Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Advances in the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19

ABSTRACT Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is spreading worldwide. Antiviral therapy is the most important treatment for COVID-19. Among the drugs under investigation, anti-malarials, chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), are being repurposed as treatment for COVID-19. CQ/HCQ were shown to prevent receptor recognition by coronaviruses, inhibit endosome acidification, which interferes with membrane fusion, and exhibit immunomodulatory activity. These multiple mechanisms may work together to exert a therapeutic effect on COVID-19. A number of in vitro studies revealed inhibitory effects of CQ/HCQ on various coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 although conflicting results exist. Several clinical studies showed that CQ/HCQ alone or in combination with a macrolide may alleviate the clinical symptoms of COVID-19, promote viral conversion, and delay disease progression, with less serious adverse effects. However, recent studies indicated that the use of CQ/HCQ, alone or in combination with a macrolide, did not show any favorable effect on patients with COVID-19. Adverse effects, including prolonged QT interval after taking CQ/HCQ, may develop in COVID-19 patients. Therefore, current data are not sufficient enough to support the use of CQ/HCQ as therapies for COVID-19 and increasing caution should be taken about the application of CQ/HCQ in COVID-19 before conclusive findings are obtained by well-designed, multi-center, randomized, controlled studies.
"We Just Never Have Enough Time": Clinician Views of Lung Cancer Screening Processes and Implementation.

RATIONALE Despite a known mortality benefit, lung cancer screening (LCS) implementation has been unexpectedly slow. New programs face barriers to implementation, which may include lack of clinician engagement or beliefs that the intervention is not beneficial. OBJECTIVE To evaluate diverse clinician perspectives on their views of LCS and their experience with LCS implementation and processes. METHODS We performed a qualitative study of clinicians participating in LCS. Clinicians were drawn from three medical centers, representing diverse specialties and practice settings. All participants practiced at sites with formal lung cancer screening programs. We performed semi-structured interviews with probes designed to elicit opinions of LCS, perceived evidence gaps, and recommendations for improvements. Transcribed interviews were iteratively reviewed and coded using directed content analysis. RESULTS Participants (n=24) included LCS coordinators, pulmonologists, physician and non-physician primary care providers (PCPs), a surgeon, and a radiologist. Most clinicians expressed that the evidence supporting LCS was adequate to support clinical adoption, though most PCPs had little direct knowledge and based decisions on local recommendations or endorsement by the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF). Many PCPs endorsed lack of knowledge of eligibility requirements and screening strategy (e.g. annual while eligible). Clinicians with more lung cancer screening knowledge, including several PCPs, identified a number of gaps in the current evidence that tempered enthusiasm, including: unclear ideal screening interval, populations with high cancer risk that do not qualify under USPSTF, indications to stop screening, and the role of serious comorbidities. Support for centralized programs and LCS coordinators was strong, but not uniform. Clinicians were frustrated by time limitations during a patient encounter, costs to the patient, and issues with insurance coverage. Many gaps in informatics support were identified. Clinicians recommended working to improve informatics support, continuing to clarify clinician responsibilities, and working on increasing public awareness of LCS. CONCLUSIONS Despite working within programs that have adopted many recommended care processes to support LCS, clinicians identified a number of issues in providing high-quality LCS. Many of these issues are best addressed by improved support of LCS within the electronic health record and continued education of staff and patients.
Survival rates of adult European Nightjars Caprimulgus europaeus breeding in northwestern Italy

Survival rates of breeding adult European Nightjars were estimated from capture–mark–recapture data, collected from 1997 to 2009 at a ringing station in northwestern Italy. Birds were trapped without the use of playback. A sample of 109 European Nightjars, obtained with mist-nets operated each year during the May to July breeding period, provided 158 capture events. Survival and recapture probabilities were estimated with program MARK, and the effects of some climatic factors (local and Sahelian rainfall and NAO) were tested. Overall, variation in survival rates was not clearly associated with any of the climate factors considered, but variation in these over the period was relatively low and the power to examine inter-annual variation in survival was also low. Finally, the time- and sex-independent model gave an annual survival rate of 0.70 ± 0.05 (se), with sex-dependent recapture probabilities which were lower for females (0.19 ± 0.05) than for males (0.35 ± 0.07).
Carbon Balance Experiments with Marine Phytoplankton

