Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outcome of Stroke Patients with Cancer and Nonbacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis

Background and Purpose Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) is a cause of stroke in cancer. However, clinical characteristics and outcomes in stroke patients with cancer-associated NBTE are not well known. Methods We included consecutive patients with stroke and active cancer over a 9-year period who underwent echocardiography. We retrospectively compared clinical characteristics and presence of metastasis between patients with NBTE, those with cryptogenic etiologies, and those with determined etiologies. We also investigated mortality and stroke events during the 6-month follow-up. Results Among the 245 patients, 20 had NBTE, 96 had cryptogenic etiologies, and 129 had determined etiologies. Metastasis was seen in all 20 patients (100%) with NBTE, 69.8% in patients with cryptogenic etiology, and 48.8% in patients with or determined etiology. During the 6-month follow-up, 127 patients (51.8%) developed stroke and/or died (death in 110 [44.9%] and stroke events in 55 [22.4%]). Patients with NBTE showed significantly higher mortality (80%) and stroke occurrence (50%) than those with cryptogenic etiologies (mortality 54.2%, stroke 25.0%, log-rank P=0.006) and determined etiologies (mortality 32.6%, stroke 16.3%, log-rank P<0.001). In a multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis, the presence of NBTE was independently associated with composite outcomes of mortality and stroke events (hazard ratio, 1.941; 95% confidence interval, 1.052 to 3.690). Conclusions NBTE should be suspected as a potential cause of stroke in patients with metastatic cancer. Patients with NBTE have a high risk of recurrent stroke and mortality. Future studies are necessary to determine strategies to reduce stroke recurrence in patients with NBTE.
Evaluation of Seed and Fruit Powders of Capsicum annum and Capsicum frutescens for Control of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) in Stored Cowpea and Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch) in Stored Maize

Capsicum annum and Capsicum frutescens fruit and seed powders were evaluated in the laboratory for the control of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) in stored cowpea and Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky in stored maize. Capsicum frutescens seed powder and Capsicum annum seed powder dust were toxic to C. maculatus and S . zeamais at the rate of 5.0g, 7.5g and 5.0g, per 50g cowpea and 50g maize within 48hrs and 96hrs respectively. This paper highlights the potential of C. frutescens and C. annum seed powders as seed protectants against the test bruhids at higher rates, than their ineffective fruit powders in all parameters assessed.
o-Azophenylboronic Acid-based Colorimetric Sensors for D-Fructose: o-Azophenylboronic Acids with Inserted Protic Solvent are the Key Species for a Large Color Change.

Many boronic acid-based chemosensors for saccharides have been developed, however, their detection mechanisms have seldom been studied. In this study, we synthesized ten o-azophenylboronic acid derivatives (azoBs), and conducted a fundamental study on the reactivity and the sensing mechanism of azoBs, which undergoes a large color change, e.g., from red to yellow, upon reaction with saccharides. Their pH-independent formation constants were determined by spectrophotometric titration and then converted to the conditional formation constant K' at pH 7.4. A linear free energy relationship was established between log K' and the pKa of azoB. 11B NMR measurements indicate that in aprotic solvents, azoB forms a trigonal planar structure, while in protic solvents, it forms a quasi-tetrahedral structure (azoB-ROH) with a protic solvent molecule (ROH) inserted between the boronic acid moiety and the azo group. In addition, UV-Vis spectroscopic studies showed that the color change during the reaction between azoB and D-fructose in ROH was caused by the release of the ROH from azoB-ROH by D-fructose. Based on the findings in this study, we proposed a guideline for designing an azoB-based chemosensor that exhibits a high reactivity toward saccharide and a sufficient color change to allow for the visual detection of saccharides.
Depletion of the DarG antitoxin in Mycobacterium tuberculosis triggers the DNA‐damage response and leads to cell death

Of the ~80 putative toxin‐antitoxin (TA) modules encoded by the bacterial pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), three contain antitoxins essential for bacterial viability. One of these, Rv0060 (DNA ADP‐ribosyl glycohydrolase, DarGMtb), functions along with its cognate toxin Rv0059 (DNA ADP‐ribosyl transferase, DarTMtb), to mediate reversible DNA ADP‐ribosylation (Jankevicius et al., 2016). We demonstrate that DarTMtb‐DarGMtb form a functional TA pair and essentiality of darGMtb is dependent on the presence of darTMtb, but simultaneous deletion of both darTMtb‐darGMtb does not alter viability of Mtb in vitro or in mice. The antitoxin, DarGMtb, forms a cytosolic complex with DNA‐repair proteins that assembles independently of either DarTMtb or interaction with DNA. Depletion of DarGMtb alone is bactericidal, a phenotype that is rescued by expression of an orthologous antitoxin, DarGTaq, from Thermus aquaticus. Partial depletion of DarGMtb triggers a DNA‐damage response and sensitizes Mtb to drugs targeting DNA metabolism and respiration. Induction of the DNA‐damage response is essential for Mtb to survive partial DarGMtb‐depletion and leads to a hypermutable phenotype.
Host and Parasite Transcriptomic Changes upon Successive Plasmodium falciparum Infections in Early Childhood

