Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anorexia, Oral Health and Antioxidant Salivary System: A Clinical Study on Adult Female Subjects

The aim of this study was to compare the oral health status and salivary antioxidant system between patients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (AN) and healthy controls. A total of 25 female AN patients and 25 matched healthy controls were enrolled. Clinical parameters and saliva samples were collected for each patient. Two questionnaires to investigate oral health and hygiene were administered. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity and High Reactive Oxygen Species (hROS) were evaluated. Salivary concentration of SOD was significantly higher in subjects with AN compared with control group (1.010 ± 0.462 vs. 0.579 ± 0.296 U/mL; p = 0.0003). No significant differences between groups were identified for hROS (233.72 ± 88.27 vs. 199.49 ± 74.72; p = 0.15). Data from questionnaires indicated that, although most of the patients recognized the oral hygiene importance in maintaining a good oral health, more than half of them had poor oral hygiene. Altered biochemical composition of saliva in patients with AN could be interpreted as an effective defence mechanism against oxidative stress. Moreover, despite the discrepancy between clinical findings and perception of the oral health in AN population arose, the quality of life of these patients appears not to be significantly affected by their dental condition.
Effects of sodium butyrate on intestinal health and gut microbiota composition during intestinal inflammation progression in broilers.

Butyric acid is a beneficial feed additive used in animal production, including poultry production. However, there are few reports on butyric acid as a prophylactic treatment against intestinal inflammation in broilers. The current study explored the effect of sodium butyrate (SB) as a prophylactic treatment on the intestinal health and gut microbiota of broilers with intestinal inflammation induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) by monitoring changes in intestinal histopathology, gut leakiness indicators, inflammatory cytokines, and gut microbiota composition. Sodium butyrate supplementation prior to DSS administration significantly reduced the lesion scores of intestinal bleeding (P < 0.05) and increased villus height and the total mucosa of the ileum (P < 0.05). Regardless of intestinal inflammation, supplementation with SB at 300 mg/kg significantly decreased the levels of D (-)-lactate (P < 0.05), interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β (P < 0.05) but increased the level of interleukin-10 (P < 0.05). The SB treatment did not affect the alpha diversity of intestinal microbiota during intestinal inflammation progression but altered their composition, and the microbial community structure of treated broilers was similar to that of control broilers. Taken together, our results reveal the importance of SB in improving intestinal development, inducing an anti-inflammatory effect during intestinal inflammation progression, and modulating the microbial community in broilers. Sodium butyrate seems to be optimized for anti-inflammatory effects at higher doses (300 mg/kg SB).
Regulatory mechanisms for amylolytic gene expression in the koji mold Aspergillus oryzae

ABSTRACT The koji mold Aspergillus oryzae has been used in traditional Japanese food and beverage fermentation for over a thousand years. Amylolytic enzymes are important in sake fermentation, wherein production is induced by starch or malto-oligosaccharides. This inducible production requires at least two transcription activators, AmyR and MalR. Among amylolytic enzymes, glucoamylase GlaB is produced exclusively in solid-state culture and plays a critical role in sake fermentation owing to its contribution to glucose generation from starch. A recent study demonstrated that glaB gene expression is regulated by a novel transcription factor, FlbC, in addition to AmyR in solid-state culture. Amylolytic enzyme production is generally repressed by glucose due to carbon catabolite repression (CCR), which is mediated by the transcription factor CreA. Modifying CCR machinery, including CreA, can improve amylolytic enzyme production. This review focuses on the role of transcription factors in regulating A. oryzae amylolytic gene expression. Graphical abstract Aspergillus oryzae transcription factors involved in amylolytic enzyme production.
How Qualitative Case Study Methodology Informs Occupational Therapy Practice: A Scoping Review

