Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glycosylation of Immunoglobulin G Associates With Clinical Features of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Causes of inflammatory bowel diseases are not well understood and the most prominent forms, Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are sometimes hard to distinguish. Glycosylation of IgG has been associated with CD and UC. IgG Fc-glycosylation affects IgG effector functions. We evaluated changes in IgG Fc-glycosylation associated with UC and CD, as well as with disease characteristics in different patient groups. METHODS We analyzed 3441 plasma samples obtained from 2 independent cohorts of patients with CD (874 patients from Italy and 391 from the United States) or UC (1056 from Italy and 253 from the US and healthy individuals [controls]; 427 in Italy and 440 from the United States). IgG Fc-glycosylation (tryptic glycopeptides) was analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. We analyzed associations between disease status (UC vs controls, CD vs controls, and UC vs CD) and glycopeptide traits, and associations between clinical characteristics and glycopeptide traits, using a logistic regression model with age and sex included as covariates. RESULTS Patients with CD or UC had lower levels of IgG galactosylation than controls. For example, the odds ratio (OR) for IgG1 galactosylation in patients with CD was 0.59 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51-0.69) and for patients with UC was 0.81 (95% CI, 0.71-0.92). Fucosylation of IgG was increased in patients with CD vs controls (for IgG1: OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.12-1.44), but decreased in patients with UC vs controls (for IgG23: OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.63-0.82). Decreased galactosylation associated with more severe CD or UC, including the need for surgery in patients with UC vs controls (for IgG1: OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.54-0.89) and in patients with CD vs controls (for IgG23: OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.66-0.91). CONCLUSIONS In a retrospective analysis of plasma samples from patients with CD or UC, we associated levels of IgG Fc-glycosylation with disease (compared to controls) and its clinical features. These findings could increase our understanding of mechanisms of CD and UC pathogenesis and be used to develop diagnostics or guide treatment.
O gluconato de clorexidina ou o álcool-iodo-álcool na anti-sepsia de campos operatórios em cães

The efficacy of the antisepsis in a surgical area was compared in twenty four mongrel dogs, divided in three groups, using sterile water, alcohol-iodine-alcohol and chlorhexidine gluconate. All samples of skin swab were collected after thricothomy, after antisepsis, and two hours after application of the antiseptic solution. Samples were collected with a sterile swab and the Colony Formation Unities/ml was determined. Bacterial growth were observed in samples from all groups during the first collection. However, at the first counting (T1), the average reduction of CFU/ml observed was 26.7% for the control group, 96.61% group one, and 96.67% group two. At the second counting (T2), reductions of 21.02%, 91.56%, and 96.89% for the respective groups were observed. The two antiseptic techniques utilized were able to reduced significantly the number of bacteria present on the skin, at T1 as well as T2 (p<0.05). The equality of these two antiseptic methods was demonstrated since no significant difference (p<0.05) between these treatments was observed.
Pseudomyxoma peritonei: current chemotherapy and the need for mucin-directed strategies

Introduction: Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare neoplastic disease characterized by dissemination of mucinous tumor implants and accumulation of mucin in the abdominopelvic cavity. PMP is a progressive, recurrent condition that dramatically impacts quality of life. The current standard of care includes cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Areas covered: The clinicopathological features of PMP closely correspond with multifocal distribution of mucin-secreting tumors and mucin collections. Hence, maximal elimination of all gross disease is attempted in the treatment of PMP. However, PMP is progressive and recurrent. In this review, current chemotherapy for PMP and a number of experimental strategies for enhancement of microscopic cytoreduction are addressed. Expert opinion: According to the current standard of care, HIPEC is the chemotherapy of choice for patients with PMP, which is delivered after completion of CRS. This multimodal approach offers long-term benefits for selected patients. Nevertheless, HIPEC fails to maintain the surgical complete response achieved by CRS and needs to be supplemented by novel strategies. Given the role of mucin and mucin-secreting cells in the pathophysiology of PMP, locoregional use of safe agents capable of inducing cytotoxic effects on residual tumor cells and eliminating mucin is a promising avenue for further investigation.
BrpSPL9 (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis SPL9) controls the earliness of heading time in Chinese cabbage.

