Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimation of Blood Loss in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery by Measurements of Low Haemoglobin Levels in Mixtures of Blood, Saliva and Saline: a Laboratory Study

ABSTRACT Objectives Estimating blood loss is an important factor in several surgical procedures. The accuracy of blood loss measurements in situations where blood is mixed with saliva and saline is however uncertain. The purpose of this laboratory study was to ascertain if blood loss measurements in mixtures of blood, saline, and saliva are reliable and could be applicable in a clinical setting. Material and Methods Venous blood and resting saliva were collected from six volunteers. Saliva, saline, and combinations thereof were mixed with blood to obtain different concentrations. A portable spectrophotometer was first used to measure the haemoglobin concentration in undiluted venous blood followed by measurements of the haemoglobin concentration after each dilution. To examine the strength of linear relationships, linear regression and Pearson correlations were used. Results The measurements of haemoglobin concentrations in mixtures of blood, saline, and saliva were proven to be accurate for haemoglobin measurements > 0.3 g/dl (correlation = 0.986 to 1). For haemoglobin measurements < 0.3 g/dl, a small increase in haemoglobin values were reported, which was directly associated to the saliva concentration in the solution (correlation = 0.983 to 1). This interference of saliva was significantly eliminated by diluting the samples with saline, mimicking the clinical situation. Conclusions The results suggest that a portable spectrophotometer can be used clinically to preoperatively measure the haemoglobin value of a venous blood sample and postoperatively measure the haemoglobin value of the collected liquids, including shed blood, thereby achieving a highly accurate method of measuring blood loss during oral and maxillofacial surgery.
The complete chloroplast genome of Endangered species Aristolochia delavayi Franch. (Aristolochiaceae) in Southwestern China

Abstract The complete chloroplast genome of Aristolochia delavayi was determined in this study. The chloroplast genome consists of 160,344 bp, with a typical circular structure including a pair of inverted repeats of 25,454 bp separated by a large single-copy region and a small single-copy region of 89,502 and 19,795 bp, respectively. The plastome contains 130 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes, eight rRNA genes, and 37 tRNA genes. Further phylogenetic analyses were conducted using 12 complete plastomes of Aristolochia. These data support a close relationship between Aristolochia delavayi and Aristolochia tubiflora.
Convolutional neural networks for the detection of malignant melanoma in dermoscopy images

Introduction Convolutional neural networks gained popularity due to their ability to detect and classify objects in images and videos. It gives also an opportunity to use them for medical tasks in such specialties like dermatology, radiology or ophthalmology. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of convolutional neural networks to classify malignant melanoma in dermoscopy images. Aim To examine the usefulness of deep learning models in malignant melanoma detection based on dermoscopy images. Material and methods Four convolutional neural networks were trained on open source dataset containing dermoscopy images of seven types of skin lesions. To evaluate the performance of artificial neural networks, the precision, sensitivity, F1 score, specificity and area under the receiver operating curve were calculated. In addition, an ensemble of all neural networks’ ability of proper malignant melanoma classification was compared with the results achieved by every single network. Results The best convolutional neural network achieved on average 0.88 precision, 0.83 sensitivity, 0.85 F1 score and 0.99 specificity in the classification of all skin lesion types. Conclusions Artificial neural networks might be helpful in malignant melanoma detection in dermoscopy images.
Anlotinib Combined with Cranial Radiotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients with Brain Metastasis: A Retrospectively, Control Study

Introduction Cranial radiotherapy (CRT) is the main treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with brain metastasis (BM) and non-EGFR/ALK/ROS1-TKIs indication, and anlotinib can improve overall prognosis. However, the clinical effects of CRT combined with anlotinib for the treatment of NSCLC with BM remain unclear. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical effects of anlotinib + CRT versus CRT alone in NSCLC patients with BM and non-EGFR/ALK/ROS1-TKIs indication from September 2016 to June 2020. The progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of anlotinib + CRT versus CRT alone were analyzed. After evaluation of the clinical characteristics to generate a baseline, the independent prognostic factors for intracranial PFS (iPFS) and OS were subjected to univariate and multivariate analysis. Finally, subgroup analysis for iPFS and OS was performed to assess treatment effects using randomized stratification factors and stratified Cox proportional hazards models. Results This study included data for 73 patients with BM at baseline. Of the 73 patients, 45 patients received CRT alone, and 28 patients received CRT + anlotinib. There was no significant difference in clinical features between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the CRT group, the combined group had longer iPFS (median iPFS [miPFS]: 3.0 months vs 11.0 months, P = 0.048). However, there were no significant differences in OS, extracranial PFS, and systemic PFS. For clinical features, univariate and multivariate analysis showed that the plus anlotinib treatment was an independent advantage predictor of iPFS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.27–0.95; P = 0.04), and age ≥57 years (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01–1.08, P = 0.014) and KPS score ≤80 (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01–1.08, P = 0.014) were independent disadvantage predictors of OS (P < 0.05). In addition, although this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05), the patients with the anlotinib + local CRT (LCRT) treatment had the longest iPFS (miPFS: 27.0 months) and OS (median OS [mOS]: 36 months). The miPFS and mOS values for the LCRT group were 11 months and 18 months, respectively, with shorter values for whole-brain RT (WBRT) + anlotinib group, WBRT + LCRT + anlotinib group, WBRT, and WBRT + LCRT. Conclusion Anlotinib can improve the intracranial lesion control and survival prognosis of NSCLC patients with CRT.
Evaluation of the Therapeutic Effects of the Hydroethanolic Extract of Portulaca oleracea on Surgical-Induced Peritoneal Adhesion

Objective Peritoneal adhesion (PA) is an abnormal connective tissue that usually occurs between tissues adjacent to damaged organs during processes such as surgery. In this study, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Portulaca oleracea (PO) were investigated against postoperative-induced peritoneal adhesion. Methods Thirty healthy male Wistar rats (220 ± 20 g, 6-8 weeks) were randomly divided into four groups: (1) normal, (2) control (induced peritoneal adhesion), and (3) and (4) PO extracts (induced peritoneal adhesion and received 100 or 300 mg/kg/day of PO extract for seven days). Finally, macroscopic and microscopic examinations were performed using different scoring systems and immunoassays in the peritoneal lavage fluid. Results We found that the levels of adhesion scores and interleukin- (IL-) 1β, IL-6, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, transforming growth factor- (TGF-) β1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were increased in the control group. However, PO extract (100 and 300 mg/kg) notably reduced inflammatory (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), fibrosis (TGF-β1), angiogenesis (VEGF), and oxidative (MDA) factors, while increased anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, antioxidant factor glutathione (GSH), compared to the control group. Conclusion Oral administration of PO improved postoperational-induced PA by alleviating the oxidative factors, fibrosis, inflammatory cytokines, angiogenesis biomarkers, and stimulating antioxidative factors. Hence, PO can be considered a potential herbal medicine to manage postoperative PA. However, further clinical studies are required to approve the effectiveness of PO.
Identification of stable heat tolerance QTLs using inter-specific recombinant inbred line population derived from GPF 2 and ILWC 292

Heat stress during reproductive stages has been leading to significant yield losses in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). With an aim of identifying the genomic regions or QTLs responsible for heat tolerance, 187 F8 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross GPF 2 (heat tolerant) × ILWC 292 (heat sensitive) were evaluated under late-sown irrigated (January-May) and timely-sown irrigated environments (November-April) at Ludhiana and Faridkot in Punjab, India for 13 heat tolerance related traits. The pooled ANOVA for both locations for the traits namely days to germination (DG), days to flowering initiation (DFI), days to 50% flowering (DFF), days to 100% flowering (DHF), plant height (PH), pods per plant (NPP), biomass (BIO), grain yield (YLD), 100-seed weight (HSW), harvest index (HI), membrane permeability index (MPI), relative leaf water content (RLWC) and pollen viability (PV)) showed a highly significant difference in RILs. The phenotyping data coupled with the genetic map comprising of 1365 ddRAD-Seq based SNP markers were used for identifying the QTLs for heat tolerance. Composite interval mapping provided a total of 28 and 23 QTLs, respectively at Ludhiana and Faridkot locations. Of these, 13 consensus QTLs for DG, DFI, DFF, DHF, PH, YLD, and MPI have been identified at both locations. Four QTL clusters containing QTLs for multiple traits were identified on the same genomic region at both locations. Stable QTLs for days to flowering can be one of the major factors for providing heat tolerance as early flowering has an advantage of more seed setting due to a comparatively longer reproductive period. Identified QTLs can be used in genomics-assisted breeding to develop heat stress-tolerant high yielding chickpea cultivars.
Obstructed Left Paraduodenal Hernia: A Rare Cause of Acute Abdomen in a COVID-19 Patient

A paraduodenal hernia (PDH) is a rare type of internal hernia, which results from anomalous rotation and reduction of the midgut loop in the embryo. The diagnosis is often difficult due to nonspecific symptoms. The mortality from an acute internal hernia can be close to 50% when the diagnosis and definitive surgical treatment are delayed. Here we present a rare case of obstructed left paraduodenal hernia (LPDH) in a COVID-positive patient. This is probably the earliest report of acute mechanical intestinal obstruction due to LPDH in a COVID-positive patient.
Nursing Student-Led Health Education for Sixth Graders on Chicago’s South Side

Introduction Partnerships between schools of nursing and grade schools providing health education to youth are shown to be advantageous. Using Community Based Service Learning for nursing students at a middle school in Chicago, IL, we were able to improve health education for adolescents in an underserved area. Objective This project aimed to improve and standardize existing health education efforts for sixth graders (n = 30) at a middle school by developing an evidence-based health education curriculum with nursing students. Methods This was a descriptive study with a pretest and posttest evaluation addressing the physical, emotional, and sexual health knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of participating sixth graders. Results Findings suggest service-learning partnerships may benefit middle schoolers and nursing students. Conclusion Implementing a culturally relevant health curriculum using a service-learning framework increased sexual, physical, and emotional health knowledge in Latinx sixth graders and enhanced nursing student learning in a way not possible through classroom and clinical practicum experiences alone.
The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Camellia zhaiana (Theaceae), a critically endangered species from China

Abstract Camellia zhaiana S.X. Yang (Theaceae) is a recently described species reported from Guangxi, China. It was proposed as a critically endangered species according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. In this study, we report and characterize the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of C. zhaiana using Illumina pair-end sequencing data. This is the first report of a cp genome of a species classified in Camellia section. Longipedicellata. The cp genome of C. zhaiana is 156,627 bp in length and includes a large single-copy region (LSC, 86,196 bp), a small single-copy region (SSC, 18,281 bp), and a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRs, 26,075 bp). The genome contains 135 genes, including 40 tRNA, eight rRNA, and 87 protein-coding genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed a strongly supported sister relationship between C. zhaiana and C. longipedicellata, which is a species classified in sect. Longipedicellata. These data support the previous systematic findings of C. zhaiana and advance the bioinformatics of the genus Camellia.
Characterization of whole mitogenome sequence of the Tongde yak (Bos grunniens)

Abstract Tongde County is located in the southeast of Qinghai Province, China, harboring rich yak genetic resources. In the present study, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the Tongde yak (Bos grunniens) was firstly sequenced using Illumina sequencing technique and the corresponding sequence characterization was identified. Our results showed that the mitogenome of Tongde yak is a circular molecule with 16,323 bp length consisting of 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes) and a non-coding control region (D-loop), which is consistent with most bovine species. The overall nucleotide composition was found as: A (33.72%), T (27.27%), C (25.80%), and G (13.21%), respectively, yielding a higher AT content (60.99%). The complete mitogenome sequence of Tongde yak would provide useful information for further studies on its genetic resource conservation and molecular breeding programmes in the future.
Colorectal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: An Update on Best Practice

