Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Inhibitory Effects of Heterotrigona Itama Honey Marinades on the Formation of Carcinogenic Heterocyclic Amines in Grilled Beef Satay

Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are carcinogenic food toxicants formed in cooked meats, which may increase the risk of cancer development in humans. Therefore, in this study, the effect of stingless bee honey from different botanical origins on the formation of HCAs in grilled beef satay was investigated. HCAs concentration in grilled beef satay was determined by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In total, six of the most toxigenic HCAs representing aminoimidazo-azaarenes (AIAs) (MeIQx, 4,8-DiMeIQx, and PhIP) and amino carbolines (norharman, harman, and AαC) groups were identified in all the beef samples investigated. A significant reduction in HCAs was observed in grilled beef marinated in honey as compared to beef samples marinated in table sugar (control), in which the reduction of 95.14%, 88.45%, 85.65%, and 57.22% was observed in gelam, starfruit, acacia, and Apis honey marinades, respectively. According to the partial least squares regression (PLS) model, the inhibition of HCAs in grilled beef was shown to be significantly correlated to the antioxidant activity (IC50) of the honey samples. Therefore, the results of this study revealed that the addition of stingless bee honey could play an important role in reducing HCAs in grilled beef.
Gender, Socioeconomic, and Health Characteristics Associated with Influenza Vaccination Coverage (VC) among Italian Healthcare Workers: Secondary Analysis of a National Cross-Sectional Survey

Influenza epidemics pose a great overload over health-care facilities with an increase in the burden of disease for patients and healthcare costs. Despite a well-established amount of research in the area, vaccination rates show room for improvement and more research is needed in finding systematic interventions useful in improving healthcare workers (HCWs) vaccination coverage (VC). The purpose of this study was to describe the self-reported frequency of influenza immunization in HCWs and to identify demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and health factors associated with this practice in Italy. Data about 5823 workers participating in the Italian national survey about health and healthcare services utilization are analyzed in the present study. Overall, 18.8% of HCWs reported being vaccinated against seasonal flu. In the multilevel regression, older workers had a higher likelihood of vaccine uptake (OR: 6.07; 95% CI 4.72–7.79), similar to those with chronic conditions or poor self-perceived health status (OR: 2.18 95% CI 1.17–4.09). On the other hand, the results highlighted a lower rate of VC in female HCWs (OR: 0.73 95% CI 0.61–0.86). Data confirm the low compliance towards flu immunization among Italian HCWs and highlight an important gap to be investigated in women.
Response to “Studies on hemostasis in COVID‐19 deserve careful reporting of the laboratory methods, their significance and their limitation”: Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater

We appreciate the opportunity to respond to the letter from Dr Hardy and colleagues (1). The authors stress on the large variability observed between different anti-Xa kits available on the market, they contest our results of thrombin generation assay (TGA) in patients with COVID-19 receiving standard- or high-dose prophylaxis and question the relevance of thromboelastography as a global haemostasis assay. We would like to bring responses to the methodological concerns raised by the authors.
Heterosis and heterobeltiosis for grain yield improvement in bread wheat.

A study was conducted at Wheat Research Institute, AARI, Faisalabad, Pakistan during 2006-08 to estimate the level of heterosis and heterobeltiosis among F1 hybrids developed from four lines and three testers in bread wheat. Genotypic mean squares for all traits studied were highly significant genetic depicting significant variability for these traits. Heterosis and heterobeltiosis were estimated for grain yield per plant, number of tillers per plant, spike length, number of spikelets per spike, 1000-grain weight and plant height in cross combinations of four lines (HI666 / PVN’S’, HUBARA’S’, Faisalabad 85 and Faisalabad 83) and three testers (PBW65/ROER/3/PB6 // MIRLOW / BUC, Faisalabad 2008 and PBW502) of bread wheat. The results exhibited significant differences among genotypes and their crosses for all traits studied. The cross “Faisalabad 83 x PBW65 / ROER / 3 / PB6 // MIRLOW / BUC depicted significant and maximum heterosis and heterobeltiosis for grain yield and most of the other traits followed by “Faisalabad 85 x PBW65 / ROER / 3 / PB6 // MIRLOW / BUC”. These crosses will be considered for finding transgressive segregants in late segregating generations to develop a wheat variety with higher grain yield potential.
Association of Medication Adherence with Hospital Utilization and Costs Among Elderly with Diabetes Enrolled in a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program

BACKGROUND: Medication adherence is crucial for the successful treatment among elderly patients with diabetes taking oral antidiabetic medications (OAMs). Cost of medications, lack of insurance coverage, and low income are major contributing factors towards medication nonadherence. State pharmaceutical assistance programs (SPAPs) provide medications at little or no cost to income-eligible patients and have potential to improve medication adherence among elderly patients. Despite this, limited research has focused on the association of medication adherence with health care utilization among elderly patients enrolled in SPAPs, and inclusion of health care costs as an outcome is even rarer. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between adherence to OAMs and hospital utilization and costs among elderly patients with diabetes who were enrolled in a SPAP. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included elderly patients with diabetes enrolled in Pennsylvania’s Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) program in 2015. Medication adherence was estimated as the proportion of days covered (PDC; adherent: PDC≥80%, nonadherent: PDC < 80%). Hospital utilization and costs were estimated using hospital discharge records from the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council. Multiple adjusted regression analyses were used to examine the association of medication adherence with hospital utilization (all-cause and diabetes-related number of inpatient hospital visits and length of stay [LOS]) and costs. RESULTS: Among 9,497 elderly PACE enrollees with diabetes, 81% were adherent, and 21% were hospitalized. Compared with adherent patients, patients who were nonadherent to OAMs had twice the odds of all-cause and diabetes-related hospitalization. Controlling for covariates, nonadherent patients had 27% more all-cause (95% CI = 9%-36%) and 21% more diabetes-related (95% CI = 5%-40%) hospital visits than adherent patients. Covariate-adjusted LOS for nonadherent patients was 24% longer than that of adherent patients for all-cause hospitalization (95% CI = 1.171-1.311) and 12.7% longer for diabetes-related hospitalization (95% CI = 1.036-1.227). Medication nonadherence was associated with significantly greater all-cause ($22,670 vs. $16,383; P < 0.0001) and diabetes-related ($13,518 vs. $12,634; P = 0.0003) hospitalization costs. CONCLUSIONS: Among SPAP-enrolled elderly patients, nonadherence to OAMs was significantly associated with increased risk of hospitalization, longer hospital stays, and greater hospitalization costs. Attention is needed to improve medication adherence among elderly receiving financial assistance to pay their prescriptions to reduce economic burden on the health care system.
Medication Adherence Trajectories: A Systematic Literature Review

BACKGROUND: Traditional adherence measures such as proportion of days covered (PDC) and medication possession ratio (MPR) are limited in their ability to explain patient medication adherence over time. Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) is a new methodological approach that visually describes the dynamics of long-term medication adherence and classifies adherence behavior into groups. OBJECTIVES: To describe and compare trajectories of medication nonadherence reported in the medical literature, including identifying consistent trends in adherence trajectories and disease and patient characteristics that predict trajectory group membership. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted in April 2020 in PubMed and CINAHL using MeSH terms and key words in appropriate combinations. Citations were screened for relevance using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and evaluated according to variables associated with group-based trajectory models. RESULTS: 21 articles met the study criteria and were reviewed. Generally, studies identified 4 to 6 trajectory groups that described longitudinal medication adherence behavior. Most commonly identified trajectories were labeled as (a) consistent, high adherence, (b) declining adherence, (c) early and consistent nonadherence, and (d) initial nonadherence followed by an increase. Several predictors, including socioeconomic status, disease characteristics, and therapy initiation were routinely associated with group membership. CONCLUSIONS: This review suggests that adherence trajectories and predictors of specific group membership may be similar across diverse disease states. GBTM describes longitudinal, dynamic patterns of medication adherence that may facilitate the development of targeted interventions to promote adherence. Implications for value-based payment systems are discussed in this review.
Morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of triple negative and basal breast carcinoma