Qualitative case study methodology (QCSM) is a useful research approach that has grown in popularity within the social sciences; however, it has received less attention in the occupational therapy literature. The current scoping review aims to explore how studies utilizing a QCSM help inform occupational therapy knowledge and practice. Electronic searches were conducted in April 2017, and the resultant 388 publications were screened by three reviewers in Covidence. In all, 27 publications met the inclusion criteria and were included in the scoping review. Case studies in the occupational therapy literature have explored phenomena relating to the delivery of intervention, theoretical concepts, clinical reasoning, and education and research methods and were situated in a range of different practice areas and contexts. QCSM is a valuable approach in occupational therapy research that contributes to the body of knowledge and theory that informs occupational therapy practice.
Species specific differences in use of ANP32 proteins by influenza A virus

Influenza A viruses (IAV) are subject to species barriers that prevent frequent zoonotic transmission and pandemics. One of these barriers is the poor activity of avian IAV polymerases in human cells. Differences between avian and mammalian ANP32 proteins underlie this host range barrier. Human ANP32A and ANP32B homologues both support function of human-adapted influenza polymerase but do not support efficient activity of avian IAV polymerase which requires avian ANP32A. We show here that the gene currently designated as avian ANP32B is evolutionarily distinct from mammalian ANP32B, and that chicken ANP32B does not support IAV polymerase activity even of human-adapted viruses. Consequently, IAV relies solely on chicken ANP32A to support its replication in chicken cells. Amino acids 129I and 130N, accounted for the inactivity of chicken ANP32B. Transfer of these residues to chicken ANP32A abolished support of IAV polymerase. Understanding ANP32 function will help develop antiviral strategies and aid the design of influenza virus resilient genome edited chickens.
Single‐port laparoscopic‐assisted ovariohysterectomy with a modified glove‐port technique in dogs

Abstract Objective To describe a single‐port laparoscopic‐assisted ovariohysterectomy (LOHE) with a modified glove‐port technique in dogs and compare it with previously published laparoscopic techniques for LOHE in dogs. Study design Prospective clinical study and technique description. Animals Forty‐two healthy female dogs. Methods Laparoscopic‐assisted ovariohysterectomy was performed with a custom‐made single‐port device. The total duration of surgery from first incision to skin closure was compared with previously published durations of LOHE in dogs. Short‐term complications were recorded. Results The median total duration of surgery was 24 minutes (range, 17.5–39.5; mean, 25.73; SD, 6.12), which was shorter than that described in most previously reported studies of LOHE in dogs (range, 20.8 ± 4.00–60.0 ± 18.45 minutes; P < .001). Intraoperative complications were minor, but wound complications occurred in 12 of 42 (29%) dogs. Conclusion Single‐port LOHE with the glove‐port technique in combination with a wound retractor and nonarticulated instruments was completed in all dogs. This technique was faster than what has been previously reported for other LOHE, but local wound complications were common. Clinical relevance The glove‐port technique described here offers a low‐cost alternative to other commercially available single‐port devices.
Distal Digital Nerve Repair Using Nerve Allograft With a Dermal Substitute: A Case Report

