Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contribution of prostate stem cell antigen variation rs2294008 to the risk of bladder cancer

Objective: Number of studies have been performed to evaluate the relationship between prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) variation rs2294008 and bladder cancer risk, but the sample size was small and the results were conflicting. This meta-analysis was conducted to comprehensively evaluate the overall association. Methods: Pubmed, Web of science, Embase, China biology medical literature database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan Fang and Weipu databases were searched before June 30, 2018. The strength of associations was assessed using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All of the statistical analyses were conducted using Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 14.0. Results: Ten studies involved 14,021 cases and 26,871 controls. Overall, significant association was observed between the PSCA gene variant rs2294008 polymorphism and bladder cancer (T vs C: OR = 1.16, 95%CI = 1.12−1.20; TT vs CC: OR = 1.32, 95%CI = 1.24−1.41; TT vs CT+CC: OR = 1.15, 95%CI = 1.09−1.22; TT+CT vs CC: OR = 1.27, 95%CI = 1.21−1.34). In subgroup analysis by ethnic group, a statistically significant association was observed in Asians (T vs C: OR = 1.23, 95%CI = 1.15−1.31) and Caucasians (T vs C: OR = 1.14, 95%CI = 1.10−1.18). The sensitivity analysis confirmed the reliability and stability of the meta-analysis. Conclusion: Our meta-analysis supports that the PSCA gene variant rs2294008 polymorphism might contribute to individual susceptibility to bladder cancer.
miR‐188‐5p emerges as an oncomiRNA to promote gastric cancer cell proliferation and migration via upregulation of SALL4

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play pivotal roles in modulating key biological processes in gastric cancer (GC). As a newly identified miRNA, the function and potential mechanism of miR‐188‐5p in GC has not been thoroughly elucidated. Here, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction detection showed abnormally higher expression of miR‐188‐5p in GC cells and tissues. Gain‐of‐function analysis in vitro showed that miR‐188‐5p promoted GC cell proliferation and migration, while loss‐of‐function studies showed the reverse. Targetscan has predicted that phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) was a potential target gene of miR‐188‐5p. miR‐188‐5p suppressed PTEN messenger RNA and protein expression and activated downstream AKT/mTOR signaling in GC cells, but luciferase reporter analysis showed that PTEN was not regulated by miR‐188‐5p via the 3′ untranslated region. Furthermore, we observed that miR‐188‐5p overexpression promoted Sal‐like protein 4 (SALL4) protein expression, cellular nuclear translocation, and transcription. Knockdown of SALL4 eliminated the effect of miR‐188‐5p in GC cells as well as suppression of PTEN. Taken together, our results demonstrate that miR‐188‐5p promotes GC cell proliferation and migration while suppressing tumor suppressor gene PTEN expression via transcriptional upregulation of oncogene SALL4. We conclude that miR‐188‐5p acts as an oncomiRNA in GC and may be a promising therapeutic target for GC.
Adenosine A3 receptor activation inhibits pro-nociceptive N-type Ca2+ currents and cell excitability in dorsal root ganglion neurons.

Recently studies have focused on the anti-hyperalgesic activity of the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) in several chronic pain models, but the cellular and molecular basis of this effect is still unknown. Here, we investigated the expression and functional effects of A3AR on the excitability of small-medium sized, capsaicin-sensitive, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons isolated from 3-4 week-old rats. RT-PCR experiments and immunofluorescence analysis revealed A3AR expression in DRG neurons. Patch-clamp experiments demonstrated that two distinct A3AR agonists, Cl-IB-MECA and the highly selective MRS5980, inhibited Ca-activated K (KCa) currents evoked by a voltage ramp protocol. This effect was dependent on a reduction of Ca influx via N-type voltage-dependent Ca channels (VDCCs) as Cl-IB-MECA-induced inhibition was sensitive to the N-type blocker PD173212 but not to the L-type blocker, lacidipine. The endogenous agonist adenosine also reduced N-type Ca currents, and its effect was inhibited by 56% in the presence of A3AR antagonist MRS1523, demonstrating that the majority of adenosine's effect is mediated by this receptor subtype. Current-clamp recordings demonstrated that neuronal firing of rat DRG neurons was also significantly reduced by A3AR activation in a MRS1523-sensitive but PD173212-insensitive manner. Intracellular Ca measurements confirmed the inhibitory role of A3AR on DRG neuronal firing. We conclude that pain-relieving effects observed upon A3AR activation could be mediated through N-type Ca channel block and action potential inhibition as independent mechanisms in isolated rat DRG neurons. These findings support A3AR-based therapy as a viable approach to alleviate pain in different pathologies.
The efficacy of renal replacement therapy strategies for septic-acute kidney injury

