Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Value of Plasma D-Dimer Levels in Lung Carcinoma

Aims and Backgrounds Plasma concentrations of several proteases of the coagulation system have been shown to predict prognosis in malignancy. The study was aimed to investigate the prognostic value of plasma D-dimer concentrations and some other coagulation factors in lung cancer. Methods Between 2004 and 2008, 100 newly diagnosed lung cancer patients and 25 healthy individuals serving as the control group were evaluated. The patients had no history of coagulation system disorders or anticoagulant therapy. Plasma D-dimer concentrations, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, international normalized ratio and blood counts of the patients were obtained. Patient age, lung cancer stage, tumor histology, therapy modalities (surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy), therapy outcomes and survival durations of the patients were determined. Results The median age of the patients (86 males/14 females) was 67 years, and 15% had stage 2, 26% had stage 3A, 24% had stage 3B, and 35% had stage 4 disease. Histologic subtypes were non-small cell carcinoma (87%) and small cell carcinoma (13%). The median D-dimer level of the patients was 1250 ng/dl, which was significantly higher than that of the control group. Survival duration was significantly higher in patients with low D-dimer levels (P <0.05). D-dimer plasma levels predicted survival independently of the clinical stage of disease, histologic tumor type and performance status of the patient (HR = 5.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.015–1.19, P = 0.013). Plasma D-dimer level was significantly higher in metastatic disease (P <0.01). Conclusions The results suggest that D-dimer plasma levels might be useful to predict the clinical outcome and survival of patients with lung cancer.
Cystic Fibrosis Liver Disease: Know More

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystem disease caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. CFTR is expressed in the apical surface of cholangiocytes. Homozygous CFTR gene mutation results in viscous and acidic bile secretions secondary to deficient surface fluid and bicarbonate efflux. Viscous, inspissated bile causes ductular obstruction and hepatotoxicity from retained bile components, leading to fibrosis and ultimately cirrhosis, known as CF liver disease (CFLD). CFLD is the third leading cause of death in CF patients. CFLD manifestations can take many forms. They range from asymptomatic elevation of transaminases to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. CFLD is diagnosed after excluding other causes of chronic liver disease. To date, there is no effective therapy to prevent or treat CFLD. Management of CFLD emphasizes on optimizing nutritional status. Ursodeoxycholic acid is the only available treatment that may prevent progression of CFLD at present. All CF patients with CFLD need annual investigations and follow-up for early detection of the disease. Liver transplantation should be considered in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and portal hypertension, with acceptable long-term outcomes. Novel therapies of CFLD are promising. This review article aims to summarize the published literature on CFLD, its pathophysiology, clinical features and complications, and management including new therapeutic options.
Relational Integration in Schools Through Seating Assignments

Traditional desegregation policies have improved but not fully solved the problems associated with the reproduction of inequalities and interracial prejudice in schools. This is partly because social networks are inherently segregated within integrated schools and the benefits of contact have not fully materialized. Therefore, new kinds of policies are needed to further improve the situation. This paper investigates the consequences and efficiency of seating arrangements on academic outcomes and prejudice using an agent-based model that reflects real-life asymmetries. We model interpersonal dynamics and study behavior in the classroomin the hypothetical case of a single teacher who defines students’ seating arrangements. The model incorporates the mechanisms of peer influence on study behavior, on attitude formation, and homophilous selection in order to depict the interrelated dynamics of networks, behavior, and attitudes. We compare various seating arrangement scenarios and observe how GPA distribution and level of prejudice changes over time. Results highlight the advantages and disadvantages of seating strategies. In general, more heterogeneous deskmate pairs lead to a lower level of inequality and prejudice in the classroom, but this strategy does not favor talent management. Further, we evaluate outcomes compared to the absence of external intervention whereby students choose their own deskmates based on homophilous selection. Our model takes into account the fact that homophilous selection may be distorted due to the ‘Acting White’ phenomenon and pre-existing prejudice. Accounting for these factors implies slower convergence between advantaged and disadvantaged students.
Distantly Related Rotaviruses in Common Shrews, Germany, 2004–2014

