Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Type of Cell Separator, Fenwal Amicus vs Fresenius Com Tec, May Influence the Corpuscular Elements Value of the Donor`s Blood.

INTRODUCTION During the plateletpheresis procedure the number of thrombocytes in the donor's blood significantly decreases, and the levels of the hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (Hgb), and leukocyte (WBC) diminish as well. Influence of the cell separator is one of the factors that affects the levels of HCT, Hgb and WBC. In this study, the goal was to determine the value difference of HCT, Hgb, WBC, and platelets after the platelet pheresis process between performance on Fenwal AMICUS and on Fresenius Com Tec. DONORS AND METHODS The criteria for participation: male in the age range of 25-45. We have formed two groups: for both groups - 180 separations were performed on 60 participants were the values of hematocrits, concentration of hemoglobin and number of leukocytes were established before and after separation using the double-needle continuous flow cell separation (DN-CFCS) on two different devices, Fenwal AMICUS device and the Fresenius Com Tec. device. To confirm the statistical differences we have used Student t-test for independent or dependent samples, as well as Mann-Whitney U test as non-parametric alternative. To compare differences between the values of four parameters (P1-P2) from two groups (using two devices - Fenwal AMICUS and Fresenius Com Tec) The possibility of errors were accepted for α<0.05, and the difference between groups as statistical relevant were accepted for p<0.05. RESULTS Statistically significant lower values were noted for all researched parameters after separation on both devices. The statistically significant average values for Hct, Hgb and WBC obtained between two devices, were less than 0.05 (p=0.05). For the platelets (Plt) there was no statistical significant difference (p>0.05 - α=0.05), between average level obtained using either Fenwal AMICUS or Frazenius Com Tec. CONCLUSION The type of cell separator had the influence on the decrease value of the observed parameters.
Targeted inhibition of ACK1 can inhibit the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through the PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway

Activated Cdc42‐associated kinase 1 (ACK1) expression is upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and other tumour tissues. However, the function and regulatory mechanism of ACK1 in HCC remains unclear. In this study, the expression of pTyr284‐ACK1, pSer473‐AKT and PTEN in HCC was detected by immunohistochemistry, and its clinicopathological significance was analysed. Then, ACK1‐targeted small molecule inhibitors AIM‐100 and Dasatinib were used to treat cells SK‐Hep‐1 and HepG2, and changes in activity and biological behaviours of PTEN/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway were observed. The results showed that pTyr284‐ACK1 protein was highly expressed in HCC tissues and was related to the poor prognosis of patients; the expression of pTyr284‐ACK1 protein was positively correlated with pSer473‐AKT and negatively correlated with PTEN. In addition, after treatment either with AIM‐100 or Dasatinib, both proliferation of two cells and migration, invasion of SK‐Hep‐1 cells were all significantly inhibited. Meanwhile, ACK1, pTyr284‐ACK1, pSer473‐AKT, mTOR and EGFR were down‐regulated; PTEN was up‐regulated when analysed by western‐blot in SK‐Hep‐1 cells. These results demonstrated that ACK1 may promote HCC development via PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway. Targeted inhibition of ACK1 may be a novel therapeutic strategy for HCC.
Effect of core strength training on balance, vertical jump height and throwing velocity in adolescent male handball players.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to examine the effects of core strength training (CST) on dynamic balance and vertical jump height, and throwing velocity in handball players. METHODS Twenty male handball players (mean age 14.90±0.44 years) participated in this study. The players randomly divided into two groups as CST and control (CON) groups. Dynamic balance, vertical jump, and throwing velocity were measured before and after a six-week CST. RESULTS Significant differences were found at anterior (p=0.009) and posteromedial (p=0.017) directions of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) in only CST group. There were significant improvement in vertical jump height of participants compared to pre-test scores in both CST (p= 0.047) and CON group (p= 0.013). No significant difference was found for throwing velocity compared with pre-test in both groups. There were no significant differences in all parameters when CST and CON groups were compared (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study indicated that a 6-week CST did not improve dynamic balance, vertical jump height and throwing velocity in adolescent male handball players. We believe that longer CST programs may provide significant benefits.
Increase in the overall level of protected anal sex in men who have sex with men in France: results from the repeated cross-sectional survey Rapport au Sexe, France, 2017–2019

