Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic value of nuclear medicine imaging and ultrasonography in subacute thyroiditis.

OBJECTIVE To analyze and compare the diagnostic value of nuclear medicine and ultrasonography in subacute thyroiditis. METHODS Sixty patients with subacute thyroiditis admitted to our hospital were included into the observation group, and 60 healthy controls who underwent physical examination in our hospital during the same period were enrolled into the control group. Examinations of nuclear medicine and ultrasonography were performed in the neck, and the results were compared between the two groups. RESULTS There were significant differences in the width and thickness of thyroid bilateral lobes between the two groups (P<0.05), and for patients in the observation group, the detection rates of nuclear medicine technique and ultrasonography were 98.33% and 95.00%, respectively. Both methods showed no significant difference in the detection rate of subacute thyroiditis (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Both nuclear medicine imaging and ultrasonography can provide clinical guidance for diagnosis and treatment of subacute thyroiditis.
Novel insights into the mechanism of cell cycle kinases Mec1(ATR) and Tel1(ATM)

Abstract DNA replication is a highly precise process which usually functions in a perfect rhythm with cell cycle progression. However, cells are constantly faced with various kinds of obstacles such as blocks in DNA replication, lack of availability of precursors and improper chromosome alignment. When these problems are not addressed, they may lead to chromosome instability and the accumulation of mutations, and even cell death. Therefore, the cell has developed response mechanisms to keep most of these situations under control. Of the many factors that participate in this DNA damage response, members of the family of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related protein kinases (PIKKs) orchestrate the response landscape. Our understanding of two members of the PIKK family, human ATR (yeast Mec1) and ATM (yeast Tel1), and their associated partner proteins, has shown substantial progress through recent biochemical and structural studies. Emerging structural information of these unique kinases show common features that reveal the mechanism of kinase activity.
National Trends for Peripheral Artery Disease and End Stage Renal Disease From the National Inpatient Sample Database

Peripheral artery disease (PAD), and subsequent chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), are frequently encountered among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Their coexistence is less favorable in comparison to patients with ESRD alone. We sought to investigate trends, comorbidities, determinants for cost, and prognostic outcomes in patients with concomitant ESRD and PAD. A retrospective analysis was performed using data from the National Inpatient Sample database from the years 2005-2014. ICD-9 codes were used to identify patients with diagnoses of PAD, CLTI, and ESRD. Pearson’s Chi-square, T-test, ANOVA, and multivariate binary logistic regression were used in this analysis. 7,214,843 patients with ESRD were identified. Of these, 123,499 patients were diagnosed with PAD and 102,447 with CLTI. Compared to ESRD alone, mortality rates increased with PAD and CLTI (5.7% vs. 13.9% vs. 15.9%, P < 0.001). Length of stay in days (7.3 vs. 10.2 vs. 11.1, P < 0.001) and in-hospital costs (59,872 vs. 85,866 vs. 89,016, P < 0.001) were higher with PAD and CLTI, respectively. CLTI demonstrated the highest independent predictor of mortality [OR = 6.93 (6.43-7.46), P < 0.001]. A decreasing trend in the rate of PAD (2005: 1.9% vs. 2014: 1.4%, P < 0.001) and CLTI (2005: 1.6% vs. 2014: 1.1%, P < 0.001) was noted. The presence of coexisting PAD, and furthermore CLTI, in patients with ESRD significantly raised in-hospital mortality, cost, and length of stay. A negative trend in rates of PAD and CLTI were observed. Proactive identification of this high-risk population may lead to accurate diagnosis and tailored therapeutic strategies.
Nursing Students’ Perceptions Toward Recovery in Mental Health: A Descriptive Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND Recovery in mental health remains inconclusive where the two most prevailing definitions “clinical” and “personal” remain. In nursing schools, students are predominantly taught straightforward concepts of clinical recovery, which result in only a perfunctory and rudimentary understanding of recovery among the undergraduates. AIMS To explore the perceptions of nursing undergraduates on recovery for people experiencing mental health conditions. METHOD A descriptive qualitative study was conducted on 14 nursing undergraduates from Years 1 to 4 of the study. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling, and the required sample size was determined by data saturation. Semistructured questions were used during the individual face-to-face interviews from October and December 2019. Recordings were transcribed verbatim; the transcripts were then subjected to thematic analysis. RESULTS Three themes were identified to support the research questions: (1) semantics of major terms used in mental health care—where participants provided the description of terminologies used; (2) the meaning of recovery—where participants explained their views on “recovery”; and (3) sources of conceptualization—where participants explained their conceptual understanding on mental health conditions and recovery. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that the need for a more holistic approach encompassing personal recovery should be included in the nursing curriculum. This is necessary to promote enabling support in the recovery of people experiencing mental health conditions beyond medical interventions.
Pentraxin 3 secreted by human adipose‐derived stem cells promotes dopaminergic neuron repair in Parkinson's disease via the inhibition of apoptosis

Although adipose‐derived human mesenchymal stem cell (hADSC) transplantation has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic modality for Parkinson's disease (PD), its underlying mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. This study evaluated the therapeutic effects of stereotaxic injection of hADSCs in the striatum of the 6‐OHDA‐induced mouse model. Furthermore, an in vitro PD model was constructed using tissue‐organized brain slices. The therapeutic effect was also evaluated using a co‐culture of the hADSCs and 6‐OHDA‐treated brain slice. The analysis of hADSC exocrine proteins using RNA‐sequencing, human protein cytokine arrays, and label‐free quantitative proteomics identified key extracellular factors in the hADSC secretion environment. The degeneration and apoptosis of the dopaminergic neurons were measured in the PD samples in vivo and in vitro, and the beneficial effects were evaluated using quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, Fluoro‐Jade C, TUNEL assay, and immunofluorescence analysis. This study found that hADSCs protected the dopaminergic neurons in the in vivo and vitro models. We identified Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) as a key extracellular factor in the hADSC secretion environment. Moreover, we found that human recombinant PTX3 (rhPTX3) treatment could rescue the pathophysiological behavior of the PD mice in vivo, prevent dopaminergic neuronal death, and increase neuronal terminals in the ventral tegmental area + substantia nigra pars compacta and striatum in the PD brain slices in vitro. Furthermore, testing of the pro‐apoptotic markers in the PD mouse brain following rhPTX3 treatment revealed that rhPTX3 can prevent apoptosis and degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons. This study discovered that PTX3, a hADSC‐secreted protein, potentially protected the dopaminergic neurons against apoptosis and degeneration during PD progression and improved motor performance in PD mice, indicating the possible mechanism of action of hADSC replacement therapy for PD. Thus, our study discovered potential translational implications for the development of PTX3‐based therapeutics for PD.
A Dichotomy in Cross-Coupling Site Selectivity in a Dihalogenated Heteroarene: Influence of Mononuclear Pd, Pd Clusters, and Pd Nanoparticles—the Case for Exploiting Pd Catalyst Speciation

Site-selective dihalogenated heteroarene cross-coupling with organometallic reagents usually occurs at the halogen proximal to the heteroatom, enabled by intrinsic relative electrophilicity, particularly in strongly polarized systems. An archetypical example is the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling (SMCC) of 2,4-dibromopyridine with organoboron species, which typically exhibit C2-arylation site-selectivity using mononuclear Pd (pre)catalysts. Given that Pd speciation, particularly aggregation, is known to lead to the formation of catalytically competent multinuclear Pdn species, the influence of these species on cross-coupling site-selectivity remains largely unknown. Herein, we disclose that multinuclear Pd species, in the form of Pd3-type clusters and nanoparticles, switch arylation site-selectivity from C2 to C4, in 2,4-dibromopyridine cross-couplings with both organoboronic acids (SMCC reactions) and Grignard reagents (Kumada-type reactions). The Pd/ligand ratio and the presence of suitable stabilizing salts were found to be critically important in switching the site-selectivity. More generally, this study provides experimental evidence that aggregated Pd catalyst species not only are catalytically competent but also alter reaction outcomes through changes in product selectivity.
The results of aortic arch replacement using antegrade cerebral perfusion in haemodialysis patients: analysis of the Japan cardiovascular surgery database.

OBJECTIVES There have been limited data available regarding aortic arch replacement in dialysis patients. The purpose of this study was to examine real-world data and to determine the impact of preoperative dialysis status and other risks on surgical aortic arch replacement using the Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database. METHODS A total of 5044 patients who underwent elective, isolated aortic arch replacement using antegrade cerebral perfusion during 2014-2017 were eligible for the study. Of these, 89 patients received haemodialysis preoperatively. The patients were divided into 6 groups according to their preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate and dialysis status for comparison. Preoperative and postoperative data were examined using a multivariable regression model. RESULTS The overall surgical mortality rates of non-Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) (estimated glomerular filtration rate >60 ml/min/1.73 m2), stage 3A, stage 3B, stage 4, stage 5 CKD and dialysis patients were 2.6%, 3.1%, 6.8%, 11.6%, 16.7% and 13.5%, respectively. After risk adjustment, dialysis was shown to be strongly associated with surgical mortality (odds ratio 4.39 and 95% confidence interval 2.22-8.72) and have a trend to be associated with postoperative stroke (odds ratio 2.02, 95% confidence interval 1.00-4.10, P = 0.051) when compared to the non-CKD group. As predictors of mortality, male sex, peripheral arterial disease, preoperative liver dysfunction and impaired left ventricular function were identified. CONCLUSIONS The Japanese nationwide database revealed the outcomes of aortic arch replacement in dialysis patients. Appropriate counselling and an alternative strategy should be considered for such patients with multiple risks for mortality.
Impact of Exercise Training on Hematological Outcomes Following Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A Scoping Review.

PURPOSE Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is associated with significant risk prior to hematopoietic engraftment. Endurance exercise can modify the bone marrow microenvironment, alter hematopoiesis and accelerate hematopoietic regeneration in mouse models of transplantation. METHODS A systematic review was conducted to clarify the impact of exercise on clinically relevant hemato-logical outcomes in patients following HCT. RESULTS A systematic search of the literature identified 13 studies (total of 615 participants; 313 in study arms). Studies included exercise regimens that were primarily low-to-moderate intensity. A total of five studies re-ported on engraftment and length of stay, which were largely unchanged with intervention. Rates of graft-ver-sus host disease were reported in six studies whereas red cell and platelet transfusion needs were reported in four studies, neither of which was different with exercise. Survival was reported in four studies and was significantly improved by exercise in one study. CONCLUSIONS Exercise in patients receiving HCT appears feasible and safe. Heterogeneity in type and intensity of exercise was observed and few studies examined high intensity exercise. Outcome reporting was inconsis-tent regarding transplant-related outcomes. Standardized hematological outcome measures are needed to clarify the impact of higher intensity exercise on HCT.
Liver transplantation during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A 2020 year‐end report from Lombardy, northern Italy

The COVID-19 emergency has inevitably impacted liver transplantation (LT) activity in the 4 LT programs operating in Lombardy, the first and worst-hit area of Italy, with 553.854 infected patients and 27.598 deaths as at 10 February 2021 (1,2). The first COVID-19 infection surge started in Italy in March and ended in May 2020, with our region of Lombardy becoming Europe's first coronavirus hotspot (2,3). After a brief summer respite, September 2020 saw the beginning of the second wave.
Awareness and knowledge about glaucoma among patients visiting the screening clinic in Jeddah Eye Hospital, Saudi Arabia.

AIM To explore levels and determinants of awareness and knowledge about glaucoma among patients. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study that included adult patients from October to the end of December 2018. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed by the researchers to measure the levels of awareness and knowledge about 18 basic information about glaucoma. The sheet was divided into 4 domains: types of glaucoma, risk factors, clinical features, and management. A knowledge score (KS, range=0-18) was calculated, with higher scores indicating higher levels. RESULTS A total of 383 patients responded to the questionnaire, 61.9% males, mean±SD age was 38.5±12.94 years old, and 61.6% had a university degree or higher. Of them, 6.3% and 23.2% reported personal and family history of glaucoma, respectively. The most frequently reported source of information about glaucoma was another person with glaucoma (28.2%), followed by physicians (24.8%) and TV (19.6%). Knowledge by item ranged from 3.1% to 82.5% correctness rate, while KS showed mean=5.91 and median=5; and reliability testing of the knowledge scale showed Cronbach's alpha=0.782. Higher KS were found among respondents with higher educational level (P=0.036), diabetes history (P=0.025), and personal (P<0.001) and family (P<0.001) history of glaucoma. CONCLUSION This study reveals low awareness and knowledge levels about glaucoma among the attendees of a local eye care hospital, where several misconceptions about disease risk factors, clinical features, and management are identified.
Dried Biosorbent Derived from Banana Peel: A Potential Biosorbent for Removal of Cadmium Ions from Aqueous Solution

Banana peel, an agricultural waste, was used as biosorbent for the biosorption of cadmium ions from aqueous solution. The important parameters such as particle sizes, initial solution pH and initial cadmium ion concentration were evaluated on the biosorption studies, in a batch scale at 25 ๐ C. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that carboxyl, hydroxyl and amide groups on the banana peel surface was involved in the adsorption of the cadmium ions. The particle size of banana peel had no effect on the removal of cadmium ions. The cadmium ion removal increased significantly as pH of the solution increased rapidly from 1 to 5. At pH of about 5, cadmium ion removal reached a maximum value of 17.94%. Biosorption isotherms showed an S-shaped isotherm, that did not follow the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm model. The result shows that banana peel could be used as biosorbent for removing cadmium ions from aqueous
High-quality nursing and the rehabilitation of clavicle fracture patients using traditional Mongolian medicine.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of high-quality care on the recovery of joint function and quality of life (QOL) for patients who were treated using Mongolian medicine to treat their clavicle fractures. METHODS A total of 167 patients with clavicle fractures who were treated using Mongolian manual reduction in our hospital were placed into a study group (n = 84, high-quality care) or a control group (n = 83, routine care). The two groups' joint function recoveries, their QOL, and their related indicators were compared. RESULTS After the nursing intervention, the patients in the study group had complete control over their health education, and their Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) scores, their shoulder joint function effective recovery rates, and their patient satisfaction scores were significantly higher than they were in the control group (P < 0.05). The patients in the study group had a higher demand for the nursing staff' s knowledge and skills and health guidance, rather than service attitude, care and communication and patient feelings (P < 0.05). After the nursing intervention, the quality of life improved in the two groups (P < 0.05), and the improvement in the study group was greater (P < 0.05). The nursing error rate s and the patient complaint rate in the study group were significantly lower than they were in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION High-quality care can effectively improve the quality of life and nursing satisfaction of patients with clavicle fractures who are treated using Mongolian medical techniques, and it can significantly promote the recovery of their joint function.
A comparison of the efficacy and safety of ixazomib and lenalidomide combined with dexamethasone in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

OBJECTIVE To explore the efficacy and safety of ixazomib and lenalidomide combined with dexamethasone (DXMS) in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS A total of 80 patients with newly diagnosed MM were randomly divided into the ID group (ixazomib + DXMS, n=40) and the RD group (lenalidomide + DXMS, n=40). All patients were given DXMS orally on the 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd day of the treatment cycle (20 mg each time). The patients in the ID group also received 4 mg of ixazomib citrate capsules orally on the 1st, 8th, and 15th day of the treatment cycle, whereas those in the RD group received 25 mg of lenalidomide capsules orally from the 1st to the 21st day of the treatment cycle continuously. The primary outcome measure was progression-free survival (PFS) within 5 years, and the secondary outcome measures were overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR), quality of life, and safety. RESULTS The median PFS and median OS in the ID group were similar to those in the RD group (30.03 and 50.21 months vs. 25.04 and 46.33 months, both P>0.05). The ID group had higher complete remission rate (13 cases vs. 5 cases, P<0.05), but similar ORR compared with the RD group (90.00% vs. 82.50%, P>0.05). After treatment, the pain intensity assessed by Numeric Rating Scale and the functional impairment measured by Karnofsky Performance Status Scale of the two groups were both relieved (both P<0.001), and no intergroup differences in these two markers were observed (both P>0.05). The incidence of grade 1-2 peripheral neuropathy in the ID group was higher than that in the RD group (30.00% vs. 20.00%, P=0.032). There were no differences in other adverse reactions between the two groups (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION Compared with the combination of lenalidomide and DXMS, ixazomib combined with DXMS can achieve higher complete remission rate and more improved PFS and OS in patients with newly diagnosed MM, which is a safe and effective method.
Oral cyclosporine is effective in stabilizing active vitiligo: Results of a randomized controlled trial

Oral dexamethasone mini pulse (OMP) is an established treatment modality for active vitiligo. Cyclosporine may have therapeutic role in active vitiligo but current evidence supporting its role is scarce. The objective of study was to compare the efficacy and safety of oral cyclosporine with OMP in patients of active vitiligo. Fifty patients with active vitiligo were randomized into two groups of 25 patients. Group 1 was treated with OMP (2.5 mg dexamethasone) on two consecutive days/week for 4 months while group 2 was treated with cyclosporine (3 mg/kg/day) for 4 months. Laboratory monitoring was performed as per the prevalent protocol. The patients were followed up for another 2 months after stopping treatment. Arrest of disease progression (ADP) was defined as change of vitiligo disease activity score from 4+ to 3+ (time elapsed since last disease activity being more than 6 weeks upto 3 months) during the study period (6 months). ADP was attained in 21 patients in group 1 and 22 patients in group 2 (84% vs. 88%, p = 1.00) at the end of 6 months. However, mean time to achieve ADP was significantly lower in group 2 as compared to group 1 (10.92 [4.12] weeks vs. 13.90 [3.92] weeks, p = 0.01). Extent of repigmentation, improvement in patient assessment score, vitiligo quality of life and clinical markers of disease activity were marginal and comparable in both groups. Cyclosporine leads to earlier disease stabilization in active vitiligo as compared to OMP. Although considered a rescue drug in dermatology, low dose cyclosporine can be an effective therapeutic alternative in vitiligo patients.
Periplaneta americana L. a potential source of traditional medicine: chemometric analysis, in vitro and in silico study

Abstract ‘Mayurbhanj is the ethnic dominant tribal population district in Odisha, India. The triabl's of Mayurbhanj depends on traditional medicines since time immemorial for health-related issues. Due to the imperative ethnic claim of traditional healers, the financial stringency of the patient community and the necessity to produce a better therapeutic effect has led to investigate ethno zoological sources and to find out the biochemical moiety responsible for the healing process. Considering the ethnic communities’ acceptability of the zoological source as traditional medicine, the current evidence-based research study is conducted to investigate the biochemical moiety present in Periplaneta americana, responsible for therapeutic activity. The whole powdered Periplaneta americana was extracted using maceration techniques with n-hexane and methanol as solvent. The obtained extracts were subjected to GC-MS analysis to identify the biochemical moiety. To check the potential biological activity, an in-vitro antimicrobial test was carried out in both turbidimetry and a viable count method against E. coli. Moreover, the obtained biochemical molecules were exposed to in silico studies for their binding modes and their affinity using Discovery studio software. The major compounds were found to be hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester, n-hexadecanoic acid, oleic acid, octadecanoic acid along with other minor constituents. The maximum inhibitory activity of n-hexane and methanol extract against S. aureus at a concentration of 400 µg/mL was found to be 89 and 87%, respectively. The binding models of almost all identified compounds confer very good binding affinities with some key and strong non-covalent interactions with various amino acid residues of receptor active site pocket, which predict the compounds to be potent inhibitors of various infectious bacteria. These findings suggested that the hexane extract of P. americana could be exploited as a potential natural source. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT