Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Breathing Pattern Analysis in Cattle Using Infrared Thermography and Computer Vision

Simple Summary Breathing patterns are commonly used to assess cattle health and welfare parameters such as stress, pain, and disease. Infrared thermography has recently been accepted as a non-invasive tool for breathing pattern measurement. In this study, we applied a computer vision method (Mask R-CNN) to infrared thermography and made it possible to automatically estimate the breathing pattern in cattle. Breathing patterns identified by computer vision were highly correlated with those measured through thermal image observation. As this method is not labor-intensive and can handle numerable big data, it might be possible to analyze breathing patterns from various angles in the future. Abstract Breathing patterns can be considered a vital sign providing health information. Infrared thermography is used to evaluate breathing patterns because it is non-invasive. Our study used not only sequence temperature data but also RGB images to gain breathing patterns in cattle. Mask R-CNN was used to detect the ROI (region of interest, nose) in the cattle RGB images. Mask segmentation from the ROI detection was applied to the corresponding temperature data. Finally, to visualize the breathing pattern, we calculated the temperature values in the ROI by averaging all temperature values in the ROI. The results in this study show 76% accuracy with Mask R-CNN in detecting cattle noses. With respect to the temperature calculation methods, the averaging method showed the most appropriate breathing pattern compared to other methods (maximum temperature in the ROI and integrating all temperature values in the ROI). Finally, we compared the breathing pattern from the averaging method and that from the thermal image observation and found them to be highly correlated (R2 = 0.91). This method is not labor-intensive, can handle big data, and is accurate. In addition, we expect that the characteristics of the method might enable the analysis of temperature data from various angles.
Development of the Mechanisms Underlying Audiovisual Speech Perception Benefit

The natural environments in which infants and children learn speech and language are noisy and multimodal. Adults rely on the multimodal nature of speech to compensate for noisy environments during speech communication. Multiple mechanisms underlie mature audiovisual benefit to speech perception, including reduced uncertainty as to when auditory speech will occur, use of correlations between the amplitude envelope of auditory and visual signals in fluent speech, and use of visual phonetic knowledge for lexical access. This paper reviews evidence regarding infants’ and children’s use of temporal and phonetic mechanisms in audiovisual speech perception benefit. The ability to use temporal cues for audiovisual speech perception benefit emerges in infancy. Although infants are sensitive to the correspondence between auditory and visual phonetic cues, the ability to use this correspondence for audiovisual benefit may not emerge until age four. A more cohesive account of the development of audiovisual speech perception may follow from a more thorough understanding of the development of sensitivity to and use of various temporal and phonetic cues.
Efficacy of canakinumab in mild or severe COVID‐19 pneumonia

Clinicians all around the world are currently experiencing a pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). Several therapeutic strategies have been used until now but, to date, there is no specific therapy to treat SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. In this study, we used canakinumab, a human monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin‐1 beta to improve respiratory function and laboratory parameters compared with standard therapy (hydroxycloroquine plus lopinavir/ritonavir).
Consensus Based Networking of Distributed Virtual Environments

Distributed virtual environments (DVEs) are challenging to create as the goals of consistency and responsiveness become contradictory under increasing latency. DVEs have been considered as both distributed transactional databases and force-reflection systems. Both are good approaches, but they do have drawbacks. Transactional systems do not support Level 3 (L3) collaboration: manipulating the same degree-of-freedom at the same time. Force-reflection requires a client-server architecture and stabilisation techniques. With Consensus Based Networking (CBN), we suggest DVEs be considered as a distributed data-fusion problem. Many simulations run in parallel and exchange their states, with remote states integrated with continous authority. Over time the exchanges average out local differences, performing a distribued-average of a consistent, shared state. CBN aims to build simulations that are highly responsive, but consistent enough for use cases such as the piano-movers problem. CBN’s support for heterogeneous nodes can transparently couple different input methods, avoid the requirement of determinism, and provide more options for personal control over the shared experience. Our work is early, however we demonstrate many successes, including L3 collaboration in room-scale VR, 1000’s of interacting objects, complex configurations such as stacking, and transparent coupling of haptic devices. These have been shown before, but each with a different technique; CBN supports them all within a single, unified system.
Mindful Self‐Compassion program for chronic pain patients: A randomized controlled trial

Although evidence‐based psychological treatments for chronic pain (CP) have been demonstrated to be effective for a variety of outcomes, modest effects observed in recent reviews indicate scope for improvement. Self‐compassion promotes a proactive attitude towards self‐care and actively seeking relief from suffering. Consequently, more compassionate people experience better physical, psychological and interpersonal well‐being.
Homogentisic acid induces cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix alteration in alkaptonuric cartilage

