Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of the Three-Item Skindex-Mini Among Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patients With Diverse Racial Backgrounds

Background Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that severely impairs patients’ quality of life (QoL). Instruments such as the 10-item Dermatology Life Quality Index and 16-item Skindex-16 have been used to assess QoL in HS; however, it is unknown whether the shorter 3-item Skindex-mini can also provide an accurate assessment of skin-related QoL in patients with HS. Objectives The aim was to assess how well the Skindex-16 correlates with its shorter adaptation, the Skindex-mini, in capturing QoL among patients with HS. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study included all HS patients seen in the HS Clinic at The Emory Clinic between January 1, 2019, and August 16, 2019. We compared the correlation between the symptom, emotion, and function domains of the Skindex-16 and Skindex-mini using Pearson correlation coefficients (CC). Secondary outcome measures included individual survey item analysis, ItchyQuant scores, and numeric rating scale of pain. Results We identified 108 encounters among 75 unique hidradenitis suppurativa patients (43 black/African American, 18 white, 5 Asian/Pacific Islander, 3 Latino, 4 Other, 2 unknown). Pearson CC between the Skindex-16 and Skindex-mini domain scores for all encounters were 0.770 (P < .001), 0.787 (P < .001), and 0.801 (P < .001) for the symptom, emotion, and function domains, respectively. The mean pain and ItchyQuant scores were 4.14 (SD 3.31) and 3.55 (SD 3.34), respectively. Conclusions The Skindex-mini correlated highly with the Skindex-16 in a racially diverse group of patients with HS. The Skindex-mini is a streamlined QoL instrument that could be practically implemented into routine clinical care among diverse patients presenting to dermatology.
Oryzomys lamia Thomas, 1901 (Rodentia, Cricetidae): karyotype, geographic distribution and conservation status

Le caryotype d'Oryzomys lamia (2n = 58 / FNa = 82) decrit ici, differe de tous les autres publies pour des especes d'Oryzomys, ce qui confirme la validite de ce taxon. Oryzomys lamia parait etre endemique du Cerrado du Bresil Central. Cette espece a ete confirmee seulement en trois localites des etats de Minas Gerais et Goias. Sa repartition limitee et le peu de specimens collectes, suggerent qu'il s'agit d'une espece rare, habitant specialement les formations forestieres et pouvant etre consideree comme vulnerable.
Phase II Study of AZD4547 in Patients With Tumors Harboring Aberrations in the FGFR Pathway: Results From the NCI-MATCH Trial (EAY131) Subprotocol W.

PURPOSE NCI-MATCH is a nationwide, histology-agnostic, signal-finding, molecular profile-driven trial for patients with refractory cancers, lymphomas, or myelomas. Patients with tumors harboring actionable aberration(s) in fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) 1-3 were treated with AZD4547, an oral FGFR1-3 inhibitor. METHODS Patients' tumors were screened by next-generation sequencing for predefined FGFR amplification, activating mutations, or fusions. Patients were treated with AZD4547, 80 mg orally twice daily until progression of disease or drug intolerance. A response rate of 16% was considered promising. RESULTS Between July 2016 and June 2017, 70 patients were assigned and 48 received protocol therapy and are eligible for analysis. Patients' tumors harbored FGFR1 or FGFR2 amplification (n = 20), FGFR2 or FGFR3 single-nucleotide variants (n = 19), or FGFR1 or FGFR3 fusions (n = 9). The most common primary tumors were breast (33.3%), urothelial (12.5%), and cervical cancer (10.4%). Grade 3 adverse events were consistent with those described in previous clinical trials. Confirmed partial responses were seen in 8% (90% CI, 3% to 18%) and were observed only in patients whose tumors harbored FGFR1-3 point mutations or fusions. Stable disease was observed in 37.5% (90% CI, 25.8% to 50.4%). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.4 months, and the 6-month PFS rate was 15% (90% CI, 8% to 31%). For patients with tumors harboring FGFR fusions, the response rate was 22% (90% CI, 4.1% to 55%), and 6-month PFS rate was 56% (90% CI, 31% to 100%). CONCLUSION Preliminary signals of activity appeared to be limited to cancers harboring FGFR activating mutations and fusions, although AZD4547 did not meet the primary end point. Different FGFR somatic alterations may confer different levels of signaling potency and/or oncogene dependence.
HIV serology false positivity among expatriates from Africa: a screening dilemma

