Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Sterilization Effect of Methylene Blue, Formalin, and Iodine on Egg and Adult Stage of Marine Medaka, Oryzias dancena

ABSTRACT The sterilization effects of methylene blue (MB), formalin, and iodine on the egg of marine medaka, Oryzias dancena, were investigated for disinfecting naididae worm, Chaetogaster diastrophus through sterilization. To determine harmfulness of MB, formalin, and iodine, lethal concentrations 50 (LC50) of three chemicals were analyzed in the eggs of marine medaka. The sterilized periods of each chemical were set at 1 hr. Sterilized rates of naididae worm in each chemical were significantly affected and increased drastically as the concentration of each chemical increased (p<0.05). Sterilization abilities of naididae worm were most effective for formalin, but survival rates of egg and hatched rates for formalin were lowest among each chemical. The LC50 of MB over 96 hrs were 185.26, 103.84, and 127.15 ppm for adults, juveniles, and eggs respectively. The toxic effects of MB were clearly dose dependent for each life stage (p<0.05). The toxicity sensitivity of juveniles to MB was dramatically higher than that of other groups. In 48 hrs after sterilization, cortisol and glucose concentrations of the adult group with MB treatment were significantly higher than those of the adult group with no treatment (p<0.05). This research provides useful data on sterilization effect of MB, formalin, and iodine, acute toxicity in marine medaka egg and toxicity, sensitivity of life stage of MB in marine medaka.
Adoption of innovations in Irish general practices : prescription drugs, medical equipment and ICT

In this thesis we explore innovation in general practices in Ireland. Drawing on an encompassing equilibrium, disequilibrium and learning-by-using model of adoption, we examine the influences of general practitioner (GP) and practice characteristics, strategic behaviour, learning and knowledge spillovers, and cumulative learning from previous adoption decisions on the perceived benefits of adopting and using innovations in general practices. Ours is the first application of this theoretical framework to timing of adoption, multiple technology adoption and intensity of adoption decision-making in a health care setting. Our examination focuses on three innovations, prescription drugs, medical equipment and Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Our analysis is based on two data sources, a secondary dataset which brings together GPs prescribing history over a 4½ year time period with information on the characteristics of the 625 GPs themselves, and a cross-sectional primary dataset which provides us with information for 601 general practices concerning practice structure and use of medical equipment and ICT. Employing duration analysis, multivariate Probit and ordered Probit econometric techniques, we examine the adoption, use and intensity of use of prescription drugs, medical equipment and ICT respectively. Irish GPs exhibit notable innovative behaviour with respect to prescribing innovation and practice development. Our research demonstrates that Irish GPs respond to informational stimuli with respect to adoption and use of new prescription drugs, medical equipment and ICT. Furthermore, Irish GPs are incentivised by commercial and market considerations. In addition, we find the extent which a practice adopts technologies and learns from that experience influences both ensuing prescribing and investment decision-making. Our empirical findings support an economic approach to examining decision-making in a health care setting and the application of our encompassing theoretical model to examinations of adoption and use of innovations by health care professionals.
Human Serum Albumin, a Suitable Candidate to Stabilize Freeze-Dried IgG in Combination with Trehalose: Central Composite Design

Freeze-dried immunoglobulin G (IgG) incorporating trehalose and human serum albumin (HSA) was statistically evaluated regarding the existence of synergism between additives on the stability profile. The levels of HSA (X1) and trehalose (X2) were independent variables. Aggregation following the process (Y1), after 2 and 3 months at 40°C (Y2) and (Y3), respectively, along with the rate constant of aggregation (Y4) were dependent variables. Aggregation and beta-sheet conformation were quantified through size-exclusion chromatography (SEC-HPLC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Central composite design (CCD) suggested the best formulation. The integrity and thermodynamic stability of optimized formulation were investigated through sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The calculated responses were Y1, 0–0.90%; Y2, 0.4–4.3%; Y3, 2.10–13.46%; and Y4, 0.16–0.69 1/month. The optimized formulation had 10 mg IgG, 86 mg trehalose, and 1 mg HSA with observed responses of Y1, 0.01%; Y2, 0.51%; Y3, 3.08%; and Y4, 0.33 1/month. The models were statistically well-fitted. The optimized formulation was amorphous during freeze-drying (FD), and no fragmentation was observed. Trehalose and HSA demonstrated statistical synergism. CCD was successfully employed to recommend the best ratio of stabilizers and achieve the maximum stabilization of IgG as a model freeze-dried antibody.
Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis: Relationship with Disease-Related Variables.

