Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Preventive Practices Followed by General Public During COVID-19 Pandemic - A Cross-Sectional Survey From India

Objectives COVID-19 has infected millions of people across the globe, leading to hundreds of thousands of deaths. Currently, there are no vaccines available for COVID-19, and the most effective way to curb its spread is to follow preventive practices. The present study aimed to assess the extent of adoption of preventive practices among the general population in India. Methods A web-based cross-sectional survey was carried out recruiting 964 participants from all over India through purposive sampling. A pre-validated questionnaire consisting of 37 questions was used to collect data. Items 1A to 18A covered various preventive practices and items 1B to 19B covered reasons for not following those preventive practices. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t-tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were conducted. Results Most participants reported taking precautions such as wearing masks (91.80%), covering both nose and mouth (79.14%) and avoiding hand shaking (83.40%). However, practices like following social distancing in public places (51.76%) and workplace (51.04%), frequent hand washing/sanitising (63.59%) and washing hands for at least 20 seconds (45.44%) were less commonly observed. Participants failed to follow social distancing because of overcrowding and lack of space. They also found it cumbersome to wash hands multiple times. Female participants and people residing in metropolitan and small cities were fairly doing well in following preventive practices. Conclusion The study helped in identifying the glitches in following various preventive practices against COVID-19 during unlock phase and reasons for the failure to perform these practices.
Chronic Disease Management in Sickle Cell Trait Patients in the Primary Care Setting: A Case Report

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a heterogeneous group of inherited hemoglobinopathies associated with mutations in the beta subunit of the hemoglobin protein. Several case reports and scientific reviews of the current literature have been published that indicate individuals having a single copy of the mutant sickle cell allele, known as sickle cell trait (SCT), can experience the same functional asplenia and increased risk of cerebrovascular accidents, kidney disease, cardiovascular effects, and veno-occlusive diseases as SCD patients when they are exposed to extreme conditions and stressful environments such as high-altitude, deep-sea diving, and intense physical activity. SCT also impacts the management of chronic illnesses such as diabetes mellitus. Here, we report a patient presenting for primary care follow-up after an SCT-related splenic infarction in order to emphasize the unique impact of SCT on long-term care and preventive medicine in the primary care setting.
“Locked up inside home” – Head injury patterns during coronavirus disease of 2019 pandemic

Background: As citizens have been forced to stay home during coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the crisis created unique trends in the neurotrauma patterns with changes in mode, severity, and outcome of head injured patients. Methods: Details of neurotrauma admissions under the neurosurgery department at our institute since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic in the country were collected retrospectively and compared to the same period last year in terms of demographic profile, mode of injury, GCS at admission, severity of head injury, radiological diagnosis, management (surgical/conservative), and outcome. The patients were studied according to which phase of pandemic they were admitted in – “lockdown” period (March 25 to May 31, 2020) or “unlock” period (June 1 to September 15, 2020). Results: The number of head injuries decreased by 16.8% during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, during the lockdown period, the number of admissions was 2.7/week while it was 6.8/week during the “unlock” period. RTA was the mode of injury in 29.6% patients during the lockdown, while during the unlock period, it was 56.9% (P = 0.000). Mild and moderate head injuries decreased by 41% and severe head injuries increased by 156.25% during the COVID-19 pandemic (P = 0.000). The mortality among neurotrauma patients increased from 12.4% to 22.5% during the COVID-19 era (P = 0.009). Conclusion: We observed a decline in the number of head injury admissions during the pandemic, especially during the lockdown. At the same time, there was increase in the severity of head injuries and associated injuries, resulting in significantly higher mortality in our patients during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Association of COVID-19 and other viral infections with interstitial lung diseases, pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension: A narrative review

Background Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) include a broad range of diffuse parenchymal lung disorders and are characterized by diffuse parenchymal lung abnormalities leading to irreversible fibrosis. ILDs are correlated with the occurrence of pulmonary fibrosis (PF), which generally also results in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Interferons, secreted in larger amounts during viral infections, are an important possible risk factor contributing to this outcome. Aims In this narrative review, the role of 10 different viral infections on the generation/development of ILDs and their outcomes are described in detail. The aim of this review is to determine the probable risk that COVID-19 and other viral infections pose in the post-infection development of ILDs, PF, and PH. Methods Searches in PubMed (Medline), Google Scholar, Web of Science (ISI, Researcher ID, Publons), ResearchGate, Scopus, and secondary sources yielded 134 studies. After exclusion criteria, 92 studies containing the terms “Coronavirus” (COVID-19), “Interstitial Lung Diseases,” “Pulmonary Fibrosis,” “Pulmonary Hypertension” and “viral infections” were selected for inclusion. Selected articles were read with a focus on the roles of the 10 commonly studied viral infections on generation/intensification of ILDs and classified according to their dominant effect on the respiratory system, with a focus on each infection’s effects on parenchyma of the lungs and generation and/or intensification of ILDs. Results This review found that ILDs, PF, and PH can occur after a COVID-19 viral infection. Similar results are also seen in post-infection cases of other viral infections, including Epstein–Barr virus, Cytomegalovirus, Human herpesvirus-8, adenovirus, Hepatitis C, Torque-Teno (Transfusion-Transmitted) Virus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. Conclusion Results of current studies show probable possibility for generation and/or intensification of ILDs in COVID-19 infected patients like other studied viruses. Studies on determination of the actual prevalence of ILD, PF and PH in post-COVID-19 infected patients, follow-up studies on the prevention of ILDs in recovered COVID-19 patients, and meta-analyzed studies on pulmonary outcomes of pandemic corona viruses are strongly recommended as topics for future studies.
An Experimental Model for Peri-conceptual COVID-19 Pregnancy Loss and Proposed Interventions to Optimize Outcomes

