Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the utility of pest control sourced rats for zoonotic pathogen surveillance

Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) inhabit cities worldwide and live in close association with humans. Studies of urban rat zoonoses often rely on live‐trapping, with fewer studies using rats sourced through lethal pest control interventions. Our objectives were to evaluate the utility of rats collected by pest control professionals for zoonotic pathogen surveillance and determine whether we could detect Leptospira interrogans and Streptobacillus moniliformis in pest control sourced rats. Rat carcasses were submitted from Windsor, Canada by pest control professionals between November 2018 and March 2020. Submissions were categorized by season and land use. Necropsies were performed to classify carcass quality, collect tissue samples, and record demographic data. The association between carcass quality and the ability to collect tissue samples for pathogen surveillance was assessed via an exact logistic regression model. Using PCR, a subset of kidney and spleen samples were tested for L. interrogans and S. moniliformis, respectively. Our sample of pest control sourced rats had similar sex and age distributions to those of live‐trapping studies. Rats were primarily submitted from residential and industrial locations during fall, winter, and spring, which may reflect pest control service areas and peak business periods, rather than rat distribution. Of 124 submissions, 98 (79.0%) of rats showed only mild decomposition. The odds of collecting all tissue samples were reduced for fair compared to good‐quality carcasses (OR: 0.029; 95% CI: 0–0.25; p = .0009) and for poor compared to fair‐quality carcasses (OR: 0.048; 95% CI: 0.00085–0.53; p = .0065). Leptospira interrogans and S. moniliformis were detected in 9.1% (4/44) and 27.3% (15/55) of a subset of rats tested, respectively. Our results suggest that pest control sourced rats are suitable for surveillance for multiple zoonotic pathogens in urban environments. This method of rat collection may provide preliminary information to guide more detailed ecological studies.
Defining cognitive impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: an evaluation of empirical approaches

Abstract Objective: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multi-system disorder characterized primarily by motor neuron degeneration, but may be accompanied by cognitive dysfunction. Statistically appropriate criteria for establishing cognitive impairment (CI) in ALS are lacking. We evaluate quantile regression (QR), that accounts for age and education, relative to a traditional two standard deviation (SD) cutoff for defining CI. Methods: QR of cross-sectional data from a multi-center North American Control (NAC) cohort of 269 healthy adults was used to model the 5th percentile of cognitive scores on the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioral ALS Screen (ECAS). The QR approach was compared to traditional two SD cutoff approach using the same NAC cohort (2SD-NAC) and to existing UK-based normative data derived using the 2SD approach (2SD-UK) to assess the impact of cohort selection and statistical model in identifying CI in 182 ALS patients. Results: QR-NAC models revealed that age and education impact cognitive performance on the ECAS. Based on QR-NAC normative cutoffs, the frequency of CI in the 182 PENN ALS patients was 15.9% for ALS specific, 12.6% for ALS nonspecific, and 15.4% for ECAS total. This frequency of CI is substantially more conservative in comparison to the 2SD-UK (20.3%–34.6%) and modestly more conservative to the 2SD-NAC (14.3%–16.5%) approaches for estimating CI. Conclusions: The choice of normative cohort has a substantial impact and choice of statistical method a modest impact on defining CI in ALS. This report establishes normative ECAS thresholds to identify whether ALS patients in the North American population have CI.
Determinants of the economic performance of Portuguese Academic Spin-offs: do Science & Technology infrastructures and support matter?

