Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outcome of older myeloma patients in relationship to comorbidities and availability of second‐generation novel agents in a real‐life setting

Major improvements in outcome of older patients with multiple myeloma (MM) have been achieved with the introduction of novel agents. Their impact in real‐life treatment of older patients is unclear. In this single center retrospective study, we analyzed the outcome of patients >65 years treated with first‐generation (FGNA) and second‐generation novel agents (SGNA) within two time periods 2012–2014 and 2015–2017. Patients were analyzed based on age, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), International Staging System stage, year of diagnosis and withdrawal of agents due to toxicities. Overall 96 patients were included for analysis. Median age was 73 years (range 65–90), 55 (57%) patients were 65–75 years and 41 (43%) were >75 years old. 84 patients received a first‐line therapy, whereas 45 patients had ≥2 lines of systemic therapy. 20 patients were consolidated with autologous stem cell transplantation. 12 patients had no systemic therapy at all. In 17 of 21 cases a FGNA and in 4 of 21 a SGNA was withdrawn due to toxicity. Median overall survival (OS) for all patients with systemic therapy was 4.75 years (95% CI, 3.05‐NA). Borderline significant improvement of OS was observed in patients diagnosed 2015–2017 compared to 2012–2014 with HR 0.57 (95% CI, 0.31–1.02) p = 0.06. OS significantly differed for comorbid patients with low and intermediate risk CCI, HR 1.94 (95% CI, 1.07–3.54), p = 0.03 in the overall population. OS in patients treated with SGNA was not significantly different in patients with intermediate versus low risk CCI (HR 1.48 (95% CI 0.43–5.14, p = 0.54)). In conclusion, we found a trend toward improved survival for older MM patients after the introduction of novel agents during the observed time period. In patients treated with SGNA a smaller effect that comorbidity negatively affects survival was observed.
Water eDNA metabarcoding is effective in detecting non-native species in marinas, but detection errors still hinder its use for passive monitoring

Abstract Marinas are high-priority targets for marine non-indigenous species (NIS), where they compose a large portion of the biofouling communities. The practicality of water samples collection makes environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding an interesting tool for routine NIS surveys. Here the effectiveness of water-eDNA-metabarcoding to identify biofouling NIS, in 10 marinas from western France, was examined. Morphological identification of specimens collected in quadrats brought out 18 sessile benthic NIS beneath floating pontoons. Water-eDNA-metabarcoding detected two thirds of them, failing to detect important NIS. However, sampling and bioinformatics filtering steps can be optimized to identify more species. In addition, this method allowed the detection of additional NIS from neighboring micro-habitats. Caution should, however, be taken when reporting putative novel NIS, because of errors in species assignment. This work highlights that water-eDNA-metabarcoding is effective for active (targeted) NIS surveys and could be significantly improved for its further use in marine NIS passive surveys.
How SARS-CoV-2 dodges immune surveillance and facilitates infection: an analytical review

ABSTRACT Introduction Effective treatments for the ongoing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic are limited. The virus has evolved strategies to evade the immune system or hijack immune responses to facilitate infection and escape immune surveillance. Mechanistically, SARS-CoV-2 takes advantage of TLR4 and cytokine-induced integrins to promote its entrance into the cell. Furthermore, the activation of pattern recognition receptors (PRR)-mediated signaling pathways is compromised by SARS-CoV-2 non-structural proteins (NSPs), accessory protein open reading frames (ORFs), and structural proteins upon infection, contributing to viral infection and replication. Host factors necessary for cellular protein synthesis, metabolism, and viral replication can also be inhibited by the SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Exploring specific mechanisms would optimize the therapy methods and benefit drug research and development. Areas covered We describe pathways and mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 evades immune system; these include the mechanisms that operate during virus entry, signaling pathways involved, and processes at RNA and protein levels. Expert opinion Increased understanding of how viruses interfere with immune responses would provide more evidence for drug development. Drugs targeting conserved viral proteins to inhibit their replication or host factors to enhance immune responses would minimize the impact of virus mutations and prepare for future coronavirus outbreaks.
Health Information Sharing via Social Network Sites (SNSs): Integrating Social Support and Socioemotional Selectivity Theory

