Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Patients’ Access to Health Information and Coping with Chronic Disease

The research examined the association between patients’ demographics, access to health information on coping and self-efficacy in managing chronic illness. This is a correlation study. The population for this study is seven hundred and eighty-four patients with chronic diseases in two Federal Government Teaching Hospitals in South-East, Nigeria. A Questionnaire and a Coping with Chronic Diseases Self-Efficacy Scale were instruments for data collection. Correlation analysis shows that access to coping information was positively and significantly correlated with self-efficacy in managing chronic diseases. Multiple Regression suggests that disease type was the only patient characteristics significantly associated with self-efficacy when patients have access to coping information. The study conclude that the significant associations indicate that health information can enable patients develop self-efficacy for coping with chronic diseases. Hospital administrators and all stakeholders involved in health care should create an enabling environment for information sharing and flow to patients with chronic diseases. Librarians should play some roles in creating access to health information for patients with chronic diseases through developing and promoting consumer health information resources.
Fetal Coarctation of the Aorta Successfully Repaired in the Neonatal Period, a Case Report and Review of Literature

Coarctation of the aorta is one of the most difficult conditions to diagnose during fetal life witch affecting with a frequency of approximately 5-8% of live births with congenital heart disease. We would like to report a case of coarctation of the aorta diagnosed prenatally at 28 weeks’ gestation. There were evidences of right ventricular and atrial enlargements, significant aortic stenosis, antegrade and retrograde flow in proximal part of descending aorta at fetal echocardiography. Since it was not appropriate time for abortion, the pregnancy was monitored and continued to termination. Surgical relief of the aortic obstruction was done in the day 20 of birth. The neonate was surgically treated successfully. Prenatal diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta is potentially lifesaving and can improve the outcomes of operative conditions in infants preparing for surgery. Early detection and surgically repair of Coarctation of the aorta can significantly improve survival rate of affected neonates.
The Role of microRNA-15A in the Development of Prostate Cancer – Effects on Cell Proliferation and Pro-Inflammatory Signalling

Abstract Worldwide prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men after lung cancer. MicroRNAs are non-coding, endogenous RNAs and they play a role in tumorigenesis, RNA silencing and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. In this study we have investigated microRNA-15a impact on transcription factors cMYB and ETS1 in prostate-carcinoma cell line PC3. The PC3 cells were transfected with a synthetic analogue and inhibitor of microRNA-15a. The study was performed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry methods for assessing the transcript and protein levels of cMYB and ETS1, NFκB stable reporter live cell line. Statistical analysis was performed using One–way ANOVA test. We found that cMYB and ETS1 are up-regulated by the synthetic analogue of microRNA-15a at the transcription and protein level. Transfection with microRNA-15a mimic resulted in NFκB transcription factor activation as found by using the live cell reporter system. There was some opportunistic activity exhibited by the synthetic inhibitor, but less pronounced. Our data suggest that microRNA-15a could participate in prostate cancer progression by modulating cell proliferation and pro-inflammatory signaling and paves a way for further in-depth investigation of the gene regulatory networks underneath.
Quantification of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in broiler meat from the slaughterhouse.

Product safety and consumer protection are important tasks in modern food production. In this regard the knowledge of risks and hazards is of great value. Emerging food borne pathogens like Campylobacter are a cause of gastrointestinal infections worldwide. In total 275 samples were collected at a poultry slaughterhouse between April 05 and February 06. During slaughtering carcasses after scalding and defeathering and carcasses after evisceration were taken. Furthermore, carcasses were taken after chilling and during cutting samples of breast meat and pairs of breast filets were collected. The samples from the different production steps were examined quantitatively for thermophilic Campylobacter spp. according to ISO 10272-2:2002. The quantitative examination resulted in Campylobacter counts (mean log): for carcasses after scalding and defeathering between log 4.0 cfu/sample – log 8.3 cfu/sample (6.1 cfu/sample), for carcasses after evisceration between log 4.2 cfu/sample – log 7.8 cfu/sample (5.7 cfu/sample), for carcasses after cooling between log 4.2 cfu/sample – log 6.7 cfu/sample (5.1 cfu/sample), breast meat with skin between log 3.7 cfu/sample – log 5.5 cfu/sample (4.4 cfu/sample) and filets between log 3.7 cfu/sample – log 4.8 cfu/sample (4.1 cfu/sample).
Rare conditions mimicking bladder endometriosis

