Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum Interleukin-37 Increases in Patients after Ischemic Stroke and Is Associated with Stroke Recurrence

Background This study seeks to assess interleukin-37 (IL-37) serum level in acute ischemic stroke and the value of predicting 3-month stroke recurrence and functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke. Methods From January 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019, all consecutive first-ever acute ischemic stroke patients from our hospital, China, were included. Serum samples, clinical information, and stroke severity (defined by the National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score) were collected at baseline. Serum IL-37 level was measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Functional impairment (defined by the modified Rankin scale (mRS)) and recurrent stroke were assessed 3 months after admission. The relation of IL-37 with either clinical severity at baseline, unfavorable functional outcome, or stroke recurrence at follow-up was evaluated by logistic regression analysis, and the results were presented as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Three hundred and ten stroke patients were included. The median IL-37 serum level in those patients was 344.1 pg/ml (interquartile range (IQR), 284.4-405.3 vs. control cases: 122.3 pg/ml (IQR, 104.4-1444.0); P < 0.001). At 3 months, a total of 36 (11.6%) patients had a stroke recurrence. IL-37 serum levels in those patients were higher than in those patients without stroke recurrence (417.0 pg/ml (IQR, 359.3-436.1) vs. 333.3 pg/ml (279.0-391.0)). In a logistic model adjusted for other factors, IL-37 in the highest quartile (>405.3 pg/ml) was still associated with recurrent stroke (OR = 3.32; 95%CI = 2.03–6.13; P < 0.001). IL-37 could promote the NIHSS score (area under the curve (AUC) of the IL-37/NIHSS, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.67–0.83; P < 0.001), corresponding to a difference of 0.085 (0.005). Serum IL-37 increases in patients with poor outcome, and an IL-37 in the highest quartile is related to poor outcome (OR = 4.85; 95%CI = 3.11 − 8.22; P < 0.001). Conclusion Serum IL-37 increased in patients after ischemic stroke and was associated with stroke recurrence events and poor stroke outcomes. Large randomized controlled trials should be carried out to confirm whether IL-37 lowering treatment improves stroke prognosis.
Explorations of avoidance and approach coping and perceived stress with a computer-based avatar task: detrimental effects of resignation and withdrawal

Background Individuals differ in how they react to stress or trauma through different coping styles in which they may deal directly with a stressor by adopting approach coping styles or disengage with a stressor by utilizing avoidant coping styles. Avoidant coping styles have been linked to adverse outcomes including psychological distress, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recently, avoidance coping styles as measured by a subset of items on the Brief COPE were found to have a weak positive relationship with performance on a computer-based avatar task which is related to avoidant personality temperaments. This avatar task was developed as an alternative for paper and pencil self-report inventories for measuring avoidant tendencies based on possible response biases of avoidant individuals. In the current study, avoidance and approach coping styles as measured by the Brief Approach/Avoidance Coping Questionnaire (BACQ) were compared to avoidant coping as measured by the Brief COPE and performance on the avatar task. In addition to approach and avoidance coping, the BACQ also measures active avoidance coping (i.e., diversion) and passive avoidance coping (i.e., resignation and withdrawal). The relationships between approach and avoidance coping and performance on the avatar task were also analyzed with the outcome of perceived stress as measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Methods One hundred undergraduates voluntarily completed the BACQ, the Brief COPE, and the PSS. Participants also completed a computer-based task in which they guided an avatar through a series of social situations where they indicated how they would interact with or avoid interacting with strangers. Results Approach coping had a weak negative relationship to avoidance coping as measured by the BACQ and the Brief COPE. Performance on the avatar task had a moderate positive relationship with avoidance coping (diversion as well as resignation and withdrawal) as measured by the BACQ and a moderate negative relationship with approach coping as measured by the BACQ. A model including only approach, diversion, and resignation and withdrawal coping best predicted performance on the avatar task in a linear regression model. While resignation and withdrawal coping and diversion coping had moderate positive relationships to avatar task scores, only resignation and withdrawal had a strong positive relationship to perceived stress. A model than included only resignation and withdrawal coping best predicted perceived stress in a linear regression model. Overall, passive avoidant coping styles (i.e., resignation and withdrawal), but not active avoidant coping style (i.e., diversion), were related to perceived stress. These results support the continued study of multiple aspects of avoidant coping styles as well as the avatar task to increase our understanding of the maladaptive effects of excessive avoidance in the face of stress.
Low desiccation and thermal tolerance constrains a terrestrial amphibian to a rare and disappearing microclimate niche

Abstract Drier and hotter conditions caused by climate change threaten species that exist close to their physiological limits, as well as those with limited ability to move. Habitat specialists may also be particularly vulnerable if they have specific abiotic requirements. Here we assess whether thermal and hydric constraints can explain the highly restricted and declining distributions of the critically endangered terrestrial-breeding frog, Geocrinia alba. We also evaluate the species’ vulnerability to climate change based on the similarity of current microclimatic conditions to their physiological limits. We found that G. alba had low thresholds of thermal and desiccation tolerance relative to other anuran species. The estimated thermal optimum (Topt) and critical thermal maxima (CTmax) were 23.3°C and 29.6°C, respectively, and adult frogs had an absorption threshold (AT, the lowest water potential at which water can be absorbed from a substrate) of −50 kPa, the lowest recorded for an amphibian. Comparing environmental conditions and water loss in the field using agar models showed that riparian habitats where frogs occur provide a unique microclimate in the landscape, offering significantly lower desiccation risk during extreme summer conditions compared to immediately adjacent riparian and terrestrial habitats. Monitoring of microclimate conditions within occupied frog habitats over 2 years showed that in extreme dry and hot years the AT was exceeded at six of eight sites, and Topt was exceeded at two of eight sites. Given their specific physiological limits, the apparent rarity of suitable microclimates and a regional drying–warming trend, we suggest that G. alba occupies a potentially disappearing niche and may be indicative of other habitat specialists that rely on ephemeral drainages. More broadly, this study highlights that desiccation thresholds may tightly constrain amphibian distributions and need to be considered along with thermal tolerance thresholds when predicting the impacts of climate change.
Spleen Stiffness Performance in the Noninvasive Assessment of Gastroesophageal Varices after Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts

Objectives To investigate the performance of spleen stiffness (SS) by using two-dimensional shear-wave elastography (2D-SWE) for assessing the severity of gastroesophageal varices (GEVs) after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). Methods 102 eligible patients were categorized as in the post-TIPS short-term (n = 69) and long-term (n = 38) follow-up groups. The performance of SS by using 2D-SWE for evaluating the severity of GEVs was compared with liver stiffness (LS), spleen stiffness-to-liver stiffness ratio (SS/LS), liver stiffness spleen-diameter-to-platelet-ratio score (LSPS), portal hypertension (PH) risk score, platelet count-to-spleen diameter ratio (PSR), and varices risk score by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and DeLong test. Results In the post-TIPS short-term follow-up group, area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) of SS were 0.585 for mild (cutoff value = 30.3 kPa), 0.655 for moderate (cutoff value = 30.6 kPa), and 0.739 for severe (cutoff value = 31.9 kPa) GEVs, which were higher than other parameters for severe GEVs. AUCs of SS were lower than other parameters for mild and moderate GEVs, but no difference was found (p > 0.05). In the post-TIPS long-term follow-up group, AUCs of SS were 0.778 for mild (cutoff value = 28.9 kPa), 0.82 for moderate (cutoff value = 29.9 kPa), and 0.824 for severe (cutoff value = 37.7 kPa) GEVs, which were higher than other parameters except for severe GEVs. AUC of SS was lower than other parameters for severe GEVs, but no significant difference was found (p > 0.05). Conclusion SS is an effective noninvasive tool to predict GEV severity during the post-TIPS follow-up.
Systematic Identification of Survival-Associated Alternative Splicing Events in Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma

There is growing evidence that aberrant alternative splicing (AS) is highly correlated with driving tumorigenesis, but its function in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) remains to be discovered. In this study, we obtained the level-3 RNA sequencing and clinical data of KIRC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TGCA). Combining with the splicing event detail information from TGCA SpliceSeq database, we established the independent prognosis signatures for KIRC with the univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Then, we used the Kaplan-Meier analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs) to assess the accuracy of prognosis signatures. We also constructed the regulatory network of splicing factors (SFs) and AS events. Our results showed that a total of 12029 survival-associated AS events of 5761 genes were found in 524 KIRC patients. All types of prognosis signatures displayed a satisfactory ability to reliably predict, especially in exon skip model which the area under curve of ROC was 0.802. Moreover, 18 splicing factors (SFs) highly correlated to AS events were identified. With the construction of the SF-AS interactive network, we found that SF powerfully promotes the occurrence of abnormal AS and may have a profound role in KIRC. Collectively, we screened survival-associated AS events and established prognosis signatures for KIRC, coupling with the SF-AS interactive network, which might provide a key perspective to clarify the potential mechanism of AS in KIRC.
Antioxidant Activity, Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents of Three Onobrychis Species from Iran

