Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Urogynecology Section of the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians Guidelines on the management of recurrent pelvic organ prolapse.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the publication was to present the Guideline of the Urogynecology Section of the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (PSGO) for the management of recurrent pelvic organ prolapse, based on the available literature, expert knowledge and opinion, as well as everyday practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS In 2005, 2006 and 2010, the panel of PSGO experts published guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). This publication presents an update of those recommendations and concerns recurrent POP treatment. MAIN CONCLUSION The analysis of data revealed that sacrocolpopexy with the use of commercial sets or polypropylene hernia mesh is the method of choice for the surgical repair of recurrent vaginal vault prolapse. However, a significantly higher risk of surgical and postoperative complications after sacrocolpopexy, as compared to vaginal surgeries, should be considered when making treatment decisions. In other types of recurrent POP, the choice of surgery method should be tailored to the individual needs of each patient and may depend on the medical center.
Subtypes of Bullying and Types of Substance Use among Urban African American Adolescents: Who Is Likely to Use What?

ABSTRACT The present study examined the types of drugs likely to be used by bullies, victims, and bully/victims. Participants comprise African American adolescents from three high schools, one youth church group, two community youth programs, and four public venues in low-income communities in Chicago’s Southside. A series of logistic regression analyses and latent class analyses were employed. Victims are likely to use alcohol, marijuana, and lean/krokodil. Bullies were likely to use alcohol and marijuana. Bully/victims were not at risk of any of the substances. Our LCA findings revealed a lower occurrence of substance use among victims although 30% used alcohol and marijuana; more than half of bullies showed high levels of alcohol, marijuana, and lean/krokodil use; a diverse pattern of drug use was shown among bully/victims although their lean/krokodil and crack/cocaine use was higher than other subgroups of bullying. The drugs of choice for African American bullies, victims, or bully/victims are variable.
Effects of Wood Smoke Constituents on Mucin Gene Expression in Mice and Human Airway Epithelial Cells and on Nasal Epithelia of Subjects with a Susceptibility Gene Variant in Tp53

Background: Exposure to wood smoke (WS) increases the risk for chronic bronchitis more than exposure to cigarette smoke (CS), but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Objective: The effect of WS and CS on mucous cell hyperplasia in mice and in human primary airway epithelial cells (AECs) was compared with replicate the findings in human cohorts. Responsible WS constituents were identified to better delineate the pathway involved, and the role of a tumor protein p53 (Tp53) gene polymorphism was investigated. Methods: Mice and primary human AECs were exposed to WS or CS and the signaling receptor and pathway were identified using short hairpin structures, small molecule inhibitors, and Western analyses. Mass spectrometric analysis was used to identify active WS constituents. The role of a gene variant in Tp53 that modifies proline to arginine was examined using nasal brushings from study participants in the Lovelace Smokers Cohort, primary human AECs, and mice with a modified Tp53 gene. Results: WS at 25-fold lower concentration than CS increased mucin expression more efficiently in mice and in human AECs in a p53 pathway-dependent manner. Study participants who were homozygous for p53 arginine compared with the proline variant showed higher mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) mRNA levels in nasal brushings if they reported WS exposure. The WS constituent, oxalate, increased MUC5AC levels similar to the whole WS extract, especially in primary human AECs homozygous for p53 arginine, and in mice with a modified Tp53 gene. Further, the anion exchange protein, SLC26A9, when reduced, enhanced WS- and oxalate-induced mucin expression. Discussion: The potency of WS compared with CS in inducing mucin expression may explain the increased risk for chronic bronchitis in participants exposed to WS. Identification of the responsible compounds could help estimate the risk of pollutants in causing chronic bronchitis in susceptible individuals and provide strategies to improve management of lung diseases. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9446
Neurotrauma, COVID and the rationing of intensive care: an ethical approach

Abstract The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic with its extreme pressure on resources and intensive care beds has prompted many healthcare providers to consider more fully the potentially futile nature of some treatments and how resources might be better managed. This is especially relevant in the context of neurosurgery which is highly resource dependent in terms of technology, funding, and manpower and it may be difficult to balance fair, equitable and sustainable resource allocation, especially in circumstances where those healthcare resources become limited or completely exhausted. Indeed, it may be necessary to consider limiting the availability of certain neurosurgical services or perhaps reconsider the utility or otherwise of performing procedures that commit very restricted resources, such as intensive care beds, to patients who are arguably receiving limited long-term benefit. In these circumstances, the decision-making paradigm is challenging and there are several ethically disparate viewpoints that need to be reconciled. These include but are not limited to, Futility, Utilitarianism and the Rule of rescue
CSM 2022 Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Abstracts

