Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age and metabolic syndrome are associated with unsatisfactory improvement in nocturia after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate

Objective To investigate the association between age, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and improvement in nocturia in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) receiving holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). Methods The retrospective study was conducted on patients treated for BPH using HoLEP between January 2021 and May 2022. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were measured before surgery and at 3 months postoperatively using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). The criteria of the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) were adopted to diagnose the MetS. Unsatisfactory improvement in nocturia was defined as <50% reduction in nocturia from baseline on the IPSS. Results One hundred and seventy-five patients were eventually enrolled, with a median age of 69 years (IQR: 63/73). Unsatisfactory improvement in nocturia was reported in 95 patients (54%) after HoLEP. These patients were older (73; IQR: 67/79 vs. 66; IQR: 60/71, P < 0.001) and more likely to present with higher postoperative total (6; IQR: 4/9 vs. 3; IQR:2/5, P < 0.001), voiding (1; IQR: 0/3 vs. 1; IQR: 0/2, P = 0.017), and storage (4; IQR: 3/6 vs. 2; IQR: 1/4, P < 0.001) IPSS when compared to patients with satisfactory improvement in nocturia. Overall, 63 of 175 (36%) patients were diagnosed with MetS and of these, 44 (70%) reported unsatisfactory improvement in nocturia (P = 0.002) after HoLEP. Multivariate analysis revealed that age (OR = 1.117, 95% CI: 1.068–1.169, P < 0.001) and MetS (OR = 3.613, 95% CI: 1.727–7.562, P = 0.001) were independent risk factors for unsatisfactory improvement in nocturia after HoLEP. Conclusion Our findings suggest that increased age and MetS were associated with unsatisfactory improvement in nocturia in patients with BPH after HoLEP. Lifestyle management, including weight loss, may be of great importance in the improvement of nocturia.
Preparation and performance of random- and oriented-fiber membranes with core–shell structures via coaxial electrospinning

The cells and tissue in the human body are orderly and directionally arranged, and constructing an ideal biomimetic extracellular matrix is still a major problem to be solved in tissue engineering. In the field of the bioresorbable vascular grafts, the long-term functional prognosis requires that cells first migrate and grow along the physiological arrangement direction of the vessel itself. Moreover, the graft is required to promote the formation of neointima and the development of the vessel walls while ensuring that the whole repair process does not form a thrombus. In this study, poly (l-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) shell layers and polyethylene oxide (PEO) core layers with different microstructures and loaded with sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) were prepared by coaxial electrospinning. The mechanical properties proved that the fiber membranes had good mechanical support, higher than that of the human aorta, as well as great suture retention strengths. The hydrophilicity of the oriented-fiber membranes was greatly improved compared with that of the random-fiber membranes. Furthermore, we investigated the biocompatibility and hemocompatibility of different functional fiber membranes, and the results showed that the oriented-fiber membranes containing sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate had an excellent antiplatelet adhesion effect compared to other fiber membranes. Cytological analysis confirmed that the functional fiber membranes were non-cytotoxic and had significant cell proliferation capacities. The oriented-fiber membranes induced cell growth along the orientation direction. Degradation tests showed that the pH variation range had little change, the material mass was gradually reduced, and the fiber morphology was slowly destroyed. Thus, results indicated the degradation rate of the oriented-fiber graft likely is suitable for the process of new tissue regeneration, while the random-fiber graft with a low degradation rate may cause the material to reside in the tissue for too long, which would impede new tissue reconstitution. In summary, the oriented-functional-fiber membranes possessing core–shell structures with sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate/polyethylene oxide loading could be used as tissue engineering materials for applications such as vascular grafts with good prospects, and their clinical application potential will be further explored in future research.
Foreign bodies in children's lower urinary tract: A case series and literature review

