Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic value of serum pepsinogen I, pepsinogen II, and gastrin-17 levels for population-based screening for early-stage gastric cancer

Objective Diagnosing gastric cancer (GC) at early stages is important for reducing its mortality. This study evaluated the diagnostic value of serum pepsinogen (PG) I, PGII, and gastrin-17 (G17) levels in screening for early-stage GC. Methods Serum levels of PGI, PGII, and G17 were measured in patients with upper digestive tract symptoms or GC family histories, and the PGI to PGII ratio (PGR) was calculated. Receiver operator characteristic curves were used to determine the thresholds of PGI, PGR, and G17 for GC diagnosis. Results Among the 949 patients examined by gastroscopy, 13 (1.37%) had GC, including five cases of early-stage GC and eight cases of progressive GC. PGI, PGR, and G17 showed good specificity and sensitivity for early-stage and progressive GC. The optimal thresholds of PGI, G17, and PGR were 71.85 μg/L, 15.65 pmol/L and 5.04 for the diagnosis of early-stage GC, respectively, and were 42.55 μg/L, 20.55 pmol/L, and 2.79 for the diagnosis of progressive GC, respectively. Conclusion Combining PG and G17 serum levels with gastroscopy could be a promising approach to screen for early-stage GC.
TMEM87a/Elkin1, a component of a novel mechanoelectrical transduction pathway, modulates melanoma adhesion and migration

Mechanoelectrical transduction is a cellular signalling pathway where physical stimuli are converted into electro-chemical signals by mechanically activated ion channels. We describe here the presence of mechanically activated currents in melanoma cells that are dependent on TMEM87a, which we have renamed Elkin1. Heterologous expression of this protein in PIEZO1-deficient cells, that exhibit no baseline mechanosensitivity, is sufficient to reconstitute mechanically activated currents. Melanoma cells lacking functional Elkin1 exhibit defective mechanoelectrical transduction, decreased motility and increased dissociation from organotypic spheroids. By analysing cell adhesion properties, we demonstrate that Elkin1 deletion is associated with increased cell-substrate adhesion and decreased homotypic cell-cell adhesion strength. We therefore conclude that Elkin1 supports a PIEZO1-independent mechanoelectrical transduction pathway and modulates cellular adhesions and regulates melanoma cell migration and cell-cell interactions.
Induction of Diabetes Mellitus in Rats Using Intraperitoneal Streptozotocin: A Comparison between 2 Strains of Rats

The purpose of this study was to determine species related differences in the diabetogenic response to streptozotocin (STZ) after single intraperitoneal injection. Twenty adult, male, nude rats (NR, strain Crl:NIH-Fox1 RNU ) and 8 adult, male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used to induce diabetes using streptozotocin. A single, 150mg/kg STZ was injected intraperitoneally in both strains of rats. Four rats (2 from each strain) were injected buffer and served as control. Severity of the induced diabetic state was assessed by daily monitoring of body weights, clinical signs, and blood glucose levels. Four rats in the NR group died in an average of 5 days following STZ injection and 4 rats of the SD group died in an average of 2 days. In the NR group, non fasting serum glucose levels (267 ± 80 mg/dl) rose significantly (P ≤ 0.05) only in 7 (35%) rats while all SD group experienced glucose levels above 300 mg/dl (324 ± 20 mg/dl) and required insulin treatment all over the
Nasally delivered VEGFD mimetics mitigate stroke-induced dendrite loss and brain damage

Significance Stroke is a leading cause of death worldwide. Survivors generally suffer severe disabilities. The sole currently available therapy, which restores impaired blood flow, has many contraindications. Using in vitro and in vivo stroke models, we show that stimulation of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors shuts off Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D (VEGFD) expression, causing loss of dendrites. Intraventricular administration of recombinant VEGFD to mice suffering a stroke preserves dendritic architecture, reduces brain damage, and facilitates functional recovery. Similarly, VEGFD mimetics applied nasally prevents stroke-induced damage. Thus, a new neuroprotective approach has been established that preserves neuronal structural integrity through supplementation of VEGFD. It can serve as standalone therapy or complementary medicine to existing treatments of nervous system disorders with structural impairments. In the adult brain, vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGFD) is required for structural integrity of dendrites and cognitive abilities. Alterations of dendritic architectures are hallmarks of many neurologic disorders, including stroke-induced damage caused by toxic extrasynaptic NMDA receptor (eNMDAR) signaling. Here we show that stimulation of eNMDARs causes a rapid shutoff of VEGFD expression, leading to a dramatic loss of dendritic structures. Using the mouse middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) stroke model, we have established the therapeutic potential of recombinant mouse VEGFD delivered intraventricularly to preserve dendritic architecture, reduce stroke-induced brain damage, and facilitate functional recovery. An easy-to-use therapeutic intervention for stroke was developed that uses a new class of VEGFD-derived peptide mimetics and postinjury nose-to-brain delivery.
Examining Predictors of Symptom Development and Successful School-Based Treatment Program Implementation for Traumatized Youth

by SUSAN JOAN KLOSTERMANN, M.A. This study sought to characterize a sample of children with elevated PTSD symptoms, to determine the individualand family-level risk and protective factors for PTSD symptomotology. Predictors of elevated PTSD symptom levels included higher levels of depressive symptoms, higher levels of family conflict, and less frequent use of cognitive reappraisal as an emotion regulation strategy. Those students who sought treatment also reported using less effective coping skills. Gender and age effects were also present. Further, this study sought to describe the process of implementing a psychological treatment program in a small-town school, with the ultimate goal of informing our understanding of the most effective approaches to school-based interventions. Challenges faced included parent and teacher resistance as well as poor school and community climate. Implications for trauma-focused treatment programs, and for the effective implementation of school-based interventions more generally, are
Potential utilities of mask‐wearing and instant hand hygiene for fighting SARS‐CoV‐2

Abstract The surge of patients in the pandemic of COVID‐19 caused by the novel coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2 may overwhelm the medical systems of many countries. Mask‐wearing and handwashing can slow the spread of the virus, but currently, masks are in shortage in many countries, and timely handwashing is often impossible. In this study, the efficacy of three types of masks and instant hand wiping was evaluated using the avian influenza virus to mock the coronavirus. Virus quantification was performed using real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Previous studies on mask‐wearing were reviewed. The results showed that instant hand wiping using a wet towel soaked in water containing 1.00% soap powder, 0.05% active chlorine, or 0.25% active chlorine from sodium hypochlorite removed 98.36%, 96.62%, and 99.98% of the virus from hands, respectively. N95 masks, medical masks, and homemade masks made of four‐layer kitchen paper and one‐layer cloth could block 99.98%, 97.14%, and 95.15% of the virus in aerosols. Medical mask‐wearing which was supported by many studies was opposed by other studies possibly due to erroneous judgment. With these data, we propose the approach of mask‐wearing plus instant hand hygiene (MIH) to slow the exponential spread of the virus. This MIH approach has been supported by the experiences of seven countries in fighting against COVID‐19. Collectively, a simple approach to slow the exponential spread of SARS‐CoV‐2 was proposed with the support of experiments, literature review, and control experiences.
How imaging should properly be used in COVID-19 outbreak: an Italian experience.

You may cite this article as: Sverzellati N, Milone F, Balbi M. How imaging should properly be used in COVID-19 outbreak: an Italian experience. Diagn Interv Radiol 2020; 26:204–206. From the Division of Radiology, Department of Medicine and Surgery (F.M., N.S.  nicola. sverzellati@unipr.it) University of Parma, Parma, Italy; School of Medicine and Surgery (M.B.) University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy; Department of Radiology (M.B.) ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy.
Foraging optimally in social neuroscience: computations and methodological considerations

