Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical Effectiveness of Percutaneous Epidural Neuroplasty According to the Type of Single-Level Lumbar Disc Herniation : A 12-Month Follow-Up Study

Objective To determine whether the outcomes of percutaneous epidural neuroplasty (PEN) are influenced by the type of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and evaluate the effectiveness of PEN in patients with single-level LDH. Methods This study included 430 consecutive patients with single-level LDH who underwent PEN. Before treatment, the LDH type was categorized as bulging, protrusion, extrusion, and sequestration, while Pfirrmann grades were assigned according to imaging findings. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores for back and leg pain and success rates (Odom’s criteria) were assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Results The mean preoperative VAS scores for back and leg pain were 6.90 and 4.23, respectively; these decreased after PEN as follows : 2.25 and 1.45, respectively, at 1 month; 2.61 and 1.68, respectively, at 3 months; 2.28 and 1.48, respectively, at 6 months; and 2.88 and 1.48, respectively, at 12 months (p<0.001). The decrease in VAS scores for leg pain was significantly greater in the extrusion and sequestration groups than in the other two groups (p<0.05); there were no other significant differences among groups. More than 70% patients exhibited good or excellent 12-month outcomes according to Odom’s criteria. Subsequent surgery was required for 59 patients (13.7%), with a significantly higher rate in the extrusion (25.0%) and sequestration (30.0%) groups than in the bulging (7.3%) and protrusion (13.8%) groups (p<0.05). Nevertheless, subsequent surgery was not required for >70% patients with extrusion or sequestration. Patients with Pfirrmann grades 1–3 (14.0–21.5%) showed a significantly higher rate of subsequent surgery than those with Pfirrmann grade 0 (4.9%; p<0.05). Conclusion Our findings suggest that PEN is an effective treatment for back and leg pain caused by single-level LDH, with the outcomes remaining unaffected by the LDH type.
Foraging theory and the propensity to be obese: an alternative to thrift

The evolutionary origin of obesity is classically believed to be genetic or developmentally induced thrift, as an adaptation to ancestral feast and famine conditions. However, recently the thrift family of hypotheses have attracted serious criticism necessitating alternative thinking. Optimization of foraging behaviour is an important aspect of behavioural evolution. For a species evolved for optimizing nutritional benefits against predation or other foraging risks, reduction in foraging risk below a threshold dramatically increases the steady-state body weight. In modern life where feeding is detached from foraging, the behavioural regulation mechanisms are likely to fail resulting into escalation of adiposity. At a proximate level the signalling pathways for foraging optimization involve fear induced signal molecules in the brain including Cocaine and Amphetamine Regulated Transcript (CART) interacting with adiposity signals such as leptin. While leptin promotes the expression of the fear peptides, the fear peptides promote anorectic action of leptin. This interaction promotes foraging drive and risk tolerance when the stored energy is low and suppresses hunger and foraging drive when the perceived risk is high. The ecological model of foraging optimization and the molecular model of interaction of these peptides converge in the outcome that the steady state adiposity is an inverse square root function of foraging risk. The foraging optimization model is independent of thrift or insurance hypotheses, but not mutually exclusive. We review existing evidence and suggest testable predictions of the model. Understanding obesity simultaneously at proximate and ultimate levels is likely to suggest effective means to curb the obesity epidemic.
PENERAPAN MEDIA PEMBELAJARAN KIMIA BERBASIS SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) UNTUK MENINGKATKAN HASIL BELAJAR SISWA SMA/ SMK PADA MATERI REAKSI REDOKS

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji pengaruh penerapan media pembelajaran terintegrasi berbasis Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) untuk meningkatkan hasil belajar kimia pada materi reaksi redoks. Rancangan penelitian berupa penelitian eksperimen yang terdiri dari validasi dan implementasi media pada pembelajaran kimia SMA/SMK. Media pembelajaran STEM yang dikembangkan berupa sensor gas CO2 dilengkapi dengan modul ajar. Hasil validasi menunjukkan media pembelajaran kimia terintegrasi berbasis STEM memperoleh kriteria valid. Uji coba lapangan dilakukan pada 66 siswa kelas eksperimen dan kontrol di SMKN 5 Surabaya. Berdasarkan hasil uji coba lapangan, terdapat perbedaan hasil belajar yang signifikan baik aspek kognitif, afektif, dan psikomotor.
Gastric Adenocarcinoma in a Moroccan Population: First Report on Survival Data.