Background Children with foreign bodies (FBs) in the lower urinary tract have rarely been reported, and their management remains challenging. This study aimed to describe the characteristics and treatment of FBs in children's lower urinary tract. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on lower urinary tract FBs that were removed in our hospital from August 2017 to August 2022, including demographics, location, symptoms, imaging examinations, and treatment. Results Four male patients were enrolled, whose ages ranged from 9 to 13 years, with a mean age of 11 years. The course of the disease ranged from 3 h to 2 weeks. Their imaging characteristics were reviewed and analyzed, and two FBs were located in the bladder and two in the urethra. Mosquito forceps were used to remove an acne needle through the urethra in one case. Cystoscopy was first attempted in three cases, in only one of which was the FB removed successfully under endoscopic minimally invasive surgery. In the remaining two cases, removal via transurethral cystoscopy failed, whereby leading to cystotomy being performed. The FBs comprise a skipping rope, hairpin, magnetic bead, and acne needle. The postoperative recovery was uneventful, and no complications occurred during the follow-up period of 3 to 6 months. Conclusion It is rare for children to have FBs in the lower urinary tract. An early diagnosis, as well as appropriate management of lower urinary tract FBs, can significantly reduce complications. Surgical removal of lower urinary tract FBs can be safe and effective, and relatively better outcomes can be achieved.
Small extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stem cells: A potential Weapon for chronic non-healing wound treatment

Chronic non-healing wounds have posed a severe threat to patients mentally and physically. Behavior dysregulation of remaining cells at wound sites is recognized as the chief culprit to destroy healing process and hinders wound healing. Therefore, regulating and restoring normal cellular behavior is the core of chronic non-healing wound treatment. In recent years, the therapy with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has become a promising option for chronic wound healing and the efficacy has increasingly been attributed to their exocrine functions. Small extracellular vesicles derived from MSCs (MSC-sEVs) are reported to benefit almost all stages of wound healing by regulating the cellular behavior to participate in the process of inflammatory response, angiogenesis, re-epithelization, and scarless healing. Here, we describe the characteristics of MSC-sEVs and discuss their therapeutic potential in chronic wound treatment. Additionally, we also provide an overview of the application avenues of MSC-sEVs in wound treatment. Finally, we summarize strategies for large-scale production and engineering of MSC-sEVs. This review may possibly provide meaningful guidance for chronic wound treatment with MSC-sEVs.
Predictors of self-care behaviors and glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Aims This study used the Extended Theory of Reasoned Action (ETRA) to predict self-care behaviors and HbA1c among patients with type 2 diabetes in Iran. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was performed using a multistage random sample. A total of 240 patients with type 2 diabetes, who were referred to the diabetes healthcare centers in Chaldoran, participated in the research. Instruments consisting of standardized questionnaires were used based on the Extended Theory of Reasoned Action (ETRA) constructs and the summary scale of diabetes self-care behaviors measure. Findings The results of this study demonstrated that demographic variables explained ~ 7% (p-value = 0.23) and ETRA constructs 18% of the variance (p-value = 0.02) in behavioral intention, respectively. According to the hierarchical multiple linear regressions on self-care behaviors, demographic factors (p-value 0.001) dictated 45.7% of the variation of the self-care behavior, while knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and behavioral intention (p-value 0.001) accounted for 63.4% of the variance. The ETRA constructs, self-care practices, and demographic factors together account for almost 57% of the variation in the HbA1c. Self-care practices were the best indicator of HbA1c (β = −0.593). Conclusion ETRA constructs and self-care behavior can be the best determinants of HbA1c level in type 2 diabetes. This model is suggested to be applied in designing intervention programs to improve HbA1c in these groups of patients.
Solitary bee larvae modify bacterial diversity of pollen provisions in the stem-nesting bee, Osmia cornifrons (Megachilidae)

