Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk for Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis After Exposure to Newer Gadolinium Agents

BACKGROUND The risk for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) after exposure to newer versus older gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) remains unclear. PURPOSE To synthesize evidence about NSF risk with newer versus older GBCAs across the spectrum of kidney function. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science for English-language references from inception to 5 March 2020. STUDY SELECTION Randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies that assessed NSF occurrence after GBCA exposure. DATA EXTRACTION Data were abstracted by 1 investigator and verified by a second. Investigator pairs assessed risk of bias by using validated tools. DATA SYNTHESIS Of 32 included studies, 20 allowed for assessment of NSF risk after exposure to newer GBCAs and 12 (11 cohort studies and 1 case-control study) allowed for comparison of NSF risk between newer and older GBCAs. Among 83 291 patients exposed to newer GBCAs, no NSF cases developed (exact 95% CI, 0.0001 to 0.0258 case). Among the 12 studies (n = 118 844) that allowed risk comparison between newer and older GBCAs, 37 NSF cases developed after exposure to older GBCAs (exact CI, 0.0001 to 0.0523 case) and 4 occurred (3 confounded) after exposure to newer GBCAs (exact CI, 0.0018 to 0.0204 case). Data were scant for patients with acute kidney injury or those at risk for chronic kidney disease. LIMITATIONS Study heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis. Risk of bias was high in most studies because of inadequate exposure and outcome ascertainment. CONCLUSION Although NSF occurrence after exposure to newer GBCAs is very rare, the relatively scarce data among patients with acute kidney injury and those with risk factors for chronic kidney disease limit conclusions about safety in these populations. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (PROSPERO: CRD42019135783).
Development of probiotic products for nutritional requirements of specific human populations

Probiotic products constitute one of the most successful segments of the functional foods market. Recent regulations developed in different countries require extensive documentation from human studies before a health claim can be approved for a food product. This gives a new direction to this research area and underlines the need for products with a high functional efficacy. Most of the current probiotic products target the general population, whilst those formulated for specific human groups are still lacking. Some individuals or patient groups present particular nutritional needs and require nutritionally adapted products, thus constituting an opportunity for the development of specifically formulated foods. In this context, it is critical to identify both the target populations that may benefit the most from such products, and the specific probiotic properties that fulfil the requirements of such populations. Human groups that can benefit from this joint development include groups of extreme age and patients suffering from diseases in which intestinal microbiota and/or immune modulation may have beneficial effects. The development of such target‐specific probiotic foods, by including strains rationally selected for a specific health benefit, tailor‐made for a certain target population, into nutritionally optimal products constitutes a challenge for the food industry.
An experimental study of regeneration on landslides in montane rain forest in Jamaica

1 Tree seedlings of Alchornea latifolia (Euphorbiaceae), Clethra occidentalis (Clethraceae), and Vaccinium meridionale (Ericaceae), were transplanted into five recent 'debris flow' landslides, and five adjacent understorey areas, in montane forest between 1450 m and 1770 m in the Blue Mountains, Jamaica. Organic fertilizer and protective barriers were applied in a 2 x 2 factorial design. 2 Mortality (all species) in the 15 months following transplanting was 30% on landslides, and 46% in the understorey. Mortality was significantly higher in the understorey than on landslides for Alchornea and Vaccinium, but was not different for Clethra. In the understorey there was a peak of mortality for Alchornea and Vaccinium in the dry season, but no associated peak on landslides. There was no effect of fertilizer or barrier treatment on seedling survival. 3 Height growth of unfertilized Clethra and Vaccinium (but not Alchornea) seedlings was greater on landslides than in the understorey. On landslides fertilization increased biomass (but had no effect on height) for all species. There were no significant effects of fertilizer in the understorey. 4 Soil nutrient concentrations were much higher in understorey soils than landslide soils, pH values were similar. 5 Foliar nitrogen concentrations for transplanted seedlings were lower on landslides than in the understorey, while foliar phosphorus concentrations were not different. Fertilization did not change foliar nitrogen concentrations on either landslides or the understoreys, whereas there was a significant increase in phosphorus concentration in fertilized seedlings on landslides. 6 Soil water content varied less on landslides than in understoreys; soils from three of the landslides were judged to be near field capacity throughout the year. In the understoreys there were significant shortages of water in the dry season which correlated with increased mortality in the transplanted seedlings. 7 Thus we have shown that growth of seedlings on landslides is limited by nutrient supply; water supply and soil movement do not limit growth of established seedlings. In the understoreys seedling growth is limited by photosynthetically active radiation, nutrient supplies may limit seedling growth due to root competition, and seasonal drought is correlated with increased mortality.
Patient-Reported Outcomes in Sinonasal and Skull Base Malignancy: An Assessment of Study Quality and Clinical Relevance