Reports appear to give reassurance that vertical transmission near term is unlikely, but risks of incidental SARS-CoV-2 infection during fertility treatments, at embryo implantation, or in the first trimester remain unknown. If early pregnancy sequela in the current COVID-19 pandemic are modeled from the 2004 Coronavirus outbreak data, then SARS-CoV-2 infection proximate to blastocyst nidation is likely to cause implantation failure or spontaneous abortion. Our model explains why this outcome is less attributable to virus-associated maternal pulmonary distress and instead derives from systemic inflammation and interference with trophectoderm-endometrium molecular signaling required for implantation. COVID-19 is often accompanied by high levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha and other cytokines, a process implicated in pulmonary collapse and systemic organ failure. Yet when regarded in an early reproductive context, this “cytokine storm” of COVID-19 triggers a pro-coagulative state hostile to normal in utero blastocyst/fetal development. Evidence from obstetrics is accumulating to show that mothers with SARS-CoV-2 deliver placentas with abnormal interstitial villi fibrin deposits, diffuse infarcts, and hemangiomatous changes. This model classifies such lesions as permissive at term but catastrophic near embryo implantation or early first trimester pregnancy. Clinical experience with recurrent pregnancy loss offers workable interventions to address this challenge, but success will depend on prompt and accurate SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. Although no professional guidelines currently exist for SARS-CoV-2 in early pregnancy, this model would warrant a high-risk designation for such cases; these patients should receive priority access to screening and treatment resources.
Interaction Study of Lipopeptide Biosurfactant viscosin with DPPC and Cholesterol by Langmuir Monolayer Technique

Langmuir monolayers at the air/water interface are frequently used to establish a pseudo-physiological environment needed to study peptides and proteins properties to mimic their interaction with the cell membrane. The self-assembled monolayers formed at the air/water interface that respond to external stimuli and re-structure upon interaction with viscosin peptide in controlled environment have been studied in details. The mechanical and thermodynamic properties of the resulting monolayer are also influenced by temperature and pressure of the resulting mixture. Herein, two distinct pathways were found to contribute to equilibrium formation of DPPC and Cholesterol monolayers. Our data provided an estimate for Gibbs free energy of mixing, the elastic modulus and the classification of the final mixing behavior. Fluorescence microscopy (FM) imaging was also used to assess the morphological and structural changes within the fabricated monolayers. A molecular biological view has been established between our in vitro results and the clinical inhibition of viscosin toward the metastatic cancer and colon carcinoma cells.
Biofilm on a metal surface as a factor of microbial corrosion

: Main attention was given in the present review to the research methods, phases of biofilm's forming, exopolymer compounds of bacteria as main biofilm forming factor. A microbial corrosion as a result of interaction between the biofilm and metal surface was considered. The interaction was displayed in biomineralization. The future trends of biofilms study were bound with research of their architecture. That architecture was determined by the structure and function of biofilms compounds: biopolymers and biominerals.
Restoration of motor learning in a mouse model of Rett syndrome following long-term treatment with a novel small-molecule activator of TrkB

