Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Significance of Long Non Coding RNA ANRIL and SNHG14 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lnRNAs) play a pivotal role in various malignancies including AML. Therefore, we decided to study both lnRNA ANRIL and lnRNA SNHG14 gene expressions in patients with AML to better understand their role in AML risk development, clinical presentation, and prognosis. Methods: The current prospective study included two hundred participants, 100 AML patients and 100 control subjects. Bone marrow analysis was made to all patients, in addition to gene expression molecular testing of both lnRNA ANRIL and lnRNA SNHG14. Results: Both lnRNA SNHG14 and lnRNA ANRIL showed high expression levels in AML bone marrow samples compared to non-AML subjects and were remarkably associated with lower Complete Remission (OR: 3.449, 95% CI: 1.324-8.985, p=0.011 for ANRIL and OR: 3.955, 95% CI: 1.510-10.356, p=0.005 for SNHG14), Relapse Free Survival (HR=3.504, 95%CI: 1.662-7.387, p=0.001 for ANRIL and HR=4.094, 95%CI: 1.849-9.067, p=0.001 for SNHG14) and Overall Survival (HR=3.353, 95%CI: 1.434-7.839, p=0.005 for ANRIL and HR=3.094, 95%CI: 1.277-7.494, p=0.012 for SNHG14), favouring poor prognostic significance in AML. Conclusion: This suggests that both lnRNA ANRIL and lnRNA SNHG14 could be used in the future as prognostic biomarkers to help in treatment decisions and follow up of AML patients.
Corneal Crosslinking for Progressive Keratoconus and Corneal Ectasia: Summary of US Multicenter and Subgroup Clinical Trials

Purpose The multicenter studies reviewed were designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) for the treatment of progressive keratoconus and corneal ectasia after laser refractive surgery. The results of these studies led to approval by the United States Food and Drug Agency for both conditions in 2016. This paper reviews these studies, as well as single-center substudies investigating other aspects of crosslinking outcomes. Methods As part of prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trials, the treatment group received standard CXL, and the sham control group received only riboflavin ophthalmic solution. The primary efficacy criterion was maximum keratometry (Kmax) 1 year after CXL. Secondary outcomes were corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA). Safety and adverse events were analyzed. In single-center substudies, corneal topography, ocular aberrations, corneal haze measurements, corneal thickness, corneal biomechanics, subjective visual function, and outcomes predictors were also investigated. This paper presents a general review of the design and outcomes of crosslinking in these studies. Results In the crosslinking treatment group, Kmax flattened by 1.6 diopters (D) and 0.7 D in eyes with keratoconus and ectasia, respectively. In both studies, there was continued progression in the control group. The CDVA improved by an average of 5.7 logMAR letters (LL) in the keratoconus treatment group and by 5.0 LL in the ectasia group. In both studies, corneal haze was the most frequently reported crosslinking-related adverse finding. This was most prominent at 1 month and generally returned to baseline between 3 and 12 months. In general, corneal topography, ocular aberrations, and subjective visual function improved after crosslinking. Conclusions In the US multicenter trials, CXL was shown to be safe and effective in stabilizing Kmax, CDVA, and UDVA in eyes with progressive keratoconus or corneal ectasia. Translational Relevance Corneal crosslinking was originally developed in the laboratory at the University of Dresden in the late 1990s. The combination of ultraviolet-A light and riboflavin was found to be the most effective of a number of different modalities tested to increase the biomechanical strength of the cornea. The clinical study design for the US multicenter clinical trials of crosslinking demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of this technique for treatment of progressive keratoconus and corneal ectasia, bringing this important advancement to patients in the United States.
Comparison of complicated appendicitis rates between refugees and local patients

