Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mapping Keratoconus Molecular Substrates by Multiplexed High-Resolution Proteomics of Unpooled Corneas.

Keratoconus (KCN) is a leading cause for cornea grafting worldwide. Keratoconus is a multifactorial disease that causes progressive thinning of the cornea and whose etiology is poorly understood. Several studies have used proteomics on patient tear fluids to identify potential biomarkers. However, proteome of the cornea itself has not been investigated fully. We report here new findings from a case-control study using multiplexed mass spectrometry (MS) on individual (unpooled) corneas to gain deeper insights into proteins and biomarkers relevant to keratoconus. We employed a high-pressure approach to extract total protein from individual corneas from five cases and five controls, followed by trypsin digestion and tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling. The MS-derived data were searched using the Human NCBI RefSeq protein database v92, with peptides and proteins filtered at 1% false discovery rate. A total of 3132 proteins were detected, of which 627 were altered significantly (p ≤ 0.05) in keratoconus corneas. The increases were overwhelmingly in the mTOR/PI3/AKT signal-mediated regulations of cell survival and proliferation, nonsense-mediated decay of transcripts, and proteasomal pathways. The decreases were in several extracellular matrix proteins and in many members of the complement system. Importantly, this multiplexed proteomic study of keratoconus corneas identified, to our knowledge, the largest number of corneal proteins. The novel findings include changes in pathways that regulate transcript stability, proteasomal degradation, and the complement system in corneas with keratoconus. These observations offer new prospects toward future discovery of novel molecular targets for diagnostic and therapeutic innovations for patients with keratoconus.
What Can an Evaluation of the AGESW Predissertation Fellows Program Tell Us about the Mentoring Needs of Doctoral Students?

ABSTRACT Good mentoring is a key variable for determining success in completing a doctoral program. The Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work (AGESW) provides leadership in the areas of gerontological social work education, research, and policy. In 2010, AGESW began offering the Pre-Dissertation Fellows Program (PDFP) to enhance social work doctoral students’ professional development and skillset for academia. The purpose of this study was to examine student participants’ perceptions of the PDFP in its role to providing mentorship and training for an academic position that encompasses research, teaching and professional service. This qualitative study examined eight cohorts (2010–2018) of the AGESW PDFP (N = 85). Participants identified a number of aspects of professional development gained, gratitude for the training, an appreciation for candid advice received, and areas of professional development they felt they were lacking within their doctoral training. Implications for doctoral education, doctoral mentorship programs, and the AGESW pre-dissertation program are discussed. Further, programs such as AGESW pre-dissertation fellowship program can serve as a model for other doctoral training initiatives to prepare students to work in academia.
A homeostatic mechanism rapidly corrects aberrant nucleocytoplasmic ratios maintaining nuclear size in fission yeast

ABSTRACT Nuclear size scales with cell size across a wide range of cell types. The mechanism by which this scaling is maintained in growing cells remains unclear. Here, we investigate the mechanism of nuclear size homeostasis in the simple eukaryote fission yeast, by monitoring the recovery of aberrant nuclear volume to cell volume (N/C) ratios following perturbation. We demonstrate that both high and low N/C ratios correct rapidly, maintaining nuclear size homeostasis. We assess the kinetics of nuclear and cellular growth and of N/C ratio correction, and demonstrate that nuclear and cellular growth rates are not directly coupled. We propose that the mechanism underlying nuclear size homeostasis involves multiple limiting factors implicated in processes including nucleocytoplasmic transport, lipid biogenesis and RNA processing. We speculate that these link cellular size increases to changes in nuclear contents, which in turn lead to changes in nuclear membrane surface area. Our study reveals that there is rapid nuclear size homeostasis in cells, informing understanding of nuclear size control and size homeostasis of other membrane-bound organelles. Summary: Nuclear size homeostasis is achieved by a rapid correction mechanism modulating nuclear growth rate in growing fission yeast cells.
Comparison of two-dimensional shear wave elastography and point shear wave elastography techniques with magnetic resonance findings in detection of patellar tendinopathy.

