Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New combinations in the tribe Urgineeae (Asparagaceae subfam. Scilloideae) with comments on contrasting taxonomic treatments

As part of a taxonomic revision of tribe Urgineeae, and informed by morphological and phylogenetic evidence obtained in the last decade, we present 17 new combinations in Austronea, Indurgia, Schizobasis, Tenicroa, Thuranthos, Urgineopsis, and Vera-duthiea. These are for taxa recently described in Drimia sensu latissimo or otherwise named during the past century. We include type information for all considered taxa and designate lectotypes for Drimia pauciflora, Urginea salmonea and U. sebirii. We discuss recent analytic and synthetic approaches to taxonomic arrangements for the Urgineeae and reinforce the support of an analytic treatment that recognises several genera characterised by distinct syndromes of morphological characters, biogeography and molecular evidence.
Simultaneous simulation of pathogen inactivation and bromate formation in full‐scale ozone contactors by computer software

Ozone contactor model (OCM) software was developed as an innovative tool for full‐scale ozone bubble‐diffuser contactor design and optimization in support of current and future regulations regarding pathogen and bromate control in drinking water. The software is based on the reactive transport model that has been experimentally verified with lab‐, pilot‐, and full‐scale ozone contactors in previous studies. The OCM is designed to be user‐friendly with graphical user interfaces and operates on personal computers so that users can perform complex simulation tasks under various design and operating scenarios without extensive training. The details of software structure and usage guidelines are provided in this article. Demonstrative application of the OCM for simulating the performance of a full‐scale ozone contactor with respect to Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst inactivation and bromate formation was performed using experimental results obtained from the Linnwood Water Plant Ozone Facility (LWPOF) at the Milwaukee (Wis.) Water Works. The model was further applied to simulate the performance of this ozone contactor at different operating temperatures. The simulation results suggest that meeting inactivation requirements for C. parvum oocysts is more challenging at lower temperatures, while controlling bromate formation is more challenging at higher temperatures. Additional simulations suggest that ozone contactors be designed with the lowest possible dispersion in order to achieve target inactivation efficiency with minimum formation of bromate.
New Phytophthora species in Western Australia: Pathogenicity and control by phosphite in vitro and in planta

A number of new Phytophthora species to Western Australia, have been isolated from dying native species in southwest Western Australia (SWWA). However, little is known about their host range or whether the pathogenic species can be controlled by phosphite. The effect of phosphite on 23 Phytophthora species was investigated in vitro. On solid medium, EC50 values were 5 to >160 μg/ml phosphite, whilst in liquid medium buffered using 0.03 M MES (2-(N-morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid), EC50 values ranged from 30 to >900 μg/ml. Nineteen of 23 species displayed a much higher level of tolerance in buffered liquid medium to phosphite than in solid, or unbuffered liquid medium. Assessment of phosphite tolerance was more accurate using liquid, rather than solid medium. Casuarina obesa, Banksia littoralis, B. occidentalis, B. grandis, Lambetia inermis, Corymbia calophylla, and Eucalyptus marginata were screened in the glasshouse as possible susceptible hosts by inoculating soil with 22 Phytophthora species and assessing plant growth after 6 weeks. P. niederhauserii had a wide host range similar to P. cinnamomi. Other species that killed one or more hosts were P. elongata, P. boodjera, P. moyootj, P. constricta and P. rosacearum. No Phytophthora species tested killed C. calophylla. To test the effectiveness of phosphite as a control agent, Eucalyptus marginata, B. occidentalis, B. littoralis and L. inermis were sprayed with 0.5% phosphite seven days before soil inoculation with ten Phytophthora species. No phosphite-treated plants died, but in unprotected controls P. cinnamomi and P. neiderhauserii killed at least one host plant of all species, while plants of E. marginata were also killed by P.constricta, P. boodjera, P. elongata, and P. multivora. For P. constricta, P. boodjera, P. multivora, P. rosacearum and P. arenaria, for one or more host species, the reduction of shoot or root growth caused by the pathogen was not eliminated by spraying plants with phosphite. There was no relationship between phosphite tolerance in vitro (as determined by EC50) and the response to phosphite in planta: for example, P. gibbosa was highly tolerant in vitro but controlled by phosphite in planta. In L. inermis subsp. inermis all species of Phytophthora reduced root mass even in plants sprayed with phosphite. Phosphite prevented lesion development in E. marginata and B. occidentalis after underbark inoculation of with Phytophthora cinnamomi and P. niederhauserii.
Exercise ameliorates insulin resistance and improves ASK1‐mediated insulin signalling in obese rats

