Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of environmental factors and methanol on germination and emergence of Persian Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)

In this research, influences of environmental factors and methanol on seed germination and seedling emergence of Persian Fenugreek were studied. Optimum germination and emergence occurred within the constant temperature range of 20 to 24°C, pH range of 7 to 9, and planting depth of 1 cm, with light stimulating germination. The most water imbibition trend in time course was observed at 25°C. Germination was at least 37 and 55% when exposed to solution osmotic potential of up to -0.8 MPa and NaCl concentration of down to 200 mM, respectively. No germination was observed at osmotic potential of -1.0 MPa and NaCl concentration of 250 mM. With increasing NaCl concentration and osmotic potential, Hypocotyl length decreased but radicle length increased and then rapidly decreased. Immersion period treatments had no effect on seed germination but seedling growth was greater in treatment without immersing period. Maximum dry weight and radicle length significantly (P≤0.01) achieved at 4% and hypocotyl length at 2% methanol concentration. The possible role of methanol in stimulating growth in Persian Fenugreek seedling was discussed. Information gained from this study will further improve our understanding of the germination behavior of Persian Fenugreek and can contribute to developing sustainable strategies for its important cultivation.
CD9 Expression in Tumor Cells Is Associated with Poor Prognosis in Patients with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma

Purpose We investigated the prognostic significance of CD9 expression in tumor cells of patients with invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). Methods CD9 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 113 ILC tissue samples. Correlation of CD9 expression with the patients' clinicopathological parameters and overall survival was assessed. Results CD9 expression was detected in 48 (42.5%) ILC patients. However, no significant relation could be determined between CD9 expression and the clinicopathological parameters of the patient including tumor size, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion, histologic grade, expression of hormone receptors, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status, and Ki-67 labeling index. Patients with CD9 expression had worse overall survival (p = 0.051) and disease-free survival (DFS, p = 0.014) compared to patients without CD9 expression. Multivariate analysis revealed that CD9 expression was an independent prognostic factor for DFS (p = 0.049). Conclusion CD9 expression in tumor cells could be a significant prognostic marker in patients with ILC.
Metformin inhibits RAN translation through PKR pathway and mitigates disease in C9orf72 ALS/FTD mice

Significance Repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) proteins accumulate in patient brains and contribute to a growing number of neurodegenerative diseases. There is an urgent need to understand why expression of these proteins does not require canonical or near-cognate AUG start codons and to develop ways to block RAN protein production. We show several types of repeat-expansion RNAs activate the double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) pathway and that blocking PKR reduces RAN protein levels in cells. PKR is activated in C9orf72 ALS/FTD human and mouse brains and PKR inhibition using AAV-PKR-K296R or the FDA-approved drug metformin decreases RAN protein levels and improves disease in ALS/FTD mice. Targeting PKR using gene therapy or metformin are promising therapeutic approaches for C9orf72 ALS/FTD and other expansion diseases. Repeat associated non-AUG (RAN) translation is found in a growing number of microsatellite expansion diseases, but the mechanisms remain unclear. We show that RAN translation is highly regulated by the double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR). In cells, structured CAG, CCUG, CAGG, and G4C2 expansion RNAs activate PKR, which leads to increased levels of multiple RAN proteins. Blocking PKR using PKR-K296R, the TAR RNA binding protein or PKR-KO cells, reduces RAN protein levels. p-PKR is elevated in C9orf72 ALS/FTD human and mouse brains, and inhibiting PKR in C9orf72 BAC transgenic mice using AAV-PKR-K296R or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug metformin, decreases RAN proteins, and improves behavior and pathology. In summary, targeting PKR, including by use of metformin, is a promising therapeutic approach for C9orf72 ALS/FTD and other expansion diseases.
Integrating multiple omics to dissect the common and specific molecular changes occurring in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) under nitrate and sulfate chronic limitations.

