Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Triple therapy in uncontrolled asthma: a network meta-analysis of phase III studies

Conflicting evidence is currently available concerning the impact on asthma exacerbation of triple inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/long-acting β2-adrenoceptor agonist (LABA)/long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonist (LAMA) fixed-dose combination (FDC). Since meta-analyses allow settling controversies of apparently inconsistent results, we performed a network meta-analysis of phase III randomised controlled trials including 9535 patients to assess the effect of ICS/LABA/LAMA combinations in uncontrolled asthma. Triple combination therapies with an ICS administered at high dose (HD) were more effective (p<0.05) than medium-dose (MD) ICS/LABA/LAMA FDC and both MD and HD ICS/LABA FDCs against moderate to severe exacerbation (relative risk 0.61–0.80) and increasing trough forced expiratory volume in 1 s (from +33 to +114 mL). Triple combination therapies including HD ICS were superior (p<0.05) to MD ICS/LABA/LAMA FDC in preventing severe exacerbation (relative risk 0.46–0.65), but not with respect to moderate exacerbation (p>0.05). Triple combination therapies were equally effective on asthma control, with no safety concerns. This quantitative synthesis suggests that ICS/LABA/LAMA FDCs are effective and safe in uncontrolled asthma, and that the dose of ICS in the combination represents the discriminating factor to treat patients with a history of moderate or severe exacerbation. Triple combination therapy by adding either a LAMA to ICS/LABA FDC or escalating ICS on a background of ICS/LABA/LAMA FDC may reduce severe exacerbations and improve lung function; adding a LAMA along with escalating ICS provides incremental effects https://bit.ly/39NuNKb
Multiplexed analysis of circulating IgA antibodies for SARS‐CoV‐2 and common respiratory pathogens in COVID‐19 patients

Previous studies have revealed a diagnostic role of pathogen‐specific IgA in respiratory infections. However, co‐detection of serum specific IgA for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and common respiratory pathogens remains largely unexplored. This study utilizes a protein microarray technology for simultaneous and quantitative measurements of specific IgAs for eight different respiratory pathogens including adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus type A, influenza virus type B, parainfluenza virus, mycoplasma pneumoniae, chlamydia pneumoniae, and SARS‐CoV‐2 in serum sample of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). A total of 42 patients with COVID‐19 were included and categorized into severe cases (20 cases) and nonsevere cases (22 cases). The results showed that co‐detection rate of specific‐IgA for SARS‐CoV‐2 with at least one pathogen were significantly higher in severe cases than that of nonsevere cases (72.2% vs. 46.2%, p = .014). Our study indicates that co‐detection of IgA antibodies for respiratory pathogens might provide diagnostic value for the clinics and also be informative for risk stratification and disease management in patients with COVID‐19.
Deriving Boron Adsorption Isotherms from Soil Column Displacement Experiments

This study was conducted to elucidate the applicability of the column technique to obtain B adsorption isotherms. A column technique based on miscible displacement was used to investigate B equilibrium adsorption and B transport in soil at various pHs and B concentrations. Boron adsorption by soil at equilibrium was described by the Langmuir equation with the pH-dependent apparent adsorption coefficient. This equation, combined with one-dimensional convection-dispersion equation (CDE), was used to simulate B transport in soil columns. The results indicated that adsorption equilibrium was reached during the B transport in the homogeneously packed soil columns. The adsorption isotherms that were obtained from the column breakthrough curves (BTCs) and the batch experiments were identical at any given pH. This indicates that under equilibrium conditions, the column technique can be used for calculating B adsorption isotherm parameters for any given pH.
The association between C-reactive protein, mood disorder, and cognitive function in UK Biobank

