Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Traumatic Brain Injury Research in the Middle East and North Africa Region: A Systematic Review

Objectives: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a major health concern worldwide with a large impact in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region as a consequence of protracted wars and conflicts that adversely affect the general population. Currently, systematic TBI studies in the MENA region are lacking, nonetheless they are immensely needed to enhance trauma management and increase survival rates among TBI patients. This systematic review aims to characterize TBI in the MENA region to guide future policy choices and research efforts and inform tailored guidelines capable of improving TBI management and patient treatment and outcome. Furthermore, it will serve as a road map to evaluate and assess knowledge of trauma impact on regional health systems that can be adopted by health-care providers to raise awareness and improve trauma care. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search strategy of several databases including MEDLINE/Ovid, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and the grey literature in accordance with the PROSPERO systematic review protocol CRD42017058952. Abstracts were screened, and selected eligible studies were reviewed independently by 2 reviewers. We collected demographics information along with TBI characteristics, mortality rates, and regional distribution. Data were extracted using REDCap and checked for accuracy. Results: The search strategy yielded 23,385 citations; 147 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. Motor vehicle accident (MVA) was the leading cause of TBI (41%) in the MENA region, followed by the military- (15.6%) and fall- (8.8%) related TBI. Males predominantly suffer from TBI-related injuries (85%), with a high prevalence of MVA- and military-related TBI injuries. The TBI mortality rate was 12.9%. The leading causes of mortality were MVA (68%), military (20.5%), and assault (2.9%). The vast majority of reported TBI severity was mild (63.1%) compared to moderate (10.7%) and severe TBI (20.2%). Patients mainly underwent a Glasgow Coma Scale assessment (22.1%), followed by computed tomography scan (8.9%) and surgery (4.1%). Conclusions: Despite its clinical, social, and economic burden, the evidence of TBI research in the MENA region is scarce. Further research and high-quality epidemiological studies are urgently needed to gain a deep understanding of the TBI burden in the region, facilitate the allocation of adequate resources, implement effective preventive and intervention strategies and advise on the TBI patient management as reflective on the TBI patterns and modes.
Oligosaccharides Derived from Tramesan: Their Structure and Activity on Mycotoxin Inhibition in Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus carbonarius

Food and feed safety are of paramount relevance in everyday life. The awareness that different chemicals, e.g., those largely used in agriculture, could present both environmental problems and health hazards, has led to a large limitation of their use. Chemicals were also the main tool in a control of fungal pathogens and their secondary metabolites, mycotoxins. There is a drive to develop more environmentally friendly, “green”, approaches to control mycotoxin contamination of foodstuffs. Different mushroom metabolites showed the potential to act as control agents against mycotoxin production. The use of a polysaccharide, Tramesan, extracted from the basidiomycete Trametes versicolor, for controlling biosynthesis of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A, has been previously discussed. In this study, oligosaccharides obtained from Tramesan were evaluated. The purified exopolysaccharide of T. versicolor was partially hydrolyzed and separated by chromatography into fractions from disaccharides to heptasaccharides. Each fraction was individually tested for mycotoxin inhibition in A. flavus and A. carbonarius. Fragments smaller than seven units showed no significant effect on mycotoxin inhibition; heptasaccharides showed inhibitory activity of up to 90% in both fungi. These results indicated that these oligosaccharides could be used as natural alternatives to crop protection chemicals for controlling these two mycotoxins.
ATVB IN FOCUS: Vascular Components of Cognitive Disorders

It is well known that cardiovascular disease and related vascular risk factors are associated with cognitive decline and worse brain health outcomes among aging adults. Recently, subtle age-related changes in cardiac hemodynamics have been proposed as an emerging risk factor for abnormal brain aging, even in the absence of cardiovascular disease. Changes in cardiac function, vital for determining the total amount of blood available for perfusing the body, and arterial stiffness, important for regulating blood flow delivery, have been associated with compromised brain structure and function among older adults. Such alterations in cardiac output and arterial stiffening may directly affect brain health through bloodbrain barrier breakdown or oligemia, or may interact with Alzheimer disease and concomitant pathologies common in aging adults to accelerate cognitive decline. This review examines how age-related alterations in cardiovascular integrity contribute to abnormal brain aging, emphasizing that changes in systemic hemodynamics may compromise brain health before or concurrently with the development of neurodegenerative processes that are common in aging. GRAPHIC ABSTRACT: A graphic abstract is available for this article.
Association of Air Pollutant Exposure and Sinonasal Histopathology Findings in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Background Ambient air pollution is well known to cause inflammatory change in respiratory epithelium and is associated with exacerbations of inflammatory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, limited work has been done on the impact of air pollution on pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis and there are no reports in the literature of how pollutant exposure may impact sinonasal histopathology in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Objective This study aims to identify associations between certain histopathologic characteristics seen in sinus tissue of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and levels of particulate air pollution (PM2.5) and ground-level ozone in their place of residence. Methods A structured histopathology report was created to characterize the tissues of CRS patients undergoing sinus surgery. An estimate for each patient’s exposure to air pollutants including small particulate matter (PM2.5) and ground-level ozone was obtained using the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool (EJSCREEN). Mean pollutant exposures for patients whose tissues exhibited varying histopathologic features were compared using logistic regression models. Results Data from 291 CRS patients were analyzed. Higher degree of inflammation was significantly associated with increased ozone exposure (p = 0.031). Amongst the patients with CRSwNP (n=131), presence of eosinophilic aggregates (p = 0.018) and Charcot-Leyden crystals (p = 0.036) was associated with increased ozone exposure. Conclusion Exposure to ambient air pollutants may contribute to pathogenesis of CRS. Increasing ozone exposure was linked to both higher tissue inflammation and presence of eosinophilic aggregates and Charcot-Leyden crystals in CRSwNP patients.
Transition to thermal equilibrium in a crystal subjected to instantaneous deformation

