Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determining factors for the prevalence of depressive symptoms among postpartum mothers in lowland region in southern Nepal

Background Postpartum depression is the most common mental health problem among women of childbearing age in resource-poor countries. Poor maternal mental health is linked with both acute and chronic negative effects on the growth and development of the child. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with depressive symptoms among postpartum mothers in the lowland region in southern Nepal. Methods A hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st July to 25th August 2019 among 415 randomly selected postpartum mothers attending the child immunization clinic at Narayani hospital. The postpartum depressive symptoms were measured using the validated Nepalese version of the Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The data were entered into EpiData software 3.1v and transferred into Stata version 14.1 (StataCorp LP, College Station, Texas) for statistical analyses. To identify the correlates, backward stepwise binary logistic regression models were performed separately for the dichotomized outcomes: the presence of postpartum depressive symptoms. The statistical significance was considered at p-value <0.05 with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Among the total 415 study participants, 33.7% (95% CI: 29.2–38.5%) of postpartum mothers had depressive symptoms. Study participant’s whose family monthly income <150 USD compared to ≥150 USD (aOR = 13.76, 95% CI: 6.54–28.95), the husband had migrated for employment compared to not migrated (aOR = 8.19, 95% CI:4.11–15.87), nearest health facility located at more than 60 minutes of walking distance (aOR = 4.52, 95% CI: 2.26–9.03), delivered their last child by cesarean section compared to normal (vaginal) delivery (aOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.12–3.59) and received less than four recommended antenatal care (ANC) visits (aOR = 2.28, 95% CI:1.25–4.15) had higher odds of depressive symptoms. Participants who had planned pregnancy (aOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.25–0.77) were associated with 56% lower odds of depressive symptoms. Conclusions One-third of the mothers suffered from postpartum depressive symptoms. The participant’s husband migrated for employment, family income, distance to reach a health facility, delivery by cesarean section, not receiving recommended ANC visits, and plan of pregnancy were independent predictors for postpartum depressive symptoms. The study results warranted the urgency for clinical diagnosis of PPD and implementation of preventive package in study settings. Mental health education to pregnant women during ANC visits and proper counseling during the antepartum and postpartum period can also play a positive role in preventing postpartum depression.
Fluorescent detection of PARP activity in unfixed tissue

Poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase (PARP) relates to a family of enzymes that can detect DNA breaks and initiate DNA repair. While this activity is generally seen as promoting cell survival, PARP enzymes are also known to be involved in cell death in numerous pathologies, including in inherited retinal degeneration. This ambiguous role of PARP makes it attractive to have a simple and fast enzyme activity assay, that allows resolving its enzymatic activity in situ, in individual cells, within complex tissues. A previously published two-step PARP activity assay uses biotinylated NAD+ and streptavidin labelling for this purpose. Here, we used the fluorescent NAD+ analogues ε-NAD+ and 6-Fluo-10-NAD+ to assess PARP activity directly on unfixed tissue sections obtained from wild-type and retinal degeneration-1 (rd1) mutant retina. In standard UV microscopy ε-NAD+ incubation did not reveal PARP specific signal. In contrast, 6-Fluo-10-NAD+ resulted in reliable detection of in situ PARP activity in rd1 retina, especially in the degenerating photoreceptor cells. When the 6-Fluo-10-NAD+ based PARP activity assay was performed in the presence of the PARP specific inhibitor olaparib, the activity signal was completely abolished, attesting to the specificity of the assay. The incubation of live organotypic retinal explant cultures with 6-Fluo-10-NAD+, did not produce PARP specific signal, indicating that the fluorescent marker may not be sufficiently membrane-permeable to label living cells. In summary, we present a new, rapid, and simple to use fluorescence assay for the cellular resolution of PARP activity on unfixed tissue, for instance in complex neuronal tissues such as the retina.
Malaria and intestinal parasite co-infection and its association with anaemia among people living with HIV in Buea, Southwest Cameroon: A community-based retrospective cohort study

