Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Socioeconomic determinants of cancer screening utilisation in Latin America: A systematic review

Introduction Cancer incidence and mortality in Latin America are rising. While effective cancer screening services, accessible to the whole population and enabling early cancer detection are needed, existing research shows the existence of disparities in screening uptake in the region. Objective We conducted a systematic review to investigate the socioeconomic determinants for the disparities in the use of breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening services in Latin America. Methods We searched for studies reporting on socioeconomic determinants impacting on access to breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening, published from 2009 through 2018. The studies that qualified for inclusion contained original analyses on utilisation of breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening across socioeconomic levels in Latin America. For each study, paired reviewers performed a quality analysis followed by detailed review and data extraction. Results Twenty-four articles that met the eligibility criteria and were of sufficient quality were included in this review. Thirteen of the included articles were written in English, eight in Portuguese and three in Spanish, and they reported on the use of breast or cervical cancer screening. No studies were found on the socioeconomic determinants regarding the utilisation of colorectal cancer screening in Latin America. Low income, low education level, lack of health insurance and single marital status were all found to be determinants of underuse of breast and cervical cancer screening services. Conclusions Cancer screening programs in the region must prioritize reaching those populations that underuse cancer screening services to ensure equitable access to preventive services. It is important to develop national screening programmes that are accessible to all (including uninsured people) through, for example, the use of mobile units for mammography and self-screening methods.
Novel charged sodium and calcium channel inhibitor active against neurogenic inflammation

Voltage-dependent sodium and calcium channels in pain-initiating nociceptor neurons are attractive targets for new analgesics. We made a permanently charged cationic derivative of an N-type calcium channel-inhibitor. Unlike cationic derivatives of local anesthetic sodium channel blockers like QX-314, this cationic compound inhibited N-type calcium channels more effectively with extracellular than intracellular application. Surprisingly, the compound is also a highly effective sodium channel inhibitor when applied extracellularly, producing more potent inhibition than lidocaine or bupivacaine. The charged inhibitor produced potent and long-lasting analgesia in mouse models of incisional wound and inflammatory pain, inhibited release of the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) from dorsal root ganglion neurons, and reduced inflammation in a mouse model of allergic asthma, which has a strong neurogenic component. The results show that some cationic molecules applied extracellularly can powerfully inhibit both sodium channels and calcium channels, thereby blocking both nociceptor excitability and pro-inflammatory peptide release.
Bovine Foamy Virus: Shared and Unique Molecular Features In Vitro and In Vivo

The retroviral subfamily of Spumaretrovirinae consists of five genera of foamy (spuma) viruses (FVs) that are endemic in some mammalian hosts. Closely related species may be susceptible to the same or highly related FVs. FVs are not known to induce overt disease and thus do not pose medical problems to humans and livestock or companion animals. A robust lab animal model is not available or is a lab animal a natural host of a FV. Due to this, research is limited and often focused on the simian FVs with their well-established zoonotic potential. The authors of this review and their groups have conducted several studies on bovine FV (BFV) in the past with the intention of (i) exploring the risk of zoonotic infection via beef and raw cattle products, (ii) studying a co-factorial role of BFV in different cattle diseases with unclear etiology, (iii) exploring unique features of FV molecular biology and replication strategies in non-simian FVs, and (iv) conducting animal studies and functional virology in BFV-infected calves as a model for corresponding studies in primates or small lab animals. These studies gained new insights into FV-host interactions, mechanisms of gene expression, and transcriptional regulation, including miRNA biology, host-directed restriction of FV replication, spread and distribution in the infected animal, and at the population level. The current review attempts to summarize these findings in BFV and tries to connect them to findings from other FVs.
Insomnia, Benzodiazepine Use, and Falls among Residents in Long-term Care Facilities

