Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An extension of the RITUX‐ERAH study, multicenter randomized clinical trial comparing rituximab to placebo in acute antibody‐mediated rejection after renal transplantation

The treatment of active antibody‐mediated rejection (ABMR) is still a matter of debate, the place of rituximab remaining controversial. The French multicenter double‐blind RITUX‐ERAH study included 38 patients with ABMR in the first year of renal transplantation. All patients received plasma exchanges, intravenous immunoglobulins, and corticosteroids and were randomly assigned rituximab or placebo infusion at day 5. Additional rituximab infusions were allowed. In the intention‐to‐treat analysis, 12‐month graft survival and renal function were not different between the rituximab and placebo groups. Long‐term data are needed to conclude. Evaluation of the 7‐year outcomes of the RITUX‐ERAH study patients according to the rituximab or placebo treatment received. Eleven patients received placebo and 27 at least one infusion of rituximab. Seven years after ABMR, death‐censored kidney allograft survival and renal function were not different between the groups. The evolution of anti‐HLA sensitization was similar. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of infectious or neoplastic complications, but to be noted, seven cancers developed in six patients treated with rituximab (mean period of 44 months post‐ABMR). In this cohort, there was no benefit 7 years after ABMR of rituximab in addition to plasma exchanges, intravenous immunoglobulins, and steroids.
Risk factors for human brucellosis in Mianeh, Iran

Brucellosis is the most prevalent zoonotic disease in the world, particularly in developing countries. Despite the high prevalence rate of brucellosis in Iran, little information is available regarding the transmission route of the disease. The objective of the present survey was to identify the major risk factors for brucellosis in Northwest of Iran and consequently, to make preventive and therapeutic recommendations for the population. A retrospective study was conducted and all participants were tested by standard tube agglutination test and culture method in districts of Mianeh, Kandovan, Kaghaz kanan and Torkamanchay. The data was obtained from 442 patients using a questionnaire.The majority (48.41%) of the patients aged 10-29 years old of which 63.80% were male. The highest number of cases was reported in 2012 (124 patients, 28.5%). The number of reported cases were significantly declined from 2012 to2016 (P=0.02, r=-0.92). Consumption of raw milk and raw milk-derived cheese (61.76%) as well as having a family member infected with brucellosis (61.53%) were the main risk factors for the disease. In the present study, the most important risk factors were occupation, food consumption and having easy access to unpasteurized milk. These findings indicated that there is still insufficient knowledge about the disease, particularly in urban areas of the country.
A Systematic Review of Picosecond Laser in Dermatology: Evidence and Recommendations

