Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human Endometrial Microbiota at Term of Normal Pregnancies

The endometrium is a challenging site for metagenomic analysis due to difficulties in obtaining uncontaminated samples and the limited abundance of the bacterial population. Indeed, solid correlations between endometrial physio-pathologic conditions and bacteria compositions have not yet been firmly established. Nevertheless, the study of the endometrial microbiota is of great interest due to the close correlations between microbiota profiles, women’s health, and successful pregnancies. In this study, we decided to tackle the study of the endometrial microbiota through analysis of bacterial population in women subjected to elective caesarean delivery. As a pilot study, a cohort of 19 Caucasian women at full term of normal pregnancy and with a prospection of elective caesarean delivery was enrolled for endometrium sampling at the time of caesarean section. Sampling was carried out by endometrial biopsy soon after the delivery of the newborn and the discharge of the placenta and fetal membranes from the uterus. Bacterial composition was established by a deep metabarcoding next generation sequencing (NGS) procedure addressing the V5–V6 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene. Amplicon sequences were analysed by bioinformatic procedures for denoising and taxonomic classification. The RDP database was used as 16S rRNA reference collection. Metabarcoding analysis showed the presence of a common bacterial composition, including six genera classifiable within the human microbiota (Cutibacterium, Escherichia, Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter, Streptococcus, Corynebacterium), that could be part of the core endometrial microbiota under the specific conditions examined. These results can provide useful information for future studies on the correlations between bacteria and successful pregnancies.
Variation in Morphology and Airborne Dispersal of the Urticating Apparatus of Ochrogaster lunifer (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae), an Australian Processionary Caterpillar, and Implications for Livestock and Humans

Abstract True setae borne on the abdominal tergites of Ochrogaster lunifer Herrich-Schӓffer caterpillars are the agents of an irritating contact dermatitis, osteomyelitis, ophthalmia, and severe allergic reactions in humans, and are the cause of Equine Amnionitis and Fetal Loss in Australia. The setae are detached and readily dislodge from the integument whereby they disperse throughout the environment. To better understand the true setae of O. lunifer as agents of medical and veterinary concern, we studied their characteristics and distance dispersed. Whereas members of the European Thaumetopoeinae have been widely studied, their southern-hemisphere counterparts such as O. lunifer are not well known despite their harmfulness and known medical and veterinary importance. The caterpillar’s investment in true setae increased with age and size, and two distinct size classes co-occurred in setae fields. A previously undescribed morphological type of true seta was found on the first abdominal segment. All true setae were calculated to travel long distances in the air even under light breeze conditions. Our results show there is a high risk of exposure to airborne urticating setae within 100 m of elevated caterpillar activity, and a likely risk of exposure for some kilometers in the direction of the prevailing breeze. This information should be used to inform management strategies in areas where urticating processionary caterpillars are active, and especially during periods of an outbreak.
Diagnostic performance of aPS/PT antibodies in neuropsychiatric lupus and cardiovascular complications of systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with a constellation of complications affecting multiple organs, including neuropsychiatric manifestations (NPSLE) and ischaemic events, leading to increased long-term morbidity. Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are a major determinant of vascular inflammation and thromboembolic risk. The diagnostic role of anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin (aPS/PT) antibodies in this setting is incompletely defined. Aim: To verify whether aPS/PT add to diagnostics and disease stratification in patients with SLE with or without other aPL. Methods: 131 consecutive patients were studied, including 20 patients with SLE and secondary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). aPS/PT IgG and IgM were assessed through ELISA and patients were stratified based on the presence of other aPL, on their clinical and laboratory features at time of blood sampling and on their clinical history. Synthetic indices of disease activity, chronic damage and cardiovascular risk were calculated at time of venipuncture. Results: Fifty-one (38.9%) patients with SLE had aPS/PT and 15 (11.5%) patients had aPS/PT as the only aPL (aPS/PT-only). aPS/PT-only patients had a significantly higher prevalence of NPSLE than quadruple aPL-negative patients (p = .007). Patients with aPS/PT were more likely to have a history of ischaemia, thrombocytopenia and Libman–Sacks’ endocarditis. The presence of aPS/PT also associated with previous accrual of at least one damage item (p = .043), but had limited predictive values for damage progression in the short term. Conclusion: aPS/PT antibodies provide non-redundant information that could contribute to risk assessment and stratification of patients with SLE.
Comparison of efficacy of diclofenac and tramadol in relieving pain in patients of acute pancreatitis: A randomized parallel group double blind active controlled pilot study

