Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An analysis of caregiver profile and its impact on employment situation: primary caregivers of patients of Alzheimer´s and other dementias in the South Western of Spain

The aim of this paper is to analyse the main demographic and socio-economic conditions of the primary caregivers of Alzheimer's and dementia sufferers, and their relationship to the employment situation of the caregiver. Material and Methods: Empirical analysis of the data obtained from surveys of 694 primary caregivers of Alzheimer's and dementia sufferers through the Andalusian Associations of Relatives of Alzheimer’s Patients. The sampling procedure was selective non-probabilistic sampling. The SPSS 19 statistical software package was used to process the data. The verification of the hypothesis of independence of variables was performed using the chi square test under the usual parameters. Results: The employment rate of working-age caregivers is much lower than that of the general population, especially in older women with low levels of education who live with the patient. The data revealed that caregiving which takes place in the home represents the main restriction preventing access to the labour market, i.e. living with the patient is an additional handicap, and an even greater one for women. Conclusions: Those who care for dementia patients have greater limitations in accessing the labour market than the rest of the population, and this limitation is significantly greater when care is provided in the home. As such, health and social policy, with a view towards encouraging employment, needs to take into account the option of boosting available resources outside of family care.
Kalman Filter for Tracking Robotic Arms Using low cost 3D Vision Systems

—This paper describes a platform which allows humans to interact with robotic arms using augmented reality. Low cost “kinect” cameras (Xbox 360) are used for tracking human skeletons and locations of robot’s end effectors. The main goal of this paper is to develop robust trackers on this platform. Concretely, a Kalman filter is used for tracking robotic arms using data received from these sensors. It comes to finding a low cost platform for human-robot interactions.
Central Auditory Processing Disorder: Diagnosis and Management in a Young Child

Reprint requests:Dr. Stach, Division of Audiology & Hearing Research, Georgetown University Medical Center, 3800 Reservoir Road, NW, Washington, DC 20007. Our understanding of the nature of central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) has been fettered by the lack of a cogent approach to its definition, diagnosis, and management. The concept itself emerged from several different perspectives, including those of the audiologist, speech pathologist, educational diagnostician, and neuropsychologist, which naturally led to diverse developments in assessment tools and rehabilitative strategies. Emerging from the audiological perspective is an approach to the diagnosis and management of CAPD based on a theoretical framework that has four major premises. The first premise is that CAPD is a perceptual rather than a linguistic problem (Jerger et al., 1987), that is, the primary deficit is in behaviors that are precursory to language. Linguistic/cognitive factors are thought to be involved only secondarily. The second premise is that CAPD can be operationally defined on the basis of speech audiometric and electrophysiologic measures (Stach, 1992). Since the most important consequence of CAPD is difficulty hearing in background noise, speech audiometric measures are aimed at assessing the ability to identify targets of varying complexity in varying degrees of competition. Auditory evoked potentials are used as an independent, electrophysiologic cross-check of the auditory nervous system function. The third premise is that audiologic tests can be administered in a manner that limits the influences of attention, language, and cognition to interpretation of results, that is, auditory disorder can be isolated from the effects of nonauditory influences on test interpretation. The final premise is that, if CAPD is thought of as an auditory disorder that has as its most important manifestation a difficulty understanding speech in background noise, then treatment should be focused on this manifestation. Thus, intervention strategies directed toward enhancement of signalto-noise ratio (S/N) are proving to be effective in the treatment of children with CAPD (Stach, 1990; Chermak & Musiek, 1992). This article provides an illustrative example of this audiologic approach to the diagnosis and management of central auditory
Le rôle des bêta-sécrétases dans la formation de fibres amyloïdes au cours de la mélanogenèse

Dans l’epiderme, les melanocytes participent a la protection de la peau contre les rayons ionisants du soleil en synthetisant un pigment, la melanine, dans des compartiments apparentes aux lysosomes appeles melanosomes. La melanogenese est un processus sequentiel initie par la production de fibres amyloides dont la composante principale est la proteine PMEL. Ces fibres sequestrent la melanine et permettent l’elimination d’intermediaires toxiques produits lors de sa synthese. La melanogenese et le phenotype pigmente sont affectes lorsque le processus de formation des fibres est altere. Les fibres resultent du clivage de PMEL dans les endosomes precurseurs des melanosomes mais les proteases impliquees dans ce processus restent peu ou pas caracterisees. Afin de mieux comprendre les mecanismes de formation des fibres amyloides derivees de PMEL, j’ai etudie le role de deux proteases : les Beta-secretases BACE1 et BACE2. En combinant des techniques de biochimie, d’immunocytochimie et d’imagerie photonique et electronique, j’ai montre que la perte de l’expression de Bace2 in vivo (souris KO BACE2) ou sa depletion (siRNA) dans une lignee de melanocytes inhibent le clivage amyloidogenique de PMEL et affectent a la fois la formation de fibres de PMEL dans les melanosomes et la pigmentation. J’ai pu notamment reproduire in vitro le clivage specifique de PMEL en utilisant une forme recombinante de BACE2. En parallele, j’ai egalement etudie le role de BACE1 dans la melanogenese. Mes resultats indiquent que BACE1, bien que n’etant pas impliquee dans le clivage de PMEL, regulerait la maturation des melanosomes precoces in vivo et in cellulo, en modulant les contacts entre melanosomes et reticulum endoplasmique (RE). Dans les melanocytes, BACE1 est presente dans le RE et interagit avec des proteines impliquees dans les contacts RE-endosomes. Ces contacts seraient cruciaux pour le transfert de molecules necessaires a la maturation des melanosomes. L’ensemble de ces resultats demontre un role pour chacune des Beta-secretases dans le processus de melanogenese, levant le voile sur des processus cles lies a la biogenese des melanosomes. Par ailleurs, les fibres de PMEL constituant le modele le plus abouti de l’amyloidogenese physiologique chez les mammiferes, ces etudes pourraient a plus long terme aider a la comprehension de la formation des fibres amyloides pathologiques ; notamment dans la maladie d’Alzheimer ou l’amyloidogenese d’APP est tres similaire a celle de PMEL.
Interleukin-4 Boosts Insulin-Induced Energy Deposits by Enhancing Glucose Uptake and Lipogenesis in Hepatocytes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with dysregulated hepatic gluconeogenesis as the major cause of fasting hyperglycemia, is closely associated with chronic inflammation. We previously demonstrated interleukin-4 (IL-4) improves insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance while reducing lipid deposits. The present study examined the in vitro effects of IL-4 on insulin signaling molecules, glucose uptake, and lipid metabolism in hepatocytes, as well as in vivo effects on hepatic adiposity, for elucidating the roles of IL-4 in hepatic energy metabolism. Potential interaction between IL-4 and insulin in regulating hepatic metabolism was also investigated. Our results showed that IL-4 enhanced Akt and GSK-3α/β phosphorylations, which in turn promoted glycogen synthesis. IL-4 not only potentiated basal glucose uptake by upregulating glucose transporter 2 expression but also promoted insulin-induced glucose uptake. Additionally, IL-4 increased triglyceride contents through facilitating free fatty acid uptake and expression/activity of lipogenic enzymes. The major effects of IL-4 on the liver were to promote energy storage by boosting insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and lipid synthesis. This study provides evidence to implicate the novel roles of IL-4 in mediating hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism, interactions between immune responses and metabolic homeostasis, and the involvement of IL-4 in metabolic abnormalities.
Prevalence of ectopic eruption of first permanent molars in a Turkish population

