Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel Human Polymorphisms Define a Key Role for the SLC26A6-STAS Domain in Protection From Ca2+-Oxalate Lithogenesis

Impaired homeostasis of the carboxylic acids oxalate and citrate, dramatically increases the risk for the formation of Ca2+-oxalate kidney stones, which is the most common form of kidney stones in humans. Renal homeostasis of oxalate and citrate is controlled by complex mechanisms including epithelial transport proteins such as the oxalate transporter, SLC26A6, and the citrate transporters, the SLC13’s. These transporters interact via the SLC26A6-STAS domain in vitro, however, the role of the Sulfate Transporter and Anti-Sigma factor antagonist (STAS) domain in Ca2+-oxalate stone formation was not investigated in humans. Here, we report two novel human SLC26A6 polymorphisms identified in the STAS domain of SLC26A6 in two heterozygous carriers. Intriguingly, these individuals have low urinary citrate, but different clinical manifestations. Our in vitro experiments indicate that the homolog mutations of SLC26A6(D23H/D673N) and SLC26A6(D673N) alone abolished the expression and function of SLC26A6, and impaired the regulation of SLC13-mediated citrate transport by SLC26A6. On the other hand, the SLC26A6(R621G) variant showed reduced SLC26A6 protein expression and membrane trafficking, retained full transport activity, but impaired the regulation of the citrate transporter. Accordingly, the human SLC26A6(D23H/D673N) carrier showed a dramatic reduction in urinary citrate concentrations which resulted in Ca2+-oxalate stones formation, as opposed to the carrier of SLC26A6(R621G). Our findings indicate that the human SLC26A6-STAS domain mutations differentially impair SLC26A6 expression, function, and regulation of citrate transporters. This interferes with citrate and oxalate homeostasis thus potentially predisposes to Ca2+-oxalate kidney stones.
The Role of Plausibility in the Experience of Spatial Presence in Virtual Environments

In the present study, we examine the effect of plausibility violations in a virtual environment (VE) on spatial presence. After reviewing research on the association between plausibility and spatial presence, we present a dual-systems approach to understanding the effect of plausibility (or violations thereof) on spatial presence. We conceptualize the feeling of being present in a VE as a lower-order cognitive process. Perceptions of plausibility violations might represent higher-order cognitive processes that could interfere with spatial presence. We present data from an experimental study in which we manipulated the external consistency (i.e., the plausibility) of the VE, cognitive load (to interfere with higher-order cognitive processes), and immersion to examine its effect on spatial presence. Results show that immersion was the most important factor driving the presence experience. We found no difference between low and high plausibility in spatial presence. Subsequent equivalence tests showed that the group exposed to the implausible VE did not feel less present than the group exposed to the plausible VE. We discuss the findings of our studies in light of our theoretical considerations and previous research.
Clinical Features of Cytomegalovirus Retinitis in HIV Infected Patients

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical features and related laboratory indicators of cytomegalovirus retinitis in HIV infected patients in order to find a suitable laboratory reference guide to aid in the early diagnosis of CMVR, which should improve the prognosis of the severe retinitis. Methods: PLHIVs who were admitted to our hospital from January 2010 to December 2016 were included. The diagnosis of AIDS follows the AIDS Treatment Guidelines. Levels of CMV IgG and IgM were measured by ELISA in order to detect the CMV infection status of the patient. CMV-DNA levels were assessed by a quantitative PCR method, and CD4+ T lymphocytes were detected by flow cytometry. Logistical regression was used to analyze the risk factors for CMV retinitis in HIV-infected patients. Results: There were 93 patients with HIV that were also diagnosed with CMV retinitis. After ART, the intraocular pressure, visual acuity, cotton plaque incidence, and CD4+ T lymphocyte count were significantly improved, and the yellow-white retinal lesions gradually disappeared. In patients with HIV infections, the CD4+ T lymphocyte count, and peripheral blood quantitative CMV-DNA levels were found to be independent risk factors for CMV retinitis (P < 0.05). Patients with HIV infection who had CMV-DNA levels >6,390 copies/mL were associated with more severe ophthalmolgic conditions related to CMV retinitis. Conclusion: Patients with HIV infections with quantitative CMV-DNA levels >6,390 copies/mL have a higher probability of having a diagnosis of CMV retinitis and a worse prognosis than those whose CMV-DNA level is <6,390 copies/mL.
Virome Analysis of Aphid Populations That Infest the Barley Field: The Discovery of Two Novel Groups of Nege/Kita-Like Viruses and Other Novel RNA Viruses

Aphids (order Hemiptera) are important insect pests of crops and are also vectors of many plant viruses. However, little is known about aphid-infecting viruses, particularly their diversity and relationship to plant viruses. To investigate the aphid viromes, we performed deep sequencing analyses of the aphid transcriptomes from infested barley plants in a field in Japan. We discovered virus-like sequences related to nege/kita-, flavi-, tombus-, phenui-, mononega-, narna-, chryso-, partiti-, and luteoviruses. Using RT-PCR and sequence analyses, we determined almost complete sequences of seven nege/kitavirus-like virus genomes; one of which was a variant of the Wuhan house centipede virus (WHCV-1). The other six seem to belong to four novel viruses distantly related to Wuhan insect virus 9 (WhIV-9) or Hubei nege-like virus 4 (HVLV-4). We designated the four viruses as barley aphid RNA virus 1 to 4 (BARV-1 to -4). Moreover, some nege/kitavirus-like sequences were found by searches on the transcriptome shotgun assembly (TSA) libraries of arthropods and plants. Phylogenetic analyses showed that BARV-1 forms a clade with WHCV-1 and HVLV-4, whereas BARV-2 to -4 clustered with WhIV-9 and an aphid virus, Aphis glycines virus 3. Both virus groups (tentatively designated as Centivirus and Aphiglyvirus, respectively), together with arthropod virus-like TSAs, fill the phylogenetic gaps between the negeviruses and kitaviruses lineages. We also characterized the flavi/jingmen-like and tombus-like virus sequences as well as other RNA viruses, including six putative novel viruses, designated as barley aphid RNA viruses 5 to 10. Interestingly, we also discovered that some aphid-associated viruses, including nege/kita-like viruses, were present in different aphid species, raising a speculation that these viruses might be distributed across different aphid species with plants being the reservoirs. This study provides novel information on the diversity and spread of nege/kitavirus-related viruses and other RNA viruses that are associated with aphids.
Identification of a common deletion in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2

Two notable features have been identified in the SARS-CoV-2 genome: (1) the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2; (2) a unique insertion of twelve nucleotide or four amino acids (PRRA) at the S1 and S2 boundary. For the first feature, the similar RBD identified in SARs-like virus from pangolin suggests the RBD in SARS-CoV-2 may already exist in animal host(s) before it transmitted into human. The left puzzle is the history and function of the insertion at S1/S2 boundary, which is uniquely identified in SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we identified two variants from the first Guangdong SARS-CoV-2 cell strain, with deletion mutations on polybasic cleavage site (PRRAR) and its flank sites. More extensive screening indicates the deletion at the flank sites of PRRAR could be detected in 3 of 68 clinical samples and half of 22 in vitro isolated viral strains. These data indicate (1) the deletion of QTQTN, at the flank of polybasic cleavage site, is likely benefit the SARS-CoV-2 replication or infection in vitro but under strong purification selection in vivo since it is rarely identified in clinical samples; (2) there could be a very efficient mechanism for deleting this region from viral genome as the variants losing 23585-23599 is commonly detected after two rounds of cell passage. The mechanistic explanation for this in vitro adaptation and in vivo purification processes (or reverse) that led to such genomic changes in SARS-CoV-2 requires further work. Nonetheless, this study has provided valuable clues to aid further investigation of spike protein function and virus evolution. The deletion mutation identified in vitro isolation should be also noted for current vaccine development.
SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing serum antibodies in cats: a serological investigation

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in Wuhan, China, and rapidly spread worldwide. Previous studies suggested cat could be a potential susceptible animal of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we investigated the infection of SARS-CoV-2 in cats by detecting specific serum antibodies. A cohort of serum samples were collected from cats in Wuhan, including 102 sampled after COVID-19 outbreak, and 39 prior to the outbreak. 15 of 102 (14.7%) cat sera collected after the outbreak were positive for the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Among the positive samples, 11 had SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies with a titer ranging from 1/20 to 1/1080. No serological cross-reactivity was detected between the SARS-CoV-2 and type I or II feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV). Our data demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 has infected cat population in Wuhan during the outbreak.
Beliefs and Intention to Organ Donation: A Household Survey

Background: Organ transplantation is considered as the last therapeutic option for the treatment for end-stage organ failure. However, the gap between the demand and supply of transplantable organs is still wide. Extensive researches have been conducted to understand this gap, and many countries have introduced Opt-out laws and have started targeted awareness programs. We aimed to assess, among the household residents, the normative behavior and beliefs and its correlation to intentions toward becoming organ donors. Subjects and Methods: A household survey with the resident population of Qatar was conducted from October 2016 to November 2016. A sample of 1044 individuals aged 18 and above, residing in eight municipalities within the country, was selected using a two-stage systematic random sampling method to understand the relationship between organ donation intentions and behavioral, normative, and control beliefs. Independent female enumerators collected data on electronic tablets and exported to SPSS for data analysis. Results: Data from 930/1044 (89%) individuals responded to the intention-related questions were taken for final analysis. Multivariate analysis brought out that behavioral beliefs (standardized beta coefficient = 0.25, t = 6.5, P = 0.001) and normative beliefs (standardized beta coefficient = 0.32, t = 8.4, P = 0.001) were significant contributors to intention to donate organs whereas control beliefs (standardized beta coefficient = −0.07, t = −2.3, P = 0.02) were negatively associated to organ donation intention. Conclusions: Findings indicate that behavioral and normative beliefs play a very important role in contributing to the intention of the individual toward organ donation.
Obstructive Sleep Apneu (OSA), Obesitas Hypoventilation Syndrome (OHS) dan Gagal Napas