An adiabatic transition between two equilibrium states corresponding to different stiffnesses in an infinite chain of particles is studied. Initially, the particles have random displacements and random velocities corresponding to uniform initial temperature distributions. An instantaneous change in the parameters of the chain initiates a transitional process. Analytical expressions for the chain temperature as a function of time are obtained from statistical analysis of the dynamic equations. It is shown that the transition process is oscillatory and that the temperature converges non-monotonically to a new equilibrium state, in accordance with what is usually unexpected for thermal processes. The analytical results are supplemented by numerical simulations.
COMPARISON OF PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF PEACH AND ALMOND SEEDLINGS TO IRON DEFICIENCY

ABSTRACT Responses of young seedlings (15 to 45 days old) of bitter almond (Prunus amygdalus Batsch) and of a variety of peach (Prunus persica [L.] Batsch, var. Elberta) to either absolute iron deficiency (2 μM Fe in the culture medium) or bicarbonate induced iron deficiency (culture medium containing 30 μM Fe and 10 mM NaHCO3) were studied. The culture was conducted on nutrient solution in a growth chamber with controlled conditions. Iron deficiency, especially the one induced by bicar-bonate, stimulated root growth; this stimulation was more pronounced in almond seedlings. The concentration of total iron in green leaves was not significantly different from that of chlorotic ones, but the concentration of ferrous iron was much lower in chlorotic than in green leaves. Regardless of the cause of iron deficiency, iron transport was severely inhibited. This inhibition was more pronounced in peach than in almond seedlings. Root capacities (per plant) of acidification and iron reduction were greater in almond than in peach seedlings. Bicarbonate greatly inhibits iron reduction in the two plant species.
Near-Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of the Dark Septate Endophyte Laburnicola rhizohalophila: A Model for Investigating Root-Fungus Symbiosis

Abstract The novel DSE Laburnicola rhizohalophila (Pleosporales, Ascomycota) is frequently found in the halophytic seepweed (Suaeda salsa). In this article, we report a near-chromosome-level hybrid assembly of this fungus using a combination of short-read Illumina data to polish assemblies generated from long-read Nanopore data. The reference genome for L. rhizohalophila was assembled into 26 scaffolds with a total length of 64.0 Mb and a N50 length of 3.15 Mb. Of them, 17 scaffolds approached the length of intact chromosomes, and 5 had telomeres at one end only. A total of 10,891 gene models were predicted. Intriguingly, 27.5 Mb of repeat sequences that accounted for 42.97% of the genome was identified, and long terminal repeat retrotransposons were the most frequent known transposable elements, indicating that transposable element proliferation contributes to its increased genome size. BUSCO analyses using the Fungi_odb10 data set showed that 95.0% of genes were complete. In addition, 292 carbohydrate active enzymes, 33 secondary metabolite clusters, and 84 putative effectors were identified in silico. The resulting high-quality assembly and genome features are not only an important resource for further research on understanding the mechanism of root-fungi symbiotic interactions but will also contribute to comparative analyses of genome biology and evolution within Pleosporalean species.
Validating the representativeness assumption of the quasi-induced exposure method using a national representative field observation survey

