Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term effect of canaloplasty on intraocular pressure and use of intraocular pressure–lowering medications in patients with open-angle glaucoma

An ongoing retrospective study found that canaloplasty performed alone or with cataract extraction in patients with OAG resulted in consistently reduced IOP and use of IOP-lowering medications up to 42 months postoperatively. Purpose: To assess the long-term safety and effectiveness of canaloplasty in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) and use of IOP-lowering medications in eyes with open-angle glaucoma (OAG). Setting: Surgical center (Augencentrum Köln, Köln, Germany). Design: Retrospective study. Methods: 206 eyes from 130 patients were included. Canaloplasty was performed using the VISCO360 or OMNI surgical system as a stand-alone procedure in 22 eyes and concomitantly with cataract extraction (CE) in 185 eyes with chronic OAG insufficiently controlled or intolerant to IOP-lowering medications. The number of hypotensive medications and IOP were recorded at baseline, day 1, week 1, month 1, month 3, and every 3 months thereafter, with the last follow-up visit at 36 ± 6 months postoperatively. Patients were stratified by baseline IOP (Group 1, IOP >18 mm Hg; Group 2, IOP ≤18 mm Hg). Treatment success in Group 1 was defined as a reduction in IOP and the use of IOP-lowering medications; Group 2 success was defined as maintenance of a lower IOP and a reduction in medication use. Results: The preoperative mean IOP of both groups was 21.1 ± 8.8 mm Hg, with a mean of 2.0 ± 0.9 hypotensive medications. The primary success end point was met by 73% of patients, with a mean IOP reduction in Group 1 (131 eyes; 21.8 to 15.6 mm Hg, P < .0001) and a maintenance of IOP control in Group 2 (76 eyes; 15.4 to 13.9 mm Hg, P = .24). Medications decreased from 2.2 ± 0.9 to 0.9 ± 1.1 in Group 1 (P = .024) and from 1.8 ± 0.8 to 0.7 ± 1.0 in Group 2 (P = .003). Conclusions: Canaloplasty alone or in conjunction with CE with the VISCO360 or OMNI surgical system is a safe, tissue-sparing, and effective minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, using a clear corneal incision in phakic or pseudophakic eyes. Canaloplasty performed with both evaluated devices achieved statistically significant, consistent, and clinically meaningful reductions in IOP and use of IOP-lowering medications in adult patients with OAG. In the consistent cohort (n = 42), the IOP-lowering effect lasted up to 42 months, with ongoing data collection expected to describe long-term effectiveness of this intervention.
Revealing molecular architecture of FLT3 internal tandem duplication: Development and clinical validation of a web‐based application to generate accurate nomenclature

FLT3 internal tandem duplicate (ITD) is associated with unfavorable prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia; targeted therapy improves clinical outcome. We propose that FLT3‐ITD detected by next generation sequencing (NGS) should be reported with the same nomenclature pattern as single nucleotide variants so that the mutation can be better interpreted clinically.
Plant-based foods and hepatocellular carcinoma: A review on mechanistic understanding

Abstract Regardless of etiology, hepatocarcinogenesis is frequently preceded by a distinctive sequence of chronic necroinflammation, compensatory hepatic regeneration, development of hepatic fibrosis, and ultimately cirrhosis. The liver being central immunomodulators, closely maintains immunotolerance. Any dysregulation in this management of immunotolerance is a hallmark of chronic hepatic disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Apart from other malignancies, hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for 90% of liver cancers. Several emerging evidences have recognized diet as lifestyle associated risk factor in HCC development. However, natural compounds have the potential to fight hepatoma aggressiveness via inhibition of cellular proliferation and modulation of oncogenic pathways. This review aimed to identify the several plant-based foods for their protective role in HCC prevention by understating the molecular mechanisms involved in inhibition of progression and proliferation of cancer. Information from relevant publications in which several plant-based foods demonstrated protective potential against HCC has been integrated as well as evaluated. For data integration, Science direct, Google scholar, and Scopus websites were used. Nutrition-based approaches in the deterrence of several cancers offer a substantial benefit to currently used medical therapies and should be implemented more often as an adjunct to first-line medical therapy. Furthermore, the inclusion of these plant-based foods (vegetables, fruits, herbs, and spices) may improve general health and decline cancer incidence. Graphical Abstract
Osimertinib‐related liver injury with successful osimertinib rechallenge: A case report

