Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Airborne signals and abiotic factors: the neglected side of the plant communication

ABSTRACT A relevant number of reports have examined the role of airborne signals in plant-plant communication, indicating that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can prime neighboring plants against pathogen and/or herbivore attacks. Conversely, there is very limited information available on the possibility of the emission of VOCs by emitter plants under abiotic stress conditions, which may alert neighboring unstressed plants and prime these individuals (receivers) against the same stressors. The present opinion paper briefly reviews a few reports examining the effect of infochemicals produced by emitters on receiver plants subjected to abiotic stresses typical of global climate change. The ecological implications of these dynamics, as well as some concerns related to the potential roles of inter-plant communication in environmentally controlled experiments, have arisen. Some possible inter-plant communications applications (biomonitoring and biostimulation), mediated by airborne signals, and some directions for future studies on this topic, are also provided.
Efficient blockade of locally reciprocated tumor-macrophage signaling using a TAM-avid nanotherapy

Combining multicellular signaling profiles with in vivo imaging reveals how nanotherapy can block local resistance pathways. Interpreting how multicellular interactions in the tumor affect resistance pathways to BRAF and MEK1/2 MAPK inhibitors (MAPKi) remains a challenge. To investigate this, we profiled global ligand-receptor interactions among tumor and stromal/immune cells from biopsies of MAPK-driven disease. MAPKi increased tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in some patients, which correlated with poor clinical response, and MAPKi coamplified bidirectional tumor-TAM signaling via receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) including AXL, MERTK, and their ligand GAS6. In xenograft tumors, intravital microscopy simultaneously monitored in situ single-cell activities of multiple kinases downstream of RTKs, revealing MAPKi increased TAMs and enhanced bypass signaling in TAM-proximal tumor cells. As a proof-of-principle strategy to block this signaling, we developed a multi-RTK kinase inhibitor nanoformulation that accumulated in TAMs and delayed disease progression. Thus, bypass signaling can reciprocally amplify across nearby cell types, offering new opportunities for therapeutic design.
Radiological Society of North America Expert Consensus Document on Reporting Chest CT Findings Related to COVID-19: Endorsed by the Society of Thoracic Radiology, the American College of Radiology, and RSNA

Routine screening CT for the identification of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pneumonia is currently not recommended by most radiology societies. However, the number of CT examinations performed in persons under investigation for COVID-19 has increased. We also anticipate that some patients will have incidentally detected findings that could be attributable to COVID-19 pneumonia, requiring radiologists to decide whether or not to mention COVID-19 specifically as a differential diagnostic possibility. We aim to provide guidance to radiologists in reporting CT findings potentially attributable to COVID-19 pneumonia, including standardized language to reduce reporting variability when addressing the possibility of COVID-19. When typical or indeterminate features of COVID-19 pneumonia are present in endemic areas as an incidental finding, we recommend contacting the referring providers to discuss the likelihood of viral infection. These incidental findings do not necessarily need to be reported as COVID-19 pneumonia. In this setting, using the term viral pneumonia can be a reasonable and inclusive alternative. However, if one opts to use the term COVID-19 in the incidental setting, consider the provided standardized reporting language. In addition, practice patterns may vary, and this document is meant to serve as a guide. Consultation with clinical colleagues at each institution is suggested to establish a consensus reporting approach. The goal of this expert consensus is to help radiologists recognize findings of COVID-19 pneumonia and aid their communication with other health care providers, assisting management of patients during this pandemic. Published under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Blood Pressure Targets for Older Patients—Do Advanced Age and Frailty Really Not Matter?

