Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a new composite membrane for point of need paper-based micro-scale microbial fuel cell analytical devices

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can evolve in a viable technology if environmentally sound materials are developed and became available at low cost for these devices. This is especially important not only for the designing of large wastewater treatment systems, but also for the fabrication of low-cost, single-use devices. In this work we synthesized membranes by a simple procedure involving easily-biodegradable and economic materials such as poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), chitosan (CS) and the composite PVA:CS. Membranes were chemical and physically characterized and compared to Nafion®. Performance was studied using the membrane as separator in a typical H-Type MFCs showing that PVA:CS membrane outperform Nafion® 4 times (power production) while being 75 times more economic. We found that performance in MFC depends over interactions among several membrane characteristics such as oxygen permeability and ion conductivity. Moreover, we design a paper-based micro-scale MFC, which was used as a toxicity assay using 16 μL samples containing formaldehyde as a model toxicant. The PVA:CS membrane presented here can offer low environmental impact and become a very interesting option for point of need single-use analytical devices, especially in low-income countries where burning is used as disposal method, and toxic fluoride fumes (from Nafion®) can be released to the environment.
Resistant or refractory cytomegalovirus infections after hematopoietic cell transplantation: diagnosis and management.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Refractory or resistant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections are challenging complications after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Most refractory or resistant CMV infections are associated with poor outcomes and increased mortality. Prompt recognition of resistant or refractory CMV infections, understanding the resistance pathways, and the treatment options in HCT recipients are imperative. RECENT FINDINGS New definitions for refractory and resistant CMV infections in HCT recipients have been introduced for future clinical trials. Interestingly, refractory CMV infections are more commonly encountered in HCT recipients when compared with resistant CMV infections. CMV terminase complex mutations in UL56, UL89, and UL51 could be associated with letermovir resistance; specific mutations in UL56 are the most commonly encountered in clinical practice. Finally, brincidofovir, maribavir, letermovir, and CMV-specific cytotoxic T-cell therapy expanded our treatment options for refractory or resistant CMV infections. SUMMARY Many advances have been made to optimize future clinical trials for management of refractory or resistant CMV infections, and to better understand new resistance mechanisms to novel drugs. New drugs or strategies with limited toxicities are needed to improve outcomes of difficult to treat CMV infections in HCT recipients.
Influence of BMI on Gait Characteristics of Young Adults: 3D Evaluation Using Inertial Sensors

Overweight/obesity is a physical condition that affects daily activities, including walking. The main purpose of this study was to identify if there is a relationship between body mass index (BMI) and gait characteristics in young adults. 12 normal weight (NW) and 10 overweight/obese (OW) individuals walked at a self-selected speed along a 14 m indoor path. H-Gait system, combining seven inertial sensors (fixed on pelvis and lower limbs), was used to record gait data. Walking speed, spatio-temporal parameters and joint kinematics in 3D were analyzed. Differences between NW and OW and correlations between BMI and gait parameters were evaluated. Conventional spatio-temporal parameters did not show statistical differences between the two groups or correlations with the BMI. However, significant results were pointed out for the joint kinematics. OW showed greater hip joint angles in frontal and transverse planes, with respect to NW. In the transverse plane, OW showed a greater knee opening angle and a shorter length of knee and ankle trajectories. Correlations were found between BMI and kinematic parameters in the frontal and transverse planes. Despite some phenomena such as soft tissue artifact and kinematics cross-talk, which have to be more deeply assessed, current results show a relationship between BMI and gait characteristics in young adults that should be looked at in osteoarthritis prevention.
A systematic review and meta-analysis

Aim:Effects of azithromycin on asthma reported in clinical trials are less consistent. We aimed to further clarify the efficacy and safety of azithromycin in treatment of asthma. Methods: The protocol registration number was CRD42017074318 (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/Prospero). We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane databases, China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI), and Wanfang databases for the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with prolonged treatment of azithromycin for more than 3 weeks. Random-effects or fixed-effects model was applied to calculate risk ratio (RR) and mean difference (MD) for dichotomous and continuous data respectively. Results:A total of eight studies were included for analysis. The pooled result of adjunctive azithromycin therapy in asthma showed a small, but statistically significant increase in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (MD=0.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.01–0.12, P= .02), but no significant differences in exacerbation frequency (MD= 0.42, 95%CI: 1.13 to 0.30, P= .25) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) (MD=0.20, 95%CI: 0.05 to 0.44, P= .12), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) (MD=4.12, 95%CI: 2.06 to 10.30, P= .19), asthma quality of life questionnaire (AQLQ) (MD: 0.05, 95% CI: 0.17 to 0.28, P= .65), asthma control questionnaire (ACQ) (MD: 0.03, 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.15, P= .75). The subgroup analysis revealed that azithromycin could decrease FeNO among Asian asthma (MD=15.04, 95% CI: 6.18–23.90, P= .0009). Conclusions: Add-on therapy of azithromycin in asthma patients could improve the FEV1, but failed to improve asthma exacerbations, PEF, ACQ, AQLQ, and FeNO. Subgroup analysis indicated that azithromycin could improve FeNO in Asian group asthmatics. Abbreviations: ACQ = Asthma Control Questionnaire, AQLQ = asthma quality of life questionnaire, CI = confidence interval, COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, FeNO = fractional exhaled nitric oxide, FEV1 = forced expiratory volume in one second, ICS = inhaled corticosteroid, Ig = immunoglobulin, IL = interleukin, MD =mean difference, PEF = peak expiratory flow, QOL = quality-of-life, RCT = randomized controlled trial, RR = risk ratio.
Unequal Protective Effects of Parental Educational Attainment on the Body Mass Index of Black and White Youth

