Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hypoxia-preconditioned olfactory mucosa mesenchymal stem cells abolish cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced pyroptosis and apoptotic death of microglial cells by activating HIF-1α

Microglial cells are the first line immune cells that initiate inflammatory responses following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion(I/R) injury. Microglial cells are also associated with a novel subtype of pro-inflammatory programmed cell death known as pyroptosis. Research has been directed at developing treatments that modulate inflammatory responses and protect against cell death caused by cerebral I/R. Key among such treatments include mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy. A unique type of MSC termed olfactory mucosa mesenchymal stem cell (OM-MSC) confers neuroprotection by promoting the secretion of paracrine factors, and neuroprotection. This study investigated whether hypoxic OM-MSCs could inhibit microglial cell death upon I/R insult in vitro. A traditional oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) model, analogous to I/R, was established. Results showed that OGD/R induced apoptosis and pyroptosis in microglial cells while hypoxia in OM-MSCs significantly attenuated these effects. Moreover, the effects of OM-MSCs were mediated by Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α). Taken together, these findings reveal that hypoxia-preconditioned OM-MSC inhibits pyroptotic and apoptotic death of microglial cell in response to cerebral ischemia/reperfusion insult by activating HIF-1α in vitro.
Clinical characteristics and risk factors for mortality among inpatients with COVID‐19 in Wuhan, China

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become the worldwide pandemic. Currently, COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus, has had outbreaks in more than 213 countries and regions around the world and has caused many deaths. As of 24 April 2020, more than 2.62 million people had been diagnosed worldwide, of whom more than 180 000 died from the virus. This cohort included COVID-19 patients admitted to The Central Hospital of Wuhan on 1 January 2020 to 15 February 2020. Of the 660 participating inpatients with COVID-19, 82 died and 578 were discharged. We comprehensively identified the clinical characteristics at the time of admission in nonsurvivors and patients who recovered from it (Table 1), and we reported several novel risk factors of mortality in COVID-19 patients (Figure 1A). Furthermore, dynamic changes in these major markers during hospitalization and the survival outcomes under different conditions were tracked (Figure 1B–E). Consistent with the previous study, advanced age and high SOFA scores on admission were crucial risk factors for COVID-19 patient mortality. Intriguingly, according to our multivariable logistic regression analysis, we discovered that a history of cerebral infarction, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels >0.6 mg/dL, and lactate dehydrogenase levels >245 U/L on admission significantly elevated the odds of in-hospital death (Figure 1A). Our findings show that the history of cerebral infarction, an independent risk factor for inpatient death, caused a significantly poorer outcome for COVID-19 patients. The possible reasons are as follows. First, cerebral infarction may occur mainly in elderly people, and older age was a crucial predictor for COVID-19 mortality. Second, when cerebral infarction impacts respiratory muscles and respiratory centers or causes hemiplegia, it may cause pulmonary conditions to deteriorate. Third, hypercoagulability is associated with cerebral infarction, and cerebral infarction patients may have preexisting hypercoagulability. Additionally, we observed higher D-dimer in nonsurvivors, suggesting that COVID-19 patients with cerebral infarction may have an aggravating
Carabids.org – a dynamic online database of ground beetle species traits (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

Carabids are a species‐rich group (more than 10 000 species in the Palaearctic region) and are intensively studied, inter alia due to their roles as bioindicators and mediators of nutrient flows in ecosystems. Numerous aspects of species' systematics, distribution, evolutionary biology (and phylogeny) and their ecology are well documented for the western Palaearctic and large data sets have already been compiled for macroecological studies. The online database carabids.org is an enhancement of these data sets and holds species classification and country level data on species distribution range for over 10 000 Palaearctic carabid species. Size and dispersal traits (body and eye size and hind wing development) are available for almost all (over 3400) western Palaearctic carabid species and ecological and life‐history traits (regarding food and habitat preferences as well as time of reproduction and activity) can be offered for most Central European (about 1000) species. Carabids.org is meant to be a collaborative and interactive project offering a variety of research opportunities. Our project contributes to the rapid expansion and analysis of freely available traits data on species‐rich invertebrates, which will help to advance our understanding of community assembly and functional diversity effects of such taxa across large spatial scales. We would very much appreciate data contributions from carabidologists, other scientists and interested parties.
P-007 Flow Diversion versus Traditional Aneurysm Embolisation Strategies: Analysis of Fluoroscopy and Procedure Times

Background and Purpose Flow diverters are increasingly used for treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms. The goal of this study was to compare the Pipeline Embolisation Device (PED) and traditional embolisation strategies in terms of fluoroscopy and procedure time. Methods Fluoroscopy and procedure times in minutes were retrospectively analysed and compared between 127 patients treated with PED, 86 patients treated with single-stage SAC, and 16 patients treated with Onyx HD 500 at our institution. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of fluoroscopy and procedure time. Results The 3 groups were comparable with respect to patient age, gender, and ruptured/ unruptured aneurysm status. Aneurysms treated with PED were significantly larger than stent-coiled aneurysms and aneurysm location distribution differed significantly between the 3 groups. Mean fluoroscopy time was significantly increased in the SAC (55 ± 31 min, p>0.001) and Onyx HD 500 (91 ± 36 min, p>0.001) groups relative to PED (34 ± 23 min). Likewise, mean procedure time was significantly longer in SAC (155 ± 50 min, p>0.001) and Onyx HD 500 patients (176 ± 65 min, p>0.001) compared to PED (131 ± 36 min). Mean fluoroscopy and procedure times remained significantly longer in SAC and Onyx HD 500 patients compared with those who underwent placement of more than 1 PED. In multivariate analysis, SAC/Onyx HD 500 vs PED independently predicted both longer procedure and fluoroscopy times. Conclusion PED treatment requires significantly shorter fluoroscopy and procedure times compared with SAC and Onyx HD 500. The results of this study may be used by advocates of flow diverters as an additional argument for using this treatment modality to treat intracranial aneurysms. Disclosures N. Chalouhi: None. J. McMahon: None. L. Moukarzel: None. R. Starke: None. P. Jabbour: None. A. Dumont: None. S. Tjoumakaris: None. R. Rosenwasser: None. L. Gonzalez: None.
Temporal changes in the composition of house-dust-mite fauna in Poland*

The house dust mites have been shown to produce allergens causing atopic aller- gies in human beings, known in medicine as house-dust-mite allergy or house-dust-mite atopy. A survey of dust samples from different indoor places was made to determine the diversity of the acarofauna, especially potential differences in various rooms and/or in- door microhabitats. Twenty seven years of surveys (1981-2008) in the southern part of Poland formed the basis for this analysis. A total of 1289 house dust samples from dwell- ings from 31 localities were studied including samples from beds (or other bedding ac- commodations), non-carpeted floors, carpets, upholstery furniture, wooden furniture, samples from bedrooms, living-rooms, kitchens and ante-rooms. Moreover, other indoor dust samples were studied: 281 from hospitals, 70 from libraries, 31 from research labora- tories, 30 from drug-stores, 57 from offices and other workplaces. The majority of mites were found in samples from the dwellings, especially in dust from couches, sofas and beds. More than 20 astigmatid mite species were found of which the most abundant and common were pyroglyphids, especially Dermatophagoides farinae H , 1961. Der- matophagoides pteronyssinus (T , 1897) was more abundant per gram of dust only in bed mattresses, whereas D. farinae in samples from the remaining indoor places examined. Highest mite densities per gram of dust were noted in dwellings. In hospitals: D. farinae was more frequent in samples from floors than from patients' beds, whereas D. pteronyssinus was collected more frequently from beds than from floors. Main sources of mites in libraries and drug-stores are shelves, desks, upholstery chairs and carpets, whereas in offices carpeted floors and upholstery furniture. This research, has revealed differences in the occurrence and prevalence of various species of domestic mites be- tween geographical areas and between dwellings within the same geographical area, be- tween particular places within the same dwelling, between the seasons of the year and between years and decades.
Same‐day antiretroviral therapy is associated with increased loss to follow‐up in South African public health facilities: a prospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with HIV