BACKGROUND Although its incidence has decreased over the last 20 years, gastric adenocarcinoma remains frequent (1,033,701 new cases worldwide per year, Globocan 2018). Its prognosis is still poor, with overall survival rates of 10 to 25% despite improvement in surgical and perioperative treatment. In Morocco, we do not have data on survival and predictors of mortality in our population, the present study aims to describe the epidemiological and clinicopathological features of gastric adenocarcinoma and the survival rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed data files of 265 patients with histological diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma between January 2007 and June 2017. Survival was estimated by the Kaplan Meier method and prognostic factors in multivariate analysis (Cox model). RESULTS The mean age of our population was 54.48 ±15.53 with a sex ratio M/F of 1.76. Clinical symptomatology dominated by epigastralgia episodes in two-thirds of the cases and deterioration of the general state in most cases (61.7%). Proximal localization accounted for 17.4%. According to histological classification, poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma was the most common histological type (51.7%). Metastatic or locally advanced tumors accounted for 92% of cases. Only 11% of patients received curative resection. The 5-year survival was 6%. Multivariate analysis revealed three prognostic factors: vascular invasion, advanced stage and differentiation. DISCUSSION The high mortality of gastric adenocarcinoma in our Moroccan series is probably explained by the late stage at diagnosis. Symptoms are nonspecific and endoscopy is usually performed for advanced symptoms such as anemia, bleeding or weight loss. The main identified prognostic factors in gastric adenocarcinoma are tumor subtype (Linitic forms), stage at diagnosis, vascular and lymph nodes invasion and general performance status which correlates to available data in the literature. Besides, the age distribution of GC in our series showed that the proportion of affected young adult is high (30.6%) compared to data from developed countries varying between 6 and 15%. This age distribution can be explained by the Westernization of diet, the increase of obesity in our population and more exposure to alcohol and tobacco. CONCLUSION Overall cancer survival in our population does not exceed 7%, a rate that remains low compared to studies published in the occidental literature. Recommendations have to be elaborated to make a strategy for screening and early diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma to improve the survival rate.
Determinants of serum concentration of first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs from China

Abstract Therapeutic drug monitoring has been employed in anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs to assess optimal dose for maximum therapeutic effects and minimal toxicity. But the determinants of serum concentration need further evidences. In a retrospective case–control study, clinical and laboratory data were collected from 717 in-patients with TB at Xi’an Chest Hospital, China. Two hours serum concentrations of isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide as well as ethambutol were obtained and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The month 2 culture conversion group had lower concentration of isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol than month 1 group. Statistical analysis showed that serum concentrations of isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol revealed a positive relationship with dose (mg/kg) (P < .001, P < .001, P < .001, and P = .003, respectively). Furthermore, isoniazid concentration was related to smoking (P = .009) and prior TB (P = .011), while rifampicin and pyrazinamide concentrations were correlated to sex (P = .004 and 0.025, respectively). Ethambutol concentration was associated with creatinine clearance (Ccr, P = .002). It is necessary to optimize drug doses using therapeutic drug monitoring while considering the following determinants: weight, smoking status, prior TB, sex, and Ccr. Furthermore, low 2 hours serum concentrations can be associated with longer culture conversion.
A mesial-to-lateral dissociation for orthographic processing in the visual cortex