Introduction Molecular classification of breast carcinoma offers much better characterization of breast tumours and identifies the basal subtype, which has been studied extensively because of its unique prognostic implications. Objective To identify basal breast carcinoma among triple-negative tumours [oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and Her2neu negative] by immunohistochemical expression of cytokeratin 5/6 (CK5/6) and/or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and to study their morphological characteristics. Materials and methods The study included 34 cases of breast ductal carcinoma with a triple-negative immunophenotype (ER, PR and HER2neu negative) that were received at the pathology departments of Ain Shams University Hospitals. Clinical data were retrieved from the archival files and all cases were subjected to a histopathological evaluation as well as immunohistochemical staining for CK5/6 and EGFR. Cases with focal clear cell change (six cases) as well as spindle cell change (three cases) were also stained for S100. Results Among the 34 triple-negative cases, 20 cases (58.8%) were considered of the basal subtype as they expressed CK5/6 (52.9%) and/or EGFR (52.9%). Combined positivity for both markers was found in 80% of the positive cases. The main histological subtype in the study was invasive duct carcinoma not otherwise specified, with fewer percentages of medullary, mucinous and squamous subtypes. Negative lymph node status was predominant in the entire group and particularly in the basal group. Ductal carcinoma in situ was found in 35.3% of all cases and in 40% of the cases in the basal group. The salient morphological characteristics of the entire triple-negative group as well as the basal group included pushing tumour border, geographical tumour necrosis, central scar, prominent lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, high tumour grade and sheet-like and ribbon growth patterns. Focal clear cell change as well as focal spindle cell change were also found in 30 and 15%, respectively, of the cases in the basal group. Conclusion Triple-negative and basal breast carcinoma had some common morphological criteria that were more often encountered in the basal subtype; however, they are not diagnostic for the basal phenotype, and therefore, immunohistochemical staining for CK5/6 and/or EGFR is useful for the identification of such tumours.
TOF-SIMS imaging reveals tumor heterogeneity and inflammatory response markers in the microenvironment of basal cell carcinoma.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin malignancy. In fact, it is as common as the sum of all other skin malignancies combined and the incidence is rising. In this focused and histology-guided study, tissue from a patient diagnosed with aggressive BCC was analyzed by imaging mass spectrometry in order to probe the chemistry of the complex tumor environment. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry using a (CO2)6 k + gas cluster ion beam allowed a wide range of lipid species to be detected. Their distributions were then imaged in the tissue that contained small tumor islands that were histologically classified as more/less aggressive. Maximum autocorrelation factor (MAF) analysis highlighted chemical differences between the tumors and the surrounding stroma. A closer inspection of the distribution of individual ions, selected based on the MAF loadings, showed heterogeneity in signal between different microtumors, suggesting the potential of chemically grading the aggressiveness of each individual tumor island. Sphingomyelin lipids were found to be located in stroma containing inflammatory cells.
Prediction and Analysis of SARS-CoV-2-Targeting MicroRNA in Human Lung Epithelium

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), an RNA virus, is responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020. Experimental evidence suggests that microRNA can mediate an intracellular defence mechanism against some RNA viruses. The purpose of this study was to identify microRNA with predicted binding sites in the SARS-CoV-2 genome, compare these to their microRNA expression profiles in lung epithelial tissue and make inference towards possible roles for microRNA in mitigating coronavirus infection. We hypothesize that high expression of specific coronavirus-targeting microRNA in lung epithelia may protect against infection and viral propagation, conversely, low expression may confer susceptibility to infection. We have identified 128 human microRNA with potential to target the SARS-CoV-2 genome, most of which have very low expression in lung epithelia. Six of these 128 microRNA are differentially expressed upon in vitro infection of SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, 28 microRNA also target the SARS-CoV genome while 23 microRNA target the MERS-CoV genome. We also found that a number of microRNA are commonly identified in two other studies. Further research into identifying bona fide coronavirus targeting microRNA will be useful in understanding the importance of microRNA as a cellular defence mechanism against pathogenic coronavirus infections.
Multiply robust estimation of causal quantile treatment effects

In causal inference, often the interest lies in the estimation of the average causal effect. Other quantities such as the quantile treatment effect may be of interest as well. In this article, we propose a multiply robust method for estimating the marginal quantiles of potential outcomes by achieving mean balance in (a) the propensity score, and (b) the conditional distributions of potential outcomes. An empirical likelihood or entropy measure approach can be utilized for estimation instead of inverse probability weighting, which is known to be sensitive to the misspecification of the propensity score model. Simulation studies are conducted across different scenarios of correctness in both the propensity score models and the outcome models. Both simulation results and theoretical development indicate that our proposed estimator is consistent if any of the models are correctly specified. In the data analysis, we investigate the quantile treatment effect of mothers' smoking status on infants' birthweight.
A comparison of axial trunk rotation during bipedal walking between humans and Japanese macaques.

OBJECTIVES Human walking involves out-of-phase axial rotations of the thorax and pelvis. It has long been believed that this rotational capability is a distinctive feature of the genus Homo. However, Thompson et al. (2015) showed that chimpanzees also counter-rotate their thorax relative to the pelvis during bipedal walking, which raised questions regarding the origins and development of this characteristic. In this study, we measured the axial rotation of the trunk during bipedal walking in humans and macaques to investigate if intra-trunk axial rotations are observed in non-hominoid primate species. MATERIALS AND METHODS We collected three-dimensional trunk kinematic data during bipedal walking in six humans and five Japanese macaques. The human subjects walked on a treadmill, and the animal subjects walked on a 5-m runway. During walking, the positions of cluster markers, which defined trunk segments, were recorded by multiple video cameras. Segmental xyz coordinates were digitized, and transverse rotations were calculated using motion analysis software. RESULTS Although trunk rotations in the global coordinate system were greater in macaques than in humans, the intra-trunk rotation and range of motion showed a similar pattern in the two species. CONCLUSIONS Thoracic rotation relative to the pelvis during bipedal walking is not unique to the hominid lineage but rather a characteristic generated by the mechanical requirements of bipedal walking. The fact that the range of motion of counter rotation is similar in these species infers that an optimal range of rotation exists for bipedal walking.
Prolonging Survival: The Role of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in the Treatment of Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) represents approximately 15% of lung cancers, and approximately 70% are diagnosed as extensive-stage SCLC (ES-SCLC). Although ES-SCLC is highly responsive to chemotherapy, patients typically progress rapidly, and there is an urgent need for new therapies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have recently been investigated in SCLC, and this review provides guidance on the use of these agents in ES-SCLC based on phase III evidence. METHODS Published and presented literature on phase III data addressing use of ICIs in ES-SCLC was identified using the key search terms "small cell lung cancer" AND "checkpoint inhibitors" (OR respective aliases). Directed searches of eligible studies were periodically performed to ensure capture of the most recent data. RESULTS Six phase III trials were identified, with four assessing the benefits of ICIs plus chemotherapy first-line, one evaluating ICIs as first-line therapy maintenance, and one assessing ICI monotherapy after progression on platinum-based chemotherapy. The addition of ipilimumab or tremelimumab to first-line treatment or as first-line maintenance did not improve survival. Two out of three studies combining PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy demonstrated significant long-lasting survival benefits and improved quality of life with no unexpected safety concerns. PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors as first-line maintenance or in later lines of therapy did not improve survival. Biomarker research is ongoing as well as research into the role of ICIs in combination with radiation therapy in limited-stage SCLC. CONCLUSION The addition of atezolizumab or durvalumab to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy for ES-SCLC prolongs survival and improves quality of life. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Platinum-based chemotherapy has been standard of care for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) for more than a decade. Six recent phase III trials investigating immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have clarified the role of these agents in this setting. Although ICIs were assessed first-line, as first-line maintenance, and in later lines of therapy, the additions of atezolizumab or durvalumab to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy were the only interventions that significantly improved overall survival and increased quality of life. These combinations should therefore be considered standard therapy for first-line ES-SCLC. Biomarker research and investigations into the role of ICIs for limited-stage disease are ongoing.
Pectointercostal Fascial Block (PIFB) as a Novel Technique for Postoperative Pain Management in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of pectointercostal fascial block in relieving postoperative pain in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. DESIGN Single-blinded, prospective, randomized controlled trial. SETTING Single-center tertiary care teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS A total 40 participants undergoing cardiac surgery aged 18 to 80 years. INTERVENTIONS Subjects were categorized into 2 groups of 20 each. In group 2 participants (interventional group), bilateral pectointercostal fascial block was given using ropivacaine injection 0.25% after completion of surgery, before shifting to the intensive care unit. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Postoperative pain was measured after extubation at 0, 3, 6, and 12 hours, using a numeric rating scale. Pain in group 2 was significantly less and lasted for a longer duration than in group 1. Fentanyl requirement was significantly higher in group 1 (1.06 ± 0.12 µ/kg) than in group 2 (0.82 ± 0.19 µ/kg). CONCLUSIONS Pectointercostal fascial block is an easy and efficient technique to reduce postoperative pain after cardiac surgery.
Novel Insights into the Regulatory Role of Nuclear Factor (Erythroid-Derived 2)-Like 2 in Oxidative Stress and Inflammation of Human Fetal Membranes

Fetal membrane dysfunction in response to oxidative stress (OS) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is one of the regulators of innate OS response. This study evaluated changes in Nrf2 expression and its downstream targets heme oxygenase (HO-1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in fetal membranes during OS and infection in vitro. Furthermore, we tested the roles of sulforaphane (SFN; an extract from cruciferous vegetables) and trigonelline (TRN; an aromatic compound in coffee) in regulating Nrf2 and its targets. Fetal membranes (n = 6) collected at term were placed in an organ explant system were treated with water-soluble cigarette smoke extract (CSE), an OS inducer (1:10), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 100 ng/mL). Nrf2 expression, expression, its enhancement by sulforaphane (SFN, 10 µM/mL) and down regulation by TRN (10uM/mL) was determined by western blots. Expression of Nrf2 response elements PPARγ (western) heme oxygenase (HO-1), and IL-6 were quantified by ELISA. CSE and LPS treatment of fetal membranes increased nrf2, but reduced HO-1 and PPARγ and increased IL-6. Co-treatment of SFN, but not with TRN, with CSE and LPS increased Nrf2 substantially, as well as increased HO-1 and PPARγ and reduced IL-6 expression. Risk factor-induced Nrf2 increase is insufficient to generate an antioxidant response in fetal membranes. Sulforaphane may enhance innate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity by increasing NRF-2 expression.