Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Xenobiotic- and Serum-Free Culture of Oral Mucosal Epithelial Cells on Contact Lenses

Abstract Purpose/aim: Cultured autologous oral mucosal epithelial cells (OMECs) have proven useful in the treatment of ocular surface disorders. This study is the first to investigate the potential of expanding OMEC in a xenobiotic- and serum-free medium using therapeutic contact lenses (CLs) as a substrate and carrier. Materials and methods: Porcine OMEC were seeded on laminin-coated lotrafilcon A therapeutic CLs with the density of 8 × 104 cells/lens and cultured in a defined serum and xenobiotic-free medium. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy was used to analyze the following: (1) cellular morphology by using rhodamine-phalloidin staining of F-actin, (2) phenotype by applying antibodies against the progenitor cell marker p63 and the putative stem cell marker ABCG2 and (3) cell viability by using propidium iodide and Hoechst 33342 dual staining. Results: Porcine OMEC attached well to the CLs, and cell-to-cell contacts were evident. After three days in culture, the OMEC displayed a confluent monolayer with uniform cobblestone morphology, whereas stratified cultures with 2–3 layers were formed after six days. No significant difference in expression of p63 was observed after three-day culture (79.4 ± 14.8%) compared with six-day culture (60.3 ± 18.9%). ABCG2 expression in the basal cell layer was 6.3 ± 1.0% and 4.8 ± 1.8% after three- and six-day culture, respectively. The basal layer viability of cultured OMECs was 99.3 ± 0.2% and 82.8 ± 1.1% after three and six days culture, respectively. Conclusions: The use of therapeutic CLs has potential as a substrate and carrier for OMEC cultured in a xenobiotic- and serum-free culture system.
Spontaneous Ca2+ transients in interstitial cells of Cajal located within the deep muscular plexus of the murine small intestine

Interstitial cells of Cajal at the level of the deep muscular plexus (ICC‐DMP) in the small intestine generate spontaneous Ca2+ transients that consist of localized Ca2+ events and limited propagating Ca2+ waves. Ca2+ transients in ICC‐DMP display variable characteristics: from discrete, highly localized Ca2+ transients to regionalized Ca2+ waves with variable rates of occurrence, amplitude, duration and spatial spread. Ca2+ transients fired stochastically, with no cellular or multicellular rhythmic activity being observed. No correlation was found between the firing sites in adjacent cells. Ca2+ transients in ICC‐DMP are suppressed by the ongoing release of inhibitory neurotransmitter(s). Functional intracellular Ca2+ stores are essential for spontaneous Ca2+ transients, and the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase (SERCA) pump is necessary for maintenance of spontaneity. Ca2+ release mechanisms involve both ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and inositol triphosphate receptors (InsP3Rs). Release from these channels is interdependent. ICC express transcripts of multiple RyRs and InsP3Rs, with Itpr1 and Ryr2 subtypes displaying the highest expression.
THE PSYCHO-GALVANIC REFLEX: A PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE PERIPHERAL MECHANISM

The psycho-galvanic reflex is a decrease in the electrical resistance of the skin which occurs in response to a wide variety of stimuli. The physio-logical basis of this autonomic measure, known also as the galvanic skin response or electro-dermal response, has not yet been fully elucidated. There are two principal theories accounting for the phenomenon. The vascular theory, proposed by Fire and elaborated by McDowall (1933), maintains that it is caused by a change in tone of the blood vessels of the skin. The second theory, with many more adherents, was advanced by Tarchanoff (1890), who suggested that it was due to changes in the secretory activity of the sweat glands. This was later modified to changes in the pre-secretory activity of the sweat glands, and the studies of Darrow (1927) lent strong support to this view. tested the secretory theory
Seeding reefs with Diadema antillarum to enhance coral recovery in Puerto Rico 2015-2016 : final report

