Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reducing PICC Placement in Pediatric Osteomyelitis: A Diamond in the Deimplementation Rough?

Acute osteomyelitis is a common condition among children and is associated with intensive health care resource use. The practice of treating pediatric osteomyelitis with long-term intravenous antibiotic therapy, typically achieved through placement of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC), has been questioned in recent years. In multiple comparative effectiveness studies, researchers have failed to identify differences in patient outcomes when comparing prolonged intravenous therapy to oral antimicrobial therapy while at the same time bringing to light the harms associated with peripherally inserted central catheter lines. Although the available evidence supports a practice shift away from long-term parenteral therapy, less is known about the extent to which this evidence is influencing actual population-based trends. In this month’s Hospital Pediatrics, Shaikh et al identify important changes in pediatric osteomyelitis care over the last decade. The authors used the National Inpatient Sample database, a publicly available, all-payer database approximating a large sample of discharges from US hospitals, to derive weighted national estimates of health care use patterns for acute osteomyelitis from 2007 to 2016. They identified a rising proportion of osteomyelitis hospitalizations over this time period, from 42.9 to 81.5 per 100 000 hospitalizations, presumably related to increasingly sensitive diagnostic modalities, such as MRI. This increase in incidence coincided with a sharp decline in PICC placement rates in osteomyelitis patients, from 58.8% to 5.9%. Multivariate analysis failed to reveal any significant change in length of stay (LOS) or inflation-adjusted hospital cost over the study period, although PICC placement was associated with both increased LOS and cost. The work by Shaikh et al contributes important information around what appears to have been a paradigm shift occurring in pediatric osteomyelitis care.
Methane positive small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Several studies reported a potential role of methane producing archaea in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the prevalence of methane positive small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in IBS and IBD compared with controls. MEDLINE (PubMed) and Embase electronic databases were searched from inception until March 2021 for case-control and prevalence studies reporting SIBO in IBS and IBD. We extracted data from published studies and calculated pooled prevalence of SIBO in IBS or IBD, odds ratios (OR), and 95% CIs, utilizing a random effects model. The final dataset included 17 independent studies assessing the prevalence of methane positive SIBO in 1,653 IBS-patients and 713 controls, and 7 studies assessing the prevalence of methane positive SIBO in 626 IBD-patients and 497 controls, all utilizing breath test for SIBO diagnosis. Prevalence of methane positive SIBO in IBS and IBD was 25.0% (95% CI 18.8–32.4) and 5.6% (95% CI 2.6–11.8), respectively. Methane positive SIBO in IBS was not increased compared to controls (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 0.8–1.7, P = .37) but was significantly more prevalent in IBS-C as compared to IBS-D (OR = 3.1, 95% CI 1.7–5.6, P = .0001). The prevalence of methane-positive SIBO in patients with IBD was 3-fold lower at 7.4% (95% CI 5.4–9.8) compared to 23.5% (95% CI 19.8–27.5) in controls. The prevalence of methane positive SIBO was significantly lower in Crohn’s disease as compared to ulcerative colitis, (5.3%, 95% CI 3.0–8.5 vs. 20.2%, 95% CI 12.8–29.4). This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests methane positivity on breath testing is positively associated with IBS-C and inversely with IBD. However, the quality of evidence is low largely due to clinical heterogeneity of the studies. Thus, causality is uncertain and further studies are required.
DOT1L complex regulates transcriptional initiation in human erythroleukemic cells

