Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of 5-Year Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROMs) of Total Ankle Replacement (TAR) to Total Knee Replacement (TKR) and Total Hip Replacement (THR)

Background: Total ankle replacement (TAR) is becoming a more common alternative to ankle arthrodesis for the improvement of pain and function in end-stage arthritis of the ankle. The effects of end-stage arthritis of the ankle are similar to those of end-stage hip arthritis. There is a paucity of literature on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) following TARs in comparison with total hip replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR). We aimed to study the 1-, 3-, and 5-year outcomes of TAR in comparison with TKR and THR. Methods: PROMs data from patients who underwent a primary THR, TKR, or TAR performed between March 2008 and 2013 over a 5-year period were collected from our hospital patient registry. They were divided into 3 groups based on the type of primary joint replacement. Patient demographics and patient-reported outcomes (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC], 36-item Short-Form (SF-36) scores, and patient satisfaction scores at follow-up) were compared preoperatively and at the 1-, 3-, and 5-year follow-ups. Results: There were data available on 2672 THR, 3520 TKR, and 193 TAR patients preoperatively. Preoperatively, TAR patients reported statistically significantly higher function scores when compared with THR and TKR patients (40 vs 33; P = .001 [P < .05] and 40 vs 36; P = .001 [P < .05]). For SF-36 scores, there was no statistically significant difference between groups for the general health and role emotional components (P = .171 and .064, respectively [P > .05]); TAR patients reported similar scores to TKR patients for physical domains at the 3- and 5-year follow-ups (P > .05), and TAR patients also reported similar scores to both THR and TKR patients for the mental domains (P > .05). At 5 years postoperatively, TAR patients reported lower scores than THR and TKR patients for function and stiffness. For SF-36 scores, TAR patients reported similar outcomes to THR and TKR patients for mental health components (P > .05), similar scores to TKR patients for 3 of 4 physical domains (P < .05), but lower satisfaction rates for activities of daily living (ADL) and recreation when compared with THR (P < .05). Conclusion: TAR patients had similar outcomes to THR and TKR patients for disease-specific and mental health domains, and lower patient satisfaction rates in terms of pain relief, ADL, and recreation. Further research is warranted including clinical outcomes along with PROMs with a long-term follow-up. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative series.
Remission of Food Addiction Does Not Induce Cross-Addiction after Sleeve Gastrectomy and Gastric Bypass: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: The hypothesis of “cross-addiction” has never been validated, and numerous aspects speak against it. Objectives: To compare the differences between sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and gastric bypass (GB) procedures concerning cross-addiction. Setting: Center for maximum care in Germany. Methods: We performed a prospective analysis of patients undergoing SG or GB as the first surgical treatment for severe obesity. All patients completed validated questionnaires to evaluate food intake (Yale Food Addiction Scale, YFAS), alcohol intake (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test), nicotine use (Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence), exercise (Exercise Addiction Inventory), drug addiction (20-item Drug Abuse Screening Test), and Internet use disorder (Internet Addiction Test) before the operation (T0) and 6 (T6) and 24 (T24) months postoperatively (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02757716). Results: One hundred thirteen patients underwent SG (n = 68) or GB (n = 45). At the follow-up, 61% completed the questionnaires at T6 and 44% at T24. In the YFAS, the percentage of patients diagnosed with food addiction decreased from 69 to 10%, and the mean symptom count decreased from 3.52 ± 1.95 to 1.26 ± 0.99 at T24 (p < 0.0001); these values did not differ between the surgical groups (p = 0.784). No significant evidence of cross-addiction was observed for use of alcohol, nicotine, drugs, the Internet, or exercise in either surgical group. The percentage of patients with moderate nicotine dependence increased in the SG group (+8.9%) at T24, but this was not significant. Conclusion: In this single-center cohort study, surgery for obesity caused significant addiction remission regarding food but without inducing cross-addiction after 2 years. Importantly, no significant differences were seen between the SG and GB procedures.
Annual and long-term fluctuations of the nematode fauna in a Swedish Scots pine forest soil

