Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Iron insufficiency in floral buds impairs pollen development by disrupting tapetum function

SUMMARY Reduction of crop yield due to iron (Fe) deficiency has always been a concern in agriculture. How Fe insufficiency in floral buds affects pollen development remains unexplored. Here, plants transferred to Fe‐deficient medium at the reproductive stage had reduced floral Fe content and viable pollen and showed a defective pollen outer wall, all restored by supplying floral buds with Fe. A comparison of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Fe‐deficient leaves, roots, and anthers suggested that changes in several cellular processes were unique to anthers, including increased lipid degradation. Co‐expression analysis revealed that ABORTED MICROSPORES (AMS), DEFECTIVE IN TAPETAL DEVELOPMENT AND FUNCTION1, and BASIC HELIX‐LOOP‐HELIX 089/091/010 encode key upstream transcription factors of Fe deficiency‐responsive DEGs involved in tapetum function and development, including tapetal ROS homeostasis, programmed cell death, and pollen outer wall formation‐related lipid metabolism. Analysis of RESPIRATORY‐BURST OXIDASE HOMOLOG E (RBOHE) gain‐ and loss‐of‐function under Fe deficiency indicated that RBOHE‐ and Fe‐dependent regulation cooperatively control anther reactive oxygen species levels and pollen development. Since DEGs in Fe‐deficient anthers were not significantly enriched in genes related to mitochondrial function, the changes in mitochondrial status under Fe deficiency, including respiration activity, density, and morphology, were probably because the Fe amount was insufficient to maintain proper mitochondrial protein function in anthers. To sum up, Fe deficiency in anthers may affect Fe‐dependent protein function and impact upstream transcription factors and their downstream genes, resulting in extensively impaired tapetum function and pollen development.
Silicene on Zirconium Carbide (111)

A silicon monatomic layer (i.e., silicene) forms an ordered phase on the surface of ZrC(111) in the 2 × 2 periodicity of the substrate. For the first time, phonon dispersion relations were measured using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) on a silicene sheet. The atomic structure and phonon dispersions were calculated using ab initio density functional theory. Nearly all the surface-localized phonon modes were well reproduced, and especially the dipole-active phonon modes well corresponded to the peaks in the specular HREEL spectrum. The optimized atomic structure was a distorted silicene on the Zr-terminated ZrC(111), in which the √3 × √3 unit cell of Si6 coincides with the 2 × 2 unit of the substrate ZrC(111). In the unit cell, one Si atom sits on the on-top site of the Zr substrate; three atoms are placed at the bridge sites of the substrate; and two other atoms are on the 3-fold hollow sites above the third layer (C) and above the fourth layer (Zr). This structure is prevalent .
High Prevalence of Celiac Disease Among Danish Adolescents: A Population-based Study

ABSTRACT Objectives: The objective of this study was to establish an unselected cohort of Danish adolescents and estimate the prevalence of undiagnosed celiac disease (CeD). Methods: The Glutenfunen cohort participants were recruited from an unselected subsample of the Danish National Birth Cohort, defined as participants living in the Island of Funen, Denmark. We invited all 7431 eligible participants in the age range of 15 to 21 years to a clinical visit. CeD diagnosis was based on screening with IgA transglutaminase antibodies (TG2-IgA) and if positive, was followed by duodenal biopsies compatible with CeD (Marsh 2–3). We calculated the prevalence of CeD in the Glutenfunen cohort as the number of CeD cases diagnosed before and during the study divided by the number of participants in the Glutenfunen cohort. Results: We included 1266 participants in the Glutenfunen cohort (17%, 1266/7431). 1.1% (14 of 1266 participants) had CeD diagnosed before entering the cohort and based on the Danish National Patient Register, 0.2% of the nonparticipants (14 of 6165) had a diagnosis of CeD. In total, 2.6% (33 participants) had TG2 IgA above the upper limit of normal. Nineteen participants had duodenal biopsies compatible with CeD. The prevalence of CeD in the Glutenfunen cohort was 2.6% [(14 + 19)/1266]. Conclusions: Our study suggests that CeD is much more common than expected among Danish adolescents, comparable to other European countries, and that the majority were asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic and were only found because of the screening procedure.
Determination of Thiabendazole and 5-Hydroxythiabendazole in Livestock Foods by HPLC-UV