Abstract Research in social neuroscience has increasingly begun to use the tools of computational neuroscience to better understand behaviour. Such approaches have proven fruitful for probing underlying neural mechanisms. However, little attention has been paid to how the structure of experimental tasks relates to real-world decisions, and the problems that brains have evolved to solve. To go significantly beyond current understanding, we must begin to use paradigms and mathematical models from behavioural ecology, which offer insights into the decisions animals must make successfully in order to survive. One highly influential theory—marginal value theorem (MVT)—precisely characterises and provides an optimal solution to a vital foraging decision that most species must make: the patch-leaving problem. Animals must decide when to leave collecting rewards in a current patch (location) and travel somewhere else. We propose that many questions posed in social neuroscience can be approached as patch-leaving problems. A richer understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying social behaviour will be obtained by using MVT. In this ‘tools of the trade’ article, we outline the patch-leaving problem, the computations of MVT and discuss the application to social neuroscience. Furthermore, we consider the practical challenges and offer solutions for designing paradigms probing patch leaving, both behaviourally and when using neuroimaging techniques.
Bacteremia in female Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case-control study.

INTRODUCTION Bacteremia is a common complication in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, causing high morbidity and mortality. We investigated characteristics, pathogens, and sites of infection using a cohort of 64 female adults from a single university hospital in China. METHODOLOGY SLE patients who had at least one episode of bacteremia (n = 16) were compared with non-bacteremia SLE patients (n = 48) in a case-control fashion, matching for age at SLE diagnosis and time of admission. Demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory data, and bacteriologic examinations were collected and reviewed. RESULTS A series of parameters were found to be significantly different between controls and cases at bacteremia diagnosis, including an SLE disease activity index, multiple major organ involvement (> 2), active renal disease, leukocytes, neutrophils, 24-hour urine protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, hemoglobin, lymphocyte, platelets, and albumin. Eighteen episodes of bacteremia were analyzed, with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus being the most frequent isolates. Additionally, Listeria monocytogenes, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, and Salmonella choleraesuis, which were very rare in the general population, were isolated from the bloodstreams of the cases. Apart from bacteremia without focus, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, skin, and soft tissue were the major origins of infection. CONCLUSIONS The present study depicts the nature of a cohort of female Chinese SLE patients with bacteremia, revealing that bacteremia is a critical factor contributing to the aggravation of SLE. Our findings provide useful information regarding the control and prevention of bacteremia in female SLE patients in China.
From Bimodal Hearing to Sequential Bilateral Cochlear Implantation in Children-A Within-Subject Comparison.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the performance changes after sequential bilateral cochlear implantation in a pediatric population of bimodal cochlear implant (CI) users. To evaluate the factors which influence the parental and recipient decision to discontinue hearing aid use and seek a second implant. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective case review, within-subject comparison. SETTING Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS Thirty-one pediatric (<18 yr) bimodal CI users who underwent sequential bilateral CI. INTERVENTIONS Sequential bilateral CI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Parental and/or recipient's reasons for discontinuing their hearing aid and pursuing a second implant, device usage from datalogs, speech understanding in the bimodal and bilateral CI condition. RESULTS Parents/patients were motivated to pursue sequential bilateral CI based on their positive performance with CI1, the expectation of further improvement with a second CI, and the prospect of having a second independently functional ear. In the bimodal condition, mean word recognition score (WRS), sentence recognition in quiet (SIQ), and sentence recognition in noise (SIN) scores were 87.4, 97.3, and 92.9% respectively. At 1-year post-sequential bilateral CI, the mean WRS, SIQ, and SIN score were 92.7, 98.7, and 97.7%, respectively. The improvement in bilateral CI speech scores compared with bimodal scores was statistically significant for WRS (p = 0.015). A ceiling effect limited the ability to detect further meaningful differences on speech perception testing. CONCLUSIONS The bilateral CI condition demonstrates equivalent or slightly superior performance compared with the bimodal condition. Several non-speech benefits were elicited from parents as reasons for pursuing a second implant. Close monitoring of the residual acoustic hearing, inquiring about the perceived benefits provided by the HA, and early counseling regarding the potential for sequential bilateral CI are important aspects in determining if and when a second implant is indicated.
Prevention and care of chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal mucositis

De overleving van kinderen met kanker is de afgelopen decennia aanzienlijk toegenomen door onder andere verbeterde zorgsystemen, toegenomen kennis over het belang van de ondersteunende zorg, maar met name door de intensievere behandelprotocollen. De consequentie van dit succes is de enorme toename van de bijwerkingen van de behandeling. Een van de belangrijkste bijwerkingen van chemotherapie behandeling is mucositis. Mucositis is een complexe ontstekingsreactie van het gehele maagdarmkanaal. Kinderen met mucositis hebben symptomen als misselijkheid, braken, buikpijn en diarree, leidend tot een verlaagde kwaliteit van leven. Mucositis leidt tot een verminderde voedingsinname en een hoger risico op het ontwikkelen van een bacteriemie of sepsis, en heeft mogelijk invloed op de overleving. Momenteel is er geen preventie of behandeling van mucositis voorhanden. In dit proefschrift hebben we op drie verschillende manieren geintervenieerd in de vermeende pathofysiologie van mucositis om de ernstige stadia te voorkomen. We concluderen dat deze interventies niet hebben geleid tot een vermindering van de ernst van mucositis in de proefdieren. Dit leidt tot de vraag of het huidige 5-fase pathofysiologisch model correct is voor gastro-intestinale mucositis. Toekomstig onderzoek zou zich moeten focussen op de combinatie van de opheldering van de pathofysiologie en een verdere zoektocht naar preventie of behandeling van mucositis. Daarnaast is een van de grootste problemen tijdens mucositis de verminderde voedingsinname. Op basis van een observationele studie en internationale survey concluderen we dat er geen overeenkomst is in voedingsstrategie tijdens mucositis, dat er momenteel ontbrekende kennis is, en dat er daarom klinische trials nodig zijn betreffende voedingsstrategie tijdens mucositis.
National trends in cholangiocarcinoma in the United States (US): 2000-2014.

e13056Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) arise from the epithelial cells of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. Although rare in the US, they are highly lethal because most are locally advanced at presentation. The incidence of CCA has increased over time. This study aims to estimate the characteristics, outcomes, and cost burden of patients hospitalized for CCA by using a large national database. Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was used to obtain data from 2000-2014. The NIS contains data from over 7 million hospital stays in the US per year generalizable to the American population. The NIS was queried for ICD-9 codes for primary diagnosis of CCA with 155.1 [Malignant Neoplasm of Intrahepatic Ducts (MNID)] and 156.1 [Malignant Neoplasm of Extrahepatic ducts (MNED)]. Information for total number of hospitalizations, mortality, and hospital charges was evaluated. Results: The number of hospitalizations for MNID increased from 2,599 in to 4,840 (p < 0.001) from 2000 to 20.
PREVENTING CHRONIC DISEASE

Introduction Food insecurity worsens health outcomes and is associated with increased health care usage and expenditures. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) reduces but does not eliminate recipients’ food insecurity. We sought to determine whether inpatient Medicaid usage and expenditure patterns responded to an April 2009 increase in SNAP benefit levels and a subsequent November 2013 decrease. Methods Interrupted time series models estimated responses to the 2009 and 2013 SNAP changes in the Medicaid population, compared responses between Medicaid and Medicare recipients, and compared responses between Medicaid recipients with different likelihoods of having a disability. Analyses used 2006 through 2014 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National (previously Nationwide) Inpatient Sample data. Results After the 2009 SNAP increase, Medicaid admission growth fell nationally from 0.80 to 0.35 percentage points per month (a difference of –0.45; 95% CI, –0.72 to –0.19), adjusting for enrollment. After the 2013 SNAP decrease, admission growth rose to 2.42 percentage points per month (a difference of 2.07; 95% CI, 0.68 to 3.46). Inflation-adjusted monthly Medicaid expenditures followed similar patterns and were associated with $26.5 billion (in 2006 dollars) in reduced expenditures over the 55 months of the SNAP increase, and $6.4 billion (in 2006 dollars) in additional expenditures over the first 14 months after the SNAP decrease. Effects were elevated for Medicaid compared with Medicare recipients and among people with a high likelihood of having a disability. Conclusion Although alternative causal explanations warrant consideration, changes in SNAP benefit levels were associated with changes in inpatient Medicaid usage and cost patterns.
Effects of Pressing Schedule on Formation of Vertical Density Profile for MDF Panels

