Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Circulation and hemostatic function of autologous fresh, liquid‐preserved, and cryopreserved baboon platelets transfused to correct an aspirin‐induced thrombocytopathy

BACKGROUND : The survival of fresh and preserved platelets has been used primarily to determine their therapeutic effectiveness. The function of the fresh and preserved platelets has been difficult to assess. In stable thrombocytopenic patients, platelet function of fresh and preserved allogeneic platelets is evaluated by the reduction in bleeding time. In this study of healthy male baboons, both the survival and function of autologous fresh, liquid‐preserved, and cryopreserved platelets in the correction of an aspirin‐induced thrombocytopathy was evaluated.
Post-mortem computed tomography and post-mortem computed tomography angiography following transcatheter aortic valve implantation†.

OBJECTIVES At present, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is widely used. As with any interventional treatment, however, TAVI may also be accompanied by complications and may result in periprocedural mortality. This study aims to evaluate such complications and causes of death after TAVI. METHODS The study included 32 deceased (59.4% female, n = 19, median age: 82 years) patients with TAVI, since 2008, in whom post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) and PMCT angiography were performed with the intention of identifying complications. RESULTS Altogether, we registered bleeding (28.1%, 9/32), perforation and rupture (25%, 8/32), cerebral infarction (18.8%, 6/32), injury of the conduction system (3.1%, 1/32), insufficiency of the aortic (12.5%, 4/32) and the mitral valve (9.4%, 3/32) and of valve-in-valve procedures (9.4%, 3/32). Furthermore, there were findings due to cardiopulmonary resuscitation and intensive care. PMCT and PMCT angiography has advantages over autopsy. The demonstration of bleeding vessels, ruptures, the position of the implanted aortic valve and its effects on the mitral valve and its suspensions were more easily accessible by computed tomography-imaging display than by customary autopsy photo-documentation. CONCLUSIONS After TAVI, PMCT and PMCT angiography successfully demonstrated the complications leading to death. PMCT and PMCT angiography contribute to the post-mortem analysis of causes of periprocedural death.
6‐O glucose linoleate supports in vitro human hair growth and lipid synthesis

The hair follicle is a very active organ with a complex structure, which produces a hair fibre at a rate of 0.3 mm a day. Accordingly, the hair follicle is highly demanding in energy source, as the hair bulb matrix cells are endowed with one of the highest rates of proliferation in the human body. Moreover, recent data have shown the involvement of lipids in hair follicle function. As in vitro‐grown hair follicle keeps producing a hair fibre that closely resembles the natural hair fibre, we decided to use this model to investigate the role of a new of glucose linoleate derivative (6‐O‐linoleyl‐d‐glucose: 6‐O‐GL) as a lipid precursor and energy provider. Our results demonstrated that 6‐O‐GL was (i) quite stable and surprisingly resistant to oxidative degradation, and (ii) readily taken up and metabolized by the hair follicle into various lipids, namely neutral lipids, ceramides and polar lipids. Moreover, it supported hair follicle growth and survival in a glucose‐ and linoleic‐acid free medium. 6‐O‐GL thus appeared to be a bi‐functional nutrient, ensuring both proper fibre quality and production by the hair follicle.
Low Dose Thalidomide in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Remarkable results of the treatment of refractory multiple myeloma with thalidomide have been reported. In most preceding studies, the given thalidomide dose was escalated to a maximum tolerated dose of up to 800 mg/d. The frequency of adverse effects correlates with dose intensity. Since a significant gain of therapeutic effects could not be observed as thalidomide dosage was escalated, the optimal dose of thalidomide remains to be determined. We report the results of a study with low dose thalidomide (median administered dose 100 mg/d, range 50-400 mg/d). Twenty-four relapsed <formula>(<italic>n</italic>=19)</formula> or resistant <formula>(<italic>n</italic>=5)</formula> multiple myeloma patients were included in the study. Twelve patients (50%) received thalidomide as monotherapy, 8 patients (33%) received a combination of thalidomide and dexamethasone (every 4 weeks 40 mg/day for 4 days) and 4 patients (17%) who were resistant to vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone (VAD) received VAD combined with thalidomide. Overall, a response was observed in 12 patients (50%). Of the 12 patients treated with low dose thalidomide alone 5 (42%) responded, of the 8 patients who received a combination of thalidomide and dexamethasone 5 (63%) responded and of the 4 patients who had thalidomide in addition to VAD 2 patients (50%) responded. In 3 patients, thalidomide treatment had to be discontinued because of side effects and 1 patient died before response could be assessed. We conclude that low dose thalidomide is an effective and safe rescue therapy in relapsing or refractory multiple myeloma. Response to thalidomide might be dependent on prognostic parameters and tumor burden. To answer these questions larger prospective studies are necessary.
Prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with extrahepatic metastases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS There is no effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with extrahepatic metastases. This study investigated the survival and causes of death in HCC patients with extrahepatic metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 34 HCC patients with extrahepatic metastases who received systemic chemotherapy without other anticancer treatment except prior hepatectomy. We classified causes of death as cancer death and death from other causes, and subclassified cancer deaths into hepatic cause, extrahepatic cause and cachectic cause. Each cause of death was analyzed in the two subgroups comprised of 10 patients with bone metastases alone and 22 patients with metastatic lesions in sites other than bone. RESULTS Thirty-two of the 34 patients had died at the time of analysis. The median survival time and the 1-year survival rate were 4.6 mo and 20.3%, respectively. Incidence of hepatic cause, extrahepatic cause, cachectic cause and death from other causes were 21 (66%), 7 (22%), 2 (6%) and 2 (6%), respectively. In the subgroup of 10 patients with bone metastases alone, nine (90%) died from hepatic causes, but none died from extrahepatic causes. In the group of 22 patients with metastatic lesions in sites other than bone, 7 (32%) patients died from extrahepatic causes. CONCLUSION The causes of death in HCC patients with extrahepatic metastases depended on metastatic site at the time of diagnosis. The results of this study may be useful in the design and analysis of future clinical trials of the HCC therapy.
Conservative interventions for positional plagiocephaly: a systematic review

This review aimed to synthesize current research evidence to determine the effectiveness of conservative interventions for infants with positional plagiocephaly. A systematic review was conducted, where papers were sourced from 13 library and internet databases. Research was included if published in English between 1983 and 2003. Level of evidence and quality of each paper was assessed to determine studies’magnitude of inherent bias. Results were synthesized in a narrative format and were considered with respect to homogeneity of participants, response rate, and outcome measures. Sixteen papers met inclusion criteria: 12 were case series and four were comparative studies. The methodological quality of the studies was moderate to poor, thus their results should be interpreted with caution. A consistent finding was that counterpositioning ± physiotherapy or helmet therapy may reduce skull deformity; however, it was not possible to draw conclusions regarding the relative effectiveness of these interventions. Further investigation is required to compare the effect of helmet therapy with counterpositioning alone or when combined with physiotherapy. First, there is a need to develop an outcome measurement battery which incorporates psychometrically‐sound measures from the perspectives of clinicians and patients.
Hair Follicle and Sebaceous Gland De Novo Regeneration With Cultured Epidermal Stem Cells and Skin‐Derived Precursors

Stem cell‐based organ regeneration is purported to enable the replacement of impaired organs in the foreseeable future. Here, we demonstrated that a combination of cultured epidermal stem cells (Epi‐SCs) derived from the epidermis and skin‐derived precursors (SKPs) was capable of reconstituting functional hair follicles and sebaceous glands (SG). When Epi‐SCs and SKPs were mixed in a hydrogel and implanted into an excisional wound in nude mice, the Epi‐SCs formed de novo epidermis along with hair follicles, and SKPs contributed to dermal papilla in the neogenic hair follicles. Notably, a combination of culture‐expanded Epi‐SCs and SKPs derived from the adult human scalp were sufficient to generate hair follicles and hair. Bone morphogenetic protein 4, but not Wnts, sustained the expression of alkaline phosphatase in SKPs in vitro and the hair follicle‐inductive property in vivo when SKPs were engrafted with neonatal epidermal cells into excisional wounds. In addition, Epi‐SCs were capable of differentiating into sebocytes and formed de novo SGs, which excreted lipids as do normal SGs. Thus our results indicate that cultured Epi‐SCs and SKPs are sufficient to generate de novo hair follicles and SGs, implying great potential to develop novel bioengineered skin substitutes with appendage genesis capacity.
Endoplasmic reticulum localized PerA is required for cell wall integrity, azole drug resistance, and virulence in Aspergillus fumigatus

GPI‐anchoring is a universal and critical post‐translational protein modification in eukaryotes. In fungi, many cell wall proteins are GPI‐anchored, and disruption of GPI‐anchored proteins impairs cell wall integrity. After being synthesized and attached to target proteins, GPI anchors undergo modification on lipid moieties. In spite of its importance for GPI‐anchored protein functions, our current knowledge of GPI lipid remodelling in pathogenic fungi is limited. In this study, we characterized the role of a putative GPI lipid remodelling protein, designated PerA, in the human pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. PerA localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum and loss of PerA leads to striking defects in cell wall integrity. A perA null mutant has decreased conidia production, increased susceptibility to triazole antifungal drugs, and is avirulent in a murine model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Interestingly, loss of PerA increases exposure of β‐glucan and chitin content on the hyphal cell surface, but diminished TNF production by bone marrow‐derived macrophages relative to wild type. Given the structural specificity of fungal GPI‐anchors, which is different from humans, understanding GPI lipid remodelling and PerA function in A. fumigatus is a promising research direction to uncover a new fungal specific antifungal drug target.
Comparative distribution of GAD65 and GAD67 mRNAs and proteins in the rat spinal cord supports a differential regulation of these two glutamate decarboxylases in vivo

Gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) synthesis can result from the action of at least two glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) isoforms, GAD65 and GAD67, possibly involved in distinct mechanisms. We have made the hypothesis that GAD65 may respond to short‐term changes and is present in neurons with a phasic activity, while GAD67 may rather provide GABA for the metabolic pool and for supporting tonic levels of synaptic transmission (Erlander et al.: Neuron 7:91–100, 1991; Feldblum et al.: J Neurosci Res 34:689–706, 1993). In the present work we have tested this hypothesis in the rat spinal cord where both types of activities have been identified. The correlation of GABA immunodetection with the distribution of GAD65 and GAD67 mRNAs and proteins has evinced in the dorsal horn a differential regulation of the two isoforms. In situ hybridization has revealed, in the dorsal horn, relatively higher levels of GAD67 mRNA than of GAD65, while immunodetection of the proteins demonstrated numerous punctate profiles with both GAD antisera. Reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) data confirmed the abundance of the GAD67 transcripts compared to GAD65 in the rat spinal cord. In contrast, within the ventral horn, there was a greater number of GAD67‐immunoreactive (IR) profiles mostly located around motoneurons. The paucity of GAD65 immunoreactivity in the ventral horn cannot be related to a different accessibility of the antigens to the epitopes since on the same section a dense GAD65 staining was detected in the dorsal horn. Hence, a number of biochemical and electrophysiological data support the concept of the involvement of glycine as the major inhibitory system within the ventral horn which may explain the low levels of GAD transcription in this region. The paucity of GAD65 in the ventral horn may also reflect a functional difference, suggesting a predominance of GAD67 in neurons under tonic activity. In the dorsal horn, where neurons with phasic and tonic firing patterns have been disclosed, GAD65 may, in addition, provide GABA for responses to short‐term changes. ©1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Noncarious cervical lesions and their association with toothbrushing practices: in vivo evaluation.

OBJECTIVES This pilot study aims to investigate the prevalence of noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs) in a student population at the Faculty of Dentistry of Araçatuba–UNESP and to assess the potential relation between buccal hygiene habits and the presence and number of NCCLs. METHODS This study was conducted with a sample of 58 young volunteers (15 men and 43 women; mean age, 23.6 ± 1.8 years and 22.3 ± 2.4 years, respectively). The research was divided into three steps: 1) clinical assessment; 2) oral-hygiene practices self-report questionnaire; and 3) analysis of toothbrush filament deformations. After the clinical exam the participants were divided into two groups, a control group (without NCCLs) and a test group (NCCLs), according to NCCL presence. The data were statistically analyzed with SPSS 16.0 software, using t-test, χ2, Fisher exact test, and Spearman correlation. RESULTS NCCLs were present in 53% of the subjects. The presence of NCCLs was marginally statistically associated with age (p=0.15) and proportionally more prevalent in male (80%) subjects (p=0.01). NCCLs were more concentrated in the posterior-superior quadrant (93%) in both the right (90%) and left (55%) sides of the mouth. The direct rank correlation was presented between presence of NCCLs and toothbrush firmness; and between number of NCCLs and age and force applied during toothbrushing. CONCLUSION Within the limitations of this pilot study, the use of medium and hard toothbrushes and greater force applied during toothbrushing might contribute to the development and/or aggravation of NCCLs.
Relationships Between Balance and Cognition in Patients With Subjective Cognitive Impairment, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Alzheimer Disease

