Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preparation and properties of α‐chitin‐whisker‐reinforced hyaluronan–gelatin nanocomposite scaffolds

Tissue scaffolds made of naturally derived polymers present poor mechanical properties, which may limit their actual utilization in certain areas where high strength is a key criterion. This study was aimed at developing tissue scaffolds from a 50 : 50 w/w blend of hyaluronan (HA) and gelatin (Gel) that contained different amounts of acid-hydrolyzed α-chitin whiskers (CWs) by a freeze-drying method. The weight ratios of the CWs to the blend were 0–30%. These scaffolds were characterized for their physical, physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties. Regardless of the CW content, the average pore size of the scaffolds ranged between 139 and 166 μm. The incorporation of 2% CWs in the HA–Gel scaffolds increased their tensile strength by about two times compared to those of the other groups of the scaffolds. Although the addition of 20–30% CWs in the scaffolds improved their thermal stability and resistance to biodegradation, the scaffolds with 10% CWs were the best for supporting the proliferation of cultured human osteosarcoma cells (SaOS-2). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Intraindividual variability in neurocognitive performance is associated with time-based prospective memory in older adults

ABSTRACT Introduction: Older adults demonstrate poorer prospective memory (PM) performance than younger adults, particularly for time-based cues and other strategically demanding PM tasks. Intraindividual variability (IIV) in neurocognitive test performance is an index of cognitive control that may be related to the execution of strategically demanding PM tasks. Method: Participants included 194 older Australian adults (age 50 to 88 years) who completed the Memory for Intentions Screening Test (MIST), the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ), and clinical measures of executive functions. A measure of naturalistic time-based PM was also administered, in which participants were asked to call the examiner 24 hours after their appointment to report how many hours they slept. IIV was calculated as the mean-adjusted coefficient of variation (CoV) across subtests of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Results: IIV was significantly associated with time-based PM in the laboratory, independent of demographics. Additionally, IIV significantly predicted performance on a naturalistic time-based PM trial, independent of demographics and chronic medical conditions. IIV was not related to event-based laboratory PM or self-reported PM symptoms in daily life. Clinical measures of executive functions were similarly associated with time-based PM and the naturalistic PM task, but not with event-based PM or subjective PM symptoms.Conclusions: These results indicate that cognitive control, as indexed by IIV in neurocognitive performance, may play a role in naturalistic PM, as well as in highly strategic, but not automatic, laboratory-based PM among older adults.
Assessment of Long-Term Survival of Immediately Loaded Tilted Implants Supporting a Maxillary Full-Arch Fixed Prosthesis.

PURPOSE To analyze the long-term outcome of fixed prostheses supported by six implants, two of which were tilted, placed in the maxilla and immediately loaded more than 10 years earlier. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective review of implants placed between May 29, 2003 and February 12, 2005 and used to support immediately loaded fixed dental prostheses in the maxilla was conducted. The features of failed implants were analyzed. In the most recent follow-up visits, survival of individual implants and prostheses was verified, and modified Plaque Index as well as modified Sulcular Bleeding Index were assessed. Patients also filled out a questionnaire requiring graded responses from 0 (poor) to 10 (excellent) that was designed to assess their quality of life. RESULTS A total of 162 implants were placed between May 29, 2003 and February 12, 2005 to support immediately loaded maxillary fixed prostheses of 27 totally edentulous patients (19 female, 8 male). Three patients (1 male, 2 female) dropped out, so 144 implants were followed up. Seven of the 144 original implants failed, corresponding to a survival rate of 95.1% over 10 years. All the failures occurred within 2 years after surgery. Patients' responses to the questionnaire produced an average score of 8.4 to 8.8, showing a relevant degree of satisfaction. CONCLUSION Based upon this study of 27 patients who received immediately loaded maxillary full-arch fixed implant-supported prostheses supported by two tilted and four axial implants, it appears that this is a reliable procedure with a high long-term survival rate and a high level of patient satisfaction.
Treatment of lupus nephritis

