Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SARS-CoV-2 Transmission among Marine Recruits during Quarantine

Abstract Background The efficacy of public health measures to control the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has not been well studied in young adults. Methods We investigated SARS-CoV-2 infections among U.S. Marine Corps recruits who underwent a 2-week quarantine at home followed by a second supervised 2-week quarantine at a closed college campus that involved mask wearing, social distancing, and daily temperature and symptom monitoring. Study volunteers were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by means of quantitative polymerase-chain-reaction (qPCR) assay of nares swab specimens obtained between the time of arrival and the second day of supervised quarantine and on days 7 and 14. Recruits who did not volunteer for the study underwent qPCR testing only on day 14, at the end of the quarantine period. We performed phylogenetic analysis of viral genomes obtained from infected study volunteers to identify clusters and to assess the epidemiologic features of infections. Results A total of 1848 recruits volunteered to participate in the study; within 2 days after arrival on campus, 16 (0.9%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, 15 of whom were asymptomatic. An additional 35 participants (1.9%) tested positive on day 7 or on day 14. Five of the 51 participants (9.8%) who tested positive at any time had symptoms in the week before a positive qPCR test. Of the recruits who declined to participate in the study, 26 (1.7%) of the 1554 recruits with available qPCR results tested positive on day 14. No SARS-CoV-2 infections were identified through clinical qPCR testing performed as a result of daily symptom monitoring. Analysis of 36 SARS-CoV-2 genomes obtained from 32 participants revealed six transmission clusters among 18 participants. Epidemiologic analysis supported multiple local transmission events, including transmission between roommates and among recruits within the same platoon. Conclusions Among Marine Corps recruits, approximately 2% who had previously had negative results for SARS-CoV-2 at the beginning of supervised quarantine, and less than 2% of recruits with unknown previous status, tested positive by day 14. Most recruits who tested positive were asymptomatic, and no infections were detected through daily symptom monitoring. Transmission clusters occurred within platoons. (Funded by the Defense Health Agency and others.)
Bleomycin for orbital and peri-orbital veno-lymphatic malformations – A systematic review

Background Orbital and peri-orbital venolymphatic malformations (VLM) are low flow vascular malformations. Intralesional bleomycin is now commonly being used to treat such malformations. Objective The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize evidence on the safety and efficacy of bleomycin/pingyangmycin sclerotherapy for the treatment of orbital and peri-orbital VLM. Methods We searched Medline, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane database for studies reporting outcomes of bleomycin/pingyangmycin sclerotherapy for orbital and peri-orbital VLM between 1974 to April 5th, 2019. Nine retrospective cohort studies enrolling 132 patients were included. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. Predefined outcome measures were subjective and objective reduction of the lesion and associated complications. Results Subjective reduction of the lesions was seen in 96.2% of the studies. Objective reduction of the lesion and symptomatic improvement were reported in 91.6 and 95% of the studies respectively. Non responders were 9.0%. Minor adverse events were reported in 18.1% of the studies. Major complications like pulmonary toxicity or pulmonary fibrosis was not encountered in any of the included studies. Quality of evidence was generally low. Conclusion Bleomycin/pingyangmycin sclerotherapy is very effective and relatively safe for the treatment of orbital and periorbital VLM and is not associated with any major side effects including pulmonary fibrosis. Limitations: The systematic review is limited mainly due to low quality of the included studies with retrospective design.
Glycemic, maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with type 1 diabetes using continuous glucose monitoring during pregnancy – Pump vs multiple daily injections, a secondary analysis of an observational cohort study

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) provides detailed information about glucose level fluctuations over time. The method is increasingly being used in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes. However, only one previous study compared CGM results related to pregnancy outcomes in women using insulin pumps with those administering multiple daily injections (MDI). We performed a secondary analysis of CGM metrics from an observational cohort of pregnant women with type 1 diabetes and compared insulin pump and MDI therapies in relation to maternal and neonatal outcomes.
PDGF mediates pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration by regulating NFATc2

