Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Limited influence of marine sediment lyophilization on prokaryotic community structure assessed via amplicon sequencing: an example from environmentally contrasted sediment layers in Toulon harbor (France)

Sediment lyophilization is a common process that allows for long-term conservation and sharing of marine sediments for multiple downstream analyses. Although it is often used for geochemical studies, the effects of lyophilization on prokaryotic taxonomic diversity assessment remained to be assessed. Here, we tested the effect of lyophilization on microbial diversity assessment using three sediment layers corresponding to various sediment ages and chemical contamination levels sampled from a marine Mediterranean harbor. Duplicate DNA samples were extracted from wet frozen or lyophilized sediments, and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequence variants were analyzed. We detected changes in community structure over depth linked to both dominant and less abundant taxa whether sediments were lyophilized or not. Data from both wet frozen and lyophilized sediments led us to conclude that historical chemical contamination of the sediment of Toulon Bay did not appear to be the main environmental variable shaping prokaryotic community structure on the vertical dimension, but that sediment diagenesis was. We conclude that sediment lyophilization is compatible with marine biogeochemical and ecotoxicological studies but that caution should be used when discussing small variations among samples.
Construction and validation of an RNA-binding protein-associated prognostic model for colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent and fatal malignancies, and novel biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of CRC must be identified. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are essential modulators of transcription and translation. They are frequently dysregulated in various cancers and are related to tumorigenesis and development. The mechanisms by which RBPs regulate CRC progression are poorly understood and no clinical prognostic model using RBPs has been reported in CRC. We sought to identify the hub prognosis-related RBPs and to construct a prognostic model for clinical use. mRNA sequencing and clinical data for CRC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database (TCGA). Gene expression profiles were analyzed to identify differentially expressed RBPs using R and Perl software. Hub RBPs were filtered out using univariate Cox and multivariate Cox regression analysis. We used functional enrichment analysis, including Gene Ontology and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, to perform the function and mechanisms of the identified RBPs. The nomogram predicted overall survival (OS). Calibration curves were used to evaluate the consistency between the predicted and actual survival rate, the consistency index (c-index) was calculated, and the prognostic effect of the model was evaluated. Finally, we identified 178 differently expressed RBPs, including 121 up-regulated and 57 down-regulated proteins. Our prognostic model was based on nine RBPs (PNLDC1, RRS1, HEXIM1, PPARGC1A, PPARGC1B, BRCA1, CELF4, AEN and NOVA1). Survival analysis showed that patients in the high-risk subgroup had a worse OS than those in the low-risk subgroup. The area under the curve value of the receiver operating characteristic curve of the prognostic model is 0.712 in the TCGA cohort and 0.638 in the GEO cohort. These results show that the model has a moderate diagnostic ability. The c-index of the nomogram is 0.77 in the TCGA cohort and 0.73 in the GEO cohort. We showed that the risk score is an independent prognostic biomarker and that some RBPs may be potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of CRC.
Dahuang Zhechong Pills Suppress Silicosis Fibrosis Progression via p38 MAPK/TGF-β1/Smad Pathway In Vitro

Background Dahuang Zhechong pills (DHZCP) is a classic Chinese medicinal prescription in “Treatise on Cold Pathogenic and Miscellaneous Diseases (Shanghan Zabing Lun),” and it has the function of tonifying blood, nourishing Yin, and removing blood stasis. Previous studies have shown that DHZCP could alleviate SiO2 induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. This study aims to further explore the preventive and therapeutic effects of DHZCP against silicosis fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms in vitro. Methods We used the experimental model of SiO2-induced MH-S cells to evaluate the therapeutic potential of DHZCP. MH-S cells induced by SiO2 were intervened with the drug-containing serum of DHZCP, and the effects of drug-containing serum of DHZCP on the MH-S cells were detected by CCK8, ELISA, flow cytometry, western blot, and immunofluorescence. Results DHZCP improved cell viability by reducing apoptosis. It also decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 in the supernatant of MH-S cells induced by SiO2, inhibited the expression of p38 MAPK, blocked the activation of NF-κB, and controlled the upstream inflammatory response by multiple targeting. Concomitantly, we observed upregulation of Smad7 and a marked decline in TGF-β1, α-SMA, Smad2, Smad3 expression in MH-S cells treated with DHZCP. Conclusion To sum up, we conclude that DHZCP protects against SiO2-induced silicosis by reducing the persistent irritation of inflammation, regulating the p38 MAPK/TGF-β1/Smad pathway.
Spatial and intraseasonal variation in changing susceptibility to extreme heat in the United States