Significance The visual word form area (VWFA) is essential to reading, yet the exact representations that it harbors are unclear. We tested the hypothesis that a subregion of ventral visual cortex may be specialized for the perception of multiletter graphemes such as “ch” or “ou. ” Indeed, the selective disruption of graphemic information impaired reading behavior and modulated brain activity in a mesial region around the midfusiform sulcus. In contrast, the VWFA was modulated by lexical variables. Those findings suggest a medial-to-lateral division of labor within the ventral occipitotemporal cortex. The existence of a “grapheme area,” its functional dissociation from the VWFA, and their collaboration bear important implications for the understanding of reading acquisition and of interindividual differences in reading skills. Efficient reading requires a fast conversion of the written word to both phonological and semantic codes. We tested the hypothesis that, within the left occipitotemporal cortical regions involved in visual word recognition, distinct subregions harbor slightly different orthographic codes adapted to those 2 functions. While the lexico-semantic pathway may operate on letter or open-bigram information, the phonological pathway requires the identification of multiletter graphemes such as “ch” or “ou” in order to map them onto phonemes. To evaluate the existence of a specific stage of graphemic encoding, 20 adults performed lexical decision and naming tasks on words and pseudowords during functional MRI. Graphemic encoding was facilitated or disrupted by coloring and spacing the letters either congruently with multiletter graphemes (ch-ai-r) or incongruently with them (c-ha-ir). This manipulation affected behavior, primarily during the naming of pseudowords, and modulated brain activity in the left midfusiform sulcus, at a site medial to the classical visual word form area (VWFA). This putative grapheme-related area (GRA) differed from the VWFA in being preferentially connected functionally to dorsal parietal areas involved in letter-by-letter reading, while the VWFA showed effects of lexicality and spelling-to-sound regularity. Our results suggest a partial dissociation within left occipitotemporal cortex: the midfusiform GRA would encode orthographic information at a sublexical graphemic level, while the lateral occipitotemporal VWFA would contribute primarily to direct lexico-semantic access.
The correlation of the perforators and the accessory saphenous vein in a profunda femoris artery perforator flap for additional venous anastomosis: A cadaveric study and clinical application

The profunda femoris artery perforator (PAP) flap is gaining popularity in microsurgical reconstruction. To establish a safer flap elevation technique, we focused on the topology of the accessory saphenous vein in the medial thigh area. We hypothesize that including the accessory saphenous vein in a PAP flap results in safer PAP flap transfer with two venous drainage systems. The aim of this study was to describe the anatomical relationship between the perforators and the accessory saphenous vein in the PAP flap using fresh cadavers and to describe the relationship through two clinical cases.
Immune effector monocyte–neutrophil cooperation induced by the primary tumor prevents metastatic progression of breast cancer

Significance Metastatic breast cancer is a major clinical challenge, accounting for a discouraging 400,000 deaths per year worldwide. Novel therapeutic alternatives are urgently needed. Cancer immunotherapy has proven to be a promising treatment, improving the survival of patients with cancer; however, currently there are no immunotherapies available for advanced breast cancer. Importantly, current cancer immunotherapies primarily target T lymphocytes rather than myeloid cells, which are critical regulators of metastatic breast cancer. Novel cancer immunotherapies that directly regulate the function of various antitumoral myeloid subpopulations in breast cancer could have therapeutic potential and target metastatic breast cancer. Metastatic behavior varies significantly among breast cancers. Mechanisms explaining why the majority of breast cancer patients never develop metastatic outgrowth are largely lacking but could underlie the development of novel immunotherapeutic target molecules. Here we show interplay between nonmetastatic primary breast cancer and innate immune response, acting together to control metastatic progression. The primary tumor systemically recruits IFNγ-producing immune effector monocytes to the lung. IFNγ up-regulates Tmem173/STING in neutrophils and enhances their killing capacity. The immune effector monocytes and tumoricidal neutrophils target disseminated tumor cells in the lungs, preventing metastatic outgrowth. Importantly, our findings could underlie the development of immunotherapeutic target molecules that augment the function of immune effector monocytes and neutrophils.
Evaluation of resmethrin toxicity to neonatal testes in organ culture.