Introduction Structure dynamics of coral reefs are intricate and continually changing, many times due to disturbances. Before the 1980’s, Caribbean reefs were predominantly characterized by reefbuilding coral species, with an absolute live coral cover of 55% (Gardner et al. 2003). Over the past three decades coral reefs in the Caribbean have change dramatically (Ginsburg 1994, Hughes 1994, Jackson 1997). Abundance of reef-associated organisms, especially corals, have suffered a massive decline due to cumulative factors such as, hurricanes, disease outbreaks, bleaching, pollution, and overfishing (Bythell and Sheppard 1993, Bythell et al. 1993, Littler et al. 1993, Hughes 1994, Kramer et al. 2003).
Environmental Bisimulations for Higher-Order Languages

Developing a theory of bisimulation in higher-order languages can be hard. Particularly challenging can be: (1) the proof of congruence, as well as enhancements of the bisimulation proof method with "up-to context" techniques, and (2) obtaining definitions and results that scale to languages with different features. To meet these challenges, we present environmental bisimulations, a form of bisimulation for higher-order languages, and its basic theory. We consider four representative calculi: pure lambda-calculi (call-by-name and call-by-value), call-by-value lambda-calculus with higher-order store, and then higher-order pi-calculus. In each case: we present the basic properties of environmental bisimilarity, including congruence; we show that it coincides with contextual equivalence; we develop some up-to techniques, including up-to context, as examples of possible enhancements of the associated bisimulation method. Unlike previous approaches (such as applicative bisimulations, logical relations, Sumii-Pierce-Koutavas-Wand), our method does not require induction/indices on evaluation derivation/steps (which may complicate the proofs of congruence, transitivity, and the combination with up-to techniques), or sophisticated methods such as Howe's for proving congruence. It also scales from the pure lambda-calculi to the richer calculi with simple congruence proofs.
Predicting recurrence and progression in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer using European organization of research and treatment of cancer risk tables.

INTRODUCTION We determined the recurrence and progression at 1 year in patients with non-muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and compared those with the calculated risk according to the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Follow-up data of 92 patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer who underwent TURBT were reviewed, and their 1st year recurrence and progression were recorded. The risk of recurrence and progression were calculated for 1 year according to the EORTC scoring system, using tumors' stage, grade, size, and multiplicity, and the presence of carcinoma in situ and previous recurrence episodes. The outcomes were compared with the EORTC's predictive scores. RESULTS The patients were 75 men and 17 women with an age range of 31 to 91 years. Sixteen patients (17.4%) had a recurrent disease, 41 (44.6%) had a tumor larger than 3 cm in diameter, 35 (38.0%) had multiple lesions, 2 (2.2%) had carcinoma in situ, 73 (79.3%) had stage T1 lesions, and 8 (8.7%) had a high-grade disease. Recurrence was found in 34 patients (37.0%). The recurrence rates were 20.0%, 28.2%, 40.5%, and 83.3% in groups with the predicted EORTC risks of 15%, 24%, 38%, and 61%, respectively. There were 2 patients (2.2%) with progression of the diseases. CONCLUSION A significant concordance was noted between the EORTC's calculated risk and the recurrence rate of stage Ta T1 bladder cancer at 1 year. Progression was less than that predicted, probably due to our small sample size.
The mechanisms of Ni2+ ions sorption by A1PO4

Abstract Sorption of Ni2+ ions by AlPO4 is studied as a function of concentrations and temperature at pH 7. Potentiometric titration, dissolution and FTIR studies are employed to determine the mechanism of the process of the uptake of Ni2+ ions which is found to be both the ion exchange and the surface precipitation of the corresponding metal phosphates. Freundlich equation is found applicable to the sorption data, and is employed to evaluate the thermodynamic parameters ? H° and ? S.
HAWAIIAN SKIRT controls size and floral organ number by modulating CUC1 and CUC2 expression

