Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND The prevalence of depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ranges from 10% to 42%, but the diagnosis of depression in patients with COPD is often unrecognized and untreated. Unrecognized depression has major implications for compliance with medical treatment, prolonged lengths of stay, increased frequency of hospital admissions, and increased consultations with primary care physicians. Many studies have attempted to identify risk factors for progression, prognosis and response to therapy in patients with depression. However, few studies have examined the risk factors for depression in patients with COPD, and some results remain controversial. AIM To identify the potential risk factors to define patients with COPD who are at “high risk” of depression. METHODS The clinical data of 293 patients with COPD were reviewed from January 2017 to December 2018. The correlations between demographics, clinical characteristics and depression were analyzed. The risk factors for depression in patients with COPD were identiﬁed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The cutoff value, sensitivity and speciﬁcity of the independent correlation factors were calculated with a receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS Of the 293 patients included, 65 (22.18%) individuals were identiﬁed to have depression. Signiﬁcant differences were detected between patients with and without depression in terms of body mass index (BMI), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and COPD assessment test (CAT) score (all P < 0.05). Low BMI, low FEV1, and high CAT were independent risk factors for depression in patients with COPD and the cutoff values of BMI, FEV1, and CAT scores were 21.373 kg/m2, 0.855 L and 12.5, respectively. CONCLUSION Low BMI, low FEV1, and high CAT score were identified as independent risk factors for depression in patients with COPD.
Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis as a Presentation of COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We describe the case of a 59-year-old man who presented with headache, hypertension and a single episode of fever with no other symptoms. He subsequently developed unilateral weakness. Computer tomography identified a cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). A subsequent test for COVID-19 was positive. This is the first report of CVST as a presenting symptom of COVID-19 infection. LEARNING POINTS Thrombotic events may be the initial presenting symptom of COVID-19. These thrombotic events include stroke, venous thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism and cardiac complications. Clinicians should carefully consider the risk of thrombosis in patients positive for COVID-19, including prophylaxis and treatment beyond discharge.
Assessment of Useful Alien Plant Species Cultivated and Managed in Rural Home Gardens of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Several communities in developing countries derive substantial part of their livelihood needs from alien plants cultivated and managed in home gardens. The aim of this study was to assess useful alien plant species cultivated and managed in home gardens of Limpopo province in South Africa. Semistructured interviews, personal observation, and guided walks with 300 participants between January 2015 and December 2016 were employed to obtain data on names of alien plants cultivated in home gardens and their use categories. A total of 101 plant species belonging to 44 families were recorded from the study area. More than half of the species (66.3%) belonged to 14 families, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Solanaceae, Lamiaceae, Anacardiaceae, Poaceae, Amaranthaceae, Apocynaceae, Brassicaceae, Cactaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae, and Myrtaceae. Twenty-six use categories of alien plants were identified in this study with the majority of species (75.2%) used for medicinal purposes, followed by ornamental (33.7%), edible fruits (24.8%), spices (16.8%), vegetables (16.8%), shade (11.9%), beverages (10.9%), construction materials (8.9%), firewood (7.9%), and hedge (7.9%). These findings corroborate the existing body of knowledge emphasizing the importance of plants grown and managed in home gardens to the livelihood needs of local communities.
The telomere length of gastric mucosal samples and peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients who have undergone Billroth II distal gastrectomy

Introduction Telomeres play an important role in maintaining chromosomal integrity. Functional loss of telomeres increases the risk of cancer by causing genomic instability. Telomere length abnormalities have been reported in several precancerous lesions. There is no study that evaluates telomere length in Billroth II distal gastrectomy, which is known as a risk factor for gastric stump carcinogenesis, in the literature. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the telomere length of residual gastric mucosal samples, peripheral blood lymphocytes, and other clinicopathological parameters of patients who had undergone Billroth II distal gastrectomy. Material and methods There were two groups: a control group (n = 15) and a patient group (n = 15). In all cases, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed, and biopsies were taken during endoscopy. Telomere lengths were measured by qRT-PCR. Results It was observed that the lengths of the telomeres were shortened as the time of postoperative period increased in the patient group (r = –0.126) (p > 0.05). Also, the lengths of the telomeres were shortened in chronic inflammation, neutrophil activity, glandular atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia. Conclusions The telomere length was shortened as the time of postoperative period increased in the patient group. The telomeres were also shorter in chronic inflammation, neutrophil activity, intestinal metaplasia, and glandular atrophy, in all of the study groups. Telomere length abnormalities in gastric stump carcinogenesis process may be a guide for early diagnosis and treatment.
OR19-03 Effects of Nonpeptide Orally Bioavailable ACTH Antagonists on Adrenal Gland Size and Function in Rats

Abstract Cushing’s disease (CD) and Ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS) stem from excess circulating adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and resulting hypercortisolemia. In CD, excess ACTH is secreted from pituitary tumors, whereas excess ACTH in EAS arises from nonpituitary tumors. ACTH acts on the adrenal melanocortin type 2 (MC2) receptor to control the synthesis and secretion of adrenal hormones, including the stress hormone cortisol (corticosterone in rats) which accounts for the comorbidities of CD and EAS. Availability of a potent ACTH antagonist that can normalize cortisol in patients with diseases of excess ACTH will be a major advance in endocrinology. Additionally, an ACTH antagonist will have utility in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) because of its ability to block production of excess adrenal androgens. Crinetics is evaluating and developing ACTH antagonists for the treatment of diseases of excess ACTH. To our knowledge, these compounds represent the first potent nonpeptide ACTH antagonists to demonstrate in vitro potency and in vivo efficacy. As a result, the direct effects of sustained MC2 receptor blockade on the structure and function of the adrenal gland have never been able to be assessed. We examined the effects of several orally bioavailable ACTH antagonists across a range of doses on Sprague-Dawley rat adrenal gland weight, histology, and hormone levels in repeat dosing (7-14 days) studies. Sustained MC2 receptor antagonism dose dependently blocked activity of ACTH at the level of the adrenal gland and reduced plasma corticosterone levels. In the normal rat, this resulted in dose-dependent atrophy of the adrenal gland as assessed by organ weights and microscopically. The atrophy was primarily observed in the cortisol producing zona fasciculata, as well as in the zona reticularis, with smaller reductions noted in the aldosterone producing zona glomerulosa. Additionally, hypertrophy of the adrenal glands caused by continuous subcutaneous administration of exogenous ACTH was reversed by treatment with an ACTH antagonist. The adrenal effects were accompanied by expected changes in corticosterone levels. These preclinical findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of ACTH antagonism and provide a strong rationale for development of an orally bioavailable drug that can be used to combat CD, EAS, and CAH.
Nutrition in Herbal Plants Used in Saudi Arabia

Herbs are used for centuries by many people worldwide. This study derives insights into the use and content of herbs that are consumed among Saudi citizens. An online questionnaire was distributed to understand the basic information about Saudi citizens' preference and daily patterns of herbal plants that are usually used as drinks. Moreover, concentrations of fourteen elements in twenty-one herbal plants that were indicated in the previous questionnaire were collected from the local market and then analyzed using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrometry (ICP). Mint leaves were significantly higher in most of the nutrients analyzed, and mint was the most popular drink among participants, followed by green tea and anise. Most of the citizens preferred to drink one cup only at home and believed that herbs are good for their health and potentially could help them to sleep better. The outcomes derived from this research could help future assessments of diet patterns among Saudi citizens.
Movement Patterns and the Conservation of Amphibians Breeding in Small, Temporary Wetlands

Many amphibians breed in water but live most of their lives in terrestrial habitats. Little is known, however, about the spatial distribution of these habitats or of the distances and directions amphibians move to reach breeding sites. The amphibian community at a small, temporary pond in northcentral Florida was monitored for 5 years. Based on captures and recaptures of more than 2500 striped newts (Notophthalmus perstriatus) and 5700 eastern narrow‐mouthed toads (Gastrophryne carolinensis), we tabulated the angles of orientation that these amphibians entered and exited the pond basin. Our results showed that movements of these species between the pond and terrestrial habitats were nonrandom in orientation, but that narrow corridors did not appear to be used. Differences between the species likely reflect differences in habitat preferences, whereas intraspecific differences among years and between the sexes likely reflect variation among individuals. For terrestrial buffer zones to be effective at conserving pond‐breeding amphibian communities, they need both a distance and a directional component. The determination of a directional component may be obscured if studies are carried out over a short time span. Conservation efforts for wetland‐breeding amphibians that concentrate solely on the wetland likely will fail without consideration of the adjacent terrestrial habitat.
Effect of bioactive compounds of table beet cultivars on alimentary induced fatty livers of rats

Of the twenty table beet ( Beta vulgaris L. ssp. esculenta convar. crassa provar. conditiva ALEF.) cultivars investigated for several nutritionally important components (betaine, betanin, phenol, glucose, fructose, sucrose) formerly (Hajos et al., 2004), cultivar Ditroit having average quality parameters was chosen for in vitro animal experiments. The hyperlipidemic rat model is suitable to study the physiological effect of table beet on the metabolic alterations and the redox homeostasis in the liver. In fatty liver, as a consequence of hyperlipidemy, the redox homeostasis is strongly injured. General biologically active compounds of table beet have indirect lipid lowering effect and antioxidant properties. Therefore, the effect of lyophilised table beet powder was studied on altered lipid metabolism and redox parameters in hyperlipidemic rats. Hyperlipidemy was induced by a fat-rich diet, and both in the control group and in the hyperlipidemic group, animals were treated with the lyophilised table beet .
A Phylogenetic Analysis of Besseya (Scrophulariaceae)

Phylogenetic relationships among species of Besseya (Scrophulariaceae) were examined using cladistic analysis of morphological characters. A single most parsimonious tree was discovered on which B. bullii, located in central North America, was placed as the sister species of the rest of the genus, making up taxa of the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Northwest. Among the species in the Rocky Mountain and Pacific Northwest group are B. rubra and B. wyomingensis, both of which have flowers that are characterized by extreme corolla diminution. Besseya rubra and B. wyomingensis did not form a monophyletic group on the most parsimonious cladogram. Topologies on which B. rubra and B. wyomingensis were placed as a monophyletic group required at least two character state changes more than the most parsimonious cladogram. Alternative scenarios for corolla evolution were possible based on the most parsimonious cladogram. One scenario indicated that the extreme corolla diminution characteristic of B. rubra and B. wyomingensis occurred once and that an evolutionary reversal reestablished the full-size corolla of southern Rocky Mountain species. A second scenario, for which the hypothesis of an evolutionary reversal was not required to explain the full-size corolla of the southern Rocky Mountain species, indicated that extreme corolla diminution occurred separately in the evolution of both B. rubra and B. wyomingensis. Sympetaly, generally considered a highly conserved attribute among angiosperms, was diminished within Besseya through the loss of a corolla tube in the southern Rocky Mountain species. In the evolution of Besseya, especially in association with the origin of the monophyletic group consisting of B. oblongifolia, B. plantaginea, and B. ritteriana, leaf lamina length/width ratios greatly increased, lamina bases became less cordate, and basal secondary vein diameter/midvein diameter ratios decreased.
Off-Label Dosing of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants and Adverse Outcomes

Fro Me D Ce BACKGROUND Although non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) do not require frequent laboratory monitoring, each compound requires dose adjustments on the basis of certain clinical criteria. OBJECTIVES This study assessed the frequency of off-label NOAC doses among AF patients and the associations between off-label dose therapy and clinical outcomes in community practice. METHODS We evaluated 5,738 patients treated with a NOAC at 242 ORBIT-AF II (Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation phase II) sites. NOAC doses were classified as either underdosed or overdosed, consistent with Food and Drug Administration labeling. Longitudinal outcomes (median follow-up: 0.99 years) included stroke or systemic embolism, myocardial infarction, major bleeding (International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis criteria), cause-specific hospitalization, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS Overall, 541 NOAC-treated patients (9.4%) were underdosed, 197 were overdosed (3.4%), and 5,000 were dosed according to U.S. labeling (87%). Compared with patients receiving the recommended dose, those who were receiving off-label doses were older (median: 79 and 80 years of age vs. 70 years of age, respectively; p < 0.0001), more likely female (48% and 67% vs. 40%, respectively; p < 0.0001), less likely to be treated by an electrophysiologist (18% and 19% vs. 27%, respectively; p < 0.0001), and had higher CHA2DS2-VASc scores (96% and 97% $2 vs. 86%, respectively; p < 0.0001) and higher ORBIT bleeding scores (25% and 31% >4 vs. 11%, respectively; p < 0.0001). After dose adjustment, NOAC overdosing was associated with increased all-cause mortality compared with recommended doses (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02 to 3.60; p 1⁄4 0.04). Underdosing was associated with increased cardiovascular hospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.50; p 1⁄4 0.007). CONCLUSIONS A significant minority (almost 1 in 8) of U.S. patients in the community received NOAC doses inconsistent with labeling. NOAC overand underdosing are associated with increased risk for adverse events. (Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation II [ORBIT-AF II]; NCT01701817) (J Am Coll Cardiol 2016;68:2597–604) © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier on behalf of the American College of Cardiology Foundation. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). m the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah; Department of dicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina; Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, North Carolina; epartment of Medicine, Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, Long Island, New York; Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy nter, University of California Los Angeles Division of Cardiology, Los Angeles, California; Department of Medicine, Mayo ABBR EV I A T I ON S
Effects of a road system on caribou distribution during calving

In winter 1981 - 82, a 29-km road system was built in a high-use caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) calving area near Milne Point, Alaska. Aerial surveys of this area were conducted annually during the calving period for 4 years before and 4 years after road construction. Effects of the road system on the distribution of caribou were investigated by comparing survey data obtained during these two periods. The 41 400-ha study area was partitioned into 40 quadrats; after construction (1982 - 85), significantly fewer caribou were observed within quadrats encompassing the present road system than before construction (1978 - 81). The area within 6 km of the road system was stratified into six 1-km intervals, and differences in the distribution of caribou among those strata were examined using linear regression analysis. After construction, the density of maternal females was positively correlated with distance, whereas no such relationship was apparent before construction. Density of nonmaternal adults was unrelated to distance during both periods. The results suggest that a local displacement of maternal caribou has occurred in response to roads and associated human activity.
Novel HIV Tat antagonists

HIV‐1 Tat protein plays one of the central roles in AIDS pathogenesis due to its principle function in HIV‐1 transcription and multiple involvement in HIV progression. For example, Tat acts as immunosuppressor, activator of quiescent T cells for productive HIV‐1 infection and it is a chemokine analog. Tat upregulates the expression of chemokine receptors (CXCR4 and CCR5) which serve as coreceptors of HIV‐1 entry to cells. Tat mediates some AIDS‐associated pathological processes, e.g., Kaposi's sarcoma, main neoplastic manifestation of AIDS. The discovery of novel HIV Tat antagonists is not just one more strategy in the anti‐HIV pharmacological intervention, but is most important in view of the inability of the existing therapies to eradicate HIV infection. The main efforts in this field are aimed at the disruption of Tat‐TAR interaction and HIV transactivation inhibition. A set of compounds of various chemical natures were recently discovered in this field. Mimicking the Tat basic peptide comprises one of the modern approaches for the design of Tat antagonists. Several Tat basic peptide mimetic compounds possess significant antiviral activity. A novel class of Tat antagonists are aminoglycoside‐arginine conjugates, that not only inhibit HIV replication but efficiently compete with several Tat functions, which are of primary importance in HIV/AIDS pathogenesis. Drug Dev. Res. 50:502–515, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morphogenesis of shell and scutes in the turtle Emydura macquarii

Formation of the scutes and dermis of the embryonic shell of the turtle Emydura macquarii was studied using light and electron microscopy. Shell morphogenesis begins at embryonic stage 15 and the shape of the shell is mostly completed by embryonic stage 19. The carapace anlagen arises as a thickening of the skin in the dorsal part of the mid-trunk region between the anterior and posterior limbs. This thickening extends ventro-laterally to form ridges at the margins of the carapace. Each ridge forms as a thick epidermal placode over a condensation of mesenchymal cells. The epidermis behind the advancing margins of the carapace is cuboidal or columnar but does not form placodes. The margins of the carapace expand rapidly in all directions. The plastron anlagen is derived from epidermal cells localised in the latero-ventral regions between the fore- and hind-limbs. Plastron placodes are present laterally, while the mid-ventral and central epidermis remains cuboidal or columnar but does not form placodes at embryonic stage 16. The plastron thickening rapidly moves from a latero-ventral position to a flat ventral position between embryonic stages 16 and 19. Dermal–epidermal anchoring complexes occur throughout placodes of both the carapace and plastron, but are rare in non-placode areas. The accumulation of a dense mesenchyme beneath the shell epidermis forms a dermal cushion that surrounds the body cavity. The superficial dermis close to the epidermis is made of mesenchymal fibroblasts at embryonic stage 19, although the inner-most areas contain bipolar fibroblasts and extracellular fibrils. Scutes with serrations at their borders form as invaginations of the epidermis into the dermis in the mid-dorsal areas of the embryo at embryonic stages 18–19. Dermal–epidermal anchoring complexes are located around the infoldings that form the scutes of the hinge region. The epidermis of the shell has 2–3 suprabasal cells at embryonic stages 19–22, and lacks keratinisation before embryonic stage 22 when it has 4–6 suprabasal layers with 2–3 external layers made of flat cells. The dermis thickens and has numerous collagen fibrils after embryonic stage 19. The formation of dermal bones begins at embryonic stage 18–19 in the plastron. Only small areas of the carapace near to the bridge have begun to form dermal bone at embryonic stage 19. Calcification begins at embryonic stage 19, but is still incomplete at embryonic stages 24–25.
Xanthophyll Esters in Fruits and Vegetables

Carotenoids possessing hydroxyl groups (xanthophylls) are often found as fatty acid esters in many fruits and vegetables. The developments in high resolution chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques have led to a detailed characterization of xanthophyll esters in commonly consumed fruits and vegetables, such as apples, apricots, mandarins, mangoes, papayas, red and chili peppers, potatoes or squash. Some more rich sources have been identified, like wolfberry (goji), sea buckthorn, persimmon, whose popularity is increasing due to the high content of bioactive compounds. Esterification increases the lipophilicity of xanthophylls and contributes to the sequestration of carotenoids, to the formation of specialized structures in the chromoplasts and to an increased photoprotection. The process occurs during ripening in fruits and it is associated with a significant change in colour. Even if the specific enzymes which catalyze the esterification process were not characterized yet in fruits, detailed analytical data regarding the carotenoid composition suggested a selectivity of these enzymes for certain fatty acids and selectivity for the ring in the case of non-symmetric xantophylls. Xanthophyll esters seem to be efficiently hydrolyzed and absorbed in humans leading to a comparable bioavailability to the unesterified compounds. In addition, the xanthophyll esters preserve the antioxidant capacity of the parent compounds while having a better stability in fruits during storage and processing. All these properties are important from the perspective of the use of fruits rich in xanthophyll esters as valuable components of the human diet and as sources of bioactive compounds in the prevention of severe degenerative diseases.