Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bioactivity of extracts from rhizoma and rhizosphere soil of cultivated Atractylodes lancea DC. and identification of their allelopathic compounds

Atractylodes lancea plants were cultivated in pots in a greenhouse in order to study on the mechanisms of plant autotoxicity. The soil used in the experiment was freshly collected from a bare field. After 8 months, A. lancea was harvested. Treatments of H_2O, 10, 50, 200 mg/ml extracts of rhizoma and 50, 200, 500 mg/ml extracts of rhizosphere soil were applied to test their effects on early development of A. lancea. Seed germination rates, extension of radicle and embryo, were recorded respectively at 5 d, 7 d and 14 d after emergence, then one-way ANOVA and multiple comparisons were conducted to test the differences between the treatments. In the follow-up studies, both rhizoma and rhizosphere soil were extracted by diethyl ether and ethyl acetate respectively, and GC-MS was conducted for the identification of the compounds in the extracts, and the similarity of the composition of compounds in rhizoma and rhizosphere soil by same extraction procedure were compared with Jaccard coefficient. β-eudesmol, which was found to be the major component in extracts of A. lancea rhizoma, was used to test the bioactivity. The experimental results showed that ① Neither 50 mg/ml and 200 nor 500 mg/ml extracts of rhizosphere soil had influences on seed germinations or the development of radicles and embryos;② Germination rates, lengths of radicles and embryos decreased with increasing concentration of rhizoma extracts,and 200 mg/ml rhizoma extracts reduced A. lancea growth significantly (p 0.05). Germination rates, lengths of radicles and embryos under this treatment was 11%, 32% and 23% of the controls respectively. ③ 20 compounds in rhizoma extracts and 27 compounds in rhizosphere soil extracts were identified. Many compounds, such as 2,5-octadecadly3noic acid, methyl ester,n-Hexadecanoic acid,Pentadecanal,Tetradecanoic acid,1-Naphthalenol,Butylated Hydroxytoluene,2-Methoxy-4-vinylphenol,etc., were allelophathic substances and detected in both extracts of rhizoma and rhizosphere soil. β-eudesmol and Hinesol, which were the main components of essential oil in A. lancea, was found in rhizoma extracts. ④ It was found that β-eudesmol, terpene, most of which are allelophathic substance, at all concentrations, had no effect on the germination rates and lengths of radicles,but 100 and 250 mg/l β-eudesmol reduced embryo development significantly. In conclusion, there was autotoxicity in continuous cropping of A. lancea, which was one of the causes of problems associated with continues cropping of a single plant species.
Fatal Progressive Meningoencephalitis Diagnosed in Two Members of a Family With X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia

Chronic enteroviral meningoencephalitis is a well-known complication in patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA). However, progressive neurodegenerative disorders or chronic neuroinflammatory diseases with no causative microorganisms have been recognized as rare central nervous system (CNS) complications in XLA. We herein report a family in which two of three members with XLA had developed progressive meningoencephalitis with an unknown etiology. A 15-month-old male infant presented with left-sided ptosis. Initially, the family denied any family history of inherited diseases, but later disclosed a family history of agammaglobulinemia previously diagnosed in two family members. In the early 1980s, one of the elder brothers of the index patient's mother who had been treated with intramuscular immunoglobulin [or later intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)] for agammaglobulinemia deceased at 10 years of age after showing progressive neurological deterioration during the last several years of his life. The index patient was diagnosed with XLA caused by Bruton tyrosine kinase deficiency (654delG; Val219Leufs*9), and chronic meningoencephalitis with an unknown infectious etiology. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated inflammatory changes in the basal ganglia, hypothalamus, midbrain, and pons, with multiple nodular lesions with ring enhancement, which showed impressive amelioration after the initiation of IVIG replacement therapy. Pleocytosis, which was characterized by an increase in CD4-positive and CD8-positive T cells expressing an activation marker and an elevation in inflammatory cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluid, was identified. No microorganism was identified as a cause of CNS complications. He thereafter developed brain infarction at 19 months of age and fatal status epilepticus at 5 years of age, despite regular IVIG with high trough levels and regular intraventricular immunoglobulin administration. The etiology of this rare CNS complication in XLA is currently unknown. Previous studies have suggested a possible association of IVIG, which was clearly denied in our index case because of the demonstration of his neurological disorder at presentation. In the future, extensive and unbiased molecular methods to detect causative microorganisms, as well as to investigate the possible role of autoimmunity are needed to clarify the etiology of CNS complications.
Advancing Antimicrobial Resistance Research Through Quantitative Modeling and Synthetic Biology

