Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In Vitro and In Vivo Inhibitory Effects of Gaseous Chlorine Dioxide Against Diaporthe batatas Isolated from Stored Sweetpotato

Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) can be used as an alternative disinfectant for controlling fungal contamination during postharvest storage. In this study, we tested the in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects of gaseous ClO2 against Diaporthe batatas SP-d1, the causal agent of sweetpotato dry rot. In in vitro tests, spore suspensions of SP-d1 spread on acidified potato dextrose agar were treated with various ClO2 concentrations (1–20 ppm) for 0–60 min. Fungal growth was significantly inhibited at 1 ppm of ClO2 treatment for 30 min, and completely inhibited at 20 ppm. In in vivo tests, spore suspensions were drop-inoculated onto sweetpotato slices, followed by ClO2 treatment with different concentrations and durations. Lesion diameters were not significantly different between the tested ClO2 concentrations; however, lesion diameters significantly decreased upon increasing the exposure time. Similarly, fungal populations decreased at the tested ClO2 concentrations over time. However, the sliced tissue itself hardened after 60-min ClO2 treatments, especially at 20 ppm of ClO2. When sweetpotato roots were dip-inoculated in spore suspensions for 10 min prior to treatment with 20 and 40 ppm of ClO2 for 0–60 min, fungal populations decreased with increasing ClO2 concentrations. Taken together, these results showed that gaseous ClO2 could significantly inhibit D. batatas growth and dry rot development in sweetpotato. Overall, gaseous ClO2 could be used to control this fungal disease during the postharvest storage of sweetpotato.
Medication persistence for psoriatic arthritis in a Brazilian real-world setting

Aim: To evaluate the persistence of biological (TNF inhibitor [anti-TNF]) and synthetic (conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs [csDMARDs]) antirheumatic agents for psoriatic arthritis and their associated factors. Methods: A historical cohort was developed. Persistence and associated factors were evaluated at 6 and 12 months. Results: A total of 161 patients were included. The anti-TNF treatment presented higher persistence as compared with csDMARDs at 6 (83.4 vs 50.8%; p < 0.05) and 12 months (66.4 vs 35.6%; p < 0.05). From anti-TNFs, adalimumab and etanercept presented similar persistence, along with leflunomide and methotrexate among the csDMARDs. The factors associated with non-persistence with regard to anti-TNF agents were female sex and use of infliximab. Conclusion: Anti-TNF agents are important therapeutic alternatives and present lower rates of discontinuation as compared with csDMARDs.
Characterizing bumble bee (Bombus) communities in the United States and assessing a conservation monitoring method

Abstract Aim Bumble bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Bombus) are economically and ecologically important pollinators in agroecosystems and wildland habitats. In the Nearctic region, there are approximately 41 species, of which the IUCN lists twelve species as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. We conducted a standardized faunal survey to inform ongoing conservation efforts including petitions under review for the Endangered Species Act. Furthermore, we test the appropriateness of a methodology for accurately sampling bumble bee communities. Location The United States of America, including 31 sites in 15 states. Methods We surveyed 15 states in the summer of 2015 to assess community composition and relative species abundance at agricultural and seminatural sites throughout the United States. We collected approximately 100 bees, using aerial nets, from each of 31 sites and identified specimens to species, totaling 3,252 bees. We assessed our survey methodology to understand whether it accurately sampled the potential community of bumble bees at each site for utility in future monitoring efforts. Results Average site species richness was 5.1 ± 2.05, and we detected 30 of the 41 species documented historically within the contiguous United States. Sampling a site beyond 100 bees rarely added additional species detections, whereas adding additional sampling sites within an ecoregion frequently increased the species richness for the ecoregion. Thirteen of the 30 species we detected each accounted for <1% of the total fauna, and two species accounted for 49.02% of all bees captured. Species richness and evenness increased with increasing latitude across communities. Main Conclusions Species diversity and evenness in bumble bees increases in northern latitudes and increasing elevation in the United States; however, a few common species tend to dominate communities while many species occur only in low numbers. The results of this survey effort can inform current conservation evaluations and planning.
Communication Behaviors in Nursing Homes in South-East Iran: An Ethnographic Study

