Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thalamic reticular nucleus in Alligator mississippiensis: Soma and dendritic morphology

The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) is a critical structure influencing information transfer to the forebrain. In crocodilians, the TRN shares many features with its mammalian counterpart. One area that has not been explored is how individual neurons in the crocodilian TRN compare with those found in mammals. In mammals, TRN neurons are aligned parallel to the external border of the dorsal thalamus, have their dendrites oriented perpendicular to the fibers in the internal capsule, have fine, filamentous dendritic appendages, are either bipolar or multipolar, and are commonly considered to be a homogeneous morphological population of cells. To investigate the cellular morphology of the TRN complex, a Golgi analysis was undertaken in Alligator mississippiensis. This study examined features that have been used in mammals. In Alligator, the four TRN divisions are the dorsal peduncular nucleus, the perireticular nucleus, the interstitial nucleus, and the neurons in the medial forebrain bundle associated with the interstitial nucleus. In crocodilians, the dorsal peduncular nucleus is homologous to the TRN of mammals. From the 1787 drawn neuron profiles in the traditional three planes of section, the following were concluded. First, neurons in each part of the TRN complex in Alligator were similar in morphology. Second, each part of the TRN complex of Alligator contained a heterogenous population of cells. These variations between the cellular morphology of the dorsal peduncular nucleus of crocodilians and the TRN of mammals are speculated to partly result from differences in forebrain organization.
Significant difference in recurrence according to the proportion of high grade patterns in stage IA lung adenocarcinoma

Abstract Background Patients with early lung cancer are the best candidates for surgical resection. However, those patients with high grade patterns (micropapillary or solid) do not have a good prognosis, even if they have been diagnosed with stage I lung adenocarcinoma. A new modified grading system has been introduced and this study aimed to identify the prognostic role of the new grading system in patients with stage IA lung adenocarcinoma. Methods Patients with pathological stage IA lung adenocarcinoma, according to the eighth TNM classification who underwent curative resection, were reviewed. The pathological data of stage IA adenocarcinoma was reviewed 1 (grade 1: lepidic predominant with no or less than 20% of high grade patterns, grade 2: acinar or papillary predominant with no or less than 20% of high grade patterns, grade 3: any tumor with 20% or more of high grade patterns). Prognostic factors were analyzed for disease‐free interval (DFI) and overall survival (OS) using Cox proportional models. Results The medical records of 429 patients with stage IA lung adenocarcinoma were reviewed. DFI (p < 0.001) and OS (p < 0.001) were significantly lower in patients diagnosed with grade 3 compared with grade 1 and grade 2. Multivariate analysis showed that smoking (p = 0.013), value of SUVmax (p = 0.005), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.004) and grade 3 (p = 0.008) were significant prognostic factors for DFI. Conclusions The proportion of high grade patterns showed a different prognosis, even if curative resection had been performed for stage IA adenocarcinoma. This new grading system is more simple and useful in the prediction of a prognosis in patients with stage IA lung adenocarcinoma.
Vertical transmission and COVID-19: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE Analyze available evidence related to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vertical transmission. METHODS Scoping review, according to the Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR. Searches were conducted in five electronic databases to find publications about coronavirus infection and vertical transmission. Data were extracted, analyzed and synthesized by three independent researchers using a descriptive approach. RESULTS The search resulted in 76 publications. After selective steps, 15 articles - retrospective descriptive or case studies - were analyzed, all in English. In order to track the infection, specimens were collected from neonates through nasal swabs and C-reactive protein from breast milk, cord blood, amniotic fluid, placenta and vaginal secretion was analyzed. A small percentage of neonates tested positive for COVID-19, but these cases were not attributed to vertical transmission. CONCLUSION Vertical transmission could not be demonstrated. Research protocol registered with the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/fawmv).
Reversible right-sided heart failure and pulmonary hypertension caused by scurvy in a 7-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder and a review of the literature

ABSTRACT Scurvy, a condition caused by vitamin C deficiency, is rare, especially in high-income countries. Symptoms of scurvy are typically characterised by dermatological disorders such as poor wound healing and tooth loss, but there is not usually cardiac involvement. A case of reversible pulmonary hypertension and right-sided heart failure owing to scurvy in a 7-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder is reported. He had a very restricted diet and presented with polyarthralgia, gingival hyperplasia with ecchymosis, and fatigue. His condition, including pulmonary hypertension and right-sided heart failure, completely resolved with vitamin C supplementation. Paediatricians should have a high index of suspicion for scurvy in children with nutritional selectivity and be aware that it can manifest with cardiac symptoms. Scurvy may be life-threatening if not treated, but the symptoms can improve rapidly with vitamin C supplementation.
Long-term survival following upgrade compared with de novo cardiac resynchronization therapy implantation: a single-centre, high-volume experience

