Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peer Support as an Ideal Solution for Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Screening: Evidence from a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. BACKGROUND: Low implementation of colorectal cancer screening in ethnic minorities is the main reason for racial and ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer morbidity and mortality. Peer support is widely used for promoting health care in ethnic minorities. However, whether it improves their acceptance to undergo the screening remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: We performed a meta-analysis of the currently available studies to further explore its effectiveness. DATA SOURCES: This meta-analysis was undertaken using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PsycINFO for randomized controlled trials. STUDY SELECTION: We included studies that compared peer support interventions among ethnic minorities versus other interventions to promote uptake of colorectal cancer screening. RESULTS: Thirteen studies comprising 8090 participants met the eligibility criteria. Peer support intervention can increase colorectal cancer screening implementation and raise awareness and intention to undergo the screening in ethnic minorities more significantly than fecal occult blood test outreach, print, and usual care. Subgroup analysis showed that peer support intervention achieved great results in Asian Americans and intervention of peer counseling. LIMITATIONS: The results of subgroup analysis had substantial heterogeneity, which may decrease the precision of our estimates. CONCLUSIONS: Peer support can significantly improve the awareness about and the intention for receiving colorectal cancer screening in ethnic minorities and is an ideal choice for promoting the screening among ethnic minorities, particularly in a diverse community. Peer support intervention is recommended to promote the implementation of screening in Asian Americans. Peer counseling is worth promoting; however, church-based peer counseling programs require enhanced management to maintain their fidelity.
New Arylethanolimidazole Derivatives as HO-1 Inhibitors with Cytotoxicity against MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

In this paper, a novel series of imidazole-based heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) inhibitors is reported. These compounds were obtained by modifications of previously described high potent and selective arylethanolimidazoles. In particular, simplification of the central linker and repositioning of the hydrophobic portion were carried out. Results indicate that a hydroxyl group in the central region is crucial for the potency as well as the spatial distribution of the hydrophobic portion. Docking studies revealed a similar interaction of the classical HO-1 inhibitors with the active site of the protein. The most potent and selective compound (5a) was tested for its potential cytotoxic activity against hormone-sensitive and hormone-resistant breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231).
Mechanisms of action of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa type III secreted toxins

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium found ubiquitously in soil and water. It is an opportunistic pathogen that is capable of causing disease in susceptible humans, for example patients suffering from cystic fibrosis, burns or the immunocompromised. P. aeruginosa produces a large number of virulence factors that enable it to colonise and infect a wide range of tissue types. Among these virulence factors are the toxins secreted by the type III secretion (TTS) system. TTS systems are found exclusively in Gram-negative bacteria and they consist of a needle like structure that injects toxins from the bacteria directly into the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic target cell. P. aeruginosa encodes a TTS system that translocates four known toxins into eukaryotic cells; Exoenzyme (Exo) S, ExoT, ExoU and ExoY. ExoS and ExoT contain two catalytic domains, an N-terminal GTPase activating protein (GAP) domain and a C-terminal ADP-ribosyltransferase (ADPRT) domain. ExoU exhibits phospholipase activity and ExoY is an adenylate cyclase. All the TTS toxins from P. aeruginosa require a eukaryotic cofactor for activation. The ADPRT domains of ExoS and ExoT require a member of the 14-3-3 protein family, while the eukaryotic cofactors for ExoU and ExoY remain unknown. In this study we sought to further elucidate the mechanisms of action of the pseudomonal TTS toxins ExoS, ExoU and ExoY. Initially we used Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model in which to study ExoS. We demonstrated that ExoS is so toxic to cerevisiae that the galactose-inducible GALl promoter system produced enough ExoS under glucose-repressing conditions to prevent transformation of an ExoS expressing construct. We therefore utilised a tetracycline-regulated activator-repressor dual system to provide tight control of ExoS expression and demonstrated that ExoS was indeed highly toxic to yeast. Both the GAP and ADPRT domains of ExoS were cytotoxic to S. cerevisiae but the ADPRT domain was responsible for the extreme potency of this toxin. We demonstrated that the ADPRT domain of ExoS disrupted the actin cytoskeleton by causing large aggregates of densely stained cortical actin patches, thick disorganised actin cables and a general loss in actin polarity. The actin disruption phenotype was similar to that of a yeast mutant that expresses mutant actin that is unable to disassociate and therefore forms very stable actin fibres. Thus, the ADPRT domain of ExoS may act by stabilising filamentous actin in S. cerevisiae. ExoS also caused an increase in the number of mating projections formed after treatment with the a-factor mating pheromone and inhibited normal bud formation after release from a- factor induced cell cycle arrest. Finally, using the S. cerevisiae system we showed that the ExoS ADPRT domain inhibits DNA synthesis following release from pheremone- induced growth arrest. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).
Drug use and torsades de pointes cardiac arrhythmias in Sweden: a nationwide register-based cohort study

Objective To study the occurrence of torsades de pointes (TdP) ventricular tachycardia in relation to use of drugs labelled with TdP risk, using two nationwide Swedish registers. Design Prospective register-based cohort study. Setting Entire Sweden. Participants Persons aged ≥18 years prescribed and dispensed any drug classified with TdP risk during 2006–2017, according to CredibleMeds. Persons with a registered TdP diagnosis during the study period, using drugs labelled with known (TdP 1), possible (TdP 2) or conditional (TdP 3) risk at the incident of TdP were examined. Primary outcome measures Occurrence of TdP in relation to exposure rates for individual drugs with TdP risk. Secondary outcome measures Concurrent use of more than one TdP-labelled drug in a person with a TdP diagnosis. Results During the study period, 410 TdP cases using drugs with TdP risk labels at the incident were registered; 205 women and 205 men, mean age 74.0 and 71.5 years, respectively. Antidepressants dominated (129/410, 30%), followed by antiarrhythmics (17%). Diuretics and gastric acid-secretion inhibitors, with TdP risk related to induction of hypokalaemia or hypomagnesaemia, were used in 56% and 32% of the 410 TdP cases, respectively. Among the most used antidepressants, citalopram with known TdP 1 risk was associated with both a higher absolute number and incidence of TdP per 100 000 users (two to four times), compared with mirtazapine with possible (TdP 2), and sertraline with conditional (TdP 3) risk. Multiple risk factors, including advanced age, cardiovascular disease and treatment with more than one TdP-classified drug, were frequently observed. Conclusions Antidepressants followed by antiarrhythmics dominated among TdP risk drugs used by adults with TdP diagnosis, the majority being ≥65 years. TdP risk class and concomitant medication should be considered when prescribing antidepressants to older patients.
Factors associated with psoriasis in a French Nationwide HIV cohort: the independent role of HLA-B*57: 01.

OBJECTIVE Psoriasis is a T-cell-mediated inflammatory disease with genetic factors involved in its etiopathogenesis. In non-HIV populations, HLA-B*57:01 has been associated with a higher risk of psoriasis. The aim of this study was to investigate demographic and immunovirological characteristics associated with psoriasis, and to assess whether HLA-B*57:01 is associated with psoriasis among people living with HIV (PLHIV) followed in a large French multicenter Dat'AIDS cohort. METHODS All PLHIV followed up from January 2000 to December 2018 with an available result for HLA-B*57:01 were included. Logistic regression models were used to identify associations between psoriasis (outcome variable) and explanatory variables. RESULTS Among 31,076 PLHIV, the overall prevalence of psoriasis and HLA-B*57:01 were 2.25% and 4.73%, respectively and varied according to ethnicity. By multivariate analysis, male gender (OR 1.81 [95% CI, 1.46 - 2.24], p < 10), positive HLA-B*57:01 (OR 2.66 [95% CI, 2.12 - 3.33], p < 10), nadir CD4 cell count <200/mm (OR 1.41 [95% CI, 1.19 - 1.67], p < 10) and positive HCV serology (OR 1.45 [95% CI, 1.20 - 1.76], p < 10) were significantly associated with a higher risk of psoriasis. Being born in West and Central Africa (OR 0.15 [95% CI, 0.10 - 0.25], p < 10), the Caribbean islands (OR 0.14 [95% CI, 0.05 - 0.45], p = 0.0008) or Latin America (OR 0.31 [95% CI, 0.14 - 0.69], p = 0.004) was associated with a lower risk of psoriasis compared to patients born in mainland France. CONCLUSION PLHIV carrying HLA-B*57:01 have around a 3-fold increased risk of psoriasis. This association might provide a possible explanation for the observed differences in psoriasis prevalence between ethnic groups.
Gut dysbiosis and heart failure: navigating the universe within

Alternations in gut microbial composition (i.e. loss of microbial diversity or ‘gut dysbiosis’) have been associated with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). It has also been suggested that increased chronic low‐level inflammation and immune system dysregulation seen in patients with HFrEF could be related to gut dysbiosis and increased intestinal permeability. Hence, the concept of modulating gut microbial composition with the goal of reducing systemic inflammation and controlling HFrEF progression has generated a substantial interest in the scientific community. However, several challenges to the gut dysbiosis theory remain as the exact gut microbial composition in HFrEF patients in these studies is not the same and a common microbiome linked to HFrEF is not yet established. With the advances in culture independent sequencing techniques it has also become evident that the gut microbiome may be much more diverse than previously believed. Further, various ‘omic’ technologies have enabled us to appreciate the potential role of gut microbial metabolites in various physiological processes in the host. Hence, identification of specific gut microbial metabolites may offer an alternative approach at solving this gut microbiome‐HFrEF puzzle. In the current review, we evaluate the concept of gut symbiosis, the potential role of gut dysbiosis in systemic inflammation and HFrEF, and finally highlight the challenges faced by the gut dysbiosis theory in HFrEF and provide a framework for the possible solutions.
Verbing nouns and nouning verbs: Using a balanced design provides ERP evidence against “syntax-first” approaches to sentence processing

