anthonyyazdaniml/gliner-biomed-curated-corpus huggingface dataset:
BACKGROUND: The excitable gap (EG), defined as the excitable tissue between two subsequent wavefronts of depolarization, is critical for maintaining reentry that underlies deadly ventricular arrhythmias. EG in the His-Purkinje Network (HPN) plays an important role in the maintenance of electrical wave reentry that underlies these arrhythmias.
OBJECTIVE: To determine if rapid His bundle pacing (HBP) during reentry reduces the amount of EG in the HPN and ventricular myocardium to suppress reentry maintenance and/or improve defibrillation efficacy.
METHODS: In a virtual human biventricular model, reentry was initiated with rapid line pacing followed by HBP delivered for 3, 6, or 9 s at pacing cycle lengths (PCLs) ranging from 10 to 300 ms (n=30). EG was calculated independently for the HPN and myocardium over each PCL. Defibrillation efficacy was assessed for each PCL by stimulating myocardial surface EG with delays ranging from 0.25 to 9 s (increments of 0.25 s, n=36) after the start of HBP. Defibrillation was successful if reentry terminated within 1 s after EG stimulation. This defibrillation protocol was repeated without HBP. To test the approach under different pathological conditions, all protocols were repeated in the model with right (RBBB) or left (LBBB) bundle branch block.
RESULTS: Compared to without pacing, HBP for >3 seconds reduced average EG in the HPN and myocardium across a broad range of PCLs for the default, RBBB, and LBBB models. HBP >6 seconds terminated reentrant arrhythmia by converting HPN activation to a sinus rhythm behavior in the default (6/30 PCLs) and RBBB (7/30 PCLs) models. Myocardial EG stimulation during HBP increased the number of successful defibrillation attempts by 3%-19% for 30/30 PCLs in the default model, 3%-6% for 14/30 PCLs in the RBBB model, and 3%-11% for 27/30 PCLs in the LBBB model.
CONCLUSION: HBP can reduce the amount of excitable gap and suppress reentry maintenance in the HPN and myocardium. HBP can also improve the efficacy of low-energy defibrillation approaches targeting excitable myocardium. HBP during reentrant arrhythmias is a promising anti-arrhythmic and defibrillation strategy.
This randomized controlled trial (RCT) will test in a sample of 195 patients with high levels of internalized health-related stigma the effects of a novel transdiagnostic intervention designed to help patients cope with this stigma and to reduce its internalization. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three intervention conditions: (1) a group-based counseling intervention designed to target internalized health-related stigma, delivered virtually (i.e., via telehealth); (2) a general peer support group conducted via telehealth without a targeted stigma intervention; or (3) a waitlist control group. The counseling and peer support conditions will provide 12 weekly group sessions, followed by 2 every other week sessions and 2 monthly sessions (16 sessions total over the course of 26 weeks, or 6 months). Participants across all conditions will complete outcome assessment visits at baseline/randomization, week 12, and week 26. The waitlist control group will receive 12 weeks of the group counseling intervention (condition #1) after completing the week 26 assessment. The primary trial outcome will be the change in internalized stigma from baseline to week 12 (following the most intensive part of the intervention). Change in internalized stigma from baseline to week 26 will be a secondary outcome to determine lasting effects of the intervention in a "maintenance" period with less frequent intervention. Other secondary outcomes will include depression, anxiety, stress, coping, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL)
BACKGROUND: During 2020 and immediately prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sudan was experiencing multiple emergencies including violence, seasonal flooding, and vector-borne disease outbreaks. After more than ten years since its last case of wild poliovirus, Sudan declared a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreak on 9 August 2020.
METHODS: cVDPV2 outbreak response data and programme documents of the Federal Ministry of Health and WHO were reviewed. Surveillance data was verified through WHO-recommended procedures for detecting and characterizing polioviruses from stool and sewage samples collected from acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases and the environment.
RESULTS: This outbreak in Sudan led to a total of 58 confirmed cases of cVDPV2 from 15 of the 18 states. Two nationwide vaccination campaigns were held to increase immunity of children under-five against poliovirus type 2. Funding challenges were overcome by intense additional resource mobilization from in-country sources. The funding gap was bridged from domestic resources (49%) sourced through GPEI partners, and in-country humanitarian funding mechanisms.
CONCLUSIONS: During an outbreak response and challenge of funding shortfall, mobilizing in-country resources is possible through coordinated approaches, regular communication with partners, disaggregation of needs, and matching in-kind and financial support to fill gaps. A cVDPV2 outbreak requires a fast, resourced, and quality response to stop virus circulation.