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an emerging global health crisis that is undermining advances in modern medicine and, if unmitigated, threatens to kill 10 million people per year worldwide by 2050. Research over the last decade has demonstrated that the differences between genetically identical cells in the same environment can lead to drug resistance. Fluctuations in gene expression, modulated by gene regulatory networks, can lead to non-genetic heterogeneity that results in the fractional killing of microbial populations causing drug therapies to fail; this non-genetic drug resistance can enhance the probability of acquiring genetic drug resistance mutations. Mathematical models of gene networks can elucidate general principles underlying drug resistance, predict the evolution of resistance, and guide drug resistance experiments in the laboratory. Cells genetically engineered to carry synthetic gene networks regulating drug resistance genes allow for controlled, quantitative experiments on the role of non-genetic heterogeneity in the development of drug resistance. In this perspective article, we emphasize the contributions that mathematical, computational, and synthetic gene network models play in advancing our understanding of AMR to discover effective therapies against drug-resistant infections.
Influence of Endodontic Access Cavity Design on Fracture Strength of Maxillary Incisors and Premolars and on Fatigue Resistance of Reciprocating Instruments

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two different access cavity designs on fracture strength of endodontically treated teeth and on cyclic fatigue resistance of Reciproc blue instruments. Methods: Forty (40) maxillary central incisor teeth and forty (40) upper first premolars were selected and divided into 4 groups (n = 20/group): Group 1A, incisors prepared with conservative access cavity (CEC); group 1B, incisors prepared with traditional access cavity (TEC); group 2A, premolars prepared with CEC; group 2B, premolars prepared with TEC. After access cavity preparation, all teeth were endodontically treated, restored, and then loaded to fracture. A total of 80 Reciproc blue R25 files were used for root canal shaping and then tested for cyclic fatigue. Normality of data distribution was evaluated by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Data were statistically analyzed by Independent T-test and the significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: No statistically significant differences in fracture strength were found between the two tested access cavities both for incisors (P = 0.70) and premolars (0.422). Cyclic fatigue resistance of Reciproc blue R25 was significantly reduced in endodontically treated teeth with CEC (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Within the limits of the present in vitro study, CEC does not increase fracture strength of endodontically treated teeth in comparison to TEC. Conservative Endodontic Cavity causes more cyclic fatigue of Reciproc blue R25 than Traditional Endodontic Cavity.
A Temporal Network Approach to Paranoia: A Pilot Study

