Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The year in cardiology: cardiovascular prevention.

upon which life-long interventions including lifestyle and pharmacotherapy are then based. Advances in genomics may help identify individuals with genetic vulnerability to ASCVD and the recognition of the importance of duration of exposure to risk factors such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (LDL-C), blood pressure(1) or number of cigarettes (pack-years) are helping to reshape the paradigm of risk assessment with greater precision (Figure 1). These are likely to move the approach of health systems from ones treating disease to ones which aim to preserve health (Figure 2). Central to this aim is the move from short-term risk assessment to lifetime risk and earlier implementation of preventive strategies. (2) In this article, we highlight some of the key scientific observations in the field of prevention in 2019 from risk assessment, and epidemiology with an additional focus on lipids, diabetes, and hypertension.
Diagnostic performance of anti-RA33 antibody as a serological marker for rheumatoid arthritis.

INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed based on the 2010 Rheumatoid Arthritis Classification Criteria whereby rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated protein antibody are the serological markers included in these criteria. Anti-RA33 antibody has the potential to provide additional diagnostic value in rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this study is to determine the diagnostic performance of anti-RA33 antibody as a serological marker for rheumatoid arthritis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirtyfour patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 34 non-rheumatoid arthritis individuals were included in this cross-sectional study. Anti-RA33 antibody and rheumatoid factor were performed on all samples. RESULTS The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for anti-RA33 antibody and rheumatoid factor were 41.1%, 97.1%, 93.3%, 62.3% and 64.7%, 79.4%, 75.9%, 69.2% respectively. The overall sensitivity and specificity if either anti-RA33 antibody or rheumatoid factor are positive were 79.4% and 76.47% respectively. CONCLUSION Anti-RA33 antibody showed good specificity and positive predictive value and could be considered as a potential serological marker for rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis.
Exocyst structural changes associated with activation of tethering downstream of Rho/Cdc42 GTPases

Rossi et al. describe a novel assay for exocyst in-vesicle tethering. In this assay, gain-of-function mutants in the Exo70 subunit of the exocyst, which bypass Rho/Cdc42 activation in vivo, stimulate vesicle tethering. Single-particle EM studies reveal a structural change responsible for the gain of function.
An analysis of the risk of perioperative ischemic stroke in patients undergoing non-cardiovascular and non-neurological surgeries

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study aimed to assess the preoperative risk factor for perioperative ischemic stroke (PIS) in patients undergoing non-cardiovascular and non-neurological surgeries. Methods: Patients were retrospectively enrolled and grouped into two groups at a ratio of 1:2 according to their PIS status, i.e. patients with PIS in disease group, and patients without PIS in control group. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed on admission laboratory test indices and preoperative risk factors for stroke. The pooled cohort equation (PCE), Essen Stroke Risk Score (ESRS), and Stroke Prognostic Instrument II (SPI-II) were used to separately assess the risk of stroke in patients with or without a history of stroke. Results: There were significant differences between the two groups in the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), prealbumin, renal insufficiency, dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease, anemia, and hemoglobin; the incidence of electrolyte disturbance; and previous histories of smoking, drinking, and stroke. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that renal insufficiency, histories of smoking and stroke, and decreased HDL-C can increase the risk of PIS. There were no significant differences between the disease group and the control group in ESRS or SPI-II score in patients with stroke history. There was a significant difference between the two groups in the risk of PIS evaluated by PCE in patients without stroke history. Conclusions: History of stroke and smoking, renal insufficiency, and low HDL-C are independent risk factors for PIS. It is feasible to assess the risk of stroke in preoperative patients using PCE in clinical practice.
The long search for a serotype independent pneumococcal vaccine

ABSTRACT Introduction: Serotype replacement – a consequence of polysaccharide vaccine use – will continue to drive the inclusion of new serotypes on conjugate vaccines, increasing production complexity and costs, and making an already expensive vaccine less accessible to developing countries, where prevalence is higher and resources available for health systems, scarcer. Serotype-independent formulations are a promising option, but so far they have not been successful in reducing colonization/transmission. Areas covered: Protein-based and whole-cell vaccine candidates studied in the past 30 years. Challenges for serotype-independent vaccine development and alternative approaches. Expert opinion: Clinical trials performed so far demonstrated the importance to establish more reliable animal models and better correlates of protection. Defining appropriate endpoints for clinical trials of serotype-independent vaccine candidates has been a challenge. Inhibition of colonization has been evaluated, but concern on the extent of bacterial elimination is still a matter of debate. Challenges on establishing representative sites for clinical trials, sample sizes and appropriate age groups are discussed. On a whole, although many challenges will have to be overcome, establishing protein-based antigens as serotype-independent vaccines is still the best alternative against the huge burden of pneumococcal diseases in the world.
A new complex translocation (8;22;21)(q22;q12;q22) in RUNX1/RUNX1T1 acute myeloid leukaemia.

INTRODUCTION Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) with t(8;21)(q22;q22) producing RUNX1-RUNX1T1 rearrangement is a distinct sub-type which is usually associated with a favourable clinical outcome. Variant forms of t(8;21) are rare. Herein we describe a novel variant of t(8;21) AML in a 25-year-old pregnant woman who presented with intermittent fever. CASE REPORT Her peripheral smear and bone marrow aspirate showed many myeloblasts. Chromosomal study revealed t(8;22;21)(q22;q12;q22) and loss of X chromosome. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using whole chromosome painting probes confirmed the three-way translocation involving chromosomes 8, 21 and 22. RUNX1-RUNX1T1 rearrangement was identified in FISH and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction confirming the diagnosis of AML with variant t(8;21). The patient was treated with standard chemotherapy. She achieved morphological remission one month after induction chemotherapy. DISCUSSION Although the clinical significance of variant t(8;21) is not well delineated, the evaluation of 31 such cases suggests patients with variant t(8;21) have similar prognosis to those with classical t(8;21).
Study on the role of calmodulin in sperm function through the enrichment and identification of calmodulin‐binding proteins in bovine ejaculated spermatozoa

Calmodulin is a small, highly conserved acidic protein present at high levels in spermatozoa that mediates numerous intracellular Ca2+‐dependent events. Sperm motility and fertilizing ability results from an array of biochemical pathways under Ca2+ control, in which the importance of calmodulin is not fully understood. The role of calmodulin in sperm function has been mostly assessed using antagonists. Nevertheless, few known calmodulin‐regulated enzymes have been described in spermatozoa regarding their involvement in sperm function. To further understand the role of this important Ca2+ mediator in spermatozoa, different studies were also undertaken to investigate and to identify sperm calmodulin‐binding proteins and determine their localization and subcellular distribution as an attempt to elucidate the role of this important Ca2+ mediator. In the present study, sperm calmodulin‐binding proteins were identified by mass spectrometry after Ca2+‐dependent biotinylated‐calmodulin binding on sperm head proteins subjected to 2D electrophoresis and transferred on a polyvinylidene difluoride membrane. Calmodulin binding protein identification was also done on detergent extracted whole sperm proteins pulled down in a Ca2+‐dependent manner by calmodulin‐conjugated sepharose beads. In this latter group, 300 proteins were identified in at least two experiments out of three, and those identified in the three independent experiments were analyzed for overrepresented biological processes using the Bos taurus Gene Ontology database. Proteins with known function in reproductive processes, fertilization, sperm‐egg recognition, sperm binding to the zona pellucida, regulation of sperm capacitation, and sperm motility were identified and further emphasize the importance of calmodulin in sperm function.
Role of PCSK9 in the course of ejection fraction change after ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction: a pilot study

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has emerged as a therapeutic target for reducing plasma low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Beyond lipid control, recent findings suggest a deleterious effect of this protein in the pathogenesis of postmyocardial infarction left ventricle remodelling and heart failure‐related complications. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between circulating PCSK9 and 6 month cardiac magnetic resonance imaging‐derived left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after a first ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
Ovarian cancer‐associated mesothelial cells induce acquired platinum‐resistance in peritoneal metastasis via the FN1/Akt signaling pathway

Peritoneal dissemination of ovarian cancer (OvCa) arises from the surface of the peritoneum, covered by monolayer of mesothelial cells (MCs). Given that both OvCa cells and MCs are present in the same peritoneal metastatic microenvironment, they may establish cell‐to‐cell crosstalk or phenotypic alterations including the acquisition of platinum‐resistance in OvCa cells. Herein, we report how OvCa‐associated mesothelial cells (OCAMs) induce platinum‐resistance in OvCa cells through direct cell‐to‐cell crosstalk. We evaluated mutual associations between OvCa cells and human primary MCs with in vitro coculturing experimental models and in silico omics data analysis. The role of OCAMs was also investigated using clinical samples and in vivo mice models. Results of in vitro experiments show that mesenchymal transition is induced in OCAMs primarily by TGF‐β1 stimulation. Furthermore, OCAMs influence the behavior of OvCa cells as a component of the tumor microenvironment of peritoneal metastasis. Mechanistically, OCAMs can induce decreased platinum‐sensitivity in OvCa cells via induction of the FN1/Akt signaling pathway via cell‐to‐cell interactions. Histological analysis of OvCa peritoneal metastasis also illustrated FN1 expression in stromal cells that are supposed to originate from MCs. Further, we also confirmed the activation of Akt signaling in OvCa cells in contact with TGF‐β1 stimulated peritoneum, using an in vivo mice model. Our results suggest that the tumor microenvironment, enhanced by direct cell‐to‐cell crosstalk between OvCa cells and OCAMs, induces acquisition of platinum‐resistance in OvCa cells, which may serve as a novel therapeutic target for prevention of OvCa peritoneal dissemination.
Aberrant sialylation in ovarian cancers.

