Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal Monitoring of Lactate in Hospitalized and Ambulatory COVID-19 Patients

ABSTRACT Hypoxemia is readily detectable by assessing SpO2 levels, and these are important in optimizing COVID-19 patient management. Hyperlactatemia is a marker of tissue hypoxia, particularly in patients with increased oxygen requirement and microvascular obstruction. We monitored peripheral venous lactate concentrations in hospitalized patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 (n = 18) and in mild ambulatory COVID-19 patients in home quarantine (n = 16). Whole blood lactate decreased significantly during the clinical course and recovery in hospitalized patients (P = 0.008). The blood lactate levels were significantly higher in hospitalized patients than ambulatory patients (day 1: hospitalized versus ambulatory patients P = 0.002; day 28: hospitalized versus ambulatory patients P = < 0.0001). Elevated lactate levels may be helpful in risk stratification, and serial monitoring of lactate may prove useful in the care of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Retenção de metais pesados em micélio de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares

This work evaluated the kinetics as well as the retention capacity of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) mycelium. The metal retention is a fast process with Cu being retained 3, 30, and 60 times faster than Zn, Cd, and Pb, respectively. Metal retention capacity varied amongst the different tested AMF species and decreased in the following order: Cu>Zn>>Cd>Pb. The Glomus clarum mycelium showed the highest retention capacity for Cu, Cd and Pb, whereas Zn was mostly retained by Gigaspora gigantea mycelium. The simultaneous application of all tested metals in solution decreased Cu and Zn retention by AMF mycelium. The high retention capacity of Cu and Zn by mycelium of G. clarum and G. gigantea suggests a promising use of these isolates in phytoremediation.
Telomere length as a function of age at population level parallels human survival curves

Telomeres are subject to age related shortening which can be accelerated by oxidative stress and inflammation. Many studies have reported an inverse correlation between telomere length and survival, but such inverse correlation has not been always confirmed in different populations. We analyzed the trend of Leukocyte Telomere Length (LTL) as a function of age in a cohort of 516 subjects aged 65-106 years from Southern Italy. The trend of LTL obtained was quite similar to demographic survival curves reported with data of western societies. We observed a decrease of LTL after 70 years of age and then an increase after 92 years, in agreement with the sharp decrease of survival after 70 years of age and its increase after 90 years, due to the deceleration of mortality at old ages. Our data suggest that a generalized LTL attrition after 70 years of age, associated to organismal decline, affects most of the population. Such generalized attrition may exacerbate senescence in these subjects, predisposing them to high mortality risk. Conversely, the subjects with better physical conditions, experience a lower attrition and, consequently, a delayed senescence, contributing to the deceleration of mortality which has been observed among very old subjects in modern societies.
Real world prognosis in MS: does early versus late diagnosis matter?

ABSTRACT Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) often presents soon after the onset of a recognized clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). In order to interpret data from CIS trials, it is important to know whether patients presenting as classical CIS provide group data representative of RRMS. Objective We aimed to determine whether or not MS patients presenting soon after the onset of symptoms with clinically isolated syndromes have an identifiable clinical profile, including worse outcomes, versus MS patients presenting later. Methods Chart review of consecutive patients with newly diagnosed relapsing MS, diagnosed in our clinic between 1989 and 2005. We divided patients into an early presentation group (EP), versus the remaining late presenting group (LP), and analyzed the impact of delay in presentation on 10- and 15-year disability outcomes. We also sought to identify reasons for later presentation. Results The two groups were similar in terms of many demographics, clinical risk factors, and long-term disability outcomes (median EDSS 2.25 versus EDSS 2.0 at 10 years). Exceptionally, patients in the EP group had more frequent attacks in the first few years after onset and were diagnosed and treated earlier. Conclusions Patients in our MS clinic with EP versus LP were more likely to have multiple attacks in the first 2 years after onset and were treated earlier, but did not have a better 10- or 15-year outcome.
Genetic Restrictive Cardiomyopathy: Causes and Consequences—An Integrative Approach

