Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seizure Induced by Defecation in a 15-Year Old Autistic Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review

Epilepsy in autism is a relatively common phenomenon. However, reflex seizures provoked by multifactorial stimuli are rare in these patients. We here reported the first case of defecation-induced seizure in a 15-year old autistic girl. The patient had been diagnosed with epilepsy within the first year after birth; however, seizures induced by bowel movements were observed at the age of 15. Reflex seizures showed a myoclonic pattern represented with one-sided neck deflection. EEG showed an abnormal polyspike and wave pattern during defecation while the patterns were normal between the attacks. The patient was partially responsive to adrenocorticotropic hormone therapy with a reduced frequency of both reflexes and generalized seizures. Phenobarbital therapy was effective to manage recurrent seizure attacks. Although seizure is commonly encountered in autism, reflex seizures induced by defecation have not been previously reported in this condition.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 Case Fatality and Parkinson's Disease

Case fatality rates (CFR) of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported ranging from 0% to 40% among patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, because of small sample sizes and the lack of large matched comparison groups, previous studies have not clarified whether PD is an independent risk factor for death. The goal of our study was to determine whether patients with PDhad a higherCOVID-19CFR. We compared COVID-19 CFR in patients with PD with a large, demographically matched population via the TriNetX COVID-19 research network, a health research database with deidentified medical records of >50 million patients mostly from the United States. As of July 15, 2020, this database listed 79,049 adult patients with COVID-19, 694 of whom had PD. On September 9, 2020, we extracted mortality data for this cohort. We included an 8-week delay to allow identified cases to resolve. Among 78,355 patients with COVID-19 without PD, 4290 died compared with 148 of the 694 patients with PD (5.5% non-PD vs. 21.3% PD; P < 0.001, χ test). The non-PD and PD groups had different age distributions (median age 50 vs. 78), sex balances (female 55.3%vs. 39.8%), and racial compositions (Black19.7%vs. 9.7%). In addition,CFRs from COVID-19 have been reported as higher in males versus females, Blacks versusWhites, and elderly versus younger patients. We accounted for these differences using logistic regression with age, sex, and race as covariates. This analysis revealed that the risk of dying from COVID-19 was significantly elevated in the PD group (odds ratio, 1.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.53; P = 0.016; Fig. 1A,B). To assess residual confounders, we matched 5 patients with COVID-19 without PD to each patient with PD with the exact age, sex, and race. We then performed a conditional logistic regression and found that patients with PD had a significantly higher risk of dying from COVID-19 compared with patients without PD (odds ratio, 1.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.13–1.49; P < 0.001). We further replicated the analysis with 1000 random matchings and found similar results with the effect being statistically significant in all but 2 replications. In summary, we leveraged the TriNetX database and found that COVID-19-related CFRwas increased in patients with PD, independent of age, sex, and race. These results are not without limitations. First, the TriNetX COVID-19 research network includes >40 healthcare organizations primarily in the United States. We were unable to account for confounding regional factors that could increase mortality. In addition, this database lacks information on key comorbidities. Second, CFRs from COVID-19 have decreased with increased access to testing. It will be important to conduct follow-up studies. Third, this study only reports an association between COVID-19-related mortality and a diagnosis of PD; however, in this context, designs better suited to causal inference are challenging. Finally, the TriNetX database does not include information on recovery. Despite these limitations, our results indicate that it will be
Impairment of nuclear F-actin formation and its relevance to cellular phenotypes in Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome

ABSTRACT Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a premature aging disorder caused by a mutation of lamin A, which contributes to nuclear architecture and the spatial organization of chromatin in the nucleus. The expression of a lamin A mutant, named progerin, leads to functional and structural disruption of nuclear organization. Since progerin lacks a part of the actin-binding site of lamin A, we hypothesized that nuclear actin dynamics and function are altered in HGPS cells. Nuclear F-actin is required for the organization of nuclear shape, transcriptional regulation, DNA damage repair, and activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Here we show that the expression of progerin decreases nuclear F-actin and impairs F-actin-regulated transcription. When nuclear F-actin levels are increased by overexpression of nuclear-targeted actin or by using jasplakinolide, a compound that stabilizes F-actin, the irregularity of nuclear shape and defects in gene expression can be reversed. These observations provide evidence for a novel relationship between nuclear actin and the etiology of HGPS.
Abejas silvestres (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) en ecosistemas urbanos: Estudio en la ciudad de Bogotá y sus alrededores

