Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Retrospective review of Duke men’s basketball eye care: annual screenings and traumatic injuries

ABSTRACT Objectives 1) To assess the utility of performing eye screenings for healthy basketball players. 2) To describe the traumatic injuries sustained by competitive college basketball players. Methods The eye screening examinations of the Duke University Men’s Basketball players over six seasons were reviewed retrospectively. Traumatic basketball-related eye injuries amongst Duke University Men’s Basketball players over 16 seasons were also reviewed and described. Results Forty-four total players underwent screening examinations. Thirteen (29.5%) of athletes had uncorrected or under-corrected refractive errors. One athlete was found to have a severe monocular visual deficit secondary to a traumatic injury in childhood, which was significantly mitigated by a contact lens referral. Eight traumatic ocular injuries in eight different athletes, 8.6% of the total roster players in this interval, required ophthalmologic consultation. Most injuries, 7/8, resulted in no permanent visual impairment. However, two severe episodes of injury required operative intervention, and one episode involving a giant retinal dialysis and traumatic optic nerve head avulsion caused severe, permanent visual loss. Most injuries did not result in significant competition time loss, with a median time loss of 5 days (range 0 to 240 days). Conclusion Screening eye examinations in healthy athletes are beneficial for the identification and treatment of refractive errors. Traumatic basketball-related eye injuries are common and result in a wide array of injuries. Although most basketball-related eye injuries do no result in permanent visual loss, given the potential for severe injury, many basketball-related eye injuries require expert ophthalmic consultation.
Effect of Ballistic Warm-up on Isokinetic Strength, Balance, Agility, Flexibility and Speed in Elite Freestyle Wrestlers

The aim of this study is effect of ballistic warm-up on isokinetic strength, balance and some parameters in male elite freestyle wrestlers. 13 elite freestyle wrestlers at the age of 20.2±2.1 yrs, with 174.5±7.1 cm height and 81,67±15,36 kg weight participated in the study. Measurements were performed two different warm-up protocols. Running protocol at submaximal level on the treadmill for 10 minutes was applied for every wrestler. Ballistic Warm-up protocol involved 13 different movements for multi-muscle groups lasting for 10 minutes. Flexibility, speed, agility, balance, hand grip and isokinetic leg strength parameters were measured. Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was performed to find the difference between the protocols. Consequently, differences were found in flexibility, right hand grip strength, right posteromedial and posterolateral balance, left posteromedial and posterolateral balance, left and right hamstring and quadriceps strength parameters. Ballistic warm-up protocol can be more effective in many parameters, especially strength compared to ordinary warm-up.
Evaluating effects of zinc hydroxychloride on biomarkers of inflammation and intestinal integrity during feed restriction.

Objectives were to evaluate effects of supplemental zinc hydroxychloride (HYD; Micronutrients, Indianapolis, IN) on gut permeability, metabolism, and inflammation during feed restriction (FR). Holstein cows (n = 24; 159 ± 8 d in milk; parity 3 ± 0.2) were enrolled in a 2 × 2 factorial design and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: (1) ad libitum fed (AL) and control diet (ALCON; 75 mg/kg Zn from zinc sulfate; n = 6); (2) ad libitum fed and HYD diet (ALHYD; 75 mg/kg Zn from HYD; n = 6); (3) 40% of ad libitum feed intake and control diet (FRCON; n = 6); or (4) 40% of ad libitum feed intake and HYD diet (FRHYD; n = 6). Prior to study initiation, cows were fed their respective diets for 21 d. The trial consisted of 2 experimental periods (P) during which cows continued to receive their respective dietary treatments. Period 1 (5 d) served as the baseline for P2 (5 d), during which cows were fed ad libitum or restricted to 40% of P1 feed intake. In vivo total-tract permeability was evaluated on d 4 of P1 and on d 2 and 5 of P2, using the paracellular permeability marker chromium (Cr)-EDTA. All cows were euthanized at the end of P2 to assess intestinal architecture. As anticipated, FR cows lost body weight (~46 kg), entered into calculated negative energy balance (-13.86 Mcal/d), and had decreased milk yield. Circulating glucose, insulin, and glucagon decreased, and nonesterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate increased in FR relative to AL cows. Relative to AL cows, FR increased lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, serum amyloid A (SAA), and haptoglobin (Hp) concentrations (2-, 4-, and 17-fold, respectively); and peak SAA and Hp concentrations were observed on d 5. Circulating SAA and Hp from FRHYD tended to be decreased (47 and 61%, respectively) on d 5 relative to FRCON. Plasma Cr area under the curve increased (32%) in FR treatments on d 2 and tended to be increased (17%) on d 5 of P2 relative to AL treatments. No effects of diet were observed on Cr appearance. Relative to AL cows, FR increased jejunum villus width and decreased jejunum crypt depth and ileum villus height and crypt depth. Relative to FRCON, ileum villus height tended to increase in FRHYD cows. Feed restriction tended to decrease jejunum and ileum mucosal surface area, but the decrease in the ileum was ameliorated by dietary HYD. In summary, FR induced gut hyperpermeability to Cr-EDTA, and feeding HYD appeared to benefit some key metrics of barrier integrity.
Provider Perspectives on the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes Autism: Transition to Adulthood Program.

