Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maternal conjugated linoleic acid consumption prevented TAG alterations induced by a high-fat diet in male adult rat offspring

Abstract Maternal nutritional programming by a high-fat (HF) diet is related to hepatic lipid accumulation and steatosis in offspring. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) might ameliorate impaired hepatic lipid homoeostasis; therefore, the aim was to investigate the potential preventive effect of maternal CLA consumption on TAG metabolism alterations induced by HF diets in adult male rat offspring receiving or not receiving CLA. Female Wistar rats were fed a control (C) diet, HF diet or HF diet supplemented with CLA (HF+CLA) for 4 weeks before mating and throughout pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, for 9 weeks, male offspring of C or HF rats continued with the same diets as their mothers (C/C or HF/HF groups, respectively) and male offspring of HF+CLA rats were fed HF or HF+CLA diets (HF+CLA/HF or HF+CLA/HF+CLA groups, respectively). Nutritional parameters, serum and liver TAG levels, the TAG secretion rate (TAG-SR) and the activities as well as gene expression of key hepatic enzymes involved in TAG regulation were assessed. The most interesting results were that maternal CLA decreased epididymal white adipose tissue weight and prevented serum and liver TAG accumulation induced by a HF diet in adult male offspring receiving or not receiving CLA. The prevention of liver steatosis in HF+CLA/HF+CLA and HF+CLA/HF offspring was associated with an increased hepatic TAG-SR. Overall, this study provides evidence that maternal CLA consumption programmes TAG regulation and in this way contributes to lowering lipid levels in tissues and preventing liver steatosis in particular.
Achievement of European guideline-recommended lipid levels post-percutaneous coronary intervention: A population-level observational cohort study.

AIMS European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society 2019 guidelines recommend more aggressive lipid targets in high- and very high-risk patients and the addition of adjuvant treatments to statins in uncontrolled patients. We aimed to assess (a) achievement of prior and new European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society lipid targets and (b) lipid-lowering therapy prescribing in a nationwide cohort of very high-risk patients. METHODS We conducted a retrospective observational population study using linked health data in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (2012-2017). Follow-up was for one-year post-discharge. RESULTS Altogether, 10,071 patients had a documented LDL-C level, of whom 48% had low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)<1.8 mmol/l (2016 target) and (23%) <1.4 mmol/l (2019 target). Five thousand three hundred and forty patients had non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) documented with 57% <2.6 mmol/l (2016) and 37% <2.2 mmol/l (2019). In patients with recurrent vascular events, fewer than 6% of the patients achieved the 2019 LDL-C target of <1.0 mmol/l. A total of 10,592 patients had triglyceride (TG) levels documented, of whom 14% were ≥2.3 mmol/l and 41% ≥1.5 mmol/l (2019). High-intensity statins were prescribed in 56.4% of the cohort, only 3% were prescribed ezetimibe, fibrates or prescription-grade N-3 fatty acids. Prescribing of these agents was lower amongst patients above target LDL-C, non-HDL-C and triglyceride levels. Females were more likely to have LDL-C, non-HDL-C and triglyceride levels above target. CONCLUSION There was a low rate of achievement of the new European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society lipid targets in this large post-percutaneous coronary intervention population and relatively low rates of intensive lipid-lowering therapy prescribing in those with uncontrolled lipids. There is considerable potential to optimise lipid-lowering therapy further through statin intensification and appropriate use of novel lipid-lowering therapy, especially in women.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Related Distress in Thailand

