Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Altered inter-frequency dynamics of brain networks in disorder of consciousness

Objective. Growing evidence have linked disorders of consciousness (DOC) with the changes in frequency-specific functional networks. However, the alteration of inter-frequency dynamics in brain networks remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the network integration and segregation across frequency bands in a multiplex network framework. Approach. Resting-state EEG data were recorded and analysed from 19 patients in minimally conscious state, 35 patients in unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) and 23 healthy controls. Frequency-based multiplex (cross-frequency) networks were reconstructed by integrating the five frequency-specific networks. Multiplex graph metrics, named multiplex participation coefficient and multiplex clustering coefficient, were employed to assess the network topology of subjects with different levels of consciousness. Main results. Results revealed DOC networks, compared to those of healthy controls, may work at a less optimal point (closer to complete disorder) with increased integration and decreased segregation considering inter-frequency dynamics. Both metrics show increased spatial and temporal variability with the consciousness levels. Moreover, significant correlation can be found between the alteration of cross-frequency networks in DOC patients and their behavioural performance at both local and global scales. Significance. These findings may contribute to the development of EEG network study and benefit our understanding of the processes of consciousness and their pathophysiology for DOC.
Age-Related Central Auditory Processing Disorder, MCI, and Dementia in an Older Population of Southern Italy

Objective We explored the associations of age-related central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia in an older population-based cohort in Apulia, Southern Italy (GreatAGE Study). Study Design Cross-sectional data from a population-based study. Setting Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy. Subjects and Methods Between 2013 and 2018, MCI, dementia, age-related CAPD (no disabling hearing loss and <50% score on the SSI-ICM test [Synthetic Sentence Identification–Ipsilateral Competing Message]), neurologic and neuropsychological examinations, and serum metabolic biomarkers assays were investigated on 1647 healthy volunteers aged >65 years. Results The prevalences of age-related CAPD, MCI, and dementia were 14.15%, 15.79%, and 3.58%, respectively. Among the subjects with MCI and dementia, 19.61% and 42.37% had age-related CAPD. In the regressive models, age-related CAPD was associated with MCI (odds ratio, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.01-2.21) and dementia (odds ratio, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.12-4.42). Global cognition scores were positively associated with increasing SSI-ICM scores in linear models. All models were adjusted for demographics and metabolic serum biomarkers. Conclusion The tight association of age-related CAPD with MCI and dementia suggests the involvement of central auditory pathways in neurodegeneration, but it is not clear which is the real direction of this association. However, CAPD is a possible diagnostic marker of cognitive dysfunction in older patients.
Pomegranate as a source of bioactive constituents: a review on their characterization, properties and applications

Abstract Increasing awareness about the use of compounds obtained from natural sources exerting health-beneficial properties, including antimicrobial and antioxidant effects, led to increased number of research papers focusing on the study of functional properties of target compounds to be used as functional foods or in preventive medicine. Pomegranate has shown positive health properties due to the presence of bioactive constituents such as polyphenols, tannins, and anthocyanins. Punicalagin is the major antioxidant, abundantly found in pomegranate’s peel. Research has shown that pomegranate polyphenols not only have a strong antioxidant capacity but they also inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria like V. cholera, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, B. cereus, E. coli, and S. virulence factor, and inhibits fungi such as A. Ochraceus, and P. citrinum. Compounds of natural origin inhibit the growth of various pathogens by extending the shelf life of foodstuffs and assuring their safety. Therefore, the need to find compounds to be used in combination with antibiotics or as new antimicrobial sources, such as plant extracts. On the basis of the above discussion, this review focuses on the health benefits of pomegranate, by summarizing the current body of research focusing on pomegranate bioactive constituents and their therapeutic potential against some pathogenic microbes.
Cues and signals used for orientation and communication in the superorganismic meliponine bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini)

