Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Triphasic 3D In Vitro Model of Bone-Tendon-Muscle Interfaces to Study Their Regeneration

The transition areas between different tissues, known as tissue interfaces, have limited ability to regenerate after damage, which can lead to incomplete healing. Previous studies focussed on single interfaces, most commonly bone-tendon and bone-cartilage interfaces. Herein, we develop a 3D in vitro model to study the regeneration of the bone-tendon-muscle interface. The 3D model was prepared from collagen and agarose, with different concentrations of hydroxyapatite to graduate the tissues from bones to muscles, resulting in a stiffness gradient. This graduated structure was fabricated using indirect 3D printing to provide biologically relevant surface topographies. MG-63, human dermal fibroblasts, and Sket.4U cells were found suitable cell models for bones, tendons, and muscles, respectively. The biphasic and triphasic hydrogels composing the 3D model were shown to be suitable for cell growth. Cells were co-cultured on the 3D model for over 21 days before assessing cell proliferation, metabolic activity, viability, cytotoxicity, tissue-specific markers, and matrix deposition to determine interface formations. The studies were conducted in a newly developed growth chamber that allowed cell communication while the cell culture media was compartmentalised. The 3D model promoted cell viability, tissue-specific marker expression, and new matrix deposition over 21 days, thereby showing promise for the development of new interfaces.
Network-Based Assessment of Minimal Change Disease Identifies Glomerular Response to IL-7 and IL-12 Pathways Activation as Innovative Treatment Target

Background: Minimal change disease (MCD), a major cause of nephrotic syndrome, is usually treated by corticosteroid administration. MCD unresponsiveness to therapy and recurrences are nonetheless frequently observed, particularly in adults. To explore MCD-related pathogenetic mechanisms and to identify novel drug targets ultimately contributing to novel therapeutic avenues with a certain specificity for MCD, we compared glomerular transcriptomes from MCD with membranous nephropathy (MN) patients and healthy controls. Methods: Renal biopsies from adult patients with MCD (n = 14) or MN (n = 12), and non-diseased controls (n = 8) were selected from the Norwegian Kidney Biopsy Registry. RNA for 75 base-pair paired-end RNASeq were obtained from laser capture micro-dissected (LCM) glomeruli from FFPE sections. Transcriptional landscapes were computed by combining pathway-centered analyses and network science methodologies that integrate multiple bioinformatics resources. Results: Compared to normal glomeruli, cells from MCD displayed an inflammatory signature apparently governed by the IL1 and IL7 systems. While enrichment of IL1 production and secretion was a shared feature of MCD and MN compared to normal tissue, responses involving IL7 pathway activation were unique to MCD. Indeed, IL7R expressed by glomeruli was the most upregulated gene of the interleukin family in MCD versus normal controls. IL7 pathway activation was paralleled by significant enrichment in adaptive immune system processes and transcriptional regulation and depletion in pathways related to energy metabolism and transcription. Downregulation of these organ function-related themes again occurred predominately in MCD and was significantly less pronounced in MN. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry, respectively, confirmed the expression of phosphorylated IL-7 receptor alpha (IL7RA, CD127) and IL12 receptor beta 1 (IL12RB1) proteins. Conclusions: Gene expression profiling of archival FFPE-biopsies identifies MCD-specific signatures with IL7RA and IL12RB1 as novel targets for MCD treatment.
Temperature sensitive nanogels for real-time imaging during transcatheter arterial embolization

ABSTRACT Several vascular embolization materials are commonly used in clinical practice, however, having application defects of varying degrees, such as poor intraoperative imaging and easy recanalization of embolized blood vessels, they are challenging for application during Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). Thus, an intraoperative visible vascular embolization material with good embolization effect and biocompatibility can improve transcatheter arterial embolization clinical efficacy to some extent. Our study aimed to synthesize a novel vascular embolization material that can achieve complete embolization of arterial trunks and peripheral vessels, namely poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide)-co-acrylic acid nanogel (NIPAM-co-AA). Iohexol 200 mg/mL was co-assembled with 7 wt% NIPAM-co-AA nanogel to create an intelligent thermosensitive radiopaque nanogel (INCA), which achieves a good intraoperative imaging effect and is convenient for transcatheter arterial bolus injection due to its good fluidity and temperature-sensitive sol-gel phase transition. The normal rabbit kidney embolism model further confirmed that INCA could effectively use Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) to achieve intraoperative imaging, and real-time monitoring of the embolization process could avoid mis-embolization and leakage. Meanwhile, in a 42-day study, INCA demonstrated an excellent embolization effect on the right renal artery of New Zealand white rabbits, with no vascular recanalization and ischemic necrosis and calcification remaining. As a result, this radiopaque thermosensitive nanogel has the potential to be an intelligent thermosensitive medical vascular embolization material, providing dual benefits in TAE intraoperative imaging and long-term postoperative embolization while effectively addressing the shortcomings and challenges of commonly used clinical vascular embolization agents.
Molecular Modeling Insights into the Structure and Behavior of Integrins: A Review

Integrins are heterodimeric glycoproteins crucial to the physiology and pathology of many biological functions. As adhesion molecules, they mediate immune cell trafficking, migration, and immunological synapse formation during inflammation and cancer. The recognition of the vital roles of integrins in various diseases revealed their therapeutic potential. Despite the great effort in the last thirty years, up to now, only seven integrin-based drugs have entered the market. Recent progress in deciphering integrin functions, signaling, and interactions with ligands, along with advancement in rational drug design strategies, provide an opportunity to exploit their therapeutic potential and discover novel agents. This review will discuss the molecular modeling methods used in determining integrins’ dynamic properties and in providing information toward understanding their properties and function at the atomic level. Then, we will survey the relevant contributions and the current understanding of integrin structure, activation, the binding of essential ligands, and the role of molecular modeling methods in the rational design of antagonists. We will emphasize the role played by molecular modeling methods in progress in these areas and the designing of integrin antagonists.
Gait Indicators Contribute to Screening Cognitive Impairment: A Single- and Dual-Task Gait Study

Background: Screening cognitive impairment is complex and not an appliance for early screening. Gait performance is strongly associated with cognitive impairment. Objectives: We aimed to explore gait indicators that could potentially screen cognitive dysfunction. Methods: A total of 235 subjects were recruited from June 2021 to June 2022. Four gait tasks, including the walking test, the timed “Up & Go” test (TUG), foot pressure balance (FPB), and one-legged standing with eyes closed test (OLS-EC), were performed. Moreover, in the walking test, participants were instructed to walk at their usual pace for the single-gait test. For the dual-task tests, participants walked at their usual pace while counting backward from 100 by 1s. The data were analyzed by the independent sample t-test, univariate and multivariate logistic regression, a linear trend, stratified and interaction analysis, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and Pearson’s correlations. Results: Among the 235 participants, 81 (34.5%) were men and 154 (65.5%) were women. The mean age of participants was 72 ± 7.836 years. The control, MCI, mild AD, and severe AD groups had means of 71, 63, 71, and 30, respectively. After adjusting for age, sex, education, and body mass index (BMI), the dual-task toe-off-ground angle (TOA) (odds ratio (OR) = 0.911, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.847, 0.979), single-task TOA (OR = 0.904, 95% CI: 0.841–0.971), and the timed “Up & Go” time (TUGT) (OR = 1.515, 95% CI: 1.243–1.846) were significantly associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment. In addition, the trend test and stratified analysis results had no significant differences (all p > 0.05). The area under the roc curve (AUC) values of TOA in the dual-task and TUGT were 0.812 and 0.847, respectively. Additionally, TOA < 36.75° in the dual-task, TOA < 38.90° in the single-task, and TUGT > 9.83 seconds (s) are likely to indicate cognitive impairment. The cognitive assessment scale scores were significantly correlated with TOA (all r > 0.3, p < 0.001) and TUGT (all r > 0.2), respectively. Conclusion: TOA and TUGT scores are, in some circumstances, associated with cognitive impairment; therefore, they can be used as simple initial screenings to identify patients at risk.
Antecedents and Consequences of Misinformation Sharing Behavior among Adults on Social Media during COVID-19

