Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endothelial Biomarkers in Patients Recovered from COVID-19 One Year after Hospital Discharge: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background COVID-19 is characterized by endothelial dysfunction and is presumed to have long-term cardiovascular sequelae. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to explore the serum levels of endothelial biomarkers in patients who recovered from COVID-19 one year after hospital discharge. Methods In this clinical follow-up study, 345 COVID-19 survivors from Huanggang, Hubei, and 119 age and gender-matched medical staff as healthy controls were enrolled. A standardized symptom questionnaire was performed, while electrocardiogram and Doppler ultrasound of lower extremities, routine blood tests, biochemical and immunological tests, serum soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), P-selectin, and fractalkine were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Results At one year after discharge, 39% of recovers possessed post-COVID syndromes, while a few had abnormal electrocardiogram manifestations, and no deep vein thrombosis was detected in all screened survivors. There were no significant differences in circulatory inflammatory markers (leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6), alanine aminotransferase, estimated glomerular filtration rate, glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and D-dimer observed among healthy controls with previously mild or severe infected. Furthermore, serum levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, P-selectin, and fractalkine do not significantly differ between survivors and healthy controls. Conclusions SARS-CoV-2 infection may not impose a higher risk of developing long-term cardiovascular events, even for those recovering from severe illness.
Antioxidant and cytotoxic potentials of the methanolic extract of Teucrium persicum Boiss. in A-375 melanoma cells

Objective: Teucrium persicum is an Iranian endemic plant used in Iranian traditional medicine. Materials and Methods: The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents, and antioxidant potential of the methanolic extract of T. persicum were determined. The MTT test was used to evaluate the inhibitory effect of the extract on the viability of A-375 cells. The clonogenic, micronucleus formation, and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining methods were used to evaluate the survival and proliferation of A-375 cells. Apoptosis was evaluated by using DNA fragmentation assay and measuring the activity of caspase 3/7. To study the effect of the extract on the migration of A-375 cells, the in vitro wound-healing (scratch) assay was employed. Results: The average total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant properties of the extract were 6.97±0.011 mg Ellagic acid (EGA)/g, 46.83±0.0019 mg of the ethoxyquin (1,2-dihydro-6-ethoxy-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline; EQ)/g of dried extract, and 10±0.002 μg/ml, respectively. The IC50 value of the T. persicum methanolic extract was 13 μg/ml for 48 hr. The DNA fragmentation pattern and the activity of caspase3/7 suggested that the reduction of the cell viability may be due to apoptosis induction. Microscopic observations showed nuclear condensation, a considerable increase in micronuclei formation, and inhibition of the colony formation in A-375 cells treated with 7 μg/ml to 15 μg/ml of the extract. Wound-healing assay supported the anti-migration activity of the extract. Conclusion: T. persicum has significant antioxidant and cytotoxic properties. Surely, more detailed molecular and biochemical studies are needed to find the mechanism(s) behind these effects.
Association between Heparin Dose and 6-Week Mortality in Patients with COVID-19

Background Severe forms of SARS-CoV-2 infections are associated with high rates of thromboembolic complications. Professional societies and expert consensus reports have recommended anticoagulants for COVID-19 hospitalized patients. Our study aimed to compare the effect of therapeutic, intermediate and prophylactic doses of heparin on 6-week survival in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Methods The study sample is a French cohort of COVID-19 patients hospitalized between Feb 25th and Apr 30th 2020. Patients were assigned to one of 3 anticoagulation dose groups based on the maximum dose they received for at least three days (prophylactic, intermediate or therapeutic). The main outcome was survival up to 42 days after hospital admission. Multivariate Cox regression models were performed to adjust analyses for confounding factors. Results A total of 323 patients were included. The mean age of the study sample was 71.6 ± 15 years, and 56.3% were men. Treatment with the intermediate versus prophylactic dose of anticoagulation (HR = 0.50, 95%CI = [0.26; 0.99], p = 0.047) and with therapeutic versus prophylactic dose (HR = 0.58 95%CI = [0.34; 0.98], p = 0.044) was associated with a significant reduction in 6-week mortality, after adjustment for potential confounding factors. Comparison of therapeutic versus intermediate doses showed no significant difference in survival. Conclusions Our results reported a significant positive effect of intermediate and therapeutic doses of heparin on 6-week survival for hospitalized COVID-19 patients compared with a prophylactic dose.
Moment method solution for modeling the interaction of open ended coaxial probes and surface cracks in metals

