Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Water Quality as a Predictor of Legionella Positivity of Building Water Systems

Testing drinking water systems for the presence of Legionella colonization is a proactive approach to assess and reduce the risk of Legionnaires’ disease. Previous studies suggest that there may be a link between Legionella positivity in the hot water return line or certain water quality parameters (temperature, free chlorine residual, etc.) with distal site Legionella positivity. It has been suggested that these measurements could be used as a surrogate for testing for Legionella in building water systems. We evaluated the relationship between hot water return line Legionella positivity and other water quality parameters and Legionella colonization in premise plumbing systems by testing 269 samples from domestic cold and hot water samples in 28 buildings. The hot water return line Legionella positivity and distal site positivity only demonstrated a 77.8% concordance rate. Hot water return line Legionella positivity compared to distal site positivity had a sensitivity of 55% and a specificity of 96%. There was poor correlation and a low positive predictive value between the hot water return line and distal outlet positivity. There was no correlation between Legionella distal site positivity and total bacteria (heterotrophic plate count), pH, free chlorine, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, copper, temperature, total organic carbon, or incoming cold-water chlorine concentration. These findings suggest that hot water return line Legionella positivity and other water quality parameters are not predictive of distal site positivity and should not be used alone to determine the building’s Legionella colonization rate and effectiveness of water management programs.
CD13/Aminopeptidase N Is a Potential Therapeutic Target for Inflammatory Disorders

CD13/aminopeptidase N is a widely expressed ectoenzyme with multiple functions. As an enzyme, CD13 regulates activities of numerous cytokines by cleaving their N-terminals and is involved in Ag processing by trimming the peptides bound to MHC class II. Independent of its enzymatic activity, cell membrane CD13 functions by cross-linking–induced signal transduction, regulation of receptor recycling, enhancement of FcγR-mediated phagocytosis, and acting as a receptor for cytokines. Moreover, soluble CD13 has multiple proinflammatory roles mediated by binding to G-protein–coupled receptors. CD13 not only modulates development and activities of immune-related cells, but also regulates functions of inflammatory mediators. Therefore, CD13 is important in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory disorders. Inhibitors of CD13 have shown impressive anti-inflammatory effects, but none of them has yet been used for clinical therapy of human inflammatory diseases. We reevaluate CD13’s regulatory role in inflammation and suggest that CD13 could be a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory disorders.
MYELOPEROXIDASE AS A MULTI-FACETED TARGET FOR CARDIOVASCULAR PROTECTION.

SIGNIFICANCE Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a heme peroxidase that is primarily expressed by neutrophils. It has the capacity to generate several reactive species, essential for its inherent antimicrobial activity and innate host defense. Dysregulated MPO release however, can lead to tissue damage, as seen in several diseases. Increased MPO levels in circulation is therefore, widely associated with conditions of increased oxidative stress and inflammation. Recent Advances: Several studies have shown a strong correlation between MPO and cardiovascular disease (CVD), whereby elevated levels of circulating MPO are linked to poor prognosis with increased risk of CVD-related mortality. Accordingly, circulating MPO is considered a 'high-risk' biomarker for patients with acute coronary syndrome, atherosclerosis, heart failure, hypertension and stroke, thereby implicating MPO as a multifaceted target for cardiovascular protection. Consistently, recent studies that target MPO in animal models of CVD have demonstrated favorable outcomes with regard to disease progression. CRITICAL ISSUES Although most of these studies have established a critical link between circulating MPO and worsening cardiac outcomes, the mechanisms by which MPO exerts its detrimental effects in CVD remain unclear. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Elucidating the mechanisms by which elevated MPO leads to poor prognosis and conversely, investigating the beneficial effects of therapeutic MPO inhibition on alleviating disease phenotype, will facilitate future MPO-targeted clinical trials for improving CVD-related outcomes.
Functional analysis of mTERF5 and mTERF9 contribution to salt tolerance, plastid gene expression and retrograde signalling in Arabidopsis thaliana.