We screened samples from common shrews (Sorex araneus) collected in Germany during 2004–2014 and identified 3 genetically divergent rotaviruses. Virus protein 6 sequence similarities to prototype rotaviruses were low (64.5% rotavirus A, 50.1% rotavirus C [tentative species K], 48.2% rotavirus H [tentative species L]). Shrew-associated rotaviruses might have zoonotic potential.
HBx and c-MYC Cooperate to Induce URI1 Expression in HBV-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Unconventional prefoldin RNA polymerase II subunit 5 interactor (URI1) has emerged as an oncogenic driver in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although the hepatitis B virus (HBV) represents the most common etiology of HCC worldwide, it is unknown whether URI1 plays a role in HBV-related HCC (HCC-B). In the present study, we investigated URI1 expression and its underlying mechanism in HCC-B tissues and cell lines. URI1 gene-promoter activity was determined by a luciferase assay. Human HCC-B samples were used for a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. We found that c-MYC induced URI1 expression and activated the URI1 promoter through the E-box in the promoter region while the HBx protein significantly enhanced it. The positivity of URI1 expression was significantly higher in HCC-B tumor tissues than in non-HBV-related HCC tumor tissues, suggesting that a specific mechanism underlies URI1 expression in HCC-B. In tumor tissues from HCC-B patients, a significantly higher level of c-MYC was recruited to the E-box than in non-tumor tissues. These results suggest that HBx and c-MYC are involved in URI1 expression in HCC-B. URI1 expression may play important roles in the development and progression of HCC-B because HBx and c-MYC are well-known oncogenic factors in the virus and host, respectively.
Relationship Between Diurnal Cortisol Profile and Sleep Quality in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Sleep problems are common in HCC patients and may be attributable to disturbances in the circadian rhythm. Research into the role of circadian rhythms in sleep quality among HCC patients is lacking, however. This study investigated the relationship between the diurnal cortisol profile and sleep quality among HCC patients. We aimed to identify alterations in the diurnal cortisol profile in patients with HCC compared to healthy controls and investigate whether they were associated with poor sleep quality among HCC patients. Methods: Participants comprised 75 HCC patients and 33 healthy individuals. The Taiwanese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI-T) was administered to assess sleep quality. Saliva samples were collected on 3 consecutive days at five time points daily to measure diurnal cortisol levels. Results: In the HCC group, 89.3% of individuals were poor sleepers (PSQI-T > 5), whereas among healthy individuals, 30.3% were poor sleepers. While the healthy participants’ diurnal cortisol profile followed a typical pattern that peaked 30 min after waking and declined gradually throughout the day, the cortisol level in the HCC patients rebounded at bedtime. Higher cortisol levels were marginally correlated with poor sleep quality (OR = 1.00007, p < .05). Conclusions: Our study suggests a potential association between disturbed circadian rhythm and poor sleep quality in HCC patients. Further investigation of the causal relationship between sleep and circadian rhythm is warranted.
THE VALUE OF US: EXPRESSIONS OF TOGETHERNESS IN COUPLES WHERE ONE SPOUSE HAS DEMENTIA

Abstract Background: Living with dementia involves both illness and health and involves self-care and care by others. As most persons with dementia are living in their ordinary housing, dementia affects not only the person with the disease, but also the life of the family, commonly the partner. Research show that spouse carers feel like they are losing their partners due to an inability to share thoughts, feelings and experiences as a couple. Aim: The aim of the study was to describe spouse’s experience of their togetherness when one spouse has dementia. Method: The sample consisted of eighteen recorded conversations between 15 persons with dementia and their spouses. The filmed conversations were transcribed verbatim and then analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Findings: One overarching theme arose from the data “Dementia preserved and challenged the value of “us”. Being a couple trying to preserve a sense of togetherness and have the relationship they wished for could be seen as a challenge when one spouse was living with dementia. Conclusion: Based on our results, we suggest that practitioners should help couples to reinforce or strengthen their bonds as a couple to maintain well-being. Future studies should examine couplehood under differing conditions such as long versus short term relationships. Prior relationship quality may also be a factor influencing the sense of couplehood following a serious health challenge such as dementia.
Pre-surgical connectome features predict IDH status in diffuse gliomas

