Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Marjolin's ulcer: a preventable complication of burns?

LEARNING OBJECTIVES After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Discuss the clinical features of Marjolin's ulcer. 2. Identify the risk factors for the development of Marjolin's ulcer. 3. Develop a surgical management plan for the treatment of Marjolin's ulcer. SUMMARY Marjolin's ulcer is a rare and aggressive cutaneous malignancy that arises on previously traumatized and chronically inflamed skin, especially after burns. This clinical condition was first described by Marjolin in 1828. The term "Marjolin's ulcer" has been generally accepted to refer to a long-term malignant complication of the scars resulting from burns. However, vaccination, snake bites, osteomyelitis, pilonidal abscesses, pressure sores, and venous stasis may also induce this tumor. Clinically, reports suggest that atrophic and unstable scars tend to develop into cancer. Various etiological factors have been implicated in the condition, including toxins released from damaged tissues, immunologic factors, cocarcinogens, and miscellaneous factors such as irritation, poor lymphatic regeneration, antibodies, mutations, and local toxins. The incidence of burn scars undergoing malignant transformation has been reported to be 0.77 to 2 percent. All parts of the body can be affected, but the extremities and the scalp are most frequently affected. There are two variants: acute and chronic. In the former, the carcinoma occurs within 1 year of the injury. The chronic form is more frequent and malignancy tends to develop slowly, with an average time to malignant transformation of 35 years. Although many different cell types can be seen in these lesions, the major histological type is squamous cell carcinoma. Marjolin's ulcers are generally considered as very aggressive tumors with a higher rate of regional metastases; radical excision is the treatment of choice, but there is no consensus on lymph node dissection. Marjolin's ulcer can be insidious and often leads to a poor prognosis, and deaths from Marjolin's ulcer are not uncommon. Meticulous wound care is a crucial step in prevention of these lesions.
Bacterial flora of the sea urchin Echinus esculentus

A total of 85 isolates of mesophilic, aerobic, heterotrophic bacteria were isolated from the gut, peristomial membrane, and coelomic fluid from specimens of the sea urchin Echinus esculentus from the Clyde Sea area of Scotland. These isolates were compared with 26 isolates from sand and seawater in the same locality. Overall, strains of Pseudomonas and Vibrio predominated. Gut (with an average bacterial viable count of 2 X 10(7) per 3-cm section) and coelomic fluid (which was often sterile and rarely had more than 40 bacteria per ml) had similar distributions of genera, with Vibrio predominating and Pseudomonas and Aeromonas next in abundance. In contrast, the flora of the peristomial membrane (with an average count of detachable bacteria of 2.5 X 10(5) per membrane) resembled that of sand/seawater in having Pseudomonas predominating, gram-positive forms or Vibrio next in abundance, and smaller numbers of Aeromonas, Flavobacterium, Acinetobacter, and Moraxella.
The Impact of Homophobia and HIV Stigma on HIV Testing Uptake Among Chinese Men Who Have Sex With Men: a Mediation Analysis

Background:Gay and HIV-related stigma and discrimination are major barriers to accessing HIV prevention services among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) worldwide. We aimed to identify modifiable factors that mediate the relationships between gay and HIV-related stigma and discrimination and HIV testing uptake among Chinese MSM. Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional survey study of 523 HIV-uninfected or unknown HIV status MSM in Jiangsu Province, China between November 2013 and January 2014. Multivariable analyses were conducted to examine the associations among experienced homophobia, HIV stigma, and recent HIV testing. Causal mediation parametric analyses were conducted to assess whether depression and social norms mediated hypothesized associations. Results:Stronger subjective norms toward testing was associated with higher odds of recent HIV testing (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01 to 1.21), whereas increasing levels of depression and HIV stigma were both associated with lower odds of recent testing (AOR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.92 to 0.99; and AOR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.84 to 0.99, respectively). There was an indirect relationship (natural indirect effect [NIE]) of experienced homophobia on recent testing (ORNIE: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93 to 0.98) mediated (35.0%) through depression. Furthermore, there was an indirect relationship of HIV stigma on recent testing (ORNIE: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.95 to 0.99) mediated (19.2%) through subjective norms. Conclusions:Depression and social norms are important mediators of HIV testing uptake among stigmatized Chinese MSM. Therefore, in addition to advocacy efforts and policies that address social-level stigma and discrimination, HIV prevention programs should also address mental health issues and incorporate community-based approaches to changing social norms toward HIV testing.
Colour and label evaluation of commercial pasteurised red juices and related drinks

