Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of Imaging in Diagnosis, Predicting Biological Activity and in Treatment Plan of Hydatid Disease

Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus. Hydatid cyst is a significant universal medical problem. In human cestode involves any organ and develops to hydatid cyst. Liver is the first and most frequently involved organ as the liver is the primary filter station of portal circulation. Though hydatid disease is benign disease, traditionally surgery is the treatment of choice for complete elimination of infective focus, which is associated with considerable mortality, morbidity. Systemic chemotherapy and percutaneous drainage have evolved in the recent past as an alternative to conventional surgery. The safety and success rate of these methods is influenced by the size, stage, location of the cysts and associated complications. Benzimidazoles can be considered in multiple, small hydatid cysts, but large cysts (cysts > 6 cm), bone marrow depression, pregnancy are contraindications of pharmacotherapy. Percutaneous drainage combined with ALB is a safe and effective treatment in liver hydatid patients with a surgical contraindication and younger cysts, but the presence of certain radiological signs (pericystic ducts and exophytic components) is a contraindication to non-surgical management because of the danger of biliary obstruction. However, the surgical treatment technique also cannot be standardized, should be tailored according to the cyst relation to the Broncho, biliary, vascular structures and associated complications if any. This review will focus on role of imaging in establishing the diagnosis, in determining cyst location, size, stage of the cyst and in identifying any associated complications, so that enable the clinician to perform recommended therapeutic procedures for the different cyst types and tailor the procedure performed based on cyst relation to broncho, biliary, vascular structures and associated complications.
Successful Daptomycin Therapy for Postsurgical Shoulder Arthritis With Propionibacterium acnes

To the Editor: We have read with interest numerous studies investigating the clinical role of daptomycin, particularly in invasive infections with hypothesized biofilm formation as an important pathogenic mechanism of infection. This is true for Propionibacterium acnes, a commensal microbewith an opportunistic ability to cause serious central nervous system, endovascular, and orthopedic infections. Given its ability to treat biofilm-forming infections, particularly in the setting of indwelling prosthetic material, as well as its convenient once-daily dosing, daptomycin is an attractive option for treatment of serious infections due to P. acnes. Previously, Ghosh et al and Taylor et al have published a case report of P. acnes osteomyelitis of the skull treated with daptomycin. P. acnes septic arthritis in native joints and postoperatively after shoulder surgery has been reported. Here, we report a case of P. acnes septic arthritis of the left shoulder treated with daptomycin. A middle-aged man with a history of well-controlled diabetes (hemoglobin A1c 6.3%) presented to our hospital with a 1-week history of low-grade fevers and left shoulder pain with movement. He underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair of the same shoulder 3 weeks before hospital presentation. Arthrocentesis was performed for synovial fluid analysis, revealing 104,000 white blood cells/mm with 92%polymorphonuclear cells. Gram stain showed no organisms. The C-reactive protein was 237 mg/L, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 115 mm/h. Serum white blood cell count was 12,500 cells/mm with 72% polymorphonuclear cells. The patient was started on empiric daptomycin dosed at 6 mg/kg intravenous daily and proceeded for operative drainage and washout of the shoulder on first hospital day. On hospital day 5, initial synovial fluid culture showed that P. acnes evolved under anaerobic conditions. Subsequent surgical cultures on repeat surgical washouts were sterile. The patient was continued on daptomycin on hospital discharge and completed 6 weeks of therapy. After completion of therapy, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 17 mm/h and the result from the C-reactive protein test was negative. He regained full range of motion shortly after hospitalization and remained well without recurrence thereafter. P. acnes is a facultative gram-positive anaerobic bacillus. Shoulder infections due to P. acnes have become an emerging
Evaluation of Left Atrial and Left Ventricular Function during and between Atrial Fibrillation Episodes by Using Dual-Source Computed Tomography

