Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Survey of low vision and blindness in eye centre in Jammu and Kashmir

A retrospective survey of 4, 122 consecutive patient records of eye department was performed in an eye centre of a government hospital in Jammu and Kashmir providing free care . Data collected included age, gender, visual acuity after completion of treatment and diagnosis. 62.8% of the patients were male. After completion of treatment, 10.8% had low vision (best corrected visual acuity <6/18 to 3/60 in the better eye) and 2.6% were blind (best correct visual acuity <3/60 in the better eye). Most cases of low vision were found in the 50 to 70 year age group (42.8%). The most common visual acuity range after treatment amongst patients with vision loss was <6/18 to 6/60 (71%). The 5 main causes of low vision after treatment were glaucoma (16.0%), diabetic retinopathy (14.9%), and retinitis pigmentosa (12.3%), aphakic bullous keratopathy (10.2%) and Corneal opacity (10.2%). The 5 main causes of blindness were phthisis bulbi (47%), glaucoma (29.4%), optic atrophy (11.8%), uveitis (5.9%) & aphakic bullous keratopathy (5.9%). It is suggested that patients with low vision at the conclusion of treatment be referred to a visual rehabilitation centre. Referral should be made in cases with a best-corrected visual acuity <6/18 to 3/60 or with visual field loss to within 10° of fixation. Patients aged less than 50 years of age are expected to achieve maximal rehabilitation success. Motivation and vocational requirements should be assessed in older or more complex cases before referral. The data of this study shows that about 10% of patients seen at an eye hospital in India could benefit from low vision rehabilitation.
Evaluation of methotrexate clearance with an enteral urine alkalinization protocol for patients receiving high-dose methotrexate

Purpose High-dose methotrexate is a cytotoxic agent used to treat several malignancies. Urine alkalinization with sodium bicarbonate and hyperhydration are given with methotrexate to prevent drug precipitation in the kidneys. Due to a nationwide intravenous sodium bicarbonate shortage, an enteral-based urine alkalinization protocol was instituted. This study compared outcomes and adverse effects between the previously used intravenous and newly implemented enteral protocols. Methods Single center retrospective cohort study comparing parenteral and enteral urine alkalinization for patients that received methotrexate doses ≥ 500 mg/m2 between 1 April 2016 and 1 October 2018. The primary endpoint was time to methotrexate clearance. Secondary outcomes included length of stay, time to administration of methotrexate, amount of sodium bicarbonate utilized, toxicities of methotrexate, and protocol-associated adverse effects. Results There were 67 patients included in the study for a total of 195 infusions. The average time to methotrexate clearance between the two cohorts was similar (parenteral 88 h vs. enteral 98 h p = 0.06). Likewise, length of stay was not different between the two cohorts (p = ns). The enteral cohort methotrexate’s doses were initiated faster and received significantly less intravenous sodium bicarbonate when compared to the parenteral cohort (p = 0.04). Rates of acute kidney injury, neutropenia, hepatotoxicity, and mucositis were similar between the two groups. There were higher rates of diarrhea and low serum bicarbonate values in the enteral cohort. Conclusion This study supports the ability to conserve intravenous sodium bicarbonate by using an enteral-based urine alkalization regimen for HD methotrexate, with no difference in outcomes or toxicity.
Task scheduling mechanisms in cloud computing: A systematic review

Today, cloud computing has developed as one of the important emergent technologies in communication and Internet. It offers on demand, pay per use access to infrastructure, platforms, and applications. Due to the increase in its popularity, the huge number of requests need to be handled in an efficient manner. Task scheduling as one of the challenges in the cloud computing supports the requests for assigning a particular resource so as to perform effectively. In the resource management, task scheduling is performed where there is the dependency between tasks. Many approaches and case studies have been developed for the scheduling of these tasks. Up to now, a systematic literature review (SLR) has not been presented to discover and evaluate the task scheduling approaches in the cloud computing environment. To overcome, this paper presents an SLR‐based analysis on the task scheduling approaches that classify into (a) single cloud environments that evaluate cost‐aware, energy‐aware, multi‐objective, and QoS‐aware approaches in task scheduling; (b) multicloud environment that evaluates cost‐aware, multi‐objective, and QoS‐aware task scheduling; and (c) mobile cloud environment that is energy‐aware and QoS‐aware task scheduling. The analytical discussions are provided to show the advantages and limitations of the existing approaches.
The influence of red blood cell deformability on hematocrit profiles and platelet margination

