Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of surfactants addition on the properties of calcium hypochlorite solutions

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of surfactants 0.2% or 0.1% cetrimide (Cet) or 0.008% benzalkonium chloride (BAK) on 2.5% calcium hypochlorite (Ca(OCl)2), and compare to sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), regarding the properties of pH, free chlorine content, surface tension, contact angle, pulp dissolution and antimicrobial activity. Material and Methods The pH and free chlorine content were evaluated by digital pHmeter and by titration, respectively. Surface tension was measured by the platinum ring technique with a Du Noüy tensiometer. The solution's contact angle in human dentin surfaces was checked by Drop Shape Analyzer software. Bovine pulps were used for pulp dissolution analysis and the dissolving capacity was expressed by percent weight loss. Antimicrobial activity over Enterococcus faecalis was evaluated by the agar diffusion method. Results Surfactants addition to Ca(OCl)2 and NaOCl did not alter the pH, free chlorine content and pulp dissolution properties. Ca(OCl)2 had the highest surface tension among all tested solutions. When surfactants were added to Ca(OCl)2 and NaOCl, there was a significant reduction of surface tension and contact angle values. The addition of 0.2% or 0.1% Cet enhanced antimicrobial activity of both Ca(OCl)2 and NaOCl. Conclusion Surfactant addition to 2.5% Ca(OCl)2 has shown acceptable outcomes for pH, free chlorine content, surface tension, contact angle, pulp dissolution and antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, the addition of 0.2% Cet showed better results for all tested properties.
Thirty-day Complications and Readmission Rates in Elderly Patients After Shoulder Arthroplasty

Introduction: Shoulder arthroplasty procedures are increasingly being performed in older patients despite an increased perioperative risk. The purpose of this study is to determine the complications and 30-day readmission rates in the elderly population after shoulder arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty. Methods: Total shoulder arthroplasty, reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, and hemiarthroplasty cases were collected from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2006 to 2015. The 30-day complication and readmission rates, surgical time, discharge destination, and total hospital length of stay were calculated, comparing patients by age (elderly: ≥80 years; older: 65 to 79 years; younger: <65 years). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify variables associated with any complication within 30 days of surgery. Results: Of 11,450 patients, 1,956 (17.1%) underwent shoulder hemiarthroplasty and 9,494 (82.9%) underwent total shoulder arthroplasty. By age group, 1,708 (14.9%) were ≥80, 6,073 (53.0%) were 65 to 79, and 3,669 (32.0%) were <65. The overall 30-day postoperative complication rate was significantly higher in elderly patients (15.3% versus 8.2% versus 6.8%; P < 0.001), length of stay (2.6 versus 2.1 versus 1.8 days; P < 0.001), and unplanned readmissions (5.5% versus 2.6% versus 2.3%; P < 0.001). The strongest independent variables significantly associated with any complication included revision arthroplasty indication (odds ratio [OR], 4.34; P < 0.001), fracture indication (OR, 4.14; P < 0.001), and history of cardiac disease (OR, 2.33; P < 0.001), followed by elderly age (OR, 2.01; P < 0.001). Conclusions: The 15.3% complication rate (major, 4.8%; minor, 10.7%), 2.6 days of average length of stay, and 5.5% unplanned readmission among elderly patients (>80) are significantly higher than younger patients. Although surgical indications and comorbidities are higher-quality predictors of complications, elderly patients should be appropriately counseled and medically optimized according to the perioperative risk profile before surgery.
Knockdown of CHCHD2 inhibits migration and angiogenesis of human renal cell carcinoma: A potential molecular marker for treatment of RCC