Alkaptonuria (AKU) is an ultra‐rare disease caused by the deficient activity of homogentisate 1,2‐dioxygenase enzyme, leading the accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA) in connective tissues implicating the formation of a black pigmentation called “ochronosis. ” Although AKU is a multisystemic disease, the most affected tissue is the articular cartilage, which during the pathology appears to be highly damaged. In this study, a model of alkaptonuric chondrocytes and cartilage was realized to investigate the role of HGA in the alteration of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The AKU tissues lost its architecture composed of collagen, proteoglycans, and all the proteins that characterize the ECM. The cause of this alteration in AKU cartilage is attributed to a degeneration of the cytoskeletal network in chondrocytes caused by the accumulation of HGA. The three cytoskeletal proteins, actin, vimentin, and tubulin, were analyzed and a modification in their amount and disposition in AKU chondrocytes model was identified. Cytoskeleton is involved in many fundamental cellular processes; therefore, the aberration in this complex network is involved in the manifestation of AKU disease.
Traumatic Brain Injury-Related Attention Deficits in Children: A Controlled Treatment Trial with Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate (Vyvanse)

Attention deficits are among the most common and persistent impairments resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study was the first to examine the effects of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX, Vyvanse) in treating TBI-related attention deficits in children. It was an extension of a previous controlled trial with adults. This was a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-titration, crossover trial. In addition to weekly safety monitoring, there were assessments on a broad range of neuropsychological and behavioral measures at baseline, 6-weeks, and 12-weeks. A total of 20 carefully selected children were enrolled, ranging from 10 to 16 years of age. The sample consisted of cases with mainly mild TBI (based on the known details regarding their injuries), but they had persisting attention deficits and other post-concussion symptoms lasting from 2 to 29 months by the time of enrollment. A total of 16 children completed the trial. One of the children withdrew due to a mild anxiety reaction while on LDX. There were no other adverse effects. Positive treatment results were found on both formal testing of sustained attention and in terms of parent ratings of attention, emotional status, behavioral controls, and various aspects of executive functioning. The findings also served to highlight broader insights into the nature of attention deficits and their treatment in children with TBI.
The Pup-Proteasome System Protects Mycobacteria from Antimicrobial Antifolates

Protein turnover via the Pup-proteasome system (PPS) is essential for nitric oxide resistance and virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis. Our study revealed components of PPS as novel determinants of intrinsic antifolate resistance in both M. tuberculosis and nonpathogenic M. smegmatis. ABSTRACT Protein turnover via the Pup-proteasome system (PPS) is essential for nitric oxide resistance and virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis. Our study revealed components of PPS as novel determinants of intrinsic antifolate resistance in both M. tuberculosis and nonpathogenic M. smegmatis. The lack of expression of the prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein (Pup) or the ligase, PafA, responsible for ligating Pup to its protein targets, enhanced antifolate susceptibility in M. smegmatis. Cross-species expression of M. tuberculosis homologs restored wild-type resistance to M. smegmatis proteasomal mutants. Targeted deletion of prcA and prcB, encoding the structural components of the PPS proteolytic core, similarly resulted in reduced antifolate resistance. Furthermore, sulfonamides were synergistic with acidified nitrite, and the synergy against mycobacteria was enhanced in the absence of proteasomal activity. In M. tuberculosis, targeted mutagenesis followed by genetic complementation of mpa, encoding the regulatory subunit responsible for translocating pupylated proteins to the proteolytic core, demonstrated a similar function of PPS in antifolate resistance. The overexpression of dihydrofolate reductase, responsible for the reduction of dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate, or disruption of the Lonely Guy gene, responsible for PPS-controlled production of cytokinins, abolished PPS-mediated antifolate sensitivity. Together, our results show that PPS protects mycobacteria from antimicrobial antifolates via regulating both folate reduction and cytokinin production.
Suicide in indigenous and non-indigenous population: a contribution to health management.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the sociodemographic and epidemiological profile of suicide in the indigenous and non-indigenous population and the spatiality of the event. METHOD Epidemiological, descriptive research, carried out with data from the Mortality Information System. Suicide mortality rates were calculated for the 144 municipalities in Pará and linked to the geographic location values of the municipalities; subsequently, thematic maps were built using the QGIS 3.10. 3 software. The association between variables was measured by the G test. RESULTS 1,387 suicide records were studied, and the mortality rate among indigenous people was low in comparison to non-indigenous people, reaching 0.1/100 thousand inhabitants and 17.5/100 thousand inhabitants, respectively. CONCLUSION Suicide is heterogeneously distributed in the territory, with greater vulnerability of the indigenous people, which demands different policies considering their cultural diversity.
Incremental Sampling: Challenges and Opportunities for Environmental Forensics

