Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Leptin Expression in Human Epicardial Adipose Tissue Is Associated with Local Coronary Atherosclerosis

Background Leptin is an adipokine related to overweight and cardiovascular diseases. However, the leptin expression level in epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) of humans and its association with coronary atherosclerosis has never been investigated. Material/Methods Patients receiving cardiac surgery were divided into a coronary artery disease group (CAD group) and a non-CAD group (NCAD group). Blood samples from coronary vein, biopsies of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and EAT were acquired during the surgery. Serum leptin level and leptin level in EAT and SAT were tested with ELISA, quantitative PCR, and immunohistochemistry and were compared between the CAD group and NCAD group, as well as between stenosis and non-stenosis subgroups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the risk factors for coronary artery stenosis. Results No statistically significant differences were found in demographic and clinical data between groups (all P>0.05). Serum leptin concentration and leptin expression in EAT and SAT of the CAD group were much higher in than in the NCAD group (all P<0.05). In subgroup analysis, there was no difference in serum leptin and expression in SAT of stenosis and non-stenosis patients (All P>0.05). The leptin expression level in EAT of stenosis patients was significantly higher than in non-stenosis patients (P=0.0431). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, we demonstrated that leptin expression level in EAT was an independent risk factor for coronary artery stenosis [OR=1.09, 95%CI (1.01±1.18), P=0.031]. Conclusions Leptin expression in EAT and SAT were both increased for CAD patients. Leptin expression in EAT was an independent risk factor for coronary atherosclerosis in the adjacent artery, while leptin in SAT was not associated.
Using AphasiaBank for Discourse Assessment

Abstract AphasiaBank is a shared, multimedia database for the study of communication in aphasia. This article describes a variety of discourse measurement tools and teaching resources available at the AphasiaBank website. The discourse measurement tools include main concept analysis, core lexicon checklists, correct information unit computation techniques, and other automated analyses using the CLAN program. These tools can be used to measure a variety of aspects of language production for assessment as well as treatment evaluation and clinical research purposes. Importantly, they are intended to help make the discourse analysis process more efficient and reliable. Teaching resources include an online tutorial on aphasia, videos of typical behaviors seen in aphasia, group treatment videos, classroom activities, tutorial screencasts, and conference posters. These resources can be used for a variety of clinical and educational purposes. The AphasiaBank website is part of the larger TalkBank project which provides many other shared databases and resources that are relevant to professionals interested in communication and communication disorders.
Identification of Pparγ-modulated miRNA hubs that target the fibrotic tumor microenvironment

Significance Liver fibrosis interferes with normal organ function and supports tumor development in the liver. We uncovered a role of miRNAs in controlling liver fibrosis. In a comprehensive and systematic analysis we specify miRNA activities in targeting the fibrotic cellular microenvironment of the liver, in both mice and humans. We reveal and validate a complex network of 8 functionally connected miRNAs and 54 target genes to regulate structural, signaling, and remodeling components of the fibrotic extracellular matrix. We identify expression of this miRNA network to be controlled by the transcription factor Pparγ. Thus, we expand the antifibrotic function of Pparγ to controlling the synthesis of an antifibrotic miRNA network. This network may serve as a therapeutic target in antifibrotic therapies. Liver fibrosis interferes with normal liver function and facilitates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, representing a major threat to human health. Here, we present a comprehensive perspective of microRNA (miRNA) function on targeting the fibrotic microenvironment. Starting from a murine HCC model, we identify a miRNA network composed of 8 miRNA hubs and 54 target genes. We show that let-7, miR-30, miR-29c, miR-335, and miR-338 (collectively termed antifibrotic microRNAs [AF-miRNAs]) down-regulate key structural, signaling, and remodeling components of the extracellular matrix. During fibrogenic transition, these miRNAs are transcriptionally regulated by the transcription factor Pparγ and thus we identify a role of Pparγ as regulator of a functionally related class of AF-miRNAs. The miRNA network is active in human HCC, breast, and lung carcinomas, as well as in 2 independent mouse liver fibrosis models. Therefore, we identify a miRNA:mRNA network that contributes to formation of fibrosis in tumorous and nontumorous organs of mice and humans.
Evaluation of Effectiveness of an Informational Booklet on Prevention of Osteoporosis in Terms of Knowledge, Attitude and Expressed Practices of Working Women

