Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the progress toward elimination of lymphatic filariasis in the Federal Capital Territory- Abuja, Nigeria

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a neglected tropical disease caused by threadlike worms (nematodes) that live in the lymphatic vessels of humans. Although three species of filarial parasites (Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugia timori) infect humans; 90% of infection is caused by Wuchereria Bancrofti and humans are its exclusive host. Nigeria is one of over 70 countries endemic for Lymphatic filariasis with an estimated 134 million people at the risk of infection. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which is endemic for LF, commenced mass drug administration (MDA) using ivermectin (IVM) and albendazole (ALB) in 2011. While MDA is continuing in two Area Councils, in 2020, we assessed the impact of MDA on LF prevalence in two area councils that had achieved five effective annual rounds of MDA. In 2010, a baseline mapping exercise was conducted in all six area councils of FCT-Abuja. The results revealed that four out of the six area councils were endemic for LF, with prevalence ranging from 1.0%-4.0%. The number of persons treated with ivermectin and albendazole in the four Area Councils was documented during annual MDA and population-based cluster surveys were conducted at least once in each area council during the five years of treatment, to verify the reported geographic and programme MDA coverage. This is the number treated divided by the total population eligible to receive treatment (usually <5years). The survey results confirmed that in two area councils (Abaji and Kuje) the coverage exceeded the target of 65% the while two other Councils did not reach the recommended coverage. A pre-transmission assessment survey (pre-TAS) was conducted in one sentinel site and at least one spot check site in Abaji and Kuje in 2019 and were found to have LF antigenemia (LF Ag) < 2% (range 0.0% to 1.99%). In 2020, transmission assessment surveys (TAS) were conducted in the two area councils that previously passed the Pre-transmission assessment survey. The results showed that the two Evaluation units had achieved the LF Ag threshold required to stop MDA. FCT has made significant progress towards LF elimination with two Area Councils qualifying to stop treatment. However, two other area councils still require a further two years of mass drug administration with effective MDA coverage before these area councils qualify for impact assessment.
Association of the P441L KCNQ1 variant with severity of long QT syndrome and risk of cardiac events

Dysfunction of potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 1 (KCNQ1) is a primary cause of long QT syndrome type 1 (LQT1). Here, we report a missense mutation P441L in KCNQ1 C-terminus of a 37-year-old woman with severe LQT1 phenotype. Variant P441L transporting to the plasma membrane and interacting with KCNE1 were both markedly decreased, leading to potassium efflux disorder and eventually LQT1. Mutations between the C-terminal helix A and helix B of KCNQ1 have linked with low cardiac event risk, however, we firstly find variant P441L causing a severe LQT1 phenotype with a high risk of cardiac events.
Entering the Third Decade After Kidney Transplantation: Excellent Graft Function Refers to Superior Graft but Not Patient Survival

Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with ultralong-term survival represent a growing, yet insufficiently studied patient cohort. In this single-center retrospective study, we analyzed 248 ultralong-term survivors (≥20 years). KTRs were classified into those with superior graft function (defined as eGFR ≥45 ml/min + proteinuria ≤300 mg/day + eGFR-slope ≤ 2 ml/min/1.73 m2/year) and inferior graft function regarding the risk of CKD progression. 20 years post-transplant, median eGFR was 54 ml/min (11–114), proteinuria 200 mg/24 h (0–7,620), eGFR decline 0.45 ml/min/1.73 m2/year (11.7 6.5) and DSA had been detected in 19.7% of KTRs. We identified 96 KTRs (38.7%) with superior (group 1) and 152 KTRs (61.3%) with inferior graft function (group 2). Donation after cardiac death, female sex, glomerulonephritis as primary disease, and early TCMR were independently associated with inferior graft function. Graft survival was significantly better in group 1 compared to group 2 (LogRank, p < 0.001). Besides group affiliation (HR 20.515, p = 0.003), multivariable analysis identified DSA development (HR 3.081, p = 0.023) and donor age (HR 1.032, p = 0.024) as independent factors. Interestingly, there was no significant difference in patient survival (LogRank, p = 0.350). In ultralong-term survivors, excellent graft function refers to superior graft survival but does not extend ultimate patient survival. DSA-formation should be taken seriously even in the ultralong-term. Graphical Abstract
Knowledge, attitude, and practice assessment toward COVID-19 among communities in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia: A cross-sectional study