Background: Parental educational attainment is shown to be protective against health problems; the Minorities’ Diminished Returns theory, however, posits that these protective effects tend to be smaller for socially marginalized groups particularly blacks than whites. Aims: To explore racial differences in the effect of parental educational attainment on body mass index (BMI) in a national sample of US adolescents. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we used baseline data of 10,701 (8678 white and 2023 black) 12–17 years old adolescents in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH; 2013). Parental educational attainment was the predictor. Youth BMI (based on self-reported weight and height) was the dependent variable. Age, gender, ethnicity, and family structure were covariates. Race was the focal moderator. Results: Overall, higher parental educational attainment was associated with lower youth BMI. Race, however, moderated the effect of parental educational attainment on BMI, suggesting that the protective effect of parental educational attainment on BMI is significantly smaller for black than white youth. Conclusions: In the United States, race alters the health gains that are expected to follow parental educational attainment. While white youth who are from highly educated families are fit, black youth have high BMI at all levels of parental educational attainment. This means, while the most socially privileged group, whites, gain the most health from their parental education, blacks, the least privileged group, gain the least. Economic, social, public, and health policymakers should be aware that health disparities are not all due to lower socioeconomic status (SES) of the disadvantaged group but also diminished returns of SES resources for them. Black–white health disparities exist across all high socioeconomic status (SES) levels.
In vivo localization and postmortem stability of benzo[a]pyrene‐DNA adducts

DNA adducts of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) play a critical role in the etiology of gastrointestinal tract cancers in humans and other species orally exposed to PAHs. Yet, the precise localization of PAH‐DNA adducts in the gastrointestinal tract, and the long‐term postmortem PAH‐DNA adduct stability are unknown. To address these issues, the following experiment was performed. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with the PAH carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BP) and euthanized at 24 h. Tissues were harvested either at euthanasia (0 time), or after 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 168 hr (7 days) of storage at 4°C. Portions of mouse tissues were formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded, and immunohistochemically (IHC) evaluated by incubation with r7,t8‐dihydroxy‐t‐9,10‐epoxy‐7,8,9,10‐tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (BPDE)‐DNA antiserum and H‐scoring. The remaining tissues were frozen, and DNA was extracted and assayed for the r7,t8,t9‐trihydroxy‐c‐10‐(N 2‐deoxyguanosyl)‐7,8,9,10‐tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (BPdG) adduct using two quantitative assays, the BPDE‐DNA chemiluminescence immunoassay (CIA), and high‐performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐ES‐MS/MS). By IHC, which required intact nuclei, BPdG adducts were visualized in forestomach basal cells, which included gastric stem cells, for up to 7 days. In proximal small intestine villus epithelium BPdG adducts were visualized for up to 12 hr. By BPDE‐DNA CIA and HPLC‐ES‐MS/MS, both of which used DNA for analysis and correlated well (P= 0.0001), BPdG adducts were unchanged in small intestine, forestomach, and lung stored at 4°C for up to 7 days postmortem. In addition to localization of BPdG adducts, this study reveals the feasibility of examining PAH‐DNA adduct formation in wildlife species living in colder climates. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 61:216–223, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Histologic Evaluation of Healing Lip Defects Treated With Injected Onabotulinum Toxin A and Topical Mitomycin C.

