Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Haemodialysis and Vascular Access in the End Stage Kidney Disease

The efficiency of haemodialysis treatment relies on a functional status of vascular access. A vascular access makes life-saving haemodialysis treatments possible. The efficiency of haemodialysis treatment relies on a functional status of vascular access. The purpose of this review was to discuss the role of haemodialysis and vascular access in end stage kidney disease. Vascular access and its related problems represent the main factors that determine a rise in the rate of incidence of the disease among haemodialysis patients and, consequently, a rise in the healthcare expenses. Vascular access can be divided into three categories: arteriovenous fistula, central venous catheter and arteriovenous graft. Central venous catheter has a number of disadvantages, including a considerable risk of infection and mortality. It also has negative implications for the use of a fistula for dialysis. In contrast, arteriovenous fistula is the most beneficial method, as it has a low risk of infection and mortality, and can ensure long-term functional access. Furthermore, there are three configurations of native arteriovenous fistula that can be used for haemodialysis providing flexibility of approach depending on risk factors of the individual patient.
Suspected brain metastasis from lung cancer mimicking intracerebral hemorrhage

Rationale: Hemorrhage rarely occurs in a solitary brain metastasis from lung carcinoma. Patient concerns: We report on a 54-year-old man who presented with a severe headache for 4 days. Diagnoses: Based on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging enhancement, the patient was diagnosed with a suspected hemorrhagic brain metastasis from lung carcinoma. Interventions: The patient's family rejected a pathological examination. Outcomes: The patient's family requested discharge after diagnosis. Lessons: The present case emphasizes the need to consider hemorrhagic metastasis as a differential diagnosis in patients presenting with solitary intracerebral hemorrhage whose location is uncommon, especially when the poor general state of the patient cannot be attributed to hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage.
Culture-Negative Septic Shock Compared With Culture-Positive Septic Shock: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objectives: To determine the clinical characteristics and outcomes of culture-negative septic shock in comparison with culture-positive septic shock. Design: Retrospective nested cohort study. Setting: ICUs of 28 academic and community hospitals in three countries between 1997 and 2010. Subjects: Patients with culture-negative septic shock and culture-positive septic shock derived from a trinational (n = 8,670) database of patients with septic shock. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Patients with culture-negative septic shock (n = 2,651; 30.6%) and culture-positive septic shock (n = 6,019; 69.4%) were identified. Culture-negative septic shock compared with culture-positive septic shock patients experienced similar ICU survival (58.3% vs 59.5%; p = 0.276) and overall hospital survival (47.3% vs 47.1%; p = 0.976). Severity of illness was similar between culture-negative septic shock and culture-positive septic shock groups ([mean and SD Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, 25.7 ± 8.3 vs 25.7 ± 8.1]; p = 0.723) as were serum lactate levels (3.0 [interquartile range, 1.7–6.1] vs 3.2 mmol/L [interquartile range, 1.8–5.9 mmol/L]; p = 0.366). As delays in the administration of appropriate antimicrobial therapy after the onset of hypotension increased, patients in both groups experienced congruent increases in overall hospital mortality: culture-negative septic shock (odds ratio, 1.56; 95% CI [1.47–1.66]; p < 0.0001) and culture-positive septic shock (odds ratio, 1.65; 95% CI [1.59–1.71]; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Patients with culture-negative septic shock behave similarly to those with culture-positive septic shock in nearly all respects; early appropriate antimicrobial therapy appears to improve mortality. Early recognition and eradication of infection is the most obvious effective strategy to improve hospital survival.
Epigenetics and MicroRNAs in Cancer

The ability to reprogram the transcriptional circuitry by remodeling the three-dimensional structure of the genome is exploited by cancer cells to promote tumorigenesis. This reprogramming occurs because of hereditable chromatin chemical modifications and the consequent formation of RNA-protein-DNA complexes that represent the principal actors of the epigenetic phenomena. In this regard, the deregulation of a transcribed non-coding RNA may be both cause and consequence of a cancer-related epigenetic alteration. This review summarizes recent findings that implicate microRNAs in the aberrant epigenetic regulation of cancer cells.
The effect of COPD severity and study duration on exacerbation outcome in randomized controlled trials

