Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical Predictors of Neurotoxicity After Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy.

Importance Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for relapsed or refractory hematologic malignant neoplasm causes severe neurologic adverse events ranging from encephalopathy and aphasia to cerebral edema and death. The cause of neurotoxicity is incompletely understood, and its unpredictability is a reason for prolonged hospitalization after CAR T-cell infusion. Objective To identify clinical and laboratory parameters predictive of neurotoxicity and to develop a prognostic score associated with its risk. Design, Setting, and Participants This single-center diagnostic/prognostic accuracy study was conducted at Brigham and Women's Hospital/Dana Farber Cancer Institute from April 2015 to February 2020. A consecutive sample of all patients undergoing CAR T-cell therapy with axicabtagene ciloleucel for relapsed or refractory lymphoma were assessed for inclusion (n = 213). Patients who had previously received CAR T cells or who were treated for mantle cell lymphoma were excluded (n = 9). Patients were followed up for a minimum of 30 days from the date of CAR T-cell infusion. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcomes were measures of performance (accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve) of a diagnostic tool to predict the occurrence of CAR-associated neurotoxicity, as graded by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events criteria. Results Two hundred four patients (127 men [62.2%]; mean [SD] age, 60.0 [12.1] years) were included in the analysis, of which 126 (61.8%) comprised a derivation cohort and 78 (38.2%), an internal validation cohort. Seventy-three patients (57.9%) in the derivation cohort and 45 patients (57.7%) in the validation cohort experienced neurotoxicity. Clinical and laboratory values obtained early in admission were used to develop a multivariable score that can predict the subsequent development of neurotoxicity; when tested on an internal validation cohort, this score had an area under the curve of 74%, an accuracy of 77%, a sensitivity of 82%, and a specificity of 70% (positive:negative likelihood ratio, 2.71:0.26). Conclusions and Relevance The score developed in this study may help predict which patients are likely to experience CAR T-cell-associated neurotoxicity. The score can be used for triaging and resource allocation and may allow a large proportion of patients to be discharged from the hospital early.
Is the technical quality of root fillings associated with socioeconomic status? A cross-sectional study among Finnish adults.

We investigated differences in the technical quality of root fillings according to socioeconomic status. In the Finnish Health 2000 Survey, which comprised a sample of 8,028 adults aged over 29 yr, 6,115 underwent panoramic radiography. A total of 7,986 endodontically treated teeth were detected among 3,095 participants. The criterion for a technically inadequate root filling was a distance from the root filling to the root apex of over 3 mm or a filling extruding beyond the apex. Educational level, employment status, and income were the measures of socioeconomic status. Differences in the frequency of inadequate root fillings according to socioeconomic status were investigated using a multilevel logistic mixed-effects model taking into account age, gender, number of teeth, and type of root filled tooth. Almost half (46%) of the root fillings were inadequate. Among the over 64-yr-olds, higher education and higher income were associated with a higher probability of having an inadequate root filling. Among the under 65-yr-olds, socioeconomic status was not associated with root filling quality. Contrary to expectation, lower socioeconomic status was not associated with poorer endodontic treatment quality; however, higher income and higher education was associated with higher odds for inadequate root fillings among the over 64-yr-olds.
Seasonal Succession of Planktonic Copepods in Bight Environments of Northeastern Taiwan