OBJECTIVE Despite their complex health care needs, transition-aged youth diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (TAY-ASD) receive few transition services and describe difficulty finding adult providers. A 12-week primary care provider (PCP) training was developed to improve the delivery of transition services for TAY-ASD [Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) Autism: Transition to Adulthood program]. The current study examines the PCPs' perspectives and experiences of the program and application of the training material. METHODS This study used a qualitative descriptive framework to explore the experiences and perspectives of 10 PCPs who completed the ECHO Autism: Transition to Adulthood program. Semistructured focus groups, conducted through Zoom videoconferencing, were used to explore these topics. RESULTS Three overarching categories were identified: (1) beneficial and influential aspects of the ECHO, (2) perceived challenges, and (3) suggestions for improvements and adjustments. Overall, participants found the program highly beneficial, describing an increased sense of community and comprehensive recommendations from a multidisciplinary team. Challenges included difficulties participating in the program during clinical hours and difficulties meeting the educational needs of participants with a wide range of previous experience caring for TAY-ASD. Recommendations included embedding the location-specific material into the program to account for regional differences and the use of an online platform for participants to ask questions and discuss issues outside of the regular sessions. CONCLUSION The study results can inform the development and implementation of new virtual PCP trainings and future ECHOs, including the revision and broad implementation of the ongoing ECHO Autism: Transition to Adulthood program.
Calcium based siRNA coating: a novel approach for knockdown of HER2 gene in MCF-7 cells using gold nanoparticles.

Surface functionalization of nanoparticles (NPs) for therapeutic siRNA delivery into cancer cells has gained interest. The present study was designed for surface functionalization of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for efficient siRNA delivery and knockdown in cancer cells. In order to achieve this objective, AuNPs were coated with HER2-siRNA in the presence of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (11-MUA), calcium chloride (CaCl2) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) in alternate charge bearing successive layers. MCF-7 cells were cultured and transfected with fabricated assembly of AuNPs. Cytotoxicity analysis revealed that the half inhibitory concentration (IC50) for the formulation was 45.35 nM . Total RNA was isolated from transfected cells, reverse transcribed into complementary DNA (cDNA) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed. The RT-PCR based delta-delta Ct analysis in treated cells revealed a significant 18.94 times decrease (p<0.001) in the expression of HER2 gene standardized with ACTB housekeeping gene as compared to untreated cells, which makes this formulation a potent approach for siRNA delivery and gene knockout.
Why the cerebellar shutdown/clampdown hypothesis of vestibular compensation is inconsistent with neurophysiological evidence.

