Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Wildfires on Mental Health: A Scoping Review

One of the many consequences of climate change is an increase in the frequency, severity, and, thus, impact of wildfires across the globe. The destruction and loss of one’s home, belongings, and surrounding community, and the threat to personal safety and the safety of loved ones can have significant consequences on survivors’ mental health, which persist for years after. The objective of this scoping review was to identify primary studies examining the impact of wildfires on mental health and to summarize findings for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use. Literature searches on Pubmed and Embase were conducted in February and April of 2021, respectively, with no date restrictions. A total of 254 studies were found in the two database searches, with 60 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Three other studies were identified and included based on relevant in-text citations during data abstraction. The results show an increased rate of PTSD, depression, and generalized anxiety at several times of follow-up post-wildfire, from the subacute phase, to years after. An increased rate of mental health disorders post-wildfire has been found in both the adult and pediatric population, with a number of associated risk factors, the most significant being characteristics of the wildfire trauma itself. Several new terms have arisen in the literature secondary to an increased awareness and understanding of the impact of natural disasters on mental health, including ecological grief, solastalgia, and eco-anxiety. There are a number of patient factors and systemic changes that have been identified post-wildfire that can contribute to resilience and recovery.
COVID-19 Pandemic: Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Levels Highest amongst Indigenous Peoples in Alberta

This study explores differences in stress, anxiety, and depression experienced by different ethnic groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a cross-sectional online survey of subscribers of the COVID-19 Text4Hope text messaging program in Alberta. Stress, anxiety, and depression were measured among Caucasian, Indigenous, Asian, and other ethnic groups using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)-10, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)-7, and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 scales, respectively. The burden of depression and stress were significantly higher in Indigenous populations than in both Caucasian and Asian ethnic groups. The mean difference between Indigenous and Caucasian for PHQ-9 scores was 1.79, 95% CI of 0.74 to 2.84, p < 0.01 and for PSS-10 it was 1.92, 95% CI of 0.86 to 2.98, p < 0.01). The mean difference between Indigenous and Asian for PHQ-9 scores was 1.76, 95% CI of 0.34 to 3.19, p = 0.01 and for PSS-10 it was 2.02, 95% CI of 0.63 to 3.41, p < 0.01. However, Indigenous participant burden of anxiety was only significantly higher than Asian participants’ (mean difference for GAD-7 was 1.91, 95% CI of 0.65 to 3.18, p < 0.01). Indigenous people in Alberta have higher burden of mental illnesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings are helpful for service planning and delivery.
Polypeptide Composition and Topology Affect Hydrogelation of Star-Shaped Poly(L-lysine)-Based Amphiphilic Copolypeptides

In this research, we studied the effect of polypeptide composition and topology on the hydrogelation of star-shaped block copolypeptides based on hydrophilic, coil poly(L-lysine)20 (s-PLL20) tethered with a hydrophobic, sheet-like polypeptide segment, which is poly(L-phenylalanine) (PPhe), poly(L-leucine) (PLeu), poly(L-valine) (PVal) or poly(L-alanine) (PAla) with a degree of polymerization (DP) about 5. We found that the PPhe, PLeu, and PVal segments are good hydrogelators to promote hydrogelation. The hydrogelation and hydrogel mechanical properties depend on the arm number and hydrophobic polypeptide segment, which are dictated by the amphiphilic balance between polypeptide blocks and the hydrophobic interactions/hydrogen bonding exerted by the hydrophobic polypeptide segment. The star-shaped topology could facilitate their hydrogelation due to the branching chains serving as multiple interacting depots between hydrophobic polypeptide segments. The 6-armed diblock copolypeptides have better hydrogelation ability than 3-armed ones and s-PLL-b-PPhe exhibits better hydrogelation ability than s-PLL-b-PVal and s-PLL-b-PLeu due to the additional cation–π and π–π interactions. This study highlights that polypeptide composition and topology could be additional parameters to manipulate polypeptide hydrogelation.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy Associated with Paraquat Herbicide Poisoning