Renal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus patients is a severe disease manifestation characterized by various clinical and histopathological alterations. The revised International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society 2003 classification defines the subclasses of lupus nephritis (LN) according to their pathological glomerular patterns, which has a crucial impact on the prognosis and treatment options for LN patients. There are widely accepted therapeutic agents available, such as cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine and corticosteroids. Several trials have tried to determine a gold standard for induction and maintenance therapy in LN, and the place of newer drugs, biologicals, has been investigated. We review recently reported data on current treatment regimens in LN, in particular in the context of the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society 2003 classification.
Practical Sketching Algorithms for Low-Rank Matrix Approximation

This paper develops a suite of algorithms for constructing low-rank approximations of an input matrix from a random linear image of the matrix, called a sketch. These methods can preserve structural properties of the input matrix, such as positive-semidefiniteness, and they can produce approximations with a user-specified rank. The algorithms are simple, accurate, numerically stable, and provably correct. Moreover, each method is accompanied by an informative error bound that allows users to select parameters a priori to achieve a given approximation quality. These claims are supported by computer experiments.
Raman Imaging of Plant Cell Walls in Sections of Cucumis sativus

Raman microspectra combine information on chemical composition of plant tissues with spatial information. The contributions from the building blocks of the cell walls in the Raman spectra of plant tissues can vary in the microscopic sub-structures of the tissue. Here, we discuss the analysis of 55 Raman maps of root, stem, and leaf tissues of Cucumis sativus, using different spectral contributions from cellulose and lignin in both univariate and multivariate imaging methods. Imaging based on hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) indicates different substructures in the xylem cell walls of the different tissues. Using specific signals from the cell wall spectra, analysis of the whole set of different tissue sections based on the Raman images reveals differences in xylem tissue morphology. Due to the specifics of excitation of the Raman spectra in the visible wavelength range (532 nm), which is, e.g., in resonance with carotenoid species, effects of photobleaching and the possibility of exploiting depletion difference spectra for molecular characterization in Raman imaging of plants are discussed. The reported results provide both, specific information on the molecular composition of cucumber tissue Raman spectra, and general directions for future imaging studies in plant tissues.
The adaptive accuracy of flowers: measurement and microevolutionary patterns.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS From Darwin's time onward, biologists have thought about adaptation as evolution toward optimal trait values, but they have not usually assessed the relative importance of the distinct causes of deviations from optima. This problem is investigated here by measuring adaptive inaccuracy (phenotypic deviation from the optimum), using flower pollination as an adaptive system. METHODS Adaptive accuracy is shown to have at least three distinct components, two of which are optimality (deviation of the mean from the optimum) and precision (trait variance). We then describe adaptive accuracy of both individuals and populations. Individual inaccuracy comprises the deviation of the genotypic target (the mean phenotype of a genotype grown in a range of environments) from the optimum and the phenotypic variation around that genotypic target (phenotypic imprecision). Population inaccuracy has three basic components: deviation of the population mean from the optimum, variance in the genotypic targets and phenotypic imprecision. In addition, a fourth component is proposed, namely within-population variation in the optimum. These components are directly estimable, have additive relationships, and allow exploration of the causes of adaptive inaccuracy of both individuals and populations. Adaptive accuracy of a sample of flowers is estimated, relating floral phenotypes controlling pollen deposition on pollinators to adaptive optima defined as the site most likely to get pollen onto stigmas (male inaccuracy). Female inaccuracy is defined as the deviation of the position of stigma contact from the expected location of pollen on pollinators. KEY RESULTS A surprising amount of variation in estimated accuracy within and among similar species is found. Some of this variation is generated by developmental changes in positions of stigmas or anthers during anthesis (the floral receptive period), which can cause dramatic change in accuracy estimates. There seem to be trends for higher precision and accuracy in flowers with higher levels of integration and dichogamy (temporal separation of sexual functions), and in those that have pollinators that are immobile (or immobilized) during pollen transfer. Large deviations from putative adaptive optima were observed, and these may be related to the effects of conflicting selective pressures on flowers, such as selection against self-pollination promoting herkogamy (spatial separation of pollen and stigmas). CONCLUSIONS Adaptive accuracy is a useful concept for understanding the adaptive significance of phenotypic means and variances of floral morphology within and among populations and species. Estimating and comparing the various components of adaptive accuracy can be particularly helpful for identifying the causes of inaccuracy, such as conflicting selective pressures, low environmental canalization and developmental instability.
Quantifying functional connectivity in multi‐subject fMRI data using component models

