Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Compliance and outcomes after implementation of an enhanced recovery surgical protocol in older women undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery

The aim of this study is to evaluate compliance and outcomes with implementation of an enhanced recovery surgical protocol in older women undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery. This is a retrospective cohort study of women undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery after implementation of the pathway over a 12-month period. Overall compliance was defined as a categorial variable requiring adherence to all of the selected bundle components in patients <65 years old compared to those ≥65. Intraoperative and 30-day postoperative complications were also compared and were reviewed by organ system, these were categorized using the Clavien-Dindo Classification system. There was no significant difference in overall compliance in patients <65 compared to ≥65. Factors that increased compliance in patients ≥65 include laparotomy, hysterectomy, hyperlipidaemia, time after implementation of the protocol and primary surgeon. There was an increase in compliance from 19% to 77% over the 12-month study period. Intra and postoperative complications were similar between the two groups. Enhanced recovery in older patients undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery is feasible with similar rates of compliance and complications compared to younger patients. Compliance with the protocol increases as time after implementation of the protocol increases in all patients.
Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) Portuguese Version: validity and metrics for the older adult population

Abstract Objective This study aims to analyze the psychometric properties of the new Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Brief Resilience Scale (B-BRS) in older adults. Method A sample of 1251 participants (54.20% women; M = 68.02 years, SD = 6.52) completed the B-BRS and seven scales on successful aging and mental health. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to study the B-BRS dimensionality. Convergent and divergent validity was analyzed by means of examining the relationships of B-BRS with scales on successful aging and mental health. Results The results supported the unidimensionality of the B-BRS after controlling for wording method, as well as satisfactory reliability (ω = .79). B-BRS structure remained invariant across education level and income groups. B-BRS scores positively correlated with successful aging factors and negatively with psychopathology symptoms. Conclusion To conclude, our findings provide some evidence on the reliability and validity of the B-BRS, as well as its validation for use in the senior population.
Hormone Replacement Therapy, Breast Cancer Risk Factors, and Breast Cancer Risk: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort

Background: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increases the risk of breast cancer, but the association may vary according to patient factors. We investigated the association between HRT and breast cancer in a nationwide cohort with risk stratification according to risk factors for breast cancer. Methods: Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, 4,558,376 postmenopausal women who underwent breast cancer screening and regular health checkups from 2009 to 2014 were analyzed. Results: A total of 696,084 (15.3%) women reported current or previous HRT use. Breast cancer was newly diagnosed in 26,797 (0.6%) women during a median follow-up of 5.35 years. The HR of the risk of breast cancer in HRT users was 1.25 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.22–1.29] compared with HRT nonusers. The risk of breast cancer increased according to HRT duration [adjusted HR = 1.08; 95% CI, 1.04–1.12, for <2 years; adjusted HR = 1.33; 95% CI, 1.25–1.40, for 2 to <5 years; and adjusted HR = 1.72; 95% CI, 1.63–1.82, for ≥5 years). The effects of HRT on breast cancer risk applied to both invasive and in situ cancer. The HRT-related risk of breast cancer was higher in women who were leaner and those who had dense breasts. Conclusions: This nationwide population-based study confirms the association between HRT use and breast cancer risk. The risk increased proportionally with duration of HRT and differed according to body weight and breast density. Impacts: Risk stratification would be useful when deciding whether to apply HRT for relief of menopausal symptoms.
Laboratory testing of SARS‐CoV, MERS‐CoV, and SARS‐CoV‐2 (2019‐nCoV): Current status, challenges, and countermeasures

