Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metabolic syndrome is associated with reduced flow mediated dilation independent of obesity status.

BACKGROUND Data suggest that metabolic health status, incorporating components of metabolic syndrome (MetS), predicts cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk better than body mass index (BMI). This study explored the association of MetS and obesity with endothelial function. METHODS Forty-four participants were phenotyped according to BMI as non-obese vs. obese (<30 or >30 kg/m2) and according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria of MetS: ≤2 criteria MetS (MetS-) vs. ≥3 criteria MetS (MetS+); i) non-obese MetS- vs. ii) non-obese MetS+ and iii) obese MetS- vs. iv) obese MetS+. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD), body composition including liver fat (magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy), dietary intake, intensities of habitual physical activity and cardio-respiratory fitness, were determined. Variables were analysed using a one-factor between-groups analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear regression; mean (95% CI) are presented. RESULTS Individuals with MetS+ displayed lower FMD than those with MetS-. For non-obese individuals mean difference between MetS+ and MetS- was 4.1% [(1.0, 7.3); P=0.004] and obese individuals had a mean difference between MetS+ and MetS- of 6.2% [(3.1, 9.2); P<0.001]. Although there was no association between BMI and FMD (P=0.27), an increased number of MetS components was associated with a lower FMD (P=0.005), and after adjustment for age and sex, 19.7% of the variance of FMD was explained by MetS whereas only 1.1% was explained by BMI. CONCLUSIONS In this study cohort, components of MetS, rather than obesity per se, contribute to reduced FMD, which suggests a reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide and thus increased risk of CVD.
Interscholastic Athletics and Bone Strength: The Iowa Bone Development Study

Abstract Pashkova, A, Hartman, JM, Letuchy, EM, and Janz, KF. Interscholastic athletics and bone strength: the Iowa bone development study. J Strength Cond Res 36(5): 1271–1276, 2022—The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between adolescents' participation in various interscholastic sports and differences in bone strength outcomes. Subjects (N = 380) were recruited from the Iowa Bone Development Study and categorized based on sport participation into 3 power groups: no-power, low-power, and high-power. Sports such as basketball, cheerleading/poms, gymnastics, volleyball, track, football, tennis, and soccer were considered high-power. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) was used to determine bone measures of polar stress-strain index (measure of torsion strength), cortical content (measure of cortical bone size and area at the 66% tibia site), and bone strength index (measure of compression strength based on total bone density and area at the 4% tibia site). Adjusted pairwise comparison for group least squares means high-power sport participation compared with no-power sport participation showed significant differences in all bone strength outcomes for both men and women (p value < 0.01). There was a significant difference in all bone strength measures between low-power and no-power groups for men (p value < 0.05), but not women. Because of decreasing levels of physical activity in late adolescence, the promotion of high-power sports may be particularly important for optimal bone development in the final years before peak bone mass.
Cephalic evidence for the affinities of Tubulidentata

Les relations phyletiques de l'ordre des tubulidentes avec les autres ordres de mammiferes sont etudiees d'apres les caracteristiques osseuses, vasculaires et nerveuses de la tete. D'apres certains caracteres les tubulidentes ne seraient pas derives de Condylarthus ou d'autres ongules comme cela est generalement admis
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 may invalidate T-SPOT.TB assay results in rheumatoid arthritis patients: A retrospective case-control observational study