Increasing evidence reveals that physical exercise is an efficient therapeutical approach in the treatment of insulin resistance (IR) and related metabolic diseases. However, the potential beneficial effects of exercise on insulin resistance and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Recent findings elucidated the negative role of ASK1 in repressing the glucose uptake through JNK1‐IRS1‐Akt signalling in liver. Thus, a detailed investigation of the effect of ASK1‐mediated insulin signalling on exercise‐mediated improvement of insulin sensitivity and its underlying mechanism was implemented in this study. Using a high‐fat diet‐induced IR rat model of chronic or acute swimming exercise training, we here showed that body weight and visceral fat mass were significantly reduced after chronic exercise. Moreover, chronic exercise reduced serum FFAs levels and hepatic triglyceride content. Both chronic and acute exercise promoted glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Meanwhile, both chronic and acute exercise decreased ASK1 phosphorylation and improved JNK1‐IRS1‐Akt signalling. Furthermore, exercise training decreased CFLAR, CREG and TRAF1 protein levels in liver of obese rats, which are positive regulator of ASK1 activity. These results suggested that swimming exercise demonstrated to be an effective ameliorator of IR through the regulation of ASK1‐mediated insulin signalling and therefore, could present a prospective therapeutic mean towards the treatment of IR and several metabolic diseases based on IR, containing NAFLD and type Ⅱ diabetes.
Egg Consumption and Blood Lipid Parameters According to the Presence of Chronic Metabolic Disorders: The EVIDENT II Study

Abstract Context Egg consumption is one of the main dietary sources of cholesterol, but whether individuals who eat more eggs have a worse blood lipid profile remains controversial. Objective We examined the relationship between egg consumption and lipid parameters and explored whether this relationship changes according to the presence of chronic metabolic disorders. Methods A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted with adult participants in the EVIDENT II trial. Adjusted linear regression models were stratified by the main chronic metabolic disorders. Results Among the 728 participants (61.9% women, mean age 52.1 ± 11.9 years), the mean egg consumption was equivalent to 5 to 6 eggs per week for a 70-kg individual. In the fully adjusted analysis, no association was found of egg consumption with total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and triglyceride levels. Furthermore, compared with the first quartile of consumption, the fourth quartile was associated with lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels (coefficient –7.01; 95% CI –13.39, –0.62) and a lower LDL-c/HDL-c ratio (coefficient –0.24, 95% CI –0.41, –0.06). In the analyses stratified by chronic metabolic diseases, higher egg consumption was not associated with lipid profile in those with obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, or treated with hypolipidemic drugs, and was associated with a better lipid profile in participants without these conditions. Conclusion Higher egg consumption was not associated with blood lipids in individuals with chronic metabolic disorders. In individuals without such conditions, the lipid profile was better among those who consumed more eggs. Our findings support current guidelines recommending eggs as part of a healthy diet.
Differences in Outcome Between Open vs Laparoscopic Insertion of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts

Background Abdominal access during ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt insertion has historically been obtained by neurosurgeons via an open abdominal approach. With recent advances in laparoscopy, neurosurgeons frequently consult general surgery for aid during the procedure. The goal of this study is to identify if laparoscopic assistance improves the overall outcomes of the procedure. Methods This retrospective study included all patients who underwent open or laparoscopic VP shunt placement between September 2012 and August 2020 at our tertiary referral hospital. Patient demographics, comorbidities, prior history of abdominal surgery, open vs. laparoscopic insertion, operation time, and complications within 30 days were obtained. Results Neurosurgery placed 107 shunts using an open abdominal technique and general surgery placed 78 using laparoscopy. The average OR time in minutes was 75.5 minutes for the open cohort and 61.8 for the laparoscopic cohort (p = 0.006). In patients without a history of abdominal surgery, the average OR time in minutes was 79.4 in the open cohort and 57.1 in the laparoscopic cohort (p = 0.015). The postoperative shunt infection rate was 10.2% in the open group and 3.8% in the laparoscopic group (p = 0.077). Discussion Laparoscopic placement of VP shunts is a reasonable alternative to open placement and results in shorter OR times. There is also a trend toward few infections in the laparoscopic placement. There appears to be an advantage with a team approach and laparoscopic placement of the peritoneal portion of the shunt.
Examining the influence of brain stimulation to the medial prefrontal cortex on the self‐reference effect in memory

Past work shows that processing information in relation to the self improves memory which is known as the self‐reference effect in memory. Other work suggests that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can also improve memory. Given recent research on self‐reference context memory effects (improved memory for contextual episodic details associated with self‐referential processing), we were interested in examining the extent stimulation might increase the magnitude of the self‐reference context memory effect. In this investigation, participants studied objects superimposed on different background scenes in either a self‐reference or other‐reference condition while receiving either active or sham stimulation to the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), a cortical region known to support self‐reference context memory effects. Participants then completed a memory test that assessed item memory (have you seen this object before? ) and context memory (with which background scene was this object paired? ). Results showed a self‐reference context memory effect driven by enhanced memory for stimuli processed in the self‐reference compared to the other‐reference condition across all participants (regardless of stimulation condition). tDCS, however, had no effect on memory. Specifically, stimulation did not increase the magnitude of the self‐reference context memory effect under active compared to sham stimulation. These results suggest that stimulation of the dmPFC at encoding may not add to the memory benefits induced by self‐referential processing suggesting a boundary condition to tDCS effects on memory.
Anticholinergic medication use in elderly people living with HIV and self-reported neurocognitive impairment: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND Anticholinergic (ACH) medications have been associated with neurocognitive impairment, particularly in the elderly. This study determined prospectively the prevalence of prescribed ACH medications and their association with self-reported neurocognitive impairment (SRNI) in elderly people living with HIV (PLWH) of the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS). METHODS A literature review was performed to identify ACH medications, which were scored 0 to 3 (higher score indicating more ACH burden). Prescriptions were reviewed in July 2019 for all SHCS participants ≥65 years old to assess the prevalence of ACH medications. Association between ACH burden and neurocognitive impairment was evaluated using the SHCS SRNI questions addressing memory loss, attention difficulties and slowing in reasoning. RESULTS One thousand and nineteen PLWH (82% male) with a median age of 70 (IQR = 67-74) years were included. Most participants were on ART (99%). The average number of non-HIV drugs was 5.1 ± 3.6, representing a polypharmacy prevalence of 50%. Two hundred participants (20%) were on ≥1 ACH medication, with an average ACH score of 1.7 ± 1.3. SRNI, adjusted for age, sex, CD4, nadir CD4, viral load, efavirenz use and polypharmacy, was associated with depression (OR = 4.60; 95% CI = 2.62-8.09) and a trend was observed with being on ≥1 ACH medication (OR = 1.69; 95% CI = 0.97-2.95). In a subgroup analysis of participants without depression (n = 911), SRNI was associated with the use of ≥1 ACH medication (OR = 2.51; 95% CI = 1.31-4.80). CONCLUSIONS ACH medication use is common in elderly PLWH and contributes to SRNI. The effect of ACH medications on neurocognitive impairment warrants further evaluation using neurocognitive tests.
Applicazioni sperimentali della codifica automatica: analisi di qualità e confronto con la codifica manuale