cycle for the past years. For that, she was evaluated 2 years back elsewhere was confirmed bladder ABSTRACT Benign conditions of the bladder such as cystitis cystica and Xanthogranulomatous cystitis (XC) are chronic inflammatory lesions which are usually rare in incidence. Here, we report 2 case reports wherein both the patients were diagnosed as bladder endometriosis for which segmental resection and partial cystectomy were done by the minimally invasive approach. Post-operative pathological examination revealed the lesions as cystitis cystica in one case and XC in another. To the best of our knowledge, this case of cystitis cystica mimicking as the bladder endometriosis is the 2 nd case reported in the literature and case of XC forming a tumorous lesion is the 29 th to be reported in the world literature.
In vivo effects of bisphenol A exposure on haematological parame- ters in Korean rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of bisphenol A (BPA; 4,4' -isopropylidenediphenol) on haematological parameters of Korean rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli in laboratory condition, Fish were randomly distributed into three treatment groups which were received of 0.1, 1 and 10 mg BPA body weight. They were injected four times intraperitoneally at days 0,3,7 and 12 with BPA. Control group was subjected to the same regime using an equal volume of 60% ethanol-mixed PBS carrier injection only. Fish from each group were sacrificed on day 15 after first injection for haematological assay. Observations on haematological parameters indicated BPA-treatment induced lower level of red blood cell counts and hemoglobin concentration. Serum chloride, calcium, glucose, bilirubin and blood urea nitrogen concentrations increased following exposure to BPA at 10 mg body weight. In contrast, serum cholesterol in fish exposed to BPA decreased. Serum transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase activities after the highest level of 10 mg PBA was significantly increased. These results demonstrate that BPA have induced adverse impact on haematological parameters in the Korean rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli.
Regulation of Janus Kinase 2 by an Inflammatory Bowel Disease Causal Non-coding Single Nucleotide Polymorphism.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Among the >240 genetic loci described to date which confer susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease, a small subset have been fine-mapped to an individual, non-coding single nucleotide polymorphism [SNP]. To illustrate a model mechanism by which a presumed-causal non-coding SNP can function, we analysed rs1887428, located in the promoter region of the Janus kinase 2 [JAK2] gene. METHODS We utilized comparative affinity purification-mass spectrometry, DNA-protein binding assays, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, transcriptome sequencing and methylome quantitative trait locus methods to characterize the role of this SNP. RESULTS We determined that the risk allele of rs1887428 is bound by the transcription factor [TF] RBPJ, while the protective allele is bound by the homeobox TF CUX1. While rs188748 only has a very modest influence on JAK2 expression, this effect was amplified downstream through the expression of pathway member STAT5B and epigenetic modification of the JAK2 locus. CONCLUSION Despite the absence of a consensus TF-binding motif or expression quantitative trait locus, we have used improved methods to characterize a putatively causal SNP to yield insight into inflammatory bowel disease mechanisms. PODCAST This article has an associated podcast which can be accessed at https://academic.oup. com/ecco-jcc/pages/podcast.
TUBGCP4 – associated microcephaly and chorioretinopathy

ABSTRACT Background Microcephaly and chorioretinopathy (MCCRP) is a rare neuro-ophthalmologic disorder that causes microcephaly and chorioretinopathy. In a recessive inheritance pattern, there are three types: MCCRP1; MCCRP2 and MCCRP3. MCCRP3 results from pathogenic variants in the tubulin-gamma complex-associated protein 4 (TUBGCP4) gene. Materials and Methods This is a case report of a patient with a molecular diagnosis defined by mutations in the TUBGCP4 gene. Segregation analyses were carried out. Results The molecular investigation found two heterozygous variants c.1380 G > A (p.Trp460*) a novel nonsense variant, and c.1746 G > T (p Leu582=) a synonymous variant in TUBGCP4. The clinical phenotype was characterized by microcephaly, microphthalmia, chorioretinopathy, a punched-out retinal appearance, dysmorphic facial features, decreased visual acuity, and learning difficulties. The clinical features were similar to those described previously in children with MCCRP3. The proband also had additional features including centripetal obesity, stretch marks, acanthosis nigricans, scoliosis, and hypercholesterolemia. These other features could be part of a ciliopathy syndrome. Conclusions MCCRP2 caused by pathogenic variants in PLK4 is well established as a ciliopathy disease. The role of TUBGCP4 is not well established in the cilium physiology. MCCRP3 may be part of the ciliopathy spectrum.
Influence of Moonlight on Male Mating Aggregations of Nyssomyia whitmani, a Vector of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Brazil

