Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Music as an intervention in health projects.

OBJECTIVE To identify and characterize music projects in the health area, their therapeutic goals, theoretical frameworks, evaluation/monitoring, and dissemination of their results for a possible structure model for this process. METHOD Descriptive study with multiple cases and documental analysis. RESULTS Nine projects have participated in this study; these were predominantly in São Paulo and conducted with the adult population in public institutions. The coordinators were mostly women, specialists, with a qualification in health, music, or both. The interventions were performed live, with a mean of 60 minutes per week and repertoires selected by patients. Less than half indicated basing their activities in some theoretical framework or any type of project monitoring. Therapeutic goals related to social insertion and restoring self-esteem, citizenship, protagonism, and communication were pointed out. CONCLUSION The theoretical indication of the music projects was scarce. Around half the analyzed projects indicated some type of evaluation and dissemination of the performed activities. Two projects only had some risk surveillance and scientific production out of their results, which has not enabled proposing a monitoring model for these initiatives.
Optical transitions in hybrid perovskite solar cells: Ellipsometry, density functional theory, and quantum efficiency analyses for CH3NH3PbI3

We report artifact-free CH3NH3PbI3 optical constants extracted from ultra-smooth perovskite layers without air exposure and assign all the optical transitions in the visible/ultraviolet region unambiguously based on density functional theory (DFT) analysis that assumes a simple pseudo-cubic crystal structure. From the self-consistent spectroscopic ellipsometry analysis of the ultra-smooth CH3NH3PbI3 layers, we find that the absorption coefficients of CH3NH3PbI3 (alpha = 3.8 x 10^4 cm-1 at 2.0 eV) are comparable to those of CuInGaSe2 and CdTe, and high alpha values reported in earlier studies are overestimated seriously by extensive surface roughness of CH3NH3PbI3 layers. The polarization-dependent DFT calculations show that CH3NH3+ interacts strongly with the PbI3- cage, modifying the CH3NH3PbI3 dielectric function in the visible region rather significantly. When the effect of CH3NH3+ on the optical transition is eliminated in the DFT calculation, CH3NH3PbI3 dielectric function deduced from DFT shows excellent agreement with the experimental result. As a result, distinct optical transitions observed at E0 (Eg) = 1.61 eV, E1 = 2.53 eV, and E2 = 3.24 eV in CH3NH3PbI3 are attributed to the direct semiconductor-type transitions at the R, M, and X points in the pseudo-cubic Brillouin zone, respectively. We further perform the quantum efficiency (QE) analysis for a standard hybrid-perovskite solar cell incorporating a mesoporous TiO2 layer and demonstrate that the QE spectrum can be reproduced almost perfectly when the revised CH3NH3PbI3 optical constants are employed. Depth-resolved QE simulations confirm that Jsc is limited by the material's longer wavelength response and indicate the importance of optical confinement and long carrier diffusion lengths in hybrid perovskite solar cells.
Associations between electronic nicotine delivery systems and birth outcomes

Abstract Objectives Nicotine crosses the placenta and is a known teratogen. The use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) has increased among pregnant women in the US, but there is limited knowledge about their effects on birth outcomes. We examined the associations between ENDS and cigarette use during pregnancy with birth outcomes. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 57,046 respondents from 32 US states in the 2016–2017 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System. Respondents self-reported use of ENDS and cigarettes during the last 3 months of pregnancy; this was linked with birth outcomes documented on the birth certificate, including birth weight, gestational age, small-for-gestational age, and preterm birth. Results During the last 3 months of pregnancy, 0.5% of women used ENDS only, 0.8% were dual users of ENDS and cigarettes, and 8.0% used cigarettes only. In adjusted models, infants of women who used ENDS only weighed 57.8 grams less (95% CI −134.2, 18.6; p = .14) and were born 0.21 weeks earlier (95% CI −0.45, 0.03; p = .09) than infants of non-users. Infants born to dual users were 193.9 grams less (95% CI −274.9, −112.8; p < .01) and had a 1.93 higher odds of being born small-for-gestational age (95% CI 1.31, 2.83; p < .01) than infants of non-users. Conclusions Our results provide some indication that prenatal ENDS use may adversely affect birth outcomes by reducing birth weight and gestational age. Estimates were imprecise, suggesting that larger samples of ENDS users with more detailed information about patterns of use are needed.
The development and characterization of nanocomposite films for the controlled release and localized delivery of tetracycline and alendronate for periodontal application