Emerging and reemerging infectious diseases are global public concerns. With the outbreak of unknown pneumonia in Wuhan, China in December 2019, a new coronavirus, SARS‐CoV‐2 has been attracting tremendous attention. Rapid and accurate laboratory testing of SARS‐CoV‐2 is essential for early discovery, early reporting, early quarantine, early treatment, and cutting off epidemic transmission. The genome structure, transmission, and pathogenesis of SARS‐CoV‐2 are basically similar to SARS‐CoV and MERS‐CoV, the other two beta‐CoVs of medical importance. During the SARS‐CoV and MERS‐CoV epidemics, a variety of molecular and serological diagnostic assays were established and should be referred to for SARS‐CoV‐2. In this review, by summarizing the articles and guidelines about specimen collection, nucleic acid tests (NAT) and serological tests for SARS‐CoV, MERS‐CoV, and SARS‐CoV‐2, several suggestions are put forward to improve the laboratory testing of SARS‐CoV‐2. In summary, for NAT: collecting stool and blood samples at later periods of illness to improve the positive rate if lower respiratory tract specimens are unavailable; increasing template volume to raise the sensitivity of detection; putting samples in reagents containing guanidine salt to inactivate virus as well as protect RNA; setting proper positive, negative and inhibition controls to ensure high‐quality results; simultaneously amplifying human RNase P gene to avoid false‐negative results. For antibody test, diverse assays targeting different antigens, and collecting paired samples are needed.
The effect of tele-speech therapy on treatment of stuttering

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tele-speech therapy on the recovery of patients with a stutter. Methods This research was an interventional study conducted on the patients visiting two rehabilitation centres. In this study, patients with a stutter participated in the tele-speech therapy sessions via Skype. Stuttering Severity Instrument-Fourth Edition was used to determine the severity of stutter before and after the intervention. Results The results showed a significant difference in the mean scores of stuttering severity before and after tele-speech therapy (p = 0.001). Our findings showed a mean reduction of 13.8% in stuttering scores. More than half of the patients (56.6%) reported a “high” and “very high” satisfaction with this treatment method. Conclusions Tele-speech therapy is an effective way for the treatment of stuttering patients irrespective of their age, gender, and educational background. This method can improve patient’s speech and reduce stuttering. Implications for Rehabilitation Tele-rehabilitation is an effective way to treat stuttering. Tele-speech therapy can be implemented for any group of stuttering patients. Participants were satisfied with the tele-rehabilitation intervention. Tele-speech therapy accelerates the treatment process. Tele-speech therapy eliminates patient travels to speech therapies.
Association Between Walking Pace and Stroke Incidence