A fundamental understanding of mat consolidation during hot pressing will help to optimize the medium-density fiberboard (MDF) manufacturing process by increasing productivity, improving product quality, and enhancing durability. Effects of panel density, fiber moisture content (MC), and pressing schedule on formation of vertical density profile (VDP) during hot pressing were investigated. Different pressing schedules in which the platens were quickly closed to positions of 160%, 140%, 120%, 100%, and 90% of final target thickness then more slowly brought to final target thickness were found to be the most important parameters that affected mat consolidation process. Results indicated that with careful selection of pressing schedule, MDF manufacturers can produce products with designated performances based on VDPs. Results from this study are also needed for eventual verification of various press modeling programs that were recently developed. Introduction The first medium-density fiberboard (MDF) plant was built by Allied Chemical in 1966 at Deposit, New York. New applications for MDF are still being discovered daily, and about 40 million cubic meters of MDF is manufactured each year (Maclaren 2005). Production of MDF in the United States increased 14.6% from 2001 to 2002 (Howard 2004). Representing one of the fastest growing wood composite markets, MDF derives its popularity primarily from the furniture and cabinet industries because of its excellent surface and molding performances. Vertical density profile (VDP), defined as density distribution through the thickness of the panel, is used to characterize surface and molding performances. High-density faces help to produce pitless, smooth, and dense surfaces, which make MDF an excellent substrate for laminating with other materials. Alternatively, uniform and flat density profiles represent homogenous and uniform densification of fibers in the MDF panel, which minimizes loose fiber in the core during the molding process and makes MDF very competitive with solid woods for molding and embossing (Cai at el. 2006). The VDP and its effect on performance directly result from the combined effects of many process parameters, including furnish characteristics (mat moisture and resin contents), pressing temperature, and pressing strategies (Suchland and Woodson 1986, Winistorfer and Wang 1999). Different pressing strategies (different closing rates and steps) are commonly used to manipulate VDP according to the final MDF product application. The entire series of hot pressing factors are most important in determining the formation of vertical density through the thickness of the panel. Heat energy from the hot platens raises the
Meniere’s Disease Treatment

The Meniere’s disease is a chronic condition that requires treatment for long time and whose control is not always easy to achieve, requiring some multidrug treatments, and sometimes even procedures. We have many drugs and procedures to the treatment of Meniere’s disease which may be taken according to the stage of disease and individual features. organ damage, which results in hearing loss and vestibular impairment. The clinical spectrum of the disease of Meniere’s symptoms is wide, with the possibility of remission and recurrence of symptoms, and even fairly unfavorable developments, with irreversible hearing loss and damage the vestibular function. A good treatment must be individualized for each patient, taking into consideration these possibilities, the stage of disease, and the possible consequences that have been promoted.
A study of dyslipidemias in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients

Background: Dyslipidemia and hypertension are a major, common and modifiable risk factor for diseases like a stroke; coronary artery disease etc. which are common causes for mortality in India. Dyslipidemia and hypertension are usually found co-exist, which accelerates the process of atherosclerosis. Methods: It is a cross-sectional study conducted on the patients who are newly diagnosed hypertensive visited Medical OPD in Konaseema institute of medical sciences between January 2018 to June 2019. All were investigated for various clinical parameters on lipid profile abnormalities. Results were compared among cases and controls. Results: A total number of patients included in the study were 167,107 are cases and 60 controls. Significant higher levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c and lower levels of HDL-c were observed in hypertensive patients with p-value significant <0.0001. Conclusions: Hypertensive patients have significantly elevated levels of all forms of cholesterol and a higher percentage of individuals in the dyslipidemic state when compared with normotensive patients. Pre-diabetic state significantly increases the total cholesterol in hypertensive patients.