Background Both malaria and intestinal parasites are endemic in Cameroon, and their co-infection can be of great impact on anaemia among people living with HIV (PLWH). This community-based retrospective cohort study determined the prevalence and association of infections with anaemia in PLWH and HIV-negative individuals in Buea, Cameroon from March to August 2019. Methods The study population comprised of 190 PLWH and 216 consenting HIV-negative individuals from the Buea community. Participants were examined clinically, the collected blood sample was used for malaria parasite (MP) detection, HIV diagnosis and haemoglobin (Hb) measurement while stool samples were examined for the detection of intestinal parasites (IPs). Proportions were compared using Pearson’s Chi-square test and association of anaemia with independent variables was evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Results Out of the 406 participants, MP, IPs and MP/IP co-infection prevalences were 15.5%, 13.0% and 3.0% respectively. PLWH had a higher prevalence of MP (16.3%, P = 0.17), IPs (23.7%, P ˂ 0.001) and MP/IPs co-infection (3.7%, P = 0.04) when compared with HIV-negative participants. Similarly, PLWH had significantly lower mean haemoglobin value (11.10 ± 1.54 g/dL) than their HIV-negative counterparts (12.45 ± 2.06 g/dL). Also, PLWH co-infected with MP and IPs were observed to have a significantly lower mean haemoglobin value (10.6 ± 1.21 g/dL). PLWH had a significantly (P ˂ 0.001) higher prevalence of mild (56.8%), moderate (18.4%) and severe (1.6%) anaemia when compared with HIV-negative counterparts. The significant risk factors associated with anaemia included being febrile (P = 0.03), MP-infected only (P = 0.001), HIV-infected only (P < 0.001), having dual (P < 0.001) or triple-infections (P = 0.03). Conclusion Malaria and intestinal parasites remain public health concerns among PLWH and anaemia as a serious haematological abnormality gets exacerbated even with the viral load suppression. Hence, routine medical check-ups among PLWH are recommended.
Dendritic Cells Revisited.

Dendritic cells (DCs) possess the ability to integrate information about their environment and communicate it to other leukocytes, shaping adaptive and innate immunity. Over the years, a variety of cell types have been called DCs on the basis of phenotypic and functional attributes. Here, we refocus attention on conventional DCs (cDCs), a discrete cell lineage by ontogenetic and gene expression criteria that best corresponds to the cells originally described in the 1970s. We summarize current knowledge of mouse and human cDC subsets and describe their hematopoietic development and their phenotypic and functional attributes. We hope that our effort to review the basic features of cDC biology and distinguish cDCs from related cell types brings to the fore the remarkable properties of this cell type while shedding some light on the seemingly inordinate complexity of the DC field. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Immunology, Volume 39 is April 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews. org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
On the adhesion–velocity relation and length adaptation of motile cells on stepped fibronectin lanes

Significance Cells exert forces on their environment by contracting actin networks, friction of intracellular F-actin flow, and polymerization when they move, e.g., during tumor metastasis or development. In this context, the relation between adhesion and cell velocity is a general cell-type-independent observation, the investigation of which bears the chance of understanding basic mechanisms. Restricting cell motion to one-dimensional lanes simplifies the problem and allows for comparison to mathematical models. Polymerization at the cell’s leading edge drives F-actin network flow and pushes the membrane. The drag of detaching the cell, the membrane, and the cell body resist motion. Since only velocity-controlled forces shape motion, cells can move even across highly adhesive areas without getting stuck. The biphasic adhesion–velocity relation is a universal observation in mesenchymal cell motility. It has been explained by adhesion-promoted forces pushing the front and resisting motion at the rear. Yet, there is little quantitative understanding of how these forces control cell velocity. We study motion of MDA-MB-231 cells on microlanes with fields of alternating Fibronectin densities to address this topic and derive a mathematical model from the leading-edge force balance and the force-dependent polymerization rate. It reproduces quantitatively our measured adhesion–velocity relation and results with keratocytes, PtK1 cells, and CHO cells. Our results confirm that the force pushing the leading-edge membrane drives lamellipodial retrograde flow. Forces resisting motion originate along the whole cell length. All motion-related forces are controlled by adhesion and velocity, which allows motion, even with higher Fibronectin density at the rear than at the front. We find the pathway from Fibronectin density to adhesion structures to involve strong positive feedbacks. Suppressing myosin activity reduces the positive feedback. At transitions between different Fibronectin densities, steady motion is perturbed and leads to changes of cell length and front and rear velocity. Cells exhibit an intrinsic length set by adhesion strength, which, together with the length dynamics, suggests a spring-like front–rear interaction force. We provide a quantitative mechanistic picture of the adhesion–velocity relation and cell response to adhesion changes integrating force-dependent polymerization, retrograde flow, positive feedback from integrin to adhesion structures, and spring-like front–rear interaction.
A vasculature-centric approach to developing novel treatment options for glioblastoma

