Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SYNDROMES OF MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA*,t

A substantial body of evidence implicates the disruption of atheromatous plaques with attendant thrombus formation in the coronary artery as a cause of the cardiac ischemic syndromes that include unstable angina, myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death (1). Because a mural thrombus in the region of a stenosis is an early pathophysiologic event, antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy in these ischemic syndromes has a strong logic. The principal current antiplatelet drug is aspirin. By irreversibly blocking the cyclooxygenase enzyme in platelets, aspirin inhibits the biosynthesis of thromboxane A2 which is a major pro-aggregatory mediator released by platelets. By blocking cyclooxygenase in the vessel wall, aspirin also can inhibit the biosynthesis of prostacyclin which is a potent inhibitor of platelet activation. Because aspirin inhibits the cyclooxygenase irreversibly and platelets do not synthesize new cyclooxygenase enzyme, very low doses of aspirin exhibit a relative selectivity for platelet cyclooxygenase. However, the dose of aspirin employed in most clinical trials also inhibit prostacyclin biosynthesis. The evidence supporting plaque disruption with attendant thrombus formation as a cause of unstable angina is of several types. Foltz and his colleagues developed an animal model of recurring myocardial ischemia that mimics unstable angina (2). This model is created by constricting an epicardial coronary vessel by about 90% with an occluder and creating endothelial damage within the occluded lumen. The intermittent reductions in coronary flow seen in this model can be related to the formation and subsequent disruption of platelet aggregates at the site of endothelial disruption and stenosis of the vessel. The recurrent ischemia can be prevented by potent inhibitors of platelet activation such as prostacyclin (3); aspirin is only partially effective in this model.
Randomized Control Trial to Test a Computerized Psychosocial Cancer Assessment and Referral Program: Methods and Research Design

The National Cancer Coalition Network, National Cancer Institute, and American College of Surgeons all emphasize the need for oncology providers to identify, address, and monitor psychosocial needs of their patients. The Mental Health Assessment and Dynamic Referral for Oncology (MHADRO) is a patient-driven, computerized, psychosocial assessment that identifies, addresses, and monitors physical, psychological, and social issues faced by oncology patients. This paper presents the methodology of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that tested the impact of the MHADRO on patient outcomes at 2, 6, and 12 months. Patient outcomes including overall psychological distress, depression, anxiety, functional disability, and use of psychosocial resources will be presented in future publications after all follow–up data is gathered. Eight hundred and thirty six cancer patients with heterogeneous diagnoses, across three comprehensive cancer centers in different parts of the United States, were randomized to the MHADRO (intervention) or an assessment-only control group. Patients in the intervention group were provided detailed, personalized reports and, when needed, referrals to mental health services; their oncology provider received detailed reports designed to foster clinical decision making. Those patients who demonstrated high levels of psychosocial problems were given the option to authorize that a copy of their report be sent electronically to a “best match” mental health professional. Demographic and patient cancer-related data as well as comparisons between patients who were enrolled and those who declined enrollment are presented. Challenges encountered during the RCT and strategies used to address them are discussed. *Corresponding author at: Department of Psychology, Stonehill College, 320 Washington Street, Easton, MA 02357 United States. Tel. : +1 508 340 0517. acutillo@students.stonehill. edu. Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. NIH Public Access Author Manuscript Contemp Clin Trials. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2014 May 01. Published in final edited form as: Contemp Clin Trials. 2013 May ; 35(1): 15–24. doi:10.1016/j.cct. 2013.02. 001. N IH PA Athor M anscript N IH PA Athor M anscript N IH PA Athor M anscript
Noncanonical metabolite RNA caps: Classification, quantification, (de)capping, and function

