Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metabolic Syndrome and Vitamin D Levels in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Background: Numerous studies have indicated that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), may contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and diabetes. Moreover, OSAS has been associated with lowered vitamin D (Vit D) levels, but reports are inconclusive. Aim of the study was to compare Vit D levels according to the presence of MetS and its components in OSAS patients. Methods: The presence of MetS was evaluated and serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were measured in consecutive newly diagnosed, by polysomnography, subjects with OSAS. Results: A total of 107 subjects (88 men) with OSAS were included in the study. Patients were divided into group A (OSAS with MetS group: 55 subjects) and group B (OSAS without MetS: 52 subjects). There were no differences between the two groups in terms of age, body mass index, and sleep parameters. Patients in group A exhibited higher levels of daytime sleepiness, as expressed by Epworth Sleepiness Scale score (12 – 5.5 vs. 9.3 – 4.8 for groups A vs. B, p = 0.008). Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly decreased in group A, as compared with group B (18 – 8.6 ng/mL vs. 23.9 – 14.1 ng/mL, respectively, p = 0.012). Group A was then subdivided in two smaller groups, according to patients’ metabolic index: OSAS patients with metabolic score = 3 and OSAS patients with metabolic score >3. Serum 25(OH)D levels were higher in OSAS patients with metabolic score = 3 compared with OSAS patients with metabolic score >3 (19.8 – 8.9 ng/mL vs. 15.1 – 7.3 ng/mL respectively, p = 0.038). Conclusions: OSAS patients with concurrent MetS exhibit lower serum Vit D levels, as compared with those without MetS.
Properties and Characterization of Chitosan/Collagen/PMMA Composites Containing Hydroxyapatite

In this paper several properties of new materials based on polymer blends were studied. The properties of composites made of the blends of chitosan and collagen with addition of poly (methyl methacrylate) and hydroxyapatite were investigated. Mechanical properties, thermal analysis, FTIR spectra and SEM images were obtained for different blends of chitosan/collagen in weight ratios 75/25, 50/50, 25/75. Poly (methyl methacrylate) was used in ratios 15, 50 and 85 wt% based on chitosan. The influence of the addition of hydroxyapatite to the polymer blends on their properties was tested. The results showed that the amount of components can influence on the mechanical properties observed for obtained materials.
Abduction of Generalizations

Abduction of generalizations is the process in which explanatory hypotheses are formed for generalizations such as "pineapples taste sweet" or "rainbows appear when the sun breaks through the rain". This phenomenon has received little attention in formal logic and philos- ophy of science. The current paper remedies this lacuna by first giving an overview of some general characteristics of this process, elaborating on its ubiquity in scientific and everyday reasoning. Second, the adaptive logic LA8 is presented to explicate this process formally.
PD-1/PD-L1 pathway inhibitors in advanced prostate cancer

ABSTRACT Introduction: Pharmacological inhibition of immune checkpoint receptors or their ligands represents a transformative breakthrough in the management of multiple cancers. However, immune checkpoint inhibitors have yet to be FDA-approved for the management of metastatic prostate cancer (PCa), the commonest non-cutaneous malignancy in men. Areas covered: We review our current understanding of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in cancer, the use of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapeutics in PCa, and potential subgroups of PCa patients who may derive the greatest benefit from these agents (such as men with tumors that have expression of PD-L1 and/or high mutational load). We also review the prior and current clinical trials evaluating the blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 in PCa, highlighting some of the key ongoing studies of greatest relevance to the field. Expert commentary: Clinical trials investigating PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors should be encouraged in patients with PCa. While it is unlikely that immune checkpoint monotherapies will produce long-lasting responses in a substantial proportion of patients, there is early evidence of activity in some patient subsets. These subgroups may include those with high PD-L1 expression, those with hypermutated or microsatellite-unstable tumors, and those enriched for germline and/or somatic DNA-repair gene mutations (e.g. intraductal/ductal histology, primary Gleason pattern 5, and perhaps AR-V7-positive tumors).
Proton pump inhibitors: from CYP2C19 pharmacogenetics to precision medicine