Background: Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is the main treatment for patients with sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (SAKI). However, the choice of RRT strategy remains controversial. Objective: This study assessed the effectiveness of RRT variants in SAKI patients by a network meta-analysis. Methods: This study searched the literature in the PubMed, EmBase, and Cochrane Library databases up to August 18, 2018. The outcomes of the analysis were the survival rate, renal recovery rate, intensive care unit (ICU) duration, and hospital duration. Results: Twenty-two articles were included in the analysis. The results showed that only the negative control was inferior to the regimens of RRT with polymyxin B-immobilized fiber (PMXF), PMXF alone, continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH), CVVH plus alkaline phosphatase (AP), continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD), high-volume CVVH, and extra high-volume CVVH in terms of the survival rate. According to the surface under the cumulative ranking , RRT with PMXF (84.4%) and PMXF (84.3%) were the treatments most likely to improve the survival rate among SAKI patients, followed by CVVH plus AP (69%). Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF), extra high-volume CVVHDF, intermittent venovenous hemodiafiltration (IVVHDF), and low-volume CVVHDF resulted in very similar survival rates. CVVH plus AP conferred relative advantages in the renal recovery rate and ICU duration. Conclusion: CVVH, CVVHD, and their derived RRT strategies can improve survival rates in SAKI patients, but there is no significant difference among the RRT strategies. There was also no significant difference in the survival rate among CVVHDF, IVVHDF, and their derived strategies. More high-quality randomized controlled trials with large sample sizes are needed for further research.
Fascicular tachycardia in infancy and the use of verapamil: a case series and literature review

Objective Guidelines state that verapamil is contraindicated in infants. This is based on reports of cardiovascular collapse and even death after rapid intravenous administration of verapamil in infants with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). We wish to challenge this contraindication for the specific indication of verapamil sensitive ventricular tachycardia (VSVT) in infants. Design Retrospective case series and critical literature review. Setting Hospitals within New Zealand. Patients We present a series of three infants/young children with VSVT or ‘fascicular VT’. Results Three children aged between 8 days and 2 years presented with tachycardia 200–220 beats per minute with right bundle brunch block and superior axis. Adenosine failed to cardiovert and specialist review diagnosed VSVT. There were no features of cardiovascular shock. Verapamil was given as a slow infusion over 10–30 min (rather than as a push) and each successfully cardioverted without incident. Critical review of the literature reveals that cardiovascular collapses were associated with a rapid intravenous push in cardiovascularly compromised infants and/or infants given other long-acting antiarrhythmics prior to verapamil. Conclusions Verapamil is specifically indicated for the treatment of fascicular VT, and for this indication should be used in infancy, as well as in older children, as first-line treatment or after failure of adenosine raises suspicion of the diagnosis. We outline how to distinguish this tachycardia from SVT and propose a strategy for the safe intravenous slow infusion of verapamil in children, noting that extreme caution is necessary with pre-existing ventricular dysfunction.
On Ladders and Pyramids: Hierarchy’s Shape Determines Relationships and Performance in Groups

Hierarchies take different forms, which individuals mentally represent using different geometric shapes. We propose and empirically demonstrate that individuals’ mental representations of the shape hierarchy takes affect its consequences. Five studies compared two common mental representations of hierarchy shapes—ladders and pyramids—to explore whether, why, and how individuals’ perceptions of hierarchy’s shape undermine constructive relationships within groups and group performance. Study 1 demonstrated that individuals commonly mentally represent hierarchies as ladders and pyramids. In Studies 2 and 3, employees who perceived their workplace hierarchies to be shaped like ladders (as compared with pyramids) experienced worse intragroup relationships. Finally, Studies 4 and 5 experimentally manipulated groups’ hierarchical shape in the lab and found that ladder-shaped hierarchies undermined social relationships and group performance relative to pyramid-shaped hierarchies. Taken together, these findings enhance our understanding of hierarchies’ multifaceted consequences and help shed light on the (dis)utility of hierarchy for group functioning.
Association between taste perception and adiposity in overweight or obese older subjects with metabolic syndrome and identification of novel taste-related genes.

