Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Soluble Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Product Levels in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the plasma levels of a soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to investigate their relationship with different clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic parameters. Patients and methods: A total of 120 patients with SLE (111 females, 9 males) and 40 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were included. The plasma sRAGE levels were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The possible relationship between plasma sRAGE levels with SLE clinical and laboratory characteristics were also assessed. The effectiveness of different therapeutic modalities on plasma sRAGE levels was analyzed. Results: The SLE patients had significantly lower plasma levels of sRAGE than the healthy controls (p=0.003). The patients with a skin rash or serositis had significantly higher sRAGE levels than those without (p=0.036 and p=0.017, respectively). The SLE patients who were treated over a longer period of time showed higher levels of sRAGE than those treated for shorter periods (p=0.000). No significant difference in levels was found among the patients treated with corticosteroids and those treated with combined therapy (p=0.89). There was a significant negative correlation between the sRAGE level and the total white blood cell (WBC) count (r=-0.356; p=0.003), lymphocytes (r=0.341; p<0.001), and neutrophils (r=-0.289; p=0.006). Conclusion: We found significantly decreased plasma sRAGE levels in the SLE patients in our study. This suggests that sRAGE levels may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Detection of Missing CAN Messages through Inter-Arrival Time Analysis

Recent cyber-attacks to real vehicles demonstrated the risks related to connected vehicles, and spawned several research effort aimed at proposing algorithms and architectural solutions to improve the security of these vehicles. Most of the documented attacks to the connected vehicles require the injection of maliciously forged messages to subvert the normal behaviour of the electronic microcontrollers. More recently, researchers discovered that by abusing error isolation mechanisms of the Controller Area Network (CAN), one of the protocols deployed for in-vehicle networking, it is possible to isolate a microcontroller from the vehicle internal network (namely bus-off attack), with possible severe implication on both safety and security. This vulnerability has already been exploited for gaining remote control of a vehicle, by driving a targeted microcontroller in bus-off and impersonating it through the injection of malicious messages on the CAN bus. This paper strives to counter bus-off attacks by proposing an algorithm for the detection of missing messages from the in- vehicle CAN bus. Bus-off attacks to in-vehicle network are simulated by removing messages from valid CAN traces recorded from an unmodified licensed vehicle. Experimental evaluations of our proposal and comparisons with previous work demonstrate that the proposed algorithms outperforms other detection algorithms, achieving almost perfect detection (F-score equal or near to 1.0) across different tests.
Analysis of the combined and single effects of LULC and climate change on the streamflow of the Upper Blue Nile River Basin (UBNRB): Using statistical trend tests, remote sensing landcover maps and the SWAT model

Abstract. Understanding the response of land use/land cover (LULC) and climate change has become a priority issue for water management and water resource utilization of the Nile basin. This study assesses the long-term trends of rainfall and streamflow to analyse the response of LULC and climate changes on the hydrology of the UBNRB. The Mann–Kendal (MK) trend tests showed no statistically significant changes in daily, monthly and annual rainfall. Tests for mean annual and seasonal streamflow showed a statistically significant and increasing trend. Landsat satellite images for 1973, 1985, 1995 and 2010 were used for LULC change detection. The LULC change detection findings indicate the conversion of forest land to cultivated land during the period 1973–2010. Natural forest decreased from 17.4 % to 14.4 %, 12.2 % and 15.6 % while cultivated land increased from 62.9 % to 65.6 %, 67.5 % and 63.9 % from 1973 to 1985, 1995 and 2010 respectively. The hydrological SWAT model result showed that mean annual streamflow increased by 15.6 % between the 1970s and the 2000s due to the combined effect of LULC and climate change. The single effect of LULC change on streamflow analysis suggested that LULC change significantly affects surface run-off and base flow. This could be attributed to the 5.1 % reduction in forest coverage and 4.6 % increase in cultivated land. Effects of climate change revealed that increased rainfall intensity and number of extreme rainfall events from 1971 to 2010 have greatly affected the surface run-off and base flow of UBNRB.
Comparative Analysis of the Organization of the Catecholaminergic Systems in the Brain of Holostean Fishes (Actinopterygii/Neopterygii)