In the past 10 years, a new approach to soil sampling has found increasing application on contaminated properties and sites. Known as incremental sampling, this new approach provides a clear contrast to traditional methods utilizing discrete soil samples. Not surprisingly, incremental sampling presents challenges to the historical reliance on discrete samples in environmental remediation. This discussion highlights several of the challenges and opportunities incremental sampling also presents to the field of environmental forensics.
Spectrofluorimetric and TLC-densitometric methods for a stability indicating assay of valacyclovir hydrochloride in the presence of its degradation product

Two stability-indicating methods were developed and validated for determination of valacyclovir HCl (VAC) in the presence of its degradation product, acyclovir. The first was a TLC-densitometric method, in which chloroform : methanol : ammonia (50 : 14 : 2 v/v/v) was used as a mobile phase. Silica gel 60 F254 was used as a stationary phase and the chromatogram was scanned at 253 nm. Using this chromatographic system, VAC can be readily separated from its degradation product and gives a compact spot at an RF value of (0.55 ± 0.03). The peak area concentration plot is rectilinear over the range 20–300 ng per band. The second method represents the first attempt for spectrofluorimetric determination of VAC. The method was based on the reaction between VAC and 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-Cl) in an alkaline medium (pH 8.5) to form a highly fluorescent product that was measured at 500 nm after excitation at 465 nm. The fluorescence intensity concentration plot is rectilinear over the range 1–10 μg ml−1. The proposed methods were successfully applied for the determination of VAC in its commercial tablets with average percentage recovery of 100.13 ± 0.33 and 98.50 ± 1.75 for TLC-densitometric and spectrofluorimetric methods, respectively, without interference from common excipients. The results of the proposed methods were statistically analyzed and found to be in accordance with those given by a reported method. In addition the proposed methods were extended to a stability study of VAC, where the drug was exposed to acidic, alkaline, oxidative and photolytic degradation according to ICH guidelines.
Musical Training and Brain Volume in Older Adults

Musical practice, including musical training and musical performance, has been found to benefit cognitive function in older adults. Less is known about the role of musical experiences on brain structure in older adults. The present study examined the role of different types of musical behaviors on brain structure in older adults. We administered the Goldsmiths Musical Sophistication Index, a questionnaire that includes questions about a variety of musical behaviors, including performance on an instrument, musical practice, allocation of time to music, musical listening expertise, and emotional responses to music. We demonstrated that musical training, defined as the extent of musical training, musical practice, and musicianship, was positively and significantly associated with the volume of the inferior frontal cortex and parahippocampus. In addition, musical training was positively associated with volume of the posterior cingulate cortex, insula, and medial orbitofrontal cortex. Together, the present study suggests that musical behaviors relate to a circuit of brain regions involved in executive function, memory, language, and emotion. As gray matter often declines with age, our study has promising implications for the positive role of musical practice on aging brain health.
Thymic Hyperplasia with Lymphoepithelial Sialadenitis (LESA)-Like Features: Strong Association with Lymphomas and Non-Myasthenic Autoimmune Diseases

Simple Summary Thymic epithelial tumors and lymphomas are the most frequent mediastinal mass lesions. Thymic hyperplasia with “lymphoepithelial sialadenitis (LESA)-like features” (LESA-like TH) was initially described as one form of thymic hyperplasia and was thought not to be associated with autoimmune and lymphoproliferative diseases. Our systematic analysis of patients with LESA-like TH shows that 14% have associated lymphomas and 33% partially overlapping autoimmune diseases. This implies a hematologic and rheumatologic workup in patients with LESA-like TH. In addition, LESA-like TH should enter the list of differential diagnoses of mediastinal mass lesions, in particular in patients with autoimmune diseases. Abstract Thymic hyperplasia (TH) with lymphoepithelial sialadenitis (LESA)-like features (LESA-like TH) has been described as a tumor-like, benign proliferation of thymic epithelial cells and lymphoid follicles. We aimed to determine the frequency of lymphoma and autoimmunity in LESA-like TH and performed retrospective analysis of cases with LESA-like TH and/or thymic MALT-lymphoma. Among 36 patients (21 males) with LESA-like TH (age 52 years, 32–80; lesion diameter 7.0 cm, 1–14.5; median, range), five (14%) showed associated lymphomas, including four (11%) thymic MALT lymphomas and one (3%) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. One additional case showed a clonal B-cell-receptor rearrangement without evidence of lymphoma. Twelve (33%) patients (7 women) suffered from partially overlapping autoimmune diseases: systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 4, 11%), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 3, 8%), myasthenia gravis (n = 2, 6%), asthma (n = 2, 6%), scleroderma, Sjögren syndrome, pure red cell aplasia, Grave’s disease and anti-IgLON5 syndrome (each n = 1, 3%). Among 11 primary thymic MALT lymphomas, remnants of LESA-like TH were found in two cases (18%). In summary, LESA-like TH shows a striking association with autoimmunity and predisposes to lymphomas. Thus, a hematologic and rheumatologic workup should become standard in patients diagnosed with LESA-like TH. Radiologists and clinicians should be aware of LESA-like TH as a differential diagnosis for mediastinal mass lesions in patients with autoimmune diseases.
Endothelial function of healthy adults from 20 to 91 years of age: prediction of cardiovascular risk by vasoactive range

