Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HDL in Immune-Inflammatory Responses: Implications beyond Cardiovascular Diseases

High density lipoproteins (HDL) are heterogeneous particles composed by a vast array of proteins and lipids, mostly recognized for their cardiovascular (CV) protective effects. However, evidences from basic to clinical research have contributed to depict a role of HDL in the modulation of immune-inflammatory response thus paving the road to investigate their involvement in other diseases beyond those related to the CV system. HDL-C levels and HDL composition are indeed altered in patients with autoimmune diseases and usually associated to disease severity. At molecular levels, HDL have been shown to modulate the anti-inflammatory potential of endothelial cells and, by controlling the amount of cellular cholesterol, to interfere with the signaling through plasma membrane lipid rafts in immune cells. These findings, coupled to observations acquired from subjects carrying mutations in genes related to HDL system, have helped to elucidate the contribution of HDL beyond cholesterol efflux thus posing HDL-based therapies as a compelling interventional approach to limit the inflammatory burden of immune-inflammatory diseases.
SILANIZATION CHARACTERIZATION AND COMPOUND PROPERTIES OF SILICA-FILLED RUBBER CONTAINING A BLOCKED MERCAPTO SILANE

ABSTRACT The silanization of silica-filled compounds containing a blocked mercapto silane, 3-octanoylthiopropyltriethoxysilane (OTPTES), was characterized by evaluating the exposed silica surface covered by the silane. Measurements of silica flocculation upon heating were employed to estimate the exposed silica surface coverage for silanization calculation. Compounds were prepared with various mechanical and thermal histories by adjusting the mixing time and temperature. Dynamic hysteretic properties at 0 and 60 °C in conjunction with strategic mechanical properties were correlated with the degree of silanization for each compound. Well-balanced properties in processability, reinforcement, and performance were readily attained through the study of the silanization/structure/property relationship. Experimental data showed that an 84% degree of silanization was needed to attain the optimal properties of compounds containing OTPTES regardless of the mixing protocol. Consistent compound properties may be real.
Synergistic Effect of Methyl Jasmonate and Abscisic Acid Co-Treatment on Avenanthramide Production in Germinating Oats

The oat (Avena sativa L.) is a grain of the Poaceae grass family and contains many powerful anti-oxidants, including avenanthramides as phenolic alkaloids with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-itch, anti-irritant, and anti-atherogenic activities. Here, the treatment of germinating oats with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) or abscisic acid (ABA) resulted in 2.5-fold (582.9 mg/kg FW) and 2.8-fold (642.9 mg/kg FW) increase in avenanthramide content, respectively, relative to untreated controls (232.6 mg/kg FW). Moreover, MeJA and ABA co-treatment synergistically increased avenanthramide production in germinating oats to 1505 mg/kg FW. Individual or combined MeJA and ABA treatment increased the expression of genes encoding key catalytic enzymes in the avenanthramide-biosynthesis pathway, including hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:hydrocyanthranilate N-hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HHT). Further analyses showed that six AsHHT genes were effectively upregulated by MeJA or ABA treatment, especially AsHHT4 for MeJA and AsHHT5 for ABA, thereby enhancing the production of all three avenanthramides in germinating oats. Specifically, AsHHT5 exhibited the highest expression following MeJA and ABA co-treatment, indicating that AsHHT5 played a more crucial role in avenanthramide biosynthesis in response to MeJA and ABA co-treatment of germinating oats. These findings suggest that elicitor-mediated metabolite farming using MeJA and ABA could be a valuable method for avenanthramide production in germinating oats.
Physiological Reactions in the Therapist and Turn-Taking during Online Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study aims to analyze the relationship between the sociocognitive skills of a group of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at verbal level 1, the variability of the therapist’s heart rate (HRV), and the conversational turn-taking during online psychotherapy sessions. Initially, we assessed the intelligence, narrative, and behavioral characteristics of the participants. We videotaped the online sessions and recorded the therapist’s HRV via a smart wireless sensor. Finally, we analyzed the video sessions using an observation system and the therapist’s HRV using the Poincaré technique. The results show that the patients’ communicative intention was related to their narrative, intellectual and social competencies. Furthermore, the turn-taking between the therapist and the participant was associated with the patient’s emotional and behavioral difficulties. On the other side, the therapist’s heart rate variability (HRV) was related to the synchrony between the therapist and the participant with more significant stress on the therapist, when he shared and expanded the conversation with the patient, and when the patient broadened and shared the conversation with the therapist.
Neuropilin 1 Regulation of Vascular Permeability Signaling