The 5′ cap of eukaryotic mRNA is a hallmark for cellular functions from mRNA stability to translation. However, the discovery of novel 5′‐terminal RNA caps derived from cellular metabolites has challenged this long‐standing singularity in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Reminiscent of the 7‐methylguanosine (m7G) cap structure, these noncanonical caps originate from abundant coenzymes such as NAD, FAD, or CoA and from metabolites like dinucleoside polyphosphates (NpnN). As of now, the significance of noncanonical RNA caps is elusive: they differ for individual transcripts, occur in distinct types of RNA, and change in response to environmental stimuli. A thorough comparison of their prevalence, quantity, and characteristics is indispensable to define the distinct classes of metabolite‐capped RNAs. This is achieved by a structured analysis of all present studies covering functional, quantitative, and sequencing data which help to uncover their biological impact. The biosynthetic strategies of noncanonical RNA capping and the elaborate decapping machinery reveal the regulation and turnover of metabolite‐capped RNAs. With noncanonical capping being a universal and ancient phenomenon, organisms have developed diverging strategies to adapt metabolite‐derived caps to their metabolic needs, but ultimately to establish noncanonical RNA caps as another intriguing layer of RNA regulation.
Predictors of recurrent arteriovenous fistula stenosis in Saudi patients undergoing hemodialysis

Objectives: To identify predictors of recurrent arteriovenous fistula (AVF) stenosis. It also seeks to calculate the average primary patency duration in Saudi patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh. Data from 180 patients who had undergone angioplasty between May 2009 and May 2020 were analyzed. Following the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 99 patients were included. Based on the presence or absence of recurrent AVF stenosis, the patients were divided into cases and controls, respectively. Recurrence was defined as an occurrence of stenosis within <12 months of a previous stenotic event, or patients who had >3 total stenotic events. Clinical, radiological, and laboratory variables were collected and subjected to multivariate binary regression analysis to assess the odds of a recurrence of fistula stenosis. Results: A total of 29 patients were categorized as cases, while 70 patients were categorized as controls. The median primary patency duration was found to be seven months. Multivariate binary regression analysis revealed higher levels of serum calcium (p=0.012) and BMI (p=0.007) in patients with recurrent stenosis. A positive association was also observed between the use of antiplatelets (0.039) and recurrent stenosis. Conclusion: Higher levels of corrected calcium, BMI, and the application of antiplatelet therapy were found to be predictors of recurrent AVF stenosis. No other traditional variables were found to be significant.
No smoke without fire: the impact of cigarette smoking on the immune control of tuberculosis

Cigarette smoke (CS) exposure is a key risk factor for both active and latent tuberculosis (TB). It is associated with delayed diagnosis, more severe disease progression, unfavourable treatment outcomes and relapse after treatment. Critically, CS exposure is common in heavily populated areas with a high burden of TB, such as China, India and the Russian Federation. It is therefore prudent to evaluate interventions for TB while taking into account the immunological impacts of CS exposure. This review is a mechanistic examination of how CS exposure impairs innate barrier defences, as well as alveolar macrophage, neutrophil, dendritic cell and T-cell functions, in the context of TB infection and disease. This review provides a mechanistic examination of how cigarette smoke exposure impairs innate and adaptive responses to tuberculosis infection and disease https://bit.ly/3tJba18
Galactic OB associations in the northern Milky Way Galaxy. I - Longitudes 55 deg to 150 deg

The literature on all OB associations was reviewed, and their IRAS point source content was studied, between galactic longitude 55 and 150 deg. Only one third of the 24 associations listed by Ruprecht et al. (1981) have been the subject of individual studies designed to identify the brightest stars. Distances to all of these were recomputed using the method of cluster fitting of the B main sequence stars, which makes it poossible to reexamine the absolute magnitude calibration of the O stars, as well as for the red supergiant candidate stars. Also examined was the composite HR diagram for these associations. Associations with the best defined main sequences, which also tend to contain very young clusters, referred to here as OB clusters, have extremely few evolved B and A or red supergiants. Associations with poorly defined main sequences and few OB clusters have many more evolved stars. They also show an effect in the upper HR diagram referred to as a ledge by Fitzpatrick and Garmany (1990) in similar data for the Large Magellanic Cloud. It is suggested that the differences in the associations are not just observational selection effects but represent real differences in age and formation history.
Comparison of biodegradable and durable polymer drug-eluting stents in acute coronary syndrome: a meta-analysis

