Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum levels of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and their association with disease activity: a pilot study

Objective Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may modulate the inflammatory process in systemic autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to assess the serum concentrations of essential 18-carbon PUFAs and their long-chain derivatives in patients with SLE and healthy controls, and to analyse their associations with laboratory and clinical features of the disease. Method n-6 and n-3 PUFA composition was assessed in the sera of 30 SLE patients and 20 healthy controls using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. We investigated the associations between PUFAs and disease activity measured with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, complement C3 and C4 concentrations, anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) titre, anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibody concentration, and medications. Results Serum linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid concentrations were significantly higher in SLE patients compared with healthy controls. LA concentration correlated positively with the ANA titre and corticosteroid doses; eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid correlated inversely with anti-dsDNA antibody concentration. Patients treated with immunosuppressants had significantly lower concentrations of LA, arachidonic acid, and EPA. Conclusion Both n-6 and n-3 PUFA precursors can participate in the inflammatory process in SLE patients. The mechanism of the PUFA metabolism disturbance needs further exploration.
Patterns of antibiotic nonsusceptibility among invasive group A Streptococcus infections-United States, 2006-2017.

BACKGROUND Treatment of severe group A streptococcal infections requires timely and appropriate antibiotic therapy. We describe the epidemiology of antimicrobial-resistant invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) infections in the U.S. METHODS We analyzed population-based iGAS surveillance data at 10 U.S. sites from 2006-2017. Cases were defined as infection with GAS isolated from normally sterile sites or wounds in patients with necrotizing fasciitis or streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. GAS isolates were emm typed. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using broth microdilution or whole genome sequencing. We compared characteristics among patients infected with erythromycin nonsusceptible (EryNS) and clindamycin nonsusceptible (CliNS) strains to those with susceptible infections. We analyzed proportions of EryNS and CliNS among isolates by site, year, risk factors and emm type. RESULTS Overall, 17,179 iGAS cases were reported; 14.5% were EryNS. Among isolates tested for both inducible and constitutive CliNS (2011-2017), 14.6% were CliNS. Most (99.8%) CliNS isolates were EryNS. Resistance was highest in 2017 (EryNS: 22.8%; CliNS: 22.0%). All isolates were susceptible to beta-lactams. EryNS and CliNS infections were most frequent among persons aged 18-34 years and in persons residing in long-term care facilities, experiencing homelessness, incarcerated, or who injected drugs. Patterns varied by site. Patients with nonsusceptible infections were significantly less likely to die. Emm types with >30% EryNS or CliNS included: 77, 58, 11, 83, 92. CONCLUSION Increasing prevalence of EryNS and CliNS iGAS infections in the U.S. is predominantly due to expansion of several emm types. Clinicians should consider local resistance patterns when treating iGAS infections.
A novel immune-related long non-coding RNA signature improves the prognosis prediction in the context of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

ABSTRACT The tumor immune microenvironment plays an important role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Reliable prognostic signatures able to accurately predict the immune landscape and survival rate of HNSCC patients are crucial to ensure an individualized/effective treatment. Here, we used HNSCC transcriptomic and clinical data retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas and identified differentially expressed immune-related long non-coding RNAs (DEirlncRNAs). DEirlncRNA pairs were recognized using univariate analysis. Cox and Lasso regression analyses were used to determine the association between DEirlncRNA pairs and the patients’ overall survival and build the prediction model. Receiver operating characteristic curves and Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used to validate the prediction model. We then reevaluated the model based on the clinical factors, tumor-infiltrating immune cells, chemotherapeutic efficacy, and immunosuppression biomarkers. We built a risk score model based on 18 DEirlncRNA pairs, closely related to the overall survival of patients (hazard ratio: 1.376; 95% confidence interval: 1.302–1.453; P < 0.0001). Compared with two recently published lncRNA signatures, our DEirlncRNA pair signature had a higher area under the curve, indicating better prognostic performance. Additionally, the signature score positively correlated with aggressive HNSCC outcomes (low immunity score, significantly reduced CD8 + T cell infiltration, and low expression of immunosuppression biomarkers). However, high-risk patients might have high chemosensitivity. Overall, the lncRNAs signature established here shows promising clinical prediction and the effective disclosure of the tumor immune microenvironment in HNSCC patients; therefore, such signature might help distinguish patients that could benefit from immunotherapy. Graphical abstract
Effects of Achillea tenuifolia Lam. hydro-alcoholic extract on anxiety-like behavior and reproductive parameters in rat model of chronic restraint stress