Carbon budgets were prepared for eight species of marine phytoplankton organisms in culture and one natural red tide population during 5-hr experiments at 21 C and light intensity 0.07 cal/cm2/min. Net cell carbon increase, dissolved organic carbon excretion, and respiration were each determined by two or more independent methods.In diatoms, net oxygen production gave higher estimates of carbon assimilation than did direct carbon measurements, which were not accounted for by excretion of dissolved organic matter. Carbon-14 assimilation agreed well with the increase in oxidizable particulate carbon and with decrease in dissolved CO2 of the medium, the latter after correcting for excreted organic carbon.Dunaliella tertiolecta excreted a constant fraction of its assimilated carbon regardless of its physiological activity. In diatoms excretion increased as cells became physiologically inactive.Thalassiosira rotula excreted similar amounts of carbon in light and dark. In two other diatoms excretion increased o.
Social Support from Adult Children, Parent–Child Relationship, Emotion Regulation Strategy, and Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Older Adults

We examined the association between social support from adult children (SSAC) and depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults, as well as the moderated mediation mechanism with the parent–child relationship as a mediator and with emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) as moderators. With a cross-sectional design, 356 Chinese older adults completed our questionnaire survey. Results revealed the negative association between SSAC and depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults, and the parent–child relationship mediated this association. In addition, the indirect effect of SSAC on depressive symptoms through the parent–child relationship depended on emotion regulation strategies. Specifically, the parent–child relationship mediated the association between SSAC and depressive symptoms only for older adults with less cognitive reappraisal or more expressive suppression. Our study highlighted the complementary role of family and individual factors in ameliorating older adults’ depressive symptoms.
Monthly mean sea level variability along the west coast of southern Africa

Principal components analysis was used to examine monthly data on sea level obtained from tide-gauge records from the west coast of southern Africa over the period 1957—1975. After a simple correction had removed the effect of local atmospheric pressure, this statistical analysis revealed the structure of nearshore ocean variability over time periods of months to years. The first principal component, accounting for over 55 per cent of the variability in monthly mean sea level, was a near uniform rise and fall everywhere along the west coast of southern Africa. The spectrum of this large-scale structure showed a strong interannual trend, which correlated well with long-term trends of temperature anomaly over the entire South-East Atlantic, and a high-frequency term, which could not be resolved at a time period of one month. The second principal component showed the contrasting response of the northern and southern sites on a seasonal scale, and it could be correlated with seasonal wind data. These results .
Influenza and COVID‐19 coinfection: Report of six cases and review of the literature

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic caused infection in a season when influenza is still prevalent. Both viruses have similar transmission characteristics and common clinical manifestations. Influenza has been described to cause respiratory infection with some other respiratory pathogens. However, the information of COVID‐19 and influenza coinfection is limited. In this study, we reported our coinfected cases and reviewed the literature. We included all COVID‐19 diagnosed patients. All patients with a presumed diagnosis of COVID‐19 were routinely screened for influenza. Their thorax radiology was reviewed for COVID‐19‐influenza differentiation. During the study period, 1103 patients have been diagnosed with COVID‐19. Among them, six patients (0.54%) were diagnosed coinfected with influenza. There have been 28 more coinfected patients reported. Laboratory‐based screening studies reported more patients. Thorax radiology findings were compatible with COVID‐19 in five and with influenza in one of our patients. Our cases were mild to moderate in severity. The reported cases in the literature included patients died (n = 2) and those living ventilator dependent or under mechanical ventilation. COVID‐19 and influenza coinfection is rare. Screening studies report more cases, suggesting that unless screening patients with COVID‐19, the coinfection remains undiagnosed and underestimated. Increasing experience in thoracic radiology may contribute to diagnose the responsible virus(es) from the clinical illness. Influenza vaccine for larger population groups can be recommended to simplify clinicians' work.
EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE ON DEVELOPMENTAL RATE OF THE IMMATURE STAGES OF THE ALFALFA WEEVIL, HYPERA POSTICA (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE)

Abstract When Hypera postica (Gyll.) was held at 11 constant temperatures, the hatching rate for eggs increased with rise in temperature from 8° to 20 °C and remained maximal to 32 °C. None hatched at 6 °C. Larvae survived at 10° to 35 °C with high mortality only at these limits. Pupae survived at all temperatures above 10 °C but at 35 °C half of the adults were deformed. Duration of all stages decreased with rise in temperature up to 32 °C. Developmental rates plotted against temperature did not deviate significantly from fitted curves of the form 1/y = K/(1 + ea−bx). The optimum temperature, based on maximal rates of development and survival, for eggs and young larvae was near 32 °C and for older larvae and pupae, 30 °C. Accumulated degree-days above a base of 10 °C during development of H. postica at two Ontario locations did not differ significantly from thermal requirements calculated.
Protecting hard-won gains for mothers and newborns in low-income and middle-income countries in the face of COVID-19: call for a service safety net

### Summary box There are an estimated 5. 4 million largely preventable maternal and perinatal deaths each year.1–3 Improving the survival and well-being of mothers and newborns is indisputably a global priority. This is as true today as ever and as the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. For maternal and newborn health (MNH), a critical question today is not only the extent to which pregnant or postpartum women and newborns are vulnerable to COVID-19-infection4 but also the degree to which the safety of giving birth and accessing treatment for complications in health facilities is being compromised by the direct and indirect effects of the virus, thereby reversing hard progress in MNH over the last 30 years. We know that infectious disease outbreaks can devastate provision of such care, for example, during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.5 In this commentary, we use insights from those on the ground in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) to highlight both the impact of COVID-19 on facility births and the innovative local solutions …
Echocardiographic screening to determine progression of latent rheumatic heart disease in endemic areas: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background The World Health Organisation previously recommended routine screening in school-aged children in countries with a high prevalence of rheumatic heart disease (RHD); however, it is unclear if screening-detected (latent) valve disease will inevitably evolve to a pathological lesion. Understanding the natural history of latent RHD is essential prior to recommendation of screening in endemic areas. Studies documenting the progression of latent RHD have had contrasting conclusions about the pathogenicity of latent valvular lesions. This review provides estimates of rates of progression of latent RHD. Methods and findings In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, Global Index Medicus, Africa Wide, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Global Health Database for studies published before April 30, 2019. Study data were extracted from all studies which reported follow-up data on progression of latent valve lesions. Studies with control cohorts were used to calculate comparative prevalence ratios. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42019119427. We identified 12 studies reporting follow-up data on latent RHD for 950 people in 9 countries. The estimated pooled prevalence rate for progression per year of latent RHD was 5%/year (95% CI 2–8). Eight studies reported on the progression of borderline latent RHD with an estimated pooled prevalence of 2%/year (95% CI 0–4). Three studies included control groups. There was a significant increase in the risk of progression of valvular disease in the latent group compared with controls (RR = 3.57 (95%CI = 1.65–7.70, P = 0.001). The overall risk of bias was low. Given most studies included penicillin administration we were unable to document the natural history of latent RHD. Furthermore, we were unable to perform a sensitivity analysis to determine the effect of administering penicillin prophylaxis on progression of valve disease given prescription of penicillin was not standardised. Conclusion Latent RHD has a slow rate of progression but it is significantly higher compared to controls, with definite latent RHD having a higher rate of progression compared with borderline latent disease. There are a massive number of individuals at risk for RHD in the developing world as well as logistical challenges of screening and delivering penicillin prophylaxis. The low rate of progression from untargeted screening may be an important consideration in resource-constrained environments.
NRF2 and Primary Cilia: An Emerging Partnership

When not dividing, many cell types target their centrosome to the plasma membrane, where it nucleates assembly of a primary cilium, an antenna-like signaling structure consisting of nine concentric microtubule pairs surrounded by membrane. Primary cilia play important pathophysiological roles in many tissues, their dysfunction being associated with cancer and ciliopathies, a diverse group of congenital human diseases. Several recent studies have unveiled functional connections between primary cilia and NRF2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2), the master transcription factor orchestrating cytoprotective responses to oxidative and other cellular stresses. These NRF2-cilia relationships are reciprocal: primary cilia, by promoting autophagy, downregulate NRF2 activity. In turn, NRF2 transcriptionally regulates genes involved in ciliogenesis and Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, a cilia-dependent pathway with major roles in embryogenesis, stem cell function and tumorigenesis. Nevertheless, while we found that NRF2 stimulates ciliogenesis and Hh signaling, a more recent study reported that NRF2 negatively affects these processes. Herein, we review the available evidence linking NRF2 to primary cilia, suggest possible explanations to reconcile seemingly contradictory data, and discuss what the emerging interplay between primary cilia and NRF2 may mean for human health and disease.
Types of multidimensional vulnerability and well-being among the retired in the U.S

