Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinicopathological Significance of Neuropilin 1 Expression in Gastric Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Background Neuropilin 1 (NRP1) is involved in tumorigenesis, development, invasion, and metastasis by promoting angiogenesis of tumors. The study is aimed at evaluating the correlation between the expression of NRP1 protein and clinicopathological features of gastric cancer by meta-analysis. Methods The published studies were searched in databases including CNKI, Wanfang, Chongqing VIP, Web of Science, and PubMed online. Clinical case studies were included to compare the correlation between NRP1 protein expression and clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer. The quality of the included literatures was evaluated by NOS scale. Meta-analysis was performed by Stata software to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results A total of 12 studies were included in this analysis, involving 1,225 patients with gastric cancer. The analysis indicated that the expression of NRP1 protein in gastric cancer tissues was lower in the group of early stage versus advanced stage (OR = 0.128, 95%CI = 0.059 − 0.277, P ≤ 0.001), tumor size less than 5 cm versus more than 5 cm (OR = 0.443, 95%CI = 0.310 − 0.632, P ≤ 0.001), TNM stage I-II group versus stage III-IV patients (OR = 0.736, 95%CI = 0.589 − 0.919, P = 0.007), well to medium differentiation group versus poor differentiation group (OR = 0.735, 95%CI = 0.632 − 0.854, P ≤ 0.001), and nonlymph node metastasis group versus lymph node metastasis group (OR = 0.667, 95%CI = 0.522 − 0.854, P ≤ 0.001). The expression of NRP1 protein in gastric cancer was not related to gender, age, and Laurèn's classification. Conclusion The expression of NRP1 protein in gastric cancer is closely correlated to clinical stage, tumor size, TNM stage, differentiation, and lymph node metastasis.
The Influence of Non-preventable Risk Factors on the Development of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women

Introduction: Scientific studies show that many genetic factors can significantly contribute to the onset of osteoporosis in women. Aim: The aim of our study was to determine whether non-preventable risk factors (certain genetic predisposition - positive parameters of family and personal history, i.e. family history of osteoporosis, family history of fractures, osteoporotic fractures, previous fractures, menopause duration) can affect the occurrence of osteoporosis in women in postmenopausal age. Methods: The study was performed as matched case and controls study. A group of cases consisted of 100 female postmenopausal women in whom by the DEXA method was newly diagnosed osteoporosis at the Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism of the University Clinical Center of Republic Srpska during 2015-2016, while the control group consisted of 100 female postmenopausal women without diagnostic signs of osteoporosis. Groups were matched by age (± 2 years). In order to collect demographic data and data on risk factors for osteoporosis and life habits of patients, the Bone Mineral Density Questionnaire for females of the Irish Society for Osteoporosis was used. Results: The results of the univariate logistic regression in our study did not show that early loss of the menstrual cycle before 50 years of age was a significant factor for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women (p=0.421, OR=0.966, 95% CI=0.889-1.051). The analysis of the data of a positive family history of osteoporosis as a risk factor by the model of the multivariate of logistic regression shows that the presence of osteoporosis in close relatives (usually the mother) represents a significant and independent risk factor for the development of osteoporosis (p=0.003, OR=4.567, 95% CI=1.674- 12.460). The results of the study show that the presence of earlier fractures in the tested subjects is a significant independent risk factor for osteoporosis (p=0.015, OR=2.464, 95% CI=1.195-5.084). Conclusion: The results of our study show that the presence of osteoporosis in close relatives (usually the mother) and the existence of previous fractures are significant risk factors for the occurrence of osteoporosis. The presence of these factors may be the reason for the selection of patients for further preventive or curative procedures.