According to World Health Organization (WHO), osteoporosis is second only to cardiovascular disease as a global healthcare problem. Health education on osteoporosis is critical for young women to become better aware of the causes and symptoms of osteoporosis, given the critical long-term effects of this illness for women.The main objective of the study was to assess and compare the knowledge, Attitude and Expressed practices of working women regarding prevention of osteoporosis in experimental and comparison group.Quasi experimental non-equivalent control group pretest posttest design was used. Thestudy was conducted at selected institutions of MM University, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana. 100 female teaching faculties were selected using convenience sampling. Structured knowledge questionnaire, attitude scale and expressed practices scale was used to assess the knowledge, attitude and expressed practices of working women regarding prevention of osteoporosis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The findings of the study indicated that the mean post test knowledge, attitude and expressed practice score of working women(29.44±3.52,100.16±6.78,52.20±4.3) in experimental group was significantly higher than the mean post test knowledge, attitude and expressed practice score (17.48±4.47, 84.10±5.85, 46.14±7.48) in comparison group. Positive significantrelationship (r=0.59) was found between post test knowledge and attitude of working women in experimental group. A significant association was found between level of pos test knowledge with religion (t=7.55), post test attitude with religion (t=10.04) and source of knowledge (t=5.25) in experimental group.Informational booklet is an effective strategy in enhancing knowledge, developing favourable attitude,
Transcriptomic Signature of Gut Microbiome-Contacting Cells in Colon of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

Fecal matter transfer from hypertensive patients and animals into normotensive animals increases blood pressure, strengthening the evidence for gut-microbiota interactions in the control of blood pressure. However, cellular and molecular events involved in gut dysbiosis-associated hypertension remain poorly understood. Therefore, our objective in this study was to use gene expression profiling to characterize the gut epithelium layer in the colon in hypertension. We observed significant suppression of components of T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling in the colonic epithelium of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) when compared with Wister Kyoto (WKY) normotensive rats. Western blot analysis confirmed lower expression of key proteins including T-cell surface glycoprotein CD3 gamma chain (Cd3g) and lymphocyte cytosolic protein 2 (Lcp2). Furthermore, lower expression of cytokines and receptors responsible for lymphocyte proliferation, differentiation, and activation (e.g. Il12r, Il15ra, Il7, Il16, Tgfb1) was observed in the colonic epithelium of the SHR. Finally, Alpi and its product, intestinal alkaline phosphatase, primarily localized in the epithelial cells, were profoundly lower in the SHR. These observations demonstrate that the colonic epithelium undergoes functional changes linked to altered immune, barrier function, and dysbiosis in hypertension.
Chitosan is a potential inhibitor of ovarian cancer: Molecular aspects

Although ovarian cancer has a lower prevalence than breast cancer, its mortality rate is three times higher, which is reported to increase in the coming years. As the early stages of ovarian cancer do not have any obvious symptoms, in most of the cases, this cancer is diagnosed at advanced stages with a poor prognosis. Moreover, in many patients who are diagnosed with advanced stage, relapse of the disease and drug resistance are observed. Over the past years, these women have been treated with chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgeries. However, the chemotherapy could affect the healthy tissues in addition to the malignancies. Therefore, discovering new diagnostic and therapeutic options seems to be a crucial need. Unlike the common invasive and/or nonspecific treatments, nanomedicine is trying to find a new way for cancer imaging, diagnosis, and drug delivery method. Nanoparticles (NPs), which has recently drawn attention, can be used in order to reduce the toxicity and frequent dosing of drugs, tumor‐specific delivery, and early diagnosis for malignancies. Chitosan as an NP and product of chitin deacetylation has multiple characteristics, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and safety. In this review, we cover the studies concerned with the role of chitosan in finding solutions to overcome the problems faced in ovarian cancer treatments. Furthermore, we highlight how chitosan is being used in delivering chemotherapy drugs, gene therapy, and imaging methods for both detection and image‐guided therapies.
Cooperative Output Regulation Problem of Nonlinear Multiagent Systems With Proximity Graph via Output Feedback Control