Codificare manualmente risposte fornite in testo libero e costoso in termini di tempo e risorse umane e presenta un basso livello di standardizzazione. Queste sono le ragioni per cui in Istat e stata realizzata una sperimentazione di un sistema generalizzato di codifica automatica, con la finalita di valutarne i risultati e confrontarli con la qualita della codifica manuale effetuata sullo stesso data set. Il software utilizzato e ACTR (Automated Coding by Text Recognition). Si riportano in questo lavoro i risultati della sperimentazione su due variabili: Professione e Titolo di studio. I dati selezionati per predisporre gli specifici ambienti di codifica e per valutare le performances del software sono relativi ad un campione di famiglie dell’Indagine di qualita sul censimento della popolazione del 1991; la qualita e misurata in termini di efficacia, accuratezza ed efficienza. Un’analisi parallela e effettuata sulla qualita della codifica manuale. Per cio che riguarda la Professione, si riportano altresi i risultati di altri due test effettuati rispettivamente sulle Indagini Forze di lavoro 1998 e Salute del 1994. Infine, non soltanto si traggono conclusioni in termini di qualita, ma sono esaminati alcuni fattori che influenzano le performance dei sistemi di codifica automatica e sono riportate alcune considerazioni sull’impatto organizzativo inerente l’adozione di questa tecnica.
Influence of a Stay-At-Home Order on Trauma Volume and Injury Patterns at a Level I Trauma Center in Ohio

Background Changes in injury patterns during the COVID pandemic have been reported in other states. The objective was to explore changes to trauma service volume and admission characteristics at a trauma center in northeast Ohio during a stay-at-home order (SAHO) and compare the 2020 data to historic trauma census data. Methods Retrospective chart review of adult trauma patients admitted to a level I trauma center in northeast Ohio. Trauma admissions from January 21 to July 21, 2020 (COVID period) were compared to date-matched cohorts of trauma admissions from 2018 to 2019 (historic period). The COVID period was further categorized as pre-SAHO, active-SAHO, and post-SAHO. Results The SAHO was associated with a reduction in trauma center admissions that increased after the SAHO (P = .0033). Only outdoor recreational vehicle (ORV) injuries (P = .0221) and self-inflicted hanging (P = .0028) mechanisms were increased during the COVID period and had substantial effect sizes. Glasgow Coma Scores were lower during the COVID period (P = .0286) with a negligible effect size. Violence-related injuries, injury severity, mortality, and admission characteristics including alcohol and drug testing and positivity were similar in the COVID and historic periods. Discussion The SAHO resulted in a temporary decrease in trauma center admissions. Although ORV and hanging mechanisms were increased, other mechanisms such as alcohol and toxicology proportions, injury severity, length of stay, and mortality were unchanged.
Alcohol intake and long-term mortality risk after myocardial infarction in the Alpha Omega Cohort