La sabana de Bogotá está localizada a los 2600 msnm y tiene temperaturas que oscilan entre –5 y 25 ºC (promedio: 14ºC). Con base en archivos, notas de campo, revisión bibliográfica y la base de datos existente en el Laboratorio de Investigaciones en abejas de la Universidad Nacional de Bogotá (LABUN) se obtuvo información sobre las abejas silvestres presentes en la ciudad de Bogotá y localidades aledañas. Además se hicieron muestreos en diferentes sitios de la ciudad y alrededores, observaciones directamente en campo y se recopiló información sobre plantas visitadas por las abejas en la zona de estudio. Se encontraron 40 especies de abejas pertenecientes a 18 géneros, distribuidas en las cinco familias registradas para el país. Halictidae y Apidae fueron las familias más ricas en especies. El 82,5% de las abejas encontradas son de distribución neotropical y el 25 % de distribución típicamente andina. Se presentan datos sobre comportamiento de forrajeo, arquitectura de nidos y actividad externa para algunas especies de abejas silvestres urbanas. Thygater aethiops y Caenohalictus sp. nidifican principalmente en parques y en las proximidades de parches de plantas ornamentales, en tanto que Anthophora walteri nidifica en áreas secas y con escasa cobertura vegetal. Las abejas del género Bombus se encontraron nidificando fuera de los límites estrictamente urbanos. Las plantas más visitadas fueron principalmente especies ornamentales pertenecientes a las familias Acanthaceae, Asteraceae, Caprifoliaceae, Solanaceae y Scrophulariaceae.
Two new dammarane-type triterpenoids from the green walnut husks of Juglans mandshurica Maxim

Abstract Two new dammarane-type triterpenoids, dammar-3α,12(R),20(S)-triol-12,32(R);20,32-diepoxy-25-methy-25-en-tridecacyclic ether (1) and (23E)-12β,20(R),25(S),26-tetrahydroxydammar-23-en-3-one (2) were isolated from the green walnut husks of Juglans mandshurica Maxim together with six known compounds. Their structures were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analyses and by comparison with the literature, and the cytotoxic activities of these compounds were evaluated. Graphical Abstract
Elevated levels of nitrous dioxide are associated with lower AMH levels: a real-world analysis.

STUDY QUESTION Are there any associations between environmental pollutants and ovarian reserve, expressed by anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) serum levels? SUMMARY ANSWER In this first real-world approach to demonstrate the relationship between air pollutants and serum AMH levels, adverse associations were observed for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) but not with particulate matter. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY In recent years, air pollution has emerged as a potential disrupter to the homeostasis of physiological hormones, possibly affecting human reproduction. Although the influence of age and smoking on AMH levels is largely accepted, the relationship between AMH and the environment has not currently been established. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A longitudinal, observational, retrospective, real-world study was carried out, including all AMH measurements performed in a single laboratory from January 2007 to October 2017. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Serum AMH data were connected to patients' age and residential address, to include air pollution data after geo-localisation. The air pollution considered daily particulate matter (PM) and NO2 values. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE A total of 1463 AMH measurements were collected (mean 1.94 ng/ml, median 0.90 ng/ml). AMH was inversely related to patients' age in women older than 25 years (adjusted R-squared 0.120, P < 0.001), but not in those younger than 25 years (adjusted R-squared 0.068, P = 0.055). AMH levels were inversely related to environmental pollutants, such as PM10 (Rho = -0.088, P = 0.001), PM2.5 (Rho = -0.062, P = 0.021) and NO2 (Rho = -0.111, P < 0.001). After subdividing the dataset into quartiles for PM10 and PM2.5, the influence of age on AMH serum levels was found to be a stronger influence than that exerted by PM (P = 0.833 and P = 0.370, respectively). On the contrary, considering NO2 quartiles, higher AMH levels were observed in third quartile compared to fourth quartile, even after adjustment for age (P = 0.028), indicating a stronger influence of NO2 exposure on AMH serum levels. Considering an AMH cut-off of 0.3 ng/ml, a significant higher frequency of women with severe ovarian reserve reduction in the fourth quartile was shown only for NO2 (P = 0.010). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Several limitations should be underlined, such as the lack of information about work and life habits of each patient and the retrospective nature of the analysis performed on real-world data. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Although the genetic component is highly predictive for defining the ovarian reserve at birth, potentially modifiable environmental factors could influence the rate of decline in AMH and ovarian reserve during adulthood. STUDY FUNDINGCOMPETING INTEREST(S) Authors have neither funding nor competing interests to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
The impact of COVID-19 on adjusted mortality risk in care homes for older adults in Wales, UK: a retrospective population-based cohort study for mortality in 2016–2020

