Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Circular RNA circPVT1 Promotes Proliferation and Invasion Through Sponging miR-125b and Activating E2F2 Signaling in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background/Aims: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are key regulators in the development and progression of human cancers, however its role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumorigenesis is not well understood. The aim of this study is to identify the expression level of circPVT1 in NSCLC and further investigated its functional relevance with NSCLC progression both in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Quantative real-time PCR was used for the measurement of circPVT1 in NSCLC specimens and cell lines. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis (FISH) assay was used for the identification of sublocation of circPVT1 in NSCLC cells. Bioinformatics analysis, luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) were performed to verify the binding of c-Fos at circPVT1 promoter region, and the direct interaction between circPVT1 and miR-125b. Gain- or loss-function assays were performed to evaluate the effects of circPVT1 on cell proliferation and invasion. Western blot and immunohistochemistry assays were performed to detect the protein levels involved in E2F2 pathway. Results: We found that circPVT1 was upregulated in NSCLC specimens and cells. The transcription factor c-Fos binded to the promoter region of circPVT1, resulting in the overexpression of circPVT1 in NSCLC. Knockdown of circPVT1 suppressed NSCLC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and increased apoptosis. In addition, circPVT1 mediated NSCLC progression via the regulation of E2F2 signaling pathway. More importantly, circPVT1 was predominantly abundant in the cytoplasm of NSCLC cells, and circPVT1 could serve as a competing endogenous RNA to regulate E2F2 expression and tumorigenesis in a miR-125b-dependent manner, which is further verified by using an in vivo xenograft model. Conclusion: circPVT1 promotes NSCLC cell growth and invasion, and may serve as a promising therapeutic target for NSCLC patients. Therefore, silence of circPVT1 could be a future direction to develop a novel treatment strategy.
Are people living in nursing homes receiving antidepressants in adequate doses?

Studies have found that depression is common among nursing home residents. A systematic review estimated the median prevalence of major depressive disorder was 10%, while the median prevalence of depressive symptoms was 29% (Seitz et al., 2010). Antidepressants have been shown to be effective for older care home residents (Mottram et al., 2006). The rate of prescribing in care homes showed a steady increase from 1990s to this decade. In Leicestershire, UK, 11% of nursing home residents were receiving antidepressants in 1990, and the rate rose to 19% by 1997 (Arthur et al., 2002). Borson et al. (2002) reported that in nursing facilities in the US 59% of the elderly on antidepressants received SSRIs. Studies have shown that prescribing is often in inadequate doses (Snowdon et al., 1996). A review of the literature revealed limited information on adequacy of dose of antidepressants in the elderly. Our study investigates how widely antidepressants are prescribed in care homes and whether they are prescribed at adequate doses. The study population consisted of all care home residents in the county of Suffolk, UK. All nursing homes in Suffolk were identified and included in the study. We wrote to all nursing home managers asking if they could provide medication sheets of residents. Anonymity of patients was maintained. Use of adequate dose in this group was assumed as 50% of recommended adult dose taken from various consensus guidelines. Data was gathered from care home residents of all 44 care homes. In all 618/1450 (43%) of residents from 39 care homes out of 40 were prescribed an antidepressant. Also, 67 (4.6%) residents were on two antidepressants. Prescribing rates varied between 0-76% across care homes. Of these, 68% were “adequate dose. ” Fifteen different antidepressants from different classes, namely SSRIs tricyclic antidepressants, typical antipsychotic, NaSSA, and SNRIs were used in these patients. SSRI was the most common antidepressant prescribed (23.7%). The three most common antidepressants were Citalopram, Mirtazapine, and Amitriptyline with a mean dose of 18.6mg, 28.4mg, and 24mg, respectively. There was a significantly high SSRI prescribing rate (Chi-square 235.69 p < .00001). SSRIs were more likely to be prescribed in adequate dose than other groups (Chi square 15.86 p < .001). In summary, the study found that SSRIs were more likely to be prescribed at “adequate doses” but did not examine the reason for antidepressants prescription. There was an overall high prescription rate of antidepressants (43%). The findings are consistent with other studies (Arthur et al., 2002, Borson et al., 2002; Snowdon et al., 1996) showing increased prescribing of antidepressants in care homes. There was a wide variability in prescribing rates between facilities.
Aicardi syndrome, an unsolved mystery: Review of diagnostic features, previous attempts, and future opportunities for genetic examination