ABSTRACT Introduction: Glioblastoma is invariably deadly and is characterized by extensive vascularization and macrophage-dominant immunosuppression; nevertheless, anti-angiogenesis has so far failed to prolong overall survival of patients. Regardless of the problems in clinical development, the rationale for the application of anti-angiogenics in glioblastoma remains. Areas covered: Resistance to anti-angiogenics is discussed, including vessel co-option and amplification of hypoxic signaling in response to vessel destruction. The modulation of GSC and tumor-associated macrophages by dysfunctional tumor vessels and by hypoxia are outlined. Pharmacologic approaches to sensitizing glioblastomas to anti-angiogenics and evidence for the cooperation of anti-angiogenics with immunotherapies are summarized. Database search: https://pubmed.ncbi. nlm.nih. gov prior to December 12, 2020. Expert opinion: Despite drawbacks in the clinical development of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF)-targeted agents, there is still rationale for the use of anti-angiogenics. The better understanding of vascular co-option and adverse effects of blood vessel destruction guides to improve strategies for vascular targeting. The pivotal role of the vasculature and of angiogenic factors such as VEGF for the induction and maintenance of immunosuppression in glioblastoma supports the use of anti-angiogenics in combination with immunotherapy. Proinflammatory repolarization of perivascular and perinecrotic tumor-associated macrophages is probably paramount for overcoming treatment resistance to virtually any treatment.
Gut microbiome dysbiosis and correlation with blood biomarkers in active-tuberculosis in endemic setting

Tuberculosis (TB) is the largest infectious disease with 10 million new active-TB patients and1.7 million deaths per year. Active-TB is an inflammatory disease and is increasingly viewed as an imbalance of immune responses to M. tb. infection. The mechanisms of a switch from latent infection to active disease is not well worked out but a shift in the immune responses is thought to be responsible. Increasingly, the role of gut microbiota has been described as a major influencer of the immune system. And because the gut is the largest immune organ, we aimed to analyze the gut microbiome in active-TB patients in a TB-endemic country, Pakistan. The study revealed that Ruminococcacea, Enetrobactericeae, Erysipelotrichaceae, Bifidobacterium, etc. were the major genera associated with active-TB, also associated with chronic inflammatory disease. Plasma antibody profiles against several M. tb. antigens, as specific biomarkers for active-TB, correlated closely with the patient gut microbial profiles. Besides, bcoA gene copy number, indicative of the level of butyrate production by the gut microbiome was five-fold lower in TB patients compared to healthy individuals. These findings suggest that gut health in TB patients is compromised, with implications for disease morbidity (e.g., severe weight loss) as well as immune impairment.
Evaluation of homogeneity of a certified reference material by instrumental neutron activation analysis

The homogeneity of the marine reference material TORT-1, a spray-dried and acetone-extracted hepatopancreatic material from the lobster, was tested for 26 elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Through a one-way analysis of variance based on six analyses on each of six bottles of TORT-1, it was concluded that the between-bottle heterogeneity is no greater than the within-bottle heterogeneity. The analytical results for those elements for which values were provided by NRC agree with the NRC values within 95% confidence limits. 8 references, 6 tables.
Morpho‐physiological properties and connectivity of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide‐expressing interneurons in the mouse hippocampal dentate gyrus

The hippocampus is a key brain structure for cognitive and emotional functions. Among the hippocampal subregions, the dentate gyrus (DG) is the first station that receives multimodal sensory information from the cortex. Local‐circuit inhibitory GABAergic interneurons (INs) regulate the excitation–inhibition balance in the DG principal neurons (PNs) and therefore are critical for information processing. Similar to PNs, GABAergic INs also receive distinct inhibitory inputs. Among various classes of INs, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide‐expressing (VIP+) INs preferentially target other INs in several brain regions and thereby directly modulate the GABAergic system. However, the morpho‐physiological characteristics and postsynaptic targets of VIP+ INs in the DG are poorly understood. Here, we report that VIP+ INs in the mouse DG are highly heterogeneous based on their morpho‐physiological characteristics. In approximately two‐thirds of morphologically reconstructed cells, their axons ramify in the hilus. The remaining cells project their axons exclusively to the molecular layer (15%), to both the molecular layer and hilus (10%), or throughout the entire DG layers (8%). Generally, VIP+ INs display variable intrinsic properties and discharge patterns without clear correlation with their morphologies. Finally, VIP+ INs are recruited with a long latency in response to theta‐band cortical inputs and preferentially innervate GABAergic INs over glutamatergic PNs. In summary, VIP+ INs in the DG are composed of highly diverse subpopulations and control the DG output via disinhibition.
Update on novel hormonal and non-hormonal male contraceptive development.

