Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Report on the doctoral thesis On the geome- try of metric spaces defined by group actions: from circle rotations to super-expanders by

Sawicki’s thesis studies warped cones. Warped cones were introduced by Roe in [11] in the context of foliations to provide a sort of coarse geometric model for the ideas underlying Alain Connes’ foliation C ̊-algebra [2]. To give a vague idea of an overly-generalized version (for the sake of simplicity), let X be a compact topological space, equipped with an equivalence relation „. The key examples occur when X is a foliated manifold and „ the relation of being in the same leaf, or X could be equipped with a group action and „ could be the relation of being in the same orbit. In Connes’ noncommutative geometry program, one builds a C ̊-algebra out of pX,„q in which it is ‘hard’ to tell apart related points (but maybe not impossible! – one does not want to pass to the classical quotient X{ „ as this would lose all information about points in the same equivalence class). The idea of the warped cone is to build a metric space where related points are ‘hard’ to tell apart: in coarse geometry, this means that they are nearby. Making this precise in a non-trivial way requires one to choose generators for the relation in some sense (some form of infinitessimal generators determined by a Riemannian metric in the case of a foliation, honest generators of the group for a group action). Now, Roe’s original motivations for this construction in [11] were indextheoretic. However, around ten years later, Roe [13] used the warped cone idea for group actions to build interesting examples of purely coarse geometric interest; it is really with this later paper that the ideas in Sawicki’s thesis start. I think motivated largely by the work of Sawicki and his advisor Piotr Nowak, there has been an explosion of interest in the coarse geometric properties of warped cones in recent years. The paradigm for many of these results, starting with Roe’s paper [13], is that one can relate dynamical
Pharmacotherapeutic management of acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome in critically ill patients

ABSTRACT Introduction Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a common and life-threatening condition in patients suffering from alcohol use disorder. Treatment of this syndrome is challenging, especially in patients that are critically ill, either because of withdrawal symptoms or underlying conditions. For the treatment, several pharmacological agents exist, such as benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or dexmedetomidine. Nonetheless, as alcohol withdrawal syndromes can occur in every clinical setting, it is necessary to provide a guideline for clinicians confronted with this syndrome in varying clinical contexts. Areas covered The authors provide a systematic review of the literature found in PubMed and Embase following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Expert opinion For the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, medications targeting the GABA system are preferred. Benzodiazepines are regarded as the gold standard. However, as many adjunct therapeutic options exist, it is essential to find symptom-triggered approaches and treatment protocols for the variety of clinical contexts. Apart from that, it is necessary to compare protocols toward clinical variables rather than investigating medications that are in use for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Comparing Urinary Effect Size Related to Behavioral Symptoms between Total Antioxidant Capacity and Hexanoyl-lysine in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

The imbalance between oxidative stress such as increased free radicals and decreased antioxidant capacity has been implicated in the etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However. which of these has a greater effects on ASD behavioral symptoms is still unclear. We measured urinary levels of the oxidative stress biomarker hexanoyl-lysine (HEL) and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the plasma levels of the oxidative stress biomarker superoxide dismutase (SOD) and of the anti-inflammatory fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). We examined the relationships between these biomarkers and behavioral symptoms in 19 individuals with ASD (mean age 10.9 ± 5.3 years) and 11 healthy controls (mean age 14.3 ± 6.3 years). Ages were not no significant difference between the two groups. Behavioral symptoms were assessed using the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). In the ASD group, urinary TAC levels were significantly lower and urinary HEL levels were significantly higher than in the control group without plasma SOD and EPA levels. ABC scores were significantly higher in the ASD group than in the control group. Stepwise regression analysis and the standardized regression coefficient revealed that urinary TAC levels provided greater impact for distinguishing the two groups, and that that TAOC levels had a larger effect size than HEL levels in urine. Plasma SOD levels were significantly correlated with the ABC irritability and stereotypy score. Thus, urinary TAP levels may be important factor in the pathophysiology of ASD, and altered plasma SOD levels may contribute to the autistic behaviors.
A systematic review of the prophylactic role of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19)

The pandemic coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) has pushed the global healthcare system to a crisis and amounted to a huge economic burden. Different drugs for prophylaxis against COVID‐19 including chloroquine (CQ) or hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have been tried. This study was performed to systematically review the role of CQ and HCQ in preventing the spread of COVID‐19.
Blood pressure targets and pharmacotherapy for hypertensive patients on hemodialysis