BACKGROUND Vestibular compensation is the process by which the central nervous system (CNS) attempts to adapt to the loss of vestibular sensory inputs. As such, the compensation process is critically involved in the vestibular rehabilitation programs that are implemented by physical therapists for patients with vestibular disorders. One hypothesis regarding vestibular compensation, which has persisted in some of the published vestibular compensation literature and particularly on some vestibular and physical therapy websites, is the 'cerebellar shutdown' or 'cerebellar clampdown' hypothesis proposed by McCabe and Ryu in 1969. This hypothesis proposes that the cerebellum inhibits neuronal activity in the bilateral vestibular nuclei (VN) following unilateral vestibular loss (UVL), causing the VN contralateral to the UVL to be electrically silent during the early phases of vestibular compensation. Despite a wealth of evidence against this idea, it has gained traction amongst some physical therapists and has implications for vestibular rehabilitation early in the compensation process. CONCLUSIONS In this paper it is argued that the 'cerebellar shutdown' or 'clampdown' hypothesis is inconsistent with well accepted neurophysiological and imaging evidence and that it is also logically flawed.
RNA Detection in air by means of Cosmic Rays interactions

The study research presented hereafter shows a new methodology to reveal traces of Viral particles thanks to their own chemical structure such as phosphate group PO4, a group making up part of the structure of RNA, a type of nucleic acid, such as in a virus, in an open space or a closed ambient (typically an airport hall) detecting sub-atomic particles interactions with the air due to Cosmic Rays, an Outer Space free source. This is constructed with the use of adequate detectors (under development) looking in particular at the peculiar interactions of muons, cosmic rays relativistic particle segment, with the no living matter present as aerosol in the air.
Lysosomal protein surface expression discriminates fat- from bone-forming human mesenchymal precursor cells

Tissue resident mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) occupy perivascular spaces. Profiling human adipose perivascular mesenchyme with antibody arrays identified 16 novel surface antigens, including endolysosomal protein CD107a. Surface CD107a expression segregates MSCs into functionally distinct subsets. In culture, CD107alow cells demonstrate high colony formation, osteoprogenitor cell frequency, and osteogenic potential. Conversely, CD107ahigh cells include almost exclusively adipocyte progenitor cells. Accordingly, human CD107alow cells drove dramatic bone formation after intramuscular transplantation in mice, and induced spine fusion in rats, whereas CD107ahigh cells did not. CD107a protein trafficking to the cell surface is associated with exocytosis during early adipogenic differentiation. RNA sequencing also suggested that CD107alow cells are precursors of CD107ahigh cells. These results document the molecular and functional diversity of perivascular regenerative cells, and show that relocation to cell surface of a lysosomal protein marks the transition from osteo- to adipogenic potential in native human MSCs, a population of substantial therapeutic interest.
Evaluation of disease severity with quantitative chest CT in COVID-19 patients.

PURPOSE We aimed to assess the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia on computed tomography (CT) using quantitative (QCT) and semiquantitative (SCT) assessments and compare with the clinical findings. METHODS Two observers independently examined the CT images of COVID-19 patients, and the SCT severity score was calculated. The SCT score was calculated as the sum of values ranging from 0 to 4, according to the volumetric rate of involvement for each lung lobe. In quantitative assessment, total lung volume (TLV) was automatically calculated from CT density values between -200 and -950 HU. Besides, healthy lung volume (HLV) was calculated from voxels between -800 and -950 HU. The QCT score was calculated with the following formula: (TLV - HLV / TLV) ×100. All patients were clinically divided into four groups: mild, common, severe, and critical. Interobserver agreement for SCT assessment was investigated using the Cohen's Kappa statistics (κ). Pearson's correlation coefficient was used for the relationship between continuous data. The diagnostic accuracy of SCT and QCT in the differentiation of clinically limited (mild, common) and extensive (severe, critical) disease was investigated using ROC analysis. RESULTS Seventy-six patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 were included. There was good agreement between the two observers in the SCT evaluation of pulmonary disease severity (κ = 0.796; 95% CI, 0.751-0.841). A significant correlation was found between QCT and SCT scores (P < 0.001, r = 0.661). Both QCT and SCT scores showed a significant correlation with clinical severity score (P < 0.001, r = 0.620 and P = 0.004, r = 0.529, respectively). The ROC analysis revealed the AUC of QCT and SCT for differentiation of limited and extensive disease as 0.873 (95% CI, 0.774-0.972) and 0.816 (95% CI, 0.673-0.959), respectively. CONCLUSION The QCT assessment is an objective method in the evaluation of COVID-19 severity and is more successful than semiquantitative CT assessment to discriminate extensive from limited disease.
Long non‐coding RNA ELDR enhances oral cancer growth by promoting ILF3‐cyclin E1 signaling