The seasonality and parameters of ocean waters have a significant influence on planktonic copepod species richness and diversity in various marine environments near and surrounding Taiwan. We conducted 6 sampling cruises in the bights of Shen-Aou Bay and Fan-Zai-Aou Bay to investigate seasonal variations in copepod communities in northeastern Taiwan from Oct. 2007 to Jan. 2009. The sample included 76 species of copepods belonging to 4 orders, 22 families, and 36 genera identified in these 2 bays in northeastern Taiwan. The most abundant species were Temora turbinata (with a relative abundance (RA) of 29.34%), Paracalanus parvus (of 21.98%), Canthocalanus pauper (of 7.86%), Calanus sinicus (of 4.00%), and Acrocalanus gracilis (of 3.93%). A cluster analysis showed that the copepod communities of northeastern Taiwan fluctuated with season during the study period. Calanus sinicus showed a significant negative correlation with seawater temperature (r = -0.434, p = 0.008) and was abundant during the period when the China Coastal Current intruded into northeastern Taiwan, indicating that it is a temperate species. In contrast, the abundances of 7 copepod species (Acr. monachus, T. discaudata, Macrosetella gracilis, Corycaeus (Corycaeus) speciosus, Cor. (Farranula) concinna, Oncaea media, and Copilia mirabilis) showed significant positive correlations with seawater temperature, indicating that they are subtropical and tropical species. Copepod species, the community structure, and assemblages were distinguished by seasonality based on seawater temperature. Results suggest that the planktonic copepod communities in these 2 bays of northeastern Taiwan are primarily influenced by water temperatures, with seasonal succession determined by ingress of the China Coastal Current and Kuroshio Branch Current.
Genetic variance and covariance components for carbon dioxide production and postweaning traits in Angus cattle.

This experiment investigated phenotypic and genetic relationships between carbon dioxide production, methane emission, feed intake and postweaning traits in Angus cattle. Respiration chamber data on 1096 young bulls and heifers from 2 performance recording research herds of Angus cattle were analysed to provide phenotypic and genetic parameters for carbon dioxide production rate (CPR; n = 425, mean 3010 ± SD 589 g/d) and methane production rate (MPR; n = 1096, mean 132.8 ± SD 25.2 g/d) and their relationships with dry matter intake (DMI; n = 1096, mean 6.15 ± SD 1.33 kg/d), body weight (BW) and body composition traits. Heritability estimates were moderate to high for CPR (0.53 [SE 0.17]), MPR (0.31 [SE 0.07]), DMI (0.49 [SE 0.08]), yearling BW (0.46 [SE 0.08]) and scanned rib fat depth (0.42 [SE 0.07]). There was a strong phenotypic (0.83 [SE 0.02]) and genetic (0.75 [SE 0.10]) correlation between CPR and MPR. The correlations obtained for DMI with CPR and with MPR were high, both phenotypically (rp) and genetically (rg) (rp: 0.85 [SE 0.01] and 0.71 [SE 0.02]; rg (0.95 [SE 0.03] and 0.83 [SE 0.05], respectively). Yearling BW was strongly correlated phenotypically (rp ≥ 0.60) and genetically (rg > 0.80) with CPR, MPR and DMI, whereas scanned rib fat was weakly correlated phenotypically (rp < 0.20) and genetically (rg ≤ 0.20) with CPR, MPR and DMI. The strong correlation between both CPR and MPR with DMI confirms their potential use as proxies for DMI in situations where direct DMI recording is not possible such as on pasture.
CaMKII controls neuromodulation via neuropeptide gene expression and axonal targeting of neuropeptide vesicles

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) regulates synaptic plasticity in multiple ways, supposedly including the secretion of neuromodulators like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Here, we show that neuromodulator secretion is indeed reduced in mouse α- and βCaMKII-deficient (αβCaMKII double-knockout [DKO]) hippocampal neurons. However, this was not due to reduced secretion efficiency or neuromodulator vesicle transport but to 40% reduced neuromodulator levels at synapses and 50% reduced delivery of new neuromodulator vesicles to axons. αβCaMKII depletion drastically reduced neuromodulator expression. Blocking BDNF secretion or BDNF scavenging in wild-type neurons produced a similar reduction. Reduced neuromodulator expression in αβCaMKII DKO neurons was restored by active βCaMKII but not inactive βCaMKII or αCaMKII, and by CaMKII downstream effectors that promote cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation. These data indicate that CaMKII regulates neuromodulation in a feedback loop coupling neuromodulator secretion to βCaMKII- and CREB-dependent neuromodulator expression and axonal targeting, but CaMKIIs are dispensable for the secretion process itself.
A massive ingression of the alien species Mytilus edulis L. (Bivalvia: Mollusca) into the Mediterranean Sea following the Costa Concordia cruise-ship disaster

