Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Patients With Heart Failure, Regardless of Diabetes Status: Focus on Cardiovascular Disease

Objective: To provide clinical guidance and an overview of the available data on the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), regardless of the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Data Sources: We searched the MEDLINE database via PubMed (from January 2015 to November 2020) for the following key terms: SGLT2 inhibitors, sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors, SGLT2i, heart failure, and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Study Selection and Data Extraction: To be included in the review, the articles needed to assess the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in the heart failure (HF) scenario. Data Synthesis: There is consistent evidence that SGLT2 inhibitors reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events and hospitalization in patients with HFrEF, even in the absence of T2DM. On May 5, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved dapagliflozin for adults with HFrEF, regardless of the presence of T2DM, even in those patients on standard therapy, including an angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitor. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: The SGLT2 inhibitors are well tolerated, and their once-daily dosing without the need for adjustments is convenient. These drugs can be considered a major breakthrough in pharmacotherapy for HF, providing physicians with a new treatment approach to reduce major clinical outcomes. Conclusions: SGLT2 inhibitor therapy reduces CV death and hospitalizations in HFrEF patients regardless of T2DM. The decision to prescribe this class of drugs should not be determined by glycemic status.
Effect of Autogenous Dentin Graft on New Bone Formation

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Abstract The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of autogenous dentin graft and mixture of autogenous dentin graft and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) applied to the tooth extraction sockets on bone healing process. A total of 57 extraction sockets in 9 patients who were planned to be treated with dental implant after tooth extraction were evaluated in this study. Extraction sockets were divided randomly into 3 groups for each patient. In the first group, sockets were filled with autogenous dentin graft (Group D). In the second group, sockets were filled with the mixture of PRF and autogenous dentin graft (Group DP). In the third group, sockets were left empty as the control group (Group C). After 3 months, histological and immunohistochemical evaluations were performed on the samples taken during the implant surgery. Additionally, samples obtained from each group were examined by scanning electron microscopy. According to the histopathological findings, when the groups were compared in terms of new bone formation there was a significant difference between Group DP, both Group C, and Group D (P = 0.00), (P = 0.001). These findings supported by immunohistochemical results that showing increased bone morphogenetic protein-2 and Runt-related transcription factor-2 expression in Group DP. It has been concluded that undemineralized autogenous dentin graft has bone formation capacity on early period of bone healing. It can be used as bone graft material in augmentation procedures and its combined use with PRF accelerates new bone formation.
Oxia Planum: The Landing Site for the ExoMars “Rosalind Franklin” Rover Mission: Geological Context and Prelanding Interpretation

The European Space Agency (ESA) and Roscosmos ExoMars mission will launch the “Rosalind Franklin” rover in 2022 for a landing on Mars in 2023.The goals of the mission are to search for signs of past and present life on Mars, investigate the water/geochemical environment as a function of depth in the shallow subsurface, and characterize the surface environment. To meet these scientific objectives while minimizing the risk for landing, a 5-year-long landing site selection process was conducted by ESA, during which eight candidate sites were down selected to one: Oxia Planum. Oxia Planum is a 200 km-wide low-relief terrain characterized by hydrous clay-bearing bedrock units located at the southwest margin of Arabia Terra. This region exhibits Noachian-aged terrains. We show in this study that the selected landing site has recorded at least two distinct aqueous environments, both of which occurred during the Noachian: (1) a first phase that led to the deposition and alteration of ∼100 m of layered clay-rich deposits and (2) a second phase of a fluviodeltaic system that postdates the widespread clay-rich layered unit. Rounded isolated buttes that overlie the clay-bearing unit may also be related to aqueous processes. Our study also details the formation of an unaltered mafic-rich dark resistant unit likely of Amazonian age that caps the other units and possibly originated from volcanism. Oxia Planum shows evidence for intense erosion from morphology (inverted features) and crater statistics. Due to these erosional processes, two types of Noachian sedimentary rocks are currently exposed. We also expect rocks at the surface to have been exposed to cosmic bombardment only recently, minimizing organic matter damage.
Visual Echolocation Concept for the Colorophone Sensory Substitution Device Using Virtual Reality