ABSTRACT Despite its prevalence, research on health information sharing via social network sites (SNSs) is mostly descriptive and often lacks a coherent theoretical framework. By integrating social support and socioemotional selectivity theory, the present study takes a uses and gratifications approach to examining what factors affected health information sharing via WeChat, the most widely used SNS in China. Results of an online survey (N = 519) show that emotional and informational support provisions both predicted health information sharing via WeChat. In addition, age moderated the effects of both support provision. While the relationship between emotional support provision and health information sharing was stronger among older adults, the effect of informational support provision was marginally significantly stronger among younger adults. These findings provide additional understanding of health information sharing via SNSs by revealing its emotional meaning and demonstrating different sharing motivations in different age groups, which offers implications on health information design, dissemination, and discussions in different groups.
Explicitly accounting for needle sugar pool size crucial for predicting intra‐seasonal dynamics of needle carbohydrates δ18O and δ13C

Summary We explore needle sugar isotopic compositions (δ18O and δ13C) in boreal Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) over two growing seasons. A leaf‐level dynamic model driven by environmental conditions and based on current understanding of isotope fractionation processes was built to predict δ18O and δ13C of two hierarchical needle carbohydrate pools, accounting for the needle sugar pool size and the presence of an invariant pinitol pool. Model results agreed well with observed needle water δ18O, δ18O and δ13C of needle water‐soluble carbohydrates (sugars + pinitol), and needle sugar δ13C (R 2 = 0.95, 0.84, 0.60, 0.73, respectively). Relative humidity (RH) and intercellular to ambient CO2 concentration ratio (C i/C a) were the dominant drivers of δ18O and δ13C variability, respectively. However, the variability of needle sugar δ18O and δ13C was reduced on diel and intra‐seasonal timescales, compared to predictions based on instantaneous RH and C i/C a, due to the large needle sugar pool, which caused the signal formation period to vary seasonally from 2 d to more than 5 d. Furthermore, accounting for a temperature‐sensitive biochemical 18O‐fractionation factor and mesophyll resistance in 13C‐discrimination were critical. Interpreting leaf‐level isotopic signals requires understanding on time integration caused by mixing in the needle sugar pool.
Individual and program Characteristics May Drive Variability in Outcomes After Caregivers Participate in a Tailored Support Intervention

Critically needed programs designed to support family caregivers have shown inconsistent reductions in stress and burden. To explore drivers of improvement in caregiver outcomes after participation in a support intervention we analyzed data from a one-on-one, tailored problem-solving intervention targeting caregiver wellbeing (2015–2019, n = 503). We explored data patterns across 21 individual, household, and program-level variables using elastic net regression to identify drivers of improvements, and their relative importance. Baseline subjective burden, baseline depressive symptom scores, baseline caregiver problem solving, African American race, and site and coach fixed effects were the most consistent drivers of changes across the explored caregiver outcomes. Caregiver and program characteristics may be promising avenues to target to decrease distress and burden during intervention design. Interventions focusing on highly distressed caregivers may lead to greater improvements. More research is needed to identify how site or interventionists characteristics drive positive intervention effects.
Indications and outcome of home high‐flow nasal therapy in children, a single‐center experience