Objective This research aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice toward COVID-19 among East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) population and identify associated sociodemographic factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed among communities in 22 regencies of NTT between October–November 2021 using a structured and validated questionnaire that consists of 22-items of knowledge, 6-items of attitude and 13-items of practice related COVID-19 questions. A cut off point of at least 70% was employed to categorize good knowledge, attitude, and practice. Results The percentages of survey respondents showing good knowledge, attitude and practice toward COVID-19 were 79.8, 72.7, and 94.6%, respectively. There was a significant positive, though weak, linear correlation between knowledge and practice scores (ρ = 0.097; p = 0.049). Knowledge was strongly associated with regency of residence (Cramer's V = 0.266; p = 0.010), education (Cramer's V = 0.312; p < 0.001), and occupation (Cramer's V = 0.313; p < 0.001). Attitude and practice had strong relationship with regency of residence (Cramer's V = 0.289; p = 0.024) and education (Cramer's V = 0.272; p < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion Nearly all survey participants showed good precautionary behaviors, but there was still a quarter of respondents indicated poor knowledge and attitude. There was also a positive relationship between knowledge and practice scores thereby indicating the importance of local public health advocates to distribute information uniformly especially to the groups with inadequate knowledge toward COVID-19 as a means to control the virus transmission.
Technical success, clinical efficacy, and insight into the causes of restenosis after the percutaneous coronary intervention of de novo coronary artery lesions using a paclitaxel-coated balloon with citrate ester excipient

Objectives The aim of this all-comers registry study was to investigate the technical success, clinical efficacy, and safety of a drug-coated balloon (DCB) with paclitaxel combined with citrate ester excipient (CEE) in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of de novo coronary lesions in an all-comers population. Materials and methods A total of 338 consecutive PCIs using the DCB (CEE)-only approach comprising 406 de novo lesions were included in the study. Technical success was determined by the successful delivery of the device and no need for bailout stenting. Results The mean follow-up time was 25 ± 12 months. The mean age of patients was 71 ± 11 years, and 48% had the acute coronary syndrome. A total of 55% of the patients were at risk of factor bleeding. The delivery of DCB was successful in 98% of cases. The overall technical success rate was 83%. Bailout stenting was used in 9% of lesions. Rotational atherectomy was used in 11% of cases before the DCB-only approach. The mean diameter of the DCBs used was 2.7 ± 0.5 mm and 38% of DCBs were large (≥3.0 mm). The 12-month MACE rates were 5.4 ± 1.7 and 18.3 ± 3.1% in stable CAD and in ACS, respectively. The respective target lesion revascularization (TLR) rates were 3.0 ± 1.3 and 8.5 ± 2.3%. Unacceptable acute recoil (>30%) was found in 74% of cases that needed repeat revascularization. No acute vessel closures occurred after DCB treatment. Conclusion The DCB-only strategy using a paclitaxel-coated (CEE) device was technically feasible, safe, and effective in an all-comers population. Acute recoil was found as a significant cause of restenosis after the DCB-only strategy.
Resolving the clumpy circumstellar environment of the B[e] supergiant LHA 120-S 35

B[e] supergiants (SGs) are massive post-main-sequence stars, surrounded by a complex circumstellar (CS) environment. The aim of this work is to investigate the structure and kinematics of the CS disc of the B[e] SG LHA 120-S 35. We used high-resolution optical spectra obtained in different years to model the forbidden emission lines and determine the kinematical properties of their line-forming regions, assuming Keplerian rotation. We also used low-resolution near-infrared (IR) spectra to explore the variability of molecular emission. LHA 120-S 35 displays spectral variability in both optical and IR regions. The P-Cygni line profiles of H I, as well as those of Fe II and O I, suggest the presence of a strong bipolar clumped wind. We distinguish density enhancements in the P-Cygni absorption component of the first Balmer lines, which show variations in both velocity and strength. The P-Cygni profile emission component is double-peaked, indicating the presence of a rotating CS disc. We also observe line-profile variations in the permitted and forbidden features of Fe II and O I. In the IR, we detect variations in the intensity of the H I emission lines as well as in the emission of the CO band-heads. Moreover, we find that the profiles of each [Ca II] and [O I] emission lines contain contributions from spatially different (complete or partial) rings. Globally, we find evidence of detached multi-ring structures, revealing density variations along the disc. We suggest that LHA 120-S 35 has passed through the red-supergiant (RSG) phase and evolves back bluewards in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. The formation of the complex CS structure could be the result of the wind-wind interactions of the post-RSG wind with the previously ejected material from the RSG. However, the presence of a binary companion can not be excluded. Finally, we find that LHA 120-S 35 belongs to a young stellar cluster.
Overexpression of salicylic acid methyltransferase reduces salicylic acid-mediated pathogen resistance in poplar