This article considers the cooperative output regulation problem of nonlinear output feedback systems under the communication network modeled by the proximity graph, which is time varying and state dependent. Under the relaxed assumption that the proximity graph is initially connected, based on an improved potential function, we first propose a distributed connectivity-preserving output feedback control law with a linear internal model and distributed observer, which is robust to uncertain parameter and external disturbances in heterogeneous subsystems with strong nonlinearity. Successively, an adaptive design with parameter update law is derived to further tolerate an uncertain parameter in the exosystem, which generates the leader’s trajectory and external disturbances.
Aneurysm wall cellularity affects healing after coil embolization: assessment in a rat saccular aneurysm model

Background and purpose Despite significant technical advances, recanalization rates after endovascular therapy of ruptured intracranial aneurysms (IAs) remain a clinical challenge. A histopathological hallmark of ruptured human IA walls is mural cell loss. Mural smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are known to promote intraluminal healing in thrombosed experimental aneurysms. In this rat model we assess the natural history and healing process after coil embolization in SMC-rich and decellularized aneurysms. Methods Saccular aneurysms were created by end-to-side anastomosis of an arterial graft from the descending thoracic aorta of a syngeneic donor rat to the infrarenal abdominal aorta of recipient male Wistar rats. Untreated arterial grafts were immediately transplanted, whereas aneurysms with loss of mural cells were chemically decellularized before implantation. Aneurysms underwent coil implantation during aneurysm anastomosis. Animals were randomly assigned either to the non-decellularized or decellularized group and underwent macroscopic and histological analyses on days 3, 7, 21, or 90 post-coil implantation. Results A total of 55 rats underwent macroscopic and histologic analysis. After coil embolization, aneurysms with SMC-rich walls showed a linear course of thrombosis and neointima formation whereas decellularized aneurysms showed marked inflammatory wall degeneration with increased recanalization rates 21 days (p=0.002) and 90 days (p=0.037) later. The SMCs showed the ability to actively migrate into the intra-aneurysmal thrombus and participate in thrombus organization. Conclusions Coil embolization of aneurysms with highly degenerated walls is prone to further wall degeneration, increased inflammation, and recanalization compared with aneurysms with vital SMC-rich walls.
Opportunities to reduce road traffic injury: new insights from the study of urban areas

Abstract Over the past four decades considerable efforts have been taken to mitigate the growing burden of road injury. With increasing urbanisation along with global mobility that demands not only safe but equitable, efficient and clean (reduced carbon footprint) transport, the responses to dealing with the burgeoning road traffic injury in low- and middle-income countries has become increasingly complex. In this paper, we apply unique methods to identify important strategies that could be implemented to reduce road traffic injury in the Asia-Pacific region; a region comprising large middle-income countries (China and India) that are currently in the throes of rapid motorisation. Using a convolutional neural network approach, we clustered countries containing a total of 1632 cities from around the world into groups based on urban characteristics related to road and public transport infrastructure. We then analysed 20 countries (containing 689 cities) from the Asia-Pacific region and assessed the global burden of disease attributed to road traffic injury and these various urban characteristics. This study demonstrates the utility of employing image recognition methods to discover new insights that afford urban and transport planning opportunities to mitigate road traffic injury at a regional and global scale.
Outcomes of pre-operative brachytherapy followed by hysterectomy for early cervical cancer