This will be a randomized field experiment. Physicians will receive two unannounced covert standardized patient (SP) visits during the 12-24 months after enrollment. SPs are trained actors who will pose as patients to assess physician behavior and communication. Each SP will present just like a real patient, and will have a standardized fabricated scenario and identity. The SP visit will be unannounced; the physician will not be informed at the time of the visit that they are seeing an SP. The visits will be covertly audio-recorded. This is being conducted at 3 sites: University of Rochester, Rochester, NY; Purdue, IN; and University of Michigan.
Auditory hair cell damage induced by aminoglycoside antibiotics (AmAn) leads to hearing loss, which has a serious effect on people's mental and physical health. This ototoxicity is thought to be related with the excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in hair cells. However, therapeutic agents that protect hair cells are limited. Marine peptides have been shown to have excellent potential applications in disease prevention and treatment. Therefore, this study investigated the protective effects of an active peptide from Neptunea arthritica cumingii against AmAn-induced hair cell damage using the model of hair cell damage zebrafish. We identified the number, ultrastructure, and function of hair cells using fluorescence probes and scanning electron microscopy. The uptake of AmAn, ROS level, mitochondrial permeability transition pore, and apoptosis in hair cells were also tested by fluorescence labeling and TUNEL assay. The molecular mechanism for hair cell protection exerted by the peptide was detected by a real-time quantitative PCR assay. The results indicated that the peptide suppressed the uptake of AmAn but did not damage the function of hair cells mediating hearing. It also prevented ROS accumulation, decreased the occurrence of apoptosis, and rescued the abnormal opening and expressions of mitochondrial permeability transition pore and genes related to antioxidants. The peptide may be an effective therapeutic agent for AmAn-induced ototoxicity. In the future, we plan to use mammalian models to further investigate the otoprotective effect of the peptide.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE: Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae), known as Brazilian pepper tree, stands out as a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine. The leaves are popularly used as anti-inflammatory agent and to relieve inflammatory conditions such as bronchitis, ulcers, and wounds, for example.
AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study evaluated the acute toxicity, genotoxicity, and anti-inflammatory activity of S. terebinthifolia leaf lectin (SteLL) in mice (Mus musculus).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the acute toxicity assay, the animals were treated intraperitoneally (i.p.) or orally (per os) with a single dose of 100 mg/kg. Genotoxicity was assessed by the comet and micronucleus assays. Carrageenan-induced peritonitis and paw edema models were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of SteLL (1, 5 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.).
RESULTS: No animal died and no signs of intoxication or histopathological damage were observed in the acute toxicity assay. Genotoxic effect was not detected. In peritonitis assay, SteLL reduced in 56-69% leukocyte migration to the peritoneal cavity; neutrophil count decreased by 25-32%, while mononuclear cell count increased by 67-74%. SteLL promoted a notable reduction of paw edema after 4 h (61.1-63.4%). Morphometric analysis showed that SteLL also decreased the thickness of epidermal edema (30.2-40.7%). Furthermore, SteLL decreased MPO activity, plasma leakage, NO release, and modulated cytokines in both peritoneal fluid and paw homogenate.
CONCLUSION: SteLL did not induce acute toxicity or genotoxicity in mice and stands out as a promising candidate in the development of new phytopharmaceuticals with anti-inflammatory action.
PURPOSE: A novel antibiotic activity compound and an antibiotic composition including thereof are provided to improve antibiotic activity by obstructing cell wall synthesis of bacteria and the cell growth. CONSTITUTION: A novel antibiotic activity compound is represented by chemical formula 1 or 2. The compound of the chemical formula 1 or 2 obstructs activity of ATP-dependent-D-alanyl-D-alanine ligase. An antibiotic composition includes the compound of the chemical formula 1 or 2 and pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition is used for preventing or treating infections by pathogen having activity of bacterium cell wall synthesis inhibition. A stockfeed composition for prevention or treating infection includes the compound of the chemical formula 1 or 2 and a carrier which is acceptable in quellenkunde. An agricultural composition for preventing or treating infection includes the compound of the chemical formula 1 or 2 and a carrier which is acceptable in agricultural pharmacology.
BACKGROUND: Impaired ankle proprioception strongly predicts balance dysfunction in chronic stroke. However, only sparse data on ankle position sense and no systematic data on ankle motion sense dysfunction in stroke are available. Moreover, the lesion sites underlying impaired ankle proprioception have not been comprehensively delineated. Using robotic technology, this study quantified ankle proprioceptive deficits post-stroke and determined the associated brain lesions.
