Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Male Inflammatory Parameters Are not Useful to Predict the Outcomes of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose The relationship between male systemic inflammation and fertility seems intriguing, but no data about its impact on the assisted reproductive technology outcomes has been reported. Here, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of male systemic inflammatory parameters in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes prediction, in couples undergoing an ovum donation program. Materials and Methods From January 2016 to December 2017, one hundred-ten couples were considered for this cross-sectional study. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-eosinophil ratio (MER), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), seminal parameters, fertilization rate (FR), cleavage rate (CR), pregnancy rate (PR) were evaluated. Male patients were divided into Group A with FR ≤70%, Group B with FR >70%. Results Overall, FR was 74.5%, CR 90.9%, PR 41.8%. Group A included 43 patients, Group B 67 men. Group A showed a median NLR of 1.55, PLR of 106.09, MER of 2.33. Group B reported a median NLR of 1.64, PLR 109.0, MER 2.76. We found no statistically differences between two groups with respect to NLR, PLR, MER (p=0.90, p=0.70, p=0.96, respectively). The age-adjusted linear regression analysis demonstrated only a relationship between NLR and sperm motility count (r=−0.02; p<0.05). Using the univariate logistic regression analysis, we found no significant associations. Conclusions We did not find any relationship between ICSI outcomes and male inflammation parameters.
Capacity Planning for Group-Mobility Users in OFDMA Wireless Networks

Because of the random nature of user mobility, the channel gain of each user in a cellular network changes over time causing the signal-to-interference ratio (SNR) of the user to fluctuate continuously. Ongoing connections may experience outage events during periods of low SNR. As the outage ratio depends on the SNR statistics and the number of connections admitted in the system, admission capacity planning needs to take into account the SNR fluctuations. In this paper, we propose new methods for admission capacity planning in orthogonal frequency-division multiple-access (OFMDA) cellular networks which consider the randomness of the channel gain in formulating the outage ratio and the excess capacity ratio. Admission capacity planning is solved by three optimization problems that maximize the reduction of the outage ratio, the excess capacity ratio, and the convex combination of them. The simplicity of the problem formulations facilitates their solutions in real time. The proposed planning method provides an attractive means for dimensioning OFDMA cellular networks in which a large fraction of users experience group-mobility.
Lymphotoxin‐α promotes tumor angiogenesis in HNSCC by modulating glycolysis in a PFKFB3‐dependent manner

Tumor angiogenesis is critical for tumor progression as the new blood vessels supply nutrients and facilitate metastasis. Previous studies indicate tumor associated lymphocytes, including B cells and T cells, contribute to tumor angiogenesis and tumor progression. The present study aims to identify the function of Lymphotoxin‐α (LT‐α), which is secreted by the activated lymphocytes, in the tumor angiogenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The coculture system between HNSCC cell line Cal27 and primary lymphocytes revealed that tumor cells promoted the LT‐α secretion in the cocultured lymphocytes. In vitro data further demonstrated that LT‐α promoted the proliferation, migration and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by enhancing the PFKFB3‐mediated glycolytic flux. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of PFKFB3 suppressed the enhanced proliferation and migration of HUVECs. We further identified that LT‐α induced PFKFB3 expression was dependent on the TNFR/NF‐κB signaling pathway. In addition, we proved that PFKFB3 blockade decreased the density of CD31 positive blood vessels in HNSCC xenografts. Finally, the results from the human HNSCC tissue array revealed that the expression of LT‐α in HNSCC samples positively correlated with microvessel density, lymphocytes infiltration and endothelial PFKFB3 expression. In conclusion, infiltrated lymphocyte secreted LT‐α enhances the glycolysis of ECs in a PFKFB3‐dependent manner through the classical NF‐κB pathway and promotes the proliferation and migration of ECs, which may contribute to the aberrant angiogenesis in HNSCCs. Our study suggests that PFKFB3 blockade is a promising therapeutic approach for HNSCCs by targeting tumor angiogenesis.
Combination of Genetic Aberration With International Staging System Classification for Stratification of Asian Multiple Myeloma Patients Undergoing Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation

Background/Aim: The aim of the study was to contribute to the development of adaptive risk stratification methods specific to Asian multiple myeloma (MM) patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Patients and Methods: We conducted this study to evaluate the prognostic impact of genetic abnormalities detected by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) on survival outcomes in combination with the International Staging System (ISS) classification in 161 MM patients. This was a single-center retrospective longitudinal cohort study of newly diagnosed MM patients undergoing ASCT within 12 months from initial diagnosis. A single-center retrospective cohort study of newly diagnosed MM. Results: Patients were divided into 3 groups according to risk stratification: 1) low-risk, patients without del(17p13) nor t(14;16) or t(4;14) and ISS I/II; 2) high-risk, patients with t(4;14), regardless of ISS stage; 3) intermediate-risk, all remaining patients. The median PFS for the low-risk group was 18 months versus 13 months for the intermediate group (p=0.047, HR=1.527, 95%CI=1.006-2.316) versus 10 months for the high-risk group (p<0.001, HR=2.656, 95%CI=1.572-4.490). Conclusion: An ISS/FISH-based prognostication strategy was developed that can predict PFS for Asian MM patients undergoing ASCT.
Alcohol and Women: A Brief Overview.

This paper provides a brief overview of research on women and alcohol and introduces a virtual issue of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research devoted to this important subject. Women-focused topics include the epidemiology of alcohol use among women, health and behavioral consequences of drinking, prenatal alcohol use and interventions, and enhanced alcohol treatment services. The introduction and selected papers highlight: temporal trends that are narrowing the gender gap in alcohol use; mounting evidence of the more rapid progression and greater severity of harmful physiological and behavioral effects of alcohol in women; impact of targeted public health campaigns and public policies on prenatal drinking; and finally intervention strategies to improve detection and care of women who misuse alcohol. Finally, future research directions to address continuing knowledge gaps are identified. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Portuguese calculated panel reactive antibodies online estimator

Calculated panel reactive antibodies (CPRA) is a sensitization measure used to classify and prioritize transplant candidates in different kidney transplant allocation systems. CPRA is based on identification of HLA unacceptable on potential organ donors making a transplant candidate ineligible for transplantation. Here, we present a CPRA online estimator based on HLA allelic and haplotypic frequencies from Portuguese donors. We also compare the values we obtained from our CPRA estimator (Portuguese [PT]‐CPRA) against CPRA values obtained from: Eurotransplant virtual PRA calculator (ET‐CPRA); Canadian CPRA calculator (Canadian [CN]‐CPRA) and Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network CPRA calculator (United States [US]‐CPRA). When we analyzed correlations between CPRA values obtained from pairs of calculators, we observed that they are significantly and highly correlated. Bland‐Altman plots for the comparison between PT‐CPRA calculator against the other calculators, show higher differences between PT and CN than between PT and ET and PT and US. Also, the lowest value for Lin's concordance coefficient was obtained for the comparison between PT and CN calculators. CPRA values reliability depend on donors' pool from which it is calculated and it is crucial for classify correctly highly sensitized patients. A CPRA calculator must use donors' HLA frequencies similar from those who would be actual organ donors.
School Absence Associated With Childhood Pain in the United States

Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the national burden of school absenteeism associated with pain among 6 to 17-year-old children in the United States. Methods: Data were analyzed from a large, nationally representative sample from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey. Associations between pain and school absence were analyzed using multivariate negative binomial models controlling for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Results: The sample contained 8641 participants, of whom 30.3% reported pain over the preceding 12 months. Mean number of parent-reported school days missed across the entire sample was 3 per child; however pain was associated with an additional 1.5 reported missed school days per child. Furthermore, pain was associated with higher rates of chronic absenteeism (missing >15 d of school): 6.1% of children with pain was chronically absent as compared with 1.3% of children without pain. Extrapolated to the nation, childhood pain in the United States was associated with 22.2 million additional days of missed school, whereas childhood asthma, in comparison, was associated with 8 million additional days of school missed. Discussion: Associations between pain and school absenteeism highlight the need for interventions aimed at improving school attendance among children with pain.
Cancer-Related Fatigue and Associated Factors in Young Adult Cancer Patients.

Purpose: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a highly burdensome and long-lasting symptom of cancer and its therapy. This study aims to examine the severity of CRF in its different dimensions and to assess medical and sociodemographic factors associated with CRF in young adults with cancer (adolescents and young adults [AYAs]). Methods: Patients with malignant cancer (diagnosed within the last 4 years) aged 18-39 years at diagnosis were assessed. CRF was measured using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Fatigue Module (EORTC QLQ-FA12) Questionnaire. Sociodemographic and medical data were collected with self-report questionnaires. Descriptive analyses, cluster analysis, and multiple regression analysis were used to examine CRF in AYAs. Results: In total, n = 577 patients were included. Respondents' fatigue scores were highest for the physical subscale (mean = 45.6; standard deviation [SD] = 28.2), followed by the emotional (mean = 26.7; SD = 28.8) and cognitive dimensions (mean = 19.7; SD = 22.7). Female participants, patients with an additional disease, and patients with financial problems resulting from having cancer reported significantly higher fatigue scores for all three of the subscales (R2 range: 0.10-0.22). Testicular cancer patients had the lowest CRF scores for every dimension. Breast and gynecological cancer patients had the highest emotional and cognitive fatigue scores. Conclusion: Medical variables such as cancer site and therapy scheme seem to have little influence. Caregivers should assess CRF in AYAs independent of their medical characteristics. Reducing additional burdens may represent a way of reducing CRF in AYA cancer patients.
Recombinant influenza A viruses as vaccine vectors

ABSTRACT Introduction: Various viruses, including poxviruses, adenoviruses and vesicular stomatitis virus, have been considered as vaccine vectors for the delivery of antigens of interest in the development of vaccines against newly emerging pathogens. Areas covered: Here, we review results that have been obtained with influenza A viruses (IAV) as vaccine vectors. With the advent of reverse genetics technology, IAV-based recombinant vaccine candidates have been constructed that induce protective immunity to a variety of different pathogens of interest, including West Nile virus, Plasmodium falciparum and respiratory syncytial virus. The various cloning strategies to produce effective and attenuated, safe to use IAV-based viral vectors are discussed. Expert commentary: It was concluded that IAV-based vector system has several advantages and holds promise for further development.
Gadd45b Acts as Neuroprotective Effector in Global Ischemia-Induced Neuronal Death

