Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Scuba diving fatalities in Australia, 2001 to 2013: Diver demographics and characteristics.

INTRODUCTION This study identified characteristics of victims of fatal scuba diving incidents to determine contributing factors and inform appropriate countermeasures. METHODS The National Coronial Information System (NCIS) was searched to identify scuba diving deaths for 2001-2013, inclusive. Data were extracted from witness and police reports, medical histories and autopsies. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse these data. RESULTS There were 126 scuba diving-related fatalities identified during the study period. The mean age was 44 years, 99 (79%) victims were male and 83 (77%) were either overweight or obese. Most deaths occurred in New South Wales and Queensland, often in a commercial setting. Twenty-three (79%) Queensland victims were overseas tourists. At least 52 (41%) were novices and 17 (13%) died during training or an introductory scuba experience. Only 35 (28%) were with a buddy when the incident occurred and at least 81 (64%) were still wearing weights when recovered. CONCLUSIONS The age of these victims may reflect an older cohort of participants and the associated higher prevalence of chronic medical conditions. The high prevalence of obesity suggests that this may be a risk factor. The high proportion of deaths in overseas tourists highlights an on-going need for appropriate screening and monitoring in what may be a higher risk cohort. The number of deaths that occurred under instruction highlights the importance of careful assessment of the site, prevailing conditions, an appropriate instructor-student ratio and close supervision.
Woody Plant Encroachment and Removal in Mesic Grassland: Production and Composition Responses of Herbaceous Vegetation

Abstract The clonal shrub Cornus drummondii is rapidly displacing mesic grassland in the central U.S. due to fire suppression and changes in land use. Once established, this shrub is not readily eliminated by the return of frequent fire, leading to significant and perhaps irreversible shifts in tallgrass prairie structure and function. We assessed the impacts of C. drummondii encroachment on herbaceous aboveground net primary production (ANPP) and plant community structure in tallgrass prairie and the role this species plays in the conversion of grassland ecosystems to shrub/woodlands. We also removed established C. drummondii clones to assess the potential of the grassland ecosystem to recover after shrub dominance. Aboveground net primary production, vegetative cover and species richness and diversity (exclusive of C. drummondii) were significantly reduced beneath shrub islands relative to open grassland, with reductions in ANPP and richness of up to 94 and 45%, respectively. Forbs were the dominant growth form in the C. drummondii understory, and 10 species primarily associated with woodland habitats occurred only within shrub islands. Upon removal of C. drummondii, ANPP, richness and diversity recovered to grassland values within 2 y; however, forbs remained the dominant growth form, comprising 73% of total cover. These results indicate that C. drummondii exerts strong control over the structure and function of unburned mesic grassland ecosystems and that this shrub may be key in the conversion of grasslands to woodlands. Removal of C. drummondii resulted in some aspects of recovery, but the return of graminoid dominance was not attained after 2 y. This represents a legacy effect of C. drummondii of unknown duration. Prevention of woody species encroachment through frequent burning is a preferred management option for this ecosystem.
The impact of laughter yoga on depression and anxiety among retired women: a randomized controlled clinical trial

ABSTRACT Recently, laughter yoga (LY) has been introduced for managing depression and anxiety. This study aimed to investigate the impact of LY on depression and anxiety among retired women in city of Bojnurd, Iran, 2018. Sixty-six retired women were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Intervention group received LY twice weekly for 8 weeks; control group had their routine daily activities. Depression and anxiety levels were measured at study initiation, week 4, and week 8 in both groups. Results showed significant difference in the pattern of depression (p <.001) and anxiety (p <.001) scores within and between groups. LY could be an effective intervention in reducing depression and anxiety among retired women.
Somatic genetic rescue in hematopoietic cells in GATA2 deficiency.

