Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of biologically active copper oxide nanoparticles as promising novel antibacterial-antibiofilm agents

Abstract In this study, we aimed to synthesize copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) mediated by plant extract in an environmentally friendly way and to reveal their potential biological activities. Here we synthesized CuONPs by using different concentrations of aqueous leaf extract of Thymbra spicata at 80 °C to obtain Ts1CuONPs and Ts2CuONPs. Biosynthesized nanoparticles were characterized by using UV-Vis, AFM, FTIR, SEM-EDS, TEM, DLS and zeta potential analysis. The antibacterial activity of the nanoparticles was determined by calculation of the inhibition zone and minimum inhibitory concentration against selected bacterial strains. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of the as-synthesized nanoparticles was evaluated based on DPPH radical scavenging activity. The results indicate that the as-synthesized NPs have an average size of 26.8 and 21 nm for Ts1CuONPs and Ts2CuONPs, respectively. The formed CuONPs have more antibacterial action on gram-positive bacteria compared to gram-negative bacteria. In addition, CuONPs demonstrated good inhibition activity against biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Furthermore, the results showed that the smaller size of the CuONPs caused the higher cytotoxicity on L929 mouse fibroblast cells. The as-synthesized CuONPs exhibit antibacterial and antibiofilm potential against S. aureus, indicating that they may be attractive candidates to use in future therapeutic applications.
Association of Liver Tissue Optical Properties and Thermal Damage

Complete thermocoagulation of tumors is vital to minimize the risk of local tumor recurrence after a thermal ablation. Histological assessments are not real‐time and require experienced pathologists to grade the thermal damage (histopathology) [Correction added on 21 January, 2020 after first online publication: After thermal damage in the preceding sentence, (histopathology) was added]. Real‐time assessment of thermal tissue damage during an ablation is necessary to achieve optimal tumor ablation. In our previous studies, we found that continuous monitoring of the wavelength‐averaged (435–630 nm) tissue absorption coefficient (µa) and the reduced scattering coefficient ( μ s ′ ) during heating of a porcine liver at 100°C follows a sigmoidal growth curve. Therefore, we concluded that increases in the tissue µa and μ s ′ during thermocoagulation were correlated with true thermal damage. The goal of this study was to determine if increases in the tissue µa and μ s ′ during thermocoagulation are correlated with true thermal damage.
Advanced single voxel 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy techniques in humans: Experts' consensus recommendations

Conventional proton MRS has been successfully utilized to noninvasively assess tissue biochemistry in conditions that result in large changes in metabolite levels. For more challenging applications, namely, in conditions which result in subtle metabolite changes, the limitations of vendor‐provided MRS protocols are increasingly recognized, especially when used at high fields (≥3 T) where chemical shift displacement errors, B0 and B1 inhomogeneities and limitations in the transmit B1 field become prominent. To overcome the limitations of conventional MRS protocols at 3 and 7 T, the use of advanced MRS methodology, including pulse sequences and adjustment procedures, is recommended. Specifically, the semiadiabatic LASER sequence is recommended when TE values of 25‐30 ms are acceptable, and the semiadiabatic SPECIAL sequence is suggested as an alternative when shorter TE values are critical. The magnetic field B0 homogeneity should be optimized and RF pulses should be calibrated for each voxel. Unsuppressed water signal should be acquired for eddy current correction and preferably also for metabolite quantification. Metabolite and water data should be saved in single shots to facilitate phase and frequency alignment and to exclude motion‐corrupted shots. Final averaged spectra should be evaluated for SNR, linewidth, water suppression efficiency and the presence of unwanted coherences. Spectra that do not fit predefined quality criteria should be excluded from further analysis. Commercially available tools to acquire all data in consistent anatomical locations are recommended for voxel prescriptions, in particular in longitudinal studies. To enable the larger MRS community to take advantage of these advanced methods, a list of resources for these advanced protocols on the major clinical platforms is provided. Finally, a set of recommendations are provided for vendors to enable development of advanced MRS on standard platforms, including implementation of advanced localization sequences, tools for quality assurance on the scanner, and tools for prospective volume tracking and dynamic linear shim corrections.
Impact of untreated and Sargassum wightii-treated brilliant green dye exposure on Indian major carp, Labeo rohita Ham.: hematology, biochemistry, enzymology and histopathology

