Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A path analytic model of health beliefs on the behavioral adoption of breast self-examination

Background In Malaysia, breast cancer accounted for 34.1% of all female cancer cases with women presenting breast cancer at late stages. Breast cancer has a higher five-year survival rate if detected early. An increase of approximately 30% in the five-year survival rate is indicated if breast cancer is detected at stage III compared to stage IV. Thus, survival rate of breast cancer can be increased by creating awareness and encouraging breast cancer screening amongst women. Breast self-examination (BSE) is highly recommended for breast cancer screening due to its simplicity with no incurred cost. The Health Belief Model is used in this study to explain and predict the adoptive behavior of BSE amongst women in Kuantan, Pahang. Materials and methods This study employed a multi-stage sampling method using a simple proportion formula at 5% type 1 error, p < 0.05 and absolute error at 2% which resulted in a sample of 520 participants. The data for the study was obtained using a validated bilingual self-constructed questionnaire and the model constructed using Mplus software. Results Perceived severity, benefits and barriers were found to significantly influence the behavioral adoption of BSE. Married women aged from 45 to 55 years and knowledge were found to significantly moderate the relationship between perceived benefits and behavioral adoption of BSE. Further, self-efficacy was found as the core construct that mediates the relationship between married women aged 45 to 55 years and the behavioral adoption of BSE. Conclusion Self-efficacy is found in the study to influence the behavioral adoption of BSE. This is undeniable as self-efficacy can promote confidence in initiating and maintenance of behavioral change if the perceived change is beneficial at an acceptable cost.
Rhizobacteria Communities of Phytoremediation Plant Species in Petroleum Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soil of the Sudd Ecosystem, South Sudan

The Sudd wetland is one of the oil-rich regions of South Sudan where environmental pollution resulting from oil extraction activities has been unprecedented. Although phytoremediation is the most feasible technique, its efficacy reduces at high TPH concentration in soil. This has made rhizoremediation the most preferred approach. Rhizoremediation involves use of a combination of phytoremediation and biostimulation. The process is catalyzed by the action of rhizobacteria. Therefore, the objective of this study is to characterize rhizobacteria communities prevalent in phytoremediation species growing in hydrocarbon-contaminated soils biostimulated with cattle manure. The treatments studied were plant species only (T1), plant species and hydrocarbons (T2), plant species and manure (T3), and plant species, manure, and hydrocarbons (T4). The rhizobacteria communities were determined using pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA. In the treatment with phytoremediation species, hydrocarbons 75 g · kg−1soil, and cattle manure 5 g · kg−1soil (T4), there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in rhizobacteria abundance with the highest ASV observed in H. rufa (4980) and the lowest in S. arundinaceum (3955). In the same treatment, bacteria community diversity was high in H. rufa (Chao1, 10310) and the least in S. arundinaceum (Chao 1, 8260) with Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria as the dominant phyla. Similarly, in contaminated soil treated with cattle manure, there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in abundance of rhizobacteria genera with Pseudomonas dominating across phytoremediation species. H. rufa was dominated by Bacillus, Fusibacter, and Rhodococcus; G. barbadense was mainly associated with Luteimonas and Mycobacterium, and T. diversifolia was inhabited by Bacillus and Luteimonas. The rhizosphere of O. longistaminata was dominated by Bacillus, Fusibacter, and Luteimonas, while S. arundinaceum was largely inhabited by Sphingomonas. These rhizobacteria genera ought to be applied in the Sudd region for bioremediation.
Sanguinarine improved nutrient digestibility, hepatic health indices and productive performance in laying hens fed low crude protein diets

Abstract A major mean to minimize feeding costs and faecal nitrogen excretion on poultry farms is to decrease the supplied dietary protein content. This, however, is associated with the declines in productive performance and systemic health indices. Sanguinarine may improve protein efficiency via decreasing the intestinal amino acid decarboxylation and stimulating the tryptophan‐serotonin pathway. The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of sanguinarine on the performance, egg yolk biochemical parameters, serum enzyme activities, nutrient digestibility, ovarian follicles, and hepatic health indices in laying hens fed decremental levels of crude protein (CP). For this purpose, 180 laying hens were allocated into nine dietary treatments with four replicates of five birds each. The experimental treatments consisted of three levels of CP (85.0%, 92.5%, and 100% of Hy‐Line W‐36 manual recommendation) and three levels of sanguinarine (0.00, 3.75, and 7.50 mg/kg) in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement administered during a 70‐day feeding trial. Results showed that the decremental levels of CP led to significant increases in serum aspartate aminotransferase (p < .05), alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase (p < .01) activities, egg yolk cholesterol concentration (p = .064), and hepatic fat and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents (p < .05). It also caused the significant declines in ileal dry matter (DM) digestibility (p < .05) and eggshell strength (p < .05), and also tended to decrease CP digestibility (p = .071), Haugh unit (p = .057) and egg production percentage (p = .062). The interaction effects of the experimental factors indicated that dietary supplementation of sanguinarine, especially at 7.50 mg/kg, led to significant improvements in serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities (p < .01), egg yolk cholesterol (p < .001) and triglyceride (p < .05) concentrations, eggshell strength (p < .001), Haugh unit (p < .05), hepatic fat (p < .001) and MDA (p = .059) contents, ileal DM and CP digestibility (p < .01) as well as egg production, egg mass and feed conversion ratio (FCR; p < .05) in birds receiving decremental levels of CP. Taken together, the results indicate that dietary administration of sanguinarine could enhance productive performance via improving nutrient digestibility, hepatic health indices and fortifying systemic antioxidant capacity in laying hens fed low‐CP diets.
The in vitro toxicity of nitrile and epithionitrile derivatives of glucosinolates from swedes (Brassica napus) in human and bovine liver cells

ABSTRACT Aim To investigate the direct in vitro toxicity in human and bovine liver cells, and inhibition of activity of ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2) and cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) by five nitrile and epithionitrile derivatives from swede (Brassica napus). Methods The following compounds were investigated: 1-cyano-2-hydroxy-3-butene (CHB, epithionitrile derivative of progoitrin), 1-cyano-2-hydroxy-3,4-epithiobutane (epithionitrile derivative of progoitrin), 3-butenenitrile (nitrile from sinigrin), 4-pentenenitrile (nitrile from gluconapin), and 5-hexenenitrile (nitrile from glucobrassicanapin). Direct cytotoxicity was assessed by incubating the compounds (at 100 mM, 200 mM, 2 M) with human (HepG2) hepatocellular carcinoma cells or bovine primary hepatocytes for 24 hours. Cell viability was then assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cytotoxicity in Hep2G cells was also assessed after incubation for 72 hours at sub-chronic concentrations (1, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20 µM) and for combinations of compounds (20 µM). The ability of compounds to inhibit activity of the ABCG2 transporter and the CYP3A4 enzyme were assessed using human ABCG2 vesicles and demethylation of erythromycin by rat liver microsomes, respectively. Results No reduction of cell viability compared to control assays was observed when the tested compounds were incubated with Hep2G cells or bovine liver cells at concentrations up to 2 mM for 24 hours or with Hep2G cells at concentrations up to 20 µM for 72 hours. None of the five tested compounds inhibited the ability of the ABCG2 transporter to transport the fluorescent substrate at concentrations up to 2 mM. Furthermore, no inhibition of CYP3A4 activity (measured as N-demethylation of erythromycin) was observed for CHB up to 2 mM. Conclusion This study suggests that under these conditions, the selected nitrile or epithionitrile derivatives of glucosinolates are not hepatotoxic in vitro.
Clinical relevance assessment of animal preclinical research (RAA) tool: development and explanation.

Background Only a small proportion of preclinical research (research performed in animal models prior to clinical trials in humans) translates into clinical benefit in humans. Possible reasons for the lack of translation of the results observed in preclinical research into human clinical benefit include the design, conduct, and reporting of preclinical studies. There is currently no formal domain-based assessment of the clinical relevance of preclinical research. To address this issue, we have developed a tool for the assessment of the clinical relevance of preclinical studies, with the intention of assessing the likelihood that therapeutic preclinical findings can be translated into improvement in the management of human diseases. Methods We searched the EQUATOR network for guidelines that describe the design, conduct, and reporting of preclinical research. We searched the references of these guidelines to identify further relevant publications and developed a set of domains and signalling questions. We then conducted a modified Delphi-consensus to refine and develop the tool. The Delphi panel members included specialists in evidence-based (preclinical) medicine specialists, methodologists, preclinical animal researchers, a veterinarian, and clinical researchers. A total of 20 Delphi-panel members completed the first round and 17 members from five countries completed all three rounds. Results This tool has eight domains (construct validity, external validity, risk of bias, experimental design and data analysis plan, reproducibility and replicability of methods and results in the same model, research integrity, and research transparency) and a total of 28 signalling questions and provides a framework for researchers, journal editors, grant funders, and regulatory authorities to assess the potential clinical relevance of preclinical animal research. Conclusion We have developed a tool to assess the clinical relevance of preclinical studies. This tool is currently being piloted.
Prognostic relevance and clinical features of papillary muscle infarction with mitral regurgitation in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction

Background Papillary muscle infarction (PapMI) combined with mitral regurgitation (MR) is a severe complication of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The features detected by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in PapMI have not been characterized. The aim of the present study was to assess the incidence, determinants, and the prognostic significance of PapMI with MR at 1-year follow-up in a study of patients with STEMI after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Methods We enrolled 209 patients with STEMI reperfused by pPCI (<12 hours after symptom onset) at 2 centers. CMR and echocardiography were performed within 1 week after infarction using a standardized protocol. According to the results of CMR and echocardiography, patients were divided into PapMI with MR, PapMI (PapMI without MR), and non-PapMI groups. The primary clinical endpoint of the study was the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Results PapMI with MR was found in 27 patients (13%). The existence of PapMI with MR was associated with age (P<0.001), impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (P=0.005), higher SYNTAX score (P=0.002), concentration of troponin I (P<0.001), longer time to reperfusion (P<0.001), more diabetics (P<0.001), and microvascular occlusion (MVO) (P<0.001). Binary logistic regression with stepwise backward selection analysis showed that advanced age, MVO, and impaired LVEF were independent risk factors for PapMI with MR. Patients in the PapMI with MR group had significantly more MACE compared with the PapMI and non-PapMI groups [PapMI with MR, 23 (85.2%) vs. PapMI, 21 (55.3%) vs. non-PapMI, 29 (20.1%)] at 1-year follow-up (P<0.001). However, there were no pronounced differences in mortality rates among the 3 groups (P=0.071). Conclusions The presence of PapMI with MR in patients with STEMI is associated with advanced age, MVO, and impaired LVEF, which can increase the rates of MACE.
Ceftobiprole Perspective: Current and Potential Future Indications

Ceftobiprole combines an excellent spectrum for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) pathogens, with a low/medium MDR risk, and the β-lactams’ safety in frail patients admitted to the hospital in internal medicine wards which may be at high risk of adverse events by anti-MRSA coverage as oxazolidinones or glycopeptides. We aimed to report the available evidence regarding ceftobiprole use in pneumonia and invasive bacterial infections, shedding light on ceftobiprole stewardship. The clinical application and real-life experiences of using ceftobiprole for bloodstream infections, including infective endocarditis, are limited but nevertheless promising. In addition, extended-spectrum ceftobiprole activity, including Enterococcus faecalis, Enterobacteriaceae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, has theoretical advantages for use as empirical therapy in bacteremia potentially caused by a broad spectrum of microorganisms, such as catheter-related bacteremia. In the future, the desirable approach to sepsis and severe infections will be administered to patients according to their clinical situation, the intrinsic host characteristics, the susceptibility profile, and local epidemiology, while the “universal antibiotic strategy” will no longer be adequate.
Overexpression of Cancer-Associated Stem Cell Gene OLFM4 in the Colonic Epithelium of Patients With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Abstract Background To examine immune-epithelial interactions and their impact on epithelial transformation in primary sclerosing cholangitis–associated ulcerative colitis (PSC-UC) using patient-derived colonic epithelial organoid cultures (EpOCs). Methods The EpOCs were originated from colonic biopsies from patients with PSC-UC (n = 12), patients with UC (n = 14), and control patients (n = 10) and stimulated with cytokines previously associated with intestinal inflammation (interferon (IFN) γ and interleukin (IL)-22). Markers of cytokine downstream pathways, stemness, and pluripotency were analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence. The OLFM4 expression in situ was assessed by RNAscope and immunohistochemistry. Results A distinct expression of stem cell–associated genes was observed in EpOCs derived from patients with PSC-UC, with lower expression of the classical stem-cell marker LGR5 and overexpression of OLFM4, previously associated with pluripotency and early stages of neoplastic transformation in the gastrointestinal and biliary tracts. High levels of OLFM4 were also found ex vivo in colonic biopsies from patients with PSC-UC. In addition, IFNγ stimulation resulted in the downregulation of LGR5 in EpOCs, whereas higher expression of OLFM4 was observed after IL-22 stimulation. Interestingly, expression of the IL-22 receptor, IL22RA1, was induced by IFNγ, suggesting that a complex interplay between these cytokines may contribute to carcinogenesis in PSC-UC. Conclusions Higher expression of OLFM4, a cancer stemness gene induced by IL-22, is present in PSC-UC, suggesting that IL-22 responses may result in alterations of the intestinal stem-cell niche in these patients.
The French Covid-19 contact tracing app: knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices of students in the health domain

BACKGROUND: Many countries around the world have developed mobile phone apps capable of supporting instantaneous contact tracing to control the Covid-19 pandemic. In France, a few people have downloaded and are using the StopCovid contact tracing app. Among them, students in the health domain are especially concerned. Exploring their usage and opinions about the app can inform improvements and diffusion of StopCovid among young people. OBJECTIVE: To investigate health-related students' knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices about the StopCovid app. METHODS: A field survey was conducted among 318 students at the health sciences campus of the University of Bordeaux, France, between September 25th and October 16th, 2020. Quota sampling method was used and descriptive statistics and univariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 77.3% (246/318) students had heard about the app, but only 11.3% (36/318) had downloaded it and 4.7% (15/318) were still using it at the time of the survey. Main reasons for not using the app were: belief that it was not effective given its limited diffusion (17.6%, 37/210), lack of interest (17.6%, 37/210) and distrust in data security and fear to be geo-located (15.7%, 33/210). Among those who had not heard about the app, after a brief description of its functioning and confidentiality policy, 52.7% (38/72) would use it. Participants reported that the main solution for increasing the use of the app would be a better communication (71.4%, 227/318). CONCLUSIONS: Even among health students the contact tracing app was poorly used. Findings suggest that improved communication describing its advantages and simplicity of use as well as clarifying false beliefs about it could help improving significantly its uptake.
Whether Prolyl Hydroxylase Blocker—Roxadustat—In the Treatment of Anemia in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Is the Future?

In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), anemia develops gradually, which is primarily due to an inadequate synthesis of erythropoietin by the kidneys, as well as to iron disorders in the body, blood loss, shortened erythrocyte survival and inflammation. The currently accepted treatment employs iron, vitamin B12, folic acid supplementation and the use of erythropoiesis stimulants, which are administered only parenterally. Research is currently underway on the new erythropoiesis drugs that can be orally administered, i.e., hypoxia-inducible factor-propyl hydroxylase inhibitor (HIF-PHI) inhibitors which temporarily block propyl hydroxylase [PHD] catalysis and promote a transient increase in the expression of genes regulated by HIF, including kidney and liver erythropoietin [EPO]. Roxadustat is the first oral drug in this class and a potent HIF-PHD inhibitor, exerted to treat anemia in patients with CKD. In phase 1, 2 and 3 studies with CKD-affected patients, roxadustat was more effective to stimulate erythropoiesis for anemia correction than previously used drugs. Roxadustat can be orally given, unlike other erythropoiesis drugs with parenteral administration only, which grants roxadustat a considerable advantage. Our paper presents the results of studies with roxadustat applied for the treatment of anemia in CKD patients with or without dialysis. We are currently not yet able to know the exact role of roxadustat in the treatment of anemia in patients with CKD, but time will tell. It is possible that roxadustat has benefits an iron metabolism and cardiovascular risk.
A missense mutation (c.226C>A) in HMG box SRY gene affects nNLS function in 46,XY sex reversal female

The SRY initiates cascade of gene expression that transforms the undifferentiated gonad, genital ridge into testis. Mutations of the SRY gene is associated with complete gonadal dysgenesis in females with 46,XY karyotype. Primary amenorrhea is one of the clinical findings to express the genetic cause in 46,XY sex reversal. Here, we report a 26‐year‐old married woman presenting with primary amenorhea and complete gonadal dysgenesis. The clinical phenotypes were hypoplastic uterus with streak gonad and underdeveloped secondary sexual characters. The cytogenetic analysis confirmed 46,XY sex reversal karyotype of a female. Using molecular approach, we screened open reading frame of the SRY gene by PCR and targeted DNA Sanger sequencing. The patient was confirmed with nucleotide substitution (c.226C>A; p.Arg76Ser) at in HMG box domain of SRY gene that causes 46,XY sex reversal female. Mutation prediction algorithms suggest that alteration might be disease causing mutation and mutated (p.Arg76Ser) amino acid deleteriously affects HMG box nNLS region of SRY protein. Clinical phenotypes and in silico analysis confirmed that missense substitution (p.Arg76Ser) impaired nNLS binding Calmodulin‐mediated nuclear transport of SRY from cytoplasm to nucleus. The mutation affects down regulation of male sex differentiation pathway and is responsible for 46,XY sex reversal female with gonadal dysgenesis.
Ion and Water Transport in Neutrophil Granulocytes and Its Impairment during Sepsis

Neutrophil granulocytes are the vanguard of innate immunity in response to numerous pathogens. Their activity drives the clearance of microbe- and damage-associated molecular patterns, thereby contributing substantially to the resolution of inflammation. However, excessive stimulation during sepsis leads to cellular unresponsiveness, immunological dysfunction, bacterial expansion, and subsequent multiple organ dysfunction. During the short lifespan of neutrophils, they can become significantly activated by complement factors, cytokines, and other inflammatory mediators. Following stimulation, the cells respond with a defined (electro-)physiological pattern, including depolarization, calcium influx, and alkalization as well as with increased metabolic activity and polarization of the actin cytoskeleton. Activity of ion transport proteins and aquaporins is critical for multiple cellular functions of innate immune cells, including chemotaxis, generation of reactive oxygen species, and phagocytosis of both pathogens and tissue debris. In this review, we first describe the ion transport proteins and aquaporins involved in the neutrophil ion–water fluxes in response to chemoattractants. We then relate ion and water flux to cellular functions with a focus on danger sensing, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and oxidative burst and approach the role of altered ion transport protein expression and activity in impaired cellular functions and cell death during systemic inflammation as in sepsis.