Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Baseline Levels of Influenza-Specific B Cells and T Cell Responses Modulate Human Immune Responses to Swine Variant Influenza A/H3N2 Vaccine

The cellular immune responses elicited by an investigational vaccine against an emergent variant of influenza (H3N2v) are not fully understood. Twenty-five subjects, enrolled in an investigational influenza A/H3N2v vaccine study, who received two doses of vaccine 21 days apart, were included in a sub-study of cellular immune responses. H3N2v-specific plasmablasts were determined by ELISpot 8 days after each vaccine dose and H3N2v specific CD4+ T cells were quantified by intracellular cytokine and CD154 (CD40 ligand) staining before vaccination, 8 and 21 days after each vaccine dose. Results: 95% (19/20) and 96% (24/25) subjects had pre-existing H3N2v specific memory B, and T cell responses, respectively. Plasmablast responses at Day 8 after the first vaccine administration were detected against contemporary H3N2 strains and correlated with hemagglutination inhibition HAI (IgG: p = 0.018; IgA: p < 0.001) and Neut (IgG: p = 0.038; IgA: p = 0.021) titers and with memory B cell frequency at baseline (IgA: r = 0.76, p < 0.001; IgG: r = 0.74, p = 0.0001). The CD4+ T cells at Days 8 and 21 expanded after prime vaccination and this expansion correlated strongly with early post-vaccination HAI and Neut titers (p ≤ 0.002). In an adult population, the rapid serological response observed after initial H3N2v vaccination correlates with post-vaccination plasmablasts and CD4+ T cell responses.
Actin Depolymerizing Factor Modulates Rhizobial Infection and Nodule Organogenesis in Common Bean

Actin plays a critical role in the rhizobium–legume symbiosis. Cytoskeletal rearrangements and changes in actin occur in response to Nod factors secreted by rhizobia during symbiotic interactions with legumes. These cytoskeletal rearrangements are mediated by diverse actin-binding proteins, such as actin depolymerization factors (ADFs). We examined the function of an ADF in the Phaseolus vulgaris–rhizobia symbiotic interaction (PvADFE). PvADFE was preferentially expressed in rhizobia-inoculated roots and nodules. PvADFE promoter activity was associated with root hairs harbouring growing infection threads, cortical cell divisions beneath root hairs, and vascular bundles in mature nodules. Silencing of PvADFE using RNA interference increased the number of infection threads in the transgenic roots, resulting in increased nodule number, nitrogen fixation activity, and average nodule diameter. Conversely, overexpression of PvADFE reduced the nodule number, nitrogen fixation activity, average nodule diameter, as well as NODULE INCEPTION (NIN) and EARLY NODULIN2 (ENOD2) transcript accumulation. Hence, changes in ADFE transcript levels affect rhizobial infection and nodulation, suggesting that ADFE is fine-tuning these processes.
Rice OsHSFA3 Gene Improves Drought Tolerance by Modulating Polyamine Biosynthesis Depending on Abscisic Acid and ROS Levels

Drought is a serious problem, which causes heavy yield losses for rice. Heat-shock factors (HSFs) had been implicated in tolerance to drought and high temperature. However, there has not been much functional characterization and mechanism clarification in rice. Previously, we found an HSF gene, OsHSFA3, was highly related with drought tolerance after screening from 10,000 different samples. Herein, we cloned the OsHSFA3 from rice and overexpressed it in Arabidopsis thaliana to study its regulatory mechanism of drought tolerance. Phenotypic and physiological assays of the transgenic Arabidopsis lines showed that overexpression of OsHSFA3 confers drought tolerance by reducing water loss and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, whereas it increases abscisic acid (ABA) levels. However, enzymatic antioxidants such as activity levels of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase were not significantly different between wild type and transgenic lines. Instead, we observed a significant increase in polyamine content, which was correlated with increased AtADC1, AtADC2, SPDS1 and SPMS expression levels. In silico and in vivo analyses confirmed that OsHSFA3 is a nuclear-localized gene. In addition, OsHSFA3 can bind to the promoter of AtADC1 and OsADC via a yeast one-hybrid assay. Overall, this study reveals that OsHSFA3 improves drought tolerance in Arabidopsis not only by increasing ABA levels, but also by modulating polyamine levels to maintain ROS homeostasis, therefore it could be a strong candidate to develop drought-tolerant rice cultivars.
Time to debridement in open high-grade lower limb fractures and its effect on union and infections: A prospective study in a tropical setting