Academic and political interest in Academic Spin-offs (ASOs) has increased significantly in Portugal in the last few years. Although these firms, created to exploit the results of scientific research, are considered important contributors to employment and wealth creation, in the Portuguese case, their impact has been modest, at best. Based on a sample of 101 ASOs associated to the members of the University Technology Enterprise Network (UTEN), we found that ASOs are quite small (employing on average 9 full time equivalent individuals and a turnover of 300 thousand euros). Besides being highly R&D intensive, Portuguese ASOs are internationally-led with almost half of the respondent firms involved in exporting. An econometric analysis revealed the relevant role of certain types of S&T infrastructures and support mechanisms for the economic performance of ASOs In particular, access to incubators, access to skilled labour, and support in terms of business mentoring and counselling emerged as significantly and positively related with ASOs’ sales per worker. Moreover, their economic performance is extremely dependent on internationalization dynamics, with firms that export outperforming their domestically-based counterparts. The lack of economic return on R&D performed and patents registered by firms indicates that the steady investment in science, technology and innovation in Portugal in the last decade, although undoubtedly necessary, has not yet materialized sufficiently to push the system towards solid, productive and value added firms. Therefore, policies aimed at accelerating ideas and knowledge into internationally competitive ideas and products are required.
Comparative 6-Month Wild-Type and Delta-Variant Antibody Levels and Surrogate Neutralization for Adults Vaccinated with BNT162b2 versus mRNA-1273

The BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have demonstrated high efficacy for preventing short-term COVID-19. However, comparative long-term effectiveness is unclear, especially pertaining to the Delta variant. ABSTRACT While mRNA vaccines are highly efficacious against short-term COVID-19, long-term immunogenicity is less clear. We compared humoral immunogenicity between BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccines 6 months after the first vaccine dose, examining the wild-type strain and multiple Delta-variant lineages. Using samples from a prospective observational cohort study of adult paramedics, we included COVID-19-negative participants who received two BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 vaccines, and provided a blood sample 170 to 190 days post first vaccine dose. We compared wild-type spike IgG concentrations using the Mann-Whitney U test. We also compared secondary outcomes of: receptor binding domain (RBD) wild-type antibody concentrations, and inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) binding to spike proteins from the wild-type strain and five Delta-variant lineages. We included 571 adults: 475 BNT162b2 (83%) and 96 mRNA-1273 (17%) vaccinees, with a mean age of 39 (SD = 10) and 43 (SD = 10) years, respectively. Spike IgG antibody concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) for those who received mRNA-1273 (GM 601 BAU/mL [GSD 2.05]) versus BNT162b2 (GM 375 BAU/mL [GSD 2.33) vaccines. Results of RBD antibody comparisons (P < 0.0001), and inhibition of ACE-2 binding to the wild-type strain and all tested Delta lineages (all P < 0.0001), were consistent. Adults who received two doses of mRNA-1273 vaccines demonstrated improved wild-type and Delta variant-specific humoral immunity outcomes at 6 months compared with those who received two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine. IMPORTANCE The BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have demonstrated high efficacy for preventing short-term COVID-19. However, comparative long-term effectiveness is unclear, especially pertaining to the Delta variant. We tested virus-specific antibody responses 6 months after the first vaccine dose and compared individuals who received the BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. We found that individuals who received the mRNA-1273 vaccine demonstrated superior serological markers at 6 months in comparison with those who received the BNT162b2 vaccine.
Evaluation of DOAC Dipstick Test for Detecting Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Urine Compared with a Clinically Relevant Plasma Threshold Concentration

Measuring direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) concentrations might be necessary in certain clinical situations but is not routinely performed. The DOAC Dipstick is a new rapid test for detecting DOACs in urine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible uses and limitations of the DOAC Dipstick and to compare visual analysis and DOASENSE Reader analysis of DOAC Dipstick pads. Plasma and urine samples were collected from 23 patients taking DOACs. DOAC concentrations in plasma and urine were measured by chromogenic substrate assays and in urine also by the DOAC Dipstick. Plasma concentrations were dichotomized at a threshold of ≥30 ng/mL. Patient samples were compared with samples from control individuals not using anticoagulants (n = 10) and with DOASENSE control urines. The Combur-10 test was used to measure parameters that may affect urine color and hence the interpretation of the DOAC Dipstick result. DOAC Dipstick test results were positive in 21/23 patient urine samples at a plasma DOAC concentration of ≥30 ng/mL and in 2/23 patient urine samples at a plasma DOAC concentration of <30 ng/mL. Inter-observer agreement was above 90% for visual analysis of patient urine samples and was 100% for DOASENSE Reader analysis of patient urines and for analysis of control group urines and DOASENSE control urines. Abnormalities in urine color detected by the Combur-10 test did not affect the DOAC Dipstick results. DOAC Dipstick detects DOACs in urine at a plasma threshold of ≥30 ng/mL. Positive DOAC Dipstick results should be confirmed by measuring DOAC plasma concentration.
The use of intra‐articular platelet rich plasma for the symptomatic management of osteoarthritis of the knee: a pilot study