Abstract Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a method of en-bloc resection of neoplastic colorectal lesions which is less invasive compared to surgical resection. Lesion stratification, architecture recognition and estimation of depth of invasion are crucial for patient selection. Expert endoscopists have integrated a variety of classification systems including Paris, lateral spreading tumor (LST), narrow band imaging (NBI), international colorectal endoscopic (NICE) and Japanese NBI expert team (JNET) in their day-to-day practice to enhance lesion detection accuracy. Major societies recommend ESD for LST-non granular (NG), Kudo-VI type, large depressed and protruded colonic lesions with shallow submucosal invasion. Chance of submucosal invasion enhances with increased depth as well as tumor location and size. In comparison to endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), ESD has a lowerl recurrence rate and higher curative resection rate, making it superior for larger colonic lesions management. Major complications such as bleeding and perforation could be seen in up to 11% and 16% of patients, respectively. In major Western countries, performing ESD is challenging due to limited number of expert providers, lack of insurance coverage, and unique patient characteristics such as higher BMI and higher percentage of previously manipulated lesions.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Atypus karschi (Araneae, Atypidae) with phylogenetic consideration

Abstract The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Atypus karschi has a circular genome of 14,149 bp, comprised of 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a control region. The nucleotide composition is 35.82% of T, 35.13% of A, 17.19% of G, and 9.16% of C. Most genes are encoded on the heavy strand except seven tRNA genes (Leu, Phe, His, Pro, Leu, Ile, Gln), four protein-coding genes (nad5, nad4, nad4l, nad1), and 16S-rRNA on the light strand. Most protein-coding genes start with TTG, ATT or ATA initiation codon except cox1, cox1’s start codon cannot be determined, and three types of inferred termination codons are TAA, TAG, and an incomplete stop codon. There are four intergenic spacers and 25 gene overlaps. The phylogenetic analysis shows that A. karschi has closer genetic relationship with Cyriopagopus schmidti (von Wirth, 1991) and Phyxioschema suthepium (Raven & Schwendinger, 1898) with high bootstrap support.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Pseudopimelodus schultzi Dahl 1955 (Siluriformes, Pseudopimelodidae) and its phylogenetic position within Pseudopimelodidae

Abstract The complete mitochondrial DNA genome of Pseudopimelodus schultzi was first was determined in this study. The entire length of mitochondrial genome consists of 13 protein-codinggenes (PCG), 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNA), and 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes and control region. The nucleotide composition was made up of 32.2% A, 25.9% T, 26.7% C, and 15.2% G, respectively, indicating an A + T (58.1%)-rich feature. With the exception of 8 tRNA genes and NADH6, mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand, which was similar to that in other vertebrates. The results showed that the species of Pseudopimelodidae were gathered in the same branch. The phylogenies indicate monophyly of the genus Batrochoglanis, Batrochoglanis and Microglanis, respectively.
Surface conduction in n -type pyrite FeS2 single crystals

Pyrite FeS2 has long been recognized as a high potential photovoltaic material, due to its exceptionally high optical absorption, low toxicity, and the abundance and low cost of its constituents. Despite the suitable band gap (0.95 eV), minority carrier diffusion length (100–1000 nm), and short-circuit current density, power conversion efficiencies in FeS2-based solar cells have never exceeded 3% however, primarily due to low open circuit voltages (Voc ∼ 0.1 V). Surface phenomena have been implicated as the root cause of this low Voc, recent experiments on n-type crystals providing evidence for surface conduction, including p-type surface inversion. Here we report a detailed study of electronic transport in a large set (∼120 samples) of thoroughly characterized vapor-transport-grown n-FeS2 single crystals, with both as-prepared and mechanically polished surfaces. Abundant evidence for surface conduction is obtained from the temperature dependence of the resistance and its anisotropy, the thickness dependence of the resistivity, the sensitivity to surface preparation, and the nature of an observed surface insulator-metal transition. While the bulk transport is relatively reproducible, as-grown crystals display striking diversity in surface behavior, which is suppressed by polishing. Via detailed analyses, we demonstrate that the FeS2 surface conduction is truly two dimensional, that it can influence in-plane transport even at room temperature, and that a p-type surface inversion layer can be unambiguously established, with no possibility of artifacts from hopping conduction. A nonlinear Hall effect is also observed, allowing us to constrain a two-channel conduction model we show capable of describing all fieldand temperature-dependent transport data. Combined with simple arguments, these results place limits on the thickness of the surface conduction layer, which lie below ∼3 nm. Finally, in some crystals, for unknown reasons, the as-grown surface is definitively n type. These results highlight that while surface conduction is clearly important in pyrite FeS2, and is gradually yielding to understanding, additional work is clearly warranted to further understand and control it.
Experimental models of Barth syndrome

