Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
No effects of modality in development of locative expressions of space in signing and speaking children

Abstract Linguistic expressions of locative spatial relations in sign languages are mostly visually motivated representations of space involving mapping of entities and spatial relations between them onto the hands and the signing space. These are also morphologically complex forms. It is debated whether modality-specific aspects of spatial expressions modulate spatial language development differently in signing compared to speaking children. In a picture description task, we compared the use of locative expressions for containment, support, and occlusion relations by deaf children acquiring Turkish Sign Language and hearing children acquiring Turkish (age 3;5–9;11). Unlike previous reports suggesting a boosting effect of iconicity, and/or a hindering effect of morphological complexity of the locative forms in sign languages, our results show similar developmental patterns for signing and speaking children's acquisition of these forms. Our results suggest the primacy of cognitive development guiding the acquisition of locative expressions by speaking and signing children.
Bioavailability of Melatonin from Lentil Sprouts and Its Role in the Plasmatic Antioxidant Status in Rats

Melatonin is a multifunctional antioxidant neurohormone found in plant foods such as lentil sprouts. We aim to evaluate the effect of lentil sprout intake on the plasmatic levels of melatonin and metabolically related compounds (plasmatic serotonin and urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin), total phenolic compounds, and plasmatic antioxidant status, and compare it with synthetic melatonin. The germination of lentils increases the content of melatonin. However, the phenolic content diminished due to the loss of phenolic acids and flavan-3-ols. The flavonol content remained unaltered, being the main phenolic family in lentil sprouts, primarily composed of kaempferol glycosides. Sprague Dawley rats were used to investigate the pharmacokinetic profile of melatonin after oral administration of a lentil sprout extract and to evaluate plasma and urine melatonin and related biomarkers and antioxidant capacity. Melatonin showed maximum concentration (45.4 pg/mL) 90 min after lentil sprout administration. The plasmatic melatonin levels increased after lentil sprout intake (70%, p < 0.05) with respect to the control, 1.2-fold more than after synthetic melatonin ingestion. These increments correlated with urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin content (p < 0.05), a key biomarker of plasmatic melatonin. Nonetheless, the phenolic compound content did not exhibit any significant variation. Plasmatic antioxidant status increased in the antioxidant capacity upon both lentil sprout and synthetic melatonin administration. For the first time, we investigated the bioavailability of melatonin from lentil sprouts and its role in plasmatic antioxidant status. We concluded that their intake could increase melatonin plasmatic concentration and attenuate plasmatic oxidative stress.
Surgical Management of Chronic Incomplete Proximal Hamstring Avulsion Injuries

Background: Chronic incomplete proximal hamstring avulsion injuries are debilitating injuries associated with prolonged periods of convalescence and poor return to preinjury level of function. This study explores the efficacy of operative intervention for these injuries on patient satisfaction, muscle strength, range of motion, functional performance, return to preinjury level of sporting activity, and injury recurrence. Hypothesis: Surgical intervention of chronic incomplete proximal hamstring avulsion injuries enables return to preinjury level of sporting function with low risk of clinical recurrence. Study Design: Case series: Level of evidence, 4. Methods: This prospective single-surgeon study included 41 patients with incomplete proximal hamstring avulsion injuries refractory to 6 months of nonoperative treatment. All study patients underwent primary operative repair of the avulsed proximal hamstring tendon and received standardized postoperative rehabilitation. Predefined outcomes were recorded at regular intervals after surgery. Mean follow-up time was 28.2 months (range, 25.0-35.0 months) from date of surgery. Results: All patients returned to their preinjury level of sporting activity. Mean ± SD time from surgery to return to full sporting activity was 22.2 ± 6.7 weeks. There were no episodes of clinical recurrence. At 3 months after surgery, 39 patients (95.1%) were satisfied/very satisfied with the outcomes of their surgery, and as compared with preoperative values, improvements were recorded in isometric hamstring muscle strength at 0° (84.9% ± 10.9% vs 40.4% ± 8.8%; P < .001), 15° (89.6% ± 7.6% vs 44.2% ± 11.1%; P < .001), and 45° (94.1% ± 5.1% vs 66.4% ± 9.0%; P < .001); mean passive straight leg raise angle (71.2°± 13.5° vs 45.4°± 11.9°; P < .001); mean lower extremity functional score (70.9 ± 5.1 vs 48.4 ± 5.2; P < .001); and mean Marx activity rating score (5.6 ± 2.8 vs 2.7 ± 1.0; P < .001). High patient satisfaction and functional outcome scores were maintained at 1- and 2-year follow-up. Conclusion: Operative repair of chronic incomplete proximal hamstring avulsion injuries enabled return to preoperative level of sporting function with no episodes of clinical recurrence at short-term follow-up. Surgical intervention was associated with high patient satisfaction and improved isometric hamstring muscle strength, range of motion, and functional outcome scores as compared with preoperative values. High patient satisfaction and improved functional outcomes were sustained at 2-year follow-up.
Clinical Features of 69 Cases with Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Wuhan, China

