Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activation of the 3.4 Micron Band in Carbon Grains by Exposure to Atomic Hydrogen

We present the results of an experiment aimed at studying the interaction of atomic hydrogen with nano-sized carbon grains. The effects induced by H processing have been studied by infrared spectroscopy. C–H stretching and bending modes are activated after H atom exposure. In particular, the 3.4 μm feature fits quite well to the absorption band observed in the diffuse interstellar medium toward the Galactic center as well as in the proto-planetary nebula CRL 618. The estimated efficiency of the process is such that one C–H bond is formed per 16 hydrogen atoms impinging on the sample. The results we obtained have important implications for the formation and evolution of carbon materials responsible for the 3.4 μm absorption band both in the diffuse interstellar medium and in the circumstellar outflows during the transition from the asymptotic giant branch to planetary nebula phases.
Novel acetic acid derivatives containing quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one ring: Synthesis, in vitro, and in silico evaluation of potent aldose reductase inhibitors

Aldose reductase (AR) is a crucial enzyme of the polyol pathway through which glucose is metabolized under conditions of hyperglycemia related to diabetes. A series of novel acetic acid derivatives containing quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one ring (1–22) was synthesized and tested for in vitro AR inhibitory effect. All the target compounds exhibited nanomolar activity against the target enzyme, and all compounds displayed higher activity as compared to the reference drug epalrestat. Among them, Compound 19, named 2‐(4‐[(2‐[(4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)methyl]‐4‐oxoquinazolin‐3(4H)‐ylimino)methyl]phenoxy)acetic acid, displayed the strongest inhibitory effect with a KI value of 61.20 ± 10.18 nM. Additionally, these compounds were investigated for activity against L929, nontumoral fibroblast cells, and MCF‐7, breast cancer cells using the MTT assay. Compounds 16 and 19 showed lower toxicity against the normal L929 cells. The synthesized compounds’ (1–22) absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion properties were also evaluated. Molecular docking simulations were used to look into the possible binding mechanisms of these inhibitors against AR.
Host responses against the fish parasitizing ciliate Cryptocaryon irritans

The parasitic ciliate Cryptocaryon irritans, which infects almost all marine fish species occurring in both tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. The disease, cryptocaryonosis, accounts for significant economic losses to the aquaculture industry. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive overview of the biology of the parasite, host–parasite interactions and both specific and non‐specific host defense mechanisms are responsible for the protection of fish against challenge infections with this ciliate. Also, this article reflects the current interest in this subject area and the quest to develop an available vaccine against the disease. Due to the high frequency of clinical fish cryptocaryonosis, the study of fish immune responses to C. irritans provides an optimal experimental model for understanding immunity against extracellular protozoa.
Network structure of insomnia symptoms in shift workers compared to non-shift workers

ABSTRACT Insomnia is a commonly occurring sleep problem in shift workers. So far, no studies have investigated how insomnia symptoms present differently in shift workers and non-shift workers. The purpose of this study was to compare the network structures and centrality indices of shift and non-shift workers using network analysis and network comparison test. Participants included 1339 hospital employees, where 542 were shift workers and 797 were non-shift workers. Overall, a significant difference between network structures were observed. In particular, daytime dysfunction emerged as a strongly connected symptom in shift workers, as evidenced by strength centrality. Increased use of sleeping medication and decreased habitual sleep efficiency were more strongly associated with increased daytime dysfunction in shift workers. Sleep latency and sleep quality were also more strongly linked in shift workers. These results are in part attributable to differing causes of insomnia in shift and non-shift workers. Furthermore, the results indicate that shift workers are more vulnerable and susceptible to changes in sleep-related indices, such as sleep efficiency and latency. The findings suggest that certain insomnia symptoms are more consequential in shift workers, emphasizing the need for a differentiated approach in treating insomnia according to shift work.
Impact of the duration of oestradiol treatment on live birth rate in Hormonal Replacement Therapy cycle before frozen blastocyst transfer

