Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ratio of CA19-9 level to total bilirubin as a novel prognostic indicator in patients with pancreatic head carcinoma following curative resection.

Background Ratio of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level to total bilirubin (CA19-9/TB) is used to reduce the influence of obstructive jaundice on the concentration of CA19-9, thereby determining the correlation between CA19-9/TB and tumor recurrence or long-term prognosis of patients with pancreatic head cancer (PHC). Methods In this study, a total of 339 patients were enrolled. The optimal cut-off value of CA19-9/TB was determined by ROC curve based on preoperative CA19-9/TB and 1-year survival, and the patients were divided into low-ratio group (Group 1) and high-ratio group (Group 2) accordingly. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to screen out the risk factors affecting postoperative recurrence and long-term prognosis of PHC. Results The best cut-off value of CA19-9/TB was 7.7. [area under curve (AUC), 0.599, 95% CI: 0.533-0.666] Compared with Group 1, Group 2 had lower CA19-9, higher TB and lymph node metastasis rate (P<0.05). The 1-, 2- and 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates of patients in Group 1 and Group 2 were 70.1%, 44.3% and 30.8%, 39.9%, 17.1% and 13.6%, respectively (P=0.000), and the 1-, 2- and 3-year overall survival (OS) rates were 81.5%, 52.1% and 31.5%, 53.7%, 20.5% and 14.2%, respectively (P=0.000). Multivariate analysis showed that CA19-9/TB, portal vein invasion and lymph node metastasis were independent risk factors for postoperative tumor recurrence and long-term survival of PHC. Conclusions Compared with CA19-9 alone, CA19-9/TB is more valuable in judging postoperative tumor recurrence and long-term survival of PHC. The lower the ratio, the better the long-term prognosis.
Factors affecting the choice of drospirenone as the component of combined contraceptive pill in daily clinical practice: the results of nation-wide survey.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the multicenter, open-label, post-marketing, observational survey was to assess doctors' preferences in choosing the progestogen component of the combined contraceptive pill (CCP) and factors affecting this choice in daily clinical practice as well as non-contraceptive reasons use of CCP containing drospirenone (CCPD) and patients' tolerance and satisfaction with the treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS This multicenter, open-label, post-marketing, survey was performed nation-wide with the participation of 222 doctors involving and 10,345 patients treated with CCPD. The study questionnaire included questions concerning factors affecting the choice of drospirenone as a component of CCP and assessing prescription pattern of the drug as well as tolerance and satisfaction with the use of CCPD. RESULTS The doctors frequently declared their choice of drospirenone as the progestogen component of CCP. The most important factors affecting the choice of drospirenone, declared by doctors, were tolerance level, consistent regulation of menstrual cycle and not causing spotting. CCPD was prescribed to patients with irregular menstrual cycles (62.7%) and painful menstruation (46.8%). During follow-up, significantly increased percentage of patients assessed the tolerance of treatment with CCPD as very good (52.5% vs 68.0%; p < 0.01) and very satisfied with its use (61.9% vs 77.8%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS 1) Drospirenone is frequently chosen progestogen component in CCP by Polish gynecologists due to its good tolerance, consistent regulation of the menstrual cycle and no spotting in patients opinion. 2) CCPD was most frequently used in patients with irregular menstrual cycles and painful menstruation. 3) The patients were satisfied with the use CCPD and treatment was well tolerated.
Comparison of The Carrier Frequency of Pathogenic Variants of DMD Gene in an Indian Cohort.

BACKGROUND Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked disorder caused due to large deletions, duplications,and small pathogenic variants. This article compares the carrier frequency of different pathogenic variants in the DMD gene for the first time in an Indian cohort. METHODS Ninety-one mothers of genetically confirmed DMD probands are included in this study. Pathogenic variants in the DMD gene in probands were detected by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) or next-generation sequencing (NGS). Maternal blood samples were evaluated either by MLPA or Sanger sequencing. The demographic and clinical details for screening of muscle weakness and cardiomyopathy were collected from the confirmed carriers. RESULTS Out of 91 probands, large deletions and duplications were identified in 46 and 6 respectively, while 39 had small variants. Among the small variants, substitutions predicted to cause nonsense mutations were the most common (61.5%), followed by frameshift causing small insertion/deletions (25.6%) and splice affecting intronic variants (12.8%). Notably, 19 novel small variants predicted to be disease-causing were identified. Of the 91 mothers, 53 (58.7%) were confirmed to be carriers. Exonic deletions had a significantly lower carrier frequency of 47.8% as compared to small variants (64.1%). The mean age of the carriers at evaluation was 30 years. Among the carriers, two were symptomatic with onset in the 4th decade, manifesting with progressive proximal muscle weakness and dilated cardiomyopathy. CONCLUSION Carrier frequency of small pathogenic variants differs significantly from large deletions. Small pathogenic variants are more commonly inherited, whereas large deletions arise de novo.
Electrohydrodynamically induced dielectric liquid flow through pure conduction in point/plane geometry

