Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cardiac electrical and structural alterations in preeclampsia

Abstract Background Preeclampsia increases the risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity both during pregnancy and long term after the labor by causing cardiac changes that may lead to atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Objective We aimed to investigate noninvasive predictors of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac structural changes in preeclampsia. Methods The study included 34 preeclampsia patients as the study group and 33 healthy pregnant women as the control group. The presence of fragmented QRS morphology, P dispersion, QT dispersion, Tp-e/QTc ratio, inter- and intra-atrial electromechanical delay, left ventricular mass index was evaluated in the groups by 12 lead- ECG and standard and tissue Doppler echocardiography. Results Left ventricular mass index and relative wall thickness, and E/Em ratio was significantly higher in preeclampsia. Inter- and intra-atrial electromechanical delay and Tp-e were prolonged, and P dispersion, QT dispersion, and Tp-e/QTc ratio were increased significantly in patients with preeclampsia. In addition, fragmented QRS morphology was seen in 76.5% of patients with preeclampsia while it was present in only 27.3% of the control group (p < .001). Conclusion Preeclampsia causes significant cardiac structural and electrocardiographic alterations that may increase the risk of atrial and/or ventricular arrhythmias. A more thorough and earlier cardiac assessment and closer follow-up of these patients would be useful to avoid further complications.
Macrophage polarization: an effective approach to targeted therapy of inflammatory bowel disease

ABSTRACT Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a systemic disease with immune abnormalities that can affect the entire digestive tract. A high percentage of patients with IBD are unresponsive to current pharmacological agents, hence the need exists for novel therapeutic approaches. There is compelling evidence that macrophage polarization plays a key role in the remission of IBD patients and that it could open up future treatment options for patients. Areas covered: This paper highlights the crucial role of macrophage polarization in IBD. The authors shed light on the phenotype and function of macrophages and potential drug targets for polarization regulation. Existing approaches for regulating macrophage polarization are discussed and potential solutions for safety concerns are considered. We performed a literature search on the IBD and macrophage polarization mainly published in PubMed January 2010–July 2020. Expert opinion: Evidence indicates that there are fewer M2 macrophages and a high proportion of M1 macrophages in the intestinal tissues of individuals who are non- responsive to treatment. Regulating macrophage polarization is a potential novel targeted option for IBD treatment. Improved mechanistic insights are required to uncover more precise and effective targets for skewing macrophages into a proper phenotype.
Reproducing diabetic retinopathy features using newly developed human induced‐pluripotent stem cell‐derived retinal Müller glial cells

Muller glial cells (MGCs) are responsible for the homeostatic and metabolic support of the retina. Despite the importance of MGCs in retinal disorders, reliable and accessible human cell sources to be used to model MGC‐associated diseases are lacking. Although primary human MGCs (pMGCs) can be purified from post‐mortem retinal tissues, the donor scarcity limits their use. To overcome this problem, we developed a protocol to generate and bank human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived MGCs (hiMGCs). Using a transcriptome analysis, we showed that the three genetically independent hiMGCs generated were homogeneous and showed phenotypic characteristics and transcriptomic profile of pMGCs. These cells expressed key MGC markers, including Vimentin, CLU, DKK3, SOX9, SOX2, S100A16, ITGB1, and CD44 and could be cultured up to passage 8. Under our culture conditions, hiMGCs and pMGCs expressed low transcript levels of RLPB1, AQP4, KCNJ1, KCJN10, and SLC1A3. Using a disease modeling approach, we showed that hiMGCs could be used to model the features of diabetic retinopathy (DR)‐associated dyslipidemia. Indeed, palmitate, a major free fatty acid with elevated plasma levels in diabetic patients, induced the expression of inflammatory cytokines found in the ocular fluid of DR patients such as CXCL8 (IL‐8) and ANGPTL4. Moreover, the analysis of palmitate‐treated hiMGC secretome showed an upregulation of proangiogenic factors strongly related to DR, including ANG2, Endoglin, IL‐1β, CXCL8, MMP‐9, PDGF‐AA, and VEGF. Thus, hiMGCs could be an alternative to pMGCs and an extremely valuable tool to help to understand and model glial cell involvement in retinal disorders, including DR.
Poly(L‐lactic acid) with added α‐tocopherol and resveratrol: optical, physical, thermal and mechanical properties

Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) films containing various concentrations of two natural antioxidants, α-tocopherol and resveratrol, were fabricated by a melt compounding and compression molding process. The influence of the antioxidants on the optical properties such as color and UV-visible light transmission was analyzed. The thermal, mechanical, rheological and physical properties of PLLA films with added antioxidants were assessed. PLLA films with added α-tocopherol and resveratrol showed a yellowish brown color and the lightness was influenced by the presence of the antioxidants. The glass transition and melting temperatures were significantly reduced with the addition of antioxidants while enhanced thermal stability was observed, which could be a benefit and important for processing and production. PLLA films with added antioxidants were slightly more hydrophobic than neat PLLA. The combination effect of plasticizing and enhancement of the elastic modulus with differing concentrations of two antioxidants played a critical role in the mechanical and thermomechanical properties of PLLA films. The melt viscosity of the PLLA films with added antioxidants was substantially higher than that of neat PLLA. The higher melt viscosity and G′(ω) could be an indication of formation of entanglement between PLLA and the two antioxidants. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Development of executive functions in Lebanese children

ABSTRACT The current study focused on adapting EF tests for children to the Arabic language and examine the developmental trajectories of a sample of school-aged Lebanese children in four domains of EF (inhibition, flexibility, working memory, and planning). It also focused on examining the effects of gender and parental education level on EF performance. The study population included 100 Lebanese children aged from 6 to 12-years old who were grouped and comparable for age, gender, and parental level of education. Results revealed a main effect of age and level of education of parents while the effect of gender was non-significant.
Improving The well-being of learners with visual impairments in rural Lesotho schools: an asset-based approach

ABSTRACT Purpose: The scarcity of resources, especially in Lesotho rural schools, obstruct the holistic well-being of learners with visual impairments (LVIs). Moreover, the voices of LVIs are often missing about the use of resources to improve their well-being. The study explored an asset-based approach for the improvement of LVIs' well-being in Lesotho.Method: Twenty-eight participants, including six teachers, four learners with and four learners without visual impairments, from two rural primary schools in Lesotho, were purposively chosen. Focus group discussions and collages were employed to generate data. The data were then analyzed thematically.Results: Involving LVIs in the decision-making, building positive relationships within the school, collaboration with parents and school leaders were provided as 'enabling assets' to improve the well-being of learners. Findings also revealed the constraints on LVIs' holistic well-being, such as, lack of management of the existing resources, shortage of qualified teachers, and inadequate teaching resources. These were consistent with those identified in the literature, highlighting the asset-based complexity approach in rural schools.Conclusions: While the asset-based approach is virtuous, it may not be sufficient if the existing assets are not adequately managed. Therefore, were argue for the critical use of the asset-based approach towards improving the well-being of LVIs.
Multifocal Electroretinogram Can Detect the Abnormal Retinal Change in Early Stage of type2 DM Patients without Apparent Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose To study retinal function defects in type 2 diabetic patients without clinically apparent retinopathy using a multifocal electroretinogram (mf-ERG). Methods Seventy-six eyes of thirty-eight type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM) patients without clinically apparent retinopathy and sixty-four normal eyes of thirty-two healthy control (HC) participants were examined using mf-ERG. Results Patients with type 2 DM without apparent diabetic retinopathy demonstrated an obvious implicit time delay of P1 in ring 1, ring 3, and ring 5 compared with healthy controls (t = 5.184, p ≤ 0.001; t = 8.077, p ≤ 0.001; t = 2.000, p = 0.047, respectively). The implicit time (IT) in ring 4 of N1wave was significantly delayed in the DM group (t = 2.327, p = 0.021). Compared with the HC group, the implicit time of the P1 and N1 waves in the temporal retina zone was significantly prolonged (t = 3.66, p ≤ 0.001; t = 2.187, p = 0.03, respectively). And the amplitude of P1 in the temporal retina decreased in the DM group, which had a significantly statistical difference with the healthy controls (t = −6.963, p ≤ 0.001). However, there were no differences in either the amplitude of the response or the implicit time of the nasal retina zone between DM and HC. The AUC of multiparameters of mf-ERG was higher in the diagnosis of DR patients. Conclusions Patients with type 2 DM without clinically apparent retinopathy had a delayed implicit time of P1 wave in temporal regions of the postpole of the retina compared with HC subjects. It demonstrates that mf-ERG can detect the abnormal retinal change in the early stage of type2 DM patients without apparent diabetic retinopathy. Multiparameters of mf-ERG can improve the diagnostic efficacy of DR, and it may be a potential clinical biomarker for early diagnosis of DR.
Contrasting transcriptional responses to Fusarium virguliforme colonization in symptomatic and asymptomatic hosts

