Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation and Cultural Adaptation of Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue (EMIC) in Assessing Stigma among Recovered Patients with COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

Stigma is a negative feeling affecting many patients with various health conditions, especially the contagious ones such as COVID-19. The Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue (EMIC) is one of the valid and reliable stigma-measuring tools; however, it has not been translated and validated in Arabic. Therefore, the aim of this study was to translate and validate the EMIC in Arabic among a sample of Arabic-speaking adults who recently recovered from COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. The 12 items of the EMIC scale were forward- and backward-translated and reviewed by all authors to check the face and content validity prior to approving the final version of the Arabic 12-item EMIC. A total of 174 participants aged ≥18 years who contracted COVID-19 and recovered as of 29 July 2020 were interviewed. The Cronbach’s alpha of the Arabic version of the 12-item EMIC was 0.79, indicating an acceptable level of internal consistency. Using principal component analysis with varimax rotation, two factors explained more than 60% of the variance of the translated EMIC scale. The mean EMIC score was 5.91, implying a low level of stigma among participants. Married participants (β = 2.93; 95%CI 0.88 to 4.98, p = 0.005) and those with a family history of mental illness (β = 2.38; 95%CI 0.29 to 4.46, p = 0.025) were more likely to have higher EMIC scores in comparison to their counterparts who were unmarried and had no family history of mental illness. On the contrary, older adults were less likely to have high EMIC scores (β = −0.11; 95%CI −0.21 to −0.01, p = 0.03). Future studies with larger samples of patients with COVID-19 and various health conditions should be conducted to examine the validity and reliability of the Arabic version of the EMIC among different patient populations and to unveil the factors that may play a role in patients’ feelings of stigmatization in this part of the world.
Scalable Reporter Assays to Analyze the Regulation of stx2 Expression in Shiga Toxin-Producing Enteropathogens

Stx2 is the major virulence factor of EHEC and is associated with an increased risk for HUS in infected patients. The conditions influencing its expression in the intestinal tract are largely unknown. For optimal management and treatment of infected patients, the identification of environmental conditions modulating Stx2 levels in the human gut is of central importance. In this study, we established a set of chromosomal stx2 reporter assays. One system is based on superfolder GFP (sfGFP) using a T7 polymerase/T7 promoter-based amplification loop. This reporter can be used to analyze stx2 expression at the single-cell level using FACSs and fluorescence microscopy. The other system is based on the cytosolic release of the Gaussia princeps luciferase (gluc). This latter reporter proves to be a highly sensitive and scalable reporter assay that can be used to quantify reporter protein in the culture supernatant. We envision that this new set of reporter tools will be highly useful to comprehensively analyze the influence of environmental and host factors, including drugs, small metabolites and the microbiota, on Stx2 release and thereby serve the identification of risk factors and new therapies in Stx-mediated pathologies.
Meat Traceability: Traditional Market Shoppers’ Preferences and Willingness-to-Pay for Additional Information in Taiwan

Due to food scandals that shocked the retailer markets, traceability systems were advocated to regain consumers’ confidence and trust. However, while traceability systems can be more easily explored in modern markets, almost no traceability system can be found in traditional markets in Taiwan, especially when buying meat products. This study explored the preference and the willingness-to-pay (WTP) for traceability information of pork products in traditional markets in Taiwan. The random utility theory (RUT) with the contingent valuation method (CVM) was adopted to examine the total of 1420 valid responses in Taiwan. Results show that 80% of traditional market consumers are willing to pay more for traceability information of pork products. Specifically, when consumers (1) know the market price of pork, (2) do not often buy food in the traditional market, (3) live in south or north regions of Taiwan, (4) have a flexible buying schedule, (5) are aware of food safety due to frequently accessing health-related content through media, or (6) think pork grading is very important, they would tend to choose meat products with traceability information. The implication of this study suggests that there is an urgent desire for food safety labeling and traceability information system in traditional markets in Taiwan. Especially, those who usually shop in the higher-price markets are willing to pay the most for this traceability information.
Nano-Particles Carried by Multiple Dynein Motors Self-Regulate Their Number of Actively Participating Motors

