Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Podocyte Infolding Glomerulopathy: A Case Series Report and Literature Review

Background: Podocyte infolding glomerulopathy (PIG) is a peculiar and very rare manifestation in renal pathology. Its underlying pathogenesis mechanism and clinical characteristics remain unclear due to sparse reports. Objective: To further elucidate the clinical profile of PIG by carefully reporting our four cases and a comprehensive review of cases in the literature. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed four cases of PIG from 2010 to 2022 in our centre. Clinical and pathological profiles were reported. PIG cases in the literature were searched in the MEDLINE database and analysed together with our cases. Results: Four cases of PIG identified from our centre and 40 cases from the current literature were reported. The pooled analysis of these 44 cases indicated 79.5% (35/44) were females, 93.2% (41/44) were East Asians, and 63.6% (28/44) were reported in Japan. The average age was 42.0 ± 12.5 years old. The average amount of proteinuria at the time of renal biopsy was 3.06 ± 3.2 g/day. The most reported comorbidities were connective tissue diseases, mainly systemic lupus erythematosus, and 20.5% (9/44) of the cases did not have any contaminant disease. Most of the cases (81.8%, 36/44) had been treated with immunosuppressants, of which a combination of corticosteroids and one other type of immunosuppressant was most commonly reported. In addition, 45.4% (20/44) and 34.1% (15/44) of the cases had achieved complete response and partial response, respectively, after treatment. Whole exosome sequencing indicated mutations in the INF2 gene. Conclusions: PIG is a rare condition and seen in relatively younger populations, often associated with connective tissue diseases clinically and one or two other glomerulopathies histologically. The outcomes following immunosuppressive treatment are relatively good. Mutations in INF2 might be involved in the development of PIG; however, the implications of these results need to be investigated.
Temperature‐Dependent Lag in Polycrystalline Yttrium‐Iron Garnet

Certain samples of polycrystalline yttrium‐iron garnet are characterized by a room‐temperature permeability spectrum having two regions of dispersion, one at microwaves, the other at rf frequency. The former dispersion is identified as gyromagnetic in origin. The rf dispersion, which exhibits a temperature‐activated shift to lower frequency with decreasing temperature, appears due to an electron‐diffusion controlled domain‐wall relaxation. The activation energy for the process is 0.38 ev.
Histone Modifications in Alzheimer’s Disease

Since Late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) derives from a combination of genetic variants and environmental factors, epigenetic modifications have been predicted to play a role in the etiopathology of LOAD. Along with DNA methylation, histone modifications have been proposed as the main epigenetic modifications that contribute to the pathologic mechanisms of LOAD; however, little is known about how these mechanisms contribute to the disease’s onset or progression. In this review, we highlighted the main histone modifications and their functional role, including histone acetylation, histone methylation, and histone phosphorylation, as well as changes in such histone modifications that occur in the aging process and mainly in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Furthermore, we pointed out the main epigenetic drugs tested for AD treatment, such as those based on histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. Finally, we remarked on the perspectives around the use of such epigenetics drugs for treating AD.
Early treatment of neonatal diabetes with oral glibenclamide in an extremely preterm infant

