Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of infliximab rescue therapy in patients with chronic refractory pouchitis: A multicenter study

Background: Despite medical therapy, 30% of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) need to undergo surgery. Around 50% of patients with proctocolectomy with ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) develop complications of the pouch. Clinical evidence for the use of infliximab (IFX) in refractory pouchitis is limited. The aim of this study was to report efficacy of IFX in these patients. Methods: A retrospective, multicenter study was designed. Patients older than 18 years with chronic refractory pouchitis treated with IFX (5 mg/kg) were included. Short‐term IFX efficacy was evaluated at week 8 and mid‐term efficacy at weeks 26 and 52. Complete response was defined as cessation of diarrhea and urgency and partial response as marked clinical improvement but persisting symptoms. The modified Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (mPDAI) without endoscopy was calculated when available. Results: Thirty‐three consecutive UC patients with chronic refractory pouchitis were included (18 male, mean age 45 years, range 21–67). At week 8, 21% patients achieved complete response and 63% showed partial clinical response. At weeks 26 and 52, 33% and 27% achieved complete response and 33% and 18% showed partial clinical response, respectively. Thirteen patients (39%) withdrew treatment (four for lack of efficacy, four for loss of response and five for adverse events). None of the potential factors analyzed had an influence on response to IFX. Conclusions: IFX was effective in the short‐ and mid‐term in patients with chronic refractory pouchitis. However, medication had to be discontinued in a high number of patients. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011;)
Electrochemical Glucose Sensors—Developments Using Electrostatic Assembly and Carbon Nanotubes for Biosensor Construction

In 1962, Clark and Lyons proposed incorporating the enzyme glucose oxidase in the construction of an electrochemical sensor for glucose in blood plasma. In their application, Clark and Lyons describe an electrode in which a membrane permeable to glucose traps a small volume of solution containing the enzyme adjacent to a pH electrode, and the presence of glucose is detected by the change in the electrode potential that occurs when glucose reacts with the enzyme in this volume of solution. Although described nearly 50 years ago, this seminal development provides the general structure for constructing electrochemical glucose sensors that is still used today. Despite the maturity of the field, new developments that explore solutions to the fundamental limitations of electrochemical glucose sensors continue to emerge. Here we discuss two developments of the last 15 years; confining the enzyme and a redox mediator to a very thin molecular films at electrode surfaces by electrostatic assembly, and the use of electrodes modified by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to leverage the electrocatalytic effect of the CNTs to reduce the oxidation overpotential of the electrode reaction or for the direct electron transport to the enzyme.
Use of Plasma Procalcitonin Levels as an Adjunct to Clinical Microbiology

ABSTRACT Procalcitonin (PCT) is synthesized by a large number of tissues and organs in response to invasion by pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and some parasites. Current PCT assays are rapid, specific, and of sufficient sensitivity to detect increases in PCT serum levels within 4 to 6 h of initiation of infection. Clinically, PCT levels may help in decisions regarding the need for empirical antibiotic therapy, “source control” of infection, and duration of antibiotic therapy. The addition of PCT levels to bacterial culture and viral detection results can assist with the separation of colonization and invasion by pathogenic bacteria.
A SUSTAINED RELEASE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM USING

Calcium alginate beads impregnated with sulphamethoxazole as model drug were prepared and characterized. Scanning electron microscope was used to examine their surface with and without the drug. The bead average diameter was 1.25mm and the sulphamethoxazole uptake by the beads was about half of the incorporated quantity. The release behaviour was followed using USP dissolution method. The effect on release of factors such as sodium alginate, calcium chloride concentration, pH, hydration and compression were studied. no pronounced effect on the release. The release was found to be a function of calcium chloride concentration. concentration the lower the release. The smaller the water content the lower the release from the beads. Compression of the beads yields a deformed beads with an increase in their release. sulphamethoxazole loading . Sulphamethoxazole diffusion through calcium alginate film was determined, were discussed. The system may offer a simple and efficient sustain r elease preparation. Sodium alginate concentrations had
Influence of teleconnection patterns on precipitation variability and on river flow regimes in the Miño River basin (NW Iberian Peninsula)

The influence of the most representative winter patterns of atmospheric variation in the Northern Hemisphere on precipitation variability and on river flow regimes was evaluated for the Mino River basin (NW Iberian Peninsula). The Arctic Oscillation (AO) was also considered in order to analyze the effect of a larger-scale atmospheric mode on precipitation and river flow. Precipitation data were obtained from 22 rain-gauge stations located within the Mino River basin from 1976 to 1997, and the Mino River flow data were recorded at Frieira gauge station from 1970 to 2005. Both hydrological-year (October to September) time series were averaged for the wet season (December to February). The precipitation variability and river flow in the Mino catchment were shown to have high positive correlation. Relationships with atmospheric circulation modes show that the main pre- cipitation variability, and consequently the river-flow regimes, during winter cannot be explained by a single atmospheric pattern. The temporal evolution (1970-2005) of the correlation between the teleconnection indices and river flow averaged for 22 yr periods showed how all atmospheric patterns evolve with a different trend structure—in such a way that the most prevalent pattern depends on the chosen period of time. Moreover, the time evolution of the correlation between the AO and river flow remains more stationary than for the rest of the indices, due to its larger scale.
Rab27a Is Required for Human Cytomegalovirus Assembly

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) completes its final envelopment on intracellular membranes before it is released from the cell. The mechanisms underlying these processes are not understood. Here we studied the role of Rab27a, a regulator of lysosome-related organelle transport, in HCMV production. HCMV infection increased Rab27a expression, and recruitment of Rab27a to membranous strutures at the assembly site. Immuno-gold labelling demonstrated association of Rab27a with viral envelopes. CMV production was reduced after knock-down of Rab27a, and in Rab27a-deficient ashen melanocytes. This study shows a requirement for Rab27a in the CMV life cycle and suggests that CMV and LRO biogenesis share common molecular mechanisms.
Relevance of the DFT method to study expanded porphyrins with different topologies

Meso‐aryl expanded porphyrins present a structural versatility that allows them to achieve different topologies with distinct aromaticities. Several studies appeared in the literature studying these topological switches from an experimental and theoretical point of view. Most of these publications include density functional theory calculations, being the B3LYP the most used methodology. In this work, we show that the selection of the functional has a critical role on the geometric, energetic, and magnetic results of these expanded porphyrins, and that the use of an inadequate methodology can even generate spurious stationary points on the potential energy surface. To illustrate these aspects, in this article we have studied different molecular distortions of two expanded porphyrins, [32]‐heptaphyrin and [26]‐hexaphyrin using 11 DFT functionals and performing single point energy calculations at the local pair natural orbital coupled cluster DLPNO‐CCSD(T) method, which have been carried out for benchmarking purposes. For some selected functionals, the dispersion effects have also been evaluated using the D3‐Grimme's dispersion correction with Becke–Johnson damping. Our results let us to conclude that the CAM‐B3LYP, M05‐2X, and M06‐2X functionals are the methodologies that provide a more consistent description of these topological switches, while other methods, such as B3LYP, BPE, and BP86, show a biased description. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Real-world assessment of intravitreal dexamethasone implant (0.7 mg) in patients with macular edema: the CHROME study

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the real-world use, efficacy, and safety of one or more dexamethasone intravitreal implant(s) 0.7 mg (DEX implant) in patients with macular edema (ME). Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with ME secondary to retinal disease treated at ten Canadian retina practices, including one uveitis center. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), intraocular pressure (IOP), glaucoma and cataract surgery, and safety data were collected from the medical charts of patients with ≥3 months of follow-up after the initial DEX implant. Results One hundred and one patient charts yielded data on 120 study eyes, including diagnoses of diabetic ME (DME) (n=34), retinal vein occlusion (RVO, n=30; branch in 19 and central in 11), and uveitis (n=23). Patients had a mean age of 60.9 years, and 73.3% of the study eyes had ME for a duration of ≥12 months prior to DEX implant injection(s). Baseline mean (± standard error) BCVA was 0.63±0.03 logMAR (20/86 Snellen equivalents) and mean CRT was 474.4±18.2 μm. The mean number of DEX implant injections was 1.7±0.1 in all study eyes; 44.2% of eyes had repeat DEX implant injections (reinjection interval 2.3–4.9 months). The greatest mean peak changes in BCVA lines of vision occurred in study eyes with uveitis (3.3±0.6, P<0.0001), followed by RVO (1.3±0.5, P<0.01) and DME (0.7±0.5, P>0.05). Significant decreases in CRT were observed: −255.6±43.6 μm for uveitis, −190.9±23.5 μm for DME, and −160.7±39.6 μm for RVO (P<0.0001 for all cohorts). IOP increases of ≥10 mmHg occurred in 20.6%, 24.1%, and 22.7% of DME, RVO, and uveitis study eyes, respectively. IOP-lowering medication was initiated in 29.4%, 16.7%, and 8.7% of DME, RVO, and uveitis study eyes, respectively. Glaucoma surgery was performed in 1.7% of all study eyes and cataract surgery in 29.8% of all phakic study eyes receiving DEX implant(s). Conclusion DEX implant(s) alone or combined with other treatments and/or procedures resulted in functional and anatomic improvements in long-standing ME associated with retinal disease.
The association of pretreatment thrombocytosis with prognosis and clinicopathological significance in cervical cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Previous studies reported inconsistent findings about the relationship between pretreatment thrombocytosis and survival in patients with cervical cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of thrombocytosis in cervical cancer. We searched databases to identify relevant articles. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs), odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Fourteen studies including 3,394 patients were eligible for the meta-analysis. Overall, an elevated platelet count was significantly associated with inferior overall survival (OS, hazard ratio [HR]: 1.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.42–1.95, P < 0.001) and recurrence-free survival (RFS, HR: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.15–2.42, P = 0.007) but not progression-free survival (PFS, HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 0.89–1.64; P = 0.235). The results were similar for low stage patients treated with surgery alone. Moreover, a pretreatment thrombocytosis status was significantly associated with higher clinical stage (odd ratio [OR]: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.68–3.38, P < 0.001), positive pelvic node status (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.01– 2.45, P = 0.044) and larger tumor size (OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.39–3.87, P = 0.001). Pretreatment thrombocytosis is an independent prognosis predictor in cervical cancer patients. It may be used as a readily available biomarker to refine clinical outcome prediction for cervical cancer patients.
Adaptive Kinematic Approach for 3 D Limit Analysis