Detecting characteristics of 3D scenes is considered one of the biggest challenges for visually impaired people. This ability is nonetheless crucial for orientation and navigation in the natural environment. Although there are several Electronic Travel Aids aiming at enhancing orientation and mobility for the blind, only a few of them combine passing both 2D and 3D information, including colour. Moreover, existing devices either focus on a small part of an image or allow interpretation of a mere few points in the field of view. Here, we propose a concept of visual echolocation with integrated colour sonification as an extension of Colorophone—an assistive device for visually impaired people. The concept aims at mimicking the process of echolocation and thus provides 2D, 3D and additionally colour information of the whole scene. Even though the final implementation will be realised by a 3D camera, it is first simulated, as a proof of concept, by using VIRCO—a Virtual Reality training and evaluation system for Colorophone. The first experiments showed that it is possible to sonify colour and distance of the whole scene, which opens up a possibility to implement the developed algorithm on a hardware-based stereo camera platform. An introductory user evaluation of the system has been conducted in order to assess the effectiveness of the proposed solution for perceiving distance, position and colour of the objects placed in Virtual Reality.
Is job strain associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus? A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

Objectives: Epidemiological studies have explored the relationship between work-related stress and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but it remains unclear on whether work-related stress could increase the risk of T2DM. We aimed to evaluate the association between job strain and the risk of T2DM. Methods: We searched PubMed and Web of Science up to April 2019. Summary risk estimates were calculated by random-effect models. And the analysis was also conducted stratifying by gender, study location, smoking, drinking, body mass index, physical activity, family history of T2DM, education and T2DM ascertainment. Studies with binary job strain and quadrants based on the job strain model were analyzed separately. Results: A total of nine studies with 210 939 participants free of T2DM were included in this analysis. High job strain (high job demands and low control) was associated with the overall risk of T2DM compared with no job strain (all other combinations) [relative risk (RR) 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.31], and the association was more evident in women (RR 1.48, 95% CI 1.02–2.14). A statistically significant association was also observed when using high strain as a category (job strain quadrants) rather than binary variable (RR 1.62, 95% CI 1.04–2.55) in women but not men. Conclusions: Our study suggests that job strain is an important risk factor for T2DM, especially among women. Appropriate preventive interventions in populations with high job strain would contribute to a reduction in T2DM risk.
Adjuvanted influenza vaccine and influenza outbreaks in U.S. nursing homes: Results from a pragmatic cluster-randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND Influenza outbreaks in nursing homes pose a threat to frail residents and occur even in vaccinated populations. We conducted a pragmatic cluster-randomized trial comparing adjuvanted trivalent influenza vaccine (aTIV) versus trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV). Here, we report an exploratory analysis to compare the effect of aTIV versus TIV on facility-reported influenza outbreaks. METHODS Nursing homes were randomized to offer older residents either aTIV or TIV for the 2016-17 influenza season. The impact of the intent-to-treat vaccine assignment was evaluated for the total number of outbreaks reported from November-March. We collected data according to standard CDC definitions for both suspected outbreaks and those with a laboratory-confirmed case in nursing homes, and adjusted for facility-level vaccination rates and resident characteristics. RESULTS Of 823 randomized nursing homes, 777 (aTIV, n=387; TIV, n=390) reported information on influenza outbreaks. The treatment groups had similar characteristics at baseline except for race/ethnicity: homes assigned to TIV had a higher percentage of African-American residents (18.0% versus 13.7%). There were 133 versus 162 facility-reported suspected influenza outbreaks in aTIV versus TIV facilities respectively, of these 115 versus 140 were laboratory confirmed. The aTIV group experienced a 17% reduction in suspected (rate ratio, RR, 0.83, 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.65, 1.05) and laboratory-confirmed influenza outbreaks (RR 0.83, 95%CI: 0.63, 1.06). Covariate adjustment increased the estimated reduction for suspected outbreaks to 21% (RR 0.79, 95%CI: 0.61, 0.99) and 22% for laboratory confirmed (RR 0.78, 95%CI: 0.60, 1.02). CONCLUSIONS In an exploratory analysis of a cluster-RCT we observed 17-21% fewer outbreaks with aTIV than TIV.ClinicalTrials. gov number, NCT02882100.
Chemotaxonomy of Marsypianthes Mart. ex Benth. based on essential oil variability

