Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Forward to the past: ultrasound might be necessary in some patients with rheumatoid arthritis

In the January issue of ARD , Caporali and Smolen1 argue against the use of ultrasound in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), citing the negative findings of the TaSER2 and ARCTIC3 studies and a lack of standardisation. Even disregarding that the results were not unequivocal, showing a slight, but not statistically significant difference between the ultrasound and control groups after a longer time span, I strongly disagree with the overall conclusion. There is no doubt that modern disease management has led to excellent outcomes for most patients with RA, with the mutilating disease courses of the prebiological era largely a thing of the past.4 However, there are still patients, …
Glial lipid droplets and neurodegeneration in a Drosophila model of complex I deficiency

Mitochondrial defects associated with respiratory chain complex I deficiency lead to heterogeneous fatal syndromes. While the role of NDUFS8, an essential subunit of the core assembly of the complex I, is established in mitochondrial diseases, the mechanisms underlying neuropathology are poorly understood. We developed a Drosophila model of NDUFS8 deficiency by knocking down the expression of its fly homologue in neurons or in glial cells. Downregulating ND23 in neurons resulted in shortened lifespan, and decreased locomotion. Although total brain ATP levels were decreased, histological analysis did not reveal any signs of neurodegeneration except for photoreceptors of the retina. Interestingly, ND23 deficiency‐associated phenotypes were rescued by overexpressing the glucose transporter hGluT3 demonstrating that boosting glucose metabolism in neurons was sufficient to bypass altered mitochondrial functions and to confer neuroprotection. We then analyzed the consequences of ND23 knockdown in glial cells. In contrast to neuronal knockdown, loss of ND23 in glia did not lead to significant behavioral defects nor to reduced lifespan, but induced brain degeneration, as visualized by numerous vacuoles found all over the nervous tissue. This phenotype was accompanied by the massive accumulation of lipid droplets at the cortex‐neuropile boundaries, suggesting an alteration of lipid metabolism in glia. These results demonstrate that complex I deficiency triggers metabolic alterations both in neurons and glial cells which may contribute to the neuropathology.
Effect of Alternate-Day Fasting on Weight Loss, Weight Maintenance, and Cardioprotection Among Metabolically Healthy Obese Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance Alternate-day fasting has become increasingly popular, yet, to date, no long-term randomized clinical trials have evaluated its efficacy. Objective To compare the effects of alternate-day fasting vs daily calorie restriction on weight loss, weight maintenance, and risk indicators for cardiovascular disease. Design, Setting, and Participants A single-center randomized clinical trial of obese adults (18 to 64 years of age; mean body mass index, 34) was conducted between October 1, 2011, and January 15, 2015, at an academic institution in Chicago, Illinois. Interventions Participants were randomized to 1 of 3 groups for 1 year: alternate-day fasting (25% of energy needs on fast days; 125% of energy needs on alternating “feast days”), calorie restriction (75% of energy needs every day), or a no-intervention control. The trial involved a 6-month weight-loss phase followed by a 6-month weight-maintenance phase. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was change in body weight. Secondary outcomes were adherence to the dietary intervention and risk indicators for cardiovascular disease. Results Among the 100 participants (86 women and 14 men; mean [SD] age, 44 [11] years), the dropout rate was highest in the alternate-day fasting group (13 of 34 [38%]), vs the daily calorie restriction group (10 of 35 [29%]) and control group (8 of 31 [26%]). Mean weight loss was similar for participants in the alternate-day fasting group and those in the daily calorie restriction group at month 6 (–6.8% [95% CI, –9.1% to –4.5%] vs –6.8% [95% CI, –9.1% to –4.6%]) and month 12 (–6.0% [95% CI, –8.5% to –3.6%] vs –5.3% [95% CI, –7.6% to –3.0%]) relative to those in the control group. Participants in the alternate-day fasting group ate more than prescribed on fast days, and less than prescribed on feast days, while those in the daily calorie restriction group generally met their prescribed energy goals. There were no significant differences between the intervention groups in blood pressure, heart rate, triglycerides, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, insulin resistance, C-reactive protein, or homocysteine concentrations at month 6 or 12. Mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels at month 6 significantly increased among the participants in the alternate-day fasting group (6.2 mg/dL [95% CI, 0.1-12.4 mg/dL]), but not at month 12 (1.0 mg/dL [95% CI, –5.9 to 7.8 mg/dL]), relative to those in the daily calorie restriction group. Mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly elevated by month 12 among the participants in the alternate-day fasting group (11.5 mg/dL [95% CI, 1.9-21.1 mg/dL]) compared with those in the daily calorie restriction group. Conclusions and Relevance Alternate-day fasting did not produce superior adherence, weight loss, weight maintenance, or cardioprotection vs daily calorie restriction. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00960505
Capacity analysis of hybrid wireless networks with long-range social contacts behavior

Hybrid wireless networks are networks that are composed of both ad hoc transmissions and cellular transmissions. Many existing works have analyzed the capacity of hybrid wireless networks. By assuming the uniform traffic model that a source node would select a random node as the destination, the network capacity is a function of number of nodes and number of base stations. Nevertheless, the real network traffic pattern is related to the social behaviors of users. In this work, we study the capacity of hybrid wireless networks with the social traffic model under the L-maximum-hop routing policy. If two nodes are within L hops away, packets will be transmitted in the ad hoc mode; otherwise, packets are transmitted through the base stations. To our best knowledge, we are the first to study this problem and develop the capacity as a function of number of nodes, number of stations, traffic model parameters, and L.
Orthogonal Layout with Optimal Face Complexity : NP-hardness and Polynomial-time Algorithms

Given a biconnected plane graph G and a nonnegative integer k, we examine the problem of deciding whether G admits a strict-orthogonal drawing (i.e., an orthogonal drawing without bends) such that the reflex face complexity (the maximum number of reflex angles in any face) is at most k. We introduce a new technique to solve the problem in O(n min{k, log n log k}) time, while no such subquadratic-time solution for arbitrary k was known before. In contrast, if the embedding is not fixed, then we prove that it is the NP-complete to decide whether a planar graph admits a strict-orthogonal drawing with reflex face complexity k, for some k 2 O(1).
WCK 5222 (cefepime/zidebactam) antimicrobial activity tested against Gram-negative organisms producing clinically relevant &bgr;-lactamases

Background Zidebactam is a β-lactam enhancer antibiotic with a dual mechanism of action involving binding to Gram-negative PBP2 and β-lactamase inhibition. Cefepime combined with zidebactam (WCK 5222) is under clinical development for treatment of Gram-negative infections. Objectives To evaluate the in vitro activities of cefepime and zidebactam separately and combined at 1:1 and 2:1 ratios when tested against Gram-negative organisms producing the most clinically relevant β-lactamase types. Methods β-Lactamase-producing (193) and WT (71) isolates were tested for susceptibility by broth microdilution method against cefepime/zidebactam, cefepime and zidebactam. Results Cefepime/zidebactam (1:1) was very active against Enterobacteriaceae producing CTX-M-15 (21; MIC 50/90 0.25/1 mg/L), SHV (20; MIC 50/90 0.12/0.25 mg/L), other ESBLs (20, including GES-18, OXA-1/30 and OXY-, PER-, TEM- and VEB-like; MIC 50/90 0.25/1 mg/L), plasmidic AmpC (10; MIC 50/90 ≤0.06/≤0.06 mg/L), derepressed AmpC (23; MIC 50/90 0.12/0.5 mg/L), KPC (35; MIC 50/90 0.25/1 mg/L) and metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs; 20 including VIM, IMP and NDM; MIC 50/90 0.5/8 mg/L). Cefepime/zidebactam (1:1) was also active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with overexpression of AmpC (21; MIC 50/90 4/8 mg/L) and MBLs [12 (VIM and IMP); MIC 50/90 4/8 mg/L]. Zidebactam alone exhibited potent in vitro activity against some Enterobacteriaceae and P. aeruginosa , including β-lactamase-producing strains. Cefepime/zidebactam MIC values were lower than those of each agent tested alone for many β-lactamase-producing strains, indicating synergy. Cefepime/zidebactam showed moderate activity against OXA-23/24/58-producing Acinetobacter baumannii [MIC 50/90 32 mg/L (1:1)]. Conclusions Cefepime/zidebactam showed potent activities against Enterobacteriaceae and P. aeruginosa producing various clinically relevant β-lactamases, including ESBLs, KPCs, AmpC and MBLs for which limited treatment options are currently available.
Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infection After Cholecystectomy

Abstract Background There are limited data on risk factors for surgical site infection (SSI) after open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods A retrospective cohort of commercially insured persons aged 18–64 years was assembled using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) procedure or Current Procedural Terminology, 4th edition codes for cholecystectomy from December 31, 2004 to December 31, 2010. Complex procedures and patients (eg, cancer, end-stage renal disease) and procedures with pre-existing infection were excluded. Surgical site infections within 90 days after cholecystectomy were identified by ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify independent risk factors for SSI. Results Surgical site infections were identified after 472 of 66566 (0.71%) cholecystectomies; incidence was higher after open (n = 51, 4.93%) versus laparoscopic procedures (n = 421, 0.64%; P < .001). Independent risk factors for SSI included male gender, preoperative chronic anemia, diabetes, drug abuse, malnutrition/weight loss, obesity, smoking-related diseases, previous Staphylococcus aureus infection, laparoscopic approach with acute cholecystitis/obstruction (hazards ratio [HR], 1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27–1.96), open approach with (HR, 4.29; 95% CI, 2.45–7.52) or without acute cholecystitis/obstruction (HR, 4.04; 95% CI, 1.96–8.34), conversion to open approach with (HR, 4.71; 95% CI, 2.74–8.10) or without acute cholecystitis/obstruction (HR, 7.11; 95% CI, 3.87–13.08), bile duct exploration, postoperative chronic anemia, and postoperative pneumonia or urinary tract infection. Conclusions Acute cholecystitis or obstruction was associated with significantly increased risk of SSI with laparoscopic but not open cholecystectomy. The risk of SSI was similar for planned open and converted procedures. These findings suggest that stratification by operative factors is important when comparing SSI rates between facilities.
Establishment of Photoaging In Vitro by Repetitive UVA Irradiation: Induction of Characteristic Markers of Senescence and its Prevention by PAPLAL with Potent Catalase Activity

To understand a role of UVA radiation in photoaging of the skin, we established a model of photoaging cells using cultured human dermal fibroblasts. Repeated low‐dose UVA radiation for 10 consecutive days induced senescence in fibroblasts, characterized with (1) increased level of senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase, (2) flattened large cell shape, (3) accumulation of reactive oxygen species, (4) yellowish coloration and (5) expression of p16. These were also observed in chronologically aged fibroblasts (doubling times >20), whereas none of these were detected in young cells (doubling times <10). Collectively, we propose that fibroblasts exposed to repetitive UVA radiation may be a good model of aged cells to study the mechanism of aging and photoaging and further to search for novel agents preventing cellular senescence. In addition, H2O2 was produced in the culture medium by a single low dose of UVA irradiation. Further, PAPLAL, a nanoparticle of platinum and palladium having potent catalase‐like activity, significantly delayed the onset of H2O2‐induced cell senescence. The present study strongly indicates that repetitive short‐term UVA irradiation induces aging of cells possibly via H2O2 and may be suppressed by potent anti‐H2O2 agents.
Skeletal Muscle Measures as Predictors of Toxicity, Hospitalization, and Survival in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer Receiving Taxane-Based Chemotherapy

Purpose: Severe skeletal muscle (SM) loss (sarcopenia) is associated with poor cancer outcomes, including reduced survival and increased toxicity. This study investigates SM measures in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients receiving first-line taxane-based chemotherapy and evaluates associations with treatment toxicity and other outcomes. Experimental Design: Using computerized tomography (CT) images taken for the evaluation of disease burden, skeletal muscle area (SMA), and density (SMD) were measured at the third lumbar vertebrae. Sarcopenia was defined as skeletal muscle index (SMI = SMA/height2) ≤ 41. Skeletal muscle gauge (SMG) was created by multiplying SMI × SMD. Fisher exact tests, t tests, the Kaplan–Meier method, and Cox regression modeling were used. Results: MBC patients (N = 40), median age 55 (range, 34–80), 58% sarcopenic, median SMG 1296 AU (SD, 522). Grade 3–4 toxicity was found in 57% of sarcopenic versus 18% of non-sarcopenic patients (P = 0.02). Toxicity-related hospitalizations were also higher in sarcopenic patients (39% vs. 0%, P = 0.005) as were any adverse events—defined as any grade 3–4 toxicities, hospitalizations, dose reductions, or dose delay—(74% vs. 35%, P = 0.02). Low SMG was associated with grade 3–4 toxicity (P = 0.04), hospitalization (P = 0.01), and time to treatment failure (for progression or toxicity; P = 0.03). Low SMG had a borderline significant association with any adverse event (P = 0.06) and overall survival (P = 0.07). Conclusions: SM measures are associated with toxicity outcomes and survival in MBC patients receiving first-line taxane-based chemotherapy. Further studies are needed to explore how routinely obtained CT scans can be used to individualize dosing and improve treatment planning. Clin Cancer Res; 23(3); 658–65. ©2016 AACR.
Can Mobile Phone Apps Influence People’s Health Behavior Change? An Evidence Review

Background Globally, mobile phones have achieved wide reach at an unprecedented rate, and mobile phone apps have become increasingly prevalent among users. The number of health-related apps that were published on the two leading platforms (iOS and Android) reached more than 100,000 in 2014. However, there is a lack of synthesized evidence regarding the effectiveness of mobile phone apps in changing people’s health-related behaviors. Objective The aim was to examine the effectiveness of mobile phone apps in achieving health-related behavior change in a broader range of interventions and the quality of the reported studies. Methods We conducted a comprehensive bibliographic search of articles on health behavior change using mobile phone apps in peer-reviewed journals published between January 1, 2010 and June 1, 2015. Databases searched included Medline, PreMedline, PsycINFO, Embase, Health Technology Assessment, Education Resource Information Center (ERIC), and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). Articles published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research during that same period were hand-searched on the journal’s website. Behavior change mechanisms were coded and analyzed. The quality of each included study was assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. Results A total of 23 articles met the inclusion criteria, arranged under 11 themes according to their target behaviors. All studies were conducted in high-income countries. Of these, 17 studies reported statistically significant effects in the direction of targeted behavior change; 19 studies included in this analysis had a 65% or greater retention rate in the intervention group (range 60%-100%); 6 studies reported using behavior change theories with the theory of planned behavior being the most commonly used (in 3 studies). Self-monitoring was the most common behavior change technique applied (in 12 studies). The studies suggest that some features improve the effectiveness of apps, such as less time consumption, user-friendly design, real-time feedback, individualized elements, detailed information, and health professional involvement. All studies were assessed as having some risk of bias. Conclusions Our results provide a snapshot of the current evidence of effectiveness for a range of health-related apps. Large sample, high-quality, adequately powered, randomized controlled trials are required. In light of the bias evident in the included studies, better reporting of health-related app interventions is also required. The widespread adoption of mobile phones highlights a significant opportunity to impact health behaviors globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Epigenomic and Functional Characterization of Junctophilin 3 (JPH3) as a Novel Tumor Suppressor Being Frequently Inactivated by Promoter CpG Methylation in Digestive Cancers

Junctophilin (JPH) proteins stabilize junctional membrane complexes between plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum, also implicated in some human diseases. JPH3 mutations are linked to Huntington's disease-like 2 syndrome. Through epigenomic study of a colon cancer cell line pair (HCT116 and DKO), we identified JPH3 as a methylated novel tumor suppressor gene (TSG) candidate at 16q24. We further studied its epigenetic alterations and functions in digestive tumorigenesis. JPH3 expression at the RNA level was found to be frequently silenced or reduced in colorectal and gastric cancers due to its promoter CpG methylation, which is associated with tumor progression and poor survival of digestive cancer patients. Ectopic expression of JPH3 inhibited tumor cell growth in vitro and in vivo. JPH3 expression upregulated the cytosolic Ca2+ levels, and unfolded protein response gene expression upon endoplasmic reticulum stress. JPH3 also induced calpain activation and subsequent mitochondrial membrane depolarization and cell apoptosis. Thus, JPH3 was identified as a novel TSG methylated in colorectal and gastric tumors which promotes mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, also as a potential metastasis and survival biomarker for digestive cancers.
Knowledge of Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Adolescents: Psychometric Analysis of Instrument.

The study evaluates the psychometric properties of the instrument Knowledge of Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Adolescents. T2DM is on the increase among adolescents and there are no instruments to assess knowledge of risk factors in this population. The author revised parts of an adult instrument and reviewed the items for content validity. The final instrument, comprising 11 items, was administered to 225 high-school students 13 to 19 years of age in the New York City area. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted using maximum likelihood estimation and geomin rotation. Two factors were extracted. The overall reliability of the scale was found to be acceptable at . 76. The instrument appears to be a promising tool for the evaluation of knowledge of risk factors for T2DM in adolescents.
Human anti-HIV IgM detection by the OraQuick ADVANCE® Rapid HIV 1/2 Antibody Test

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and many public health jurisdictions continue to advocate for the most sensitive rapid HIV test that is available. Currently, the recommendation is to utilize tests that can detect HIV infection biomarkers within 30 days of infection, when initial immune responses are mounted. The infected patient’s IgM response is often used to detect acute infection within a 20–25 days window after infection. This requirement applies to lab-based testing with automated analyzers and rapid, point of care (POC) testing used for screening in a non-clinical setting. A recent study has demonstrated that POC tests using a Protein A-based detection system can detect samples with predominantly HIV-1 IgM reactivity (Moshgabadi et al., 2015). The OraQuick ADVANCE® Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test (OraQuick ADVANCE®) also uses Protein A as the detection protein in the antibody-binding colloidal gold conjugate, so it is expected that the OraQuick ADVANCE® Test will also detect samples with predominantly IgM reactivity. This report definitively demonstrates that the OraQuick ADVANCE® Test can detect IgM antibodies during an acute infection window period of approximately 20–25 days after infection, and is therefore suitable for use in testing environments requiring adherence to current CDC recommendations.
Quality of life as a mediator of leisure activity and perceived health among older women

ABSTRACT Despite consistent evidence to suggest that participating in leisure is associated with perceived health status among older adults, there have been few attempts to determine the possible underlying mechanisms in this relationship, including the role of quality of life (QoL). This study examined the role of perceived quality of life in the relationship between leisure and perceived health in older women. Correlations, regression, and mediation analysis were conducted on data from the Woman’s College Alumnae Women’s Health Study. Results indicate that QoL partially mediates the relationship between leisure and perceived health in older women. Findings further establish the link between leisure and perceived health with QoL playing an important role in the relationship.