water, thus the developed biohybrid nanowebs can provide new potential ways for curing bacterial vagi- nosis.
HPTLC Determination of Ursolic Acid in Alstonia scholaris R. Br.

Among the complex mixture of biologically active compounds in the leaves of Alstonia scholaris, a plant used in traditional medicine, ursolic acid, a constituent of the leaves, has been used as an analytical marker indicative of the quality of the plant. A sensitive thinlayer chromatographic method has been developed for determination of ursolic acid in the leaves of Alstonia scholaris. Chromatographic separation was performed on silica gel HPTLC plates with toluene—ethyl acetate—triethylamine—methanol, 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 (v/v), as mobile phase. The plates were scanned densitometrically at λ = 366 nm. The method was validated for precision, repeatability, and accuracy. Intra-day and inter-day RSD were 0.43% and 1.54%, respectively. Instrumental precision and repeatability of the method were found to be 0.54 and 1.20 (% CV), respectively. The accuracy was checked by studying recovery at three levels; average recovery was 100.26%. The method proposed for quantitative monitoring of ursolic acid in Alstonia scholaris is rapid, simple, and accurate and can be used for routine quality testing.
Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Colloidal Silver Nanospheres, Nanorings, and Nanonetworks

Abstract Colloidal silver nanospheres, nanorings, and nanonetworks were synthesized by the nanosecond pulsed laser ablation of a silver metal plate in a pure distilled water (at room temperature) using the fundamental (1064 nm), second harmonic (532 nm), and third harmonic (355 nm) wavelengths of the Nd:YAG laser, respectively. The products were characterized by means of both transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and optical absorption spectroscopy. The TEM data show the formation of silver nanospheres, nanorings, and nanonetworks. On the other hand, optical spectra reveal the occurrence of the red shift of the peak associated with the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of silver nanorings and nanonetworks. A possible explanation for the formation of above stated silver nanostructures is being discussed.
COVID-19 associated central nervous system manifestations, mental and neurological symptoms: a systematic review andmeta-analysis

The ongoing pandemic of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has infected more than 27 million confirmed cases and 8,90,000 deaths all around theworld. Verity of viral infections can infect the nervous system; these viral infections can present a wide range of manifestation. The aim of the current study was to systematically review the COVID-19 associated central nervous system manifestations, mental and neurological symptoms. For that we conducted a comprehensive systematic literature review of four online databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus and Embase. All relevant articles that reported psychiatric/psychological symptoms or disorders in COVID-19 without considering time and language restrictions were assessed. All the study procedures were performed based on the PRISMA criteria. Due to the screening, 14 studies were included. The current study result indicated that, the pooled prevalence of CNS or mental associated disorders with 95% CI was 50.68% (6.68–93.88). The most prevalence symptoms were hyposmia/anosmia/olfactory dysfunction (number of study: 10) with 36.20% (14.99–60.51). Only one study reported numbness/paresthesia and dysphonia. Pooled prevalence of numbness/paresthesia and dysphonia was 5.83% (2.17– 12.25) and 2.39% (10.75–14.22). The pooled prevalence of depression and anxiety was 3.52% (2.62–4.54) and 13.92% (9.44–19.08). Our findings demonstrate that COVID-19 has a certain relation with neurological symptoms. The hypsomia, anosmia or olfactory dysfunctionwasmost frequent symptom. Other symptoms were headache or dizziness, dysgeusia or ageusia, dysphonia and fatigue. Depression, anxiety, and confusion were less frequent symptoms.
Template-Based Natural Language Generation in Interpreting Laboratory Blood Test

—Results of blood test examination from medical test institutions are represented in medical abbreviation term-value pairs. The medical abbreviation terms are components of the blood examination being tested while the values are results of laboratory examination obtained. For experienced doctors, these terms and values are very familiar, by which they can easily determine whether those values are in normal conditions or indicating abnormalities. Those experienced doctors have in their mind what is a normal range for a given blood component being examined. However, this is not the case with young doctors in general. They should have some kinds of lookup table to compare each component value obtain from laboratory test with the corresponding acceptable (or normal) range. Furthermore, the abundance of laboratory test results generated every day will also accumulated to add more burdens for the young doctors. In this research, we propose a natural language generation (NLG) approach to help young doctors in interpreting results of blood test examination obtained from a laboratory. The NLG system is capable of giving some interpretation on the laboratory results and highlight importance indications for young doctors. Responses from young doctors and general practitioners, based on an assessment evaluated for readability, clarity, and general appropriateness of the textual interpretation show a promising result where the average percentage of naturalness measurement obtained was ≥ 90% .
High-Frequency Ultrasonic Dopplerography May be used to Screen for DiabeticCardiac Autonomic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is the common complication of diabetes and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy is associated with early morbidity and mortality on diabetic patients. We investigated the potential of High-frequency Ultrasonic Dopplerography for early diagnosis of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy. 52 diabetic patients with sensorimotor neuropathy were examined. Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy was detected using several cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests as a gold standard of diagnosis. Microvascular blood flow of finger skin was evaluated at rest as well as in functional tests: with cold impact and occlusion (cuff). The cold test tuned out to be high informative for discrimination of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy staging and predictive of confirmed/severe stage (sensitivity of marker was 100%, specificity 77%). High-frequency Ultrasonic Dopplerography allowed separating of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy stages. This study is necessary to continue for revealing of all method possibilities.
Confocal fluorescence detection for 3D cultured mammalian cells in a microfluidic cell culture system

We have investigated a confocal fluorescence detection system for 3D cultured mammalian cells in a microfluidic cell culture analog system. For direct measurement of metabolic changes in the microfluidic cell culture systems using 3D cell cultures, we constructed a compact and portable confocal fluorescence detection system based on discrete optical components. The confocal detection system was designed to provide a depth scan in situ without lateral imaging for fast scanning and acquisition of average fluorescence variation associated with a large number of cells in 3D cultures of microfluidic devices. The results were consistent with the data obtained by a standard confocal microscope and suggest the potential for monitoring cell dynamics in 3D cell-based assays.