Background: Because of the increasing number of the elderly, the need for care in aged nursing homes (NHs) is increasing. As a cultural perspective toward care is new, it is very important to understand the communication behavior of the elderly in various cultures. This study aimed to explore the communication behaviors among the elderly in NHs in Kerman, Iran. Materials and Methods: This ethnographic focused study was conducted on 25 staff members and 8 residents in two NHs in 2015. Data were collected through observation of the participants, field notes, and semi-structured deep interviews in Kerman. Cuba and Lincoln method was used to ensure the trustworthiness of the data. The collected data were analyzed through content analysis. Results: By analyzing primary codes, 3 categories and 8 subcategories were extracted through content analysis including fluctuation in communication (task-oriented communication, avoidance of communication, and establishment of effective communication), artificial collaboration (fake friendships, jealousy, and its consequences, and cooperation in concealing error), and lack of collaboration among team members (fragmented teamwork, extreme working conditions, and physical burnout among the elderly). Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that communication problems between caregivers and the elderly are high. Thus, it is necessary that people who care for elderly indiviuals are trained regarding special communication strategies and skills, and they are not influenced by fatigue and burnout resulting from caring.
Basalin is an evolutionarily unconstrained protein revealed via a conserved role in flagellum basal plate function

Most motile flagella have an axoneme that contains nine outer microtubule doublets and a central pair (CP) of microtubules. The CP coordinates the flagellar beat and defects in CP projections are associated with motility defects and human disease. The CP nucleate near a ‘basal plate’ at the distal end of the transition zone (TZ). Here, we show that the trypanosome TZ protein ‘basalin’ is essential for building the basal plate, and its loss is associated with CP nucleation defects, inefficient recruitment of CP assembly factors to the TZ, and flagellum paralysis. Guided by synteny, we identified a highly divergent basalin ortholog in the related Leishmania species. Basalins are predicted to be highly unstructured, suggesting they may act as ‘hubs’ facilitating many protein-protein interactions. This raises the general concept that proteins involved in cytoskeletal functions and appearing organism-specific, may have highly divergent and cryptic orthologs in other species.
Comparison of Two Pain Scales: Behavioral Pain Scale and Critical-care Pain Observation Tool During Invasive and Noninvasive Procedures in Intensive Care Unit-admitted Patients

Background: Critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) frequently experience pain, but the severity of pain in this group of patients is underestimated by the treatment team due to barriers to verbal communication. The aim of the present study was comparing the severity of pain measured by two scales: behavioral pain scale (BPS) and critical-care pain observation tool (CPOT) in ICU-admitted patients during routine daily procedures. Materials and Methods: Ninety patients were enrolled in the study. The severity of pain was measured during resting, invasive (suctioning) and noninvasive (mouthwash and body position change) procedures, and respiratory physiotherapy with two scales: BPS and CPOT. Wilcoxon and Friedman statistical tests were used to compare the score of pain in different situations, and Spearman correlation coefficient was also used to measure the correlation of pain score measured by two scales. Results: Patients experienced no pain during resting, mild pain during changing position, and respiratory physiotherapy, mild-to-moderate pain during mouthwash and moderate pain during secretion suctioning. Wilcoxon test used for pairwise comparisons between pain score in different situations showed a significant difference in both scales (p < 0.05). There were positive and strong correlations (r > 0.80, p < 0.05) between the pain score measured by BPS and CPOT from ICU-admitted patients in all procedures. Conclusions: Critically ill patients in ICU experience a different range of pain in routine daily care. BPS and CPOT scales could be used successfully for monitoring of pain in this group of patients.
Bacteriemia por Klebsiella pneumoniae productora de carbapenemasa tipo KPC. Estudio comparativo y evolución en 7 años

RESUMEN Introducción La bacteriemia por Klebsiella pneumoniae productora de carbapenemasa tipo KPC (Kp-KPC) se asocia a elevada mortalidad. La hipótesis de nuestro trabajo es que hubo aumento en los niveles de resistencia a diferentes antimicrobianos en Kp-KPC en bacteriemias.El objetivo del presente estudio es describir las características clínicas, microbiológicas, esquemas terapéuticos y evolución de las bacteriemias por Kp-KPC en nuestro hospital. Materiales y métodos Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo en dos periodos: Periodo 1 (P1) 2010-2014 y periodo 2 (P2) 2015-2016. Se incluyeron pacientes ≥ 18 años con bacteriemia por Kp-KPC en un Hospital General de Agudos. Se definió como antimicrobiano activo aquel que presentaba sensibilidad en el antibiograma y en el caso particular de meropenem cuando presentaba CMI ≤ 8 mg/L y era utilizado en tratamiento combinado. Resultados Se analizaron 50 episodios (P1: 21 y P2: 29) de bacteriemia por Kp-KPC en 45 pacientes. Las siguientes variables fueron semejantes en ambos periodos: edad mediana (53 vs. 52 años); sexo masculino (45 vs. 62%); sitio de infección: bacteriemia primaria (52 vs. 45%), bacteriemia asociada a catéter (24 vs. 17%), otros (24 vs. 38%). En el P2 se registró un aumento significativo de resistencia a colistina (28 vs. 69%) (p<0,01), un aumento de aislamientos con CMI a meropenem ≥ 16 mg/L (74 vs. 97%) (p=0,02) y una disminución de resistencia a tigeciclina (29 vs. 4%) (p=0,02). La mortalidad global fue del 40 en el P1 y 32% en el P2 (p=0,7). En ningún periodo se observó diferencia en la mortalidad cuando el tratamiento dirigido fue con un antimicrobiano activo vs. dos antimicrobianos activos, así como tampoco entre los diferentes antimicrobianos utilizados. Conclusiones Se observó un aumento significativo de las bacteriemias por Kp-KPC y del nivel de resistencia a colistina y de las CMIs a meropenem. Para ambos períodos la mortalidad fué elevada.
Depression was associated with apolipoprotein E ε4 allele polymorphism: A meta-analysis

Objective(s): Previous studies have reached different conclusions regarding an association between apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphisms and depression. This meta-analysis was designed to clarify these controversies. Materials and Methods: Literatures were identified reviewing the national and international databases. The eligible articles for meta-analysis were determined by quality assessment and implementation of inclusion/exclusion criteria. This meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.2 software. The odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CIs) were calculated using a fixed effects model. Funnel plots and Egger’s regression tests were used to assess the publication bias. Results: A total of nine studies that met the inclusion criteria were identified by performing a comprehensive search on the association between APOE polymorphisms and depression. APOE ε4 allele was significantly associated with depression (allele: OR=1.36, 95%CI=1.11-1.66, P=0.003; dominant: OR=1.34, 95%CI=1.06-1.68, P=0.001; recessive: OR= 1.11, 95%CI =0.45-2.76, P=0.82). HAMD scores were higher in depression patients with-APOE ε4 genotype than who without-APOE ε4 genotype (OR=0.96, 95%CI=0.16-1.76, P=0.02). Conclusion: APOE ε4 allele increased the depression risk; depressive patients carrying APOE ε4 allele had more severe depressive symptoms.
Congenital Aneurysm of the Right Atrium: Two Cases Report

Congenital aneurysm or enlargement of the right atrium is a rare condition. Two children operated on at the age of 14 months and 11 years old for congenital aneurysm of the right atrium are reported. Both presented cardiomegaly and symptoms of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Diagnosis was established by echocardiography. Surgical resection was successful. Both patients are free of symptoms and their chest X-ray and echocardiogram are normal. The first patient is now in her 17th postoperative year. The patients' evolution suggests that the surgery is a curative procedure.
Inhibition of nicotine-induced Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation by salts solutions intended for mouthrinses

