Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development and Developmental Disorders of Vitreous

Vitreous is a highly hydrated, avascular extracellular matrix located between the lens and retina that serves a variety of structural and physiological functions [ 1 , 2 ]. Formation of the vitreous is a complex process that has been studied for over a century and still is not clearly understood. Two overlapping developmental phases have been described, the primary and secondary vitreous then followed by formation of the lens zonules previously referred to as tertiary vitreous [ 3 ], all closely tied to development of the retina, lens, and retinal vasculature. For this reason, errors in ocular development are often associated with severe congenital disorders Development and Developmental Disorders of Vitreous
The Broken Hill Psychopathology Project

The main objective of this study was to describe the psychiatric disorders seen in patients presenting for treatment in rural New South Wales. The patients were seen primarily in the community, in both public and private practice, but also in the local base hospital and prison. Seven hundred and seven patients were consecutively examined during the study period. The results of this study were compared with a previous Australia-wide study to identify specific disorders that were more prevalent in rural areas. Alcohol abuse and dependence stood out as being much more prevalent. Life problems such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and incest occurred commonly in women referred for psychiatric assessment. More than ten percent of the study patients were children aged under 17, who had similar prevalence rates of the various psychiatric disorders to a national comparison. It is concluded that alcohol abuse is very common in rural New South Wales, particularly in men, although there are also high rates in women, and this is probably related, in part at least, to the high rates of domestic violence, sexual assault and incest. It appears probable that there is a cycle of alcohol abuse in men leading to domestic violence and sexual abuse in women and children. This may contribute to the latter becoming anxious and depressed. The rates of the major functional psychiatric disorders were similar to those seen nationally. There is a great need for the maldistribution of psychiatrists between metropolitan and rural areas to be addressed.
Research on Mental Health Literacy: What we know and what we Still Need to know

The term mental health literacy was first introduced in 1997 and defined as ‘knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders which aid their recognition, management and prevention’ [1]. The aim in coining this term was to draw attention to a neglected area. Whereas the public know a lot about other major health problems such as cancer and heart disease, they lack the same degrees of knowledge about mental disorders [2]. Since then, the term mental health literacy has come into widespread use in Australia and it has appeared as a national goal in a number of policy documents [3,4]. The concept has also spawned quite a bit of research and it is the purpose of the present paper to summarize what we have learned since 1997 and what we still need to know. The summary below draws mainly on Australian research and particularly on the series of papers published in the current issue of the journal. Although a number of researchers in other countries started up similar lines of work at around the same time [5], this is arguably an area in which Australia has had a leading role.
PRINCIPLES AND TREATMENT APPROACHES OF DYSLIPIDAEMIAS: A REVIEW

Dyslipidaemia is a common clinical problem globally. It includes abnormality in LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The prevalence of dyslipidaemia observed higher in males than females among urban Indian adults. (1) Hypertension and dyslipidaemia are well established risk factor for various cardiovascular diseases. There is frequent coexistence of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. (2) This prevalence varies globally. Causes of dyslipidaemia are either primary disorders of lipoproteins or secondary to metabolic causes. In addition to metabolic syndrome, other causes of combined dyslipidaemia are lack of physical activity, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus etc. Clinical conditions such as metabolic syndromes, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, early atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes results due to Overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescents. Familial hypercholesterolemia is predominant during childhood with elevated Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Hypertriglyceridemia are elevations of either chylomicron, intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL) or very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). Combined dyslipidaemia include abnormalities of severe lipoproteins, usually elevated LDL-C and triglyceride (TG) with low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Non pharmacologic management of several dyslipidaemias include lifestyle modification, regular exercise, weight management and nutritional approach. Pharmacologic management with statin is individualised based on overall risk, pattern of dyslipidaemia and associated medical conditions. Combination medication to treat cholesterol may be effective when a single agent is ineffective or there is a need to reduce the dosage of medication.
Cytogenetic Analysis for the Effect of Alcoholic and Water Extracts of Iraqi Propolis in Mice

