Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Olfactory Cleft Width and Volume: Possible Risk Factors for Postinfectious Olfactory Dysfunction

Upper respiratory tract infections are a common cause of temporary and permanent olfactory dysfunction in the general population. Postviral or postinfectious olfactory loss (PIOL) develops only in rare cases. The aim of this study was to investigate the anatomical features of olfactory cleft (OC) in patients with PIOL to shed light on possible predisposing factors for PIOL.
Telephone-based nurse-delivered interpersonal psychotherapy for postpartum depression: nationwide randomised controlled trial

Background Postpartum depression and anxiety are under-addressed public health problems with numerous treatment access barriers, including insufficiently available mental health specialist providers. Aims To examine the effectiveness of nurse-delivered telephone interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) for postpartum depression. Trial registration ISRCTN88987377. Method Postpartum women (n = 241) with major depression (on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I)) from 36 Canadian public health regions in rural and urban settings were randomly assigned to 12 weekly 60 min nurse-delivered telephone-IPT sessions or standard locally available care. The primary outcome was the proportion of women clinically depressed at 12 weeks post-randomisation, with masked intention-to-treat analysis. Secondary outcomes examined included comorbid anxiety, self-reported attachment and partner relationship quality. Results At 12 weeks, 10.6% of women in the IPT group (11/104) and 35% in the control group (35/100) remained depressed (OR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.10–0.46), with the IPT group 4.5 times less likely to be clinically depressed (SCID); 21.2% in the IPT group and 51% in the control group had an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score >12 (OR = 0.26, 95% CI 0.14–0.48), and attachment avoidance decreased more in the IPT group than in the control group (P = 0.02). Significant differences favoured the IPT group for comorbid anxiety and partner relationship quality at all time points, with no differences in health service or antidepressant use. None of the IPT responders relapsed by 36 weeks. Between-group SCID differences were sustained at 24 weeks, but not at 36 weeks. Conclusions Nurse-delivered telephone IPT is an effective treatment for diverse urban and rural women with postpartum depression and anxiety that can improve treatment access disparities.
Microwave-Assisted versus Conventional Isolation of Glucosinolate Degradation Products from Lunaria annua L. and Their Cytotoxic Activity

Glucosinolates (GSLs) from Lunaria annua L. seeds were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by their desulfo counterparts using UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS technique and by their volatile breakdown products, isothiocyanates (ITCs), using GC-MS technique. GSL breakdown products were obtained by conventional techniques (hydrodistillation in a Clevenger type apparatus (HD), CH2Cl2 extraction after myrosinase hydrolysis (EXT) for 24 h) as well as by modern techniques, microwave-assisted distillation (MAD) and microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity (MHG). Seven GSLs were identified as follows: isopropyl GSL (1), sec-butyl GSL (2), 5-(methylsulfinyl)pentyl GSL (3), 6-(methylsulfinyl)hexyl GSL (4), 5-(methylsulfanyl)pentyl GSL (5), 6-(methylsulfanyl)hexyl GSL (6), and benzyl GSL (7). Additionally, pent-4-enyl- and hex-5-enyl ITCs were detected in the volatile extracts. However, their corresponding GSLs were not detected using UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS. Thus, they are suggested to be formed during GC-MS analysis via thermolysis of 5-(methylsulfinyl)pentyl- and 6-(methylsulfinyl)hexyl ITCs, respectively. Volatile isolates were tested for their cytotoxic activity using MTT assay. EXT and MHG showed the best cytotoxic activity against human lung cancer cell line A549 during an incubation time of 72 h (IC50 18.8, and 33.5 μg/mL, respectively), and against breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 after 48 h (IC50 6.0 and 11.8 μg/mL, respectively). These activities can be attributed to the ITCs originating from 3 and 4.
Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Methods to Access the Metal Solubility of Aerosols in Artificial Lung Fluid