Abstract Background mortality in care homes has had a prominent focus during the COVID-19 outbreak. Care homes are particularly vulnerable to the spread of infectious diseases, which may lead to increased mortality risk. Multiple and interconnected challenges face the care home sector in the prevention and management of outbreaks of COVID-19, including adequate supply of personal protective equipment, staff shortages and insufficient or lack of timely COVID-19 testing. Aim to analyse the mortality of older care home residents in Wales during COVID-19 lockdown and compare this across the population of Wales and the previous 4 years. Study Design and Setting we used anonymised electronic health records and administrative data from the secure anonymised information linkage databank to create a cross-sectional cohort study. We anonymously linked data for Welsh residents to mortality data up to the 14th June 2020. Methods we calculated survival curves and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for the risk of mortality. We adjusted HRs for age, gender, social economic status and prior health conditions. Results survival curves show an increased proportion of deaths between 23rd March and 14th June 2020 in care homes for older people, with an adjusted HR of 1.72 (1.55, 1.90) compared with 2016. Compared with the general population in 2016–2019, adjusted care home mortality HRs for older adults rose from 2.15 (2.11, 2.20) in 2016–2019 to 2.94 (2.81, 3.08) in 2020. Conclusions the survival curves and increased HRs show a significantly increased risk of death in the 2020 study periods.
Prevalence of integrase strand transfer inhibitor resistance mutations in antiretroviral-naive HIV-1-infected individuals in Cameroon.

OBJECTIVES In Cameroon, the integrase (IN) strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) dolutegravir was recently introduced for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. Since pretreatment HIV-1 drug resistance can jeopardize the success of ART, and considering the high heterogeneity of circulating HIV-1 subtypes in Cameroon, we investigated the prevalence of pretreatment HIV-1 resistance to INSTIs. METHODS Fingerprick dried blood spot samples were collected from 339 newly diagnosed HIV-1-infected individuals between 2015 and 2016 in four hospitals in Cameroon. Universal primers were designed to amplify the HIV-1 IN region from amino acid 1 to 276. Amplicons were sequenced with Illumina next-generation sequencing and analysed with the Polymorphism Analysis Sequencing (PASeq) platform, using the Stanford HIV Drug Resistance Database to interpret HIV-1 drug resistance mutations (DRMs). RESULTS The amplification/sequencing success rate was 75.2% with 255/339 sequences obtained. Applying a cut-off of 1%, major DRMs to INSTIs were detected in 13 (5.1%) individuals, but only 1 individual harboured an INSTI DRM (E92G) at a nucleotide frequency ≥15%. However, 140/255 (54.9%) individuals harboured polymorphic accessory INSTI DRMs, mainly at high frequencies. In line with that observation, HIV-1 subtype diversity among individuals was high. CONCLUSIONS Pretreatment HIV-1 resistance to INSTIs was low in the study sites, which supports the use of INSTIs in Cameroon. Nevertheless, further studies are necessary to assess the impact of polymorphic accessory INSTI DRMs on INSTI-based ART regimens.
Feasibility of Self-Monitoring Rheumatoid Arthritis With a Smartphone App: Results of Two Mixed-Methods Pilot Studies

