Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pim‐1 as a Therapeutic Target in Lupus Nephritis

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a major determinant of morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Pim‐1 regulates lymphocyte proliferation and activation. The role of Pim‐1 in autoimmune disease remains unclear. This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that inhibition of Pim‐1 would have therapeutic potential in patients with LN.
Efficacy and safety of thrombopoietin receptor agonists in children with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura: meta-analysis

Abstract Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder presenting with low platelet count <100 × 109/L. The condition affects both adults and children. Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) are second-line of therapy that includes Romiplostim and Eltrombopag, which stimulate the production of normally functioning platelets. Although the biological effect of these drugs is well established, there has not been a meta-analysis in children. To estimate the efficacy and safety of Romiplostim and Eltrombopag, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis in children with chronic ITP. Systematic literature search was conducted in the following database: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Review Manager 5.3 for Windows was used to analyze the data. Five randomized controlled trials with total of 261 pediatric patients from 1–17 years of age were included. The efficacy and safety analysis showed TPO-RA groups were superior over placebo, and there was no difference in adverse event occurrence between TPO-RA (Romiplostim and Eltrombopag) and placebo groups. The efficacy and safety of Eltrombopag did not differ significantly from those of Romiplostim. Both drugs were effective in treatment of children with chronic ITP. Our findings extend the currently available data on ITP treatment and is helpful for pediatric health providers and for the design of future clinical trials.
The association between the Mediterranean diet and high physical activity among the working population in Croatia.

BACKGROUND Unhealthy eating habits and physical inactivity constitute an emerging public health problem. The working population is of special interest for public health monitoring and evaluation because workers' unhealthy lifestyles may lead to reduced work ability. The aim of this study was to determine diet quality and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), according to the level of physical activity, and to detect variables associated with the working population's being highly physically active. MATERIAL AND METHODS At the Institute for Occupational Medicine 400 full-time workers were examined for obesity factors, filled in the short version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-short) and a validated food frequency questionnaire for adherence to the Mediterranean diet using Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS). The workers were divided into low, moderate and high physical activity groups according to the IPAQ-short scoring protocol. Hierarchical linear regression was performed to determine the variables associated with being highly active. RESULTS One-third of the participants were highly physically active and their diet adhered to the MD (MeMDS = 7). Significant variables associated with a high level of physical activity were gender (p < 0.001), age (p = 0.02), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (p < 0.001), sitting level (p = 0.044) and occupational type (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS It was found that the participants displaying a high level of physical activity had a better quality diet that adhered to the Mediterranean diet but not to a significant degree. The variables associated with a high level of physical activity were male gender, younger age, normal WHR, non-sedentary occupation and reduced sitting time. The study findings could serve the purpose of improving future public health promotion of physical activity and the Mediterranean diet. Med Pr. 2019;70(2):169-76.
The multidisciplinary team's perception on the structure of mental health services: phenomenological study.

OBJECTIVE To understand the multidisciplinary team`s perception in relation to the mental health services` organizational structure in the city of Cascavel-Paraná. METHODS It is exploratory, descriptive, qualitative study with Alfred Schütz's Social Phenomenology approach. The information was collected through a semi structured interview with professionals of those services, between May and July 2016 and analyzed from the social phenomenology`s assumptions. RESULTS From the analysis, the following categories were identified: the mental health care network`s organizational structure; care actions in the context of the mental health services` organizational structure and; expectations regarding the mental health care network. CONCLUSIONS The multidisciplinary team has knowledge about the structural and organizational format of mental health services and has expectations of improvements regarding the future of mental health care in the city.
Common feline problem behaviors: Aggression in multi-cat households

Practical relevance: Being able to understand and intervene in cases of cat–cat aggression in multi-cat households is important for all veterinarians and behavior counsellors dealing with feline behavior cases. Clincal challenges: Feline conflicts are common, perhaps not helped by many owners’ assumption that this is the norm. Interventions can be complex in multi-cat households with large numbers of cats as there are more interactions to evaluate and monitor, and care needs to be taken not to negatively affect the other cats. There may be limitations due to the environment or the people involved and so behavior guidelines should always be tailored to the individual situation. Aims: This article reviews the main forms of aggression in multi-cat households and the appropriate behavioral interventions, considering both the typical scenarios and emotions/motivations most likely involved. It details essential environmental management for multi-cat homes, as well as an approach to friendly cat introductions. Audience: This article is aimed at veterinarians dealing with feline behavior cases as well as behavior counsellors, as both professionals are likely to experience cases of aggression in multi-cat households. Evidence base: The author draws on the published literature where available and, where there is a lack of research, on hypotheses derived from her own clinical behavior experience.
AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Activation in Dorsal Root Ganglion Suppresses mTOR/p70S6K Signaling and Alleviates Painful Radiculopathies in Lumbar Disc Herniation Rat Model

Study Design.Animal experiment: a rat model of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) induced painful radiculopathies.Objective. To investigate the role and mechanism of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons in LDH-induced painful radiculopathies.Summary of Background Data.Ov
Evidence for Urban–Rural Disparity in Temperature–Mortality Relationships in Zhejiang Province, China

Background: Temperature-related mortality risks have mostly been studied in urban areas, with limited evidence for urban–rural differences in the temperature impacts on health outcomes. Objectives: We investigated whether temperature–mortality relationships vary between urban and rural counties in China. Methods: We collected daily data on 1 km gridded temperature and mortality in 89 counties of Zhejiang Province, China, for 2009 and 2015. We first performed a two-stage analysis to estimate the temperature effects on mortality in urban and rural counties. Second, we performed meta-regression to investigate the modifying effect of the urbanization level. Stratified analyses were performed by all-cause, nonaccidental (stratified by age and sex), cardiopulmonary, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality. We also calculated the fraction of mortality and number of deaths attributable to nonoptimum temperatures associated with both cold and heat components. The potential sources of the urban–rural differences were explored using meta-regression with county-level characteristics. Results: Increased mortality risks were associated with low and high temperatures in both rural and urban areas, but rural counties had higher relative risks (RRs), attributable fractions of mortality, and attributable death counts than urban counties. The urban–rural disparity was apparent for cold (first percentile relative to minimum mortality temperature), with an RR of 1.47 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32, 1.62] associated with all-cause mortality for urban counties, and 1.98 (95% CI: 1.87, 2.10) for rural counties. Among the potential sources of the urban–rural disparity are age structure, education, GDP, health care services, air conditioners, and occupation types. Conclusions: Rural residents are more sensitive to both cold and hot temperatures than urban residents in Zhejiang Province, China, particularly the elderly. The findings suggest past studies using exposure–response functions derived from urban areas may underestimate the mortality burden for the population as a whole. The public health agencies aimed at controlling temperature-related mortality should develop area-specific strategies, such as to reduce the urban–rural gaps in access to health care and awareness of risk prevention. Future projections on climate health impacts should consider the urban–rural disparity in mortality risks. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP3556
Differences in beliefs about pain control after surgery due to lumbar or cervical discopathy and degenerative spine disease.

BACKGROUND Clinical, psychological and demographic variables have been investigated to determine factors involved in quality of life of patients with chronic pain. It has been stressed that chronic pain is more associated with beliefs about pain, than with pain intensity. OBJECTIVE The main aim of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to examine differences between postoperative beliefs about pain control, perception of pain and mood disturbances in patients treated operatively due to neck or lumbar discopathy and degenerative spine disease. METHODS Forty-four patients treated operatively due to lumbar and forty-one patients treated surgically due to cervical discopathy filled in the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-PL) and Beliefs about Pain Control Questionnaire (BPCQ-PL). Patients with lumbar and cervical discopathy additionally completed disease-specific outcome measures. RESULTS The patient groups do not differ significantly in regards to BPCQ-PL, BDI-PL or VAS. Both study samples differ in regards to dependencies related to beliefs that pain is controlled by powerful others and about internal control of pain. CONCLUSIONS Cognitive-behavioral interventions, concerning depression and beliefs about pain control, may be appropriate for both lumbar and cervical surgical populations, to improve post-surgical functioning.
Characterizing Mental Health Treatment Utilization among Individuals Exposed to the 2001 World Trade Center Terrorist Attacks 14–15 Years Post-Disaster

Following the World Trade Center (WTC) attacks in New York City (NYC) on 11 September 2001 (9/11), thousands in NYC experienced significant stress reactions and disorders, presenting an immediate need for counseling and treatment. While other studies documented post-9/11 mental health treatment utilization, none have data more than two years post-disaster. We used data from 35,629 enrollees of the WTC Health Registry, a longitudinal cohort study of those exposed to the WTC attacks, to examine predictors of counseling after 9/11, the types of practitioners seen, and the perceived helpfulness of therapy up to 15 years post-disaster. Among enrollees, 37.7% reported receiving counseling at some time after 9/11. Predictors of seeking counseling included race/ethnicity, age at 9/11, education level, exposure to the WTC attacks, other traumatic experiences, mental health symptomology, and pre-9/11 counseling. Whites and Hispanics, those who were children on 9/11, and those with high levels of exposure to the WTC attacks sought counseling soonest after 9/11. Among those who sought counseling, Blacks, Asians, and those with lower education and income were less likely to see mental health specialists and more likely to see general practitioners or religious advisors. Finally, among those who sought recent counseling, women, Blacks, those aged ≥65 years, and those with very high WTC exposures were more likely to rate their recent counseling as very helpful. This study used data up to 15 years post-disaster to document mental health treatment utilization patterns, trends, and disparities that have implications for future preparedness plans and needs assessments.
Traditional methods for managing illness in newborns and infants in an Arab society.

AIM This study explored self-management practices in relation to traditional methods for managing illness in newborns and infants and the implications of these practices on infant health. BACKGROUND Self-medication with folk remedies is believed to have short- and long-term impacts on well-being. Little is known about how mothers in Arab societies used their traditional beliefs and practices in self-managing their newborns' and infants' health. METHODS Data were collected from five focus groups using open-ended questions with 37 mothers. Participants were selected using snowball sampling and were recruited from four different cities in Jordan between June 2016 and August 2016. ETHICAL APPROVAL All identifying information regarding the study participants has been omitted, and this study was approved by the Academic Research Committee at the University of Jordan. FINDINGS Mothers were more willing to try herbal remedies, traditional massage and certain foods to self-manage their infants' health. Folk remedies were not restricted to traditions handed down through generations, but included a representation of newly emerged trends towards 'safety' or 'nature'. CONCLUSIONS While the use of folk remedies have been handed down generations as customs, today, virtual support groups and social media provide modern resources for folk remedies' promotion in care and self-management. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY Nursing and health policymakers can use our findings for planning and developing strategies and health policies that increase public awareness about adverse health effects associated with herbal remedies. Such strategies are likely to be facilitated through partnerships between nursing and midwifery education institutions, antenatal clinics and social media in the region.
Neuronal autoantibodies associated with cognitive impairment in melanoma patients

Abstract Background Cancer-related cognitive impairment is an important complication in cancer patients, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Over the last decade, the field of paraneoplastic neurological syndromes has been dramatically changed by the discovery of new neuronal autoantibodies, some of them associated with cognitive impairment. We aimed to assess the prevalence of neuronal autoantibodies in melanoma patients and their association with neurological and cognitive dysfunction. Patients and methods A total of 157 consecutive melanoma patients with a median age of 63 years were recruited at the Department of Dermatology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin and tested for neuronal autoantibodies. A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment was carried out in a selected subgroup of 84 patients after exclusion of patients with confounding factors for a cognitive dysfunction, including brain metastases, relevant medication, and neurological disorders. Results Neuronal autoantibodies were found in 22.3% of melanoma patients. The most frequent antibodies were IgA/IgM anti-NMDAR antibodies. Applying the International Cognition and Cancer Task Force criteria, 36.9% had cognitive impairment, however, with a threefold higher odds in antibody-positive compared with antibody-negative patients (57.1% versus 30.2%, OR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.1 to 8.6; P = 0.037). In patients with anti-NMDAR antibodies, this impairment increased with higher antibody titers (P = 0.007). Antibody-positive patients had a significantly impaired overall cognitive performance (z-value: −0.38 ± 0.69 versus 0.00 ± 0.56; P = 0.014) as well as significant impairments in tests of memory, attention, and executive function. In a multiple linear regression analysis, autoantibodies were an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment (B = −0.282; 95% CI: −0.492 to −0.071; P = 0.009). Autoantibody seropositivity was associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment and a history of autoimmune diseases. Conclusions A large number of melanoma patients harbor neuronal autoantibodies that are associated with significant cognitive impairment affecting memory, attention, and executive function. Neuronal autoantibodies might represent a pathophysiological factor and possible biomarker in the development of cancer-related cognitive impairment.
Spatiotemporal successions of shrimp gut microbial colonization: high consistency despite distinct species pool

