Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Systematic Review of COVID-19 and Influenza

Background: Both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus share similarities such as clinical features and outcome, laboratory, and radiological findings. Methods: Literature search was done using PubMed to find MEDLINE indexed articles relevant to this study. As of 25 November 2020, the search has been conducted by combining the MeSH words “COVID-19” and “Influenza”. Results: Eighteen articles were finally selected in adult patients. Comorbidities such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients, while pulmonary diseases and immunocompromised conditions were significantly more common in influenza patients. The incidence rates of fever, vomiting, ocular and otorhinolaryngological symptoms were found to be significantly higher in influenza patients when compared with COVID-19 patients. However, neurologic symptoms and diarrhea were statistically more frequent in COVID-19 patients. The level of white cell count and procalcitonin was significantly higher in influenza patients, whereas thrombopenia and elevated transaminases were significantly more common in COVID-19 patients. Ground-grass opacities, interlobular septal thickening, and a peripheral distribution were more common in COVID-19 patients than in influenza patients where consolidations and linear opacities were described instead. COVID-19 patients were significantly more often transferred to intensive care unit with a higher rate of mortality. Conclusions: This study estimated differences of COVID-19 and influenza patients which can help clinicians during the co-circulation of the two viruses.
Weight Gain in Adults with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Compared to Restrictive Anorexia Nervosa—Pilot Findings from a Longitudinal Study

Background: Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is characterized by persistent failure to meet nutritional needs, absence of body image distortion and often low body weight. Weight restorative treatment in ARFID-adults is provided for as in Anorexia Nervosa (AN), while the effect is unknown. The aim was to compare weight gain between ARFID and restrictive subtype of AN (AN-R), including exploring impact of medical factors and psychopathology. Methods: Individuals with ARFID (n = 7; all cases enrolled over 5 years) and AN-R (n = 80) were recruited from the Prospective Longitudinal All-comers inclusion study in Eating Disorders (PROLED) during 5 years. All underwent weight restorative inpatient treatment. Clinical characteristics at baseline and weekly weight gain were recorded and compared. Results: There were no significant differences at baseline weight, nor in weight gain between groups. Anxiety was statistically significantly higher in AN-R at baseline. Conclusions: Although there were differences in several clinical measures at baseline (Autism Quotient, symptom checklist, mood scores and Morgan Russel Outcome Scale), only anxiety was higher in AN-R. No differences in weight gain were observed, although mean values indicate a faster weight gain in the ARFID group. Standard weight restorative treatment in this study in adults with ARFID has similar weight gaining effect as in AN-R.
Hazardous Effects of SiO2 Nanoparticles on Liver and Kidney Functions, Histopathology Characteristics, and Transcriptomic Responses in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Juveniles

Simple Summary Waterborne exposure of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) juveniles to sub-lethal concentrations of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2NPs) induced hepato-renal damage through elevation of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities as well as creatinine and blood urea levels. SiO2NPs induced irreversible dose-dependent histopathological changes in the hepatopancreas, gills, and posterior kidneys, alongside modulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis-related genes, and oxidative stress genes in gills and liver of exposed fish. Abstract The current investigation assessed the impacts of sub-lethal concentrations of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2NPs) on hepato-renal functions, histopathological characteristics, and gene transcription in gills and liver of Nile tilapia juveniles. Fish were exposed to 20, 40, and 100 mg/L of SiO2NPs for 3 weeks. Pairwise comparisons with the control group showed a significant dose-dependent elevation in serum ALP, ALT, and AST enzyme activities as well as blood urea and creatinine levels in SiO2NP-intoxicated groups. Exposure to 100 mg/L SiO2NPs significantly upregulated expression of HSP70, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-8 genes in the gills as compared to the control group. Moreover, exposure to 100 mg/L SiO2NPs significantly upregulated the expression SOD, HSP70, IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α genes in the hepatic tissues as compared to the control group. Exposure of fish to 20 mg SiO2NPs/L significantly increased the mRNA expression levels of IL-12 in both the gills and liver tissues. Notably, all tested SiO2NP concentrations significantly upregulated the transcription of CASP3 gene in gills and liver of Nile tilapia as compared to the control group. Interestingly, varying histopathological alterations in renal, hepatopancreatic, and branchial tissues were observed to be correlated to the tested SiO2NP concentrations. In conclusion, our results provide additional information on the toxic impacts of SiO2NPs in Nile tilapia at the hematological, tissue, and molecular levels.
Long-Term Interannual and Seasonal Links between the Nutrient Regime, Sestonic Chlorophyll and Dominant Bluegreen Algae under the Varying Intensity of Monsoon Precipitation in a Drinking Water Reservoir