The sarcomere as the smallest contractile unit is prone to alterations in its functional, structural and associated proteins. Sarcomeric dysfunction leads to heart failure or cardiomyopathies like hypertrophic (HCM) or restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) etc. Genetic based RCM, a very rare but severe disease with a high mortality rate, might be induced by mutations in genes of non-sarcomeric, sarcomeric and sarcomere associated proteins. In this review, we discuss the functional effects in correlation to the phenotype and present an integrated model for the development of genetic RCM.
‘So hurt and broken’: A qualitative study of experiences of violence and HIV outcomes among Zambian youth living with HIV

ABSTRACT Emerging data show associations between violence victimisation and negative HIV outcomes among youth in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted in-depth interviews with adolescents and young adults living with HIV (aged 15–24 years) in Ndola, Zambia, to better understand this relationship. We purposively selected 41 youth (24 females, 17 males) with varied experiences of violence and virologic results. Analysis used thematic coding. Two-thirds of participants said violence affected their medication adherence, clinic attendance, and/or virologic results. They focused on the negative effects of psychological abuse from family members in homes and peers at schools, which were the most salient forms of violence raised, and sexual violence against females. In contrast, they typically depicted physical violence from caregivers and teachers as a standard discipline practice, with few impacts. Youth wanted HIV clinic settings to address verbal abuse and emotional maltreatment, alongside physical and sexual violence, including through peer mentoring. Violence – especially verbal and emotional forms – must be recognised as a potential barrier to HIV self-management among youth living with HIV in the region. Further testing of clinic, home, and school-based interventions may be critical to reducing levels of violence and improving HIV outcomes in this vulnerable but resilient population. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04115813.
Clinical Effectiveness of Laser-Induced Increased Depth of Field for the Simultaneous Correction of Hyperopia and Presbyopia.

PURPOSE To evaluate the visual outcomes of patients with presbyopic hyperopia, comparing the current standard of monovision treatment with a novel bilateral presbyopic LASIK (Custom-Q mode) technique. METHODS This prospective comparative study of consecutive eligible patients with presbyopic hyperopia undergoing a bilateral presbyopic laser in situ keratomileusis technique was conducted between January 2018 and February 2019. After contact lens-simulated monovision measurements were obtained, the non-dominant eyes had a negative aspheric ablation profile planned using the Custom-Q nomogram (Alcon Laboratories, Inc). The dominant eye was operated on with a positive aspheric ablation profile. Visual acuity testing, refraction, corneal asphericity (▵Q), higher order aberrations, and a satisfaction questionnaire (National Eye Institute Refractive Error Quality of Life) were evaluated after the monovision trial and postoperatively. RESULTS Twenty-eight patients, with a mean age of 56.03 ± 4.31 years, were included in the study. At 6 months, 100% of patients achieved 20/20 or better binocular uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) versus 57% in the monovision group, 100% of patients achieved 20/25 or better binocular uncorrected intermediate visual acuity versus 32% in the monovision group, and 92.86% of patients achieved 20/25 or better binocular uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) in both groups. In contact lens monovision simulation, no patient reached a UDVA of 20/50 or better, with only 3.6% having a UNVA of 20/40 or better. The questionnaire demonstrated high patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS The outcomes confirm the superiority of increased depth of focus using negative spherical aberration modulation in the non-dominant eye compared with contact lens monovision. They also demonstrate the effectiveness of positive spherical aberration induction to improve intermediate and near vision in the dominant eye. [J Refract Surg. 2021;37(1):16-24. ].
Colistin Dependence in Extensively Drug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Strain Is Associated with ISAjo2 and ISAba13 Insertions and Multiple Cellular Responses

The nosocomial opportunistic Gram-negative bacterial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii is resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents and an emerging global health problem. The polymyxin antibiotic colistin, targeting the negatively charged lipid A component of the lipopolysaccharide on the bacterial cell surface, is often considered as the last-resort treatment, but resistance to colistin is unfortunately increasing worldwide. Notably, colistin-susceptible A. baumannii can also develop a colistin dependence after exposure to this drug in vitro. Colistin dependence might represent a stepping stone to resistance also in vivo. However, the mechanisms are far from clear. To address this issue, we combined proteogenomics, high-resolution microscopy, and lipid profiling to characterize and compare A. baumannii colistin-susceptible clinical isolate (Ab-S) of to its colistin-dependent subpopulation (Ab-D) obtained after subsequent passages in moderate colistin concentrations. Incidentally, in the colistin-dependent subpopulation the lpxA gene was disrupted by insertion of ISAjo2, the lipid A biosynthesis terminated, and Ab-D cells displayed a lipooligosaccharide (LOS)-deficient phenotype. Moreover, both mlaD and pldA genes were perturbed by insertions of ISAjo2 and ISAba13, and LOS-deficient bacteria displayed a capsule with decreased thickness as well as other surface imperfections. The major changes in relative protein abundance levels were detected in type 6 secretion system (T6SS) components, the resistance-nodulation-division (RND)-type efflux pumps, and in proteins involved in maintenance of outer membrane asymmetry. These findings suggest that colistin dependence in A. baumannii involves an ensemble of mechanisms seen in resistance development and accompanied by complex cellular events related to insertional sequences (ISs)-triggered LOS-deficiency. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the involvement of ISAjo2 and ISAba13 IS elements in the modulation of the lipid A biosynthesis and associated development of dependence on colistin.
Macroscopic Experimental and Modeling Evaluation of Selenite and Selenate Adsorption Mechanisms on Gibbsite

Contribution from the U.S. Salinity Laboratory. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 78:473–479 doi:10.2136/sssaj2013.06. 0249 Received 28 June 2013. *Corresponding author: (sabine.goldberg@ars.usda.gov). © Soil Science Society of America, 5585 Guilford Rd., Madison WI 53711 USA All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Permission for printing and for reprinting the material contained herein has been obtained by the publisher. Macroscopic Experimental and Modeling Evaluation of Selenite and Selenate Adsorption Mechanisms on Gibbsite Soil Chemistry
Management of intra- and post-operative complications during TEM/TAMIS procedures. A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a safe procedure and the rates of intra- and post-operative complications are low. The information in the literature on the management of these complications is limited, and so their importance may be either under- or overestimated (which may in turn lead to under- or overtreatment). The present article reviews the most relevant series of TEM procedures and their complications and describes various approaches to their management. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION A systematic review of the literature, including TEM series of more than 150 cases each. We analyzed the population characteristics, surgical variables and intraoperative and postoperative complications. EVIDENCE GATHERING A total of 1043 records were found. After review, 1031 were excluded. The review therefore includes 12 independent cohorts of TEM procedures with a total of 4395 patients. The rate of perforation into the peritoneal cavity was 5.1%, and conversion to abdominal approach was required in 0.8% of cases. The most frequent complications were acute urinary retention (AUR, 4.9%) and rectal bleeding (2.2%). Less common complications included abscesses (0.99%) and rectovaginal fistula (0.62%). Mortality rates were low, with a mean value of 0.29%. CONCLUSIONS Awareness and knowledge of TEM complications and their management can play an important role in their treatment and patient safety. Here, we present a review of the most important TEM series and their complication rates and describe various approaches to their management.
Twin pregnancy and perinatal outcomes: Data from 'Birth in Brazil Study'.