Abstract Nyssomyia whitmani (Antunes & Coutinho) is the sandfly vector of causative agents of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in South and Central America. It is widely spread throughout Brazil, in a close association with domestic animals. Almost nothing is known about male mating aggregations in N. whitmani, let alone the influence of moonlight on this behavior. Thus, the influence of moonlight on male N. whitmani aggregations was investigated by using non-attractant suction traps deployed in chicken cages under full moon and new moon nights. In this 18-night study, 2,160 specimens and seven species were collected. The most frequent species was N. whitmani accounting for 91.48% of the total sample. The abundance of males of N. whitmani was significantly higher in the presence than in the absence of moon. The sex ratio on new moon nights was 1:1 (M:F) and on full moon nights was male-biased (1.7:1). Based on this study, an influence of moonlight on male mating aggregations of N. whitmani was verified. The extent of this influence on increasing sandfly aggregation at hosts, the moonlight influence on the early flight activity of male sandflies and the use of chickens as aggregation sites for males of N. whitmani, are all discussed.
Anticoagulant-related nephropathy: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to report the prevalence and mortality associated with anticoagulant-related nephropathy (ARN) through a systematic review of the literature. Methods Electronic searches were conducted in the Medline and EMBASE databases, and manual searches were performed in the reference lists of the identified studies. The studies were selected by two independent researchers, first by evaluating the titles and abstracts and then by reading the complete texts of the identified studies. Case series, cross-sectional studies, cohort studies and case–control studies reporting the prevalence and factors associated with ARN were selected. The methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Meta-analyses of the prevalence of ARN and 5-year mortality using the random effects model were performed when possible. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. Results Five studies were included. Prevalence of ARN ranged from 19% to 63% among the four included cohort studies. Meta-analysis of these resulted in high heterogeneity [I2 96%, summary effect 31%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 22–42%]. Subgroup meta-analysis yielded an ARN prevalence of 20% among studies that included patients with fewer comorbidities (I2 12%; 95% CI 19–22%). In a direct comparison, meta-analysis of the 5-year mortality rate between anticoagulated patients who had experienced ARN and anticoagulated patients without ARN, patients with ARN were 91% more likely to die (risk ratio = 1.91; 95% CI 1.22–3; I2 87%). Risk factors for ARN that were reported in the literature included initial excessive anticoagulation, chronic kidney disease, age, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and heart failure. Conclusions ARN studies are scarce and heterogeneous, and present significant methodological limitations. The high prevalence of ARN reported herein suggests that this entity is underdiagnosed in clinical practice. Mortality in patients with ARN seems to be high compared with patients without this condition in observational studies.
A New -Conotoxin Which Targets 32 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors (*)

We have isolated a 16-amino acid peptide from the venom of the marine snail Conus magus which potently blocks nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) composed of α3β2 subunits. This peptide, named α-conotoxin MII, was identified by electrophysiologically screening venom fractions against cloned nicotinic receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes. The peptide's structure, which has been confirmed by mass spectrometry and total chemical synthesis, differs significantly from those of all previously isolated α-conotoxins. Disulfide bridging, however, is conserved. The toxin blocks the response to acetylcholine in oocytes expressing α3β2 nAChRs with an IC of 0.5 nM and is 2-4 orders of magnitude less potent on other nAChR subunit combinations. We have recently reported the isolation and characterization of α-conotoxin ImI, which selectively targets homomeric α7 neuronal nAChRs. Yet other α-conotoxins selectively block the muscle subtype of nAChR. Thus, it is increasingly apparent that α-conotoxins represent a significant resource for ligands with which to probe structure-function relationships of various nAChR subtypes.
[Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for early enteral nutrition tolerance in patients with sepsis of gastrointestinal dysfunction: a multi-center randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE To compare the therapeutic effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) combined with conventional western medicine and western medicine alone on early enteral nutrition tolerance in patients with sepsis. METHODS Forty-nine patients with sepsis were randomly divided into an observation group (24 cases) and a control group (25 cases). The control group was treated with conventional western medicine, including limited fluid resuscitation, anti-infection and maintenance of hemodynamics, and enteral nutrition was provided when the hemodynamics became stable and the dosage of vasoactive drugs was reduced. The observation group, on the basis of the treatment of the control group, was treated with TEAS at Tianshu (ST 25), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Jiexi (ST 41), Diji (SP 8), Zusanli (ST 36), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Daheng (SP 15) when the enteral nutrition was provided (dilatational wave, 2 Hz/10 Hz, twice a day, 30 min each time), and the TEAS stopped when enteral nutrition was normal. The antral motility index (MI) was evaluated by ultrasonography on the first, third and fifth day into treatment in the two groups, and the duration from providing enteral nutrition to normal enteral nutrition was recorded. The acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI) classification, admission time of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospitalization time were compared. RESULTS The antral MI on the third and fifth day into treatment in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The duration from providing enteral nutrition to normal enteral nutrition was (5.08±0.65) days in the observation group, which was shorter than (5.56±0.65) days in the control group (P<0.05). The improvement of AGI classification after treatment in the observation group was significantly superior to the control group (P<0.05). The hospitalization time in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION TEAS combined with conventional western medicine treatment could significantly promote gastrointestinal peristalsis, improve the early intestinal nutrition tolerance in patients with sepsis, so as to shorten the time of reaching the standard of enteral nutrition and hospitalization time, which is better than conventional western medicine treatment alone.
The relationship between antibody redox structure and affinity in rainbow trout