Paranoid beliefs have been conceptualized as a central psychological process linked to schizophrenia and many mental disorders. Research on paranoia has indicated that it is pivotal to consider not only levels but also dynamic aspects of incriminated related mechanisms over time. In the present study, we conceptualized paranoia as a system of interacting elements. To do so, we used temporal network analysis to unfold the temporal dynamics between core psychological paranoia-related mechanisms, such as self-esteem, sadness, feeling close to others, and experiential avoidance. Time-series data of 23 participants with high scores in paranoia and/or interpersonal sensitivity were collected via experience sampling methodology (ESM). We applied a multilevel vector autoregressive (mlVAR) model approach and computed three distinct and complementary network models (i.e., contemporaneous, temporal, and between-subject) to disentangle associations between paranoia-related mechanisms in three different time frames. The contemporaneous model indicated that paranoia and sadness co-occurred within the same time frame, while sadness was associated with both low self-esteem and lack of closeness to others. The temporal model highlighted the importance of feeling close to others in predicting low paranoia levels in the next time frame. Finally, the between-subject model largely replicated an association found in both contemporaneous and temporal models. The current study reveals that the network approach offers a viable data-driven methodology for elucidating how paranoia-related mechanisms fluctuate over time and may determine its severity. Moreover, this novel perspective may open up new directions toward identifying potential targets for prevention and treatment of paranoia-related problems.
Neurophysiological Assessment of Prolonged Recovery From Neuromuscular Blockade in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Objective: To evaluate recovery from neuromuscular blockade in infants using Train-of-Four nerve stimulation. Study Design: Ulnar nerve stimulation was used to evoke thumb twitch and reported as Train-of-Four ratio. Thumb twitch was also recorded visually in real-time. Primary outcome was time to near recovery of muscle function (Train-of-Four ratio >70%). Secondary analyses were time to greater degrees of recovery (Train-of-Four ratio >80, 90%), sensitivity of accelerometry vs. visual thumb-twitch and clinical variates to assess safety. Results: Patients were enrolled following rocuronium-boluses (n = 10) and vecuronium-infusions (n = 9). Median recovery time to Train-of-Four ratio >70% was 14 h following rocuronium-bolus dosing and 34 h following cessation of continuous vecuronium infusion. Median stimulus threshold for accelerometry was 27.5 mA and visual observation was 20 mA. There were no safety concerns. Conclusion(s): Neuromuscular monitoring using Train-of-Four nerve stimulation is feasible in infants. Some infants exhibited prolonged recovery from neuromuscular-blockade. These pilot data may facilitate future standardized pediatric protocols on neuromuscular monitoring for safer dosing.
Identification of QTLs for Domestication-Related Traits in Zombi Pea [Vigna vexillata (L.) A. Rich], a Lost Crop of Africa

Zombi pea [Vigna vexillata (L.) A. Rich] is a legume crop found in Africa. Wild zombi pea is widely distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical regions, whereas domesticated zombi pea is rarely cultivated. Plant domestication is an evolutionary process in which the phenotypes of wild species, including seed dormancy, pod shattering, organ size, and architectural and phenological characteristics, undergo changes. The molecular mechanism underlying the domestication of zombi pea is relatively unknown. In this study, the genetic basis of the following 13 domestication-related traits was investigated in an F2 population comprising 198 individuals derived from a cross between cultivated (var. macrosperma) and wild (var. vexillata) zombi pea accessions: seed dormancy, pod shattering, days-to-flowering, days-to-maturity, stem thickness, stem length, number of branches, leaf area, pod length, 100-seed weight, seed width, seed length, and seeds per pod. A genetic map containing 6,529 single nucleotide polymorphisms constructed for the F2 population was used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for these traits. A total of 62 QTLs were identified for the 13 traits, with 1–11 QTLs per trait. The major QTLs for days-to-flowering, stem length, number of branches, pod length, 100-seed weight, seed length, and seeds per pod were clustered in linkage group 5. In contrast, the major QTLs for seed dormancy and pod shattering belonged to linkage groups 3 and 11, respectively. A comparative genomic analysis with the cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. ] genome used as the reference sequence (i.e., the genome of the legume species most closely related to zombi pea) enabled the identification of candidate genes for the major QTLs. Thus, we revealed the genomic regions associated with domestication-related traits and the candidate genes controlling these traits in zombi pea. The data presented herein may be useful for breeding new varieties of zombi pea and other Vigna species.
Short and Long Term Repeatability of Saccharin Transit Time in Current, Former, and Never Smokers

