Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High Oxygenation During Normothermic Regional Perfusion After Circulatory Death Is Beneficial on Donor Cardiac Function in a Porcine Model

Background. Thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) is a new method for in situ reperfusion and reanimation of potential donor organs in donation after circulatory death by reperfusion of the thoracic and abdominal organs with oxygenated blood. We investigated effects of high oxygenation (HOX) versus low oxygenation (LOX) during NRP on donor heart function in a porcine model. Methods. Pigs (80 kg) underwent a 15-min anoxic cardiac arrest followed by cardiac reanimation on NRP using a heart-lung bypass machine with subsequent assessment 180 min post-NRP. The animals were randomized to HOX (FiO2 1.0) or LOX (FiO2 0.21 increased to 0.40 during NRP). Hemodynamic data were obtained by invasive blood pressure and biventricular pressure-volume measurements. Blood gases, biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress were measured. Results. Eight of 9 animals in the HOX group and 7 of 10 in the LOX group were successfully weaned from NRP. Right ventricular end-systole elastance was significantly improved in the HOX group compared with the LOX group, whereas left ventricular end-systole elastance was preserved at baseline levels. Post-NRP cardiac output, mean arterial, central venous, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure were all comparable to baseline. Creatinine kinase-MB increased more in the LOX group than the HOX group, whereas proinflammatory cytokines increased more in the HOX group than the LOX group. No difference was found in oxidative stress between groups. Conclusions. All hearts weaned from NRP showed acceptable hemodynamic function for transplantation. Hearts exposed to LOX showed more myocardial damage and showed poorer contractile performance than hearts reperfused with high oxygen.
Attitudes of Palliative Care Practitioners Towards Enrolling Patients in Clinical Trials

Background: Recruitment of participants for clinical trials remains a key consideration for investigators. This is particularly relevant in palliative care, where practitioners are sometimes reluctant to refer patients for consideration of enrolment. Reasons for this reluctance range from concerns about excessive burden to patients, through to debate about the appropriateness of undertaking trials in the palliative care setting. Aim: The aim of this study was (1) to explore palliative care practitioners’ attitudes and views of clinical trials, (2) to compare these findings with those of a similar survey undertaken more than a decade earlier, and (3) to explore predictors associated with key concepts of interest associated with clinical trials. Design: The palliative care clinician's attitudes to clinical research survey undertaken in 2007 formed the basis of a repeat survey conducted in 2019. Setting/Participants: Australian and New Zealand palliative care practitioners were surveyed. Results: Surveys were completed by 135 palliative care practitioners. Comparing results of the current study and those findings of more than a decade earlier revealed that attitudes have either not substantially changed or indeed in some areas have become less accepting of clinical trials. This is despite the dramatic increase in the volume of research carried out within palliative care over the last decade. Conclusion: Our survey suggests that the reasons for engagement in research are complex and likely to differ according to local conditions. Careful attention to understanding of the local environment and particularly the attitudes of local practitioners is likely to be essential to be successful in this endeavour.
Association between inflammatory markers and survival in comatose, resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients

Abstract Objectives Prognostication after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains challenging. The inflammatory response after OHCA has been associated with increased mortality. This study investigates the associations and predictive value between inflammatory markers and outcome in resuscitated OHCA patients. Design The study is based on post hoc analyses of a double-blind controlled trial, where resuscitated OHCA patients were randomized to receive either exenatide or placebo. Blood was analyzed for levels of inflammatory markers the day following admission. Primary endpoint was time to death for up to 180 days. Secondary endpoints included 180-day mortality and poor neurological outcome after 180 days, defined as a cerebral performance category (CPC) of 3 to 5. Results Among 110 included patients we found significant associations between higher leucocyte quartile and increasing mortality in univariable analysis (OR 2.6 (95%CI 1.6–4.2), p < . 001), as well as in multivariable analysis (OR 2.1 (95%CI 1.1–4.0), p = . 02). A significant association was found between higher neutrophil quartile and increasing mortality in univariable analysis (OR 3.0 (95%CI 1.8–5.0), p < . 001) as well as multivariable analysis (OR 2.4 (95%CI 1.2–4.6), p = . 01). Leucocyte and neutrophil levels were predictive of poor outcome after 180 days with area under the receiver operating characteristics curves of 0.79 and 0.81, respectively. We found no associations between CRP and lymphocyte levels versus outcome. Conclusions Total leucocyte count and neutrophil levels measured the first day following OHCA were significantly associated with 180-day all-cause mortality and may potentially act as early predictors of outcome. Clinical trial registration www.clinicaltrials. gov, unique identifier: NCT02442791
Social distancing behaviour: avoidance of physical contact and related determinants among South Africans: twelve days into the COVID-19 lockdown