Resmethrin is a widely used pyrethroid insecticide, which causes low toxicity in mammals. However, its toxicity in testes has not been fully investigated. Therefore, we evaluated the toxicity of resmethrin in mouse testes using an in vitro organ culture. Mouse testicular fragments (MTFs) derived from neonates were cultured in medium containing resmethrin for 30 days. Effects on spermatogenesis in the cultured testes were investigated as functions of both time and dose. Resmethrin significantly downregulated the transcription levels of marker genes for spermatogonia and the number of spermatogenic germ cells relative to those of the controls, according to QPCR and immunostaining. In addition, spermatocyte was observed in the control, but not in 50 μM resmethrin-exposed cultures. Levels of the SYCP3 meiotic marker and phosphorylated H2AX decreased by resmethrin treatment, as observed by western blotting. Toxic or apoptotic effects of resmethrin in Sertoli and Leydig cells from MTFs were not observed by immunostaining and Tunnel assay. No changes in the expression of steroidogenic enzymes were noted. Apoptosis was only detected in the germ cells of resmethrin-treated MTFs. Thus, the highest dose of resmethrin tested (50 μM) completely inhibited spermatogenesis, because of apoptosis of germ cells and spermatocytes. Although the in vivo toxicity of resmethrin has not yet been studied in detail, significant evidence for cytotoxicity was observed in our organ cultures. This methodological approach is useful for the study of reproductive toxicity before proceeding to animal models, as it greatly reduces the use of laboratory animals.
Not just to survive but to thrive: delirium in the pediatric cardiac ICU.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Pediatric delirium has recently been recognized to occur frequently in the pediatric general and cardiac ICU. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent data on the prevalence, prevention, and management of this condition. RECENT FINDINGS Pediatric delirium occurs in the pediatric cardiac ICU (PCICU) in as many as 67% of patients. Validated screening tools are now available to assist clinicians in the diagnosis of this condition. Research has shown a growing relationship between benzodiazepines, mainstays in the realm of sedation, and delirium. The full spectrum of risk factors has yet to be clearly elucidated. After normalization of the ICU environment, antipsychotics are infrequently required for treatment. While pediatric delirium has been associated with increased length of stay and cost, long-term morbidities are unknown at this time. SUMMARY Application of bundles to normalize the PCICU environment may lead to decreased incidence of pediatric delirium. Multiinstitutional studies are indicated to further delineate optimal bundles, stratify treatment strategies, and investigate long-term morbidity in pediatric delirium.
Emotion regulation in adults with Klinefelter syndrome (47,XXY): Neurocognitive underpinnings and associations with mental health problems

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate if language and executive functioning deficits in individuals with the 47,XXY chromosomal pattern contribute to emotion regulation problems and related symptoms of psychopathology. Methods A group of 26 adult men with 47,XXY completed measures of cognitive emotion regulation strategies, neurocognitive functioning, and symptoms of psychopathology. Results Atypical emotion regulation strategies were found in the XXY group, with increased expression of emotions (69%), avoiding (65%), distraction seeking (54%), and passive coping (54%). More difficulties in mental flexibility and attention regulation, and speeded responding were associated with more pronounced emotion expression (emotional outbursts). Emotion regulation problems were associated with symptoms of anxiety, depression, thought problems, and hostility. Conclusion This study has identified emotion regulation as a potential target for treatment and intervention, with a specific focus on executive functions in the management of emotions in individuals with 47,XXY.
Accumulation of phenolic acids in soil of a continuous cropping Poplar plantation and their effects on soil microbes

Soil samples in the rhizosphere of different kinds of continuous cropping black poplar plantation were obtained,and the contents of 5 phenolic acids and their variations were analyzed by HPLC.Results show that P-hydroxybenzoic acid,benzoic acid,vanillin,ferulic acid and cinnamic acid are presented in different accumulation characteristics in the soil of all the continuous cropping types.The content of gross phenolic acids of the second and the third generation of poplar plantation significantly increased 138% and 64.2% respectively,compared with the first generation.The content of ferulic acid increased with a planting generation increase,which was contrary to benzoic acid and cinnamic acid.The experiment of adding five kinds of exogenous phenolic acids to the soil was conducted to study their effects on soil microbes,which shows different effects on soil microbes.In general,with an increasing concentration of the treated exogenous phenolic acids,the amounts of soil microbes first increased,and then decreased.However,P-hydroxybenzoic acid has an inhibitory effect on fungi,actinomycete and ammonifier,but has a stimulating effect on cellulosic bacteria.Vanillin has an inhibitory effect on actinomycetes,and the same effect for ferulic acid and cinnamic acid on cellulosic bacteria.
A peridomestic Aedes malayensis population in Singapore can transmit yellow fever virus