BACKGROUND Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic progressive inflammatory disease leading to functional limitations and subsequently impaired quality of life (QoL). Despite the fact that QoL was recognized as a significant perception, it was excluded from the core domains (defined by the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society), because of the ambiguity of measurement choice. AIM To assess QoL in patients with AS using a generic; Short Form-36 (SF-36) and a disease-specific; Ankylosing Spondylitis quality of life (ASQoL) instruments and to explore its relationship to the clinical characteristics, disease activity, functional status, and radiographic severity. METHODS A total of 47 AS patients who fulfilled modified New York criteria were included. Disease activity, functional status, spinal mobility, and radiographic severity were assessed by Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI) and Bath AS Radiology Index (BASRI) respectively. SF-36 and ASQoL instruments evaluated QoL. RESULTS Physical health was more affected especially in patients with peripheral arthritis by SF-36 (p=0.008) and ASQoL (p=0.022) scores. Both SF-36 total and ASQoL scores correlated significantly with BASDAI (r = -0.329, p = 0.024 and r = 0.420, p = 0.003), BASFI (r = -0.399, p = 0.005 and r = 0.513, p=0.001) and BASMI (r = -0.382, p = 0.008 and r = 0.482, p= 0.001) respectively. CONCLUSION QoL was impaired in AS patients with the highest impact on physical health especially in association with peripheral arthritis. SF-36 and ASQol have a comparable achievement in the evaluation of QoL in AS patients and both physical function and spinal mobility were identified as predictors of poor QoL.
The Role of Biofilm In Central Venous Catheter Related Bloodstream Infections: Evidence Based Nursing And Review of The Literature.

BACKGROUND Biofilm is a fundamental component in the pathogenesis of infections related to the use of the central venous catheter (CVC,) which can represent an important health issue in every day practice of nursing and medical staff. OBJECTIVE The objective of the following review is to analyze the components of biofilm and thier role in catheter-related infection determinism in an evidence-based nursing perspective in such a way as to give health professionals useful suggestions in the prevention and management of these complications. METHODS The following databases were consulted for the bibliographic search: Medline, Scopus, Science Direct. Biofilm can be the cause of CVC extraction and can lead to serious haematogenic infectious complications that can increase the morbidity and mortality of affected patients. RESULTS Updated pathophysiologic knowledge of biofilm formation and appropriate diagnostic methodology are pivotal in understanding and detecting CVC-related infections. Lock therapy appears to be a useful, preventive and therapeutic aid in the management of CVC-related infections. New therapies attempting to stop bacterial adhesion on the materials used could represent new frontiers for the prevention of CVC-related infections. CONCLUSION The correct evidence-based nursing methods, based on the use of Guidelines, provides the opportunity to minimize the risks of infection through the implementation of a series of preventive measures both during the CVC positioning phase and in the subsequent phase, meaningly during device management which is performed by medical and nursing staff.
Investigating the factor structure of the child behavior checklist dysregulation profile in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

Dysregulation has been identified as an important risk factor for the development of psychiatric disorders in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Therefore, it is necessary to empirically characterize dysregulation and identify psychometrically sound and readily available assessment methods in the ASD population. We sought to evaluate the factor structure of the Child Behavior Checklist‐Dysregulation Profile (CBCL‐DP), an established dysregulation measure in neurotypical children that is derived from the CBCL, in a large, clinically referred sample of children, ages 6–18 years, with ASD (n = 727). Confirmatory factor analysis was used to characterize dysregulation and assess the validity of the CBCL‐DP in children with ASD. Our findings support a bi‐factor model of dysregulation in which dysregulation is a broad and distinct syndrome that is associated with the three subdomains of the CBCL‐DP, anxiety/depression (AD), attention problems (AP), and aggressive behavior (AGG). Dysregulation was associated with most items in the AD and AGG domains and few items in the AP domain. This association with AD and AGG indicates that dysregulation in ASD may be conceptualized as the combined experience of internalized, negative mood states and externalized, reactive behaviors. These findings provide support as well as important caveats for the use of the CBCL‐DP as a measure of dysregulation in the ASD population. Autism Res 2020, 13: 436–443. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities (PASIPD)

Background/aim The aim of this study is to assess the validity and reliability of Turkish translation of the Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities (PASIPD) in a disabled Turkish population. Materials and methods Following the translation protocol of the PASIPD, the Turkish version of the PASIPD, Short Form-36, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire were administered to 198 developmentally and physically disabled individuals. Results The Turkish version of the PASIPD was found to be reliable. The domains of the Turkish version of the PASIPD were also found to be valid. Four factors were obtained from the questionnaire. The ICC was 1.0 since all the respondents reported the same answers in the test and retest. The Cronbach α for the PASIPD was 0.60. Conclusion The Turkish version of the PASIPD survey is valid and reliable for developmentally and physically disabled Turkish individuals and professionals can use it to assess physical activity level.
Biomarkers in metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the era of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) accounts for around 74,000 new cases and 15,000 deaths annually in the United States alone (1). Until recently, sequential use of agents targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways were the cornerstone of therapy for the vast majority of patients (2).
An EMT‐related gene signature for the prognosis of human bladder cancer