Haploinsufficiency of GATA2 caused by heterozygous loss-of-function mutations is associated with cytopenias and predisposition to myelodysplasia and AML with other variable extrahematopoietic manifestions, including lymphedema, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, and hearing loss. The authors report on 2 siblings with the disorder whose father was asymptomatic because of an acquired missense mutation in the affected allele that was restricted to hematopoietic cells; surprisingly, he also had no extrahematopoietic complications.
Quality of life of women with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

OBJECTIVES To identify the main affected domains of quality of life of hospitalized women with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer; and to analyze the association between the level of quality of life and stage of cancer. METHOD This was a cross-sectional quantitative, study conducted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between March and July 2017. Interviews were performed with 199 women. The researchers administered the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30, with analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software and the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS Mean global health status was 32.04. On the functional scales, cognitive functioning scored the highest (60.47), while role functioning scored the lowest (12.48). Fatigue presented the highest mean (69.57). The scores for global health status and the functional scales (with the exception of the social functioning) decreased as staging progressed. CONCLUSION The stage of cancer affects the quality of life of the studied sample of women.
Person-oriented ethics for autism research: Creating best practices through engagement with autism and autistic communities

Research ethics is an important part of any study. Ethics goes beyond ethics committee approval and consent documents. It addresses broader issues of respect, inclusion, and empowerment in the everyday context of research. This article focuses on everyday aspects of research ethics for studies involving autistic participants. It draws on a review of the literature and a process of ethical deliberation involving a task force of researchers, professionals, autistic self-advocates, and parents. These methods led to the creation of suggestions for researchers. This article describes the community engagement process, briefly presents the task force suggestions, and provides more detailed discussion of select items for illustration. Suggestions are organized around five “person-oriented research ethics” guideposts: (1) individualization (e.g. providing individualized support for participants), (2) acknowledgment of lived world (e.g. acknowledging barriers to care that impact research ethics), (3) empowerment in decision-making (e.g. creating accessible consent processes that address specific communication needs), (4) respect for holistic personhood (e.g. addressing sensory and processing needs and strengths), and (5) focus on researcher–participant relationships (e.g. involving autistic people in ways other than research participants, including but not limited to via participatory research). This project highlights the value of researcher–community partnerships in discussions about research ethics. Lay abstract Research ethics means issues that concern the welfare and wellbeing of people who take part in research. It is important in all scientific studies. Ethics helps people who do research treat people who take part in research fairly and with respect. This article is about day-to-day ethics when autistic people take part in research. We present tips for researchers who want to do this type of study. We used two methods to create these tips. First, we wanted to know what other people said about this topic. We used a literature review to find out. Second, we wanted to know what autistic people, parents, and professionals thought, and had a working group meet to discuss it. The working group provided advice that researchers could consider around day-to-day ethics in research. This article talks about these methods and advice. The advice fits into five big groups: Tailor the research process for the unique needs of each person. Think about the world in which people who take part in research live. Make it easier for people to make their own choices. Value what people who take part in research have to share and consider their needs and strengths. Think about how researchers and people who take part in research work together. This project shows why it is useful for researchers and communities to talk about research ethics together.
Changes in respiratory symptoms during 48weeks treatment with ARD-3150 (inhaled liposomal ciprofloxacin) in bronchiectasis

