Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Potential protective and therapeutic role of immune checkpoint inhibitors against viral infections and COVID-19

Cancer care during COVID-19 pandemic On 11 March 2020, the WHO declared the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak an international Public Health Emergency [1]. Cancer patients represent a particularly vulnerable population, at increased risk of COVID-19 with a worse outcome than individuals without cancer [2]. Since the US FDA approval of the CTLA-4 inhibitor ipilimumab in 2011, indications for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have dramatically expanded, becoming an effective treatment option for a wide variety of cancers, including melanoma, renal carcinoma, lung cancer, urothelial cancer and head and neck carcinoma. It is still unclear how to manage checkpoint inhibitor therapy in the context of the current emergency, due to the alleged alert of serious pneumonia in case of COVID-19 [3]. Human COVID-19 presents with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic to severe disease. Respiratory epithelial cells are the primary targets for the virus and are a leading source of immunopathological injury. HLA host haplotype are fundamentally important. Clinically, the immune response induced by COVID-19 is two-phased. First, the incubation period, a nonsevere stage, during which the virus induces a protective immune response. In this phase strategies to boost immune response (antisera or pegylated IFN-α) are adopted, aimed at eliminating the virus and avoiding disease progression to severe stages. For the development of an endogenous protective immune response, a good general health status and an appropriate HLA host haplotype are fundamental. Different HLA haplotypes contribute to individual variations in defense against pathogens and are associated with distinct susceptibility to various infectious diseases. Accordingly, it seems to be advantageous to have specific HLA haplotype with increased binding specificities to the SARS-CoV-2 peptides. When the protective immune response is inadequate, the patient enters the second phase, the severe stage, characterized by strong inflammatory response, massive tissue damage especially in the lung and in organs that have high angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression, such as intestine and kidney [4]. The severe cases present with pneumonia which can lead to diffuse alveolar and capillary injury, pulmonary edema and acute respiratory distress syndrome, a condition that can rapidly evolve in a multiorgan failure. The pathophysiology of unusually high pathogenicity for COVID-19 has not been completely understood; one of the supposed mechanisms underlying disease severity is a hyperinduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, known as ‘cytokine storm’ [5]. It is a vasculitic-like condition that resembles the secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, characterized by increased levels of IL-2, IL-7,G-CSF, IFN-γ inducible protein 10, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, macrophage inflammatory protein 1-α (MIP1A) and TNF-α. Similar to the SARS disease, the main histological finding in COVID-19 is an exudative and prolifer-
INTERSPECIFIC CROSSES AND FERTILE HYBRIDS AMONG THE CONIFEROPHAGOUS CHORISTONEURA (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE)

