Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Novel Intelligent Scan Assistant System for Early Pregnancy Diagnosis by Ultrasound: Clinical Decision Support System Evaluation Study

Background Early pregnancy ultrasound scans are usually performed by nonexpert examiners in obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN) emergency departments. Establishing the precise diagnosis of pregnancy location is key for appropriate management of early pregnancies, and experts are usually able to locate a pregnancy in the first scan. A decision-support system based on a semantic, expert-validated knowledge base may improve the diagnostic performance of nonexpert examiners for early pregnancy transvaginal ultrasound. Objective This study aims to evaluate a novel Intelligent Scan Assistant System for early pregnancy ultrasound to diagnose the pregnancy location and determine the image quality. Methods Two trainees performed virtual transvaginal ultrasound examinations of early pregnancy cases with and without the system. The ultrasound images and reports were blindly reviewed by two experts using scoring methods. A diagnosis of pregnancy location and ultrasound image quality were compared between scans performed with and without the system. Results Each trainee performed a virtual vaginal examination for all 32 cases with and without use of the system. The analysis of the 128 resulting scans showed higher quality of the images (quality score: +23%; P<.001), less images per scan (4.6 vs 6.3 [without the CDSS]; P<.001), and higher confidence in reporting conclusions (trust score: +20%; P<.001) with use of the system. Further, use of the system cost an additional 8 minutes per scan. We observed a correct diagnosis of pregnancy location in 39 (61%) and 52 (81%) of 64 scans in the nonassisted mode and assisted mode, respectively. Additionally, an exact diagnosis (with precise ectopic location) was made in 30 (47%) and 49 (73%) of the 64 scans without and with use of the system, respectively. These differences in diagnostic performance (+20% for correct location diagnosis and +30% for exact diagnosis) were both statistically significant (P=.002 and P<.001, respectively). Conclusions The Intelligent Scan Assistant System is based on an expert-validated knowledge base and demonstrates significant improvement in early pregnancy scanning, both in diagnostic performance (pregnancy location and precise diagnosis) and scan quality (selection of images, confidence, and image quality).
Differential responses of endothelial cells on three-dimensional scaffolds to lipopolysaccharides from periodontopathogens.

Studies have been conducted on the pathogenicity of periodontopathogens in cultures of endothelial cells on polystyrene surfaces (2D), where the monolayer formed is not exposed to proteins of the subendothelial matrix. This work developed a culture system by seeding human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) onto three-dimensional scaffolds of collagen type I, a subendothelial protein. The inflammatory responses of the HCAEC monolayers, formed either on the scaffolds (3D) or directly on a polystyrene plate (2D), to lipopolysaccharide from Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) were evaluated. The transcription of 3 genes, the secretion of 40 cytokines and 2 prostanoids and the adhesion of monocytes to 2D and 3D cultures with/without exposure to lipopolysaccharides (control) were assessed. HCAECs exhibited differences in transcriptional and secretory profiles between the 3D and 2D models. In addition, the HCAEC inflammatory responses to Aa-LPS and Pg-LPS differed between the two models. In 3D cultures treated with Aa-LPS, the levels of IL-8, RANTES, G-CSF, ICAM-1, IL-6, and TXA2 were significantly higher than those in the controls. 2D cultures treated with Aa-LPS, IL-8, RANTES, G-CSF, ICAM-1, TNF-RI, PGI2, and TXA2 levels were significantly higher than those in their controls. In the presence of Aa-LPS, monocyte adhesion did not differ between treated and control 3D cultures but was significantly higher in treated 2D cultures than in the controls. In response to Pg-LPS, cytokine-prostaglandin secretion and monocyte adhesion did not differ between 3D and 2D cultures. These data indicate that HCAECs respond differently to these two types of LPS. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Happiness and Social Behavior

It is often assumed that there is a robust positive symmetrical relationship between happiness and social behavior: Social relationships are viewed as essential to happiness, and happiness is thought to foster social relationships. However, empirical support for this widely held view is surprisingly mixed, and this view does little to clarify which social partner a person will be motivated to interact with when happy. To address these issues, we monitored the happiness and social interactions of more than 30,000 people for a month. We found that patterns of social interaction followed the hedonic-flexibility principle, whereby people tend to engage in happiness-enhancing social relationships when they feel bad and sustain happiness-decreasing periods of solitude and less pleasant types of social relationships that might promise long-term payoff when they feel good. These findings demonstrate that links between happiness and social behavior are more complex than often assumed in the positive-emotion literature.
Assessment of adherence to best practices in labor and childbirth care by care providers working in public hospitals in the Federal District of Brazil.

