Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bioremediation potential of consortium Pseudomonas Stutzeri LBR and Cupriavidus Metallidurans LBJ in soil polluted by lead

Pollution by lead (Pb) is an environmental and health threat due to the severity of its toxicity. Microbial bioremediation is an eco-friendly technique used to remediate contaminated soils. This present study was used to evaluate the effect of two bacterial strains isolated and identified from Bizerte lagoon: Cupriavidus metallidurans LBJ (C. metallidurans LBJ) and Pseudomonas stutzeri LBR (P. stutzeri LBR) on the rate of depollution of soil contaminated with Pb from Tunisia. To determine this effect, sterile and non-sterile soil was bioaugmented by P. stutzeri LBR and C. metallidurans LBJ strains individually and in a mixture for 25 days at 30°C. Results showed that the bioaugmentation of the non-sterile soil by the mixture of P. stutzeri LBR and C. metallidurans LBJ strains gave the best rate of reduction of Pb of 71.02%, compared to a rate of 58.07% and 46.47% respectively for bioaugmentation by the bacterial strains individually. In the case of the sterile soil, results showed that the reduction rate of lead was in the order of 66.96% in the case of the mixture of the two bacterial strains compared with 55.66% and 41.86% respectively for the addition of the two strains individually. These results are confirmed by analysis of the leachate from the sterile and non-sterile soil which showed an increase in the mobility and bioavailability of Pb in soil. These promising results offer another perspective for a soil bioremediation bioprocess applying bacterial bioremediation.
Analysis of Narrow Porous Journal Bearing Using Beavers-Joseph Criterion of Velocity Slip

Analytical solution for performance characteristics of a narrow journal bearing is obtained. The analysis takes account of the velocity slip at the surface of a porous medium by using Beavers-Joseph criterion [1]. Results are presented for various bearing characteristics and compared with earlier results obtained by using no-slip condition. A comparison is also made with an earlier approximate analysis [8] which considers the slip effects but assumes the bearing wall thickness to be infinitesimally small.
Enabling CAR T‐cell therapies for HIV‐positive lymphoma patients – A call for action

People living with HIV have a higher risk of developing lymphoma. Outcomes for people living with HIV with relapsed or refractory (r/r) lymphoma remain poor. For this group of patients, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T‐cell therapy represents a new successful treatment strategy. However, people living with HIV were not included in pivotal trials, so data are limited to case reports. We searched the PubMed and Ovid technologies databases for literature until 1 November 2022 using the terms ‘HIV and CAR‐T’, ‘HIV and lymphoma’ and ‘HIV and CAR‐T and lymphoma’. Six cases with sufficient information were included in the review. The mean CD4+ T‐cell count before CAR T‐cell therapy was 221 cells/μL (range 52–629). The viral load was below the limit of detection in four patients. All patients had diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and were treated with gamma‐retroviral‐based axicabtagene ciloleucel. Four patients developed cytokine‐release syndrome (CRS) grade 2 or less or immune effector‐cell‐associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANs) grade 3–4. Four of six patients responded to CAR T‐cell therapy (three complete remissions, one partial remission). In summary, there are no clinical reasons to restrict the use of CAR T‐cell therapy in people living with HIV with r/r DLBCL. According to the current data, CAR T‐cell therapy was safe and effective. In people who meet the standard criteria for CAR T‐cell therapy, this treatment approach could significantly improve the unmet need for more effective treatment options for people living with HIV with r/r lymphoma.
Ocular biometry changes after mannitol administration in vitrectomized and non-vitrectomized eyes: A prospective, comparative study

