Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical Research on the Comprehensive Curative Effect of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for Pelvic Inflammatory Sequelae

Background This randomized, controlled trial was designed to assess whether acupuncture plus an oral administration of Chinese herbal medicine provides greater relief of symptoms than oral administration of Chinese herbal medicine alone for treatment of pelvic inflammatory sequelae. Material/Methods Sixty-two patients ages 22 to 45 years with pelvic inflammatory sequelae were randomly assigned into one of 2 groups: an herbal group (n=30) and an herbal with acupuncture group (n=32). Both groups were treated for 3 courses of 3 months each. Results Significant improvement of clinical symptoms and signs of pelvic inflammatory sequelae occurred in both treatment groups. The total effective rate for the herbal group was 83.33%, and for the herbal with acupuncture group it was 100% (P=0.354 for difference between groups). During treatment, 5 patients had adverse reactions of nausea, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. After adjustment of the herb prescription, all adverse reactions disappeared. Conclusions Our results highlight the benefit of oral administration of Chinese herbal medicine along with acupuncture; this had a greater clinical curative effect rate than oral administration of Chinese herbal medicine alone when treating pelvic inflammatory sequelae.
Verwey-type charge ordering transition in an open-shell p-electron compound

The open-shell p-electron compound Cs4O6 features anionic charge ordering with a concomitant jump in electronic conductivity. The Verwey transition in Fe3O4, a complex structural phase transition concomitant with a jump in electrical conductivity by two orders of magnitude, has been a benchmark for charge ordering (CO) phenomena in mixed-valence transition metal materials. CO is of central importance, because it frequently competes with functional properties such as superconductivity or metallic ferromagnetism. However, the CO state in Fe3O4 turned out to be complex, and the mechanism of the Verwey transition remains controversial. We demonstrate an archetypical Verwey-type transition in an open p-shell anionic mixed-valence compound using complementary diffraction and spectroscopic techniques. In Cs4O6, a phase change from a cubic structure with a single crystallographic site for the molecular O2x− building units to a tetragonal structure with ordered superoxide O2− and peroxide O22− entities is accompanied by a drastic drop in electronic conductivity and molecular charge fluctuation rates. The simple CO pattern of molecular units and the lack of magnetic order suggest Cs4O6 as a model system for disentangling the complex interplay of charge, lattice, orbital, and spin degrees of freedom in Verwey-type CO processes.
Combination effect of allyl isothiocyanate and hoof trimming on bovine digital dermatitis

Digital Dermatitis is a localized infectious dermatitis caused by Treponema-like spirochetes. Antibiotics, such as lincomycin, are currently used for treatment, but their use imposes a withdrawal period. This study investigated the therapeutic effect of topical application of the natural component allyl isothiocyanate, in combination with maintenance hoof trimming, on bovine Digital Dermatitis. Study cows were divided into two groups, the Trimming Group and Non-Trimming Group. The day when allyl isothiocyanate was applied, along with hoof trimming, was set as Day 0. Lesion scores, pain, and the presence of Treponema-like spirochetes on the surface of hooves and in biopsy samples of the tissues were evaluated until Day 6. Both groups showed improvement of lesion scores and improved elimination of Treponema-like spirochetes from within the tissues. The presence of Treponema-like spirochetes on the surface of lesions was significantly higher in the Non-Trimming Group by Day 6. These results suggest that allyl isothiocyanate has therapeutic effects on Digital Dermatitis, when combined with hoof trimming, and may prevent a relapse of dermatitis and a re-infection of Treponema-like spirochetes.
Unraveling the role of sense of coherence in coronary heart disease patients

Coronaire hartziekte (CHZ) blijft de belangrijkste doodsoorzaak in de Europese Unie, met name in een aantal Centraal-Europese landen. Sense of coherence (SOC), het vermogen allerlei ervaringen op een positieve manier te begrijpen en mee om te gaan, wordt steeds meer erkend als een belangrijke voorspeller van CHZ uitkomsten. Het doel van dit onderzoek was om de rol van de SOC in Roma en niet-Roma CHZ patienten in Slowakije verkennen. Het onderzoek levert het aanwijzingen op dat SOC mogelijk bruikbaar is in de cardiovasculaire zorg, preventie, revalidatie en onderzoek. Het onderzoek laat zien dat CHZ patienten met een lage SOC voor de behandeling minder vaak hun gezondheidsgedrag verbeteren na cardiale behandeling. SOC verdient dus aandacht in evidence-based richtlijnen voor de bevordering van gezondheid gerelateerd gedrag bij deze groep. We vonden ook dat een hogere SOC een sterke voorspeller is voor een betere aan gezondheid gerelateerde kwaliteit van leven (KvL). Dit ondersteunt het idee dat SOC een universele voorspeller van KvL is bij patienten met chronische aandoeningen. Ten derde vonden we dat SOC het effect van meer vijandigheid op een slechtere mentale kwaliteit van leven medieert, waarbij deze vijandigheid bij Roma veel hoger is dan bij niet-Roma CHD patienten. Ten vierde vonden we dat de SOC lager is bij Roma CHZ-patienten dan bij niet-Roma CHZ-patienten, en het angstniveau hoger. Deze bevindingen met betrekking tot de gezondheid van de Roma-bevolking zijn echt nieuw - vijandigheid als een mediator tussen Roma-etniciteit en kwaliteit van leven, en verschillen in SOC tussen Roma en niet-Roma CHZ-patienten. Dit draagt bij aan een beter begrip van de slechtere gezondheid van deze etnische groep, en aan verbetering van preventie, cure en care voor hen en voor CHZ-patienten in het algemeen.
Reducing resistance allele formation in CRISPR gene drive

