Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Presence of Parabens and Bisphenols in Food Commonly Consumed in Spain

Given the widespread use of bisphenols and parabens in consumer products, the assessment of their intake is crucial and represents the first step towards the assessment of the potential risks that these compounds may pose to human health. In the present study, a total of 98 samples of food items commonly consumed by the Spanish population were collected from different national supermarkets and grocery stores for the determination of parabens and bisphenols. Our analysis demonstrated that 56 of the 98 food samples contained detectable levels of parabens with limits of quantification (LOQ) between 0.4 and 0.9 ng g−1. The total concentration of parabens (sum of four parabens: ∑parabens) ranged from below the LOQ to 281.7 ng g−1, with a mean value of 73.86 ng g−1. A total of 52% of the samples showed detectable concentrations of bisphenols. Bisphenol A (BPA) was the most frequently detected bisphenol in the food samples analysed, followed by bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol E (BPE). Bisphenol AF (BPAF), bisphenol B (BPB) and bisphenol P (BPP) were not found in any of the analysed samples. LOQ for these bisphenols were between 0.4 and 4.0 ng g−1.
Review on Development and Dental Applications of Polyetheretherketone-Based Biomaterials and Restorations

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is an important high-performance thermoplastic. Its excellent strength, stiffness, toughness, fatigue resistance, biocompatibility, chemical stability and radiolucency have made PEEK attractive in dental and orthopedic applications. However, PEEK has an inherently hydrophobic and chemically inert surface, which has restricted its widespread use in clinical applications, especially in bonding with dental resin composites. Cutting edge research on novel methods to improve PEEK applications in dentistry, including oral implant, prosthodontics and orthodontics, is reviewed in this article. In addition, this article also discusses innovative surface modifications of PEEK, which are a focus area of active investigations. Furthermore, this article also discusses the necessary future studies and clinical trials for the use of PEEK in the human oral environment to investigate its feasibility and long-term performance.
Deletion of pknG Abates Reactivation of Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Mice

Eradication of tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), has been a challenge due to its uncanny ability to survive in a dormant state inside host granulomas for decades. Mtb rewires its metabolic and redox regulatory networks to survive in the hostile hypoxic and nutrient-limiting environment, facilitating the formation of drug-tolerant persisters. Previously, we showed that protein kinase G (PknG), a virulence factor required for lysosomal escape, aids in metabolic adaptation, thereby promoting the survival of nonreplicating mycobacteria. ABSTRACT Eradication of tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), has been a challenge due to its uncanny ability to survive in a dormant state inside host granulomas for decades. Mtb rewires its metabolic and redox regulatory networks to survive in the hostile hypoxic and nutrient-limiting environment, facilitating the formation of drug-tolerant persisters. Previously, we showed that protein kinase G (PknG), a virulence factor required for lysosomal escape, aids in metabolic adaptation, thereby promoting the survival of nonreplicating mycobacteria. Here, we sought to investigate the therapeutic potential of PknG against latent mycobacterium. We show that inhibition of PknG by AX20017 reduces mycobacterial survival in in vitro latency models such as hypoxia, persisters, and nutrient starvation. Targeting PknG enhances the bactericidal activity of the frontline anti-TB drugs in peritoneal macrophages. Deletion of pknG resulted in 5- to 15-fold-reduced survival of Mtb in chronically infected mice treated with anti-TB drugs. Importantly, in the Cornell mouse model of latent TB, the deletion of pknG drastically attenuated Mtb’s ability to resuscitate after antibiotic treatment compared with wild-type and complemented strains. This is the first study to investigate the sterilizing activity of pknG deletion and inhibition for adjunct therapy against latent TB in a preclinical model. Collectively, these results suggest that PknG may be a promising drug target for adjunct therapy to shorten the treatment duration and reduce disease relapse.
Molecular changes in organic matter of a compost‐amended soil

