Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pituitary Tumor Apoplexy: Pathophysiology, Clinical Manifestations, and Management

Pituitary tumor apoplexy represents a rare clinical syndrome caused by hemorrhagic infarction of an existing, often previously unrecognized, large adenoma. We present our approach and experience in the field, and we provide a summary of pertinent published literature addressing diagnosis, management, and pathophysiology of the clinical manifestations of pituitary tumor apoplexy. Although many precipitating factors are known, most episodes occur spontaneously and present clinically with relatively sudden onset of severe headache, visual field defects, and ophthalmoplegia. Either computed tomography (nonenhanced and enhanced) or magnetic resonance imaging in a symptomatic patient can define pertinent anatomical changes and aid in establishing diagnosis. Immediate treatment with corticosteroids is necessary. Patients with the mild form of the syndrome respond quickly to steroids and can be managed conservatively with continued glucocorticoid therapy. Most patients with persistent neural deficits require urgent transsphenoidal decompression. Unless surgery is delayed, results of transsphenoidal decompression are usually very good, and improvements in neurological symptoms and endocrine function are noted within hours to days of the procedure. Patients need to be closely followed up after the episode because a large number continue to have residual tumor requiring additional therapy, or they have pituitary hormone abnormalities that need treatment. Close interaction between neurosurgeons and endocrinologists in the management of patients with pituitary tumor apoplexy is essential for optimal outcome.
Some mutations in the xeroderma pigmentosum D gene may lead to moderate but significant radiosensitivity associated with a delayed radiation-induced ATM nuclear localization

Abstract Purpose: Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) is a rare, recessive genetic disease associated with photosensitivity, skin cancer proneness, neurological abnormalities and impaired nucleotide excision repair of the UV-induced DNA damage. Less frequently, XP can be associated with sensitivity to ionizing radiation (IR). Here, a complete radiobiological characterization was performed on a panel of fibroblasts derived from XP-group D patients (XPD). Materials and methods: Cellular radiosensitivity and the functionality of the recognition and repair of chromosome breaks and DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) was evaluated by different techniques including clonogenic cell survival, micronuclei, premature chromosome condensation, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, chromatin decondensation and immunofluorescence assays. Quantitative correlations between each endpoint were analyzed systematically. Results: Among the seven fibroblast cell lines tested, those derived from three non-relative patients holding the p.[Arg683Trp];[Arg616Pro] XPD mutations showed significant cellular radiosensitivity, high yield of residual micronuclei, incomplete DSB recognition, DSB and chromosome repair defects, impaired ATM, MRE11 relocalization, significant chromatin decondensation. Interestingly, XPD transduction and treatment with statins and bisphosphonates known to accelerate the radiation-induced ATM nucleoshuttling led to significant complementation of these impairments. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that some subsets of XPD patients may be at risk of radiosensitivity reactions and treatment with statins and bisphosphonates may be an interesting approach of radioprotection countermeasure. Different mechanistic models were discussed to better understand the potential specificity of the p.[Arg683Trp];[Arg616Pro] XPD mutations.
Lithuanian news clustering using document embeddings

A lot of research of natural language processing is done and applied on English texts but relatively little is tried on less popular languages. In this article document embeddings are compared with traditional bag of words methods for Lithuanian news clustering. The results show that for enough documents the embeddings greatly outperform simple bag of words representations. In addition, optimal lemmatization, embeddings vector size, and number of training epochs were investigated. Keywords—document clustering; document embedding; lemmatization; Lithuanian news articles.
Depressive Symptom Network Associated With Comorbid Anxiety in Late-Life Depression

Background: Depression and anxiety are the most common comorbid psychiatric disorders in the elderly. Psychiatrists have been reporting worsened depression symptoms and prognosis by comorbid anxiety symptoms. However, it is still unclear how anxiety affects the course of depression in the elderly. The aims of this study are (1) to identify the symptom network in late-life depression (LLD), and (2) to examine the role of anxiety in LLD with a network perspective. Methods: The study analyzed 776 community-based participants who were clinically diagnosed with depression and enrolled in Suwon Geriatric Mental Health Center. Network analysis was used to investigate the relationships between the symptoms of the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). The depression sample was divided into groups of low and high anxiety according to the Beck Anxiety Index. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to minimize the effects of depression severity on the network. Network comparison test (NCT) were carried out to compare the global connectivity, global strength, and specific edge strength between the two subgroups. Results: Reported sadness, pessimistic thinking, and suicidal ideation are the core symptoms of LLD in terms of node strength. The MADRS sum score [mean (SD) 28.10 (9.19) vs 20.08 (7.11); P < . 01] was much higher in the high anxiety group. The NCT before PSM showed the high anxiety group had significantly higher global strength (P < .01). However, the NCT after PSM did not reveal any statistical significance both in global structure (P = .46) and global strength (P = .26). A comparison between centrality indices showed a higher node strength of vegetative symptoms in the high anxiety group and this also remained after PSM. Conclusion: Based on the statistical analysis, anxiety worsens the severity of depression in the elderly. However, NCT after PSM revealed comorbid anxiety does not change the global structure and strength of the depression symptom network. Therefore, anxiety may affect LLD in a way of worsening the severity, rather than changing psychopathology. Additionally, the study revealed the centrality of vegetative symptoms was low in LLD but increased substantially in patients with comorbid anxiety.
Linking lncRNAs to regulation, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension

Abstract Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a syndrome characterized by a persistent increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. Due to the lack of specificity in clinical manifestations, patients are usually diagnosed at the late stage of PH, which is hard to treat and often causes right heart failure and death. Furthermore, the regulation and pathogenesis of PH remain obscure. Recently, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), a type of transcript longer than 200 nt that lacks protein-coding ability, have been found to substantially influence the incidence and progression of various diseases through regulating gene expression at the chromatin, transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and even post-translational levels. The crucial roles of lncRNAs in PH have started to draw widespread attention. This review summarizes the regulatory, pathogenic, and diagnostic roles of lncRNAs in PH, in the hope to facilitate the search for early diagnostic markers of and effective therapeutic targets for this devastating disease.
Automatic detection of contraindications of medicines in package leaflet

Before physicians prescribe medicines, they must take into consideration the patient’s diseases and medicines they use. This is done to avoid complications that may occur. All information about possible contraindications is written in the medicine package leaflet. A system that can automatically detect contraindication mention in the Lithuanian text of leaflet applying natural language parsing is presented. This system gives a possibility to shorten the time needed for medicines prescription decision making. The results of the experiment showed that the created system successfully detected 56 per cent contraindications. Keywords— medicine contraindications, drug–drug interactions, shallow parsing, morphological analysis, noun phrase detection
Thrust generation during steady swimming and acceleration from rest in anguilliform swimmers

ABSTRACT Escape swimming is a crucial behavior by which undulatory swimmers evade potential threats. The hydrodynamics of escape swimming have not been well studied, particularly for anguilliform swimmers, such as the sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus. For this study, we compared the kinematics and hydrodynamics of larval sea lampreys with those of lampreys accelerating from rest during escape swimming. We used experimentally derived velocity fields to calculate pressure fields and distributions of thrust and drag along the body. Lampreys initiated acceleration from rest with the formation of a high-amplitude body bend at approximately one-quarter body length posterior to the head. This deep body bend produced two high-pressure regions from which the majority of thrust for acceleration was derived. In contrast, steady swimming was characterized by shallower body bends and negative-pressure-derived thrust, which was strongest near the tail. The distinct mechanisms used for steady swimming and acceleration from rest may reflect the differing demands of the two behaviors. High-pressure-based mechanisms, such as the one used for acceleration from rest, could also be important for low-speed maneuvering during which drag-based turning mechanisms are less effective. The design of swimming robots may benefit from the incorporation of such insights from unsteady swimming. Summary: During early acceleration from rest, sea lampreys employ distinctive, high-amplitude kinematics that produce thrust through the creation of a high-pressure region just posterior to the head.
The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) from a language perspective: an analysis of test interaction

ABSTRACT Assessment of language and cognitive abilities are associated with clinical challenges. The aim of the present study was to learn more about the MMSE test process from a language perspective by looking in detail at the interaction between patient and tester. In addition, we aimed to further explore the relationship between linguistic and cognitive difficulties. The study was based on an analysis of 20 MMSE test dyads, 10 persons with aphasia and 10 persons with dementia, in interaction with speech and language pathologists. All conversations were audio and video recorded and transcribed verbatim according to Conversation Analytical principles. The thorough analysis of the interactions highlighted some main findings that affected the communicative project of the test interactions. Finally, the test results were summarized and analyzed. Through the analysis, some particularly challenging aspects emerged; the understanding of the verbal instructions, the handling of the instructions and the evaluation of the answers. The test results demonstrated that there were no significant differences between the two groups of participants’ MMSE results. The results in the ‘language’ category did not seem to capture the language disorders among many of the participants more than the remaining test items. By qualitative analyses of the interactional aspects of test situations, information about both cognitive and linguistic abilities that otherwise would have been overlooked may be revealed.
Anatomical Risk factors for atherosclerosis of left common carotid artery in a black Kenyan population.

