Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between Dental Anomalies and Orofacial Clefts: A Meta-analysis

Objectives: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess whether individuals with nonsyndromic orofacial clefts (OCs) display a higher frequency of dental anomalies (DAs) when compared with individuals without OCs. Methods: A literature search of indexed databases (PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and LILACS) was conducted without language restriction up to and including February 1, 2020. Cross-referencing was used to further identify articles. Several cleft teams across the United States and Europe were contacted to obtain unpublished data. The eligibility criteria were observational studies with original data that statistically compared individuals with OC without syndromes and those without OC on any type of DA in primary and/or permanent dentition. Random effects meta-analysis through the Mantel-Haenszel estimator was used to evaluate the association between OC and DA based on odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The literature search generated 933 records, and 75 full-text articles were reviewed. Twenty-six studies encompassing 15,213 individuals met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis revealed statistically significant associations between OC and agenesis (OR, 14.2; 95% CI, 9.4 to 21.3), supernumerary teeth (OR, 5.7; 95% CI, 3.3 to 9.7), developmental enamel defects (OR, 5.6; 95% CI, 3.5 to 9.0), microdontia (OR, 14.8; 95% CI, 4.0 to 54.6), peg-shaped anterior teeth (OR, 12.2; 95% CI, 3.6 to 41.2), taurodontism (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.0 to 2.7), tooth malposition and/or transposition (OR, 5.6; 95% CI, 2.8 to 11.5), tooth rotation (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.3 to 8.2), and tooth impaction (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.1 to 12.2). The OR estimates of the reviewed studies exhibited significant heterogeneity (P < 0.0001). No association was observed between OC and fusion and/or gemination. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, the available evidence suggests that individuals with OCs are more likely to present with a range of DAs than their unaffected peers. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The findings of the current review suggest that individuals with orofacial clefts (OCs) are more likely to present with a range of dental anomalies than their unaffected peers. Understanding the association between OCs and dental anomalies is essential in guiding clinicians during treatment-planning procedures and is important in raising our awareness of the possible need for future dental treatment for patients with OCs.
The Status Quo, Sources and Influencing Factors of Professional Pressure Faced by Preschool Teachers in Rural China: An Empirical Study Based on Multiple Counties in Hubei Province

The professional pressure of preschool teachers in rural China is closely related to the stability of the teaching staff and the development of children. A study of 734 teachers in 155 rural preschools from three national-level poverty-stricken counties and one non-poverty county in Hubei Province showed that current rural preschool teachers are facing greater professional pressure. Approximately 44.47% thought that the pressure is high, but has not yet reached the level of high burnout; non-poverty county preschool teachers have relatively high pressure. According to the Demand-Control-Support (DCS) model, the main pressure stems from the work requirements of children and parents, especially parents’ excessive emphasis on children’s safety, knowledge, and skills. The results of the Ordered Probit Model showed that the influencing factors of preschool teachers’ professional pressure in rural preschools in China include work factors such as workload and the number of children in difficulty; control factors like perseverance and professional identity; support factors such as staffing status, salary satisfaction, family support, and work support; as well as demographic variables such as age and household registration type (Hukou); and certain inter-county differences exist. Therefore, we recommend that the government, society, and preschools establish effective incentive and restraint mechanisms to reduce the professional pressure of preschool teachers in terms of salary, social status, parental guidance, workload, and stress training, and improve their ability to cope with pressure. Meanwhile, more focus need to be given on teachers who are for the first year preschool, older in age, lacking staffing status, no non-agricultural household registration, and overloading working.
Correspondence

Smit and colleagues describe a commendable treatment of an extremely ill patient with ethylene glycol (EG) poisoning with severe metabolic acidosis [1]. The case also highlights the diagnostic difficulties with EG poisoning. These difficulties are not unique to Africa. Most hospitals in the US lack on-site capability to measure EG concentrations. In the few that can measure EG, the laboratory procedure takes several hours, so we also rely upon other clues [2]. In addition to the anion gap, the osmolal gap, and the presence of calcium oxalate crystals in the urine, the unmeasurably high lactate concentration (reported as >30 mmol/L) is another useful clue for EG poisoning. There are two common laboratory methods for measuring lactate. Point-of-care devices (including blood gas analyzers) use lactate oxidase while hospital laboratories often use a method using lactate dehydrogenase. Lactate oxidase uses both lactate and glycolate as substrates and cannot distinguish between the two. In contrast, lactate dehydrogenase is specific for lactate. A very high point-of-care lactate suggests EG poisoning [3]. If both tests are available, a discrepancy between the two resulting in a much higher apparent lactate concentration by the lactate oxidase method than by the lactate dehydrogenase method (the “lactate gap”) is highly specific to EG poisoning. Another option is to employ an assay using glycerol dehydrogenase [4,5]. In the US, a veterinary diagnostic product (Catachem Inc., Oxford CT, USA) offers qualitative and quantitative measurement of EG in dogs. This provides a rapid and sensitive test for ethylene glycol. The test correlates well with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) but has but has not reached widespread clinical use in humans [5]. One test which emergency physicians must avoid is urinary fluorescence ultraviolet light (Wood’s lamp). Although automotive antifreeze/coolant liquids contain fluorescein (to assist mechanics in finding radiator leaks), normal urine and some plastic urine containers also fluoresce and make this bedside test highly unreliable [6].
THE ROLE OF NT PRO-BNP IN THE EVALUATION OF DIABETIC PATIENTS WITH HEART FAILURE.

Context The prevalence of patients with concomitant heart failure (HF) and diabetes mellitus (DM) is high. Objective To analyze the role of NT-pro-BNP levels in the evaluation of diabetic patients with heart failure. Design Retrospective comparative cohort study. Subjects and Methods A total of 174 patients admitted to our Cardiology Department, previously diagnosed with HF, were enrolled. Among these patients, 47.7% had DM. HF was defined according to the 2016 ESC criteria. The NT-pro BNP levels above 126 pg/mL indicate a high probability of heart failure. Results In diabetic patients there were significant correlations between NT-pro-BNP values and the following parameters: hemoglobin (rho=-0.28, p=0.01), hematocrit (rho= -0.27, p=0.014), total cholesterol (rho= -0.21, p=0.048), triglycerides (rho= -0.283, p=0.01), ejection fraction (rho= -0.465, p<0.0001), end-diastolic volume (rho= 0.253, p= 0.026), end-systolic volume (rho= 0.29 p=0.01). Only the following 3 parameters: ejection fraction (p= 0.0009), hemoglobin (p= 0.0092) and triglycerides (p= 0.0380) were independent predictive factors for elevated NT-pro-BNP values. Conclusion In diabetic heart failure patients, the value of NT-pro-BNP holds a pivotal role in the evaluation of their overall status, facilitating the establishment of correct management and follow-up.
Feasibility and effectiveness of home-based therapy programmes for children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review

Objective To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of home-based occupational therapy and physiotherapy programmes in children with cerebral palsy (CP), focusing on the upper extremity and reporting on child-related and/or parent-related outcomes. Design Systematic review. Data sources Electronic searches were performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, OTseeker and PEDro, and in ICTRP and CENTRAL trial registers, from inception to 6 June 2019. Eligible criteria The review included all types of original studies concerning feasibility or effectiveness of home-based therapy in children aged <18 years with any type of CP. No language, publication status or publication date restrictions were applied. Data extraction and synthesis Study and intervention characteristics and the demographics of participating children and their parents were extracted. Feasibility was assessed by outcomes related to acceptability, demand, implementation, practicality, adaptation, expansion or integration. Regarding effectiveness, child-related outcome measures related to any level of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, or parent-related outcomes were investigated. Two authors independently extracted the data. Risk of bias was assessed using the Downs and Black checklist and the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist. Results The search resulted in a total of 92 records: 61 studies and 31 conference abstracts. Feasibility studies reported mainly on acceptability and implementation. Overall compliance to home-based training programmes (implementation) was moderate to high, ranging from 56% to 99%. In the effectiveness studies, >40 different child-related outcome measures were found. Overall, an improvement in arm-hand performance within group across time was shown. Only two studies reported on a parent-related outcome measure. No increase in parental stress was found during the intervention. Conclusions Based on the results of the included studies, home-based training programmes seem to be feasible. However, conclusions about the effectiveness of home programmes cannot be made due to the large variability in the study, patient and intervention characteristics, comparators, and outcome measures used in the included studies. PROSPERO registration number CRD42016043743.
Ecotone dependent recruitment of a desert shrub, Flourensia cernua, in vegetation stripes