The Costa Concordia cruise-ship disaster occurred just off the coast of Italy on January 13 th , 2012, and entailed the largest marine salvage operation in history. The salvage employed vessels from different European harbours, providing an unexpected means for transporting alien species into the Mediterranean. In this work we identified mussel species using fragments length polymorphism of a nuclear locus and report the first evidence of the transport of the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis Linnaeus, 1758 (Bivalvia: Mollusca), into the Mediterranean Sea, as a part of the fouling community of the hull of an accommodation barge arrived from a NE Atlantic location in October 2012. Furthermore, we describe the rapid growth of this species, under the ASV Pioneer, until its almost total extinction during the summer of 2013, which left a covering of mussel shells on the underlying Posidonia oceanica (Linnaeus) Delile, 1813. meadow. This high mortality rate indicated that M. edulis had been exposed to high stress conditions, probably due to different salinity, temperature, and oligotrophic conditions from its place of origin, and there was no spawning event or known settlement on the nearest infralittoral natural habitats. This event reminds us of how the Mediterranean Sea is constantly under alien-species pressure, due to human activities.
Contact sensitization in metalworkers: Data from the information network of departments of dermatology (IVDK), 2010–2018

Metalworkers are exposed to a variety of contact allergens by handling tools, metals, metalworking fluids (MWFs), oils and greases, rubber materials, and so on. Most large‐scale reports on contact allergy due to MWFs are more than 10‐years‐old, and there are only few studies on contact allergy in mechanics and other metal workers not exposed to MWFs.
Chronic axonal idiopathic polyneuropathy: is it really benign

Purpose of review Chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy (CIAP), a common neurological condition, is considered to be a benign neurological condition with a small risk of disability. However, many studies have shown a reduced quality of life and a nonnegligible affection of daily activities in patients with CIAP. Here we summarize recent data about CIAP. Recent findings We discuss some of the latest articles regarding risk factors, comorbidities, and possible pathogenic factors regarding CIAP. Patients with chronic polyneuropathy have impaired walking capacity, disturbed balance, and an increased risk of falls. Idiopathic polyneuropathy has a negative impact on activities of daily living. Patients with CIAP may develop plantar ulcers and neuropathic arthropathy. Small fiber involvement may occur, and two recent studies indicate that neuropathic pain is present in about two thirds of the CIAP group. Furthermore, patients with CIAP with neuropathic pain have increased fatigue and poorer emotional well being. Summary Despite the relatively mild motor impairment seen in most patients with CIAP, the condition causes limitations in life with decreased mobility, pain, and affection of basal daily activities. Because the pathogenesis of CIAP in unclear, there is no disease modifying treatment. Further studies regarding pathogenesis, and randomized controlled clinical trials regarding possible treatment options are needed.
Transport of LDLs into the arterial wall: impact in atherosclerosis

Purpose of review Atherosclerosis is a complicated cardiovascular disease characterized by unbalanced lipid metabolism and unresolved inflammation that occurred inside of arteries. The transcytosis of LDL across the endothelium and its accumulation in the arterial wall is the initial step of atherosclerosis. Here, we summarize recent research into the understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of endothelial LDL transcytosis and its relevance in the development of atherosclerosis. Recent findings A number of recent studies have revealed the contribution of caveolae, activin-like kinase 1 (ALK1) or scavenger receptor B1 (SR-B1) in endothelial LDL transcytosis and the progression of atherosclerosis. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), the major protein component in caveolae, is required for the formation of caveolae and caveolae-mediated LDL uptake and transcytosis across the endothelium. SR-B1 and ALK1 directly bind LDL and facilitate the transport of LDL through the endothelial cells. The change in expression of caveolae-associated proteins and SR-B1 regulates endothelial LDL transcytosis and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Summary Caveolae, ALK1 and SR-B1 are identified as key regulators in the LDL transcytosis across the endothelium. Endothelial LDL transcytosis might be a potential therapeutic approach to limit the initiation of early atherosclerosis and treat the atherosclerotic vascular diseases.
COVID-19 and the mental well-being of Australian medical students: impact, concerns and coping strategies used