BACKGROUND The advent of new methods of male contraception would increase contraceptive options for men and women and advance male contraceptive agency. Pharmaceutical R&D for male contraception has been dormant since the 1990's. The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) has supported a contraceptive development program since 1969 and supports most ongoing hormonal male contraceptive development. Non-hormonal methods are in earlier stages of development. CONTENT Several hormonal male contraceptive agents have entered clinical trials. Novel single agent products being evaluated include Dimethandrolone Undecanoate (DMAU), 11β-methyl-nortestosterone dodecylcarbonate (11β-MNTDC), and 7α-methyl-19-nortestosterone (MENT). A contraceptive efficacy trial of Nestorone® (NES)/testosterone (T) gel is underway. Potential non-hormonal methods are at preclinical stages of development. Many non-hormonal male contraceptive targets that affect sperm production, sperm function, or sperm transport have been identified. SUMMARY NICHD supports development of reversible male contraceptive agents. Other organizations such as the World Health Organization, the Population Council, and The Male Contraception Initiative are pursuing male contraceptive development, but industry involvement remains limited.
Multi-orbital tight binding model for the electronic and optical properties of armchair graphene nanoribbons in the presence of a periodic potential

The influences of an external electric field with uniform or modulated potential on the electronic and optical properties of armchair graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are explored using the multi-orbital tight-binding Hamiltonian. The interplay between an electric field and interaction between (s, p x , p y , p z ) orbitals remarkably enriches the main features of band structures and absorption spectra. The applied electric field can notably alter the energy dispersions of π and σ bands, leading to the deformation of band-edge states, open and close of a band gap, and modification of the Fermi energy. The vertical optical excitations happen among the π bands, while their available channels depend on the Fermi level which is controlled by the σ-edge bands and a finite potential. With the rich and unique properties, GNRs are suitable candidates for applications in the fields of photodetectors, nanoelectronics, and spintronics. The calculated results are expected to be examined by the angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopies and optical spectroscopies.
Effects of garlic supplementation on oxidative stress and antioxidative capacity biomarkers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

Evidence suggests that garlic supplementation may have an effect on oxidative stress by augmenting the rate of enzymatic and non‐enzymatic antioxidants and diminishing pro‐oxidant enzymes. Given inconsistencies across studies, we aimed to systematically review the current literature and quantify the effects of garlic supplementation on oxidative stress. We conducted a systematic search with multiple databases (Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science) to find relevant articles published prior to October 2020. Results were reported as bias‐corrected standardized mean difference (Hedges' g) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random‐effects models. Cochrane's Q and I squared (I2) tests were used to determine heterogeneity among the studies included. Twelve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Garlic doses ranged from 80 to 4,000 mg/day, and intervention duration varied between 2 and 24 weeks. Garlic supplementation increased serum level of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (Hedges' g: 2.77, 95% CI: 1.37 to 4.17, p < 0.001) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (Hedges' g: 13.76, 95% CI: 4.24 to 23.29, p = 0.004), while it reduced the malondialdehyde serum level (MDA) (Hedges' g: ‐1.94, 95% CI: −3.17 to −0.70, p = 0.002). Due to limited data available, glutathione (GSH) was not considered for the current meta‐analysis. The nonlinear dose‐response effect of garlic supplementation was not observed with regard to serum TAC and MDA levels (TAC: p‐nonlinearity = 0.398; MDA: p‐nonlinearity = 0.488). Garlic supplementation appears to improve serum levels of TAC, MDA, and SOD. Garlic supplementation may be useful to reduce oxidative stress and related diseases. Future studies with large sample sizes and longer duration are required to confirm these findings.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of Corrensite: A Study of the Transformation of Saponite to Corrensite

Hydrothermal synthesis experiments were conducted to study the transition from smectite to corrensite. A mixture of oxides with the bulk composition of corrensite—Na0.4(Si6.4Al1.6)(Mg7.8Al1.2)-O20(OH)10—was sealed in platinum capsules with 29–37 wt. % water. One set of samples was treated in cold-seal vessels at 500°C and 2 kbar for durations of 2, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h; the other set was treated at 350°C and 2 kbar for periods of 12 to 89 d. X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD) of oriented aggregates from treated products were obtained from ethylene glycol-solvated and air-dried preparations. Samples were also heated to 350°C either in a calibrated muffle furnace, removed and quickly placed in a nitrogen filled chamber on the diffractometer, or were heated at 350°C by using a calibrated heating stage mounted on the diffractometer.Initial mineral assemblages at both temperatures contained only saponite and serpentine. In experiments at 500°C, saponite transformed to corrensite within 6 h; in experiments at 350°C, the transformation occurred as early as 22 d. Increased experiment times at both temperatures produced increasing amounts of well-crystallized corrensite, as indicated by several well-defined XRD peaks. No evidence of a randomly interstratified chlorite-smectite (C-S) precursor to corrensite was found. The identification of pure smectite, as opposed to highly-expanded randomly interstratified C-S, was possible only when clays were dehydrated on a heating stage on the diffractometer.These results call for a new examination of hydrothermally-altered basalt that has been reported to contain randomly interstratified C-S as an intermediate step in the reaction of smectite to corrensite or chlorite. These results also strengthen the view held by increasing numbers of investigators that corrensite should be regarded as a single phase, not as a mixed-layered phyllosilicate.