Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Circular RNA hsa_circ_0006168 contributes to cell proliferation, migration and invasion in esophageal cancer by regulating miR-384/RBBP7 axis via activation of S6K/S6 pathway.

OBJECTIVE Esophageal cancer (EC) ranks as the sixth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in the pathogenesis of different cancers. However, the regulatory mechanism of circ_0006168 in EC progression is still unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS The expression of circ_0006168, microRNA (miR)-384, and retinoblastoma binding protein 7 (RBBP7) in tumors and cells was measured by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The stability of circ_0006168 was analyzed after RNase R treatment. 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was conducted to evaluate cell viability. Transwell assay was applied to determine cell migration and invasion. Glucose consumption and lactate production were detected using glucose detection and lactic acid detection kits. The interaction between miR-384 and circ_0006168 or RBBP7 was certified by Dual-Luciferase reporter system. Protein expression of pyruvate kinase (PK), RBBP7, S6 ribosomal protein kinase (S6K), phosphorylated S6K (p-S6K), S6, phosphorylated S6 (p-S6) was analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS Circ_0006168 and RBBP7 were over-expressed while miR-384 was low-expressed in EC tumors and cells. The repression of circ_0006168 attenuated cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and glycolysis in EC. Of note, circ_0006168 functioned as a sponge while RBBP7 acted as a target of miR-384 in EC. Rescue experiment revealed that miR-384 inhibitor abrogated circ_0006168 silencing-induced repression on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in EC. Meanwhile, upregulation of RBBP7 restored the inhibition of miR-384 on EC cell progression. Moreover, circ_0006168 was able to improve RBBP7 level by interacting with miR-384. Also, circ_0006168 could activate S6K/S6 pathway by regulating RBBP7 expression. CONCLUSIONS Abundance of circ_0006168 contributes to cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and glycolysis in EC by competitively sponging miR-384 to facilitate RBBP7 expression, representing prospective targets for EC therapy.
Stingless bee honey reduces anxiety and improves memory of the metabolic disease-induced rats.

BACKGROUND Evidence suggested the involvement of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases through oxidative stress. Consumption of antioxidant compounds was found to be beneficial on brain-health by reducing brain oxidative stress level and improve cognitive performance in animal. Stingless bee honey or locally known as Kelulut honey (KH) exert high phenolic content and widely used as food supplement. OBJECTIVES In this study, we aim investigate the effects of KH on the brain of MetS-induced rats. METHOD Forty male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups; 8 weeks (C8) and 16 weeks control groups (C16), groups that received high carbohydrate high fructose (HCHF) diet for 8 weeks (MS8) and 16 weeks (MS16), and a group that received HCHF for 16 weeks with KH supplemented for the last 35 days (KH). RESULTS Serum fasting blood glucose decreased in the KH group compared to MS16 group. HDL levels were significantly decreased in MetS groups compared to control groups. Open field experiments showed KH group exhibits less anxious behavior compared to the MetS group. Probe trial of Morris water maze demonstrated significant memory retention of KH group compared to MS16 group. Nissl staining showed significant decrease in pyramidal hippocampal cell in the MS16 compared to KH group. CONCLUSION KH has the ability to normalise blood glucose and reduce serum triglyceride and LDL levels in MetS rats, while behavior studies complement its effect on anxiety and memory. This shows a promising role of KH in attenuating neurodegenerative diseases through the antioxidant activity of its polyphenolic content.
Protective effect of Agrimonia pilosa polysaccharides on dexamethasone‐treated MC3T3‐E1 cells via Wnt/β‐Catenin pathway