In this event-related potential (ERP) study we reevaluate syntax-first approaches to sentence processing by implementing a novel paradigm in French that includes correct sentences, pure syntactic category violations, lexical-semantic anomalies, and combined anomalies. Our balanced design systematically controlled for target word (noun vs. verb) and the context immediately preceding it. Group results from 36 native speakers of Quebec French revealed that, up to 300 ms, ERPs elicited by syntactic category violations were comparable with ERP responses to correct sentences, showing that there is no early activation reflecting syntactic category identification. Instead, in response to all anomalous conditions, we observed an N400 followed by a P600. Combined anomalies yielded additive effects of syntactic category and lexical-semantic anomalies on the N400, and a large P600 effect similar to the one observed in the pure syntactic condition. These results provide strong evidence against the hypothesis that (i) syntactic categories are processed first, and (ii) that syntactic category errors “block” lexical-semantic processing. Further, the N400 effect in response to pure syntactic category violations reflects a mismatch detection between a predicted word-stem and the actual target. This mechanism takes place simultaneously (and potentially in parallel) with lexical-semantic processing. In contrast, an interaction of syntax and semantics for the P600 reveals that the same neurocognitive resources are recruited for syntactic and semantic integration, both promoted by the implementation of an acceptability judgement task in our design. Additional analyses of individual data complemented these observations: during sentence processing, participants did not rely on one single cognitive mechanism reflected by either the N400 or the P600 effect but on both, suggesting that the biphasic N400-P600 ERP wave can indeed be considered to be an index of phrase-structure violations in most individuals, at least if they are realized on content words.
Attention to breath sensations does not engage endogenous opioids to reduce pain.

The endogenous opioidergic system is critically involved in the cognitive modulation of pain. Slow-breathing based techniques are widely utilized non-pharmacological approaches to reduce pain, although the active mechanisms of actions supporting these practices are poorly characterized. Growing evidence suggest that mindfulness-meditation, a slow-breathing technique practiced by non-reactively attending to breathing sensations, engages multiple unique neural mechanisms that bypass opioidergically mediated descending pathways to reduce pain. Yet, it is unknown if endogenous opioids contribute to pain-reductions produced by slow-breathing. The present double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study examined behavioral pain responses during mindfulness-meditation (n=19), sham-mindfulness meditation (n=20), and slow-paced breathing (n=20) in response to noxious heat (49°C) and intravenous administration (0.15 mg/kg bolus + 0.1 mg/kg/h maintenance infusion) of the opioid antagonist, naloxone and placebo-saline. Mindfulness significantly reduced pain unpleasantness ratings across both infusion sessions when compared to rest, but not pain intensity. Slow-paced breathing significantly lower pain intensity and unpleasantness ratings during naloxone but not saline. Pain reductions produced by mindfulness-meditation and slow-paced breathing were insensitive to naloxone when compared to saline infusion. In contrast, sham-mindfulness meditation produced pain unpleasantness reductions during saline infusion but this effect was reversed by opioidergic antagonism. Sham-mindfulness did not lower pain intensity ratings. Self-reported "focusing on the breath" was identified as the operational feature particularly unique to the mindfulness-meditation and slow paced-breathing, but not sham-mindfulness meditation. Across all individuals, attending to the breath was associated with naloxone insensitive pain-relief. These findings provide evidence that slow-breathing combined with attention to breath reduces pain independent of endogenous opioids.
Galleria mellonella for the Evaluation of Antifungal Efficacy against Medically Important Fungi, a Narrative Review

The treatment of invasive fungal infections remains challenging and the emergence of new fungal pathogens as well as the development of resistance to the main antifungal drugs highlight the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Although in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing has come of age, the proper evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of current or new antifungals is dependent on the use of animal models. Mammalian models, particularly using rodents, are the cornerstone for evaluation of antifungal efficacy, but are limited by increased costs and ethical considerations. To circumvent these limitations, alternative invertebrate models, such as Galleria mellonella, have been developed. Larvae of G. mellonella have been widely used for testing virulence of fungi and more recently have proven useful for evaluation of antifungal efficacy. This model is suitable for infection by different fungal pathogens including yeasts (Candida, Cryptococcus, Trichosporon) and filamentous fungi (Aspergillus, Mucorales). Antifungal efficacy may be easily estimated by fungal burden or mortality rate in infected and treated larvae. The aim of the present review is to summarize the actual data about the use of G. mellonella for testing the in vivo efficacy of licensed antifungal drugs, new drugs, and combination therapies.
Assessment of Hepatoprotective Effect of Chokeberry Juice in Rats Treated Chronically with Carbon Tetrachloride