Background When discontinuation in COPD randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is unevenly distributed between treatments (differential dropout), the capacity to demonstrate treatment effects may be reduced. We investigated the impact of the time of differential dropout on exacerbation outcomes in RCTs, in relation to study duration and COPD severity. Methods A post hoc analysis of 2,345 patients from three RCTs of 6- and 12-month duration was performed to compare budesonide/formoterol and formoterol in moderate, severe, and very severe COPD. Outcomes were exacerbation rate, time-to-first exacerbation, or discontinuation; patients were stratified by disease severity. Outcomes were studied by censoring data monthly from 1 to 12 months. Results In patients treated with budesonide/formoterol, annualized exacerbation rates (AERs) were comparable for each study duration (rate ratio [RR] =0.6). With formoterol, the AER decreased with study duration (RR =1.20 at 1 month to RR =0.86 at 12 months). There was a treatment-related difference in exacerbation rates of 45%–48% for shorter study durations (≤4 months) and 27% for 12-month duration. This treatment-related difference in exacerbation rates was comparable for the three disease severities in studies ≤4 months (range: 39%–51%), but this difference decreased with longer study durations, especially in more severe groups (22% and 29% at 12 months). There were fewer discontinuations with budesonide/formoterol; the treatment-related difference in time-to-first discontinuation decreased by study duration (35%, 30%, 26%, and 22% at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively). Numbers of differential dropouts increased with increasing disease severity, being greatest during second, third, and fourth months. Conclusions COPD severity and study duration impact exacerbation as an outcome in double-blind RCTs. This effect is most obvious in patients with severe/very severe COPD and in studies that are longer than 4 months. Early differential dropout particularly impacts study outcome, producing a “healthy survivor effect,” which reduces estimations of treatment impact on exacerbations.
Talent Identification and Development in Male Futsal: A Systematic Review

This review aimed to identify and synthesize the most significant literature addressing talent identification and development in futsal. A systematic review of Web of Science™ (all databases), Scopus, PubMed and SPORTDiscus databases was performed according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. This study included original articles in English, Spanish or Portuguese containing relevant data on talent development/identification of male futsal players. The search yielded 238 articles. After screening, a total of 32 manuscripts were fully reviewed. The quality of the data reviewed was generally good. Results indicate that the most successful players exhibit technical, tactical, anthropometric, physiological and psychological advantages and are distinguished from lower-level players based on their earlier dedication to training. This review highlights the need for those involved in the process of identifying and developing talented futsal players to consider the technical and tactical skills of futsal players, along with their anthropometric and physiological characteristics, scaled to age. Finally, special attention should be paid to the supportive psychosocial environments created in sports academies for developing futsal players. Overall, talent identification and development programmes in futsal need to be dynamic and offer the possibility of changing assessment parameters in the long term.
Stroke Incidence and Outcomes in Northeastern Greece: The Evros Stroke Registry

