Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genome-Wide Profiling of Enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus Strains Used for the Production of Naturally Contaminated Cheeses

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen and an important cause of livestock infections. More than 20 staphylococcal enterotoxins with emetic activity can be produced by specific strains responsible for staphylococcal food poisoning, one of the most common food-borne diseases. Whole genome sequencing provides a comprehensive view of the genome structure and gene content that have largely been applied in outbreak investigations and genomic comparisons. In this study, six enterotoxigenic S. aureus strains were characterised using a combination of molecular, phenotypical and computational methods. The genomes were analysed for the presence of virulence factors (VFs), where we identified 110 genes and classified them into five categories: adherence (n = 31), exoenzymes (n = 28), genes involved in host immune system evasion (n = 7); iron uptake regulatory system (n = 8); secretion machinery factors and toxins’ genes (n = 36), and 39 genes coding for transcriptional regulators related to staphylococcal VFs. Each group of VFs revealed correlations among the six enterotoxigenic strains, and further analysis revealed their accessory genomic content, including mobile genetic elements. The plasmids pLUH02 and pSK67 were detected in the strain ProNaCC1 and ProNaCC7, respectively, carrying out the genes sed, ser, and selj. The genes carried out by prophages were detected in the strain ProNaCC2 (see), ProNaCC4, and ProNaCC7 (both positive for sea). The strain ProNaCC5 resulted positive for the genes seg, sei, sem, sen, seo grouped in an exotoxin gene cluster, and the strain ProNaCC6 resulted positive for seh, a transposon-associated gene. The six strains were used for the production of naturally contaminated cheeses which were tested with the European Screening Method for staphylococcal enterotoxins. The results obtained from the analysis of toxins produced in cheese, combined with the genomic features represent a portrait of the strains that can be used for the production of staphylococcal enterotoxin-positive cheese as reference material.
Effects and cost-effectiveness of postoperative oral analgesics for additional postoperative pain relief in children and adolescents undergoing dental treatment: Health technology assessment including a systematic review

Background There is an uncertainty regarding how to optimally prevent and/or reduce pain after dental treatment on children and adolescents. Aim To conduct a systematic review (SR) and health technology assessment (HTA) of oral analgesics administered after dental treatment to prevent postoperative pain in children and adolescents aged 3–19 years. Design A PICO-protocol was constructed and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42017075589). Searches were conducted in PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, Cinahl, and EMBASE, November 2018. The researchers (reading in pairs) assessed identified studies independently, according to the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, following the PRISMA-statement. Results 3,963 scientific papers were identified, whereof 216 read in full text. None met the inclusion criteria, leading to an empty SR. Ethical issues were identified related to the recognized knowledge gap in terms of challenges to conduct studies that are well-designed from methodological as well as ethical perspectives. Conclusions There is no scientific support for the use or rejection of oral analgesics administered after dental treatment in order to prevent or reduce postoperative pain in children and adolescents. Thus, no guidelines can be formulated on this issue based solely on scientific evidence. Well-designed studies on how to prevent pain from developing after dental treatment in children and adolescents is urgently needed.
The efficacy of Epley procedure for treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the posterior semicircular canal

Objective To compare of the clinical efficacy between Epley procedure in combination with drug administration and drug administration alone for the treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV) of the posterior semicircular canal. Methods Patients with BPPV enrolled in this study were randomly allocated to therapeutic group(Epley procedure in combination with drug administration group) and control group(drug administration alone group) and received treatment,respectively.The efficacy were evaluated by the standards of the following scales: cure,improvement,and no response. Results The response rates in the therapeutic group were 95.35%,100%,100% on days 4,7 and 10(the cure rate was 100%),while the control group were 81.82%,88.64%,93.18% at the same time,respectively.And on day 14,the response rate was 93.18%. Conclusion Epley procedure in combination with drug administration for the treatment of BPPV of semicircular canal can effectively improve efficacy and is superior to drug administration alone.
Performance on the Mouse Vibration Actuating Search Task (VAST) is compromised by Sleep Deprivation.

As we go about our daily routines we are continuously bombarded with environmental feedback which require appraisal and response. Sleep loss can compromise the efficiency by which these cognitive processes function. Operationally, poor performance caused by insufficient sleep translates to increased health and safety risks in settings where attention and timely and/or accurate decisions to respond are critical (e.g. at work, on the road, etc.). Current rodent tasks which assess altered cognition after sleep deprivation (SD) do not accurately model the continuous multi-sensory feedback that informs goal-oriented behavior in humans. Herein, we describe the Vibration Actuating Search Task (VAST), which consists of a vibrating open field with pseudo-randomly selected entrance and target destination points. To successfully complete a trial, mice use feedback from rotary motor-induced floor vibrations to navigate from the entrance point to the target destination. Sets of 20 trials were conducted on three consecutive days, and prior to testing on the third day control mice were undisturbed while other mice were sleep deprived for 10 hours. On the first two days mice learned the task with high success rates. Alternatively, VAST performance was compromised following SD as measured by increased failures in task completion, time to target, time spent immobile and decreased speed as compared with undisturbed mice. The VAST enables the analysis of continuous feedback via multiple sensory modalities in mice and is applicable to a variety of operational settings.
Angiogenic Potential of Bone Marrow Derived CD133+ and CD271+ Intramyocardial Stem Cell Trans- Plantation Post MI

Background: Bone marrow (BM)-derived stem cells with their various functions and characteristics have become a well-recognized source for the cell-based therapies. However, knowledge on their therapeutic potential and the shortage for a cross-link between distinct BM-derived stem cells, primed after the onset of myocardial infarction (MI), seems to be still rudimentary. Therefore, the post-examination of the therapeutic characteristics of such primed hematopoietic CD133+ and mesenchymal CD271+ stem cells was the object of the present study. Methods and Results: The effects of respective CD133+ and CD271+ mononuclear cells alone as well as in the co-culture model have been explored with focus on their angiogenic potential. The phenotypic analysis revealed a small percentage of isolated cells expressing both surface markers. Moreover, target stem cells isolated with our standardized immunomagnetic isolation procedure did not show any negative alterations following BM storage in regard to cell numbers and/or quality. In vitro network formation relied predominantly on CD271+ stem cells when compared with single CD133+ culture. Interestingly, CD133+ cells contributed in the tube formation, only if they were cultivated in combination with CD271+ cells. Additional to the in vitro examination, therapeutic effects of the primed stem cells were investigated 48 h post MI in a murine model. Hence, we have found a lower expression of transforming growth factor βeta 3 (TGFβ3) as well as an increase of the proangiogenic factors after CD133+ cell treatment in contrast to CD271+ cell treatment. On the other hand, the CD271+ cell therapy led to a lower expression of the inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion: The interactions between CD271+ and CD133+ subpopulations the extent to which the combination may enhance cardiac regeneration has still not been investigated so far. We expect that the multiple characteristics and various regenerative effects of CD271+ cells alone as well as in combination with CD133+ will result in an improved therapeutic impact on ischemic heart disease.
Effect of virtual reality therapy on functional development in children with cerebral palsy: A single-blind, prospective, randomized-controlled study.

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of virtual reality (VR) therapy on motor and functional development in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Patients and methods In this single-blind, prospective, randomized-controlled study, a total of 41 patients (28 males, 13 females; mean age 8.49 years; range, 5 to 15 years) receiving inpatient treatment for CP were included between April 2009 and September 2009. The patients were randomly divided into two groups as the study group (n=21) and control group (n=20). Neurophysiological and conventional treatment methods, and occupational therapy were applied to all patients. In addition, a total of 12 VR therapy sessions for one hour were administered three days a week for four weeks to the study group. Before and after treatment, the Bimanual Fine Motor Function (BFMF) test was performed to measure hand functioning, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) for functional levels, and Functional Mobility Scale (FMS) for mobility. Results There was a significant increase in the BFMF, GMFCS, and FMS scores after treatment, compared to baseline values in the study group (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant results in favor of the study group for all parameters after treatment compared to pre-treatment values (p<0.05). Conclusion Our study results indicate that VR therapy is a useful treatment method which can be used in rehabilitation of CP with improved motor function. The addition of this method to conventional rehabilitation techniques may have a significant impact on treatment success.
Apical Transportation and Centering Ability After Root Canal Filling Removal Using Reciprocating and Continuous Rotary Systems: A CBCT Study

Abstract Objective To evaluate the apical transportation and centering ability promoted by reciprocating and continuous rotary systems after root canal filling removal. Materials and Methods After obturation, 40 mesial root canals of mandibular molars were distributed into four groups (n = 20) for filling material removal: PTU group–F2 instrument (25.08) of ProTaper Universal system; R25 group–R25 instrument (25.08) of Reciproc system; X2 group–X2 instrument (25.06) of ProTaper Next system and X3 group–X2 instrument (25.06) of ProTaper Next system, followed by X3 instrument (30.07). Cone-beam computed tomographic analysis was performed before and after filling material removal for acquisition of apical images. Apical transportation (AT) and its direction, and centering ability (CA), were assessed using the equations AT = (X1–X2)–(Y1–Y2) and CA = (X1–X2/Y1–Y2 or Y1–Y2/X1–X2), respectively. Data were submitted to the nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn multiple comparison tests (p < 0.05) for statistical analysis. Results There was no statistically significant difference among groups for AT (p > 0.05), with a tendency toward transportation in the distal direction. Also, there was no statistically significant difference among groups regarding CA (p > 0.05). Conclusions The different systems, including ProTaper Next, caused AT within the acceptable clinical limit after filling removal. In addition, none of the tested systems presented adequate CA.
Long-Term Effectiveness of Liraglutide for Weight Management and Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Liraglutide is the first glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) based on the human GLP-1 sequence, with potential weight loss benefits, approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) mellitus. Herein, we aimed to assess the 5-year effectiveness of Liraglutide in the management of weight and glycometabolic control in a Southern Italian cohort of overweight/obese T2D patients, who were naïve to GLP-1 RAs. Patients and Methods: Forty overweight or obese patients treated with Liraglutide at doses up to 1.8 mg/day, in combination with one or more oral antidiabetic agents, were retrospectively assessed at baseline, during, and after 60 months of continuous therapy. Results: After 5 years of Liraglutide treatment, body weight decreased from 92.1 ± 20.5 kg to 87.3 ± 20.0 Kg (p < 0.001), with a mean reduction of 5.0 ± 7.0 Kg and a body mass index (BMI) decrement of −2.0 ± 3.1 Kg/m2. On Spearman’s univariate analysis, change in body weight was correlated with female gender and baseline BMI. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) decreased from 7.9 ± 0.9% at baseline to 7.0 ± 0.7% at the end of the study period (p < 0.001), followed by a significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose. No significant differences emerged in other biochemical parameters, despite a trend toward improvement in lipid profile. Notwithstanding encouraging effects on several markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD), increments in the 5- and 10-year risk for the first atherosclerotic cardiovascular event were documented, as four incident cases of myocardial infarction. Conclusions: Prolonging treatment with Liraglutide can lead to durable benefits in relation to weight and glycemic control, with a greater impact on women. These results extend and corroborate previous observations, suggesting that gender per se may modulate the response to Liraglutide. Despite favorable effects on some established CVD risks factors, the long-term role of Liraglutide in primary prevention of CVD in patients with T2D remains controversial.
Combinatorial interactions of the LEC1 transcription factor specify diverse developmental programs during soybean seed development