The influence of red blood cell (RBC) deformability in whole blood on platelet margination is investigated using confocal microscopy measurements of flowing human blood and cell resolved blood flow simulations. Fluorescent platelet concentrations at the wall of a glass chamber are measured using confocal microscopy with flowing human blood containing varying healthy-to-stiff RBC fractions. A decrease is observed in the fluorescent platelet signal at the wall due to the increase of stiffened RBCs in flow, suggesting a decrease of platelet margination due to an increased fraction of stiffened RBCs present in the flow. In order to resolve the influence of stiffened RBCs on platelet concentration at the channel wall, cell-pair and bulk flow simulations are performed. For homogeneous collisions between RBC pairs, a decrease in final displacement after a collision with increasing membrane stiffness is observed. In heterogeneous collisions between healthy and stiff RBC pairs, it is found that the stiffened RBC is displaced most. The influence of RBC deformability on collisions between RBCs and platelets was found to be negligible due to their size and mass difference. For a straight vessel geometry with varying healthy-to-stiff RBC ratios, a decrease was observed in the red blood cell-free layer and platelet margination due to an increase in stiffened RBCs present in flow.
Sociodemographic characteristics and traumatic experiences in an Italian transgender sample

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study is to define the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of applicants for gender-affirming surgery at a single Italian institute, officially accredited as the referral unit for gender dysphoria in the Piedmont region. The study population comprised 196 transgender patients (136 trans females and 60 trans males) who met the criteria for gender dysphoria (GD; DSM-5 American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The subjects were asked to supply detailed information about general demographic characteristics, personal relationships, and traumatic events. Our data showed that participants who had experienced traumatic events sought assistance at an older age, had a lower level of education and a higher rate of unemployment, and had taken cross-sex hormonal therapy without a doctor's prescription at a higher frequency than those without experience of traumatic events. In order to better understand the role of trauma in the lives of transgender people, further research is needed in order to expand on our findings and make the proper adjustments to psychological treatment to improve patients’ well-being.
Engagement of monocytes, NK cells, and CD4+ Th1 cells by ALVAC-SIV vaccination results in a decreased risk of SIVmac251 vaginal acquisition

The recombinant Canarypox ALVAC-HIV/gp120/alum vaccine regimen was the first to significantly decrease the risk of HIV acquisition in humans, with equal effectiveness in both males and females. Similarly, an equivalent SIV-based ALVAC vaccine regimen decreased the risk of virus acquisition in Indian rhesus macaques of both sexes following intrarectal exposure to low doses of SIVmac251. Here, we demonstrate that the ALVAC-SIV/gp120/alum vaccine is also efficacious in female Chinese rhesus macaques following intravaginal exposure to low doses of SIVmac251 and we confirm that CD14+ classical monocytes are a strong correlate of decreased risk of virus acquisition. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the frequency of CD14+ cells and/or their gene expression correlates with blood Type 1 CD4+ T helper cells, α4β7+ plasmablasts, and vaginal cytocidal NKG2A+ cells. To better understand the correlate of protection, we contrasted the ALVAC-SIV vaccine with a NYVAC-based SIV/gp120 regimen that used the identical immunogen. We found that NYVAC-SIV induced higher immune activation via CD4+Ki67+CD38+ and CD4+Ki67+α4β7+ T cells, higher SIV envelope-specific IFN-γ producing cells, equivalent ADCC, and did not decrease the risk of SIVmac251 acquisition. Using the systems biology approach, we demonstrate that specific expression profiles of plasmablasts, NKG2A+ cells, and monocytes elicited by the ALVAC-based regimen correlated with decreased risk of virus acquisition.
Skeletal muscle thermogenesis induction by exposure to predator odor

