Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of iron polymaltose complex in treatment and prevention of iron deficiency anemia in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is commonly treated with iron formulations. Despite the expanding acceptance of iron polymaltose complex (IPC) among clinicians, there is sparse and contradictory evidence regarding its efficacy in the management of IDA in children. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness of IPC in the treatment and prevention of IDA in children. Methods We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE and Epistemonikos for all randomized control trials (RCTs) comparing oral IPC with standard oral iron supplementation for the treatment or prevention of IDA in children. We independently screened the titles and abstracts of identified trials before the full text of relevant trials was evaluated for eligibility. We then independently extracted data on the methods, interventions, outcomes, and risk of bias from the included trials. A random-effects model was used to estimate the risk ratios and mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. Results Eight trials comprising 493 randomized patients were included and analyzed using three comparison groups. The comparison group of which was used to evaluate IPC and ferrous sulphate (FS) for treatment of IDA showed that IPC is less effective in increasing Hb (MD −0.81, 95% CI −1.08 to −0.53; I2 = 48%, P < 0.001; six studies, 368 participants; high certainty of evidence), ferritin (MD −21.24, 95% CI −39.26 to −3.23, random-effects; I2 = 65%, P = 0.020; 3 studies, 183 participants; moderate certainty of evidence) and MCV levels (MD −3.20, 95% CI −5.35 to −1.05; P = 0.003; one study, 103 participants; low certainty of evidence). There was no difference in the occurrence of side effects between IPC and FS group (MD 0.78, 95% CI 0.47 to 1.31; I2 = 4%, P = 0.35; three studies, 274 participants; high certainty of evidence). Conclusions There was moderate to high certainty evidence that FS is superior to IPC with a clinically meaningful difference in improving the Hb and ferritin levels in the treatment of IDA in children. There was no difference in the occurrence of gastrointestinal side effects with high certainty evidence between the IPC and FS groups. The body of evidence did not allow a clear conclusion regarding the effectiveness of IPC with iron gluconate and iron bisglycinate in the prevention and treatment of IDA. The certainty of evidence was low. Adequately powered and high-quality trials with large sample sizes that assess both hematological and clinical outcomes are required. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019145020
Six-Month Follow-up Chest CT findings after Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia

Background Little is known about the long-term lung radiographic changes in convalescent COVID-19 patients, especially the severe cases. Purpose To prospectively assess pulmonary sequelae and explore the risk factors for lung fibrotic-like changes on six-month follow-up chest CT of survivors of severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Materials and Methods 114 patients (80[70%] men; mean age, 54±12 years) were studied prospectively. Initial and follow-up CT scans were obtained on 17±11 days and 175±20 days respectively after symptom onset. Lung changes (opacification, consolidation, reticulation, and fibrotic-like changes) and CT extent scores (score per lobe, 0-5; maximum score, 25) were recorded. Patients were divided into two groups: group#1 presence and group#2 absence of CT evidence of fibrotic-like changes (traction bronchiectasis, parenchymal bands, and/or honeycombing) based on their six-month follow-up CT. Between-group differences were assessed by Fisher’s exact test, two-sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the independent predictive factors of fibrotic-like changes. Results On follow-up CT, evidence of fibrotic-like changes was observed in 40/114 (35%) of patients (group#1), while the remaining 74/114 (65%) patients (group#2) showed either complete radiological resolution (43/114, 38%) or residual ground-glass opacification or interstitial thickening (31/114, 27%). Multivariable analysis identified age >50 years (odds ratio [OR]:8.5, 95%CI:1.9-38, p=.01), heart rate >100bpm at admission (OR:5.6, 95%CI:1.1-29, p=.04), duration of in-hospital stay ≥17 days (OR:5.5, 95%CI:1.5-21, p=.01), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (OR:13, 95%CI:3.3-55, p<.001), non-invasive mechanical ventilation (OR:6.3, 95%CI:1.3-30, p=.02) and total CT score ≥18 (OR:4.2, 95%CI:1.2-14, p=.02) on initial CT as independent predictors for lung fibrotic-like changes at 6 months. Conclusions Six-month follow-up CT showed lung fibrotic-like changes in more than one-third of patients who survived severe COVID-19 pneumonia. These changes were associated with an older age, acute respiratory distress syndrome, longer in-hospital stays, tachycardia, non-invasive mechanical ventilation and higher initial chest CT score. See also the editorial by Wells, Devaraj, and Desai.
Expression of vitamin D 1α-hydroxylase in human gingival fibroblasts in vivo