study was conducted to study the cytogenetic effect of both alcoholic and water extracts of propolis on mice. Three different samples of propolis were collected from three different regions of Iraq (Najaf, Arbil and Baghdad) to be used in this study. The cytotoxic effect of two different doses of each extracted sample was measured by employing cytogenetic analysis which included (mitotic index (MI), chromosomal aberrations (CAs), micronucleus index (MN) and sperm abnormalities). Results showed that significant increase in MI and significant reduction in MN, CAs and sperm abnormalities percentage were seen after treatment with both alcoholic and water extract of the three samples when compared with negative control, and alcoholic extracts were more effective than water extracts. Moreover, the water and alcoholic extracts of the propolis that was collected form Najaf was shown to be more valuable than the propolis of Arbeel and Baghdad.
Association Analysis of 14 Candidate Gene Polymorphism with Depression and Stress among Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

The association of candidate genes and psychological symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Malaysia was determined in this study, followed by the determination of their odds of getting psychological symptoms, adjusted for socio-demographical background, maternal, and clinical characteristics. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) recorded a significant association between SNP of EPHX2 (rs17466684) and depression symptoms (AOR = 7.854, 95% CI = 1.330–46.360) and stress symptoms (AOR = 7.664, 95% CI = 1.579–37.197). Associations were also observed between stress symptoms and SNP of OXTR (rs53576) and (AOR = 2.981, 95% CI = 1.058–8.402) and SNP of NRG1 (rs2919375) (AOR = 9.894, 95% CI = 1.159–84.427). The SNP of EPHX2 (rs17466684) gene polymorphism is associated with depression symptoms among Malaysian women with GDM. SNP of EPHX2 (rs17466684), OXTR (rs53576) and NRG1 (rs2919375) are also associated with stress symptoms.
Re-Evaluating Biologic Pharmacotherapies That Target the Host Response during Sepsis

Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) caused by the systemic inflammatory response during sepsis is responsible for millions of deaths worldwide each year, and despite broad consensus concerning its pathophysiology, no specific or effective therapies exist. Recent efforts to treat and/or prevent MODS have included a variety of biologics, recombinant proteins targeting various components of the host response to the infection (e.g., inflammation, coagulation, etc.) Improvements in molecular biology and pharmaceutical engineering have enabled a wide range of utility for biologics to target various aspects of the systemic inflammatory response. The majority of clinical trials to date have failed to show clinical benefit, but some have demonstrated promising results in certain patient populations. In this review we summarize the underlying rationale and outcome of major clinical trials where biologics have been tested as a pharmacotherapy for MODS in sepsis. A brief description of the study design and overall outcome for each of the major trials are presented. Emphasis is placed on discussing targets and/or trials where promising results were observed. Post hoc analyses of trials where therapy demonstrated harm or additional risk to certain patient subgroups are highlighted, and details are provided about specific trials where more stringent inclusion/exclusion criteria are warranted.
Role of human polyomaviruses in lymphoproliferative disorders and bladder cancer

