Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology and outcome of acute pancreatitis in end-stage renal disease dialysis patients: a 10-year national cohort study

Background The objective of this study is to determine the incidence and severity of acute pancreatitis (AP) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis and whether the dialysis modality [hemodialysis (HD) versus peritoneal dialysis (PD)] confers a higher risk for AP as well as complications or mortality related to AP. Methods We analyzed national health insurance claims data of 67 078 ESRD patients initiating dialysis between 1999 and 2007 in Taiwan. All patients were followed up from the start of their dialysis to first AP diagnosis, death, end of dialysis or 31 December 2008. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify risk factors. Results The cumulative incidence rates of AP were 0.6, 1.7, 2.6, 3.4 and 4% at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 years, respectively. ESRD patients on HD and PD had an AP incidence of 5.11 and 5.86 per 1000 person-years, respectively. Independent risk factors for AP in this population were being elderly, being female, having biliary stones or liver disease, and being on PD. Severe AP occurred in 44.9% of the HD patients and in 36% of the PD patients. Patients with AP on HD had a higher incidence of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding than those on PD (P = 0.002). In contrast, those with AP on PD had a higher incidence of need for total parenteral nutrition (TPN) support than those on HD (P = 0.072). Overall in-hospital mortality was 8.1%. The risk factors for mortality after an AP attack were male gender, increased age, AP severity, and the presence of diabetes mellitus or liver disease. Conclusions ESRD patients on PD were at higher risk for AP than those on HD. HD patients with AP attacks had a greater incidence of UGI bleeding and PD patients with AP attacks a more frequent need for TPN support.
Elevated procalcitonin is associated with bacterial infection during acute liver failure only when unrelated to acetaminophen intoxication

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of procalcitonin (PCT) in predicting bacterial infection and survival without transplantation upon admission in the ICU for acute liver failure (ALF). Patients and methods From January 2009 until October 2015, all cases of ALF patients admitted in our ICU were retrospectively reviewed and included in the study if the PCT level upon admission was available. Patients with pre-existing liver pathology or ALF in a context of already advanced multiorgan failure were excluded. The main clinical and biological characteristics of patients were recorded, as well as the etiology of ALF, diagnosis of bacterial infection (bacteriologically documented or suspected), and outcome. Results 35 patients were included: 46% men, mean age 42 years, initial prothrombin ratio 31%, PCT 9.8 mg/l (0.7–49), and PCT more than 2 mg/l in 54% of cases. Etiology was acetaminophen intoxication in 18/35 (51%) cases. Sepsis was diagnosed in 9/35 (26%) cases, most frequently pneumonia with 4/9 cases. Survival without liver transplantation (LT) was observed in 28 (80%) cases. The median PCT was not different in patients with or without bacterial infection [6.3 mg/l (0.6–16) vs. 1.2 mg/l (0.8–9.7), P=0.8]. The median PCT was not different in patients who survived without LT [7.1 mg/l (0.9–16.1) vs. 0.75 mg/l (7.7–11.5), P=0.06]. In patients with ALF unrelated to acetaminophen intoxication, the median PCT was higher in patients with bacterial infection [1.1 mg/l (0.9–4) vs. 0.5 mg/l (0.3–0.8), P=0.01], but was similar in patients who did not survive without LT [0.7 mg/l (0.4–1.1) vs. 0.8 mg/l (0.4–2.2), P=0.6]. In the overall cohort, the median C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocyte count were higher in patients who developed bacterial infection [40 mg/l (19–60) vs. 16 mg/l (6–34), P=0.04; 11.9 G/l (8.3–19) vs. 7.9 G/l (6–12.6), P=0.05]. The median CRP and leukocyte count were not significantly different in survivors versus nonsurvivors without LT. Conclusion PCT was an accurate predictor for the diagnosis of bacterial infection only in patients with ALF unrelated to acetaminophen intoxication. CRP was higher in patients who developed infection and could also be an interesting tool in ALF patients.
Comparison of Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study and Radionuclide Salivagram for Aspiration Pneumonia in Children With Swallowing Difficulty

