Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison Study of Iron Bioaccessibility from Dietary Supplements and Microencapsulated Preparations

Iron deficiency is the most common form of malnutrition. Factors responsible for this so-called “hidden hunger” include poor diet, increased micronutrient needs and health problems such as diseases and infections. Body iron status can be increased by the intake of dietary supplements and fortified food. The aim of the present study was to compare iron bioaccessibility from commercial nutritional supplements and iron microcapsules. A comparison study was performed under conditions mimicking gastric and gastrointestinal digestion. A preparation of encapsulated ferrous sulphate or lactate and vitamin C, in a formula, showed bioaccessibility factors of up to 100% when digested individually, and around 60% in the presence of a food matrix. The degree of oxidation of the ferrous ions differed, depending on the type of preparation, the presence of vitamin C and the food matrix. The highest percentage content of ferrous ion, in the soluble fractions after gastrointestinal digestion, was shown by the preparation containing microencapsulated ferrous lactate or ferrous sulphate and vitamin C. Encapsulation seems to limit the interaction of iron with the food matrix and protect it against oxidation, thus making it more accessible for intestinal uptake.
RASSF1A and SOCS1 genes methylation status as a noninvasive marker for hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND DNA methylation status is one of the most prevalent molecular alterations in human cancers. Identification of powerful diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) without a biopsy is urgently required. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the methylation status of RASSF1A and SOCS-1genes as a non-invasive biomarker for HCC identification and prognosis. METHODS Methylation specific-PCR technique was performed to recognize the methylation status of RASSF1A and SOCS-1 genes in 100 patients with HCC, 100 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) but without HCC were considered as cirrhotic liver control group and 100 healthy control. RESULTS Methylation of RASSF1A and SOCS-1 genes were detected in 40% and 38% of HCC patients respectively, 14% and 20% of LC patients respectively. Methylation of SOCS-1 gene in peripheral blood of healthy control was 23%. Methylation of RASSF1A gene was associated with age, tumor size, vascular invasion and α fetoprotein (AFP), while SOCS-1 gene methylation was significantly associated with tumor size and AFP. Furthermore, using RASSF1A/ SOCS-1/ AFP panel improve diagnostic sensitivity for HCC 86% and specificity of 75%. CONCLUSION RASSF1A and SOCS1 genes methylation status may play an important role in the process of hepatocarcinogenesis and may be used as diagnostic and prognostic noninvasive biomarkers for HCC when combined with serum AFP.
Examining physical activity and correlates in adults with healthy weight, overweight/obesity, or binge‐eating disorder

OBJECTIVE To examine physical activity and correlates among three subgroups of adults: healthy weight without binge eating (HW), overweight/obesity without binge eating (OW/OB), and core features of binge-eating disorder (BED). METHOD Participants (N = 2,384) completed an online survey with established measures of physical activity, eating psychopathology, and health. Most participants were White (82.6%) women (66.7%). Participants were categorized into three study groups: HW (n = 948; 39.9%), OW/OB (n = 1,308; 55.1%), and BED (n = 120; 5.1%). RESULTS The BED group had the highest proportion of self-reported insufficiently active individuals (63.8%), followed by OW/OB (41.7%), and HW (29.2%). Associations between self-reported physical activity, eating pathology, and health were generally small in HW and OW/OB groups, whereas associations were moderate in the BED group. Self-reported weekly bouts of physical activity were more strongly, positively related to self-reported physical health for OW/OB than HW, and this effect was even more pronounced for BED compared with HW or OW/OB. DISCUSSION This is the first study, to our knowledge, to demonstrate a stronger association between self-reported physical activity and physical health for individuals with BED compared with OW/OB alone. The high rate of physical inactivity and the strong association between physical activity and health among participants with BED suggest physical activity as an important treatment target for individuals with BED.
ChloS-HRM, a novel assay to identify chloramphenicol-susceptible Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Malawi

