Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ion transport function of SLC4A11 in corneal endothelium.

PURPOSE Mutations in SLC4A11, a member of the SLC4 superfamily of bicarbonate transporters, give rise to corneal endothelial cell dystrophies. SLC4A11 is a putative Na⁺ borate and Na⁺:OH⁻ transporter. Therefore we ask whether SLC4A11 in corneal endothelium transports borate (B[OH]₄⁻), bicarbonate (HCO3⁻), or hydroxyl (OH⁻) anions coupled to Na⁺. METHODS SLC4A11 expression in cultured primary bovine corneal endothelial cells (BCECs) was determined by semiquantitative PCR, SDS-PAGE/Western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining. Ion transport function was examined by measuring intracellular pH (pHi) or Na⁺ ([Na⁺](i)) in response to Ringer solutions with/without B(OH)₄⁻ or HCO₃⁻ after overexpressing or small interfering RNA (siRNA) silencing of SLC4A11. RESULTS SLC4A11 is localized to the basolateral membrane in BCEC. B(OH)₄⁻ (2.5-10 mM) in bicarbonate-free Ringer induced a rapid small acidification (0.01 pH unit) followed by alkalinization (0.05-0.1 pH unit), consistent with diffusion of boric acid into the cell followed by B(OH)₄⁻. However, the rate of B(OH)₄⁻-induced pHi change was unaffected by overexpression of SLC4A11. B(OH)₄⁻ did not induce significant changes in resting [Na⁺(i)] or the amplitude and rate of acidification caused by Na⁺ removal. siRNA-mediated knockdown of SLC4A11 (∼70%) did not alter pHi responses to CO₂/HCO₃⁻-rich Ringer, Na⁺-free induced acidification, or the rate of Na⁺ influx in the presence of bicarbonate. However, in the absence of bicarbonate, siSLC4A11 knockdown significantly decreased the rate (43%) and amplitude (48%) of acidification due to Na⁺ removal and recovery (53%) upon add-back. Additionally, the rate of acid recovery following NH₄⁺ prepulse was decreased significantly (27%) by SLC4A11 silencing. CONCLUSIONS In corneal endothelium, SLC4A11 displays robust Na⁺-coupled OH⁻ transport, but does not transport B(OH)₄⁻ or HCO₃⁻.
Housing policy towards a super aging society: From building specifications to special needs measures

Japan is becoming a ‘super‐aging society’ beyond an ‘aged society’. During last decade, considerable political measures on the housing for the elderly have been launched, but the turning point is coming. There are many private detached houses in Japan. In order to upgrade the quality of ordinary houses, ‘guidelines of housing design devised to cope with aged society’ was announced by the ministry. From April 2000, under the Long‐term Care Insurance Law, house adaptation system for the frail elderly was institutionalized and the needs of it have been increasing wider and wider. Most elderly people feel anxious for the future when they need personal care that includes home help services and nursing care. Elderly residents of collective housings want to reserve the service facility in the same building. New types of dwellings have also been developed (such as senior housing, care house, group home) Recently, the old peoples homes began to consider a high value to the comfortable atmosphere as a house. Even the nursing homes are changing into houses that contain small scale homes. Group living is not an institution, but a house that must have a possibility to suit the all categories of elderly people. The scheme will become one of the mainstreams of housing for the elderly as a new type of dwelling.
P‐selectin mediates leukocyte rolling in concanavalin‐A‐induced hepatitis

Abstract: Concanavalin‐ A (Con‐A)‐induced hepatitis is an experimental model of human autoimmune hepatitis characterized by leukocyte activation and infiltration of the liver. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of P‐selectin on leukocyte–endothelial interactions within the hepatic microvasculature in response to Con‐A.
Review: The delivery of ivermectin (Mectizan®)