Misinformation has been existed for centuries, though emerge as a severe concern in the age of social media, and particularly during COVID-19 global pandemic. As the pandemic approached, a massive influx of mixed quality data appeared on social media, which had adverse effects on society. This study highlights the possible factors contributing to the sharing and spreading misinformation through social media during the crisis. Preferred Reporting Items and Meta-Analysis guidelines were used for systematic review. Anxiety or risk perception associated with COVID-19 was one of the significant motivators for misinformation sharing, followed by entertainment, information seeking, sociability, social tie strength, self-promotion, trust in science, self-efficacy, and altruism. WhatsApp and Facebook were the most used platforms for spreading rumors and misinformation. The results indicated five significant factors associated with COVID-19 misinformation sharing on social media, including socio-demographic characteristics, financial considerations, political affiliation or interest, conspiracy ideation, and religious factors. Misinformation sharing could have profound consequences for individual and society and impeding the efforts of government and health institutions to manage the crisis. This SLR focuses solely on quantitative studies, hence, studies are overlooked from a qualitative standpoint. Furthermore, this study only looked at the predictors of misinformation sharing behavior during COVID-19. It did not look into the factors that could curb the sharing of misinformation on social media platforms as a whole. The study’s findings will help the public, in general, to be cautious about sharing misinformation, and the health care workers, and institutions, in particular, for devising strategies and measures to reduce the flow of misinformation by releasing credible information through concerned official social media accounts. The findings will be valuable for health professionals and government agencies to devise strategies for handling misinformation during public health emergencies.
Alcohol as a risk factor for hearing loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective Growing evidence suggests that alcohol consumption is a risk factor for hearing loss; however, the evidence has been inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of alcohol consumption on hearing loss. Methods We searched several databases up to November 2021, for published articles using the keywords “alcohol drinking” and “hearing loss”. Two investigators independently conducted the study selection and data extraction. Based on the results of the heterogeneity analysis (Q statistic and I2 statistic), a fixed- or random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled odds ratios (ORs). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the potential sources of heterogeneity and robustness of the pooled estimation. Publication bias in the literature was evaluated using Egger’s test. Results In total, 18 (9 cross-sectional, 5 case-control, and 4 cohort) observational studies were identified in this search; 27,849 participants were included. Compared with non-drinkers, the pooled OR of drinkers was 1.22 (95% confidence interval: 1.09–1.35). Conclusion Evidence suggests a positive association between alcohol consumption and hearing loss. Drinkers were at a higher risk than non-drinkers. Drinking limitations may be useful for preventing hearing loss.
Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells as a Global Pediatric Prospective Approach in the Treatment of Respiratory Failure Associated with Surfactant Protein C Dysfunction

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been proposed as a new therapeutic strategy to treat congenital and acquired respiratory system diseases. We describe a case report of an 18-month-old male patient with progressive chronic respiratory failure, associated with mutations of the surfactant protein C gene (SFTPC) due to c.289G > T variant p.Gly97Ser (rs927644577) and c.176A > G variant (p.His59Arg), submitted to repeated intravenous infusions of allogeneic bone marrow (BM) MSCs. The clinical condition of the patient was monitored. Immunologic studies before and during MSC treatment were performed. No adverse events related to the MSC infusions were recorded. Throughout the MSC treatment period, the patient showed a growth recovery. Starting the second infusion, the patient experienced an improvement in his respiratory condition, with progressive adaptation to mechanical ventilation. After the third infusion, five hours/die of spontaneous breathing was shown, and after infusion IV, spontaneous ventilation for 24/24 h was recorded. A gradual decrease of lymphocytes and cell subpopulations was observed. No variations in the in vitro T cell response to PHA were determined by MSC treatment as well as for the in vitro B cell response. A decrease in IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-10 levels was also detected. Even though we cannot exclude an improvement of pulmonary function due to the physiological maturation, the well-known action of MSCs in the repair of lung tissue, together with the sequence of events observed in our patient, may support the therapeutic role of MSCs in this clinical condition. However, further investigations are necessary to confirm the result and long-term follow-up will be mandatory to confirm the benefits on the pulmonary condition.
SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Captive Hippos (Hippopotamus amphibius), Belgium

Simple Summary We report the first world case of SARS-CoV-2 in captive hippos. Two adult animals were naturally infected in November 2021. Both had snot for a few days but did not need treatment. The virus was found in their noses, faeces and pool water. Antibodies were also found in the bloodstream. Abstract Two adult female hippos in Zoo Antwerp who were naturally infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed nasal discharge for a few days. Virus was detected by immunocytochemistry and PCR in nasal swab samples and by PCR in faeces and pool water. Serology was also positive. No treatment was necessary.
Systematic Review of Penetrating Cardiac Injury by a Firearm: Forensic Implications

Penetrating injuries of the heart, named penetrating cardiac injury (PCI), may cause hemorrhagic shock as well as cardiac tamponade, leading to death if not treated immediately. This systematic review aims to highlight the main aspects of penetrating cardiac injuries after firearm wounds. The cases of 39 subjects (age 37.05 + 15.4) were selected (6 fatal cases). Specifically, 4/39 cases involved subjects under 18 y.o. ; analyzing the entrance wound, in 30/39 cases it was located in the anterior chest, 4/39 in the posterior chest, 3/39 in the shoulder/axilla area, 1/39 in the neck, and 1/39 in the pelvis (gluteus). The exit wound was found in only 3/39 cases. Several factors may influence the prognosis: firstly, prompt intervention represents a crucial point, then considering the complications related to PCI, the most important are myocardial infarction, and projectile migration with embolization. The mortality rate is related to: (1) area and severity of the heart injury; (2) duration of transport and intervention; (3) contemporary lesion to other organ/s; (4) the quantity of blood lost; (5) and presence/absence of cardiac tamponade. Based on these findings, a correct approach in the management of PCI may be considered important from a forensic point of view, both as regards to medical liability and from the trial perspective.
Uterine Perforation as a Complication of the Intrauterine Procedures Causing Omentum Incarceration: A Review