Abstract Aims Patients with a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator are often considered for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). However, limited comprehensive data are available regarding their long-term outcomes. Methods and results Our retrospective registry included 2524 patients [1977 (78%) de novo, 547 (22%) upgrade patients] with mild to severe symptoms, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35%, and QRS ≥ 130ms. The primary outcome was the composite of all-cause mortality, heart transplantation (HTX), or left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation; secondary endpoints were death from any cause and post-procedural complications. In our cohort, upgrade patients were older [71 (65–77) vs. 67 (59–73) years; P < 0.001], were less frequently females (20% vs. 27%; P = 0.002) and had more comorbidities than de novo patients. During the median follow-up time of 3.7 years, 1091 (55%) de novo and 342 (63%) upgrade patients reached the primary endpoint. In univariable analysis, upgrade patients exhibited a higher risk of mortality/HTX/LVAD than the de novo group [hazard ratio (HR): 1.41; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23–1.61; P < 0.001]. However, this difference disappeared after adjusting for covariates (adjusted HR: 1.12; 95% CI: 0.86–1.48; P = 0.402), or propensity score matching (propensity score-matched HR: 1.10; 95% CI: 0.95–1.29; P = 0.215). From device-related complications, lead dysfunction (3.1% vs. 1%; P < 0.001) and pocket infections (3.7% vs. 1.8%; P = 0.014) were more frequent in the upgrade group compared to de novo patients. Conclusion In our retrospective analysis, upgrade patients had a higher risk of all-cause mortality than de novo patients, which might be attributable to their more significant comorbidity burden. The occurrence of lead dysfunction and pocket infections was more frequent in the upgrade group.
Increased Glucocorticoid Receptor Alpha Expression and Signaling in Critically Ill Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients*

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. OBJECTIVES: Critical illness is characterized by increased serum cortisol concentrations and bioavailability resulting from the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which constitutes an essential part of the stress response. The actions of glucocorticoids are mediated by a ubiquitous intracellular receptor protein, the glucocorticoid receptor. So far, data on coronavirus disease 2019 and glucocorticoid receptor alpha expression are lacking. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: One academic multidisciplinary ICU. SUBJECTS: Twenty-six adult coronavirus disease 2019 patients; 33 adult noncoronavirus disease 2019 patients, matched for age, sex, and disease severity, constituted the control group. All patients were steroid-free. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Glucocorticoid receptor alpha, glucocorticoid-inducible leucine zipper expression, and serum cortisol were measured on ICU admission. In coronavirus disease 2019 patients, glucocorticoid receptor alpha and glucocorticoid-inducible leucine zipper messenger RNA expression were upregulated (4.7-fold, p < 0.01 and 14-fold, p < 0.0001, respectively), and cortisol was higher (20.3 vs 14.3 μg/dL, p < 0.01) compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: ICU coronavirus disease 2019 patients showed upregulated glucocorticoid receptor alpha and glucocorticoid-inducible leucine zipper expression, along with cortisol levels, compared with ICU noncoronavirus disease 2019 patients. Thus, on ICU admission, critical coronavirus disease 2019 appears to be associated with hypercortisolemia, and increased synthesis of glucocorticoid receptor alpha and induced proteins.
Hydroxyurea Induces a Stress Response That Alters DNA Replication and Nucleotide Metabolism in Bacillus subtilis

Hydroxyurea (HU) has been widely used as a clinical therapeutic and an inhibitor of DNA replication. Some evidence suggests that HU inhibits ribonucleotide reductase, depleting dNTP pools, while other evidence shows that toxic HU breakdown products are responsible for growth inhibition and genotoxic stress. ABSTRACT Hydroxyurea (HU) is classified as a ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) inhibitor and has been widely used to stall DNA replication by depleting deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) pools. Recent evidence in Escherichia coli shows that HU readily forms breakdown products that damage DNA directly, indicating that toxicity is a result of secondary effects. Because HU is so widely used in the laboratory and as a clinical therapeutic, it is important to understand its biological effects. To determine how Bacillus subtilis responds to HU-induced stress, we performed saturating transposon insertion mutagenesis followed by deep sequencing (Tn-seq), transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis, and measurement of replication fork progression. Our data show that B. subtilis cells elongate, and replication fork progression is slowed, following HU challenge. The transcriptomic data show that B. subtilis cells initially mount a metabolic response likely caused by dNTP pool depletion before inducing the DNA damage response (SOS) after prolonged exposure. To compensate for reduced nucleotide pools, B. subtilis upregulates the purine and pyrimidine biosynthetic machinery and downregulates the enzymes producing ribose 5-phosphate. We show that overexpression of the RNR genes nrdEF suppresses the growth interference caused by HU, suggesting that RNR is an important target of HU in B. subtilis. Although genes involved in nucleotide and carbon metabolism showed considerable differential expression, we also find that genes of unknown function (y-genes) represent the largest class of differentially expressed genes. Deletion of individual y-genes caused moderate growth interference in the presence of HU, suggesting that cells have several ways of coping with HU-induced metabolic stress. IMPORTANCE Hydroxyurea (HU) has been widely used as a clinical therapeutic and an inhibitor of DNA replication. Some evidence suggests that HU inhibits ribonucleotide reductase, depleting dNTP pools, while other evidence shows that toxic HU breakdown products are responsible for growth inhibition and genotoxic stress. Here, we use multiple, complementary approaches to characterize the response of Bacillus subtilis to HU. B. subtilis responds by upregulating the expression of purine and pyrimidine biosynthesis. We show that HU challenge reduced DNA replication and that overexpression of the ribonucleotide reductase operon suppressed growth interference by HU. Our results demonstrate that HU targets RNR and several other metabolic enzymes contributing to toxicity in bacteria.
Central American and Caribbean tourism destinations’ competitiveness: A temporal approach