Abstract Laboratory studies of seven North American Choristoneura species and two subspecies from widely distributed locations demonstrate the low level of genetic separation among them. No differences were found in numbers (n = 30) or morphology of chromosomes among members of the group or in any of the hybrids examined. High levels of mating success were obtained in all inter se matings as well as in crosses and back-crosses. However, mating success was greater for crosses within host type and within pheromone type than for crosses between types. Viability and fertility were similar in all the hybrids and close to those of the inter se progenies. Mean weights of initial eggs varied by a factor of 2 from the lowest (C. pinus Freeman) to the highest (C. lambertiana ponderosana Obraztsov). Mean weights of initial eggs produced by hybrids were generally close to those of the parental species. However, when one parent was C. fumiferana (Clem.), mean weights of initial eggs were either much larger (male C. fumiferana) or much smaller (female C. fumiferana) than either parental type. These differences could affect survival of some progeny under harsh conditions. This evidence supports other studies in indicating that C. fumiferana is genetically distinct from other species in this group. Résumé Des études en laboratoire sur sept espèces et deux sous-espèces nord-américaines de Choristoneura réparties en des localités dispersées ont démontré que la variation génétique entre elles est faible. Aucune différence n’a été constatée dans le nombre (n = 30) ou la morphologie des chromosomes entre les membres du groupe ou les hybrides examinés. Une grande proportion des accouplements se sont effectués avec succès aussi bien dans les accouplements inter se que dans les croisements et les rétro-croisements. Cependant, le succès des accouplements s’est avéré plus élevé dans le cas de croisements entre individus du même type d’hôte ou du même type de phéromone que dans le cas de croisements entre différents types. La viabilité et la fertilité étaient équivalentes chez tous les hybrides et très semblables à celles qui prévalaient au sein de la progéniture issue d’accouplements inter se. La masse moyenne des premiers oeufs variait par un facteur de 2, des moins lourds (C. pinus Freeman) aux plus lourds (C. lambertiana ponderosana Obraztsov). La masse moyenne des premiers oeufs produits par les hybrides était généralement semblable à celle des premiers oeufs des espèces parentales. Cependant, dans les cas où l’un des parents appartenait à l’espèce C. fumiferana (Clem.), la masse moyenne des premiers oeufs était ou beaucoup plus élevée (mâle C. fumiferana) ou beaucoup moins élevée (femelle C. fumiferana) que l’un ou l’autre des types parentaux. Ces différences pourraient affecter la survie de certains rejetons dans des conditions rigoureuses. Ces données appuient les résultats d’autres études qui indiquent que C. fumiferana est une espèce génétiquement distincte des autres espèces du groupe. [Traduit par la Rédaction]
Scaling phenology from the local to the regional level: advances from species‐specific phenological models

Plant phenology, the study of seasonal plant activity driven by environmental factors, has found a renewal in the context of global climate change. Phenological events, such as leaf unfolding, exert strong control over seasonal exchanges of matter and energy between the land surface and the atmosphere. Phenological models that simulate the start of the growing season should be efficient tools to predict vegetation responses to climatic changes and related changes in energy balance. Species‐specific phenological models developed in the eighties have not been used for global‐scale predictions because their predictions were inaccurate in external conditions. Recent advances in phenology modelling at the species level suggest that prediction at a large scale may now be possible. In the present study, we tested the performance of species‐specific phenological models in time and space, looking at their ability (i) to predict regional phenology when previously fitted at a local scale, and (ii) to predict phenological trends, linked to climate changes, observed over a long‐term. For that task we used an historical phenological dataset from Ohio from the late ninetieth century and an airborne pollen dataset from Ontario, Québec and Maryland from the late twentieth century. The results show that the species‐specific phenological models used in this study were able to predict regional phenology even though they were fitted locally. The reconstruction of a phenological time series over the twentieth century showed a significant advancement of 0.2 days per year in the date of flowering of Ulmus americana, but very weak trends for Fraxinus americana and Quercus velutina.
Medical considerations for supporting elite athletes during the post-peak phase of the New Zealand COVID-19 pandemic: a New Zealand sporting code consensus.

Like many sectors of the community, elite athletes have particular circumstances that may make them particularly susceptible to the impact of COVID-19. With the Olympic Games and other professional sport competitions being postponed or cancelled in 2020, many athletes' career plans and aspirations will have decimated, with consequences for both their physical and mental wellbeing. This manuscript addresses some of the broad areas that medical practitioners should be considering, to ensure the optimal support of elite athletes through the pandemic.
Placental levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their association with birth weight of infants

