Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after Civilian Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prevalence Rates

Abstract Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Much research on PTSD and TBI has focused on military conflict settings. Less is known about PTSD in civilian TBI. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of PTSD after mild and moderate/severe TBI in civilian populations. We further aimed to explore the influence of methodological quality and assessment methods. A systematic literature search was performed on studies reporting on PTSD in civilian TBI, excluding studies on military populations. The risk of bias was assessed using the MORE (Methodological evaluation of Observational REsearch) checklist. Meta-analysis was conducted for overall prevalence rates for PTSD with sensitivity analyses for the severity of TBI. Fifty-two studies were included, of which 31 were graded as low risk of bias. Prevalence rates of PTSD in low risk of bias studies varied widely (2.6–36%) with a pooled prevalence rate of 15.6%. Pooled prevalence rates of PTSD for mild TBI (13.5%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.7–15.3; I2 = 2%) did not differ from moderate/severe TBI (11.8, 95% CI: 7.5–16.1; I2 = 63%). Similar rates were reported in studies using different approaches and times of assessment. Although most studies that compared participants with TBI with trauma patients and healthy controls found no difference in prevalence rates of PTSD, a meta-analysis across studies revealed a higher prevalence of PTSD in patients with TBI (odds ratio [OR]: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.21–2.47). This review highlights variability between studies and emphasizes the need for higher-quality studies. Further research is warranted to determine risk factors for the development of PTSD after TBI.
The Utility of Advanced Imaging in Forensic Anthropology

Imaging technologies play an integral role in forensic anthropology cases. Advances in digital photography allow the anthropologist to photo-document the scene and skeletal remains in exceptional detail. Traditionally, radiographs have been used to document remains, potential trauma, and any individualizing characteristics such as healing trauma and frontal sinus morphology. Given technological advances, some forensic anthropologists have begun to incorporate more advanced imaging methods in their case analyses and research, such as computed tomography and three-dimensional (3D) surface scans. These advanced imaging technologies provide a means to document skeletal remains and trauma, and can be used to create 3D replicas of the elements for archival and illustrative purposes. Researchers have begun to develop novel methods for estimating biological parameters from these 3D virtual models, using new variables such as surface areas and volumes, and advanced statistical methods (e.g., geometric morphometric analyses) to quantitatively analyze skeletal variation for sex and ancestry estimation. The use of these technologies in forensic anthropology remains somewhat limited, however, due to required costs, expertise, and the time involved in collecting and processing the data. Newly developed methods require further validation, and some areas of advanced imaging, such as photogrammetry, remain relatively unexplored in the field. Interdisciplinary collaborations between forensic anthropologists and other medicolegal professionals can help alleviate some of these resource constraints and facilitate advancements in forensic case analysis and research.
Relationships among Psychological Capital, Creative Tendency and Job Burnout among Chinese Nurses.

AIMS To evaluate relationships among psychological capital, creative tendency and job burnout among Chinese nurses. BACKGROUND Nurses are particularly susceptible to job burnout and kinds of factors related to their burnout. However, limited studies focus on the relationships among nurses' psychological capital, creative tendency and job burnout in China. DESIGN A cross-sectional design. METHODS A convenience sample of 200 female nurses was recruited from a grade A tertiary hospital in Shandong province from December 2016 - January 2017. Data were collected using self- reported questionnaires, including the Chinese version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey, Creativity Assessment Packet, Psychological Capital Questionnaire and the socio-demographic questionnaire. RESULTS Nurses' psychological capital and creative tendency was negatively related to job burnout and psychological capital was positively related to creative tendency. Moreover, creative tendency partially mediated the relationship between psychological capital and job burnout. CONCLUSIONS Interventions aimed at strengthening nurses' creative tendencies and psychological capital could reduce the occurrence of job burnout. IMPACT This study identified the psychological capital and creative tendency affecting job burnout among Chinese nurses. The psychological capital and creative tendency was negatively related to job burnout; creative tendency partially mediated the relationship between psychological capital and job burnout among Chinese nurses. Nurses should pay attention to their own creative personality and take the advantage of it to release job burnout. Nurse managers are called on to strengthen nurses' psychological capital and creativity in this study by designing effective strategies for preventing job burnout among nurses. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Comprehensive analysis of prognostic immune‐related genes in the tumor microenvironment of cutaneous melanoma

Cutaneous malignant melanoma (hereafter called melanoma) is one of the most aggressive cancers with increasing incidence and mortality rates worldwide. In this study, we performed a systematic investigation of the tumor microenvironmental and genetic factors associated with melanoma to identify prognostic biomarkers for melanoma. We calculated the immune and stromal scores of melanoma patients from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) using the ESTIMATE algorithm and found that they were closely associated with patients’ prognosis. Then the differentially expressed genes were obtained based on the immune and stromal scores, and prognostic immune‐related genes further identified. Functional analysis and the protein–protein interaction network further revealed that these genes enriched in many immune‐related biological processes. In addition, the abundance of six infiltrating immune cells was analyzed using prognostic immune‐related genes by TIMER algorithm. The unsupervised clustering analysis using immune‐cell proportions revealed eight clusters with distinct survival patterns, suggesting that dendritic cells were most abundant in the microenvironment and CD8+ T cells and neutrophils were significantly related to patients’ prognosis. Finally, we validated these genes in three independent cohorts from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. In conclusion, this study comprehensively analyzed the tumor microenvironment and identified prognostic immune‐related biomarkers for melanoma.
Anti-Inflammatory Treatments for Major Depressive Disorder: What's on the Horizon?

Inflammation is associated with greater depressive symptom severity,1,2 resistance to commonly used antidepressants,3 differential response to escitalopram versus nortriptyline or bupropion,4,5 and higher likelihood of hospitalization6 in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). While precise mechanisms remain unclear, a recent report found a very high correlation (coefficient = 0.855) between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), suggesting that peripheral measures of inflammation are good indicators of central nervous system inflammation.7 Since currently available monoaminergic antidepressants are ineffective for over a third of MDD patients,8 targeting inflammation may be a promising avenue to develop novel mechanistically driven antidepressants.9 This report briefly reviews published reports and ongoing studies of anti-inflammatory treatments with potential antidepressant effects. While the role of inflammation and anti-inflammatory treatments have gained recent attention in bipolar depression,10,11 this report is limited in scope to studies in patients with MDD.
An international multicenter retrospective study to survey the landscape of thrombectomy in the treatment of anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke: outcomes with respect to age

Background Thrombectomy is an efficacious treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, relatively few studies to date have specifically examined the impact and clinical implications of age on outcomes for thrombectomy in anterior AIS. Objective To provide a snapshot of patient metrics and outcomes with respect to age following thrombectomy for anterior AIS to supplement the current body of data for predictors of clinical outcomes in a real-world setting. Methods Data were collected for 20 consecutive patients with AIS treated with thrombectomy at 15 high-volume stroke centers across North America between 2015 and 2016. Patients with anterior occlusions were dichotomized based on whether they were older or younger than 80 years. Ordinal logistic regression analyzed how clinical variables impacted disability using 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores. Results Adequate revascularization (TICI ≥2B) was achieved in 92.3% of patients aged <80 years with an average 1.7±0.1 passes taken with the primary technique and in 88.0% of patients aged ≥80 years with an average 1.7±0.2 passes. Despite similar baseline characteristics, mRS scores were significantly higher in older patients postoperatively and at 90 days after intervention. Age was a significant predictor of 90-day mRS across the study population. Conclusion This analysis affirms age is a significant determinant of 90-day mRS scores following thrombectomy for large vessel anterior AIS. Further investigation into risks faced by elderly patients during thrombectomy may provide actionable information to help refine patient selection and improve outcomes.
Podoplanin Expression in Odontogenic Keratocysts Associated or not Associated With Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome

Background: Podoplanin is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed on various normal or neoplastic cells. Some studies have shown that podoplanin promotes the migration and invasion of tumor cells. This study evaluated a podoplanin expression in Odontogenic Keratocysts (OKs) associated or not associated with Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome (NBCCS) and in Orthokeratinized Odontogenic Cysts (OOCs). Materials and Methods: A total of 50 lesions were obtained in this study, 28 OKs, 18 OKs associated with NBCCS, and 4 OOCs. Immunohistochemical expression of podoplanin in epithelial cells was evaluated using the following score: (a) intensity of immunostaining: (0: absent, 1: weak, 2: moderate, 3: strong, and 4: very strong) and (b) number of positively cells (0: 0%, 1: <25%, 2: 25% to 50%, 3: 50% to 75%, and 4: >75%). The final score was determined by adding the scores of a and b and ranged from 0 to 8 (0: absent, 1 to 4: weak, and 5 to 8: strong). Results: Podoplanin expression was significantly stronger in the basal layer OKs and NBCCS lesions. Further, podoplanin expression was the highest in the suprabasal layer of NBCCS lesions, followed by the suprabasal layers of OK and OOC lesions. Conclusions: Podoplanin expression is different in lesions of different biological behaviors. Podoplanin seems to play a role in cell proliferation and migration.
[Dopamine agonists in Parkinson's disease therapy - 15 years of experience of the Neurological Clinics from Tîrgu Mureș. A cross-sectional study].

Background and purpose There is relatively few data regarding the usage of dopaminagonists for the treatment of Parkinson's disease; furthermore, there are no publications regarding Central- and Eastern-European countries. The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of dopamine agonists as a therapeutic option amongst Parkinson's disease patients admitted to the Neurological Clinics of Tîrgu Mures during the last 15 years. Methods In our study we investigated the data of all Parkinson's patients treated at our clinics between the 1st of January 2003 and the 31st of December 2017. We analyzed the particularities of dopamine agonists' usage based on the therapeutic recommendations from the final report of these patients. Regarding time since the diagnosis, we divided the patients in two groups: less than or equal to 5 years and more than 5 years. Results During the studied period a total of 2379 patients with Parkinson's disease were treated at the Clinics. From the 1237 patients with disease duration under 5 years 665 received dopamine agonists: 120 as monotherapy, 83 together with monoamine oxidase inhibitors and in 234 cases associated with levodopa. The remaining 228 patients were treated with a triple combination of levodopa, dopamine agonists and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. In patients suffering from Parkinson's disease for more than 5 years, in 364 cases out of 653 a dopamine agonist was part of the therapy. Conclusion The usage of dopamine agonists was similar to the data presented in other studies. We consider that clinicians treating the disease should, with the necessary prudence, use the available and recommended dopamine agonist with the utmost courage to their maximum therapeutic potential.
Association of pediatric obesity and asthma, pulmonary physiology, metabolic dysregulation, and atopy; and the role of weight management

ABSTRACT Introduction: Obesity affects about 40% of US adults and 18% of children. Its impact on the pulmonary system is best described for asthma. Areas covered: We reviewed the literature on PubMed and Google Scholar databases and summarize the effect of obesity, its associated metabolic dysregulation and altered systemic immune responses, and that of weight gain and loss on pulmonary mechanics, asthma inception, and disease burden. We include a distinct approach for diagnosing and managing the disease, including pulmonary function deficits inherent to obesity-related asthma, in light of its poor response to current asthma medications. Expert opinion: Given the projected increase in obesity, obesity-related asthma needs to be addressed now. Research on the contribution of metabolic abnormalities and systemic immune responses, intricately linked with truncal adiposity, and that of lack of atopy, to asthma disease burden, and pulmonary function deficits among obese children is fairly consistent. Since current asthma medications are more effective for atopic asthma, investigation for atopy will guide management by distinguishing asthma responsive to current medications from the non-responsive disease. Future research is needed to elucidate mechanisms by which obesity-mediated metabolic abnormalities and immune responses cause medication non-responsive asthma, which will inform repurposing of medications and drug discovery.
Transcriptomic Analysis of Streptococcus pyogenes Colonizing the Vaginal Mucosa Identifies hupY, an MtsR-Regulated Adhesin Involved in Heme Utilization