Long-term variations in reservoir water chemistry could provide essential data in making sustainable water quality management decisions. Here, we analyzed the spatiotemporal variabilities of nutrients, sestonic chlorophyll-a (CHL-a), nutrient enrichment, dominant algal species, and overall chemical water health of the third-largest drinking water reservoir in South Korea during 2000–2020. Our results distinctly explained the strong influence of monsoon rainfall on spatial and annual water chemistry variations. We observed a consistent increase in the chemical oxygen demand alluding to organic matter pollutants, while a steady declining trend in the sestonic CHL-a. The long-term total phosphorus (TP) level showed a steady reduction from the riverine zone to the lacustrine area. However, a higher total coliform bacteria (TCB) was observed at the water intake tower sites. TP displayed a strong link to algal CHL-a and ambient nitrogen phosphorus ratios, suggesting a robust phosphorus-limitation state. The severe phosphorus-limitation was also corroborated by the findings of trophic state index deviation. The high and low flow dynamics exhibited the strong influence of intensive rainfall carrying many nutrients and sediments and flushing out the sestonic CHL-a. Successive eutrophic conditions prevailed along with dominating blue-green algae species (Microcystis and Anabaena). We observed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.62) between water temperature and CHL-a and between total suspended solids and TP (r = 0.65). The multi-metric water pollution index characterized the overall water quality as ‘good’ at all the study sites. In conclusion, the long-term spatiotemporal variabilities of the ecological functions based on the nutrient-CHL-a empirical models are regulated mainly by the intensive monsoon precipitation. The drinking water could become hazardous under the recurrent eutrophication events and chemical degradations due to uncontrolled and untreated inflow of sewage and wastewater treatment plant effluents. Therefore, we strongly advocate stringent criteria to mitigate phosphorus and organic pollutant influx for sustainable management of Daecheong Reservoir.
Flash Glucose Monitoring and Patient Satisfaction: A Meta-Review of Systematic Reviews

Flash glucose monitoring (FGM) systems have been suggested to have clinical beneficial effects in patients with diabetes mellitus, although their improvements in terms of quality of life (QoL) and patients’ satisfaction are not always addressed or are considered a secondary outcome. Thus, the aim of this meta-review is to establish the benefits of FGM in terms of patients’ satisfaction and QoL in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients using evidence from past systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Major databases were searched for systematic reviews (with or without meta-analyses) that assessed the satisfaction or QoL of type 1 or 2 diabetes patients using FGM compared with other glucose monitoring systems. The quality of the included systematic reviews was addressed with the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2) tool. Six systematic reviews (including two meta-analyses) were included in the meta-review. Evidence suggests that FGM systems seem to improve patients’ satisfaction and QoL compared with self-monitoring of blood glucose, although the high variability in the measurement tools, the clinical significance and the quality of the systematic reviews included do not allow us to state FGM benefits with any certainty. Further research, including high-quality randomised clinical trials, differentiating the needs of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients and focusing on psychosocial benefits for these patients is needed to optimise clinical decisions between patients and professionals by developing the right health technology assessment for FGM systems.
Impact of Temperature and Humidity on Perception of Indoor Air Quality During Immediate and Longer Whole‐Body Exposures

Abstract Acceptability of clean air and air polluted by building materials was studied in climate chambers with different levels of air temperature and humidity in the ranges 18–28°C and 30-70% relative humidity (RH). The acceptability of the air quality immediately after entering a chamber and during the following 20-min whole-body exposure was assessed by 36 untrained subjects who maintained thermal neutrality by modifying their clothing. The results confirm the significant decrement of the acceptability with increasing temperature and humidity, as shown in a previous study with facial exposures. The odour intensity was found to be independent of temperature and humidity. A linear relation between acceptability and enthalpy of air was again observed by this experiment. No significant difference was observed between the immediate acceptability and the acceptability during the following 20-min exposure, i.e., no adaptation took place. Both the immediate assessment of acceptability and the assessments during the 20-min exposure were independent of the air temperature and humidity to which the subjects were exposed before entering the chamber. The results further indicate that a notable decrement of the ventilation requirement may be achieved by maintaining a moderate enthalpy of air in spaces.
Thermosensitive Gels Used to Improve Microneedle-Assisted Transdermal Delivery of Naltrexone

Transdermal delivery of naltrexone (NTX) can be enhanced using microneedles, although micropores generated this way can reseal by 48 h in humans, which prevents further drug delivery from a formulation. Poloxamer 407 (P407) is a thermosensitive polymer that may extend microneedle-assisted NTX delivery time by creating an in situ gel depot in the skin. We characterized gelation temperature, drug release, and permeation of P407 gels containing 7% NTX-HCl. To investigate microneedle effects on NTX-HCl permeation, porcine skin was treated with microneedles (600 or 750 μm length), creating 50 or 100 micropores. The formulations were removed from the skin at 48 h to simulate the effect of micropores resealing in vivo, when drug delivery is blunted. Gelation temperature increased slightly with addition of NTX-HCl. In vitro NTX-HCl release from P407 formulations demonstrated first order release kinetics. Microneedle treatment enhanced NTX-HCl permeation both from aqueous solution controls and P407 gels. Steady-state flux was overall lower in the P407 conditions compared to the aqueous solution, though ratios of AUCs before and after gel removal demonstrate that P407 gels provide more sustained release even after gel removal. This may be beneficial for reducing the required application frequency of microneedles for ongoing treatment.
Effects of a Lifestyle Intervention on Health-Promoting Behavior, Psychological Distress and Reproductive Health of Overweight and Obese Female College Students