Abstract Background Systemic inflammation has been linked with mood disorder and cognitive impairment. The extent of this relationship remains uncertain, with the effects of serum inflammatory biomarkers compared to genetic predisposition toward inflammation yet to be clearly established. Methods We investigated the magnitude of associations between C-reactive protein (CRP) measures, lifetime history of bipolar disorder or major depression, and cognitive function (reaction time and visuospatial memory) in 84,268 UK Biobank participants. CRP was measured in serum and a polygenic risk score for CRP was calculated, based on a published genome-wide association study. Multiple regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical confounders. Results Increased serum CRP was significantly associated with mood disorder history (Kruskal–Wallis H = 196.06, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.002) but increased polygenic risk for CRP was not (F = 0.668, p = 0.648, η2 < 0.001). Compared to the lowest quintile, the highest serum CRP quintile was significantly associated with both negative and positive differences in cognitive performance (fully adjusted models: reaction time B = −0.030, 95% CI = −0.052, −0.008; visuospatial memory B = 0.066, 95% CI = 0.042, 0.089). More severe mood disorder categories were significantly associated with worse cognitive performance and this was not moderated by serum or genetic CRP level. Conclusions In this large cohort study, we found that measured inflammation was associated with mood disorder history, but genetic predisposition to inflammation was not. The association between mood disorder and worse cognitive performance was very small and did not vary by CRP level. The inconsistent relationship between CRP measures and cognitive performance warrants further study.
Commonalities in biomarkers and phenotypes between mild cognitive impairment and cerebral palsy: a pilot exploratory study

Clinically, individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) experience symptoms of accelerated biological aging. Accumulative deficits in both molecular underpinnings and functions in young adults with CP can lead to premature aging, such as heart disease and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI is an intermediate stage between healthy aging and dementia that normally develops at old age. Owing to their intriguingly parallel yet “inverted” disease trajectories, CP might share similar pathology and phenotypes with MCI, conferring increased risk for developing dementia at a much younger age. Thus, we examined this hypothesis by evaluating these two distinct populations (MCI= 55, CP = 72). A total of nine measures (e.g., blood biomarkers, neurocognition, Framingham Heart Study Score (FHSS) were compared between the groups. Compared to MCI, upon controlling for covariates, delta FHSS, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, and systolic blood pressure were significantly lower in CP. Intriguingly, high-sensitivity CRP, several metabolic outcomes, and neurocognitive function were similar between the two groups. This study supports a shared biological underpinning and key phenotypes between CP and MCI. Thus, we proposed a double-hit model for the development of premature aging outcomes in CP through shared biomarkers. Future longitudinal follow-up studies are warranted to examine accelerated biological aging.
Preoperatively Treated Diffuse-Type Gastric Adenocarcinoma: Glucose vs. Other Energy Sources Substantially Influence Prognosis and Therapy Response

Simple Summary The diffuse type of gastric adenocarcinoma (dGAC) generally confers a poor prognosis compared to intestinal type. Some dGACs are not avid on fluorine-18 fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose PET (FDG-PET) while others seem to consume glucose avidly. We analyzed the outcomes based on the avidity of the primary on baseline FDG-PET. Our data suggest that if dGACs used glucose as an energy source then the prognosis was very poor while non-glucose sources improved prognosis. Multi-platform (including metabolomics) profiling of dGACs would yield useful biologic understanding. Abstract Diffuse type of gastric adenocarcinoma (dGAC) generally confers a poor prognosis compared to intestinal type. Some dGACs are not avid on fluorine-18 fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose PET (FDG-PET) while others seem to consume glucose avidly. We analyzed the outcomes based on the avidity (high with standardized uptake value (SUV) > 3.5 or low with SUV ≤ 3.5) of the primary on baseline FDG-PET. We retrospectively selected 111 localized dGAC patients who had baseline FDG-PET (all were treated with preoperative chemotherapy and chemoradiation). FDG-PET avidity was compared with overall survival (OS) and response to therapy. The mean age was 59.4 years and with many females (47.7%). The high-SUV group (58 (52.3%) patients) and the low-SUV group (53 (47.7%) patients) were equally divided. While the median OS for all patients was 49.5 months (95% CI: 38.5–98.8 months), it was 98.0 months (95% CI: 49.5–NE months) for the low-SUV group and 36.0 months for the high-SUV (p = 0.003). While the median DFS for all patients was 38.2 months (95% CI: 27.7–97.6 months), it was 98.0 (95% CI: 36.9–NE months) months for the low-SUV group was and only 27.0 months (95% CI: 15.2–63.2 months) for the high-SUV group (p = 0.005). Clinical responses before surgery were more common in the low-SUV group but overall we observed only 4 pathologic complete responses in 111 patients. Our unique data suggest that if dGACs used glucose as an energy source then the prognosis was very poor while non-glucose sources improved prognosis. Multi-platform (including metabolomics) profiling of dGACs would yield useful biologic understanding.
The Role of Platinum in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Johnson Matthey, Orchard Road, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 5HE, UK Email: *oliver.holton@matthey.com; **joe.stevenson@matthey.com Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) dominate the transportation fuel cell market and platinum (Pt) is the catalyst material used for both anode and cathode. This review sets out the fundamentals of activity, selectivity, stability and poisoning resistance which make Pt or its alloys the best available materials to use in this application. It is clear that Pt is the only element which can meet the requirements for performance while avoiding slow reaction kinetics, proton exchange membrane (PEM) system degradation due to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) formation and catalyst degradation due to metal leaching. Some of the means by which the performance of Pt can be enhanced are also discussed.
Seasonal Abundance, Defoliation, and Parasitism of Japanese Beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Two Apple Cultivars