The reconstruction of pulmonary vascular structure caused by the proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) is the central link in the formation of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) can regulate the proliferation and migration of PASMCs. At the same time, nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFATs) plays an important role in the development of PAH. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports yet regarding whether PDGF regulates NFATc2 to increase the proliferation of PASMCs. The present study aimed to investigate whether PDGF affects the proliferation and migration of PASMCs by regulating NFAT, and to study the pathogenesis of PAH. PASMCs were treated with recombinant PDGF; Cell Counting Kit-8 and clone formation experiments showed that PDGF enhanced the cell viability and proliferation of PASMCs. Cell cycle distribution and molecular markers related to cell proliferation (cyclin D1, CDK4 and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen) were detected by flow cytometry, and the results indicated that PDGF promoted the division of PAMSCs. The scratch migration and Transwell migration assays showed that the migratory ability of PASMCs was enhanced following PDGF treatment. Changes in NFATs (NFATc1-5) after PDGF treatment were evaluated by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting; NFATc2 showed the most significant results. Finally, PDGF-treated cells were treated with an NFAT pathway inhibitor, cyclosporin A, or a small interfering RNA targeting NFATc2, and changes in cell proliferation and migration were evaluated to assess the role of NFATc2 in PDGF-induced cell proliferation and migration. In conclusion, PDGF may regulate PASMC proliferation and migration by regulating the expression of NFAT, further leading to the occurrence of PAH. It is proposed that NFATc2 could be used as a potential target for PAH treatment.
Human Cytomegalovirus Interactions with the Basement Membrane Protein Nidogen 1