ABSTRACT Non-shivering thermogenesis can promote negative energy balance and weight loss. In this study, we identified a contextual stimulus that induces rapid and robust thermogenesis in skeletal muscle. Rats exposed to the odor of a natural predator (ferret) showed elevated skeletal muscle temperatures detectable as quickly as 2 min after exposure, reaching maximum thermogenesis of >1.5°C at 10–15 min. Mice exhibited a similar thermogenic response to the same odor. Ferret odor induced a significantly larger and qualitatively different response from that of novel or aversive odors, fox odor or moderate restraint stress. Exposure to predator odor increased energy expenditure, and both the thermogenic and energetic effects persisted when physical activity levels were controlled. Predator odor-induced muscle thermogenesis is subject to associative learning as exposure to a conditioned stimulus provoked a rise in muscle temperature in the absence of the odor. The ability of predator odor to induce thermogenesis is predominantly controlled by sympathetic nervous system activation of β-adrenergic receptors, as unilateral sympathetic lumbar denervation and a peripherally acting β-adrenergic antagonist significantly inhibited predator odor-induced muscle thermogenesis. The potential survival value of predator odor-induced changes in muscle physiology is reflected in an enhanced resistance to running fatigue. Lastly, predator odor-induced muscle thermogenesis imparts a meaningful impact on energy expenditure as daily predator odor exposure significantly enhanced weight loss with mild calorie restriction. This evidence signifies contextually provoked, centrally mediated muscle thermogenesis that meaningfully impacts energy balance. Summary: Exposure to the odor of a predator (ferret) markedly increases rat skeletal muscle temperature; this persists when physical activity is controlled. This is primarily modulated by sympathetic neural connections.
Therapeutic and Prophylactic Antitumor Activity of an Oral Inhibitor of Fucosylation in Spontaneous Mammary Cancers

2-fluorofucose (2FF) inhibits protein and cellular fucosylation. Afucosylation of IgG antibodies enhances antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity by modulating antibody affinity for FcγRIIIa, which can impact secondary T-cell activation. Immune responses toward most common solid tumors are dominated by a humoral immune response rather than the presence of tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic T cells. IgG antibodies directed against numerous tumor-associated proteins are found in the sera of both patients with breast cancer and transgenic mice bearing mammary cancer. We questioned whether 2FF would have antitumor activity in two genetically distinct transgenic models; TgMMTV-neu (luminal B) and C3(1)-Tag (basal) mammary cancer. 2FF treatment significantly improved overall survival. The TgMMTV-neu doubled survival time compared with controls [P < 0.0001; HR, 7.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.31–15.0], and survival was significantly improved in C3(1)-Tag (P = 0.0013; HR, 3.36; 95% CI, 1.58–7.14). 2FF treated mice, not controls, developed delayed-type hypersensitivity and T-cell responses specific for syngeneic tumor lysates (P < 0.0001). Serum IgG from 2FF-treated mice enhanced tumor lysis more efficiently than control sera (P = 0.004). Administration of 2FF for prophylaxis, at two different doses, significantly delayed tumor onset in both TgMMTV-neu; 20 mmol/L (P = 0.0004; HR, 3.55; 95% CI, 1.60–7.88) and 50 mmol/L (P = 0.0002; HR: 3.89; 95% CI, 1.71–8.86) and C3(1)-Tag; 20 mmol/L (P = 0.0020; HR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.22–5.18), and 50 mmol/L (P = 0.0012; HR, 3.36; 95% CI, 1.57–7.18). Mammary cancer was prevented in 33% of TgMMTV-neu and 26% of C3(1)-Tag. 2FF has potent antitumor effects in mammary cancer models. The agent shows preclinical efficacy for both cancer treatment and prevention.
Dystocia Due to Conjoined Twin Fetal Monster in a Murrah Buffalo: A Case Report

A malformation in the fetus may result into monstrosity which can result in difficult parturition. Fetal anomalies and monstrosities are common causes of dystocia in bovine (Shukla et al., 2007) with the incidence of 7.9 % in river buffaloes (Phogat et al., 1992). Dicephalus monsters have been reported in buffaloes (Srivastava et al., 2008) and cows (Chandrahasan et al., 2003). The present case report describes a rare condition of conjoined twins (dicephalus dipus dibrachius dicaudatus monster) causing dystocia and its successful obstetrical management in a Murrah buffalo.
Diagnostic Value of Transrectal Shear Wave Elastography for Prostate Cancer Detection in Peripheral Zone: Comparison with MRI.