Smoking progressively damages the efficiency of mucociliary clearance (MCC) defense mechanisms, thus contributing to increased susceptibility to respiratory infections. Prolonged mucociliary clearance transit time (MCCTT) caused by chronic smoking has been investigated by saccharin test, but little data is available about its short- and long-term reproducibility. Moreover, it is not known if MCC impairment can be reversed when stopping smoking. Objective of the study is to investigate and compare short (3 days) and long term (30 days) repeatability of baseline saccharin transit time (STT) among current, former, and never smokers. STT results were analyzed in 39 current, 40 former, and 40 never smokers. Significant (p < 0.0001) short-term and long-term repeatability of STT were observed in current (R squared = 0.398 and 0.672, for short- and long-term, respectively) and former smokers (R squared = 0.714 and 0.595, for short- and long-term, respectively). Significant differences in MCCTT were observed among the three study groups (p < 0.0001); the median (IQR) MCCTT being 13.15 (10.24–17.25), 7.26 (6.18–9.17), and 7.24 (5.73–8.73) minutes for current, former and never smokers, respectively. Comparison between current smokers and former smokers was significantly different (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference between former and never smokers. The Saccharin test was well tolerated by all participants. We have shown for the first time high level repeatability in both current and former smokers. Moreover, MCC impairment can be completely reversed, former smokers exhibiting similar STT as never smokers. Measurement of STT is a sensitive biomarker of physiological effect for the detection of early respiratory health changes and may be useful for clinical research.
A Longitudinal Study on the Emotional Impact Cause by the COVID-19 Pandemic Quarantine on General Population

COVID-19 pandemic represents, not only a public physical health emergency, but a mental health serious problem as well. However, little is known about the psychological impact of the quarantine during this pandemic. The aim of this study is to assess the emotional impact of the lockdown measures imposed by the Argentinian government to fight the virus. For this, a survey was distributed on social network. We surveyed the Argentinian general population twice: 2 days after the mandatory quarantine started (time 1), and 2 weeks later (time 2). Anxiety levels were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II; and affect was assessed using the Positive and Negative Affect Scale. A total of 6057 people answered both surveys. In addition, different socio-demographic factors were considered, such as risk factors for COVID-19, age, gender, educational level, variation in family income due to quarantine, number of children, whether they have older adults in charge or not and the number of hours viewing information about COVID-19. Statistically significant variations were observed between the two time points. The effect size, however, was very small. Depression tends to increase slightly, while levels of anxiety and affect (positive and negative) tend to decrease. Also, some slight differences related to the socio-demographic factors were found. Findings suggests that sustaining the lockdown measures could have a larger effect on mental health in the long term. It is necessary to continue monitoring emotional distress and other related mental health problems on the general population. It is also necessary to create programs aimed at promoting mental health, and to distribute information about it.
Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Mental Wellbeing among 11 States of India: A Markov Modeling Approach

Objectives: Amid unprecedented health and socioeconomic crisis emanating from COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India with effect from 25th March 2020 extending into its fourth phase is a matter of great concern to mental health professionals. The present study aims to evaluate psychological impact during current pandemic in difficult to reach, autonomous process of community spread of COVID-19 in partially observable system using respondent driven system with hidden Markov modeling approach. Methods: The participants were asked to complete a demographic and clinical profile data form, psychological and behavioral changes in past 14 days, their stress levels, depression and anxiety was screened using standardized and validated DASS-21 Scale. Chi-square test, Mann Whitney U test and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient was performed. Results: A total of 891 people responded from 11 different states across the country and majority (90%) of them were from five South Indian states. We observed the prevalence of 22% of depression, with 15% anxiety and 27.5% with either of them. Young age, widow/unmarried marital status, moderate level of education, students, non-working status during lockdown, past history of psychiatric illnesses, presence of physical symptoms related to COVID-19, hypochondriacal thoughts, fear of contamination, social contagion, were found to be significantly associated (p<0.05) with reference to presence and/or severity of depression and anxiety. Conclusion: Markov Modeling using respondent driven sampling is a innovative way of sampling method which can be used in difficult to reach out population in changing dynamic system. Findings of high prevalence of psychopathologies warrants appropriate planning and timely designing an intervention in coordination with mental health professionals to flatten curve in due course of time.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL OF FLOWERING AND VIVIPAROUS PROLIFERATION IN SEMINIFEROUS AND VIVIPAROUS ARCTIC POPULATIONS OF TWO POA SPECIES