OBJECTIVES This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of point shear wave elastography (pSWE) and two-dimensional shear wave elastography (SWE) techniques in the diagnosis of patellar tendinopathy in comparison with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 77 patients (32 males, 45 females; mean age 47.1±9.47 years; range, 33 to 65 years) referred to our clinic for MRI and diagnosed with patellar tendinopathy. Patients' demographic data such as age and gender, and patellar tendon grades found on MRI, SWE and pSWE values were recorded. RESULTS Patellar tendinopathies were found as grade I in 20, grade II in 37, and grade III in 20 patients. The mean SWE value was 83.83±34.27 kPa, while the mean pSWE value was 79.25±33.75 kPa. There was a strong correlation between SWE and pSWE values. CONCLUSION Shear wave elastography and pSWE techniques can be safely used as non-invasive and quantitative imaging modalities in detection of patellar tendinopathy. Our results indicated that SWE and pSWE were helpful to confirm stiffness of patellar tendon in patients with patellar tendinopathy.
Juvenile hormone interacts with multiple factors to modulate aggression and dominance in groups of orphan bumble bee (Bombus terrestris) workers

Juvenile hormone (JH) is a key regulator of insect development and reproduction. Given that JH commonly affects adult insect fertility, it has been hypothesized to also regulate behaviors such as dominance and aggression that are associated with reproduction. We tested this hypothesis in the bumble bee Bombus terrestris for which JH has been shown to be the major gonadotropin. We used the allatoxin Precocene-I (P-I) to reduce hemolymph JH titers and replacement therapy with the natural JH to revert this effect. In small orphan groups of workers with similar body size but mixed treatment, P-I treated bees showed lower aggressiveness, oogenesis, and dominance rank compared with control and replacement therapy treated bees. In similar groups in which all bees were treated similarly, there was a clear dominance hierarchy, even in P-I and replacement therapy treatment groups in which the bees showed similar levels of ovarian activation. In a similar experiment in which bees differed in body size, larger bees were more likely to be dominant despite their similar JH treatment and ovarian state. In the last experiment, we show that JH manipulation does not affect dominance rank in groups that had already established a stable dominance hierarchy. These findings solve previous ambiguities concerning whether or not JH affects dominance in bumble bees. JH positively affects dominance, but bees with similar levels of JH can nevertheless establish dominance hierarchies. Thus, multiple factors including JH, body size, and previous experience affect dominance and aggression in social bumble bees.
Short and long term preservation of hearing thresholds corrected for natural hearing loss in cochlear implant recipients using a straight electrode

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate short and long term residual hearing preservation (HP), corrected for the natural progress of hearing loss, in cochlear implant (CI) patients receiving a straight electrode array using a round window (RW) approach. Methods: A retrospective and cross-sectional analysis on patients who received a CI with a straight electrode using a RW approach (n = 60) was performed. Audiometric data were obtained at three time points, preoperatively, at first fitting, and one year or more postoperatively. The HP outcome was calculated according to the HP definition as reported by Skarzynski with a PTA of 250, 500, and 1000 Hz (PTA3) and a PTA of 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz (PTA4). Results: The HP outcome at first fitting and at long term follow up fell into the partial HP category, 63.5% (PTA3) and 40.5% (PTA4), respectively according to the Skarzynski definition. A decline in pure-tone average (PTA) was found in the CI ear and in the contralateral ear over time (p < 0.05). Interaural differences remained relatively stable at all frequencies on the long term, except for the frequency 250 Hz (p < 0.05). Discussion: After the initial loss of residual hearing, the hearing thresholds of the CI ear remain relatively stable at long term follow up when corrected for the natural course of hearing loss, except at 250 Hz. Conclusion: CI candidates should be counseled on the risk of long term deterioration of the residual hearing in both the CI ear and the contralateral ear.
Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma: A Case Report and Review on Its Histogenesis and Morphogenesis

