Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phytochemistry And Preliminary Toxicity Studies Of The Methanol Extract Of The Stem Bark Of Garcinia kola (Heckel)

Garcinia kola Heckel stem bark is used by traditional medicine practitioners in Ogoni, Nigeria, to treat dysmenorrhea and burns. The decoction and infusion of this stem bark is often taken without any standardized measurement, sometimes in large amounts; hence the need to investigate its phytochemical constituents and acute toxicity profile. The methanolic extract of this part of the plant was therefore investigated for its phytochemical constitution and the Median lethal dose (LD50). Materials and Methods : Standard phytochemical screening procedures and internationally acceptable methods for LD50 determination were used. Screening of the effect of the extract on hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume and red blood cell count was also carried out in rats. Result : The result showed a high tannin, phlobatannin and glycoside content; considerable amounts of alkaloid and flavonoid and negligible or no saponin, terpene or anthraquinone. The 24 hour LD50 value, calculated with two arithmetic methods (Arithmetic method of Karber and Arithmetic method of Reed & Muench) was shown to be 358mg/kg. Conclusion : The alkaloid and flavonoid content of plant materials has severally been reported to be a major antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic active principle; while tannins and phlobatannins has been reported to have wound healing properties. The result of this study scientifically proves the rationale behind the traditional use of this part of the plant to treat dysmenorrhea and burns. However, with an LD50 value in the “very toxic” classification range (50 500mg/kg), there is need for caution in the “dose” of decoction of this plant part administered in trado-medical care.However, the constituent of the methanol extract of G. kola stem bark extract do not seem to impart any significant toxicological effect on the erythrocytes, rather it showed the tendency of increasing the erythrocyte number over time
Engineering stepped edge surface structures of MoS2 sheet stacks to accelerate the hydrogen evolution reaction

Two-dimensional molybdenum sulfide is an attractive noble-metal-free electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Significant efforts have been made to increase the number of exposed edge sites. However, little attention has been paid to devising edge surface structures of MoS2 sheet stacks to promote the HER kinetics. Herein we report the first demonstration of significantly enhanced HER kinetics by controllably fabricating a stepped MoS2 surface structure. Vertical arrays of MoS2 sheets terminated with such a stepped surface structure have proved to be an outstanding HER electrocatalyst with an overpotential of 104 mV at 10 mA cm−2, an exchange current density of 0.2 mA cm−2 and high stability. Experimental and theoretical results indicate that the enhanced electrocatalytic activity of the vertical MoS2 arrays is associated with the unique vertically terminated, highly exposed, stepped surface structure with a nearly thermoneutral H-adsorption energy. This work opens a new avenue to designing and developing layered materials for electrochemical energy applications.
Quantifying the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 viral load and infectiousness

The relationship between SARS-CoV-2 viral load and infectiousness is not known. Using data from a prospective cohort of index cases and high-risk contact, we reconstructed by modelling the viral load at the time of contact and the probability of infection. The effect of viral load was particularly large in household contacts, with a transmission probability that increased to as much as 37% when the viral load was greater than 10 log 10 copies per mL. The transmission probability peaked at symptom onset in most individuals, with a median probability of transmission of 15%, that hindered large individual variations (IQR: [8, 37]). The model also projects the effects of variants on disease transmission. Based on the current knowledge that viral load is increased by 2 to 4-fold on average, we estimate that infection with B1.1. 7 virus could lead to an increase in the probability of transmission by 8 to 17%.
The United States Medical Licensing Exam Step 2 Clinical Skills Examination: Potential Alternatives During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

We feel that the current COVID-19 crisis has created great uncertainty and anxiety among medical students. With medical school classes initially being conducted on the web and the approaching season of “the Match” (a uniform system by which residency candidates and residency programs in the United States simultaneously “match” with the aid of a computer algorithm to fill first-year and second-year postgraduate training positions accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education), the situation did not seem to be improving. The National Resident Matching Program made an official announcement on May 26, 2020, that candidates would not be required to take or pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) examination to participate in the Match. On January 26, 2021, formal discontinuation of Step 2 CS was announced; for this reason, we have provided our perspective of possible alternative solutions to the Step 2 CS examination. A successful alternative model can be implemented in future residency match seasons as well.
Transcriptomic analysis and competing endogenous RNA network in the human endometrium between proliferative and mid-secretory phases