Die vorliegende Dissertation befasst sich vordergrundig mit den zwei folgenden Fragen: 1) Welche Signale4 und Hinweisreize 5 (kurz: Hinweise6) werden bei den superorganismisch7 organisierten Meliponen (Staaten ‐ bildende Bienenarten, die weltweit in den Tropen vorkommen8) zur und wahrend der Verteidigung ihrer Kolonien genutzt (Kapitel II)? 2) Welche Signale und Hinweise begleiten und ermoglichen die Mobilisierung, Koordination und Orientierung von Arbeiterinnen der Meliponenstaaten zur effizienten Nutzung von Ressourcen (Kapitel III bis V)? Die uber 400 Meliponenarten sind vor allem als Bestauber und Blutenbesucher der weltweiten Tropen bedeutsam. Ihre im Aussehen und Verhalten recht unterschiedlichen Gattungen und Arten (siehe Kapitel I und Roubik 1989) stellen auserdem ideale Versuchsobjekte zum besseren Verstandnis von tropenbiologisch relevanten Fragestellungen dar (siehe Roubik 1989). Wahrend Nektar‐ und Pollensammeltatigkeit beziehungsweise daraus resultierende getrennte Honig‐ und Pollenvorrate auch bei den verwandten Honigbienen (Apis sp.) und Hummeln (z.B. Bombus sp.) vorkommen, zeichnen sich Meliponen ausserdem durch das zusatzliche Vorkommen fleisch‐konsumierender (z. B. Trigona hypogea) und kleptoparasitischer Arten (z. B. Gattung Lestrimellitta) aus, die zur Vielfalt der faszinierenden Uberlebensstrategien bei Meliponen beitragen. Defensives und aggressives Verhalten Im Kapitel II werden Signale und Hinweisreize identifiziert, die defensives und aggressives Verhalten bei Meliponen auf intra‐ und intersuperorganismischer, sowie intra‐ und interspezifischer Ebene ermoglichen. Zur Untersuchung wurden zwei Arten gewahlt, die bereits in der Vergangenheit zu ahnlichen Fragestellungen herangezogen worden sind: Trigona spinipes Fabricius 1793 und Scaptotrigona aff. depilis9 (Artgruppe: S. depilis Moure 1942), welche sympatrisch in neotropischen Habitaten vorkommen. Mandibeldrusensekrete bei Arbeiterinnen enthielten u.a. 2‐Heptanol und 2‐ Nonanol (siehe Tabelle 1 in Kapitel II), die aggressives und defensives Verhalten auslosten. Verhaltenstests zeigten (siehe Appendix von Kapitel II), dass wahrend auffalliger Annaherung an Meliponennester und der darauf folgenden Nestverteidigung dunkle Flachen angeflogen und auch verstarkt gegenuber hellen Flachen angegriffen werden10. Die oben genannten Pheromone stellten sich auserdem auch als geeignete Allelochemikalien11 heraus, da Mandibeldrusenextrakte beider Arten zur Auslosung defensiver Verhaltensweisen an Futterquellen und Nesteingangen sowohl der einen wie anderen Art fuhrten. Die Mandibeldrusensekrete sind demnach zur intra‐ und intersuperorganismischer beziehungsweise intra‐ und interkolonialer Kommunikation auf intra‐ und interspezifischer Ebene geeignet. Die Mandibeldrusensekrete der untersuchten Arten zeigten niemals anlockende Wirkung, weder an der Futterquelle, noch am Weg zwischen Nest und Futterquelle. Vielmehr losten Mandibeldrusensekrete in den genannten Situationen stets defensives und…
The efficacy of different doses of ulinastatin in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a severe form of inflammatory disease with a high mortality rate. Ulinastatin, a urinary trypsin inhibitor, has anti-inflammatory properties and may be beneficial to critically ill patients with SAP. Nevertheless, there is currently insufficient evidence to conclude whether there is a dose-effect relationship between ulinastatin and SAP treatment outcomes. The present study examined the efficacy of ulinastatin at different doses in the treatment of SAP. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted examining the clinical outcomes of 130 SAP patients. Patients were categorized into a control group and three groups receiving different daily doses of ulinastatin (200,000; 400,000; and 600,000 IU). The study compared the 1-week mortality rate; the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) score; abdominal pain relief time; time to recover a normal heart and respiratory rate; blood amylase, glucose, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin levels; and white blood cell (WBC) count among the different groups. RESULTS The 400,000 and 600,000 IU groups had significantly lower mortality rates and WBC count compared to the 200,000 IU group (P<0.05). Furthermore, the 400,000 IU group had a significantly shorter abdominal pain relief time compared to the 200,000 IU group (P<0.05). Compared to the 200,000 IU group, the 600,000 IU group had significantly shorter time to recover a normal respiratory rate and a lower APACHE-II score (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Ulinastatin can improve the clinical outcomes of patients with SAP but efficacy varies with the dosage.
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis due to Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis in Two Travelers Successfully Treated with Miltefosine.