Dentro de la familia de los Polyomaviruses, el poliomavirus de celulas de Merkel (MCPyV) es la unica especie que ha sido confirmada como carcinogeno humano. Esta tesis explora la asociacion de nueve poliomavirus con 468 casos de linfomas, 1135 casos de cancer de vejiga, 359 casos de leucemia linfocitica cronica (LLC) y sus respectivos controles incluidos en tres estudios caso-control realizados en Espana. La exposicion al virus en los distintos estudios se evaluo como la respuesta serologica frente a poliomavirus mediante ELISA y tecnologia multiplex de serologia fluorescente basada en beads. En el estudio de linfomas, se observaron seroprevalencias elevadas frente a MCPyV en la mayoria de subtipos en comparacion a controles hospitalarios. La asociacion con el subtipo linfoma difuso de celulas B grande (LDCBG) frente a MCPyV fue la unica estadisticamente significativa (OR=6.10; 95%CI=1.88-19.75), aunque no se observaron diferencias de riesgo segun seroreactividad. En el estudio de cancer de vejiga los casos mostraron seroreactividades mas elevadas frente a BKPyV (OR= 1.37; 95%CI=1.04-1.80) y MCPyV (OR=1.48; 95%CI=1.16-1.88) comparado con sus controles hospitalarios. En el estudio de LLC, por el contrario, se observaron seroprevalencias mas bajas para los 9 poliomavirus evaluados (rango OR=0.21-0.70) cuando estos fueron comparados a controles sanos de la poblacion general. Los patrones serologicos obtenidos en DLBCG y cancer de vejiga no muestran un modelo claro de carcinogenesis y no se puede descartar que las respuestas serologicas observadas sean causadas por la enfermedad o que sean falsos positivos. Para una correcta interpretacion de las asociaciones obtenidas seria adecuado disponer de un diseno prospectivo y/o otros biomarcadores de exposicion. Nuestros resultados en LLC indican una respuesta inmune deficiente o anomala en estos sujetos que no permite ahondar mas sobre la posible carcinogenesis asociada a poliomavirus. Sin embargo el estudio ha evidenciado que los cambios inmunologicos asociados a LLC son observables en fases tempranas y generalmente asintomaticas de la enfermedad.
Association of Body Composition with Long-Term Survival in Non-metastatic Rectal Cancer Patients

Purpose We evaluated the association of body composition with long-term oncologic outcomes in non-metastatic rectal cancer patients. Methods We included 1,384 patients with stage(y)0-III rectal cancer treated at Asan Medical Center between January 2005 and December 2012. Body composition at diagnosis was measured using abdomino-pelvic computed tomography (CT). Sarcopenia, visceral obesity (VO), and sarcopenic obesity (SO) were defined using CT measured parameters such as skeletal muscle index (total abdominal muscle area, TAMA), visceral fat area (VFA), and VFA/TAMA. Inflammatory status was defined as a neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio of ≥3. Obesity was categorized by body mass index (≥ 25 kg/m2). Results Among the 1,384 patients, 944 (68.2%) had sarcopenia and 307 (22.2%) had SO. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was significantly lower in sarcopenic patients (no sarcopenia vs. sarcopenia; 84% vs. 78%, p=0.003) but the 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate was not different (77.3% vs. 77.9% p=0.957). Patients with SO showed lower 5-year OS (79.1% vs. 75.5% p=0.02) but no difference in 5-year RFS (p=0.957). Sarcopenia, SO, VO, and obesity were not associated with RFS. However, obesity, SO, age, sex, inflammatory status, and tumor stage were confirmed as independent factors associated with OS on multivariate analysis. In subgroup analysis, association of SO with OS was more prominent in patients with (y)p stage 0-2 and no inflammatory status. Conclusion The presence of SO and a low body mass index at diagnosis are negatively associated with OS in non-metastatic rectal cancer patients.
Impact of number of medications and age on adherence to antihypertensive medications

