Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimizing interactions between soluble silk fibroin and capryl glucoside for design of a natural and high‐performance co‐surfactant system

Because of the strong consumer driver towards more natural or higher sustainability cosmetic products, silk fibroin was evaluated to help develop a formulation with natural and effective ingredients for personal care. In order to exploit the physical properties of silk fibroin, it was evaluated to maximize the surfactant properties of other commercial ingredients to lower surface tension and build up viscosity. A synergistic effect was seen between silk fibroin and capryl glucoside, a sugar surfactant which exhibited a natural and effective co‐surfactant system. This system demonstrated better surface tension properties than sodium laureth sulphate (SLES), cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB), rhamnolipids and sophorolipids, which led to greater foamability and cleansing properties. This system proved to also be compatible with polysaccharide viscosity modifiers to enhance the viscosity of the system. The present study comprises a systematic exploration of natural formulation development of silk proteins and other natural ingredients, which result in high performance such as enhanced foam quality, foam stability and enhanced sebum removal. All of these properties are desirable and may utilized when formulating cleaners and shampoos.
Pesticide Aptasensors—State of the Art and Perspectives

Contamination by pesticides in the food chain and the environment is a worldwide problem that needs to be actively monitored to ensure safety. Unfortunately, standard pesticide analysis based on mass spectrometry takes a lot of time, money and effort. Thus, simple, reliable, cost-effective and field applicable methods for pesticide detection have been actively developed. One of the most promising technologies is an aptamer-based biosensor or so-called aptasensor. It utilizes aptamers, short single-stranded DNAs or RNAs, as pesticide recognition elements to integrate with various innovative biosensing technologies for specific and sensitive detection of pesticide residues. Several platforms for aptasensors have been dynamically established, such as colorimetry, fluorometry, electrochemistry, electrochemiluminescence (ECL) and so forth. Each platform has both advantages and disadvantages depending on the purpose of use and readiness of technology. For example, colorimetric-based aptasensors are more affordable than others because of the simplicity of fabrication and resource requirements. Electrochemical-based aptasensors have mainly shown better sensitivity than others with exceedingly low detection limits. This paper critically reviews the progression of pesticide aptasensors throughout the development process, including the selection, characterization and modification of aptamers, the conceptual frameworks of integrating aptamers and biosensors, the ASSURED (affordable, sensitive, specific, user-friendly, rapid and robust, equipment-free and deliverable to end users) criteria of different platforms and the future outlook.
Production of Verbascoside, Isoverbascoside and Phenolic Acids in Callus, Suspension, and Bioreactor Cultures of Verbena officinalis and Biological Properties of Biomass Extracts

Callus, suspension and bioreactor cultures of Verbena officinalis were established, and optimized for biomass growth and production of phenylpropanoid glycosides, phenolic acids, flavonoids and iridoids. All types of cultures were maintained on/in the Murashige and Skoog (MS) media with 1 mg/L BAP and 1 mg/L NAA. The inoculum sizes were optimized in callus and suspension cultures. Moreover, the growth of the culture in two different types of bioreactors—a balloon bioreactor (BB) and a stirred-tank bioreactor (STB) was tested. In methanolic extracts from biomass of all types of in vitro cultures the presence of the same metabolites—verbascoside, isoverbascoside, and six phenolic acids: protocatechuic, chlorogenic, vanillic, caffeic, ferulic and rosmarinic acids was confirmed and quantified by the HPLC-DAD method. In the extracts from lyophilized culture media, no metabolites were found. The main metabolites in biomass extracts were verbascoside and isoverbascoside. Their maximum amounts in g/100 g DW (dry weight) in the tested types of cultures were as follow: 7.25 and 0.61 (callus), 7.06 and 0.48 (suspension), 7.69 and 0.31 (BB), 9.18 and 0.34 (STB). The amounts of phenolic acids were many times lower, max. total content reached of 26.90, 50.72, 19.88, and 36.78 mg/100 g DW, respectively. The highest content of verbascoside and also a high content of isoverbascoside obtained in STB (stirred-tank bioreactor) were 5.3 and 7.8 times higher than in extracts from overground parts of the parent plant. In the extracts from parent plant two iridoids—verbenalin and hastatoside, were also abundant. All investigated biomass extracts and the extracts from parent plant showed the antiproliferative, antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The strongest activities were documented for the cultures maintained in STB. We propose extracts from in vitro cultured biomass of vervain, especially from STB, as a rich source of bioactive metabolites with antiproliferative, antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
Stress, Copingstrategien und gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität während der Corona-Pandemie im April 2020 in Deutschland

