Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polyacrylate–Peptide Antigen Conjugate as a Single-Dose Oral Vaccine against Group A Streptococcus

Group A Streptococcus (GAS)-associated rheumatic heart disease is a leading cause of death caused by GAS infection. While antibiotics can treat the infection in most cases, growing antibiotic resistance, late medical intervention, and recurrent infection are major obstacles to the effective treatment of GAS-associated diseases. As GAS infection typically originates from the bacterial colonization of mucosal tissue in the throat, an oral vaccine that can generate both systemic and mucosal immune responses would solve problems associated with traditional medical interventions. Moreover, orally delivered vaccines are more easily administered and less expensive for mass immunization. In this study, the B-cell epitope J8, derived from GAS M protein, and universal T-helper Pan HLA-DR-binding epitope peptide (PADRE), were conjugated to poly (methyl acrylate) (PMA) to form a self-assembled nanoparticle vaccine candidate (PMA-P-J8). Strong systemic and mucosal immune responses were induced upon single oral immunization of mice with the conjugate. The antibodies generated were opsonic against GAS clinical isolates as measured after boost immunization. Thus, we developed a simple conjugate as an effective, adjuvant-free oral peptide-based vaccine.
Can Children of Different Ages Recognize Dog Communication Signals in Different Situations?

The presented study examines the ability of 265 children aged 4–12 years to correctly assign contextual cues and inner state values to a set of audio and audio-visual recordings of dog vocalizations and behaviors in different situations. Participants were asked to mark which situation each recording captured, what inner state of the dog it showed, and what inner state a human would feel in the same situation. Recognition of the inner state of dogs was affected by the age of the child when evaluating the audio recordings (p < 0.001), and such a tendency was revealed in evaluating the audiovisual materials (p = 0.08). The inner state of dog evaluation was associated with both the situation assessment (p < 0.01) and human inner state (p < 0.001) in the case of audio recordings, but it was only correlated with situation assessment in audio-visual recordings (p < 0.01). The contextual situations were recognized by the participants only in the audio materials, with “stranger” being the best recognized situation, while “play” was the least recognized. Overall, children aged 4–5 years showed a limited ability to understand dog signals compared to children aged 6–12 years, who were successful in recognizing the dogs’ stimuli more than 80% of the time. Therefore, children younger than 6 years of age require increased supervision when interacting with dogs.
Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome(RPLS) has been recently distinguished from prior leukoencephalopthies.Its clinico-neuroradiological entity is represented by characteristic MR findings of a symmetric bilateral subcortical/cortical hyperintensity in T2-weighted images,more often in posterior lobes,accompanied by clinical neurological alterations,such as hypertension,headache,vomit,consciouslessness,and seizure.Neuroradiological and clinical neurological alterations are commonly reversible with appropriate treatment,and the key to the reversibility is correct diagnosis and treatment in the early stage.
X‐linked ichthyosis: Molecular findings in four pedigrees with inconspicuous clinical manifestations

X‐linked ichthyosis (XLI) is the second most common type of ichthyosis, which is characterized by wide and symmetric distribution of adherent, dry, and polygonal scales on the skin. Steroid sulfatase (STS) gene, which is located at chromosome Xp22.31, has been identified as the pathogenic gene of XLI.
Glutamine-induced signaling pathways via amino acid receptors in enteroendocrine L cell line.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), secreted by gastrointestinal enteroendocrine L cells, induces insulin secretion and is important for glucose homeostasis. GLP-1 secretion is induced by various luminal nutrients, including amino acids. Intracellular Ca2+ and cAMP dynamics play an important role in GLP-1 secretion regulation; however, several aspects of the underlying mechanism of amino acid-induced GLP-1 secretion are not well characterized. We investigated the mechanisms underlying the L-glutamine-induced increase in Ca2+ and cAMP intracellular concentrations ([Ca2+]i and [cAMP]i, respectively) in murine enteroendocrine L cell line GLUTag cells. Application of L-glutamine to cells under low extracellular Na+ conditions, which inhibited the function of the sodium-coupled L-glutamine transporter, did not induce an increase in [Ca2+]i. Application of G protein-coupled receptor family C group 6 member A and calcium-sensing receptor antagonist showed little effect on [Ca2+]i and [cAMP]i; however, taste receptor type 1 member 3 (TAS1R3) antagonist suppressed the increase in [cAMP]i. To elucidate the function of TAS1R3, which forms a heterodimeric umami receptor with taste receptor type 1 member 1 (TAS1R1), we generated TAS1R1 and TAS1R3 mutant GLUTag cells using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. TAS1R1 mutant GLUTag cells exhibited L-glutamine-induced increase in [cAMP]i, whereas some TAS1R3 mutant GLUTag cells did not exhibit L-glutamine-induced increase in [cAMP]i and GLP-1 secretion. These findings suggest that TAS1R3 is important for L-glutamine-induced increase in [cAMP]i and GLP-1 secretion. Thus, TAS1R3 may be coupled with Gs and related to cAMP regulation.
Local concentrations of gentamicin obtained by microdialysis after a controlled application of a GentaColl sponge in a porcine model