Abstract Background From December 2019 to February 2020, 2019 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a serious outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China. Related clinical features are needed. Methods We reviewed 69 patients who were hospitalized in Union hospital in Wuhan between January 16 to January 29, 2020. All patients were confirmed to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 and the final date of follow-up was February 4, 2020. Results The median age of 69 enrolled patients was 42.0 years (IQR 35.0-62.0), and 32 patients (46%) were men. The most common symptoms were fever (60[87%]), cough (38[55%]), and fatigue (29[42%]). Most patients received antiviral therapy (66 [98.5%] of 67 patients) and antibiotic therapy (66 [98.5%] of 67 patients). As of February 4, 2020, 18 (26.9%) of 67 patients had been discharged, and five patients had died, with a mortality rate of 7.5%. According to the lowest SpO2 during admission, cases were divided into the SpO2≥90% group (n=55) and the SpO2<90% group (n=14). All 5 deaths occurred in the SpO2<90% group. Compared with SpO2≥90% group, patients of the SpO2<90% group were older, and showed more comorbidities and higher plasma levels of IL6, IL10, lactate dehydrogenase, and c reactive protein. Arbidol treatment showed tendency to improve the discharging rate and decrease the mortality rate. Conclusions COVID-19 appears to show frequent fever, dry cough, and increase of inflammatory cytokines, and induced a mortality rate of 7.5%. Older patients or those with underlying comorbidities are at higher risk of death.
Correlation of Non-invasive Tear Break-Up Time with Tear Osmolarity and Other Invasive Tear Function Tests

ABSTRACT Aim: To compare the outcomes of non-invasive break-up time (NI-BUT) test and the other conventional dry eye tests. Methods: The right eyes of 170 subjects were included in the study. In order to evaluate the tear quality of the patients, NI-BUT levels were measured by the Scheimplug-Placido disk system (Sirius topography). Tear osmolarity test was performed with TearLab Osmolarity System. Topical anesthesia-assisted type I Schirmer test and topical anesthesia-assisted BUT were lastly applied to all patients in order not to affect other measurements. Results: The mean NI-BUT value was 9.59 ± 4.37 sec, tear osmolarity was 292.93 ± 9.30 mOsm/L, Schirmer test was 15.32 ± 6.05 mm/5 min, and biomicroscopic BUT value was 8.98 ± 3.79 sec. The Schirmer test results were statistically significantly correlated with biomicroscopic BUT and NI-BUT values (p = .019, r = 0.180 and p = .030, r = 0.166; respectively). It was also found that tear osmolarity was strongly and inversely correlated with biomicroscopic BUT and topographic NI-BUT values (p < .001, r = −0.554 and p < .001, r = −0.528; respectively). There was no significant correlation between Schirmer test and tear osmolarity. Conclusion: It is important to use a sensitive, reproducible and non-invasive method in the evaluation of tear functions. We think that the objective and noninvasive topographic NI-BUT measurements and the minimally invasive osmolarity measurements should be used more frequently in practice because they are correlated with the measurements obtained by invasive methods and should be widespread in clinics.
Mechanics and Microstructure of the Atrioventricular Heart Valve Chordae Tendineae: A Review

The atrioventricular heart valves (AHVs) are responsible for directing unidirectional blood flow through the heart by properly opening and closing the valve leaflets, which are supported in their function by the chordae tendineae and the papillary muscles. Specifically, the chordae tendineae are critical to distributing forces during systolic closure from the leaflets to the papillary muscles, preventing leaflet prolapse and consequent regurgitation. Current therapies for chordae failure have issues of disease recurrence or suboptimal treatment outcomes. To improve those therapies, researchers have sought to better understand the mechanics and microstructure of the chordae tendineae of the AHVs. The intricate structures of the chordae tendineae have become of increasing interest in recent literature, and there are several key findings that have not been comprehensively summarized in one review. Therefore, in this review paper, we will provide a summary of the current state of biomechanical and microstructural characterizations of the chordae tendineae, and also discuss perspectives for future studies that will aid in a better understanding of the tissue mechanics–microstructure linking of the AHVs’ chordae tendineae, and thereby improve the therapeutics for heart valve diseases caused by chordae failures.
Environmental reservoir dynamics predict global infection patterns and population impacts for the fungal disease white-nose syndrome