Successful embryo implantation is the first step for establishing natural pregnancy and is dependent on the crosstalk between the embryo and a receptive endometrium. However, the molecular signaling events for successful embryo implantation are not entirely understood. To identify differentially expressed transcripts [long-noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs) and mRNAs] and competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks associated with endometrial receptivity, the current study analyzed gene expression profiles between proliferative and mid-secretory endometria in fertile women. A total of 247 lncRNAs, 67 miRNAs and 2,154 mRNAs were identified as differentially expressed between proliferative and mid-secretory endometria. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis indicated that these differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched for ‘cell adhesion molecules. ’ Additionally, 98 common mRNAs were significantly involved in tryptophan metabolism, metabolic pathways and FoxO signaling. From the differentially expressed lncRNA/miRNA/mRNA ceRNA network, hub RNAs that formed three axes were identified: The DLX6-AS1/miR-141 or miR-200a/OLFM1 axis, the WDFY3-AS2/miR-135a or miR-183/STC1 axis, and the LINC00240/miR-182/NDRG1 axis. These may serve important roles in the regulation of endometrial receptivity. The hub network of the current study may be developed as a candidate marker for endometrial receptivity.
Eudaemonic Well-Being in Midlife Women: Change in and Correspondence Between Concurrent and Retrospective Reports

Concurrent and retrospective reports correspond for personality, affect, and coping. The present study described how autonomy, competence, and relatedness components of eudaemonic well-being (EWB) change over days and months and tested correspondences of daily and retrospective reports between and within people. Midlife and older (50–75 years) women (N = 200) completed online diaries daily for 1 week for 9 bursts over 2 years and answered questionnaires at the end of each burst (burst n = 1,529). Multilevel models partialed levels of variance and tested correspondence. Women varied in their daily experiences of EWB but did not vary substantially between bursts. Burst-level diary means and questionnaire responses corresponded between people, but changes within people were less strongly related. The daily, but not monthly, time scale of change is important for capturing within-person changes in EWB. Finding EWB change over months to years may depend on measurement designed to capture medium-term change.
Gut dysbiosis and clinical phases of pancolitis in patients with ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a frequent type of inflammatory bowel disease, characterized by periods of remission and exacerbation. Gut dysbiosis may influence pathophysiology and clinical response in UC. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether gut microbiota is related to the active and remission phases of pancolitis in patients with UC as well as in healthy participants. Fecal samples were obtained from 18 patients with UC and clinical‐endoscopic evidenced pancolitis (active phase n = 9 and remission phase n = 9), as well as 15 healthy participants. After fecal DNA extraction, the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced (Illumina MiSeq), operational taxonomic units were analyzed with the QIIME software. Gut microbiota composition revealed a higher abundance of the phyla Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria in active pancolitis, as compared with remission and healthy participants. Likewise, a marked abundance of the genus Bilophila and Fusobacteria were present in active pancolitis, whereas a higher abundance of Faecalibacterium characterized both remission and healthy participants. LEfSe analysis showed that the genus Roseburia and Faecalibacterium were enriched in remission pancolitis, and genera Bilophila and Fusobacterium were enriched in active pancolitis. The relative abundance of Fecalibacterium and Roseburia showed a higher correlation with fecal calprotectin, while Bilophila and Fusobacterium showed AUCs (area under the curve) of 0.917 and 0.988 for active vs. remission pancolitis. The results of our study highlight the relation of gut dysbiosis with clinically relevant phases of pancolitis in patients with UC. Particularly, Fecalibacterium, Roseburia, Bilophila, and Fusobacterium were identified as genera highly related to the different clinical phases of pancolitis.
Risk Factors Associated with Postoperative Infection in Cancer Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery

OBJECTIVES: To determine the rate of and main risk factors for postoperative infection in cancer patients who underwent spine surgery in the last 5 years in order to determine whether there is an association between postoperative infection and increased mortality during hospitalization. METHODS: All cancer patients who underwent surgical procedures between January 2015 and December 2019 at a single hospital specializing in spine cancer surgery were analyzed. The primary outcome of interest was postoperative infection. Bivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval for each variable in relation to the occurrence of infection. RESULTS: We evaluated 324 patients, including 176 men (54.3%) and 148 women (45.7%) with a mean age of 56 years. The incidence of postoperative infection was 20.37%. Of the 324 patients, 39 died during hospitalization (12%). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical time greater than 4 hours, surgical instrumented levels greater than 6, and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group of 3 or 4 were associated with an increased risk of postoperative infection, but these factors did not lead to an increase in mortality during hospitalization.
Acute Pancreatitis in Children: The Clinical Profile at a Tertiary Hospital