We previously showed that Arabidopsis mda1 and mterf9 mutants, defective in the chloroplast-targeted mitochondrial transcription termination factors mTERF5 and mTERF9, respectively, display altered responses to abiotic stresses and the abscisic acid (ABA) hormone, as well as perturbed development, likely due to abnormal chloroplast biogenesis. To advance in the functional analysis of mTERF5 and mTERF9, we obtained and characterized overexpression (OE) lines. Additionally, we studied genetic interactions between sca3-2, affected in the plastid-RNA polymerase RpoTp, and the mda1-1 and mterf9 mutations. We also investigated mTERF5 and mTERF9 role in plastid translation and plastid-to-nucleus signalling. We found that mTERF9 OE reduces salt and ABA tolerance, while mTERF5 or mTERF9 OE alters the expression of nuclear and plastid genes. We determined that mda1-1 and mterf9 mutations genetically interact with sca3-2. Further, plastid 16S rRNA levels were reduced in mda1-1 and mterf9 mutants and mterf9 was more sensitive to chemical inhibitors of chloroplast translation. The expression of the photosynthesis gene LHCB1, a retrograde signalling marker, was differentially affected in mda1-1 and/or mterf9 compared to Col-0, after treatments with inhibitors of carotenoid biosynthesis (norflurazon) or chloroplast translation (lincomycin). Moreover, mterf9, but not mda1-1, synergistically interacts with gun1-1, defective in GUN1 a central integrator of plastid retrograde signals. Our results show that mTERF9, and to a lesser extent mTERF5, are negative regulators of salt tolerance and both genes are functionally related with RpoTp, and mTERF9 is likely required for plastid ribosomal stability and/or assembly. Furthermore, our findings support a role for mTERF9 in retrograde signalling.
Inhibition of vascular adventitial remodeling by netrin-1 in diabetic rats.

Cardiovascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are associated with vascular remodeling in the arteries. Perivascular sympathetic neurons release an abundance of trophic factors to regulate vascular function via a paracrine signaling. Netrin-1, a diffusible protein that can be secreted outside the cell, is one of common signals of 'conversation' between nerve and vessel. The present study investigated whether netrin-1 is a novel modulator of sympathetic neurons paracrine signaling and played a critical role in vascular adventitial remodeling under T2DM. Vascular adventitial remodeling was observed in adventitial fibroblasts (AFs) responding to netrin-1 deficiency in the supernatant from primary rat superior cervical ganglia (SCG) neurons, shown as AFs proliferation, migration, and collagen deposition. Conditioned medium from the high glucose (HG)-treated SCG neurons contributed to AFs remodeling, which was effectively alleviated by exogenous netrin-1 supplementation. Further, it was found that uncoordinated-5-B (UNC5b) was mainly expressed in AFs among netrin-1 specific receptors. Treatment of netrin-1 inhibited H2O2 production derived from NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) through the UNC5b/cAMP/PKA signal pathway in AFs remodeling. In vivo, aorta adventitial remodeling was accompanied with the down-regulation of netrin-1 in the perivascular sympathetic nerve in T2DM rats. Such abnormalities were restored by netrin-1 intervention, which was associated with the inhibition of Nox4 expression in the aorta adventitia. In conclusion, netrin-1 is a novel modulator of sympathetic neurons paracrine signaling to maintain AFs function. Vascular adventitial remodeling was aggravated by sympathetic neurons paracrine signaling under hyperglycemia, which was ameliorated by netrin-1 treatment through the UNC5b/cAMP/PKA/Nox4 pathway.
Context-Dependence and the Development of Push-Pull Approaches for Integrated Management of Drosophila suzukii

Sustainable pest control requires a systems approach, based on a thorough ecological understanding of an agro-ecosystem. Such fundamental understanding provides a basis for developing strategies to manipulate the pest’s behaviour, distribution, and population dynamics, to be employed for crop protection. This review focuses on the fundamental knowledge required for the development of an effective push-pull approach. Push-pull is a strategy to repel a pest from a crop, while attracting it toward an external location. It often relies on infochemicals (e.g., pheromones or allelochemicals) that are relevant in the ecology of the pest insect and can be exploited as lure or repellent. Importantly, responsiveness of insects to infochemicals is dependent on both the insect’s internal physiological state and external environmental conditions. This context-dependency reflects the integration of cues from different sensory modalities, the effect of mating and/or feeding status, as well as diurnal or seasonal rhythms. Furthermore, when the costs of responding to an infochemical outweigh the benefits, resistance can rapidly evolve. Here, we argue that profound knowledge on context-dependence is important for the development and implementation of push-pull approaches. We illustrate this by discussing the relevant fundamental knowledge on the invasive pest species Drosophila suzukii as an example.
Perioperative Lung Resection Outcomes After Implementation of a Multidisciplinary, Evidence-based Thoracic ERAS Program

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Objective: This prospective study evaluated perioperative lung resection outcomes after implementation of a multidisciplinary, evidence-based Thoracic Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Program in an academic, quaternary-care center. Background: ERAS programs have the potential to improve outcomes, but have not been widely utilized in thoracic surgery. Methods: In all, 295 patients underwent elective lung resection for pulmonary malignancy from 2015 to 2019 PRE (n = 169) and POST (n = 126) implementation of an ERAS program containing all major ERAS Society guidelines. Propensity score-matched analysis, based upon patient, tumor, and surgical characteristics, was utilized to evaluate outcomes. Results: After ERAS implementation, there was increased minimally invasive surgery (PRE 39.6%→POST 62.7%), reduced intensive care unit utilization (PRE 70.4%→POST 21.4%), improved chest tube (PRE 24.3%→POST 54.8%) and urinary catheter (PRE 20.1%→POST 65.1%) removal by postoperative day 1, and increased ambulation ≥3× on postoperative day 1 (PRE 46.8%→POST 54.8%). Propensity score-matched analysis that accounted for minimally invasive surgery demonstrated that program implementation reduced length of stay by 1.2 days [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.3–2.0; PRE 4.4→POST 3.2), morbidity by 12.0% (95% CI 1.6%–22.5%; PRE 32.0%→POST 20.0%), opioid use by 19 oral morphine equivalents daily (95% CI 1–36; PRE 101→POST 82), and the direct costs of surgery and hospitalization by $3500 (95% CI $1100–5900; PRE $23,000→POST $19,500). Despite expedited discharge, readmission remained unchanged (PRE 6.3%→POST 6.6%; P = 0.94). Conclusions: The Thoracic ERAS Program for lung resection reduced length of stay, morbidity, opioid use, and direct costs without change in readmission. This is the first external validation of the ERAS Society thoracic guidelines; adoption by other centers may show similar benefit.
Pre-Treatment with Ten-Minute Carbon Dioxide Inhalation Prevents Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Lung Injury in Mice via Down-Regulation of Toll-Like Receptor 4 Expression