The vascular endothelium acts as a selective barrier to regulate macromolecule exchange between the blood and tissues. However, the integrity of the endothelium barrier is compromised in an array of pathological settings, including ischemic disease and cancer, which are the leading causes of death worldwide. The resulting vascular hyperpermeability to plasma molecules as well as leukocytes then leads to tissue damaging edema formation and inflammation. The vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) is a potent permeability factor, and therefore a desirable target for impeding vascular hyperpermeability. However, VEGFA also promotes angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, which is required for reperfusion of ischemic tissues. Moreover, edema increases interstitial pressure in poorly perfused tumors, thereby affecting the delivery of therapeutics, which could be counteracted by stimulating the growth of new functional blood vessels. Thus, targets must be identified to accurately modulate the barrier function of blood vessels without affecting angiogenesis, as well as to develop more effective pro- or anti-angiogenic therapies. Recent studies have shown that the VEGFA co-receptor neuropilin 1 (NRP1) could be playing a fundamental role in steering VEGFA-induced responses of vascular endothelial cells towards angiogenesis or vascular permeability. Moreover, NRP1 is involved in mediating permeability signals induced by ligands other than VEGFA. This review therefore focuses on current knowledge on the role of NRP1 in the regulation of vascular permeability signaling in the endothelium to provide an up-to-date landscape of the current knowledge in this field.
A Real-Time Circuit Phase Delay Correction System for MEMS Vibratory Gyroscopes

With the development of the designing and manufacturing level for micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) gyroscopes, the control circuit system has become a key point to determine their internal performance. Nevertheless, the phase delay of electronic components may result in some serious hazards. This study described a real-time circuit phase delay correction system for MEMS vibratory gyroscopes. A detailed theoretical analysis was provided to clarify the influence of circuit phase delay on the in-phase and quadrature (IQ) coupling characteristics and the zero-rate output (ZRO) utilizing a force-to-rebalance (FTR) closed-loop detection and quadrature correction system. By deducing the relationship between the amplitude-frequency, the phase-frequency of the MEMS gyroscope, and the phase relationship of the whole control loop, a real-time correction system was proposed to automatically adjust the phase reference value of the phase-locked loop (PLL) and thus compensate for the real-time circuit phase delay. The experimental results showed that the correction system can accurately measure and compensate the circuit phase delay in real time. Furthermore, the unwanted IQ coupling can be eliminated and the ZRO was decreased by 755% to 0.095°/s. This correction system realized a small angle random walk of 0.978°/√h and a low bias instability of 9.458°/h together with a scale factor nonlinearity of 255 ppm at room temperature. The thermal drift of the ZRO was reduced to 0.0034°/s/°C at a temperature range from −20 to 70 °C.
Cervical ripening at home or in-hospital—prospective cohort study and process evaluation (CHOICE) study: a protocol

Introduction The aim of the cervical ripening at home or in-hospital—prospective cohort study and process evaluation (CHOICE) study is to compare home versus in-hospital cervical ripening to determine whether home cervical ripening is safe (for the primary outcome of neonatal unit (NNU) admission), acceptable to women and cost-effective from the perspective of both women and the National Health Service (NHS). Methods and analysis We will perform a prospective multicentre observational cohort study with an internal pilot phase. We will obtain data from electronic health records from at least 14 maternity units offering only in-hospital cervical ripening and 12 offering dinoprostone home cervical ripening. We will also conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis and a mixed methods study to evaluate processes and women/partner experiences. Our primary sample size is 8533 women with singleton pregnancies undergoing induction of labour (IOL) at 39+0 weeks’ gestation or more. To achieve this and contextualise our findings, we will collect data relating to a cohort of approximately 41 000 women undergoing IOL after 37 weeks. We will use mixed effects logistic regression for the non-inferiority comparison of NNU admission and propensity score matched adjustment to control for treatment indication bias. The economic analysis will be undertaken from the perspective of the NHS and Personal Social Services (PSS) and the pregnant woman. It will include a within-study cost-effectiveness analysis and a lifetime cost–utility analysis to account for any long-term impacts of the cervical ripening strategies. Outcomes will be reported as incremental cost per NNU admission avoided and incremental cost per quality adjusted life year gained. Research ethics approval and dissemination CHOICE has been funded and approved by the National Institute of Healthcare Research Health Technology and Assessment, and the results will be disseminated via publication in peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration number ISRCTN32652461.
Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Spectroscopy for Sensing and Characterization of Exosomes in Cancer Diagnosis

Simple Summary The distinct molecular and biological properties of exosomes, together with their abundance and stability, make them an ideal target in liquid biopsies for early diagnosis and disease monitoring. On the other hand, in recent years, nanomaterial-based optical biosensors have been extensively investigated as novel, rapid and sensitive tools for exosome detection and discrimination. The scope of this review is to summarize and coherently discussed the diverse applications, challenges and limitations of nanosensors based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as the optosensing technique. Abstract Exosomes are emerging as one of the most intriguing cancer biomarkers in modern oncology for early cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment monitoring. Concurrently, several nanoplasmonic methods have been applied and developed to tackle the challenging task of enabling the rapid, sensitive, affordable analysis of exosomes. In this review, we specifically focus our attention on the application of plasmonic devices exploiting surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as the optosensing technique for the structural interrogation and characterization of the heterogeneous nature of exosomes. We summarized the current state-of-art of this field while illustrating the main strategic approaches and discuss their advantages and limitations.
Chinese adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health education: A quasi‐experimental study

Abstract Objective This study investigated the effectiveness of an interactive sexual and reproductive health education program in aspects of knowledge, attitudes, and self‐efficacy among adolescents. Design Quasi‐experimental study underpinned by social cognitive theory. Sample A stratified cluster sample of 469 students from the two‐branch middle school in a city in eastern China who were assigned to the experimental (n = 233) and control (n = 236) groups. Measurements Students’ sexual knowledge, attitudes, and refusal self‐efficacy were assessed before (T0), immediately after (T1), and 1 month after the intervention (T2), respectively. Intervention Students in the experimental group received two 40‐min sessions of the educational program while the control group received the usual mode of sexual and reproductive health education. Results Compared with the control group, students in the experimental group acquired more sexual knowledge (p < .01), and developed more positive sexual attitudes (p < .05) and stronger sexual self‐efficacy (p < .05) across the study period. Conclusions The proposed sexual and reproductive health education program incorporating various interactive activities was effective and could be used for school‐based implementation led by nurses and other health care workers.
Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds in Car Dust: A Pilot Study in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

People may spend a significant amount of their daily time in cars and thus be exposed to chemicals present in car dust. Various chemicals are emitted from during car use, contaminating the car dust. In this study, we compiled published and unpublished data on the occurrence of phthalates, flame retardants (FRs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Saudi car dust. Phthalates, a class of chemical commonly used as plasticizers in different car parts, were the major pollutants found in car dust, with a median value of ∑phthalates 1,279,000 ng/g. Among other chemicals, organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) were found to be between 1500–90,500 ng/g, which indicates their use as alternative FRs in the car industry. The daily exposure to Saudi drivers (regular and taxi drivers) was below the respective reference dose (RfD) values of the individual chemicals. However, the estimated incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) values due to chronic exposure to these chemicals was >1 × 10−5 for taxi drivers for phthalates and PAHs, indicating that the long-term exposure to these chemicals is a cause of concern for drivers who spend considerable time in cars. The study has some limitations, due to the small number of samples, lack of updated RfD values, and missing cancer slope factors for many studied chemicals. Despite these limitations, this study indicates the possible range of exposure to drivers from chemicals in car dust and warrants further extensive studies to confirm these patterns.
Characterization of the HCN Interaction Partner TRIP8b/PEX5R in the Intracardiac Nervous System of TRIP8b-Deficient and Wild-Type Mice

The tetratricopeptide repeat-containing Rab8b-interacting protein (TRIP8b/PEX5R) is an interaction partner and auxiliary subunit of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels, which are key for rhythm generation in the brain and in the heart. Since TRIP8b is expressed in central neurons but not in cardiomyocytes, the TRIP8b-HCN interaction has been studied intensely in the brain, but is deemed irrelevant in the cardiac conduction system. Still, to date, TRIP8b has not been studied in the intrinsic cardiac nervous system (ICNS), a neuronal network located within epicardial fat pads. In vitro electrophysiological studies revealed that TRIP8b-deficient mouse hearts exhibit increased atrial refractory and atrioventricular nodal refractory periods, compared to hearts of wild-type littermates. Meanwhile, heart rate, sino-nodal recovery time, and ventricular refractory period did not differ between genotypes. Trip8b mRNA was detected in the ICNS by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RNAscope in situ hybridization confirmed Trip8b localization in neuronal somata and nerve fibers. Additionally, we found a very low amount of mRNAs in the sinus node and atrioventricular node, most likely attributable to the delicate fibers innervating the conduction system. In contrast, TRIP8b protein was not detectable. Our data suggest that TRIP8b in the ICNS may play a role in the modulation of atrial electrophysiology beyond HCN-mediated sino-nodal control of the heart.
Classism and Everyday Racism as Experienced by Racialized Health Care Users: A Concept Mapping Study

In Toronto, Canada, 51.5 % of the population are members of racialized groups. Systemic labor market racism has resulted in an overrepresentation of racialized groups in low-income and precarious jobs, a racialization of poverty, and poor health. Yet, the health care system is structured around a model of service delivery and policies that fail to consider unequal power social relations or racism. This study examines how racialized health care users experience classism and everyday racism in the health care setting and whether these experiences differ within stratifications such as social class, gender, and immigration status. A concept mapping design was used to identify mechanisms of classism and everyday racism. For the rating activity, 41 participants identified as racialized health care users. The data analysis was completed using concept systems software. Racialized health care users reported “race”/ethnic-based discrimination as moderate to high and socioeconomic position-/social class-based discrimination as moderate in importance for the challenges experienced when receiving health care; differences within stratifications were also identified. To improve access to services and quality of care, antiracist policies that focus on unequal power social relations and a broader systems thinking are needed to address institutional racism within the health care system.
Early-onset climacterium is not associated with impaired vitamin D status: a population-based study