HIV prevalence in Oman is low (<5 %); however, 45 % of the population are expatriates, including a portion originating from countries with high HIV prevalence (>5 %). HIV screening is performed at regional public health laboratories as part of a medical fitness programme for residency applicants. We conducted a retrospective evaluation of indeterminate serology results from 11 females of African origin, aged 21–43 years. Serology testing for HIV was conducted according to the national Oman algorithm: fourth-generation immunoassays (Bio-Rad GS HIV Combo Ag/Ab EIA, Siemens Enzygnost HIV Integral 4, Abbott ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo, Roche Elecsys HIV Combi PT, bioMérieux VIDAS HIV DUO QUICK), confirmatory assays (Geenius HIV 1/2 Confirmatory, INNO-LIA HIV I/II Score) and PCR testing. Confirmatory testing to resolve indeterminate results was conducted with available samples for five patients using a combination of immunoassays, confirmatory assays, PCR/PERT and pro-viral DNA levels, at three external laboratories; Roche Diagnostics (Germany), Swiss National Laboratory (Switzerland) and Barts Health NHS Trust (UK). Nineteen serum, 15 plasma and two whole-blood samples were analysed. Nine of ten patients analysed on Bio-Rad and Siemens immunoassays were highly reactive; seven were highly reactive on the Abbott assay. Eight of nine patients tested with the Roche assay were negative. Three of four patients tested on the bioMérieux assay were negative. Five patients underwent confirmatory testing at external laboratories; all were negative by HIV-RNA or pro-viral DNA testing. In conclusion, HIV-RNA and pro-viral DNA testing is recommended for HIV screening of individuals from high-prevalence regions coming to low-prevalence regions.
Potential of double‐cropped rice ecology to conserve organic carbon under subtropical climate

Understanding the processes of soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation or depletion under different management strategies is vital for maintaining soil health and curbing global warming. Using a 36‐year‐old fertility experiment under subtropical climate, we investigated the impact of long‐term intensive rice–rice cropping system with different managements on the SOC stock. The mechanistic pathway of stabilization of the SOC into different pools, with a tentative C budgeting was also established. Biochemical composition of the organic residues involved, SOC pools of different oxidizability and methane (CH4) emission were estimated for the experiment conducted using organic and inorganic sources of nutrients. Cultivation over the years caused a net decrease in SOC stocks but with balanced fertilization it increased. With increasing depth, the stock decreased on average, to the extent of 50%, 26% and 24% of the total at 0–0.2, 0.2–0.4 and 0.4–0.6 m, respectively. About 4.0% of the crop residues C incorporated into the soil were stabilized into SOC. This was further enhanced (1.6 times) by the application of compost. Carbon loss through CH4 emission was very low (2.6% of the total). ‘Summer fallow’ had a positive significant influence on C loss from the system. As much as 29% of the compost C added to the soil was stabilized into SOC mostly in the less‐labile or nonlabile recalcitrant pools preferentially in the surface layer of the soil. Large polyphenol and lignin contents of crop residues including compost, and the long period of soil submergence under rice cultivation might have conferred recalcitrant character to the SOC leading to its stabilization in nonlabile pools. This would result into an enrichment of the SOC stock and restriction to the gaseous C loading into the atmosphere.
Pharmacological suppression of endogenous glucocorticoid synthesis attenuated blood pressure and heart rate response to acute restraint in Wistar rats.