In tropical semi-arid areas, a local concentration of water on sheet wash surfaces allows the persistence of densely vegetated stripes parallel to the contour lines, alternating with almost bare soil stripes. The boundaries of the vegetated stripes are, upslope, a colonization ecotone, and, downslope, a regressive ecotone, thus inducing a slow upwards displacement. This formation, recently described in the Chihuahuan Desert (Mexico), is known from Africa and Australia. Flourensia cernua is a dominant shrub species of the stripes whose distribution suggests that its population dynamics is strongly dependent on the upslope ecotone. The spatial restrictions to recruitment were determined analyzing the location of seedlings, young individuals and adults, and the grass cover (Hilaria mutica), in 10 two-meter-wide belts perpendicular to 5 stripes (.)
Analysis of the molecular nature associated with microsatellite status in colon cancer identifies clinical implications for immunotherapy

Background Microsatellite instability in colon cancer implies favorable therapeutic outcomes after checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. However, the molecular nature of microsatellite instability is not well elucidated. Methods We examined the immune microenvironment of colon cancer using assessments of the bulk transcriptome and the single-cell transcriptome focusing on molecular nature of microsatellite stability (MSS) and microsatellite instability (MSI) in colorectal cancer from a public database. The association of the mutation pattern and microsatellite status was analyzed by a random forest algorithm in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and validated by our in-house dataset (39 tumor mutational burden (TMB)-low MSS colon cancer, 10 TMB-high MSS colon cancer, 15 MSI colon cancer). A prognostic model was constructed to predict the survival potential and stratify microsatellite status by a neural network. Results Despite the hostile CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)/Th1 microenvironment in MSI colon cancer, a high percentage of exhausted CD8+ T cells and upregulated expression of immune checkpoints were identified in MSI colon cancer at the single-cell level, indicating the potential neutralizing effect of cytotoxic T-cell activity by exhausted T-cell status. A more homogeneous highly expressed pattern of PD1 was observed in CD8+ T cells from MSI colon cancer; however, a small subgroup of CD8+ T cells with high expression of checkpoint molecules was identified in MSS patients. A random forest algorithm predicted important mutations that were associated with MSI status in the TCGA colon cancer cohort, and our in-house cohort validated higher frequencies of BRAF, ARID1A, RNF43, and KM2B mutations in MSI colon cancer. A robust microsatellite status–related gene signature was built to predict the prognosis and differentiate between MSI and MSS tumors. A neural network using the expression profile of the microsatellite status–related gene signature was constructed. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the accuracy rate of neural network, reaching 100%. Conclusion Our analysis unraveled the difference in the molecular nature and genomic variance in MSI and MSS colon cancer. The microsatellite status–related gene signature is better at predicting the prognosis of patients with colon cancer and response to the combination of immune checkpoint inhibitor–based immunotherapy and anti-VEGF therapy.
The Arg-293 of Cryptochrome1 is responsible for the allosteric regulation of CLOCK-CRY1 binding in circadian rhythm

