Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Main Disorders of Gastrointestinal Tract in Older People: An Overview

From a physiological standpoint, aging is a progressive reduction in each organ system’s capacity to maintain homeostasis in the face of illness or stressors. With advancing age, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and signs may increase, not only due to the aging processes but also to the superimposed effects of comorbidities, which can badly affect digestive functions (i.e., diabetes, malignancy, etc.) and environmental exposure. In general, gastrointestinal symptoms in older people more often underlie organic pathologies, while GI functional disorders are less frequently diagnosed in this age group. Moreover, gastrointestinal disease can also present in a nuanced and atypical manner, making the diagnostic hypothesis and, consequently, the correct diagnosis and therapy more challenging. In addition, with reference to this age group, the clinical implications of gastrointestinal pathologies can be more severe due to a decreased physiologic reserve, with a higher risk for malnutrition resulting in falls, depression, social isolation, and a deterioration of functional status. In this review, we focused on the most frequent GI tract disorders, highlighting the main age-related changes, their epidemiological, pathophysiological and clinical implications, and any differences with younger patients.
Prevalence of Chronic Conditions in Australia

Objectives To estimate prevalence of chronic conditions among patients seeing a general practitioner (GP), patients attending general practice at least once in a year, and the Australian population. Design, setting and participants A sub-study of the BEACH (Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health) program, a continuous national study of general practice activity conducted between July 2008 and May 2009. Each of 290 GPs provided data for about 30 consecutive patients (total 8,707) indicating diagnosed chronic conditions, using their knowledge of the patient, patient self-report, and patient's health record. Main outcome measures Estimates of prevalence of chronic conditions among patients surveyed, adjusted prevalence in patients who attended general practice at least once that year, and national population prevalence. Results Two-thirds (66.3%) of patients surveyed had at least one chronic condition: most prevalent being hypertension (26.6%), hyperlipidaemia (18.5%), osteoarthritis (17.8%), depression (13.7%), gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (11.6%), asthma (9.5%) and Type 2 diabetes (8.3%). For patients who attended general practice at least once, we estimated 58.8% had at least one chronic condition. After further adjustment we estimated 50.8% of the Australian population had at least one chronic condition: hypertension (17.4%), hyperlipidaemia (12.7%), osteoarthritis (11.1%), depression (10.5%) and asthma (8.0%) being most prevalent. Conclusions This study used GPs to gather information from their knowledge, the patient, and health records, to provide prevalence estimates that overcome weaknesses of studies using patient self-report or health record audit alone. Our results facilitate examination of primary care resource use in management of chronic conditions and measurement of prevalence of multimorbidity in Australia.
Tumor Invasion of Muscular Vessels Predicts Poor Prognosis in Patients With Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Who Have Received Neoadjuvant Therapy and Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) is a prognostic factor in many types of human malignancies, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the prognostic significance of LVI in patients with PDAC who have received neoadjuvant therapy and pancreaticoduodenectomy is unclear. In this study, we analyzed LVI in 212 patients who had received neoadjuvant chemoradiation and subsequent pancreaticoduodenectomy at our institution between January 1999 and December 2007. LVI was present in 61.8% (131/212) of the patients. Of the 131 patients who were positive for LVI, 67 (31.6%) had tumor invasion into lymphovascular spaces without muscle layer (nonmuscular lymphovascular spaces), and 64 (30.2%) had tumor invasion into muscular vessels. Tumor invasion into muscular vessels correlated with higher frequencies of positive resection margin, lymph node metastasis, and locoregional/distant recurrence. Patients with tumor invasion into muscular vessels had significantly shorter disease-free survival and overall survival than did patients who had no LVI or who had tumor invasion of nonmuscular lymphovascular spaces (P<0.01). Tumor invasion into muscular vessels is an independent prognostic factor in patients with PDAC who have received neoadjuvant therapies. Our results showed that tumor invasion into muscular vessels plays an important role in the progression of PDAC and in predicting prognosis in this group of patients.
Lycopene Inhibits NF-kB-Mediated IL-8 Expression and Changes Redox and PPARγ Signalling in Cigarette Smoke–Stimulated Macrophages