Living holosteans, comprising 8 species of bowfins and gars, form a small monophyletic group of actinopterygian fishes, which are currently considered as the sister group to the enormously numerous teleosts and have largely been neglected in neuroanatomical studies. We have studied the catecholaminergic (CAergic) systems by means of antibodies against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine (DA) in the brain of representative species of the 3 genera included in the 2 orders of holostean fishes: Amia calva (Amiiformes) and Lepisosteus platyrhincus, Lepisosteus oculatus, and Atractosteus spatula (Lepisosteiformes). Different groups of TH/DA-immunoreactive (ir) cells were observed in the olfactory bulb, subpallium, and preoptic area of the telencephalon. Hypothalamic groups were labeled in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, tuberal (only in A. calva), retrotuberal, and retromamillary areas; specifically, the paraventricular organ showed only DA immunoreactivity. In the diencephalon, TH/DA-ir groups were detected in the prethalamus, posterior tubercle, and pretectum. In the caudal hindbrain, the solitary tract nucleus and area postrema presented TH/DA-ir cell groups, and also the spinal cord and the retina. Only in A. calva, particular CAergic cell groups were observed in the habenula, the mesencephalic tegmentum, and in the locus coeruleus. Following a neuromeric analysis, the comparison of these results with those obtained in other classes of fishes and tetrapods shows many common traits of CAergic systems shared by most vertebrates and in addition highlights unique features of actinopterygian fishes.
Reduced Kidney Function in Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Based Regimen and Associated Factors: A Hospital Based Prospective Observational Study in Ethiopian Patients

Purpose Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), a drug broadly used in combination antiretroviral therapy, is associated with renal dysfunction but the prevalence varied from country to country and it is not known in Ethiopia. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of renal dysfunction and risk factors associated with it and the mean change in estimated glomerular filtration rate in human immunodeficiency virus infected patients receiving TDF based antiretroviral regimen at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. Method It was a hospital based prospective cohort study. The study participants were treatment naïve HIV infected patients initiating TDF containing combination antiretroviral therapy or switched to it because of adverse events. Multivariable logistic analysis was used to identify variables which have significant association. Result A total of 63 study participants were studied, 16 (25.4%) of whom had fall in eGFR greater than 25% relative to baseline. Only age greater than 50 years, baseline CD4 count less than 200 cells/mm3, and baseline proteinuria were significantly associated with renal dysfunction in multivariable logistic regression. There was -8.4 ml/min/1.73m2 mean change in estimated glomerular filtration rate relative to baseline at six months of study. Conclusion The renal dysfunction (defined as decline in eGFR greater than 25%) was found in a quarter of the study population. The long term impact and the clinical implication of it are not clear. Future prospective study is required with large sample size and long duration to ascertain the prevalence of decline greater than 25% in estimated glomerular filtration rate and its progression to chronic kidney disease.
Lubiprostone in the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation: an update on health-related quality of life and patient-reported outcomes

Chronic idiopathic constipation, if inadequately treated, can be bothersome with a detrimental effect on patients’ quality of life (QOL). This may also result in frequent health care visits, increasing the burden of this ailment’s medical cost. Management strategies, focused on lifestyle changes, include increased exercise, a high-fiber diet, and toilet training. Pharmacologic options include fiber supplementation, laxatives, serotonergic agents, and prosecretory agents such as lubiprostone. In this review, we were able to conclude that lubiprostone, when used for chronic idiopathic constipation, has a significantly beneficial effect on both patients’ symptoms and their QOL. In multiple randomized controlled trials, it has been found to have increased the number of spontaneous bowel movements at different time endpoints. Corresponding improvements were also observed for abdominal bloating, discomfort, stool frequency, and straining symptoms among patients.
Violence and Mental Health Among Gender-Diverse Individuals Enrolled in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus Program in Karnataka, South India

Abstract Purpose: Gender-diverse individuals in India face considerable discrimination, stigma, and violence. There is a dearth of published literature describing experiences of violence among this population and potential links to mental health. Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 282 study participants, 18 years of age and older, who self-identified as hijra, kothi, double decker, or bisexual and were actively enrolled in a local HIV prevention program in Bangalore, India in 2012. Responses were used to calculate a composite depression/anxiety score. Associations between sociodemographic characteristics and experiences of physical and sexual violence in the previous six months were tested and differences in depression/anxiety score based on experiences of violence were explored. Results: Recent physical violence was common among study participants and was reported among 46% of nirvan (emasculated) hijras (transgender), 42% of akwa (not emasculated) hijras, and 25% of kothis (feminine acting males). Rape in the previous year was particularly common among akwa hijras (39%). Factors associated with being raped included younger age, less education, and employment in basti (blessings), sex work, chela (disciple of hijra guru), or at a community-based organization. Kothis had the highest depression/anxiety score. No significant difference in depression/anxiety score based on recent history of physical violence or rape was found. Conclusions: Physical violence and poor mental health are common among gender-diverse individuals in Bangalore, Karnataka. There is a need for services that cater to the unique mental health needs of gender-diverse individuals in India, following rights-based approaches that address the underlying roots of oppression they encounter.
Type D personality, anxiety sensitivity, social anxiety, and disability in patients with acne: a cross-sectional controlled study