Mildly polar liquids generally exhibit an ohmic behavior when subjected to electric fields of limited values. The resulting conduction is then associated with heterocharge layers of finite thickness in the vicinity of the electrodes. In the absence of charge injection or induction, a simple conduction model based on the processes of dissociation of a neutral electrolytic species and recombination of the generated ions is presented. This model is first applied to parallel plane electrode geometry to describe the build-up of the heterocharge. Then, the case of point/plane configuration is considered where the effect of Coulomb force is different in the two layers next to the electrodes. A net motion toward the point electrode is predicted to occur. With a rough approximation for the harmonic field, an analysis is presented which leads to an expression for the axial component of the net force exerted on the liquid. A simple static pump is designed and built to experimentally investigate the pressure head generated through pure conduction. Two working fluids (refrigerant R-123 and n-hexane) and two different electrode designs are considered in this study. The experimental results are qualitatively compared to the theoretical predictions.
Associations of hand washing frequency with the incidence of illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Hand hygiene is one of the ways to prevent the spread of diseases. Our aim was to explore the relationship between hand washing frequency and the impact on disease, and give recommendations on the number of times to wash hands. Methods We searched seven electronic databases from their inception to April 11, 2020, and reference lists of related reviews for all studies on hand washing frequency and disease prevention. The Review Manager 5.3. software was used to conduct a meta-analysis. We assessed the risk of bias of included studies, and quality of evidence of the main findings. Results A total of eight studies were included. The results of the meta-analysis showed that there was no statistical significance between the effect of disease prevention and washing more than 4 times/day compared to not [odds ratio (OR) =0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37 to 1.01]. The results of a case-control study showed that compared with hand washing ≤4 times/day, hand washing 5–10 times/day (OR =0.75, 95% CI: 0.63 to 0.91) and hand washing >10 times/day (OR =0.65, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.80) could reduce the risk of disease infection. There was no statistical significance advantage to hand washing more than 10 times/day compared to 5–10 times/day (OR =0.86, 95% CI: 0.70 to 1.06). Comparing hand washing ≤10 times/day with hand washing >10 times/day, increased hand washing was a protective factor against infection (OR =0.59, 95% CI: 0.36 to 0.97). Conclusions The more frequently hands were washed, the lower risk of disease. So far however, there is no high-quality evidence indicating the best range of hand washing frequency for disease prevention.
Predictors and long-term prognosis of left ventricular aneurysm in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention in the contemporary era

Background Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been the standard reperfusion strategy for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the contemporary era. Meanwhile, the incidence and prognosis of left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) in AMI patients remain ambiguous. The aim of the current study is to identify the predictor and long-term prognosis of LVA in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction. Methods We prospectively enrolled 942 consecutive patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction who were treated by primary PCI. The baseline characteristics, procedural features, and one-year clinical outcomes were compared between the patients with and without LVA. The primary endpoint of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) was defined as a composite of cardiac death, target vessel revascularization, and ischemic stroke. Multiple logistic regression was applied to predict LVA formation and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to evaluate the accuracy of the multivariate analysis model. Results The general incidence of LVA was 15.92%. At one-year clinical follow-up, patients in the LVA group had significantly higher incidence of MACCEs (15.33% vs. 6.44%, P<0.01), mainly driven by an increased incidence of cardiac death (8.00% vs. 2.78%, P<0.01), target vessel revascularization (5.33% vs. 2.27%, P=0.03), and ischemic stroke (4.00% vs. 1.39%, P=0.03). Multivariate analysis found that longer symptom-to-balloon time (S2B) [odds ratio (OR): 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–1.21, P<0.01], higher initial and residual SYNTAX score (iSS, OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.14–1.24, P<0.01; rSS, OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.22–1.45, P<0.01), lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.11–1.18, P<0.01), and persistent ST segment elevation (OR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.06–3.38, P=0.03) were independent predictors of LVA formation. Conclusions LVA is still common in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction in the contemporary PCI era, and the prognosis of these patients was significantly worse during the one-year clinical follow-up. Strategies of prompt reperfusion and complete revascularization may be helpful in preventing LVA formation and improving clinical outcomes.
Lipid hydroperoxides in nutrition, health, and diseases

Research on lipid peroxidation in food degradation, oil and fat nutrition, and age-related diseases has gained significant international attention for the view of improvement of societal health and longevity. In order to promote basic studies on these topics, a chemiluminescence detection-high performance liquid chromatography instrument using a high-sensitivity single photon counter as a detector was developed. This instrument enabled us to selectively detect and quantify lipid hydroperoxides, a primary product of lipid peroxidation reactions, as hydroperoxide groups at the lipid class level. Furthermore, an analytical method using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry has been established to discriminate the position and stereoisomerization of hydroperoxide groups in lipid hydroperoxides. Using these two methods, the reaction mechanisms of lipid peroxidation in food and in the body have been confirmed.
Comparison of self-expandable stents and balloon-mounted stents in the treatment of symptomatic intracranial vertebral artery atherosclerotic stenosis.

