Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Ventilatory Heterogeneity in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Using the Inspired Sinewave Test

Background There is marked variability in the symptoms and outcomes of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which are poorly predicted by spirometry/FEV1%pred. Furthermore, as spirometry requires the performance of potentially distressing respiratory manoeuvres which are to some extent user-effort dependent, there is need for non-invasive and simple-to-perform techniques to identify subtypes of COPD which are more closely related to clinically relevant outcomes. Materials and Methods The inspired sinewave test (IST) sinusoidally modulates the inspired concentration of a tracer gas (N2O) over successive tidal breaths. A single-compartment tidal-ventilation lung model processes the amplitude/phase of the expired N2O sinewave and estimates cardiopulmonary variables including: effective lung volume and indices of ventilatory heterogeneity (VH; ELV180/FRCpleth and ELV180/ELVpred). 83 COPD patients and 53 healthy controls performed the IST test, standard pulmonary function tests (Spirometry, body plethysmography and the single breath test of carbon monoxide uptake), and symptom severity questionnaires (COPD assessment test, CAT; mMRC dyspnoea-scale, mMRC-DS; Cough+Mucus score; C+M score). Results ELV180/FRCpleth and ELV180/ELVpred were significantly lower in patients with COPD vs healthy participants (0.34±0.11 vs 0.68±0.14 and 0.7±0.27 vs 0.98±0.15, respectively; P<0.05). Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that ELV180/FRCpleth was a stronger and independent predictor of CAT, mMRC-DS and C+M score vs FEV1%pred. ELV180/ELVpred was a stronger and independent and better predictor of C+M score vs FEV1%pred. Phenotyping patients, based upon ELV180/ELVpred and FRC%pred, uncovered significant symptomatic differences between groups. Conclusion The IST indices of VH were superior and independent predictors of symptom severity vs FEV1%pred and has potential as a non-invasive and simple-to-perform method to stratify patients into subgroups related to clinically relevant features of COPD.
Volumetric study of lysozyme in dimethyl sulfoxide + water solution at 298.15 K

The densities, d, and fluorescence spectra of ternary mixtures of water (1) + dimethyl sulfoxide (2) + lysozyme (3) were measured, and the partial specific volumes of lysozyme, v°, were determined as the extrapolated values of the apparent partial specific volumes at an infinitely dilute concentration of lysozyme at 298.15 K. A binary mixture of water + dimethyl sulfoxide has a minimum excess volume when the mole fraction of dimethyl sulfoxide (x2) is in the range 0.25 to 0.42, and lysozyme unfolds and aggregates within this range. This indicates that the strong interaction between water and dimethyl sulfoxide might influence the conformation of lysozyme by interfering water−lysozyme interactions. In the range x2 > 0.8, lysozyme was in a disaggregated−denatured state, having a partial specific volume of (0.706 ± 0.002) cm3·g-1, which was smaller than that in the native state, (0.712 ± 0.001) cm3·g-1, probably because the unfolding led to a decreased cavity volume of lysozyme in the solvent.
Factors Affecting Metabolic Outcomes Post Bariatric Surgery: Role of Adipose Tissue

Obesity is an ever-growing public health crisis, and bariatric surgery (BS) has become a valuable tool in ameliorating obesity, along with comorbid conditions such as diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension. BS techniques have come a long way, leading to impressive improvements in the health of the majority of patients. Unfortunately, not every patient responds optimally to BS and there is no method that is sufficient to pre-operatively predict who will receive maximum benefit from this surgical intervention. This review focuses on the adipose tissue characteristics and related parameters that may affect outcomes, as well as the potential influences of insulin resistance, BMI, age, psychologic and genetic factors. Understanding the role of these factors may help predict who will benefit the most from BS.
Novel 4(3H)-quinazolinones containing biologically active thiazole, pyridinone and chromene of expected antitumor and antifungal activities