Significance A functioning gene drive mechanism could fundamentally change our strategies for the control of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue, and Zika. CRISPR homing gene drive promises such a mechanism, which could be used to rapidly spread genetic modifications among the mosquitoes that transmit these diseases. However, recent studies have shown that current drives would likely be unable to spread in insect populations due to the high rate at which resistance will evolve. In this study, we provide an experimental demonstration that guide RNA multiplexing can successfully reduce resistance rates but also find that such an approach would still need to be combined with additional strategies to create drives that are efficient enough for use in wild populations. CRISPR homing gene drives can convert heterozygous cells with one copy of the drive allele into homozygotes, thereby enabling super-Mendelian inheritance. Such a mechanism could be used, for example, to rapidly disseminate a genetic payload in a population, promising effective strategies for the control of vector-borne diseases. However, all CRISPR homing gene drives studied in insects thus far have produced significant quantities of resistance alleles that would limit their spread. In this study, we provide an experimental demonstration that multiplexing of guide RNAs can both significantly increase the drive conversion efficiency and reduce germline resistance rates of a CRISPR homing gene drive in Drosophila melanogaster. We further show that an autosomal drive can achieve drive conversion in the male germline, with no subsequent formation of resistance alleles in embryos through paternal carryover of Cas9. Finally, we find that the nanos promoter significantly lowers somatic Cas9 expression compared with the vasa promoter, suggesting that nanos provides a superior choice in drive strategies where gene disruption in somatic cells could have fitness costs. Comparison of drive parameters among the different constructs developed in this study and a previous study suggests that, while drive conversion and germline resistance rates are similar between different genomic targets, embryo resistance rates can vary significantly. Taken together, our results mark an important step toward developing effective gene drives capable of functioning in natural populations and provide several possible avenues for further control of resistance rates.
Typical distances in the directed configuration model

We analyze the distribution of the distance between two nodes, sampled uniformly at random, in digraphs generated via the directed configuration model, in the supercritical regime. Under the assumption that the covariance between the in-degree and out-degree is finite, we show that the distance grows logarithmically in the size of the graph. In contrast with the undirected case, this can happen even when the variance of the degrees is infinite. The main tool in the analysis is a new coupling between a breadth-first graph exploration process and a suitable branching process based on the Kantorovich-Rubinstein metric. This coupling holds uniformly for a much larger number of steps in the exploration process than existing ones, and is therefore of independent interest.
Early Pregnancy Losses: Review of Nomenclature, Histopathology, and Possible Etiologies

ABSTRACT Miscarriage is a frequent complication of human pregnancy: ∼50% to 70% of spontaneous conceptions are lost prior to the second trimester. Etiology of miscarriage includes genetic abnormalities, infections, immunological and implantation disorders, uterine and endocrine abnormalities, and lifestyle factors. Given such variability, knowledge regarding causes, pathophysiological mechanisms, and morphologies of primary early pregnancy loss has significant gaps; often, pregnancy losses remain unexplained. Pathologic evaluation of miscarriage tissue is an untapped source of knowledge. Although miscarriage specimens comprise a significant part of pathologists' workload, information reported from these specimens is typically of minimal clinical utility for delineating etiology or predicting recurrence risk. Standardized terminology is available, though not universally used. We reintroduce the terminology and review new information about early pregnancy losses and their morphologies. Current clinical terminology is inconsistent, hampering research progress. This review is a resource for diagnostic pathologists studying this complex problem.
Knockdown of Uba2 inhibits colorectal cancer cell invasion and migration through downregulation of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway

Colorectal cancer is a serious threat to human health, and has a high mortality rate. There is currently no effective therapy for end‐stage colorectal cancer. In recent years, molecular targeted therapy has received increasing attention for cancer treatment. In particular, the role of Uba2, a vital component of SUMO‐activating enzyme, has been highlighted, which plays important roles in the progression of certain cancers; however, its role in colorectal cancer remains unclear. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Uba2 and colorectal cancer. Uba2 expression was knocked down in two colorectal cancer cell lines, and gene microarray analysis was conducted, followed by proliferation, migration, and invasion assays. Uba2 knockdown influenced the expression of several genes, and significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cancer cells. To determine the underlying mechanism, the expression of related signaling pathways and molecules was evaluated in the knockdown cell lines. Overall, the results suggest that Uba2 participates in the progression, invasion, and metastasis of colorectal cancer, and the possible mechanism is via regulating the Wnt signaling pathway and enhancing epithelial‐mesenchymal transition behaviors of colorectal cancer cells. Therefore, Uba2 is expected to be an important oncoprotein and potential therapeutic target in colorectal cancer.
Exploring Women’s Support Needs After Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Background The procedures for breast reconstruction (BR) after mastectomy frequently initiate a difficult recovery period. A better understanding of women’s support needs after surgery would improve patient care. Objective The aim of this study was to identify patients’ support needs after BR. Methods In a retrospective study design, 21 participants described their support experiences after BR, including their sources of support and the impact of support on their recovery in a semistructured interview. Transcriptions of the interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Four support needs were identified and were composed of elements of instrumental, emotional, and informational support. These needs were addressed to varying degrees by healthcare providers, family members, and other women who had BR experience. Conclusion Women’s experience of BR and their ability to cope are markedly better when their support needs are effectively addressed. Greater attention to their needs for support has the potential to improve patient care. Implications for Practice Nurses play a pivotal role in providing information to women who are recovering from BR. Improved access to communication channels between nurses and patients would likely improve patients’ support experiences. In addition, nurses can assess the women’s specific support needs and partner with families to help them understand how best to support women during recovery.
Effects of Ceramic Density and Sintering Temperature on the Mechanical Properties of a Novel Polymer-Infiltrated Ceramic-Network Zirconia Dental Restorative (Filling) Material

Background Polymer-infiltrated ceramic-network (PICN) dental material is a new and practical development in orthodontics. Sintering is the process of forming a stable solid mass from a powder by heating without melting. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sintering temperature on the mechanical properties of a PICN zirconia dental material. Material/Methods A dense zirconia ceramic and four PICN zirconia dental materials, with varying porosities, were sintered at three different temperatures; 12 PICN zirconia dental materials based on these porous ceramics were prepared, as well as a pure polymer. After the specimen preparation, flexural strength and elastic modulus values were measured using the three-point bending test, and fracture toughness were determined by the single-edge notched beam (SENB) method. The Vickers hardness test method was used with an indentation strength (IS) test. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the microstructure of the ceramic surface and the fracture surface. Results Mechanical properties of the PICN dental materials, including flexural strength, elastic modulus, fracture toughness, and hardness, were more similar to the properties of natural teeth when compared with traditional dental ceramic materials, and were affected by the density and sintering temperature. SEM showed that the porous ceramic network became cohesive and that the length of cracks in the PICN dental material was reduced. Conclusions PICN zirconia dental materials were characterized by similar mechanical properties to natural dental tissues, but further studies are required continue to improve the similarities with natural human enamel and dentin.
Metabolite Profiling of the Microalgal Diatom Chaetoceros Calcitrans and Correlation with Antioxidant and Nitric Oxide Inhibitory Activities via 1H NMR-Based Metabolomics

Microalgae are promising candidate resources from marine ecology for health-improving effects. Metabolite profiling of the microalgal diatom, Chaetoceros calcitrans was conducted by using robust metabolomics tools, namely 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy coupled with multivariate data analysis (MVDA). The unsupervised data analysis, using principal component analysis (PCA), resolved the five types of extracts made by solvents ranging from polar to non-polar into five different clusters. Collectively, with various extraction solvents, 11 amino acids, cholesterol, 6 fatty acids, 2 sugars, 1 osmolyte, 6 carotenoids and 2 chlorophyll pigments were identified. The fatty acids and both carotenoid pigments as well as chlorophyll, were observed in the extracts made from medium polar (acetone, chloroform) and non-polar (hexane) solvents. It is suggested that the compounds were the characteristic markers that influenced the separation between the clusters. Based on partial least square (PLS) analysis, fucoxanthin, astaxanthin, violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, and lutein displayed strong correlation to 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity. This metabolomics study showed that solvent extractions are one of the main bottlenecks for the maximum recovery of bioactive microalgal compounds and could be a better source of natural antioxidants due to a high value of metabolites.
Molecular characterization of Pseudomonas syringae pvs. from different host plants by repetitive sequence-based PCR and multiplex-PCR@@@Įvairių augalų-šeimininkų Pseudomonas syringae pvs. molekulinis apibūdinimas taikant pasikartojančių sekų ir jungtinę PGR

Pseudomonas syringae pvs. , isolated from different cultivars of sweet cherry grown in several locations in Serbia, were characterized and compared with strains collected earlier from sour and sweet cherry and oil pumpkin growing in this region, as well as with reference strains P. syringae pv. morsprunorum race 1 CFBP2119, P. s. pv. lachrymans 765R and P. s. pv. syringae H-1. By employing LOPAT and GATTa tests, isolates were identified as P. syringae pv. syringae and P. s. pv. morsprunorum race 1. Simultaneous detection of syringomycin synthesis (syrB) and syringomycin secretion (syrD) genes in multiplex-polymerase chain reaction (m-PCR) was used for P. syringae pv. syringae confirmation. All isolates detected as P. syringae pv. morsprunorum race 1 after biochemical characterization were positive for cfl gene amplification. Using a repetitive sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR) both syringae and morsprunorum race 1 pathovars were clustered separately, with 42% similarity. No significant differences between isolates in each pathovar were noted, although they were collected from different sweet cherry cultivars and varying localities. The most similar to the P. syringae pv. syringae isolates was strain T6 with 19% similarity, followed by strain Tk21 from oil pumpkin – 25%. The isolates of both pathovars were detected on the same location (Selenca, Serbia) and the same cultivar (‘Merchant’), albeit in two different years.
Use of direct oral anticoagulants for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

OBJECTIVES: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is one of the most prevalent forms of pulmonary hypertension and is a major complication of acute pulmonary embolism. One mainstay of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension treatment is lifelong anticoagulation. The recent advent of direct oral anticoagulants for acute pulmonary embolism treatment has provided a viable and effective alternative for treating this condition. However, little is known about the efficacy of this new class of drugs for treating chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants in the treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. METHODS: A cohort of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients who initiated treatment with direct oral anticoagulants between June 2015 and November 2016 were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: Sixteen patients used rivaroxaban, three used dabigatran and one used apixaban for a mean follow-up of 20.9 months. The mean age was 51 years, and eighteen patients were classified as functional class II/III. Eight patients underwent a pulmonary endarterectomy and exhibited clinical, hemodynamic and functional improvement and currently continue to use direct oral anticoagulants. No episode of venous thromboembolism recurrence was identified during the follow-up period, but there was one episode of major bleeding after a traumatic fall. CONCLUSIONS: Although direct oral anticoagulants appear to be a safe and effective alternative for treating chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, larger studies are needed to support their routine use.
Decriminalization of drug use

Purpose of review To review the literature on decriminalization of drug use from 2016 to 2017 and suggest the way forward. Recent findings The systematic review of the literature on decriminalization resulted in seven articles that discuss decriminalization as compared with 57 published articles on legalization. Decriminalization of drug use did not have an effect on the age of onset of drug use and the prices of drugs did not decrease after the implementation of drug decriminalization. Policy-based studies on decriminalization suggest shifting from criminal sanctions to a public health approach, which was endorsed by the United Nations (UN) that viewed drug addiction as a preventable and treatable health disorder. One study preferred decriminalization only for cannabis and cautioned against regulating cannabis like alcohol. Another study indicated that general medical practitioners in Ireland did not favour the decriminalization of cannabis. Summary Scientific evidence supporting drug addiction as a health disorder and the endorsement by the UN strengthen the case for decriminalization. However, studies reporting on the positive outcomes of decriminalization remain scarce. The evidence needs to be more widespread in order to support the case for decriminalization. Furthermore, the endorsement by the UN needs to be acted upon by individual member states.
Lactobacillus plantarum (KACC 92189) as a Potential Probiotic Starter Culture for Quality Improvement of Fermented Sausages

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of fermenting temperature on the applicability of Lactobacillus plantarum for production of fermented sausages as starter cultures, and its applicable efficiency was also compared with those inoculated with commercial starter culture or non-inoculated control. The L. plantarum isolated from a naturally-fermented meat, identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and again identified by de novo Assembly Analysis method was used as a starter culture. Six treatments: 3 with L. plantarum at different fermenting temperatures (20, 25 and 30°C), and other 3 treatments (1 with commercial starter culture, 1 with its mixture with L. plantarum and 1 non-inoculated control) fermented under the same conditions (25°C) were prepared. Results revealed that the fermenting temperature considerably affected the pH change in samples added with L. plantarum; the highest pH drop rate (1.57 unit) was obtained on the samples fermented at 30°C, followed by those at 25°C (1.3 unit) and 20°C (0.99 unit) after 4 days fermentation. Increasing the temperature up to 30°C resulted in significantly lower spoilage bacteria count (5.15 log CFU/g) and lipid oxidation level in the products inoculated with L. plantarum. The sensory analysis also showed that the samples added with L. plantarum at 30°C had significantly higher odor, taste and acceptability scores than those fermented at lower temperatures. Under the same processing condition, although the L. plantarum showed slightly lower acidification than the commercial starter culture, however, it significantly improved the eating quality of the product.