Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Drug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths — United States, 2013–2017

The 63,632 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2016 represented a 21.4% increase from 2015; two thirds of these deaths involved an opioid (1). From 2015 to 2016, drug overdose deaths increased in all drug categories examined; the largest increase occurred among deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone (synthetic opioids), which includes illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) (1). Since 2013, driven largely by IMF, including fentanyl analogs (2-4), the current wave of the opioid overdose epidemic has been marked by increases in deaths involving synthetic opioids. IMF has contributed to increases in overdose deaths, with geographic differences reported (1). CDC examined state-level changes in death rates involving all drug overdoses in 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC) and those involving synthetic opioids in 20 states, during 2013-2017. In addition, changes in death rates from 2016 to 2017 involving all opioids and opioid subcategories,* were examined by demographics, county urbanization levels, and by 34 states and DC. Among 70,237 drug overdose deaths in 2017, 47,600 (67.8%) involved an opioid. † From 2013 to 2017, drug overdose death rates increased in 35 of 50 states and DC, and significant increases in death rates involving synthetic opioids occurred in 15 of 20 states, likely driven by IMF (2,3). From 2016 to 2017, overdose deaths involving all opioids and synthetic opioids increased, but deaths involving prescription opioids and heroin remained stable. The opioid overdose epidemic continues to worsen and evolve because of the continuing increase in deaths involving synthetic opioids. Provisional data from 2018 indicate potential improvements in some drug overdose indicators;§ however, analysis of final data from 2018 is necessary for confirmation. More timely and comprehensive surveillance data are essential to inform efforts to prevent and respond to opioid overdoses; intensified prevention and response measures are urgently needed to curb deaths involving prescription and illicit opioids, specifically IMF.
Vitamin K Status, Warfarin Use, and Arterial Stiffness in Heart Failure

Large artery stiffening contributes to the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) and associated comorbidities. MGP (matrix Gla-protein) is a potent inhibitor of vascular calcification. MGP activation is vitamin K–dependent. We aimed (1) to compare dp-ucMGP (dephospho-uncarboxylated MGP) levels between subjects with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and subjects without HF; (2) to assess the relationship between dp-ucMGP levels and arterial stiffness; and (3) to assess the relationship between warfarin use, dp-ucMGP levels, and arterial stiffness in HF. We enrolled 348 subjects with HFpEF (n=96), HFrEF (n=53), or no HF (n=199). Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, a measure of large artery stiffness, was measured with arterial tonometry. Dp-ucMGP was measured with ELISA. Dp-ucMGP levels were greater in both HFrEF (582 pmol/L; 95% CI, 444–721 pmol/L) and HFpEF (549 pmol/L; 95% CI, 455–643 pmol/L) compared with controls (426 pmol/L; 95% CI, 377–475 pmol/L; ANCOVA P=0.0067). Levels of dp-ucMGP were positively associated with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (standardized &bgr;, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.19–0.42; P<0.0001), which was also true in analyses restricted to patients with HF (standardized &bgr;, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.16–0.52; P=0.0002). Warfarin use was significantly associated with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (standardized &bgr;, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.004–0.26; P=0.043), but this relationship was eliminated after adjustment for dp-ucMGP. In conclusion, levels of dp-ucMGP are increased in HFpEF and HFrEF and are independently associated with arterial stiffness. Future studies should investigate whether vitamin K supplementation represents a suitable therapeutic strategy to prevent or reduce arterial stiffness in HFpEF and HFrEF.
Clonal Analysis of Mouse Mammary Luminal Epithelial Cell Transplants.

Cellular barcoding is a powerful tool for analyzing the clonal outputs of large numbers of co-transplanted cells. The extensive growth and bi-lineage differentiation potential of transplanted basal cells isolated from the normal adult female mouse mammary gland is well established, but analyses of similarly performed luminal cell transplants have been limited due to their more restricted outputs. Here we report detecting macroscopic, branched gland structures 8 weeks after transplanting approximately 105 purified, barcoded EpCAM++CD49flow luminal cells into a cleared fat pad in two syngeneic mice. DNA sequencing revealed 23 clones of variable size and composition. Notably, these included 10 bi-lineage clones, that were ~10 times larger than either the 5 basal and 8 luminal clones also present. These results support the ability of rare luminal cells to produce both single and bi-lineage clones when stimulated to do so in an in vivo transplantation setting.
Sistemática, filogenia y biogeografía de Myrmecophila

El genero Myrmecophila Rolfe ha sido tradicional- mente incluido dentro de un concepto amplio de Schomburgkia Lindl. Sin embargo, recientes recons- trucciones filogeneticas basadas en secuencias de ADN indican que el grupo es basal dentro del com- plejo de taxa alrededor de Cattleya Lindl. s.l. y solo lejanamente relacionado con las verdaderas Schomburgkia (las que estan relacionadas con Laelia Lindl., un genero restringido a elevaciones por enci- ma de 1000 m en Mexico central).
Offshore workers and health behaviour change: an exploration using the Theoretical Domains Framework.

