Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Scientific knowledge about infections by the new coronavirus in older adults: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE to map the scientific knowledge about COVID-19 in older adults. METHOD this is a scoping review literature review. A search was performed in the PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science and LILACS databases. Original articles that answered the guiding question were included: what scientific knowledge is available in the world about COVID-19 in older adults? RESULTS thirty-one articles were included, most of them carried out in China (n=23) and with a retrospective design (n=13) and case studies/case series (n=13). Based on the findings, six thematic categories emerged: clinical signs and symptoms (n=12), other information (n=9), adverse outcomes/complications resulting from COVID-19 (n=8), age relationship and greater severity of COVID-19 (n=8), variables related to death by COVID-19 (n=8), and diagnostic findings (n=8). CONCLUSION the findings reinforce older adults' greater vulnerability to the worsening of COVID-19, as well as to complications resulting from the disease, including the greater occurrence of death.
Baseline behaviour moderates movement skill intervention outcomes among young children with autism spectrum disorder

This study examined whether adaptive behaviour, emotional and behavioural challenges, and social skills, respectively, moderated the effect of a movement skill intervention on movement skills among preschool aged children with autism spectrum disorder. Twenty-seven participants with autism spectrum disorder (N = 13 experimental) between 3 and 5 years of age participated in a 12-week fundamental movement skill intervention. Movement skills were assessed at baseline and post-test. Adaptive behaviour, emotional and behavioural challenges, and social skills were assessed at baseline. A repeated-measures analysis of variance tested the group by time effect on movement skills. Three separate moderation analyses were then run to test the moderating effect of adaptive behaviour, emotional and behavioural challenges, and social skills, respectively, on the relationship between group assignment and movement skills at the post-test. The experimental group significantly improved their movement skills following the intervention (p = 0.02, ηp2=.19). The moderation analyses showed that adaptive behaviour (b(SE) = 0.86 (0.41), p < 0.05) and emotional and behavioural challenges (b(SE) = −1.5 (0.8), p = 0.06) at baseline moderated the association between group and post-test movement skills, when controlling for baseline movement skills. These findings may help caregivers and clinicians individualize treatment plans in regard to movement skill interventions for preschool-aged children with autism spectrum disorder. Lay abstract It is common for children with autism spectrum disorder to experience delays in their movement skills. These skills are important for participation in play and physical activity. Previous research has found that movement skills can be improved with movement skill interventions. This study explored the behavioural factors of young children with autism spectrum disorder that make them most likely to improve their movement skills following a 12-week intervention. The study found that children with higher levels of adaptive behaviour and lower levels of emotional and behavioural challenges at the start of the intervention were more likely to have greater improvements in their movement skills following the intervention. These findings may help clinicians and caregivers plan which types of interventions are best suited for individual children with autism spectrum disorder.
Does Physical Activity Improve Cognition and Academic Performance in Children? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Introduction: In the last decades, different studies have investigated the effects of exercise or physical activity (PA) on cognitive functions and academic performance in children and adolescents. But given the inconsistencies regarding methodologies and the fact that many studies do not have controlled or randomized designs, a more recent review is needed in order to summarize the different outcomes and methodologies employed and correlate them from an applied perspective. Objectives: The purpose of the present review is to systematically review and analyze the effects of acute and chronic PA interventions exclusively from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on cognitive functions and academic performance of children and adolescents. Methods: A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases for all RCTs published between January 2014 and July 2020. Authors searched these databases using controlled vocabularies, keywords, and Boolean logic, and data were later extracted from the studies. Effect sizes were calculated based on means and SDs at posttest using Hedge’s g formula. Results: A total of 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. They were assessed for eligibility and later included in the review. Although most of the articles did not show any robust effect size and had significant methodological differences, 80% of the studies analyzed showed positive results, indicating a significant impact of exercise or PA on cognition. Discussion: Due to the heterogeneity in the design of the interventions and the variables analyzed, most of the studies showed small or medium effect sizes. Studies with big effect size in all variables had in common the fact that they involved team game variations and coordination activities. The combination of physical exertion (high intensity) and cognitive engagement with social interactions seems to have the strongest effect on executive functions. This ecological and attractive model reflects children’s typical PA and might represent an ideal model for exercise in this population. Conclusions: Although grouping different studies based on PA type, control groups, and comparison treatments is a limitation and results should be interpreted with caution, this review suggests that PA interventions, in particular, team game variations and coordination activities, have positive effects on children’s cognitive functions.
Systematic review: Sweet syndrome associated with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Sweet syndrome (SS) is a dermatologic condition associated with both IBD and azathioprine use. We performed a systematic review to better delineate clinical characteristics and outcomes of SS in IBD patients. METHODS Peer-reviewed, full-text journal publications from inception to April 2020 in English language and adult subjects with IBD were included. Skin biopsy was required as SS gold-standard diagnosis. Azathioprine-associated SS required recent azathioprine introduction or recurrence of SS after azathioprine re-challenge. RESULTS We included 89 publications with 95 patients (mean age of SS diagnosis: 44 years; 59% female; 20 with azathioprine-associated SS and 75 without). SS was diagnosed prior to IBD in 5.3%, at time of IBD diagnosis in 29.5% and after diagnosis in 64.2%. 91% of patients with SS had known colonic involvement and the majority (76%) had active IBD at diagnosis; 22% had additional extra-intestinal manifestations. Successful therapies for SS included corticosteroids (90.5%), anti-TNF-α inhibitor therapy (14.8%) and azathioprine (11.6%). Azathioprine-associated SS was distinct, with 85% male patients, mean age of SS diagnosis of 50 years and a lower likelihood to be prescribed corticosteroids for treatment (75% vs. 94.7% of non-azathioprine-associated SS, p=0.008). All patients with azathioprine-associated SS improved with medication cessation and developed recurrence after re-challenge. CONCLUSIONS SS may precede or occur with IBD diagnosis in almost one third of cases. Azathioprine and IBD-associated SS present and behave distinctly, especially with regard to gender, age at diagnosis and recurrence risk. Corticosteroids and TNF-α inhibitors have demonstrated efficacy in treating SS in IBD.
Worldwide epidemiology of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in humans, ticks and other animal species, a systematic review and meta-analysis

There are uncertainties about the global epidemiological data of infections due to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). We estimated the global case fatality rate (CFR) of CCHFV infections and the prevalence of CCHFV in humans, ticks and other animal species. We also explored the socio-demographic and clinical factors that influence these parameters. In this systematic review with meta–analyses we searched publications from database inception to 03rd February 2020 in Pubmed, Scopus, and Global Index Medicus. Studies included in this review provided cross-sectional data on the CFR and/or prevalence of one or more targets used for the detection of CCHFV. Two independent investigators selected studies to be included. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were conducted independently by all authors. Data collected were analysed using a random effect meta-analysis. In all, 2345 records were found and a total of 312 articles (802 prevalence and/or CFR data) that met the inclusion criteria were retained. The overall CFR was 11.7% (95% CI = 9.1–14.5), 8.0% (95% CI = 1.0–18.9), and 4.7% (95% CI = 0.0–37.6) in humans with acute, recent, and past CCHFV infections respectively. The overall CCHFV acute infections prevalence was 22.5% (95% CI = 15.7–30.1) in humans, 2.1% (95% CI = 1.3–2.9) in ticks, and 4.5% (95% CI = 1.9–7.9) in other animal species. The overall CCHFV recent infections seroprevalence was 11.6% (95% CI = 7.9–16.4) in humans and 0.4% (95% CI = 0.0–2.9) in other animal species. The overall CCHFV past infections seroprevalence was 4.3% (95% CI = 3.3–5.4) in humans and 12.0% (95% CI = 9.9–14.3) in other animal species. CFR was higher in low-income countries, countries in the WHO African, South-East Asia and Eastern Mediterranean regions, in adult and ambulatory patients. CCHFV detection rate in humans were higher in CCHFV suspected cases, healthcare workers, adult and hospitalized patients, ticks of the genus Ornithodoros and Amblyomma and in animals of the orders Perissodactyla and Bucerotiformes. This review highlights a significant disease burden due to CCHFV with a strong disparity according to country income levels, geographic regions, various human categories and tick and other animal species. Preventive measures in the light of these findings are expected.
miR‐543 in human mesenchymal stem cell–derived exosomes promotes cardiac microvascular endothelial cell angiogenesis after myocardial infarction through COL4A1

