Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rosmarinic Acid Prevents Radiation-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis Through Attenuation of ROS/MYPT1/TGFβ1 Signaling Via miR-19b-3p

The mechanism of pulmonary fibrosis caused by irradiation remains obscure. Since rosmarinic acid (RA) have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, we aimed to evaluate the effect of RA on the X-ray-induced lung injury. Male rats received RA (30, 60, or 120 mg/kg) 7 days before 15 Gy of X-ray irradiation. Here, we showed that RA reduced X-ray-induced the expression of inflammatory related factors, and the level of reactive oxygen species. RA down-regulated the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB). We found that thoracic tumor patients whose lung regions received radiation showed lower level of microRNA-19b-3p (miR-19b-3p). Furthermore, we provided evidence that miR-19b-3p targets myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (MYPT1), and RA attenuated RhoA/Rock signaling through upregulating miR-19b-3p, leading to the inhibition of fibrosis. In conclusion, RA may be an effective agent to relieve the pulmonary fibrosis caused by radiotherapy of thoracic tumor.
Life expectancy, death, and disability in Haiti, 1990-2017: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

ABSTRACT Objective. To investigate the magnitude and distribution of the main causes of death, disability, and risk factors in Haiti. Methods. We conducted an ecological analysis, using data estimated from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 for the period 1990-2017, to present life expectancy (LE), healthy life expectancy (HALE) at under 1-year-old, cause-specific deaths, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), disability adjusted life-years (DALYs), and risk factors associated with DALYs. Results. LE and HALE increased substantially in Haiti. People may hope to live longer in 2017, but in poor health. The Caribbean countries had significantly lower YLLs rates than Haiti for ischemic heart disease, stroke, lower respiratory infections, and diarrheal diseases. Road injuries were the leading cause of DALYs for people aged 5-14 years. Road injuries and HIV/AIDS were the leading causes of DALYs for men and women aged 15-49 years, respectively. Ischemic heart disease was the main cause of DALYs for people older than 50 years. Maternal and child malnutrition were the leading risk factors for DALYs in both sexes. Conclusion. Haiti faces a double burden of disease. Infectious diseases continue to be an issue, while non-communicable diseases have become a significant burden of disease. More attention must also be focused on the increase in worrying public health issues such as road injuries, exposure to forces of nature and HIV/AIDS in specific age groups. To address the burden of disease, sustained actions are needed to promote better health in Haiti and countries with similar challenges.
Cholera knowledge, socioeconomic and WaSH characteristics in Aden - Yemen, 2017: a community-based comparative survey

Summary Objectives To improve prevention and control response to the cholera outbreak, we sought to assess and compare the community’s cholera awareness and needs in high and low epidemic areas in Aden. Methods A community-based comparative survey was conducted in 2017. We used multi-stage cluster sampling. Eligible household heads in high and low epidemic areas were interviewed. The data collected from both areas using a pretested questionnaire. Results Cholera cases and mortality were higher in high epidemic areas compared with low epidemic areas. Socioeconomic, water, sanitation, and hygienic conditions were poorer in high epidemic areas compared with low epidemic areas. Knowledge of cholera transmission and prevention was sub-optimal in both areas. We found a mismatch between the delivered education and distributed preventive materials. Conclusions Stakeholders should tailor the design, content, and implementation of future cholera prevention and control methods to meet the needs of the community. Future educational camping should focus on the transmission prevention, including vaccination. Education and sustainable interventions should be implemented to improve the water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Influence of Perfluorocarbon Liquids on Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber–Layer Thickness Following Pars Plana Vitrectomy with Silicone Oil–Based Endotamponade

