Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of sucroferric oxyhydroxide in patients on on-line hemodiafiltration in real-world clinical practice: A retrospective study

Abstract Introduction: Hyperphosphatemia is a serious consequence of chronic kidney disease and has been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Controlling serum phosphorus levels in patients on dialysis is a challenge for the clinicians and implies, in most cases, the use of phosphate binders (PB). Part of the reason for this challenge is poor adherence to treatment because of the high pill burden in this patient group. Objective: To assess the real-world effectiveness of sucroferric oxyhydroxide (SO) in controlling serum phosphorus levels and determine the associated pill burden. Methods: A multicenter, quantitative, retrospective, before-after study was conducted with patients receiving online hemodiafiltration. Patients who switched to SO as a part of routine care were included in the study. PB treatment, number of pills, serum phosphorus levels, and intravenous iron medication and dosage were collected monthly during the six months of treatment with either PB or SO. Results: A total of 42 patients were included in the study. After switching from a PB to SO, the prescribed pills/day was reduced 67% from 6 pills/day to 2 pills/day (p < 0.001) and the frequency of pill intake was lowered from 3 times/day to 2 times/day (p < 0.001). During the treatment with SO, the proportion of patients with serum phosphorus ≤ 5.5 mg/dL increased from 33.3% at baseline to 45% after six months of treatment. Conclusion: During the six-month follow-up with SO, serum phosphorus levels were controlled with one third of the pills/day compared to other PB.
A Fatal Case of Acute Arsenic Poisoning

This manuscript reported a case of fatal arsenic poisoning. A woman with schizophrenia took arsenic‐containing “pills,” which consisted of arsenic trioxide and realgar (arsenic (II) sulfide) and wrapped with gauze. The victim consumed 1.09 and 0.819 g arsenic on two occasions, respectively, with the interval between the two doses of 3 days. The woman died on the sixth day after the first dose without any treatment. In this case, pathological examination revealed fat degeneration of the liver rather than hepatomegaly, a rare finding in acute arsenic poisoning. Arsenic in tissue samples was measured, the total arsenic and inorganic arsenic in blood, liver, and gastric wall was 10.2 μg/mL (9.61 μg/mL), 23.1 μg/g (20.7 μg/g), and 32.3 μg/g (28.6 μg/g), respectively.
Mechanism of Loss of Kv11.1 K+ Current in Mutant T421M-Kv11.1–Expressing Rat Ventricular Myocytes: Interaction of Trafficking and Gating