ABSTRACT Introduction: Proton Pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly used for a variety of acid related disorders. Despite the overall effectiveness and safety profile of PPIs, some patients do not respond adequately or develop treatment related adverse events. This variable response among patients is in part due to genotype variability of CYP2C19, the gene encoding the CYP450 (CYP2C19) isoenzyme responsible for PPIs metabolism. Areas covered: This article provides an overview of the pharmacokinetics and mechanism of action of the currently available PPIs, including the magnitude of CYPC19 contribution to their metabolism. Additionally, the role of CYP2C19 genetic variability in the therapeutic effectiveness or outcomes of PPI therapy is highlighted in details, to provide supporting evidence for the potential value of CYP2C19 genotype-guided approaches to PPI drug therapy. Expert opinion: There is a large body of evidence describing the impact of CYP2C19 variability on PPIs and its potential role in individualizing PPI therapy, yet, CYP2C19 pharmacogenetics has not been widely implemented into clinical practice. More data are needed but CYP2C19 genotype-guided dosing of PPIs is likely to become increasingly common and is expected to improve clinical outcomes, and minimize side effects related to PPIs.
Frankincense Essential Oil as a Supportive Therapy for Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Case Study

Fatigue experienced by patients diagnosed with cancer can be debilitating and can be challenging to manage. The use of supportive therapies such as essential oils is gaining popularity among patients diagnosed with cancer. This article describes one patient's experience using frankincense (Boswellia carterii) essential oil to help in the management of her fatigue. The topical application of the frankincense helped to take her fatigue from being barely able to lift her head to being able to do some basic activities of daily living.
Affect of seizures during gestation on pregnancy outcomes in women with epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE To assess whether seizures in women with epilepsy during pregnancy contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes. DESIGN A retrospective cross-sectional study. SETTING Taiwan. Patients This study linked 2 nationwide population-based data sets: Taiwan's birth certificate registry and the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Data set. A total of 1016 women with epilepsy were selected who had single births from 2001 to 2003 and who had been diagnosed with epilepsy within 2 years prior to their index delivery, together with 8128 matched women without chronic disease as a comparison cohort. Women with epilepsy were further stratified into 2 groups for analysis: women who did and did not have seizures during pregnancy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Low-birth-weight infants, preterm delivery, and infants who are small for gestational age (SGA). RESULTS Compared with women without epilepsy, epileptic seizures during pregnancy were independently associated with a 1.36-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.88), 1.63-fold (95% CI, 1.21-2.19), and 1.37-fold (95% CI, 1.09-1.70) increased risk of low-birth-weight infants, preterm delivery, and SGA, respectively, after adjusting for family income and parental and infant characteristics. Further, the risk of SGA increased significantly (odds ratio, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.01-1.84) for women with seizures during pregnancy compared with women with epilepsy who did not have seizures during pregnancy. CONCLUSION We suggest preventing seizures during pregnancy as an essential step to reduce risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Towards a Personal Identity Code Respecting Privacy

Various applications on Internet require information on users, to verify their right to access services (verification of identity proofs s.a. passwords), to avoid attacks (s.a. paedophilia, profile usurpations), or to give trust to users (e.g. in social networks). In this paper, we introduce a method to generate (non-cryptographics) identity-based signatures computed from 1) collection of data from user biomet-rics, computer configuration, web browser fingerprinting, 2) data pre-processing, 3) protection of personal information through generation of a binary code (our signature). We illustrate the benefits of the proposed method with preliminary results on real personal information.
Quality of life of dentists

ABSTRACT Objective: An important determinant of job satisfaction and life fulfillment is the quality of life (QOL) of the individuals working in a particular field. Currently, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), there is limited research pertaining to the QOL of dentists. The main objective of this study was to assess QOL of dentists in the UAE. Materials and Methods: The World Health Organization (WHO) QOL-BREF questionnaire (the World Health Organization abbreviated instrument for QOL assessment), which assesses QOL in physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains, was found to be a suitable instrument for use. A total of 290 questionnaires were distributed to general dental practitioners and specialists working in the private sector. The response rate was 46%. The completed questionnaires were coded and analyzed using the SPSS IBM software version 21. Results: QOL of specialists was significantly better than general practitioners (GPs) on all domains of the WHOQOL-BREF (P < 0.05). Married dentists had better QOL than singles on the social and environmental domains. Furthermore, specialists reported significantly better QOL compared to GPs after adjustment for sex, age, and marital status (P < 0.05) in the psychosocial and environmental domains. Conclusions: Among dentists who work in the UAE, QOL can be affected by several factors, one of them being whether dentist is a GP or a specialist.
Ecological Correlates of Buggy Creek Virus Infection in Oeciacus vicarius, Southwestern Nebraska, 2004