The leafy heads of cabbage (Brassica oleracea), Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis), Brussels sprouts (B. oleracea ssp. gemmifera) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) comprise extremely incurved leaves that are edible vegetable products. The heading time is important for high quality and yield of these crops. Here, we report that BrpSPL9-2 (B. rapa ssp. pekinensis SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING-LIKE 9-2), a target gene of microRNA brp-miR156, controls the heading time of Chinese cabbage. Quantitative measurements of leaf shapes, sizes, colour and curvature indicated that heading is a late adult phase of vegetative growth. During the vegetative period, miR156 levels gradually decreased from the seedling stage to the heading one, whereas BrpSPL9-2 and BrpSPL15-1 mRNAs increased progressively and reached the highest levels at the heading stage. Overexpression of a mutated miR156-resistant form of BrpSPL9-2 caused the significant earliness of heading, concurrent with shortening of the seedling and rosette stages. By contrast, overexpression of miR156 delayed the folding time, concomitant with prolongation of the seedling and rosette stages. Morphological analysis reveals that the significant earliness of heading in the transgenic plants overexpressing BrpSPL9-2 gene was produced because the juvenile phase was absent and the early adult phase shortened, whereas the significant delay of folding in the transgenic plants overexpressing Brp-MIR156a was due to prolongation of the juvenile and early adult phases. Thus, miR156 and BrpSPL9 genes are potentially important for genetic improvement of earliness of Chinese cabbage and other crops.
Adolescent Health-Related Behaviors in Postwar Lebanon: Findings among Students at the American University of Beirut

This study presents the findings of a survey of health risk behaviors of entering students at the American University of Beirut as a first attempt to examine adolescent health behaviors in postwar Lebanon. The final sample used for analysis included 954 students. The most frequently occurring risk behaviors were unhealthy dietary patterns, lack of seat belt use, lack of exercise, and poor oral hygiene. Also common were physical fighting, smoking, and alcohol use. Sexual activity, drug and sedative use, and suicide ideation were least common. Gender was a main influencing factor. Eighty-nine percent of students reported two or more risk behaviors. Interpretation of our data in comparison with studies from the United States and other Middle Eastern countries showed both areas of similarities and areas of differences. Results point to the need for health promoting interventions, particularly in the policy area.
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G Allele Polymorphisms and NIDDM(Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus) Risk Factor for Early Onset Myocardial Infarction

Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G Allele Polymorphisms and NIDDM(Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus) Risk Factor for Early Onset Myocardial Infarction Cardiovascular diseases are major causes of mortality and morbidity in diabetic populations and are frequently present even at the time of diagnosis.
The interaction of α° thalassaemia with Hb Icaria: three unusual cases of haemoglobinopathy H

The clinical, haematological, biosynthetic and molecular data of three Greek haemoglobin H (HbH) disease patients with a distinctive clinical phenotype are described. During infancy all three patients had unusually severe clinical manifestations for HbH disease, with anaemia necessitating blood transfusions, signs of bone changes, growth impairment, and splenomegaly. Molecular analysis identified a rare α‐thalassaemia genotype (− −Med/α Icα) . Splenectomy resulted in marked amelioration of the clinical signs; post splenectomy all three patients preserve adequate haemoglobin levels (9–10 g/dl) with growth restored to normal. Despite the initial severe clinical phenotype in these patients, our experience indicates that splenectomy modifies the clinical course to that of mild thalassaemia intermedia. This observation should be considered carefully when giving genetic counselling to families carrying the rare Hb Icaria mutation and an α° thalassaemia mutation.
The diversity and evolution of nematodes (Pharyngodonidae) infecting New Zealand lizards