Mammalian circadian clocks are driven by transcription/translation feedback loops composed of positive transcriptional activators (BMAL1 and CLOCK) and negative repressors (CRYPTOCHROMEs (CRYs) and PERIODs (PERs)). CRYs, in complex with PERs, bind to the BMAL1/CLOCK complex and repress E-box–driven transcription of clock-associated genes. There are two individual CRYs, with CRY1 exhibiting higher affinity to the BMAL1/CLOCK complex than CRY2. It is known that this differential binding is regulated by a dynamic serine-rich loop adjacent to the secondary pocket of both CRYs, but the underlying features controlling loop dynamics are not known. Here we report that allosteric regulation of the serine-rich loop is mediated by Arg-293 of CRY1, identified as a rare CRY1 SNP in the Ensembl and 1000 Genomes databases. The p.Arg293His CRY1 variant caused a shortened circadian period in a Cry1−/−Cry2−/− double knockout mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line. Moreover, the variant displayed reduced repressor activity on BMAL1/CLOCK driven transcription, which is explained by reduced affinity to BMAL1/CLOCK in the absence of PER2 compared with CRY1. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the p.Arg293His CRY1 variant altered a communication pathway between Arg-293 and the serine loop by reducing its dynamicity. Collectively, this study provides direct evidence that allosterism in CRY1 is critical for the regulation of circadian rhythm.
Cerebrovascular effects of glibenclamide investigated using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging in healthy volunteers

Glibenclamide inhibits sulfonylurea receptor (SUR), which regulates several ion channels including SUR1-transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (SUR1-TRPM4) channel and ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel. Stroke upregulates SURl-TRPM4 channel, which causes a rapid edema formation and brain swelling. Glibenclamide may antagonize the formation of cerebral edema during stroke. Preclinical studies showed that glibenclamide inhibits KATP channel-induced vasodilation without altering the basal vascular tone. The in vivo human cerebrovascular effects of glibenclamide have not previously been investigated. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-way cross-over study, we used advanced 3 T MRI methods to investigate the effects of glibenclamide and KATP channel opener levcromakalim on mean global cerebral blood flow (CBF) and intra- and extracranial artery circumferences in 15 healthy volunteers. Glibenclamide administration did not alter the mean global CBF and the basal vascular tone. Following levcromakalim infusion, we observed a 14% increase of the mean global CBF and an 8% increase of middle cerebral artery (MCA) circumference, and glibenclamide did not attenuate levcromakalim-induced vascular changes. Collectively, the findings demonstrate the vital role of KATP channels in cerebrovascular hemodynamic and indicate that glibenclamide does not inhibit the protective effects of KATP channel activation during hypoxia and ischemia-induced brain injury.
Antimicrobial resistance and ESBL genes in E. coli isolated in proximity to a sewage treatment plant

Abstract This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli in the Szreniawa river with detailed aims of: (i) assessment of differences in the number of microbiological indicators of water quality in a diurnal cycle in a vicinity of the sewage treatment plant (STP); (ii) determination of prevalence of antimicrobial resistant E. coli isolated from three sites located at varying locations toward the STP; (iii) evaluation of the presence of extended-spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL)-determining genes in waterborne E. coli isolated from three sites of Szreniawa and (iv) genetic similarity assessment among the E. coli populations. Bacteriological contamination (coliforms, E. coli, E. faecalis) was assessed using membrane filtration. Fifty E. coli strains, the species of which was confirmed by MALDI-TOF analysis, were subjected to antimicrobial resistance tests using standard disk-diffusion method. Double disk synergy test was used to assess the ESBL production and PCR tests were conducted to detect the ESBL-conferring genes and evaluate the genetic diversity. A significant variation in the number of bacteriological indicators was observed both within and between the sampling sites, suggesting the effect of effluent from the STP, point discharge of household sewage and agricultural runoff on the water contamination. The resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanate (90%) and ampicillin (36%) was most prevalent. Multidrug resistance was observed in 40% of strains but no ESBL-producing strains were observed phenotypically. However, the presence of three ESBL-determining genes (TEM, OXA and CTX-M) was detected in 24, 10 and 8% of strains, respectively. A number of factors caused considerable pollution of the river and numerous multidrug resistant E. coli strains were isolated.
Red-light running behavior of delivery-service E-cyclists based on survival analysis

