Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Circulating sLR11 levels predict severity of pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease

Background Heart failure is a severe condition often involving pulmonary hypertension (PH). Soluble low-density lipoprotein receptor with 11 ligand-binding repeats (sLR11) has been associated with pulmonary artery hypertension. We examined whether sLR11 correlates with PH in left heart disease and can be used as a predictive marker. Method We retrospectively analyzed patients with severe mitral regurgitation who underwent right heart catheterization before surgery for valve replacement or valvuloplasty from November 2005 to October 2012 at Juntendo University. We measured sLR11 levels before right heart catheterization and analyzed correlations with pulmonary hemodynamics. We compared prognoses between a group with normal sLR11 (≤9.4 ng/ml) and a group with high sLR11 (>9.4 ng/ml). Follow-up was continued for 5 years, with end points of hospitalization due to HF and death due to cardiovascular disease. Results Among 34 patients who met the inclusion criteria, sLR11 correlated with mean pulmonary artery pressure (r = 0.54, p<0.001), transpulmonary pressure gradient (r = 0.42, p = 0.012), pulmonary vascular resistance (r = 0.36, p<0.05), and log brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). However, logBNP did not correlate with pulmonary vascular resistance (p = 0.6). Levels of sLR11 were significantly higher in the 10 patients with PH (14.4±4.3 ng/ml) than in patients without PH (9.9±3.9 ng/ml; p = 0.002). At 5 years, the event rate was higher in the high-sLR11 group than in the normal-sLR11 group. The high-sLR11 group showed 5 hospitalizations due to HF (25.0%) and 2 deaths (10.0%), whereas the normal-sLR11 group showed no hospitalizations or deaths. Analyses using receiver operating characteristic curves showed a higher area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) for sLR11 level (AUC = 0.85; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.72–0.98) than for BNP (AUC = 0.80, 95%CI = 0.62–0.99) in the diagnosis of PH in left heart disease. Conclusions Concentration of sLR11 is associated with severity of PH and offers a strong predictor of severe mitral regurgitation in patients after surgery.
Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis: A Brief Review

Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CPA) is a destructive pulmonary disease caused by a fungal infection, affecting mainly individuals with prior or concurrent pulmonary conditions. It has a global prevalence of 42 per 100,000 population, but in the US and Europe, prevalence is less than 1 per 100,000. The clinical definition of CPA is based on various factors accounting for comorbidities, clinical presentation, and duration. It may be categorized into five subtypes that the disease may evolve between over time. Based on global consensus covering the spectrum of low-resource to high-resource settings, diagnosis is a multi-factorial process that involves a combination of clinical presentation persisting over 3 months, radiological findings, positive culture growth, and serological tests. CPA remains underdiagnosed due to a lack of awareness and is often misdiagnosed due to the comorbidities present. Treatment options are limited due to a lack of research. Furthermore, associated comorbidities and drug interactions further complicate treatment plans. Follow-up throughout treatment should be based on understanding the predictors of mortality. Identification of potential relapse or resistance to antifungal therapy is crucial to limit the low long-term survival rate. Awareness surrounding this devastating disease needs to be raised further to enable earlier identification, improve understanding of patient factors associated with prognosis, and the future potential for targeted therapies. This review aims to raise awareness of this rare condition among practitioners, by providing an overview of common risk factors influencing the prevalence and incidence of the disease. We further discuss current approaches and recent advancements in CPA diagnosis and treatment.
Patient perspectives on states worse than death: A qualitative study with implications for patient-centered outcomes and values elicitation

Background: Seriously ill patients rate several health outcomes as states worse than death. It is unclear what factors underlie such valuations, and whether consideration of such states is useful when making medical decisions. Aim: We sought to (1) use qualitative approaches to identify states worse than death, (2) identify attributes common to such undesirable health states, and (3) determine how participants might use information on these states in making medical decisions. Design: Qualitative study of semi-structured interviews utilizing content analysis with constant comparison techniques. Setting, Participants: We interviewed adults age 65 or older with serious illnesses after discharge home from one of two urban, academic hospitals. Eligible patients were purposively sampled to achieve balance in gender and race. Results: Of 29 participants, 15 (52%) were female, and 15 were white (52%), with a median age of 72 (interquartile range 69, 75). Various physical, cognitive, and social impairments were identified as states worse than death. The most commonly reported attributes underlying states worse than death were perceived burden on loved ones and inability to maintain human connection. Patients believed information on states worse than death must be individualized, and were concerned their opinions could change with time and fluctuations in health status. Conclusions: Common factors underlying undesirable states suggest that for care to be patient-centered it must also be family-centered. Patients’ views on using states worse than death in decision making highlight barriers to using avoidance of such states as a quality measure, but also suggest opportunities for eliciting patients’ values.
Impact of intensive lifestyle intervention on gut microbiota composition in type 2 diabetes: a post-hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial

ABSTRACT Type 2 diabetes (T2D) management is based on combined pharmacological and lifestyle intervention approaches. While their clinical benefits are well studied, less is known about their effects on the gut microbiota. We aimed to investigate if an intensive lifestyle intervention combined with conventional standard care leads to a different gut microbiota composition compared to standard care alone treatment in individuals with T2D, and if gut microbiota is associated with the clinical benefits of the treatments. Ninety-eight individuals with T2D were randomized to either an intensive lifestyle intervention combined with standard care group (N = 64), or standard care alone group (N = 34) for 12 months. All individuals received standardized, blinded, target-driven medical therapy, and individual counseling. The lifestyle intervention group moreover received intensified physical training and dietary plans. Clinical characteristics and fecal samples were collected at baseline, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-up. The gut microbiota was profiled with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. There were no statistical differences in the change of gut microbiota composition between treatments after 12 months, except minor and transient differences at month 3. The shift in gut microbiota alpha diversity at all time windows did not correlate with the change in clinical characteristics, and the gut microbiota did not mediate the treatment effect on clinical characteristics. The clinical benefits of intensive lifestyle and/or pharmacological interventions in T2D are unlikely to be explained by, or causally related to, changes in the gut microbiota composition.
The role of chirality and resonance in synthetic microwave absorbers

Summary Microwave absorption by a lossy dielectric material containing thin metal wires is considered. The wires are bent to create either chiral, non-chiral or racemic unit cells. No physical mechanism is found to support patents which were granted between 1990 and 1993, and related claims in the engineering literature, that chirality is the key to improved microwave absorbers. Instead, in synthetic composites which employ thin metal wires in a lossy dielectric host, half-wave resonance of the inclusions – not their geometric shape – is identified as the mechanism responsible for enhanced absorption. It is also found that – even in an essentially lossless host – resonant steel wires, whether chiral or not, can strongly absorb electromagnetic waves.
Targeting IKKε in Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer Causes Phenotypic Senescence and Genomic Instability

Abstract Advanced prostate cancer will often progress to a lethal, castration-resistant state. We previously demonstrated that IKKε expression correlated with the aggressiveness of prostate cancer disease. Here, we address the potential of IKKε as a therapeutic target in prostate cancer. We examined cell fate decisions (proliferation, cell death, and senescence) in IKKε-depleted PC-3 cells, which exhibited delayed cell proliferation and a senescent phenotype, but did not undergo cell death. Using IKKε/TBK1 inhibitors, BX795 and Amlexanox, we measured their effects on cell fate decisions in androgen-sensitive prostate cancer and androgen-independent prostate cancer cell lines. Cell-cycle analyses revealed a G2–M cell-cycle arrest and a higher proportion of cells with 8N DNA content in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells only. Androgen-independent prostate cancer cells also displayed increased senescence-associated (SA)-β-galactosidase activity; increased γH2AX foci; genomic instability; and altered p15, p16, and p21 expression. In our mouse model, IKKε inhibitors also decreased tumor growth of androgen-independent prostate cancer xenografts but not 22Rv1 androgen-sensitive prostate cancer xenografts. Our study suggests that targeting IKKε with BX795 or Amlexanox in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells induces a senescence phenotype and demonstrates in vivo antitumor activity. These results strengthen the potential of exploiting IKKε as a therapeutic target.
Risk factors for cervical cancer among distinct populations in low-resource countries: feasibility of cervical cancer screen-and-treat program on ukerewe island of lake victoria, Tanzania

Purpose of review A mass cervical cancer screening using World Health Organization-endorsed visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and cryotherapy triage was conducted over 5 days at Nansio District Hospital on Ukerewe Island, Tanzania in Lake Victoria. The aim was to evaluate the feasibility of a pilot screen-and-treat on a lower resource island and compare the results to previously held screen-and-treats in higher resource mainland settings. Recent findings Two hundred and eight-two women underwent VIA on Ukerewe Island during July 2017. The frequency of abnormal VIA screens was nearly twice that observed on the mainland in 2016 (18.4% vs 10.7%, respectively; P = 0.0091). Island women had lower rates of grand multiparity (19.8% vs 26.8%, P = 0.02) and more island women did not know their HIV status (80% vs 50%, P < 0.0001). Overall, 31% of abnormal VIA screens occurred among women under 30 years between the two sites. Due to the cost of transporting CO2 tanks, cryotherapy was nearly twice as expensive on the island as compared to the mainland. Summary Although transfer of an entire pilot screen-and-treat program to Ukerewe Island is feasible and well-received, expenses associated with ferrying equipment may be prohibitive to long-term sustainability. Higher VIA positivity rates were observed on the island.
Skill assessments in youth soccer: A scoping review