METHODS: Twelve adults with chronic stroke and 13 neurotypical adults participated. A robot passively plantarflexed a participant's ankle to two distinct positions or at two distinct velocities. Participants subsequently indicated which of the two movements was further/faster. Based on the stimulus-response data, psychometric just-noticeable-difference (JND) thresholds and intervals of uncertainty (IU) were derived as measures on proprioceptive bias and precision. To determine group differences, Welch's t-test and the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test were performed for the JND threshold and IU, respectively. Voxel-based lesion subtraction analysis identified the brain lesions associated with observed proprioceptive deficits in adults with stroke.
RESULTS: 83% of adults with stroke exhibited abnormalities in either position or motion sense, or both. JND and IU measures were significantly elevated compared to the control group (Position sense: + 77% in JND, + 148% in IU; Motion sense: +153% in JND, + 78% in IU). Adults with stroke with both impaired ankle position and motion sense had lesions in the parietal, frontal, and temporoparietal regions.
CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to document the magnitude and frequency of ankle position and motion sense impairment in adults with chronic stroke. Proprioceptive dysfunction was characterized by elevated JND thresholds and increased uncertainty in perceiving ankle position/motion. Furthermore, the associated cortical lesions for impairment in both proprioceptive senses were largely overlapping.
BACKGROUND: Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma, accounting for approximately 1% of all tumors; however, DFSP of the breast is extremely rare. Moreover, DFSP generally has a low malignant potential and is characterized by a high rate of local recurrence along with a small but definite risk of metastasis. The risk of metastasis is higher in fibrosarcomatous transformation in DFSP than in ordinary DFSP.
CASE REPORT: We have, herein, reported a case of a 61-year-old male patient with fibrosarcomatous transformation in DFSP. Preoperative Dynamic Contrastenhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DCE-MRI) of the breast revealed an oval-shaped mass with heterogeneous internal enhancement, a large vessel embedded within, and a washout curve pattern on kinetic curve analysis. The mass exhibited a hyperintense signal on Diffusion-weighted Imaging (DWI), with a low apparent diffusion coefficient value. Histologically, the bland spindle tumor cells were arranged in a storiform pattern. Areas with the highest histological grade demonstrated increased cellularity, cytological atypia, and mitotic activity. Immunohistochemically, Ki-67 and p53 were highly expressed.
CONCLUSION: Recognizing the risk and accurately diagnosing fibrosarcomatous transformation in male breast DFSP are critical for improving prognosis and establishing appropriate treatment and follow-up plans. This emphasizes the significance of combining immunohistopathological features with DCE-MRI and DWI to assist clinicians in the early and accurate diagnosis of sarcomas arising from male breast DFSP.
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the expression levels and biological significance of CKS2 in Burkitt cell lymphoma (BL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Additionally, the potential synergistic anti-tumor effects of CKS2 knockdown in combination with etoposide in BL and DLBCL were explored for the first time.
METHODS: Bioinformatics analysis was utilized to explore the transcriptional levels, prognostic value, and gene function enrichment of CKS2 in BL and DLBCL. Specific shRNA sequences were designed to target CKS2 for the purpose of constructing a lentiviral expression vector, and therapeutic effects were assessed through analyses of cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, and cell apoptosis.
RESULTS: First, the study examined the increased transcriptional and protein levels of CKS2 in BL and DLBCL through analysis of various databases and immunohistochemistry tests. Elevated CKS2 expression was found to be correlated with a worse prognosis in BL and DLBCL patients, as evidenced by data from the TCGA and GEO databases. Enrichment analysis indicated that CKS2 functions were primarily linked to protein kinase regulatory activity, G1/S phase transition of the cell cycle, and the p53 signaling pathway, among others. Second, stable suppression of CKS2 gene expression in Raji and SUDHL6 cells using shRNA resulted in a significant inhibition of cell proliferation. Moreover, CKS2-shRNA induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by activating the p53 signaling pathway in Raji and SUDHL6 cells. Third, the combined treatment of CKS2-shRNA and etoposide exhibited a synergistic effect on the proliferation and apoptosis of Raji and SUDHL6 cells.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that CKS2 may play a critical role in the progression of BL and DLBCL and provide evidence for the potential therapeutic application of combining CKS2-shRNA and etoposide agents in the treatment of BL and DLBCL.
BACKGROUND: This study focused on the relationship between adiposity and Rest-Activity Rhythms (RAR), utilizing both parametric cosine-based models and non-parametric algorithms. The emphasis was on the impact of varying measurement periods (7-28 days) on this relationship.
METHODS: We retrieved actigraphy data from two datasets, encompassing a diverse cohort recruited from an obesity outpatient clinic and a workplace health promotion program. Participants were required to wear a research-grade wrist actigraphy device continuously for a minimum of four weeks. The final dataset included 115 individuals (mean age 40.7 ± 9.5 years, 51 % female). We employed both parametric and non-parametric methods to quantify RAR using six standard variables. Additionally, the study evaluated the correlations between three key adiposity indices - Body Mass Index (BMI), Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT) area, and Body Fat Percentage (BF%) - and circadian rhythm indicators, controlling for factors like physical activity, age, and gender.