Abstract Objective The primary objective of this study is to explore the red-light running behavior of delivery-service E-cyclists, including differences with regular E-cyclists and influencing factors. Methods A total of 2173 E-cyclists in Shanghai were observed, with a mix of 51.8% regular E-cyclists and 48.2% delivery-service E-cyclists. Survival analysis was used to establish the model to resolve the issue of censored data of the waiting time of E-cyclists at an intersection. The Kaplan–Meier estimator was adopted to examine the significance of the difference between regular E-cyclists and delivery-service E-cyclists on red-light running behavior. A Cox proportional hazards model with six potential influencing factors was developed to estimate the red-light running probability of delivery-service E-cyclists. Results The violation rate of the red-light running behavior is almost 40% higher for delivery-service E-cyclists when compared to that for regular E-cyclists. The results show four factors that increase the hazard rate of red-light violation for delivery-service E-cyclists: being male, visual search (i.e., head movement), waiting beyond the stop line, and existence of red-light running of other (E-)cyclists. Additionally, they show one factor decreases the hazard rate of red-light violation: group size. Conclusions Waiting position, violation of the law by other cyclists, and group size play an important role in red-right running behavior. The hazard rates of running red-light by delivery-service E-cyclists increased by 62% and 33% when they wait near motorized lanes and when other individuals violate traffic rules, respectively. The hazard rates reduced by 50% when there are more than five waiting cyclists.
Color and height affects oviposition site preferences of Toxorhynchites splendens and Toxorhynchites rutilus rutilus Diptera Culicidae in the laboratory

Oviposition site preferences of two predatory mosquitoes, Toxorhynchites splendens (Wiedemann) and Toxorhynchites rutilus rutilus (Coquillet), were compared in the laboratory using eight oviposition cup colors affixed 0 and 1 m from the cage floor. T. splendens females preferred to oviposit in black containers. Secondary preferences were for dark red and brown rather than green, blue, orange, yellow, or white containers. Substantial oviposition occurred in containers of all colors except white and yellow. Over 96% of all eggs were deposited at ground level. T. r. rutilus females had a stronger preference for ovipositing in black containers but did deposit eggs in red, blue, and brown containers at ground level. More than 25% of all eggs were deposited 1 m from the cage Roorduring choice tests. Oviposition by T. r. rutilus rarely took place in containers painted white, yellow, orange, and green. On the basis of these results, T. splendens appears to be the better candidate for mosquito control in heavily urbanized areas where discarded containers on the ground serve as developmental habitat for pest mosquitoes. T. r. rutilus appears to be the better candidate for treeholes. It is suggested that consistent means of comparing the characteristics of Toxorhynchites species for biological control programs be developed.
Lockdown measures in response to COVID-19 in nine sub-Saharan African countries

Lockdown measures have been introduced worldwide to contain the transmission of COVID-19. However, the term ‘lockdown’ is not well-defined. Indeed, WHO’s reference to ‘so-called lockdown measures’ indicates the absence of a clear and universally accepted definition of the term ‘lockdown’. We propose a definition of ‘lockdown’ based on a two-by-two matrix that categorises different communicable disease measures based on whether they are compulsory or voluntary; and whether they are targeted at identifiable individuals or facilities, or whether they are applied indiscriminately to a general population or area. Using this definition, we describe the design, timing and implementation of lockdown measures in nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa: Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. While there were some commonalities in the implementation of lockdown across these countries, a more notable finding was the variation in the design, timing and implementation of lockdown measures. We also found that the number of reported cases is heavily dependent on the number of tests carried out, and that testing rates ranged from 2031 to 63 928 per million population up until 7 September 2020. The reported number of COVID-19 deaths per million population also varies (0.4 to 250 up until 7 September 2020), but is generally low when compared with countries in Europe and North America. While lockdown measures may have helped inhibit community transmission, the pattern and nature of the epidemic remains unclear. However, there are signs of lockdown harming health by affecting the functioning of the health system and causing social and economic disruption.