Background Vitamin D 1α-hydroxylase CYP27B1 is the key factor in the vitamin D pathway. Previously, we analyzed the expression of CYP27B1 in human gingival fibroblasts in vitro. In the present study, we analyzed the gingival expression of CYP27B1 in vivo. Methods Forty-two patients with periodontitis Stage IV Grade C and 33 controls were recruited. All patients with periodontitis had unsalvageable teeth and part of the wall of the periodontal pocket was resected and obtained after tooth extraction. All controls needed crown-lengthening surgery, and samples of gingiva resected during surgery were also harvested. All the individuals’ gingivae were used for immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. In addition, gingivae from seventeen subjects of the diseased group and twelve subjects of the control group were analyzed by real-time PCR. Results Expression of CYP27B1 was detected both in gingival epithelia and in gingival connective tissues, and the expression in connective tissues colocalized with vimentin, indicating that CYP27B1 protein is expressed in gingival fibroblasts. The expression of CYP27B1 mRNA in gingival connective tissues and the CYP27B1 staining scores in gingival fibroblasts in the diseased group were significantly higher than those in the control group. Conclusions Expression of CYP27B1 in human gingival tissues was detected, not only in the fibroblasts of gingival connective tissues, but also in the gingival epithelial cells, and might be positively correlated with periodontal inflammation.
Recent Studies on Rutile (TiO2)

A review is made of the work on reduced and ``doped'' rutile performed since the appearance of Grant's survey article in the Reviews of Modern Physics (1958). Measurements of electrical and optical properties, and of electron spin resonance spectra are discussed. A model of electronic bound states and conduction levels is suggested that is compatible with the results of these experiments. There is strong evidence that the defects in reduced rutile are interstitial Ti3+ ions. At very low temperatures, nearly all electrons are self‐trapped on cation sites (polarons). As the temperature increases, some of these trapped electrons will be excited into the conduction band. The activation energy for this process is approximately 0.007 ev below 50°K, and about one order of magnitude higher around room temperature. It is concluded that conduction takes place in a narrow 3d band associated with Ti ions; the effective mass at the bottom of this band is ∼25m0. If one assumes that the polaron binding energy can be des.
Removal of arsenic(V) from aqueous solution using industrial solid waste : Adsorption rates and equilibrium studies

Industrial solid wastes can be recycled as nonconventional adsorbents, if they are nontoxic, to reduce the cost of wastewater treatments. “Waste” Fe(III)/Cr(III) hydroxide, generated electrolytically in the treatment of Cr(VI) containing wastewaters in a fertilizer industry was used for the adsorption of arsenic(V) from aqueous solution. Parameters studied include arsenic(V) concentration, agitation time, adsorbent dosage, adsorbent particle size, temperature, and pH. The adsorption capacity was evaluated by using both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The adsorption followed a first-order rate expression. Adsorption of As(V) was independent of the initial pH (3−10) of the aqueous solution. Temperature studies showed that the adsorption process was endothermic in nature. Desorption of As(V) from spent adsorbent was also investigated using NaOH solutions.
Characterization of the Liquid−Crystalline Phases in the Glycerol Monooleate/Diglycerol Monooleate/Water System

The ternary phase diagram of two nonionic polar lipids, glycerol monooleate (GMO) and diglycerol monooleate (DGMO), in water has been characterized through NMR, polarizing optical microscopy, SAXS, and rheological measurements. GMO in water forms a lamellar and two types of bicontinuous cubic phases. The diamond type exists in equilibrium with water. DGMO, with its bulky polar group, forms only lamellar structures that also coexist with water. In the ternary GMO/DGMO/water system, the regions of lamellar and cubic phases are significantly enlarged, and a swollen cubic phase of the gyroid type exists in equilibrium with water. Measurement of the viscoelastic properties revealed that the cubic phases are elastic, independent of the sample composition. The cubic phases become softer (the G‘ storage modulus decreases) with increasing water and DGMO content. A discontinuity is observed in the G‘ versus water content graph at the transition between the gyroid and the diamond cubic phases.
Are All Patients with Cancer at Heightened Risk for Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)?

Abstract Cancer patients are traditionally considered at high risk for complicated respiratory viral infections, due to their underlying immunosuppression. In line with this notion, early case series reported high mortality rates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients with malignancy. However, subsequent large, prospective, epidemiological surveys indicate that the risk for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be largely attributed to the multiple confounders operating in this highly heterogeneous population of patients, rather than the cancer or its treatment per se. We critically discuss the conundrums of SARS-CoV-2 infection in cancer patients and underscore mechanistic insights on the outcome of COVID-19 as it relates to cancer therapy and the type and status of the underlying malignancy. Not all cancer patients are similarly at risk for a complicated COVID-19 course. A roadmap is needed for translational and clinical research on COVID-19 in this challenging group of patients.
Disentangling the Association of Hydroxychloroquine Treatment with Mortality in Covid-19 Hospitalized Patients through Hierarchical Clustering

