Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation Of The Causes Of Blindness In Patients Admitted To The Health Board Of A Hospital Servicing Souteastern Anatolia

Objective: We aimed to reveal the causes of blindness in patients who applied to a health board of our hospital which provides service to a socioeconomically depressed region. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 314 patients who were blind in at least one eye were recorded among 2214 patients who were referred to our hospital's health board between February 2016 and January 2018 for evaluation by the health board to receive a disability report from our hospital. Results: In this study, we determined that 185 (58.9%) patients were female, 129 (41.1%) patients were male and the mean patient age was 70.84 ± 19.15 years. The most common causes of blindness were cataract seen in 104 (33.1%) patients, phthisis eyes in 53 (16.9%) patients, optic atrophy in 40 (12.7%) patients, corneal opacities in 35 (11.1%) patients and diabetic retinopathy in 20 (6.4%) patients. Conclusions: Both in our study and in other studies conducted in our region, preventable blindness such as cataract, phthisis and corneal opacity have been detected at high rates. Therefore we believe that more awareness and effort may be needed to reduce such preventable blindness in our region.
Supplementation of exogenous enzymes and organic acid in broiler diets.

Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of enzyme activity in the presence of organic acid in broiler fed low energy diet. Materials and Methods: A total of 240 day-old Hubbard broiler chicks were reared in 8 groups with 3 replicates per group, comprising 10 birds in each replicate. The dietary treatment groups comprised of basal diet A (positive control, 2730 kcal/kg), low energy diet B (negative control, 2630 kcal/kg), diet C containing low energy diet plus 0.25 g/kg enzyme, diet D containing low energy diet plus 0.5 mg/kg enzyme, diet E containing low energy diet plus 0.5% citric acid, diet F containing low energy diet plus 1.5% citric acid, diet G containing low energy diet plus 0.25 g/kg enzyme plus 0.5% citric acid and diet H having low energy diet plus 0.5 g/kg enzyme plus 1.5% citric acid were offered to different groups of broiler. Results: Results showed improved weight gain througho-ut the experiment (P<0.05) in groups D, G and H groups as compared to B while non-significant (P>0.05) as compared to A. Feed consumption was reduced (P<0.05) in all groups as compared to B while D and G was equal to A in feed consumption (P>0.05). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed better (P<0.05) in D and H while M.E was non-significant (P>0.05) in all groups. Blood glucose level was observed higher (P<0.05) in D, G and H. Conclusion: It may be stated that enzyme supplementation improves performance in broiler fed low energy diet while organic acid supplementation in low caloric diet has no pronounced effect on performance.
Investigating TDP43 biological dysfunction through the characterisation of Tardbp ENU mouse mutants: implications for neurodegeneration

TDP43 is a highly conserved ubiquitously expressed protein which performs multiple roles in RNA metabolism, including regulation of gene expression, pre-mRNA splicing and the regulation of micro-RNA biogenesis. It belongs to the hnRNP family and interacts extensively with other proteins and RNA to perform its known biological functions and, analogously to other proteins from the same family, is proposed to autoregulate its own protein levels. TDP43 biological dysfunction plays a pivotal role in the aetiology and pathophysiology of ALS and FTLD-TDP given that abnormally cleaved mislocalised fragments of TDP43, which are polyubiquitinated and hyperphosphorylated, constitute histopathological hallmarks of these diseases. Moreover, mutations in TARDBP (the gene encoding TDP43), most of which located in exon 6 that encodes the Glycine-rich C-terminal of the protein, are causative of ALS and FTLD-TDP. Additionally, widespread dysfunction in RNA metabolism involving TDP43 target genes is found in tissue samples from patients who suffered from these two neurodegenerative diseases. Mechanistic dissection between TDP43 dysfunction and downstream neurodegeneration has remained elusive given that both over-expressor cellular and mouse models and conditional deletion or knockdown models have been shown to develop behavioural dysfunction and, in some cases, neurodegeneration with associated dysfunction in RNA metabolism. In this thesis a reverse genetics approach was taken and two Tardbp ENU mutant mouse models were characterised, Tardbp F210I (mutation in the RRM2 of TDP43) and Tardbp M323K (mutation in the C-terminal domain of TDP43). Strikingly, both mutants showed significant phenotypes in TDP43-dependent splicing, with the F210I mutation leading to a “loss of normal splicing function” and the M323K mutation an “augmented alternative exon selection” leading to a splicing phenotype opposite to the observed as a consequence of the “loss of normal splicing function” caused by the F210I protein at the genome-wide level. Full behavioural characterisation of heterozygous mice for these two ENU mutations did not identify any phenotypes associated with neurodegeneration, but preliminary data suggests that homozygous mice for the M323K mutation may suffer from synaptic dysfunction. Therefore, despite developing genome-wide splicing changes as a consequence of TDP43 biological dysfunction, neither of the mutant mouse lines developed neurodegeneration. In conclusion, the characterisation of Tardbp ENU mouse mutants has revealed that TDP43 dysfunction leading to “loss of normal splicing function” or “augmented alternative exon selection” is not sufficient to cause, on its own, neurodegeneration in the laboratory mouse within its normal lifespan.
Molecular Systematics and Biogeography of the Southeast Asian Genus Caryota (Palmae)

Restriction site variation of chloroplast DNA was analyzed in nine of the eleven currently recognized species of Caryota. Phylogenetic relationships were estimated and used to examine biogeographic patterns in the genus. Analysis of 49 populations of Caryota and six species from the putative outgroup genera Arenga and Wallichia demonstrated low levels of inter- and intraspecific variation as seen in other groups of palms and long-lived perennials. A total of 796 restriction sites representing 4,752 bp (ca. 4.0%) of the chloroplast genome was detected with 75 sites (9.4% of the total) showing phylogenetically informative variation. Phylogenetic analysis identified three main clades, each with one widespread variable species and one or more geographically restricted species. Hybridization was suggested as a probable explanation for patterns of variation detected in several instances of species sympatry. Biogeographic patterns among the three principal clades are largely congruent with Wallace's 1910 Line or Huxley's Line. The Maxima clade consists of three species restricted to the west of Huxley's Line. The Mitis clade consists of two species found west Huxley's Line and on the island of Sulawesi. The Rumphiana clade includes four species distributed, with one exception, to the east of Huxley's Line and on the border islands of Borneo and Palawan. The economically important C urens, the errant member of the Rumphiana clade, has a distribution disjunct to India and Sri Lanka, possibly a reflection of early human introduction, cultivation, and subsequent natural dispersal into local forests.
Cold smoking of Lebranche mullet (Mugil liza): Physicochemical, sensory, and microbiological evaluation

The suitability of Mugil liza for cold smoking was evaluated and the effect of four different salting treatments on physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics was assessed. The addition of sucrose (3%) and acetic acid (0.5%) to the brine lead to fillet dehydration with lower NaCl penetration, combined with higher reduction of pH. Brining at refrigerated temperature (5 ± 1 ℃) instead of room temperature (16 ± 2 ℃) was more effective in preventing microbial growth. Loads of bacterial groups assessed in all smoked samples were below 100 CFU/g and the aw, moisture, NaCl, and pH values achieved were within the typical stability range of smoked fish products. The obtained products were characterized by the smoked aroma and salty taste, differing in 7 of the 21 evaluated descriptors. The use of acetic acid in brine formulation showed an effect over color and texture descriptors. The affective test indicated the overall acceptability of products, being preferred the samples treated in the lowest NaCl concentration (5%).
Estimation of Salivary 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as a Potential Biomarker in Assessing Progression towards Malignancy: A Case-Control Study

Objective: Squamous Cell Carcinoma is almost always preceded by potentially malignant disorders in the oral cavity before malignant transformation. Characterization of 8-OHdG from the saliva offers a relatively non-invasive, simple and efficient methodology for monitoring oxidative stress in subjects of Premalignant oral disorders (PMOD) and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). Hence the aim of the current study is to estimate the levels of salivary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as a potential DNA Damage Biomarker in OSMF and OSCC patients in comparison to healthy individuals to assess disease progression from potentially malignant oral disorder to frank malignancy. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among 90 patients [Oral Squamous cell carcinoma (n=30) and Oral Submucous Fibrosis (n=30) and healthy gender and age matched controls (n=30)]. 4ml of unstimulated saliva was collected from each of the subjects and was subjected to Sandwich ELISA for the quantification of salivary 8-OHdG. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA, and p value was set at ≤0.05. Results: The mean age of OSCC patients were 56.8±11.8 years. Smoking was the most prevalent adverse habit among this group (66.6%) followed by Smokeless tobacco chewers (40%). The mean age of OSMF patients was 46.2± 9.8 years. Smokeless tobacco was the most predominant habit among the OSMF patients (83.33%) followed by smoking (33.33%). The mean OHdG levels among the controls was 6.59±1.47 (ng/dl) and almost doubled in patients of OSMF 13.89±1.96(ng/dL) and further raised in OSCC patients 19.96 ± 2.11 (ng/dL). These levels showed a highly significant difference (p <0.0001) in mean on comparison by using one-way ANOVA. Pearson correlation between the groups were also statistically significant (p=0.000). Conclusion: There were significant differences in the concentration of salivary 8-OHdG between healthy controls, OSMF, and OSCC patients. Hence, 8-OHdG can be used as a novel biomarker of DNA damage to assess disease progression.
Renal involvement in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA): a multicentric retrospective study of 63 biopsy-proven cases.

OBJECTIVE Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a systemic small-vessel vasculitis characterized by asthma, hypereosinophilia and ANCA positivity in 40% of patients. Renal involvement is rare and poorly described, leading to this renal biopsy-proven based study in a large EGPA cohort. METHODS We conducted a retrospective multicentre study including patients fulfilling the 1990 ACR criteria and/or the 2012 revised Chapel Hill Consensus Conference criteria for EGPA and/or the modified criteria of the MIRRA trial, with biopsy-proven nephropathy. RESULTS Sixty-three patients [27 women, median age 60 years (18-83)] were included. Renal disease was present at vasculitis diagnosis in 54 patients (86%). ANCA were positive in 53 cases (84%) with anti-MPO specificity in 44 (83%). All patients had late-onset asthma. Peripheral neuropathy was present in 29 cases (46%), alveolar haemorrhage in 10 (16%). The most common renal presentation was acute renal failure (75%). Renal biopsy revealed pauci-immune necrotizing GN in 49 cases (78%). Membranous nephropathy (10%) and membranoproliferative GN (3%) were mostly observed in ANCA-negative patients. Pure acute interstitial nephritis was found in six cases (10%); important interstitial inflammation was observed in 28 (44%). All patients received steroids with adjunctive immunosuppression in 54 cases (86%). After a median follow-up of 51 months (1-296), 58 patients (92%) were alive, nine (14%) were on chronic dialysis and two (3%) had undergone kidney transplantation. CONCLUSION Necrotizing pauci-immune GN is the most common renal presentation in ANCA-positive EGPA. ANCA-negative patients had frequent atypical renal presentation with other glomerulopathies such as membranous nephropathy. An important eosinophilic interstitial infiltration was observed in almost 50% of cases.
Front-Line Maintenance Therapy in Advanced Ovarian Cancer—Current Advances and Perspectives

