Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Restricted v. unrestricted oral intake in high output end-jejunostomy patients referred to reconstructive surgery

Abstract The major complication of end jejunostomy is excessive fluid and electrolyte loss through the stoma, leading to hypovolaemia and dyselectrolytaemia within days and malnutrition within weeks. The aim was to compare the results of two nutritional approaches: unrestricted and restricted oral intake in patients with end jejunostomy commencing home parenteral nutrition (HPN) in terms of liver and renal biochemical markers and time to reconstructive bowel surgery with correlation to stoma output. Twenty patients with stabilised high output end-jejunostomy were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of ten patients with oral intake restricted to keep stomal output under 1000 ml. Group B consisted of ten patients with unrestricted oral intake. The following parameters were evaluated over 6 months: stomal output, self-estimation of general condition, body weight gain, plasma bilirubin and creatinine, number of hospitalisations prior to reconstructive surgery, the frequency of ostomy bag emptying, feelings of hunger and thirst in the daytime, and the time to reconstructive surgery. Stoma losses were compensated by parenteral supply. In group B, lower quality of life was observed, reflected by weakness, permanent feelings of hunger and thirst and the need for night-time emptying of the stoma bag. Patients in group B developed more complications and required more time to prepare for surgery. One death occurred in group B due to renal insufficiency followed by septic complications. Restricted oral intake seems to be more effective for prevention of HPN-related complications and shortening of time to surgery. Unrestricted oral intake appears to provoke uncontrolled losses of energy and protein, inhibiting weight gain.
The Value of Thromboelastography in the Diagnosis of Sepsis-Induced Coagulopathy

Thromboelastography (TEG) is regularly used for monitoring abnormalities of the coagulation system in patients with sepsis. However, it is unclear whether TEG parameters are associated with sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC). Thus, we aimed to assess the diagnostic value of TEG for SIC. The medical records of patients who underwent TEG from January 2016 to December 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into sepsis group and non-sepsis group. Baseline patient characteristics and coagulation function indexes were compared. Receiver–operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine predictors of SIC. A total of 167 patients were included, of whom 84 had sepsis. The clot formation speed (K) was significantly higher(P < 0.001), and the maximum amplitude (MA) and angle were significantly lower (both P < 0.001) in the sepsis group than that in non-sepsis group. Patients with SIC had higher Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment scores than those patients without SIC (P < 0.001). The area under the curve of K for diagnosing SIC was 0.910. The area under the curve of angle and MA for excluding SIC was 0.895 and 0.882, respectively. Thus, TEG parameters have good diagnostic value for SIC.
Protein Glycosylation Investigated by Mass Spectrometry: An Overview

The protein glycosylation is a post-translational modification of crucial importance for its involvement in molecular recognition, protein trafficking, regulation, and inflammation. Indeed, abnormalities in protein glycosylation are correlated with several disease states such as cancer, inflammatory diseases, and congenial disorders. The understanding of cellular mechanisms through the elucidation of glycan composition encourages researchers to find analytical solutions for their detection. Actually, the multiplicity and diversity of glycan structures bond to the proteins, the variations in polarity of the individual saccharide residues, and the poor ionization efficiencies make their detection much trickier than other kinds of biopolymers. An overview of the most prominent techniques based on mass spectrometry (MS) for protein glycosylation (glycoproteomics) studies is here presented. The tricks and pre-treatments of samples are discussed as a crucial step prodromal to the MS analysis to improve the glycan ionization efficiency. Therefore, the different instrumental MS mode is also explored for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of glycopeptides and the glycans structural composition, thus contributing to the elucidation of biological mechanisms.
Effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract Background: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and is a major cause of disability and chronic pain in adults. However, there is very limited evidence in the scientific literature to support the effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in human knee osteoarthritis. This retrospective study aimed to compare the efficacy of ESWT treatment with sham-ESWT on pain, walking speed, physical function, and adverse effects in knee osteoarthritis. Methods: This study will be performed and reported in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology checklist. We reviewed patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis at our academic center from 2016 to 2017. This retrospective cohort study was approved by the institutional review board in Ruijin Hospital. The primary outcome measure was pain on movement measured by a 100-cm visual analog scale. The secondary outcome measures included the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index, range of motion, and adverse effects. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY). A P-value of <. 05 was defined as statistical significance. Results: The hypothesis was that ESWT would be an effective treatment for improving pain and physical function in knee osteoarthritis to control symptoms. Trial registration: This study protocol was registered in Research Registry (researchregistry5801).
Controle da Pressão Arterial e Fatores Associados em um Serviço Multidisciplinar de Tratamento da Hipertensão