Salicylic acid (SA) is generally considered to be a critical signal transduction factor in plant defenses against pathogens. It could be converted to methyl salicylate (MeSA) for remote signals by salicylic acid methyltransferase (SAMT) and converted back to SA by SA-binding protein 2 (SABP2). In order to verify the function of SAMT in poplar plants, we isolated the full-length cDNA sequence of PagSAMT from 84K poplar and cultivated PagSAMT overexpression lines (OE-2 isolate) to test its role in SA-mediated defenses against the virulent fungal pathogen Botryosphaeria dothidea. Our results showed that after inoculation with B. dothidea, OE-2 significantly increased MeSA content and reduced SA content which is associated with increased expression of SAMT in both infected and uninfected leaves, when compared against the wild type (WT). Additionally, SAMT overexpression plant lines (OE-2) exhibited higher expression of pathogenesis-related genes PR-1 and PR-5, but were still susceptible to B. dothidea suggesting that in poplar SA might be responsible for resistance against this pathogen. This study expands the current understanding of joint regulation of SAMT and SABP2 and the balance between SA and MeSA in poplar responses to pathogen invasion.
Linguistic spin in randomized controlled trials about age-related macular degeneration

Objective To evaluate the prevalence, type and extent of linguistic spin in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) exploring interventions in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), as well as to investigate whether study variables were correlated with linguistic spin. Study design and setting PubMed was searched from 2011 to 2020 to identify RCTs including patients with AMD. Two authors independently assessed a total of 96 RCTs. Linear regression analyses were performed to investigate whether linguistic spin was correlated with predefined study variables. Results Linguistic spin was found in 61 of 96 abstracts (63.5%) and in 90 of 96 main texts (93.8%). Use of words pointing out the beneficial effect of a treatment and the use of ‘(statistically) significant/significance' without reporting a P-value or a 95% confidence interval (CI) were the most frequently identified categories of linguistic spin. Sample size was significantly correlated with the total linguistic spin score (95% CI 0.38–5.23, P = 0.02). Conclusion A high prevalence and extent of linguistic spin in RCTs about AMD was found. We highlighted the importance of objective reporting and awareness of linguistic spin among ophthalmologists and other readers.
ALK-R3HDM1 and EML4-ALK fusion as a mechanism of acquired resistance to gefitinib: A case report and literature review

We report a case with a novel ALK-R3HDM1 and EML4-ALK dual fusion that might be a delicate mechanism for the acquired resistance of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)–tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). A patient with EGFR L858R lung adenocarcinoma developed disease progression after 72.7 months of gefitinib therapy; rebiopsy was done, and next-generation sequencing showed the disappearance of the previous EGFR mutations. In addition, two new ALK fusions emerged, indicating that the emergence of dual ALK rearrangement may be the underlying mechanism of gefitinib resistance. The patient exhibits an excellent response to second-line alectinib treatment with a significant clinical benefit and a high quality of life. Finally, we summarized previous studies in which ALK fusion is a required resistance mechanism to EGFR-TKI.
On the clustering of climate models in ensemble seasonal forecasting

Multi‐model ensemble seasonal forecasting system has expanded in recent years, with a dozen coupled climate models around the world being used to produce hindcasts or real‐time forecasts. However, many models are sharing similar atmospheric or oceanic components which may result in similar forecasts. This raises questions of whether the ensemble is over‐confident if we treat each model equally, or whether we can obtain an effective subset of models that can retain predictability and skill as well. In this study, we use a hierarchical clustering method based on inverse trigonometric cosine function of the anomaly correlation of pairwise model hindcasts to measure the similarities among twelve American and European seasonal forecast models. Though similarities are found between models sharing the same atmospheric component, different versions of models from the same center sometimes produce quite different temperature forecasts, which indicate that detailed physics packages such as radiation and land surface schemes need to be analyzed in interpreting the clustering result. Uncertainties in clustering for different forecast lead times also make reducing redundant models more complicated. Predictability analysis shows that multi‐model ensemble is not necessarily better than a single model, while the cluster ensemble shows consistent improvement against individual models. The eight model‐based cluster ensemble forecast shows comparable performance to the total twelve model ensemble in terms of probabilistic forecast skill for accuracy and discrimination. This study also manifests that models developed in U.S. and Europe are more independent from each other, suggesting the necessity of international collaboration in enhancing multi‐model ensemble seasonal forecasting.
Interaction between zinc and selenium bio-fortification and toxic metals (loid) accumulation in food crops

Biofortification is the supply of micronutrients required for humans and livestock by various methods in the field, which include both farming and breeding methods and are referred to as short-term and long-term solutions, respectively. The presence of essential and non-essential elements in the atmosphere, soil, and water in large quantities can cause serious problems for living organisms. Knowledge about plant interactions with toxic metals such as cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb), is not only important for a healthy environment, but also for reducing the risks of metals entering the food chain. Biofortification of zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) is very significant in reducing the effects of toxic metals, especially on major food chain products such as wheat and rice. The findings show that Zn- biofortification by transgenic technique has reduced the accumulation of Cd in shoots and grains of rice, and also increased Se levels lead to the formation of insoluble complexes with Hg and Cd. We have highlighted the role of Se and Zn in the reaction to toxic metals and the importance of modifying their levels in improving dietary micronutrients. In addition, cultivar selection is an essential step that should be considered not only to maintain but also to improve the efficiency of Zn and Se use, which should be considered more climate, soil type, organic matter content, and inherent soil fertility. Also, in this review, the role of medicinal plants in the accumulation of heavy metals has been mentioned, and these plants can be considered in line with programs to improve biological enrichment, on the other hand, metallothioneins genes can be used in the program biofortification as grantors of resistance to heavy metals.
Ecological strategy of Phyllostachys heteroclada oliver in the riparian zone based on ecological stoichiometry

