Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium species infection and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Fendeka town health facilities, Jawi District, North west Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

Background Malaria in pregnancy remains a major public health problem especially in sub-Saharan Africa. In malaria endemic areas, majority of pregnant women may remain asymptomatic but still associated with complications on the mother and her foetus. They also serve as reservoirs and act as transmitters of infection. Despite these effects, the prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium species infections among pregnant women attending antenatal care has not been yet studied at the study area. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium species infections among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Fendeka town health facilities. Methods Health facility based cross -sectional study was conducted from February to March 2019. A total of 331 participants were enrolled by using convenient sampling technique. Socio-demographic and associated factors were collected by a face to face interview. All the 331 samples were tested using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and microscopy. However, only 83 dried blood spot (DBS) samples out of 331 participants, were collected by using systematic random sampling technique for molecular analysis. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium species infections. Univariate logistic regression was employed to assess factors associated with asymptomatic Plasmodium species infection. Variables with P-value < 0.25 in the univariate logistic regression were selected for multivariate logistic regression analysis model. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated and P- values < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results Overall, 37 (11.2%) asymptomatic Plasmodium species infections were detected using: RDTs, microscopy and real-time PCR altogether. The asymptomatic Plasmodium species infection prevalence was 17 (5.1%), 30 (9.1%) and 15(18.1%) using RDTs, microscopy and real-time PCR, respectively. Asymptomatic Plasmodium species infections were more likely to occur in primigravida (AOR: 4.51, 95% CI: 1.27–16.03), secundigravida (AOR: 3.87, 95% CI: 1.16–12.93), rural inhabitants (AOR: 4.51, 95% CI: 1.72–11.84) and in participants who did not use indoor residual spray (IRS) for the last one year (AOR: 3.13, 95% CI: 1.47–6.66). Conclusions The prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium species infection was 11.2%. Pregnant women who reside in the rural area, primigravidae, secugravidae and those who did not utilize indoor residual spray for the last one year were at high risk of infection. Therefore, routine laboratory diagnosis of asymptomatic Plasmodium species infection among pregnant women should be adopted as a part of the antenatal care.
A national study to assess outcomes of definitive chemoradiation regimens in proximal esophageal cancer

Abstract Background: Proximal esophageal cancer (EC) is commonly treated with definitive chemoradiation (CRT). The radiation dose and type of chemotherapy backbone are still under debate. The objective of this study was to compare the treatment outcomes of contemporary CRT regimens. Material and Methods: In this retrospective observational cohort study, we included patients with locally advanced squamous cell cancer of the proximal esophagus, from 11 centers in the Netherlands, treated with definitive CRT between 2004 and 2014. Each center had a preferential CRT regimen, based on cisplatin (Cis) or carboplatin-paclitaxel (CP) combined with low (≤50.4 Gy) or high (>50.4 Gy) dose radiotherapy (RT). Differences in overall survival (OS) between CRT regimens were assessed using a fully adjusted Cox proportional hazards and propensity score (PS) weighted model. Safety profiles were compared using a multilevel logistic regression model. Results: Two hundred patients were included. Fifty-four, 39, 95, and 12 patients were treated with Cis-low-dose RT, Cis-high-dose RT, CP-low-dose RT, and CP-high-dose RT, respectively. Median follow-up was 62.6 months (95% CI: 47.9–77.2 months). Median OS (21.9 months; 95% CI: 16.9–27.0 months) was comparable between treatment groups (logrank p = .88), confirmed in the fully adjusted and PS weighted model (p > .05). Grades 3–5 acute adverse events were less frequent in patients treated with CP-low-dose RT versus Cis-high-dose RT (OR 3.78; 95% CI: 1.31–10.87; p = .01). The occurrence of grades 3–5 late toxicities was not different between treatment groups. Conclusion: Our study was unable to demonstrate a difference in OS between the CRT regimens, probably related to the relatively small sample size. Based on the superior safety profile, carboplatin and paclitaxel-based CRT regimens are preferred in patients with locally advanced proximal EC.
Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry: Chances and Challenges