The Arabidopsis thaliana F-box gene HAWAIIAN SKIRT (HWS) affects organ growth and the timing of floral organ abscission. The loss-of-function hws-1 mutant exhibits fused sepals and increased organ size. To understand the molecular mechanisms of HWS during plant development, we mutagenized hws-1 seeds with ethylmethylsulphonate (EMS) and screened for mutations suppressing hws-1 associated phenotypes. We isolated the shs1/hws-1 (suppressor of hws-1) mutant in which hws-1 sepal fusion phenotype was suppressed. The shs1/hws-1 mutant carries a G→A nucleotide substitution in the MIR164 binding site of CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON 1 (CUC1) mRNA. CUC1 and CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON 2 (CUC2) transcript levels were altered in shs1, renamed cuc1-1D, and in hws-1 mutant. Genetic interaction analyses using single, double and triple mutants of cuc1-1D, cuc2-1D (a CUC2 mutant similar to cuc1-1D), and hws-1, demonstrate that HWS, CUC1 and CUC2 act together to control floral organ number. Loss of function of HWS is associated with larger petal size due to alterations in cell proliferation and mitotic growth, a role shared with the CUC1 gene.
Molecular detection and analysis of spotted fever group Rickettsia in patients with fever and rash at a tertiary care centre in Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract Background: Detection of specific targets by PCR is used to confirm a diagnosis of spotted fever, but serological tests are still widely used. In this prospective study, nested PCR was performed on skin biopsy specimens to confirm the diagnosis of spotted fever. Methods: In 58 clinically suspected cases of spotted fever, nested PCR, to detect gltA, 17 kDa lipoprotein antigen gene (17 kDa), ompA and ompB, from skin biopsy of the rash was performed. Sequencing was carried on amplicons representing the four targets to confirm specificity of amplification. This was followed by phylogenetic analysis using MEGA version 4.0 software. Results: The gltA, 17 kDa, ompA, and ompB genes were detected from skin biopsy specimens in 38, 23, 27, and 22 individuals. Sequence analysis revealed that the gltA, 17 kDa, ompA, and ompB sequences belonged to spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsia. Of the six partial ompA gene sequences, only one was dissimilar to the previously reported ‘Candidatus Rickettsia kellyi’. Conclusion: Further evidence indicates that SFG rickettsiae resembling ‘Candidatus Rickettsia kellyi’ cause fever and rash in southern India. More detailed phylogenetic analysis following isolation of rickettsia in culture is required for providing irrefutable proof for the occurrence of novel spotted fever rickettsiae in this region.
Topical Application of Josamycin Inhibits Development of Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesions in NC/Nga Mice.

BACKGROUND Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have superficial skin colonization by Staphylococcus aureus and an increased number of T helper type 2 (Th2) cells in their peripheral blood. Our previous study showed that josamycin, a macrolide antibiotic, had excellent bactericidal activity against S. aureus strains isolated from AD patients and simultaneously inhibited Th1 and Th2 cell development mediated by Langerhans cells. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of topical application of josamycin on AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. METHODS Josamycin (0.1%) was topically administered to NC/Nga mice with AD-like skin lesions induced by 2, 4, 6-trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB). The therapeutic effects of josamycin were assessed by measurement of the skin severity scores, histological changes in the lesioned skin, serum levels of total IgE, and expression of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-4 in lymph nodes and skin lesions. RESULTS Topical treatment with josamycin significantly suppressed the increase in the skin severity score in NC/Nga mice. This suppressive effect was equal to that of betamethasone, and was associated with a decrease in the density of cellular infiltration into the dermis, the mast cell count in the dermis and the serum IgE level. Furthermore, topical application of josamycin reduced the expression of IFN-γ and IL-4 in auricular lymph node cells and the skin lesions. CONCLUSION The present results show that topical application of josamycin inhibits the development of AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. This suggests that topical application of josamycin to AD lesions colonized by S. aureus would be beneficial for control of AD by acting on superficially located S. aureus and by inhibiting the development of Th1 and Th2 cells.This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.
Software Defined Membrane: Policy-Driven Edge and Internet of Things Security