The left atrium (LA) receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins and pumps it through the mitral valve into the left ventricle (LV). Thus, the LA influences LV filling and perpetuates the stroke volume [1]. During atrial fibrillation (AF), LA function is lost due to asynchronous atrial activity, irregular ventricular responses, and the resulting rapid heart rate (HR) [2]. Because it adversely affects LA function, AF can lead to cardiac remodeling and LA dilation. LA enlargement is an important predictor of AF recurrence following electrical cardioversion [2]. Previous studies assessing LA function in patients with AF cc This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. CVIA Evaluation of Left Atrial and Left Ventricular Function during and between Atrial Fibrillation Episodes by Using Dual-Source Computed Tomography
Randomness and inference in medical and public health research

Background: The purpose of this study was to provide a basis for describing the types of randomness used and statistical inferences reported in the medical and public health research literature. Methods: A study was conducted to quantify the types of research designs and analyses used and reported in medical and public health research studies. A stratified random sample of 198 articles from three top-tier medical and public health journals was reviewed, and the presence or absence of random assignment, random sampling, p-values, and confidence intervals, as well as type of research design, were quantified. Results: Random sampling was used in 58 (29.3%) and random assignment in 21 (10.6%) articles. Most (n=125; 63.1%) research studies did not report random assignment or random sampling; however, statistical inference was applied in more than 90%. Conclusions: Results revealed a concerning overuse of statistical inference. Incorrectly applying statistical inference when not warranted has potentially damaging medical and public health consequences. Researchers should carefully consider the appropriateness of using statistical inference in medical and public health research.
Epidemiology and burden of alopecia areata: a systematic review

Background Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by patches of non-scarring alopecia affecting scalp and body hair that can be psychologically devastating. AA is clinically heterogenous, and its natural history is unpredictable. There is no preventative therapy or cure. Objective The objective of this study is to provide an evidence-based systematic review on the epidemiology and the burden of AA. Methods and selection criteria A search was conducted of the published, peer-reviewed literature via PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Studies published in English within the last 51 years that measured AA’s incidence, prevalence, distribution, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), quality of life, and associated psychiatric and medical comorbidities were included. Two authors assessed studies and extracted the data. Results The lifetime incidence of AA is approximately 2% worldwide. Both formal population studies found no sex predominance. First onset is most common in the third and fourth decades of life but may occur at any age. An earlier age of first onset corresponds with an increased lifetime risk of extensive disease. Global DALYs for AA were calculated at 1,332,800 in 2010. AA patients are at risk for depression and anxiety, atopy, vitiligo, thyroid disease, and other autoimmune conditions. Conclusion AA is the most prevalent autoimmune disorder and the second most prevalent hair loss disorder after androgenetic alopecia, and the lifetime risk in the global population is approximately 2%. AA is associated with psychiatric and medical comorbidities including depression, anxiety, and several autoimmune disorders, and an increased global burden of disease.
Application of the probit method for elastographic evaluation of venous obliterating material after sclerotherapy procedure

Purpose Status after sclerotherapy constitutes a good clinical model for venous thrombosis with known age. The aim of this study was to compare elastographic parameters of material obliterating the great saphenous vein at 7-21 days after polidocanol sclerotherapy. Material and methods The study included 60 patients subjected to sclerotherapy due to venous insufficiency (45 women and 15 men, mean age 51.2 ± 14.7 years, range 27-77 years). Elastographic parameters of obliterating material: total area of vessel cross-section (mm2), relative areas (%) covered by tissues with highest, intermediate, and lowest elasticity, were determined 7 ± 1, 14 ± 2, and 21 ± 2 days post-sclerotherapy, respectively. Mean time to partial and complete organisation of the obliterating material was estimated during probit regression analysis. Results The relative area of vessel cross-section covered by tissues with the lowest elasticity underwent a statistically significant enlargement, either between the first and the second (Z = 6.725, p < 0.001) or between the second and the third control visit (Z = 6.717, p < 0.001). This corresponded to a change in the structure of the obliterating material from elastic during the first visit (in all patients) to mixed (fibro-elastic) or fibrous during the third visit (71.7% and 28.3% of patients, respectively). Mean time after which the obliterating material reached mixed and fibrous structure on elastographic images was estimated at 14.3 days and > 21 days, respectively. Conclusions Ultrasound elastography may accurately reflect the age of venous thrombosis in polidocanol sclerotherapy model. Mixed, fibro-elastic structure of a 14-day-old obliterating material visualised by elastography probably corresponds with chronic thrombus.
Non-operative management of perforated peptic ulcer: A single-center experience.