OBJECTIVE Using an experimental rat model, the efficacy of injected Onabotulinum Toxin A (BoNT-A) versus topical Mitomycin C in surgical wound healing of rat lip defects was evaluated. METHODS AND MATERIALS Sixty-seven male Wister rats received a triangular cut (7 × 7 × 4 mm) on their upper lip. Then they were divided randomly into 4 equal groups: group A (topical Mitomycin C plus injected BoNT-A); group B (topical Mitomycin C); group C or control group (saline solution) and group D (injected (BoNT-A). After 3 months, the animals were euthanized and scars were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome.For qualitative analysis, inflammatory cell density, new capillary formation, fibroblast proliferation, and collagen deposition were reported using relative ranks from 0 to 3 (absence, mild, moderate, marked). Data were analyzed by post hoc and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The significance level was P < 0.05. RESULT Mean collagen deposition values and fibroblast proliferation in the 4 groups showed statistically significant differences with each other (P value < 0.001). A significant difference between group A and controls existed for fibroblast proliferation (median 1 versus 2, P value < 0.001); also, collagen deposition (median 1 versus 2, P value < 0.001). A significant difference existed between the control and group D (median 2 versus 1, P value = 0.004); also, group A and B (median 1 versus 2, P value = 0.002) for collagen deposition. However, no significant differences existed between the 4 groups regarding inflammatory cells and angiogenesis (P value > 0.05). CONCLUSION Local injection of BoNT-A plus Mitomycin C followed by BoNT-A alone provided less collagen formation and fibroblastic proliferation in the healing lip defect in a rat model.
Transmission of Xylella fastidiosa Subspecies Pauca Sequence Type 53 by Different Insect Species

Diseases associated with Xylella fastidiosa have been described mostly in North and South America. However, during the last five years, widespread X. fastidiosa infections have been reported in a constrained area of the Apulia region (southern Italy), in olives trees suffering a severe disease, denoted as Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS). Because many xylem sap-feeding insects can function as vectors for the transmission of this exotic pathogen in EU, several research programs are ongoing to assess the role of candidate vectors in the spread of the infections. Initial investigations identified Philaenus spumarius (L.) as the predominant vector species in the olive orchards affected by the OQDS. Additional experiments have been carried out during 2016 and 2017 to assess the role of other species. More specifically, adults of the spittlebugs Philaenus italosignus Drosopolous and Remane, Neophilaenus campestris (Fallen) and of the planthopper Latilica tunetana (Matsumura) (Issidae) have been tested in transmission experiments to assess their ability to acquire the bacterium from infected olives and to infect different susceptible hosts (olives, almond, myrtle –leaf milkwort, periwinkle). Acquisition rates determined by testing individual insects in quantitative PCR assays, ranging from 5.6% in N. campestris to 22.2% in P. italosignus, whereas no acquisition was recorded for L. tunetana. Successful transmissions were detected in the recipient plants exposed to P. italosignus and N. campestris, whereas no trasmissions occurred with L. tunetana. The known vector Philaenus spumarius has been included in all the experiments for validation. The systematic surveys conducted in 2016 and 2017 provided further evidence on the population dynamics and seasonal abundance of the spittlebug populations in the olive groves.
Beyond the Nuclear Family: Children's Social Networks and Depressive Symptomology.

This study identified social network profiles among children, determined whether profiles vary across sociodemographic characteristics, and investigated links between childhood profiles and depressive symptomology using three waves of data spanning 23 years (Wave 1, 1992 Metro-Detroit representative sample: n = 193, ages 8-12). Latent profile analysis revealed three profiles: Close Family (22%), Varied Family (57%), Friend and Family (21%). White children were more likely than Black children to be in the Friend and Family profile. Children in the Close Family profile reported the lowest levels of depressive symptomology in childhood, but exhibited the steepest increase over time. Findings suggest that close, family centric networks are protective in childhood, but less so as children develop into adulthood, highlighting the importance of considering developmental perspectives.
Proton release process during the S2-to-S3 transition of photosynthetic water oxidation as revealed by the pH dependence of kinetics monitored by time-resolved infrared spectroscopy.

Photosynthetic water oxidation takes place at the Mn4CaO5 cluster in photosystem II via light driven cycle of intermediates called S states (S0-S4). Clarifying how electron and proton transfer reactions are coupled with each other in the S2→S3 transition, which occurs just before the O-O bond formation, is crucial to understand the water oxidation mechanism. Here, we investigated the pH dependence of the kinetics of the S2→S3 transition using time-resolved infrared (TRIR) spectroscopy to identify the proton release phase in this transition. TRIR measurements of YD-less PSII core complexes from the D2-Y160F mutant of Thermosynechococcus elongatus showed that the last phase in this transition (τ = ~350 μs at pH 6) was strongly pH dependent, and its time constant at pH 5 was larger than that at pH 8 by a factor of more than three. In contrast, the earlier phase with a ~100 μs time constant was virtually independent of pH. These results strongly support the view that proton release is a rate-limiting step of the proton-coupled electron transfer in the last phase of the S2→S3 transition. This proton release enables electron transfer by removing an excessive positive charge from the catalytic center and hence lowering its redox potential.
Touring the Online Learning Environment: An exploration using Screencast-O-Matic