Background—Type 2 long QT syndrome involves mutations in the human ether a-go-go–related gene (hERG or KCNH2). T421M, an S1 domain mutation in the Kv11.1 channel protein, was identified in a resuscitated patient. We assessed its biophysical, protein trafficking, and pharmacological mechanisms in adult rat ventricular myocytes. Methods and Results—Isolated adult rat ventricular myocytes were infected with wild-type (WT)–Kv11.1– and T421M-Kv11.1–expressing adenovirus and analyzed with the use of patch clamp, Western blot, and confocal imaging techniques. Expression of WT-Kv11.1 or T421M-Kv11.1 produced peak tail current (IKv11.1) of 8.78±1.18 and 1.91±0.22 pA/pF, respectively. Loss of mutant IKv11.1 resulted from (1) a partially trafficking-deficient channel protein with reduced cell surface expression and (2) altered channel gating with a positive shift in the voltage dependence of activation and altered kinetics of activation and deactivation. Coexpression of WT+T421M-Kv11.1 resulted in heterotetrameric channels that remained partially trafficking deficient with only a minimal increase in peak IKv11.1 density, whereas the voltage dependence of channel gating became WT-like. In the adult rat ventricular myocyte model, both WT-Kv11.1 and T421M-Kv11.1 channels responded to &bgr;-adrenergic stimulation by increasing IKv11.1. Conclusions—The T421M-Kv11.1 mutation caused a loss of IKv11.1 through interactions of abnormal protein trafficking and channel gating. Furthermore, for coexpressed WT+T421M-Kv11.1 channels, different dominant-negative interactions govern protein trafficking and ion channel gating, and these are likely to be reflected in the clinical phenotype. Our results also show that WT and mutant Kv11.1 channels responded to &bgr;-adrenergic stimulation.
Low rates of complications after spinopelvic fixation with iliac screws in 260 adult patients with a minimum 2-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVERecent literature describing complications associated with spinopelvic fixation with iliac screws in adult patients has been limited but has suggested high complication rates. The authors' objective was to report their experience with iliac screw fixation in a large series of patients with a 2-year minimum follow-up.METHODSOf 327 adult patients undergoing spinopelvic fixation with iliac screws at the authors' institution between 2010 and 2015, 260 met the study inclusion criteria (age ≥ 18 years, first-time iliac screw placement, and 2-year minimum follow-up). Patients with active spinal infection were excluded. All iliac screws were placed via a posterior midline approach using fluoroscopic guidance. Iliac screw heads were deeply recessed into the posterior superior iliac spine. Clinical and radiographic data were obtained and analyzed.RESULTSTwenty patients (7.7%) had iliac screw-related complication, which included fracture (12, 4.6%) and/or screw loosening (9, 3.5%). No patients had iliac screw head prominence that required revision surgery or resulted in pain, wound dehiscence, or poor cosmesis. Eleven patients (4.2%) had rod or connector fracture below S1. Overall, 23 patients (8.8%) had L5-S1 pseudarthrosis. Four patients (1.5%) had fracture of the S1 screw. Seven patients (2.7%) had wound dehiscence (unrelated to the iliac screw head) or infection. The rate of reoperation (excluding proximal junctional kyphosis) was 17.7%. On univariate analysis, an iliac screw-related complication rate was significantly associated with revision fusion (70.0% vs 41.2%, p = 0.013), a greater number of instrumented vertebrae (mean 12.6 vs 10.3, p = 0.014), and greater postoperative pelvic tilt (mean 27.7° vs 23.2°, p = 0.04). Lumbosacral junction-related complications were associated with a greater mean number of instrumented vertebrae (12.6 vs 10.3, p = 0.014). Reoperation was associated with a younger mean age at surgery (61.8 vs 65.8 years, p = 0.014), a greater mean number of instrumented vertebrae (12.2 vs 10.2, p = 0.001), and longer clinical and radiological mean follow-up duration (55.8 vs 44.5 months, p < 0.001; 55.8 vs 44.6 months, p < 0.001, respectively). On multivariate analysis, reoperation was associated with longer clinical follow-up (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONSPrevious studies on iliac screw fixation have reported very high rates of complications and reoperation (as high as 53.6%). In this large, single-center series of adult patients, iliac screws were an effective method of spinopelvic fixation that had high rates of lumbosacral fusion and far lower complication rates than previously reported. Collectively, these findings argue that iliac screw fixation should remain a favored technique for spinopelvic fixation.
The increase in muscle force after 4 weeks of strength training is mediated by adaptations in motor unit recruitment and rate coding

Previous studies have indicated that several weeks of strength training is sufficient to elicit significant adaptations in the neural drive sent to the muscles. There are few data, however, on the changes elicited by strength training in the recruitment and rate coding of motor units during voluntary contractions. We show for the first time that the discharge characteristics of motor units in the tibialis anterior muscle tracked across the intervention are changed by 4 weeks of strength training with isometric voluntary contractions. The specific adaptations included significant increases in motor unit discharge rate, decreases in the recruitment‐threshold force of motor units and a similar input–output gain of the motor neurons. The findings suggest that the adaptations in motor unit function may be attributable to changes in synaptic input to the motor neuron pool or to adaptations in intrinsic motor neuron properties.
Facial nerve outcomes after surgery for large vestibular schwannomas: do surgical approach and extent of resection matter?