BACKGROUND Twin pregnancies account for 0.5-2.0% of all gestations worldwide. They have a negative impact on perinatal health indicators, mainly owing to the increased risk for preterm birth. However, population-based data from low/middle income countries are limited. The current paper aims to understand the health risks of twins, compared to singletons, amongst late preterms and early terms. METHODS Data is from "Birth in Brazil", a national inquiry into childbirth care conducted in 2011/2012 in 266 maternity hospitals. We included women with a live birth or a stillborn, and excluded births of triplets or more, totalling 23,746 singletons and 554 twins. We used multiple logistic regressions and adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS Twins accounted for 1.2% of gestations and 2.3% of newborns. They had higher prevalence of low birth weight and intrauterine growth restriction, when compared to singletons, in all gestational age groups, except in the very premature ones (<34 weeks). Amongst late preterm's, twins had higher odds of jaundice (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.8-4.2) and antibiotic use (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-3.2). Amongst early-terms, twins had higher odds of oxygen therapy (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3-5.9), admission to neonatal intensive care unit (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.5-6.5), transient tachypnoea (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.5-9.2), jaundice (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.3-5.9) and antibiotic use (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.14.9). In relation to birth order, the second-born infant had an elevated likelihood of jaundice, antibiotic use and oxygen therapy, than the first-born infant. CONCLUSION Although strongly mediated by gestational age, an independent risk remains for twins for most neonatal morbidities, when compared to singletons. These disadvantages seem to be more prominent in early-term newborns than in the late preterm ones.
Hydrogen sulfide is neuroprotective in Alzheimer’s disease by sulfhydrating GSK3β and inhibiting Tau hyperphosphorylation

Significance Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly. Although dysregulated hydrogen sulfide (H2S) metabolism has been reported in AD, and H2S donors are beneficial, molecular mechanisms underlying neuroprotective effects of H2S are largely unknown. We now show that H2S confers neuroprotection by sulfhydrating GSK3β to inhibit its activity, thereby preventing hyperphosphorylation of Tau, a key pathogenic event in AD. Administering H2S donors improves motor and cognitive functions in a mouse model of AD. Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia and neurodegeneration in the elderly, is characterized by deterioration of memory and executive and motor functions. Neuropathologic hallmarks of AD include neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), paired helical filaments, and amyloid plaques. Mutations in the microtubule-associated protein Tau, a major component of the NFTs, cause its hyperphosphorylation in AD. We have shown that signaling by the gaseous molecule hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is dysregulated during aging. H2S signals via a posttranslational modification termed sulfhydration/persulfidation, which participates in diverse cellular processes. Here we show that cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), the biosynthetic enzyme for H2S, binds wild type Tau, which enhances its catalytic activity. By contrast, CSE fails to bind Tau P301L, a mutant that is present in the 3xTg-AD mouse model of AD. We further show that CSE is depleted in 3xTg-AD mice as well as in human AD brains, and that H2S prevents hyperphosphorylation of Tau by sulfhydrating its kinase, glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). Finally, we demonstrate that sulfhydration is diminished in AD, while administering the H2S donor sodium GYY4137 (NaGYY) to 3xTg-AD mice ameliorates motor and cognitive deficits in AD.
Frontiers in human factors: integrating human factors and ergonomics to improve safety and quality in Latin American healthcare systems

Abstract Background The importance of human factors/ergonomics (HFE) is well established in all high-reliability systems but only applied in the healthcare sector relatively recently. Across many sectors, low-/middle-income countries (LMICs) lag behind more economically developed countries in their application of this safety science, due to resource and, in some cases, awareness and expertise. Most previous applications of HFE related to occupational ergonomics rather than healthcare safety. Methods The paper details how the reputation of HFE is being developed within healthcare communities of Latin America (LatAm), through increasing awareness and understanding of its role as safety science in the healthcare sector. It starts by articulating the need for HFE and then provides examples from Mexico, Colombia and Peru. Results The practical examples for research and education illustrate a developing awareness of the relevance of HFE to the healthcare sectors in LatAm and an appreciation of its worth to improve health service quality and patient safety through healthcare community engagement. A new LatAm Network of HFE in Healthcare Systems (RELAESA) was formed in 2019, which has provided a platform for HFE advice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion There is a real opportunity in LatAm and other LMIC health services to make more rapid and sustainable progress in healthcare-embedded HFE than has been experienced within healthcare services of more developed nations.
Recombination processes at grain boundaries in polycrystalline semiconductors

