Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the national surveillance system for invasive meningococcal disease, Italy, 2015–2018

Enhanced laboratory-based surveillance of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Italy was only assessed indirectly by numerically comparing surveillance data cases with hospital discharge records (HDR). In this study, we evaluated the completeness, timeliness and sensitivity of the IMD surveillance in Italy from 2015 to 2018. Completeness and timeliness were described at the national and subnational level. A capture-recapture analysis was conducted to evaluate the sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) using HDR as the external source with a combination of deterministic and probabilistic approaches. The characteristics of the unmatched vs. matched cases were compared using multivariable Poisson modeling. Overall, the completeness of data improved, except for specific variables. Timeliness of notifications also improved to a median of 4 days from onset to reporting. For the years 2015–2017, the sensitivity of the surveillance was estimated at 71.4% and the PPV at 77.5%, changing to 80.6% and 66.9% respectively after removing cases with a secondary meningitis diagnosis. We noted substantial sub-national differences. In 2018 sensitivity was 66.5% (135/203) and the PPV was 79.4% (135/170). The adjusted relative risk of being unmatched in 2015–2017 was higher in cases that were ≥60 years, had missing information or symptom onset in December. The IMD surveillance system overall performs well with completeness and timeliness improving in time. Specific challenges identified for individual variables should guide further improvement. Notwithstanding limitations posed by the comparison database, sensitivity and PPV are promising. The study highlights that promoting etiological ascertainment in people ≥60 years and addressing sub-national challenges are the main current challenges to address.
MUTYH as an Emerging Predictive Biomarker in Ovarian Cancer

Approximately 18% of ovarian cancers have an underlying genetic predisposition and many of the genetic alterations have become intervention and therapy targets. Although mutations in MutY homolog (MUTYH) are best known for MUTYH associated polyposis and colorectal cancer, it plays a role in the development of ovarian cancer. In this review, we discuss the function of the MUTYH gene, mutation epidemiology, and its mechanism for carcinogenesis. We additionally examine its emerging role in the development of ovarian cancer and how it may be used as a predictive and targetable biomarker. MUTYH mutations may confer the risk of ovarian cancer by the failure of its well-known base excision repair mechanism or by failure to induce cell death. Biallelic germline MUTYH mutations confer a 14% risk of ovarian cancer by age 70. A monoallelic germline mutation in conjunction with a somatic MUTYH mutation may also contribute to the development of ovarian cancer. Resistance to platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents may be seen in tumors with monoallelic mutations, but platinum sensitivity in the biallelic setting. As MUTYH is intimately associated with targetable molecular partners, therapeutic options for MUTYH driven ovarian cancers include programed-death 1/programed-death ligand-1 inhibitors and poly-adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase inhibitors. Understanding the function of MUTYH and its associated partners is critical for determining screening, risk reduction, and therapeutic approaches for MUTYH-driven ovarian cancers.
First Detection of Meloidogyne luci (Nematoda: Meloidogynidae) Parasitizing Potato in the Azores, Portugal

Potato is the third most important crop in the world after rice and wheat, with a great social and economic importance in Portugal as it is grown throughout the country, including the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores. The tropical root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne luci is a polyphagous species with many of its host plants having economic importance and the ability to survive in temperate regions, which pose a risk to agricultural production. In 2019, M. luci was detected from soil samples collected from the council of Santo António in Pico Island (Azores). Bioassays were carried out to obtain females, egg masses, and second-stage juveniles to characterize this isolate morphologically, biochemically, and molecularly. The observed morphological features and morphometrics showed high similarity and consistency with previous descriptions. Concerning the biochemical characterization, the esterase (EST) phenotype displayed a pattern with three bands similar to the one previously described for M. luci and distinct from M. ethiopica. Regarding the molecular analysis, an 1800 bp region of the mitochondrial DNA between cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII) and 16S rRNA genes was analyzed and the phylogenetic tree revealed that the isolate grouped with M. luci isolates (99.17%). This is the first report of M. luci parasitizing potato in the Azores islands, contributing additional information on the distribution of this plant-parasitic nematode.
Diffusion of hydrogen in bcc tungsten studied with first principle calculations

First principle calculations were used to study the hydrogen migration properties in bulk bcc tungsten. Hydrogen has low solubility in tungsten and occupies the tetrahedral interstitial site with an energy difference of 0.38 eV compared to the octahedral interstitial site. The hydrogen diffusion coefficient was evaluated using the harmonic transition state theory and was found to agree with the experimental results at temperatures above 1500 K. The height of the migration barrier between two adjacent tetrahedral sites was found to be 0.21 eV, which is lower than the value 0.39 eV obtained for the migration barrier from degassing measurements in the temperature range between 1100 and 2400 K. The tunneling correction to the diffusion rate provides much better agreement with the experimental result at 29 K than the extrapolated experimental D from high temperature measurements.
Effects of Hurricane Michael on Access to Care for Pregnant Women and Associated Pregnancy Outcomes