Background: Plant phenolic compounds are a main group of plant natural products and flavonoids are the largest and best studied natural phenols. These substances possess a series of biological properties and act on biological systems as antioxidants. In present research, the aim is to determine in vitro total phenolics content and antioxidant activity of the methanolic extracts of three Onobrychis species belonging to the family Fabaceae, namely O. sosnovskyi Grossh. , O. viciifolia Scop. and O. melanotricha Boiss. Furthermore, an attempt was made to identify any correlations between total phenolic content of the extracts with their antioxidant activities Methods: Total phenol and flavonoid contents of the extracts were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by three different test systems, namely 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging (DPPH), metal-chelation activity and s-carotene/linoleic acid model. Results: Results indicated that O. viciifolia extract contains the highest total phenolic content (10.38 ± 0.33mg GAE/g of dry extract). However, the species are not remarkable different (P < 0.05) in total flavonoid amount. The Onobrychis species represent strong antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging (IC50; 0.121 ± 0.005 to 0.129 ± 0.001 mg/ml), metal chelating (IC50; 1.10 ± 0.006 to 1.80 ± 0.003 mg/ml) and also β-carotene bleaching methods. In addition, a high correlation was found between different antioxidant assays and total phenol content of the extracts (R2 > 0.55 to 0.98). Conclusion: Our results showed that the examined Onobrychis extracts represent strong antioxidant activity; hence, they can be suggested as antioxidant agents for special use in future.
Challenges and Changes of Pharmacy Practice During the COVID-19 Crisis in Malaysia: Instability as an Opportunity

Pharmacy practice is the discipline concerning the roles of pharmacists in the healthcare setting. Healthcare in Malaysia encompasses numerous sectors, such as academics, community, enforcement, hospital, industrial, jurisprudence, military, regulatory and research and development. In addressing the crisis brought on by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, pharmacists and technicians have been highly involved in the delivery of healthcare services. Malaysia has a distinct two-tier healthcare system and within this context, it is essential to integrate services during a crisis to maximise the available but limited medical resources. Often, the focus is on realistic and logical public–private partnerships. However, integrating different ministries offering healthcare facilities is also important and inter-agency pharmacy practice coordination must be optimised. The Malaysian Armed Forces Health Services can be primed to enhance the nation’s healthcare capacity and capability. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grip the nation and cause an unprecedented number of Malaysians to become very ill, pharmacists must be resilient in leading, adapting and integrating well-rounded strategies in their respective fields to ensure good pharmacy practice.
Clinical Determinants of the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) in Stable Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis Patients

Background: The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a suitable tool for the assessment of functional capacity in patients with chronic pulmonary diseases. This study aimed to assess the clinical determinants of the six-minute walk distance (6MWD), exercise-induced desaturation (EID), and pretest saturation of arterial oxygen (SataO2) in patients with diffuse non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 57 clinically stable patients with diffuse non-CF bronchiectasis were enrolled. Anthropometric measurements (body mass index [BMI], mid-arm muscle circumference [MAMC], and triceps skinfold thickness [TSF]), spirometric indices (forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1], forced vital capacity [FVC], and FEV1/FVC ratio), imaging assessment (CT scan), and bacteriological sputum studies were performed, and then, 6MWT was carried out. Results: The mean 6MWD was measured to be 447.11±94.59 m. The average walked distance in patients with severe, moderate, and mild bronchiectasis was 427.73±92.07, 439.63±102.65, and 485.87±80.47 m, respectively, with no significant difference. The pretest SataO2 was 88.92±5.59%, 93.75±3.36%, and 94.87±2.88% in the severe, moderate, and mild bronchiectasis groups (P<0.001). A significant inverse correlation was observed between the distance walked and BMI (r=−0.434, P=0.001). Conclusion: The predictors of 6MWD in stable non-CF bronchiectasis patients were FVC, SataO2 at rest, BMI, and MAMC. The FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and BMI were independent predictors of SataO2 at rest. The extension of bronchiectasis was the only predictor of EID during the test.
An Integrated Care Strategy for Pre-schoolers with Suspected Developmental Disorders: The Optimus Co-design Project that has Made it to Regular Care

Introduction: Multiple neurodevelopmental problems affect 7–8% of children and require evaluation by more than one profession, posing a challenge to care systems. Description: The local problem comprised distressed parents, diagnostic processes averaging 36 months and 28 visits with 42% of children >4 years at referral to adequate services, and no routines for patient involvement. The co-design project was developed through a series of workshops using standard quality improvement methodology, where representatives of all services, as well as parents participated. The resulting integrated care model comprises a team of professionals who evaluate the child during an average of 5.4 appointments (N = 95), taking 4.8 weeks. Parents were satisfied with the holistic service model and 70% of children were under 4 at referral (p < 0.05). While 75% of children were referred, 25% required further follow-up by the team. Discussion: The Optimus model has elements of vertical, clinical and service integration. Reasons for success included leadership support, buy-in from the different organisations, careful process management, a team co-ordinator, and insistent user involvement. Conclusion: Evaluating multiple neurodevelopmental problems in children requires an integrated care approach. The Optimus care model is a relevant showcase for how people-initiated integrated care reforms can make it into usual care.
Diversity and Functions of Type II Topoisomerases