We have found that HCMV infection promotes the elimination of the developmentally important basement membrane protein nidogen 1 (NID1) from its host. The virus both decreased transcription and induced degradation of expressed protein. ABSTRACT In 2000, we reported that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) induced specific damage on chromosome 1. The capacity of the virus to induce DNA breaks indicated potent interaction between viral proteins and these loci. We have fine mapped the 1q42 breaksite. Transcriptional analysis of genes encoded in close proximity revealed virus-induced downregulation of a single gene, nidogen 1 (NID1). Beginning between 12 and 24 hours postinfection (hpi) and continuing throughout infection, steady-state (ss) NID1 protein levels were decreased in whole-cell lysates and secreted supernatants of human foreskin fibroblasts. Addition of the proteasomal inhibitor MG132 to culture medium stabilized NID1 in virus-infected cells, implicating infection-activated proteasomal degradation of NID1. Targeting of NID1 via two separate pathways highlighted the virus’ emphasis on NID1 elimination. NID1 is an important basement membrane protein secreted by many cell types, including the endothelial cells (ECs) lining the vasculature. We found that ss NID1 was also reduced in infected ECs and hypothesized that virus-induced removal of NID1 might offer HCMV a means of increased distribution throughout the host. Supporting this idea, transmigration assays of THP-1 cells seeded onto NID1-knockout (KO) EC monolayers demonstrated increased transmigration. NID1 is expressed widely in the developing fetal central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS) and is important for neuronal migration and neural network excitability and plasticity and regulates Schwann cell proliferation, migration, and myelin production. We found that NID1 expression was dramatically decreased in clinical samples of infected temporal bones. While potentially beneficial for virus dissemination, HCMV-induced elimination of NID1 may underlie negative ramifications to the infected fetus. IMPORTANCE We have found that HCMV infection promotes the elimination of the developmentally important basement membrane protein nidogen 1 (NID1) from its host. The virus both decreased transcription and induced degradation of expressed protein. Endothelial cell (EC) secretion of basement membrane proteins is critical for vascular wall integrity, and infection equivalently affected NID1 protein levels in these cells. We found that the absence of NID1 in an EC monolayer allowed increased transmigration of monocytes equivalent to that observed after infection of ECs. The importance of NID1 in development has been well documented. We found that NID1 protein was dramatically reduced in infected inner ear clinical samples. We believe that HCMV’s attack on host NID1 favors viral dissemination at the cost of negative developmental ramifications in the infected fetus.
Could Licorice prevent Bisphenol A-Induced Biochemical, Histopathological and Genetic Effects in the Adult Male Albino Rats?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an ecological estrogenic endocrine disruptor used commonly in polycarbonate plastics. This study aimed to investigate the biochemical, histopathological and genetic effects of BPA at different doses and to evaluate the protective role of licorice against such effects. Thirty Wistar male albino rats were divided into five groups administered BPA daily at 2.4 µg/kg and 500 mg/kg orally with or without licorice (150 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. The results revealed that the high toxic dose decreased GSH, SOD and catalase levels and increased MDA level significantly. Serum TNF-α, testosterone and testicular cholesterol levels were significantly decreased while serum alkaline phosphatase was significantly increased. Histopathological changes were observed in testes, lungs and stomach. Alteration in the expression of NF-κB1 gene in lung occurred. These results suggested that BPA induced oxidative stress; resulted in its complication in the examined rats and treatment with licorice alleviated the toxicity induced by BPA.
A prospective cohort of people who use methamphetamine in Melbourne and non-metropolitan Victoria, Australia: Baseline characteristics and correlates of methamphetamine dependence.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Limited research has investigated methamphetamine use and related harms in rural and regional Australia. We investigated whether people who used methamphetamine in non-metropolitan Victoria differed in their sociodemographics and were more likely to be methamphetamine-dependent than those recruited in Melbourne. DESIGN AND METHODS We used baseline data from an ongoing prospective cohort study, 'VMAX'. Participants were recruited from Melbourne and three non-metropolitan Victorian regions. Sequential multivariable logistic regression of nested models assessed unadjusted and adjusted associations between residential locations and methamphetamine dependence. RESULTS The sample mostly (77%) comprised people who used methamphetamine via non-injecting means (N = 744). Thirty-nine percent were female. Melbourne-based participants were less likely than non-metropolitan participants to identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, be heterosexual, have children and be unemployed. More frequent methamphetamine use (adjusted odds ratio 1.22, 95% confidence interval 1.12-1.34) and using crystal methamphetamine versus 'speed' powder (adjusted odds ratio 2.38, 95% confidence interval 1.26-3.64) were independently (P < 0.05) associated with being classified as methamphetamine-dependent. A significantly higher percentage of participants in every non-metropolitan region were classified as methamphetamine-dependent vs. those in Melbourne, but this relationship was attenuated when adjusting for methamphetamine use frequency and primary form used. Despite 65% of participants being classified as methamphetamine-dependent, less than half had recently (past year) accessed any professional support for methamphetamine, with minimal variation by recruitment location. DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS VMAX participants in non-metropolitan Victoria were more likely to be methamphetamine-dependent than those living in Melbourne. Unmet need for professional support appears to exist among people using methamphetamine across the state, regardless of geographical location.
Fluvoxamine vs Placebo and Clinical Deterioration in Outpatients With Symptomatic COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may lead to serious illness as a result of an excessive immune response. Fluvoxamine may prevent clinical deterioration by stimulating the σ-1 receptor, which regulates cytokine production. Objective To determine whether fluvoxamine, given during mild COVID-19 illness, prevents clinical deterioration and decreases the severity of disease. Design, Setting, and Participants Double-blind, randomized, fully remote (contactless) clinical trial of fluvoxamine vs placebo. Participants were community-living, nonhospitalized adults with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, with COVID-19 symptom onset within 7 days and oxygen saturation of 92% or greater. One hundred fifty-two participants were enrolled from the St Louis metropolitan area (Missouri and Illinois) from April 10, 2020, to August 5, 2020. The final date of follow-up was September 19, 2020. Interventions Participants were randomly assigned to receive 100 mg of fluvoxamine (n = 80) or placebo (n = 72) 3 times daily for 15 days. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was clinical deterioration within 15 days of randomization defined by meeting both criteria of (1) shortness of breath or hospitalization for shortness of breath or pneumonia and (2) oxygen saturation less than 92% on room air or need for supplemental oxygen to achieve oxygen saturation of 92% or greater. Results Of 152 patients who were randomized (mean [SD] age, 46 [13] years; 109 [72%] women), 115 (76%) completed the trial. Clinical deterioration occurred in 0 of 80 patients in the fluvoxamine group and in 6 of 72 patients in the placebo group (absolute difference, 8.7% [95% CI, 1.8%-16.4%] from survival analysis; log-rank P = .009). The fluvoxamine group had 1 serious adverse event and 11 other adverse events, whereas the placebo group had 6 serious adverse events and 12 other adverse events. Conclusions and Relevance In this preliminary study of adult outpatients with symptomatic COVID-19, patients treated with fluvoxamine, compared with placebo, had a lower likelihood of clinical deterioration over 15 days. However, the study is limited by a small sample size and short follow-up duration, and determination of clinical efficacy would require larger randomized trials with more definitive outcome measures. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04342663.
Hydroplastic foaming of graphene aerogels and artificially intelligent tactile sensors

A hydroplastic foaming method fabricates graphene aerogels and constructs a tactile sensor to outperform human finger. Direct foaming from solids is the most efficient method to fabricate porous materials. However, the ideal foaming fails to prepare aerogel of nanoparticles because the plasticity of their solids is denied by the overwhelming interface interactions. Here, we invent a hydroplastic foaming method to directly convert graphene oxide solids into aerogel bulks and microarrays, replacing the prevalent freezing method. The water intercalation plasticizes graphene oxide solids and enables direct foaming instead of catastrophic fragmentation. The bubble formation follows a general crystallization rule and allows nanometer-precision control of cellular wall thickness down to 8 nm. Bubble clustering generates hyperboloid structures with seamless basal connection and renders graphene aerogels with ultrarobust mechanical stability against extreme deformations. We exploit graphene aerogel to fabricate tactile microarray sensors with ultrasensitivity and ultrastability, achieving a high accuracy (80%) in artificially intelligent touch identification that outperforms human fingers (30%).
Serum Ischemia-Modified Albumin, Fibrinogen, High Sensitivity C- Reactive Proteins in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus without Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus with Hypertension: A Case-Control Study.