The use of picosecond laser in dermatology was originally focused on optimizing the removal of unwanted tattoos. Subsequent advances in this technology have broadened its clinical indications to include treatment of benign pigmented lesions, photodamage, melasma, and scar revision. In this systematic review, evidence‐based recommendations are developed for the use of picosecond laser in dermatology.
Association between weekend catch-up sleep and executive functions in Chinese school-aged children.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Although weekend catch-up sleep is common among children, the association between weekend catch-up sleep and executive functions remains unclear. We aimed to determine whether weekend catch-up sleep was related to executive functions in school-aged children. METHODS We analyzed data of 4,699 children (9.00 ± 1.73 years old, 52.9% boys) from 5 primary schools in Guangzhou, China. Executive functions performance was examined by The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function Parent Form. Validated self-report questionnaires were used to assess sleep status, socioeconomic status, and health behaviors. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the association of weekend catch-up sleep duration with executive functions. RESULTS Weekday sleep was negatively associated with scores of three composite indices (Behavioral Regulation Index, Metacognition Index, Global Executive Composite), while weekend catch-up sleep was positively associated with them. Children with < 9 hours weekday sleep duration had higher scores of all indices, and there was no correlation between weekend catch-up sleep and scores of all indices (p > 0.05). For children who slept ≥9 hours on weekdays, weekend catch-up sleep of more than one hour was associated with increased scores of Behavioral Regulation Index, Metacognition Index, and Global Executive Composite (p < 0.05). There was no interaction between gender, age and weekend catch-up sleep on executive functions (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Weekend catch-up sleep couldn't restore the executive functions deficits related to short weekday sleep. Weekend catch-up sleep over one hour may have adverse effects on executive functions in school-aged children.
Work-life conflict, gender-based discrimination, and their associations among professionals in a medical university and affiliated hospitals in Japan: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: To clarify (1) the prevalence and associating factors of work-life conflict (WLC);(2) the details of gender-based discrimination;and (3) the association between WLC and gender-based discrimination among various professionals in a medical university organization. Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted in 2017, included all employees working at a public medical university and two affiliated hospitals that lie in provincial cities in Japan. The outcome of interest was time-based WLC in the work-to-family or family-to-work direction, measured with a shortened version of an existing scale. Gender-based discrimination was measured according to a three-point scale. Results: Among the 3,347 employees, complete data sets were available for 2,285 (complete response rate, 68.3%). Of these, approximately 30% of respondents had perceived WLC. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that faculty members, nurses, and employees between 30 and 39 years old had a greater risk of WLC regardless of gender. Men were more likely to perceive gender-based discrimination in the contents of their work and the number of incidental tasks, while women were more likely to perceive discrimination with promotions and evaluation of academic achievements. Both men and women respondents who perceived gender-based discrimination had an increased risk of WLC. Conclusions: When promoting organizational well-being in a medical university, increased attention should be paid to faculty members, nurses and employees between 30 and 39 years old, as they have a greater risk of WLC. Our results also suggest that promoting gender equality is important to help achieve appropriate work-life balance.
Physiological variations in french bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) cultivars as affected by plant density and nitrogen

The result of a field experiment conducted during 1996-97 and 1997-98 revealed that variety PDR 14 had more dry weight, leaf area index, relative growth rate, crop growth rate and seed yield. Varieties HUR 87 and VL 63 being at par also recorded significantly higher net assimilation rate. Leaf area index and crop growth rate were higher at higher plant density (500 x 10 3 plants ha - 1 ), whereas dry weight plant - 1 , net assimilation rate and relative growth rate in general were higher at lower plant density (250 x 10 3 plants ha-'). Increasing levels of N fertilizer up to 120 kg ha - 1 increased dry weight, leaf area index, crop growth rate and relative growth rate, but net assimilation rate increased up to 60 kg N ha-' only.
Risk Factors of the Transmission of the HIV, Hepatitis B and C and Syphilis among Blood Donors at the Saint Luc General Hospital of Kisantu, Democratic Republic of Congo

Introduction The blood donation is an altruistic but dangerous act. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Syphilis must be subjected to a regular epidemiological monitoring in order to reduce the infectious risk of their transmission. This study aims to determine the epidemiological and serological profile of blood donors of to the Saint Luc General Hospital of KISANTU. Methods This retrospective study from November 2010 to November 2014 conducted among blood donors at the Saint Luc Hospital in KISANTU. For the screening, only the rapid tests were used (Determine HIV 1 and 2, Determine HBsAg, HCV One Step and RPR). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21.0, the chi-square test or Fisher exact test (when recommended) was used to find a relationship between epidemiological parameters and seropositivity to tested antigens. The significance level was set at p <0.05. Results A total of 7434 blood donors were collected including 6787 male (91.30%) and 647 female (8.70%). The majority of donors were between 26-35 years of age (39.52%); the mean age was 31.1 ± 9.1 years. The age group of 36-45 years was a protective factor for HBV (OR <1, p <0.05), seroprevalence of HIV, HCV and syphilis were 2.93%, 1.86% and 0.66%. Conclusions A high prevalence of Hbs antigen has been found in our series. Epidemiological surveillance must be strengthened within the national blood transfusion program in DR Congo in order to reduce the infectious risks that are transmitted during blood transfusions.
Interventional Therapies for Post-Cardiac Arrest Patients Suffering from Coronary Artery Disease