This study presents a new method for measuring tourism destination competitiveness based on data covering a specific time span. Issues, such as the type of data gathered, tools and methods employed, and the size and number of destinations, are addressed, as is the consideration of a specified time period. The proposal is based on the information given by linear regression equations, which not only enables the behaviour of destinations to be observed over time, but also facilitates their comparison. The data employed was from the period 2000–2019. Cluster Analysis was introduced to group destinations according to their performance. Moreover, various aggregation methods are proposed to obtain competitiveness rankings. A comparison between destinations was carried out using the non-aggregative and an aggregative approach. Certain destinations attained better positions than others that are considered as being more competitive in global international rankings. Five clusters were clearly identified. The results were consistent with the World Travel and Tourism Council outputs and underlined the importance attached to tourism development in the destinations from Central America and the Caribbean.
Role of P2X7R in eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is an inflammation-mediated disease of the nasal mucosa. P2X7R has been reported to be a potential biomarker for inflammation. The aim of the present study was to explore the role of P2X7R in CRSwNP, and the interaction between P2X7R and the NLRP3 inflammasome in the development of CRSwNP. Firstly, the expression profiles of P2X7R in nasal mucosa were investigated using western blotting (WB), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunofluorescence (IF) staining. Next, the effect of inflammatory stimulation with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) combined with 2′(3′)-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl) adenosine 5′-triphosphate triethylammonium salt (BzATP) on primary human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) was determined. Then, the therapeutic effect of the selective P2X7R antagonist, A740003, on P3X7R, NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and IL-1β alterations in HNECs was explored using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, WB and PCR. It was found that P2X7R was overexpressed in CRSwNP, especially in eosinophilic CRSwNP, the expression of P2X7R, NLRP3 and IL-1β were upregulated in HNECs after induction by LPS combined with BzATP; but the expression of NLRP3 and IL-1β were downregulated after stimulation with A740003. The aforementioned results indicate that P2X7R-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation may have a role in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP.
Vicarious Racism and Vigilance During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mental Health Implications Among Asian and Black Americans

Objectives Experiences of vicarious racism—hearing about racism directed toward one’s racial group or racist acts committed against other racial group members—and vigilance about racial discrimination have been salient during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined vicarious racism and vigilance in relation to symptoms of depression and anxiety among Asian and Black Americans. Methods We used data from a cross-sectional study of 604 Asian American and 844 Black American adults aged ≥18 in the United States recruited from 5 US cities from May 21 through July 15, 2020. Multivariable linear regression models examined levels of depression and anxiety by self-reported vicarious racism and vigilance. Results Controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, among both Asian and Black Americans, greater self-reported vicarious racism was associated with more symptoms of depression (Asian: β = 1.92 [95% CI, 0.97-2.87]; Black: β = 1.72 [95% CI, 0.95-2.49]) and anxiety (Asian: β = 2.40 [95% CI, 1.48-3.32]; Black: β = 1.98 [95% CI, 1.17-2.78]). Vigilance was also positively related to symptoms of depression (Asian: β = 1.54 [95% CI, 0.58-2.50]; Black: β = 0.90 [95% CI, 0.12-1.67]) and anxiety (Asian: β = 1.98 [95% CI, 1.05-2.91]; Black: β = 1.64 [95% CI, 0.82-2.45]). Conclusions Mental health problems are a pressing concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results from our study suggest that heightened racist sentiment, harassment, and violence against Asian and Black Americans contribute to increased risk of depression and anxiety via vicarious racism and vigilance. Public health efforts during this period should address endemic racism as well as COVID-19.
Do You See What Eye See? Measurement, Correlates, and Functional Associations of Objective and Self-Reported Vision Impairment in Aging South Africans

