Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Geographical restriction of Hepatitis E virus circulation in wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Emilia-Romagna region, Northern Italy

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a singlestrand RNA virus that causes an acute viral hepatitis in humans. Among its eight recognized genotypes, HEV-3 and HEV-4 are zoonotic, infecting humans, pigs and wild boars. Recently, HEV-3 has been also detected in red deer, which represents another reservoir of HEV. Consumption of raw pork products (mainly liver sausages), undercooked wild boar meat, raw wild boar liver and deer meat has been responsible for foodborne HEV human worldwide. From November 2018 to March 2019, liver samples collected from 97 wild boars hunted in Emilia-Romagna region (Northern Italy) were tested for HEV RNA. The hunting area included two territories for an extension of 33 km2, named A (about 13 km2,natural park, deciduous wood) and B (about 20 km2, cultivated fields in proximity of a river) areas. Distance between the two areas ranged between 8 to 10 km. A total of 73 wild boars were hunted in area A, and 24 in area B. HEV RNA was detected by Real-time RT– PCR in 23/73 liver samples of wild boars living in area A only (31.5% - 95% CI: 22.0-42.8%). The HEV sequences (n=13) clustered within genotype 3. The majority of positives belonged to animals < 12 months (12/25; 48%), followed by subadults (13-24 months) (7/16; 43.8%) and adults (4/32; 12.5%). This difference was found to be statistically significant (p=0.0024). In absence of pig farms, the restriction of HEV-positive animals to a well-defined territory of 13 km2 (Boschi di Carrega Regional Park) could hypothetically be related to the presence of red deer (Cervus elaphus), which lived in area A at the beginning of the hunting season. Further studies are needed to confirm or deny our hypothesis.
Detection of Active Matriptase Using a Biotinylated Chloromethyl Ketone Peptide

Matriptase is a member of the family of type II transmembrane serine proteases that is essential for development and maintenance of several epithelial tissues. Matriptase is synthesized as a single-chain zymogen precursor that is processed into a two-chain disulfide-linked form dependent on its own catalytic activity leading to the hypothesis that matriptase functions at the pinnacle of several protease induced signal cascades. Matriptase is usually found in either its zymogen form or in a complex with its cognate inhibitor hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor 1 (HAI-1), whereas the active non-inhibited form has been difficult to detect. In this study, we have developed an assay to detect enzymatically active non-inhibitor-complexed matriptase by using a biotinylated peptide substrate-based chloromethyl ketone (CMK) inhibitor. Covalently CMK peptide-bound matriptase is detected by streptavidin pull-down and subsequent analysis by Western blotting. This study presents a novel assay for detection of enzymatically active matriptase in living human and murine cells. The assay can be applied to a variety of cell systems and species.
A Study of Serum Ferritin Level in Female Patient with Alopecia

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Total body iron store is an integral factor in the development of hair follicle. Numerous studies have been done seeking for the relationship between body iron store and various forms of chronic diffuse hair loss, with relatively contradictory findings in various reports in these studies. The main objective of this study is to find out if there is any association between total body iron store and various types of chronic diffuse hair loss in females in reproductive age.Materials and Methods: This is a hospital based case control study conducted in Nobel Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal. Sixty female patients of age group 15-50 years with chronic diffuse hair loss with equal number of age- and sex- matched controls were studied. Both of the study groups were evaluated for various parameters of iron status. Results: The mean value of serum ferritin in cases was significantly lower as compared to controls (p=0.018). Patients with alopecia areata (p=0.008) and androgenetic alopecia (p=0.021) had significantly lower serum ferritin, whereas there was no statistically significant difference in telogen effluvium and controls (p=0.857). The mean value of hemoglobin, hematocrit and mean corpuscular hemoglobin was found to be significantly lower in alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia. However, there was no statistically significant difference in RBC indices of patients of telogen effluvium and controls.Conclusion: Diffuse chronic hair loss shows definite association with serum ferritin and various RBC indices in female of reproductive age group. Alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia show major association with total body iron stores. Keywords: alopecia areata; androgenetic alopecia; serum ferritin; telogen effluvium.
Alteration in Left Ventricular Diastolic Filling and Accumulation of Myocardial Collagen at Insulin-Resistant Prediabetic Stage of a Type II Diabetic Rat Model

Background—Considerable controversy exists regarding impairment of cardiac function in diabetes mellitus (DM). We investigated the serial changes in left ventricular (LV) histopathology and LV filling dynamics in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, which have been established as an animal model of type II DM. Methods and Results—In 54 OLETF and 54 non-DM rats, body weight, blood pressure, heart rate, and transmitral pulsed Doppler examinations were performed from 5 to 47 weeks of age. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed at 10, 20, and 30 weeks of age. The hearts were excised for histopathology, including immunohistochemistry and histomorphometry of collagen, and measurement of hydroxyproline at baseline and each stage of developing DM. In the prediabetic stage (15 weeks of age), in which fast blood glucose remained normal, OLETF rats manifested mild obesity, postprandial hyperglycemia, and hyperinsulinemia, and early diastolic transmitral inflow exhibited prolonged deceleration time (.
Anesthetic Management of Laparoscopic Pyloromyotomy for Pyloric Stenosis in a Neonate with Hereditary Spherocytosis

We describe a case of hereditary spherocytosis in a neonate with pyloric stenosis requiring laparoscopic pyloromyotomy. Hereditary spherocytosis is the most commonly inherited hemolytic anemia causing hyperbilirubinemia and mild anemia. Anesthetic management for laparoscopic pyloromyotomy is challenging. Multiple factors involved, such as anemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and the effect of drugs, play an important role in anesthetic management.
The Reasons behind the (Non)Use of Feedback Reports for Quality Improvement in Physical Therapy: A Mixed-Method Study

Objectives To explain the use of feedback reports for quality improvements by the reasons to participate in quality measuring projects and to identify barriers and facilitators. Design Mixed methods design. Methods In 2009–2011 a national audit and feedback system for physical therapy (Qualiphy) was initiated in the Netherlands. After each data collection round, an evaluation survey was held amongst its participants. The evaluation survey data was used to explain the use of feedback reports by studying the reasons to participate with Qualiphy with correlation measures and logistic regression. Semi-structured interviews with PTs served to seek confirmation and disentangle barriers and facilitators. Results Analysis of 257 surveys (response rate: 42.8%) showed that therapists with only financial reasons were less likely to use feedback reports (OR = 0.24;95%CI = 0.11–0.52) compared to therapists with a mixture of reasons. PTs in 2009 and 2010 were more likely to use the feedback reports for quality improvement than PTs in 2011 (OR = 2.41;95%CI = 1.25–4.64 respectively OR = 3.28;95%CI = 1.51–7.10). Changing circumstances in 2011, i.e. using EHRs and financial incentives, had a negative effect on the use of feedback reports (OR = 0.40, 95%CI = 0.20–0.78). Interviews with 12 physical therapists showed that feedback reports could serve as a tool to support and structure quality improvement plans. Barriers were distrust and perceived self-reporting bias on indicator scores. Conclusions Implementing financial incentives that are not well-specified and well-targeted can have an adverse effect on using feedback reports to improve quality of care. Distrust is a major barrier to implementing quality systems.
Impact of dronedarone in atrial fibrillation and flutter on stroke reduction