Thiabendazole (TBZ) is a benzimidazole antibacterial agent used as an anthelminthic for livestock. 5-Hydroxythiabendazole (5-OH TBZ) is a metabolite formed by hydroxylation of TBZ in an animal's body. The recovery of 5-OH TBZ from animals by extraction in conventional TBZ analysis, which employs a strongly alkaline (pH 11.0) buffer, is as low as 50%. In order to establish a method for simultaneous analysis of TBZ and 5-OH TBZ with high recovery, we examined the optimum pH of a buffer for extraction, a suitable solvent for extraction, and a clean-up column. As a result, it was found that the optimum pH of the buffer was 9.0 and that suitable solvents were ethyl acetate (AcOEt) for pig muscle and liver, and MeCN for pig fat and cow's milk. Among the three types of solid phase extraction (SPE) clean-up columns investigated, the highest recovery for both chemicals was achieved by using an alumina N (ALN) column.
Tissue N‐Glycan Analysis Using LC‐MS, MS/MS, and MSn

Tissue glycans usually contain various structures, from simple to highly complicated, in different quantities. N‐Glycans are particularly heterogeneous, with up to pentaantennary structures, different branch sequences, and several isomeric structures. 2‐Aminopyridine (PA) tagging on released N‐glycans is useful for separating isomers and to quantitatively analyze both the major and minor glycan structures in tissues using reversed‐phase liquid chromatography (LC)−mass spectrometry (MS) and MS/MS analysis. Because the structural differences of PA‐N‐glycans influence their retention on a reversed‐phase C18 column, it is easy to deduce the core structure, including core Fuc and bisecting GlcNAc as well as the branching pattern of each PA‐N‐glycan, based on the results of elution position, full MS, and MS/MS analysis. If more detailed structural analysis is required, combining sequential exoglycosidase digestions, sialic acid linkage−specific alkylamidation (SALSA), and/or SALSA/permethylation is useful for determining glycosidic linkages of branches. This article includes detailed protocols for the preparation of N‐glycans released from glycoproteins/glycopeptides by glycoamidase F or hydrazinolysis, PA‐tagging of N‐glycans, fractionation with anion‐exchange chromatography, and chemical or enzymatic modifications of PA‐N‐glycans, as well as reversed‐phase LC‐MS, MS/MS, and MSn analysis of PA‐N‐glycans from tissues. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Profile of gut microbiota in patients with traumatic thoracic spinal cord injury and its clinical implications: a case-control study in a rehabilitation setting