The abnormality of seasonal water level fluctuation in the riparian zone causes various ecological and environmental problems, such as vegetation degradation, biodiversity reduction, soil erosion, and landscape transformation, thereby critically modifying the ecosystem structure and functions. This necessitates the development of a dominant vegetation zone with competitive potential. In this study, we investigated the content and distribution pattern of nutrient elements in each organ of the dominant bamboo species, Phyllostachys heteroclada, in the riparian zone. We also analyzed the morphological characteristics, root aeration tissue structure, root oxygen exchange capacity, ATP supply situation, and leaf PSII photosynthetic mechanism of two bamboo species (P. heteroclada and P. nigra) in the riparian zone. Compared with P. nigra, the roots of P. heteroclada formed well-developed oxygen storage and transport structure, i.e., aeration tissue, and exhibited root oxygen secretion in the waterlogging environment of the riparian zone, whereas the roots maintained a high ATP content through energy metabolism, thus benefiting mineral absorption and transport. Moreover, the accumulation of N, P, Ca, Mg, and Fe in the leaves of P. heteroclada was greater under waterlogging conditions than under non-waterlogging conditions, which is the basis for the efficient operation of the photosynthetic mechanism of the leaves. Compared with waterlogged P. nigra, the PSII electron acceptor QA of P. heteroclada leaves had a vigorous reducing ability and showed higher efficiency of light uptake energy as well as higher quantum yield indexes ϕ(Eo) and ϕ(Po). This study demonstrates that the ecological adaptive regulation strategies of P. heteroclada in the riparian zone are intrinsic driving factors affecting their stoichiometric characteristics, including changes in the absorption and transport of minerals caused by root aeration structure and energy metabolism. Moreover, carbon production and allocation may be caused by the stable photosynthetic mechanism and source-sink relationship of leaves. Through the synergistic regulation of different organs realizing their roles and functions, P. heteroclada developed ecological stoichiometry characteristics adapted to the riparian zone.
Case report: A novel reciprocal ROS1-CD74 fusion in a NSCLC patient partially benefited from sequential tyrosine kinase inhibitors treatment

Background The clinical significance of majority oncogenic novel fusions is still unknown due to scarcity. Reciprocal ROS1 translocation is a rare form of ROS1 fusion and has not yet been clearly analyzed. Case presentation A 44-year-old Chinese woman with a large dimension in the left lobe of the lung was admitted to the hospital with IVB lung adenocarcinoma. It was discovered that intron 28 of ROS1 and intron 6 of CD74 produced a unique reciprocal ROS1 rearrangement. In addition, the dual CD74-ROS1 fusions were discovered using the RNA next-generation sequencing (NGS) findings. Although benefiting from crizotinib and lorlatinib sequential treatment, the overall prognosis of the patient was relatively poor, whose progression-free survival was 4 and 5 months for crizotinib treatment and lorlatinib treatment, respectively. Conclusion In summary, a novel ROS1-CD74 fusion identified by DNA NGS was translated into dual CD74-ROS1 transcripts. Furthermore, this patient with non–small cell lung cancer benefited from consecutive tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. Our discovery broadened the range of targetable ROS1 fusions and underlined the importance of sequential DNA and RNA sequencing in identifying uncommon but beneficial fusions, which eventually bring benefits to the patients.
Innovations and adaptations in neonatal and pediatric respiratory care for resource constrained settings

Respiratory disease is a leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age worldwide, and most of these deaths occur in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs) where advanced respiratory care technology is often limited. Much of the equipment required to provide advanced respiratory care is unavailable in these areas due to high costs, the need for specialty trained personnel, and myriad other resource constraints that limit uptake and sustainable use of these devices, including reliable access to electricity, sensitive equipment needing frequent maintenance, single-patient-use supplies, and lack of access to sterilization equipment. Compounding the problem, pediatrics is uniquely challenging in that one size does not fit all, or even most patients. Despite these substantial barriers, numerous innovations in respiratory care technology have been made in recent years that have brought increasing access to high quality respiratory care in some of the most remote areas of the world. In this article, we intend to review the global burden of respiratory diseases for children, highlight the prototypical innovations that have been made in bringing respiratory care to LMICs, spotlight some of the technologies being actively developed to improve respiratory care in resource-constrained settings, and conclude with a discussion highlighting areas where further innovation is still needed.