Objective: Medical students are vulnerable to poor mental well-being. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted student life and had significant effects on curricula delivery at medical schools around Australia. The study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on medical student mental well-being, assess concerns and determine activities used by students to help with the situation. Method: An online cross-sectional survey was designed. Questions focused on concerns and impact of COVID-19. The Kessler-10 (K10) measured psychological distress. Results: Two hundred and ninety-seven students participated with a 37.5% response rate. Mean K10 score was 20.6 indicating moderate psychological distress. There were no significant differences in K10 mean score or distress level (low, moderate, high, very high) between students in different years of the medical course. Deterioration in mental well-being since COVID-19 onset was reported by 68% students. Main negative impacts were on social connectedness, studies and stress levels. Concerns related to uncertainty about returning to normal and graduation. Common activities were using video chats, social media, exercise and hobbies. Conclusions: The impact of COVID-19 on mental well-being has led to legitimate concerns by students regarding their studies and progress through the medical course. We hope to minimise these disruptions, and reassure and support students to ensure that academic goals are achieved.
Measurement of airway pressure during high‐flow nasal therapy in apnoeic oxygenation: a randomised controlled crossover trial*

It is recognised that high‐flow nasal therapy can prevent desaturation during airway management. Studies in spontaneously breathing patients show an almost linear relationship between flow rate and positive airway pressure in the nasopharynx. Positive airway pressure has been suggested as one of the possible mechanisms explaining how high‐flow nasal therapy works. However, data on pressures generated by high‐flow nasal therapy in apnoeic adults under general anaesthesia are absent. This randomised controlled crossover trial investigated airway pressures generated by different flow rates during high‐flow nasal therapy in anaesthetised and paralysed apnoeic patients, comparing pressures with closed and open mouths. Following induction of anaesthesia and neuromuscular blockade, a continuous jaw thrust was used to enable airway patency. Airway pressure was measured in the right main bronchus, the middle of the trachea and the pharynx, using a fibreoptically‐placed catheter connected to a pressure transducer. Each measurement was randomised with respect to closed or open mouth and different flow rates. Twenty patients undergoing elective surgery were included (mean (SD) age 38 (18) years, BMI 25.0 (3.3) kg.m‐2, nine women, ASA physical status 1 (35%), 2 (55%), 3 (10%). While closed mouths and increasing flow rates demonstrated non‐linear increases in pressure, the pressure increase was negligible with an open mouth. Airway pressures remained below 10 cmH2O even with closed mouths and flow rates up to 80 l.min−1; they were not influenced by catheter position. This study shows an increase in airway pressures with closed mouths that depends on flow rate. The generated pressure is negligible with an open mouth. These data question positive airway pressure as an important mechanism for maintenance of oxygenation during apnoea.
Reduction of Bacteria Attached to Meat Surfaces by Washing with Selected Compounds.

Beef muscle and fat tissue were inoculated with either Listeria monocytogenes , Salmonella typhimurium , Staphylococcus aureus , or Serratia marcescens and washed with various compounds. There were no significant (P>0.05) differences in detachment and/or destruction of bacteria from lean tissue with phosphate buffer, ethanol, and NaCl, with all of the reductions being <1 log cycle. NaOH and KOH were effective in removing bacteria from both fat and lean tissue, reducing the populations of S. typhimurium and S. marcescens on the tissue by as much as 4 log cycles. For all of the bacteria tested, there were significantly more (P<0.05) bacteria removed or destroyed from fat tissue than from lean tissue. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between NaOH and KOH. Concentration (1%, 5%, and 10%) of the wash solution had a significant (P<0.05) effect on all four of the bacteria. D values were determined for the bacteria in the three concentrations of NaOH. The values ranged from a high of 41 sec for S. aureus in 1% to <1.2 sec for L. monocytogenes in 10% NaOH.
The Effect of Variety and Fertilizer Application on Functional Properties of ‘Mukunuwenna’ ( Alternanthera sessilis)