Aicardi syndrome is a rare, severe neurodevelopmental disorder classically characterized by the triad of infantile spasms, central chorioretinal lacunae, and agenesis of the corpus callosum. Aicardi syndrome only affects females, with the exception of a few males with a 47, XXY chromosome constitution. All cases are de novo and the only cases of definitive recurrence in families are in identical twins. It is now recognized that individuals with Aicardi syndrome commonly exhibit a variety of other neuronal migration defects, eye anomalies, and other somatic features, including skin, skeletal, and craniofacial systems. The etiology of Aicardi syndrome remains unknown despite an international effort exploring different genetic mechanisms. Although various technologies examining candidate genes, copy number variation, skewing of X‐chromosome inactivation, and whole‐exome sequences have been explored, no strong genetic candidates have been identified to date. New technologies that can detect low‐level mosaicism and balanced rearrangements, as well as platforms examining changes at the DNA and chromatin level affecting regulatory regions are all potential avenues for future studies that may one day solve the mystery of the etiology of Aicardi syndrome.
Uluslararası Katılımlı – 4. Ulusal Sağlık Hizmetleri Meslek Yüksekokulları Sempozyumu Raporu

Bu raporda, 4.Ulusal Saglik Hizmetleri Meslek Yuksekokullari Sempozyumu’nun icerigine deginilmistir. Dokuz yil aradan sonra Istanbul’da Marmara Universitesi Saglik Hizmetleri Meslek Yuksekokulu tarafindan duzenlenen sempozyum, Saglik Hizmetleri Meslek Yuksekokullarinin sorunlari, cozum onerileri, istihdam sorunlari, hasta ve calisan guvenligi, mufredat calismalari, klinik beceri egitimlerindeki gelismeler uzerine odaklanmistir. Farkli konularda sunulan konferanslar disinda cok sayida poster ve sozlu bildiriler sempozyum programinda yer almistir.
Deformity and Clinical Outcomes Following Operative Correction of Charcot Ankle

Background: Deformity associated with Charcot foot arthropathy leads to a poor quality of life in affected individuals. Deformity in the midfoot appears to be predictive of clinical outcomes following operative correction. The goal of this retrospective study was to determine if that same methodology could be applied to patients treated for Charcot foot arthropathy involving the ankle joint. Methods: Fifty-six consecutive patients underwent operative reconstruction of Charcot foot deformity involving the ankle joint by a single surgeon over a 14-year period. Preoperative patient characteristics and tibiotalar alignment, were recorded. Surgical treatment included single-stage debridement of active infection and ankle arthrodesis with application of a circular external fixator when infection was present (39 of 56, 69.6%) or retrograde locked intramedullary nailing in the absence of infection (17 of 56, 30.3%). Clinical outcomes were graded based on limb salvage, resolution of infection and chronic wounds, and the ability to ambulate with therapeutic footwear or accommodative orthoses. The average follow-up was 7.5 (range 1.1-14.0) years. Results: One patient died at 134.3 weeks following surgery of unrelated causes and 8 underwent amputation. Twenty-eight of 56 patients (50.0%) achieved a favorable (excellent or good) clinical outcome. There was no significant association between pre- or postoperative alignment and clinical outcomes. Insulin-dependent diabetics were approximately 3 times more likely to have a poor clinical outcome. Conclusions: Operative correction of Charcot deformity involving the ankle joint was associated with a high complication rate and risk for failure. The lessons learned from this highly comorbid patient population with complex deformities can be used as a benchmark for applying modern surgical techniques. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.
Comparison of demographic data, disease severity and response to treatment, between dogs with atopic dermatitis and atopic‐like dermatitis: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND Limited information is available describing the features of canine atopic-like dermatitis (ALD) compared with atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVES To compare demographic data, disease severity and response to therapy between ALD and AD dogs. ANIMALS Two hundred and fifty-three atopic dogs with intradermal and serum allergen-specific IgE test results were selected retrospectively. METHODS AND MATERIALS Dogs were enrolled into the ALD group if both IgE tests were negative and into the AD group if at least one test was positive. Demographic data, pruritus level and number of body sites affected before and during therapy, in addition to maintenance therapy protocols, were compared between groups. RESULTS There were 216 (85.38%) dogs in the AD group and 37 (14.62%) in the ALD group. The soft-coated wheaten terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, English bulldog and Labrador retriever were over-represented in the AD group. No significant differences between the groups were noted regarding the other demographic variables evaluated. There were no differences in the mean pruritus scores and number of affected body sites at the first visit or during treatment. Furthermore, no significant differences between the groups were noted for the maintenance treatment scores and reduction of pruritus level and number of body sites affected during treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The soft-coated wheaten terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, English bulldog and Labrador retriever were over-represented in the AD group. No significant differences in the other demographic data and clinical features were noted between dogs with ALD and AD in the present study.
A molecular epidemiological study of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus contamination in the airport environment