Significance DOT1L, the only H3K79 methyltransferase in human cells, forms a complex with AF10/AF17 and ENL/AF9, is dysregulated in mixed-lineage leukemia (MLLr), and is believed to regulate transcriptional elongation without direct evidence. Here, functional genomic, proteomic, and biochemical studies aimed at an understanding of the role of DOT1L in erythroleukemic cells show no major role in elongation but, surprisingly, reveal that DOT1L evidently has a role in transcriptional initiation by recruiting initiation factor TFIID and enhancing H2B mono-ubiquitination by restricting deubiquitination by the Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltransferase (SAGA) complex. The results thus implicate the DOT1L complex in transcriptional initiation and raise the intriguing possibility that MLLr leukemic fusion proteins may also promote transcriptional initiation through modified DOT1L complexes. DOT1L, the only H3K79 methyltransferase in human cells and a homolog of the yeast Dot1, normally forms a complex with AF10, AF17, and ENL or AF9, is dysregulated in most cases of mixed-lineage leukemia (MLLr), and has been believed to regulate transcriptional elongation on the basis of its colocalization with RNA polymerase II (Pol II), the sharing of subunits (AF9 and ENL) between the DOT1L and super elongation complexes, and the distribution of H3K79 methylation on both promoters and transcribed regions of active genes. Here we show that DOT1L depletion in erythroleukemic cells reduces its global occupancy without affecting the traveling ratio or the elongation rate (assessed by 4sUDRB-seq) of Pol II, suggesting that DOT1L does not play a major role in elongation in these cells. In contrast, analyses of transcription initiation factor binding reveal that DOT1L and ENL depletions each result in reduced TATA binding protein (TBP) occupancies on thousands of genes. More importantly, DOT1L and ENL depletions concomitantly reduce TBP and Pol II occupancies on a significant fraction of direct (DOT1L-bound) target genes, indicating a role for the DOT1L complex in transcription initiation. Mechanistically, proteomic and biochemical studies suggest that the DOT1L complex may regulate transcriptional initiation by facilitating the recruitment or stabilization of transcription factor IID, likely in a monoubiquitinated H2B (H2Bub1)-enhanced manner. Additional studies show that DOT1L enhances H2Bub1 levels by limiting recruitment of the Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltransferase (SAGA) complex. These results advance our understanding of roles of the DOT1L complex in transcriptional regulation and have important implications for MLLr leukemias.
Epidemiological study on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus transmission network in northeast China

Abstract In this study, corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission networks were built to analyze the epidemic situation of COVID-19 in Liaoning and Jilin provinces in early 2020. We explore the characteristics of the spread of COVID-19, and put forward effective recommendations for epidemic prevention and control. We collected demographic characteristics, exposure history, and course of action of COVID-19 cases. We described the demographic and case characteristics of these cases to show the basic characteristics of COVID-19 cases in both provinces. Combined with the spatial analysis of confirmed cases, the distribution law of the number of confirmed cases in different regions was analyzed. We exhibit the relationship among COVID-19 cases with a transmission network. The transmission characteristics of COVID-19 were analyzed through the transmission network. Mainly cases in Liaoning and Jilin provinces were imported cases from other provinces and the vast majority of these cases were related to Hubei province. The number of confirmed cases in different regions was positively correlated with their GDP and population. The main clinical symptoms of the cases were fever. Judge from the transmission network relationship between the 2 provinces, the transmission chain in Liaoning province contains fewer cases than that in Jilin province. The main transmission routes of the local cases in the 2 provinces were the family members, and the infection of the imported cases were mainly occurred in public places. It was estimated that the unidentified asymptomatic infected cases in the 2 provinces account for approximately 7.3% of the total number of infected cases. The length of the transmission chain suggests that the spread of COVID-19 can be effectively controlled with effective prevention measures.
Temporal dynamic of the hippocampal structural plasticity associated with the fear memory destabilization/reconsolidation process