Abstract The Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman, is an invasive insect to the United States that feeds on turfgrass roots as a larva and the foliage, flowers, and fruit of many major ornamental and agricultural crops, such as apple, as an adult. Despite its generalist feeding behavior, P. japonica shows preferences for certain plant species and cultivars. Classical biological control for P. japonica, including release of Istocheta aldrichi (Mensil), has been pursued in Minnesota. This study was conducted to assess the effects of apple cultivar on season-long abundance of adult P. japonica and their defoliation; and to assess effects of apple cultivar and P. japonica abundance and sex on parasitism of P. japonica by I. aldrichi. Sampling occurred during the summers of 2017 and 2018 on Zestar! and Honeycrisp cultivars in four different apple orchards. Abundance and defoliation of P. japonica was higher on Honeycrisp than Zestar! Parasitism of P. japonica by I. aldrichi was higher for females than for males. In 2018, the relationship between parasitism of P. japonica and host density varied by cultivar. These findings may help growers determine which apple cultivars should be prioritized for scouting and management efforts and may provide an estimate of potential biological control by I. aldrichi in agricultural areas in the Midwest.
Recent Advances in Collaborative Scheduling of Computing Tasks in an Edge Computing Paradigm

In edge computing, edge devices can offload their overloaded computing tasks to an edge server. This can give full play to an edge server’s advantages in computing and storage, and efficiently execute computing tasks. However, if they together offload all the overloaded computing tasks to an edge server, it can be overloaded, thereby resulting in the high processing delay of many computing tasks and unexpectedly high energy consumption. On the other hand, the resources in idle edge devices may be wasted and resource-rich cloud centers may be underutilized. Therefore, it is essential to explore a computing task collaborative scheduling mechanism with an edge server, a cloud center and edge devices according to task characteristics, optimization objectives and system status. It can help one realize efficient collaborative scheduling and precise execution of all computing tasks. This work analyzes and summarizes the edge computing scenarios in an edge computing paradigm. It then classifies the computing tasks in edge computing scenarios. Next, it formulates the optimization problem of computation offloading for an edge computing system. According to the problem formulation, the collaborative scheduling methods of computing tasks are then reviewed. Finally, future research issues for advanced collaborative scheduling in the context of edge computing are indicated.
Using Information Technology to Assess Patient Risk Factors in Primary Care Clinics: Pragmatic Evaluation