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background: Exposure to excessive heat is associated with a higher risk of death. Although the relative risk of death on extreme-heat days has decreased over the past several decades in the United States, the drivers of this decline have not been fully characterized. In particular, while extreme heat earlier in the warm season has been shown to confer greater risk of mortality than exposure later in the season, it is unknown whether this within-season variability in susceptibility has changed over time and whether it is modified by region, climatic changes, or social vulnerability. Methods: We used distributed-lag nonlinear models and meta-regression to estimate the association between ambient maximum daily temperature during the early, late, and overall warm seasons and the relative risk of mortality for two decades, 1973–1982 and 1997–2006, in 186 metropolitan areas in the United States. We assessed changes in relative risk nationally, regionally, and between places with differential changes in early-season relative extreme heat and indicators of social vulnerability. Results: Most of the reduction in heat-related mortality nationally between the two decades is driven by decreases in late-season mortality, while substantial early-season risk remains. This difference is most apparent in the Northeast, in cities with greater increases in early-season relative extreme heat, and in places that have become more socially vulnerable. Conclusions: Early-season heat mortality risks have persisted despite overall adaptations, particularly in places with greater warming and increasing social vulnerability. Interventions to reduce heat mortality may need to consider greater applicability to the early warm season.
Potential Health Risks of Macro- and Microelements in Commercial Medicinal Plants Used to Treatment of Diabetes

Information on the content of medicinal plants used in the treatment of diabetes is scarce in the literature. The objectives of this study were to determine the levels of macroelements and microelements in three different medicinal plant species including the dry samples and teas from Bauhinia forficata, Eleusine Indica, and Orthosiphon stamineus and assess the human health risks of ingestion of the tea. The content of the dry samples and teas was obtained using the technique of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) after microwave digestion procedure. The hazard quotient (HQ) method was used to access the human health risks posed by heavy metal through tea consumption. The results revealed the presence of K, Mg, Na, P, Al, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ni, and Se in dry samples and plant teas. The dry plants have high concentration of K and P. All dry plants contain Mg, Na, Al, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, and Cu above the limit permissible level set by the World Health Organization (WHO). All the hazard index (HI) values in plant teas were found to be within safe limits for human consumption (HI < 1). The plants may have possible action benefits when used in popular medicine. However, the ingestion through capsules prepared by enclosing a plant powder or teas can be harmful to the health of diabetics. The prescription of this plant for the treatment of diabetes should be treated with caution.
Die Struktur des Gels der Kieselsäure

Das Gel der Kieselsäure ist in trockenem Zustande ein durchsichtiger, farbloser Körper. Es besitzt eine feine Porosität und nimmt leicht Wasser und andere Flüssigkeiten auf. Wenn es eine gewisse Menge Wasser aufgesogen hat, wird es trüb; bei weiterer Wasseraufnahme allmählich klarer und schliesslich wieder ganz durchsichtig. Diese Eigenschaft ist nicht auf die Absorption des Wassers beschränkt, sondern kann auch beobachtet werden, wenn andere Flüssigkeiten, wie z. B. Alkohol, Chloroform usw. , statt Wasser angewandt werden. Beim umgekehrten Vorgang, d. h. wenn man das in den Poren enthaltene Wasser, bzw. andere Flüssigkeit, entfernt, wird das Gel noch viel trüber, sogar kreideweiss, und wieder nach weitgehender Entwässerung durchsichtig. B r e w s t e r 2 ) sah das Gel als von äusserst feinen Poren durchsetzt an, deren Wände, mit einer Wasser-(Flüssigkeits-)schicht bekleidet, das Licht diffus reflektieren und dadurch das Phänomen des Trübwerdens verursachen sollten. Verschwände diese Flüssigkeitsschicht durch Verdunstung z. B. , so würden die Porenwände allein (infolge ihrer geringen Dickendimension und ihres geringen Brechungsunterschiedes gegen Luft) nicht mehr ausreichen, eine merkliche diffuse Reflexion und damit Trübung zu erzeugen. In seinen speziellen Betrachtungen ist ein kleiner Irrtum enthalten, auf den B ü t s c h l i 3 ) aufmerksam gemacht hat, der sich im übrigen der Brews te r schen Anschauung angeschlossen ha t B ü t s c h l i glaubte sogar, diese Hohlräume mikroskopisch nachgewiesen zu haben, gab die Dimensionen ihres Durchmessers an und berechnete ferner den Durchmesser der Wände. Dass die B ü t s c h l i s c h e
New Hybrid Nanomaterial Derived from Immobilization of 4-Formyl Benzo-9-Crown-3 Ether onto the Mesopores of MCM-41

