Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of radiographic and computed tomographic acetabular index in small-breed dogs: a preliminary study using Maltese and Shih Tzu

Background The morphometry of the acetabulum is one source of information that assists in the clinical diagnosis of the hip and influences the proper selection of a prosthesis, reducing post-operative complications such as those seen in total hip replacement (THR). However, acetabular parameters in small-breed dogs are rarely reported. Objectives To investigate acetabular parameters using radiography and computed tomography (CT) in small-breed dogs with Maltese and Shih Tzu dogs used as model breeds. Methods Standard calibrated, extended hip radiographs and CT images were obtained. Subsequently, acetabular width (AW) in various directions was measured using radiography and CT, whereas acetabular depth (AD) was obtained by CT. Acetabular index (AI) is a ratio calculated from AD and AW. Results The values of AW and AD were much higher in Shih Tzu than in Maltese dogs. Male Shih Tzus showed higher values of these parameters than females, while sex-based differences in most of the parameters could not be detected in Maltese. Body weight, but not age, influenced AWs and ADs. While AWs and ADs were influenced by several factors, AI was comparable among the assessed factors and between Maltese and Shih Tzu dogs (p = 0.172; 31.42 ± 1.35 and 32.60 ± 1.80, respectively). Also, AI did not vary with breed, sex, or body size. Conclusions The obtained radiographic and CT acetabular parameters could be useful as guidelines for evaluating the acetabulum of small-breed dogs in clinical practice.
A technology evaluation of CVT-301 (Inbrija): an inhalable therapy for treatment of Parkinson’s disease

ABSTRACT Introduction: The most widely used pharmacological treatment for Parkinson’s disease is levodopa, the precursor for dopamine formation in the brain. Over time, the effectiveness of levodopa declines, and patients experience motor fluctuations, or OFF periods. A levodopa formulation administered via a capsule-based oral inhaler provides a new delivery mechanism for levodopa that provides rapid relief of OFF periods. Areas covered: CVT-301 is a dry powder formulation designed to supply levodopa to the systemic circulation via pulmonary absorption. The technology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety data of this formulation are presented. Expert opinion: Oral inhalation is a novel method of administration for levodopa that bypasses the gastrointestinal tract, allowing levodopa to enter the systemic circulation rapidly and more reliably than oral medications. Gastrointestinal dysfunction, a common feature of Parkinson’s disease, can lead to impaired absorption of oral medications. Pulmonary delivery rapidly elevates levodopa plasma concentrations to provide relief of OFF periods for patients receiving oral levodopa.
Using 14C-glyphosate to investigate the distribution of two formulations in transgenic glyphosate-resistant soybean

Abstract Glyphosate residues in grain can be explained by the concentrations and formulations of glyphosate products. This study aimed to evaluate the residues from glyphosate formulations labeled with 14C-glyphosate applied to leaves of glyphosate-resistant soybean (GRS) in two life cycles by liquid scintillation spectrometry. Different plant tissues were analyzed after the end of the plants’ life cycles. The experimental design was four repetitions of three treatments: Roundup® Original, Roundup Ready®, and unformulated glyphosate (control). The application of the dosing solution was 120 µL on the first four trifoliate leaves (10 µL per leaflet) of each plant, deposited manually with a 1-µL dispenser. All treatment solutions were calculated at a 1.2 kg a.e ha−1 of glyphosate. Glyphosate formulations of Roundup® Original and Roundup Ready® increased 14C-glyphosate distribution in GRS compared to the unformulated herbicide, regardless of the experiment (first or second cycle). Overall, the percentages of total radioactivity applied (18.33 kBq) found in grains were less than 5%. Grains, stems, and leaves showed the highest levels of herbicide residues compared to other parts of the plant. Despite the Roundup Ready® formulation having increased residues, the highest value found in grains, 1.95 mg kg−1, was less than 10 mg kg−1, the maximum residue limit (MRL) in Brazil.
Prevalence of loneliness amongst older people in high-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and objective Loneliness is associated with increased rates of morbidity and mortality, and is a growing public health concern in later life. This study aimed to produce an evidence-based estimate of the prevalence of loneliness amongst older people (aged 60 years and above). Study design and setting Systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of observational studies from high income countries 2008 to 2020, identified from searches of five electronic databases (Medline, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Proquest Social Sciences Premium Collection). Studies were included if they measured loneliness in an unselected population. Results Thirty-nine studies reported data on 120,000 older people from 29 countries. Thirty-one studies were suitable for meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence estimate of loneliness was 28.5% (95%CI: 23.9% - 33.2%). In twenty-nine studies reporting loneliness severity, the pooled prevalence was 25.9% (95%CI: 21.6% - 30.3%) for moderate loneliness and 7.9% (95%CI: 4.8% - 11.6%) for severe loneliness (z = -6.1, p < 0.001). Similar pooled prevalence estimates were observed for people aged 65–75 years (27.6%, 95%CI: 22.6% - 33.0%) and over 75 years (31.3%, 95%CI: 21.0% - 42.7%, z = 0.64, p = 0.52). Lower levels of loneliness were reported in studies from Northern Europe compared to South and Eastern Europe. Conclusions Loneliness is common amongst older adults affecting approximately one in four in high income countries. There is no evidence of an increase in the prevalence of loneliness with age in the older population. The burden of loneliness is an important public health and social problem, despite severe loneliness being uncommon. PROSPERO registration CRD42017060472.
Trends in Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Testing and Positivity Rates in a Safety Net Hospital in Georgia: 2014 to 2017

