Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
General anesthesia, germ cells and the missing heritability of autism: an urgent need for research

Abstract Agents of general anesthesia (GA) are commonly employed in surgical, dental and diagnostic procedures to effectuate global suppression of the nervous system, but in addition to somatic targets, the subject’s germ cells—from the embryonic primordial stage to the mature gametes—may likewise be exposed. Although GA is generally considered safe for most patients, evidence has accumulated that various compounds, in particular the synthetic volatile anesthetic gases (SVAGs) such as sevoflurane, can exert neurotoxic, genotoxic and epigenotoxic effects, with adverse consequences for cellular and genomic function in both somatic and germline cells. The purpose of this paper is to review the evidence demonstrating that GA, and in particular, SVAGs, may in some circumstances adversely impact the molecular program of germ cells, resulting in brain and behavioral pathology in the progeny born of the exposed cells. Further, we exhort the medical and scientific communities to undertake comprehensive experimental and epidemiological research programs to address this critical gap in risk assessment.
Rapid ecological replacement of a native bumble bee by invasive species.

Despite rising global concerns over the potential impacts of non-native bumble bee (Bombus spp) introductions on native species, large-scale and long-term assessments of the consequences of such introductions are lacking. Bombus ruderatus and Bombus terrestris were sequentially introduced into Chile and later entered Argentina's Patagonian region. A large-scale survey in Patagonia reveals that, in 5 years post-arrival, the highly invasive B terrestris has become the most abundant and widespread Bombus species, and its southward spread is concurrent with the geographic retraction of the only native species, Bombus dahlbomii. Furthermore, a 20-year survey of pollinators of the endemic herb Alstroemeria aurea in northern Patagonia indicates that B ruderatus and B terrestris have replaced B dahlbomii, formerly the most abundant pollinator. Although the decline's underlying mechanisms remain unknown, the potential roles of exploitative competition and pathogen co-introduction cannot be ruled out. Given that in.
RHEUM EMODI (RHUBARB): AN EFFECTIVE WOUND HEALING AGENT IN COW CALVES

Two full thickness skin wounds were created on either side of the median plane of thoraco lumbar area in 10 healthy calves of 9-12 months of age. One wound on either side of the vertebral column i.e. R1 & L1 were washed with normal saline and served as control. Other two wounds, i.e. RII & LII were washed with normal saline and applied with rhubarb powder. Healing was evaluated on the basis of clinical observations, histopathological studies and bacteriological examination. The healing, epithelialisation and wound contraction was significantly faster in wounds treated with rhubarb as compared to control group. Inflammatory reaction on 5th post treatment day was marked in control wounds as compared to treated wounds. Proliferation of fibroblasts and angioblasts on 10th post operative day was moderate in control wounds and moderate to marked in rhubarb treated wounds. Similarly, proliferation of blood capillaries and proliferation and maturation of connective tissue was earlier in wounds treated with rhubarb powder. The healing was more or less complete in rhubarb treated wounds as compared to control ones where it was totally incomplete. The bacterial viable count at different intervals was lesser in rhubarb treated wounds than in control ones. Rhubarb proved effective in creating favourable and desirable conditions for accelerating the wound healing process without any complications.
GROWTH PHASE-DEPENDENT PRODUCTION OF A TOXIC METALLOPROTEASE BY VIBRIO VULNIFICUS

Vibrio vulnificus, a ubiquitous estuarine bacterium, is divided into two groups based on the virulence potential. Group 1 is a causative agent of human fatal septicemia, which is characterized by edematous and hemorrhagic secondary skin lesions on the limbs. This human pathogen secretes a toxic metalloprotease as an important virulence determinant. The protease can evoke the skin damage through enhancement of the vascular permeability and destruction of the capillaries. Group 2 is an etiological agent of epizooticus in the cultured eels. Significant levels of metalloprotease as well as autoinducer, a well-known signal molecule of cell-density dependent regulatory system for production of virulence determinants, were found to be secreted by both the groups at early stationary phase but not middle logarithmic phase when the bacteria were cultivated at 25°C. Expression of the protease gene also was found to be increased several times at the stationary phase. Therefore, the autoinducer molecules that had accumulated might have accelerated the expression of the protease gene. In contrast, when cultivated at 37°C, far less amounts of the protease and autoinducer were produced even at the stationary phase. Most patients suffering from V. vulnificus septicemia have underlying diseases causing elevation of the serum iron level. When incubated in human serum supplemented with ferric chloride at 37°C, only Group 1 V. vulnificus showed steady bacterial multiplication and protease production but secretion of significant level of autoinducer could not be detected. Hence, the protease production by Group 1 V. vulnificus in human serum containing ferric ion is also dependent on the bacterial growth; however, protease production in this condition does not require the accumulation of the autoinducer.
Statewide Survey of Psychological Distress Among People of Tamil Nadu in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: COVID-19-driven pandemic has caused panic, fear, and stress among all strata of society. The study aimed to assess stress and the factors that influence it in a representative population in the state of Tamil Nadu (TN)—a state in the southern India where the levels of stress have not been measured yet. Methods: From April 13 to April 25, 2020, we conducted an online survey among the TN population using the snowball sampling technique, collecting basic demographic data. COVID-19-perceived stress was collected through COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI). Binomial regression analysis was used to identify the extent of the relationship between CPDI and sociodemographic factors by estimating the odds of having significant stress. P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 2,317 valid responses were received. Of the respondents, 830 (35.82%) were males, 1,084 (46.79%) were below 25 years of age, and 2,297 (99.14%) were native residents of TN. The mean(±SD) CPDI was 20.66±12.03. While 1,830 (77.2%) respondents had low or no stress, 478 (20.2%) had mild to moderate stress, and 63 (2.7%) had severe stress. The bivariate model included marital status, age, nativity, and income. The odds of having significant stress (mild–moderate or severe) for a 25–34 year age group as compared to >55 years group was 2.38 (P < 0.001). As compared to widowed, the married had higher odds ratio (3.41, P = 0.05). Compared to those with >10 lakh annual income, those with 2.5–5 lakhs annual income had odds ratio of 1.65 (95% CI = 1.01 to 2.7, P = 0.05). Conclusions: During the lockdown due to COVID-19, every 1 in 5 TN population had some form of stress, as measured by CPDI. Our model identified certain factors driving the stress, which would help policy framers to initiate an appropriate response.
Fast and Precise On-the-Fly Patch Validation for All

Generate-and-validate (G&V) automated program repair (APR) techniques have been extensively studied during the past decade. Meanwhile, such techniques can be extremely time-consuming due to the manipulation of program code to fabricate a large number of patches and also the repeated test executions on patches to identify potential fixes. PraPR, a recentG furthermore, UniAPR addresses the imprecise patch validation issue by resetting the JVM global state via runtime bytecode transformation. We have implemented UniAPR as a publicly available fully automated Maven Plugin. Our study demonstrates for the first time that on-the-fly patch validation can often speed up state-of-the-art source-code-level APR by over an order of magnitude, enabling all existing APR techniques to explore a larger search space to fix more bugs in the near future. Furthermore, our study shows the first empirical evidence that vanilla on-the-fly patch validation can be imprecise/unsound, while UniAPR with JVM reset is able to mitigate such issues with negligible overhead.
Consolidation chemotherapy may improve pathological complete response for locally advanced rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: a retrospective study

