Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling the Research Landscapes of Artificial Intelligence Applications in Diabetes (GAPRESEARCH)

The rising prevalence and global burden of diabetes fortify the need for more comprehensive and effective management to prevent, monitor, and treat diabetes and its complications. Applying artificial intelligence in complimenting the diagnosis, management, and prediction of the diabetes trajectory has been increasingly common over the years. This study aims to illustrate an inclusive landscape of application of artificial intelligence in diabetes through a bibliographic analysis and offers future direction for research. Bibliometrics analysis was combined with exploratory factor analysis and latent Dirichlet allocation to uncover emergent research domains and topics related to artificial intelligence and diabetes. Data were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection database. The results showed a rising trend in the number of papers and citations concerning AI applications in diabetes, especially since 2010. The nucleus driving the research and development of AI in diabetes is centered around developed countries, mainly consisting of the United States, which contributed 44.1% of the publications. Our analyses uncovered the top five emerging research domains to be: (i) use of artificial intelligence in diagnosis of diabetes, (ii) risk assessment of diabetes and its complications, (iii) role of artificial intelligence in novel treatments and monitoring in diabetes, (iv) application of telehealth and wearable technology in the daily management of diabetes, and (v) robotic surgical outcomes with diabetes as a comorbid. Despite the benefits of artificial intelligence, challenges with system accuracy, validity, and confidentiality breach will need to be tackled before being widely applied for patients’ benefits.
Effects of Long-Chain Fatty Acyl-CoA Synthetase 1 on Diglyceride Synthesis and Arachidonic Acid Metabolism in Sheep Adipocytes

Long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase (ACSLs) is an essential enzyme for the synthesis of fatty acyl-CoA. ACSL1 plays a key role in the synthesis of triglycerides, phospholipids, and cholesterol esters. Background: In the current study, triglyceride content did not increase after overexpression of the ACSL1 gene. Methods: RNA-seq and lipid metabolome profiling were performed to determine why triglyceride levels did not change with ACSL1 overexpression. Results: Fatty acyl-CoA produced by ACSL1 was determined to be involved in the diglyceride synthesis pathway, and diglyceride content significantly increased when ACSL1 was overexpressed. Moreover, the arachidonic acid (AA) content in sheep adipocytes significantly increased, and the level of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) expression, the downstream metabolic gene, was significantly downregulated. Knocking down the ACSL1 gene was associated with an increase in COX2 mRNA expression, as well as an increase in prostaglandin content, which is the downstream metabolite of AA. Conclusions: The overexpression of the ACSL1 gene promotes the production of AA via downregulation of COX2 gene expression.
Clinical Outcomes after Arthroscopic Treatment of Synovial Chondromatosis in the Hip

Purpose Evaluate the clinical outcomes after arthroscopic treatment of synovial chondromatosis (SC) of the hip. Materials and Methods We evaluated patients who underwent arthroscopic management for SC of the hip from November 2008 to March 2017. Radiographic evaluation was made before and after surgery. The modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and patient self-reported satisfaction were collected and analyzed before and after surgery. Complications and recurrence that occurred after surgery were recorded. Results Forty-one patients (27 men and 14 women) were the study cohort. The mHHS improved from 67.0 to 83.7, HOOS-Symptoms improved from 78.8 to 93.3, HOOS-Pain improved from 80.9 to 93.6, HOOS-Activity Limitations–Daily Living improved from 84.5 to 95.1, HOOS-Sport improved from 50.3 to 80.6, and HOOS-Quality of Life improved from 62.2 to 86.7. VAS scores decreased from 3.9 to 1.1. All results demonstrated significant improvement (P < 0.05). Thirty-three (80.5%) patients thought the outcome of surgery was “excellent,” 7 (17.0%) thought it was “good,” 1 (2.4%) thought it was “fair,” and no one thought it was “poor”. Two patients underwent revision surgery. Conclusion Hip arthroscopy for SC treatment of the hip showed good clinical results, good satisfaction from patients, and low recurrent prevalence.
Physical Exercise following bariatric surgery in women with Morbid obesity

