Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological profile of mineral bone disease in chronic kidney disease stage 4-5.

1INTRODUCTION : Chronic kidney disease has now become an international public health problem affecting 5-10% of the world population. As renal function declines, there is a progressive impairment in the kidney’s ability to regulate mineral homeostasis, leading to altered serum concentrations of calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25 hydroxy vitamin D and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23), among others. AIM: To study the epidemiological profile i.e the clinical, biochemical and radiological parameters relating to bone mineral disease in CKD Stage 4-5 PATIENTS AND METHODS: A hospital based cross sectional survey was carried out in Stage 4-5 CKD patients, involving standard biochemical tests such as serum calcium, phosphate, PTH, 25 hydroxyvitamin D and alkaline phosphatase; imaging in the form of lateral abdominal X rays and Echocardiography to look for vascular and valvular calcification and a DEXA scan to diagnose coexistent osteoporosis. RESULTS: Of the 710 patients enrolled, 45% had no CKD-MBD related symptom. 73.8% were hypocalcemic ( 4.5 mg%, 76.5% had PTH > 150 pg/mL and 87.8% had Vitamin D deficiency (< 30 ng/ml). Risk factors for Vitamin D < 15 ng/mL were diabetes, reduced sunlight exposure, BMI > 23, high socioeconomic status and female sex. Vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with dyslipidemia (elevated total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides). Vascular calcification was seen in 6.8% and associated with diabetes or hypertension for > 5 years, age > 50 yrs, postmenopausal status, smoking and low BMD. 78% had low BMD (T score < -1), the risk factors for osteoporosis being age > 50 yrs, amenorrhea > 1 year, Vitamin D < 15 ng/ml, low sunlight exposure and S. bicarbonate < 22 mmol/L. 51% had significant valvular calcification (Echocardiographic calcification score ≥ 5), which was associated with PTH levels 9.5 mg%. CONCLUSIONS: In predialysis Indian CKD patients, widespread hypocalcemia and vitamin D deficiency aggravate hyperparathyroidism and are associated with low BMD and a high prevalence of valvular calcification at a young age. CKD-MBD related complications therefore require a multi-pronged treatment strategy and careful monitoring of biochemical parameters once treatment is initiated.
Down-regulation of long non-coding RNA DUXAP8 suppresses proliferation, metastasis and EMT by modulating miR-498 through TRIM44-mediated AKT/mTOR pathway in non-small-cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE The long non-coding RNA double homeobox A pseudogene 8 (DUXAP8) was reported to be involved in the initiation and development of multiple cancers. However, the detailed biological role of DUXAP8 in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. Herein, we aimed to explore the biological function and molecular mechanism of DUXAP8 in NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS The levels of DUXAP8, microRNA-498 (miR-498) and tripartite motif-44 (TRIM44) were detected by Quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The cell proliferation, migration and invasion were detected by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and transwell assays. Protein expression levels were detected by Western blot. The target relationships among DUXAP8, miR-498 and TRIM44 were predicted by starBase2.0 and confirmed using luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays. To detect the role of DUXAP8 in vivo, tumor xenografts were created. RESULTS DUXAP8 and TRIM44 were upregulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines, while miR-498 was downregulated. Functionally, knockdown of DUXAP8 could repress proliferation, migration, invasion, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and phosphorylation of AKT/mTOR in NSCLC cells. This inhibition could be restored by inhibiting miR-498 or overexpressing TRIM44. Furthermore, we also observed a positive correlation between DUXAP8 and TRIM44 expression, while the expressions of miR-498 and DUXAP8, as well as miR-498 and TRIM44, were negatively correlated in NSCLC tissues. Importantly, DUXAP8 could regulate the expression of TRIM44 via miR-498. Moreover, knockdown of DUXAP8 notably decreased the xenograft tumor volume, weight and number of metastatic nodules in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Our results identified that LncRNA DUXAP8 could regulate cell proliferation, metastasis and EMT in NSCLC cells by inhibiting miR-498 through the activation of TRIM44-mediated AKT/mTOR pathway.
Functional assessment after lower limb amputation

The functional assessment of the amputated patient is of great importance, as the main rehabilitation goals in this group of individuals are mobility and independence. The objective of this study was to search in the specialized literature for existing instruments to help assess the degree of mobility in lower limb amputees and also to carry out a critical analysis of the selected articles. A total of 52 articles were included, which were published in English, Portuguese, Spanish and French from 1985 to 2005, using the following databases: Lilacs, Medline, Pubmed and Cochrane. Other non-online sources were also considered. This study has shown that several evaluation methods are used to assess functionality in lower limb amputees, but that a gold standard is yet to be acknowledged and that generic instruments, which are not amputee-specific methods to evaluate function, are inappropriate for use in this group of patients.
Heterozygous structural variation mimicking homozygous missense mutations in NEU1 associated with presenting clinical signs in eyes alone

ABSTRACT Introduction Biallelic mutations in neuraminidase 1 (NEU1) are associated with cherry-red spots. Whole genome sequencing contributes to eliminating pseudo-homozygous mutations when large-scale deletion of one allele in NEU1 and other genes occurs. Patients and methods Bilateral cherry-red spots in the macula were the only detectable sign in an 11-year-old girl with reduced visual acuity over the last two years. Targeted exome sequencing of genes for inherited eye diseases identified a homozygous c.544A>G (p.Ser182Gly) variation in the NEU1 gene. This variant was also present in her mother in the heterozygous state but not in her father. Whole genome sequencing identified a heterozygous 27.5 kb deletion involving the whole coding exons of NEU1 in her father. Sanger sequencing disclosed the breakpoint of the deletion. This heterozygous deletion was also detected in the patient, so the c.544A>G mutation should be heterozygous in the patient. Conclusion The results of this case remind us of the limitations of routine exome sequencing and the need to perform segregation studies and deletion/duplication analysis or WGS if parental studies do not support exome findings. In addition, patients with sialidosis may present with ocular manifestations without systemic signs early in the disease course.
Identification of Avr Alleles in Leptosphaeria maculans Isolates from Different Oilseed Rape Cultivars

This report describes a survey of the regional distribution of races of Leptosphaeria maculans done by characterising isolates from phoma leaf spot samples taken from different oilseed rape cultivars at different sites in the UK. Phoma leaf spot assessment was done on cultivars Drakkar (with no R gene), Bilbao (with Rlm4), Adriana (with Rlm4 and quantitative resistance), Roxet and Excel (with Rlm7) sampled from three sites (Harpenden, Cranwell & Bainton) results showed that cultivar Drakkar had most phoma leaf spots. The cultivar Adriana had fewer phoma leaf spots than Bilbao or Roxet. The identity of alleles at eight Avr loci was determined for L. maculans isolates from these cultivars. Additionally some more isolates from Banbury, Morley and Rothwell in UK and Verpillieres in France were also used for the identification of Avr alleles. The results of the cotyledon tests confirmed that isolates from cultivars Bilbao and Adriana were virulent against Rlm4. An isolate from cultivar Roxet was virulent against Rlm7. The isolates from cultivar Drakkar were virulent against Rlm1, Rlm2, Rlm3, Rlm5 and Rlm9. The frequency of the avirulent AvrLm1 allele was 35% in this study. No isolates of L. maculans possessed the AvrLm2 allele. In this survey it was observed that the frequencies of the AvrLm3 allele (3.8%) and AvrLm9 allele (3.8%) were less than those of the allele (88.5%). This study suggested that Rlm6 and Rlm7 are still effective sources of resistance against L. maculans in oilseed rape in the UK. Seventy-two isolates obtained from nine different oilseed rape cultivars from the sites Harpenden and Spalding in the UK and from Poland were checked for their identity as L. maculans by species-specific PCR and for the presence of the AvrLm1 allele by allele-specific PCR. Sixty-nine of them were confirmed as L. maculans and only four of these sixty-nine isolates (from the cultivar Roxet) had the avirulent AvrLm1 allele. iii Acknowledgements I am grateful to Prof. Bruce Fitt for giving me an opportunity and support to carry out my work successfully. With profound respect, I wish to express my deep sense of gratitude to Dr Yongju Huang for her valuable suggestions and encouragement during the course of my work. I would also like to thank Georgia Mitrousia, Dahlia Sidique and Chinthani Karandeni for their help and cooperation in conducting the experiments. I would like to convey my sincere thanks to other Research Associates for their cooperation during my work. …
Ecology of larval fishes and large zooplankton in the Keweenaw Current region of Lake Superior, with special focus on lake herring, Coregonus artedi

I assessed the influence of the Keweenaw Current and spring thermal bar on the distribution of larval fishes and large zooplankton in Lake Superior. In 1998 and 1999, samples were collected from inshore (0.2 – 3.0 km from shore) and offshore (5.0 – 9.0 km from shore) locations on three transects off the western coast of the Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan. For larval fishes, density and size distribution patterns of lake herring (Coregonus artedi), rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax), burbot (Lota lota), deepwater sculpin (Myoxocephalus thompsoni), and spoonhead sculpin (Cottus ricei) suggest a seasonal inshore to offshore movement. For zooplankton, seasonal warming appeared to be the major factor that limited planktonic catches of the primarily benthic Mysis relicta and Diporeia spp. , while simultaneously stimulated growth and reproduction of the cladocerans Daphnia spp. , Holopedium gibberum, and Bythotrephes cederstroemi. In contrast, calanoid copepods as a group were abundant throughout the entire sampling season. The greatest abundances of zooplankton were generally encountered offshore, even for the cladocerans, which apparently expanded from inshore to offshore locations with seasonal warming. In 2000, sampling efforts focused on lake herring. Samples were collected from surface waters at 0.1 – 17.0 km from shore on two transects. Lake herring larvae were also reared in the laboratory from eggs in order to validate the use of otolith microstructure for aging. Increment deposition was not statistically different from a daily rate starting from 28 days after hatching, near the time of yolk-sac absorption, but larvae with lower growth rates could not be aged as accurately. In Lake Superior, lake herring tended to be slightly more abundant, larger, and older at inshore locations, but a dense patch of younger larvae was also encountered 7 – 13 km from shore. The distribution
Domestic Violence and Healthcare Utilization in Turkey

ABSTRACT This study aims to analyze the prevalence of domestic violence, the level, and determinants of healthcare utilization of women exposed to violence and the satisfaction from the behaviors of health personnel. The data source of this study is the 2014 Research on Domestic Violence against Women in Turkey which was carried out with Hacettepe University Institute of Population Studies and Ministry of Family and Social Policies in Turkey. The research has a nationally representative sample of 7462 women aged 15–59. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of the basic characteristics of women on receiving healthcare due to violence. In this study, the rate of women receiving healthcare was 63%. Women who were unemployed have no health insurance, live in low wealth level, in rural areas, and the Eastern region had used healthcare services at a lower level.
Prospective comparative trial to define the optimum time for insemination during stimulated intrauterine insemination cycles

Objectives: To determine the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) of women who underwent clomiphene citrate (CC) and human menopausal gonadotropin ovarian stimulation (OS) followed by intrauterine insemination (IUI) at varied times after hCG ovulation triggering and to determine the appropriate IUI timing. Patients and Methods: 152 women with primary infertility secondary to male subfertility were randomly allocated into groups (I-IV) according to timing of IUI at 34-35, 35-36, 36-37, and 37-38hr after ovulation triggering. OS consisted of 5-days oral CC 100 mg once daily since day-3 of the menstrual cycle followed by daily injection of human menopausal gonadotropin 150 IU since day-8 until hCG injection. Ovulation was monitored using TVU for evident ovulation with a dominant follicle size >18 mm. IUI was repeated for three cycles and women were evaluated for clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and abortion and multiple pregnancy rates were recorded.Results: 44 women had clinical pregnancy for a total CPR of 28.9%. CPR% /patient was 15.8%, 34.2%, 42.1% and 23.7% and CPR%/cycle was 6, 14, 20 and 11 in the four groups, respectively with significant differences in favor of group III. Three women had ectopic and six women had multiple pregnancy and five women had abortion. Statistical analyses defined high number of performed IUI cycles as significantly negative, while longer time till IUI after hCG injection as significantly positive predictor for trial success. Kaplan-Meier regression analysis defined 37 hr (95% CI: 36.5-37.5) after hCG injection as the appropriate time to get the best chance for IUI success. Conclusion: IUI after CC + GN ovarian stimulation is an appropriate policy for infertile couples secondary to male subfertility. Total motile sperm count threshold at ≥5 million gives acceptable outcome. Semen injection at 37 hr after hCG ovulation triggering gives the highest CPR.
Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy in the Elderly: Short and Long-Term Outcomes

Background: Age is considered a significant risk factor for mortality following esophagectomy. We sought to evaluate surgical outcomes in elderly patients undergoing Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (MIE) for cancer. Study design: Utilizing a prospectively maintained MIE database outcomes of elderly patients (age ≥ 70 years) between (June 2005-August 2008) undergoing esophagectomy for cancer are reported. Primary outcome measures included operative mortality, length of stay, complications and long term survival. Results: Twenty elderly patients underwent MIE for malignancy during the 4 year period and median survival follow-up as 79 months (59-96). Complications occurred in 12 (60%) of 20. Mean length of stay was 12 days (8-34). Hospital mortality was 0 (0%) of 20 and overall two, three, and five year survival were 74%, 60%, and 50% respectively. Conclusions: Appropriate patients in this age group have excellent short, intermediate and long term survival following MIE. In experienced hands MID has a low mortality and should be considered an appropriate approach in the elderly population.
DRUG DELIVERY: STEPS TOWARD REPLACING THE PILL