Background Sinonasal and skull base malignancies can cause significant adverse effects on functional status and survival. Objective The goal of this study was to systematically review the published literature of patient-reported outcomes pertaining to treatment of sinonasal and skull base malignancy. Methods A systematic literature search of Medline was conducted with PubMed to identify studies that assessed patient-reported outcomes in patients with sinonasal or skull base malignancy. Patient-reported outcomes studies with at least 10 patients published in English from January 2000 to April 2017 were included. Criteria from International Society for Quality of Life guidelines and criteria unique to sinonasal and skull base malignancies were used to calculate a composite score for each article. Studies with the top 33% of scores were categorized as high quality articles. Results Twenty-two articles met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Three studies (14%) reported a priori hypothesis. Eleven (50%) assessed specific quality of life domains and 10 studies (45%) performed statistical analysis on these domains. Specific symptoms were assessed in up to 32% of studies. Eight studies were characterized as high quality; these studies had higher sample sizes and more often assessed patient-reported outcomes prior to treatment compared to low quality studies. Conclusions The goal of the current study was to evaluate the quality of the current patient-reported outcomes literature on sinonasal and skull base malignancies. Areas of improvement for future studies include analysis of individual domains and disease-specific symptoms, reporting a priori hypotheses, and collecting preoperative and longitudinal patient-reported outcomes data.
Modulation of Monocyte Activation and Function during Direct Antiviral Agent Treatment in Patients Coinfected with HIV and Hepatitis C Virus

The activation phenotypes and functional changes in monocyte subsets during hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients were evaluated. Twenty-two HIV/HCV-coinfected patients on suppressive combination antiretroviral treatment (cART) achieving HCV elimination after direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy and 10 HIV-monoinfected patients were included. The activation phenotype (10 markers) and polyfunctionality (intracellular interleukin-1α [IL-1α], IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], and IL-10 production) in three monocyte subsets (classical, intermediate, and nonclassical) were evaluated by flow cytometry before and at the end of treatment. ABSTRACT The activation phenotypes and functional changes in monocyte subsets during hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients were evaluated. Twenty-two HIV/HCV-coinfected patients on suppressive combination antiretroviral treatment (cART) achieving HCV elimination after direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy and 10 HIV-monoinfected patients were included. The activation phenotype (10 markers) and polyfunctionality (intracellular interleukin-1α [IL-1α], IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], and IL-10 production) in three monocyte subsets (classical, intermediate, and nonclassical) were evaluated by flow cytometry before and at the end of treatment. Cell-associated HIV DNA levels were assayed by droplet digital PCR. After HCV clearance, there was a significant increase in classical monocyte and decreases in intermediate and nonclassical monocyte levels. The levels of the activation markers CD49d, CD40, and CX3CR1 were decreased after treatment in the monocyte subsets, reaching the levels in HIV-monoinfected patients. After lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, although polyfunctionality significantly decreased in intermediate and nonclassical monocytes, some combinations, such as the IL-1α− (IL-1α-negative) IL-1β− IL-6+ (IL-6-producing) IL-8− TNF-α− IL-10− combination, were remarkably increased at the end of treatment compared to the control group. Cell-associated HIV DNA levels correlated with activation markers before but not after treatment. HCV clearance after DAA treatment in patients on cART exerts an anti-inflammatory profile on monocyte subsets, activation phenotypes, and polyfunctionality. However, there is not a complete normalization compared with HIV-monoinfected patients.
MycoBank: an online initiative to launch mycology into the 21st century

An on-line database, MycoBank (http://www.MycoBank.org), is launched with a remit to document mycological nomenclatural novelties and their associated descriptions and illustrations. The nomenclatural novelties will each be allocated a unique accession number that can be cited in the publication where the nomenclatural novelty is introduced. These accession numbers will also be incorporated into Life Science Identifiers (LSIDs) (http://www- 124.ibm.com/developerworks/oss/lsid) allocated by the nomenclatural database Index Fungorum (http://www.IndexFungorum.org), with which MycoBank is associated. Nomenclatural experts will be available to check the validity, legitimacy and linguistic correctness of the proposed names; nomenclatural errors will thus be detected before publication but no censorship (either nomenclatural or taxonomic) will be exerted by MycoBank. MycoBank will (when applicable) provide onward links to other databases containing, for example, living cultures, DNA data, reference specimens and pleomorphic names linked to the same holomorph. Names will remain strictly confidential until after publication, when they will be accessible both in MycoBank, Index Fungorum, GBIF and other international biodiversity initiatives, where they will further be linked to other databases to realise a species bank that eventually links all databases of life. Authors intending to publish nomenclatural novelties are encouraged to contribute to this new initiative.
Efficacy and tolerability of alirocumab in Austrian clinical practice – results of the non-interventional PEARL-AT study