Background: Distal digital nerve repairs can present unique challenges for hand surgeons due to their sensitive location and ongoing difficulty obtaining soft tissue coverage in this region. Although autografts and nerve conduits have been shown to be of benefit with nerve gaps, they can have morbidities associated with their use. Nerve allografts have become a viable option over the past decade as their use has increased and data are now showing similar outcomes, particularly in short gap segments. Flaps and skin grafts are traditional coverage options for full thickness wounds but can pose challenges with multiple digit involvement, depth of wound, and critical structures exposed. Methods: We present a case where nerve allograft was used for distal digital nerve repair. Due to the distal nature of the nerve repair in the index digit distal to the trifurcation, the distal end of the nerve graft was connected to multiple small nerve ends. Dermal substitute was placed to achieve distal coverage of the affected digits. Results: At 6-month follow-up, the patient demonstrated improved strength, normal sensation, and full return of digital function. Conclusion: Nerve allograft can be used in combination with dermal skin substitute to achieve normal sensation and return of digital function following distal digital nerve injuries.
Dental anxiety in a students' paediatric dental clinic: children, parents and students.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the present study was to investigate the dental anxieties of children, parents and student caregivers in a dental school environment. METHODS Eighty-eight children, parents and the dental students who treated the children were included in the study. They were asked to complete questionnaires which gathered information about demographics and dental anxiety using the Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS). Students were also asked to respond to a visual analogue scale (VAS) to assess their anxiety prior to treating children. RESULTS Significant differences were observed between the mean DAS of the children compared to the students (8.8 +/- 3.9 and 7.3 +/- 2.7, respectively), and between the scores of the parents and the students (8.3 +/- 2.9 and 7.3 +/- 2.7, respectively). No significance was noted between the mean DAS scores of the children and those of the parents. The number of children in family did not influence the mean DAS of the children. Parents' age, education or place of birth did not influence the mean DAS of the parents or the children. The mean DAS of children who reacted excellently in previous treatments scored significantly lower in DAS compared with children who were fearful. Female dental students demonstrated higher DAS and VAS scores than male students. Students' seniority, type of last treatment that they received, time since last treatment, parenthood or self-ranking in class did not seem to significantly influence their DAS or VAS scores. A strong correlation in DAS scores between parents and children was found (r = 0.41, P = 0.0001). No correlation between children's and students' DAS scores was found. CONCLUSIONS Students' dental anxiety, or their anxiety prior to treating a child, may not be directly associated with the child's dental anxiety. However, a positive correlation exists between parental and children's dental anxiety.
Dynamic CT Evaluation of Tumor Vascularity in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study was to evaluate the correlation between the enhancement parameters of dynamic CT; the carcinoma tissue microvessel density (MVD, a hotspot method to provide a histologic assessment of tumor vascularity); and tumor nuclear grade in renal cell carcinomas. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Twenty-four patients with histologically diagnosed renal cell carcinoma underwent dynamic enhanced CT. Enhancement parameters, slope of the time-density curve, the density difference before and after tissue enhancement (deltaH), tissue blood ratio (TBR), and area under the time-density curve (AR), were calculated for all lesions. Pathology slides corresponding to the CT plane were stained using mouse antihuman CD34 monoclonal antibody and H and E. Fuhrman nuclear grade was used. Vascular hot spots of microvessels were recorded. Spearman's rank correlation was performed to determine the strength of the relationship between enhancement parameters, MVD determinations, and tumor nuclear grade. RESULTS MVD with CD34 staining revealed uneven distribution of positively stained vascular endothelial cells in renal cell carcinoma lesions. Heterogeneous distribution of contrast enhancement was seen among and within individual tumors. The tumors appeared as uneven patterns on time-density curves of renal cell carcinoma lesions. Enhancement parameters of H (median, 21.0 H; range, 2.2-105.8 H), TBR (median, 39%; range, 10.7-154.7%), AR (median, 1.58 H x sec; range, 0.23-3.67 H x sec), and slope (median, 2.76; range, 0.53-6.76) varied greatly. Renal cell carcinoma tissue MVD significantly correlated with all enhancement parameters of dynamic CT. The correlation coefficients (r) were 0.62, 0.54, 0.55, and 0.44, respectively, for delta H, slope, TBR, and AR (p < 0.0 5). All enhancement parameters did not significantly correlate with tumor nuclear grade. They were not predictive of nuclear grade. CONCLUSION Enhancement parameters of dynamic CT may be suited to evaluate tumor vascularity in vivo. Dynamic enhanced CT images may reflect the heterogeneity of tumor angiogenesis on the basis of the correlation between enhancement parameters and MVD of renal cell carcinoma.
Treatment of oesophageal perforation: A multivariate analysis