Contraceptive Use and Method Preferences among HIV Positive Women in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background Preventing unintended pregnancies among HIV positive women has a vital role to prevent mother to child transmission. Besides, increasing access to contraceptives has a number of economical importance and reducing the costs for mitigating the unintended pregnancy consequences. Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing the contraceptive use and method of preference among HIV positive women in Ethiopia. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis reporting guideline was applied. Articles searched from the Scopus, Pubmed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, AJOL, Hinari, and Google scholar were included in this review. The Stata 11 software was used to compute the analysis. Heterogeneity of the studies was detected using the Cochran Q test and I2 test statistics. Egger's test was used to check the evidence of publication bias within the studies. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis was computed with the evidence of heterogeneity. Results Ten thousand one hundred twenty one (10121) women living with HIV/AIDS were recruited in this study. The national estimated prevalence of contraceptive use among HIV positive women in Ethiopia was 57.78% (95% CI: 48.53-67.03). Injectables and male condom were the most preferred contraceptives accounted for 36.00% (95% CI: 6.64-45.35) and 32.74% (95% CI: 21.08-44.40), respectively. Discussion with husband/partner (AOR: 4.70, 95% CI: 2.18-10.12), disclosure of HIV status to spouse/partner (AOR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.55-3.06), ever counseled for modern contraceptives (AOR: 2.79, 95% CI: 2.01-3.88), attending secondary and above education (AOR: 3.12, 95% CI: 2.15-4.51), and having more than one live child (AOR: 2.61, 95% CI: 1.86-3.66) were increasing the likelihood of contraceptive use whereas not currently married women (AOR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.16-0.34) was decreases the odds of contraceptive use. Conclusion In Ethiopia, more than half of the women living with HIV/AIDS were using contraceptives. Discussion with husband/partner, disclosure of HIV status to spouse/partner, ever counseled for modern contraceptives, attending secondary and above education, and having more than one live child were increasing the uptake of contraceptives among HIV positive women. Partner discussion, having adequate information towards contraceptive use, and having desired number of child could increase the utilization; as a result, obstetric complication with HIV positive women due to unintended pregnancy is significantly decreasing.
Bronchial Vascular Remodeling Is Attenuated by Anti-IL-17 in Asthmatic Responses Exacerbated by LPS

Introduction Although the major alterations associated with asthma are related to the airways, there is also evidence of the importance of peribronchial vascular inflammation and remodeling in its pathophysiology. Objectives To determine the effects of anti-IL-17 therapy on peribronchial vessels of an asthma model exacerbated by lipopolysaccharide. Methods We evaluated several factors, including lung function, inflammation, oxidative stress, vascular remodeling, and signaling pathways present in the peribronchial vessels of 66 male BALB/c mice exposed to ovalbumin and treated (or not) treated with anti-IL-17. Twenty-four hours before the end of the experimental protocol, groups of sensitized animals (OVA–LPS and OVA–LPS anti-IL-17) also received LPS. Results The OVA–LPS-anti-IL-17 group presented a decrease in several factors [airway resistance and elastance, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell counts, inflammatory response, eosinophils, TSLP, IL-33, TARC, TNF-α, CD4+, CD8+, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, and VEGF positive cells/104μm2, peribronchovascular edema, and angiogenesis], including remodeling (MMP-9, MMP-12, TIMP-1 and TGF-β positive cells and volume fraction of collagen fibers I, collagen fibers III, collagen fibers V, decorin, lumican, actin, biglycan, fibronectin, and integrin), oxidative stress (iNOS positive cells and volume fraction of PGF2α), and signaling pathways (FoxP3), as well as dendritic cells, NF-kB, ROCK-1, ROCK-2, STAT-1, and phosphor-STAT1-positive cells compared to OVA–LPS (p < 0.05). Conclusions In this model of LPS-induced asthma exacerbation, IL-17 inhibition represents a promising therapeutic strategy, indicating the potential of bronchial vascular control of Th2 and Th17 responses and the activation of the remodeling and oxidative stress pathways, associated with the control of signaling pathways.