ABSTRACT Introduction Hypertension is highly prevalent in patients with end-stage kidney disease on hemodialysis and is often not well controlled. Blood pressure (BP) levels before and after hemodialysis have a U-shaped relationship with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Although antihypertensive drugs are recommended for patients in whom BP cannot be controlled appropriately by non-pharmacological interventions, large-scale randomized controlled clinical trials are lacking. Areas covered The authors review the pharmacotherapy used in hypertensive patients on dialysis, primarily focusing on reports published since 2000. An electronic search of MEDLINE was conducted using relevant key search terms, including ‘hypertension’, ‘pharmacotherapy’, ‘dialysis’, ‘kidney disease’, and ‘antihypertensive drug’. Systematic and narrative reviews and original investigations were retrieved in our research. Expert opinion When a drug is administered to patients on dialysis, the comorbidities and characteristics of each drug, including its dialyzability, should be considered. Pharmacological lowering of BP in hypertensive patients on hemodialysis is associated with improvements in mortality. β-blockers should be considered first-line agents and calcium channel blockers as second-line therapy. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors have not shown superiority to other antihypertensive drugs for patients on hemodialysis.
Value of silicone gel in prevention of cobblestoning following punch minigrafting in vitiligo

Abstract Background Cobblestoning is the most common complication of minipunch grafting. Objective To assess the value of silicone gel application following minipunch grafting and the histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in cases with cobblestoning. Methods Minipunch grafting was performed in two similar vitiligo lesions in 27 cases with stable vitiligo. After healing, silicone gel was applied twice daily on one lesion while zinc oxide ointment was applied to the other lesion serving as a control. Four biopsies were taken from each case; normal, vitiliginous skin before treatment and the two treated lesions 3 months after therapy, for histopathology and immunohistochemical staining for MMP9 & tenascin-C. Results Repigmentation occurred in 19 cases (70.7%). The number of lesions showing excellent and good response was significantly higher on the silicone gel side (p < .001). In 20 cases, cobblestoning either occurred or was absent on both sides. Histopathologically, cobblestoning was similar to hypertrophic scarring. Both markers were elevated after therapy on both sides with no significant difference in percentage change between lesions showing positive and negative cobblestoning. Conclusion Silicone gel application after minigrating improved the final response with no significant effect on the occurrence of cobblestoning. Cobblestoning resembled hypertrophic scarring histopathologically.
Neonatal and maternal outcome in term primigravida with isolated oligohydramnios

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the maternal and perinatal outcome in term primigravida with isolated oligohydramnios.Methods: A retrospective, case–control study was carried out in the department of OBG, School of Medical Sciences and Research, Sharda Hospital, Greater Noida from November 2014 to October 2017. The study population comprised of low-risk primigravida with singleton, term pregnancy, with vertex presentation and intact membranes. After meeting the inclusion and exclusion criterion, the study population was divided into cases (n = 51) and control group (176) and the results were analyzed in reference to rate of induction of labour, C. Section rate and the perinatal outcome.Results: Isolated oligohydramnios is associated with increased rate of induction of labour and increased operative interference, but perinatal outcome in terms of mean birth weight, Apgar score at 5 min and NICU admissions for over 24 hours, are not statistically significant in comparison with control group.Conclusions: Isolated oligohydramnios is not an indicator of adverse perinatal outcome.
Advance Publication by J-STAGE Journal of Reproduction and Development

21 The discovery of how to utilize CRISPR (clustered, regularly interspaced, short, 22 palindromic repeats)-Cas (CRISPR-associated) systems for genome modification has 23 accelerated development of the field of genome editing, especially in large animals such 24 as pigs. The low efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is now becoming a 25 major obstacle in the production of genome-edited animals via cell-mediated approaches 26 and improving efficacy of this technique is crucial. In this study, we propose a few simple 27 modifications to a zona-free SCNT protocol that are effective to produce numerous high28 quality blastocysts. To refine the SCNT protocol we modified the following steps/factors: 29 1) culture medium for SCNT embryos, 2) chemical treatment to prevent precocious 30 activation of the manipulated/reconstructed oocytes and 3) donor cell serum starvation 31 treatment. Although changes in each of these steps only resulted in small improvements, 32 the combination of all modifications altogether significantly enhanced developmental 33 competence of SCNT embryos. Our modified method yielded approximately three times 34 greater blastocyst formation rates. Moreover, resulting blastocysts had roughly twice as 35 many cells as compared to blastocysts produced by the conventional SCNT method. With 36 these significant in vitro improvements, our refined SCNT method is potentially suited 37 for use in the production of genome edited pigs. 38 39
Challenges facing arthropod biological control: identifying traits for genetic improvement of predators in protected crops.