Increasing evidence suggests that lycopene, the major carotenoid present in tomato, may be preventive against smoke-induced cell damage. However, the mechanisms of such a prevention are still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of lycopene on the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-8 induced by cigarette smoke and the possible mechanisms implicated. Therefore, human THP-1 macrophages were exposed to cigarette smoke extract (CSE), alone and following a 6-h pre-treatment with lycopene (0.5–2 µM). CSE enhanced IL-8 production in a time- and a dose-dependent manner. Lycopene pre-treatment resulted in a significant inhibition of CSE-induced IL-8 expression at both mRNA and protein levels. NF-kB controlled the transcription of IL-8 induced by CSE, since PDTC prevented such a production. Lycopene suppressed CSE-induced NF-kB DNA binding, NF-kB/p65 nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of IKKα and IkBα. Such an inhibition was accompanied by a decrease in CSE-induced ROS production and NOX-4 expression. Lycopene further inhibited CSE-induced phosphorylation of the redox-sensitive ERK1/2, JNK and p38 MAPKs. Moreover, the carotenoid increased PPARγ levels which, in turn, enhanced PTEN expression and decreased pAKT levels in CSE-exposed cells. Such effects were abolished by the PPARγ inhibitor GW9662. Taken together, our data indicate that lycopene prevented CSE-induced IL-8 production through a mechanism involving an inactivation of NF-kB. NF-kB inactivation was accompanied by an inhibition of redox signalling and an activation of PPARγ signalling. The ability of lycopene in inhibiting IL-8 production, NF-kB/p65 nuclear translocation, and redox signalling and in increasing PPARγ expression was also found in isolated rat alveolar macrophages exposed to CSE. These findings provide novel data on new molecular mechanisms by which lycopene regulates cigarette smoke-driven inflammation in human macrophages.
Detection of air voids in concrete by radar in transmission mode

Air voids in concrete like honeycombs are one of the major concerns regarding quality assurance for the construction of infrastructure buildings like bridges or tunnels. This paper shows that voids in reinforced concrete walls or slabs can be detected by two standard ground coupled GPR antennas in transmission mode using a two-side zero-offset profiling configuration like in borehole radar applications. For the detection of voids only the amplitudes of the direct wave in transmission mode are evaluated. Even when the depth of the void can not be detected in this configuration, the major advantage of the zero-offset profiling in transmission mode is a lower interference with the surrounding reinforcement compared to a regular one-side reflection profiling. The capability of the two-side zero-offset profiling is demonstrated on a test specimen with a set of polystyrene balls of two different sizes representing voids like honeycombs in concrete. GPR measurements are realized by an automated scanning system in order to allow for a synchronous movement of the antennas. In transmission mode voids can be detected at greater depths compared to reflection mode, since the travel path of the direct wave is half as long. Another characteristic of the transmission mode is that the direct wave through the air voids is faster and arrives earlier than the direct wave in the surrounding concrete. Hence it can be separated from the strong reflection of the reinforcement. Finally the measurements in transmission mode are less sensitive to the antenna frequency and polarization than in reflection mode.
A Load Balancing Strategy Based on the Combination of Static and Dynamic

Load balance is an important problem of cluster. The core of cluster task distribution is the load balance algorithm. LVS load balance technology is introduced briefly, the known load balancing algorithms and their merits and demerits are discussed in this paper; A Residual Load Rate based the combination of static and dynamic balance strategy is proposed after analyzing static balance technology and dynamic balance technology on the purpose of improving the performance of cluster systems. The balance strategy combination of static and dynamic balance algorithm, not only to overcome the static load balancing does not take into account real-time loads and reduces times of dispatching assignments between nodes, prevents the servers to be skew, and improves the performance of cluster systems.
GABA excitation in mouse hilar neuropeptide Y neurons