Acute myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease (CAD) are the most common causes for the development of malignant arrhythmia often leading to cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest. Structural heart disease represents the main pathology in older patients, whereas young adults mostly suffer from cardiomyopathies and channelopa -thies. This book chapter delineates modern interventional therapies for patients with cardiogenic shock or aborted cardiac arrest. Epidemiological data on the incidence of malignant arrhythmia depending causing cardiac arrest depending on the presence or absence of CAD and myocardial infarction are presented. Realistic difficulties within clinical decision-making are counterbalanced for and against an early, aggressive and invasive therapeutic approach including early coronary angiography with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), targeted temperature management and mechanical cardiac assist devices, depending on the individual clinical presentation and underlying cardiac arrhythmia.
Challenges and cares to promote rational use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in the management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: a timely review

ABSTRACT As a result of the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19), there has been an urgent worldwide demand for treatments. Due to factors such as history of prescription for other infectious diseases, availability, and relatively low cost, the use of chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been tested in vivo and in vitro for the ability to inhibit the causative virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, even though investigators noted the therapeutic potential of these drugs, it is important to consider the toxicological risks and necessary care for rational use of CQ and HCQ. This study provides information on the main toxicological and epidemiological aspects to be considered for prophylaxis or treatment of COVID-19 using CQ but mainly HCQ, which is a less toxic derivative than CQ, and was shown to produce better results in inhibiting proliferation of SARS-CoV-2 based upon preliminary tests.
Effects of a Telehealth Early Palliative Care Intervention for Family Caregivers of Persons With Advanced Heart Failure

Key Points Question What is the impact of a telehealth early palliative care intervention compared with usual care on the quality of life, mood, and burden of family caregivers of persons with advanced heart failure over 16 weeks? Findings In this randomized clinical trial that included 158 family caregivers, half of whom were African American and most of whom were not distressed at baseline, there were no significant differences in primary outcomes over 16 weeks. Meaning An early palliative care intervention was not significantly better than usual care at improving the quality of life, mood, and burden of family caregivers of patients with advanced heart failure.
Acetone-assisted co-processing of meloxicam with amino acids for enhanced dissolution rate

Abstract Meloxicam is a widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. However, its erratic and poor dissolution delays its onset of action. Dissolution enhancement of such medicine is essential to obtain rapid pain relief. Amino acids showed high potential to enhance the dissolution rate of drugs after co-processing. Accordingly, the objective of this work was to investigate the effect of co-processing of meloxicam with arginine, cysteine, and glycine on its crystalline structure and dissolution rate. Meloxicam was mixed with increasing molar ratios of amino acids before acetone-assisted kneading. The resulting products were examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction in addition to monitoring the dissolution behavior. Combined instrumental analysis indicated salt formation with a possibility of further crystalline changes at high concentration of amino acids. Salt formation and crystalline structure modification were associated with a significant increase in the dissolution rate of meloxicam. The study introduced amino acids as potential excipients for enhanced dissolution of meloxicam after wet co-processing. Graphical Abstract
Baseline Results: The Association between Cardiovascular Risk and Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease Pathology (ASCEND) Study.