Abstract This study tried to investigate the effects of number of medications and age on antihypertensive medication adherence in a real-world setting using a nationwide representative cohort. We obtained data from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC) of Korea, which is a sample of 2.2% (N = 1,048,061) of total population (N = 46,605,433). Patients aged 20 years or older (N = 150,550) who took antihypertensive medications for at least 1 year were selected. Medication possession ratio (MPR) was used for measuring adherence. The subjects were divided into 5 subgroups according to total number of medications: 1–2, 3–4, 5–6, 7–8, and 9 or more. The mean age and the mean number of medications were 60.3 ± 12.6 years and 4.1 ± 2.2, respectively. The mean MPR was 80.4 ± 23.9%, and 66.9% (N = 100,645) of total subjects were adherent (MPR ≥ 80%). The overall tendency of antihypertensive medication adherence according to the total number of medications displayed an inverted U-shape with a peak at 3–4 drugs. Adherence consistently increased as the age increased until age 69 and started to decrease from age 70. The proportion of adherent patients (MPR ≥ 80%) according to the total number of medications also showed an inverted U-shape with a peak at 3–4 drugs. When the same number of drugs was taken, the proportion of adherent patients according to age featured an inverted U- shape with a peak at 60 to 69 years. Patients taking 9 or more total drugs had the overall odds ratio (95% CI) of non-adherence (MPR < 80%) with 1.17 (1.11–1.24) compared with those taking 1 to 8 total drugs and the odds ratios in the age subgroups of 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69 years were 1.57 (1.31–1.87), 1.21 (1.08–1.36), and 1.14 (1.04–1.25), respectively (P < .05). Association between age, total number of medications, and antihypertensive adherence displayed an inverted U-shape with a peak at 3 to 4 total medications and at age 60 to 69 years. When the total number of drugs was 9 or more, adherence decreased prominently, regardless of age.
Performance improvement to address anesthesia hazards

In 1999, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) estimated that between 44,000 and 98,000 patient deaths occur yearly in the United States due to medical error. Despite multiple widespread efforts to improve patient safety over the past 2 decades since the initial IOM report, medical errors continue to contribute to preventable patient deaths. More recent studies suggest that the actual number of premature deaths resulting from preventable harm may approach >400,000 deaths per year. Inadequate communication, poor situational management or loss of situational awareness, and ineffective team dynamics have been cited as common contributory factors. Addressing medical errors and implementing strategies to minimize anesthesia hazards require systems engineering and enhancing individual and team performance.
The Relationship between 10 Years Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Schizophrenia Symptoms: Preliminary Results

Objective Previous research shows that patients with schizophrenia have increased cardiovascular disease risk than general population. Increased cardiovascular risk in schizophrenia patients have been associated with many reasons such as antipsychotic drugs, genetic predisposition, andlifestyle. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the risk of heart disease and schizophrenia symptomatology. Methods The 10-year cardiovascular risk was assessed by the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) in 103 patients with schizophrenia and in 39 healthy controls. Sociodemographic characteristics, age at schizophrenia onset, duration of illness, number of hospitalizations, the course of the disease and antipsychotic medications were recorded. Patients’ symptoms were evaluated via The Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), The Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS). Results Ten-year cardiovascular risk was 5.16% inpatients with schizophrenia, and 3.02% in control group (p=0.030). No significant correlation was found between FRS scores, SANS, SAPS, and CDSS scores. However, FRS scores were significantly correlated with age, number of hospitalizations and duration of disease (r=0.300, 0.261, 0.252, respectively). Moreover FRS scores were higher (p=0.008) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were lower (p=0.048) in patients using multiple antipsychotics. Conclusion Our findings suggest a relationship between the risk of cardiovascular disease and the duration and overall severity of schizophrenia and also highlights the role of antipsychotics in this relationship.
Retrospective analysis of cervical cancer and precancerous lesions in patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance in China

Abstract Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) are the most common cytological abnormality of all smear test. No study has demonstrated the prevalence of cervical cancer or its precursor in Chinese patients with ASCUS. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 or worse (CIN1+) and CIN3 or worse (CIN3+) in patients with ASCUS in China to provide insight into appropriate management for Chinese health care. In a retrospective cross-sectional study, patients who underwent liquid-based thin layer cytology and human papillomavirus (HPV) co-testing at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2014 and January 2017, and had ASCUS results on liquid-based thin layer cytology test and underwent follow-up and colposcopic biopsy were included. Age, HPV DNA test, and pathological outcomes were assessed. One hundred forty-four patients with ASCUS and positive HPV test results were included. In the 3-year follow-up, 23 (16.0%) patients had CIN1, 28 (19.4%) had CIN2, and 17 (11.8%) had CIN3 or carcinoma in situ. The risk of CIN3+ was significantly higher in those older than 60 years (42.8%, P = .005), whereas the CIN1+ prevalence displayed no significant difference between age groups. Both hybrid Capture II (HC II) value and cytopathological description of HPV infection showed no statistically significant correlation with CIN1+ or CIN3+. Patients with HPV-positive ASCUS who were older than 60 years had a significantly higher risk of CIN3+, and clinicians should pay more attention to them. Both HC II value and cytopathological description of HPV infection showed no significant correlation with CIN1+ or CIN3+.
CURRENCY RISK MODELS IN INSURANCE: A MATHEMATICAL PERSPECTIVE