Background Gliomas are the most common type of malignant brain tumor. Clinical outcomes depend on many factors including tumor molecular characteristics. Mutation of the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) gene confers significant benefits in terms of survival and quality of life. Preoperative determination of IDH genotype can facilitate surgical planning, allow for novel clinical trial designs, and assist clinical counseling surrounding the individual patient’s disease. Methods In this study, we aimed to evaluate a novel approach for non-invasively predicting IDH status from conventional MRI via connectomics, a whole-brain network-based technique. We retrospectively extracted 93 connectome features from the preoperative, T1-weighted MRI data of 234 adult patients (148 IDH mutated) and evaluated the performance of four common machine learning models to predict IDH genotype. Results Area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operator characteristic were 0.76 to 0.94 with random forest (RF) showing significantly higher performance (p < 0.01) than other algorithms. Feature selection schemes and the addition of age and tumor location did not change RF performance. Conclusions Our findings suggest that connectomics is a feasible approach for preoperatively predicting IDH genotype in patients with gliomas. Our results support prior evidence that RF is an ideal machine learning method for this area of research. Additionally, connectomics provides unique insights regarding potential mechanisms of tumor genotype on large-scale brain network organization.
Alcohol use among high school learners in rural areas of Limpopo province

Background Alcohol use is a serious public health concern among youth in South Africa and worldwide. Aim To determine the factors contributing to alcohol use among high school learners in the rural areas of Limpopo province. Setting The Greater Marble-Hall municipality, Sekhukhune district in Limpopo province. Method A quantitative, cross-sectional study design was conducted on 314 learners from three high schools in a rural area in Limpopo. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select learners from 11 to 25 years of age. The drinking behaviour was classified according to predetermined Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Data were analysed using SPSS Software v23.0. Results More than half of the respondents were consuming alcohol 169 (53.8%). Also, 173 (55.1%) of respondents had parents who consume alcohol and 204 (65%) had friends who drank alcohol. Most respondents were classified as low-risk drinkers (AUDIT score < 8) and a quarter of the respondents were classified as almost dependent on alcohol (AUDIT score > 13). Significant associations were found between learners’ alcohol consumption and parents and friends who drank alcohol (p = 0.000; p = 0.000, respectively). Conclusion Alcohol use was prevalent among high school learners in the area under investigation. Also, learners who had parents and friends who consume alcohol were more likely to consume alcohol. Further, learners who were classified as almost dependent on alcohol needed urgent intervention as their health-related quality of life was likely to be poor.
Ovulation prediction by monitoring salivary electrical resistance with the Cue Fertility Monitor.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between the salivary electrical resistance as measured by the Cue Fertility Monitor and the time of ovulation. 27 cycles in 18 volunteers were analyzed. A slight correlation could be demonstrated between the day of salivary electrical resistance peak and the day of luteinizing hormone (LH) peak. However the changes in salivary electrical resistance values arranged to the day of LH peak were not statistically significant. The days of salivary electrical resistance peak in relation to the day of LH peak were not reproducible in individual women. The apparent relationship between the day of salivary electrical resistance peak and the day of LH peak might be explained by the methodology used. It is concluded that measuring the salivary electrical resistance is of no use in predicting the day of ovulation. (authors)
Telenursing In Home Care Services Experiences of Registered Nurses