BACKGROUND Previous research has identified the importance of promoting behaviour change within the offshore workforce. This qualitative study sought to: identify self-care behaviours perceived to require behaviour change within the offshore workforce, and explore perceived potential behavioural determinants. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study included the perspectives of both offshore workers (OWs, n = 16) and healthcare practitioners (HCPs, n = 12) from the global workforce. Telephone interviews were conducted, recorded electronically and transcribed. Transcripts were analysed independently by two researchers using a Framework Approach and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to support coding. RESULTS Healthy eating and alcohol intake were behaviours perceived by OWs and HCPs to require change within the offshore workforce. Knowledge (e.g. availability of nutritional knowledge), intentions (e.g. role of motivation), memory, attention and decision process (e.g. effect of boredom), environmental context and resources (e.g. influence of environmental stressors), social influences (e.g. influence of others), emotion (e.g. influence of emotional state) and behavioural regulation (e.g. influence of willpower). TDF domains were reported by both OWs and HCPs in relation to OWs' healthy eating and physical activity behaviours. CONCLUSIONS The determinants identified as mechanisms of behaviour may be targeted in future interventions which aim to promote engagement in self-care within the offshore workforce.
The relationship between membership of a university sports group and drinking behaviour among students at English Universities

Aims: The primary aim is to compare members of UK university sport groups with students not engaged in UK university sport in terms of alcohol consumption and risk for alcohol-related harm. A secondary aim is to compare alcohol consumption levels and alcohol-related problems in UK university athletes in different sports and at different competitive levels. Method: A cross-sectional survey using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and a demographic questionnaire was carried out with a purposive sample of 770 undergraduates (298 male, 471 female) from seven UK universities. Results: University sport members (n = 181) had a median AUDIT score of 11.5 (interquartile range (IQR) = 8) compared to students not engaged in university sport (n = 588) median AUDIT score of 8 (IQR = 11). The difference between medians was highly significant (p < 0.01). There was a significant difference between the median scores of members of team (n = 103, median = 13, IQR = 8) and individual sports (median = 8, IQR = 11), with team sports members scoring higher on the AUDIT (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences on median AUDIT scores between athletes competing at different levels. Conclusions: Levels of alcohol-related risk and harm are high in members of UK university sport groups. University sports members particularly team sports may be an ‘at risk group’ for alcohol-related problems and require targeted interventions. Further research is warranted comparing these student groups, and the relationship between sport type, participation level and alcohol consumption.
Ice slurry ingestion during break times attenuates the increase of core temperature in a simulation of physical demand of match-play tennis in the heat

ABSTRACT This investigation assessed the effect of ice slurry ingestion compared to that of cold water ingestion during break times on thermal strain and perception in simulated match-play tennis in the heat. Seven male recreational athletes (age = 22 ± 2 yr, height = 1.72 ± 0.08 m, Body mass = 64.8 ± 6.8 kg) performed two trials in a climate chamber, each time completing 4 sets of simulated match-play. During International Tennis Federation-mandated breaks (90-s between odd-numbered games; 120-s between sets), either ice slurry or cold water were ingested. The rectal temperature, forehead skin temperature, heart rate, rating of thermal comfort and total sweat loss were measured. The change in rectal temperature in the ice slurry trial was significantly lower than that in the cold water trial by game 3 of set 3 (p = 0.02). These differences in Δrectal temperature persisted throughout the remainder of the “match” (p < 0.05). Forehead skin temperature, heart rate and rating of thermal comfort were significantly lower in the ice slurry trial than in the cold water trial by the second half of the experiment (p < 0.05). Total sweat loss in ice slurry trial is significantly lower than cold water trial (p = 0.002). These results suggested that ice slurry ingestion was more effective than cold water ingestion in mitigating the development of heat strain during simulated match-play tennis in the heat.
High versus low ligation of inferior mesenteric vessels in rectal cancer surgery: A retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE To retrospectively evaluate the short-term and the long-term oncological outcome between two groups of patients who had undergone either high or low ligation of inferior mesenteric vessels (IMV) in rectal cancer surgery. METHODS Between January 2009 and December 2014, 120 patients with rectosigmoid and rectal adenocarcinoma were operated with curative intent as first therapeutic option. Patients were divided in two groups depending on the level of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) ligation. High ligation was defined as the division of the IMA less than 2cm from the aorta followed by the ligation of the inferior mesenteric vein at its origin from the lower border of the pancreas (n=76), while low ligation was defined as the division of IMA immediately distal to the origin of the left colic artery (n=44). RESULTS The median follow up was 51 months. Univariate analyses disclosed that low ligation was related to a higher postoperative complications rate, mainly related to the higher rate of urinary dysfunction but it was also related to a favorable 5-year overall survival (OS) rate. However, multivariate analyses among factors which might influence the short- and long-term outcomes did not disclose the level of ligation as a factor influencing the postoperative course, the recurrence, the disease free survival (DFS) and the 1-, 3- and 5-year OS rates. CONCLUSIONS The present study disclosed no differences in surgical, histological, short-term and long-term oncological outcomes between patients treated with either high or low ligation of IMA.
Assessing the impact of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on biological systems: a review

