Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic accuracy of midkine on hepatocellular carcinoma: A meta-analysis

Objective To evaluate the dependability and accuracy of midkine (MK) in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, China Biology Medicine disc and grey literature sources were searched from the date of database inception to January 2019. Two authors (B-H.Z. and B.L.) independently extracted the data and evaluated the study quality using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LR+) and negative likelihood ratio (LR−) were estimated using a bivariate model. Moreover, hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic curves were generated. The diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and area under the curve (AUC) were pooled using a univariate model. Results Nine articles (11 studies) were included (1941 participants). The bivariate analysis revealed that the sensitivity and specificity of MK for HCC diagnosis were 0.85 (95% CI 0.78–0.91) and 0.83 (95% CI 0.76–0.88), respectively. We also found a LR+ of 5.05 (95% CI 3.33–7.40), a LR− of 0.18 (95% CI 0.11–0.28), a DOR of 31.74 (95% CI 13.98–72.09) and an AUC of 0.91 (95% CI 0.84–0.99). Subgroup analyses showed that MK provided the best efficiency for HCC diagnosis when the cutoff value was greater than 0.5 ng/mL. Conclusions MK has an excellent diagnostic value for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Validation of the vignette-based German Exercise Causality Orientation Scale (G-ECOS)

The Self-Determination Theory has been applied to explain behaviour in numerous contexts and cultures. In the exercise context, causality orientations (autonomy, control, impersonal) are important to describe individual differences in initiation and maintenance of health behaviour. The assessment of exercise causality orientations can be a key element to improve predictions of motivated health and exercise behaviour. Nevertheless, a scale to measure exercise causality orientations has not been established in German yet. Thus, it was the aim of the present work to translate the Exercise Causality Orientations Scale to German and to test it throughout three studies. The German G-ECOS questionnaire was cross-validated via confirmatory factor analyses in two separate samples. Both Study 1 (n = 306, 72.60% female, age M = 26.00, SD = 5.66; CFI = .96) and Study 2 (n = 320, 70.94% female, age M = 29.00, SD = 3.54; CFI = .95) indicated a good model fits. In a further Study 3 (n = 548, 62.50% female, age M = 30.17, SD = 11.91), the relations between exercise causality orientations and other SDT related constructs were examined. The correlations indicated positive associations between autonomy causality orientation and intrinsic regulation, intrinsic exercise participation goals, and exercise basic needs satisfaction. Overall, the assessment of exercise causality orientations can be useful in analysing and potentially predicting motivated exercise behaviour.
Metabolomic Profiling of the Immune Stimulatory Effect of Eicosenoids on PMA-Differentiated THP-1 Cells

Honey bee venom has been established to have significant effect in immunotherapy. In the present study, (Z)-11-eicosenol-a major constituent of bee venom, along with its derivations methyl cis-11-eicosenoate and cis-11-eicosenoic acid, were synthesised to investigate their immune stimulatory effect and possible use as vaccine adjuvants. Stimuli that prime and activate the immune system have exerted profound effects on immune cells, particularly macrophages; however, the effectiveness of bee venom constituents as immune stimulants has not yet been established. Here, the abilities of these compounds to act as pro-inflammatory stimuli were assessed, either alone or in combination with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), by examining the secretion of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and the cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and IL-10 by THP-1 macrophages. The compounds clearly increased the levels of IL-1β and decreased IL-10, whereas a decrease in IL-6 levels suggested a complex mechanism of action. A more in-depth profile of macrophage behaviour was therefore obtained by comprehensive untargeted metabolic profiling of the cells using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to confirm the ability of the eicosanoids to trigger the immune system. The level of 358 polar and 315 non-polar metabolites were changed significantly (p < 0.05) by all treatments. The LPS-stimulated production of most of the inflammatory metabolite biomarkers in glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, the pentose phosphate pathway, purine, pyrimidine and fatty acids metabolism were significantly enhanced by all three compounds, and particularly by methyl cis-11-eicosenoate and cis-11-eicosenoic acid. These findings support the proposed actions of (Z)-11-eicosenol, methyl cis-11-eicosenoate and cis-11-eicosenoic acid as immune system stimulators.
Monoterpenoid Loliolide Regulates Hair Follicle Inductivity of Human Dermal Papilla Cells by Activating the Akt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway.