Plants, which have fundamental dependence on nitrogen and sulfur, have to cope with chronic limitations when fertilizers are not provided. Our study aimed at characterizing the metabolomic, proteomic and transcriptomic changes occurring in Arabidopsis leaves under chronic nitrate (Low-N) and chronic sulfate (Low-S) limitations in order to compare Low-S and Low-N effects and enlighten interconnections and strategies of plant adaptation. Metabolite profiling globally revealed an opposite effect of Low-S and Low-N on carbohydrate and amino acid accumulations. Proteomic data showed by contrast that both Low-N and Low-S resulted in the exacerbation of catabolic processes, stimulation of mitochondrial and cytosolic metabolisms and decrease of chloroplast metabolism. The lower abundances of ribosomal proteins and translation factors under Low-N and Low-S attested from growth limitation. At transcript level, the major and specific effect of Low-N was the enhancement of plant defence and immunity genes. The main effect of chronic Low-S was the decrease of transcripts involved in cell division, DNA replication and cytoskeleton and the increase of autophagy gene expressions. This was consistent with a role of the Target-of-Rapamycin kinase in the control of plant metabolism and cell growth and division under chronic Low-S. In addition, Low-S decreased the expression of several NLP transcription factors, which are master actors of nitrate sensing. Finally, both transcriptome and proteome revealed the effect of Low-S on the repression of glucosinolate synthesis, and the effect of Low-N on the exacerbation of glucosinolate degradation. This showed the importance of glucosinolate as buffering molecules for N and S management.
Catheter-related bloodstream infections: predictive factors for Gram-negative bacteria aetiology and 30 day mortality in a multicentre prospective cohort.

BACKGROUND Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) increase morbidity and mortality, prolong hospitalization and generate considerable medical costs. Recent guidelines for CRBSI recommend empirical therapy against Gram-positive bacteria (GPB) and restrict coverage for Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) only to specific circumstances. OBJECTIVES To investigate predictors of GNB aetiology in CRBSI and to assess the predictors of outcome in patients with CRBSI. METHODS Patients with CRBSI were selected from the PROBAC cohort, a prospective, observational, multicentre national cohort study including patients with bloodstream infections consecutively admitted to 26 Spanish hospitals in a 6 month period (October 2016-March 2017). Outcome variables were GNB aetiology and 30 day mortality. Adjusted analyses were performed by logistic regression. RESULTS Six hundred and thirty-one episodes of CRBSI were included in the study. Risk factors independently related to GNB aetiology were central venous catheter (CVC) [OR 1.60 (95% CI: 1.05-2.44), P = 0.028], sepsis/septic shock [OR: 1.76 (95% CI: 1.11-2.80), P = 0.016], antibiotic therapy in the previous 30 days [OR: 1.56 (95% CI: 1.02-2.36), P = 0.037], neutropenia <500/μL [OR: 2.01 (95% CI: 1.04-3.87), P = 0.037] and peripheral vascular disease [OR: 2.04 (95% CI: 1.13-3.68), P = 0.018]. GNB were not associated with increased mortality in adjusted analysis, while removal of catheter [OR: 0.24 (95% CI: 0.09-0.61), P = 0.002] and adequate empirical treatment [OR: 0.37 (95% CI: 0.18-0.77), P = 0.008] were strong protective factors. CONCLUSIONS Our study reinforces the recommendation that empirical coverage should cover GNB in patients presenting with sepsis/septic shock and in neutropenic patients. Catheter removal and adequate empirical treatment were both protective factors against mortality in patients with CRBSI.
Quality of end-of-life care of advanced cancer patients in mainland China-a retrospective cohort of 441 hospital-death in a public funded comprehensive hospital.

BACKGROUND Shenzhen is a rapidly growing city in China with a population of over 11 million. The Hong Kong University-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH) was established in 2012 as a new model of publicly funded health care in mainland China. The clinical oncology center of the HKU-SZH was launched in 2013 which pledged to provide integrated palliative care for advanced cancer patients. This study aims to retrospectively analyze the quality of end-of-life care amongst patients with advanced cancer during their last hospitalization in the HKU-SZH. METHODS Consecutive patients with advanced solid cancer who passed away in the HKU-SZH from March 2013 to February 2016 were analyzed. Clinical information regarding cancer diagnosis, anticancer treatments, and the aggressiveness of the treatment during the last month of life was recorded. The discussions on the Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) order with family members were reviewed. RESULTS From March 2013 to February 2016, 441 patients with advanced solid cancer passed away in the HKU-SZH. A minority of them (9.3%, 41/441) received cytotoxic chemotherapy in the last month of life. Younger patients had high odds of receiving chemotherapy in their last month of life (OR 2.6, P=0.006). Those who received chemotherapy in their last month of life showed a trend of higher odds of admission to the intensive care unit (OR 2.94, P=0.08). The vast majority of family members / care providers (92.3%, 407/441) consented to the DNR order suggested by oncologists. The rate of DNR acceptance in this cohort was higher than previous reports from mainland China. Within HKU-SZH, the rate was higher in the oncology center than in other departments (OR 5.1, P<0.001). The use of chemotherapy in the last month of life did not associated with the acceptance of DNR (OR 1.3, P=0.23). CONCLUSIONS The integrated oncology service of the new public hospital HKU-SZH achieved a satisfactory level of end-of-life care in patients with advanced cancer. Further studies are warranted to improve the early integration of palliative care service and to investigate the impact of palliative care on costeffectiveness of oncology service.
Análise da estrutura e diversidade molecular de populações de Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) associadas às culturas de milho e arroz no Rio Grande do Sul