Carotid birfucation anatomy influences predisposistion to atherosclerosis, which is a common cause of ischaemic stroke. Due to increased prevalence of stroke in Sub-Saharan Africa, this study undertook to establish whether or not the population has geometric risk factors for atherosclerosis. Common carotid arteries were exposed by dissection in 208 cadavers and autopsy specimens of adult black Kenyans. The arteries were cleared of fibrofatty tissue and internal jugular vein and nerves retracted away. Mandible was also removed, branches exposed and followed to their destinations. Pattern of termination of common carotid artery was recorded and representative photographs taken with a high resolution digital camera. Angles of bifurcation were measured. Internal diameters of common, internal and external carotid arteries were measured and outlet: inlet area ratios calculated. Intimomedial thickness was determined and correlated with pattern of termination, bifurcation area ratio and angle. Frequencies, means and standard deviations were determined using SPPS17.0 for windows.
The association of cognitive performance and IL-6 levels in schizophrenia is influenced by age and antipsychotic treatment

Abstract Aims: Recent findings suggest that cognitive impairment can be associated with inflammation and immune changes in schizophrenia. We aimed to study possible associations between cytokine levels and cognitive performance in a sample of patients with schizophrenia. Methods: Cognition was assessed with the brief assessment of cognition in schizophrenia in 63 clinically stable outpatients with schizophrenia. Blood was collected and cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, TNF-α, IFN-γ) were measured by cytometric bead array method. Psychopathological scales were also applied. Results: IL-6 correlated negatively with general cognitive performance (rho = –0.395, p = .017) and positively with antipsychotic dose (rho = 0.412, p = .004). Multiple regression analysis showed that cognitive performance is associated with age and antipsychotic dose (p = .000 and p = .033). Conclusion: The association between IL-6 levels and cognitive performance is dependent on age and antipsychotic dose.
Updates on the Taxonomy of Mucorales with an Emphasis on Clinically Important Taxa

Fungi of the order Mucorales colonize all kinds of wet, organic materials and represent a permanent part of the human environment. They are economically important as fermenting agents of soybean products and producers of enzymes, but also as plant parasites and spoilage organisms. Several taxa cause life-threatening infections, predominantly in patients with impaired immunity. The order Mucorales has now been assigned to the phylum Mucoromycota and is comprised of 261 species in 55 genera. Of these accepted species, 38 have been reported to cause infections in humans, as a clinical entity known as mucormycosis. Due to molecular phylogenetic studies, the taxonomy of the order has changed widely during the last years. Characteristics such as homothallism, the shape of the suspensors, or the formation of sporangiola are shown to be not taxonomically relevant. Several genera including Absidia, Backusella, Circinella, Mucor, and Rhizomucor have been amended and their revisions are summarized in this review. Medically important species that have been affected by recent changes include Lichtheimia corymbifera, Mucor circinelloides, and Rhizopus microsporus. The species concept of Rhizopus arrhizus (syn. R. oryzae) is still a matter of debate. Currently, species identification of the Mucorales is best performed by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Ecologically, the Mucorales represent a diverse group but for the majority of taxa, the ecological role and the geographic distribution remain unknown. Understanding the biology of these opportunistic fungal pathogens is a prerequisite for the prevention of infections, and, consequently, studies on the ecology of the Mucorales are urgently needed.
Evaluation of interactive effects of UV light and nano encapsulation on the toxicity of azoxystrobin on zebrafish

Abstract The use of nanotechnology to enhance pesticide formulations holds the promise of reduced pesticide use, reduced mobility in soils, and overall improvements in agricultural practices while simultaneously maintaining yields. However, the toxicity of nano-enabled pesticides, including azoxystrobin (Az), has not been well studied compared with their conventional form. This study investigates both lethal and sub-lethal endpoints in zebrafish embryos up to 120 h post-fertilization (hpf) under either laboratory light or simulated UV light. The median lethal concentration (LC50) value of nano-enabled Az (nAz) was significantly lower than the conventional form (Az). Interestingly, artificial UV light significantly increased toxicity (decreased LC50) of both Az and nAz. Malformations were not observed but the remaining yolk sac volume was significantly increased in both types of Az at both light conditions. This decreased yolk consumption is in agreement with reduced oxygen consumption and heart rate. Catalase enzyme activity was only reduced to UV light while superoxide dismutase activity was significantly reduced by co-exposure of UV light, and either type of Az at a nominal concentration of 100 μg L−1. The co-exposure of Az at 100 μg L−1 and UV light significantly upregulated sod1, sod2, and gpx1b expression and both types of Az significantly reduced gpx1a expression. Lipid peroxidation was significantly increased in nAz and Az at 100 μg L−1 under laboratory light, while UV light induced even higher level of lipid peroxidation. The results will provide important information on the toxicity of nAz under ecologically realistic conditions.
Infección por Hymenolepis diminuta en una estudiante universitaria