OBJECTIVE To assess adherence to best practices in labor and childbirth care by doctors, nurses, obstetric nursing residents, and obstetric medical residents working in public hospitals in the Federal District of Brazil. METHOD A cross-sectional study was conducted with care providers working in 11 public hospitals in the Federal District of Brazil between January and March 2015. A questionnaire containing 20 sociodemographic questions and 50 five-point Likert items was administered. The average scores of each group and each hospital were analyzed. RESULTS Nurses obtained the highest scores for the use of evidence-based practices (57.8 ± 12.9), while doctors achieved the highest scores for the work process dimension (72 ± 8.5). Medical residents obtained the highest scores for organization of labor and childbirth care (56.5 ± 8.5). No statistically significant differences were found between groups. Hospital scores ranged from 55 to 64. No statistically significant differences were found between hospitals. Most professionals encourage natural childbirth. CONCLUSION It is necessary to strengthen actions to promote greater adherence to best care practices, both in relation to organization of labor and childbirth care and to the attitudes and values of health professionals.
Form and content of attenuated psychotic symptoms in psychometrically assessed positive and negative schizotypy

Greater attention is being paid to early detection and identification of individuals who are at high risk of developing psychosis. One area of interest is the particular content types of psychotic‐like experiences (PLEs), which can be thought of as attenuated, non‐clinical positive symptoms (eg, feeling perplexed by reality). Previous research has examined content of PLEs in clinical high‐risk samples. The current study aimed to build upon these findings by analysing content in a psychometrically determined high‐risk sample.
Antibody responses to yellow fever vaccine in 9 to 11-month-old Malian and Ghanaian children

ABSTRACT Background: The World Health Organization recommends use of a single yellow fever (YF) vaccine dose for life and fractional doses in outbreaks when there are limited vaccine stocks. In endemic regions, this vaccine is given as part of routine infant immunization programs around 9 months of age. There is a need to better understand immune responses when vaccinating infants particularly in contexts where the child may be malnourished. Methods: Data from 393 Malian and Ghanaian infants who concomitantly received measles and YF vaccines at 9 to 11 months of age were retrospectively analyzed. Response to YF vaccine was examined for association with nutritional status at time of vaccination, sex, age, pre-vaccination titers and season of vaccination. Results: Neutralizing antibodies following vaccination were unaffected by season of vaccination, sex, pre-vaccination titers or nutritional status, though there was a trend to higher titers in males and children with higher height for age z-scores. Seroconversion rates differed significantly between countries (63.5 in Ghana vs. 91.0% in Mali). Conclusion: Longitudinal, prospective studies are needed to optimize the use of YF vaccine in infants in endemic settings. There may be a need for booster vaccinations and to compare various vaccine preparations to optimize the use of available vaccines.
Development and characterization of PLGA nanoparticles containing 1,3-dihydroxy-2-methylxanthone with improved antitumor activity on a human breast cancer cell line