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of ectopically erupting first permanent molars (FPMs) in children attending the clinics of the Pediatric Dentistry Department at İstanbul University. Materials and methods This retrospective study was performed using panoramic radiographs of 7,649 patients (3,506 females and 4,143 males) aged from 5 to 11 years. The age and gender of the subjects, the number and location of the ectopic molars, bilateral versus unilateral occurrence, the degree of resorption of the roots of the primary molars, and other associated dental anomalies were assessed. Ectopic eruption was categorized according to a grading system based on the resorption rates of the primary molars. Results Of the 7,649 reviewed subjects, 203 (118 males and 85 females) were diagnosed with ectopic eruption of the FPMs, resulting in a frequency of 2.65%. The mean age of the subjects with ectopic FPMs was 6.82±1.25 (range: 5–11) years. Of the 273 ectopic FPMs, 157 (57.5%) were detected in the maxilla and 116 (42.5%) in the mandible. Severe and very severe degrees of ectopic eruption were found to be more common in the maxilla than in the mandible, whereas a moderate degree of ectopic eruption was more prevalent in the mandible (p=0.251). Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first study in a Turkish population reporting the prevalence of ectopic eruption of FPMs. Although the difference between the right and the left sides was not significant, the severity of ectopic eruption was different between the maxilla and the mandible.
Inhibition of XIAP increases carboplatin sensitivity in ovarian cancer

Purpose Carboplatin is a first-line treatment for ovarian cancer. However, most patients develop resistance and undergo disease recurrence. This study aims to explore the relationship between the expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) and carboplatin sensitivity in ovarian cancer. Patients and methods We examined the expression of XIAP in ovarian cancer by immuno-chemistry. Next, we investigated the role of XIAP in regulating carboplatin sensitivity in ovarian cancer ES2 and 3AO cells through Cell Counting Kit-8 cell viability assay and fluorescein isothiocyanate-Annexin V/propidium iodide apoptosis assay. Expression of apoptotic effectors was measured by Western blot. Results The immunochemistry results showed that high XIAP expression levels inversely correlated with carboplatin response (P=0.03) and progression-free survival (P=0.0068) in patients with ovarian cancer. Knockdown of XIAP repressed the cell viabilities in the carboplatin-treated cells and increased carboplatin-induced caspase activation. In summary, our data show that XIAP mediates carboplatin sensitivity of ovarian cancer. Conclusion In summary, our data show that XIAP mediates carboplatin sensitivity of ovarian cancer and XIAP may be a novel target for the treatment of carboplatin-resistant ovarian cancer.
Quercetin inhibits transforming growth factor β1-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition in human retinal pigment epithelial cells via the Smad pathway

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect and mechanism of quercetin on TGF-β1-induced retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix secretion. Materials and methods Cell counting kit-8, transwell, wound-healing assays, and ELISA were used to assess viability, migration, and collagen I secretion, respectively. Western blot analysis and qPCR were employed to detect mRNA and protein expression levels, respectively. Results Quercetin suppressed TGF-β1-induced cell proliferation, migration, and collagen I secretion. The results also showed that mRNA and protein expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers such as alpha-smooth muscle actin and N-cadherin was downregulated by quercetin in TGF-β1-treated RPE cells; conversely, quercetin upregulated the expression of E-cadherin and tight junction protein 1 (ZO-1). In addition, quercetin could inhibit mRNA and protein expression of matrix metalloproteinases. Quercetin may reverse the progression of EMT via the Smad2/3 pathway. Conclusion Our results demonstrate the protective effects of quercetin on RPE cell EMT, revealing a potential therapeutic agent for proliferative vitreoretinopathy treatment.
The indigenous vascular flora of the forest domain of Anela (Sardinia, Italy)

The importance of mountains for plant diversity and richness is underestimated, particularly when transition zones between different bioclimates are present along altitudinal gradients. Here we present the first floristic data for a mountain area in the island of Sardinia (Italy), which exhibits Mediterranean bioclimates at the bottom and temperate bioclimate at the top. We discovered a very high floristic richness, despite the fact that the number of endemic taxa is not high and the number of exclusive taxa is very low. Many of the detected taxa are at their range periphery and/or ecological margin. We conclude that climate transition zones in Mediterranean mountains and especially on islands are key areas regarding plant biodiversity and should be better investigated and protected.
Effects of Newly Developed Synbiotic and Commercial Probiotic Products on The Haematological Indices, Serum Cytokines, Acute Phase Proteins Concentration, and Serum Immunoglobulins Amount in Sows and Growing Pigs – A Pilot Study

Abstract Introduction The aim of the study was to determine the effects of supplementation of sows’ and growing pigs’ diets with three newly developed synbiotic and two extant commercial probiotic products on selected immune parameters under field conditions. Material and Methods The study was performed on 30 sows and 48 piglets of the Danbred breed. Immune parameters such as concentration and proportion of white blood cells and their subpopulations, immunoglobulins amount in serum, and serum concentration of cytokines and acute phase proteins were recorded with the use of a haematology analyser and ELISA kits. Results No significant differences between treatment groups and controls were found with regard to the immune parameters evaluated except for serum immunoglobulin concentration, which was significantly increased by synbiotic products B and C and probiotic product D. Conclusion The results of the study indicate that the synbiotic products B and C and probiotic product D are worthy of further investigation as promising candidates to improve the immune status of healthy sows and their offspring.
Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Due to Primary HHV-8 Infection in a Liver Transplant Recipient

Abstract Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) remains best known as an oncogenic virus, but nonneoplastic disease manifestations, such as bone marrow failure or hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) have gained greater recognition in recent years. In organ transplantation, HHV-8 infection commonly occurs with reactivation of latent virus among recipients from endemic regions of the world or due to transmission from the organ donor. We describe a case of HHV-8–associated HLH in a liver transplant recipient at increased risk for primary infection. Our case highlights the risk of non–donor-derived, posttransplant primary HHV-8 infection, and demonstrates that HLH can be a life-threatening complication of this infection.
MicroRNA 486-3p directly targets BIK and regulates apoptosis and invasion in colorectal cancer cells

Background MicroRNAs influence almost every genetic pathway and are involved in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the biological role of miR486-3p in CRC remains to be elucidated. Methods In this study, miR486-3p expression in CRC cell lines and normal colonic epithelial cells was determined. After miR486-3p mimic, inhibitor, and BIK siRNA transfection, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration were examined. Furthermore, the target of miR486-3p was identified by luciferase-reporter assay and underlying molecular mechanisms studied. Results The results revealed that miR486-3p was significantly upregulated in CRC compared with normal colonic epithelial cells, whereas BIK expression was remarkably downregulated in CRC cells. MTT assays demonstrated that suppression of miR486-3p expression reduced CRC cell proliferation, whereas elevated miR486-3p or BIK silencing induced cell proliferation. Wound-healing assays and transwell experiments revealed that both upregulation of miR486-3p and down-regulation of BIK increased CRC cell migration and invasion ability. Moreover, bioinformatic target prediction identified BIK as a putative target of miR486-3p. Knockdown of miR486-3p was shown to upregulate BIK expression, whereas overexpression of miR486-3p suppressed the expression of BIK. Luciferase reporter assay results further confirmed this deduction. Conclusion In conclusion, these findings suggest that miR486-3p is an oncogene in CRC. Gene therapy using miR486-3p inhibition may provide a new clue for CRC therapy.
Obesity, Hypertension, and Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus: The Interrelationships and the Determinants among Adults in Gaza City, Palestine

Objectives To describe the distribution of social factors, lifestyle habits and anthropometric measurements according to hypertension and Type-2 diabetes. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gaza City, Palestine that included 379 patients (20–60 years) who had hypertension and/or diabetes. Three groups of patients were involved; 106 hypertensive (HT), 109 diabetic (T2DM) and 164 hypertensive diabetics (HT + T2DM). Results The HT + T2DM group were older and had a higher body mass index compared to HT and T2DM groups. There were 62.3% patients who were female, 49.2% were highly educated HT patients, and 49.3% patients had a low level of education and were HT + T2DM. There were 55.8% patients who lived in large families. Patients who were passive smokers or never smoked before were mostly HT + T2DM, while active smokers and past smokers had T2DM. There were 48.2% patients who were highly physically active who had HT, 40.9% whom were moderately active had T2DM, and 53.8% of patients who had a low level of activity were HT + T2DM. Multivariate linear regression showed that having a diseased mother, living in a large family, being a past or passive smoker, or never having smoked, having a low or moderate level of activity, and having HT or HT + T2DM, were significantly associated with an increased body mass index. Conclusion Parental health/disease conditions and environmental factors (social network and lifestyle habits) played the greatest role in the development of obesity and disease.
Burn-induced Oxidative Stress and Serum Glutathione Depletion; a Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: Several studies have shown the role of oxidative stress in pathophysiology of burn injuries. This study aimed to evaluate the changes of oxidant-antioxidant levels during the week following burn injuries and its correlation with grade of burn. Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, changes of total glutathione, reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized GSH (GSSG), GSH/GSSG ratio, as well as Pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) were investigated on the 1st, 2nd and 7th days of admission in patients with > 15 % burns. Results: 40 patients with the mean age of 21.1 ± 14.5 were studied (47.5% male). More than 50% of patients were in the 18 – 55 years age range and over 70% had 20% – 60% grade of burn. Total serum glutathione level and GSH had significant decreasing trends (P < 0.001) and GSSG and GSH/GSSG ratio had increasing trends (p < 0.001). No significant correlation was observed between serum GSH level and the total body surface area (TBSA) of burn injury (r = 0.047; p = 0.779). The evaluation of PAB and its correlation with TBSA showed a significant and direct association between them on the 1st (coefficient = 0.516; p = 0.001), 2nd (coefficient = 0.62; p <0.001), and 3rd (coefficient = 0.471; p = 0.002) day of follow up. Conclusion: According to this study, the redox perturbation occurred in burn injury which was measured and proved by decreased GSH/GSSG ratio as well as the shift of PAB in favour of oxidants. Besides, since PAB positively correlated with the severity of dermal damage, it might suggest the application of antioxidants as a part of therapeutic protocol for which the dosage should be proportionate to the surface area of the damaged skin.
Glasgow Coma Scale and FOUR Score in Predicting the Mortality of Trauma Patients; a Diagnostic Accuracy Study

Introduction Many scoring models have been proposed for evaluating level of consciousness in trauma patients. The aim of this study is to compare Glasgow coma scale (GCS) and Full Outline of UnResponsiveness (FOUR) score in predicting the mortality of trauma patients. Methods In this diagnostic accuracy study trauma patients hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU) of 2 educational hospitals were evaluated. GCS and FOUR score of each patient were simultaneously calculated on admission as well as 6, 12 and 24 hours after that. The predictive values of the two scores and their area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve were compared. Results 90 patients were included in the present study (mean age 39.4±17.3; 74.4% male). Comparing the area under the ROC curve of GCS and FOUR score showed that these values were not different at any of the evaluated times: on admission (p=0.68), and 6 hours (p=0.13), 12 hours (p=0.18), and 24 hours (p=0.20) after that. Conclusion The results of our study showed that, GCS and FOUR score have the same value in predicting the mortality of trauma patients. Both tools had high predictive power in predicting the outcome at the time of discharge.
Massive Gluteal Muscle Necrosis after Iliac Arterial Embolization in Pelvic Trauma: A Literature Review and Illustrative Case Report

Introduction: Traumatic pelvic injuries causing retroperitoneal bleeding can be managed with angiographic embolization. This procedure carries a small but potentially devastating risk of gluteal muscle necrosis. Case Report: An 18-year-old trauma patient suffered from massive gluteal muscle necrosis following angiographic embolization for hemorrhage from pelvic fracture was reported. Conclusion: To limit morbidity and mortality, the orthopedic surgeon should have a high suspicion for gluteal muscle necrosis to allow for early diagnosis and then treatment with decompression and debridement.