Loliolide is one of the most ubiquitous monoterpenoid compounds found in algae, and its potential therapeutic effect on various dermatological conditions via agent-induced biological functions including anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic properties was demonstrated. Here, we investigated the effects of loliolide on hair growth in dermal papilla (DP) cells, the main dermal components regulating hair growth and loss conditions. To investigate the effect of loliolide on hair inductive properties, we used a three-dimensional (3D) DP spheroid model that mimics the in vivo hair follicle system. Biochemical assays showed that low doses of loliolide increased the viability and spheroid size of 3D DP spheroids in a dose-dependent manner. This result correlated with increases in expression levels of hair growth-related autocrine factors including VEGF, IGF-1, and KGF. Immunoblotting and luciferase-reporter assays further revealed that loliolide induced AKT phosphorylation, and this effect led to stabilization of β-catenin which plays a crucial role in hair inductive properties of DP cells. Further experiments showed that loliolide increased the expression levels of the DP signature genes, ALP, BMP2, VCAN, and HEY1. Furthermore, conditioned media from loliolide-treated DP spheroids significantly enhanced proliferation and the expression of hair growth regulatory genes in keratinocytes. These results suggested that loliolide could function in hair growth inductivity of DP cells via the AKT/ β-catenin signaling pathways.
Prevalence of pectus excavatum (PE), pectus carinatum (PC), tracheal hypoplasia, thoracic spine deformities and lateral heart displacement in thoracic radiographs of screw-tailed brachycephalic dogs

Pectus excavatum, thoracic spine deformities, tracheal hypoplasia and lateral heart displacement are frequently described in brachycephalic dog breeds. Pectus carinatum is described sporadically, although the authors' observations demonstrate that it may occur in certain brachycephalic dog breeds. It was hypothesised that dogs of screw-tailed brachycephalic breeds carry a greater risk of these anomalies than normal-tailed brachycephalic breeds, and that there could a relation between the presence of pectus excavatum or pectus carinatum and thoracic spine deformities, tracheal hypoplasia and lateral heart displacement. During retrospective studies, these anomalies were identified in lateral and dorso-ventral radiographs of the thorax in brachycephalic dog breeds. A statistical analysis revealed that the frequency of pectus excavatum occurrence in screw-tailed and normal-tailed brachycephalic dog breeds is similar. The greatest risk of pectus excavatum occurrence is carried by two breeds: Maltese (60%) and English Bulldog (58%), while for pectus carinatum: Pug (41%) and French Bulldog (18%). Dogs of screw-tailed brachycephalic breeds carry a greater risk of kyphosis (p < 0.0001), tracheal hypoplasia occurrence (p < 0.0001), compared to "normal-tailed" breeds. The hypothesis concerning a relation between the presence of pectus excavatum or pectus carinatum and the other anomalies studied was not confirmed (p > 0.05). It was demonstrated that in dogs of brachycephalic breeds there was a greater risk of co-incidence between kyphosis of the thoracic spine and lateral heart displacement (p = 0.038), as well as kyphosis of the thoracic spine and tracheal hypoplasia (p = 0.003).
Two-bag intravenous N-acetylcysteine, antihistamine pretreatment and high plasma paracetamol levels are associated with a lower incidence of anaphylactoid reactions to N-acetylcysteine

