Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NIV in COPD and OHS patients: Predictors of short and long term survival

Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure (CHRF) are associated with increased mortality during hospitalization and after hospital discharge. The aim of the study was to estimate short and long term survival in patients hospitalized for acute respiratory failure. 177 patients (100 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, COPD and 77 Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome, OHS) hospitalized for acute respiratory failure and treated with Non Invasive Ventilation (NIV) were enrolled. 2 year survival was evaluated in all patients and predictors of survival not only during hospitalization but in the period after, were explored. Survival during hospitalization in the COPD group was 94%, while there were no deaths in the OHS group. Increased age (B 0.132, p=0.02) and the level of hypercapnia (B 0.159, p=0.018) were significant predictors of survival in COPD group. 2-year survival in both groups was affected by the use of NIV (p<0.001 for both groups), while in COPD group sex (B -1.248, p=0.036) and FEV 1/FVC (B 0.096, p=0.005) were additional predictors. Patients presenting with acute respiratory failure due to COPD or OHS, can be effectively treated in a regular ward with NIV. Receiving NIV at home directly after hospital discharge can prolong survival.Word count 197.
A STUDY ON CLINICAL, LABORATORY PROFILE AND OUTCOME OF DENGUE FEVER

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In recent days there is an alarming increase in the incidence of dengue fever and has emerged as a serious international public health threat with almost half of the world's population at risk for infection. Very few studies have been conducted in this part of our country and hence this study was undertaken to study the clinical picture, laboratory profile and outcome of dengue fever in and around khammam. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A prospective study was conducted over one year at Mamata General Hospital, during which 190 cases were diagnosed as dengue fever which were taken into study and evaluated for clinical, laboratory profile and their outcome. RESULTS: Out of 190 patients taken into study, fever was the most common presentation followed by headache. Thrombocytopenia was seen in 75% of the patients. Bleeding manifestations were seen in patients with platelet counts less than 40000/mm3. 18 patients were diagnosed as DHF, 6 patients were diagnosed as DSS. During our study 10 patients expired. CONCLUSION: The clinical and hematological picture of dengue fever is like any other viral fevers and the bleeding manifestations are seen in patients whose platelet counts decreases less than 40000/mm 3 only.
Health-related quality of life in a cohort of youths with type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has been widely studied. The objectives of this study were to evaluate and identify the factors influencing the HRQOL of children and adolescents with T1DM. MATERIAL AND METHODS In total, 59 patients (9-16 years, T1DM for ≥1 year) responded to a version of the Diabetes Quality of Life Instrument for Youth (DQOLY) adapted to adapted to Brazilian patients, the Instrumento de Qualidade de Vida para Jovens com Diabetes (IQVJD). This instrument comprises 50 items (domains satisfaction, impact, and concerns, with the lowest scores corresponding to better HRQOL) and a questionnaire gathering social, demographic, and clinical parameters. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 13.6 years, and 57.6% were girls. The median age at diagnosis was 7.16 years, 63% presented diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis and 29% during follow-up. Mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in the previous year was 10%. All patients administered multiple insulin doses (mean 4.2 applications/day), 74.5% used rapid-acting and intermediate-acting insulin analogs, and 67.8% used pens for insulin application. The results of the DQOLY were within the cutoff limit for better HRQOL. An isolated analysis of each domain and the questionnaire results showed that the following factors were associated with better HRQOL: height Z-score, lower HbA1c, practice of physical activity, use of pen, fewer hospitalizations, and residence in a rural area. There was a high DKA rate at diagnosis, and the metabolic control was inappropriate in most patients. Despite coming from low-income households, most patients had access to the recommended treatment. CONCLUSION Among T1DM patients, 71% had IQVJD scores compatible with better HRQOL.
Time-varying coefficient models and measurement error