14.00 800x600 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:. 0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a frequently occurring malignant salivary gland neoplasm. It shows insidious and slow growth with high levels of recurrence and distant metastasis. It is presumed to originate from the intercalated duct, being composed of both luminal and myoepithelial cells. Extracellular matrices have been suggested to play an important role in the growth and differentiation of adenoid cystic carcinoma. This paper reports a case of adenoid cystic carcinoma affecting the lip and reviews the diverse theories associated with the genesis of adenoid cystic carcinoma.
Horizontal seed dispersal by dung beetles reduced seed and seedling clumping, but did not increase short-term seedling establishment

Dung beetles are secondary seed dispersers, incidentally moving many of the seeds defecated by mammals vertically (seed burial) and/or horizontally as they process and relocate dung. Although several studies have quantified this ecological function of dung beetles, very few have followed seed fate until seedling establishment, and most of these have focused on the effects of seed burial. We know very little about the effects of horizontal seed movement by dung beetles, though it is generally assumed that it will affect plant recruitment positively through diminishing seed clumping. The objective of our study was to assess the effects of dung beetle activity on the spatial distribution of seeds and seedlings, and on the probability of seedling establishment. In a tropical rainforest in Mexico we carried out two complementary field experiments for each of two tree species (Bursera simaruba and Poulsenia armata), using seeds experimentally imbedded in pig dung and recording their fate and spatial location over time. For both species, dung beetle activity reduced the spatial clumping of seeds and seedlings; however, it did not increase the probability of seedling establishment. We discuss the context- and species-specificity of the combined effects of horizontal and vertical dispersal of seeds by dung beetles, and the need to quantify long-term seedling fates to more accurately determine the effects of seed movement by dung beetles on plant recruitment.
Preoperative Vitamin D Concentration and Cardiac, Renal, and Infectious Morbidity after Noncardiac Surgery.

WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THIS TOPIC Low vitamin D is common in the general populationIn nonsurgical populations, low 25-hydroxyvitamin D is associated with hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, heart failure, and coronary artery diseaseIn nonsurgical populations, low vitamin D concentrations are also associated with increased risk of some infections and renal injury WHAT THIS ARTICLE TELLS US THAT IS NEW: Vitamin D deficiency was common in this surgical populationPreoperative vitamin D was not associated with a composite of postoperative 30-day cardiac outcomesThere was an association between low vitamin D and a composite of infectious complications, and also evidence for an association with decreased kidney function BACKGROUND:: Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D is associated with cardiovascular, renal, and infectious risks. Postsurgical patients are susceptible to similar complications, but whether vitamin D deficiency contributes to postoperative complications remains unclear. We tested whether low preoperative vitamin D is associated with cardiovascular events within 30 days after noncardiac surgery. METHODS We evaluated a subset of patients enrolled in the biobank substudy of the Vascular events In noncardiac Surgery patIents cOhort evaluatioN (VISION) study, who were at least 45 yr with at least an overnight hospitalization. Blood was collected preoperatively, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D was measured in stored samples. The primary outcome was the composite of cardiovascular events (death, myocardial injury, nonfatal cardiac arrest, stroke, congestive heart failure) within 30 postoperative days. Secondary outcomes were kidney injury and infectious complications. RESULTS A total of 3,851 participants were eligible for analysis. Preoperative 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration was 70 ± 30 nmol/l, and 62% of patients were vitamin D deficient. Overall, 26 (0.7%) patients died, 41 (1.1%) had congestive heart failure or nonfatal cardiac arrest, 540 (14%) had myocardial injury, and 15 (0.4%) had strokes. Preoperative vitamin D concentration was not associated with the primary outcome (average relative effect odds ratio [95% CI]: 0.93 [0.85, 1.01] per 10 nmol/l increase in preoperative vitamin D, P = 0.095). However, it was associated with postoperative infection (average relative effect odds ratio [95% CI]: 0.94 [0.90, 0.98] per 10 nmol/l increase in preoperative vitamin D, P adjusted value = 0.005) and kidney function (estimated mean change in postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate [95% CI]: 0.29 [0.11, 0.48] ml · min · 1.73 m per 10 nmol/l increase in preoperative vitamin D, P adjusted value = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS Preoperative vitamin D was not associated with a composite of postoperative 30-day cardiac outcomes. However, there was a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and a composite of infectious complications and decreased kidney function. While renal effects were not clinically meaningful, the effect of vitamin D supplementation on infectious complications requires further study.
Outcomes and Complications in the Management of Distal Radial Fractures in the Elderly.