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a subset of cardiomyopathies defined by reduced ejection fraction of less than 45% and a dilated left ventricle. While dilated cardiomyopathy is common, its etiology is not always readily evident. Paraquat is used as an herbicide worldwide and is one of the main causes of fatal poisoning in underdeveloped countries in Asia, Central America, and the Pacific Islands. The most commonly affected organs are the lungs and kidneys. However, experimental research has shown that Paraquat can affect the heart indirectly through increased vascular permeability. In vivo animal studies have shown that paraquat poisoning causes myocardial contractile dysfunction by decreased fractional shortening and cardiac remodeling. We report the first case in published literature of a 52-year-old Hispanic man with dilated cardiomyopathy strongly associated with Paraquat exposure. It is important to obtain detailed medical history and proper diagnostic work-up including work, social, and family history, and echocardiography, baseline EKG, lab work, and ischemia cardiac testing as it can lead to improved diagnostic evaluation of possible etiologies of the commonly seen dilated cardiomyopathies and help identify less well-known etiologies as seen in our patient.
Association between Change in Regional Phase Angle and Jump Performance: A Pilot Study in Serie A Soccer Players

Purpose: This observational longitudinal investigation aimed to investigate whether change in bioelectrical regional phase angle (PhA) is a predictor of change in vertical jump performance in elite soccer players. Methods: Fifteen soccer players (age: 28.7 ± 5.0 years, body weight: 82.4 ± 6.8 kg, height: 186.0 ± 0.1 cm, body mass index: 23.8 ± 1.2 kg/m2) competing in the first Italian division (Serie A) were included in this study and tested before the pre-season period and after the first half of the championship. Whole body and lower hemisoma PhA were obtained with a phase-sensitive 50 kHz bioelectrical impedance analyzer and legs lean soft tissue was estimated using specific bioimpedance-based equation developed for athletes. Vertical jump performance was assessed using the countermovement jump (CMJ). Results: The major findings of the study are that changes in lower hemisoma PhA are more strongly related with changes in jump performance (r2 = 0.617, p = 0.001) than changes in whole-body PhA (r2 = 0.270, p = 0.047), even after adjusting for legs lean soft tissue and for body mass index (β = 5.17, p = 0.004). Conclusions: These data suggest that changes in lower hemisoma PhA might be used as a tool for evaluating performance related parameters in sports where specific body segments are involved, in preference to the whole-body measured value.
The Role of Physical Activity in the Relationship between Satisfaction with Life and Health-Related Quality of Life in School-Age Adolescents

(1) Background: Adolescence is a critical stage in the development of healthy habits. In this regard, physical activity has emerged as a useful tool to improve satisfaction with life and health-related quality of life in adolescents. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the mediating role of physical activity in the relationship between satisfaction with life and health-related quality of life in adolescent boys and girls. Also, we aimed to investigate the differences between sexes in the HRQoL, physical activity level, and satisfaction with life. (2) Methods: A total of 297 adolescents, ranging in age from 11 to 12 years (11.46 ± 1.63), participated in this cross-sectional study. The Satisfaction with life scale, Physical activity Questionnaire for Adolescents and the KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaires were employed. (3) Results: The estimated indirect effect showed that physical activity level was a mediator of the positive effect of satisfaction with life on health-related quality of life (β = 0.105, 95% CI = 0.031; 0.202). However, the index of moderated mediation showed that sex is not a significant moderator of the mediating role of physical activity in the relationship between satisfaction with life and HRQoL (β = −0.033, 95% CI = −0.023, 0.136). Furthermore, significant differences in satisfaction with life were found, with girls manifesting lower values (p-value = 0.026). (4) Conclusion: This study shows the importance of physical activity during adolescence and the association of this behavior with the health-related quality of life of adolescents.
Combined Transcriptome and Proteome Analysis of Maize (Zea mays L.) Reveals A Complementary Profile in Response to Phosphate Deficiency