Opioids and non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used for pain relief in acute pancreatitis (AP). Opioids carry risk of sphincter of oddi constriction. Although diclofenac prevents post endoscopic retrograde cholangio‐pancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis, few reports of diclofenac associated AP are also present. Although, both tramadol and diclofenac are commonly used for pain relief in AP, no study has evaluated their comparative efficacy and safety.
Amplified sinus-P-wave reveals localization and extent of left atrial low-voltage substrate: implications for arrhythmia freedom following pulmonary vein isolation.

AIMS Presence of arrhythmogenic left atrial (LA) low-voltage substrate (LVS) is associated with reduced arthythmia freedom rates following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). We hypothesized that LA-LVS modifies amplified sinus-P-wave (APW) characteristics, enabling identification of patients at risk for arrhythmia recurrences following PVI. METHODS AND RESULTS Ninety-five patients with persistent AF underwent high-density (>1200 sites) voltage mapping in sinus rhythm. Left atrial low-voltage substrate (<0.5 and <1.0 mV) was quantified in a 10-segment LA model. Amplified sinus-P-wave-morphology and -duration were evaluated using digitized 12-lead electrocardiograms (40-80 mm/mV, 100-200 mm/s). 12-months arrhythmia freedom following circumferential PVI was assessed in 139 patients with persistent AF. Left atrial low-voltage substrate was most frequently (84%) found at the anteroseptal LA. Characteristic changes of APW were related to the localization and extent of LA-LVS. At an early stage, LA-LVS predominantly located to the LA-anteroseptum and was associated with APW-prolongation (≥150 ms). More extensive LA-LVS involved larger areas of LA-anteroseptum, leading to morphological changes of APW (biphasic positive-negative P-waves in inferior leads). Severe LA-LVS involved the LA-anteroseptum, roof and posterior LA, but spared the inferior LA, lateral LA, and LA appendage. In this advanced stage, widespread LVS at the posterior LA abolished the negative portion of P-wave in the inferior leads. The delayed activation of the lateral LA and LA appendage produced the late positive deflections in the anterolateral leads, resulting in the "late-terminal P"-pattern. Structured analysis of APW-duration and -morphology stratified patients to their individual extent of LA-LVS (Grade 1: mean LA-LVS 4.9 cm2 at <1.0 mV; Grade 2: 28.6 cm2; Grade 3: 42.3 cm2; P < 0.01). The diagnostic value of APW-duration for identification of LA-LVS was significantly superior to standard P-wave-amplification (c-statistic 0.945 vs. 0.647). Arrhythmia freedom following PVI differed significantly between APW-predicted grades of LA-LVS-severity [hazard ratio (HR) 2.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18-4.83; P = 0.015 for Grade 1 vs. Grade 2; HR 1.79, 95% CI 1.00-3.21, P = 0.049 for Grade 2 vs. Grade 3). Arrhythmia freedom 12 months after PVI was 77%, 53%, and 33% in Grades 1, 2 and 3, respectively. CONCLUSION Localization and extent of LA-LVS modifies APW-morphology and -duration. Analysis of APW allows accurate prediction of LA-LVS and enables rapid and non-invasive estimation of arrhythmia freedom following PVI.
Periodontal pathogens and clinical parameters in chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND The use of Next Generation Sequencing and bioinformatics have revealed the complexity and richness of the human oral microbiota. While some species are well known for their periodontal pathogenicity, the molecular-based approaches for bacterial identification have raised awareness about new putative periodontal pathogens. Although they are found increased in case of periodontitis, there is currently a lack of data on their interrelationship with the periodontal measures. METHODS We processed the sequencing data of the subgingival microbiota of 75 patients with haemochromatosis and chronic periodontitis in order to characterize well-described and newly identified subgingival periodontal pathogens. We used correlation tests and statistical models to assess the association between the periodontal pathogens and mean pocket depth, and to determine the most relevant bacterial biomarkers of periodontitis severity. RESULTS Based on correlation test results, nine taxa were selected and included in the statistical models. The multiple linear regression models adjusted for systemic and periodontal clinical variables showed that mean pocket depth was negatively associated with Aggregatibacter and Rothia, and positively associated with Porphyromonas. Furthermore, a bacterial ratio that was previously described as a signature of dysbiosis in periodontitis, (%Porphyromonas+%Treponema+%Tannerella)/(%Rothia+%Corynebacterium), was the most significant predictor. CONCLUSION In this specific population, we found that the best model in predicting the mean pocket depth was microbial dybiosis using the dysbiosis ratio taxa formula. While further studies are needed to assess the validity of these results on the general population, such a dysbiosis ratio could be used in the future to monitor the subgingival microbiota.
Maternal almondex, a neurogenic gene, is required for proper subcellular Notch distribution in early Drosophila embryogenesis