Background Inner retina–layer modifications after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) can be objectively assessed through spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Methods This study explored prospectively changes in retinal nerve-fiber layer (RNFL) thickness with SD-OCT in eyes undergoing PPV with silicone oil–based tamponade with and without use of perfluorocarbon liquids (PFCLs) during the early postoperative phase (up to 3 months) at the Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Egypt. Results Thirty patients were recruited who underwent PPV and silicone oil–based tamponade for either retinal detachment or diabetic retinopathy between April 2019 and September 2019. Mean RNFL thickness showed no significant change during follow-up at the first week (102.90±30.68 mm), 1 month (107.30±32.27), or three months (105.90±36.68; p=0.46, 0.68). There were significant correlations noticed between RNFL thinning and axial length of eyes, intraocular pressure, and use of PFCLs during the follow-up period. Conclusion The RNFL tends to change postvitrectomy, but not significantly. Careful examination and consistent follow-up is required for postvitrectomy patients with larger axial length and intraoperative PFCL use.
Adherence to Antihypertensive Treatment and Associated Factors in Central Ethiopia

Background Adherence to treatment is a primary determinant of treatment success. Nonadherence attenuates clinical benefits to the recipients of the treatment. However, monitoring adherence to long treatment regimens is not given due emphasis in low-income contexts. This study aimed to assess adherence to antihypertensive treatment and factors associated with it in Central Ethiopia. Method This is an institution-based cross-sectional study conducted in 4 public hospitals in Central Ethiopia from December 4, 2016, to September 25, 2017. The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) was used to assess the level of adherence. The Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R) was used to assess illness perception. The MMAS-8 score ranges from 0 to 8, a score of 8 reflects high adherence, 6 to 7 medium adherence, and <6 low adherence. Results A total of 989 hypertensive patients participated in the study, of which 36.0% were assessed to have high adherence, 31.7% medium adherence, and 32.3% low adherence. We found that treatment adherence was significantly and positively associated with having family support (AOR: 1.65; 95% CI = 1.23, 2.22), high perception about consequences of hypertension (AOR: 1.51; 95% CI = 1.17, 1.95), and high perception about the severity of the disease (AOR: 1.42; 95% CI = 1.09, 1.86). Conclusion The treatment adherence to antihypertensive medications is low in Central Ethiopia. Engaging family members in the treatment plan and improving patients' understanding of the illness are critical in achieving high adherence to medication in this context.
Creation of Bony Microenvironment with Extracellular Matrix Doped-Bioactive Ceramics to Enhance Osteoblast Behavior and Delivery of Aspartic Acid-Modified BMP-2 Peptides

Introduction Decellularized matrix from porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) endows scaffolds with an ECM-like surface, which enhances stem cell self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation. Mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) is extensively recognized as an excellent bio-ceramic for fabricating bone grafts. Materials and Methods In the current study, SIS was doped on an MBG scaffold (MBG/SIS) using polyurethane foam templating and polydopamine chemistry method. To mimic the bony environment of a natural bone matrix, an ECM-inspired delivery system was constructed by coupling the BMP2-related peptide P28 to a heparinized MBG/SIS scaffold (MBG/SIS-H-P28). The release of P28 from MBG/SIS-H-P28 and its effects on the proliferation, viability, and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal stem cells were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Results Our research indicated that the novel tissue-derived ECM scaffold MBG/SIS has a hierarchical and interconnected porous architecture, and superior biomechanical properties. MBG/SIS-H-P28 released P28 in a controlled manner, with the long-term release time of 40 d. The results of in vitro experiments showed improvements in cell proliferation, cell viability, alkaline phosphatase activity, and mRNA expression levels of osteogenesis-related genes (Runx-2, OCN, OPN, and ALP) compared to those of MBG/SIS or MBG/SIS-P28 and MBG/SIS-H-P28. The in vivo results demonstrated that MBG/SIS-H-P28 scaffolds evidently increased bone formation in rat calvarial critical-sized defect compared to that in controls. Conclusion MBG/SIS-H-P28 scaffolds show potential as ideal platforms for delivery of P28 and for providing a bony environment for bone regeneration.
Extrafine Beclometasone Dipropionate/Formoterol Fumarate vs Double Bronchodilation Therapy in Patients with COPD: A Historical Real-World Non-Inferiority Study