Abstract Interest on xanthones has been growing considerably due to their broad spectrum of biological activities. 1,3-Dihydroxy-2-methylxanthone (DHMXAN) showed a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of MCF-7 cancer cells. DHMXAN-loaded nanosphere and nanocapsule formulations were prepared by the solvent displacement technique with the aim of improving the delivery of this poorly water-soluble compound. Moreover, we investigated the usefulness of this nanotechnology-based approach on the improvement of compound’s antitumor activity. Nanosphere and nanocapsule mean diameters ranged from 117 ± 8 to 138 ± 5 nm and from 266 ± 7 to 286 ± 22 nm, respectively, and both systems exhibited negative surface charge. Incorporation efficiency values of DHMXAN in nanospheres and nanocapsules were higher than 30% (30.9 ± 3.3 to 38.8 ± 3.6%) and 80% (85 ± 7 to 88 ± 6%), respectively. The release study of DHMXAN from nanocapsules suggests that drug release is mainly governed by its partition between the oil core and the external aqueous medium. The effect of different nanoparticulate formulations on the growth of human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 was evaluated using the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Incorporation of DHMXAN in nanospheres and nanocapsules afforded a marked potentiation of the compound inhibitory effect.
Defective ribosomal products challenge nuclear function by impairing nuclear condensate dynamics and immobilizing ubiquitin

Nuclear protein aggregation has been linked to genome instability and disease. The main source of aggregation‐prone proteins in cells is defective ribosomal products (DRiPs), which are generated by translating ribosomes in the cytoplasm. Here, we report that DRiPs rapidly diffuse into the nucleus and accumulate in nucleoli and PML bodies, two membraneless organelles formed by liquid–liquid phase separation. We show that nucleoli and PML bodies act as dynamic overflow compartments that recruit protein quality control factors and store DRiPs for later clearance. Whereas nucleoli serve as constitutive overflow compartments, PML bodies are stress‐inducible overflow compartments for DRiPs. If DRiPs are not properly cleared by chaperones and proteasomes due to proteostasis impairment, nucleoli undergo amyloidogenesis and PML bodies solidify. Solid PML bodies immobilize 20S proteasomes and limit the recycling of free ubiquitin. Ubiquitin depletion, in turn, compromises the formation of DNA repair compartments at fragile chromosomal sites, ultimately threatening cell survival.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Structurally Varied 5′-/6′-Isonucleosides and Theobromine-Containing N-Isonucleosidyl Derivatives

Isonucleosides are rather stable regioisomeric analogs of nucleosides with broad therapeutic potential. We have previously demonstrated the ability of 5′ and 6′-isonucleosides to inhibit the activity of acetylcholinesterase, a major target for Alzheimer’s disease therapy. Continuing with our research on this topic, we report herein on the synthesis and biological evaluation of a variety of novel terminal isonucleosides and theobromine isonucleotide analogs. Xylofuranose-based purine or uracil 5′-isonucleosides and xylofuranos-5′-yl or glucos-6′-yl theobromine derivatives were accessed via Mitsunobu coupling between partially protected xylofuranose or glucofuranose derivatives with a nucleobase using conventional or microwave-assisted heating conditions. Theobromine-containing N-isonucleosidyl sulfonamide and phosphoramidate derivatives were synthesized from isonucleosidyl acetate precursors. The most active compounds in the cholinesterase inhibition assays were a glucopyranose-based theobromine isonucleosidyl acetate, acting as a dual inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE, Ki = 3.1 µM) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE, Ki = 5.4 µM), and a 2-O,4-O-bis-xylofuranos-5′-yl uracil derivative, which displayed moderate inhibition of AChE (Ki = 17.5 µM). Docking studies revealed that the active molecules are positioned at the gorge entrance and at the active site of AChE. None of the compounds revealed cytoxic activity to cancer cells as well as to non-malignant mouse fibroblasts.
Caenorhabditis elegans as a tool for environmental risk assessment: emerging and promising applications for a “nobelized worm”

Abstract Caenorhabditis elegans has been an invaluable model organism in research fields such as developmental biology and neurobiology. Neurotoxicity is one of the subfields greatly profiting from the C. elegans model within biomedical context, while the corresponding potential of the organism applied to environmental studies is relevant but has been largely underexplored. Within the biomedical scope, the implication of metals and organic chemicals with pesticide activity (hereinafter designated as pesticides) in the etiology of several neurodegenerative diseases has been extensively investigated using this nematode as a primary model organism. Additionally, as a well-known experimental model bearing high sensitivity to different contaminants and representing important functional levels in soil and aquatic ecosystems, C. elegans has high potential to be extensively integrated within Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) routines. In spite of the recognition of some regulatory agencies, this actual step has yet to be made. The purpose of this review is to discuss the major advantages supporting the inclusion of C. elegans in lower tiers of ERA. Special emphasis was given to its sensitivity to metals and pesticides, which is similar to that of other model organisms commonly used in ERA (e.g. Daphnia magna and Eisenia sp.), and to the large array of endpoints that can be tested with the species, both concerning the aquatic and the soil compartments. The inclusion of C. elegans testing may hence represent a relevant advance in ERA, providing ecologically relevant insights toward improvement of the regulatory capacity for establishing appropriate environmental protection benchmarks.
Predictors of Psychosocial Distress in Parents of Young Children with Disorders of Sex Development.

PURPOSE To evaluate demographic, financial, and support predictors of distress for parents of young children with Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) including atypical genital development, and to characterize early parental experiences. This extends our previous findings to identify those parents at risk for distress. MATERIALS AND METHODS Participants included mothers ( n = 76) and fathers ( n = 63) of a child ( n = 78) diagnosed with DSD characterized by moderate to severe genital atypia. Parents completed a demographic questionnaire, measures of anxious and depressive symptoms, quality of life, illness uncertainty, and posttraumatic stress symptoms, and rated their satisfaction with the appearance of their child's genitalia. RESULTS Caregivers' depressive and posttraumatic stress symptoms were comparable to standardized norms while anxious symptoms were below norms. A subset of parents reported clinically elevated symptoms. Twenty-six percent of parents endorsed anxious symptoms, 24% endorsed depressive symptoms, and 17% reported posttraumatic stress symptoms. Levels of illness uncertainty were lower when compared to parents of children with other chronic illnesses. Differences by parent sex emerged, with mothers endorsing greater distress. Lower income, increased medical care and travel expenses, and having no other children were related to increased psychosocial distress. CONCLUSIONS Early psychosocial screening is recommended for parents of children with DSD. Clinicians should be aware that financial burden and lack of previous parenting experience are risk factors for distress.
Optimal management of mantle cell lymphoma in the primary setting

ABSTRACT Introduction: The management of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) has significantly improved since the use of intensified induction and autologous stem cell transplant consolidation. Evolving developments in minimal residual disease detection and novel agent therapy are now challenging this frontline treatment paradigm. Areas covered: This review discusses both the established role of induction and transplant consolidation in MCL, followed by evolving concepts in the use of novel agents in the frontline setting, and the use of minimal residual disease as a driver of MCL management. Expert opinion: In an era of novel agents and improved biologic understanding of MCL, our goal for frontline management should evolve toward personalized therapy for individual patients to maximize efficacy and survival whilst minimizing treatment-related toxicities.
Cytotoxic effects of β-asarone on Sf9 insect cells.

β-Asarone is the predominant component of the essential oil of rhizomes of Acorus calamus Linn ( Sweet flag). Although rhizome extracts from this plant have long been used for insect pest control, their cytotoxic effects on insect cells are not well understood. In this study, we evaluated the potency of β-asarone as a natural insecticide by using a Spodoptera frugiperda cell line (Sf9). To assess the cytotoxic effects of β-asarone on Sf9 cells, we observed morphologic changes in treated cells and performed a cell proliferation assay and a DNA fragmentation assay. After 24 and 48 h of treatment with β-asarone, the proliferation of the Sf9 cells was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 values of 0.558 mg/ml at 24 h and 0.253 mg/ml at 48 h. Morphologic changes in β-asarone-treated cells were typical of apoptosis and included loss of adhesion, cell shrinkage, and small apoptotic bodies. The DNA laddering present in β-asarone-treated SF9 cells and annexin V assay confirmed that this compound can induce apoptosis in insect cells. Together, these findings suggest that apoptosis induction may be one mechanism through which β-asarone inhibits the proliferation of insect cells and thus exerts insecticidal effects.
HOXC6 in the prognosis of prostate cancer