Abstract Water pollution due to agricultural and industrial processes may cause adverse biological effects in aquatic organisms such as fishes. The removal of brilliant green (BG) dye from aqueous solution using seaweed Sargassum wightii was carried out. Further, it aimed to evaluate the exposure of BG dye activity on hematological, plasma biochemical, enzymological activities and histopathology of Indian major carp, Labeo rohita as a biomarker. High mortality rate (T2 65%) in the fishes exposed to untreated BG dye shows the toxic nature of the dye. Whereas fishes grown in treated BG dye showed less mortality rate (T3 25%) and (T1 30%) which depicts the less toxicity. The observed behavioral, biochemical, hematological and enzymological parameters were showed a significant increase in the treated BG dye. Extensive histopathological lesions in gill, liver and kidney tissues were observed in untreated BG dye compared to fishes grown in S. wightii-treated BG dye might be due to the stress caused by the toxic presence in the dye. The results concluded that S. wightii-treated BG dye does not have any inhibitory effect which reveals the nontoxic nature.
A shear stress micromodel of urinary tract infection by the Escherichia coli producing Dr adhesin

In this study, we established a dynamic micromodel of urinary tract infection to analyze the impact of UT-segment-specific urinary outflow on the persistence of E. coli colonization. We found that the adherence of Dr+ E. coli to bladder T24 transitional cells and type IV collagen is maximal at lowest shear stress and is reduced by any increase in flow velocity. The analyzed adherence was effective in the whole spectrum of physiological shear stress and was almost irreversible over the entire range of generated shear force. Once Dr+ E. coli bound to host cells or collagen, they did not detach even in the presence of elevated shear stress or of chloramphenicol, a competitive inhibitor of binding. Investigating the role of epithelial surface architecture, we showed that the presence of budding cells–a model microarchitectural obstacle–promotes colonization of the urinary tract by E. coli. We report a previously undescribed phenomenon of epithelial cell “rolling-shedding” colonization, in which the detached epithelial cells reattach to the underlying cell line through a layer of adherent Dr+ E. coli. This rolling-shedding colonization progressed continuously due to “refilling” induced by the flow-perturbing obstacle. The shear stress of fluid containing free-floating bacteria fueled the rolling, while providing an uninterrupted supply of new bacteria to be trapped by the rolling cell. The progressive rolling allows for transfer of briefly attached bacteria onto the underlying monolayer in a repeating cascading event.
Radio-Cytopathological Diagnosis of Eosinophilic Granuloma of Skull in a 13-Year Old Boy

Eosinophilic granuloma is benign end of the spectrum of the Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) which is characterized by solitary or multiple lesions in bones, skin, lung, lymph node etc. Here, we present a case of a 13-year old boy with pain and swelling in the right parietal region of skull with no other complaint. A computerized tomography (CT) scan and subsequent fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) revealed solitary eosinophilic granuloma which was subsequently confirmed by histopathology. Minimally invasive procedures like imaging and FNAC usually suffice for diagnosing and following up of patients with this rare disease.
Ultrahigh thermal conductivity in isotope-enriched cubic boron nitride

A cool way to use isotopes Thermal management of electronics requires materials that can efficiently remove heat. Several promising materials have been found recently, but diamond remains the bulk material with the highest thermal conductivity. Chen et al. found that isotopically pure cubic boron nitride has an ultrahigh thermal conductivity, 75% that of diamond. Using only boron-11 or boron-10 allows the crystal vibrations that carry heat to move more efficiently through the material. This property could be exploited for better regulating the temperature of high-power devices. Science, this issue p. 555 Isotopically pure cubic boron nitride has a thermal conductivity almost as high as that of diamond. Materials with high thermal conductivity (κ) are of technological importance and fundamental interest. We grew cubic boron nitride (cBN) crystals with controlled abundance of boron isotopes and measured κ greater than 1600 watts per meter-kelvin at room temperature in samples with enriched 10B or 11B. In comparison, we found that the isotope enhancement of κ is considerably lower for boron phosphide and boron arsenide as the identical isotopic mass disorder becomes increasingly invisible to phonons. The ultrahigh κ in conjunction with its wide bandgap (6.2 electron volts) makes cBN a promising material for microelectronics thermal management, high-power electronics, and optoelectronics applications.
Exploring the impact of terminology differences in blood and organ donor decision making

Because the global shortage of blood and organ donors across all medical markets is a serious concern for health care provision, we aim in this study to better understand decisions (not) to participate in these two forms of medical donation, which can save or prolong another’s life. Using unique responses from over 1,000 online survey respondents, we compare the reasons given for the donation decision given by blood and/or registered organ donors versus non-donors. To do so, we categorize responses based on five dimensions of language choice: egocentric (referring to self), social, moral, positively emotional, and negatively emotional. Our results reveal statistically significant differences between blood donors and non-donors in the use of all five categories. With respect to organ donation, we find statistically significant differences between donors and non-donors in the use of social, moral and positive emotional terms but not in the use of egocentric or negatively emotional justifications. Such results suggest that the ‘gift of life’ terminology used universally to market to potential blood and organ donors may only be relevant in the blood donation market and unlikely to incentivize or change organ donation behaviour.
The Dynamic Nature of CO Adlayers on Pt(111) Electrodes

Abstract CO adlayers on Pt(111) electrode surfaces are an important electrochemical system and of great relevance to electrocatalysis. The potential‐dependent structure and dynamics of these adlayers are complex and still controversial, especially in the CO pre‐oxidation regime. We here employ in situ high‐speed scanning tunneling microscopy for studying the surface phase behavior in CO‐saturated 0.1 m H2SO4 on the millisecond time scale. At potentials near the onset of CO pre‐oxidation local fluctuations in the (2×2)‐CO adlayer are observed, which increase towards more positive potentials. Above 0.20 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), this leads to an adlayer where COad apparently reside on every top site, but still exhibit a (2×2) superstructure modulation. We interpret this observation as a dynamic effect, caused by a small number of highly mobile point defects in the (2×2)‐CO adlayer. As shown by density functional theory calculations, the CO lattice near such defects relaxes into a local (1×1) arrangement, which can rapidly propagate across the surface. This scenario, where a static (2×2) COad sublattice coexists with a highly dynamic sublattice of partially occupied top sites, explains the pronounced COad surface mobility during electrooxidation.
Whole-Genome Sequencing of Finnish Type 1 Diabetic Siblings Discordant for Kidney Disease Reveals DNA Variants associated with Diabetic Nephropathy.

BACKGROUND Several genetic susceptibility loci associated with diabetic nephropathy have been documented, but no causative variants implying novel pathogenetic mechanisms have been elucidated. METHODS We carried out whole-genome sequencing of a discovery cohort of Finnish siblings with type 1 diabetes who were discordant for the presence (case) or absence (control) of diabetic nephropathy. Controls had diabetes without complications for 15-37 years. We analyzed and annotated variants at genome, gene, and single-nucleotide variant levels. We then replicated the associated variants, genes, and regions in a replication cohort from the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy study that included 3531 unrelated Finns with type 1 diabetes. RESULTS We observed protein-altering variants and an enrichment of variants in regions associated with the presence or absence of diabetic nephropathy. The replication cohort confirmed variants in both regulatory and protein-coding regions. We also observed that diabetic nephropathy-associated variants, when clustered at the gene level, are enriched in a core protein-interaction network representing proteins essential for podocyte function. These genes include protein kinases (protein kinase C isoforms ε and ι) and protein tyrosine kinase 2. CONCLUSIONS Our comprehensive analysis of a diabetic nephropathy cohort of siblings with type 1 diabetes who were discordant for kidney disease points to variants and genes that are potentially causative or protective for diabetic nephropathy. This includes variants in two isoforms of the protein kinase C family not previously linked to diabetic nephropathy, adding support to previous hypotheses that the protein kinase C family members play a role in diabetic nephropathy and might be attractive therapeutic targets.
The role of symptom appraisal, concealment and social support in optimizing dyadic mental health in heart failure