Background and Purpose— Data are scarce on both stroke incidence rates and outcomes in Greece and in rural areas in particular. We performed a prospective population-based study evaluating the incidence of first-ever stroke in the Evros prefecture, a region of a total 147 947 residents located in North Eastern Greece. Methods— Adult patients with first-ever stroke were registered during a 24-month period (2010–2012) and followed up for 12 months. To compare our stroke incidence with that observed in other studies, we standardized our incidence rate data according to the European Standard Population, World Health Organization, and Segi population. We also applied criteria of data quality proposed by the Monitoring Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease project. Stroke diagnosis and classification were performed using World Health Organization criteria on the basis of neuroimaging and autopsy data. Results— We prospectively documented 703 stroke cases (mean age: 75±12 years; 52.8% men; ischemic stroke: 80.8%; intracerebral hemorrhage: 11.8%; subarachnoid hemorrhage: 4.4%; undefined: 3.0%) with a total follow-up time of 119 805 person-years. The unadjusted and European Standard Population–adjusted incidences of all strokes were 586.8 (95% confidence interval [CI], 543.4–630.2) and 534.1 (95% CI, 494.6–573.6) per 100 000 person-years, respectively. The unadjusted incidence rates for ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage were 474.1 (95% CI, 435–513), 69.3 (95% CI, 54–84), and 25.9 (95% CI, 17–35) per 100 000 person-years, respectively. The corresponding European Standard Population–adjusted incidence rates per 100 000 person-years were 425.9 (95% CI, 390.9–460.9), 63.3 (95% CI, 49.7–76.9), and 25.8 (95% CI, 16.7–34.9) for ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage, respectively. The overall 28-day case fatality rate was 21.3% (95% CI, 18.3%–24.4%) for all strokes and was higher in hemorrhagic strokes than ischemic stroke (40.4%, 95% CI, 31.3%–49.4% versus 16.2%, 95% CI, 13.2%–19.2%). Conclusions— This is the largest to date population-based study in Greece documenting one of the highest stroke incidences ever reported in South Europe, highlighting the need for efficient stroke prevention and treatment strategies in Northeastern Greece.
The centrifugal visual system of a palaeognathous bird, the Chilean Tinamou (Nothoprocta perdicaria)

The avian centrifugal visual system, which projects from the brain to the retina, has been intensively studied in several Neognathous birds that have a distinct isthmo‐optic nucleus (ION). However, birds of the order Palaeognathae seem to lack a proper ION in histologically stained brain sections. We had previously reported in the palaeognathous Chilean Tinamou (Nothoprocta perdicaria) that intraocular injections of Cholera Toxin B subunit retrogradely label a considerable number of neurons, which form a diffuse isthmo‐optic complex (IOC). In order to better understand how this IOC‐based centrifugal visual system is organized, we have studied its major components by means of in vivo and in vitro tracing experiments. Our results show that the IOC, though structurally less organized than an ION, possesses a dense core region consisting of multipolar neurons. It receives afferents from neurons in L10a of the optic tectum, which are distributed with a wider interneuronal spacing than in Neognathae. The tecto‐IOC terminals are delicate and divergent, unlike the prominent convergent tecto‐ION terminals in Neognathae. The centrifugal IOC terminals in the retina are exclusively divergent, resembling the terminals from “ectopic” centrifugal neurons in Neognathae. We conclude that the Tinamou's IOC participates in a comparable general IOC‐retina‐TeO‐IOC circuitry as the neognathous ION. However, the connections between the components are structurally different and their divergent character suggests a lower spatial resolution. Our findings call for further comparative studies in a broad range of species for advancing our understanding of the evolution, plasticity and functional roles of the avian centrifugal visual system.
Multimarker analysis suggests the involvement of BDNF signaling and microRNA biosynthesis in suicidal behavior

Despite moderate heritability estimates the genetics of suicidal behavior remains unclear, genome‐wide association and candidate gene studies focusing on single nucleotide associations reported inconsistent findings. Our study explored biologically informed, multimarker candidate gene associations with suicidal behavior in mood disorders. We analyzed the GAIN Whole Genome Association Study of Bipolar Disorder version 3 (n = 999, suicidal n = 358) and the GAIN Major Depression: Stage 1 Genomewide Association in Population‐Based Samples (n = 1,753, suicidal n = 245) datasets. Suicidal behavior was defined as severe suicidal ideation or attempt. Candidate genes were selected based on literature search (Geneset1, n = 35), gene expression data of microRNA genes, (Geneset2, n = 68) and their target genes (Geneset3, n = 11,259). Quality control, dosage analyses were carried out with PLINK. Gene‐based associations of Geneset1 were analyzed with KGG. Polygenic profile scores of suicidal behavior were computed in the major depression dataset both with PRSice and LDpred and validated in the bipolar disorder data. Several nominally significant gene‐based associations were detected, but only DICER1 associated with suicidal behavior in both samples, while only the associations of NTRK2 in the depression sample reached family wise and experiment wise significance. Polygenic profile scores negatively predicted suicidal behavior in the bipolar sample for only Geneset2, with the strongest prediction by PRSice at Pt < 0.03 (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.01, P < 0.007). Gene‐based association results confirmed the potential involvement of the BDNF‐NTRK2‐CREB pathway in the pathogenesis of suicide and the cross‐disorder association of DICER1. Polygenic risk prediction of the selected miRNA genes indicates that the miRNA system may play a mediating role, but with considerable pleiotropy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Changing Tides of the Type 2 Diabetes Epidemic—Smooth Sailing or Troubled Waters Ahead? Kelly West Award Lecture 2016