Abstract The broad host range of Fusarium virguliforme represents a unique comparative system to identify and define differentially induced responses between an asymptomatic monocot host, maize (Zea mays), and a symptomatic eudicot host, soybean (Glycine max). Using a temporal, comparative transcriptome-based approach, we observed that early gene expression profiles of root tissue from infected maize suggest that pathogen tolerance coincides with the rapid induction of senescence dampening transcriptional regulators, including ANACs (Arabidopsis thaliana NAM/ATAF/CUC protein) and Ethylene-Responsive Factors. In contrast, the expression of senescence-associated processes in soybean was coincident with the appearance of disease symptom development, suggesting pathogen-induced senescence as a key pathway driving pathogen susceptibility in soybean. Based on the analyses described herein, we posit that root senescence is a primary contributing factor underlying colonization and disease progression in symptomatic versus asymptomatic host–fungal interactions. This process also supports the lifestyle and virulence of F. virguliforme during biotrophy to necrotrophy transitions. Further support for this hypothesis lies in comprehensive co-expression and comparative transcriptome analyses, and in total, supports the emerging concept of necrotrophy-activated senescence. We propose that F. virguliforme conditions an environment within symptomatic hosts, which favors susceptibility through transcriptomic reprogramming, and as described herein, the induction of pathways associated with senescence during the necrotrophic stage of fungal development.
The utility of combined neuroendoscopic- and laparoscopic-assisted ventriculo- peritoneal shunt as a treatment for patients with communicating hydrocephalus

BACKGROUND: Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt (VPS) is one of the routine methods used to treat communicating hydrocephalus. OBJECTIVE: To sum up the clinical effectiveness of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt (VPS), assisted with neuroendoscopy and laparoscopy, for the treatment of patients with communicating hydrocephalus. METHODS: From January 2010 to 2014, we performed VPS surgery on 209 patients with communicating hydrocephalus, using neuroendoscopy and laparoscopy, which helped to implant the shunt catheter in a suitable position in the ventricles and abdominal cavity, respectively. The subsequent survival following the surgery was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: A total of 209 patients received 255 VPSs or revisions and all the operations were successfully completed. Open operation or oraniotomy was not needed for any technical complications, while 46 revisions were performed. After the operations, 203 patients with communicating hydrocephalus exhibited improvement of symptoms following surgery. The follow-up period ranged from one month to four years; the shunt surgery efficiencies were 91.0%, 86.7%, 83.9%, and 82.0% in the first, second, third, and fourth years, respectively. CONCLUSION: For ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, laparoscopy and neuroendoscopy can help to implant shunt catheter in a suitable position, in the ventricles or abdominal cavity, respectively. Hence, the combination of the two techniques can reduce the failure rate of VPS, and has an obvious impact on survival following the surgery.
Romosozumab in Postmenopausal Korean Women with Osteoporosis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Efficacy and Safety Study