Surface discontinuities, such as surface fatigue cracks, constitute a large proportion of metal discontinuities which can affect the integrity of metallic structures. Therefore, nondestructive detection of tight surface cracks in metals has always been an important issue when one is concerned with in service testing and condition monitoring of critical metallic structures. Although there are several conventional nondestructive testing (NDT) methods available for this purpose, microwave techniques using open ended probes have also been receiving an increased level of attention for this application. This paper presents an efficient electromagnetic model for simulating the interaction of open ended coaxial probes with surface cracks in metals. The model is based on the equivalence principle and the moment method, by which the reflection coefficient of the dominant mode in the coaxial probe is calculated as a function, of the location and size of the crack within the coaxial aperture. The results of the model are then compared to an earlier model which predicted the experimental results well. Several issues regarding the convergence of the method and the situation where the crack and the center conductor of the coaxial probe coincide are also discussed.
Substantial seagrass blue carbon pools in the southwestern Baltic Sea are spatially heterogeneous, mostly autochthonous, and include relics of terrestrial peatlands

Seagrass meadows have a disproportionally high organic carbon (Corg) storage potential (‘blue carbon’) within their sediments and thus can play an important role in climate change mitigation via their conservation and restoration. However, high spatial heterogeneity is observed in Corg, with wide differences seen globally (i.e. tropical vs temperate), regionally, and even locally (within a seagrass meadow). Consequently, it is difficult to determine their contributions to the national remaining carbon dioxide (CO2) budget without introducing a large degree of uncertainty. In order to address this spatial heterogeneity, we sampled 20 locations across the Baltic Sea coast of Germany to quantify carbon stocks and sources in Zostera marina seagrass-vegetated and adjacent unvegetated sediments. To predict and integrate the Corg inventory in space, we measured the physical (seawater depth, sediment grain size, current velocity at the seafloor, anthropogenic inputs) and biological (seagrass complexity) environment to determine regional (between sites) and local (within site) drivers of Corg variation. Here we show that seagrass meadows in the German Baltic Sea constitute a significant Corg stock, storing on average 7,785 ± 679 g C/m2, 13 times greater than meadows from other parts of the Baltic Sea (outside of Germany), and four-fold richer than adjacent unvegetated sediments. Stocks were highly heterogenous; they differed widely between (by 10-fold) and even within (by 3 to 55-fold) sites. At a regional scale (350 km), Corg was controlled by seagrass complexity, fine sediment fraction, and seawater depth. Autochthonous material (seagrass-derived and large infauna) contributed to 78% of the total Corg in vegetated sediments and the remaining 22% originated from allochthonous sources (phytoplankton, drift algae Pilayella littoralis, and other macroalgae). However, relic terrestrial peatland material, deposited during the last deglaciation 5,806 and 5,095 years BP, was an unexpected and significant source of Corg. Collectively, German seagrass meadows in the Baltic Sea are preventing 8.14 Mt of future CO2 emissions. Because Corg is mostly produced on site, and not imported from outside the boundaries of the meadow, the richness of this pool may be contingent on seagrass habitat health. Disturbance of this Corg stock could act as a source of CO2 emissions. However, the high spatial heterogeneity seen across the region warrant site-specific investigations to obtain accurate estimates of blue carbon, and a need to consider millennial timescale deposits of Corg beneath seagrass meadows in Germany and potentially other parts of the southwestern Baltic Sea.
A STUDY OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ON ORGANIZATION COMMITMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIOR: A COMPARATIVE CASE FOR CROSS-STRAIT EMPLOYEES OF A TAIWANESE PAPER COMPANY

