Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Renal NOXA1/NOX1 Signaling Regulates Epithelial Sodium Channel and Sodium Retention in Angiotensin II-induced Hypertension.

AIMS NADPH oxidase (NOX)-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in pathophysiology of hypertension (HTN) in chronic kidney disease. Genetic deletion of NOX activator 1 (Noxa1) subunit of NOX1 decreases ROS under pathophysiologic conditions. Here we investigated the role of NOXA1-dependent NOX1 activity in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension (AIH) and possible involvement of dysregulated renal sodium excretion. RESULTS NOXA1 is present in epithelial cells of Henle's thick ascending limb and distal nephron. Telemetry showed lower basal systolic blood pressure (BP) in Noxa1-/- versus wild-type mice. Ang II infusion for 1 and 14 days increased NOXA1/NOX1 expression and ROS levels in kidneys of male but not female wild-type mice. Mean BP increased 30 mmHg in wild-type males, with smaller increases in Noxa1-deficient males and wild-type or Noxa1-/- females. In response to acute salt load, Na+ excretion was similar in wild-type and Noxa1-/- mice before and 14 days after Ang II infusion. However, Na+ excretion was delayed after 1-2 days of Ang II in male wild-type versus Noxa1-/- mice. Ang II increased epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) levels and activation in the collecting duct principal epithelial cells of wild-type but not Noxa1-/- mice. Aldosterone induced ROS levels and Noxa1 and Scnn1a expression and ENaC activity in a mouse renal epithelial cell line, responses abolished by Noxa1 siRNA. Innovation and Conclusion: Ang II activation of renal NOXA1/NOX1-dependent ROS enhances tubular ENaC expression and Na+ reabsorption, increasing BP. Attenuation of AIH in females is attributed to weaker NOXA1/NOX1-dependent ROS signaling and efficient natriuresis.
Knowledge, attitude, and intentions towards fertility preservation in cancer patients among healthcare workers in Northern India

Objective To study the knowledge, attitude, and intentions towards fertility preservation (FP) in cancer patients among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Northern India. Methods The survey discussed in this study was a 23-item structured questionnaire on oncofertility designed based on previous studies on the topic. A link to the questionnaire was sent through WhatsApp to healthcare workers involved in the care of cancer patients. Their responses were analyzed subsequently. Results More than a third (37.7%) of the 750 HCWs contacted answered the questionnaire. The group included gynecologists, surgeons, and oncologists. Although 90% of the respondents were aware of the harmful effects of cancer therapy on ovarian function, 76% claimed they had only partial knowledge about fertility preservation (FP). Only a fourth of the respondents were aware of the time needed for oocyte cryopreservation and a third had knowledge of the number of semen samples required for FP. Among HCWs involved in the care of young cancer patients, only 50% reported that they had referred patients for FP. The most common reason for not referring patients for FP was lack of knowledge about FP (43%). More than 90% claimed they wanted to improve their knowledge about oncofertility through continued medical education programs and seminars. Conclusions The study emphasizes the need for establishing well-structured networks to improve knowledge about FP among HCWs, so that cancer patients are offered the chance of using their gametes to have children after they have been cured from cancer.
Profile of Diphtheria Cases Hospitalized at Tertiary Referral Hospital in Indonesia

This is a report about children diphtheria cases’ profile in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta from 2006 to 2017. Occurrence was the highest in ≥5-years-old age group (67.7%) with male predominance (58.8%). Thirty five point three percent cases had no immunization history and 38.2% cases had incomplete booster history. Pseudomembrane occurred in all cases, mostly found in pharynx (67.6%) and tonsil (61.8%).
Patient-Reported Benefits and Limitations of Mobile Health Technologies for Diabetes in Pregnancy: Protocol for a Scoping Review