A water‐soluble polysaccharide (APP‐AW) was isolated from Agrimonia pilosa and prepared to three sulphated derivatives (S1, S2 and S3). The results showed that pre‐treatment with APP‐AW, S1, S2 and S3 each at the concentration of 50 μg/mL for 48 hours was able to prevent cytotoxicity induced by 1 μmol/L dexamethasone (Dex) in MC3T3‐E1 cells via inhibition of apoptosis, which is in line with the findings in flow cytometry analysis. Meanwhile, the decreased ALP activity, collagen content, mineralization, BMP2, Runx2, OSX and OCN protein expression in DEX‐treated MC3T3‐E1 cells were reversed by the addition of APP‐AW, S1, S2 and S3. Moreover, APP‐AW, S1, S2 and S3 rescued DEX‐induced increase of Bax, cytochrome c and caspase‐3 and decrease of Bcl‐2, Wnt3, β‐catenin and c‐Myc protein expression in MC3T3‐E1 cells. Our findings suggest that pre‐treatment with APP‐AW, S1, S2 and S3 could significantly protect MC3T3‐E1 cells against Dex‐induced cell injury via inhibiting apoptosis and activating Wnt/β‐Catenin signalling pathway, thus application of these polysaccharides may be a promising alternative strategy for steroid‐induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head (SANFH) therapy.
Diagnosis and treatment of demodicosis in dogs and cats: Clinical consensus guidelines of the World Association for Veterinary Dermatology.

BACKGROUND Demodicosis is a common disease in small animal veterinary practice worldwide with a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic options. OBJECTIVES To provide consensus recommendations on the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of demodicosis in dogs and cats. METHODS AND MATERIALS The authors served as a Guideline Panel (GP) and reviewed the literature available before December 2018. The GP prepared a detailed literature review and made recommendations on selected topics. A draft of the document was presented at the North American Veterinary Dermatology Forum in Maui, HI, USA (May 2018) and at the European Veterinary Dermatology Congress in Dubrovnik, Croatia (September 2018) and was made available via the World Wide Web to the member organizations of the World Association for Veterinary Dermatology for a period of three months. Comments were solicited and responses were incorporated into the final document. CONCLUSIONS In young dogs with generalized demodicosis, genetic and immunological factors seem to play a role in the pathogenesis and affected dogs should not be bred. In old dogs and cats, underlying immunosuppressive conditions contributing to demodicosis should be explored. Deep skin scrapings are the diagnostic gold standard for demodicosis, but trichograms and tape squeeze preparations may also be useful under certain circumstances. Amitraz, macrocyclic lactones and more recently isoxazolines have all demonstrated good efficacy in the treatment of canine demodicosis. Therapeutic selection should be guided by local drug legislation, drug availability and individual case parameters. Evidence for successful treatment of feline demodicosis is strongest for lime sulfur dips and amitraz baths.
Does retrieving a memory insulate it against memory inhibition? A retroactive interference study

ABSTRACT Several recent studies suggest that an initial retrieval attempt imbues retrieved memories with special resilience against future interference and other forgetting mechanisms. Here we report two experiments examining whether memories established through initial retrieval remain subject to retrieval-induced forgetting. Using a version of a classical retroactive interference design, we trained participants on a list of A–B pairs via anticipation – constituting a form of retrieval practice. After next training participants on interfering A–C pairs, they performed 0–12 additional A–C anticipation trials. Because these trials required retrieval of A–C pairs, they should function similarly to retrieval practice in paradigms establishing retrieval-induced forgetting. We observed robust evidence that retroactive interference generalises to final memory tests involving novel, independent memory probes. Moreover, in contrast to practising retrieval of A–C items, their extra study failed to induce cue-independent forgetting of the original B items. Together, these findings substantiate the role of retrieval-related inhibitory processes in a traditional retroactive interference design. Importantly, they indicate that an initial retrieval attempt on a competitor does not abolish retrieval-induced forgetting, at least not in the context of this classic design. Although such an attempt may protect against inhibition in some circumstances, the nature of those circumstances remains to be understood.
Reliability of diffusion tensor tractography of facial nerve in cerebello-pontine angle tumours.

AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to verify the accuracy of preoperative visualisation of the facial nerve (FN) by magnetic resonance-based (MR) diffusion tensor imaging-fibre tracking (DTI-FT) with neuronavigation system integration in patients with cerebello-pontine angle (CPA) tumours. CLINICAL RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY Complete excision with preservation of the FN remains the critical goal of today's vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery. DTI-FT of the FN with neuronavigation is yet to be fully evaluated, and could make surgery safer. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a prospective cohort study in which 38 consecutive patients with a CPA tumour (32 VSs, five meningiomas and one epidermoid cyst) were operated on via the retrosigmoid route from 2013 to 2019. The course of the FN was simulated before surgery using StealthViz and the images were transferred to the Medtronic S7 neuronavigation system. The FN location reconstructed by DTI-FT was verified during the surgery. RESULTS MR acquisition was inappropriate in three patients (7.9%). DTI-FT correctly predicted the course of the FN in 31 of the 38 patients; the discordance rate was 18.4%. The accuracy of DTI-FT was 81.6% (95% CI: 65.67-92.26), sensitivity 88.57% (95% CI: 73.26-96.80) and positive predictive value was 91.18% (95% CI: 90.17-92.09). The reliability of the neuronavigation-integrated visualisation of the FN did not depend on the tumour size (p = 0.85), but the method was more accurate when the nerve was compact in shape (p = 0.03, area under curve (AUC) 0.87, 95% CI: 0.60-1.00) and in females (p = 0.04, AUC 0.78, 95% CI: 0.56-1.00). Following surgery, 86.5% of the patients presented with useful facial function (House-Brackmann grades I-III). Correct simulation of the FN did not prevent postoperative facial palsy (p = 0.35). CONCLUSIONS The accuracy of DTI-FT of the FN integrated with neuronavigation remains unsatisfactory. This method does not provide any clinical benefit over non-integrated DTI-FT in terms of nerve function preservation. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Due to the low reliability of the predictions, further technical advances in predicting the course of the FN are awaited by clinicians. However, DTI-FT images in the operating theatre would make tumour excision more comfortable for the surgeon.
Stratification in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: precision medicine in practice

ABSTRACT Lung cancer has moved from the shadows of oncology to the forefront of drug development as it is now the cancer type for which the highest number of medicines are in development. Cancer genome testing is widely applied, and multiplexed analyses are performed because of the multitude of genetic aberrations which have targetable potential. Repeated tissue sampling is necessary to support treatment decisions upon resistance development, and liquid biopsies may prove valuable. All patients with adenocarcinoma or adenosquamous histology, as well as never-smokers of all histologies, should be tested for EGFR- and ALK-aberrations. KRAS-positivity may indicate the absence of other driver mutations and could be part of the initial diagnostic work-up in settings where multiplexed analyses are not yet available. Clinical trials with therapies targeting rare aberrations are abundant, and as many patients as possible should be offered therapy based on broad-spectrum cancer genome diagnostics.
Knockout of LASP1 in CXCR4 expressing CML cells promotes cell persistence, proliferation and TKI resistance

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative stem cell disorder characterized by the constitutively active BCR‐ABL tyrosine kinase. The LIM and SH3 domain protein 1 (LASP1) has recently been identified as a novel BCR‐ABL substrate and is associated with proliferation, migration, tumorigenesis and chemoresistance in several cancers. Furthermore, LASP1 was shown to bind to the chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), thought to be involved in mechanisms of relapse. In order to identify potential LASP1‐mediated pathways and related factors that may help to further eradicate minimal residual disease (MRD), the effect of LASP1 on processes involved in progression and maintenance of CML was investigated. The present data indicate that not only overexpression of CXCR4, but also knockout of LASP1 contributes to proliferation, reduced apoptosis and migration as well as increased adhesive potential of K562 CML cells. Furthermore, LASP1 depletion in K562 CML cells leads to decreased cytokine release and reduced NK cell‐mediated cytotoxicity towards CML cells. Taken together, these results indicate that in CML, reduced levels of LASP1 alone and in combination with high CXCR4 expression may contribute to TKI resistance.
Barriers to and Facilitators of Nurses’ Political Participation in Ghana

All aspects of nursing practice are regulated by politics and affected by changes in public policy. For that reason, nurses need to be active in the political process through which they may influence public policies on health. However, nurses’ participation in political activities in many countries is either low or moderate at best. Studies that explore political participation among nurses are rare in Africa. We conducted this study to identify factors that may enhance or hinder nurses’ political participation. Through a cross-sectional survey, we collected data from 225 registered nurses sampled from three hospitals and two nursing training schools in Tamale, Ghana, using a structured questionnaire. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics and correlations. The most frequently reported barriers to political participation were having little free time, lack of trust in politicians, fear of conflict/confrontation, lack of educational preparation, and lack of access to the right connections. The major facilitators of political participation were identified as availability of free time and money, civic skills, personal interest in politics, self-belief and confidence, and a strong party affiliation. These findings call for integration of political content into the nursing education curriculum and for professional nursing organizations to create opportunities for their members to learn about the political process.
Preliminary Results of the Indigo/Penumbra System in the Treatment of Acute Arterial Lower Limb Occlusions

Background To ascertain the safety and mid-term outcomes of Rotarex®S rotational atherectomy plus thrombectomy device (Straub Medical AG, Wangs, Switzerland) with or without adjunctive treatment (e.g., percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, PTA/drug-coated balloon, DCB/stenting) in patients with in-stent restenosis (ISR) or occlusion in the iliac and/or infrainguinal arteries. Methods French multicenter retrospective study of all patients treated by in-stent percutaneous mechanical debulking (PMD) of the lower limbs with Rotarex®S device between January 2013 and November 2018. Results The cohort consisted of 128 patients (88 men and 40 women), aged 39-94 years (mean, 66.7±12 years). All patients presented with cardio-vascular risk factors. Overall, 51.5% of patients had critical limb ischemia. The study demonstrated a technical success of 96.9% in the population with PMD and adjunctive PTA (95/128, 74.2%) or adjunctive DCB (16/128, 12.5%) or both (13/128, 10.2%). At 12-months follow-up, the primary clinical success/patency rate was 92.3% and the secondary clinical success/patency rate was 91.4%. Rate of limb salvage was 93.7%. Overall 32 (25%) reinterventions were reported with mean time from Rotarex®S treatment to reintervention of 7.1±8.2 months. Target lesion revascularization (TLR) was 19.5% (25/128). Seven (5.5%) patients developed distal embolism that responded to endovascular treatment. At mean follow-up, major adverse events (MAE) observed were death (18/128, 14.1%), myocardial infarction (MI) (9/128, 7.0%), stroke (2/128, 1.6%) and renal failure (3/128, 2.3%). Conclusions Recanalization with Rotarex®S rotational atherectomy plus thrombectomy device is a practical choice for arterial ISR/occlusions of the iliac and/or infrainguinal arteries, regardless of the age of the thrombus, with satisfying TLR. Only adjunctive PTA is often necessary to further improve the recanalization.
Application of the microRNA‐302/367 cluster in cancer therapy

As a novel class of noncoding RNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) can effectively silence their target genes at the posttranscriptional level. Various biological processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and motility, are regulated by miRNAs. In different diseases and different stages of disease, miRNAs have various expression patterns, which makes them candidate prognostic markers and therapeutic targets. Abnormal miRNA expression has been detected in numerous neoplastic diseases in humans, which indicates the potential role of miRNAs in tumorigenesis. Previous studies have indicated that miRNAs are involved in nearly the entire process of tumor development. MicroRNA‐302a, miR‐302b, miR‐302c, miR‐302d, and miR‐367 are members of the miR‐302/367 cluster that plays various biological roles in diverse neoplastic diseases by targeting different genes. These miRNAs have been implicated in several unique characteristics of cancer, including the evasion of growth suppressors, the sustained activation of proliferative signaling, the evasion of cell death and senescence, and the regulation of angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. This review provides a critical overview of miR‐302/367 cluster dysregulation and the subsequent effects in cancer and highlights the vast potential of members of this cluster as therapeutic targets and novel biomarkers.
Risk factors and outcomes associated with anastomotic leaks following esophagectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Anastomotic leaks (AL) are a major complication after esophagectomy. This meta-analysis aimed to determine identify risks factors for AL (preoperative, intra-operative, and post-operative factors) and assess the consequences to outcome on patients who developed an AL. This systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines, and eligible studies were identified through a search of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases up to 31 December 2018. A meta-analysis was conducted with the use of random-effects modeling and prospectively registered with the PROSPERO database (Registration CRD42018130732). This review identified 174 studies reporting outcomes of 74,226 patients undergoing esophagectomy. The overall pooled AL rates were 11%, ranging from 0 to 49% in individual studies. Majority of studies were from Asia (n = 79). In pooled analyses, 23 factors were associated with AL (17 preoperative and six intraoperative). AL were associated with adverse outcomes including pulmonary (OR: 4.54, CI95%: 2.99-6.89, P < 0.001) and cardiac complications (OR: 2.44, CI95%: 1.77-3.37, P < 0.001), prolonged hospital stay (mean difference: 15 days, CI95%: 10-21 days, P < 0.001), and in-hospital mortality (OR: 5.91, CI95%: 1.41-24.79, P = 0.015). AL are a major complication following esophagectomy accounting for major morbidity and mortality. This meta-analysis identified modifiable risk factors for AL, which can be a target for interventions to reduce AL rates. Furthermore, identification of both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors will facilitate risk stratification and prediction of AL enabling better perioperative planning, patient counseling, and informed consent.
Development of vertical and forward jumping skills in typically developing children in the context of referent control of motor actions.

The empirically based referent control theory of motor actions provides a new framework for understanding locomotor maturation. Mature movement patterns of referent control are characterized by periods of minimization of activity across multiple muscles (global electromyographic [EMG] minima) resulting from transient matching between actual and referent body configurations. We identified whether locomotor maturation in young children was associated with (a) development of referent control and (b) children's frequency of participation in everyday activities evaluated by parents. Kinematics and EMG activity were recorded from typically developing children (n = 15, 3-5 years) and young adults (n = 10, 18-25 years) while walking, vertical or forward jumping. Presence and location of global EMG minima in movement cycles, slopes of ankle vertical/sagittal displacements, and shoulder displacement ratios were evaluated. Children had fewer global EMG minima compared to adults during specific phases of vertical and forward jumps. Ankle displacement profiles for walking and jumping forward were related to each other in adults, whereas those for walking and vertical jumping were related in children. Higher frequency of participation was significantly correlated with more mature jumping patterns in children. A decrease in the number of global EMG minima and changes in ankle movement patterns could be indicators of locomotor immaturity in typically developing children.
Twitching motility of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia under iron limitation: In-silico, phenotypic and proteomic approaches

ABSTRACT This study investigates the twitching ability of 28 clinical and five environmental strains of S. maltophilia grown under iron-depleted condition through in-silico, phenotypic and proteomics approaches. Rapid Annotations using Subsystem Technology (RAST) analysis revealed the presence of 21 targets of type IV pilus shared across S. maltophilia strains K279a, R551-3, D457 and JV3. The macroscopic twitching assay showed that only clinical isolates produced a zone of twitching with a mean of 22.00 mm under normal and 25.00 mm under iron-depleted conditions. (p = 0.002). Environmental isolates did not show any significant twitching activity in both conditions tested. Isobaric Tags for Relative and Absolute Quantification (ITRAQ) analysis showed altered expression of twitching motility protein PilT (99.08-fold change), flagellar biosynthesis protein FliC (20.14-fold change), and fimbrial protein (0.70-fold change) in response to iron-depleted condition. Most of the strains that have the ability to twitch under the normal condition, exhibit enhanced twitching during iron limitation.
Intramuscular pathway and fascicular characteristics of the segmental intercostal innervation to rectus abdominis

Rectus abdominis is a muscle that is commonly used clinically as a muscle flap, especially in reconstructive surgery. Its intramuscular innervation, however, has rarely been examined in detail or accurately mapped. The purpose of this study was to use biopsied, histological specimens complemented with a staining technique to investigate intramuscular nerve connections and distribution of the rectus abdominis.