Background: Falls are leading cause of injury among older people, especially for those living in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Very few studies have assessed the effect of sleep quality and hypnotics use on falls, especially in Chinese LTCFs. The study aimed to examine the association between sleep quality, hypnotics use, and falls in institutionalized older people. Methods: We recruited 605 residents from 25 LTCFs in central Shanghai and conducted a baseline survey for sleep quality and hypnotics use, as well as a one-year follow-up survey for falls and injurious falls. Logistic regression models were applied in univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Among the 605 participants (70.41% women, mean age 84.33 ± 6.90 years), the one-year incidence of falls and injurious falls was 21.82% and 15.21%, respectively. Insomnia (19.83%) and hypnotics use (14.21%) were prevalent. After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that insomnia was significantly associated with an increased risk of falls (adjusted risk ratio (RR): 1.787, 95% CI, 1.106–2.877) and the use of benzodiazepines significantly increased the risk of injurious falls (RR: 3.128, 95% CI, 1.541–6.350). Conclusion: In elderly LTCF residents, both insomnia and benzodiazepine use are associated with an increased risk of falls and injuries. Adopting non-pharmacological approaches to improve sleep quality, taking safer hypnotics, or strengthening supervision on benzodiazepine users may be useful in fall prevention.
Differential Effects of Platelets Selectively Activated by Protease-Activated Receptors on Meniscal Cells

Background: Meniscal injury is very common, and injured meniscal tissue has a limited healing ability because of poor vascularity. Platelets contain both pro- and anti-angiogenic factors, which can be released by platelet selective activation. Hypothesis: Platelets release a high level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) when they are activated by protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1), whereas the platelets release endostatin when they are activated by protease-activated receptor 4 (PAR4). The PAR1-treated platelets enhance the proliferation of meniscal cells in vitro and promote in vivo healing of wounded meniscal tissue. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Method: Platelets were isolated from human blood and activated with different reagents. The released growth factors from the activated platelets were determined by immunostaining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of the platelets with different treatments on meniscal cells were tested by an in vitro model of cell culture and an in vivo model of wounded meniscal healing. Results: The results indicated that platelets contained both pro- and antiangiogenic factors including VEGF and endostatin. In unactivated platelets, VEGF and endostatin were contained inside of the platelets. Both VEGF and endostatin were released from the platelets when they were activated by thrombin. However, only VEGF was released from the platelets when they were activated by PAR1, and only endostatin was released from the platelets when they were activated by PAR4. The rat meniscal cells grew much faster in the medium that contained PAR1-activated platelets than in the medium that contained either PAR4-activated platelets or unactivated platelets. The wounds treated with PAR1-activated platelets healed faster than those treated with either PAR4-activated platelets or unactivated platelets. Many blood vessel–like structures were found in the wounded menisci treated with PAR1-activated platelets. Conclusion: The PAR1-activated platelets released high levels of VEGF, which increased the proliferation of rat meniscal cells in vitro, enhanced the vascularization of menisci in vivo, and promoted healing of wounded menisci. Clinical Relevance: Our results suggested that selective activated platelets can be used clinically to enhance healing of wounded meniscal tissue.
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Patients attending Gynecological Outpatient Department of Tertiary Care Hospital

OBJECTIVE: To determine frequency and risk factors for Cervical intra epithelial neoplasia (CIN) in patients screened with cervical cytology in gynecology outpatient department (OPD) of tertiary care hospital. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional description study. PLACE AND DURATION: Gynecological outpatient department of Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad, Sindh from July to December 2011. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All sexually active women between age group 15 to 65 visiting to gynecology OPD who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study after taking the consent. Frequency and predisposing factors for CIN were analyzed after entering in predesigned proforma RESULTS: During study period 32(4.5%) patients out of 700 were found positive for CIN. 297 patients (42.4%) had report positive for human papilloma virus. Mean age of patients positive for CIN were 37.5 ± 9.4 years. Nineteen (59.4%) patients were married before 15 years of age. Twenty nine (90.6%) patients belonged to poor socioeconomic status and eleven (34.3%) patients were smoker. All patients were muslims and house wives. CONCLUSION: Though the frequency of CIN in current study was only 4.5% but infection due to human papilloma virus was much more (42.4%). Timely treatment and structured follow up of these patients can reduce carcinoma cervix in these patients.
Risk and management of pre-diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with a two- to four-fold increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and microvascular complications, which may already be present before diagnosis. It is, therefore, important to detect people with an increased risk of T2DM at an early stage. In order to identify individuals with so-called ‘pre-diabetes’, comprising impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), current guidelines have developed definitions based on fasting plasma glucose, two-hour glucose concentrations and haemoglobin A1c. Subjects with pre-diabetes are at an increased risk of developing T2DM and CVD. This elevated risk seems similar according to the different criteria used to define pre-diabetes. The risk of progression to T2DM or CVD does, however, depend on other risk factors such as sex, body mass index and ethnicity. Based on the risk factors to develop T2DM, many risk assessment models have been developed to identify those at highest risk. These models perform well to identify those at risk and could be used to initiate preventive interventions. Many studies have shown that lifestyle modification and metformin are effective in preventing the development of T2DM, although lifestyle modification seems to have a more sustainable effect. In addition, lifestyle modification seems more effective in those with IGT than those with IFG. In this review, we will describe the different definitions used to define pre-diabetes, progression from pre-diabetes to T2DM or other vascular complications, risk factors associated with progressions and the management of progression to T2DM, ending with clinical recommendations.
Zhankuic Acids A, B and C from Taiwanofungus camphoratus Act as Cytotoxicity Enhancers by Regulating P-Glycoprotein in Multi-Drug Resistant Cancer Cells

Since P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-related multidrug resistance (MDR) remains the most important unsolved problem in cancer treatment, scientists are attempting to find potential structures from natural resources. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether the triterpenoids from Taiwanofungus camphoratus could reverse cancer MDR by influencing P-gp efflux pump. Substrates efflux assay and P-gp ATPase activity assay were conducted to reveal the molecular mechanisms of P-gp inhibition, while SRB assay, cell cycle analyses and apoptosis analyses were performed to confirm the cancer MDR modulating effects. The results indicated that Zhankuic acids A, B and C (ZA-A, ZA-B and ZA-C) impacted P-gp efflux function in competitive, noncompetitive and competitive manners, respectively. Furthermore, these triterpenoids all demonstrated inhibitory patterns on both basal P-gp ATPase activity and verapamil-stimulated ATPase activity. In terms of MDR reversal effects, ZA-A sensitized the P-gp over-expressing cell line (ABCB1/Flp-InTM-293) and MDR cancer cell line (KB/VIN) toward clinically used chemotherapeutic drugs, including doxorubicin, paclitaxel and vincristine, exhibiting the best cytotoxicity enhancing ability among investigated triterpenoids. The present study demonstrated that ZA-A, ZA-B and ZA-C, popular triterpenoids from T. camphoratus, effectively modulated the drug efflux transporter P-gp and reversed the cancer MDR issue.
C-reactive protein in midlife is associated with depressive symptoms two decades later among men with coronary heart disease

Abstract Aim: We investigated the relationship between midlife C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in men with coronary heart disease (CHD) and depressive symptoms at old age. CRP levels were measured in a subset of patients with CHD, who previously participated in a secondary prevention trial. Methods: Depressive symptoms were evaluated in survivors of the original cohort 15.0 ± 3 and 19.9 ± 1 years later (T1, n = 463 and T2, n = 314 respectively) using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), 15-item version. Logistic regression was used to estimate ORs and 95%CIs for presence of potentially clinically significant depressive symptoms (GDS ≥5) at T1 and T2. Results: Adjusting for demographic and health-related variables, the OR (95%CI) for GDS ≥5 was 1.23 (0.65–2.33); p = . 53 at T1 and 2.36 (1.16–4.83); p = . 018 at T2 in the top CRP tertile compared to the others. Similarly, consistently high CRP levels in the top tertile at baseline and 2 years later, were associated with OR of 2.85 (95%CI 1.29–6.30); p = . 01 for GDS ≥5 at T2. Conclusions: Presence and persistence of low-grade inflammation in men with CHD during midlife are associated with increased risk of depressive symptoms twenty years later. Among middle aged men with CHD, low-grade inflammation may provide an important added value for prediction of depression in old age.
Prevalence of xerostomia on type 2 diabetes mellitus in Hajj Hospital Surabaya