Background For women with pre-existing and gestational diabetes mellitus, pregnancy involves specialized and intensive medical care to improve maternal and infant outcomes. Medical management for patients with diabetes in pregnancy typically occurs via frequent face-to-face outpatient appointments. Barriers to face-to-face care during the COVID-19 pandemic have signaled the need for high-quality, patient-centered virtual health care modalities, such as mobile health (mHealth). Objective The objective of the proposed scoping review is to identify the patient-reported benefits and limitations of mHealth technology among women with diabetes in pregnancy. We also aim to determine how the women’s experiences align with the best practice standards for patient-centered communication. Methods Arksey and O’Malley’s framework for conducting scoping reviews with refinements by Levac et al will be used to guide the conduct of this scoping review. Relevant studies will be identified through comprehensive database searches of MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, and PsycINFO. Following database searches, studies will be screened for eligibility at the title, abstract, and full-text level by two independent reviewers, with the inclusion of a third reviewer if required to reach consensus. Data charting of included studies will be conducted by one reviewer using a standardized data extraction form and verified independently by a second reviewer. Synthesis of results will be guided by Thomas and Harden’s “Methods for the Thematic Synthesis of Qualitative Research in Systematic Reviews. ” Results As of August 2020, we have carried out the qualitative searches in the electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, and PsycINFO (Ovid interface) for a combined total of 8207 articles. Next, we plan to conduct the quantitative searches in the electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, and Emcare (Ovid interface). We also plan to review the reference lists of relevant studies to identify additional eligible studies. Conclusions With the results of this review, we hope to describe the patient-reported benefits and limitations of mHealth technology for women with diabetes in pregnancy. Furthermore, we aim to determine how women’s experiences align with the best practice standards for patient-centered communication. Ultimately, our review can provide valuable information for guideline developers, policy makers, and clinicians related to mobile technologies to support virtual care delivery for women with diabetes in pregnancy. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/29727
Distinctions between depression and anxiety with fear of being a burden in late life

Abstract Objectives: The perception of being a burden is a well-known risk factor for dying by suicide. Research on factors that precede the state of perceived burdensomeness, such as fearing being a burden, is necessary. We investigated the extent to which health status, elevated depressive symptoms, and elevated anxiety symptoms are associated with fear of being a burden in late life. Method: Older adult participants (N = 155) completed the Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), and demographic and health questions. Fear of being a burden, assessed with a supplemental item on the GAS, was categorically grouped as ‘no fear’ or ‘some fear’. Using logistic regression, we examined predictors of fear of being a burden. Results: In the first step, elevated depression was associated with fear of being a burden (OR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.09, 4.89, p = .03), but health status was not significant. In the second step, elevated anxiety was significant (OR = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.15, 5.99, p = .02); depression was no longer significant. Conclusion: Contrary to expectations, anxiety more strongly predicted fear of being a burden than depression. Future research should further investigate the role of anxiety in fear of being a burden and ways of intervening.
Vocal fold sulci – what are the current options for and outcomes of treatment?

Purpose of review Sulcus vocalis is a benign condition of the vocal folds that, according to its severity, can affect the quality of the voice of those who have it. Voice symptoms can range from mild to severe, affecting the quality of life of patients with this condition. Although different surgical and no surgical options have been described, no gold standard treatment has been described. Recent findings New evidence supports congenital, inflammatory, and acquired theories for sulcus vocalis. Also, recent literature demonstrated the role of the epithelium in the pathogenesis, which makes the absence of superficial lamina propria no longer the only accepted hypothesis. Technological developments improved the in-office diagnostics capabilities for this condition, but vocal fold palpation remains the gold standard. Different benign laryngeal conditions are associated with sulcus vocalis and knowing when to treat those is very important. Different treatment options are available for sulcus vocalis, however, results are diverse and no strong recommendations for one over the other can be made. Summary Progress continues to be made in our understanding of sulcus vocalis from diagnosis to treatment. Novel and promising therapeutic strategies have been recently developed for this condition; however, more data and investigations are needed to improve their accuracy and reproducibility.
Comparison between the results of a recently-developed biological weighting function (V79-RBE10 BWF) and the in vitro clonogenic survival RBE10 of other repair-competent asynchronized normoxic mammalian cell lines and ions not used for the development of the model

728 simulated microdosimetric lineal energy spectra (26 different ions between 1H and 238U, 28 energy points from 1 to 1000 MeV/n) were used in combination with a recently-developed biological weighting function (Parisi et al 2020 Phys. Med. Biol. 1361–6560) and 571 published in vitro clonogenic survival curves in order to: (1) assess prediction intervals for the in silico results by deriving an empirical indication of the experimental uncertainty from the dispersion in the in vitro hamster lung fibroblast (V79) data used for the development of the biophysical model; (2) explore the possibility of modeling the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of the 10% clonogenic survival of asynchronized normoxic repair-competent mammalian cell lines other than the one used for the development of the model (V79); (3) investigate the predictive power of the model through a comparison between in silico results and in vitro data for 10 ions not used for the development of the model. At first, different strategies for the assessment of the in silico prediction intervals were compared. The possible sources of uncertainty responsible for the dispersion in the in vitro data were also shortly reviewed. Secondly, also because of the relevant scatter in the in vitro data, no statistically-relevant differences were found between the RBE10 of the investigated different asynchronized normoxic repair-competent mammalian cell lines. The only exception (Chinese Hamster peritoneal fibroblasts, B14FAF28), is likely due to the limited dataset (all in vitro ion data were extracted from a single publication), systematic differences in the linear energy transfer calculations for the employed very-heavy ions, and the use of reference photon survival curves extracted from a different publication. Finally, the in silico predictions for the 10 ions not used for the model development were in good agreement with the corresponding in vitro data.
Are ICSI results affected by months and seasons? A retrospective cohort study of fresh and frozen cycles

Abstract In present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of seasonal variation on ICSI results both in fresh and frozen embryo transfer cycles. Between January 2007 and December 2019, a total of 4039 ICSI cycles (3227 fresh and 812 frozen ET) which resulted in embryo transfer were included in the study. We found no significant difference in the pregnancy outcome among different seasons and months. The best results were obtained for spring (41.0%) and the least for winter (37.1%) in fresh cycles and the best for spring (42.5%) and the least for winter (29.7%) in FET cycles. In monthly distribution, the best results were obtained for September (57.0%) and the least for November (24.1%) in fresh cycles and the best for October (49.3%) and the least for December (20.2%) in FET cycles. Our study did not show any significant influence of the months or seasons on clinical pregnancy rates in either fresh and frozen embryo transfers. However, the difference among months in frozen cycles was notable although it did not reach statistical significance. It can be suggested that the strict control of reproductive hormones especially in fresh cycles as well as the standardized laboratory temperature minimize the influence of seasonal effect on ICSI outcome.
Functional Liquid Metal Nanoparticles Produced by Liquid‐Based Nebulization

Functional liquid metal nanoparticles (NPs), produced from eutectic alloys of gallium, promise new horizons in the fields of sensors, microfluidics, flexible electronics, catalysis, and biomedicine. Here, the development of a vapor cavity generating ultrasonic platform for nebulizing liquid metal within aqueous media for the one‐step production of stable and functional liquid metal NPs is shown. The size distribution of the NPs is fully characterized and it is demonstrated that various macro and small molecules can also be grafted onto these liquid metal NPs during the liquid‐based nebulization process. The cytotoxicity of the NPs grafted with different molecules is further explored. Moreover, it is shown that it is possible to control the thickness of the oxide layer on the produced NPs using electrochemistry that can be embedded within the platform. It is envisaged that this platform can be adapted as a cost‐effective and versatile device for the rapid production of functional liquid metal NPs for future liquid metal‐based optical, electronic, catalytic, and biomedical applications.
Impact of serum albumin level and variability on short-term cardiovascular-related and all-cause mortality in patients on maintenance hemodialysis