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Objectives: Brachial arterial low flow-mediated constriction (L-FMC) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) are ultrasound-based biomarkers that emerge into scientific and clinical practice indicating cardiovascular effects of medical and lifestyle-based treatment beyond classical risk factors. This study is the first to provide reference values and to assess the predictive value of L-FMC, FMD and their composite endpoint vasoactive range (VAR) in healthy adults. Methods: L-FMC, FMD and VAR were measured in 457 nonsmoking adults of 20–91 years without chronic diseases, medication, with normal heart function and very low cardiovascular risk. Sex-specific percentiles were calculated and predictive ability for elevated cardiovascular risk was assessed using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: From 20 to 91 years of age, L-FMC increased 86.1 and 105.3%, FMD decreased 63.6 and 47.1% and VAR decreased 58.3 and 55.2% in women and men, respectively. Area under the ROC curves was 0.54 (95% CI = 0.49–0.54) for L-FMC, 0.67 (95% CI = 0.62–0.67) for FMD and 0.72 (95% CI = 0.67–0.72) for VAR (P < 0.001). Discriminatory cut-offs for elevated risk were 0.24% for L-FMC (sensitivity = 0.42, specificity = 0.67), 6.4% for FMD (sensitivity = 0.71, specificity = 0.60) and 6.3% for VAR (sensitivity = 0.62, specificity = 0.73). Conclusion: This study demonstrates reduced endothelial function with aging in healthy men and women with very low cardiovascular risk. Percentiles crossed cut-offs for elevated cardiovascular risk between 50 and 55 years in men and 70 and 75 years in women, indicating higher risk for cardiovascular disease in men. VAR showed the highest ability to identify individuals with elevated cardiovascular risk, and should be included in the monitoring and treatment of accelerated vascular aging even in healthy individuals.
Pulling the Brakes on Fast and Furious Multiple Drug-Resistant (MDR) Bacteria

Life-threatening bacterial infections have been managed by antibiotics for years and have significantly improved the wellbeing and lifetime of humans. However, bacteria have always been one step ahead by inactivating the antimicrobial agent chemically or by producing certain enzymes. The alarming universal occurrence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria has compelled researchers to find alternative treatments for MDR infections. This is a menace where conventional chemotherapies are no longer promising, but several novel approaches could help. Our current review article discusses the novel approaches that can combat MDR bacteria: starting off with potential nanoparticles (NPs) that efficiently interact with microorganisms causing fatal changes in the morphology and structure of these cells; nanophotothermal therapy using inorganic NPs like AuNPs to destroy pathogenic bacterial cells; bacteriophage therapy against which bacteria develop less resistance; combination drugs that act on dissimilar targets in distinctive pathways; probiotics therapy by the secretion of antibacterial chemicals; blockage of quorum sensing signals stopping bacterial colonization, and vaccination against resistant bacterial strains along with virulence factors. All these techniques show us a promising future in the fight against MDR bacteria, which remains the greatest challenge in public health care.
Molecular Epidemiological Analysis of the Origin and Transmission Dynamics of the HIV-1 CRF01_AE Sub-Epidemic in Bulgaria

HIV-1 subtype CRF01_AE is the second most predominant strain in Bulgaria, yet little is known about the molecular epidemiology of its origin and transmissibility. We used a phylodynamics approach to better understand this sub-epidemic by analyzing 270 HIV-1 polymerase (pol) sequences collected from persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS between 1995 and 2019. Using network analyses at a 1.5% genetic distance threshold (d), we found a large 154-member outbreak cluster composed mostly of persons who inject drugs (PWID) that were predominantly men. At d = 0.5%, which was used to identify more recent transmission, the large cluster dissociated into three clusters of 18, 12, and 7 members, respectively, five dyads, and 107 singletons. Phylogenetic analysis of the Bulgarian sequences with publicly available global sequences showed that CRF01_AE likely originated from multiple Asian countries, with Vietnam as the likely source of the outbreak cluster between 1988 and 1990. Our findings indicate that CRF01_AE was introduced into Bulgaria multiple times since 1988, and infections then rapidly spread among PWID locally with bridging to other risk groups and countries. CRF01_AE continues to spread in Bulgaria as evidenced by the more recent large clusters identified at d = 0.5%, highlighting the importance of public health prevention efforts in the PWID communities.