Coiled-coil-helix-coiled-coil-helix domain-containing protein 2 (CHCHD2), a novel cell migration determinant, is able to co-express with other genes of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway by using a computational expression screening technique. However, little is known about the expression and biological function of CHCHD2 in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Western blotting was performed to detect CHCHD2 expression levels in normal renal cells and carcinoma cells. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect an association between CHCHD2 expression and clinicopathological parameters in 75 RCC tissues using a tissue microarray. The function of CHCHD2 in the migration and angiogenesis of RCC cells was investigated using Transwell migration and tube formation assays. CHCHD2 expression was markedly increased in human RCC cells. The results of immunohistochemical analysis revealed that CHCHD2 expression was markedly associated with tumor grade (P<0.001). Notably, CHCHD2 knockdown inhibited RCC migration and tube formation of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells. CHCHD2 knockdown further suppressed matrix metalloproteinase-2 protein levels and enzyme activity. An ELISA identified that CHCHD2 knockdown decreased the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor. The gathered data disclose information on the association of CHCHD2 with migration and angiogenesis of human RCC, and may strengthen the feasibility of targeting CHCHD2 as a potential therapeutic target.
The association between recent hospitalized COPD exacerbations and adverse outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention: a nationwide cohort study

Purpose COPD is associated with coronary artery disease, and exacerbations are major events in COPD. However, the impact of recent hospitalized exacerbations on outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains underdetermined. Patients and methods Using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, we identified 215,275 adult patients who underwent first-time PCI between 2000 and 2012. Among these patients, 15,485 patients had COPD. The risks of hospital mortality, overall mortality, and adverse cardiovascular outcomes after PCI (ie, ischemic events, repeat revascularization, cerebrovascular events, and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events [MACCEs]) in relation to COPD, and the frequency and timing of recent hospitalized exacerbations within 1 year before PCI were estimated. Results COPD was independently associated with increased risks of hospital mortality, overall mortality, ischemic events, cerebrovascular events, and MACCE during follow-up after PCI. Among cerebrovascular events, ischemic rather than hemorrhagic stroke was more likely to occur. In COPD patients, recent hospitalized exacerbations further increased the risks of overall mortality, ischemic events, and MACCE following PCI. Notably, patients with more frequent or more recent hospitalized exacerbations had a trend toward higher risks of these adverse events (all P-values for trend <0.0001), especially those with ≥2 exacerbations within 1 year or any exacerbation within 1 month before PCI. Conclusion Integrated care is urgently needed to alleviate COPD-related morbidity and mortality after PCI, especially for patients with a recent hospitalized exacerbation.
Reproducibility of intravoxel incoherent motion of liver on a 3.0T scanner: free-breathing and respiratory-triggered sequences acquired with different numbers of excitations

Purpose To optimise the intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging of the liver on a 3.0T scanner by assessing parameter reproducibility on free-breathing (FB) and respiratory-triggered (RT) sequences acquired with different numbers of signal averages (NSA). Material and methods In this prospective study 20 subjects (M/F: 10/10; age: 25-62 years, mean: 39 years) underwent IVIM magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on a 3.0T scanner using an 18-channel phase-arrayed coil and four different echo-planar sequences, each with 10 b values: 0, 10, 30, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 500, and 900 s/mm2. Images were acquired with FB and RT with NSA = 1-4 (FBNSA1-4, RTNSA1-4) and with NSA = 3-6 (FBNSA3-6, RTNSA3-6). Subsequently, for the assessment of reproducibility of IVIM-derived parameters (f, D, D*), each subject was scanned again with an identical protocol during the same session. IVIM parameters were calculated. The distribution of IVIM-parameters for each DWI sequence were given as the median value with first and third quartile. Inter-scan reproducibility for each IVIM parameter was evaluated using coefficient of variance and Bland-Altman difference. Differences between FB sequence and RT sequence were tested using non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results Mean coefficient of variance (%) for f, D, and D* ranged from 60 to 64, from 58 to 84, and from 82 to 99 for FBNSA1-4 sequence; from 50 to 69, from 41 to 97, and from 80 to 82 for RTNSA1-4 sequence; from 22 to 27, 15, and from 70 to 80 for FBNSA3-6 sequence; and from 21 to 32, from 12 to, and from 50 to 80 for RTNSA3-6 sequence, respectively. Conclusions Increasing the number of signal averages for IVIM acquisitions allows us to improve the reproducibility of IVIM-derived parameters. The sequence acquired during free-breathing with NSA = 3-6 was optimal in terms of reproducibility and acquisition time.
Long non-coding RNA XIST predicts poor prognosis and promotes malignant phenotypes in osteosarcoma