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the sixth most common cancer with a 5‐year overall survival rate of 50%. Thus, there is a critical need to understand the disease process, and to identify improved therapeutic strategies. Previously, we found the long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) EGFR long non‐coding downstream RNA (ELDR) induced in a mouse tongue cancer model; however, its functional role in human oral cancer remained unknown. Here, we show that ELDR is highly expressed in OSCC patient samples and in cell lines. Overexpression of ELDR in normal non‐tumorigenic oral keratinocytes induces cell proliferation, colony formation, and PCNA expression. We also show that ELDR depletion reduces OSCC cell proliferation and PCNA expression. Proteomics data identifies the RNA binding protein ILF3 as an interacting partner of ELDR. We further show that the ELDR‐ILF3 axis regulates Cyclin E1 expression and phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma (RB) protein. Intratumoral injection of ELDR‐specific siRNA reduces OSCC and PDX tumor growth in mice. These findings provide molecular insight into the role of ELDR in oral cancer and demonstrate that targeting ELDR has promising therapeutic potential.
Telesimulation‐based education during COVID‐19

Simulation is a valuable, immersive educational tool for both health professional trainees and experienced clinicians. By promoting a realistic, collaborative, safe, hands‐on, learning environment, simulation allows interprofessional teams to come together and practise both routine and high stakes, low‐frequency events. The COVID‐19 pandemic and the need for social distancing have shifted traditional simulation‐based medical education towards a virtual platform: telesimulation. Telesimulation is an evolving field and the speed at which clinical educators need to adapt to use this platform is unprecedented. Educators must quickly navigate and leverage the differences between traditional simulation and telesimulation to create robust remote educational experiences. Telesimulation has unique goals and objectives, technology needs, and participant roles that need to be understood and properly operationalized to maximize opportunities for learning. This article reviews the authors’ recommendations for developing and delivering successful telesimulations.
Wall Structure during Stages in Development of Selaginella pulcherrima and S. haematodes Megaspores

There are hundreds of exospore units that extend across the gap and into the mesospore in middle stages in megaspores of Selaginella pulcherrima Liebm.ex Fourn and S. haematodes (Kunze) Spring. The mesospore of these megaspores is resistant to acetolysis during middle stages suggesting the presence of sporopollenin. There are also spheroidal structures that are resistant to acetolysis on the surfaces of the outer and inner exospore in both species in middle and mature stages. In late stages the mesospore no longer exists and the inner exospore is a narrow stripe, i.e., there is no longer a space (gap) between outer and inner parts of the exospore. Our interpretation for the loss of the mesospore is that sporopollenin does not become polymerized under physiological conditions to its exceptional state of resistance to reduction, but does so when exposed to native or experimental oxidation; in our case, exposure to the atmosphere by cutting open the megaspore and plunging it into the acetolysis mixture.
Significant Avocado Diseases Caused by Fungi and Oomycetes

The fruit of the avocado is highly valued not only because of its high nutritional value but also for its role in the cosmetic and health industries. It was used for alimentation as fresh food 9,000 years ago by American communities and later semi-domesticated by Mayan and Aztec civilizations. Nowadays world avocado production is around 3,300 thousand tons harvested from almost 400,000.00 ha. located in tropical and subtropical areas across all continents. Production is increasing and has duplicated over the last 25-years. However, this crop is threatened by notable diseases which could economically limit production and reduce fruit quality. Among them, the disease named Phytophthora root rot caused by the oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi stands out. This destructive invader, which causes extensive losses in agriculture and natural plant communities, is present wherever avocado is cultivated. The present review considers relevant features of the biology and pathogenicity of this plant pathogen of global significance, mainly derived from molecular studies, related to its evolution, population structure and genetic variability, together with current information on management strategies of avocado root rot. Other significant diseases caused by fungi and oomycetes which affect the tree in the field or as postharvest diseases such as branch cankers, fruit rots or anthracnose, are also presented following a “disease profile style”, i.e. symptoms, causal agents, epidemiology and control.
The De Ritis ratio as prognostic biomarker of in‐hospital mortality in COVID‐19 patients

