Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Monoamine Oxidases, Oxidative Stress, and Altered Mitochondrial Dynamics in Cardiac Ageing

The advances in healthcare over the past several decades have resulted in populations now living longer. With this increase in longevity, a wider prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is more common and known to be a major factor in rising healthcare costs. A wealth of scientific evidence has implicated cell senescence as an important component in the etiology of these age-dependent pathologies. A number of studies indicate that an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributes to trigger and accelerate the cardiac senescence processes, and a new role of monoamine oxidases, MAO-A and MAO-B, is emerging in this context. These mitochondrial enzymes regulate the level of catecholamines and serotonin by catalyzing their oxidative deamination in the heart. MAOs' expression substantially increases with ageing (6-fold MAO-A in the heart and 4-fold MAO-B in neuronal tissue), and their involvement in cardiac diseases is supposedly related to the formation of ROS, via the hydrogen peroxide produced during the substrate degradation. Here, we will review the most recent advances in this field and describe why MAOs could be effective targets in order to prevent age-associated cardiovascular disease.
Transhepatic Vascular Access for Implantation of a Watchman Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device

Conventional access through femoral veins may be limited due to tortuosity and venous occlusion secondary to venous thrombosis or congenital anomalies. Another alternative is subclavian veins, but the difficulty in catheter manipulation and stability makes it less favorable in comparison to the transhepatic access for the delivery of the Watchman device.
Stent-Based Local Delivery of Nuclear Factor-κB Decoy Attenuates In-Stent Restenosis in Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits

Background— Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) plays a critical role in the vascular response to injury. However, the role of NF-κB in the mechanism of in-stent restenosis remains unclear. We therefore tested the hypothesis that blockade of NF-κB by stent-based delivery of a cis-element “decoy” of NF-κB reduces in-stent neointimal formation. Methods and Results— Stents were coated with a polymer containing or not containing NF-κB decoy, which represented a fast-release formulation (<7 days). Bare, polymer-coated, and NF-κB decoy–eluting stents were implanted in iliac arteries of hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Increased NF-κB activity was noted at early stages after stenting, which was suppressed by stent-based delivery of NF-κB decoy. NF-κB decoy–eluting stents also reduced monocyte infiltration and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression and suppressed CD14 activation on circulating leukocytes. Importantly, NF-κB decoy–eluting stents attenuated neointimal formation on day 28. There was no evidence of an inco.
Audit on testosterone therapy in adult males with testosterone deficiency

Introduction: Hypogonadism is estimated to affect between 2.1 and 12.8% of the adult male population. Method: A review of 235 patients suffering from hypogonadism was undertaken. Local standards of care were compare to the Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline of 2010 (ESCG). Results: Patients complained of 0, 1-4, 5-8 symptoms suggestive of hypogonadism in 17%, 67% and 16% respectively. 76.5% of the patients had repeatedly low testosterone. 20% suffered from primary hypogonadism. 77% suffered from secondary hypogonadism secondary. Karyotype was obtained in 35% and 5% of the patients suffering from primary and secondary hypogonadism respectively. Patients suffering from secondary hypogonadism had serum TSH (94%), prolactin (92%), cortisol (91%), GH levels (89%) and iron studies (43%) analysed. 77% of patients suffering from secondary hypogonadism had an MRI of the pituitary, with an abnormality reported in 53% of the patients. Prior to starting treatment 7% of the patients were assessed for prostate nodules and PSA was taken in 39% of the patients. Only 33% of the patients had bone mineral density (BMD) taken prior to starting testosterone treatment. Patients were reviewed 3-6 months (35%) and then annually (88%) after treatment was initiated. Conclusion: The study identifies the need for documentation of signs and symptoms. Testosterone levels should be repeated prior to starting treatment. It also highlights the need for karyotyping in patients with primary hypogonadism as well as the need to measure BMD and PSA before and after prescribing testosterone. Patients need review at 3-6months after initiation of testosterone supplementations.
Nursing Relational Laboratory: Educational, dialogical and critical projet