Introduction: Achillea tenuifolia Lam (AT) has several biological activities and medicinal properties. In this study, we elucidated the impact of the AT on anxiety-related behaviors, reproductive parameters, antioxidant capacity in male rats subjected to chronic restraint stress (CRS). Methods: 35 Wistar rats were divided into five groups: control, CRS-control (received normal saline) and three CRS-treated groups received AT extract (100, 150, and 200 mg/kg body weight) for 21 consequences days. To induce CRS rats, the rats were immobilized for 21 days and received the extract orally. On the last day of treatment, anxiety-related behaviors were assessed through the sucrose preference test (SPT) as well as elevated plus maze (EPM) tests. Corticosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone levels were evaluated to determine reproductive capacity. Sperm parameters including the total count, motility, and viability were also analyzed. Weight of body, testis and seminal vesicles was measured as well. Results: The findings revealed that 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg of AT extract had anxiolytic effects in CRS rats, as confirmed by the EPM test and SPT. In addition, AT extract could improve fertile capacity and sperm quality to varying degrees. The level of corticosterone had decreased, whereas the level of LH, FSH and testosterone had increased in CRS-treated rats. Moreover, the reduced level of MDA coincided with an increased rate of antioxidant capacity. Our findings suggest that AT extract could alleviate stress-induced dysfunctions. Conclusion: Overall, these observations would infer that AT extract could improve fertility capacity and behavioral impairment in the stress conditions. Graphical abstract: Assumption pathway describing the probability underlying mechanism of CRS-induced anxiety and reproductive toxicity and protective effect of AT.
Attenuation of clinical and immunological outcomes during SARS‐CoV‐2 infection by ivermectin

The devastating pandemic due to SARS‐CoV‐2 and the emergence of antigenic variants that jeopardize the efficacy of current vaccines create an urgent need for a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of COVID‐19, including the contribution of inflammation to disease. It also warrants for the search of immunomodulatory drugs that could improve disease outcome. Here, we show that standard doses of ivermectin (IVM), an anti‐parasitic drug with potential immunomodulatory activities through the cholinergic anti‐inflammatory pathway, prevent clinical deterioration, reduce olfactory deficit, and limit the inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tracts in SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected hamsters. Whereas it has no effect on viral load in the airways of infected animals, transcriptomic analyses of infected lungs reveal that IVM dampens type I interferon responses and modulates several other inflammatory pathways. In particular, IVM dramatically reduces the Il‐6/Il‐10 ratio in lung tissue and promotes macrophage M2 polarization, which might account for the more favorable clinical presentation of IVM‐treated animals. Altogether, this study supports the use of immunomodulatory drugs such as IVM, to improve the clinical condition of SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected patients.
Selected reactions of ions and molecules in a flowing afterglow-selected ion flow/drift tube (FA-SIFDT).

The work presented herein revolves around the design, installation, testing, and use of a new flowing afterglow-selected ion flow drift tube (F A-SIFDT) at the , xv University of Canterbury. This is the latest in the series of FA and SIFT apparatus that have been installed at Canterbury. The second chapter contains a detailed description of the new instrument. Also present is a description of the characterisation of the of the new FA-SIFT in particular a comparison of two different types of venturi inlet, viz. an annulus and a hole type injector. The performance of both of these types of venturi inlet with respect to pumping efficiency, signal transmission, dissociation of weakly bound cluster ions, and the isomerisation of ions during injection. Despite the greater mechanical complexity ofthe annulus injector it is concluded that the annulus injector is slightly superior to the hole type injector, predominantly when the injection of ions needs to be at low energy. Next a new application ofthe SIFT, namely its use in the real time detection, identification and quantification of trace components in gas samples, is presented. This technique has only recently been developed by overseas researchers and its use at Canterbury has been facilitated by the new F A-SIFDT. The technique has been applied to several systems: the analysis ofthe changes in the largest trace components of human breath (ammonia, acetone, isoprene) during exercise; the monitoring of breath concentrations of organic solvents following exposure; and the headspace analysis of the gases emitted by soil following fertilisation with an artificial urine solution. The reactions ofH3 +, N2H+, and H30+ with thirteen different hydrocarbons have been investigated. The rate coefficients and product distributions of these reactions were investigated in order to obtain a better understanding of exothermic proton transfer reactions. The H3 + was generated in two different manners in an effort to get accurate data about the products of proton transfer from ground state H3 +. As expected, in most cases where the proton transfer was exothermic a rate coefficient just less than the collision rate was observed. The reactions became more dissociative as more energy was placed into the collision complex with the channels that predominated usually being between 100 and 200 kJ mor l exothermic.
Ranging and territoriality in red‐shanked doucs (Pygathrix nemaeus) at Son Tra Nature Reserve, Vietnam