Abstract Objectives Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial widely available in sub-Saharan Africa. With susceptibility re-emerging among Enterobacteriaceae in Blantyre, Malawi, we designed and evaluated a new high-resolution melt (HRM) RT-PCR assay, ChloS-HRM, to identify chloramphenicol-susceptible infections in a hospital setting. Methods Seventy-two previously whole-genome sequenced isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae from the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Malawi, were subjected to determination of chloramphenicol MICs. Primers were designed to detect 18 chloramphenicol resistance genes that produce seven distinct peaks correlating with different gene groups (catA1, catA2, catA3, catB2, catB group 3, cmlA and floR) following HRM analysis. ChloS-HRM results were compared with MIC and WGS results. Results ChloS-HRM correctly identified 15 of 17 phenotypically susceptible isolates and 54 of 55 resistant isolates, giving an accuracy of 88% in identifying susceptibility and 98% in identifying resistance. WGS identified 16 of 17 susceptible and 54 of 55 resistant isolates, giving an accuracy of 94% in identifying susceptibility and 98% in identifying resistance. The single false-susceptible result had no detectable gene by ChloS-HRM or WGS. Compared with WGS, ChloS-HRM had 100% sensitivity and specificity for catA (catA1–3), cmlA and floR, and 96% specificity for catB; sensitivity could not be estimated due to the lack of catB in the clinical sample collection. The overall agreement between MIC and HRM was 96% and between MIC and WGS it was 97%. Conclusions ChloS-HRM could support antimicrobial stewardship in enabling de-escalation from third-generation cephalosporins by identifying chloramphenicol-susceptible infections. This would be valuable in areas with chloramphenicol-susceptible MDR and XDR Enterobacteriaceae.
Discharge Heart Rate After Hospitalization for Myocardial Infarction and Long‐Term Mortality in 2 US Registries

Background Although admission heart rate predicts higher mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), less is known about discharge heart rate. We tested the hypothesis that higher discharge heart rate after AMI is related to increased long‐term mortality independent of admission heart rate, and assessed whether β blockers modify this relationship. Methods and Results In 2 prospective US multicenter registries of AMI, we evaluated the associations of discharge and admission heart rate with 3‐year mortality using Cox models. Among 6576 patients with AMI, discharge heart rate was modestly associated with initial heart rate (r=0.28), comorbidities, and infarct severity. In this cohort, 10.7% did not receive β blockers at discharge. After full adjustment for demographic, psychosocial, and clinical covariates, discharge heart rate (hazard ratio [HR]=1.14 per 10 beats per minute [bpm]; 95% CI=1.07–1.21 per 10 bpm) was more strongly associated with risk of death than admission heart rate (HR=1.05 per 10 bpm; 95% CI=1.02–1.09 per 10 bpm) when both were entered in the same model (P=0.043 for comparison). There was a significant interaction between discharge heart rate and β‐blocker use (P=0.004) on mortality, wherein risk of death was markedly higher among those with high discharge heart rate and not on β blockers (HR=1.35 per 10 bpm; 95% CI=1.19–1.53 per 10 bpm) versus those with a high discharge heart rate and on β blockers at discharge (HR=1.10 per 10 bpm; 95% CI=1.03–1.17 per 10 bpm). Conclusions Higher discharge heart rate after AMI was more strongly associated with 3‐year mortality than admission heart rate, and the risk associated with higher discharge heart rate was modified by β blockers at discharge. These findings highlight opportunities for risk stratification and intervention that will require further investigation.
Exome Resequencing Reveals Evolutionary History, Genomic Diversity, and Targets of Selection in the Conifers Pinus taeda and Pinus elliottii

