Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anogenital HPV Infection, Seroprevalence, and Risk Factors for HPV Seropositivity Among Sexually Active Men Enrolled in a Global HPV Vaccine Trial.

BACKGROUND In men, human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancer incidence is rising, but data regarding male HPV infection and seroprevalence are available from only a few countries. METHODS This analysis of a global HPV vaccine trial evaluated baseline data from 1399 HIV-negative heterosexual men (HM) and men who have sex with men (MSM). Key objectives included assessment of HPV prevalence and risk factors for seropositivity to 9-valent HPV (9vHPV) vaccine types (6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58), and concordance between seropositivity and prevalent HPV type. RESULTS Overall, 455/3463 (13.1%) of HM and 228/602 (37.9%) of MSM were HPV DNA-positive for any 9vHPV vaccine type at baseline. Infection prevalence/seroprevalence (≥1 9vHPV vaccine types) was 13.2%/8.1% among 333 HM from Europe, and 37.9%/29.9% among 335 MSM from Europe/North America. Among men with baseline infection, MSM had higher seroprevalence for concordant HPV types (39.5% vs 10.8% in HM). Seropositivity risk (irrespective of baseline infection status) was higher among MSM vs HM (age-adjusted odds ratio=3.0, 95%CI=2.4-6.4). Among MSM, statistically significant seropositivity risk factors included younger age at sexual debut, higher number of receptive anal sex partners, and less frequent condom use. No factors assessed were associated with seropositivity in HM. CONCLUSIONS Higher proportions of MSM than HM were HPV DNA-positive and seropositive and concordance between HPV DNA positivity and seropositivity, a potential marker of true infection versus carriage, was higher in MSM. Most MSM and HM were seronegative for all 9vHPV vaccine types, suggesting the potential benefit of catch-up vaccination after sexual debut.
Evaluation of Ivermectin as a Potential Treatment for Mild to Moderate COVID-19: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial in Eastern India.

BACKGROUND There has been a growing interest in ivermectin ever since it was reported to have an in-vitro activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This trial was conducted to test the efficacy of ivermectin in mild and moderate coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). METHODS A double blind, parallel, randomised, placebo-controlled trial conducted among adult COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate disease severity on admission in a COVID dedicated tertiary healthcare of eastern India. Enrolment was done between 1st August and 31st October 2020. On day 1 and 2 post enrolment, patients in the intervention arm received ivermectin 12 mg while the patients in the non-interventional arm received placebo tablets. RESULTS About one-fourth (23.6%) of the patients in the intervention arm and one-third (31.6%) in the placebo arm were tested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) negative for SARS-CoV-2 on 6th day. Although this difference was found to be statistically insignificant [rate ratio (RR): 0.8; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.4-1.4; p=0.348]. All patients in the ivermectin group were successfully discharged. In comparison the same for the placebo group was observed to be 93%. This difference was found to be statistically significant (RR: 1.1; 95% CI; 1.0-1.2; p=0.045). CONCLUSIONS Inclusion of ivermectin in treatment regimen of mild to moderate COVID-19 patients could not be said with certainty based on our study results as it had shown only marginal benefit in successful discharge from the hospital with no other observed benefits.
Increased resting‐state activity in the cerebellum with mothers having less adaptive sensory processing and trait anxiety

Child‐rearing mothers with high levels of trait anxiety have a tendency for less adaptive sensory processing, which causes parenting stress. However, the neural mechanisms underlying this sensory processing and trait anxiety remain unclear. We aimed to determine the whole‐brain spontaneous neural activity and sensory processing characteristics in mothers with varying parenting stress levels. Using resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging, we assessed mothers caring for more than one preschool aged (2–5 years) child and presenting with varying levels of sensory processing, trait anxiety, and parenting stress. Spontaneous neural activities in select brain regions were evaluated by whole‐brain correlation analyses based on the fractional amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations (fALFF). We found significant positive correlations between levels of sensory processing with trait anxiety and parenting stress. Mothers having less adaptive sensory processing had significantly increased resting‐state network activities in the left lobule VI of the cerebellum. Increased fALFF values in the left lobule VI confirmed the mediation effect on the relationship between trait anxiety and sensory processing. A tendency for less adaptive sensory processing involving increased brain activity in lobule VI could be an indicator of maternal trait anxiety and the risk of parenting stress.
Exosome treatment for stroke with diabetic comorbidity