Background Several mobile apps that monitor symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) exist, but a recent systematic review indicated that high-quality apps are lacking. When patients self-monitor their own disease with patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and self-initiate care at the right moment, it may be possible to reduce the frequency of their clinic visits, which would reduce health care burden and costs. We developed an app, that is, the MijnReuma Reade app, for this purpose and performed 2 pilot tests with weekly self-monitoring. Objective The primary objective of this study was to design, develop, and evaluate the usability, satisfaction, and usage of the MijnReuma Reade app—an app that allows patients with RA to monitor their own disease. The secondary objective was to review the patients’ perspectives on app usage and its intended purpose. Methods This app was designed in collaboration with patients with RA, rheumatologists, and information technology experts. Two 1-month pilot studies were performed, after which satisfaction (0-10 scale), usability (system usability scale, 0-100), and usage (proportion of completed questionnaires) of this app were assessed. After the second pilot study, semistructured interviews were performed to determine patients’ perspectives and the promoters and barriers of app usage. Results In the first and second pilot study, 42 and 27 patients were included, respectively. Overall, the patients were satisfied (medians, 8 and 7) and found the app usable (mean system usability scores, 76 and 71) in pilot studies 1 and 2, respectively. App usage declined over time in both the pilot studies; 61% (17/28) and 37% (10/27) of the patients who disclosed their usage statistics completed the final weekly questionnaire in pilot study 1 and pilot study 2, respectively. Approximately 81% (25/31) of the patients indicated they would like to skip hospital visits if the self-monitored disease activity is low. In the semistructured interviews, technical problems, internal resistance (respondent fatigue, the app reminded them of their disease), and a lack of symptoms were identified as barriers for usage. Patients reported that “experiencing more grip on their disease” and “improved communication with their physician” were promoters for usage. Patients reported that pain positively mediated usage, that is, more pain promoted and less pain discouraged app usage. Conclusions This study illustrates the feasibility of the MijnReuma Reade app that enables self-monitoring of the disease activity in patients with RA with the overarching aim to allocate clinical consultations according to need. Satisfaction with the app and usability of the app were found to be high; however, app usage declined over time. Patients acknowledged the potential of the app to self-monitor their own disease and would like to be able to skip clinic visits if the monitored disease activity is low. To evaluate this strategy, a randomized controlled trial is underway.
Nitrogênio em cobertura e molibdênio foliar no feijoeiro de inverno Nitrogênio em cobertura e molibdênio foliar no feijoeiro de inverno Nitrogênio em cobertura e molibdênio foliar no feijoeiro de inverno Nitrogênio em cobertura e molibdênio foliar no feijoeiro de inverno

Side dressing nitrogen and leaf molybdenum in the winter common bean plant. The common bean has the capacity of nitrogen fixation in symbiosis with Rhizobium , but it is not enough to supply the necessities of the plant in relation to this nutrient. Molybdenum application aims to improve symbiosis in the Rhizobium -common bean plant, given its importance in the metabolism of this nutrient, thus being able to reduce the application of N fertilizer. Thus, the objective of the work was to evaluate the performance of irrigated winter beans, in a no-tillage system, with increasing levels of side dressing nitrogen application (zero, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha -1 ) and its interaction with leaf application of Mo (zero and 80 g ha -1 ). The experimental design was randomized blocks in a 5 x 2 factorial scheme, with four repetitions. The research was carried out on soil previously cultivated with corn culture. The levels of nitrogen proved consistent regarding the effects on some production components, as well as on dry mass of plants, providing better development of irrigated beans cultivated under no-tillage. The application of molybdenum in leaves did not significantly influence the majority of evaluated parameters.
Nitrite reduction in beef burger using papaya (Carica papaya L.) epicarp

Current pressure on the need to reduce nitrite content in meat products without affecting sensory properties such as color requires research for the development of healthy foods and the improvement of the quality of life of human beings. Fruit by-products are an important source of bioactive compounds, which can be used as natural additives in food processing. The objective of this study was to evaluate papaya epicarp flour as a natural ingredient in nitrite reduction of beef burger. Papaya epicarp samples after lyophilized were ground. A composite central design and a response surface methodology were used in order to analyze the process variables (nitrite and papaya epicarp flour concentrations) on the color of the beef burger. Response variables were carotenoid fractions and CIEL*a*b*. The optimal color-maximizing nitrite/flour ratio in beef burger was found corresponding to 150 mg/kg nitrite/40 mg/kg flour, where the maximum values for β-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, and lycopene were 0.451, 0.447, and 0.251 mg/100 g of sample, respectively, together with the lower value of L* (64.38). This study showed the agro-industrial potential of papaya epicarp flour to reduce nitrite concentrations in this food, in addition, the valuation of this by-product could bring economic and environmental benefits.
Neutrophil autophagy during human active tuberculosis is modulated by SLAMF1

