Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interaction of Human Salivary Gland Epithelial Cells with B Lymphocytes: Implications in the Pathogenesis of Sjögren’s Syndrome

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is characterized by the aberrant activation of B-cells in both the target organs of autoimmune responses, such as the exocrine glands and the periphery. Furthermore, SS is strongly associated with the development of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas, which are considered to result from chronic aberrant activation of B-cells. Disturbances of the minor salivary gland (MSG) infiltrating and peripheral B-cells subpopulations have been described in SS patients; however, the underlying mechanisms have not been uncovered. SG epithelial cells (SGECs) play a key role in the development and organization of MSG lymphocytic infiltrates in SS patients. SGECs are suitably equipped to mediate the recruitment, activation, and differentiation of immune cells in SS, including CD4+-T cells. B-cell activating factor (BAFF) secretion by SGECs suggests that they can also fruitfully interact with B-cells and mediate their activation, differentiation, and disturbed subpopulations in SS. The effect of SGECs in the activation and differentiation of naïve peripheral B-cells, as this attested by phenotypical flow cytometric and cytokine production analyses, is under investigation in the current proposal. This approach is expected to enlighten the mechanisms underlying the aberrant activation and differentiation of B cells in SS and the discovery of novel therapeutic targets for its reversal.
Asymptomatic carriers of coronavirus disease 2019 among healthcare workers in Isfahan, Iran

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Isfahan, Iran. Materials & methods: HCWs in COVID-19 wards of three referral COVID-19 hospitals in Isfahan were screened and tested for COVID-19 infection. Results: In total, 102 HCWs were screened whose median age was 43 years old. Moreover, 21 (20.5%) of them had a history of suspected infection with SARS-CoV2, mostly (66.6%) without any symptoms while six (28.5%) of them suffered from relatively mild diseases and one (4.7%) was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. Conclusion: It was found that HCWs were prone to be asymptomatic carriers while their computed tomography images were normal. Therefore, it is recommended that reverse-transcriptase real-time-PCR be essential for the diagnosis of infections.
Oral microbiome and pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND Microbiota profiles differ between patients with pancreatic cancer and healthy people, and understanding these differences may help in early detection of pancreatic cancer. Saliva sampling is an easy and cost-effective way to determine microbiota profiles compared to fecal and tissue sample collection. AIM To investigate the saliva microbiome distribution in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and the role of oral microbiota profiles in detection and risk prediction of pancreatic cancer. METHODS We conducted a prospective study of patients with pancreatic cancer (n = 41) and healthy individuals (n = 69). Bacterial taxa were identified by 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene sequencing, and a linear discriminant analysis effect size algorithm was used to identify differences in taxa. Operational taxonomic unit values of all selected taxa were converted into a normalized Z-score, and logistic regressions were used to calculate risk prediction of pancreatic cancer. RESULTS Compared with the healthy control group, carriage of Streptococcus and Leptotrichina (z-score) was associated with a higher risk of PDAC [odds ratio (OR) = 5.344, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.282-22.282, P = 0.021 and OR = 6.886, 95%CI: 1.423-33.337, P = 0.016, respectively]. Veillonella and Neisseria (z-score) were considered a protective microbe that decreased the risk of PDAC (OR = 0.187, 95%CI: 0.055-0.631, P = 0.007 and OR = 0.309, 95%CI: 0.100-0.952, P = 0.041, respectively). Among the patients with PDAC, patients reporting bloating have a higher abundance of Porphyromonas (P = 0.039), Fusobacterium (P = 0.024), and Alloprevotella (P = 0.041); while patients reporting jaundice had a higher amount of Prevotella (P = 0.008); patients reporting dark brown urine had a higher amount of Veillonella (P = 0.035). Patients reporting diarrhea had a lower amount of Neisseria and Campylobacter (P = 0.024 and P = 0.034), and patients reporting vomiting had decreased Alloprevotella (P = 0.036). CONCLUSION Saliva microbiome was able to distinguish patients with pancreatic cancer and healthy individuals. Leptotrichia may be specific for patients living in Sichuan Province, southwest China. Symptomatic patients had different bacteria profiles than asymptomatic patients. Combined symptom and microbiome evaluation may help in the early detection of pancreatic cancer.
Genome-Wide Identification and Comparative Analysis of ARF Family Genes in Three Apiaceae Species

The family Apiaceae includes many important vegetables and medicinal plants. Auxin response factors (ARFs) play critical roles in regulating plant growth and development. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the ARF gene family in three Apiaceae species, celery, coriander, and carrot, and compared the results with the ARF gene family of lettuce, Arabidopsis, and grape. We identified 156 ARF genes in all six species and 89 genes in the three Apiaceae species, including 28, 34, and 27 in celery, coriander, and carrot, respectively. The paralogous gene number in coriander was far greater than that in carrot and celery. Our analysis revealed that ARF genes of the three Apiaceae species in 34 branches of the phylogenetic tree underwent significant positive selection. Additionally, our findings indicated that whole-genome duplication played an important role in ARF gene family expansion. Coriander contained a greater number of ARF genes than celery and carrot because of more gene duplications and less gene losses. We also analyzed the expression of ARF genes in three tissues by RNA-seq and verified the results by quantitative real-time PCR. Furthermore, we found that several paralogous genes exhibited divergent expression patterns. Overall, this study provides a valuable resource for exploring how ARF family genes regulate plant growth and development in other plants. Since this is the first report of the ARF gene family in Apiaceae, our results will serve as a guide for comparative and functional analyses of ARF and other gene families in Apiaceae.
Overexpressed PLAU and its potential prognostic value in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Background Metastasis is a major event for survival and prognosis in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). A primary cause of metastasis is the proteolytic degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The plasminogen activator urokinase (PLAU) is involved in the transformation of plasminogen to plasmin leading to hydrolyzation of ECM-related proteins. However, the role of PLAU expression in HNSCC is unclear and the worth being investigated. Methods PLAU expression profiles and clinical parameters from multiple HNSCC datasets were used to investigate the relationship of PLAU expression and HNSCC survival. GO and PPI network were established on PLAU-related downstream molecular. The stroma score was deconvoluted for analysis of PLAU’s association with the immune environment. ROC analysis was applied to show the performance of PLAU in predicting HNSCC prognosis. Results PLAU mRNA was significantly elevated, as opposed to its methylation, in HNSCC tumor samples over normal specimens (all p < 0.01). Univariate and multivariate cox analysis showed PLAU could be an independent indicator for HNSCC prognosis. Combining with neck lymph node status, the AUC of PLAU in predicting 5-years overall survival reached to 0.862. GO enrichment analysis showed the major biological process (extracellular matrix organization and the P13K-Akt signaling pathway) may involve to the possible mechanism of PLAU’s function on HNSCC prognosis. Furthermore, PLAU expression was positively correlated with stroma cell score, M1 type macrophages, and negatively associated with CD4 + T cell, Tregs cell, and follicular helper T cell. Conclusions PLAU might be an independent biomarker for predicting outcomes of HNSCC patients. The elevated expression of PLAU was associated with HPV positivity and neck node status. The PI3K-Akt pathway and aberrant proportions of immune cells might underly the mechanism of PLAU’s oncogene role in HNSCC.
Parent Perspectives of Diagnostic and Monitoring Tests Undertaken by Their Child with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Purpose To assess parent perspectives of the current and potential future tests for their child with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods New Zealand parents of a child with IBD were invited to complete an anonymous online survey. Experiences relating to their child's blood or faecal tests, medical imaging (abdominal ultrasound [US], abdominal computerised tomography [CT] and magnetic resonance enterography) and colonoscopy were collected. Perceived attitudes to potential future testing of urine, saliva, and breath, were sought. Results Twenty-eight parents, 93% female completed the survey, and 86% were aged between 35 and 54 years. Baseline information was provided by parents for 27 of 28 children, 70.3% had Crohn's disease with a mean disease duration of 2.67 years. Blood tests were the most requested and completed tests, while CT was the least ordered and most refused test. Colonoscopy was rated as the least comfortable and generated the most worry. Explanation of test significantly improved parent's levels of understanding when their child had blood, faecal, imaging (US) or colonoscopy tests. Providing an explanation, test invasiveness and the impact of the blood results may have on their child's treatment significantly improved parents' comfort levels. However, explanation of colonoscopy generated a significant parental concerns. Saliva, urine and blood tests were chosen as the most preferred disease monitoring tests. Conclusion Parents preferred any tests less invasive than colonoscopy for monitoring their child's IBD. Although providing explanation of their child's tests enhanced parents' understanding, it can also affect parents' levels of concern and comfort.
Vision of conspecifics decreases the effectiveness of ethanol on zebrafish behaviour

Aquatic organisms in pharmacology and toxicology research are often exposed to compounds in isolation prior to physiological or behavioural testing. Recent evidence suggests that the presence of conspecifics during a stressful event can modulate behavioural outcomes (called ‘social buffering’) when testing occurs within the same context. It is unknown, however, whether the social environment during exposure interacts with the efficacy of anxiety-altering substances when subsequently tested in the absence of conspecifics. In this study, zebrafish were individually exposed to habitat water or ethanol (1.0% vol/vol) while untreated conspecifics were visually present or absent during dosing. Using the novel object approach test, a validated test of boldness and anxiety-like behaviour, we observed significantly greater effects of ethanol in isolated fish, compared to fish with a view of conspecifics during dosing. These results were not explained by altered locomotion during exposure, which might otherwise increase drug uptake. This highlights the need to consider the social environment during exposure when conducting and interpreting behavioural research involving drug or toxicant exposure.
Connection between the Altered HDL Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties and the Risk to Develop Alzheimer's Disease: A Narrative Review

The protein composition of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is extremely fluid. The quantity and quality of protein constituents drive the multiple biological functions of these lipoproteins, which include the ability to contrast atherogenesis, sustained inflammation, and toxic effects of reactive species. Several diseases where inflammation and oxidative stress participate in the pathogenetic process are characterized by perturbation in the HDL proteome. This change inevitably affects the functionality of the lipoprotein. An enlightening example in this frame comes from the literature on Alzheimer's disease (AD). Growing lines of epidemiological evidence suggest that loss of HDL-associated proteins, such as lipoprotein phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), glutathione peroxidase-3 (GPx-3), and paraoxonase-1 and paraoxonase-3 (PON1, PON3), may be a feature of AD, even at the early stage. Moreover, the decrease in these enzymes with antioxidant/defensive action appears to be accompanied by a parallel increase of prooxidant and proinflammatory mediators, in particular myeloperoxidase (MPO) and serum amyloid A (SAA). This type of derangement of balance between two opposite forces makes HDL dysfunctional, i.e., unable to exert its “natural” vasculoprotective property. In this review, we summarized and critically analyzed the most significant findings linking HDL accessory proteins and AD. We also discuss the most convincing hypothesis explaining the mechanism by which an observed systemic occurrence may have repercussions in the brain.
Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Unprotected Left Main Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Large Single-Centre Experience

Aims This study sought to report the 10-year clinical outcomes of patients who underwent unprotected left main (LM) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a large centre. Methods and Results A total of 913 consecutive patients who underwent unprotected LM PCI from January 2004 to December 2008 at Fu Wai Hospital were retrospectively analysed; the mean age was 60.0 ± 10.9 years, females accounted for 22% of patients, diabetes was present in 27.7% of patients, and an LM bifurcation lesion occurred in 82.9% of patients. During the median follow-up of 9.7 years, major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) occurred in 25.6% (234) of patients, and the rates of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and stroke were 14.9%, 11.0%, and 7.1%, respectively. Cardiac death occurred in only 7.9% of patients. The estimated event rate was 41.9% for death/myocardial infarction/any revascularization and 45.9% for death/MI/stroke/any revascularization. Definite/probable stent thrombosis occurred in 4.3% (39) of patients. According to the subgroup analysis, IVUS-guided PCI was associated with less long-term MACCEs. Further multivariate analysis identified that age and LVEF<40% were the only independent predictors for 10-year death. Age, LVEF<40%, creatinine clearance, and incomplete revascularization were independent predictors for death/MI, while a two-stent strategy, diabetes, a transradial approach, and the use of bare metal stents (BMSs) or first-generation drug-eluting stents (DESs) were not. Conclusions Unprotected LM PCI in a large cohort of consecutive patients in a single large centre demonstrated favourable long-term outcomes up to 10 years even with the use of BMSs and first-generation of DESs.
Prevalence and Subtype Analysis of Blastocystis hominis Isolated from Patients in the Northeast of Iran

Blastocystis hominis is the most common intestinal parasite found in humans and many other hosts. Pathogenicity of Blastocystis spp. remains controversial, and it has been suggested that it may be associated with specific subtypes of the organism. This study identified the B. hominis subtypes and their prevalence rates in the northeast of Iran. A total of 1878 samples were collected from the northeast of Iran from January to December 2017. The patients' demographic details were recorded. Samples were examined by a wet mount, and genomic DNA was extracted from positive samples. Also, PCR was done on the positive samples, and sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were subsequently performed. From 1878 collected stool samples, 152 (8.1%) Blastocystis samples were detected by the microscopic method. Of the 152 samples, Blastocystis spp. were found in 53.6% of the men and 28.9% of the women who showed clinical gastrointestinal symptoms, and a significant relationship was observed between gender and clinical symptoms (P = 0.002). A meaningful relationship was found between the season and infection with this parasite (P value = 0.003). The results of the sequencing of 22 PCR products showed the dominance of ST3, which was isolated from 10 (45.45%) patients, while ST1, ST2, and ST7 were found in 4 (18.19%), 7 (31.81%), and 1 (4.55%) patients, respectively. In this study, ST7 had a low prevalence in the northeast of Iran, and similar to previous studies, ST3 was the dominant subtype.
Disease Activity, Functional Ability and Nutritional Status in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Observational Study in Greece

Aim: The aim of the present pilot study was to assess differences in the nutritional status, Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence, and functional ability among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to disease activity. Methods: A total of 48 patients with RA, outpatients of a hospital in Athens, Greece were recruited. Disease activity was evaluated with DAS28, functional status with the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), MD adherence with the MedDietScore and malnutrition with the patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA). Results: A relationship was noted between DAS28 and HAQ, indicating a reduced functional status with increased RA activity. Although MD adherence differed between DAS28 categories, no specific differences were noted in the PG-SGA or the MedDietScore in the post-hoc analyses. According to the PG-SGA, no need for nutritional intervention was noted among participants. Conclusions: The origin of the participants might have reduced the differences between MD adherence and DAS28. In parallel, the PG-SGA does not appear sensitive in detecting muscle-related malnutrition among patients with RA.
Smooth Extubation and Smooth Emergence Techniques: A Narrative Review

There is a paucity of literature on extubation technique and a lack of consensus regarding the definition of smooth extubation. This narrative review paper defines an ideal extubation, otherwise known as a “smooth extubation,” reviews perioperative criteria for extubation and risks and adverse events related to extubation, and explores various perioperative techniques that can be used to achieve a smooth extubation while caring for an uncomplicated patient without significant risk factors for extubation failure. In light of the evolving practice during the SARS CoV2 (COVID-19) pandemic to minimize aerosol generation and infection transmission, smooth extubation is particularly important.
Acute Kidney Injury in Hospitalized Patients Infected with COVID-19 from Wuhan, China: A Retrospective Study

Background Since the first diagnosed case of infection with the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), there has been a rapid spread of the disease with an increasing number of cases confirmed every day, as well as a rising death toll. An association has been reported between acute kidney injury (AKI) and mortality in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, our study was conducted to explore possible risk factors of AKI as well as whether AKI was a risk factor for worse outcome, especially mortality among patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Methods We included all hospital admissions with confirmed or clinically diagnosed COVID-19 from January 29 to February 25, 2020. We collected demographic and epidemiological information, past medical history, symptoms, laboratory tests, treatments, and outcome data from electronic medical records. A total of 492 patients with diagnosed or clinically diagnosed COVID-19 were included in this study. Results The prevalence rate of AKI was 7.32%. Among the factors associated with AKI, males versus females (aOR 2.73), chronic kidney disease (aOR 42.2), hypertension (aOR 2.82), increased leucocytes (aOR 6.08), and diuretic use (aOR 7.89) were identified as independent risk factors for AKI among patients infected by SARS-CoV-2. There was a significant difference in hospital fees and death in patients with and without AKI (p < 0.05). The mortality rate in patients with AKI was 63.9%. Conclusions AKI was widespread among patients with COVID-19. The risk factors of AKI in COVID-19 patients included sex, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, infection, and diuretic use. AKI may be associated with a worse outcome, especially mortality in COVID-19 patients.
Assessment of Major Reproductive Disorders in Dairy Cattle in and around Bale Robe, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study by employing a questionnaire survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of major reproductive disorders in dairy cattle and its associated risk factors in and around Bale Robe town from November 2016 to April 2017. Out of 384 dairy cows which were under investigation, 254 (66.15%) had encountered at least one of the reproductive disorders. The major reproductive disorders recorded with high prevalence in the present study included mastitis (20.57%), repeat breeder (17.71%), retained fetal membrane (6.51%), uterine and vaginal prolapse (5.47%), and abortion (4.1%), whereas reproductive problems with lower incidence rate included dystocia, anestrus, hypocalcaemia, uterine discharge, and stillbirth accounting 3.91%, 1.82%, 1.30%, 1.04%, and 0.78%, respectively. The overall incidence of reproductive disorders in this study showed statistical significance (p < 0.05) with respect to body condition, age of the animals, production system, and mating system. However, this finding indicated that occurrence of reproductive problems shows statistical insignificance compared to breed, parity, and hygiene of the farm. The prevalence of reproductive disorders in extensive management system (91.02%) was higher than intensive (64.58%) and semi-intensive (57.61%) management systems and also more in local breed (67.93%) than crossbreed (62.29%). However, the prevalence based on parity was higher in primiparous (71.05%) than pluriparous (64.07%) cows. In general, it is recommended that improvement in management system, proper selection of bull and appropriate timing of AI for breeding system, accurate heat detection, routine and periodical examination of cows, balanced feeding, and hygienic condition should be corrected to minimize the incidence of reproductive health disorders and associated risk factors in the study area.