Abstract Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and slash pine (Pinus elliottii) are ecologically and economically important pine species that dominate many forest ecosystems in the southern United States, but like all conifers, the study of their genetic diversity and demographic history has been hampered by their large genome size. A small number of studies mainly based on candidate-gene sequencing have been reported for P. taeda to date, whereas none are available for P. elliottii. Targeted exome resequencing has recently enabled population genomics studies for conifers, approach used here to assess genomic diversity, signatures of selection, population structure, and demographic history of P. elliottii and P. taeda. Extensive similarities were revealed between these species: both species feature rapid linkage disequilibrium decay and high levels of genetic diversity. Moreover, genome-wide positive correlations for measures of genetic diversity between the species were also observed, likely due to shared structural genomic constraints. Also, positive selection appears to be targeting a common set of genes in both pines. Demographic history differs between both species, with only P. taeda being affected by a dramatic bottleneck during the last glacial period. The ability of P. taeda to recover from a dramatic reduction in population size while still retaining high levels of genetic diversity shows promise for other pines facing environmental stressors associated with climate change, indicating that these too may be able to adapt successfully to new future conditions even after a drastic population size contraction.
Effect of 7-day Bismuth Quadruple Therapy versus 14-day Moxifloxacin Triple Therapy for Second-line Helicobacter pylori Eradication Therapy.

Background/Aims Both bismuth-containing quadruple therapy and moxifloxacin-containing triple therapy have been suggested as second-line eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of 14-day moxifloxacin-containing triple therapy (14-EAM) in second-line H. pylori eradication in comparison to 7-day bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (7-RBMT). Methods From January 2011 to December 2015, a total of 569 patients who failed to respond to first-line triple therapy and who subsequently received second-line 7-RBMT or 14-EAM were retrospectively enrolled. The eradication rates were identified using per-protocol (PP) analysis. H. pylori eradication was confirmed by a ¹³C-urea breath test (UBiT-IR300®; Otsuka Electronics, Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan) or a rapid urease test (CLOtest® Delta West, Bentley, Australia) at least 4 weeks after completion of eradication therapy. Results A total of 487 and 82 patients received 7-RBMT and 14-EAM, respectively. PP eradication rates were 93.6% (366/391; 95% CI, 91.0-95.9%) with 7-RBMT and 73.8% (48/65; 95% CI, 63.1-84.6%) with14-EAM (p<0.001). Therefore, the eradication rates with 7-RBMT were significantly higher than with 14-EAM according to the PP analysis. The adverse event rate was 17.1% (67/391) with 7-RBMT and 7.7% (5/65) with 14-EAM (p=0.065). In terms of risk factors, multivariate analysis revealed that 14-EAM (OR, 5.47; 95% CI, 2.74-10.93) was related to H. pylori eradication failure. Conclusions 7-RBMT may be an effective second-line therapy in patients who failed to respond to first-line triple therapy in Korea, where there is a high prevalence of H. pylori infection.
Pharmacist-led antimicrobial stewardship program in an urgent care setting

Abstract Purpose While many programs have demonstrated pharmacist-led antimicrobial stewardship successes in inpatient and emergency department (ED) settings, there is a paucity of literature exploring these initiatives in urgent care (UC) sites. This study aimed to determine the impact of implementing a pharmacist-led antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) in the UC setting. Methods A retrospective quasi-experimental study was conducted evaluating UC patients with positive urine or wound cultures following discharge. A collaborative practice agreement was implemented in 2015 allowing for pharmacist-led UC culture follow-up via a stewardship-focused protocol. The primary outcome of this study was to compare guideline-concordant antibiotic prescribing between the pre-ASP and post-ASP groups. Secondary outcomes included comparing the number of patients who required follow-up, time to follow-up, UC or ED revisits within 72 hours, and hospital admission within 30 days between groups. Results A total of 300 patients were included in the study (pre-ASP, n = 150; post-ASP, n = 150). Total guideline-concordant prescribing for all diagnoses was significantly improved in the post-ASP group (pre-ASP, 41.3% versus post-ASP 53.3%, p = 0.037). Additionally, guideline-concordant antibiotic selection improved in the post-ASP group (pre-ASP, 51% versus post-ASP, 68%, p = 0.01). Follow-up was required for 27 (18%) patients in the pre-ASP group compared with 16 (10.7%) in the post-ASP group (p = 0.07). Median time to follow-up call was longer in the post-ASP group (38 versus 71 hours, p < 0.001). There were no differences in UC and ED revisits within 72 hours (p = 1.0) or hospital admissions within 30 days (p = 0.723). Conclusion A pharmacist-led urgent care ASP was associated with significantly improved guideline-concordant antimicrobial prescribing.
The Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms among Overweight/Obese and Non-Overweight/Non-Obese Children/Adolescents in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