In this paper we consider a general two-country model of exchange rate dynamics in which interest rates are stochastic. Special cases of this model are also illustrated in which the interest rates are constant in each country and when interest rates are Gaussian in each country. Uncertainty in this gloabl economy consists of the exchange rate between the two countries and the noise in interest rates in each local economy. This model provides an important tool for actuaries dealing with global risk which includes valuation of currency derivatives (forwards, futures, options and swaps), frequency/severity claims model with exchange rate risk in the claim size (i.e. the claims are paid in a foreign currency), valuation of individual insurance contracts written in foreign currency, and valuation of general interest sensistive claims in foreign currency. Typical examples of practical importance include marine insurance, health insurance, and life insurance. The simple case of the model for which interest rates are constant in each local economy is used to explain and analyse the “Siegel paradox” [32] (or lack thereof) which we describe because it has confused some readers of the 1970 era currency risk literature. We illustrate the model with the calculation of forward prices, currency options, a simple life insurance contract, and a marine ineurance policy. Rough Draft -Preliminary and Incomplete Date: August 6, 1998. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classificotion. Primary: 90A09; Secondary: 60G15, 6OG35.
Safety of systemic therapy for noninfectious uveitis

ABSTRACT Introduction: The treatment strategies for noninfectious uveitis (NIU) aim to achieve disease remission, prevention of recurrences, and preserving vision, while minimizing the side effects associated with the therapies used. Areas covered: The index review aims to provide a detailed overview of the adverse events and safety parameters associated with the systemic therapies for the management of the NIU. Expert opinion: Despite being the cornerstone of management of acute cases of NIU, long-term corticosteroid use is associated with multi-system side effects, requiring the use of steroid-sparing agents. Adalimumab was recently approved by the FDA for the management of NIU based on the results of VISUAL studies. Similarly, newer drugs targeting various aspects of the inflammatory cascade are being developed. However, until we completely understand the molecular pathways of the inflammatory diseases, the therapeutic profile of these newer agents needs to be broad enough to suppress inflammatory cascade and narrow enough to spare normal cellular processes. Another strategy that has shown some potential in decreasing the systemic side effects is to provide local drug delivery. Therefore, the future of management of NIU is very bright with many novel therapeutic agents and strategies of drug delivery on the horizon.
Systematic evaluation of differential splicing tools for RNA-seq studies

Abstract Differential splicing (DS) is a post-transcriptional biological process with critical, wide-ranging effects on a plethora of cellular activities and disease processes. To date, a number of computational approaches have been developed to identify and quantify differentially spliced genes from RNA-seq data, but a comprehensive intercomparison and appraisal of these approaches is currently lacking. In this study, we systematically evaluated 10 DS analysis tools for consistency and reproducibility, precision, recall and false discovery rate, agreement upon reported differentially spliced genes and functional enrichment. The tools were selected to represent the three different methodological categories: exon-based (DEXSeq, edgeR, JunctionSeq, limma), isoform-based (cuffdiff2, DiffSplice) and event-based methods (dSpliceType, MAJIQ, rMATS, SUPPA). Overall, all the exon-based methods and two event-based methods (MAJIQ and rMATS) scored well on the selected measures. Of the 10 tools tested, the exon-based methods performed generally better than the isoform-based and event-based methods. However, overall, the different data analysis tools performed strikingly differently across different data sets or numbers of samples.