Inflorescence initiation and development in viviparous Poa alpina L. and seminiferous and viviparous Poa alpigena (Fries) Lindman from Svalbard have been studied in controlled environments. A dual induction requirement was found in all plant types with pronounced effects of photoperiod and temperature. Floral primordia were initiated in short days (SD) at temperatures up to 18? C, while at low temperatures (3 to 6? C) long days (LD) were equally effective. Normal culm elongation and panicle development were dependent on LD (> 17 h), although a few abnormal or stunted panicles were formed in SD as well, with high temperature partially substituting for long photoperiods. In the seminiferous form of P. alpigena (ephemeral) proliferation was induced by marginal induction (primary and secondary) and it was especially stimulated by SD during inflorescence development. In the habitually viviparous plants mixed inflorescences with a high proportion of sexual flowers were induced by saturating induction, primary and secondary induction acting additively. Long days (LD) and high temperature during inflorescence development were especially conducive. Comparison with other temperate perennial grasses are made and the adaptive value of these responses in the arctic environment is discussed with the literature in the field.
IGNITE: Empowering high ability underachieving students to become focused learners in mainstream classes

IGNITE, a high school-based programme, was developed for high ability underachievers using the Achievement Orientation Model (AOM), Maker Model, and Bibliotherapy in a mainstream setting. This paper reports on the effects discovered while implementing the programme over the course of 2 years. Year 7 (13 year olds) and Year 9 (15 year olds) students were trained to use the two interventions, incorporating one of these interventions to challenge their learning in the classroom. The programme for each cohort lasted approximately 10 weeks. Identification alone appeared to increase academic self-efficacy for many of these underachievers. Students were empowered by the student agency involved which supports many of the AOM’s assertions, in particular, environmental perceptions and goal valuation. The interventions, Maker Model and Bibliotherapy, should be used concurrently to produce self-directed students and reduce underachievement in high ability students as they appear to target different factors in the Achievement Orientation Model.
Quantitative Evidence Supporting Distributed Situation Awareness Model of Patient Flow Management

Patient flow, the movement of patients through a healthcare system (Hall et al., 2006; Jweinat et al., 2013), is a key contributor to operational efficiency of major hospitals or health centers. Patients flow depends on the interconnectivity of the healthcare teams to match the required hospital resources at a particular time for each patient (Morris & Carter, 2015; Rutherford et al., 2017). For example, an efficient discharge requires communication between nurses, patient transport team, and room cleaning to timely prepare the room for the next admission. Facilitating appropriate hospital services to be delivered to the correct patient in a timely manner can significantly affect healthcare costs (Harper, 2002) and the quality of care (Zeng et al., 2012). Poor patient flow could result in wasted resources, delays, and extra costs that impact hospital and patient outcomes (Mango & Shapiro, 2001). Therefore, optimizing patient flow can promote efficiencies (e.g., less idling bed), and thereby treat more patients without sacrificing quality of care. Command centers have shown to be effective at coordinating complex interconnected sequences of processes thereby lowering patient journey time and reducing cost (Alhaider et al., 2019; Howell et al., 2008, 2010; Kane et al., 2019; Lovett et al., 2016; Martinez et al., 2018; Villa et al., 2014; Yancer et al., 2006). Carilion Clinic, a level I trauma center in Roanoke, VA. , has established a patient flow command center – the Carilion Transfer and Communications Center that led to $1.5 million annual cost savings (Davenport et al., 2018; Morris & Carter, 2015). As the knowledge of how CTaC improves patient flow could be invaluable for other health centers, we adopted the Distributed Situation Awareness (DSA; Stanton et al., 2006; also see Lau & Boring, 2017) framework to study who (social), how (task), and what (knowledge) is necessary to manage patient flow, resulting in a network model (Alhaider et al., 2020) that reveals the necessary information exchanges to manage patient flow.