Purpose Transient global ischemia arising in human due to cardiac arrest causes selective, delayed neuronal death in hippocampal CA1 and cognitive impairment. Growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible protein 45 beta (Gadd45b) is a wellknown molecule in both DNA damage-related pathogenesis and therapies. Emerging evidence suggests that Gadd45b is an anti-apoptotic factor in nonneuronal cells and is an intrinsic neuroprotective molecule in neurons. However, the mechanism of Gadd45b pathway is not fully examined in neurodegeneration associated with global ischemia. Methods Rats were subjected to transient global ischemia by the 4-vessel occlusion or sham operation. The animals were sacrificed at 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days after ischemia. The hippocampal CA1 was microdissected and processed to examine mRNA and protein level. To assess neuronal death, tissue sections were cut and processed for Fluoro-Jade and Nissl staining. Results Here we show that ischemic insults increase abundance of Gadd45b and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a known target of Gadd45 mediated demethylation, in selectively-vulnerable hippocampal CA1 neurons. We further show that knockdown of Gadd45b increases abundance of a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member Bax while decreasing the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, which together promote neuronal death. Conclusions These findings document a protective role of Gadd45b against neuronal insults associated with global ischemia and identify Gadd45b as a potential therapeutic target for the amelioration of hippocampal neurodegeneration.
Analysis of the therapeutic potential of different administration routes and frequencies of human mesenchymal stromal cells in the SOD1G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Cellular therapy represents a novel option for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Its major aim is the generation of a protective environment for degenerating motor neurons. Mesenchymal stromal cells secrete different growth factors and have antiapoptotic and immunomodulatory properties. They can easily and safely be isolated from human bone marrow and are therefore considered promising therapeutic candidates. In the present study, we compared intraventricular application of human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) versus single and repeated intraspinal injections in the mutant SOD1G93A transgenic ALS mouse model. We observed significant reduction of lifespan of animals treated by intraventricular hMSC injection compared with the vehicle treated control group, accompanied by changes in weight, general condition, and behavioural assessments. A potential explanation for these rather surprising deleterious effects lies in increased microgliosis detected in the hMSC treated animals. Repeated intraspinal injection at two time points resulted in a slight but not significant increase in survival and significant improvement of motor performance although no hMSC‐induced changes of motor neuron numbers, astrogliosis, and microgliosis were detected. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction showed reduced expression of endothelial growth factor in animals having received hMSCs twice compared with the vehicle treated control group. hMSCs were detectable at the injection site at Day 20 after injection into the spinal cord but no longer at Day 70. Intraspinal injection of hMSCs may therefore be a more promising option for the treatment of ALS than intraventricular injection and repeated injections might be necessary to obtain substantial therapeutic benefit.
Extreme heterogeneity of population response to climatic variation and the limits of prediction

Certain general facets of biotic response to climate change, such as shifts in phenology and geographic distribution, are well characterized; however, it is not clear whether the observed similarity of responses across taxa will extend to variation in other population‐level processes. We examined population response to climatic variation using long‐term incidence data (collected over 42 years) encompassing 149 butterfly species and considerable habitat diversity (10 sites along an elevational gradient from sea level to over 2,700 m in California). Population responses were characterized by extreme heterogeneity that was not attributable to differences in species composition among sites. These results indicate that habitat heterogeneity might be a buffer against climate change and highlight important questions about mechanisms maintaining interpopulation differences in responses to weather. Despite overall heterogeneity of response, population dynamics were accurately predicted by our model for many species at each site. However, the overall correlation between observed and predicted incidence in a cross validation analysis was moderate (Pearson's r = 0.23, SE 0.01), and 97% of observed data fell within the predicted 95% credible intervals. Prediction was most successful for more abundant species as well as for sites with lower annual turnover. Population‐level heterogeneity in response to climate variation and the limits of our predictive power highlight the challenges for a future of increasing climatic variability.
Comparative evaluation of apical sealing ability of different root canal sealers.

Purpose The aim of this study was to compare the short and long term apical sealing ability of different root canal sealers. Materials and methods Fifty-five extracted human anterior single-root teeth were used. The coronal part of each tooth was removed and the root canals were prepared with NiTi rotary instruments. Teeth were divided into 5 study groups; Group I: MTA Fillapex (Angelus, Brazil); Group II: Sealapex (Sybron-Kerr, Romulus, MI, USA) and Group III: AH Plus (Dentsply, Konstanz, Germany) (n=15) and negative and positive control groups (n=5). The quality of root canal sealing was assessed by a fluid filtration method performed at 24 h and 180-day time intervals. Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests were used to compare the groups. Results At 24 h evaluation, MTA Fillapex presented significantly less microleakage than the Sealapex and AH Plus (p<0.05). At long term interval (180-day), Sealapex and AH Plus presented significantly less microleakage than the MTA Fillapex (p<0.05). Conclusion Sealapex and AH Plus showed significantly better sealing abilities than MTA Fillapex in the long term.
Platelet Reactivity and Disease Activity in Subjects with Psoriatic Arthritis

Objective. Platelet aggregation plays a major role in vascular mortality. Individuals with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are highly predisposed to vascular mortality. We evaluated the correlation between disease activity and platelet aggregation in individuals with PsA. Methods. Individuals with PsA receiving tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) blockers (n = 114) and healthy controls (n = 114) matched for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors were tested for light transmission aggregometry. None was receiving antiinflammatory drugs. Platelet aggregation (max-A%) was defined as maximal light transmittance achieved within 5 min after the addition of 0.1 or 0.2 mM arachidonic acid or 0.4 μM adenosine diphosphate. A value of ≥ 50% irreversible light transmittance (LT-50%) following platelet stimulation was used to define platelet hyperreactivity. Minimal disease activity (MDA) was evaluated in subjects with PsA. Results. Regardless of the agent used, individuals with PsA showed a higher max-A% and achieved LT-50% more often than controls. Among individuals with PsA, those achieving MDA exhibited a max-A% similar to that of controls, both being significantly lower (p < 0.001) than max-A% of subjects with active disease. Subjects with active disease showed platelet hyperreactivity (LT-50%) more often than those achieving MDA (p < 0.001). For increasing quartiles of max-A%, C-reactive protein levels increased and prevalence of MDA decreased. Conclusion. Compared with those achieving MDA, subjects with active PsA disease had abnormally high platelet reactivity. Whether this is relevant for the cardiovascular risk profile of subjects with PsA receiving TNF-α blockers requires further evaluation.
Clinically significant behavior problems during the initial 18 months following early childhood traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE This study looked at the emergence of clinically significant problems in behavior, executive function skills, and social competence during the initial 18 months following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in young children relative to a cohort of children with orthopedic injuries (OI) and the environmental factors that predict difficulties postinjury. PARTICIPANTS Children, ages 3-7 years, hospitalized for severe TBI, moderate TBI, or OI were seen shortly after their injury (M = 40 days) and again 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months postinjury. DESIGN Behavioral parent self-reports, demographic data, family functioning reports, and home environment reports were collected at injury baseline and each time point postinjury. RESULTS Results suggest that, compared with the OI group, the severe TBI group developed significantly more externalizing behavior problems and executive function problems following injury that persisted through the 18-month follow-up. Minimal social competence difficulties appeared at the 18-month follow-up, suggesting a possible pattern of emerging deficits rather than a recovery over time. CONCLUSIONS Predictors of the emergence of clinically significant problems included permissive parenting, family dysfunction, and low socioeconomic status. The findings are similar to those found in school-age children.
Age at menarche and clinical outcomes following medically assisted reproduction (MAR): a cohort study

Abstract Medically assisted reproduction (MAR) technologies have advanced rapidly, but in contrast to the specificity of modern approaches, they provide limited effectiveness in the management of the infertile couple. The purpose of this study was to assess the possible relationship between age at menarche and MAR outcomes of clinical pregnancy, live birth and the adverse incident of miscarriage, and to determine the offspring sex ratio according to age at menarche. In a cohort of 254 infertile couples who underwent 426 IVF/ICSI cycles, statistical analysis was performed by applying Student’s t-test, chi-square test, and logistic regression models, adequately in the respective parameters and outcomes. The results indicated a strong association of age at menarche with the outcomes of clinical pregnancy (p = .0007) and live birth (p < .0001), especially by applying a threshold of 12 years in the first occurrence of menstruation (p = .0019 for clinical pregnancy, p < .0001 for live birth), also demonstrating a negative effect for earlier menarche that acts in parallel with the increasing age of the woman. Calculation of sex ratio demonstrated a tendency towards female offspring close to the age at menarche of 12 years. Age at menarche could serve as a surrogate parameter for reproductive potential towards personalized management of infertility.