OBJECTIVE To assess the diagnostic value of transrectal shear wave elastography (SWE) for detecting prostate cancer (PCa) in peripheral zone and compare it with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIAL AND METHODS 221 patients suspected of PCa were enrolled, in which 172 patients of them underwent both SWE and MRI. Elastic value was measured in the area prepared for systematic biopsy and suspicious lesion detected on B-mode or SWE, histopathologic result was compared for each biopsy. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy were derived by obtaining optimal threshold from Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The correlation between the stiffness of PCa and Gleason scores, Prognostic grades, Percentage of cancer in biopsy were evaluated by Spearman rank correlation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine predictors for diagnosing PCa. The diagnostic capacity of MRI and SWE for detecting PCa and clinically significant PCa in peripheral zone were assessed by comparing area under curve (AUC) of ROC curve. RESULTS A value of 42kPa was used as the cutoff for differentiating benign from malignant prostatic tissue, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy was 78.97%, 90.67%, 71.30%, 93.66% and 88.03%, respectively. Rank correlation analysis revealed that the stiffness of PCa had a correlation with Gleason score, Prognostic grade and Percentage of cancer in biopsy. On multivariate analysis, the age, free PSA, PSA density, SWE and MRI were independent predictors for diagnosing PCa. There was no statistical difference for diagnosing PCa between SWE and MRI (P=0.259). However, for clinically significant PCa, the diagnostic capacity of SWE were a little higher than MRI(P=0.013). CONCLUSIONS SWE may provide additional information for PCa detetion, which could increase the positive rate of PCa in targeted biopsy and reduce unnecessary biopsy. SWE is compatible with MRI for detecting PCa in peripheral zone.
Understanding barriers and facilitators to participation in colorectal cancer screening: A French qualitative study

Based on the theory of social representations, this study aims to identify the main determinants to participation in colorectal cancer screening. Six focus groups (N = 29 participants belonging to the general population) were conducted, followed by a theoretical thematic analysis. Screening obstacles are a lack of test’s accessibility, a low preoccupation for prevention and the negative image of colorectal cancer. Conversely, screening facilitators are the ease of the new test, being encouraged to get screened and appointment reminder. This study advances understanding of adherence to screening by addressing the beliefs and knowledge surrounding it.
The Supine Position Improves but does not Normalize the Blunted Pulmonary Capillary Blood Volume Response to Exercise in Mild COPD.

Patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) demonstrate resting pulmonary vascular dysfunction as well as a blunted pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLCO) and pulmonary capillary blood volume (VC) response to exercise. The transition from the upright to supine position increases central blood volume and perfusion pressure, which may overcome microvascular dysfunction in an otherwise intact alveolar-capillary interface. The present study examined whether the supine position normalized DLCO and VC responses to exercise in mild COPD. Sixteen mild COPD participants and thirteen age-, gender- and height-matched controls completed DLCO maneuvers at rest and during exercise in the upright and supine position. The multiple FIO2-DLCO method was used to determine DLCO, VC, and membrane diffusion capacity (DM). All three variables were adjusted for alveolar volume (DLCOAdj, VCAdj, and DMAdj). The supine position reduced alveolar volume similarly in both groups, but oxygen consumption and cardiac output were unaffected. DLCOAdj, DMAdj, and VCAdj were all lower in COPD. These same variables all increased with upright and supine exercise in both groups. DLCOAdj was unaffected by the supine position. VCAdj increased in the supine position similarly in both groups. DMAdj was reduced in the supine position in both groups. While the supine position increased exercise VCAdj in COPD, the increase was of similar magnitude to healthy controls; therefore, exercise VC remained blunted in COPD. The persistent reduction in exercise DLCO and VC when supine suggests that pulmonary vascular destruction is a contributing factor to the blunted DLCO and VC response to exercise in mild COPD.
Targeted Exome Sequencing Provided Comprehensive Genetic Diagnosis of Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract

Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are the most common cause of chronic kidney disease in children. The search for genetic causes of CAKUT has led to genetic diagnosis in approximately 5–20 % of CAKUT patients from Western countries. In this study, genetic causes of CAKUT in Korean children were sought using targeted exome sequencing (TES) of 60 genes reported to cause CAKUT in human or murine models. We identified genetic causes in 13.8% of the 94 recruited patients. Pathogenic single nucleotide variants of five known disease-causing genes, HNF1B, PAX2, EYA1, UPK3A, and FRAS1 were found in 7 cases. Pathogenic copy number variations of 6 patients were found in HNF1B, EYA1, and CHD1L. Genetic abnormality types did not significantly differ according to CAKUT phenotypes. Patients with pathogenic variants of targeted genes had syndromic features more frequently than those without (p < 0.001). This is the first genetic analysis study of Korean patients with CAKUT. Only one-seventh of patients were found to have pathogenic mutations in known CAKUT-related genes, indicating that there are more CAKUT-causing genes or environmental factors to discover.
Efficacy of Divinylbenzenic Resin in Removing Indoxyl Sulfate and P-cresol Sulfate in Hemodialysis Patients: Results from an In Vitro Study and an In Vivo Pilot Trial (xuanro4-Nature 3.2)

High serum levels of microbiota-derived uremic toxins, indoxyl sulfate (IS) and p-cresyl sulfate (PCS), are associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression and cardiovascular complications. IS and PCS cannot be efficiently removed by conventional hemodialysis (HD), due to their high binding affinity for albumin. This study evaluates the efficacy of a divinylbenzene-polyvinylpyrrolidone (DVB-PVP) cartridge and a synbiotic to reduce uremic toxins in HD patients. First, the in vitro efficacy of DVB-PVP in adsorbing IS and PCS was evaluated. Second, a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study in HD patients was carried out to establish whether the administration of a synbiotic, either individually and in association with DVB-PVP-HD, could reduce the production of uremic toxins. In vitro data showed that DVB-PVP resin removed a mean of 56% PCS and around 54% IS, after 6 h of perfusion. While, in the in vivo study, the DVB-PVP cartridge showed its adsorbing efficacy only for IS plasma levels. The combination of synbiotic treatment with DVB-PVP HD decreased IS and PCS both at pre- and post-dialysis levels. In conclusion, this study provides the first line of evidence on the synergistic action of gut microbiota modulation and an innovative absorption-based approach in HD patients, aimed at reducing plasma levels of IS and PCS.
Prediction of late recurrence and distant metastasis in early-stage breast cancer: Overview of Current and Emerging Biomarkers.

Due to increased screening, the majority of patients are diagnosed at early-stage breast cancer. It is essential therefore to be able to more accurately predict the risk of recurrence and distant metastasis for the management and prediction of breast cancer progression. Clinicopathological parameters, specifically nodal status, tumor size and hormonal receptor status are routinely used for the identification of women at high risk of recurrence. However, these parameters alone and prognostic scores based on clinical variables have limited predictive value for late metastasis risk in patients with early breast cancer. Emerging techniques using gene expression-based approaches show great promise in improving prognostic and predictive accuracy. Nevertheless, these multi-gene/molecular scores present discordant results when used for risk assessment. Therefore, there is an urgent clinical need to identify novel predictive and prognostic biomarkers for discriminating high- and low-risk patients. In this review we focus on recent data implicating the use of clinicopathological parameters, serum biomarkers, and multi-gene profiling scores for the prediction of late recurrence and distant metastasis in early-stage breast cancer.