Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Real-World Evidence of Caplacizumab Use in the Management of Acute TTP.

The cornerstone of life-saving therapy in immune mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) has been plasma exchange (PEX) combined with immunomodulatory strategies. Caplacizumab, a novel anti-von Willebrand factor nanobody, trialled in two multicentre, randomised-placebo-controlled trials leading to EU and FDA approval, has been available in the UK through a patient-access scheme. Data was collected retrospectively from 2018-2020 for 85 patients receiving caplacizumab, including 4 children, from 22 UK hospitals. Patient characteristics and outcomes in the real-world clinical setting were compared with caplacizumab trial endpoints and historical outcomes in the pre-caplacizumab era. 84/85 patients received steroid and rituximab alongside PEX; 26% required intubation. Median time to platelet count normalisation (3 days), duration of PEX (7 days) and hospital stay (12 days) was comparable with RCT data. Median duration of PEX and time from PEX initiation to platelet count normalisation was favourable compared with historical outcomes (p<0.05). TTP recurrence occurred in 5/85 patients; all with persistent ADAMTS13 activity <5iu/dL. Of 31 adverse events in 26 patients, 17/31 (55%) were bleeding episodes and 5/31 (16%) were thrombotic events (two unrelated to caplacizumab); mortality was 6% (5/85), with no deaths attributed to caplacizumab. In 4/5 deaths caplacizumab was introduced >48 hours after PEX initiation (3-21 days). This real-world evidence represents the first and largest series of TTP patients receiving caplacizumab outside clinical trials, including paediatric patients. Representative of true clinical practice, the findings provide valuable information for clinicians treating TTP globally.
Creativity and regional economic growth: the case of Spain

This research demonstrates the applicability of the Richard Florida theory to study the factors that determine the economic growth in fifty Spanish provinces. The aim of this research is to determine the direct and indirect causal effects of talent, tolerance, technology, amenities and University variables on the economic growth. In the model variables such as tolerance and amenities and University are exogenous while the rest are endogenous. Lastly, economic growth is estimated on the basis of talent, technology and other exogenous variables of non-market factors, adding the historical variables of income and population for a period that will allow us to estimate the different types of convergence.
Athlete workloads during collegiate women's soccer practice: Implications for return-to-play.

CONTEXT Athlete monitoring using wearable technology is often incorporated with soccer athletes. While evaluations have tracked global outcomes across soccer seasons, there is little information on athlete loads during individual practice drills. Understanding these demands is important for athletic trainers for return-to-play decision-making. OBJECTIVE To provide descriptive information on total distance, total playerload (PL), distance per minute, and PL per minute for practice drill structures and game-play by player position among female soccer athletes across a competitive season. DESIGN Retrospective, observational field study. SETTING NCAA Division I university. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Thirty-two female college soccer players (20±1 years). INTERVENTIONS Athletes wore a single GPS and triaxial accelerometer unit during all practices and games in a single soccer season. Individual practice drills were labeled by the team's strength and conditioning coach, and binned into physical, technical and tactical skills, and small- and large-sided competition drill structures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Descriptive analyses were used to assess the median total distance, total PL, distance per minute, and PL per minute by drill structure and player position (defenders, midfielders, forwards/strikers) during practices and games. RESULTS Small- and large-sided competitive drills imposed the greatest percentage of workload across all measures for each position (~20% of total practice), followed by physical drills. When comparing technical and tactical, technical skills required athletes to cover the greatest distance (technical: ~17%; tactical: ~15%), tactical skills required higher play intensity during practices across all positions (technical: ~18%; tactical: ~13%). Defenders had the highest median PL outcomes of all positions during practices. CONCLUSIONS Different practice drill types imposed varying levels of demands on female soccer athletes, which simulated game play. Athletic trainers and other clinicians may use this information for formulating objective return-to-play guidelines for injured collegiate women's soccer players.
Long-term empagliflozin therapy improves levels of hepatic fibrosis marker in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The long-term outcomes of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) treated with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors remain indeterminate. Empagliflozin improves hyperglycemia by increasing glucose excretion in the urine, and it reduces fat volume and insulin resistance. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of long-term empagliflozin therapy on hepatic inflammation, function and fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. This is a two-center retrospective observational study including patients with NAFLD complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records. Changes in parameters were investigated over one-year empagliflozin treatment. Twenty-four patients treated with empagliflozin were evaluated. Weight, body mass index, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, serum insulin and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance significantly decreased during treatment (p < 0.05). Albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score, a marker of hepatic function, was significantly improved (p < 0.01). The FIB-4 index and Mac-2 Binding Protein Glucosylation Isomer, markers of hepatic fibrosis, significantly improved (p < 0.01). One-year empagliflozin treatment of patients with NAFLD complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus significantly improves markers of hepatic inflammation, function and fibrosis. J. Med. Invest. 67 : 280-284, August, 2020.
Effects of Pistacia atlantica Subsp. Kurdica on Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Damage in Rat Kidney

Background: Pistacia atlantica kurdica has recently been shown to possess free radical scavenging ability. The current study aims to investigate the protective effect of this plant against cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity. Methods: Thirty-six rats were divided into 6 groups (6 in each), and treated as follows: group 1 received normal saline (control group), group 2 (positive control) received cadmium by drinking water (100 mg/ L/d), group 3 received 200 mg/kg of P. atlantica extract, and groups 4-6 received cadmium as well as 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/d of P. atlantica extract (orally), respectively. After 2 weeks, oxidative damage and renal function markers were assayed by standard methods. Results: In cadmium group, a significant increase was observed in serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (P<0.01) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) level of renal tissue (P<0.001) and a remarkable decrease was found in total thiol molecules (TTM) of the kidney (P<0.001). Despite the decreased renal antioxidant capacity, these changes were not significant. P. atlantica extract improved the LPO, TTM, and histopathological changes in renal tissue. Conclusion: In this study, although the P. atlantica extract did not have a significant effect on cadmiuminduced renal dysfunction, it did improve the oxidative/antioxidant balance in renal tissue.
The Comparison of Clinical Characteristics in Three Types of Viral Acute Diarrhea in Infants and Toddlers and the Effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus on Rotaviral Diarrhea

©This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/ license/by-nc/3.0/). The most common causes of acute viral diarrhea in infants and toddlers are rotavirus, astrovirus and norovirus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate epidemiological data of pathogens obtained from stool exams and compare them with the clinical course in pediatric patients with symptoms of viral acute diarrhea and to investigate the clinical efficacy of Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) for acute diarrhea caused by rotavirus. Clinical data for three types of viral acute diarrhea were compared with the viral detection results by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Viruses were detected in 65.8% of subjects, with rotavirus being the most commonly reported in 63.3% of subjects. To examine the characteristics of each virus, a clinical epidemiological study was performed for 482 cases. Noroviral infection symptoms included vomiting and diarrhea in patients of all age groups. Dehydration in noroviral acute diarrheal patients was less common than in rotaviral acute diarrheal patients. The clinical efficacy of orally administered L. acidophilus in the treatment of acute viral diarrhea in infants and toddlers was also evaluated. L. acidophilus was a probiotic adjuvant in viral acute diarrhea in infants and toddlers.
Atglistatin Pretreatment Preserves Remote Myocardium Function Following Myocardial Infarction

The pathological role of adipose derived fatty acids following myocardial infarction has long been hypothesized. However, most methods for reducing adipocyte lipolysis have significant non-adipose effects. Atglistatin, a direct inhibitor of the initial lipase in the lipolysis cascade, has been recently shown to inhibit adipose tissue lipolysis after oral administration. To explore the ability of Atglistatin to impact the pathophysiology of cardiac ischemia we performed prophylactic treatment of mice with Atglistatin for 2 days before 1-hour cardiac ischemia. After 7 days of reperfusion, hearts of Atglistatin treated mice showed significantly improved systolic pump function while infarct and scar size were unaffected. Strain analysis of echocardiographic data revealed an enhanced performance of the remote myocardium as cause for overall improved systolic function. The present study provides evidence that inhibition of adipocyte adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) using Atglistatin is able to improve cardiac function after MI by targeting the remote myocardium.
Effect of food-simulating solvents on flexural properties of bulk-fill resin composites.

PURPOSE This study evaluated the flexural strength of bulk-fills after immersion in food-simulating solvents. METHODS Four overlapping segments along both sides of bar-shaped specimens (25 × 2 × 2 mm) made from bulk-fill composite were irradiated with an Elipar LED light-curing (1,200 mW/cm2 for 20 s) device. The specimens were then divided into four groups (n = 20), according to storage media-namely, distilled water, 99% ethanol, heptane, and methyl ethyl ketone-at 37oC for 4 weeks. Flexural testing was done with a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. RESULTS Data were analyzed with the two-way and one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey (HSD) tests (P < 0.05), along with the Weibull statistic. Flexural properties significantly differed in relation to the bulk-fill and solvent used. The flexural properties of bulk-fills decreased in solvents. SonicFill in distilled water had the highest values for flexural properties (σf = 165.77 MPa; Ef = 10.3 GPa), followed by the values for SonicFill in ethanol and those for X-tra base and everX Posterior in water. Venus Bulk Fill in methyl ethyl ketone yielded the lowest values (σf = 74.11 MPa; Ef = 3.06 GPa). CONCLUSION The flexural properties of bulk-fills are affected by the food-simulating solvent used and by the filler content, type, and resin component.
Safety and efficacy of intranasal recombinant human interferon alfa 2b as prophylaxis for COVID-19 in patients on a hemodialysis program

Introduction: Patients diagnosed with end-stage chronic kidney disease on a hemodialysis program (HDP) represent a risk group for COVID-19. Scientific societies have developed guidelines for the prevention of contagion, but there is no prophylactic medicine in them. Objectives: To describe the safety and efficacy of recombinant intranasal human Interferon alfa 2b as prophylaxis for COVID-19 in patients in an HDP. Patients and Methods: Intervention description through the monitoring of 15 patients in outpatient HDP. Prior to the administration of the drug, clinical, radiological evaluation and hematology and blood chemistry studies were performed. Daily contact was made with each study patient in person or by telephone, asking about the occurrence of adverse events or symptoms of disease. Results: In 47% of the patients, there was leukopenia, lymphopenia in 67% and anemia and thrombocytopenia in 33% respectively, prior to the use of the drug. There was no clinical suspicion of COVID-19 in any of them. Adverse events occurred in 3 patients (20%), all were mild and non-severe. All patients were negative for SARS-CoV-2 real-time polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR) and antibody studies 45 days after the study started. Conclusion: the use of intranasal recombinant human interferon alfa 2b as prophylaxis of COVID-19 in patients in a HDP at a dose of 1 MIU daily for ten days, as part of a prevention protocol, has an adequate safety profile. None of the patients in the series was infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the surveillance period.
Flow-Induced Crystallization in Polyethylene: Effect of Flow Time on Development of Shish-Kebab

The flow-induced formation and relaxation of the representative oriented shish-kebab structure were studied with synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) method. The flow duration was varied from 2 to 6 s at an identical strain rate to reveal the effect of flow time on stability and dimension of formed shish. It was found that the short flow time of 2 s was able to generate shish during flow, which, however, relaxed during the isothermal process after cessation of flow. An increase in flow time can improve the shish stability and the long flow time of 6 s can generate the stable shish that nucleate the growth of kebab lamellae. In addition, the quantitative analysis of SAXS results showed that with increasing flow time from 2 to 6 s, the shish length increased from 242 to 574 nm, while the shish diameter remained around 34 nm. This detailed information of the formed shish-kebab structure can be used to shed light on their evolution that occurred during flow from 2 to 6 s, where shish grew at a longitudinal speed of around 80 nm/s, and there was an improvement in the stability and nucleation capability for kebab lamellae.
Structural Adjustment and Community Resilience: The Case of Postdisaster Housing Recovery After the Canterbury Earthquakes of 2010 and 2011

Background This project is a case study of postdisaster housing recovery in Christchurch, New Zealand, after the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Aims In this qualitative study, we analyzed the statutory framework governing the process of postdisaster housing recovery and its impact on local democracy. We also explored the role of communities and the third sector in housing and urban renewal. This aim was to contribute to the development of a critical theoretical understanding of community resilience as an inherently political concept. Community resilience is influenced by causal factors or generative mechanisms that affect the relations between people in a particular social context. Method We completed a narrative synthesis of textual data from the thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with key informants, related policies, media, and fieldwork. Results A centralization of government authority over housing recovery resulted in an erosion of democracy and representative government at a local level. This centralization had major impacts on communities and their voice in the process of postdisaster housing recovery. Communities, however, never relented and worked tirelessly among themselves and with other social sectors to make a positive impact on postdisaster housing and urban recovery against difficult odds and stretched resources. This immense social capital and inspiring sense of community must be fostered and given the opportunity to democratically participate in the development of recovery policy as a key element of community resilience.
In situ evaluation of podocytes in patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and minimal change disease

Podocyte injury in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and minimal change disease (MCD) results from the imbalance between adaptive responses that maintain homeostasis and cellular dysfunction that can culminate in cell death. Therefore, an in situ analysis was performed to detect morphological changes related to cell death and autophagy in renal biopsies from adult patients with podocytopathies. Forty-nine renal biopsies from patients with FSGS (n = 22) and MCD (n = 27) were selected. In situ expression of Wilms Tumor 1 protein (WT1), light chain microtubule 1-associated protein (LC3) and caspase-3 protein were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The foot process effacement and morphological alterations related to podocyte cell death and autophagy were analyzed with transmission electronic microscopy. Reduction in the density of WT1-labeled podocytes was observed for FSGS and MCD cases as compared to controls. Foot process width (FPW) in control group was lower than in cases of podocytopathies. In FSGS group, FPW was significantly higher than in MCD group and correlated with proteinuria. A density of LC3-labeled podocytes and the number of autophagosomes in podocytes/ pedicels were higher in the MCD group than in the FSGS group. The number of autophagosomes correlated positively with the estimated glomerular filtration rate in cases of MCD. The density of caspase-3-labeled podocytes in FSGS and MCD was higher than control group, and a higher number of podocytes with an evidence of necrosis was detected in FSGS cases than in MCD and control cases. Podocytes from patients diagnosed with FSGS showed more morphological and functional alterations resulting from a larger number of lesions and reduced cell adaptation.
U.S. College Students’ Marijuana Information Sources, Confidence in Knowledge, and Objective Knowledge