This study aimed to investigate prevalence and factors potentially associated with diabetes-related distress (DRD) among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in a primary health care center in Thailand. This cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 370 patients with T2DM. Data were collected at primary health care centers in Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. DRD was assessed using the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS-17). The association between sociodemographic characteristics and other factors with DRD was analyzed using the Fisher t-test, Chi-square test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient test. The association between Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and DRD was analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis. The participants had a mean age of 60.95 ± 7.96, and most were female (68.1%). Of the participants with DRD, 8.9% had moderate to high levels of distress. Education level and family support were significantly associated with the overall level of DRD. Additionally, HbA1c and co-morbidity were also significantly associated with DRD, as were emotional burden and regimen distress. Multiple linear regression analysis found that increased HbA1c was positively associated with increased DRD after adjusting for age, sex, education, duration of T2DM, co-morbidity, diabetic complications, and family support. Screening with DRD may be beneficial in T2DM patients.
Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of Extended-Spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Bacteremia in Cancer Patients

Background Cancer patients can be at a higher risk of infection due to drug-resistant bacteria than the general population for various reasons. We performed a retrospective study to evaluate possible risk factors and outcomes of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP) bacteremia in cancer patients. Materials and Methods Cases were divided into two groups based on whether or not the isolated strain produced ESBL and multivariable regressions were done to identify possible risk factors of ESBL-KP bacteremia and mortality. For ESBL-producing strain, additional molecular analysis was done. Results 278 cases with KP bacteremia were identified between 2010 and 2012, of which ESBL-producers were 50 (18%). The presence of percutaneous drainage catheter [odds ratio (OR) 4.99, P <0.001] and prior exposure to certain classes of antibiotics including third-generation cephalosporin (OR 2.14, P = 0.03) had significant associations with ESBL-KP bacteremia. Individuals who died within 14 days after the onset of KP bacteremia were more likely to have higher mean Pitt bacteremia score (1.56 in survival group vs. 3.43 in mortality group, P <0.001), hemodialysis (OR 17.03, P = 0.01) and chronic liver disease (OR 5.57, P = 0.01). Although 14-day mortality was higher with ESBL production (OR 2.76, P = 0.04), no significant differences in 30-day mortality (OR 1.67, P = 0.20) and other morbidity indices were observed. 49 ESBL-KP isolates, 65.4% of them produced CTX-M-14 and CTX-M-15 enzymes, and ST711 was the most common. Conclusion There were several differences in clinical characteristics between ESBL-KP and non-ESBL-KP bacteremia in cancer patients, similar to previous reports including non-cancer patients.
[Optical coherence tomography in diagnostics of small choroidal melanoma].

PURPOSE To determine signs of small choroidal melanoma with different pigmentation using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 344 patients with small choroidal melanoma with different pigmentation examined using EDI-OCT: 1st group - pigmented melanoma (228 eyes), 2nd group - low pigmented (65 eyes), and 3rd group - amelanotic (51 eyes). RESULTS In pigmented small choroidal melanomas - elevation of choroidal profile towards vitreous, compression of choriocapillaries with a narrow even 'belt' and a 'shadow' effect; thinning, defects in Bruch's membrane; thickening of the retina above the tumor, lobulated photoreceptors; intra- and subretinal exudate (diffuse, cystic edema, neuroepithelial detachment); defects and detachment of pigment epithelium with hyperreflective foci, disorganization of the pigment with the formation of hyperreflective foci at different retinal levels. In low-pigmented small choroidal melanomas - elevation of choroidal profile towards vitreous, visualized inner surface of the sclera, 'excavation' of the choroid, enlarged choriocapillaries, contour of tumor; thickening of the retina, accumulation of intra- and subretinal exudate (local neuroepithelial detachments); disorganization of the pigment in pigment epithelium with hyperreflective foci in the outer retinal layers. In amelanotic small choroidal melanomas - elevation of choroidal profile towards vitreous, visualized inner surface of the sclera, 'excavation' of the choroid; contouring of choriocapillaries, longitudinal hyperreflective bands in the tumoral stroma, smoothness of the Bruch`s membrane, structural losses of photoreceptors; thickening of the retina (neuroepithelial detachment, diffuse edema); uneven thickening of pigment epithelium. CONCLUSION EDI-OCT can help identify microstructural changes in the choroid and adjacent retina in small choroidal melanomas with different degrees of pigmentation, suggesting at the early stages a more aggressive course of the tumoral process affecting the prognosis of the disease. In addition, identification of the microstructure and degree of pigmentation of initial choroidal melanomas is necessary for planning an organ-preserving treatment.
A Meta-Analysis on Effects of Parenting Programs on Bullying Prevention