To explore the impact and mechanism of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on the angiogenesis of cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) after ischemia insult. Exosomes derived from hMSCs (hMSCs‐Exo) were identified by Western blotting and labeled by PHK‐67. CMECs were isolated from rat myocardial tissues. After hypoxic treatment, CMECs were cultured with hMSCs and exosome inhibitor (GW4869) or transfected with si‐COL4A1 + miR‐543 inhibitor. CMEC proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis were examined. Target genes of miR‐543 were predicted and then were identified by dual luciferase assay. Myocardial infarction (MI) rat model established by suture occlusion was intravenously injected with hMSCs‐Exo. Fluorescence microscope was applied to visualize exosomes in myocardial tissues. Infarction volume and pathologies of myocardial tissues were observed. Ki‐67 and miR‐543 expressions were detected. The isolated hMSC‐Exo expressed TSG101, HSP70, and CD63. Hypoxia‐treated CMECs cultured with hMSCs exhibited high proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis ability, while incubation with exosome inhibitor GW4969 offset the promoting effects of hMSCs on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis of CMECs. hMSCs transfected with miR‐543 inhibitor brought CMECs weak viability and angiogenesis ability. CMECs transfected with si‐COL4A1 and miR‐543 inhibitor showed low proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis compared to those transfected with si‐COL4A1 alone. hMSCs‐Exo entered the myocardial tissues of MI rats. Injection of hMSCs‐Exo in MI rats diminished infarction size, attenuated MI‐induced injuries, and increased Ki‐67 expression. hMSCs‐Exo facilitates the proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis of CMECs through transferring miR‐543 and downregulating COL4A1 expression.
Modeling the complete kinetics of coxsackievirus B3 reveals human determinants of host-cell feedback

Complete kinetic models are pervasive in chemistry but lacking in biological systems. We encoded the complete kinetics of infection for coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), a compact and fastacting RNA virus. The kinetics are built from detailed modules for viral binding–delivery, translation–replication, and encapsidation. Specific module activities are dampened by the type I interferon response to viral double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs), which is itself disrupted by viral proteinases. The validated kinetics uncovered that cleavability of the dsRNA transducer mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) becomes a stronger determinant of viral outcomes when cells receive supplemental interferon after infection. Cleavability is naturally altered in humans by a common MAVS polymorphism, which removes a proteinase-targeted site but paradoxically elevates CVB3 infectivity. These observations are reconciled with a simple nonlinear model of MAVS regulation. Modeling complete kinetics is an attainable goal for small, rapidly infecting viruses and perhaps viral pathogens more broadly.
Loss of Soluble (Pro)renin Receptor Attenuates Angiotensin-II Induced Hypertension and Renal Injury

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Rationale: Cleavage of the extracellular domain of the PRR ([pro]renin receptor) yields a soluble fragment (sPRR). Although changes in plasma sPRR levels have been reported in hypertension, the causal role of sPRR in blood pressure regulation is unknown. Objective: Determine the role of sPRR in blood pressure regulation at baseline and following Ang II (angiotensin II)–induced hypertension. Methods and Results: CRISPR-Cas9 was used to mutate the cleavage site of the PRR such that sPRR is not generated. Because the gene encoding PRR is on the X-chromosome and male mutant sPRR mice are infertile, only male mice were studied. Mutant sPRR mice had virtually undetectable plasma sPRR levels compared with littermate controls. Mutant sPRR mice had normal survival and development and no apparent histological abnormalities in the kidney, heart, or aorta despite lower body weight. During normal Na+ intake, no differences in food or water intake, urinary water or Na+ excretion, or acid-base status were observed between control and mutant sPRR mice. Compared with controls, mutant sPRR mice had lower blood pressure at baseline and an attenuated hypertensive response to 2 weeks of Ang II infusion (400 ng/kg per minute) which was partially reversed by infusion of mouse recombinant sPRR. Mutant sPRR mice also had lower albuminuria, renal tubular injury, and oxidative stress relative to control mice post-Ang II infusion. Furthermore, mesenteric arteries from mutant sPRR mice displayed reduced Ang II–induced vasocontraction and greater acetylcholine, but not sodium nitroprusside, evoked vasorelaxation under baseline conditions. Conclusions: Loss of sPRR reduces blood pressure at baseline and decreases Ang II–induced hypertension and renal injury. These effects of sPRR loss are associated with greater endothelium-dependent but not independent vasorelaxation of resistance-sized arteries.
A Brief Training Program to Support the Use of a Digital Pill System for Medication Adherence: Pilot Descriptive Study

Background Digital pill systems (DPSs), which comprise ingestible radiofrequency sensors integrated into a gelatin capsule that overencapsulates a medication, can directly measure ingestion events. Objective Teaching users to operate a DPS is vital to ensure the collection of actionable ingestion and adherence data. In this study, we aim to develop and pilot a training program, grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model, to instruct individuals on DPS operation. Methods A two-part training program, comprising in-person and text message–based components, was used with HIV-negative men who have sex with men with nonalcohol substance use, who had enrolled in a 90-day pilot demonstration study using the DPS to measure adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis. We assessed the number of responses to text check-ins, the number and types of episodes where technical support was requested, the resolutions of such issues, and engagement with the program over the study period. Participant feedback on the program was evaluated through qualitative user experience interviews. Results A total of 15 participants were enrolled in and completed the program. Seven technical challenges related to DPS operations were reported across 5 participants. Most commonly, participants requested support connecting the wearable Reader device with their smartphone, charging the Reader, and operating the mobile app. A total of 6 issues were resolved asynchronously or in real time via phone; 1 required in-person evaluation and resolution. Preliminary qualitative findings indicate that both the in-person and remote follow-up components of the training program were perceived as acceptable. Suggested improvements included repeated DPS refresher sessions at in-person follow-up visits and enhanced written materials for the independent resolution of technological issues. Conclusions A brief two-part DPS training program, drawing from individuals’ experiences and from the Technology Acceptance Model, can provide valuable insights for users. The program also identifies and addresses several areas of actual or potential challenges related to operating a DPS and allows for the resolution of such issues within the first week of DPS use.
Unexpected reduction in ozone levels in a mid-size city during COVID-19 lockdown