The transition from non–muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) to muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is detrimental to bladder cancer (BLCA) patients. Here, we aimed to study the underlying mechanism of the subtype transition. Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) revealed the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) signalling pathway with the most positive correlation in this transition. Then, we built a LASSO Cox regression model of an EMT‐related gene signature in BLCA. The patients with high risk scores had significantly worse overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) than those with low risk scores. The EMT‐related gene signature also performed favourably in the accuracy of prognosis and in the subtype survival analysis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses demonstrated that the EMT‐related gene signature, pathological N stage and age were independent prognostic factors for predicting survival in BLCA patients. Furthermore, the predictive nomogram model was able to effectively predict the outcome of BLCA patients by appropriately stratifying the risk score. In conclusion, we developed a novel EMT‐related gene signature that has tumour‐promoting effects, acts as a negative independent prognostic factor and might facilitate personalized counselling and treatment in BLCA.
Vitamin D3 supplementation and neurofilament light chain in multiple sclerosis

Low circulating vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of active MRI lesions and relapses in several cohorts with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Randomized controlled supplementation trials are, however, negative on their primary endpoints, while secondary MRI endpoints suggest anti‐inflammatory effects. Circulating levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL) are a biomarker of disease activity in RRMS. We explored whether 48‐week high‐dose vitamin D3 supplements were associated with lower circulating NfL levels.
Human leucocyte antigen diversity: A biological gift to escape infections, no longer a barrier for haploidentical Hemopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Since the beginning of life, every multicellular organism appeared to have a complex innate immune system although the adaptive immune system, centred on lymphocytes bearing antigen receptors generated by somatic recombination, arose in jawed fish approximately 500 million years ago. The major histocompatibility complex MHC, named the Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) system in humans, represents a vital function structure in the organism by presenting pathogen‐derived peptides to T cells as the main initial step of the adaptive immune response. The huge level of polymorphism observed in HLA genes definitely reflects selection, favouring heterozygosity at the individual or population level, in a pathogen‐rich environment, although many are located in introns or in exons that do not code for the antigen‐biding site of the HLA. Over the past three decades, the extent of allelic diversity at HLA loci has been well characterized using high‐resolution HLA‐DNA typing and the number of new HLA alleles, produced through next‐generation sequencing methods, is even more rapidly increasing. The level of the HLA system polymorphism represents an obstacle to the search of potential compatible donors for patients affected by haematological disease proposed for a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Data reported in literature clearly show that antigenic and/or allelic mismatches between related or unrelated donors and patients influences the successful HSCT outcome. However, the recent development of the new transplant strategy based on the choice of haploidentical donors for HSCT is questioning the role of HLA compatibility, since the great HLA disparities present do not worsen the overall clinical outcome. Nowadays, NGS has contributed to define at allelic levels the HLA polymorphism and solve potential ambiguities. However, HLA functions and tissue typing probably need to be further investigated in the next future, to understand the reasons why in haploidentical transplants the presence of a whole mismatch haplotype between donors and recipients, both the survival rate and the incidence of acute GvHD or graft rejection are similar to those reported for unrelated HSCTs.
Transverse tubule remodeling enhances Orai1-dependent Ca2+ entry in skeletal muscle

Exercise promotes the formation of intracellular junctions in skeletal muscle between stacks of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) cisternae and extensions of transverse-tubules (TT) that increase co-localization of proteins required for store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). Here, we report that SOCE, peak Ca2+ transient amplitude and muscle force production during repetitive stimulation are increased after exercise in parallel with the time course of TT association with SR-stacks. Unexpectedly, exercise also activated constitutive Ca2+ entry coincident with a modest decrease in total releasable Ca2+ store content. Importantly, this decrease in releasable Ca2+ store content observed after exercise was reversed by repetitive high-frequency stimulation, consistent with enhanced SOCE. The functional benefits of exercise on SOCE, constitutive Ca2+ entry and muscle force production were lost in mice with muscle-specific loss of Orai1 function. These results indicate that TT association with SR-stacks enhances Orai1-dependent SOCE to optimize Ca2+ dynamics and muscle contractile function during acute exercise.
Laboratory Profiles of Small Animal Diseases: A Guide to Laboratory Diagnosis

