Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oviposition dynamics of Aedes aegypti in Central Argentina

Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) is the vector of multiple arboviruses. To evaluate the association between environmental factors and the oviposition activity of Ae. aegypti in Argentina, data on the presence and abundance of eggs were collected using ovitraps, between September of 2018 and May of 2019, in the cities of Villa María, Río Cuarto and Salsipuedes (Córdoba province, Argentina). We analysed the relationships between oviposition and five environmental factors: Temperature, precipitation, vegetation cover, human population density and distance to sites with a potential high density of larval habitats, like cemeteries and trash dumps. Environmental factors' data were collected using satellite image products. The oviposition activity was randomly distributed in three cities. Using generalized linear mixed models, we show that the house where each ovitrap was placed was a source of variability in oviposition, suggesting the relevance of microsite factors and the importance of domestic control actions. Ae. aegypti oviposition was positively correlated with night‐time temperature of the previous 3 weeks, and in a context‐dependent manner, it was positively correlated with human population density, vegetation cover and precipitation. The consistency and magnitude of these relationships varied between cities, indicating that oviposition is related to a complex system of environmental variables.
Evaluation of canine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells for experimental full-thickness cutaneous wounds in a diabetic rat model

ABSTRACT Background The wound healing potential of canine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) was evaluated in the excisional wound of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Research design and methods Xenogenic BMSCs were collected aseptically from the iliac crest of healthy canine donors under general anesthesia. Full-thickness experimental wounds (20 × 20 mm2) on the dorsum of forty-eight adult healthy Wistar white rats. The wounds were assigned randomly to three treatment groups: PBS (Group A) or BMSCs (Group B) injected into the wound margins on days 0, 7, and 14 or BMSCs (Group C) injected into the wound margins on days 7, 14, and 21 post-wounding. The degree of wound healing was evaluated based on macroscopical, hemato-biochemical, histopathological, and histochemical parameters. Results The results indicated granulation tissue formation with reduced exudation and peripheral swelling in the treatment groups compared to the control group A. Similarly, the degree of wound contraction was significantly higher in groups B and C animals than group A on days 14 and 21 post-wounding. The transplantation of BMSCs resulted in early drying of wounds, granulation tissue appearance, and enhanced cosmetic appearance. Conclusion The histopathological, histochemical, and gross findings suggested the therapeutic potential of xenogeneic mesenchymal stem cell therapy in managing diabetic wounds. Abbreviations BMSCs-bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, PBS-phosphate-buffered saline, MSCs-mesenchymal stem cells, FBS-fetal bovine serum, ECM-extracellular matrix
Cell death-inducing cytotoxicity in truncated KCNQ4 variants associated with DFNA2 hearing loss

ABSTRACT KCNQ4 encodes the homotetrameric voltage-dependent potassium ion channel Kv7.4, and is the causative gene for autosomal dominant nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss, DFNA2. Dominant-negative inhibition accounts for the observed dominant inheritance of many DFNA2-associated KCNQ4 variants. In addition, haploinsufficiency has been presumed as the pathological mechanism for truncated Kv7.4 variants lacking the C-terminal tetramerization region, as they are unlikely to exert a dominant-negative inhibitory effect. Such truncated Kv7.4 variants should result in relatively mild hearing loss when heterozygous; however, this is not always the case. In this study, we characterized Kv7.4Q71fs (c.211delC), Kv7.4W242X (c.725G>A) and Kv7.4A349fs (c.1044_1051del8) in heterologous expression systems and found that expression of these truncated Kv7.4 variants induced cell death. We also found similar cell death-inducing cytotoxic effects in truncated Kv7.1 (KCNQ1) variants, suggesting that the generality of our findings could account for the dominant inheritance of many, if not most, truncated Kv7 variants. Moreover, we found that the application of autophagy inducers can ameliorate the cytotoxicity, providing a novel insight for the development of alternative therapeutic strategies for Kv7.4 variants.
Transcriptome Analysis Identifies Altered Biological Processes and Novel Markers in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Long-Term Non-Progressors

Background The latent reservoir of Human Immunodificiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) has been a major barrier to the complete eradication of HIV-1 and the development of HIV therapy. Long-term non-progressors (LTNPs) are a rare group of patients with HIV-1 who can spontaneously control HIV-1 replication without antiretroviral therapy. Transcriptome analysis is necessary to predict the pathways involved in the natural control of HIV-1, elucidate the mechanisms involved in LTNPs, and find biomarkers for HIV-1 reservoir therapy. Materials and Methods In this study, we obtained peripheral blood mononuclear cells from two LTNP subjects at multiple time points and performed RNA-sequencing analyses. Results We found that LTNPs and normal subjects had different transcriptome profiles. Functional annotation analysis identified that differentially expressed genes in LTNPs were enriched in several biological pathways such as cell cycle-related pathways and the transforming growth factor-beta signaling pathway. However, genes that were downregulated in LTNPs were associated with immune responses such as the interferon response and IL2-STAT5 signaling. Protein-protein interaction network analysis showed that CD8A, KLRD1, ASGR1, and MLKL, whose gene expression was upregulated in LTNPs, directly interacted with HIV-1 proteins. The network analysis also found that viral proteins potentially regulated host genes that were associated with immune system processes, metabolic processes, and gene expression regulation. Conclusion Our longitudinal transcriptome analysis of the LTNPs identified multiple previously undescribed pathways and genes that may be useful in the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers.
Advanced Point‐of‐Care Testing Technologies for Human Acute Respiratory Virus Detection

The ever‐growing global threats to human life caused by the human acute respiratory virus (RV) infections have cost billions of lives, created a significant economic burden, and shaped society for centuries. The timely response to emerging RVs could save human lives and reduce the medical care burden. The development of RV detection technologies is essential for potentially preventing RV pandemic and epidemics. However, commonly used detection technologies lack sensitivity, specificity, and speed, thus often failing to provide the rapid turnaround times. To address this problem, new technologies are devised to address the performance inadequacies of the traditional methods. These emerging technologies offer improvements in convenience, speed, flexibility, and portability of point‐of‐care test (POCT). Herein, recent developments in POCT are comprehensively reviewed for eight typical acute respiratory viruses. This review discusses the challenges and opportunities of various recognition and detection strategies and discusses these according to their detection principles, including nucleic acid amplification, optical POCT, electrochemistry, lateral flow assays, microfluidics, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays, and microarrays. The importance of limits of detection, throughput, portability, and specificity when testing clinical samples in resource‐limited settings is emphasized. Finally, the evaluation of commercial POCT kits for both essential RV diagnosis and clinical‐oriented practices is included.
Longitudinal associations between interpersonal relationship functioning and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in recently traumatized individuals: differential findings by assessment method

Abstract Background The role of interpersonal relationship functioning in trauma recovery is well-established. However, much of this research has been done with cross-sectional samples, often years after trauma exposure, using self-report methodology only, and is focused on intimate relationship adjustment. Methods The current study investigated the longitudinal associations between interpersonal (intimate and non-intimate) relationship functioning and clinician- and self-reported posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in 151 recently (within the past 6 months) traumatized individuals. Participants were assessed at four time points over 1 year. Results Approximately 53% of the sample was diagnosed with PTSD at initial assessment, with declining rates of diagnostic status over time to 16%. Latent difference score (LDS) modeling revealed nonlinear declines in both clinician-assessed and self-reported PTSD symptom severity, with faster declines in earlier periods. Likewise, LDS models revealed nonlinear declines in negative (conflict) aspects of interpersonal relationship functioning, but linear declines in positive (support, depth) aspects. The relationship between PTSD and relationship functioning differed for clinician- and self-reported PTSD. Bivariate LDS modeling revealed significant cross-lagged effects from relationship conflict to clinician-assessed PTSD, and significant cross-lagged effects from self-reported PTSD to relationship conflict over time. Conclusions These results highlight that the variability in prior results may be related to the method of assessing PTSD symptomatology and different relational constructs. Implications for theory and early intervention are discussed.
Copper and zinc fractionation in biosolid cultivated with Pennisetum purpureum in different periods

In order to reduce the effect of heavy metals on the biosolid, it is necessary to promote its phytoremediation. It is important to know the total content and chemical forms of these elements in the residue for analyzing its behavior and potential toxicity. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the fractionation and behavior of Cu and Zn in biosolid cultivated with Pennisetum purpureum in different periods. The experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design. The treatments, with five replicates, corresponded to Pennisetum purpureum cultivation in biosolid for 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days after planting. The total contents of Cu and Zn in the biosolid remained below the critical limits established by the CONAMA Resolution 357, and there was a reduction in these values with Pennisetum purpureum cultivation. Furthermore, the increment in the grass cultivation period caused intense reduction of Zn contents bound to organic matter, but there was an increase in soluble Zn and residual Zn. Additionally, there was an intense reduction in the content of Cu bound to sulfides. Therefore, for biosolid phytoremediation purposes, the grass should be cultivated for 150 days. da presença de metais pesados no biossólido, faz-se necessária a sua fitorremediação, sendo fundamental o conhecimento das concentrações totais e das formas químicas destes elementos no resíduo para fins de análise do seu comportamento e potencial toxicidade. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar o comportamento e fracionamento do Cu e Zn em biossólido cultivado com Pennisetum purpureum em diferentes períodos. O experimento foi realizado utilizando-se delineamento em blocos casualizados. Os tratamentos, em cinco repetições, corresponderam ao cultivo de Pennisetum purpureum em biossólido por 30, 60, 90, 120 e 150 dias a partir do plantio. As concentrações totais de Cu e Zn no biossólido ficaram abaixo dos limites críticos da Resolução CONAMA 375, havendo redução destes valores com o cultivo de Pennisetum purpureum . Além disso, o incremento do período de cultivo da gramínea causou intensa redução da concentração de Zn ligado à matéria orgânica; por outro lado, houve aumento do Zn solúvel e residual. Já para o Cu houve intensa redução da concentração do elemento ligado a sulfetos. Assim, para fins de fitorremediação do biossólido, recomenda-se o plantio da gramínea por 150 dias.
Two types of immune infiltrating cells and six hub genes can predict the occurrence of myasthenia gravis in patients with thymoma