This report is an enquiry into, and reflection upon, the use of Screencast-o-Matic software in distance learning, specifically for creating an introductory “walkthrough” of the online learning environment Moodle. Screencast-o-matic is an online video capture tool designed for use in tutorials, online presentations and demonstrations to deliver online modules. This report will set out and explain with reference to the associated project video the following elements of this case study project: the background and context of the online learning environment and software used, alongside theory that supports the selection of these; The identification of the problem, which is that new students can struggle with navigating the software and online environment; and the description of a solution in the form of an introductory tour video (PV) which can be used as 1. ) A resource for new students on a particular Masters-level course, the MA in Philanthropic Studies, and 2. ) A marketing tool for potential applicants. This report ends with a reflection upon the potential utility of this resource and some constraints experienced in the project.
Effect of LncRNA MIAT on Prognosis of Hand-assisted Laparoscopic or Laparoscopic-assisted Colectomy for Colorectal Cancer

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Purpose: The current study aims to explore the effect of myocardial infarction associated transcript (MIAT) level on the long-term prognosis of hand-assisted laparoscopic colectomy (HALC) or laparoscopic-assisted colectomy (LAC) for colorectal cancer (CC). Materials and Methods: A total of 320 CC patients were included. Patients were randomized into HALC and LAC group. Results: MIAT level in CC tissue was upregulated, and had a significant positive association with its level in serum. MIAT levels in both CC tissue and serum were correlated with lymph node metastasis and histologic grading. Survival analysis showed that the overall survival rate in 3 years after operation was significantly lower in HALC-High MIAT group (P<0.05). When MIAT level is <10.9 in CC tissue or 8.7 in serum, 100% of patients who underwent HALC will be alive for >3 years. Conclusions: For patients with low MIAT level, both HALC and LAC are available, otherwise, LAC is more recommended.
A Novel HDL-Mimetic Peptide HM-10/10 Protects RPE and Photoreceptors in Murine Models of Retinal Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in the developed world. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a critical site of pathology in AMD. Oxidative stress plays a key role in the development of AMD. We generated a chimeric high-density lipoprotein (HDL), mimetic peptide named HM-10/10, with anti-oxidant properties and investigated its potential for the treatment of retinal disease using cell culture and animal models of RPE and photoreceptor (PR) degeneration. Treatment with HM-10/10 peptide prevented human fetal RPE cell death caused by tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (tBH)-induced oxidative stress and sodium iodate (NaIO3), which causes RPE atrophy and is a model of geographic atrophy in mice. We also show that HM-10/10 peptide ameliorated photoreceptor cell death and significantly improved retinal function in a mouse model of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced PR degeneration. Our results demonstrate that HM-10/10 protects RPE and retina from oxidant injury and can serve as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of retinal degeneration.
The Distinct Immune-Stimulatory Capacities of Porphyromonas gingivalis Strains 381 and ATCC 33277 Are Determined by the fimB Allele and Gingipain Activity

The Porphyromonas gingivalis strain ATCC 33277 (33277) and 381 genomes are nearly identical. However, strain 33277 displays a significantly diminished capacity to stimulate host cell Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-dependent signaling and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production relative to 381, suggesting that there are strain-specific differences in one or more bacterial immune-modulatory factors. ABSTRACT The Porphyromonas gingivalis strain ATCC 33277 (33277) and 381 genomes are nearly identical. However, strain 33277 displays a significantly diminished capacity to stimulate host cell Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-dependent signaling and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production relative to 381, suggesting that there are strain-specific differences in one or more bacterial immune-modulatory factors. Genomic sequencing identified a single nucleotide polymorphism in the 33277 fimB allele (A→T), creating a premature stop codon in the 33277 fimB open reading frame relative to the 381 fimB allele. Gene exchange experiments established that the 33277 fimB allele reduces the immune-stimulatory capacity of this strain. Transcriptome comparisons revealed that multiple genes related to carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) family proteins, including the gingipains, were upregulated in 33277 relative to 381. A gingipain substrate degradation assay demonstrated that cell surface gingipain activity is higher in 33277, and an isogenic mutant strain deficient for the gingipains exhibited an increased ability to induce TLR2 signaling and IL-1β production. Furthermore, 33277 and 381 mutant strains lacking CTD cell surface proteins were more immune-stimulatory than the parental wild-type strains, consistent with an immune-suppressive role for the gingipains. Our data show that the combination of an intact fimB allele and limited cell surface gingipain activity in P. gingivalis 381 renders this strain more immune-stimulatory. Conversely, a defective fimB allele and high-level cell surface gingipain activity reduce the capacity of P. gingivalis 33277 to stimulate host cell innate immune responses. In summary, genomic and transcriptomic comparisons identified key virulence characteristics that confer divergent host cell innate immune responses to these highly related P. gingivalis strains.