Zusammenfassung Einleitung Internationale Studien zeigen, dass Pandemien und Quarantäne zu einem signifikant erhöhten Stressniveau und psychischen Erkrankungen bei Betroffenen führen können. Untersucht wurden die Stressbelastung und Lebensqualität in ausgewählten Bevölkerungsgruppen in der Frühphase des Lockdowns der Corona-Pandemie. Vorgestellt werden Assoziationen von Copingstrategien mit wahrgenommener Stressbelastung und Assoziationen von Aktivitäten zur Steigerung des Wohlbefindens mit der gesundheitsbezogenen Lebensqualität als ein Aspekt des Wohlbefindens. Methodik Es wurden Daten der ersten Befragungswelle der CoPa-Studie ausgewertet, die mittels Online-Befragung erhoben wurden. Gruppenunterschiede hinsichtlich Stress und Lebensqualität wurden mittels Chi-Quadrat-Tests bzw. T-Tests explorativ geprüft. Assoziationen von Copingstrategien mit Stress und von Aktivitäten zur Steigerung des Wohlbefindens mit der gesundheitsbezogenen Lebensqualität wurden mit linearen Regressionsanalysen berechnet. Ergebnisse Unter den 5315 Teilnehmenden zeigten Personen mit gefährdeter psychischer Gesundheit und Personen, die nicht in die Öffentlichkeit gingen, signifikant häufiger als andere Teilnehmende Anzeichen für Depressionen, Angststörungen und Stress. Personen mit Kindern bis 12 Jahren zeigten signifikant höhere Stresswerte als andere, ihre gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität war vergleichbar. Wahrgenommene soziale Unterstützung und Selbstwirksamkeit erwiesen sich als Ressourcen für die Stressbelastung. Humor, körperliche Aktivitäten, gesunde Ernährung, die Beibehaltung von Tagesroutinen und die Verfolgung von konkreten Zielen waren positiv mit der gesundheitsbezogenen Lebensqualität assoziiert. Diskussion Personen mit gefährdeter psychischer Gesundheit benötigen in Zeiten mit reduzierten Kontaktmöglichkeiten therapeutische Angebote. Ausgewählte Maßnahmen zur Steigerung des Wohlbefindens scheinen wirksam zu sein und sollten empfohlen werden.
A Constructed Response Model

Text mining methods are widely used to analyze a respondent’s constructed response to open ended questions in questionnaires. A constructed response requires an individual to generate an answer rather than select from a set of predefined response options (Bennett, 1991). The Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model is one approach that summarizes information from a set of open ended questions by identifying underlying patterns of word co-occurrences, or topics (Blei et al., 2003). Dirichlet-multinomial regression (DMR; Mimno & McCallum, 2008) is a method of representing the topics together with a set of observed covariates. In Equation (1) we propose a constructed response model that extends DMR by jointly modeling the topics with latent traits used in item response models:
Silanization of Chitosan and Hydrogel Preparation for Skeletal Tissue Engineering