Introduction Acne has long been associated with many psychiatric comorbidities. Aim To determine anxiety and depression levels, social phobia frequency, social anxiety level, subjective stress perception, anxiety sensitivity, disability, and the frequency of type D personality in patients with acne. Material and methods In total, 61 patients with acne aged > 16 years and 61 age, gender, and educationally matched healthy volunteers were included in the study. The patients and healthy controls were evaluated using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 criteria for social anxiety disorder and completed the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Sheehan Disability Scale, Anxiety Sensitivity Index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Type D Scale-14. Results Depression, anxiety, social anxiety, self-reported stress, anxiety sensitivity, and disability levels were significantly higher in patients with acne than in healthy controls (p < 0.05). Type D personality was more prevalent in patients with acne than in healthy controls (49% vs. 18%, p < 0.001). Conclusions To our knowledge, this study is the first reported in which type D personality and anxiety sensitivity, as well as social anxiety disorder according to the DSM-5 criteria, was evaluated in patients with acne compared with healthy controls. This study shows that patients with acne have higher levels of depression, anxiety, social anxiety, self-reported stress, anxiety sensitivity, and disability, and a greater prevalence of type D personality, than healthy controls. Psychiatric evaluation of patients with acne may aid the detection of mental disorders.
Dexmedetomidine attenuates the neurotoxicity of propofol toward primary hippocampal neurons in vitro via Erk1/2/CREB/BDNF signaling pathways

Background Propofol is a commonly used general anesthetic for the induction and maintenance of anesthesia and critical care sedation in children, which may add risk to poor neurodevelopmental outcome. We aimed to evaluate the effect of propofol toward primary hippocampal neurons in vitro and the possibly neuroprotective effect of dexmedetomidine pretreatment, as well as the underlying mechanism. Materials and procedures Primary hippocampal neurons were cultured for 8 days in vitro and pretreated with or without dexmedetomidine or phosphorylation inhibitors prior to propofol exposure. Cell viability was measured using cell counting kit-8 assays. Cell apoptosis was evaluated using a transmission electron microscope and flow cytometry analyses. Levels of mRNAs encoding signaling pathway intermediates were assessed using qRT-PCR. The expression of signaling pathway intermediates and apoptosis-related proteins was determined by Western blotting. Results Propofol significantly reduced cell viability, induced neuronal apoptosis, and downregulated the expression of the BDNF mRNA and the levels of the phospho-Erk1/2 (p-Erk1/2), phospho-CREB (p-CREB), and BDNF proteins. The dexmedetomidine pretreatment increased neuronal viability and alleviated propofol-induced neuronal apoptosis and rescued the propofol-induced downregulation of both the BDNF mRNA and the levels of the p-Erk1/2, p-CREB, and BDNF proteins. However, this neuroprotective effect was abolished by PD98059, H89, and KG501, further preventing the dexmedetomidine pretreatment from rescuing the propofol-induced downregulation of the BDNF mRNA and p-Erk1/2, p-CREB, and BDNF proteins. Conclusion Dexmedetomidine alleviates propofol-induced cytotoxicity toward primary hippocampal neurons in vitro, which correlated with the activation of Erk1/2/CREB/BDNF signaling pathways.
Blood Pressure Variability Is Associated with Hearing and Hearing Loss: A Population-Based Study in Males

Blood pressure (BP) has been well documented to be associated with hearing loss previously. However, the role of blood pressure variability (BPV, representing BP fluctuation over a time period) on hearing remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between BPV and hearing in Chinese population. We included 8646 male subjects from a population-based study (the Kailuan study). BP was measured every two years at routine physical examinations from 2006 to 2015. Based on five annual BP measurements, BPV was estimated by standard deviation of BP (SD), coefficient of the variation of BP (CV), and variation independent of mean of BP (VIM). Hearing was estimated by pure-tone average threshold (PTA) at low, intermediate, and high frequencies in the year of 2014. Regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between BPV and hearing. The results showed that PTAs and percentages of hearing loss at low, intermediate, and high frequencies grew gradually with increasing systolic SD (SSD) (p<0.05). After adjusting for multiple covariates, multivariate regression analyses demonstrated that variations of SBP (SSD, SCV, and VIMSBP) were all positively correlated with PTA at intermediate and high frequencies (p<0.05). Each SD increase in SSD, SCV, and VIMSBP was also positively associated with hearing loss at intermediate and high frequencies. No significant correlation was observed between variations of DBP and hearing. These findings suggest that increase in long-term BPV is associated with hearing and hearing loss. Trial registration number: Kailuan study (ChiCTRTNC-11001489).
A phase 2 randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study of novel nonsystemic kinase inhibitor TOP1630 for the treatment of dry eye disease

Purpose To evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical TOP1630, a novel nonsystemic kinase inhibitor, in dry eye disease (DED). Patients and methods A randomized, double-masked, parallel-group trial of 0.1% TOP1630 ophthalmic solution TID or placebo (vehicle without active drug) was conducted in DED subjects (n=61). Key eligibility criteria consistent with enrolling a moderate to severe DED population included >6 months DED history; OSDI© score ≥18; Schirmer’s test score ≤10 and ≥1 mm/5 minutes; tear film break-up time >1 and <7 seconds; and dry eye exacerbation in corneal staining and ocular discomfort in a Controlled Adverse Environment (CAE®). After a 7-day run-in period with placebo TID, eligible subjects were randomized to TOP1630 or placebo for 28 days. No supplemental artificial tears or rescue medication were allowed. Results TOP1630 was safe, well-tolerated, and efficacious in treating DED symptoms and signs. No serious adverse events (AEs) or withdrawals due to treatment emergent AEs occurred. Drop comfort scores showed TOP1630 to be comfortable and comparable with placebo. Significant symptom improvements were seen for TOP1630 vs placebo for ocular discomfort (P=0.02 post-CAE), grittiness/foreign body sensation (on four independent assessment scales, each P<0.05), worst DED symptom (diary, P=0.06), and ocular pain (VAS, P=0.03). Sign improvements were seen for total ocular surface (all regions), corneal sum, and conjunctival sum staining with TOP1630 compared with placebo (each P<0.05). Conclusion TOP1630 had placebo-like tolerability and produced improvements in multiple symptom and sign endpoints in both environmental and challenge settings. The emergent TOP1630 benefit–risk profile for DED treatment is highly favorable and supports further development.
Pain Behaviour Scale (PaBS): An Exploratory Study of Reliability and Construct Validity in a Chronic Low Back Pain Population

Objectives To examine the interrater and intrarater reliability and construct validity of the Pain Behaviour Scale during standard physical performance tests in people with chronic low back pain and to confirm the test-retest reliability of the physical performance tests in this population. The Pain Behaviour Scale (PaBS) is an observational scale that was recently designed to uniquely measure both the presence and severity of observed pain behaviours. Methods Twenty-two participants with chronic low back pain were observed during performance of five physical performance tests by two raters. Pain behaviours were assessed using the Pain Behaviour Scale. The Visual Analogue Scale and Modified Oswestry Disability Index were used to measure pain and disability, respectively. Descriptive statistics were used to report demographic features of participants. Reliability was analyzed using ICCs. Rater agreement was analyzed using the weighted Cohen's kappa. Correlations between PaBS, self-reported measures, and physical performance tests were calculated using Pearson's product-moment correlations. Results The PaBS demonstrated excellent interrater (ICC2,1 = 1.0, 95% CI: 0.9 to 1.0) and intrarater (ICC3,1 = 0.9, 95% CI: 0.8 to 1.0) reliability. Component physical performance tests (i.e., time and distance) demonstrated good test-retest (0.6–1.0) reliability. Perfect agreement in the reporting of pain behaviours was found (95–100%). Correlations between pain behaviour severity and pain intensity (r = 0.6) and disability (r = 0.6) were moderate. Moderate correlations were found between pain behaviours and physical performance tests in sit to stand (r = 0.5), trunk flexion (r = 0.4), timed up and go (r = 0.4), and 50-foot walk (r = 0.4). Conclusion The Pain Behaviour Scale is a valid and reliable tool for measuring the presence and severity of pain behaviour, and the physical performance tests are reliable tests.
Evidence That Inconsistent Gene Prediction Can Mislead Analysis of Dinoflagellate Genomes

Comparative algal genomics often relies on predicted genes from de novo assembled genomes. However, the artifacts introduced by different gene‐prediction approaches, and their impact on comparative genomic analysis remain poorly understood. Here, using available genome data from six dinoflagellate species in the Symbiodiniaceae, we identified methodological biases in the published genes that were predicted using different approaches and putative contaminant sequences in the published genome assemblies. We developed and applied a comprehensive customized workflow to predict genes from these genomes. The observed variation among predicted genes resulting from our workflow agreed with current understanding of phylogenetic relationships among these taxa, whereas the variation among the previously published genes was largely biased by the distinct approaches used in each instance. Importantly, these biases affect the inference of homologous gene families and synteny among genomes, thus impacting biological interpretation of these data. Our results demonstrate that a consistent gene‐prediction approach is critical for comparative analysis of dinoflagellate genomes.