Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hepatozoon Infecting Bats in the Southeastern Brazilian Rainforest

Abstract: Tick-borne protozoans of the genus Hepatozoon are obligate hemoparasites that can infect domestic and wild terrestrial vertebrates. Main hepatozoonosis affects canids and involves mainly Hepatozoon canis and Hepatozoon americanum. However, molecular studies revealed the capacity of H. canis to infect a wide range of wild mammals. In July 2018, we conducted an epidemiological survey for tick-borne pathogens in wild hosts, assaying Hepatozoon sp. occurrence in 34 bats captured in different habitats within a conservation unit in the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. Blood and spleen tissue DNA samples were submitted to PCR amplifications of Babesia/Theileria and Hepatozoon 18S rRNA gene and 21% (7/34) were positive for Hepatozoon sp. Phylogenetic inferences grouped the obtained sequences from Seba's short-tailed bat (Carollia perspicillata) with the H. canis cluster, and from the great fruit-eating bat (Artibeus lituratus) with rodent-associated Hepatozoon cluster. Further studies are needed to characterize the epidemiological role of Seba's short-tailed bat and the great fruit-eating bat in the wild transmission cycle of these hemoparasites in Brazil.
EFFECT OF THE AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF MOMORDICA CHARANTIA ON BODY WEIGHT OF RATS

Obesity is characterized by an excess of adipose tissue mass due to an imbalance between caloric intake and expenditure leading to increased body weight and clinical complications such as insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia. These complications not only increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases but are also responsible of certain types of cancer and osteoarthritis. A number of weight reducing drug are available in market, however they produce some serious adverse effects. Momordica charantia is one of the widely used traditional medicinal plants for loss of weight but scientific study has been carried out for that purpose. In this study the aqueous extract of Momordica charantia fruit was orally administered to overweight rats to assess the effect of the extract on body weight of rats. Five weeks treatment not only showed significant decrease in body weight of rats but there was also significant decrease in blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol however there was increase in HDL-cholesterol levels in serum.
Intrafibrillar Mineralized Collagen-Hydroxyapatite-Based Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration.

As one of the major challenges in the field of tissue engineering, large skeletal defects have attracted wide attention of researchers. Collagen (Col) and hydroxyapatite (HA), the most abundant protein and main component in natural bone, are usually used as a biomimetic composite material in tissue engineering due to its excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this study, novel intrafibrillar mineralized Col-HA-based scaffolds, constructed in either cellular or lamellar microstructures, were established through a biomimetic method to enhance the new bone regenerating capability of tissue engineering scaffolds. Moreover, iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn), two essential trace elements in body, were successfully incorporated into the lamellar scaffold to further improve the osteoinductivity of these biomaterials. It was found that the lamellar scaffolds demonstrated better osteogenic abilities compared to both in-house and commercial Col-HA-based cellular scaffolds in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, Fe/Mn incorporation further amplified the osteogenic promotion of the lamellar scaffolds. More importantly, a synergistic effect was observed in the Fe and Mn dual elements incorporated lamellar scaffolds for both in vitro osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and in vivo bone regeneration loaded with fresh bone marrow cells. This study provides a simple but practical strategy for creation of functional scaffolds for bone regeneration.
Clinical Characteristics of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Suicide Attempts among Psychiatric Patients in Korea: A Retrospective Chart Review

Objective Limited data exist on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicide attempts among psychiatric patients in Korea. In this study, we investigated the clinical characteristics of patients who engaged in NSSI and/or suicide attempts. Methods We performed a retrospective medical chart review of patients with NSSI and/or suicide attempts at the psychiatric department of a university medical center in Seoul between 2017 and 2019. According to their history, patients were allocated to one of three groups: NSSI only, suicide attempts only and NSSI and suicide attempts group. Groups were compared based on sociodemographic characteristics and psychological assessments. Results Overall, 80 patients with NSSI and/or suicide attempts were evaluated. Patients with NSSI and suicide attempts were more likely to be female than the other two groups. Patients with NSSI and suicide attempts were more likely to suffer from Cluster B personality disorder than the other groups. And patients with NSSI and suicide attempts scored significantly higher on novelty-seeking in TCI and RC8, RC9 in MMPI-2. Conclusion Patients with NSSI and/or suicide attempts were more likely to be female, younger, and showed higher levels of psychological disturbances. These findings highlight the importance of early detection and intervention for patients with NSSI.
Adaptive Formation Control of Networked Robotic Systems With Bearing-Only Measurements

In this article, we address the bearing-only formation control problem of 3-D networked robotic systems with parametric uncertainties. The contributions of this article are two-fold: 1) the bearing-rigid theory is extended to solve the nonlinear robotic systems with the Euler–Lagrange-like model and 2) a novel almost global stable distributed bearing-only formation control law is proposed for the nonlinear robotic systems. Specifically, the robotic systems subject to nonholonomic constraints and dynamics are first transformed into a Euler–Lagrange-like model. By exploring the bearing-rigid graph theory, a backstepping approach is used to design the distributed formation controller. Simulations for 3-D robotics are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control law. Compared to the distance-rigid formation control approach, the bearing-rigid approach guarantees almost global stability while naturally excluding flip ambiguities.
Biobanking in Molecular Biomarker Research for the Early Detection of Cancer

Although population-wide screening programs for several cancer types have been implemented in multiple countries, screening procedures are invasive, time-consuming and often perceived as a burden for patients. Molecular biomarkers measurable in non-invasively collected samples (liquid biopsies) could facilitate screening, as they could have incremental value on early diagnosis of cancer, but could also predict prognosis or monitor treatment response. Although the shift towards biomarkers from liquid biopsies for early cancer detection was initiated some time ago, there are many challenges that hamper the development of such biomarkers. One of these challenges is large-scale validation that requires large prospectively collected biobanks with liquid biopsies. Establishing those biobanks involves several considerations, such as standardization of sample collection, processing and storage within and between biobanks. In this perspective, we will elaborate on several issues that need to be contemplated in biobanking, both in general and for certain specimen types specifically, to be able to facilitate biomarker validation for early detection of cancer.
How does ayahuasca work from a psychiatric perspective? Pros and cons of the entheogenic therapy

Ayahuasca is a hallucinogenic plant preparation, traditionally consumed in sacred ceremonies by indigenous North‐Westerner Amazonian countries like Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and Ecuador. It is fundamental to carefully balance benefits/risks related to the ayahuasca intake, both during ceremonies and experimental settings. The aim is at evaluating and comparing the potential therapeutic benefits versus health risks related to ayahuasca intake (both acutely and chronically), focusing on its application in psychedelic psychiatry.
Optically Stimulated Synaptic Devices Based on the Hybrid Structure of Silicon Nanomembrane and Perovskite.

Optoelectronic synaptic devices have been attracting increasing attention due to their critical role in the development of neuromorphic computing based on optoelectronic integration. Here we start with Si nanomembrane (NM) to fabricate optoelectronic synaptic devices. Organolead halide perovskite (MAPbI3) is exploited to form a hybrid structure with Si NM. We demonstrate that synaptic transistors based on the hybrid structure are very sensitive to optical stimulation with low energy consumption. Synaptic functionalities such as excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC), paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) and transition from short-term memory (STM) to long-term memory (LTM) are all successfully mimicked by using these optically stimulated synaptic transistors. The backgate-enabled tunability of the EPSC of these devices further leads to the LTM-based mimicking of visual learning and memory processes under different mood states. This work contributes to the development of Si-based optoelectronic synaptic devices for neuromorphic computing.
ADAM17 Genetic Variants and the Response of TNF-α Inhibitor in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Purpose TNF-α is a transmembrane protein which requires cleavage by ADAM17 in order to act systemically. The activation of ADAM17 to generate soluble TNF‑α results in an increased inflammatory activity. We hypothesized that variants spanning the ADAM17 gene contribute towards the observed variation in patient response defined by the number of changes in TNF‑α inhibitors. Patients and Methods Seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ADAM17 in 63 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who received TNF-α inhibitors were analyzed: rs57467365, rs62117540, rs117645314, rs6432013, rs532704607, rs117179141, and rs12692386. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis were employed to investigate the independent predictable factors for changes in TNF-α inhibitors. Results ADAM17 rs117645314 and rs117179141 showed significant association with the number of changes in TNF-α inhibitors. Patients with GA in rs117645314 and AT in rs117179141 had significantly higher chance of two or more changes of TNF-α inhibitors than those with wild homozygous alleles. Multivariate analysis showed that rs117179141 explained 5.7% of the 23.8% variability in TNF-α inhibitor response. Conclusion This study showed that the number of changes in TNF-α inhibitor is associated with ADAM17 SNPs.
Alveolar Epithelial Type II Cells as Drivers of Lung Fibrosis in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Alveolar epithelial type II cells (AT2) are a heterogeneous population that have critical secretory and regenerative roles in the alveolus to maintain lung homeostasis. However, impairment to their normal functional capacity and development of a pro-fibrotic phenotype has been demonstrated to contribute to the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). A number of factors contribute to AT2 death and dysfunction. As a mucosal surface, AT2 cells are exposed to environmental stresses that can have lasting effects that contribute to fibrogenesis. Genetical risks have also been identified that can cause AT2 impairment and the development of lung fibrosis. Furthermore, aging is a final factor that adds to the pathogenic changes in AT2 cells. Here, we will discuss the homeostatic role of AT2 cells and the studies that have recently defined the heterogeneity of this population of cells. Furthermore, we will review the mechanisms of AT2 death and dysfunction in the context of lung fibrosis.
Copper Uptake and Accumulation, Ultra-Structural Alteration, and Bast Fibre Yield and Quality of Fibrous Jute (Corchorus capsularis L.) Plants Grown under Two Different Soils of China

Copper (Cu) is an essential heavy metal for plants, but high Cu concentration in the soil causes phytotoxicity. Some plants, however, possess a system that can overcome Cu toxicity, such as Cu localization, and an active antioxidant defence system to reduce oxidative damage induced by high Cu concentration. The present study was conducted to explore the phytoremediation potential, morpho-physiological traits, antioxidant capacity, and fibre quality of jute (Corchorus capsularis) grown in a mixture of Cu-contaminated soil and natural soil at ratios of 0:1 (control), 1:0, 1:1, 1:2 and 1:4. Our results showed that high Cu concentration in the soil decreased plant growth, plant biomass, chlorophyll content, gaseous exchange, and fibre yield while increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS), which indicated oxidative stress induced by high Cu concentration in the soil. Antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxidase dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) scavenge ROS in plant cells/tissues. Furthermore, high Cu concentration did not significantly worsen the fibre quality of C. capsularis, and this plant was able to accumulate a large amount of Cu, with higher Cu accumulation in its shoots than in its roots. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that Cu toxicity affected different organelles of C. capsularis, with the chloroplast as the most affected organelle. On the basis of these results, we concluded that high Cu concentration was toxic to C. capsularis, reducing crop yield and plant productivity, but showing little effect on plant fibre yield. Hence, C. capsularis, as a fibrous crop, can accumulate a high concentration of Cu when grown in Cu-contaminated sites.
Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist versus Pressure Support Ventilation in Difficult Weaning

Background: Difficult weaning frequently develops in ventilated patients and is associated with poor outcome. In neurally adjusted ventilatory assist, the ventilator is controlled by diaphragm electrical activity, which has been shown to improve patient–ventilator interaction. The objective of this study was to compare neurally adjusted ventilatory assist and pressure support ventilation in patients difficult to wean from mechanical ventilation. Methods: In this nonblinded randomized clinical trial, difficult-to-wean patients (n = 99) were randomly assigned to neurally adjusted ventilatory assist or pressure support ventilation mode. The primary outcome was the duration of weaning. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of successful weaning, patient–ventilator asynchrony, ventilator-free days, and mortality. Weaning duration was calculated as 28 days for patients under mechanical ventilation at day 28 or deceased before day 28 without successful weaning. Results: Weaning duration in all patients was statistically significant shorter in the neurally adjusted ventilatory assist group (n = 47) compared with the pressure support ventilation group (n = 52; 3.0 [1.2 to 8.0] days vs. 7.4 [2.0 to 28.0], mean difference: −5.5 [95% CI, −9.2 to −1.4], P = 0.039). Post hoc sensitivity analysis also showed that the neurally adjusted ventilatory assist group had shorter weaning duration (hazard ratio, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.98). The proportion of patients with successful weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation was higher in neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (33 of 47 patients, 70%) compared with pressure support ventilation (25 of 52 patients, 48%; respiratory rate for neurally adjusted ventilatory assist: 1.46 [95% CI, 1.04 to 2.05], P = 0.026). The number of ventilator-free days at days 14 and 28 was statistically significantly higher in neurally adjusted ventilatory assist compared with pressure support ventilation. Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist improved patient ventilator interaction. Mortality and length of stay in the intensive care unit and in the hospital were similar among groups. Conclusions: In patients difficult to wean, neurally adjusted ventilatory assist decreased the duration of weaning and increased ventilator-free days. In selected patients difficult to wean from mechanical ventilation, neurally adjusted ventilatory assist improves patient outcome indicated by reduction in duration of weaning. Such a benefit seems most prominent in tracheostomized patients. Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.
Melatonin: Awakening the Defense Mechanisms during Plant Oxidative Stress

Melatonin is a multifunctional signaling molecule that is ubiquitously distributed in different parts of a plant and responsible for stimulating several physio-chemical responses to adverse environmental conditions. In this review, we show that, although plants are able to biosynthesize melatonin, the exogenous application of melatonin to various crops can improve plant growth and development in response to various abiotic and biotic stresses (e.g., drought, unfavorable temperatures, high salinity, heavy metal contamination, acid rain, and combined stresses) by regulating antioxidant machinery of plants. Current knowledge suggests that exogenously applied melatonin can enhance the stress tolerance of plants by regulating both the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense systems. Enzymic antioxidants upregulated by exogenous melatonin include superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and enzymes involved in the ascorbate–glutathione cycle (ascorbate peroxidase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase, and glutathione reductase), whereas levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants such as ascorbate, reduced glutathione, carotenoids, tocopherols, and phenolics are also higher under stress conditions. The enhanced antioxidant system consequently exhibits lower lipid peroxidation and greater plasma membrane integrity when under stress. However, these responses vary greatly from crop to crop and depend on the intensity and type of stress, and most studies to date have been conducted under controlled conditions. This means that a wider range of crop field trials and detailed transcriptomic analysis are required to reveal the gene regulatory networks involved in the between melatonin, antioxidants, and abiotic stress.
Retrospective analysis of portal dosimetry pre-treatment quality assurance of prostate volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans

Abstract Background Electronic portal imaging device (EPID) offers high-resolution digital image that can be compared with a predicted portal dose image. A very common method to quantitatively compare a measured and calculated dose distribution that is routinely used for quality assurance (QA) of volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy treatment plans is the evaluation of the gamma index. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the gamma passing rate (%GP), maximum gamma (γ max), average gamma (γ ave), maximum dose difference (DDmax) and the average dose difference (DDave) for various regions of interest using Varian’s implementation of three absolute dose gamma calculation techniques of improved, local, and combined improved and local. Methods and materials We analyzed 232 portal dose images from 100 prostate cancer patients’ VMAT plans obtained using the Varian EPID on TrueBeam Linacs. Results Our data show that the %GP, γ max and γ ave depend on the gamma calculation method and the acceptance criteria. Higher %GP values were obtained compared with both our current institutional action level and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 119 recommendations. Conclusions The results of this study can be used to establish stricter action levels for pre-treatment QA of prostate VMAT plans. A stricter 3%/3 mm improved gamma criterion with a passing rate of 97% or the 2%/2 mm improved gamma criterion with a passing rate of 95% can be achieved without additional measurements or configurations.
Molecular Diversity of Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp. and Blastocystis sp. in Asymptomatic School Children in Leganés, Madrid (Spain)

Enteric parasites including Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp. , and to a lesser extent, Blastocystis sp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi, are major worldwide contributors to diarrhoeal disease. Assessing their molecular frequency and diversity is important to ascertain the sources of infection, transmission dynamics, and zoonotic potential. Little molecular information is available on the genotypes of these pathogens circulating in apparently healthy children. Here, we show that asymptomatic carriage of G. duodenalis (17.4%, 95% CI: 15.5–19.4%), Blastocystis sp. (13.0%, 95% CI: 11.4–14.8%), and Cryptosporidium spp. (0.9%, 95% CI: 0.5–1.5%) is common in children (1–16 years; n = 1512) from Madrid, Spain. Our genotyping data indicate that; (i) the observed frequency and diversity of parasite genetic variants are very similar to those previously identified in Spanish clinical samples, so that the genotype alone does not predict the clinical outcome of the infection, (ii) anthroponotic transmission accounts for a large proportion of the detected cases, highlighting that good personal hygiene practices are important to minimizing the risk of infection, (iii) Blastocystis ST4 may represent a subtype of the parasite with higher pathogenic potential, and (iv) Enterocytozoon bieneusi does not represent a public health concern in healthy children.
A Philosophical Approach to the Rehabilitation of the Patient with Persistent Pain

ABSTRACT The use of hypnosis to promote hypnoanalgesia has a long history and has been written about anecdotally as well as having been researched in the last several decades. Research has been both clinical in nature and, in the laboratory, trying to understand the brain physiology and processes involved. This article is not about a review of the research. It is about sharing what I have learned to do clinically using hypnosis to treat patients with persistent pain over the last 40 plus years. Due to the restraints of limited space, I can only discuss the various techniques briefly. I will describe a philosophical perspective that has served me well and driven my approach to treatment. I will discuss the concept of self-regulation training along the dimensions of Sensation, Affect, Cognition, and Behavior and share how hypnosis has been incorporated in working within each of those aspects of experiencing.
Brazilian Nutritional Consensus in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Graft- versus -host disease

ABSTRACT The Brazilian Consensus on Nutrition in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Graft- versus -host disease was approved by Sociedade Brasileira de Transplante de Medula Óssea , with the participation of 26 Brazilian hematopoietic stem cell transplantation centers. It describes the main nutritional protocols in cases of Graft- versus -host disease, the main complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.