Glucocorticoids are known to modulate cardiovascular response during stress conditions. The present study was aimed to test the hypothesis that permissive and/or stimulating effect of GCs is essential for the maintenance of peripheral vascular resistance and for the adequate response of cardiovascular system to stressor exposure. The effects of acute pharmacological adrenalectomy (PhADX) on humoral and cardiovascular parameters were studied in adult Wistar rats under the basal conditions and during the acute restraint stress. Acute PhADX was performed by the administration of metyrapone and aminoglutethimide (100 mg/kg s.c. of each drug) resulting in a suppression of endogenous glucocorticoid synthesis. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and core body temperature were measured using radiotelemetry. BP responses to administration of vasoactive agents were determined in pentobarbital-anesthetized animals. PhADX considerably attenuated stress-induced increase of BP, HR and core body temperature. PhADX did not abolish BP and HR lowering effects of ganglionic blocker pentolinium indicating preserved sympathetic function in PhADX rats. BP response to exogenous norepinephrine administration was attenuated in PhADX rats, suggesting reduced sensitivity of cardiovascular system. Suppression of corticosterone synthesis by PhADX increased basal plasma levels of ACTH, aldosterone and plasma renin activity in unstressed animals but there was no further increase of these hormones following stressor exposure. In conclusion, PhADX attenuated stress-induced rise of blood pressure, heart rate and core body temperature indicating an important permissive and/or stimulating role of glucocorticoids in the maintenance of the adequate response of cardiovascular system and thermoregulation to several stimuli including acute exposure to stressor.
Psychological predictors of seasonal influenza vaccination uptake among adults with a high-risk physical health condition: a systematic review

Abstract Objective This review tested the use of psychological theories for predicting seasonal influenza vaccination behaviour among adults with a health condition (for which the vaccine is clinically indicated). Methods Ovid (1946–August 2018), Embase (1974–August 2018), CINAHL (1958–August 2018) and PSYCInfo (1986–August 2018) databases were searched. Studies drawing upon a psychosocial or psychological theory to explain seasonal influenza vaccination behaviour among adults with a high-risk health condition were eligible for inclusion. Papers were systematically extracted by title, abstract and full text. Quantitative and qualitative studies were included, and all papers were quality assessed. Results A total of 4840 papers were identified after removal of duplicates. Twelve papers were retained in the narrative synthesis. Studies were conducted across a range of high-risk condition populations and most (83.3%) were cross-sectional. The Health Belief Model (HBM), the model of Psychological Flexibility, The Health Action Process Approach and House’s Framework of Social Support were applied. Ten out of 12 papers (83.3%) drew on the HBM. Conclusion There was evidence of an association between HBM perceived benefits, perceived barriers and vaccination behaviour, although there were inconsistencies across studies. This review highlighted the need for further research, particularly prospective studies of high methodological quality.
[Advices on standards of endometrial cancer screening].

子宫内膜癌是女性生殖系统三大恶性肿瘤之一。 在欧美国家，子宫内膜癌的发病率已居女性生殖系统恶性肿瘤的首位，在我国也呈现上升趋势。 如何在人群中筛选出子宫内膜癌前病变及早期子宫内膜癌，提高子宫内膜癌的筛查效率，实现子宫内膜癌的早发现、早诊断、早治疗，已势在必行。 本建议根据我国子宫内膜癌的诊治经验及筛查现状，结合国际筛查指南及国内外文献，经过中国医师协会妇产科学分会各位专家多次讨论，对于子宫内膜癌的筛查及早期诊断达成了新的规范建议。
Autoimmune Thyroid Disease is Associated with a Lower Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients with Type 1 Diabetic Mellitus

Background and objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the correlation of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) in patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1) with the occurrence of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Materials and Methods: The inclusion criteria for the study were: type 1 diabetes diagnosed on the basis of WHO criteria lasting at least a year, presence of AITD for at least a year, and age over 18 years. The control group consisted of patients without diagnosed AITD (DM1noAITD), selected according to age, BMI and DM1 duration. Anthropometric parameters, metabolic risk factors such as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipids and blood pressure, thyroid status and the presence of DR were assessed. Results: The study involved 200 patients with type 1 diabetes aged 36 ± 12 years, 70 men and 130 women. Patients from the study group (DM1AITD) had significantly lower creatinine concentration, significantly lower systolic blood pressure (SBP), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) percentage and triglyceride (TG) concentration, and higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL-cholesterol) concentration than the control group (DM1noAITD). There was a significantly lower chance of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) among DM1AITD than in the control group. Conclusions: Patients with DM1 and AITD were metabolically better balanced, as evidenced by a significantly lower SBP, percentage of HbA1c and TG, as well as significantly higher HDL-cholesterol in this group. Patients with DM1 and AITD were significantly less likely to have NPDR than the control group.
Welfare Assessment and Activities of Captive Elephants in Thailand