Objective To compare the safety and effectiveness between biodegradable polymer drug-eluting stents (BP-DES) and durable polymer drug-eluting stents (DP-DES) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Design Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Primary and secondary outcome measures Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) were considered the primary endpoint. Efficacy endpoints included target vessel revascularisation (TVR) and target lesion revascularisation (TLR). Safety endpoints included all-cause death, cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction and stent thrombosis (ST). Methods We searched PubMed, Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials for comparative studies of BP-DES and DP-DES in patients with ACS from January 2000 to July 2021. Statistical pooling was performed to estimate incidence using a random-effects model with generic inverse-variance weighting. Risk estimates were computed with 95% CIs. Results Eight articles with seven RCTs that compared BP-DES and DP-DES in patients with ACS were identified and included in the qualitative and quantitative analyses. There was no difference in the baseline characteristics, except for the number of smoking patients (OR: 1.13, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.24; p=0.008, I2=29%), which was significantly lower in the BP-DES group. The meta-analysis demonstrated that MACEs, efficacy endpoints and safety endpoints were similar between the groups at 1 year. However, the incidence of total ST was signiﬁcantly different between the BP-DES and DP-DES groups in the follow-up period (p=0.0001). Further analysis showed a statistically significant difference in MACEs (OR: 0.71, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.88; p=0.002, I2=0 %), TLR (OR: 0.71, 95% CI 0.51 to 1.01; p=0.05, I2=0%), TVR (OR: 0.70, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.94; p=0.002, I2=15%), total ST incidence (OR: 0.59, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.77; p=0.0001, I2=48%) and ST incidence (OR: 0.63, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.85; p=0.002, I2=0%) over 2 years. Conclusion This meta-analysis revealed that both stent types demonstrated excellent safety and efficacy profiles at 12 months. However, a slight increase in MACEs, TLR, TVR and ST incidence was observed in the DP-DES group over the 2-year follow-up period, suggesting that BP-DES may be more favourable when treating patients with ACS. Trial registration number NCT00389220.
The energetic costs of sub‐lethal helminth parasites in mammals: a meta‐analysis

Parasites, by definition, have a negative effect on their host. However, in wild mammal health and conservation research, sub‐lethal infections are commonly assumed to have negligible health effects unless parasites are present in overwhelming numbers. Here, we propose a definition for host health in mammals that includes sub‐lethal effects of parasites on the host's capacity to adapt to the environment and maintain homeostasis. We synthesized the growing number of studies on helminth parasites in mammals to assess evidence for the relative magnitude of sub‐lethal effects of infection across mammal taxa based on this expanded definition. Specifically, we develop and apply a framework for organizing disparate metrics of parasite effects on host health and body condition according to their impact on an animal's energetic condition, defined as the energetic burden of pathogens on host physiological and behavioural functions that relate directly to fitness. Applying this framework within a global meta‐analysis of helminth parasites in wild, laboratory and domestic mammal hosts produced 142 peer‐reviewed studies documenting 599 infection‐condition effects. Analysing these data within a multiple working hypotheses framework allowed us to evaluate the relative weighted contribution of methodological (study design, sampling protocol, parasite quantification methods) and biological (phylogenetic relationships and host/parasite life history) moderators to variation in the magnitude of health effects. We found consistently strong negative effects of infection on host energetic condition across taxonomic groups, with unusually low heterogeneity in effect sizes when compared with other ecological meta‐analyses. Observed effect size was significantly lower within cross‐sectional studies (i.e. observational studies that investigated a sub‐set of a population at a single point in time), the most prevalent methodology. Furthermore, opportunistic sampling led to a weaker negative effect compared to proactive sampling. In the model of host taxonomic group, the effect of infection on energetic condition in carnivores was not significant. However, when sampling method was included, it explained substantial inter‐study variance; proactive sampling showing a strongly significant negative effect while opportunistic sampling detected only a weak, non‐significant effect. This may partly underlie previous assumptions that sub‐lethal parasites do not have significant effects on host health. We recommend future studies adopt energetic condition as the framework for assessing parasite effects on wildlife health and provide guidelines for the selection of research protocols, health proxies, and relating infection to fitness.
Effects of Short-Term Fasting on Ghrelin/GH/IGF-1 Axis in Healthy Humans: the Role of Ghrelin in the Thrifty Phenotype.

