Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gender Differences of Dementia in Response to Intensive Self-Administered Transcranial and Intraocular Near-Infrared Stimulation

Background Transcranial near-infrared (tNIR) stimulation was proven to be a safe, reliable, and effective treatment for cognitive and behavioral symptoms of dementia. Dementia patients of different genders differ in terms of gross anatomy, biochemistry, genetic profile, clinical presentations, and socio-psychological status. Studies of the tNIR effect on dementia have thus far been gender-neutral, with dementia subjects being grouped based on diagnoses or dementia severity. This trial hereby investigated how dementia subjects of different sex respond to tNIR treatment. Methods A total of 60 patient-caregiver dyads were enrolled and randomized to this double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial. The tNIR light has a wavelength of 1,060 nm to 1,080 nm and was delivered via a photobiomodulation (PBM) unit. The active PBM unit emits near-infrared (NIR) light while the sham unit does not. The treatment consists of a six-minute tNIR light stimulation session twice daily for eight weeks. Neuropsychological assessments conducted at baseline (week 0) and endline (week 8) were compared within the female and male group and between different sex, respectively. Results Over the course of treatment, active-arm female subjects had a 20.2% improvement in Mini‐Mental State Exam (MMSE) (mean 4.8 points increase, p < 0.001) and active-arm male cohort had 19.3% improvement (p < 0.001). Control-arm female subjects had a 6.5% improvement in MMSE (mean 1.5 points increase, p < 0.03) and control-arm male subjects had 5.9% improvement (p = 0.35) with no significant differences in the mean MMSE between female and male subjects in both arms respectively. Other comparison of assessments including Clock Copying and Drawing Test, Logical Memory Test - immediate and delayed recall yielded nominal but not statistically significant differences. No significant differences were observed in the mean MMSE between female and male subjects in both arms respectively before treatment implementation (active arm, p = 0.12; control arm, p = 0.50) at week 0, or after treatment completion (active arm, p = 0.11; control arm, p = 0.74) at week 8. Conclusion Despite differences between female and male dementia subjects, the response to tNIR light stimulation does not demonstrate gender-based differences. Further studies are warranted to refine the tNIR treatment protocol for subjects suffering from dementia or dementia-related symptoms.
Phenotypic and Genotypic Characteristics of Biofilm Formation in Clinical Isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii

Background Acinetobacter baumannii is an important pathogen in clinical infections, and biofilm formation is an effective way for A. baumannii to survive under external pressures. In this study, the aims were to examine the antimicrobial resistance, biofilm formation, and biofilm-specific resistance in clinical isolates of A. baumannii. Materials and Methods A total of 104 clinical A. baumannii isolates were collected from a large teaching hospital in Southwest China. The antibiotics susceptibilities were tested, and biofilm-forming ability was evaluated by crystal violet staining by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC), and minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) of ciprofloxacin, meropenem, and ceftazidime were tested on selected strains by broth microdilution method. Biofilm-associated genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and expression of genes at planktonic stage and biofilm stage were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Results Multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates accounted for 65.4%, but no strain was resistant to tigecycline and polymyxin B. Moreover, non-MDR strains tended to form stronger biofilms than MDR strains, and a negative correlation between biofilm-forming ability and resistance profiles to each of tested antimicrobials were observed. The MBECs and MBICs of ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, and meropenem were evidently increased compared with MICs and MBCs among all tested strains. Additionally, the biofilm formation ability of the csuD-positive strains was stronger than that of the csuD-negative strains. The strains in MDR group had higher carrying rate of csuA and csuD genes than non-MDR group, while non-MDR strains possessed more ompA gene than MDR group. Finally, abaI gene was significantly up-regulated after biofilm formation. Conclusion These results revealed valuable data for the negative correlation between antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation, as well as phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of biofilm formation in A. baumannii.
Predicational ability of phase angle on protein energy wasting in kidney disease patients with renal replacement therapy: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract Objective To investigate the ability of phase angle (PA) and body composition for predicting protein energy wasting (PEW) in renal replacement therapy (RRT) patients. Methods Renal replacement therapy (RRT) patients were enrolled in this study. Body composition was measured by direct segmental multi‐frequency biolectrical impedance analysis method (DSM‐BIA); phase angle (PA), fat‐free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), mid‐arm circumference (MAC), WC (waist circumference), and ECW/TBW (extracellular water/total body water) were obtained. Biochemicals (serum albumin, triglyceride, and cholesterol) were tested. PEW patients were classified according to ISRNM (The International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism) criteria. Cutoff value of PA and related variables was calculated by ROC analysis. The ability of body composition variables as indicators to predict PEW was evaluated. Results Sixty‐four patients were enrolled in this study. Thirty‐three patients (52.6%) were males, and forty (62.5%) patients were diagnosed with PEW. The ROC curve showed that the optimal cutoff values of PA, FFMI (fat‐free mass index), MAC, WC, and BMI for PEW risk were 4.45°, 16.71, 29.7 cm, 86.4 cm, and 21.1 kg/m2, respectively. These indicators showed significant association with PEW; meanwhile, the PA and MAC can be used as the predictors for PEW with OR 6.333 (95% CI, 1.956–20.505) and 3.267 (95% CI, 1.136–9.394), respectively. Both groups have a lower BUN/Cr ratio (<20). Conclusion In the RRT patients, over than 60% patients were diagnosed with PEW. PA, MAC, and other body composition can be used as the independent indicators for predicting PEW in renal replacement therapy kidney disease patients.
Assessment of Variation in Care Following Hospital Discharge for Children with Acute Asthma

Purpose To evaluate potential variation in care management pathways following hospital discharge for children with asthma in New South Wales, Australia. Methods A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted in emergency departments (EDs) and paediatric units of public hospitals with more than five paediatric beds within New South Wales, Australia, between July 2018 and March 2019. Nursing and medical staff in EDs and paediatric units who had cared for children aged under 18 years with asthma in the preceding 12 months were invited to participate in this study. Outcome measures included use of clinical practice guidelines and asthma action plan (AAP); advice on post-hospitalization follow-up; provision of asthma education for parents/carers; availability of community-based asthma services; communication with schools/childcare services. Results A total of 502 participants (236 nursing and 266 medical staff, response rate=22%) from 37 hospitals were included. Overall, the use of AAP was not universal (median=90%; IQR=81–96%) with significant difference across local health districts (LHDs) (88.6%, 95% CI=85.4–91.3) and between EDs and paediatric wards (p=9.4×10−9); and a range of asthma clinical practice guidelines were used. Post-hospitalization follow-up within 2–3 days was recommended by 70% of the respondents, but only 8% reported that hospitals had a system in place to ensure follow-up compliance. Formal asthma education sessions (27% respondents) were seldom provided to parents/carers during hospital stays, especially in EDs (14% respondents). Less than 50% of the respondents were aware of any asthma community services for children and only 4% reported that schools/childcare services were notified about the child’s hospital admission for an asthma flare up. Conclusion There are marked variations in the post-hospitalization asthma care and community management for children in NSW. An integrated standardized model of care may improve health outcomes in children with asthma.
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and Cardiovascular Mortality in US Adults: A NHANES 2005–2008 Follow-Up Study

Purpose Excessive daytime sleepiness is highly prevalent and has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, but evidence for its association with cardiovascular mortality is limited and inconsistent. We aimed to determine whether excessive daytime sleepiness is independently associated with cardiovascular mortality in general adult population. Patients and Methods A prospective study of 10,330 adult participants (aged ≥20 years) from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2006 and 2007–2008 was followed up until December 31st, 2015. Excessive daytime sleepiness was defined as the self-reported feeling of being overly sleepy often or always during the day. Cox proportional hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated to assess risk for cardiovascular mortality. Results A total of 10,330 participants with mean age of 47.3 years (95% CI, 46.0 to 48.1) were included in this analysis. Approximately, 18.5% of US adults reported excessive daytime sleepiness. Over a mean follow-up of 8.3 years, 262 cardiovascular deaths occurred. Participants with excessive daytime sleepiness had 2.85-times greater risk (95% CI, 1.33–6.09) of cardiovascular death than those without daytime sleepiness in multivariable analysis corrected for sociodemographic factors, comorbidities and cardiovascular risk factors including depression. Further adjustment for self-reported sleep disorders and sleep duration only slightly attenuated this association (HR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.23–5.27). No interactions between excessive daytime sleepiness and age, sex or cardiovascular disease at study entry were observed (all Ps>0.05). Conclusion Excessive daytime sleepiness is highly prevalent among US adults and is independently associated with an approximately two-and-a-half-fold increased risk of cardiovascular mortality in a large national sample. Screening for excessive daytime sleepiness may be a simple and cost-effective tool for identifying individuals at high risk of cardiovascular death.
Indications, Outcome and Risk Factors of Cesarean Delivery Among Pregnant Women Utilizing Delivery Services at Selected Public Health Institutions, Oromia Region, South West Ethiopia

Background Approximately 10% of deliveries are considered as high risk, which may require cesarean section. Besides, a rise in cesarean section delivery is a real public health concern; cesareans are costly and carry 8–12 and 8 times higher feto-maternal morbidity and mortality, respectively, as compared to vaginal delivery. Like in other countries where unnecessary cesarean delivery is performed, it is also rising in our country, posing potential risk to the mothers and their newborns. Objective To assess the indications and outcome of cesarean section delivery among pregnant women utilizing delivery services in selected hospitals. Methods A case–control study design was used among 488 randomly selected pregnant women attending delivery services in Bedelle and Mettu-Kharl Hospitals. Data were collected by interviewer-administered questionnaire and entered into EPI-data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for cleaning and analyses. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to control for possible confounders. Association was declared at 95% CI and P-value <0.05 to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. Variables with P-values <0.05 at bivariate analysis were entered to final logistic regression model. Results Nearly 30% and 24.6% of fetuses had been exposed to unfavorable outcome among those delivered following cesarean and vaginal delivery, respectively. The mean age of study participants was 25.79 (SD 6.76) for mothers who underwent cesarean delivery and 24.76 (SD 4.956) for their counterparts. Unfavorable maternal outcome was experienced by 20.5% and 14.7% of pregnant women who gave birth by cesarean and vaginal delivery, respectively. Those not having antenatal care follow-up were five times more likely to encounter unfavorable outcome than attendees (AOR 5.22, 95% CI 1.85–14.69), while mothers of newborns with low 5th minute Apgar score were 3 times (AOR 2.96, 95% CI 1.07, 8.16), multi-parity 7 times (AOR 7.22, 95% CI 1.45, 36.05) and rural residence were 1.29 times (AOR 1.29, 95% CI 5.09, 12.88) more likely to develop unfavorable feto-maternal outcome. Conclusion Vaginal delivery results in more favorable feto-maternal outcomes than does cesarean delivery.
A Training Program for Real-Time Ultrasound-Guided Catheterization of the Subclavian Vein

Purpose: To develop and implement a comprehensive program to train providers to place subclavian central venous catheters (CVCs) using real-time ultrasound guidance. Study design: Simulation-based prospective study at an academic medical center. Of 228 anesthesia providers and intensivists eligible to participate, 106 participants voluntarily enrolled. The training program consisted of a didactic module, hands-on instruction and practice using a CVC simulator and a standardized patient. The success of the program was measured by pre and post knowledge tests and direct observation during the hands-on sessions. Results: Of 106 participants who enrolled, 70 successfully completed the program. Out of 20 possible procedure steps, an average of 17.8 ± 2.9 were correctly performed in the simulated environment. The average time to needle insertion, defined by positive aspiration of stained saline, was 3.35 ± 3.02 min and the average time to wire insertion with ultrasound confirmation was 3.85 ± 3.12 min. Conclusions: Participants learned how to successfully perform ultrasound-guided catheterization of the subclavian vein. Since ultrasound-guided subclavian CVC placement is a useful clinical skill that many practitioners are unfamiliar with, increasing competence and comfort with this procedure is an important goal. Other centers could consider adopting an approach similar to ours to train their providers to perform this technique.
Intermittent Urine Oxygen Tension Monitoring for Predicting Acute Kidney Injury After Cardiovascular Surgery: A Preliminary Prospective Observational Study

Introduction Novel biomarkers of acute kidney injury (AKI) are being developed and commercialized. However, none are universally available. The aim of this preliminary prospective observational study was to explore the effectiveness of intermittent urine oxygen tension (PuO2) monitoring without special equipment (using a blood gas analyzer) for predicting AKI after elective cardiovascular surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods Fifty patients who underwent elective cardiovascular surgery requiring CPB were enrolled in the study with written informed consent. Urine samples were intermittently collected from a urethral catheter at four points: T1, immediately after induction of general anesthesia in the operating room; T2, immediately after intensive care unit (ICU) admission; T3, six hours after ICU admission; and T4, 12 hours after ICU admission. PuO2 was measured with a blood gas analyzer. The Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes classification was used for the diagnosis of AKI, then patients were followed up until postoperative day 7. By generating the receiver operating characteristic curves, the cut-off value of PuO2 and area under the curve (AUC) for predicting the onset of AKI was calculated. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of each time point were calculated using logistic regression analysis or exact logistic regression method. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results Twelve patients were diagnosed with AKI (24% morbidity). The cut-off values of PuO2 for predicting onset of AKI at the four time points were T1, PuO2 ≥ 132.4 mmHg (OR 3.1, 95% CI 0.78-12.0, p = 0.11, AUC 0.57); T2, PuO2 ≥ 153.3 mmHg (OR 5.8, 95% CI 1.08-31.4, p = 0.04, AUC 0.51); T3, PuO2 ≥ 130.1 mmHg (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.05-0.75, p = 0.018, AUC 0.68); T4, PuO2 ≥ 88.6 mmHg (OR 0.07, 95% CI 0-0.486, p = 0.011, AUC 0.64). Conclusion Intermittent PuO2 values at six and 12 hours after ICU admission may be predictors of AKI, although the AUCs to predict AKI were low (0.68 and 0.64). AKI prediction by PuO2 was not possible immediately after induction of general anesthesia (not statistically significant) and immediately after ICU admission (AUC was very low). Further studies are required to confirm the validity of intermittent PuO2 monitoring.
Glebokie Lake in Szczecin after hydrotechnical regulations

Abstract Water quality of the Glebokie Lake in Szczecin (NW-Poland) was studied in years 2012-2014. Glebokie Lake is a reservoir with a negative water balance related to the location draining groundwater drinking water intake for Szczecin agglomeration. In 2004 hydrotechnical regulations were conducted aimed at maintaining a constant amount of water in the lake, which involved a temporary feeding Glebokie Lake with Gunica River waters. In order to determine the hydrochemical status of the Lake waters and the factors shaping water quality - 19 water quality indices within 25 months were measured: temperature, pH and water oxygen status, nutrients (N, P) and ionic macrocomponents and Fetot. Trophic status of the lake waters using the Carlson criteria was defined. On the basis of chemometric analysis of measurement data (CA, PCA/FA and DA) we established that statistically significant factors affecting water quality in the study period were: seasonal (the climatic seasons) changes in the biological processes activity, periodical (in April and November) waters inflows from the Gunica River, anthropopressure in during swimming season and the coagulant (FeSO4) presence in the ecosystem. The possibility of applying the chemometric techniques to interpret measurement data in the lake type like Glebokie Lake with a small amount of data has been shown.
Recognizing the Symptom Spectrum of Narcolepsy to Improve Timely Diagnosis: A Narrative Review

Abstract Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder with a strong negative impact on quality of life, especially when untreated. Diagnostic delay is a persistent problem, with obvious detrimental effects on patients. A diagnosis of narcolepsy may be delayed because of its broad symptom presentation which is much more encompassing than the classical “tetrad” of sleepiness, cataplexy, hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. Furthermore, symptoms can vary over time. Presentation of symptoms can also be markedly different between children and adults. Finally, common sleep-related comorbidities increase the risk of narcolepsy being masked by overlapping symptoms or treatment. In this review, we provide a detailed description of the broad and dynamic symptom spectrum of narcolepsy, with specific attention to the different manifestations in both adults and children. The overarching goal is to help not only sleep specialists, but general practitioners, pediatricians, and other caregivers with early recognition and prompt diagnosis of this severe but treatable disorder.
Bioactive metabolites of Blumea lacera attenuate anxiety and depression in rodents and computer‐aided model

Abstract Blumea lacera is an edible plant with imperative medicinal values. However, the anxiolytic and antidepressant roles of B. lacera have not been well‐explained. Therefore, the current study aims to explore the impending bioactive metabolites and roles of B. lacera methanol leaf extract (Me‐BLL) in attenuating anxiety and depression through several experimental and computer‐aided approaches. The chemical characterization of Me‐BLL was performed through standard phytochemical and GC‐MS analyses. To explore the neuropharmacological insights, Swiss albino mice were treated with Me‐BLL at doses of 200–400 mg/kg, p.o. The anxiolytic effects were observed employing elevated plus maze (EPM), light–dark box (LDB), and hole‐board (HBT) tests, while antidepressant effects were evaluated using forced swimming (FST) and tail suspension tests (TST). Diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and fluoxetine HCl (20 mg/kg, p.o.) were used as the reference standard. The phytochemical analyses revealed several bioactive metabolites, including higher contents of total phenolics and flavonoids. The EPM and LDB tests demonstrated an increased time spent in open arms and light box, and the HBT showed an increased number of head dipping, indicating the anxiolytic effects of Me‐BLL. The TST and FST revealed a decrease in immobility time, meaning the persuasive antidepressant effects. The antioxidative effects of Me‐BLL have also been observed prominently. Correspondingly, the computer‐aided investigation confirmed several bioactive lead molecules. Specifically, thymol and cuminol revealed potential anxiolytic and antioxidant effects, while stigmast‐5‐en‐3.beta. ‐ol and gamma‐sitosterol possessed promising antidepressant effects. Taken these results as a base, the plant has imperative potentials in managing anxiety and depression‐like disorders.
A neutral polysaccharide from Ophiocordyceps lanpingensis restrains cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity

Abstract Ophiocordyceps lanpingensis is an edible mushroom distributed over the south‐eastern part of the Tibet Plateau, which is also recognized as an effective ethnomedicine to alleviate diseases. This study explored the effects of a kind of Ophiocordyceps lanpingensis neutral polysaccharide (ONP) on RAW264.7 macrophages and cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity. The results showed that ONP relieved the inflammatory response of RAW264.7 macrophages by increasing the expression level of anti‐inflammatory factor IL‐10. Furthermore, ONP treatment significantly prolonged the survival of the mice treated by cisplatin through decelerating pathological progress and alleviating damaged functions of the kidneys. Compared with the cisplatin group, ONP reduced the oxidative stress of the renal cells and the expression levels of pro‐inflammatory factors. Apoptosis of renal cells was also weakened in the ONP treatment group. These findings indicated that ONP alleviated cisplatin nephrotoxicity mainly by inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the kidneys, underscoring the potential of ONP supplementation to alleviate the side effects of cisplatin chemotherapy.