Tissue engineering is a multidisciplinary field that relies on the development of customized biomaterial to support cell growth, differentiation and matrix production. Toward that goal, we designed the grafting of silane groups onto the chitosan backbone (Si-chito) for the preparation of in situ setting hydrogels in association with silanized hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (Si-HPMC). Once functionalized, the chitosan was characterized, and the presence of silane groups and its ability to gel were demonstrated by rheology that strongly suggests the presence of silane groups. Throughout physicochemical investigations, the Si-HPMC hydrogels containing Si-chito were found to be stiffer with an injection force unmodified. The presence of chitosan within the hydrogel has demonstrated a higher adhesion of the hydrogel onto the surface of tissues. The results of cell viability assays indicated that there was no cytotoxicity of Si-chito hydrogels in 2D and 3D culture of human SW1353 cells and human adipose stromal cells, respectively. Moreover, Si-chito allows the transplantation of human nasal chondrocytes in the subcutis of nude mice while maintaining their viability and extracellular matrix secretory activity. To conclude, Si-chito mixed with Si-HPMC is an injectable, self-setting and cytocompatible hydrogel able to support the in vitro and in vivo viability and activity of hASC.
Direct Fluorination as Method of Improvement of Operational Properties of Polymeric Materials

Direct fluorination of polymers is a widely utilized technique for chemical modification. Such introduction of fluorine into the chemical structure of polymeric materials leads to laminates with highly fluorinated surface layer. The physicochemical properties of this layer are similar to those of perfluorinated polymers that differ by a unique combination of chemical resistance, weak adhesion, low cohesion, and permittivity, often barrier properties, etc. Surface modification by elemental fluorine allows one to avoid laborious synthesis of perfluoropolymers and impart such properties to industrial polymeric materials. The current review is devoted to a detailed consideration of wetting by water, energy characteristics of surfaces, adhesion, mechanical and electrical properties of the polymers, and composites after the direct fluorination.
Biofilter Media Characterization Using Water Sorption Isotherms

Compost material has been used extensively as a gas-phase biofilter media for contaminant gas treatment in recent years. One of the biggest challenges in the use of this type of material is adequate control of compost moisture content and understanding its effect on the biofiltration process. The present work provides a methodology for characterization of biofilter media under low moisture conditions. Results indicated that low levels of equilibrium moisture content (EMC) were obtained for high levels of equilibrium relative humidity (ERH), i.e., 99% ERH produced EMC of approximately 20% (dry basis) at 25°C. Most bacteria struggle to survive in environments with ERH levels lower than 95%. Compost material from the same source was sieved into four compost particle size (PS) ranges to evaluate its water sorption behavior: 4.76 mm > PS1 > 3.36�mm > PS 2 > 2.38 mm > PS3 > 2.00 mm > PS4 > 1.68 mm. Observed data were tested against isotherm models for their goodness-of-fit. Seven isotherm models were compared: (1) Langmuir; (2) Freundlich; (3) Sips; (4) Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET); (5) BET for n-layers; (6) Guggenheim, Anderson, de Boer (GAB); and (7) Henderson. In comparison with the other models, the Henderson model provided the best fit, as determined by the best combination of regression coefficient standard errors () and coefficients of determination (r 2 ) for all four particle size ranges tested (95% confidence interval, C.I., and prediction interval, P.I.). The Henderson model was then used to test for significant differences in isotherms by particle size ranges. The four tested particle size ranges were not significantly different from each other (p < 0.05), indicating similar water sorption behavior. Data from all four particle size ranges were pooled and regressed, and the minimum required moisture to maintain ERH at or above 95% was 16.41% ±2.68% (dry basis).
Facile Fabrication of Double-Layered Electrodes for a Self-Powered Energy Conversion and Storage System