Notch signaling plays crucial roles in the control of cell fate and physiology through local cell–cell interactions. The core processes of Notch signal transduction are well established, but the mechanisms that fine‐tune the pathway in various developmental and post‐developmental contexts are less clear. Drosophila almondex, which encodes an evolutionarily conserved double‐pass transmembrane protein, was identified in the 1970s as a maternal‐effect gene that regulates Notch signaling in certain contexts, but its mechanistic function remains obscure. In this study, we examined the role of almondex in Notch signaling during early Drosophila embryogenesis. We found that in addition to being required for lateral inhibition in the neuroectoderm, almondex is also partially required for Notch signaling‐dependent single‐minded expression in the mesectoderm. Furthermore, we found that almondex is required for proper subcellular Notch receptor distribution in the neuroectoderm, specifically during mid‐stage 5 development. The absence of maternal almondex during this critical window of time caused Notch to accumulate abnormally in cells in a mesh‐like pattern. This phenotype did not include any obvious change in subcellular Delta ligand distribution, suggesting that it does not result from a general vesicular‐trafficking defect. Considering that dynamic Notch trafficking regulates signal output to fit the specific context, we speculate that almondex may facilitate Notch activation by regulating intracellular Notch receptor distribution during early embryogenesis.
Apolipoprotein C1: Its Pleiotropic Effects in Lipid Metabolism and Beyond

Apolipoprotein C1 (apoC1), the smallest of all apolipoproteins, participates in lipid transport and metabolism. In humans, APOC1 gene is in linkage disequilibrium with APOE gene on chromosome 19, a proximity that spurred its investigation. Apolipoprotein C1 associates with triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and HDL and exchanges between lipoprotein classes. These interactions occur via amphipathic helix motifs, as demonstrated by biophysical studies on the wild-type polypeptide and representative mutants. Apolipoprotein C1 acts on lipoprotein receptors by inhibiting binding mediated by apolipoprotein E, and modulating the activities of several enzymes. Thus, apoC1 downregulates lipoprotein lipase, hepatic lipase, phospholipase A2, cholesterylester transfer protein, and activates lecithin-cholesterol acyl transferase. By controlling the plasma levels of lipids, apoC1 relates directly to cardiovascular physiology, but its activity extends beyond, to inflammation and immunity, sepsis, diabetes, cancer, viral infectivity, and—not last—to cognition. Such correlations were established based on studies using transgenic mice, associated in the recent years with GWAS, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses. The presence of a duplicate gene, pseudogene APOC1P, stimulated evolutionary studies and more recently, the regulatory properties of the corresponding non-coding RNA are steadily emerging. Nonetheless, this prototypical apolipoprotein is still underexplored and deserves further research for understanding its physiology and exploiting its therapeutic potential.
Mothers' Attitude and How It Influences Their Children's Behaviour During Their First Dental Visits Postawa matki i jej wpływ na zachowanie dziecka podczas pierwszej wizyty dentystycznej