Background Tobacco use, physical inactivity, and poor diet are associated with morbidity and premature death. Health promotion and primary prevention counseling, advice, and support by a primary care provider lead to behavior change attempts among patients. However, although physicians consider preventative health important, there is often a larger focus on symptom presentation, acute care, and medication review. Objective This study evaluated the feasibility, adoption, and integration of the tablet-based Risk Factor Identification Tool (RFIT) that uses algorithmic information technology to support obtainment of patient risk factor information in primary care clinics. Methods This is a pragmatic developmental evaluation. Each clinic developed a site-specific implementation plan adapted to their workflow. The RFIT was implemented in 2 primary care clinics located in Manitoba. Perceptions of 10 clinic staff and 8 primary care clinicians informed this evaluation. Results Clinicians reported a smooth and fast transfer of RFIT responses to an electronic medical record encounter note. The RFIT was used by 207 patients, with a completion rate of 86%. Clinic staff reported that approximately 3%-5% of patients declined the use of the RFIT or required assistance to use the tablet. Among the 207 patients that used the RFIT, 22 (12.1%) smoked, 39 (21.2%) felt their diet could be improved, 20 (12.0%) reported high alcohol consumption, 103 (56.9%) reported less than 150 minutes of physical activity a week, and 6 (8.2%) patients lived in poverty. Clinicians suggested that although a wide variety of patients were able to use the tablet-based RFIT, implemented surveys should be tailored to patient subgroups. Conclusions Clinicians and clinic staff positively reviewed the use of information technology in primary care. Algorithmic information technology can collect, organize, and synthesize individual health information to inform and tailor primary care counseling to the patients’ context and readiness to change. The RFIT is a user-friendly tool that provides an effective method for obtaining risk factor information from patients. It is particularly useful for subsets of patients lacking continuity in the care they receive. When implemented within a context that can support practical interventions to address identified risk factors, the RFIT can inform brief interventions within primary care.
In Vivo Study of Entero- and Hepatotoxicity of Silver Nanoparticles Stabilized with Benzyldimethyl-[3-myristoylamine)-propyl]ammonium Chloride (Miramistin) to CBF1 Mice upon Enteral Administration

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are the most widely studied antimicrobial nanomaterials. However, their use in biomedicine is currently limited due to the availability of data that prove the nanosilver toxicity associated primarily with oxidative stress development in mammalian cells. The surface modification of AgNPs is a potent technique of improvement of their biocompatibility. The synthetic or natural compounds that combine zero or low toxicity towards human and animal organisms with inherent antimicrobial properties are the most promising stabilizing agents, their use would also minimize the risks of microorganisms developing resistance to silver-based materials. We used a simple technique to obtain 30–60 nm AgNPs stabilized with benzyldimethyl[3-myristoylamine)-propyl]ammonium chloride monohydrate (BAC)—a well-known active ingredient of many antibacterial drugs. The objective of the study was to assess the AgNPs-BAC entero- and hepatotoxicity to CBF1 mice upon enteral administration. The animals were exposed to 0.8–7.5 mg/kg doses of AgNPs-BAC in the acute and to 0.05–2.25 mg/kg doses of AgNPs-BAC in the subacute experiments. No significant entero- and hepatotoxic effects following a single exposure to doses smaller than 4 mg/kg were detected. Repeated exposure to the doses of AgNPs-BAC below 0.45 mg/kg and to the doses of BAC below 0.5 mg/kg upon enteral administration also led to no adverse effects. During the acute experiment, the higher AgNPs-BAC dose resulted in increased quantities of aminotransferases and urea, as well as the albumin-globulin ratio shift, which are indicative of inflammatory processes. Besides, the relative mass of the liver of mice was smaller compared to the control. During the subacute experiment, the groups treated with the 0.25–2.25 mg/kg dose of AgNPs-BAC had a lower weight gain rate compared to the control, while the groups treated with the 2.25 mg/kg dose of AgNPs-BAC showed statistically significant variations in the blood serum transaminases activity, which indicated hepatosis. It should be noted that the spleen and liver of the animals from the groups treated with the 0.45 and 2.25 mg/kg dose of AgNPs-BAC were more than two times smaller compared to the control. In the intestines of some animals from the group treated with the 2.25 mg/kg dose of AgNPs-BAC small areas of hyperemia and enlarged Peyer’s patches were observed. Histological examination confirmed the initial stages of the liver and intestinal wall inflammation.
Water Absorption Capacity Determines the Functionality of Vital Gluten Related to Specific Bread Volume