Abstract Background: Severe and morbid obesity are increasing globally, particularly in women. As BMI increases, the likelihood of anovulation is higher. The primary aim of the EMOVAR clinical trial is to examine, over the short (16 weeks) and medium (12 months) term, the effects of a supervised physical exercise program (focused primarily on aerobic and resistance training) on ovarian function in women with severe/morbid obesity who have undergone bariatric surgery. Secondary objectives are to examine the effects of the intervention on chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, arterial stiffness, physical fitness, and health-related quality of life. Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial in which ∼40 female bariatric surgery patients, aged between 18 and 45 years old, will be included. Participants assigned to the experimental group will perform a total of 48 sessions of supervised concurrent (strength and aerobic) training (3 sessions/week, 60 min/session) spread over 16 weeks. Patients assigned to the control group will receive lifestyle recommendations. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, week 16 (i.e., after the exercise intervention) and 12 months after surgery. The primary outcome is ovarian function using the Sex-Hormone Binding Globuline, measured in serum. Secondary outcomes are serum levels of anti-mullerian hormone, TSH, T4, FSH, LH, estradiol, prolactine, and free androgen index, as well as oocyte count, the diameters of both ovaries, endometrial thickness, and uterine arterial pulsatility index (obtained from a transvaginal ultrasound), the duration of menstrual bleeding and menstrual cycle duration (obtained by personal interview) and hirsutism (Ferriman Gallwey Scale). Other secondary outcomes include serum markers of chronic inflammation and insulin resistance (i.e., C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, leptin, glomerular sedimentation rate, glucose, insulin and the HOMA-IR), arterial stiffness, systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure, body composition, and total weight loss. Physical fitness (including cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and flexibility), health-related quality of life (SF-36 v2) and sexual function (Female Sexual Function Index) will also be measured. Discussion: This study will provide, for the first time, relevant information on the effects of exercise training on ovarian function and underlying mechanisms in severe/morbid obese women following bariatric surgery. Trial registration number: ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN27697878).
Antibiotic Stewardship bei ambulant erworbener Pneumonie

Abstract Antibiotic stewardship (ABS) denotes structured and continuous measures to improve the quality of prescribing anti-infectives. The aim is to achieve optimal treatment results and to minimize undesirable effects, especially the emergence of antibiotic resistance. This review summarizes the most important ABS principles based on recently published studies with implications for the management of community-acquired pneumonia. Local guidelines, education and training and “prospective audit and feedback” are established strategies to improve the management of patients with community-acquired pneumonia. However, the implementation of ABS programs requires trained personnel and may be impeded by limited structural and time resources. Hence, electronic health records and computer-based interventions are useful support for ABS programs and offer potential to facilitate ABS in inpatient and outpatient care. PCR-based rapid diagnostic tests, PCT-guided algorithms and penicillin allergy testing are suitable procedures to supplement ABS programs.
The Microrna-143/145 Cluster in Tumors: A Matter of Where and When

The establishment and spreading of cancer involve the acquirement of many biological functions including resistance to apoptosis, enhanced proliferation and the ability to invade the surrounding tissue, extravasate from the primary site, survive in circulating blood, and finally extravasate and colonize distant organs giving origin to metastatic lesions, the major cause of cancer deaths. Dramatic changes in the expression of protein coding genes due to altered transcription factors activity or to epigenetic modifications orchestrate these events, intertwining with a microRNA regulatory network that is often disrupted in cancer cells. microRNAs-143 and -145 represent puzzling players of this game, with apparently contradictory functions. They were at first classified as tumor suppressive due to their frequently reduced levels in tumors, correlating with cell survival, proliferation, and migration. More recently, pro-oncogenic roles of these microRNAs have been described, challenging their simplistic definition as merely tumor-suppressive. Here we review their known activities in tumors, whether oncogenic or onco-suppressive, and highlight how their expression and functions are strongly dependent on their complex regulation downstream and upstream of cytokines and growth factors, on the cell type of expression and on the specific tumor stage.
Effect of PM2.5 on MicroRNA Expression and Function in Nasal Mucosa of Rats With Allergic Rhinitis

