Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Environmental and Health Effects of Ventilation in Subway Stations: A Literature Review

Environmental health in subway stations, a typical type of urban underground space, is becoming increasingly important. Ventilation is the principal measure for optimizing the complex physical environment in a subway station. This paper narratively reviews the environmental and health effects of subway ventilation and discusses the relevant engineering, environmental, and medical aspects in combination. Ventilation exerts a notable dual effect on environmental health in a subway station. On the one hand, ventilation controls temperature, humidity, and indoor air quality to ensure human comfort and health. On the other hand, ventilation also carries the potential risks of spreading air pollutants or fire smoke through the complex wind environment as well as produces continuous noise. Assessment and management of health risks associated with subway ventilation is essential to attain a healthy subway environment. This, however, requires exposure, threshold data, and thereby necessitates more research into long-term effects, and toxicity as well as epidemiological studies. Additionally, more research is needed to further examine the design and maintenance of ventilation systems. An understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms and aerodynamic characteristics of various pollutants can help formulate ventilation strategies to reduce pollutant concentrations. Moreover, current comprehensive underground space development affords a possibility for creating flexible spaces that optimize ventilation efficiency, acoustic comfort, and space perception.
Back to the light, coevolution between vision and olfaction in the “Dark-flies” (Drosophila melanogaster)

Trade-off between vision and olfaction, the fact that investment in one correlates with decreased investment in the other, has been demonstrated by a wealth of comparative studies. However, there is still no empirical evidence suggesting how these two sensory systems coevolve, i.e. simultaneously or alternatively. The “Dark-flies” (Drosophila melanogaster) constitute a unique model to investigate such relation since they have been reared in the dark since 1954, approximately 60 years (~1500 generations). To observe how vision and olfaction evolve, populations of Dark-flies were reared in normal lighting conditions for 1 (DF1G) and 65 (DF65G) generations. We measured the sizes of the visual (optic lobes, OLs) and olfactory (antennal lobes, ALs) primary centres, as well as the rest of the brain, and compared the results with the original and its genetically most similar strain (Oregon flies). We found that, whereas the ALs decreased in size, the OLs (together with the brain) increased in size in the Dark-flies returned back to the light, both in the DF1G and DF65G. These results experimentally show that trade-off between vision and olfaction occurs simultaneously, and suggests that there are possible genetic and epigenetic processes regulating the size of both optic and antennal lobes. Furthermore, although the Dark-flies were able to mate and survive in the dark with a reduced neural investment, individuals being returned to the light seem to have been selected with reinvestment in visual capabilities despite a potential higher energetic cost.
Determinants of soil organic carbon sequestration and its contribution to ecosystem carbon sinks of planted forests

The area of forest established through afforestation/reforestation has been increasing on a global scale, which is particularly important as these planted forests attenuate climate change by sequestering carbon. However, the determinants of soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and their contribution to the ecosystem carbon sink of planted forests remain uncertain. By using globally distributed data extracted from 154 peer‐reviewed publications and a total of 355 sampling points, we investigated above‐ground biomass carbon (ABC) sequestration and SOC sequestration across three different climatic zones (tropical, warm temperate, and cold temperate) through correlation analysis, regression models, and structural equation modeling (SEM). We found that the proportion of SOC sequestration in the ecosystem C sequestration averaged 14.1% globally, being the highest (27.0%) in the warm temperate and the lowest (10.7%) in the tropical climatic zones. The proportion was mainly affected by latitude. The sink rate of ABC (RABC) in tropical climates (2.48 Mg C ha−1 year−1) and the sink rate of SOC (RSOC) in warm temperate climates (0.96 Mg C ha−1 year−1) were higher than other climatic zones. The main determinants of RSOC were the number of frost‐free days, latitude, mean annual precipitation (MAP), and SOC density (SOCD) at the initial observation; however, these variables depended on the climatic zone. According to the SEM, frost‐free period, mean annual temperature (MAT) and MAP are the dominant driving factors affecting RSOC in Chinese plantations. MAT has a positive effect on RSOC, and global warming may increase RSOC of temperate plantations in China. Our findings highlight the determinants of SOC sequestration and quantitatively reveal the substantial global contribution of SOC sequestration to ecosystem carbon sink provided by planted forests. Our results help managers identify and control key factors to increase carbon sequestration in forest ecosystems.
Phylogenetic Group/Subgroups Distributions, Virulence Factors, and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Escherichia coli Strains from Urinary Tract Infections in Hatay

