Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developing Students’ Critical Thinking and Discourse Level Writing Skill Through Teachers’ Questions: A Sociocultural Approach

Abstract The present study adopts a quantitative design to explore the effects of pre-designed teachers’ questions as the mediation tool to scaffold the development of students’ critical thinking and their discourse level writing skills in English from a sociocultural perspective. The participants were 39 sophomores from two classes. The results showed that: (1) teachers’ questions targeting specific critical thinking skill in the classroom and in after-class conferences, as well as in written homework feedback were effective; (2) students backslid a little while internalizing teachers’ questions concerning critical thinking; (3) students improved reliably in terms of local and global coherence in their written production with the help of teachers’ questions. The findings indicate that teachers’ questions facilitate students’ development of critical thinking and enhance their discourse level writing skill.
Hyperandrogen enhances apoptosis of human ovarian granulosa cells via up-regulation and demethylation of PDCD4

Abstract Apoptosis of granulosa cells (GCs) induced by hyperandrogen plays a key role in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the mechanism of androgen-induced apoptosis of GCs has not been clarified to date. Recent studies have reported that PDCD4 expression is higher in PCOS patients and might be a key factor in PCOS progression. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of PDCD4 in regulating apoptosis of human GCs and whether hyperandrogen regulate PDCD4 expression through DNA methylation. Overexpression of PDCD4 in human ovarian granulosa cell line KGN cells promoted cells apoptosis. Meanwhile, expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were significantly elevated. High concentration of testosterone treatment resulted in up-regulation of PDCD4 and a significant increase of apoptosis in KGN cells. In addition, knockdown of PDCD4 in KGN cells treated with high concentration of testosterone abolished the hyperandrogen-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, high concentration of testosterone down-regulated DNMT1, DNMT3A and DNMT3B expression and the methylation level in the promoter region of PDCD4 was decreased. In conclusion, PDCD4 can promote apoptosis of human ovarian GCs. The mechanism of hyperandrogen-induced apoptosis may be mediated by PDCD4. Furthermore, the up-regulation of PDCD4 induced by hyperandrogen may through demethylation of its promoter regions.
Ruptured saphenous venous graft pseudoaneurysm presenting as a pulsatile chest mass

A 72‐year‐old man with prior history of coronary artery bypass grafting and sternal wire infection presented with non‐ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction. His coronary angiogram revealed stenosis of the distal left main coronary artery (LMCA) and a pseudoaneurysm of saphenous venous graft (SVG) to right posterior descending artery. Patient developed ventricular fibrillation during admission, and postcardiopulmonary resuscitation, a pulsatile chest mass was observed which was diagnosed with computed tomography as a chest wall collection resulting from rupture of the pseudo‐aneurysm. He underwent percutaneous coronary intervention of the LMCA with drug‐eluting stents followed by successful coil embolization of the SVG pseudoaneurysm. Patient had an uneventful recovery postprocedure.
Cathelicidin attenuates hyperoxia-induced kidney injury in newborn rats

Abstract Aim: Supplemental oxygen is often used to treat neonates with respiratory disorders. Human and animal studies have demonstrated that neonatal hyperoxia increases oxidative stress and induces damage and collagen deposition in kidney during the perinatal period. Cathelicidin LL-37 is one important group of human antimicrobial peptides which exhibits antioxidant activity and its overexpression resists hyperoxia-induced oxidative stress. This study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of cathelicidin in hyperoxia-induced kidney injury in newborn rats. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rat pups were reared in either room air (RA) or hyperoxia (85% O2) and were randomly treated with low-dose (4 mg/kg) and high-dose (8 mg/kg) cathelicidin in normal saline (NS) administered intraperitoneally on postnatal days 1–6. The following six groups were obtained: RA + NS, RA + low-dose cathelicidin, RA + high-dose cathelicidin, O2 + NS, O2 + low-dose cathelicidin, and O2 + high-dose cathelicidin. Kidneys were taken for Western blot and histological analyses on postnatal day 7. Results: The hyperoxia-reared rats exhibited significantly lower body weights and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages, but the kidney injury scores, oxidative stress marker 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)-positive cells, pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages, collagen deposition, and NF-κB expression were higher than did the RA-reared rats. Conclusions: Cathelicidin treatment attenuated kidney injury as evidenced by lower kidney injury scores, 8-OHdG-positive cells, collagen deposition, and reversion of hyperoxia-induced M1/M2 macrophage polarization. The role of Cathelicidin in ameliorates kidney injury of the hyperoxia newborn rats was accompanied by decreased NF-κB expression, which probably through the modulating NF-κB activity in the kidney.
Pharmacokinetics and lung distribution of macrolide antibiotics in sepsis model rats

Abstract Recent studies have shown azithromycin-specific clinical efficacy against macrolide-resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, despite the low susceptibility of the bacteria in vitro. This discrepancy complicates dosing and selection for treatment of macrolide-resistant strains. Although phagocyte delivery of azithromycin to inflamed tissues is considered a possible factor for clinical efficacy, there is a lack of sufficient evidence, and other pharmacokinetic factors under systemic inflammation may contribute. The concentrations of azithromycin, clarithromycin and erythromycin in the plasma and buffy coat were determined in normal and sepsis model rats. Furthermore, we compared the transport of the drug into the lung. The levels of all three macrolides in the buffy coat were higher than the levels in the plasma, and lower leukocyte counts in plasma were observed in septic rats, suggesting accumulation of the drugs per leukocyte was increased. The concentrations in the lung tissue of septic rats at each sampling time were the same as those in normal rats, and azithromycin-specific long-term stasis in the lung was evident. These results suggest that both the phagocyte delivery and the stasis of azithromycin in the lung could contribute to its clinical efficacy in treating infections caused by macrolide-resistant strains.
Functionalized selenium nanoparticles enhance the anti-EV71 activity of oseltamivir in human astrocytoma cell model

Abstract Enterovirus 71 (EV71) which commonly caused the hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) has become one of public health challenges worldwide. However, no effective vaccines or drugs for this disease has been developed. Thus, there is an urgent need to find a new strategy for treating the EV71 infection. Oseltamivir (OT) is an effective antiviral agent, but continuous use of oseltamivir leads to a diminished therapeutic effect in the clinic. In order to improve the antiviral activity of oseltamivir, oseltamivir was loaded onto surfaces of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) to fabricate a functionalized antiviral nanoparticles SeNPs@OT. The size of SeNPs@OT was tested by TEM and dynamic light scattering. The chemical structure and elemental composition of SeNPs@OT were analyzed by FT-IR and EDX, respectively. SeNPs@OT exhibited good stability and effective drug release in serum and PBS. SeNPs@OT efficiently entered into human astrocyte U251 cells (host cells) via clathrin-associated endocytosis and inhibited EV71 proliferation, which could protect EV71-infected U251 cells from apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway. Furthermore, SeNPs@OT inhibited EV71 activity probably by reducing the generation of reactive oxygen species in EV71-infected U251 cells. Interestingly, SeNPs obviously enhanced antiviral activity of oseltamivir in the anti-EV71 cell model. Taken together, SeNPs@OT is a promising antiviral drug candidate for EV71 infection.
Safety, Tolerability and efficacy of Rapid Optimization, helped by NT‐proBNP and GDF‐15, of Heart Failure therapies (STRONG‐HF): rationale and design for a multicentre, randomized, parallel‐group study

Patients admitted for acute heart failure (HF) are at high risk of readmission and death, especially in the 90 days following discharge. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of early optimization of oral HF therapy with beta‐blockers (BB), angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) or angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitors (ARNi), and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) on 90‐day clinical outcomes in patients admitted for acute HF.
Prognostic performance of the ESC SCORE and its German recalibrated versions in primary and secondary prevention

The systematic coronary risk evaluation (SCORE) chart of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) published in 2003 is a valuable tool used in routine practice that permits individual cardiovascular risk stratification in primary prevention. Furthermore, a SCORE-based prevention strategy is able to improve cardiovascular prognosis. To adapt to the current regional risks of the German population, recalibrations were published in 2005/2016. A beneficial effect of such recalibrations in risk prediction has recently been discussed to cope better with the regional and present risks of a population. Although originally intended for primary prevention, the SCORE system is often used in various other settings to define cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk without an awareness of how accurately it performs in a context such as secondary prevention. The aim of the current investigation was to evaluate the predictive performance of these SCORE variants regarding primary and secondary prevention using a German cohort of stable patients with suspected chronic coronary syndrome (CCS). The study cohort was drawn from patients enrolled consecutively within the first 3 years in an ongoing, prospective, multicentre registry that was initiated in August 2010. In brief, patients were enrolled if they were indicated for invasive coronary angiography (ICA) due to suspected CCS irrespective of previously known coronary artery disease (CAD). To gain a stable population only patients with an ejection fraction greater than 55% (based on echocardiography or recent medical reports) and in whom no invasive or surgical treatment was needed after ICA were evaluated (n1⁄4 1253). Twenty-six patients were excluded due to missing data needed for the SCORE calculation. Data on all-cause mortality as an outcome measure were obtained in August 2018 with a median time frame of 6.53 (5.64–7.4) years since enrolment. The use of patient material complied with all the relevant national regulations and institutional policies and was in accordance the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki. The study was approved by the ethics board of the University Giessen (AZ147/11) and all patients gave informed consent. Individual values for all three SCORE variants were calculated using the recommended low-risk tables based on serum total cholesterol. In addition, the SCORE 2003 formula without truncating age above 65 years was used. The number of patients in the predefined risk categories (< 1%, 1%, 2%, 3–4%, 5–9%, 10–14%, 15%) according to each SCORE variant were compared, and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC) was calculated to describe the predictive value of the continuous scores. A total of 1227 patients (median age 68.3 (interquartile range (IQR) 59.0–74.8) years; 40.3% women) constituted the study cohort including 663 patients without
Comparison between intermittent and continuous leukapheresis protocols for autologous hematopoietic stem cell collections in children