Ischemic stroke is a cerebrovascular disease with a high risk of mortality and long-lasting neurological disabilities. Medical advances have resulted in a declining trend in stroke incidence and deaths in the United States. However, increasing age and risk factors such as diabetes have contributed to an increased lifetime risk of stroke. Particularly, there is a dramatic worldwide increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and sustained increase in T2DM prevalence is projected over the next decade. T2DM is a chronic disease which increases the r i sk of st roke incidence, stroke recurrence and hospital readmission, and stroke related mortality and morbidity. Ischemic stroke patients with diabetes exhibit worse stroke outcome largely derived from metabolic abnormalities, extensive injury to the cerebral vasculature, white matter injury and an amplified inflammatory milieu that hinders recovery. Thus, there is a compelling need for clinical and research effort to mitigate the burden of diabeticstroke related complications and improve stroke outcome in the diabetic population.
Species and Life‐Stage Sensitivity of Chinese Rare Minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) to Chemical Exposure: A Critical Review

Chemical production and consumption in Asia are increasing at an unprecedented rate, calling for regulations on chemical management. Under the New Chemical Substance Notification in China, information on ecotoxicological effects of chemicals is mandatory for the simplified registration of chemicals with the requirement that one ecotoxicological test is conducted locally. It is now mandatory to use the native fish species Chinese rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus). However, its chemical sensitivity compared to that of fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) or zebrafish (Danio rerio) is still unclear. We performed a holistic literature review on toxicity data with G. rarus from 1997 to 2020. Species sensitivity among G. rarus, P. promelas, and D. rerio and life‐stage sensitivity of G. rarus were systematically investigated for various chemicals using both chemical ratio distribution and probabilistic chemical toxicity distribution approaches. Comparatively, the Chinese native fish species G. rarus was more sensitive than D. rerio, particularly to metals. Juvenile and adult G. rarus were more sensitive than its larvae and embryos. The observed lower sensitivity of G. rarus embryo was likely due to the thick embryonic chorion, discrepant methods of collecting embryos, and the paucity of toxicity data, implying the necessity to standardize G. rarus embryo tests and validate the sensitivity with various types of chemicals. This unique review allows us to conclude that G. rarus studies could be used in worldwide registrations and that further investigations are needed to use G. rarus embryos as alternatives to the fish test. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2680–2692. © 2021 SETAC
Simplification, not “tropicalization”, of temperate marine ecosystems under ocean warming and acidification

Ocean warming is altering the biogeographical distribution of marine organisms. In the tropics, rising sea surface temperatures are restructuring coral reef communities with sensitive species being lost. At the biogeographical divide between temperate and tropical communities, warming is causing macroalgal forest loss and the spread of tropical corals, fishes and other species, termed “tropicalization”. A lack of field research into the combined effects of warming and ocean acidification means there is a gap in our ability to understand and plan for changes in coastal ecosystems. Here, we focus on the tropicalization trajectory of temperate marine ecosystems becoming coral‐dominated systems. We conducted field surveys and in situ transplants at natural analogues for present and future conditions under (i) ocean warming and (ii) both ocean warming and acidification at a transition zone between kelp and coral‐dominated ecosystems. We show that increased herbivory by warm‐water fishes exacerbates kelp forest loss and that ocean acidification negates any benefits of warming for range extending tropical corals growth and physiology at temperate latitudes. Our data show that, as the combined effects of ocean acidification and warming ratchet up, marine coastal ecosystems lose kelp forests but do not gain scleractinian corals. Ocean acidification plus warming leads to overall habitat loss and a shift to simple turf‐dominated ecosystems, rather than the complex coral‐dominated tropicalized systems often seen with warming alone. Simplification of marine habitats by increased CO2 levels cascades through the ecosystem and could have severe consequences for the provision of goods and services.
Gene and protein expression profiles of olfactory ensheathing cells from olfactory bulb versus olfactory mucosa

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) from the olfactory bulb (OB) and the olfactory mucosa (OM) have the capacity to repair nerve injury. However, the difference in the therapeutic effect between OB-derived OECs and OM-derived OECs remains unclear. In this study, we extracted OECs from OB and OM and compared the gene and protein expression profiles of the cells using transcriptomics and non-quantitative proteomics techniques. The results revealed that both OB-derived OECs and OM-derived OECs highly expressed genes and proteins that regulate cell growth, proliferation, apoptosis and vascular endothelial cell regeneration. The differentially expressed genes and proteins of OB-derived OECs play a key role in regulation of nerve regeneration and axon regeneration and extension, transmission of nerve impulses and response to axon injury. The differentially expressed genes and proteins of OM-derived OECs mainly participate in the positive regulation of inflammatory response, defense response, cytokine binding, cell migration and wound healing. These findings suggest that differentially expressed genes and proteins may explain why OB-derived OECs and OM-derived OECs exhibit different therapeutic roles. This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University (approval No. 2017-073) on February 13, 2017.
The prognostic landscape of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in lung squamous cell carcinoma

Background Exploring novel biomarkers and developing effective therapeutic strategies can improve the prognosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) in the future. The prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TICs) in solid tumors has been extensively studied. However, the landscape of TICs involved in the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially in LUSC, remains unclear and should be systematically investigated. Methods This retrospective study analyzed the immune-related transcriptional profiles of 490 LUSC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. Using the CIBERSORT method, TICs were evaluated and examined for their association with overall survival (OS) in LUSC. Results Out of the 27 TICs, 14 were correlated with prognosis in LUSC. A novel prognostic model characterized by fewer memory B cells and more central memory CD8 T cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), and plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) infiltration predicted poor OS in LUSC with high accuracy. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year areas under the curve (AUC) were 0.95, 0.98, and 0.96, respectively, in the training cohort. This finding was further validated in the validation cohort, where the 1-, 3-, and 5-year AUCs were 0.95, 0.98, and 0.95, respectively. Conclusions These findings may provide more effective prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for the immunotherapy of LUSC.
Neuroanatomical norms in the UK Biobank: The impact of allometric scaling, sex, and age

Few neuroimaging studies are sufficiently large to adequately describe population-wide variations. This study’s primary aim was to generate neuroanatomical norms and individual markers that consider age, sex, and brain size, from 629 cerebral measures in the UK Biobank (N = 40 028). The secondary aim was to examine the effects and interactions of sex, age, and brain allometry – the non-linear scaling relationship between a region and brain size (e.g., Total Brain Volume) across cerebral measures. Allometry was a common property of brain volumes, thicknesses, and surface areas (83%) and was largely stable across age and sex. Sex differences occurred in 67% of cerebral measures (median |β|= 0.13): 37% of regions were larger in males and 30% in females. Brain measures (49%) generally decreased with age, although aging effects varied across regions and sexes. While models with an allometric or linear covariate adjustment for brain size yielded similar significant effects, omitting brain allometry influenced reported sex differences in variance. This large scale-study advances our understanding of age, sex, and brain allometry’s impact on brain structure and provides data for future UK Biobank studies to identify the cerebral regions that covary with specific phenotypes, independently of sex, age, and brain size. Graphical Abstract Highlights We created neuroanatomical norms and individual markers for the UK Biobank (N=40 028) Allometry was common across 83% of brain volumes, thicknesses, and surface areas 67% of regions differed between sexes: 37% were larger in males and 30% in females Omitting brain allometry influenced reported sex differences in variance 49% of regions declined with age, with variations across regions and sexes
Real-world data shows increased reactogenicity in adults after heterologous compared to homologous prime-boost COVID-19 vaccination, March−June 2021, England

