Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exercise Training Early After Cardiac Transplantation: A Comparative Case Report

&NA; Exercise training early after cardiac transplantation has received minimal scientific investigation. The changes that physical therapists encounter early after cardiac transplantation may be due to the natural healing process or to the adaptations from exercise conditioning. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the adaptations from exercise training early after cardiac transplantation and compare them to the changes observed in normal subjects and patients with heart failure.
A Herbal Formulation of Danshen and Gegen Protects Rat Brains from Injuries Induced by Focal and Global Ischaemia

1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China 2School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China 3Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China 4State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
Dental Age Estimation by Demirjian’s and Nolla’s Method in Children of Jorpati, Kathmandu

Background: Growing individuals not only differ in the timing of the maturational events, but also in the sequence of these events. Age is one of the essential factors, which play an important role in every aspect of life like in clinical, medico-legal, forensic and anthropological applications and in planning treatment of orthodontic and pedodontic patients. The aim of the study was to determine dental age from orthopantomogram using Demirjian’s method and Nolla’s method and to evaluate the interrelationship between chronological and dental age according to both these methods. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in 177 orthopantomograms of the patient aged between 5 to 15 years. Dental age estimation was done with Demirjian’s and Nolla’s method. Results: The mean chronological age 10.14 + 3.16 compared with the mean Demirjian age 9.58 + 3.39 was statistically non significant p > 0.05 whereas comparision with mean Nolla age 7.88+ 1.56 was significant statistically. Conclusions: Both methods showed delayed dental age compared to chronological age. Demirjian’s method was more applicable to assess the dental age in Nepalese children compared to Nolla’s method.Keywords: chronological age; dental age; Demirjian’s method; Nolla’s method.
Potential Impacts of Gut Microbiota On Immune System Related Diseases: Current Studies and Future Challenges

Human microbiota includes trillions of cohabitant microorganisms in a symbiotic relationship. They directly or indirectly communicate with immune system. Human microbiome profiling studies has accelerated microbiota studies and interest to microbiota and disease relationship . Some metabolic activities of human microbiota were known, but in recent years many different roles in addition to metabolic activities, have been shown. It can affect systems and mechanisms, and most importantly clinical course of diseases in dysbiosis condition, and reduces most symptoms when symbiosis is provided. These features make microbiota a potential therapeutic tool or biomarker for a spate of disease in clinic applications.This review summarizes host- gut microbiota interaction, role of microbiota in immune-related diseases, and potential therapeutic approaches. Keywords: Gut microbiota, microbiome, immune system related disease
Evaluation of Immune Responses to a DNA Vaccine Encoding Ag85a-Cfp10 Antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in an Animal Model

Background: Many studies indicate that theBacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine has low protective efficacy, especially in endemic areas. There are several factors in this assessment, such as genetic diversity of BCG strains, pre-exposure to environmental mycobacteria, and variations in host immune responses. Currently, more than 200 new vaccine candidates have been proposed, such as recombinant BCG, DNA, and subunit vaccines. However, none of them are superior to BCG. Nevertheless, several approaches are considered to reduce the cases of tuberculosis infection. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the capability of the Ag85a-cfp10 fusion protein as a new chimeric protein in stimulating immune responses. Methods: A DNA vaccine encoding Ag85a-cfp10 fusion protein was constructed in the previous study. The expression of Ag85a-cfp10 fusion protein in host cells was confirmed by the RT-PCR method. Six pathogen-free female mice were injected intramuscularly at a total concentration of 100μg/mL three times at two-week intervals. The BCG and the control groups received BCG and PBS vaccines, respectively. One month after the final immunization, mice were killed and their splenocytes were cultured in RPMI medium supplemented with 1% antibiotics and 10% serum. Four cytokines including IL-4, IL-12, TGF-β, and IFN-γ were measured in the culture supernatant using the ELISA test. Results: RT-PCR analysis showed that Ag85a-cfp10 recombinant vector is able to replicate in eukaryotic cells and produce mRNA. The vaccinated groups were compared to the control group, showing induction of high levels of cytokine production. Conclusions: Some reports depicted that DNA vaccines are able to induce humoral and cellular immune responses both in animal models and humans. Therefore, in the current study, the immune response was induced in mice, which were inoculated with recombinant expression plasmid, pcDNA3.1 (+)-Ag85a-cfp10. We showed that this recombinant vector can stimulate mycobacterial specific modulating cytokines. Nonetheless, analysis appeared that this vaccine is unable to stimulate cell mediated immunity, however, still further studies are needed in future.
Ant‐Herbivore Interactions: Reasons for the Absence of Benefits to a Fern with Foliar Nectaries Vanessa K. Rashbrook