ii PREFACE . iii TABLE OF CONTENTS . iv LIST OF TABLES . vii LIST OF FIGURES . viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . xii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . xiii DEDICATION . xiv
Wolves make roadways safer, generating large economic returns to predator conservation

Significance Measuring the economic benefits conveyed by predators is difficult—often, effects are indirect and operate through complex ecological changes. As a result, debates about the expansion of predators have pit salient costs against more speculative estimates of benefits that might be dismissed as unreliable or ideologically motivated. We quantify the indirect benefits of wolves (Canis lupus) to human lives and property through reductions in deer-vehicle collisions. Moreover, we decompose the effect into two components: changes in prey behavior versus prey abundance. This decomposition is important when effective policy depends on whether hunters can replicate the effects of predators. In the case of wolves, we conclude that human deer hunters cannot. Recent studies uncover cascading ecological effects resulting from removing and reintroducing predators into a landscape, but little is known about effects on human lives and property. We quantify the effects of restoring wolf populations by evaluating their influence on deer–vehicle collisions (DVCs) in Wisconsin. We show that, for the average county, wolf entry reduced DVCs by 24%, yielding an economic benefit that is 63 times greater than the costs of verified wolf predation on livestock. Most of the reduction is due to a behavioral response of deer to wolves rather than through a deer population decline from wolf predation. This finding supports ecological research emphasizing the role of predators in creating a “landscape of fear. ” It suggests wolves control economic damages from overabundant deer in ways that human deer hunters cannot.
The impact of recent chemotherapy on immunity in 2 COVID-19 cases with gastrointestinal tumors

Abstract Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rapidly emerging infectious respiratory disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Currently, more than 100 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide, with over 2.4 million mortalities. The pandemic affects people of all ages but older individuals and those with severe chronic illnesses, including cancer patients, are at higher risk. Patient concerns: The impact of cancer treatment on the progression of COVID-19 is unclear. Therefore, we assessed the effects of chemotherapy on COVID-19 outcomes for 2 cancer patients. On January 24, 2020, a level I response to a major public health emergency was initiated in Hubei Province, China, which includes Enshi Autonomous Prefecture that has a population of 4.026 million people. As of April 30, 2020, 252 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 11 asymptomatic carriers were identified in Enshi. Diagnosis: Among the confirmed cases and asymptomatic carriers, 2 patients were identified who were previously diagnosed with malignant tumors, including one with hepatocellular carcinoma and the other with cardia carcinoma. Interventions: These 2 patients were receiving or just completed chemotherapy at the time of their COVID-19 diagnosis. Outcomes: Both patients were followed and presented favorable outcomes. The positive outcomes for these 2 patients could be partially explained by their recent chemotherapy that impacted their immune status. Also, their relatively younger ages and lack of comorbidities were likely factors in their successful recovery from COVID-19. Conclusions: Anticancer treatment might enhance a patient's ability to respond favorably to COVID-19 infection. However, anticancer treatment is likely to impact immune function differently in different individuals, which can influence disease outcomes.
Brain transcriptomic responses of Yarrow's spiny lizard, Sceloporus jarrovii, to conspecific visual or chemical signals