Background CD4-positive T cells are the main target of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1). Interferon-γ release assays rely on the fact that T-lymphocytes release this cytokine when exposed to tuberculosis-specific antigens and are useful in testing for latent tuberculosis infection before initiating biologic therapy, such as anti-tumor necrosis factor agents. However, the reliability of interferon-γ release assays in detecting tuberculosis infection among HTLV-1-positive patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the use of the T-SPOT.TB assay in HTLV-1-positive RA patients. Methods Overall, 29 HTLV-1-positive RA patients and 87 age- and sex-matched HTLV-1-negative RA patients (controls) were included from the HTLV-1 RA Miyazaki Cohort Study. Results of the T-SPOT.TB assay for latent tuberculosis infection screening were collected from medical records of patients. Results Approximately 55% of the HTLV-1-positive RA patients showed invalid T-SPOT.TB assay results (odds ratio: 108, 95% confidence interval: 13.1–890, p < 0.0001) owing to a spot count of >10 in the negative controls. HTLV-1 proviral load values were significantly higher in patients with invalid results compared with those without invalid results (p = 0.003). Conclusion HTLV-1 infection affects T-SPOT.TB assay results in RA patients. Assay results in HTLV-1 endemic regions should be interpreted with caution when screening for latent tuberculosis infection before initiation of biologic therapy.
Safety of a rapid outpatient hydration protocol for patients with renal impairment requiring intravenous iodinated contrast media for CT.

INTRODUCTION Patients receiving intravenous iodinated contrast media (IOCM) for CT are predisposed to contrast-induced nephropathy. Chronic kidney disease is an important risk factor, and hydration is the mainstay of prevention. While inpatients can undergo intravenous hydration, there is a knowledge deficit regarding regimens for outpatients. We employed a rapid outpatient hydration protocol to reduce postponement of scan appointments for patients with suboptimal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). METHODS From June 2015, we amended our CT preparation protocol to mandate rapid hydration (oral, intravenous or both) for patients with an eGFR of 30-60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Patients receiving this hydration protocol from June to November 2015 were followed up for one month to monitor any admissions for fluid overload, and up to one year to determine the long-term effect on eGFR. RESULTS 226 outpatients received the hydration protocol, which correlated with a 95% reduction in postponement of imaging appointments. No complications of fluid overload from hydration were encountered. There was a significant association between age and decrease in eGFR, but this was not significant when stratified by drop in eGFR category. No statistical significance was found between decrease in eGFR and gender or race. Higher baseline eGFR was less likely to be associated with decrease in eGFR after imaging. Type of hydration was not related to a drop in eGFR category for patients with eGFR of 45-59 mL/min/1.73 m2. CONCLUSION We defined a shorter hydration regimen that is safe to use in the outpatient setting.
Springtime Nutrient and Phytoplankton Dynamics on Georges Bank

The dynamics of phytoplankton and nutrients before, during and after the winter-spring bloom on Georges Bank were studied on 6 monthly survey cruises from January to June 1999. We measured hydrography, phytoplankton cell densities, chlorophyll a, dissolved inorganic nutrients (NO3 + NO2, NH4, Si(OH)4, PO4), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and phosphorus (DOP), particu- late organic carbon (POC) and nitrogen (PON) and total particulate phosphorus (TPP). We present evidence that phytoplankton production may be significant year-round, and that the winter-spring bloom may have started in January. From January to April the phytoplankton was comprised almost exclusively of diatoms, reaching cell densities in March and April of ca. 450 cells ml -1 ; chlorophyll a concentrations exceeded 10 µg l -1 in April. Diatoms decreased to relatively low levels in May ( 300 × 10 3 cells l -1 ). Densities of dinoflagellates and nanoflagellates were low ( 15 µg l -1 in June. Overall micro-and nanoplankton biomass, measured as POC, PON and TPP, increased over the 6 mo period, as did nutritional quality of that biomass as indicated by declining C:N ratios. Our results suggest there may have been an increase in the het- erotrophic component of the plankton in May and June which coincided with a second burst in diatom abundance. We discuss general features of planktonic production and nutrient dynamics with respect to year-round production on the Bank.
Amphicarpic plants: definition, ecology, geographic distribution, systematics, life history, evolution and use in agriculture