ABSTRACT Gut microbiota are the candidate biomarkers for neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). We aimed to identify the common features between patients with varying degree of thoracic SCI and healthy individuals and subpopulations of microbiota correlated with the serum biomarkers. Twenty-one patients with complete thoracic SCI (CTSCI), 24 with incomplete thoracic SCI (ITSCI), and 24 healthy individuals (HC) were enrolled in this study. Fresh stool samples and clinical data were collected from all participants, and their bowel functions with SCI were assessed. Microbial diversity and composition were analyzed by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. The features of gut microbiota correlated with the serum biomarkers and their functions were investigated. The mean NBD score of patients with CTSCI was higher than that of patients with ITSCI. Diversity of the gut microbiota in SCI group was reduced, and with an increase in the degree of damage, alpha diversity had decreased gradually. The composition of gut microbiota in patients with SCI was distinct from that in healthy individuals, and CTSCI group exhibited further deviation than ITSCI group compared to healthy individuals. Four serum biomarkers were found to be correlated with most differential genera. Patients with thoracic SCI present gut dysbiosis, which is more pronounced in patients with CTSCI than in those with ITSCI. Therefore, the gut microbiota profile may serve as the signatures for bowel and motor functions in patients with thoracic SCI. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Long-term outcomes of CT-guided percutaneous cryoablation of T1a and T1b renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE We aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of computed tomography-guided percutaneous cryoablation (PCA) for biopsy-confirmed renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS This was a single-center, retrospective study investigating all patients treated with PCA between January 2010 and February 2019 for RCC tumors. Primary outcome measures included overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), progression-free survival (PFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Secondary outcome measures included kidney function, complications, technical success, hospital stay, procedural time, and the identification of factors affecting the primary outcomes. RESULTS Fifty-three consecutive patients with 54 lesions (T1a: 49/54; T1b: 5/54) were included. Mean tumor diameter was 28.0±8.5 mm and mean R.E. N.A. L. score was 7.2±2.0. Technical success was 100% (54/54 lesions) after two reinterventions for incomplete ablation. Mean follow-up time was 46.7±28.6 months (range, 3-122 months). Local recurrence was noted in 5 patients (9.2%). According to Kaplan-Meyer analysis, OS was 98.2%, 94.2%, 71.2%, and 58.2% at 1, 3, 5, and 8 years. One patient (1.9%) died of cancer and CSS was 95.8% at 8 years. DFS was 100.0%, 95.5%, and 88.6%, and PFS was 100%, 94.3%, and 91.0%, at 1, 2, and 5 years. Clavien-Dindo grade II complication rate was 7.8% (5/64 procedures). There were no complications classified as grade III or greater. Mean creatinine increase was 7.1±6.3 μm/L (p = 0.31). No patient advanced to dialysis during follow up. Mean procedural time was 163±45 min. Median hospital stay was 2.0 days (IQR, 1-2.5 days). Diabetes was the only independent predictor of decreased OS (hazard ratio 4.3, 95% CI 0.043-0.914; p = 0.038). CONCLUSION PCA for stage T1a and T1b RCC provides favorable long-term oncological and renal function preservation outcomes, with acceptable complication rates.
The Role of Alpha-1-Acid Glycoprotein in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Crush Syndrome-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text ABSTRACT Background: Crush syndrome (CS) is the most common cause of deaths following earthquakes and other disasters. The pathogenesis of CS has yet to be fully elucidated. Thus, clinical choice of ideal drug treatments for CS remains deficient. Methods and Results: In this study, we first evaluated the relation between extrusion force and the severities of CS. Rats were exposed to different extrusion forces: 1 kg, 3 kg, 5 kg, and 8 kg, respectively. Survival rates, crushed muscle tissue edema, serum biochemical parameters, and histopathological staining were used to assess severity. Our results showed that there were no statistical differences in survival rate or changes in thigh circumference among the different extrusion forces groups. However, serum levels of potassium, creatine kinase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and myoglobin were elevated at 12- and 24-h post-decompression in 5 kg and 8 kg groups, compared with 1 kg and 3 kg groups. Histopathological staining demonstrated that the degree of organ damage to kidney, muscle, and lung tissues correlated with increasing extrusion force. We next analyzed changes in serum protein profiles in 3 kg or 5 kg extrusion pressure groups. A total of 76 proteins (20 upregulated, 56 downregulated) were found to be altered at all three time points (0, 12, and 72 h) post-decompression, compared with the control group. Three common upregulated proteins alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (α1-AGP), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and Haptoglobin were selected for validation of increased expression. α1-AGP was explored as a treatment for CS-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Intraperitoneal injection of α1-AGP protected kidneys from CS-induced AKI by regulating TNF-α and IL-6 production, attenuating neutrophil recruitment, and reducing renal cell apoptosis. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that the severity of crush injury is causally related to extrusion pressure and increase in blood serum markers. Our identification of the biomarker and treatment candidate, α1-AGP, suggests its implication in predicting the severity of CS and its use as a mediator of CS-induced AKI, respectively.
Education to Improve Point of Care Documentation in Home Care Nurses