Chlamydia/gonorrhea testing volume increased annually, growing most in emergency medicine. Neisseria gonorrhoeae percent positivity increased from 2.7% to 4.3% from 2014 to 2017, whereas Chlamydia trachomatis positivity remained stable at 6.5% to 7%. Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States continue to increase at an alarming rate. Since 2015, reported cases of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC), the 2 most prevalent reportable STIs, have increased by 19% and 56%, respectively. Characterizing testing patterns could elucidate how CT/GC care and positivity have evolved over time in a high-risk urban setting and illustrate how patients use the health care system for their STI needs. Methods Using electronic medical record data from a large safety net hospital in Georgia, patient demographics and clinical characteristics were extracted for all nucleic acid amplification tests ordered from 2014 to 2017 (n = 124,793). Descriptive statistics were performed to understand testing patterns and assess positivity rates. Results Annual nucleic acid amplification test volume grew by 12.0% from 2014 to 2017. Obstetrics/gynecology consistently accounted for half of all tests ordered; volume in emergency medicine grew by 45.2% (n = 4108 in 2014 to n = 5963 in 2017), whereas primary care volume fell by −4.3% (n = 4186 in 2014 to n = 4005 in 2017). The largest number of positive results was detected among 15- to 24-year-olds. The positivity of CT was higher among females, and GC among males. The percent positivity of CT remained stable (range, 6.4%–7.0%). The percent positivity of GC increased from 2.7% to 4.3% over time. Conclusions Testing volume in emergency medicine has increased at a faster rate than other specialties; point-of-care testing could ensure more accurate treatment and improve antibiotic stewardship. The rates of CT/GC were high among adolescents and young adults. Tailored approaches are needed to lower barriers to care for this vulnerable population.
Functional bipolar resistive switching in AlN/Ni–Mn–In based magnetoelectric heterostructure

This report explores the influence of temperature on resistive switching characteristics in the AlN/Ni–Mn–In magnetoelectric (ME) heterostructure-based resistive random access memory (ReRAM) device. The fabricated Cu/AlN/Ni–Mn–In/Si device exhibits a sharp transition from a high resistance state (HRS) to low resistance state (LRS) at a SET voltage. The rupture of the filament from its weakest point at a RESET voltage turn the device back to its HRS. The stable bipolar resistive switching behavior is described by the current–voltage (I–V) characteristic. The HRS and LRS are explained by the trap-controlled space charge limited conduction mechanism and a well-known Ohmic conduction mechanism, respectively. The temperature-dependent resistance has been observed to further confirm the conduction mechanism in HRS and LRS. The current conduction in LRS is explained by an analytical model based on copper metallic filament formation via Cu+ migration from the top to the bottom electrode. A significant change in the SET voltage has been observed with the decrease in temperature. This variation in the SET voltage is explained via strain-mediated coupling in interfacially connected AlN/Ni–Mn–In ME heterostructure. The fabricated device displays an appreciable OFF/ON ratio of the order ∼3 × 103 with good endurance and retention of ∼1000 cycles and ∼900 s, respectively. A slight variation (<40%) in SET and RESET voltages has been observed for total endurance cycles. This study demonstrates the importance of ME heterostructure for futuristic tuneable ReRAM applications.
Unsupervised clustering analysis of data from an online community to identify lupus patient profiles with regards to treatment preferences