ABSTRACT Reduced expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and impaired activation of the BDNF receptor, tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB; also known as Ntrk2), are thought to contribute significantly to the pathophysiology of Rett syndrome (RTT), a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in the X-linked gene encoding methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2). Previous studies from this and other laboratories have shown that enhancing BDNF expression and/or TrkB activation in Mecp2-deficient mouse models of RTT can ameliorate or reverse abnormal neurological phenotypes that mimic human RTT symptoms. The present study reports on the preclinical efficacy of a novel, small-molecule, non-peptide TrkB partial agonist, PTX-BD4-3, in heterozygous female Mecp2 mutant mice, a well-established RTT model that recapitulates the genetic mosaicism of the human disease. PTX-BD4-3 exhibited specificity for TrkB in cell-based assays of neurotrophin receptor activation and neuronal cell survival and in in vitro receptor binding assays. PTX-BD4-3 also activated TrkB following systemic administration to wild-type and Mecp2 mutant mice and was rapidly cleared from the brain and plasma with a half-life of ∼2 h. Chronic intermittent treatment of Mecp2 mutants with a low dose of PTX-BD4-3 (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, once every 3 days for 8 weeks) reversed deficits in two core RTT symptom domains – respiration and motor control – and symptom rescue was maintained for at least 24 h after the last dose. Together, these data indicate that significant clinically relevant benefit can be achieved in a mouse model of RTT with a chronic intermittent, low-dose treatment paradigm targeting the neurotrophin receptor TrkB. Editor's choice: Long-term intermittent treatment with a newly developed partial agonist of the TrkB neurotrophin receptor reverses deficits in motor learning and respiration in a mouse model of Rett syndrome.
PasVis: enhancing public transport maps with interactive passenger data visualizations

Public transport maps are typically designed in a way to support route finding tasks for passengers while they also provide an overview about stations, metro lines, and city-specific attractions. Most of those maps are designed as a static representation, maybe placed in a metro station or printed in a travel guide. In this paper we describe a dynamic, interactive public transport map visualization enhanced by additional views for the dynamic passenger data on different levels of temporal granularity. Moreover, we also allow extra statistical information in form of density plots, calendar-based visualizations, and line graphs. All this information is linked to the contextual metro map to give a viewer insights into the relations between time points and typical routes taken by the passengers. We illustrate the usefulness of our interactive visualization by applying it to the railway system of Hamburg in Germany while also taking into account the extra passenger data. As another indication for the usefulness of the interactively enhanced metro maps we conducted a user experiment with 20 participants.
Synthesis of LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 with 5-sulfosalicylic acid as a chelating agent and its electrochemical properties

A spherical LiNi0.8Co0. 15Al0.05O2 (LNCA) cathode material with excellent electrochemical performance for lithium-ion batteries is successfully synthesized with the precursor of Ni0.8Co0. 15Al0.05(OH)2 (NCA) prepared by a continuous co-precipitation method. A more environmentally friendly chelating agent, 5-sulfosalicylic acid (SSA, H3L), stable as well as non-toxic, is adopted in our synthesis process for the first time instead of traditional NH3·H2O. The thermodynamics of the precipitation from the Ni(II)–Co(II)–Al(III)–SSA–H2O system at 298 K is systematically investigated through thermodynamics model analysis. The results demonstrate that the stoichiometric spherical Ni0.8Co0. 15Al0.05(OH)2 precursor can be obtained at pH = 11–13, with the SSA concentration from 0.05 mol L−1 to 0.5 mol L−1. LiNi0.8Co0. 15Al0.05O2 prepared from the precursor has an initial discharge specific capacity of 203.1 mA h g−1 at 0.1C and a capacity retention of 93.3% after 200 cycles when cycled at 1C between 3.0 and 4.3 V, as well as excellent rate capability. The electrochemical performances are superior to those prepared by using ammonia as the chelating agent. It is expected that the LiNi0.8Co0. 15Al0.05O2 cathode material can be synthesized by a more environmentally friendly method.
Social relationships and depression during the COVID-19 lockdown: longitudinal analysis of the COVID-19 Social Study

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to measures that reduced social contact and support. We explored whether UK residents with more frequent or supportive social contact had fewer depressive symptoms during March−August 2020, and potential factors moderating the relationship. Methods A convenience sample of UK dwelling participants aged ⩾18 in the internet-based longitudinal COVID-19 Social Study completed up to 22 weekly questionnaires about face-to-face and phone/video social contact frequency, perceived social support, and depressive symptoms using the PHQ-9. Mixed linear models examined associations between social contact and support, and depressive symptoms. We examined for interaction by empathic concern, perspective taking and pre-COVID social contact frequency. Results In 71 117 people with mean age 49 years (standard deviation 15), those with high perceived social support scored 1.836 (1.801–1.871) points lower on PHQ-9 than those with low support. Daily face-to-face or phone/video contact was associated with lower depressive symptoms (0.258 (95% confidence interval 0.225–0.290) and 0.117 (0.080–0.154), respectively) compared to no contact. The negative association between social relationships and depressive symptoms was stronger for those with high empathic concern, perspective taking and usual sociability. Conclusions We found during lockdown that those with higher quality or more face-to-face or phone/video contact had fewer depressive symptoms. Contact quality was more strongly associated than quantity. People who were usually more sociable or had higher empathy had more depressive symptoms during enforced reduced contact. The results have implications for COVID-19 and potential future pandemic management, and for understanding the relationship between social factors and mental health.
Evaluation of various characteristics of akara (fried beans cake) made from cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and soybean (Glycine max) blends.