In recent years, marijuana use on U.S. college campuses reached the highest point while the perceptions of risk and social disapproval registered the lowest since the early 1980s. However, little attention has been paid to the sources of the marijuana-related messages and their relationships with marijuana knowledge and confidence in knowledge, proximate protective/risk factors. To fill this gap, a convenience sample of students (N = 249) on a campus located in a U.S. recreational marijuana legal state were surveyed to identify their marijuana information sources and explore the relationships among the sources, confidence in marijuana knowledge, and objective knowledge. Peers/media were the most important sources and they were used more than other sources. Use of peers/media sources was related to lower health knowledge and higher confidence in knowledge. Although students named parents and education/science sources as important, these were less frequently used than siblings, the sources they named as the least important. This study advanced our understanding of the various sources of marijuana information used by U.S. college students and the relationships between the information sources and confidence in knowledge and objective knowledge, two emerging risk/protective factors in the era of marijuana deregulation.
Rhamnolipids produced by Pseudomonas: from molecular genetics to the market

Rhamnolipids are biosurfactants with a wide range of industrial applications that entered into the market a decade ago. They are naturally produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and some Burkholderia species. Occasionally, some strains of different bacterial species, like Pseudomonas chlororaphis NRRL B‐30761, which have acquired RL‐producing ability by horizontal gene transfer, have been described. P. aeruginosa, the ubiquitous opportunistic pathogenic bacterium, is the best rhamnolipids producer, but Pseudomonas putida has been used as heterologous host for the production of this biosurfactant with relatively good yields. The molecular genetics of rhamnolipids production by P. aeruginosa has been widely studied not only due to the interest in developing overproducing strains, but because it is coordinately regulated with the expression of different virulence‐related traits by the quorum‐sensing response. Here, we highlight how the research of the molecular mechanisms involved in rhamnolipid production have impacted the development of strains that are suitable for industrial production of this biosurfactant, as well as some perspectives to improve these industrial useful strains.
Effects of Waste Expanded Polypropylene as Recycled Matrix on the Flexural, Impact, and Heat Deflection Temperature Properties of Kenaf Fiber/Polypropylene Composites

Waste Expanded polypropylene (EPP) was utilized as recycled matrix for kenaf fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites produced using chopped kenaf fibers and crushed EPP waste. The flexural properties, impact strength, and heat deflection temperature (HDT) of kenaf fiber/PP composites were highly enhanced by using waste EPP, compared to those by using virgin PP. The flexural modulus and strength of the composites with waste EPP were 98% and 55% higher than those with virgin PP at the same kenaf contents, respectively. The Izod impact strength and HDT were 31% and 12% higher with waste EPP than with virgin PP, respectively. The present study indicates that waste EPP would be feasible as recycled matrix for replacing conventional PP matrix in natural fiber composites.
Liver injury with COVID-19 based on gastrointestinal symptoms and pneumonia severity

Background/Aim The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had become a big threat worldwide. Liver injury is not uncommon in patients with COVID-19, and clarifying its characteristics is needed. This study aimed to identify factors associated with liver injury and to develop a new classification of predictive severity in patients with COVID-19. Methods Confirmed patients with COVID-19 (n = 60) were recruited retrospectively from Musashino Red Cross Hospital. The factors of liver injury especially on the elevation of liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT]) were analyzed. Grading was assessed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0. Results During a median hospitalization follow-up of 15 (4–41) days, 51 (85.0%) patients had COVID-19 pneumonia. In clinical courses, oxygenation was needed for 25 (41.6%) patients and intubation was needed for 9 (15.0%) patients. A total of 27 (45.0%) patients had gastrointestinal symptoms (GS), such as appetite loss, diarrhea, and nausea. A logistic regression analysis revealed that C-reactive protein (CRP) at baseline, oxygenation, intubation, and GS were significant factors of liver injury. Based on these results, patients were classified into three groups: group 1, no oxygenation pneumonia; group 2, pneumonia with oxygenation or GS; and group 3, intubation. We classified 25 (41.7%), 26 (43.3%), and 9 (15.0%) patients into mild, moderate, and severe groups, respectively. The peak of AST and ALT levels was significantly stratified with this criteria (mild [median AST, 28 IU/L; median ALT, 33 IU/L], moderate [median AST, 48 IU/L; median ALT, 47.5 IU/L], and severe [median AST, 109 IU/L; median ALT, 106 IU/L]; P<0.001 and P = 0.0114, respectively). Conclusion COVID-19-related liver injury was significantly stratified based on GS and severity of pneumonia.