Abstract Context: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is used worldwide to prevent liver injury after paracetamol overdoses. Anaphylactoid reactions to NAC occur frequently and often lead to treatment interruptions or discontinuations. In Denmark in 2013, the NAC treatment regimen was simplified from a three-bag to a two-bag NAC regimen. Factors of importance for the development of anaphylactoid reaction to this new regimen are poorly explored. Previous studies have suggested a protective effect of high plasma levels of paracetamol on the development of anaphylactoid reactions. Likewise, exposure to antihistamines prior to NAC treatment may protect against these reactions. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients treated with NAC and with at least one plasma paracetamol sample performed in the Capital Region of Denmark from 2010 to 2017. The primary outcome was the incidence of anaphylactoid reactions to NAC requiring intravenous treatment with antihistamines and/or glucocorticoids. Logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify the risk of developing an anaphylactoid reaction to NAC affected by influencing factors. Results: Of 4315 admissions included in the study, 259 (6.0%) developed an anaphylactoid reaction to NAC. The two-bag regimen (adjusted OR 0.44 [95%CI: 0.32–0.60]), increasing age (adjusted OR 0.84 [95%CI: 0.78–0.90] per 10-year increase) or children <10 years (adjusted OR 0.14 [95%CI: 0.04–0.36]) and antihistamine co-ingestion in overdose (adjusted OR 0.17 [95%CI: 0.02–0.64]) were associated with significantly fewer anaphylactoid reactions. High plasma paracetamol concentrations protected against development of anaphylactoid reactions during the two-bag regimen (adjusted OR 0.59 [95%CI: 0.47–0.71] and three-bag regimen 0.82 [95%CI: 0.72–0.94] per doubling of paracetamol concentration). The effect differed between the two regimens (p = .004 for interaction). Conclusion: In this retrospective cohort, a high peak plasma paracetamol concentration, age, antihistamine co-ingestion and use of the two-bag NAC regimen were associated with fewer anaphylactoid reactions to NAC.
BRCA1/2 Molecular Assay for Ovarian Cancer Patients: A Survey through Italian Departments of Oncology and Molecular and Genomic Diagnostic Laboratories

In Italy, 5200 new ovarian cancers were diagnosed in 2018, highlighting an increasing need to test women for BRCA1/2. The number of labs offering this test is continuously increasing. The aim of this study was to show the results coming from the intersociety survey coordinated by four different Clinical and Laboratory Italian Scientific Societies (AIOM, SIAPEC-IAP, SIBIOC, and SIGU). A multidisciplinary team belonging to the four scientific societies drew up two different questionnaires: One was targeted toward all Italian Departments of Medical Oncology, and the second toward laboratories of clinical molecular biology. This survey was implemented from September 2017 to March 2018. Seventy-seven out of 305 (25%) Departments of Medical Oncology filled our survey form. Indeed, 59 molecular laboratories were invited. A total of 41 laboratories (70%) filled in the questionnaire. From 2014 to 2017, 16 new molecular laboratories were activated. A total of 12,559 tests were performed in the year 2016, with a mean of 339 tests and a median of 254 tests per laboratory, showing a glimpse of an extreme low number of tests performed per year by some laboratories. In terms of the type and number of professionals involved in the pre- and post-test counseling, results among the onco-genetic team were heterogeneous. Our data show that the number of laboratories providing BRCA1/2 germline assays is significantly increased with further implementation of the somatic test coming soon. The harmonization of the complete laboratory diagnostic path should be encouraged, particularly in order to reduce the gap between laboratories with high and low throughput.
Angiosarcoma in Collision With a Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Case Report and Literature Review

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare entity that most commonly arises from the skin. Angiosarcoma (AS) is a rare malignancy with a predilection for elderly males, has endothelial differentiation and a notoriously poor prognosis despite aggressive therapy. Herein, we report an angiosarcoma colliding with a MCC, in a patient with a past medical history of squamous cell carcinoma, status-post radiation therapy. More specifically, our case represents a collision tumor, a rare entity composed of two histologically distinct neoplasms which coincide together at the same location. This case represents the first documented report of such a presentation. With that being said, its clinical course, prognosis, pathogenesis, and molecular profile, currently remains unclear. Importantly, neoplasms are increasingly being found to be associated with radiation therapy, of which our patient had received. Ultimately, however, with the lack of c-MYC immunohistochemical staining, and a short duration between radiation exposure and presentation, the AS in our case was likely coincidental.
Patterns of Dysphagia and Airway Protection in Infants with 22q11.2‐Deletion Syndrome

22q11.2‐deletion syndrome is a genetic condition that affects 1:3000 births. In addition to cardiac anomalies and immunosuppression, individuals with 22q11.2‐deletion syndrome can have feeding difficulties from birth resulting in failure to thrive and infections. This study aims to characterize the dysphagia seen in infants with 22q11.2‐deletion syndrome.
A physiological dose of oral vitamin B-12 improves hematological, biochemical-metabolic indices and peripheral nerve function in B-12 deficient Indian adolescent women

Background Vitamin B-12 deficiency is often considered synonymous with pernicious anemia, a rare condition in which severe malabsorption of the vitamin requires high-dose parenteral treatment. In developing countries such as India, inadequate dietary intake of B-12 due to socio-cultural factors leads to widely prevalent asymptomatic low B-12 status. In this scenario, lower doses of oral B-12 may be effective, safer and more affordable. Objective To examine the effects of oral B-12 treatment at physiological doses on hematological and biochemical indices and peripheral nerve function in B-12 deficient rural Indian adolescent women. Methods Thirty-nine women with B-12 deficiency who were excluded from a community based B-12 supplementation trial (Pune Rural Intervention in Young Adolescents (PRIYA)) received oral B-12 2μg/day, either alone (n = 19) or with multiple micronutrients (UNIMAPP formula + 20gm milk powder, n = 20) for 11 months. Hematological indices, nutrients (B-12, folate), metabolites (homocysteine) and peripheral nerve function (SUDOSCAN, Impetomedical, Paris and sensory nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of median and sural nerves) were assessed at baseline and after 11 months of B-12 treatment. Results Results were similar in the two treatment allocation groups, which were therefore combined. At baseline, all women had B-12 concentration <100pmol/L, 79% were anemic and 33% had macrocytosis, but none had neuropathy. After 11 months of treatment, B-12 levels increased, while folate did not change. The prevalence of anemia fell to 59% and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and plasma homocysteine concentrations decreased. Sudomotor nerve function in the feet improved by an average of 14.7%, and sensory conduction velocity in median and sural nerves increased by 16.2% and 29.4% respectively. Conclusion We document clinically beneficial effects of supplementation with a physiological dose of oral B-12 in asymptomatic rural Indian adolescent women with very low B-12 status. These findings support a public health approach to tackle the widely prevalent low B-12 status in young Indians.
Morphometric, genetic diversity and phylogenetic analysis of Taenia hydatigena (Pallas, 1766) larval stage in Iranian livestock

Abstract Cysticercus tenuicollis as metacestode of Taenia hydatigena is the most prevalent taeniid species in livestock. Eighty-eight C. tenuicollis samples were collected from sheep (n = 44) and goats (n = 44) of the northern Iran from 2015 to 2016. The isolated parasites were characterized by morphometric keys. The DNA of the larval stage was extracted, amplified and sequenced targeting mitochondrial 12S rRNA and Cox 1 markers. A significant difference in larval rostellar hook length was observed in 12S rRNA haplotypes. Analysis of molecular variance of 12S rRNA indicated a moderate genetic diversity in the C. tenuicollis isolates. The pairwise sequence distance of C. tenuicollis showed an intra-species diversity of 0.3–0.5% and identity of 99.5–100%. Using the 12S rRNA sequence data we found a moderate genetic difference (Fst; 0.05421) in C. tenucollis isolates collected from livestock of the northern and southeastern regions of Iran. We concluded that the genetic variants of C. tenuicollis are being undoubtedly distributing mostly in different parts of Iran. Further studies with a larger number of T. hydatigena isolates collected from various intermediate and definitive hosts are needed to study this evolutionary assumption and also to determine the apparent genetic differences observed in the studied regions.
A novel environmental enrichment device increased physical activity and walking distance in broilers.