Objective To determine whether the use of both videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) and radionuclide salivagram was beneficial for detecting aspiration-induced pneumonia in children with swallowing difficulty. Methods From 2001 to 2016, children who underwent both VFSS and salivagram consecutively for suspected aspiration or dysphagia were included in the study. Demographic data, findings of VFSS and salivagram, and medical records were reviewed. Results Aspiration pneumonia (AP) was present in 34 out of 110 children; 48 showed positive aspiration findings in VFSS and 33 showed positive aspiration findings in salivagram. Among the 62 children who were negative of aspiration in VFSS, 12 (19.4%) showed positive aspiration findings in salivagram. Four out of 12 children were diagnosed with AP. The aspiration findings in both VFSS and salivagram were significantly related to AP. However, the aspiration findings in the two tests were weakly consistent. Even if one test showed negative aspiration, it was helpful to additionally detect AP using another test, which showed positive aspiration finding. If aspiration findings were positive in only one of the two tests, the probability of AP was 38.5%, whereas if they were positive in both tests, the probability increased to 66.7%. If the aspiration findings were negative in both tests, AP did not occur with a probability of 90%. Conclusion Salivagram is a valuable tool for monitoring of aspiration in children with swallowing difficulties. It could be helpful in assessment of children at a high risk of AP, even if the VFSS showed negative aspiration findings. Thus, testing for AP using both VFSS and salivagram is desirable.
Risk Factors for Depression in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background Depression is a major comorbidity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this prospective study was to investigate socio-demographic and clinical factors and serum markers of inflammation, including cytokines that, may be a cause or an association with COPD-related depression. Material/Methods This study enrolled 53 patients who were hospitalized in the Department of Respiratory Medicine of Hefei First People’s Hospital, China between October 2015 and October 2016. Patients were consecutively recruited who were diagnosed with COPD and without lower respiratory tract disease, psychiatric disorders, or a family history of cognitive disorders. All patients were investigated for symptoms of depression. Lung function testing included forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). Serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured. Results Of the 53 patients with COPD, 40 (75.47%) patients had symptoms of depression. Univariate analysis showed that gender, smoking, a high level of education, duration of a cough, FEV1, and serum CRP level were associated with depression. A multivariate logistic regression model identified two risk factors for depression in patients with COPD: serum CRP level and FEV1. Conclusions The findings of this study showed that the risk factors for COPD-related depression included male gender, heavy smoking, higher academic qualifications, and duration of cough, but the two strongest risk factors were a high serum CRP level and low FEV1.
Nonverbal Visual Sequential Learning in Children With Cochlear Implants: Preliminary Findings

The authors tested the hypothesis that children with cochlear implants (CIs) experience domain-general deficits in sequential learning. Twenty children with CIs and 40 children with normal hearing (NH) participated. Participants completed a serial reaction time task that measured implicit sequential learning. During random sequence phases, the CI group had significantly slower reaction times than the NH group. However, there were no significant differences in the rates of sequential learning between groups. Age at implantation was not significantly associated with learning rate in the CI group. Children with CIs demonstrated nonverbal sequential learning that is comparable to children with NH. Contrary to previous research, early auditory deprivation may not be associated with deficits in domain-general sequential learning, but may affect sequential processing. Further investigation is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying the overall delayed reaction times of children with CIs.
Novel strategies for the treatment of grass pollen-induced allergic rhinitis

ABSTRACT Introduction: Allergic rhinitis (AR) affects over 20% of the population of Europe and the United States. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is currently the only form of treatment that affects symptoms and modifies the progression of disease. Established forms of AIT include subcutaneous (SCIT) and sublingual (SLIT) immunotherapy and are widely effective, yet only 2-9% of eligible patients undergo therapy, likely due to the long duration of treatment. As a result, novel, faster forms of AIT are currently under development. Areas covered: This article provides an overview of AR and summarises the efficacy and mechanisms of established forms of AIT, highlighting the current drawbacks. We discuss novel strategies of AIT that have been developed in an attempt to tackle these limitations, including epicutaneous, intradermal and intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT), focusing on ILIT, the treatment that has been most comprehensively assessed. Expert opinion: Current strategies to treat AR suffer from a poor safety profile and, importantly, lack of adherence. ILIT is a faster and safer form of AIT, with a treatment regime of only 12 weeks. Further validation is required, but ILIT, with its short and comparatively inexpensive protocol, has the potential to offer disease-modifying therapy to a larger number of patients.
Is there evidence for the added value and correct use of manual and automatically switching multimemory hearing devices? A scoping review

Abstract Objectives: To review literature on the use of manual and automatically switching multimemory devices by hearing aid and CI recipients, and to investigate if recipients appreciate and adequately use the ability to switch between programmes in various listening environments. Design: Literature was searched using PubMed, Embase and ISI/Web of Science. Additional studies were identified by screening reference and citation lists, and by contacting experts. Study sample: The search yielded 1109 records that were screened on title and abstract. This resulted in the full-text assessment of 37 articles. Results: Sixteen articles reported on the use of multiple programmes for various listening environments, three articles reported on the use of an automatic switching mode. All studies reported on hearing aid recipients only, no study with CI recipients fulfilled the selection criteria. Conclusions: Despite the high number of manual and automatically switching multimemory devices sold each year, there are remarkably few studies about the use of multiple programmes or automatic switching modes for various listening environments. No studies were found that examined the accuracy of the use of programmes for specific listening environments. An automatic switching device might be a solution if recipients are not able, or willing, to switch manually between programmes.
NADPH oxidase and xanthine oxidoreductase as targets and regulators of the nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway

Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by NADPH oxidase (NOX) and xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) with a concomitant decrease in the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) from eNOS contributes to the development of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Extensive research has proven the existence of an alternative NOS-independent pathway for NO production. This nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway starts with inorganic nitrate which is derived from the diet and from oxidized NO. Nitrate is reduced to nitrite mainly by oral commensal bacteria and then to NO and other bioactive nitrogen oxides in blood and tissues. The aim of the current thesis was to investigate the therapeutic role of the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway in models of hypertension, metabolic dysfunction and inflammation focusing on whether the main ROS-producing enzymes NOX and XOR could be targets or even regulators of the this pathway. We show that NOX in the renal microvasculature is a primary target for the blood pressure lowering effects of dietary nitrate in Angiotensin-II (AngII)mediated hypertension. In agreement, NOX activity and AngII-induced receptor signaling are downregulated by nitrate in aged and hypertensive rats. Moreover, nitrate targets the elevated liver NOX activity of aged and metabolically dysregulated mice with an improvement of AMPK activity. Finally, we show that nitrite can act on cells of the innate immune response. In particular, NOX mediated superoxide production is strongly attenuated in activated macrophages with a concomitant reduction on iNOS gene expression and peroxynitrite production. Mechanistically, we observed that symbiotic bacteria and XOR together are responsible for the bioactivation of dietary nitrate to form NO. In addition, the effects of nitrate and nitrite are not only NOS independent but actually potentiated when eNOS activity is pharmacologically, genetically or naturally impaired. Interestingly, the absence of eNOS is associated with a higher XOR activity that partly compensates for the disrupted NO homeostasis and elevated blood pressure in these mice. Also, the blood pressure response to dietary nitrate is augmented in eNOS -/mice and abolished upon XOR inhibition. Interestingly, nitrate and nitrite were able to switch the function of XOR towards lower ROS and higher NO production which could significantly contribute to the antihypertensive effects. In conclusion, administration of nitrate or nitrite is associated with a number of therapeutic cardiovascular and metabolic effects in animal models of disease. We propose that NOX and XOR are two main targets and possible regulators of the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway. This pathway is triggered in situations with higher NOX and XOR activity and acts in parallel with the NOS dependent NO production to uphold NO homeostasis.
Architecture of the Human Origin Recognition Complex*

All the human homologs of the six subunits ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae origin recognition complex have been reported so far. However, not much has been reported on the nature and the characteristics of the human origin recognition complex. In an attempt to purify recombinant human ORC from insect cells infected with baculoviruses expressing HsORC subunits, we found that human ORC2, -3, -4, and -5 form a core complex. HsORC1 and HsORC6 subunits did not enter into this core complex, suggesting that the interaction of these two subunits with the core ORC2–5 complex is extremely labile. We found that the C-terminal region of ORC2 interacts directly with the N-terminal region of ORC3. The C-terminal region of ORC3 was, however, necessary to bring ORC4 and ORC5 into the core complex. A fragment containing the N-terminal 200 residues of ORC3 (ORC3N) competitively inhibited the ORC2-ORC3 interaction. Overexpression of this fragment in U2OS cells blocked the cells in G1, providing the first evidence that a mammalian ORC subunit is important for the G1-S transition in mammalian cells.
Aflatoxin B1 Negatively Regulates Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway through Activating miR-33a

MicroRNAs are known to play an important role in modulating gene expression in various diseases including cancers and cardiovascular disorders, but only a few of them are associated with the pathology of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a potent mycotoxin. Here, we discovered a novel regulatory network between AFB1, miR-33a and β-catenin in human carcinoma cells. The level of miR-33a was up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells treated with AFB1, while in the same cells causing the decrease in β-catenin expression when treated at their IC50 values. miR-33a, specifically miR-33a-5p, was demonstrated to down-regulate the expression of β-catenin, affect the β-catenin pathway, and inhibit cell growth. Also, by employing a luciferase assay, we found that miR-33a down-regulated β-catenin by directly binding to the 3’-UTR of β-catenin. These results suggested that AFB1 might down-regulate β-catenin by up-regulating miR-33a. This understanding opens new lines of thought in the potential role of miR-33a in the clinical therapy of cancer.
Assessing the performance of the PRECISE-DAPT and PARIS risk scores for predicting one-year out-of-hospital bleeding in acute coronary syndrome patients.