South Africa introduced Universal Test and Treat in 2016 including antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation on the same‐day as HIV diagnosis. Our study sought to evaluate the impact of same‐day ART initiation on loss to follow‐up (LTFU) and mortality comparing with patients who initiated ART after their HIV diagnosis.
Organic Wheat Production and Soil Nutrient Status in a Mediterranean Climatic Zone

ABSTRACT Organic production systems are possible alternatives to current conventional dryland cropping systems in south western Australia, but they remain largely untested for their impact on crop production and soil fertility. The aims of this study were to compare wheat production levels of organic and conventionally managed fields, and relate outcomes to possible differences in soil fertility. Seven paired sites were compared over three years (1992–1994); the sites were paired to ensure similarity in soil types, crop history before conversion of the organic paddock from conventional to organic farming, and at most sites, the farm manager of paired fields was the same. In years 1 to 2, there was no difference between the following soil chemical properties of the paired organic and conventionally managed fields: pH, electrical conductivity, mineral nitrogen (ammonium-N and nitrate-N), soil organic C, total P and lactate-extractable-P. Compared to the grain yield of the conventionally grown wheat, yield of the organically grown wheat was: increased at one site by 17%; decreased at three sites by an average of 27%, and not changed at another three sites. Several factors were considered to be most likely causes of the grain yield differences between the organic and conventional wheat: delayed sowing, lower nitrogen supply, and lower Colwell-extractable-P of the organic wheat. The key sustainability issue in the organically managed fields was P supply. In the organically managed fields, 3–10 kg P/ha/crop was removed from the wheat field and it is not currently being replaced. This is likely to eventually result in decreases in grain production due to P deficiency.
Prevalence, knowledge of and attitude towards hepatitis B virus among pregnant females in Jordan

This observational study was designed to assess the prevalence, knowledge and attitude of pregnant females towards hepatitis B infection, in addition to their perspective of the healthcare practice about HBV in Jordan. A randomly selected group of pregnant females visiting public gynaecology clinics in Jordan were approached to participate in the study. Blood samples were collected from the participants, and HBV markers were detected in their serum using specialized ELISA Kits to assess for the prevalence of infection. Knowledge and attitude of participants was assessed via a developed and validated questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. Blood samples (n = 300) from 330 pregnant females were collected. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among the pregnant females was found to be 5%. Anti‐HBs and anti‐HBc were found to be 33.3% and 7%, respectively. No significant correlation between age, socio‐economic status and educational level was found with HBsAg positivity. Limited knowledge regarding HBV was revealed among the pregnant females (9.1%‐41.3%, P < .05). The majority had a positive attitude regarding HBV vaccination and antiviral medications in case of infectivity. More than 90% agreed on the present lack of counselling and screening of HBV they obtained during their first perinatal visit to the gynaecology clinics. This study revealed a lack of knowledge on HBV, and low counselling and screening received were reported. Policymakers need to introduce new interventions to improve the current awareness of patients and gynaecologists regarding hepatitis B infection.
Reading-related abilities underlying phonological awareness: a cross-sectional study in children with and without dyslexia

Abstract Purpose The present cross-sectional study examined the individual role of rapid automatized naming (RAN), verbal short-term memory (VSTM), and phonological verbal fluency (PVF) along with word reading performance in predicting phonological awareness (PA). Materials and methods A total of 225 Arabic speaking children from grades 2, 3, 4 and 5 took part in this study, divided into two groups of readers: typical developing readers and dyslexic readers. The participants were tested on word and pseudoword reading, phonological awareness, rapid naming, verbal short-term memory and phonological verbal fluency. Results There are different predictive patterns between the two groups. Whereas Raven and Grade contributed directly in predicting PA in typical readers, VSTM and PVF directly predicted PA in children with dyslexia. However, word reading played a dual role in the both groups as direct predictors of PA, mediating the predictive relationships between PA and the other variables. Conclusion The results suggest the potential existence of an underlying phonological representation processing ability shared between PA, phonological access (RAN and PVF), VSTM, and word reading ability.
Molecular Diversity Revealed by AFLP Markers in Upland Cotton Genotypes

Cotton is an important fiber crop grown over tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The narrow genetic base of the cotton germplasm being used in breeding programs is one of the factors in failing to achieve appreciable amount of progress in improving fiber traits. Molecular markers have been successfully applied to estimate genetic diversity, besides their use in advancing the breeding cycle. Sixty upland genotypes from a cooperative regional testing program were screened with AFLP markers. Louisiana genotypes possessed coarse fibers, medium staple, and strong fibers, while heat tolerant genotypes showed high variability for these traits. The pairwise kinship estimates ranged between 0.1–0.88, while the PIC values ranged from 0.15–0.30, accounting for most of the shared ancestral alleles. The estimates of genetic diversity were in the range of 0.1–0.34. PCoA, and correspondence and UPGMA clustering methods showed no obvious grouping of the genotypes in line with their geographical origin. Some of genotypes, such as AU 5367, Acala 1517-99, and LA 05307025, were highly diverse from rest of the population. The DICE distance estimates among all the 60 genotypes reached a maximum of less than 0.15, indicating the relative lack of genetic diversity in this group of genotypes based on the markers used in this study.
Morphokinetic parameters as auxiliary criteria for selection of blastocysts cultivated in a time-lapse monitoring system

Objective: To describe embryonic profile up to blastocyst stage in a time-lapse system. Methods: A retrospective, longitudinal, analytical study of patients submitted to in vitro fertilization. The embryos were grouped according to the degree of expansion, internal cell mass and trophectoderm classification, the morphokinetic parameters were associated with the time periods stated in each evolution phase. Results: The appearance of a second polar corpuscle (CPap) occurred earlier in the embryos classified as excellent (2.99h; p<0.05), in relation to the embryos classified as good (3.40h), average (3.48h) and poor (3.55h). The embryos classified as excellent took less time for the pronuclei to disappear (PNbd) (21.80h; p<0.05), when compared to the good embryos (22.96h), the average (23.21h) and the poor (23.47h). As for the morphokinetic parameter, the end of the two-cell division (T2) occurred first in the excellent blastocysts (24.38h; p<0.05), when compared to the other groups: good (25.57h), average (25.53h) and poor (25.78h). With respect to synchronization with the division of three to four cells (S2), the poor embryos presented longer times for such division to occur (3.67h; p<0.05). When compared to the embryos from the groups excellent (1.97h), good (2.70h) and average (2.09h). At the time point of the blastocoel formation (TB), the excellent embryos (104.04h) did not differ from the good embryos (104.10h). However, when compared to average (107.27h) and poor (106.86h) embryos, there was statistical significance (p<0.05). Conclusions: Embryos of better quality had a shorter time in some morphokinetic parameters when compared to the other groups, thus increasing the possibilities to establish new parameters for the classification and selection of embryos.
Heterogeneity in the rate of molecular sequence evolution substantially impacts the accuracy of detecting shifts in diversification rates

As species richness varies along the tree of life, there is a great interest in identifying factors that affect the rates by which lineages speciate or go extinct. To this end, theoretical biologists have developed a suite of phylogenetic comparative methods that aim to identify where shifts in diversification rates had occurred along a phylogeny and whether they are associated with some traits. Using these methods, numerous studies have predicted that speciation and extinction rates vary across the tree of life. In this study, we show that asymmetric rates of sequence evolution lead to systematic biases in the inferred phylogeny, which in turn lead to erroneous inferences regarding lineage diversification patterns. The results demonstrate that as the asymmetry in sequence evolution rates increases, so does the tendency to select more complicated models that include the possibility of diversification rate shifts. These results thus suggest that any inference regarding shifts in diversification pattern should be treated with great caution, at least until any biases regarding the molecular substitution rate have been ruled out.
Seasonal risk of low pathogenic avian influenza virus introductions into free‐range layer farms in the Netherlands

Abstract Poultry can become infected with avian influenza viruses (AIV) via (in) direct contact with infected wild birds. Free‐range chicken farms in the Netherlands were shown to have a higher risk for introduction of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) virus than indoor chicken farms. Therefore, during outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), free‐range layers are confined indoors as a risk mitigation measure. In this study, we characterized the seasonal patterns of AIV introductions into free‐range layer farms, to determine the high‐risk period. Data from the LPAI serological surveillance programme for the period 2013–2016 were used to first estimate the time of virus introduction into affected farms and then assess seasonal patterns in the risk of introduction. Time of introduction was estimated by fitting a mathematical model to seroprevalence data collected longitudinally from infected farms. For the period 2015–2016, longitudinal follow‐up included monthly collections of eggs for serological testing from a cohort of 261 farms. Information on the time of introduction was then used to estimate the monthly incidence and seasonality by fitting harmonic and Poisson regression models. A significant yearly seasonal risk of introduction that lasted around 4 months (November to February) was identified with the highest risk observed in January. The risk for introduction of LPAI viruses in this period was on average four times significantly higher than the period of low risk around the summer months. Although the data for HPAI infections were limited in the period 2014–2018, a similar risk period for introduction of HPAI viruses was observed. The results of this study can be used to optimize risk‐based surveillance and inform decisions on timing and duration of indoor confinement when HPAI viruses are known to circulate in the wild bird population.
Long-Term Single Center Experience in Treating Plaque Psoriasis With Guselkumab

Background Clinical trial data have shown guselkumab, an interleukin-23 inhibitor, to be efficacious and safe for the treatment of psoriasis. However, there is very little real-world experience using guselkumab in the community setting that has been documented. Objectives The goal of this study was to determine real-life outcomes of guselkumab use in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis in a community dermatology practice. Methods A retrospective chart review of electronic medical records was conducted in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis who were prescribed guselkumab at a community dermatology office in Ontario, Canada. Results Of the 89 patients who received at least 1 dose of guselkumab, 79 had follow-up information at the time of review, with 71 patients receiving ongoing treatment. In our cohort of patients, 73.3% achieved clinically significant clearance of psoriasis with a global assessment of clear or almost clear defined as a body surface area involvement of <1%. Guselkumab was generally well tolerated and caused no serious adverse events. The most common reported side effects were nasopharyngitis, headaches, upper respiratory tract infections, gastrointestinal upset, and arthralgia. Conclusion Overall, guselkumab was a safe and well-tolerated treatment with significant clinical improvement in our patient population.
Clinical and Socio-demographic Determinants of Self-care Maintenance, Monitoring and Management in US Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The aims of this study were to describe self-care in US T2DM patients and to identify clinical and sociodemographic determinants of self-care maintenance, monitoring, and management in US T2DM patients. A secondary analysis was performed using data from a cross-sectional study done to test the psychometric performance of the Self-Care of Diabetes Inventory in US English speaking adults with diabetes. In our sample (n = 207), self-care maintenance was adequately performed (median = 75), self-care monitoring was borderline (median = 67.6) and self-care management was poor (median = 55.6). Low income (p = .0019) and low self-care confidence (p < .0001) were associated with relatively lower self-care maintenance. Not taking insulin (p = .0153) and low self-care confidence (p < .0001) were associated with relatively low self-care monitoring. Low self-care confidence (p < .0001) was associated with low self-care management. Self-care confidence is a strong determinant of self-care. Interventions designed to improve self-care confidence are urgently needed.