Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Incidence and Efficacy of Stent Placement in Leak Management After Bariatric Surgery: An MBSAQIP Analysis.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the rates of use and efficacy of stent placement for postoperative leak following bariatric surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Endoscopically placed stents can successfully treat anastomotic and staple line leaks after bariatric surgery. However, the extent to which stents are used in the management of bariatric complications and rates of reoperation remain unknown. METHODS Data from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program participant use files were analyzed for patients who experienced anastomotic or staple line leaks after bariatric surgery, and then evaluated for use of an endoscopically placed stent. Patient and procedure-level data were compared between those who underwent stent placement versus those who required reoperation. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare outcomes between groups. RESULTS A total of 354,865 bariatric cases were captured in 2015 to 2016. One thousand one hundred thirty patients (0.3%) required intervention for a leak, of whom 275 (24%) were treated with an endoscopically placed stent. One hundred seven (39%) of the patients who received stents required reoperation as part of their care pathway. Patient characteristics were statistically similar when comparing leaks managed with stents to those treated with reoperation alone. Those treated with stents, however, had a higher likelihood of readmission (odds ratio 2.59, 95% confidence interval -1.59 to 4.20). CONCLUSION Placement of stents for management of leaks after bariatric surgery is common throughout the United States. The use of stents can be effective; however, it does not prevent reoperation and is associated with an increased likelihood of readmission. Both technique and resource utilization should be considered when choosing a management pathway for leaks.
Graph theory methods: applications in brain networks

Network neuroscience is a thriving and rapidly expanding field. Empirical data on brain networks, from molecular to behavioral scales, are ever increasing in size and complexity. These developments lead to a strong demand for appropriate tools and methods that model and analyze brain network data, such as those provided by graph theory. This brief review surveys some of the most commonly used and neurobiologically insightful graph measures and techniques. Among these, the detection of network communities or modules, and the identification of central network elements that facilitate communication and signal transfer, are particularly salient. A number of emerging trends are the growing use of generative models, dynamic (time-varying) and multilayer networks, as well as the application of algebraic topology. Overall, graph theory methods are centrally important to understanding the architecture, development, and evolution of brain networks.
Preexercise Carbohydrate Ingestion and Transient Hypoglycemia: Fasting versus Feeding

Purpose Carbohydrate (CHO) ingestion 30 to 45 min before exercise results in transient hypoglycemia after starting the exercise in some, but not all, subjects. However, whether transient hypoglycemia is more likely to occur under fed or fasted condition remains unknown. This study aimed to directly compare the effects of fasting versus feeding on plasma glucose responses after preexercise CHO intake and to examine the relationship between insulin responses and onset of transient hypoglycemia. Methods Sixteen subjects performed 60-min cycle ergometer exercises at 75% maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) under overnight fasted and fed (4 h after breakfast) conditions. In both conditions, they consumed 500 mL of beverage (150 g of glucose) 30 min before beginning exercise. Results The mean plasma glucose concentrations 15 min after starting the exercise did not fall below 4.0 mmol·L−1 (criteria for hypoglycemia) in both states; however, individual differences in the occurrence of transient hypoglycemia were noted. In the fasted state, plasma glucose levels transiently dropped below 4.0 mmol·L−1 in five subjects, who had substantially higher serum insulin levels at the start of exercise, compared with those who did not develop hypoglycemia. Although seven subjects developed transient hypoglycemia in the fed state, no relationship was observed between insulin responses and hypoglycemia. Three subjects developed hypoglycemia in both fasted and fed states. Conclusions These results suggest that transient hypoglycemia after preexercise CHO ingestion occurs in some, but not all, subjects, under both conditions. Furthermore, subjects with enhanced insulin responses seem to be more prone to transient hypoglycemia in the fasted condition.
Specific nutritional infections early in life as risk factors for human colon and breast cancers several decades later