BACKGROUND The relation between taste perception, diet, and adiposity remains controversial. Additionally, there is a lack of knowledge on the polymorphisms influencing taste given the scarcity of genome-wide association studies (GWASs) published. OBJECTIVES We studied the relation between perception of the basic tastes, i.e., sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami (separately and jointly in a "taste score"), and anthropometric measurements in older subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS). GWASs were undertaken to identify genes associated with basic tastes and their score. METHODS Taste perception was cross-sectionally determined by challenging subjects (381 older individuals with MetS) with solutions (5 concentrations) of the basic tastes with the use of standard prototypical tastants (phenylthiocarbamide and 6-n-propylthiouracil, NaCl, sucrose, monopotassium glutamate, and citric acid, for bitter, salt, sweet, umami, and sour, respectively). Taste perception intensities were expressed on a scale. A total taste score was derived. RESULTS The total taste score was inversely associated with body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference (P < 0.05). Subjects having a total taste score higher than or equal to the median (11 points for concentration V) were less likely to be classified as obese than subjects below the median (OR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.22, 0.59; P < 0.001). Associations were similar, albeit less strong, for some taste qualities. In the GWASs, the highest associations were for bitter taste (rs1726866-TAS2R38, with P = 7.74 × 10-18 for phenylthiocarbamide and P = 3.96 × 10-19 for 6-n-propylthiouracil). For other tastes, several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) exceeded the P threshold of 1 × 10-5. However, the top-ranked SNPs independently explained a low percentage of taste variability, hence their use as single proxies for the association between taste perception and adiposity is limited. CONCLUSIONS We found a strong inverse association between greater taste perception and body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference in older subjects with MetS and identified some taste-related SNPs. It would be advantageous to identify additional genetic proxies for taste and to develop polygenic scores. Data used in this study were derived from the clinical trial PREDIMED PLUS at baseline, registered at http://www.isrctn. com as ISRCTN89898870.
Education and Health Across Lives and Cohorts: A Study of Cumulative Advantage in Germany

Research from the United States has supported two hypotheses about health inequality. First, educational gaps in health widen with age – the cumulative advantage hypothesis. Second, this relationship has intensified across cohorts – the rising importance hypothesis. In this article, we estimate hierarchical linear models using 22 waves of panel data (SOEP, 1992–2013) to test both hypotheses in the German context, which contrasts sharply with the U.S. in the structural forces shaping health inequality. We consider individual and contextual influences on the core association between education and health, and assess gender differences in the process of cumulative advantage. Our overall results support the cumulative advantage hypothesis, as health gaps between higher and lower educated people widen with age. Further analyses reveal that this process is gender specific. Among women, educational gaps in health are small and remain stable. Among men, these gaps not only widen rapidly with age, but also increasingly across cohorts, supporting the rising importance hypothesis.
Determinants of objectively measured physical activity in rural East Timorese children

The human juvenile period evolved as a period of learning and physical development in a family environment that subsidizes the costs of these processes. Children allocate energy to physical activity, maintenance, and growth. How energy is allocated has consequences for adult body size and other life‐history traits. In subsistence agriculture populations, where child contributions to the household economy are common and energy availability is low, trade‐offs in energy expenditure between activity and growth may help explain poor growth.
Race/Ethnicity-specific Disparities in In-Hospital Mortality and Hospital Charges Among Inflammatory Bowel Disease-related Hospitalizations in the United States

Goal: The goal of this study was to evaluate disparities in hospital outcomes among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) related hospitalizations in the United States with a focus on ethnicity-specific disparities. Background: IBD-related hospitalizations contribute to significant morbidity and health care economic burden. Methods: IBD-related hospitalizations (identified with ICD-9) among US adults were evaluated using 2007 to 2013 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. In-hospital mortality between groups was evaluated using χ2 and multivariate logistic regression models, stratified by Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Inflation-adjusted total hospitalization charges were evaluated using Student t test and multivariate linear regression. Results: Among 224,500 IBD-related hospitalizations (77.8% CD, 22.2% UC), overall in-hospital mortality was low (0.99% CD, 0.78% UC). Although Hispanic UC patients had a trend towards higher odds of in-hospital mortality compared with non-Hispanic whites (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 0.95-2.51; P=0.08), no ethnicity-specific disparities were observed in CD. From 2007 to 2013, mean inflation-adjusted hospitalization charges increased from $29,632 to $41,484, P<0.01 in CD and from $31,449 to $43,128 in UC, P<0.01. On multivariate regression, hospitalization charges in Hispanic CD patients were $9302 higher (95% CI, 7910-10,694; P<0.01) and in Asian CD patients were $7665 higher (95% CI, 4859-10,451; P<0.001) than non-Hispanic whites. Compared with non-Hispanic white UC patients, Hispanics had $6910 (95% CI, $4623-$9197) higher charges and African Americans had $3551 lower charges (95% CI, –$5002 to –$2101). Conclusions: Although most IBD hospitalizations in the United States were among non-Hispanic whites, Hispanic patients with IBD had a trend towards higher in-hospital mortality and contributed to significantly higher hospitalization charges.
Mediating effect of social support on the associations between health literacy, productive aging, and self-rated health among elderly Chinese adults in a newly urbanized community