Aquatic animals encounter suites of novel planktonic microbes during their development. Although hosts have been shown to exert strong selection on their gut microbiota from surrounding environment, to what extent and the generality that the gut microbiota and the underlying ecological processes are affected by biotic and abiotic variations are largely unclear. Here, these concerns were explored by coupling spatiotemporal data on gut and rearing water bacterial communities with environmental variables over shrimp life stages at spatially distant locations. Shrimp gut microbiotas significantly changed mirroring their development, as evidenced by gut bacterial signatures of shrimp life stage contributing 95.5% stratification accuracy. Shrimp sourced little (2.6%-15.8%) of their gut microbiota from their rearing water. This microbial resistance was reflected by weak compositional differences between shrimp farming spatially distinct locations where species pools were distinct. Consistently, the assembly of shrimp gut microbiota was not adequately explained by the rearing water variables and bacterial community, but rather by host-age-associated biotic features. The successions of shrimp gut microbiota were droved by replacement (βsim), rather than by nestedness (βnes), while those of bacterioplankton communities were equally governed by replacement and nestedness. Our study highlights how shrimp gut bacterial community assembly is coupled to their development, rearing species pool, and that the successional pattern of host-associated communities is differed from that of free-living bacteria.
MIP-1α Induction by Palmitate in the Human Monocytic Cells Implicates TLR4 Signaling Mechanism.

BACKGROUND/AIMS MIP-1α (macrophage inflammatory protein 1α)/CCL3 chemokine is associated with the adipose tissue inflammation in obesity. Both MIP-1α and free fatty acids are elevated in obesity/T2D. We asked if free fatty acid palmitate could modulate MIP1α expression in the human monocytic cells. METHODS Human monocytic THP-1 cells and macrophages were stimulated with palmitate and TNF-α (positive control). MIP-1α expression was measured with real time RT-PCR, Flow Cytometry and ELISA. Signaling pathways were identified by using THP-1-XBlue™ cells, THP-1-XBlue™-defMyD cells, anti-TLR4 mAb and TLR4 siRNA. RESULTS Our data show that palmitate induced significant increase in MIP1α production in monocytic THP-1 cells/macrophages. MIP-1α induction was significantly suppressed when cells were treated with anti-TLR4 antibody prior stimulation with palmitate. Using TLR4 siRNA, we further demonstrate that palmitate-induced MIP-1α expression in monocytic cells requires TLR4. Moreover, THP1 cells defective in MyD88, a major adaptor protein involved in TLR4 signaling, were unable to induce MIP-1α production in response to palmitate. Palmitate-induced MIP-1α expression was suppressed by inhibition of MAPK, NFkB and PI3K signaling pathways. In addition, palmitate-induced NF-κB/AP-1 activation was observed while production of MIP-1α. However, this activation of NF-κB/AP-1 was abrogated in MyD88 deficient cells. CONCLUSION Overall, these results show that palmitate induces TLR4dependent MIP-1α expression requiring the MyD88 recruitment and activation of MAPK, NF-κB/AP-1 and PI3K signaling. It implies that the increased systemic levels of free fatty acid palmitate in obesity/T2D may contribute to metabolic inflammation through excessive production of MIP-1a.
CDK12 phosphorylates 4E-BP1 to enable mTORC1-dependent translation and mitotic genome stability

Here, Choi et al. show that CDK12, the RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain kinase, which regulates genome stability, expression of DNA repair genes, and cancer cell drug resistance, also phosphorylates the mRNA 5′ cap-binding repressor 4E-BP1 to promote translation of mTORC1-dependent mRNAs. Using RIP-seq and Ribo-seq, the authors found that CDK12 regulates binding of eIF4G to many mTORC1 target mRNAs, and identified specific CDK12 “translation-only” target mRNAs.
Science to Practice : Does Diffusion-Tensor MR Imaging Provide Accurate Tracing of Specific White Matter Tracts That Correspond to Actual Anatomic and Functional Units in the Central Nervous System ?

See page 855 Summary: By using healthy common marmoset monkeys, Yamada et al (1) traced the retinogeniculate pathways with ultra high–spatial-resolution manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and diffusion-tensor imaging at 7 T. Both methods were compared with morphologic findings described in published histopathologic studies. Both methods provided identical tracing of the optic nerve, optic chiasm, and optic tracts to the level of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), faithfully reproducing the crossing of the nasal portion of the optic nerve at the level of the chiasm into the contralateral optic tract. This study strongly suggests that diffusion-tensor imaging, a noninvasive method that can be used in human research and clinical practice, has the potential to provide accurate tracing of specific white matter tracts that correspond to actual anatomic and functional units in the central nervous system.
Etiological involvement of CFTR in apparently unrelated human diseases

Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA; Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France; Equipe 11 labellisée Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France; INSERM, U1138, Paris, France; Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France; Pôle de Biologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France; Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden