Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphological, Chemical, and Thermal Characteristics of Nanofibrillated Cellulose Isolated Using Chemo-mechanical Methods

The objective of this research was to analyze the morphology, crystallinity, elemental components, and functional group changes, as well as thermal stability of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC). Nanofibrillated cellulose has an irregular and aggregated shape with a diameter of about 100 nm. NFC self-aggregations were observed due to hydrogen bonding and Van-der Waals forces. The cellulose crystallinity index, atomic size, and polymorph of the NFC sample were found to be 63.57%, 2.2 nm, and cellulose I, respectively. The NFC sample was composed of various elemental components, such as C, O, N, Na, Al, Si, and K. IR analysis showed only small amounts of hemicellulose and lignin deposits, whereas cellulose functional groups appeared in several wavenumbers. Aromatic and oxygenated compounds, such as carboxylic acids, phenols, ketones, and aldehydes, were deposited as extractive on NFC; these compounds were associated with cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The NFC thermal degradation process consisted of four steps: water evaporation (50-90 oC); hemicellulose degradation and glycosidic linkage cleavage (250-325 oC); amorphous cellulose and lignin degradation (325-429.29 oC); and cellulose crystalline degradation (above 429.29 oC).
Stress and steroid interaction modulates expression of estrogen receptor alpha in the brain, pituitary, and testes of immature Gallus gallus domesticus

Abstract In nature, food availability stimulates hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis while its scarcity induces stress, which further stimulates hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis producing a detrimental effect on the avian reproductive physiology. The present experiment was designed to examine the interaction of stress like food restriction and estradiol on male reproductive physiology with special emphasis on estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) as these play crucial role in reproduction. To achieve this, 60 day old White Leghorn immature cockrels were taken and divided into four groups (n = 8 per group). One group was provided with food and water ad libitum. Second group was food restricted (FR) for 9 h/day after 5 days, third and fourth were administered with estradiol benzoate (EB 0.5 mg/100g/day) for 12 days. Fourth group was FR for 9 h/day after 5 days of EB treatment till last day of experiment (EB + FR). Immunofluorescent localization of ERα was principally in the pre-optic area and paraventricular nuclei of hypothalamus and in anterior pituitary gland. ERα expression was highly reduced (from 40 AU to 20 AU) after FR in testis but it increased (50 AU) after EB administration, EB + FR reflects a diminishing pattern in the increment after EB. FR decreased plasma estradiol while EB increased it. Increased plasma corticosterone, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, and decreased anti-oxidant enzymes in brain and testis of all groups indicate oxidative stress in the HPG axis. The increased ERα after EB and a decrease with FR and EB + FR support their reproductive function. Estrogen and its receptor alpha are responsible for maintaining epithelial morphology but FR along with EB administration modulates the testicular development by significantly decreasing its size (p<.0001) and seminiferous tubules (p<.0001) and no sperm formation via highly reduced expression of ir-ERα in HPG axis. Our findings led us to conclude that stress like FR and estradiol induces testicular regression immature male chickens by modulating ir-ERα expression in the HPG axis thereby resulting in reduction in reproductive physiology
Preliminary Validation of the Pain Burden Inventory in a Pediatric Chronic Pain Population

Objective: To determine the preliminary reliability and validity of the Pain Burden Inventory-Youth (PBI-Y), a 7-item measure of the impact of chronic pain in adolescents with chronic pain that was, initially validated in youth with sickle cell disease. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review of 130 patients presenting to an interdisciplinary pain clinic were examined with 98 (mean age=14.49; 66% female) comprising the final sample. Demographic information as well as adolescent and parent self-reported measures were examined. Results: Youth reported a variety of pains including abdominal pain, headaches, back pain, and amplified musculoskeletal pain. The PBI-Y demonstrated strong internal reliability (α=0.792) and strong cross-informant concordance (r=0.822; P=0.000). Good construct validity was seen where higher scores on the PBI-Y were correlated with higher scores of (1) functional disability (r=0.689; P=0.000), (2) pain catastrophizing (r=0.494; P=0.000), (3) pain frequency days (r=0.526; P=0.000), (4) usual pain intensity (r=0.467; P=0.000), and (5) the worst pain intensity (r=0.485; P=0.000). Similar results were seen with caregiver assessments. Neither caregiver nor youth reports differed based on the sex or age of the child. Discussion: The results support the psychometric properties of a brief self-report measure of pain impact in a pediatric chronic pain population. This measure may have great utility for clinicians caring for youth with chronic pain.
Effects of Plasma Exchange and Heparin Concentration on the Serotonin Release Assay in Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia.

BACKGROUND Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a hypercoagulable state caused by a transient antibody to heparin-bound platelet factor 4 (PF4). Treatment involves discontinuing heparin and administering a nonheparin anticoagulant. Procedures requiring heparin, such as cardiopulmonary bypass, are preferably delayed until the offending antibody is no longer detectable. For patients with a high-titer anti-PF4-heparin antibody and who require exposure to heparin, therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been used to remove the antibody. Recent work indicates that a functional assay for detecting platelet-activating antibodies in HIT patients, the serotonin release assay (SRA), is preferable to ELISAs for anti-PF4-heparin antibodies for following the effectiveness of plasma exchange. METHODS Two cases of acute heparin-induced thrombocytopenia managed with plasma exchange before emergent cardiac surgery were evaluated with SRAs using a range of heparin concentrations that included those used in cardiopulmonary bypass. RESULTS We observed that a single round of plasma exchange led to greater reduction in platelet reactivity at heparin concentrations between 1 and 3 U/mL than at lower concentrations, consistent with the impression that heparin-PF4-antibody complexes form optimally within a limited heparin concentration range. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest there may be a range of heparin concentration in which cardiac surgery may be safely performed in HIT patients, and that a single TPE in an emergent setting may lower antibody concentration sufficiently to lower platelet reactivity in the presence of heparin.
Diffuse dermal angiomatosis as the first manifestation of myelodysplastic syndrome

1. Sanchez-Alvarez C, Sandhu AS, Crowson CS et al. Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis: the Mayo Clinic experience (1980–2017). Rheumatology (Oxford) 2020 (Aug 1); 59: 1898–905. https://doi. org/10.1093/rheumatology/kez555. 2. Bombonato C, Argenziano G, Lallas A et al. Orange color: a dermoscopic clue for the diagnosis of granulomatous skin diseases. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015 (Jan); 72(1 Suppl): S60–3. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.jaad. 2014.07. 059. 3. Sobjanek M, Sławi nska M, Romaszkiewicz A et al. Dermoscopic features of periungual papules in multicentric reticulohistiocytosis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2017 (Oct); 31: e442–3. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.14260. 4. Trotta F, Castellino G, Lo MA. Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2004 (Oct); 18: 759–72. https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.berh. 2004.06. 002. 5. Almuhaideb A, Papathanasiou N, Bomanji J. 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging in oncology. Ann Saudi Med. 2011 (Jan-Feb);31:3–13. https://doi.org/10.4103/0256-4947.75771. 6. Asano T, Suzutani K, Watanabe A et al. The utility of FDG-PET/ CT imaging in the evaluation of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 (Aug); 97: e11449. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000011449.
Effectiveness of Educational Programs for Clinical Competence in Family Nursing: A Systematic Review

Evidence shows that applying family nursing theory to practice benefits the patient, the family, and nursing professionals, yet the implementation of family nursing in clinical practice settings is inconsistent and limited. One of the contributing factors may be related to insufficient or inadequate educational programs focused on family nursing. This article presents a systematic review of the research that has examined the effectiveness of family nursing educational programs aimed at promoting clinical competence in family nursing. Six databases were systematically searched and 14 studies met the inclusion criteria, generating three themes: general study characteristics, educational program components, and outcome measures. These educational programs reported effectiveness in developing family nursing knowledge, skills, and attitudes, but did not evaluate the nurses’ actual acquisition and implementation of family nursing clinical competencies. This review offers relevant implications for research and for family nursing education, especially when designing and evaluating future educational programs. Future research must more closely address the process and outcomes of best educational practices in family nursing education and how these are applied and evaluated in actual practice settings.
Severe thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia in pregnancy: A guide for the consulting hematologist

A hematologist receives a call from a maternal‐fetal medicine (MFM) physician about a previously healthy patient who became ill at 25 weeks' gestation. Her mental status is deteriorating. There are signs of fetal distress. Platelet count and hemoglobin are falling. The MFM physician is considering the hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome. For the hematologist, everything seems unfamiliar. Our goal is to provide hematologists with the fundamental knowledge required for understanding and managing these patients who become suddenly and seriously ill during pregnancy and in whom thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia are part of their presentation.
Assessment of the pigeon (Columba livia) retina with spectral domain optical coherence tomography

Background To assess the normal retina of the pigeon eye using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and establish a normative reference. Methods Twelve eyes of six ophthalmologically normal pigeons (Columba livia) were included. SD-OCT images were taken with dilated pupils under sedation. Four meridians, including the fovea, optic disc, red field, and yellow field, were obtained in each eye. The layers, including full thickness (FT), ganglion cell complex (GCC), thickness from the retinal pigmented epithelium to the outer nuclear layer (RPE-ONL), and from the retinal pigmented epithelium to the inner nuclear layer (RPE-INL), were manually measured. Results The average FT values were significantly different among the four meridians (p < 0.05), with the optic disc meridian being the thickest (294.0 ± 13.9 µm). The average GCC was thickest in the optic disc (105.3 ± 27.1 µm) and thinnest in the fovea meridian (42.8 ± 15.3 µm). The average RPE-INL of the fovea meridian (165.5 ± 18.3 µm) was significantly thicker than that of the other meridians (p < 0.05). The average RPE-ONL of the fovea, optic disc, yellow field, and red field were 91.2 ± 5.2 µm, 87.7 ± 5.3 µm, 87.6 ± 6.5 µm, and 91.4 ± 3.9 µm, respectively. RPE-INL and RPE-ONL thickness of the red field meridian did not change significantly with measurement location (p > 0.05). Conclusions Measured data could be used as normative references for diagnosing pigeon retinopathies and further research on avian fundus structure.
The relationship between teen-reported nocturnal asthma symptoms and daily functioning

Abstract Objective: This study aims to identify associations between nocturnal asthma awakenings and functional health outcomes in a cohort of teenagers with asthma. Methods: We analyzed baseline data from teenagers enrolled in SB-ACT, an NIH-funded RCT. During an at-home baseline survey, teenagers with asthma answered questions about demographics, recent asthma symptoms, and functional health outcomes. We conducted regression analyses to explore the relationship between persistent nocturnal asthma symptoms (≥2 nights of nocturnal asthma awakenings in the past 14 days) and functional health measures. Results: Of the 430 teens enrolled (Participation rate = 79%, Mean Age = 13.4), 30% reported persistent nocturnal asthma symptoms. Compared to teens with intermittent nocturnal asthma symptoms, teens with persistent nocturnal asthma symptoms were more likely to report physical limitation during strenuous activities (OR = 1.9, 1.3–3.0), moderate activities (OR = 1.9, 1.2–3.1), and school gym (OR = 2.4, 1.5–3.8). They were also more likely to report depressive symptoms (OR = 2.3, 1.5–3.6), more asthma-related school absenteeism in the past 14 days (0.81 vs 0.12, p < 0.01) and poorer quality of life (4.6 vs 5.9, p < 0.01). These findings remained significant when controlling for daytime asthma symptoms, weight status, race, ethnicity, gender, age, and smoke exposure. Conclusions: In this cross-sectional study, persistent nighttime asthma symptoms were associated with poor functional health outcomes among teens, independent of day-time symptoms. Identifying nighttime symptoms and improving asthma control at night may positively impact daily functioning for these teens.
Haemostatic devices in parotid surgery: a systematic review

Abstract Objective The Harmonic Scalpel and Ligasure (Covidien) devices are commonly used in head and neck surgery. Parotidectomy is a complex and intricate surgery that requires careful dissection of the facial nerve. This study aimed to compare surgical outcomes in parotidectomy using these haemostatic devices with traditional scalpel and cautery. Method A systematic review of the literature was performed with subsequent meta-analysis of seven studies that compared the use of haemostatic devices to traditional scalpel and cautery in parotidectomy. Outcome measures included: temporary facial paresis, operating time, intra-operative blood loss, post-operative drain output and length of hospital stay. Results A total of 7 studies representing 675 patients were identified: 372 patients were treated with haemostatic devices, and 303 patients were treated with scalpel and cautery. Statistically significant outcomes favouring the use of haemostatic devices included operating time, intra-operative blood loss and post-operative drain output. Outcome measures that did not favour either treatment included facial nerve paresis and length of hospital stay. Conclusion Overall, haemostatic devices were found to reduce operating time, intra-operative blood loss and post-operative drain output.
Levofloxacin exerts broad-spectrum anticancer activity via regulation of THBS1, LAPTM5, SRD5A3, MFAP5 and P4HA1

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. One cost-effective way for identifying novel cancer therapeutics is in the repositioning of available drugs for which current therapies are inadequate. Levofloxacin prevents DNA duplication in bacteria by inhibiting the activity of DNA helicase. As eukaryotic cells have similar intracellular biologic characteristics as prokaryotic cells, we speculate that antibiotics inhibiting DNA duplication in bacteria may also affect the survival of cancer cells. Here we report that levofloxacin significantly inhibited the proliferation and clone formation of cancer cells and xenograft tumor growth through cell cycle arrest at G2/M and by enhancing apoptosis. Levofloxacin significantly altered gene expression in a direction favoring anticancer activity. THBS1 and LAPTM5 were dose-dependently upregulated whereas SRD5A3, MFAP5 and P4HA1 were downregulated. Pathway analysis revealed that levofloxacin significantly regulated canonical oncogenic pathways. Specific network enrichment included a MAPK/apoptosis/cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction pathway network that associates with cell growth, differentiation, cell death, angiogenesis and development and repair processes and a bladder cancer/P53 signaling pathway network mediating the inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis. THBS1 overlapped in 16 of the 22 enriched apoptotic pathways and the 2 pathways in the bladder cancer/P53 signaling pathway network. P4HA1 enriched in 7 of the top 10 molecular functions regulated by differential downregulated genes. Our results indicate that levofloxacin has broad-spectrum anticancer activity with the potential to benefit cancer patients already treated or requiring prophylaxis for an infectious syndrome. The efficacy we find with levofloxacin may provide insight into the discovery and the design of novel less toxic anticancer drugs.
Tuning the metal–ligand bond in the σ‐complexes of stannylenes and azabenzenes

The metal–ligand bond in a set of 60 σ‐complexes has been investigated by electronic structure computations. These σ‐complexes originate from the unique combination of 12 stannylenes (SnX2) with five azabenzene ligands (pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, and s‐triazine), where the nitrogen center of the ligand acts as σ‐donor and the tin(II) center as σ‐acceptor in a 1:1 fashion. The Sn ← N bond and the total interaction between the stannylene and azabenzene moieties of the σ‐complexes are characterized in depth to relate the Sn ← N strength to the substitution pattern at SnX2 and to the number and the positioning of N atoms in the azabenzenes. Such X substituents as (iso)cyano and trifluoromethyl groups enhance the interaction strength, while the presence of alkyl, phenyl, and silyl substituents in SnX2 diminishes the stability of σ‐complexes. A gradual weakening of the total interaction is associated with the growing number of N atoms in the azabenzenes, while the N‐atom positioning in pyridazine is particularly effective in strengthening the interaction with stannylenes. Variations in the Sn ← N bond strength usually follow those in the total interaction between the moieties but the interacting quantum atoms picture of Sn ← N reveals certain intriguing exceptions.
The effect of pre-operative methylprednisolone on postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Pre-operative administration of methylprednisolone reduced circulating markers of endothelial activation. This randomized, double-blind was to evaluate whether a single pre-operative dose of methylprednisolone reduced the rate of postoperative delirium (POD) in older patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery, and its association with the shedding of endothelial glycocalyx markers. METHODS 168 patients, aged 65-80 years and scheduled for laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery, were randomized to 2 mg·kg -1 methylprednisolone (Group M, n = 84); or equivalent dose of placebo (Group C, n = 84). The primary outcome was the incidence of delirium during the first 5 days after surgery, assessed by the confusion assessment method (CAM). POD severity was rated daily using CAM-Severity (CAM-S). Level of syndecan-1, heparan sulfate, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were measured at baseline, 1-day, and 3-day after surgery. RESULTS Compared with placebo, methylprednisolone greatly reduced the incidence of delirium at 72 h following surgery [9(10.7%) versus 20(23.8%), P =0.03, OR=2.22(95%CI 1.05-4.59)]. No between-group difference was found in the cumulative CAM-S score (P=0.14). The levels of heparan sulfate, syndecan-1, and TNF-α in Group M were lower than that in Group C (P <0.05 and P <0.01), while the level of BDNF in Group M was higher than that in Group C (P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS Pre-operative administration of methylprednisolone does not reduce the severity of POD, but may reduce the incidence of delirium after gastrointestinal surgery in elderly patients, which may be related to a reduction in circulating markers of endothelial degradation, followed by the increase of BNDF level.
Gradual dilatation of an occluded transverse sinus associated with dural arteriovenous fistula after balloon angioplasty with sinus packing: A case report

Background There is no consensus as to whether balloon angioplasty alone or stent placement is effective for sinus occlusion associated with dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF). Herein, we first report a case of transverse sinus occlusion associated with DAVF in which gradual sinus dilatation was observed after balloon angioplasty with embolization of the affected sinus with shunt flow. Case presentation A 69-year-old man presented with executive dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed left transverse sinus–sigmoid sinus DAVF with occlusion of the left jugular vein and right transverse sinus. Before endovascular treatment, the patient had symptomatic epilepsy and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Retrograde leptomeningeal venous drainage disappeared with packing of the left transverse sinus–sigmoid sinus. Subsequently, balloon angioplasty of the right occluded transverse sinus was performed to maintain the normal venous drainage and remaining shunt outflow. Dilatation of the right transverse sinus was poor immediately after surgery. However, angiography after 10 days and 6 months revealed gradual dilatation of the right transverse sinus. Conclusion Sinus occlusion, which is thought to be caused by sinus hypertension associated with DAVF rather than chronic organized thrombosis or thrombophilia, may dilate over time after balloon angioplasty and shunt flow reduction if occluded sinus is necessary for facilitating normal venous drainage.
Evaluation of Various Detection Strategies in the Assessment of Noncredible Memory Performance: Results of Two Experimental Studies

Objective: This article investigates the accuracy of individual and combined indicators based on different strategies for detecting noncredible performance as part of a new test for the continuous assessment of short-term memory. Method: In two independent studies, we assessed three groups of simulators, cognitively impaired patients, and nonimpaired community members with four tasks separated by a distractor. Results: Pairwise comparisons between receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves revealed significant differences between two clusters of indicators: mean recognition, inconsistent responses in recognition, and false positives (area under the ROC curves > .800) proved more accurate than delayed recall and false negatives (area under the ROC curves < .800) in discriminating simulators from patients. Likewise, both studies revealed that adding the false positives indicator based on cued recall to mean recognition incrementally improved classification accuracy (including sensitivity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value ) compared with the recognition indicator alone. Conclusions: Our results support the association of two distinct indicators for the assessment of noncredible performance, of which one should be a forced-choice indicator.