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to find out how the cross-strait employees in Taiwan and Mainland China affect human resource management on organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior. A questionnaire was adopted and randomly distributed to Taiwanese and Mainland China employees of a Taiwan paper company. There were 348 questionnaires returned and analyzed by regression analyses, the major findings are as follows: the results of cross-strait employees' comparisons on value commitment, retention commitment, and organizational public welfare are significant: age will significantly influence the organizational commitment, and selection and retention have significance for the value commitment and the retention commitment, the factor of cross-strait employees has a positive moderating effect on the relationship between retention and organizational public welfare, and a negative effect on the relationship between staffing and organizational public welfare. The cross-strait employees between human resource management and interpersonal altruism have a negative moderating influence in staffing, and with the positive moderating influence in selection; others have no influence. In addition, the cross-strait employees between human resource management and value commitment have a positive moderating influence in retention and with negative influence in education. As the findings itself, it is important to note that our results showed when human resource manager devise the human resource policy in cross-strait company, these different employees' characteristics should be considered.
Concurrent Plasmodium falciparum and acute dengue virus infection in (sub-Saharan) Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Malaria and dengue fever are leading causes of acute undifferentiated febrile illness. In Africa, misdiagnoses of dengue fever as malaria is a common scenario. This systematic review was aimed to determine the prevalence of concurrent malaria and dengue fever, aetiologies, and the association between the two infections in Africa. We assessed evidence from previous studies in Africa that were available in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases between January 01, 2005, and March 30, 2022. A total of 3942 studies were identified from the databases of which 30 studies from 13 African countries, including 25,241 febrile patients, were included in the meta-analysis. The result of the meta-analysis showed a 4.0% pooled prevalence of concurrent malaria and dengue fever in (sub-Saharan) Africa, and the highest rate was recorded in Central Africa (5.7%) followed by East Africa (4.7%) and West Africa (2.9%). Children <18 years old (57%) and females (52.8%) were more affected by the co-infection than adults and females, respectively. The dengue virus serotypes identified were DENV-2, DENV-3, DENV-1, and DENV-4 in descending order with a proportion of 39%, 31%, 27%, and 3%, respectively. Moreover, Plasmodium falciparum was the only specified malaria parasite in the co-infection among the included studies. Significantly higher odds of malaria infection were documented due to dengue fever when compared with malaria mono-infection. However, no significant odds of acute dengue co-infection were recorded due to malaria in contrast to dengue mono-infection. This study showed a high prevalence of concurrent malaria and dengue fever in Africa. Healthcare workers should bear in mind the possibility of dengue infection as differential diagnoses for acute febrile illness as well as the possibility of co-existent malaria and dengue in endemic areas. Also, high-quality multi-centre studies are required to verify the above conclusions. Protocol registration number: CRD42022311301.
A Quantitative Assessment of Staphylococcus aureus Community Carriage in Yuma, Arizona

Staphylococcus aureus is a frequent cause of mild and severe infections that occur when these commensal bacteria penetrate the outer layers of skin or mucosa. As most S. aureus infections are the result of autoinfection, and community-acquired infections are increasingly common, it is important to better understand S. aureus colonization characteristics in the community setting. Using standard culture technique and a quantitative PCR assay (SaQuant), we detected and quantified S. aureus across the nares, throat, and palm of 548 community-dwelling individuals in southwestern Arizona. Using culture-based methods, we detected S. aureus colonization in the nares of 26.3% of individuals (n = 144); however, the combination of two detection methods across multiple body sites resulted in much higher prevalence than has been reported previously. Overall, 65.9% of participants were colonized, with significantly higher prevalence in males (compared to females) and non-Hispanics (compared to Hispanics), with this pattern especially evident in nares and throat samples. Colonizing quantities in the nares were slightly higher in males and significantly greater among non-Hispanics. The clear sex and ethnicity patterns warrant further investigation in order to identify and leverage protective factors that may drive these disparities. In the nares, S. aureus density was the highest, most variable, and correlates with colonization in other body sites such as throat and palm. Our results demonstrate that screening by culture-based methods only can miss individuals colonized by S. aureus and that previous carriage statistics are likely underestimates. By including a highly sensitive quantitative assay, this work provides a roadmap towards more comprehensive and accurate characterization of S. aureus carriage and the potential for more effective mitigation.
Population-weighted greenspace exposure tied to lower COVID-19 mortality rates: A nationwide dose-response study