Adults receiving heterologous COVID-19 immunisation with mRNA (Comirnaty) or adenoviral-vector (Vaxzevria) vaccines had higher reactogenicity rates and sought medical attention more often after two doses than homologous schedules. Reactogenicity was higher among ≤ 50 than > 50 year-olds, women and those with prior symptomatic/confirmed COVID-19. Adults receiving heterologous schedules on clinical advice after severe first-dose reactions had lower reactogenicity after dose 2 following Vaxzevria/Comirnaty (93.4%; 95% confidence interval: 90.5–98.1 vs 48% (41.0–57.7) but not Comirnaty/Vaxzevria (91.7%; (77.5–98.2 vs 75.0% (57.8–87.9).
Inflammatory Biomarkers as Promising Predictors of Prognosis in Cervical Cancer Patients

Introduction: Increasing evidence demonstrates a crucial role of inflammation in inducing and promoting several cancers. Pro-inflammatory upregulation of cytokines such as IL-6 has been implicated in cervical cancer development and progression through several mechanisms, for example, by inducing platelet production, activation, and aggregation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effective prognostic impact of inflammatory biomarkers such as platelet count, platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and IL-6 in cervical cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Between 2016 and 2019, 108 out of 159 patients with cervical cancer have been enrolled. Cutoff level of pretreatment platelet count and PLR was identified by using the ROC curve. IL-6 tumoral and peritumoral expression was analyzed and stratified as low and high (low expression: 0 and +1; marked expression: +2 and +3). Results: Median follow-up duration was 30 months (range 16–44). Patients with higher platelet counts showed worse DFS and OS (DFS p < 0.001; OS p < 0.001). Cumulative rates of DFS and OS in patients with lower PLR were higher than in patients with higher values of PLR (DFS p = 0.032; OS p < 0.001). Survival analysis showed a better prognosis in patients with lower IL-6 expression (DFS p < 0.001; OS p < 0.001). Conclusion: Nowadays, causal relationship between inflammation, innate immunity, and cancer is more widely accepted. However, many of the molecular and cellular mechanisms mediating this relationship remain unresolved. Ongoing inflammatory response was associated with poor outcomes in cervical cancer patients. A higher pretreatment platelet count and PLR value associated with higher IL-6 tumoral expression could be used to predict poor prognosis in cervical cancer patients.
Plasticity of Mature B Cells Between Follicular and Classic Hodgkin Lymphomas

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Follicular lymphoma and classic Hodgkin lymphoma can be associated in composite and/or sequential lymphomas. Common IGH and BCL2 rearrangements have already been identified between both contingents of these entities, but mutation profiles have not yet been investigated. The main objective of this study was to analyze the transdifferentiation process that may occur between Hodgkin and follicular contingents in sequential and composite lymphomas to better characterize these entities. From 2004 to 2020, a retrospective multicentric study was performed, including 9 composite and 13 sequential lymphomas. Clinical data were retrospectively collected. Fluorescent in situ hybridization of BCL2 and BCL6 rearrangements, polymerase chain reaction of IGH and IGK rearrangements, next-generation sequencing of IGK rearrangement, and targeted next-generation sequencing (TNGS) on a panel of genes frequently mutated in lymphomas were performed on each contingent of composite and sequential lymphomas. For TNGS, each contingent was isolated by laser capture microdissection. Clinical presentation and evolution were more aggressive in sequential than composite lymphomas. By fluorescent in situ hybridization, common rearrangements of BCL6 and BCL2 were identified between both contingents. Similarly, a common clonal relationship was established by evaluating IGH and IGK rearrangement by polymerase chain reaction or next-generation sequencing. By TNGS, the same pathogenic variants were identified in both contingents in the following genes: CREBBP, KMT2D, BCL2, EP300, SF3B1, SOCS1, ARID1A, and BCOR. Specific pathogenic variants for each contingent were also identified: XPO1 for Hodgkin lymphoma contingent and FOXO1, TNFRSF14 for follicular lymphoma contingent. This study reinforces the hypothesis of a transdifferentiation process between Hodgkin and follicular contingent of sequential/composite lymphomas.
Mechanical properties and decay resistance of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood modified by vinyl acetate-epoxidized linseed oil copolymer

