Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distinct Features of Germinal Center Reactions in Macaques Infected by SIV or Vaccinated with a T-Dependent Model Antigen

B-cell follicles constitute large reservoirs of infectious HIV/SIV associated to follicular dendritic cells and infecting follicular helper (TFH) and regulatory (TFR) T-cells in germinal centers (GCs). Thus, follicular and GC B-cells are persistently exposed to viral antigens. Despite recent development of potent HIV immunogens, numerous questions are still open regarding GC reaction during early HIV/SIV infection. Here, we dissect the dynamics of B- and T-cells in GCs of macaques acutely infected by SIV (Group SIV+) or vaccinated with Tetanus Toxoid (Group TT), a T-dependent model antigen. Systemic inflammation and mobilization of antigen-presenting cells in inguinal lymph nodes and spleen are lower in Group TT than in Group SIV+. Despite spleen GC reaction of higher magnitude in Group SIV+, the development of protective immunity could be limited by abnormal helper functions of TFH massively polarized into TFH1-like cells, by inflammation-induced recruitment of fCD8 (either regulatory or cytotoxic) and by low numbers of TFR limiting TFH/TFR competition for high affinity B-cells. Increased GC B-cells apoptosis and accumulation of CD21lo memory B-cells, unable to further participate to GC reaction, likely contribute to eliminate SIV-specific B-cells and decrease antibody affinity maturation. Surprisingly, functional GCs and potent TT-specific antibodies develop despite low levels of CXCL13.
Perceived declining physical and cognitive fitness during the COVID‐19 state of emergency among community‐dwelling Japanese old‐old adults

Perceived health status, including physical and cognitive fitness, will be negatively associated with future health conditions among old‐old adults. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has caused sudden changes in lifestyle. Thus, this study examined the associations of participation in an exercise class before the COVID‐19 pandemic and the exercise habits and disruption to the rhythms of daily life during the COVID‐19 state of emergency with perceived declining physical and cognitive fitness among community‐dwelling old‐old adults.
Association between the Mediterranean Diet and Metabolic Syndrome with Serum Levels of miRNA in Morbid Obesity

Background: The Mediterranean diet (MD) could be involved in the regulation of different miRNAs related to metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods: We analyzed the serum level of mir-let7a-5p, mir-21, mir-590, mir-107 and mir-192 in patients with morbid obesity and its association with the MD and MS. Results: There is an association between the adherence to MD and higher serum levels of mir-590. Mir-590 was lower in those patients who consumed >2 commercial pastries/week. Mir-let7a was lower in those who consumed ≥1 sweetened drinks, in those who consumed ≥3 pieces of fruit/day and in those who consumed less red than white meat. A lower mir-590 and mir-let7a, and a higher mir-192 level, were found in patients who met the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) criterion of MS. A higher mir-192 was found in those patients who met the triglyceride criterion of MS and in those with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Conclusions: There is an association between specific serum levels of miRNAs and the amount and kind of food intake related to MD. Mir-590 was positively associated with a healthy metabolic profile and type of diet, while mir-192 was positively associated with a worse metabolic profile. These associations could be suggestive of a possible modulation of these miRNAs by food.
Three-dimensional (3D) Printed Vestibular Schwannoma for Facial Nerve Tractography Validation

Objectives: Predicting the course of cranial nerve (CN) VII in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) on preoperative imaging for vestibular schwannoma (VS) may help guide surgical resection and reduce complications. Diffusion MRI based tractography has been used to identify cranial nerve trajectory, but intraoperative validation of this novel approach is challenging. Currently, validation is based on operative report descriptions of the course of cranial nerves, but yields a simplified picture of the three-dimensional (3D) course of CN VII. In this study, we investigate the accuracy of tractography with detailed patient-specific 3D-printed VS tumors. Design: Retrospective case review. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Participants: Twenty adult VS surgical candidates. Main Outcome Measures: We compared tractography with intraoperative 3D course of CN VII. The surgeons were blinded to tractography and drew the intraoperative course of the CN VII on a patient specific 3D-printed tumor model for detailed comparison with tractography. Results: Of 20 patients, one was excluded due to subtotal removal and inability to assess CN VII course. In the remaining 19 patients, 84% (16/19) tractography was successful. In 94% of tumors with tractography (15/16), the intraoperative description of CN VII course matched the tractography finding. The maximum distance, however, between tractography and intraoperative course of CN VII was 3.7 mm ± 4.2 mm. Conclusion: This study presents a novel approach to CN VII tractography validation in VS. Although descriptions of CN VII intraoperatively match tractography, caution is warranted as quantitative measures suggest a clinically significant distance between tractography and CN VII course.
Electrochemical conversion of phenolic wastewater on carbon electrodes in the presence of NaCl