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the latest web evolution incorporating potentially billions of devices (such as cameras, sensors, RFIDs, smart phones, and wearables), owned by different organizations and by individuals deploying and using them for their own purposes. There are currently 6.4 billion IoT devices in use around the world (according to Gartner). Their number, capabilities, as well as their scope of use keeps growing and changing rapidly. Gartner also forecasts that the number of IoT devices will reach 20.8 billion by 2020, and that IoT service spending will reach 1,534 billion, and hardware spending 1,477 billion by this period. Similarly, the volume of generated data and computing requirements of IoT applications will continue to increase with the increasing pervasiveness of IoT technologies. However, security and data privacy remain major challenges in the use of such devices.
Cause-specific mortality in Finnish ferrochromium and stainless steel production workers

Background Although stainless steel has been produced for more than a hundred years, exposure-related mortality data for production workers are limited. Aims To describe cause-specific mortality in Finnish ferrochromium and stainless steel workers. Methods We studied Finnish stainless steel production chain workers employed between 1967 and 2004, from chromite mining to cold rolling of stainless steel, divided into sub-cohorts by production units with specific exposure patterns. We obtained causes of death for the years 1971–2012 from Statistics Finland. We calculated standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) as ratios of observed and expected numbers of deaths based on population mortality rates of the same region. Results Among 8088 workers studied, overall mortality was significantly decreased (SMR 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70–0.84), largely due to low mortality from diseases of the circulatory system (SMR 0.71; 95% CI 0.61–0.81). In chromite mine, stainless steel melting shop and metallurgical laboratory workers, the SMR for circulatory disease was below 0.4 (SMR 0.33; 95% CI 0.07–0.95, SMR 0.22; 95% CI 0.05–0.65 and SMR 0.16; 95% CI 0.00–0.90, respectively). Mortality from accidents (SMR 0.84; 95% CI 0.67–1.04) and suicides (SMR 0.72; 95% CI 0.56–0.91) was also lower than in the reference population. Conclusions Working in the Finnish ferrochromium and stainless steel industry appears not to be associated with increased mortality.
Open suprapubic versus retropubic prostatectomy in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia during resident's learning curve: a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study compared the suprapubic (SP) versus retropubic (RP) prostatectomy for the treatment of large prostates and evaluated perioperative surgical morbidity and improvement of urinary symptoms. Materials and Methods: In this single centre, prospective, randomised study, 65 consecutive patients with LUTS and surgical indication with prostate volume greater than 75g underwent open prostatectomy to compare the RP (32 patients) versus SP (33 patients) technique. Results: The SP group exhibited a higher incidence of complications (p=0.002). Regarding voiding pattern analysis (IPSS and flowmetry), both were significantly effective compared to pre-treatment baseline. The RP group parameters were significantly better, with higher peak urinary flow (SP: 16.77 versus RP: 23.03mL/s, p=0.008) and a trend of lower IPSS score (SP: 6.67 versus RP 4.14, p=0.06). In a subgroup evaluation of patients with prostate volumes larger than 100g, blood loss was lower in those undergoing SP prostatectomy (p=0.003). Patients with prostates smaller than 100g in the SP group exhibited a higher incidence of low grade late complications (p=0.004). Conclusions: The SP technique was related to a higher incidence of minor complications in the late postoperative period. High volume prostates were associated with increased bleeding when the RP technique was utilized. The RP prostatectomy was associated with higher peak urinary flow and a trend of a lower IPSS Score.
Differentiation of the Dementias of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease with the Dementia Rating Scale

The Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) was used to distinguish between 50 dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT) and 50 Parkinson's disease (PD) subjects matched for age, education, and DRS total score. Despite a similar level of overall cognitive impairment, the DAT group earned significantly lower scores than did the PD group on the Memory subscale, while the PD group displayed lower scores than did the DAT subjects on the Construction subscale. A jackknifed, stepwise, linear discriminant function using the five DRS subscales revealed that the Memory, Construction, and Initiation subtests significantly distinguished the groups. These results suggest qualitative differences in the dementias of DAT and PD patients and reveal that such differences can emerge on brief mental status examinations.
Internet as a purchasing information source in children's products retailing in Croatia

