Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Positioning the Arabidopsis TIR-NB-LRR immunereceptor RPS4 in EDS1-dependent defence

In contrast to mammals, plants lack a humoral immune system and thus rely entirely on cell-autonomous innate immune defences to combat plant pathogens. While plant innate immunity is effective against the majority of invaders, successful pathogens have evolved effector proteins to overcome or suppress plant defences. In a process of co-evolution plants have, in turn, developed intracellular resistance (R) proteins that detect pathogen effectors or the consequences of their actions. Intracellular R proteins possess a central nucleotide binding (NB) domain and C-terminal leucine rich repeats (LRRs) that mediate effector recognition. Effector-induced activation typically leads to generation of reactive oxygen species, localised programmed cell death (hypersensitive response, HR) and restriction of pathogen colonisation. TIR-type NB-LRR receptors possess an N-terminal domain with sequence homology to the Drosophila Toll and mammalian Interleukin-1 receptors. In contrast to other NB-LRR R proteins, TIR-type receptors specifically require the lipase-like EDS1 protein to confer resistance. Arabidopsis EDS1 protein localises to the cytoplasm and the nucleus and functions together with salicylic acid (SA) in a positive amplification loop to induce local and systemic defences. It is not yet known how TIR-type receptors molecularly connect to and activate EDS1/SA signalling. Thus elucidating the subcellular localisation of TIR-NB-LRR R proteins is crucial to understand their function in EDS1/SA-dependent defence. The work presented here characterises the Arabidopsis TIR-NB-LRR receptor RPS4 that recognises the Pseudomonas syringae effector protein AvrRps4 in terms of subcellular localisation and genetic interaction with EDS1. RPS4 protein localises to both endocellular membranes and the nucleus. Nuclear import requires a nuclear localisation signal (NLS) in the C-terminal domain of the receptor. Interference with RPS4 nuclear trafficking results in loss of RPS4-mediated resistance. Moreover, nuclear localisation of RPS4 is required for activation of defence gene expression downstream of AvrRps4 recognition that most likely occurs outside the nucleus. EDS1 functions as an intrinsic signal transducer in RPS4-mediated immunity and is essential for transcriptional reprogramming of defence genes upon RPS4 activation. The results presented suggest that activated RPS4 connects intimately to transcriptional regulation of defence genes in an EDS1-dependent manner and thus indirectly support a nuclear role of EDS1 in plant immunity.
Interest in linkage to PrEP among people who inject drugs accessing syringe services; Miami, Florida

Background People who inject drugs (PWID) are at an increased risk for HIV infection due to injection and sexual risk behaviors. This study aims to examine PrEP knowledge, awareness, and willingness to be linked to PrEP services at a syringe services program (SSP), and examine the relationship between substance use and interest in PrEP linkage. Methods Data were collected using a cross-sectional survey of IDEA SSP clients in Miami, FL (N = 157). Based on reported substance injected, participants were classified into opioid-only injection or polysubstance injection. Socio-demographics and HIV risk were examined using Pearson’s Chi-Squared analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to test for significant correlates of interest in PrEP linkage. Results Only 28.3% of PWID surveyed had previously heard of PrEP. However, 57.2% were interested in receiving more information about PrEP. In the adjusted model, people with opioid-only use were significantly less likely to report interest in being linked to PrEP. Conclusion Knowledge, awareness, and interest in being linked to PrEP were low among PWID surveyed. No participants of the study were successfully linked to PrEP services through direct referrals. Further research is needed to examine low threshold service delivery of PrEP to PWID at SSPs.
Diagnostic value and complication rate of ultrasound-guided transthoracic core needle biopsy in mediastinal lesions

Background Ultrasound-guided transthoracic core needle biopsy (US-TCNB) is a promising method for establishing the correct diagnosis of mediastinal masses. However, the existing studies in this area are scant and with small samples. Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic value and the complication rate of US-TCNB, particularly large bore cutting biopsy in patients with mediastinal lesions. Material and methods This retrospective study includes 566 patients with mediastinal lesions suspicious of malignancy evaluated between March 2004 and December 2018. Inclusion criteria: 1. Patients with mediastinal lesions detected on thoracic CT scan; 2. Lesions more than 15 mm; 3. Negative histological diagnosis after bronchoscopic biopsy; 4. Normal coagulation status; 5. Cooperative patient; 6. Written informed consent. US visualization of the mediastinal lesions was successful in 308 (54.4%). In all of them, US-TCNB was performed. All patients with mediastinal lesions unsuitable for US visualization were evaluated for a CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy (CT-TTNB), which was done if the presence of a safe trajectory was available (n = 41, 7.2%). All patients inappropriate for image-guided TTNB were referred to primary surgical diagnostic procedures (n = 217, 38.3%). Results The US-TCNB is a highly effective (accuracy 96%, sensitivity 95%) and safe tool (2.6% complications) in the diagnosis of all subgroups mediastinal lesions. It is non-inferior to CT-TTNB (90%) and comes close to the effectiveness of surgical biopsy techniques (98.4%), but is less invasive and with a lower complication rate. Conclusion US-TCNB of mediastinal lesions is highly effective and safe tool which is particularly helpful in critically ill patients.
Recalibrating the risk of hamstring strain injury (HSI): A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis of risk factors for index and recurrent hamstring strain injury in sport

Objective To systematically review risk factors for hamstring strain injury (HSI). Design Systematic review update. Data sources Database searches: (1) inception to 2011 (original), and (2) 2011 to December 2018 (update). Citation tracking, manual reference and ahead of press searches. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies Studies presenting prospective data evaluating factors associated with the risk of index and/or recurrent HSI. Method Search result screening and risk of bias assessment. A best evidence synthesis for each factor and meta-analysis, where possible, to determine the association with risk of HSI. Results The 78 studies captured 8,319 total HSIs, including 967 recurrences, in 71,324 athletes. Older age (standardised mean difference=1.6, p=0.002), any history of HSI (risk ratio (RR)=2.7, p<0.001), a recent HSI (RR=4.8, p<0.001), previous anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury (RR=1.7, p=0.002) and previous calf strain injury (RR=1.5, p<0.001) were significant risk factors for HSI. From the best evidence synthesis, factors relating to sports performance and match play, running and hamstring strength were most consistently associated with HSI risk. The risk of recurrent HSI is best evaluated using clinical data and not the MRI characteristics of the index injury. Summary/conclusion Older age and a history of HSI are the strongest risk factors for HSI. Future research may be directed towards exploring the interaction of risk factors and how these relationships fluctuate over time given the occurrence of index and recurrent HSI in sport is multifactorial.
The Paradox of Dementia and Driving Cessation: "It's a Hot Topic," "Always on the Back Burner".

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Despite the well-recognized difficulty that persons with dementia and family carers experience in the decision making and transition to nondriving, there are few interventions and resources to support them. As part of our ongoing research to develop a driving cessation toolkit that addresses this gap, we sought to examine the context-specific factors relevant to its effective implementation in settings that support older adults with dementia. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A qualitative descriptive approach was used to explore the perspectives of Alzheimer Society (AS) staff in their work of supporting people with dementia and family carers within the context of driving cessation. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 AS staff members in 4 Canadian provinces. Data were examined using interpretative thematic analysis. RESULTS The study results revealed an overarching paradox that despite the importance of driving cessation in people with dementia, it continues to be largely avoided at the individual and system levels. This is explored via the themes of (a) paradox of importance and avoidance identified in AS settings; (b) lack of awareness and understanding about dementia and driving among people with dementia and family carers; (c) distress and avoidance rooted in ongoing system issues; and (d) moving driving cessation to the "front burner. " DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS Viewed through the emerging social health paradigm, which focuses on the social and emotional consequences of dementia, our results highlight the urgent need to mobilize our communities, medical education systems, and transportation authorities to finally resolve the dementia and driving cessation paradox.
The role of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex in automatic formation of impression and reflected impression