The electrochemical conversion of highly concentrated synthetic phenolic wastewater was studied on carbon electrodes in a batch electrochemical reactor. The effects of reaction temperature, electrolyte concentration, current density and initial phenol concentration on phenol conversion were elucidated. The wastewater was synthetically prepared and used in reactions carried out generally at 25 °C with an initial phenol concentration of 3500 mg dm−3. Although current density increased, phenol conversion% and initial phenol conversion rate did not increase correspondingly above 35 °C and an electrolyte concentration of 90 g dm−3. As the voltage values applied were increased, the increasing current density resulted in fast phenol conversion. Kinetic investigations denoted that overall phenol destruction kinetics was of zero order with an activation energy of 10.9 kJ mol−1. Under appropriate conditions, phenol was completely converted within 15 min for an initial phenol concentration of 98 mg dm−3 while 8 h was required to gain 95% conversion using 4698 mg dm−3. Solid polymeric materials were produced at initial phenol concentrations above 500 mg dm−3 using the appropriate current density. In the reaction medium, only mono-, di- and tri-substituted chlorophenols were formed and 100% of all species were either oxidised or contributed to the formation of a polymeric structure. Almost all of the phenol loaded to the reactor was converted into non-passivating polymeric products, denoting a safe and easy method for the separation of phenol. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Etiology of early-onset neonatal sepsis and antibiotic resistance in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

BACKGROUND The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) ranks among the countries with the highest neonatal death rates (between 14 and 28‰). In the DRC, neonatal sepsis causes 15.6% of this mortality, but data on the bacterial etiology and associated drug susceptibility are lacking. METHODS Hemocultures of 150 neonates with possible early onset neonatal sepsis (pEOS) were obtained at the Hôpital Provincial Général de Référence de Bukavu (HPGRB, Bukavu, DRC). The newborns with pEOS received an empirical first-line antimicrobial treatment (ampicillin, cefotaxime and gentamicin), based on the synopsis of international guidelines for the management of EOS which are in line with WHO recommendations. Isolates were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization - time of flight mass spectrophotometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Antibiotic resistance was assessed using the disk diffusion method. RESULTS A total of 50 strains was obtained from 48 patients and identified. The three most prevalent species were Enterobacter cloacae complex (42%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (18%) and Serratia marcescens (12%). Enterobacter cloacae isolates were resistant to all first-line antibiotics. All K. pneumoniae and S. marcescens isolates were resistant to ampicillin, and the majority of the K. pneumoniae and half of the S. marcescens isolates were resistant to both cefotaxime and gentamicin. All E. cloacae complex strains, 89% of the K. pneumoniae and half of S. marcescens had an extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) phenotype. CONCLUSIONS The most prevalent pathogens causing EOS in Bukavu were E. cloacae complex, K. pneumoniae and S. marcescens. Most of these isolates were resistant to the WHO recommended antibiotics.
Maternal Autogenous Inactivated Virus Vaccination Boosts Immunity to PRRSV in Piglets