Recent studies to quantify the health risks that fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) pose use in vitro approaches. One of these approaches is to incubate PM2.5 in artificial lysosomal fluid for a given period at body temperature. These body fluids used have a high ionic strength and as such can be challenging samples to analyze with atomic spectroscopy techniques. As PM2.5 is a primary health hazard because it is tiny enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and could, in addition, dissolve in the lung fluid it is important to quantify elements of toxic and/or carcinogenic concerns, reliably and accurately. Sophisticated instrumentation and expensive pre-treatment of challenging samples are not always available, especially in developing countries. To evaluate the applicability of graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) without Zeeman correction capability to detect trace quantities of heavy metals leached from PM2.5 on to artificial lung fluid, univariate and multivariate approaches have been used for optimization purposes. The limits of quantification, LOQ, obtained by the optimized method were: 2 µg L−1 (Cu), 3 µg L−1 (Cr), 1 µg L−1 (Mn), and 10 µg L−1 (Pb). The addition/recovery experiments had a mean accuracy of: (Cu) 99 ± 7%; 110 ± 8% (Cr); 95 ± 9% (Mn), and 96 ± 11% (Pb). The average soluble fractions of PM2.5 incubated in artificial lysosomal fluid (ALF) for 1 h were: 1.2 ± 0.01 ng m−3 Cu, 0.4 ± 0.01 ng m−3 Cr, 0.6 ± 0.01 ng m−3 Mn, and 4.8 ± 0.03 ng m−3 Pb. Using historical elemental averages of PM2.5 in Curitiba (Cu 3.3 ng m−3, Cr 2.1 ng m−3, Mn 6.1 ng m−3, Pb 21 ng m−3), the percentage bioaccessibility were determined to be Cu 38%, Cr 20%, Mn 10%, and Pb 23%. The elemental values of the atmospheric soluble fraction of Cu, Cr, and Mn were below the inhalation risk concentrations. However, for Pb, the atmospheric soluble fraction exceeded the inhalation unit risk of 0.012 ng m−3. This robust and straightforward GF AAS method is pivotal for low and middle-income countries were most air pollution adverse effects occur and established lower-cost technologies are likely unavailable.
Pembrolizumab with R‐CHOP in previously untreated diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma: potential for biomarker driven therapy

Tumor programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is associated with inferior outcomes. The first‐line immunologically‐replete setting may be an opportune time for PD‐1 inhibition. We evaluated pembrolizumab in combination with R‐CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) in untreated patients with DLBCL. Eligible patients were age 18 or older, had adequate organ function, and had DLBCL requiring full‐course therapy. Patients received pembrolizumab 200 mg/cycle with R‐CHOP, primarily to assess toxicity. Response assessment utilized standard criteria, and PD‐L1 staining was performed at a validated central laboratory. Among 30 patients, toxicity was comparable to standard R‐CHOP but with two grade ≥3 immune related adverse events (rash, pneumonitis). The overall and complete response rate was 90% and 77%. With 25·5 months of median follow‐up, 2‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) is 83%. PD‐L1 expression was associated with non‐GCB subtype, and improved PFS and survival. Pembrolizumab can safely be added to R‐CHOP, and is associated with a high CR rate and 2‐year PFS. Improved PFS with PR‐CHOP in PD‐L1 expressing tumors contradicts historical data in R‐CHOP treated patients, supporting evaluation of PD‐L1 as a biomarker to identify DLBCL patients who may benefit from this first‐line strategy.
Introduction of rotavirus vaccination in Palestine: An evaluation of the costs, impact, and cost-effectiveness of ROTARIX and ROTAVAC