Objectives The clinical course and progression of acute pancreatitis are poorly understood to date, necessitating more studies of clinical profiles during the disease. Moreover, understanding the etiologies and clinical presentations of acute pancreatitis (AP) in children can contribute to early diagnosis and, hence, earlier interventions. Therefore, this article aims to study the clinical profiles of children with acute pancreatitis (AP) in relation to complications and other variables. Study design We retrospectively studied 56 patients who presented with AP to the pediatric department in Salmaniya Medical Complex between January 2006 and December 2017. Cases of chronic pancreatitis and ages above 12 years were excluded. The data concerned demographics, etiology, clinical data, hospital course, and outcomes. Results The study included 56 patients aged a mean of 8.46 years (male:female - 33:23). The average hospital stay was 7.68 days. Patients received parenteral feeds a mean of 2.77 days. All patients had an ultrasound, nine required CT scans (16.1%), and five MRIs (8.9%). There were 18 local complications (32.1%): pseudocysts (n=3, 5.36%), cholangitis (n=2, 3.6%), and edema (n=13, 23.2%). There were 23 intensive care unit (ICU) admissions (41.1%). No mortalities occurred but there were six recurrences (10.7%). Symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, and nausea occurred in 100%, 57.1%, 35.7%, and 23.2% of patients, respectively. Etiologies were 41.1% biliary, 23.2% idiopathic, 19.6% traumatic, and 8.93% drug-induced. Leukocytes were elevated in 20 patients (35.7%), c-reactive protein (CRP) in five (8.93%), serum amylase in 45 (80.4%), and urinary amylase in all 56 patients (100%). Conclusion Most pediatric AP cases were attributed to biliary causes followed by trauma. Age was significantly correlated with complication rates (P=0.013). Abdominal pain was a more common symptom than vomiting. Leukocytosis was associated with ICU admissions. There was no significant relation between c-reactive protein, serum amylase, or urinary amylase, and complications or ICU admissions. Pediatric AP was self-limiting and there were no fatalities.
Tenofovir in the treatment of hepatitis B virus infection after liver transplantation, a single center large population study

Aim: This study investigated the safety and efficacy of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) compared with lamivudine (LAM) in the prevention of recurrent HBV infection after liver transplantation (LT). Background: Although the recurrence of hepatitis B virus after liver transplantation (LT) is now very uncommon with both nucleoside and nucleotide analogs represented with lamivudine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, respectively, few studies have compared the two classes. Methods: A total of 302 HBV-related post-transplant patients who received liver transplants from deceased donors were enrolled in this retrospective study from 2011 to 2015 in the Shiraz Organ Transplant Center, Iran. The demographic data, kidney function, recurrence, resistance rate, and acute rejections at 1-, 6-, and 12-month intervals and after 12 months were compared on TDF (n=209) and lamivudine (n=93) groups. Results: During a median follow-up period of 42.9 months, mean creatinine level was not significantly different between the two groups. Hepatitis B virus recurrence rate as well as acute graft rejection episode had no statistical difference in either group over the study period. Conclusion: Kidney function, creatinine level, disease recurrence, and acute graft rejection were comparable between tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and lamivudine in patients who received follow-up periods.
Efficacy and safety of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of patients with COVID-19

OBJECTIVES: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has catastrophically threatened public health worldwide and presented great challenges for clinicians. To date, no specific drugs are available against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appear to be a promising cell therapy owing to their potent modulatory effects on reducing and healing inflammation-induced lung and other tissue injuries. The present pilot study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential and safety of MSCs isolated from healthy cord tissues in the treatment of patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Twelve patients with COVID-19 treated with MSCs plus conventional therapy and 13 treated with conventional therapy alone (control) were included. The efficacy of MSC infusion was evaluated by changes in oxygenation index, clinical chemistry and hematology tests, immunoglobulin (Ig) levels, and pulmonary computerized tomography (CT) imaging. The safety of MSC infusion was evaluated based on the occurrence of allergic reactions and serious adverse events. RESULTS: The MSC-treated group demonstrated significantly improved oxygenation index. The area of pulmonary inflammation decreased significantly, and the CT number in the inflammatory area tended to be restored. Decreased IgM levels were also observed after MSC therapy. Laboratory biomarker levels at baseline and after therapy showed no significant changes in either the MSC-treated or control group. CONCLUSION: Intravenous infusion of MSCs in patients with COVID-19 was effective and well tolerated. Further studies involving a large cohort or randomized controlled trials are warranted.
Nursing Students in Crisis Mode

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Background The COVID-19 pandemic initiated a period of new and difficult challenges for nursing students. Purpose The aim of this study was to assess the change in levels of anxiety and ways of coping when the lockdown was being lifted compared with the period of the most severe lockdown restrictions. Methods First- to fourth-year nursing students in Israel (N = 244) completed 2 surveys conducted during the initial lockdown and 5 weeks later. Results When the restrictions were lightened, the mean anxiety score decreased from 9.3 to 7.5 (P < .0001). Among Muslims students, the trend was the opposite, and anxiety levels increased. Stronger resilience was associated with lower odds for anxiety. Mental disengagement and information seeking were associated with higher anxiety levels. Conclusions The pandemic created unparalleled stressful situations for nursing students. Faculty should have heightened awareness of these stressors and act to implement innovative resolutions for the problems that arise.
Overexpression of oncogenic H-Ras in hTERT-immortalized and SV40-transformed human cells targets replicative and specialized DNA polymerases for depletion