This thesis is concerned with presenting and developing modeling approaches which allow for a time-varying effect of covariates by using time-varying coefficients. The different approaches are compared in simulation studies. Thereby, we investigate how well different components of the simulated models can be identified. The models performing best in the simulation study are then applied to data collected within the study "Improved Air Quality and its Influences on Short-Term Health Effects in Erfurt, Eastern Germany". One specific aspect in this analysis is to assess the necessity of a time-varying estimate compared to a more parsimonious, time-constant fit. A further topic is the estimation of time-varying coefficient models in the presence of measurement errors in the exposure variable. We specify a measurement error model and present methods to estimate parameters and measurement error variances of the model in the case of autocorrelated latent exposure as well as measurement errors. Furthermore, two methods adjusting for measurement errors in the context of time-varying coefficients are developed. The first one is based on a hierarchical Bayesian model and the Bayesian error correction principle. The second method is an extension of the well-known regression calibration approach to the case of autocorrelated data. The obtained estimated true values can then be included into the main model to assess the effect of the variable of interest. Finally, the approaches are again applied to the Erfurt data.
Associative and Causal Constraints in the Process of Generating Predictive Inferences

Four experiments investigated how the reading of semantic associates of a predictive inference raised its activation level. Two kinds of semantic associations were distinguished: those that could causally relate text events to the inference in a representation of the described situation and those that could not. Lexical decision data indicated that in both cases the predictive inferences were activated to the same high level (Experiment 1), even when no other causal support of the inference could be found in the text (Experiment 3). However, the results of a judgment task performed at various delays (immediately after the reading of the predictive sentences, at a 3- sentence delay, and after the reading of all the texts) suggests that readers evaluate the plausibility of the predictive inferences on the basis of their causal support from text events. These findings suggest that the initial activation of predictive inferences mainly results from the associative constraints governing the elaborative process of the meaning of text words. The causal constraints of the predictive inferences intervene later to eventually reinforce the integration of the inference to readers' representation. The compatibility of these results with the comprehension models of Kintsch (1988, 1998) is discussed.
Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles and zinc sulfate on the testis of common carp, Cyprinus carpio

Abstract The present study analyzed the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) in the testis of six-month-old common carp Cyprinus carpio exposed to three different doses, viz., 10, 50, and 100 μg/L for 21 days. Characterization of ZnO-NPs was done after sonication, the size and shape of ZnO-NPs were determined as ∼20–30 nm spherical structure measured zeta potential of +26.0 mV. After treatment, determination of zinc (Zn) concentration in the testes revealed desired impact of the exposure. Expression of several transcription factors and few steroidogenic enzyme genes in the treated testis showed significant downregulation than the control. Measurement of oxidative stress-related enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione-S-transferase revealed substantial elevation in the testis of treated groups when compared to control. Histological analysis of testis exhibited dose-related response, defective lumen, and slow progression of spermatogenesis. Exposure of both the forms of Zn on TM3 Leydig cell culture displayed loss of adhesion, clumping with decreased viability, and a significant increase in the apoptotic cells. In addition, comet and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays authenticated DNA damage upon treatment with a significant increase in ROS. Histological analysis after treatment withdrawal showed revival of testis in carp to rescue the effect. Thus, the present report highlights the adverse effect of Zn on the testis function in common carp as well as evident drastically toxic in in vitro cultures.
The impact of state parity laws on copayments for and adherence to oral endocrine therapy for breast cancer

Adherence to endocrine therapy for breast cancer is often inadequate, in part because of out‐of‐pocket costs for medication. Numerous states have enacted parity laws to limit patient cost‐sharing for oral anticancer drugs. The objective of this study was to estimate the impact of these laws on patient copayments for and adherence to oral endocrine therapy for breast cancer.
Enhanced Antioxidant Activity for Apple Juice Fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC14917

The present study examined the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC14917 fermentation on the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of apple juice. Apple juice was fermented and examined of its antioxidant activity using chemical models and cellular antioxidant assay. Furthermore, the chemical composition of fermented apple juice was characterized by LC-MS/MS. Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC14917 fermentation showed an increase in DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity as well as cellular antioxidant activity of apple juice. However, fermentation decreased the total phenolic and flavonoid content. Subsequent LC-MS/MS analysis of the phenolic profile indicated that the content of 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA), quercetin, and phloretin with strong antioxidant activity was increased significantly after fermentation. The modified phenolic composition may contribute to the increased antioxidant activity of fermented apple juice. Our findings showed that Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC14917 fermentation may be an efficient way to enhance the bioavailability of phenolic compounds and to protect cells from oxidative stress.
Antigenicity, pathogenicity and immunosuppressive effect caused by a South American isolate of infectious bursal disease virus belonging to the “distinct” genetic lineage

ABSTRACT Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is the causative agent of a highly contagious immunosuppressive disease affecting young chickens. The recently described “distinct IBDV” (dIBDV) genetic lineage encompasses a group of worldwide distributed strains that share conserved genetic characteristics in both genome segments making them unique within IBDV strains. Phenotypic characterization of these strains is scarce and limited to Asiatic and European strains collected more than 15 years ago. The present study aimed to assess the complete and comprehensive phenotypic characterization of a recently collected South American dIBDV strain (1/chicken/URY/1302/16). Genetic analyses of both partial genome segments confirmed that this strain belongs to the dIBDV genetic lineage and that it is not a reassortant. Antigenic analysis with monoclonal antibodies indicated that this strain has a particular antigenic profile, similar to that obtained in a dIBDV strain from Europe (80/GA), which differs from those previously found in the traditional classic, variant and very virulent strains. Chickens infected with the South American dIBDV strain showed subclinical infections but had a marked bursal atrophy. Further analysis using Newcastle disease virus-immunized chickens, previously infected with the South American and European dIBDV strains, demonstrated their severe immunosuppressive effect. These results indicate that dIBDV strains currently circulating in South America can severely impair the immune system of chickens, consequently affecting the local poultry industry. Our study provides new insights into the characteristics and variability of this global genetic lineage and is valuable to determine whether specific control measures are required for the dIBDV lineage. Research Highlights A South American strain of the dIBDV lineage was phenotypically characterized. The strain produced subclinical infections with a marked bursal atrophy. Infected chickens were severely immunosuppressed. The dIBDV strains are antigenically divergent from other IBDV lineages.
Increased prevalence of anti‐TNF therapy in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease is associated with a decline in surgical resections during childhood

Anti‐tumour necrosis factor‐α (anti‐TNF) therapy use has risen in paediatric‐onset inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD). Whether this has translated into preventing/delaying childhood surgery is uncertain. The Wessex PIBD cohort was analysed for trends in anti‐TNF‐therapy and surgery.
PENGARUH PENGGUNAAN MEDIA SOSIAL TERHADAP PENGEMBANGAN USAHA KECIL MENENGAH (UKM)

Salah satu teknologi internet yang sedang berkembang pesat dan sangat berpotensi untuk mendorong pemasaran UKM adalah media sosial. Media sosial memiliki potensi menghubungkan banyak orang dengan mudah dan gratis. Contoh-contoh media sosial yang berkembang saat ini adalah : twitter, facebook, myspace, youtube, instagram, path, whatsapp, line, dll. Subyek dalam penelitian ini adalah pemilik, pengelola dan karyawan UKM dengan jenis usaha jasa, dagang atau industri. Bidang usaha pada penelitian ini di antaranya industri atau dagang makanan, jasa event organiser, jasa atau dagang property, dagang atau industri konveksi, dagang atau industri kerajinan, jasa travel agent dan transportasi. Seluruh UKM yang dijadikan subyek pada penelitian ini telah mengimplementasikan media sosial sebagai media informasi dan komunikasi perusahaan. Sebagian besar UKM memanfaatkan berbagai jenis media sosial untuk memasarkan dan mengiklankan produk barang dagang dan jasa perusahaan. Hampir seluruh UKM menggunakan media sosial Facebook, twitter dan instagram untuk menampilkan profil perusahaan dan galeri produk perusahaan. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan media sosial yang paling banyak digunakan adalah Facebook, Twitter dan Instagram dan penggunaan media sosial dapat meningkatkan penjualan hingga lebih dari 100% apabila perusahaann melakukan update informasi secara konsisten melalui media sosial setiap hari. Kata kunci : media sosial, UKM, penjualan
Effects of housing conditions on behaviors and biochemical parameters in juvenile cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)