Objectives Biofilm formation is critical to dental caries initiation and development. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of nicotine exposure on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilm formation concomitantly with the inhibitory effects of sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl) and potassium iodide (KI) salts. This study examined bacterial growth with varying concentrations of NaCl, KCl, and KI salts and nicotine levels consistent with primary levels of nicotine exposure. Materials and Methods A preliminary screening experiment was performed to investigate the appropriate concentrations of NaCl, KCl, and KI to use with nicotine. With the data, a S. mutans biofilm growth assay was conducted using nicotine (0–32 mg/mL) in Tryptic Soy broth supplemented with 1% sucrose with and without 0.45 M of NaCl, 0.23 M of KCl, and 0.113 M of KI. The biofilm was stained with crystal violet dye and the absorbance measured to determine biofilm formation. Results The presence of 0.45 M of NaCl, 0.23 M of KCl, and 0.113 M of KI significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) nicotine-induced S. mutans biofilm formation by 52%, 79.7%, and 64.1%, respectively. Conclusions The results provide additional evidence regarding the biofilm-enhancing effects of nicotine and demonstrate the inhibitory influence of these salts in reducing the nicotine-induced biofilm formation. A short-term exposure to these salts may inhibit S. mutans biofilm formation.
Clinical outcomes after major hepatectomy are acceptable in low-volume centers in the Caribbean

BACKGROUND Major hepatectomies are routinely performed because they are often the only curative treatment for metastatic liver disease. There has been a trend to concentrate major hepatectomies in referral hospitals that perform these operations at high volumes. These high volume referral centers are usually located in developed countries, but many patients in developing nations are not able to access these centers because of financial limitations, lack of social support and/or travel restrictions. Therefore, local hospitals are often the only options many of these patients have for surgical treatment of metastatic liver disease. This is the situation in many Caribbean countries. AIM To determine the clinical outcomes after major liver resections in a low-resource hepatobiliary center in the Caribbean. METHODS We prospectively studied all patients who underwent major liver resections over five years. The following data were extracted: patient demographics, diagnoses, ECOG status, operation performed, post-operative morbidity and mortality. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS ver 16.0 RESULTS There were 69 major liver resections performed by two teams at a mean case volume of 13.8 major resections/year. Sixty-nine major hepatic resections were performed for: colorectal liver metastases 40 (58%), non-colorectal metastases 9 (13%), hepatocellular carcinoma 8 (11.6%), ruptured adenomas 4 (5.8%), hilar cholangiocarcinomas 4 (5.8%), hemangiomata 2 (2.9%), trauma 1 (1.5%) and hepatoblastoma 1 (1.5%). Twenty-one patients had at least one complication, for an overall morbidity rate of 30.4%. There were minor complications in 17 (24.6%) patients, major complications in 11 (15.9%) patients and 4 (5.8%) deaths. CONCLUSION There are unique geographic, political and financial limitations to healthcare delivery in the Caribbean. Nevertheless, clinical outcomes are acceptable in the established, low-volume hepatobiliary centers in the Eastern Caribbean.
Cancer During Pregnancy: The Oncologist Overview

Although a rare and challenging condition, cancer during pregnancy should promptly be identified and treated. Not only standards of care guidelines for the underlying disease are taken into account, but also fetal safety might be weighted for clinical decisions. Frequent lack of experience and knowledge about this condition could lead to late diagnosis, imprecise management, suboptimal treatment and fetal and maternal harm. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the current evidence regarding the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, staging and treatment, including novel treatment modalities for patients diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy.
When are anti‐fat attitudes understood as prejudice versus truth? An experimental study of social influence effects

If people who hold anti‐fat attitudes believe these attitudes to be true, then anti‐prejudice appeals are likely to be unsuccessful, if only because the targets will not see their attitudes as in need of change. The current study examined processes that may lead people to see their anti‐fat attitudes as ‘truth’ or as ‘prejudice’.
The Effect of Psycho-Social Problems on Risky Behaviors in People Living With HIV in Tehran, Iran