The home ranges of odd‐nosed colobines as reported by a number of studies can vary greatly both within and between taxa. Evaluating Pygathrix, particularly within the context of the odd‐nosed colobines, has proven challenging due to the comparable dearth of published data on all three species—Pygathrix nigripes, Pygathrix cinerea, and Pygathrix nemaeus. This dearth has also proven challenging when assessing territoriality within Pygathrix and contextualizing this behavior to odd‐nosed colobines. For this study, we set out to assess home range, daily path length, and territoriality in a population of P. nemaeus at Son Tra Nature Reserve in Vietnam. We collected a total of 259 h of behavioral data using 10‐min focal follows with 1‐min instantaneous scans, including GPS recordings for each follow. We collected phenology and weather data, which were then used with Pearson's correlations to test whether ecological factors influenced variation in ranging or daily path length at both the monthly and seasonal levels. Finally, we used the Mitani‐Rodman defendability index to assess territoriality in P. nemaeus. We found that our population of P. nemaeus had a home range of 36.00 ha with a core area of 8.02 ha and an average daily path length of 509.11 ± 244.87 m. Daily path length was correlated to precipitation such that daily path lengths were shorter during increases in rainfall (r(17) = 0.52, p = . 03). These measures resulted in a defendability index of 0.75, suggesting that the population of P. nemaus on Son Tra does not travel far enough each day to actively defend territorial borders.
Mycophenolate mofetil versus azathioprine in kidney transplant recipients on steroid-free, low-dose cyclosporine immunosuppression (ATHENA): A pragmatic randomized trial

Background We compared protection of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and azathioprine (AZA) against acute cellular rejection (ACR) and chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) in kidney transplant recipients on steroid-free, low-dose cyclosporine (CsA) microemulsion maintenance immunosuppression. Methods and findings ATHENA, a pragmatic, prospective, multicenter trial conducted by 6 Italian transplant centers, compared the outcomes of 233 consenting recipients of a first deceased donor kidney transplant induced with low-dose thymoglobulin and basiliximab and randomized to MMF (750 mg twice/day, n = 119) or AZA (75 to 125 mg/day, n = 114) added-on maintenance low-dose CsA microemulsion and 1-week steroid. In patients without acute clinical or subclinical rejections, CsA dose was progressively halved. Primary endpoint was biopsy-proven CAN. Analysis was by intention to treat. Participants were included between June 2007 and July 2012 and followed up to August 2016. Between-group donor and recipient characteristics, donor/recipient mismatches, and follow-up CsA blood levels were similar. During a median (interquartile range (IQR)) follow-up of 47.7 (44.2 to 48.9) months, 29 of 87 biopsied patients on MMF (33.3%) versus 31 of 88 on AZA (35.2%) developed CAN (hazard ratio (HR) [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 1.147 (0.691 to 1.904, p = 0.595). Twenty and 21 patients on MMF versus 34 and 14 on AZA had clinical [HR (95% CI): 0.58 (0.34 to 1.02); p = 0.057) or biopsy-proven subclinical [HR (95% CI): 1.49 (0.76 to 2.92); p = 0.249] ACR, respectively. Combined events [HR (95% CI): 0.85 (0.56 to 1.29); p = 0.438], patient and graft survival, delayed graft function (DGF), 3-year glomerular filtration rate (GFR) [53.8 (40.6;65.7) versus 49.8 (36.8;62.5) mL/min/1.73 m2, p = 0.50], and adverse events (AEs) were not significantly different between groups. Chronicity scores other than CAN predict long-term graft outcome. Study limitations include small sample size and unblinded design. Conclusions In this study, we found that in deceased donor kidney transplant recipients on low-dose CsA and no steroids, MMF had no significant benefits over AZA. This finding suggests that AZA, due to its lower costs, could safely replace MMF in combination with minimized immunosuppression. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00494741; EUDRACT 2006-005604-14.
Familial occurrence of skeletal developmental anomalies as a reflection of biological relationships in a genealogically documented Central European sample (19th to 20th centuries)

Skeletal developmental anomalies (SDA) are a subject of constant interest across scientific disciplines, but still mostly as isolates and curiosities. The aim of this study was to find out to what extent the occurrence of SDA reflects documented biological relationships. The skeletal remains of 34 individuals with known genealogical data were available, members of one family over four generations (19th to 20th centuries, Bohemia, Czech Republic), including some inbred individuals. The occurrence of 89 SDA was assessed on the basis of scopic morphological evaluation and X‐ray and CT examinations. The degree of similarity between individuals was calculated using a “similarity coefficient” (SC). A linear model was used to test the relationship between positive values of the SC and the relatedness of biologically related individuals. Simultaneously, based on population frequencies of the evaluated anomalies, those that could be considered familial were recorded. A statistically significant relationship between morphological similarity and the biological distance between individuals was found. The greatest similarity was found among close relatives such as parents and children, siblings, or grandparents and grandchildren. The effect of increased consanguinity on the occurrence of anomalies was not confirmed, however. Seventeen SDA shared by closely related individuals were found in the sample, supporting the documented family relationships among them. Eleven of these were selected as possibly familial, but only five were statistically significant: an elongated styloid process, a cervical block vertebrae (arch, facet joints), hamate hamulus aplasia, anteater nose sign, and incomplete fusion of the S1 spinous process. There were also 28 cases of individual occurrences of 17 different SDA, without connection to the documented relationships between individuals.
On Decolonisation and the University