Akara (fried bean cake) is one of the most popular local dishes in Nigeria. Proximate composition, functional properties and sensory evaluation of akara prepared from cowpea and soybean blends were carried out in present study. Furthermore, study was also planned to determine the best ratio of cowpea & soybean blend that can give best akara production (fried beans cake). Result of proximate analysis revealed that the combination of cowpea and soybean blends (sample B, C and D) had a higher protein content (15.20, 18.31and 22.52%) ash content (1.74, 1.80 and 1.88%) crude fat (3.38, 4.06 and 5.28%) and crude fiber (1.03, 1.10 and 1.19%) compare to individual cowpea control (sample A) which have only 4.44% (protein) 1.17% (ash) 1.91% (crude fat) and 0.92% (crude fiber) respectively. The functional properties results showed a reduction in bulk density with an increase in soybean blend with cowpea i.e. sample A > B>C. The same pattern of results were recorded for water absorption and swelling capacity. Sample A having the highest value in all the functional properties determined except in oil absorption capacity. The sensory evaluation results showed a slight difference in all parameters tested for except the overall acceptability which showed no significant difference for all the samples at p≤0.05. This implies that cowpea and soybean blends, up to 30% subtitution, can be used to produce akara that will be acceptable thus improving the culinary uses of soybean and improving the nutritional quality of akara. Ogundele G F * , Ojubanire B A and Bamidele O P
The Integration of Genome Mining, Comparative Genomics, and Functional Genetics for Biosynthetic Gene Cluster Identification

Antimicrobial resistance is a worldwide health crisis for which new antibiotics are needed. One strategy for antibiotic discovery is identifying unique antibiotic biosynthetic gene clusters that may produce novel compounds. The aim of this study was to demonstrate how an integrated approach that combines genome mining, comparative genomics, and functional genetics can be used to successfully identify novel biosynthetic gene clusters that produce antimicrobial natural products. Secondary metabolite clusters of an antibiotic producer are first predicted using genome mining tools, generating a list of candidates. Comparative genomic approaches are then used to identify gene suites present in the antibiotic producer that are absent in closely related non-producers. Gene sets that are common to the two lists represent leading candidates, which can then be confirmed using functional genetics approaches. To validate this strategy, we identified the genes responsible for antibiotic production in Pantoea agglomerans B025670, a strain identified in a large-scale bioactivity survey. The genome of B025670 was first mined with antiSMASH, which identified 24 candidate regions. We then used the comparative genomics platform, EDGAR, to identify genes unique to B025670 that were not present in closely related strains with contrasting antibiotic production profiles. The candidate lists generated by antiSMASH and EDGAR were compared with standalone BLAST. Among the common regions was a 14 kb cluster consisting of 14 genes with predicted enzymatic, transport, and unknown functions. Site-directed mutagenesis of the gene cluster resulted in a reduction in antimicrobial activity, suggesting involvement in antibiotic production. An integrated approach that combines genome mining, comparative genomics, and functional genetics yields a powerful, yet simple strategy for identifying potentially novel antibiotics.
Cardiovascular Anthropometry: What Is Best Suited for Large-Scale Population Screening in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Background : Body mass index (BMI) measures overweight/obesity. It, however, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), misclassifies cardiometabolic risk. Central obesity measures are superior. We therefore sought to compare BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and abdominal height (AH) in predicting cardiovascular disease risk in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods : Subjects had blood pressures, BMI, and WHR determined. Blood pressure was taken, weight and height measured to generate BMI, and AH measured with a new locally fabricated abdominometer. The ability of the anthropometric indices in identifying abnormal individuals needing intervention was assessed with sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operator characteristic curve. Results : Adults totaling 1,508 (728 M/780 F) adults were studied. For BMI, 985 (65.3%) were normal, while 375 (24.9%), consisting of 233 males and 142 females, had normal WHR. Blood pressure was normal in 525 (34.8%) and 317 (21.0%) for systolic and diastolic blood pressures, respectively. Using BMI as gold standard, sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values for WHR in males were 80.7, 37.5, 62.5, and 19.3%, respectively. For females and in the same order, they were 62.0, 34.3, 65.7, and 38.0%. For AH, it was equal in both genders at 82.6, 39.2, 60.8, and 17.4%. By receiver operating curves comparing AH, WHR, and BMI against blood pressure detection, the area under the curve was 0.745, 0.604, and 0.554 for AH, BMI, and WHR, respectively. Conclusion : Abdominometer-derived AH has a better sensitivity and greater area under the receiver operator curve compared with BMI and WHR in this sub-Sahara African population; implying superiority as a cardiovascular anthropometric index.