Objective The standard of care for early cervical cancer is radical hysterectomy; however, consideration of pre-operative brachytherapy has been explored. We report our experience using pre-operative brachytherapy plus Wertheim-type hysterectomy to treat early stage cervical cancer. Methods This single-center study evaluated consecutive patients with histologically proven node-negative early stage cervical cancer (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2009 stage IB1–IIB) that was treated using pre-operative brachytherapy and hysterectomy. Pre-brachytherapy staging was performed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and pelvic lymph node assessment was performed using lymphadenectomy. The tumor and cervical tissues were treated using brachytherapy (total dose 60 Gy) followed by Wertheim-type hysterectomy. The study included patients from January 2000 to December 2013. Results A total of 80 patients completed a median follow-up of 6.7 years (range 5.4–8.5). The surgical specimens revealed a pathological complete response for 61 patients (76%). Patients with incomplete responses generally had less than 1 cm residual tumor at the cervix, and only one patient had lymphovascular space involvement. The estimated 5-year rates were 88% for overall survival (95% CI 78% to 94%) and 82% for disease-free survival (95% CI 71% to 89%). Toxicities were generally mild-to-moderate, including 26 cases (33%) of grade 2 late toxicity and 10 cases (13%) of grade 3 late toxicity. Univariate analyses revealed that poor disease-free survival was associated with overweight status (≥25 kg/m2, HR 3.05, 95% CI 1.20 to 7.76, p=0.019) and MRI tumor size >3 cm (HR 3.05, 95% CI 1.23 to 7.51, p=0.016). Conclusions Pre-operative brachytherapy followed by Wertheim-type hysterectomy may be safe and effective for early stage cervical cancer, although poorer outcomes were associated with overweight status and MRI tumor size >3 cm.
Quantitative microscopy reveals dynamics and fate of clustered IRE1α

Significance The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the site for folding and maturation of secreted and membrane proteins. When the ER protein-folding machinery is overwhelmed, misfolded proteins trigger ER stress, which is frequently linked to human diseases, including cancer and neurodegeneration. Inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) is an ER membrane-resident sensor that assembles into large clusters of previously unknown organization upon its activation by unfolded peptides. We demonstrate that IRE1 clusters are topologically complex dynamic structures that remain contiguous with the ER membrane throughout their lifetime. The majority of clustered IRE1 molecules are diffusionally trapped inside the clusters until IRE1 signaling attenuates, at which point they are released back into the ER through a pathway that is functionally distinct from cluster assembly. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane-resident stress sensor inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) governs the most evolutionarily conserved branch of the unfolded protein response. Upon sensing an accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER lumen, IRE1 activates its cytoplasmic kinase and ribonuclease domains to transduce the signal. IRE1 activity correlates with its assembly into large clusters, yet the biophysical characteristics of IRE1 clusters remain poorly characterized. We combined superresolution microscopy, single-particle tracking, fluorescence recovery, and photoconversion to examine IRE1 clustering quantitatively in living human and mouse cells. Our results revealed that: 1) In contrast to qualitative impressions gleaned from microscopic images, IRE1 clusters comprise only a small fraction (∼5%) of the total IRE1 in the cell; 2) IRE1 clusters have complex topologies that display features of higher-order organization; 3) IRE1 clusters contain a diffusionally constrained core, indicating that they are not phase-separated liquid condensates; 4) IRE1 molecules in clusters remain diffusionally accessible to the free pool of IRE1 molecules in the general ER network; 5) when IRE1 clusters disappear at later time points of ER stress as IRE1 signaling attenuates, their constituent molecules are released back into the ER network and not degraded; 6) IRE1 cluster assembly and disassembly are mechanistically distinct; and 7) IRE1 clusters’ mobility is nearly independent of cluster size. Taken together, these insights define the clusters as dynamic assemblies with unique properties. The analysis tools developed for this study will be widely applicable to investigations of clustering behaviors in other signaling proteins.
3D-structured carbonized sunflower heads for improved energy efficiency in solar steam generation.