Novel 4(3 H )-quinazolinone derivatives with biologically active moieties were synthesized. Reactions of 2-cyano- N -(6-iodo-2-methyl-4-oxoquinazolin-3(4 H )-yl) acetamide with carbon disulfide, isothiocyanates followed by cycloalkylation afforded acrylamide, 1,3-dithiazole, 1,3-dithiane, thiazole and pyrazole derivatives. The 2-pyridone derivatives were obtained via reaction of cyanoacetamide with some acetylacetone or arylidenes. Cyclocondensation reaction of cyanoacetamide with o -hydroxy aldehydes furnished chromene derivatives. Screening for some selected compounds was carried for their potential antitumor and antifungal activities. 2-Cyano- N -(6-iodo-2-methyl-4-oxoquinazolin-3(4 H )-yl)-2-(4-methyl-3-phenyl-thiazol-2(3 H )ylidene)-acetamide with 3-side chain incorporated with substituted thiazole moiety was found to be of high to moderate activity towards cells. Also, the latter product showed high activity against Aspergillus ochraceus Wilhelm with inhibition zone (18 mm) compared with (20 mm) Nystatin inhibition zone.
Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis practice and its association with outcomes in Australia and New Zealand burns patients

Abstract Background Patients with burn injuries are considered to have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). While untreated VTEs can be fatal, no studies have examined chemoprophylaxis effectiveness. This study aimed to quantify the variation in prevalence of VTE prophylaxis use in patients in Australian and New Zealand burns units and whether prophylaxis use is associated with in-hospital outcomes following burn injury. Methods Admission data for adult burns patients (aged ≥16 years) admitted between 1 July 2016 and 31 December 2018 were extracted from the Burns Registry of Australia and New Zealand. Mixed effects logistic regression modelling investigated whether VTE prophylaxis use was associated with the primary outcome of in-hospital mortality. Results There were 5066 admissions over the study period. Of these patients, 81% (n = 3799) with a valid response to the VTE prophylaxis data field received some form of VTE prophylaxis. Use of VTE prophylaxis ranged from 48.6% to 94.8% of patients between units. In-hospital death was recorded in <1% of patients (n = 33). After adjusting for confounders, receiving VTE prophylaxis was associated with a decrease in the adjusted odds of in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio = 0.21; 95% CI, 0.07–0.63; p = 0.006). Conclusions Variation in the use of VTE prophylaxis was observed between the units, and prophylaxis use was associated with a decrease in the odds of mortality. These findings provide an opportunity to engage with units to further explore differences in prophylaxis use and develop future best practice guidelines.
Immunological Risk Factors in Paediatric Kidney Transplantation

Purpose The aim of this study was to identify factors impacting recipient sensitization rates and paediatric renal transplant patient outcomes. Patients and Methods For this purpose, a retrospective analysis of 143 paediatric renal transplants was carried out. This included the evaluation of patient’s and donor’s demographic data, HLA mismatches, immunosuppressive therapy, rejection episodes, panel reactive antibody (PRA) and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). Results The mean patient age at the point of transplant receival was 11.5 years with a mean follow up time of 9.33±5.05 years. It was noted that graft survival rates for donors over 59 years had the worst outcome. HLA match did not show statistically significant influence on graft outcome. Graft survival for more than one biopsy-proven rejection was also significantly shorter (p=0.008). PRA were found in 28% of the recipient’s post-transplantation and showed association with lower graft survival rates (p<0.001). In the present study, 22.7% (5/22) of the patients with EBV infections presented a PTLD. Conclusion In conclusion, good graft survival with reduced sensitization for future transplantations and minimize the risk of PTLD, can be ensured through a balance between donor age, HLA match and condition of the recipient should be sought. Furthermore, paediatric patients should preferably receive organs from donors between the age of 10 and 59. EBV infection could be a relevant factor for developing PTLD.
Pre-Existing Diabetes Limits Survival Rate After Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment for Advanced Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Study in Japan