This study aimed to examine the effect of a lifestyle intervention (LSI) on overweight or obese female university students. Participants: A total of 53 overweight or obese female college students participated. This study was conducted from May to December 2017 in Jeonbuk Province, South Korea. A quasi-experimental design using a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest was used. The LSI consisted of providing health information, individual health counseling, lifestyle monitoring, and effective support based on the interaction model of client health behavior, which was implemented for 12 weeks. Significant group differences were found in health-promoting behavior, psychological distress, reproductive health, body weight, body fat, and triglyceride level among participants. LSIs are effective in improving health-promoting behavior, psychological distress, reproductive health, and body composition. Therefore, healthcare providers should develop and apply LSIs through interaction for overweight or obese female college students.
The Evolution of Living Donor Nephrectomy Program at A Hellenic Transplant Center. Laparoscopic vs. Open Donor Nephrectomy: Single-Center Experience

Since its introduction in 1995, laparoscopic nephrectomy has emerged as the preferred surgical approach for living donor nephrectomy. Given the ubiquity of the surgical procedure and the need for favorable outcomes, as it is an elective operation on otherwise healthy individuals, it is imperative to ensure appropriate preoperative risk stratification and anticipate intraoperative challenges. The aim of the present study was to compare peri-and postoperative outcomes of living kidney donors (LD), who had undergone laparoscopic nephrectomy (LDN), with a control group of those who had undergone open nephrectomy (ODN). Health-related quality of life (QoL) was also assessed using the validated SF-36 questionnaire. Data from 252 LD from a single transplant center from March 2015 to December 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. In total, 117 donors in the LDN and 135 in the ODN groups were assessed. Demographics, type of transplantation, BMI, duration of surgery, length of hospital stay, peri- and postoperative complications, renal function at discharge and QoL were recorded and compared between the two groups using Stata 13.0 software. There was no difference in baseline characteristics, nor in the prevalence of peri-and postoperative complications, with a total complication rate of 16% (mostly minor, Clavien–Dindo grade II) in both groups, while a different pattern of surgical complications was noticed between them. Duration of surgery was significantly longer in the ODN group (median 240 min vs. 160 min in LDN, p < 0.01), warm ischemia time was longer in the LDN group (median 6 min vs.2 min in ODN, p < 0.01) and length of hospital stay shorter in the LDN group (median 3 days vs. 7 days in ODN). Conversion rate from laparoscopic to open surgery was 2.5%. There was a drop in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at discharge of 36 mL/min in the LDN and 32 mL/min in the ODN groups, respectively (p = 0.03). No death, readmission or reoperation were recorded. There was a significant difference in favor of LDN group for each one of the eight items of the questionnaire (SF1–SF8). As for the two summary scores, while the total physical component summary (PCS) score was comparable between the two groups (57.87 in the LDN group and 57.07 in the ODN group), the mental component summary (MCS) score was significantly higher (62.14 vs. 45.22, p < 0.001) in the LDN group. This study provides evidence that minimally invasive surgery can be performed safely, with very good short-term outcomes, providing several benefits for the living kidney donor, thereby contributing to expanding the living donor pool, which is essential, especially in countries with deceased-donor organ shortage.
Sea Anemone Kunitz-Type Peptides Demonstrate Neuroprotective Activity in the 6-Hydroxydopamine Induced Neurotoxicity Model

Kunitz-type peptides from venomous animals have been known to inhibit different proteinases and also to modulate ion channels and receptors, demonstrating analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine and many other biological activities. At present, there is evidence of their neuroprotective effects. We have studied eight Kunitz-type peptides of the sea anemone Heteractis crispa to find molecules with cytoprotective activity in the 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity model on neuroblastoma Neuro-2a cells. It has been shown that only five peptides significantly increase the viability of neuronal cells treated with 6-OHDA. The TRPV1 channel blocker, HCRG21, has revealed the neuroprotective effect that could be indirect evidence of TRPV1 involvement in the disorders associated with neurodegeneration. The pre-incubation of Neuro-2a cells with HCRG21 followed by 6-OHDA treatment has resulted in a prominent reduction in ROS production compared the untreated cells. It is possible that the observed effect is due to the ability of the peptide act as an efficient free-radical scavenger. One more leader peptide, InhVJ, has shown a neuroprotective activity and has been studied at concentrations of 0.01–10.0 µM. The target of InhVJ is still unknown, but it was the best of all eight homologous peptides in an absolute cell viability increment on 38% of the control in the 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity model. The targets of the other three active peptides remain unknown.
RESEARCH OUTPUTS / RÉSULTATS DE RECHERCHE Dépôt Institutionnel - Portail Recherche Persistence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies Depends on the Analytical Kit