Intra-cellular active transport by native cargos is ubiquitous. We investigate the motion of spherical nano-particles (NPs) grafted with flexible polymers that end with a nuclear localization signal peptide. This peptide allows the recruitment of several mammalian dynein motors from cytoplasmic extracts. To determine how motor–motor interactions influenced motility on the single microtubule level, we conducted bead-motility assays incorporating surface adsorbed microtubules and combined them with model simulations that were based on the properties of a single dynein. The experimental and simulation results revealed long time trajectories: when the number of NP-ligated motors Nm increased, run-times and run-lengths were enhanced and mean velocities were somewhat decreased. Moreover, the dependence of the velocity on run-time followed a universal curve, regardless of the system composition. Model simulations also demonstrated left- and right-handed helical motion and revealed self-regulation of the number of microtubule-bound, actively transporting dynein motors. This number was stochastic along trajectories and was distributed mainly between one, two, and three motors, regardless of Nm. We propose that this self-regulation allows our synthetic NPs to achieve persistent motion that is associated with major helicity. Such a helical motion might affect obstacle bypassing, which can influence active transport efficiency when facing the crowded environment of the cell.
Frequency of Important CYP450 Enzyme Gene Polymorphisms in the Iranian Population in Comparison with Other Major Populations: A Comprehensive Review of the Human Data

Genetic polymorphisms in cytochrome P450 genes can cause alteration in metabolic activity of clinically important medicines. Thus, single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and copy number variations (CNVs) in CYP genes are leading factors of drug pharmacokinetics and toxicity and form pharmacogenetics biomarkers for drug dosing, efficacy, and safety. The distribution of cytochrome P450 alleles differs significantly between populations with important implications for personalized drug therapy and healthcare programs. To provide a meta-analysis of CYP allele polymorphisms with clinical importance, we brought together whole-genome and exome sequencing data from 800 unrelated individuals of Iranian population (100 subjects from 8 major ethnics of Iran) and 63,269 unrelated individuals of five major human populations (EUR, AMR, AFR, EAS and SAS). By integrating these datasets with population-specific linkage information, we evolved the frequencies of 140 CYP haplotypes related to 9 important CYP450 isoenzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5) giving a large resource for major genetic determinants of drug metabolism. Furthermore, we evaluated the more frequent Iranian alleles and compared the dataset with the Caucasian race. Finally, the similarity of the Iranian population SNVs with other populations was investigated.
Sex Differences in Supplement Intake in Recreational Endurance Runners—Results from the NURMI Study (Step 2)

It has been well-documented that female and male athletes differ in many physiological and psychological characteristics related to endurance performance. This sex-based difference appears to be associated with their nutritional demands including the patterns of supplement intake. However, there is a paucity of research addressing the sex differences in supplement intake amongst distance runners. The present study aimed to investigate and compare supplement intake between female and male distance runners (10 km, half-marathon, (ultra-)marathon) and the potential associations with diet type and race distance. A total of 317 runners participated in an online survey, and 220 distance runners (127 females and 93 males) made up the final sample after a multi-stage data clearance. Participants were also assigned to dietary (omnivorous, vegetarian, vegan) and race distance (10-km, half-marathon, marathon/ultra-marathon) subgroups. Sociodemographic characteristics and the patterns of supplement intake including type, frequency, dosage, and brands were collected using a questionnaire. One-way ANOVA and logistic regression were used for data analysis. A total of 54.3% of female runners and 47.3% male runners reported consuming supplements regularly. The frequency of supplement intake was similar between females and males (generally or across dietary and distance subgroups). There was no significant relationship for sex alone or sex interactions with diet type and race distance on supplement intake (p < 0.05). However, a non-significant higher intake of vitamin and mineral (but not CHO/protein) supplements was reported by vegan and vegetarian (but not by omnivorous) females compared to their male counterparts. In summary, despite the reported findings, sex could not be considered as a strong modulator of supplement intake among different groups of endurance runners.
Predicting Compression Pressure of Knitted Fabric Using a Modified Laplace’s Law

The aim of this study is to develop a mathematical model for the prediction of compression pressure based on fabric parameters, such as engineering stress, engineering strain and engineering modulus of elasticity. Four knitted compression fabrics with different fibrous compositions and knit structures were used. Rectangular-cut strips were employed for the force–elongation characterization of the fabrics. The experimental pressure values between the fabric and rigid cylinder were assessed using a Picopress pressure measuring device. The mechanical and physical parameters of the fabric that influence the interface pressure, such as strain, elasticity modulus/stress and thickness, were determined and integrated into Laplace’s law. A good correlation was observed between the experimental and calculated pressure values for all combinations of fabrics, mounted with variable tension on the cylinder. Over the considered range of pressures, the difference between the two datasets was generally less than 0.5 mmHg. The effect of washing after five, ten and fifteen washing cycles on the fabric–cylinder interface pressure was found to be significant.
Immunomodulatory Drugs for the Treatment of B Cell Malignancies

Accumulating evidence suggests that the tumor microenvironment (TME) is involved in disease progression and drug resistance in B cell malignancies, by supporting tumor growth and facilitating the ability of malignant cells to avoid immune recognition. Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) such as lenalidomide have some direct anti-tumor activity, but critically also target various cellular compartments of the TME including T cells, NK cells, and stromal cells, which interfere with pro-tumor signaling while activating anti-tumor immune responses. Lenalidomide has delivered favorable clinical outcomes as a single-agent, and in combination therapy leads to durable responses in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and several non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) including follicular lymphoma (FL), diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Recently, avadomide, a next generation cereblon E3 ligase modulator (CELMoD), has shown potent anti-tumor and TME immunomodulatory effects, as well as promising clinical efficacy in DLBCL. This review describes how the pleiotropic effects of IMiDs and CELMoDs could make them excellent candidates for combination therapy in the immuno-oncology era—a concept supported by preclinical data, as well as the recent approval of lenalidomide in combination with rituximab for the treatment of relapsed/refractory (R/R) FL.
Attempts of Physical Refining of Sterol-Rich Sunflower Press Oil to Obtain Minimally Processed Edible Oil

New phytosterol (PS)-enriched sunflower seeds, which are higher in campesterol and ∆7-stigmastenol, have recently been developed. Crude oils obtained from these new sunflower seeds in 2015 and 2017 were used in this study. Oils extracted only by press (PO) and with subsequent solvent extraction (SO) were characterized. Physical refining (PhR) was used to obtain edible PO by minimal processing and to keep the PS levels as high as possible. Oils obtained by chemical processing were also studied for comparative purposes. Different bleaching treatments were examined to reduce the contents of phospholipids in the PO to levels required for PhR (<10 mg kg−1). Phosphorous levels in PO from 2015 (9–12 mg kg−1) were reduced to optimal levels by bleaching with 0.1% Trisyl and 1% Tonsil 278 FF. Contrarily, treatments with Trisyl and Tonsil (278 FF or 114 FF) were not sufficient to reduce the higher levels in PO from 2017 (15–36 mg/kg−1), thereby they were subjected to chemical refining (ChR). The PhR applied to PO from 2015 did not lead to substantial changes in the composition and total content of PS. In contrast, losses of up to approximately 30% of total PS were found owing to ChR, although the oils preserved their unique PS profiles.
The pathogenic and spoilage bacteria associated with red meat and application of different approaches of high CO2 packaging to extend product shelf-life

Abstract With the fast-global development of packaging techniques, the potential antimicrobial effect of CO2, as a safe, cheap and readily available gas, makes it the integral component for packaging of meat products. The associated spoilage and/or pathogenic bacteria on raw meat may respond in different ways to elevated CO2 concentrations. The growth of some aerobic Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas spp. is significantly inhibited but some LAB bacteria may be allowed to grow faster and dominate the product. The antimicrobial efficacy of enriched CO2 packaging is attributed to the rate of CO2 solubility in the product which is itself affected by the level of headspace CO2, product pH, temperature and the ratio of headspace gas to product (G:P). This review, first, explores the varied range of beef and sheep meat spoilage and pathogenic bacteria and the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters that may influence the pattern of microbial growth and meat spoilage rate during storage. Then, the antimicrobial mechanism of elevated CO2 packaging will be discussed and the different approaches of achieving enriched CO2 packaging i.e. the traditional technique of flushing a desired gas mixture and/or using the new commercially developed CO2 emitters will then be compared in terms of their strengths, limitations and technical mode of action.
Arginine Methyltransferase PRMT1 Regulates p53 Activity in Breast Cancer

The protein p53 is one of the most important tumor suppressors, responding to a variety of stress signals. Mutations in p53 occur in about half of human cancer cases, and dysregulation of the p53 function by epigenetic modifiers and modifications is prevalent in a large proportion of the remainder. PRMT1 is the main enzyme responsible for the generation of asymmetric-dimethylarginine, whose upregulation or aberrant splicing has been observed in many types of malignancies. Here, we demonstrate that p53 function is regulated by PRMT1 in breast cancer cells. PRMT1 knockdown activated the p53 signal pathway and induced cell growth-arrest and senescence. PRMT1 could directly bind to p53 and inhibit the transcriptional activity of p53 in an enzymatically dependent manner, resulting in a decrease in the expression levels of several key downstream targets of the p53 pathway. We were able to detect p53 asymmetric-dimethylarginine signals in breast cancer cells and breast cancer tissues from patients, and the signals could be significantly weakened by silencing of PRMT1 with shRNA, or inhibiting PRMT1 activity with a specific inhibitor. Furthermore, PRMT1 inhibitors significantly impeded cell growth and promoted cellular senescence in breast cancer cells and primary tumor cells. These results indicate an important role of PRMT1 in the regulation of p53 function in breast tumorigenesis.
Comparative and Combinatorial Effects of Resveratrol and Sacubitril/Valsartan alongside Valsartan on Cardiac Remodeling and Dysfunction in MI-Induced Rats

The development and progression of heart failure (HF) due to myocardial infarction (MI) is a major concern even with current optimal therapy. Resveratrol is a plant polyphenol with cardioprotective properties. Sacubitril/valsartan is known to be beneficial in chronic HF patients. In this study, we investigated the comparative and combinatorial benefits of resveratrol with sacubitril/valsartan alongside an active comparator valsartan in MI-induced male Sprague Dawley rats. MI-induced and sham-operated animals received vehicle, resveratrol, sacubitril/valsartan, valsartan alone or sacubitril/valsartan + resveratrol for 8 weeks. Echocardiography was performed at the endpoint to assess cardiac structure and function. Cardiac oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), creatinine and neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin were measured. Treatment with resveratrol, sacubitril/valsartan, valsartan and sacubitril/valsartan + resveratrol significantly prevented left ventricular (LV) dilatation and improved LV ejection fraction in MI-induced rats. All treatments also significantly reduced myocardial tissue oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis, as well as BNP. Treatment with the combination of sacubitril/valsartan and resveratrol did not show additive effects. In conclusion, resveratrol, sacubitril/valsartan, and valsartan significantly prevented cardiac remodeling and dysfunction in MI-induced rats. The reduction in cardiac remodeling and dysfunction in MI-induced rats was mediated by a reduction in cardiac oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis.
Implementation of Kinetic and Kinematic Variables in Ergonomic Risk Assessment Using Motion Capture Simulation: A Review