Dear Editor, Osmotic agents like intravenous mannitol have been used in the emergency management of glaucoma to decrease the intraocular pressure (IOP). They act by increasing the osmolality of plasma and drawing water from the vitreous into circulation, thereby reducing the IOP. [1,2] Mannitol also acts centrally via the osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus and decreases aqueous production. [3,4] Studies have shown similar IOP reduction with the use of mannitol in both vitrectomized and non‐vitrectomized eyes. [5] Mannitol has been shown to decrease vitreous cavity depth (VCD) and increase anterior chamber depth (ACD) in non‐vitrectomized eyes and hence support vitreous dehydration as the main mechanism of IOP reduction in these eyes. There is no study in the literature that has evaluated changes in the ocular biometry associated with mannitol in vitrectomized eyes. The main aim of our study was to ascertain the mechanism of IOP reduction in vitrectomized eyes. A prospective comparative study was conducted at a tertiary eye care center in south India. The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee and adhered to the tenants of the Declaration of Helsinki. Phakic eyes of patients with IOP measuring ≥40 mmHg and open angles on gonioscopy were included. Eyes with elevated IOP after vitrectomy and silicone oil injection were classified as Group 1, and non‐vitrectomized eyes with open‐angle glaucoma were classified as Group 2. Eyes with overfilled silicone oil and poor quality ocular biometry scan due to corneal edema and patients with systemic contraindications for mannitol were excluded.
Magnetic resonance imaging using a nonuniform Bo (NuBo) field-cycling magnet

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful noninvasive diagnostic tool with superior soft tissue contrast. However, access to MRI is limited since current systems depend on homogeneous, high field strength main magnets (B0-fields), with strong switchable gradients which are expensive to install and maintain. In this work we propose a new approach to MRI where imaging is performed in an inhomogeneous field using radiofrequency spatial encoding, thereby eliminating the need for uniform B0-fields and conventional cylindrical gradient coils. The proposed technology uses an innovative data acquisition and reconstruction approach by integrating developments in field cycling, parallel imaging and non-Fourier based algebraic reconstruction. The scanner uses field cycling to image in an inhomogeneous B0-field; in this way magnetization is maximized during the high field polarization phase, and B0 inhomogeneity effects are minimized by using a low field during image acquisition. In addition to presenting the concept, this work provides experimental verification of a long-lived spin echo signal, spatially varying resolution, as well as both simulated and experimental 2D images. Our initial design creates an open MR system that can be installed in a patient examination table for body imaging (e.g., breast or liver) or built into a wall for weighted-spine imaging. The proposed system introduces a new class of inexpensive, open, silent MRIs that could be housed in doctor’s offices much like ultrasound is today, making MRI more widely accessible.
Evaluating peripheral blood inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers as predictors in diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema

Purpose: To determine the correlation between serum inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers of patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods: Serum samples were obtained from 100 diabetic patients. Patients were divided into three groups: group 1 (patients with no DR, n = 27), group 2 (DR with DME, n = 34), and group 3 (DR without DME, n = 39). Serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured by quantitative turbidimetric immunoassay and sandwich chemiluminescence immunoassay, respectively. Metabolic parameters such as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG), serum creatinine, and blood urea were determined by automated analyzer om-360 after standardization. Results: The levels of IL-6 and CRP differed significantly in patients with DR and without DR (P < 0.001 and P = 0.045, respectively). We also found a positive correlation between IL-6 and CRP with the severity of DR. When DR patients with DME were compared to patients without DME, only IL-6 was observed to be significantly elevated (P < 0.001). None of the metabolic markers correlated significantly with DR and DME. Conclusion: Significantly raised levels of serum inflammatory biomarkers can be used to elucidate the significant role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of DR. Therefore, circulating biomarkers can serve as diagnostic and therapeutic predictors for monitoring the onset and progression of DR and DME.
Sex steroid hormones and epilepsy: Effects of hormonal replacement therapy on seizure frequency of postmenopausal women with epilepsy—A systematic review

Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) is used for symptomatic treatment of menopause. Some evidence suggests a proconvulsant effect of estrogen and an anticonvulsant role of progesterone. Thus, the use of exogenous sex steroid hormones might influence the course of epilepsy in peri‐ and postmenopausal women with epilepsy (WWE). We conducted a systematic review on the impact of HRT on the frequency of seizures of WWE.
On the Development of Double Warm-Core Structures in Intense Tropical Cyclones

AbstractThis study examines the formation of a double warm-core (DWC) structure in intense tropical cyclones (TCs) that was captured in almost all supertyphoon cases during the 2012–14 real-time typhoon forecasts in the northwestern Pacific basin with the Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting Model (HWRF). By using an idealized configuration of HWRF to focus on the intrinsic mechanism of the DWC formation, it is shown that the development of DWC in intense TCs is accompanied by a thin inflow layer above the typical upper outflow layer. The development of this thin inflow layer in the lower stratosphere (~100–75 hPa), which is associated with an inward pressure gradient force induced by cooling at the cloud top, signifies intricate interaction of TCs with the lower stratosphere as TCs become sufficiently intense, which has not been examined previously. Specifically, it is demonstrated that a higher-level inflow can advect potentially warm air from the lower stratosphere toward the inner-core region, t.
Variability of Turbulence and Its Outer Scales in a Model Tropopause Jet

Abstract Variability of flow regimes and turbulence scalings in a model of an inhomogeneously stratified, tropopause jet is investigated through high-resolution, forced, three-dimensional numerical simulations (with 512 or 1024 vertical levels). Multivalued scaling branches, with respect to the local gradient Richardson number (Rig), are shown to occur in several turbulent quantities (such as variances, fluxes, mixing efficiency, outer scales, and their ratios, etc.). Two distinct scaling curves are found for the upper and lower flanks of the jet, each showing a clear branch switching at a critical height. Distinct scaling curves in the upper and lower flanks of the jet can be related to the doubling of buoyancy frequency (N) in the background profile (across the model tropopause). The vertical levels corresponding to the inflection points (maximal shearing) in the quasi-equilibrium turbulent mean jet velocity profile is identified as the best criterion for branch switching along each of the scaling curve.
Care delivery team composition effect on hospitalization risk in African Americans with congestive heart failure

The care delivery team (CDT) is critical to providing care access and equity to patients who are disproportionately impacted by congestive heart failure (CHF). However, the specific clinical roles that are associated with care outcomes are unknown. The objective of this study was to examine the extent to which specific clinical roles within CDTs were associated with care outcomes in African Americans (AA) with CHF. Deidentified electronic medical record data were collected on 5,962 patients, representing 80,921 care encounters with 3,284 clinicians between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2021. Binomial logistic regression assessed associations of specific clinical roles and the Mann Whitney-U assessed racial differences in outcomes. AAs accounted for only 26% of the study population but generated 48% of total care encounters, the same percentage of care encounters generated by the largest racial group (i.e., Caucasian Americans; 69% of the study population). AAs had a significantly higher number of hospitalizations and readmissions than Caucasian Americans. However, AAs had a significantly higher number of days at home and significantly lower care charges than Caucasian Americans. Among all CHF patients, patients with a Registered Nurse on their CDT were less likely to have a hospitalization (i.e. 30%) and a high number of readmissions (i.e., 31%) during the 7-year study period. When stratified by heart failure phenotype, the most severe patients who had a Registered Nurse on their CDT were 88% less likely to have a hospitalization and 50% less likely to have a high number of readmissions. Similar decreases in the likelihood of hospitalization and readmission were also found in less severe cases of heart failure. Specific clinical roles are associated with CHF care outcomes. Consideration must be given to developing and testing the efficacy of more specialized, empirical models of CDT composition to reduce the disproportionate impact of CHF.
Targeting patients for early COVID-19 therapy; Pre-infection metabolic dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome and risk of severe disease in patients under 65: A Massachusetts community-based observational study

