Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Photometric Screening of Tetrabromobisphenol A in Resin Using Iron(III) Nitrate/Hexacyanoferrate(III) Mixture as a Colorimetric Reagent

This study aims to provide a simple way to identify the possibility of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) present in polymers without the need for complicated separation with expensive equipment. Since the presence of phenolic hydroxyl groups is known to be identifiable by the reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ in a ferric coloring reagent, the possibility of TBBPA being present in a polymer can be screened by a photometric measurement. A mixed solution of iron(III) nitrate and potassium hexacyanide(III) acid was used as a ferric coloring reagent. With this method, the concentration of TBBPA can be estimated from the photometric absorbance corresponding to the depth of the blue color produced by reduction of the ferric reagent in the presence of Fe(NO3)3. The limit of detection (LOD) was determined to be approximately 2 mg/kg using the Student’s t-test (99% confidence), and a reproducibility of approximately 3% was determined by the relative standard deviation (RSD) from measurements of calibration samples (n = 7). Furthermore, TBBPA in actual polymer samples was screened without the need for any complex processing steps. Because this colorimetric method measures TBBPA by detecting phenolic groups, it may overestimate the TBBPA concentration in the presence of other similar phenolic substances. Nonetheless, this simple colorimetric method should help to quickly identify the presence of TBBPA in various polymers.
Curcumin Affects Leptin-Induced Expression of Methionine Adenosyltransferase 2A in Hepatic Stellate Cells by Inhibition of JNK Signaling

Introduction: Obese patients are often accompanied by hyperleptinemia and prone to develop liver fibrosis. Accumulating data including those obtained from human studies suggested the promotion role of leptin in liver fibrosis. The remodeling of the DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism for regulating gene expression and is essential for hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, a key step in liver fibrogenesis. Leptin increases the expression of methionine adenosyltransferase 2A (MAT2A) which is associated with DNA methylation and HSC activation. Curcumin, an active polyphenol of the golden spice turmeric, inhibits leptin-induced HSC activation and liver fibrogenesis. Thus, the present research aimed to investigate the influence of curcumin on the roles of leptin in MAT2A expression in HSCs. Methods: The in vivo experiments were conducted by using leptin-deficient obese mice. The gene expressions were examined by Western blot, real-time PCR, promoter activity assay, and immunostaining analysis. Results: Curcumin reduced leptin-induced MAT2A expression. JNK signaling contributed to leptin-induced increase in MAT2A level, which could be interrupted by curcumin treatment. Curcumin inhibited leptin-induced MAT2A promoter activity by influencing MAT2A promoter fragments between −2,847 bp and − 2,752 bp and between −2,752 bp and +49 bp. The effect of curcumin on leptin-induced MAT2A expression paralleled the reductions in leptin-induced activated HSCs and liver fibrosis. Conclusion: These results might have implications for curcumin inhibition of the liver fibrogenesis in obese patients with hyperleptinemia.
The application of artificial intelligence and data integration in COVID-19 studies: a scoping review

Abstract Objective To summarize how artificial intelligence (AI) is being applied in COVID-19 research and determine whether these AI applications integrated heterogenous data from different sources for modeling. Materials and Methods We searched 2 major COVID-19 literature databases, the National Institutes of Health’s LitCovid and the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 database on March 9, 2021. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline, 2 reviewers independently reviewed all the articles in 2 rounds of screening. Results In the 794 studies included in the final qualitative analysis, we identified 7 key COVID-19 research areas in which AI was applied, including disease forecasting, medical imaging-based diagnosis and prognosis, early detection and prognosis (non-imaging), drug repurposing and early drug discovery, social media data analysis, genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data analysis, and other COVID-19 research topics. We also found that there was a lack of heterogenous data integration in these AI applications. Discussion Risk factors relevant to COVID-19 outcomes exist in heterogeneous data sources, including electronic health records, surveillance systems, sociodemographic datasets, and many more. However, most AI applications in COVID-19 research adopted a single-sourced approach that could omit important risk factors and thus lead to biased algorithms. Integrating heterogeneous data for modeling will help realize the full potential of AI algorithms, improve precision, and reduce bias. Conclusion There is a lack of data integration in the AI applications in COVID-19 research and a need for a multilevel AI framework that supports the analysis of heterogeneous data from different sources.
Association of Pain With Atrial Fibrillation and Delirium After Cardiac Surgery: A DECADE Sub-Study.