Mutation of the gene Tafazzin (TAZ) causes Barth syndrome, an X‐linked disorder characterized by cardiomyopathy, skeletal muscle weakness, and neutropenia. TAZ is an acyltransferase that catalyzes the remodeling of cardiolipin, the signature phospholipid of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Here, we review the major model systems that have been established to study the role of cardiolipin remodeling in mitochondrial function and the pathogenesis of Barth syndrome. We summarize key features of each model and provide examples of how each has contributed to advance our understanding of TAZ function and Barth syndrome pathophysiology.
Tetramethylpyrazine induces the release of BDNF from BM‐MSCs through activation of the PI3K/AKT/CREB pathway

Compelling evidences suggest that transplantation of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSCs) can be therapeutically effective for central nervous system (CNS) injuries and neurodegenerative diseases. The therapeutic effect of BM‐MSCs mainly attributes to their differentiation into neuron‐like cells which replace injured and degenerative neurons. Importantly, the neurotrophic factors released from BM‐MSCs can also rescue injured and degenerative neurons, which plays a biologically pivotal role in enhancing neuroregeneration and neurological functional recovery. Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), the main bioactive ingredient extracted from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Chuanxiong, has been reported to promote the neuronal differentiation of BM‐MSCs. This study aimed to investigate whether TMP regulates the release of neurotrophic factors from BM‐MSCs. We examined the effect of TMP on brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) released from BM‐MSCs and elucidated the underlying molecular mechanism. Our results demonstrated that TMP at concentrations of lower than 200 μM increased the release of BDNF in a dose‐dependent manner. Furthermore, the effect of TMP on increasing the release of BDNF from BM‐MSCs was blocked by inhibiting the phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐bisphosphate 3‐kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/cAMP‐response element binding protein (CREB) pathway. Therefore, we concluded that TMP could induce the release of BDNF from BM‐MSCs through activation of the PI3K/AKT/CREB pathway, leading to the formation of neuroprotective and proneurogenic microenvironment. These findings suggest that TMP possesses novel therapeutic potential to promote neuroprotection and neurogenesis through improving the neurotrophic ability of BM‐MSCs, which provides a promising nutritional prevention and treatment strategy for CNS injuries and neurodegenerative diseases via the transplantation of TMP‐treated BM‐MSCs.
Human oocyte meiotic maturation is associated with a specific profile of alternatively spliced transcript isoforms

The transition from a transcriptionally active state (GV) to a transcriptionally inactive state (mature MII oocytes) is required for the acquisition of oocyte developmental competence. We hypothesize that the expression of specific genes at the in vivo matured (MII) stage could be modulated by posttranscriptional mechanisms, particularly regulation of alternative splicing (AS). In this study, we examined the transcriptional activity of GV oocytes after ovarian stimulation followed by oocyte pick‐up and the landscape of alternatively spliced isoforms in human MII oocytes. Individual oocytes were processed and analyzed for transcriptional activity (GV), gene expression (GV and MII), and AS signatures (GV and MII) on HTA 2.0 microarrays. Samples were grouped according to maturation stage, and then subgrouped according to women's age and antral follicular count (AFC); array results were validated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Differentially expressed genes between GV and MII oocytes clustered mainly in biological processes related to mitochondrial metabolism. Interestingly, 16 genes that were related to the regulation of transcription and mitochondrial translation showed differences in alternatively spliced isoform profiles despite not being differentially expressed between groups. Altogether, our results contribute to our understanding of the role of AS in oocyte developmental competence acquisition.