Background Patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) have an improved prognosis if achieved a pathological complete response (pCR) on account of neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (nCRT). However, the proportion of patients achieving pCR is only 8–24%. The purpose of this study was to explore whether the addition of consolidation chemotherapy to nCRT could improve pCR rate in patients with LARC. Materials and Methods The subjects were 144 individuals with clinical stage II (T3–4, N0) or III (any T, N1–2) LARC who had received neoadjuvant CRT followed by total mesorectal excision (TME). Eighty-three patients in the consolidation chemotherapy group received two cycles XELOX between CRT and TME, while 61 patients in the standard treatment group without consolidation chemotherapy. The pCR (ypT0N0), tumor downstaging (ypT0-2N0) after TME and adverse events (AEs) during and post treatment were compared between the treatment groups using multivariable logistic regression analysis. To adjust the unbalanced variables for the primary endpoint, logistic regression analysis and stratified analysis were performed. Results The consolidation chemotherapy group improved pCR rate (19.3% vs 4.9%, p = 0.01) and tumor downstaging rate (45.8% vs 24.6%, p = 0.009) compared to the standard treatment group. After adjustment for clinical tumor stage, clinical nodal stage and time interval to surgery, patients with consolidation chemotherapy were more likely to reach pCR (adjusted odds ratio 4.91, 95% CI [1.01–23.79], p = 0.048). AEs during and post treatment in the two groups were 54.1% vs 49.3% (p = 0.57), respectively. In addition, the incidence of any grade 1–2 AEs in the two groups was 93.4% vs 95.1% (p = 0.93), while the incidence of grade 3 AEs was 1.6% versus 2.4% (p = 0.74), respectively. No grade 4 AEs occurred in two groups. Conclusions The addition of neoadjuvant consolidation chemotherapy after CRT significantly increased the pCR rate and did not increase the AEs during and post treatment and in patients with LARC.
Three-dimensional thoracic and pelvic kinematics and arm swing maximum velocity in older adults using inertial sensor system

Understanding characteristics of torso motion and arm swing of older adults is important. A comprehensive database of three-dimensional thoracic and pelvic kinematics and arm swing maximum velocity of older adults during overground walking is still lacking. Moreover, the relationships between these variables are not fully understood. Therefore, we investigated age and gender effects of three-dimensional thoracic and pelvic ranges of motion and arm swing maximum velocity in 113 healthy old adults (aged 60–89 years) in a 2-min walk test using APDM Movement Monitoring inertial sensor system by two-way ANOVA, and post hoc Bonferroni correction was applied for multiple comparisons between age groups. A paired t-test was used to study the side preference of arm swing maximum velocity. The relationships between variables were investigated via multiple linear regression models. In general, thoracic and pelvic motions showed reduced amplitude with aging. Gait speed, pelvis coronal plane motion and arm swing maximum velocity significantly declined with age. Only the pelvic sagittal plane motion showed a gender main effect. Coronal plane motions of the thorax and pelvis were closely associated, as were sagittal plane motions. Thoracic coronal plane motion was the significant variable influencing pelvic transverse plane motion and vice versa. Gait speed, pelvic coronal and transverse plane motions and thorax sagittal plane motion were significant independent variables that influenced dominant arm maximum velocity. A larger maximum velocity was seen in the left arm. This investigation is valuable for better understanding of gait phenomena and will contribute to identification of gait dysfunction and development of rehabilitation measures.
Psychedelic Treatment for Trauma-Related Psychological and Cognitive Impairment Among US Special Operations Forces Veterans

Background U.S. Special Operations Forces Veterans are at increased risk for a variety of mental health problems and cognitive impairment associated with military service. Current treatments are lacking in effectiveness and adherence. Therefore, this study examined psychedelic treatment with ibogaine and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine for trauma-related psychological and cognitive impairment among U.S. Special Operations Forces Veterans. Method We conducted a survey of Veterans who completed a specific psychedelic clinical program in Mexico between 2017 and 2019. Questions probed retrospective reports of mental health and cognitive functioning during the 30 days before and 30 days after treatment. A total of 65 people completed treatment during this time frame and were eligible for contact. Of these, 51 (78%) completed the survey and were included in data analyses (mean age = 40; male = 96%; married = 55%; Caucasian/White = 92%; Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Service = 96%). Results Results indicated significant and very large reductions in retrospective report of suicidal ideation (p < .001; d = −1.9), cognitive impairment (p < .001; d = −2.8), and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (p < .001; d = −3.6), depression (p < .001; d = −3.7), and anxiety (p < .001; d = −3.1). Results also showed a significant and large increase in retrospective report of psychological flexibility (p < .001; d = 2.9) from before-to-after the psychedelic treatment. Increases in the retrospective report of psychological flexibility were strongly associated with retrospective report of reductions in cognitive impairment, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety (rs range −0.61 to −0.75; p < .001). Additionally, most participants rated the psychedelic experiences as one of the top five personally meaningful (84%), spiritually significant (88%), and psychologically insightful (86%) experiences of their lives. Limitations: Several limitations should be considered including the retrospective, self-report, survey design of the study, and the lack of randomization and blinding, thus making these finding preliminary. Conclusion U.S. Special Operations Forces Veterans may have unique treatment needs because of the sequela of problems associated with repeated trauma exposure and the nature of the exposure. Psychedelic-assisted therapy with these under-researched psychedelics may hold unique promise for this population. However, controlled studies are needed to determine whether this treatment is efficacious in relieving mental health and cognitive impairment among U.S. Special Operations Forces Veterans.
Oncology and Cardiac Rehabilitation: An Underrated Relationship