In 2017, Hypertension Canada removed advanced age and frailty as considerations for caution when deciding on intensive therapy in their guidelines for the diagnosis, risk assessment, prevention, and treatment of hypertension in adults. Dementia is not mentioned. In this commentary, we review why advanced age and frailty were removed, and examine what is currently known about the relationship between hypertension and both incident and prevalent dementia. We make the case that the presence of frailty (especially when severe) and dementia should be considered when deciding on intensive therapy in future iterations of Hypertension Canada guidelines.
The experience of Careggi Hospital (Florence) regarding Not Received Samples (NRS): a pilot study of Risk Management in the Clinical Laboratory

Dear Editor, In laboratory medicine, errors and their possible impact on patient safety have become an increasingly important problem [1, 2]. The so-called pre-analytical phase includes patient identification and sample identification, collection and transport to the laboratory, each of which is a potential source of error [2-6]. Indeed, the pre-analytical phase is not directly controllable by the laboratory, and involves many operators [1, 7, 8]. A typical error in the pre-analytical phase is the socalled “Not Received Sample” (NRS): i.e. following a computerized test request, the sample is not delivered to the laboratory. In Careggi Hospital (Florence) we decided to conduct a multi-step pilot study in order to: i) establish the magnitude of the phenomenon; ii) identify possible determinants.
Elevated Hair Mercury Levels Are Associated With Neurodevelopmental Deficits in Children Living Near Artisanal and Small‐Scale Gold Mining in Peru

Children living near artisanal and small‐scale gold mining (ASGM) are at risk of exposure to mercury, a neurotoxicant. It is not certain whether such exposures are harming development, as they occur in underresourced contexts entwined with other stressors, such as malnutrition and enteric infection. This study sought to investigate the association between hair‐mercury levels and visual‐motor, cognitive, and physical development among children living near ASGM in the Peruvian Amazon. Total hair‐mercury levels were measured in 164 children ages 5–12 living in Madre de Dios, Peru. Primary outcomes included Visual‐Motor Integration assessed via the Beery‐VMI Developmental Test, General Cognitive Ability assessed via the Batería‐III Woodcock‐Munoz (Spanish‐language Woodcock‐Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities), and Physical Health assessed via anthropometry/hemoglobin counts. Mean (SD) hair‐mercury level was 2.06 (2.43) μg/g. Fifty‐four children (32.9%) had hair‐mercury levels above the World Health Organization reference level of 2.0 μg/g. After controlling for sex, child age, maternal education, and family socioeconomic status, each one unit increase in log hair‐mercury level was associated with a 1.01 unit decrease in Visual‐Motor Integration (95%CI: −2.06, 0.05, p = 0.061), a 2.59 unit decrease in General Cognitive Ability (95%CI: −4.52, −0.66, p = 0.012), and a 2.43 unit decrease in Physical Health (95%CI: −5.34, 0.49, p = 0.096). After adjustment for covariates, children with hair‐mercury levels exceeding the World Health Organization reference level scored 4.68 IQ points lower in Cognitive Ability than their peers. Mercury exposures related to ASGM may be harming child development in the Peruvian Amazon. Children in this region may benefit from intervention to reach their full developmental potential.
Dissection-enabled scaffold-assisted resection (DeSCAR): a novel technique for resection of residual or non-lifting gastrointestinal neoplasia of the colon, expanded experience and follow-up