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate whether time to debridement has any correlation with union, infection, and quality of life in high-grade lower limb fractures in a tropical setting. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary care center in South India. Two hundred fifty-four adult skeletally mature patients with 301 grade 3 fractures involving the femur, tibia, or fibula were recruited. The cohort was empirically divided into two groups (early and late) based on the time to debridement (less than or more than 12 h from injury). Outcome: The primary outcome was nonunion. Secondary outcomes were deep infection rates and patients’ quality of life. Short form-36 (SF-36) and short musculoskeletal functional assessment (SMFA) questionnaires were also used. Patients were followed up for 9 months. Results: The follow-up rate was 93%. The late group had a significantly higher risk of nonunion (odds ratio(OR): 6.5, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.82–14.95) and infections (OR: 6.05, 95% CI: 2.85–12.82). There was a 4% increase in the infection risk for each hour of delay for the initial 50 h (p < 0.0001). SF-36 and SMFA scores were superior in the early group (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The study contradicts findings reported in the literature from the West. Our study was in agreement with our hypothesis and proved that debridement within 12 h resulted in significantly lower rates of nonunion and infections and an overall improved quality of life in high-grade open lower limb fractures in a developing country. Level of evidence: Level II Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00015186
Feasibility and reliability of continuously monitoring alcohol use among female adolescents and young adults.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Transdermal alcohol sensors allow objective, continuous monitoring and have potential to expand current research on adolescent and young adult alcohol use. The purpose of this manuscript is to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of transdermal alcohol sensor use among female adolescents as compared to female young adults. DESIGN AND METHODS This trial included 59 female adolescents and young adults aged 14-24 years who reported drinking during the previous month. All participants were asked to wear a Giner Wrist Transdermal Alcohol Sensor (WrisTAS)-7 over a 1 month prospective study. Participants came to the research lab weekly to complete a detailed self-report of behaviours, including day of drinking events, amounts and types of alcohol use and length of drinking events. Estimates of blood alcohol concentration (eBAC) were computed from self-report data using the Matthew and Miller, NHTSA and Zhang equations. Daily transdermal alcohol concentration (TAC) peaks and calculated eBAC peak data were analysed with paired-samples t-tests and repeated measures correlations for validity comparisons. RESULTS All participants (100%, n = 59) completed the trial, however, two participants were removed due to greater than 50% of missing transdermal alcohol sensor data. Of the 57 participants, the data included 1,722 days of continuous alcohol monitoring. Missing data was recorded more frequently among female adolescents at about (11.78%) as compared to female young adults (8.59%; χ2 = -18.40, P < 0.001). Participant self-report of drinking occurred with greater frequency (374 events) than detected by the WrisTAS transdermal alcohol sensors (243 events). On days when self-report and sensor data indicated a drinking event, participants' eBAC was moderately correlated with TAC, after accounting for repeated measures. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS This study finds that transdermal alcohol sensors are moderately reliable when sensor data is paired with self-report. This objective data collection method may improve the ability to collect alcohol curves among adolescents.
The history of septin biology and bacterial infection

Investigation of cytoskeleton during bacterial infection has significantly contributed to both cell and infection biology. Bacterial pathogens Listeria monocytogenes and Shigella flexneri are widely recognised as paradigms for investigation of the cytoskeleton during bacterial entry, actin‐based motility, and cell‐autonomous immunity. At the turn of the century, septins were a poorly understood component of the cytoskeleton mostly studied in the context of yeast cell division and human cancer. In 2002, a screen performed in the laboratory of Pascale Cossart identified septin family member MSF (MLL septin‐like fusion, now called SEPT9) associated with L. monocytogenes entry into human epithelial cells. These findings inspired the investigation of septins during L. monocytogenes and S. flexneri infection at the Institut Pasteur, illuminating important roles for septins in host–microbe interactions. In this review, we revisit the history of septin biology and bacterial infection, and discuss how the comparative study of L. monocytogenes and S. flexneri has been instrumental to understand septin roles in cellular homeostasis and host defence.
Prognostic Values of Baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT in Patients with Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma

Purpose In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether the metabolic parameters on baseline 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) could be used to predict prognosis in peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL). Methods A total of 51 nodal PTCL patients who underwent baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT were retrospectively evaluated in the present study. Total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) were also assessed. Besides, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network International Prognostic Index (NCCN-IPI) was also included. Log-rank test and Cox regression analysis were used to evaluate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results The median follow-up was 18 months. Patients with low TLG, TMTV, and SUVmax levels had a significantly better clinical outcome than those with high TLG, TMTV, and SUVmax levels. The 2-year PFS rates of the high- and low-TMTV groups were 34.62% and 80%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 46.15% and 84.00%, respectively (n = 10), intermediate-risk group with TMTV > 62.405 or NCCN-IPI score of 4-8 (2-year PFS and OS were 52.4% and 66.7%, respectively, n = 10), intermediate-risk group with TMTV > 62.405 or NCCN-IPI score of 4-8 (2-year PFS and OS were 52.4% and 66.7%, respectively, n = 10), intermediate-risk group with TMTV > 62.405 or NCCN-IPI score of 4-8 (2-year PFS and OS were 52.4% and 66.7%, respectively, Conclusions Baseline TMTV and TLG were independent predictors of PFS and OS in PTCL patients, and SUVmax and NCCN-IPI scores were also independent predictors of OS. Moreover, the combination of TMTV and NCCN-IPI scores improved patient risk-stratification at the initial stage and might contribute to the adjustment of the therapeutic regime. This trial is registered with ChiCTR1900025526.
A Population-Based Propensity Score-Matched Study to Assess the Impact of Repeated Vaccination on Vaccine Effectiveness for Influenza-Associated Hospitalization Among the Elderly

Background Influenza is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly worldwide. Influenza vaccination can prevent morbidity/mortality from influenza infection. A gap of 1–2 years, before an epidemic strain is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be the vaccine strain in Southeast Asia, has been reported; this results in a high rate of vaccine mismatch and excess influenza-associated morbidity. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of repeated vaccination on vaccine effectiveness (VE) among the elderly in Taiwan, during years with and without early appearance of antigenically drifted strains. Methods A historical cohort study was conducted to evaluate the impact of repeated vaccination on the reduction of influenza-associated hospitalization among persons older than 64 years over two influenza seasons: 2007–08, with all circulating virus strains mismatched, and 2008–09, with all virus strains matched with the vaccine strains, considering four exposure effects, namely current vaccine effect, sequential vaccination effect, residual protection effect and no vaccination effect. Propensity score matching on vaccination status was performed to ensure similar baseline characteristics between the groups that received and did not receive vaccination. Results Only current-year vaccination in combination with prior history of annual revaccination significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization, with adjusted hazard ratios of 0.68 (95% CI: 0.54, 0.85) and 0.74 (95% CI: 0.57, 0.95) during the 2007–08 and 2008–09 influenza seasons, respectively. Further stratification showed that even during the 2007–08 influenza season, when all vaccinations were mismatched with the circulating strains, sequential vaccinations still significantly reduced influenza-associated hospitalization in the female population aged 68–74 and 75–84 years, with adjusted VE of 25.2% (95% CI: −9.6, 49.0%) and 36.9% (95% CI: 17.1, 52.0%), respectively. Conclusion Our study supports the recommendation of annual revaccination against influenza in the elderly, even though the circulating strain of influenza virus was antigenically mismatched with the vaccine strains.
Admixture mapping of asthma in southwestern Europeans with North African ancestry influences.

The prevalence of asthma symptoms in Canary Islanders, a southwestern European population from Spain, is almost three times higher than the country average. Because the genetic risks identified so far explain less than 5% of asthma heritability, here we aimed to discover new asthma loci by completing the first admixture mapping study in the Canary Islands leveraging their distinctive genetic makeup, where significant Northwest African influences co-exist in the European genetic diversity landscape. A two-stage study was conducted in 1,491 unrelated individuals self-declaring having a Canary Islands origin for the four grandparents. Local ancestry estimates were obtained for the shared positions with reference data from putative ancestral populations from Europe, North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. Case-control deviations in local ancestry were tested for each ancestry separately using logistic regressions adjusting for principal components, followed by fine mapping analyses based on imputed genotypes and of analyses of the likely deleterious exonic variants. The admixture mapping analysis of asthma detected that local North African ancestry in a locus spanning 365 kb of chromosome 16q23.3 associated with asthma risk at study-wide significance (lowest p=1.12x10-4; OR=2.05; 95%CI=1.41-3.00). Fine mapping studies identified a variant associated with asthma and results were replicated in independent samples (rs3852738, OR=1.34; 95%CI=1.13-1.59, p=7.58x10-4). Whole-exome sequencing data from a subset of individuals revealed an enrichment of likely deleterious variants among asthma cases in 16q23.3, particularly in the PLCG2 gene (p=3.67x10-4). By completing the first mapping study of asthma in admixed populations from Europe, our results revealed a new plausible asthma locus.
Influence of Grip Width and Anthropometric Characteristics on the Bench-Press Load-Velocity Relationship.

