Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between asthma and caries-related salivary factors: a meta-analysis

Abstract Objectives This meta-analysis aimed to examine the comprehensive conclusive evidence of association between asthma and caries-related salivary factors including salivary pH (SpH), salivary flow rate (SFR), salivary buffer capacity (SBC), and other salivary components. Methods Electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Open Gray databases) were searched for relevant studies. After screening, studies were selected and data were collected from each study. The risk of bias in individual studies and across studies was evaluated. Mean differences (MD) were used to measure the effect estimates in the comparisons of SFR, SpH, SBC, and other salivary components. Additional analyses, namely sensitivity, subgroup, and Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation analyses, were also conducted. Results Eighteen and fourteen studies were included in the qualitative and quantitative synthesis, respectively. Significantly higher SFR (MD = −0.3, 95% CI [−0.39, −0.2], p < 0.001) and SpH (MD = −0.25, 95% CI [−0.45, −0.05], p = 0.01) were found in the reference group compared to the group with asthma. A significant difference in SBC was found only for unstimulated saliva (MD = −0.20, 95% CI [−0.24, −0.15], p < 0.001). No significant associations were found between asthma and other salivary components (p > 0.05). Conclusions Notwithstanding the limitations of this study, the evidence showed that SFR whether stimulated or unstimulated was significantly reduced in asthma patients. SBC and SpH were significantly reduced in asthma patients only when saliva was unstimulated. No evidence was found regarding the association between asthma and other salivary components.
Drug Resistance Spread in 6 Metropolitan Regions, Germany, 2001–2018

We analyzed 1,397 HIV-1 pol sequences of antiretroviral therapy–naive patients in a total of 7 university hospitals in Bonn, Cologne, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hannover, and Munich, Germany. Phylogenetic and network analysis elucidated numerous cases of shared drug resistance mutations among genetically linked patients; K103N was the most frequently shared mutation.
Treatment of Advanced Melanoma: Past, Present and Future

Therapeutic options for treating advanced melanoma are progressing rapidly. Until six years ago, the regimen for treating advanced melanoma mainly comprised cytotoxic agents such as dacarbazine, and type I interferons. Since 2014, anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD1) antibodies have become recognized as anchor drugs for treating advanced melanoma with or without additional combination drugs such as ipilimumab. In addition, v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) kinase inhibitors in combination with mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors are among the most promising chemotherapeutic regimens for treating advanced BRAF-mutant melanoma, especially in patients with low tumor burden. Since anti-PD1 antibodies are widely applicable for the treatment of both BRAF wild-type and mutated advanced melanomas, several clinical trials for drugs in combination with anti-PD1 antibodies are ongoing. This review focuses on the development of the anti-melanoma therapies available today, and discusses the clinical trials of novel regimens for the treatment of advanced melanoma.
Anti-Diabetic Obesity Effects of Wasabia Japonica Matsum Leaf Extract on 45% Kcal High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice

The present study examined the effects of Wasabi leaf (WL) on 45% Kcal high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mild diabetic obese mice. In particular, the hepatoprotective (i.e., liver weight, histopathology of liver, serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase) effects of 12 weeks of continuous oral administration of 250 mg/kg metformin, and 200, 100, or 50 mg/kg WL were investigated. In addition, the hypolipidemic (i.e., serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels), hypoglycemic (i.e., glycated hemoglobin, blood glucose and insulin levels, pancreatic weight, and immunohistochemical-histopathological analysis of the pancreas), and anti-obesity effects (i.e., body weight, mean food consumption, total and abdominal body fat mass, periovarian fat weight, and histopathology of the periovarian and abdominal wall adipocytes) were monitored. The liver and general antioxidant defense systems were also assessed by lipid metabolism-related gene expression. All diabetes manifestations and related complications, including obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), were dose-dependently reduced after 84 days of oral treatment with metformin or each of the three dosages of WL. In particular, 50 mg/kg WL showed effective suppression effects against HFD-induced diabetes and related complications of obesity, NAFLD, and hyperlipidemia, comparable to the effects of metformin.
Reported Sexual-offense Incidents in the United States: Arrest Disparities between Women and Men

This study examined the effect of an offender’s sex (male/female) on whether sexual-offense incidents reported to law enforcement culminated in an arrest. Two hypotheses, chivalry and evil woman, are relied upon and suggest that the probability of arrest differs for women and men, yet in differing directions. The chivalry hypothesis suggests women are treated more leniently than men and, therefore, less likely to be arrested. The evil woman hypothesis, however, suggests the opposite: Women are treated more harshly than men and, therefore, more likely to be arrested. Seven years of National Incident-based Reporting System [NIBRS] data were relied upon (National Archive of Criminal Justice Data, 2010–2016, National Incident-based Reporting System: Extract Files); all of the reported sexual-offense incidents committed by women were included, along with a matched sample of reported sexual-offense incidents committed by men, culminating in a sample of 22,744. Overall, women were 42% significantly less likely than men to be arrested when controlling for other known offense, offender, and victim characteristics. The odds for women to be arrested increased, however, when specific offender demographics, offense characteristics, and victim characteristics were taken into account. The implications of these findings are discussed in regard to their application of the chivalry and evil woman hypotheses.
Measuring Antibiotic Stewardship Programmes and Initiatives: An Umbrella Review in Primary Care Medicine and a Systematic Review of Dentistry