A deficiency in the macronutrient phosphate (Pi) brings about various changes in plants at the morphological, physiological and molecular levels. However, the molecular mechanism for regulating Pi homeostasis in response to low-Pi remains poorly understood, particularly in maize (Zea mays L.), which is a staple crop and requires massive amounts of Pi. Therefore, in this study, we performed expression profiling of the shoots and roots of maize seedlings with Pi-tolerant genotype at both the transcriptomic and proteomic levels using RNA sequencing and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ). We identified 1944 differentially expressed transcripts and 340 differentially expressed proteins under low-Pi conditions. Most of the differentially expressed genes were clustered as regulators, such as transcription factors involved in the Pi signaling pathway at the transcript level. However, the more functional and metabolism-related genes showed expression changes at the protein level. Moreover, under low-Pi conditions, Pi transporters and phosphatases were specifically induced in the roots at both the transcript and protein levels, and increased amounts of mRNA and protein of two purple acid phosphatases (PAPs) and one UDP-sulfoquinovose synthase (SQD) were specifically detected in the roots. The new insights provided by this study will help to improve the P-utilization efficiency of maize.
Postoperative Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio as an Overall Mortality Midterm Prognostic Factor following OPCAB Procedures

Background: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) is believed to limit inflammatory reaction. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is one of the more common and easily accessible markers of inflammatory response. The aim of the study was to compare postoperative results of NLR with mid-term OPCAB results. Methods: In total, 224 patients (198 (88%) men and 26 (12%) women) with mean age 65 +/− 9 years who underwent OPCAB though median full sternotomy in our department in 2018 enrolled into the study. We scrupulously collected the postoperative mid-term results, including survival rate, clinical status and risk for major adverse events, and compared them with perioperative laboratory results. Results: A three-year follow-up was completed by 198 individuals (90% survival rate) with 12 (5%) showing major adverse cardiovascular (MACE) events risk. In the multivariable analysis, the laboratory parameters noticed on the 1st postoperative day were statistically significantly predictive of survival, including neutrophils (HR 1.59, 1.33–1.89 95%CI, p < 0.0001), platelets (HR 1.01, 1.01–1.01 95%CI, p = 0.0065), NLR (HR 1.47, 1.3–1.65 95%CI, p < 0.0001) and postoperative ejection fraction (HR 0.9, 0.87–0.95 95%CI, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Postoperative NLR above 4.6, as an inflammatory reaction marker, is related to mid-term mortality in OPCAB patients.
The Effects of General Anaesthesia and Light on Behavioural Rhythms and GABAA Receptor Subunit Expression in the Mouse SCN

General anaesthesia (GA) is known to affect the circadian clock. However, the mechanisms that underlie GA-induced shifting of the clock are less well understood. Activation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-type A receptors (GABAAR) in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) can phase shift the clock and thus GABA and its receptors represent a putative pathway via which GA exerts its effect on the clock. Here, we investigated the concurrent effects of the inhalational anaesthetic, isoflurane, and light, on mouse behavioural locomotor rhythms and on α1, β3, and γ2 GABAAR subunit expression in the SCN of the mouse brain. Behavioural phase shifts elicited by exposure of mice to four hours of GA (2% isoflurane) and light (400 lux) (n = 60) were determined by recording running wheel activity rhythms in constant conditions (DD). Full phase response curves for the effects of GA + light on behavioural rhythms show that phase shifts persist in anaesthetized mice exposed to light. Daily variation was detected in all three GABAAR subunits in LD 12:12. The γ2 subunit expression was significantly increased following GA in DD (compared to light alone) at times of large behavioural phase delays. We conclude that the phase shifting effect of light on the mouse clock is not blocked by GA administration, and that γ2 may potentially be involved in the phase shifting effect of GA on the clock. Further analysis of GABAAR subunit expression in the SCN will be necessary to confirm its role.
Microbial Composition and Genes for Key Metabolic Attributes in the Gut Digesta of Sea Urchins Lytechinus variegatus and Strongylocentrotus purpuratus Using Shotgun Metagenomics