Home care nurses are expected to document their care delivery while in the patients' homes. Point of care documentation ensures that information in the EHR is accurate, timely, and accessible to all care team members. Standard training emphasized the features and functions of the different tabs within the electronic record. Managers and nurses reported standard training was not effective. The purpose of this project was to perform a post-implementation evaluation of the incorporation of point of care documentation, using case study scenarios, into the EHR training to determine if there was improved timeliness of documentation by new home care nurses. Quantitative data showed no statistical difference between the pre-implementation and post-implementation participants on completion of documentation within 24 hours from the small sample groups. Quantitative data from training evaluations showed a positive impact on learners' confidence and willingness to complete point of care documentation. Qualitative results showed participants viewed scenario-based training as interactive, meaningful, and indicative of a change in practice to include point of care documentation in the patients' home. The results suggest continued evaluation of the use of scenario-based education with point of care documentation as a format for more effective EHR training.
Integrated Custom Composite Polyetheretherketone/Carbon fiber (PEEK/CF) Vertebral Body Replacement (VBR) in the Treatment of Bone Tumors of the Spine

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text The use of a PEEK/CF vertebral body replacement system for spinal tumor reconstructions integrated to either the anterior plate system, or posterior screw-rod system is technically feasible, and allows for excellent postoperative surveillance imaging along with ability to effectively deliver postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy. Study Design. Retrospective, multicenter chart, and radiologic review. Objective. To present the first case series of bone tumors of the spine surgically reconstructed with a new custom, fully radiolucent, polyetheretherketone/carbon fiber (PEEK/CF) vertebral body replacement (VBR) integrated system. Summary of Background Data. Surgical resections of spinal tumors result in large defects and local recurrence remains a concern. Current titanium-based implants adversely affects postoperative imaging, directly affects ability to identify tumor recurrence, and for delivery of radiotherapy treatments. PEEK/CF spinal implants allows for improved tumor surveillance, precise pre-radiation Computed Tomography planning, and reduces interference with post-reconstructive adjuvant radiotherapy. Method. Thirteen patients with spinal tumors underwent vertebral body resection and reconstruction with an integrated, fully radiolucent, custom PEEK/CF vertebral body replacement, and radiolucent posterior PEEK/CF screw-rod system and/or radiolucent anterior PEEK/CF plate system. Clinical and radiographic data were tabulated. Need for adjuvant radiotherapy determined based on final tissue histology and extent of surgical margins. Postoperative surveillance imaging were reviewed for local tumor recurrence. Results. The ability to integrate the PEEK/CF VBR connected to either the posterior screw-rod system, or anterior plate system provided immediate stability. The VBR was placed directly on cancellous vertebral body surface in 46.2% of cases. Loosening of the distal, or proximal, aspect of posterior system was seen in 15.4% of cases. There was no clinical or radiographic evidence of VBR migration and subsidence at latest follow up. Local recurrence occurred in one (7.7%) patient. Conclusion. This is the first series to describe the use of a fully-radiolucent, integrated, PEEK/CF implant system for spinal tumor reconstruction. The use of a PEEK/CF VBR system integrated to either the anterior plate, or posterior screw-rod system is feasible and allows for superior postoperative surveillance imaging and effective delivery of postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy. Level of Evidence: 4
Pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the Upper Respiratory Tract and Its Relation to Breath Volatile Organic Compounds

Among the many products of metabolic processes are volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In the airways, these volatile metabolites are emitted through breathing and thus are easily sampled for analysis. ABSTRACT Among the many products of metabolic processes are volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In the airways, these volatile metabolites are emitted through breathing and thus are easily sampled for analysis. Recent work has connected the functions and structure of the human microbiome with health and disease. Alteration in microbial function in this context can result in differences in metabolite composition, including that of VOCs, presenting the possibility of a new noninvasive method for clinical diagnosis. Screening methods that assess VOCs arising from changes in the airway microbiome could be highly useful in diagnosing viral upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), e.g., COVID-19, which are highly contagious and have an enormous public health impact worldwide. A rapid noninvasive screening test for URTIs would pose major advantages in containing the disease. As early evidence shows that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection alters the human microbiome (both in the gut and the respiratory tract), we propose that detection of a VOC signature of an altered nasal microbiome could be fruitful as a rapid noninvasive measure of URTI in general and of SARS-CoV-2 in particular.
Review of diagnostic methods and results for HIV‐associated disseminated histoplasmosis: Pathologists are not sufficiently involved