OBJECT The object of this study was to evaluate facial nerve outcomes in the surgical treatment of large vestibular schwannomas (VSs; ≥ 2.5 cm maximal or extrameatal cerebellopontine angle diameter) based on both the operative approach and extent of tumor resection. METHODS A PubMed search was conducted of English language studies on the treatment of large VSs published from 1985 to 2011. Studies were then evaluated and included if they contained data regarding the size of the tumor, surgical approach, extent of resection, and postoperative facial nerve function. RESULTS Of the 536 studies initially screened, 59 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, and 30 studies were included for analysis. A total of 1688 tumor resections were reported. Surgical approach was reported in 1390 patients and was significantly associated with facial nerve outcome (ϕ= 0.29, p < 0.0001). Good facial nerve outcomes (House-Brackmann Grade I or II) were produced in 62.5% of the 555 translabyrinthine approaches, 65.2% of the 601 retrosigmoid approaches, and 27.4% of the 234 extended translabyrinthine approaches. Facial nerve outcomes from translabyrinthine and retrosigmoid approaches were not significantly different from each other, but both showed significantly more good facial nerve outcomes, compared with the extended translabyrinthine approach (OR for translabyrinthine vs extended translabyrinthine = 4.43, 95% CI 3.17-6.19, p < 0.0001; OR for retrosigmoid vs extended translabyrinthine = 4.98, 95% CI 3.57-6.95, p < 0.0001). There were 471 patients for whom extent of resection was reported. There was a strong and significant association between degree of resection and outcome (ϕ= 0.38, p < 0.0001). Of the 80 patients receiving subtotal resections, 92.5% had good facial nerve outcomes, compared with 74.6% (n = 55) and 47.3% (n = 336) of those who received near-total resections and gross-total resections, respectively. In the 2-way comparison of good versus suboptimal/poor outcomes (House-Brackmann Grade III-VI), subtotal resection was significantly better than near-total resection (OR = 4.21, 95% CI 1.50-11.79; p = 0.004), and near-total resection was significantly better than gross-total resection (OR = 3.26, 95% CI 1.71-6.20; p = 0.0002) in producing better facial nerve outcomes. CONCLUSIONS In a pooled patient population from studies evaluating the treatment of large VSs, subtotal and near-total resections were shown to produce better facial nerve outcomes when compared with gross-total resections. The translabyrinthine and retrosigmoid surgical approaches are likely to result in similar rates of good facial nerve outcomes. Both of these approaches show better facial nerve outcomes when compared with the extended translabyrinthine approach, which is typically reserved for especially large tumors. The reported literature on treatment of large VSs is extremely heterogeneous and minimal consistency in reporting outcomes was observed.
Coronary sinus occlusion after mitral isthmus linear ablation: Unrecognized silent complication after catheter ablation

A 56‐year‐old man without any structural heart disease underwent a second ablation procedure for a recurrent atrial tachycardia (AT). He had undergone cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation, left atrial roof, and mitral isthmus linear ablation of atrial fibrillation 2 years prior. A 6‐Fr duo‐decapolar catheter was inserted into the coronary sinus (CS) from the jugular vein, and an ultrahigh resolution mapping
Treatment of Facial Telangiectases With Glycerin Sclerotherapy.

BACKGROUND Sclerotherapy is used to treat varicosities and telangiectases. Glycerin is a sclerosing agent that has been used off-label for years with a favorable adverse effect profile. However, the treatment of facial telangiectases with sclerotherapy is controversial given the potential for necrosis and embolization in relation to the complex vascular anatomy of the face. OBJECTIVE To determine the safety and efficacy of glycerin sclerotherapy for the treatment of facial telangiectases. MATERIALS AND METHODS The authors report a series of 8 patients with facial telangiectases treated with glycerin sclerotherapy. Glycerin mixed with lidocaine and epinephrine was used. The telangiectases were measured and identified as targets for treatment. RESULTS The patients ranged in age from 45 to 88 years. Between 0.5 and 1 mL was used to treat telangiectases of the nose and malar cheek area per session. Five of the patients achieved satisfactory results after 1 treatment, whereas patients with more extensive telangiectases required up to 3 sessions with 4-week intervals between each session. Injection site pain was the only reported adverse effect, and no evidence of necrosis or blindness was observed. CONCLUSION Glycerin sclerotherapy seems to be a safe and effective modality for the treatment of facial telangiectases.
Finite-Time Coordination Behavior of Multiple Euler–Lagrange Systems in Cooperation-Competition Networks