Background: Dronedarone has been developed for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFL). It is an amiodarone analogue but noniodinized and without the same adverse effects as amiodarone. Objective and methods: This is a review of 7 studies (DAFNE, ADONIS, EURIDIS, ATHENA, ANDROMEDA, ERATO and DIONYSOS) on dronedarone focusing on efficacy, safety and prevention of stroke. There was a dose-finding study (DAFNE), 3 studies focusing on maintenance of sinus rhythm (ADONIS, EURIDIS and DIONYSOS), 1 study focusing on rate control (ERATO) and 2 studies investigating mortality and morbidity (ANDROMEDA and ATHENA). Results: The target dose for dronedarone was established in the DAFNE study to be 400 mg twice daily. Both EURIDIS and ADONIS studies demonstrated that dronedarone was superior to placebo for maintaining sinus rhythm. However, DIONYSOS found that dronedarone is less efficient at maintaining sinus rhythm than amiodarone. ERATO concluded that dronedarone reduces ventricular rate in patients with chronic AF. The ANDROMEDA study in patients with severe heart failure was discontinued because of increased mortality in dronedarone group. Dronedarone reduced cardiovascular hospitalizations and mortality in patients with AF or AFL in the ATHENA trial. Secondly, according to a post hoc analysis a significant reduction in stroke was observed (annual rate 1.2% on dronedarone vs 1.8% on placebo, respectively [hazard ratio 0.66, confidence interval 0.46 to 0.96, P = 0.027]). In total, 54 cases of stroke occurred in 3439 patients (crude rate 1.6%) receiving dronedarone compared to 76 strokes in 3048 patients on placebo (crude rate 2.5%), respectively. Conclusion: Dronedarone can be used for maintenance of sinus rhythm and can reduce stroke in patients with AF who receive usual care, which includes antithrombotic therapy and heart rate control.
Social and Demographics Factors Associated with the Breast Self-Examination (BSE) in Women in Primary Care

Background: Some social and demographic factors in the population may contribute to the practice of Breast Self-Examination (BSE) allowing timely detection of cancer in the early stages. Objective: To determine the socio-demographic factors associated with breast self-examination in women attending primary care. Patients and method: Analytical, observational, cross-sectional study in women aged 20-59, entitled to a primary care unit in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Sociodemographic data were recorded: age, occupation, schooling, marital status, religion, socioeconomic status. Risk factors: Family history with breast cancer and body mass index. We performed bivariate analysis and logistic regression with BSE as a dependent variable. Results: We surveyed 380 women, mean age 38 ± 10.5 years, 22% performed BSE. There is a significant difference (p < 0.05), for primary education or less, single civil status, socioeconomic worker level, Jehovah’s Witness religion; Without difference for the occupation between the groups of BSE and those that do not realize BSE. There is a risk of not carrying out BSE in women of socio-economic workers RP (Prevalence Ratio) = 2.06, with primary or less PR = 1.27, Jehovah’s Witnesses PR = 3.34, single marital status RP 1.29, common PR = 1.49. Conclusions: Eight out of ten women do not have BSE. In primary care centers, it is necessary to strengthen BSE programs in health service providers. Despite the diffusion for the prevention of breast cancer in health institutions, sociodemographic factors limit BSE in urban women.
Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy

1Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Marília, São Paulo, Brazil; 2Postgraduate Program in Structural and Functional Interactions in Rehabilitation, UNIMAR, Marília, São Paulo, Brazil; 3School of Food and Technology of Marilia (FATEC), Marilia, São Paulo, Brazil Aim: To evaluate the association between parameters of hyperferritinemia (HF) and metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients at cardiovascular risk. Patients and Methods: This is a cross-sectional analytical observational study that included 269 patients who attended a cardiology unit. Biochemical and anthropometric parameters were evaluated to identify the presence of HF and MS. The presence of MS was evaluated according to NCEP ATP III. Biochemical parameters (glycemia, triglycerides, HDL-c) were assessed according to the manufacturer’s protocols. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure measurements were made by a trained professional. The chi-square (X) test, odds ratio, normality distribution (verified by the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test), and Levene’s test were used to analyze the variables. To evaluate the effect of MS, HF, and the interaction between MS and HF, two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed based on the homogeneity of the variances, followed by Bonferroni’s post hoc comparisons. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between quantitative variables. A multiple linear regression model was used to analyze the effect of covariables. A logistic regression model was built to analyze the variables that contribute significantly to predict the outcome (HF) using the backward method. Results: Our results showed that 57% of men and 49.5% of women presented with MS; 44% of men and 11% of women presented with HF. The presence of MS and hypertriglyceridemia increase the probability of having HF by up to 2.1 and 1.88 times, respectively, while for male sex it is increased by 6.2 times. Patients with HF have higher values of C-reactive protein, ferritin, and transferrin saturation, regardless of the presence of MS. The linear regression analysis model indicated that the variables considered in this study explain less than 30% of the variation in ferritin and that the presence of MS in men is responsible for 22% of the variation in the probability of the occurrence of HF. Conclusion: Our results show that hyperferritinemia is closely associated with the components of MS (positive correlation with glycemia, triglycerides levels, blood pressure, and waist circumference, and negative correlation with HDL-c values) in the studied population.
Supporting Information