High‐flow nasal therapy (HFNT) is a safe and simple way to deliver humidified air and oxygen for respiratory support in infants and children. HFNT is well established in an inpatient setting, but home HFNT lacks evidence. In the current study, we studied characteristics and outcomes of pediatric patients with home HFNT. In a monocentric retrospective analysis of data for 10 years (April 2010–April 2020), patient characteristics from the time point of the first discharge from hospital with home HFNT‐treatment and the subsequent course were analyzed. Patients were divided into three HFNT indication groups: (1) bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), (2) upper airway obstruction (UAO), and (3) other indications. Forty patients received home HFNT in the study period. Seventeen patients were treated for BPD, 15 for UAO, and 8 had other indications. Twenty‐two patients (55%) were successfully weaned from HFNT (12 [70.6%] BPD, 7 [46.7%] UAO, 3 [37.5%] other), while seven patients (17.5%) died during follow‐up (4 BPD, 2 UAO, 1 other). Twenty‐three patients (57.5%) required (intermittent) additional oxygen application (14 [82.4%] BPD, 6 [40%] UAO, 4 [50%] other). Weaning success and need for additional oxygen were significantly more probable in BPD patients compared to the UOA group. In conclusion, HFNT plays an increasing role in home treatment of respiratory insufficiency of various etiologies in childhood. It often represents a temporary intervention, especially for children with BPD but might also serve as long‐term treatment for children in whom other forms of ventilatory support are not feasible or desired.
Tracking and plant growth‐promoting effect of Paraburkholderia tropica MTo‐293 applied to Solanum lycopersicum

Paraburkholderia tropica MTo‐293 was applied as an experimental bio‐input to Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) cv. Platense. Different plant growth systems and inoculation strategies were tested to evaluate P. tropica plant colonization at the seedling stage (growth chamber) using culture‐dependent and ‐independent techniques. The effect of P. tropica on plant growth was evaluated in the growth chamber and greenhouse (productive stage) by biomass accumulation and fruit production, respectively. P. tropica was able to colonize the surface and inner root and stem of tomato seedlings regardless of the inoculation strategy—at sowing and/or before transplanting—showing the competitive nature of P. tropica in nonsterile substrate systems. A nested polymerase chain reaction was validated to track P. tropica in tomato plants even in the inner stem with endophytic P. tropica populations of less than 102 CFU g–1 of fresh weight. Efficient colonization of P. tropica correlated with a positive effect on tomato growth when applied at sowing and/or before transplanting: plant growth promotion was observed not only at the seedling stage but also at productive stages improving crop yield in two different seasons. To our knowledge, this report is the first to track and evaluate the plant growth‐promoting effect of P. tropica MTo‐293 in tomato plants grown in nonsterile substrate systems.
PENGARUH ASIMETRI INFORMASI, PENGUNGKAPAN MODAL INTELEKTUAL, DAN KUALITAS AUDIT TERHADAP BIAYA MODAL EKUITAS (STUDI PADA PERUSAHAAN LQ 45 YANG TERDAFTAR DI BURSA EFEK INDONESIA TAHUN 2012-2014)

The research examines the effect of asymmetry information, intellectual capital disclosure, and audit quality on cost of equity capital. This research was an empirical study using multiple regression analysis. The sample of this study was taken from LQ 45 companies listed on Indonesian Stock Exchange at 2012-2014. The sample was taken using purposive sampling. The sample used was 23 companies with a total of 68 observations. Statistical methods using Multiple Linear Regression Analysis to test the hypothesis. The result of the research shows that asymmetry information, intellectual capital disclosure, and audit quality simultaneously are not affect on cost of equity capital. Partially, asymmetry information and intellectual capital disclosure are not affect on cost of equity capital, whereas audit quality are affect on cost of equity capital. Keywords — cost of equity capital, asymmetry information, intellectual capital disclosure, and audit quality.
University of Birmingham The optical efficiency of three different geometries of a small scale cavity receiver for concentrated solar applications