We tested the hypothesis that ants, attracted to the foliar nectaries of bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) confer protection to the plant in South Africa. Using ant—exclusion experiments with unmanipulated and artificially augmented ant densities, we were unable to detect a positive effect of ants on bracken, as neither the number of herbivores nor the level of herbivory was significantly greater on ant—free fronds. We then examined possible explanations for these results by performing a number of laboratory experiments using the ant Cremtogaster peringueyi and two lepidopteran species, the major bracken—feeding herbivores. We showed that their eggs were susceptible to ant predation, but gained protection from their oviposition sites. We also demonstrated that bracken can benefit when densities of ants are high, such as when fronds are infested with honeydew—producing homopterans, as the lepidopteran larvae were more vulnerable to attack under these conditions. We propose that low ant density on the fronds is the primary factor limiting the occurrence of mutualism between bracken and ants in nature.
The decision making and techniques in lung cancer patients with aortic resection and reconstruction: surgery for lung cancer with aortic wall invasion

Thenumber of operations performed worldwide for T4 is still limited although thecomplete anatomical resection is the best treatment option for non-small celllung cancer (NSCLC). Aortic invasion and its surgical treatment is accepted asone of the extreme situations. Surgical management with low morbidity andmortality, complete en bloc resection with microscopically clear marginswith no nodal disease, and inclusion of multimodality treatment may increasesurvival.
A Subpopulation of Synovial Fibroblasts Leads to Osteochondrogenesis in a Mouse Model of Chronic Inflammatory Rheumatoid Arthritis

Specific major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II genes result in a high susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with co‐stimulatory molecules working together with MHC class II during the progression of the disease. To elucidate the involvement of the B7.1 co‐stimulatory molecule in RA, we analyzed the phenotype of B7.1 transgenic (named D1BC) mice and the sequential differentiation of synovial fibroblasts (SFs) by studying the expression of chondrogenic and osteogenic lineage markers together with lineage tracing experiment using B7.1 transgene in vivo. The B7.1 transgene was driven by a collagen type II (CII) promoter and enhancer in the D1BC mouse. A low‐dose of bovine CII (bCII) was used to induce chronic articular inflammation with interstitial pneumonitis. Joint damage was analyzed by histopathological examination and computed tomography. B7.1 was expressed in articular cartilage and SFs of D1BC mice. Chronic inflammatory arthritis in the bCII‐D1BC mouse shared common features with those found in patients with RA, such as pannus formation, bone destruction, osteoporosis, and joint ankylosis. A subpopulation of SFs (Runx2+, Sox9+, Col10a1+, Osx+, and CX−) in the pannus was classified as osteochondrogenic lineage rather than mesenchymal stromal lineage. These cells underwent differentiation into osteogenic lineage via hypertrophic chondrocytes at the end of the chronic phase. The ectopic expression of B7.1 in chondrocytes and SFs leads to an increased susceptibility to chronic inflammatory arthritis and subsequent new bone formation, reminiscent of ankylosis. The regulation of cartilage remodeling in pannus tissue is an important consideration in the treatment of RA. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Open-Label, phase 2 study of blinatumomab as second salvage therapy in adults with relapsed/refractory aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Abstract The phase 2 portion of this open-label phase 2/3 study assessed the efficacy and safety of blinatumomab as second salvage for aggressive relapsed or refractory (r/r) aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) following platinum-based first salvage chemotherapy. Forty-one patients with aggressive disease (32% relapsed; 68% refractory) enrolled and received stepwise blinatumomab (9–28–112 μg/day) in a 70-day cycle 1 and an optional 28-day cycle 2; 19 (46%) completed cycle 1 and 3 (7%) completed cycle 2. The overall response rate after 12 weeks was 37%, including 9 (22%) complete metabolic responses. Eight (20%) patients (all responders) subsequently received stem cell transplants. Grade ≥3 adverse events were reported in 29 (71%) patients. Grade 3 cytokine release syndrome occurred in one patient. Grade 3 neurologic events occurred in 10 (24%) patients; all resolved. Blinatumomab monotherapy appears effective as second salvage therapy in patients with r/r aggressive B-NHL. Trial registration: NCT02910063.
First report of Botryosphaeria corticola affecting Quercus afares and Q. canariensis in Tunisia