Abstract Purpose: Low level laser therapy (LLLT) in the visible to near infrared spectral band (390–1100 nm) is absorption of laser light at the electronic level, without generation of heat. It may be applied in a wide range of treatments including wound healing, inflammation and pain reduction. Despite its potential beneficial impacts, the use of lasers for therapeutic purposes still remains controversial in mainstream medicine. Whilst taking into account the physical characteristics of different qualities of lasers, this review aims to provide a comprehensive account of the current literature available in the field pertaining to their potential impact at cellular and molecular levels elucidating mechanistic interactions in different mammalian models. The review also aims to focus on the integral approach of the optimal characteristics of LLLT that suit a biological system target to produce the beneficial effect at the cellular and molecular levels. Methods: Recent research articles were reviewed that explored the interaction of lasers (coherent sources) and LEDs (incoherent sources) at the molecular and cellular levels. Results: It is envisaged that underlying mechanisms of beneficial impact of lasers to patients involves biological processes at the cellular and molecular levels. The biological impact or effects of LLLT at the cellular and molecular level could include cellular viability, proliferation rate, as well as DNA integrity and the repair of damaged DNA. This review summarizes the available information in the literature pertaining to cellular and molecular effects of lasers. Conclusions: It is suggested that a change in approach is required to understand how to exploit the potential therapeutic modality of lasers whilst minimizing its possible detrimental effects.
Investigation of single carbon ion fragmentation in water and PMMA for hadron therapy

Carbon ion radiotherapy is an attractive alternative to conventional radiotherapy, especially in case of deep-seated and radio-resistant tumors. As a consequence of inelastic nuclear reactions between primary particles and patient’s tissues, the primary carbon ions may undergo nuclear fragmentation. The resulting decrease of primary ions and production of secondary fragments have to be carefully considered for accurate dose calculations in the treatment planning systems. The experimental data currently available provide only general information on carbon ion fragmentation and are not sufficient to cover the entire range of beam energies, target configurations and compositions relevant for radiotherapy. Therefore, new investigations were carried out to analyse the outcomes of the inelastic nuclear reaction processes on a single-ion-based approach. Measurements were performed at HIT, using 430 MeV/u carbon ion beams crossing water and PMMA targets. Unique in this method is the possibility of measuring number and type of fragments produced from each single carbon ion, provided that they are within the acceptance of the experimental apparatus. Concerning the amount of residual carbon ions behind water and PMMA targets with the same water equivalent thickness (WET), no significant differences were found. The experimental attenuation curve was well reproduced by the simulations. However, in the experiments, differences were observed regarding the amount of secondary fragments produced in water and in PMMA targets with the same WET. Differences were also found between experiments and simulations. These findings should be considered when dosimetric measurements are performed with PMMA instead of water phantoms. The found differences between experiments and simulations may contribute to improve the nuclear interaction and fragmentation models in Monte Carlo codes.
The role of vascular endothelial growth factor, interleukin 8, and insulinlike growth factor in sustaining autophagic DIRAS3‐induced dormant ovarian cancer xenografts

Re‐expression of the imprinted tumor suppressor gene DIRAS family GTPase 3 (DIRAS3) (aplysia ras homology member I [ARHI]) induces autophagy and tumor dormancy in ovarian cancer xenografts, but drives autophagic cancer cell death in cell culture. The current study explored the tumor and host factors required to prevent autophagic cancer cell death in xenografts and the use of antibodies against those factors or their receptors to eliminate dormant autophagic ovarian cancer cells.
Defining a Cyber Resilience Investment Strategy in an Industrial Internet of Things Context †

The fourth industrial revolution has brought several risks to factories along with its plethora of benefits. The convergence of new technologies, legacy technologies, information technologies and operational technologies in the same network generates a wide attack surface. At the same time, factories need continuous production to meet their customers’ demand, so any stopped production can have harsh effects on a factory’s economy. This makes cyber resilience a key requirement in factories nowadays. However, it is difficult for managers to define effective cyber resilience strategies, especially considering the difficulty of estimating adequate investment in cyber resilience policies before the company has suffered cyber incidents. In this sense, the purpose of this article is to define and model an effective cyber resilience strategy. To achieve this, the system dynamics methodology was followed in order to get five experts’ opinions on the best strategy to invest in cyber resilience. Interviews were conducted with these experts; their reasoning was put into behavior over time graphs and a system dynamics model was built from these findings. The main conclusion is that a cyber resilience investment strategy should be dynamic, investing in both technical security and personnel training, but at first with an emphasis on technical security and later shifting to have an emphasis on training.
State of the art: Evaluation and prognostication of myocarditis using cardiac MRI