Reconsolidation of a contextual fear memory is a protein synthesis‐dependent process in which a previously destabilized memory returns to a stable state. This process has become the subject of many studies due to its importance in memory processing, maintenance and updating, and its potential role as a therapeutical target in fear memory disorders such as phobias and post‐traumatic stress disorder. In this sense, understanding the underlying mechanisms of memory reconsolidation is paramount in developing potential treatments for such memory dysfunctions. In the present work, we studied the interaction between two key neural structures involved in the reconsolidation process: the basolateral amygdala complex of the amygdala (BLA) and the dorsal hippocampus (DH). Our results show changes in the structural plasticity of the CA1 region of the DH in the form of dendritic spines density changes associated with the destabilization/reconsolidation process. Furthermore, we demonstrate a modulatory role of BLA over such structural plasticity by infusing different drugs such as ifenprodil, a destabilization blocker, and propranolol, a reconsolidation disruptor, in this brain structure. Altogether our work shows a particular temporal dynamic in the CA1 region of DH that accompanies the destabilization/reconsolidation process and aims to provide new information on the underlying mechanisms of this process that potentially contributes for a better understanding of memory storage, maintenance, expression and updating, and its potential medical applications.
Physicochemical Investigation of the Panchromatic Effect on β-Substituted ZnII Porphyrinates for DSSCs: The Role of the π Bridge between a Dithienylethylene Unit and the Porphyrinic Ring

Three novel dyes based on ZnII porphyrinates combined, in β-pyrrolic position, with the π unit dithienylethylene (DTE) have been synthesized and investigated for application in DSSCs. The panchromatic effect due to elongation of the π-delocalized system through a bridge between the porphyrinic ring and the DTE unit such as the 4-ethynylstyryl (1), ethynyl (2), and ethenyl (3) bonds have been investigated by computational, electrochemical, and photoelectrochemical methods. For all three dyes the π conjugated substituents in the β position produced the expected panchromatic effect with broadened electronic absorption spectra over a wide range of wavelengths and IPCE spectra featuring a broad plateau in the region 430–650 nm. In addition both DFT computational and electrochemical data have shown a smaller HOMO–LUMO energy gap for dye 3, when compared to dye 2 suggesting a slightly more facile conjugation between the porphyrinic core and the DTE unit through the ethenylic bond. Conversely the photoelectrochem.
Is it safe to receive kidneys from deceased kidney donors tested positive for covid-19 infection?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Our modern world is facing extraordinary circumstances while passing through a serious pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) which may lead to multi-organ system failure and death. COVID-19 deaths may provide a potential source for kidneys available for transplantation. In our study, we are discussing the safety of receiving kidneys from donors who tested positive for the novel coronavirus. METHOD All renal transplant recipients registered in UNOS database who had their transplants between 1 March 2020 and 1 June 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who received kidney transplants from a deceased donor with positive PCR of COVID-19 test were included in our study. Patients were followed up till 1 July 2021. Data about recipient factors (age, sex, ethnicity, diabetes and date of renal transplant), transplant factors (type of induction therapy, maintenance immunosuppressive therapy, delayed graft functions, early post-operative rejection episodes, HLA mismatch, PRA level and cold ischemia time) and donor factors (age, sex, ethnicity, diabetes, hypertension, date of COVID-19 test and type of COVID-19 test) were collected. Outcome measured were post-transplant hospitalisation, acute rejection, delayed graft function, patient, and graft survival till the end of the follow-up. RESULTS Eighty-six transplant patients received kidneys from deceased donors who tested positive for COVID-19 infection using PCR test. Sixty patients received kidneys from deceased patients who tested positive for COVID-19 within 30 days pre-transplant. Twenty-six patients received kidneys from deceased patients who tested positive for COVID-19 between 30 and 90 days pre-transplant. Number of post-transplant hospitalisation and acute rejection episodes were nil. 19.76% of the patients had delayed graft functions. Graft loss occurred in one patient due to graft vein thrombosis. Patient survival was 100%. CONCLUSION Receiving kidneys from deceased donors who tested positive for COVID-19 infection seems safe and does not affect hospitalisation, acute rejection rates, graft or patient survival. Longer follow-up is needed to confirm our results.
Functional Interactions between Sensory and Memory Networks for Adaptive Behavior