The COVID-19 outbreak has caused enormous deaths and profound social and economic disruption globally. Accumulating evidence suggests exposure to greenspace may reduce the risk of COVID-19 mortality. Greenspace exposure enhances immune functioning, reduces inflammation, and replenishes gut microbiota may protect against the risk of mortality among those with COVID-19. However, previous studies often fail to distinguish the health effect of different types of greenspace, explore the dose-response association and optimal buffer distance, and consider the spatial dynamics of population distribution and geographic locations of greenspace. This study examined the associations among ratio of different types of greenspaces, population-weighted exposure to different types of greenspaces, and COVID-19 mortality rates using a negative binomial generalized linear mixed effects model across 3,025 counties, adjusted for socioeconomic, demographic, pre-existing chronic disease, policy and regulation, behavioral, and environmental factors. The population-weighted measure gave proportionally greater weight to greenspace near areas of higher population density. Exposure to forest and pasture was negatively associated with COVID-19 mortality rates, while developed open space has insignificant or positive associations with mortality rates. Forest outside park has the largest effect size across all buffer distances, followed by forest inside park. The optimal exposure buffer distance is 1km for forest outside park, with 1 unit of increase in exposure associated with a 9.9% decrease in mortality rates (95% confidence interval: 6.9% -12.8%). The optimal exposure buffer distance of forest inside park is 400m, with 1 unit of increase in exposure, associated with a 4.7% decrease in mortality rates (95% confidence interval: 2.4% - 6.9%). Greenspaces, especially nearby forest, may be effective at lowering the mortality risk of COVID-19 patients. Our findings suggest that policymakers and planners should prioritize forestry within walking distance of residential clusters to mitigate mortality rates during current and future respiratory pandemics.
Silencing of lncRNA CRNDE attenuates nonsmall‐cell lung cancer progression by mediating the miR‐455‐3p/HDAC2 axis

Nonsmall‐cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is one of the deadliest malignancies in the world. LncRNAs are confirmed to be involved in the progression of NSCLC. Meanwhile, lncRNA CRNDE is known to be upregulated in NSCLC; however, the mechanism by which CRNDE regulates the tumourigenesis of NSCLC remains unclear. To test the function of CRNDE in NSCLC, cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were investigated by colony formation and Transwell assays, respectively. qPCR and Western blotting were applied to test gene and protein levels. In addition, the relationship among CRNDE, miR‐455‐3p, and HDAC2 was explored by dual‐luciferase and RIP assays. The data revealed that the expression of CRNDE was upregulated in NSCLC tissues, while miR‐455‐3p was downregulated. CRNDE knockdown inhibited the viability, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells or epidermal growth factor receptor gene (EGFR)‐mutant NSCLC cells. Moreover, inhibition of miR‐455‐3p exhibited the opposite effect. CRNDE bound with miR‐455‐3p, and HDAC2 was found to be targeted by miR‐455‐3p. Meanwhile, miR‐455‐3p downregulation reversed the effect of CRNDE knockdown on NSCLC cell function. Furthermore, miR‐455‐3p notably inhibited the growth and invasion of NSCLC cells via downregulation of HDAC2. Knockdown of CRNDE attenuated NSCLC progression via modulation of the miR‐455‐3p/HDAC2 axis. Thus, those findings might provide a novel strategy against NSCLC.
Human retinal dark adaptation tracked in vivo with the electroretinogram: insights into processes underlying recovery of cone‐ and rod‐mediated vision