Abstract Objective The quasi-induced exposure (QIE) method was developed to estimate relative crash risk exposure. A fundamental assumption often made in applying the QIE method is that not-at-fault drivers in clean two-vehicle crashes (i.e., one and only one driver is at-fault) represent the general exposure of the driving population to crash risk in the absence of the intervention being studied. Our study used direct field observation data to test the representativeness of the assumption for not-at-fault drivers obtained from the General Estimating System (GES) crash data, a national crash database in the United States. Methods Distributions of driver gender, age group, vehicle type, and time-of-crash among the not-at-fault drivers in clean two-vehicle crashes (D2) and the ones in two-or-more-vehicle crashes (i.e., all not-at-fault drivers) from the GES data were compared to the driving population estimated from the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS), a national representative field observation survey. Results The gender and vehicle-type distributions of D2 and all not-at-fault drivers were not statistically significantly different from the ones in the NOPUS data. Age-group distributions for both not-at-fault driving populations were marginally similar to the ones estimated from NOPUS. Conclusion By system-wide comparisons on gender, age group, vehicle type, and period, our study suggests that the not-at-fault drivers in crash databases with crashes ranging from no injury to fatal injury reflect the general driving population when the collision occurred. Future study should evaluate the representativeness assumption among other important factors, including roadway type, road geometry, and level of urbanization. Our study supports the credibility of applying the QIE method in traffic safety research using crash databases of all crashes with all severities.
Addressing Military Sexual Violence by Proposing a Social Media Influencer Model

Military sexual violence (MSV) is a prevalent issue that uniquely affects mission readiness. Although research on MSV and social media is growing, examinations of possible interventions like those employing social media in this population are scant. Given the growing interest in targeting MSV, the present systematic review was conducted. The PRISMA framework was used to conduct a systematic review of MSV and social media (N = 71). Queries were limited to articles published between 2010 and 2020. SAGE Journals, PubMed, and JSTOR were utilized. Terms and potential combinations were entered into the databases in varying Boolean combinations. Additional recorders were identified for inclusion via the reference sections of relevant records. After removing duplicates from the query results, we selected records of suspected relevance by title and screened abstracts. Finally, articles with relevant abstracts were reviewed thoroughly to determine whether they met inclusion criteria for the review. The employments of military leaders in a social media intervention puts into practice the military’s central values and development of its leadership core. This intervention promotes group solidarity while maximizing conversations around meaningful messages. Findings in this review suggest military leaders could feasibly employ a cost-effective global intervention using social media, as a tool to help actively address MSV.
Hepatic Scavenger Receptor Class B Type 1 Knockdown Reduces Atherosclerosis and Enhances the Antiatherosclerotic Effect of Brown Fat Activation in APOE*3-Leiden.CETP Mice

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Objective: Brown fat activation attenuates atherosclerosis development by accelerating triglyceride-rich lipoprotein turnover and/or stimulation of reverse cholesterol transport via the SRB1 (scavenger receptor class B type 1). The aim of this study was to investigate the specific role of hepatic SRB1 in the atheroprotective properties of brown fat activation. Approach and Results: APOE*3-Leiden.CETP mice, a well-established model of human-like lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis, were treated with vehicle or adenoassociated virus serotype 8-short hairpin RNA, which decreased hepatic SRB1 protein levels by 40% to 55%. After 2 weeks, mice without or with hepatic SRB1 knockdown were treated with vehicle or the β3-adrenergic receptor agonist CL316 243 to activate brown fat for 4 weeks to determine HDL (high-density lipoprotein) catabolism and for 9 weeks to evaluate atherosclerosis. Surprisingly, hepatic SRB1 knockdown additively improved the beneficial effects of β3-adrenergic receptor agonism on atherosclerosis development. In fact, hepatic SRB1 knockdown per se not only increased HDL-cholesterol levels but also reduced plasma triglyceride and non-HDL-cholesterol levels, thus explaining the reduction in atherosclerosis development. Mechanistic studies indicated that this is due to increased lipolytic processing and hepatic uptake of VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) by facilitating VLDL-surface transfer to HDL. Conclusions: Hepatic SRB1 knockdown in a mouse model with an intact ApoE (apolipoprotein E)-LDLR (low density lipoprotein receptor) clearance pathway, relevant to human lipoprotein metabolism, reduced atherosclerosis and improved the beneficial effect of brown fat activation on atherosclerosis development, explained by pleiotropic effects of hepatic SRB1 knockdown on lipolytic processing and hepatic uptake of VLDL. Brown fat activation could thus be an effective strategy to treat cardiovascular disease also in subjects with impaired SRB1 function.
Atrial Fibrillation Detected After Stroke and Increased Risk of Death

Globally, 8 million people experience an ischemic stroke (IS) each year,1 of whom 20% have prevalent atrial fibrillation (AF). 2 Among the remining 80% without known AF (KAF), up to 24% can be newly diagnosed with AF after the application of prolonged ECG monitoring.2 Accordingly, the annual worldwide number of incident cases of AF detected after stroke (AFDAS) is estimated at ≈1.5 million. Although most cases remain undiagnosed because of insufficient monitoring, this estimate underscores the need for better understanding of the prognostic implications of AFDAS, a distinct clinical entity.3 AFDAS comprises 2 different types of AF. It has been hypothesized that neurogenic AFDAS is a relatively benign, low-burden AF caused by impairment of the central autonomic network and acute inflammation, whereas cardiogenic AFDAS is a more ominous preexistent arrhythmia that remains undetected until a stroke occurs.3 The mix of low- and high-risk AFDAS types would therefore result in an overall lower risk of cerebral and systemic embolism than KAF, which is essentially high risk.3,4
Host Diversity and Potential Transmission Pathways of SARS-CoV-2 at the Human-Animal Interface

Emerging infectious diseases present great risks to public health. The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has become an urgent public health issue of global concern. It is speculated that the virus first emerged through a zoonotic spillover. Basic research studies have suggested that bats are likely the ancestral reservoir host. Nonetheless, the evolutionary history and host susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2 remains unclear as a multitude of animals has been proposed as potential intermediate or dead-end hosts. SARS-CoV-2 has been isolated from domestic animals, both companion and livestock, as well as in captive wildlife that were in close contact with human COVID-19 cases. Currently, domestic mink is the only known animal that is susceptible to a natural infection, develop severe illness, and can also transmit SARS-CoV-2 to other minks and humans. To improve foundational knowledge of SARS-CoV-2, we are conducting a synthesis review of its host diversity and transmission pathways. To mitigate this COVID-19 pandemic, we strongly advocate for a systems-oriented scientific approach that comprehensively evaluates the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at the human and animal interface.
Empathic listening: welcoming strategy for nursing Professional in coping with with the coronavirus pandemic.

OBJECTIVE to reflect on empathic listening use as a welcoming strategy for nursing professionals to cope with the challenges during the pandemic caused by the new coronavirus. METHODS this is a reflection study based on updated data surveys and theoretical-conceptual aspects of Non-Violent Communication and empathic listening. RESULTS in the performance during the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing professionals are exposed to violence of different natures related to occupational stress, work overload, anguishes and silenced suffering, with implications for the workers' health, who can be benefited and strengthened with empathetic listening. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS the health crisis has highlighted the weaknesses of the health system. Nursing acts as the largest contingent of the health workforce in coping with the pandemic. Empathetic listening is a powerful strategy in caring for and strengthening nursing professionals.
Stochastic models for single‐cell data: Current challenges and the way forward

Although the quantity and quality of single‐cell data have progressed rapidly, making quantitative predictions with single‐cell stochastic models remains challenging. The stochastic nature of cellular processes leads to at least three challenges in building models with single‐cell data: (a) because variability in single‐cell data can be attributed to multiple different sources, it is difficult to rule out conflicting mechanistic models that explain the same data equally well; (b) the distinction between interesting biological variability and experimental variability is sometimes ambiguous; (c) the nonstandard distributions of single‐cell data can lead to violations of the assumption of symmetric errors in least‐squares fitting. In this review, we first discuss recent studies that overcome some of the challenges or set up a promising direction and then introduce some powerful statistical approaches utilized in these studies. We conclude that applying and developing statistical approaches could lead to further progress in building stochastic models for single‐cell data.
Outcomes After Tracheostomy for Patients With Respiratory Failure due to COVID-19

Objective: To evaluate the utility and safety of tracheostomy for patients with respiratory failure from COIVD-19 and describe patient clinical characteristics and process of management. Methods: Case series of the first 24 COVID-19 patients who underwent tracheostomy at our institution, a single-center tertiary care community hospital intensive care/ventilator weaning unit. The patients all had respiratory failure from COVID-19 and required endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Outcomes reviewed include mortality, percent discharged, percent liberated from mechanical ventilation, percent decannulated, time from tracheostomy to ventilator liberation and discharge, and number of staff infected with COVID-19 during tracheostomy and management. Results: Of the 24 patients who underwent tracheostomy, 21 (88%) of 24 survived. Twenty (83%) were liberated from mechanical ventilation, and 19 (79%) were discharged. Fourteen (74%) of the discharged had been decannulated. The average (± SD) time from tracheostomy to ventilator liberation was 9 ± 4.3 days and from tracheostomy to discharge 21 ± 9 days. All discharged patients had been liberated from mechanical ventilation. No health care workers became infected with COVID-19 during the procedure or subsequent patient management. Conclusion: Patients with respiratory failure from COVID-19 who underwent tracheostomy had a high likelihood of being liberated from mechanical ventilation and discharged. Tracheostomy and subsequent ventilator weaning management can be performed safely. Tracheostomy allowed for decompression of higher acuity medical units in a safe and effective manner.