Abstract Objective Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibition can be an effective treatment in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia, particularly in cases with concomitant coronary heart disease, peripheral artery occlusive disease or cerebrovascular occlusive disease for secondary prevention after an acute atherosclerotic ischemic event. The primary objective of the PEARL-AT study was to assess effectiveness and safety of alirocumab in a real-world setting in Austria. Methods Non-interventional, prospective study conducted across Austria between September 2016 and July 2018. 113 patients, for whom the decision for treatment with alirocumab according to the Austrian Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) was made, were enrolled and were followed-up over 24 weeks. The primary endpoint of the study was the average change of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels by week 24. Results In total, 112 patients with at least one post-baseline visit were included. Alirocumab was initiated using 75 mg (57.1%) and 150 mg (42.9%) every two weeks. Average LDL-C levels decreased by 75.0 mg/dl at week 24 in 87 patients with available LDL-C at baseline and week 24 (in 25 patients LDL-C was missing at least at one time point). The mean relative change of LDL-C was −50.0% (median: 57.8%, SD: 28.4). Throughout the study, 46 adverse events were documented in 21 (18.6%) patients. The most frequent adverse events were gastrointestinal disorders. Conclusions The present data indicate a good overall efficacy of alirocumab in a real-world Austrian population. Effectiveness and safety were both in line with the clinical trial program as well as previous real-world observations.
The Effects of Consumer-grade Virtual Reality Headsets on Adult Visual Function

ABSTRACT Introduction Consumer-grade virtual reality (VR) headset is being used with increasing frequency nowadays, however, the effect on visual function is not clear. Objectives We here investigate whether using VR headset changes adults’ visual function and take into account the possible factors. Methods We compared the uncorrected distant visual acuity (UDVA), uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), low contrast visual acuity (LCVA), glare visual acuity (GVA), refractive error (RE), amplitude of accommodation (ACC), and pupil diameter (PD) before and after using VR headset 10 mintues at a time twice per day for 2 successive weeks in 40 volunteers with a mean age of 28.6 years. Differences in these 8 parameters before vs. after VR headset use were analyzed using SPSS 22.0. Results In our study, we found that the amplitude of accommodation had significantly increased by 0.53 (F = 5.673; P = .006) after using, while visual acuity, refractive error and pupil diameter did not show statistically significant changes (P > .05). Correlation test showed that there was no significant correlation between any two parameters on visual function. Conclusion It is discovered that using a consumer-grade VR headset 10 minutes at a time twice daily for 2 weeks improved the amplitude of accommodation of adults dramatically, while neither visual acuity nor refractive error was affected. Abbreviations VR: visual reality; UDVA: uncorrected distant visual acuity; UNVA: uncorrected near visual acuity; BCVA: best corrected visual acuity; LCVA: low contrast visual acuity; GVA: glare visual acuity; RE: refractive error; ACC: amplitude of accommodation; PD: pupil diameter; 3D: three-dimensional; VDTS: visual display terminal syndrome; FOV: field of view; SEQ: spherical equivalent diopter.
High Diversity of Culturable Prokaryotes in a Lithifying Hypersaline Microbial Mat

In the hypersaline Lake 21 on the Kiritimati Atoll (Kiribati, Central Pacific) laminated photosynthetic microbial mats have been found that were located above a layer of reticulate microbialites and characterized by large mineral deposits in the suboxic zone of the gelatinous mat matrix. The microbial population inhabiting these mats was studied using cultivation-dependent methods. For the enrichment of strains representing functional groups that are known to predominate in hypersaline microbial mats various cultivation techniques were applied including the use of highly selective defined media as well as more universal complex media. A total of 62 strains were cultured and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The obtained isolates represented a broad spectrum of metabolic types and could be affiliated to several major phylogenetic lineages of Bacteria and Archaea, including the classes Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Bacilli, Bacteroidia, Chlorobia, Clostridia, Cyanobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, Deferribacteres, Flavobacteriia, Gammaproteobacteria, Halobacteria, Methanomicrobia, Phycisphaerae, Spirochaetia as well as a novel phylogenetic lineage within the Planctomyces-Verrucomicrobia-Chlamydia superphylum, represented by the isolate L21-Fru-AB. Besides photoautotrophic cyanobacteria, most of the aerobic strains cultured could be assigned to a respiratory chemoheterotrophic or mixotrophic type of metabolism. A majority of the anaerobic isolates represented either saccharolytic fermentative bacteria or incompletely-oxidizing sulfate reducers that likely drive the anaerobic decomposition processes in this habitat. The obtained isolates will be useful for the reconstruction of various defined microbial communities in the laboratory in order to test hypotheses about the relevance of certain microbial clades on mineral precipitation in hypersaline mats.
Method for Successfully Inducting Individuals Who Use Illicit Fentanyl Onto Buprenorphine/Naloxone.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Individuals exposed to fentanyl are at risk of precipitated withdrawal using typical buprenorphine/naloxone induction procedures. METHODS This case series describes buprenorphine/naloxone inductions of four individuals who tested positive for fentanyl. RESULTS Buprenorphine-precipitated withdrawal was observed in two individuals who completed a conventional buprenorphine/naloxone induction strategy. Two more individuals completed a revised buprenorphine/naloxone induction strategy that did not precipitate withdrawal. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Using multiple 2 mg doses of buprenorphine/naloxone in patients already in mild/moderate withdrawal improved outcomes. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE Persons who use illicit fentanyl might be less likely to experience precipitated withdrawal from this revised buprenorphine/naloxone induction strategy. (Am J Addict 2020;00:00-00).
A comparative scanning electron microscopy study between the effect of an ultrasonic scaler, reciprocating handpiece, and combined approach on the root surface topography in subgingival debridement