Perforation of the oesophagus was retrospectively analysed in 59 patients. Cause and extent of perforation, localization, quality of the oesophageal wall and therapeutic modes were subjected to univariate analysis. The perforations of the intrathoracic oesophagus (39) were also subjected to multivariate analysis. Perforation of the cervical oesophagus is seldom lethal and can be adequately treated conservatively in the majority of cases. Perforations of the intrathoracic oesophagus can be divided into two groups, with or without simultaneous perforation of the parietal pleura. The optimal treatment for the group with pleural perforation seems to be resection of the oesophagus and secondary reconstruction, although primary closure is indicated in selected early cases. Perforations of the intrathoracic oesophagus confined to the mediastinum can be adequately treated conservatively in most patients. Perforation of the intra‐abdominal oesophagus should be treated like any other intra‐abdominal visceral perforation, by closure or diversion, even if this results in resection of the oesophagus.
Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis in a tertiary care centre in Spain: A retrospective, observational study

The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) in a tertiary care centre in Spain. Retrospective cohort study of all patients diagnosed with CPA between January 2010 and December 2015. The patients were identified through the Microbiology Registry. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiological, microbiological and clinical data were recorded. Patients were followed up for 12 months. Fifty‐three patients were included; median age was 61.5 years. Forty‐seven had a lung condition, 25 suffered from COPD, 19 an active malignancy, 10 had previous pulmonary tuberculosis and 9 lung interstitial disease. Twenty‐eight patients presented with chronic cavitary pulmonary form (CCPA) and 20 with subacute invasive aspergillosis (SAIA). Species identified were A fumigatus (34), A niger (5), A terreus (4) and A flavus (3). All‐cause 1‐year mortality was 56%. Predictors of mortality were cancer history (OR, 9.5; 95% CI, 2.54‐35.51; P < 0.01) and SAIA (OR, 5.49; 95% CI, 1.49‐19.82; P < 0.01). Previous pulmonary tuberculosis, surgery for the treatment of CPA and CCPA were found to be associated with lower mortality (OR, 0.05; 95% CI, <0.01‐0.47; P < 0.01; OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.03‐0.88; P = 0.035 and OR 0.2, 95% CI, 0.01‐0.67; P = 0.01, respectively). This is the first study providing an overview of the features of CPA in patients from Spain. CCPA was the most frequent form of CPA and A fumigatus the most frequently isolated species. Patients with cancer history and SAIA had a worse prognosis.
Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness, Cardiovascular History, and Risk Factors in the Elderly: The Montrachet Study.

Purpose To measure subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in the elderly and to determine the associations among SFCT, cardiovascular history, and the 10-year risk of fatal cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods We conducted a population-based study, the Montrachet (Maculopathy Optic Nerve, nuTRition neurovAsCular, and HEarT disease) study, in subjects older than 75 years. SFCT was measured with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) with enhanced-depth mode imaging. Participants underwent a comprehensive eye examination. The history of CVD, CVD risk factors, and a score-based estimation of their 10-year risk of cardiovascular mortality (Heart Score) were collected. Results Overall, 764 participants were retained for analysis. The mean SFCT was 206.4 ± 83.0 μm. The mean age was 81.9 ± 3.6 years. After a multivariable analysis, older age (β = -32.56 μm, P < 0.001) and longer axial length (β = -20.71 μm, P < 0.001) were independently associated with thinner SFCT. SFCT was not significantly associated with sex, cardiovascular history, classical CVD risk factors, or prognostic risk score. Conclusions This study confirms that longer axial length and older age are associated with thinner SFCT. However, SFCT does not appear to be a biomarker for cardiovascular history in this study.
Association of Postpartum Smoking Relapse With Breastfeeding and Body Mass Index.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the relationship between smoking relapse and breastfeeding and body mass index in the postpartum period. METHODS This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2016 and November 2017 in the polyclinic for children's health and common illnesses at a university hospital in eastern Turkey. One hundred eleven women who met the inclusion criteria constituted the sample of the study. The data were evaluated using the analyses of percentage, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, independent-samples t test, analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression. RESULTS In the study, the week of pregnancy period when the women quit smoking was 8.19 ± 5.17, and the week of postpartum smoking relapse was 8.47 ± 11.76. Furthermore, 72.1% of the women stated that they wanted to quit smoking permanently. The study determined that the status of wanting to quit smoking permanently, the status of smoking while breastfeeding, and gained weight during the last gestation are important predictors of postpartum smoking relapse. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE Knowledge on the characteristics of the women who started smoking again in the postpartum period is important for helping women who have quitted smoking in pregnancy but who are prone to relapse as a risk group by health care personnel.
Full Percutaneous Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Using the Facet-sparing, Trans-Kambin Approach