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the non-inferiority of initiating extrafine beclometasone dipropionate/formoterol fumarate (BDP/FF) versus double bronchodilation (long-acting beta-agonists [LABA]/long-acting muscarinic antagonists [LAMA]) among patients with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. Patients and Methods A historical cohort study was conducted using data from the UK’s Optimum Patient Care Research Database. Patients with COPD ≥40 years at diagnosis were included if they initiated extrafine BDP/FF or any LABA/LAMA double therapy as a step-up from no maintenance therapy or monotherapy with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), LAMA, or LABA and a history of ≥2 moderate/severe exacerbations in the previous two years. The primary outcome was exacerbation rate from therapy initiation until a relevant therapy change or end of follow-up. Secondary outcomes included rate of acute respiratory events, acute oral corticosteroids (OCS) courses, and antibiotic prescriptions with lower respiratory indication, modified Medical Research Council score (mMRC) ≥2, and time to first pneumonia diagnosis. The non-inferiority boundary was set at a relative difference of 15% on the ratio scale. Five potential treatment effect modifiers were investigated. Results A total of 1735 patients initiated extrafine BDP/FF and 2450 patients initiated LABA/LAMA. The mean age was 70 years, 51% were male, 41% current smokers, and 85% had FEV1 <80% predicted. Extrafine BDP/FF showed non-inferiority to LABA/LAMA for rate of exacerbations (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.01 [95% CI 0.94–1.09]), acute respiratory events (IRR = 0.98 [0.92–1.04]), acute OCS courses (IRR = 1.01 [0.91–1.11]), and antibiotic prescriptions (IRR = 0.99 [0.90–1.09]), but not for mMRC (OR = 0.93 [0.69–1.27]) or risk of pneumonia (HR = 0.50 [0.14–1.73]). None of the a priori defined effect modifier candidates affected the comparative effectiveness. Conclusion This study found that stepping up to extrafine BDP/FF from no maintenance or monotherapy was not inferior to stepping up to double bronchodilation therapy in patients with a history of exacerbations.
Reduction of CD11b+ myeloid suppressive cells augments anti-neuroblastoma immune response induced by the anti-GD2 antibody ch14.18/CHO

ABSTRACT Neuroblastoma (NB) still remains a major challenge in pediatric oncology. We recently showed CD11b+-dependent upregulation of the PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint on NB cells treated with the chimeric anti-GD2 antibody (Ab) ch14.18/CHO. Here, we report effects of reduction of CD11b+ myeloid suppressive cells on ch14.18/CHO immunotherapy against NB. Flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR were used to assess tumor infiltrating leukocytes and expression of myeloid suppressive cell-associated genes. XTT assay was used to show impact of 5-FU on tumor and effector cells. Antitumor effects of the combined treatment with ch14.18/CHO and reduction of myeloid suppressive cells were evaluated in a syngeneic NB mouse model. Tumor tissue of untreated mice showed a strong infiltration by CD11b+ cells (53% of all tumor infiltrating leukocytes). RT-PCR analysis of tumors revealed strong expression of the myeloid suppressive cell-associated genes analyzed with the strongest induction of M-CSFr, CCL2, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6 r, IL-8, Arg1, and NOS2. Compared to controls, application of anti-CD11b Ab resulted in reduction of both CD11b+ cells in tumors and expression of myeloid suppressive cell-associated genes as well as delayed tumor growth and prolonged survival. These effects could be further improved by 5-FU. Importantly, the combinatorial immunotherapy with ch14.18/CHO and 5-FU showed the strongest antitumor effects and superior survival rates. In conclusion, reduction of immune suppressive myeloid cells augments anti-NB efficacy of a ch14.18/CHO-based immunotherapy representing a new effective treatment strategy against GD2-positive cancers.
HIV testing amid COVID-19: community efforts to reach men who have sex with men in three Kenyan counties