Previous neuroimaging studies demonstrated that ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) activity reflects how much an individual positively views each person (impression). Here, we investigated whether the degree to which individuals think others positively view them (reflected impression) is similarly tracked by activity in the vmPFC by using fMRI and speed‐dating events. We also examined whether activity of the vmPFC in response to the faces of others would predict the impression formed through direct interactions with them. The task consisted of three sessions: pre‐speed‐dating fMRI, speed‐dating events, and post‐speed‐dating fMRI (not reported here). During the pre‐speed‐dating fMRI, each participant passively viewed the faces of others whom they would meet in the subsequent speed‐dating events. After the fMRI, they rated the impression and reflected impression of each face. During the speed‐dating events, the participants had 3‐min conversations with partners whose faces were presented during the fMRI task, and they were asked to choose the partners whom they preferred at the end of the events. The results revealed that the value of both the impression and reflected impression were automatically represented in the vmPFC. However, the impression fully mediated the link between the reflected impression and vmPFC activity. These results highlight a close link between reflected appraisal and impression formation and provide important insights into neural and psychological models of how the reflected impression is formed in the human brain.
Caring Groups in Nursing Education: Creating Caring Connections in Nursing Practice

The Department of Nursing at the State University of West Georgia implemented Caring Groups as a teaching/learning strategy designed to teach caring. In Phase I of a research program, Caring Group participants reported being more aware of the meaning and importance of caring in their personal and professional lives. Phase II, reported in this paper, sought to understand the influence of participation in caring groups on nursing practice. The stories of the graduates during their first year of nursing practice include experiencing non-caring, transferring the caring learned in their educational program to nursing practice, and making efforts to transform nursing practice through action.
Considerations for Obesity, Vitamin D, and Physical Activity Amid the COVID‐19 Pandemic

As the biomedical community races to disentangle the unknowns associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus responsible for causing coronavirus disease, the link between diminished immune function and individuals with obesity raises important questions about the possibility for greater viral pathogenicity in this population. Increased adiposity may undermine the pulmonary microenvironment wherein viral pathogenesis and immune cell trafficking could contribute to a maladaptive cycle of local inflammation and secondary injury. A further challenge to those with obesity during the current pandemic may involve vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. In the interest of personal and public health, we caution decision‐ and policy makers alike not to pin all hope on a proverbial “silver bullet. ” Until further breakthroughs emerge, we should remember that modifiable lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity should not be marginalized. Decades of empirical evidence support both as key factors promoting health and wellness.
Icotinib attenuates monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension by preventing pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell dysfunction.

BACKGROUND Aberrant activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway is associated with the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, the effect of icotinib, a first-generation of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), on PH remains to be elucidated. METHODS PH rat model was established by a single intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline (MCT, 60 mg/kg). Icotinib (15, 30, 60 mg/kg/day) was administered by oral gavage from the day of MCT injection. After 4 weeks, hemodynamic parameters and histological changes of the pulmonary arterial vessels were assessed, and the phenotypic switching of pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) was determined in vivo. Moreover, the effects of icotinib (10 μM) on EGF (50 ng/ml)-stimulated proliferation, migration, and phenotypic switching of human PASMCs were explored in vitro. RESULTS Icotinib significantly reduced the right ventricular systolic pressure and right ventricle hypertrophy index in rats with MCT-induced PH. Moreover, icotinib improved MCT-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling. The expression of contractile marker (SM22α) and synthetic markers (osteopontin and vimentin) in pulmonary artery were restored by icotinib treatment. In vitro, icotinib suppressed EGF- induced PASMCs proliferation and migration. Meanwhile, icotinib inhibited EGF-induced down-regulation of α-SMA and SM22α and up-regulation of osteopontin and Collagen I in PASMCs, suggesting that icotinib could inhibit EGF-induced phenotypic switching of PASMCs. Mechanistically, these effects of icotinib were associated with the inhibition of EGFR-Akt/ERK signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS Icotinib can attenuate MCT-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling and improve PH. This effect of icotinib might be attributed to preventing PASMC dysfunction by inhibiting EGFR-Akt/ERK signaling pathway.
A Modified Histopathologic Staging in Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma Predicts Nodal Metastasis and Outcome Better Than the Current AJCC Staging