Disseminated histoplasmosis is a major killer of HIV‐infected persons in Latin America. Antigen detection, fungal culture and Polymerase Chain Reaction are often not available, but cytology and histology are present in most hospitals and may offer a diagnostic alternative. In this study, we review 34 years of clinical experience to describe the roles of cytology and histology in diagnosing disseminated histoplasmosis.
Validating a SMIIL:) Development and initial validation of a Scale Measuring the Impact of Interprofessional Learning (SMIIL)

ABSTRACT Design and evaluation of interprofessional learning (IPL) in pre-qualification education lacks customization. In response to this, the Scale Measuring the Impact of Interprofessional Learning (SMIIL) was developed to facilitate the context-driven evaluation of IPL interventions in the undergraduate setting. Items of this scale reflect common IPL themes and align to levels one to three of the modified Kirkpatrick’s model. This scale was piloted in a cohort of 787 BMBS (Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery) students at a medical school in the South West of England. A response rate of 22.7% was achieved despite the disruption of face-to-face data collection during the Covid-19 lockdown (March to July 2020). Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and Cronbach’s Alpha were used to validate and refine the scale. The resultant SMIIL is a unidimensional instrument comprised of 17 items with an acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.80). Further research is required to develop the scale fully and validate it by involving different cohorts of pre-qualification healthcare students in multiple localities and varying styles of IPL interventions.
Normative Ambulatory Reflux Monitoring Metrics for Laryngopharyngeal Reflux: A Systematic Review of 720 Healthy Individuals

Objectives To review the normative data for acid, weakly acid, and nonacid proximal esophageal (PRE) and hypopharyngeal reflux (HRE) events in diagnosing laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) using ambulatory reflux monitoring. Data Sources PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus. Review Methods A literature search was conducted about the normative data for PRE and HRE on multichannel intraluminal impedance–pH monitoring (MII-pH), hypopharyngeal-esophageal MII-pH (HEMII-pH), or oropharyngeal pH monitoring using PICOTS (population, intervention, comparison, outcome, timing, and setting) and PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statements. Outcomes reviewed included device characteristics, impedance/pH sensor placements, study duration, number/average and percentiles of PRE or HRE occurrence, and the event characteristics (pH, composition, and position). Results Of 154 identified studies, 18 met criteria for analysis, including 720 healthy individuals. HEMII-pH, MII-pH, and oropharyngeal pH monitoring were used in 7, 6, and 5 studies, respectively. The definition and inclusion/exclusion criteria of healthy individuals varied substantially across studies, with 6 studies considering only digestive symptoms to exclude potential LPR patients. Substantial heterogeneity across studies was noted, including impedance/pH sensor placements/configurations and definitions of composition (liquid, gas, mixed) and type (acid, weakly acid, nonacid) of PRE/HRE. The 95th percentile thresholds were 10 to 73 events for PRE, 0 to 10 events for HRE on HEMII-pH, and 40 to 128 for events with pH <6.0 on oropharyngeal pH monitoring. Most HREs were nonacid and occurred upright. The mean HRE among healthy individuals was 1. Conclusion The low number of studies and the heterogeneity in inclusion criteria, definitions, and characterization of PRE and HRE limit the establishment of consensual normative criteria for LPR on ambulatory reflux monitoring. Future large multicenter studies are needed.
Continuous Dehydration and Hydrogenolysis of Glycerol over Non-Chromium Copper Catalyst: Laboratory-Scale Process Studies

A non-chromium Cu:Al catalyst was developed for glycerol dehydration under N2 atmosphere to acetol and hydrogenolysis to 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO). Among the various copper-based catalysts screened in this work, Cu:Al-1 catalyst showed the highest activity and acetol selectivity in water medium, whereas transfer hydrogenation in 2-propanol as the reaction medium led to the formation of 1,2-PDO (10–38%). The same catalyst was also found to catalyze the direct hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-PDO. Time on stream activity (TOS) of our Cu:Al-1 catalyst for both continuous dehydration and hydrogenolysis of glycerol was found to be 400 h with an average glycerol conversion of 90% and 65%, respectively. Maximum acetol selectivity was 55% while 1,2-PDO selectivity was 91% in dehydration and hydrogenolysis reactions separately. Effects of various reaction conditions on conversion, selectivity, and global rates of the two processes were also investigated.