Abstract Background An extensive study investigated the risk factors for low well-being in post-retirement. Most previous studies have taken a unidimensional perspective, focusing on single factors such as financial status, physical health, and mental health. Objective Drawing on the vulnerability framework, we first identify and describe the empirical subgroups of vulnerability among retirees in the United States across four major domains of later life: material, physical, social, and mental vulnerability. Then, we investigate the association between vulnerability profiles and well-being. Method The sample included 3,158 retirees aged 65+ who participated in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Latent class analysis was utilized to identify the heterogeneous subgroups of vulnerability, and then a series of OLS regression analyses was conducted to examine the relationship between patterns of vulnerability and well-being. Results Five vulnerability patterns were identified: material vulnerable (12%), health & social vulnerable (14%), material, health & social vulnerable (6%), least vulnerable (34%), and social vulnerable (35%). The health & social vulnerable group had the strongest negative influence on well-being among all subgroups. As the largest subgroup, the social vulnerable group’s negative influence on well-being stood out, with a stronger effect than that of material privation experienced by those in the material vulnerable group. Conclusion By empirically identifying subgroups of differential vulnerability patterns among retirees, this study showed that post-retirement vulnerability reflects complex interactions among multiple disadvantages. Findings of this study enhance understanding of the disparities in well-being within the retired population, pointing to the possibility of targeted policy and program development.
Novel Miniaturized Drug Conjugate Leverages HSP90-driven Tumor Accumulation to Overcome PI3K Inhibitor Delivery Challenges to Solid Tumors

The PI3K pathway is considered a master regulator for cancer due to its frequent activation, making it an attractive target for pharmacologic intervention. While substantial efforts have been made to develop drugs targeting PI3K signaling, few drugs have been able to achieve the inhibition necessary for effective tumor control at tolerated doses. HSP90 is a chaperone protein that is overexpressed and activated in many tumors and as a consequence, small-molecule ligands of HSP90 are preferentially retained in tumors up to 20 times longer than in normal tissue. We hypothesize that the generation of conjugates that use a HSP90-targeting ligand and a payload such as copanlisib, may open the narrow therapeutic window of this and other PI3K inhibitors. In support of this hypothesis, we have generated a HSP90-PI3K drug conjugate, T-2143 and utilizing xenograft models, demonstrate rapid and sustained tumor accumulation of the conjugate, deep pathway inhibition, and superior efficacy than the PI3K inhibitor on its own. Selective delivery of T-2143 and the masking of the inhibitor active site was also able to mitigate a potentially dose-limiting side effect of copanlisib, hyperglycemia. These data demonstrate that by leveraging the preferential accumulation of HSP90-targeting ligands in tumors, we can selectively deliver a PI3K inhibitor leading to efficacy in multiple tumor models without hyperglycemia in mice. These data highlight a novel drug delivery strategy that allows for the potential opening of a narrow therapeutic window through specific tumor delivery of anticancer payloads and reduction of toxicity.
Does Project Portfolio Management Approach Fit Smart City Management?

Nowadays public administrations have to face many challenges related to Smart City initiatives and must coordinate these projects executing effective Smart City strategies with the adoption of an efficient portfolio management framework. Except for a few aspects, literature about this topic is scarce so this study was carried out as an attempt to evaluate the feasibility of adopting PMI’s Project Portfolio Management methodology to handle Smart City initiatives. A specific survey investigating how much Smart City projects mirror portfolio dynamics has been submitted to experts across the globe and the collected results have been analysed according to our possibilities. Results are twofold: on the one hand, it appears that the Project Portfolio Management approach could be beneficial for managing Smart City project sets, on the other hand, the Project Portfolio Management seems to be a very suitable tool when the Smart City project portfolio is heavily influenced by external stakeholders.
Clinical Case with Negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Suspicious Chest Computed Tomography (CT) Images SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Not

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 infection has polymorphic clinical presentations. The real time PCR is the reference diagnostic test; however, it can only detect presence of virus for a specific window of time. Case: We report a clinical case in a patient aged 66 years. His clinical history included known hypertension for 10 years and ischemic stroke. He had no known contact with infected persons. He initially presented with a productive cough, fever, shortness of breath on exertion, intense asthenia and palpitations. The real time PCR with upper airway samples was conducted on days 18 and 20 of the onset of symptoms and was negative. Despite chest CT abnormalities, the patient was not considered to be infected SARS-CoV-2 according to national recommendations for diagnosis and treatment in Benin. He was discharged from the treatment centre. Readmitted 7 days later to the emergency room for respiratory distress, the patient died. Conclusion. Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection can be difficult. In the context of typical clinical presentation, chest CT features of viral pneumonia may be strongly suspicious for SARS-CoV-2 despite negative real time PCR results. In order to improve the diagnostic and therapeutic strategy for SARS-CoV-2 infection in Benin, chest CT and other diagnostic tests/ criteria should be adopted.