Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vipera snakebite in Europe: a systematic review of a neglected disease

In 2009, snakebites were included in the list of the World Health Organization (WHO) neglected diseases. Dermatological literature lacks current and up‐to‐date articles about snakebites and their management, despite the fact that dermatologists, especially from rural hospitals, can be called into the emergency room to consult the management of suspected snakebites. In this systematic review, we highlighted the main clinical and laboratory aspects of snakebites from Vipera spp. in Europe, by reviewing 3574 studies initially retrieved from PubMed, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL databases. Of these, 78 were finally included in the systematic review. We found that the most involved taxon was V. berus in 63.3% and the most involved anatomic site of the bite was the upper limbs 53.1% with fang marks reported in 90.5%. The mean age of the patients was 32.9 years, and bites were slightly more common among males (58.2%). A wound washing was performed in 86.9% of cases before the hospitalization. The most frequently reported grade of envenomation was G2 (42.2%). In addition to local dermatological symptoms (extended erythema, oedema, cutaneous necrosis, hives, purpura, petechiae, acute compartment syndrome), numerous systemic symptoms have also been reported, including fatigue (14.4%), pain (75.3%), fever (49.2%), direct anaphylactoid reaction (5.3%), anxiety (60.8%), cranial nerve neurotoxicity (14.8%), dysesthesia/paraesthesia (7.9%), vomiting (33.7%), abdominal pain (23.3%), diarrhoea (15.4%), dyspnoea (6.3%), proteinuria (10.6%) and haematuria (9.3%). Secondary infections were present in 3.5% and disseminated intravascular coagulation in 3.1% of cases, and fasciotomy was performed in 4.2% cases, while an amputation in 6.9%. Only 0.9% of patients died. Antivenom was administered in 3053 cases. In conclusion, there is a pressing need for robust multi‐centre randomized control trials, standardized protocol for snakebite management and antivenom administration across Europe and a National snakebite register for each European country.
Avaliação genética de caprinos da raça Saanen nascidos no Brasil de 1979 a 2009

The aim of this study was to estimate heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations and genetic trends of morphological characteristics and type of Saanen goats born in Brazil from 1979 to 2009. Data from 1243 goats, 197 males and 1046 females were used to estimate genetic parameters and trends for the following traits: girth, body length, wither height, height, width and rump length, and the main traits that define the breed standard and ability of the animal (shoulder and topline, limbs and feet, dairy type, body capacity, mammary gland, linking front and rear, texture of the udder, teats and note). Variance components were estimated by Restricted Maximum Likelihood multi-trait analysis. Genetic trends were obtained by regression of mean breeding values by year of birth. The heritability estimates of morphological and functional traits ranged from 0.08 to 0.45, the genetic correlations from -0.58 to 0.89 and phenotypes from -0.11 to 0.87. The trend was a slight decline over the years for most traits, which shows the existence of additive genetic variability among animals, but it demonstrates that the selection practiced has been ineffective.
Synergistic Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties of Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt, Clerodendrum inerme (L.) Gaertn. and Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl. Extracts and Their Potential as a Treatment for Xerosis Cutis

Background: A common health condition among older persons is xerosis cutis. Topical corticosteroid treatments are associated with side effects. There is an unmet need for herbal treatment alternatives. Coccinia grandis, Clerodendrum inerme and Acanthus ebracteatus are used to treat skin conditions in Thai traditional medicine. This study aimed to investigate their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, synergistic properties as well as their cytotoxicity. Methods: Ethanolic herbal extracts were used to perform minimal inhibitory (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays on common skin pathogens. Synergistic antimicrobial activity was evaluated by a chequerboard assay. Antioxidant and synergistic properties were assessed by a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay. Cytotoxicity was tested on normal adult human primary epidermal keratinocytes. Results: All extracts showed an inhibitory effect on growth of all microorganisms tested. MIC and MBC values ranged from 0.0625 to 32 mg/mL and from 0.0625 to >256 mg/mL, respectively. A. ebracteatus extract markedly demonstrated bactericidal activity against an methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain. Additive antimicrobial activity was observed (fractional inhibitory concentration index values: 0.75–1). All extracts possessed antioxidant properties (IC50 values: 0.12–0.25 mg/L). However, antagonism was observed with paired extract combinations (combination index values: 1.025–1.455). The cell viability assay confirmed that herbal extracts were not cytotoxic. Conclusions: Our results provide early findings of pharmacological activities to support a novel choice of herbal combinations as potential local skin treatment options for xerosis cutis.
Breath indeed carries significant information about a disease: Potential biomarkers of cerebral palsy

Objective and reliable noninvasive medical diagnostics of a large variety of diseases is still a dream. As a step in the direction of realization, a spectroscopic breath study of cerebral palsy (CP) was performed. Principal component analysis revealed data clustering for a healthy group and CP individuals was observed, with a P‐value below 10−5. Learning algorithms resulted in 91% accuracy in distinguishing the groups. With the help of manual analysis of absorption spectral features of breath samples, two volatile organic compounds were identified that demonstrate significant deviations in the groups. These represent two esters of propionic acid (PPAE). A transportation scheme was hypothesized that links the gut where propionic acid (PPA) and PPAE are produced, the brain of CP patients, through which PPA and PPAE transmit, and the lungs where PPAE releases. The results show a possibility to detect one more brain‐related disorder via breath, in this case CP.
PCTR1 improves pulmonary edema fluid clearance through activating the sodium channel and lymphatic drainage in lipopolysaccharide‐induced ARDS

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a lethal clinical syndrome characterized by damage of the epithelial barriers and accumulation of pulmonary edema fluid. Protectin conjugates in tissue regeneration 1 (PCTR1), an endogenously produced lipid mediator, are believed to exert anti‐inflammatory and pro‐resolution effects. PCTR1 (1 µg/kg) was injected at 8 hr after lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 14 mg/kg) administration, and the rate of pulmonary fluid clearance was measured in live rats at 1 hr after PCTR1 treatment. The primary type II alveolar epithelial cells were cultured with PCTR1 (10 nmol/ml) and LPS (1 μg/ml) for 8 hr. PCTR1 effectively improved pulmonary fluid clearance and ameliorated morphological damage and reduced inflammation of lung tissue, as well as improved the survival rate in the LPS‐induced acute lung injury (ALI) model. Moreover, PCTR1 markedly increased sodium channel expression as well as Na, K‐ATPase expression and activity in vivo and in vitro. In addition, PCTR1i also upregulated the expression of LYVE‐1 in vivo. Besides that, BOC‐2, HK7, and LY294002 blocked the promoted effect of PCTR1 on pulmonary fluid clearance. Taken together, PCTR1 upregulates sodium channels' expression via activating the ALX/cAMP/P‐Akt/Nedd4‐2 pathway and increases Na, K‐ATPase expression and activity to promote alveolar fluid clearance. Moreover, PCTR1 also promotes the expression of LYVE‐1 to recover the lymphatic drainage resulting in the increase of lung interstitial fluid clearance. In summary, these results highlight a novel systematic mechanism for PCTR1 in pulmonary edema fluid clearance after ALI/ARDS, suggesting its potential role in a therapeutic approach for ALI/ARDS.
Aphid transmission of a mosaic virus and symptoms of other virus diseases of Primula obconica.

Abstract does not appear. First page follows. Primula obconica is a popular, attractive, ornamental potting plant which has commonly been found to be infected with a mosaic disease in commercial greenhouses in San Francisco. The losses of infected seedling plants have ranged from 5 to 25 per cent. A study was undertaken on aphid transmission of the mosaic virus of Primula obconica. Tests were made both with species of aphids that breed on this host plant in the greenhouse, and with species that do not. Other aspects investigated include the efficiency in the transmission of the virus by single unfasted, infective aphids. A comparison was made of the transmission of the virus by lots of 20 unfasted, infective aphids with lots of 20 fasted aphids in short infection-feeding periods on a diseased plant. A comparison was made of the symptoms of P. obconica mosaic with those of common-cucumber, celery-calico, and western-cucumber-mosaic viruses. An attempt was made to experimentally infect P. obconica with the ordinary-tobacco-mosaic virus. Tests were made on the susceptibility of this species of Primula to the California-aster-yellows and spotted-wilt viruses. Review of Literature Tompkins and Middleton (1941)4 reviewed the literature on mosaic diseases of Primula species, and reported the experimental host range and properties of a mosaic virus of P. obconica. Since the publication of that paper, other references to virus diseases aifecting the genus have appeared in the literature. (Moore (1947)) lists a mosaic of Primula in his report on diseases of crops in England.
Microaneurysms visualisation using five different optical coherence tomography angiography devices compared to fluorescein angiography

Background To compare fluorescein angiography (FA) and five different optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) devices and to test their reproducibility in the evaluation of retinal microaneurysms (MAs) secondary to diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods On the same day, patients with DR were imaged with FA and five OCTA devices: prototype Spectralis OCTA, prototype PlexElite, RTVue XR Avanti, AngioPlex and DRI OCT Triton. For all OCTA devices, a 3×3 volume scan pattern was performed. MAs were evaluated for the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP). Results Twenty eyes of 15 patients with DR were included. FA counted a significantly higher number of MAs compared to OCTA devices. Spectralis OCTA obtained a significantly higher number of MAs compared to PlexElite, RTVue XR Avanti, AngioPlex and DRI OCT Triton (p<0.0001). PlexElite and AngioPlex showed a greater number of MAs in the SCP, Spectralis OCTA, RTVue XR Avanti and DRI OCT Triton in the DCP. Higher sensitivity (43.3%) but lowest specificity (54.4%) was observed for Spectralis OCTA compared to other devices. The higher specificity (78.5%) and positive predictive value (83.3%) were observed for DRI OCT Triton. Conclusions FA remains the best imaging modality to visualise retinal MAs. Spectralis OCTA was able to detect more MAs compared to other devices, likely due to the higher number of B-scans in the scanned area as well as due to the higher number of repeated B-scans. The high variability between OCTA devices should be taken into account for future clinical trials as in clinical practice.
Stability of nightmare frequency and its relation to neuroticism: A longitudinal study

Models of nightmare aetiology postulate an interaction between trait and state factors. However, most of the studies that support these models have been cross‐sectional and longitudinal studies are scarce. The present data were obtained from N = 888 participants completing two online dream studies carried out independently with the same online panel 2 years apart. Nightmare frequency declined over the 2‐year period and these changes were related to changes in neuroticism. The effect of current psychopathology (state aspect) on nightmare frequency was significant but much smaller compared to the effect of previously measured nightmare frequency (trait aspect) and, thus, the study provided empirical evidence for diathesis‐stress models. Future longitudinal studies should take a closer look at life events and other factors that increase and/or decrease nightmare frequencies.
Tethys Sea fragmentation and speciation of Panulirus spiny lobsters

A composite of the phylogenetic relationships of the species of Panulirus, based on morpholog ical and genetic comparisons is presented. Data on the timing of the longitudinal break up of the Tethys Sea into the separate major oceans (and the resulting ecosystem changes) allow a review of the isolating mechanisms that may have resulted in the present day species distribution. These sce narios have been supplemented by personal visits to most of the regions inhabited by the various species of Panulirus. Two major phylogenetic lineages are recognized, the first emerging earlier and exhibiting a habitat preference for clear waters associated with continents or volcanic islands, the second major lineage emerging a little later and showing a distinct preference for the turbid waters of coastal habitats. The genus originated in the broad Tethys Sea and the Panulirus stock was ini tially divided longitudinally by the collision of Africa with Eurasia, isolating the Indo-west Pacific element; the final separation of the east Pacific from the Atlantic elements occurred with the Pliocene closure of the Panama Seaway. New habitats for incipient species were formed by these geological events as well as by the emergence of oceanic islands, climatic changes, and the formation of more discrete current systems.
DLI: A Deep Learning-Based Granger Causality Inference

Integrating autoencoder (AE), long short-term memory (LSTM), and convolutional neural network (CNN), we propose an interpretable deep learning architecture for Granger causality inference, named deep learning-based Granger causality inference (DLI). Two contributions of the proposed DLI are to reveal the Granger causality between the bitcoin price and S&P index and to forecast the bitcoin price and S&P index with a higher accuracy. Experimental results demonstrate that there is a bidirectional but asymmetric Granger causality between the bitcoin price and S&P index. And the DLI performs a superior prediction accuracy by integrating variables that have causalities with the target variable into the prediction process.
Quantitative Genetic Analysis of the Physiological Processes underlying Maize Grain Yield

Few studies have examined the inheritance and interrelationships of both grain yield and the underlying physiological processes in maize (Zea mays L.). The objective of this study was to establish genetic relationships between the physiological components of grain yield and to examine the inheritance of grain yield and its component processes (i.e., additive and the nonadditive genetic effects). Twelve F 1 hybrids, obtained by mating three male and four female inbred lines using a North Carolina Design II, were evaluated in trials conducted in Ontario from 2000 to 2002. Dry matter accumulation (DMA) at four stages of development, harvest index, leaf area index (LAI), stay green, and grain yield were measured. Variation among the 12 hybrids was significant for all traits evaluated, and the range in mean grain yield was 28% of the mean. Using the genetic effects partitioned by a Design II analysis, we dissected the physiological mechanisms that influenced favorable or unfavorable contributions to grain yield. Using the highest- and lowest-yielding hybrids in the study (i.e., maximum genetic variation), we attempted to dissect the physiological reasons for the difference in grain yield. This analysis, however, was unsuccessful in dissecting grain yield in terms of physiological mechanisms using a quantitative genetic model. Reasons for this failure may be, in part, (i) the relatively low contribution of statistically significant genetic effects to the differences between the hybrids; and (ii) partitioning of the difference between hybrids in four general combining ability (GCA) estimates and two specific combining ability (SCA) estimates results in small estimates relative to the grand mean.
Profiles of Human Milk Oligosaccharides and Their Relations to the Milk Microbiota of Breastfeeding Mothers in Dubai

The composition of human breast milk is affected by several factors, including genetics, geographic location and maternal nutrition. This study investigated the human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) of breastfeeding mothers living in Dubai and their relations with the milk microbiota. A total of 30 breast milk samples were collected from healthy Emirati and UAE-expatriates at Latifa Hospital. HMO profiling was performed using UHPLC-MS. Microbiota profiles were determined by sequencing amplicons of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. HMO concentrations were significantly higher in Emirati, and dropped with the lactation period in both groups of mothers. The Le (a−b+)-secretor (Le+Se+) type was the most abundant in Dubai mothers (60%), followed by the Le(a−b−)-secretor (Le−Se+) type (23%). Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were considerably lower in Dubai-based mothers, while Pseudomonas and Delftia (Hydrogenophaga) were detected at a higher abundance compared to mothers from other countries. Atopobium was correlated with sialyl-lacto-N-tetraose c, Leptotrichia and Veillonella were correlated with 6’-sialyl-lactose, and Porphyromonas was correlated with lacto-N-hexaose. The study highlights the HMO profiles of breastfeeding mothers in Dubai and reveals few correlations with milk microbial composition. Targeted genomic analyses may help in determining whether these differences are due to genetic variations or to sociocultural and environmental factors.
Simulation-based training using a vessel phantom effectively improved first attempt success and dynamic needle-tip positioning ability for ultrasound-guided radial artery cannulation in real patients: An assessor-blinded randomized controlled study