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: This study aims to determine whether refugee patients are more likely to present with complicated appendicitis. METHODS: Patients who were hospitalized and treated with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in a single center between 2018 and 2020 were evaluated within the scope of this study, and the included patients were divided into two groups as refugees (n=140) and local patients (n=386). The primary outcome was complicated appendicitis rate, and the duration of symptoms, time to appendectomy, operation time, diagnostic modality, and length of hospital stay were also analyzed. According to operational diagnosis and pathology reports, cases were categorized as either non-complicated or complicated. RESULTS: The complicated appendicitis rate, and the number of patients with symptoms lasting longer than 72 h were statistically more significant in refugee patients (p=0.009 and n: 186, p=0.000, respectively). The refugee patients had a younger mean age and a higher male patient rate which was statistically significant (p=0.000 for both). There was no significant difference between the groups concerning time to appendectomy, operation time, type of surgery, hospital length of stay, and diagnostic modality (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrated that refugee patients have a higher complicated appendicitis rate and late admission rate, even though refugee patients have equal access to healthcare in our country. Future research is needed to identify factors affecting outcomes of refugee patients.
A randomized trial comparing cadaveric dissection and examination of prosections as applied surgical anatomy teaching pedagogies

Anatomy is an important component in the vertical integration of basic science and clinical practice. Two common pedagogies are cadaveric dissection and examination of prosected specimens. Comparative studies mostly evaluate their immediate effectiveness. A randomized controlled trial design was employed to compare both the immediate and long‐term effectiveness of dissection and prosection. Eighty third‐year medical students undergoing their surgical rotation from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine were randomized into two groups: dissection and prosection. Each participated in a one‐day hands‐on course following a similar outline that demonstrated surgical anatomy in the context of its clinical relevance. A pre‐course test was conducted to establish baseline knowledge. A post‐course test was conducted immediately after and at a one‐year interval to evaluate learner outcome and knowledge retention. A post‐course survey was conducted to assess participant perception. Thirty‐nine and thirty‐eight participants for the dissection and prosection groups, respectively, were included for analysis. There was no significant difference between mean pre‐course test scores between the dissection and prosection groups [12.6 (3.47) vs. 12.7 (3.16), P > 0.05]. Both the mean immediate [27.9 (4.30) vs. 24.9 (4.25), P < 0.05] and 1 year [23.9 (4.15) vs. 19.9 (4.05), P < 0.05] post‐course test scores were significantly higher in the dissection group. However, when adjusted for course duration [dissection group took longer than prosection group (mean 411 vs. 265 min)], these findings were negated. There is no conclusive evidence of either pedagogy being superior in teaching surgical anatomy. Based on learner surveys, dissection provides a greater learner experience.
Impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on Moral Distress Among Nurses and Physicians in Spanish ICUs

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on moral distress (MD) among healthcare professionals (HCPs) (physicians and nurses) in Spanish ICUs. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, prospective study. SETTING: ICUs in Spain. PARTICIPANTS: HCPs currently working in Spanish ICUs. INTERVENTIONS: Data were collected via electronic survey with the use of a 50-item questionnaire in two different periods: prepandemic (October-December 2019) and during the second wave of COVID-19 (September-November 2020). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: During the prepandemic and pandemic periods, 1,065 (57.1% nurses) and 1,115 (58.5% nurses) HCPs completed the questionnaire, respectively. Higher MD levels were reported during COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among ICU nurses, when compared with the prepandemic period. Before COVID-19, physicians reported significantly higher levels of MD than ICU nurses (80.0 [interquartile range {IQR}, 40.0–135.0] vs 61.0 [IQR, 35.0–133.0]; p = 0.026). These differences disappeared during the pandemic period (81.0 [IQR, 39.0–138.5] vs 74.0 [IQR, 41.0–143.0]; p = 0.837). During the pandemic, younger and less experienced HCPs working in hospital areas that were converted in ICU or in ICUs with multiple occupancy rooms reported higher MD levels. In addition, HCPs who were off work for psychologic burden reported higher MD levels (108.0 [IQR, 66.0–139.0] vs 76.0 [IQR, 40.0–141.0]; p < 0.05). In the prepandemic period, patient-level root causes were the most morally distressing for nurses, whereas physicians reported higher MD on system-level root causes. During the pandemic, both groups reported higher MD on system-level root causes. During COVID-19, significantly more HCPs considered leaving their job due to MD. CONCLUSIONS: MD has increased among ICU HCPs in Spain during COVID-19 pandemic. Physicians reported higher MD levels than nurses in the prepandemic period, whereas both HCPs groups reported similar MD levels in the pandemic period. Strategies are needed and should be implemented to mitigate MD among HCPs.
Assessment of role strain among family caregivers of adult patients with cancer at a national referral hospital in Kenya