Sialylation (the covalent addition of sialic acid [SA] to the terminal end of glycoproteins or glycans), tightly regulated cell- and microenvironment-specific process and orchestrated by sialyltransferases (ST) and sialidases (neuraminidases [NEU]) family, is one of post-translational modifications, which plays an important biological role in the maintenance of normal physiology and involves many pathological dysfunctions. Glycans have roles in all the cancer hallmarks, referring to capabilities acquired during all steps of cancer development to initiate malignant transformation (a driver of a malignant genotype), enable cancer cells to survive, proliferate and metastasize (a consequence of a malignant phenotype), which includes sustaining proliferative signaling, evading growth suppressor, resisting cell apoptosis, enabling replicative immortality, inducing angiogenesis, reprogramming of energy metabolism, evading tumor destruction, accumulating inflammatory microenvironment, and activating invasion and accelerating metastases. Regarding the important role of altered sialylation of cancers, further knowledge about the initiation and the consequences of altered sialylation pattern in tumor cells is needed, because all may offer a better chance for developing novel therapeutic strategy. In this review, we would like to update alteration of sialylation in ovarian cancers.
Durability performance and microstructure analysis of a road base material prepared from red mud and flue gas desulfurization fly ash

The present study aimed to investigate the durability and microstructure evolution of a road base materials (RBM) prepared from red mud and flue gas desulfurization fly ash. The durability testing showed that the strength of RBM with the blast furnace slag addition of 1%, 3% and 5% reached 3.81, 4.87, and 5.84 MPa respectively after 5 freezing–thawing (F–T) cycles and reached 5.21, 5.75, and 6.98 MPa after 20 weting–drying (W–D) cycles, respectively. The results also indicated that hydration products were continuously formed even during W–D and F–T exposures, resulting in the increase for the strength and durability of RBM. The observed increase of macropores (>1 μm) after F–T and W–D exposures suggested that the mechanism for RBM deterioration is pore enlargement due to cracks that develop inside their matrix. Moreover, the F–T exposure showed a greater negative effect on the durability of RBM compared to the W–D exposure. The leaching tests showed that sodium and heavy metals were solidified below the minimum requirement, which indicates that these wastes are suitable for use as a natural material replacement in road base construction.
Misleading Concepts in Quantum Gravity: Black Hole Thermodynamics and The Holographic Principle

We present in this article a condensed review of the rigorous and often forgotten proof of the inconsistency of Black Hole Thermodynamics and the Holographic Principle in Quantum Gravity, by following very closely the author’s self-published critical book [1] on quantum black holes. Most of the important results discussed here follow directly from the classic articles by Harms and Leblanc [2, 3, 4, 5, 6].
Diurnal preference and sleep quality: same genes

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Conceptualizing and Measurement of Emotional Expression Styles: An Inventory Development Study

The primary purpose of this research was to develop a new inventory assessing emotional expression in an ongoing interaction, in everday life. As an initial, the inventory was restricted with the emotions of happiness, sadness and anger which are accepted from many researchers as basic emotions. First of all, preliminary study was designed to develop an inventory in which emotional expression behaviors were listed. Then three studies were conducted. Principal components analyses with varimax rotation were carried out, and 2 factor structures for happiness, 5 factor structures for sadness, and 6 factor structures for anger emerged. The test-retest reliability and internal consistency analyses revealed statistically significant correlation coefficients. As preliminary evidence to criterion-related validity, correlational analyses on theoretically related variables (“Five Factor Personality Inventory”, and “Guilt and Shame Scale”) showed statistically significant coefficients. Furthermore, conformitory factor analyses provided support for the structures of ınventory (except Delay factor for anger).
STABILITY OF PERIODIC TRAVELLING-WAVE SOLUTIONS FOR THE BENJAMIN-ONO AND MODIFIED KORTEWEG-DE VRIES EQUATIONS

In this paper we establish the stability of periodic travelling waves solutions for the BenjaminOno equation ut + uux − (Hu)x = 0, and the modified Korteweg-de Vries equation ut + 3u ux + uxxx = 0, where H denotes the periodic Hilbert transform defined by
The Value of Rights