Background The objective of this study was to determine the levels of serum ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), fibrinogen (FIB) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with hypertension (HT) (DMT2HTN) and without HT (DMT2). Also, their association with certain biochemical and physical factors were studied to identify possible risk factors that lead to cardiovascular complications. Methods Fasting blood samples were collected from 35 DMT2 or DMT2HTN patients each to analyze differences in serum and plasma levels of IMA, hs-CRP, FIB, total cholesterol (TC), high and low density lipoproteins (HDL and LDL), triglyceride (TG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C), glycated hemoglobin and creatinine. Results In DMT2 and DMT2HTN patients, IMA, hs-CRP, FIB, TC, TG, HDL, LDL, glycated hemoglobin and creatinine levels, including body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), were significantly higher relative to healthy controls. In addition, the levels of IMA, hs-CRP and FIB levels showed a strong link to BMI, WHR, TC, TG, LDL and glycated hemoglobin. Lastly, both DMT2 and DMT2HTN patients demonstrated a significant reduction in HDL. Conclusion DMT2 and DMT2HTN patients have a greater risk of developing cardiovascular related complications. This study suggests that quantifying hs-CRP, IMA and FIB levels can help diagnose the risk of developing complications during the early stages of metabolic and cardiovascular disease. Overall, the specific risk factors may be used for early identification of cardiovascular complications to decrease mortality and morbidity in T2DM patients.
NEW RECORDS OF MOTHS ELUCIDATE THE IMPORTANCE OF FORESTS AS BIODIVERSITY HOT-SPOTS IN CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN LANDSCAPES (LEPIDOPTERA)

In this paper we report new faunistic findings concerning 15 moth species collected in forested habitats ofCalabria and Sicily regions, South Italy. Most interesting records concerned Eupithecia trisignariaand Orectisproboscidata,both recorded for the first time in southern Italy. Species with larval biology linked to the forest coverwere locally common, whilst species linked to herbaceous plants and shrubs were often collected as singletons or in onelocality, showing smaller populations. A study of a 658bp long sequence of the mitochondrial 5’ cytochrome oxidasegene, subunit 1 (COI) (barcoding analysis) was performed for five species, two of them showing a divergence fromclosest populations near to 1%, one a 2% divergence from northern populations, and two other species a perfect identitywith European populations. This study reinforced the role of forest habitats as biodiversity hot-spots in theMediterranean Basin and the importance of the Italian peninsula for biodiversity conservation at European scale as anincreased number of endemic or sub-endemic taxa and populations with endemic genetic lineages are recognized,underlining the existence of ongoing evolutionary processes. In the light of these results, faunistic surveys in forestecosystems are strongly needed to define sustainable management strategies.
12 Degrees of Freedom Muscle Force Driven Fibril-Reinforced Poroviscoelastic Finite Element Model of the Knee Joint

Accurate knowledge of the joint kinematics, kinetics, and soft tissue mechanical responses is essential in the evaluation of musculoskeletal (MS) disorders. Since in vivo measurement of these quantities requires invasive methods, musculoskeletal finite element (MSFE) models are widely used for simulations. There are, however, limitations in the current approaches. Sequentially linked MSFE models benefit from complex MS and FE models; however, MS model’s outputs are independent of the FE model calculations. On the other hand, due to the computational burden, embedded (concurrent) MSFE models are limited to simple material models and cannot estimate detailed responses of the soft tissue. Thus, first we developed a MSFE model of the knee with a subject-specific MS model utilizing an embedded 12 degrees of freedom (DoFs) knee joint with elastic cartilages in which included both secondary kinematic and soft tissue deformations in the muscle force estimation (inverse dynamics). Then, a muscle-force-driven FE model with fibril-reinforced poroviscoelastic cartilages and fibril-reinforced poroelastic menisci was used in series to calculate detailed tissue mechanical responses (forward dynamics). Second, to demonstrate that our workflow improves the simulation results, outputs were compared to results from the same FE models which were driven by conventional MS models with a 1 DoF knee, with and without electromyography (EMG) assistance. The FE model driven by both the embedded and the EMG-assisted MS models estimated similar results and consistent with experiments from literature, compared to the results estimated by the FE model driven by the MS model with 1 DoF knee without EMG assistance.