Abstract Studies have shown that low serum albumin (Salb) levels are associated with a high risk of mortality among patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD); however, the impact of Salb variability on short-term cardiovascular mortality remains unclear. Herein, we investigated the association between Salb levels and Salb variability on short-term all-cause and cardiovascular-related mortality in patients on MHD. Eligible patients on MHD at Chongqing General Hospital between June 2017 and June 2020 were recruited in this study. Patients were grouped by Salb levels (normal Salb, ≥3.8 g/dL; low Salb, 3.4–3.8 g/dL; and lower Salb, 2–3.4 g/dL) and Salb variability (decreased, >5% loss; increased, >5% gain; and steady, 5% loss to 5% gain). Associations between Salb levels, Salb variability, and all-cause and cardiovascular-related mortality were analyzed using Cox regression models. A survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan–Meier analysis. We enrolled a total of 181 patients on MHD with an average age of 65 years (interquartile range [IQR], 53–75 years). The mean Salb level was 3.8 ± 0.6 g/dL (IQR 2.9–4.4 g/dL), and the median Salb variability was 2.6% per year (IQR, −4.1 to 6.5). Fifty-two (29%) patients died, including 31 (17%) patients who died due to cardiovascular-related causes. Compared with the other groups, the lower Salb group had higher all-cause mortality (P < .01). Cox regression analyses revealed that lower Salb levels and decreased Salb variability were independently associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.103–3.452; HR = 2.245, 95% CI 1.084–4.650), whereas increased Salb variability was independently associated with cardiovascular-related mortality (HR = 2.919, 95% CI 1.178–7.234; P < .05). Lower Salb levels were an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients on MHD. Increased Salb variability was strongly associated with cardiovascular-related mortality in the same population, especially in the short-term and in patients with normal Salb levels. Significantly elevated Salb variability should be evaluated to reduce cardiovascular-related mortality.
Simple Convolutional-Based Models: Are They Learning the Task or the Data?

Abstract Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) evolved from Fukushima's neocognitron model, which is based on the ideas of Hubel and Wiesel about the early stages of the visual cortex. Unlike other branches of neocognitron-based models, the typical CNN is based on end-to-end supervised learning by backpropagation and removes the focus from built-in invariance mechanisms, using pooling not as a way to tolerate small shifts but as a regularization tool that decreases model complexity. These properties of end-to-end supervision and flexibility of structure allow the typical CNN to become highly tuned to the training data, leading to extremely high accuracies on typical visual pattern recognition data sets. However, in this work, we hypothesize that there is a flip side to this capability, a hidden overfitting. More concretely, a supervised, backpropagation based CNN will outperform a neocognitron/map transformation cascade (MTC) when trained and tested inside the same data set. Yet if we take both models trained and test them on the same task but on another data set (without retraining), the overfitting appears. Other neocognitron descendants like the What-Where model go in a different direction. In these models, learning remains unsupervised, but more structure is added to capture invariance to typical changes. Knowing that, we further hypothesize that if we repeat the same experiments with this model, the lack of supervision may make it worse than the typical CNN inside the same data set, but the added structure will make it generalize even better to another one. To put our hypothesis to the test, we choose the simple task of handwritten digit classification and take two well-known data sets of it: MNIST and ETL-1. To try to make the two data sets as similar as possible, we experiment with several types of preprocessing. However, regardless of the type in question, the results align exactly with expectation.
Diarrhea in pediatric recipients of solid organ or bone marrow transplants