This paper explores a pathway for increasing efficiency in numerical 3D limit analysis through r -h adaptivity, wherein nodal positions (r) and element lengths (h) are successively refined. The approach uses an iterative, nested optimization procedure involving three steps: (1) determination of velocities for a fixed mesh of rigid, translational elements (blocks) using second-order cone programming; (2) adaptation of nodal positions using non-linear optimization (r adaptivity); and (3) subdivision of elements based on the magnitude of the velocity jumps (h adaptivity). Examples show that the method can compute reasonably accurate limit loads at relatively low computational cost.
The African Zika virus MR-766 is more virulent and causes more severe brain damage than current Asian lineage and dengue virus

The Zika virus (ZIKV) has two lineages, Asian and African, and their impact on developing brains has not been compared. Dengue virus (DENV) is a close family member of ZIKV and co-circulates with ZIKV. Here, we performed intracerebral inoculation of embryonic mouse brains with dengue virus 2 (DENV2), and found that DENV2 is sufficient to cause smaller brain size due to increased cell death in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and neurons. Compared with the currently circulating Asian lineage of ZIKV (MEX1-44), DENV2 grows slower, causes less neuronal death and fails to cause postnatal animal death. Surprisingly, our side-by-side comparison uncovered that the African ZIKV isolate (MR-766) is more potent at causing brain damage and postnatal lethality than MEX1-44. In comparison with MEX1-44, MR-766 grows faster in NPCs and in the developing brain, and causes more pronounced cell death in NPCs and neurons, resulting in more severe neuronal loss. Together, these results reveal that DENV2 is sufficient to cause smaller brain sizes, and suggest that the ZIKV African lineage is more toxic and causes more potent brain damage than the Asian lineage. Highlighted Article: African Zika virus MR-766 causes more cell death in NPCs and neurons in the developing brain, leading to more potent brain damage than Asian strain MEX1-44 and dengue virus.
Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis Induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis Require Jun N-Terminal Protein Kinase- and p53-Mediated p38 Activation in Human Trophoblasts

ABSTRACT Porphyromonas gingivalis, a periodontal pathogen, has been implicated as a causative agent of preterm delivery of low-birth-weight infants. We previously reported that P. gingivalis activated cellular DNA damage signaling pathways and ERK1/2 that lead to G1 arrest and apoptosis in extravillous trophoblast cells (HTR-8 cells) derived from the human placenta. In the present study, we further examined alternative signaling pathways mediating cellular damage caused by P. gingivalis. P. gingivalis infection of HTR-8 cells induced phosphorylation of p38 and Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK), while their inhibitors diminished both G1 arrest and apoptosis. In addition, heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) was phosphorylated through both p38 and JNK, and knockdown of HSP27 with small interfering RNA (siRNA) prevented both G1 arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, regulation of G1 arrest and apoptosis was associated with p21 expression. HTR-8 cells infected with P. gingivalis exhibited upregulation of p21, which was regulated by p53 and HSP27. These results suggest that P. gingivalis induces G1 arrest and apoptosis via novel molecular pathways that involve p38 and JNK with its downstream effectors in human trophoblasts.
Arta (Calligonum Comosum, L'Her.) Shoot Extracts: Bio-Mediator in Silver Nanoparticles Formation and Antimycotic Potential