Osimertinib is approved as the first‐line treatment for advanced non‐small cell lung cancer patients with epidermal growth factor (EGFR) mutation and for patients who develop EGFR T790M mutation during EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment and disease progression. Asymptomatic elevation of aminotransferase levels is commonly observed during TKI treatment; however, significant hepatotoxicity is infrequent. Here, we report a patient with osimertinib‐related drug‐induced liver injury who was successfully managed with osimertinib rechallenge.
Starch Phosphorylase 2 is essential for cellular carbohydrate partitioning in maize.

Carbohydrate partitioning is essential for plant growth and development, and its hindrance will result in excess accumulation of carbohydrates in source tissues. Most of the related mutants in maize (Zea mays L.) display impaired whole-plant sucrose transport, but other mechanisms affecting carbohydrate partitioning have seldom been reported. Here, we characterized chlorotic leaf3 (chl3), a recessive mutation causing leaf chlorosis with starch accumulation excessively in bundle sheath chloroplasts, suggesting that chl3 is defective in carbohydrate partitioning. Positional cloning revealed that the chl3 phenotype results from a frameshift mutation in ZmPHOH, which encodes starch phosphorylase 2. Two mutants in ZmPHOH exhibited the same phenotype as chl3, and both alleles failed to complement the chl3 mutant phenotype in an allelism test. Inactivation of ZmPHOH in chl3 leaves reduced the efficiency of transitory starch conversion, resulting in increased leaf starch contents and altered carbohydrate metabolism patterns. RNA-seq revealed the transcriptional downregulation of genes related to photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism in chl3 leaves compared to the wild type. Our results demonstrate that transitory starch remobilization is very important for cellular carbohydrate partitioning in maize, in which ZmPHOH plays an indispensable role. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Attenuation of Piwil2 induced by hypoxic postconditioning prevents cerebral ischemic injury by inhibiting CREB2 promoter methylation

Epigenetic modification contributes to the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia. Piwil2 belongs to the PIWI proteins subfamily and has a key role in the regulation of gene transcription through epigenetics. However, the roles of Piwil2 in cerebral ischemia have not been investigated. In this study, we aim to elucidate the roles and the underlying molecular mechanisms of Piwil2 in ischemic tolerance induced by hypoxic postconditioning (HPC) against transient global cerebral ischemia (tGCI). We found that the expression of Piwil2 in CA1 was downregulated by HPC after tGCI. Silencing Piwil2 with antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS‐ODN) in CA1 after tGCI decreased the expression of apoptosis‐related proteins and exerted neuroprotective effects. Opposite results were observed after overexpression of Piwil2 induced by administration of Piwil2‐carried lentivirus. Furthermore, we revealed differentially expressed Piwil2‐interacting piRNAs in CA1 between HPC and tGCI groups by RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. Moreover, downregulating Piwil2 induced by HPC or AS‐ODN after tGCI caused a marked reduction of DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A), which in turn abolished the tGCI‐induced increase in the DNA methylation of cyclic AMP response element‐binding 2 (CREB2), thus increasing mRNA and protein of CREB2. Finally, downregulating Piwil2 restored dendritic complexity and length, prevented the loss of dentritic spines, thereby improving cognitive function after tGCI. These data firstly reveal that Piwil2 plays an important part in HPC‐mediated neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia through epigenetic regulation of CREB2.
Downregulation of NRARP exerts anti‐tumor activities in the breast tumor cells depending on Wnt/β‐catenin‐mediated signals: The role of miR‐130a‐3p

The Notch‐regulated ankyrin repeat protein (NRARP) functions as a molecular link between Notch and Wnt signaling pathways. Although it has recently been identified to be overexpressed in breast cancer (BC), the molecular mechanisms that regulate NRARP remain unknown. Since microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression post‐transcriptionally, miRNA dysregulation could explain the abnormal gene expression. Here, we identified miR‐130a‐3p as an NRARP regulator and evaluated its effects on the behavior of BC cells. Quantitative real‐time PCR was performed to assess the transcriptional levels of miR‐130a‐3p and NRARP in BC cells. Next, miR‐130a‐3p was transiently transfected into BC cells to assess its influence on NRARP expression. Owing to the positive regulatory effects of NRARP on the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway, we also analyzed the expression levels of five Wnt/β‐catenin pathway genes and one downstream target gene in BC cells. We then assessed anti‐tumor activities of miR‐130a‐3p in BC cells using the MTT proliferation assay, the soft agar colony formation assay for anchorage‐independent growth (AIG), as well as scratch and transwell assays for cell migration. The results showed that miR‐130a‐3p was downregulated in BC cells, whereas NRARP was upregulated. Overexpression of miR‐130a‐3p inhibited the expression of NRARP and some Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway genes, as well as exerted anti‐tumor effects as evidenced by decreased cell proliferation, AIG, and migration of BC cells. In conclusion, the tumor‐suppressive function of miR‐130a‐3p in BC may be mediated by inhibiting NRARP and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway. As a result, miR‐130a‐3p could be introduced as a therapeutic target for miRNA therapy in BC.
Is Age-Predicted Maximal Heart Rate Applicable in Patients With Heart or Lung Disease?

Objective To compare the predicted and actual maximal heart rate (HRmax) values in the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). Methods We retrospectively investigated 1,060 patients who underwent a CPET between January 2016 and April 2020 at our institution’s cardiopulmonary rehabilitation center. The following patients were included: those aged >20 years, those tested with a treadmill, and those who underwent symptom-limited maximum exercise testing— reaching ≥85% of the predicted HRmax (62% if taking beta-blockers) and highest respiratory exchange ratio ≥1.1. Ultimately, 827 patients were included in this study. Data on diagnosis, history of taking beta-blockers, age, body mass index (BMI), and CPET parameters were collected. Subgroup analysis was performed according to age, betablockers, BMI (low <18.5 kg/m2, normal, and high ≥25 kg/m2), and risk classification. Results There was a significant difference between the actual HRmax and the predicted value (p<0.001). Betablocker administration resulted in a significant difference in the actual HRmax (p<0.001). There were significant differences in the moderate-to-high-risk and low-risk groups and the normal BMI and high BMI groups (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between the elderly and younger groups. We suggest new formulae for HRmax of cardiopulmonary patients: estimated HRmax=183-0.76×age (the beta-blocker group) and etimated HRmax=210-0.91×age (the non-beta-blocker group). Conclusion Age-predicted HRmax was significantly different from the actual HRmax of patients with cardiopulmonary disease, especially in the beta-blocker group. For participants with high BMI and moderate-tosevere risk, the actual HRmax was significantly lower than the predicted HRmax.
First detection and molecular characterization of Dientamoeba fragilis in cattle

Dientamoeba fragilis is a flagellated protozoan with amoeba‐like morphology that inhabits the human gastrointestinal tract. It is endemic in a vast geography around the world, including developed countries. There are limited studies on non‐human hosts of the parasite, and suitable hosts have not been clarified. The parasite has been detected in non‐human primates, pigs, cats, dogs and rats. There is no study in the literature investigating and detecting the presence of this parasite in cattle. In this study, stool samples taken from 163 different cattle and calves from 11 different farms between March 2017 and May 2022 were examined for the detection of D. fragilis via PCR. Trichrome staining was performed on all PCR‐positive samples. The isolates with the expected amplicon size were sequenced using the 18S ribosomal RNA region, and their genotypes were determined by BLAST analysis. Sequences were analysed with the most similar and reference sequences in the literature, forming a phylogenetic tree. We detected D. fragilis in 31 (19.01%) of the 163 stool samples. D. fragilis cysts/trophozoites were detected by trichrome staining method in six of 31 samples. All PCR products selected for molecular analysis from positive samples had the same nucleotide sequence. As a result of BLAST analysis, all sequences were determined to belong to D. fragilis genotype 1. This study determined for the first time that cattle are suitable hosts for D. fragilis. Furthermore, the parasite subtype we detected belongs to genotype 1, which is the most common type in humans, suggesting that the parasite may have a zoonotic character. Our result is important in terms of the epidemiology of the parasite, as the mode of transmission is controversial, and available data on its suitable hosts are limited.
Biomarkers of sepsis in pigs, horses and cattle: from acute phase proteins to procalcitonin

Abstract Sepsis is a complex clinical syndrome triggered by an inflammatory host response to an infection. It is usually complicated to detect and diagnose, and has severe consequences in human and veterinary health, especially when treatment is not started early. Therefore, efforts to detect sepsis accurately are needed. In addition, its proper diagnosis could reduce the misuse of antibiotics, which is essential fighting against antimicrobial resistance. This case is a particular issue in farm animals, as antibiotics have been traditionally given massively, but now they are becoming increasingly restricted. When sepsis is suspected in animals, the most frequently used biomarkers are acute phase proteins such as C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A and haptoglobin, but their concentrations can increase in other inflammatory conditions. In human patients, the most promising biomarkers to detect sepsis are currently procalcitonin and presepsin, and there is a wide range of other biomarkers under study. However, there is little information on the application of these biomarkers in veterinary species. This review aims to describe the general concepts of sepsis and the current knowledge about the biomarkers of sepsis in pigs, horses, and cattle and to discuss possible advances in the field.
Fluoroscopic lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections for recurrent herniated intervertebral disc after discectomy: Effectiveness and outcome predictors

Background Despite transforaminal epidural steroid injection (ESI) being the first choice in patient with recurrent herniated intervertebral disc (HIVD), efficacy of ESI in those patients are not well established. Herein, we evaluate the effectiveness and outcome predictors of fluoroscopic transforaminal ESI for recurrent HIVD. Methods Seventy-seven patients (48 male; mean age, 51.3 years) with recurrent lumbar HIVD were included and divided into three groups according to initial treatment: conservative treatment, transforaminal ESI, and immediate surgery. ESI effectiveness was evaluated by operation rates, injection numbers in 6 months, and pain reduction (visual analog scale (VAS) scores). Clinical and MRI variables were analyzed as possible outcome predictors. Each subject in the transforaminal ESI group was individually matched to two patients with initial HIVD (control group). Results In the transforaminal ESI group (n = 37), 20 patients (54.1%) did not undergo reoperation. The initial and follow-up VAS scores were significantly higher in the reoperation group (p = 0.014, p = 0.019, respectively). Patients with either paresthesia or motor weakness (12/19, 63.2%) had a significantly higher reoperation rate than patients with only pain (5/18, 27.8%; p = 0.031). Extruded disc ratios ≥2.0 were significantly higher in the reoperation group (10/17, 58.8%; p = 0.048). The reoperation rate in the transforaminal ESI group (17/37, 45.9%) was higher than the operation rate in the control group (6/73, 8.2%; p<0.001). Conclusion Transforaminal ESI was effective in reducing radicular pain in patients with recurrent HIVD. Approximately 54% of patients did not undergo reoperation. An extruded disc ratio ≥2.0 and paresthesia or motor weakness were poor outcome predictors.
The Diagnostic Value of Circulating VEGF in Diabetic Retinopathy in Asia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Purpose Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has obvious clinical value in diabetes, but the conclusions on the diagnostic value of diabetic retinopathy (DR) are not consistent. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the accuracy of circulating VEGF in the diagnosis of DR in the Asian population by a method of meta-analysis. Methods PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and China Wanfang Databases were searched for relevant studies on the diagnostic value of VEGF for DR in Asia up to November 2021. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and areas under the curve (AUC) were calculated by Stata 15.0 software. Results After screening, eight eligible studies were enrolled, including 547 patients with DR. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the pooled DOR, sensitivity, specificity, PLR, and NLR were 31.67 (95%CI: 13.55 ~ 74.05), 0.86 (95%CI: 0.74 ~ 0.93), 0.84 (95%CI: 0.80 ~ 0.87), 5.33 (95%CI: 4.09 ~ 6.93), 0.17 (95%CI: 0.09 ~ 0.32), respectively. The AUC was 0.86 (95%CI: 0.82 ~ 0.89). Conclusion Circulating VEGF has a good diagnostic value in DR in the Asian population, with the potential to be an early diagnostic marker for DR.
O infarto e a ruptura com o cotidiano: possível atuação da enfermagem na prevenção

Este artigo apresenta uma proposta de atuacao da Enfermagem na prevencao do infarto agudo do miocardio (IAM), com base em pesquisa desenvolvida para tese de doutorado que investigou a experiencia de conforto na perspectiva de pacientes, recorrendo ao Interacionismo Simbolico e a metodologia da Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados. Entrevistas com 13 homens que sofreram IAM, realizadas em dois hospitais paulistas, permitiram captar as situacoes por eles definidas como de conforto ou desconforto. Este texto focaliza a primeira fase da experiencia vivenciada por homens infartados, na qual o principal desconforto e a ruptura com o cotidiano, provocada pelo aparecimento de sintomas ou pela irrupcao do infarto, examinando as possibilidades de intervencao da enfermagem na prevencao primaria e secundaria.
Toward a more complete understanding of who will benefit from prehospital transfusion

Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA Israeli Defense Forces, Medical Corps, Israel; Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel, The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK Blizard Institute, Queen Mary, University of London, London, UK NHS Blood and Transplant, London, UK Center for Injury Science, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA Department of Abdominal Surgery and Medicine, University Hospitals Sussex, Sussex, UK Department of Surgery, Ernest E Moore Shock Trauma Center at Denver Health, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA Pittsburgh Trauma and Transfusion Medicine Research Center, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK; Critical Care Unit, Heartlands Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK Division of Trauma and General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Atem Ltd., Andover, UK Departments of Surgery and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Immunity waning after COVID vaccine booster vs. infection—better than expected

Abstract Background Rapid decline in antibody-titres after BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine was reported; thus, a booster dose, and recently a second booster were approved. The study aims to discuss immunogenicity throughout the pandemic, especially after booster dose. Methods A prospective study conducted in EMMS-Nazareth hospital, Israel. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody titres were monitored every 5 weeks starting from the vaccine’s second dose. To detect symptomatic and asymptomatic infections, nasopharyngeal swabs for COVID-19 PCR were obtained bi-weekly, and on suggestive symptoms. Third dose of the vaccine was suggested for all participants 5 months after the second one. A comparison was made between those who received three doses (booster-group), and those who were infected after having two doses (infection-group) or three doses (booster-infection) group. Results One-hundred participants were included; 66 finished 14 months of follow-up, out of whom 40 received a third dose, 10 received only two doses—all were infected (mean time for infection 5 ± 12.15 weeks before the designated booster), and 12 received three doses and were infected. The mean titres of these three groups 7 months after the designated booster dose (regardless of receiving it) were 1756 ± 2279; 3483 ± 3016 and 6925 ± 3720 BAU/mL, respectively. The booster group had high titres 7 months after the booster dose, comparable to two months after the second dose (p = .69); The booster-infected group had even higher titres. Conclusion Immunogenicity decline rate after the booster dose is slower than the second dose. Timing of second booster in general population is still to be determined; neutralizing-antibody titres might be helpful.
Factors Related to Preoperative Coronal Malalignment in Degenerative Lumbar Scoliosis: An Analysis on Coronal Parameters

Recently the effects of coronal malalignment (CM) in degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) have been reported, however, there was few studies on the correlated parameters of coronal alignments at pre‐operation. The aims of this current study were to investigate the associations of coronal parameters with scoliosis and coronal alignment, and to explore the relationships between the coronal pelvic tilt and coronal alignment in DLS.