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is increasingly used to characterize functional connectivity between brain regions. Given the vast number of between‐voxel interactions in high‐dimensional fMRI data, it is an ongoing challenge to detect stable and generalizable functional connectivity in the brain among groups of subjects. Component models can be used to define subspace representations of functional connectivity that are more interpretable. It is, however, unclear which component model provides the optimal representation of functional networks for multi‐subject fMRI datasets. A flexible cross‐validation approach that assesses the ability of the models to predict voxel‐wise covariance in new data, using three different measures of generalization was proposed. This framework is used to compare a range of component models with varying degrees of flexibility in their representation of functional connectivity, evaluated on both simulated and experimental resting‐state fMRI data. It was demonstrated that highly flexible subject‐specific component subspaces, as well as very constrained average models, are poor predictors of whole‐brain functional connectivity, whereas the best‐generalizing models account for subject variability within a common spatial subspace. Within this set of models, spatial Independent Component Analysis (sICA) on concatenated data provides more interpretable brain patterns, whereas a consistent‐covariance model that accounts for subject‐specific network scaling (PARAFAC2) provides greater stability in functional connectivity relationships between components and their spatial representations. The proposed evaluation framework is a promising quantitative approach to evaluating component models, and reveals important differences between subspace models in terms of predictability, robustness, characterization of subject variability, and interpretability of the model parameters. Hum Brain Mapp 38:882–899, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Direct investigation of the structural properties of tension wood cellulose microfibrils using microbeam X-ray fibre diffraction

Abstract Single tension-wood fibres from poplar were investigated using a synchrotron radiation X-ray microbeam. The resulting diffraction patterns are highly resolved (smallest d-spacing 0.11 nm). In the gelatinous layer, cellulose microfibrils of high perfection are found in almost ideal parallel alignment. Their cross-section is approximately four-fold greater than that of microfibrils in the S2 layer of the same wood cell. The results are discussed in terms of the influence of encrusting cell wall polymers and cellulose biosynthesis on the structure of wood cellulose microfibrils. In temperature-dependent experiments, the low-temperature thermal expansion coefficients of crystalline cellulose were determined.
Quercetin supplementation does not alter antioxidant status in humans

Abstract This study measured the influence of ingesting quercetin on plasma measures for oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity. Male and female subjects (n = 1002) varying in age (18–85 years) and body mass index (BMI) (16.7–52.7 kg/m2) were studied. Subjects were randomized to one of three groups using double-blinded methods: placebo, 500 mg or 1000 mg quercetin/day with 125 mg or 250 mg vitamin C/day, respectively. Pre- and post-study fasting blood samples show that plasma quercetin increased in a dose-responsive manner. The pattern of change in plasma F2-isoprostanes, oxidized low density lipoprotein, reduced glutathione, ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) did not differ between supplementation groups or after adjustment for gender, age, BMI and disease status. In summary, quercetin supplementation over 12 weeks in doses of 500 mg or 1000 mg/day significantly increased plasma quercetin levels, but had no influence on several measures of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity.
A seizure response dog: video recording of reacting behaviour during repetitive prolonged seizures