Introduction The demographics of those developing severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outcomes are shifting to younger patients. In an observational study utilizing electronic health records from a Massachusetts group medical practice, we identified 5025 patients with confirmed COVID-19 from March 1 to December 18, 2020. Of these, 3870 were under 65 years of age. We investigated the hypothesis that pre-infection metabolic or immunologic dysregulation including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) increased risk of serious COVID-19 outcomes in patients under 65 years of age. Materials and methods We compared those with COVID-19 related hospitalization or mortality to all other COVID-19 patients, using a case control approach. Using logistic regression and propensity score modeling, we evaluated risk of developing severe COVID-19 outcomes (hospitalization or death) in those with pre-infection comorbidities, metabolic risk factors, or PCOS. Results Overall, propensity score matched analyses demonstrated pre-infection elevated liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) >40, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) >40 and blood glucose ≥215 mg/dL were associated with more severe COVID-19 outcomes, OR = 1.74 (95% CI 1.31, 2.31); OR = 1.98 (95% CI 1.52, 2.57), and OR = 1.55 (95% CI 1.08, 2.23) respectively. Elevated hemoglobin A1C or blood glucose levels were even stronger risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcomes among those aged < 65, OR = 2.31 (95% CI 1.14, 4.66) and OR = 2.42 (95% CI 1.29, 4.56), respectively. In logistic regression models, women aged < 65 with PCOS demonstrated more than a four-fold increased risk of severe COVID-19, OR 4.64 (95% CI 1.98, 10.88). Conclusion Increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes in those < age 65 with pre-infection indicators of metabolic dysfunction heightens the importance of monitoring pre-infection indicators in younger patients for prevention and early treatment. The PCOS finding deserves further investigation. Meanwhile women who suffer from PCOS should be carefully evaluated and prioritized for earlier COVID-19 treatment and vaccination.
Slow-drift motion of a two-dimensional block in beam seas

Because of the inherent nonlinearity in the boundary conditions on the free surface, water waves with frequencies from neighbouring parts of the sea spectrum interact and force low-frequency oscillations at the second order. Since the physical phenomenon involves vastly different timescales, the perturbation method of multiple scales is applied here to a rectangular cylinder in beam seas. It will be shown that at the second order there are two kinds of long waves; one is locked to the envelopes of the incident, reflected and transmitted short waves, while the other propagates away from the body at the long-wave velocity (gh)½. The latter contributes to the damping of slow-drift oscillations of the body. Analytical results for the displacement amplitudes of the slow sway and for the radiated long waves are derived. The transient evolution due to incident envelopes of finite and semi-infinite duration is also predicted.
Blowup, compactness and partial regularity in the calculus of variations

Soient n, N des entiers positifs, on ecrit M n×N pour l'espace de toutes les matrices reelles n×N et on suppose Ω⊂R n ouvert, borne et lisse. Pour des fonctions v:Ω→R N on considere la fonctionnelle I[v]≡∫ Ω F(Dv)dx, ou Dv≡((∂v i /∂xα)) (1≤α≤n, 1≤i≤N) est la matrice gradient de v et F:M n×N →R est donnee. On etudie la regularite des minimiseurs de I[•] parmi toutes les fonctions appropriees soumises a certaines conditions aux limites
ERα/LKB1 complex upregulates E‐cadherin expression and stimulates breast cancer growth and progression upon adiponectin exposure

Adiponectin is the major adipocytes‐secreted protein involved in obesity‐related breast cancer growth and progression. We proved that adiponectin promotes proliferation in ERα‐positive breast cancer cells, through ERα transactivation and the recruitment of LKB1 as ERα‐coactivator. Here, we showed that adiponectin‐mediated ERα transactivation enhances E‐cadherin expression. Thus, we investigated the molecular mechanism through which ERα/LKB1 complex may modulate the expression of E‐cadherin, influencing tumor growth, progression and distant metastasis. We demonstrated that adiponectin increases E‐cadherin expression in ERα‐positive 2D and higher extent in 3D cultures. This occurs through a direct activation of E‐cadherin gene promoter by ERα/LKB1‐complex. The impact of E‐cadherin on ERα‐positive breast cancer cell proliferation comes from the evidence that in the presence of E‐cadherin siRNA the proliferative effects of adiponectin is no longer noticeable. Since E‐cadherin connects cell polarity and growth, we investigated if the adiponectin‐enhanced E‐cadherin expression could influence the localization of proteins cooperating in cell polarity, such as LKB1 and Cdc42. Surprisingly, immunofluorescence showed that, in adiponectin‐treated MCF‐7 cells, LKB1 and Cdc42 mostly colocalize in the nucleus, impairing their cytosolic cooperation in maintaining cell polarity. The orthotopic implantation of MCF‐7 cells revealed an enhanced E‐cadherin‐mediated breast cancer growth induced by adiponectin. Moreover, tail vein injection of MCF‐7 cells showed a higher metastatic burden in the lungs of mice receiving adiponectin‐treated cells compared to control. From these findings it emerges that adiponectin treatment enhances E‐cadherin expression, alters cell polarity and stimulates ERα‐positive breast cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo, sustaining higher distant metastatic burden.
Psychometric evaluation of the Finnish version of the Worker Role interview (WRI-FI)