Introduction Red meat and dairy products are currently been considered as risk factors for colon, breast, lung and a few additional cancers (recent reviews Ref. 1,2). Our group postulated a specific relationship of these cancers to infections by meat and milk consumption obtained from Aurochs-derived Eurasian dairy cattle the global epidemiological patterns of colon and breast cancer incidence points to a close relation to the consumption of products originating from these specific breeds of cattle. The suggested species-specific risk triggered the hypothesis that infections derived from these types of cattle may represent the donors of, at that time, still undefined infections resulting from the nutritional uptake of infected meat and milk products. This stimulated the initiation of an analysis of 120 sera obtained from individual dairy cows, from commercially available dairy products and several human sera from multiple sclerosis patients, chronic human diseases and healthy blood donors. Initially the isolation of 20 different genomes of single-stranded circular DNA was published. After their classification into four groups, we designated them as bovine meat and milk factors (BMMF). The first two groups (BMMF1 and BMMF2) have been more intensively analyzed – specific types of group 1, presently 13 in number, and 95 distinguishable types in group 2 (de Villiers et al., unpublished results). Since most of them show similarity in nucleotide sequences to specific bacterial plasmids, mainly of Acinetobacter baumannii, we ruled out the possibility of a laboratory contamination with bacterial DNA by transfecting several of the isolated molecules into human cells. The transfected DNA was transcriptionally active and replicated autonomously in specific types of human cell lines. Recently, evidence emerged linking specific types of BMMF1 and 2 to colon cancer development, acting as specific triggers for random mutations in target cells for malignant conversion (Bund et al., unpublished results). This triggering results from chronic inflammatory foci in the lamina propria close to the Lieberkühn crypts of the colon. These foci produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) which induce mutations within the rapidly replicating adjacent Ki67 positive crypt cells, but seem to leave the nonreplicating cells within the foci (Ki67 negative) unaffected (Bund et al. unpublished results). The present contribution attempts to link existing data on BMMF infections with reported protective effects related to prolonged breast-feeding periods. Many reports claim such effects for newborns, as well as for the nursing mothers. In addition, prolonged intake of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) protects against some of the same cancers. Here we present the view that blocking of receptors by sugars, selectively found in human milk, protect against specific infectious agents and cancers. In the chronic persistent inflammatory lesions caused by BMMFs, NSAIDs should act defensively by interfering with the mode of action of such inflammations.
Lower Frequency of HLA-DRB1*01 in Southwestern Iranian Patients with Atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex is a gene family involved in antigen presentation associated with protection or susceptibility to inflammatory, infectious and autoimmune diseases. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which HLA molecules play a role in the initiation and development of the disease through presentation of self or foreign antigens to T cells. OBJECTIVE To investigate the association of HLA-DRB1 alleles with atherosclerosis in a sample of southwestern Iranians. METHODS We performed an analytical cross-sectional study involving 96 patients with atherosclerosis and 72 controls. HLA-DRB1 genotyping was performed by PCR-SSP method. RESULTS We observed a significantly lower frequency of DRB1*01 in patients with coronary artery atherosclerosis than in controls (4.68% vs. 13.1, P=0.0052, OR=3.09, CI 95%: 1.35-7.05). However, this allele showed a positive association with high blood pressure (P=0.009) in patients. Furthermore, DRB1*16 allele was associated with hyperlipidemia (P=0.008) in patients. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that DRB1*01 may be a protective allele against atherosclerosis in individuals who live in southwest of Iran. The mechanism of this protection needs further investigation.
A Possible Link Between Winter Arctic Sea Ice Decline and a Collapse of the Beaufort High?

A new study by Moore et al. (2018, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GL076446) highlights a collapse of the anticyclonic “Beaufort High” atmospheric circulation over the western Arctic Ocean in the winter of 2017 and an associated reversal of the sea ice drift through the southern Beaufort Sea (eastward instead of the predominantly westward circulation). The authors linked this to the loss of sea ice in the Barents Sea, anomalous warming over the region, and the intrusion of low‐pressure cyclones along the eastern Arctic. In this commentary we discuss the significance of this observation, the challenges associated with understanding these possible linkages, and some of the alternative hypotheses surrounding the impacts of winter Arctic sea ice loss.
Inhibition of autophagy enhances the antitumour activity of tigecycline in multiple myeloma

Accumulating evidence shows that tigecycline, a first‐in‐class glycylcycline, has potential antitumour properties. Here, we found that tigecycline dramatically inhibited the proliferation of multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines RPMI‐8226, NCI‐H929 and U266 in a dose and time‐dependent manner. Meanwhile, tigecycline also potently impaired the colony formation of these three cell lines. Mechanism analysis found that tigecycline led to cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 with down‐regulation of p21, CDK2 and cyclin D1, rather than induced apoptosis, in MM cells. Importantly, we found that tigecycline induced autophagy and an autophagy inhibitor bafilomycin A1 further amplified the tigecycline‐induced cytotoxicity, suggesting that autophagy plays a cytoprotective role in tigecycline‐treated MM cells. Mechanisms modulating autophagy found that tigecycline enhanced the phosphorylation of AMPK, but did not decrease the phosphorylation of Akt, to inhibit the phosphorylation of mTOR and its two downstream effectors p70S6K1 and 4E‐BP1. Tigecycline effectively inhibited tumour growth in the xenograft tumour model of RPMI‐8226 cells. Autophagy also occurred in tigecycline‐treated tumour xenograft, and autophagy inhibitor chloroquine and tigecycline had a synergistic effect against MM cells in vivo. Thus, our results suggest that tigecycline may be a promising candidate in the treatment of MM.
Effectiveness of precooling the injection site using tetrafluorethane on pain perception in children

Background: Injection of local anesthesia is one of the most important reasons for avoidance behavior in children. Applying a topical anesthetic before injection is the most popular way to control pain; however, topical anesthetics have some shortcomings such as longer duration of action, displeasing taste, and spread of the anesthetic agent to noninjection site areas. Cryoanesthesia using refrigerant as a topical anesthesia is being studied as an alternative to overcome the shortcomings of topical anesthetics and has shown promising results. Materials and Methods: In this split-mouth design study, 50 children of aged 8–10 years who required bilateral mandibular local anesthesia administration were selected. In the first visit, application of topical anesthetic spray (lidocaine) on one side and during the second appointment cryoanesthetic tetrafluorethane on the other side was used before local anesthetic administration. Patients were asked to report their discomfort and pain using visual analog scale (VAS) (subjective method). Patients' pain perception during injection is assessed by sound, eye, and motor (SEM) scale by the dentist (objective method). Results: The results were statistically analyzed using paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann–Whitney tests. In VAS scale (subjective method), pain scores were significantly lower in tetrafluorethane group when compared with lidocaine group. In SEM scale (objective method), pain scores were lower in tetrafluorethane group when compared with lidocaine group, but it was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Precooling the injection site using refrigerant tetrafluorethane spray has shown to be effective in eliminating pain before local anesthesia administration in children when compared with topical anesthetic lidocaine spray.
Adaptable Fast Relaxing Boronate‐Based Hydrogels for Probing Cell–Matrix Interactions

Hydrogels with tunable viscoelasticity hold promise as materials that can recapitulate many dynamic mechanical properties found in native tissues. Here, covalent adaptable boronate bonds are exploited to prepare hydrogels that exhibit fast relaxation, with relaxation time constants on the order of seconds or less, but are stable for long‐term cell culture and are cytocompatible for 3D cell encapsulation. Using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) as a model, the fast relaxation matrix mechanics are found to promote cell–matrix interactions, leading to spreading and an increase in nuclear volume, and induce yes‐associated protein/PDZ binding domain nuclear localization at longer times. All of these effects are exclusively based on the hMSCs' ability to physically remodel their surrounding microenvironment. Given the increasingly recognized importance of viscoelasticity in controlling cell function and fate, it is expected that the synthetic strategies and material platform presented should provide a useful system to study mechanotransduction on and within viscoelastic environments and explore many questions related to matrix biology.
Day care vs home care: Effects on functional health outcomes among long‐term care beneficiaries with dementia in Korea