The aim of this study was to compare the protective effects of chokeberry juice and silymarin against chemical-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Liver fibrosis was induced by CCl4 administered two days a week for six weeks. Two groups of rats were co-treated with chokeberry juice, 10 mL/kg/day. or silymarin as a positive control, 100 mg/kg/day for six weeks. Hepatic lipid peroxidation was suppressed by 50% and the activity of hepatic antioxidant enzymes was increased by 19%–173% in rats co-treated with CCl4 and substances tested as compared to rats administered CCl4 alone. Hepatic hydroxyproline was decreased by 24% only in rats treated with silymarin. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of fibrosis-related molecules, procollagen I, α-SMA, TIMP-1, TGFβ, and TNFα, which were significantly increased in the liver of CCl4-treated rats, were not modulated by substances tested. Histological evaluation revealed a slight protective effect of silymarin against fibrosis. However, in CCl4 + chokeberry-treated rats, the density of vacuolated hepatocytes was significantly lower than that in silymarin administered animals. Chokeberry juice did not demonstrate an antifibrotic effect in the applied experimental model of fibrosis, and the effect of the known antifibrotic agent, silymarin, was very limited.
Innovations in Quality Improvement in Long-Term Care Transitions of Care Perspectives of Patients Living in Long-Term Care

Across studies, the risk of hospital transfer for nursing home residents is highest for people without documented advance directives and for people with chronic health conditions (eg, diabetes and congestive heart failure), mental health conditions (eg, depression), and limited functional abilities. Care transitions can be disruptive, distressing, and potentially harmful for residents particularly when continuity of care is impacted by ineffective communication, medication errors, and lack of awareness of advance directives. Although family engagement in care transitions is important, nursing home staff report feeling pressured by family members to transfer their resident to the hospital, which can result in unnecessary hospital transfers. Similarly, although having a written advance directive is associated with fewer hospital transfers and subsequent admissions, this
An Untargeted Metabolomics Approach to Investigate the Metabolic Effect of Beetroot Juice Supplementation in Fencers—A Preliminary Study

This study aimed at assessment of the long-term (4 weeks) metabolic effect of a diet with and without beetroot juice supplementation in fencers using the untargeted metabolomics method with the UPLC Q-TOF/MS system to carry out an analysis of urine samples. Ten women and 10 men underwent the cardiovascular fitness VO2max test at baseline—(B) and after two stages of implementation of the dietary recommendations—the first 4 weeks without beetroot juice (D) and the second with 26 g/d of freeze-dried beetroot juice supplementation (D&J). The urine samples were collected one hour after the VO2max test at B and after D and D&J. The meal before the VO2max test after D&J contained beetroot juice, whereas to the meal at B and after D maltodextrin was added. Changes in metabolites and VO2max were significant only for comparison of D versus D&J. During D and D&J, there were no significant changes in the physical activity level, body mass, and body composition. We observed significant changes in tyrosine and tryptophan metabolism, mainly associated with such neurotransmitter’s metabolism as: Serotonin, noradrenaline, and adrenaline. Changes in signal intensity of bile acid, AICAR, and 4-Hydroxynonenal (peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids product) were also observed. The obtained results indicate that long-term beetroot juice supplementation induces considerable changes in metabolism.
A Systematic Review of Methods for Medical Record Analysis to Detect Adverse Events in Hospitalized Patients

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Objective In this systematic review, we evaluate 2 of the most used trigger tools according to the criteria of the World Health Organization for evaluating methods. Methods We searched Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane databases for studies (2000–2017). Studies were included if medical record review (MRR) was performed with either the Global Trigger Tool or the Harvard Medical Practice Study in a hospital population. Quality assessment was performed in duplicate. Fifty studies were included, and results were reported for every criterion separately. Results Medical record review reveals more adverse events (AEs) than any other method. However, at the same time, it detects different AEs. The costs of an AE were on average €4296. Considerable efforts have been made worldwide in health care to improve safety and to reduce errors. These have resulted in some positive effects. The literature showed that MRR is focused on several domains of quality of care and seems suitable for both small and large cohorts. Furthermore, we found a moderate to substantial agreement for the presence of a trigger and a moderate to good agreement for the presence of an AE. Conclusions Medical record review with a trigger tool is a reasonably well-researched method for the evaluation of the medical records for AEs. However, looking at the World Health Organization criteria, much research is still lacking or of moderate quality. Especially for the cost of detecting AEs, valuable information is missing. Moreover, knowledge of how MRR changes quality and safety of care should be evaluated.