Background Particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) refers to particulate matter with aerodynamic equivalent diameter less than or equal to 2.5 µm, which is an important component of air pollution. PM2.5 aggravates allergic rhinitis (AR) and promotes AR nasal mucosa inflammation. Therefore, the influence of PM2.5 inhalation exposure on microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles and function in the nasal mucosa of AR rats was investigated. Methods Female Sprague Dawley rats were distributed randomly to 2 groups: AR model PM2.5 exposure group (ARE group) and AR model PM2.5-unexposed control group (ARC group). The rats of ARE group were made to inhale PM2.5 at a concentration of 200 µg/m3, 3 h/day, for 30 days. miRNA expression profiles of the nasal mucosa from both groups were determined using an miRNA gene chip and were verified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Gene function enrichment analysis was performed using bioinformatics analysis. Results The ARE group revealed 20 significantly differentially expressed miRNAs, including 4 upregulated and 16 downregulated miRNAs (fold change > 1.5 or < 0.66, P < .05). Of these, 9 selected miRNAs were verified by qRT-PCR, and the results of 8 miRNAs were in accordance with the miRNA gene chip results, with highly positive correlation (r = .8583, P = .0031). Numerous target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were functionally enriched in high-affinity immunoglobulin E receptor signaling, ErbB signaling, mucin O-glycans biosynthesis, transforming growth factor β signaling, mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction, phosphatidylinositol signaling, mucopolysaccharide biosynthesis, mammalian target of rapamycin signaling, T cell receptor signaling, Wnt signaling, chemokine signal transduction, and natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity pathways. Conclusions PM2.5 causes significant changes in miRNA expression in the nasal mucosa of AR rats. miRNA plays an important role in regulating PM2.5 effects in AR rat biological behavior and mucosal inflammation. This study provides a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of AR from the effects of environmental pollution on the gene regulation mechanism.
Diagnosis of Occlusal Caries with Dynamic Slicing of 3D Optical Coherence Tomography Images

Detecting the extent of occlusal caries is a clinically important but challenging task required for treatment decision making. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic power of 3D swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) for evaluation of occlusal caries in comparison with X-ray radiography. Extracted human molars not exhibiting American Dental Association (ADA) criteria advanced caries were mounted in a silicone block and digital dental radiographs were captured from the buccal side. Subsequently, occlusal surfaces were scanned with a prototype Yoshida Dental OCT. Thirteen examiners evaluated the presence and extent of caries on radiographs and dynamically sliced 3D OCT video images, using a 4 level scale—0: intact; 1: enamel demineralization without cavitation; 2: enamel caries with cavitation; 3: dentin caries with or without cavitation. Sensitivity, specificity and area under operating characteristic curves (Az) were statistically analyzed (α = 0.05). Reliability analysis showed an excellent agreement among the 13 examiners for both methods. The OCT presented a significantly higher sensitivity and Az value for the detection of caries compared to radiographs (p < 0.05). Radiography showed especially low sensitivity for dentin caries (0–2 versus 3). Dynamic slicing of 3D OCT volumes is a powerful adjunct tool to visual inspection to diagnose the dentin occlusal caries in vitro.
Perception and acceptance of senior medical students at King Abdulaziz University of the use of Objective Structured Clinical Examination as a tool of assessment

Introduction: The faculty of Medicine at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) introduced the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) as a tool of assessing medical students in the last decade. In our study, we aimed to assess the perception and acceptance of OSCE among students and to interpret rating of OSCE in relation to other assessment methods. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey using electronic validated questionnaire, was distributed through different methods which included Short Message Service, social media website, and posters. The questionnaire contained various domains about students’ perception of OSCE validity and reliability, and rating of OSCE in relation to other assessment methods. Results: Among 246 students who responded to the survey, 52% of them denied that OSCE provided opportunity to learn real life scenarios. Interestingly, more than 80% of students showed concern about inter-evaluator and interpatient variability as bias factors that could affect their scores. Passing or failing the OSCE was not a true measure of clinical skills as 77% of students admitted. Conclusion: Although OSCE exam is supposed to be standardized and fair to students, our survey raised concerns regarding the conduction of OSCE especially regarding inter-evaluator and inter-patient variability.
Complete Genome Sequence of Pediococcus pentosaceus Strain GDIAS 001

Pediococcus pentosaceus strain GDIAS 001 was isolated from a tapioca sample in Guangzou, China. The genome of GDIAS 001 was assembled using single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing, and it contains 1 chromosome of 1.83 Mbp and 1,835 protein-coding genes, 71 RNA genes, and 56 tRNA genes. ABSTRACT Pediococcus pentosaceus strain GDIAS 001 was isolated from a tapioca sample in Guangzou, China. The genome of GDIAS 001 was assembled using single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing, and it contains 1 chromosome of 1.83 Mbp and 1,835 protein-coding genes, 71 RNA genes, and 56 tRNA genes.
Associations between ideal blood pressure based on different BMI categories and stroke incidence.

OBJECTIVES The 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) Guideline for high blood pressure (BP) in adults redefined hypertension as SBP at least 130 mmHg or DBP at least 80 mmHg. However, the optimal BP for different BMI population to reduce stroke incidence is uncertain. METHODS A prospective cohort study was designed by four examinations: baseline (2004-2006), 2008, 2010 and 2017 follow-up. The study group composed of 36 352 individuals, to determine the ideal BP range to reduce stroke incidence of two BMI level, adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to establish the associations between SBP/DBP and the risk of stroke incident. Then, the restricted cubic spline regression was applied to find the ideal range of SBP/DBP values for two kinds of BMI categories definitions. RESULTS During a median follow-up period of 12.5 years, 2548 (7.0%) nonstroke individuals at baseline developed incident stroke. After fully adjusting confounding factors, SBP (per 20 mmHg increase) and DBP (per 10 mmHg increase) are independently associated with the risk of stroke incidence [SBP, hazard ratio = 1.277, 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.217-1.340, P < 0.001; DBP, hazard ratio = 1.138, 95% CI, 1.090-1.189, P < 0.001]. CONCLUSION Our study revealed that the ideal BP for a population with BMI less than 24 kg/m was less than 130/80 mmHg, whereas the ideal BP for BMI at least 24 kg/m was less than 120/80 mmHg. The sensitivity analyses between BMI less than 25 kg/m and BMI at least 25 kg/m showed similar findings. This finding provides more accurate primary prevention strategies based on various BMI populations.
Exploring unmet healthcare needs, healthcare access, and the use of practitioner based complementary and alternative medicine in adults with chronic pain

Background: Chronic pain is a complex condition frequently encountered in nursing practice, resulting in negative multidimensional effects on the individual and healthcare system. Increasingly, people with chronic pain are turning to Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) to manage their pain. Objectives: To explore the relationship between healthcare access, unmet healthcare needs, and practitioner-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine use in adults with chronic pain. Design: A secondary analysis of 1688 individuals ≥18 years old self-reporting chronic pain from Cycle 9 of the Canadian National Population Health Survey. Methods: Multivariate logistic regression and descriptive statistics. Results: When controlling for demographics and health status indicators, the presence of unmet healthcare needs was found to predict CAM use (p < 0.001; OR 2.02; CI [1.45, 2.81]), along with sex, education, income, employment, and restriction of activities. Conclusion: People may be using CAM due to shortcomings of the conventional healthcare system, with implications for policymakers and healthcare professions to develop more integrative strategies to improve chronic pain management. Impact statement: Having unmet healthcare needs is associated with two-fold increased odds of using Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Canadian adults with chronic pain.
In vitro model for the assessment of human immune responses to subunit RSV vaccines