Abstract Objective: To investigate vitamin D status in women with the onset of the climacteric phase by age 46 as both early menopause and inadequate vitamin D status may increase the risk of adverse health outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 2,544, 46-year-old women from a birth cohort. Women were divided into the following two groups according to their menstrual history and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration: 1) climacteric (FSH ≥25 IU/L and amenorrhea ≥4 mo, n = 351) and 2) preclimacteric women (FSH <25 IU/L and having regular/irregular menstrual cycles, n = 2,193). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were compared between the groups. A linear regression model was performed to investigate which factors are associated with 25(OH)D status. Results: Mean serum 25(OH)D concentrations were higher in climacteric compared with preclimacteric women (68.1 ± 19.8 nmol/L vs 65.2 ± 19.3 nmol/L, P = 0.01). However, in the linear regression model, climacteric status was not associated with 25(OH)D status (multivariable adjusted mean difference 4.5 nmol/L, 95% confidence interval −1.4 to 10.4, P = 0.137). A total of 76 of the climacteric women were using systemic estrogen hormone therapy (HT). In a subanalysis, including only climacteric women, the use of HT was associated with higher 25(OH)D status (multivariable adjusted mean difference 5.9 nmol/L, 95% confidence interval 1.3-10.5, P = 0.013). Conclusions: The onset of the climacteric phase by age 46 was not associated with inadequate 25(OH)D concentrations, whereas HT use was associated with higher 25(OH)D status in women with early-onset climacterium.
Sexually dimorphic perineuronal nets in the rodent and primate reproductive circuit

Perineuronal nets are extracellular glycoprotein structures that have been found on some neurons in the central nervous system and that have been shown to regulate their structural plasticity. Until now work on perineuronal nets has been focused on their role in cortical structures where they are selectively expressed on parvalbumin‐positive neurons and are reported to restrict the experience‐dependent plasticity of inhibitory afferents. Here, we examined the expression of perineuronal nets subcortically, showing that they are expressed in several discrete structures, including nuclei that comprise the brain network controlling reproductive behaviors (e.g., mounting, lordosis, aggression, and social defense). In particular, perineuronal nets were found in the posterior dorsal division of the medial amygdala, the medial preoptic nucleus, the posterior medial bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the ventrolateral ventromedial hypothalamus and adjacent tuberal nucleus, and the ventral premammillary nucleus in both the mouse and primate brain. Comparison of perineuronal nets in male and female mice revealed a significant sexually dimorphic expression, with expression found prominently on estrogen receptor expressing neurons in the medial amygdala. These findings suggest that perineuronal nets may be involved in regulating neural plasticity in the mammalian reproductive system.
Moving Beyond the Keypress: As Technology Advances, so Should Psychology Response Time Measurements

Decades of research in cognitive psychology have largely relied on simple key or button presses to quantify human behavior. While many valuable discoveries have been made, a richer response modality may reveal more information regarding the different processes that underlie complex human behavior. This study provides a proof of concept for using a touch-and-swipe response method to separate response time into two components to extract more meaningful behavioral insights. Across several analyses, the two components were consistently shown to be separable, independent measurements of behavior. Furthermore, evaluating these isolated response time components improved inferential power and clarity of behavioral patterns. The touch-and-swipe response method is simple and easy-to-use, and it shows promise for more accurately targeting mechanisms of interest.
Food Neophobia and Food Disgust: The Mediating Role of Perceived Vulnerability to Disease

Negative attitudes towards food are influenced by two factors, neophobia and often related disgust. Neophobia is the tendency to avoid new foods, while food disgust is the refusal of food that is considered potentially harmful to health. The study presented here aims to analyze the correlation between these two attitudes and the possible mediation operated by the perception of vulnerability to diseases, in order to understand if and how this contributes to the disgust towards certain unfamiliar foods. The study was developed through the administration of an anonymous questionnaire to a sample of 487 Italian citizens participating on a voluntary basis. Three tools were used: Food Neophobia Scale, Perceived Vulnerability to Disease, and Food Disgust Scale. The results showed a strong positive correlation between food disgust and food neophobia. Furthermore, through the application of structural mediation models, it has been shown that between food neophobia and food disgust, there is a mediation effect determined by perceived infectivity. The research aims to make a significant contribution to the understanding of the relationship between food disgust and some individual and psychological characteristics of people, demonstrating that the fear of disease transmission affects their food choices.