B it through your bloodstream or the lining of your intestinal tract, the human body uses a multitude of pathways to deliver molecules to their appropriate destinations. For example, the aspirin you took to dull your splitting headache travels through multiple networks in order to inhibit the enzymes that propagate your pain. Drug delivery, the process of getting medications to their intended targets, is a complex and constantly evolving field with a goal of making treatments faster, safer, and more effective. With the advent of new tools and techniques such as biodegradable microspheres and ultrasound-mediated delivery, current developments in biotechnology offer a promising outlook on simplifying and improving patients’ relationships with their medication. The majority of research in the field today centers on finding new ways to localize drug delivery. By preventing medication from deviating from its intended target, some of the negative consequences of drug interactions can be minimized. One of the most rapidly growing areas of development is that of transdermal drug delivery, or drug delivery through the skin. By passing molecules painlessly through the skin, this form of delivery tends to be more efficient as it requires lower doses of medication. The development of biosensors that measure the release of drugs has further allowed transdermal delivery systems to closely monitor the intake of molecules.2 This brings us to one of the greatest advantages of drug delivery: patient-specific treatment plans. By maintaining closed-loop systems which have the ability to control the rate of medications delivered, treatments can be tailored not only to the patient as a whole, but also to variations in their daily life.4 Transdermal patches offer further advantages in their ease of delivery as they do not have to be ingested or injected. Since the patches require little effort to use, they are expected to significantly increase levels of patient compliance.8 Behind the scenes of transdermal delivery, techniques for electroporation are at work. Electroporation, a method of administering medications using extremely small electrical impulses, makes it easier for water-insoluble medications to make it past the protective barrier of the skin.9 This technique reduces the resistance molecules face and is necessary for the permeation of medications inside the bloodstream and body. In instances where transdermal delivery is not feasible, other alternative techniques are in development. Conditions such as macular degeneration, which affect the eye, are instances where patches no longer are a viable treatment option. Instead, researchers are experimenting with biodegradable microspheres. These microspheres are essentially little bubbles carrying drugs which “pop,” or break down over time, and release their enclosed medications at a steady rate. As a DRUG DELIVERY: STEPS TOWARD REPLACING THE PILL
SAT0102 Pristane-induced arthritis in dark agouti rat: a new animal model to study cardiovascular dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis

Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterised by an increased cardiovascular (CV) mortality. Animal models provide the opportunity to study CV features in RA, however, most used animal models develop a “monophasic” arthritis, making those models inappropriate for long-term studies on CV impairments. Objectives The aim of this study was to characterise vascular function and cardio-metabolic parameters in the “chronic” model of pristane-induced arthritis (PIA) in Dark Agouti (DA) rats. Methods 80 rats DA received an intradermal injection of 150 µL of pristane (PIA) or of saline solution (controls) at day 0. Arthritis score was daily followed. Acetylcholine (Ach) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) -induced vasorelaxation were studied in macrovascular (aortic rings pre-contracted with serotonin) and in microvascular levels (mesenteric artery segments pre-contracted with phenylephrine) at day 28 (acute phase) and day 120 (chronic phase). Radiographic score, circulating markers of inflammation, lipid and glucose levels were also measured. Results PIA rats developed an acute arthritis phase from day 13 to day 50 followed by a remission phase, then by a chronic arthritis phase from day 70 to day 120. Radiographic score was higher in chronic than in acute phase in PIA (p<0.001). Levels of IL-6, total cholesterol and triglycerides were higher in PIA than in controls at both phases (p<0.001) whereas plasma myeloperoxidase activity and glycaemia were unchanged. Adiponectine levels were lower in PIA compared to controls in acute (p<0.001) but not in chronic phase. Ach-induced vasorelaxation in macrovascular bed was significantly reduced in PIA compared to controls in acute (p<0.05) but not in chronic phase. Furthermore, an altered Ach-induced vasorelaxation was shown in microvascular bed in PIA in chronic (p<0.001) but not in acute phase. No altered SNP-induced vasorelaxation was observed between groups at both phases in both vascular beds. Endothelial function (EF) negatively correlated with arthritis score (p<0.001), IL-6 (p<0.05) and total cholesterol (p<0.05) levels in macrovascular but not in microvascular bed. No correlation was found between EF and myeloperoxidase activity, adiponectin and triglycerides levels in both vascular beds. Conclusions PIA model shares several features of the CV alterations in RA: an endothelial dysfunction at the micro- and macrovascular level with independency of course among these vascular beds, a link between inflammation and macrovascular endothelial dysfunction, associated with low lipid levels. These data suggest that this model would be very useful for long-term pharmacological studies as well for deciphering the complex pathophysiology of increased CV risk in RA. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Microbial Nanocellulose Printed Circuit Boards for Medical Sensing

We demonstrate the viability of using ultra-thin sheets of microbially grown nanocellulose to build functional medical sensors. Microbially grown nanocellulose is an interesting alternative to plastics, as it is hydrophilic, biocompatible, porous, and hydrogen bonding, thereby allowing the potential development of new application routes. Exploiting the distinguishing properties of this material enables us to develop solution-based processes to create nanocellulose printed circuit boards, allowing a variety of electronics to be mounted onto our nanocellulose. As proofs of concept, we have demonstrated applications in medical sensing such as heart rate monitoring and temperature sensing—potential applications fitting the wide-ranging paradigm of a future where the Internet of Things is dominant.