Neonatal Hypothermia and Associated Factors among Newborns Admitted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Dessie Referral Hospital, Amhara Region, Northeast Ethiopia

Introduction Neonatal hypothermia is the reduction in the body temperature of the newborn (less than 36.5°C). It is a global problem in neonates born both at hospitals and homes, but it showed a higher prevalence in developing countries (>90%). Although hypothermia is rarely a direct cause of death, it contributes to a substantial proportion of neonatal mortality globally. Objective To assess neonatal hypothermia and associated factors among newborns admitted in the NICU of Dessie Referral Hospital. Methods and Materials An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 15 to May 30, 2018. The data was collected from the mother and the chart of the newborn using a semistructured questionnaire. Data were cleaned, coded, and entered in EPI-info version 7.1. 2.0 then exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 software for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression and crude and adjusted odds ratio with their 95% confidence interval were computed. Finally, p value < 0.05 was used to identify variables that had a significant association with neonatal hypothermia. Result The proportion of neonatal hypothermia in the study area was 66.8%. Preterm delivery (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.1, 6.2), no skin-to-skin contact within 1 hour of delivery (AOR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.3, 7.8), delivered at night time (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.02, 4.0), and neonates who had resuscitation (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.1, 7.2) showed significant association with neonatal hypothermia. Conclusion In this study, the proportion of hypothermia was high. Preterm delivery, no skin-to-skin contact within 1 hour, night-time delivery, and having resuscitation were significantly associated with neonatal hypothermia. Therefore, special attention is needed for the thermal care of preterm neonates and neonates delivered at night time. Furthermore, there should be strict adherence to cost-effective thermal care recommendations like warm resuscitation and skin-to-skin contact.
Adjuvant Treatment with Xiaoqinglong Formula for Bronchial Asthma in Acute Attack: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background XQLF (Xiaoqinglong formula) is the most commonly used prescription of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of asthma. XQLF combined with western medicine has been used to treat bronchial asthma in more and more cases, and good results have been achieved. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the adjuvant treatment of traditional Chinese medicine classic herbal formula XQLF with bronchial asthma in acute attack. Methods The following electronic databases were systematically searched from inception to April 2019: PubMed, EMBASE database, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, and China Biology Medicine (CBM). Two reviewers searched these databases and independently evaluated all the eligible articles for inclusion. Stata 14.0 was used for data synthesis and analysis. Results A total of 33 RCTs (randomized controlled trials) including 2176 patients were enrolled. All of the patients in these studies were in the acute attack stage of asthma. We conducted subgroup analysis according to the duration of treatment, which was 14 days, 10 days, and 7 days, respectively. The overall results show that adjuvant treatment with XQLF significantly improve CER (clinical efficacy rate) (RR = 1.17; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.21; P < 0.0001) and promote pulmonary function including FEV1 (WMD = 0.35; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.43; P < 0.0001), PEF (SMD = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.49 to 1.55; P < 0.0001), and FVC (WMD = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.66; P < 0.0001). The adjuvant treatment of XQLF can also reduce serum IgE concentration (SMD = −1.39; 95% CI, 1.92 to −0.85; P < 0.0001) and serum EOS concentration at 14 days (WMD = −39.85; 95% CI, −56.20 to −23.49; P < 0.0001). Conclusion This study finally showed that XQLF has the auxiliary effect of improving the efficiency, promoting the lung function, and reducing the serum IgE in the treatment of acute attack asthma. This trial is registered with CRD42019133549.
Pulmonary artery aneurysm as a result of group 2 pulmonary artery hypertension in a patient with significant mitral and aortic valve disease – review and case report

Aneurysms are uncommon, but potentially life-threatening abnormalities of the pulmonary arteries. Aneurysm of the main pulmonary artery (MPA) defined as MPA diameter over 40 mm was reported in 1 : 14 000 autopsies. The most frequent location is the main pulmonary artery (89% of cases), whereas the maximum described diameter is 106–170 mm. Clinical manifestations are usually nonspecific or asymptomatic. Right heart failure symptoms, pulmonary regurgitation, trachea or bronchi compression or pulmonary emboli caused by enlarged MPA are the most commonly described clinical manifestations. Pulmonary artery aneurysm dissection is an uncommon complication but associated with a high mortality rate. Unfortunately, guidelines regulating the optimal time for the surgical intervention still have not been developed. We present the history of 76-year-old patient suffering from an aneurysm of the pulmonary artery (74 × 61 mm), as well as mitral and aortic valve disease, who was successfully operated on in our hospital.
Metabolic variability of seed material from diverse sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) genotypes and of different germination capacities

Abstract New trends in crop breeding include analytical approaches to identify metabolic fingerprints that can be used for associations to the genetic background. The biochemical phenotype, as a result of plant endogenous factors and interaction with the environment, has the potential to increase the accuracy of forecasting regarding agronomical quality factors. In this study a metabolite profile analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was conducted on sets of seed material from sugar beet. One set represented high-performing varieties with a close genetic background and with a similar quality in terms of germination capacity. The second set contained seed lots from different genotypes comprising different germination capacities. By multivariate statistical analyses high variance in both sample sets was revealed. These data were further allocated to corresponding metabolite classes. It could be shown that an untargeted GC–MS approach has the power to resolve differences in the molecular phenotypes of related offspring lines. Metabolic profiles were found to correlate more to genotypic differences than to differences in the germination capacity.
MiR-155-Mediated Deregulation of GPER1 Plays an Important Role in the Gender Differences Related to Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Aim The incidence and clinical manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are thought to have gender differences, which suggests that the estrogen signaling pathway and intestinal flora may play key roles in the pathogenesis of IBD. In IBD, microRNA-155 (miR-155) is upregulated and regulates G protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER1), which affects the intestinal flora. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of the estrogen receptors and miR-155 in the pathogenesis of IBD. Methods From July 2018 to July 2019, in the Department of Gastroenterology at Daping Hospital, Army Military Medical University, a total of 50 patients with IBD were included in this study, and 24 healthy examinees were randomly selected as the control group. Colonoscopies were performed, and clinical characteristics and blood samples were collected from all of the subjects. The serum cytokine levels in the patients with IBD and the health donors were detected by ELISA, and the estrogen receptor level measurements for all of the participants were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The miR-155 levels were detected by qPCR in all of the participants, and miR-155−/− mice were used to investigate the mechanism of miR-155 in the pathogenesis of IBD. Results The clinical characteristics and medications were different for the IBD patients when gender was considered. The male patients produced more proinflammatory cytokines, and while GPER1 expression was downregulated, miR-155 was upregulated in the patients with IBD. MiR-155 showed proinflammatory activity, while GPER1 showed an anti-inflammatory response during the pathogenesis of IBD. The miR-155−/− mice showed improvements in weight loss, survival, rectal bleeding, colon length, and histopathological changes compared with the wild-type mice. Furthermore, the male miR-155−/− mice showed increased inflammation compared to the female miR-155−/− mice in the above aspects. Conclusion This study presents evidence indicating that miR-155 plays a key role in the pathogenesis of IBD for the different genders. MiR-155 was upregulated and showed proinflammatory activity, whereas GPER1 showed an anti-inflammatory response during the pathogenesis of IBD. The results demonstrated that more proinflammatory cytokines and reduced GPER1 levels were observed in the male IBD patients. Thus, miR-155 was involved in the regulation of GPER1 and induced gender differences in IBD patients. MiR-155 may be a potential marker for IBD-targeted therapy.
Undesirable Postoperative Anesthesia Outcomes at Two National Referral Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study in Eritrea

Background Postoperative undesirable anesthesia outcomes are common among patients undergoing surgery. They may affect body systems and lead into more serious postoperative problems. This research is conducted in the Eritrean National Referral Hospitals with the aim of assessing the prevalence of undesirable anesthesia outcomes during the postoperative period. Method A cross-sectional study design was applied on 470 patients who underwent different types of surgeries within a three-month period. Patients were interviewed 24 hours after operation (POD 1) using the Leiden Perioperative care Patient Satisfaction questionnaire (LPPSq). This study reports one component of a large study conducted. The dimension “Discomfort and needs” of the LPPSq was considered, and the measurements of that dimension are presented in this report. Items of the dimension were standardized and measured using a five-point Likert scale from “Not at all” to “Extremely. ” Multivariable logistic regression was used to look for the association of the outcomes with the types of surgery and types of anesthesia using SPSS (Version 22). Results The prevalence were computed in two manners, prevalence of those with ‘at least a little bit' outcomes, which was computed to see the total occurrence of these outcomes, and prevalence of those having ‘more than moderate' outcomes to see the severe experience of these outcomes. Prevalence of the predominant undesirable outcome, postoperative pain, for ‘at least a little bit' and ‘more than moderate' were 82.6% and 43.6%, respectively. The rest of the postoperative undesirable outcomes were less frequently reported. Conclusion Postoperative pain was found to be the most prevalent undesirable outcome. Enhancement of proper assessment and management of postoperative pain through the development and implementation of specific pain management modalities is needed.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic response on other health research

Abstract While governments have been focusing on the unprecedented disruption to the global economy caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the urgent need for COVID-19 research, other health research has become a casualty of the pandemic. Major research operations that are unrelated to COVID-19 have been significantly diminished or suspended entirely because of either COVID-19-related legal restrictions or logistical, staffing or operational concerns. Billions of people globally are currently affected by lockdowns or curfews. Since the timescale of such restrictive measures is unknown and subject to change, many studies are now in limbo and the welfare of tens of thousands of study participants is at risk. These circumstances have introduced complex ethical challenges that merit urgent attention from international sponsors, researchers and regulators. Certain sponsors and regulators have published guidelines on how the COVID-19-related disruptions to clinical research should be managed. Although these guidelines provide a good starting point in navigating the challenges of the evolving pandemic, they only apply to those researchers funded or governed by these bodies. Here, we provide guidelines on managing such disruptions that apply beyond these specific settings. We highlight some of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on other ongoing research projects that are unrelated to COVID-19 and provide practical guidance on how the welfare of affected study participants should be managed. We conclude that policy-makers, sponsors, researchers and regulators must adopt a more flexible approach to ensure participant safety, while maintaining data integrity and complying with good clinical practices.
Revised annotation and extended characterizations of components of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii SUMOylation system

Abstract Small ubiquitin‐like modifier (SUMO) conjugation, or SUMOylation, is a reversible post‐translational modification that is important for regulation of many cellular processes including cell division cycle in the eukaryotic kingdom. However, only a portion of the components of the Chlamydomonas SUMOylation system are known and their functions and regulation investigated. The present studies are aimed at extending discovery and characterization of new components and improving the annotation and nomenclature of all known proteins and genes involved in the system. Even though only one copy of the heterodimerized SUMO‐activating enzyme, SAE1 and SAE2, was identified, the number of SUMO‐conjugating enzymes (SCEs) and SUMO proteases/isopeptidase was expanded in Chlamydomonas. Using the reconstituted SUMOylation system, we showed that SCE1, SCE2, and SCE3 have SUMO‐conjugating activity. In addition to SUMOylation, components required for other post‐translational modifications such as NEDDylation, URMylation, and UFMylation, were confirmed to be present in Chlamydomonas. Our data also showed that besides isopeptidase activity, the SUMO protease domain of SUPPRESSOR OF MAT3 7/SENTRIN‐SPECIFIC PROTEASE 1 (SMT7/SENP1) has endopeptidase activity that is capable of processing SUMO precursors. Moreover, the key cell cycle regulators of Chlamydomonas E2F1, DP1, CDKG1, CYCD2, and CYCD3 were SUMOylated in vitro, suggesting SUMOylation may be part of regulatory pathway modulating cell cycle regulators.