BACKGROUND A greater decrease in 24-hour energy expenditure (24hEE) during short-term fasting is indicative of a thrifty phenotype. As ghrelin and the growth hormone (GH) - insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis are implicated in the regulation of energy intake and metabolism, we investigated whether ghrelin, GH and IGF-1 concentrations mediate the fasting-induced decrease in 24hEE that characterizes thriftiness. SUBJECTS AND METHODS In 47 healthy individuals, 24hEE was measured in a whole-room indirect calorimeter both during 24-h eucaloric and fasting conditions. Plasma total ghrelin, GH, and IGF-1 concentrations were measured by ELISA after an overnight fast the morning before and after each 24-h session. RESULTS During 24-h fasting, on average 24hEE decreased by 8.0% (p<0.001), GH increased by ~5-fold (p<0.001), whereas ghrelin (mean=+23 pg/mL) and IGF-1 were unchanged (both p≥0.19) despite a large inter-individual variability in ghrelin change (SD=150 pg/mL). Greater fasting-induced increase in ghrelin was associated with a greater decrease in 24hEE during 24h fasting (r=-0.42, p=0.003), such that individuals who increased ghrelin by 200 pg/mL showed an average decrease in 24hEE by 55 kcal/day. CONCLUSION Short-term fasting induced selective changes in the ghrelin/GH/IGF-1 axis, specifically a ghrelin-independent GH hypersecretion that did not translate into increased IGF-1 concentrations. Greater increase in ghrelin after 24-h fasting was associated with greater decrease in 24hEE, indicating ghrelin as a novel biomarker of increased energy efficiency of the thrifty phenotype.
Brain–computer interface-based action observation combined with peripheral electrical stimulation enhances corticospinal excitability in healthy subjects and stroke patients

Objective. Action observation (AO) combined with brain–computer interface (BCI) technology enhances cortical activation. Peripheral electrical stimulation (PES) increases corticospinal excitability, thereby activating brain plasticity. To maximize motor recovery, we assessed the effects of BCI-AO combined with PES on corticospinal plasticity. Approach. Seventeen patients with chronic hemiplegic stroke and 17 healthy subjects were recruited. The participants watched a video of repetitive grasping actions with four different tasks for 15 min: (A) AO alone; (B) AO + PES; (C) BCI-AO + continuous PES; and (D) BCI-AO + triggered PES. PES was applied at the ulnar nerve of the wrist. The tasks were performed in a random order at least three days apart. We assessed the latency and amplitude of motor evoked potentials (MEPs). We examined changes in MEP parameters pre-and post-exercise across the four tasks in the first dorsal interosseous muscle of the dominant hand (healthy subjects) and affected hand (stroke patients). Main results. The decrease in MEP latency and increase in MEP amplitude after the four tasks were significant in both groups. The increase in MEP amplitude was sustained for 20 min after tasks B, C, and D in both groups. The increase in MEP amplitude was significant between tasks A vs. B, B vs. C, and C vs. D. The estimated mean difference in MEP amplitude post-exercise was the highest for A and D in both groups. Significance. The results indicate that BCI-AO combined with PES is superior to AO alone or AO + PES for facilitating corticospinal plasticity in both healthy subjects and patients with stroke. Furthermore, this study supports the idea that synchronized activation of cortical and peripheral networks can enhance neuroplasticity after stroke. We suggest that the BCI-AO paradigm and PES could provide a novel neurorehabilitation strategy for patients with stroke.
The role of external and emergent drivers of water use change in Las Vegas