Abstract The brain’s capacity to adapt to sensory inputs is key for processing sensory information efficiently and interacting in new environments. Following repeated exposure to the same sensory input, brain activity in sensory areas is known to decrease as inputs become familiar, a process known as adaptation. Yet, the brain-wide mechanisms that mediate adaptive processing remain largely unknown. Here, we combine multimodal brain imaging (functional magnetic resonance imaging [fMRI], magnetic resonance spectroscopy) with behavioral measures of orientation-specific adaptation (i.e., tilt aftereffect) to investigate the functional and neurochemical mechanisms that support adaptive processing. Our results reveal two functional brain networks: 1) a sensory-adaptation network including occipital and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex regions that show decreased fMRI responses for repeated stimuli and 2) a perceptual-memory network including regions in the parietal memory network (PMN) and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex that relate to perceptual bias (i.e., tilt aftereffect). We demonstrate that adaptation relates to increased occipito-parietal connectivity, while decreased connectivity between sensory-adaptation and perceptual-memory networks relates to GABAergic inhibition in the PMN. Thus, our findings provide evidence that suppressive interactions between sensory-adaptation (i.e., occipito-parietal) and perceptual-memory (i.e., PMN) networks support adaptive processing and behavior, proposing a key role of memory systems in efficient sensory processing.
Association between Human Polyomaviruses and Keratinocyte Carcinomas: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: A positive association between Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) infection and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cuSCC) has been observed in at least one previous case–control study. To evaluate this association in a prospective context, we investigated infections with human polyomaviruses (HPyV), including MCPyV, as predictors of keratinocyte carcinomas, including cuSCC and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), among a cohort of immunocompetent individuals enrolled in the Viruses in Skin Cancer (VIRUSCAN) Study. Methods: Associations between markers of baseline HPyV infection (serum antibodies and viral DNA in eyebrow hairs and skin swabs) and incident keratinocyte carcinomas were modeled using Cox proportional hazards regression. Proportions of baseline HPyV infections that were concordant with a subsequent tumor positive for the same HPyV type were assessed. Results: No significant associations were observed between baseline markers of MCPyV or other HPyV infections and cuSCC or BCC. Less than 4.5% of baseline MCPyV infections were also detected in subsequently developed keratinocyte carcinoma tumors. Conclusions: HPyV infection was not a predictor of keratinocyte carcinoma risk in this prospective cohort. Impact: Cancer-associated infections represent attractive targets for cancer prevention; however, HPyV infections have limited potential as novel targets for cuSCC prevention.
Biofilms and Coronavirus Reservoirs: a Perspective Review

Bats are a key reservoir of coronaviruses (CoVs), including the agent of the severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the recent deadly viral pneumonia pandemic. However, understanding how bats can harbor several microorganisms without developing illnesses is still a matter under discussion. ABSTRACT Bats are a key reservoir of coronaviruses (CoVs), including the agent of the severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the recent deadly viral pneumonia pandemic. However, understanding how bats can harbor several microorganisms without developing illnesses is still a matter under discussion. Viruses and other pathogens are often studied as stand-alone entities, despite that, in nature, they mostly live in multispecies associations called biofilms—both externally and within the host. Microorganisms in biofilms are enclosed by an extracellular matrix that confers protection and improves survival. Previous studies have shown that viruses can secondarily colonize preexisting biofilms, and viral biofilms have also been described. In this review, we raise the perspective that CoVs can persistently infect bats due to their association with biofilm structures. This phenomenon potentially provides an optimal environment for nonpathogenic and well-adapted viruses to interact with the host, as well as for viral recombination. Biofilms can also enhance virion viability in extracellular environments, such as on fomites and in aquatic sediments, allowing viral persistence and dissemination. Moreover, understanding the biofilm lifestyle of CoVs in reservoirs might contribute to explaining several burning questions as to persistence and transmissibility of highly pathogenic emerging CoVs.
Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group, Adult Laboratory Classroom Study of the Efficacy and Safety of PRC-063 (Extended-Release Methylphenidate) for the Treatment of ADHD