Seizure response and alerting behaviour may spontaneously develop in dogs living with children or adults with epilepsy. Some dogs can also be reliably trained to respond and anticipate seizures. We describe the case of a dog, not previously trained for assistance work, showing complex seizure response behaviour. This is the first release of a home video recording of a dog reacting to its owner’s seizure.
CEBPA double‐mutated acute myeloid leukaemia harbours concomitant molecular mutations in 76·8% of cases with TET2 and GATA2 alterations impacting prognosis

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) with CEBPA mutations is listed as a provisional entity in the current World Health Organization classification. A difference in clinical outcome between single‐ (sm) and double‐mutated (dm) cases has been reported, whereupon CEBPAdm cases were shown to be associated with better overall survival (OS). The occurrence and prognostic impact of concomitant molecular mutations in addition to CEBPAdm has not been assessed until now with exception of GATA2 mutations. Here, we investigated a cohort of 95 AML CEBPAdm cases for concomitant mutations. TET2 was found to be most frequently mutated (34·0%) gene, followed by GATA2 (21·0%), WT1 (13·7%), DNMT3A (9·6%), ASXL1 (9·5%), NRAS (8·4%), KRAS (3·2%), IDH1/2 (6·3%), FLT3‐internal tandem duplication (6·3%), FLT3‐tyrosine kinase domain (2·1%), NPM1 (2·1%), and RUNX1 (1/94). Patients harbouring additional mutations in the TET2 gene showed significantly worse OS than TET2 wild‐type cases (P = 0·035), whereas GATA2‐mutated patients showed improved OS (P = 0·032). Serial analyses were performed for 39 CEBPAdm cases with concomitant mutations. Here, we observed that CEBPA mutations present the primary pathogenetic event in the majority of cases (76·9%). Further, a distinct gene expression profile (GEP) was confirmed for CEBPAdm versus CEBPAsm or CEBPA wild‐type cases while no significant changes in GEP were observed related to additional mutations within the CEBPAdm AML.
Tips and tricks for DIEP flap breast reconstruction in patients with previous abdominal scar

The aim of this study was to analyze outcomes of patients who had prior abdominal operations and underwent DIEP flap breast reconstruction and to describe technical strategies to insure well‐vascularized flap‐harvest minimizing abdominal donor‐site complications. All patients who underwent DIEP flap breast reconstruction between 2004 and 2014 were reviewed and divided into a control group (CG) and a scar group (SG). Patient demographics, operative details, flap and donor‐site complications were analyzed and compared. For all of the scars, DIEP flap design was not modified, but a standardized approach was developed according to the type and location of the scar, available vascular pedicle, perforator locations, and the required flap tissue for breast reconstruction. Two hundred and eighty patients underwent 292 flaps in CG and 107 underwent 111 flaps in SG. Pfannenstiel, McBurney, laparoscopic, midline and subcostal were the most common previous incisions. There were no significant differences between groups regarding demographics, flap and mastectomy weight, active smoking, or radiation status (P > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in DIEP flap loss (P = 0.909), partial flap loss (P=0.799), or fat necrosis (P=0.871) and in the rate of abdominal donor‐site complications between groups (P > 0.05). SG had a significantly higher mean operative time than CG (P=0.034). Medial raw was a negative risk‐factor for flap complications, while BMI (>25.1 kg/m2) and smoking‐history were significant predictors for donor‐site complications. With careful preoperative planning and appropriate technical strategies, successfully DIEP flap breast reconstruction can be performed without increased flap and donor‐site complications in patients with preexisting abdominal scars. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:282–292, 2017.
Co-reductive fabrication of carbon nanodots with high quantum yield for bioimaging of bacteria