Despite growing demand by consumers for healthy beverages, artificial colours are still widely used. Levels of anthocyanins and artificial colours were determined by HPLC with UV-Vis detection in red orange juices and other red beverages (nectar, juice-based, health, carbonated and sports drinks). The contribution of pigments to the visible colour of the beverage was calculated. Red orange juice samples contained about 34 mg l−1 of anthocyanins, which were responsible for about 92% of the visible colour. Red juice-based drinks, containing from 0% to 30% of red orange, berry, grape or pomegranate juices, had low levels of anthocyanins (about 7 mg l−1) and high levels of E129 (about 32 mg l−1), which were responsible for about 90.7% of the colour of these beverages. Red health drinks, enriched with vitamins and polyphenols, contained from 3% to 50% of red fruit juices. Also in this case the E129 levels were higher (about 22 mg l−1) than anthocyanins (about 9 mg l−1), and were responsible for the colour of the beverages (76.1%). High levels of artificial colours were found in red orange carbonated drinks, but in comparable amounts with those found in the other beverage samples, while anthocyanins were only present in trace amounts. Although all of the beverages claimed to contain red fruits on the labels, no correlation was found between the level of anthocyanins and the declared percentage of red fruits. These labels generally conformed with the requirements of the law, but food product labels can often be misleading to consumers about the real characteristics of the product.
Oleoyl-CoA Is the Major de Novo Product of Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase 1 Gene Isoform and Substrate for the Biosynthesis of the Harderian Gland 1-Alkyl-2,3-diacylglycerol*

1-Alkyl-2,3-diacylglycerol (ADG) is a unique neutral lipid found in the eyeball-associated Harderian gland (HG) of the mouse and acts as a lubricant to facilitate eyelid movement. We found that the HG of the mice with a disruption in the gene for stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) (SCD1−/−) is deficient in ADG. The amount of C20:1n-9, which is a major fatty acid of ADG, was reduced by greater than 90% despite normal elongase enzyme activity proposed to elongate it from C18:1n-9. HG from SCD1−/− mice exhibited high desaturase activity toward C16:0-CoA as substrate but had very low desaturase activity toward C18:0-CoA. Feeding diets containing high levels of oleate to the SCD1−/− mice did not increase the levels of C18:1n-9 or C20:1n-9 in the HG and failed to restore the ADG to the levels found in the HG of the wild-type mouse. De novo ADG synthesis as measured by the incorporation of [3H]glycerol and [14C]glucose was high in the SCD1+/+ mouse but was reduced by greater than 90% in the HG of SCD1−/− mouse. The deficiencies in the levels of ADG and C20:1n-9 were not compensated for by the expression of SCD2 and SCD3 isoforms in the HG of the SCD1−/− mouse. These observations demonstrate that SCD1-synthesized oleoyl-CoA is a major substrate required for the biosynthesis of normal levels of ADG and that the SCD isoforms present in the HG have different substrate specificity.
Neutrophils and Intravascular Immunity in the Liver during Infection and Sterile Inflammation