ABSTRACT Talent identification in youth soccer is a complex decision-making process that requires selectors to judge an individual’s future potential. While there has been considerable research into the performance characteristics of talented players, investigators have limited consensus on the best approach to assess soccer skills. Most of the research explains why we should measure skill instead of how we go about assessing skill. Therefore, the current scoping review aimed to synthesize and analyse skill assessments in youth soccer. Four electronic databases (EBSCO, ProQuest, PubMed, and Scopus) were searched for relevant studies. Information regarding the sample characteristics and methodological design of the skill assessments were extracted, synthesised, and presented in a qualitative analysis. Overall, 226 skill assessments were used across the 93 included studies. Male players from different ages (U/7-U/23) and playing levels comprised most (89%) of the collective sample. The majority of assessments were performed in settings not representative of football match-play (68%), focused on offensive skills (99%), and included skill outcome measures (95%). The variability of assessments highlights some confusion about the best way to assess soccer skill, potentially limiting selectors ability to identify skilful players. Ultimately, this will impact the number of quality players within the talent pool.
Risk, worry and motivation: How is public knowledge of dementia shaped?

Background and Objectives Due to the concern over global rising rates of dementia, increased emphasis has been placed on understanding and moulding the public’s knowledge and awareness of the condition. There has been limited previous research into predictors of dementia knowledge; overall knowledge amongst the public is low, and it has been widely agreed that more needs to be done to raise awareness of this condition. This study seeks to solidify understanding of public dementia knowledge and introduces dementia worry, motivation to seek information and risk perception as novel concomitants of this knowledge. Research Design and Methods A convenience sample of 311 UK adults completed a survey on dementia knowledge including Alzheimer’s disease-specific questions, worry about developing dementia, motivation to seek information and perceived personal risk of getting the disease. Surveys were completed face-to-face and included both closed and open-ended questions. Results Overall dementia knowledge scores were low, achieving an average of 33% of the total possible score, with 88% of the sample scoring below 50%. Bivariate correlations were performed between dementia knowledge and key variables, revealing significant positive relationships with risk perception (r = 0.179, p = .002), worry (r = 0.140, p = .016) and motivation to seek information (r = 0.139, p = .016). When knowledge was dichotomised into high and low, worry about (p = .28) and perceived risk (p = .19) of dementia was significantly lower for people with low knowledge scores than for people with higher dementia knowledge scores. Motivation to seek information was not significantly different between the high and low knowledge groups (p = .071). Discussion and Implications Despite the relatively low knowledge scores, findings show a positive relationship between modifiable factors and dementia knowledge, suggesting areas to consider for both further research and publication campaigns. Further implications and limitations of this study are discussed.
Nationwide data on home care and care home residence: presentation of the Swedish Social Service Register, its content and coverage

Aims: All Swedish municipalities are legally obliged to provide publicly funded elder care to individuals in need. The Swedish Social Service Register collects data on such care. It is the only nationwide source of information on care home residency and use of home care but has rarely been used for research. This study aims to present the content and coverage of the Social Service Register and to provide guidance for researchers planning to use these data. Methods: For each month between 2013 and 2020, we examined which of Sweden’s 290 municipalities reported data to the Social Service Register. We calculated proportions of the population (restricted to ages 80–89 years to enable comparison) that were reported to the Social Service Register in each municipality and presented the types and amount of care recorded in the register. Results: The proportion of municipalities reporting to the Social Service Register increased from 82% to 98% during the study period but several municipalities reported fragmentarily and inconsistently, particularly during earlier years. Among municipalities reporting to the Social Service Register, 9% of the population aged 80–89 years resided in care homes and 19% received home care, but the registered amount and types of care varied substantially between municipalities and over time. Conclusions: The Swedish Social Service Register provides valuable data for research on aging and elder care utilisation, but data should be selected and vetted carefully, especially for earlier years. The amount and types of care may not always be comparable between geographical regions and different time periods. In recent years, however, the coverage of the Social Service Register is good.
A National Survey of Collaboration Between Nurse Faculty Members and Staff Nurses in the Clinical Learning Environment