Various animal studies have shown beneficial effects of hypercapnia in lung injury. However, in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), there is controversial information regarding the effect of hypercapnia on outcomes. The duration of carbon dioxide inhalation may be the key to the protective effect of hypercapnia. We investigated the effect of pre-treatment with inhaled carbon dioxide on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung injury in mice. C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a control group or an LPS group. Each LPS group received intratracheal LPS (2 mg/kg); the LPS groups were exposed to hypercapnia (5% carbon dioxide) for 10 min or 60 min before LPS. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues were collected to evaluate the degree of lung injury. LPS significantly increased the ratio of lung weight to body weight; concentrations of BALF protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, and CXCL2; protein carbonyls; neutrophil infiltration; and lung injury score. LPS induced the degradation of the inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB-α (IκB-α) and nuclear translocation of NF-κB. LPS increased the surface protein expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Pre-treatment with inhaled carbon dioxide for 10 min, but not for 60 min, inhibited LPS-induced pulmonary edema, inflammation, oxidative stress, lung injury, and TLR4 surface expression, and, accordingly, reduced NF-κB signaling. In summary, our data demonstrated that pre-treatment with 10-min carbon dioxide inhalation can ameliorate LPS-induced lung injury. The protective effect may be associated with down-regulation of the surface expression of TLR4 in the lungs.
Systemic Immune-Inflammatory Index Predicts Clinical Outcomes for Elderly Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Receiving Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background We assessed the utility of the systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) in estimating the in-hospital and long-term prognosis of elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Material/Methods Our study evaluated 711 consecutive elderly patients (age 65–85 years) from January 2015 to December 2017. The correlation between clinical outcomes and SII was analyzed through the stepwise Cox regression analysis and the Kaplan-Meier approach. The clinical endpoints were all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in-hospital and during 3-year follow-up. Results The study enrolled 711 elderly patients with AMI (66.95% male, 71.99±0.19 years). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a lower survival rate in patients with higher SII scores, which also predicted in-hospital and long-term (≤3 years) outcomes. In multivariate analyses, SII showed an independent predictive value for in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio (HR), 3.32; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.55–7.10; p<0.01), in-hospital MACCE (HR, 1.43; 95%CI, 1.02–2.00; p=0.04), long-term mortality (HR, 1.95; 95%CI, 1.23–3.09; p<0.01), along with long-term MACCE (HR, 1.72; 95%CI, 1.23–2.40; p<0.01). Moreover, SII showed a weak but significant positive relationship with the Gensini score among patients developing non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (r=0.18; p<0.01). Conclusions SII, a readily available laboratory marker, is a potential indicator to predict the clinical endpoints for elderly patients with AMI undergoing PCI.
Intraoperative evaluation of margin status: How much is enough?

Frozen section examination of the surgical margin status is commonly requested by surgeons during cancer resections. Intraoperative evaluation helps ensure that the tumor is completely excised and can improve local control and patient survival. The accuracy of frozen section analysis is improved with knowledge of diagnostic pitfalls and interpretive challenges. A case report of a head and neck carcinoma is discussed, and recommendations for methodology and interpretation of margin status are outlined for relevant organ systems.
Accelerometry-Based External Load Indicators in Sport: Too Many Options, Same Practical Outcome?

With the development of new microsensor technology to assess load in sports, some indicators of external load through accelerometry-based data have been created by sport technology companies. Thus, the study aim was to analyze the agreement between different accelerometry-based external load indicators (ABELIs) available in sport science. A U-16 male soccer team was assessed during three official matches, divided by periods, to obtain 3-D accelerometry data (x, y and z axes). An average of 1,420,000 data points was analyzed per axis per player. The ABELIs were calculated using this information, and the agreement between them was explored. The following ABELIs were considered after a literature review: AcelT, Player LoadRT, PlayerLoadTM, Impulse Load, Player LoadRE and Total Load. In order to compare ABELIs, two analyses were performed using: (1) absolute data; and (2) normalized and centered data (Z-scores). In absolute and centered data, very large to nearly perfect correlations (1st period: r > 0.803, p > 0.01; 2nd period: r > 0.919; p > 0.01) were found. Instead, very large differences were found in absolute values (bias = −579,226.6 to 285,931.1; t = −224.66 to 213.91, p < 0.01), and no differences in scaled and centered values (bias = 0; t = 1; p = 1). In conclusion, considering the different output (magnitude and units) among ABELIs, the standardization of a universal index to calculate accelerometer load is needed in order to make possible between-study comparison.
Surface Wave Enhanced Sensing in the Terahertz Spectral Range: Modalities, Materials, and Perspectives