Resumo Fundamento Apesar de se recomendar a intervenção em equipe no tratamento da hipertensão, resultados dessa abordagem em ambientes do mundo real são escassos na literatura. Objetivos Apresentar os resultados de uma estratégia terapêutica baseada em equipe, de longo prazo, de pacientes hipertensos em um serviço de saúde. Métodos Dados de pacientes hipertensos acompanhados em um centro de tratamento multidisciplinar localizado na região centro-oeste do Brasil em junho de 2017 com pelo menos duas visitas de acompanhamento foram avaliados retrospectivamente. Dados antropométricos, pressão arterial (PA), tempo de acompanhamento, tratamento farmacológico, diabetes, estilo de vida foram coletados da última consulta. Valores de PA < 140 x 90 mmHg em não diabéticos e < 130 x 80 mmHg em diabéticos foram considerados PA controlada. Um modelo de regressão logística foi construído para identificar variáveis independentemente associadas com o controle da PA. O nível de significância adotado foi de p<0.05. Resultados Foram incluídos 1548 pacientes, com média de acompanhamento de 7,6 ± 7,1 anos. A maioria dos pacientes eram mulheres (73,6%; n=1139), com idade média de 61,8 anos. As taxas de controle da PA na amostra total, em não diabéticos e nos diabéticos foram 68%, 79%, e 37,9%, respectivamente. Diabetes associou-se inversamente com controle da PA (OR 0,16; IC95% 0,12-0,20; p<0,001), enquanto idade ≥ 60 anos (OR 1,48; IC95% 1,15-1,91; p=0,003) e sexo feminino (OR 1,38; IC95% 1,05-1,82; p=0,020) apresentaram associação direta. Conclusões Uma taxa de controle de cerca de 70% foi encontrada em pacientes atendidos em um serviço multidisciplinar de tratamento da hipertensão. A fim de melhorar esses resultados, atenção deve ser dada a pacientes diabéticos, com idade menor que 60 anos e do sexo masculino. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(2):174-181)
Public Helping Reactions to Intimate Partner Violence against Women in European Countries: The Role of Gender-Related Individual and Macrosocial Factors

Public helping reactions are essential to reduce a victim’s secondary victimization in intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) cases. Because gender-related characteristics have been linked widely to IPVAW prevalence, the study aimed to examine individual attitudes and perceptions toward different forms of violence against women, as well as gender-related macrosocial ideological and structural factors, in explaining helping reactions to IPVAW across 28 European countries. We performed multilevel logistic regression analysis, taking measures from the Eurobarometer 2016 (N = 7115) and the European Institute for Gender Equality datasets. Our study revealed a greater individual perceived IPVAW prevalence, positive perception about the appropriateness of a legal response to psychological and sexual violence against women partners, and less VAW-supportive attitudes predicted helping reactions (i.e., formal, informal), but not negative reactions to IPVAW. Moreover, individuals from European countries with a greater perceived IPVAW prevalence and gender equality preferred formal reactions to IPVAW. Otherwise, in the European countries with lesser perceived IPVAW prevalence and negative perceptions about the appropriate legal response to psychological and sexual violence, people were more likely to provide informal reactions to IPVAW. Our results showed the role of gender-related characteristics influenced real reactions toward known victim of IPVAW.
Cerebral collaterals in acute ischaemia: Implications for acute ischaemic stroke patients receiving reperfusion therapy

The cerebral collaterals play an important role in penumbral tissue sustenance after an acute ischaemic stroke. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential role of collaterals in the selection of acute ischaemic stroke patients eligible for reperfusion therapy. However, the understanding of the significance and evidence around the role of collateral status in predicting outcomes in acute ischaemic stroke patients treated with reperfusion therapy is still unclear. Moreover, the use of pre‐treatment collaterals in patient selection and prognosis is relatively underappreciated in clinical settings. A focused review of the literature was performed on the various methods of collateral evaluation and the role of collateral status in acute ischaemic stroke patients receiving reperfusion therapy. We discuss the methods of evaluating pre‐treatment collaterals in clinical settings. The patient selection based on collateral status as well as the prognostic and therapeutic value of collaterals in acute ischaemic stroke, in settings of intravenous thrombolysis or endovascular therapy alone, and bridge therapy, are summarized. Recommendations for future research and possible pharmacological intervention strategies aimed at collateral enhancement are also discussed. Collaterals may play an important role in identifying acute ischaemic stroke patients who are likely to benefit from endovascular treatment in an extended time window. Future neuroscientific efforts to better improve our understanding of the role of collaterals in acute ischaemia as well as clinical studies to delineate its role in patient selection and acute stroke prognosis are warranted.
Examining strategies for addressing high levels of ‘I don’t know’ responding to risk perception questions for colorectal cancer and diabetes: an experimental investigation

Abstract Objective Many people say they ‘don’t know’ their risk for common diseases (DK responders). Inadequate health literacy and higher disease information avoidance may suppress risk knowledge and thereby increase DK responding. Study goals were to examine two plausible interventions to address the health education needs of DK responders. Design: Participants were identified in a pre-screener as DK responders for either diabetes or colorectal cancer (CRC) risk perception questions (N = 1276; 35% non-white; 49% inadequate health literacy). They were randomly assigned to read either standard or low literacy risk information about diabetes or CRC, and to undergo a self-affirmation intervention or not. Main outcome measure: DK responding following reading the risk information. Results: Neither intervention reduced DK responding. Multivariable analyses showed that health literacy, information avoidance and believing the disease is unpredictable – but not risk factor knowledge and need for cognition – best predicted participants’ conversion from a DK response to a non-DK scale point response. Conclusion: Results confirm that both inadequate health literacy and higher information avoidance are associated with DK responding. DK responders are also disproportionately underserved and less adherent to health behaviors. Because galvanising risk perceptions are central to public health, addressing their information needs is a priority.
The functional development of the rumen is influenced by weaning and associated with ruminal microbiota in lambs

Abstract Rumen development is critical for the development of early lambs. This work aims to evaluate the effects of abrupt weaning at day 21 on rumen fermentation, histomorphological traits and the ruminal microbiota compared with continuous suckling. Twelve pairs of artificially reared full-sib neonatal male Hu lambs were allocated to two groups, one of which was weaned at day 21 (EW group) and the other which was not weaned (CON group). At day 26 and day 49, six lambs from each group were randomly selected and sacrificed to collect ruminal contents and rumen tissue samples. Results showed that weaning influenced the fermentation parameters in the rumen, and altered the microbial community composition on day 49 (p < 0.05). Several genera were associated with rumen fermentation parameters (p < 0.05). Volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration is the key parameter impacting microbiota composition. Weaning influenced the expression of genes associated with VFA metabolism and regulation of cell proliferation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, weaning significantly influenced the morphological and functional development of the rumen, and bacterial community composition. The microbial community composition was strongly associated with rumen weight and fermentation profiles, but not with morphological development.
Exhaustive Search of the Receptor Ligands by the CyCLOPS (Cytometry Cell-Labeling Operable Phage Screening) Technique

Effective and versatile screening of the peptide ligands capable of selectively binding to diverse receptors is in high demand for the state-of-the-art technologies in life sciences, including probing of specificity of the cell surface receptors and drug development. Complex microenvironment and structure of the surface receptors significantly reduce the possibility to determine their specificity, especially when in vitro conditions are utilized. Previously, we designed a publicly available platform for the ultra-high-throughput screening (uHTS) of the specificity of surface-exposed receptors of the living eukaryotic cells, which was done by consolidating the phage display and flow cytometry techniques. Here, we significantly improved this methodology and designed the fADL-1e-based phage vectors that do not require a helper hyperphage for the virion assembly. The enhanced screening procedure was tested on soluble human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecules and transgenic antigen-specific B cells that express recombinant lymphoid B-cell receptor (BCR). Our data suggest that the improved vector system may be successfully used for the comprehensive search of the receptor ligands in either cell-based or surface-immobilized assays.
Effects of Selective Attention on Mean-Size Computation: Weighted Averaging and Perceptual Enlargement

For efficient use of limited capacity, the visual system summarizes redundant information and prioritizes relevant information, strategies known respectively as ensemble perception and selective attention. Although previous studies showed a close relationship between these strategies, the specific mechanisms underlying the relationship have not been determined. We investigated how attention modulated mean-size computation. Fourteen people participated in this study. We hypothesized that attention biases mean-size computation by increasing the contribution (weighted averaging) and the apparent size (perceptual enlargement) of an attended item. Consistent with this hypothesis, our results showed that estimated mean sizes were biased toward the attended size and overestimated regardless of the attended size, supporting weighted averaging and perceptual enlargement, respectively. Taken together, the observed effects of selective attention on mean-size computation signify a close relationship between the two optimization mechanisms to achieve efficient management of the visual system’s limited capacity.
No Change in the Age‐Adjusted Incidence of Parkinson's Disease in Finland for More Than 25 Years