Background Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes a wide variety of serious infections worldwide. There are few studies on the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility, and molecular characteristics of MRSA contamination in the environment of airports. Materials and methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Guangzhou Baiyun Airport. Environmental surface sampling was conducted in frequently touched locations for S. aureus analysis. All isolates were characterized by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility, resistance genes, and virulence genes. Data were analyzed by chi-squared test and correspondence analysis. Results Of the 1,054 surface samples, the contamination rate was 7.2% (76/1,054) for S. aureus and 2.2% (23/1,054) for MRSA. There were 62.9% (56/89) S. aureus isolates classified as multidrug resistant (MDR), with six linezolid-resistant isolates and two cfr-carrying isolates. The most prevalent S. aureus genotypes were CC6 (ST6), CC59 (ST59), and CC188 (ST188), with ST59-MRSA-IV (pvl–) as the predominant MRSA. There were significant differences between methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive isolates in rates of resistance to tetracycline (P<0.001) and sek carriage (P=0.029). The correspondence analyses revealed significant corresponding relationships between genotypes and phenotype–genotype characteristics of S. aureus isolates. Conclusion Our findings revealed a potential risk of cross-transmission of MRSA between human beings and environments, suggesting more stringent contamination control measures. In addition, this study revealed significant corresponding relationships between genotypes and phenotype–genotype characteristics of S. aureus isolates, which may provide new ideas for monitoring the latest epidemiological trends.
Antibiotic resistance is lower in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from antibiotic-free raw meat as compared to conventional raw meat

The frequent use of antibiotics contributes to antibiotic resistance in bacteria, resulting in an increase in infections that are difficult to treat. Livestock are commonly administered antibiotics in their feed, but there is current interest in raising animals that are only administered antibiotics during active infections. Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a common pathogen of both humans and livestock raised for human consumption. SA has achieved high levels of antibiotic resistance, but the origins and locations of resistance selection are poorly understood. We determined the prevalence of SA and MRSA in conventional and antibiotic-free (AF) meat products, and also measured rates of antibiotic resistance in these isolates. We isolated SA from raw conventional turkey, chicken, beef, and pork samples and also from AF chicken and turkey samples. We found that SA contamination was common, with an overall prevalence of 22.64% (range of 2.78-30.77%) in conventional meats and 13.0% (range of 12.5-13.2%) in AF poultry meats. MRSA was isolated from 15.72% of conventional raw meats (range of 2.78-20.41%) but not from AF-free meats. The degree of antibiotic resistance in conventional poultry products was significantly higher vs AF poultry products for a number of different antibiotics, and while multi-drug resistant strains were relatively common in conventional meats none were detected in AF meats. The use of antibiotics in livestock contributes to high levels of antibiotic resistance in SA found in meat products. Our results support the use of AF conditions for livestock in order to prevent antibiotic resistance development in SA.
Transcriptome-wide responses of adult melon thrips (Thrips palmi) associated with capsicum chlorosis virus infection

Thrips palmi is a widely distributed major agricultural pest in the tropics and subtropics, causing significant losses in cucurbit and solanaceous crops through feeding damage and transmission of tospoviruses. Thrips palmi is a vector of capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV) in Australia. The present understanding of transmission biology and potential effects of CaCV on T. palmi is limited. To gain insights into molecular responses to CaCV infection, we performed RNA-Seq to identify thrips transcripts that are differentially-abundant during virus infection of adults. De-novo assembly of the transcriptome generated from whole bodies of T. palmi adults generated 166,445 contigs, of which ~24% contained a predicted open reading frame. We identified 1,389 differentially-expressed (DE) transcripts, with comparable numbers up- (708) and down-regulated (681) in virus-exposed thrips compared to non-exposed thrips. Approximately 59% of these DE transcripts had significant matches to NCBI non-redundant proteins (Blastx) and Blast2GO identified provisional functional categories among the up-regulated transcripts in virus-exposed thrips including innate immune response-related genes, salivary gland and/or gut-associated genes and vitellogenin genes. The majority of the immune-related proteins are known to serve functions in lysosome activity and melanisation in insects. Most of the up-regulated oral and extra-oral digestion-associated genes appear to be involved in digestion of proteins, lipids and plant cell wall components which may indirectly enhance the likelihood or frequency of virus transmission or may be involved in the regulation of host defence responses. Most of the down-regulated transcripts fell into the gene ontology functional category of ‘structural constituent of cuticle’. Comparison to DE genes responsive to tomato spotted wilt virus in Frankliniella occidentalis indicates conservation of some thrips molecular responses to infection by different tospoviruses. This study assembled the first transcriptome in the genus Thrips and provides important data to broaden our understanding of networks of molecular interactions between thrips and tospoviruses.
Aberrantly expressed long noncoding RNAs and genes in Parkinson’s disease