In Tunisia, oak forests are widespread chiefly in the Northwest regions where they play an important ecological and socio-economical role. In September 2006, cankers and dieback of branches were observed in Quercus afares and Q. canariensis trees in the reserve of Ain Zena near Ain Draham (north-west Tunisia). Fungal isolates obtained from twigs and branches showing sunken necrotic bark lesions were identified as Botryosphaeria corticola on the basis of morphological characters as described by Alves et al . (2004).
Evaluation of Oxygen Uptake Kinetic Asymmetries in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study

Background of Study: Observations of limb to limb differences (bilateral asymmetry) in leg strength, power, peak oxygen uptake (VO2) and bone mineral density has been reported in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Objetives: The purpose of this study was to quantify the magnitude of bilateral asymmetries in oxygen uptake (VO2) kinetics response to single leg cycling (SLC) in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Methods: Five MSpatients (2 men, 3 women; age 43±7 yrs) performed constant work rate SLC trials to determine VO2 kinetics in each leg. Asymmetry scores were used to quantify the magnitude of the bilateral asymmetries. Results: Significant asymmetries were seen in VO2 peak and parameters of VO2 kinetics. VO2peak asymmetry score was significantly different than 0% (p=0.015). Similarly,significant asymmetry for VO2 kinetic response to exercise as mean response time was observed (p=0.03). In addition the VO2 response to exercise resulted in a significant asymmetry in VO2 deficit between legs (p=0.03). No correlation between EDSS scores and any asymmetry scores existed. Conclusions: These findings provide insight into the potential differences in metabolic perturbation and limb specific symptomatic fatigue within the MS population.
Evaluation of open hernioplasty in bilateral inguinal hernia repair

Background Inguinal hernia occurs in ∼1.5% of the general population and in 5% of male individuals. The bilateral type affects about 12% of patients, the direct and the combined ones being more frequent than the indirect. Simultaneous or sequential repair has been debated especially after tension-free repairs. Aim This study was carried out to compare Stoppa procedure with bilateral Lichtenstein hernioplasty for the treatment of primary bilateral inguinal hernia. Patients and methods This trial included 80 male patients with primary bilateral inguinal hernias. They were divided randomly into two equal groups. Group A underwent bilateral Lichtenstein hernioplasty and group B underwent Stoppa repair. Preoperative, operative, and postoperative characteristics were recorded for each patient in the study. Patients were followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Results As regards preoperative data, there was no statistically significant difference between both groups. The Stoppa operation took a significantly shorter time than the bilateral Lichtenstein technique; the mean operative time for Stoppa and bilateral Lichtenstein was 84.0±8.6 and 96.4±6.2 min, respectively. Visual analogue scoring of pain 12 h postoperatively was significantly lower in the Stoppa group than in the bilateral Lichtenstein group. As regards operative and postoperative complications, there was no significant difference between both groups. Hospital stay, return to normal daily activities, and inguinodynia rates were similar in both groups. There was no recorded recurrence in both groups up to 1 year of follow-up. Conclusion Bilateral primary inguinal hernias can be operated upon in one setting without an increase in morbidity or recurrence rate. The Stoppa technique can be a good alternative to bilateral Lichtenstein procedure for the treatment of bilateral inguinal hernia, with comparable outcome.
Comparative Malaria Diagnosis Using LH750 Beckman Coulter Automated Analyser in India: A Cross Sectional Case Control Study