Abstract Equilibrium moisture content (EMC), mechanical properties, and durability of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood modified by vinyl acetate epoxidized linseed oil (WVA-ELO) have been studied. Microscopic observations revealed that the impregnated copolymer is mainly in cell walls, rays, resin canals, and a small fraction in the cell lumens. Under the same climate conditioning, the EMC of the treated wood was in the range of 6.0%–8.2%, which was significantly lower than that of untreated wood (about 12%). Mechanical tests performed on paired samples (control and treated) showed a slight reduction on the mechanical properties of WVA-ELO. The decay resistance against basidiomycete fungi of WVA-ELO was significantly improved as demonstrated by laboratory tests. It was found that 8% weight percentage gain (WPG) was sufficient to ensure decay resistance against the test fungi with <5% mass loss (ML), which led to durability class (DC) of 2.
Polar state in polycrystalline BaSn0.3Ti0.7O3 thin film determined from ac- & dc-field studies

The present work reports polarization response and the effects of ac- & dc-fields on 30% Sn doped BaTiO3 polycrystalline relaxor thin films as a function of temperature. Apart from the low temperature frequency dispersion in dielectric data, a frequency independent local maxima in dielectric constant and a concomitant peak in dielectric loss at T* ∼ 245 K is observed, which is unusual of bulk relaxor systems. Below T*, dispersion in dielectric constant becomes quite evident showing signatures of non-ergodic behavior. Subsequently, the dielectric and polarization responses in ergodic (>T*) and non-ergodic (<T*) states are studied to determine the polar state in the system. The ac-field dependence of permittivity indicates the presence of domain like dynamics, predominantly in non-ergodic state. Field induced transition to ferroelectric state, both in ergodic and non-ergodic phases, is demonstrated from the dc-field studies. Further, the dc-field and polarization hysteresis studies reveal the system resembles that of anti-ferroelectric systems below T*, a possible signature for the existence of incommensurate polar regions. These experimental results put together, provides key insights in understanding the field effects of relaxor behavior in doped barium titanate systems.
Cancer mortality predictions for 2021 in Latin America

We estimated cancer mortality statistics for the current year in seven major Latin American countries, with a focus on colorectal cancer. We retrieved official death certification data and population figures from the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization databases. We analysed mortality from all neoplasms combined and for selected cancer sites. We estimated numbers of deaths and age-standardized mortality rates for the year 2021 using a logarithmic Poisson count data joinpoint model. Total cancer mortality is predicted to decline in all countries considered for both sexes, with the exception of Argentinian women. The lowest total mortality rates were predicted in Mexico (65.4/100 000 men and 62.3 in women), the highest ones were in Cuba (133.3/100 000 men and 91.0 in women). Stomach cancer rates have been decreasing since 1970 in all countries; colorectal cancer started to decline over recent calendar periods. Rates for this cancer were unfavourable in the youngest age group. Lung cancer trends declined in males and remained comparatively low in all countries except Cuba. In Cuba, lung cancer rates in women overtook those for breast. Mortality from cancers of the breast, (cervix) uterus, ovary, prostate and bladder, as well as leukemia mostly showed favourable trends. A marked variability in rates across Latin American countries persists, and rates were relatively high for stomach, uterus, prostate and lung cancers, as compared to Europe and North America, suggesting the need to improve preventive strategies. Colorectal cancer mortality was relatively low in Latin America, except in Argentina, and short-term predictions remain moderately favourable.