Although most plants produce all of their fruits (seeds) aboveground, amphicarpic species produce fruits (seeds) both above‐ and belowground. Our primary aims were to determine the number of reported amphicarpic species and their taxonomic, geographic, life form and phylogenetic distribution, to evaluate differences in the life history of plants derived from aerial and subterranean seeds, to discuss the ecological and evolutionary significance of amphicarpy, to explore the use of amphicarpic plants in agriculture, and to suggest future research directions for studies on amphicarpy. Amphicarpy occurs in at least 67 herbaceous species (31 in Fabaceae) in 39 genera and 13 families of angiosperms distributed in various geographical regions of the world and in various habitats. Seeds from aerial and subterranean fruits differ in size/mass, degree of dormancy, dispersal and ability to form a persistent seed bank, with aerial seeds generally being smaller, more dormant and more likely to be dispersed and to form a seed bank than subterranean seeds. In addition, plants produced by aerial and subterranean seeds may differ in survival and growth, competitive ability and biomass allocation to reproduction. Amphicarpic plants may exhibit a high degree of plasticity during reproduction. Subterranean fruits are usually formed earlier than aerial ones, and plants may produce only subterranean propagules under stressful environmental conditions. Differences in the life histories of plants from aerial and subterranean seeds may be an adaptive bet‐hedging strategy.
Transfer of dietary fatty acids from butyric acid fortified canola oil into the meat of broilers

Abstract The literature reported positive beneficial effects of butyric acid and canola oil on production performance traits of broiler chickens. Three hundred hybrid Ross 708 (150 males and 150 females) were randomly allotted to 10 pens per treatment with 5 males and 5 females per pen. Ten pens were administered a diet supplemented with soybean oil (control), ten pens the same basal diet but supplemented with a blend of mono-, di-, tri-glyceride of butyric acid added to soybean oil (T1) and ten pens the same basal diet supplemented with a mix of soybean and canola oil containing butyrate (T2). No differences in final body weight, dressing percentage, liver and thigh weight were found between groups. The T2 birds showed the highest feed/gain ratio (P<0.05). The control group showed the highest value for breast weight while the highest quantity of abdominal fat was in T2 carcasses. Fatty acid profile was significantly influenced by the presence of oil supplements, not only quantitatively but also qualitatively.
Identification and verification of key genes in varicocele rats through high‐throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis

Varicocele (VC) is the most common treatable cause of infertility, but it is difficult to distinguish fertile from infertile VC populations because the pathogenesis is unclear. In order to study the related mechanism of VC causing male sterility, we made VC rat model by surgery, analysed the rat epididymal spermatozoa and used the transcriptome sequencing to compare all the mRNA expression differences in testicular tissue between VC rats and control rats. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of testicular tissue were also screened by the limma package in R software (version 3.6.1). The 273 DEGs were identified from the four profile data sets including 124 up‐regulated genes and 149 down‐regulated genes in the VC group compared to control group. We found that Sod1, Casp9, Atg7, Casp3 and Sirt1 in module 1 had higher degrees of connectivity in the first 10 hub genes. Gene ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated that Sod1, Casp9, Atg7, Casp3 and Sirt1 are enriched in regulation of oxidative stress‐induced cell death (GO:1,903,201) and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (KEGG:05,014). From the above evidence, we speculate that hypoxia plays an important role in the occurrence and development of VC, and it induced the abnormal expression of autophagy and apoptosis‐related proteins may involve in the development of VC‐associated infertility. Sod1, Casp9, Atg7, Casp3 and Sirt1 as well as their module are hub genes for VC, which will have attractive applications to provide new treatment targets for VC.
Hospital-Acquired Functional Decline and Clinical Outcomes in Older Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to assess the relationship between hospital-acquired functional decline and the risk of mid-term all-cause death in older patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Methods and Results:In total, 463 patients (mean age 85 years, interquartile range [IQR]: 82, 88) undergoing elective TAVI at Sakakibara Heart Institute between 2010 and 2018, who were followed up for 3 years, were enrolled in the study. Hospital-acquired functional decline after TAVI, which was defined by at least a 1-point decrease on the Short Physical Performance Battery before discharge compared to the preoperative score, was assessed. A total of 113 patients (24.4%) showed hospital-acquired functional decline after TAVI, and 50 (11.3%) patients died over a mean follow-up period of 1.9±0.8 years. Kaplan-Meier survival curves indicated that hospital-acquired functional decline was significantly associated with all-cause mortality (log-rank test, P=0.001). On multivariate Cox regression analysis, hospital-acquired functional decline was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality (OR 2.108, 95% CI 1.119-3.968, P=0.021) independent of sex, body mass index, advanced chronic kidney disease, and preoperative frailty, as assessed by the modified essential frail toolkit. CONCLUSIONS Hospital-acquired functional decline is associated with mid-term all-cause mortality in older patients following TAVI. Trajectory of functional status is a vital sign, and it is useful for risk stratification in older patients following TAVI.
An Integrative Investigation of Parabistichella variabilis (Protista, Ciliophora, Hypotrichia) Including Its General Morphology, Ultrastructure, Ontogenesis, and Molecular Phylogeny