Abstract Although the duration of progesterone administration in Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) cycles before frozen embryo transfer is standardized, the optimal duration of oestrogen treatment remains controversial. In this monocentric retrospective study conducted in all single frozen blastocyst transfer (FBT) performed with HRT between January 2016 and July 2019, we evaluated the association between the duration of oestradiol treatment before FBT and live birth rate (LBR) in HRT cycles. Cycles were gathered in 3 groups according to quartiles of duration of oestrogen treatment. LBR was compared across the 3 groups and multivariate analysis was performed. We included 2235 single FBT cycles; 507, 1257 and 471 with E2 treatment below 23 days, 23–30 days (reference) and more than 30 days respectively. After multivariate analysis and adjustment, no significant difference in LBR was found between below 23 or more than 30 days and reference groups (OR = 0.93 [0.68–1.27] and OR = 1.29 [0.88–1.89] respectively). Complementary sensitivity analysis led to a non-significant adjusted OR = 1.66 [IC 0.9–3.1]. In conclusion, our study showed that the duration of E2 treatment in HRT cycles before FBT is not associated with LBR.
Effect of adipose derived stromal vascular fraction on leprosy neuropathy: A Preliminary report

Background Adipose derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) contains a heterogeneous population of mononuclear cells, progenitor cells and about 1–10% are mesenchymal stromal cells. These cells are an ideal candidate for regenerative medicine for peripheral neuropathy. Leprosy is a disabling disorder with neuropathy, usually with consequences of permanent disability of the extremities. We conducted a preliminary study to evaluate the cell yield, its characteristics and clinical outcomes after SVF injections in four leprosy patients. Methods Four post leprosy patients were recruited and evaluated for sensory testing (warm detection, cold detection, vibration, pain and sensation) on the ulnar area of the hand. Liposuction was done and adipose tissue was processed into SVF with a closed system and injected to the ulnar area of the hand at the dorsal and palmar side. Evaluation of sensory testing was done after 3 days, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months following SVF injection. SVF was also characterized using flow cytometry, cell counting, sterility and presence of mycobacteria. Results The results showed that leprosy patients had a low count of mesenchymal cells and a high amount of CD34/CD45 positive cells. One patient was positive for mycobacteria from his adipose tissue and SVF. Sensory examination after SVF injection showed an improvement in temperature and pain sensation in the palmar and superficial branch. Meanwhile, touch sensation improved on the dorsal branch, and there was no improvement for vibration in all patients. Conclusions The results showed that SVF had a potential to improve sensory loss in leprosy patients.
Influence of Built Environment in Hygienic City in China on Self-rated Health of Residents.

Objective To assess the subjective perception of residents on the built environment in hygienic cities and its relation to the self-rated health (SRH) status of residents, providing a basis for a better promotion on construction of health-supportive environments. Methods The online survey was adopted with the respondents recruited from residents living in Chaoyang District of Beijing in January 2021. With SRH level as the dependent variable, two-category logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the impact of the built environment in hygienic cities on the SRH status of residents. Results A total of 1,357 respondents were enrolled in this study. After controlling confounding factors, four aspects in the built environment in hygienic cities were detected remarkable influences on the SRH level of residents, including enough green space in the living area [odds ratio ( OR) = 1.395, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.055-1.845], clean and hygienic living environment ( OR = 1.472, 95% CI: 1.107-1.956), residents' confidence in drinking water safety in the living area ( OR = 1.856, 95% CI: 1.354-2.544) and residents' confidence in food safety in the living area ( OR = 1.405, 95% CI: 1.027-1.921). Conclusion Regarding city construction, the government should focus more on the subjective perception of residents on built environments to build a supportive environment benefiting the health of residents.
Short-term outcomes of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation as a primary versus additional therapy in eyes with uncontrolled glaucoma