SECTION ONE: SERUM CHEMISTRY TESTS Routine chemistry tests Adrenal function tests Old thyroid function tests Current thyroid function tests Special tests SECTION TWO: DIGESTION TESTS Obsolete fecal tests Currently available digestive tests Tests of the future SECTION THREE: URINE TESTS SECTION FOUR: RED BLOOD CELLS SECTION FIVE: : WHITE BLOOD CELLS SECTION 6: SIMPLE COAGULATION TESTS SECTION 7: BONE MARROW TESTS SECTION 8: SEROLOGIC AND SPECIAL TESTS SECTION 9: DIAGNOSIS BY LABORATORY FINDINGS SECTION 10: DIAGNOSIS BY CLINICAL SIGNS SECTION 11: DYNAMIC TESTING SECTION 12: LABORATORY PROFILE OF DISEASE Dog diseases Endocrine system Adrenal, pituitary gland Parathyroid Thyroid gland Pancreas Hepatic system Gastrointestinal system Urinary system Multiple organs Immune/infectious Toxins Cat diseases Endocrine system Parathyroid gland Pituitary gland Thyroid gland Pancreas Cardiovascular system Gastrointestinal system Hepatic system Urinary system Multiple organs Immune/infectious Toxin
Evaluating Bioinformatic Pipeline Performance for Forensic Microbiome Analysis*,†,‡

Microbial communities have potential evidential utility for forensic applications. However, bioinformatic analysis of high‐throughput sequencing data varies widely among laboratories. These differences can potentially affect microbial community composition and downstream analyses. To illustrate the importance of standardizing methodology, we compared analyses of postmortem microbiome samples using several bioinformatic pipelines, varying minimum library size or minimum number of sequences per sample, and sample size. Using the same input sequence data, we found that three open‐source bioinformatic pipelines, MG‐RAST, mothur, and QIIME2, had significant differences in relative abundance, alpha‐diversity, and beta‐diversity, despite the same input data. Increasing minimum library size and sample size increased the number of low‐abundant and infrequent taxa detected. Our results show that bioinformatic pipeline and parameter choice affect results in important ways. Given the growing potential application of forensic microbiology to the criminal justice system, continued research on standardizing computational methodology will be important for downstream applications.
Pelvic Radiation-Induced Testicular Damage: An Experimental Study at 1 Gray

ABSTRACT Therapeutic radiation of the pelvic region has been shown to cause damage to testicular germ cells. In this study we aimed to evaluate the effects of a low therapeutic dose of 1 Gy on the induction of cellular and histological damage in early-stage testicular germ cells and the impact of this radiation on offspring sex ratio. Unirradiated and irradiated male rats were mated with unirradiated female rats. Female rats were followed and the sex of the offspring was determined. The male rats were sacrificed at the end of the second week, and the testicular germ cells were subjected to genetic analysis along with cytological and histopathological examination. Sperm DNA was amplified with primers specific to testis-specific Y-linked protein, rat actin beta and testis-specific X-linked genes. The resulting products were separated by capillary electrophoresis. Histopathological changes were investigated by light microscopy along with the TUNEL assay and immunohistochemical staining for caspase-3. There was no significant difference between the two groups for sex ratio and size of offspring. The number of sperm cells bearing X or Y chromosomes’ did not differ significantly between these two groups. However, a 1 Gy dose of radiation caused significant cytopathological and histopathological changes in the testicular tissue. In the irradiated group, edematous regions were evident. The number of caspase-3 positive cells in the germinal epithelium of the seminiferous tubules was also significantly higher in the irradiated group. Our results showed that low-dose radiation induced apoptosis and caused significant cyto- and histopathological changes in the testicular tissue. Further research is required to fully elucidate their contribution to apoptosis and if low-dose radiation may potentially lead to long-term effects in the offspring. These results may also lead us to develop a new technique using the caspase-3 staining to monitor the susceptibility to low dose radiation.
Effect of recombinant β‐defensin 1 protein on human sperm motility and viability

The reduction of sperm motility and subsequently reduced ability to undergo capacitation and acrosome reaction are considered as common causes of male infertility. The β‐defensin family is a group of well‐known secretory proteins with antimicrobial activity that contribute to the process of “sperm maturation” during the passage of spermatozoa in the epididymis when spermatozoa attain its motility. One member of this family is “β‐defensin 1” which is present in seminal plasma and spermatozoa. The aim of this study was the incubation of human processed spermatozoa with recombinant β‐defensin 1 (500 ng/ml) for 1, 2 and 3 hr at 37°C under 5% CO2 atmosphere and assessment of sperm viability and motility in 59 semen samples. The analysis of semen samples such as sperm concentration, motility, viability, morphology and semen volume was performed according to the World Health Organization (2010; World health organization laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen (p. 287). Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization) criteria. The result of the current study shows that the incubation of spermatozoa with recombinant β‐defensin significantly maintained percentage of sperm viability and motility compared to processed spermatozoa incubate in the absence of β‐defensin in the studied time intervals (p < .05). Therefore, we concluded that recombinant β‐defensin 1 protein as an agent with antimicrobial activity can maintain sperm viability and motility in in vitro condition.