Background: Disasters are associated with worse perinatal outcomes, perhaps due to inadequate prenatal care (PNC). Methods: Using 2017–2019 Florida vital statistics, we compared PNC use before and after Hurricane Michael. We categorized counties as most affected (Area A) or less affected (Area B and C). We examined whether Michael’s effects on perinatal outcomes varied by maternity care availability and used the Baron and Kenny method to assess whether delayed PNC initiation mediated perinatal outcomes. Log-binomial regression and semi-parametric linear regression were used, controlling for maternal and ZIP code tabulation area characteristics. Results: Compared to the one-year period pre-Michael, the week of the first PNC was later in all areas in the one-year period post-Michael, with the largest change in Area A (adjusted difference 0.112, 95% CI: 0.055–0.169), where women were less likely to receive PNC overall (aRR = 0.994, 95% CI = 0.990–0.998) and more likely to have inadequate PNC (aRR = 1.193, 95% CI = 1.127–1.264). Michael’s effects on perinatal outcomes did not vary significantly by maternity care availability within Area A. Delayed PNC initiation appeared to mediate an increased risk in small for gestational age (SGA) births after Michael. Conclusion: Women in Area A initiated PNC later and had a higher likelihood of inadequate PNC. Delayed PNC initiation may partially explain increased risk of SGA.
Using Cholinesterases and Immobilized Luminescent Photobacteria for the Express-Analysis of Mycotoxins and Estimating the Efficiency of Their Enzymatic Hydrolysis

Novel sensitive analytical agents that can be used for simple, affordable, and rapid analysis of mycotoxins are urgently needed in scientific practice, especially for the screening of perspective bio-destructors of the toxic contaminants. We compared the characteristics of a rapid quantitative analysis of different mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol, ochratoxin A, patulin, sterigmatocystin, and zearalenone) using acetyl-, butyrylcholinesterases and photobacterial strains of luminescent cells in the current study. The best bioindicators in terms of sensitivity and working range (μg/mL) were determined as follows: Photobacterium sp. 17 cells for analysis of deoxynivalenol (0.8–89) and patulin (0.2–32); Photobacterium sp. 9.2 cells for analysis of ochratoxin A (0.4–72) and zearalenone (0.2–32); acetylcholinesterase for analysis of sterigmatocystin (0.12–219). The cells were found to be more sensitive than enzymes. The assayed strains of photobacterial cells ensured 44%–83% lower limit of detection for deoxynivalenol and sterigmatocystin as compared to the previously known data for immobilized luminescent cells, and the range of working concentrations was extended by a factor of 1.5–3.5. Calibration curves for the quantitative determination of patulin using immobilized photobacteria were presented in this work for the first time. This calibration was applied to estimate the enzyme efficiency for hydrolyzing mycotoxins using zearalenone and His6-tagged organophosphorus hydrolase as examples.
Grape and Wine Composition in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Cannonau Explored by GC-MS and Sensory Analysis

GC-FID/MS is a powerful technique used to analyze food and beverage aromas. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in grape berries play an important role in determining wine quality and are affected by many factors, such as climate and soil that mainly influence their relative concentrations. Wine aroma is generated by a complex mixture of compounds, and the sensory relevance of individual VOCs is far from elucidated. Herein, the VOC content (free and glycosylated) of Cannonau grape skin and juice and of Cannonau wine collected in different areas of Sardinia is explored. Wine sensory analysis was also carried out and the relationship between sensory attributes and VOCs was investigated. Although Cannonau grapes showed the same VOC fingerprint, great variability was identified between samples, although only the differences in 2-phenylethanol and benzyl alcohol concentration in the grape skins and benzyl alcohol and a terpenoid in grape juice were significantly different according to ANOVA. The correlation between VOC content and the sensory profile highlights the role played by 2-methyl-1-butanol and 2-phenylethanol in increasing wine sensory complexity.
Biological Activity of Organogermanium Compounds

1 Introduction 2 Toxicity 3 Neurotropic Activity 4 Cardiovascular Activity 5 Antitumor, Antiviral and Immunomodulating Activity 6 Radioprotective Activity 7 Miscellaneous Activities Keywords: biological activity of organogermanium compounds; neurotropic activity; Germanium - middle element of Periodic Group IVA. ; acute toxicity of thienylgermatranes; neurotropic activity of germatranes; furan-containing germyl-substituted amines; 2-carboxyethylgermanium sesquioxane and cardiovascular activity; antitumor, antiviral and immunomodulating activity
Characterization of the Porous Structure of SBA-15