The study investigated the functional properties, such as antioxidant activity, phenolic content and ascorbic acid content of the popular leafy vegetable, Alternanthera sessilis (‘Mukunuwenna’). Two varieties such as Piliyandala and Colombo Selection grown under four different fertilizer application types namely, Inorganic fertilizer mixture recommended by the Department of Agriculture (Urea 9 kg/1000 m2 , MOP 13.5 kg/1000 m2 , TSP 10 kg/1000 m2 ), Integrated treatment [mixture of inorganic (Urea, MOP and TSP) and organic fertilizer (cattle manure and gliricidia)], Organic fertilizer (cattle manure and gliricidia) and Homescale cultivation (No fertilizer) were used. Antioxidant activity (AOA) of the methanolic leaf extract was determined by using 2, 2- diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) Radical Scavenging Assay. Phenolic content (PC) and ascorbic acid content (AAC; IC50 value) were measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and 2, 6-Dichlorophenol-indophenol titration method, respectively. A 2-factor factorial experiment was used in the study. Varieties Piliyandala (7.92 mg/mL) and Colombo Selection (9.50 mg/mL) did not differ in their AOA while variety Colombo Selection recorded a higher phenolic content (472.67 mg GAE/100 g) compared to Piliyandala (343.83 mg GAE/100 g). Ascorbic acid contents of Piliyandala and Colombo Selection varieties were 11.48 and 12.44 mg/100 mg, respectively. Home-scale cultivation and organic fertilizer treatment resulted in significantly higher (p˂0.05) AOA of 3.364 and 8.034 mg/mL and PC of 410.87 and 404.99 mg GAE/100 g, respectively. Organic fertilizer application significantly increased (p˂0.05) the antioxidant activity of variety Piliyandala but not in Colombo Selection. Results indicated that, A. sessilis grown with inorganic fertilizer and a mixture of inorganic and organic fertilizer contained significantly lower antioxidant levels and phenolic contents compared to those grown organically and in home-scale without fertilizer application.
A Mixture of Regressions Model of COVID-19 Death Rates and Population Comorbidities

As the COVID-19 pandemic spread worldwide, it has become clearer that prevalence of certain comorbidities in a given population could make it more vulnerable to serious outcomes of that disease, including fatality. Indeed, it might be insightful from a health policy perspective to identify clusters of populations in terms of the associations between their prevalent comorbidities and the observed COVID-19 specific death rates. In this study, we described a mixture of polynomial time series (MoPTS) model to simultaneously identify (a) three clusters of 86 U.S. cities in terms of their dynamic death rates, and (b) the different associations of those rates with 5 key comorbidities among the populations in the clusters. We also described an EM algorithm for efficient maximum likelihood estimation of the model parameters.
Heterosis and inbreeding depression for seed yield and its component traits in Indian bean (Lablab purpureus L. Sweet)

The investigation was conducted to assess the magnitude heterosis and inbreeding depression for seed yield and its component characters through non-replicated trial comprised of five parents GNIB-21, GP-1, GP-167, GP-189 and GPKH-120, four hybrids and their F2 generations of Indian bean during kharif 2016. All four crosses exhibited positive and significant heterosis over mid parents for days to flowering, plant height, primary branches per plant, days to maturity, pod length, pod width, pod weight, pods per plant, seeds per pod, 100 seed weight, straw yield per plant, seed yield per plant and harvest index, except pods per plant, seeds per pod and harvest index in cross GNIB-21 X GP-1; primary branches per plant and seeds per pod in GNIB-21 X GP-189; pod width, pod weight, seeds per pod and harvest index in GNIB-21 X GPKH-120. While, positive and significant heterobeltiosis was observed for days to flowering and days to maturity in all crosses. Moreover, cross GNIB-21 X GP-167 exhibited positive and significant heterobeltiosis for pod weight and harvest index. The crosses GNIB-21 X GP-1, GNIB-21 X GP-189 and GNIB-21 X GP-167 recorded relatively lower amount of inbreeding depression for seed yield and its component traits, which could be utilized for isolating transgressive segregants for respective traits.