Simple Summary In Thailand, captive elephants are used in tourism and involved in a variety of activities, such as feeding, bathing, riding, or just observation. The welfare of these elephants has been a topic of intense debate in recent years, resulting in divergent opinions on what are or are not appropriate uses. This paper summarizes the current status of captive elephants in Thailand, highlighting issues and challenges facing elephant tourism today. We review recent welfare studies conducted to understand how tourist activities affect welfare outcomes and provide recommendations for the future. Captive elephants in Thailand must be managed under human care with good practices aimed at meeting welfare needs to ensure healthy, sustainable populations. Our goal is to provide information to elephant facilities on best practices, and relay findings to governmental and tourist organizations in Thailand to ensure the welfare and sustainability of this important species. Abstract Thailand is the epicenter of elephant tourism and visiting an elephant camp is a popular activity according to the Tourist Authority of Thailand. However, the welfare of these elephants has been questioned by animal activist groups, international tour operators, and the public. Conclusions that the vast majority of captive elephants are abused often are based on anecdotal evidence and not solid science. So, it is difficult to tease apart emotion, opinion, and fact with regard to what practices are good or bad for elephant welfare. The aim of this paper was to: (1) describe the unique status of captive elephants in Thailand and associated regulations, (2) summarize current issues and challenges facing elephant tourism, (3) review studies conducted on welfare of tourist elephants in Thailand, and (4) offer recommendations for how elephants can be properly cared for under captive conditions in tourist camps. We conclude there are many ways to manage these elephants, and that not all tourist activities are bad for welfare. However, it is essential they be managed in a way that meets physical, physiological and psychological needs, and that management decisions are based on objective data.
Comprehensive analysis of drugs to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection: Mechanistic insights into current COVID-19 therapies (Review)

The major impact produced by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) focused many researchers attention to find treatments that can suppress transmission or ameliorate the disease. Despite the very fast and large flow of scientific data on possible treatment solutions, none have yet demonstrated unequivocal clinical utility against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This work represents an exhaustive and critical review of all available data on potential treatments for COVID-19, highlighting their mechanistic characteristics and the strategy development rationale. Drug repurposing, also known as drug repositioning, and target based methods are the most used strategies to advance therapeutic solutions into clinical practice. Current in silico, in vitro and in vivo evidence regarding proposed treatments are summarized providing strong support for future research efforts.
MicroRNA-29a promotes the neural differentiation of rat neural stem/progenitor cells by targeting KLF4

Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) remain in the mammalian brain throughout life, where they have the ability to self-renew and generate different types of cell in the central nervous system (CNS). Therefore, NSPCs may be a potential novel therapeutic strategy following damage to the CNS. Previous research has reported that microRNA (miR)-29a served an important role in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation and survival; however, to the best of our knowledge, little is known of the effect of miR-29a in neural differentiation. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of miR-29a on the differentiation of NSPCs, determined via RNA interference, immunostaining, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting. The present study discovered that the expression levels of miR-29a were significantly upregulated in a time-dependent manner during neural differentiation. Immunostaining showed that overexpression of miR-29a promoted neural differentiation, which manifested in increased expression levels of neuron-specific class III β-tubulin (Tuj1); however, miR-29a had no effect on neuroglial differentiation. The expression levels of Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) were downregulated following overexpression of miR-29a, whereas the inhibition of miR-29a demonstrated the opposite effect. These results suggested that the overexpression of miR-29a may promote neural differentiation in cultured rat NSPCs by decreasing the expression levels of KLF4. Thus indicating that targeting KLF4, a crucial regulatory factor for the maintenance of stemness, may be a potential underlying mechanism of action for miR-29a. In conclusion, the findings of the present study identified a potential mechanism of action for miR-29a in NSPC differentiation and provided a novel insight into the treatment strategies for CNS damage.
Hepatic artery thrombosis following living donor liver transplantation: A 14-year experience at a single center.