This paper reports on experiences of telenursing by registered nurses working in home care services with a focus on leg wounds and their treatment. In the daily work of care giving, distant treatment was provided through technology for two-party encounters between registered nurses and patients. Ten video recorded interviews were conducted with five nurses. Data were analysed with content analysis. The results show that in virtual encounters the nurses felt great satisfaction from having an image of the patient while simultaneously assessing the situation. According to the nurse the patients expressed a sense of security from having audio and video contact with the nurses. The nurses were interested in and utilised the digital camera for recording photos of the wounds. They used the web application to gather information for patients and their kin, and for training while delegating to colleagues, co-workers, and students. The future vision is that two-party encounters are an effective form of communication.
Depression and coping strategies among women with infertility, attending three gynaecological clinics in Ibadan.

Infertility is a crisis that leads to a psychological imbalance. Depression as a consequence of infertility seems to be on the increase. Depressed clients are extremely vulnerable but adequate coping strategies could play valuable role inemotional response.There is adearth of literature on depression and coping modalities among infertile women in Ibadan. The study therefore assessed depression and coping strategies among women with infertility attending three gynaecological clinics in Ibadan, using a descriptive cross-sectional approach in eliciting information from79 women. Beck Depression Inventory and Ways of Coping Checklist were used. The mean age of participants was 35 years +_ 6.0 , with increased age being significantly related to depression (P<0.007). Escape avoidance, positive reappraisal and planned problem solving, tended to be associated with reduced depression. Education of nurses should emphasize skill development in counselling in infertility. A future study with larger sample might identify significant coping strategies.
Rap1‐mediated nucleosome displacement can regulate gene expression in senescent cells without impacting the pace of senescence

Cell senescence is accompanied, and in part mediated, by changes in chromatin, including histone losses, but underlying mechanisms are not well understood. We reported previously that during yeast cell senescence driven by telomere shortening, the telomeric protein Rap1 plays a major role in reprogramming gene expression by relocalizing hundreds of new target genes (called NRTS, for new Rap1 targets at senescence) to the promoters. This leads to two types of histone loss: Rap1 lowers histone level globally by repressing histone gene expression, and it also causes local nucleosome displacement at the promoters of upregulated NRTS. Here, we present evidence of direct binding between Rap1 and histone H3/H4 heterotetramers, and map amino acids involved in the interaction within the Rap1 SANT domain to amino acids 392–394 (SHY). Introduction of a point mutation within the native RAP1 locus that converts these residues to alanines (RAP1SHY), and thus disrupts Rap1‐H3/H4 interaction, does not interfere with Rap1 relocalization to NRTS at senescence, but prevents full nucleosome displacement and gene upregulation, indicating direct Rap1‐H3/H4 contacts are involved in nucleosome displacement. Consistent with this, the histone H3/H4 chaperone Asf1 is similarly unnecessary for Rap1 localization to NRTS but is required for full Rap1‐mediated nucleosome displacement and gene activation. Remarkably, RAP1SHY does not affect the pace of senescence‐related cell cycle arrest, indicating that some changes in gene expression at senescence are not coupled to this arrest.
Single cell transcriptome dynamics from pluripotency to FLK1+ mesoderm

ABSTRACT Hemangiogenic progenitors generating blood and endothelial cells are specified from FLK1-expressing (FLK1+) mesoderm by the transcription factor ETV2. FLK1+ mesoderm also contributes to smooth muscle and cardiomyocytes. However, the developmental process of FLK1+ mesoderm generation and its allocation to various cell fates remain obscure. Recent single cell RNA-sequencing studies of early embryos or in vitro-differentiated human embryonic stem (ES) cells have provided unprecedented information on the spatiotemporal resolution of cells in embryogenesis. These snapshots, however, lack information on continuous dynamic developmental processes. Here, we performed single cell RNA sequencing of in vitro-differentiated mouse ES cells to capture the continuous developmental process leading to hemangiogenesis. We found that hemangiogenic progenitors from ES cells develop through intermediate gastrulation stages, which are gradually specified by ‘relay’-like highly overlapping transcription factor modules. Moreover, the transcriptional program of the Flk1+ mesoderm was maintained in the smooth muscle lineage, suggesting that smooth muscle is the default fate of Flk1+ mesoderm. We also identified the SRC kinase contributing to ETV2-mediated activation of the hemangiogenic program. This continuous transcriptome map will facilitate both basic and applied studies of mesoderm development. Summary: Continuous transcriptome analysis of hemangiogenesis from embryonic stem cells reveals intermediate gastrulation stages that are gradually specified by overlapping transcription factor modules and default smooth muscle fate of FLK1 mesoderm.
Introducing Hybrid Problem-Based Learning Modules in Ayurveda Education: Results of an Exploratory Study.