PD will likely become 2 to 3 times as common as it is now during the next 2 decades. Aging of the population is the FIG. 1. Plasma TMAO levels in controls and patients with PD with variable disease severity and progression. (A) Plasma TMAO levels were higher in patients with PD than in controls (6.84 0.73 vs 3.76 0.38 μM; P = 0.002). (B) Mean plasma TMAO levels were significantly elevated in patients with advanced-stage PD compared with those with early-stage disease (7.85 1.24 vs 5.87 0.76 μM; P = 0.014). (C) Mean plasma TMAO levels did not differ significantly between patients with PD with normal cognition and those with PD with dementia (6.33 0.56 vs 10.61 4.53 μM; P = 0.22). TMAO levels were higher in patients with PD with normal cognition than in healthy controls (6.33 0.56 vs 3.76 0.38 μM; P = 0.02). Kaplan-Meier plots show outcomes for (D) motor progression and (E) cognition progression in patients with PD who had baseline TMAO concentrations at/above or below the cutoff levels determined in receiver operating characteristic analyses. NC, normal cognition; PD, Parkinson’s disease; PDD, Parkinson’s disease with dementia; TMAO, trimethylamine N-oxide. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01. [Color figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
Crystal structure of a S‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine‐dependent O‐methyltransferase‐like enzyme from Aspergillus flavus

S‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine (SAM)‐dependent methyltransferases (MTases) are widely distributed among almost all organisms and often characterized with conserved Rossmann fold, TIM barrel, and D×G×G×G motif. However, some MTases show no methyltransferase activity. In the present study, the crystal structure of LepI, one MTase‐like enzyme isolated from A. flavus that catalyzes pericyclic reactions, was investigated to determine its structure‐function relationship. The overall structure of LepI in complex with the SAM mimic S‐adenosyl‐L‐homocysteine (SAH) (PDB ID: 6IV7) indicated that LepI is a tetramer in solution. The residues His133, Arg197, Arg295, and Asp296 located near the active site can form hydrogen bonds with the substrate, thus participating in catalytic reactions. The binding of SAH in LepI is almost identical to that in other resolved MTases; however, the location of catalytic residues differs significantly. Phylogenetic trials suggest that LepI proteins share a common ancestor in plants and algae, which may explain the conserved SAM‐binding site. However, the accelerated evolution of A. flavus has introduced both functional and structural changes in LepI. More importantly, the residue Arg295, which is unique to LepI, might be a key determinant for the altered enzymatic behavior. Collectively, the differences in the composition of catalytic residues, as well as the unique tetrameric form of LepI, define its unique enzymatic behavior. The present work provides an additional understanding of the structure‐function relationship of MTases and MTase‐like enzymes.
Long Non-Coding RNAs in Liver Cancer and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

This review aims to highlight the recent findings of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in liver disease. In particular, we focus on the functions of lncRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We summarize the current research trend in lncRNAs and their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the treatment of HCC and NASH.
Overexpression of MMPs, cytokines, and RANKL/OPG in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis and their association with joint pain, mouth opening, and bone degeneration. A preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the expression of distinct matrix metalloproteinases, cytokines, and bone-resorptive factors in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) patients and their association with joint pain, mouth opening, and subchondral bone degeneration. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twelve patients affected with TMJ-OA (n=5), disk displacement without reduction (DDWoR) (n=3), or disk displacement with reduction (DDWR) (n=4) were selected. Joint pain was quantified by using visual-analog-scale, mouth opening was quantified at the maximum pain-free aperture, and bone degeneration was quantified using joint imaging. Synovial fluid samples were collected and immediately processed for cell and synovial fluid recovering. From cells, the MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-8, MMP-13, IL-6, IL-23, and TNF-α expression were quantified by qPCR. From synovial fluid, the RANKL and OPG levels were quantified by ELISA. RESULTS Higher levels of MMP-1, MMP-8, MMP-13, IL-6, IL-23, TNF-α, and RANKL/OPG ratio were detected in TMJ-OA compared with DDWoR and DDWR patients (p < .05). Joint pain significantly correlated with TNF-α levels (r = .975, p = .029). Besides, imaging signs of bone degeneration significantly correlated with RANKL/OPG ratio (r = .949, p = .042). Conversely, mouth opening did not correlate with any of the analyzed mediators. CONCLUSION During TMJ-OA, a pathological response characterized by the overexpression of TNF-α and RANKL/OPG could be involved in joint pain and subchondral bone degeneration.