Neuropeptide Y‐containing interneurons in the dentate hilar area play an important role in inhibiting the activity of hippocampal circuitry. Hilar cells are often among the first lost in hippocampal epilepsy. As many types of neurons are found in the hilus, we used a new transgenic mouse expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) in a subset of neurons that colocalized neuropeptide Y (NPY), somatostatin (SST), and GABA for whole‐cell, perforated, and cell‐attached recording in 240 neurons. As these neurons have not previously been identifiable in live slices, they have not been the focus of physiological analysis. Hilar NPY neurons showed modest spike frequency adaptation, a large 15.6 ± 1.0 mV afterhyperpolarization, a mean input resistance of 335 ± 26 mΩ, and were capable of fast‐firing. Muscimol‐mediated excitatory actions were found in a nominally Ca2+‐free/high‐Mg2+ bath solution using cell‐attached recording. GABAA receptor antagonists inhibited half the recorded neurons and blocked burst firing. Gramicidin perforated‐patch recording revealed a GABA reversal potential positive to both the resting membrane potential and spike threshold. Together, these data suggest GABA is excitatory to many NPY cells. NPY and SST consistently hyperpolarized and reduced spike frequency in these neurons. No hyperpolarization of NPY on membrane potential was detected in the presence of tetrodotoxin, AP5, CNQX and bicuculline, supporting an indirect effect. Under similar conditions, SST hyperpolarized the cells, suggesting a direct postsynaptic action. Depolarizing actions of GABA and GABA‐dependent burst‐firing may synchronize a rapid release of GABA, NPY, and SST, leading to pre‐ and postsynaptic inhibition of excitatory hippocampal circuits.
Notch signaling modulates proliferation and differentiation of intestinal crypt base columnar stem cells

Notch signaling is known to regulate the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal stem and progenitor cells; however, direct cellular targets and specific functions of Notch signals had not been identified. We show here in mice that Notch directly targets the crypt base columnar (CBC) cell to maintain stem cell activity. Notch inhibition induced rapid CBC cell loss, with reduced proliferation, apoptotic cell death and reduced efficiency of organoid initiation. Furthermore, expression of the CBC stem cell-specific marker Olfm4 was directly dependent on Notch signaling, with transcription activated through RBP-Jκ binding sites in the promoter. Notch inhibition also led to precocious differentiation of epithelial progenitors into secretory cell types, including large numbers of cells that expressed both Paneth and goblet cell markers. Analysis of Notch function in Atoh1-deficient intestine demonstrated that the cellular changes were dependent on Atoh1, whereas Notch regulation of Olfm4 gene expression was Atoh1 independent. Our findings suggest that Notch targets distinct progenitor cell populations to maintain adult intestinal stem cells and to regulate cell fate choice to control epithelial cell homeostasis.
Sex Differences in Insomnia and Circadian Rhythm Disorders: A Systematic Review

Insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders are increasingly common in modern society and lead to significant challenges for people’s health and well-being. Some studies suggests that men and women differ in neurohormonal secretion, biological processes, and brain morphology. Thus, such differences may affect the etiology, manifestation, and course of sleep disorders, including insomnia and circadian rhythm. This systematic review aims to synthesize the existing literature on sex differences in insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders. PubMed, MEDLINE, Epistemonikos, and Cochrane databases were searched for articles published from inception until 5 September 2023, not older than five years. We performed a systematic search using MESH and non-MESH queries: (sex differences) or (male and female differences) or (men and women differences) or (men and women) AND (insomnia) or (sleep wake disorder*) or (sleep wake rhythm disorder*) or (circadian rhythm disorder*) or (sleep cycle disruption) or (sleep cycle disorder*). Out off 2833 articles screened, 11 studies were included. The prevalence of insomnia is higher among women, and their sleep is more regular and stable compared to men. Studies evaluating the impact of the stressful situation associated with the lockdown on women’s and men’s insomnia present discordant results concerning sex differences. Women’s circadian rhythm was found to be more stable and less fragmented than men’s. However, the progression of peak activity time with age was more pronounced in men. The current literature suggests that risk factors for insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders affect men and women differently. These include cerebrovascular and cardiometabolic factors, shift work, and infections. The long-term effects of insomnia seem to be more relevant for the male sex, shortening lifespan more than in women. By summarizing and analyzing existing studies, we highlight the need for further research to improve understanding of the interaction between sex and sleep.
Satellite RNAs and Satellite Viruses of Plants