Increasing evidence indicates that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is involved in a number of types of human cancer and functions as an oncogene or tumor suppressor. However, little is known about the role of lncRNA X-inactive specific transcript (XIST) in osteosarcoma. In the present study, the expression of lncRNA XIST was analyzed in 56 osteosarcoma tissues and their corresponding normal bone tissues by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Increased lncRNA XIST expression was observed in osteosarcoma tissues compared with the normal tissues and was positively associated with advanced Enneking stage. In addition, lncRNA XIST may be used as an independent risk factor for the overall survival of patients with osteosarcoma. Knockdown of lncRNA XIST inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell apoptosis and arrested the cell cycle. The inhibition of lncRNA XIST may also suppress cell migration and invasion in vitro. The present study suggested that lncRNA XIST acted as an oncogene in osteosarcoma, which may make it a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of osteosarcoma.
Patterns of gray matter alterations in migraine and restless legs syndrome

Migraine and restless legs syndrome (RLS) are often comorbid and share elements of pathology; however, their neuroanatomical underpinnings are poorly understood. This study aimed to identify patterns of gray matter volume (GMV) alteration specific to and common among patients with RLS, migraine, and comorbid migraine and RLS.
Preventive Effect on Seroma of Use of PEAK PlasmaBlade after Latissimus Dorsi Breast Reconstruction

Summary: Postoperative seroma is still the main complication after a latissimus dorsi (LD) flap procedure. The etiology of seroma is currently thought to comprise tissue fluids resulting from inflammatory reactions in affected tissue caused by the use of monopolar electrocautery (EC). It is possible that seroma formation can be reduced by using alternative devices such as the PEAK PlasmaBlade (PPB), which provides atraumatic scalpel-like cutting precision while the blade temperature remains close to body temperature. The subjects were 44 patients who underwent breast reconstruction with LD flaps from August 2015 to April 2017. They were retrospectively split into groups treated with a PPB (n = 21) and with conventional EC (n = 23). Outcomes such as rate of seroma formation, total drain discharge volume, indwelling period of drainage at the donor site, length of hospital stay, and operation time were compared between the 2 groups. The incidence of seroma was significantly lower in the PPB group (19.0%) than in the EC group (47.8%). The total drain discharge volume was significantly lower and the indwelling period of drainage and length of hospital stay were significantly shorter in the PPB group. In summary, use of PPB in an LD flap procedure can reduce seroma formation and the lengths of the drainage period and the hospital stay.
Infectious Disease Transmission in Solid Organ Transplantation: Donor Evaluation, Recipient Risk, and Outcomes of Transmission

Abstract In 2016, the Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand, with the support of the Australian Government Organ and Tissue authority, commissioned a literature review on the topic of infectious disease transmission from deceased donors to recipients of solid organ transplants. The purpose of this review was to synthesize evidence on transmission risks, diagnostic test characteristics, and recipient management to inform best-practice clinical guidelines. The final review, presented as a special supplement in Transplantation Direct, collates case reports of transmission events and other peer-reviewed literature, and summarizes current (as of June 2017) international guidelines on donor screening and recipient management. Of particular interest at the time of writing was how to maximize utilization of donors at increased risk for transmission of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus, given the recent developments, including the availability of direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C virus and improvements in donor screening technologies. The review also covers emerging risks associated with recent epidemics (eg, Zika virus) and the risk of transmission of nonendemic pathogens related to donor travel history or country of origin. Lastly, the implications for recipient consent of expanded utilization of donors at increased risk of blood-borne viral disease transmission are considered.
MicroRNA-153 suppresses cell invasion by targeting SNAI1 and predicts patient prognosis in glioma