An aluminum double-layered electrode (DE-Al) was successfully employed as two electrodes in a symmetrical supercapacitor (double-layered electrode symmetric SC (DE-SC)) and as a positive layer of a triboelectric nanogenerator (DE-TENG) with the aim of energy conversion and storage using a selfsame structured, self-powered flexible device. A facile water-assisted oxidation (WAO) process and metal sputtering after the WAO process can allow the electrodes to greatly improve the active surface area and the conductivity, leading to the enhancement of the electrochemical performances of a supercapacitor (SC). Particularly, this double-layered structure fabrication process is extremely less time-consuming and cost-effective. The electrochemical test of the proposed DE-Al was systematically conducted by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), along with the in-depth characterizations of the surface. From these studies, the DE-Al offers exceptional electrochemical properties compared with other structures, which were utilized as the electrodes in the polyvinyl alcohol/phosphoric acid (PVA/H3PO4) gel electrolyte. The improved performance apparently evidenced from the electrochemical tests of fabricated SC resulted from the enhanced electrical conductivity and large active surface area. The specific capacitance and cycle-life stability of the DE-SC were investigated by using a GCD analysis. Additionally, the EIS curves before and after stability test (for 3500 cycles) were obtained to prove the long-term endurance of DE-SC. A vertical contact and the separation mode of the TENG were also fabricated by using the same DE-Al as a positive layer and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as a negative layer. Finally, the fabricated SC and TENG were successfully combined using a bridge rectifier to convert and store the mechanical energy as electrical energy. This simple design and facile fabrication of a double-layered-electrode-based structure is promising for the development of an energy conversion and storage device.
A facile synthesis and evaluation of new biomolecule-based coumarin–thiazoline hybrids as potent anti-tubercular agents with cytotoxicity, DNA cleavage and X-ray studies

An efficient and rapid synthesis of coumarin–thiazoline hybrids (1a–1j) under microwave irradiation is described with high yields. The synthesized compounds were characterized using elemental and spectroscopic analysis; in addition, the structures of compounds 1a, 1b, 1e and 1h have been elucidated using single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. All the newly synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro anti-tubercular activity and in a DNA cleavage study, while the most active compounds were subjected to a cytotoxicity assay on Vero cell lines. Among those tested, compound 1b exhibited excellent anti-tubercular activity (MIC 0.09 μg ml−1) with a low level of cytotoxicity, suggesting that compound 1b is a promising lead for subsequent investigations in search of new anti-tubercular agents. Furthermore, a DNA cleavage study using an agarose gel electrophoresis method revealed that compounds 1b, 1d, 1f and 1i cleaved DNA more efficiently and thereby exhibit nuclease activity.
Impact of an Engineered Copper-Titanium Dioxide Nanocomposite and Parent Substrates on the Bacteria Viability, Antioxidant Enzymes and Fatty Acid Profiling

Due to the systematic increase in the production of nanomaterials (NMs) and their applications in many areas of life, issues associated with their toxicity are inevitable. In particular, the performance of heterogeneous NMs, such as nanocomposites (NCs), is unpredictable as they may inherit the properties of their individual components. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to assess the biological activity of newly synthesized Cu/TiO2-NC and the parent nanoparticle substrates Cu-NPs and TiO2-NPs on the bacterial viability, antioxidant potential and fatty acid composition of the reference Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis strains. Based on the toxicological parameters, it was found that B. subtilis was more sensitive to NMs than E. coli. Furthermore, Cu/TiO2-NC and Cu-NPs had an opposite effect on both strains, while TiO2-NPs had a comparable mode of action. Simultaneously, the tested strains exhibited varied responses of the antioxidant enzymes after exposure to the NMs, with Cu-NPs having the strongest impact on their activity. The most considerable alternations in the fatty acid profiles were found after the bacteria were exposed to Cu/TiO2-NC and Cu-NPs. Microscopic images indicated distinct interactions of the NMs with the bacterial outer layers, especially in regard to B. subtilis. Cu/TiO2-NC generally proved to have less distinctive antimicrobial properties on B. subtilis than E. coli compared to its parent components. Presumably, the biocidal effects of the tested NMs can be attributed to the induction of oxidative stress, the release of metal ions and specific electrochemical interactions with the bacterial cells.
MicroRNA Modulation by Dietary Supplements in Obesity