This paper describes the microbial community composition and genes for key metabolic genes, particularly the nitrogen fixation of the mucous-enveloped gut digesta of green (Lytechinus variegatus) and purple (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) sea urchins by using the shotgun metagenomics approach. Both green and purple urchins showed high relative abundances of Gammaproteobacteria at 30% and 60%, respectively. However, Alphaproteobacteria in the green urchins had higher relative abundances (20%) than the purple urchins (2%). At the genus level, Vibrio was dominant in both green (~9%) and purple (~10%) urchins, whereas Psychromonas was prevalent only in purple urchins (~24%). An enrichment of Roseobacter and Ruegeria was found in the green urchins, whereas purple urchins revealed a higher abundance of Shewanella, Photobacterium, and Bacteroides (q-value < 0.01). Analysis of key metabolic genes at the KEGG-Level-2 categories revealed genes for amino acids (~20%), nucleotides (~5%), cofactors and vitamins (~6%), energy (~5%), carbohydrates (~13%) metabolisms, and an abundance of genes for assimilatory nitrogen reduction pathway in both urchins. Overall, the results from this study revealed the differences in the microbial community and genes designated for the metabolic processes in the nutrient-rich sea urchin gut digesta, suggesting their likely importance to the host and their environment.
Risk Intelligence as a Resource in Career Transition: The Role of College Satisfaction on the Visions about Future Jobs

(1) Background: University transition is a critical step in career construction due to the uncertainty and unpredictability of socioeconomic conditions; these conditions compel people to manage a greater quantity of perceived risks associated with their career projects than in the past, and to face unexpected situations that could compromise their quality of life in educational and work contexts. After all, experiencing well-being during the university path can undoubtedly affect the visions of one’s future work, especially when a transition period is nearby. The present study aimed to explore the role of subjective risk intelligence in expectations about future work, analyzing the potential mediational role of academic satisfaction in this relationship. (2) Methods: A longitudinal study was carried out on 352 Italian university students at the end of the degree course. We used the following measures: in T1, Subjective risk intelligence scale, College Satisfaction scale; in T2, three items assessing the expectations about future work. (3) Results: The main findings showed that subjective risk intelligence has both direct and indirect effects (through the mediation of college satisfaction) on the expectations about future work. (4) Conclusions: The ability to manage risks, also through the contribution of domain-specific satisfaction, can lead to positive expectations toward one’s future work. This could increase the likelihood to perform career-related behaviors in a more proactive way if people have high risk management skills and high levels of academic satisfaction with their university path during transition.
Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns and ESBL of Uropathogens Isolated from Adult Females in Najran Region of Saudi Arabia

Background: To explore the prevalence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) among female patients in the Najran region of Saudi Arabia and determine their antimicrobial resistance pattern. Methods: This study was conducted on 136 urine samples collected from outpatient departments (OPDs) of the different government hospitals in the Najran region of Saudi Arabia. Over one year, the results of susceptibility testing reports of outpatient midstream urine samples from three government hospitals were prospectively evaluated. Results: Of 136 urine samples, only 123 (90.45%) were found to show significant growth for UTIs, from which 23 different uropathogens were identified. Escherichia coli (58.5%) was the most commonly isolated organism, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (8.1%). The isolated microorganism showed increased resistance patterns from 3.3% to 62.6%, with an overall resistance of 27.19%. Meropenem was the most effective antimicrobial, followed by amikacin and ertapenem (0.47%, 0.91%, and 1.5% resistance, respectively). At the same time, ampicillin and cephazolin were the least (62.6% and 59.5% resistance, respectively) effective. Overall, eleven (8.94%) uropathogens isolates were ESBLs, among which there were eight (6.5%) Escherichia coli, one (0.81%) Klebsiella pneumoniae, one (0.81%) Klebsiella oxytoca, and one (0.81%) Citrobacter amalonaticus. Conclusions: E. coli remains the most commonly isolated causative uropathogens, followed by Klebsiella species. The prevalence of pathogenic E. coli and Klebsiella species underscores the importance of developing cost-effective, precise, and rapid identification systems to minimize public exposure to uropathogens. Antibiotic susceptibility data revealed that most of the isolates were resistant to the majority of the antibiotics. The patients with UTIs in the Najran region of Saudi Arabia are at a high risk of antibiotic resistance, leading to significant problems in outpatient department (OPD) treatment outcomes and raising the alarm for the physician to change their empiric treatment.
Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Systemically Administered Statins: A Systematic Review

Hyperlipidemia is a well-recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which, in turn, acts as a contributory factor in periodontitis development. Periodontitis has been associated with benign tumors and cancers and withseveral disorders, including hyperlipidemia. Correspondingly, periodontal treatment may exert a positive effect on lipid metabolism, although opposite evidence has also been reported. As a counterpart, the therapy for hyperlipidemia, conventionally based on statins, has been proposed to positively affect periodontal conditions, mainly due to statin pleiotropic effects, reducing periodontal inflammation and promoting osseointegration. Therefore, the present systematic review aimed to evaluate, in subjects with untreated periodontitis and peri-implant disease (Population), the effect of routine systemically administered statins (Intervention), compared to non-statin use (Comparison), on periodontal parameters around natural teeth and implants (Outcome). Discordant results were found in periodontal parameters, and the current lack of such data related to peri-implant tissues and to alveolar bone loss highlights the need for further studies on the topic, potentially paving the way for a more comprehensive approach to periodontitis and peri-implantitis management. Indeed, the validation of the beneficial effect provided by systemically delivered statins on periodontal and peri-implant tissues may direct recall scheduling, predict response to therapy and, therefore, guide treatment strategies of periodontal and peri-implant treatments in statin users.
Autotransplantation of the Third Molar: A Therapeutic Alternative to the Rehabilitation of a Missing Tooth: A Scoping Review

Introduction: Tooth autotransplantation is the repositioning of an erupted, partially erupted, or non-erupted autologous tooth from one site to another within the same individual. Several factors influence the success rate of the autotransplant, such as the stage of root development, the morphology of the tooth, the surgical procedure selected, the extraoral time, the shape of the recipient socket, the vascularity of the recipient bed, and the vitality of the cells of the periodontal ligament. The aim of this scoping review was to provide the most up-to-date information and data on the clinical principles of the third-molar autograft and thus provide clinical considerations for its success. Materials and methods: This review was conducted based on PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews). The research was conducted by searching for keywords in three databases—PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar—by two independent reviewers following the PRISMA protocol, from which 599 records were identified. Conclusions: Third-molar autotransplantation is a valid solution to replace missing teeth. The key to the success of this technique is the surgical procedure, which must be as atraumatic as possible to preserve the periodontal ligament of the tooth to be transplanted. The success rate is also linked to the stage of development of the root, with a worse prognosis in the case of a complete root.
Regulation of Immunity in Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma: Role of PD-1, PD-L1, and PD-L2

Regulation of immunity is a unique oncogenic mechanism that differs in different cancers. VHL deficient clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCC) trigger the immune response resulting in cancer progression. This study aimed to investigate PD-1, PD-L1, and PD-L2 expression in ccRCC primary cancers and metastatic tissues associated with the p-VHL content, transcriptional, and growth factors expression. Methods: A total of 62 patients with RCC were enrolled in the study. Investigation of mRNA level was performed by PCR in real-time. Western blotting analysis was used for detecting the p-VHL protein content in tissues. Results: The PD-L2 prevalence in metastatic cancers is crucial in tumor progression. The VHL expression and p-VHL content determined the aggressive cancer behavior and elevated in disseminated tumors. The cancer dissemination was accompanied by an increase in both mRNA and VHL content. Conclusion: We present a new instrument targeting pathologies with p-VHL/HIF altered function that impact the PD-L2 expression through the change in transcriptional, growth factors, and AKT/mTOR modulation.