We show that dual RNA-seq from patient blood samples allows characterization of host/parasite interactions during malaria infections and can provide a solid framework to study the acquisition of antimalarial immunity, as well as the adaptations of P. falciparum to malaria-experienced hosts. ABSTRACT Children are highly susceptible to clinical malaria, and in regions where malaria is endemic, their immune systems must face successive encounters with Plasmodium falciparum parasites before they develop immunity, first against severe disease and later against uncomplicated malaria. Understanding cellular and molecular interactions between host and parasites during an infection could provide insights into the processes underlying this gradual acquisition of immunity, as well as to how parasites adapt to infect hosts that are successively more malaria experienced. Here, we describe methods to analyze the host and parasite gene expression profiles generated simultaneously from blood samples collected from five consecutive symptomatic P. falciparum infections in three Malian children. We show that the data generated enable statistical assessment of the proportions of (i) each white blood cell subset and (ii) the parasite developmental stages, as well as investigations of host-parasite gene coexpression. We also use the sequences generated to analyze allelic variations in transcribed regions and determine the complexity of each infection. While limited by the modest sample size, our analyses suggest that host gene expression profiles primarily clustered by individual, while the parasite gene expression profiles seemed to differentiate early from late infections. Overall, this study provides a solid framework to examine the mechanisms underlying acquisition of immunity to malaria infections using whole-blood transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq). IMPORTANCE We show that dual RNA-seq from patient blood samples allows characterization of host/parasite interactions during malaria infections and can provide a solid framework to study the acquisition of antimalarial immunity, as well as the adaptations of P. falciparum to malaria-experienced hosts.
Metabolic Signatures of 10 Processed and Non-processed Meat Products after In Vitro Digestion

The intake of processed meat has been associated with several adverse health outcomes such as type II diabetes and cancer; however, the mechanisms are not fully understood. A better knowledge of the metabolite profiles of different processed and non-processed meat products from this heterogeneous food group could help in elucidating the mechanisms associated with these health effects. Thirty-three different commercial samples of ten processed and non-processed meat products were digested in triplicate with a standardized static in vitro digestion method in order to mimic profiles of small molecules formed in the gut upon digestion. A metabolomics approach based on high-resolution mass spectrometry was used to identify metabolite profiles specific to the various meat products. Processed meat products showed metabolite profiles clearly distinct from those of non-processed meat. Several discriminant features related to either specific ingredients or processing methods were identified. Those were, in particular, syringol compounds deposited in meat during smoking, biogenic amines formed during meat fermentation and piperine and related compounds characteristic of pepper used as an ingredient. These metabolites, characteristic of specific processed meat products, might be used as potential biomarkers of intake for these foods. They may also help in understanding the mechanisms linking processed meat intake and adverse health outcomes such as cancer.
BOOK REVIEWS

This is a fascinating, original, extremely ambitious, quirky and ultimately flawed book. Jean Aitchison, Emeritus Rupert Murdoch Professor of Language and Communication at Oxford University, is spot on with her main thesis. Journalism is too often seen as a ‘‘low’’ form of literature associated with hackery, Grub Street, trivia, sleaze and sensationalism (compared to the glories of ‘‘high’’ literature: fiction, drama, philosophy and so on). She is able to quote John Stuart Mill denouncing journalism as ‘‘the vilest and most degrading of all trades’’*and many other such attacks. But these views are unfair, argues Aitchison. Journalists are, in fact, skilled ‘‘word-weavers’’ whose writing draws on sophisticated techniques. To support her argument, she delves, somewhat amazingly, into the esoteric depths of literary history: the origins of language; early oral traditions, Greek poetry and old English ballads (which, she says, ‘‘are part of the Indo-European bardic tradition’’). More than this, she traces the origins of writing and numerosity. This is certainly not the usual fare of journalism textbooks. Boldly, she moves on to track the formation of the alphabet and spelling, quoting Winnie the Pooh here: ‘‘My spelling is Wobbly. It’s good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places’’. And this section ends, following a detour around Saussure’s literary theories, fully up to date with a look at text messaging. She covers more well-trodden territory when tackling the ‘‘birth of journalism’’: broadsheets, chapbooks, newsbooks and finally the daily newspapers. But when she moves on to dissecting modern-day journalistic writing techniques there is a distinct feeling of dèja vu: so much of the material having already been covered in countless journalism textbooks. So we traipse down predictable pathways: Rudyard Kipling’s ‘‘six honest serving men’’ (who, what, where, why, when and how); the ‘‘inverted pyramid’’ structure of news; the human interest focus; clarity of expression (Orwell’s much quoted rules come in useful here) and so on. However, Aitchison’s idiosyncratic spin emerges again when she prefaces an examination of journalists’ use of metaphor with a close examination of poetic structures. She writes somewhat obliquely: ‘‘Classical Greek and Latin had rhythmic metres which interleaved long and short syllables. English uses strong versus light syllables’’. Ultimately, Aitchison is attempting too much in this text. A late chapter examines the ‘‘role of journalism’’ but it’s all rather twee. For instance, she concludes: ‘‘As a first approximation, News is anything that makes a reader say ‘‘Gee whiz’’. But at a less superficial level, news is likely to be events which reaffirm accepted values in the society in which the readers live, for example that murder and theft are wrong, that criminals should be punished and that children should be looked after. ’’ No mention here of propaganda, the ideological power of the mass media and the crucial positioning of newspapers within dominant national and international economic structures.
Albendazole-Schisandrin B Co-Therapy on Angiostrongylus cantonensis-Induced Meningoencephalitis in Mice

Currently, Angiostrongylus cantonensis infections are predominantly treated with albendazole. However, the use of albendazole can provoke certain neurological symptoms as a result of the immune response triggered by the dead worms. Therefore, treatment usually involves co-administration of corticosteroids to limit the inflammatory reaction. Corticosteroids play a useful role in suppressing inflammation in the brain; however, long-term usage or high dosage may make it problematic.Schisandrin B, an active ingredient from Schisandra chinensis, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects on the brain. This study aimed to investigate the effects and potential of schisandrin B in combination with albendazole to treat Angiostrongylus-induced meningoencephalitis. Here, we show that albendazole-schisandrin B co-treatment suppressed neuroinflammation in Angiostrongylus-infected mice and increased the survival of the mice. Accordingly, albendazole-schisandrin B co-treatment significantly inhibited inflammasome activation, pyroptosis, and apoptosis. The sensorimotor functions of the mice were also repaired after albendazole-schisandrin B treatment. Immune response was shown to shift from Th2 to Th1, which reduces inflammation and enhances immunity against A. cantonensis. Collectively, our study showed that albendazole-schisandrin B co-therapy may be used as an encouraging treatment for Angiostrongylus-induced meningoencephalitis.
Different Biomarker Kinetics in Critically Ill Patients with High Lactate Levels

We evaluated the association of the kinetics of interleukin-6 (IL-6), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) with intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in critically ill patients with hyperlactatemia. This proof-of-concept study was conducted with prospectively enrolled patients admitted to a medical/surgical ICU with hyperlactatemia (lactate levels >4 mmol/L). Blood lactate, IL-6, NGAL, and HMGB1 were measured every 2 h until 6 h post ICU admission. The primary outcome was ICU mortality. Of thirty patients in this study, 14 patients (47%) had sepsis, and the ICU mortality was 47%. IL-6 and NGAL levels were significantly higher in septic patients than in non-septic patients. On kinetic analysis, the lactate levels were significantly decreased in survivors, and the NGAL levels were significantly increased in non-survivors. Among septic patients, a decline in IL-6 levels were observed in survivors. The HMGB1 levels were unchanged in survivors and non-survivors regardless of sepsis complication. Non-septic patients with higher reduction rate of lactate and HMGB1 had the lowest mortality than the others. ICU patients exhibited different kinetic patterns in lactate, NGAL, and IL-6, but HMGB1 did not seem to change over the 6-h duration. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the efficacy of the combination of the inflammatory biomarkers with lactate.
Measuring and reporting treatment adherence: What can we learn by comparing two respiratory conditions?

Medication non‐adherence, defined as any deviation from the regimen recommended by their healthcare provider, can increase morbidity, mortality and side effects, while reducing effectiveness. Through studying two respiratory conditions, asthma and tuberculosis (TB), we thoroughly review the current understanding of the measurement and reporting of medication adherence. In this paper, we identify major methodological issues in the standard ways that adherence has been conceptualised, defined and studied in asthma and TB. Between and within the two diseases there are substantial variations in adherence reporting, linked to differences in dosing intervals and treatment duration. Critically, the communicable nature of TB has resulted in dose‐by‐dose monitoring becoming a recommended treatment standard. Through the lens of these similarities and contrasts, we highlight contemporary shortcomings in the generalised conceptualisation of medication adherence. Furthermore, we outline elements in which knowledge could be directly transferred from one condition to the other, such as the application of large‐scale cost‐effective monitoring methods in TB to resource‐poor settings in asthma. To develop a more robust evidence‐based approach, we recommend the use of standard taxonomies detailed in the ABC taxonomy when measuring and discussing adherence. Regimen and intervention development and use should be based on sufficient evidence of the commonality and type of adherence behaviours displayed by patients with the relevant condition. A systematic approach to the measurement and reporting of adherence could improve the value and generalisability of research across all health conditions.
ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW PHYTOPLASMA SUBGROUP, 16SRI-Q, TO ACCOMMODATE A PREVIOUSLY UNDESCRIBED PHYTOPLASMA FOUND IN DISEASED CHERRY IN LITHUANIA

Symptoms of shoot proliferation and abnormally small leaves were observed in diseased sour cherry (Cerasus vulgaris Mill., syn. Prunus cerasus L.) affected by cherry little leaf (ChLL) disease on the Neringa peninsula, Lithuania. Amplification of phytoplasma characteristic 16S rDNA from the diseased cherry indicated infection by a phytoplasma. On the basis of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and nucleotide sequence analysis of 16S rDNA amplified by PCR, the ChLL phytoplasma was classified in group 16SrI (aster yellows phytoplasma group), new subgroup 16SrI-Q. Results from phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that ChLL phytoplasma was related to ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ and may represent a distinct phytoplasma lineage.
Photocatalytic Methylene Blue Degradation of Electrospun Ti–Zn Complex Oxide Nanofibers

Photocatalysts are the most important technology in air pollution removal and the detoxification of organic materials. Doping and complexation are among the most used methods to improve the efficiency of photocatalysts. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanomaterials are widely used materials for photocatalysts and the degradation of toxic materials. Their mixed structure can be fabricated by many methods and the structure affects their properties. Nanofibers are efficient materials for photocatalysts due to their vertically formed structure, which improves the charge separation of photoelectrons. We fabricated them by an electrospinning process. A precursor consisting of titanium 4-isopropoxide, zinc acetate dihydrate and polyvinylpyrrolidone was used as a spinning solution for a mixed structure of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide with different molar ratios. They were then calcined, crystallized by heat treatment and analyzed by thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscope (EDS). After annealing, the average diameters of the Ti–Zn complex oxide nanofibers were 237.6–278.6 nm with different salt ratios, and multiple crystalline structures were observed, namely TiO2, ZnO, ZnTiO3 and Zn2TiO4. We observed the photocatalytic performance of the samples and compared them according to the photodegradation of methylene blue. The methylene blue concentration decreased to 0.008–0.650 after three hours, compared to an initial concentration of 1, with different metal oxide structures.
Intervertebral Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine in Health Personnel with Occupational Exposure to Patient Handling—A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Lifting or carrying loads or working while the trunk is in a bent position are well established risk factors for the development of disc disease of the lumbar spine (LDD). Patient handling is associated with certain hazardous activities, which can result in exposure to heavy loads and high pressure for the discs of the lumbar spine of the nurses performing these tasks. The purpose of this review was to examine the occurrence of work-related LDD among health personnel (HP) with occupational exposure to patient handling activities in comparison to un-exposed workers. A systematic literature search was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science. A meta-analysis of odds ratios (OR) was conducted by stratifying for various factors. Five studies reported a higher prevalence for LDD among nurses and geriatric nurses (11.3–96.3%) compared to all controls (3.78–76.47%). Results of the meta-analysis showed a significantly increased OR for LDD among HP compared to all controls (OR 2.45; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.41, 4.26). In particular, the results of this review suggest that nurses have a higher probability of developing disc herniation than office workers.
Interactions of Class I Homeodomain Leucine Zipper Proteins

This study investigate a class of transcription factors, the homeodomain leucine-zipper proteins of class I, which are implicated in the response to very low temperatures and other stress responses. It is based on the same idea the writing is based on: although we only have 26 characters, we are able to write hundreds of thousands of words by putting them together. This family of transcription factors seem to be able to increase the number of effects in a similar way: by varying interactions with each other.
Influence of an Aquatic Therapy Program on Perceived Pain, Stress, and Quality of Life in Chronic Stroke Patients: A Randomized Trial

Pain and depressive states may have a negative impact on the quality of life of individuals with stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a program of Ai Chi aquatic therapy on pain, depression, and quality of life in a sample of people with stroke. Forty-five participants received physiotherapy treatment on dry land (control group), an experimental group received aquatic Ai Chi therapy, and a combined therapy group received alternating sessions of physiotherapy on dry land and aquatic Ai Chi therapy. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scale for pain, the resilience scale, and the SF-36 quality of life scale were used as outcome measures. Statistically significant differences were found in the experimental group and the combined intervention group for post treatment pain and resilience (p < 0.001). Concerning the SF-36, statistically significant changes (p < 0.01) were found in the experimental group and the combined therapy group for all items except general health, vitality, and social function, where no between group differences were observed (p = 0.001). In conclusion, physical exercise performed in water has positive effects on several factors that contribute towards improving the mood and quality of life of people with acquired brain injury.