Recently, the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) updated the staging system for penile squamous cell carcinoma. According to it, unlike its previous version, the involvement of urethra does not upstage the tumor; however, the involvement of corpora cavernosa (CC) does. The tumors involving CC are now staged pT3, whereas those involving corpora spongiosa (CS) are staged pT2, irrespective of the involvement of the urethra. In the current study, we sought to validate these recent modifications and in-process also attempted to improvise upon it. The histopathology slides were reviewed in 142 cases of penile squamous cell carcinoma. The histopathologic variables noted were tumor grade, anatomic level of invasion (CC/CS), lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and perineural invasion (PNI). Metastases to the lymph nodes were confirmed. Tumors were staged pT2/pT3 according to AJCC 8th edition and this staging system was further improvised by incorporating histopathologic variables similar to pT1 tumors in AJCC 8th edition. Accordingly, pT2 tumors invaded CS/CC without LVI or PNI and were not grade 3, whereas pT3 tumors invaded CS/CC, showed LVI and/or PNI, or were grade 3. Both the staging models were then correlated with nodal metastasis and disease-free survival. The new staging model (P=0.001) and not the AJCC pT2/pT3 stages (P=0.2) showed a statistically significant correlation with nodal metastasis. Similarly, only the proposed model significantly impacted disease-free survival (P=0.011). To conclude, we were unable to validate the prognostic difference between the pT2/pT3 stages according to AJCC 8th edition. The staging system can be improvised by incorporating histopathologic variables similar to pT1 tumors.
Effects of antibiotics on prevention of infection, white blood cell counts, and C-reactive protein levels at different times in the perioperative period of cesarean section .

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of antibiotics on prevention of infection, white blood cell (WBC) counts and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels at different times in the perioperative period of cesarean section. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 486 women undergoing cesarean section were randomly divided into groups A, B, and C (n = 162). Group A was intravenously infused with 250 mL of 0.9% normal saline containing 2 g cefuroxime sodium 30 minutes before surgery within 30 - 45 minutes. Group B was given cefuroxime 30 minutes before surgery and 3 days after surgery, respectively. Group C was given cefuroxime only after returning to ward, once daily for 3 consecutive days. The surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital-stay length, hospitalization expenditure, maximum body temperature, WBC count and CRP level 3 days after surgery, grade A healing rate of incision at discharge, and incidence of infection were compared. RESULTS Group A had the shortest postoperative hospital-stay length and lowest hospitalization expenditure (p < 0.05). The maximum body temperature, WBC count and CRP level of group A 3 days after surgery were lowest (p < 0.05). The three groups had similar grade A healing rates of incision (p > 0.05). The postoperative infection rates of groups A and B were similar (p > 0.05), both being significantly lower than that of group C (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Single prophylactic use of antibiotics 30 minutes before surgery effectively prevented infection after cesarean section and shortened the hospital-stay length. This method is worthy of clinical promotion due to short duration of antibiotic use and low hospitalization expenditure.
Self-concept, post-traumatic self-appraisals and post-traumatic psychological adjustment: what are the relationships?