SBA-15 ordered mesoporous silicas were synthesized using the method reported by Zhao et al. The structures of these materials were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and nitrogen adsorption. The samples were found to exhibit structural properties similar to those reported earlier. Our study confirmed that the size of primary mesopores of SBA-15 can be tailored by the choice of synthesis temperature and that SBA-15 exhibits a significant amount of disordered micropores and small mesopores. The volume and size of these complementary pores were found to be dependent to some extent on the synthesis/aging temperature. It was shown that the washing of as-synthesized SBA-15 in water or ethanol was accompanied by an appreciable structural shrinkage and led to the removal of a significant part of the polymeric template. Therefore, washing needs to be avoided if one wants to isolate SBA-15 without appreciable loss of the template. It was confirmed that water-washed.
Effects of Ferulic Acid Esterase-Producing Lactic Acid Bacteria and Storage Temperature on the Fermentation Quality, In Vitro Digestibility and Phenolic Acid Extraction Yields of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) Silage

Two lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains with different ferulic acid esterase (FAE) activities were isolated: Lactobacillus farciminis (LF18) and Lactobacillus plantarum (LP23). The effects of these strains on the fermentation quality, in vitro digestibility and phenolic acid extraction yields of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) silage were studied at 20, 30 and 40 °C. Sorghum was ensiled with no additive (control), LF18 or LP23 for 45 days. At 40 °C, the lactic acid content decreased, whereas the ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) content significantly increased (p < 0.05). At all three temperatures, the inoculants significantly improved the lactic acid contents and reduced the NH3-N contents (p < 0.05). Neither LP23 nor LF18 significantly improved the digestibility of sorghum silages (p > 0.05). The LP23 group exhibited higher phenolic acid extraction yields at 30 °C (p < 0.05), and the corresponding yields of the LF18 and control groups were improved at 40 °C (p < 0.05). FAE-producing LABs might partially ameliorate the negative effects of high temperature and improve the fermentation quality of sorghum silage. The screened FAE-producing LABs could be candidate strains for preserving sorghum silage at high temperature, and some further insights into the relationship between FAE-producing LABs and ensiling temperatures were obtained.
Microstructure of Dispersed Colloidal Particles of a Bilayer Cubic Phase

Abstract The microstructures of the interior phase of the cubic particles have been studied by dispersing the cubic phase formed by monoolein into different solvents. Steady‐state fluorescence probe techniques have been utilized to study the micropolarity changes of the cubic particles in different solvents, and to obtain fluorescence quenching for lissamine rhodamine B incorporated into the cubic particles by diacyl phosphatidylethanolamine (NBD‐PE) aqueous solution. It is found that the solvents inside and outside the cubic particles can be exchanged during the formation of the particles and the results of fluorescence quenching experiment also suggest that there might be two different water compartments extant inside the particles.
Changes in Humic Substances and Phosphorus Fractions During Composting

The behavior of humic substances (HS) and phosphorus (P) fractions in livestock manure co-composted with rice straw was studied by chemical and spectroscopic analyses. Composting was accompanied by a decrease in the levels of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) as well as HS and fulvic acid (FA) fractions. The elemental content (weight %) of humic acid (HA) extracted from the compost showed a high C content and low oxygen (O) content, possibly due to a low degree of oxidation. The N/C and H/C ratios of HA decreased as the compost matured, whereas the O/H and O/C increased. The decline in the H/C ratio from 1.24 at 0d to 1.0 at 195d indicated an increase in the aromatic structure of the HA. The absorbance curve for the HS showed a decrease in the slope with time, up to 42d. The optical density of HS increased with time of composting with a peak at 42d. Also the Δ log K values of FA increased appreciably with time of composting whereas those of HS and HA were little changed. Water-soluble and HCl-soluble-P were the dominant fractions of P in the compost, and ranged between 18 and 39% and 18 and 36%, respectively. However, the former declined progressively with time of composting, while the latter increased, indicating transformation of the more vulnerable water soluble P to the more recalcitrant HCl-extractable P.
Calcined Dolomite, Magnesite, and Calcite for Cleaning Hot Gas from a Fluidized Bed Biomass Gasifier with Steam: Life and Usefulness

Calcined dolomites, limestones, and magnesites are active and inexpensive solids for cleaning raw hot gas from biomass gasifiers with steam. The variations of their activities with time-on-stream are studied here. Simultaneous coke formation and coke elimination by steam gasification increases the life of these “naturally occurring” catalysts under some circumstances. The lives of these solids are studied at different temperatures (800−880 °C), space times (0.08−0.32 kg of dolomite·h/nm3), particle diameters (1−4 mm), and types of solid. Not much deactivation was observed for tar concentration in the raw gas below 48 g/nm3, particle diameters of less than 1.9 mm, temperatures above 800 °C, and space times above 0.13 kg·h/nm3. The effectiveness of these calcined minerals is compared with that of an inert material (silica sand) and with a commercial steam reforming catalyst (R-67 from Haldor Topsoe).
Volatile Fatty Acid Emission During Composting of Swine Waste Amended With Sawdust as a Measure of Odor Potential

Offensive odors which evolve during the decomposition of swine waste have resulted in complaints from neighbors in agricultural areas. This study chronologically monitored the emissions of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) during composting to quantify the release of malodorous compounds. Swine waste/sawdust mixtures and sawdust controls were placed in 208 liter reactor vessels and constantly aerated over a 21-day period. Acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric, and valeric acids were quantified in total collections of condensed water vapor and volatiles released from the vessels. Exit gasses were passed through water-cooled condensers, and condensate was collected every 12 hours. Composting conditions were shown to be adequate by measuring carbon to nitrogen ratios, pH, temperature, and moisture contents. The 21-day aerobic treatment decreased all VFAs in the swine waste mixtures by 61 to 100 percent, with a mean of 87 percent. Prior to peak gas volatilization, when the vessel contents attained peak composting temperatures, acetic acid was emitted in the greatest amounts, followed by butyric, propionic, valeric, isovaleric, and isobutyric acids in order of decreasing emissions. Following peak gas volatilization, butyric acid was released in the greatest amounts, followed by acetic, propionic, valeric, isovaleric, and isobutyric acids. The described condensation procedure was shown to be an effective method to quantify malodorous compounds emitted during the decomposition of livestock waste. In addition, aeration was an effective treatment to decrease VFAs and, therefore, odor potential resulting from their emissions.
Involvements of Hyperhomocysteinemia in Neurological Disorders

Homocysteine (HCY), a physiological amino acid formed when proteins break down, leads to a pathological condition called hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY), when it is over a definite limit. It is well known that an increase in HCY levels in blood, can contribute to arterial damage and several cardiovascular disease, but the knowledge about the relationship between HCY and brain disorders is very poor. Recent studies demonstrated that an alteration in HCY metabolism or a deficiency in folate or vitamin B12 can cause altered methylation and/or redox potentials, that leads to a modification on calcium influx in cells, or into an accumulation in amyloid and/or tau protein involving a cascade of events that culminate in apoptosis, and, in the worst conditions, neuronal death. The present review will thus summarize how much is known about the possible role of HHCY in neurodegenerative disease.
COVID-19–associated Coagulopathy

Accepted for publication December 18, 2020. Published online first on January 8, 2021. From the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany (K.G.); Tem Innovations GmbH, Munich, Germany (K.G.); and Departments of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina (J.H.L.).
Identifying the miRNA Signature Association with Aging-Related Senescence in Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant brain tumor and its malignant phenotypic characteristics are classified as grade IV tumors. Molecular interactions, such as protein–protein, protein–ncRNA, and protein–peptide interactions are crucial to transfer the signaling communications in cellular signaling pathways. Evidences suggest that signaling pathways of stem cells are also activated, which helps the propagation of GBM. Hence, it is important to identify a common signaling pathway that could be visible from multiple GBM gene expression data. microRNA signaling is considered important in GBM signaling, which needs further validation. We performed a high-throughput analysis using micro array expression profiles from 574 samples to explore the role of non-coding RNAs in the disease progression and unique signaling communication in GBM. A series of computational methods involving miRNA expression, gene ontology (GO) based gene enrichment, pathway mapping, and annotation from metabolic pathways databases, and network analysis were used for the analysis. Our study revealed the physiological roles of many known and novel miRNAs in cancer signaling, especially concerning signaling in cancer progression and proliferation. Overall, the results revealed a strong connection with stress induced senescence, significant miRNA targets for cell cycle arrest, and many common signaling pathways to GBM in the network.
B Quiet: Autoantigen-Specific Strategies to Silence Raucous B Lymphocytes and Halt Cross-Talk with T Cells in Type 1 Diabetes

Islet autoantibodies are the primary biomarkers used to predict type 1 diabetes (T1D) disease risk. They signal immune tolerance breach by islet autoantigen-specific B lymphocytes. T-B lymphocyte interactions that lead to expansion of pathogenic T cells underlie T1D development. Promising strategies to broadly prevent this T-B crosstalk include T cell elimination (anti-CD3, teplizumab), B cell elimination (anti-CD20, rituximab), and disruption of T cell costimulation/activation (CTLA-4/Fc fusion, abatacept). However, global disruption or depletion of immune cell subsets is associated with significant risk, particularly in children. Therefore, antigen-specific therapy is an area of active investigation for T1D prevention. We provide an overview of strategies to eliminate antigen-specific B lymphocytes as a means to limit pathogenic T cell expansion to prevent beta cell attack in T1D. Such approaches could be used to prevent T1D in at-risk individuals. Patients with established T1D would also benefit from such targeted therapies if endogenous beta cell function can be recovered or islet transplant becomes clinically feasible for T1D treatment.