BACKGROUND Perforation is a rare complication of peptic ulcer. Although the most widely accepted treatment for peptic ulcer perforation is surgery, non-operative treatment can be an option in selected patients. In this study, we aimed to present our non-surgical treatment experience in peptic ulcer perforation. METHODS In this study, the data of the patients who were treated due to peptic ulcer perforation between January 2012 and September 2017 in our clinic were retrospectively reviewed. The diagnosis was reached by physical examination and radiologic findings. After obtaining the informed consent from the patients, non-operative treatment was performed to the selected patients who had normal vital parameters and did not have findings of generalized peritonitis in the abdominal examination. Oral food and fluid intake were stopped and intravenous fluid, antibiotics and pantoprazole were administered to all patients in this study. RESULTS A total of 41 patients were treated due to the diagnosis of peptic ulcer perforation in our clinic during the study period. Out of 41 patients, while 35 of the patients were operated, six of them were treated non-operatively. There were peritoneal irritation signs and symptoms in the upper quadrants on physical examination in all of the patients. None of them had generalized peritonitis. Abdominal X-ray and computed tomography were obtained from all of the patients. None of the patients in the non-operative group underwent any interventional procedure or surgery during the follow-up period. The median length of hospital stay was four days in this group. All of the patients were discharged uneventfully. CONCLUSION Standard treatment of peptic ulcer perforation in most of the patients is still surgical repair. Non-surgical treatment should be kept in mind as an option in the selected patients who had normal vital parameters and did not have any findings of generalized peritonitis in the abdominal examination. In this way, it may be possible to avoid unnecessary surgery and reduce the possible morbidity and mortality associated with the operation.
Fonction du facteur de choc thermique HSF2 dans les processus de prolifération, de survie et de différenciation au cours du développement du système nerveux central

Les recherches exposees dans ce document portent sur l’etude du role de HSF2 au cours du developpement du systeme nerveux central. Les Heat Shock Factors (HSF) sont impliques dans la reponse au choc thermique et egalement au cours du developpement embryonnaire. Mes travaux ont demontre que HSF2 est requis au cours de la formation du cortex cerebral pour la migration de certains neurones en regulant directement l’expression de p35, sous unite activatrice de CDK5. D’autres cibles ont ete identifiees NudE, Dclk, Dab1 necessaires a la migration des neurones en participant a la dynamique du cytosquelette. De plus, ces travaux montrent que HSF2 module la proliferation et la differenciation des cellules souches neurales (NSC) et des progeniteurs (NP) car i) par electroporation in ovo chez le poulet, la surexpression de HSF2 provoque une augmentation de la proliferation des NP; ii) les NSC Hsf2−/− en culture presentent un retard de proliferation, de survie et de differenciation. Ainsi, HSF2 pourrait assister la decision cellulaire des NSC/NP vers la proliferation ou la differenciation et la migration, tel un aiguilleur de destin cellulaire
Mise en évidence d'un marqueur protéique différenciant deux types de cals issus de mêmes clones chez le palmier à huile ( Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)

La regeneration du palmier a huile passe par une phase d'embryogenese somatique ou deux types de cals peuvent etre utilises. Un type de cal conduit a une malformation des inflorescences des plantes regenerees, l'autre permet une regeneration conforme. Une analyse des profils proteiques par electrophorese monodimensionnelle permet d'identifier pour trois clones etudies un marqueur proteique discriminant les deux types de cals.
Quantification of DNA double-strand break induced by radiation in cervix cancer cells: in vitro study

Abstract Aim DNA double-strand break (DSB) results in the phosphorylation of the protein, H.2AX histone. In this study, the effect of radiotherapy and chemotherapy on DNA DSB in cervical cancer cells is analysed by the phosphorylation of the protein. Methods The cervical cancer cells (HeLa cells) were cultured and exposed to ionising radiation. Radiation sensitivity was measured by clonogenic survival fraction after exposing to ionising radiation. Since the phosphorylation of H.2AX declines with time, the DNA damage was quantified at different time points: 1 hour, 3 hours and 1 week after exposed to the radiation. The analysis of γ-H.2AX was done by Western-blot technique. The protein expression was observed at different dose of radiation and combination of both radiation and paclitaxel. Results Low-dose hypersensitivity was observed. By 1 week after radiation at 0·5, 0·8 and 2 Gy, there was no expression of phosphorylated H.2AX. Previous experiments on the expression of phosphorylated H.2AX (γ-H.2AX) in terms of foci analysis was found to peak at 1 hour and subsequently decline with time. In cells treated with the DNA damaging agents, the expression of phosphorylated H.2AX decreases in a dose-dependent manner when treated with radiation alone. However, when combined with paclitaxel, at 0·5 Gy, the expression peaked and reduces at 0·8 Gy and slightly elevated at 2 Gy. Findings In this study, the peak phosphorylation was observed at 3 hour post irradiation indicating that DSBs are still left unrepaired.
Management of orbital fractures: challenges and solutions

Many specialists encounter and treat orbital fractures. The management of these fractures is often challenging due to the impact that they can have on vision. Acute treatment involves a thorough clinical examination and management of concomitant ocular injuries. The clinical and radiographic findings for each individual patient must then be analyzed for the need for surgical intervention. Deformity and vision impairment can occur from these injuries, and while surgery is intended to prevent these problems, it can also create them. Therefore, surgical approach and implant selection should be carefully considered. Accurate anatomic reconstruction requires complete assessment of fracture margins and proper implant contouring and positioning. The implementation of new technologies for implant shaping and intraoperative assessment of reconstruction will hopefully lead to improved patient outcomes.
Ecological Overlap and Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis

The opportunistic pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis represent major causes of severe nosocomial infection, and are associated with high levels of mortality and morbidity worldwide. These species are both common commensals on the human skin and in the nasal pharynx, but are genetically distinct, differing at 24% average nucleotide divergence in 1,478 core genes. To better understand the genome dynamics of these ecologically similar staphylococcal species, we carried out a comparative analysis of 324 S. aureus and S. epidermidis genomes, including 83 novel S. epidermidis sequences. A reference pan-genome approach and whole genome multilocus-sequence typing revealed that around half of the genome was shared between the species. Based on a BratNextGen analysis, homologous recombination was found to have impacted on 40% of the core genes in S. epidermidis, but on only 24% of the core genes in S. aureus. Homologous recombination between the species is rare, with a maximum of nine gene alleles shared between any two S. epidermidis and S. aureus isolates. In contrast, there was considerable interspecies admixture of mobile elements, in particular genes associated with the SaPIn1 pathogenicity island, metal detoxification, and the methicillin-resistance island SCCmec. Our data and analysis provide a context for considering the nature of recombinational boundaries between S. aureus and S. epidermidis and, the selective forces that influence realized recombination between these species.
Host-specific plasmacytoid dendritic cell defenses in the presence of human and macaque skin cells infected with B virus