ABSTRACT This study measures the evolution in the overall level of protection against HIV by men who have sex with men (MSM) in France. Using data from the 2017 and 2019 editions of Rapport au Sexe – an online survey – we compared the use of HIV prevention tools by MSM during their most recent anal intercourse (MRAI) with a casual male partner. We developed a classification with five categories ordered according to the effectiveness of each tool method in reducing the risk of acquiring HIV: Treatment as prevention (TasP), Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), exclusive condom use, Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) or nothing (i.e., no tool used). The percentage of MSM who did not use any prevention tool decreased from 25.9% in 2017 to 23.5% in 2019 (aOR [95%CI] = 0.9 [0.8–0.9]). The proportion of MSM who took PrEP during the MRAI increased from 5.4% in 2017 to 14.0% in 2019 (aOR [95%CI] = 2.9[2.5–3.3]). The proportion of MSM who used condoms exclusively decreased from 67.5% in 2017 to 61.3% in 2019 (aOR [95%CI] = 0.8 [0.7–0.8]). We observed an increase in the rate of protected anal sex, and a decrease in the rate of condom use. The implementation of PrEP may be one of the main driving forces behind these changes.
Distal oblique metatarsal osteotomy technique in hallux valgus deformity: Clinical and radiological results

Objectives This study aims to evaluate the radiological and functional outcomes of hallux valgus patients treated with distal oblique metatarsal osteotomy technique. Patients and methods Twenty-six feet of 22 patients (4 males, 18 females; mean age 46.2±18 years; range, 16 to 70 years) who were diagnosed as hallux valgus between March 2013 and April 2016 and who underwent distal oblique metatarsal osteotomy were included in this retrospective study. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society/Hallux Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal Scale (AOFAS/HMIS) was used for clinical and functional evaluation. The hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA), sesamoid position, first metatarsal length and forefoot bone and soft tissue width were measured for radiological evaluation. Results The mean follow-up time was 33.1±9.8 months. The AOFAS/HMIS score increased significantly postoperatively (p=0.001). In the footwear section of the AOFAS/HMIS, the median preoperative score of 5 (range, 0-5) increased to 10 (range, 5-10) at the postoperative period (p=0.001). Hallux valgus angle, IMA, DMAA, and first metatarsal length significantly decreased when compared to preoperative measurements. Forefoot bone width also decreased significantly from 9.3 cm (range, 7.5-11.5 cm) to 8.8 cm (6.8-10.3 cm) (p=0.001). Conclusion Distal oblique metatarsal osteotomy is a safe method for hallux valgus deformity. Forefoot width reduction, decrease of soft tissue tension, sesamoid reduction, and plantar fascia relaxation are the crucial benefits of this method.
Zonulin as a potential putative biomarker of risk for shared type 1 diabetes and celiac disease autoimmunity

The incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is increasing annually, in addition to other childhood‐onset autoimmune diseases. This review is inspired by recent strides in research defining the pathophysiology of autoimmunity in celiac disease, a disease that has significant genetic overlap with T1D. Population genetic studies have demonstrated an increased proportion of newly diagnosed young children with T1D also have a higher genetic risk of celiac disease, suggesting that shared environmental risk factors are driving the incidence of both diseases. The small intestine barrier forms a tightly regulated interface of the immune system with the outside world and largely controls the mucosal immune response to non‐self‐antigens, dictating the balance between tolerance and immune response. Zonulin is the only known physiological modulator of the intercellular tight junctions, important in antigen trafficking, and therefore, is a key player in regulation of the mucosal immune response. While usually tightly controlled, when the zonulin pathway is dysregulated by changes in microbiome composition and function, antigen trafficking control is lost, leading to loss of mucosal tolerance in genetically susceptible individuals. The tenant of this hypothesis is that loss of tolerance would not occur if the zonulin‐dependent intestinal barrier function is restored, thereby preventing the influence of environmental triggers in individuals genetically susceptible to autoimmunity. This review outlines the current research and a structured hypothesis on how a dysregulated small intestinal epithelial barrier, a “leaky gut,” may be important in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity in certain individuals at risk of both T1D and celiac disease.
AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of Vascular Ultrasound Examinations for Postoperative Assessment of Hemodialysis Access

T he American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) is a multidisciplinary association dedicated to advancing the safe and effective use of ultrasound in medicine through professional and public education, research, development of clinical practice parameters, and accreditation of practices performing ultrasound. The AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of Vascular Ultrasound Examinations for Postoperative Assessment of Hemodialysis Access was developed (or revised) by the AIUM in collaboration with other organizations whose members use ultrasound for performing this examination(s) (see “Acknowledgments”). Recommendations for personnel requirements, the request for the examination, documentation, quality assurance, and safety may vary among the organizations and may be addressed by each separately. This practice parameter is intended to provide the medical ultrasound community with recommendations for the performance and recording of high-quality ultrasound examinations. The parameter reflects what the AIUM considers the appropriate criteria for this type of ultrasound examination but is not intended to establish a legal standard of care. Examinations performed in this specialty area are expected to follow the parameter with recognition that deviations may occur depending on the clinical situation. As the number of patients with kidney failure requiring hemodialysis each year exceeds 660,000, initial creation and maintenance of a functional hemodialysis access are increasingly critical health care concerns. To improve the care of hemodialysis patients, the National Kidney Foundation established the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) in 2000 and updated it in 2006. The project set recommendations for placement and monitoring of hemodialysis access. Although there have been no hemodialysis access monitoring updates from the KDOQI since 2006, additional information on the subject has been published, indicating that there has been a movement toward earlier and more frequent hemodialysis in patients with chronic kidney disease, which in turn doi:10.1002/jum.15262
Knockin mouse model of the human CFL2 p.A35T mutation results in a unique splicing defect and severe myopathy phenotype.

Cofilin-2 is an actin-binding protein that is predominantly expressed in skeletal and cardiac muscles and belongs to the AC group of proteins which includes cofilin-1 and destrin. In humans, cofilin-2 (CFL2) mutations have been associated with congenital myopathies that include nemaline and myofibrillar myopathy. To understand the pathogenicity of the human CFL2 mutation, p.A35T, that first linked cofilin-2 with the human disease, we created a knock-in mouse model. The Cfl2A35T/A35T (KI) mouse were indistinguishable from their wild-type littermates at birth, but they rapidly worsened and died by postnatal day 9. The phenotypic, histopathologic and molecular findings mimicked the constitutive Cfl2-knockout (KO) mice described previously, including sarcomeric disruption and actin accumulations in skeletal muscles and negligible amounts of cofilin-2 protein. In addition, KI mice demonstrated a marked reduction in Cfl2 mRNA levels in various tissues including skeletal muscles. Further investigation revealed evidence of alternative splicing with the presence of two alternate transcripts of smaller size. These alternate transcripts were expressed at very low levels in the wild-type mice and were significantly upregulated in the mutant mice, indicating that pre-translational splicing defects may be a critical component of the disease mechanism associated with the mutation. Evidence of reduced expression of the full-length CFL2 transcript was also observed in the muscle biopsy sample of the patient with p.A35T mutation.
Reproducibility of Heart Rate Variability Indices at Post-maximal Exercise

Abstract To analyze whether heart rate variability is reproducible after maximal exercise, 11 men (22.1±3.2 years) performed four incremental exercise tests followed by passive or active recovery. There was high reliability (intraclass coefficient correlation: 0.72–0.96) and fair-to-excellent agreement (coefficient of variation: 7.81–22.09%) in passive recovery, as well as moderate-to-high reliability (intraclass coefficient correlation: 0.50–0.87) and good agreement (coefficient of variation: 11.08–20.89%) in active recovery for LnRMSSD index. There was moderate-to-high reliability (intraclass coefficient correlation: 0.51–0.81) and good agreement (coefficient of variation: 10.41–18.87%) in most of the analyzed time points, in both recovery types for LnSDNN. In both types of recovery, the time domain heart rate variability 5–10 min indices (passive: intraclass coefficient correlation : 0.87–0.88; coefficient of variation: 7.67–13.44%; active: intraclass coefficient correlation 0.59–0.80; coefficient of variation: 14.62–16.26%) presented higher intraclass coefficient correlation and lower coefficient of variation than the spectral heart rate variability indices (passive: intraclass coefficient correlation: 0.71–0.87; coefficient of variation: 12.33–34.21%; active: intraclass coefficient correlation: 0.46–0.77; coefficient of variation: 24.41–105.12%). The LnRMSSD and LnSDNN indices analyzed in 30 s segments and the heart rate variability 5–10 min indices after maximal exercise in untrained healthy men showed satisfactory reproducibility, regardless of the type of recovery, with the time-domain indices showing higher reproducibility than the frequency-domain indices.
Sodium, volume and pressure control in haemodialysis patients for improved cardiovascular outcomes

Abstract Chronic volume overload is pervasive in patients on chronic haemodialysis and substantially increases the risk of cardiovascular death. The rediscovery of the three-compartment model in sodium metabolism revolutionizes our understanding of sodium (patho-)physiology and is an effect modifier that still needs to be understood in the context of hypertension and end-stage kidney disease. Assessment of fluid overload in haemodialysis patients is central yet difficult to achieve, because traditional clinical signs of volume overload lack sensitivity and specificity. The highest all-cause mortality risk may be found in haemodialysis patients presenting with high fluid overload but low blood pressure before haemodialysis treatment. The second highest risk may be found in patients with both high blood pressure and fluid overload, while high blood pressure but normal fluid overload may only relate to moderate risk. Optimization of fluid overload in haemodialysis patients should be guided by combining the traditional clinical evaluation with objective measurements such as bioimpedance spectroscopy in assessing the risk of fluid overload. To overcome the tide of extracellular fluid, the concept of time-averaged fluid overload during the interdialytic period has been established and requires possible readjustment of a negative target post-dialysis weight. 23Na-magnetic resonance imaging studies will help to quantitate sodium accumulation and keep prescribed haemodialytic sodium mass balance on the radar. Cluster-randomization trials (e.g. on sodium removal) are underway to improve our therapeutic approach to cardioprotective haemodialysis management.
Association Between Enterovirus Infections and Type 1 Diabetes in Different Countries

