Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A proteinase-free DNA replication machinery for in vitro and in vivo amplified MicroRNA imaging

Abstract The construction of robust, modular and compact DNA machinery facilitates us to build more intelligent and ingenious sensing strategies in complex biological systems. However, the performance of conventional DNA amplifiers is always impeded by their limited in-depth amplifications and miscellaneously enzymatic requirements. Here, a proteinase-free reciprocal DNA replication machinery is developed by exploiting the synergistic cross-activation between hybridization chain reaction (HCR) and DNAzyme. The DNAzyme provides an efficient way to simplify the sophisticated design of HCR machinery and simultaneously to promote the amplification capacity. And the HCR-assembled tandem DNAzyme nanowires produce numerous new triggers for reversely stimulating HCR amplifier as systematically explored by experiments and computer-aided simulations. The reciprocal amplifier can be executed as a versatile and powerful sensing platform for analyzing miRNA in living cells and even in mice, originating from the inherent reaction accelerations and multiple-guaranteed recognitions. The reciprocal catalytic DNA machine holds great potential in clinical diagnosis and assessment.
Vitrectomy with the inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique in eyes with full-thickness macular hole and dry age-related macular degeneration

Purpose To present effects of the inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique in full-thickness macular holes coexisting with dry age-related macular degeneration. Methods Our database was retrospectively reviewed in order to spot patients with the simultaneous diagnosis of dry age-related macular degeneration and full-thickness macular hole. Vitrectomy with the inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique was performed. Inclusion criteria were full-thickness macular hole, drusen, vitrectomy performed, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (Copernicus HR, Optopol, Poland) or swept source optical coherence tomography (Triton, Topcon, Japan) before surgery, then 1 week (±3 days), 1 month (±1 week), 3 months (±1 month), 6 months (±1 month), 12 months (±2 months), and 18 months to 12 years after surgery. Main outcome measures Closure of macular hole and visual acuity at the final control. Results A total of 18 eyes of 12 patients (mean age: 68 years) were included. Mean minimum macular hole diameter was 493 μm. Mean maximum macular hole diameter was 1072 μm. Macular hole was closed in 16 eyes after first surgery and in all eyes after second surgery. Improvement of visual acuity was statistically significant (P = 0.05), but there was no statistical significant correlation observed between initial macular hole diameters and final visual acuity (P > 0.1). Conclusion The inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique improves anatomical and functional results in eyes with coexisting dry age-related macular degeneration and full-thickness macular holes. Final development of choroidal neovascularization or geographic atrophy is possible in rare cases.
Phenolic Acids of Plant Origin—A Review on Their Antioxidant Activity In Vitro (O/W Emulsion Systems) Along with Their in Vivo Health Biochemical Properties

Nature has generously offered a wide range of herbs (e.g., thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage, mint, basil) rich in many polyphenols and other phenolic compounds with strong antioxidant and biochemical properties. This paper focuses on several natural occurring phenolic acids (caffeic, carnosic, ferulic, gallic, p-coumaric, rosmarinic, vanillic) and first gives an overview of their most common natural plant sources. A summary of the recently reported antioxidant activities of the phenolic acids in o/w emulsions is also provided as an in vitro lipid-based model system. Exploring the interfacial activity of phenolic acids could help to further elucidate their potential health properties against oxidative stress conditions of biological membranes (such as lipoproteins). Finally, this review reports on the latest literature evidence concerning specific biochemical properties of the examined phenolic acids.
Influence of height on likelihood of employment, occupational sorting, and earnings in 27 post‐communist countries

We study the influence of height on labour market outcomes using micro‐data from a recent survey that cover 27 post‐communist countries. Specifically, we focus on the influence of height on three dimensions of labour market outcome: (1) likelihood of employment, (2) occupational sorting, and (3) earnings.
The chemosensory systems of Vibrio cholerae

Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of the acute diarrheal disease cholera, is able to thrive in diverse habitats such as natural water bodies and inside human hosts. To ensure their survival, these bacteria rely on chemosensory pathways to sense and respond to changing environmental conditions. These pathways constitute a highly sophisticated cellular control system in Bacteria and Archaea. Reflecting the complex life cycle of V. cholerae, this organism has three different chemosensory pathways that together contain over 50 proteins expressed under different environmental conditions. Only one of them is known to control motility, while the function of the other two remains to be discovered. Here, we provide an overview of the chemosensory systems in V. cholerae and the advances toward understanding their structure and function.
Cerebral perfusion and blood–brain barrier assessment in brain trauma using contrast-enhanced near-infrared spectroscopy with indocyanine green: A review