Study Design: This was a prospective, multicenter, consecutive case series’ study. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate a novel facet-sparing, percutaneous transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (pTLIF) technique consisting of percutaneous insertion of an expandable interbody cage through an endoscopic cannula with the trans-Kambin approach and complemented with percutaneous transpedicular screws and rods. Summary of Background Data: Lumbar interbody fusion by open or minimally invasive surgery is the usual treatment for degenerative disk disease but requires a relatively long recovery period. The transforaminal trans-Kambin approach is a standard in endoscopic spine surgery for safe intradiscal access without facet resection. Methods: Preoperative and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index scores were quantitatively assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery and then every 12 months for patients treated with pTLIF between 2009 and 2018 in 2 health care centers. An immediate postoperative control computed tomography scan was performed, whereas conventional postoperative x-ray controls were performed at 1 month and 1 year. Statistical evaluation was performed with the Student t test. Results: A total of 51 patients (mean age, 59.3 y) were evaluated. The overall mean VAS score for axial lumbar pain improved from 6.6 to 1.8 (P<0.01), mean VAS score for leg pain from 5.5 to 1.2 (P<0.01), and mean Oswestry Disability Index scores from 30.3 to 11.8 (P<0.01) postoperatively with a mean follow-up of 27.9 months (range, 1–77.8 mo). Median estimated blood loss was 103.6 mL. Postoperative complications included 12 (22%) cases with transitory ipsilateral dysesthesia, 2 (4%) cases with transitory ipsilateral muscle weakness, and 3 (6%) clinically asymptomatic cases with radiologic cage subsidence. Median hospital stay was 1.4 days (range, 1–3.2 d). Conclusions: Postoperative scores for pTLIF significantly improved with minimal blood loss and no long-term complications. On the basis of this experience, the facet-sparing pTLIF is a reliable and safe technique with early hospital discharge, opening the way to outpatient instrumented spine surgery. Level of Evidence: Level III.
Phylogenomics of Enterococcus faecalis from wild birds: new insights into host-associated differences in core and accessory genomes of the species.

Wild birds have been suggested to be reservoirs of antimicrobial resistant and/or pathogenic E. faecalis (Efs) strains, but the scarcity of studies and available sequences limit our understanding of of the population structure of the species in these hosts. Here, we analyzed the clonal and plasmid diversity of 97 Efs isolates from wild migratory birds. We found a high diversity, with most sequence types (STs) being firstly described here, while others were found in other hosts including some predominant in poultry. We found that pheromone-responsive plasmids predominate in wild bird Efs while 35% of the isolates entirely lack plasmids. Then, to better understand the ecology of the species, five strains of known STs (ST82, ST170, ST16, ST55) were sequenced and compared with all the Efs genomes available in public databases. Using several methods to analyze core and accessory genomes (AccNET, PLACNET, hierBAPS, PANINI), we detected differences in the accessory genome of some lineages (e.g. ST82) demonstrating specific associations with birds. Conversely, the genomes of other Efs lineages exhibited divergence in core and accessory genomes, reflecting different adaptive trajectories in various hosts. This pangenome divergence, horizontal gene transfer events and occasional epidemic peaks could explain the population structure of the species. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
A Snapshot of Transdermal and Topical Drug Delivery Research in Canada

The minimally- or non-invasive delivery of therapeutic agents through the skin has several advantages compared to other delivery routes and plays an important role in medical care routines. The development and refinement of new technologies is leading to a drastic expansion of the arsenal of drugs that can benefit from this delivery strategy and is further intensifying its impact in medicine. Within Canada, as well, a few research groups have worked on the development of state-of-the-art transdermal delivery technologies. Within this short review, we aim to provide a critical overview of the development of these technologies in the Canadian environment.