Over a comparatively short period of time, the development and distribution of ivermectin (Mectizan®) has radically altered the consequences of infection with Onchocerca volvulus. To achieve this required the fostering of many partnerships and the development of new tools and methods. The long‐term commitment of Merck, the World Bank and other sponsors, as well as governments and non‐governmental organizations, has been crucial. Yet the enthusiasm with which communities have taken up the delivery of ivermectin among themselves is perhaps the greatest reason for the success of this programme. The present challenge is sustaining the methods that have brought success so far, and making them part of health services and disease control programmes in some of the world's most impoverished and unstable areas. A major part of this challenge is continuing the commitment to controlling onchocerciasis as memory of the disease is fading, and while the hope of elimination or eradication for most endemic countries remains distant.
Abdominal Obesity: Why it Matters

Copyright: © 2014 Nakao YM, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes that are deserving of more clinical attention. In 1988, Reaven reported that several risk factors like hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia commonly cluster together [1]. In 1998, World Health Organization proposed the first formalized definition using the term metabolic syndrome [2]. Then, various diagnostic criteria have been proposed by different organizations over the past decade [2-15]. In Japan, a consultation group on the definition of metabolic syndrome identified abdominal obesity as the major underlying risk factor and a prerequisite component for diagnosis of metabolic syndrome [16]. However, there has been a debate as to whether this feature should be a mandatory clinical criterion and additional inspection has been necessary.
The Bethesda System for Reporting Cervical Cytology: A Historical Perspective

The aims of The Bethesda System (TBS) were to provide effective communication from the laboratory to the clinical provider; facilitate cytologic-histologic correlation; facilitate research into the epidemiology, biology, and pathology of cervical disease; and provide reproducible and reliable data for national and international statistical analysis comparisons. Dr. Diane Solomon and colleagues' contribution to cervical cancer screening, diagnosis, and management began with the inception and dissemination of TBS for reporting cervical cytology in 1988, as detailed in the accompanying article [Solomon et al.: Acta Cytol 1989;33:567-574]. The significance of TBS for the further development and implementation of standardized terminology in pathology, and the research/management of cervical cancer have continued to evolve over the past three decades. TBS has always been a multidisciplinary effort and acknowledgement needs to be given to several stakeholders who, over the years, have contributed to its success. It has been our privilege and honor to have carried on the legacy of this seminal work, even as molecular methods are being closely integrated into cervical cancer screening, triage, and prevention.
Obesity in America

The age-adjusted prevalence of obesity (ie, a body mass index [BMI]30) in the period 1999-2000 (the last official report by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [NHANES III]) was 30.5% compared with 22.9% in 1980. This increase of 8% is part of a continuing trend. Although all changes were not statistically significant, increases occurred in both men and women in all age groups and of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. Among women, obesity was greatest in non-Hispanic African Americans (80% being overweight). Thus, there seem to be populationwide changes. The potential health benefits from reduction in obesity are a matter of considerable public health importance. 1
A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis of Antirheumatic Drugs and Vaccine Immunogenicity in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective. Vaccination is a key strategy to reduce infection risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is advocated in internationally recognized rheumatology society guidelines. The aim was to evaluate to the effect of antirheumatic drugs on influenza and pneumococcal vaccine immunogenicity. Methods. We conducted a systematic literature review and metaanalysis comparing the humoral response to influenza (pandemic and seasonal trivalent subunit vaccines) and pneumococcal (23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, 7- and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccines) vaccination in adult patients with RA treated with antirheumatic drugs. Vaccine immunogenicity was assessed by seroprotection rates measured 3 to 6 weeks postimmunization. Risk ratios (RR) and 95% CI were pooled. Results. Nine studies were included in the metaanalysis (7 studies investigating antirheumatic drug exposures and influenza humoral response, 2 studies investigating pneumococcal vaccine response). Influenza vaccine responses to all subunit strains (H1N1, H3N2, B strain) were preserved with methotrexate (MTX) and tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) drug exposure. MTX but not TNFi drug exposure was associated with reduced 6B and 23F serotype pneumococcal vaccine response (RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.28–0.63 vs RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.58–1.67); however, limited data were available to draw any firm conclusions. Combination of MTX with tocilizumab or tofacitinib was associated with reduced pneumococcal and influenza vaccine responses. Conclusion. Antirheumatic drugs may limit humoral responses to vaccination as evidenced by pneumococcal responses with MTX exposure; however, they are safe and should not preclude immunization against vaccine-preventable disease. Vaccination should be considered in all patients with RA and encouraged as part of routine care. (Systematic review registration number: PROSPERO 2016: CRD42016048093.)
The MATRICS consensus cognitive battery: what we know 6 years later.