Increased concentrations of serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) are common in COVID‐19 patients. However, their capacity to predict mortality, particularly the AST/ALT ratio, commonly referred to as the De Ritis ratio, is unknown. We investigated the association between the De Ritis ratio on admission and in‐hospital mortality in 105 consecutive patients with coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID‐19) admitted to three COVID‐19 referral centres in Sardinia, Italy. The De Ritis ratio was significantly lower in survivors than nonsurvivors (median: 1.25; IQR: 0.91‐1.64 vs 1.67; IQR: 1.38‐1.97, P = .002) whilst there were no significant between‐group differences in ALT and AST concentrations. In ROC curve analysis, the AUC value of the De Ritis ratio was 0.701 (95% CI 0.603‐0.787, P = .0006) with sensitivity and specificity of 74% and 70%, respectively. Kaplan‐Meier survival curves showed a significant association between the De Ritis ratio and mortality (logrank test P = .014). By contrast, no associations were observed between the ALT and AST concentrations and mortality (logrank test P = .83 and P = .62, respectively). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, the HR in patients with De Ritis ratios ≥1.63 (upper tertile of this parameter) remained significant after adjusting for age, gender, smoking status, cardiovascular disease, intensity of care, diabetes, respiratory diseases, malignancies and kidney disease (HR: 2.46, 95% CI 1.05‐5.73, P = .037). Therefore, the De Ritis ratio on admission was significantly associated with in‐hospital mortality in COVID‐19 patients. Larger studies are required to confirm the capacity of this parameter to independently predict mortality in this group.
Safety and efficacy of an equimolar mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide (EMONO): a randomized controlled trial in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain.

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an odorless and colorless gas routinely used as an adjuvant of anesthesia and for short duration analgesia in various clinical settings mostly in the form of a N2O/O2 50%-50% equimolar mixture (EMONO). Experimental studies have suggested that EMONO could also induce long lasting analgesic effects related to the blockade of NMDA receptors. We designed the first international multicenter proof of concept randomized, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy and safety of a one hour administration of EMONO or placebo (medical air) on three consecutive days up to one month after the last administration in patients with chronic peripheral neuropathic pain. A total of 240 patients were recruited in 22 centers in France and Germany and randomly assigned to one study group (120 per group). Average pain intensity (primary outcome), neuropathic pain characteristics (NPSI), patient global impression of change (PGIC), anxiety, depression and quality of life were systematically assessed before and after treatment. The changes in average pain intensity between baseline and seven days after the last administration were not significantly different between the two groups. However, evoked pain intensity (predefined secondary endpoint) and PGIC (exploratory endpoint), were significantly improved in the EMONO group and these effects were maintained up to four weeks after the last treatment administration. Mostly transient side effects were reported during the treatment administration. These encouraging results provide a basis for further investigation of the long term analgesic effects of EMONO in neuropathic pain patients.
Burnout and psychological distress amongst Australian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: To examine psychological distress in healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in April–May 2020. Methods: A cross-sectional survey examining demographic, employment and mental health characteristics of HCWs in a large metropolitan hospital in Australia. Results: HCWs showed significant symptoms of moderate-severe level depression (21%), anxiety (20%) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; 29%), associated with burnout, prior psychiatric history, profession and resilience. Conclusion: Despite low levels of COVID contact, moderate to high levels of psychological distress were reported. Continued monitoring and support for HCWs’ mental well-being is warranted as the COVID-19 pandemic develops.