Significance Infectious diseases can have devastating effects on populations, and the ability of a pathogen to persist in the environment can amplify these impacts. Understanding how environmental pathogen reservoirs influence the number of individuals that become infected and suffer mortality is essential for disease control and prevention. We integrated disease data with population surveys to examine the influence of the environmental reservoir on disease impacts for a devastating fungal disease of bats, white-nose syndrome. We find that the extent of pathogen present in the environment predicts how many hosts become infected and suffer mortality during disease outbreaks. These results provide a target for managing contamination levels in the environment to reduce population impacts. Disease outbreaks and pathogen introductions can have significant effects on host populations, and the ability of pathogens to persist in the environment can exacerbate disease impacts by fueling sustained transmission, seasonal epidemics, and repeated spillover events. While theory suggests that the presence of an environmental reservoir increases the risk of host declines and threat of extinction, the influence of reservoir dynamics on transmission and population impacts remains poorly described. Here we show that the extent of the environmental reservoir explains broad patterns of host infection and the severity of disease impacts of a virulent pathogen. We examined reservoir and host infection dynamics and the resulting impacts of Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungal pathogen that causes white-nose syndrome, in 39 species of bats at 101 sites across the globe. Lower levels of pathogen in the environment consistently corresponded to delayed infection of hosts, fewer and less severe infections, and reduced population impacts. In contrast, an extensive and persistent environmental reservoir led to early and widespread infections and severe population declines. These results suggest that continental differences in the persistence or decay of P. destructans in the environment altered infection patterns in bats and influenced whether host populations were stable or experienced severe declines from this disease. Quantifying the impact of the environmental reservoir on disease dynamics can provide specific targets for reducing pathogen levels in the environment to prevent or control future epidemics.
A Rapid Lysostaphin Production Approach and a Convenient Novel Lysostaphin Loaded Nano-emulgel; As a Sustainable Low-Cost Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Combating Platform

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive pathogen that is capable of infecting almost every organ in the human body. Alarmingly, the rapid emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains (MRSA) jeopardizes the available treatment options. Herein, we propose sustainable, low-cost production of recombinant lysostaphin (rLST), which is a native bacteriocin destroying the staphylococcal cell wall through its endopeptidase activity. We combined the use of E. coli BL21(DE3)/pET15b, factorial design, and simple Ni-NTA affinity chromatography to optimize rLST production. The enzyme yield was up to 50 mg/L culture, surpassing reported systems. Our rLST demonstrated superlative biofilm combating ability by inhibiting staphylococcal biofilms formation and detachment of already formed biofilms, compared to vancomycin and linezolid. Furthermore, we aimed at developing a novel rLST topical formula targeting staphylococcal skin infections. The phase inversion composition (PIC) method fulfilled this aim with its simple preparatory steps and affordable components. LST nano-emulgel (LNEG) was able to extend active LST release up to 8 h and cure skin infections in a murine skin model. We are introducing a rapid, convenient rLST production platform with an outcome of pure, active rLST incorporated into an effective LNEG formula with scaling-up potential to satisfy the needs of both research and therapeutic purposes.
Hormone receptor (ER, PR, HER2/neu) status and proliferation index marker (Ki-67) in breast cancers: Their onco-pathological correlation, shortcomings and future trends

Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) are hormone receptors found on breast cells that pick up hormone signals resulting in cell growth. Similarly, positive human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2/neu) status of the breast carcinoma means that HER2/neu gene is making too many HER2/neu proteins, which acts as receptors on the cell surface and helps the cells to grow and divide. Hormone receptor studies such as ER, PR, and HER2/neu are routinely done in breast carcinoma. It not only helps in the prognosis of the tumor but also helps in deciding its treatment. The goal of doing this receptor status is to provide right treatment to the right patient. This hormone receptor status is graded using Allred scoring and grading system. Depending on the hormone status, breast carcinomas can be divided into a number of different categories ranging from triple positive through triple negative. Another marker of proliferation (Ki-67) is also being used which is a proliferation index marker. This scoring system has its own limitation and shortcomings, which depends on a lot of pre- and post-analytical factors. Certain new techniques such as genomic assays, PAM50, and HALO screening test are being used nowadays for breast cancer detection.
High-Sensitivity Troponin T Testing: Consequences on Daily Clinical Practice and Effects on Diagnosis of Myocardial Infarction