The Kelly West Award for Outstanding Achievement in Epidemiology is given in memory of Kelly M. West, widely regarded as the “father of diabetes epidemiology,” to an individual who has made significant contributions to the field of diabetes epidemiology. Edward W. Gregg, PhD, of the Division of Diabetes Translation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, received the prestigious award at the American Diabetes Association's 76th Scientific Sessions, 10–14 June 2016, in New Orleans, LA. He presented the Kelly West Award Lecture, “Changing Tides of the Type 2 Diabetes Epidemic—Smooth Sailing or Troubled Waters Ahead? ” on Sunday, 12 June 2016.
Evolution of Sex-Biased Dispersal

Dispersal is central in ecology and evolution because it influences population regulation, adaptation, and speciation. In many species, dispersal is different between genders, leading to sex-biased dispersal. Several theoretical hypotheses have been proposed to explain the evolution of this bias: the resource competition hypothesis proposed by Greenwood, the local mate competition hypothesis, and the inbreeding avoidance hypothesis. Those hypotheses argued that the mating system should be the major factor explaining the direction of such bias. Sociality and the presence of handicap in genders (exaggerated sexual characters or parental care) have recently been proposed to be linked with the direction of this bias. We tested these expected coevolutions using a database of 257 species. Based on phylogenetic approaches, our findings marginally corroborated Greenwood’s hypothesis by showing relationships between the direction of sex-biased dispersal, mating systems, and territoriality. More importantly, our results highlighted that the evolution of this bias was more linked to parental care and sexual dimorphism. These traits were also found to be associated with mating systems, suggesting that sexual asymmetry in morphology and parental care might be the main determinant of the evolution of sex-biased dispersal across species and not mating systems per se, as proposed in Greenwood’s hypothesis.
Risk factors for severe bronchiolitis caused by respiratory virus infections among Mexican children in an emergency department

Abstract Severe bronchiolitis is the most common reason for hospitalization among children younger than 2 years. This study analyzed the prevalence of community-acquired respiratory virus infection and the risk factors for hospitalization of Mexican children with severe bronchiolitis treated in an Emergency department. This retrospective study included 134 children 2 years or younger with severe viral bronchiolitis, and 134 healthy age-matched controls. The study period was September 2012 to January 2015. We determined the viral etiology and coinfections with multiple viruses and compared the risk factors detected in children with severe viral bronchiolitis with those in the control group. A total of 153 respiratory viruses in these 134 patients, single or mixed infections, were identified: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) type A or B was the most frequently detected (23.6% and 17.6%, respectively), followed by rhinovirus (RV; 16.3%) and parainfluenza virus (PIV) type 3 (12.4%). Coinfections of 2 respiratory viruses were found in 14.2% of cases; all cases had either RSV type A or B with another virus, the most common being parainfluenza virus or rhinovirus. Exposure to cigarette smoking was independently associated with hospitalization for severe bronchiolitis (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.99–6.18; P = .0001), and having completed the vaccination schedule for their age was a protective factor against adverse outcome (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.35–0.87; P = .010). RSV is a common infection among young children with severe bronchiolitis; thus, developing a vaccine against RSV is essential. Campaigns to reinforce the importance of avoiding childhood exposure to cigarette smoke are also needed.
A graphene oxide nanocomposite for neural interfacing applications