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic disorder of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. A defective or deficient of the insulin secretory, which is translated into impaired carbohydrate (glucose) use, is characteristic feature of DM, as the resultant is hyperglycemia. There is variability among patients, however, morphologic changes are likely found in arteries (atherosclerosis), basement membrane of the blood vessel wall tissues (micro angiopathy), kidneys (diabetic nephropathy), retina (retinopathy), nerves (neuropathy) and other tissues. If it involves salivary glands, the clinical sign is xerostomia. The type 2 of DM is caused by a combination of peripheral resistance to insulin action and an inadequate secretory response of the pancreatic b -cell. Approximately 80% to 90% of patients have type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of xerostomia and its relation with level of blood glucose in type 2 DM. The data was taken using cross sectional method on the diabetic patients of Internal Medicine clinic, Hajj Hospital Surabaya from February to March 2006. The result that showed among 50 samples of the type 2 DM, the prevalence of xerostomia were 38 patients (76%). Most of the patients (32 patients = 84%) on bad regulation of DM with level of fasting glucose ≥ 126 mg/dl and level of post prandial glucose ≥ 180 mg/dl. The study showed that bad regulation of type 2 DM could develop complication on salivary glands, with xerostomia as the clinical sign.
Multimodal imaging characteristics of congenital grouped hyper‐ and hypo‐pigmented fundus lesions

Background The imaging characteristics of congenital grouped pigmentation of the retinal pigment epithelium (CGP‐RPE) and its non‐pigmented variant – grouped congenital albinotic retinal pigment epithelial spots (GCARPES) are poorly defined in the literature. Our case series reports their multimodal imaging characteristics across a spectrum of presentations. Methods A retrospective review of patient records was conducted on patients seen at the Centre for Eye Health between January and December 2016. The multimodal imaging findings across four cases is described using optical coherence tomography (OCT), infrared imaging, ultra‐widefield imaging, fundus photography and fundus autofluorescence (FAF). Results Case 1 is a 55‐year‐old female with a bilateral presentation of CGP‐RPE showing typical features. Case 2 is a 28‐year‐old male with a classical presentation of GCARPES in the left eye. Case 3 is a 33‐year‐old female with unilateral CGP‐RPE and an atypical solitary congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE) in the same eye. Case 4 is a unilateral presentation in an 11‐year‐old female with unusual characteristics. Ocular imaging characteristics of CGP‐RPE lesions varied between patients: OCT showed visible RPE changes in cases 3 and 4 but not case 1. The pattern of FAF and infrared imaging also varied with most lesions displaying a pattern of hypo‐autofluorescence, but some central lesions in case 3 exhibited hyper‐autofluorescence. All lesions were visible with fundus photography. Conclusion FAF can be helpful in alerting clinicians to the presence of lesions that may be difficult to visualise funduscopically and OCT can be helpful in differentiating between CGP‐RPE and its variants from more sinister ocular conditions. All in all, these findings highlight the variable manifestation of CGP‐RPE and its variants on multimodal imaging; the diagnosis of CGP‐RPE and its variants should remain based on its characteristic funduscopic appearance.
Biosurfactant trehalose lipid-enhanced ultrasound-assisted micellar extraction and determination of the main antioxidant compounds from functional plant tea.