Vital gluten is often used in baking to supplement weak wheat flours and improve their baking quality. Even with the same recipe, variable final bread volumes are common, because the functionality differs between vital gluten samples also from the same manufacturer. To understand why, the protein composition of ten vital gluten samples was investigated as well as their performance in a microbaking test depending on the water content in the dough. The gluten content and composition as well the content of free thiols and disulfide bonds of the samples were similar and not related to the specific bread volumes obtained using two dough systems, one based on a baking mixture and one based on a weak wheat flour. Variations of water addition showed that an optimal specific volume of 1.74–2.38 mL/g (baking mixture) and 4.25–5.49 mL/g (weak wheat flour) was reached for each vital gluten sample depending on its specific water absorption capacity.
The impact of COVID-19 on college students from communities of color

Abstract Objective: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily living, mental well-being, and experiences of racial discrimination among college students from communities of color. Participants: Sample comprised 193 ethnically diverse college students, aged 18 to 25 years (M = 20.5 years), who were participating in virtual internships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional 16-item survey was developed as a partnership between two nonprofit organizations. The survey included both close-ended and open-ended questions assessing the impact of COVID-19. Results: The students of color reported disruptive changes in finances (54%), living situation (35%), academic performance (46%), educational plans (49%), and career goals (36%). Primary mental health challenges included stress (41%), anxiety (33%), and depression (18%). Students also noted challenges managing racial injustice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: Higher education institutions will benefit from financially and emotionally supporting students of color during the COVID-19 pandemic and growing visibility of systemic racism.
A comparison of the metabolic side-effects of the second-generation antipsychotic drugs risperidone and paliperidone in animal models

Background The second generation antipsychotic drugs represent the most common form of pharmacotherapy for schizophrenia disorders. It is now well established that most of the second generation drugs cause metabolic side-effects. Risperidone and its active metabolite paliperidone (9-hydroxyrisperidone) are two commonly used antipsychotic drugs with moderate metabolic liability. However, there is a dearth of preclinical data that directly compares the metabolic effects of these two drugs, using sophisticated experimental procedures. The goal of the present study was to compare metabolic effects for each drug versus control animals. Methods Adult female rats were acutely treated with either risperidone (0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 6 mg/kg), paliperidone (0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 6 mg/kg) or vehicle and subjected to the glucose tolerance test; plasma was collected to measure insulin levels to measure insulin resistance with HOMA-IR. Separate groups of rats were treated with either risperidone (1, 6 mg/kg), paliperidone (1, 6 mg/kg) or vehicle, and subjected to the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. Results Fasting glucose levels were increased by all but the lowest dose of risperidone, but only with the highest dose of paliperidone. HOMA-IR increased for both drugs with all but the lowest dose, while the three highest doses decreased glucose tolerance for both drugs. Risperidone and paliperidone both exhibited dose-dependent decreases in the glucose infusion rate in the clamp, reflecting pronounced insulin resistance. Conclusions In preclinical models, both risperidone and paliperidone exhibited notable metabolic side-effects that were dose-dependent. Differences between the two were modest, and most notable as effects on fasting glucose.
Association of Social and Demographic Factors With COVID-19 Incidence and Death Rates in the US

Key Points Question Are population-level social factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) incidence and mortality? Findings In this cross-sectional study including 4 289 283 COVID-19 cases and 147 074 COVID-19 deaths, county-level sociodemographic risk factors as assessed by the Social Vulnerability Index were associated with greater COVID-19 incidence and mortality. Meaning These findings suggest that to address inequities in the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic, these sociodemographic risk factors and their root causes must be addressed.