We present two cases of Leishmania (V) panamensis in returning travelers from Central America successfully treated with miltefosine. The couple presented with ulcerative skin lesions nonresponsive to antibiotics. Skin biopsy with PCR revealed L. (V) panamensis. To prevent the development of mucosal disease and avoid the inconvenience of parental therapy, we treated both patients with oral miltefosine. We suggest that miltefosine represents an important therapeutic alternative in the treatment of cutaneous lesions caused by L. panamensis and in preventing mucosal involvement.
DAA-Based Treatment for HIV–HCV-Coinfected Patients: Analysis of Factors of Sustained Virological Response in a Real-Life Study

Background The aim of the present study was to evaluate in HIV-infected patients treated with a direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA)-based regimen the variables associated with sustained virological response (SVR) and the trend in biochemical parameters and clinical events during and after DAA regimen. Methods We performed a multicentre retrospective cohort study, enrolling all 243 HIV–HCV-coinfected adult patients treated with DAAs between January 2015 and December 2018 in one of the nine participating Infectious Disease Centers in southern Italy, eight in Campania and one in Apulia. Results Of the 243 patients enrolled, 233 (95.9%) obtained an SVR at 12 weeks (SVR12). Of the 10 patients with non-SVR, 7 were tested for NS3, NS5A and NS5B resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) by sequencing analysis and 6 showed at least 1 major RAS in 1 HCV region (all in NS5A, 2 in NS5B and 1 in NS3). Comparing the 233 patients achieving SVR and the 10 non-achievers, no variable was independently associated with non-SVR. During and after DAA regimen, no modification in the biochemical parameters and clinical events was observed; however, the serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels showed an increase (from 159 ±41.3 mg/dl at baseline to 174 ±44.5 mg/dl at week 12 after stopping treatment, P<0.001, and from 92 ±34.6 mg/dl to 109.4 ±73.7 mg/dl, P=0.002, respectively). Conclusions The treatment with DAAs led to a high SVR12 rate in HIV–HCV-coinfected subjects, irrespective of epidemiological, clinical or virological characteristics. However, the DAA regimen was associated with an increase in total- and LDL-cholesterol, to be taken into account in the management of HIV infection
Effectiveness and short‐term (16‐week) tolerance of guselkumab for psoriasis under real‐life conditions: a retrospective multicenter study

Guselkumab (Tremfya® , Janssen Biotech, Inc., Horsham, PA, USA) is an anti-IL-23 p19 antibody, recently marketed for the management of moderate to severe psoriasis in adults. To date, there are only limited post-marketing data available on its effectiveness and tolerance. A retrospective, real-life multicenter study conducted in France and Belgium evaluated guselkumab tolerance and effectiveness at Month 4 (M4) in the treatment of cutaneous psoriasis, and to describe patient characteristics at baseline and after 4 months of treatment. Collected data included socio-demographic characteristics, psoriasis history (age at beginning, clinical type, associated psoriatic arthritis, previous treatments), comorbidities, psoriasis severity at beginning of treatment (PASI, PGA, DLQI) as well as about tolerance. A total of 194 patients were included; data was analyzed for 180 (14 were excluded due to missing PASI at inclusion or at M4).
Do plant-microbe interactions support the Stress Gradient Hypothesis?