Species with multimodal communication integrate information from social cues in different modalities into behavioral responses that are mediated by changes in gene expression in the brain. Differences in patterns of gene expression between signal modalities may shed light on the neuromolecular mechanisms underlying multisensory processing. Here, we use RNA‐Seq to analyze brain transcriptome responses to either chemical or visual social signals in a territorial lizard with multimodal communication. Using an intruder challenge paradigm, we exposed 18 wild‐caught, adult, male Sceloporus jarrovii to either male conspecific scents (femoral gland secretions placed on a small pebble), the species‐specific push‐up display (a programmed robotic model), or a control (an unscented pebble). We conducted differential expression analysis with both a de novo S. jarrovii transcriptome assembly and the reference genome of a closely related species, Sceloporus undulatus. Despite some inter‐individual variation, we found significant differences in gene expression in the brain across signal modalities and the control in both analyses. The most notable differences occurred between chemical and visual stimulus treatments, closely followed by visual stimulus versus the control. Altered expression profiles could explain documented aggression differences in the immediate behavioral response to conspecific signals from different sensory modalities. Shared differentially expressed genes between visually‐ or chemically‐stimulated males are involved in neural activity and neurodevelopment and several other differentially expressed genes in stimulus‐challenged males are involved in conserved signal‐transduction pathways associated with the social stress response, aggression and the response to territory intruders across vertebrates.
Accumulation of carbohydrates in the development of tomato plants treated with different chemical products

This work had the purpose to study the physiological effects of pyraclostrobin, boscalid, plant growth regulators and plant extract on the accumulation of carbohydrates during the development of tomato plants ( Solanum lycopersicum L.), hybrid Giuliana, in protected environment conditions. The treatments were: T1- control; T2- pyraclostrobin 0.2 g L-1; T3- boscalid 0.075 g L-1, T4- pyraclostrobin 0.2 g L-1 + boscalid 0.075 g L-1, T5- IBA + GA3 + kinetin 375 mg L-1, T6- GA4+7 + benzylaminopurine 100 mg L-1 and T7- plant extract 100 mg L-1. The carbohydrate accumulation curve was accomplished with 5 samples, at 20-day intervals between evaluations, the 1st evaluation being carried out at 30 days after transplantation, on the day of the first treatment application. At each sampling the plants were separated in stem, leaves and fruits, of which the contents of total soluble sugars, reducing sugars and saccharose were evaluated. The effects of the treatments on chlorophyll content and gas exchanges were also evaluated. The experimental design was completely randomized, with 4 repetitions and 6 destructive evaluations during the development, with 1 plant per experimental unit for each sampling. The pyraclostrobin and boscalid applied in isolation and/or combined favor the increase of carbohydrates in leaves, stems and fruits of tomato hybrid Giuliana.
Alternative polyadenylated mRNAs behave as asynchronous rhythmic transcription in Arabidopsis

ABSTRACT Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is a widespread post-transcriptional modification method that changes the 3′ ends of transcripts by altering poly(A) site usage. However, the longitudinal transcriptomic 3′ end profile and its mechanism of action are poorly understood. We applied diurnal time-course poly(A) tag sequencing (PAT-seq) for Arabidopsis and identified 3284 genes that generated both rhythmic and arrhythmic transcripts. These two classes of transcripts appear to exhibit dramatic differences in expression and translation activisty. The asynchronized transcripts derived by APA are embedded with different poly(A) signals, especially for rhythmic transcripts, which contain higher AAUAAA and UGUA signal proportions. The Pol II occupancy maximum is reached upstream of rhythmic poly(A) sites, while it is present directly at arrhythmic poly(A) sites. Integrating H3K9ac and H3K4me3 time-course data analyses revealed that transcriptional activation of histone markers may be involved in the differentiation of rhythmic and arrhythmic APA transcripts. These results implicate an interplay between histone modification and RNA 3′-end processing, shedding light on the mechanism of transcription rhythm and alternative polyadenylation.
Chlorogenic acid and caffeine combination attenuates adipogenesis by regulating fat metabolism and inhibiting adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells.