Abstract Background: Cognitive models of post-traumatic psychological adjustment have implicated both self-concept and self-appraisals in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Two studies investigated the relationship between self-concept and trauma-related self-appraisals, and whether culture influenced this relationship. Method: In Study 1, a student sample (Asian n = 41, British n = 34) who self-identified as having been through a trauma or extremely stressful event completed measures of self-concept, trauma-related self-appraisals and trauma-related distress. Study 2 extended this by asking Asian (n = 47) and British (n = 48) trauma survivors with and without PTSD to complete the same self measures as those administered in Study 1. Results: Study 1 found that overall for the British group, disruptions in self-concept (i.e. self-discrepancies and trauma-themed self-concept) correlated significantly with negative self, world and self-blame appraisals and depression. However, the same was not found in the Asian group. Study 2 found that pan-culturally those with PTSD had greater self-discrepancies and trauma-defined self-concept than those without PTSD. Additionally, pan-culturally, trauma-defined self-concept correlated significantly with negative self appraisals and depression; ideal self-discrepancies correlated significantly with negative self-appraisals across cultures and depression for the British group; while ought self-discrepancies correlated significantly with negative world appraisals for the Asian group and negative self and self-blame appraisals for the British. Lastly, negative self, world and self-blame appraisals correlated with symptoms of depression. Conclusions: Taken together, the findings relay the important associations between appraisals, self-concept and post-traumatic psychological adjustment.
Effects of an F18 enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli challenge on growth performance, immunological status, and gastrointestinal structure of weaned pigs and the potential protective effect of direct-fed microbial blends

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to investigate the impact of an F18 enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) challenge on growth performance, aspects of intestinal function, and selected immune responses of piglets, as well as to evaluate potential protective effects of direct-fed microbial (DFM) blends. Seventy-two weaned piglets (6.4 ± 0.2 kg body weight [BW]; ~21 d of age) were assigned to one of four treatments: 1) NC: Nonchallenged (n = 10), 2) positive challenged control (PC): F18 ETEC-challenged (n = 10), 3) PC + DFM1 (n = 8; three strains of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens; 7.5 × 105 colony-forming units [cfu]/g), or 4) PC + DFM2 (n=8; 2 strains of B. amyloliquefaciens and one strain of Bacillus subtilis; 1.5 × 105 cfu/g). Feed intake and BW were recorded on day 0, 7, and 17. Pigs were sham-infected either with 6 mL phosphate-buffered saline or inoculated with 6 mL F18 ETEC (~1.9 × 109 cfu/mL) on day 7 (0 d postinoculation [dpi]). All ETEC-challenged pigs were confirmed to be genetically susceptible to F18. Pigs had ad libitum access to feed and water throughout the 17-d trial. Fecal scores were visually ranked and rectal temperatures were recorded daily. To evaluate ETEC shedding, fecal swabs were collected on dpi 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10. Blood samples were collected on dpi 0, 1, 2, 4, 7, and 10. Ileal tissues were collected at necropsy on dpi 10. All challenged treatments had lower final BW, decreased average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI) during the 10-d postchallenge period (P < 0.01). The DFM2 treatment increased E. coli shedding on dpi 2 and decreased iton dpi 7 (P < 0.05) compared with the PC. Rectal temperature decreased across all challenged treatments (P < 0.01). Ileal mRNA abundance of occludin (OCLN) and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) decreased in PC and DFM1 compared with NC (P < 0.05). Pigs fed DFM2 had intermediate ileal mRNA abundance of OCLN and increased ZO-1 mRNA compared with pigs in PC (P < 0.05). Interleukin 8 (IL-8) increased in the plasma of PC and DFM2 on dpi 2 compared with NC (P < 0.05). Mucosal IL-8 increased in PC compared with NC (P < 0.05). All challenged treatments tended to have elevated tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA abundance compared with NC (P < 0.10). Challenged pigs had reduced secretory immunoglobulin A and villus height compared with NC pigs (P < 0.05). The impact of an ETEC challenge on intestinal function and the immune system has been revealed, information critical to developing improved treatment regimes.