Colonization of the host requires the ability to adapt to an environment that is often low in essential nutrients such as iron. Here we present data showing that the transcriptome of the important human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes shows extensive remodeling during in vivo growth, resulting in, among many other differentially expressed genes and pathways, a significant increase in genes involved in acquiring iron from host heme. Data show that HupY, previously characterized as an adhesin in both S. pyogenes and the related pathogen Streptococcus agalactiae, binds heme and affects intracellular iron concentrations. HupY, a protein with no known heme binding domains, represents a novel heme binding protein playing an important role in bacterial iron homeostasis as well as vaginal colonization. ABSTRACT Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus [GAS]) is a serious human pathogen with the ability to colonize mucosal surfaces such as the nasopharynx and vaginal tract, often leading to infections such as pharyngitis and vulvovaginitis. We present genome-wide transcriptome sequencing (RNASeq) data showing the transcriptomic changes GAS undergoes during vaginal colonization. These data reveal that the regulon controlled by MtsR, a master metal regulator, is activated during vaginal colonization. This regulon includes two genes highly expressed during vaginal colonization, hupYZ. Here we show that HupY binds heme in vitro, affects intracellular concentrations of iron, and is essential for proper growth of GAS using hemoglobin or serum as the sole iron source. HupY is also important for murine vaginal colonization of both GAS and the related vaginal colonizer and pathogen Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus [GBS]). These data provide essential information on the link between metal regulation and mucosal colonization in both GAS and GBS. IMPORTANCE Colonization of the host requires the ability to adapt to an environment that is often low in essential nutrients such as iron. Here we present data showing that the transcriptome of the important human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes shows extensive remodeling during in vivo growth, resulting in, among many other differentially expressed genes and pathways, a significant increase in genes involved in acquiring iron from host heme. Data show that HupY, previously characterized as an adhesin in both S. pyogenes and the related pathogen Streptococcus agalactiae, binds heme and affects intracellular iron concentrations. HupY, a protein with no known heme binding domains, represents a novel heme binding protein playing an important role in bacterial iron homeostasis as well as vaginal colonization.
The matrix segment of the “Spanish flu” virus originated from intragenic recombination between avian and human influenza A viruses

Abstract The 1918 Spanish flu virus has claimed more than 50 million lives. However, the mechanism of its high pathogenicity remains elusive; and the origin of the virus is controversial. The matrix (M) segment regulates the replication of influenza A virus, thereby affecting its virulence and pathogenicity. This study found that the M segment of the Spanish flu virus is a recombinant chimera originating from avian influenza virus and human influenza virus. The unique mosaic M segment might confer the virus high replication capacity, showing that the recombination might play an important role in inducing high pathogenicity of the virus. In addition, this study also suggested that the NA and NS segments of the virus were generated by reassortment between mammalian and avian viruses. Direct phylogenetic evidence was also provided for its avian origin.
Increased Serum Activin A Levels in Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome.

Activins, members of the transforming growth factor β superfamily, were originally discovered as reproductive hormones, which stimulate FSH release, and were identified in many tissues. Activins are homoor heterodimers composed of βA and βB subunits. Among 3 isoforms of activins: activin A (βA/βA), activin B (βB/βB), and activin AB (βA/βB); activin A is the most abundant and best-characterized variant. Activin A has various functions, such as regulating cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. It has been shown that activin A plays important roles in the development and progression of solid tumors including breast carcinoma (1), ovarian carcinoma (2), and colorectal carcinoma (3). In addition, a recent study has revealed that activin overexpression is an early event in murine and human skin tumorigenesis via attracting tumor-associated macrophages (4). Tumorassociated macrophages are thought to have important roles in progression of not only skin solid tumors but also cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, based on the reports which describe that the depletion of tumor-associated macrophages delays tumor formation of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cells in skin (5) and that cutaneous T-cell lymphoma patients with an increased number of tumor-associated macrophages had worse prognosis (6). To elucidate activin A involvement in the progression of mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS), we measured serum activin A levels in patients with MF/SS.
Causative fungi and treatment outcome of dematiaceous fungal keratitis in North India