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Nosocomial and community acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most encountered infections in the world. METHODS: This study aimed to determine the antibiotic susceptibility, phylogeny, and virulence genes of 153 Escherichia coli strains isolated from UTIs. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates to different classes of antimicrobials was determined by the VITEK-2 automated system. Presence of virulence genes and phylogenetic groups were investigated by PCR. RESULTS: Regarding susceptibility to antimicrobials, ampicillin resistance was most abundant (67.3%), followed by amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (50.9%); least abundant was resistance to amikacin (1.3%) and nitrofurantoin (1.3%). Multi drug resistance (MDR) was observed in 34.6% of the isolates, and all isolates were found to be susceptible to imipenem, meropenem and fosfomycine. The majority of the isolates belonged to the phylogenetic group B23 (35.9%), followed by A1 (20.9%), D1 (18.9%), D2 (12.4%), A0 (%5.9), B1 (3.9%) and B2 (1.9%). Among E. coli strains examined, 49% had iucD, 32.7% papE-F, 26.1% papC, 15% cnf2, 11.1% sfa, 7.8% cnf1, 1.3% afaE, 1.3% afaD, 1.3% hlyA, 0.7% f17a-A, 0.7% clpG and 0.7% eaeA genes. CONCLUSIONS Our research demonstrated that virulence factors were distributed among different phylogroup/subgroups, which play a role in UTIs pathogenesis in humans. For this reason, complex and detailed studies are required to determine the relationship between virulence factors and specific E. coli strains that cause UTIs in humans.
Craniofacial Morphology in Children with Growth Hormone Deficiency and Turner Syndrome

The review aims to collect and demonstrate recent knowledge about craniofacial morphology in growth hormone (GH)-deficient children and children with Turner syndrome. The review describes also the effects of growth hormone treatment on craniofacial morphology of children with growth hormone deficiency and Turner syndrome. Regardless of the disorder it accompanies, short stature is associated with similar craniofacial features characteristic of all short-statured children. Characteristic craniofacial features involve lesser dimensions of the cranial base and mandibular length, proportionately smaller posterior than anterior facial height, retrognathic face, and posterior rotation of the mandible. We also analyze orthodontic treatment in children affected by disorders associated with GH deficiency or provided with growth hormone treatment in the aspect of craniofacial growth. Recent publications show also the connection between growth hormone receptor polymorphism and craniofacial growth. Specialists and orthodontists treating short-statured children must be aware of the results of studies on craniofacial morphology and educate themselves on the topic of craniofacial growth in children with short stature. Moreover, knowledge of the influence of GH therapy on growth of craniofacial structures is necessary to decide the proper timing and planning of orthodontic treatment.
PCAT‐1 promotes cell growth by sponging miR‐129 via MAP3K7/NF‐κB pathway in multiple myeloma

Loss of one or some specific miRNA‐mediated regulation is closely associated with malignant progression of multiple myeloma (MM). But how these miRNAs work and what role the specific miRNA plays in this process of malignant progression remain unclear. It was found in this study that the expression of miR‐129 was decreased in both MM cell lines and newly diagnosed MM patients. Further clinicopathological statistics showed that miR‐129 was correlated with the isotype of MM patients. MiR‐129 overexpression disturbed cell proliferation, cell cycle evolution and spurred apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. MAP3K7, a kinase able to activate NF‐κB circuit, was found to be up‐regulated in MM and contain a binding target of miR‐129. In addition, lncRNA PCAT‐1 functioned to sponge miR‐129 and thereby lowered its expression. PCAT‐1 knockdown eliminated the tumour‐promoting effect caused by miR‐129 inhibition, probably through repressing MAP3K7 and subsequent NF‐κB activation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to have discovered that increased expression of PCAT‐1 could augment cell proliferation and cycle procession and inhibit apoptosis by down‐regulating miR‐129 via the MAP3K7/NF‐κB pathway in MM.
The Perceived Ability of Gastroenterologists, Hepatologists and Surgeons Can Bias Medical Decision Making