The efficacy of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in treating SARS-CoV-2 infection is harshly debated, with observational and intervention studies reporting contrasting results. To clarify the role of HCQ in Covid-19 patients, we carried out a retrospective observational study of 4,396 unselected patients hospitalized for Covid-19 in Italy (February-May 2020). Patients characteristics were collected at entry, including age, sex, obesity, smoking status, blood parameters, history of diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular and chronic pulmonary diseases and medications in use. These were used to identify subtypes of patients with similar characteristics through hierarchical clustering based on Gower distance. Using multivariable Cox regressions, these clusters were then tested for association with mortality and modification of effect by treatment with HCQ. We identified two clusters, one of 3,913 younger patients with lower circulating inflammation levels and better renal function, and one of 483 generally older and more comorbid subjects, more prevalently men and smokers. The latter group was at increased death risk adjusted by HCQ (HR[CI95%] = 3.80[3.08-4.67]), while HCQ showed an independent inverse association (0.51[0.43-0.61]), as well as a significant influence of cluster*HCQ interaction (p<0.001). This was driven by a differential association of HCQ with mortality between the high (0.89[0.65-1.22]) and the low risk cluster (0.46[0.39-0.54]). These effects survived adjustments for additional medications in use and were concordant with associations with disease severity and outcome. These findings suggest a particularly beneficial effect of HCQ within low risk Covid-19 patients and may contribute clarifying the current controversy on HCQ efficacy in Covid-19 treatment.
The role of fruits and fires in the germination of a rare subshrub, Amorpha georgiana (Fabaceae)1

Abstract. Seed dormancy is a trait that has evolved to maximize germination when environmental conditions are optimal for successful recruitment of new individuals into a population. Physical dormancy is one such trait common in legumes and release from this condition is often associated with disturbance events, such as fire. Changes to the specific conditions (e.g., climate, fire regimes) that release seeds from dormancy can have negative effects on populations, especially of rare species. Therefore, understanding the species-specific requirements needed to release seeds from dormancy and induce germination provides insight into ecological processes, effects of changing environmental conditions, and potential conservation actions. Amorpha georgiana (Fabaceae) is a rare subshrub with indehiscent fruits (pods) found in fire-maintained longleaf pine habitats in the southeastern United States. The germination ecology of this species is largely unknown. The goals of this study were to determine the presence of physically dormant seed in A. georgiana and then, through a series of laboratory-based experiments, resolve the fire related factors that effectively overcome dormancy and promote germination. The seeds of A. georgiana exhibit physical dormancy and show significantly higher germination after brief exposure to hot water (94 °C) compared to all other temperatures and treatments assessed. Regardless of treatment, seeds have low germination when retained in their pods, but the pod is not the cause of physical dormancy. We found enclosure within an indehiscent pod and exposure to pyrogenic temperatures (> 80 °C) both affect dormancy release and germination of A. georgiana. The 3.5-fold increase in germination at pyrogenic temperatures suggests the response is highly fire-adapted and fits the definition of obligate pyrogenic dormancy release. While season of fire exposure was not significant in our study, we did find consistent negative effects on the germination response. Our results suggest pulses of heat from periodic growing season fires are likely necessary to promote recruitment and maintain populations of this rare species.
Epigenetic impairment and blunted transcriptional response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis of alveolar macrophages from persons living with HIV

Persons living with HIV (PLWH) are at increased risk of tuberculosis (TB). HIV-associated TB is often the result of recent infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) followed by rapid progression to disease. Alveolar macrophages (AM) are the first cells of the innate immune system that engage Mtb, but how HIV and antiretroviral therapy (ART) impact on the anti-mycobacterial response of AM is not known. To investigate the impact of HIV and ART on the transcriptomic and epigenetic response of AM to Mtb, we obtained AM by bronchoalveolar lavage from 20 PLWH receiving ART, 16 control subjects who were HIV-free (HC), and 14 subjects who received ART as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV infection. Following in-vitro challenge with Mtb, AM from each group displayed overlapping but distinct profiles of significantly up- and down-regulated genes in response to Mtb. Compared to HC subjects, AM isolated from PLWH and PrEP subjects presented a substantially weaker transcriptional response. Further investigation of chromatin structure revealed that AM from control subjects challenged with Mtb responded with pronounced accessibility changes in over ten thousand regions. In stark contrast, AM obtained from PLWH and PrEP subjects displayed no significant changes in their chromatin state in response to Mtb. Collectively, these results revealed a previously unknown adverse effect of ART on the epigenetic landscape and transcriptional responsiveness of AM.
Iron deficiency anemia in males: a dosing dilemma?