The substantial time taken for regaining visual sensitivity (dark adaptation) following bleaching exposures has been investigated for over a century. Psychophysical studies yielded the classic biphasic curve representing recovery of cone‐driven and rod‐driven vision. The electroretinogram (ERG) permits direct assessment of recovery at the level of the retina (photoreceptors, bipolar cells), with the first report over 70 years ago. Over the last two decades, ERG studies of dark adaptation have generated insights into underlying physiological processes. After large bleaches, rod photoreceptor circulating current, estimated from the rod‐isolated bright‐flash ERG a‐wave, takes 30 min to recover, indicating that products of bleaching, thought to be free opsin (unbound to 11‐cis‐retinal), continue to activate phototransduction, shutting off rod circulating current. In contrast, cone current, assessed with cone‐driven bright‐flash ERG a‐waves, recovers within 100 ms following similar exposures, suggesting that free opsin is less able to shut off cone current. The cone‐driven dim‐flash a‐wave can be used to track recovery of cone photopigment, showing regeneration is 'rate‐limited' rather than first order. Recoveries of the dim‐flash ERG b‐wave are consistent also with rate‐limited rod photopigment regeneration (where free opsin, desensitising the visual system as an 'equivalent background', is removed by rate‐limited delivery of 11‐cis‐retinal). These findings agree with psychophysical and retinal densitometry studies, although there are unexplained points of divergence. Post‐bleach ERG recovery has been explored in age‐related macular degeneration and in trials of visual cycle inhibitors for retinal diseases. ERG tracking of dark adaptation may prove useful in future clinical contexts.
Educators’ Barriers and Facilitators to Physical Activity Policy Implementation in the Childcare Setting: Qualitative Findings From the Play Active Project

Purpose We explored childcare educators’ perceived barriers and facilitators to policy implementation in order to inform the development and implementation of an early childhood education and care (ECEC) specific physical activity policy. This study was part of the Play Active (2019-2023) project which aimed to develop, implement and evaluate evidence-based physical activity policy to improve physical activity levels in children attending ECEC. Approach Stakeholder focus groups. Setting: ECEC centers in Perth, Western Australia. Sample: Educators (n=66) from 11 ECEC centers participated in 13 focus groups (August-September 2019). Methods Semi-structured questions explored educators’ perceptions of barriers and facilitators to implementing a new physical activity policy. A qualitative descriptive approach within a naturalistic framework informed data analysis. Focus group data were reviewed and grouped through several iterations to produce core themes. Results Four core themes resulted from focus groups: (1) leadership; (2) educator mindset: (3) parent engagement; and (4) organisational and educator capacity. Educators needed supportive leadership and a commitment of resources for physical activity policy implementation. Educators acknowledged physical activity practices can be influenced by knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and change capacity and stressed the need for parent engagement for successful implementation. Conclusions Educators’ voices are important for informing implementation of physical activity policy and practices leading to improvements in children’s physical activity levels.
BROMI/TBC1D32 together with CCRK/CDK20 and FAM149B1/JBTS36 contributes to intraflagellar transport turnaround involving ICK/CILK1

Primary cilia are antenna-like organelles that contain specific proteins, and are crucial for tissue morphogenesis. Anterograde and retrograde trafficking of ciliary proteins are mediated by the intraflagellar transport (IFT) machinery. BROMI/TBC1D32 interacts with CCRK/CDK20, which phosphorylates and activates the intestinal cell kinase (ICK)/CILK1 kinase, to regulate the change in direction of the IFT machinery at the ciliary tip. Mutations in BROMI, CCRK, and ICK in humans cause ciliopathies, and mice defective in these genes are also known to demonstrate ciliopathy phenotypes. We show here that BROMI interacts not only with CCRK but also with CFAP20, an evolutionarily conserved ciliary protein, and with FAM149B1/ Joubert syndrome (JBTS)36, a protein in which mutations cause JBTS. In addition, we show that FAM149B1 interacts directly with CCRK as well as with BROMI. Ciliary defects observed in CCRK-knockout (KO), BROMI-KO, and FAM149B1-KO cells, including abnormally long cilia and accumulation of the IFT machinery and ICK at the ciliary tip, resembled one another, and BROMI mutants that are defective in binding to CCRK and CFAP20 were unable to rescue the ciliary defects of BROMI-KO cells. These data indicate that CCRK, BROMI, FAM149B1, and probably CFAP20 altogether regulate the IFT turnaround process under the control of ICK.