Contrast-enhanced near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) with indocyanine green (ICG) can be a valid non-invasive, continuous, bedside neuromonitoring tool. However, its usage in moderate and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients can be unprecise due to their clinical status. This review is targeted at researchers and clinicians involved in the development and application of contrast-enhanced NIRS for the care of TBI patients and can be used to design future studies. This review describes the methods developed to monitor the brain perfusion and the blood–brain barrier integrity using the changes of diffuse reflectance during the ICG passage and the results on studies in animals and humans. The limitations in accuracy of these methods when applied on TBI patients and the proposed solutions to overcome them are discussed. Finally, the analysis of relative parameters is proposed as a valid alternative over absolute values to address some current clinical needs in brain trauma care. In conclusion, care should be taken in the translation of the optical signal into absolute physiological parameters of TBI patients, as their clinical status must be taken into consideration. Discussion on where and how future studies should be directed to effectively incorporate contrast-enhanced NIRS into brain trauma care is given.
Quantitative investigations of the Baltic Fucus belt macrofauna

Abstract A remote operating device for obtaining quantitative samples of bushy algae is described. An algal plant, fixed in the middle of a collapsible cage is used as a natural trap. Lines operating from the sea surface ensure a rapid enclosure of the alga which after a week's exposure has received a natural fauna. The device has worked quite satisfactorily for a period of more than two years of continuous exposure with a monthly sampling of the Baltic fauna. An annual maximum of animals of around 600 specimens per 100 g dry Fucus occurs in November, dominated by the crustaceans Idatea and Gammarus and the molluscs Hydrobia, Theadaxus and Cardium. The annual minimum occurs in January with around 100 specimens. A more frequent sampling has shown that especially the molluscs and Gammarus invade the initially empty Fucus plant very rapidly.
Acute Hyperglycemic Crises with Coronavirus Disease-19: Case Reports

Since the first case was contracted by coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) in Daegu, Korea in February 2020, about 6,800 cases and 130 deaths have been reported on April 9, 2020. Recent studies have reported that patients with diabetes showed higher mortality and they had a worse prognosis than the group without diabetes. In poorly controlled patients with diabetes, acute hyperglycemic crises such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) also might be precipitated by COVID-19. Thus, intensive monitoring and aggressive supportive care should be needed to inadequately controlled patients with diabetes and COVID-19 infection. Here, we report two cases of severe COVID-19 patients with acute hyperglycemic crises in Korea.
HPV Involvement in the Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Treatment in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. Active human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been identified as an important additional risk factor and seems to be associated with a better prognosis in non-drinker and non-smoker young patients with oropharyngeal SCC. The better response of the immune system against the HPV-induced HNSCC is suspected as a potential explanation for the better prognosis of young patients. To further assess this hypothesis, our review aims to shed light the current knowledge about the impact of HPV infection on the immune response in the context of HNSCC, focusing on the innate immune system, particularly highlighting the role of macrophages, Langerhans and myeloid cells, and on the adaptative immune system, pointing out the involvement of T regulatory, T CD8 and T CD4 lymphocytes. In addition, we also review the preventive (HPV vaccines) and therapeutic (checkpoint inhibitors) strategies against HPV-related HNSCC, stressing the use of anti-CTLA4, PD-L1, PD-L2 antibodies alone and in combination with other agents able to modulate immune responses.
Effect of Six Insecticides on Egg Hatching and Larval Mortality of Trogoderma granarium Everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

The khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), is one of the most destructive insect species of stored food worldwide and is subjected to strict phytosanitary legislations. In the present study, we evaluated the egg hatching and larval mortality of T. granarium on concrete surfaces treated with six insecticides (i.e., α-cypermethrin, chlorfenapyr, deltamethrin, pirimiphos-methyl, pyriproxyfen, and s-methoprene) that are registered in Greece for surface treatment and exhibit a broad spectrum of different modes of action. Furthermore, we investigated the influence of the presence of food on egg hatching and larval mortality. Egg hatchability on treated concrete was higher in tests with the presence of food for all tested insecticides, with the exception of s-methoprene. In contrast, larval mortality was lower in treatments where there was nourishment for all insecticides. No egg hatching was recorded on concrete treated with pirimiphos-methyl where there was no food, while with the addition of food, the egg hatching did not exceeded 26.7% after 6 days of exposure. The highest percentage of hatched eggs was recorded on concrete treated with chlorfenapyr (87.7% with food vs. 76.7% without food), followed by deltamethrin (76.7% with food vs. 63.3% without food), pyriproxyfen (50.0% with food vs. 42.2% without food), and α-cypermethrin (28.9% with food vs. 6.7% without food). In the case of s-methoprene, more eggs were hatched in the absence of food (91.1%) in contrast to in the presence of food (86.7%). Regarding mortality, all larvae were dead after 5 days of exposure on pirimiphos-methyl-treated concrete with food. Furthermore, larvae died faster in treatments without food. For α-cypermethrin, 100% mortality was recorded after 4 days of exposure, while with presence of food, all larvae died after 6 days. Chlorfenapyr caused complete mortality of larvae after 5 days of exposure on concrete without food and after 8 days with food. In the case of deltamethrin, 100% mortality was recorded after 7 days in the absence of food and 8 days in the presence of food. Regarding pyriproxyfen, complete mortality was not recorded when food was present, reaching 94.1% 14 days postexposure. However, after 12 days, all larvae died in treatments without food. Although egg hatching was higher in the case of s-methoprene on concrete without food, larval mortality was 100% after 8 days of exposure. Nevertheless, when there was food, 87.3% of the exposed larvae died after 13 days. Therefore, it becomes evident that sanitation of storage facilities before the application of contact insecticides is a key factor for the successful control of T. granarium in the egg stage.
Association of Rare Pathogenic DNA Variants for Familial Hypercholesterolemia, Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome, and Lynch Syndrome With Disease Risk in Adults According to Family History.