The present study evaluates a possible connection between enterovirus (EV) infections and type 1 diabetes (T1D) focusing on the following research questions: 1) The association between enterovirus infections and T1D was evaluated in different stages of the T1D process, 2) the specific role of the six coxsackie B viruses (CBVs) was studied in the development of T1D and 3) these associations were evaluated in six different countries. The research population consisted of three independent case-control cohorts collected from various countries. One cohort, from Finland, included children who were followed from birth until the diagnosis of T1D. Another cohort, from the USA, included children followed from the appearance of T1D associated autoantibodies until the development of T1D. A third series included newly diagnosed T1D patients from Finland, Sweden, the UK, France and Greece. In total, these cohorts included 337 children who developed T1D, 90 autoantibody positive children and 389 autoantibody negative non-diabetic control children. Enterovirus infections were diagnosed using RT-PCR to detect enterovirus RNA in serum and stool samples. In addition, enterovirus specific antibodies were measured from serum samples using ELISA and plaque neutralization assays. Enterovirus infections were more common in children who developed T1D than in control children. This difference was most marked during the time period of six months prior to seroconversion to T1D associated autoantibodies. In addition, autoantibody positive children who developed T1D had more enterovirus infections than children who did not develop the disease. However, the enterovirus RNA was not detected at the onset of clinical T1D in serum or stool samples. When the risk association of six different CBV serotypes with T1D was analyzed in Finland, Sweden, the UK, France and Greece, CBV1 infections were more common in case children than in the control group. This finding was similar in all five study populations. The prevalence of antibodies against CBV2-6 did not differ between case and control groups. The results of this study support the hypothesis that enterovirus infections may contribute to the development of T1D. CBV1 may especially have a specific role in triggering and accelerating the disease process. However, confirmation of causality between the enterovirus infections and the disease needs additional studies, such as intervention trials with vaccinations or antiviral drugs.
Adaptation of hydroxymethylbutenyl diphosphate reductase enables volatile isoprenoid production

Volatile isoprenoids produced by plants are emitted in vast quantities into the atmosphere, with substantial effects on global carbon cycling. Yet, the molecular mechanisms regulating the balance between volatile and non-volatile isoprenoid production remain unknown. Isoprenoids are synthesised via sequential condensation of isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) to dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP), with volatile isoprenoids containing fewer isopentenyl subunits. The DMAPP:IPP ratio could affect the balance between volatile and non-volatile isoprenoids, but the plastidic DMAPP:IPP ratio is generally believed to be similar across different species. Here we demonstrate that the ratio of DMAPP:IPP produced by hydroxymethylbutenyl diphosphate reductase (HDR/IspH), the final step of the plastidic isoprenoid production pathway, is not fixed. Instead, this ratio varies greatly across HDRs from phylogenetically distinct plants, correlating with isoprenoid production patterns. Our findings suggest that adaptation of HDR plays a previously unrecognised role in determining in vivo carbon availability for isoprenoid emissions, directly shaping global biosphere-atmosphere interactions.
Tigecycline susceptibility of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii from intensive care units in the western Balkans.

Tigecycline can be effective to treat infections of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) however, no interpretive criteria have been approved so far. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the proportion of CRAB isolates and to compare gradient test with a broth microdilution (BMD) method for tigecycline susceptibility testing of A. baumannii.This study included 349 multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter spp. collected from Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2016 and 2017. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion, VITEK2, gradient, ComASP Colistin. Tigecycline susceptibilities were interpreted according to breakpoints of European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Majority of the tested isolates were CRAB (92.8%). Tigecycline MIC50/MIC90 values were 4/8 μg/mL by BMD and 0.5/4 μg/mL by gradient test. Essential agreement for BMD and gradient test amounted to 65.1%. With EUCAST breakpoints, categorical agreement (CA) was achieved in 38% isolates. Major discordance (MD-false susceptibility/resistance) and minor discordance (mD-false categorization involving intermediate results) were observed in 10% and 57% A. baumannii, respectively. With FDA breakpoints, CA, MD and mD were observed in 44%, 16% and 47% isolates, respectively. Colistin resistance was 2.1%. The study highlights a high proportion of CRAB and several discordances between BMD and gradient test which may lead to inappropriate therapy.