The terahertz spectral range (frequencies of 0.1–10 THz) has recently emerged as the next frontier in non-destructive imaging and sensing. Here, we review amplitude-based and phase-based sensing modalities in the context of the surface wave enhanced sensing in the terahertz frequency band. A variety of surface waves are considered including surface plasmon polaritons on metals, semiconductors, and zero gap materials, surface phonon polaritons on polaritonic materials, Zenneck waves on high-k dielectrics, as well as spoof surface plasmons and spoof Zenneck waves on structured interfaces. Special attention is paid to the trade-off between surface wave localization and sensor sensitivity. Furthermore, a detailed theoretical analysis of the surface wave optical properties as well as the sensitivity of sensors based on such waves is supplemented with many examples related to naturally occurring and artificial materials. We believe our review can be of interest to scientists pursuing research in novel high-performance sensor designs operating at frequencies beyond the visible/IR band.
AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of Fetal Echocardiography

T he American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) is a multidisciplinary association dedicated to advancing the safe and effective use of ultrasound in medicine through professional and public education, research, development of clinical practice parameters, and accreditation of practices performing ultrasound examinations. The AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of Fetal Echocardiography was developed (or revised) by the AIUM in collaboration with other organizations whose members use ultrasound for performing this examination(s) (see “Acknowledgments”). Recommendations for personnel requirements, the request for the examination, documentation, quality assurance, and safety may vary among the organizations and may be addressed by each separately. This Practice Parameter is intended to provide the medical ultrasound community with recommendations for the performance and recording of high-quality ultrasound examinations. The parameter reflects what the AIUM considers the appropriate criteria for this type of ultrasound examination but is not intended to establish a legal standard of care. Examinations performed in this specialty area are expected to follow the parameter with recognition that deviations may occur depending on the clinical situation. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality from birth defects, with an estimated incidence of 6 per 1000 live births for moderate to severe forms. Accurate prenatal diagnosis offers potential clinical benefits with regard to infant outcomes, especially in those cases that are likely to require prostaglandin infusion to maintain patency of the ductus arteriosus. Fetal echocardiography is broadly defined as a detailed ultrasound evaluation that is used to identify and characterize heart anomalies before delivery. This specialized diagnostic procedure is an extension of fetal cardiac screening parameters that have been previously described for the 4-chamber view and outflow tracts. It should be performed only for a valid medical reason, and the lowest possible ultrasonic exposure settings should be used to gain the necessary diagnostic information. Although it is not possible to detect every abnormality, adherence to this parameter will maximize the probability of detecting and correctly diagnosing most cases of clinically significant CHD. doi:10.1002/jum.15188
Recall accuracy of weekly automated surveys of health care utilization and infectious disease symptoms among infants over the first year of life

Automated surveys, by interactive voice response (IVR) or email, are increasingly used for clinical research. Although convenient and inexpensive, they have uncertain validity. We sought to assess the accuracy of longitudinally-collected automated survey responses compared to medical records. Using data collected from a well-characterized, prospective birth cohort over the first year of life, we examined concordance between guardians’ reports of their infants’ health care visits ascertained by weekly automated survey (IVR or email) and those identified by medical chart review. Among 180 survey-visit pairs, concordance was 51%, with no change as number of visits per baby increased. Accuracy of recall was higher by email compared to IVR (61 vs. 43%; adjusted OR = 2.5 95% CI: 1.3–4.8), did not vary by health care encounter type (hospitalization: 50%, ER: 64%, urgent care: 44%, primary care: 52%; p = 0.75), but was higher for fever (77%, adjusted OR = 5.1 95%CI: 1.5–17.7) and respiratory illness (58%, adjusted OR = 2.9 95%CI: 1.5–5.8) than for other diagnoses. For the 75 mothers in these encounters, 69% recalled at least one visit; among 41 mothers with two or more visits, 85% recalled at least one visit. Predictors of accurate reporting by mothers after adjusting for illness in the baby included increased age and increased years of education (age per year, β = 0.05, p = 0.03; education per year, β = 0.08, p = 0.04). Additional strategies beyond use of automated surveys are needed to ascertain accurate health care utilization in longitudinal cohort studies, particularly in healthy populations with little motivation for accurate reporting.