Purpose: To study the safety and efficacy outcomes of Micropulse Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) as a primary versus additional therapy in eyes with uncontrolled glaucoma. Methods: This was a prospective, interventional, comparative study. All patients with advanced and refractory glaucoma treated with MP-TSCPC from April 2020 to December 2020 were recruited in this study. Results: A total of 77 eyes of 77 patients were analyzed. Group A (n = 33), included patients with advanced glaucoma at high risk for invasive surgery, who underwent MP-TSCPC as the primary intervention, and group B (n = 44) included patients who had undergone previous surgical intervention and MP-TSCPC was used additionally to control the intraocular pressure (IOP). Mean IOP and mean number of antiglaucoma medications were 34.06 (13.9) mmHg and 3.64 (0.7), respectively, in group A and 35.61 (11.5) mmHg and 3.73 (0.9), respectively, in Group B. Postoperatively, the mean IOP and percentage of IOP reduction were significantly lower at 1, 3, and 6 months, that is, 20.78 (32%), 22.07 (30%), and 19.09 (37%), respectively, in group A and 23.68 (35%), 19.50 (44%), and 19.61 (42%), respectively, in group B, but there was no difference between the groups at all visits. Postoperative need for ocular hypotensive drugs did not differ in group A (P = 0.231); however, it was significantly lower in group B (P = 0.027). Group A had 87%, 77%, and 74% success rates at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively, whereas group B had 91%, 86%, and 77% success rates at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. Postoperative complications and intervention did not reveal any statistical difference between the two groups. Conclusion: MP-TSCPC may be considered as a temporizing measure both as a primary or as an additional intervention to control the IOP in eyes with refractory and advanced glaucoma that have a high risk of vision-threatening complications with invasive surgery.
On the electromagnetic scattering from infinite rectangular grids with finite conductivity

-The development of a new numerical technique for the analysis of electromagnetic scattering from a rectangular wire (or strip) mesh. According to this technique the conjugate gradient method (CGM) and the fast Fourier transform (FFT) are used to solved for the aperture fields and the induced current densities. The method is efficient because 1) it makes use of the fast Fourier transform, 2) it converts a set of integrodifferential equations into a set of algebraic equations, and 3) it does not require inversion of any matrices. Unlike the moment method, the spectral iteration approach (SIT), and the averaged boundary conditions method, this technique can be used for arbitrary size and spacing between adjacent strips. The equivalent radius principle is used to determine the reflection coefficient from a wire mesh. Results, examples, and comparisons of this method with other methods support the validity of the algorithm.
How guideline development has informed clinical research for organic acidurias (et vice versa)

Organic acidurias, such as glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1), methylmalonic (MMA), and propionic aciduria (PA) are a prominent group of inherited metabolic diseases involving accumulation of eponymous metabolites causing endogenous intoxication. For all three conditions, guidelines for diagnosis and management have been developed and revised over the last years, resulting in three revisions for GA1 and one revision for MMA/PA. The process of clinical guideline development in rare metabolic disorders is challenged by the scarcity and limited quality of evidence available. The body of literature is often fragmentary and where information is present, it is usually derived from small sample sizes. Therefore, the development of guidelines for GA1 and MMA/PA was initially confronted with a poor evidence foundation that hindered formulation of concrete recommendations in certain contexts, triggering specific research projects and initiation of longitudinal, prospective observational studies using patient registries. Reversely, these observational studies contributed to evaluate the value of newborn screening, phenotypic diversities, and treatment effects, thus significantly improving the quality of evidence and directly influencing formulation and evidence levels of guideline recommendations. Here, we present insights into interactions between guideline development and (pre)clinical research for GA1 and MMA/PA, and demonstrate how guidelines gradually improved from revision to revision. We describe how clinical studies help to unravel the relative impact of therapeutic interventions on outcome and conclude that despite new and better quality of research data over the last decades, significant shortcomings of evidence regarding prognosis and treatment remain. It appears that development of clinical guidelines can directly help to guide research, and vice versa.
Purification of lipase from Burkholderia metallica fermentation broth in a column chromatography using polymer impregnated resins