Abstract With the growing urbanization of China, which has changed older adults’ living conditions, lifestyle, and the source of support, coupled with rapid population aging, the health status of the elderly should be paid attention to. In addition to objective indicators such as the decline of function, specific factors, such as social support, health literacy, and productive aging, also have an impact on the health outcomes of the elderly. However, the interrelationships among these factors and their potential mechanisms in the context of urbanization remain unclear. Thus, this study was the first to explore the interrelationships among social support, health literacy, productive aging, and self-rated health in older adults living in a newly urbanized community in China. We aimed to investigate the mediating effect of social support on the associations between health literacy, productive aging, and self-rated health among elderly Chinese adults in a newly urbanized community to provide reference data for future health interventions for the elderly. This cross-sectional study was conducted between June and August 2013. Questionnaires on social support, health literacy, productive aging, and self-rated health were administered to 992 elderly residents. Structural equation models were used to examine the relationships among these 4 variables. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0 and Mplus 7.0. The mean scores for social support, health literacy, productive aging, and self-rated health were 34.5 ± 5.8, 13.6 ± 4.4, 11.3 ± 3.0, and 3.4 ± 0.7, respectively. Social support was directly related to self-rated health (&bgr;=0.119, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.041–0.198), while productive aging and health literacy had indirect associations with self-rated health via social support (&bgr;=0.071, 95% CI: 0.054–0.216; &bgr;=0.049, 95% CI: 0.066–0.183). Both productive aging (&bgr;=0.214, 95% CI: 0.047–0.381) and health literacy had direct associations with social support (&bgr;=0.327, 95% CI: 0.175–0.479), while health literacy had a direct association with productive aging (&bgr;=0.676, 95% CI: 0.604–0.748). Productive aging mediated the relationship between health literacy and social support. Overall, improving health outcomes among older adults requires enhancement of social support, along with consideration of productive aging and health literacy.
Can Nutritional Status Predict Overall Survival in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer?

Abstract Medical records of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were retrospectively reviewed to examine the prognostic impact of nutritional status on survival. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS), histologic tumor type, pulmonary comorbidities, white blood cell (WBC) count, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) were assessed. Overall survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared using log-rank testing. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression model analyses were used to evaluate prognostic impact. Of the 183 enrolled patients, 166 had stage IV NSCLC; 70 had ECOG-PS scores of 2; and 129 had undergone prior anticancer therapy. Age ≥ 65 years, male sex, smoking, BMI < 21 kg/m2, ECOG-PS score of 2, WBC count > 11,000 cells/μL, CRP level > 1.0 mg/dL, and PNI ≤46.1 were associated with poor overall survival. Multivariate analysis revealed that BMI ≥ 21 kg/m2 (hazard ratio [HR], 0.64) and PNI > 46.1 (HR, 0.65) were associated with prolonged survival, while age ≥ 65 years (HR, 1.48) and CRP level > 1.0 mg/dL (HR, 1.82) were associated with poor survival. In conclusion, BMI and PNI, as indicators of nutritional status, were significant independent prognostic factors of survival.
Left Ventricular Noncompaction: Diagnostic Approach, Prognostic Evaluation, and Management Strategies.

Left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy is a heart disease with relevant potential complications including heart failure, life-threatening arrhythmias, and embolic events. In order to prevent adverse outcomes, it is crucial to appropriately recognize and manage this cardiomyopathy. In this article, we report the main clinical presentations and imaging modalities used for diagnosis, including echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. We highlight the role of a comprehensive functional cardiac evaluation and the possible prognostic implications of both systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Furthermore, we summarize clinical factors and imaging findings which have prognostic significance. Finally, we discuss the main management strategies based on phenotypic expressions which are aimed at treating symptoms and preventing complications.
The experiences and support needs of people living at home with an enteral tube: a qualitative interview study.

BACKGROUND The number of people with an enteral tube (ET) living at home is increasing globally and services to support them to manage this complex and life-changing intervention vary across regions. The present study aimed to gain an understanding of the experiences of people living at home with an ET and their carers, as well as to explore their views of supporting services and ET-related hospital admissions. METHODS A qualitative inductive descriptive design was employed. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with a purposive sample of people with an ET living at home and carers were undertaken. Interviews were transcribed, initial codes were assigned for salient constructs, and these were then grouped and developed into themes and sub-themes. RESULTS Nineteen people with ETs and 15 carers of people with ETs were interviewed. Five themes were generated: home better than hospital, feelings about the tube, living with the tube, help when you need it and cost for health service. Participants indicated the ET significantly influenced daily life. Participants described becoming used to coping with the ET at home over time and developing strategies to manage problems, avoid hospital admission and reduce resource waste. Variation in supporting services was described. CONCLUSIONS People with ETs and their carers need considerable support from knowledgeable, responsive healthcare practitioners during the weeks following initial placement of the ET. Twenty-four hour services to support people with ETs should be designed in partnership with the aim of reducing burden, negative experience, waste and hospital admissions. National frameworks for home enteral nutrition could set the standard for support for people with ETs.