Following a competitive application process sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) initiative was launched. After 2 years of large consensus meetings, a five-site psychometric and validation study, complex intellectual property agreements, and an endorsement by NIMH and the U.S. Food andDrug Administration (FDA), theMATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) was initially presented in a series of three articles in the Journal in 2008 (1–3). Since then, theMCCBhas been evaluated and scrutinized in away that few test assessment batteries have been. Over time its strengths and limitations have come into sharper focus, and we believe it is a good time to review what we know about the MCCB 6 years later. The MATRICS initiative was designed to address a particular issue—the FDA was previously unwilling to approve a drug for enhancing cognition in schizophrenia without consensus on domains, measurement, and study design (4, 5). The overarching goal of MATRICS was to construct a pathway for drug approval in this area. Identifying consensus cognitive domains and developing a consensus battery were part of the broader MATRICS agenda that included agreement on study design, subject selection, neuropharmacological targets, and government-industry interactions. Though itwas only one component of a much larger initiative, the MCCB was the most concrete deliverable. The components of the MCCB were selected through both consensus and data collection methods (1, 6). The first step was to agree on cognitive domains that should be represented in schizophrenia treatment trials (7) and then to select tests at the domain level on the basis of a priori criteria. It was hoped that the MCCB would behave well in clinical trials, but that was an educated guess at the time. In this commentary we will summarize recent results regarding the test qualities of the MCCB when used in multisite clinical trials, its sensitivity to treatment effects, and its covariation with biomarkers.
Assessment of Synthetic Dyes in Food Stuffs Produced in Confectioneries and Restaurants in Arak, Iran

Results: The results showed that several products did not meet the standards. Fifty-six out of the 70 (80%) samples examined in the study, namely sunset yellow (60%), tartrazine (57.1%), quinoline yellow (44.28%), azorubine (28.57%), ponceau 4R (8.57%) and allura red (2.85%) failed to meet the standard and health codes. Conclusions: Considering the high level of artificial colors found in the samples of this study, preventive measures are essential.
Orthopedic Surgery in Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Era of Biologic Therapy

Objective. To analyze sociodemographic and clinic-related factors associated with the use of orthopedic surgical procedures in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), focusing on the potential role of new biologic therapies. Methods. A retrospective medical record review was performed in a probability sample of 1272 patients with RA from 47 units distributed in 19 Spanish regions. Sociodemographic and clinical features, use of drugs, and arthritis-related joint surgeries were recorded following a standardized protocol. Results. A total of 94 patients (7.4%) underwent any orthopedic surgery during their disease course, with a total of 114 surgeries; 47 (41.2%) of these surgeries were total joint replacement (TJR). The median time to first orthopedic procedure was 7.9 years from the onset of RA symptoms, and the rate of orthopedic surgery (excluding TJR) was 4.5 procedures per 100 person-years from the beginning of RA, while the rate of TJR was 2.25 interventions per 100 person-years. A higher risk of undergoing an orthopedic surgical procedure was associated with taking nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) in the previous 2 years, female sex, longterm disease, and the presence of extraarticular complications. The risk factors for undergoing a TJR were being old, having a longterm disease, and taking biologic therapies. Conclusion. In the era of biologics, our national audit found a low percentage of patients who underwent orthopedic surgery, probably reflecting a thorough management of the RA. Sociodemographic factors, longterm RA, extraarticular complications, and NSAID were associated with orthopedic surgery.
The role of plant sterols in dietary control of high plasma cholesterol levels