The case-fatality rate of yellow fever virus (YFV) is one of the highest among arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses). Although historically, the Asia-Pacific region has remained free of YFV, the risk of introduction has never been higher due to the increasing influx of people from endemic regions and the recent outbreaks in Africa and South America. Singapore is a global hub for trade and tourism and therefore at high risk for YFV introduction. Effective control of the main domestic mosquito vector Aedes aegypti in Singapore has failed to prevent re-emergence of dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses in the last two decades, raising suspicions that peridomestic mosquito species untargeted by domestic vector control measures may contribute to arbovirus transmission. Here, we provide empirical evidence that the peridomestic mosquito Aedes malayensis found in Singapore can transmit YFV. Our laboratory mosquito colony recently derived from wild Ae. malayensis in Singapore was experimentally competent for YFV to a similar level as Ae. aegypti controls. In addition, we captured Ae. malayensis females in one human-baited trap during three days of collection, providing preliminary evidence that host-vector contact may occur in field conditions. Finally, we detected Ae. malayensis eggs in traps deployed in high-rise building areas of Singapore. We conclude that Ae. malayensis is a competent vector of YFV and re-emphasize that vector control methods should be extended to target peridomestic vector species.
A brief report on older people’s experience of cybercrime victimization in Mumbai, India

ABSTRACT As internet penetration increases in Lower and Middle Income Countries (LMIC), more older people are now conducting financial transactions online and using social media to stay in touch with family and friends. We discuss concerns that existing financial regulations and controls in India may afford older people insufficient protection from cybercrime, using qualitative interviews from our recent study exploring older people’s experiences of cybercrime in Mumbai.
Effects of a Structured Physical Activity Program on Serum Adipokines and Markers of Inflammation and Volume Overload in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Background Kidney transplantation (KTx) reverses most abnormalities related to chronic kidney disease (CKD), but sedentary lifestyle persists in most kidney graft recipients. Physical inactivity has been associated with altered adipokine profile and inflammation in CKD. We postulated that increased physical activity achieved through an individually-tailored program can reverse these changes. Material/Methods We included 25 clinically stable KTx recipients at least 12 months after transplantation and with eGFR >30 mL/min and 15 age-matched non-dialysis patients with CKD stage 3. Body composition, pattern of daily physical activity, and serum concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, NT-proBNP, and hsCRP were assessed at baseline. All patients in both groups participated in a 12-week supervised exercise program with short cell phone text reminders. All measurements were repeated after 3 months. Results Active energy expenditure increased significantly during the 3 months in both the KTx and CKD patients, compared with baseline by 47% (p<0.001) and 20% (p=0.01), respectively. Time spent daily on physical activity was also increased (129±83 vs. 194±142 and 81±56 vs. 124±57 min, respectively, p<0.001). Adipose tissue mass decreased significantly in the KTx group (from 40.8±11 to 38.5±10.3 kg, p=0.01). Serum leptin decreased significantly in both KTx and CKD patients (from 11.5±7.0 to 10.0±5.6, p=0.03 and from 14.1±8.3 to 12.2±6.1 ng/mL, p=0.01, respectively). Serum adiponectin increased only in the KTx group (from 1900±953 to 2015±1133 ng/L, p=0.004). Serum CRP decreased in both groups (from 15.1±5.2 to 14.0±5.6 mg/L, p=0.01 in the KTx group and from 16.5±3.9 to 15.4±4.3 mg/L in the CKD group p=0.05). NTpro-BNP was unchanged during the study. Conclusions Increased physical activity induces beneficial effects on adipokine profile and inflammation but does not seem to affect volume overload in kidney transplant recipients and CKD patients.