Background Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are promising in the treatment of advanced cancer, their use is associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that affect endocrine organ systems. Although development of irAEs was associated with improved cancer-specific survival, the risk of irAEs is unclear. We investigated the association of pre-ICI comorbidities—including diabetes—with irAEs, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) in advanced lung cancer. Methods Patients with lung cancer who were treated with ICIs during the period from September 1, 2015 through July 31, 2018 were retrospectively enrolled. All data were collected from the NEPTUNE database of university patients. Hazard ratios were estimated by using Cox regression weighted for propensity scores. Odds ratios were calculated by logistic regression and adjusted for unbalanced variables. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to compare OS, and the generalized Wilcoxon test was used to compare median survival. Results Among the 88 patients identified, 22 (25.0%) had diabetes (DM) before ICI treatment and 57 (75.0%) did not (non-DM); irAEs developed in 12.2% of patients with DM and in 9.1% of patients in non-DM (p=0.87). Diabetes status was not associated with irAE risk in relation to baseline characteristics (age, sex, TNM staging, thyroid and renal function) or in propensity score–matched analysis (age, TNM staging). During a mean follow-up of 30 months, OS and cancer-specific PFS were significantly higher in patients who developed irAEs (Kaplan–Meier estimates, p=0·04 and 0·03, respectively). In propensity score–matched analysis, diabetes was significantly associated with lower OS (multivariate hazard ratio, 0·36; 95% CI, 0·13–0·98) unrelated to irAEs. Irrespective of irAEs, PFS was also lower among patients with DM than among non-DM patients (Kaplan–Meier estimate, p=0·04). Conclusion Pre-existing diabetes was associated with higher mortality in advanced lung cancer, regardless of irAE development during treatment with ICI.
Directly determining 143Nd/144Nd isotope ratios using thermal ionization mass spectrometry for geological samples without separation of Sm–Nd

Sm–Nd isotopic system is a powerful tracer and dating tool in geochemistry and cosmochemistry. Thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) is the benchmark method for obtaining high precision Nd isotope ratios. Traditionally, a two-step separation was employed in order to obtain high purity Nd fraction, which makes the sample preparation time-consuming. In this study, we present a new method to directly obtain precise and accurate Nd isotope ratios of geological samples without Sm–Nd separation. The key point is to well correct isobaric interferences of 144Sm on 144Nd for this method. The accurate intensity of 144Sm can be obtained using 147Sm/144Sm ratio of 4.87090 and mass discrimination factor of Sm (βSm), which is achieved using 147Sm/149Sm ratio of 1.08583 with Russell equation. Consequently, the real intensity of 144Nd was achieved, then also raw 146Nd/144Nd, 143Nd/144Nd ratios. Finally, 143Nd/144Nd ratio is normalized using 146Nd/144Nd ratio of 0.7219 following exponential law. The accuracy of this method is validated by replicating TIMS measurements for thirteen international reference materials of silicate rock, spanning a wide range of Sm/Nd from 0.13 to 0.46 and bulk compositions. The measured 143Nd/144Nd ratios of the rock standards are in good agreement with the reported values of within error of ±0.004%. Our new method shortens the analytical procedure and significantly improves sample throughput which greatly contributes to those studies requiring a large dataset and quick analysis.
Interobserver agreement of the Paris and simplified classifications of superficial colonic lesions: a Western study

Background and study aims The Paris classification of superficial colonic lesions has been widely adopted, but a simplified description that subgroups the shape into pedunculated, sessile/flat and depressed lesions has been proposed recently. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and inter-rater agreement among 13 Western endoscopists for the two classification systems. Methods Seventy video clips of superficial colonic lesions were classified according to the two classifications, and their size estimated. The interobserver agreement for each classification was assessed using both Cohen k and AC1 statistics. Accuracy was taken as the concordance between the standard morphology definition and that made by participants. Sensitivity analyses investigated agreement between trainees (T) and staff members (SM), simple or mixed lesions, distinct lesion phenotypes, and for laterally spreading tumors (LSTs). Results Overall, the interobserver agreement for the Paris classification was substantial (κ = 0.61; AC1 = 0.66), with 79.3 % accuracy. Between SM and T, the values were superimposable. For size estimation, the agreement was 0.48 by the κ-value, and 0.50 by AC1. For single or mixed lesions, κ-values were 0.60 and 0.43, respectively; corresponding AC1 values were 0.68 and 0.57. Evaluating the several different polyp subtypes separately, agreement differed significantly when analyzed by the k-statistics (0.08–0.12) or the AC1 statistics (0.59–0.71). Analyses of LSTs provided a κ-value of 0.50 and an AC1 score of 0.62, with 77.6 % accuracy. The simplified classification outperformed the Paris classification: κ = 0.68, AC1 = 0.82, accuracy = 91.6 %. Conclusions Agreement is often measured with Cohen’s κ, but we documented higher levels of agreement when analyzed with the AC1 statistic. The level of agreement was substantial for the Paris classification, and almost perfect for the simplified system.
Comparison of colonoscopy after colonic diverticulitis and positive fecal immunochemical tests for the detection of colorectal neoplasia

Abstract Background and study aims The relationship between acute colonic diverticulitis and colorectal cancer (CRC) is unclear, but colonoscopy is recommended to exclude malignancy. We compared the detection rates for colorectal neoplasia in patients with colonic diverticulitis and asymptomatic patients who had positive fecal immunochemical tests (FITs). Patients and methods In total, 282 patients with acute colonic diverticulitis were hospitalized in our hospital from February 2011 to December 2019. Of them, 143 patients with diverticulitis and 1819 with positive FITs patients during the same period underwent colonoscopy without a prior colonoscopy within 5 years. We retrospectively compared these patients in terms of the invasive CRC rate, advanced neoplasia detection rate (ANDR), adenoma detection rate (ADR), and polyp detection rate (PDR). Results Compared to the diverticulitis group, the FIT-positive group had a significantly higher CRC rate (0 vs 2.7 %, P = 0.0061), ANDR (5.6 vs. 14.0 %, P = 0.0017), ADR (19.6 vs. 53.2 %, P < .0001), and PDR (44.1 vs. 91.0 %, P < .0001). Using 1:1 propensity score matching based on age and sex, we obtained 276 matched patients in both groups. After matching, no difference was found in the CRC rate (0 vs 0.7 %) or ANDR (5.8 vs 7.3 %) between groups, but the ADR and PDR were significantly higher in the FIT-positive group (20.3 vs 43.5 %, P < .0001; 45.7 % vs 86.2 %, P < .0001). Conclusion Patients with acute diverticulitis had lower ADRs and PDRs than patients with positive FITs.
Computer-aided measurement of partial discharges in HV equipment

A previously developed method of partial discharge (PD) recognition is used to evaluate PD in HV devices. Using conventional discharge detection (bandwidth approximately 400 kHz), the PD patterns are studied. By means of unambiguous statistical operators like skewness, kurtosis, number of peaks, etc., quantitative information about the discharge source can be obtained. In the case of an unknown defect, a combination of these operators is compared to the same set of operators for a known configuration. In this way, a statement can be made on the character of a discharge source. The use of this technique in evaluating different discharges in HV cable and in 400 kV SF/sub 6/ insulation confirms the usefulness of the new approach. >
Myosin Motors: Novel Regulators and Therapeutic Targets in Colorectal Cancer

Simple Summary Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a deadly disease that may go undiagnosed until it presents at an advanced metastatic stage for which few interventions are available. The development and metastatic spread of CRC is driven by remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton in cancer cells. Myosins represent a large family of actin motor proteins that play key roles in regulating actin cytoskeleton architecture and dynamics. Different myosins can move and cross-link actin filaments, attach them to the membrane organelles and translocate vesicles along the actin filaments. These diverse activities determine the key roles of myosins in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation and motility. Either mutations or the altered expression of different myosins have been well-documented in CRC; however, the roles of these actin motors in colon cancer development remain poorly understood. The present review aims at summarizing the evidence that implicate myosin motors in regulating CRC growth and metastasis and discusses the mechanisms underlying the oncogenic and tumor-suppressing activities of myosins. Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third most common cause of cancer and the second most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Clinicians are largely faced with advanced and metastatic disease for which few interventions are available. One poorly understood aspect of CRC involves altered organization of the actin cytoskeleton, especially at the metastatic stage of the disease. Myosin motors are crucial regulators of actin cytoskeletal architecture and remodeling. They act as mechanosensors of the tumor environments and control key cellular processes linked to oncogenesis, including cell division, extracellular matrix adhesion and tissue invasion. Different myosins play either oncogenic or tumor suppressor roles in breast, lung and prostate cancer; however, little is known about their functions in CRC. This review focuses on the functional roles of myosins in colon cancer development. We discuss the most studied class of myosins, class II (conventional) myosins, as well as several classes (I, V, VI, X and XVIII) of unconventional myosins that have been linked to CRC development. Altered expression and mutations of these motors in clinical tumor samples and their roles in CRC growth and metastasis are described. We also evaluate the potential of using small molecular modulators of myosin activity to develop novel anticancer therapies.
Exploring the Relationship between Biologics and Postoperative Surgical Morbidity in Ulcerative Colitis: A Review

Background: With the paradigm shift related to the overspread use of biological agents in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), several questions emerged from the surgical perspective. Whether the use of biologicals would be associated with higher rates of postoperative complications in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients still remains controversial. Aims: We aimed to analyze the literature, searching for studies that correlated postoperative complications and preoperative exposure to biologics in UC patients, and synthesize these data qualitatively in order to check the possible impact of biologics on postoperative surgical morbidity in this population. Methods: Included studies were identified by electronic search in the PUBMED database according to the PRISMA (Preferred Items of Reports for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. The quality and bias assessments were performed by MINORS (methodological index for non-randomized studies) criteria for non-randomized studies. Results: 608 studies were initially identified, 22 of which were selected for qualitative evaluation. From those, 19 studies (17 retrospective and two prospective) included preoperative anti-TNF. Seven described an increased risk of postoperative complications, and 12 showed no significant increase postoperative morbidity. Only three studies included surgical UC patients with previous use of vedolizumab, two retrospective and one prospective, all with no significant correlation between the drug and an increase in postoperative complication rates. Conclusions: Despite conflicting results, most studies have not shown increased complication rates after abdominal surgical procedures in patients with UC with preoperative exposure to biologics. Further prospective studies are needed to better establish the impact of preoperative biologics and surgical complications in UC.
Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Positively Correlate with Dedifferentiation and Aggressiveness of Thyroid Cancer

Background and Objectives Targeting cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) is being explored as an approach to improve cancer therapies. The roles of CAF remain unclarified in malignant transformation of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) into dedifferentiated thyroid cancer (DDTC). This study aimed to investigate correlations of CAF with dedifferentiation and clinicopathological characteristics of thyroid cancer. Materials and Methods We applied three different mRNA-based CAF gene signatures to quantify CAF in our cohort, the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) cohort and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort, and analyzed expression of α-SMA by immunohistochemistry in thyroid cancer. The CAF score was analyzed for its associations with clinicopathological characteristics, genetic mutations, tumor-associated signaling pathways and immune landscape. Results The CAF score increased significantly in DDTCs compared with normal thyroid tissues and PTCs, and the α-SMA-positive CAFs were found enriched in DDTCs. The high CAF score showed a significant correlation with the anaplastic phenotype in DDTC and low thyroid differentiation score in PTC. Patients with a high CAF score remarkably increased the risk of aggressive outcomes in both DDTC and PTC. Furthermore, the CAF score was positively correlated with genetic mutations, oncogenic signaling pathways, the immune score and increased expression of tumor microenvironment (TME) target markers. Conclusion Our findings suggest CAFs positively correlate with dedifferentiation and aggressive outcomes of thyroid cancer, and targeting CAFs as a therapeutic approach may benefit DDTC patients.
Hydrological Modeling of Subartic Wetlands: Comparison Between SLURP and WATFLOOD

Abstract Subarctic wetlands span almost one-sixth of the Canadian wetlands and have been acknowledged as an important ecotone between arctic tundra and boreal forest. Their hydrological complexity is determined by the climatological and physiographical characteristics with regard to the spatiotemporal distribution of water resources. In this study, two semi-distributed hydrological models, SLURP (semi-distributed land use-based runoff processes) and WATFLOOD™, were employed to understand their effectiveness in modeling the hydrology of subarctic wetlands. Comparisons of their delineation approaches, formulations, parameters, and simulation results indicated that both models were capable of simulating the hydrological processes. However, differences were also observed. Besides their different segment delineation approaches, snowmelt and spring peak flows simulated by SLURP were 4–7 days earlier than those estimated by WATFLOOD because SLURP predefines snowmelt rates as variables, whereas WATFLOOD applies c.