AIMS The PRECISE-DAPT and PARIS risk scores (RSs) were recently developed for bleeding risk assessment in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients treated with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). We aimed to assess the performance of these RSs for predicting out-of-hospital bleeding in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS AND RESULTS Retrospectively, we studied 1,926 consecutive ACS patients treated with PCI and DAPT. The performance of RSs for predicting one-year BARC type 2, 3 or 5 bleeding and BARC type 3 or 5 bleeding was assessed and compared. Both RSs were effective for the prediction of bleeding events. For BARC type 2, 3 or 5 bleeding, the c-statistic values for PRECISE-DAPT and PARIS were 0.61 and 0.63 (p=0.29), respectively. The two scores displayed equal c-statistics of 0.73 for predicting BARC type 3 or 5 bleeding. PARIS significantly outperformed PRECISE-DAPT in terms of indices of categoryless net reclassification improvement and integrated discrimination. Decision curve analyses also favoured PARIS. CONCLUSIONS Within our cohort, PARIS and PRECISE-DAPT were fairly to moderately effective for the prediction of bleeding. Their predictiveness varies according to the bleeding severity. PARIS-derived bleeding risk assessment was associated with a higher net benefit compared to PRECISE-DAPT-based bleeding risk assessment.
Hybrid-SAR Technique: Joint Analysis Using Phase-Based and Amplitude-Based Methods for the Xishancun Giant Landslide Monitoring

Early detection and early warning are of great importance in giant landslide monitoring because of the unexpectedness and concealed nature of large-scale landslides. In China, the western mountainous areas are prone to landslides and feature many giant complex landslides, especially following the Wenchuan Earthquake in 2008. This work concentrates on a new technique, known as the “hybrid-SAR technique”, that combines both phase-based and amplitude-based methods to detect and monitor large-scale landslides in Li County, Sichuan Province, southwestern China. This work aims to develop a robust methodological approach to promptly identify diverse landslides with different deformation magnitudes, sliding modes and slope geometries, even when the available satellite data are limited. The phase-based and amplitude-based techniques are used to obtain the landslide displacements from six TerraSAR-X Stripmap descending scenes acquired from November 2014 to March 2015. Furthermore, the application circumstances and influence factors of hybrid-SAR are evaluated according to four aspects: (1) quality of terrain visibility to the radar sensor; (2) landslide deformation magnitude and different sliding mode; (3) impact of dense vegetation cover; and (4) sliding direction sensitivity. The results achieved from hybrid-SAR are consistent with in situ measurements. This new hybrid-SAR technique for complex giant landslide research successfully identified representative movement areas, e.g., an extremely slow earthflow and a creeping region with a displacement rate of 1 cm per month and a typical rotational slide with a displacement rate of 2–3 cm per month downwards and towards the riverbank. Hybrid-SAR allows for a comprehensive and preliminary identification of areas with significant movement and provides reliable data support for the forecasting and monitoring of landslides.
Dynamic crushing behavior and energy absorption of honeycombs with density gradient

This paper presents an analytical study of the in-plane dynamic crushing and energy absorption of hexagonal honeycombs with density gradients under different impact loading. Explicit dynamic finite element method simulations are carried out by using ANSYS/LS-DYNA. Firstly, under the assumption that the cell wall length is the same, a density-graded honeycomb mode is established by the variation of the cell wall thicknesses along the crushing direction. The effects of density gradient and impact velocity on the crushing deformation modes, plateau stresses and energy absorption characteristics of the specimens are explored in detail. Numerical results show that except for the impact velocity, the dynamic crushing performance and energy absorption abilities of honeycombs also rely on the density/strength gradients. The weakest layer is suggested to be placed at the impact end or the output end, and the strongest layer at the intermediate stage to achieve higher energy absorbing efficiency. According to the one-dimensional shock wave theory, the simple empirical formulae for graded honeycombs to predict the plateau stress are given under high-impact velocities. These results will provide some useful guides in the multi-objective optimization dynamic design and shock energy absorbing control of sandwich structures.
EDIBLE COATINGS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO SYNTHETIC FILMS

Edible films are defined as a thin, flexible layer of material used in food packaging which can be consumed with foods. Starch is a natural polymer widely used in food technology as component of edible films. The use of natural biopolimers in films preparing is restricted due to their poor mechanical properties and high brittleness. The addition of plasticizers (such as glycerol) and different thickness of edible films alters their functional properties. The aim of this work was to develop a methodology for the preparation of edible films base on starch polymers and to determine their physical properties. On the base of the results it was stated that the addition of glycerol to the starch film matrix increased the film thickness by 30-44%. Tensile strength (TS) and Elongation at break values (EL) were almost the same for films without glycerol, irrespective the film thickness, however addition of plasticizer influenced their mechanical properties. Addition of glycerol to the films increase their Elongation at break. The same effect was observed with increasing film thickness. Synthetic PE foil exhibited intermediate value of TS, however EL value was much greater than that for starch films with or without plasticizer. The lightness of the edible films is found to decrease with increasing thickness and L* value was lower than that of synthetic PE film. The decrease of b* (color movement from yellow towards blue) was observed with the addition of glycerol and with the increasing film