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and duration of action of the once-daily extended-release methylphenidate formulation PRC-063 for the treatment of ADHD in an adult laboratory classroom (ALC). Method: After dose optimization with PRC-063 over 7 weeks, adults with ADHD were randomized to 1 week of double-blind treatment with PRC-063 or placebo that ended with an ALC evaluation. The primary outcome measure was Permanent Product Measure of Performance-Total (PERMP-T) score. Results: Of 288 subjects enrolled, 221 completed the ALC visit. PERMP-T score was significantly higher for PRC-063 versus placebo at every assessment from 1 to 16 hours post-dose at the ALC visit and when averaged over 16 hours post-dose (least-squares mean difference 16.3, 95% confidence interval 7.6–24.9). The most frequent adverse events during dose optimization were headache, decreased appetite, and insomnia. Conclusion: PRC-063 provided rapid and sustained symptom relief in adults with ADHD and was well tolerated. NCT03618030.
Patient safety culture, missed Nursing care and its reasons in Obstetrics

Objective: to assess the correlations between the patient safety culture, the missed Nursing care, and the reasons for the omission in the obstetric area. Method: a cross-sectional study, conducted in 2019, with 62 Nursing professionals working in the obstetric area of a teaching hospital in southern Brazil. The MISSCARE-Brasil and Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture instruments were used. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, means comparison test and Spearman correlation. Results: the overall mean of positive answers for the safety culture was 34.9 (± 17.4). The care of assessing the vital signs and monitoring capillary blood glucose were the most prioritized, with airway aspiration and oral hygiene being the most overlooked. The main reasons for the omissions refer to labor resources and to inadequate staffing. A significant and inversely proportional correlation was found between the patient safety culture and overlooked nursing care (r=-0.393). Conclusion: the safety culture of the obstetric area was assessed as fragile by the Nursing professionals. The more the safety culture is strengthened and the greater investment in labor and human resources, the less care is overlooked.
High temperature oxidation behavior of Nb-20Si-20Cr alloys with hafnium additions

V TABLE OF CONTENTS . VII LIST OF FIGURES . X LIST OF TABLES . XII CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW . 4 2.1 Oxidation-Principles . 4 2.1. 1 Kinetics of Oxidation . 4 2.1. 2 Protective Oxides and Protection Failure . 6 2.2 Refractory Metals Intermetallic Composites . 8 2.2.1 Niobium-Silicon System . 8 2.2.2 Niobium-Chromium System . 10 2.2.3 Niobium-Silicon-Chromium System . 11 2.3 Niobium-Oxygen System . 12 2.4 Oxidation of Nb-based Alloys and Alloying Effect . 13 CHAPTER 3: EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS . 18 3.1 Alloy Fabrication . 18
Outcomes and complications of naftopidil versus tamsulosin for elderly men with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to assess the outcomes and complications of naftopidil in treating elderly men with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia and compared them with those administered with tamsulosin. A literature review was performed to identify the available randomised controlled trials concerning the comparison between naftopidil and tamsulosin for men with LUTS/BPH. We searched the following databases: the Cochrane Library Database, PubMed, Embase and Web of Science. Eleven publications involving 1,114 men (557 in the naf group and 557 in the tam group) were pooled in our analysis. We found no significant differences in the total IPSS, IPSS storage score, IPSS voiding score, quality of life index, peak urinary flow rate, average flow rate and post‐void residual volumes. We assessed cardiovascular and sexual adverse events, acute urinary retention, surgical intervention, withdrawals due to any reason and withdrawals due to adverse events. The incidence of adverse events was similar among patients in naf and tam groups. In conclusion, naftopidil shared comparable efficacy and similar incidence of adverse events with tamsulosin and appears to be a promising agent for and alternative to tam. However, more prospective trials with high quality and long‐term treatment duration are needed to verify this observation.