BACKGROUND The rate of AD for African Americans (AAs) is 64% higher than for non-Hispanic White Americans (Whites). It is hypothesized that poor peripheral vascular function, in combination with genetics, stress, and inflammation may directly contribute to the accumulation of AD pathologic biomarkers. These risk factors may disproportionately affect AAs. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to determine if in a healthy middle-aged cohort at risk for AD (1) AD biomarkers in CSF differ by race, (2) peripheral vascular dysfunction and cognition are related to a higher burden of CSF AD biomarkers, and (3) these relationships differ by race. METHODS We enrolled 82 cognitively normal, middle-aged (45 and older) adults including AAs and Whites at high risk for AD due to parental history. Study procedures included lumbar puncture, vascular ultrasound, and cognitive testing. RESULTS While participants were in overall good health, AAs exhibited poorer indices of preclinical vascular health, including higher central SBP, central MAP, and EndoPAT AI, a marker of arterial stiffness. AAs also had significantly less cerebrospinal fluid tau burden than Whites. After polynomial regression analysis, adjusted for age, gender, education, and ApoE4 status, race significantly modified the relationship between total tau, phospho-tau, and Trails B, a marker of executive function. Small differences in tau correlated with poorer cognition in AAs. CONCLUSION In a healthy middle-aged cohort at risk for AD, AAs had worse peripheral vascular health and worse cognition than Whites. Despite lower tau burden overall, race modified the relationship between tau and cognition, such that small differences in tau between AAs was related to worse cognition when compared to Whites.
An objective and reliable electrophysiological marker for implicit trustworthiness perception

Abstract Trustworthiness is assumed to be processed implicitly from faces, despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of research has only involved explicit trustworthiness judgements. To answer the question whether or not trustworthiness processing can be implicit, we apply an electroencephalography fast periodic visual stimulation (FPVS) paradigm, where electrophysiological cortical activity is triggered in synchrony with facial trustworthiness cues, without explicit judgements. Face images were presented at 6 Hz, with facial trustworthiness varying at 1 Hz. Significant responses at 1 Hz were observed, indicating that differences in the trustworthiness of the faces were reflected in the neural signature. These responses were significantly reduced for inverted faces, suggesting that the results are associated with higher order face processing. The neural responses were reliable, and correlated with explicit trustworthiness judgements, suggesting that the technique is capable of picking up on stable individual differences in trustworthiness processing. By demonstrating neural activity associated with implicit trustworthiness judgements, our results contribute to resolving a key theoretical debate. Moreover, our data show that FPVS is a valuable tool to examine face processing at the individual level, with potential application in pre-verbal and clinical populations who struggle with verbalization, understanding or memory.
Detection and Quantification of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine in Sera and Urine of Sudanese Patients Infected with Schistosoma Haematobium

Human infections with Schistosomiasis and other helminths induce strange immune responses which are characterised by the production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines. One hundred and thirty sera and urine were collected from patients with urinary schistosomiasis in two villages south Elduiem (Sudan). The disease were confirmed by finding Schistosoma haematobium eggs in urine using syringe filtration techniques. 70 individuals who were Schistosoma haematobium negative included in the study as controls 42 from endemic area and 28 from nonendemic area were tested IFNγ and IL 2 were found in urine and sera. There are a positive association between the production of cytokine and intensity of the infection. They are low intensity in control of endemic area which can be used for early detection of the disease in endemic area.
Cerebrospinal Fluid/Plasma Albumin Ratio as a Biomarker for Blood-Brain Barrier Impairment Across Neurodegenerative Dementias.

BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown an association between disruption of the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) and dementias of different etiologies. The protein concentration of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can be used as an indirect measurement for the permeability of the BBB using the CSF/plasma albumin quotient (Q-Alb) or total CSF protein. OBJECTIVE In the current study, we wanted to investigate Q-Alb and CSF protein concentration in dementias of different etiologies and the possible confounding factors. METHODS A total of 510 patients and healthy controls were included in the current study. The patients were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), vascular dementia (VaD), or frontotemporal dementia (FTD). RESULTS We found that Q-Alb was significantly different between the groups (p = 0.002, F = 3.874). Patients with DLB and VaD showed the largest Q-Alb. Although not significant for CSF total protein, we found the same overall pattern for DLB and VaD. When examining confounding factors, we found a positive association with age and a lower Fazekas score in DLB as compared to VaD. CONCLUSION These results suggest that Q-Alb can contribute to our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms in DLB, and Q-Alb may serve as a supplementary diagnostic marker. Furthermore, we found a positive association with age, which may be due to differences in vascular co-morbidities. In addition, in patients with DLB, the increased Q-Alb is not due to vascular lesions. Studies are needed to validate the possible diagnostic value of Q-Alb in a larger cohort.
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in bacterial empyema thoracic result from developing country based on Thailand experience