ABSTRACT The current study evaluated ozone levels through passive samplers installed in 4 different points in a medium-sized city (Rio Grande, Brazil) with naturally low NO2 levels during a week of COVID-19 lockdown. Additionally, we evaluated the consequences of this response with regard to human health risk assessment and reduction of hospital admissions and ozone-related deaths. The reduction in ozone levels, one month after the implementation of containment measures, varied between 26 and 64% (average of 44%), in the different studied sites. The reduction of human mobility during the pandemic reduced the levels of ozone in Rio Grande city and consequently will bring benefits to health services in the municipality. This unexpected reduction in O3 levels must be related to the low ‘natural’ levels of NO2 in the city, which make the contribution of other precursors important for the fluctuation of O3 levels.
The prevalence of sight impairment registration post-stroke

ABSTRACT Many stroke survivors are eligible for sight impairment (SI) registration from a chronic visual impairment (VI). The literature and clinical experience show that some individuals who meet the criteria for registration either decline or are not offered registration. The aim of this Orthoptic stroke service review is to determine the reason for declining and whether the individuals feel supported without registration and to recommend service changes to improve the certification process. A service evaluation of stroke survivors who had declined SI registration was undertaken. All those with a diagnosis of stroke, a full Orthoptic assessment, a period of monitoring and were discharged between September 2017 and August 2019 were identified. Fifty-four stroke survivors were eligible to be registered SI at their last appointment; 31 (57%) were not offered registration for reasons including end of life care. Of the remaining 23s, 14 proceeded with SI registration and nine declined. Four who declined were excluded (44%), as two were registered at a subsequent ophthalmology appointment, two were inappropriate to contact. A telephone interview was undertaken with the remaining five individuals. Of the five stroke survivors that were contacted, three (60%) recalled declining SI registration at their last appointment. All felt they were given enough information to aid their decision. Reasons given for declining registration included not accepting the VI, hoping for recovery and having enough support. The individuals felt they were still able to access services and were happy to remain unregistered. The remaining two stroke survivors could not recall being offered SI registration and subsequently requested to be registered following the telephone call. Of those individuals who initially declined registration, two (40%) decided to proceed with registration following the telephone interview. Although numbers are small it is worth considering a post discharge telephone consultation to stroke survivors who decline registration.
Meibomian glands dropout in patients with inactive thyroid related orbitopathy

Purpose To evaluate the structure and function of meibomian glands in patients with thyroid related orbitopathy (TRO) compared with age- and sex-matched controls without TRO. Methods This cross-sectional study included 106 eyes of 53 patients with TRO and 106 eyes of 53 age- and sex-matched controls without TRO. Patients with TRO were assessed for thyroid hormone status, activity and severity of TRO. All participants completed OSDI questionnaires. Their meibomian glands’ structure and function were assessed, including the area of meibomian gland dropout, lipid layer thickness (LLT), meibum expressibility and quality scores, tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal and conjunctival staining scores. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to compare between the two groups. The correlations between the area of meibomian gland dropout with symptoms and signs of TRO were evaluated using GEE and Spearman correlation. Results All patients with TRO had inactive status. The mean area of meibomian gland dropout was higher in the TRO group (34.5±11.2%) compared with that of controls (30.1±10.7%, P = 0.03). Both mean meibum quality (TRO, 1.6±0.7; Controls, 2.0 ±0.5) and expressibility (TRO, 1.5 ±0.7; Controls, 1.7 ±0.6) scores were slightly better in the TRO group compared with those of controls (P = 0.01). There was no significant difference in OSDI, corneal and conjunctival staining, TBUT and LLT. The area of meibomian gland dropout in patients with TRO was correlated with euthyroid status (P<0.05) and lagophthalmos (P = 0.03). Conclusions Patients with inactive TRO showed significantly higher meibomian gland dropout compared with that of age- and sex-matched controls without TRO.