Abstract Diarrhea is common in adults after solid organ transplantation (SOT) and bone marrow transplantation (BMT), but data in children are limited. Therefore, we aimed to determine the incidence and etiology of pediatric early-onset diarrhea in post SOT and BMT. We reviewed children aged 6 months to 18 years who underwent liver transplantation, kidney transplantation or BMT between January 2015 and December 2019 with duration of diarrhea > 72 hours within the first 6 months after transplantation. Clinical data and diarrheal course were collected. Regression analyses were performed to define factors associated with the interested outcomes. Among 252 transplanted patients, 168 patients (66.6%) had 289 documented episodes of diarrhea. A diagnosis of 68.2% of post-transplant diarrhea remained ‘indefinite’. Enteric infection in SOT and gastrointestinal acute graft-versus-host disease (GI-aGVHD) in BMT were the commonly identified etiologies. Among 182 episodes among BMT children, skin rash was more pronounced when compared the ones with diarrhea > 7 days vs ≤ 7 days (odds ratio [OR] 13.9; 95% CI 1.8, 107.6). Males were more likely to develop GI-aGVHD as compared to females (OR 8.9). We found that GI-aGVHD was more common in the ones with skin rash and the presence of white blood cells in stool examination (OR 8.4 and 3.1, respectively). Deaths occurred in 7.7%. Two-thirds of post-transplant children experienced at least one episode of early-onset diarrhea, of which the etiology mainly remains undefined. Various clinical factors of prolonged/chronic diarrhea and GI-aGVHD may help clinicians when managing these children.
Coconut husk ash as heterogenous catalyst for biodiesel production from cerbera manghas seed oil

The research on the use of coconut husk as a solid catalyst for transesterification reaction of Cerbera manghas oil into biodiesel has been done. The aim of this study is to investigate the performance of coconut husk ash for biodiesel production from Cerbera manghas seed oil. Coconut husk is prepared by burning in air to obtain potassium oxide as active phase. The coconut husk is analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The XRD spectrum shows that the peak characteristics of potassium oxide can be observed in the diffractogram. The particle size of the catalyst ranging from 1 3 μm with pentagonal structure. The coconut husk ash solid catalyst is used in the transesterification reaction of Cerbera manghas oil in a batch reactor. Biodiesel yield of 88.6% can be achieved over coconut husk ash catalyst, using a 10 wt. % of catalyst, reaction temperature at 3 hours, and a methanol-to-oil ratio of 6: 1. This solid catalyst can be separated easily from the reaction system and not soluble in methanol or methyl esters. The coconut husk ash catalyst is high potential to be developed as one of the solid catalysts to convert Cerbera manghas oil to biodiesel.
Biopsy for molecular risk stratification in uveal melanoma: Yields and molecular characteristics in 119 patients

Prognostic cytological and molecular features of uveal melanoma have been well researched and are essential in management. Samples can be obtained in vivo through fine needle aspirate biopsy, vitrector cutter, forceps or post‐enucleation for off‐site testing. This study aims to examine cytological and chromosome microarray yields of these samples.
Is increasing the pulse width from 0.5 to 1 ms an effective strategy to optimize clinical and electrical outcomes in bilateral ECT treatment?

considered as environmental factors. Such drinking culture may familiarize alcohol-sensitive persons with alcohol, and even overcome the genetic protection of the higher acetaldehyde by ALDH2*2/*2. This speculation from these small case descriptions seems consistent with the sales data of RTDs on a national level. Interestingly, while the overall consumption of alcohol has gradually declined, that of liqueurs mostly consisting of RTDs has substantially increased for the past 20 years (Table S1), and the prevalence of AUD is also on the rise (1.6% (2003), 3.4% (2016)). In addition, the prevalence of ALDH2*2 carriers admitted to our center showed significant associations with consumptions of total alcohol and liqueurs as well as the liqueurs/total alcohol ratio (Table S2). These facts suggest that the distribution of ALDH2 phenotypes among patients with AUD has been changing recently. This study had a limitation. Clinical characteristics relevant to the development of AUD, including preferences about alcoholic beverages and illness severity and duration were lacking. Although such socio-cultural factors among Japanese cannot be necessarily extrapolated to other populations, physicians are advised to be aware that any environmental situations could trigger the onset of developing AUD even among genetically alcohol-sensitive individuals. This notion is especially relevant in the light of reported increased drinking in the COVID-19 pandemic environment.