BACKGROUND The purpose of the present study was to identify trends in management and to compare the outcomes and complications following nonoperative and operative management (including external fixation, closed reduction and percutaneous pinning, and open reduction and internal fixation) for distal radial fractures in patients ≥65 years of age. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis, with use of the OptumLabs Data Warehouse database, of patients ≥65 years of age who had been managed for a distal radial fracture between 2009 and 2014 (as indicated by diagnosis codes according to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification). Ninety-day and 1-year complication rates per 1,000 fractures were analyzed overall and by treatment modality. RESULTS Thirteen thousand, seven hundred and thirteen distal radial fractures were analyzed. The overall 90-day complication rate was 36.5 per 1,000 fractures, and the 1-year upper-extremity-specific complication rate was 236.2 and 307.5 per 1,000 fractures for nonoperative and operative management, respectively. Overall, post-injury stiffness was the most common 1-year upper-extremity-specific complication (incidence, 11.5%). There was no significant difference between operative and nonoperative management in terms of 90-day complication rates. However, operative management had a higher 1-year complication rate than nonoperative management (307.5 versus 236.2 per 1,000 fractures). Overall, the 5 most common upper-extremity-specific complications following operative treatment of distal radial fracture were stiffness (16.0%), chronic regional pain syndrome (9.9%), median neuropathy (8.0%), implant-related complications (3.8%), and tendon-related complications (2.8%). Stiffness was significantly more frequent following operative management (16.0% versus 9.8%; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Operative management of a distal radial fracture should be carefully considered when discussing treatment options with patients ≥65 years of age. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Methanol outbreak in the district of Hulu Langat, 2018.

INTRODUCTION A methanol outbreak occurred in the district of Hulu Langat on 16 September 2018. The Hulu Langat District Health Office received 25 notifications of a suspected methanol poisoning from Kajang and Ampang Hospital. An outbreak investigation was done to determine the source followed by a preventive and control measure. METHOD Active case detection was done on cases living quarters and workplaces. Patients were interviewed, and their blood and urine samples were sent for methanol analysis. Samples of suspected alcoholic beverages were also sent for analysis. A suspected case was defined as any person presented with clinical symptoms with a history of consuming alcoholic beverages within five days before symptoms and high anion gap metabolic acidosis. A confirmed case was defined as a suspected case with positive blood and urine methanol. RESULTS In total, there were 25 suspected cases, of which 12 cases were confirmed. The calculated attack rate was 48%. There were six mortalities (50%) secondary to severe metabolic acidosis. The most common presenting symptom was vomiting (75%) and abdominal pain (41.7%). These cases were linked to consumption of illicitly produced alcohol. Samples of the alcoholic drinks were positive containing high level of methanol. CONCLUSION The methanol outbreak in the Hulu Langat was successfully managed. Appropriate control and prevention measures were taken, including health promotion and joint enforcement activities. Steps were taken successfully through collaborations with multiple agencies and cooperation with Selangor Health Departments and the Ministry of Health. Continuous surveillance on the product of liquor, and health promotion are essential to prevent a similar outbreak from happening again in future.
Acute pancreatitis in oldest old: a 10-year retrospective analysis of patients referred to the emergency department of a large tertiary hospital