Background. Many additional skills are required from the dentist to treat children. One of them is careful obser− vation of the mother and her child in the dental environment as well as the accurate evaluation of her emotional attitude and how it affects her child’s behaviour. The mother’s presence in the dental surgery during her child’s treatment, which in particular refers to little children, is necessary to establish and maintain appropriate rela− tions between the dentist and his/her patient. In addition, the changes taking place in our society enforce the par− ent’s presence in the dental surgery in the course of treatment. Appropriate assessment of mutual relations between the mother and her child enables the dentist to predict the child’s reactions to a scheduled dental treatment and makes it possible to employ the most efficient techniques of individual behaviour management. Objectives. The aim of this study was to assess mothers’ attitude during their children’s first dental visits. Material and Methods. In the study, 33 mothers and their children were involved. The little patients were seen in an especially prepared surgery by the same dentist using a standard tell−show−do adaptation method. The visits were videoed and analysed by three independent experts (psychologists). The mothers’ and their children’s atti− tudes were evaluated according to the criteria developed by the author. The results were statistically analysed and Pearson’s correlations were calculated. Results. The mothers’ and their children’s average ages were 27.1 ± 6.6 years and 23.6 ± 6.8 months respective− ly. During their first dental visits, most mothers and their children were sitting in the dental chair together. In more than a half of cases (57.6%), mothers manifested the cooperative attitude. Only 3% displayed the neutral one, whereas the rest of them showed the passive and impeding attitude. In the majority of the children, the precooper− ative attitude was observed. Conclusions. The mothers’ neutral attitude was significantly interrelated with the children’s co−operative attitude
Rapid Extraction Method of Mycobacterium ulcerans DNA from Clinical Samples of Suspected Buruli Ulcer Patients

Isothermal amplification techniques such as recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for diagnosing Buruli ulcer, a necrotic skin disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, have renewed hope for the molecular diagnosis of clinically suspected Buruli ulcer cases in endemic districts. If these techniques are applied at district-level hospitals or clinics, they will help facilitate early case detection with prompt treatment, thereby reducing disability and associated costs of disease management. The accuracy as well as the application of these molecular techniques at point of need is dependent on simple and fast DNA extraction. We have modified and tested a rapid extraction protocol for use with an already developed recombinase polymerase amplification assay. The entire procedure from “sample in, extraction and DNA amplification” was conducted in a mobile suitcase laboratory within 40 min. The DNA extraction procedure was performed within 15 min, with only two manipulation/pipetting steps needed. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of this extraction protocol together with M. ulcerans RPA in comparison with standard DNA extraction with real-time PCR was 87% (n = 26) and 100% (n = 13), respectively. We have established a simple, fast and efficient protocol for the extraction and detection of M. ulcerans DNA in clinical samples that is adaptable to field conditions.
Person–Work Mismatch, Retirement Context, and the Progression of Depressive Symptoms Over Mid-Later Years: A Dyadic Analysis of Couples in Enduring Marriages

