Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Circulating Retinol-Binding Protein 4 Is Inversely Associated With Pancreatic β-Cell Function Across the Spectrum of Glycemia

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the association of circulating retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) levels with β-cell function across the spectrum of glucose tolerance from normal to overt type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 291 subjects aged 35–60 years with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), newly diagnosed impaired fasting glucose or glucose tolerance (IFG/IGT), or type 2 diabetes were screened by a standard 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with the use of traditional measures to evaluate β-cell function. From these participants, 74 subjects were recruited for an oral minimal model test, and β-cell function was assessed with model-derived indices. Circulating RBP4 levels were measured by a commercially available ELISA kit. RESULTS Circulating RBP4 levels were significantly and inversely correlated with β-cell function indicated by the Stumvoll first-phase and second-phase insulin secretion indices, but not with HOMA of β-cell function, calculated from the 2-h OGTT in 291 subjects across the spectrum of glycemia. The inverse association was also observed in subjects involved in the oral minimal model test with β-cell function assessed by both direct measures and model-derived measures, after adjustment for potential confounders. Moreover, RBP4 emerged as an independent factor of the disposition index-total insulin secretion. CONCLUSIONS Circulating RBP4 levels are inversely and independently correlated with β-cell function across the spectrum of glycemia, providing another possible explanation of the linkage between RBP4 and the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.
Atrial fibrillation: an arrhythmia that makes healthcare systems tremble.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia; its incidence is expected to rise in the coming years due to the aging of the western population. It is associated not only with clinical, but also with significant social and economic issues; in fact, AF-related healthcare costs have been estimated at several million euros in some European countries. Therefore, interventions aimed at improvement of clinical management and reduction of direct and indirect healthcare costs, related to AF, would be strongly recommended in view of their potential increase.An integrated approach to healthcare delivery is a suitable approach for AF patients: the SAFETY intervention is a nurse-led home management approach aimed at reducing all-cause of unplanned hospitalizations and at prolonging survival in AF patients. In the SAFETY intervention group compared to standard care delivery, Byrnes et al. demonstrated an increase in QALYs of 0.02 per person, with a reduction in healthcare costs of $4,375.The SAFETY intervention, while having a limited impact on QALY, allows a considerable saving of economic resources, which can be directed to other interventions in the healthcare system.
Türkiye Bal Arılarında Ciddi Tehlike; Nosemosis

Nosema apis ve Nosema cerenae ergin bal arilarinda ( Apis mellifera ) Nosemosis’e neden olur ve bu etkenler ergin arilarin bagirsak sistemine yerlesir. Nosemosis en yaygin ari hastaliklarindan birisidir ve dunya capinda onemli ari kayiplarina neden olur. Bu hastalik direkt olarak; sindirim sistemi bozukluklarina, arilarin ortalama omrunun azalmasina, koloni sayisinin azalmasina neden olur ve indirekt olarak; bal uretiminin ve polen toplamanin azalmasina ve kolonide onemli kis kayiplarina neden olur. Bu hastalik bakteriyel, protozoon ve viral hastaliklarla birlikte gorulebilir bu durum ari kolonisi sagligini, ari urunlerini ve uretimini olumsuz yonde etkiler. Bu derlemede Nosema hastaliginin ergin arilarda onemi ve Nosemosis kontrol programina vurgu yapilmistir.
Understanding physical activity and sedentary behaviour among preschool-aged children in Singapore: a mixed-methods approach

Objectives This study investigated physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) among preschool-aged children in Singapore and potential correlates at multiple levels of the socioecological model from in-school and out-of-school settings. Design A cross-sectional study using a mixed-methods approach. Participants Parent–child dyads from six preschools in Singapore. Methods PA and SB of children (n=72) were quantified using wrist-worn accelerometers for seven consecutive days. Three focus group discussions (FGDs) among 12 teachers explored diverse influences on children’s activities, and System for Observing Play and Leisure Activity in Youth (SOPLAY) assessed PA environment and children’s activity levels at preschools. Seventy-three parents completed questionnaires on home and neighbourhood factors influencing children’s PA and SB. Descriptive analyses of quantitative data and thematic analysis of FGDs were performed. Results Based on accelerometry, children (4.4±1.1 years) spent a median of 7.8 (IQR 6.4–9.0) hours/day in SB, and 0.5 (0.3–0.8) hours/day in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). MVPA was similar throughout the week, and SB was slightly higher on non-school days. In preschools, SOPLAY showed more children engaging in MVPA outdoors (34.0%) than indoors (7.7%), and absence of portable active play equipment. FGDs revealed issues that could restrict active time at preschool, including academic requirements of the central curriculum and its local implementation. The teachers had varying knowledge about PA guidelines and perceived that the children were sufficiently active. In out-of-school settings, parents reported that their children rarely used outdoor facilities for active play and spent little time in active travel. Few children (23.5%) participated in extracurricular sports, but most (94.5%) reported watching screens for 1.5 (0.5–3.0) hours/day. Conclusion MVPA was low and SB was high in preschool-aged children in an urban Asian setting. We identified diverse in-school and out-of-school correlates of PA and SB that should be taken into account in health promotion strategies.
Aortic dissection during pregnancy and postpartum in patients with Marfan syndrome: a 21-year clinical experience in 30 patients.