Abstract Background The assessment of work ability with reliable, thoroughly tested instruments, is central to evidence-based occupational therapy practice. Aims/Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Finnish version of the WRI with a focus on construct validity and measurement precision. Material and Methods Ninety-six WRI-FI assessments were performed by 19 occupational therapists in Finland. A Rasch analysis was conducted to evaluate the psychometric properties. Results The WRI-FI presented an overall fit to the Rasch model, with good targeting and separation among persons. The four-point rating scale structure was supported by the Rasch analysis, except for one item with disordered thresholds. The WRI-FI indicated stable measurement properties across gender. Seven of the 96 persons showed misfit, which slightly exceeds the criteria of 5%. Conclusions The findings from this first psychometric evaluation of the WRI-FI provided evidence of construct validity and support for measurement precision. The hierarchy among items corresponded with previous studies. The WRI-FI can offer occupational therapy practitioners a valid tool to evaluate psychosocial and environmental perspectives of persons’ work ability.
Object Location in Realistic Networks (Extended Abstract)

We devise an object location scheme that achieves a guaranteed low stretch in a wider and more realistic class of networks than previous schemes. The distinctive feature of our scheme is that it is inherently adaptive to the underlying topology. In particular, the system achieves 1 + stretch (for arbitrarily xed > 0), with a neighbor list size that depends on the local density around the node (but not on the global growth rate bound). As a byproduct, our scheme has several advantages over existing ones, such as robustness to errors in network measurements, and simpler design choices of system builders, which may lead to improved and more robust deployments.
Reductions in Bone Mineral Density Are Apparent Early in Children With Prevalent Osteonecrosis Lesions Following Leukemia Therapy

Osteonecrosis (ON) is a serious complication of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We determined the prevalence of osteonecrotic lesions in our patient population by a one‐time multisite magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) more than 1 year following leukemia therapy. MRI findings were evaluated in relationship to clinical factors (including longitudinal changes in bone mineral density [BMD]). Eighty‐six children enrolled in the Steroid Associated Osteoporosis in the Pediatric Population (STOPP) study were evaluated for ON at 3.1 ± 1.3 years following therapy. Thirty children had a total of 150 confirmed ON lesions (35%). Lumbar spine (LS) BMD Z‐scores (mean ± SD) were low at diagnosis and similar between patients with and without ON (−1.09 ± 1.53 versus −1.27 ± 1.25, p = 0.549). LS BMD Z‐scores declined from baseline to 12 months in children with ON (−0.31 ± 1.02) but not in those without (0.13 ± 0.82, p = 0.035); the hip BMD Z‐scores from baseline to 24 months declined in both groups, but to a greater extent in those with ON (−1.77 ± 1.22) compared to those without (−1.03 ± 1.07, p = 0.045). At the time of the MRI, mean total hip and total body (TB) BMD Z‐scores were lower in children with ON (hip −0.98 ± 0.95 versus −0.28 ± 1.06, p = 0.010; TB −1.36 ± 1.10 versus −0.48 ± 1.50, p = 0.018). Pain occurred in 11/30 (37%) with ON versus 20/56 (36%) without, p = 0.841. In multivariable models, older age at diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] 1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–2.13; p = 0.004), and hip BMD Z‐score at MRI (OR 2.23; 95% CI, 1.02–4.87; p = 0.046) were independently associated with ON. Overall, one‐third of children demonstrated ON after leukemia therapy. Those with ON had greater reductions in spine and hip BMD Z‐scores in the first 1 and 2 years of therapy, respectively. Older age and lower hip BMD Z‐scores at MRI were significantly associated with prevalent, off‐therapy ON. These data assist in identifying children at risk of ON. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).