Teleost immunoglobulin M (IgM), an 800 kDa tetramer, possesses considerable structural diversity due to the non-uniform disulfide polymerization of its halfmeric or monomeric subunits. However, to date, no plausible functional role for this diversity has been demonstrated or proposed. This research was, therefore, designed to investigate the possible functional role(s) for this diversity using the trout model. The possible relationship between this structural diversity and affinity was specifically addressed. The relationship between high levels of disulfide polymerization and high affinity was demonstrated by selective immunoadsorption and analysis of antibodies isolated during the process of affinity maturation. A pivotal determinative role of antigen I BCR affinity in conferring graded levels of disulfide bonding was demonstrated by the induction of high and mixed affinity antibodies from a single lymphocyte source in vitro. Additionally, transfer of immunopurified antibodies and labeled non-immune immunoglobulins revealed a direct effect of polymerization on antibody half-life, with selective removal of less polymerized Igs and I or retention of more fully polymerized Igs. Thus, this differential effect on half-life also results in an increase of average affinity, accentuating the process of affinity maturation. The converse, modulation of affinity by disulfide variation; however, could not be demonstrated.
The supraorbital and supratrochlear nerves for ipsilateral corneal neurotization: anatomical study

Neurotrophic keratitis is a rare corneal disease that is challenging to treat. Corneal neurotization (CN) is among the developing treatments that uses the supraorbital (SON) or supratrochlear (STN) nerve as a donor. Therefore, the goal of this study was to provide the detailed anatomy of these nerves and clarify their feasibility as donors for ipsilateral CN. Both sides of 10 fresh-frozen cadavers were used in this study, and the SON and STN were dissected using a microscope intra- and extraorbitally. The topographic data between the exit points of these nerves and the medial and lateral angle of the orbit were measured, and nerve rotation of these nerves toward the ipsilateral cornea were attempted. The SON and STN were found on 19 of 20 sides. The vertical and horizontal distances between the exit point of the SON and that of the STN, were 7.3±2.1 mm (vertical) and 4.5±2.3 mm, respectively. The mean linear distances between the medial angle and the exit points of each were 22.2±3.0 mm and 14.5±1.9 mm, respectively, and the mean linear distances between the lateral angle and the exit points of the SON and STN were 34.0±2.7 mm and 36.9±2.5 mm, respectively. These nerves rotated ipsilaterally toward the center of the orbit easily. A better understanding of the anatomy of these nerves can contribute to the development and improvement of ipsilateral CN.
Editor’s presentation: Do we really need biomarkers for cardiovascular risk prediction?

Traditional risk assessment tools, such as the Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) and the Framingham risk score (FRS), have been proposed in clinical practice to calculate an individual’s risk of cardiovascular mortality and/or morbidity based on clinical characteristics and laboratory tests. However, the limited discriminative ability of these approaches has promoted studies evaluating several additional non-circulating and circulating biomarkers as means of refining risk stratification. Here, in a populationbased cohort study of apparently healthy men and women, it was observed that higher baseline values of three indicators (i.e. high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR)) were each associated with an increased long-term risk of cardiovascular death. However, only NT-proBNP significantly improved discriminative ability when added to traditional cardiovascular risk factors, while all three biomarkers improved reclassification. In conclusion, perhaps NTproBNP is the most important risk marker and could be incorporated in future risk algorithms. However, other risk markers such as, for example, a positive family history of cardiovascular disease was not tested in multivariate analysis.
Plain Language Summary: Ménière’s Disease

This plain language summary explains Ménière’s (pronounced men-yerz) disease (MD) to patients. The summary applies to patients aged 18 years and older with a suspected diagnosis of definite or probable MD. It is based on the 2020 “Clinical Practice Guideline: Ménière’s Disease. ” This guideline uses published research to best advise health care providers and patients on the history and physical examination of patients with MD and how to diagnose and treat them. The guideline includes recommendations that are explained in this summary. Recommendations may not apply to every patient but can be used to facilitate shared decision making between patients and their health care providers.