With the dramatic growth of the Chinese economy, the number of children/adolescents with being overweight/having obesity is increasing, which has a certain impact on their psychology, such as depression and anxiety symptoms. Our purpose was to conduct a meta-analysis to assess the prevalence and odds ratios of depression and anxiety symptoms among overweight/obese children/adolescents and non-overweight/obese children/adolescents in China. As of July 2018, the three most comprehensive computerized academic databases in China have been systematically screened, namely China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI) databases, Wanfang databases and Vip databases. The same operations are performed in PubMed and Web of Science (SCIE) databases without language restrictions. Case-control studies on prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms in overweight/obese children/adolescents in China were analyzed. Study selection and evaluation were performed independently by three authors. Unweighted prevalence, pooled random-effects estimates of odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were all calculated. A total of 11 eligible studies involving 17,894 subjects were included. The prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms in overweight/obese children/adolescents was significantly higher than that in non-overweight/non-obese children/adolescents (depression: 21.73% vs. 17.96%, OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.87, p = 0.003; anxiety: 39.80% vs. 13.99%, OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.79, p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses conducted according to scale types showed that scale types have certain significance to evaluate the relationship between depression symptoms and overweight/obesity. The OR of depression symptoms between overweight/obese children/adolescents and non-overweight/non-obese children/adolescents was greatest on the Middle School Student Mental Health Scale (MSSMHS) was 2.06 (95% CI: 1.41, 3.02, I2 = 0.00%), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was 1.03 (95% CI: 0.84, 1.25, I2 = 0.00%), and Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) was 1.21 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.42, I2 = 0.00%). We concluded that the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms in overweight/obese children/adolescents in China is higher than that in the non-overweight/obese children/adolescents. The results of the study indicate that the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among overweight/obese children/adolescents in Chinese medical institutions should receive more attention. Physical exercise and psychological interventions should be strengthened to prevent psychological problems. However, because of some clear limitations (no clinical interview and few studies), these results should be interpreted with caution.
New Terpenoids And Lignans From The Twigs Of Tripterygium Hypoglaucum

Abstract Six new compounds, including three terpenoids (1-3) and three lignans (4-6), were isolated from the 95% EtOH extract of the twigs of Tripterygium hypoglaucum. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. 9′-O-benzoyl-lariciresinol (4) showed weak cytotoxicity against HepG2/Adr cells, with an IC50 value of 30.1 μM in vitro. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Vitamin D Deficiency/Insufficiency among Inpatients with Depressive Symptoms

Objective Although the association between low vitamin D levels and depressive symptoms has been widely reported, studies investigating the relationship between hypovitaminosis D and depressive symptomatology are scarce. Methods We retrospectively studied the relationship between vitamin D status and depressive symptoms in 196 patients hospitalized for a major depressive episode. Results The baseline 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale total and depression factor (item 1, 2, 3, 7) scores were significantly higher in the vitamin-D-insufficiency/deficiency group than in the vitamin-D-sufficiency group. Conclusion It is important to consider measuring the vitamin D levels of patients with severe and core depressive symptoms and providing vitamin D supplementation when necessary.
Maternal small RNAs mediate spatial-temporal regulation of gene expression, imprinting, and seed development in Arabidopsis