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a chronic inflammatory condition resulting in significant patient disability, with intra‐articular platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections having shown potential to improve symptomatic outcomes. This retrospective cohort pilot study aimed to observe whether PRP injections were beneficial in the symptomatic management of knee osteoarthritis in an Australian population, based on patient reported outcomes. An additional aim was to observe for an association between the number of injections and patient characteristics, such as body mass index, age, sex and radiologically determined severity of the disease.
Invasive Aspergillosis of the Spleen in the setting of Ibrutinib use

Introduction Ibrutinib is an oral irreversible inhibitor of Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) which is involved in B Cell Receptor (BCR) signaling, a key survival molecule of B-cell malignancies such as chronic lymphocytic leukemiasmall lymphocytic lymphomas (CLL -SLL). BCR signaling could be targeted at different levels, however, distant, or downstream targets are safer and less complicated. BTK is one such downstream mediator which is targeted by ibrutinib with high selectivity, prolonged pharmacodynamics, and increased potency. In February 2014, the US Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval for ibrutinib as a breakthrough therapy for patients with relapsed/refractory CLL including elderly and patients with P53 mutation. After that, the RESONATE-2 Trial proved superiority of ibrutinib over chlorambucil in terms of overall survival and progression free survival which led to its approval as the first line therapy as well. Ibrutinib is usually well tolerated but is associated with some adverse effects. Most common side effects include diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infections, bleeding, fatigue, and cardiac side effects like atrial fibrillation. While patients with CLL are predisposed to infections due to neutropenia and hypogammaglobulinemia, patients who receive ibrutinib are at an additional risk for infections. Pneumonia was the most common infection (12%) in a long-term safety report for patients of the RESONATE-2 trial, however fungal infections, were not commonly reported in initial ibrutinib trials. Cases of fungal infections most commonly invasive aspergillosis, while on treatment with ibrutinib have been reported. The summary of product characteristics (SPC) for ibrutinib also warns about infectious complications including invasive fungal infections (IFIs). In one report, invasive aspergillosis happened in 39% of patients with primary CNS lymphoma treated with ibrutinib as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy. Another study of long-term follow-up of patients with mantle cell lymphoma who received ibrutinib revealed one case each of histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and pneumocystis pneumonia in 115 mantle cell patients. To our knowledge, IFIs of the spleen were not reported in any of these studies. Here, we report a case of splenic aspergillosis in a patient with CLL possibly attributed to ibrutinib.
The Effect of a Bout of Resistance Exercise on 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine in Athletes and Non-Athletes

Introduction: As a result of the natural metabolism in cells, free radicals and reactive species of oxygen are continuously produced and increase under physical and psychological stress conditions. Oxidative stress is a condition in which the reactive oxygen species production exceeds the antioxidant system capacity to neutralize these peroxidants. In these situations, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids are damaged. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of acute resistance exercise (RE) on 8-hydroxy-2'- deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), marker of DNA oxidation. Methods: In this quasi-experimental research, nine resistances trained (RT) and nine untrained (UT) men were randomly selected. All subjects performed a RE protocol including 4 sets of the bench press, leg press, sited bar shoulder press, arm curls and lat pull down exercises using high intensity (80% of 1RM). Blood draws occurred before and immediately after exercise and urine samples were collected before, immediately after, 3h after and 24 h after resistance exercise for the measurement of plasma lactate and urinary 8- OHdG excretion. Results: Urinary 8-OHdG concentrations were significantly lower at post and 24h post exercise in RT compared with UT (P<0.05). The concentration of 8-OHdG was significantly elevated post, 3h post and 24h post exercise in UT as compared with pre exercise status (P<0.05). However, 8-OHdG was significantly elevated 24h post exercise in RT as compared with pre exercise status (P<0.05). Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicated that oxidative DNA damage was lower in bodybuilding athletes compared to the untrained. This may be due to regular resistance training status in athletes and it is possible that antioxidant capacity is improved in athletes due to performing regular resistance training.
Perspective: Food Environment Research Priorities for Africa—Lessons from the Africa Food Environment Research Network