Summary Samples from an old Scots pine forest at Ivantjarnsheden in the middle of Sweden were used to study predictability and patterns of variation of soil nematode communities. There were two annual sampling series (1974–75 and 1977–78) and one long-term series sampled in September ten times over a period of 25 years. The abundance and the composition of the fauna fluctuated rather considerably in both the annual and long-term series. In the annual series abundance and species composition varied in a way which can partly be explained by changes in temperature and moisture. Total nematode abundance was influenced by soil water contents as indicated by co-variations with precipitation. Although the variations in abundance and fauna composition were large no systematic changes could be detected during 25 years. The differences in faunal structure between the two annual series were greater than between the annual and the long-term series. In all series there was a distinct vertical stratification of the fauna. In the superficial moss and litter layers species belonging to Adenophorea ( Plectus ) dominated. In deeper layers members of Rhabditida ( Acrobeloides ) contributed a greater proportion of the fauna. Variations of the annual series indicate that coexistence of different nematode species is facilitated by differences in response to temperature and moisture. The abundance of fungal and bacterial feeders changed in a regular way. During the summer the proportions of fungal and bacterial feeders were almost equal, but during the wet and cold winter the proportion of bacterial feeders increased. Rapidly growing bacterial feeding species belonging to Rhabditida were common in late summer and early autumn, whereas the more slowly growing bacterial feeders belonging to Adenophorea were most abundant during the winter. Although the community fluctuated rather much the average values indicated a rather high degree of predictability and also a high similarity with nematode faunas of other pine forest soils.
High Expression of microRNA-143 is Associated with Favorable Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Better Survival in Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer

microRNA-143 (miR-143) is a well-known tumor suppressive microRNA that exhibits anti-tumoral function by targeting KRAS signaling pathways in various malignancies. We hypothesized that miR-143 suppresses breast cancer progression by targeting KRAS and its effector molecules. We further hypothesized that high expression of miR-143 is associated with a favorable tumor immune microenvironment of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer patients which result in improved survival. Two major publicly available breast cancer cohorts; The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC) were used. The miR-143 high expression group was associated with increased infiltration of anti-cancer immune cells and decreased pro-cancer immune cells, as well as enrichment of the genes relating to T helper (Th1) cells resulting in improved overall survival (OS) in ER-positive breast cancer patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that high expression of miR-143 in cancer cells associates with a favorable tumor immune microenvironment, upregulation of anti-cancer immune cells, and suppression of the pro-cancer immune cells, associating with better survival of the breast cancer patients.
Protein quality evaluation of Amaranthus wholemeal flours and protein concentrates

Based on the amino acid composition, Amaranthus seed protein is known to be of higher quality than most of the major cereal grains. However, protein quality does not solely depend on amino acid profile but also on its digestibility. In this study we determined amino acid composition and in vitro protein digestibility of wholemeal and isoelectric protein concentrates (IPC) from five Amaranthus genotypes. Factors most likely to influence protein digestibility such as heating and presence of antinutrients were studied. Heating increased protein digestibility in wholemeals but slightly decreased it in IPCs. Trypsin inhibitor level was negatively but weakly correlated to protein digestibility, and the level of polyphenolic compounds was negatively and significantly correlated to protein digestibility. A slight deficiency in leucine was noted for wholemeals and in lysine for IPCs. However, based on both in vitro digestibility and amino acid profile, Amaranthus proteins were confirmed to be of better quality than those of other cereals. © 1998 SCI.
Influence of Foliar Fertilization with Amino Acids and Humic Acids on Productivity and Quality of Asparagus