The term “artificial intelligence” (AI) refers to the idea of machines being capable of performing human tasks. A subdomain of AI is machine learning (ML), which “learns” intrinsic statistical patterns in data to eventually cast predictions on unseen data. Deep learning is a ML technique using multi-layer mathematical operations for learning and inferring on complex data like imagery. This succinct narrative review describes the application, limitations and possible future of AI-based dental diagnostics, treatment planning, and conduct, for example, image analysis, prediction making, record keeping, as well as dental research and discovery. AI-based applications will streamline care, relieving the dental workforce from laborious routine tasks, increasing health at lower costs for a broader population, and eventually facilitate personalized, predictive, preventive, and participatory dentistry. However, AI solutions have not by large entered routine dental practice, mainly due to 1) limited data availability, accessibility, structure, and comprehensiveness, 2) lacking methodological rigor and standards in their development, 3) and practical questions around the value and usefulness of these solutions, but also ethics and responsibility. Any AI application in dentistry should demonstrate tangible value by, for example, improving access to and quality of care, increasing efficiency and safety of services, empowering and enabling patients, supporting medical research, or increasing sustainability. Individual privacy, rights, and autonomy need to be put front and center; a shift from centralized to distributed/federated learning may address this while improving scalability and robustness. Lastly, trustworthiness into, and generalizability of, dental AI solutions need to be guaranteed; the implementation of continuous human oversight and standards grounded in evidence-based dentistry should be expected. Methods to visualize, interpret, and explain the logic behind AI solutions will contribute (“explainable AI”). Dental education will need to accompany the introduction of clinical AI solutions by fostering digital literacy in the future dental workforce.
Perfil Epidemiológico e Percepção sobre a Hanseníase em Menores de 15 anos no Município de Santarém-PA

A hanseníase é uma doença de evolução lenta e infectocontagiosa, causada pelo Mycobacterium Leprae que apresenta afinidade pela pele e nervos periféricos, causando lesões cutâneas assintomáticas e anestésicas, podendo formar máculas hipopigmentadas, placas e nódulos eritematosos. É considerada uma patologia da idade adulta, devido o longo período de incubação, a sua presença em crianças menores de 15 anos é um indicador da prevalência da doença na população geral. O estudo tem como objetivo descrever o perfil epidemiológico, a percepção dos menores e seus responsáveis sobre a doença. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva, de natureza quantitativa e qualitativa realizada no município de Santarém. Foram notificados 18 casos da doença na faixa etária supracitada, no período de janeiro de 2011 a dezembro de 2015 no município, dos quais 10 pacientes compõem a amostra desse estudo. Identificou-se características semelhantes como: a baixa condição econômica, ser contato de um caso de hanseníase, residir com cinco ou mais pessoas, possuir o nível de escolaridade baixo e não ter conhecimento sobre a doença. Palavras-chave: Hanseníase. Fatores de Risco. Enfermagem em Saúde Pública. Abstract Leprosy is a slow developing disease and infectious caused by Mycobacterium leprae that has affinity for skin and peripheral nerves, causing asymptomatic and anesthetic skin lesions which may form hypopigmented macules, plaques and erythematous nodules. It is considered an adulthood pathology due to the long incubation period, its presence in children under 15 years is an indicator of the prevalence of the disease in the general population. The study aims to describe the epidemiological profile, the perception of minors and their guardians about the disease. It is a descriptive, quantitative and qualitative research carried out in the city of Santarém. 18 cases of the disease were reported in the age group aforementioned from January 2011 to December 2015 in the municipality, of which 10 patients comprised the sample of this study. Similar characteristics were identified: low economic status, contact with a leprosy case, residing with five or more people, low educational level and no knowledge of the disease.Keywords: Leprosy. Risk Factors. Public Health Nursing.
Spatial memory deficits after vincristine-induced lesions to the dorsal hippocampus