Introduction The Palestinian Ministry of Health (MOH) started a routine rotavirus immunization program with ROTARIX in May 2016, with support for vaccine procurement and introduction provided through a global development organization. In 2018, financial responsibility for rotavirus vaccine procurement was transferred to the Palestinian government, which elected to shift to ROTAVAC vaccine because of its lower price per dose. This study aims to assess the cost, impact, and cost-effectiveness of rotavirus vaccination, specifically evaluating the economic implications of the change in vaccine product, accounting for the different characteristics of each rotavirus vaccine used. Methods We conducted primary and secondary data collection to assess the introduction, procurement, supply chain, and service delivery costs related to each vaccine. We used the UNIVAC model to project costs and benefits of rotavirus vaccination over a 10-year period comparing the use of ROTARIX versus no vaccination; ROTAVAC versus no vaccination; and ROTAVAC versus ROTARIX. We undertook scenario and probabilistic analyses to capture uncertainty in some of the study parameters. We used a 3% discount rate, and all costs are in 2018 US$. Results The cost to deliver one dose was lower for ROTAVAC than ROTARIX (US$2.36 versus $2.70), but the total cost per course, excluding vaccine cost, favored ROTARIX ($7.09 versus $5.39). Both vaccines had high probability of being cost-effective interventions in Palestine compared to no vaccine. Because of lower vaccination program costs for ROTAVAC, however, switching from ROTARIX to ROTAVAC was cost-saving. Conclusion National decision-makers should consider systematically assessing multiple criteria beyond vaccine price when comparing the health and economic value of several products in order to fully account for all characteristics including product presentation, number of doses per course, cold chain volume, cost of delivery, and wastage.
Management strategies to minimize the use of synthetic chemical acaricides in the control of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini, 1888) in an area highly favourable for its development in Argentina

The aim of this work was to test the efficacy of winter–spring control strategies against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini, 1888) (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in an area highly favourable for its development in Argentina. Control schemes using three or four annual applications of synthetic acaricides were evaluated. Furthermore, the dynamics of the non‐parasitic phases of R. microplus were analysed to provide a framework for the application of pasture spelling as a tool for tick control. The treatment schemes provided appropriate levels of efficacy against R. microplus and also prevented the occurrence of the major peak in abundance of this tick in autumn. A significant overall effect against R. microplus can be achieved when the control strategies tested in this study are applied within the area most ecologically favourable for this tick in Argentina. Analysis of the dynamics of the non‐parasitic phase of R. microplus indicates that the spelling period required to achieve a significant reduction of larvae in pastures fluctuates between 12 and 17 weeks if spelling is initiated in spring or early summer, but between 20 and 28 weeks if spelling is started in late summer, autumn or winter.
Predicting Clinical Efficacy of Vascular Disrupting Agents in Rodent Models of Primary and Secondary Liver Cancers: An Overview with Imaging-Histopathology Correlation

Vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) have entered clinical trials for over 15 years. As the leading VDA, combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P) has been evaluated in combination with chemotherapy and molecular targeting agents among patients with ovarian cancer, lung cancer and thyroid cancer, but still remains rarely explored in human liver cancers. To overcome tumor residues and regrowth after CA4P monotherapy, a novel dual targeting pan-anticancer theragnostic strategy, i.e., OncoCiDia, has been developed and shown promise previously in secondary liver tumor models. Animal model of primary liver cancer is time consuming to induce, but of value for more closely mimicking human liver cancers in terms of tumor angiogenesis, histopathological heterogeneity, cellular differentiation, tumor components, cancer progression and therapeutic response. Being increasingly adopted in VDA researches, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides imaging biomarkers to reflect in vivo tumor responses to drugs. In this article as a chapter of a doctoral thesis, we overview the construction and clinical relevance of primary and secondary liver cancer models in rodents. Target selection for CA4P therapy assisted by enhanced MRI using hepatobiliary contrast agents (CAs), and therapeutic efficacy evaluated by using MRI with a non-specific contrast agent, dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) imaging, diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) are also described. We then summarize diverse responses among primary hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), secondary liver and pancreatic tumors to CA4P, which appeared to be related to tumor size, vascularity, and cellular differentiation. In general, imaging-histopathology correlation studies allow to conclude that CA4P tends to be more effective in secondary liver tumors and in more differentiated HCCs, but less effective in less differentiated HCCs and implanted pancreatic tumor. Notably, cirrhotic liver may be responsive to CA4P as well. All these could be instructive for future clinical trials of VDAs.
Mouse pulmonary dose- and time course-responses induced by exposure to nitrogen-doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract Objective: In this study, we compared in vitro and in vivo bioactivity of nitrogen-doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes (NDMWCNT) to MWCNT to test the hypothesis that nitrogen doping would alter bioactivity. Materials and Methods: High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the multilayer structure of MWCNT with an average layer distance of 0.36 nm, which was not altered by nitrogen doping: the nanomaterials had similar widths and lengths. In vitro studies with THP-1 cells and alveolar macrophages from C57BL/6 mice demonstrated that NDMWCNT were less cytotoxic and stimulated less IL-1β release compared to MWCNT. For in vivo studies, male C57BL/6J mice received a single dose of dispersion medium (DM), 2.5, 10 or 40 µg/mouse of NDMWCNT, or 40 µg/mouse of MWCNT by oropharyngeal aspiration. Animals were euthanized between 1 and 7 days post-exposure for whole lung lavage (WLL) studies. Results and Discussion: NDMWCNT caused time- and dose-dependent pulmonary inflammation. However, it was less than that caused by MWCNT. Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome was assessed in particle-exposed mice by determining cytokine production in WLL fluid at 1 day post-exposure. Compared to DM-exposed mice, IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly increased in MWCNT- and NDMWCNT-exposed mice, but the increase caused by NDMWCNT was less than MWCNT. At 56 days post-exposure, histopathology determined lung fibrosis in MWCNT-exposed mice was greater than NDMWCNT-exposed mice. Conclusions: These data indicate nitrogen doping of MWCNT decreases their bioactivity, as reflected with lower in vitro and in vivo toxicity inflammation and lung disease. The lower activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome may be responsible. Abbreviations: NDMWCNT: nitrogen-doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes; MWCNT: multi-walled carbon nanotubes; TEM: transmission electron microscopy; HRTEM: high resolution transmission electron microscopy; IL-1ß: interleukin-1ß; DM: dispersion medium; WLL: whole lung lavage; IL-18: interleukin-18; GSD: geometric standard deviation; XPS: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; SEM: standard error of the mean; PMA: phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate; LPS: lipopolysacharride; LDH: lactate dehydrogenase; AM: alveolar macrophage; PMN: polymorphonuclear leukocyte
Eating Behavior (Duration, Content, and Timing) Among Workers Living under Different Levels of Urbanization

Urbanization has contributed to extended wakefulness, which may in turn be associated with eating over a longer period. Here, we present a field study conducted in four groups with different work hours and places of living in order to investigate eating behavior (duration, content, and timing). Anthropometric measures were taken from the participants (rural (n = 22); town (n = 19); city-day workers (n = 11); city-night workers (n = 14)). In addition, a sociodemographic questionnaire was self-answered and 24-h food recalls were applied for three days. The 24-h food recalls revealed that fat intake varied according to the groups, with the highest consumption by the city-day workers. By contrast, city-day workers had the lowest intake of carbohydrate, whereas the rural group had the highest. In general, all groups had some degree of inadequacy in food consumption. Eating duration was negatively correlated with total energy intake, fat, and protein consumption in the rural and town groups. There was a positive correlation between body mass index and eating duration in both city groups. The rural group had the earliest start time of eating, and this was associated with a lower body mass index. This study suggested that food content and timing, as well as eating duration, differed according to place of living, which in turn may be linked to lifestyle.
Improvement of Embryo Recovery in Holstein Cows Treated by Intra-Ovarian Platelet Rich Plasma before Superovulation

The current research was designed to evaluate if intra-ovarian administration of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) before superovulation could increase the number of follicles responsive to gonadotropin treatment in order to improve embryo recovery in donor cows. Eight Holstein-Friesian cows of proven fertility were employed. After estrous synchronization, at the 18th day of diestrous, the right ovary of each cow was left untreated and served as control while the left ovary was inoculated with 5 mL of PRP. Cows were left to spontaneously return to estrous, and nine days later, a standard superovulation was initiated for every cow. Seven days after artificial insemination (AI), putative embryos were collected by flushing the right and left uterine horns separately. All statistics were calculated by ANOVA. The mean number of follicles, evaluated by transrectal ultrasound scanning, did not statistically differ before PRP treatment between right (control) and left (treated) ovaries (9.18 ± 1.35 and 7.32 ± 1.67, p = 0.28, respectively) as well as at 48 h after PRP injection (7.67 ± 2.52 and 8.00 ± 2.00, p = 0.73, respectively). A statistical (p = 0.023) difference was found in the average number of follicles at the last gonadotropin injection between control and treated ovaries (11.33 ± 2.89 and 20.00 ± 9.17, respectively). The statistically different (p = 0.0037) number of grade 1-2 blastocysts harvested from the uterine horn ipsilateral to control ovaries in comparison to that collected from the treated ones (6.63 ± 2.92 and 14.75 ± 5.92, respectively) suggests that intra-ovarian injection of PRP before superovulation could exert beneficial effects both in latent follicle growth and in vivo embryo production.
Targeting vasculogenic mimicry by phytochemicals: A potential opportunity for cancer therapy