OBJECTIVES Pregnancy-related aortic dissection (AoD) in Marfan syndrome is a lethal catastrophe. Due to its rarity and limited clinical experience, there is no consensus regarding the optimal management strategy. We seek to present our 21-year experience in such patients , focusing on management strategies and early and late outcomes. METHODS Between 1998 and 2019, we managed 30 pregnant women with Marfan syndrome (mean age 30.7 ± 4.3 years) who sustained AoD at a mean of 28.3 ± 8.8 weeks of gestation (GWs). AoD was acute in 21 (70%), type A (TAAD) in 24 (80%) and type B (TBAD) in 6 (20%). Fourteen TAADs (58.3%, 14/24) and 2 TBADs (33.3%, 2/6) occurred in the third trimester or postpartum. The maximal aortic size was < 45 mm in 26.7% (8/30; 3 TAADs, 5 TBADs). Management strategy was based on the types of dissection and GWs (i.e. surgical versus medical treatment, surgery or delivery first). RESULTS TAADs were treated medically in 1 and surgically in 23. The timing of delivery and surgery were caesarean first at 35.4 ± 6.1 GWs in 7 (29.2%), followed by surgery after mean 46 days; single-stage C-section and surgery at 32.0 ± 5.0 GWs in 10 (41.7%); and surgery first at 18.0 ± 5.8 GWs in 6 (25%), followed by C-section after 20 days. Maternal and foetal mortality were 28.6% (2/7) and 14.3% (1/7), 10.0% (1/10) and 20.0% (2/10) and 16.7% (1/6) and 83.3% (5/6), respectively. Five TBADs (83.3%) were managed with C-section followed by surgery in 2 and medical treatment in 3. The respective maternal and foetal mortality were 50% (1/2) and 100% (2/2) and 33.3% (1/3) and 33.3% (1/3), respectively. One TBAD was managed surgically first followed by C-section, resulting in maternal survival and foetal death. Follow-up was complete in 95.8% (23/24) at 3.7 ± 2.9 years. Four late deaths occurred and reoperation was performed in 1 patient. Maternal and foetal survival were 64.3% and 54.1% at 6 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Management of AoD in pregnant women with Marfan syndrome should be based on types of dissection (surgical versus medical) and gestational age (delivery or surgery first), which largely determine maternal and foetal survival. Aortic repair should be considered prior to conception in women with Marfan syndrome even at diameters smaller than recommended by current guidelines.
Analyzing situational awareness through public opinion to predict adoption of social distancing amid pandemic COVID‐19

COVID‐19 pandemic has affected over 100 countries in a matter of weeks. People's response toward social distancing in the emerging pandemic is uncertain. In this study, we evaluated the influence of information (formal and informal) sources on situational awareness of the public for adopting health‐protective behaviors such as social distancing. For this purpose, a questionnaire‐based survey was conducted. The hypothesis proposed suggests that adoption of social distancing practices is an outcome of situational awareness which is achieved by the information sources. Results suggest that information sources, formal (P = .001) and informal (P = 0.007) were found to be significantly related to perceived understanding. Findings also indicate that social distancing is significantly influenced by situational awareness, P = . 000. It can, therefore, be concluded that an increase in situational awareness in times of public health crisis using formal information sources can significantly increase the adoption of protective health behavior and in turn contain the spread of infectious diseases.
One ring to rule them all: an ecosystem engineer fungus fosters plant and microbial diversity in a Mediterranean grassland.

Species coexistence in grasslands is regulated by several environmental factors and interactions with the soil microbial community. Here, the development of the Basidiomycetes fungus Agaricus arvensis, forming fairy rings, in a species-rich Mediterranean grassland, is described. Effects of the mycelial front on plants, fungi, and bacteria were assessed by vegetation survey and next generation sequencing approaches. Our results showed a fungal-dependent shift in the community structure operated by a wave-like spread of fairy rings that decreased plant, fungal and bacterial diversity, indicating a detrimental effect of fairy rings on most species. The fairy rings induced successional processes in plants that enhanced the replacement of a community dominated by perennial plants with short living and fast-growing plant species. In parallel, fungal and bacterial communities showed evident differences in species composition with several taxa associated within distinct sampling zone across the fairy rings. Notably, Bacteria belonging to the Burkholderia genus and fungi of the genus Trichoderma increased in response to the advancing mycelium of A. arvensis. The profound changes in community composition and the overall increase in taxa diversity at ecosystemic scale suggest that fairy ring forming fungi may act as ecosystem engineer species in Mediterranean grasslands.
IRAK-M Regulates Monocyte Trafficking to the Lungs in Response to Bleomycin Challenge