Abstract As an alarming group of pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) gather much public health concern not only because of their carcinogenic or co-carcinogenic risk but also by interfering with hormone systems or by causing oxidative damage, henceforth liable to toxic actions on reproduction. Accordingly, the present study was aimed to explore the association between in-utero exposure to PAHs by evaluating their placental levels and infant birth weight among 110 healthy and nonsmoking pregnant women. Placental tissue samples were collected instantly after delivery and were analyzed for the presence of sixteen Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed PAHs with the help of Gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Chrysene and benzo(k)fluoranthene were the predominant PAHs detected in tissue samples. To assess the source of origin of PAHs in placenta tissue samples, the ratio of low molecular weight PAHs to high molecular weight (∑LMW/∑HMW PAHs) was calculated, showing the predominance of pyrogenic sources of PAHs possibly responsible for the exposure of the studied population. Results of regression analysis demonstrated the inverse although not significant association of naphthalene (Nap), acenaphthylene (Acy), anthracene (Anth), pyrene (Pyr), benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF), benzo(k)Fluoranthene (BkF), benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), indeno (123 cd pyrene (IcdP), dibenzo(ah)anthracene (DahA) and benzo(ghi)Perylene (BghiP) with birth weight of neonates. Additionally, the regression model lay light upon the significant association of fluoranthene (Fla) (coefficient= −1.41 gram, p < 0.05) to the depletion trend of birth weight after adjusting for potential covariates. These findings suggest the possible role of an environmental contaminants like PAHs on impairment of fetal growth.
Dietary substitution of protein concentrate of Ulva lactuca for soybean meal in the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon fry

A feeding trial was conducted to test the protein concentrate of the green seaweed Ulva lactuca as a substitute for soybean meal in the diet of the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon fry. Experimental diets containing various replacement levels for soybean meal by weight were prepared, namely 0 (control diet), 15, 30 or 45 % Ulva protein concentrate (UPC). Survival rate was not affected by the diets. Feed intake (FI) was statistically similar in shrimp fed the control diet and diet containing 15 % UPC replacement while the FI of shrimps fed diets containing 30 % and 45 % were lower and were not significantly different from each other. SGR of shrimps fed the control diet was not significantly different from the values of those fed diets containing 15 % and 30 % UPC replacements while those fed diets containing 45 % UPC replacement exhibited significantly the lowest SGR. Protein gained of shrimps were statistically similar between those fed the control diet and those fed diets with 15 % and 30 % UPC while those fed diets at 45 % UPC was significantly lower than the three groups. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) was unaffected by the dietary treatments. Ulva protein concentrate could be a substitute for soybean meal in the diet of Penaeus monodon fry up to 30 % without compromising the survival, growth and feed utilization efficiency of the shrimp despite lower feed intake.
Distribution of Transmission Potential During Nonsevere COVID-19 Illness

Abstract Background Patients recovering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) often continue to test positive for the causative virus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) even after clinical recovery, thereby complicating return-to-work plans. The purpose of this study was to evaluate transmission potential of COVID-19 by examining viral load with respect to time. Methods Health care personnel (HCP) at Cleveland Clinic diagnosed with COVID-19, who recovered without needing hospitalization, were identified. Threshold cycles (Ct) for positive PCR tests were obtained and viral loads calculated. The association of viral load with days since symptom onset was examined in a multivariable regression model, which was reduced by stepwise backward selection to only keep variables significant at a level of . 05. Viral loads by day since symptom onset were predicted using the model and transmission potential evaluated by examination of a viral load-time curve. Results Over 6 weeks, 230 HCP had 528 tests performed. Viral loads declined by orders of magnitude within a few days of symptom onset. The only variable significantly associated with viral load was time since onset of symptoms. Of the area under the curve (AUC) spanning symptom onset to 30 days, 96.9% lay within the first 7 days, and 99.7% within 10 days. Findings were very similar when validated using split-sample and 10-fold cross-validation. Conclusions Among patients with nonsevere COVID-19, viral loads in upper respiratory specimens peak by 2 or 3 days from symptom onset and decrease rapidly thereafter. The vast majority of the viral load-time AUC lies within 10 days of symptom onset.
Bos indicus and Bos taurus Crossbred Dairy Cattle in Australia. III* A Climate Room Test of Heat Tolerance Used in the Selection of Young Sires for Progeny Testing

A heat tolerance test for cattle is described, and the results of its use over a 7 year period in a largescale breeding program are given. Animals were subjected to the test on up to three occasions, each test comprising 1 week in an anteroom at moderate temperature followed by 5 days in a climate room at high temperature. Measurements of sweating and respiratory rates, rectal temperature and feed and water consumption are given. The animals were ranked by means of a total score which was made up of the' sum of a sweating rate score and feed intake score less the sum of a rectal temperature score and respiratory rate score. A significant Spearman's rank correlation coefficient of 0.67 was obtained between the ranking of 44 heifers in two separate series of tests. Comparison of bulls from dams selected and unselected for milk production in a stressful climate showed the bulls from the selected dams to be superior in heat tolerance. In the large-scale breeding program, the test selected bulls with three-eighths or half Bos indicus blood in preference to those with quarter Bos indicus blood; and within the quarter-breds it selected those out of dams bred in herds located in a stressful environment in preference to similar crossbred bulls out of dams bred in a temperate environment.
Distal radioulnar joint stability measured with radiostereometry during the piano key test

Distal radioulnar joint instability is difficult to grade by clinical examination and interobserver reliability is low. This study used a new and precise radiostereometry method for measurement of distal radioulnar joint translation. Eight human donor arms were positioned in a custom-made fixture and a standardized piano key test was done with pressure on the ulnar head. Examination was done before and after dividing the styloid and foveal insertions of the triangular fibrocartilage complex. In the intact wrists, the piano key test induced a mean 1.36 mm translation of the ulnar head, which increased statistically significantly to 1.96 mm after a lesion of the styloid ligament insertion and to 2.3 mm after combined lesions of the styloid and foveal ligament insertions. This experimental cadaver study demonstrates a radiological method for precise quantification of distal radioulnar joint stability after different grades of triangular fibrocartilage complex injury.
25I-NBOMe, a phenethylamine derivative, induces adverse cardiovascular effects in rodents: possible involvement of p21 (CDC42/RAC)-activated kinase 1

Abstract Abuse of new psychoactive substances is an emerging social problem. Several phenethylamines are internationally controlled substances as they are likely to be abused and have adverse effects. Phenethylamine analog 2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25I-NBOMe) has been reported as one of the most commonly abused psychoactive substance. However, the cardiotoxicity of this compound has not been extensively evaluated. Thus, in this study, we investigated the adverse cardiovascular effects of 25I-NBOMe, related to p21 (CDC42/RAC)-activated kinase 1 (PAK1). The cardiotoxicity of 25I-NBOMe was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, live/dead cytotoxicity assay, PAK1/CDC42 kinase assay, and in vivo electrocardiography (ECG). Also, we analyzed the expression level of PAK1, which is known to play key roles in the cardiovascular system. In the MTT assay, cell viability of 25I-NBOMe-treated H9c2 cells or primary cardiomyocytes of ICR mice decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. Results from the in vitro cytotoxicity assay in cardiomyocytes showed that 25I-NBOMe decreased the viability of H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes, and TC50 of 25I-NBOMe was found to be 70.4 μM. We also observed that 25I-NBOMe reduced PAK1 activity in vitro. Surface ECG measurement revealed that intravenous injection of 25I-NBOMe (doses of 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg, corresponding to serum concentrations of 18.1 and 28.6 ng/mL, respectively) prolonged the QTc interval in SD rats. Furthermore, treatment with 25I-NBOMe downregulated the expression of PAK1 in the hearts of SD rats and H9c2 cells. In summary, our findings indicate that PAK1-related adverse effects of 25I-NBOMe can cause toxicity to cardiomyocytes and induce an abnormal ECG pattern in animals.
A non-mosaic transchromosomic mouse model of Down syndrome carrying the long arm of human chromosome 21