Early treatment of neonatal diabetes with sulfonylureas has been proven to produce marked improvements of neurodevelopment, beside the demonstrated efficacy on glycemic control. Several barriers still prevent an early treatment in preterm babies including the limited availability of suitable galenic form of glibenclamide. We adopted oral glibenclamide suspension (Amglidia) for the early treatment of neonatal diabetes due to an homozygous variant of KCNJ11 gene c.10C>T [p.Arg4Cys] in an extremely preterm infant born at 26 + 2 weeks' of gestational age. After ~6 weeks of insulin treatment with a low glucose intake (4.5 g/kg/day), the infant was switched to Amglidia 6 mg/ml diluted in maternal milk, via nasogastric tube (0.2 mg/kg/day) progressively reduced to 0.01 mg/kg/day (after ~3 months). While on glibenclamide, the patient exhibited a mean daily growth of 11 g/kg/day. The treatment was suspended at month 6 of birth (weight 4.9 kg [5th–10th centile], M3 of c.a.) for normalization of glucose profile. During the treatment, the patient exhibited a stable glucose profile within the range of 4–8 mmol/L in the absence of hypo or hyperglycemic episodes with 2–3 blood glucose tests per day. The patient was diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity Stade II in Zone II without plus disease at 32 weeks, with progressive regression and complete retinal vascularization at 6 months of birth. Amglidia could be regarded as the specific treatment for neonatal diabetes even in preterm babies due to its beneficial effect on the metabolic and neurodevelopmental side.
Screening Evaluation of Antiproliferative, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity of Lichen Extracts and Secondary Metabolites In Vitro

Lichen metabolites represent a wide range of substances with a variety of biological effects. The present study was designed to analyze the potential antiproliferative, antimicrobial and antioxidative effects of several extracts from lichens (Pseudevernia furfuracea, Lobaria pulmonaria, Cetraria islandica, Evernia prunastri, Stereocaulon tomentosum, Xanthoria elegans and Umbilicaria hirsuta) and their secondary metabolites (atranorin, physodic acid, evernic acid and gyrophoric acid). The crude extract, as well as the isolated metabolites, showed potent antiproliferative, cytotoxic activity on a broad range of cancer cell lines in 2D (monolayer) and 3D (spheroid) models. Furthermore, antioxidant (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazylhydrate (DPPH) and in vitro antimicrobial activities were assessed. Data showed that the lichen extracts, as well as the compounds present, possessed biological potential in the studied assays. It was also observed that the extracts were more efficient and their major compounds showed strong effects as antiproliferative, antioxidant and antibacterial agents. Moreover, we demonstrated the 2D and 3D models’ importance to drug discovery for further in vivo studies. Despite the fact that lichen compounds have been neglected by the scientific community for long periods, nowadays they are objects of investigation based on their promising effects.
An Evaluation of Laminarin Additive in the Diets of Juvenile Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides): Growth, Antioxidant Capacity, Immune Response and Intestinal Microbiota

Simple Summary Due to consumer demand for safe aquatic foods and environmental concerns in aquaculture, aquaculture production can benefit from investigating the use of immunostimulant b-glucans as feed additives. In this study, we selected laminarin as a feed additive for juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and investigated the appropriate dose of supplemented laminarin in the diet based on the analysis of the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune response and intestinal microbiota of fish. The results indicated that supplemented laminarin in diet at a low level is suggested as a promising immunopotentiator without negative effects on growth performance for juvenile largemouth bass. Abstract A 28 day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the growth performance, immune response and intestinal microbiota of laminarin (LAM) supplemented diets in juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Four hundred and eighty fish (initial average weight: 0.72 ± 0.04 g) were randomly divided into four groups (40 fish per tank with three replicates in each group) Four diets were prepared with LAM supplementation at the doses of 0 (control), 5 g Kg−1 (LL), 10 g Kg−1 (ML) and 15 g Kg−1 (HL), respectively. No significant difference in the specific growth rate (SGR) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) was observed in fish among the four groups, or in the lipid and ash content of fish flesh. In addition, fish in the LL group exhibited much higher antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05), while the diets with the inclusion of 5 and 10 g Kg−1 LAM remarkably decreased the antioxidant capacity of fish (p > 0.05). Dietary LAM at the dose of 5 g Kg−1 inhibited the transcription of interleukin-1β (il-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (tnf-α), while promoting the expression of transforming growth factor-β (tgf-β) in fish intestine. Moreover, the beneficial intestinal bacteria Bacteroide, Comamonas and Mycoplasma abundance significantly increased in fish from the LL group, while the content of opportunistic pathogens Plesiomonas, Aeromonas and Brevinema in fish of the HL group was substantially higher than the control group. Overall, the appropriate dose of supplemented LAM in the diet was 5 g Kg−1, while an excessive supplementation of LAM in the diet led to microbial community instability in largemouth bass.
Characterization of Autochthonous Strains from the Cecal Content of Creole Roosters for a Potential Use as Probiotics

Simple Summary Although many countries have eliminated the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in poultry diets, more than 40 countries still use subtherapeutic antibiotics daily to reduce bacterial diseases triggered by the intensive production process, which has provoked microbial resistance and cross-resistance to other microorganisms. Thus, researchers continue to search for viable and feasible alternatives that also benefit the animals. Unquestionably, probiotics continue to be the main natural alternative. However, in many cases, the industry has rejected the use of these beneficial microorganisms due to the slight viability of bacterial strains and inconclusive results under different production conditions; thus, the use of native lactic acid bacteria from Creole birds, which have never been used as preventive antibiotics, may open up new tools for their widespread use in broiler production. This study showed that the isolation of Lactobacillus reuteri from the caeca of Creole roosters has high viability under different conditions of pH, bile salts, NaCl, and temperature, and in addition, this isolated bacterial strain strongly reduces the growth of pathogenic bacteria in vitro and has lower sensitivity to the use of three commonly used antibiotics, which allows their subsequent in vivo study in broilers. Abstract Five strains (CLP2, CLP3, CLP4, CLP5, and CLP6) were isolated from the cecal content of Creole roosters fed without antibiotic growth promoters. Biochemical and morphological tests (negative catalase and oxidase) confirmed the presence of lactic acid bacteria. Additionally, considering the 16s RNA, Lactobacillus vaginalis (CLP2, CLP3, CLP5, and CLP6) and Lactobacillus reuteri (CLP4) were identified. All strains (mainly CLP4 and CLP5) showed variable and significant growth (p < 0.001) at different levels of pH. Likewise, all bacterial cultures were quantified at 42 °C, although only strains CLP4 and CLP5 managed to grow at 30 °C. Additionally, the CLP4, CLP5, and CLP6 strains grew from 0.05 to 0.30% of biliary salts. However, only the CLP4 isolate grew at different concentrations of NaCl (2–10%), and CLP5 grew at 2% NaCl. The CLP4 strain was able to inhibit the in vitro growth of enterobacteria such as Escherichia coli ATCC® 11775TM, Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC® 14028TM, and Clostridium perfringens ATCC® 13124TM. In addition, CLP4 had lower sensitivity in the presence of amoxicillin and tetracycline compared to these pathogenic bacteria. Considering these in vitro results, it is necessary to carry out in vivo studies with the CLP4 strain to test the hypothesis of its probiotic effect in poultry.
Endometriosis Awareness Month on Social Media: A Content Analysis of Images and Captions on Instagram

Endometriosis Awareness Month (EAM) is a global movement that seeks to increase awareness of endometriosis. There is a paucity of peer-reviewed research that explores the social media activity of EAM, making it difficult to draw conclusions about what information is being shared. To address this gap, we performed inductive thematic analysis to investigate the visual and written content of images (n = 879 images), as well as post captions of N = 600 posts. that contained the hashtag “#endometriosisawarenessmonth”. Results show that written content within the images most frequently contained features of the disease. Caption content featured general/vague knowledge about the disease and general awareness of endometriosis, such as ‘pain (general/unspecified)’. The mental health impact of the disease was underrepresented in Instagram posts. Moving forward, the #endometriosisawarenessmonth campaign could be strengthened by communicating specific diagnostic and prevalence information, and harnessing conversations about the impact of the disease on mental health.
Elicitation of Fruit Fungi Infection and Its Protective Response to Improve the Postharvest Quality of Fruits

Fruit diseases brought on by fungus infestation leads to postharvest losses of fresh fruit. Approximately 30% of harvested fruits do not reach consumers’ plates due to postharvest losses. Fungal pathogens play a substantial part in those losses, as they cause the majority of fruit rots and consumer complaints. Understanding fungal pathogenic processes and control measures is crucial for developing disease prevention and treatment strategies. In this review, we covered the presented pathogen entry, environmental conditions for pathogenesis, fruit’s response to pathogen attack, molecular mechanisms by which fungi infect fruits in the postharvest phase, production of mycotoxin, virulence factors, fungal genes involved in pathogenesis, and recent strategies for protecting fruit from fungal attack. Then, in order to investigate new avenues for ensuring fruit production, existing fungal management strategies were then assessed based on their mechanisms for altering the infection process. The goal of this review is to bridge the knowledge gap between the mechanisms of fungal disease progression and numerous disease control strategies being developed for fruit farming.
A Lymph Node Ratio Model for Prognosis of Patients with Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

The objective of this study was to determine the prognostic value of lymph node (LN) involvement and the LN ratio (LNR) and their effect on recurrence rates and survival in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) undergoing surgery. This single-center retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 95 consecutive patients diagnosed with PNETs who underwent surgery at our medical center between 1997 and 2017. The retrieved information included patient demographics, pathology reports, treatments, and oncological outcomes. Results: 95 consecutive potentially suitable patients were identified. The 78 patients with PNETs who underwent surgery and for whom there was adequate data were included in the analysis. Their mean ± standard deviation age at diagnosis was 57.4 ± 13.4 years (range 20–82), and there were 50 males (64%) and 28 females (36%). 23 patients (30%) had LN metastases (N1). The 2.5- and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates for the entire cohort were 79.5% and 71.8%, respectively, and their 2- and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 85.9% and 82.1%, respectively. The optimal value of the LNR was 0.1603, which correlated with the outcome (2-year OS p = 0.002 HR = 13.4 and 5-year DFS p = 0.016 HR = 7.2, respectively, and 5-year OS and 5-year DFS p = 0.004 HR = 9 and p = 0.001 HR = 10.6, respectively). However, the multivariate analysis failed to show that the LNR was an independent prognostic factor in PNETs. Patients with PNETs grade and stage are known key prognostic factors influencing OS and DFS. According to our results, LNR failed to be an independent prognostic factor.
Semi-empirical model for millimetre-wave vegetation attenuation rates

An improved empirical model of the attenuation rates due to propagation through vegetation at millimetre-wave frequencies is described. The measured vegetation attenuation rates of 38 GHz signals were fitted to a two-parameter model with a final slope of 0 dB/m, to give an improvement in fit over the current ITU recommendation. However, this final slope is not a typical characteristic and is not seen at other frequencies. A new three-parameter model has been developed, which may have a nonzero final slope, giving the model greater freedom and therefore a better fit to measured data at all frequencies.
Urinary Markers of Tubular Injury and Renal Fibrosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Different Phenotypes of Chronic Kidney Disease

This study assessed the urinary excretion of markers and mediators of tubular injury and renal fibrosis in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and non-albuminuric and albuminuric patterns of chronic kidney disease (CKD). One hundred and forty patients with long-term T2D and different patterns of CKD and twenty non-diabetic individuals were included. Urinary retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP-4), glutathione-S-transferase α1 and π (GST-α1 and GST-π), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), type I and type IV collagen (Col1 and Col4), bone morphogenic protein 7 (BMP-7), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were assessed by ELISA. Patients with T2D demonstrated increased urinary excretion of RBP-4, GST-π, Col4, BMP-7, and HGF (all p < 0.05 vs. control). The excretion of RBP-4, GST-π, Col1, and Col4 was increased in patients with elevated albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR; all p < 0.05 vs. control), while BMP-7 and HGF were increased innormoalbuminuric patients also (p < 0.05). Urinary RBP-4, GST-α1, Col1, Col4, and HGF correlated positively with UACR; meanwhile, no correlations with glomerular filtration rate were found. The results demonstrate that elevated urinary excretions of the markers of tubular injury (RBP-4, GST-π) and renal fibrosis (Col1, Col4), as well as HGF, an antifibrotic regulator, are associated with the albuminuric pattern of CKD in subjects with T2D.
Advances in the Clinical Application of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Foot and Ankle: A Review

Autologous and recombinant biologic substances have been generated as a result of the research into the cellular features of the healing process. Orthobiologics are increasingly being used in sports medicine and musculoskeletal surgery. Nevertheless, clinical data are limited; consequently, further studies are required, particularly in foot and ankle pathologies. This review aims to provide evidence of the most recent literature results and ignite the interest of orthopedic specialists eager for an update about the most current discussion on platelet-rich plasma (PRP) clinical applications in the foot and ankle fields. Previous studies have shown that platelet-rich plasma can be beneficial in treating various conditions, such as chronic foot ulcers, osteoarthritis, Achilles tendinopathy, etc. Despite the positive effects of PRP on various musculoskeletal conditions, more prospective studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness at treating ankle and foot pathologies. In addition to clinical trials, other factors, such as the quality of the research and the procedures involved, must be considered before they can be used in patients. More long-term evaluations are needed to support or oppose its application in treating foot and ankle disorders. We present the most extensive review of PRP’s clinical applications in the foot and ankle field.
Comparing the Real-World Use of Isavuconazole to Other Anti-Fungal Therapy for Invasive Fungal Infections in Patients with and without Underlying Disparities: A Multi-Center Retrospective Study

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients with underlying malignancies and prior transplants. FDA approved Isavuconazole as a primary therapy for Invasive Aspergillosis (IA) and Mucormycosis. This study aims to compare the real-world clinical outcomes and safety of isavuconazole to voriconazole and an amphotericin B-based regimen in patients with underlying malignancies and a transplant. In addition, the response to anti-fungal therapy and the outcome were compared among patients with a disparity (elderly, obese patients, patients with renal insufficiency and diabetes mellitus) versus those with no disparity. We performed a multicenter retrospective study, including patients with cancer diagnosed with an invasive fungal infection, and treated primarily with isavuconazole, voriconazole or amphotericin B. Clinical, radiologic findings, response to therapy and therapy related adverse events were evaluated during 12 weeks of follow-up. We included 112 patients aged 14 to 77 years, and most of the IFIs were classified into definite (29) or probable (51). Most cases were invasive aspergillosis (79%), followed by fusariosis (8%). Amphotericin B were used more frequently as primary therapy (38%) than isavuconazole (30%) or voriconazole (31%). Twenty one percent of the patients presented adverse events related to primary therapy, with patients receiving isavuconazole presenting less adverse events when compared to voriconazole and amphotericin (p < 0.001; p = 0.019). Favorable response to primary therapy during 12 weeks of follow-up were similar when comparing amphotericin B, isavuconazole or voriconazole use. By univariate analysis, the overall cause of mortality at 12 weeks was higher in patients receiving amphotericin B as primary therapy. However, by multivariate analysis, Fusarium infection, invasive pulmonary infection or sinus infection were the only independent risk factors associated with mortality. In the treatment of IFI for patients with underlying malignancy or a transplant, Isavuconazole was associated with the best safety profile compared to voriconazole or amphotericin B-based regimen. Regardless of the type of anti-fungal therapy used, invasive Fusarium infections and invasive pulmonary or sinus infections were the only risk factors associated with poor outcomes. Disparity criteria did not affect the response to anti-fungal therapy and overall outcome, including mortality.
Resonant tunneling oscillations in a GaAs‐AlxGa1−xAs heterostructure at room temperature

This letter reports the first observation of resonant tunneling negative differential resistance (NDR) through a double barrier GaAs‐AlxGa1−xAs ‐GaAs‐AlxGa1−x As‐GaAs structure at room temperature. The NDR yields radio frequency oscillations at 300 K in a coaxial cable circuit that compare closely to those of a standard 1N3716 tunnel diode.