ABSTRACT Over the past twenty-five years, per capita water use has declined in many US cities. Technological and policy changes partially explain this decline, but variables beyond the control of water managers also influence water use including external (e.g. drought) and emergent (e.g. public attention) changes. Importantly, these variables interact and the relationships between these variables and water use are non-stationary. However, many models assume fixed relationships between water use and its drivers, and limited interaction between variables. Here we present a flexible socio-hydrological approach to model how conservation strategies, and external and emergent changes, interact to influence per capita water use. We apply this approach to Las Vegas and find that marginal water rates, code changes coupled with population growth, and conservation response to water stress are the key drivers of the observed decline. Critically, modeling these strategies in absence of their connections to population growth and water stress cannot fully account for observed changes.
Hypoxia controls plasma membrane targeting of polarity proteins by dynamic turnover of PI4P and PI(4,5)P2

Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate (PIP2) are key phosphoinositides that determine the identity of the plasma membrane (PM) and regulate numerous key biological events there. To date, mechanisms regulating the homeostasis and dynamic turnover of PM PI4P and PIP2 in response to various physiological conditions and stresses remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we report that hypoxia in Drosophila induces acute and reversible depletion of PM PI4P and PIP2 that severely disrupts the electrostatic PM targeting of multiple polybasic polarity proteins. Genetically encoded ATP sensors confirmed that hypoxia induces acute and reversible reduction of cellular ATP levels which showed a strong real-time correlation with the levels of PM PI4P and PIP2 in cultured cells. By combining genetic manipulations with quantitative imaging assays we showed that PI4KIIIα, as well as Rbo/EFR3 and TTC7 that are essential for targeting PI4KIIIα to PM, are required for maintaining the homeostasis and dynamic turnover of PM PI4P and PIP2 under normoxia and hypoxia. Our results revealed that in cells challenged by energetic stresses triggered by hypoxia, ATP inhibition and possibly ischemia, dramatic turnover of PM PI4P and PIP2 could have profound impact on many cellular processes including electrostatic PM targeting of numerous polybasic proteins.
Periodic orbits in elliptical galaxies

A l'aide de la methode analytique de Lindstedt on etablit un inventaire des familles regulieres d'orbites periodiques a l'interieur de modeles sans rotation de galaxies elliptiques de forme aplatie ou allongee, en particulier pour les resonances et leur voisinage. On a egalement obtenu des solutions periodiques approchees par des series trigonometriques formelles et une troisieme integrale du mouvement qui, au premier ordre, depend du carre du moment angulaire total
Association between plaque vulnerability and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) levels: The Plaque At RISK study

Carotid atherosclerotic plaque rupture and its sequelae are among the leading causes of acute ischemic stroke. The risk of rupture and subsequent thrombosis is, among others, determined by vulnerable plaque characteristics and linked to activation of the immune system, in which neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) potentially play a role. The aim of this study was to investigate how plaque vulnerability is associated with NETs levels. We included 182 patients from the Plaque At RISK (PARISK) study in whom carotid imaging was performed to measure plaque ulceration, fibrous cap integrity, intraplaque hemorrhage, lipid-rich necrotic core, calcifications and plaque volume. Principal component analysis generated a ‘vulnerability index’ comprising all plaque characteristics. Levels of the NETs marker myeloperoxidase-DNA complex were measured in patient plasma. The association between the vulnerability index and low or high NETs levels (dependent variable) was assessed by logistic regression. No significant association between the vulnerability index and NETs levels was detected in the total population (odds ratio 1.28, 95% confidence interval 0.90–1.83, p = 0.18). However, in the subgroup of patients naive to statins or antithrombotic medication prior to the index event, this association was statistically significant (odds ratio 2.08, 95% confidence interval 1.04–4.17, p = 0.04). Further analyses revealed that this positive association was mainly driven by intraplaque hemorrhage, lipid-rich necrotic core and ulceration. In conclusion, plaque vulnerability is positively associated with plasma levels of NETs, but only in patients naive to statins or antithrombotic medication prior to the index event.