Animal models of Down syndrome (DS), trisomic for human chromosome 21 (HSA21) genes or orthologs, provide insights into better understanding and treatment options. The only existing transchromosomic (Tc) mouse DS model, Tc1, carries a HSA21 with over 50 protein coding genes (PCGs) disrupted. Tc1 is mosaic, compromising interpretation of results. Here, we “clone” the 34 MB long arm of HSA21 (HSA21q) as a mouse artificial chromosome (MAC). Through multiple steps of microcell-mediated chromosome transfer, we created a new Tc DS mouse model, Tc(HSA21q;MAC)1Yakaz (“TcMAC21”). TcMAC21 is not mosaic and contains 93% of HSA21q PCGs that are expressed and regulatable. TcMAC21 recapitulates many DS phenotypes including anomalies in heart, craniofacial skeleton and brain, molecular/cellular pathologies, and impairments in learning, memory and synaptic plasticity. TcMAC21 is the most complete genetic mouse model of DS extant and has potential for supporting a wide range of basic and preclinical research.
The relationship estimates amongst milk yield and milk composition characteristics of Bunaji and Friesian Bunaji cows

The milk yield of 24 Bunaji and 26 cross breed (Friesian × Bunaji) cows were analyzed for milk yield characteristics [Initial milk yield (IY), peak week yield (PWK), peak yield (PY), end of lactation yield (ENLY), lactation length (LL) and total milk yield (TMY)] and milk composition [fat, crude protein (CP), solid-not- fat (SNF), total solid (TS) and ash]. The relationship within and between the milk yield characteristic and milk composition was analyzed. The results show that PY, PWK, ENLY and LL were positively and significantly correlated with TMY (P 0.05) except with ash (r = 0.267). The relationships of milk fat with ash, SNF and TS was significant and positive (P 0.05) correlated with milk yield characteristics; the relationship was positively low for IY and PY and negatively low for PWK, ENLY, TMY and LL. Milk ash was significantly (P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with PY, ENLY, TMY and LL (r = 0.315 to 0.0577). In view of the relationship that exists within and between milk yield and milk composition characteristics, it is therefore suggested that, a milk selection index that will incorporate both milk yield and milk composition characteristics in a more balanced manner would help in improving the milk yield and milk composition characteristic of the dairy cows.
Pyrrhosoma and its relatives: a phylogenetic study (Odonata: Zygoptera)

The placement and relationships of the red-and-black zygopteran Pyrrhosoma, currently considered to be part of the Teinobasinae, has long been uncertain. DNA fragments (COI and ITS) reveal that Pyrrhosoma s.s. is restricted to the West Palaearctic, with two morphologically distinct name-bearing clades (nymphula, elisabethae), and with a morphologically indistinct third clade in the Middle Atlas, Morocco, that might be close to the common ancestor of all three. Chromagrion, the closest relative of Pyrrhosoma, is found in North America, not in South Asia. Two isolated Chinese taxa (tinctipenne and latiloba) are morphologically similar to Pyrrhosoma, but their molecular distance is so large that a new genus, Huosoma, is required to accommodate them. Past climate change is suggested as the driver of the biogeography and evolution of this group of zygopterans. The origin of the Moroccan isolate and of elisabethae might predate the glaciations, and be of Pliocene age. The much wider disjunction between the American and South Asian groups and the western group suggests an older, perhaps Miocene age.
Next‐generation sequencing of residual cytologic fixative preserved DNA from pancreatic lesions: A pilot study

Endoscopic ultrasound–guided fine needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) is a sensitive and specific tool in the risk stratification of pancreatic lesions, including cysts. The sensitivity and specificity of EUS‐FNA has been shown to improve when cytology is combined with next‐generation sequencing (NGS). Ideally, fresh cyst fluid is used for NGS. In this pilot study, we explore the possibility of sequencing DNA derived from residual alcohol‐fixed pancreatic aspirates.
Health disparities in cervical cancer: Prevalence of high‐risk HPV and cytologic diagnoses according to race

In the United States, the rate of cervical cancer is disproportionally higher in Hispanic and Black women compared with White women. In the current study, the authors compared human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and cytology results among Black and White women over a 24‐month period. They then assessed the rates in young women in 2011 compared with 2017 according to race.