Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Computed-Tomography Based Predictors of Acute Stroke Related to Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Aortic Wall Plaque Thickness Might be a Predictive Parameter of Stroke.

OBJECTIVES Little information is available on computed tomography (CT)-based predictors of stroke related to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The objective of this study was to determine whether anatomical features of the aortic valve and aorta visualized by CT are predictive parameters of stroke. METHODS The study included 1270 patients who underwent preprocedural contrast-enhanced CT assessment and TAVR for severe aortic valve stenosis. Twenty-six patients (2.5%) who developed acute strokes that occurred within 48 hours after TAVR and 104 matched patients without strokes were identified, using 1:4 propensity-score matching. The degree of hypoattenuation in the aortic valve leaflets, calcium volume of the aortic valve, and plaque thickness in the aortic wall (the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and descending thoracic aorta) were assessed. RESULTS There were no differences between the two groups in the degree of hypoattenuation in the aortic valve leaflets and calcium volume of the aortic valve. The plaque thickness of the aortic arch and descending aorta were greater in the stroke group than in the non-stroke group: aortic arch, 2.4 mm (IQR, 1.3-2.8 mm) vs 1.8 mm (IQR, 1.4-2.2 mm), respectively (P<.01); and descending aorta, 2.9 mm (IQR, 2.1-4.2 mm) vs 2.8 mm (IQR, 2.1-3.6 mm); respectively (P=.049). CONCLUSION Aortic wall plaque thickness measured by contrast-enhanced CT might be a predictive parameter of strokes that occur within 48 hours after TAVR.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the gonadotoxic effects of cyclophosphamide and benefits of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) in women of child-bearing age with autoimmune rheumatic disease

ABSTRACT Objectives: To systematically review risk of sustained amenorrhea with intravenous (IV) cyclophosphamide in autoimmune rheumatic disease (ARD), and evaluate efficacy of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) to reduce this risk. Methods: Systematic search for papers reporting incidence of sustained amenorrhea ≥12 months in ARD following: IV cyclophosphamide; or GnRHa and IV cyclophosphamide compared to IV cyclophosphamide alone. Results: From 31 articles and 1388 patients (mean age 27.7 years) sustained amenorrhea occurred in 273 patients (19.7%). Of 56 patients (mean age range 23.9–25.6 years) receiving GnRHa and IV cyclophosphamide, and 37 controls (mean age range 25–30.1 years) given IV cyclophosphamide only, sustained amenorrhea occurred in 2/56 (3.6%) patients treated with GnRHa, compared to 15/37 (40.5%) controls. Pooled odds ratio of sustained amenorrhea with GnRHa and cyclophosphamide versus cyclophosphamide alone was 0.054 (95% CI 0.0115–0.2576 p < 0.001), corresponding to a number needed to treat of 2.7 (95% CI 1.955–4.388) and absolute risk reduction of 36.95% (95% CI 35.6–38.4%). Conclusion: Sustained amenorrhea with IV cyclophosphamide was observed in patients with ARD, especially with increasing age and cumulative doses >5 g. GnRHa reduced this risk and should be considered with IV cyclophosphamide in women of childbearing age with ARD.
Heterogeneity coordinates bacterial multi-gene expression in single cells

For a genetically identical microbial population, multi-gene expression in various environments requires effective allocation of limited resources and precise control of heterogeneity among individual cells. However, it is unclear how resource allocation and cell-to-cell variation jointly shape the overall performance. Here we demonstrate a Simpson’s paradox during overexpression of multiple genes: two competing proteins in single cells correlated positively for every induction condition, but the overall correlation was negative. Yet this phenomenon was not observed between two competing mRNAs in single cells. Our analytical framework shows that the phenomenon arises from competition for translational resource, with the correlation modulated by both mRNA and ribosome variability. Thus, heterogeneity plays a key role in single-cell multi-gene expression and provides the population with an evolutionary advantage, as demonstrated in this study.
RNAconTest: comparing tools for noncoding RNA multiple sequence alignment based on structural consistency

The importance of noncoding RNA sequences has become increasingly clear over the past decade. New RNA families are often detected and analyzed using comparative methods based on multiple sequence alignments. Accordingly, a number of programs have been developed for aligning and deriving secondary structures from sets of RNA sequences. Yet, the best tools for these tasks remain unclear because existing benchmarks contain too few sequences belonging to only a small number of RNA families. RNAconTest (RNA consistency test) is a new benchmarking approach relying on the observation that secondary structure is often conserved across highly divergent RNA sequences from the same family. RNAconTest scores multiple sequence alignments based on the level of consistency among known secondary structures belonging to reference sequences in their output alignment. Similarly, consensus secondary structure predictions are scored according to their agreement with one or more known structures in a family. Comparing the performance of 10 popular alignment programs using RNAconTest revealed that DAFS, DECIPHER, LocARNA, and MAFFT created the most structurally consistent alignments. The best consensus secondary structure predictions were generated by DAFS and LocARNA (via RNAalifold). Many of the methods specific to noncoding RNAs exhibited poor scalability as the number or length of input sequences increased, and several programs displayed substantial declines in score as more sequences were aligned. Overall, RNAconTest provides a means of testing and improving tools for comparative RNA analysis, as well as highlighting the best available approaches. RNAconTest is available from the DECIPHER website (http://DECIPHER.codes/Downloads.html).
The autocrine CXCR4/CXCL12 axis contributes to lung fibrosis through modulation of lung fibroblast activity

The C-X-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 4/C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 12 (CXCR4/CXCL12) axis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. However, the mechanisms governing this remain to be determined. The current study demonstrated that human lung fibroblasts (HLFs) exhibit high CXCL12 expression and also exhibit high expression of its corresponding receptor CXCR4. Exogenous CXCL12 was revealed to significantly promote the migration and proliferation of HLFs, and potentiate CXCR4 expression. These effects were demonstrated to be inhibited by AMD3100, which is an antagonist of CXCR4. Lung and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid CXCR4 and CXCL12 expression was upregulated by in vivo bleomycin administration, which was partially inhibited by pre-treatment with AMD3100. AMD3100 also reduced lung collagen content in the bleomycin model. Inhibiting CXCR4 was indicated to ameliorate the lung compliance and resistance of pulmonary fibrosis. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that autocrine CXCR4/CXCL12 axis is an important mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and may serve as a potential therapeutic target that can be used in the treatment of pulmonary disease.
Conventional Language Teaching Methods : Are They Compensating or Competing ?

The present study aims to investigate the perceptions of pre-service and in-service teachers regarding the conventional methods and post-method pedagogy in Turkey. The participants of the study consist of 107 pre-service teachers from 14 different universities and 53 in-service teachers from different cities all over Turkey. An online questionnaire (Tığlı, 2014) was used for data collection in this study. The data derived from the questionnaire were analyzed to reveal the frequencies, means, and standard deviations. The results of the study yielded that Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) and Total Physical Response (TPR) are the most highly favored teaching methods among pre-service and in-service language teachers. Even though they are supporting the idea of using language teaching methods in the classroom, they consider that there is not only single and best method. They agreed that methods might vary depending on the local needs, and teachers might mix a number of methods for a better teaching. With these results, they appear to support the fundamental idea of post-method pedagogy and autonomy of the teacher.
The REMEDIA-Life project and the cultivation of macroalgae as bioremediators: exploitation of their biomass for biotechnological purposes

1Istituto di Ricerca sulle Acque– S.S. Talassografico di Taranto – CNR, Via Roma, 374123 Taranto (Italy) 2 DiSTeBA, Università del Salento, Via Prov.le Lecce-Monteroni – 73100 Lecce (Italy) 3Istituto di Scienze delle Produzioni Alimentari, U.O. S. di Lecce, via Prov.le Lecce-Monteroni, Lecce, Italy;
Preparation of Cholesteryl-Modified Aminated Pullulan Nanoparticles to Evaluate Nanoparticle of Hydrophobic Degree on Drug Release and Cytotoxicity

The formation of nanoparticles (NPs) and surface properties such as size and charge are affected by the amphiphilic property of polymer, which is vital for evaluating their function. Here, we synthesized cholesteryl-modified aminated pullulan polymers (CHPNs) with different amounts of cholesterol succinate (CHS). We characterized the three hydrophobically modified polymers (CHPN1, CHPN2, and CHPN3) (CHS: ) by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) was used to measure particle size and zeta potential of CHPN NPs. The particle sizes of the three NPs CHPN1, CHPN2, and CHPN3 were 178.0, 144.4, and 97.8 nm, respectively. The particle size was related to the cholesteryl substitution of polymers to a certain extent: the stronger the hydrophobicity, the smaller the particle size. In 48 h, the drug release for CHPN3 and CHPN1 NPs was 57.8% and 72.7%. Thus, the NPs showed good sustained drug release: the greater the degree of hydrophobic substitution, the better the sustained release. The cytotoxicity findings were reversed: CHPN1 NPs, with low hydrophobic substitution, showed the best inhibition of Lewis lung cancer cells.
OPTH_A_226425 15..28

Praveen J Patel 1 Focke Ziemssen 2 Eugene Ng Anushini Muthutantri David Silverman 5 Elizabeth A Tschosik Ronald A Cantrell 6 1NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK; 2University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; 3Institute of Eye Surgery, UPMC Whitfield and Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland; 4IQVIA, London, UK; 5Roche Products Limited, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK; 6Genentech, Inc., A Member of the Roche Group, South San Francisco, CA, USA Purpose: To gain comprehensive information on the burden of illness due to geographic atrophy (GA). Methods: This cross-sectional study with a retrospective chart review involved patients aged ≥70 years with physician-confirmed bilateral symptomatic GA due to age-related macular degeneration (GA group), as well as patients of similar age with no ophthalmic condition that in the opinion of the investigator affected visual function (non-GA group). Data relating to patients’ current disease status and sociodemographics were self-reported on patient questionnaires at study entry and extracted from patient charts. Historical data on health care resource utilization (HCRU) were also collected via patient questionnaires and retrospective chart review (GA group only). Overall vision-related functioning and quality of life (QoL) were compared between the GA and non-GA groups using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25) composite and subscales, and change in vision over the past year was assessed using the Global Rating of Change Scale. Results: Vision-related functioning and QoL were poorer in patients with vs without GA (n=137 vs 52), as demonstrated by significantly lower NEI-VFQ-25 composite score (mean, 53.1 vs 84.5 points, respectively; P<0.001), as well as lower subscale scores for near activities, distance activities, dependency, driving, social functioning, mental health, role difficulties, color vision, and peripheral vision. Substantially more patients with GA than without GA reported worsening in vision over the past year (82% vs 25%, respectively; odds ratio, 13.55; P<0.001). In the GA group, associated mean annual costs for direct ophthalmological resource use per patient amounted to €1772 (mostly for tests/procedures), and for indirect ophthalmological resource use, €410 (mostly for general practitioner visits). Conclusion: Patients with GA experience a poorer level of vision-related function and QoL than their peers, especially in relation to driving. GA is also associated with notable HCRU/ associated costs, mostly direct costs attributed to diagnostic tests/procedures.
Analysis of citizens’ behaviour with respect to formal and informal waste selective collection in Bolivia

The introduction of selective collection systems in developing cities represents a challenge for stakeholders and local authorities. Social inclusion is compulsory for obtaining good results, and social surveys should be introduced in order to understand population behaviour about recycling activities. The research presented in this article was conducted in La Paz (Bolivia) in 2018. Totally, 774 citizens were interviewed for understanding how they support the formal or informal selective collection implemented in the city. Two types of questionnaires were submitted: to the users of the formal selective collection points and to the citizens of the city. Results report that less than 8% of the population implement the formal selective collection although about 48% of the inhabitants select the waste at home. The majority of them (79.2%) deliver the waste to the informal sector or throw it into the mixed containers in order to facilitate the collection of the waste pickers. The outcomes of the research allow implementing a formal selective collection system at the end of 2018. Two neighbourhoods of the city were considered for implementing the pilot plan, taking into account the behaviour of the population and justifying the action with the indicators obtained by the survey. Moreover, the research allows considering that the informal sector could be an alley for improving the RR of the city, boosting the circular economy principles. The outcome is of interest also for international stakeholders for introducing appropriate policies for improving the circular economy considering social behaviour and the inclusion of the informal sector.
ADAM9: A novel player in vestibular schwannoma pathogenesis

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 9 (ADAM9) is a member of the transmembrane ADAM family. It is expressed in different types of solid cancer and promotes tumor invasiveness. To the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to examine ADAM9 expression in vestibular schwannomas (VS) from patients with and without neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) and to associate the data with clinical parameters of the patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if ADAM9 could be used as prognostic marker or therapeutic target. ADAM9 mRNA and protein levels were measured in VS samples (n=60). A total of 30 of them were from patients with neurofibromatosis. Healthy peripheral nerves from autopsies (n=10) served as controls. ADAM9 mRNA levels were measured by PCR, and protein levels were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blotting (WB). The Hannover Classification was used to categorize tumor extension and hearing loss. ADAM9 mRNA levels were 8.8-fold higher in VS compared with in controls. The levels were 5.6-fold higher in patients with NF2 and 12-fold higher in patients with sporadic VS. WB revealed two mature isoforms of the protein, and according to IHC ADAM9 was mainly expressed by S100-positive Schwann cells. There was a strong correlation between ADAM9 mRNA expression and the level of functional impairment (r~1, p=0.01). Particularly, the secreted isoform of ADAM9 was expressed in patients with higher hearing impairment. ADAM9 mRNA was overexpressed in the tumor samples relative to healthy vestibular nerves, and there was an association between higher ADAM9 expression levels and greater hearing impairment. Therefore, ADAM9 may be a prognostic marker for VS, and ADAM9 inhibition might have the potential as a systemic approach for the treatment of VS.
First Record of Contracaecum rudolphii Hartwich, 1964 in Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782) From Turkey

Thirty-eight individuals of Prussian carp, Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782) were collected from Karatas Lake, Burdur-Turkey and analyzed for parasite fauna. We found the nematode larvae of Contracaecum rudolphii Hartwich, 1964 in one sample (prevalence 2.63%, mean intensity of infestation 27 parasites per fish). The individual parasite was found around the pancreas, fibrous connective tissue and its mesentery. To our knowledge, this is the first record of anisakid nematode, Contracaecum rudolphii in Turkey. Therefore, a new locality has been added to the geographical distribution of the parasite species. Furthermore, slight to severe inflammatory cells were seen on the infected tissue. Granulomatous reaction characterized by mononuclear cells and fibrous tissue proliferations were also seen around the parasite located areas.
ECMUS Safety Committee Tutorial “Clinical Application of Sonothrombolysis”

Some of the most common human cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction and stroke, share a common origin and are caused by thromboembolic events. In myocardial infarction, a coronary artery is occluded by a blood clot triggered by atherosclerotic plaque rupture. In stroke, ischaemia is caused by a thrombus that develops within the cerebral vasculature, or by an embolus from an atherothrombotic carotid artery or the fibrillating atrium. Recent reports of stroke patient treatments using ultrasound signal a new therapeutic application of ultrasound. This tutorial introduces the principle of clot sonolysis, and discusses the physical ultrasound parameters involved. Ultrasound contrast agents enhance lysis. Clinical trials of the ultrasonic treatment of stroke are discussed.
P52 Keeping “app” to date: using geolocation apps to signpost to local sexual health services

Background/introduction To encourage HIV testing amongst men who have sex with men (MSM) during “National HIV testing week” (NHTW) point of care testing (POCT) was offered at community and hospital-based sexual health services (SHS). Users of the social networking application “Grindr” within 5 miles of our clinics received a link to our website, which was upgraded to include a video demonstrating HIV POCT. Traditional health promotion poster campaign was also employed. Aim(s)/objectives To review advertising strategies used and clients who requested POCT during NHTW. Methods Activity data was obtained from the software company and electronic records of those attending for POCT were reviewed. Results 43 asymptomatic attendees requested POCT testing, 35 male and 8 female. 21 males identified as MSM (60%), 15 (71%) disclosed that they had attended as a result of the “Grindr” advertisement. The average MSM number of daily visits to the website increased from 250 to 600/ day, highest at weekends the majority via “Grindr”. POCT video was viewed 126 times during testing week. 30 (70%) patients accepted a sexual health screen, 3 asymptomatic infections were diagnosed. No HIV diagnoses were made. Discussion/conclusion Social networking proved popular amongst MSM. No HIV diagnoses were made however screening increased HIV testing and identified sexual infections in asymptomatic individuals (all signposted via “Grindr”). Current work includes using “Grindr” to signpost users to our service, implementing online booking and expanding the use of POCT at community SHS. Clinics should consider using social media and geolocation-based apps in addition to traditional health promotion.
The use of calcined paper mill sludge as a chemical precipitant in the simultaneous removal of ammonium and phosphate - paper mill waste recycling and reuse

Currently, recycling and re-use of materials is extremely important due to the diminishing of natural resources. The objective of the European Union’s circular economy strategy is to increase recycling and the use of industrial waste materials and side streams as secondary raw materials. In this study, a chemical precipitation method to simultaneously remove ammonium nitrogen and phosphate from the liquid phase of anaerobic digestate using calcined paper mill sludge was studied. Papermill sludge is a waste material that forms in the paper-making process. In addition, commercial calcium oxide (CaO) was used as a reference precipitant. The suitability of the formed precipitate’s composition for recycled fertilizer use was also considered. The study results indicated that calcined paper mill sludge was as effective precipitant as commercial CaO in the removal of ammonium nitrogen and phosphate from the synthetic wastewater. In addition, the results indicated that calcined paper mill sludge removed efficiently phosphate from the liquid phase of anaerobic digestate, which led to the formation of hydroxyapatite, Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 (OH). In this research we have shown, that calcined paper mill sludge can be used to produce recycled, slow-release, solid fertilizer. Another possible reaction, such as adsorption was also considered.
Preemptive and Preventive Analgesia in Different Paediatric Surgical Settings: A Systematic Review of Prospective Randomized Controlled Trials

The effect of preemptive and preventive analgesia in children undergoing surgical procedures has not been adequately studied. The aim of this review was to investigate literature regarding the effectiveness of preemptive and preventive analgesia in postoperative pain relief in children undergoing surgery according to the type of both, the surgical procedure and the analgesic intervention, and the analgesic or adjuvant used. Our critical review of prospective randomized controlled trials identified 77 studies; 39 were referred to head and neck surgeries, 31 to urological and lower abdominal procedures, 6 to orthopaedics and one to all the above types of operations. Our literature review demonstrated that the preemptive administration of ketamine (intravenous, topical, caudal) before surgical incision in children undergoing tonsillectomy or urological surgeries probably can enhance postoperative analgesia quality and reduce analgesic demands and it may also be recommended as an alternative safe option to opioids. On the contrary, preventative administration of ketamine in Orthopaedic procedures has not been shown to be beneficial in the management of acute postoperative pain. Dexmedetomidine seems to be a promising adjunct to provide excellent postoperative analgesia especially in urological and lower abdominal operations, given intravenously or caudally, preoperatively. The increasing interest on dexmedetomidine preemptive effects was justified in our review. Literature findings are supporting regarding the use of caudal administration of clonidine and neostigmine. Studies on other kinds of adjuvants in children are very limited and further investigation should be done.