The intensive development of technology, the global availability of the Internet, the overall network coverage and increasing of computer literacy within the population, are growth factors that contribute to popularization and importance of electronic commerce. Moreover, electronic commerce is described as an effective way of communication with consumers in terms of money and time expenditures, and, therefore, in recent decades its role is growing rapidly both in general and specialized retailing. There are numerous research studies that describe and analyze the growth and general potentials of e-commerce. However, the level of development and potential in the field of special commodity groups are not yet sufficiently explained nor practically explored. The aim of this paper is to fill this gap through explanation of Internet as a purchasing source in a particular field of children's products retailing.
Ecology and distribution of Tephroseris longifolia subsp. moravica in relation to environmental variation at a micro-scale

Tephroseris longifolia subsp. moravica is an endemic endangered taxon of European importance. Within the nine recently known populations it occurs in very specific site conditions of ecotone habitats. In our contribution, we try to quantify its realized niche with regard to the measured components of its biotic and abiotic environment. The main aim was to assess the importance of spatial environmental variation on taxon occurrence and performance and to relate the obtained ecological information to data on taxon abundance and demography. Possible reasons of taxon rarity are discussed, too. Comparison of plot pairs indicated that plots containing the taxon had deeper soil and higher soil Na and Mg contents than plots without it. They also contained higher number of species, especially forbs. Several soil parameters were positively correlated with taxon size and density while light parameters played minor role. Negative correlations between cover of vascular plants, especially grasses and taxon size and density suggest its reduced competitive ability. Vascular plant-based ecological indicator values were set for light (6), temperature (5), continentality (4), moisture (5), soil reaction (7) and nutrients (5). The studied sites differed in topography, soil characteristics (pH, soil Na, K, Ca, P and NH4) and cover of herb litter. Size of taxon populations was negatively related to their finite rate of increase which varied between 1.25 and 2.04 and was most sensitive to demographic parameters related to growth. We conclude, that the studied taxon is not strictly stenotopic as the ranges of several environmental variables were rather wide. We suppose, that the narrow limits of recent taxon occurrence are consequences of its low competitive ability and demographic processes related to germination and seedling establishment. The differing requirements of its ontogenetic stages (seedlings and generative individuals) may define the final limits of its small-scale distribution.
Non-Invasive Evaluation of Hepatic Fibrosis for Type C Chronic Hepatitis

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate liver fibrosis using non-invasive Real-time Tissue Elastography® (RTE) and transient elastography (FibroScan®) methods. Methods: RTE, FibroScan and percutaneous liver biopsy were all performed on patients with chronic liver disease, particularly hepatitis C, to investigate liver fibrosis. Results: FibroScan and RTE were compared for fibrous liver staging (F stage), which was pathologically classified using liver biopsy. In FibroScan, significant differences were observed between F1/F3 and F2/F4, but no such differences were observed between F1/F2, F2/F3 and F3/F4. In RTE, significant differences were observed between F1/F2, F2/F3 and F2/F4. But for F3/F4, no significant differences were observed. Conclusion: FibroScan and RTE correlated well with F staging of the liver. In particular RTE was more successful than FibroScan in diagnosing the degree of liver fibrosis.
Formal plan for self‐disclosure enhances supported employment outcomes among young people with severe mental illness

Young people with mental illness experience high levels of unemployment, which can be related to stigma and discrimination. This may result from poor choices in disclosing personal information, such as their mental illness diagnosis, in the workplace. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive validity of a formal plan to manage personal information (PMPI) during the early stages of supported employment. The focal question was: does the use of a brief structured PMPI lead to more employment outcomes for young people with a mental illness?