ABSTRACT Is ‘decolonisation’ relevant at all to the university situated in Britain and other former colonial centres? Answering broadly in the affirmative, this essay situates the project of ‘decolonising’ the metropolitan university within a wider historical and intellectual context while delineating some of the key questions such an endeavour might grapple with. It argues that ‘Western’ universities can lead the increasingly vital task of historical self-understanding in the constituent polities and societies of the geopolitical ‘West’. Decolonisation is reparative of the ‘European’ itself, seeking to understand and to extend knowledge about how cultures and communities outside it have shaped ‘Europe’. Reframing discussions of decolonisation in the light of anticolonial thought – as the theory and practice of anticolonialism – gives grounding, heft and direction to them, enabling rich questions to be posed and answered towards the wider horizon of making another world possible.
EU climate and energy governance in times of crisis: towards a new agenda

ABSTRACT The EU has long pursued relatively ambitious climate and energy policies, often against the backdrop of what has been termed the EU ‘polycrisis’. This paper introduces a special issue which seeks to develop a better understanding of why, how and with which consequences the polycrisis and EU climate and energy governance have influenced each other. It draws on a novel framework of five broad crisis trends underlying the polycrisis. Most of the contributions suggest that EU climate and energy governance have advanced significantly despite, and sometimes even because of, the crisis trends. The countervailing effects of the trends and the effectiveness of actors’ strategies to advance EU policy against opponents go a long way to explaining this puzzling finding. As the EU seeks to fully decarbonise itself by 2050, interactions with the crisis trends are likely to intensify in ways which future research could fruitfully investigate.
Sea level and deep-sea temperature reconstructions suggest quasi-stable states and critical transitions over the past 40 million years

New reconstructions suggest quasi-stable states and critical transitions in climate over the past 40 million years. Sea level and deep-sea temperature variations are key indicators of global climate changes. For continuous records over millions of years, deep-sea carbonate microfossil–based δ18O (δc) records are indispensable because they reflect changes in both deep-sea temperature and seawater δ18O (δw); the latter are related to ice volume and, thus, to sea level changes. Deep-sea temperature is usually resolved using elemental ratios in the same benthic microfossil shells used for δc, with linear scaling of residual δw to sea level changes. Uncertainties are large and the linear-scaling assumption remains untested. Here, we present a new process-based approach to assess relationships between changes in sea level, mean ice sheet δ18O, and both deep-sea δw and temperature and find distinct nonlinearity between sea level and δw changes. Application to δc records over the past 40 million years suggests that Earth’s climate system has complex dynamical behavior, with threshold-like adjustments (critical transitions) that separate quasi-stable deep-sea temperature and ice-volume states.
Examining High School Students’ Gendered Beliefs about Math: Predictors and Implications for Choice of STEM College Majors

Utilizing the High School Longitudinal Study, a nationally representative sample of U.S. high school students, this study investigates the factors that predict different beliefs about gendered math ability and the potential consequences for students’ choices to enter gender-segregated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors in college. Among other results, analyses reveal that while about 25 percent of students report a traditionally stereotypical belief in male superiority, about 20 percent report a counter-stereotypical belief in female superiority; among female students, such beliefs are more common among black students. Further, models reveal a robust association between holding counter-stereotypical beliefs and the likelihood that women choose biological science majors, which are female dominated, compared to non-STEM fields. Among men, holding counter-stereotypical beliefs is associated with a lower likelihood of majoring in physical science, computer science, math, and engineering fields, which are strongly male dominated, versus non-STEM fields. Implications for gender inequality in STEM fields are discussed.
Metacognitive Competences and Implicit Theories of Intelligence in Relation with School Achievement

Abstract This study aims to explore the relation between metacognitive competences, implicit theories of intelligence and school achievement among lower secondary students. The group of participants included 120 students from Iași County, with different socio-economic backgrounds. Participants completed two measures, Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (Schraw & Dennison, 1994) and Implicit Theories of Intelligence Questionnaire (Dweck, 2000). School achievement was defined as annual average grades, and family socio-economic background was self-reported. Students from socio-economic disadvantaged families scored lower for metacognitive competence, and self-reported fixed mindset beliefs, in contrast with students with favourable socio-economic family background. Therewith, metacognitive competences and implicit theories of intelligence are significant predictors of school achievement.