SUMMARY Host–parasite co-evolutionary studies can shed light on diversity and the processes that shape it. Molecular methods have proven to be an indispensable tool in this task, often uncovering unseen diversity. This study used two nuclear markers (18S rRNA and 28S rRNA) and one mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase subunit I) marker to investigate the diversity of nematodes of the family Pharyngodonidae parasitizing New Zealand (NZ) lizards (lygosomine skinks and diplodactylid geckos) and to explore their co-evolutionary history. A Bayesian approach was used to infer phylogenetic relationships of the parasitic nematodes. Analyses revealed that nematodes parasitizing skinks, currently classified as Skrjabinodon, are more closely related to Spauligodon than to Skrjabinodon infecting NZ geckos. Genetic analyses also uncovered previously undetected diversity within NZ gecko nematodes and provided evidence for several provisionally cryptic species. We also examined the level of host–parasite phylogenetic congruence using a global-fit approach. Significant congruence was detected between gecko-Skrjabinodon phylogenies, but our results indicated that strict co-speciation is not the main co-evolutionary process shaping the associations between NZ skinks and geckos and their parasitic nematodes. However, further sampling is required to fully resolve co-phylogenetic patterns of diversification in this host–parasite system.
Plant‐produced candidate countermeasures against emerging and reemerging infections and bioterror agents

Summary Despite progress in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, they continue to present a major threat to public health. The frequency of emerging and reemerging infections and the risk of bioterrorism warrant significant efforts towards the development of prophylactic and therapeutic countermeasures. Vaccines are the mainstay of infectious disease prophylaxis. Traditional vaccines, however, are failing to satisfy the global demand because of limited scalability of production systems, long production timelines and product safety concerns. Subunit vaccines are a highly promising alternative to traditional vaccines. Subunit vaccines, as well as monoclonal antibodies and other therapeutic proteins, can be produced in heterologous expression systems based on bacteria, yeast, insect cells or mammalian cells, in shorter times and at higher quantities, and are efficacious and safe. However, current recombinant systems have certain limitations associated with production capacity and cost. Plants are emerging as a promising platform for recombinant protein production due to time and cost efficiency, scalability, lack of harboured mammalian pathogens and possession of the machinery for eukaryotic post‐translational protein modification. So far, a variety of subunit vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and therapeutic proteins (antivirals) have been produced in plants as candidate countermeasures against emerging, reemerging and bioterrorism‐related infections. Many of these have been extensively evaluated in animal models and some have shown safety and immunogenicity in clinical trials. Here, we overview ongoing efforts to producing such plant‐based countermeasures.
Bilateral single-stage middle facet talocalcaneal coalition resection combined with flatfoot reconstruction: a report of 3 cases and review of the literature. Investigations involving middle facet coalitions--part 1.

UNLABELLED Talocalcaneal middle facet coalitions are associated with rigid pes planovalgus that often requires surgical intervention. Simple resection of the coalition is preferred for symptomatic cases in the absence of rearfoot arthritis. While resection of the coalition will remove the osseous restriction of motion and may eliminate pain, the procedure does not specifically correct the concomitant pes planovalgus. In this report of 6 feet in 3 patients, we advocate combining resection of the coalition with concomitant flatfoot reconstruction in a single-stage operation. The patients in this series averaged 13.67 (range 12-17) years of age at the time of their foot surgeries, and their follow-up averaged 30 (range 16-54) months. All of the patients displayed bilateral middle facet talocalcaneal coalitions and underwent bilateral resection combined with flatfoot reconstruction. Each patient had 1 foot corrected followed by a period of at least 6 months before the contralateral foot was corrected. The mean postoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score was excellent (94.33+/-2.81 points) overall. The median radiographic values for calcaneal inclination, Meary's, and anteroposterior talar-first metatarsal angles demonstrated statistically significant improvements: 9 degrees (3 degrees, 13 degrees) (P= .0273), 4 degrees (2 degrees, 7 degrees) (P= .0269), and 6 degrees (3 degrees, 11 degrees ) (P= .0277), respectively, and all feet demonstrated improved subtalar joint motion without pain. Although long-term results remain to be determined in a larger cohort, it is hoped that this combined approach to talocalcaneal coalition will delay or obviate future rearfoot arthrosis and the need for arthrodesis. LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE 4.
Aprendizagem Baseada em Problemas na formação médica e o currículo tradicional de Medicina: uma revisão bibliográfica