Obesity is a complex disease spreading in the world. In our previous studies, chlorogenic acid (CGA) and caffeine had ever been reported to reduce the body weight gain and fat accumulation in mice. This study investigated the anti-obesity effect of CGA and caffeine on 3T3-L1 cells. According to triglyceride (TG) assay and Oil-Red O staining, 40 μg/ml CGA and 160 μg/ml caffeine reduced TG content. Moreover, CGA + caffeine inhibited the mRNA expression of major adipogenic markers, PPAR-γ2, and C/EBPα in the metaphase and anaphase stages of differentiation induction (Day 2 and 4). CGA + caffeine improved P-AMPK/AMPK accompanied by decreasing the expression of GPDH and FAS to depress the lipid synthesis, increasing the mRNA expression of ACO and CAT to promote fatty acid oxidation and up-regulated the expression of hydrolysis-related enzyme adipose TG lipase (ATGL) and P-HSL/HSL. Furthermore, CGA + caffeine improved the expression of Glut4 which promoted the glucose transport. Taken together, these data demonstrated CGA + caffeine inhibited 3T3-L1 cells differentiation in the middle and late stages and reduced the fat accumulation through AMPK pathway by regulating the fat metabolism-related enzyme in 3T3-L1 cells to attenuates adipogenesis. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The aim of this study was to elucidate the potential role of chlorogenic acid and caffeine in the treatment of obesity.
Tracheostomy for COVID-19: Multidisciplinary, Multicenter Data on Timing, Technique, and Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE To assess the outcomes of tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19 respiratory failure. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Tracheostomy has an essential role in managing COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure who require prolonged mechanical ventilation. However, limited data are available on how tracheostomy affects COVID19 outcomes, and uncertainty surrounding risk of infectious transmission has led to divergent recommendations and practices. METHODS It is a multicenter, retrospective study; data were collected on all tracheostomies performed in COVID-19 patients at seven hospitals in five tertiary academic medical systems through September 2020. RESULTS Tracheotomy was performed in 118 patients with median time from intubation to tracheostomy of 22 days (Q1-Q3: 18-25). All tracheostomies were performed employing measures to minimize aerosol generation, 78.0% by percutaneous technique, and 95.8% at bedside in negative pressure rooms. Seventy-eight (66.1%) patients were weaned from the ventilator and 18 (15.3%) patients died from causes unrelated to tracheostomy. No major procedural complications occurred. Early tracheostomy (≤14 days) was associated with decreased ventilator days; median ventilator days [Q1-Q3] among patients weaned from the ventilator in the early, middle and late groups were 21 [21-31], 34 [26.5-42] and 37 [32-41] days, respectively with p = 0.030. Compared to surgical tracheostomy, percutaneous technique was associated with faster weaning for patients weaned off the ventilator (median [Q1-Q3]: 34 [29-39] vs. 39 [34-51] days, p = 0.038); decreased ventilator-associated pneumonia (58.7% vs. 80.8%, p = 0.039); and among patients who were discharged, shorter intensive care unit duration (median [Q1-Q3]: 33 [27-42] vs. 47 [33-64] days, p = 0.009); and shorter hospital length of stay (median [Q1-Q3]: 46 [33-59] vs. 59.5 [48-80] days, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Early, percutaneous tracheostomy was associated with improved outcomes compared to surgical tracheostomy in a multi-institutional series of ventilated patients with COVID-19.
Radiological CT Patterns and Distribution of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillus, Non-Aspergillus, Cryptococcus and Pneumocystis Jirovecii Mold Infections – A Multicenter Study