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a state of the occurrence of upper airway obstruction periodically during sleep that causes breathing to stop intermittently, either complete (apnea) or partial (hipopnea). Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is generally defined as a combination of obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg / mc) with arterial hypercapnia while awake (PaCO2 > 45 mmHg) in the absence of other causes of hypoventilation. Purpose: In order for the pulomonologis can understand the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of OSA and its complications. Literature review: Several studies have been expressed about the link between OSA, OHS with respiratory failure disease. Pathophysiology of OSA, OHS in respiratory failure were difficult to detect, can cause respiratory failure disease management becomes less effective. Conclusion: A good understanding can help with the diagnosis and management of the appropriate conduct to prevent complications of respiratory failure associated with OSA.
Physical activity as preventive therapy for older adults: A narrative review

Sedentary behavior is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular mortality; hence there is a need to promote physical activity (PA) among adults aged 60–86 years. The aim of this narrative review was to evaluate the role of PA in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases among older adults. Relevant studies (original articles, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses) that reported on the effects of PA in older adults from 1998 to 2019 were selected. The following electronic databases were searched: PubMed, ScienceDirect, PsycINFO, Embase, Medline, Sports Discus, Web of Science, and Cochrane database. Physical exercise at different intensities was shown to be effective in the prevention and treatment of overweight, functional decline, and mood disorders in older adults. Moderate-to-high intensity endurance exercise can be effective in the prevention of diabetes type 2, hypertension, and cancer in older adults. Resistance training at different intensities was shown to be effective in the prevention and treatment of obesity in the elderly. Mobility and balance training were effective in preventing falls in older individuals. Combined exercise training regimen comprising moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic and resistance exercise is beneficial in the prevention of disability, osteoporosis, hypertension, and falls among older adults. Moreover, combined exercise training improves immune function and antioxidant capacity in older adults. Based on the studies reviewed, PA was found to be an effective tool for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases among older adults.
Correlating computed tomography pulmonary angiography signs of right ventricular strain in pulmonary embolisms to clinical outcomes

INTRODUCTION: Right ventricular strain (RVS) in pulmonary embolism (PE) can be used to stratify risk and direct intervention. The clinical significance of computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA)-derived radiologic signs of RVS, however, remains incompletely characterized. We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of persons with acute PE to determine which, if any, findings of RVS on CTPA correlate with clinical outcomes. METHODS: All patients with PE diagnosed on CTPA from March 2013 through February 2015 at Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital were identified. Their records were retrospectively reviewed to identify length of stay, intensive care unit (ICU) placement, hemodynamic failure, use of thrombolytics, vasopressor requirement, mechanical ventilation, and attributable mortality. Three radiologists, blinded to clinical outcomes, separately reviewed the cohort's CTPAs to identify signs of RVS – pulmonary trunk size, internal size of the right and left ventricles, paradoxical interventricular septal bowing, inferior vena cava (IVC) contrast reflux, and hepatic vein contrast reflux. RESULTS: In our cohort of 102 persons, 12 demonstrated hemodynamic failure, 13 required ICU placement, 3 received thrombolysis, and 5 had death attributable to PE. The greatest interobserver agreement among radiologists existed for the presence of increased pulmonary trunk size (0.76 kappa by %agreement) and hepatic vein contrast reflux (0.92 kappa by %agreement). A multiple regression analysis found that when 100% radiologist agreement existed, presence of paradoxical intravenous septal bowing predicted thrombolytic usage (P = 0.02), and the presence of IVC reflux predicted attributable mortality (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Only IVC contrast reflux was associated with increased mortality, and no other sign of RVS on CTPA correlated with clinical outcomes. This suggests that most signs of RVS on CTPA do not reliably predict PE severity. Therefore, RVS seen by CTPA should be used cautiously in weighing the decision to initiate thrombolytics.
Prevalence of facet joint arthritis and its association with spinal pain in mountain population – A cross-sectional study