Antibiotic stewardship aims to tackle the global problem of drug-resistant infections by promoting the responsible use of antibiotics. Most antibiotics are prescribed in primary care and widespread overprescribing has been reported, including 80% in dentistry. This review aimed to identify outcomes measured in studies evaluating antibiotic stewardship across primary healthcare. An umbrella review was undertaken across medicine and a systematic review in dentistry. Systematic searches of Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase and Web of Science were undertaken. Two authors independently selected and quality assessed the included studies (using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme for the umbrella review and Quality Assessment Tool for Studies with Diverse Designs for the systematic review). Metrics used to evaluate antibiotic stewardship programmes and interventions were extracted and categorized. Comparisons between medical and dental settings were made. Searches identified 2355 medical and 2704 dental studies. After screening and quality assessment, ten and five studies, respectively, were included. Three outcomes were identified across both medical and dental studies: All focused on antibiotic usage. Four more outcomes were found only in medical studies: these measured patient outcomes, such as adverse effects. To evaluate antibiotic stewardship programmes and interventions across primary healthcare settings, measures of antibiotic use and patient outcomes are recommended.
The Social Neuroscience of Prejudice.

The social neuroscience approach to prejudice investigates the psychology of intergroup bias by integrating models and methods of neuroscience with the social psychology of prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination. Here, we review major contemporary lines of inquiry, including current accounts of group-based categorization; formation and updating of prejudice and stereotypes; effects of prejudice on perception, emotion, and decision making; and the self-regulation of prejudice. In each section, we discuss key social neuroscience findings, consider interpretational challenges and connections with the behavioral literature, and highlight how they advance psychological theories of prejudice. We conclude by discussing the next-generation questions that will continue to guide the social neuroscience approach toward addressing major societal issues of prejudice and discrimination. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Psychology, Volume 72 is January 4, 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews. org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
Uveitis as a Confounding Factor in Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Analysis Using Optical Coherence Tomography

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) in uveitic eyes and search for the associations with uveitis activity, etiology and location. Methods The files of 76 patients with uveitis and 76 controls were scanned. Associations of RNFLT were analyzed using generalized linear models. Results The RNFLT was significantly higher in patients with uveitis (p < .001). Active uveitis patients had a thicker RNFL than the controls and the patients with quiescent uveitis (p < .001). Anterior uveitis was associated with thinner RNFL in global and inferotemporal quadrant (p = .011 and 0.013, respectively). Thickening of RNFL was associated with posterior uveitis and Behçet’s disease in all quadrants (p < .001) and idiopathic uveitis in the superonasal and nasal quadrants (p = .001). Conclusion Active uveitis, as well as posterior uveitis and Behcet’s disease-associated uveitis, is a major confounding factor in RNFL analysis and therefore detection of glaucoma.
Incidental catch and estimated discards of pelagic sharks from the swordfish and tuna fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea

Large pelagic sharks are caught incidentally in the swordfish and tuna fisheries of the Mediterranean Sea. In our study, twelve shark species were documented as bycatch over three years from 1998 to 2000. Blue shark (Prionace glauca) was the predominant species in all gears and areas examined. Shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus), common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus), and tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus) were the next most abundant shark species—found in more than half of the areas sampled. Catch composition varied both in the areas and gears investigated. Sharks represented 34.3% in weight of total catches sampled in the Alboran Sea and 0.9% in the Straits of Sicily. Higher shark catches were observed in the swordfish longline fishery, where a nominal CPUE value reached 3.8 sharks/1000 hooks in the Alboran Sea. Size distribution by fishing gear varied significantly. Albacore longline catches consisted mainly of juveniles, whereas subadult and adult specimens were more frequent in the swordfish longline and driftnet fishery. The percentage of sharks brought onboard alive was exceptionally high; only 5.1% of the specimens died. Few discards (seven blue shark) were recorded in the Greek longline fleet during onboard sampling in the Aegean Se
A Reference Genome Sequence for Giant Sequoia

The giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) of California are massive, long-lived trees that grow along the U.S. Sierra Nevada mountains. Genomic data are limited in giant sequoia and producing a reference genome sequence has been an important goal to allow marker development for restoration and management. Using deep-coverage Illumina and Oxford Nanopore sequencing, combined with Dovetail chromosome conformation capture libraries, the genome was assembled into eleven chromosome-scale scaffolds containing 8.125 Gbp of sequence. Iso-Seq transcripts, assembled from three distinct tissues, was used as evidence to annotate a total of 41,632 protein-coding genes. The genome was found to contain, distributed unevenly across all 11 chromosomes and in 63 orthogroups, over 900 complete or partial predicted NLR genes, of which 375 are supported by annotation derived from protein evidence and gene modeling. This giant sequoia reference genome sequence represents the first genome sequenced in the Cupressaceae family, and lays a foundation for using genomic tools to aid in giant sequoia conservation and management.
Antiproliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Effect of Uvaol in Human Hepatocarcinoma HepG2 Cells by Affecting G0/G1 Cell Cycle Arrest, ROS Production and AKT/PI3K Signaling Pathway

Natural products have a significant role in the development of new drugs, being relevant the pentacyclic triterpenes extracted from Olea europaea L. Anticancer effect of uvaol, a natural triterpene, has been scarcely studied. The aim of this study was to understand the anticancer mechanism of uvaol in the HepG2 cell line. Cytotoxicity results showed a selectivity effect of uvaol with higher influence in HepG2 than WRL68 cells used as control. Our results show that uvaol has a clear and selective anticancer activity in HepG2 cells supported by a significant anti-migratory capacity and a significant increase in the expression of HSP-60. Furthermore, the administration of this triterpene induces cell arrest in the G0/G1 phase, as well as an increase in the rate of cell apoptosis. These results are supported by a decrease in the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2, an increase in the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax, together with a down-regulation of the AKT/PI3K signaling pathway. A reduction in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in HepG2 cells was also observed. Altogether, results showed anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effect of uvaol on hepatocellular carcinoma, constituting an interesting challenge in the development of new treatments against this type of cancer.
Volumetric reduction and dissolution prediction of monosodium urate crystal during urate-lowering therapy – a study using dual-energy computed tomography

Abstract Objective : Dissolution velocity of monosodium urate (MSU) crystal during urate-lowering therapy (ULT) had been inadequately studied. By using dual-energy computed tomography (DECT), which allows accurate assessment of MSU load, we analyze relationship between serum urate (SU) and volumetric reduction rate of MSU and develop a model that predicts dissolution time. Methods Baseline and follow-up DECTs were performed under a standard ULT protocol. Monthly dissolution rates were calculated by simple and compound methods. Correlations with average SU were compared and analyzed. Best-fit regression model was identified. MSU dissolution times were plotted against SU at different endpoints. Results In 29 tophaceous gout patients, MSU volume reduced from baseline 10.94 ± 10.59 cm3 to 2.87 ± 5.27 cm3 on follow-up (p = .00). Dissolution rate had a stronger correlation with SU if calculated by compound method (Pearson’s correlation coefficient r= −0.77, p = .00) and was independent of baseline MSU load. The ensuing dissolution model was logarithmic and explained real-life scenarios. When SU > 0.43 mmol/l, dissolution time approached infinity. It improved to 10–19 months at SU = 0.24 mmol/l. When SU approximated zero (as with pegloticase), dissolution flattened and still took 4–8 months. Conclusion MSU dissolution is better described as a logarithmic function of SU, which explains, predicts, and facilitates understanding of the dissolution process.
Community knowledge, perceptions and practices around COVID-19 in Sierra Leone: a nationwide, cross-sectional survey

Objectives To assess the public’s knowledge, attitudes and practices about the novel coronavirus in Sierra Leone to inform an evidence-based communication strategy around COVID-19. Design Nationwide, cross-sectional Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices survey. Setting 56 randomly selected communities in all 14 districts in Sierra Leone. Participants 1253 adults aged 18 years and older of which 52% were men. Main outcome measures We calculated proportions of core indicators (awareness, knowledge, risk perception, practices). A composite variable for knowledge (based on seven variables) was created, and categorised into low (0–2 correct), medium (3–4) and high (5–7). Predictors of knowledge were analysed with multilevel ordinal regression models. Associations between information sources, knowledge and two practices (washing hands with soap and avoiding crowds) were analysed using multilevel logistic regression models. Results We found that 75% of the respondents felt at moderate or great risk of contracting coronavirus. A majority (70%) of women did not know you can survive COVID-19, compared with 61% of men. 60% of men and 54% of women had already taken action to avoid infection with the coronavirus, mostly washing hands with soap and water (87%). Radio (73%) was the most used source for COVID-19 information, followed by social media (39%). Having a medium or high level of knowledge was associated with higher odds of washing hands with soap (medium knowledge: adjusted OR (AOR) 2.1, 95% CI 1.0 to 4.4; high knowledge: AOR 4.6, 95% CI 2.1 to 10.2) and avoiding crowds (medium knowledge: AOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.6; high knowledge: AOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 4.3). Conclusions This study shows that in the context of COVID-19 in Sierra Leone, there is a strong association between knowledge and practices. Because the knowledge gap differs between genders, regions, educational levels and age, it is important that messages are specifically targeted to these core audiences.
Exploring the factors underlying remyelination arrest by studying the post‐transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of cystatin F gene