The molecular changes of organic matter in a cultivated soil after compost amendments was followed by off‐line‐pyrolysis‐TMAH GC‐MS. Thermochemolysis of soil and compost provided a detailed molecular characterization of soil organic matter (SOM) by releasing a large amount of different molecules mainly derived from plant biopolymers such as lignin, waxes and bio‐polyesters. No significant differences were found before and after 1 year of cultivation in the pyrolytic products released by control soil, which were mainly fatty acids, oxidized forms of lignins, and minor amounts of microbial bio‐products and biopolyesters derivatives. Conversely, significant qualitative and quantitative variations were found in the molecular characteristics of SOM between control and compost‐amended soils after 1 year of cultivation. Increasing amounts and diversified components of fatty acids, n‐alkanes and various biopolyesters derivatives such as hydroxy‐alkanoic and alkandioic acids were found in the compost‐amended soil. These results indicate that a significant amount of exogenous compost‐derived organic molecules were incorporated into SOM after 1 year of cultivation. The organic structural indexes derived from these results indicated direct inputs of undecomposed lignin residues and hydrocarbon waxes from compost material. When compared with the control soil, small but significant amounts of plant biomarkers, such as cyclic di‐ and triterpenes derivatives, were found only in the compost‐amended soil. These findings suggest that the molecular changes of SOM brought about by amendment with biomass residues can be followed by using thermochemolysis of bulk soil samples.
Ipsi- and Contralateral Oligo- and Polysynaptic Reflexes in Humans Revealed by Low-Frequency Epidural Electrical Stimulation of the Lumbar Spinal Cord

Epidural electrical stimulation (EES) applied over the human lumbosacral spinal cord provides access to afferent fibers from virtually all lower-extremity nerves. These afferents connect to spinal networks that play a pivotal role in the control of locomotion. Studying EES-evoked responses mediated through these networks can identify some of their functional components. We here analyzed electromyographic (EMG) responses evoked by low-frequency (2–6 Hz) EES derived from eight individuals with chronic, motor complete spinal cord injury. We identified and separately analyzed three previously undescribed response types: first, crossed reflexes with onset latencies of ~55 ms evoked in the hamstrings; second, oligosynaptic reflexes within 50 ms post-stimulus superimposed on the monosynaptic posterior root-muscle reflexes in the flexor muscle tibialis anterior, but with higher thresholds and no rate-sensitive depression; third, polysynaptic responses with variable EMG shapes within 50–450 ms post-stimulus evoked in the tibialis anterior and triceps surae, some of which demonstrated consistent changes in latencies with graded EES. Our observations suggest the activation of commissural neurons, lumbar propriospinal interneurons, and components of the late flexion reflex circuits through group I and II proprioceptive afferent inputs. These potential neural underpinnings have all been related to spinal locomotion in experimental studies.
Impact of Different Positive End-Expiratory Pressures on Lung Mechanics in the Setting of Moderately Elevated Intra-Abdominal Pressure and Acute Lung Injury in a Porcine Model

The effects of a moderately elevated intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) on lung mechanics in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have still not been fully analyzed. Moreover, the optimal positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in elevated IAP and ARDS is unclear. In this paper, 18 pigs under general anesthesia received a double hit lung injury. After saline lung lavage and 2 h of injurious mechanical ventilation to induce an acute lung injury (ALI), an intra-abdominal balloon was filled until an IAP of 10 mmHg was generated. Animals were randomly assigned to one of three groups (group A = PEEP 5, B = PEEP 10 and C = PEEP 15 cmH2O) and ventilated for 6 h. We measured end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) per kg bodyweight, driving pressure (ΔP), transpulmonary pressure (ΔPL), static lung compliance (Cstat), oxygenation (P/F ratio) and cardiac index (CI). In group A, we found increases in ΔP (22 ± 1 vs. 28 ± 2 cmH2O; p = 0.006) and ΔPL (16 ± 1 vs. 22 ± 2 cmH2O; p = 0.007), with no change in EELV/kg (15 ± 1 vs. 14 ± 1 mL/kg) when comparing hours 0 and 6. In group B, there was no change in ΔP (26 ± 2 vs. 25 ± 2 cmH2O), ΔPL (19 ± 2 vs. 18 ± 2 cmH2O), Cstat (21 ± 3 vs. 21 ± 2 cmH2O/mL) or EELV/kg (12 ± 2 vs. 13 ± 3 mL/kg). ΔP and ΔPL were significantly lower after 6 h when comparing between group C and A (21 ± 1 vs. 28 ± 2 cmH2O; p = 0.020) and (14 ± 1 vs. 22 ± 2 cmH2O; p = 0.013)). The EELV/kg increased over time in group C (13 ± 1 vs. 19 ± 2 mL/kg; p = 0.034). The P/F ratio increased in all groups over time. CI decreased in groups B and C. The global lung injury score did not significantly differ between groups (A: 0.25 ± 0.05, B: 0.21 ± 0.02, C: 0.22 ± 0.03). In this model of ALI, elevated IAP, ΔP and ΔPL increased further over time in the group with a PEEP of 5 cmH2O applied over 6 h. This was not the case in the groups with a PEEP of 10 and 15 cmH2O. Although ΔP and ΔPL were significantly lower after 6 hours in group C compared to group A, we could not show significant differences in histological lung injury score.
An Integrated Approach to Identify New Anti-Filarial Leads to Treat River Blindness, a Neglected Tropical Disease