Importance Pathogenic DNA variants associated with familial hypercholesterolemia, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, and Lynch syndrome are widely recognized as clinically important and actionable when identified, leading some clinicians to recommend population-wide genomic screening. Objectives To assess the prevalence and clinical importance of pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants associated with each of 3 genomic conditions (familial hypercholesterolemia, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, and Lynch syndrome) within the context of contemporary clinical care. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study used gene-sequencing data from 49 738 participants in the UK Biobank who were recruited from 22 sites across the UK between March 21, 2006, and October 1, 2010. Inpatient hospital data date back to 1977; cancer registry data, to 1957; and death registry data, to 2006. Statistical analysis was performed from July 22, 2019, to November 15, 2019. Exposures Pathogenic or likely pathogenic DNA variants classified by a clinical laboratory geneticist. Main Outcomes and Measures Composite end point specific to each genomic condition based on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events for familial hypercholesterolemia, breast or ovarian cancer for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, and colorectal or uterine cancer for Lynch syndrome. Results Among 49 738 participants (mean [SD] age, 57 [8] years; 27 144 female [55%]), 441 (0.9%) harbored a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant associated with any of 3 genomic conditions, including 131 (0.3%) for familial hypercholesterolemia, 235 (0.5%) for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, and 76 (0.2%) for Lynch syndrome. Presence of these variants was associated with increased risk of disease: for familial hypercholesterolemia, 28 of 131 carriers (21.4%) vs 4663 of 49 607 noncarriers (9.4%) developed atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, 32 of 116 female carriers (27.6%) vs 2080 of 27 028 female noncarriers (7.7%) developed associated cancers; and for Lynch syndrome, 17 of 76 carriers (22.4%) vs 929 of 49 662 noncarriers (1.9%) developed colorectal or uterine cancer. The predicted probability of disease at age 75 years despite contemporary clinical care was 45.3% for carriers of familial hypercholesterolemia, 41.1% for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, and 38.3% for Lynch syndrome. Across the 3 conditions, 39.7% (175 of 441) of the carriers reported a family history of disease vs 23.2% (34 517 of 148 772) of noncarriers. Conclusions and Relevance The findings suggest that approximately 1% of the middle-aged adult population in the UK Biobank harbored a pathogenic variant associated with any of 3 genomic conditions. These variants were associated with an increased risk of disease despite contemporary clinical care and were not reliably detected by family history.
Influence of Follicular Fluid and Seminal Plasma on The Expression of Endometrial Receptivity Genes in Endometrial Cells