Essential oils of four species of Marsypianthes (Lamiaceae) were investigated via gas chromatography and multivariate analysis. Each species was represented by two to seven populations, totaling seventeen populations. β-Elemene, (E)-caryophyllene, α-humulene, germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, δ-cadinene, spathulenol, caryophyllene oxide, and globulol were found in all samples. Principal component and hierarchical cluster analyses revealed the presence of two sections, one containing M. chamaedrys/M. montana (section A) and the other M. burchellii (section B). M. foliolosa showed higher complexity, being divided in both sections. Similar results were obtained according to biosynthetic carbon skeletons. Germacranes and bicyclogermacranes predominated in section A, whereas aromadendranes, bourbonanes and guaianes characterized section B. Canonical redundancy analysis revealed that clusters were not influenced by edaphic factors in sampling sites.
Out-of-Plane Deformations Determined Mechanics of Vanadium Disulfide (VS2) Sheets.

The rapid development of two-dimensional (2D) materials has significantly broadened the scope of 2D science in both fundamental scientific interests and emerging technological applications, wherein the mechanical properties play an indispensably key role. Nevertheless, particularly challenging is the ultrathin nature of 2D materials that makes their manipulations and characterizations considerably difficult. Herein, thanks to the excellent flexibility of vanadium disulfide (VS2) sheets, their susceptibility to out-of-plane deformation is exploited to realize the controllable loading and enable the accurate measurements of mechanical properties. In particular, the Young's modulus is estimated to be 44.4 ± 3.5 GPa, approaching the lower limit for 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). We further report the first measurement of thickness-dependent bending rigidity of VS2, which deviates from the prediction of the classical continuum mechanics theory. Additionally, a deeper understanding of the mechanics within two dimensions also facilitates the modulation of strain-coupled physics at the nanoscale. Our Raman measurements showed the Grüneisen parameters for VS2 were determined for the first time to be γE2g1 ≈ 0.83 and γA1g ≈ 0.32.
Migrations of young spotted seals (Phoca largha) from Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan/East Sea, and the pattern of their use of seasonal habitats

We studied the migrations of young spotted seals during their annual cycle. In May 2017, we attached satellite tags (SPOT-293A) to three individuals (two underyearlings and one yearling) captured at their breeding ground in Peter the Great Bay, western Sea of Japan/East Sea. The operational time of the installed tags ranged from 207 to 333 days; a total of 27195 locations were uploaded. All three seals migrated east and further north along the coast of the mainland. The average daily migration speed of the seals ranged between 70 and 135 km/day. The yearling moved faster than the underyearlings. During early August, they arrived at their summer habitats, which were located in the northern part of the Tatar Strait (Sea of Japan/East Sea) for the underyearling seals and in Aniva Bay (Sea of Okhotsk) for the yearling seal. While moving from the place of tagging to the summer feeding grounds, the seals covered a distance of 2300 to 3100 km. From August to October, each seal permanently stayed within the same isolated area. The reverse migration of all three seals began in November. When the seals traveled south, they used the same routes by which they had moved north in the spring, but they moved at a faster speed. By December, two seals returned to their natal islands, where both stayed until their transmitters stopped sending signals (in March 2018).
An Investigation of 3D Maxillary Arch Morphometry of Children With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of multiple factors (congenital and postnatal treatment factors) on the treatment outcome by assessing the maxillary arch dimension of children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). Eighty-five Pakistani children with UCLP were taken who received cheiloplasty and palatoplasty. Laser scanned 3D digital models of UCLP subjects were prepared before any orthodontic treatment and bone grafting at 7.69 ± 2.46 (mean ± standard deviation) years of age. Inter-canine width (ICW), inter-molar width (IMW), and arch depth (AD) measurements of maxillary arch were measured with Mimics software. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between congenital factors (age, gender, UCLP side, family history of cleft) and postnatal treatment factors (techniques of cheiloplasty and techniques of palatoplasty) with maxillary arch dimensions (ICW, IMW, and AD). P value was set at 5%. The mean (standard deviation) dimensions of ICW, IMW, and AD are 26.7 (5.70) mm, 43.3 (4.66) mm, and 27.1 (5.26) mm, respectively. There is no significant association found between multiple factors and maxillary arch dimensions. This regression analysis shows no significant association between multiple factors and MAD in this sample.
Argon and Argon–Oxygen Plasma Surface Modification of Gelatin Nanofibers for Tissue Engineering Applications