Local treatment with gentamicin may be an important tool in the prevention and treatment of surgical site infections in high‐risk procedures and patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile of gentamicin in bone and surrounding tissue, released from a controlled application of a GentaColl sponge in a porcine model. In eight female pigs, a GentaColl sponge of 10 × 10 cm (1.3 mg gentamicin/cm2) was placed in a cancellous bone cavity in the proximal tibia. Microdialysis was used for sampling of gentamicin concentrations over 48 hours from the cavity with the implanted GentaColl sponge, cancellous bone parallel to the cavity over and under the epiphyseal plate, cortical bone, the intramedullary canal, subcutaneous tissue, and the joint cavity of the knee. Venous blood samples were obtained as reference. The main finding was a mean peak drug concentration (95% CI) of gentamicin in the cancellous bone cavity containing the implanted GentaColl sponge of 11 315 (9049‐13 581) μg/mL, persisting above 1000 μg/mL until approximately 40 hours after application. Moreover, the concentrations were low (<1 μg/mL) in the surrounding tissues as well as in plasma. The mean peak gentamicin concentration from the cancellous bone cavity after a controlled application of a GentaColl sponge was high and may be adequate for the prevention of biofilm formation. However, high MIC strains and uncontrolled application of the GentaColl sponge may jeopardize this conclusion.
Association of benzodiazepines, opioids and tricyclic antidepressants use and falls in trauma patients: Conditional effect of age

Introduction The relationship between benzodiazepines, opioids and tricyclic antidepressants and trauma is of great importance because of increased consumption and the growing evidence of a positive association among older adults. The objective of this study was to determine the effect size of the association between the consumption of psychotropic medications /opioids and falls in patients who have suffered trauma by studying the role of other variables in this relationship. Method From 2011 to 2016, the presence of benzodiazepines, opioids and tricyclic antidepressants and other drugs in 1060 patients admitted for trauma at a level I trauma hospital was analysed. Multivariate models were used to measure the adjusted effect size of the association between consumption of benzodiazepines, opioids and tricyclic antidepressants and falls, and the effect of age on this association was studied. Results A total of 192 patients tested positive for benzodiazepines, opioids and tricyclic antidepressants, with same-level falls being the most frequent mechanism of injury in this group (40.1%), with an odds ratio of 1.96 (1.40–2.75), p < 0.001. Once other covariates were introduced, this association was not observed, leaving only age, gender (woman) and, to a lesser extent, sensory conditions as variables associated with falls. Age acted as an effect modifier between benzodiazepines, opioids and tricyclic antidepressants and falls, with significant effect sizes starting at 51.9 years of age. Conclusions The association between the consumption of benzodiazepines, opioids and tricyclic antidepressants and falls in patients admitted for trauma is conditioned by other confounding variables, with age being the most influential confounding variable.
Modeling of Exchangeable Sodium Ratio on the Saline Soil.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Despite the expansion of salinity in arid and semiarid regions, the measurement of exchangeable cations concentrations such as exchangeable sodium ratio in saline soils remains difficult. Exchangeable sodium ratio (ESR) often measured by using the time-consuming laboratory tests. The correlation between ESR and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) has documented in many studies. However, no studies have undertaken to model soil ESR in the Sarakhs Plain, Northeast Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate a linear regression model between soluble and exchangeable cations in this area. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, 124 soil samples randomly taken from surface and subsurface the experimental site. The soil samples collected using a soil auger at 0-30 cm and 30-60 cm depth. Then the linear regression model was used for predicting soil (ESR) on saline soil. The soil ESR values measured in soil samples compared to the soil ESR values predicted using the soil ESR-SARmodel. RESULTS The statistical results indicate that in surface soil (0-30 cm) and subsurface soil (30-60 cm), to predict soil ESR from soil SAR, the linear regression model ESR = 0.0182SAR-0.027 with (R2 = 0.92, p<0.001) and ESR = 0.0157SAR-0.020 with (R2 = 0.83, p<0.001) can be recommended, respectively. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the soil ESR-SAR model recommended for the prediction of soil ESR to its significant importance reducing in time and field checking.
Verification of the Korean Version of the Dental Fear Survey