Biological control is an efficient pest control method but there are still limitations that are hindering its wider adoption. Genetic improvement of biological control agents (BCAs) can help to overcome these constraints, but the choice of key attributes for better performance that need to be selected is still an open question. Several characteristics have been suggested but the harsh reality is that selective breeding of BCAs has received a lot of attention but resulted in very little progress. Identifying the appropriate traits to be prioritized may be the first step to reverse this situation. In our opinion, the best way is to look at the factors limiting the performance of key BCAs, especially generalist predators (pesticide compatibility, prey-density dependence, non-suitable crops, and extreme environmental conditions), and according to these challenges, to choose the attributes that would allow BCAs to overcome those limitations. The benefits of selection for higher resistance to toxins, whether artificially applied (pesticides) or plant produced (plant defences); increased fitness when feeding on non-prey food (supplemented or plant-derived); and better adaptation to extreme temperature and humidity are discussed. In conclusion, genetic improvement of BCAs can bring about new opportunities to biocontrol industry and users to enhance biocontrol resilience. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
New Developments in the Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Cysts in Birt–Hogg–Dubé Syndrome

Abstract Birt–Hogg–Dubé (BHD) syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by germline loss-of-function mutations in Folliculin gene (FLCN). BHD is characterized by lower lobe-predominant pulmonary cysts with risk of pneumothorax, benign skin tumors (fibrofolliculomas), and renal cell carcinoma, often of an unusual chromophobe/oncocytic hybrid histology. The FLCN protein functions in multiple signaling and metabolic pathways including positive regulation of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity via FLCN's GTPase (GAP) activity for Rag C, positive regulation of Wnt signaling (in mesenchymal cells), and negative regulation of TFE3 nuclear localization. Therefore, FLCN-deficient cells are predicted to have reduced mTORC1 and Wnt activity and enhanced TFE3 activity. Folliculin also has functions in autophagy, mitochondrial biogenesis, cell-cell adhesion, 5′ AMP activated protein kinase activity, and other pathways. The specific contributions of these pathways to the lung manifestations of BHD are largely unknown. This review is focused on the pulmonary manifestations of BHD, highlighting selected recent advances in elucidating the cellular functions of FLCN and current hypotheses related to the pathogenesis of cystic lung disease in BHD, including the “stretch hypothesis. ” We also discuss important knowledge gaps in the field, including the genetic, cellular and physical mechanisms of cyst pathogenesis, and the timing of cyst initiation, which may occur during lung development.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias in Older African American and White Veterans

Background: Racial disparity in the epidemiology of Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD) has been reported. However, less is known about this disparity among Veterans. Objective: To estimate the racial disparity in AD/ADRD among the Veterans. Methods: Of the 5,413,418 Veterans≥65 years receiving care at the Veterans Health Administration (1999–2016), 4,045,269 were free of prevalent AD/ADRD, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder at baseline. Of these, 432,469 were African American. Race was self-identified and incident AD/ADRD during 20 (median 6.7) years of follow-up was ascertained using International Classification of Diseases codes. Results: Patients had a mean age of 70.4 (±6.6) years and 97.8% were men. Age-sex-adjusted incidence of AD/ADRD per 1,000 person-year was 19.3 and 10.8 for African American and white Veterans, respectively (age-sex-adjusted hazard ratio associated with African American race, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.75–1.79; p < 0.0001). This association remained essentially unchanged after multivariable adjustment (hazard ratio, 1.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.65–1.69; p < 0.0001). Among the key baseline characteristics that were significant predictors of AD/ADRD in both races, stroke was a significantly stronger predictor among African Americans, and Hispanic ethnicity and depression among whites (p-value for all interaction,<0.0001). Conclusion: The findings of a higher incidence of AD/ADRD among African American Veterans is consistent with the findings in the general population reported in the literature, although the overall incidence appears to be lower than that in the general population. Future studies need to examine this disparity in incidence as well as the between-race heterogeneity in AD/ADRD risk.
To be able, or disable, that is the question: A critical discussion on how language affects the stigma and self-determination in people with parability

Background: Despite several fruitful attempts in destigmatization, disability is still associated with stigma. The role of language, especially when addressing a disabling condition and people, has been the matter of social as well as scientific debates. This article poses an intriguing question about the language we apply when addressing people and disability. Method: A narrative review of different models of disability with the emphasis on how labels and more generally language affect identity formation, and the extendibility of positive psychology concepts on the field of disability studies. Results: In this theoretical paper, the authors suggest that the term disability per se is contributing to increasing the stigma and has disempowering effect. Considering previous evidence from different lines of literature, the authors suggest a new approach of destigmatization, namely changing the term disability to a less stigmatizing one. Moreover, the authors discuss some theories to support this perspective. Conclusion: Replacing ‘dis’ in ‘disability’ with the prefix ‘para’ in the term ‘Para-ability’ is suggested.
Sonographic nomogram of paediatric renal size in Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM).