The demand for energy is continually increasing day after day; but at the same time, investigations around the world into sustainable sources of power are growing in number. Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) can act as an efficient low cost energy conversion system to produce electricity which could lead to reducing the continuous demand on conventional fossil fuels. Most of the literature concerning CSP concentrates on the heat losses and their relationship to the receivers’ geometries; where these receivers are evaluated according to their thermal efficiency. The majority of the literature has often neglected heat gain enhancement by the receivers’ geometries, which helps to increase the heat transfer to the working fluid. This work concentrates on the optical efficiency as well as the heat flux distribution of three different geometries. The cylindrical, conical and spherical geometries of a cavity receiver are considered with the objective of analysing their optical and thermal behaviour optically and thermally, using the ray tracing method and a Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) model. The results showed that the conical shape of the receiver gathered, as well as absorbed, a higher amount of reflected flux energy than the other shapes, with about 91% and 82% for 75% and 85% absorption ratios respectively. The cavity receiver shapes and their absorption ratio are key parameters which affect the focal point location; thereby there is an optimum distance for each design depending on these two parameters. The results of the simulated work are validated using the experimental work found in the literature. Overall, in order to evaluate the heat balance, 3-D thermal analysis was employed using Fluent 15 and the amount of heat losses for the three shapes was determined. It was observed that the conical shape receiver experienced a lower heat loss. To ensure more confidence in the results, the thermal outcomes were validated against experimental works in the literature and they demonstrated good agreement.
Self-Care Practices with Psychedelics – A Qualitative Study of Users’ Perspectives

ABSTRACT This article explores the psychedelic experience from the users’ point of view and through the lens of self-care, a concept within the domain of health and well-being. In a time of renewed interest in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, we aim to contribute to a better understanding of these substances by exploring their role in different settings. A phenomenological approach was used in this study. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 19 psychedelic users and inquired about the relationship between their experiences and self-care. Analysis of the interview data was based on inductive content analysis. Most participants reported using psychedelics with self-care intentions in ceremonial, recreational, or private settings. Self-perception and existential meaningfulness were identified as the main mechanisms of self-care. Participants also mentioned difficult experiences and adversities that impair self-care. The results suggest that for some people, the use of psychedelics may be experienced as part of a self-care process and may improve self-care abilities in naturalistic settings.
Mammalian proteome expansion by stop codon readthrough

Recognition of a stop codon by translation machinery as a sense codon results in translational readthrough instead of termination. This recoding process, termed stop codon readthrough (SCR) or translational readthrough, is found in all domains of life including mammals. The context of the stop codon, local mRNA topology, and molecules that interact with the mRNA region downstream of the stop codon determine SCR. The products of SCR can have localization, stability, and function different from those of the canonical isoforms. In this review, we discuss how recent technological and computational advances have increased our understanding of the SCR process in the mammalian system. Based on the known molecular events that occur during SCR of multiple mRNAs, we propose transient molecular roadblocks on an mRNA downstream of the stop codon as a possible mechanism for the induction of SCR. We argue, with examples, that the insights gained from the natural SCR events can guide us to develop novel strategies for the treatment of diseases caused by premature stop codons.
Insights into Early Pregnancy Demise following Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection in Women with Unexplained Infertility

Objective To investigate the effects of some potential risk factors on early pregnancy loss -EPL - in a cohort of pregnant women treated by assisted reproductive technology - ART. Methods This is a retrospective cohort of 195 pregnancies, defined as serum human chorionic gonadotrophins ≥ 10 IU/l on day 14 - 17 after embryo transfer, recruited from an assisted reproductive technology unit, Ain Shams & Al-Azhar Maternity hospital, Cairo, Egypt, during the period from January 1st, 2016 to December 31, 2020. Risk factors investigated were maternal age, body mass index, status, baseline hormonal profiles, treatment protocol, quality and number of embryos. Results Overall early pregnancy loss among the studied 195 pregnant women was 29 cases (15%). The risk of early pregnancy loss was associated with older age and fewer number of embryos transferred. Women > 35 years were found to have two and half times of early pregnancy loss compared with younger age group < 25 years, this was not significant after adjusting for other factors. The risk in both lean (BMI < 25 kg/m2) and very obese (BMI > 35 kg/m2) women was also not significantly higher in unadjusted analysis. Transfer of two or more embryos was associated with a non-significant reduced risk of early pregnancy loss, and after adjusting for other factors, the reduction was about 70%. Conclusions Early pregnancy loss represents a considerable drawback of intracytoplasmic sperm injection treated women with old age to increase the risk of early pregnancy loss and transferring more than one embryo to reduce the risk by about 70%. Obesity and other factors appeared to play a minor role.
An Isoproteic Cocoa Butter-Based Ketogenic Diet Fails to Improve Glucose Homeostasis and Promote Weight Loss in Obese Mice.

High-fat and very low-carbohydrate based ketogenic diets have gained considerable popularity as a non-pharmacological strategy for obesity, due to their potential to enhance weight loss and improve glucose homeostasis. However, the effectiveness of a ketogenic diet towards metabolic health is equivocal. In order to better understand the impact of ketogenic diets in obesity, male and female mice were fed a 60% cocoa butter-based high-fat diet for 16-weeks to induce obesity, following which mice were transitioned to either an 85% cocoa butter fat-based ketogenic diet, a 10% cocoa butter fat-based low-fat diet, or maintained on a high-fat diet for an additional 8-weeks. All experimental diets were matched for sucrose and protein content, and contained an identical micronutrient profile, with complex carbohydrates being the primary carbohydrate source in the low-fat diet. The transition to a ketogenic diet was ineffective at inducing significant body fat loss and improving glucose homeostasis in obese male and female mice. Alternatively, obese male and female mice transitioned to a low-fat and high-complex carbohydrate diet exhibited beneficial body composition changes and improved glucose tolerance that may, in part, be attributed to a mild decrease in food intake and a mild increase in energy expenditure. Our findings support the consumption of a diet low in saturated fat and rich in complex carbohydrates as a potential dietary intervention for the treatment of obesity and obesity-induced impairments in glycemia. Furthermore, our results suggest that careful consideration should be taken when considering a ketogenic diet as a non-pharmacological strategy for obesity.
A preliminary study on the diversity of butyrate‐producing bacteria in response to the treatment of depression with Xiaoyaosan

Butyrate‐producing bacteria generate butyrate, which has antidepressant effects. Xiaoyaosan (XYS), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used to treat depression, may improve depression‐like behaviour by modulating the gut microbiota. However, the functional groups and mechanisms of action in the XYS treatment of depression remain unknown. This study aimed to analyse with clone sequencing the changes in intestinal butyrate‐producing bacteria in XYS‐treated chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rats. We successfully established the XYS‐treated CUMS rat model of depression. Rat faecal samples were collected before, during, and after the experiment, and butyryl‐CoA:acetate CoA‐transferase gene primers were selected for PCR amplification to determine the diversity of butyrate‐producing bacteria. The results showed that XYS increased intestinal butyrate‐producing bacterial diversity in CUMS rats regarding phylum and genus numbers; the number of phyla increased to two, distributed in Firmicutes and Bacteroides, and four genera were distributed in Eubacterium sp. , Roseburia sp. , Clostridium sp. and Bacteroides sp. Only one phylum and two genera were present in the model group without XYS treatment. Our findings indicate that XYS can improve depression‐like behaviour by regulating intestinal butyrate‐producing bacteria diversity, particularly Roseburia sp. and Eubacterium sp. , thus providing new insights into the targeted regulation of the intestinal flora to treat depression.
Leading school communities to implement a sustainable school-wide model leading to enhancing learning outcomes for students with ASD

The crucial role of school leaders in inclusive schools for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has received more attention in recent years. A pilot study was conducted in three Australian/Queensland schools to trial a shared model of school leadership in implementing a whole school approach for students with ASD. Schools established an ASD leadership team, which was headed up by the school principal and head of special education (HOSE) but also included a classroom teacher, and a parent of a child with ASD. Together the principal and HOSE led the team in assessing their current practices and establishing an action plan to establish effective practices for students with ASD at a whole school, classroom and individual student level. Findings indicate that the active engagement of the principal in leading the vision and development of inclusive practices was essential to empowering the HOSE to become an instructional leader in the school. In addition, the partnership between the principal and head of special education were important in helping the principal to gain knowledge and skills in effective practice for students with ASD, and to position the HOSE to create effective instructional practices throughout the school for students with ASD.