Introduction : It is not known if inhaled antibiotics improve respiratory symptoms in patients with bronchiectasis. In the recent phase-3 ORBIT trials, 48-weeks treatment with ARD-3150 (inhaled liposomal ciprofloxacin) did not significantly improve symptoms using the prespecified method of analysis comparing baseline symptoms to those after 48 weeks, when patients had been off treatment for 28 days. This method of analysis does not take account of possible improvements in symptoms while on active treatment. Methods : A post-hoc analysis of 2 identical randomized trials of ARD-3150 (ORBIT-3 and -4) administered 28-days on and 28 days off in patients with bronchiectasis and chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. The quality of life bronchiectasis respiratory symptom scale (QOL-B-RSS), which has a 1-week recall period, was administered every 28-days. We examined whether respiratory symptoms improved during on-treatment periods and the relationship of changes in QOL-B-RSS to changes in bacterial load using a mixed model repeated measures approach. Results : ARD-3150 treatment resulted in a significant improvement in respiratory symptoms during the on-treatment periods with concordant results between ORBIT-3 (estimate 1.4 points, standard error (SE) 0.49,p=0.004) and ORBIT-4 (estimate 1.1 point, SE0.41,p=0.006). The proportion of patients achieving a symptom improvement above the minimum clinically important difference was higher with ARD-3150 compared to placebo during on-treatment cycles (p=0.024). Changes in respiratory symptoms were correlated with changes in bacterial load in the treatment group (r=-0.89,p<0.0001). Individual estimates for decrements in the QOL-B RSS during exacerbation were -9.4 points (SE 0.91) in ORBIT-3 and -10.8 points (0.74) in ORBIT-4 (both p<0.0001). Conclusion : Inhaled ARD-3150 resulted in significant improvements in respiratory symptoms during the on-treatment periods which were lost during off-treatment periods. These results supports the concept that reducing bacterial load can improve confirming bacterial load as a key biomarker of inhaled antibiotic response in bronchiectasis.
Harnessing inflammation resolving‐based therapeutic agents to treat pulmonary viral infections: What can the future offer to COVID‐19?

Inflammation is generally accepted as a component of the host defence system and a protective response in the context of infectious diseases. However, altered inflammatory responses can contribute to disease in infected individuals. Many endogenous mediators that drive the resolution of inflammation are now known. Overall, mediators of resolution tend to decrease inflammatory responses and provide normal or greater ability of the host to deal with infection. In the lung, it seems that pro‐resolution molecules, or strategies that promote their increase, tend to suppress inflammation and lung injury and facilitate control of bacterial or viral burden. Here, we argue that the demonstrated anti‐inflammatory, pro‐resolving, anti‐thrombogenic and anti‐microbial effects of such endogenous mediators of resolution may be useful in the treatment of the late stages of the disease in patients with COVID‐19.
Decaffeinated coffee and its benefits on health: focus on systemic disorders

Abstract The current literature has mainly focused on benefits and risks deriving from the consumption of caffeinated coffee and its implications for inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Today, data about the role of caffeine in many disorders are controversial and the attention has increasingly focused on decaffeinated coffee and its non-caffeine compounds, which could have mainly beneficial effects. In fact, coffee phenolic compounds not only exhibit well-known antioxidant properties, but they can also antagonize some negative effects of caffeine, for example in inflammatory pathway and in glucose metabolism and homeostasis. In this review, we consider the literature of the last two decades and critically discuss the effects of decaffeinated coffee compounds on systemic disorders, mainly inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, hepatic dysfunctions, and cancer.
ANTICANCER ACTIVITY OF PUNICA GRANATUM RIND EXTRACTS AGAINST HUMAN LUNG CANCER CELL LINE

Natural products isolated as biologically active compounds with great therapeutic potential providing the molecular basis for most of drugs are currently in use, especially for cancer and infectious diseases. Punica granatum rind (PGR) extracts contains significant amount of polyphenolic compounds and exhibited powerful antioxidant potential in vitro system. The present study was undertaken to confirm the anticancer potential of PGR extracts on A549 cell line and to elucidate the mechanism of its action. PGR extract demonstrated a dose dependent inhibitory effect on cell growth (IC50-80 μg/ml), and it significantly inhibited the growth of A549 cells, FITC supported this result by showing increased cell death ethyl acetate treated cells. The results showed that ethyl acetate extract of PGR was found to be most potent when comparing to its counter parts.
Impact of dietary supplementation of sodium butyrate and/or protexin on the growth performance, some blood parameters, and immune response of Oreochromis niloticus.