ABSTRACT Introduction: Iron deficiency anemia is a major problem worldwide treated by replenishment of iron stores. The treatment is complicated by differing pharmacodynamics of administrative routes, equations with design effects, ongoing losses, additional daily requirement, plateauing of markers required for iron absorption, food–drug interactions, gender, and age. Accounting for these factors in one dosing regimen becomes difficult, specifically in males. This review aimed at analyzing multiple dosages of iron supplements in different studies and determining if there are factors that could individualize treatment in male patients. Methods: A scoping review was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov. We reviewed literature from 1980 to 2020. The keywords used in the review were ‘iron deficiency’, ‘dosage’, ‘males’, and ‘standardized’. Results and conclusions: The review included 1507 male participants from 9 major studies (4 clinical trials, 1 systematic review, 2 prospective and 2 descriptive studies). In the case of males, differences in lean body weight, and factors affecting absorption of iron also need to be considered. In order to thoroughly explore the issues in treatment of iron deficiency anemia, randomized controlled trials are required to investigate the frequency of dosing, impact of vitamin C and proper counselling, and weight changes in male participants.
Degree of miscibility between non-isomorphous plastic phases: binary system NPG (neopentyl glycol)-TRIS[tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane]

The experimental phase diagram between the plastic crystals neopentyl glycol (NPG) and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS) has been established. The importance of the use of complementary techniques with different timescales in order to obtain the most realistic phase diagram is underlined. The miscibility is discussed on the basis of the geometric conditions (size and shape of molecules and unit-cell dimensions) and of the role of the intermolecular interactions in the structure of the mixed crystals. Binary phase diagrams formed by related, previously reported neopentane derivatives are also analysed in the same manner.
Self-regulation in Preschool Children: Factor Structure of Different Measures of Effortful Control and Executive Functions

ABSTRACT Temperamental effortful control (EC) and executive functions (EF) are two frameworks for studying self-regulation in children. Despite stemming from different research traditions, they show many conceptual and theoretical similarities and their corresponding tasks are often used interchangeably. However, little is known about how and whether the two constructs can be distinguished empirically. The present study aimed to contribute to the investigation of this issue. A sample of 230 preschool children aged 4–6 years were tested with two common behavioral EC tasks and an EC questionnaire. Furthermore, the assessment included common measures of the three subcomponents of EF, namely inhibition, working memory, and shifting. Data were analyzed using correlational and confirmatory factor analyses. In accordance with our hypotheses, we found significant positive correlations between most EC and EF measures, and a single factor model, in which all EC and EF tasks loaded significantly on the underlying factor, was supported by our results. Moreover, this latent construct generalized across gender and age. These findings show that the variety of common EC and EF tasks used in this study all seem to tap similar aspects of self-regulation and therefore support an integrated model of self-regulation encompassing EC and EF. Our results are further considered to be informative for future research using different EC and EF tasks.
Remdesivir in a pregnant patient with COVID-19 pneumonia

ABSTRACT Remdesivir is an antiviral drug currently being studied as a potential treatment of pneumonia caused by infection with SARS-CoV-2. The Adaptive Covid-19 Treatment Trial (ACTT-1) by NIH and the SIMPLE study by Gilead Sciences are two major trials that showed promising results of Remdesivir in the non-pregnant population. We are presenting the case of a pregnant patient who was diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia and successfully treated with Remdesivir.
The Structure of Processing Speed in Children and Its Impact on Reading

ABSTRACT The present study had two aims. First, we set out to evaluate the structure of processing speed in children by comparing five alternative models: two conceptual models (a unitary model, a complexity model) and three methodological models (a stimulus material model, an output response model, and a timing modality model). Second, we then used the resulting models to predict multiple types of reading, a highly important developmental outcome, using other well-known predictors as covariates. Participants were 844 children enrolled in third through fifth grade in urban public elementary schools who received 16 measures of processing speed that varied in the above dimensions. A two-factor complexity model that differentiated between simple and complex processing speed was the preferred model and fit the data well. Both types of PS predicted reading fluency, and complex (but not simple) PS predicted single word reading and comprehension. Results offer insight to the structure of processing speed, its relation to closely related concepts (such as executive function), and provide nuance to the understanding of the way processing speed influences reading.
Acquired Hemophilia A and urothelial carcinoma

ABSTRACT Acquired Hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare entity, resulting from the production of autoantibodies against Factor VIII of the coagulation cascade. These autoantibodies may develop in response to autoimmune conditions, drugs, neoplastic diseases, and pregnancy. Diagnosis involves clinical presentation, mucocutaneous or intramuscular bleeding, and laboratory findings, such as prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time, decreased levels of Factor VIII, and the presence of Factor VIII autoantibodies. The etiology is diverse, with a variety of underlying culprits. Malignancy-associated AHA has been associated with approximately 15% of cases. Urothelial malignancy-mediated AHA is exceedingly rare, with only two previously published reports. The management of AHA includes stabilization and control of bleeding via the use of hemostatic agents, and elimination of the inhibitor with immunosuppressive therapy. Here, we report a case of AHA secondary to urothelial malignancy and review the pathobiology and pathogenesis of Hemophilia A and AHA.