There is irrefutable evidence that high cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). The first approach to lowering cholesterol levels is through lifestyle changes such as dietary modification, increased exercise and weight loss (if overweight). Changing to a more plant-based diet, low in cholesterol and saturated fats, is usually the first change recommended by physicians. However, most of us are not psychologically or practically able to comply with such lifestyle changes over the long term. New ideas are needed to improve the cholesterol-lowering effects of dietary interventions, including the development of healthier foods.
Gentechnologie bij landbouwhuisdieren

Een overzicht van de ontwikkelingen van het kloneren van landbouwhuisdieren, met het oog op mogelijke consequenties voor beleid en regelgeving. Er wordt ingegaan op de techniek van dna modificatie, de invloed op veehouderij, fokkerij, praktijk, dierenwelzijn en -gezondheid, nationale veiligheid en regelgeving en de toekomstige ontwikkelingen in de nabije toekomst
Clinical Features, Management, and Outcomes of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Related Cardiotoxicity.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent a major advance in the treatment of cancer. Although clinical trials reported a low incidence of immune-related cardiovascular adverse events,1 the number of published life-threatening cases of cardiotoxicity is increasing.2 In this descriptive observational analysis, we aimed to describe the clinical manifestations, management, and outcomes of patients who developed ICI-related cardiotoxicity. The medical records of patients with a clinical suspicion of ICI-related cardiotoxicity were reviewed from the databases of 2 cardio-oncology units between March 2015 and April 2017. The patients are managed according to similar protocols. Because no specific follow-up had previously been established for patients receiving ICIs during the study period, the oncologists referred patients receiving ICIs only on the basis of their clinical suspicion of cardiovascular events. These patients had a standardized evaluation including clinical consultation, ECG, transthoracic echocardiography, and measurement of brain natriuretic peptide and troponin I serum levels. The management of cardiotoxicity was left to the physician’s discretion. The study was approved by our institutional review board, and informed consent has been obtained from the subjects. To create a pooled analysis, we also searched PubMed for English articles reporting cases of ICI-related cardiotoxicity until April 2017. We selected …
Developing a Core Set of Outcome Measures for Behçet Disease: Report from OMERACT 2016

Objective. The Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Vasculitis Working Group has been working toward developing a data-driven core set of outcome measures for use in clinical trials of Behçet’s syndrome [Behçet disease (BD)]. This paper summarizes the group’s work through OMERACT 2016, discussions during the meeting, and the future research agenda. Methods. Qualitative patient interviews were conducted among 20 patients with BD who have different types of organ involvement. A 3-round Delphi among BD experts and patients was initiated to identify domains, subdomains, and outcomes to be assessed in clinical trials of BD. The results of these studies were discussed during OMERACT 2016 and next steps were planned. Results. Patients’ perspectives and priorities were identified through qualitative interviews that identified candidate domains and subdomains for inclusion in the Delphi and characterized some shortcomings of the currently used patient-reported outcomes in BD. The first round of the Delphi was completed and several domains or subdomains were endorsed by the experts and/or the patients. Because many more items were endorsed than would be feasible to assess during a clinical trial, rating and ranking of items by physicians and patients was planned as a next critical step. The challenges of assessing specific organ system involvement was also discussed. Conclusion. The OMERACT Behçet Syndrome Working Group research program will identify core domains for assessment in BD with the goal of developing a core set of outcome measures for use in all trials of BD with the option to incorporate additional outcomes for specific organ involvement.
Les limites des techniques d’assistance médicale à la procréation pour le clinicien

Dans certaines situations, la ponction ovocytaire risque d’etre techniquement difficile, incomplete, voire impossible et/ou presente un risque infectieux majore. Un bilan echographique d’accessibilite des ovaires est necessaire avant d’engager une patiente dans un parcours de fecondation in vitro (FIV), surtout si la patiente presente un surpoids ou s’il existe des antecedents chirurgicaux abdomino-pelviens, de l’endometriose, des alterations tubaires, des myomes uterins. L’echec complet de transfert embryonnaire est exceptionnel, mais les transferts plus ou moins difficiles ne sont pas rares. Un transfert simule doit etre pratique lors d’un cycle precedant la tentative de FIV. Il permet d’anticiper les difficultes et de proposer des solutions qui sont le plus souvent efficaces.
Presença de Candida nas mucosas vaginal e bucal e sua relação com IgA salivar