PURPOSE To compare the load-velocity (L-V) relationship between bench-press exercises performed using 4 different grip widths, to determine the association between the anthropometric characteristics and L-V profile, and to explore whether a multiple linear-regression model with movement velocity and subjects' anthropometric characteristics as predictor variables could increase the goodness of fit of the individualized L-V relationship. METHODS The individual L-V relationship of 20 men was evaluated by means of an incremental loading test during the bench-press exercise performed on a Smith machine using narrow, medium, wide, and self-selected grip widths. Simple and multiple linear-regression models were performed. RESULTS The mean velocity associated with each relative load did not differ among the 4 grip widths (P ≥ .130). Only body height and total arm length were correlated with the mean velocity associated with light and medium loads (r ≥ .464). A slightly higher variance of the velocity attained at each relative load was explained when some anthropometric characteristics were used as predictor variables along with the movement velocity (r2 = .969 [.965-.973]) in comparison with the movement velocity alone (r2 = .966 [.955-.968]). However, the amount of variance explained by the individual L-V relationships was always higher than with the multiple linear-regression models (r2 = .995 [.985-1.000]). CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that the individual determination of the L-V relationship using a self-selected grip width could be recommended to monitor relative loads in the Smith machine bench-press exercise.
Patient Report of Recurrent and Persistent Thyroid Cancer.

BACKGROUND Despite the excellent survival of most patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), recurrent and persistent disease remain major concerns for physicians and patients. However, studies on patient report of recurrent and persistent disease are lacking. METHODS Between February 1, 2017 and October 31, 2018 we surveyed eligible patients who were diagnosed with DTC between 2014 and 2015 from the Georgia and Los Angeles Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registries (N=2,632; response rate, 63%). Patients who reported current disease status were included in this study (n=2,454). Patient reported data were linked to registry data. A multivariable, multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine patient and tumor characteristics associated with recurrent and persistent thyroid cancer. Quality of life was evaluated using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)-Global Health v1.2 questionnaire. Meaningful change in global health was defined as a minimal difference of a half standard deviation or 5 points compared with the mean (T score=50) of a sample population matching the United States 2000 General Census. RESULTS Of the 2,454 patients completing the survey, 95 (4.1%) reported recurrent disease and 137 (5.8%) reported persistent disease. In multinomial analyses, T3/T4 classification and cervical lymph node involvement (N1) were associated with both report of recurrent (adjusted relative risk ratio (RRR) 1.99, 95% CI 1.16-3.42; adjusted RRR 2.03, 95% CI 1.29-3.21, respectively) and persistent disease (adjusted RRR 3.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.96-6.20; adjusted RRR 3.56, 95% CI 2.41-5.24, respectively). Additionally, Hispanic ethnicity was associated with report of recurrent disease (adjusted RRR 1.99, 95% CI 1.23-3.24). Regarding quality of life, the median scores in patients with persistent disease met criteria for meaningful change in global physical health (T-score=44.9) and global mental health (T-score=43.5), when compared to the general population norms. Median scores in patients with cured or recurrent disease did not meet criteria for meaningful change. CONCLUSIONS Patient report is a reasonable method of assessing recurrent and persistent disease. Impact on quality of life is more marked for patients with reported persistent disease. Our findings will help personalize treatment and long-term follow up in these patients.
Footprint Curvature in Spanish Women: Implications for Footwear Fit

The incorrect adjustment of footwear produces alterations in the foot that affect quality of life. The usual measurements for shoe design are lengths, widths and girths, but these measures are insufficient. The foot presents an angle between the forefoot and the rearfoot in the transverse plane, which is associated with foot pronation, hallux valgus and metatarsus adductus. Here, we aimed at identifying the groups formed by the angulations between the forefoot and rearfoot using a sample of footprints from 102 Spanish women. The angle between the forefoot and rearfoot was measured according to the method described by Bunch. A cluster analysis was performed using the K-means algorithm. Footprints were grouped into three types: curved, semi-curved and straight, according to the degrees of angulation between the forefoot and rearfoot. There is great variability in the morphology of the foot. Based on our findings, to achieve a better footwear fit, we propose the manufacture of three types of lasts with different curvatures.
3D Printing of Pharmaceuticals and Drug Delivery Devices

The process of 3D printing (3DP) was patented in 1986; however, the research in the field of 3DP did not become popular until the last decade. There has been an increasing research into the areas of 3DP for medical applications for fabricating prosthetics, bioprinting and pharmaceutics. This novel method allows the manufacture of dosage forms on demand, with modifications in the geometry and size resulting in changes to the release and dosage behaviour of the product. 3DP will allow wider adoption of personalised medicine due to the diversity and simplicity to change the design and dosage of the products, allowing the devices to be designed specific to the individual with the ability to alternate the drugs added to the product. Personalisation also has the potential to decrease the common side effects associated with generic dosage forms. This Special Issue Editorial outlines the current innovative research surrounding the topic of 3DP, focusing on bioprinting and various types of 3DP on applications for drug delivery as well advantages and future directions in this field of research.