OBJECTIVE To compare the safety and efficacy of self-expandable stents (SES) and balloon-mounted stents (BMS) in the treatment of severe symptomatic intracranial vertebral artery atherosclerotic stenosis (SIVAAS). METHODS The clinical and imaging data of 76 consecutive cases who were stented for SIVAAS in our centers in ten years were reviewed retrospectively. The cases were divided into SES group and BMS group as per the type of stents. Conventional risk factors of atherosclerosis, the relationship between stenosis and the origin of posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA), whether the stenosis was located at the dural-entry zone of the vertebral artery (VA), the interventional access, periprocedural complications, and clinical and imaging follow-up results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS 77 stenotic lesions in 76 cases were included. Totally 51 SES and 26 BMS were implanted successfully. There was no significant difference in periprocedural complications (1 vs. 2, P = 0.544), incidence of restenosis (13.2% vs. 14.3%, P = 0.628) and long-term death or stroke (4 vs. 7, P = 0.33) between the two groups. The degree of residual stenosis in SES group was higher than in BMS group (10 (0%-40%) vs. 0 (0%-15%); P = 0). More BMS were selected in lesions located at the dural-entry zone of VA (45.1% vs. 73.1%, P = 0.02). There were more BMS implanted when lesions located proximal to origin of PICA (SES vs. BMS = 23.5% vs. 57.7%, P = 0.003) or when lesions with straighter access (SES vs. BMS = 29.4% vs. 69.2%, P = 0.001). More SES implanted when lesions located distal to PICA (SES vs. BMS = 43.1% vs. 15.4%, P = 0.015) or when lesions with moderate tortuous access (SES vs. BMS = 60.8% vs. 23.1%, P = 0.002). For stenotic lesions with moderate tortuous interventional access, SES group cases had longer survival time without stroke or death (P = 0.008). CONCLUSION Both SES and BMS showed high safety and efficacy for the treatment of SIVAAS. SES was more recommended for the stenotic lesions with tortuous interventional access. BMS was more recommended for the lesions located at the dural-entry zone of VA or proximal to PICA origin.
Mediterranean diet and changes in frequency, severity and localization of pain in older adults: The Seniors-ENRICA cohorts.

BACKGROUND Although some components of the Mediterranean diet have shown benefits in pain risk through its anti-inflammatory/antioxidant properties, no population-based studies have investigated the effect of adherence to this diet on changes in pain over time. METHODS We used data from 864 and 862 older adults recruited in the Seniors-ENRICA-1 and Seniors-ENRICA-2 cohorts and followed-up for 2.8 and 2.4 years, respectively. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed with the MEDAS score at baseline. Frequency, severity and locations of pain obtained at baseline and follow-up were used to compute a pain scale. Analyses were performed using multinomial logistic regression models, and adjusted for the main confounders. RESULTS Participants had a mean (SD) age of 71.5 (5.1) years, 36.8% were men and 78.3% had chronic conditions. In the pooled cohorts, compared with participants in the lowest quartile of the MEDAS score (lowest adherence to the Mediterranean diet), those in the highest quartile showed a higher frequency of pain improvement versus worsening (relative risk ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.43 [1.03,1.99]). This association was also evidenced in two components of the pain scale: improvement in pain severity (1.43 [1.01,2.04]) and reduction in pain locations (1.54 [1.08,2.20]), but a tendency to pain frequency improvement (1.34 [0.92,1.93]) was also observed. The main contributors to these associations were high consumption of fruit and vegetables, and low consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. CONCLUSIONS A higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet was related to a subsequent improvement in pain characteristics in older adults, suggesting that improving diet quality may help reduce the high health impact of pain.
Is Risk of Secondary Surgery for Oronasal Fistula Following Primary Cleft Palate Repair Associated With Hospital Case Volume and Cost-to-Charge Ratio?