This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of root‐shape inserts mounted on a reciprocating handpiece during the procedure of root surface debridement (RSD) on extracted teeth. Three different approaches were compared: ultrasonic scaling, employment of root‐shape inserts mounted on a reciprocating handpiece, and a combination of both.
Policy related factors affecting the survival and development of SMEs in the context of Covid 19 pandemic

Based on the context of Thanh Hoa province, the research proposes the model of policy - related factors from the action of government (at all level) influencing on the survival and the development of SMEs The research was conducted by collecting data from 512 SMEs in Thanh Hoa province The results indicate that tax supporting policy and the preferential policies of the bank were crucial factors affecting the development of enterprises during the Covid 19 pandemic, directly Other factors included insurance policy, capital support packages of Government, the act of public administration and the role of professional association which were considered as important elements affecting the enterprise’s development Based on the results, the study proposes policy implication in order to support SMEs overcome difficulties during the coronavirus pandemic © 2020 by the authors;licensee Growing Science, Canada This is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license (http://creativecommons org/licenses/by/4 0/)
Ultrastructural study of ovarian follicles in growth (Algerian rumbi sheep)

The present study is a contribution to the knowledge of the ultrastructure of ovarian follicles in growth of the sheep of breed Algerian Rumbi. This last is characterized by parameters of reproductions very valuable and puberty seems to occur between 10 and 12 months with the onset of the first heat among lambs. The aim of the present study was to characterize the ultrastructural of Rumbi sheep preantral and antral follicle. Secondary follicle consisted of an oocyte surrounded by a variable number of layers of cuboidal granulosa cells. At this follicular stage, the zona pellucida with transzonales projections was beginning to form around the oocyte. The secondary follicle is characterized by the presence of a large nucleus; the endoplasmic reticulum is in the form of citernea dilated. The zona pellucida was totally developed around the oocyte. Several granulosa cell projections could be detected that were encroaching into the zona pellucida and protruding towards the oocyte, where gap junctions were observed between oocyte and granulosa cell membranes. Organelles within the oocyte were located at the periphery of the cytoplasm. Our results show that the tertiary and Graffian follicles are characterized by ultrastructural changes of their cellular organelles including the mitochondria and Golgi complex. Key words: Follicles, preantral follicle, antral follicle, ovary, zona pellucida, sheep, rumbi sheep, Algeria.
Knowledge, Attitude, Perceptions and Practice towards COVID-19: A systematic review and Meta-analysis

Background: Several studies among various population groups have been conducted to investigate the level of knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and risk reduction practices (KAP) related to COVID-19. A comprehensive review on this topic is important to highlight the areas for improvement and interventions to prevent COVID-19. Thus, the purpose of this study was to summarize the level of KAP about COVID-19 via a systematic review Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using a combination of selected keywords in four scientific databases to identify relevant literature published from January 1 to May 31, 2020. Nineteen articles were included in the systematic review, and sixteen studies in the meta-analysis. The data was analyzed using a random-effects model due to the heterogeneity between the studies. Results: Lack of COVID-19-related knowledge, positive perceptions, and preventive practices was detected and seems widespread. In particular, 56.6% (95%CI: 45.9-67%) of the health care workers (HCWs) and medical students had poor knowledge about COVID-19 and only 46% (95%CI: 15-77) of the total study sample had positive perceptions towards COVID-19. Besides, 81.7% of the sample prioritized practicing hand hygiene to prevent COVID-19, but wearing a face mask to prevent COVID-19 transmission was suboptimal (73.4%). Finally, less than a tenth (8%) of the subjects had good knowledge about COVID-19 symptoms (79%) and its transmission (82%) and reported that they avoided crowded places to prevent getting COVID-19 (89%). Conclusion: Evidence-based practices on risk communication and raising awareness should be planned by local governments in collaboration with healthcare organizations. Specifically, educational initiatives for HCWs to prioritize wearing a face mask and practicing hand hygiene should be considered a priority.