Objective: Over the past years, the prevalence and the progression rate of HIV infection in Iran especially through high-risk sexual relationships have regrettably been reported at very high levels. This cross-sectional study tries to analyze stigma, mental health, and coping skills on risky behaviors in HIV-positive adults in Tehran- Iran. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 450 HIV-positive adults. Participants completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, the General HealthQuestionnaire-28, the Berger HIV Stigma Scale as well as the Lazarus Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WOCQ). To analyze the data, the independent-samples t-test and Pearson Correlation were used. Results: The findings of this study revealed that mental health, stigma, and avoidance-escape coping mechanisms were correlated with risky behaviors (p ˂ 0.05). Furthermore, the amount of stigma among female individuals compared to men was reported at higher levels and mental health status in the given group was lower than among male individuals. Conclusion: It seems that psychological treatment techniques could be effective in improving mental health and reducing risky behaviors.
Ultra-Processed Foods: Definitions and Policy Issues

Abstract Four categories of foods are proposed in the NOVA food classification, which seeks to relate food processing as the primary driver of diet quality. Of these, the category “ultra-processed foods” has been widely studied in relation both to diet quality and to risk factors for noncommunicable disease. The present paper explores the definition of ultra-processed foods since its inception and clearly shows that the definition of such foods has varied considerably. Because of the difficulty of interpretation of the primary definition, the NOVA group and others have set out lists of examples of foods that fall under the category of ultra-processed foods. The present manuscript demonstrates that since the inception of the NOVA classification of foods, these examples of foods to which this category applies have varied considerably. Thus, there is little consistency either in the definition of ultra-processed foods or in examples of foods within this category. The public health nutrition advice of NOVA is that ultra-processed foods should be avoided to achieve improvements in nutrient intakes with an emphasis on fat, sugar, and salt. The present manuscript demonstrates that the published data for the United States, United Kingdom, France, Brazil, and Canada all show that across quintiles of intake of ultra-processed foods, nutritionally meaningful changes are seen for sugars and fiber but not for total fat, saturated fat, and sodium. Moreover, 2 national surveys in the United Kingdom and France fail to show any link between body mass index and consumption of ultra-processed foods. The paper concludes that constructive scholarly debate needs to be facilitated on many issues that would be affected by a policy to avoid ultra-processed foods.
First‐in‐Asian Phase I Study of the Anti‐Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 Monoclonal Antibody, Burosumab: Safety and Pharmacodynamics in Adults With X‐linked Hypophosphatemia

X‐linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a disease caused by abnormally elevated FGF23 levels, which cause persistent hypophosphatemia accompanied by subsequent reduction in bone mineralization that presents as rickets or osteomalacia. Burosumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting FGF23 that is under development for the treatment of FGF23‐related hypophosphatemia including XLH. The safety, tolerability, and proof of concept of burosumab have been evaluated in patients with XLH in previous studies conducted in countries outside of Asia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and expression of anti‐drug antibodies in Japanese and Korean adults with XLH. This was a multicenter, sequential dose‐escalation, open‐label, single‐dose study. This study began with cohort 1 (s.c. dose of burosumab 0.3 mg/kg), after which the dose was escalated sequentially in cohort 2 (s.c. dose of burosumab 0.6 mg/kg) and cohort 3 (s.c. dose of burosumab 1.0 mg/kg). The PK of burosumab were linear within the dose range of 0.3 to 1.0 mg/kg. The PD effects such as serum phosphorus concentration, serum 1,25[OH]2D3 concentration, and ratio of tubular maximum reabsorption rate of phosphate to glomerular filtration rate (TmP/GFR) were elevated after a single s.c. administration. The area under the receiver‐operating characteristic curve from 0 to t (AUC0–t) values calculated using the change from baseline values of serum phosphorus, serum 1,25(OH)2D3, and TmP/GFR were correlated with the AUC0–t of burosumab. Furthermore, no serious adverse events (AEs), deaths, remarkable increase or decrease in the corrected calcium or intact PTH levels, or signs of nephrocalcinosis or its worsening were observed after treatment. Some AEs and drug‐related AEs were observed; however, there were no clinically meaningful tendencies. The positive effects and acceptable safety profile seen in this study are encouraging for Japanese and Korean patients with XLH. © 2018 The Authors JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.