Abstract AIM The purpose of this study was to measure collaboration in the clinical learning environment. BACKGROUND Clinical learning, which is essential for nursing education, allows students to integrate what they have learned in the classroom in a complex social context with an interactive network of forces. Stakeholders are nursing students, nursing faculty, and staff nurses who must collaborate in providing an effective learning environment for students. METHOD Quantitative data were collected via the Collaboration in the Clinical Learning Environment tool, an author-developed 24-item Likert scale designed to measure the amount of collaboration between staff nurses and nursing faculty members in the clinical learning environment. RESULTS Three groups (n = 882) were surveyed: staff nurses, nurse faculty, and nurses who worked concurrently in academia and practice. CONCLUSION This study adds to the literature on collaboration between nursing faculty members and staff nurses. It also highlights areas for improvement for both parties.
FSHR antagonists can trigger a PCOS-like state

ABSTRACT Over the recent years, FSHR has become an important target for development of fertility regulating agents, as impairment of FSH-FSHR interaction can lead to subfertility or infertility. In our previous study, we identified a 9-mer peptide (FSHβ (89–97)) that exhibited FSHR antagonist activity. The histopathological and biochemical observations indicated, in addition to FSHR antagonism, a striking resemblance to a PCOS-like state. These observations led us to hypothesize that use of FSHR antagonists can trigger a PCOS-like state. In the present study, to validate this hypothesis, we performed qRT-PCR validation using ovarian tissue samples from our previous study. Expression of three genes known to be differentially expressed in PCOS was evaluated and found to be similar to the PCOS state. To further test the hypothesis, theoretical simulations were carried out by using the human menstrual cycle model available in the literature. Model simulations for FSHR antagonism were indicative of increased testosterone levels, increased ratio of luteinizing hormone/follicle stimulating hormone, and stockpiling of secondary follicles, which are typical characteristics of PCOS. The findings of this study will be relevant while reviewing the utility of FSHR antagonists for fertility regulation and reproductive medicine. Abbreviations: FSH: Follicle-stimulating hormone; FSHR: Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor; cAMP: Cyclic adenosine 3’5’ monophosphate; PKA: Protein kinase A; PI3K: Phosphoinositide 3-kinase; PKB: protein kinase B; ERK1/2: Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2; MAPK: Mitogen-activated protein kinases; T: testosterone; E2: estradiol; PCOS: Polycystic ovarian syndrome; LH: luteinizing hormone; Lhcgr: luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor; CYP17A1: cytochrome P450 family 17 subfamily A member 1; Inhba: inhibin subunit beta A; qRT-PCR: Real-Time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; FSHβ: Follicle-stimulating hormone β subunit; Ct: Cycle threshold; Rn18s: Rattus norvegicus 18S ribosomal RNA
Regeneration of Eurca Sativa L. Plants from Cell Suspension- Derived Callus with Assessment of Anatomical Variation

Background: The study succeed in establish a fine cell suspension derived from callus of rocket plant (Eurca sativa L.) stem explant in liquid MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L NAA + 1.5 mg/L 2,4-D. Objective: the cells enhanced the first division within 24h. , and continued their subsequent division to produce 5.2 × 10 3 cell/ml after 5 days of culture and the total number of colonies was 152, which produced callus after 4 weeks. Results: Regenerated shoots were rooted in MS medium; plantlets survived and showed new branch development under in vitro conditions. Conclusion: This study also finds out changes in anatomical & structural characterization of stem.
The non-closed parts optimal fitting method based on curvature Hausdorff distance using 3D non-contact measurement points

Auto-body panel fitting is an efficient way to improve dimensional quality and to give a better impression to the consumers. Optimal panel fitting has been studied by many authors, and the proposed optimization models mainly concerned the optimized fitting position for two closed parts. The fitting problem of the front and rear parts of a car is different from the closed parts fitting problem, because the fitting parts are non-closed. The purpose of this research was to develop systematic and efficient methods for optimal fitting of non-closed parts using 3D non-contact measurement points. B-spline curve fitting was employed to obtain fitting boundaries from point cloud data. A new fitting model for non-closed parts based on curvature Hausdorff distance was proposed to obtain the optimal fitting quality. The validity of the minimal curvature Hausdorff distance corresponding to optimal fitting quality was verified by a practical demonstration. A practical fitting case of the hood, headlight and fender of a car was conducted and optimal fitting quality was achieved. The results of this research will enhance the understanding of the optimal fitting of spatial curves, and help systematically adjust the non-closed fitting parts.
Insulin Resistance: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies

Insulin resistance is the pivotal pathogenic component of many metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, and is defined as a state of reduced responsiveness of insulin-targeting tissues to physiological levels of insulin. Although the underlying mechanism of insulin resistance is not fully understood, several credible theories have been proposed. In this review, we summarize the functions of insulin in glucose metabolism in typical metabolic tissues and describe the mechanisms proposed to underlie insulin resistance, that is, ectopic lipid accumulation in liver and skeletal muscle, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inflammation. In addition, we suggest potential therapeutic strategies for addressing insulin resistance.