This article examines studies that compare the use of problem-based learning (PBL) in medical training with the development of the traditional medical curriculum. The methodological design, a literature review of the subject with a qualitative approach, was based on an article search in databases and virtual libraries, with publications from 1998 to 2008, using the terms "medicine", "undergraduate education", "problem-based learning" and "traditional education". The material was studied using thematic content analysis. The discussion is based on results with use of PBL in undergraduate medical training, compared to the traditional medical curriculum. In conclusion, PBL in undergraduate medical education can be an alternative to traditional Brazilian curricular guidelines for medical training.
Long-term results after operatively treated Achilles tendon rupture: fibrin glue versus suture.

UNLABELLED The use of fibrin glue for repairing Achilles tendon ruptures was introduced in the 1980s. Although fibrin glue has been in regular use since that time, suturing remains the standard for surgical repair. Studies have indicated that, in the short term, fibrin glue is as effective as suturing. To date, there have been no long-term studies comparing the outcomes of these 2 techniques. This study compares the long-term results of surgical repair of Achilles tendon rupture with sutures versus fibrin glue. Forty-two patients who had undergone Achilles tendon repair with either suture or fibrin glue took part in a follow-up examination after an average of 12.1 years. The fibrin group consisted of 31 patients and the suture group consisted of 11 patients. Patients treated with fibrin glue reached a higher modified Thermann score (adapted from Weber), achieved equal results in an isokinetic force measurement, and showed fewer complications. The authors concluded that the use of fibrin glue for the repair of ruptured Achilles tendon is a suitable alternative to traditional sutures. LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE 2.
Applicability of plant-based products in the treatment of Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei infections: a systematic review of preclinical in vivo evidence

SUMMARY Chagas disease and sleeping sickness are neglected tropical diseases closely related to poverty, for which the development of plant-derived treatments has not been a promising prospect. Thus, we systematicaly review the preclinical in vivo evidence on the applicability of plant-based products in the treatment of Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei infections. Characteristics such as disease models, treatments, toxicological safety and methodological bias were analysed. We recovered 66 full text articles from 16 countries investigating 91 plant species. The disease models and treatments were highly variable. Most studies used native (n = 36, 54·54%) or exotic (n = 30, 45·46%) plants with ethnodirected indication (n = 45, 68·18%) for trypanosomiasis treatment. Complete phytochemical screening and toxicity assays were reported in only 15 (22·73%) and 32 (48·49%) studies, respectively. The currently available preclinical evidence is at high risk of bias. The absence of or incomplete characterization of animal models, treatment protocols, and phytochemical/toxicity analyses impaired the internal validity of the individual studies. Contradictory results of a same plant species compromise the external validity of the evidence, making it difficult determine the effectiveness, safety and biotechnological potential of plant-derived products in the development of new anti-infective agents to treat T. cruzi and T. brucei infections.
Very late‐onset pure autonomic failure

to result in a deficiency of mature PDGF-BB. Although the clinical episodes exhibited by our patients resembled MR-1-associated PNKD, they showed several atypical features: MR-1-associated PNKD attacks are frequently triggered by alcohol, coffee, tea, fatigue, or stress, whereas our patients reported no clear precipitants; MR-1associated PNKD attacks usually last from several minutes to hours, whereas the attacks observed in our patients lasted for a much shorter period ( 1 minute). Etiologically, PNKD could be primary or secondary to an identifiable cause, such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, trauma, and metabolic disorders. Notably, coexistence of PNKD and brain calcification in a 23-year-old man has been reported in the literature, in which similar clinical episodes were described. Because the PNKD phenotype cosegregated with brain calcification in this family, and no mutation was found in the MR-1 gene, we speculate that the PNKD symptoms exhibited by our patients might be secondary to brain calcification. While the manuscript was under revision, another study has reported the c.232C>T PDGFB mutation in a sporadic PFBC patient with memory impairment and headache. It is notable that the clinical feature of our patients is different from that shown in the sporadic case. This might be related with their genetic background differences.
Predictors of Activity Involvement Among Older Adults

The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of age and other predictors (gender, health status, education, region) on activity participation among older adults. A stratified probability sample of 601 subjects was surveyed with in-depth structured interviews. Data on the frequency of involvement in four types of activity and on potential predictor variables were analyzed. A major finding is that old age per secannot explain lower involvement in any of the four types of activity under study. A canonical correlation analysis confirms previous research findings indicating that health status and education are the primary impediment to leisure participation among older adults.
Host‐induced gene silencing of an important pathogenicity factor PsCPK1 in Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici enhances resistance of wheat to stripe rust

Summary Rust fungi are devastating plant pathogens and cause a large economic impact on wheat production worldwide. To overcome this rapid loss of resistance in varieties, we generated stable transgenic wheat plants expressing short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting potentially vital genes of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst). Protein kinase A (PKA) has been proved to play important roles in regulating the virulence of phytopathogenic fungi. PsCPK1, a PKA catalytic subunit gene from Pst, is highly induced at the early infection stage of Pst. The instantaneous silencing of PsCPK1 by barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV)‐mediated host‐induced gene silencing (HIGS) results in a significant reduction in the length of infection hyphae and disease phenotype. These results indicate that PsCPK1 is an important pathogenicity factor by regulating Pst growth and development. Two transgenic lines expressing the RNA interference (RNAi) construct in a normally susceptible wheat cultivar displayed high levels of stable and consistent resistance to Pst throughout the T3 to T4 generations. The presence of the interfering RNAs in transgenic wheat plants was confirmed by northern blotting, and these RNAs were found to efficiently down‐regulate PsCPK1 expression in wheat. This study addresses important aspects for the development of fungal‐derived resistance through the expression of silencing constructs in host plants as a powerful strategy to control cereal rust diseases.
Feasibility of combining short tandem repeats (STRs) haplotyping with preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in screening for beta thalassemia

β-thalassemia is an autosomal recessive disease with the reduction or absence in the production of β-globin chain in the hemoglobin, which is caused by mutations in the Hemoglobin subunit beta (HBB) gene. In Vietnam, the number of β-thalassemia carriers range from 1.5 to 25.0%, depending on ethnic and geographical areas, which is much higher than WHO’s data worldwide (1.5%). Hence, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) plays a crucial role in reducing the rate of β-thalassemia affected patients/carriers. In this research, we report the feasibility and reliability of conducting PGD in combination with the use of short tandem repeat (STR) markers in facilitating the birth of healthy children. Six STRs, which were reported to closely linked with the HBB gene, were used on 15 couples of β-thalassemia carriers. With 231 embryos, 168 blastocysts were formed (formation rate of 72.73%), and 88 were biopsied and examined with STRs haplotyping and pedigree analysis. Thus, the results were verified by Sanger sequencing, as a definitive diagnosis. Consequently, 11 over 15 couples have achieved pregnancy of healthy or at least asymptomatic offspring. Only three couples failed to detect any signs of pregnancy such as increased Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) level, foetal sac, or heart; and one couple has not reached embryo transfer as they were proposed to continue with HLA-matching to screen for a potential umbilical cord blood donor sibling. Thus, these results have indicated that the combination of PGD with STRs analysis confirmed by Sanger sequencing has demonstrated to be a well-grounded and practical clinical strategy to improve the detection of β-thalassemia in the pregnancies of couples at-risk before embryo transfer, thus reducing β-thalassemia rate in the population.