Filarial worms cause multiple debilitating diseases in millions of people worldwide, including river blindness. Currently available drugs reduce transmission by killing larvae (microfilariae), but there are no effective cures targeting the adult parasites (macrofilaricides) which survive and reproduce in the host for very long periods. To identify effective macrofilaricides, we carried out phenotypic screening of a library of 2121 approved drugs for clinical use against adult Brugia pahangi and prioritized the hits for further studies by integrating those results with a computational prioritization of drugs and associated targets. This resulted in the identification of 18 hits with anti-macrofilaricidal activity, of which two classes, azoles and aspartic protease inhibitors, were further expanded upon. Follow up screening against Onchocerca spp. (adult Onchocerca ochengi and pre-adult O. volvulus) confirmed activity for 13 drugs (the majority having IC50 < 10 μM), and a counter screen of a subset against L. loa microfilariae showed the potential to identify selective drugs that prevent adverse events when co-infected individuals are treated. Stage specific activity was also observed. Many of these drugs are amenable to structural optimization, and also have known canonical targets, making them promising candidates for further optimization that can lead to identifying and characterizing novel anti-macrofilarial drugs.
Metabolomic Profiles and Heart Failure Risk in Black Adults: Insights From the Jackson Heart Study.

BACKGROUND Heart failure (HF) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by significant metabolic disturbances; however, the breadth of metabolic dysfunction before the onset of overt disease is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of circulating metabolites with incident HF to uncover novel metabolic pathways to disease. METHODS We performed targeted plasma metabolomic profiling in a deeply phenotyped group of Black adults from the JHS (Jackson Heart Study; n=2199). We related metabolites associated with incident HF to established etiological mechanisms, including increased left ventricular mass index and incident coronary heart disease. Furthermore, we evaluated differential associations of metabolites with HF with preserved ejection fraction versus HF with reduced ejection fraction. RESULTS Metabolites associated with incident HF included products of posttranscriptional modifications of RNA, as well as polyamine and nitric oxide metabolism. A subset of metabolite-HF associations was independent of well-established HF pathways such as increased left ventricular mass index and incident coronary heart disease and included homoarginine (per 1 SD increase in metabolite level, hazard ratio, 0.77; P=1.2×10-3), diacetylspermine (hazard ratio, 1.34; P=3.4×10-3), and uridine (hazard ratio, 0.79; P, 3×10-4). Furthermore, metabolites involved in pyrimidine metabolism (orotic acid) and collagen turnover (N-methylproline) among others were part of a distinct metabolic signature that differentiated individuals with HF with preserved ejection fraction versus HF with reduced ejection fraction. CONCLUSIONS The integration of clinical phenotyping with plasma metabolomic profiling uncovered novel metabolic processes in nontraditional disease pathways underlying the heterogeneity of HF development in Black adults.
The Association Between Five Factor Model Personality Traits and Verbal and Numeric Reasoning

ABSTRACT Five-factor model (FFM) personality traits are related to basic cognitive functions and risk of cognitive impairment in late life. The present study addresses whether FFM traits are also associated with a more complex cognitive function, reasoning, across adulthood. We used seven samples to examine the relation between personality and verbal (total N= 39,177) and numeric (total N= 76,388) reasoning. A meta-analysis indicated higher Neuroticism was associated modestly with worse performance on verbal and numeric reasoning tasks. Openness was associated with better verbal reasoning and was unrelated to numeric reasoning. Surprisingly, Extraversion was associated modestly with worse performance in both domains, and Conscientiousness was essentially unrelated to reasoning. Agreeableness was unrelated to reasoning. There was significant heterogeneity across the samples but only limited evidence for moderation by age or sex. Consistent with other cognitive domains, the results suggested that Neuroticism is related to worse performance globally, whereas Openness tends to be associated with better verbal abilities. Among the unexpected findings was the better reasoning of introverts. The pattern also suggests that the common positive association between Conscientiousness and cognition does not extend to reasoning and suggests that Conscientiousness may support healthier cognitive aging through basic cognitive functions rather than through complex functions like reasoning.
Resource Selection by Wild and Ranched White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) during the Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (EHDV) Transmission Season in Florida