Vincristine is a commonly used cytostatic drug for the treatment of leukemia, neuroblastoma and lung cancer, which is known to have neurotoxic properties. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of vincristine, injected directly into the dorsal hippocampus, in spatial memory using the spatial cone field discrimination task. Long Evans rats were trained in the cone field, and after reaching training criterion received bilateral vincristine infusions into the dorsal hippocampus. Vincristine-treated animals presented unilateral or bilateral hippocampal lesions. Animals with bilateral lesions showed lower spatial working and reference memory performance than control animals, but task motivation was unaffected by the lesions. Working and reference memory of animals with unilateral lesions did not differ from animals with bilateral lesions and control animals. In sum, intrahippocampal injection of vincristine caused profound tissue damage in the dorsal hippocampus, associated with substantial cognitive deficits.
Small molecule AX-024 reduces T cell proliferation independently of CD3ϵ/Nck1 interaction, which is governed by a domain swap in the Nck1-SH3.1 domain

Activation of the T cell receptor (TCR) results in binding of the adapter protein Nck (noncatalytic region of tyrosine kinase) to the CD3ϵ subunit of the TCR. The interaction was suggested to be important for the amplification of TCR signals and is governed by a proline-rich sequence (PRS) in CD3ϵ that binds to the first Src homology 3 (SH3) domain of Nck (Nck-SH3.1). Inhibition of this protein/protein interaction ameliorated inflammatory symptoms in mouse models of multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and asthma. A small molecule, AX-024, was reported to inhibit the Nck/CD3ϵ interaction by physically binding to the Nck1-SH3.1 domain, suggesting a route to develop an inhibitor of the Nck1/CD3ϵ interaction for modulating TCR activity in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. We show here that AX-024 reduces T cell proliferation upon weak TCR stimulation but does not significantly affect phosphorylation of Zap70 (ζ chain of T cell receptor–associated protein kinase 70). We also find that AX-024 is likely not involved in modulating the Nck/TCR interaction but probably has other targets in T cells. An array of biophysical techniques did not detect a direct interaction between AX-024 and Nck-SH3.1 in vitro. Crystal structures of the Nck-SH3.1 domain revealed its binding mode to the PRS in CD3ϵ. The SH3 domain tends to generate homodimers through a domain swap. Domain swaps observed previously in other SH3 domains indicate a general propensity of this protein fold to exchange structural elements. The swapped form of Nck-SH3.1 is unable to bind CD3ϵ, possibly representing an inactive form of Nck in cells.
Principles of pharmacological correction of pulmonary arterial hypertension

Definition and classification: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a group of life-threatening progressive diseases of various genesis, characterized by a progressive increase in arterial pressure (AP) in the pulmonary artery (PA), the remodeling of pulmonary vessels, which leads to an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary arterial pressure and more often leads to right ventricular heart failure and premature death. Pulmonary hypertension is clinically divided into five groups: patients in the first group have idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), whereas in patients of other groups secondary PH associated with cardiopulmonary or other systemic diseases is observed. The development of secondary LH is caused by congenital heart defects, collagenoses, presence of thrombus in the pulmonary artery, prolonged high pressure in the left atrium, hypoxemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPDs). In case of secondary PH, thrombosis and other changes in the pulmonary veins occur. Ways of pharmacological correction of pulmonary hypertension: Over the last decade pharmacotherapy of PH has been developing rapidly, and the introduction of modern methods of treatment, especially for primary PAH, has led to positive results. However, despite the progress in treatment, the functional limitations and survival of patients remain unsatisfactory. Currently, there are two levels of treatment for pulmonary hypertension: primary and specific pathogenetic therapies. Primary therapy is aimed at the main cause of PH. It also includes supportive therapy. Pathogenetic therapy includes prostanoids, endothelin receptor antagonists, and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. Tactics of therapy can be established on the basis of either clinical classification, or functional class. Prostanoids are a promising group of drugs for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), since they possess not only vasodilating, but also antiplatelet and antiproliferative actions. Therefore, it seems logical to use prostacyclin and its analogs to treat patients with various forms of PAH.
Mental health problems among children in Sierra Leone: Assessing cultural concepts of distress