The liver is a target of many inflammatory pathologies of both infectious and noninfectious etiology. As key effectors of the innate immune system, neutrophils are critical for defense against microbial infections but are often the source of profound collateral damage to host tissues during disease states. In this article based on the authors’ presentation at the 2011 Society of Toxicologic Pathology Annual Symposium, they review the molecular mechanisms of neutrophil recruitment to the liver in response to sepsis/endotoxemia, as well as sterile inflammation, and discuss variations in the molecular choreography of neutrophil trafficking in response to these different insults. Furthermore, the authors discuss the functional contributions of neutrophils within the liver microvasculature during severe sepsis, including their contributions to both host defense and organ damage. Given that inappropriate neutrophilic inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of many liver diseases, a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate the recruitment of neutrophils to the liver, and their functions therein, may reveal new avenues for therapeutic interventions to treat inflammatory liver pathologies.
Normalization of glucose concentrations and deceleration of gastric emptying after solid meals during intravenous glucagon-like peptide 1 in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The effects of different i.v. doses of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) on glucose homeostasis and gastric emptying were compared in patients with type 2 diabetes. Twelve patients with type 2 diabetes received three different infusion rates of GLP-1 (0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 pmol/kg x min) or placebo in the fasting state and after a solid test meal (containing [(13)C]octanoic acid). Blood was drawn for glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, and GLP-1 determinations. The gastric emptying rate was calculated from the (13)CO(2) excretion rates in breath samples. Statistics were determined using repeated measures ANOVA and Duncan's post hoc test. Plasma glucose concentrations were equally normalized with all GLP-1 doses (P < 0.001). Insulin and C-peptide concentrations dose-dependently rose during GLP-1 infusion in the fasting state (P < 0.05), but were dose-dependently reduced by GLP-1 after meal ingestion (P = 0.0031 and 0.0074, respectively). Glucagon secretion was suppressed with GLP-1. Gastric emptying was decelerated by GLP-1 in a dose-dependent fashion (P < 0.001). Despite a dose-dependent stimulation of insulin secretion, glucose normalization can be achieved even with 0.4 pmol GLP-1/kg x min. Due to the dose-dependent inhibition of gastric emptying, lower GLP-1 doses than previously used may be as suitable for glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Serotonin and poor neonatal adaptation after antidepressant exposure in utero

Objective Infants exposed to selective antidepressants (SADs) in utero are at risk to develop poor neonatal adaptation (PNA) postpartum. As symptoms are non-specific and the aetiology of PNA is unknown, the diagnostic process is hampered. We hypothesised that the serotonin metabolism plays a role in the aetiology of PNA. Methods In this controlled study, infants admitted postpartum from February 2012 to August 2013 were included and followed for 3 days. Infants exposed to SADs during at least the last 2 weeks of fetal life were included in the patient group (n=63). Infants not exposed to psychotropic medication and admitted postpartum for another reason were included in the control group (n=126). The neonatal urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetid acid (5-HIAA) levels of SAD-exposed infants who developed PNA, SAD-exposed infants who did not develop PNA and control infants were compared. Results The course of the 5-HIAA levels over the first 3 days postpartum differed between infants with and without PNA (p≤0.001) with higher 5-HIAA levels in infants with PNA on day 1 (2.42 mmol/mol, p=0.001). Presence of maternal psychological distress modified this relationship. Conclusions A transient disturbance of the neonatal serotonergic system may play a role in the aetiology of PNA. Other factors, including the presence of maternal psychological distress, also seem to play a role.
Long‐term results after surgical management of partial Achilles tendon ruptures