Background We evaluated whether a simulation-based training with a vessel phantom improves the basic skills of a novice required for ultrasound-guided radial artery cannulation in real patients. In addition, we analysed whether repeated simulation training sets with an inter-training interval would accelerate the learning curve. Methods From March 2019 to July 2019, twenty-one anesthesiology residents were randomized into either a simulation group (n = 11) or control group (n = 10). Residents performed a total of 84 ultrasound-guided radial artery cannulations in real patients. The simulation group participated in two sets of simulation training on a vessel phantom (10 sessions per set) with a one-month inter-training interval. Trainee’s performance proficiency was scored using a developed checklist, and a learning curve for each training set was constructed. To evaluate the effectiveness of our training curriculum in skill transfer, each resident performed four ultrasound-guided radial artery cannulations in real patients. The primary outcome was first attempt success rate and the secondary outcome was dynamic needle-tip positioning ability in real patients. Results The first attempt success rate and dynamic needle-tip positioning ability by ultrasound transducer were significantly higher in the simulation group than the control group (81.8% vs. 50%, P = 0.002 and 68.2% vs. 7.5%, P < 0.001, respectively). A reduced number of sessions was required to reach a plateau score on the learning curve in the repeated training set compared in the first-set (7 (5–8) vs. 3 (2–4), P = 0.003, respectively). Conclusions Simulation-based training using a vessel phantom effectively improved the first attempt success rate for ultrasound-guided radial artery cannulation in real patients and the dynamic needle-tip positioning ability by ultrasound transducer in novice anesthesiology residents. In addition, repeated training curriculum accelerated the learning curve for recall skill proficiency and reduced inter-individual variability for skill acquisition. Clinical trial registration Clinical Research Information Service (KCT0003471, Principle investigator: Jeong Jin Min, Date of registration: 06/March/2019).
The accuracy of tuberculous meningitis diagnostic tests using Bayesian latent class analysis.

INTRODUCTION Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most dangerous form of tuberculosis with high mortality and disability rates. However, the delayed diagnostic process is often due to the absence of the gold standard tests leading to a lack of information about the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic tests. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of TBM and determine the performance of four diagnostic procedures: the mycobacteria growth culture test, Gene Xpert assay, and analysis of protein levels and leukocyte count taken from cerebrospinal fluid. METHODOLOGY We used a Bayesian latent class analysis to estimate the prevalence of TBM with 95% credible interval (CI), and the specificity and sensitivity of the four diagnostic procedures. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the cerebrospinal protein levels and leukocyte count were also compared and estimated using different thresholds. RESULTS A total of 1,213 patients suspected of having TBM were included. The estimated TBM prevalence was 34.8 % (95% CI: 28.8 - 41.3). The sensitivity of culture test and Gene Xpert assay was 62.7% (95% CI: 52.5 - 74.0), and 57.5% (95% CI: 51.0 - 64.0), and the specificity of Gene-Xpert was 95. 9% (95% CI: 92.0 - 99.8). The AUC for leukocyte count was 76.0%, and for protein level was 73.4%. CONCLUSIONS This study provided better information about the performance of four routine diagnostic tests and the prevalence of TBM which can enhance disease control and improve treatment outcomes.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Phenol Extracts Exert Hypocholesterolemic Effects through the Modulation of the LDLR Pathway: In Vitro and Cellular Mechanism of Action Elucidation

This study was aimed at investigating the hypocholesterolemic effects of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) phenols and the mechanisms behind the effect. Two phenolic extracts were prepared from EVOO of different cultivars and analyzed using the International Olive Council (IOC) official method for total phenols, a recently validated hydrolytic procedure for total hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol, and 1H-NMR analysis in order to assess their secoiridoid profiles. Both of the extracts inhibited in vitro the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl co-enzyme A reductase (HMGCoAR) activity in a dose-dependent manner. After the treatment of human hepatic HepG2 cells (25 µg/mL), they increased the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor protein levels through the activation of the sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBP)-2 transcription factor, leading to a better ability of HepG2 cells to uptake extracellular LDL molecules with a final hypocholesterolemic effect. Moreover, both of the extracts regulated the intracellular HMGCoAR activity through the increase of its phosphorylation by the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-pathways. Unlike pravastatin, they did not produce any unfavorable effect on proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) protein level. Finally, the fact that extracts with different secoiridoid profiles induce practically the same biological effects suggests that the hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol derivatives may have similar roles in hypocholesterolemic activity.