Abstract In this work, porous glass beads grafted with polyethylene glycol (PEG) were used as an adsorbent to purify lipase from Burkholderia metallica in column chromatography. The purification parameters viz. salt stability, types and concentrations of PEG and salt, pH of the binding solution, and flow rate were studied to determine the performance of the purification system in an XK16/20 column. The crude lipase was mixed with different types and concentrations of salts 1–5% (w/w) (sodium citrate, potassium citrate, and sodium acetate) and subjected to the column containing the polymeric glass bead. One-variable-at-a-time experimentation revealed that 20% (w/w) PEG 6000 g/mol impregnated glass beads with a binding solution of 5% sodium citrate at pH 7.7, a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and extraction time of 10 min resulted in the highest purification factor and recovery yield at 3.67 and 88%, respectively. The purified lipase has 55 ∼ 60 kDa molecular mass. The outcome of the study showed PEG could be applied to modify the inert glass beads into polymeric form, providing a biocompatible and mild separation condition for lipase. Thus, PEG could be successfully applied for the purification of lipase from B. metallica fermentation broth using column chromatography.
A longitudinal study on coping and emotional well-being in cardiac patients

ABSTRACT Emotions and coping play a role in the prognosis of cardiac patients. This two-wave longitudinal study aims to analyze the ability of adaptive and maladaptive coping to predict the emotional well-being of cardiac patients after controlling for their functional physical capacity. Emotional well-being (positive and negative affect), coping strategies, and functional physical capacity were evaluated both at Time 1 (n = 253) and at Time 2 (n = 186), 8 weeks later. At Time 1, positive affect was positively predicted by adaptive coping and negatively predicted by maladaptive coping, while the opposite pattern was found when negative affect was considered. At Time 2, after controlling for sociodemographic variables and for negative affect and functional physical capacity at T1, negative affect was negatively predicted by adaptive coping and positively predicted by maladaptive coping. In addition, positive affect was only predicted by adaptive coping after controlling for functional physical capacity and positive affect at Time 1. Relationships between coping and emotional well-being remain after controlling for the functional physical capacity of cardiac patients, which has a big impact on their emotional state. Finally, it is suggested that specific modules to improve coping and emotional state of cardiac patients should be included in Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs.
Hepatic SEL1L-HRD1 ER-associated degradation regulates systemic iron homeostasis via ceruloplasmin

Significance Systemic iron metabolism is key for cellular and organismal function. However, the subcellular regulatory mechanisms of iron homeostasis remain poorly understood. This study highlights the pathophysiological significance of a principal cellular protein quality-control mechanism known as endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) in systemic iron homeostasis, in part by regulating the abundance of ceruloplasmin, a key ferroxidase. Hence, this study uncovers a previously unappreciated regulatory mechanism in iron metabolism as well as a function for ERAD.
Effects of naringin on oxidative stress, inflammation, some reproductive parameters, and apoptosis in acrylamide‐induced testis toxicity in rat

Acrylamide (ACR) is used in many fields such as cosmetics, paper, and textile industries. It also occurs at very high temperatures in some foods. Gonadotoxic effects of ACR have been found in experimental animals. Many studies use flavonoids to prevent the reproductive side effects of ACR. Naringin (NA) is a flavonoid and it has been determined by studies that it has no toxic effect on tissues. In our study, we aimed to determine the protective effect of NA against the damage of ACR on testicular tissue and the reproductive system in rats. In our study, 50 Spraque Dawley male rats weighing 220‐250 grams were used. Control: Only intragastric saline was administered for 10 days. ACR: Animals received ACR (40 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) for 10 days. NA50+ACR: Animals were given NA for 10 days and each NA was one hour after the administration of ACR. NA100+ACR: Animals received NA for 10 days and one hour after each NA was given ACR. NA100: Animals were given NA for 10 days. At the end of the applications, the rats were euthanized by cervical dislocation under anesthesia. Serum FSH, LH, and Dihydrotestosterone levels were compared between the groups. In addition, oxidative stress, inflammation, expression of some reproductive enzymes, and apoptosis markers were determined in testicular tissues. When these parameters were compared between groups, ACR induced testicular dysfunction and tissue damage in rats. We determined that only the NA application did not cause tissue damage. and the administration of NA along with ACR significantly reduced ACR‐induced testis toxicity.
Optical Variability and Periodicity Analysis for Blazars. I. Light Curves for Radio-selected BL Lacertae Objects