1 DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC), Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, Lansing, MI 48910, USA 2 Department of Engineering Technology, College of Technology, Biotechnology Program, University of Houston, 304A College of Technology Building, Houston, TX, 77204, USA 3 Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers State University of New Jersey, 98 Brett Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
Evaluation of a School-Based Depression Prevention Program among Adolescents from Low-Income Areas: A Randomized Controlled Effectiveness Trial

A randomized controlled trial was conducted among a potential high-risk group of 1,343 adolescents from low-income areas in The Netherlands to test the effectiveness of the depression prevention program Op Volle Kracht (OVK) as provided by teachers in a school setting. The results showed no main effect of the program on depressive symptoms at one-year follow-up. A moderation effect was found for parental psychopathology; adolescents who had parents with psychopathology and received the OVK program had less depressive symptoms compared to adolescents with parents with psychopathology in the control condition. No moderating effects on depressive symptoms were found for gender, ethnical background, and level of baseline depressive symptoms. An iatrogenic effect of the intervention was found on the secondary outcome of clinical depressive symptoms. Based on the low level of reported depressive symptoms at baseline, it seems that our sample might not meet the characteristics of a high-risk selective group for depressive symptoms. Therefore, no firm conclusions can be drawn about the selective potential of the OVK depression prevention program. In its current form, the OVK program should not be implemented on a large scale in the natural setting for non-high-risk adolescents. Future research should focus on high-risk participants, such as children of parents with psychopathology.
M O V E M E N T OF SEA URCHIN SPERM

T h e m o t i o n of the sea u rch in spe rm f lage l lum was ana lyzed f rom h igh-speed c inemic rog raphs . A t all loca t ions on the f l age l lum the t r ansversa l m o t i o n a n d the cu rv a t u r e were f o u n d to vary s inusoida l ly in t ime . T h e cu rva tu re s of the f lagel la inc rease s t rongly n e a r the p rox ima l j u n c t i o n . T w o spe rm are desc r ibed in t r ans i en t f rom rest to n o r m a l m o t i o n . T h e full wave m o t i o n d e v e l o p e d in b o t h s p e rm wi th in 40 ms.
Association of drug-induced gingival enlargement (calcium channel blockers) and local factors: Who is the culprit?

Background: Several drugs are used for the management of hypertension. Among these drugs, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are the most potent and generally used drug. Gingival enlargement is a recognized outcome of the administration of CCBs. Other drugs which cause gingival enlargement are antiepileptic drugs (phenytoin) and immunosuppressants (cyclosporine). The role of bacterial plaque in the overall pathogenesis of drug-induced gingival enlargement is not clear as some studies indicate that plaque is a prerequisite for gingival enlargement, whereas others suggest that the presence of plaque is a result of its accumulation caused by the enlarged gingiva. Aim: The aim of this study is to find the association of local factors with CCBs-induced gingival enlargement. Conclusion: The observations made in this report support that the presence of local factors augments the degree of the gingival enlargement present. Significance: As the prevalence of CCB use is relatively high in the population, especially among patients with cardiovascular disease, it is important that medical professionals are aware of the association between drug-induced gingival enlargement and local factors so that they can emphasize thorough home care and professional cleaning in the treatment of drug-induced gingival enlargement.
STUDIES ON T H E P A T H O G E N I C I T Y OF GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI I. ITs RELATION TO SURFACE PIIAGOCYTOSIS* BY SISTER MARIE JUDITH FOLEY,$ Sc.D.,