Objective Lupus is a chronic complex autoimmune disease. Non-adherence to treatment can affect patient outcomes. Considering patients’ preferences into medical decisions may increase acceptance to their medication. The PREFERLUP study used unsupervised clustering analysis to identify profiles of patients with similar treatment preferences in an online community of French lupus patients. Methods An online survey was conducted in adult lupus patients from the Carenity community between August 2018 and April 2019. Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was used with three unsupervised clustering methods (hierarchical, kmeans and partitioning around medoids). Several indicators (measure of connectivity, Dunn index and Silhouette width) were used to select the best clustering algorithm and choose the number of clusters. Results The 268 participants were mostly female (96%), with a mean age of 44.3 years 83% fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) self-reported diagnostic criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus. Overall, the preferred route of administration was oral (62%) and the most important feature of an ideal drug was a low risk of side-effects (32%). Hierarchical clustering identified three clusters. Cluster 1 (59%) comprised patients with few comorbidities and a poor ability to identify oncoming flares; 84% of these patients desired oral treatments with limited side-effects. Cluster 2 (13%) comprised younger patients, who had already participated in a clinical trial, were willing to use implants and valued the compatibility of treatments with pregnancy. Cluster 3 (28%) comprised patients with a longer lupus duration, poorer control of the disease and more comorbidities; these patients mainly valued implants and injections and expected a reduction of corticosteroid intake. Conclusions Different profiles of lupus patients were identified according to their drug preferences. These clusters could help physicians tailor their therapeutic proposals to take into account individual patient preferences, which could have a positive impact on treatment acceptance and then adherence. The study highlights the value of data acquired directly from patient communities.
Cognitive frailty predicting death and disability in Chinese elderly

ABSTRACT Objective Cognitive frailty (CF) is associated with adverse health outcomes, but different CF models have been proposed in the literature. We explored whether cognitive impairment (CoI) assessed by the Revised Hasegawa dementia scale (HDS-R) and physical frailty (PF) assessed by the modified Frailty Phenotype can be combined to predict risks of adverse outcomes in elderly Chinese subjects. Methods The data collected in the Rugao Longevity and Aging Study were used. PF was assessed by the modified Frailty phenotype. CoI was defined as the lowest 20% of the HDS-R score. CF was defined as the co-existence of physical frailty and CoI, excluding those with severe CoI(HDR-S ≤ 10). The date and cause of death were acquired from the Death registry of Rugao’s Civil Affairs Bureau. Disability was measured using the activities of daily living (ADL) scale. Results The prevalence of CF was 2.9% at baseline. During 3-year follow-up, 130 (8.1%) of the 1607 elderly subjects died. The highest mortality risk was observed among subjects with CF (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.28–6.78). Fully adjusted survival plots showed that CF was associated with the highest risk for 3-year mortality. The incidence of ADL disability was 6.0% after 3 years. Compared with the robust and non-CoI elderly, CF was associated with a 10.48-fold (95% CI 2.98–36.80) higher risk of ADL disability. Conclusions The CF model defined as a combination of HDS-R and Frail Phenotypes showed predictive validity for all-cause death and new-onset ADL disability 3 years later.
Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) in Previously Vitrectomized Eyes: Complications and Clinical Outcomes