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this investigation was to measure the effects of wearing a disposable mask on dynamic lung function in young, healthy adults. NUMBER OF SUBJECTS: Twenty subjects (10 Males and 10 Females) participated in this investigation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This IRB-exempt investigation involved subjects being measured for height and weight prior to participation in dynamic pulmonary function testing. Subjects participated in three unmasked (UM) and three masked (M) seated trials using a nose clip and calibrated Microloop Spirometer (Accuracy = ±.03%). Sets of trials were randomized with 60-sec rest between each seated trial and 60-sec rest between sets of trials. Subjects forcefully exhaled through a Vyaire filter for all tests and through a breathable facemask made from non-woven polyester and polypropylene with elastic ear loops for the M trials. Three trials for Forced Expiratory Volume in 1-sec (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEF) were measured on the spirometer and averaged for statistical analysis. Trials that did not meet ATS guidelines were repeated. Statistical Analysis: Paired t-tests (SPSS26) were used to test for differences between M vs. UM breathing conditions (mean of three trials) and significance was set at P ≤ 0.0125 using Bonferroni correction. Descriptive statistics (mean ± standard deviation) for dependent variables are presented below. RESULTS: Subjects were 23.35 ± 1.55 years of age, 68.5 ± 4.58 inches tall, and weighed 166.38 ± 35.36 lbs. All dynamic pulmonary function tests were significantly reduced during the M vs. the UM condition. Mean UM and M FEV1 values were 3.76 ±. 972 L/sec and 2.53 ±. 758 L/sec, respectively (t(19) = 8.33, P≤ . 001). Mean UM and M FVC values were 4.37 ± 1.190 and 3.17 ±. 904 Liters, respectively (t(19) =6.58, P≤ . 001). Mean UM and M PEF values were 6.30 ± 2.06 L/sec and 3.26 ± 1.21 L/sec, respectively (t(19) = 9.34, P≤ . 001). FEV1/FVC UM and M values were 86.78% ± 6.26 and 79.70% ± 6.60, respectively (t(19) = 5.11, P≤ . 001). Wearing a mask caused a 32.7%, 33.0%, 48.3% and 8.16% reduction in FEV1, FVC, PEFR, and FEV1/FVC condition, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Breathable ear loop disposable facemasks significantly reduced FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC and PEF in young adults. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Children and adults throughout the world have been strongly encouraged/required to wear various types of facemasks throughout the COVID-19 epidemic. In the current study, Mask use drove FEV1/FVC towards the Postbronchodilator GOLD criteria for obstructive disease in this young healthy population. One can hypothesize M use during exercise or work would cause a reduction in lung function in healthy subjects, the elderly and in those with cardiorespiratory pathology, negatively affecting their ADLs, functional fitness, and metabolic energy reserve.
THE EFFECT OF CONTRACTILE ACTIVITY AND SUBSTRATE CHALLENGES ON METABOLIC FLEXIBILITY IN HUMAN PRIMARY MYOTUBES

The skeletal muscle of severely obese individuals i s characterized by an inability to oxidize fatty acids. Ten consecutive days of aerob ic training has been shown to reverse the decrement in fatty acid oxidation (FAO) to the poin t where there is no difference in FAO between lean and obese individuals. To gain a bett er understanding of how contractile activity increases FAO in skeletal muscle we sought to estab li h an in vitro model of exercise training. Human skeletal muscle cell cultures (HSkMC) from le an individuals and C2C12 skeletal muscle cells were intermittently electrically stimulated f or 3 h/d for 3-4 d or continuously stimulated for 48 h according to protocols identified in the scien tific literature. Fatty acid oxidation, oxygen consumption, and protein content of OXPHOS enzymes were determined in HSkMC, and glucose and lactate concentrations in the media wer e m asured. Using the electrical stimulation parameters of 50 V 10 Hz (4 x 0.3 ms pulses deliver ed in 400 ms trains with 3.6 s recovery), a promising trend (1.3 fold increase in FAO, P = 0.12 ) was observed (n = 3); however, this trend was no longer evident (0.91 fold increase, P = 0.59 ) when increasing the sample size (n = 5). Using another intermittent protocol, we were unable to replicate the increase in COX IV protein observed by Uguccioni & Hood in either HSkMC (n = 4 ) or C2C12 myotubes (n = 10). The aminoglycoside antibiotic, gentamicin, present in o ur culture media has been shown to alter calcium handling and contractility in cardiac cells . We next sought to investigate whether gentamicin prevented electrically stimulated mitoch ndrial adaptations. The protocols of
The Role of Financial Security on Physical and Mental Health in Young-Midlife Couples Surviving Cancer

