Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Efficacy and Safety of the Shouzu Ning Decoction Treatment for Multi-Kinase Inhibitors-Associated Severe Hand–Foot Skin Reaction

Background Multi-kinase inhibitors (MKIs) treatment plays an important role in cancer therapy, but still suffers from a high incidence of hand–foot skin reaction (HFSR), leading to MKIs dose modification or termination. Thus, there is a high need for therapeutic strategy for HFSR. Patients and Methods This prospective analysis included twenty patients, who were continuously administered with MKIs treatment and presented with a grade 3 HFSR during January 2018 to December 2019. All the patients were treated with the Shouzu Ning Decoction (SND) twice a day, in addition to the MKIs treatment. Grading of HFSR was assessed by National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. Pain intensity was evaluated using the numerical rating scale (NRS). Quality of life was assessed using the Hand–Foot Quality of Life Scale (HF-QoLS). Results The median time from MKIs initiation to onset of grade 3 HFSR was 26.2 days. Following the SND treatment, seventeen (17/20) patients displayed grade 2 HFSR with a median time of 5.1 days. Among whom, seven (7/17) finally transformed to grade 1 with a median time of 9.9 days. While all of the grade 1 patients (7/7) had local recurrence, and retreatment of the SND was effective. In addition, after the SND treatment, the score of NRS and HF-QoLS decreased to 1.60 ± 1.14 (P < 0.01) and 26.75 ± 11.76 (P < 0.01), respectively. Conclusion The SND treatment could alleviate symptoms, relieve pain and improve quality of life in HFSR patients. The SND treatment was proved to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for MKIs-associated grade 3 HFSR patients for the first time. Indeed, further randomized controlled trails with large-scale, multi-center are require to fully determine the clinical application of the SND in MKIs-associated HFSR.
Characterization of a Poly(ethylene oxide)-Poly(propylene oxide) Triblock Copolymer (EO27-PO39-EO27) in Aqueous Solution

A phase diagram is presented for poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide) triblock copolymer (EO 27 -PO 39 -EO 27 ) in aqueous solution based on SAXS, ultrasonic speed measurements, DSC, low-shear viscosimetry, and light transmission measurements. We find a broad transition from unimers to micelles with increasing temperatures. The micelles have close to spherical symmetry with a core-shell structure and an outer layer that can be described as a star micelle. The micelles grow in size with temperature, and phase separation with clouding takes place at temperatures above 85°C. A stiff gel is found at concentrations above 24% (w/w)
A Longitudinal Evaluation of the Bacterial Pathogens Colonizing Chronic Non-Healing Wound Sites at a United States Military Treatment Facility in the Pacific Region

Purpose The biology of chronic wounds is complex and many factors act concurrently to impede healing progress. In this study, the dynamics of microflora changes and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns were evaluated longitudinally over 30 days using data from 28 patients with a total of 47 chronic lower extremity wounds. Materials and Methods In this study, colonized wound isolates were characterized using cultural, biochemical, and VITEK 2 methods. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the wound isolates were analyzed using various phenotypic assays. Furthermore, antimicrobial resistance patterns and the presence of mutations were evaluated by a genotypic assay, whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Results Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found to be the most common strains at early time points, while members of Enterobacteriaceae were prevalent at later stages of infection. Antimicrobial resistance testing and whole-genome sequencing revealed that the molecular and phenotypic characteristics of the identified wound pathogens remained relatively stable throughout the study period. It was also noted that Enterobacter and Klebsiella species may serve as reservoirs for quinolone resistance in the Pacific region. Conclusion Our observations showed that wounds were colonized with diverse bacteria and interestingly their numbers and/or types were changed over the course of infection. The rapid genetic changes that accompanied the first 4 weeks after presentation did not directly contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance. In addition, standard wound care procedures did not appear to select for resistant bacterial strains. Future efforts should focus on defining those genetic changes associated with the wound colonizing microorganisms that occur beyond 4 weeks.
Correlation of Serum Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) Level on Ovarian Volume in Women with Endometrioma

Background The correlation between endometrioma and serum Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) level is a benchmark in determining the prognosis and management of endometrioma. Endometrioma causes a decrease in ovarian reserve due to tissue damage that affects the formation of serum AMH. Serum AMH levels in daily practice are useful as a tool to determine ovarian reserve, markers for diagnosis and prognosis in infertility and reproductive abnormalities. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of serum AMH level in women with endometrioma and their correlation to ovarian volume. Methods This research was an analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design in women of reproductive age who were diagnosed with endometrioma within the period of August 2019–March 2020 at Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung. Forty-four women who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were then divided into endometrioma (n=22) and control (n=22) groups. In both groups, transvaginal ultrasound examination was performed to measure the volume of the ovary, then a laboratory examination of serum AMH level was carried out. Results Serum AMH levels in the endometrioma group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.001). Serum AMH level did not differ significantly based on laterality of the observation group (P=1.000). There was a negative correlation between serum AMH level and the volume of ovarian endometrioma, although not statistically significant (r=−0.332; P=0.066). Conclusion There was a correlation between serum AMH level and endometrioma. Serum AMH levels were significantly lower in the endometrioma group but were not influenced by their laterality. We found a negative correlation between serum AMH level and ovarian volume containing endometrioma, but not statistically significant.
Phase behavior and crystallization of a poly(ethylene oxide)/cellulose acetate butyrate blend

The phase behavior of a partially miscible blend of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) and the crystalline microstructure of PEO in the blend were studied with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical microscopy, and synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) methods. PEO/CAB showed a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of 168 °C at the critical composition of PEO of 60 wt %. All blend compositions showed a single glass-transition temperature (Tg) when they were prepared at temperatures lower than the LCST. However, with increasing CAB content, Tg of the blend changed abruptly at 70 wt % CAB; that is, a cusp existed. Below 70 wt % CAB, the change in Tg with blend composition was predicted by the Brau–Kovacs equation, whereas this change was predicted by the Fox equation at higher CAB contents. A gradual but small depression of the melting point of PEO in the blend with an increasing amount of CAB suggested that the PEO/CAB blends exhibited a weak intermolecular interaction. From DSC and SAXS experiments, it was found that amorphous CAB was incorporated into the interlamellar region of PEO for blends with less than 20 wt % CAB, whereas it was segregated to exist in the interfibrillar region in PEO for other blends with larger amounts of CAB. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 1673–1681, 2002
Diabetes Mellitus and Renal Function: Current Medical Research and Opinion.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) which is defined as high blood glucose level is a major public health worldwide. While discussing DM, the knowledge in this field is unlimited hence a syndrome that populations are living with for more than a decade is always an important matter to keep searching for updates on it. Challenges are always present in different means as comorbidities, poorly controlled DM especially type 2 Diabetes mellitus(T2DM) is considered as a risk factor for a lot of different diseases including but not limited to chronic kidney Disease (CKD). Complications might appear through time, as the aging process changes the body functions, while a significant number of antidiabetic medications are cleared eventually by the kidney; this increase the burden on kidney function placing the diabetic patients at risk. The significant high number of patients with uncontrolled diabetes resulting with kidney disease mirror the importance of this condition on patient's quality of life. This review presents an overview, pathophysiology, etiology and prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and abnormal renal parameters correlated with poorly controlled T2DM, with emphasis on and clinical studies involving the association between vitamin D Insufficiency/Deficiency and chronic kidney disease among patients with T2DM.
Speciation of aluminum in acidic freshwaters