Abstract Background and study aims Colonic lesions may not be amenable to conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) due to previous manipulation, submucosal invasion, or lesion flatness. In 2018, we described Dissection-enabled Scaffold Assisted Resection (DeSCAR) to be safe for the endoscopic resection of non-lifting or residual colonic lesions 1 In this study, we expand our original cohort to describe our expanded experience with patients undergoing DeSCAR and assess the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of DeSCAR for endoscopic resection of non-lifting or residual colonic lesions. Patients and methods We retrospectively reviewed 57 patients from 2015–2019 who underwent DeSCAR for colonic lesions with incomplete lifting and/or previous manipulation. Cases were reviewed for location, prior manipulation, rates of successful resection, adverse events, and endoscopic follow up to assess for residual lesions. Results Fifty-seven lesions underwent DeSCAR. Of the patients, 51 % were female, and average patient age was 69 years. Lesions were located in the cecum (n = 16), right colon (n = 27), left colon (n = 10), and rectum (n = 4). Average lesion size was 27.7 mm. Previous manipulation occurred in 54 cases (72 % biopsy, 44 % resection attempt, 18 % intralesional tattoo). The technical success rate for resection of non-lifting lesions was 98 %. There were two delayed bleeding episodes (one required endoscopic intervention) and one small perforation (managed by endoscopic hemoclip closure). Endoscopic follow up was available in 31 patients (54 %) with no residual adenoma in 28 patients (90 % of those surveilled). Conclusions Our expanded experience with DeSCAR demonstrates high safety, feasibility, and effectiveness for the endoscopic management of non-lifting or residual colonic lesions.
Gustave Roussy Immune Score and Royal Marsden Hospital Prognostic Score Are Prognostic Markers for Extensive Disease of Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background The Royal Marsden Hospital prognostic score (RMH score) and the Gustave Roussy immune score (GRIm-score) were developed in order to select more suitable patient for phase I trials. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and serum albumin concentration are common risk factors to these two systems. As the third risk factor, the RMH score and the GRIm-score adopt number of metastatic sites and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), respectively. We aimed to investigate whether these two systems are also useful for extensive disease of small cell lung cancer (ED-SCLC). Methods We retrospectively collected 128 patients who had initiated platinum-based chemotherapy at our hospital between September 2007 and March 2018. We divided our patients into low (score 0 - 1) and high (2 - 3) score groups, and compared overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) between them. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses found prognostic factors of survival times. Results Regarding GRIm-score, OS was significantly shorter in high score group than in low score group (median 6.1 vs. 11.4 months, P < 0.01), while no significant difference was observed in PFS (median 4.7 vs. 5.0 months, P = 0.12). Both OS (median 6.9 vs. 12.4 months, P < 0.01) and PFS (median 4.4 vs. 5.4 months, P = 0.01) were significantly shorter in high RMH score group than in low group. Multivariate analyses detected both high GRIm-score (hazard ratio (HR) 1.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20 - 2.72, P < 0.01) and high RMH score (HR 1.93, 95% CI 1.27 - 2.92, P < 0.01) as independent worse prognostic factors of OS, and then only high RMH score (HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.04 - 2.25, P = 0.03) as independent worse prognostic factor of PFS. Conclusions Both RMH score and GRIm-score are useful as independent prognostic factors of OS in ED-SCLC. However, only RMH score is an independent prognostic factor of PFS.
Synthesis and Expression of Transforming Growth Factor β-1, β-2, and β-3 in the Endocrine and Exocrine Pancreas

The actions of transforming growth factor-β isoforms as potent regulators of growth and differentiation have led to the examination of their presence in the human pancreas. The cellular localization of TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3 was assessed in the normal human pancreas by using immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization techniques. Although cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3 was found in islet cells, acinar cells, and ductal cells, a differential immunostaining pattern for TGF-β isoforms was observed. In the endocrine pancreas, the islet cells demonstrated diffuse cytoplasmic immunostaining for TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3. However, only TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 exhibited an intense pattern of immunostaining in a few endocrine cells. Most of the positive islet cells coexpressed insulin. In contrast, in the exocrine pancreas, a greater number of acinar cells showed immunoreactivity for TGF-β1 than for TGF-β2 and TGF-β3. In the ductal cells, all three TGF-β isoforms showed a similar intensity and pattern of immunostaining and were observed more frequently in the smaller distal ductules than in the larger pancreatic ducts. TGF-β1 and TGF-β3, but not TGF-β2, immunostaining was detected strongly in the smooth muscle cells and weakly in the endothelial cells of the blood vessels, whereas the fibroblasts of the interstitium were completely negative. In situ hybridization revealed that mRNA encoding all three TGF-β isoforms colocalized with their respective proteins in islets, acinar cells, and ductal cells. In contrast, mRNA expression was absent in the smooth muscle cells and endothelium of the vessels. These results suggest that TGF-β isoforms may act by both autocrine and paracrine mechanisms in the pancreas. The differential pattern of expression observed for each TGF-β isoform implies unique roles for these proteins in the regulation of the endocrine and exocrine pancreas.
Psychiatry gamification from blended learning models and efficacy of this program on students

BACKGROUND: New gamification technology with a detailed understanding of the goals and prospects, and with the help of game elements and techniques, leads to promotion of motivation and participation, and ultimately behavior change. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the implementation of a mental gamification from blended learning based on the flex model and efficacy of this program on students. METHODS: In this study, with the design of mental illness lessons for undergraduate and executive groups, using flex model, two parts of technical and educational design were used. In the technical section, three parts on dynamics, mechanisms, and elements of gaming were considered. Intervention was studied on different groups of medical students including medical, health, and laboratory sciences. Effect of this educational program and its impact on their students' learning, motivation, and satisfaction was studied using quantitative and qualitative analyses. RESULTS: The results of the students' prospective about the efficacy of the method showed that the mean scores of most of the items were higher than the average. This implies that students' attitude toward using gamification was positive. In the other part, the qualitative results of the study were analyzed and the students' analysis of their advantages and disadvantages and their perceptions on the impact of the intervention was examined. CONCLUSION: Based on the flex model, mental gamification based on blended learning is effective in shaping the students' satisfaction.
Ontogenetic depth partitioning by juvenile freshwater sawfish (Pristis microdon: Pristidae) in a riverine environment

The freshwater sawfish (Pristis microdon) is a critically endangered elasmobranch. Ontogenetic changes in the habitat use of juvenile P. microdon were studied using acoustic tracking in the Fitzroy River, Western Australia. Habitat partitioning was significant between 0+ (2007 year class) and larger 1+ (2006 year class) P. microdon. Smaller 0+ fish generally occupied shallower water ( 0.6 m. Significant differences in hourly depth use were also revealed. The depth that 1+ P. microdon occupied was significantly influenced by lunar phase with these animals utilising a shallower and narrower depth range during the full moon compared with the new moon. This was not observed in 0+ individuals. Habitat partitioning was likely to be related to predator avoidance, foraging behaviours, and temperature and/or light regimes. The occurrence of 1+ P. microdon in deeper water may also result from a need for greater depths in which to manoeuvre. The present study demonstrates the utility of acoustic telemetry in monitoring P. microdon in a riverine environment. These results demonstrate the need to consider the habitat requirements of different P. microdon cohorts in the strategic planning of natural resources and will aid in the development of management strategies for this species.
WHOLE-BODY AUTORADIOGRAPHIC STUDIES ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF RADIOACTIVE CARBON FROM [U-14C] GLUCOSE IN CARBON MONOXIDE POISONED MICE

Changes in the distribution of radioactive carbon from [U-14C] glucose in mice with carbon monoxide were studied by whole-body autoradiography.Two periods could be distinguished in the changes of 14C concentrations in organs affected by CO poisoning with prolonged exposure time up to 6 hrs: the first stage of 30 and 60min and the second stage of over one hr. In the first stage, a marked decrease in 14C concentration was shown for the brain, palatine, submaxillary and Harder's gland, while an increase was shown for the myocardium, liver, kidney cortex and blood. In the second stage, however, changes of 14C concentration in organs were less pronounced and showed for almost all organs a trend rather resembling that of blood.
Habitat structure, climatic factors, and habitat use by European bison (Bison bonasus) in Polish and Belarusian parts of the Białowieża Forest, Poland

Bialowieza Forest is divided into Polish and Belarusian parts that differ in habitat structure and degree of protection. The forest supports two European bison, Bison bonasus (L., 1758), populations that are isolated from each other. We analysed bison habitat use from relocations of 34 radio-collared bison from both populations collected in 1993–2003. The two bison populations differed considerably in habitat use, but home-range sizes were similar. The habitat structure in the Polish part is more advantageous for bison (deciduous forests prevail) than in the Belarusian part; however, open areas form a rich source of forage for ungulates in the Belarusian part, which presumably helped to eliminate the difference between the two parts. In 1977–2003, the annual temperature in this area rose and the total precipitation diminished. As a result, the habitat use by bison changed in both populations when compared with those in earlier studies; use of coniferous forests decreased, while use of deciduous forests an.
Prognostic Factors among Brain Metastases in Newly Diagnosed Ovary Cancer: A Large Real-world Study

Background: Population-based data on the prognosis of brain metastases at initial diagnosis of ovary cancer (OCBM) are currently lacking. Besides, the effective treatment for OCBM patients is still controversial now. The study aimed to explore the prognostic factors among OCBM. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the OCBM patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result (SEER) database of the National Cancer Institute to investigate predictors of the presence of OCBM and its' prognostic factors related to all-cause mortality. We employed multivariable logistic and Cox regression analysis. Furthermore, to minimize the impact of potential confounding factors, we conducted a 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) analysis. Results: A total of 29,512 cases of OC patients entered into the study, including 89 patients with brain metastases of ovarian cancer, which accounted for 0.30% of the entire cohort and 12.02% of the metastatic disease subset. We identified eight factors, including laterality, histology, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and extracranial metastatic sites to bone, liver, and lung, as predictors of OCBM based on multivariable logistic regression among the entire cohort. The median survival time of OCBM was 2.0 months, and the interquartile range was 2.0-10.0 mo. The patients who received comprehensive treatment had better prognosis. Based on the multivariable Cox model, marital status, surgery, chemotherapy, and extensive therapy (including RSC, SC, and RC) were identified as predictors of OS. Besides, a new factor (brain metastasis) was identified by 1:1 PSM -based multiple Cox regression, apart from the above prognostic factors for OS. Conclusions: This study provided a population-based estimate of the proportion and prognosis for newly diagnosed ovary cancer with brain metastases. These findings may add materials to guidelines for preliminary screening and optimal treatment of OCBM patients.
Tipping points of Mississippi Delta marshes due to accelerated sea-level rise

The geologic record shows that Mississippi Delta marshes are unlikely to keep up with the present-day rate of sea-level rise. Coastal marshes are threatened by relative sea-level (RSL) rise, yet recent studies predict marsh survival even under the high rates of RSL rise expected later in this century. However, because these studies are mostly based on short-term records, uncertainty persists about the longer-term vulnerability of coastal marshes. We present an 8500-year-long marsh record from the Mississippi Delta, showing that at rates of RSL rise exceeding 6 to 9 mm year−1, marsh conversion into open water occurs in about 50 years. At rates of RSL rise exceeding ~3 mm year−1, marsh drowning occurs within a few centuries. Because present-day rates of global sea-level rise already surpass this rate, submergence of the remaining ~15,000 km2 of marshland in coastal Louisiana is probably inevitable. RSL-driven tipping points for marsh drowning vary geographically, and those for the Mississippi Delta may be lower than elsewhere. Nevertheless, our findings highlight the need for consideration of longer time windows in determining the vulnerability of coastal marshes worldwide.
Tumor Lysis Syndrome in Solid Tumors: A Comprehensive Literature Review, New Insights, and Novel Strategies to Improve Outcomes

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a life-threatening oncological condition that is typically characterized by metabolic derangements that are often labeled as an acute kidney injury. The recent advancement in cancer treatment has led to the mounting rate of TLS in solid tumors that were previously rarely linked to this complication. Given that its prognosis is dismal, it is essential to increase recognition of this condition by describing more sensitive markers. Currently, the management of TLS is mainly supportive due to the lack of specific therapy targeting its specific pathology. This review aims to summarize the most recent literature on the underlying mechanism of TLS and the potential implications for novel TLS therapy.