Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reconstruction of the superficial femoral vessels with muscle flap coverage for soft tissue sarcomas of the proximal thigh

Surgical resection of soft tissue sarcoma with a margin of healthy tissue may necessitate resection and reconstruction of major blood vessels together with soft tissues of the proximal thigh to preserve the limb. The long‐term functional outcomes of these reconstructions remain unestablished. The aim of this report was to assess the vascular and functional outcomes of soft tissue sarcoma patients with femoral vessel reconstructions.
Relationship between 1RM back squat test results and explosive movements in professional basketball players

The objectives of this study were related to the research of the relations between the abilities of professional basketball players in the performance of one repetition maximum (1RM) back squat and explosive movements, such as 5, 10 and 20-metre running, and vertical jump; as well as the detection and comparison of these abilities between players who play on the outside and inside positions. The study involved 35 professional basketball players (22 outside and 13 inside) who were selected as candidates for the national team of Bulgaria. Independent variables of muscular strength were obtained by applying the 1RM back squat test (142.06 ± 29.31 kg), and were normalized with respect to the body mass (1RM Squat/kg (1.51 ± 0.25)) and by applying suitable allometric exponent (1RM SquatAl (6.86 ± 1.16)). Dependent variables were obtained using two tests: 20-metre run (times registered at 5 and 10 metres) and vertical jump (used to calculate the variable peak anaerobic power (PAPW)). The results indicated that none of the variables of strength were significantly related to the speed performance, while moderate correlations occurred between the normalized strength variables (1RM Squat/kg and 1RM SquatAl) and vertical jump (r = 0.310 and r = 0.308 / p < 0.05). The results obtained show greater correlation (r = 0.660 / p < 0.01) in the ability to deliver power when performing squat and mechanical work performed in vertical jumps. Outside and inside players were significantly different in three variables only: peak anaerobic power, body height and body weight.
Core‐shell encapsulation formulations to stabilize desiccated Bradyrhizobium against high environmental temperature and humidity

Engineered materials to improve the shelf‐life of desiccated microbial strains are needed for cost‐effective bioaugmentation strategies. High temperatures and humidity of legume‐growing regions challenge long‐term cell stabilization at the desiccated state. A thermostable xeroprotectant core and hydrophobic water vapour barrier shell encapsulation technique was developed to protect desiccated cells from the environment. A trehalose core matrix increased the stability of desiccated Bradyrhizobium by three orders of magnitude over 20 days at 32°C and 50% relative humidity (RH) compared to buffer alone; however, the improvement was not deemed sufficient for a shelf‐stable bioproduct. We tested common additives (skim milk, albumin, gelatin and dextran) to increase the glass transition temperature of the desiccated product to provide further stabilization. Albumin increased the glass transition temperature of the trehalose‐based core by 40°C and stabilized desiccated Bradyrhizobium for 4 months during storage at high temperature (32°C) and moderate humidity (50% RH) with only 1 log loss of viability. Although the albumin‐trehalose core provided exceptional protection against high temperature, it was ineffective at higher humidity conditions (75%). We therefore incorporated a paraffin shell, which protected desiccated cells against 75% RH providing proof of concept that core and shell encapsulation is an effective strategy to stabilize desiccated cells.
Diversity of Microbial Communities in Sediment from Yeosu Bay, Republic of Korea, as Determined by 16S rRNA Gene Amplicon Sequencing

Monitoring natural variations in microbial diversity is crucial because microorganisms play a major role in the environmental processes in marine sediment. To evaluate the microbial diversity in Yeosu Bay sediment, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was performed. Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Bacteroidetes were the predominant phyla in all sediment samples observed. ABSTRACT Monitoring natural variations in microbial diversity is crucial because microorganisms play a major role in the environmental processes in marine sediment. To evaluate the microbial diversity in Yeosu Bay sediment, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was performed. Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Bacteroidetes were the predominant phyla in all sediment samples observed.
Somatic symptom profiles are associated with pre-treatment depression and anxiety symptom severity but not inpatient therapy outcomes