Objectives: Our study investigates measurement, correlates, and functional associations of vision impairment (VI) in an aging population in rural South Africa. Methods: 1582 participants aged 40–69 reported on near (NVI) and distance vision impairment (DVI) and completed objective vision tests. Logistic and linear regression were used to evaluate sociodemographic, health, and psychosocial correlates of VI and assess relationships between VI and cognitive and physical function. Results: VI prevalence was considerably higher according to objective testing (56%) versus self-reports (18%). Older adults were especially likely to underreport impairment. Objective VI was associated with age, education, cardiometabolic disease, and female sex. Conversely, self-reported VI was associated with psychosocial factors. Objective NVI and both types of DVI were associated with worse visual cognition and slower gait speed, respectively. Discussion: Self-reported and objective VI measures should not be used interchangeably in this context. Our findings highlight extensive burden of untreated VI in this region.
An evaluation of DNA double strand break formation and excreted guanine species post whole body PET/CT procedure

Abstract Ionizing radiation-induced oxidation and formation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) double strand breaks (DSBs) are considered the exemplar of genetic lesions. Guanine bases are most prone to be oxidized when DNA and Ribonucleic acid (RNA) are damaged. The repair processes that are initiated to correct this damage release multiple oxidized guanine species into the urine. Hence, the excretion of guanine species can be related with the total repair process. Our study quantified the total DSBs formation and the amount of guanine species in urine to understand the DNA break and repair process after whole body (WB) exposure to 18F-FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). A total of 37 human participants were included with control and test groups and the average radiation dose was 27.50 ± 2.91 mSv. γ-H2AX foci assay in the collected blood samples was performed to assess the DSBs, and excreted guanine species in urine were analyzed by a competitive ELISA method. We observed a significant increase of DNA damage that correlated well with the increasing dose (p-value 0.009) and body weight (p-value 0.05). In the test group, excreted guanine species in urine sample significantly increased (from 24.29 ± 5.82 to 33.66 ± 7.20 mg/mmol creatinine). A minimum (r2 = 0.0488) correlation was observed between DSBs formation and excreted guanine species. A significant difference of DNA damage and 8-OHdG formation was seen in the test group compared to controls. Larger population studies are needed to confirm these observations, describe the fine-scale timing of changes in the biomarker levels after exposure, and further clarify any potential risks to patients from PET/CT procedures.
Evaluation of self-perceived pain and jaw function impairment in children undergoing slow and rapid maxillary expansion: A prospective clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate and compare perceived pain and jaw function impairment during the first 4 weeks with slow maxillary expansion (SME) using quadhelix and rapid maxillary expansion (RME) using conventional banded hyrax. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty patients aged 10.2 to 15 years were enrolled and consecutively recruited to either the quadhelix group (QG) or hyrax group (HG). A questionnaire was used to evaluate pain, jaw function impairment, and analgesic consumption in the first 7 days, at 2 weeks, and at 4 weeks. RESULTS Fifty-five patients (43 girls and 12 boys) completed the questionnaire at all time points (27 in the QG and 28 in the HG). Except at 4 hours, there were no significant differences between the groups regarding pain from teeth, tongue, and palate. Patients started to adapt after day 3. Patients in the HG group reported significantly higher scores for difficulty in swallowing (moderate to severe) during the first 6 days. In both groups, minimal effects were found on speech and the majority of patients did not experience difficulty in yawning or laughing. There was no significant difference in analgesic consumption between the groups. No correlations were found between age, gender, or malocclusion type and any of the investigated outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Quadhelix for SME and conventional banded hyrax for RME were well tolerated by patients after 1 week. The decision to use either appliance could be based on factors not related to patient experiences.
Pretreatment of Corn Stover with the Modified Hydrotropic Method To Enhance Enzymatic Hydrolysis

Hydrotropic pretreatment using sodium xylene sulfonate (SXS) could remove lignin and xylan from corn stover to enhance enzymatic saccharification. Peracetic acid (PAA) treatment prior to the hydrotropic process [so-called modified hydrotropic pretreatment (MHP)] could double the delignification efficiency and remarkably increase glucan conversion. After pretreatment, samples were treated by PFI refining for comparison. With the supplement of PFI refining before enzymatic hydrolysis of the MHP-treated corn stover, 87.6% of the glucan yield could be achieved and the corresponding xylan yield was 43.7%. In addition, the pretreated corn stover was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The lignin precipitate from the spend liquor was also investigated by FTIR. The cleavage of the lignin structure could be observed from FTIR results. The crystallinity index (CrI) of corn stover after MHP was increased according to XRD analysis, while the reduction of total CrI of cellulose between pretreatment samples was analyzed by FTIR. SEM analysis demonstrated that PAA treatment affected the morphology of corn stover fiber by generating pores and allowing for better contact of the enzyme to polysaccharides.