Objective: To study the VCS pattern in patients with malaria and compare it with patients having fever who were negative for malarial parasite (P. falciparum, vivax, malariae and ovale) and normal individuals and to determine whether a further adaptation of the discriminant factor is needed using additional parameters from the VCS data analysis using Beckmann Coulter LH 750. Design: Cross sectional Case control study. Setting: Clinical Laboratory and Haematology Department, KMC, India. Patients: Ninety-three Malaria positive samples and fifty malaria negative samples by QBC method comprised the Case and hundred healthy adult samples formed the Control group. Interventions: All blood samples were analysed using LH750 Beckman Coulter for VCS data of the neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and eosinophils and compared between Malaria positive, Malaria negative and Control Group. Main Outcome Measure: Discriminant Factor. Results: The difference in SD volume of the lymphocyte and monocyte among malaria positive and Original Research Article Mathews et al.; AHRJ, 1(4): 1-8, 2018; Article no.AHRJ. 44873 2 negative were statistically significant. By using logistic regression, the “Malaria factor” is defined. ROC analysis showed using a cut-off value of 2.7 as malaria factor derived from SD volume, specificity of 92.5 and sensitivity of 83.7 with a PPV of 88.6% and NPV of 89.1% were obtained whereas, specificity and sensitivity obtained using SD conductivity (91 and 75.5 respectively) and SD scatter (68.7 and 57.1 respectively) were significantly less. Conclusions: A “suspect malaria” flag could be generated on the analyser, allowing the detection of cases of unsuspected malaria and therefore, early diagnosis of the disease with the potential of reducing the possibility of serious complications however this is not a confirmative test.
MITRAL ANNULAR PLANE SYSTOLIC EXCURSION (MAPSE)

Background and Objectives: Assessment of left ventricle function is the singlemost common indication for transthoracic echocardiogram. Out of different indicators of LVfunction, ejection fraction is the most validated one. MAPSE has promised recently to be a reliableand easily obtainable indicator for LV function even in inexperienced hands but its value in caseof left ventricle hypertrophy (LVH) is questionable. Study Design: Cross-sectional comparativestudy. Setting: Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Institute of Cardiology, Lahore. Period: January 2015and March 2015. Methods: 100 consecutive patients presenting for echocardiography atRehmatul-lil-Alameen Institute of Cardiology, Lahore. Patients were divided into two groups onthe basis of presence of left ventricle hypertrophy (LVMI >115 g/m2 in males and > 95 g/m2in females) and further subdivided according to LVEF into those with preserved (EF>55%) anddepressed EF (EF<55%). EF was calculated by visual quantification (eyeballing). MAPSE wasmeasured using M-mode at all four mitral annular sites-medial, lateral, anterior and posteriorand values averaged. Results: Among 100 patients; 66(66%) were without LVH while 34(34%)were having LVH. Without LVH group had 43 (65%) patients with preserved LVEF (EF>55%)while 23 (35%) had depressed LVEF (EF>55%). In LVH group 22 (64.7%) had preservedLVEF while 12 (35.3%) had depressed LVEF. Mean EF (%), without LVH and preserved LVEF(61.6±3.6), LVH with preserved LVEF (61.9±3.6). Mean EF (%); without LVH and depressedLVEF (41.1±6.4), LVH with depressed LVEF (42.9±5.4), p=0.663. Mean MAPSE score (mm);without LVH with preserved LVEF (13.2±1.7), LVH with preserved LVEF (10.6±0.9), p<0.001. Mean MAPSE score (mm); without LVH and depressed LVEF (9.17±0.9), LVH with depressedLVEF (7.4±1.5), p=0.002. Mann Whitney U test was applied to compare the MAPSE score ofgroups and it showed statistically significant difference in MAPSE score of patients with andwithout left ventricle hypertrophy with values much lower in the presence of LVH. Conclusion:Statistically significant difference exists in values of MAPSE in patients with and without leftventricle hypertrophy irrespective of LV function.
The cost-effectiveness of current practice of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis as compared to no prophylaxis or pharmaceuticals only prophylaxis

This research uses economic evaluation methods to model the current practice of VTE prevention at the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Services compared to historical controls. Additionally the research tested the hypothesis that improved prescribing compliance would achieve better clinical outcomes and would be cost effective. This research revealed that current VTE prophylaxis practice were cost effective as compared to either no or suboptimal prevention. Economic modeling revealed that increasing prescribing compliance to 95% to achieve a lower incidence of DVT and PE was cost effective for General Surgical and Orthopaedic patients. For Medical Patients a blanket prescribing approach was not cost effective.
Results of conjunctiva-Müller muscle resection and external levator resection techniques for ptosis repair

Objective: To evaluate the results of levator aponeurosis surgery (LS) and conjunctiva- Muller muscle resection (CMR) operations for correction of upper eyelid ptosis. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study of 85 patients who had undergone either LS or CMR for ptosis from January 2015 to May 2016. Detailed information including age, gender, etiology, type of surgery, laterality of surgery, preoperative levator function, pre- and postoperative palpebral fissure height (PFH), postoperative PFH change, postoperative day 1 pain, edema, ecchymosis, cosmetic outcome, reoperation rate and operating time from initial maneuver to wound closure were recorded. Patients with good levator function (over 12 mm) were included to the study. Postoperative measurements at the 6th month visit were used for analysis. Results: Of the surgical procedures 67% (57/85) were LS, 33% (28/85) were CMR operation. For the patients who underwent LS, preoperative PFH was statistically lower than CMR patients (p=0.016). Postoperative PFH and PFH change between two operation groups were not statistically significant (p=0.1 for postop PFH, p=0.073 PFH change). Postoperative PFH change in both groups was statistically significant (p=0.001 for both evaluations). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups regarding postoperative 1st day pain, edema, ecchymosis (p=0.128), reoperation rate, and final cosmetic outcome (p=0.724). In LS group, the operation time (28.86±5.09 mins) was statistically significantly higher than CMR group (17.71±3.11 mins) (p=0.001). Conclusion: Although the CMR provides a shorter operation time both the LS and CMR lead to good surgical results with equivalent final cosmetic satisfaction, reoperation rates and postoperative 1st day pain, edema, ecchymosis. Key Words: conjunctiva-Muller muscle resection; levator aponeurosis surgery; ptosis; ptosis surgery.
Three-spin solid effect and the spin diffusion barrier in amorphous solids

Using the three-spin solid effect, the spin diffusion barrier of the DNP polarizing agent trityl is found to be <6 Å. Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) has evolved as the method of choice to enhance NMR signal intensities and to address a variety of otherwise inaccessible chemical, biological and physical questions. Despite its success, there is no detailed understanding of how the large electron polarization is transferred to the surrounding nuclei or where these nuclei are located relative to the polarizing agent. To address these questions we perform an analysis of the three-spin solid effect, and show that it is exquisitely sensitive to the electron-nuclear distances. We exploit this feature and determine that the size of the spin diffusion barrier surrounding the trityl radical in a glassy glycerol–water matrix is <6 Å, and that the protons involved in the initial transfer step are on the trityl molecule. 1H ENDOR experiments indicate that polarization is then transferred in a second step to glycerol molecules in intimate contact with the trityl.