Background and Purpose— Stroke incidence in younger and middle-aged people is growing. Despite this, its associations in this subset of the stroke population are unknown, and prevention strategies are not tailored to meet their needs. This study examined the association between self-reported walking pace and incident stroke. Methods— Data from the UK Biobank were used in a prospective population-based study. Three hundred and sixty-three thousand, one hundred and thirty-seven participants aged 37 to 73 years (52% women) were recruited. The associations of self-reported walking pace with stroke incidence over follow-up were investigated using Cox proportional-hazard models. Results— Among 363,137 participants, 2705 (0.7%) participants developed a fatal or nonfatal stroke event over the mean follow-up period of 6.1 years (interquartile range, 5.4–6.7). Slow walking pace was associated with a higher hazard for stroke incidence (hazard ratio [HR], 1.45 [95% CI, 1.26–1.66]; P<0.0001). Stroke incidence was not associated with walking pace among people <65 years of age. However, slow walking pace was associated with a higher risk of stroke among participants aged ≥65 years (HR, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.17–1.72]; P<0.0001). A higher risk for stroke was observed on those with middle (HR, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.01–1.63]; P=0.039) and higher (HR, 1.29 [95% CI, 1.05–1.69]; P=0.012) deprivation levels but not in the least deprived individuals. Similarly, overweight (HR, 1.30 [95% CI, 1.04–1.63]; P=0.019) and obese (HR, 1.33 [95% CI, 1.09–1.63]; P=0.004) but not normal-weight individuals had a higher risk of stroke incidence. Conclusions— Slow walking pace was associated with a higher risk of stroke among participants over 64 years of age in this population-based cohort study. The addition of the measurement of self-reported walking pace to primary care or public health clinical consultations may be a useful screening tool for stroke risk.
Effectiveness of Botulinum Toxin for Treatment of Symptomatic Pelvic Floor Myofascial Pain in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Objectives The aims of the study were to systematically review the literature and to synthesize the evidence for the effectiveness of botulinum toxin injection to the pelvic floor muscles for treating pelvic floor myofascial pain in female patients. Methods This systematic literature search was performed in February 2018 and updated in September 2019. Articles were screened based on predefined criteria: (1) adult population, (2) female patients, (3) treatment of pelvic pain by transvaginal botulinum toxin injection into the pelvic floor, (4) published in English or English translation available, (5) study design including randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case series with more than 10 participants, and (6) quantitative report of pain scores. Nine studies were included in the primary analysis, and an unpublished study was included in a sensitivity analysis. A random effects model with robust variance estimation was used to estimate the pooled mean difference in patient-reported pain scores after botulinum toxin injection. Results A statistically significant reduction in patient-reported pain scores was noted at 6 weeks after botulinum toxin injection (mean difference, 20.3; 95% confidence interval, 11.7–28.9) and continued past 12 weeks (mean difference, 19.4; 95% confidence interval, 14.6–24.2). Significant improvement was noted in secondary outcomes including dyspareunia, dyschezia, and quality of life. Conclusions This systematic review and meta-analysis support the conduct of future, large-scale randomized controlled trials to determine the efficacy and optimize administration of botulinum toxin injections for treatment of pelvic floor myofascial pain and associated symptoms in women.
Apocynin and catalase prevent hypertension and kidney injury in Cyclosporine A-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases including hypertension and renal failure. There is enhanced expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADPH oxidase) and therefore production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) during renal disease progression. This study investigated the effect of apocynin, an NADPH oxidase inhibitor and catalase, an H2O2 scavenger on Cyclosporine A (CsA) nephrotoxicity in Wistar-Kyoto rats. Rats received CsA (25mg/kg/day via gavage) and were assigned to vehicle, apocynin (2.5mmol/L p.o.), catalase (10,000U/kg/day i.p.) or apocynin plus catalase for 14 days. Renal functional and hemodynamic parameters were measured every week, and kidneys were harvested at the end of the study for histological and NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) assessment. Oxidative stress markers and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured. CsA rats had higher plasma malondialdehyde (by 340%) and BUN (by 125%), but lower superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity (by 40%, all P<0.05) compared to control. CsA increased blood pressure (by 46mmHg) and decreased creatinine clearance (by 49%, all P<0.05). Treatment of CsA rats with apocynin, catalase, and their combination decreased blood pressure to near control values (all P<0.05). NOX4 mRNA activity was higher in the renal tissue of CsA rats by approximately 63% (P<0.05) compared to controls but was reduced in apocynin (by 64%), catalase (by 33%) and combined treatment with apocynin and catalase (by 84%) compared to untreated CsA rats. Treatment of CsA rats with apocynin, catalase, and their combination prevented hypertension and restored renal functional parameters and tissue Nox4 expression in this model. NADPH inhibition and H2O2 scavenging is an important therapeutic strategy during CsA nephrotoxicity and hypertension.
The effect of gum chewing on postoperative ileus in open colorectal surgery patients: A review

Background Postoperative ileus is a common complication of abdominal surgery, leading to prolonged hospital stay and associated costs. Gum chewing may be a safe, cheap intervention to reduce postoperative ileus. Methods The aim was to investigate the effect of gum chewing on postoperative ileus in open colorectal surgery patients. A literature search was conducted between December 2018 and March 2019 on CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, Academic Search Complete, PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar. The keywords used included ‘ileus’, ‘chewing gum’, ‘mastication’ and ‘sham feeding’. Papers had to include adults undergoing open colorectal surgery. The studies were appraised using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tools and the results summarised using a narrative review. Results A total of three systematic reviews and three randomised controlled trials were included in the study. The studies show a significant to highly significant effect of gum chewing on postoperative ileus-related outcomes. The trials however in general utilised a weak design. Conclusions Gum chewing decreases postoperative ileus following colorectal surgery. More robust trials are required to confirm these findings. Due to the low risk of harm and cost of using gum chewing, its use is recommended even in the interim.
Combining lipoic acid to methylene blue reduces the Warburg effect in CHO cells: From TCA cycle activation to enhancing monoclonal antibody production