ABSTRACT Social distancing behaviour is a primary preventive measure for reducing COVID-19 transmission. Improved understanding of factors associated with adherence to social distancing is vital for mitigating the impact of COVID-19 in South Africa. The study assessed adherence to social distancing and its associated factors during the state-implemented lockdown in South Africa. Data was analysed from a large-scale public survey conducted in South Africa from 8 to 29 April 2020, which was administered online and telephonically. Invitations to participate were distributed widely on local websites and social media networks, including on a data-free platform. Adherence to social distancing was measured by self-report of having engaged in close physical contact with someone outside the home. Simple and multiple logistic regression models examined the association between social distancing and potential explanatory variables. Of the 17,586 participants, 9.2% came into close physical contact with a person outside their home by hugging, kissing, or shaking hands during the past 7 days. The odds of coming into close physical contact with other people were significantly higher for males, students, and those with incorrect knowledge on physical distancing, angry attitudes about the lockdown, lack of confidence in the government response, high-risk perception, movement out of the local area, travelling to shops using public transport, households with communal water facilities and higher household size. The 25–59-year olds compared to 18–24-year olds, and the White and Indian/Asian compared to the African population groups had significantly lower odds of close physical contact with others outside the home. The study identifies subgroups of individuals for whom public health interventions to improve adherence to social distancing should be prioritised and tailored. Interventions and policies should take cognisance of the social determinants of health as well as culturally accepted greeting practices like hand shaking.
Eye-closure effects and the influence of short-term storage and processing capacity on episodic memory

ABSTRACT Two experiments investigated differences in short-term storage and processing capacity on the magnitude of eye-closure effects on episodic memory. Experiment 1 compared individuals with high (vs. low) forward and backward spans in the free-recall of words retrieved under both eyes closed and open conditions. Main effects of both forward and backward span capacity (greater recall for the high span group) and eye-closure (higher recall with eyes closed) were found. Eye-closure was also associated with more “remember” responses. Experiment 2 compared individuals with high (vs. low) reading spans and found both main effects for reading span and eye-closure (greater recall for the high span group and with eyes closed). Remember responses were associated with both high reading span and eye-closure. The absence of interactions is discussed in terms of explanations of eye-closure effects that differentiate between modality-general and modality-specific processes.
Preclinical assessment of onabotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of mild traumatic brain injury-related acute and persistent post-traumatic headache

Abstract Objective Investigation of onabotulinumtoxinA in a murine model of acute and persistent post-traumatic headache. Methods Mild traumatic brain injury was induced with a weight drop method. Periorbital and hindpaw cutaneous allodynia were measured for 14 days. Mice were then exposed to bright light stress and allodynia was reassessed. OnabotulinumtoxinA (0.5 U) was injected subcutaneously over the cranial sutures at different post-injury time points. Results After milt traumatic brain injury, mice exhibited periorbital and hindpaw allodynia that lasted for approximately 14 days. Allodynia could be reinstated on days 14–67 by exposure to stress only in previously injured mice. OnabotulinumtoxinA administration at 2 h after mild traumatic brain injury fully blocked both transient acute and stress-induced allodynia up to day 67. When administered 72 h post-mild traumatic brain injury, onabotulinumtoxinA reversed acute allodynia, but only partially prevented stress-induced allodynia. OnabotulinumtoxinA administration at day 12, when initial allodynia was largely resolved, produced incomplete and transient prevention of stress-induced allodynia. The degree of acute allodynia correlated positively with subsequent stress-induced allodynia. Conclusion Mild traumatic brain injury induced transient headache-like pain followed by long lasting sensitization and persistent vulnerability to a normally innocuous stress stimulus, respectively modeling acute and persistent post-traumatic headache. Administration of onabotulinumtoxinA following the resolution of acute post-traumatic headache diminished persistent post-traumatic headache but the effects were transient, suggesting that underlying persistent mild traumatic brain injury-induced maladaptations were not reversed. In contrast, early onabotulinumtoxinA administration fully blocked both acute post-traumatic headache as well as the transition to persistent post-traumatic headache suggesting prevention of neural adaptations that promote vulnerability to headache-like pain. Additionally, the degree of acute post-traumatic headache was predictive of risk of persistent post-traumatic headache.
High-resolution mapping of losses and gains of Earth’s tidal wetlands