Abstract Aims Our study aimed to investigate the expression and prognostic role of homeobox C6 (HOXC6) in prostate cancer (PCa). Methods Relative expression of HOXC6 at mRNA and protein levels in tissues and cell lines of PCa were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis, respectively. Association between HOXC6 expression and clinical factors was analyzed by Chi-square test. HOXC6 effects on the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of PCa cells were severally examined through CCK-8 and transwell assays. Results Relative expressions of HOXC6 at mRNA and protein levels were obviously higher in both PCa tissues and cells than in adjacent non-cancerous tissues and normal human prostate epithelial cells (p < .05). Chi-square test demonstrated that high expression of HOXC6 was significantly associated with PSA concentration, Gleason score and TNM stage (p < .05). The down-regulation of HOCX6 remarkably inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of PCa cells. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with high HOXC6 expression had shorter overall survival than those with low HOXC6 expression (log rank test, p < .001). Conclusion Up-regulated HOXC6, in PCa patients, could not only participate in the progression of PCa but also function as an independent prognostic marker for the cancer.
Fumonisin B1 Induces Oxidative Stress and Breaks Barrier Functions in Pig Iliac Endothelium Cells

Fumonisins (Fums) are types of mycotoxin that widely contaminante feed material crops, and can trigger potential biological toxicities to humans and various animals. However, the toxicity of Fums on porcine blood vessels has not been fully explored. Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is the main component of Fums. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the effects of FB1 on the oxidative stress and tight junctions of the pig iliac endothelial cells (PIECs) in vitro. The results showed that FB1 reduced the viability of PIECs, increased the contents of lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA), decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), and decreased the level of glutathione (GSH). In addition, the barrier functions were destroyed, along with the down-regulations on Claudin 1, Occludin and ZO-1 and the increase of paracellular permeability. Thus, this research indicates that FB1 facilitates oxidative stress and breaks barrier functions to damage pig iliac endothelium cells.
Media and Education Effect on Impaired Driving Associated With Alcohol Service

This study tested a three-component community prevention intervention with alcohol businesses to reduce alcohol overservice and to reduce drinking and driving crashes using a longitudinal design. The intervention involved a responsible beverage serving practices toolkit, a series of on-site visits from law enforcement, and a supporting media campaign. The effort achieved a reduction in the monthly percentage of drivers arrested for driving under the influence who cited the alcohol-licensed establishments as the place of last drink, and the number of establishments mentioned 2+ times as well as a decline in alcohol-involved crashes in the 12-month postintervention period. Results supported a conclusion that the intensive intervention media can achieve a reduction in the frequency with which drinking drivers utilized bars and restaurants and overall impaired driving-related crashes.
Generation and characterization of DSPP‐Cerulean/DMP1‐Cherry reporter mice

To gain a better understanding of the progression of progenitor cells in the odontoblast lineage, we have examined and characterized the expression of a series of GFP reporters during odontoblast differentiation. However, previously reported GFP reporters (pOBCol2.3‐GFP, pOBCol3.6‐GFP, and DMP1‐GFP), similar to the endogenous proteins, are also expressed by bone‐forming cells, which made it difficult to delineate the two cell types in various in vivo and in vitro studies. To overcome these difficulties we generated DSPP‐Cerulean/DMP1‐Cherry transgenic mice using a bacterial recombination strategy with the mouse BAC clone RP24‐258g7. We have analyzed the temporal and spatial expression of both transgenes in tooth and bone in vivo and in vitro. This transgenic animal enabled us to visualize the interactions between odontoblasts and surrounding tissues including dental pulp, ameloblasts and cementoblasts. Our studies showed that DMP1‐Cherry, similar to Dmp1, was expressed in functional and fully differentiated odontoblasts as well as osteoblasts, osteocytes and cementoblasts. Expression of DSPP‐Cerulean transgene was limited to functional and fully differentiated odontoblasts and correlated with the expression of Dspp. This transgenic animal can help in the identification and isolation of odontoblasts at later stages of differentiation and help in better understanding of developmental disorders in dentin and odontoblasts.