A model for a constant distribution of localized interface states in polycrystalline semiconductors is proposed. The grain boundary diffusion potential under equilibrium conditions calculated analytically for n-type silicon is in a good agreement with experimental measurements. The non-equilibrium analyses show the carrier concentration at the grain interface for large densities of interface states and small doping concentrations of the donors. The recombination velocity and the effective density of interface states essentially depends on the height of the diffusion potential under illumination. Le modele de la distribution constante des etats localisees dans les interfaces des semiconducteurs polycrystallines est propose. Le potentiel diffuse du limite des grains sous les conditions d'equilibre calcule analytiquement pour n-type silicon est en bon coincidence avec les mesuragess experimentales. Les analyses desequilibrees montrent la concentration des porteurs dans la limite du grain pour grandes densites des etats d'interface et pour petites concentrations des doneurs. La vitesse de la recombination et la densite effective des etats d'interface suffissament dependent du niveau de potentiel diffuse sous l'illumination.
In Vivo Activity of WCK 4282 (High-Dose Cefepime/Tazobactam) against Serine-β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the Neutropenic Murine Lung Infection Model

WCK 4282 (cefepime 2 g-tazobactam 2 g) maximizes systemic exposure of tazobactam and restores cefepime activity against various extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)- and cephalosporinase-producing strains in vitro. We describe clinical WCK 4282 exposure efficacies against various serine β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates in a murine pneumonia model. ABSTRACT WCK 4282 (cefepime 2 g-tazobactam 2 g) maximizes systemic exposure of tazobactam and restores cefepime activity against various extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)- and cephalosporinase-producing strains in vitro. We describe clinical WCK 4282 exposure efficacies against various serine β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates in a murine pneumonia model. Clinical cefepime-resistant isolates (17 Enterobacterales and 2 P. aeruginosa) were utilized. Isolates expressed ESBLs, cephalosporinases, and/or serine carbapenemases (KPC and OXA-48-like). WCK 4282 MICs were 4 to 32 μg/ml. For in vivo experiments, lungs of neutropenic mice were inoculated using standard inoculum (107 log10 CFU/ml). Serine carbapenemase-producing isolates were also assessed using a low inoculum (1:5 dilution). Treatment mice received a human-simulated regimen (HSR) of cefepime, meropenem (control for serine carbapenemase expression with low inoculum experiments), or WCK 4282 human-simulated regimens. Efficacy was assessed as change in log10 CFU/lungs at 24 h compared with 0-h controls. At standard inoculum, the mean 0-h bacterial burden was 6.65 ± 0.23 log10 CFU/lungs, and it increased at 24 h by 2.48 ± 0.60 log10 CFU/lungs among untreated controls. Initial bacterial burdens of lower inocula ranged from 5.81 ± 0.12 to 6.39 ± 0.13 log10 CFU/lungs. At standard and/or low inocula, cefepime and meropenem provided minimal activity. WCK 4282 produced a >1 log10 reduction against 9/9 ESBL-/cephalosporinase-producing strains. WCK 4282 provided variable activity among mice infected with standard or lower inocula of OXA-48-like-producers. WCK 4282 exposures provided 0.53 ± 1.07 log10 CFU/lungs growth against KPC producers at a standard inoculum versus bacteriostasis (−0.15 ± 0.54 change in log10 CFU/lungs) at a low inoculum. WCK 4282 produced potent in vivo activity against ESBL- and cephalosporinase-producing Enterobacterales and P. aeruginosa isolates and potential activity against OXA-48-like-producing Enterobacterales isolates in a neutropenic pneumonia model.
Hydrogen storage inside a toroidal carbon nanostructure C120: Density functional theory computer simulation

Ab initio density functional calculations were performed for a toroidal carbon C120 nanostructure. Hydrogen molecules, n = 1–15, were added inside the nanotorus and for each one of these systems a geometry optimization was obtained. The cohesive energy shows that these structures are energetically stable. For example, the binding energies are −34.95 and −36.19 Hartrees and the interatomic distances HH are 0.753 and 0.772 A for 1 and 14 molecules, respectively. Considering only molecular hydrogen, we have always seen so far weak physisorption into the C120 nanotorus. There is no chemisorption until the number oh hydrogen molecules are increased to 14. In this case, four hydrogen atoms are chemisorbed. With 15 molecules, there are 10 hydrogen atoms chemisorbed just at the inner nanotorus surface forming 10 HC bondings with bond length close to that in methane. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 110:2495–2508, 2010