Abstract Objectives: Heart failure patients and their family care partners experience poor mental health, yet the majority of the research focuses on patients and care partners separately. Guided by the Theory of Dyadic Illness Management, the purpose of the current study was to identify distinct patterns of dyadic mental health in heart failure and identify the individual, dyadic and familial factors associated with group membership. Method: Fifty nine heart failure community-dwelling patients and their spouse care partners were recruited from an outpatient heart failure clinic. Mental health was operationalized by depressive symptoms, measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) measure of depression. Distinct groups of dyadic mental health were determined by categorizing depression scores within dyads. Results: Three groups of dyadic mental health were identified: an optimal dyadic mental health group (31%), a poor dyadic mental health group (32%) and an incongruent dyadic mental health group (37%). Patient age, patient fatigue, patient concealment, incongruent dyadic appraisal of pain interference and social/familial support were significantly associated with group membership. Conclusion: Findings underscore the salience of a dyadic approach to health and the clinical relevance of identifying patterns of dyadic mental health so we may determine those most in need of intervention.
Type 2 inflammation suppression by T regulatory cells attenuates the eosinophil recruitment in mucosa of chronic sinusitis.

Type 2 inflammation and eosinophilic infiltration are prominent pathologic features of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). The purpose of the present study was to determine the roles of Tregs in controlling Type 2 inflammation and inhibiting eosinophilic infiltration in CRSwNP. 134 nasal polyps, 67 ostiomeatal complex from CRS, and 62 normal nasal tissues from controls were collected to study the enumeration and function of Tregs cells and the expressions of cytokine profiles via immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, ELISA, and/or H&E staining. The effects of Tregs on Th2 and Th17 cells were determined in an eosinophilic chronic sinusitis (ECRS) mice model. It was confirmed that the CRSwNP displayed the feature of Th2 and Th17 cells-mediated inflammation, accompanying by an increased level of eosinophilic infiltration and the eosinophil cationic protein, with a decreased frequency of Treg cells. Furthermore, the percentages of CD4+CD25+CD127lowTreg and CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg were only decreased in the polyps of CRSwNP but not in the paired peripheral blood. The CRSwNP possessed the decreased Nrp1+Tregs, Helios+Treg, and low TGF-β and IL-10 expressions in Tregs. The ECRS mice showed similar inflammatory characteristics to CRSwNP patients. The adoptive transfer of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells significantly decreased the inflammatory cytokines, eosinophilic chemotactic factors in the mucosa of the ECRS mice without alteration of the immune balance in the peripheral blood and spleen. In conclusion, CRSwNP showed high Th2 and Th17 inflammation and defective Tregs. The iTreg may correct the imbalance between immune tolerance and effect via limiting the eosinophil recruitment of mucosa in CRSwNP.
Pediatric Pulmonology