In this paper, the finite-time coordination behavior of multiple Euler–Lagrange systems in cooperation-competition networks is investigated, where the coupling weights can be either positive or negative. Then, two auxiliary variables about the information exchange among agents are designed, and the finite-time distributed protocol is proposed based on the auxiliary variables and the property of the Euler–Lagrange system. By combining the approach of adding a power integrator with the homogeneous domination method, it is shown that finite-time bipartite consensus can be achieved if the cooperation-competition network is structurally balanced and the parameters of the distributed protocol are chosen appropriately; otherwise, finite-time distributed stabilization can be achieved. Furthermore, from the perspective of network decomposition, the finite-time coordination behavior is further considered, and some sufficient conditions about the cooperation subnetwork and the competition subnetwork are obtained. As an extension, finite-time coordination behavior only with partial state information of the neighbors is discussed, and some similar results are obtained. Finally, four numerical examples are shown for illustration.
β-Carotene in the human body: metabolic bioactivation pathways – from digestion to tissue distribution and excretion

β-Carotene intake and tissue/blood concentrations have been associated with reduced incidence of several chronic diseases. Further bioactive carotenoid-metabolites can modulate the expression of specific genes mainly via the nuclear hormone receptors: retinoic acid receptor- and retinoid X receptor-mediated signalling. To better understand the metabolic conversion of β-carotene, inter-individual differences regarding β-carotene bioavailability and bioactivity are key steps that determine its further metabolism and bioactivation and mediated signalling. Major carotenoid metabolites, the retinoids, can be stored as esters or further oxidised and excreted via phase 2 metabolism pathways. In this review, we aim to highlight the major critical control points that determine the fate of β-carotene in the human body, with a special emphasis on β-carotene oxygenase 1. The hypothesis that higher dietary β-carotene intake and serum level results in higher β-carotene-mediated signalling is partly questioned. Alternative autoregulatory mechanisms in β-carotene / retinoid-mediated signalling are highlighted to better predict and optimise nutritional strategies involving β-carotene-related health beneficial mediated effects.
Dynamic changes in ABA content in water-stressed Populus nigra: effects on carbon fixation and soluble carbohydrates.

Background and Aims Hydraulic and chemical signals operate in tandem to regulate systemic plant responses to drought. Transport of abscisic acid (ABA) through the xylem and phloem from the root to shoot has been suggested to serve as the main signal of water deficit. There is evidence that ABA and its ABA-glycosyl-ester (ABA-GE) are also formed in leaves and stems through the chloroplastic 2-C-methylerythritol-5-phosphate (MEP) pathway. This study aimed to evaluate how hormonal and hydraulic signals contribute to optimize stomatal (gs), mesophyll (gm) and leaf hydraulic (Kleaf) conductance under well-watered and water-stressed conditions in Populus nigra (black poplar) plants. In addition, we assessed possible relationships between ABA and soluble carbohydrates within the leaf and stem. Methods Plants were subjected to three water treatments: well-watered (WW), moderate stress (WS1) and severe stress (WS2). This experimental set-up enabled a time-course analysis of the response to water deficit at the physiological [leaf gas exchange, plant water relations, (Kleaf)], biochemical (ABA and its metabolite/catabolite quantification in xylem sap, leaves, wood, bark and roots) and molecular (gene expression of ABA biosynthesis) levels. Key Results Our results showed strong coordination between gs, gm and Kleaf under water stress, which reduced transpiration and increased intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEint). Analysis of gene expression of 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) and ABA content in different tissues showed a general up-regulation of the biosynthesis of this hormone and its finely-tuned catabolism in response to water stress. Significant linear relationships were found between soluble carbohydrates and ABA contents in both leaves and stems, suggesting a putative function for this hormone in carbohydrate mobilization under severe water stress. Conclusions This study demonstrates the tight regulation of the photosynthetic machinery by levels of ABA in different plants organs on a daily basis in both well-watered and water stress conditions to optimize WUEint and coordinate whole plant acclimation responses to drought.
The role of antimicrobial treatment during pregnancy on the neonatal gut microbiome and the development of atopy, asthma, allergy and obesity in childhood