Significance LEC1 is a central, transcriptional regulator of seed development, because it regulates diverse developmental processes at different stages, including embryo morphogenesis, photosynthesis, hormone biosynthesis and signaling, and the massive accumulation of seed storage macromolecules. We show that LEC1 acts in combination with the seed transcription factors (TFs), AREB3, bZIP67, and ABI3, and that different TF combinations regulate distinct gene sets. We show further that TF binding sites are closely clustered in the genome and contain enriched DNA sequence motifs that are bound by TFs and that distinct DNA motif sets recruit different TF combinations to binding site clusters. Our findings provide insights into the gene regulatory networks that govern seed development. The LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (LEC1) transcription factor is a central regulator of seed development, because it controls diverse biological programs during seed development, such as embryo morphogenesis, photosynthesis, and seed maturation. To understand how LEC1 regulates different gene sets during development, we explored the possibility that LEC1 acts in combination with other transcription factors. We identified and compared genes that are directly transcriptionally regulated by ABA-RESPONSIVE ELEMENT BINDING PROTEIN3 (AREB3), BASIC LEUCINE ZIPPER67 (bZIP67), and ABA INSENSITIVE3 (ABI3) with those regulated by LEC1. We showed that LEC1 operates with specific sets of transcription factors to regulate different gene sets and, therefore, distinct developmental processes. Thus, LEC1 controls diverse processes through its combinatorial interactions with other transcription factors. DNA binding sites for the transcription factors are closely clustered in genomic regions upstream of target genes, defining cis-regulatory modules that are enriched for DNA sequence motifs that resemble sequences known to be bound by these transcription factors. Moreover, cis-regulatory modules for genes regulated by distinct transcription factor combinations are enriched for different sets of DNA motifs. Expression assays with embryo cells indicate that the enriched DNA motifs are functional cis elements that regulate transcription. Together, the results suggest that combinatorial interactions between LEC1 and other transcription factors are mediated by cis-regulatory modules containing clustered cis elements and by physical interactions that are documented to occur between the transcription factors.
Haplotype in SERPINA1 (AAT) Is Associated with Reduced Risk for COPD in a Mexican Mestizo Population

Protease inhibitor S (PiS) and protease inhibitor Z (PiZ) variants in the SERPINA1 gene are the main genetics factors associated with COPD; however, investigations about other polymorphisms are scanty. The aim of this study was to evaluate two missense single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs709932 and rs1303) in the SERPINA1 gene in Mexican mestizo patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) related to tobacco smoking and biomass-burning exposure. 1700 subjects were genotyped and divided into four groups: COPD related to tobacco smoking (COPD-S, n = 297), COPD related to biomass-burning exposure (COPD-BB, n = 178), smokers without COPD (SWOC, n = 674), and biomass-burning exposed subjects (BBES, n = 551) by real-time PCR. Moreover, the patients’ groups were divided according to their exacerbations’ frequency. We carried out a haplotype analysis. We did not find differences in allele and genotype frequencies between groups in unadjusted and adjusted analyses, neither with these SNPs and lung function decline. Exacerbations’ frequency is not associated with these SNPs. However, we found a haplotype with major alleles (CT) associated with reduced risk for COPD (p < 0.05). Our analysis reveals that SNPs different from PiS and PiZ (rs709932 and rs1303) in the SERPINA1 gene are not associated with COPD and lung function decline in a Mexican mestizo population. However, a haplotype shaped by both major alleles (CT haplotype) is associated with reduced risk for COPD.
Interferon-γ Release Assays in Children <15 Years of Age

IGRAs have higher specificities than TSTs and high NPV in children tested for LTBI. BrightcoveDefaultPlayer10.1542/6138649652001PEDS-VA_2019-1930 Video Abstract OBJECTIVES: The tuberculin skin test (TST) has been preferred for screening young children for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) because of concerns that interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) may be less sensitive in this high-risk population. In this study, we compared the predictive value of IGRAs to the TST for progression to tuberculosis disease in children, including those <5 years old. METHODS: Children <15 years old at risk for LTBI or progression to disease were tested with TST, QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT-GIT), and T-SPOT.TB test (T-SPOT) and followed actively for 2 years, then with registry matches, to identify incident disease. RESULTS: Of 3593 children enrolled September 2012 to April 2016, 92% were born outside the United States; 25% were <5 years old. Four children developed tuberculosis over a median 4.3 years of follow-up. Sensitivities for progression to disease for TST and IGRAs were low (50%–75%), with wide confidence intervals (CIs). Specificities for TST, QFT-GIT, and T-SPOT were 73.4% (95% CI: 71.9–74.8), 90.1% (95% CI: 89.1–91.1), and 92.9% (95% CI: 92.0–93.7), respectively. Positive and negative predictive values for TST, QFT-GIT, and T-SPOT were 0.2 (95% CI: 0.1–0.8), 0.9 (95% CI: 0.3–2.5), and 0.8 (95% CI: 0.2–2.9) and 99.9 (95% CI: 99.7–100), 100 (95% CI: 99.8–100), and 99.9 (95% CI: 99.8–100), respectively. Of 533 children with TST-positive, IGRA-negative results not treated for LTBI, including 54 children <2 years old, none developed disease. CONCLUSIONS: Although both types of tests poorly predict disease progression, IGRAs are no less predictive than the TST and offer high specificity and negative predictive values. Results from this study support the use of IGRAs for children, especially those who are not born in the United States.
All-solution-processed UV-IR broadband trilayer photodetectors with CsPbBr3 colloidal nanocrystals as carriers-extracting layer

Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are very promising nanomaterials for optoelectronics due to their tunable bandgap and quantum confinement effect. All-inorganic CsPbX3 (X = Br, Cl and I) perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) have attracted enormous interests owing to their promising and exciting applications in photovoltaic devices. In this paper, all-solution-processed UV-IR broadband trilayer photodetectors ITO/ZnO/PbS/CsPbBr3/Au and ITO/ZnO/CsPbBr3/PbS/Au with high performance were presented. The role of CsPbBr3 QDs layer as the carriers-extracting layer in the trilayer devices was discussed. As compared with bilayer device ITO/ZnO/PbS/Au, both the dark currents and photocurrents under illumination from trilayer photodetectors are enhanced, but the trilayer photodetector ITO/ZnO(80 nm)/PbS(150 nm)/CsPbBr3(50 nm)/Au showed a maximum specific detectivity (D*) of 8.3 × 1012 Jones with a responsivity (R) of 35 A W−1 under 1.6 mW cm−2 980 nm illumination. However, another trilayer photodetector ITO/ZnO(80 nm)/CsPbBr3(50 nm)/PbS(150 nm)/Au showed a maximum D* of 1.73 × 1012 Jones with a R of 5.31 A W−1 under 6.8 mW cm−2 405 nm illumination. Further, the underlying mechanism for the enhanced performance of trilayer photodetectors was discussed. Thus, this strategy of all-solution-processed heterojunction configuration paves a facile way for broadband photodetectors with high performance.
Sliding Mode Control with Dynamical Correction for Time-Delay Piezoelectric Actuator Systems

In piezoelectric actuators (PEAs), which suffer from inherent nonlinearities, sliding mode control (SMC) has proven to be a successful control strategy. Nonetheless, in micropositioning systems with time delay, integral proportional control (PI), and SMC, feedback control schemes have a tendency to overcompensate and, consequently, high controller gains must be rejected. This may produce a slow and inaccurate response. This paper presents a novel control strategy that deals with time-delay micropositioning systems aimed at achieving precise positioning by combining an open-loop control with a modified SMC scheme. The proposed SMC with dynamical correction (SMC-WDC) uses the dynamical system model to adapt the SMC inputs and avoid undesirable control response caused by delays. In order to develop the SMC-WDC scheme, an exhaustive analysis on the micropositioning system was first performed. Then, a mixed control strategy, combining inverse open-loop control and SMC-WDC, was developed. The performance of the presented control scheme was analyzed and compared experimentally with other control strategies (i.e., PI and SMC with saturation and hyperbolic functions) using different reference signals. It was found that the SMC-WDC strategy presents the best performance, that is, the fastest response and highest accuracy, especially against sudden changes of reference setpoints (frequencies >10 Hz). Additionally, if the setpoint reference frequencies are higher than 10 Hz, high integral gains are counterproductive (since the control response increases the delay), although if frequencies are below 1 Hz the integral control delay does not affect the system’s accuracy. The SMC-WDC proved to be an effective strategy for micropositioning systems, dealing with time delay and other uncertainties to achieve the setpoint command fast and precisely without chattering.