Ovarian tumor is the gynecological cancer associated with the highest mortality. Most diseases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, which impairs the chances of prolonged complete remission. The standard front-line treatment of advanced stages combines surgery in an expert center with platinum-based chemotherapy. Most patients experience a relapse in the years following the initial treatment. During the last decade, anti-angiogenic agents used in the maintenance setting improved progression free survival (PFS) over chemotherapy alone. More recently, PARP inhibitors demonstrated substantial efficacy, mainly in patients with germinal or somatic BRCA mutations or other homologous recombination deficiencies (HRD), all involved in double strand DNA Damage Repair (DDR). Other therapeutic paradigms are currently being explored, including combinations of immune-checkpoints inhibitors, chemotherapy, bevacizumab and PARP inhibitors. In addition to these clinical advances, molecular characterization of the tumors and their correlations with drugs efficacy are needed to better understand which patient will benefit the most from the various treatments available to date.
Patient demographic and psychosocial characteristics associated with 30‐day recall of self‐reported lower urinary tract symptoms

Measurement of self‐reported lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) typically uses a recall period, for example, “In the past 30 days…. ” Compared to averaged daily reports, 30‐day recall is generally unbiased, but recall bias varies by item. We examined the associations between personal characteristics (eg, age, symptom bother) and 30‐day recall of LUTS using items from the Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network Comprehensive Assessment of Self‐reported Urinary Symptoms questionnaire.
Longitudinal functional brain network reconfiguration in healthy aging

Healthy aging is associated with changes in cognitive performance and functional brain organization. In fact, cross‐sectional studies imply lower modularity and significant heterogeneity in modular architecture across older subjects. Here, we used a longitudinal dataset consisting of four occasions of resting‐state‐fMRI and cognitive testing (spanning 4 years) in 150 healthy older adults. We applied a graph‐theoretic analysis to investigate the time‐evolving modular structure of the whole‐brain network, by maximizing the multilayer modularity across four time points. Global flexibility, which reflects the tendency of brain nodes to switch between modules across time, was significantly higher in healthy elderly than in a temporal null model. Further, global flexibility, as well as network‐specific flexibility of the default mode, frontoparietal control, and somatomotor networks, were significantly associated with age at baseline. These results indicate that older age is related to higher variability in modular organization. The temporal metrics were not associated with simultaneous changes in processing speed or learning performance in the context of memory encoding. Finally, this approach provides global indices for longitudinal change across a given time span and it may contribute to uncovering patterns of modular variability in healthy and clinical aging populations.
Standard Metabolic Level and Insulative Characteristics of Eastern House Finches, Carpodacus mexicanus (Müller)

Following the release of house finches from southern California (CA) on Long Island, New York, in 1940, the species has become established in eastern North America, including Michigan (MI) and Ohio (OH), despite cold winters. Standard metabolic rates (SMRs) of MI-OH birds, like those of house finches from Colorado (CO) and CA, do not differ significantly between winter and late spring Geographical comparisons are more complex. Standard metabolic rate does not vary significantly among the three populations during late spring Additionally, the winter value for the MI-OH house finches resembles that for CO birds. However, SMR for individuals in these two populations significantly exceeds that for the CA birds, suggesting some linkage between severity of winter climate and metabolic level Analysis of thermal conductance (c) for MI-OH house finches indicates a significantly higher insulation value in winter than in late spring, a circumstance we ascribe to more worn plumage in the latter season. Winter values of c for MI-OH house finches and CA birds are similar. This finding and some previous findings on winter acclimatization in house finches from several localities suggest that geographic variation in their cold response results primarily from metabolic rather than insulative adjustments.
Risk of Acute Cerebrovascular Events in Patients with COVID-19 Infection

Neurologic symptoms are reported in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with a higher prevalence in more severe cases; these symptoms can include altered mental status, dizziness, headache, and anosmia. [1][1] Coagulopathy and vascular endothelial injury in COVID-19 infection are also
Results of the first pilot external quality assessment (EQA) scheme for anti-SARS-CoV2-antibody testing

Abstract Objectives Assessment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection prevalence and immunity is cornerstones in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. For pandemic control, reliable assays for the detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are required. This pilot external quality assessment (EQA) scheme aimed to independently assess the participants’ clinical performance of anti-SARS-CoV-2 testing, to identify shortcomings in clinical practice and to evaluate the suitability of the scheme format. Methods The EQA scheme consisted of eight serum samples with variable reactivity against SARS-CoV-2 intended for the analysis of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgA, and IgM antibodies. Laboratories reported: (1) results for each sample and the respective method, (2) raw data from replicate testing of each sample. Results The 16 selected pilot EQA participants reported 294 interpreted results and 796 raw data results from replicate testing. The overall error rate for the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG, IgA, and IgM tests was 2.7, 6.9, and 16.7%, respectively. While the overall diagnostic specificity was rated as very high, sensitivity rates between 67 and 98% indicate considerable quality differences between the manufacturers, especially for IgA and IgM. Conclusions Even the results reported by the small number of participants indicate a very heterogeneous landscape of anti-SARS-CoV-2 serological testing. Differences of available tests and the individual performance of laboratories result in a success rate of 57.1% with one laboratory succeeding for all three antibody-classes. These results are an incentive for laboratories to participate in upcoming open EQA schemes that are needed to achieve a harmonization of test results and to improve serological testing.
Antioxidant Apigenin Relieves Age-Related Muscle Atrophy by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Hyperactive Mitophagy and Apoptosis in Skeletal Muscle of Mice

Abstract Skeletal muscle atrophy in the aged causes loss in muscle mass and functions. Naturally occurring antioxidant flavonoid apigenin is able to ameliorate obesity- and denervation-induced muscle atrophies, but its effects on age-related muscle atrophy remain unknown. We hypothesized that apigenin can relieve muscle atrophy in aged mice, probably through special effects on reactive oxygen species and enzymes with antioxidant functions. For the male mice of the study, apigenin showed significant dose-dependent effects in relieving aging-related muscle atrophy according to results of frailty index as indicator of frailty associated with aging, grip strength, and running distance. Apigenin also improved myofiber size and morphological features and increased mitochondria number and volume, as manifested by succinate dehydrogenase staining and transmission electron microscopy. Our tests also suggested that apigenin promoted activities of enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase for antioxidation and those for aerobic respiration such as mitochondrial respiratory enzyme complexes I, II, and IV, increased ATP, and enhanced expression of genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α, mitochondrial transcription factor A, nuclear respiratory factor-1, and ATP5B involved in mitochondrial biogenesis. The data also suggested that apigenin inhibited Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B 19kD-interacting protein 3 and DNA fragmentation as indicators of mitophagy and apoptosis in aged mice with skeletal muscle atrophy. Together, the results suggest that apigenin relieves age-related skeletal muscle atrophy through reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting hyperactive autophagy and apoptosis.
Perception of Affordances for Vertical and Horizontal Jumping in Children: Gymnasts Versus Non-Athletes

ABSTRACT Purpose: We investigated the perception of affordances for vertical jumping-and-reaching and horizontal jumping by children. Method: In the horizontal task, children were asked to judge their ability in the standing long jump. In the vertical task, children were asked to judge the height of a ball that they could run to, jump up, and reach with their fingertips. Following judgments, children performed both types of jumps. We compared gymnasts (children with at least 2 years of gymnastics training; 7.92 ± 0.91 years) versus children with no competitive athletic experience (7.74 ± 0.86 years). Results: As expected, actual ability was greater in gymnasts than in non-athletes, for both types of jump (each p < .001). We separately analyzed Constant Error and Absolute Error of judgments (relative to actual performance). Results revealed that gymnasts tended toward underestimation, while non-athletes tended toward overestimation. Absolute error differed between tasks for the non-athletes (p < .001), but for the gymnasts the difference between conditions was not significant (p = .25). Absolute error differed between groups for vertical jump-and-reach (p < .01) but not for horizonal jump (p = .17). Conclusions: Gymnastics experience was associated with a generalized tendency for children to underestimate their jumping ability. In addition, gymnastics experience was associated with judgment accuracy that was consistent across tasks. The results reveal that gymnastics training is associated with changes in athletic ability, but also with changes in the perception of affordances.