Nursing is a relational profession and communication is the basic instrument in its practice. The Nursing Relational Laboratory aims to collaborate in the development of communication skills of students of the Nursing, using Portuguese sign language, dramatization and emotional facial expression. 73 students participated (Experimental group; EG; n=38; Control group; CG; n=35). General self-efficacy scale(GSES), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Depression Module(PHQ-9), assertiveness questionnaire(ASS), Emotional Thermometer(ET), Inventory of Barrett-Lennard interpersonal relations(OS-M-40), and autoscopies, are used. The main results were as follows: a) better outcomes of EG on final autoscopy; b) significant reduction of the levels of assertiveness and revolt from the beginning to the end in EG; c) lower levels of emotional distress and need for help of EG, compared with CG at the beginning; d) lower levels of emotional distress, anxiety, need for help, empathy and congruence, and higher levels of revolt and unconditionality in EG, at the end; e) teachers recognize the high potential of the LRE. The LRE allowed the development of communicational skills of GE students through sign language, drama and emotion analysis. It is incentivized the development of projects in the area and reinforces the importance of this skills training in health professionals.
Longitudinal Analysis of Music Education on Executive Functions in Primary School Children

Background: Research on the effects of music education on cognitive abilities has generated increasing interest across the scientific community. Nonetheless, longitudinal studies investigating the effects of structured music education on cognitive sub-functions are still rare. Prime candidates for investigating a relationship between academic achievement and music education appear to be executive functions such as planning, working memory, and inhibition. Methods: One hundred and forty-seven primary school children, Mage = 6.4 years, SD = 0.65 were followed for 2.5 years. Participants were randomized into four groups: two music intervention groups, one active visual arts group, and a no arts control group. Neuropsychological tests assessed verbal intelligence and executive functions. Additionally, a national pupil monitor provided data on academic performance. Results: Children in the visual arts group perform better on visuospatial memory tasks as compared to the three other conditions. However, the test scores on inhibition, planning and verbal intelligence increased significantly in the two music groups over time as compared to the visual art and no arts controls. Mediation analysis with executive functions and verbal IQ as mediator for academic performance have shown a possible far transfer effect from executive sub-function to academic performance scores. Discussion: The present results indicate a positive influence of long-term music education on cognitive abilities such as inhibition and planning. Of note, following a two-and-a-half year long visual arts program significantly improves scores on a visuospatial memory task. All results combined, this study supports a far transfer effect from music education to academic achievement mediated by executive sub-functions.
An Evaluation of an Animal Model of Cerebral Palsy: The Effects on the Morphology of the Extensor Digitorum Longus Muscle

Cerebral Palsy (CP) refers to chronic childhood encephalopathy. The objective of this study was to verify effects of CP model that combines prenatal exposure to LPS, perinatal anoxia and sensorimotor restriction on EDL muscle. Male Wistar ra t pups were separated: a) Control pups of mothers injected with saline during pregnancy and b) Cerebral Palsy pups of mothers inje cted with LPS during pregnancy, and submitted to perinatal anoxia and sensorimotor restriction. The CP group presented hypertrophy in the ty e IIB fibers and increase of nuclei/fiber and capillary/fiber ratios. The intrafusal fibers of CP group presented 26 % atrophy in the crosssectional area and intramuscular collagen volume increase 34 %. CP group showed myofibrillar disruption and Z-line disorganizat ion and the NMJs presented increases of 22 % in area.This animal model of CP produces motor deficits and macro and microscopic alte rations and in the ultrastructure of the EDL muscle.
Nurses’ Experiences of Caring for Neonates at the Edge of Life

Baby S. was a “growing preemie” in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) about 1 week from discharge. Mrs. S. was in tears complaining to another parent: I do not understand how these nurses could be so cold toward my baby after all he has been through. His nurse has three other babies and mine is the last one to get attention because ‘he is not critical. ’ The nurse assigned to Baby S. was overwhelmed with the heavy assignment; the charge nurse was appreciative of the nurse for assuming an unusually heavy responsibility and yet the parent perceived her to be cold. This discrepancy provides existential confirmation regarding the need for qualitative research among neonatal nurses in order to understand the nurses’ experiences from the perspective of the nurse. Nurses who provide care for the fragile, tiniest patients and their families are constantly challenged to integrate their knowledge, understanding of family dynamics, and often their personal struggles with ethical issues (Deacon & O’Neil, 1999). The research question that emerges is what meanings do neonatal nurses give to their experiences? While several studies of critical care nurses in general exist, none specific to neonatal nurses experiences was traced.
Nfa34810 Facilitates Nocardia farcinica Invasion of Host Cells and Stimulates Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Secretion through Activation of the NF-κB and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathways via Toll-Like Receptor 4

The mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of Nocardia is not fully known. The Nfa34810 protein of Nocardia farcinica has been predicted to be a virulence factor. However, relatively little is known regarding the interaction of Nfa34810 with host cells, specifically invasion and innate immune activation. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of recombinant Nfa34810 during infection. We demonstrated that Nfa34810 is an immunodominant protein located in the cell wall. ABSTRACT The mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of Nocardia is not fully known. The Nfa34810 protein of Nocardia farcinica has been predicted to be a virulence factor. However, relatively little is known regarding the interaction of Nfa34810 with host cells, specifically invasion and innate immune activation. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of recombinant Nfa34810 during infection. We demonstrated that Nfa34810 is an immunodominant protein located in the cell wall. Nfa34810 protein was able to facilitate the uptake and internalization of latex beads coated with Nfa34810 protein into HeLa cells. Furthermore, the deletion of the nfa34810 gene in N. farcinica attenuated the ability of the bacteria to infect both HeLa and A549 cells. Moreover, stimulation with Nfa34810 triggered macrophages to produce tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and it also activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways by inducing the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38, JNK, p65, and AKT in macrophages. Specific inhibitors of ERK1/2, JNK, and NF-κB significantly reduced the expression of TNF-α, which demonstrated that Nfa34810-mediated TNF-α production was dependent upon the activation of these kinases. We further found that neutralizing antibodies against Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) significantly inhibited TNF-α secretion. Taken together, our results indicated that Nfa34810 is a virulence factor of N. farcinica and plays an important role during infection. Nfa34810-induced production of TNF-α in macrophages also involves ERK, JNK, and NF-κB via the TLR4 pathway.
Learning of Patient Safety in Health Professions Education

The awareness of patient safety became one of the emerging topics over the last two decades. However, in medical curricula, the knowledge of its principles is still facing challenges concerning its proper timing and the suitable methods of instruction. Many studies have shown several trials dealing with the introduction, implementation, and evaluation of patient safety courses in health professions institutions. Moreover, the training of healthcare professionals focuses on the clinical and curative competencies rather than preventive skills. Therefore, the knowledge about patient safety is a neces- sity for all graduates in health professions careers. Thus the World Health Organization (WHO) have developed a curriculum guide for patient safety to help health professions institutions integrating patient safety principles in their curricula. This chapter will focus on the educational aspects of patient safety topics in health professions education.
Can point‐of‐care ultrasound predict spinal hypotension during caesarean section? A prospective observational study

Spinal anaesthesia for elective caesarean section is associated with maternal hypotension, secondary to alteration of sympathetic tone and hypovolemia, in up to 70% of cases. Measurement of the subaortic variation in the velocity time integral (VTI) after passive leg raising allows prediction of fluid responsiveness. Our objective, in this prospective single‐centre observational study, was to assess the ability of change in VTI after 45° passive leg raising to predict hypotension after spinal anaesthesia. Ultrasound measurements were performed just before elective caesarean section. Anaesthesia, intravenous coloading and prophylactic vasopressor treatment were standardised according to current guidelines. We studied 40 women. Hypotension occurred in 17 (45%) women. The area (95%CI) under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve for the prediction of spinal hypotension was 0.8 (0.6–0.9; p = 0.0001). Seventeen women had a change in VTI with leg elevation ≤ 8%, which was predictive for not developing hypotension, and 11 had a change ≥ 21%, predictive for hypotension. The grey zone between 8% and 21%, with inconclusive values, included 12 women. We suggest that cardiac ultrasound provides characterisation of the risk of hypotension following spinal anaesthesia at elective caesarean section, and therefore may allow individualised strategies for prevention and management.
Correlates of perceived access and implications for health system strengthening – lessons from HIV/AIDS treatment and care services in Ethiopia

Background Access to healthcare is an important public health concept and has been traditionally measured by using population level parameters, such as availability, distribution and proximity of the health facilities in relation to the population. However, client based factors such as their expectations, experiences and perceptions which impact their evaluations of health care access were not well studied and integrated into health policy frameworks and implementation programs. Objective This study aimed to investigate factors associated with perceived access to HIV/AIDS Treatment and care services in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 492 people living with HIV, with 411 using ART and 81 using pre-ART services accessed at six public sector health facilities from November 2014 to March 2015. Data were analyzed using the ologit function of STATA. The variables explored consisted of socio-demographic and health characteristics, type of health facility, type of care, distance, waiting time, healthcare responsiveness, transportation convenience, satisfaction with service, quality of care, financial fairness, out of pocket expenses and HIV disclosure. Results Of the 492 participants, 294 (59.8%) were females and 198 (40.2%) were males, with a mean age of 38.8 years. 23.0% and 12.2% believed they had ‘good’ or ‘very good’ access respectively, and 64.8% indicated lower ratings. In the multivariate analysis, distance from the health facility, type of care, HIV clinical stage, out of pocket expenses, employment status, type of care, HIV disclosure and perceived transportation score were not associated with the perceived access (PA). With a unit increment in satisfaction, perceived quality of care, health system responsiveness, transportation convenience and perceived financial fairness scores, the odds of providing higher rating of PA increased by 29.0% (p<0.001), 6.0%(p<0.01), 100.0% (p<0.001), 9.0% (p<0.05) and 6.0% (p<0.05) respectively. Conclusion Perceived quality of care, health system responsiveness, perceived financial fairness, transportation convenience and satisfaction with services were correlates of perceived access and affected healthcare performance. Interventions targeted at improving access to HIV/AIDS treatment and care services should address these factors. Further studies may be needed to confirm the findings.
Role of breast ultrasound in evaluating the response of locally advanced breast cancer to neoadjuvant anthracycline chemotherapy in Ibadan

Introduction: Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is increasingly used in the treatment of patients with large and locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). It aims at downsizing the primary tumor thereby minimizing micro-metastatic disease. There exists variable response following neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and the objective of this study was to determine the potential role of breast ultrasound in monitoring the clinical response of LABC to NAC. Methods: One hundred and twenty (120) consecutive patients with LABC scheduled to have six cycles of anthracycline-based neo-adjuvant chemotherapy were recruited for the study at the Surgical Oncology Unit of the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Eligible patients had a pre-chemotherapeutic breast ultrasound (US). Follow up breast US was performed 3 weeks after completion of each cycle of chemotherapy. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Ibadan/ University College Hospital Ethics Committee and data analyzed using SPSS Software version17.0, Chicago, Illinois. Result: The mean age of the women studied was 44.17 ± 9.07 years with peak age group in the 5th decade. Breast ultrasound detected more multifocal disease in 42 (35%) patients compared to 2 (1.7%) patients on clinical breast examination (CBE), so also detected nodal disease in 5% more patients than CBE. There was 91.6% agreement between CBE and breast ultrasound in nodal staging, p= 0.001 compared to 60% in tumor staging, p = 0.52. A good clinical response was found in 106 (88.3%) patients exposed to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. No predictor of tumor response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy was found in this study. Conclusion: Breast ultrasound is more appropriate than CBE in the preor post-chemotherapy assessment of tumor size and nodal staging in patients with breast cancers. In this study, breast ultrasound agreed more with clinical breast examination in nodal staging than in tumor staging and it was vital in the detection of multifocal breast cancers. Although it is quite difficult to predict patients that would respond well to NAC, anthracyclinebased chemotherapy remains effective in patients from low income countries.
Increased Stroke Risk Is Related to a Binge Drinking Habit

Background and Purpose— Heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk for all strokes, whereas moderate regular alcohol consumption is associated with a lower risk for ischemic stroke. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different drinking patterns on stroke risk, independent of average alcohol intake. Methods— A prospective cohort study of 15 965 Finnish men and women age 25 to 64 years who participated in a national risk factor survey and had no history of stroke at baseline were followed up for a 10-year period. The first stroke event during follow-up served as the outcome of interest (N=249 strokes). A binge drinking pattern was defined as consuming 6 or more drinks of the same alcoholic beverage in men or 4 or more drinks in women in 1 session. Cox proportional-hazards models were adjusted for average alcohol consumption, age, sex, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, body mass index, educational status, study area, study year, and history of myocardial infarction. Results— Binge drink.
A Review on Common Factors Affecting a Semen Quality of Male

Reproductive disorder and infertility is emerging globally as serious medical and social problem. It is not just the women that need to be in good shape, men also need to be healthy and fertile to have the optimum chance of having an offspring. It is estimated that one of five couples are affected by some degree of infertility. Males are exposed to various factors which may decrease their reproductive capabilities. Hormonal imbalances, illness, reproductive anatomical abnormalities, sexual dysfunction and psychological problems can temporarily or permanently affect male reproductive system leading to infertility. Male reproductive toxins can be encountered in many waysindustrially, environmentally, biochemically, hormonally, genetically, therapeutically, self-administered and life style. The objective of the present review is to summarize results to date of studies examining the adverse effects of various factors on human sperm parameters, morphology of reproductive organs, DNA damage and chromosomal aberrations related to male reproductive system.
Expression of Nestin, Transcription Factor SOX3 and Homeobox Protein DLX-4 in the Facial Tissue of Children with Cleft Lip and Palate

The failure of fusion of nasal and maxillary processes results in cleft lip and palate (CLP), which is one of the most common birth defects. The morphopathogenesis of this pathology is multifactorial and still largely unclear. The aim of this stu dy was to evaluate the presence of nestin, transcriptor factor SOX3 (Sox3) and homeobox protein DLX-4 (Dlx-4) in complete unilateral (CU) and complete bilateral (CB) CLP affected facial tissue. Oral mucosa tissue samples were obtained from 17 CUCLP and 13 CBCLP patient s during surgical cleft correction and 6 unaffected control subjects. Obtained tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and by immunohistochemistry for nestin, Sox3 and Dlx-4. The intensity of staining was graded semiquantitatively. Nestin-positive st ructures were detected in all CUCLP and CBCLP patients’ tissue samples, varying from moderate number of nestin-positive structures to nu merous. Sox3 immunoreactivity was more prominent in epithelial cells in both patient groups with frequently patchy distribution. Mainly moderate number of Dlx-4-positive cells was observed in most of tissue samples. Statistically ignificant moderate positive correlation was found between nestin and Sox3 factors in CUCLP patient group (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient = .517, P = .034). Increase of nestinpositive structures suggests its role in the regulation of the remodeling of tissue in both CUCLP and CBCLP affected tissue. Do m nance of Sox3 positivity in cleft affected epithelium indicates its possible role in (compensatory) formation of defective oral epith elium of CUCLP and CBCLP patients. The reduced expression of Dlx-4 implicates its limited regulatory role on the craniofacial developmen t in CUCLP and CBCLP affected tissue.