Objectives: Problem-based learning (PBL) is a well-known student-centered instructional approach that is known to enhance problem-solving skills among the learners. Because teaching/learning methods in most of the Ayurveda colleges in India are still didactic and teacher centric, the effects of introducing PBL have not yet been evaluated. The primary objective of this study was to develop PBL modules for Kriya Sharira (Ayurveda Physiology) and their implementation in a hybrid format. In this method, PBL is used as an add-on component along with didactic lectures. The secondary objective of the study was to compare the learning outcomes achieved through hybrid problem-based learning (HPBL) with those achieved through conventional teaching. Design: This is a prospectively planned post-test-only, controlled interventional design with nonequivalent groups. However, the results have been analyzed in a retrospective manner. Subjects: Students enrolled in the first professional Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery program during two consecutive academic sessions 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 at the Banaras Hindu University were included in the study. While the cohort from 2016 to 2017 session served as the control group, the one from 2017 to 2018 session served as the experimental group. Interventions: The instructional method commonly known as HPBL was introduced to the experimental group. Outcome measures: Five test papers containing mostly Multiple Choice Questions for five different topics were used as the tools for evaluating the learning outcomes in both the groups. Feedback forms regarding the experiences of undergoing HPBL were obtained from experimental group. Results: While the test results for three topics showed that the outcomes of HPBL were comparable with conventional teaching, the results on other two topics suggested that HPBL was slightly better. Feedback obtained showed that there is a considerable acceptance for HPBL over conventional method. Conclusions: The study shows that it is possible to implement HPBL method in a large classroom in the context of Ayurveda education. The findings also indicate that students find HPBL as an acceptable teaching method.
Retracted: Ganoderic Acid A exerts the cytoprotection against hypoxia‐triggered impairment in PC12 cells via elevating microRNA‐153

Ganoderic Acid A (GAA) is often applied for healing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ailments, but the influences in cerebral ischemia injury are still hazy. The research delved into the functions of GAA in hypoxia‐triggered impairment in PC12 cells. PC12 cells received hypoxia management for 12 hr, and subsequently, cell viability, migration, apoptosis, and correlative protein levels were assessed. After preprocessing with GAA, above cell behaviors were monitored again. The vector of microRNA (miR)‐153 inhibitor was utilized for PC12 cell transfection to further explore the functions of miR‐153 in hypoxia‐impaired cells. Pathways of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were investigated via executing western blot for uncovering the latent mechanism. Results revealed that hypoxia disposition triggered PC12 cells impairment via restraining cell viability and migration and accelerating apoptosis. However, GAA visibly mollified hypoxia‐provoked impairment in PC12 cells. Interestingly, the enhancement of miR‐153 triggered by GAA was observed in hypoxia‐impaired PC12 cells. After miR‐153 inhibitor transfection, the protective functions of GAA in hypoxia‐impaired PC12 cells were dramatically inversed. Furthermore, GAA caused PI3K/AKT and mTOR activations via enhancement of miR‐153 in hypoxia‐impaired PC12 cells. The findings evinced that GAA exhibited the protective functions in PC12 cells against hypoxia‐evoked impairment through activating PI3K/AKT and mTOR via elevating miR‐153.