Remyelination plays an important role in determining the fate of demyelinating disorders. However, it is arrested during chronic disease states. Cystatin F, a papain‐like lysosomal cysteine proteinase inhibitor, is a crucial regulator of demyelination and remyelination. Using hemizygous proteolipid protein transgenic 4e (PLP4e/‐) mice, an animal model of chronic demyelination, we found that cystatin F mRNA expression was induced at 2.5 months of age and up‐regulated in the early phase of demyelination, but significantly decreased in the chronic phase. We next investigated cystatin F regulatory factors as potential mechanisms of remyelination arrest in chronic demyelinating disorders. We used the CysF‐STOP‐tetO::Iba‐mtTA mouse model, in which cystatin F gene expression is driven by the tetracycline operator. Interestingly, we found that forced cystatin F mRNA over‐expression was eventually decreased. Our findings show that cystatin F expression is modulated post‐transcriptionally. We next identified embryonic lethal, abnormal vision, drosophila like RNA‐binding protein 1 (ELAVL‐1), and miR29a as cystatin F mRNA stabilizing and destabilizing factors, respectively. These roles were confirmed in vitro in NIH3T3 cells. Using postmortem plaque samples from human multiple sclerosis patients, we also confirmed that ELAVL‐1 expression was highly correlated with the previously reported expression pattern of cystatin F. These data indicate the important roles of ELAVL‐1 and miR29a in regulating cystatin F expression. Furthermore, they provide new insights into potential therapeutic targets for demyelinating disorders.
The Reintroduction of Radiotherapy Into the Integrated Management of Kidney Cancer

Abstract The incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has been increasing, with a moderate subgroup of individuals who later develop metastatic disease. Historically, metastatic RCC has been managed with systemic therapy because RCC was believed to be radioresistant. Local therapies, such as stereotactic body radiation therapy, also known as stereotactic ablative radiotherapy, which utilize focused high-dose-rate radiation delivered over a limited number of treatments, have been successful in controlling local disease and, in some cases, extending survival in patients with intracranial and extracranial metastatic RCC. Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy is highly effective in treating intact disease when patients are not surgical candidates. Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy is well tolerated when used in conjunction with systemic therapy such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors. These successes have prompted investigators to evaluate the efficacy of stereotactic body radiation therapy in novel settings such as neoadjuvant treatment of advanced RCC with tumor thrombus and oligometastatic/oligoprogressive disease states.
Efficient Expansion of Human Granzyme B–Expressing B Cells with Potent Regulatory Properties

Key Points Circulating plasmablasts are a major B cell subpopulation that expresses GZMB. GZMB+ B cells can be efficiently expanded ex vivo from total B cells. GZMB+ B cells strongly suppress both autologous and allogenic T cell proliferation. Granzyme B–expressing B cells have been shown to be an important regulatory B cell subset in humans. However, it is unclear which subpopulations of B cells express GZMB under normal conditions and which protocols effectively induce ex vivo expansion of GZMB+ B cells. We found that in the peripheral blood of normal individuals, plasmablasts were the major B cell subpopulation that expressed GZMB. However, when using an in vitro plasmablast differentiation protocol, we obtained only 2% GZMB+ B cells. Nevertheless, using an expansion mixture containing IL-21, anti-BCR, CpG oligodeoxynucleotide, CD40L, and IL-2, we were able to obtain more than 90% GZMB+ B cells after 3 d culture. GZMB+ B cells obtained through this protocol suppressed the proliferation of autologous and allogenic CD4+CD25− effector T cells. The suppressive effect of GZMB+ B cells was partially GZMB dependent and totally contact dependent but was not associated with an increase in effector T cell apoptosis or uptake of GZMB by effector T cells. Interestingly, we showed that GZMB produced by B cells promoted GZMB+ B cell proliferation in ERK1/2-dependent manner, facilitating GZMB+ B cell expansion. However, GZMB+ B cells tended to undergo apoptosis after prolonged stimulation, which may be considered a negative feedback mechanism to limit their uncontrolled expansion. Finally, we found that expanded GZMB+ B cells exhibited a regulatory phenotype and were enriched in CD307bhi, CD258hiCD72hi, and CD21loPD-1hi B cell subpopulations. Our study, to our knowledge, provides new insight into biology of GZMB+ B cells and an efficient method to expand GZMB+ B cells for future cell therapy applications.