Two hundred Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings were used to explain the effects of supplementing a basal diet with sodium butyrate (SB) and / or protexin on the growth performance, some blood parameters, body composition, and immune response. Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings were allotted into 4 experimental groups. The control group (1) was fed the basal diet (BD), while group (2) was fed BD with SB at level 3 g/ 10 kg diet, group 3 fed BD plus protexin (probiotic) 1 g/ 10 kg diet and group 4 was fed BD with SB and protexin at 3 and 1 g/ 10 kg diet. Results obtained showed that the highest growth (final weight, total weight gain and SGR) of Nile tilapia were obtained with feeding diet containing SB plus probiotics followed by SB (group 2) supplemented diets (P<0.05) when compared with those of control group. The best FCR values observed in SB plus Protexin-supplemented diets. The results revealed that, probiotic nonsignificantly increased blood glucose and intestinal glucose absorption while sodium butyrate significantly increased blood glucose level, intestinal glucose absorption and both probiotic and SB supplementation have no any adverse effects on liver functions reflected in normal blood protein pattern and enzymatic activity. We concluded from this study that using of SB and SB plus probiotic is preferred for good performance in tilapia fish production because the beneficial effect of butyric acid on the proliferation of the intestinal epithelium.
Sensory Environments for Behavioral Health in Dementia: Diffusion of an Environmental Innovation at the Veterans Health Administration

Objectives: To evaluate the diffusion of multisensory environments (MSEs) as an innovation at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and gather feedback regarding staff perceptions of barriers to uptake and effectiveness of MSEs for Veterans with dementia. Background: Responding to the need for nonpharmacological behavioral interventions, VHA funded the first MSE for Veterans with dementia in 2010. The room incorporated LED color-changing lights, bubble tubes, vibroacoustic furniture, music, and aromatherapy, and the success of this patient-centered sensory room fueled national rollouts in 2013 and 2015. Method: A qualitative interview approach was used. Thirty-two staff members participated from 12 of the 53 sites producing 21 individual interviews and 1 group interview with 11 participants. Results were analyzed by a team of eight researchers using the rapid qualitative inquiry method to identify common themes and major insights. Results: Important insights emerged with regard to staff members’ perceptions about the effectiveness of MSE therapy as well as barriers to uptake and suggested strategies for overcoming those barriers (e.g., empowering a champion, developing a clear maintenance plan). Conclusions: The findings from this research indicate MSEs are perceived as effective in improving behavior for Veterans with dementia and represent an innovation that has been well-diffused within the VHA, with great potential for future clinical applications.
Efeitos do consumo diário de probiótico sobre a microbiota cariogênica

Probiotics have been defined as alive microorganisms that can bring benefits to the host improving their intestinal balance when administered in the determined amount. Recent studies have been suggested that probiotics could be an auxiliary method to control caries disease because they can decrease salivary levels of S. mutans. Many bacterias, including the gender Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have probiotic properties. Probiotics can be administered many ways but yogurts are the most common one. More studies are needed to confirm its actual benefits in the oral cavity, allowing dentists to indicate its use safely.
Differential Mechanisms of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Gene Activation by Transforming Growth Factor-β and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Endothelial Cells