The goal of this work was to analyze the molecular structure and diversity of four Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) populations associated to the corn and rice crops in Rio Grande do Sul State. Four populations of caterpillars were collected from distinct areas (more than 300 km apart), from the counties of Santa Rosa (corn) and Uruguaiana (irrigated rice), and in adjacent areas in Pelotas county (corn and irrigated rice). The analysis of 40 caterpillars (10 from each population), with five combinations of primers generated a total of 241 loci, among then 229 (95%) were polymorphic. The dendrogram generated by the clustering method UPGMA, based on the Dice similarity matrix, showed overlappings among the studied populations. The diversity indexes evidenced that 88% of the genetic diversity was observed within populations and 12% between S. frugiperda populations. The dendrogram generated by clustering UPGMA method, based on the dissimilarity matrix from the euclydean distances, evidenced the existence of a differentiation among populations according to the host plant, being the loci 42 and 47 (M-CTG/E-ACC) capable of detecting 100% of the genetic differences. These results showed that the genetic variation of S. frugiperda populations is associated to host plants, confirming the presence of the "corn" and "rice" biotypes of S. frugiperda in Rio Grande do Sul State.
Perspectives of primary care physicians and pharmacists on interprofessional collaboration in Kuwait: A quantitative study

Collaborative practice between physicians and pharmacists has a positive effect on healthcare outcomes. Understanding the local data related to this collaboration is vital in establishing efficient collaboration. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the collaborative relationships between physicians and pharmacists working in the primary healthcare centres regarding their attitudes and experiences, preferred methods of communication, perceptions related to the role of pharmacists, areas of potential further collaboration, and perceived barriers. A cross-sectional study was conducted using two parallel pretested self-administered questionnaires on a sample of 518 randomly selected physicians and pharmacists. Descriptive and comparative analyses were used in data analysis. The overall response rate was 86.3%. Although over 98% of respondents agreed that physician-pharmacist collaboration improves patient outcomes, more than half of the physicians (52.1%) and pharmacists (55.7%) had never practised collaboratively. Both groups preferred to communicate face-to-face (76.7%) or via telephone (76.5%). Both professions showed good agreement on pharmacists’ roles related to managing side effects, improving adherence, assisting in dosage adjustment, providing advice regarding drug interactions, and providing drug information to physicians. They indicated disagreements on the importance of dispensing of prescriptions and providing advice to physicians regarding modification of drug therapy. Both groups expressed overall positive perceptions of the potential for further collaboration in areas related to the clinical roles of pharmacists, which were significantly higher among those with practice experience of < 10 years and those aged < 40 years (p<0.05). The top four perceived barriers to collaborative practice were lack of time (84.1%), lack of financial compensation (76.3%), lack of face-to-face communication (68.9%), and the possible fragmentation of patient care by the involvement of multiple healthcare professionals (68.9%). The present findings provide valuable input that could be a catalyst to enhance or establish physician-pharmacist collaboration in primary healthcare settings in Kuwait.
Excess Body Weight, Snack Limits and Dental Caries in Brazilian Preschoolers: A Population-Based Study

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between excess body weight (EBW) and the prevalence of dental caries in preschoolers considering parental control regarding snack consumption. Material and Methods: An observational, population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted at Municipal Child Education Centers in the city of Curitiba, Brazil, involving a representative sample of 686 preschool children aged four to five years and eleven months and their parents/caregivers. Dental caries was analyzed using the dmft index. Weight and height were measured for the determination of the body mass index, which was categorized for each z-score range considering age and sex. Children with overweight or obesity were considered to have EBW. The assessment of nutritional status was performed with the aid of the WHO Anthro and WHO Anthro Plus programs. The data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Poisson regression analysis with robust variance ( α = 0.05). Results: The children with EBW had a lower prevalence rate of caries, but this association lost its significance when adjusted by the other variables included in the multivariate model. In the multivariate regression analysis, household income per capita (PR=0.804; 95%CI: 0.665-0.972), child's age (PR=1.015; 95%CI: 1.001-1.029) and snack limits (PR=0.839; 95%IC: 0.732-0.962) were associated with a greater prevalence rate of dental caries. Conclusion: Excess body weight was not significantly associated with dental caries, whereas a lower parental limit regarding snack consumption by the children was independently associated with a higher prevalence rate of dental caries.
The Promise, and Challenges, of Methods to Enhance the External Validity of Randomized Trial Results