Glioma is the most common and rapidly progressive type of malignant primary brain tumor in adults. miR-153 plays a major role in many malignancies; nevertheless, few studies have been conducted on glioma. The aim of the present study was to explore the role of miR-153 and SNAI1 on invasion in glioma. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was employed to measure the expression levels of miR-153 and SNAI1 mRNA. Transwell assay was utilized to calculate the capacity of invasion. Luciferase report assay was applied to detect whether SNAI1 was a target of miR-153. miR-153 was downregulated in glioma tissues and cells versus paracancerous tissues and normal immortalized gliocyte HEB cells. Transwell assay was used to measure whether a low expression of miR-153 in glioma indicated inhibition of cell invasion. We verified that SNAI1 was a target of miR-153 and had a negative association with miR-153 detected by luciferase reporter assay. Additionally, miR-153 suppressed cell invasive ability by regulating SNAI1 expression, whose partial function was reversed by SNAI1. miR-153 suppressed cell invasion of glioma by directly targeting SNAI1. Thus, miR-153/SNAI1 axis may be a novel target for cervical cancer treatment.
Detection of HPV infection in head and neck cancers: Promise and pitfalls in the last ten years: A meta-analysis

The current controversial discussion on the disease-specific survival of patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive (+) and -negative (−) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head neck region was the motivation for the present meta-analysis. Different detection methods for HPV are available, though these often lack sensitivity. As a consequence, there may be false interpretation of HPV positivity. A bias concerning HPV status and therefore also survival rates is serving a non-durable relevance in the discussion of tailored therapies. A literature search was performed via the online database PubMed/NCBI, and data extraction and statistical analysis were conducted. A total of 139 studies published between 2004 and 2014 were evaluated in the present meta-analysis. The HPV detection methods, patient characteristics, tumor localizations and stages, as well as (neo-) adjuvant therapies and survival times were analyzed. The average incidence rates of HPV+ patients with oropharyngeal tumors were higher than those of patients with cancers of other regions of the head and neck. Upon evaluating the results of different detection methods no significant differences were identified. We have compared the HPV incidence rates of each detection method, when studies have used more than one. Regarding overall survival, the pooled adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for oropharyngeal SCC was 0.31 [95% confidence interval (CI)=0.27–0.36]. Unfortunately, only 3 equivalent studies were available on nonoropharyngeal tumors, for which the pooled adjusted HR was 1 (95% CI=0.73–1.36). Overall, the evaluation demonstrated that the survival rates reported in numerous studies were not evaluated multifactorially and important confounders were excluded from the statistics. The HPV detection methods used were often not sufficient in representing HPV positivity. In addition, oropharyngeal and oral SCCs were assessed together in the localization. The widely differing number of HPV+ patients in each of the various studies may be explained by insufficient detection methods and by a lack of localization distinction. The considerations of a tailored therapy according to HPV status should be rejected based on the present information. The previously published studies should be read critically and do not represent a basis for therapeutic decisions.
Evaluation of Mesh Size in Model Polymer Networks Consisting of Tetra-Arm and Linear Poly(ethylene glycol)s

The structure and mechanical properties of model polymer networks consisting of alternating tetra-functional poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs) and bis-functional linear PEGs were investigated by dynamic light scattering and rheological measurements. The sizes of the correlation blob (ξc) and the elastic blob (ξel) were obtained from these measurements and compared to the theoretical mesh size, the geometric blob (ξg), calculated by using the tree-like approximation. By fixing the concentration of tetra-PEGs and tuning the molecular weight of linear-PEGs, we systematically compared these blob sizes in two cases: complete network (Case A) and incomplete network (Case B). The correlation blob, ξc, obtained by dynamic light scattering (DLS) was found to obey the well-known concentration dependence for polymer solutions in semidilute regime (ξc~ϕ−3/4) irrespective of the Cases. On the other hand, the G′ was strongly dependent on the Cases: For Case A, G′ was weakly dependent on the molecular weight of linear-PEGs (G′~Mc0.69) while G′ for Case B was a strong increasing function of Mc (G′~Mc1.2). However, both of them are different from the geometric blob (theoretical mesh) of the gel networks. In addition, interesting relationships between G′ and ξc, G′~ξc, G′~ξC−2, were obtained for Cases A and B, respectively.
Influencing factors of pneumothorax and parenchymal haemorrhage after CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy: single-institution experience