Modern broilers are selected for fast growth and a large proportion of breast tissue, contributing to a top-heavy phenotype, leg disorders, and inactivity as birds reach market weight. Therefore, the objective was to motivate broilers to move through environmental enrichment. A total of 1,200 Ross 308 broilers were housed in pens of 30 for 6 wk: 600 birds were exposed to a novel laser enrichment device (LASER) and 600 were control. Each device projected 2 randomly moving red laser dots onto the floor 4 times/day for 4-min "laser periods. " Seven LASER and 7 control pens, with 5 focal birds/pen (n = 70), were randomly selected to be video-recorded day 0 to 8 and once weekly for the remainder of the trial. Videos were analyzed to measure broiler time-budget and behaviors such as latency to feed and distance walked during laser periods. Focal birds were gait scored weekly on-farm. A test of the human-approach paradigm was carried out on weeks 1 and 6 on all pens. LASER birds were more active on days 0, 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8, moving 254% more on day 7 (P ≤ 0.05). Time spent active was increased in LASER treatment by 114% on week 2; 157% on week 3; 90% on week 4; and 82% on week 5. LASER birds spent more time at the feeder on days 0, 1, 2, 5, 8, and on weeks 1 and 5, with 84% more time at feeder than control on day 5 (P ≤ 0.05). LASER birds walked further during laser periods on day 0 to 8, reaching 646.5 cm greater (day 1), and on weeks 2, 3, 4, and 5, with an increase of 367.5 cm on week 2 (P ≤ 0.05). Over week 1 to 6, 60.54 ± 7.4% of focal birds in the laser treatment were at the feeder during or within 5 min following laser periods. The laser enrichment device was successful in stimulating broiler physical activity and feeding, and did not negatively impact walking ability.
CD36 expression on oral squamous cell carcinoma cells correlates with enhanced proliferation and migratory activity.

OBJECTIVE Recent studies have demonstrated the pro-tumour role of CD36 in multiple cancer types. However, its role has not been well elucidated in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Here, we aimed to evaluate the role of CD36 in proliferation and migration of OSCC cells. METHODS Human OSCC cell lines HSC-2, HSC-3, HSC-4, and Ca9-22 were assessed for proliferation by staining with the cell proliferation marker Ki-67. We also assessed migration activity, and the expression of cell adhesion molecules such as E-cadherin and β-catenin and platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRs) of CD36-positive cells. RESULTS CD36-positive cells showed increased expression of Ki-67 and migration activity compared with CD36-negative cells. Moreover, CD36-positive cells showed reduced expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin, whereas the expression of PDGFRs increased compared with that in CD36-negative cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results strongly suggest that CD36 has an important role in facilitating the proliferation and migration activity of OSCC cells, indicating its usefulness in the diagnosis of high-grade tumour and targeted therapy of oral cancer.
Readability of patient‐reported outcome measures for chronic rhinosinusitis and skull base diseases

Outcome measures in healthcare that presume a higher level of patient health and overall literacy may inadequately estimate the disease experiences of less‐educated patients and further disadvantage them. Patient‐Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) are widely used communication tools for clinical practice and are often used to evaluate and guide management for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and skull base diseases. However, their readability and subsequent incomprehensibility for patients have not been assessed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the readability of commonly used PROMs for these conditions and whether they meet recommended readability levels.
Unravelling plasmidome distribution and interaction with its hosting microbiome.

Horizontal gene transfer, and the plasmids that are often the major transfer vectors, play a crucial role in microbial evolution. Here we present a comparative study of plasmidomes across adjacent microbial environments present in different individual rumen microbiomes. Our findings show that the rumen plasmidome displays enormous unknown functional potential currently unannotated in available databases. Nevertheless, this unknown functionality is conserved and shared with published rat gut plasmidome data. Moreover, the rumen plasmidome is highly diverse compared to microbiome that hosts these plasmids, across both similar and different rumen habitats. Our analysis demonstrates that its structure is shaped more by stochasticity than selection. Nevertheless, the plasmidome is an active partner in its intricate relationship with the host microbiome with both interacting with and responding to their environment. This study presents a unique look at the plasmidome's variation in its natural environment and its ecological role. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.