OBJECTIVE The authors aimed to evaluate the effects of postoperative pain on the incidence of atrial fibrillation and delirium in patients having surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). DESIGN Post hoc analysis of the (An investigator-initiated, multicentre, double-blind trial (ClinicalTrials NCT02004613) (DECADE)), a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING Tertiary, academic hospital. PARTICIPANTS Six hundred five adults from the DECADE enrolled at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus, who had had surgery with CPB. INTERVENTIONS Dexmedetomidine versus placebo started before surgical incision and postoperatively was maintained until 24 hours. MEASUREMENTS Primary outcomes were atrial fibrillation, diagnosed by clinicians in the intensive care unit (ICU), presence of delirium assessed with the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU, data on pain scores, and opioid consumption, occurring between ICU admission and the earlier of postoperative day five or hospital discharge. RESULTS Postoperative pain levels were similar among patients with or without atrial fibrillation. Two hundred six (34%) patients had atrial fibrillation and ninety-two (15%) had delirium before hospital discharge within the first five postoperative days. The risk of atrial fibrillation was not significantly different between groups (hazard ratio: 1.09; 97.5% confidence interval [CI]: 0.99, 1.20, p = 0.039); there were no associations between postoperative pain and the risk of postoperative delirium (hazard ratio: 0.96; 97.5% CI: 0.84-1.11; p = 0.57). Postoperative opioid consumption was neither significantly associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation nor delirium. CONCLUSIONS Atrial fibrillation and delirium was not associated with pain after cardiac surgery. Opioid use was not associated with atrial fibrillation and delirium. Because both atrial fibrillation and delirium have a multifactorial nature, further studies should be focused on other plausible mechanisms.
A Multicomponent Home-Based Intervention for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in People With Dementia and Caregivers’ Burden and Depression: A 6-Month Longitudinal Study

Objectives: Many people with dementia live in their home and require ongoing care, which is often provided by informal family caregivers. Thus, we examined the effectiveness of a multicomponent home-based intervention by evaluating its impact on a) neuropsychiatric symptoms of people with dementia and b) burden and depression of their caregivers. Methods: During the first 6 months of this prospective single-center study, we applied a home-based multicomponent intervention in 205 dyads of care-recipients and caregivers. In further analyzes, we included only dyads of caregivers and care-recipients with available data both at baseline and 6-month follow-up (N = 144). All assessments were conducted at home and included sociodemographic features, care-recipients’ clinical data, cognitive status (Mini-Mental State Examination), activities of daily living (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living; Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living), neuropsychiatric symptoms (Neuropsychiatric Inventory), and caregivers’ burden (Zarit Burden Inventory) and depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression). Results: We found significant decreases in the severity (pFDR = 0.002) and associated distress (pFDR = 0.001) of neuropsychiatric symptoms, as well as caregivers’ burden (pFDR = 0.004) and depressive symptoms (pFDR = 0.001). As expected, there was significant deterioration in care-recipients’ cognitive status (pFDR = 0.005) and measures of activities of daily living (pFDR < 0.005). Conclusion: Despite the progressive course of dementia, the home-based multicomponent intervention was effective in decreasing caregivers’ burden and depression and minimizing care-recipients’ neuropsychiatric symptoms’ severity and associated distress after 6 months. Our study highlights the establishment of home-based care units as an advantageous solution, specifically for family members seen to have a “taken-for-granted” role in dementia caring.
Nitroxyl Radical as a Theranostic Contrast Agent in Magnetic Resonance Redox Imaging