Objective: Omentum involvement resulting from uterine perforation is a rare complication following intrauterine procedures that might require immediate intervention due to severe ischemic consequences. This review examines the prevalence of this complication, risk factors, the mode and timing of diagnosis, the proper management and the outcome. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed, PubMed Central and Scopus using uterine perforation, D&C, abortion and omentum as keywords. The exclusion criteria included the presence of the uterus or placenta’s malignancy and uterine perforation following delivery or caused by an intrauterine device. Results: The review included 11 articles from 133 screened papers. We identified 12 cases that three evaluators further analysed. We also present the case of a 32-year-old woman diagnosed with uterine perforation and omentum involvement. The patient underwent a hysteroscopic procedure with resectioning the protruding omentum into the uterine cavity, followed by intrauterine device insertion. Conclusion: This paper highlights the importance of a comprehensive gynaecological evaluation following a D&C procedure that includes a thorough clinical examination and a detailed ultrasound assessment. Healthcare providers should not overlook the diagnosis of omentum involvement in the presence of a history of intrauterine procedures.
Computational Investigation of Chirality-Based Separation of Carbon Nanotubes Using Tripeptide Library

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have fascinating applications in flexible electronics, biosensors, and energy storage devices, and are classified as metallic or semiconducting based on their chirality. Semiconducting CNTs have been teased as a new material for building blocks in electronic devices, owing to their band gap resembling silicon. However, CNTs must be sorted into metallic and semiconducting for such applications. Formerly, gel chromatography, ultracentrifugation, size exclusion chromatography, and phage display libraries were utilized for sorting CNTs. Nevertheless, these techniques are either expensive or have poor efficiency. In this study, we utilize a novel technique of using a library of nine tripeptides with glycine as a central residue to study the effect of flanking residues for large-scale separation of CNTs. Through molecular dynamics, we found that the tripeptide combinations with threonine as one of the flanking residues have a high affinity for metallic CNTs, whereas those with flanking residues having uncharged and negatively charged polar groups show selectivity towards semiconducting CNTs. Furthermore, the role of interfacial water molecules and the ability of the tripeptides to form hydrogen bonds play a crucial role in sorting the CNTs. It is envisaged that CNTs can be sorted based on their chirality-selective interaction affinity to tripeptides.
Analysis of Promoter Methylation of the Bovine FOXO1 Gene and Its Effect on Proliferation and Differentiation of Myoblasts

Simple Summary The purpose of this study was to initially determine the role of methylation of the promoter region of Forkhead box O 1 (FOXO1) in regulating its transcriptional level and to further investigate the effect of FOXO1 on the proliferation and differentiation of bovine myogenic cells. In this study, we used bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction, real-time quantitative PCR, western blot, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), and flow cytometry and found that the mRNA expression of the FOXO1 was low when the methylation of FOXO1 promoter region was high, and silencing the expression of the FOXO1 gene could promote the proliferation and differentiation of myoblasts. Abstract This study aimed to explore the regulatory role of FOXO1 promoter methylation on its transcriptional level and unravel the effect of FOXO1 on the proliferation and differentiation of bovine myoblasts. Bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction (BSP) and real-time quantitative PCR were performed to determine the methylation status and transcript levels of the FOXO1 promoter region at different growth stages. BSP results showed that the methylation level in the calf bovine (CB) group was significantly higher than that in the adult bovine (AB) group (p < 0.05). On the other hand, qRT-PCR results indicated that the mRNA expression level in the AB group was significantly higher than that in the CB group (p < 0.05), suggesting a significant decrease in gene expression at high levels of DNA methylation. CCK-8 and flow cytometry were applied to determine the effect of silencing the FOXO1 gene on the proliferation of bovine myoblasts. Furthermore, qRT-PCR and Western blot were conducted to analyze the expression of genes associated with the proliferation and differentiation of bovine myoblasts. Results from CCK-8 revealed that the short hairpin FOXO1 (shFOXO1) group significantly promoted the proliferation of myoblasts compared to the short-hairpin negative control (shNC) group (p < 0.05). Flow cytometry results showed a significant decrease in the number of the G1 phase cells (p < 0.05) and a significant increase in the number of the S phase cells (p < 0.05) in the shFOXO1 group compared to the shNC group. In addition, the expression of key genes for myoblast proliferation (CDK2, PCNA, and CCND1) and differentiation (MYOG, MYOD, and MYHC) was significantly increased at both mRNA and protein levels (p < 0.05). In summary, this study has demonstrated that FOXO1 transcription is regulated by methylation in the promoter region and that silencing FOXO1 promotes the proliferation and differentiation of bovine myoblasts. Overall, our findings lay the foundation for further studies on the regulatory role of epigenetics in the development of bovine myoblasts.