The Warburg effect, a hallmark of cancer, has recently been identified as a metabolic limitation of Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, the primary platform for the production of monoclonal antibodies (mAb). Metabolic engineering approaches, including genetic modifications and feeding strategies, have been attempted to impose the metabolic prevalence of respiration over aerobic glycolysis. Their main objective lies in decreasing lactate production while improving energy efficiency. Although yielding promising increases in productivity, such strategies require long development phases and alter entangled metabolic pathways which singular roles remain unclear. We propose to apply drugs used for the metabolic therapy of cancer to target the Warburg effect at different levels, on CHO cells. The use of α-lipoic acid, a pyruvate dehydrogenase activator, replenished the Krebs cycle through increased anaplerosis but resulted in mitochondrial saturation. The electron shuttle function of a second drug, methylene blue, enhanced the mitochondrial capacity. It pulled on anaplerotic pathways while reducing stress signals and resulted in a 24% increase of the maximum mAb production. Finally, the combination of both drugs proved to be promising for stimulating Krebs cycle activity and mitochondrial respiration. Therefore, drugs used in metabolic therapy are valuable candidates to understand and improve the metabolic limitations of CHO-based bioproduction.
A zebrafish hox gene acts before gastrulation to specify the hemangioblast

Hox genes encode transcription factors that have been implicated in embryonic, adult and disease processes. The earliest developmental program known to be directed by Hox genes is the timing of ingression of presumptive axial mesoderm during gastrulation. We previously used morpholino (MO)‐based knockdown to implicate the zebrafish hoxd4a gene in the specification of the hemangioblast, an event occurring at pre‐gastrulation stages, well before the earliest known Hox gene function. The precise time at which hoxd4a function is required for this specification is not defined. We therefore fused the hoxd4a coding region to the human estrogen receptor (hERT2). Following co‐injection of anti‐hoxd4a MO with mRNA encoding the Hoxd4a‐ERT2 fusion protein, hemangioblast specification was fully rescued when embryos were exposed to the estrogen analog 4‐hydroxy‐tamoxifen (4‐OHT) at 4 hr post‐fertilization (hpf), but only poorly at 6 hpf and not at all at 8 hpf, thereby defining a pre‐gastrulation role for Hoxd4a, the earliest developmental function of a vertebrate Hox gene so far described. Both DNA binding and interaction with cofactor Pbx were further shown to be required for rescue of the morphant phenotype. Confirmation of the morphant phenotype was sought via the generation of hoxd4a null mutants using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Null mutants of hoxd4a up to the third generation (F3) failed to recapitulate the morphant phenotype, and were largely refractory to the effects of injected anti‐hoxd4a MO suggesting the action of genetic compensation.
HBN-Encapsulated, Graphene-based, Room-temperature Terahertz Receivers, with High Speed and Low Noise.

Uncooled terahertz photodetectors (PDs) showing fast (ps) response and high sensitivity (noise equivalent power (NEP) < nW/Hz1/2) over a broad (0.5-10 THz) frequency range are needed for applications in high-resolution spectroscopy (relative accuracy ∼10-11), metrology, quantum information, security, imaging, optical communications. However, present terahertz receivers cannot provide the required balance between sensitivity, speed, operation temperature, and frequency range. Here, we demonstrate uncooled terahertz PDs combining the low (∼2000 kB μm-2) electronic specific heat of high mobility (>50 000 cm2 V-1 s-1) hexagonal boron nitride-encapsulated graphene, with asymmetric field enhancement produced by a bow-tie antenna, resonating at 3 THz. This produces a strong photo-thermoelectric conversion, which simultaneously leads to a combination of high sensitivity (NEP ≤ 160 pW Hz-1/2), fast response time (≤3.3 ns), and a 4 orders of magnitude dynamic range, making our devices the fastest, broad-band, low-noise, room-temperature terahertz PD, to date.
Psychological assistance during the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak in China