The DNA double helix provides a simple and elegant way to store and copy genetic information. However, the processes requiring the DNA helix strands separation, such as transcription and replication, induce a topological side-effect – supercoiling of the molecule. Topoisomerases comprise a specific group of enzymes that disentangle the topological challenges associated with DNA supercoiling. They relax DNA supercoils and resolve catenanes and knots. Here, we review the catalytic cycles, evolution, diversity, and functional roles of type II topoisomerases in organisms from all domains of life, as well as viruses and other mobile genetic elements.
A vehicle to vehicle relay-based task offloading scheme in Vehicular Communication Networks

Vehicular edge computing (VEC) is a potential field that distributes computational tasks between VEC servers and local vehicular terminals, hence improve vehicular services. At present, vehicles’ intelligence and capabilities are rapidly improving, which will likely support many new and exciting applications. The network resources are well-utilized by exploiting neighboring vehicles’ available resources while mitigating the VEC server’s heavy burden. However, due to the vehicles’ mobility, network topology, and the available computing resources change rapidly, which are difficult to predict. To tackle this problem, we investigate the task offloading schemes by utilizing vehicle to vehicle and vehicle to infrastructure communication modes and exploiting the vehicle’s under-utilized computation and communication resources, and taking the cost and time consumption into account. We present a promising relay task-offloading scheme in vehicular edge computing (RVEC). According to this scheme, the tasks are offloaded in a vehicle to vehicle relay for computation while being transmitted to VEC servers. Numerical results illustrate that the RVEC scheme substantially enhances the network’s overall offloading cost.
Correlationship between Ki67, VEGF, and p53 and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence in Liver Transplant Patients

Background and Aims Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who undergo orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) are at risk for posttransplant tumor recurrence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the expression of Ki67, VEGF, and p53 in HCC and clinicopathological characteristics of HCC patients, as well as their predictive value for HCC recurrence after OLT. Methods 60 patients who underwent OLT and were found to have HCC in the liver explant. The expression of Ki67, VEGF, and p53 in HCC was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results Ki67 was associated with the tumor number and the grade of differentiation at baseline. VEGF was associated with the diameter and number of tumors, tumor differentiation, and lymph node metastasis. p53 was associated with the tumor diameter and tumor encapsulation. The expression of Ki67, VEGF, and p53 in HCC was correlated with the tumor recurrence after OLT, respectively. Among them, VEGF was an independent predictor for tumor recurrence after OLT. Conclusion Ki67, VEGF, and p53 are associated with the recurrence of HCC after OLT. VEGF independently predicts the recurrence of HCC.
Immunomodulatory Effects of Cell Therapy after Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) due to coronary artery stenosis compromises vascular endothelial integrity and increases vascular permeability [1,2]. Concurrently, ensuing myocardial tissue death and necrosis results in the release of danger associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), cytokines, chemokines, bioactive lipids, as well as activation of the complement cascade [1-3]. Collectively, these events direct a pronounced and immediate immune response, which includes the recruitment of peripheral blood leukocytes to the site of injury [2,3]. These infiltrating neutrophils are primarily responsible for the clearance of necrotic tissue and cellular debris in ischemic regions via their release of a host of proteolytic enzymes/proteases. While this constitutes a necessary early step in the myocardial repair process at the site of injury, neutrophil-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines can contribute to collateral damage of surviving myocardium and amplify tissue injury [3,4]. Nevertheless, neutrophils are imperative for proper infarct healing as their depletion prior to MI leads to a dysregulated immune response, excessive scarring, and impaired ventricular function [5]. Within days of an MI, neutrophils undergo cell death and disappear from infarcted tissue [3,4]. Recruitment of neutrophils is followed by two waves of monocyte infiltration. First, early recruitment of Ly6CHigh monocytes expressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and second, infiltration of Ly6CLow monocytes with pro-resolving and pro-reparative function [3,6,7]. Ly6CHigh monocyte migration is driven by the presence of tissue CCL2 chemokine gradients and their interaction with their cognate receptor, CCR2 [8]—a group of monocytes that are principally sourced from bone marrow and spleen. Subsequently, these monocytes differentiate into Ly6CLowCCR2High macrophages, known as monocyte-derived macrophages [9,10]. These are distinct from Ly6CLowCCR2Low macrophages deposited in the myocardial tissue during embryonic development [11-13]. Both macrophage populations (Ly6CLowCCR2High and Ly6CLowCCR2Low) contribute to myocardial repair by clearance of dead tissue via efferocytosis and production of pro-reparative and pro-resolving mediators. Macrophagederived cytokines play an essential role in the proliferation and activation of cardiac fibroblasts (fibroblast-myofibroblast conversion) that deposit collagen at the site of injury. This process of scar formation fulfills the immediate need to preserve the structural integrity