To investigate the effects of environmental enrichment on laboratory monkeys, we studied behavioral and physiological differences following changes in housing conditions. Ten male and female juvenile cynomolgus monkeys were first housed in pairs for 8 weeks after quarantine/acclimatization (singly housed) and subsequently housed alone for the next 8 weeks. Monkeys were subjected to evaluations of body weight gain, stereotypic or affiliative behaviors, cortisol, 4-ethylphenyl sulfate (4EPS) and catecholamine concentrations in biological samples, and blood chemistry tests under both housing conditions. Under paired housing, the stereotypic behavioral score decreased in both sexes, and the affiliative behavioral score increased in males and showed an increasing trend in females. Under single housing, the stereotypic score increased in both sexes, and the affiliative score decreased in males. Paired housing decreased serum calcium and urine cortisol concentrations in both sexes and decreased plasma cortisol in males and plasma 4EPS concentrations in females. The stereotypic score was positively correlated with serum calcium, plasma and urine cortisol, and plasma 4EPS concentration and negatively correlated with the affiliative score. The feces painting score, affiliative score, and plasma cortisol and serum calcium concentrations showed sex differences, suggesting differences in responsiveness to environmental changes between males and females. In conclusion, paired housing improved behavioral abnormalities in juvenile cynomolgus monkeys, suggesting that it may be an effective environmental enrichment paradigm. Calcium, cortisol, and 4EPS concentrations in biological samples may be useful indices for evaluating the effects of environmental enrichment.
Successful Outcome of Hyperhemolysis in Sickle Cell Disease following Multiple Lines of Treatment: The Role of Complement Inhibition

Abstract Delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction (DHTR) is a life-threatening complication in patients with sickle cell disease, characterized by difficulties in diagnosis and management. Certain reports have suggested successful salvage treatment with the terminal complement inhibitor, eculizumab. We here report evidence of complement activation and successful complement inhibition with one dose of eculizumab in an adult sickle cell disease patient presenting DHTR with hyperhemolysis. A 21-year old female sickle cell disease patient [Hb S (HBB: c.20A>T)/β-thalassemia (β-thal)] presented at our Adult Thalassaemia Unit, Hippokration General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece, with headaches, perioral numbness and pain in both antibrachia. The patient was admitted with the diagnosis of vaso-occlussive crisis (VOC) and treated symptomatically. On her third day of admission, due to hemoglobin (Hb) value of 6.9 g/dL with increase in reticulocytes, the patient was transfused with one unit of compatible leukodepleted red blood cells (RBC). The following day, hemolytic parameters increased, although Coombs, panel antibodies and screening tests were negative. Five days later, she again received a unit of RBCs, resulting in another increase of hemolytic parameters. During the following 2 days, there was a dramatic decrease of Hb levels to 5.4 g/dL with reticulocytes at 6.0%, negative Coombs testing and negative alloantibodies. Based on these findings, we recognized the syndrome of DHTR with hyperhemolysis. Given the lack of immediate access to other treatment, we administered intravenous rituximab, immunoglobulins and corticosteroids. As there was no response, one dose of eculizumab (900 mg) was then administered with ciprofloxacin as prophylaxis. The patient remains well 6 months post treatment.
Methods for two-party privacy-preserving linear programming.