In the present study, we developed a novel approach for functionalization of gelatin nanofibers using the plasma method for tissue engineering applications. For this purpose, tannic acid-crosslinked gelatin nanofibers were fabricated with electrospinning, followed by treatment with argon and argon–oxygen plasmas in a vacuum chamber. Samples were evaluated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, contact angle (CA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The biological activity of plasma treated gelatin nanofibers were further investigated by using fibroblasts as cell models. SEM studies showed that the average diameter and the surface morphology of nanofibers did not change after plasma treatment. However, the mean surface roughness (RMS) of samples were increased due to plasma activation. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy demonstrated several new bands on plasma treated fibers related to the plasma ionization of nanofibers. The CA test results stated that the surface of nanofibers became completely hydrophilic after argon–oxygen plasma treatment. Finally, increasing the polarity of crosslinked gelatin after plasma treatment resulted in an increase of the number of fibroblast cells. Overall, results expressed that our developed method could open new insights into the application of the plasma process for functionalization of biomedical scaffolds. Moreover, the cooperative interplay between gelatin biomaterials and argon/argon–oxygen plasmas discovered a key composition showing promising biocompatibility towards biological cells. Therefore, we strongly recommend plasma surface modification of nanofiber scaffolds as a pretreatment process for tissue engineering applications.
An Increase in Fat-Free Mass is Associated with Higher Appetite and Energy Intake in Older Adults: A Randomised Control Trial

Cross-sectional studies in younger adults have demonstrated a positive association between energy intake (EI) and fat-free mass (FFM), with this relationship seemingly mediated by resting metabolic rate (RMR). Establishing a causal effect longitudinally would be prudent in older adults suffering from loss of appetite. We investigated the effects of FFM on RMR, appetite and EI in 39 healthy older adults (age: 66 ± 4 years, BMI: 25.1 ± 3.5 kg∙m2) assigned to either 12-week resistance training + protein supplementation group (RT + PRO) or control group (CON). Body composition, subjective appetite, leptin, insulin, RMR and laboratory-measured ad libitum EI were measured at baseline, weeks 6 and 12 of the intervention, while daily EI at baseline and week 12. FFM (+1.2 kg; p = 0.002), postprandial subjective appetite (+8 mm; p = 0.027), ad libitum EI (+119 kcal; p = 0.012) and daily EI (+133 kcal; p = 0.010) increased from baseline to week 12 in the RT + PRO. RMR, fasted subjective appetite, leptin and insulin concentrations remained unchanged (all p > 0.05). The increases ad libitum EI correlated with increases in FFM (r = 0.527, p = 0.001), with 54% of the change in EI attributed to FFM changes. In conclusion, FFM increases were associated with an increased ad libitum EI and postprandial appetite in older adults.
An Update on Recent Advances in Cubosome: A Novel Drug Delivery System.