The view that satellite RNAs (satRNAs) and satellite viruses are purely molecular parasites of their cognate helper viruses has changed. The molecular mechanisms underlying the synergistic and/or antagonistic interactions among satRNAs/satellite viruses, helper viruses, and host plants are beginning to be comprehended. This review aims to summarize the recent achievements in basic and practical research, with special emphasis on the involvement of RNA silencing mechanisms in the pathogenicity, population dynamics, and, possibly, the origin(s) of these subviral agents. With further research following current trends, the comprehensive understanding of satRNAs and satellite viruses could lead to new insights into the trilateral interactions among host plants, viruses, and satellites.
Prediction of 20-year outcome at onset of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE With the advent of new and expensive antirheumatic treatments with potentially serious side effects, it would be essential to identify as early as possible those rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who have a poor prognosis. Here study was made of the prognostic value of different markers recorded at the onset of RA. METHODS At the 20-year follow-up of our prospective study, 66 patients had rheumatoid factor-positive (RF+) RA. At commencement of follow-up (disease duration < 6 months), the prognostic value of 19 demographic, laboratory, clinical and radiographic variables was tested to explain the 20-year Larsen score for peripheral joints and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) index using Somers'd for asymmetrical associations. RESULTS An association was observed between onset blood platelets (0.17), serum IgG (0.18), the onset Larsen score (0.33) and the 20-year Larsen score. Old age (0.30), serum orosomucoid (0.17), the function score (0.28), morning stiffness (0.28), and grip strength (0.24) were associated with the 20-year HAQ. CONCLUSION The correlation between the investigated entry variables and end-point outcome was poor. In our discussion we conclude that the most important prognostic factor in RF + RA is the treatment.
Phosphorylation of Myosin-Binding Subunit (Mbs) of Myosin Phosphatase by Rho-Kinase in Vivo

Rho-associated kinase (Rho-kinase), which is activated by the small GTPase Rho, phosphorylates myosin-binding subunit (MBS) of myosin phosphatase and thereby inactivates the phosphatase activity in vitro. Rho-kinase is thought to regulate the phosphorylation state of the substrates including myosin light chain (MLC), ERM (ezrin/radixin/moesin) family proteins and adducin by their direct phosphorylation and by the inactivation of myosin phosphatase. Here we identified the sites of phosphorylation of MBS by Rho-kinase as Thr-697, Ser-854 and several residues, and prepared antibody that specifically recognized MBS phosphorylated at Ser-854. We found by use of this antibody that the stimulation of MDCK epithelial cells with tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) induced the phosphorylation of MBS at Ser-854 under the conditions in which membrane ruffling and cell migration were induced. Pretreatment of the cells with Botulinum C3 ADP-ribosyltransferase (C3), which is thought to interfere with Rho functions, or Rho-kinase inhibitors inhibited the TPA- or HGF-induced MBS phosphorylation. The TPA stimulation enhanced the immunoreactivity of phosphorylated MBS in the cytoplasm and membrane ruffling area of MDCK cells. In migrating MDCK cells, phosphorylated MBS as well as phosphorylated MLC at Ser-19 were localized in the leading edge and posterior region. Phosphorylated MBS was localized on actin stress fibers in REF52 fibroblasts. The microinjection of C3 or dominant negative Rho-kinase disrupted stress fibers and weakened the accumulation of phosphorylated MBS in REF52 cells. During cytokinesis, phosphorylated MBS, MLC and ERM family proteins accumulated at the cleavage furrow, and the phosphorylation level of MBS at Ser-854 was increased. Taken together, these results indicate that MBS is phosphorylated by Rho-kinase downstream of Rho in vivo, and suggest that myosin phosphatase and Rho-kinase spatiotemporally regulate the phosphorylation state of Rho-kinase substrates including MLC and ERM family proteins in vivo in a cooperative manner.
Effects of chronic dietary exposure to monosodium glutamate on feeding behavior, adiposity, gastrointestinal motility, and cardiovascular function in healthy adult rats