Objective Contrasting results are reported on the clinical course of acute pancreatitis (AP) in the geriatric population. The aim of this study is to compare the AP clinical outcomes between patients aged from 65 to 79 years and those over 80 years. Methods A total of 115 patients over 80 years (oldest old) were compared to a group of 236 patients aged 65–79 years (elderly). Clinicodemographic, biochemical, and radiological data were reviewed. The primary outcome was to compare the overall mortality. Secondary outcomes included intensive care unit (ICU) admission, in-hospital length of stay (LOS), and need for surgical procedures. Results Laboratory values at admission were similar between the two groups. Over 80 patients presented a lower rate of abdominal symptoms (68.7% vs. 81.4%; P = 0.008), a higher mortality (14.8% vs. 3.5%; P = 0.003), and ICU admission (13.9% vs. 3.8%; P = 0.001) rates. Median LOS was comparable between the two groups. Multivariate analysis identified age [odds ratio (OR): 3.56; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.502–8.46; P = 0.004], a higher Ranson score (OR: 3.22; 95% CI: 1.24–8.39; P = 0.016), and the absence of abdominal pain (OR: 2.94; 95% CI: 1.25–6.87; P = 0.013) as independent predictors of mortality. Conversely, only age (OR: 3.83; 95% CI: 1.55–9.44; P = 0.003) and a more severe AP (OR: 3.56; 95% CI: 1.95–6.89; P = 0.041) were recognized as influencing ICU admission. Only the operative treatment (OR: 2.805; 95% CI: 1.166–5.443; P = 0.037) was evidenced as independent risk factor for LOS (OR: 3.74; 95% CI: 1.031–6.16; P = 0.003). Conclusion Oldest old patients have a higher mortality and ICU admission rate as compared to the other subgroups of elderly. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are key elements to improve outcomes in this frailer population.
The relationship between serum NT-proBNP levels and severity of coronary artery disease assessed by SYNTAX score in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background/aim In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between NT-proBNP and SYNTAX score, which is a measure of the complexity of coronary artery disease. Materials and methods We enrolled 405 consecutive patients with myocardial infarction who underwent coronary angiographic examination. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to their SYNTAX scores. Those with SYNTAX score ≤22 were included in the low SYNTAX score group (LSTX), those with a score of 23–32 were included in the intermediate SYNTAX score group (ISTX), and those with a score of ≥33 were included in the high SYNTAX score group (HSTX). Results NT-proBNP levels were found to be significantly higher in the HSTX group compared to the other groups (P < 0.001) and in the ISTX group compared to the LSTX group (P < 0.001). The NT-proBNP levels demonstrated an increase from low SYNTAX score to high SYNTAX score tertiles. Conclusions NT-ProBNP levels in patients with myocardial infarction on admission were independently associated with extent, severity, and complexity of coronary atherosclerosis as assessed by SYNTAX score.
What older people want from emergency care: a systematic review

Objectives To evaluate the expectations and preferred outcomes from emergency care among older people or their caregivers. Methods A review protocol was registered. Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsychInfo, BNI, AgeInfo and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched in their full date ranges to September 2018. Included articles were hand-searched for further citations. Citations were screened for (1) older people aged over 65 years, (2) ED settings and (3) reporting expectations or preferred outcomes for emergency care (as opposed to experience or satisfaction). Quality appraisal and data extraction of eligible articles were undertaken by two reviewers. Themes were synthesised through content analysis and described narratively. Results Older people wished to have prompt waiting times, efficient care, clear communication and comfortable environments. They had additional and unique expectations for holistic care and support in decision-making. The ED provoked a sense of vulnerability among older people who were likely to have had frailty. Conclusion The lack of dominant themes among included studies suggests that older people should be treated as individuals rather than a homogenous group. Establishing individuals’ preferred outcomes could improve person-centred care. PROSPERO registration number CRD42018107050.