Significance Previous studies have revealed that RNA silencing and epigenetic regulation are important for seed development. Here we used laser-capture microdissection to analyze small RNA in the endosperm and seed coat and investigate their biological effects. We have identified four distinct groups of siRNA loci, including those expressed specifically from the maternal genome in the developing seed. One group of these siRNAs targets the endosperm-preferred genes, including those encoding AGAMOUS-LIKE (AGL) transcription factors. We show that the spatial-temporal expression of AGL40 and AGL91 is regulated by these maternal siRNAs, and disruption or overexpression of these genes in the endosperm alters seed size. Selection or manipulation of this siRNA-mediated gene expression may help improve seed production and crop yields. Arabidopsis seed development involves maternal small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that induce RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) through the NRPD1-mediated pathway. To investigate their biological functions, we characterized siRNAs in the endosperm and seed coat that were separated by laser-capture microdissection (LCM) in reciprocal genetic crosses with an nrpd1 mutant. We also monitored the spatial-temporal activity of the NRPD1-mediated pathway on seed development using the AGO4:GFP::AGO4 (promoter:GFP::protein) reporter and promoter:GUS sensors of siRNA-mediated silencing. From these approaches, we identified four distinct groups of siRNA loci dependent on or independent of the maternal NRPD1 allele in the endosperm or seed coat. A group of maternally expressed NRPD1-siRNA loci targets endosperm-preferred genes, including those encoding AGAMOUS-LIKE (AGL) transcription factors. Using translational promoter:AGL::GUS constructs as sensors, we demonstrate that spatial and temporal expression patterns of these genes in the endosperm are regulated by the NRPD1-mediated pathway irrespective of complete silencing (AGL91) or incomplete silencing (AGL40) of these target genes. Moreover, altered expression of these siRNA-targeted genes affects seed size. We propose that the corresponding maternal siRNAs could account for parent-of-origin effects on the endosperm in interploidy and hybrid crosses. These analyses reconcile previous studies on siRNAs and imprinted gene expression during seed development.
Thrombotic complications in adult patients with severe single coagulation factor or platelet defects – an overview

ABSTRACT Introduction: Even though thrombotic events are rare in patients with coagulation deficiencies, several cases of both arterial and venous thromboses have been reported in patients with single coagulation factor defects and platelet defects. Thromboses have been described both in hemophilia A and B, von Willebrand disease as well as in many other rare congenital coagulation factor and platelet defects. Thromboses may also occur in patients with acquired hemophilia and in patients with severe thrombocytopenia due to hematological malignancies or intensive chemotherapy. Areas covered: We searched in the PubMed database to identify scientific publications describing patients with bleeding disorders and thromboses and published suggestions/guidelines for the treatment of thromboses in such patients. Expert commentary: The article gives a review of published case reports/studies of thromboses in these patients. Thromboses are rare in all these diseases. There is generally a lack controlled clinical studies for the use of anticoagulation therapy in such patients, and the article gives an overview of published suggestions and expert opinions based on the experience at large centers for treatment of thromboses in patients with congenital coagulation defects, acquired hemophilia and severe thrombocytopenia.
Autophagy Activation by Crepidiastrum Denticulatum Extract Attenuates Environmental Pollutant-Induced Damage in Dermal Fibroblasts

Pollution-induced skin damage results in oxidative stress; cellular toxicity; inflammation; and, ultimately, premature skin aging. Previous studies suggest that the activation of autophagy can protect oxidation-induced cellular damage and aging-like changes in skin. In order to develop new anti-pollution ingredients, this study screened various kinds of natural extracts to measure their autophagy activation efficacy in cultured dermal fibroblast. The stimulation of autophagy flux by the selected extracts was further confirmed both by the expression of proteins associated with the autophagy signals and by electron microscope. Crepidiastrum denticulatum (CD) extract treated cells showed the highest autophagic vacuole formation in the non-cytotoxic range. The phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate kinase (AMPK), but not the inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), was observed by CD-extract treatment. Its anti-pollution effects were further evaluated with model compounds, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and cadmium chloride (CdCl2), and a CD extract treatment resulted in both the protection of cytotoxicity and a reduction of proinflammatory cytokines. These results suggest that the autophagy activators can be a new protection regimen for anti-pollution. Therefore, CD extract can be used for anti-inflammatory and anti-pollution cosmetic ingredients.