Significance: In vivo assessment of paramagnetic and diamagnetic conversions of nitroxyl radicals based on cyclic redox mechanism can be an index of tissue redox status. The redox mechanism of nitroxyl radicals, which enables their use as a normal tissue-selective radioprotector, is seen as being attractive on planning radiation therapy. Recent Advances: In vivo redox imaging using nitroxyl radicals as redox-sensitive contrast agents has been developed to assess tissue redox status. Chemical and biological behaviors depending on chemical structures of nitroxyl radical compounds have been understood in detail. Polymer types of nitroxyl radical contrast agents and/or nitroxyl radical-labeled drugs were designed for approaching theranostics. Critical Issues: Nitroxyl radicals as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents have several advantages compared with those used in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) imaging, while support by EPR spectroscopy is important to understand information from MRI. Redox-sensitive paramagnetic contrast agents having a medicinal benefit, that is, nitroxyl-labeled drug, have been developed and proposed. Future Directions: A development of suitable nitroxyl contrast agent for translational theranostic applications with high reaction specificity and low normal tissue toxicity is under progress. Nitroxyl radicals as redox-sensitive magnetic resonance contrast agents can be a useful tool to detect an abnormal tissue redox status such as disordered oxidative stress. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 36, 95–121.
Improving broiler chickens' health by using lecithin and lysophosphatidylcholine emulsifiers: a comparative analysis of physiological indicators.

Background Lipids play a vital function in a bird's body and to improve the lipids utilization and their absorption in a bird's digestive system, emulsifiers are suggested. Aims This study evaluated and compared the effects of lecithin (LEC) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) emulsifiers on broiler chicken's productivity traits and physiological indicators such as blood plasma parameters, intestine traits, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) profile in caecum's content, caecum's villus height and crypt depth and their ratio. Methods 900 Ross 308 broiler chickens were assigned to 3 groups with 6 replicate pens and fed with a standard compound diet (SCD) and an SCD supplemented with 0.05% LEC and 0.05% LPC. Body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), daily feed intake (DFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and dry matter (DM) content of the litter were recorded. At the end of the trial, 10 birds from each group were randomly selected and euthanized. Blood samples were collected, and blood plasma analysis was performed. Intestinal samples were collected post-mortem and intestinal traits, SCFA profiles, and intestinal histomorphometric were measured. Results The inclusion of lysophosphatidylcholine significantly increased the broilers' BW and ADG at their fifth week of age (P<0.05). Lecithin increased the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL/C) concentration in blood plasma (P<0.05). Butyric and isovaleric acid concentrations significantly increased by LPC and reduced by LEC (P<0.05). Lecithin and LPC caecum's villus heights were significantly increased (P<0.05), and caecum's crypt depth was also increased in LEC compared to SCD (P<0.05). Conclusion As an emulsifier, lysophosphatidylcholine can improve the broilers' weight, but LEC showed better effects on their physiological indicators by improving intestinal mucosal absorption areas in caecum.
Fluorofenidone protects liver against inflammation and fibrosis by blocking the activation of NF‐κB pathway

Despite the increasing understanding of the pathophysiology of hepatic fibrosis, the therapies to combat it remain inadequate. Fluorofenidone (AKF‐PD) is a novel pyridone agent able to ameliorate hepatic fibrosis in an experimental hepatic fibrosis model induced by dimethylnitrosamine. However, the underlying mechanism remains to be further elucidated. In light of the critical role of the NF‐κB pathway in inflammation and hepatic fibrosis, together with the preliminary finding that AKF‐PD decreases the release of proinflammatory cytokines in the endotoxemia and unilateral ureteral occlusion model, the aim of this study was to explore whether AKF‐PD exerts an antifibrotic effect in hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting inflammation and suppressing the activation of the NF‐κB pathway in vivo and in vitro. To test this possibility, the effect of AKF‐PD on hepatic fibrosis models induced by both carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) and porcine serum (PS) was investigated. Our results showed that AKF‐PD treatment ameliorated hepatic injury and fibrosis in both models. Furthermore, the administration of AKF‐PD induced a robust anti‐inflammatory reaction revealed by the downregulation of the proinflammatory cytokines as well as the suppression of the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the fibrotic liver. The analysis of the mechanism of action demonstrated that the attenuation of the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines mediated by AKF‐PD in vivo and in vitro were accompanied by the suppression in the activation of the NF‐κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, AKF‐PD might be considered as an antifibrotic agent attenuating hepatic inflammation and fibrosis potentially through the suppression of the NF‐κB pathway.
Development of a parallelizable QCM-D array for the mass spectrometric analysis of proteins