Bullying is a serious public health concern across the globe. While there are a number of bullying interventions with parental components, limited efforts have been made to synthesize the impacts of parenting programs on bullying prevention. This meta-analysis aimed to review and examine parenting programs on bullying reduction that involving both school-based and home visiting anti-bullying programs. The overall effect size supported a significant outcome on bullying reduction (d = .640, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.239, 1.041]). Results of this meta-analysis reported that participants in the parenting programs scored significantly lower on both bullying and victimization. Data from the randomized controlled trials and the pre- and posttest design studies showed evidence of highly significant effects of parenting interventions on bullying reduction. Child- and parent-related factors including parenting style, children’s empathy, and parent–child interaction about bullying were found to be significantly related to the effectiveness of intervention programs. This study provides evidence to enhance policy and practice for effectively enabling parent involvement in bullying behavior reduction and to increase parent–children communication about bullying as well as parenting skills. Future researchers and practitioners may explore more about the impact of school–family partnerships and their reliance on each other to help reduce bullying.
Experimental oxygen concentration influences rates of mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide release from cardiac and skeletal muscle preparations.

Mitochondria utilize the majority of oxygen (O2) consumed by aerobic organisms as the final electron acceptor for oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), but also to generate reactive oxygen species (mtROS) that participate in cell signaling, physiological hormesis and disease pathogenesis. Simultaneous monitoring of mtROS production and oxygen consumption (JO2) from tissue mitochondrial preparations is an attractive investigative approach, but introduces dynamic changes in media O2 concentration ([O2]) that can confound experimental results and interpretation. We utilized high-resolution fluoro-respirometry to evaluate JO2 and hydrogen peroxide release (JH2O2) from isolated mitochondria (Mt), permeabilized fibers (Pf), and tissue homogenates (Hm) prepared from murine heart and skeletal muscle across a range of experimental [O2]s typically encountered during respirometry protocols (400-50 µM). Results demonstrate notable variations in JH2O2 across tissues and sample preparations during non-phosphorylating (LEAK) and OXPHOS-linked respiration states at 250 µM [O2], but a linear decline in JH2O2 of 5-15% per 50 µM decrease in chamber [O2] in all samples. JO2 was generally stable in Mt and Hm across [O2]s above 50 µM, but tended to decline below 250 µM in Pf, leading to wide variations in assayed rates of JH2O2/O2 across chamber [O2]s and sample preparations. Development of chemical background fluorescence from the H2O2 probe (Amplex Red) was also O2-sensitive, emphasizing relevant calibration considerations. These studies highlight the importance of monitoring and reporting the chamber [O2] at which JO2 and JH2O2 are recorded during fluoro-respirometry experiments, and provide a basis for selecting sample preparations for studies addressing the role mtROS in physiology and disease.
Therapy-Induced Senescence: An “Old” Friend Becomes the Enemy

For the past two decades, cellular senescence has been recognized as a central component of the tumor cell response to chemotherapy and radiation. Traditionally, this form of senescence, termed Therapy-Induced Senescence (TIS), was linked to extensive nuclear damage precipitated by classical genotoxic chemotherapy. However, a number of other forms of therapy have also been shown to induce senescence in tumor cells independently of direct genomic damage. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive summary of both conventional and targeted anticancer therapeutics that have been shown to induce senescence in vitro and in vivo. Still, the utility of promoting senescence as a therapeutic endpoint remains under debate. Since senescence represents a durable form of growth arrest, it might be argued that senescence is a desirable outcome of cancer therapy. However, accumulating evidence suggesting that cells have the capacity to escape from TIS would support an alternative conclusion, that senescence provides an avenue whereby tumor cells can evade the potentially lethal action of anticancer drugs, allowing the cells to enter a temporary state of dormancy that eventually facilitates disease recurrence, often in a more aggressive state. Furthermore, TIS is now strongly connected to tumor cell remodeling, potentially to tumor dormancy, acquiring more ominous malignant phenotypes and accounts for several untoward adverse effects of cancer therapy. Here, we argue that senescence represents a barrier to effective anticancer treatment, and discuss the emerging efforts to identify and exploit agents with senolytic properties as a strategy for elimination of the persistent residual surviving tumor cell population, with the goal of mitigating the tumor-promoting influence of the senescent cells and to thereby reduce the likelihood of cancer relapse.
Increased Visibility of Deep Medullary Veins in Transient Ischemic Attack Patients by Using Susceptibility Weighted Imaging