Funding information Royal Australasian College of Physicians Research Fellowship; Advancing Women’s Research Success Grant Program Abstract Background: There is no published literature regarding the use of the digital stethoscope (DS) and computerized breath sound analysis in neonates, despite neonates experiencing a high burden of respiratory disease. We aimed to determine if the DS could be used to study breath sounds of term and preterm neonates without respiratory disease, and detect a difference in acoustic characteristics between them. Methods: A commercially available DS was used to record breath sounds of term and preterm neonates not receiving respiratory support between 24 and 48 hours after birth. Recordings were extracted, filtered, and computer analysis performed to obtain power spectra and mel frequency cepstral coefficient (MFCC) profiles. Results: Recordings from 26 term and 26 preterm infants were obtained. The preterm cohort had an average gestational age (median and interquartile range) of 32 (31‐33) weeks and term 39 (38‐39) weeks. Birth weight (mean and SD) was 1767 (411) g for the preterm and 3456 (442) g for the term cohort. Power spectra demonstrated the greatest power in the low‐frequency range of 100 to 250Hz for both groups. There were significant differences (P < .05) in the average power at low (100‐250Hz), medium (250‐500Hz), high (500‐1000Hz), and very high (1000‐ 2000 Hz) frequency bands. MFCC profiles also demonstrated significant differences between groups (P < .05). Conclusion: It is feasible to use DS technology to analyze breath sounds in neonates. DS was able to determine significant differences between the acoustic characteristics of term and preterm infants breathing in room air. Further investigation of DS technology for neonatal breath sounds is warranted.
Suicide in the pediatric population: screening, risk assessment and treatment

Abstract The number of children and adolescents dying by suicide is increasing over time. Patterns for who is at risk are also changing, leading to a need to review clinical suicide prevention progress and identify limitations with existing practices and research that can help us further address this growing problem. This paper aims to synthesise the literature on paediatric suicide screening, risk assessment and treatment to inform clinical practice and suicide prevention efforts. Our review shows that universal screening is strongly recommended, feasible and acceptable, and that there are screening tools that have been validated with youth. However, screening may not accurately identify those at risk of dying due to the relative rarity of suicide death and the associated research and clinical challenges in studying such a rare event and predicting future behaviour. Similarly, while risk assessments have been developed and tested in some populations, there is limited research on their validity and challenges with their implementation. Several promising suicide-specific treatments have been developed for youth, but overall there is an insufficient number of randomised trials. Despite great need, the research evidence to support screening, risk assessment and treatment is still limited. As suicide rates increase for children and adolescents, continued research in all three domains is needed to reverse this trend.
Biochemical characterization of Ty1 retrotransposon protease

Ty1 is one of the many transposons in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The life-cycle of Ty1 shows numerous similarities with that of retroviruses, e.g. the initially synthesized polyprotein precursor undergoes proteolytic processing by the protease. The retroviral proteases have become important targets of current antiretroviral therapies due to the critical role of the limited proteolysis of Gag-Pol polyprotein in the replication cycle and they therefore belong to the most well-studied enzymes. Comparative analyses of retroviral and retroviral-like proteases can help to explore the key similarities and differences which may help understanding how resistance is developed against protease inhibitors, but the available information about the structural and biochemical characteristics of retroviral-like, and especially retrotransposon, proteases is limited. To investigate the main characteristics of Ty1 retrotransposon protease of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, untagged and His6-tagged forms of Ty1 protease were expressed in E. coli. After purification of the recombinant proteins, activity measurements were performed using synthetic oligopeptide and fluorescent recombinant protein substrates, which represented the wild-type and the modified forms of naturally occurring cleavage sites of the protease. We investigated the dependence of enzyme activity on different reaction conditions (pH, temperature, ionic strength, and urea concentration), and determined enzyme kinetic parameters for the studied substrates. Inhibitory potentials of 10 different protease inhibitors were also tested. Ty1 protease was not inhibited by the inhibitors which have been designed against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 protease and are approved as antiretroviral therapeutics. A quaternary structure of homodimeric Ty1 protease was proposed based on homology modeling, and this structure was used to support interpretation of experimental results and to correlate some structural and biochemical characteristics with that of other retroviral proteases.
Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in a Case of P. Vivax Malaria

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (CVT) is relatively an uncommon manifestation in adults with Malaria. CVT is more often seen in patients with Falciparum malaria. Here we present a rare case of a 31-year-old male with Vivax malaria, who developed diplopia secondary to CVT. His treatment involved anticoagulation, analgesics as well as treatment of malaria.