Tidal wetlands are expected to respond dynamically to global environmental change, but the extent to which wetland losses have been offset by gains remains poorly understood. We developed a global analysis of satellite data to simultaneously monitor change in three highly interconnected intertidal ecosystem types—tidal flats, tidal marshes, and mangroves—from 1999 to 2019. Globally, 13,700 square kilometers of tidal wetlands have been lost, but these have been substantially offset by gains of 9700 km2, leading to a net change of −4000 km2 over two decades. We found that 27% of these losses and gains were associated with direct human activities such as conversion to agriculture and restoration of lost wetlands. All other changes were attributed to indirect drivers, including the effects of coastal processes and climate change. Description Global shifts in tidal wetlands Ecologically and economically important coastal wetlands are threatened by sea level rise and land use change. Murray et al. used high-resolution satellite imagery to assess the global extent of tidal wetlands and changes in wetland extent and distribution over the past two decades. They found that although over 13,000 square kilometers of tidal wetland have recently been lost, much of this decreasing extent has been offset by the creation of new wetlands. The greatest losses and gains were in tidal flats, but mangrove ecosystems showed the largest net decline in area globally. Direct human impacts on wetlands, including land transformation and restoration, are detectable from satellite imagery and account for 27% of wetland losses and gains. —BEL High-resolution satellite imagery reveals that substantial global losses of tidal wetlands are largely offset by new wetland formation.
Radioassay of Elements, Organics and Radioactivity Level of Maltene Component of Nigerian Crude Oil for Human and Ecological Assessment

Abstract The maltene component of Nigerian crude oils was analyzed with a view to ascertaining its characteristics and assess the environmental health implications of its uses. Crude oils collected from 3 different oil fields (Belema, Imo and Eket) were deasphaltened using n-pentane, analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (model Varian 71 O-ES ICP) for the elemental content, a Perkin Elmer Model spectrum 100 Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) to identify the organics, while Gamma counting equipment consisting of a calibrated Canberra vertical high-purity germanium (HPGe) coaxial detector was used for radionuclide content measurement. Chromium, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, S, V and Zn levels were determined and were lower in the maltene than the crude oil. This was confirmed by their T-test values. Strong and positive correlations (R2 = 0.50) existed between the maltene and crude oil. Elemental clustering result indicated two major groups – (Cu, Mn, Cr, V, Zn, Fe and Ni) and (S) and was corroborated by Principal component analysis result. The FT-IR analysis results peaks indicated the presence of mixtures of alkanes, aromatic rings, ketones, organic sulphoxides, amines and heteroaromatic compounds. The radionuclides identified belonged to the decay series headed by 238U and 232Th as well as the non-series 40K. The maltene component was found to contain permissible levels of the radionuclides with mean activity values of 18.13±2.01, 2.31±0.66 and 4.35±2.71 Bq/kg respectively. The absorbed dose rate due to the radionuclides in the samples gave an average value of 4.02 nGy/h which was lower than the UNSCEAR standard (60 nGy/h). The levels of radiological hazard to the environment and threat to human health from gamma radiation by the maltene are low, as the hazard indices are below the recommended standards. However, long exposure to the harmful smoke generated from burning of maltene may pose an intrinsic health hazard.
Comparison of 3-month visual outcomes of a new multifocal intraocular lens vs a trifocal intraocular lens

TECNIS Synergy multifocal intraocular lens, model ZFR00V, showed improved clinical performance particularly through near distances vs Acrysof PanOptix Trifocal intraocular lens, model TFNT00, in patients undergoing bilateral cataract surgery. Purpose: To compare the clinical performance of the TECNIS Synergy multifocal (model ZFR00V) intraocular lens (IOL) with that of the AcrySof PanOptix Trifocal (model TFNT00) IOL in patients undergoing bilateral cataract surgery. Setting: Multicenter clinical setting. Design: Prospective randomized comparative study. Methods: Patients aged 22 years or older were randomly assigned (2:1) to bilateral implantation with ZFR00V or TFNT00 IOLs. End points included the mean binocular distance-corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA) at 40 cm, photopic and mesopic DCNVAs at 33 cm, photopic low-contrast corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and mesopic CDVA, nondirected patient responses to an ocular/visual symptoms questionnaire, and safety. Results: Of the 150 patients implanted with IOLs, 95 of the 97 patients with ZFR00V IOLs and 52 of the 53 patients with TFNT00 IOLs completed the 3-month follow-up. Most patients in the ZFR00V and TFNT00 groups achieved 20/25 or better binocular CDVA (100% vs 96.2%) and DCNVA measured at 40 cm (88.4% vs 75.0%) and 33 cm (78.9% vs 51.9%). The mean between-group difference in binocular DCNVA at 40 cm favored ZFR00V IOLs (0.5 lines Snellen; 95% CI, 0.012 to 0.089; P ≤ .05). Similarly, the mean binocular photopic and mesopic DCNVAs at 33 cm (0.8 lines Snellen each; both P ≤ .05 vs TFNT00) and photopic high-contrast and low-contrast CDVA (0.5 lines Snellen each; both P ≤ .05 vs TFNT00) favored ZFR00V IOLs. Patient-reported ocular/visual symptoms and safety were generally similar between the 2 IOLs. Conclusions: The ZFR00V IOL showed an extensive range of vision, particularly through near distances, and better mesopic performance than the TFNT00 IOL in patients undergoing cataract surgery.
Time to castration-resistant prostate cancer and prostate cancer death according to PSA response in men with non-metastatic prostate cancer treated with gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists

Abstract Objectives: To predict castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and prostate cancer (Pca) death by use of clinical variables at Pca diagnosis and PSA levels after start of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH) in men with non-metastatic castration sensitive prostate cancer (nmCSPC). Materials and Methods: PSA values for 1603 men with nmCSPC in the National Prostate Cancer Register of Sweden who received GnRH as primary treatment were retrieved from Uppsala-Örebro PSA Cohort and Stockholm PSA and Biopsy Register. All men had measured PSA before (pre-GnRH PSA) and 3–6 months after (post-GnRH PSA) date of start of GnRH. Unadjusted and adjusted Cox models were used to predict CRPC by PSA levels. PSA levels and ISUP grade were used to construct a risk score to stratify men by tertiles according to risk of CRPC and Pca death. Results: 788 (49%) men reached CRPC and 456 (28%) died of Pca during follow-up. Post-GnRH PSA predicted CRPC regardless of pre-GnRH PSA. CRPC risk increased with higher post-GnRH PSA, HR 4.7 (95% CI: 3.4–6.7) for PSA > 16 ng/mL vs 0–0.25 ng/mL and with ISUP grade, HR 3.7 (95%: 2.5–5.4) for ISUP 5 vs ISUP 1. Risk of Pca death in men above top vs bellow bottom tertile of post-GnRH PSA and ISUP grade was HR 4.1 (95% CI: 3.0–5.5). Conclusion: A risk score based on post-GnRH PSA and ISUP grade could be used for early identification of a target group for future clinical trials on additional therapy to GnRH.
A case of adenoviral covid-19 vector vaccine possibly linked to severe but reversible interstitial lung injury post-vaccination

Abstract Background Several safe and effective vaccines against nCoV-19 have been developed to contain the pandemic with very few severe adverse-reactions reported. Vaccine-induced interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a very rare and difficult to recognise and diagnose adverse-reaction and is mostly associated with Influenza vaccines. Methods We report a 55-yr old male who presented with severe respiratory failure that required for several days oxygen supplementation with high flow nasal cannula, and myocardial infarction. Symptoms onset was eighteen days after the first shot of adenoviral AZD1222 vector vaccine. Possible SARS-CoV-2 natural infection post-vaccination was excluded with rigorous laboratory work-up including multiple nasopharengeal rt-qPCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 detection and close monitoring of his serum SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Other potential infectious agents and alternate diagnoses were thoroughly investigated. Results Patient responded impressively to high dose steroids. A repeat chest CT nine days after the first one showed a remarkable resolution of the bilateral ground glass opacities. Except for his cardiology medication, no supplemental oxygen neither steroids were prescribed upon his discharge. On one month follow-up, no residual pulmonary dysfunction was noticed with patient preserving a SatO2 of 97–98% on ambient air. Conclusion Vaccine-induced ILD might constitute a rare nCoV-19 post-vaccination adverse-event. According to current restricted data, when post-vaccination ILD is early suspected and recognised, then prompt implementation of steroid treatment reverses significantly the lung lesions without progression to fibrosis.
Downregulated Reprimo by LINC00467 participates in the growth and metastasis of gastric cancer

ABSTRACT Gastric cancer (GC) as an aggressive malignancy still causes a global health problem. It has been documented that long noncoding RNAs are involved in GC development. Therefore, this research was designed to explore the role of LINC00467 in the growth and metastasis of GC. The expression of LINC00467 and Reprimo in GC tissues and cells was detected. The binding relationship among LINC00467, DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and Reprimo was assessed following. Reprimo promoter methylation was detected by methylation sequencing. GC cell lines overexpressing or knock downing LINC00467 were constructed for pinpointing the effect of LINC00467 on cell functions as well as growth and metastasis of GC cells in vivo. LINC00467 was highly expressed, whereas Reprimo was poorly expressed in GC tissues and cells. Mechanically, LINC00467 promoted the methylation and decreased the expression of Reprimo promoter by recruiting DNMT1 in GC cells. Knockdown of LINC00467 diminished the malignant properties of GC cells. Knockdown of LINC00467 reduced tumorigenesis and metastasis of GC cells in vivo. LINC00467 might exert oncogenic effects in GC via Reprimo downregulation by recruiting DNMT1. Graphical Abstract
Prevalence and Pattern of Paediatric dermatoses among children in Aminu Kano teaching Hospital Kano, Nigeria

Introduction: Skin disorders are common among children, most especially the infections and infestations as the immunity is not fully developed during childhood. Skin disorders are among common causes of morbidity in developing countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. Skin disorders are major cause of concern among children. This study aimed to document the prevalence of skin diseases among children who attended the paediatric outpatient clinic of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) Kano, Nigeria. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study. The study population included children aged between 6 weeks and 14years from the study area who attend Paediatric Out Patient Department (POPD) clinics recruited consecutively. Data obtained from the patients included age, gender, clinical features, socio-economic class and diagnosis. Result: Two hundred and twenty-three children aged 6weeks to 14years were enrolled into the study. The mean age of the children was 84.42± 40.12. There were 110 males (49.3%) and 113 females (50.7%) with Male to female ratio 1:1.1. Fifty-five children (24.7%) had skin disorders. There were 14 specific diagnosis made. The leading categories were infections accounting for 18.3% of the skin disorders (p < 0.001). Seborrheic dermatitis was the commonest specific diagnosis found among 3.1% of the children. Conclusion: Prevalence of skin disorders among children attending POPD of Aminiu Kano Teaching Hospital is 24.7%. Infections and infestations were the commonest category of skin disorders found. (www.actabiomedica.it)