Background: Empyemathoracic is a common surgical disease which increasing every year in worldwideespecially in developing countries. Surgical technique is very challenging dueto technical demanding and time consuming. The aim of this study is to comparesurgical outcomes between open thoracotomy (OT) and video-assistedthoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in bacterial empyema thoracic based on Thailandexperience. Methods: The retrospectivecohort study from 6 tertiary-care hospitals in Thailand was conducted. Patientswere diagnosed with bacterial empyema thoracis (BET) and underwent VATS or OTapproach between January 2015 to December 2017 were included in this study.Patient characteristics, operative procedures, perioperative complications andpostoperative outcomes were retrospectively reviewed from medical recordingsystem. Patients were divided into two groups; VATS and OT group. The endpointswere postoperative outcomes. The analysis was performed using multilevel modelstratified by propensity score (PS). Results: There were 300 patients; 98 in VATS group and 202 inOT group, enrolled in this study. There were statistically significantdifferences in gender, comorbidity index, smoking status, stage of empyemathoracis, clinical presentation, duration of symptoms before diagnosis, andproportion of patients underwent decortication between two groups. Inpostoperative outcomes, the proportion of patients who had completedecortication and fully expanded lung was not different between VATS and OT(92.9% vs. 96%; P=0.236 and 89.9% vs. 88.1%; P=0.867). Afterusing multilevel model stratified by PS, VATS was associated with decreasedrisk of re-intubation [risk ratio (RR) =0.29, 95% CI, 0.09–0.98], woundinfection (RR =0.09, 95% CI, 0.01–0.71), duration of intensive care unit (ICU)stay [mean difference =−4.36; 95% CI, (−8.55 to −0.18)] and ventilatordependence (RR =0.61, 95% CI, 0.38–0.96) whereas hospital stay, compositepost-operative rate, mortality rate and discharge status were no differencebetween two groups. Conclusions: VATS decortication is safe andeffective procedure for bacterial empyema thoracic and may reduce risk ofre-intubation, wound infection, duration of ICU stays and ventilatordependence. The prospective randomized controlled trial with larger sample sizeis warranted.
Does Alcohol Cue Inhibitory Control Training Survive a Context Shift?

Inhibitory control training (ICT) is a novel psychological intervention that aims to improve inhibitory control in response to alcohol-related cues through associative learning. Laboratory studies have demonstrated reductions in alcohol consumption following ICT compared with control/sham training, but it is unclear if these effects are robust to a change of context. In a preregistered study, we examined whether the effects of ICT would survive a context shift from a neutral context to a seminaturalistic bar setting. In a mixed design, 60 heavy drinkers (40 female) were randomly allocated to receive either ICT or control/sham training in a neutral laboratory over 2 sessions. We developed a novel variation of ICT that used multiple stop signals to establish direct stimulus–stop associations. The effects of ICT/control were measured once in the same context and once following a shift to a novel (alcohol-related) context. Our dependent variables were ad libitum alcohol consumption following training, change in inhibitory control processes, and change in alcohol value. ICT did not reduce alcohol consumption in either context compared with the control group. Furthermore, we demonstrated no effects of ICT on inhibitory control processes or alcohol value. Bayesian analyses demonstrated overall support for the null hypotheses. This study failed to find any effects of ICT on alcohol consumption or candidate psychological mechanisms. These findings illustrate the difficulty in training alcohol-inhibition associations and add to a growing body of literature suggesting that ICT holds little evidential value as a psychological intervention for alcohol use disorders.