Streptococcus pyogenes is a highly ubiquitous organism which causes a variety of diseases in man (1). I t has been found to elaborate during its growth "more extracellular toxic and enzymatic products than are recognized for any other human pathogen. " (2) Despite the vast amount of knowledge which has accumulated concerning streptococci of one special kind (Group A hemolytic streptococci) the precise factors which determine their ability to initiate infection have remained obscure (1, 2).
The use of Mycobacterium tuberculosis HspX and GlcB proteins to identify latent tuberculosis in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterised by the destruction of articular cartilage and bone damage. The chronic treatment of RA patients causes a higher susceptibility to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis (TB); one-third of the world’s population is latently infected (LTBI) with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The tuberculin skin test is used to identify individuals LTBI, but many studies have shown that this test is not suitable for RA patients. The goal of this work was to test the specific cellular immune responses to the Mtb malate synthase (GlcB) and heat shock protein X (HspX) antigens of RA patients and to correlate those responses with LTBI status. The T-helper (Th)1, Th17 and Treg-specific immune responses to the GlcB and HspX Mtb antigens were analysed in RA patients candidates for tumour necrosis factor-α blocker treatment. Our results demonstrated that LTBI RA patients had Th1-specific immune responses to GlcB and HspX. Patients were followed up over two years and 14.3% developed active TB. After the development of active TB, RA patients had increased numbers of Th17 and Treg cells, similar to TB patients. These results demonstrate that a GlcB and HspX antigen assay can be used as a diagnostic test to identify LTBI RA patients.
Regulation of T-cell-mediated lympholysis by the murine major histocompatibility complex. I. Preferential in vitro responses to trinitrophenyl-modified self K- and D-coded gene products in parental and F1 hybrid mouse strains

Spleen cells from H-2b,k,d C57Bl/10 congenic mice were sensitized in vitro to trinitrobenzenesulfonate (TNBS)-modified autologous spleen cells. Cold target competition studies at the lytic phase demonstrated three distinct patterns of cytotoxic responsiveness: (a) H-2b spleen cells generated approximately equivalent CTL responses against Kb and Db modified self products, (b) H-2d spleen cells generated preferential responses against Dd modified self products, and (c) H-2k spleen cells generated cytotoxic responses which could only be detected against Kk self products in association with TNP. F1 spleen cells were sensitized against autologous TNBS-treated cells. The results showed that, although H-2b parental cells generated approximately equivalent Kb-TNP- and Db-TNP-specific CTL, the presence of the H-2b haplotype did not result in the generation of (a) Dk-TNP CTL response by (H-2b x H-2k) spleen cells, nor (b) a Db CTL response by (H-2b x H-2a) F1 spleen cells. Additionally, (H-2d x H-2k) F1 cells failed to generate detectable Dd-TNP-specific CTL, although H-2d parental cells generated D-regional-specific CTL. The findings demonstrated that these F1 response patterns paralleled those of the H-2k and H-2a parents, i.e. weak or no D-region TNP-specific CTL were induced. Because (H-2d x H- 2a) F1 responders stimulated with H-2d TNBS-treated cells did generate good Dd TNP responses, the results illustrated that the presence of responder genes was not sufficient to result in a D-region TNP CML. It is suggested that the absence of Kk alleles on the stimulating population is necessary for the generation of D-region TNP CTL in these F1's. Mechanisms which could account for these response patterns in parental F1 mice are discussed including immunodominance, suppression, T-cell response , and Ir-gene defects.