Environmentally friendly green synthesis of nanomaterial has a very significant part in nanotechnology. In the present research, the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was established by treating silver ions with the aqueous extract of Calligonum comosum green shoots at room temperature. AgNPs formation was firstly detected by the colour change of mixed extract (plant extract and AgNO3). Further characterization was done by ultraviolet, (UV)-Vis spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zeta potential and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The peak values for UV-VISspectroscopy were in the range of 440 nm, TEM micrograph showed spherical shape for the particles and zeta potential showed formation of negative charged nanoparticles with an average size of about 105.8 nm. 1635.41 and 3249.83 cm are the peaks detected from the FTIR analysis. In this study, biosynthesized silver nanoparticles mediated by C. comosum were tested for their antimycotic activity using a well diffusion method against fungal species; Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium sp, Fusarium oxysporum. Our findings indicated that biosynthesized AgNPs showed an efficient antimycotic activity against tested species. The antimycotic action of AgNPs varied according to different fungal species. Results confirmed the ability of C. comosum green shoot extract to act as an reducing and stabilizing agent during the synthesis of AgNPs.
Structure and Performance of Elastic Core-Spun Yarn

In this experiment, we use a 44.4 dtex/4f spandex filament as the core and cotton fibers as the sheath to spin 19.7 tex elastic core-spun yarn. In order to improve yarn performance, we examine the yams cross-sectional structure and investigate the effect of draw ratio and feed-in angle of the spandex on the yarns' structure and performance. The results show that a higher feed-in angle provides a better cover effect and a draw ratio of 3.5 yields better dynamic elastic recovery.
Coccidioidomycosis: epidemiology

Coccidioidomycosis consists of a spectrum of disease, ranging from a mild, self-limited, febrile illness to severe, life-threatening infection. It is caused by the soil-dwelling fungi, Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii, which are present in diverse endemic areas. Climate changes and environmental factors affect the Coccidioides lifecycle and influence infection rates. The incidence of coccidioidomycosis has risen substantially over the past two decades. The vast majority of Coccidioides infections occur in the endemic zones, such as California, Arizona, Mexico, and Central America. Infections occurring outside those zones appear to be increasingly common, and pose unique clinical and public health challenges. It has long been known that elderly persons, pregnant women, and members of certain ethnic groups are at risk for severe or disseminated coccidioidomycosis. In recent years, it has become evident that persons with immunodeficiency diseases, diabetics, transplant recipients, and prisoners are also particularly vulnerable.
Measurement of pentane in expiratory gas during rabbit hepatic ischemia/reperfusion by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME GC/MS)

The aim of this study was to determine the changes in the pentane concentration of expiratory gas as well as the relationship between this pentane concentration and hepatic oxidative stress during rabbit hepatic ischemia/reperfusion using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). 45 white male rabbits with body weights between 2.5 and 3.0 kg were randomly assigned to the following three groups: the 10 min ischemia group (group S); the 20 min ischemia group (group M); or the 30 min ischemia group (group L). Expiratory gases were collected prior to ischemia (T0) and for 1, 10, 20, 30, 60 and 120 min (T1–T6) following reperfusion. Pentane concentrations were determined using SPME and GC/MS. In addition, arterial blood samples were collected, and serum aminotransferase (AST) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were measured. In the three groups, the pentane concentrations of the expiratory gases at points T1 and T2 were significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared with those at point T0, and the serum AST and MDA concentrations at points T5 and T6 were also significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared with those at point T0. Therefore, the use of SPME in combination with GC/MS represents an improved anesthesia system that can be used to continuously measure the concentration of pentane in expiratory gases, which can reflect the degree of oxidative stress during hepatic ischemia/reperfusion.
Contribution Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Risks of Colon and Rectal Cancer in Finnish Men Stephanie

Prospective investigations of circulating vitamin D concentrations suggest inverse associations with colorectal cancer risk, although inconsistencies remain and few studies have examined the impact of season. The authors conducted a prospective case-control study of 239 colon cancer cases and 192 rectal cancer cases (diagnosed in 1993–2005) and 428 controls matched on age and blood collection date within the Alpha-Tocopherol, BetaCarotene Cancer Prevention Study, a cohort study of Finnish male smokers. Baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were categorized using a priori defined cutpoints of <25, 25–<37.5, 37.5–<50, 50– <75, and 75 nmol/L and by season-specific and season-standardized 25(OH)D quartiles. Conditional logistic regression models yielded multivariate-adjusted odds ratios for the predefined cutpoints of 0.63, 0.91, 0.73, 1.00 (referent), and 1.44 for colon cancer and 0.64, 0.58, 0.84, 1.00, and 0.76 for rectal cancer, respectively (all 95% confidence intervals included 1.00). Colon cancer risks were significantly elevated for the highest season-specific and season-standardized quartiles versus the lowest quartiles (OR 1⁄4 2.11 (95% CI: 1.20, 3.69) and OR 1⁄4 1.88 (95% CI: 1.07, 3.28), respectively), while rectal cancer risk estimates were null. These results provide no evidence to support an inverse association between vitamin D status and colon or rectal cancer risk; instead, they suggest a positive association for colon cancer.