The determination of the physical speciation of aluminum in water samples by filtration through polycarbonate membranes proved feasible; control experiments revealed neither contamination nor analyte loss. Treatment of sample filtrates with a fractionally loaded Chelex 100 ion-exchange resin (>75% H/sup +/-form) allows one to distinguish between different forms of aluminum on the basis of their kinetic and thermodynamic properties. Monomeric hydroxo- and fluoroaluminum complexes exchanged readily (>85% after 30 min), as did low molecular weight polynuclear species. Under similar conditions, forms of Al associated with fulvic and humic acids of natural origin exchanged much more slowly (<5% after 30 min, at an Al:dissolved organic carbon atomic ratio of approx. 1:155). Before photooxidation, the filterable aluminum present in natural waters exhibited intermediate behavior (0-50% exchange after 30 min); after UV irradiation the nonexchangeable Al fraction had practically disappeared (90-96% exchange after 30 min), suggesting that the major portion of the nonexchangeable Al initially present was associated with organic matter.
Protective and Risk Factors of Italian Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak: A Qualitative Study

The COVID-19 pandemic put the Italian health system under great stress. The sudden reorganization of work practices and the emotional impact of the large number of the victims had many consequences on the well-being of the healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in managing the crisis. In the available literature, most studies have focused on the risk aspects while only few studies also take into account protective factors. For this reason, it was decided to conduct, within psycho-sociological perspective, a qualitative study with the aim to explore in depth the protective and risk factors as experienced by HCPs who worked in the Italian healthcare system during the COVID-19 outbreak. A total of 19 semi-structured interviews were conducted with HCPs–9 nurses and 10 physicians (7M and 12F) with an average age of 43 (SD = 13.4)–selected using snowball sampling. Considering three different levels of analysis the results highlight the protective and risk factors: personal history level (intrinsic/ethical motivation and flexible role versus extrinsic motivation and static role), interpersonal level (perception of supportive relationships with colleagues, patients, and family versus bad relationships), and organizational level (good leadership and sustainable work purpose versus absence of support from management and undefined or confused tasks).
How Do Parameters of Implant Primary Stability Correspond with CT-Evaluated Bone Quality in the Posterior Maxilla? A Correlation Analysis

The aim of the present study was to evaluate correlations between bone density and implant primary stability, considering various determinants such as age, gender, and geometry of implants (design, diameter). Bone density of edentulous posterior maxillae was assessed by computed tomography (CT)-derived Hounsfield units, and implant primary stability values were measured with insertion torque and resonance frequency analysis (RFA). A total of 60 implants in 30 partially edentulous patients were evaluated in the posterior maxilla with two different types of dental implants. The bone density evaluated by CT-derived Hounsfield units showed a significant correlation with primary stability parameters. The bone quality was more influenced by gender rather than age, and the type of implant was insignificant when determining primary stability. Such results imply that primary stability parameters can be used for objective assessment of bone quality, allowing surgical modifications especially in sites suspected of poor bone quality.
A Prospective Study of Association of Micronutrients Deficiencies during Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcome among Women after Bariatric Surgery

Little is known about the association of micronutrients deficiencies during pregnancy and neonatal outcome among women after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG). We present a prospective study of 87 consecutive women with a history of RYGB (n = 37) or SG (n = 50) who underwent complete and regular clinical and biological nutritional assessments during pregnancy. Data on maternal characteristics, biological nutritional parameters, antenatal management, and perinatal outcome were collected. The objective was to evaluate serum levels of micronutrients at the second trimester, and to assess the association between micronutrients deficiencies and neonatal outcome. After RYGB, maternal age (34.3 ± 4.9 vs. 31.1 ± 4.6 years; p = 0.003) and pregnancy timing after surgery (64.5 ± 47.0 vs. 38.1 ± 28.1 months; p = 0.002) were significantly higher, and pre-pregnancy BMI was significantly lower (29.8 ± 5.6 vs. 32.9 ± 7.1 kg/m2; p = 0.03). Maternal and neonatal outcomes were similar. Additional supplementations after blood tests were similar in groups. Zinc, selenium, vitamins A1, B1, B6, C, and E levels were not different depending on the type of surgery. Zinc deficiency (7/87) was significantly more frequent after RYGP (18.9% vs. 0%; p = 0.02) and selenium deficiency (15/87) was similar in groups (21.6% after RYGB and 14.0% after SG; p = 0.36). The mean birth weight was significantly lower in selenium deficiency cases (3137 ± 550 vs. 3535 ± 737 g; p = 0.04). Selenium deficiency was negatively correlated with birth weight (r = −0.23; p = 0.03) and with birth weight z-score (r = −0.26; p = 0.01), but not correlated after adjustment for the procedure. The levels of micronutrients surveillance along pregnancy in women with a history of bariatric surgery is necessary to decrease the risk of inadequate fetal growth in the patients.
Random access parallel microscopy