vii Declaration . ix Acknowledgments . xi
IL-8 Secreted from M2 Macrophages Promoted Prostate Tumorigenesis via STAT3/MALAT1 Pathway

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a major health problem in males. Metastasis-associated with lung adenocarcinoma transcript-1 (MALAT1), which is overexpressed in PCa tissue, is associated with physiological and pathological conditions of PCa. M2 macrophages are major immune cells abundant in the tumor microenvironment. However, it remains unknown whether M2 macrophages are involved in the effects or not, and molecular mechanisms of MALAT1 on PCa progression have not yet been comprehensively explored. Here we reported that, M2 macrophages (PMA/IL-4 treated THP1) induced MALAT1 expression in PCa cell lines. Knockdown MALAT1 expression level in PCa cell lines inhibited cellular proliferation, invasion, and tumor formation. Further mechanistic dissection revealed that M2 macrophages secreted IL-8 was sufficient to drive up MALAT1 expression level via activating STAT3 signaling pathway. Additional chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and luciferase reporter assays displayed that STAT3 could bind to the MALAT1 promoter region and transcriptionally stimulate the MALAT1 expression. In summary, our present study identified the IL-8/STAT3/MALAT1 axis as key regulators during prostate tumorigenesis and therefore demonstrated a new mechanism for the MALAT1 transcriptional regulation.
LDHA and LDHB are dispensable for aerobic glycolysis in neuroblastoma cells while promoting their aggressiveness

Ždralević et al. (1) show that LDHA and LDHB are redundant in the Warburg effect. These data are in line with recent findings in neuroblastoma cells, where both LDHA and LDHB were found to be dispensable for aerobic glycolysis (2). In contrast to the results of Ždralević et al., however, concomitant depletion of LDHA and LDHB in neuroblastoma cells did not abrogate the Warburg effect. Also in contrast, depletion of either LDHA or LDHB in neuroblastoma cells decreased their aggressiveness, showing that LDHA and LDHB can have cancer-promoting effects independent of aerobic glycolysis. Along this line, LDHA expression was shown to be an independent prognostic marker in neuroblastoma patients. While the contrasting findings may be explained in part by cell type–specific differences in the function of LDHA and LDHB, or by methodological differences, both papers question a nonredundant role of LDHA in aerobic glycolysis and delineate the limitations of therapeutically targeting the Warburg effect in general, and LDHA and LDHB in particular.
Renal Denervation: Paradise Lost? Paradise Regained?

Renal denervation is a relatively recent concept whose initial promising results suffered a setback following the SYMPLICITY 3 trial, which did not show a significant blood pressure-lowering effect in comparison to sham. In this review article, we begin with the history including the physiological basis behind the concept of renal denervation. Furthermore, we review the literature in support of renal denervation, including the recently published SPYRAL HTN-OFF MED, which demonstrated significant blood pressure reduction in the absence of antihypertensive medication. We further touch upon the potential pitfalls and possible future directions of renal denervation. hypertension, electroporation, blood
MicroRNA 146a Polymorphisms and Expression in Indian Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Background MicroRNAs (miR) have been reported to be involved in hematopoiesis and in the pathogenesis of several hematological malignant neoplasms. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in human miR genes may alter the expression of those genes and influence the predisposition to childhood leukemia. Objective To evaluate the association of rs2910164 G>C, rs57095329 A>G and the expression of miRNA-146a in ethnic South Asian children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Method Genotyping and expression analysis using TaqMan Small RNA Assay was performed on 71 patients with pathologically confirmed ALL and 74 control individuals. Results No statistically significant association was found between the 2 SNPs, its expression levels, and ALL risk. Conclusion Haplotype analysis indicated a combination of allele A of rs57095329 and allele G of rs2910164 could represent a risk haplotype and an allele combination of G of rs57095329 and G of rs2910164 could represent a protective haplotype for ALL.