Maternal-derived immunity is a critical component for the survival and success of offspring in pigs to protect from circulating pathogens such as Type 2 Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV-2). The purpose of this study is to investigate the transfer of anti-PRRSV immunity to piglets from gilts that received modified-live virus (MLV) alone (treatment (TRT) 0), or in combination with one of two autogenous inactivated vaccines (AIVs, TRT 1+2). Piglets from these gilts were challenged with the autogenous PRRSV-2 strain at two weeks of age and their adaptive immune response (IR) was evaluated until 4 weeks post inoculation (wpi). The systemic humoral and cellular IR was analyzed in the pre-farrow gilts, and in piglets, pre-inoculation, and at 2 and 4 wpi. Both AIVs partially protected the piglets with reduced lung pathology and increased weight gain; TRT 1 also lowered piglet viremia, best explained by the AIV-induced production of neutralizing antibodies in gilts and their transfer to the piglets. In piglets, pre-inoculation, the main systemic IFN-γ producers were CD21α+ B cells. From 0 to 4 wpi, the role of these B cells declined and CD4 T cells became the primary systemic IFN-γ producers. In the lungs, CD8 T cells were the primary and CD4 T cells were the secondary IFN-γ producers, including a novel subset of porcine CD8α−CCR7− CD4 T cells, potentially terminally differentiated CD4 TEMRA cells. In summary, this study demonstrates that maternal AIV vaccination can improve protection of pre-weaning piglets against PRRSV-2; it shows the importance of transferring neutralizing antibodies to piglets, and it introduces two novel immune cell subsets in pigs—IFN-γ producing CD21α+ B cells and CD8α−CCR7− CD4 T cells.
Greater Power but Not Strength Gains Using Flywheel Versus Equivolumed Traditional Strength Training in Junior Basketball Players

The main aim of the present study was to compare the effects of flywheel strength training and traditional strength training on fitness attributes. Thirty-six well trained junior basketball players (n = 36; 17.58 ± 0.50 years) were recruited and randomly allocated into: Flywheel group (FST; n = 12), traditional strength training group (TST; n = 12) and control group (CON; n = 12). All groups attended 5 basketball practices and one official match a week during the study period. Experimental groups additionally participated in the eight-week, 1–2 d/w equivolume intervention conducted using a flywheel device (inertia = 0.075 kg·m−2) for FST or free weights (80%1 RM) for TST. Pre-to post changes in lower limb isometric strength (ISOMET), 5 and 20 m sprint time (SPR5m and SPR20m), countermovement jump height (CMJ) and change of direction ability (t-test) were assessed with analyses of variance (3 × 2 ANOVA). Significant group-by-time interaction was found for ISOMET (F = 6.40; p = 0.000), CMJ (F = 7.45; p = 0.001), SPR5m (F = 7.45; p = 0.010) and T test (F = 10.46; p = 0.000). The results showed a significantly higher improvement in CMJ (p = 0.006; 11.7% vs. 6.8%), SPR5m (p = 0.001; 10.3% vs. 5.9%) and t-test (p = 0.045; 2.4% vs. 1.5%) for FST compared to the TST group. Simultaneously, th FST group had higher improvement in ISOMET (p = 0.014; 18.7% vs. 2.9%), CMJ (p = 0.000; 11.7% vs. 0.3%), SPR5m (p = 0.000; 10.3% vs. 3.4%) and t-test (p = 0.000; 2.4% vs. 0.6%) compared to the CON group. Players from the TST group showed better results in CMJ (p = 0.006; 6.8% vs. 0.3%) and t-test (p = 0.018; 1.5% vs. 0.6%) compared to players from the CON group. No significant group-by-time interaction was found for sprint 20 m (F = 2.52; p = 0.088). Eight weeks of flywheel training (1–2 sessions per week) performed at maximum concentric intensity induces superior improvements in CMJ, 5 m sprint time and change of direction ability than equivolumed traditional weight training in well trained junior basketball players. Accordingly, coaches and trainers could be advised to use flywheel training for developing power related performance attributes in young basketball players.
A Survey of Rain Attenuation Prediction Models for Terrestrial Links—Current Research Challenges and State-of-the-Art