Solar steam generation is regarded as a perspective technology, due to its potentials in solar light absorption and photothermal conversion for seawater desalination and water purification. Although, lots of steam generation systems have been reported to possess high conversion efficiencies recently. Researches of simple, cost-effective and sustainable materials still need to be done. Here, inspired by natural young sunflower heads' property-increasing the temperature of dish-shaped flowers by tracking the sun, we used 3D-structured carbonized sunflower heads as an effective solar steam generator. The evaporation rate and efficiency of these materials under 1 sun (1 kW m-2) is 1.51 kg m-2 h-1 and 100.4%, respectively, beyond the theoretical limit of 2D materials. This high solar efficiency surpasses all other biomass-based materials ever reported. It is demonstrated that such a high capability is mainly attributed to the 3D-structured top surface, which could reabsorb lost energy of diffuse reflection and thermal radiation, as well as provide enlarged water/ air interface for steam escape. 3D-structured carbonized sunflower heads provide a new method for future design and fabrication of high-performance photothermal devices.
Staphylococcus aureus α-toxin suppresses antigen-specific T cell responses.

Staphylococcus aureus remains a leading cause of human infection. These infections frequently recur when the skin is a primary site of infection, especially in infants and children. In contrast, invasive staphylococcal disease is less commonly associated with reinfection, suggesting that tissue-specific mechanisms govern the development of immunity. Knowledge of how S. aureus manipulates protective immunity has been hampered by a lack of antigen-specific models to interrogate the T cell response. Utilizing a chicken egg ovalbumin (OVA)-expressing S. aureus strain to analyze OVA-specific T cell responses, we demonstrated that primary skin infection is associated with impaired development of T cell memory. Conversely, invasive infection induced antigen-specific memory and protected against reinfection. This defect in adaptive immunity following skin infection was associated with a loss of dendritic cells, attributable to S. aureus α-toxin (Hla) expression. Genetic and immunization-based approaches to protect against Hla during skin infection restored the T cell response. Within the human population, exposure to α-toxin through skin infection may modulate the establishment of T cell-mediated immunity, adversely impacting long-term protection. These studies prompt consideration that vaccination targeting S. aureus may be most effective if delivered prior to initial contact with the organism.
Use of proton pump inhibitors and mortality among Icelandic patients with prostate cancer

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly used drugs among cancer patients. Due to conflicting reports on their safety, we aimed to determine whether PPI use is associated with mortality among prostate cancer patients. In this population‐based cohort study, we identified incident diagnoses of prostate cancer between 2007 and 2012 (n = 1058). Follow‐up was from 12 months after diagnosis until death, emigration or end the of study. Post‐diagnosis use was defined as ≥2 filled prescriptions following diagnosis. We used time‐dependent Cox proportional hazard regression models to compute hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for prostate cancer‐specific and all‐cause mortality associated with post‐diagnosis use of PPIs. We identified 347 (32.8%) post‐diagnosis PPI users and 711 (67.2%) non‐users after diagnosis. Of the 347 patients using PPIs after diagnosis, 59 (17.0%) died due to any cause and 22 (6.3%) due to prostate cancer, compared with 144 (20.3%) and 76 (10.7%) among non‐users after diagnosis, respectively. Post‐diagnosis PPI use was not associated with prostate cancer‐specific mortality (HR 0.88; 95% CI: 0.52‐1.48) or all‐cause mortality (HR 1.02; 95% CI: 0.73‐1.43). Contrary to a previous report, this study did not find evidence of an association between post‐diagnosis PPI use and mortality among prostate cancer patients.
The role of physiotherapy in intensive care units: a critical review

Physiotherapy has been accepted as an integral part of critical care in developed countries. Preventing and managing pulmonary complications of ventilated and other critically ill patients is still considered to be the primary task of physiotherapists in india. As movement experts of the intensive care unit team, physiotherapists play a major role in preventing neuromuscular complications through early mobilization and therapeutic exercise prescription in the developed countries. This critical review analyses the physiological rationale behind the physiotherapeutic technique and existing research evidence pertaining to the role of physiotherapy in critical care. The paper also highlights the simple evidence-based protocol which was successfully implemented in a tertiary care hospital of india.