Medical errors are a troubling issue and physicians should be careful to scrutinize their own decisions, remaining open to the possibility that they may be wrong. Even so, doctors may still be overconfident. A survey was here conducted to test how medical experience and self-confidence can affect physicians working in the specific clinical area. Potential participants were contacted through personalized emails and invited to contribute to the survey. The “risk-intelligence” test consists of 50 statements about general knowledge in which participants were asked to indicate how likely they thought that each statement was true or false. The risk-intelligence quotient (RQ), a measure of self-confidence, varies between 0 and 100. The higher the RQ score, the better the confidence in personal knowledge. To allow for a representation of 1000 physicians, the sample size was calculated as 278 respondents. A total of 1334 individual emails were sent to reach 278 respondents. A control group of 198 medical students were also invited, of them, 54 responded to the survey. The mean RQ (SD)of physicians was 61.1 (11.4) and that of students was 52.6 (9.9). Assuming age as indicator of knowledge, it was observed that physicians ≤34 years had a mean RQ of 59.1 (10.1); those of 35–42 years had 61.0 (11.0); in those of 43–51 years increased to 62.9 (12.2); reached a plateau of 63.0 (11.5) between 52–59 years and decreased to 59.6 (12.1) in respondents ≥60 years (r2:0.992). Doctors overestimate smaller probabilities and under-estimate higher probabilities. Specialists in gastroenterology and hepato-biliary diseases suffer from some degree of self-confidence bias, potentially leading to medical errors. Approaches aimed at ameliorating the self-judgment should be promoted more widely in medical education.
Direct detection of intact Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases produced by Enterobacterales using MALDI-TOF MS.

OBJECTIVES A MALDI-TOF MS-based identification method for KPC-producing Enterobacterales was developed. METHODS The molecular mass of the intact KPC-2 polypeptide was estimated for blaKPC-2 transformants using MALDI Microflex and the exact mass was confirmed by LC and a high-resolution MS/MS system. A total of 1181 clinical Enterobacterales strains, including 369 KPC producers and 812 KPC non-producers, were used to set up the methodology and the results were compared with those from PCR analyses. For external validation, a total of 458 Enterobacterales clinical isolates from a general hospital between December 2018 and April 2019 were used. RESULTS The exact molecular mass of the intact KPC-2 protein was 28 718.13 Da and KPC peaks were observed at m/z 28 708.87-28 728.34 using MALDI Microflex. Most of the KPC-2 (99.1%, 335/338) and KPC-3 (100%, 6/6) producers presented a clear peak via this method, while 12.0% (3/25) of the KPC-4 producers had a peak of weak intensity associated with low levels of gene expression. It took less than 20 min for the entire assay to be performed with colonies on an agar plate. External validation showed that the analytical sensitivity and specificity of the method compared with PCR were 100% (59/59) and 99.50% (397/399), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The MALDI-TOF MS-based method for directly detecting the intact KPC protein is applicable to routine tests in clinical microbiology laboratories, supported by its speed, low cost and excellent sensitivity and specificity.
A "square root" pattern of changes in the heart rate variability during the first year after circumferential pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and their relation with long-term arrhythmia recurrence.