DNA polymerases play essential functions in replication fork progression and genome maintenance. DNA lesions and drug-induced replication stress result in up-regulation and re-localization of specialized DNA polymerases η and κ. Although oncogene activation significantly alters DNA replication dynamics, causing replication stress and genome instability, little is known about DNA polymerase expression and regulation in response to oncogene activation. Here, we investigated the consequences of mutant H-RAS G12V overexpression on the regulation of DNA polymerases in h-TERT immortalized and SV40-transformed human cells. Focusing on DNA polymerases associated with the replication fork, we demonstrate that DNA polymerases are depleted in a temporal manner in response to H-RAS G12V overexpression. The polymerases targeted for depletion, as cells display markers of senescence, include the Pol α catalytic subunit (POLA1), Pol δ catalytic and p68 subunits (POLD1 and POLD3), Pol η, and Pol κ. Both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms mediate this response. Pol η (POLH) depletion is sufficient to induce a senescence-like growth arrest in human foreskin fibroblast BJ5a cells, and is associated with decreased Pol α expression. Using an SV-40 transformed cell model, we observed cell cycle checkpoint signaling differences in cells with H-RasG12V-induced polymerase depletion, as compared to Pol η-deficient cells. Our findings contribute to our understanding of cellular events following oncogene activation and cellular transformation.
Early Fusion Rates After Direct Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion With Bone-Morphogenetic Protein

ABSTRACT Background: Direct lateral (transpsoas) lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) reportedly achieves union by 1 year postoperatively, but how soon fusion occurs after these minimally invasive procedures is unclear. This study investigated LLIF fusion progression at 6 months and 1 year in a large-scale cohort using bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) graft and examined risk factors associated with failed fusion. Methods: Patients undergoing primary LLIF with a single surgical team from 2015 through 2016 with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) iimplants and BMP graft were identified. Retrospective chart review included demographics and medical history, construct length and location, and concurrent L5-S1 fusion. Inclusion criteria included minimum 1-year follow-up and postoperative lumbar computed tomography at 6 months and 1 year, which was independently assessed for bony union at each level. Results: 166 patients underwent LLIF at a total of 312 levels. Seventy-nine patients (48%) underwent 1-level fusion; 45 (27%), 2 levels; and 42 (25%), 3 or more levels. At 6 months, 160 (51%) levels showed fusion. At 1 year, 70% of the remainder were fused, and total fusion rate was 85%. Fusion rates from L1 through L4 were similar (84%–87%). Nonunion was not significantly associated with construct length (P = .19), concurrent anterior L5-S1 interbody fusion (P = .50), age (P = .70), BMI (P = .15), or comorbidities such as diabetes (P = .86) or thyroid disease (P = .46). Conclusions: This large retrospective cohort study corroborates prior 1-year LLIF fusion rate reports (85%) independent of construct length or location or medical comorbidities. Significantly, half showed fusion by 6 months, earlier than previously described and validating the efficacy of LLIF. Level of Evidence: 5. Clinical Relevance: This study presents a large cohort of patients to support effective lumbar fusion after LLIF with BMP-2.
Are presymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections in nursing home residents unrecognised symptomatic infections? Sequence and metadata from weekly testing in an extensive nursing home outbreak

Abstract Background Sars-CoV-2 outbreaks resulted in a high case fatality rate in nursing homes (NH) worldwide. It is unknown to which extent presymptomatic residents and staff contribute to the spread of the virus. Aims To assess the contribution of asymptomatic and presymptomatic residents and staff in SARS-CoV-2 transmission during a large outbreak in a Dutch NH. Methods Observational study in a 185-bed NH with two consecutive testing strategies: testing of symptomatic cases only, followed by weekly facility-wide testing of staff and residents regardless of symptoms. Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal testing with RT-PCR for SARs-CoV-2, including sequencing of positive samples, was conducted with a standardised symptom assessment. Results 185 residents and 244 staff participated. Sequencing identified one cluster. In the symptom-based test strategy period, 3/39 residents were presymptomatic versus 38/74 residents in the period of weekly facility-wide testing (P-value < 0.001). In total, 51/59 (91.1%) of SARS-CoV-2 positive staff was symptomatic, with no difference between both testing strategies (P-value 0.763). Loss of smell and taste, sore throat, headache or myalga was hardly reported in residents compared to staff (P-value <0.001). Median Ct-value of presymptomatic residents was 21.3, which did not differ from symptomatic (20.8) or asymptomatic (20.5) residents (P-value 0.624). Conclusions Symptoms in residents and staff are insufficiently recognised, reported or attributed to a possible SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, residents without (recognised) symptoms showed the same potential for viral shedding as residents with symptoms. Weekly testing was an effective strategy for early identification of SARS-Cov-2 cases, resulting in fast mitigation of the outbreak.