ABSTRACT Over the last 2 decades, many African countries have undergone dietary and nutrition transitions fueled by globalization, rapid urbanization, and development. These changes have altered African food environments and, subsequently, dietary behaviors, including food acquisition and consumption. Dietary patterns associated with the nutrition transition have contributed to Africa's complex burden of malnutrition—obesity and other diet-related noncommunicable diseases (DR-NCDs)—along with persistent food insecurity and undernutrition. Available evidence links unhealthy or obesogenic food environments (including those that market and offer energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods and beverages) with suboptimal diets and associated adverse health outcomes. Elsewhere, governments have responded with policies to improve food environments. However, in Africa, the necessary research and policy action have received insufficient attention. Contextual evidence to motivate, enable, and create supportive food environments in Africa for better population health is urgently needed. In November 2020, the Measurement, Evaluation, Accountability, and Leadership Support for Noncommunicable Diseases Prevention Project (MEALS4NCDs) convened the first Africa Food Environment Research Network Meeting (FERN2020). This 3-d virtual meeting brought researchers from around the world to deliberate on future directions and research priorities related to improving food environments and nutrition across the African continent. The stakeholders shared experiences, best practices, challenges, and opportunities for improving the healthfulness of food environments and related policies in low- and middle-income countries. In this article, we summarize the proceedings and research priorities identified in the meeting to advance the food environment research agenda in Africa, and thus contribute to the promotion of healthier food environments to prevent DR-NCDs, and other forms of malnutrition.
The effect of do‐it‐yourself real‐time continuous glucose monitoring on psychological and glycemic variables in children with type 1 diabetes: A randomized crossover trial

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) decreases fear of hypoglycemia (FOH) and improves glycemic control among those affected by type 1 diabetes (T1D). No studies to date have examined the impact of using do‐it‐yourself real‐time continuous glucose monitoring (DIY RT‐CGM) on psychological and glycemic outcomes.
Effect of intravaginal gentian violet for acute vaginal candidiasis treated with a single dose oral fluconazole: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract The study aims to evaluate the additive effect of intra-vaginal gentian violet (GV) on a single dose oral 200 mg fluconazole for acute vaginal candidiasis (VC). Women aged ≥18 years who had VC were randomly allocated to receive either fluconazole 200 mg (group 1, FLU, N = 90); or the fluconazole with GV (group 2, FLU + GV, N = 93). Outcome measures were 2-week clinical cure rate, conversion of positive fungal culture, time-to-cure, side effects, satisfaction and symptomatic recurrence within 2 months. No significant difference of participants’ characteristics was observed. They were 32.4 ± 8.7 year-old and non-obese. Participants receiving FLU + GV had higher clinical cure rates (81.7% vs. 74.4%, p=.236); lower recurrence rate (19.4% vs. 30.0%, p=.097); shorter time-to-cure (3.1 vs. 4.0 days, p=.013); but lower culture conversion rate (74.2% vs. 80.0%, p=.351). Participants in both groups reported high satisfaction and none had severe adverse events. In conclusion, the addition of GV results in a shorter time-to-cure but not cure rate. Clinical trial registration: TCTR20180917003 (http://thaiclinicaltrials.org/show/TCTR20180917003). Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? The efficacy of fluconazole for acute vaginal candidiasis is limited to 75–90% due to drug resistance and non-albicans Candida. Gentian violet (GV) has long been used for mucosal candidiasis; and is recommended as the second line treatment for women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). What do the results of this study add? Adding GV to a single oral 200 mg fluconazole results in a quicker resolution of symptoms of acute VC but not cure rate. The participants’ satisfaction and acceptance are high. Lifestyle modification, particularly reduction of sugar-rich diet, associates with the higher culture-based cure rate. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? As GV is widely and easily accessible, and speculum examination with or without microscopy is the main diagnostic tool of VC; the single application of GV seems doable in real-life practice. This simple anti-septic solution can accelerate symptom resolution. However, the proper frequency of GV application should be further explored. As importantly, lifestyle modification should always be included in counselling session to optimise treatment outcome.
The Canadian seismic array monitor processing system (cansam)

An on-line digital beamforming and detection system has been operating at the Canadian short-period array near Yellowknife since early 1974. The installation followed the renewed recognition of the important contribution this array can make to worldwide detection and location of small seismic events. System design is based on earlier Canadian experience. Daily event detection logs are available in Ottawa via dialed telephone line. Nonlinear beamforming is used to lower the false alarm rate at given detection level, and it is shown to perform as predicted. During the 6 winter and spring months, the detection threshold is mb 4.0 to 4.1 at 50 per cent false alarm rate. During summer and fall, organized surface-wave noise originating on Great Slave Lake raises this level to mb 4.6 to 4.7.
Relationship of single leg stance time to falls in Special Olympic athletes

ABSTRACT Background The single-leg stance test is included in the FUNfitness (FF) screening for Special Olympic athletes to determine if balance education and/or referrals are needed. There are limited data regarding the use of the single-leg stance test for people with intellectual disabilities. Method Data were collected for this prospective study as part of the FF screens during the 2018 Special Olympics summer games. Each athlete completed the SLS test on the right (R) and left (L) lower extremity (LE), with eyes opened (SLS-EO) and closed (SLS-EC), and asked if they had fallen in the past year. Results A total of 178 athletes completed the test. Data analysis revealed a weak relationship between falls and SLS-EO (R LE rs = −0.170 and L LE rs = −0.185) and SLS-EC (R LE rs = −0.169 and L LE rs = −0.187), all of which were significant (p< .05). Sensitivity and specificity of the SLS-EO were low for both the R LE (74.5% and 42.2%, respectively) and L LE (74.5% and 42.7%, respectively). Sensitivity rose slightly with SLS-EC (R LE = 80.9% and L LE = 89.1%), while specificity decreased (R LE = 22.9% and L LE = 25.2%). The positive predictive values for SLS-EO and SLS-EC ranged from 27.3% to 31.8%. The SLS test demonstrated poor accuracy in identifying fallers in SO athletes with area under the curve values ranging from 0.610 to 0.623. Conclusions These results indicate that the SLS test, or cutoff scores used, may not be the most appropriate for this population.
Development of a New Revised Version of the Witczak E* Predictive Model for Hot Mix Asphalt Mixtures (With Discussion)

The main purpose of this paper is to present the development of a new revised version of the widely known Witczak E* Predictive Model. The model development was aimed at overcoming the limitations of current models available to the pavement community, which are used for predicting the dynamic modulus (E*) of hot mix asphalt mixtures (HMA). A comprehensive study was completed at Arizona State University to conduct numerous E* testing and finalize a huge E* database, containing 7400 data points from 346 HMA mixtures. This database was used to develop the new E* predictive model. The model is capable of accurately estimating changes in E* of HMA mixture as a function of changes in mixture volumetrics, material properties, temperature and loading frequency (or time) for the entire E* database used. The model has been found to be rational, unbiased, accurate, and statistically sound. The new mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide entitled “Guide for Mechanistic- Empirical Design of New and Rehabilitated Pavement Structures” developed under National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Project 1-37A uses the current version of Witczak E* Predictive Model in its input levels 2 and 3. It is hypothesized that due to its similar sigmoidal structure as used in the guide, the newly developed E* model can be easily incorporated in a future revision of this pavement design guide.