Summary Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is a serine protease inhibitor (SERPIN) specific for tissue-type and urokinase-like plasminogen activators. High plasma PAI-1 activity is a risk factor for thrombotic diseases. Due to the short half-life of PAI-1, regulation of PAI-1 gene expression and secretion of active PAI-1 into the blood stream is important for hemostatic balance. We have investigated transcriptional control of PAI-1 gene expression in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) and human cell lines using PAI-1 5’ promoter-luciferase reporter assays. Contrary to the cytokine-induced up-regulation of PAI-1 mRNA and protein levels, we found that only transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) was efficient in inducing PAI-1 promoter activation. Tissue necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induced a small luciferase activity with the 2.5 kb PAI-1 promoter, but not with the PAI-800/4G/5G and p3TP-lux promoters. Next we investigated whether a lack of response to TNF-α was due to deficient signaling pathways. BAECs responded to TNF-α with robust NFκB promoter activation. TGF-β activated the p38 MAP kinase, while TNF-α activated both the SAPK/JNK and p38 MAP kinases. The ERK1/2 MAP kinases were constitutively activated in BAECs. BAEC therefore responded to TNF-α stimulation with activation of the MAP kinases and the NFκB transcriptional factors. We further measured the messenger RNA stability under the influence by TGF-β and TNF-α and found no difference. PAI-1 gene activation by TNF-α apparently is yet to be defined for the location of the response element and/or the signaling pathway, while TGF-β is the most important cytokine for PAI-1 transcriptional activation through its 5’ proximal promoter.
KSHV requires vCyclin to overcome replicative senescence in primary human lymphatic endothelial cells

Kaposi’s Sarcoma Herpesvirus (KSHV) is present in the main tumor cells of Kaposi’s Sarcoma (KS), the spindle cells, which are of endothelial origin. KSHV is also associated with two B-cell lymphomas, Primary Effusion Lymphoma (PEL) and Multicentric Castleman’s Disease. In KS and PEL, KSHV is primarily latent in the infected cells, expressing only a few genes. Although KSHV infection is required for KS and PEL, it is unclear how latent gene expression contributes to their formation. Proliferation of cancer cells occurs despite multiple checkpoints intended to prevent dysregulated cell growth. The first of these checkpoints, caused by shortening of telomeres, results in replicative senescence, where cells are metabolically active, but no longer divide. We found that human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) are more susceptible to KSHV infection than their blood-specific endothelial cell counterparts and maintain KSHV latency to higher levels during passage. Importantly, KSHV infection of human LECs but not human BECs promotes their continued proliferation beyond this first checkpoint of replicative senescence. The latently expressed viral cyclin homolog is essential for KSHV-induced bypass of senescence in LECs. These data suggest that LECs may be an important reservoir for KSHV infection and may play a role during KS tumor development and that the viral cyclin is a critical oncogene for this process.
Associations between HbA1c and mortality over long-term follow-up: Results from the KORA S4 and the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study.

AIMS There is limited knowledge about mortality risk in persons with increased HbA1c levels below the diabetes threshold. Moreover, little is known about how associations between increased HbA1c and mortality depend on the length of follow-up. Therefore, we studied associations between HbA1c and mortality over long-term follow-up in persons with and without known diabetes. METHODS We used data from two German population-based cohort studies: KORA S4 Study (Southern Germany, n = 1458, baseline visits in 1999-2001, baseline age 55-74 years, mortality follow-up 16.8 years); Heinz Nixdorf Recall (HNR) Study (Ruhr area, n = 4613, baseline visits in 2000-2003, baseline age 45-75 years, mortality follow-up 17.8 years). Adjusted log-linear models were fitted to estimate relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS In both cohorts, participants with HbA1c 39-41 mmol/mol (5.7-5.9%) and HbA1c 42-46 mmol/mol (6.0-6.4%) did not have a larger overall mortality risk than participants with HbA1c < 39 mmol/mol (5.7%): the corresponding adjusted RRs were 1.00 (95% CI: 0.83-1.21) and 1.01 (0.80-1.27) in KORA, and 0.99 (0.82-1.21) and 0.83 (0.65-1.07) in the HNR Study. For the pooled cohorts, the RR for HbA1c 39-46 mmol/mol (5.7─6.4%) was 0.96 (0.85─1.07). Associations between newly detected diabetes (HbA1c ≥ 6.5%) and mortality were weak after 4 and 8 years of follow-up, but were stronger after 12 years of follow-up, whereas associations between previously known diabetes (baseline) and mortality decreased. CONCLUSIONS HbA1c-defined prediabetes is not associated with overall mortality. For newly detected and previously known diabetes, mortality risks vary with length of follow-up. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.