Hydrosoluble trehalose lipid (a biosurfactant) was employed for the first time as a green extraction solution to extract the main antioxidant compounds (geniposidic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and rutin) from functional plant tea (Eucommia ulmoides leaves). Single-factor tests and response surface methodology were employed to optimize the extraction conditions for ultrasound-assisted micellar extraction combined with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography in succession. A Box-Behnken design (3-level, 3-factorial) was used to determine the effects of extraction solvent concentration (1-5 mg mL-1 ), extraction solvent volume (5-15 mL), and extraction time (20-40 min) at a uniform ultrasonic power and temperature. In consequence, the best analyte extraction yields could be attained when the trehalose lipid solution concentration was prepared at 3 mg mL-1 , the trehalose lipid solution volume was 10 mL and the extraction time was set to 35 min. In addition, the recoveries of the antioxidants from Eucommia ulmoides leaves analysed by this analytical method ranged from 98.2% to 102%. These results indicated that biosurfactant-enhanced ultrasound-assisted micellar extraction coupled with a simple ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography method could be effectively applied in the extraction and analysis of antioxidants from Eucommia ulmoides leaf samples. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Epidemiology and survival trend of adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma in the United States

Globally, 5 million to 10 million people are infected with human T‐cell leukemia virus type 1, which causes adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) in 2% to 5% of the carriers. ATLL is a rare but extremely aggressive malignancy that can be challenging to diagnose. Very little data exist on the incidence patterns of ATLL in the United States.
Developing oral health risk assessment as routine practice during early stages of clinical careers: a cross-sectional study of dental students using the NoMAD questionnaire.

BACKGROUND Effective implementation of health care initiatives is of key importance for ensuring high quality clinical and health outcomes. Using Normalization Process Theory, this study investigates the implementation behaviour of dental students in relation to a novel oral health risk assessment tool. It considers the impact of advancing learning on normalisation of innovative health care practice. METHODS Students completed the NoMAD (normalisation of complex interventions-measure development) questionnaire, and an additional scale to assess perceived value of the oral health risk assessment tool, after having used the tool for nearly one academic year. The sample comprised, third (n=75), fourth (n=77) and fifth year (n=37) students. Differences between groups in relation to the four generative processes of normalisation were analysed using ANOVA. Cohen's d effect sizes were calculated between groups. Multiple linear regression was undertaken to investigate the impact of normalisation level on value/utility judgements. RESULTS There were significant group differences for three of the four generative processes of normalisation (coherence, cognitive participation and reflexive monitoring). Third and fourth year students were highly similar but these groups showed lower normalisation compared to fifth years. Normalisation assessment predicted perceived value and utility of the oral health risk assessment tool. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that dental students show lower normalisation of novel tools at earlier stages in their course, possibly due to increased cognitive load, and that perceived value and utility of a novel tool is related to increased normalisation.
Effects of peanut meal extracts fermented by Bacillus natto on the growth performance, learning and memory skills and gut microbiota modulation in mice

Abstract Recent studies have demonstrated that the nutritional properties of peanut meal (PM) can be improved after being fermented. The assessment of fermented PM has been reported to be limited to various physical and chemical evaluations in vitro. In the present study, PM was fermented by Bacillus natto to explore the effects of fermented PM extract (FE) on growth performance, learning and memory ability and intestinal microflora in mice. Ninety newly weaned male Kunming (KM) mice were randomly divided into seven groups: normal group (n 20), low-dose FE group (n 10), middle-dose FE group (MFE) (n 10), high-dose FE group (HFE) (n 20), unfermented extraction group (n 10), model group (10) and natural recovery group (10). Learning and memory skills were performed by the Morris water maze (MWM) test, and the variation in gut microbiota (GM) composition was assessed by 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing. The results show that HFE remarkably improved the growth performance in mice. In the MWM test, escape latency was shortened in both MFE and HFE groups, while the percentage of time, distance in target quadrant and the number crossing over the platform were significantly increased in the HFE group. Moreover, the FE played a preventive role in the dysbacteriosis of mice induced by antibiotic and increased the richness and species evenness of GM in mice.