BACKGROUND Circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI) may affect heart rate variability (HRV) via incidental lesion of parasympathetic ganglia. AIMS We studied the pattern of HRV parameters changes and relationship between 1-year HRV change post-CPVI and atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence. METHODS One hundred consecutive patients undergoing CPVI for paroxysmal AF were enrolled (mean [SD] age 56.0 [11.2] years, 61 males). HRV was measured the day before and after CPVI, and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post-CPVI using 24-h Holter-recording. RESULTS During the 33-month median follow-up 38 patients experienced a late AF recurrence (LRAF). Compared with the pre-CPVI values, HRV was significantly attenuated at 1-day post-CPVI in all patients. However, at 3 to 6 months post-CPVI, all HRV parameters remained significantly attenuated for 12 months post-CPVI in LRAF-free patients but not in those with LRAF. On multivariate Cox-analysis, early AF recurrence within the blanking period (HR 4.87, P < 0.001) and the 3-month post-ablation standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) change (HR 0.99, P = 0.01) were significantly associated with the LRAF. Cumulative LRAF-freedom post-CPVI was significantly greater in patients with a 3-month post-ablation SDNN reduction (ΔSDNN(post-CA[3 m])) of >25 ms versus ≤25 ms (Log-Rank p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS Sustained parasympathetic denervation during 12 months after CPVI was a marker of successful CPVI, whereas a 3-month post-CPVI SDNN reduction (ΔSDNN(post-CA[3 m])) of ≤ 25 ms predicted LRAF occurrence.
Humanization in the work of nursing faculty.

OBJECTIVE To identify how nursing faculty perceive humanization at work; to describe the factors that enhance humanization and its implications on the health of nursing professors. METHOD This was a descriptive and exploratory study carried out at a Brazilian public university with 19 nursing professors who answered a semi-structured interview. Thematic analysis was used to process data, yielding three analytical categories. RESULTS The faculty indicated that humanization at work and the factors that enhance it are associated with interpersonal relationships, including dialogue and respect in work relationships, positively impacting their health. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS The effective achievement humanization at work is a possibility that generates health and wellbeing for nursing faculty.
Assisted Living Residents’ Sense of Belonging and Psychosocial Outcomes

Little is known about the psychosocial adjustment of older adults in the assisted living environment. A sense of belonging has been linked to psychological health and a lack of belonging could lead to loneliness. We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study to examine relationships between social engagement, sense of belonging, and psychological outcomes. Seventy female and 30 male assisted living residents participated. The mean age was 83.9 (range 65–99) years. Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that older age, higher physical function, and greater sense of belonging were associated with fewer negative psychosocial outcomes (depression and loneliness) and that sense of belonging functioned as a mediator between social engagement and psychosocial outcomes. Additional work is needed to fully understand how sense of belonging and other factors influence psychosocial outcomes.
Extracellular Vesicles from Human Cardiovascular Progenitors Trigger a Reparative Immune Response in Infarcted Hearts.

AIMS The cardio-protective effects of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiovascular progenitor cells (CPC) are largely mediated by the paracrine release of extracellular vesicles (EV). We aimed to assess the immunological behavior of EV-CPC, which is a prerequisite for their clinical translation. METHODS AND RESULTS Flow cytometry demonstrated that EV-CPC expressed very low levels of immune relevant molecules including HLA class I, CD80, CD274 (PD-L1), CD275 (ICOS-L); and moderate levels of ligands of the natural killer (NK) cell activating receptor, NKG2D. In mixed lymphocyte reactions, EV-CPC neither induced nor modulated adaptive allogeneic T cell immune responses. They also failed to induce NK cell degranulation, even at high concentrations. These in vitro effects were confirmed in vivo as repeated injections of EV-CPC did not stimulate production of immunoglobulins or affect the IFN-γ responses from primed splenocytes. In a mouse model of chronic heart failure, intra-myocardial injections of EV-CPC, 3 weeks after myocardial infarction, decreased both the number of cardiac pro-inflammatory Ly6Chigh monocytes and circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, TNFα and IFN-γ). In a model of acute infarction, direct cardiac injection of EV-CPC 2 days after infarction reduced pro-inflammatory macrophages, Ly6Chigh monocytes, and neutrophils in heart tissue as compared to controls. EV-CPC also reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-2 and IL-6, and increased levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. These effects on human macrophages and monocytes were reproduced in vitro; EV-CPC reduced the number of pro-inflammatory monocytes and M1 macrophages, while increasing the number of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages. CONCLUSIONS EV-CPC do not trigger an immune response either in in vitro human allogeneic models or in immunocompetent animal models. The capacity for orienting the response of monocyte/macrophages towards resolution of inflammation strengthens the clinical attractiveness of EV-CPC as an acellular therapy for cardiac repair. TRANSLATIONAL PERSPECTIVE Mounting evidence suggests that the release of extracellular vesicles (EV) conveys the therapeutic efficacy of various progenitor cells in the failing heart. In the present study, we showed that intra-myocardial delivery of EV isolated from human iPSC-derived cardiovascular progenitor cells does not trigger an allogenic immune response and seems rather to induce a systemic anti-inflammatory effect. Our results therefore suggest that human EV administration might not require immunosuppression. It remains to establish whether the systemic delivery of EV would trigger similar anti-inflammatory effects, positively impacting heart function.
Electro-active Variable-Stiffness Corrugated Structure Based on Shape-Memory Polymer Composite

Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) can adjust their stiffness, lock a temporary shape, and recover the permanent shape upon an appropriate stimulus. They are applied in the field of morphing skins. This work presents a variable-stiffness corrugated sheet based on a carbon fiber felt (CFF)-reinforced epoxy-based SMP composite that shows variable stiffness and extreme mechanical anisotropy for potential morphing skin applications. The corrugated sheet exhibits a variable stiffness with a change in temperature, which can help the skin adjust its stiffness according to different service environments. The corrugated sheet can be electrically heated rapidly and homogeneously due to its high electrical conductivity and enhanced heat transfer efficiency. Its Joule-heating effect acts as an effective active stimulation of the variable stiffness and shape-memory effect. The CFF-reinforced epoxy-based SMP composite was manufactured into a corrugated shape to obtain extreme mechanical anisotropy. The corrugated sheet shows a low in-plane stiffness to minimize the actuation energy, while it also possesses high out-of-plane stiffness to transfer the aerodynamic pressure load. Its mechanical properties, electrical heating performance, and shape-memory effect were investigated using experiments. The results show that the proposed SMP composite exhibits extreme mechanical anisotropy, considerable deformation ability, and variable stiffness induced by Joule heating without an external heater.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Dried blood spots (DBS), created by applying and drying a whole blood sample onto filter paper, provide a simple and minimally invasive procedure for collecting, transporting, and storing blood. Because DBS are ideal for use in field and resource‐limited settings, we aimed to develop a simple and accurate DBS‐based approach for assessing mercury (Hg) exposure and dietary carbon sources for landlocked Arctic char, a sentinel fish species in the Arctic. We collected liquid whole blood (from the caudal vein), muscle, liver, and brains of Arctic char (n = 36) from 8 lakes spanning a Hg gradient in the Canadian High Arctic. We measured total Hg concentrations ([THg]) of field‐prepared DBS and Arctic char tissues. Across a considerable range, [THg] of DBS (0.04–3.38 μg/g wet wt) were highly correlated with [THg] of all tissues (r range= 0.928–0.996). We also analyzed the compound‐specific carbon isotope ratios (expressed as δC values) of essential amino acids (EAAs) isolated from DBS, liquid whole blood, and muscle. The δC values of 5 EAAs (δCEAAs; isoleucine [Ile], leucine [Leu], phenylalanine [Phe], valine [Val], and threonine [Thr]) from DBS were highly correlated with δCEAAs of liquid whole blood (r range= 0.693–0.895) and muscle (r range = 0.642–0.881). The patterns of δCEAAs of landlocked Arctic char were remarkably consistent across sample types and indicate that EAAs are most likely of algal origin. Because a small volume of blood (~50 μL) dried on filter paper can be used to determine Hg exposure levels of various tissues and to fingerprint carbon sources, DBS sampling may decrease the burdens of research and may be developed as a nonlethal sampling technique. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:893–903. © 2020 SETAC