Millimeter-wave (30–300 GHz) frequency is a promising candidate for 5G and beyond wireless networks, but atmospheric elements limit radio links at this frequency band. Rainfall is the significant atmospheric element that causes attenuation in the propagated wave, which needs to estimate for the proper operation of fade mitigation technique (FMT). Many models have been proposed in the literature to estimate rain attenuation. Various models have a distinct set of input parameters along with separate estimation mechanisms. This survey has garnered multiple techniques that can generate input dataset for the rain attenuation models. This study extensively investigates the existing terrestrial rain attenuation models. There is no survey of terrestrial rain mitigation models to the best of our knowledge. In this article, the requirements of this survey are first discussed, with various dataset developing techniques. The terrestrial links models are classified, and subsequently, qualitative and quantitative analyses among these terrestrial rain attenuation models are tabulated. Also, a set of error performance evaluation techniques is introduced. Moreover, there is a discussion of open research problems and challenges, especially the exigency for developing a rain attenuation model for the short-ranged link in the E-band for 5G and beyond networks.
Small Garden, Big Impact: Emotional and Behavioral Responses of Visitors to a Rooftop Atrium in a Major Hospital

Purpose: To measure hospital visitors’ satisfaction with a rooftop atrium and its resultant impact on the visitors’ behavioral intentions toward the healing garden, the hospital, and overall satisfaction with the hospital. Background: There is a significant lack of empirical research that links the emotional and behavioral responses toward healing gardens and the hospitals providing them. Methods: A purposeful sample of 96 visitors to the healing garden in the rooftop atrium of a surgery building in a major hospital in the Southeastern United States completed a survey based on Roger Ulrich’s Theory of Supportive Gardens and the Stimulus, Organism, Response (S-O-R) paradigm. Results: Findings of this study suggest visitors’ experience with the healing garden can lead to overall satisfaction with the hospital and behavioral intentions toward the hospital. Visitors’ satisfaction with the healing garden significantly predicted their satisfaction with the hospital, their intend to revisit the hospital, and their intend to recommend it. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that a small healing garden can be a powerful enough space to impact visitors’ overall satisfaction with the hospital and their intentions regarding their future behavior toward the hospital, such as revisiting or recommending the hospital.
Relationships between the Rider’s Pelvic Mobility and Balance on a Gymnastic Ball with Equestrian Skills and Effects on Horse Welfare

Simple Summary Horse riders need to be stable and well-balanced in order to give clear instructions to the horse. Riders use various types of off-horse gymnastic training in an attempt to improve riding performance but little information is available to support or refute their value for improving performance on the horse. This study evaluated and scored 20 experienced riders for their performance of three exercises on a gymnastic ball and for quality and harmony when riding their own horse. The rider’s ability to roll the pelvis from side-to-side was highly correlated with the quality and harmony of their riding performance. The ability to balance statically on the ball trended toward a negative correlation with pelvic roll ability. When ridden by riders with higher scores for pelvic roll ability, horses showed significantly fewer conflict behaviors and worked at higher heart rates, which reflect a more effective rider producing more impulsion while riding with greater clarity. It appears that the ability to actively move the pelvis when sitting on the ball is more relevant to equestrian performance than balancing statically on the ball in a position that is very different from the riding position. Abstract Riders need core stability to follow and guide the horse’s movements and avoid giving unintended or conflicting signals. This study evaluated the rider’s performance of exercises on a gymnastic ball with on-horse performance and indicators of stress in the horse. Twenty experienced riders were scored performing three exercises on a gymnastic ball and for quality and harmony when riding based on evaluation of video recordings in which conflict behaviours were evident. The horse’s heart rate and number of conflict behaviors during the riding test and cortisol levels after completion of the test were measured. The rider’s ability to roll the pelvis from side-to-side on a gymnastic ball was highly correlated with ability to circle the pelvis on the ball and with quality and harmony during riding. However, pelvic roll and riding quality and harmony showed a trend toward a negative correlation with balancing skills on the ball. It appears that the ability to actively move the pelvis is more relevant to equestrian performance than static balancing skill. Horses ridden by riders with better pelvic mobility and control showed significantly fewer conflict behaviors. On the contrary, high scores for balancing on the gymnastic ball were negatively correlated with the horses’ working heart rates, suggesting a less energetic performance. Pelvic control and mobility may be predictive for equestrian skills and riding harmony.
Combining pulmonary and cardiac computed tomography biomarkers for disease-specific risk modelling in lung cancer screening

Objectives Combined assessment of cardiovascular disease (CVD), COPD and lung cancer may improve the effectiveness of lung cancer screening in smokers. The aims were to derive and assess risk models for predicting lung cancer incidence, CVD mortality and COPD mortality by combining quantitative computed tomography (CT) measures from each disease, and to quantify the added predictive benefit of self-reported patient characteristics given the availability of a CT scan. Methods A survey model (patient characteristics only), CT model (CT information only) and final model (all variables) were derived for each outcome using parsimonious Cox regression on a sample from the National Lung Screening Trial (n=15 000). Validation was performed using Multicentric Italian Lung Detection data (n=2287). Time-dependent measures of model discrimination and calibration are reported. Results Age, mean lung density, emphysema score, bronchial wall thickness and aorta calcium volume are variables that contributed to all final models. Nodule features were crucial for lung cancer incidence predictions but did not contribute to CVD and COPD mortality prediction. In the derivation cohort, the lung cancer incidence CT model had a 5-year area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 82.5% (95% CI 80.9–84.0%), significantly inferior to that of the final model (84.0%, 82.6–85.5%). However, the addition of patient characteristics did not improve the lung cancer incidence model performance in the validation cohort (CT model 80.1%, 74.2–86.0%; final model 79.9%, 73.9–85.8%). Similarly, the final CVD mortality model outperformed the other two models in the derivation cohort (survey model 74.9%, 72.7–77.1%; CT model 76.3%, 74.1–78.5%; final model 79.1%, 77.0–81.2%), but not the validation cohort (survey model 74.8%, 62.2–87.5%; CT model 72.1%, 61.1–83.2%; final model 72.2%, 60.4–84.0%). Combining patient characteristics and CT measures provided the largest increase in accuracy for the COPD mortality final model (92.3%, 90.1–94.5%) compared to either other model individually (survey model 87.5%, 84.3–90.6%; CT model 87.9%, 84.8–91.0%), but no external validation was performed due to a very low event frequency. Conclusions CT measures of CVD and COPD provides small but reproducible improvements to nodule-based lung cancer risk prediction accuracy from 3 years onwards. Self-reported patient characteristics may not be of added predictive value when CT information is available. Quantitative computed tomography measures of cardiovascular disease and COPD may provide small but reproducible improvements to lung cancer risk prediction accuracy in a screening setting https://bit.ly/3sWyUMM
IN-VITRO HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF MORINGA OLEIFERA LAM. LEAVE ON ISOLATED RAT HEPATOCYTES.

Study was conducted to test the hypothesis that Moringa oleifera Lam. Leave has hepatoprotective activity. For this purpose study was designed using different concentration of crude aqueous and ethanol (alcoholic) extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves to investigate protection against CCl4 (10 mM) induced hepatocytes injury of rats in vitro and compared with standard silymarin concentrations of 0.001, 0.005 and 0.01 mg/ml. Results shows that extract was effective in the reducing CCl4 induced enhanced activities of GPT, GOT, lipid peroxidation and % viability. As per results obtained from the study it is evident that low concentration of alcoholic extract has significant hepatoprotective activity at even 0.01 mg/l while that of aqueous extract was found at 0.1 mg/l and higher concentration of the drug. This shows hepatocellular damage caused by CCl4 and its recovery by pretreatment with the crude extract of leaves, suggest that it might be considered as a potential source of natural hepatoprotective agent, which could be related to the free radical scavenging properties of various components present in varying concentration in the extract which is evident from the free radical measurement.
Intention to treat outcomes among patients with pancreatic cancer treated using International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery recommended pathways for resectable and borderline resectable disease

The International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery recommends upfront surgery for resectable pancreatic cancer or borderline resectable‐venous (BR‐V) disease and neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) among those with arterial involvement (BR‐A or locally advanced, LA). Though neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) is a promising strategy, outcomes are rarely reported on intention‐to‐treat (ITT) basis. This study presents ITT outcomes where pathways to surgery were in line with International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery guidelines.