Microbes, including diverse bacteria and fungi, play an important role in the health of both solitary and social bees. Among solitary bee species, in which larvae remain in a closed brood cell throughout development, experiments that modified or eliminated the brood cell microbiome through sterilization indicated that microbes contribute substantially to larval nutrition and are in some cases essential for larval development. To better understand how feeding larvae impact the microbial community of their pollen/nectar provisions, we examine the temporal shift in the bacterial community in the presence and absence of actively feeding larvae of the solitary, stem-nesting bee, Osmia cornifrons (Megachilidae). Our results indicate that the O. cornifrons brood cell bacterial community is initially diverse. However, larval solitary bees modify the microbial community of their pollen/nectar provisions over time by suppressing or eliminating rare taxa while favoring bacterial endosymbionts of insects and diverse plant pathogens, perhaps through improved conditions or competitive release. We suspect that the proliferation of opportunistic plant pathogens may improve nutrient availability of developing larvae through degradation of pollen. Thus, the health and development of solitary bees may be interconnected with pollen bacterial diversity and perhaps with the propagation of plant pathogens.
Left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction and right ventricular load predict outcome in moderate aortic stenosis

Aims Predictors of progression of moderate aortic valve stenosis (AS) are incompletely understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), diastolic dysfunction, and right ventricular (RV) load in moderate AS. Methods and results Moderate AS was defined by aortic valve area (AVA), peak transvalvular velocity (Vmax) or mean pressure gradient (PGmean). A total of 131 Patients were divided into two groups according to the number of pathophysiological changes (LVH, diastolic dysfunction with increased LV filling pressures and/or RV load): <2 (group 1); ≥2 (group 2). The primary outcome was survival without aortic valve replacement (AVR). After follow-up of 30 months, the reduction of AVA (–0.06 ± 0.16 vs. –0.24 ± 0.19 cm2, P < 0.001), the increase of PGmean (2.89 ± 6.35 vs 6.29 ± 7.13 mmHg, P < 0.001) and the decrease of the global longitudinal strain (0.8 ± 2.56 vs. 1.57 ± 3.42%, P < 0.001) from baseline to follow-up were significantly more pronounced in group 2. Survival without AVR was 82% (group 1) and 56% (group 2) [HR 3.94 (1.74–8.94), P < 0.001]. Survival without AVR or progression of AS was 77% (group 1) and 46% (group 2) [HR 3.80 (1.84–7.86), P < 0.001]. The presence of ≥2 pathophysiological changes predicted outcome whereas age, comorbidities, LDL-cholesterol did not. Conclusion The presence of ≥2 pathophysiological changes is a strong predictor of outcome in moderate AS and may be useful for risk stratification, particularly for scheduling follow-up time intervals and deciding the timing of AVR.
Changes in the Ixodes ricinus microbiome associated with artificial tick feeding

Artificial tick feeding systems (ATFS) can be used to study tick biology and tick-pathogen interactions. Due to the long feeding duration of hard ticks, antibiotics are commonly added to the in vitro blood meal to prevent the blood from decaying. This may affect the ticks’ microbiome, including mutualistic bacteria that play an important role in tick biology. This effect was examined by the consecutive feeding of Ixodes ricinus larvae, nymphs, and adults in vitro with and without the supplementation of gentamicin and in parallel on calves. DNA extracted from unfed females was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. The abundance of Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii, Rickettsia helvetica and Spiroplasma spp. was measured by qPCR in unfed larvae, nymphs, and adults. Larvae and nymphs fed on calves performed significantly better compared to both in vitro groups. Adults fed on blood supplemented with gentamicin and B vitamins had a higher detachment proportion and weight compared to the group fed with B vitamins but without gentamicin. The detachment proportion and weights of females did not differ significantly between ticks fed on calves and in vitro with gentamicin, but the fecundity was significantly higher in ticks fed on calves. 16S rRNA sequencing showed a higher microbiome species richness in ticks fed on calves compared to ticks fed in vitro. A shift in microbiome composition, with Ca. Midichloria mitochondrii as dominant species in females fed as juveniles on calves and R. helvetica as the most abundant species in females previously fed in vitro was observed. Females fed in vitro without gentamicin showed significant lower loads of Ca. M. mitochondrii compared to females fed in vitro with gentamicin and ticks fed on calves. Spiroplasma spp. were exclusively detected in female ticks fed on cattle by qPCR, but 16S rRNA sequencing results also showed a low abundance in in vitro females exposed to gentamicin. In conclusion, the employed feeding method and gentamicin supplementation affected the ticks’ microbiome composition and fecundity. Since these changes may have an impact on tick biology and vector competence, they should be taken into account in studies employing ATFS.
Executive function and relation to static balance metrics in chronic mild TBI: A LIMBIC-CENC secondary analysis