Globally, cancer incidence is on the increase and cancer care is complex, psychologically, physically and financially draining. Family caregivers of patients with cancer in low‐ and middle‐income countries not only face enormous challenges in having their patients access comprehensive cancer treatment services but also the critical and complex roles that they play greatly predispose them to role strain. Role strain is multifaceted and encompasses physical, psycho‐social and financial strain. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of role strain among the family caregivers of patients with cancer and ensure appropriate referral to care and support services.
CONTRIBUTION TO THE BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF THE LONG JUMP

The Austrian national outdoor-record for men’s long jump is 8.30 m. This record was set in 1988. Since then the national record has not been broken. Therefore the purpose of this study was to examine the various parameters affecting performance during the last support phase of the long jump. The current work is an attempt to help both the coaches and the athletes to improve performance.
A new BMI Based Method for Wheelchair Robot Navigation

Recent research has shown that Brain Machine In- terface (BMI) can be used to assist disable people in navigating a robotic wheelchair by using voluntary mental intentions. BMI based navigation is a very challenging task. In this paper we pre- sent a novel adaptive method to improve BMI based robotic wheel- chair navigation. The robot is controlled by an adaptive navigation platform that provides the user with scalable navigation assistance. The platform is able to detect and avoid collisions by using a laser range finder sensor. Furthermore, by using computer vision it can read assistive information for visually impaired people (tactile pav- ing) on the floor and autonomously navigate the robot following tactile paving directions. Based on user intentions and environment context, the robot navigation adaptively changes between assisted and unassisted mode. Experimental results show that with the assis- tance of the adaptive navigation platform the robot navigation im- proves significantly. Furthermore, the user's mental focus is re- duced and BMI classification accuracy is improved as a conse- quence. Keywords—Brain machine interface, rehabilitation, robot navigation
Uncovering Philip Morris International’s Fundamental Strategies for Product Placement in Thailand: Spotlighting Industry Penetration to Advance the Endgame

Background: Tobacco companies and their associated businesses know that placement – where one can see and purchase their products – is critical to their success. Placement is one of the four fundamental Ps of marketing along with product, price and promotion. Placement includes identifying retail locations in important places such as in shopping districts, within neighborhoods, near schools, at beaches, and in parks. In Southeast Asia, counteracting tobacco company placement strategies that result in market penetration is essential to advancing the endgame, namely ending tobacco use. However, in Southeast Asia research on the placement of tobacco products has been limited. Objectives: We undertook to analyze how Philip Morris International (PMI) through its subsidiary Philip Morris Asia Inc. (PMAI), from the time the company entered Thailand’s market once it was forced open in 1990, developed its successful product placement strategies and tactics. Methods: We examined over 4,000 PMI and PMAI internal documents using an historical, iterative and thematic approach. We analyzed the most relevant and illuminating documents, particularly those in which PMAI discussed retailer supply, retailer acceptance and retailer cooperation. Results: Even before foreign tobacco brands were legally allowed to be sold in Thailand, PMAI was already doing customer research in Thailand. In 1989, PMAI conducted a study of potential Thai customers in which 24% of respondents’ lack of availability (i.e., product placement) was one of the main reasons for not smoking PMI’s products. Based on these findings, PMAI engaged in intensive internal efforts to address the placement barrier to gain share. PMAI placed considerable emphasis on “stimulating retail trade acceptance” by making payments to retailers who met agreed upon and contracted product sales targets. PMAI’s initial successes incentivizing Thai retailers by essentially buying prime retail space for placement of their brands, to crowd out local and other foreign brands, became the foundation of what evolved into a sophisticated program to make placement highly lucrative for retailers. Conclusion: PMAI viewed aggressive product placement as essential to success as a new entrant in Thailand, and their product placement strategies contributed substantially to capturing a large share of the market. Therefore, endgame strategies must focus on restricting product placement through surveillance of tobacco industry legal, investment and retailer actions and through stricter tobacco retailer licensing requirements and penalties.
Upregulation of miR-128 Mediates Heart Injury by Activating Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway in Heart Failure Mice