Disaster psychological assistance has become an important part of the disaster relief system, playing a crucial role in restoring and maintaining emotional stability and security of people and reducing trauma-related stress. As the first country to experience the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), China actively adopted psychological assistance measures in response to the panic caused by the epidemic. These measures are expected to help the Chinese government and governments in other parts of the world to better respond to the outbreaks of COVID-19.
Weak Induction of Interferon Expression by SARS-CoV-2 Supports Clinical Trials of Interferon Lambda to Treat Early COVID-19.

1 Infections and Immunoepidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; 2 Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; 3 Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA; 4 Division of Biotechnology Research and Review II, Center for Drug Evaluation & Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA; 5 Dept of Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of Aarhus, Gustav Wieds vej 10, DK-8000, Aarhus C. , Denmark
Unbiased proteomics identifies plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 as a negative regulator of endothelial nitric oxide synthase

Significance Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is a fundamental mediator of vascular function influencing cardiovascular homeostasis through the generation of nitric oxide (NO). eNOS activity can be regulated by protein–protein interactions and here using unbiased proteomics, we uncover plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) as a potent negative regulator of eNOS function. Direct eNOS/PAI-1 binding inhibits NO production and bioavailability. Moreover, knockdown or antagonism of PAI-1 increases NO production. Mechanistically, we show that secreted PAI-1 is endocytosed and interacts with eNOS and pharmacological inhibition of PAI-1 improves endothelial function. Thus, this work identifies a nonproteolytic role for PAI-1, and antagonism of PAI-1 may serve as an approach to promote endothelial function and homeostasis. Nitric oxide (NO) produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is a critical mediator of vascular function. eNOS is tightly regulated at various levels, including transcription, co- and posttranslational modifications, and by various protein–protein interactions. Using stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) and mass spectrometry (MS), we identified several eNOS interactors, including the protein plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). In cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), PAI-1 and eNOS colocalize and proximity ligation assays demonstrate a protein–protein interaction between PAI-1 and eNOS. Knockdown of PAI-1 or eNOS eliminates the proximity ligation assay (PLA) signal in endothelial cells. Overexpression of eNOS and HA-tagged PAI-1 in COS7 cells confirmed the colocalization observations in HUVECs. Furthermore, the source of intracellular PAI-1 interacting with eNOS was shown to be endocytosis derived. The interaction between PAI-1 and eNOS is a direct interaction as supported in experiments with purified proteins. Moreover, PAI-1 directly inhibits eNOS activity, reducing NO synthesis, and the knockdown or antagonism of PAI-1 increases NO bioavailability. Taken together, these findings place PAI-1 as a negative regulator of eNOS and disruptions in eNOS–PAI-1 binding promote increases in NO production and enhance vasodilation in vivo.
Subspecies in the Sarus Crane Antigone antigone revisited; with particular reference to the Australian population

Subspecies are often less well-defined than species but have become one of the basic units for legal protection. Evidence for the erection or synonymy of subspecies therefore needs to be founded on the best science available. Here we show that there is clear genetic disjunction in the Sarus Crane Antigone antigone, where previously the variation had appeared to be clinal. Based on a total sample of 76 individuals, analysis of 10 microsatellite loci from 67 samples and 49 sequences from the mitochondrial control region, this research establishes that the Australian Sarus Crane A. a. gillae differs significantly from both A. a. antigone (South Asia) and A. a. sharpii (Myanmar and Indochina). A single sample from the extinct Philippine subspecies A. a luzonica clustered with A. a. gillae, hinting at the potential for a more recent separation between them than from A. a. antigone and A. a. sharpii, even though A. a. sharpii is closer geographically. The results demonstrate that failure to detect subspecies through initial genetic profiling does not mean discontinuities are absent and has significance for other cases where subspecies are dismissed based on partial genetic evidence. It could also be potentially important for sourcing birds for reintroduction to the Philippines.