Although Achilles tendon injuries are common overuse injuries in sports, the exact incidence is unknown, primarily as a result of varying definitions and diagnoses of the underlying pathological changes. Despite numerous studies of treatment of the Achilles tendon injuries, the longterm results are not well known. The results after surgical treatment of chronic partial Achilles tendon ruptures in 64 patients with a follow‐up of 6 (1.5–11) years were evaluated in a retrospective study. The ruptures were divided into three groups: (I) proximal (more than 3 cm above the calcaneus), (II) distal and (III) combined (proximal and distal). All patients underwent an operation involving the excision of the devitalized tendon tissue and, in groups (II) and (III), also the excision of the deep Achilles bursa and removal of the dorsal corner of the calcaneus. The functional results were satisfactory in 43 (67%) patients and unsatisfactory in 21 (33%). The results were better in patients with proximal ruptures than in patients with either distal or combined ruptures. Males experienced better results than females. Post‐operative immobilization in a plaster cast had no significant influence on the final result. Nine (14%) patients with either a distal or a combined rupture were re‐operated on and in seven of them the final result was satisfactory. The conclusion of this study is that partial Achilles tendon ruptures are often difficult to treat and only two out of three patients can be expected to obtain satisfactory results after surgical treatment.
Brechas salariales por Género en Chile: un análisis de sensibilidad

En este trabajo se realiza un analisis de sensibilidad sobre el tamano de la brecha de salarios por genero para Chile a partir de la introduccion de medidas efectivas de experiencia laboral. A excepcion del trabajo de Bravo et al. (2007a) el resto de literatura para Chile utiliza como variable de experiencia laboral una variable de experiencia potencial, sugerida inicialmente en el trabajo de Mincer (1974). Esta variable no refleja la norma de las historias laborales de las mujeres en Chile. Segun los datos manejados en este trabajo, solo el 26.6% de las mujeres con hasta 11 anos de educacion y con 40-49 anos ha trabajado mas del 90% del tiempo en los ultimos 5 anos, mientras que el 55% ha trabajado menos del 10% en los ultimos 5 anos. Pareceria que el empleo continuo esta lejos de ser la norma entre las mujeres de nivel educativo bajo. Mujeres mas educadas presentan patrones de empleo mas continuos, pero aun estan lejos de asemejarse a los patrones de empleo de los hombres. El analisis de sensibilidad revela la necesidad de corregir por sesgo de seleccion y la importancia de utilizar variables de experiencia real e introducir controles por el timming de la adquisicion de dicha experiencia. Cuando se introducen este tipo de controles, uno encuentra que el componente “discriminacion” o brecha salarial no explicada se magnifica, reflejando el hecho de que hombres y mujeres son retribuidos en forma diferencial por sus anos de experiencia efectivos. En estudios anteriores para Chile ya se habia encontrado que la brecha atribuible a “discriminacion” en general superaba la brecha promedio; nuestros resultados indican que en el modelo de salarios horarios, luego de controlar por seleccion, el componente “discriminacion” tiene casi dos veces el tamano de la brecha regular de salarios. En el modelo de salarios mensuales este efecto es levemente menor, pero aun superior a la brecha original.
Meta-analysis of the impact of the principal venoactive drugs agents on malleolar venous edema.

AIM The aim of this study was to compare the reduction of venous ankle edema in randomized controlled trials of the main venoactive drugs versus a placebo or versus another venoactive drug and thereby to confirm or invalidate the existing recommendations on the pharmacological treatment of venous edema. METHODS Publications of randomized controlled trials of venoactive drugs versus either a placebo or another venoactive drug on the reduction of ankle circumferences (AC) were searched through Medline and selected according to the Jadad and the Cucherat evaluation grids. RESULTS Ten publications dated between 1975 and 2009 including a total of 1010 patients were identified for the meta-analysis. Included were the following venoactive drugs: micronised purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF), hydroxyethylrutoside, ruscus extracts and diosmin. The mean reduction in AC was -0.80 ± 0.53 cm with MPFF , -0.58 ± 0.47 cm with ruscus extract, -0.58 ± 0.31 cm with hydroxyethylrutoside, -0.20 ± 0.5 cm with single diosmin, and -0.11 ± 0.42 cm with placebo. The reduction in AC was significantly superior to that of placebo whatever the drug concerned (P<0.0001). The comparison between MPFF, ruscus extract and hydroxyethylrutoside on the reduction of ankle edema was in favour of MPFF. This was significant (P<0.0001), while the efficacy of the latter two venoactive agents was comparable. CONCLUSION This meta-analysis confirms the validity of the grade A assigned to MPFF in the management of symptoms and edema in recent international guidelines.
Lecithin:Cholesterol Acyltransferase Deficiency Increases Atherosclerosis in the Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor and Apolipoprotein E Knockout Mice*