ABSTRACT The main objective of this work was to study the effect of foliar fertilization with amino acids and humic acids on the productivity and quality of green asparagus (Asparagus officinalis, L. cv. UC-157) (four-year-old plants) located in the Protected Geographical Indication of Huétor-Tájar (Andalusia, Spain). Foliar fertilization with amino acids and humic acids increased cladode and rhizome micronutrients, as well as N and P. The highest chlorophyll A and B values were from plots receiving amino acids and humic acids. These results are of great importance because photosynthesis will be maintained for a longer time if the levels of pigments in the cladodes of asparagus plant are increased. This will result in a higher production of soluble carbohydrates, which will accumulate in the root system of this plant. This increase of soluble carbohydrates in the root system of the asparagus plant results in increases in crop production and quality in the following years.
Comparison of physical and chemical properties of water and floristic diversity of oxbow lakes under different levels of human pressure: A case study of the lower San River (Poland)

Abstract The oxbow lakes of the lower San River are the place where many valuable and protected vascular plants such as Salvinia natans and Trapa natans can be found. The aim of the research conducted in the San Valley in 2000 and 2004–2005 was to ascertain the relationships between biodiversity and waterbody's local flora but also to examine physical and chemical water parameters and ways of micro-catchment cultivation. The authors also attempted to measure the sensitivity of each of the species to water deterioration. Five oxbow lakes situated in the area around the town of Zaleszany were studied. All of the oxbow lakes came into existence at the same time and only differ in their size and cultivation level. In the case of the San River oxbow lakes there is no direct correlation between macrophyte distribution or presence of threatened and protected species and environmental parametres. It is only considerable human impact that results in macrophyte decrease (expressed as cover index and biodiversity index). The most valuable species i.e. Salvinia natans may be threatened by lake overgrowing and excessive eutrophication.
Epidemiology of and Risk Factors for Coronavirus Infection in Health Care Workers

Background Health care workers (HCWs) are at risk for severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Purpose To examine the burden of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1, and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV on HCWs and risk factors for infection, using rapid and living review methods. Data Sources Multiple electronic databases including the WHO Database of Publications on Coronavirus Disease and medRxiv preprint server (2003 through 27 March 2020, with ongoing surveillance through 24 April 2020), and reference lists. Study Selection Studies published in any language reporting incidence of or outcomes associated with coronavirus infections in HCWs and studies on the association between risk factors (demographic characteristics, role, exposures, environmental and administrative factors, and personal protective equipment [PPE] use) and HCW infections. New evidence will be incorporated on an ongoing basis by using living review methods. Data Extraction One reviewer abstracted data and assessed methodological limitations; verification was done by a second reviewer. Data Synthesis 64 studies met inclusion criteria; 43 studies addressed burden of HCW infections (15 on SARS-CoV-2), and 34 studies addressed risk factors (3 on SARS-CoV-2). Health care workers accounted for a significant proportion of coronavirus infections and may experience particularly high infection incidence after unprotected exposures. Illness severity was lower than in non-HCWs. Depression, anxiety, and psychological distress were common in HCWs during the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak. The strongest evidence on risk factors was on PPE use and decreased infection risk. The association was most consistent for masks but was also observed for gloves, gowns, eye protection, and handwashing; evidence suggested a dose-response relationship. No study evaluated PPE reuse. Certain exposures (such as involvement in intubations, direct patient contact, or contact with bodily secretions) were associated with increased infection risk. Infection control training was associated with decreased risk. Limitation There were few studies on risk factors for SARS-CoV-2, the studies had methodological limitations, and streamlined rapid review methods were used. Conclusion Health care workers experience significant burdens from coronavirus infections, including SARS-CoV-2. Use of PPE and infection control training are associated with decreased infection risk, and certain exposures are associated with increased risk. Primary Funding Source World Health Organization.
UV-C Irradiation of Rolled Fillets of Ham Inoculated with Yersinia enterocolitica and Brochothrix thermosphacta