Simple Summary Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus is transmitted by Culicoides midges and causes serious disease in wild and privately ranched white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the United States. The U.S. deer ranching industry is fast growing and generates an estimated ~USD 8 billion annually. In Florida, there are over 400 registered deer farms, and virus rates are high among these populations. While vaccines for the virus are becoming available, many farms have large hunting preserves, where safely capturing deer is difficult. At the same time, these farms are situated in proximity to wild deer populations, and both populations are at risk. We studied habitat selection in ranched deer within a ~180 ha high-fenced preserve. We GPS-collared deer in the hunting preserve and nearby state-managed lands to compare habitat selection. During 2016, we collected GPS data from 15 ranched and eight wild deer and built resource selection function models. These models suggest ranched deer select habitats more likely to support several midge species that transmit the virus compared to wild deer. These differences in habitat use may partially explain previously confirmed higher rates of disease exposure in the ranched deer. Our results may inform ranch land management strategies that reduce midge–deer contact. Abstract Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) causes serious disease in wild and privately ranched white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the United States. In Florida, there is high EHDV prevalence, yet no treatments. There are few management strategies for the disease due to limited knowledge of virus–vector–host interactions. We conducted a telemetry study on white-tailed deer to examine resource use by wild and ranched animals in the Florida panhandle during the 2016 transmission risk period. We built generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) to estimate resource selection and map habitat preferences for wild and ranched deer in the study area to reveal how second-order selection may relate to higher disease prevalence in ranched deer. Wild deer preferred areas closer to tertiary roads and supplementary food sources but farther from permanent water. Ranched deer selected bottomland mixed forest and areas closer to tertiary roads, supplementary food sources, and permanent water. Ranched deer behaviors may increase the likelihood of EHDV vector encounters, as these deer selected preferred habitats of several putative vector species, which may increase vector blood meal success and viral transmission risk. Disparate resource selection behaviors may be a factor in observed differential EHDV exposure risk between ranched and wild white-tailed deer in Florida.
Validity and Reliability of a Snatch Pull Test to Model the Force-Velocity Relationship in Male Elite Weightlifters

Abstract Sandau, I, Chaabene, H, and Granacher, U. Validity and reliability of a snatch pull test to model the force-velocity relationship in male elite weightlifters. J Strength Cond Res 36(10): 2808–2815, 2022—This study examined the concurrent validity and within-session reliability of parameters describing the force-velocity relationship (FvR) such as maximal force, velocity, power, and the theoretical one repetition maximum snatch performance (snatchth) during the snatch pull. The FvR was assessed using the multiple-load (FvRm) approach and the 2-load (FvR2) approach. Eight male elite weightlifters from the German national team executed the snatch pull in 2 separate experiments. For the concurrent validity assessment (experiment one), during the snatch pull, 7 loads from 70 to 100% were lifted to compute the FvRm, and 2 loads (70 and 100%) were lifted to compute the FvR2. For the reliability assessment (experiment 2), a test-retest protocol for the FvR2 was conducted. Input FvR parameters were determined from video-based barbell tracking. Results indicated no differences (all p > 0.05; all d ≤ 0.07) and extremely large correlations (all r ≥ 0.91) between the FvRm and FvR2 parameters. The within-session reliability of FvR2 parameters was excellent (all intraclass correlation coefficient ≥0.97; SEM% ≤1.23%). The percentage smallest real difference (SRD95%) of FvR2 parameters ranged between 1.89 and 3.39%. In summary, using the snatch pull to model FvR2 parameters is a valid and reliable approach that can easily be integrated into elite weightlifters' daily training routines.
Towards P-Type Conduction in Hexagonal Boron Nitride: Doping Study and Electrical Measurements Analysis of hBN/AlGaN Heterojunctions