Background Balance impairments are common in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD), but which aspects of balance are affected, at which stage of cognitive impairment, and their associations with cognitive domains remain unexplored. Objectives The aims of this study were: (1) to explore differences in balance abilities among patients with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), mild AD, and moderate AD and (2) to examine the relationship between the various aspects of balance and cognitive domains. Design This was a cross-sectional study. Methods Home-dwelling patients with SCI or MCI (n=33), mild AD (n=99), and moderate AD (n=38) participated in this study. The Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest), comprising 6 subscales—“Biomechanical Constraints,” “Stability Limits/Verticality,” “Anticipatory Postural Adjustments,” “Postural Responses,” “Sensory Orientation,” and “Stability in Gait”—was used to assess balance. Cognitive domains were assessed using the following measures: Mini-Mental Status Examination, Word-List Learning Test from the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD), Verbal Fluency Test, Clock Drawing Test, and Trail Making Test, parts A and B (TMT-A and TMT-B, respectively). Two-way between-group analyses of variance, adjusted for age, were used to analyze differences among the groups. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the associations between balance and cognition. Results Differences were found between the groups on all BESTest subscales; the moderate AD group had the worst scores. The TMT-B (measuring executive function) was associated with all of the BESTest subscales after controlling for demographic factors. Limitations The cross-sectional design hampered interpretation of the development of balance impairments. Conclusions The study findings indicate that all aspects of balance control deteriorate with increasing severity of cognitive impairment and that executive function plays an important role in balance control. Physical therapists should pay attention to these findings both in clinical practice and in future research.
Carbon dioxide insufflation in colonoscopy: safe and effective in sedated patients.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS Several studies have shown that insufflation of carbon dioxide (CO2) instead of air during colonoscopy can reduce postprocedural pain. However, CO2 insufflation might also lead to CO2 retention in the human body. It was recently shown that this side effect does not occur in unsedated patients, but that sedation leads to impaired respiration. Sedated patients may therefore be more prone to CO2 retention. This randomized, double-blinded study was designed to investigate whether CO2 insufflation leads to CO2 retention in sedated patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 103 consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy were randomly assigned to the use of either CO2 or air insufflation. End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2), a noninvasive parameter for arterial P CO2, was recorded before the examination, twice during it, and 10 min after it. Midazolam or pethidine, or both, were used for sedation. The patient's pain during the examination and 1, 3, 6, and 24 h afterwards was registered using a questionnaire. RESULTS CO2 was used in 52 patients and air insufflation in 51. A total of 52 patients (51 %) received sedation. There were no differences in ETCO2 between the CO2 and air group. A slight increase in ETCO2 was observed in sedated patients, while there was no increase in unsedated patients. CO2 insufflation significantly reduced pain after the procedure at all time points. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that CO2 insufflation reduces pain and is safe to use in colonoscopy for sedated patients.
Pain, xerostomia, and younger age are major determinants of fatigue in Korean patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome: a cohort study

Objectives: Fatigue is a common clinical manifestation in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). The aims of this study were to investigate the association between fatigue severity and other clinical characteristics in pSS patients and to determine the factors contributing to fatigue. Method: We analysed 257 participants from the Korean Initiative of pSS (KISS), a prospective pSS cohort. Fatigue was assessed according to the fatigue domain of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Sjögren’s Syndrome Patient-Reported Index (ESSPRI). Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was evaluated using the EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to estimate the effect of each variable on fatigue severity. Results: The median total ESSPRI score was 5 [interquartile range (IQR) 4–6]. Thirty-four per cent of patients reported a fatigue score > 5. Younger and premenopausal patients presented with more fatigue (p = 0.013 and p < 0.001, respectively). Higher Xerostomia Inventory (XI) scale (p < 0.001) and Ocular Surface Dryness Index (OSDI) (p < 0.001) scores were observed in patients with a fatigue score > 5. Pain, xerostomia, and age were determined to be significantly associated with fatigue severity after adjusting for depression/anxiety, OSDI score, and the presence of fibromyalgia using a multivariate general linear model. The ESSPRI fatigue score was correlated with the EQ-5D by time trade-off (TTO) values and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores. Conclusions: In Korean patients with pSS, younger age, xerostomia, and pain were correlated significantly with fatigue, and fatigue was associated with HRQoL.
Neutrophil lymphocyte ratios in stroke subtypes and transient ischemic attack.

OBJECTIVES This investigation was conducted to test the value of Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), which has been shown in some recent studies to be a prognostically important and an easy-to-measure inflammatory marker, in patients presenting to Emergency Service with stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic) and transient ischemic attack. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 868 patients were enrolled, who presented to our Emergency Service with cerebrovascular accident (stroke and transient ischemic attack) and admitted to Neurology Clinic. Demographic characteristics and comorbidities of patients were recorded. The patients were divided into 3 groups as acute ischemic stroke (AIS), acute hemorrhagic stroke (AHS) and transient ischemic attack (TIA). Patients with AIS were classified into subgroups in terms of TOAST (trial of 10172 stroke treatment) criteria. Admission NLR levels were compared across all groups. RESULTS A total of 868 patients were enrolled, 51.6% of which were male and 48.4% were female. AIS rate was 75.3%, AHS rate was 14.3% and TIA rate was 10.7%. In all of patients, mortality rate was 10.7%. NLR was significantly higher in patients who died (p < 0.001). NLR level in patients with TIA was significantly lower than those of AIS and AHS groups (p < 0.001). Among AIS subgroups, NLR level was significantly higher in group with great artery atherosclerosis or atherothrombosis compared to other groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS NLR may be used as a simple and easy-to-measure marker for prediction of short-term prognosis and in-hospital mortality in both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients.