Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of intestinal parasite infections and associated risk factors in indigenous Tsáchilas communities of Ecuador

Background/Aim: Tsáchilas are an indigenous group living in a rural tropical rain forest of Western Ecuador. Few studies have been conducted in Ecuador where intestinal parasite infections (IPIs) and associated risk factors have been examined. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of IPIs and identify the associated risk factors in Tsáchilas populations. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from August to October 2013 in seven Tsáchilas communities. The study consisted of 586 participants, and stool samples were examined microscopically using the formalin-ether concentration technique. Results: Protozoa infections were more common than helminth infections (54.9% vs. 34.1%), and 68.1% of samples were found to contain one or more parasites. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent (29.4%), with Giardia duodenalis, Blastocystis hominis, and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar showing a prevalence of 3.9%, 19.6%, and 12.5%, respectively. Ova of Amphimerus and Paragonimus, two unexpected liver and lung flukes, respectively, were also found. A logistic model with forward selection showed the following variables to predict parasite infection: age (6–10 years) (odds ratio [OR] = 2.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.5–5.1, P = 0.001), unclean water supply (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.14–2.4, P = 0.01), handwashing practice (OR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.27–4.97, P = 0.01), and not washing food before eating (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.09–2.21, P = 0.01). Conclusions: The study shows that IPIs are highly prevalent among the Tsáchilas, which might be attributed to their low socioeconomic standards and poor hygienic habits. Educating the communities on risk factors which pose the highest risk of infection, in combination with a mandatory treatment program, would significantly lower the parasitic burden. The following Graduate Medical Education core competencies were addressed: Medical knowledge, Practice-based learning, Communication skills.
The risks and the benefits of early invasive strategy compared to conservative strategy in elderly patients with non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction or unstable angina: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and Aim: Compared with their younger counterparts, the elderly with unstable angina (UA) or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTMI) has been proven to have worse outcomes. People with UA/NSTEMI are managed with a combination of medical therapy, invasive angiography, and revascularization. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to compare the effects and the benefits associated with the routine invasive approach versus a conservative or “selective invasive” approach for the management of UA/NSTEMI in the elderly. Methods: Data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified through search strategy filters. Five search engines and databases were searched systematically, namely PubMed, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The primary outcome of the analysis was the composite of all-cause death and myocardial infarction (MI). Results: Four RCTs with total of 3016 patients were eligible. We calculated the log risk ratio with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the primary endpoints of all-cause death and MI. The study analysis did not show appreciable risk reductions in all-cause mortality (log risk ratio: 0.142 and 95% CI = 0.363–0.78, 4 studies, 3016 participants, and low-quality evidence). However, it shows that there was a significant risk reduction in the incidence of MI (log risk ratio 0.519, 95% CI = 0.707–0.331, 4 studies, 3016 participants, and low quality of evidence). Conclusion: A routine invasive approach in the elderly with UA/NSTMI was not associated with any significance in terms of mortality compared with conservative approach. However, research suggests that the invasive strategy may have particular benefit in the elderly who are at high risk for recurrent events and that patients at low risk for a recurrent event may even suffer harm from such strategy approach.
Capsular contraction syndrome after cataract surgery in an eye with pseudoexfoliation

A 65-year-old patient presented with diminution of vision in the right eye for 6 months. On examination, brown cataract (nuclear sclerosis Grade 4) and pseudoexfoliation (PXF) were present. The patient underwent cataract surgery by extracapsular cataract extraction (small-incision cataract surgery) with implantation of a rigid polymethyl methacrylate intraocular lens (IOL) in the capsular bag. One month after the surgery, the patient presented with a severely contracted capsular bag with dislocation of the IOL into the sulcus [Figure 1].
Orostachys japonicus ethyl acetate fraction suppresses MRSA biofilm formation

Objective: To investigate the effect of Orostachys (O.) japonicus, a perennial herbaceous plant of the Family Crassulaceae, on biofilm formed by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Methods: Powdered O. japonicus was extracted by 95% methanol, concentrated, and then, systematically fractionated with n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol, and H2O according to polarity. Among them, the flavonoid-rich EtOAc fraction demonstrated the highest antibacterial activity and was used in this study. Using the biofilm inhibition assay, cell-surface attachment assay, confocal laser scanning microscopy, latex agglutination assay, and real time qRT-PCR, we examined whether the EtOAc fraction inhibited the formation of MRSA biofilm. Results: The EtOAc fraction exhibited distinct activity against biofilm formation and cell-surface attachment of MRSA up to 1 mg/mL through down-regulating the expression of mecA gene and the production and agglutination of penicillin-binding protein 2a as solidly observed in biofilm inhibition assay, cell-suface attachment assay, confocal laser scanning microscopy, latex agglutination assay, and real time qRT-PCR analysis. Conclusions: These results suggest that O. japonicus could be utilized as a potential resource for the development of new anti-biofilm formation of MRSA and antibacterial agents in the future.
A “Choose-Your-Own” Classroom-Based Activity That Promotes Scientific Inquiry about RNA Interference†

RNA interference (RNAi), the process that results in the degradation of a target gene’s mRNA, is a fundamental part of eukaryotic gene regulation and is also an important molecular technique that allows for experimental manipulation of gene expression without altering DNA sequences. Despite the importance of RNAi, there have been relatively few lecture-based activities designed to teach about the consequences of this process and counter common misconceptions. I present here an inquiry-based activity that is centered around a “choose your own experiment” design where students generate hypotheses and critically evaluate their ideas by choosing several simulated experiments. The activity presents students with one of the original puzzling observations, the discovery that triggering overexpression of a given gene in a flower resulted in an opposite change in phenotype than expected, and the subsequent discovery that there was a dramatic decrease of that gene’s mRNA, that sparked the discovery of RNAi. Students then propose a molecular mechanism for these results before using a limited budget of funding to simulate their choice of experiments. Simulated results are provided for these experiments, and students must work together to interpret and discuss these results before deciding on the next experiment. I provide a guide for instructors on how to implement this activity, with suggestions on how to vary the activity to fit different class sizes as well as an abbreviated version for instructors who are short on time. Finally, I include an aligned assessment so that instructors may check student learning about the impacts of RNAi.
Fat for fuel: lipid metabolism in haematopoiesis

The importance of metabolic regulation in the immune system has launched back into the limelight in recent years. Various metabolic pathways have been examined in the context of their contribution to maintaining immune cell homeostasis and function. Moreover, this regulation is also important in the immune cell precursors, where metabolism controls their maintenance and cell fate. This review will discuss lipid metabolism in the context of haematopoiesis, that is blood cell development. We specifically focus on nonoxidative lipid metabolism which encapsulates the synthesis and degradation of the major lipid classes such as phospholipids, sphingolipids and sterols. We will also discuss how these metabolic processes are affected by haematological malignancies such as leukaemia and lymphoma, which are known to have altered metabolism, and how these different pathways contribute to the pathology.
Health, age and mental ability

As human age increases so does the incidence of a variety of changes in their brains and central nervous systems (CNS) which, increasingly, affect their mental efficiency. Models for “cognitive ageing” have distinguished between two possible aetiologies for these CNS changes: “normal” or “usual” changes that, eventually, occur in all humans, at rates determined by both genetic and environmental factors and the accumulation, over a lifetime, of pathologies and biologically significant accidents coupled with an accelerating increase in the numbers and severity of pathologies in old age. This paper compares the relative proportions of variance in cognitive performance within an elderly population that are associated with their current ages from birth, their distances from death, the specific causes of their deaths and their self-reports of their health status, of the number of different clinical conditions from which they suffer and their recent and long-term use of medical care and of their difficulties wit.
The Arabidopsis thaliana N‐recognin E3 ligase PROTEOLYSIS1 influences the immune response

Abstract N‐degron pathways of ubiquitin‐mediated proteolysis (formerly known as the N‐end rule pathway) control the stability of substrate proteins dependent on the amino‐terminal (Nt) residue. Unlike yeast or mammalian N‐recognin E3 ligases, which each recognize several different classes of Nt residues, in Arabidopsis thaliana, N‐recognin functions of different N‐degron pathways are carried out independently by PROTEOLYSIS (PRT)1, PRT6, and other unknown proteins. PRT1 recognizes type 2 aromatic Nt‐destabilizing residues and PRT6 recognizes type 1 basic residues. These two N‐recognin functions diverged as separate proteins early in the evolution of plants, before the conquest of the land. We demonstrate that loss of PRT1 function promotes the plant immune system, as mutant prt1‐1 plants showed greater apoplastic resistance than WT to infection by the bacterial hemi‐biotroph Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato (Pst) DC3000. Quantitative proteomics revealed increased accumulation of proteins associated with specific components of plant defense in the prt1‐1 mutant, concomitant with increased accumulation of salicylic acid. The effects of the prt1 mutation were additional to known effects of prt6 in influencing the immune system, in particular, an observed over‐accumulation of pipecolic acid (Pip) in the double‐mutant prt1‐1 prt6‐1. These results demonstrate a potential role for PRT1 in controlling aspects of the plant immune system and suggest that PRT1 limits the onset of the defense response via degradation of substrates with type 2 Nt‐destabilizing residues.
Association between height and hypertension in the adult Nepalese population: Findings from a nationally representative survey

The burden of hypertension is increasing in Nepal. Different studies have evaluated the relationship between height and blood pressure in different regions, with mixed results. The relationship between height and hypertension has not yet been explored in the Nepalese context. Given this knowledge gap, this study aims to determine the relationship between height and hypertension among Nepalese adults (aged ≥18 years).
Human enhancement through the lens of experimental and speculative neurotechnologies

Abstract Human enhancement deals with improving on and overcoming limitations of the human body and mind. Pharmaceutical compounds that alter consciousness and cognitive performance have been used and discussed for a long time. The prospect of neurotechnological applications such as brain‐steered devices or using invasive and noninvasive electromagnetic stimulations of the human brain, however, has received less attention—especially outside of therapeutic practices—and remains relatively unexplored. Reflection and debates about neurotechnology for human enhancement are limited and remain predominantly with neurotech engineers, science‐fiction enthusiasts and a small circle of academics in the field of neuroethics. It is well known, and described as the Collingridge dilemma, that at an early stage of development, changes can easily be enacted, but the need for changes can hardly be foreseen. Once the technology is entrenched, opportunities and risks start to materialize, and the need to adapt and change is clearly visible. However, carrying out these changes at such a late stage, in turn, becomes very difficult, tremendously expensive, and sometimes practically impossible. In this manuscript, we compile and categorize an overview of existing experimental and speculative applications of neurotechnologies, with the aim to find out, if these real or diegetic prototypes could be used to better understand the paths these applications are forging. In particular, we will investigate what kind of tools, motivations, and normative goals underpin experimental implementations by neurohackers, speculative designers and artists.
A Comprehensive Assessment of Vascular and Nonvascular Risk Factors Associated with Migraine

Introduction: Migraine is a chronic disabling neurological disease, with an estimated expense of $15-20 million/year. Several studies with a small number of patients have studied risk factors for migraine such as cardiovascular disorders, stroke, smoking, demographic, and genetic factors but this is the first comprehensive study for evaluation of vascular and nonvascular risk factors. It is important to evaluate all the risk factors that help to prevent the healthcare burden related to migraine. Methodology: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) (years 2013-2014) in adult (>18-years old) hospitalizations in the United States. Migraine patients were identified using ICD-9-CM code to determine the demographic characteristics, vascular, and nonvascular risk factors. Univariate analysis was performed using the chi-square test and a multivariate survey logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the prevalence of the risk factors and evaluate the odds of prevalence of risk factors amongst migraine patients compared to nonmigraine patients, respectively. Results: On weighted analysis, after removing missing data of age, gender and race, from years 2013 to 2014, of the total 983,065 (1.74%) migraine patients were identified. We found that younger (median age 48-years vs. 60-years), female (82.1% vs. 58.5%; p<0.0001), white population (76.8% vs. 70.5%; p<0.0001), and privately insured (41.1% vs. 27.4%; p<0.0001) patients were more likely to have migraine than others. Cerebral atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and alcohol abuse were not significantly associated with migraine. Migraineurs had higher odds of having hypertension [odds ratio (OR): 1.44; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.43-1.46; 44.49% vs. 52.84%], recent transient ischemic attack (TIA) (OR: 3.13; 95%CI: 3.02-3.25; 1.74% vs. 0.67%), ischemic stroke (OR: 1.40; 95%CI: 1.35-1.45; 2.06% vs. 1.97%), hemorrhagic stroke (OR: 1.11; 95%CI: 1.04-1.19; 0.49% vs. 0.46%), obesity (OR: 1.46; 95%CI: 1.44-1.48; 19.20% vs. 13.56%), hypercholesterolemia (OR: 1.33; 95%CI: 1.30-1.36; 5.75% vs. 5.54%), substance abuse (OR: 1.51; 95%CI: 1.48-1.54; 7.88% vs. 4.88%), past or current consumption of tobacco (OR: 1.40; 95%CI: 1.38-1.41; 31.02% vs. 27.39%), AIDS (OR: 1.13; 95%CI: 1.04-1.24; 0.33% vs. 0.41%), hypocalcemia (OR: 1.09; 95%CI: 1.03-1.14; 0.77% vs. 0.89%), and vitamin D deficiency (OR: 1.93; 95%CI: 1.88-1.99; 2.47% vs. 1.37%) than patients without migraine. Female patients were at a higher risk of migraine (OR: 3.02; 95%CI: 2.98-3.05) than male. Conclusion: In this study, we have identified significant risk factors for migraine hospitalizations. Early identification of these risk factors may improve the risk stratification in migraine patients.
Sucrose treatment of mung bean seeds results in increased vitamin C, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity in mung bean sprouts

Abstract Mung bean seeds were soaked in 0.5 g/L of sucrose solution for 24 hr at 25°C and sprayed with this solution every 12 hr during the germination for 5 days. Our results showed that exogenous sucrose significantly increased vitamin C content throughout germination, and sucrose‐treated sprouts had 23% more vitamin C (20.8 mg/100 g FW) than in control sprouts on day 5. This may be related to higher levels of glucose and l‐galactono‐1, 4‐lactone dehydrogenase activity seen in the treated group versus the control. Total phenolic content and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase were significantly higher in sucrose‐treated mung bean sprouts than the controls, which contributed to the higher antioxidant activity in sucrose‐treated sprouts. These results indicate that exogenous sucrose treatment increases the content of vitamin C and total phenolics, and enhances the antioxidant activity in mung bean sprouts. It suggests that exogenous sucrose treatment could be an effective technique for producing mung bean sprouts with more vitamin C and higher antioxidant capacity.
The contribution of modern 24-hour society to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus: the role of insufficient sleep

Epidemiological studies since 1980 have shown significant increases in the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The public health burden generated by the growing prevalence of T2DM, which, in its fully developed form, is a lifelong illness, has been associated with further social and economic costs in affected countries. Recent studies have suggested that chronic sleep insufficiency or disrupted or poor quality sleep could contribute to the development of T2DM. Although many research findings have now shown that sleep plays a key role in glucose metabolism, the full implications of these findings have not been translated into clinical programs for improving patients' sleep quality as a means for addressing the treatment of T2DM. The purpose of this brief overview is to focus on the clinical significance of sleep in the onset and treatment of T2DM. We suggest here that physician education should emphasize the importance of sufficient sleep for overall health, including the management of T2DM, and that steps should be taken to incorporate this perspective into clinical practice. The promotion of sleep hygiene techniques as a clinical intervention could improve the regulation of glucose metabolism and thus the longevity of T2DM patients. Moreover, it may prevent secondary complications accruing from the illness and consequently reduce the significant medical costs of treating T2DM patients.
Effect of Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch polysaccharide on the gelatinization and retrogradation of wheat starch

Abstract The effect of Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch polysaccharide (ASKP) on the gelatinization and retrogradation of wheat starch (WS) was studied. RVA results displayed that ASKP addition increased the setback values of WS, which indicated that ASKP might promote the short‐term retrogradation of WS. DSC and XRD results demonstrated that the retrogradation percentage of WS during long‐time storage significantly decreased with the addition of ASKP, suggesting the inhibition effect of ASKP on the long‐term retrogradation of WS. As shown in TPA test, ASKP addition increased the hardness of starch gel at the beginning but decreased it after 14 days’ storage. Results of FT‐IR revealed that ASKP could promote the water retention and intermolecular hydrogen bonding formation. With the addition of ASKP, the spin–spin relaxation time measured by LF‐NMR decreased from 358.47 ms to 274.15 ms, illustrating that the WS paste containing ASKP had higher water retention ability. Leached amylose content results manifested the interaction between WS and ASKP. In summary, ASKP has potential to be a modifier on the retrogradation of starch in food processing.
The use of pedicled musculocutaneous flap of the trapezius muscle for the treatment of skin defect after two stage thoracic spine stabilisation – case report

Musculocutaneous flaps play an important role in modern reconstructive surgery. They are useful in the treatment of primary traumatic skin lesions and secondary lesions formed during complicated healing of the surgical wounds. The case of 60 years old woman undergoing complicated healing of the wound after spine surgery is presented. The patient was qualified to spine surgery due to metastatic tumour caused by the lung cancer. The use of pedicled flap facilitated healing of the wound; thus, there was no need to remove implants stabilising pathologically fractured spine. The issue of ‘reconstructive ladder’ is discussed in the paper with various treatment options. Indications, surgical technique and postoperative care are thoroughly discussed providing an overview on this valuable method of treatment which allows a successful termination of complicated wound healing process.