The Stress Gradient Hypothesis (SGH), which predicts increasing ratios of facilitative:competitive interactions with increasing stress, has long been a guiding framework for conceptualizing plant-plant interactions. Recently, there has been a growing recognition of the roles of microbes in mitigating or exacerbating environmental stress for their plant hosts. As such, we might predict based on the SGH that beneficial microbial effects on plant performance should be positively associated with stress. Specifically, we hypothesized that support for the SGH would depend on the host plant's habitat specialization such that species that specialize in high stress habitats and thus likely coevolved with the resident microbes would exhibit stronger support for the SGH than non-specialist plant species. We further hypothesized that support for the SGH would vary with germination frequency, since boosting germination of low-frequency germinators is one effective means by which microbes can benefit plant species performance. Here, we explore whether plant-microbial interactions support the SGH, using 12 plant species native to the Florida rosemary scrub. We conducted factorial experiments that manipulated the presence of microbes in nine soils collected along an elevational stress gradient, and recorded germination frequency and biomass. Microbes increased the germination frequency of four species, all of which had relatively low germination rates. Furthermore, we found support for the SGH in nearly half of the species examined, with soil microbes facilitating germination with increasing stress for five of the 12 species tested, and none of the species exhibiting the opposite trend. Support for the SGH was not predicted by either the plant hosts' habitat specialization or germination frequency. In contrast to germination, biomass results showed little support for the SGH, with four of 12 species refuting and one species supporting SGH predictions. Taken together, our study documents that interactions between the soil microbial community and plant species along a stress gradient can support the SGH, but emphasizes that these effects are life history stage-dependent. This work also identifies a common mechanism (germination facilitation) by which microbes can benefit plant species in stressful habitats.
Airborne transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 to healthcare workers: a narrative review

Healthcare workers are at risk of infection during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 pandemic. International guidance suggests direct droplet transmission is likely and airborne transmission occurs only with aerosol‐generating procedures. Recommendations determining infection control measures to ensure healthcare worker safety follow these presumptions. Three mechanisms have been described for the production of smaller sized respiratory particles (‘aerosols’) that, if inhaled, can deposit in the distal airways. These include: laryngeal activity such as talking and coughing; high velocity gas flow; and cyclical opening and closure of terminal airways. Sneezing and coughing are effective aerosol generators, but all forms of expiration produce particles across a range of sizes. The 5‐μm diameter threshold used to differentiate droplet from airborne is an over‐simplification of multiple complex, poorly understood biological and physical variables. The evidence defining aerosol‐generating procedures comes largely from low‐quality case and cohort studies where the exact mode of transmission is unknown as aerosol production was never quantified. We propose that transmission is associated with time in proximity to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐1 patients with respiratory symptoms, rather than the procedures per se. There is no proven relation between any aerosol‐generating procedure with airborne viral content with the exception of bronchoscopy and suctioning. The mechanism for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 transmission is unknown but the evidence suggestive of airborne spread is growing. We speculate that infected patients who cough, have high work of breathing, increased closing capacity and altered respiratory tract lining fluid will be significant producers of pathogenic aerosols. We suggest several aerosol‐generating procedures may in fact result in less pathogen aerosolisation than a dyspnoeic and coughing patient. Healthcare workers should appraise the current evidence regarding transmission and apply this to the local infection prevalence. Measures to mitigate airborne transmission should be employed at times of risk. However, the mechanisms and risk factors for transmission are largely unconfirmed. Whilst awaiting robust evidence, a precautionary approach should be considered to assure healthcare worker safety.
Adequacy of Enteral Nutritional Therapy Offered to Patients in an Intensive Care Unit

Introduction: Malnutrition is a common framework in hospitalized patients. Enteral nutritional therapy (ENT) is the most commonly used strategy to treat malnutrition. However, complications related to ENT can make it impossible to reach the nutritional requirements of the patient. Objectives: The objectives of the study are to evaluate the nutritional status of patients receiving exclusive ENT and to assess the adequacy of ENT in an intensive care unit (ICU). Materials and Methods: Retrospective study conducted in an ICU of a private hospital in Cuiabá/MT/Brazil between 2015 and 2016. The sample consisted of 115 patients >18 years of age in exclusive ENT. The nutritional status was evaluated using anthropometric, clinical, dietary, and biochemical measurements, and it was categorized by the subjective global assessment. The calorie and protein requirements were calculated according to the hospital protocol. Results: The most of the patients were elderly (86%) and were undernourished or at nutritional risk (99.1%) at the 1st day of hospitalization. The average nutritional requirements were 1765.31 ± 306.62 kcal and 91.96 ± 21.51 g of protein. However, the percentage of adequacy for calorie (40.31%) and protein (39.98%) were below nutritional requirements. The main complications regarding non-administration of enteral nutrition were awaiting the enteral feeding tube be placed and fasting period. In addition, there was a waste of 92.9 liters of diet due to non-infusion of prescribed enteral nutrition. Conclusions: Malnutrition, delay in enteral nutrition tube administration, and fasting for clinical procedures may have contributed to the low nutritional adequacy of the diet, which may increase the risk of mortality in critically ill patients admitted in ICU.
Antimicrobial screening of different extract of Anacardium occidentale Linn. leaves.

The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the ethanol and petroleum ether extracts of Anacardium occidentale Linn. were determined against a wide variety of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The extracts were tested against various bacteria like Bacillus subtulis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherchia coli and various fungi like Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger by cup plate method. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values of each active extract were determined. It is concluded that petroleum ether extract and ethanolic extract of Anacardium occidentale Linn. Leaves exhibited significant antimicrobial and antifungal activity.
Participant and Caregiver Perspectives on Clinical Research During Covid‐19 Pandemic

The COVID‐19 pandemic has massively disrupted essential clinical research. Many regulatory organizations have rightfully advocated to temporarily halt enrollment and curtail all face‐to‐face interactions. Views and opinions of patients and their caregivers are seldom considered while making such decisions. The objective was to study older participantsʼ and their caregiversʼ perspectives to participate in ongoing clinical research during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Comparison of the nutritive value of a turkey native forage, tumbleweed hay (Gundelia tournefortii L.), wheat straw and alfalfa hay using in situ and in vitro measurements with sheep

Hay from native-growing tumbleweed (Gundelia tournefortii L.) was compared with wheat (Triticum estivum) straw and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay in terms of chemical composition, in situ dry matter (DM) degradation in vitro gas production and in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD). Chemical composition of tumbleweed hay was better than wheat straw but comparable to alfalfa hay. Crude protein (CP) concentration of tumbleweed hay was higher (P<0.001) than that of wheat straw but lower than that of alfalfa hay. Crude fibre (CF) concentration of tumbleweed hay was lower (P<0.001) than that of wheat straw but similar to that of alfalfa hay. Mineral concentrations varied among forages. Tumbleweed hay was high in phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe) compared with alfalfa hay and wheat straw. The in situ DM disappearance and corresponding estimated prediction equation parameters of tumbleweed hay were higher (P<0.001) than those of wheat straw but similar to those of alfalfa hay, whereas in vitro gas production at all incubation times and corresponding estimated parameters of tumbleweed hay were higher (P<0.001) than those of alfalfa hay and wheat straw. Metabolizable energy (ME) values of the forages varied between 7.1 and 10.5 MJ/kg DM. The ME value of tumbleweed hay exceeded (P<0.001) those of alfalfa hay and wheat straw. In vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) of tumbleweed hay was higher (P<0.001) than that wheat straw but similar to that of alfalfa. It was concluded that the nutritive value of tumbleweed hay is better than that of wheat straw and comparable to that of alfalfa hay. Within the confines of this study, tumbleweed hay seems to have potential as a forage crop for smallholder farmers during periods of forage scarcity.