A simple and straightforward synthetic approach for carbon nanodots (C-dots) is proposed. The strategy is based on a one-step hydrothermal chemical reduction with thiourea and urea, leading to high quantum yield C-dots. The obtained C-dots are well-dispersed with a uniform size and a graphite-like structure. A synergistic reduction mechanism was investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The findings show that using both thiourea and urea during the one-pot synthesis enhances the luminescence of the generated C-dots. Moreover, the prepared C-dots have a high distribution of functional groups on their surface. In this work, C-dots proved to be a suitable nanomaterial for imaging of bacteria and exhibit potential for application in bioimaging thanks to their low cytotoxicity.
Cell‐specific expression of runt‐related transcription factor 2 contributes to pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal lung disease with limited therapeutic options and unknown etiology. IPF is characterized by epithelial cell injury, impaired cellular crosstalk between epithelial cells and fibroblasts, and the formation of fibroblast foci with increased extracellular matrix deposition (ECM). We investigated the role of runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), a master regulator of bone development that has been linked to profibrotic signaling. RUNX2 expression was up‐regulated in lung homogenates from patients with IPF and in experimental bleomycin‐induced lung fibrosis. The RUNX2 level correlated with disease severity as measured by decreased diffusing capacity and increased levels of the IPF biomarker, matrix metalloproteinase 7. Nuclear RUNX2 was observed in prosurfactant protein C–positive hyperplastic epithelial cells and was rarely found in myofibroblasts. We discovered an up‐regulation of RUNX2 in fibrotic alveolar epithelial type II (ATII) cells as well as an increase of RUNX2‐negative fibroblasts in experimental and human pulmonary fibrosis. Functionally, small interfering RNA–mediated RUNX2 knockdown decreased profibrotic ATII cell function, such as proliferation and migration, whereas fibroblasts displayed activation markers and increased ECM expression after RUNX2 knockdown. This study reveals that RUNX2 is differentially expressed in ATII cells vs. fibroblasts in lung fibrosis, which contributes to profibrotic cell function. Cell‐specific targeting of RUNX2 pathways may represent a therapeutic approach for IPF. —Mümmler, C. , Burgy, O. , Hermann, S. , Mutze, K. , Günther, A. , Königshoff, M. Cell‐specific expression of runt‐related transcription factor 2 contributes to pulmonary fibrosis. FASEB J. 32, 703–716 (2018). www.fasebj. org
Natural History of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

OBJECTIVE To determine the probabilities of transition of stages in the cervical cancer by conducting a meta-studies on the topic. STUDY DESIGN We identified health states of interest in the natural history of cervical precancer, identified all possible papers that could meet selection criteria, developed relevance and acceptability criteria for inclusion, then thoroughly reviewed the selected studies. To determine the transition probability data we used a random effects model. We determined probabilities for 4 health state transitions. The 6-month mean predictive transition probability (95% confidence intervals with "prediction interval" in parentheses) for high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) to cancer was 0.0037 (0.00004, 0.03386), for low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) to HSIL was 0.0362 (0.00055, 0.23220), for HSIL to LSIL was 0.0282 (0.00027, 0.35782), and for LSIL to normal was 0.0740 (0.00119, 0.42672). CONCLUSION The transition probabilities between cervical cancer health states for 6-month intervals are small; however, the cumulative risk of cervical cancer is significant. Markers to identify the cervical precursors that will lead to the transition to cervical cancer are needed.
Actions of _{∞} whose II₁ factors and orbit equivalence relations have prescribed fundamental group

We show that given any subgroup F of R+ which is either countable or belongs to a certain “large” class of uncountable subgroups, there exist continuously many free ergodic measure preserving actions i of the free group with infinitely many generators F1 on probability measure spaces (Xi,µi) such that their associated group measure space II1 factors Mi = L 1 (Xi)o i F1 and orbit equivalence relationsRi =R(F1 y Xi) have fundamental group equal toF and with Mi (respectivelyRi) stably non-isomorphic. Moreover, these actions can be taken so thatRi has no outer automorphisms and any automorphism of Mi is unitary conjugate to an automorphism that acts trivially on the subalgebra L 1 (Xi) of Mi.