Purpose To evaluate the incidences and influencing factors of pneumothorax and parenchymal haemorrhage after computed tomography (CT)-guided transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB). Material and methods A retrospective analysis of 216 patients who underwent CT-guided TTNB was performed. The frequencies and risk factors of pneumothorax and parenchymal haemorrhage were determined. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results The incidences of pneumothorax and parenchymal haemorrhage were 23.1% and 45.4%, respectively. Twenty-two per cent of patients with pneumothorax needed percutaneous drainage, but all patients with parenchymal haemorrhage had clinical improvement after conservative treatment. No procedure-related mortality was detected. Univariate analysis showed that underlying pulmonary infection, lesion size of less than 1 cm, and lesion depth of more than 2 cm were significant influencing factors of pneumothorax. A significant relationship between the underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the need for drainage catheter insertion was found. Pulmonary haemorrhage was more likely to occur in patients with underlying malignancy, solid pulmonary nodule, lesion size of 3 cm or less, and lesion depth of more than 3 cm. Consolidation was the protective factor for pulmonary haemorrhage. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV), and accuracy of CT-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) for the diagnosis of malignancy were 95.7%, 100%, 100%, 93.3%, and 97.3%, respectively. The rate of diagnostic failure was 10.2%. Conclusions Pulmonary hemorrhage is the most common complication after CT-guided TTNB. Influencing factors for pneumothorax are underlying pulmonary infection, lesion size < 1 cm, and lesion depth > 2 cm. Underlying malignancy, solid pulmonary nodule, lesion size ≤ 3 cm, and lesion depth > 3 cm are associated with pulmonary haemorrhage.
Inhibition of electroacupuncture on nociceptive responses of dorsal horn neurons evoked by noxious colorectal distention in an intensity-dependent manner

Background The transmission of visceral nociception can be inhibited by electroacupuncture (EA) at the spinal level. However, relationships between current intensity and EA-induced analgesia are still lacking. This study compares the effects of different intensities of EA at local acupoints and heterotopic acupoints on nociceptive responses of spinal wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons induced by noxious colorectal distension (CRD). Materials and methods Experiments were conducted on 40 Sprague Dawley rats anesthetized with 10% urethane. Discharges of WDR neurons in the L1–L3 segments of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord were recorded extracellularly by glass micropipettes. Different intensities of EA (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mA, 0.5 ms, 2 Hz) were applied to contralateral “Zusanli” (ST 36) or “Neiguan” (PC 6), with either the same or different segmental innervation of the colon. Results In local acupoints, the increased discharges of WDR neurons evoked by CRD were significantly inhibited by EA at 0.5–8 mA. A positive relationship between current intensity and the inhibiting rate was observed within 0.5–4 mA, but the inhibiting rate reached a plateau when EA exceeded 4 mA. In heterotopic acupoints, the increased discharges of WDR neurons evoked by CRD were significantly inhibited by EA at 2–8 mA. A positive relationship between current intensity and the inhibiting rate was observed within 2–6 mA. Further increase in the current beyond 6 mA also resulted in a plateau effect. Conclusion Within a certain range, the nociceptive responses of dorsal horn neurons induced by CRD could be inhibited by EA in an intensity-dependent manner.
Deciphering the effect of reproductive tract microbiota on human reproduction

The female reproductive tract contains an active microbiome comprising mainly bacteria from the Lactobacillus genus, which is associated with a healthy microbiome state. However, spatio‐temporal fluctuations of this microbiome that occur in response to internal and external factors may impact the physiology of the reproductive tract organs and even lead to pathological states.