Cubosomes are highly stable nanostructured liquid crystalline dosage delivery form derived from amphiphilic lipids and polymer-based stabilizers converting it in a form of effective biocompatible carrier for the drug delivery. The delivery form comprised of bicontinuous lipid bilayers arranged in three dimensional honeycombs like structure provided with two internal aqueous channels for incorporation of number of biologically active ingredients. In contrast liposomes they provide large surface area for incorporation of different types of ingredients. Due to the distinct advantages of biocompatibility and thermodynamic stability, cubosomes have remained the first preference as method of choice in the sustained release, controlled release and targeted release dosage forms as new drug delivery system for the better release of the drugs. As lot of advancement in the new form of dosage form has bring the novel avenues in drug delivery mechanisms so it was matter of worth to compile the latest updates on the various aspects of mentioned therapeutic delivery system including its structure, routes of applications along with the potential applications to encapsulate variety drugs to serve health related benefits.
Persimmon leaf extract protects mice from atopic dermatitis by inhibiting T cell activation via regulation of the JNK pathway

Persimmon leaf extracts (PLE) have been widely used as a traditional medicine in East Asian countries. The effects of persimmon leaves, including antioxidant, antiinflammatory, hypotensive, and anti‐allergy effects, have been investigated; however, there is little evidence on the inhibition of T cell activation in vitro and effects on T cell‐related diseases, such as atopic dermatitis (AD), in vivo by persimmon leaves. PLE (50 μg/mL) effectively attenuated the mRNA levels of IL‐2 in Jurkat T cells stimulated with PMA/A23187 and Staphylococcus enterotoxin E‐loaded Raji B cells without causing cytotoxicity. In Jurkat T cells stimulated with PMA/A23187, treatment with 50 μg/mL PLE blocked the translocation of p65 and IκBα degradation. Moreover, the JNK signaling pathway in Jurkat T cells stimulated with PMA/A23187 was affected by treatment with PLE. The oral administration of PLE markedly attenuated AD manifestations in mice, including ear thickness, IgE levels, and lymph node sizes. These results indicate PLE significantly blocked T cell activation via NF‐κB signaling and the JNK pathway. This suggests underlying mechanisms of PLE involving the control of effector cytokines produced by activated T cells in ear tissue and lymph nodes, as well as the infiltration of mast cells and the therapeutic potential of AD.
An initial evaluation of expanded hemodialysis on hospitalizations, drug utilization, costs, and patient utility in Colombia

To examine new evidence linking expanded hemodialysis (HDx) using a medium cut‐off (MCO) membrane with hospitalizations, hospital days, medication use, costs, and patient utility. This retrospective study utilized data from Renal Care Services medical records database in Colombia from 2017 to 2019. Clinics included had switched all patients from high flux hemodialysis (HD HF) to HDx and had at least a year of data on HD HF and HDx. Data included demographic characteristics, comorbidities, years on dialysis, hospitalizations, medication use, and quality of life measured by the 36 item and Short Form versions of the Kidney Disease Quality of Life survey at the start of HDx, and 1 year after HDx, which were mapped to EQ‐5D utilities. Generalized linear models were run on the outcomes of interest with an indicator for being on HDx. Annual cost estimates were also constructed. The study included 81 patients. HDx was significantly associated with lower dosing of erythropoietin stimulating agents, iron, hypertension medications, and insulin. HDx was also significantly associated with lower hospital days per year (5.94 on HD vs. 4.41 on HDx) although not with the number of hospitalizations. Estimates of annual hospitalization costs were 23.9% lower using HDx and patient utilities did not appear to decline. HDx was statistically significantly associated with reduced hospitalization days and lower medication dosages. Furthermore, this preliminary analysis suggested potential for HDx being a dominant strategy in terms of costs and utility and should motivate future work with larger samples and better controls.
DNA methylome profiling identifies novel methylated genes in epithelial ovarian cancer patients with platinum resistance

Platinum‐based chemotherapy is widely used for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). As high as 20–25% of EOC patients will not respond to the initial chemotherapy. Accumulated evidences have implied that DNA methylation may serve as a potential bio‐marker for chemotherapy‐resistant phenotypic screening; however, the pattern underlying primary platinum resistance remains unclear.