Purpose Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative movement disorder, but the pathogenesis remains elusive. This study was aimed to explore key genes and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated with PD. Materials and methods Three patients with PD and three normal controls were enrolled in the present study from July 12, 2017, to August 29, 2017. RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were performed to obtain differentially expressed micro RNAs (DEmRNAs) and lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) between patients with PD and normal controls. PD-specific protein–protein interaction networks were constructed. DEmRNAs transcribed within a 100 kb window upstream or downstream of DElncRNAs were searched, which were defined as cis nearby targeted DEmRNAs of DElncRNAs. Datasets GSE57475 and GSE68719 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, which were used to validate the expression of selected DEmRNAs. Results A total of 857 DEmRNAs and 77 DElncRNAs were obtained between PD and normal controls. Natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity was a significantly enriched pathway in PD. ERBB2, HSPB1, and MYC were three hub proteins of PD-specific protein–protein interaction network. LOC105378701-TAL1, LOC102724104-CX3CR1, LOC105375056-TREML1/TREML4, LOC105379392-ANK1, and LOC101928100-KLRK1/KLRD1 interactions were identified DElncRNA nearby targeted DEmRNA pairs in PD. Gene expression results validated by GSE57475 and GSE68719 were consistent with our RNA-sequencing results, generally. Conclusion This present study identified key genes and lncRNAs associated with PD, which will provide new clues for exploring the pathogenesis and developing potential biomarkers of PD.
Global trends in colorectal cancer mortality: projections to the year 2035

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and the fourth most common cause of cancer death. Predictions of the future burden of the disease inform health planners and raise awareness of the need for cancer control action. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) mortality database for 1989–2016 were used to project colon and rectal cancer mortality rates and number of deaths in 42 countries up to the year 2035, using age‐period‐cohort (APC) modelling. Mortality rates for colon cancer are predicted to continue decreasing in the majority of included countries from Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania, except Latin America and Caribbean countries. Mortality rates from rectal cancer in general followed those of colon cancer, however rates are predicted to increase substantially in Costa Rica (+73.6%), Australia (+59.2%), United States (+27.8%), Ireland (+24.2%) and Canada (+24.1%). Despite heterogeneous trends in rates, the number of deaths is expected to rise in all countries for both colon and rectal cancer by 60.0% and 71.5% until 2035, respectively, due to population growth and ageing. Reductions in colon and rectal cancer mortality rates are probably due to better accessibility to early detection services and improved specialized care. The expected increase in rectal cancer mortality rates in some countries is worrisome and warrants further investigations.
Gender as an independent prognostic factor in small-cell lung cancer: Inha Lung Cancer Cohort study using propensity score matching

Introduction The prognostic relevance of gender is undetermined in patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Therefore, we investigated whether gender is a prognostic factor in a SCLC cohort after controlling for confounding factors. Materials and methods Fifteen prognostic factors were classified into four groups (patient, stage migration, tumor, and treatment). The prognostic relevance of gender was evaluated using propensity score matching, Cox proportional hazards regression, and stepwise fashion adjustments. Results Of 591 patients with SCLC, 88 were women (14.9%). Women were more likely than men to have no history of smoking (48.9% vs. 2.0%, P < 0.001) and limited disease (48.9% vs. 37.8%, P = 0.050). Women had less progressive disease in M stage than men (52.3% vs. 62.8%, P = 0.031). Women had better survival than men in the entire cohort (median survival times [MSTs] and 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: 9.7 months and 7.8–11.6 for women, 8.0 months and 7.0–8.9 for men, log-rank P = 0.034) and in the matched cohort (MSTs and 95% CIs: 8.8 months and 5.8–11.8 for women, 5.9 months and 4.5–7.4 for men, log-rank P = 0.013). Female gender was a prognostic factor predicting better survival, even after stepwise and full adjustment with all prognostic variables (adjusted hazard ratios and 95% CIs: 0.51 and 0.34–0.77, P = 0.001 for entire cohort, 0.42 and 0.24–0.75, P = 0.003 for matched cohort). Conclusions Our results confirmed that gender is an independent prognostic factor in patients with SCLC.