Peripheral hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) collections are needed for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Since 2015, our institution has utilized a secondary chamber mononuclear cell (MNC) protocol on the Spectra Optia apheresis system. Recently, a new continuous mononuclear collection protocol (CMNC) was developed for the same device. As there is limited data available regarding the use of the CMNC protocol in children, we compared collection efficiency (CE2), side effects, and clinical feasibility between the two protocols in patients <18 years old.
Comparison of long-, short-, and oblique-axis approaches for ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein cannulation: A network meta-analysis

Background: Comparison between various approaches of ultrasound (USG)-guided internal jugular vein cannulation, that is, short-axis out-of-plane approach, long-axis in-plane approach, and oblique-axis approach, is sparse. In this network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, all three approaches were evaluated to identify the best technique for USG-guided internal jugular vein cannulation. Methods: Randomized controlled trials comparing short-axis out-of-plane approach, long-axis in-plane approach, and oblique-axis approach in any combination (i.e. comparison of any two or all three) for USG-guided internal jugular vein cannulation were included in this meta-analysis. Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted with a non-informative prior effect size and heterogeneity, and all results were reported as posterior median odds ratio with 95% credible interval. Results: Data of 658 patients from five randomized controlled trials were included in this meta-analysis. No difference was obtained in first attempt success rate of cannulation in three approaches (posterior median odds ratio between long-axis and short-axis view, oblique-axis and short-axis view, and long-axis and oblique-axis view were 0.67 (0.20, 2.08), 0.92 (0.09, 4.790), and 1.3420 (0.1680, 6.7820), respectively). No difference was seen in the incidence of carotid artery puncture and overall success rate of cannulation. Conclusion: All three commonly used approaches for USG-guided internal jugular vein cannulation, that is, short axis, long axis, and oblique axis, are comparable in terms of clinical utility and safety. There is insufficient evidence to recommend one approach over another for this purpose.
Validity of maximal oxygen consumption prediction equations in young Saudi females

Objectives: To determine the applicability of Jones, Hansen, and Wasserman predictive equations for maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) in Saudi females. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, between March and May 2017. Maximal oxygen consumption was measured directly through the COSMED system for cardiopulmonary exercise testing in 102 girls with normal body mass index (19-25 years old). Maximal oxygen consumption was indirectly predicted by Jones, Hansen, and Wasserman equations. Paired t-test, Pearson correlation, and Bland-Altman plot were used for comparison, correlation, and agreement analysis. Results: The difference between the mean and standard deviation (±SD) VO2max values of the direct measurement (27.39±4.06 ml/kg−1/min−1), and the Jones (35.19±2.12 ml/kg−1/min−1), Hansen (33.64±0.24 ml/kg−1/min−1), and Wasserman (35.20±0.17 ml/kg−1/min−1) equations, was statistically significant (p<0.001). Bland-Altman plot analysis suggested a lack of agreement between direct and predicted VO2max. Pearson correlation failed to reveal any correlation between direct VO2max and VO2max calculated with any of the 3 equations. Conclusion: Jones, Hansen, and Wasserman equations for prediction of VO2max cannot be justified in the studied population. For the better prediction of VO2max, either these equations should be modified, or a new equation should be developed for the Saudi population.
How to use replicate weights in health survey analysis using the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey as an example

Abstract Objective: To conduct nutrition-related analyses on large-scale health surveys, two aspects of the survey must be incorporated into the analysis: the sampling weights and the sample design; a practice which is not always observed. The present paper compares three analyses: (1) unweighted; (2) weighted but not accounting for the complex sample design; and (3) weighted and accounting for the complex design using replicate weights. Design: Descriptive statistics are computed and a logistic regression investigation of being overweight/obese is conducted using Stata. Setting: Cross-sectional health survey with complex sample design where replicate weights are supplied rather than the variables containing sample design information. Participants: Responding adults from the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NNPAS) part of the Australian Health Survey (2011–2013). Results: Unweighted analysis produces biased estimates and incorrect estimates of se. Adjusting for the sampling weights gives unbiased estimates but incorrect se estimates. Incorporating both the sampling weights and the sample design results in unbiased estimates and the correct se estimates. This can affect interpretation; for example, the incorrect estimate of the OR for being a current smoker in the unweighted analysis was 1·20 (95 % CI 1·06, 1·37), t= 2·89, P = 0·004, suggesting a statistically significant relationship with being overweight/obese. When the sampling weights and complex sample design are correctly incorporated, the results are no longer statistically significant: OR = 1·06 (95 % CI 0·89, 1·27), t = 0·71, P = 0·480. Conclusions: Correct incorporation of the sampling weights and sample design is crucial for valid inference from survey data.
Parent and facilitator experiences of an intensive parent and infant programme delivered in routine community settings

Abstract Aim: The aims of this study were to (1) assess the initial experiences of parenthood amongst mainly disadvantaged mothers; (2) explore their views on the extent to which they felt they had benefitted (or not) from participating in a newly developed, intensive mother and baby support programme in the community; and (3) explore the perspectives of those who delivered the programme (i.e., facilitators), most of whom were Public Health Nurses (PHNs). Background: Positive parent–child interactions and appropriate levels of infant stimulation are essential to promoting a child’s well-being and laying a foundation in the early years for positive developmental outcomes. It is important, therefore, to examine participants’ experiences of community-based, family-focused, early prevention and intervention programmes. Methods: This study was undertaken as part of a larger evaluation of a newly developed parent and infant (PIN) programme which was delivered in two disadvantaged areas in Ireland. One-to-one interviews were conducted with both mothers (n = 22) and facilitators (n = 8) (including three PHNs) plus six focus groups with an additional sub-group of facilitators (n = 17). Findings: The collective findings suggest that mothers found the programme helpful in promoting a greater understanding of their infants’ behaviour and needs, and in alleviating stress and concerns associated with motherhood. Mothers described feeling more knowledgeable about the importance of regular and appropriate infant interaction to encourage learning and development. Facilitators, specifically PHNs, also reported a greater awareness of the value of infant socioemotional development for their clinical practice and observed greater positive communication between mothers and infants. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a community-based, intensive mother and baby programme can help to promote parental competence and enhance infant learning and development. Additional benefits in terms of early intervention and positive changes to public health nursing practice are also discussed.
Frontal and subcortical contribution to visual hallucinations in dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease

ABSTRACT Objectives: Visual hallucinations (VH) are common in Lewy body disease (LBD), and have been associated with cognitive and structural brain alterations. Evidence so far concerns mainly Parkinson’s disease (PD), but little is known about symptom-specific pathophysiological mechanisms across the LBD spectrum, especially related to the presence of dementia. The aim of the present pilot study was to investigate the neuroanatomical, and neuropsychological characteristics related to VH in two forms of LBD, namely dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and PD without dementia. Methods: Whole brain voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analyses on 3D MRI acquired structural brain scans, and neuropsychological testing were performed on 28 clinically diagnosed DLB (11 with VH, 17 NVH), and 24 PD (9 with VH, and 15 NVH) patients. In order to assess differences in gray matter (GM) regional volumes, and cognitive performance, hallucinating patients for each group were compared with corresponding non-hallucinating ones. Results: DLB patients with VH presented significantly worse visual attention deficits compared to those without, which persisted even when controlling for visual perception. Whole brain VBM analysis revealed decreased GM volume in DLB with VH in the right superior and medial frontal gyri, putamen, caudate nucleus and insula. Subcortical regional volumes were also significantly associated with visual attention performance. Hallucinating PD patients, instead, presented more severe executive dysfunction, but VBM showed no volumetric differences between the two PD subgroups. Post hoc region of interest analyses revealed striatal GM loss in PD with VH. Conclusion: Frontal and striatal GM atrophy may contribute to the emergence of VH in DLB, which may be fostered by the more severe attention deficits. Striatal GM loss and executive dysfunction, instead, appeared to underlie VH in PD without dementia.
Neuroprotective and Neurotherapeutic Effects of Tetrahedral Framework Nucleic Acids on Parkinson's Disease in vitro.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a series of progressive motor disorders. PD is caused by dysfunction of basal ganglia, decrease of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra, and abnormal accumulation of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. Antiparkinsonian agents, which are currently used for treatment of PD, exhibit unsatisfactory effects on disease control. In recent years, tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (TFNAs) have been considered as multifunctional nanomaterials，and their scope of application has been extended to a wide range of areas. In previous studies, TFNAs were shown to exert positive effects on various cell types in processes such as cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and apoptosis. In the present study, we explored the role of TFNAs in the treatment and prevention of PD in vitro and elucidated its underlying mechanisms of action. Based on the experiments conducted, we demonstrated that TFNAs could inhibit and repair the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells through decreasing the accumulation of α-synuclein, one of the characteristic biomarkers of PD. Genes and proteins related to the AKT/PI3K signaling and mitochondrial apoptotic pathways were examined to further support this finding. Most importantly, TFNAs exhibited unexpected neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects on PC12 cells, providing a novel approach for reducing the neuropathological changes caused by PD.