There are, in the broadest terms, two views of the value of the right to free speech. On the first view speech rights are good in themselves. To respect a person‟s speech rights is just to respect the inherent dignity and worth of that person as a rational and autonomous being. On the second view speech rights are means to ends. We ascribe speech rights because doing so will help us to achieve desirable states of affairs like democratic stability, market efficiency, and greater enlightenment.
!"##$#%&'()*+&SOCIAL CUES AND CYBERBULLYING IN FACEBOOK

The current research seeks to investigate cyberbullying behaviors on Social Networking Sites (SNSs) by studying the effects of message, receiver and sender characteristics within one such popular platform, Facebook. Facebook, unlike older computer-mediated platforms, possesses distinct features and usage cultures, with one such example being the greater extent to which users disclose about their personal identity. The effect of such social cues and user behavioral patterns on Facebook towards cyberbullying behaviors is still not fully understood. In this study, we apply the communication model to understand how the frequency of cyberbullying activity, friend count and anonymity within Facebook can affect cyberbullying intentions and perception towards a potential cyberbully victim. A 2 x 2 x 2 factorial experimental design was created to examine the variables in this study. 200 undergraduates between 19 and 24 of age were recruited and randomly assigned to one of the eight experimental conditions. From the results, we found that anonymity and a greater frequency of cyberbullying activity increased the intention of users to want to cyberbully a victim. Also, a low-friend count and a greater frequency of cyberbullying activity can create a negative perception of the victim’s personality, which may lead to more online victimization. Implications of the results are discussed in the report.
The Patient in Your Alzheimer’s Disease Study May be in Another: Duplication and Deception in Clinical Trials of Alzheimer’s Disease

Duplicate and deceptive subjects, a significant issue in CNS studies, are not often considered in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) clinical trials. However, AD patients and their study partners may be motivated to take advantage of different mechanisms of action, increase odds of receiving active treatment, and/or obtain financial compensation, which may lead them to participate in multiple studies. CTSdatabase reviewed memory loss subjects (n=1087) from January 2017 through May 2019 to determine how many attempted to screen at multiple sites. 117 subjects (10.8%) visited more than one site within two years. When these potential AD subjects went to additional sites, it was predominantly for non-memory indications (often MDD or schizophrenia). For those that participated in studies, the rate of duplication approached 4% of screened AD subjects. This data indicates that significant numbers of AD subjects attempt to enroll at multiple sites, which confounds efficacy and safety signals in clinical trials.
The role of biologic response modifiers in the management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis associated uveitis: a review

ABSTRACT Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common childhood systemic disease associated with uveitis and significantly detracts from the child’s quality of life. Due to the high rate of ocular morbidities in JIA associated uveitis, the main treatment goal remains the complete elimination of active inflammation at all times. An aggressive ‘step-ladder’ approach starting with conventional immunotherapy is usually tried initially in order to control the ocular inflammation. For those who fail conventional therapy, biologic response modifiers have been shown to be effective in controlling the inflammation. Available data demonstrate the extensive and successful, yet off-label, use of biologic agents in the treatment of refractory JIA associated uveitis especially in cases that fail or deemed intolerant to conventional immunosuppressive therapy. In this review, we discuss different biologic response modifiers; their applications in the treatment of JIA associated uveitis and their safety profile in general.
Farming with Microbes—Microbial Seed Treatments

Conventional agriculture is characterized by monocultures protected by chemical pesticides and yields driven by an abundance of synthetic fertilizers. But pests are becoming resistant to chemical pesticides, and climate change is causing increased diseases and pest invasions into new areas (Quarles 2007). As a result, more fertilizers and pesticides are needed to maintain crop yields. In the last 40 years, nitrogen fertilizer use has increased 7-fold, and pesticides have increased 3-fold (Fox et al. 2007). There has been a public reaction to increasing environmental pollution. For instance, neonicotinoid pesticides have been banned in European field crops because of their effects on bees (O’Callaghan 2016; Elliott 2018). GMOs have made the problem worse. Over a 6-year period from 2006 to 2012, there was a 50-70% increase in nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium fertilizers needed to maintain yields in GMO soybeans (Quarles 2017). Herbicides have destroyed habitat for the monarch butterfly, nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers are contaminating streams, leading to blooms of toxic algae (Dodds et al. 2009; Pleasants and Oberhauser 2012; Dubrovsky and Hamilton 2010). Commercial soils are also starved for carbon, which is necessary to support microbes that contribute to plant health (Quarles 2018). The convergent problems have generated a market for microbial inoculants, including mycorrhizae, phosphorous solubilizing microbes, nitrogen fixing bacteria, microbial Microbial seed treatments can reduce fertilizer and pesticide applications and increase yields. These wheat seeds have been treated with spores of mycorrhizal fungi. Mycorrhizae provide phosphorus and other nutrients. P h to ou resy M y crrh za l A p p ica tion s, m y crrh za ecom