Abstract Purpose Clinical signs and symptoms related to invasive fungal disease are nonspecific and need to be followed up by appropriate diagnostic procedures. The goal of this study was to analyze CT imaging patterns in invasive fungal infections and their correlation with the immune status and clinical outcome. Materials and Methods We performed a retrospective multicenter study including 85 consecutive patients with invasive pulmonary fungal infection (2011–2014). Lung patterns on computed tomography (CT) scans were classified according to the Fleischner Society glossary. The patients were grouped according to immune status (neutropenia, steroid therapy, organ transplant recipient, and other cause) and outcome (positive outcome, progressive disease, and death). The Chi square test or Fisher exact test was used. Bonferroni correction was applied. Results The total number of patients with invasive Aspergillus and non-Aspergillus infection (IANA), Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP), and Cryptococcus (CRY) was 60, 22, and 3, respectively. Patients with IANA demonstrated significantly more nodules (93 % vs. 59 %, p = 0.001), significantly fewer ground glass opacities (58 % vs. 96 %, p = 0.005), and significantly fewer positive lymph nodes (5 % vs. 41 %, p < 0.001) than patients with PCP. All patients with PCP and CRY had a favorable outcome. Patients with IANA and an adverse outcome demonstrated significantly more nodules with halo sign than patients with IANA and a favorable outcome (42.5 % vs. 15.9 %, p < 0.0001). Interestingly, patients with IANA and a favorable outcome had a higher prevalence of pulmonary infarction than patients with an adverse outcome (8 % vs. 1 %, p = 0.047). Patients with neutropenia showed significantly more consolidations (66 %) than organ transplant recipients (27 %, p = 0.045). Conclusion Patients with IANA showed a higher prevalence of nodules and a lower prevalence of ground glass opacities than patients with PCP. In patients with IANA, nodules with halo sign were associated with an adverse outcome. Patients with neutropenia showed generally more consolidations, but the consolidations were not associated with an adverse outcome. Key Points: Nodules, ground glass opacities, and consolidations are common CT findings in all invasive pulmonary fungal infections. There is no pattern that is unique for one specific pathogen, although nodules are more predominant in IANA and Cryptococcus, and ground glass opacities are more predominant in PCP patients. Immune status had an impact on CT findings in fungal pneumonia with less consolidation in patients after organ transplantation compared to patients with neutropenia. Nodules with a halo sign are associated with a worse outcome. Citation Format Obmann VC, Bickel F, Hosek N et al. Radiological CT Patterns and Distribution of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillus, Non-Aspergillus, Cryptococcus and Pneumocystis Jirovecii Mold Infections – A Multicenter Study. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2021; 193: 1304 – 1314
EZH2‐mediated inhibition of KLF14 expression promotes HSCs activation and liver fibrosis by downregulating PPARγ

Induction of deactivation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are principal therapeutic strategies for liver fibrosis. Krüppel‐like factor 14 (KLF14) regulates various biological processes, however, roles, mechanisms and implications of KLF14 in liver fibrosis are unknown.
Effects of vitamin D-induced supernatant of placental explants from preeclamptic women on oxidative stress and nitric oxide bioavailability in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

The study evaluated the effect of the supernatant of placental explants from preeclamptic (PE) and normotensive (NT) pregnant women after tissue treatment with or without vitamin D (VD) on oxidative stress and nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Placental explants were prepared from eight NT and eight PE women, and supernatants were obtained after incubation with or without hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and/or VD. HUVEC were cultured for 24 h with supernatants, and the following parameters were analyzed in HUVEC cultures: NO, nitrate (NO3 -), and nitrite (NO2 -) levels, lipid peroxidation, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Results showed that the production of NO3 -, NO2 -, malondialdehyde (MDA), and ROS were significantly higher in HUVEC treated with explant supernatant from PE compared to NT pregnant women, while the supernatant of PE explants treated with VD led to a decrease in these parameters. A significantly high production of NO was detected in HUVEC cultured with control supernatant of NT group, and in cultures treated with supernatant of PE explants treated with VD. Taken together, these results demonstrated that cultures of placental explants from PE women with VD treatment generated a supernatant that decreased oxidative stress and increased the bioavailability of NO in endothelial cells.
The deleterious effects of acute hypoxia on microvascular and large vessel endothelial function

What is the central question of this study? The aim was primarily to determine the effect of hypoxia on microvascular function and secondarily whether superior cardiorespiratory fitness is protective against hypoxia‐induced impairment in vascular function. What is the main finding and its importance? Hypoxia reduced endothelium‐dependent but not endothelium‐independent microvascular function. The extent of impairment was twofold higher in the microcirculation compared with the large blood vessels. This study suggests that individuals with superior cardiorespiratory fitness might preserve microvascular function in hypoxia. These findings highlight the sensitivity of the microvascular circulation to hypoxia.