Introduction: People living in the mountains are subject to tough terrain and climbing biomechanics which lead to degeneration of the spine and Facet joint arthritis (FJA). Aims: The goal of present study was (1) to know the prevalence of facet joint arthritis on CT scans in mountain population in regard to (a) different levels in spine (b) age (c) sex (2) to know if there is any significant association between FJA and spinal pain at that corresponding level. Materials and Methods: Bilateral Facet joints of 210 participants (age range, 18 to 97 years) who underwent MDCT imaging for reasons other than spinal pain, were graded and statistically analysed with SPSS software in this study. FJA was defined as at least one joint affected by facet joint disease (grade 2). Results: In our study, Seventy two men (68.5%) and eighty four women (80%) had Facet Joint arthritis. The difference between men and women in the prevalence of FJA was not statistically significant (P = 0.058). The increasing age demonstrated a higher prevalence of facet joint arthritis with statistical significance (P = 0.000). In dorsal and lumbar spine region, there was a statistically significant difference in prevalence of FJA according to spinal level. The prevalence of FJA grade 2 in cervical and dorsal spine region was associated with spinal pain in both men (P = 0.000) and women (P = 0.000). However, no statistically significant association was found between FJA grade 2 and spinal pain in lumbar spine region in both males (P = 0.680) and females (P = 0.680) as well as in total population (P = 0.513). Conclusions: People residing and actually ambulating in the mountain regions and exposed to the terrain have higher prevalence of Facet joint arthritis as compared to general population and this may be an independent risk factor for development of facet joint arthritis. However, a statistically significant relation between FJA and spinal pain exists only in cervical and dorsal spine.
Performance Analysis of Display Field Communication with Advanced Receivers

Display field communication (DFC) is an imperceptible display-to-camera (D2C) communication approach that provides dual-mode, full-frame, visible light communication capabilities. Unlike conventional screen-to-camera communication approaches, DFC embeds data imperceptibly in the spectral domain of individual video frames. This paper analyzes the practical performance of the DFC scheme with advanced receivers, including zero forcing (ZF), minimum mean square error (MMSE), and maximum likelihood (ML). A color image is used for embedding data consisting of eight individual information vectors with their elements 2-QAM and 4-QAM modulated. The color image is separated into three individual channels, i.e., red (R), green (G), and blue (B). A lossy display-camera channel is considered in the presence of Gaussian noise, blooming, and various geometric distortions. Simulation results show that the ML receiver outperforms MMSE and ZF receivers. In addition, independent RGB data channels are evaluated to compare the symbol error rate of each channel. The proposed color DFC algorithm can be a viable candidate for practical scenarios in applications like smart content transmission and for supporting robust communication performance with advanced receivers, while the data embedded in the images remain unobtrusive to the human eye.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is an important, but not the only therapeutic factor in a novel stem cell secretion treatment for stress urinary incontinence

Yuan X1, Kuang M2, Lin D L3, Hanzlicek B3, Yan H4, Balog B2, Damaser M5 1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH; Department of Research, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH; Department of Urology,Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China, 2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 3. Department of Research, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 4. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH; Department of Urology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China, 5. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH; Advanced Platform Technology Center of Excellence, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH; Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
MORTALITY & MORBIDITY PROFILE IN VLBW & ELBW NEONATES ADMITTED TO NICU IN HMCH

INTRODUCTION  Body weight and gestational age - important predictors of short and long term quality of life in neonates.VLBW comprises 4 to 8% of live births. About 1/3 rd of the death during neonatal period occur in VLBW neonate¹.  About 60.0% to 80.0% of the neonatal mortality and morbidity is due to preterm birth².  In developing countries, NMR accounts for more than 50% of the infant mortality coefficient³.  So, to improve IMR, survival of neonates, especially preterm neonates is important. ELBW – susceptible to morbidities both immediate and after discharge.
Spleen, as an Optimal Site for Islet Transplantation

Islet transplantation is a cellular replacement therapy to treat severe diabetes mellitus, 11 but its clinical outcome is unsatisfactory at present. One factor in clinical success of this therapy is 12 selection of the most appropriate transplantation site. In this review, we review evidence showing 13 the advantages of the spleen as a transplantation site for islets. The spleen has been studied for a 14 long time as a candidate site for islet transplantation. Its advantages include physiological insulin 15 drainage and regulation of immunity. Recently it has also been shown that the spleen contributes to 16 the regeneration of transplanted islets and that splenic stem cells have the potential to differentiate 17 into islet cells. The spleen also has some disadvantages associated with the transplantation 18 procedure itself (bleeding, thrombosis and splenic infarction). The efficacy of transplantation is not 19 as high as that obtained with intraportal transplantation, which is the current representative 20 method of clinical islet transplantation. Safer and more effective methods of islet transplantation 21 need to be established before the spleen can be effectively used in the clinic to support the 22 engraftment of multiple transplanted islets. 23