Abstract Objective. Although somatic symptoms are common among mental health patients, their association with symptom severity and inpatient treatment outcomes is not yet well understood. Methods. Using a pre–post design and latent class analysis (LCA), 641 inpatients (63.4% female) were classified based on their self-reported somatic symptoms. We examined how the resulting somatic symptom classes related to depression and anxiety symptom severity pre-treatment (T1) and to symptom reduction post-treatment (T2). Results. Our results suggest four somatic symptom classes, namely (1) unspecific/low somatic symptom burden, (2) sexual problems, (3) gastrointestinal symptoms with pain syndrome, and (4) cardiopulmonary symptoms. While class 1 indicated the lowest pre-treatment depression and anxiety symptom severity, class 2 reported high depressive symptoms coupled with low anxiety, class 3 reported moderate depressive and anxiety symptom severity, and class 4 reported the highest depressive and anxiety symptom burden. Somatic symptom classes, however, did not predict the degree of reduction in either depression or anxiety symptoms post-treatment. Conclusions. These findings demonstrate somatic heterogeneity in mental health patients and reveal the relationship of somatic symptom patterns to affective symptom severity. Clinical implications are discussed.
Who goes where in couples and pairs? Effects of sex and handedness on side preferences in human dyads

ABSTRACT There is increasing evidence that inter-individual interaction among conspecifics can cause population-level lateralization. Male–female and mother–infant dyads of several non-human species show lateralised position preferences, but such preferences have rarely been examined in humans. We observed 430 male–female human pairs and found a significant bias for males to walk on the right side of the pair. A survey measured side preferences in 93 left-handed and 92 right-handed women, and 96 left-handed and 99 right-handed men. When walking, and when sitting on a bench, males showed a significant side preference determined by their handedness, with left-handed men preferring to be on their partner’s left side and right-handed men preferring to be on their partner’s right side. Women did not show significant side preferences. When men are with their partner they show a preference for the side that facilitates the use of their dominant hand. We discuss possible reasons for the side preference, including males prefering to occupy the optimal “fight ready” side, and the influence of sex and handedness on the strength and direction of emotion lateralization.
Does Physical Activity Improve Inhibition in Kindergarteners? A Pilot Study

Substantial empirical evidence supports the positive effects of physical activity (PA) on executive functions, but not all forms of physical activity benefit equally. Among kindergarteners, cognitively-engaging exercise seems to more strongly effect EF than simple exercise. We aimed to investigate several qualitatively different exercise formats on kindergarteners' inhibition. Participants were 75 children (M age = 68.1 months), recruited from 14 classrooms of three kindergarten schools. They were randomly assigned to three groups: control group, free play group (non-cognitively-engaging PA), and an intervention group (cognitively-engaging PA). The intervention group performed 18 sessions of a cognitively engaging PA (tasks requiring movements and inhibitory behavior skills). We assessed “hot” and “cool” aspects of inhibition using the Day-Night Stroop test, Head-Shoulders-Knees-Toes, Gift Wrap, and Snack Delay. We found that the intervention group obtained a more consistent performance improvement on post-test measures of hot and cool inhibition than did the free play group.
Calculation of absolute Raman scattering cross‐sections using vibrational self‐consistent field/vibrational configuration interaction wave functions

In the present study, the differential scattering cross‐sections, depolarization ratios and Raman shifts of small molecular systems are obtained from configuration iteration wave functions of vibrational self‐consistent field (VSCF) states. The transition polarizabilities were modeled using the Placzek approximation, neglecting those contributions not arising from the electric dipole mechanism. This theoretical approach is considered a good approximation for samples that absorb in the UV range if the excitation radiation falls in the visible region, as is the case of the molecules selected for the present study, namely: water, methane, and acetylene. Potential energy and electronic polarizability surfaces are calculated by the CCSD(T) and CC3 methods with aug‐cc‐p(C)V(T,Q,5)Z basis sets. The vibrational Hamiltonian includes the vibrational angular momentum contribution of the Watson kinetic energy operator. As expected, due to the variational nature of the VSCF and vibrational configuration interaction (VCI) methods, the Raman transition wavenumbers are substantially improved over the harmonic predictions. Surprisingly, the scattering cross‐sections obtained using the harmonic approximation or the VSCF method better agrees with the experimental values than those cross‐sections predicted using VCI wave functions. The more significant deviations of the VCI results from the experimental reference may be related to the significant uncertainties of the measured cross‐sections. Still, it may also indicate that the VCI Raman transition moments may require a more accurate description of the electronic polarizability surface. Finally, the depolarization ratios calculated for H2O and C2D2 using harmonic and VCI wave functions have similar accuracy, whereas, for C2H2 and C2HD, the VCI results are more accurate.
Evaluation of needle injection practices contributing to Campylobacter contamination in New Zealand chicken and chicken products

Abstract One hypothesis for the higher rate of campylobacteriosis in New Zealand (NZ) is that secondary poultry processing practices increase chicken contamination. Chicken marination with needle injection may introduce pathogenic bacteria from the surface deep into the interior muscle tissue. The survival of Campylobacter in/on multi-needle injected chicken products was performed at the processing plant and retail. The ‘reduced salts’ marinade was not effective in reducing Campylobacter contamination level as the ‘high salt’ marinade. At the plant, every tested single injected drumstick with 'reduced salt' marinade was contaminated with Campylobacter with up to 3.5 log per drumstick where only 30% of the injected drumsticks with the ‘high salt’ marinade were contaminated on the surface. At retail, chicken products injected with the ‘low salt’, the contamination was very low or undetectable as all the products were sold frozen, but the chicken products injected with ‘high salt’ marinade were sold fresh, and the contamination level varies and can marginally exceed the target Campylobacter contamination limit (3.78 log CFU/carcass) set by The NZ Authority. The multi-needle injection practice tested in this study did not indicate that the marination process could increase the contamination level on chicken or chicken products.
ERβ overexpression may not be a direct prognostic factor in patients with NSCLC: A meta-analysis

Overall survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients remains disappointingly low. The estrogen receptor (ER) was considered a promising therapeutic target for NSCLC. Numerous studies have linked expression of ERβ to lung cancer outcome. However, results are conflicting regarding the association of ERβ with surviving lung cancer. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the prognostic aspect of ERβ expression on survival among NSCLC patients. We performed a final analysis of prognostic value of overexpression ERβ on 3500 patients from 18 evaluable studies (from January 1, 2000 to May 1, 2021). The reference category is specified as low ERβ expression levels. Summarized hazard ratios were calculated. Our study showed that the pooled hazard ratios of ERβ overexpression for overall survival in NSCLC was 0.81 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.64–1.02, P = 0.07) by univariate analysis and 1.06 (95% CI: 0.83–1.36, P = 0.63) by multivariate analysis. Pooled hazard ratio by univariate analysis in Asian studies was 0.73 (95%CI: 0.59–0.89, P = 0.002). Pooled hazard ratio by univariate analysis was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.61–0.93, P = 0.009) from seven studies reported for nuclear ERβ. No significant results were found in subgroups by multivariate analysis. No significant results were found in studies outside Asia or in studies reported for cytoplasmic ERβ. Our results suggested that expression of ERβ might not be a direct prognostic factor for NSCLC patients. More detailed prospective studies are needed to identify direct prognostic factors in these patients.
Commonalities among dental patient-reported outcomes (dPROs)—A Delphi consensus study

Improvement of patients’ oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is the main goal of oral health care professionals. However, OHRQoL is not a homogenous construct and how to assess it is challenging because of the large number of currently available instruments. Investigating available instruments and what they have in common would be necessary for consolidation and standardization of these instruments into a smaller set of tools. If the OHRQoL dimensions including Oral Function, Orofacial Pain, Orofacial Appearance, and Psychosocial Impact are the fundamental building blocks of the dental patient’s oral health experience, then these dimensions should be measured by generic multi-item dPROMs. In this study, a panel of 11 international dentists use the Delphi consensus process to determine how well 20 of these instruments measured the four OHRQoL dimensions. All 20 dPROMs questionnaires assessed at least one OHRQoL dimension while all four OHRQoL dimensions were measured by at least one dPROM instrument, i.e., the four OHRQoL dimensions were essential components of the patient’s oral health experience. This shows that the currently available generic multi-item dPROMs have a lot in common, in that they share Oral Function, Orofacial Pain, Orofacial Appearance, and Psychosocial Impact as targeted dimensions. Based on these commonalities, it is plausible and desirable to move towards a single four-dimensional metric to assess oral health impact in all clinical, community-based, and research settings. This step is necessary to advance evidence-based dentistry and value-based oral health care.
A sensitive and inexpensive high‐resolution melting‐based testing algorithm for diagnosis of transient abnormal myelopoiesis and myeloid leukemia of Down syndrome

Patients with Down syndrome (DS) are commonly affected by a pre‐leukemic disorder known as transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM). This condition usually undergoes spontaneous remission within the first 2 months after birth; however, in children under 5, 20%–30% of cases evolve to myeloid leukemia of Down syndrome (ML‐DS). TAM and ML‐DS are caused by co‐operation between trisomy 21 and acquired mutations in the GATA1 gene. Currently, only next‐generation sequencing (NGS)‐based methodologies are sufficiently sensitive for diagnosis in samples with small GATA1 mutant clones (≤10% blasts). Alternatively, this study presents research on a new, fast, sensitive, and inexpensive high‐resolution melting (HRM)‐based diagnostic approach that allows the detection of most cases of GATA1 mutations, including silent TAM. The algorithm first uses flow cytometry for blast count, followed by HRM and Sanger sequencing to search for mutations on exons 2 and 3 of GATA1. We analyzed 138 samples of DS patients: 110 of asymptomatic neonates, 10 suspected of having TAM, and 18 suspected of having ML‐DS. Our algorithm enabled the identification of 33 mutant samples, among them five cases of silent TAM (5/110) and seven cases of ML‐DS (7/18) with blast count ≤10%, in which GATA1 alterations were easily detected by HRM. Depending on the type of genetic variation and its location, our methodology reached sensitivity similar to that obtained by NGS (0.3%) at a considerably reduced time and cost, thus making it accessible worldwide.
Dolutegravir in real life: Self‐reported mental and physical health outcomes after transitioning from efavirenz‐ to dolutegravir‐based antiretroviral therapy in a prospective cohort study in Lesotho

HIV programmes across many countries in Africa have recently transitioned people living with HIV from efavirenz (EFV)‐ to dolutegravir (DTG)‐containing antiretroviral therapy (ART). As both drugs are associated with neuropsychiatric adverse effects, this study assessed the mental health and HIV/ART‐associated symptoms of people living with HIV before and after transition to DTG.
Identification of a Novel Two-Peptide Lantibiotic from Vagococcus fluvialis

Enterococci are common commensals in the intestines of humans and animals, but in recent years, they have been identified as one of the major causes of hospital-acquired infections due to their ability to quickly acquire virulence and antibiotic resistance determinants. Many hospital isolates are multiresistant, thereby making current therapeutic options critically limited. ABSTRACT Infections caused by multiresistant pathogens have become a major problem in both human and veterinary medicine. Due to the declining efficacy of many antibiotics, new antimicrobials are needed. Promising alternatives or additions to antibiotics are bacteriocins, antimicrobial peptides of bacterial origin with activity against many pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant strains. From a sample of fermented maize, we isolated a Vagococcus fluvialis strain producing a bacteriocin with antimicrobial activity against multiresistant Enterococcus faecium. Whole-genome sequencing revealed the genes for a novel two-peptide lantibiotic. The production of the lantibiotic by the isolate was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, which revealed distinct peaks at 4,009.4 m/z and 3,181.7 m/z in separate fractions from reversed-phase chromatography. The combination of the two peptides resulted in a 1,200-fold increase in potency, confirming the two-peptide nature of the bacteriocin, named vagococcin T. The bacteriocin was demonstrated to kill sensitive cells by the formation of pores in the cell membrane, and its inhibition spectrum covers most Gram-positive bacteria, including multiresistant pathogens. To our knowledge, this is the first bacteriocin characterized from Vagococcus. IMPORTANCE Enterococci are common commensals in the intestines of humans and animals, but in recent years, they have been identified as one of the major causes of hospital-acquired infections due to their ability to quickly acquire virulence and antibiotic resistance determinants. Many hospital isolates are multiresistant, thereby making current therapeutic options critically limited. Novel antimicrobials or alternative therapeutic approaches are needed to overcome this global problem. Bacteriocins, natural ribosomally synthesized peptides produced by bacteria to eliminate other bacterial species living in a competitive environment, provide such an alternative. In this work, we purified and characterized a novel two-peptide lantibiotic produced by Vagococcus fluvialis LMGT 4216 isolated from fermented maize. The novel lantibiotic showed a broad spectrum of inhibition of Gram-positive strains, including vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, demonstrating its therapeutic potential.
Alleviation of cadmium toxicity in Zea mays L. through up-regulation of growth, antioxidant defense system and organic osmolytes under calcium supplementation

Calcium (Ca) is a macronutrient and works as a modulator to mitigate oxidative stress induced by heavy metals. In this study, we investigated the role of Ca to ameliorate the Cd toxicity in Zea mays L. by modulating the growth, physio-biochemical traits, and cellular antioxidant defense system. Maize genotype Sahiwal-2002 was grown under a controlled glasshouse environment with a day/night temperature of 24 ± 4°C/14 ± 2°C in a complete randomized design with three replications and two Cd levels as (0 and 150 μM) and six regimes of Ca (0, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 mM). Maize seedlings exposed to Cd at 150 μM concentration showed a notable decrease in growth, biomass, anthocyanins, chlorophylls, and antioxidant enzymes activities. A higher level of Cd (150 μM) also caused an upsurge in oxidative damage observed as higher electrolyte leakage (increased membrane permeability), H2O2 production, and MDA accumulation. Supplementation of Ca notably improved growth traits, photosynthetic pigments, cellular antioxidants (APX, POD, and ascorbic acid), anthocyanins, and levels of osmolytes. The significant improvement in the osmolytes (proteins and amino acids), and enzymatic antioxidative defense system enhanced the membrane stability and mitigated the damaging effects of Cd. The present results concluded that exogenously applied Ca potentially improve growth by regulating antioxidants and enabling maize plants to withstand the Cd toxicity.
Improvement of liver metabolic activity in people with advanced HIV after antiretroviral therapy initiation

Objective: Evaluating hepatic metabolic changes in people with HIV (PWH) with advanced disease, before and after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, using [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET-computed tomography (PET/CT). FDG PET/CT noninvasively quantifies glucose metabolism in organs. Design/methods: Forty-eight viremic PWH (CD4+ cell counts <100 cells/μl) underwent FDG PET/CT at baseline and approximately 6 weeks after ART initiation (short-term). Twenty-seven PWH participants underwent follow-up scans 2 years after treatment (long-term). FDG PET/CT scans from 20 healthy controls were used for comparison. Liver FDG uptake was quantified from the PET/CT scans. Imaging findings as well as clinical, laboratory, and immune markers were compared longitudinally and cross-sectionally to healthy controls. Results: Liver FDG uptake was lower at baseline and short-term in PWH compared with controls (P < 0.0001). At the long-term scan, liver FDG uptake of PWH increased relative to baseline and short-term (P = 0.0083 and 0.0052) but remained lower than controls’ values (P = 0.004). Changes in FDG uptake correlated negatively with levels of glucagon, myeloperoxidase, sCD14, and MCP-1 and positively with markers of recovery (BMI, albumin, and CD4+ cell counts) (P < 0.01). In multivariable analyses of PWH values across timepoints, BMI and glucagon were the best set of predictors for liver FDG uptake (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Using FDG PET/CT, we found decreased liver glucose metabolism in PWH that could reflect hepatocytes/lymphocytes/myeloid cell loss and metabolic dysfunction because of inflammation. Although long-term ART seems to reverse many hepatic abnormalities, residual liver injury may still exist within 2 years of treatment initiation, especially in PWH who present with low nadir CD4+ cell counts.