Bacteria on ready-to-eat meat may cause diseases and lead to faster deterioration of the product. In this study, ready-to-eat sliced ham samples were inoculated with Yersinia enterocolitica or Brochothrix thermosphacta and treated with ultraviolet (UV) light. The initial effect of a UV-C irradiation was investigated with doses of 408, 2040, 4080, and 6120 mJ/cm2 and the effect after 0, 7, and 14 days of refrigerated storage with doses of 408 and 4080 mJ/cm2. Furthermore, inoculated ham samples were stored under light and dark conditions after the UV-C treatment to investigate the effect of photoreactivation. To assess the ham quality the parameters color and antioxidant capacity were analyzed during storage. UV-C light reduced Yersinia enterocolitica and Brochothrix thermosphacta counts by up to 1.11 log10 and 0.79 log10 colony forming units/g, respectively, during storage. No photoreactivation of the bacteria was observed. Furthermore, significantly lower a* and higher b* values after 7 and 14 days of storage and a significantly higher antioxidant capacity on day 0 after treatment with 4080 mJ/cm2 were detected. However, there were no other significant differences between treated and untreated samples. Hence, a UV-C treatment can reduce microbial surface contamination of ready-to-eat sliced ham without causing considerable quality changes.
Outcome Comparison between Low-Dose Rabbit Anti-Thymocyte Globulin and Basiliximab in Low-Risk Living Donor Kidney Transplantation

The objective of this study was to compare outcomes between basiliximab and low-dose r-ATG in living donor kidney transplantation recipients with low immunological risk. Patients in the low-dose r-ATG group received 1.5 mg/kg of r-ATG for 3 days (total 4.5 mg/kg). Graft survival, patient survival, acute rejection, de novo donor specific antibody (DSA), estimated glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR) changes, and infection status were compared. Among 268 patients, 37 received r-ATG, and 231 received basiliximab. There was no noticeable difference in the graft failure rate (r-ATG vs. basiliximab: 2.7% vs. 4.8%) or rejection (51.4% vs. 45.9%). de novo DSA was more frequent in the r-ATG group (11.4% vs. 2.4%, p = 0.017). e-GFR changes did not differ noticeably between groups. Although most infections showed no noticeable differences between groups, more patients in the r-ATG group had cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia and serum polyomavirus (BK virus) (73.0% vs. 51.9%, p = 0.032 in CMV; 37.8% vs. 15.6%, p = 0.002 in BK), which did not aggravate graft failure. Living donor kidney transplantation patients who received low-dose r-ATG and patients who received basiliximab showed comparable outcomes in terms of graft survival, function, and overall infections. Although CMV antigenemia, BK viremia were more frequent in the r-ATG group, those factors didn’t change the graft outcomes.
Additively Manufactured NiTi and NiTiHf Alloys: Estimating Service Life in High-Temperature Oxidation

In this study, the effect of the addition of Hf on the oxidation behavior of NiTi alloy, which was processed using additive manufacturing and casting, is studied. Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) were performed at the temperature of 500, 800, and 900 °C to assess the isothermal and dynamic oxidation behavior of the Ni50.4Ti29. 6Hf20 at. % alloys for 75 h in dry air. After oxidation, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to analyze the oxide scale formed on the surface of the samples during the high-temperature oxidation. Two stages of oxidation were observed for the NiTiHf samples, an increasing oxidation rate during the early stage of oxidation followed by a lower oxidation rate after approximately 10 h. The isothermal oxidation curves were well matched with a logarithmic rate law in the initial stage and then by parabolic rate law for the next stage. The formation of multi-layered oxide was observed for NiTiHf, which consists of Ti oxide, Hf oxide, and NiTiO3. For the binary alloys, results show that by increasing the temperature, the oxidation rate increased significantly and fitted with parabolic rate law. Activation energy of 175.25 kJ/mol for additively manufactured (AM) NiTi and 60.634 kJ/mol for AM NiTiHf was obtained.
Acaricidal potential of some essential oils and their monoterpenoids against the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae (Koch.)

Abstract The acaricidal potential of fourteen essential oils and fourteen of their major monoterpenoids were tested against the Two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae. Two different time intervals of 24 and 48 hrs were used in evaluation. The assays after 24 hrs showed that mattercary, fennel, caraway, garlic, cinnamon, chenopodium and eucalyptus were highly potent. As for monoterpenoids, chlorothymol was found to be the most effective against T. urticae followed by thymol, carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde.
Early experience of an infectious and tropical diseases unit during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, Florence, Italy, February to March 2020

We analysed the first 84 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients hospitalised in an infectious and tropical disease unit in Florence, Italy, over 30 days after the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy. A 12% reduction in the rate of intensive care unit transfer was observed after the implementation of intensity care measures in the regular ward such as increasing the nurse/patient ratio, presence of critical care physicians and using high flow nasal cannulae oxygenation.
Posttraumatic stress disorder and breast cancer: Risk factors and the role of inflammation and endocrine function

A breast cancer diagnosis can be a life‐changing and stressful experience that can lead to chronic mental health conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Greater than one‐third of patients initially diagnosed with PTSD after a diagnosis of breast cancer continue to have persistent or worsening PTSD symptoms after 4 years. An emerging body of literature has indicated several key environmental and biological risk factors for PTSD among survivors of breast cancer. Well‐recognized risk factors include having a history of childhood trauma, being nonwhite, obesity, younger age at the time of diagnosis, diagnosis with a higher stage of breast cancer, and short time since treatment. Of the emerging risk factors related to fear circuitry in the brain, 2 pathways of particular importance are the stress‐driven activation of inflammatory pathways and the long‐term effect of antiendocrine therapies. These central and peripheral responses during and after stress exposure are important because increased fear and anxiety can lead to the maintenance of PTSD and worse patient outcomes. Given the poor outcomes associated with PTSD and the high prevalence of breast cancer in women, more research to identify those women at heightened risk of PTSD after breast cancer is warranted to reduce the number of diagnoses and lessen the negative impact of this chronic mental health condition.
Hb S (HBB: c.20A>T) and α- and β-Thalassemia Coinheritance in Iranian Patients

Abstract Hb S (HBB: c.20A>T) and α- and/or β-thalassemia (α- and/or β-thal) coinheritance is a common genetic disorder in regions with a high prevalence of thalassemia and sickle cell disease. The clinical manifestations of this coinheritance vary from mild to severe complications. Iran is a country with a high incidence of thalassemia and sickle cell disease. This study aimed to evaluate the coinheritance of sickle cell disease with α- and/or β-thal in Iranian patients. In this cross-sectional study from 2018–2019, a total of 47 participants with the Hb S abnormality, who were referred to the Zafar Thalassemia Clinic (Tehran, Iran), were selected as a study group. Molecular analysis for the evaluation of α and β gene mutations was performed in all participants. Hb SS, Hb S/β-thal and Hb S/Hb D-Punjab (also known as Hb D-Los Angeles, Hb D-Chicago, Hb D-North Carolina, Hb D-Portugal and Hb Oak Ridge) (HBB: c.364G>C) were detected in 21 (44.7%), 23 (48.9%) and three (6.4%) patients, respectively. α Gene mutations were also detected in five patients with Hb S/β-thal, four patients with sickle cell disease and one patient with Hb S/Hb D-Punjab. In the current study, –α3. 7/αα with β gene abnormalities was the most common genotype. Our study showed that the coinheritance of sickle cell disease with α- and β-thal is common and evaluation of these disorders, especially in pre marriage screening is important for diagnosis and management strategies.
Assessment of microbial activity and biomass in different soils exposed to nicosulfuron

The effects of the herbicide nicosulfuron on the abundance of cellulolytic and proteolytic microorganisms, activity of β-glucosidase and protease enzymes, and microbial phosphorus biomass were examined. A laboratory bioassay was set up on two types of agricultural soils differing in physicochemical properties. The following concentrations were tested: 0.3, 0.6, 3.0 and 30.0 mg a.i./kg of soil. Samples were collected 3, 7, 14, 30 and 45 days after treatment with nicosulfuron. The results showed that nicosulfuron significantly reduced the abundance of cellulolytic microorganisms in both soils, as well as microbial biomass phosphorus in sandy loam soil. The herbicide was found to stimulate β-glucosidase and protease activity in both types of soil and microbial biomass phosphorus in loamy soil. Proteolytic microorganisms remained unaffected by nicosulfuron. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 31043]