Background Although studies on dental fear in relation to sex and age have been conducted, there have been few nationwide studies particularly on the youth sector. In addition, no validity and reliability verifications have been implemented for new research groups on the Korean version of the Dental Fear Survey (K-DFS). Therefore, this study aimed to apply the K-DFS developed in a previous study on Korean youth to draw conclusions on dental fear among the youth. Methods This study used the K-DFS, a Korean translation of Kleinknecht's Dental Fear Survey for elementary school, middle school, and high school students. This study selected 2,161 young people of various ages as participants and increased the validity of the research results by expanding nationwide the scope of the study area. Results Differences in fear levels according to sex were higher in boys fear behavior scores than in girls' regarding dental treatment (P < 0.05). Students with dental fear had higher scores on items associated with dental treatment and fear of dental stimuli compared with students without dental fear (P < 0.05). Differences were observed among the three groups (P < 0.05). However, the results of logistic regression analysis showed no statistically significant differences for dental visits based on sex, grade, and other subcomponents (P > 0.05). Conclusion By verifying the validity of the newly developed K-DFS, this research confirmed its utility as a dental fear questionnaire. Therefore, there can be no objection that the grounds for criticism have been established according to conventional wisdom. In the future, however, developing and studying the limits of K-DFS that overcome the factors of dental fear, especially pain, will help reduce dental fear in adolescents.
Downregulated long non-coding RNA SNHG7 restricts proliferation and boosts apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by elevating microRNA-140-5p to suppress GLI3 expression

Statement of Retraction We, the Editors and Publisher of the journal Cell Cycle, have retracted the following article: Yaozhang Dai, Xin Zhang, Haijie Xing, Yamin Zhang, Hua Cao, Jianzhong Sang, Ling Gao, and Liuzhong Wang. Downregulated long non-coding RNA SNHG7 restricts proliferation and boosts apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by elevating microRNA-140-5p to suppress GLI3 expression. Cell Cycle. 2020;19(4):448-463. doi: 10.1080/15384101.2020. 1712033. Since publication, concerns have been raised about the integrity of the data in the article. When approached for an explanation, the authors have been unable to address all the concerns raised and have not been able to provide all their original data or sufficient supporting information. As verifying the validity of published work is core to the integrity of the scholarly record, we are therefore retracting the article. The corresponding author listed in this publication has been informed. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as ‘Retracted. ’
Very Short vs. Long Dual Antiplatelet Therapy after Second Generation Drug-eluting Stents in 35,785 Patients undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Interventions: a Meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.

AIM To provide an updated assessment of the efficacy-safety profile of very short (1 or 3 months) dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) compared to long (12 months) DAPT in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). METHODS AND RESULTS Seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing very short versus long DAPT in 35,785 patients undergoing PCI were selected. The primary efficacy endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and the primary safety endpoint trial-defined major bleeding through at least 1 year. Compared to longer duration, very short DAPT yielded comparable rates of MACE (OR - odds ratio - 0.93, 95% CI - confidence interval - 0.84-1.03, p = 0.19), all-cause mortality (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.80-1.06, p = 0.25), myocardial infarction (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.88-1.15, p = 0.91), stroke (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.72-1.50, p = 0.83), stent thrombosis (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.80-1.37, p = 0.73) and target vessel revascularization (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.82-1.18, p = 0.89), and comparable net clinical benefit (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.84-1.01, p = 0.08). Very short DAPT was associated with reduced rates of major bleeding (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.40-0.94, p = 0.03) or any bleeding (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.47-0.90, p = 0.009). Subgroup analyses showed consistent results for 1 versus 3 month DAPT and for aspirin versus P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy following very short DAPT. CONCLUSIONS Compared to long DAPT, very short DAPT did not increase the odds of ischemic complications, while reducing the odds of major or any bleeding by over 30%.
PAREameters: a tool for computational inference of plant miRNA–mRNA targeting rules using small RNA and degradome sequencing data

Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNAs that modulate the translation-rate of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) by directing the RNA-induced silencing complex to sequence-specific targets. In plants, this typically results in cleavage and subsequent degradation of the mRNA. Degradome sequencing is a high-throughput technique developed to capture cleaved mRNA fragments and thus can be used to support miRNA target prediction. The current criteria used for miRNA target prediction were inferred on a limited number of experimentally validated A. thaliana interactions and were adapted to fit these specific interactions; thus, these fixed criteria may not be optimal across all datasets (organisms, tissues or treatments). We present a new tool, PAREameters, for inferring targeting criteria from small RNA and degradome sequencing datasets. We evaluate its performance using a more extensive set of experimentally validated interactions in multiple A. thaliana datasets. We also perform comprehensive analyses to highlight and quantify the differences between subsets of miRNA–mRNA interactions in model and non-model organisms. Our results show increased sensitivity in A. thaliana when using the PAREameters inferred criteria and that using data-driven criteria enables the identification of additional interactions that further our understanding of the RNA silencing pathway in both model and non-model organisms.
Sex, Blinking, and Dry Eye.