It remains unclear how introduction of high-sensitivity troponin T testing, as opposed to conventional troponin testing, has affected the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and resource utilization in unselected hospitalized patients. In this retrospective analysis, we include all consecutive cases from our center during two corresponding time frames (10/2016–04/2017 and 10/2017–04/2018) for which different troponin tests were performed: conventional troponin I (cTnI) and high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) assays. Testing was performed in 18,025 cases. The incidence of troponin levels above the 99th percentile was significantly higher in cases tested using hs-TnT. This was not associated with increased utilization of echocardiography, coronary angiography, or percutaneous coronary intervention. Although there were no changes in local standard operating procedures, study site personnel, or national coding guidelines, the number of coded AMI significantly decreased after introduction of hs-TnT. In this single-center retrospective study comprising 18,025 mixed medical and surgical cases with troponin testing, the introduction of hs-TnT was not associated with changes in resource utilization among the general cohort, but instead, led to a decrease in the international classification of diseases (ICD)-10 coded diagnosis of AMI.
Epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of 91 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Zhejiang, China: a retrospective, multi-centre case series

Background Recent studies have focused initial clinical and Epidemiologic characteristics on the COVID-19, mainly revealing situation in Wuhan, Hubei. Aim To reveal more data on the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients outside of Wuhan, in Zhejiang, China. Design Retrospective case series. Methods 88 cases of laboratory-confirmed and 3 cases of clinical-confirmed COVID-19 were admitted to five hospitals in Zhejiang province, China. Data were collected from 20 January 2020 to 11 February 2020. Results Of all 91 patients, 88 (96.70%) were laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 with throat swab samples that tested positive for SARS-Cov-2 while 3 (3.30%) were clinical-diagnosed COVID-19 cases. The median age of the patients was 50 (36.5-57) years, and female accounted for 59.34%. In this sample 40 (43.96%) patients had contracted the diseases from local cases, 31 (34.07%) patients had been to Wuhan/Hubei, 8 (8.79%) cases had contacted with people from Wuhan, 11 (12.09%) cases were confirmed aircraft transmission. In particular within the city of Ningbo, 60.52% cases can be traced back to an event held in a temple. The most common symptoms were fever (71.43%), cough (60.44%) and fatigue (43.96%). The median of incubation period was 6 (IQR, 3-8) days and the median time from first visit to a doctor to confirmed diagnosis was 1 (1-2) days. According to the Chest computed tomography scans, 67.03% cases had bilateral pneumonia. Conclusions Social activity cluster, family cluster and travel by airplane were how COVID-19 patients get transmitted and could be rapidly diagnosed COVID-19 in Zhejiang.
Let’s talk about pain catastrophizing measures: an item content analysis

Background Concerns have been raised about whether self-report measures of pain catastrophizing reflect the construct as defined in the cognitive-behavioral literature. We investigated the content of these self-report measures; that is, whether items assess the construct ‘pain catastrophizing’ and not other theoretical constructs (i.e., related constructs or pain outcomes) using the discriminant content validity method. Method Items (n = 58) of six pain catastrophizing measures were complemented with items (n = 34) from questionnaires measuring pain-related worrying, vigilance, pain severity, distress, and disability. Via an online survey, 94 participants rated to what extent each item was relevant for assessing pain catastrophizing, defined as “to view or present pain or pain-related problems as considerably worse than they actually are” and other relevant constructs (pain-related worrying, vigilance, pain severity, distress, and disability). Results Data were analyzed using Bayesian hierarchical models. The results revealed that the items from pain-related worrying, vigilance, pain severity, distress, and disability questionnaires were distinctively related to their respective constructs. This was not observed for the items from the pain catastrophizing questionnaires. The content of the pain catastrophizing measures was equally well, or even better, captured by pain-related worrying or pain-related distress. Conclusion Based upon current findings, a recommendation may be to develop a novel pain catastrophizing questionnaire. However, we argue that pain catastrophizing cannot be assessed by self-report questionnaires. Pain catastrophizing requires contextual information, and expert judgment, which cannot be provided by self-report questionnaires. We argue for a person-centered approach, and propose to rename ‘pain catastrophizing’ measures in line with what is better measured: ‘pain-related worrying’.