The prevalence of obesity has dramatically increased over the last decades. Weight loss obtained through diet and exercise leads to a significant decrease in morbidity and mortality. Recently, there has been growing interest in the possible beneficial effects of dietary supplements (DSs), including polyphenols, fatty acids, and other plant-derived substances, as adjuvants in the management of obesity and metabolic diseases. Specifically, polyphenols, widely spread in vegetables and fruits, significantly modulate adipose tissue activities, contrasting inflammation and improving insulin sensitivity in preclinical and clinical studies. Remarkably, polyphenols are involved in complex microRNA networks, which play crucial roles in metabolic processes. The administration of different polyphenols and other plant-derived compounds led to significant changes in the microRNA expression profile in peripheral tissues in a growing number of preclinical studies. In particular, these compounds were able to revert obesity-induced microRNA dysregulation, leading to the inhibition of adipogenesis and the induction of weight loss. Furthermore, through microRNA modulation, they attenuated key metabolic alterations, including insulin resistance and lipid anomalies, in animal models of obesity. Some of them were also able to reduce proinflammatory cytokines in adipose tissue. The aim of this review is to summarize current evidence about the effect of plant-derived DSs on microRNA expression in obesity.
Relativistic bond length and atomic orbital contractions

Bond lengths and vibrational frequencies for Xe2 + and Au2 were computed using non-relativistic valence-electron wavefunctions with relativistic effective potentials and also using relativistic valence-electron wavefunctions with non-relativistic effective potentials. For both molecules the former gives the relativistic bond length and the latter and non-relativistic bond length. This appears to support the points of view that the relativistic bond length contraction is largely independent of atomic orbital contractions.
Risk Factors on the Progression to Clinical Outcomes of COVID-19 Patients in South Korea: Using National Data

10–20% of COVID (Corona Virus Disease)-19 cases proceed to a severe stage, and age and the presence of comorbidity increased the risk of death from COVID-19. The identification of risk factors on progression to the severity stages is essential in providing more efficient and suitable management to COVID-19 patients. However, there is insufficient study on risk factors for severity stages of COVID-19 patients. In this study, 2959 confirmed COVID-19 patients were analyzed while using national data, COVID-19 patients Clinical Epidemiological Information provided from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The epidemiological variable, hospital room, periods from confirmation to release, initial symptom and vital signs, underlying comorbidities, and initial blood variables were used to verify the relation with progression to severity stages of COVID-19 and severe COVID-19. The chi-square test, welch test, multiple regression and logistic regression analysis were performed. The ICU (Intensive Care Unit) admission rate of patients having characteristics, such as older age, male, abnormal BMI (Body Mass Index), high heart rate, high body temperature, fever, cough, sputum, sore throat, rhinorrhea, fatigue, dyspnea, change of consciousness, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic artery disease, chronic kidney disease, cancer, dementia, abnormal hemoglobin, abnormal hematocrit, abnormal lymphocyte, abnormal platelets, and abnormal white blood cell were high. The risk factors for severe COVID-19 were older age, shorter hospitalization, abnormal lymphocyte, abnormal platelets, dyspnea, change of consciousness, and dementia. Whereas, significant predictors for progression to severity stages of COVID-19 were older age, longer period from confirmation to release, higher BMI, higher body temperature, abnormal lymphocyte, abnormal platelets, fever, no sore throat, dyspnea, no headache, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), and dementia. Therefore, classifying patients with a high risk of severe stage of COVID-19 and managing patients by considering the risk factors could be helpful in the efficient management of COVID-19 patients.
Immunobiology of Thymic Epithelial Tumors: Implications for Immunotherapy with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are a group of rare thoracic malignancies, including thymic carcinomas (TC) and thymomas (Tm). Autoimmune paraneoplastic diseases are often observed in TETs, especially Tms. To date, chemotherapy is still the standard treatment for advanced disease. Unfortunately, few therapeutic options are available for relapsed/refractory TETs. In the last few years, the deepening of knowledge on thymus’ immunobiology and involved altered genetic pathways have laid the foundation for new treatment options in these rare neoplasms. Recently, the immunotherapy revolution has landed in TETs, showing both a dark and light side. Indeed, despite the survival benefit, the occurrence of severe autoimmune treatment-related adverse events has risen crescent uncertainty about the feasibility of immunotherapy in these patients, prone to autoimmunity for their cancer biology. In this review, after summarizing immunobiology and immunopathology of TETs, we discuss available data on immune-checkpoint inhibitors and future perspectives of this therapeutic strategy.