Blinking sustains the corneal tear film generated by sexually dimorphic lacrimal and meibomian glands. Our study examines whether trigeminal control of blinking is also sexually dimorphic by investigating trigeminal reflex blinking, associative blink modification, and spontaneous blinking in male and female rats before and after unilateral dry eye caused by exorbital gland removal. Before gland removal, female rats exhibited a lower threshold for evoking trigeminal reflex blinks, a weaker effect of associative blink modification, and longer duration spontaneous blinks than males. Spontaneous blink rate, reflex blink excitability, and occurrence of blink oscillations did not differ between the sexes. Reanalysis of previous data showed that humans showed the same blink sexual dimorphisms as rats. During the first two weeks of dry eye, trigeminal blink circuit excitability and blink oscillations steadily rose in male rats, whereas excitability and blink oscillations did not change in females. Following dry eye, spontaneous blink duration increased for both males and females, while spontaneous blink rate remained constant for males, but decreased for females. The associative modification treatment to depress trigeminal blink amplitude initially produced blink depression in males that converted to blink potentiation as trigeminal excitability rose, whereas females exhibited progressively more blink depression. These data indicated that dry eye increased excitability in male trigeminal reflex blink circuits at the expense of circuit modifiability, whereas trigeminal modifiability increased in females. This increased modifiability of female trigeminal blink circuits with dry eye may contribute to the preponderance of females developing the focal dystonia, benign essential blepharospasm.
Is India Shouldering a Double Burden of Malnutrition?

In India, malnutrition remains a silent emergency. Though the Government of India has made significant progress in the past several years, however, the rates of overweight and obesity are steadily increasing. This article attempts to examine the prevalence of double burden of undernutrition and overnutrition in different regions of India, and also identify the major determinants of the coexistence of double burden of malnutrition using the data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-III, 2005–06). The north, south, west and north-east zones experience the double burden of both underweight and obesity. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analyses show that age of the women, religion, place of residence, women’s education, wealth index and lifestyle indicators are significantly associated with both underweight and obesity. There is a need for special public health programmes that are able to address both simultaneously.
Experimental Study on Machinability of Zr-Based Bulk Metallic Glass during Micro Milling

The micro machinability of Zr41.2Ti13. 8Cu12.5Ni10Be22. 5 bulk metallic glass (BMG) was investigated by micro milling with coated cemented carbide tools. The corresponding micro milling tests on Al6061 were conducted for comparison. The results showed that the tool was still in stable wear stage after milling 300 mm, and the surface roughness Ra could be maintained around 0.06 μm. The tool experienced only slight chipping and rubbing wear after milling the BMG, while a built-up edge and the coating peeling off occurred severely when milling Al6061. The influence of rotation speed on surface roughness was insignificant, while surface roughness decreased with the reduction of feed rate, and then increased dramatically when the feed rate was below 2 μm/tooth. The surface roughness increased gradually with the axial depth of cut (DOC). Milling force decreased slightly with the increase in rotation speed, while it increased with the increase in axial DOC, and the size effect on milling force occurred when the feed rate decreased below 1 μm/tooth. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that all milled surfaces were still dominated by an amorphous structure. This study could pave a solid foundation for structural and functional applications.
Comparison of phenotypic and WGS-derived antimicrobial resistance profiles of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolated from cases of diarrhoeal disease in England and Wales, 2015-16.

OBJECTIVES To compare and evaluate phenotypic and genotypic methods for the detection of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in England and Wales. METHODS WGS data from 528 isolates of Campylobacter spp. (452 C. jejuni and 76 C. coli) from human (494), food (21) and environmental (2) sources, collected between January 2015 and December 2016, and from the PHE culture collection (11) were mapped to genes known to be associated with phenotypic resistance to antimicrobials in the genus. Phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility (erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, gentamicin and streptomycin) testing using an in-agar dilution method was performed on all isolates. RESULTS Concordance between phenotypic resistance and the presence of corresponding AMR determinants was 97.5% (515/528 isolates). Only 13 out of 528 isolates (10 C. jejuni and 3 C. coli) had discordant interpretations for at least one of the five antibiotics tested, equating to a total of 15 (0.6%) discrepancies out of 2640 isolate/antimicrobial combinations. Seven discrepant results were genotypically resistant but phenotypically susceptible (major errors) and eight discrepant results were genotypically susceptible but phenotypically resistant (very major errors). CONCLUSIONS The use of this bioinformatics approach for predicting AMR from WGS data for routine public health surveillance is a reliable method for real-time monitoring of changing AMR patterns in isolates of C. jejuni and C. coli.