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor‐enhancer widely used as a food additive. However, its safe dietary concentration and its toxicity, including its possible implication in the recent metabolic syndrome pandemia, is still a controversial issue. Therefore, a deep knowledge of its effects upon regular dietary use is needed. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of chronic exposure to MSG on feeding behavior, abdominal fat, gastrointestinal motility, and cardiovascular function in rats.
The image guiding system for minimally invasive surgery

T most harmful of the reactive nitrogen and oxygen species in vivo is peroxynitrite (ONOO—), the reaction product of nitric oxide and superoxide. When present in excess, peroxynitrite is known to disturb the physiological balance in organisms leading to the nitro-oxidative stress. Its extended action over time through nitro-oxidative reactions in vivo is clinically correlated with chronic degenerative diseases, such as: Cardiac (myocarditis; graft rejection; heart failure), vascular (atherosclerosis; aging; hypertension); neurodegenerative (Parkinson’s; Alzheimer’s; multiple sclerosis); diabetes and complications (neuropathy; nephropathy; retinopathy) and inflammation (chronic; toxic origin; arthritis). The ability of biosensors for rapid and real-time analysis in a multi-analyte format at relatively low cost will allow the quantitative and qualitative detection of ONOO—. The peroxynitrite sensitive and selective sensors and probes will facilitate a screening-type analysis and potentially prevent these numerous diseases. Consequently, many efforts are underway to detect peroxynitrite in biological media. This invited review will critically discuss for the first time the very latest innovations in the field of peroxynitrite biosensors and probes for in vivo and in vitro studies with the remaining challenges. Thus, the main trends will be extracted, in order to chart the future directions and hence create an instrumental outlook.
Phytochemical Characterization and Antibacterial Activity of Albanian Juniperus communis and Juniperus oxycedrus Berries and Needle Leaves Extracts

This paper aims to investigate the phytochemical profile and in vitro antibacterial activity of two juniper species collected in Albania, Juniperus communis and Juniperus oxycedrus. The berries and the needle leaves were subjected to solid–liquid solvent ultrasound-assisted extraction. The phytochemical characterization of the extracts was performed by spectrophotometric and chromatographic means. The extract of J. communis berries (JcB) showed a higher total phenolic and flavonoid content (3.04 ± 0.09 mg GAE/g DW, and 1.14 ± 0.36 mg QE/g DW, respectively), also a higher antioxidant activity from DPPH and ABTS radical screening assays, compared to J. oxycedrus berries (JoxB) extract. The extract of J. oxycedrus needle leaves (JoxL) prevailed in total flavonoid content (10.55 ± 0.24 mg QE/g DW), and ABTS assays (1.83 ± 0.01 mM TE/g DW), compared to the extract of J. communis needle leaves (JcL). The chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of ellagic acid and kaempferol in all the samples. Ellagic acid was the main identified compound with the highest quantity in the extracts of JoxB, JoxL, and JcB with an average of 445.69 ± 0.96 µg/g, 2890.05 ± 0.29 µg/g, and 8133.83 ± 4.03 µg/g, respectively. The antibacterial potential of the ethanolic extracts was evaluated on Bacillus spp. , Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. In the Agar Well Diffusion Assay, it was observed that all the tested bacterial strains were sensitive to the extracts, whereas selected extracts showed a similar inhibition activity rate compared with the antibiotic substance (Chloramphenicol), used as a positive control. The extracts showed a similar minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentration for the individual bacterial strains, suggesting that J. communis and J. oxycedrus extracts have a similar potential in antibacterial activity.