Objective Endometrial receptivity plays a key role in pregnancy success in assisted reproduction cycles. Recent evidence suggests that seminal plasma (SP) and follicular fluid (FF) influence the uterine endometrium to improve implantation of the embryo and the establishment of pregnancy. In this study, we attempt to assess the influence of FF and SP on the expression levels of main endometrial receptivity genes (HOXA10, HOXA11, ITGAV, ITGB3 and LIF) in endometrial stromal cells. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, SP and FF were collected from 15 healthy fertile men and 15 healthy fertile women, respectively. Tissue specimens of the endometrium were obtained from 12 women undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions. After endometrial stromal cell isolation and culture, dose- and time-dependent cytotoxic effects of pooled FF and SP on 3D-cultured endometrial cells were evaluated. A second independent set of 12 endometrium samples was treated under determined optimum conditions and evaluated for gene expression analysis using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT–PCR). Results The results of this study indicated that exposure of endometrial stromal cells to FF resulted in the elevated expression of HOXA10 (fold change=2.6, P=0.02), HOXA11 (fold change=3.3, P=0.002), LIF (fold change=4.6, P=0.0003), ITGB3 (fold change=3.5, P=0.012), and ITGAV (fold change=2.8, P=0.001) compared to untreated cells. In addition, we found that SP-treated endometrial cells showed increased mRNA levels of only the LIF gene (fold change=2.5, P=0.008) compared to untreated cells. Conclusion Human SP and FF may modulate the endometrial receptivity and improve the implantation rate in assisted reproduction cycles through the up-regulation of endometrial receptivity genes.
Effects of Holy Name Meditation on the Quality of Life of Hospital Middle Manager Nurses in Korea: A 6-Month Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND Nurses experience poor quality of life due to workload and role stress. In this study, a spirituality-based intervention was administered to nurse managers. METHOD A total of 45 nurse managers participated in the study; 24 were assigned to the experimental group, and 21 were assigned to a control group. The Holy Name Meditation Program was provided solely to the experimental group. Pretest, posttest 1 (5 weeks after the intervention), posttest 2 (12 weeks after the intervention), and posttest 3 (24 weeks after the intervention) data were gathered on seven variables, including spiritual well-being, spiritual needs, job satisfaction, leadership, burnout, depression, and self-efficacy. RESULTS The experimental group showed significant improvement in spiritual well-being (p < .001), spiritual needs (p = .029), and job satisfaction (p = .005) until the 24-week follow-up. Burnout (p < .001), depression and anxiety (p = .034), and self-efficacy (p = .024) showed significant improvement until the 12-week follow-up. Depression and anxiety (p = .053) showed decreasing tendency until the 24-week follow-up. CONCLUSION Evidence suggests this program promotes spiritual and psychosocial well-being of nurse managers. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2020;51(5):215-224. ].
The Effect of Partial Pulpotomy with iRoot BP Plus in Traumatised Immature Permanent Teeth: A Randomised Prospective Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND/AIM A new bioceramic material iRoot BP Plus has been introduced and reported to have good biocompatibility, sealing ability and antibacterial activity. It has also been reported to be successfully used for procedures such as pulpotomy, pulp floor perforation repair and so on. However, there are only a few reports on the use of iRoot BP Plus in the management of traumatised teeth with an exposed pulp. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of partial pulpotomy with iRoot BP Plus in immature permanent teeth with complicated crown fracture or complicated crown-root fracture. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was prospectively designed and 110 immature permanent teeth with complicated crown fracture or complicated crown-root fracture were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 55). All teeth were clinically and radiographically assessed at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after partial pulpotomy with iRoot BP Plus (experimental group, n=50) or calcium hydroxide (control group,n=49) as the pulp capping agent. Eleven cases were lost during follow-up, and 99 teeth were finally analysed. RESULTS There were no intergroup differences in the survival rate, survival time, root length and dentin wall thickness. The calcific bridge was significantly thinner in the iRoot BP Plus group than in the calcium hydroxide group (0.97±0.13mm vs. 1.36±0.12mm; F=5.128, P=0.029). CONCLUSIONS iRoot BP Plus may be an effective capping material for partial pulpotomy.
Professional identity formation in disorienting times

COVID-19 is a major crisis, disrupting all facets of human life. For medical professionals and trainees, the pandemic creates additional concerns about one's role in providing care, the effectiveness and limitations of medical care, and personal vulnerability to infection and asymptomatic disease spread. These challenges can shape medical students' professional identity formation (PIF), defined as how learners come to 'think, act, and feel like a physician. '1 Medical students develop their identities as emerging professionals through training, and a crisis such as a pandemic alters, impedes, or accelerates this process. A crisis catalyzes transformative learning by serving as a disorienting dilemma, and educators can harness this opportunity for growth.
Patterns and Disparities in Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Uptake for Young Female Adolescents among U.S. States: NIS-Teen (2008–2016)

Background: Several studies have reported differential vaccine uptake outcomes that are associated with sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics, as well as provider type. However, none has examined a trend over a multiple-year span. In this study, we utilize a longitudinal data-based approach to examine state-level human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine trends and their influences over time. Methods: We analyzed National Immunization Survey – Teen data (2008–2016) to estimate HPV vaccine initiation rate in young female adolescent ages 13–17 years old among U.S. States. We identified growth patterns using the latent class growth method and explored state-level characteristics, including socioeconomic and sociodemographic attributes, and health legislation and policy-related programs among patterns. Results: We identified three growth patterns, which showed gradually increasing vaccination trends but different baseline HPV uptake rates (high, moderate, low). States within Pattern 1 (highest HPV vaccination rates) included the lowest percentage of families with incomes below federal poverty level, the highest percentage of bachelor's degree or higher, and the lowest number of uninsured, while states within Pattern 3 (lowest HPV vaccination rates) included families with socioeconomic attributes along the opposite end of the spectrum. Conclusions: Latent class growth models are an effective tool to be able to capture health disparities in heterogeneity among states in relation to HPV vaccine uptake trajectories. Impact: These findings might lead to designing and implementing effective interventions and changes in policies and health care coverage to promote HPV vaccination uptake for states represented under the lowest trajectory pattern.