Myocarditis encompasses both primary and secondary processes causing inflammation of the myocardium. Viral infections are a common secondary cause of myocarditis with important clinical relevance. Viral myocarditis has a varied clinical presentation, potentially resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Acutely, systolic dysfunction and sudden cardiac death may ensue; chronically, myocarditis may result in a dilated cardiomyopathy requiring heart transplantation. Myocarditis is thought to be one of the most common causes of myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA), with important consequences for cardiovascular outcomes. Patients with myocarditis are currently underdiagnosed. Cardiac MRI has evolved as the noninvasive test of choice, with cardiac MRI‐specific diagnostic requirements defined in the Lake Louise Criteria (LLC). Detecting the presence of tissue edema, hyperemia, and necrosis in both acute and chronic stages form the foundation of the LLC. Cardiac MR for chronic myocarditis (greater than 8 weeks from symptom onset) has decreased sensitivity for diagnosis. Emerging sequences such as T1 and T2 parametric maps provide tissue characterization regarding inflammation without reliance on reference tissue, overcoming limitations of the LLC. Beyond diagnostic criteria, these imaging techniques have proven useful in further characterizing the diseased tissue, prognostication, and clinical decision‐making. This review describes the utility and evolving use of cardiac MRI in clinical practice.
White Sweet Potato as Meal Replacement for Overweight White-Collar Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Overweight and obesity are a global concern. Meal replacements (MRs) are portion- and calorie-controlled meals, which make the food environment part of an individual’s weight loss regimen. White sweet potato (WSP; Ipomoea batatas L.), used in traditional medicine in Brazil, Japan, and Taiwan, is a healthy carbohydrate source. In this randomized controlled trial, we assessed the effects of a WSP formula on body weight management in 58 white-collar workers through MR to elucidate the effects of this WSP-MR on factors leading to overweight. The participants consumed either two packs a day for a total of 132 g of WSP (WSP-MR group) or a normal diet daily (non-WSP group) for eight weeks. After eight weeks, body weight, body fat, body mass index, wrist circumference, thigh circumference, calf circumference, mid-arm circumference, and triceps skinfolds decreased significantly in both the groups. Moreover, the WSP-MR group demonstrated a 5% decrease in body weight, body fat, body mass index, and mid-arm circumference and a 3.5% decrease in glycated hemoglobin levels (p < 0.05). The treatment was well tolerated, without side effects or adverse events. Thus, our WSP formula as an MR can facilitate individual weight loss and thus has commercial application in the food industry.
Ethnicity in mycosis fungoides: white patients present at an older age and with more advanced disease

We read with interest this relevant report of 88 African Americans presenting with a younger age at diagnosis (47 years), a female predominance 1.4:1 and a high rate of stage IB patients (67.0%) from your Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Centre [1]. This differs from the recently published cohort of 348 confirmed early-stage MF PROCLIPI patients with a median age at diagnosis of 57 years, a male predominance of 1.7:1 and 42.8% presenting with IB [2]. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Evaluating natural killer cell cytotoxicity against solid tumors using a microfluidic model

ABSTRACT Immunotherapies against solid tumors face additional challenges compared with hematological cancers. In solid tumors, immune cells and antibodies need to extravasate from vasculature, find the tumor, and migrate through a dense mass of cells. These multiple steps pose significant obstacles for solid tumor immunotherapy and their study has remained difficult using classic in vitro models based on Petri dishes. In this work, a microfluidic model has been developed to study natural killer cell response. The model includes a 3D breast cancer spheroid in a 3D extracellular matrix, and two flanking lumens lined with endothelial cells, replicating key structures and components during the immune response. Natural Killer cells and antibodies targeting the tumor cells were either embedded in the matrix or perfused through the lateral blood vessels. Antibodies that were perfused through the lateral lumens extravasated out of the blood vessels and rapidly diffused through the matrix. However, tumor cell-cell junctions hindered antibody penetration within the spheroid. On the other hand, natural killer cells were able to detect the presence of the tumor spheroid several hundreds of microns away and penetrate the spheroid faster than the antibodies. Once inside the spheroid, natural killer cells were able to destroy tumor cells at the spheroid periphery and, importantly, also at the innermost layers. Finally, the combination of antibody-cytokine conjugates and natural killer cells led to an enhanced cytotoxicity located mostly at the spheroid periphery. Overall, these results demonstrate the utility of the model for informing immunotherapy of solid tumors.