Objectives: To explorealteration of deep medullaryveins (DMVs) intransient ischemic attack(TIA) patients by usingsusceptibility weighted imaging. Methods: Fifty-threeTIApatientsand53matchedgenderandagecontrols’ susceptibilityweightedimaging(SWI)datawerestudied by comparing their DMVs asymmetry/score between groups. The DMVs score based on the degree of visibility were assessed from 0 (not visible) to 3 (very prominent) for both hemispheres separately. A diﬀerent score between the two hemispheres was deﬁned as asymmetricDMVs(ADMVs),andanequalscorewasdeﬁnedassymmetricDMVs. Thehigherscoreinthetwohemispheresworkedas itsDMVsscoreforADMVs. InADMVs,basedonwhethertheaﬀectedhemisphere,whichwasdeﬁnedaccordingtoclinicalsymptoms by neurologists, gets a higher score or not, was deﬁned as ipsilateral or contralateral asymmetric DMVs (iADMVs or cADMVs). Results: The agreement between neuroradiologists for both asymmetry and score of DMVs on TIA patients’ SWI were excellent. There were statistically signiﬁcant diﬀerences for the score of DMVs between TIA and the control group (P < 0.05) even when they were analyzed by further stratiﬁcation analysis according to the asymmetry of DMVs, as well as asymmetry of DMVs. Of ﬁfty-three patients, 16 patients were present with ADMVs, including 10 iADMVs, and six cADMVs. Conclusions: The visibility of DMVs in patients with TIA were increased, with or without ADMVs, and these alterations may reﬂect hemodynamic information following TIA process, laying foundations for DMVs application in TIA.
Carotid atherosclerosis, dilation, and stiffness relate to cerebral small vessel disease

Objective To investigate the association of carotid atherosclerosis, dilation, and stiffness with imaging markers of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) in a community-based sample. Methods The study comprised 1,051 participants (age 57.5 ± 9.2 years). Carotid plaques, intima-media thickness (IMT), diastolic diameter, pulse wave velocity, and stiffness index (β) were measured by ultrasound. Imaging markers of CSVD, including lacunes, cerebral microbleeds, dilated PVS, and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) volume, were assessed. Results Carotid plaque was associated with the presence of lacunes (odds ratio [OR] 2.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.78–4.33; p < 0.001) and larger WMH volume (natural log transformed, β ± SE, 0.32 ± 0.10; p = 0.002). The increased carotid diameter was associated with the presence of lacunes (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.22–2.72; p = 0.003), larger WMH volume (β ± SE, 0.37 ± 0.10; p < 0.001), and PVS in the basal ganglia (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.20–2.11; p = 0.001). Associations of carotid dilation and CSVD were independent of carotid IMT and plaque. Most parenchymal lesions were located in the basal ganglia and deep white matter. Carotid IMT and stiffness were not associated with CSVD. Conclusions Carotid atherosclerosis and dilation are associated with imaging markers of CSVD. The noninvasive carotid assessment would seem to be a rational approach to risk stratification of CSVD.
Radioiodine Treatment for Benign Thyroid Diseases