Background A cancer diagnosis carries a significant economic burden. Yet little is known about perceived financial security on the health of couples with a partner diagnosed with cancer. Objective The current study explored perceived financial security in young-midlife couples. Methods The study included 49 couples (aged 27-58 years) 1 to 3 years after diagnosis. Multilevel modeling was used to examine the association of perceived financial security on physical and mental health of couples controlling for interdependent data; hierarchical linear regression was used to examine perceived financial security on survivor symptoms and partner care strain. Results Mean age of survivors was 43.5 (±9.0) years. Most survivors were female (69%) and 2.2 (±0.6) years after diagnosis. Lower levels of perceived financial security were significantly associated with poorer physical (P < .001) and mental (P < .05) health status for survivors, controlling for age, sex, education, and years since diagnosis; there were no significant associations with partner health status. Lower levels of perceived financial security were significantly associated with higher survivor pain severity (P < .001), pain interference (P < .001), and fatigue (P < .01); there was no significant association with partner care strain. Conclusions Financial security plays a role on the physical and mental health of couples after diagnosis. Implications for Practice Screening for financial hardship at diagnosis and posttreatment can identify couples at high risk and in need of additional resources and counseling. Greater assessment and reporting of financial security in studies of families surviving cancer are needed to understand the impact on health outcomes.
East-west approaches to wisdom: thinking and practice in the knowledge economy

The current paper is used to address a range of issues associated with the concept of the 'pyramid of wisdom' to enable progressive organisations to implement knowledge management systems that capture and apply personal and organisational intellect. A brief examination of what constitutes wisdom in the Western and Eastern traditions is followed by a series of hierarchies associated with a postulated model of the pyramid of wisdom. It is argued that understanding the development of wisdom in an organisation can lead to new approaches to strategic reflection, to alternative notions of leadership and to more holistic and democratic ways of expressing authority. Without understanding of, and practice within, the pyramid of wisdom, the personal and organisational roads to success are likely to be bleak, illusions overpowering and accomplishments short-lived.
Dissection and Reconstitution Provide Insights into Electron Transport in the Membrane-Bound Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Complex of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus

Two membrane-bound enzymes of acetic acid bacteria, pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase and molybdopterin-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), are responsible for vinegar production. Upon the oxidation of acetaldehyde, ALDH reduces ubiquinone in the cytoplasmic membrane. ABSTRACT Acetic acid bacteria catalyze the two-step oxidation of ethanol to acetic acid using the membrane-bound enzymes pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase and molybdopterin-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). Although the reducing equivalents from the substrate are transferred to ubiquinone in the membrane, intramolecular electron transport in ALDH is not understood. Here, we purified the AldFGH complex, the membrane-bound ALDH that is physiologically relevant to acetic acid fermentation in Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus strain PAL5. The purified AldFGH complex showed acetaldehyde:ubiquinone (Q2) oxidoreductase activity. c-type cytochromes of the AldFGH complex (in the AldF subunit) were reduced by acetaldehyde. Next, we genetically dissected the AldFGH complex into AldGH and AldF units and reconstituted them. The AldGH subcomplex showed acetaldehyde:ferricyanide oxidoreductase activity but not Q2 reductase activity. The ALDH activity of AldGH was not found in membranes but was found in the soluble fraction of the recombinant strain, suggesting that the AldF subunit is responsible for membrane binding of the AldFGH complex. The absorption spectra of the purified AldGH subcomplex suggested the presence of an [Fe-S] cluster, which can be reduced by acetaldehyde. The AldFGH complex reconstituted from the AldGH subcomplex and AldF showed Q2 reductase activity. We propose a model in which electrons from the substrate are abstracted by a molybdopterin in the AldH subunit and transferred to the [Fe-S] cluster(s) in the AldG subunit, followed by electron transport to c-type cytochrome centers in the AldF subunit, which is the site of ubiquinone reduction in the membrane. IMPORTANCE Two membrane-bound enzymes of acetic acid bacteria, pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase and molybdopterin-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), are responsible for vinegar production. Upon the oxidation of acetaldehyde, ALDH reduces ubiquinone in the cytoplasmic membrane. ALDH is an enzyme complex of three subunits. Here, we tried to understand how ALDH works by using a classical biochemical approach and genetic engineering to dissect the enzyme complex into soluble and membrane-bound parts. The soluble part had limited activity in vitro and did not reduce ubiquinone. However, the enzyme complex reconstituted from the soluble and membrane-bound parts showed ubiquinone reduction activity. The proposed working model of ALDH provides a better understanding of how the enzyme works in the vinegar fermentation process.
Physiological, Perceptual, and Performance Responses to the 2-Week Block of High- versus Low-Intensity Endurance Training

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. ABSTRACT Purpose This study examined the physiological, perceptual, and performance responses to a 2-wk block of increased training load and compared whether responses differ between high-intensity interval (HIIT) and low-intensity training (LIT). Methods Thirty recreationally trained males and females performed a 2-wk block of 10 HIIT sessions (INT, n = 15) or 70% increased volume of LIT (VOL, n = 15). Running time in the 3000 m and basal serum and urine hormone concentrations were measured before (T1) and after the block (T2), and after a recovery week (T3). In addition, weekly averages of nocturnal heart rate variability (HRV) and perceived recovery were compared with the baseline. Results Both groups improved their running time in the 3000 m from T1 to T2 (INT = −1.8% ± 1.6%, P = 0.003; VOL = −1.4% ± 1.7%, P = 0.017) and from T1 to T3 (INT = −2.5% ± 1.6%, P < 0.001; VOL = −2.2% ± 1.9%, P = 0.001). Resting norepinephrine concentration increased in INT from T1 to T2 (P = 0.01) and remained elevated at T3 (P = 0.018). The change in HRV from the baseline was different between the groups during the first week (INT = −1.0% ± 2.0% vs VOL = 1.8% ± 3.2%, P = 0.008). Muscle soreness increased only in INT (P < 0.001), and the change was different compared with VOL across the block and recovery weeks (P < 0.05). Conclusions HIIT and LIT blocks increased endurance performance in a short period. Although both protocols seemed to be tolerable for recreational athletes, a HIIT block may induce some negative responses such as increased muscle soreness and decreased parasympathetic activity.
Characterization of essential elements for improved episomal expressions in Kluyveromyces marxianus

Kluyveromyces marxianus is a promising cell factory for producing heterologous proteins. Essential components including partition element, copy number control element, promoter, and terminator in multicopy plasmids applicable for K. marxianus are not extensively characterized. The pKD1 is an endogenous multicopy plasmid identified in K. lactis, and the pKD1‐based plasmid is the only multicopy plasmid successfully applied in K. marxianus. The circular plasmid pKD1 contains three major open reading frames, namely A, B, and C. Here, we showed that the A gene was responsible for maintaining the high‐copy number of pKD1‐based plasmid in K. marxianus. Deletion of the B or C gene impaired the stable propagation of pKD1‐based plasmid in K. marxianus, and this defect could not be rescued by the trans expression of B and C genes. In a quantitative analysis of a series of promoters and terminators, AFT1 promoter from Pichia pastoris, OM45 promoter and INU1 terminator from K. marxianus, and a set of synthetic terminators, supported high‐level expressions. A combination of AFT1 or OM45 promoter with INU1 terminator in a pKD1‐based plasmid achieved high‐level expressions of four different heterologous proteins. Our study provides valuable elements for high‐level episomal expressions in K. marxianus.
Genetic analysis of sixteen autosomal STR loci in three Tunisian populations from Makthar, Nabeul and Sousse

Abstract Background Due to its strategic location, Tunisia witnessed the succession and influence of many civilisations throughout history. However, the majority of studies carried out on Tunisia are focussed on Barbarian ethnicity. Aim To estimate genetic diversity and genetic structure of three Tunisian populations using autosomal STRs. Subjects and methods 278 individuals were analysed for sixteen STRs. Allele frequencies and statistical parameters were determined. Results The studied populations showed genetic affinity with geographically close populations. AMOVA showed no genetic difference between the Tunisian populations. Nevertheless, the variance between the populations of the same group was significant, reflecting their heterogeneity even though they came from the same geographical area, and had the same ethnicity and complex demographic history. Conclusion Our results strongly supported the application of autosomal genetic markers in anthropological and forensic studies. The analyses conducted at the 15-loci level provide the resolution to assess the phylogenetic relationships among the populations examined and other geographically targeted worldwide populations, while the results resulting from the 10-loci studies provide an understanding of the relationships and origins of the North African populations. Furthermore, the current report demonstrates that the battery of autosomal STRs reported are useful, providing the power of discrimination for forensic and paternity analyses.
The effect of marital status on the survival of patients with multiple myeloma

ABSTRACT Objectives To investigate the impact of marriage on multiple myeloma (MM) survival, and the role of factors such as age, sex, and income in this relationship. Material and Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was searched for eligible MM patients between 2007 and 2016. We compared overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) differences by the Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank tests. The hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for OS and CSS were estimated by Cox regression models. A 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used to minimize the covariates differences between married and unmarried group. Results This study identified 48,952 eligible patients diagnosed with MM, comprising 29,607 married patients, 5,147 divorced/separated patients, 6,851 single patients, and 7,347 widowed patients. Married MM patients were found to be an independent protective prognostic factor for OS and CSS (all P < 0.001). The survival advantage of marriage still remained in 1:1 matched-pair analysis. The stratified analysis further revealed that the OS and CSS was poorer in unmarried than married MM patients across different age of diagnosis, sex, income, race, and period of diagnosis subgroups (all P < 0.05). The beneficial effect of marriage on the survival of MM was particularly prominent in younger (<65 years) patients, males, higher income patients, non-Hispanic whites, and more recent years. Conclusion Married patients with MM tend to have better OS and CSS likely due to their higher income, education level, insurance and receipt of chemotherapy.