In comparison to European and American countries, Kenya has been less impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of reported cases and mortalities. However, everyday life has been dramatically affected by highly restrictive government-imposed measures such as stay-at-home curfews, prohibitions on mobility across national and county boundaries, and strict policing, especially of the urban poor, which has culminated in violence. This open letter highlights the effects of these measures on how three community-based organizations (CBOs) deliver HIV programs and services to highly stigmatized communities of men who have sex with men living in the counties of Kisumu, Kiambu and Mombasa. In particular, emphasis is placed on how HIV testing programs, which are supported by systematic peer outreach, are being disrupted at a time when global policymakers call for expanded HIV testing and treatment targets among key populations. While COVID 19 measures have greatly undermined local efforts to deliver health services to members and strengthen existing HIV testing programs, each of the three CBOs has taken innovative steps to adapt to the restrictions and to the COVID-19 pandemic itself. Although HIV testing in clinical spaces among those who were once regular and occasional program attendees dropped off noticeably in the early months of the COVID-19 lockdown, the program eventually began to rebound as outreach approaches shifted to virtual platforms and strategies. Importantly and unexpectedly, HIV self-testing kits proved to fill a major gap in clinic-based HIV testing at a time of crisis.
Asymmetric biotic interchange across the Bering land bridge between Eurasia and North America

ABSTRACT The exchange of biotas between Eurasia and North America across the Bering land bridge had a major impact on ecosystems of both continents throughout the Cenozoic. This exchange has received particular attention regarding placental mammals dispersing into the Americas, including humans after the last glacial period, and also as an explanation for the disjunct distribution of related seed plants in eastern Asia and eastern North America. Here, we investigate bi-directional dispersal across the Bering land bridge from estimates of dispersal events based on time-calibrated phylogenies of a broad range of plant, fungus and animal taxa. We reveal a long-lasting phase of asymmetrical biotic interchange, with a peak of dispersal from Asia into North America during the late Oligocene warming (26–24 Ma), when dispersal in the opposite direction was greatly decreased. Influx from North America into Asia was lower than in the opposite direction throughout the Cenozoic, but with peak rates of dispersal at the end of the Eocene (40–34 Ma) and again in the early to middle Miocene (16–14 Ma). The strong association between dispersal patterns and environmental changes suggests that plants, fungi and animals have likely dispersed from stable to perturbed environments of North America and Eurasia throughout the Cenozoic.
Introduced cats eating a continental fauna: invertebrate consumption by feral cats (Felis catus) in Australia

Abstract Context Recent global concern over invertebrate declines has drawn attention to the causes and consequences of this loss of biodiversity. Feral cats, Felis catus, pose a major threat to many vertebrate species in Australia, but their effect on invertebrates has not previously been assessed. Aims The objectives of our study were to (1) assess the frequency of occurrence (FOO) of invertebrates in feral cat diets across Australia and the environmental and geographic factors associated with this variation, (2) estimate the number of invertebrates consumed by feral cats annually and the spatial variation of this consumption, and (3) interpret the conservation implications of these results. Methods From 87 Australian cat-diet studies, we modelled the factors associated with variation in invertebrate FOO in feral cat-diet samples. We used these modelled relationships to predict the number of invertebrates consumed by feral cats in largely natural and highly modified environments. Key results In largely natural environments, the mean invertebrate FOO in feral cat dietary samples was 39% (95% CI: 31–43.5%), with Orthoptera being the most frequently recorded order, at 30.3% (95% CI: 21.2–38.3%). The highest invertebrate FOO occurred in lower-rainfall areas with a lower mean annual temperature, and in areas of greater tree cover. Mean annual invertebrate consumption by feral cats in largely natural environments was estimated to be 769 million individuals (95% CI: 422–1763 million) and in modified environments (with mean FOO of 27.8%) 317 million invertebrates year−1, giving a total estimate of 1086 million invertebrates year−1 consumed by feral cats across the continent. Conclusions The number of invertebrates consumed by feral cats in Australia is greater than estimates for vertebrate taxa, although the biomass (and, hence, importance for cat diet) of invertebrates taken would be appreciably less. The impact of predation by cats on invertebrates is difficult to assess because of the lack of invertebrate population and distribution estimates, but cats may pose a threat to some large-bodied narrowly restricted invertebrate species. Implications Further empirical studies of local and continental invertebrate diversity, distribution and population trends are required to adequately contextualise the conservation threat posed by feral cats to invertebrates across Australia.
An ecophysiological model of plant–pest interactions: the role of nutrient and water availability