ABSTRACT Cardiac hypertrophy contributes to heart failure and is pathogenically modulated by a network of signaling cascades including Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. miRNAs have been widely demonstrated to regulate gene expression in heart development. miR-128 was routinely found as a brain-enriched gene and has been functionally associated with regulation of cardiac function. However, its role and molecular mechanisms that regulate cardiac hypertrophy remain largely unclear. Adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9)-mediated constructs with miR-128 or anti-miR-128 were generated and delivered to overexpression or blockade of miR-128 in vivo followed by HF induction with isoproterenol (ISO) or transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Cardiac dysfunction and hypertrophy, coupled with involved gene and protein level, were then assessed. Our data found that miR-128, Wnt1, and β-catenin expressions were upregulated in both patients and mice model with HF. Interference with miR-128 reduces Wnt1/β-catenin expression in mouse failing hearts and ameliorates heart dysfunctional properties. We identified miR-128 directly targets to Axin1, an inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and suppresses its inhibition on Wnt1/β-catenin. Our study provides evidence indicating miR-128 as an inducer of HF and cardiac hypertrophy by enhancing Wnt1/β-catenin in an Axin1-dependent nature. We thus suggest miR-128 has potential value in the treatment of heart failure.
Adverse Mechanical Ventilation and Pneumococcal Pneumonia Induce Immune and Mitochondrial Dysfunctions Mitigated by Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Rabbits

Background: Mechanical ventilation for pneumonia may contribute to lung injury due to factors that include mitochondrial dysfunction, and mesenchymal stem cells may attenuate injury. This study hypothesized that mechanical ventilation induces immune and mitochondrial dysfunction, with or without pneumococcal pneumonia, that could be mitigated by mesenchymal stem cells alone or combined with antibiotics. Methods: Male rabbits underwent protective mechanical ventilation (8 ml/kg tidal volume, 5 cm H2O end-expiratory pressure) or adverse mechanical ventilation (20 ml/kg tidal-volume, zero end-expiratory pressure) or were allowed to breathe spontaneously. The same settings were then repeated during pneumococcal pneumonia. Finally, infected animals during adverse mechanical ventilation received human umbilical cord–derived mesenchymal stem cells (3 × 106/kg, intravenous) and/or ceftaroline (20 mg/kg, intramuscular) or sodium chloride, 4 h after pneumococcal challenge. Twenty-four-hour survival (primary outcome), lung injury, bacterial burden, immune and mitochondrial dysfunction, and lung transcriptomes (secondary outcomes) were assessed. Results: High-pressure adverse mechanical ventilation reduced the survival of infected animals (0%; 0 of 7) compared with spontaneous breathing (100%; 7 of 7) and protective mechanical ventilation (86%; 6 of 7; both P < 0.001), with higher lung pathology scores (median [interquartile ranges], 5.5 [4.5 to 7.0] vs. 12.6 [12.0 to 14.0]; P = 0.046), interleukin-8 lung concentrations (106 [54 to 316] vs. 804 [753 to 868] pg/g of lung; P = 0.012), and alveolar mitochondrial DNA release (0.33 [0.28 to 0.36] vs. 0.98 [0.76 to 1.21] ng/μl; P < 0.001) compared with infected spontaneously breathing animals. Survival (0%; 0 of 7; control group) was improved by mesenchymal stem cells (57%; 4 of 7; P = 0.001) or ceftaroline alone (57%; 4 of 7; P < 0.001) and improved even more with a combination treatment (86%; 6 of 7; P < 0.001). Mesenchymal stem cells reduced lung pathology score (8.5 [7.0 to 10.5] vs. 12.6 [12.0 to 14.0]; P = 0.043) and alveolar mitochondrial DNA release (0.39 (0.34 to 0.65) vs. 0.98 (0.76 to 1.21) ng/μl; P = 0.025). Mesenchymal stem cells combined with ceftaroline reduced interleukin-8 lung concentrations (665 [595 to 795] vs. 804 [753 to 868] pg/g of lung; P = 0.007) compared to ceftaroline alone. Conclusions: In this preclinical study, mesenchymal stem cells improved the outcome of rabbits with pneumonia and high-pressure mechanical ventilation by correcting immune and mitochondrial dysfunction and when combined with the antibiotic ceftaroline was synergistic in mitigating lung inflammation. In a preclinical study, mesenchymal stem cell administration improved the outcome of rabbits with pneumonia and high-pressure mechanical ventilation by correcting immune and mitochondrial dysfunction. When combined with specific antibiotic therapy, the combination was synergistic in mitigating lung inflammation. Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.
Insulin potentiates the response to capsaicin in dorsal root ganglion neurons in vitro and muscle afferents ex vivo in normal healthy rodents

Systemic insulin administration evokes sympathoexcitatory actions, but the mechanisms underlying these observations are unknown. We reported that insulin sensitizes the response of thin‐fibre primary afferents, as well as the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) that subserves them, to mechanical stimuli. However, little is known about the effects of insulin on primary neuronal responses to chemical stimuli. TRPV1, whose agonist is capsaicin (CAP), is widely expressed on chemically sensitive metaboreceptors and/or nociceptors. The aim of this investigation was to determine the effects of insulin on CAP‐activated currents in small DRG neurons and CAP‐induced action potentials in thin‐fibre muscle afferents of normal healthy rodents. Additionally, we investigated whether insulin potentiates sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) responses to CAP. In whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings from cultured mice DRG neurons in vitro, the fold change in CAP‐activated current from pre‐ to post‐application of insulin (n = 13) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than with a vehicle control (n = 14). Similar results were observed in single‐fibre recording experiments ex vivo as insulin potentiated CAP‐induced action potentials compared to vehicle controls (n = 9 per group, P < 0.05). Furthermore, insulin receptor blockade with GSK1838705 significantly suppressed the insulin‐induced augmentation in CAP‐activated currents (n = 13) as well as the response magnitude of CAP‐induced action potentials (n = 9). Likewise, the renal SNA response to CAP after intramuscular injection of insulin (n = 8) was significantly (P < 0.05) greater compared to vehicle (n = 9). The findings suggest that insulin potentiates TRPV1 responsiveness to CAP at the DRG and muscle tissue levels, possibly contributing to the augmentation in sympathoexcitation during activities such as physical exercise.
Study on the effect of pre-rehabilitation home-based on patients undergoing kidney transplantation with end-stage renal disease: A study protocol

Abstract Objective: Evaluate the feasibility of ERAS-based home exercise pre-rehabilitation in patients awaiting kidney transplantation. Methodology: The proposed feasibility trial will be a single-arm, single-center study. A total of 47 ESRD patients awaiting kidney transplantation will be selected as subjects to undergo personalized family exercise pre-rehabilitation, including aerobic exercise, functional resistance exercise, and flexibility training. Briefly, a 6-minute walking test (6MWT), 4-meter gait speed, grip strength, and sit-to-stand test will be used as the main outcome indicators. The effect of family exercise pre-rehabilitation on the optimization of body function in ESRD patients undergoing kidney transplantation will be assessed. The days of hospitalization after kidney transplantation, postoperative complications, health survey (the Short Form Health Survey, SF-36), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) will be used as secondary outcome indicators to evaluate the improvement of quality of life, psychological function, and postoperative rehabilitation of patients after kidney transplantation. These indexes will be collected before and after intervention (baseline and before kidney transplantation), before discharge (after kidney transplantation), and 1 month after discharge. Conclusion: This study will evaluate the effect of ERAS-based home exercise pre-rehabilitation on patients awaiting kidney transplantation, and possibly determine an application protocol for this population. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000037846. Registered on September 2, 2020.