Quarz crystal microbalances allow the monitoring of the adsorption process of mass from a liquid to their surface. The adsorbed mass can be analysed regarding to its protein content using mass spectromety. To ensure the protein identification the results of several measurements can be combined. A high content QCM-D array was developed to allow up to ten measurements parallel. The samples can be routed inside the array distributing one sample to several chips. The fluidic parts were prototyped using 3D printing. The assembled array was tight and the sample routing function could be demonstrated. A temperature controller was developed and implemented. The parameters for the PID controller were determined and the controller was shown to be able to keep the temperature constant over long time with high accuracy.
Clinical efficacy of comprehensive nursing in patients with cerebral hemorrhagic hemiplegia.

OBJECTIVE To explore the clinical efficacy of comprehensive rehabilitation nursing (CRN) intervention in patients with cerebral hemorrhagic hemiplegia (CHH). METHODS A total of 102 patients with CHH admitted to our hospital were selected for the prospective study. The patients were randomly divided into the control group (n=51) and the observation group (n=51) according to the random number table method. Routine nursing was performed in the control group, while CRN was conducted in the observation group. Fugl-Meyer motor function assessment scale, activity of daily living scale (Barthel index), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), complications and muscle strength improvement (Brunnstrom assessment) were compared between the two groups. RESULTS Compared with those before nursing, Fugl-Meyer score, Barthel index and SAS score in the two groups after nursing were significantly improved (P<0.01). Fugl-Meyer score and Barthel index of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group after nursing, while SAS score showed the opposite change (P<0.001). The incidence of complications in the control group was 49.02%, and that in the observation group was 29.41% (P<0.05). The rate of muscle strength improvement in the observation group was 80.39% after nursing, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (60.78%; P<0.05). CONCLUSION CRN intervention has a positive clinical efficacy in patients with CHH. It can enhance motor ability, improve the ability of daily life, amend psychological mood and reduce the incidence of complications.
SMARCA4/BRG1 protein-deficient thoracic tumors dictate re-examination of small biopsy reporting in non–small cell lung cancer

Background SMARCA4/BRG1 protein–deficient lung adenocarcinomas and thoracic sarcoma are recently described entities that lack distinctive histological features, transcription termination factor 1 (TTF1) reactivity, and actionable driver mutations. The current diagnostic path for small lung biopsies as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2015) is likely to categorize these as non–small cell carcinoma–not otherwise specified (NSCC-NOS). The present study attempts to define the subtle but distinctive clinicopathologic features of SMARCA4/BRG1 protein-deficient thoracic tumors; highlight their unique biology; and addresses the unmet need to segregate these using a new, tissue-proficient diagnostic pathway. Methods All lung biopsies and those from metastatic sites in patients with suspected advanced lung cancer and classified as NSCC-NOS as per WHO (2015) guidelines were subjected to BRG1 testing by immunohistochemistry. SMARCA4/BRG1 protein–deficient thoracic tumors were evaluated by an extended immunohistochemistry panel. Predictive biomarker and programmed death–ligand 1 testing was conducted in all cases. Results Of 110 cases, nine were found to be SMARCA4/BRG1 protein-deficient; six were identified as SMARCA4/BRG1 protein–deficient lung adenocarcinomas, and three were SMARCA4/BRG1 protein-deficient thoracic sarcomas. The histology ranged from poorly differentiated to undifferentiated to rhabdoid. None of the cases showed significant expression of TTF1 or p40, and no actionable mutation was identified. Conclusions It is difficult to separate BRG1-deficient lung adenocarcinomas and thoracic sarcomas based on morphology alone. We propose a diagnostic pathway for small biopsies of thoracic tumors to segregate these distinct entities so that they can be studied more efficaciously for new biomarkers and therapeutic options.
Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Findings and Correlations in Infancy of Children with Cerebral Palsy

Objectives: Cerebral palsy (CP) in infants can affect global motor function and lead to swallowing difficulties. This study aims to characterize oral and pharyngeal swallowing dynamics in infancy of patients later diagnosed with CP and to determine if swallow study performance in early infancy is associated with later CP severity and characteristics. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of infants who underwent videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) between 6/2008 and 10/2018 at a tertiary children’s hospital, and were later diagnosed with CP. Demographic data, CP characteristics and metrics, and VFSS findings were collected and analyzed. Results: There were 66 patients included in this study. The average age at the time of VFSS was 4 months (range: 0.3-12 months), 42% of patients were female, and 50% of patients were born premature. In our sample, 86% of patients presented with oral dysphagia, and 76% with pharyngeal dysphagia. Laryngeal penetration in isolation was seen in 39% of patients, and tracheal aspiration was seen in 38% of patients. Of these tracheal aspiration events, 64% were silent. At the time of VFSS, 58% of patients had a nasogastric tube, 12% had a gastrostomy tube, and 3% had a prior hospitalization for pneumonia. Rates of penetration and aspiration in early infancy did not consistently correlate with prematurity, type of CP (spastic, non-spastic, or mixed), degree of paralysis (quadriplegic, hemiplegic, or diplegic), or severity of Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) score. Conclusion: While there was not a consistent correlation of swallowing dynamics in infancy with later gross motor categorizations of CP, the results of this retrospective review highlight the essential role of early clinical and videofluoroscopic swallowing evaluations to identify oral and pharyngeal swallowing dysfunction in this patient population.
Systematic and Other Reviews: Criteria and Complexities

This editorial is co-published Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Voice, Editor Emeritus, Ear, Nose and Throat Journal; Assistant Editor, Otology & Neurotology; Editor-inChief, Ear, Nose and Throat Journal; Editors-in-Chief, Journal of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery; Senior Editor, Journal of Laryngology and Otology; Editor-in-Chief, Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery; Editor-inChief, Head & Neck; Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology; Editor-inChief, International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology; CoEditor-in-Chief, Journal of Neurological Surgery Part B: Skull Base; Editor-in-Chief, Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Editor-in-Chief, OTO-Open; Editor-inChief, Journal for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Editor-in-Chief, World Journal of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery; CoEditor-in-Chief, Journal of Neurological Surgery Part B: Skull Base; Editor-in-Chief, Otology & Neurotology; Editor-in-Chief, The Laryngoscope; Editor-in-Chief, American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy; Editor-inChief, Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology; Editor-in-Chief, Clinical Otolaryngology; Editor-inChief, American Journal of Otolaryngology; and the Editor-in-Chief, Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Robert T. Sataloff, Journal of Voice, 219N. Broad St., 10th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107. E-mail: rtsataloff@phillyent.com Review articles can be extremely valuable. They synthesize information for readers, often provide clarity and valuable insights into a topic; and good review articles tend to be cited frequently. Review articles do not require Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval if the data reviewed are public (including private and government databases) and if the articles reviewed have received IRB approval previously. However, some institutions require IRB review and exemption for review articles. So, authors should be familiar with their institution’s policy. In assessing and interpreting review articles, it is important to understand the article’s methodology, scholarly purpose and credibility. Many readers, and some journal reviewers, are not aware that there are different kinds of review articles with different definitions, criteria and academic impact. In order to understand the importance and potential application of a review article, it is valuable for readers and reviewers to be able to classify review articles correctly.