Hypotrichs are a highly differentiated and very diverse group of ciliated protists. Their systematics and taxonomy are challenging and call for detailed investigations on their general morphology, ultrastructure, ontogenesis, and molecular phylogeny. Here, a comprehensive study is conducted on a brackish water population of Parabistichella variabilis using light and electron microscopy and phylogenetic analyses based on small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence data. Its morphology, including the infraciliature, pellicle, nuclei, buccal seal, and extrusomes, is documented. The present findings indicate that in P. variabilis: (i) the cortical granules are extrusomes, which differ from those of other hypotrichs; (ii) the buccal seal is bounded by the plasma membrane and contains a single layer of longitudinal microtubules; (iii) two contractile vacuoles might be present rather than one; and (iv) the pharyngeal disks are bounded by a single membrane. Early‐to‐middle stages of ontogenesis are described for the first time, enabling the complete characterization of this process. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that Parabistichella variabilis is closely related to several species from different genera, such as Orthoamphisiella breviseries, Uroleptoides magnigranulosus, and Tachysoma pellionellum. However, ultrastructural and gene sequence data for more taxa are needed in order to resolve the systematics of Parabistichella.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell–Derived Exosomes Improve Functional Recovery in Rats After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Dose-Response and Therapeutic Window Study

Background. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes play a critical role in regenerative medicine. Objective. To determine the dose- and time-dependent efficacy of exosomes for treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods. Male rats were subjected to a unilateral moderate cortical contusion. In the dose-response study, animals received a single intravenous injection of exosomes (50, 100, 200 µg per rat) or vehicle, with treatment initiated at 1 day after injury. In the therapeutic window study, animals received a single intravenous injection of 100 µg exosomes or vehicle starting at 1, 4, or 7 days after injury. Neurological functional tests were performed weekly after TBI for 5 weeks. Spatial learning was measured on days 31 to 35 after TBI using the Morris water maze test. Results. Compared with the vehicle, regardless of the dose and delay in treatment, exosome treatment significantly improved sensorimotor and cognitive function, reduced hippocampal neuronal cell loss, promoted angiogenesis and neurogenesis, and reduced neuroinflammation. Exosome treatment at 100 µg per rat exhibited a significant therapeutic effect compared with the 50- or 200-µg exosome groups. The time-dependent exosome treatment data demonstrated that exosome treatment starting at 1 day post-TBI provided a significantly greater improvement in functional and histological outcomes than exosome treatments at the other 2 delayed treatments. Conclusions. These results indicate that exosomes have a wide range of effective doses for treatment of TBI with a therapeutic window of at least 7 days postinjury. Exosomes may provide a novel therapeutic intervention in TBI.
Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in a Patient with CKD.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism is an almost universal phenomenon of CKD that worsens as CKD progresses. It affects 40% of individuals with stage 3 CKD and 82% of individuals with stage 4 CKD ([1][1]). Early management and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism are imperative to preserve bone
Prevalence of Endocrine and Metabolic Comorbidities in a National Cohort of Patients with Craniopharyngioma

Objective: The major part of craniopharyngioma (CP) morbidity is the tumor and/or treatment-related damage, which results in impaired function of the hypothalamic-pituitary axes and metabolic derangements. The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of long-term endocrine and metabolic comorbidities in a national cohort of CP patients based on the age at diagnosis and histology criteria. Design: A retrospective-prospective longitudinal cohort analysis. Methods: Forty-six patients with CP treated from 1979 onwards (19 with childhood-onset disease) in a single university institution were included in our study. Median follow-up from presentation was 12.8 years (interquartile range: 8.3–22.2 years) and comparable between age-at-diagnosis and histological subtype groups. Data on tumor histology were extracted from patients’ records and re-evaluated if tissue samples were available (n = 32). Results: Childhood-onset patients presented more frequently with headache, and adult-onset with visual impairment. Prevalence of at least one pituitary axis affected increased from 54% at presentation to 100% at follow-up in childhood-onset and from 41 to 93% in adult-onset CP. Growth hormone deficiency, central diabetes insipidus, and panhypopituitarism were more prevalent in childhood-onset adamantinomatous CP (aCP) and least prevalent in adult-onset papillary CP (pCP). At follow-up, metabolic syndrome (MetS) was diagnosed in 80% of childhood-onset and 68% of adult-onset patients (p = 0.411). In the latter group, it tended to be more frequent in the aCP than pCP subtype (80 vs. 50%, p = 0.110). Conclusions: Long-term endocrine and metabolic complications are very frequent in childhood- and adult-onset CP patients of both histological subtypes. The prevalence of MetS was higher compared to the largest cohort previously reported.
A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Parallel‐Group, Phase 1 Clinical Trial Comparing the Pharmacokinetic, Safety, and Immunogenicity of the Biosimilar HS016 and the Originator Adalimumab in Chinese Healthy Male Subjects

A comparison of the immunogenicity, safety, and pharmacokinetic properties of HS016 and its originator, adalimumab, was conducted in Chinese healthy male subjects. This was a phase 1 single‐center, randomized, parallel‐group double‐blind clinical trial. Chinese healthy male subjects (1:1) allocated to HS016 and adalimumab groups were treated with single subcutaneous injections (40 mg/0.8 mL). The pharmacokinetic equivalence of HS016 and adalimumab was assessed by (1) the area under the plasma concentration‐time curve (AUC) from time 0 to the last detectable drug concentration (AUC0‐t), (2) the AUC from time 0 extrapolated to infinity (AUC0‐∞), and (3) the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax). Other pharmacokinetic parameters (time to Cmax, apparent clearance, and half‐life), safety, and immunogenicity were also evaluated. A total of 136 subjects were randomly divided into HS016 (n = 68) or adalimumab (n = 68) groups. The geometric means of AUC0‐t, AUC0‐∞, and Cmax were similar for HS016 and adalimumab. The 90%CIs of AUC0‐t (87.2% to 106.1%), AUC0‐∞ (87.4% to 108.4%), and Cmax (98.6% to 113.6%) were all within the prespecified bioequivalence criteria (80% to 125%). The incidence of treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was similar in both groups, with most TEAEs being mild; only 3 (4.4%) subjects in the HS016 group experienced moderate TEAEs. No significant differences in the time to Cmax, apparent clearance, half‐life, and immunogenicity were detected. The pharmacokinetic profile of HS016 was equivalent to that of the originator, adalimumab, with similar safety and immunogenicity profiles. HS016 may be considered for assessment in the treatment of patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
Photobiomodulation Therapy for the Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: An Overview.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of chemotherapy (CT), affecting 68% of patients. Current treatment strategies are based on pharmacological symptom management, but have limited results. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is a new and emerging therapeutic tool in the supportive care of cancer patients. In this overview, we explore the usability of PBMT for management of CIPN. Objective: To provide a comprehensive overview of management of CIPN with PBMT. Methods: Specific terms, including "Photobiomodulation Therapy," "Drug Therapy," and "Peripheral Nervous System Diseases," were identified for the literature research in PubMed. Results: Three articles were considered eligible for this review. Primary outcome measures were highly variable across the included studies. Conclusions: PBMT might be an effective treatment strategy to manage CIPN, with very encouraging reports from renowned teams, but evidence is limited. More methodologically uniform research (mainly regarding the parameters of PBMT) is needed to support the use of PBMT for this indication.