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) are a specialized group of circulating dendritic cells that respond to viral nucleic acids with Type I IFN production as well as other cytokine and chemokines. These pDC responses lead to the production of antiviral molecules and recruitment of defense cells. During zoonotic B virus infection, a simplex virus of the subfamily Alphaherpesviridae, our lab has observed that infected individuals who succumb to infection have little-to-no-antibody or cell-mediated defenses. To identify whether this was partly due to failure of pDCs to produce antiviral interferon responses or produce chemokine and cytokines, we tested the hypothesis that B virus modulates the IFN response during zoonotic infection by blocking pDC activation and subsequent IFN signaling pathways to circumvent host defenses, while these pathways remain intact in the macaque hosts. We showed that human pDCs respond to B virus through the production of IFN-, IL-1, IL-6, TNF-, MIP-1/ and IP-10. Human pDCs co-cultured with B virus infected fibroblasts produced fewer cytokines and at lower levels. The macaque response to B virus was measured using PBMCs, as there are no specific reagents available to enrich macaque pDCs. Human and macaque PBMCs produced IFN- when exposed directly to B virus infected lysates. Co-cultures of PBMCs with B virus infected fibroblasts from both hosts failed to produce any significant amounts of IFN-. To quantify the antiviral effects of PBMC induced IFN-, we measured B virus titers after exposure to supernatants from B virus exposed PBMCs, PBMC co-cultures with infected fibroblasts and exogenous recombinant Type I IFN. Our data further suggest that B virus resistance was not due to virus specific blockade of the Type I IFN signaling pathway because STAT-1 was activated in infected fibroblasts when treated with Type I IFNs. These data demonstrate for the first time that B virus replication is unimpeded in the presence of any source of IFN- in either host cell type. In conclusion, this dissertation shows that the IFN- production by both hosts in response to B virus is similar and that IFN- treatment of B virus infected fibroblasts did not reduce B virus replication. INDEX WORDS: Plasmacytoid dendritic cells, Interferon, Fibroblasts, Macaque, Herpes B virus, Macacine herpesvirus 1, STAT-1, Innate immunity HOST-SPECIFIC PLASMACYTOID DENDRITIC CELL DEFENSES IN THE PRESENCE OF HUMAN AND MACAQUE SKIN CELLS INFECTED WITH B VIRUS
Long Non-Coding RNA CASC19 Sponges microRNA-532 and Promotes Oncogenicity of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma by Increasing ETS1 Expression

Purpose The long non-coding RNA cancer susceptibility 19 (CASC19) is recognized as an important regulator in gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer. Nevertheless, to the best of our knowledge, the expression status and detailed roles of CASC19 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) have not been elucidated. Hence, we aimed to determine CASC19 expression in ccRCC and investigate its roles in ccRCC oncogenicity. The molecular mechanisms underlying CASC19 functions in ccRCC were also determined. Methods CASC19 expression was measured by using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The effects of CASC19 on ccRCC cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasiveness in vitro, as well as on tumor growth in vivo, were examined by the MTT assay, colony formation assay, cell migration and invasiveness assays, and tumor xenograft in nude nice, respectively. Results CASC19 was overexpressed in ccRCC tissues and cell lines. High expression of CASC19 was closely associated with unfavorable clinicopathological parameters and predicted negative clinical outcomes in patients with ccRCC. Knockdown of CASC19 decreased ccRCC cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasiveness, as well as attenuated tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, CASC19 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA and upregulated the expression of ETS proto-oncogene 1 (ETS1) through sponging microRNA-532 (miR-532). Furthermore, rescue assays revealed that inhibiting miR-532 or restoring ETS1 expression partially abolished the impacts of CASC19 knockdown on ccRCC cells. Conclusion The CASC19/miR-532/ETS1 regulatory pathway is crucial for the malignant manifestations of ccRCC, which makes it an attractive target for potential treatments of ccRCC.
Reducing the protein content in diets for weaner pigs to control post-weaning diarrhoea: physiological and metabolic responses of the gastrointestinal tract

A series of experiments was conducted with weaner pigs to examine the effects of dietary protein content, duration of feeding diets after weaning and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infection on physiological and metabolic responses of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The general hypotheses tested in this thesis were that feeding a lower protein diet supplemented with essential amino acids (AA) to maintain an ideal dietary AA pattern would: (i) reduce indices of protein fermentation in the GIT and consequently reduce the incidence of post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD), and (ii) not hinder performance responses compared with pigs fed a commercial standard diet higher in protein content.