Globally, over 13% of children and adolescents are affected by mental disorders, yet relatively little scholarship addresses how risk factors, symptoms, and nosology vary by culture and context, especially in young children living in post-conflict and low-resource settings. To address this gap, we conducted a qualitative study to identify and describe the most salient mental health problems facing children aged 6 to 10 years in Sierra Leone, as well as the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to these problems. Free list interviews (N = 200) and semi-structured interviews (N = 66) were conducted among caregivers, children, and other relevant key informants to explore risk factors and locally meaningful concepts of distress. Our findings indicate that children are faced with a variety of challenges in their social environments that contribute to distress, including hunger, unmet material needs, and excessive work. Our research identifies five contextually defined mental health problems faced by young children: gbos gbos (angry, destructive behavior), poil at (sad, disruptive behavior), diskoraj (sad, withdrawn), wondri (excessive worry), and fred fred (abnormal fear). The manifestations of these distress concepts are described in detail and contextualized according to Sierra Leone’s history of war and current backdrop of poverty and insecurity. Implications are discussed for locally relevant diagnosis and treatment as well as for the wider literature on global child mental health.
Assessment of Mint, Basil, and Lavender Essential Oil Vapor-Phase in Antifungal Protection and Lemon Fruit Quality

There is an increasing interest in developing natural methods to replace the current chemicals used for maintaining postharvest quality of citrus fruits. The essential oil antifungal activity of mint (MEO), basil (BEO), and lavender (LEO) acting as the vapor-phases was tested against Penicillium digitatum. The minimum doses with fungistatic and fungicidal effect, in vitro, acting as the vapor-phases, were set up. The minimum fungicidal dose was 300 μL for BEO and 350 μL LEO, while for MEO only minimal dose with fungistatic effect was reached. The IC50 values were calculated and used (v/v) for testing preservation of lemon fruits, in close space enriched in vapor oil. For this purpose, the following two independent in vivo experiments were carried out: experiment 1, inoculated lemons with P. digitatum stored without chemical treatments 7 days, at 22 ± 2 °C, at two concentrations (C1—IC50 equivalent; C2—half of C1); and experiment 2, the non-inoculated lemons kept under the same conditions and concentrations of EO vapor served to evaluate the lemon quality properties. The results showed that antifungal protective effect was provided in the order of LEO-C1 > BEO-C1 > MEO-C1 > BEO-C2 > MEO-C2 > LEO-C2. The quality indicators like weight loss, pH, and firmness were not negatively influenced.
The Peptide Hormone Receptor CEPR1 Functions in the Reproductive Tissue to Control Seed Size and Yield1[OPEN]

CEP receptor signaling in maternal tissues controls the delivery of nitrogen to reproductive sinks. The interaction of C-TERMINALLY ENCODED PEPTIDES (CEPs) with CEP RECEPTOR1 (CEPR1) controls root growth and development, as well as nitrate uptake, but has no known role in determining yield. We used physiological, microscopic, molecular, and grafting approaches to demonstrate a reproductive tissue-specific role for CEPR1 in controlling yield and seed size. Independent Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) cepr1 null mutants showed disproportionately large reductions in yield and seed size relative to their decreased vegetative growth. These yield defects correlated with compromised reproductive development predominantly in female tissues, as well as chlorosis, and the accumulation of anthocyanins in cepr1 reproductive tissues. The thinning of competing reproductive organs to improve source-to-sink ratios in cepr1, along with reciprocal bolt-grafting experiments, demonstrated that CEPR1 acts locally in the reproductive bolt to control yield and seed size. CEPR1 is expressed throughout the vasculature of reproductive organs, including in the chalazal seed coat, but not in other seed tissues. This expression pattern implies that CEPR1 controls yield and seed size from the maternal tissue. The complementation of cepr1 mutants with transgenic CEPR1 rescued the yield and other phenotypes. Transcriptional analyses of cepr1 bolts showed alterations in the expression levels of several genes of the CEP-CEPR1 and nitrogen homeostasis pathways. This transcriptional profile was consistent with cepr1 bolts being nitrogen deficient and with a reproductive tissue-specific function for CEP-CEPR1 signaling. The results reveal a local role for CEPR1 in the maternal reproductive tissue in determining seed size and yield, likely via the control of nitrogen delivery to the reproductive sinks.
Atypical basement membranes and basement membrane diversity – what is normal anyway?