PURPOSE: to correlate the presence of yeast from the Candida genus in the oral and vaginal cavity of women with and without vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), with secretor IgA levels (IgAs) present in the saliva. METHODS: among the 51 women included, 13 presented VVC and 38 were the Control Group. An amount of 2.0 mL of saliva without stimulation was collected from each patient, plus vaginal secretion using a swab, which was then immersed in 2.0 mL of physiological solution. Samples were inseminated in Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol for isolation and counting of colonies, and the isolated ones, phenotypically identified. IgA has been quantified in the saliva of the women from both groups, by the ELISA technique. RESULTS: in the 13 patients with clinical and mycological diagnosis of VVC, the mean of Candida colony producing unities by milliliter of vaginal secretion (cpu/mL) was 52,723, and 23.8% of the patients presented colonization in the oral mucosa with lower amount of cup/mL (6,030). The levels of IgAs in saliva were lower in the group with VVC (DO mean: 0.3), as compared to the IgA levels of the Control Group (DO mean: 0.6). Eleven patients (37%) from the Control Group presented Candida colonization in the oral cavity, with a lower cup/mL mean, when compared to the VVC Group. The Control Group also presented a lower amount of cpu/mL (1,973) in the vaginal cavity, when compared to the VVC Group (52,942). CONCLUSIONS: these results have demonstrated that patients with clinical diagnosis of vaginal candidiasis presented a higher amount of Candida both in the vaginal and in the oral cavity, and presented lower levels of anti-Candida IgA in the saliva.
Diagnostic performance of soluble mesothelin and megakaryocyte potentiating factor in mesothelioma.

RATIONALE Soluble mesothelin (SM) is currently the reference serum biomarker of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Megakaryocyte potentiating factor (MPF), which originates from the same precursor protein, is potentially more sensitive, yet lacks validation. OBJECTIVES To analyze the diagnostic performance of MPF as an MPM biomarker and compare this performance with SM. METHODS A total of 507 participants were enrolled in six cohorts: healthy control subjects (n = 101), healthy asbestos-exposed individuals (n = 89), and patients with benign asbestos-related disease (n = 123), benign respiratory disease (n = 46), lung cancer (n = 63), and MPM (n = 85). Sera were analyzed for SM and MPF levels using the Mesomark and Human MPF ELISA kit, respectively. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS SM and MPF levels differed significantly between patients with MPM and participants from each other cohort (P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis did not reveal a significant difference between both markers in area under curve (AUC) for distinguishing MPM from all cohorts jointly (SM = 0.871, MPF = 0.849; P = 0.28). At 95% specificity, SM and MPF had a sensitivity of 64% (cutoff = 2.00 nmol/L) and 68% (cutoff = 12.38 ng/ml), respectively. Combining both markers did not improve the diagnostic performance. CONCLUSIONS In this prospective multicenter study, MPF is validated as a highly performant MPM biomarker. The similar AUC values of SM and MPF, together with the limited difference in sensitivity, show that both serum biomarkers have an equivalent diagnostic performance.
Survivors' Identification of Protective Factors and Early Warning Signs for Intimate Partner Violence

An exploratory, qualitative study generated hypotheses about women in violent heterosexual relationships: reasons women stay, what helps end the violence, barriers, potential early warning signs, resources, racial differences, and location differences. Twenty-two focus groups of urban and rural African American and White women in five U.S. regions were convened. Participants were at least 18 years of age, had experienced physical violence in intimate relationships, and had been free of violence for at least 6 months. Findings provide insights and tangible suggestions for social institutions to help victims. The findings suggest a need for health communications messages and interventions to help others vulnerable to abuse.