Background This phase 3 study evaluated the efficacy and safety of 6-month treatment with romosozumab in Korean postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Methods Sixty-seven postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (bone mineral density [BMD] T-scores ≤−2.5 at the lumbar spine, total hip, or femoral neck) were randomized (1:1) to receive monthly subcutaneous injections of romosozumab (210 mg; n=34) or placebo (n=33) for 6 months. Results At month 6, the difference in the least square (LS) mean percent change from baseline in lumbar spine BMD (primary efficacy endpoint) between the romosozumab (9.5%) and placebo (−0.1%) groups was significant (9.6%; 95% confidence interval, 7.6 to 11.5; P<0.001). The difference in the LS mean percent change from baseline was also significant for total hip and femoral neck BMD (secondary efficacy endpoints). After treatment with romosozumab, the percent change from baseline in procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide transiently increased at months 1 and 3, while that in C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen showed a sustained decrease. No events of cancer, hypocalcemia, injection site reaction, positively adjudicated atypical femoral fracture or osteonecrosis of the jaw, or positively adjudicated serious cardiovascular adverse events were observed. At month 9, 17.6% and 2.9% of patients in the romosozumab group developed binding and neutralizing antibodies, respectively. Conclusion Treatment with romosozumab for 6 months was well tolerated and significantly increased lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck BMD compared with placebo in Korean postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02791516).
Adsorption of naphthalene onto activated carbons derived from milk bush kernel shell and flamboyant pod

The suitability and the performance of activated carbon produced from flamboyant pod (FB) and milk bush kernel shell (MB) for the effective removal of naphthalene from simulated wastewater was conducted to determine the influence of increasing initial concentrations (50 – 150 mg/L) on adsorption. The activated carbon obtained from milk bush kernel shell (25 – 40%, w/w) decreased with increased carbonization temperature (300 - 600°C) while those obtained from flamboyant pod was 15 - 20%, w/w. The removal efficiencies of FB produced at 300°C (FB300) increased from 51.49 - 53.28%, while removal efficiencies of FB produced at 500°C (FB500) and 600°C (FB600) decreased from 55.51 - 54.42% and 59.71 - 58.56%, respectively, as the initial concentrations of naphthalene increased. The removal efficiencies of MB were relatively lower than those obtained from FB and decreased from 48.18 - 43.65%, 53.55 - 50.37% and 56.41 - 52.53% for adsorbent produced at 300°C (MB300), 500°C (MB500) and 600°C (MB600), respectively, as the initial concentrations of naphthalene increased. The Freundlich exponent ‘n’ for the adsorption of naphthalene onto FB300, FB500, FB600, MB300, MB500 and MB600 were 0.94, 1.04, 1.05, 1.19, 1.13 and 1.16, respectively, and were within the range (1<n<10), except FB300. Similarly, the separation factor (RL) for the adsorption of naphthalene unto FB300, FB500, FB600, MB300, MB500 and MB600 were 1.27, 0.97, 0.85, 0.64, 0.70 and 0.65, respectively and satisfied the condition (0< RL <1), except FB300. This study suggests that effective adsorbent from the selected agricultural materials can be achieved at selected carbonization temperatures except 300°C for FB. Furthermore, the results indicate that these adsorbents may be more adsorptive at lower concentrations of naphthalene.
Sorption of lead on variable-charge soils in China as affected by initial metal concentration, pH and soil properties

Six variable-charge soils locally referred to as Yellow brown soil (YBS), Latosol soil (LS), Red soil (RS), Lateritic red soil (LRS), Paddy soil (PS) and Yellow soil (YS) and classified as Alfisol, Oxisol, Ultisol, Oxisol, Alfisol and Oxisol, respectively, in the American classification system, were collected from Hubei, Hainan, Guangxi, Jiangxi and Guizhou provinces of China. The adsorption of Pb 2+ was studied as a function of metal ion concentration and solution pH. The results showed that the amount of Pb adsorbed increased with the increasing concentration of Pb and solution pH, the relationship could be well described by Freundlich isotherm equation. Pb 2+ showed stronger affinity to paddy soil (PS) at all concentrations and pH. The adsorption capacity of the soils was in the order PS>YS >YBS > RS > LS > LRS. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.91; 0.88; 0.51; 0.77; p<0.05) was found between the Freundlich Kf and pH, organic matter, CEC and amorphous Al, respectively. A significant negative correlation (r = -0.88, p< 0.05) was found between the Freundlich Kf and clay. The Freundlich n was positively correlated with amorphous Fe (r = 0.91, p<0.05) and negatively correlated with crystalline Al (r = - 0.63, p<0.05). Soil pH, organic matter, CEC, clay and amorphous Al and Fe are the important soil properties controlling the adsorption of lead in the studied soils.
Phase 2 randomized study on chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine or ivermectin in hospitalized patients with severe manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection

ABSTRACT Objective: Given the urgent need for strategies to minimize the damage caused by this pandemic, this study performed a randomized, double-blind phase 2 study to assess the safety of the effectiveness of chloroquine (CQ), hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) or ivermectin in severe forms of COVID-19, in addition to identifying predictors of mortality in this group of patients. Methods: Phase 2, double-blind, randomized study to assess the safety and efficacy of enteral CQ, HCQ or ivermectin in patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection, admitted to a Reference Hospital in Roraima (Brazil) in may 2020. Patients were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio. The endpoints were need of supplemental O2, invasive ventilation, admission in ICU and death. The study was approved by an independent IRB. Results: 168 patients were randomized. The mean age was 53.4 years (±15.6), most participants were male (n = 95; 58.2%). Therapy with corticosteroid, anticoagulant or antibiotics was a decision of the attending physicians, and there was no difference between the groups. The mortality was similar in three groups (22.2%; 21.3% and 23.0%) suggesting ineffectiveness of the drugs. No difference in the incidence of serious adverse events were observed. To be older than 60 years of age, obesity, diabetes, extensive pulmonary involvement and low SaO2 at hospital admission due to independent risk factors for mortality. Conclusion: Although CQ, HCQ or ivermectin revealed a favorable safety profile, the tested drugs do not reduce the need for supplemental oxygen, ICU admission, invasive ventilation or death, in patients hospitalized with a severe form of COVID-19.
Considerations on inhibition of IL‐23 in psoriatic women of childbearing potential

Lack of safety data on pregnant women determines difficulty in choosing the correct biologic agent to treat psoriasis in women of childbearing potential. Studies have postulated a role of IL‐23 in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions. This gives rise to consideration about use of anti‐IL‐23 drugs in treatment of psoriasis in women of childbearing potential.
On variety of the Ca coordination in the incommensurate structure of synthetic iron-bearing akermanite, Ca2(Mg0.55,Fe0.45)Si2O7.

The incommensurate modulation in a synthetic iron-bearing akermanite, Ca2(Mg, Fe )Si207, has been determined at room tempe~ature by the five-dimensional refinements of the structure. The basic structure is tetragonal P4 21m with unit-cell dimensions a =7.8679(3), c ~5.0144(2)A, V=31OAl(2)A3, 2=2, M=286.69, Dx =3.067Mg . m-3, MoKa with graphite monochromator, J1 =3.199mm-l, F(000)=284A9, Mg/(Mg+Fe)=0.554(6), R=0.065 for 770 unique reflections. The modulated structure is also tetragonal P~~~km, kt = 0.295(2)x (a*+b*), k2=0.295(2)x(-a*+b*), where kt. k2 are the wave vectors and a*, b* the reciprocal lattice vectors of the basic structure. R=0.136 for 3965 unique reflections. The modulation is caused mainly by the shifts of Ca and 0 atoms, and substitutional modulation at (Mg, Fe) sites was not detected in the present studies. Six-coordinated Ca forming a distorted oxygen octahedra exists in the modulated structure and most of them form clusters together with the flattened (Mg,Fe )04 tetrahedra. The number of the clusters in the present material is less than that in Co-akermanite. The reason may be attributed to the disorder of the modulation amplitudes and wavelength.