Cancer and cardiovascular diseases are globally the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. These conditions are closely related, beyond that of sharing many risk factors. The term bidirectional relationship indicates that cardiovascular diseases increase the likelihood of getting cancer and vice versa. The biological and biochemical pathways underlying this close relationship will be analyzed. In this new overlapping scenario, physical activity and exercise are proven protective behaviors against both cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Many observational studies link an increase in physical activity to a reduction in either the development or progression of cancer, as well as to a reduction in risk in cardiovascular diseases, a non-negligible cause of death for long-term cancer survivors. Exercise is an effective tool for improving cardio-respiratory fitness, quality of life, psychological wellbeing, reducing fatigue, anxiety and depression. Finally, it can counteract the toxic effects of cancer therapy. The protection obtained from physical activity and exercise will be discussed in the various stages of the cancer continuum, from diagnosis, to adjuvant therapy, and from the metastatic phase to long-term effects. Particular attention will be paid to the shelter against chemotherapy, radiotherapy, cardiovascular risk factors or new onset cardiovascular diseases. Cardio-Oncology Rehabilitation is an exercise-based multi-component intervention, starting from the model of Cardiac Rehabilitation, with few modifications, to improve care and the prognosis of a patient’s cancer. The network of professionals dedicated to Cardiac Rehabilitation is a ready-to-use resource, for implementing Cardio-Oncology Rehabilitation.
Diversity of Bivalve Molluscs in the St Lucia Estuary, with an Annotated and Illustrated Checklist

ABSTRACT Bivalves play a vital role in estuarine ecosystems, but are vulnerable to rapid or prolonged changes in the physico-chemical environment. The St Lucia estuarine lake exhibits sub-decadal changes from wet to dry periods, resulting in fluctuating physico-chemical conditions. This paper represents a census of the diversity of bivalve molluscs in this estuary, emphasising changes associated with climate-induced hydrological states. Twenty-four bivalve species were recorded within St Lucia between 1925 and 2011. Twelve that had not been reported previously from St Lucia in the literature were encountered during the present study. These are Anadara natalensis, Anomia achaeus, Arcuatula capensis, Chambardia wahlbergi, Corbicula fluminalis, Dendostrea sandvichensis, Fulvia fragilis, Mactra cuneata, Martesia striata, Meretrix meretrix, Saccostrea forskahlii and Tellina s.l. bertini. Single shells of another two previously unrecorded species, Anodontia edentula and Timoclea lavrani, were also found, although these may have been introduced dead from the ocean through tidal exchange. Meretrix meretrix, an unexpected yet abundant species, represents a new record for South African waters, but the timing and mode of its introduction into the estuary remain unresolved. Extremely large numbers (>100 ind.m-2)of dead specimens of Barnea manilensis were observed in 2011 along the western shoreline of the estuarine lake, which indicates that the species was a major role-player in the settling of suspended silt within the system. Currently, this function appears to be fulfilled only by Solen cylindraceus. Apart from this species, Brachidontes virgiliae, Dosinia hepatica, Macomopsis moluccensis, Salmacoma litoralis and an undescribed Tellina sp. (reported here as T. cf. rousi) are the only bivalves that were found alive in St Lucia during the latest survey, in March 2011.
Detectable HIV-RNA Viral Load Among HIV-Infected Pregnant Women on Treatment in Northern Uganda

Background / Objectives: Detectable HIV viral load among HIV-infected pregnant women remains a public health threat. We aimed to determine factors associated with detectable viral load among HIV-infected pregnant women in Lira, Northern Uganda. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 420 HIV-infected pregnant women attending Lira Regional Referral Hospital using a structured questionnaire and combined it with viral load tests from Uganda National Health Laboratories. We conducted multivariable logistic regression while adjusting for confounders to determine the factors associated with detectable viral load and we report adjusted odds ratios and proportion of women with viral load less than 50 copies/ml and above 1000 copies, respectively. Results: The prevalence of detectable viral load (>50 copies/ml) was 30.7% (95%CI: 26.3% - 35.4%) and >1000 copies/ml was 8.1% (95% CI: 5.7% – 11.1%). Factors associated with detectable viral load were not belonging to the Lango ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio = 1.92, 95%CI: 1.05 – 3.90) and taking a second-line (protease inhibitor-based) regimen (adjusted odds ratio = 4.41, 95%CI: 1.13 – 17.22). Conclusions and Global Health Implications: HIV-infected pregnant women likely to have detectable viral load included those taking a protease inhibitor-based regimen and those who were not natives of Lira. We recommend intensified clinical and psychosocial monitoring for medication compliance among HIV-infected pregnant women that are likely to have a detectable viral load to significantly lower the risk of vertical transmission of HIV in Lira specifically those taking a protease inhibitor-based regimen and those who are non-natives to the study setting. Much as the third 90% of the global UNAIDS 90-90-90 target has been achieved, the national implementation of PMTCT guidelines should be tailored to its contextual needs.
$\Omega$-dibaryon production with hadron interaction potential from the lattice QCD in relativistic heavy-ion collisions

Recently the HAL QCD Collaboration reported the $\Omega-\Omega$ and $N-\Omega$ interaction potentials by the lattice QCD simulations. Based on these results, $N\Omega$ ($^5S_2$) and $\Omega\Omega$ ($^1S_0$) bound states were predicted with the binding energy about a few MeV. In addition, $N-\Omega$ HBT correlation function was also measured by the STAR Collaboration as well as the ALICE Collaboration. These results provide dynamical information whether or not $\Omega$-dibaryons exist in the interaction aspects. Another necessary point for the detection of $\Omega$-dibaryons is the experimental environment where the bound state could be produced and survived in the system. In this context, there are at least two necessary conditions to constrain the production probability of $\Omega$-dibaryons, i.e. the one is the necessary short-range attractive interaction to form the bound state and the another is the experimental environment such as heavy-ion collision provides abundant enough strangeness and multiplicity of nucleons. In this Letter the $\Omega-\Omega$ and $\Omega-$nucleon interaction potentials by the lattice QCD simulations were employed to obtain $\Omega\Omega$ ($^1S_0$) and $N\Omega$ ($^5S_2$) wave functions, and then the productions of $\Omega$-dibaryons were estimated by using of a dynamical coalescence mechanism for the relativistic heavy-ion collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = $ 200 GeV and 2.76 TeV.
Cross‐component registration for multivariate functional data, with application to growth curves

Multivariate functional data are becoming ubiquitous with advances in modern technology and are substantially more complex than univariate functional data. We propose and study a novel model for multivariate functional data where the component processes are subject to mutual time warping. That is, the component processes exhibit a similar shape but are subject to systematic phase variation across their time domains. To address this previously unconsidered mode of warping, we propose new registration methodology that is based on a shift‐warping model. Our method differs from all existing registration methods for functional data in a fundamental way. Namely, instead of focusing on the traditional approach to warping, where one aims to recover individual‐specific registration, we focus on shift registration across the components of a multivariate functional data vector on a population‐wide level. Our proposed estimates for these shifts are identifiable, enjoy parametric rates of convergence, and often have intuitive physical interpretations, all in contrast to traditional curve‐specific registration approaches. We demonstrate the implementation and interpretation of the proposed method by applying our methodology to the Zürich Longitudinal Growth data and study its finite sample properties in simulations.