ABSTRACT Thymoma is the most common primary mass in anterior mediastinum. Although associated with low malignancy, it is often accompanied by myasthenia gravis resulting in poor prognosis. Due to the dual factors of tumor immune tolerance and autoimmune reaction, it is urgent to understand the immune status of MG with thymoma. In this study, RNA sequencing data were obtained from the TCGA and GEO cohorts to identify differentially expressed messenger RNAs and infiltrated immune cells. A total of 121 samples in TCGA and 43 samples in GEO were screened out. The infiltrated immune cells were identified by CIBERSORT, in which Tfh cells and activated DC cells were abnormal in thymoma patients. The differently expressed genes were performed by package LIMMA. The functional characteristics of differently expression genes were analyzed by GO and KEGG; one GO and seven KEGG pathways were both found in both TCGA and GEO cohorts. Meanwhile, 27 common differently expressed genes were obtained and were displayed by a Venn diagram. The TRRUST was used to screen the hub genes for the common 27 different genes and 6 genes were found. Then, PPI networks were constructed. Subsequently, the relationship between SCNAs of common genes and related immune cells tested by TIMER. Kaplan–Meier plots, ROC curve and Cox’s expression model for immune infiltration and hub genes were also tested. In conclusion, we found that two types of immune infiltrated cells and six hub genes can predict the occurrence of myasthenia gravis in thymoma patients.
The association between personality traits and hoarding behaviors

Purpose of review Hoarding is a behavior that occurs across a variety of disorders, including hoarding disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and schizophrenia. Hoarding is also a normative human behavior within certain contexts, including the recent coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, when individuals became panicked about the availability of products such as toilet paper and antibacterial wipes. Previous research suggests that personality traits and personality disorder symptoms may be linked with hoarding behaviors. The purpose of this review is to provide a snapshot of recent research on hoarding and personality. Recent findings Most recent research on this topic has focused on hoarding behaviors as the action of stockpiling goods during a pandemic. Research on this area was mixed with regard to extraversion and openness but was strongly suggestive of a link between stockpiling behaviors and increased neuroticism. Hoarding in the context of OCD was linked with lower levels of both extraversion and conscientiousness. Patients with hoarding disorder almost universally have clinically elevated levels of personality disorder traits. Summary The directions of observed associations between five-factor model personality traits and hoarding behaviors differ across diagnostic and geographic contexts. Additional research is needed with participants who meet diagnostic criteria for hoarding disorder.
Prediction of the effects of radiation therapy in esophageal cancer using diffusion and perfusion MRI

Chemoradiation therapy (CRT) of locally advanced esophageal cancer (LAEC), although improving outcomes of patients, still results in 50% of local failure. An early prediction could identify patients at high risk of poor response for individualized adaptive treatment. We aimed to investigate physiological changes in LAEC using diffusion and perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for early prediction of treatment response. In the study, 115 LAEC patients treated with CRT were enrolled (67 in the discovery cohort and 48 in the validation cohort). MRI scans were performed before radiotherapy (pre‐RT) and at week 3 during RT (mid‐RT). Gross tumor volume (GTV) of primary tumor was delineated on T2‐weighted images. Within the GTV, the hypercellularity volume (VHC) and high blood volume (VHBV) were defined based on the analysis of ADC and fractional plasma volume (Vp) histogram distributions within the tumors in the discovery cohort. The median GTVs were 28 cc ± 2.2 cc at pre‐RT and 16.7 cc ± 1.5 cc at mid‐RT. Respectively, VHC and VHBV decreased from 4.7 cc ± 0.7 cc and 5.7 cc ± 0.7 cc at pre‐RT to 2.8 cc ± 0.4 cc and 3.5 cc ± 0.5 cc at mid‐RT. Smaller VHC at mid‐RT (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.67, P = .05; AUC = 0.66, P = .05) and further decrease in VHC at mid‐RT (AUC = 0.7, P = .01; AUC = 0.69, P = .03) were associated with longer progression‐free survival (PFS) in both discovery and validation cohort. No significant predictive effects were shown in GTV and VHBV at any time point. In conclusion, we demonstrated that VHC represents aggressive subvolumes in LAEC. Further analysis will be carried out to confirm the correlations between the changes in image‐phenotype subvolumes and local failure to determine the radiation‐resistant tumor subvolumes, which may be useful for dose escalation.
Transcriptomic analysis reveals proinflammatory signatures associated with acute myeloid leukemia progression

Key Points Progression of AML is associated with pro-inflammatory mediators through altered expression levels of CR1, DPEP1, IL1R1, and ST18. Upregulated CD6 and downregulated INSR are nodes in gene expression networks linked to AML relapse, according to machine learning analysis.
Treatment with senicapoc, a KCa3.1 channel blocker, alleviates hypoxaemia in a mouse model of acute respiratory distress syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by pulmonary oedema and severe hypoxaemia. We investigated whether genetic deficit or blockade of calcium‐activated potassium (KCa3.1) channels would counteract pulmonary oedema and hypoxaemia in ventilator‐induced lung injury, an experimental model for ARDS.
Over 55 years of critical power: Fact or artifact?

This report aims to generate an evidence‐based debate of the Critical Power (CP), or its analogous Critical Speed (CS), concept. Race times of top Spanish runners were utilized to calculate CS based on three (1500‐m to 5000‐m; CS1.5‐5km) and four (1500‐m to 10000‐m; CS1.5‐10km) distance performances. Male running world records from 1000 to 5000‐m (CS1‐5km), 1000 to 10,000‐m (CS1‐10km), 1000‐m to half marathon (CS1km‐half marathon), and 1000‐m to marathon (CS1km‐marathon) distance races were also utilized for CS calculations. CS1.5‐5km (19.62 km h−1) and CS1.5‐10km (18.68 km h−1) were different (p < 0.01), but both approached the average race speed of the longest distance chosen in the model, and were remarkably homogeneous among subjects (97% ±1% and 98% ±1%, respectively). Similar results were obtained using the world records. CS values progressively declined, until reaching a CS1km‐marathon value of 20.77 km h−1 (10% lower than CS1‐5km). Each CS value approached the average speed of the longest distance chosen in the model (96.4%–99.8%). A power function better fitted the speed‐time relationship compared with the standardized hyperbolic function. However, the horizontal asymptote of a power function is zero. This better approaches the classical definition of CP: the power output that can be maintained almost indefinitely without exhaustion. Beyond any sophisticated mathematical calculation, CS corresponds to 95%–99% of the average speed of the longest distance chosen as an exercise trial. CP could be considered a mathematical artifact rather than an important endurance performance marker. In such a case, the consideration of CP as a physiological “gold‐standard” should be reevaluated.
Algorithm for an automatic treatment planning system using a single‐arc VMAT for prostate cancer

Abstract Optimization process in treatment planning for intensity‐modulated radiation therapy varies with the treatment planner. Therefore, a large variation in the quality of dose distribution is usually observed. To reduce variation, an automatic optimizing toolkit was developed for the Monaco treatment planning system (Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden) for prostate cancer using volumetric‐modulated arc therapy (VMAT). This toolkit was able to create plans automatically. However, most plans needed two arcs per treatment to ensure the dose coverage for targets. For prostate cancer, providing a plan with a single arc was advisable in clinical practice because intrafraction motion management must be considered to irradiate accurately. The purpose of this work was to develop an automatic treatment planning system with a single arc per treatment for prostate cancer using VMAT. We designed the new algorithm for the automatic treatment planning system to use one arc per treatment for prostate cancer in Monaco. We constructed the system in two main steps: (1) Determine suitable cost function parameters for each case before optimization, and (2) repeat the calculation and optimization until the conditions for dose indices are fulfilled. To evaluate clinical suitability, the plan quality between manual planning and the automatic planning system was compared. Our system created the plans automatically in all patients within a few iterations. Statistical differences between the plans were not observed for the target and organ at risk. It created the plans with no human input other than the initial template setting and system initiation. This system offers improved efficiency in running the treatment planning system and human resources while ensuring high‐quality outputs.
Orientational order and phase transitions in deuterated methane: a neutron total scattering and reverse Monte Carlo study

We report a study of the orientational order and phase transitions in crystalline deuterated methane, carried out using neutron total scattering and the reverse Monte Carlo method. The resultant atomic configurations are consistent with the average structures obtained from Rietveld refinement of the powder diffraction data, but additionally enable us to determine the C–D bond orientational distribution functions (ODF) for the disordered molecules in the high-temperature phase, and for both ordered and disordered molecules in the intermediate-temperature phase. We show that this approach gives more accurate information than can been obtained from fitting a bond ODF to diffraction data. Given the resurgence of interest in orientationally-disordered crystals, we argue that the approach of total scattering with the RMC method provides a unique quantification of orientational order and disorder.