Reliable p-doped hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) could enable wide bandgap optoelectronic devices such as deep ultra-violet light emitting diodes (UV LEDs), solar blind photodiodes and neutron detectors. We report the study of Mg in h-BN layers as well as Mg h-BN/AlGaN heterostructures. Mg incorporation in h-BN was studied under different biscyclopentadienyl-magnesium (Cp2Mg) molar flow rates. 2θ-ω x-ray diffraction scans clearly evidence a single peak, corresponding to the (002) reflection plane of h-BN with a full-width half maximum increasing with Mg incorporation in h-BN. For a large range of Cp2Mg molar flow rates, the surface of Mg doped h-BN layers exhibited characteristic pleats, confirming that Mg doped h-BN remains layered. Secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis showed Mg incorporation, up to 4 × 1018 /cm3 in h-BN. Electrical conductivity of Mg h-BN increased with increased Mg-doping. Heterostructures of Mg h-BN grown on n-type Al rich AlGaN (58% Al content) were made with the intent of forming a p-n heterojunction. The I-V characteristics revealed rectifying behavior for temperatures from 123 to 423 K. Under ultraviolet illumination, photocurrent was generated, as is typical for p-n diodes. C-V measurements evidence a built-in potential of 3.89 V. These encouraging results can indicate p-type behavior, opening a pathway for a new class of wide bandgap p-type layers.
Direct activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor by dog allergen participates in airway neutrophilic inflammation

5. Liu W, Cai J, Huang C, et al. Associations of gestational and early life exposures to ambient air pollution with childhood atopic eczema in Shanghai. China. Sci Total Environ. 2016;572:3442. 6. Lu C, Deng L, Ou C, Yuan H, Chen X, Deng Q. Preconceptional and perinatal exposure to trafficrelated air pollution and eczema in preschool children. J Dermatol Sci. 2017;85(2):8595. 7. Asher MI, Keil U, Anderson HR, et al. International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC): rationale and methods. Eur Respir J. 1995;8(3):483491. 8. Dale BA, Holbrook KA, Kimball JR, Hoff M, Sun TT. Expression of epidermal keratins and filaggrin during human fetal skin development. J Cell Biol. 1985;101(4):12571269. 9. Hardman MJ, Moore L, Ferguson MW, Byrne C. Barrier formation in the human fetus is patterned. J Invest Dermatol. 1999;113(6):11061113. 10. Thyssen JP, Kezic S. Causes of epidermal filaggrin reduction and their role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014;134(4):792799. 11. Ngoc LTN, Park D, Lee Y, Lee YC. Systematic Review and MetaAnalysis of Human Skin Diseases Due to Particulate Matter. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017;14(12):1458. 12. Mukherjee N, Sutter TR, Arshad SH, Holloway JW, Zhang H, Karmaus W. Breastfeeding duration modifies the effect of smoking during pregnancy on eczema from early childhood to adolescence. Clin Exp Allergy. 2018;48(12):16881697. 13. Zhang C, Guo Y, Xiao X, et al. Association of Breastfeeding and Air Pollution Exposure With Lung Function in Chinese Children. JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(5):e194186.
MUTATION RATES AND SELECTION ON SYNONYMOUS MUTATIONS IN SARS-COV-2

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen an unprecedented response from the sequencing community. Leveraging the sequence data from more than 140,000 SARS-CoV-2 genomes, we study mutation rates and selective pressures affecting the virus. Understanding the processes and effects of mutation and selection has profound implications for the study of viral evolution, for vaccine design, and for the tracking of viral spread. We highlight and address some common genome sequence analysis pitfalls that can lead to inaccurate inference of mutation rates and selection, such as ignoring skews in the genetic code, not accounting for recurrent mutations, and assuming evolutionary equilibrium. We find that two particular mutation rates, G→U and C→U, are similarly elevated and considerably higher than all other mutation rates, causing the majority of mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome, and are possibly the result of APOBEC and ROS activity. These mutations also tend to occur many times at the same genome positions along the global SARS-CoV-2 phylogeny (i.e., they are very homoplasic). We observe an effect of genomic context on mutation rates, but the effect of the context is overall limited. While previous studies have suggested selection acting to decrease U content at synonymous sites, we bring forward evidence suggesting the opposite.