Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Skipping breakfast is associated with the presence of cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents: Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents – ERICA

Abstract Breakfast is considered as the most important meal of the day. The habit of skipping this meal in adolescence tends to remain until adulthood and has been associated with cardiometabolic risk factors. The present study estimated the prevalence of skipping breakfast and its association with cardiometabolic risk factors. This is a cross-sectional study with data from the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), with a nationally representative sample of 36 956 Brazilian adolescents, aged 12–17 years, enrolled in public and private schools. The outcomes were excess body weight (BMI), central obesity (waist circumference and waist:height ratio), lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and TAG) and glycidic profile (fasting glycaemia, fasting insulin and glycated Hb). The association between skipping breakfast and each outcome was estimated using multiple Poisson regression models (prevalence ratio (PR) and 95 % CI). Prevalence of skipping breakfast was 68·7 % and, after adjustments, it was associated with excess body weight (PR = 1·30; 95 % CI 1·18, 1·43), central obesity both by waist circumference (PR = 1·27; 95 % CI 1·00, 1·61) and by waist:height ratio (PR = 1·32; 95 % CI 1·13, 1·54) and high fasting glucose levels (PR = 1·54; 95 % CI 1·09, 2·18), fasting insulin (PR = 1·64; 95 % CI 1·21, 2·22), glycated Hb (PR = 1·16; 95 % CI 1·03, 1·31) and total cholesterol (PR = 1·14; 95 % CI 1·02, 1·27). Skipping breakfast was associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescence. In this context, the school environment is an ideal space to promote healthy eating habits, favouring the implementation of food and nutrition education activities to make adolescents aware of the importance of consuming breakfast daily.
A Revision of Lophostigma (Sapindaceae)

Lophostigma, previously known only from a single species (L. plumosum), is revised with the addition of a second species (L. schunkei comb. nov.). A number of morphological and palynological features are described for the first time. Particularly significant among these, are the discovery of fruiting material and the stigmas of pistillate flowers, and the reexamination of pollen grains using SEM. Lophostigma, although similar to Serjania, is distinguished from it and from any other genus of the tribe Paullinieae by its flowers with relatively large sepals and inconspicuous petals, and by the cylindrical-ellipsoid pollen grains, with 4 endoapertures and 2 or 3 colpi. Lophostigma Radlk. is one of the more poorly known genera of Sapindaceae. It was described by Radlkofer (1897) from a single collection made by Otto Kuntze from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and placed by him in the neotropical tribe Paul- linieae Kunth. The climbing habit, aided by ax- illary tendrils, along with the presence of stip- ules and zygomorphic flowers, are essential
NADPH oxidases and the evolution of plant salinity tolerance.

Soil salinization is a major threat to global food security and the biodiversity of the natural ecosystems. To adapt to salt stress, plants rely on ROS-mediated signalling networks that operate upstream of a broad array of physiological and genetic processes. A key player in ROS signalling is NADPH oxidase, a plasma-membrane-bound enzyme encoded by RBOH genes. In this study, we have conducted a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of over 50 halophytic and glycophytic species to link the difference in the kinetics of ROS signalling between contrasting species with the abundance and/or structure of NADPH oxidases. The RBOH proteins were predicted in all the tested plant lineages except some algae species from the Rhodophyta, Chlorophyta and Streptophyta. Within the glycophytic group, the number of RBOH copies correlated negatively with salinity stress tolerance suggesting that a reduction in the number of RBOH isoforms may be potentially related to the evolution of plant salinity tolerance. While halophytes did not develop unique protein families during evolution, they evolved additional phosphorylation target sites at the N-termini of NADPH oxidases, potentially modulating enzyme activity and allowing more control over their function resulting in more efficient ROS signalling and adaptation to saline conditions. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
MRI in disorders of consciousness

Purpose of review In the study of brain-injured patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC), structural and functional MRI seek to provide insights into the neural correlates of consciousness, identify neurophysiologic signatures of covert consciousness, and identify biomarkers for recovery of consciousness. Recent findings Cortical volume, white matter volume and integrity, and structural connectivity across many grey and white matter regions have been shown to vary with level of awareness in brain-injured patients. Resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) within and between canonical cortical networks also correlates with DoC patients’ level of awareness. Stimulus-based and motor-imagery fMRI paradigms have identified some behaviorally unresponsive DoC patients with cortical processing and activation patterns that mirror healthy controls. Emerging techniques like dynamic rs-FC have begun to identify temporal trends in brain-wide connectivity that may represent novel neural correlates of consciousness. Summary Structural and functional MRI will continue to advance our understanding of brain regions supporting human consciousness. Measures of regional and global white matter integrity and rs-FC in particular networks have shown significant improvement over clinical features in identifying acute and chronic DoC patients likely to recover awareness. As they are refined, functional MRI paradigms may additionally provide opportunities for interacting with behaviorally unresponsive patients.
Evaluating the Effects of Minimal Risk Natural Products for Control of the Tick, Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae)

Abstract Knockdown and residual activity of 10 minimal risk natural products (MRNPs), one experimental formulation of nootkatone, and two bifenthrin labels were evaluated against host-seeking nymphal Ixodes scapularis Say using a novel micro-plot product screening system placed in a landscape setting similar to a wooded residential property. The MRNPs evaluated included Tick Stop, EcoPCO EC-X, Met52 EC, CedarCide PCO Choice, EcoEXEMPT IC2, EcoSMART Organic Insecticide, Essentria IC3, privately labeled products 1 and 2 (based on EcoEXEMPT IC2 and sold as a professional pest control application), and Tick Killz. Just the nootkatone and 4 of these 10 products tested (EcoPCO EC-X, Met52 EC, EcoEXEMPT IC2, and Essentria IC3) had statistically significant (P < 0.05) knockdown effects (killed ticks while active in the arenas) when compared to water-only controls, but only 2 of these, EcoPCO EC-X and nootkatone, displayed significant residual tick-killing activity after weathering naturally in the landscape for 2 wk prior to tick application/testing. Moreover, botanical oil-based products with the same active ingredients provided inconsistent results when tested multiple times across study years.
Utilisation of health services among urban patients who had an ischaemic stroke with different health insurance - a cross-sectional study in China

Objectives This study investigates the disparities in the utilisation of patient health services for patients who had a stroke covered by different urban basic health insurance schemes in China. Design We conducted descriptive analysis based on a 5% random sample from claims data of China Urban Employees’ Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI) and Urban Residents’ Basic Medical Insurance (URBMI) in 2015, supplied by the China Health Insurance Research Association. Setting Chinese urban social insurance system. Participants A total of 56 485 patients who had a stroke were identified, including 36 487 UEBMI patients and 19 998 URBMI patients. Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary outcome measures include annual number of hospitalisations, average length of stay (ALOS) and average hospitalisation cost. Out-of-pocket (OOP) cost is the secondary outcome measure. Results The annual mean number of hospitalisations of UEBMI patients was 1.21 and 1.15 for URBMI patients. The ALOS was significantly longer for UEBMI than for URBMI patients (13.93 vs 10.82, p<0.001). Hospital costs were significantly higher for UEBMI than for URBMI patients (US$1724.02 vs US$986.59 (p<0.001), while the OOP costs were significantly higher for URBMI than for UEBMI patients (US$423.17 vs US$407.81 (p<0.001). Patients with UEBMI had higher reimbursement rate than URBMI patients (79.41% vs 66.92%, p<0.001) and a lower self-paid ratio than URBMI patients (23.65% vs 42.89%, p<0.001). Conclusions Significant disparities were found in the utilisation of hospital services between UEBMI and URBMI patients. Our results call for a systemic strategy to improve the fragmented social health insurance system and narrow the gaps in China’s health insurance schemes.
TRPV4 activity regulates nuclear Ca2+ and transcriptional functions of β‐catenin in a renal epithelial cell model

TRPV4 is a nonselective cationic channel responsive to several physical and chemical stimuli. Defects in TRPV4 channel function result in human diseases, such as skeletal dysplasias, arthropathies, and peripheral neuropathies. Nonetheless, little is known about the role of TRPV4 in other cellular functions, such as nuclear Ca2+ homeostasis or Ca2+‐regulated transcription. Here, we confirmed the presence of the full‐length TRPV4 channel in the nuclei of nonpolarized Madin‐Darby canine kidney cells. Confocal Ca2+ imaging showed that activation of the channel increases cytoplasmic and nuclear Ca2+ leading to translocation of TRPV4 out of the nucleus together with β‐catenin, a transcriptional regulator in the Wnt signaling pathway fundamental in embryogenesis, organogenesis, and cellular homeostasis. TRPV4 inhibits β‐catenin transcriptional activity through a direct interaction dependent upon channel activity. This interaction also occurs in undifferentiated osteoblastoma and neuroblastoma cell models. Our results suggest a mechanism in which TRPV4 may regulate differentiation in several cellular contexts.
Digital cardiovascular care in COVID‐19 pandemic: A potential alternative?