Results from randomized trials do not necessarily apply to clinical practice, particularly if the trial sample and target population differ on factors that modify treatment effects. Happich et al. illustrate recently developed methods that may account for such differences when estimating population average treatment effects. In this commentary, we connect the paper to the broader literature on assessing and enhancing generalizability of trial results, and highlight the causal assumptions required to estimate target population effects.
Harmonization strategies for multicenter radiomics investigations

Carrying out large multicenter studies is one of the key goals to be achieved towards a faster transfer of the radiomics approach in the clinical setting. This requires large-scale radiomics data analysis, hence the need for integrating radiomic features extracted from images acquired in different centers. This is challenging as radiomic features exhibit variable sensitivity to differences in scanner model, acquisition protocols and reconstruction settings, which is similar to the so-called ‘batch-effects’ in genomics studies. In this review we discuss existing methods to perform data integration with the aid of reducing the unwanted variation associated with batch effects. We also discuss the future potential role of deep learning methods in providing solutions for addressing radiomic multicentre studies.
Reply to a Letter by Dr. Stefani and Colleagues on: “Auditory Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease”

Arturo Moleti, PhD, Alessandro Stefani, MD,* Renata Sisto, Nicola B. Mercuri, MD, PhD, Claudio Liguori, MD, PhD, Elena Garasto, MD, and Andrea Viziano, MD Parkinson Centre, Department of System Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy, Department of Physics, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, Rome, Italy, INAIL Research, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Monteporzio Catone, Rome, Italy, and Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
A three‐tier process for screening depression and anxiety among children and adolescents with cancer

To establish and to evaluate the effectiveness of a three‐tier screening process of depressive and anxiety disorders among children and adolescents with cancer based on questionnaires (first tier), semistructured psychiatric interviews (second tier), and referral for psychiatric assessment and recommendations for treatment (third tier). We also aimed to determine the rates of depressive and anxiety disorders among participants.
Clinical imaging characteristics of inpatients with coronavirus disease-2019 in Heilongjiang Province, China: a retrospective study

Objective: To investigate the clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics of patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in Heilongjiang Province. Results: Patients in the ICU group were older and their incidence of cardiovascular disease was higher than those in the non-ICU group. Lymphocyte levels were lower and neutrophil and D-dimer levels were higher in the ICU than that in the non-ICU group. Compared to the non-ICU group, the incidence of pulmonary consolidation and ground-glass opacity with consolidation was significantly higher in the ICU group, all lung lobes were more likely to be involved, with higher number of lung lobes and areas surrounding the bronchi. Of the 59 patients with COVID-19 in this group, 15 received mechanical ventilation. All intubated patients involved lung lobes, and a large number of lesions were observed in the area around the bronchial vessels. Conclusion: Significant differences were observed in clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, and computed tomography features between the ICU and non-ICU groups. Methods: A total of 59 patients with COVID-19, comprising 44 patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) and 15 in the non-ICU, were retrospectively analyzed. Characteristics of the two groups of patients were compared.
Outcomes of Reoperative Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery in the United States

Background There is a paucity of data on the trends and outcomes of reoperative coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery during the current decade in the United States. Methods and Results We queried the National Inpatient Sample database (2002–2016) for all hospitalizations with isolated CABG procedure. We reported the temporal trends and outcomes of reoperative CABG versus primary CABG procedures. The main outcome was in‐hospital mortality. Among 3 212 768 hospitalizations with CABG, 46 820 (1.5%) had reoperative CABG. Over the 15‐year study period, there were no changes in the proportion of reoperative CABG (1.8% in 2002 versus 2.2% in 2016, P tren=0.08), and the related in‐hospital mortality (3.7% in 2002 versus 2.7% in 2016, P trend=0.97). Reoperative CABG was performed in patients with increasingly higher risk profile. Compared with primary CABG, hospitalizations for reoperative CABG were associated with higher in‐hospital mortality (3.2% versus 1.9%, P<0.001), cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, vascular complications, and respiratory complications. Among hospitalizations for reoperative CABG, the predictors of higher mortality included history of heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Conclusions In this 15‐year nationwide analysis, reoperative CABG procedures were increasingly performed in patients with higher risk profile. In‐hospital mortality rates were relatively low and did not change during the examined period. Compared with primary CABG, reoperative CABG is associated with higher in‐hospital mortality.