Advanced neural interfacing technologies have the ability to communicate with the central nervous system (CNS) and provide researchers with valuable information about the complex physiology of the brain. Traditional neural electrodes interact with nervous tissue electrically, either through recording or stimulation, but are limited in their potential to chemically interface with the CNS. This dissertation describes the development of a conductive neural biomaterial with the capability of recording neurochemical signals in addition to providing both immobilized and soluble chemical cues to influence cell behavior. The material consists of a graphene oxide/conducting polymer (GO/CP) nanocomposite deposited onto the surface of metal or carbon electrodes for improved, multimodal interfacing capabilities with neurons and neural stem cells (NSCs). The GO/CP nanocomposite demonstrated good biocompatibility with neurons and NSCs and improved neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth as a result of its chemical and morphological properties. Additionally, the GO nanosheets present at the nanocomposite surface enabled patterning with bioactive molecules to further influence cell growth. The electrochemical properties of the GO/CP nanocomposite enabled highly controllable, on-demand drug delivery, and the chemical properties contributed by the GO nanosheets created a platform for highly sensitive and selective dopamine detection. With an eye toward developing a highly customizable device that incorporates the versatile chemical interfacing capabilities of GO/CP with the electrical recording ability of planar multielectrode arrays, this body of work concluded with the characterization of an in vitro cultured neuronal network (CNN) damage model for investigating the pathobiology of neuronal injury. A crush injury applied to the CNN interrupted the normal activity patterns of the network and the addition of NSCs to the injury site demonstrated the ability to protect the network from developing dysfunctional circuitry, making the model an exciting platform for exploring neuronal regeneration. While the work here focuses solely on the potential of the nanocomposite in neural interfacing applications, its uses are not limited to the CNS but span all systems in the body and, as a result of its extremely unique chemical and electrical properties, extend to fields outside biomedicine.
Hippocampal Inactivation with TTX Impairs Long-Term Spatial Memory Retrieval and Modifies Brain Metabolic Activity

Functional inactivation techniques enable studying the hippocampal involvement in each phase of spatial memory formation in the rat. In this study, we applied tetrodotoxin unilaterally or bilaterally into the dorsal hippocampus to evaluate the role of this brain structure in retrieval of memories acquired 28 days before in the Morris water maze. We combined hippocampal inactivation with the assessment of brain metabolism using cytochrome oxidase histochemistry. Several brain regions were considered, including the hippocampus and other related structures. Results showed that both unilateral and bilateral hippocampal inactivation impaired spatial memory retrieval. Hence, whereas subjects with bilateral hippocampal inactivation showed a circular swim pattern at the side walls of the pool, unilateral inactivation favoured swimming in the quadrants adjacent to the target one. Analysis of cytochrome oxidase activity disclosed regional differences according to the degree of hippocampal functional blockade. In comparison to control group, animals with bilateral inactivation showed increased CO activity in CA1 and CA3 areas of the hippocampus during retrieval, while the activity of the dentate gyrus substantially decreased. However, unilateral inactivated animals showed decreased CO activity in Ammon's horn and the dentate gyrus. This study demonstrated that retrieval recruits differentially the hippocampal subregions and the balance between them is altered with hippocampal functional lesions.
Phenolics from Castanea sativa leaves and their effects on UVB-induced damage

Abstract The phytochemical investigation of the methanol extract of the leaves of Castanea sativa Mill. , source of the Italian PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) product ‘Marrone di Roccadaspide’ (Campania region) afforded as main compounds crenatin (1), chestanin (2), gallic acid (3), cretanin (4), 5-O-p-coumaroylquinic acid (5), p-methylgallic acid (6) and quercetin-3-O-glucoside (7). To quantify the isolated compounds a LC-ESI(QqQ)MS method working with a very sensitive and selective mass tandem experiment called Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) has been developed. Moreover the antioxidant capacity by TEAC assay and the ability of compounds 1–7 to protect HaCaT human keratinocytes from UVB-induced damage has been investigated.