ABSTRACT Introduction: The use of antibiotics prenatally, during pregnancy, or neonatally may have adverse effects on the neonatal gut microbiome, and adversely affect the development of the infant immune system, leading to childhood atopy, asthma, allergy and obesity. Areas covered: Vaginal eubiosis and dysbiosis from molecular-based, cultivation-independent techniques, and how this affects the neonatal gut microbiome and early development of the immune system, the association between maternal antibiotics and the beneficial role of vitamin D in the development of atopy, asthma, allergy and obesity, efforts to reduce the use of antibiotics in pregnancy and therapeutic interventions such as vaginal ‘seeding’, probiotics, breastfeeding and neonatal dietary supplementation. Expert opinion: Currently available research gives insufficient attention to confounding variables. There remains uncertainty as to whether it is relevant that the mother suffered from the same condition as the purported infant outcome variable, for which she may have received antibiotics. In most studies, there is a lack of control for the number of antibiotic courses administered, the timing of use, the use of broad spectrum or narrow range antibiotics, the indication for antibiotics, the dose-dependent nature of the effect, the class of antibiotics used, or a varying degree of risk.
Microbial metabolomics: essential definitions and the importance of cultivation conditions for utilizing Bacillus species as bionematicides

Root‐knot nematodes are destructive phytopathogens that damage agricultural crops globally, and there is growing interest in the use of biocontrol based on rhizobacteria such as Bacillus to combat Meloidogyne species. It is hypothesized that nematicidal activity of Bacillus can be attributed to the production of secondary metabolites and hydrolytic enzymes. Yet, few studies have characterized these metabolites and their identities remain unknown. Others are speculative or fail to elaborate on how secondary metabolites were detected or distinguished from primary metabolites. Metabolites can be classified based on their origin as either intracellular or extracellular and based on their function, as either primary or secondary. Although this classification is in general use, the boundaries are not always well defined. An understanding of the secondary metabolite and hydrolytic enzyme classification of Bacillus species will facilitate investigations aimed at bionematicide development. This review summarizes the significance of Bacillus hydrolytic enzymes and secondary metabolites in bionematicide research and provides an overview of known classifications. The importance of appropriate cultivation conditions for optimum metabolite and enzyme production is also discussed. Finally, the use of metabolomics for the detection and identification of nematicidal compounds is considered.
c-Myc Alteration Determines the Therapeutic Response to FGFR Inhibitors

Purpose: Lately, emerging evidence has suggested that oncogenic kinases are associated with specific downstream effectors to govern tumor growth, suggesting potential translational values in kinase-targeted cancer therapy. Tyrosine kinase FGFR, which is aberrant in various cancer types, is one of the most investigated kinases in molecularly targeted cancer therapy. Herein, we investigated whether there exists key downstream effector(s) that converges FGFR signaling and determines the therapeutic response of FGFR-targeted therapy. Experimental Design: A range of assays was used to assess the role of c-Myc in FGFR aberrant cancers and its translational relevance in FGFR-targeted therapy, including assessment of drug sensitivity using cell viability assay, signaling transduction profiling using immunoblotting, and in vivo antitumor efficacy using cancer cell line–based xenografts and patient-derived xenografts models. Results: We discovered that c-Myc functioned as the key downstream effector that preceded FGFR-MEK/ERK signaling in FGFR aberrant cancer. Disruption of c-Myc overrode the cell proliferation driven by constitutively active FGFR. FGFR inhibition in FGFR-addicted cancer facilitated c-Myc degradation via phosphorylating c-Myc at threonine 58. Ectopic expression of undegradable c-Myc mutant conferred resistance to FGFR inhibition both in vitro and in vivo. c-Myc level alteration stringently determined the response to FGFR inhibitors, as demonstrated in FGFR-responsive cancer subset, as well as cancers bearing acquired or de novo resistance to FGFR inhibition. Conclusions: This study reveals a stringent association between FGFR and the downstream effector c-Myc in FGFR-dependent cancers, and suggests the potential therapeutic value of c-Myc in FGFR-targeted cancer therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 23(4); 974–84. ©2016 AACR.