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is regarded as a process where very aggressive cancer cells generate vascular‐like patterns without the presence of endothelial cells. It is considered as the main mark of malignant cancer and has pivotal role in cancer metastasis and progression in various types of cancers. On the other hand, resistance to the antiangiogenesis therapies leads to the cancer recurrence. Therefore, development of novel chemotherapies and their combinations is urgently needed for abolition of VM structures and also for better tumor therapy. Hence, identifying compounds that target VM structures might be superior therapeutic factors for cancers treatment and controlling the recurrence and metastasis. In recent times, naturally occurring compounds, especially phytochemicals have obtained great attention due to their safe properties. Phytochemicals are also capable of targeting VM structure and also their main signaling pathways. Consequently, in this review article, we illustrated key signaling pathways in VM, and the phytochemicals that affect these structures including curcumin, genistein, lycorine, luteolin, columbamine, triptolide, Paris polyphylla, dehydroeffusol, jatrorrhizine hydrochloride, grape seed proanthocyanidins, resveratrol, isoxanthohumol, dehydrocurvularine, galiellalactone, oxacyclododecindione, brucine, honokiol, ginsenoside Rg3, and norcantharidin. The recognition of these phytochemicals and their safety profile may lead to new therapeutic agents' development for VM elimination in different types of tumors.
Primary lateral sclerosis: consensus diagnostic criteria

Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the adult motor system. Characterised by a slowly progressive upper motor neuron syndrome, the diagnosis is clinical, after exclusion of structural, neurodegenerative and metabolic mimics. Differentiation of PLS from upper motor neuron-predominant forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis remains a significant challenge in the early symptomatic phase of both disorders, with ongoing debate as to whether they form a clinical and histopathological continuum. Current diagnostic criteria for PLS may be a barrier to therapeutic development, requiring long delays between symptom onset and formal diagnosis. While new technologies sensitive to both upper and lower motor neuron involvement may ultimately resolve controversies in the diagnosis of PLS, we present updated consensus diagnostic criteria with the aim of reducing diagnostic delay, optimising therapeutic trial design and catalysing the development of disease-modifying therapy.
Long-term changes of stimulation intensities in hypoglossal nerve stimulation.

INTRODUCTION Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) is a novel therapy in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Previous studies have focused on the effectiveness of HNS, but there are no studies specifically investigating the long-term changes of the stimulation intensities in HNS. Increasing stimulation intensity requirements have been reported in the past in other peripheral nerve stimulation therapies. The aim of this study was to investigate the development of stimulation intensities over the observation period of four years. METHODS All patients who were implanted with a HNS system since December 2013 and maintained a bipolar configuration over the observation period were included. Sensation threshold (ST), functional threshold (FT), the titrated stimulation intensity (SI) and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) were recorded. RESULTS A total of 82 patients were enrolled (gender: 69 m, 13 f, age: 60 ± 11 years, BMI: 29. 8 ± 4.0 kg/m²). Two months after surgery (M2) the median ST was 0.8 ± 0.5V. During the observation period of 48 months, no significant change of ST was observed. The median ST was 1.0 ± 0.4 V (p = 0.93) at 48 months (M48). Similar results were found for FT and the titrated SI. There was a significant reduction of the baseline median AHI when compared with the median AHI at M2, M12, M24, M36 and M48 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The stimulation intensities in HNS show no significant changes over four years. Despite the constant stimulation intensity, AHI was significantly reduced. This indicates that the stimulation threshold of the hypoglossal nerve does not change over time with this therapy.