ABSTRACT Background Population-based studies generally show J-shaped associations between alcohol intake and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Little is known about alcohol and long-term mortality risk after myocardial infarction (MI). Objectives We examined alcohol intake in relation to all-cause, CVD, and ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality in Dutch post-MI patients of the Alpha Omega Cohort. Methods The analysis comprised 4365 patients (60–80 years; 79% male) with an MI ≤ 10 years before study enrolment. We used a 203-item FFQ to assess alcohol (total ethanol) and dietary intakes over the past month. Patients were classified as nondrinkers (0 g/d; n = 956) or very light (>0 to 2 g/d; n = 385), light (M: >2 to 10 g/d; F: >2 to 5 g/d; n = 1125), moderate (M: >10 to 30 g/d; F: >5 to 15 g/d; n = 1207), or heavy drinkers (M: >30 g/d; F: >15 g/d; n = 692). HRs of mortality for alcohol intake were obtained from Cox models, adjusting for age, sex, education, smoking, BMI, physical activity, and dietary factors. Results Alcohol was consumed by 83% of males and 61% of females. During ∼12 years of follow-up, 2035 deaths occurred, of which 903 were from CVD and 558 were from IHD. Compared to the (combined) reference group of nondrinkers and very light drinkers, HRs for all-cause mortality were 0.87 (95% CI, 0.78–0.98), 0.85 (95% CI, 0.75–0.96), and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.79–1.04) for light, moderate, and heavy drinkers, respectively. For CVD mortality, corresponding HRs were 0.80 (95% CI, 0.67–0.96), 0.82 (95% CI, 0.69–0.98), and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.70–1.08) for light, moderate, and heavy drinkers, respectively. Findings for IHD mortality were similar. HRs did not materially change when nondrinkers or very light drinkers were taken as the reference, or after exclusion of former drinkers or patients with diabetes or poor/moderate self-rated health. Conclusions Light and moderate alcohol intakes were inversely associated with mortality risk in stable post-MI patients. These observational findings should be cautiously interpreted in light of the total evidence on alcohol and health. The Alpha Omega Cohort is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03192410.
Retrospective validation of 11–13 weeks’ gestation ultrasound characteristics as predictive tools for twin-twin transfusion syndrome and selective intrauterine growth restriction in monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies

Background Twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a serious syndrome that can affect twin pregnancies involving a single placenta, impacts some of twin gestations with monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) placentas. We validated the ultrasound characteristics of 11–13 weeks’ gestation to predict TTTS and selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR) in MCDA pregnancies. Methods We retrospectively included all of the MCDA twin pregnancies with ultrasound characteristics, including the crown-rump length (CRL), ductus venosus pulsatility index for veins (DV PIV), and nuchal translucency (NT) thickness, at 11–13 weeks’ gestation, followed by mean difference and discordance comparison. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed for the comparison of values of these predictive markers for identification of MCDA pregnancies with high-risk of adverse outcomes. Results A total of 98 MCDA pregnancies were included in this study. Among the 98, 34 (34.7%) developed sIUGR, whereas 10 (10.2%) expressed TTTS. Significant differences in NT discordance were found among the normal, sIUGR, and TTTS groups; moreover, a significant difference was found between pregnancies with normal outcomes and sIUGR (P<0.001), normal and TTTS (P<0.001), and sIUGR and TTTS (P<0.001). Difference in NT was determined to be the best predictive marker for sIUGR [area under the curve (AUC) =0.769; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.591 to 0.992], and NT discordance was considered the best predictive marker for TTTS (AUC =0.802; 95% CI: 0.485 to 0.936). Conclusions Significant differences in NT discordance were found between the normal, sIUGR, and TTTS groups, while NT difference and NT discordance were identified as predictive markers for sIUGR and TTTS, respectively.
Lymphocyte activation gene-3 is associated with programmed death-ligand 1 and programmed cell death protein 1 in small cell lung cancer

Background In recent years, immunotherapy has achieved notable success in cancer treatment. Indeed, the novel immune checkpoint lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG3) has shown promising therapeutic efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer. However, it is unclear about the role of LAG3 in immunotherapy and survival in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Methods The expression of LAG3 in SCLC was evaluated in four public datasets. The association of LAG3 with programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), and overall survival (OS) was investigated. The LAG3-related biological processes and pathways were identified by functional analyses. Results LAG3 expression was detected in SCLC tumor tissues. In the cBioPortal dataset with 81 clinical SCLC samples, LAG3 expression was markedly associated with PD-1 and PD-L1 expression (both P<0.050). In addition, Patients with high LAG3 expression had a trend toward a better OS (P=0.073). A similar survival trend was also observed in the GSE60052 dataset. Significantly, LAG3 expression was related to immune-related biological processes, such as immune response, antigen processing and presentation, and T cell co-stimulation (all P<0.001). Conclusions This study demonstrated that LAG3 is an important immune checkpoint that is closely associated with PD-1/PD-L1. LAG3 may be a promising novel immunotherapy target for SCLC.