ABSTRACT Neutrophils infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) predominate in tuberculosis patients’ lungs. Neutrophils phagocytose the pathogen, but the mechanism of pathogen elimination is controversial. Macroautophagy/autophagy, a crucial mechanism for several neutrophil functions, can be modulated by immunological mediators. The costimulatory molecule SLAMF1 can act as a microbial sensor in macrophages being also able to interact with autophagy-related proteins. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that human neutrophils express SLAMF1 upon Mtb-stimulation. Furthermore, SLAMF1 was found colocalizing with LC3B+ vesicles, and activation of SLAMF1 increased neutrophil autophagy induced by Mtb. Finally, tuberculosis patients’ neutrophils displayed reduced levels of SLAMF1 and lower levels of autophagy against Mtb as compared to healthy controls. Altogether, these results indicate that SLAMF1 participates in neutrophil autophagy during active tuberculosis. Abbreviations: AFB: acid-fast bacilli; BafA1: bafilomycin A1; CLL: chronic lymphocytic leukemia; DPI: diphenyleneiodonium; EVs: extracellular vesicles; FBS: fetal bovine serum; HD: healthy donors; HR: high responder (tuberculosis patient); IFNG: interferon gamma; IL1B: interleukin 1 beta; IL17A: interleukin 17A; IL8: interleukin 8; LR: low responder (tuberculosis patient); mAb: monoclonal antibody; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; MAPK: mitogen-activated protein kinase; MAPK1/ERK2: mitogen-activated protein kinase 1; MAPK14/p38: mitogen-activated protein kinase 14; Mtb: Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Mtb-Ag: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Strain H37Rv, whole cell lysate; NETs: neutrophils extracellular traps; PPD: purified protein derivative; ROS: reactive oxygen species; PIK3C3/VPS34: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit type 3; SLAMF1: signaling lymphocytic activation molecule family member 1; TB: tuberculosis; TLR: toll like receptor
Levels of Polyandry and Intracolonial Genetic Relationships in Apis dorsata (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Pupae and adults of 4 Apis dorsata F. colonies from northern Thailand were collected in liquid nitrogen. DNA was extracted, and microsatellite genotypes at 3 loci determined for 42-194 workers per colony. From these data, the queen genotype was inferred, and the number of males with which each queen mated deduced. These A. dorsata queens mated with a mean of 26.75 ± 5.42 (SEM) drones (range, 13-39). The mean within-colony genetic relatedness was 0.29 ± 0.009. All colonies were monogynous. Possible reasons for the very high level of polyandry and the great variance are discussed. A null allele was detected for 1 microsatellite locus in 1 queen progeny.
The fern-genera Tectaria, Heterogonium and Ctenitis in the Mascarene Islands

The information here presented is based on a study of many recent collections in comparison with the more fragmentary older ones, resulting in revisions of specific concepts and of synonymy. Ctenitis lorencei and C. canacae are described as new species and C. crinita (Poir.) Ching var. atrata and var. setacea as new varieties. New combinations are Ctenitis cyclochlamys (Fee) Holttum, C. pauciflora (Kaulf.) Holttum, C. humida (Cordem.) Holttum, C. lanata (Fee) Holttum and Heterogonium sieberianum (Kaulf.) Holttum. Some comments on generic concepts are also included.
Chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell therapy for haematological malignancies

Cancer immunotherapy is a burgeoning field which, in the last decade, has produced unprecedented improvements in outcomes across a variety of advanced malignancies. The eventual translation of decades of research into clinically available immunotherapies stems from the expanded knowledge of the role that the immune system plays in preventing tumour initiation and progression as well as the mechanisms by which tumours learn to evade this immune surveillance.1