Abstract Buggy Creek virus (family Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus, BCRV) is an alphavirus within the western equine encephalitis virus complex whose primary vector is the swallow bug, Oeciacus vicarius Horvath (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), an ectoparasite of the colonially nesting cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota, that is also a frequent host for the virus. We investigated ecological correlates of BCRV infection in 100-bug pools at 14 different swallow colony sites in southwestern Nebraska from summer 2004, by using plaque assay on Vero cells to identify cytopathic virus and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to identify noncytopathic viral RNA. We found 26.7% of swallow bug pools positive for BCRV, with 15.6% showing cytopathic (“infectious”) virus and 11.0% noncytopathic (“noninfectious”) viral RNA. The prevalence of cytopathic BCRV increased with cliff swallow colony size in the current year; the percentage of noncytopathic samples at a site did not vary with colony size in the current year but increased with the previous year’s colony size at a site. Active colony sites (those used by swallows) had higher percentages of cytopathic BCRV in bug pools than at inactive colony sites, but the reverse held for noncytopathic viral RNA. Nests that were occupied by birds at some time in the season had more pools with cytopathic BCRV than did inactive nests. Colonies used by birds for the first or second time had less virus in bugs than did sites that had had a longer history of bird use. The percentage of pools with BCRV was affected by whether bugs were clustering at nest entrances or distributed elsewhere on a nest. The prevalence of cytopathic samples decreased at inactive colony sites and increased at active sites over the course of the summer, whereas the reverse pattern held for noncytopathic samples. Noncytopathic bug pools seem to reflect infection patterns from a previous year. The results suggest that the birds play an important role in amplification of the virus and that the spatial foci of BCRV occurrence can be predicted based on characteristics of cliff swallow colonies and the cimicid bugs that are associated with them.
Social Network Implications of Normative School Transitions in Non-Urban School Districts

This article expands research on normative school transitions (NSTs) from elementary to middle school or middle to high school by examining the extent to which they disrupt structures of friendship networks. Social network analysis is used to quantify aspects of connectedness likely relevant to student experiences of social support. Data were drawn from 25 communities followed from sixth to ninth grades. Variability in timing of NSTs permitted multi-level longitudinal models to disentangle developmental effects from transition effects. Results indicated that friendship networks were most interconnected in smaller schools and among older students. Beyond these effects, transitions from a single feeder school to a single higher level school were not associated with changes in friendship patterns. Transitions from multiple feeder schools to a single higher level school were associated with diminished friendship stability, more loosely connected friendship networks, increased social distance between students, and friendship segregation between students who formerly attended different schools.
Prevalence and risk factor analysis of lower extremity abnormal alignment characteristics among rice farmers

Background Rice farming activities involve prolonged manual work and human–machine interaction. Prolonged farming risk-exposure may result in lower limb malalignment. This malalignment may increase the risk of lower extremity injury and physical disabilities. However, the prevalence and factors associated with lower extremity malalignment have not yet been reported. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of lower extremity malalignment among rice farmers. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 249 rice farmers. Lower extremity alignment assessment included: pelvic tilt angle, limb length equality, femoral torsion, quadriceps (Q) angle, tibiofemoral angle, genu recurvatum, rearfoot angle, and medial longitudinal arch angle. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze participant characteristics and prevalence of lower extremity malalignment. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors. Results The highest prevalence of lower extremity malalignment was foot pronation (36.14%), followed by the abnormal Q angle (34.94%), tibiofemoral angle (31.73%), pelvic tilt angle (30.52%), femoral antetorsion (28.11%), limb length inequality (22.49%), tibial torsion (21.29%), and genu recurvatum (11.24%). In females, the risk factors were abnormal Q angle, tibiofemoral angle, and genu recurvatum. Being overweight was a risk factor for abnormal pelvic tilt angle, Q angle, and tibiofemoral angle. Age was a risk factor for limb length inequality. Years of farming were a major risk factor for abnormal Q angle, tibiofemoral angle, and foot malalignment. Conclusion Prevalence of lower extremity malalignment was reported in this study. Female sex, being overweight, and years of farming were major risk factors for lower extremity malalignment. Lower extremity screening should assist in the identification of foot and knee malalignment in rice farmers. This may then lead to early prevention of musculoskeletal disorders arising from such malalignment.
Molecular mechanisms of fission in echinoderms: Transcriptome analysis

Echinoderms are capable of asexual reproduction by fission. An individual divides into parts due to changes in the strength of connective tissue of the body wall. The structure of connective tissue and the mechanisms of variations in its strength in echinoderms remain poorly studied. An analysis of transcriptomes of individuals during the process of fission provides a new opportunity to understand the mechanisms of connective tissue mutability. In the holothurian Cladolabes schmeltzii, we have found a rather complex organization of connective tissue. Transcripts of genes encoding a wide range of structural proteins of extracellular matrix, as well as various proteases and their inhibitors, have been discovered. All these molecules may constitute a part of the mechanism of connective tissue mutability. According to our data, the extracellular matrix of echinoderms is substantially distinguished from that of vertebrates by the lack of elastin, fibronectins, and tenascins. In case of fission, a large number of genes of transcription factors and components of different signaling pathways are expressed. Products of these genes are probably involved in regulation of asexual reproduction, connective tissue mutability, and preparation of tissues for subsequent regeneration. It has been shown that holothurian tensilins are a special group of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, which has formed within the class Holothuroidea and is absent from other echinoderms. Our data can serve a basis for the further study of the mechanisms of extracellular matrix mutability, as well as the mechanisms responsible for asexual reproduction in echinoderms.
Zone of Polarizing Activity Regulatory Sequence Mutations/Duplications with Preaxial Polydactyly and Longitudinal Preaxial Ray Deficiency in the Phenotype: A Review of Human Cases, Animal Models, and Insights Regarding the Pathogenesis

Clinicians and scientists interested in developmental biology have viewed preaxial polydactyly (PPD) and longitudinal preaxial ray deficiency (LPAD) as two different entities. Point mutations and duplications in the zone of polarizing activity regulatory sequence (ZRS) are associated with anterior ectopic expression of Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) in the limb bud and usually result in a PPD phenotype. However, some of these mutations/duplications also have LPAD in the phenotype. This unusual PPD-LPAD association in ZRS mutations/duplications has not been specifically reviewed in the literature. The author reviews this unusual entity and gives insights regarding its pathogenesis.
A SIMPLE ILLUSTRATIVE OPTIMAL GROWTH MODEL A. From Descriptive to Optimal Growth

Such a trade-off curve for time t might be as depicted in Figure 1. For the BSSDG model, a point on this time-t consumption-investment production possibility frontier is determined by the direct specification of a consumption demand function for c(t). For example, we considered the particular case in which consumption demand was More precisely, f(0) = 0, f(k) is continuous over all k ≥ 0 and twice continuously differentiable over all k > 0 with f ′(k) > 0 and f ′′(k) < 0, limk→∞ f ′(k) = 0, and limk→0 f ′(k) =∞. All figures are presented together at the end of these notes.
Sex Differences in the Relationship Between Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction and Coronary Artery Disease: From the Korean Women's Chest Pain Registry.

BACKGROUND Although coronary artery disease (CAD) is an important comorbidity, the influence of CAD on left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is not clear. This study aims to assess differences in the relationship between CAD and LVDD according to sex and comorbidities. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 1109 consecutive patients who visited an outpatient clinic with chest pain were included. The outcomes in 295 men and 295 women were compared after propensity score 1:1 matching. The evaluation of LVDD was based on guidelines recommended by the American Society of Echocardiography. The presence and severity of obstructive CAD was assessed by coronary angiography. RESULTS After propensity score matching, both men and women were well balanced, with no significant differences of baseline covariates. Differences in diastolic functional parameters according to CAD severity were observed only in women (three parameters of LVDD except e' velocity, p < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression for matched pair data demonstrated that CAD severity was associated with the presence of LVDD only in women (odds ratio 1.919, 95% confidence interval 1.343-2.741, p < 0.001). Interaction between sex and severity of CAD was significant (p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS The association of LVDD and CAD severity was observed only in women. Myocardial ischemia may be a potential pathophysiology for higher prevalence of LVDD and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in women.
Perineuronal Nets in Spinal Motoneurones: Chondroitin Sulphate Proteoglycan around Alpha Motoneurones

Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are extracellular matrix structures surrounding neuronal sub-populations throughout the central nervous system, regulating plasticity. Enzymatically removing PNNs successfully enhances plasticity and thus functional recovery, particularly in spinal cord injury models. While PNNs within various brain regions are well studied, much of the composition and associated populations in the spinal cord is yet unknown. We aim to investigate the populations of PNN neurones involved in this functional motor recovery. Immunohistochemistry for choline acetyltransferase (labelling motoneurones), PNNs using Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA) and chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs), including aggrecan, was performed to characterise the molecular heterogeneity of PNNs in rat spinal motoneurones (Mns). CSPG-positive PNNs surrounded ~70–80% of Mns. Using WFA, only ~60% of the CSPG-positive PNNs co-localised with WFA in the spinal Mns, while ~15–30% of Mns showed CSPG-positive but WFA-negative PNNs. Selective labelling revealed that aggrecan encircled ~90% of alpha Mns. The results indicate that (1) aggrecan labels spinal PNNs better than WFA, and (2) there are differences in PNN composition and their associated neuronal populations between the spinal cord and cortex. Insights into the role of PNNs and their molecular heterogeneity in the spinal motor pools could aid in designing targeted strategies to enhance functional recovery post-injury.