ABSTRACT The evolution of basement membranes (BMs) played an essential role in the organization of animal cells into tissues and diversification of body plans. The archetypal BM is a compact extracellular matrix polymer containing laminin, nidogen, collagen IV and perlecan (LNCP matrix) tightly packed into a homogenously thin planar layer. Contrasting this clear-cut morphological and compositional definition, there are numerous examples of LNCP matrices with unusual characteristics that deviate from this planar organization. Furthermore, BM components are found in non-planar matrices that are difficult to categorize as BMs at all. In this Review, I discuss examples of atypical BM organization. First, I highlight atypical BM structures in human tissues before describing the functional dissection of a plethora of BMs and BM-related structures in their tissue contexts in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. To conclude, I summarize our incipient understanding of the mechanisms that provide morphological, compositional and functional diversity to BMs. It is becoming increasingly clear that atypical BMs are quite prevalent, and that even typical planar BMs harbor a lot of diversity that we do not yet comprehend. Summary: A Review discussing the increasingly clear data showing that atypical basement membranes are quite prevalent and that even typical planar basement membranes harbor a lot of diversity that we do not comprehend yet.
Train Hunting Related Fast Degradation of a Railway Crossing—Condition Monitoring and Numerical Verification

This paper presents the investigation of the root causes of the fast degradation of a railway crossing. The dynamic performance of the crossing was assessed using the sensor-based crossing instrumentation, and the measurement results were verified using the multi-body system (MBS) vehicle-crossing model. Together with the field inspections, the measurement and simulation results indicate that the fast crossing degradation was caused by the high wheel-rail impact forces related to the hunting motion of the passing trains. Additionally, it was shown that the train hunting was activated by the track geometry misalignment in front of the crossing. The obtained results have not only explained the extreme values in the measured responses, but also shown that crossing degradation is not always caused by the problems in the crossing itself, but can also be caused by problems in the adjacent track structures. The findings of this study were implemented in the condition monitoring system for railway crossings, using which timely and correctly aimed maintenance actions can be performed.
Inactivation of ancV1R as a Predictive Signature for the Loss of Vomeronasal System in Mammals

Abstract The vomeronasal organ (VNO) plays a key role in sensing pheromonal cues, which elicits social and reproductive behaviors. Although the VNO is highly conserved across mammals, it has been lost in some species that have evolved alternate sensing systems during diversification. In this study, we investigate a newly identified VNO-specific gene, ancV1R, in the extant 261 species of mammals to examine the correlation between genotype (ancV1R) and phenotype (VNO). As a result, we found signatures for the relaxation of purifying selection (inactivating mutations and the elevation of dN/dS) on ancV1Rs in VNO-lacking mammals, such as catarrhine primates, cetaceans, the manatees, and several bat lineages, showing the distinct correlation between genotype and phenotype. Interestingly, we further revealed signatures for the relaxation of purifying selection on ancV1R in true seals, otters, the fossa, the owl monkey, and alcelaphine antelopes in which the existence of a functional VNO is still under debate. Our additional analyses on TRPC2, another predictive marker gene for the functional VNO, showed a relaxation of purifying selection, supporting the possibility of VNO loss in these species. The results of our present study invite more in-depth neuroanatomical investigation in mammals for which VNO function remains equivocal.