Persistence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies Depends on the Analytical A Report for 10 Infection. Abstract: Several studies have described the long-term kinetics of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies but long-term follow-up data, i.e., >6 months, are still sparse. Additionally, the literature is inconsistent regarding the waning effect of the serological response. The aim of this study was to explore the temporal dynamic changes of the immune response after SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalized and non-hospitalized symptomatic patients over a period of 10 months. Six different analytical kits for SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection were used. Positivity rates, inter-assay agreement and kinetic models were determined. A high inter-individual and an inter-methodology variability was observed. Assays targeting total antibodies presented higher positivity rates and reached the highest positivity rates sooner compared with assays directed against IgG. The inter-assay agreement was also higher between these assays. The stratiﬁcation by disease severity showed a much-elevated serological response in hospitalized versus non-hospitalized patients in all assays. In this 10-month follow-up study, serological assays showed a clinically signiﬁcant difference to detect past SARS-CoV-2 infection with total antibody assays presenting the highest positivity rates. The waning effect reported in several studies should be interpreted with caution because it could depend on the assay considered.
Identification of Imprinted Genes Based on Homology: An Example of Fragaria vesca

Genomic imprinting has drawn increasing attention in plant biology in recent years. At present, hundreds of imprinted genes have been identified in various plants, and some of them have been reported to be evolutionarily conserved in plant species. In this research, 17 candidate genes in Fragaria vesca were obtained based on the homologous imprinted genes in Arabidopsis thaliana and other species. We further constructed reciprocal crosses of diploid strawberry (F. vesca) using the varieties 10-41 and 18-86 as the parents to investigate the conservation of these imprinted genes. Potentially informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used as molecular markers of two parents obtained from candidate imprinted genes which have been cloned and sequenced. Meanwhile, we analyzed the SNP site variation ratios and parent-of-origin expression patterns of candidate imprinted genes at 10 days after pollination (DAP) endosperm and embryo for the hybrids of reciprocal cross, respectively. A total of five maternally expressed genes (MEGs), i.e., FvARI8, FvKHDP-2, FvDRIP2, FvBRO1, and FvLTP3, were identified in the endosperm, which did not show imprinting in the embryo. Finally, tissues expression analysis indicated that the five imprinted genes excluding FvDRIP2 mainly expressed in the endosperm. This is the first report on imprinted genes of Fragaria, and we provide a simple and rapid method based on homologous conservation to screen imprinted genes. The present study will provide a basis for further study of function and mechanism of genomic imprinting in F. vesca.
Thermoregulatory Responses and Performance of Dairy Calves Fed Different Amounts of Colostrum

Simple Summary Colostrum is an important source of antibodies, nutrients, and energy for thermogenesis by the newborn calf. However, the amount of colostrum required for thermoregulatory responses and improved performance is not well established. This study evaluated newborn thermoregulatory responses during a cold challenge (10 °C) at 24 h of life and performance in the preweaning period for calves fed different volumes of colostrum. Newborn calves fed higher volumes of colostrum exhibited increased thermoregulatory responses, improved growth performance, and immunity. Abstract This study investigates the newborn thermoregulatory responses to cold and the performance of calves fed different colostrum volumes. Thirty newborn Holstein calves were blocked by birth body weight (BW; 39.4 ± 6.5 kg) and fed different high-quality colostrum volumes: 10%, 15%, or 20% of BW, which was split and fed at 2 and 8 h after birth. At 24 h of life, calves were placed in a chamber at 10 °C for 150 min. Skin and rectal temperature (RT), heart and respiratory rate, and shivering were measured every 15 min. Blood samples were taken every 30 min. After the cold challenge, calves were housed in ambient temperature (26.8 ± 5.9 °C), with free access to water and concentrate and received 6 L/d of milk replacer. Feed intake, fecal score, and RT were recorded daily, until 56 d of age. Blood samples, BW, and body measures were taken weekly. During the cold challenge, prescapular temperature and total serum protein were greater for calves fed 15% or 20%. Leukocytes increased preweaning, presenting higher values for calves fed 20%. Even though there was a benefit for the calf submitted to cold stress on the first day of life, feeding higher volumes of colostrum resulted in no differences in performance during the preweaning phase. Nevertheless, calves fed a higher volume of colostrum (20% BW) presented increased immune responses during the preweaning phase.