Objectives: This study investigates how person–work mismatch (PWM) and subsequent pre-retirement work circumstances lead to poor mental health in later years for husbands and wives in enduring marriages. Methods: Data from 224 dual-earner couples in enduring marriages who participated over 27 years (1991–2015) in their middle to their later years were used to test the conceptual model. Results: PWM was related to depressive symptoms in middle years, which continued into later years (a cumulative pathway). In addition, PWM contributed to a stressful pre-retirement work context, which, in turn, influenced depressive symptoms in later years (a stress proliferation pathway). Partner effects were also noted between husbands and wives. Discussion: The present study enhances knowledge about how middle-aged couples’ PWM is related to their mental health in later years through their stressful pre-retirement work context with implications for national- and state-level policies.
A Glycoproteinaceous Secretion in the Seminal Vesicles of the Termite Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Coptotermes gestroi is a subterranean termite with colonies generally headed by a pair of primary reproductives, although neotenics may occur. In this study, the male reproductive system was compared during different life stages of nymphs, alates, neotenic reproductives, and kings of C. gestroi, focusing on the modifications of this system along the maturation of these individuals. The structure of the male reproductive system follows the pattern described for insects, although C. gestroi males do not exhibit conspicuous penises and differentiated accessory glands. In kings, each testis consisted of about seven lobes, significantly increased in size as compared to younger males. The spermatogenesis begins in third-instar nymphs, which already presented spermatozoa in the testes. The seminal vesicles are individualized in C. gestroi and have a secretory distal portion and a proximal portion with a role in spermatozoa storage. The secretion of the seminal vesicles is strongly periodic acid Schiff (PAS)-positive, whereas the xylidine Ponceau test revealed proteins that increase in quantity while the males become older. This is the first record of glycoproteins in the lumen of seminal vesicles in termites. Further studies will clarify how they are produced and interact in the physiology and nutrition of the non-flagellate spermatozoa of C. gestroi.
The global prevalence of dental healthcare needs and unmet dental needs among adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES Access to dental healthcare services is a major determinant of dental health in communities. This meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the global prevalence of dental needs and of unmet dental needs in adolescents. METHODS PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched in June 2018. The summary measures included the prevalence of met and unmet dental needs. A meta-analysis was performed using the inverse variance method to obtain pooled summary measures. Out of 41,661 retrieved articles, 57 were ultimately included. RESULTS The pooled prevalence of orthodontic treatment needs was 46.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 38.0 to 53.0), that of general treatment needs was 59.0% (95% CI, 42.0 to 75.0), that of periodontal treatment needs was 71.0% (95% CI, 46.0 to 96.0), and that of malocclusion treatment needs was 39.0% (95% CI, 28.0 to 50.0). The pooled prevalence of unmet dental needs was 34.0% (95% CI, 27.0 to 40.0). CONCLUSIONS The highest and lowest prevalence of unmet dental needs were found in Southeast Asia and Europe, respectively. The prevalence of dental needs was higher in the countries of the Americas and Europe than in other World Health Organization (WHO) regions. The prevalence of unmet dental needs was higher in Southeast Asia and Africa than in other WHO regions.
Multi-Segmented Nanowires: A High Tech Bright Future

In the last couple of decades, there has been a lot of progress in the synthesis methods of nano-structural materials, but still the field has a large number of puzzles to solve. Metal nanowires (NWs) and their alloys represent a sub category of the 1-D nano-materials and there is a large effort to study the microstructural, physical and chemical properties to use them for further industrial applications. Due to technical limitations of single component NWs, the hetero-structured materials gained attention recently. Among them, multi-segmented NWs are more diverse in applications, consisting of two or more segments that can perform multiple function at a time, which confer their unique properties. Recent advancement in characterization techniques has opened up new opportunities for understanding the physical properties of multi-segmented structures of 1-D nanomaterials. Since the multi-segmented NWs needs a reliable response from an external filed, numerous studies have been done on the synthesis of multi-segmented NWs to precisely control the physical properties of multi-segmented NWs. This paper highlights the electrochemical synthesis and physical properties of multi-segmented NWs, with a focus on the mechanical and magnetic properties by explaining the shape, microstructure, and composition of NWs.