Purpose: The aim of the study is to identify risk factors, clinical characteristics, causative fungi, and treatment outcome of dematiaceous fungal keratitis in North India. Methods: Consecutive cases of culture-proven dematiaceous fungal keratitis between January 2012 and June 2017 were retrieved from the medical record department. Risk factors, clinical signs, and outcome were registered. Results: Eighty-three patients were included. Identified dematiaceous fungal organism were Curvularia sp. (n = 55/83; 66.3%), Alternaria sp. (n = 12/83; 14.5%), Ulocladium sp. (n = 5/83; 6%), Bipolaris sp. (n = 5/83; 6.1%), Scedosporium sp. (n = 3/83; 3.6%), Acremonium sp. (n = 2/83; 2.4%), and Epicoccum sp. (n = 1/83; 1.2%). Male preponderance was reported. The most common predisposing factor was corneal trauma (67.4%). In cases associated with corneal trauma due to vegetative matter, sugarcane was the most common cause. In all, 89% of the patients were more than 30 years of age. The median infiltrate size was 8 mm2. The median time of antifungal therapy was 4.2 weeks (interquartile range [IQR]: 1-25 weeks). Complications were seen in 14 (n = 14/65; 21.5%) patients. Complete resolution of dematiaceous fungal keratitis was present in 27 (n = 27/65; 41.5%) eyes. Conclusion: Curvularia sp. and Alternaria sp. were the predominant pathogenic genera causing dematiaceous fungal keratitis. Among the causative fungi, infections due to Scedosporium sp. were associated with the worst outcomes. Ulocladium sp. and Epicoccum sp. were also identified. Both the species are not reported previously as a causal organism of dematiaceous fungal keratitis from North India.
Differential structural features in soleus and gastrocnemius of carnitine‐treated cancer cachectic rats

Muscle wasting is associated with chronic diseases and cancer. Elucidation of the biological mechanism involved in the process of muscle mass loss and cachexia may help identify therapeutic targets. We hypothesized that l‐carnitine treatment may differentially revert muscle fiber atrophy and other structural alterations in slow‐ and fast‐twitch limb muscles of rats bearing the Yoshida ascites hepatoma. In soleus and gastrocnemius of tumor‐bearing rats (108 AH‐130 Yoshida ascites hepatoma cells inoculated intraperitoneally) with and without treatment with l‐carnitine (1 g/kg body weight for 7 days, intragastric), food intake, body and muscle weights, fiber typing and morphometry, morphological features, redox balance, autophagy and proteolytic, and signaling markers were explored. Levels of carnitine palmitoyl transferase were also measured in all the study muscles. l‐Carnitine treatment ameliorated the atrophy of both slow‐ and fast‐twitch fibers (gastrocnemius particularly), muscle structural alterations (both muscles), and attenuated oxidative stress, proteolytic and signaling markers (gastrocnemius). Despite that carnitine palmitoyl transferase‐1 levels increased in both muscle types in a similar fashion, l‐carnitine ameliorated muscle atrophy and proteolysis in a muscle‐specific manner in cancer‐induced cachexia. These data reveal the need to study muscles of different fiber type composition and function to better understand whereby l‐carnitine exerts its beneficial effects on the myofibers in muscle wasting processes. These findings also have potential clinical implications, since combinations of various exercise and muscle training modalities with l‐carnitine should be specifically targeted for the muscle groups to be trained.