Key Points TLR signaling pathway regulates expression of monocyte chemoattractant CCR2. IRAK-M is an important regulator of monocyte trafficking to the lung in fibrosis. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a deadly disease characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition in the lungs, resulting in decreased pulmonary function. Although epithelial cells and fibroblasts have long been the focus of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis research, the role of various subpopulations of macrophages in promoting a fibrotic response is an emerging target. Healthy lungs are composed of two macrophage populations, tissue-resident alveolar macrophages and interstitial macrophages, which help to maintain homeostasis. After injury, tissue-resident alveolar macrophages are depleted, and monocytes from the bone marrow (BM) traffic to the lungs along a CCL2/CCR2 axis and differentiate into monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages (Mo-AMs), which is a cell population implicated in murine models of pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, we sought to determine how IL-1R–associated kinase-M (IRAK-M), a negative regulator of TLR signaling, modulates monocyte trafficking into the lungs in response to bleomycin. Our data indicate that after bleomycin challenge, mice lacking IRAK-M have decreased monocyte trafficking and reduced Mo-AMs in their lungs. Although IRAK-M expression did not regulate differences in chemokines, cytokines, or adhesion molecules associated with monocyte recruitment, IRAK-M was necessary for CCR2 upregulation following bleomycin challenge. This finding prompted us to develop a competitive BM chimera model, which demonstrated that expression of BM-derived IRAK-M was necessary for monocyte trafficking into the lung and for subsequent enhanced collagen deposition. These data indicate that IRAK-M regulates monocyte trafficking by increasing the expression of CCR2, resulting in enhanced monocyte translocation into the lung, Mo-AM differentiation, and development of pulmonary fibrosis.
Antiphospholipid syndrome: a clinical perspective

Abstract Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a thromboinflammatory disease with a variety of clinical phenotypes. Primary thrombosis prophylaxis should take an individualized risk stratification approach. Moderate-intensity vitamin K antagonist such as warfarin remains the primary strategy for secondary thrombosis prophylaxis among APS patients, especially for patients with predominantly venous disease. For now, direct oral anti-coagulants should be avoided in most APS patients, especially those with history of arterial manifestations. Obstetric APS management should be tailored based on an individual patient's antiphospholipid antibody profile, and obstetric and thrombotic history. Pharmacological agents beyond anticoagulants may be considered for the management of microthrombotic and nonthrombotic manifestations of APS, although more data are needed. A relatively recent discovery in the area of APS pathogenesis is the implication of neutrophil extracellular traps in thrombin generation and initiation of inflammatory cascades. APS is a complex thromboinflammatory disease with a broad clinical spectrum. Personalized therapy according to an individual's unique thrombosis and obstetric risk should be advocated.
Can IGF-1 Serum Levels Really be Changed by Acute Physical Exercise? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND Physical exercise plays an important role in metabolic health, especially in the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) system. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of a single endurance and resistance exercise session on IGF-1 serum. METHODS The systematic review was performed in SPORTDiscus, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. All analyses are based on random-effect models. The study identified 249 records of which 21 were included. RESULTS There was an effect of endurance exercise on total IGF-1 (P = .01), but not for free IGF-1 (P = .36). Resistance exercise similarly only affected total IGF-1 (P = .003) and not free IGF-1 (P = .37). The effect size indicated that total IGF-1 is more affected (ES = 0.81) by endurance than by resistance exercise (ES = 0.46). The present study showed that IGF-1 serum concentrations are altered by exercise type, but in conditions which are not well-defined. CONCLUSIONS The systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that there is no determinant in serum IGF-1 changes for the exercise load characteristic. Therefore, physical exercise may be an alternative treatment to control changes in IGF-1 metabolism and blood concentration.
Nursing outcome "airway permeability" in postoperative patients.

OBJECTIVES to evaluate the evolution of clinical indicators that characterize airway permeability in patients in the postoperative period of thoracoabdominal surgeries and to analyze their relationship with the occurrence of the diagnosis "ineffective airway clearance". METHODS descriptive, quantitative, longitudinal research with 60 patients who were followed for five consecutive days. Eleven indicators of the nursing outcome "respiratory status: airway permeability" were used. RESULTS on the first day of evaluation, the most compromised indicators were: respiratory rate, cough, depth of breath and use of accessory muscles. During follow-up, most of the indicators presented a slight deviation from normal variation and, in the last evaluation, there was a predominance of indicators with some degree of impairment. CONCLUSIONS with the aid of the Nursing Outcomes Classification, it was observed that patients submitted to thoracoabdominal surgeries may present compromised airway permeability even days after surgery.
Supplementation of Sulfur-Containing Amino Acids or Essential Amino Acids Does Not Reverse the Hepatic Lipid-Lowering Effect of a Protein-Rich Insect Meal in Obese Zucker Rats

The present study tested the hypothesis that the liver lipid-lowering effect of insect meal (IM) is caused by its low methionine concentration. A total of fifty, male obese Zucker rats were randomly assigned to five groups of 10 rats each (casein (C), IM, IM + Met, IM + Cys, and IM + EAA). While group C received a diet with casein, the IM-fed groups received a diet with IM as the protein source. In groups IM + Met, IM + Cys and IM + EAA, the diets were additionally supplemented with methionine, cysteine and essential amino acids (EAA), respectively. Hepatic concentrations of triacylglycerols and cholesterol, and hepatic mRNA levels and activities of lipogenic and cholesterogenic enzymes were markedly lower in the IM-fed groups than in group C (p < 0.05). All of these parameters either did not differ across the IM-fed groups or were only slightly higher in groups IM + Met, IM + Cys and IM+EAA than in the group IM. In conclusion, the results indicate that a difference in the amino acid composition between IM and casein, a low concentration of methionine in IM and a reduced cysteine synthesis secondary to a decreased methionine availability resulting from feeding IM are not causative for the lipid-lowering effect of IM.
Interferon-γ facilitates the synaptic transmission between primary afferent C-fibres and lamina I neurons in the rat spinal dorsal horn via microglia activation

Recent studies have demonstrated an important role of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon-γ in neuropathic pain. Interferon-γ is upregulated in the lumbar spinal cord of nerve-injured rodents and intrathecal injection of interferon-γ has been shown to induce neuropathic pain-like behaviours in naive rodents. A potential mechanism in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain is a long-lasting amplification of nociceptive synaptic transmission in lamina I of the spinal dorsal horn. Here, we tested the effects of interferon-γ on the properties of the first synapse in nociceptive pathways in the superficial spinal dorsal horn. We performed whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in lamina I neurons in a spinal cord slice preparation with dorsal roots attached from young rats. We determined the effects of acute (at least 25 min) or longer lasting (4–8 h) treatment of the transversal slices with recombinant rat interferon-γ on spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents or on monosynaptic Aδ- and C-fibre-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents, respectively. Prolonged treatment with interferon-γ facilitated monosynaptic C-fibre-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents and this effect could be blocked by co-application of minocycline an inhibitor of microglial activation. In contrast, Aδ-fibre-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents were not affected by the prolonged interferon-γ treatment. Acute interferon-γ application in the bathing solution did not change strength of monosynaptic Aδ- or C-fibre synapses in lamina I. However, the rate, but not the amplitude, of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents recorded in lamina I neurons was decreased. This effect could not be blocked by the application of minocycline. Long-lasting treatment of rat spinal cord slices with interferon-γ induced an input specific facilitation of synaptic strength in spinal nociceptive pathways. Enhanced transmission between C-fibres and spinal lamina I neurons was mediated by the activation of microglial cells. We showed that the pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon-γ modifies the processing of information at the first synaptic relay station in nociceptive pathways.
Relationship between Health Literacy and Special Quality of Life and Body Image in Women Undergone Mastectomy in Reproductive Age

Copyright© 2018, ASP Ins. This open-access article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License which permits Share (copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format) and Adapt (remix, transform, and build upon the material) under the Attribution-NonCommercial terms. Relationship between Health Literacy and Special Quality of Life and Body Image in Women Undergone Mastectomy in Reproductive Age
Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B is involved in efficient type I interferon secretion upon viral infection

ABSTRACT Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B, also known as PTPN1) is a negative regulator of the leptin and insulin signalling pathways. This phosphatase is of great interest as PTP1B-knockout mice are protected against the development of obesity and diabetes. Here, we provide evidence for a novel function of PTP1B that is independent of its phosphatase activity, but requires its localisation to the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. Upon activation of pattern recognition receptors, macrophages and plasmacytoid dendritic cells from PTP1B-knockout mice secrete lower amounts of type I interferon (IFN) than cells from wild-type mice. In contrast, secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL6 was unaltered. While PTP1B deficiency did not affect Ifnb1 transcription, type I IFN accumulated in macrophages, suggesting a role for PTP1B in mediating secretion of type I IFN. In summary, we have uncovered that PTP1B positively regulates the type I IFN response by promoting secretion of key antiviral cytokines. Summary: PTP1B specifically promotes the secretion of type I IFNs independently of its phosphatase activity, but requiring its proper localization to the ER membrane.