We introduce a random-access parallel (RAP) imaging modality that uses a novel design inspired by a Newtonian telescope to image multiple spatially separated samples without moving parts or robotics. This scheme enables near-simultaneous image capture of multiple petri dishes and random-access imaging with sub-millisecond switching times at the full resolution of the camera. This enables the RAP system to capture long-duration records from different samples in parallel, which is not possible using conventional automated microscopes. The system is demonstrated by continuously imaging multiple cardiac monolayer and Caenorhabditis elegans preparations.
The Importance of Perceived Relevance: A Qualitative Evaluation of Patient’s Perceptions of Value and Impact Following a Low-Intensity Group-Based Pain Management Program

Background and objectives: Limited evidence exists exploring perceptions of which aspects of a pain management program are perceived as valuable and impactful. The aim of this study was to explore patient beliefs about which aspects of a pain management program were valued and/or had perceived impact. Materials and Methods: One-on-one structured interviews were conducted with 11 adults three months after their completion of the Spark Pain Program at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia. Concepts in the transcripts were inductively identified and explored, utilizing thematic analysis to better understand their relevance to the study aim. Results: Four themes emerged: (1) “The program overall was positive, but…”; (2) “I valued my improved knowledge and understanding of pain, but…”; (3) “I valued the stretching/relaxation/pacing/activity monitoring”; and (4) “I valued being part of a supportive and understanding group”. Participants reported that they liked being treated as an individual within the group. A lack of perceived personal relevance of key messages was identified in some participants; it appears that patients in pain programs must determine that changes in knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes are personally relevant in order for the changes to have a significant impact on them. Conclusions: This study provides new insights into aspects of a pain management program that were perceived as valuable and impactful, areas that “missed the mark”, and hypotheses to guide the implementation of service delivery and program redesign.
Total Phenolic Fraction (TPF) from Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Induction of apoptotic-like cell death in Leishmania spp. promastigotes and in vivo potential of therapeutic immunomodulation

Background Leishmaniasis is a serious multifactorial parasitic disease with limited treatment options. Current chemotherapy is mainly consisted of drugs with serious drawbacks such as toxicity, variable efficacy and resistance. Alternative bioactive phytocompounds may provide a promising source for discovering new anti-leishmanial drugs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), a key-product in the Mediterranean diet, is rich in phenols which are associated with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-microbial effects. In this study, we investigate the anti-leishmanial effect of Total Phenolic Fraction (TPF) derived from EVOO in both in vitro and in vivo systems by investigating the contributing mechanism of action. Methodology/Principal findings We tested the ability of TPF to cause apoptotic-like programmed cell death in L. infantum and L. major exponential-phase promastigotes by evaluating several apoptotic indices, such as reduction of proliferation rate, sub-G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest, phosphatidylserine externalization, mitochondrial transmembrane potential disruption and increased ROS production, by using flow cytometry and microscopy techniques. Moreover, we assessed the therapeutic effect of TPF in L. major-infected BALB/c mice by determining skin lesions, parasite burden in popliteal lymph nodes, Leishmania-specific antibodies and biomarkers of tissue site cellular immune response, five weeks post-treatment termination. Our results show that TPF triggers cell-cycle arrest and apoptotic-like changes in Leishmania spp. promastigotes. Moreover, TPF treatment induces significant reduction of parasite burden in draining lymph nodes together with an antibody profile indicative of the polarization of Th1/Th2 immune balance towards the protective Th1-type response, characterized by the presence of IFN-γ-producing CD4+ T-cells and increased Tbx21/GATA-3 gene expression ratio in splenocytes. Conclusions/Significance TPF exhibits chemotherapeutic anti-leishmanial activity by inducing programmed cell death on cell-free promastigotes and immunomodulatory properties that induce in vivo T cell-mediated responses towards the protective Th1 response in experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis. These findings enable deeper understanding of TPF’s dual mode of action that encourages further studies.
Impact of Dietary Betaine and Metabolizable Energy Levels on Profiles of Proteins and Lipids, Bioenergetics, Peroxidation and Quality of Meat in Japanese Quail

Simple Summary Three hundred and sixty quails were divided into six groups to evaluate the effect of dietary betaine on profiles of proteins and lipids, bioenergetics, peroxidation and quality of meat of Japanese quail fed diets containing three levels of metabolizable energy (ME) viz. optimum (2900 kcal ME/kg), restricted (2800 kcal ME/kg) and low (2700 kcal ME/kg). Dietary betaine improved meat quality parameters viz. cooking loss, thawing loss and water-holding capacity of Japanese quail fed diets containing either restricted or low ME by enrichments of the meat with omega-3 fatty acids and reduction of lipids levels. Abstract Three different diets were formulated with three levels of metabolizable energy (ME) (optimum; 2900, restricted; 2800 and low; 2700 kcal ME/kg diet) without or with (0 and 0.15%) betaine supplementation in 2 × 3 factorial design to evaluate the effect of six experimental diets on performance, proteins and lipids profiles, bioenergetics, peroxidation and meat quality of Japanese quail. Therefore, 360 quails allocated into six groups in a 23-day experiment. Dietary betaine and ME levels did not affect the performance, meat energy indices (ATP and AMP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of Japanese quail meat. Dietary betaine and/or ME levels induced significant changes in serum triacylglycerol (TAG), total cholesterols (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c), meat total lipids and cholesterol of Japanese quail. Optimum and restricted ME levels reduced total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) whereas dietary betaine increased ecosapentaenoic (EPA), docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) and glutamine concentrations in breast meat of Japanese quail. Dietary betaine and low energy diet improved cooking loss, thawing loss (ThL) and water holding capacity (WHC) in breast meat of Japanese quail. Conclusively, dietary betaine improved meat quality of Japanese quail fed diets containing either restricted or low ME by enrichments the meat with omega-3 fatty acids and reduction of lipids levels.
Risk Factors, Clinical Characteristics, and Prognosis of Acute Kidney Injury in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication of COVID-19. Methods: Records of hospitalized adult patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from 1 March to 31 May 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Of 283 patients, AKI occurred in 40.6%. From multivariate analyses, the risk factors of AKI in COVID-19 can be divided into: (1) demographics/co-morbidities (male, increasing age, diabetes, chronic kidney disease); (2) other organ involvements (transaminitis, elevated troponin I, ST segment/T wave change on electrocardiography); (3) elevated biomarkers (ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase); (4) possible bacterial co-infection (leukocytosis, elevated procalcitonin); (5) need for advanced oxygen delivery (non-invasive positive pressure ventilation, mechanical ventilation); and (6) other critical features (ICU admission, need for vasopressors, acute respiratory distress syndrome). Most AKIs were due to pre-renal (70.4%) and intrinsic (34.8%) causes. Renal replacement therapy was more common in intrinsic AKI. Both pre-renal (HR 3.2; 95% CI 1.7–5.9) and intrinsic AKI (HR 7.7; 95% CI 3.6–16.3) were associated with higher mortality. Male, stage 3 AKI, higher baseline and peak serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were prevalent in intrinsic AKI. Urine analysis and the fractional excretion of sodium and urea were not helpful in distinguishing intrinsic AKI from other causes. Conclusions: AKI is very common in COVID-19 and is associated with higher mortality. Characterization of AKI is warranted due to its diverse nature and clinical outcome.