INTRODUCTION A person's childhood is an important period of growth, and also one's most vulnerable, as one can be exposed to various pathologies, for example those that could affect the growth of one's kidney. Asians are physiologically different from Caucasians, and the nomogram renal size obtained from a Western population (mostly of Caucasians) is not be suitable for representing Asian children. As such a nomogram on paediatric renal size derived from Malaysia is needed. METHODS A total of 109 (64 males and 45 females) aged 0-12 in Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM) took part in this study. They underwent ultrasonography of both kidneys, and their demographic and anthropometric data were collected. The mean and standard deviations of the renal length and renal volume according to their age groups was calculated, and the final data was compared to the ones reported by Rosenbaum et al. (1984). RESULT Body weight and Body Surface Area (BSA) of the children reported the strongest correlation with renal size. Significant differences were found between local and the data from Rosenbaum et al (1984). A nomogram on paediatric renal size based on children in PPUKM was then created. DISCUSSION Ultrasonography is regarded as the standard method for determining renal size. Body weight and BSA were both strongly correlated with renal size. It was shown that the widely used nomograms derived from data obtained from Caucasian was not suitable to represent the population of Malaysian children.
Using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to explore mechanisms of alcohol-involved HIV risk behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Heavy drinking is associated with increased risk of incident HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM). Past studies suggest that this association may be due to the tendency for intoxication to interfere with condom use. However, research on potential causal mechanisms explaining this relationship has been limited primarily to laboratory studies. In this study, we tested several potential mediators of the relationship between alcohol use level and HIV risk behavior. DESIGN Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methods conducted over a 30-day period. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS/CASES MSM (n = 100) in the northeastern United States. MEASUREMENTS Participants completed daily diary surveys and up to six experience sampling surveys randomly prompted throughout the day. FINDINGS Very heavy levels of drinking (12+ drinks) increased the odds of engaging in any sex [odds ratio (OR) = 1.87, P < 0.001]. Coefficient products and 95% confidence intervals indicated that both subjective sexual arousal (OR = 1.52, P < 0.001) and sex intentions (OR = 1.74, P < 0.001) significantly mediated the association between very heavy drinking and the odds of sex. When participants reported sex, the odds of engaging in high-risk condomless anal sex (CAS) increased incrementally after drinking heavily (five to 11 drinks; OR = 3.27, P = 0.006) and very heavily (12+ drinks; OR = 4.42, P < 0.001). Only subjective sexual arousal significantly mediated the association between alcohol use level and high-risk CAS (OR = 1.16, P = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS Increases in subjective sexual arousal after drinking heavily appear to partly account for alcohol-related HIV risk behaviors in the daily lives of men who have sex with men. Alcohol's role in strengthening motivationally consistent emotional states may therefore play a more important role in facilitating alcohol-involved HIV risk than explicit sexual motivation.
Seroconversion to antinuclear antibody negativity and its association with disease flare in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective To evaluate the rate of seroconversion to antinuclear-antibody negativity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and its association with subsequent systemic lupus erythematosus flare risk. Methods Medical records of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with positive antinuclear antibodies (titer ≥1 : 40) at diagnosis and at least one repeat antinuclear antibody test were reviewed. We determined the frequency of seroconversion to antinuclear antibody negativity among these patients and investigated whether seroconversion to antinuclear antibody negativity was associated with subsequent systemic lupus erythematosus flare risk. The seroconversion to antinuclear antibody negativity was defined as a conversion of positive antinuclear antibodies to a titer below the cut-off of 1 : 40. Systemic lupus erythematosus flare was defined as one new British Isles Lupus Assessment Group A or two new British Isles Lupus Assessment Group B domain scores. To estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for systemic lupus erythematosus flare according to seroconversion to antinuclear antibody negativity, Cox regression analysis with adjustment for known systemic lupus erythematosus flare risk factors was performed. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare flare-free survival rates between negative converters and non-converters. Results Among the total 175 patients, seroconversion to antinuclear antibody negativity was found in 17 (9.7%) patients in a median 53.5 (range: 25.7–84.0) months. After the last antinuclear antibody tests, 53 systemic lupus erythematosus flare cases were identified during 14.3 (range: 8.2–21.7) months of follow-up. Systemic lupus erythematosus flare risk was significantly lower in patients with negatively seroconverted antinuclear antibodies (adjusted hazard ratio 0.13, 95% confidence interval 0.03–0.58, p = 0.007). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significantly higher flare-free survival in negative converters than in non-converters (p = 0.004). Conclusion Seroconversion to antinuclear antibody negativity occurred in 9.7% of patients over 53.5 months and was associated with a lower future systemic lupus erythematosus flare risk.
Distinct characteristics of COVID‐19 patients with initial rRT‐PCR‐positive and rRT‐PCR‐negative results for SARS‐CoV‐2

Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) first emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019, the outbreak of COVID-19 epidemic has become an increasingly serious global health concern. Currently, over 150 countries have reported COVID-19 cases, and the situation has progressed to a pandemic associated with substantial morbidity and mortality.1.