Photometric observations of AGNs are important to construct light curves and to study variability behavior over different timescales. In this paper, the historical optical data compiled from the published literature are presented in tabular form as an optical database for 28 radio-selected BL Lacertae objects. Maximum optical variations are found and compared with the infrared ones. The faintest, brightest, and averaged magnitudes are presented for individual object. The variation is found correlated with polarization. The light curves are shown in figures along with the relation between color index and magnitude. For the color-magnitude relation, two objects, 0735+178 and 0537-441, show evidence that the color index increases with magnitude, indicating that the spectrum flattens when the source brightens, while three objects (0219+428, 1514-241, 2200+420) show the opposite behavior; an object, 0235+164, shows a brightness-dependent color index- magnitude correlation, while the rest of the objects do not show any clear tendency.
Gauge Principles, Gauge Arguments and the Logic of Nature

I consider the question of how literally one can construe the “gauge argument,” which is the canonical means of understanding the putatively central import of local gauge symmetry principles for fundamental physics. As I argue, the gauge argument must be afforded (at best) a heuristic reading. Claims to the effect that the argument reflects a deep “logic of nature” must, for numerous reasons I discuss, be taken with a grain of salt.
Designing the Hopfield neural network via pole assignment

We consider the stability and design of the general non-symmetric Hopfield neural network. The stability of equilibria is analysed through the linearized system and a stability criterion is derived. Bounds of the equilibria are obtained and can be used to start off iterative processes in the computation of the equilibria. The design problem is shown to be equivalent to an inverse eigenvalue problem and is analysed using pole assignment techniques in control theory. The novel and efficient algorithm for the design of Hopfield neural networks with a given equilibrium is then presented. Two illustrative examples are given.
Should patients on levothyroxine therapy be screened for pancreatic cancer?

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is an aggressive disease with increasing incidence. Thyroid hormones play different roles in development and physiological processes of the entire digestive system, including pancreas. Therefore, many have hypothesized that thyroid hormone supplementation for hypothyroidism disorders might increase the risk of malignancy. Patients and methods: We conducted retrospective observational mono-centre study. The aim was to examine the prevalence of thyroid disorders among patients with pancreatic cancer. Moreover, we investigated the impact of thyroid hormone supplementation in pancreatic cancer patients’ outcome and the correlation with various clinicopathologic parameters. Results: A total of 92 consecutive pancreatic cancer patients were retrospectively reviewed: 18.5% patients had a history of hypothyroidism and all received a replacement hormone therapy with levothyroxine, in particular 20% in metastatic group and 11% in radically resected PDAC patients’ group. Nor in radically resected neither in metastatic group, we did not observe any statistically significant difference in outcome between the group with or without thyroid disorders. On multivariate analyses, cox proportional hazards model analysis showed that only the presence of perineural invasion was associated with a significantly higher hazard ratio for overall survival in metastatic PDAC patients (HR=2.7; 95%CI=1.029-6.925; p=0.009). Conclusions: We observed higher prevalence of thyroid disorders in PDAC patients. Further studies are warranted to explore the impact of levothyroxine therapy on outcome in PDAC patients. (www.actabiomedica.it)