Introduction Among patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), postural instability often persists chronically with negative consequences such as higher fall risk. One explanation may be reduced executive function (EF) required to effectively process, interpret and combine, sensory information. In other populations, a decline in higher cognitive functions are associated with a decline in walking and balance skills. Considering the link between EF decline and reduction in functional capacity, we investigated whether specific tests of executive function could predict balance function in a cohort of individuals with a history of chronic mild TBI (mTBI) and compared to individuals with a negative history of mTBI. Methods Secondary analysis was performed on the local LIMBIC-CENC cohort (N = 338, 259 mTBI, mean 45 ± STD 10 age). Static balance was assessed with the sensory organization test (SOT). Hierarchical regression was used for each EF test outcome using the following blocks: (1) the number of TBIs sustained, age, and sex; (2) the separate Trail making test (TMT); (3) anti-saccade eye tracking items (error, latency, and accuracy); (4) Oddball distractor stimulus P300 and N200 at PZ and FZ response; and (5) Oddball target stimulus P300 and N200 at PZ and FZ response. Results The full model with all predictors accounted for between 15.2% and 21.5% of the variability in the balance measures. The number of TBI's) showed a negative association with the SOT2 score (p = 0.002). Additionally, longer times to complete TMT part B were shown to be related to a worse SOT1 score (p = 0.038). EEG distractors had the most influence on the SOT3 score (p = 0.019). Lastly, the SOT-composite and SOT5 scores were shown to be associated with longer inhibition latencies and errors (anti-saccade latency and error, p = 0.026 and p = 0.043 respectively). Conclusions These findings show that integration and re-weighting of sensory input when vision is occluded or corrupted is most related to EF. This indicates that combat-exposed Veterans and Service Members have greater problems when they need to differentiate between cues when vision is not a reliable input. In sum, these findings suggest that EF could be important for interpreting sensory information to identify balance challenges in chronic mTBI.
Brief research report: Repurposing pentoxifylline to treat intense acute swimming–Induced delayed-onset muscle soreness in mice: Targeting peripheral and spinal cord nociceptive mechanisms

In this study, we pursue determining the effect of pentoxifylline (Ptx) in delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) triggered by exposing untrained mice to intense acute swimming exercise (120 min), which, to our knowledge, has not been investigated. Ptx treatment (1.5, 4.5, and 13.5 mg/kg; i.p., 30 min before and 12 h after the session) reduced intense acute swimming–induced mechanical hyperalgesia in a dose-dependent manner. The selected dose of Ptx (4.5 mg/kg) inhibited recruitment of neutrophils to the muscle tissue, oxidative stress, and both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production in the soleus muscle and spinal cord. Furthermore, Ptx treatment also reduced spinal cord glial cell activation. In conclusion, Ptx reduces pain by targeting peripheral and spinal cord mechanisms of DOMS.
Minimizing camera-eye optical aberrations during the 3D reconstruction of retinal structures

3D reconstruction of blood vessels is a powerful visualization tool for physicians, since it allows them to refer to qualitative representation of their subject of study. In this paper we propose a 3D reconstruction method of retinal vessels from fundus images. The reconstruction method propose herein uses images of the same retinal structure in epipolar geometry. Images are preprocessed by RISA system for segmenting blood vessels and obtaining feature points for correspondences. The correspondence points process is solved using correlation. The LMedS analysis and Graph Transformation Matching algorithm are used for outliers suppression. Camera projection matrices are computed with the normalized eight point algorithm. Finally, we retrieve 3D position of the retinal tree points by linear triangulation. In order to increase the power of visualization, 3D tree skeletons are represented by surfaces via generalized cylinders whose radius correspond to morphological measurements obtained by RISA. In this paper the complete calibration process including the fundus camera and the optical properties of the eye, the so called camera-eye system is proposed. On one hand, the internal parameters of the fundus camera are obtained by classical algorithms using a reference pattern. On the other hand, we minimize the undesirable efects of the aberrations induced by the eyeball optical system assuming that contact enlarging lens corrects astigmatism, spherical and coma aberrations are reduced changing the aperture size and eye refractive errors are suppressed adjusting camera focus during image acquisition. Evaluation of two self-calibration proposals and results of 3D blood vessel surface reconstruction are presented.
Case report: Kimura's disease with minimal degenerative glomerulopathy without eosinophil infiltration responds to mycophenolate mofetil treatment

Kimura's disease (KD) is a rare chronic progressive immune inflammatory disease. The etiology is unknown and manifests as a chronic inflammatory process, which is more common in young Asian men. The clinical manifestations are painless subcutaneous swelling of the head and neck and periauricular lymphadenopathy, which is slow growing and has a benign course. KD may involve the kidney, and pathological examination revealed eosinophil infiltration in the renal tissue. Proteinuria has been reported in 12–16% of KD cases, and about 60–70% of KD patients will develop nephrotic proteinuria. KD is easily confused with nephrotic syndrome, because KD does not have specific clinical manifestations, laboratory and imaging, and early misdiagnosis is easy. We report a case of KD that was biopsy-proven to have minimal lesion glomerulopathy after ~11 years. In this report, we describe a clinical case of KD with nephrotic syndrome, but there's no eosinophil infiltration in the kidneys. The clinical manifestations of KD recurrence were bilateral eyelid edema, bilateral lower limb swelling, and massive proteinuria in response to mycophenolate mofetil treatment (1.5 g).
Use of planar covariation in lower limb kinematics to characterize adaptations of running after cycling in elite triathletes

Purpose To characterize alterations of lower limb intersegmental coordination during the acute phase of running after cycling among highly trained triathletes using an analysis of planar covariation. Methods Nine highly trained triathletes completed a control run (CR) and a run after transitioning from cycling exercise (transition run, or TR condition) on a motorized treadmill at a self-selected pace. Sagittal plane kinematics were recorded using a 3D Vicon motion capture system. Intersegmental coordination of the thigh, shank and foot segments of the right lower limb and run loop planarity were calculated during running before cycling and at four different times after the end of cycling. Results PCA showed a significant within-subject phase shift of the run loop planarity (F = 6.66, P = 0.01). Post hoc analysis showed significance median differences increase for u3t parameter between CRSS vs. TR30 (P = 0.01), TRt1/2 (P = 0.01) and TRMRT (P = 0.01). No difference for u3t parameter existed between CRSS vs. TRSS. Conclusion Prior variable-cadence, moderate intensity cycling has a significant effect on run loop planarity and therefore intersegmental coordination during the acute transition phase among highly trained triathletes. However, alterations to lower limb coordination are corrected by the 3rd minute after the beginning of the post cycle run. We suggest that planar covariation can be used as a more sensitive measure of cycling-induced variations in running to characterize adaptation in elite and importantly, developing athletes.
DYNAMIC BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS OF A DIFFERENTIAL-ALGEBRAIC PREDATOR–PREY SYSTEM WITH PREY HARVESTING

This paper studies a differential-algebraic predator–prey system with prey harvesting, which consists of two differential equations and an algebraic equation. By using the differential-algebraic system theory, bifurcation theory and formal series expansions, we investigate the Hopf bifurcation and center stability of the differential-algebraic predator–prey system. Some sufficient conditions on these issues are obtained. In addition, numerical simulations illustrate the effectiveness of our results and their biological implications are discussed.