Investigation of Hymenolepis diminuta infection in a college student A nineteen year old female undergraduate from Coajomulco in the state of Morelos presented with a Hymenolepis diminuta infection. Patient presented with digestive tract symptoms, evolving over 10 days, including: diarrheic syndrome, abdominal pain in the area of mesogaster, nausea, hyporexia, stomach movements and flatulence. Physical examinations showed the patient to be basically healthy (weight 60 kg, height 1.65 normal body mass index 22.4 kg/m2). Coproparasitic analysis (ZSCT) was carried out using the concentration-fl otation method with Zinc sulphate (sp. gr. 1.180). Microscopic examination found only H. diminuta eggs. The patient was treated with a single dose of prazicuantel (25 mg/ kg of weight). The infecting organism responded well, with no eggs found in the subsequent control analyses. The investigators recommend that all cases of H. diminuta be reported as a matter of course, so that the epidemiology, clinical characteristics and treatment of this cestode be better understood.
Physiological and behavioral effects of interpersonal validation: A multilevel approach to examining a core intervention strategy among self-injuring adolescents and their mothers.

OBJECTIVE The current study examined how teaching an interpersonal validation-oriented skill from dialectical behavior therapy affects behavioral and biological indices of self-inflicted injury (SII) risk among self-injuring adolescents and their mothers (n = 30 dyads), and typical control mother-daughter dyads (n = 30). METHOD Behavioral indicators of family functioning (e.g., cohesion, coercion, and invalidation) and a physiological index of emotion dysregulation (respiratory sinus arrhythmia [RSA]) were examined across two conflict tasks (pre- and postskills training). RESULTS Dyads' subjective affect and observed behavior generally improved when practicing validation. Findings indicate mother-, daughter-, and dyad-level behavior accounted for significant variance in RSA reactivity. CONCLUSIONS Results demonstrate that teaching a single skill on one occasion can have detectable effects on biosocial functioning, with important implications for the etiology and treatment of SII.
The burden of disease among the global poor [letter]

This paper comments on the analyses of comparative burdens of communicable and noncommunicable diseases between the worlds poorest 20% and richest 20% in a report by Davidson R. Gwatkin and colleagues. Several questions related to the policy implications of such a comparison for less developed countries were raised. First the analyses ignored the 60% of the population distribution and focused only on the 20% at each end. Second whereas communicable diseases will remain the predominant problem of the poorest regions in less developed countries this factor should not mean that prevention of noncommunicable diseases should be sequential to complete control of communicable diseases. Third the message that recommendations for control of noncommunicable diseases will be detrimental to the worlds poor subverts the efforts of less developed countries to address policy issues related to the global determinants of noncommunicable diseases. Finally the only way to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in health is to ensure an equitable global development and a speedy redress of poverty in less developed countries.
Contribución de fibras mielínicas provenientes de los nervios espinales lumbares L4, L5 y L6 al nervio ciático de rata adulta y sus ramas principales

El nervio ciático de la rata está formado por los nervios espinales (NE) lumbares L4, L5 y L6. Sin embargo, aún no se ha definido el aporte en fibras mielínicas de estos nervios espinales a lo largo del tronco nervioso. En este estudio se transectaron selectivamente los NE L4, L5 y L4-L5. Luego de una semana se disecaron los nervios ciático, tibial, sural y peroneal. Estas muestras se fijaron y procesaron para microscopía óptica y a partir de cortes coloreados con azul de toluidina se contaron las fibras mielínicas degeneradas y normales. L4 contribuyó con fibras mielínicas principalmente al nervio peroneal y L5 a los nervios ciático, tibial y sural. En general, el aporte de L6 fue menor y variable a lo largo del tronco nervioso comparado con las otras dos ramas espinales. Nuestros resultados brindan información valiosa para posteriores estudios que busquen correlacionar la contribución de los nervios espinales que componen el ciático y sus ramas principales con la función de la extremidad inferior.
Chromatin-sensitive cryptic promoters putatively drive expression of alternative protein isoforms in yeast

Cryptic transcription is widespread and generates a heterogeneous group of RNA molecules of unknown function. To improve our understanding of cryptic transcription, we investigated their transcription start site (TSS) usage, chromatin organization, and posttranscriptional consequences in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We show that TSSs of chromatin-sensitive internal cryptic transcripts retain comparable features of canonical TSSs in terms of DNA sequence, directionality, and chromatin accessibility. We define the 5′ and 3′ boundaries of cryptic transcripts and show that, contrary to RNA degradation–sensitive ones, they often overlap with the end of the gene, thereby using the canonical polyadenylation site, and associate to polyribosomes. We show that chromatin-sensitive cryptic transcripts can be recognized by ribosomes and may produce truncated polypeptides from downstream, in-frame start codons. Finally, we confirm the presence of the predicted polypeptides by reanalyzing N-terminal proteomic data sets. Our work suggests that a fraction of chromatin-sensitive internal cryptic promoters initiates the transcription of alternative truncated mRNA isoforms. The expression of these chromatin-sensitive isoforms is conserved from yeast to human, expanding the functional consequences of cryptic transcription and proteome complexity.