Radioiodine (RAI) is becoming the preferred treating option for benign thyroid diseases. Hyperthyroidism is defined as hypermetabolic state caused by high levels of circulating thyroid hormones of the thyroid gland. The most common hyperthyroidism causes are Graves’ disease, toxic multinodular goitre, and solitary hyperfunctioning nodule, for which RAI can be preferred as a definitive treatment option. It is rapidly incorporated into the thyroid and with its beta emissions with a path length of 1–3 mm cause extensive local tissue damage and necrosis. The thyroid gland is effectively ablated over a period of 8–18 weeks and can no more produce normal amount of thyroid hormones. It is an individualized therapy that can either be a first-line therapy, or an alternative therapy to neck surgery or to use of antithyroidal drugs after 1 year. For the optimal efficiency, before the RAI treatment, the patients should be extensively assessed and they also should be given clear information about the treatment, as well as written instructions for precautions to avoid irradiation exposure to other people. Moreover, after RAI treatment patients should have their regular follow-up. This chapter summarizes all the points for a RAI treatment.
Marked Impairment of Endothelium-Dependent Digital Vasodilatations in Patients With Microvascular Angina

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Objective: It remains to be elucidated whether and how endothelial functions are impaired in peripheral circulation of patients with coronary functional disorders, such as vasospastic angina (VSA) and microvascular angina (MVA). We simultaneously examined endothelial functions of peripheral conduit and resistance arteries in patients with coronary functional disorders, with a special reference to NO and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization factors. Approach and Results: Based on the results of invasive coronary acetylcholine testing and coronary physiological measurements, we divided 43 patients into 3 groups; VSA, MVA, and VSA+MVA. Endothelium-dependent vasodilatations of the brachial artery and fingertip arterioles to intra-arterial infusion of bradykinin were simultaneously evaluated by ultrasonography and peripheral arterial tonometry, respectively. To assess NO and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization factors, measurements were repeated after oral aspirin and intra-arterial infusion of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine. Additionally, endothelium-independent vasodilatations to sublingual nitroglycerin and plasma levels of biomarkers for endothelial functions were measured. Surprisingly, digital vasodilatations to bradykinin were almost absent in patients with MVA alone and those with VSA+MVA compared with those with VSA alone. Mechanistically, both NO- and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization–mediated digital vasodilatations were markedly impaired in patients with MVA alone. In contrast, endothelium-independent vasodilatations to nitroglycerin were comparable among the 3 groups. Plasma levels of soluble VCAM (vascular cell adhesion molecule)-1 were significantly higher in patients with MVA alone compared with those with VSA alone. Conclusions: These results provide the first evidence that both NO- and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization–mediated digital vasodilatations are markedly impaired in MVA patients, suggesting that MVA is a cardiac manifestation of the systemic small artery disease.
Combination Design of Time-Dependent Magnetic Field and Magnetic Nanocomposites to Guide Cell Behavior

The concept of magnetic guidance is still challenging and has opened a wide range of perspectives in the field of tissue engineering. In this context, magnetic nanocomposites consisting of a poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) matrix and iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were designed and manufactured for bone tissue engineering. The mechanical properties of PCL/Fe3O4 (80/20 w/w) nanocomposites were first assessed through small punch tests. The inclusion of Fe3O4 nanoparticles improved the punching properties as the values of peak load were higher than those obtained for the neat PCL without significantly affecting the work to failure. The effect of a time-dependent magnetic field on the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) was analyzed. The Alamar Blue assay, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and image analysis (i.e., shape factor) provided information on cell adhesion and viability over time, whereas the normalized alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP/DNA) demonstrated that the combination of a time-dependent field with magnetic nanocomposites (PCL/Fe3O4 Mag) influenced cell differentiation. Furthermore, in terms of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 phosphorylation, an insight into the role of the magnetic stimulation was reported, also demonstrating a strong effect due the combination of the magnetic field with PCL/Fe3O4 nanocomposites (PCL/Fe3O4 Mag).