RESULTS: The obesity group displayed a significantly lower relative amplitude (RA) as per non-parametric algorithm findings, with a decreased amplitude noted in the parametric algorithm analysis, in comparison to the overweight and control groups. The relationship between circadian rhythm indicators and adiposity metrics over 7- to 28-day periods was examined. A notable negative correlation was observed between RA and both BMI and VAT, while correlation coefficients between adiposity indicators and non-parametric circadian parameters increased with extended durations of actigraphy data. Specifically, RA over a 28-day period was significantly correlated with BF%, a trend not seen in the 7-day measurement (p = 0.094) in multivariate linear regression. The strength of the correlation between BF% and 28-day RA was more pronounced than that in the 7-day period (p = 0.044). However, replacing RA with amplitude as per parametric cosinor fitting yielded no significant correlations for any of the measurement periods.
CONCLUSION: The study concludes that a 28-day measurement period more effectively captures the link between disrupted circadian rhythms and adiposity. Non-parametric algorithms, in particular, were more effective in characterizing disrupted circadian rhythms, especially when extending the measurement period beyond the standard 7 days.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a disease of the elderly, often presenting comorbidities like osteoporosis and requiring, in a relevant proportion of cases, treatment with bisphosphonates (BPs). This class of drugs was shown in preclinical investigations to also possess anticancer properties. We started an in vitro study of the effects of BPs on CLL B cells activated by microenvironment-mimicking stimuli and observed that, depending on drug concentration, hormetic effects were induced on the leukemic cells. Higher doses induced cytotoxicity whereas at lower concentrations, more likely occurring in vivo, the drugs generated a protective effect from spontaneous and chemotherapy-induced apoptosis, and augmented CLL B cell activation/proliferation. This CLL-activation effect promoted by the BPs was associated with markers of poor CLL prognosis and required the presence of bystander stromal cells. Functional experiments suggested that this phenomenon involves the release of soluble factors and is increased by cellular contact between stroma and CLL B cells. Since CLL patients often present comorbidities such as osteoporosis and considering the diverse outcomes in both CLL disease progression and CLL response to treatment among patients, illustrating this phenomenon holds potential significance in driving additional investigations.
Diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy is the most common type of peripheral neuropathy complication of diabetes mellitus. Neuroinflammation is emerging as an important contributor to diabetes-induced neuropathy. Long-term hyperglycemia results in increased production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs interact with their receptors to activate intracellular signaling, leading to the release of various inflammatory cytokines. Increased release of inflammatory cytokines is associated with diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, and neuropathic pain. Thus, anti-inflammatory intervention is a potential therapy for diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy. Further characterization of inflammatory mechanisms might identify novel therapeutic targets to mitigate diabetic neuropathy.
BACKGROUND: Diarrhea is a serious health problem in children under the age of five that is both preventable and treatable. In low-income countries like Ethiopia, children under the age five years frequently experience diarrhea. However, the burden and associated factors of these diarrheal diseases are understudied in Eastern Ethiopia, Thus, this study aimed to determine the factors associated with the prevalence of diarrheal diseases in Eastern Ethiopia from September 1-30, 2022.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the total of 602 children aged 6 to 59 months in Oda Bultum district in eastern Ethiopia. A multistage sampling method was used. Three kebeles were selected from nine kebeles by the lottery method. Data was entered into Epi data 4.0.2 and exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Descriptive analysis was used for frequency, mean, and standard deviations. In addition, bivariable, and multivariable Poisson regression model was used to identify predictors of diarrhea along with a 95% confidence interval. Finally, statistical significance was declared at a p-value of 0.05.
RESULT: A total of 602 children were included in this study. The prevalence of diarrhea 7.4% (47/602), 95% CI; 5.5-9.7%) among the children. Factors such as being unvaccinated for any vaccine (AOR = 10.82, 95%CI; 4.58-25.48) and born from a mother who had medium level of empowerment (AOR = 0.34, 95%CI; 0.11-0.88) in the household had statistically significant association with diarrhea among the children compared to their counterparts.
CONCLUSION: The study found that nearly one out of thirteen children aged 6 to 59 months had any form of diarrheal diseases in Oda Bultum District, Eastern Ethiopia. In addition, the study revealed that children who were vaccinated for their age developed diarrhea less likely compared to those who did not receive any form of vaccine for their age. Moreover, children with mothers who had a medium level of empowerment were less likely to get diarrhea than children with mothers who had a low level of empowerment.