BACKGROUND Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) following liver transplantation is a serious complication that may lead to graft loss and ultimately death. Retransplantation and surgical recanalization for HAT have traditionally been the predominant methods of treatment. However, with the development of endovascular therapies, including percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, thrombolysis, and stent insertion, these methods are now mainly used because they allow prompt management. METHODS From January 2005 to December 2018, 756 patients underwent liver transplantation at our institution, and 14 of those patients developed early HAT. All patients underwent endovascular arteriography immediately after the diagnosis of thrombosis. We retrospectively reviewed the 14 patients with HAT. RESULTS HAT following liver transplantation occurred in 14 patients (1.9%) within 1 month after transplantation. The final success rate of radiological intervention was 71.4% (n=10). Of the four patients in whom intravenous procedures failed, two ultimately underwent retransplantation and one patient underwent surgical revision of the hepatic artery. Bleeding and rebound thrombosis after the intervention occurred in three patients (21.4%) and four patients (28.6%), respectively. CONCLUSION Endovascular procedures can be safe and provide prompt recovery in early HAT patients following liver transplantation to prevent graft loss and patient mortality despite the presence of hemorrhage and rebound thrombosis. Immediate endovascular procedure after the end of the transplantation is also necessary in intraoperatively developed HAT instead of several trials of arterial anastomoses to revascularization.
SipD and IpaD induce a cross-protection against Shigella and Salmonella infections

Salmonella and Shigella species are food- and water-borne pathogens that are responsible for enteric infections in both humans and animals and are still the major cause of morbidity and mortality in the emerging countries. The existence of multiple Salmonella and Shigella serotypes as well as the emergence of strains resistant to antibiotics require the development of broadly protective therapies. Those bacteria utilize a Type III Secretion System (T3SS), necessary for their pathogenicity. The structural proteins composing the T3SS are common to all virulent Salmonella and Shigella spp. , particularly the needle-tip proteins SipD (Salmonella) and IpaD (Shigella). We investigated the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of SipD and IpaD administered by intranasal and intragastric routes, in a mouse model of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) intestinal challenge. Robust IgG (in all immunization routes) and IgA (in intranasal and oral immunization routes) antibody responses were induced against both proteins. Mice immunized with SipD or IpaD were protected against lethal intestinal challenge with S. Typhimurium or Shigella flexneri (100 Lethal Dose 50%). We have shown that SipD and IpaD are able to induce a cross-protection in a murine model of infection by Salmonella and Shigella. We provide the first demonstration that Salmonella and Shigella T3SS SipD and IpaD are promising antigens for the development of a cross-protective Salmonella-Shigella vaccine. These results open the way to the development of cross-protective therapeutic molecules.
Glial cell death induced by overexpression of α‐synuclein

α‐Synuclein is present in intracellular protein aggregates that are hallmarks of common neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. α‐Synuclein is localized in neurons and presynaptic terminals. Under pathological conditions, however, it is also found in glia. The role of α‐synuclein in glial cells and its relevance to the molecular pathology of neurodegenerative diseases is presently unclear. To investigate the consequence of α‐synuclein overexpression in glia, we transfected U373 astrocytoma cells with vectors encoding wild‐type human α‐synuclein or C‐terminally truncated synuclein fused to red fluorescent protein. α‐synuclein immunocytochemistry of transfected astroglial cells revealed diffuse cytoplasmic labeling associated with discrete inclusions both within cell bodies and processes. Susceptibility to oxidative stress was increased in astroglial cells overexpressing α‐synuclein, particularly in the presence of cytoplasmic inclusions. Furthermore, overexpression of α‐synuclein induced apoptotic death of astroglial cells as shown by TUNEL staining. Our in vitro model is the first to replicate salient features of the glial pathology associated with α‐synucleinopathies. It provides a simple testbed to further explore the cascade of events that leads to apoptotic glial cell death in some of these disorders; it may also be useful to assess the effects of therapeutic interventions including antioxidative and antiapoptotic strategies. J. Neurosci. Res. 65:432–438, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.