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the single most important cause of serious lower respiratory tract disease in infants and young children worldwide and a high priority for vaccine development. Despite over 50 years of research, however, no vaccine is yet available. One block to vaccine development is an incomplete understanding of the aberrant memory response to the formalin-inactivated RSV vaccine (FI-RSV) given to children in the 1960s. This vaccine caused enhanced respiratory disease (ERD) with later natural RSV infection. Concern that any non-live virus vaccine may also cause ERD has blocked development of subunit vaccines for young children. A number of animal FI-RSV studies suggest various immune mechanisms behind ERD. However, other than limited data from the original FI-RSV trial, there is no information on the human ERD-associated responses. An in vitro model with human blood specimens may shed light on the immune memory responses likely responsible for ERD. Memory T cell responses to an antigen are guided by the innate responses, particularly dendritic cells that present an antigen in conjunction with co-stimulatory molecules and cytokine signaling. Our in vitro model involves human monocyte derived dendritic cells (moDC) and allogenic T cell cultures to assess innate responses that direct T cell responses. Using this model, we evaluated human responses to live RSV, FI-RSV, and subunit RSV G vaccines (G-containing virus-like particles, G-VLP). Similar to findings in animal studies, FI-RSV induced prominent Th2/Th17-biased responses with deficient type-1 responses compared to live virus. Responses to G-VLPs were similar to live virus, i.e. biased towards a Th1 and not a Th2/Th17. Also mutating CX3C motif in G gave a more pronounced moDC responses associated with type-1 T cell responses. This in vitro model identifies human immune responses likely associated with ERD and provides another pre-clinical tool to assess the safety of RSV vaccines.
When Pigs Fly: Pandemic influenza enters the 21st century

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) are one of the most intensively studied pathogens, due to the severe global mortality and economic disruption associated with influenza pandemics [1]. In addition to annual epidemics, pandemics sporadically occur when a novel IAV host jumps to humans from an animal reservoir [2]. Wild waterfowl have long been considered the most important reservoir host and pandemic risk, but there are indications that mammals are emerging as key reservoirs. Here, we describe how the modernization of swine production during the last half century provided new opportunities for IAVs to become established in swine globally [3–5], resulting in the first influenza pandemic of swine origin in 2009 [6]. A key lesson is that the landscape of pandemic risk is not static but continuously shifting in response to demographic changes in host populations. It is therefore vital to track how transformations in the economy and global trade impact animal contact rates, disease dynamics, and pandemic risk among livestock and companion animals.
Half-metallic two-dimensional polyaniline with 3d-transition-metal decoration

Possible half-metallic behavior was explored in 3d-transition-metal (Fe, Co, and Ni) decorated two-dimensional polyaniline (C3N) on the basis of density-functional theory. 3d-transition-metal atoms would prefer to adsorb on top of the carbon hexagonal ring. The calculated electronic structures suggest the Fe and Co decorated polyanilines ((C3N)2Fe and (C3N)2Co) are magnetic half-metals, while the Ni-decorated polyaniline ((C3N)2Ni) is a nonmagnetic semiconductor with an enlarged band gap. In (C3N)2Fe, the half-metallic energy window can be as large as 0.7 eV. Interestingly, there are two half-metallic energy windows with opposite spins near Fermi level in (C3N)2Co. The energy windows and band gaps can be modulated by the distance between 3d-transition-metal atoms and C3N. Due to the large half-metallic energy window and the appropriate band gap, 3d-transition-metal decorated C3N may be used in nanoscale spintronic devices.