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are among the most common disorders in any work sector and industry. Ergonomic risk assessment can reduce the risk of WMSDs. Motion capture that can provide accurate and real-time quantitative data has been widely used as a tool for ergonomic risk assessment. However, most ergonomic risk assessments that use motion capture still depend on the traditional ergonomic risk assessment method, focusing on qualitative data. Therefore, this article aims to provide a view on the ergonomic risk assessment and apply current motion capture technology to understand classical mechanics of physics that include velocity, acceleration, force, and momentum in ergonomic risk assessment. This review suggests that using motion capture technologies with kinetic and kinematic variables, such as velocity, acceleration, and force, can help avoid inconsistency and develop more reliable results in ergonomic risk assessment. Most studies related to the physical measurement conducted with motion capture prefer to use non-optical motion capture because it is a low-cost system and simple experimental setup. However, the present review reveals that optical motion capture can provide more accurate data.
Peptoids with Antibiofilm Activity against the Gram Negative Obligate Anaerobe, Fusobacterium nucleatum

Peptoids (oligo N-substituted glycines) are peptide analogues, which can be designed to mimic host antimicrobial peptides, with the advantage that they are resistant to proteolytic degradation. Few studies on the antimicrobial efficacy of peptoids have focused on Gram negative anaerobic microbes associated with clinical infections, which are commonly recalcitrant to antibiotic treatment. We therefore studied the cytotoxicity and antibiofilm activity of a family of peptoids against the Gram negative obligate anaerobe Fusobacterium nucleatum, which is associated with infections in the oral cavity. Two peptoids, peptoid 4 (NaeNpheNphe)4 and peptoid 9 (NahNspeNspe)3 were shown to be efficacious against F. nucleatum biofilms at a concentration of 1 μM. At this concentration, peptoids 4 and 9 were not cytotoxic to human erythrocytes or primary human gingival fibroblast cells. Peptoids 4 and 9 therefore have merit as future therapeutics for the treatment of oral infections.
Flexible Nonvolatile Bioresistive Random Access Memory with an Adjustable Memory Mode Capable of Realizing Logic Functions

In this study, a flexible bioresistive memory with an aluminum/tussah hemolymph/indium tin oxide/polyethylene terephthalate structure is fabricated by using a natural biological material, tussah hemolymph (TH), as the active layer. When different compliance currents (Icc) are applied to the device, it exhibits different resistance characteristics. When 1 mA is applied in the positive voltage range and 100 mA is applied in the negative voltage range, the device exhibits bipolar resistive switching behavior. Additionally, when 1 mA is applied in both the positive- and negative-voltage ranges, the device exhibits write-once-read-many-times (WORM) characteristics. The device has good endurance, with a retention time exceeding 104 s. After 104 bending cycles, the electrical characteristics remain constant. This memory device can be applied for “AND” and “OR” logic operations in programmable logic circuits. The prepared flexible and transparent biomemristor made of pure natural TH provides a promising new approach for realizing environmentally friendly and biocompatible flexible memory, nerve synapses, and wearable electronic devices.
The Effect of Radiotherapy on Diffuse Low-Grade Gliomas Evolution: Confronting Theory with Clinical Data

Diffuse low-grade gliomas are slowly growing tumors that always recur after treatment. In this paper, we revisit the modeling of the evolution of the tumor radius before and after the radiotherapy process and propose a novel model that is simple yet biologically motivated and that remedies some shortcomings of previously proposed ones. We confront this with clinical data consisting of time series of tumor radii from 43 patient records by using a stochastic optimization technique and obtain very good fits in all cases. Since our model describes the evolution of a tumor from the very first glioma cell, it gives access to the possible age of the tumor. Using the technique of profile likelihood to extract all of the information from the data, we build confidence intervals for the tumor birth age and confirm the fact that low-grade gliomas seem to appear in the late teenage years. Moreover, an approximate analytical expression of the temporal evolution of the tumor radius allows us to explain the correlations observed in the data.