First, to compare changes in cognitive function, behavioral symptoms, and physical function for Korean Long‐Term Care Insurance (LTCI) beneficiaries with dementia in day care (DC) and home care (HC) settings over 1 year. Second, to examine the association between LTCI service type and the aforementioned health outcomes.
Delirium detection by a novel bispectral electroencephalography device in general hospital

Delirium is common and dangerous among elderly inpatients; yet, it is underdiagnosed and thus undertreated. This study aimed to test the diagnostic characteristics of a noninvasive point‐of‐care device with two‐channel (bispectral) electroencephalography (EEG) for the screening of delirium in the hospital.
Submucous Fibroids, Fertility, and Possible Correlation to Pseudocapsule Thickness in Reproductive Surgery

Background and Objectives Fibroids are related to infertility. Fibroid pseudocapsule is a neurovascular bundle surrounding leiomyomas rich of neurofibers involved in myometrial biology. Authors evaluated, by a case-control study, the fibroid pseudocapsule (FP) thickness by ultrasound (US) and the histological measurements, according to uterine location of fibroids. Methods 137 consecutive patients undergoing hysterectomy for uterine myomas were enrolled and 200 myomas were evaluated. Before surgery, patients underwent an ultrasound (US) investigation to evaluate the number, the size, and the location of fibroids. After surgery, myoma-pseudocapsule-myometrium specimens were measured and evaluated by a single expert pathologist. Both US and histological data were collected and statistically analyzed. Results Our results confirm the relevant difference of FP thickness, particularly represented under the endometrium for submucous LMs. FPs near the endometrial cavity were considerably thicker than those of both intramural fibroids and subserous fibroids measured by US (P=0.0001) and histology (P=0.0001). A clear cut-off measurement at 2 mm (P=0.0001) was found between endometrial FPs and all other FPs for either US or histology measurements. Conclusion The thickness of FP is considerably higher near the endometrial cavity when compared to those of both intramural and subserous LMs, suggesting a potential role either in fertility or in myometrial healing.
Slaughter of pregnant goats for meat at Nsukka slaughterhouse and its economic implications: A public health concern

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the incidence rate of the slaughter of pregnant goats in Nsukka slaughterhouse, which has become a major cruel occurrence in Nigeria, as well as it’s economic and public health implications. Materials and Methods: All the goats slaughtered at Nsukka slaughterhouse over a period of 3 months (February-April, 2017) were screened. The data collected were: total number of goats slaughtered, age, breed and sex of goats slaughtered, pregnancy status of the goats, and sex of the fetuses observed, and gestational age of the fetuses estimated by crown-rump length. Results: In the 3-month study, a total of 684 goats were slaughtered, of which 617 (90.2%) were females. 364 (59%) of the females slaughtered were pregnant, and more than 80% of the gestations were in the second and third trimesters. Of 661 fetuses recorded, 320 (48.3%) were males, and 341 (51.7%) were females with 438 (66.3%) predominantly twins. At the cost of ₦ 6,000 ($16) and ₦ 8,000 ($20) for male and female kids, respectively, a total of ₦ 4,648,000 ($11,620) was lost in just one slaughterhouse in 3 months. Conclusion: This study shows that there is a high rate of slaughter of pregnant goats in Nsukka slaughterhouse with a tremendous economic loss, and most chevon sold in Nsukka are unwholesome and of low meat quality.
Arguments for a national questionnaire-based screening for hidradenitis suppurativa in Denmark.

INTRODUCTION Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease. HS patients develop painful subcutaneous nodules, primarily in the intertriginous regions. Early diagnosis is crucial to initiate appropriate treatment, which may prevent disease progression. The cost of treatment increases with disease severity. Studies have found a considerable diagnostic delay in HS. Screening programs may reduce diagnostic delay and allow for better utilization of resources. METHODS Arguments for implementing an HS screening program were explored based on the 10 WHO criteria for implementing screening programs. RESULTS HS is an important health problem due to its prevalence and the adverse effects of the disease. Facilities for treatment and diagnosis exist, and the validated screening questionnaire is considered acceptable to the population. HS patients should be seen by a dermatologist and treated accordingly. Medical expenses increase with disease severity, and finding patients with early-stage HS is considered cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS We consider a screening program as valuable for public healthcare. Patients can avoid extensive surgery or treatment with biologics if disease progression is prevented, and this will reduce medical expenses for the public healthcare system. Politicians should consider implementing a screening program for HS.
Seroprevalence of brucellosis in small ruminants in organized and unorganized sectors of Gujarat state, India

Aim: The present study aimed to study the seroprevalence of brucellosis in small ruminants of Gujarat state, India, using Rose Bengal Plate test (RBPT) and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). Materials and Methods: A total of 2444 sera samples (675 sheep and 1769 goat) from unorganized sector and 1310 sera samples (861 sheep and 449 goat) from seven organized farms were collected for brucellosis screening. Results: In unorganized sector, 23.70% sheep (160/675) and 15.99% goat (283/1769) were positive by RBPT and 24.44% sheep (165/675) and 17.24% goat (305/1769) by iELISA. The organized sector samples showed higher seroprevalence in goat (7.79 %, 35/449) than sheep (4.06 %, 35/861) by RBPT. Similarly, in iELISA, goat samples showed a higher seroprevalence (9.35%, 42/449) compared to sheep (7.50%, 65/861). The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of RBPT with ELISA were 88.69% and 99.65%, respectively, and showed a significant difference (p≤0.0001). The Chi-square analysis revealed a significant difference in seroprevalence between sectors (p≤0.01) and species (p≤0.01). Conclusion: The seroprevalence of brucellosis in small ruminants of Gujarat was investigated and showed a higher prevalence of brucellosis and warrants the implementation of proper preventive measures.
Lactation and resource limitation affect stress responses, thyroid hormones, immune function, and antioxidant capacity of sea otters (Enhydra lutris)

Abstract Lactation is the most energetically demanding stage of reproduction in female mammals. Increased energetic allocation toward current reproduction may result in fitness costs, although the mechanisms underlying these trade‐offs are not well understood. Trade‐offs during lactation may include reduced energetic allocation to cellular maintenance, immune response, and survival and may be influenced by resource limitation. As the smallest marine mammal, sea otters (Enhydra lutris) have the highest mass‐specific metabolic rate necessitating substantial energetic requirements for survival. To provide the increased energy needed for lactation, female sea otters significantly increase foraging effort, especially during late‐lactation. Caloric insufficiency during lactation is reflected in the high numbers of maternal deaths due to End‐Lactation Syndrome in the California subpopulation. We investigated the effects of lactation and resource limitation on maternal stress responses, metabolic regulation, immune function, and antioxidant capacity in two subspecies of wild sea otters (northern: E. l. nereis and southern: E. l. kenyoni) within the California, Washington, and Alaska subpopulations. Lactation and resource limitation were associated with reduced glucocorticoid responses to acute capture stress. Corticosterone release was lower in lactating otters. Cortisol release was lower under resource limitation and suppression during lactation was only evident under resource limitation. Lactation and resource limitation were associated with alterations in thyroid hormones. Immune responses and total antioxidant capacity were not reduced by lactation or resource limitation. Southern sea otters exhibited higher concentrations of antioxidants, immunoglobulins, and thyroid hormones than northern sea otters. These data provide evidence for allocation trade‐offs during reproduction and in response to nutrient limitation but suggest self‐maintenance of immune function and antioxidant defenses despite energetic constraints. Income‐breeding strategists may be especially vulnerable to the consequences of stress and modulation of thyroid function when food resources are insufficient to support successful reproduction and may come at a cost to survival, and thereby influence population trends.