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the results and complications of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in previously vitrectomized eyes. Design Retrospective study of 35 eyes that had undergone DMEK, due to Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), at our department with a follow-up after 6 months postoperatively. We compared the intraoperative procedure, complications, and results of DMEK between 14 previously vitrectomized pseudophakic eyes (group 1) and a control group of 21 pseudophakic non-vitrectomized eyes (group 2). Results The unfolding time (in minutes) was significantly longer in group 1 than in group 2 (10.5 ± 6.4 vs. 3.2 ± 1.5, p < 0.01). A single re-bubbling was needed in 8 patients in group 1 (57.1%) and in 3 patients in group 2 (14.2%) (p < 0.01). Repeated re-bubbling (≥ 1 time) was performed in only 5 patients of group 1 (35.7%). There was significant postoperative improvement in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, in LogMAR) in both groups (p = 0.04 in group 1 and p < 0.01 in group 2). The central corneal thickness (CCT, in µm) did not differ significantly between the two groups preoperatively (p = 0.4) or postoperatively (p = 0.1). However, the CCT decreased significantly postoperatively in both groups (p < 0.01 in both groups). The postoperative endothelial cell density (ECD in cell/mm²) was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 (p = 0.03). Conclusion DMEK in previously vitrectomized eyes presents a surgical challenge, which requires special, and sometimes unpredictable, intraoperative maneuvers, but good functional and morphological results can be achieved. The use of the endothelial Descemet membrane lamellae (EDML) of older donors might be recommended to facilitate the intraoperative unfolding process.
Whole genome sequencing identifies rare germline variants enriched in cancer related genes in first degree relatives of familial pancreatic cancer patients

First‐degree relatives (FDRs) of familial pancreatic cancer (FPC) patients have increased risk of developing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Investigating and understanding the genetic basis for PDAC susceptibility in FPC predisposed families may contribute toward future risk‐assessment and management of high‐risk individuals. Using a Danish cohort of 27 FPC families, we performed whole‐genome sequencing of 61 FDRs of FPC patients focusing on rare genetic variants that may contribute to familial aggregation of PDAC. Statistical analysis was performed using the gnomAD database as external controls. Through analysis of heterozygous premature truncating variants (PTV), we identified cancer‐related genes and cancer‐driver genes harboring multiple germline mutations. Association analysis detected 20 significant genes with false discovery rate, q < 0.05 including: PALD1, LRP1B, COL4A2, CYLC2, ZFYVE9, BRD3, AHDC1, etc. Functional annotation showed that the significant genes were enriched by gene clusters encoding for extracellular matrix and associated proteins. PTV genes were over‐represented by functions related to transport of small molecules, innate immune system, ion channel transport, and stimuli‐sensing channels. In conclusion, FDRs of FPC patients carry rare germline variants related to cancer pathogenesis that may contribute to increased susceptibility to PDAC. The identified variants may potentially be useful for risk prediction of high‐risk individuals in predisposed families.
Breastfeeding Motivation Predicts Infant Feeding Intention and Outcomes: Evaluation of a Novel Adaptation of the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire

Background: Identifying those at risk for suboptimal breastfeeding outcomes remains critical for improving maternal and child health. Prenatal breastfeeding motivation may be a key predictor useful for identifying those who would benefit from additional breastfeeding support. Research Aims: To (1) validate a breastfeeding-specific adaptation of the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire (TSRQ-BF); and (2) determine if breastfeeding motivation predicts prenatal breastfeeding intentions and early breastfeeding outcomes. Methods: Participants in their third trimester of pregnancy (N = 150) completed several instruments, including the TSRQ-BF and infant feeding intention, and could opt to participate in an assessment of early breastfeeding outcomes (by medical record review). TSRQ-BF subscales were derived from factor analysis, and multivariable regression was used to evaluate the association between TSRQ-BF subscale scores and breastfeeding intention and outcomes during the birth hospitalization. Results: Autonomous (related to personal values/beliefs regarding self) and Autonomous-Baby (values/benefits for the infant) subscale scores were positively associated with intended exclusivity (aOR [95% CI]: 2.22 [1.57, 3.30], 4.94 [2.49, 11.07], respectively) while higher scores on these subscales predicted longer time to planned cessation (aHR [95% CI]: 0.72 [0.61, 0.84],0.52 [0.34, 0.81]). Higher Amotivation (lack of motivation) scores were negatively associated with intended exclusivity (0.45 [0.26, 0.74]). Higher scores on Autonomous, Autonomous-Baby, and Controlled (avoidance of negative feelings/punishment or gaining reward) subscales were associated with greater odds of hospital exclusivity (aOR [95% CI]: 3.39 [1.75, 8.00], 3.44 [1.66, 9.04] and 6.05 [1.88, 29.04]) and lower odds of 2-day formula supplementation (aOR [95% CI]: 0.31 [0.14, 0.59],0.28 [0.11, 0.59], 0.19 [0.04, 0.62]). Conclusions: The TSRQ-BF predicted breastfeeding intent and outcomes, and may be helpful for identifying patients at risk for suboptimal breastfeeding outcomes before delivery.
TVB-2640 (FASN inhibitor) for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: FASCINATE-1, a randomized, placebo-controlled Ph2a trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Increased de novo lipogenesis creates excess intrahepatic fat and lipotoxins, propagating liver damage in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). TVB-2640, a fatty acid synthase (FASN) inhibitor, was designed to reduce excess liver fat and directly inhibit inflammatory and fibrogenic pathways. We assessed the safety and efficacy of TVB-2640 in NASH patients in the United States. METHODS 3V2640-CLIN-005 (FASCINATE-1) was a randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind study at 10 US sites. Adults with ≥8% liver fat, assessed by MRI-proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF), and evidence of liver fibrosis by MR-elastography (MRE) ≥2·5kPa or liver biopsy were eligible. 99 patients were randomized to receive placebo or 25mg or 50mg of TVB-2640 (orally, once-daily for 12 weeks. The primary endpoints of this study were safety and relative change in liver fat following treatment. RESULTS Liver fat increased in the placebo cohort by 4.5% relative to baseline; in contrast TVB-2640 reduced liver fat by 9·6% in the 25mg cohort (n=30; least squares mean [LSM]: -15·5%, 95% CI -31·3 - -0·23 P=0·053), and 28·1% in the 50mg cohort (n=28; LSM: -28·0%, 95% CI -44·5 - -11·6, P=0·001). 11% of patients in the placebo group achieved a ≥30% relative reduction of liver fat compared to 23% in the 25mg group, and 61% in the 50mg group (P<0·001). Secondary analyses showed improvements of metabolic, pro-inflammatory and fibrotic markers. TVB-2640 was well tolerated; adverse events were mostly mild and balanced among the groups. CONCLUSIONS TVB-2640 significantly reduced liver fat and improved biochemical, inflammatory and fibrotic biomarkers after 12 weeks, in a dose-dependent manner in NASH patients. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03938246).
Amelioration of 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis by Streptococcus thermophilus ST4 in a mouse model

Intestinal mucositis is a commonly encountered toxic side effect in patients undergoing 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy. Numerous studies have shown that probiotics enable improving chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis, but the beneficial effects of probiotics differ depending on the strain. Therefore, in the present studies we suggest that S. thermophilus ST4 separated from raw milk may assess mucoprotective activity in 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis. In our causal-comparative study design, fifteen mice were randomized assigned into three groups (n = 5/each group): control group, 5-FU group and 5-FU+S. thermophilus ST4 group. The control group was orally administrated saline only, and the 5-FU group was followed by intraperitoneal injection of 5-FU for 3 days after 10-day saline administration, and the 5-FU+S. thermophilus ST4 group was intragastrically subjected for S. thermophilus ST4 once per day during the whole experiment, starting from the first day of the experiment, followed by 5-FU intraperitoneal injection for 3 days after 10-day S. thermophilus ST4 pretreatment. Diarrhea score, pro-inflammatory cytokines serum levels, intestinal histopathology and short chain fatty acid were assessed. Here, we demonstrated the beneficial effects of S. thermophilus ST4 derived from raw milk against 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis, including body weight reduction, appetite loss and diarrhea. Intrinsically, S. thermophilus ST4 effectively maintained epithelium structure in small intestines and colons as well as reduced the intestinal inflammation. Besides, S. thermophilus ST4 significantly increased the expression of acetic acid, reinforcing the muco-protective effects. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that S. thermophilus ST4 supplementation ameliorates 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis. This suggests probiotic may serve as an alternative therapeutic strategy for the prevention or management of 5-FU-induced mucositis in the future.