Cardiovascular patients are at increased risk of acquiring coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection while their visit to healthcare facilities. There is a need for alternative tools for optimal monitoring and management of cardiovascular patients in the present pandemic situation. Digital health care may prove to be a new revolutionary tool to protect cardiovascular patients from coronavirus disease by avoiding routine visits to health care facilities that are already overwhelmed with COVID‐19 patients.
An exploration of mercaptopurine/methotrexate tolerance during maintenance therapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Purpose Mercaptopurine (6MP) and methotrexate (MTX) cause myelosuppression and interruptions in therapy in children with lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Length of time off of therapy is related to poorer outcomes. To date the dose at which most children tolerate these agents without drops in blood counts has not been identified. This study attempts to determine the maximum tolerated dose of both 6MP/MTX. Methods A retrospective chart review of 77 ALL children, median age 4.5 years. Time to first interruption and dose, along with total number of interruptions were collected. Absolute neutrophil and platelet counts recorded at time of interruption. Subgroup analysis of age, sex, diagnosis and risk stratification were also completed. REB approval was gained. Results Of the 77 patients that were studied, 9 of them had no treatment interruptions. Descriptive statistics are reported using Strata software. The mean number of interruptions during maintenance was 3.2, the mean time to first interruption was 149.8 days. The mean dose percent of MTX and 6MP at first interruption was 94.4% and 106% respectively. Maintenance therapy was interrupted independent of age, sex, diagnosis or disease risk stratification. Conclusion Few patients complete maintenance therapy without interruptions at the current dose escalation schedules outlined by the Children’s Oncology Group protocols. The interruptions are due in part to intolerance of dose escalations of MTX and 6 MP above 100%. Future research should investigate doses of 6MP and MTX in maintenance therapy in relation to leukemia outcomes.
Availability of equipment and medications for non-communicable diseases and injuries at public first-referral level hospitals: a cross-sectional analysis of service provision assessments in eight low-income countries

Context and objectives Non-communicable diseases and injuries (NCDIs) comprise a large share of mortality and morbidity in low-income countries (LICs), many of which occur earlier in life and with greater severity than in higher income settings. Our objective was to assess availability of essential equipment and medications required for a broad range of acute and chronic NCDI conditions. Design Secondary analysis of existing cross-sectional survey data. Setting We used data from Service Provision Assessment surveys in Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Malawi, Nepal, Senegal and Tanzania, focusing on public first-referral level hospitals in each country. Outcome measures We defined sets of equipment and medications required for diagnosis and management of four acute and nine chronic NCDI conditions and determined availability of these items at the health facilities. Results Overall, 797 hospitals were included. Medication and equipment availability was highest for acute epilepsy (country estimates ranging from 40% to 95%) and stage 1–2 hypertension (28%–83%). Availability was low for type 1 diabetes (1%–70%), type 2 diabetes (3%–57%), asthma (0%–7%) and acute presentations of diabetes (0%–26%) and asthma (0%–4%). Few hospitals had equipment or medications for heart failure (0%–32%), rheumatic heart disease (0%–23%), hypertensive emergencies (0%–64%) or acute minor surgical conditions (0%–5%). Data for chronic pain were limited to only two countries. Availability of essential medications and equipment was lower than previous facility-reported service availability. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate low availability of essential equipment and medications for diverse NCDIs at first-referral level hospitals in eight LICs. There is a need for decentralisation and integration of NCDI services in existing care platforms and improved assessment and monitoring to fully achieve universal health coverage.
Formulation and evaluation of embelin emulgel for topical delivery

Background: Embelin is an isolated compound from Embelia ribes and well known for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, so far, embelin has not been explored into a topical dosage form due to its hydrophobic nature. Emulgel is a recently developed formulation and emerged as a promising topical delivery system for the delivery of hydrophobic drugs. Aim: The aim of the study to formulate emulgel of embelin and tested for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Materials and Methods: The emulsion was prepared and incorporated in a gel base. The formulations were evaluated for physicochemical properties and tested for in vitro antioxidant activity using 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl method. The formulated emulgels were also tested for inhibition of albumin denaturation and lipoxygenase inhibition to evaluate its in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. Results and Discussion: Both the formulated Emulgels (F1 and F2) were looks a purple creamy with a smooth homogeneous texture and glossy appearance. The formulated embelin emulgel showed potent antioxidant and moderate anti-inflammatory properties that is water soluble gel. Conclusion: This embelin emulgel will be further developed into a commercial standard and tested for in vivo studies to confirm its anti-inflammatory properties.
Rapid profiling of G2 phase to mitosis progression by flow cytometry in asynchronous cells

ABSTRACT The precise control of the cell cycle G2 phase to Mitosis (M phase) transition is central for cell fate determination. The commonly used methods for assessing G2 to M phase progression are based on synchronizing cells and involve perturbation of the natural cell cycle progression. Additionally, these methods are often time-consuming and labor-intensive. Here, we report a flow cytometry-based method that offers a kinetic analysis of G2 to M phase progression in asynchronous cells using nocodazole, 5-Ethynyl-2´-deoxyuridine staining, and histone H3 serine 28 phosphorylation (pH3) staining. Nocodazole is used to collect mitotic cells and prevent their progression into G1, at the same time EdU is added for use as a dump channel during analysis. The remaining cells can then be identified as either G1 or G2/M based on their DNA content. Finally, G2 and M phase cells can be separated based on a mitotic marker, phosphorylation of ser28 on histone H3. While developed to assay G2/M phase progression, this method also resolves G1/S phase progression with no additional steps other than analysis. Compared to double thymidine block, this method does not require extended pre-treatments and is compatible with a greater variety of cell lines, while at the same time offering enhanced consistency and temporal resolution.
An updated review of protective effects of rosemary and its active constituents against natural and chemical toxicities

Natural and chemical toxic agents cause severe adverse effects on people's health in a variety of exposing ways. Herbal medications have taken into consideration as alternative safe treatments for toxicities. Rosmarinus officinalis also known as rosemary belongs to the Lamiaceae family. Rosemary and its constituents including carnosic acid, rosmarinic acid, and carnosol have a lot of benefits such as anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, anti‐mutagenic, anti‐bacterial, antiviral, antinociceptive, and neuroprotective activities. In this literate review, we focused on the protective effects of rosemary and its main compounds against natural and chemical toxicities in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The protective effects of rosemary and its components are mostly mediated through different mechanisms such as the inhibition of oxidative stress, reduction of inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐17 (IL‐17), cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and nuclear factor ĸB (NF‐ĸB) as well as the modulation of apoptosis and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways.
Dignity therapy for patients with brain tumours: qualitative reports from patients, caregivers and practitioners.

BACKGROUND Most individuals with brain tumours experience distress or cognitive impairment during the illness trajectory, potentially causing decreased quality of life, strain on interpersonal relationships and altered sense of self or of the world. Symptoms of brain tumour and treatment can cause increased reliance on others and decreased in sense of dignity. Dignity is an important consideration when caring for patients, as it can influence decisions at end-of-life. Dignity therapy (DT) is a therapeutic intervention that was developed for patients near the end of life. DT encourages the patient to reflect on the life lived, including important roles and sources of pride, resulting in the development of a 'Legacy Document'. DT has been shown to enhance quality of life and dignity, and reduce psychological and existential distress for patients at the end-of-life. There is little literature on the effectiveness of DT, or other quality of life interventions, in brain tumour populations; This paper reports on the feasibility of conducting DT with this population, and presents qualitative data gathered from patients with brain tumours who participated in DT, their caregivers, and their Dignity Therapists. METHODS Participants were recruited from the Odette Cancer Centre in Toronto. One of five Dignity Therapists conducted the intervention; time data was logged. Immediately after the intervention, patient participants, their caregivers, and Dignity Therapists were sent an open-ended, self-report survey about their experience with DT. Qualitative content analysis was conducted by an impartial reviewer. Average time taken to conduct the intervention was determined. RESULTS Fifteen out of the 17 recruited participants (88%) completed the intervention; 2 were unable to complete the intervention due to progressing disease. Qualitative data was categorized according to two main areas of interest: Acceptability and Impact. Four participants, 5 caregivers and 4 care providers completed the qualitative surveys. All 4 patient participants reported benefits of DT that related to communication and/ or advanced care planning (ACP). Dignity therapists felt that the impact on their patients was positive, and reported satisfaction as a clinician. CONCLUSIONS The low attrition rate for the intervention suggests that DT is feasible in this population, though the required time to complete DT might be difficult for healthcare practitioners to provide within the recommended timeframe for this therapy. Positive qualitative reports on the effect of DT from patients, caregivers and dignity therapists alike indicate that DT is a promising intervention for this demographic.
Does Graft Position Affect Subsidence After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion?

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Objective: Implant subsidence is an important prognostic factor after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Our purpose in this study was to investigate whether graft position affects subsidence after ACDF and to determine if there is a difference in clinical results based on allograft subsidence and position. Methods: We reviewed 92 patients who underwent single-level ACDF with allograft and plate between January 2012 and October 2018. Treatment levels were divided based on allograft position within 2 mm of the posterior margin of the augmented plate (Anterior group) or at greater than 2 mm (Center group). Subsidence was defined as segmental vertebral body height decrease of 2 mm or more at 1 year compared to 1 week after surgery. Results: Overall subsidence prevalence was 15 (16%) cases. Subsidence was 11% in the Anterior group (8/73) and 39% in the Center group (7/19; P = .012). The subsidence group showed smaller graft footprint size (graft/endplate ratio) compared with the nonsubsidence group, and pseudarthrosis occurred frequently in the subsidence. There was no significant difference in clinical results according to graft position. These findings indicate that anterior graft position reduces risk of subsidence (95% confidence interval = 0.085-0.949). Conclusion: To minimize risk of subsidence, the graft should be positioned on the anterior position of the surgical-level endplate. In addition, using a graft appropriate for endplate size will further reduce subsidence.