Empirical studies have shown that particular irrigation/fertilization regimes can reduce pest populations in agroecosystems. This appears to promise that the ecological concept of bottom-up control can be applied to pest management. However, a conceptual framework is necessary to develop a mechanistic basis for empirical evidence. Here, we couple a mechanistic plant growth model with a pest population model. We demonstrate its utility by applying it to the peach–green aphid system. Aphids are herbivores which feed on the plant phloem, deplete plants’ resources and (potentially) transmit viral diseases. The model reproduces system properties observed in field studies and shows under which conditions the diametrically opposed plant vigour and plant stress hypotheses find support. We show that the effect of fertilization/irrigation on the pest population cannot be simply reduced as positive or negative. In fact, the magnitude and direction of any effect depend on the precise level of fertilization/irrigation and on the date of observation. We show that a new synthesis of experimental data can emerge by embedding a mechanistic plant growth model, widely studied in agronomy, in a consumer–resource modelling framework, widely studied in ecology. The future challenge is to use this insight to inform practical decision making by farmers and growers.
Optimizing training programs for athletic performance: a Monte-Carlo Tree Search variant method

Purpose. Using a variant of the Monte-Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) algorithm, we compute optimal personalized and generic training programs for athletic performance. Methods. We use a non-linear performance model with population variability for athletes and non-athletes previously used in the literature. Then, we simulate an in-silico test population. For each individual of this population, we compute the performance obtained after implementing several widely used training programs as well as the one obtained by our variant of the MCTS algorithm. Two cases are considered depending on individual parameters being observed and personalized programs being possible or only parameter distributions being available and only generic training programs being implementable. Results. Compared to widely used training programs, our optimization leads to an increase in performance between 1.1 (95% CI: 0.9 - 1.4) percentage point of the performance obtained with stationary optimal training dose (pp POTD) for athletes and unknown individual characteristics to 10.0 (95% CI: 9.6 - 10.3) pp POTD for non-athletes and known individual characteristics. The value of information when using MCTS optimized training strategies, i.e. the difference between the performance that can be reached with knowledge of individual characteristics and the performance that can be reached without it is 14.7 (95% CI: 12.8 - 16.7) pp POTD for athletes and 3.0 (95% CI: 2.6 - 3.4) pp POTD for non-athletes.
A Comparison of Monthly Global Indicators for Forecasting Growth

Abstract This paper evaluates the predictive content of a set of alternative monthly indicators of global economic activity for nowcasting and forecasting quarterly world real GDP growth using mixed-frequency models. It shows that a recently proposed indicator that covers multiple dimensions of the global economy consistently produces substantial improvements in forecasting accuracy, while other monthly measures have more mixed success. Specifically, the best-performing model yields impressive gains with MSPE reductions of up to 34% at short horizons and up to 13% at long horizons relative to an autoregressive benchmark. The global economic conditions indicator also contains valuable information for assessing the current and future state of the economy for a set of individual countries and groups of countries. This indicator is used to track the evolution of the nowcasts for the U.S., the OECD area, and the world economy during the COVID-19 pandemic and the main factors that drive the nowcasts are quantified.