In this work, we report a new hybrid nanomaterial based on the immobilization of 4-formyl benzo-9-crown-3 ether (FB9C3) onto the mesopores of MCM-41. First, the mesoporous molecular sieve MCM-41 was covalently grafted with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane to give aminopropyl modified MCM-41 (AmpMCM-41). Reaction of this material with FB9C3 afforded the B9C3-AmpMCM-41 hybrid nanomaterial. The prepared B9C3-AmpMCM-41 was characterized with different physicochemical methods such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA-DTA), and BET nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis. The XRD analysis revealed that textural properties of the support were preserved during the immobilization process. However, nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis showed sequential reduction in surface area, pore volume, and pore size during the grafting experiments. Elemental analysis showed the presence of 0.11 mmol FB9C3 per gram of the hybrid nanomaterial.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Nasal Airway Changes after Treatment with C-Expander

The use of the C-expander is an effective treatment modality for maxillary skeletal deficiencies which can cause ailments and significantly reduce life expectancy in late adolescents and young adults. However, the morphological and dynamic effects on the nasal airway have not been reported. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the nasal airway changes after the implementation of a C-expander. A sample of nine patients (8 females, 1 male, age range from 15 to 29 years) was included. The morphology parameters and nasal airway ventilation parameters of pretreatment and posttreatment were measured. All study data were normally distributed. A paired t-test was used to evaluate the changes before and after treatment. After expansion, the mean and standard deviation values of intercanine maxillary width (CMW) and intermolar maxillary width (MMW) increased from 35.75 ± 2.48 mm and 54.20 ± 3.17 mm to 37.87 ± 2.26 mm (P < 0.05) and 56.65 ± 3.10 mm (P < 0.05), respectively. The nasal cavity volume increased from 20320.00 ± 3468.25 mm3 to 23134.70 ± 3918.84 mm3 (P < 0.05). The nasal pressure drop decreased from 36.34 ± 3.99 Pa to 30.70 ± 3.17 Pa (P < 0.05), while the value of the maximum velocity decreased from 6.50 ± 0.31 m/s to 5.85 ± 0.37 m/s (P < 0.05). Nasal resistance dropped remarkably from 0.16 ± 0.14 Pa/ml/s to 0.08 ± 0.06 Pa/ml/s (P < 0.05). The use of C-expander can effectively broaden the area and volume of the nasal airway, having a positive effect in the reduction of nasal resistance and improvement of nasal airway ventilation. For patients suffering from maxillary width deficiency and respiratory disorders, a C-expander may be an alternative method to treat the disease.
Cardiac Amyloidosis Presenting as Biventricular Systolic Heart Failure

A previously healthy octogenarian presented with new onset heart failure symptoms. Comprehensive multimodality imaging including complete echocardiography with longitudinal strain analysis, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI), nuclear medicine pyrophosphate (99-mcTcPYP) scan along with biomarker, monoclonal protein analysis, and fat pad biopsy confirmed diagnosis of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis.
Temporary Threshold Shifts among Iron and Steel Factory Workers in Tanzania: A Pre-Interventional Study

Background: Workers in iron and steel factories in Tanzania are exposed to noise levels above recommended limit values, without using hearing protection devices. Exposure to noise levels above 85 dB(A) is associated with temporary threshold shifts (TTS) of human hearing. Nevertheless, there are few studies of noise and hearing from African countries. Objective: To determine whether the normal hearing workers in Tanzania experiences TTS after full-shift occupational noise exposure of 85 dB(A) and above. Methods: A total of 55 workers were included. Full-shift personal noise measurements were conducted. Pre- and post-shifts pure-tone audiometry were conducted for each worker. TTS was defined as a 10 dB or greater change at 1000, 2000, 3000 or 4000 Hz in either ear. Results: We found that 85.5% of the workers developed TTS across the work shift. There was significant increase in mean hearing thresholds across shift at 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hz among the workers exposed to an average personal noise exposure (LAeq,8h) of 90.4 dB(A) (SD = 2.7). The difference in mean hearing thresholds was higher at 4000 Hz [Arithmetic Mean (AM) = 10 dB SD = 4 dB] compared to that of 1000 Hz (AM = 4 dB SD = 3 dB), 2000 Hz (AM = 4 dB SD = 4 dB), and 3000 Hz (AM = 9 dB SD = 6 dB), respectively. Conclusions: Interventions to reduce occupational personal noise exposure are warranted to reduce the high risk of developing a permanent threshold shift with persistent high noise exposure. An intervention study is planned for this group of workers.
The effects of gaseous bubble composition and gap distance on the characteristics of nanosecond discharges in distilled water

Electric discharge in liquids with bubbles can reduce the energy consumption, which increases treatment efficiency. We present an experimental study of nanosecond discharges in distilled water bubbled with the monoatomic gas argon and with the polyatomic gases methane, carbon dioxide, and propane. We monitor the time evolution of the voltage and current waveforms, and calculate the injected charges to characterize the discharge. We establish a relationship between the injected charges and the shape of the plasma by time-resolved imaging to find that increasing the size of the gap reduces the injected charges. Moreover, we determine the plasma characteristics, including electron density, excitation temperatures (for atoms and ions), and rotational temperature of the OH and C2 radicals found in the plasma. Our space- and time-averaged measurements allow us to propose a spatial distribution of the plasma that is helpful for understanding the plasma dynamics necessary to develop and optimize applications based on nanosecond discharges in bubbled liquids.
Effect of Root Canal Filling Materials and Pretreatment with Solvents on the Shear Bond Strength of Composite Resin with Primary Tooth Dentin

Aim Root canal filling materials have the tendency to inhibit adhesion of resin-based composites. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of root canal filling materials and their solvents on the shear bond strength (SBS) of resin composite with the primary tooth dentin. Methods and Materials Seventy-two intact anterior primary teeth were selected. Smooth dentinal surfaces were prepared to a minimum diameter of 3 mm and thickness of 1.5–2.0 mm. The samples were equally divided into six groups (n = 12). In group 1: control group, no root filling material; in group 2: Metapex, no solvent; in group 3: Metapex+ethanol solvent; in group 4: ZOE, no solvent; in group 5: ZOE+ethanol solvent; and in group 6: ZOE+orange oil solvent were applied. Then, dentin surfaces were etched, and composite restorations were placed and cured. The specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours. SBS values were determined using a universal testing machine. Results The SBS values of composite to dentin in groups 2 and 4 were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.001). Cleansing of the specimens with 96% ethanol after removal of Metapex significantly increased the composite-dentin bond (P < 0.001). Applying ZOE, only orange oil solvent significantly increased the SBS of the composite to the primary tooth dentin (P = 0.01). Conclusion To reduce the negative effects of endodontic root filling materials on the SBS of composite and primary tooth dentin, ethanol is a suitable solvent when Metapex is used, while orange oil might be a better choice than ethanol when applying ZOE.
Effect of cotton residues incorporation on soil properties, organic nitrogen fractions, and nitrogen-mineralizing enzyme activity under long-term continuous cotton cropping

The objective of this experiment was to study the effect of cotton residues incorporation on soil properties, soil organic nitrogen (N) fractions, and N-mineralizing enzyme (protease, and urease) activity in the 0–40 cm soil layer in the long-term continuous cotton field. In this experiment, seven treatments, including cotton residues incorporation for 5, 10, 15 and 20 years (marked as 5a, 10a, 15a, and 20a) and continuous cropping for 5, 10 and 20 years (marked as CK5, CK10 and CK20) were conducted. The results showed that the soil organic carbon (C) and N increased gradually with the increase in the duration of continuous cropping with cotton residues incorporation. Compared with CK20, the 20a treatments reduced the content of amino acid N (AAN), ammonium N (AN), amino sugar N (ASN), hydrolysable unidentified N (HUN), and acid insoluble N (AIN) significantly by 48.6, 32.2, 96.9, 48.3, and 38.7%, respectively (p < 0.05). The activity of protease and urease in 20a treatments significantly increased by 53.4 and 53.1% respectively as compared to CK20 (p < 0.05). Soil organic C and N-mineralizing enzyme activity decreased with the increase in cropping duration in the absence of cotton residues incorporation, while the organic N increased slightly. In conclusion, cotton residues returning can increase the storage of soil organic C and N in long-term continuous cropping cotton field, and improve the soil quality and soil fertility of continuous cropping cotton field.
Caries Preventive Effects of Theobromine Containing Toothpaste on Early Childhood Caries: Preliminary Results

Objective Enamel remineralizing effects of theobromine have received much attention from the clinicians. The aim of this study was to investigate the caries preventive effect of theobromine containing toothpaste on children with early childhood caries (ECC). Material and Methods Salivary pH, buffering capacity and frequency of Streptococcus mutans (SM) levels were measured. Each child was assigned either fluoridated or theobromine containing toothpaste. The changes were analyzed using Laser Fluorescence system. Statistical analyses were performed. Results We included 13 children (mean age 4.25) with 145 teeth in the fluoridated toothpaste (Colgate Kids toothpaste) group; 13 children (mean age 4.46) with 115 teeth in theobromine containing toothpaste (TheodentTMKids toothpaste) group. Both toothpastes demonstrated enamel remineralization and were effective in increasing the buffering capacity and pH (p < 0.05). A statistically significant decrease in S. mutans levels was found in both toothpaste groups (p<0.05). Conclusion Both toothpaste group showed a statistically significant amount of enamel remineralization. Since theobromine had the added benefits of increasing the salivary pH and decreasing the S.mutans levels, theobromine containing toothpastes can be considered effective agents in remineralizing white spot lesions and can be used in prevention of early enamel lesions.
Outcome Analysis of Intramedullary Nailing Augmented with Poller Screws for Treating Difficult Reduction Fractures of Femur and Tibia: a Retrospective Cohort Study

Purpose Poller screws may serve as an adjunctive reduction tool and aid fracture reduction while augmented with intramedullary (IM) nailing for treating diaphyseal or metaphyseal fractures of the femur and tibia. However, there is no consistent conclusion about whether the method of using IM nailing augmented with poller screws is more advantageous than using IM nailing alone. Methods A total of 96 patients who received IM nailing with or without supportive poller screw for treating long-bone fractures in lower limbs and who experienced difficulties in performing reduction or IM insertion during the surgical process were included in this retrospective cohort study (33 patients with poller screws in group A versus 63 patients without poller screws in group B). Patient demographics including age, gender, and body mass index; injury-related data including fracture location, classification, and injury mechanism; operation-related data including American Society of Anesthesiologists, duration of operation, poller screw time, method of anesthesia, and volume of intraoperative hemorrhage; outcomes including fracture healing time; and incidence of outcomes of nonunion, malunion, infection, and secondary surgical procedures were evaluated. Results Fracture healing time of patients in group A was significantly shorter than that of group B (18.3 ± 4.8 weeks versus 24.3 ± 3.0 weeks, p = 0.023). Union rate was higher (100.0% versus 87.3%, p = 0.048), and malunion rate and secondary surgical procedure rate were lower (both are 3.0% versus 19.0%, p = 0.031) in group A than that of group B. Conclusion Poller screw augmentation of IM nailing is a favourable option to shorten fracture healing time and to reduce complication rates in terms of nonunion, malunion, and secondary surgical procedure in the treatment of both diaphyseal/metaphyseal fractures of the femur or tibia while compare with those treated by IM nailing alone.