Objective: This study assesses the association between risk of secondary surgery for oronasal fistula following primary cleft palate repair and 2 hospital characteristics—cost-to-charge ratio (RCC) and case volume of cleft palate repair. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: This study utilized the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database, which consists of clinical and resource-utilization data from >49 hospitals in the United States. Patients and Participants: Patients undergoing primary cleft palate repair from 2004 to 2009 were abstracted from the PHIS database and followed up for oronasal fistula repair between 2004 and 2015. Main Outcome Measure(s): The primary outcome measure was whether patients underwent oronasal fistula repair after primary cleft palate repair. Results: Among 5745 patients from 45 institutions whom met inclusion criteria, 166 (3%) underwent oronasal fistula repair within 6 to 11 years of primary cleft palate repair. Primary palatoplasty at high-RCC facilities was associated with a higher rate of subsequent oronasal fistula repair (odds ratio [OR] = 1.84 [1.32-2.56], adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.81 [1.28-2.59]; P ≤ .001). Likelihood of surgery for oronasal fistula was independent of hospital case volume (OR = 0.83 [0.61-1.13], P = .233; AOR = 0.86 [0.62-1.20], P = .386). Patients with complete unilateral or bilateral cleft palate were more likely to receive oronasal fistula closure compared to those with unilateral-incomplete cleft palate (AOR = 2.09 [1.27-3.56], P = .005; AOR = 3.14 [1.80-5.58], P < .001). Conclusions: Subsequent need for oronasal fistula repair, while independent of hospital case volume for cleft palate repair, increased with increasing hospital RCC. Our study also corroborates complete cleft palate and cleft lip as risk factors for oronasal fistula.
Fast mass and charge transport through electrically aligned CNT/polymer nanocomposite membranes

This work represents the properties of electrically aligned carbon nanotubes (CNT)/polycarbonate (PC) nanocomposites towards the development of hydrogen gas separation membranes. A fraction (0.1 weight %) of CNTs synthesized by chemical vapour deposition method have been dispersed homogeneously throughout PC matrix by ultrasonication. The alignment of CNT in PC matrix has been accomplished by applying an external electric field of 1250 V/cm during solution casting. These nanocomposites have been studied by gas permeation, electrical, and dielectric constant measurements. Gas permeability measurements obtained here that electrically aligned nanocomposite membranes can be used as good hydrogen separating media. I–V characteristics and dielectric constant shows the enhancement in conductivity and permittivity of these nanocomposites. Overall experimental results exhibit here that alignment of CNTs in polymer matrix shows the dramatic improvement in mass and charge transport properties. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oar-miR-16b and oar-miR-27a: negatively correlated with milk yield and milk protein in sheep

Abstract The characterization of miRNAs from sheep milk and their effect on milk yield and composition in sheep are remain unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the expression pattern of several important miRNAs, which are associated with lactation in the sheep milk between high and low lactating-yield ewe groups. In addition to experimentally obtained miRNA expression results, the miRNA target genes were determined by bioinformatics analysis to identify biological pathways involved. miRNAs found to differ significantly in the expression level between the groups were oar-miR-181a, oar-miR-23a, oar-miR-27a, oar-miR-16b and oar-miR-374. Also, oar-miR-27a was shown negative correlation with milk protein and lactose contents while oar-miR-16b was shown negative correlation with milk yield in the high milk yield group. The highest connected hub genes for miR-27a target genes were determined as MAPK14 and PPARG. Also, six genes (HSPA4L, DNAJA2, ATP6V1B2, PPP2R1A, PPP2R1B, and PRKAR2A) were detected as hub genes for miR-16b. In this study, the relationship between expression profiles of several important miRNAs in sheep milk and milk yield and milk composition were investigated for the first time in high and low lactating yield groups.
Post-percutaneous coronary intervention angina: From physiopathological mechanisms to individualized treatment

Chronic ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a multifactorial disease with different underlying pathogenetic mechanisms. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is widely used in patients with IHD in order to reduce angina recurrence. However, after complete or incomplete revascularization procedures, patients may still present anginal symptoms, with a detrimental impact on quality of life and prognosis. This review summarizes the pathogenic mechanisms and the main challenges encountered in the diagnosis and management of post-PCI angina.
Fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) and metabolic-related parameters in systemic lupus erythematosus active and non-active episode

Objective To assess serum FABP4 and other metabolic-related parameters in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) active and non-active episode. Methods Fifty-four SLE patients in Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia in 2018–2019 were recruited and serum samples were collected in their active and non-active episode status. Serum was analyzed for FABP4, leptin, glucose, and triglycerides. The clinical characteristics were analyzed from medical records. Disease activity was assessed with the SLEDAI-2K (≥4 defined as an active; <4 as non-active episode). Results Significantly correlation of Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) (p = 0.001, r = 0.59) and C3 (p = 0.04, r = 0.47) between active and non-active episode. In non-active episode, there was significant correlation of FABP4 with Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) (p = 0.04, r = 0.26) and blood glucose (p = 0.01, r = −0.39). In active episode, there was significant correlation FABP4 with SBP (p = 0.04, r = −0.28) and triglyceride (p = 0.002, r = 0.55). Conclusion FABP4 correlates with high DBP in the non-active and high triglyceride serum in the active episode.