The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency would accelerate atherosclerosis development in low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDLr−/−) and apoE (apoE−/−) knockout mice. After 16 weeks of atherogenic diet (0.1% cholesterol, 10% calories from palm oil) consumption, LDLr−/− LCAT−/− double knockout mice, compared with LDLr−/− mice, had similar plasma concentrations of free (FC), esterified (EC), and apoB lipoprotein cholesterol, increased plasma concentrations of phospholipid and triglyceride, decreased HDL cholesterol, and 2-fold more aortic FC (142 ± 28versus 61 ± 20 mg/g protein) and EC (102 ± 27versus 61 ± 27 mg/g). ApoE−/− LCAT−/− mice fed the atherogenic diet, compared with apoE−/− mice, had higher concentrations of plasma FC, EC, apoB lipoprotein cholesterol, and phospholipid, and significantly more aortic FC (149 ± 62versus 109 ± 33 mg/g) and EC (101 ± 23versus 69 ± 20 mg/g) than did the apoE−/− mice. LCAT deficiency resulted in a 12-fold increase in the ratio of saturated + monounsaturated to polyunsaturated cholesteryl esters in apoB lipoproteins in LDLr−/− mice and a 3-fold increase in the apoE−/− mice compared with their counterparts with active LCAT. We conclude that LCAT deficiency in LDLr−/− and apoE−/− mice fed an atherogenic diet resulted in increased aortic cholesterol deposition, likely due to a reduction in plasma HDL, an increased saturation of cholesteryl esters in apoB lipoproteins and, in the apoE−/− background, an increased plasma concentration of apoB lipoproteins.
Crosstalk between components of the innate immune system: promoting anti‐microbial defenses and avoiding immunopathologies

Summary: Because it reaches full functional efficacy rapidly upon encounter with a pathogen, the innate immune system is considered as the first line of defense against infections. The sensing of microbes or of transformed or infected cells, through innate immune recognition receptors (referred to as activating I2R2), initiates pro‐inflammatory responses and innate immune effector functions. Other I2R2 with inhibitory properties bind self‐ligands constitutively expressed in host. However, this dichotomy in the recognition of foreign or induced self versus constitutive self by I2R2 is not always respected in certain non‐infectious conditions reminiscent of immunopathologies. In this review, we discuss that immune mechanisms have evolved to avoid inappropriate inflammatory disorders in individuals. Molecular crossregulation exists between components of I2R2 signaling pathways, and intricate interactions between cells from both innate and adaptive immune systems set the bases of controlled immune responses. We also pinpoint that, like T or B cells, some cells of the innate immune system must go through education processes to prevent autoreactivity. In addition, we illustrate how gene expression profiling of immune cell types is a useful tool to find functional homologies between cell subsets of different species and to speculate about unidentified functions of these cells in the responses to pathogen infections.
Supervised Image Processing Learning for Wall MARFE Detection Prior to Disruption in JET With a Carbon Wall

In the last years, several diagnostic systems have been installed on Joint European Torus (JET) providing new information that may be potentially useful for disruption prediction. The fast visible camera can deliver information about the occurrence of multifaceted asymmetric radiation from the edge (MARFE) instabilities that precede disruptions in density limit discharges. Two image processing methods - the sparse image representation using overcomplete dictionaries and the Histogram of oriented gradients (HOGs) - have been used for developing MARFE classifiers with supervised learning. The methods have been tested with JET experimental data and a good prediction rate has been obtained. The HOG method is able to provide predictions useful for online disruption prediction.