Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Establishment and characterization of in vivo orthotopic bioluminescent xenograft models from human osteosarcoma cell lines in Swiss nude and NSG mice

Osteosarcoma is one of the most common primary bone tumors in childhood and adolescence. Metastases occurrence at diagnosis or during disease evolution is the main therapeutic challenge. New drug evaluation to improve patient survival requires the development of various preclinical models mimicking at best the complexity of the disease and its metastatic potential. We describe here the development and characteristics of two orthotopic bioluminescent (Luc/mKate2) cell‐derived xenograft (CDX) models, Saos‐2‐B‐Luc/mKate2‐CDX and HOS‐Luc/mKate2‐CDX, in different immune (nude and NSG mouse strains) and bone (intratibial and paratibial with periosteum activation) contexts. IVIS SpectrumCT system allowed both longitudinal computed tomography (CT) and bioluminescence real‐time follow‐up of primary tumor growth and metastatic spread, which was confirmed by histology. The murine immune context influenced tumor engraftment, primary tumor growth, and metastatic spread to lungs, bone, and spleen (an unusual localization in humans). Engraftment in NSG mice was found superior to that found in nude mice and intratibial bone environment more favorable to engraftment compared to paratibial injection. The genetic background of the two CDX models also led to distinct primary tumor behavior observed on CT scan. Saos‐2‐B‐Luc/mKate2‐CDX showed osteocondensed, HOS‐Luc/mKate2‐CDX osteolytic morphology. Bioluminescence defined a faster growth of the primary tumor and metastases in Saos‐2‐B‐Luc/mKate2‐CDX than in HOS‐Luc/mKate2‐CDX. The early detection of primary tumor growth and metastatic spread by bioluminescence allows an improved exploration of osteosarcoma disease at tumor progression, and metastatic spread, as well as the evaluations of anticancer treatments. Our orthotopic models with metastatic spread bring complementary information to other types of existing osteosarcoma models.
Behaviour of environmentally degraded epoxy adhesives as a function of temperature

ABSTRACT Structural adhesives are increasingly being used in the aerospace and automotive industries. They allow for light weight vehicles, fuel savings, and reduced emissions. However, the environmental degradation of adhesive joints is a major setback in its wide implementation. Moisture degradation of adhesive joints includes plasticization, attacking of the interface, swelling of the adhesive and consequent creation of residual stresses. This may lead to reversible and irreversible damage. The main factors affecting the strength of adhesive joints under high and low temperatures are the degradation of the adhesive mechanical properties and the creation of residual stresses induced by different coefficients of thermal expansion (between the adhesive and the adherends). The effect of the combined effect of moisture and temperature is not yet fully understood. The aim of this study is to shed light on this subject. In this work bulk water absorption tests were conducted at different moisture conditions in order to assess the diffusion coefficient, maximum water uptake, and glass transition temperature. Aged and unaged small dogbone tensile specimens were tested under different temperature conditions. The glass transition temperature of the adhesives as a function of the water uptake was assessed. The aim is to determine the evolution of the properties of two epoxy adhesives as a function of two variables (environmental temperature and moisture).
‘Scared of going to the clinic’: Contextualising healthcare access for men who have sex with men, female sex workers and people who use drugs in two South African cities

Background Men who have sex with men (MSM), sex workers (SW) and people who use drugs (PWUD) are at increased risk for HIV because of multiple socio-structural barriers and do not have adequate access to appropriate HIV prevention, diagnosis and treatment services. Objective To examine the context of access to healthcare experienced by these three ‘Key Populations’, we conducted a qualitative study in two South African cities: Bloemfontein in the Free State province and Mafikeng in the North West province. Method We carried out in-depth interviews to explore healthcare workers’ perceptions, beliefs and attitudes towards Key Populations. Focus group discussions were also conducted with members of Key Populations exploring their experiences of accessing healthcare. Results Healthcare workers described their own attitudes towards Key Populations and demonstrated a lack of relevant knowledge, skills and training to manage the particular health needs and vulnerabilities facing Key Populations. Female SW, MSM and PWUD described their experiences of stigmatisation, and of being made to feel guilt, shame and a loss of dignity as a result of the discrimination by healthcare providers and other community. members. Our findings suggest that the uptake and effectiveness of health services amongst Key Populations in South Africa is limited by internalised stigma, reluctance to seek care, unwillingness to disclose risk behaviours to healthcare workers, combined with a lack of knowledge and understanding on the part of the broader community members, including healthcare workers. Conclusion This research highlights the need to address the broader healthcare provision environment, improving alignment of policies and programming in order to strengthen provision of effective health services that people from Key Populations will be able to access.
Effect of porosity on the mechanical properties of zirconia based ceramics obtained via 3D printing

Engineering ceramics present a unique combination of mechanical, thermal and chemical properties becoming increasingly important in the nowadays-industrial landscape. Unlike other engineering ceramic materials, zirconia oxide displays very high resistance to crack propagation and thermal expansion which lead to be a candidate material for a wide range of applications such as biomedical, thermal barrier coatings and electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cell. However, manufacturing of ceramic components has still major limitation in production of highly complex 3D shapes, micro features or structures with tailored porosity. Nowadays, new technologies enable adding up complex three-dimensional structures layer by layer. Powder based rapid prototyping technique is such a versatile method with unique flexibility in material and geometry. In this work, microstructural 3Y-ZrO2 based ceramic materials were design and produced by Rapid Prototyping with the main goal to study the influence of printing geometries on the microstructure and mechanical properties from macro-to microscopic length scale.
Male or Female? Brains are Intersex

The underlying assumption in popular and scientific publications on sex differences in the brain is that human brains can take one of two forms “male” or “female,” and that the differences between these two forms underlie differences between men and women in personality, cognition, emotion, and behavior. Documented sex differences in brain structure are typically taken to support this dimorphic view of the brain. However, neuroanatomical data reveal that sex interacts with other factors in utero and throughout life to determine the structure of the brain, and that because these interactions are complex, the result is a multi-morphic, rather than a dimorphic, brain. More specifically, here I argue that human brains are composed of an ever-changing heterogeneous mosaic of “male” and “female” brain characteristics (rather than being all “male” or all “female”) that cannot be aligned on a continuum between a “male brain” and a “female brain. ” I further suggest that sex differences in the direction of change in the brain mosaic following specific environmental events lead to sex differences in neuropsychiatric disorders.
ALLOGRAFT RECONSTRUCTION FOR MALIGNANT BONE TUMORS IN THE GROWING CHILD

Allograft reconstruction of large defects after resection of malignant tumors is one option besides use of artificial and other biologic material. Allografts allow for a 1:1 reconstruction of the defect, while endoprosthetic reconstruction for its anchorage usually needs resection of more bone or joint structures and thus more loss of growth plates. Tibial allografts used in adults according to the literature and our own experience has been rather diasappointng – while in our experience in children they seem to function better. Patients and Methods: In 6 children with open growth plates 8 reconstructions with massive fresh frozen cry-preserved allografts have been performed. Age at surgery was 7, 8 (2 children), 9, 11 and 13 years. 4 osteoarticular reconstructions were performed (1 distal tibia, 2 proximal tibia), the others were proximal tibia epiphysis sparing reconstructions after transepiphysial proximal tbia resections. Results: All reconstructions between the recipient and allograft fused, except in one patient developing pseud-arthrosis at diaphysial level after irradiation. The joint function in 2 patients with osteoarticular allografts is excellent at 10 and 6 years f/u. One patient with an osteoarticular allograft died after 2 years from metastases, one needed replacement of the allograft because of a fracture at 4 years and at 6 y f/u of the second allograft is scheduled for resurfacing of the knee joint because of cartilage degeneration. In 4 transepiphyseal resectio-nas and reconstructions the joint fuction continues to be excellent at 1 to 5 year f/u Conclusion: Allograft reconstructions of the tibia in growing children may have better results than in adults. This may be due to better incorporation. They may allow for partial or complete joint sparing and the growth plate of the joint partner . Good results definitely depend on the appropriate indication, choice of allograft and surgical Technique.
Study on Two Dimensional Planar Millimeter Wave Attenuation Characteristic of Expanded Graphite

Two dimensional planar millimeter wave attenuation characteristic of different length expanded graphite worms was reported in this paper.The experiment result was compared with that of chaff which is a conventional microwave interference material.Although the expanded graphite worm has a fairly high electrical conductivity,and the shape of expanded graphite worm is similar to that of chaff,but the millimeter wave attenuation characteristic is not corresponded with that of chaff which can be deduced from half\|wave harmonic oscillator model.The millimeter wave attenuation of expanded graphite is a comprehensive actions of scattering and absorption.
Decline of mortality from cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE To describe occurrences of mortality due to cervical cancer in Recife (PE), in northeastern Brazil. METHOD This was a time-series ecological study using data from the Mortality Information System (SIM) regarding the total number of deaths due to cervical cancer (C53 ICD10) that occurred between 2000 and 2012. RESULTS It was observed that the risk of death due to this form of cancer was higher among women over 60 years of age, those of mixed skin color (53.24%), those who only worked at home (63.16%) and those who did not have a partner (44.32%). CONCLUSION Additional efforts towards maintaining early detection and health education programs and towards using therapeutic strategies of greater efficiency are needed, given that mortality due to this form of cancer is considered avoidable when diagnosed early.
Nonselective Suppression of Voltage-gated Currents by Odorants in the Newt Olfactory Receptor Cells

Effects of odorants on voltage-gated ionic channels were investigated in isolated newt olfactory receptor cells by using the whole cell version of the patch–clamp technique. Under voltage clamp, membrane depolarization to voltages between −90 mV and +40 mV from a holding potential (Vh) of −100 mV generated time- and voltage-dependent current responses; a rapidly (< 15 ms) decaying initial inward current and a late outward current. When odorants (1 mM amyl acetate, 1 mM acetophenone, and 1 mM limonene) were applied to the recorded cell, the voltage-gated currents were significantly reduced. The dose-suppression relations of amyl acetate for individual current components (Na+ current: INa, T-type Ca2+ current: ICa,T, L-type Ca2+ current: ICa,L, delayed rectifier K+ current: IKv and Ca2+-activated K+ current: IK(Ca)) could be fitted by the Hill equation. Half-blocking concentrations for each current were 0.11 mM (INa), 0.15 mM (ICa,T), 0.14 mM (ICa,L), 1.7 mM (IKv), and 0.17 mM (IK(Ca)), and Hill coefficient was 1.4 (INa), 1.0 (ICa,T), 1.1 (ICa,L), 1.0 (IKv), and 1.1 (IK(Ca)), suggesting that the inward current is affected more strongly than the outward current. The activation curve of INa was not changed significantly by amyl acetate, while the inactivation curve was shifted to negative voltages; half-activation voltages were −53 mV at control, −66 mV at 0.01 mM, and −84 mV at 0.1 mM. These phenomena are similar to the suppressive effects of local anesthetics (lidocaine and benzocaine) on INa in various preparations, suggesting that both types of suppression are caused by the same mechanism. The nonselective blockage of ionic channels observed here is consistent with the previous notion that the suppression of the transduction current by odorants is due to the direst blockage of transduction channels.
Optical Properties of E-beam Evaporated Indium Selenide (InSe) Thin Films

Indium selenide (InSe) thin films were prepared by electron beam evaporation technique onto glass substrate at a pressure of ~8×10 -5 Pa. The deposition rate of the InSe thin films is ~8.30 nms -1 . The XRD and SEM study reveal that InSe thin films are amorphous before phase-transition while they become polycrystalline after phase-transition. The Energy Dispersive Analysis of X-ray (EDAX) analysis shows that InSe thin films are nonstoichiometric. The change in electrical conductivity of InSe thin films with temperature shows a semiconducting behavior. The optical properties of both the virgin and phasetransited InSe thin films have been studied in the wavelength range 360< λ<1100nm, respectively at room temperature. The study of absorption coefficient of virgin InSe thin films shows a direct type transition with a band gap of ≈1.65 eV which agrees well with the reported values. The variations of refractive index and dielectric constant of the films were also calculated and discussed in relation with film re-crystallization after heat treatment. The integrated values of luminous and solar transmittance as well as of reflectance suggest that InSe is a potential candidate for the application in selective surface devices.
Shear bond strength and debonding characteristics of metal and ceramic brackets bonded with conventional acid-etch and self-etch primer systems: An in-vivo study

Background Different in-vitro studies have reported various results regarding shear bond strength (SBS) of orthodontic brackets when SEP technique is compared to conventional system. This in-vivo study was designed to compare the effect of conventional acid-etching and self-etching primer adhesive (SEP) systems on SBS and debonding characteristics of metal and ceramic orthodontic brackets. Material and Methods 120 intact first maxillary and mandibular premolars of 30 orthodontic patients were selected and bonded with metal and ceramic brackets using conventional acid-etch or self-etch primer system. The bonded brackets were incorporated into the wire during the study period to simulate the real orthodontic treatment condition. The teeth were extracted and debonded after 30 days. The SBS, debonding characteristics and adhesive remnant indices (ARI) were determined in all groups. Results The mean SBS of metal brackets was 10.63±1.42 MPa in conventional and 9.38±1.53 MPa in SEP system, (P=0.004). No statistically significant difference was noted between conventional and SEP systems in ceramic brackets. The frequency of 1, 2 and 3 ARI scores and debonding within the adhesive were the most common among all groups. No statistically significant difference was observed regarding ARI or failure mode of debonded specimens in different brackets or bonding systems. Conclusions The SBS of metal brackets bonded using conventional system was significantly higher than SEP system, although the SBS of SEP system was clinically acceptable. No significant difference was found between conventional and SEP systems used with ceramic brackets. Total SBS of metal brackets was significantly higher than ceramic brackets. Due to adequate SBS of SEP system in bonding the metal brackets, it can be used as an alternative for conventional system. Key words:Shear bond strength, Orthodontic brackets, Adhesive remnant index, self-etch.
The Foundations of Posttraumatic Growth: New Considerations

In response to comments on our nodel ofposttraumatic growth, we consider the valid ity of reports of posttraumatic growth, appropriate methodology to use to assess posttraumatic growth, and its relation with other variables that appear to bear a re semblance to posttraumatic growth (e.g., well-being and psychological adjustment). The potentially important role of proximate and distal cultural factors is also ad dressed. Clinicians are encouraged to use interventions thatfacilitate posttraumatic growth with care, so as not to create expectations for posttraumatic growth in all traunma survivors, and to instead promote a respectfor the difficulty of trauma recov ery while allowing for the exploration ofpossibilities for various kinds of growth even in those who have suffered greatly.
Long-term Mortality and Disability in Cryptococcal Meningitis: A Systematic Literature Review

Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is the primary cause of meningitis in adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and an emerging disease in HIV-seronegative individuals. No literature review has studied the long-term outcome of CM. We performed a systematic review on the long-term (≥3-month) impact of CM (Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii) on mortality and disability in HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected adults. Although the quality of current evidence is limited, the long-term impact of CM on survival and disability seems to be high. One-year mortality ranged from 13% in an Australian non-HIV-infected C. gattii-infected cohort to 78% in a Malawian HIV-infected cohort treated with fluconazole monotherapy. One-year impairment proportions among survivors ranged from 19% in an Australian C. gattii cohort to >70% in a Taiwanese non-HIV- and HIV-infected cohorts. Ongoing early therapeutic interventions, early detection of impairments and access to rehabilitation services may significantly improve patients' survival and quality of life.
Validation of Field Methods to Assess Body Fat Percentage in Elite Youth Soccer Players

Abstract This study determined the most effective field method for quantifying body fat percentage in male elite youth soccer players and developed prediction equations based on anthropometric variables. Forty-four male elite-standard youth soccer players aged 16.3–18.0 years underwent body fat percentage assessments, including bioelectrical impedance analysis and the calculation of various skinfold-based prediction equations. Dual X-ray absorptiometry provided a criterion measure of body fat percentage. Correlation coefficients, bias, limits of agreement, and differences were used as validity measures, and regression analyses were used to develop soccer-specific prediction equations. The equations from Sarria et al. (1998) and Durnin & Rahaman (1967) reached very large correlations and the lowest biases, and they reached neither the practically worthwhile difference nor the substantial difference between methods. The new youth soccer-specific skinfold equation included a combination of triceps and supraspinale skinfolds. None of the practical methods compared in this study are adequate for estimating body fat percentage in male elite youth soccer players, except for the equations from Sarria et al. (1998) and Durnin & Rahaman (1967). The new youth soccer-specific equation calculated in this investigation is the only field method specifically developed and validated in elite male players, and it shows potentially good predictive power.
Platelets Promote Tumor Growth and Metastasis via Direct Interaction between Aggrus/Podoplanin and CLEC-2

The platelet aggregation-inducing factor Aggrus, also known as podoplanin, is frequently upregulated in several types of tumors and enhances hematogenous metastasis by interacting with and activating the platelet receptor CLEC-2. Thus, Aggrus–CLEC-2 binding could be a therapeutic molecular mechanism for cancer therapy. We generated a new anti-human Aggrus monoclonal antibody, MS-1, that suppressed Aggrus–CLEC-2 binding, Aggrus-induced platelet aggregation, and Aggrus-mediated tumor metastasis. Interestingly, the MS-1 monoclonal antibody attenuated the growth of Aggrus-positive tumors in vivo. Moreover, the humanized chimeric MS-1 antibody, ChMS-1, also exhibited strong antitumor activity against Aggrus-positive lung squamous cell carcinoma xenografted into NOD-SCID mice compromising antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxic and complement-dependent cytotoxic activities. Because Aggrus knockdown suppressed platelet-induced proliferation in vitro and tumor growth of the lung squamous cell carcinoma in vivo, Aggrus may be involved in not only tumor metastasis but also tumor growth by promoting platelet-tumor interaction, platelet activation, and secretion of platelet-derived factors in vivo. Our results indicate that molecular target drugs inhibiting specific platelet–tumor interactions can be developed as antitumor drugs that suppress both metastasis and proliferation of tumors such as lung squamous cell carcinoma.
The bio-adhesion behaviour of banana leaves as soil remover at elevated temperatures

Banana leaves are traditionally used to clean iron plates. This study evaluated the cleansing action of banana leaves by subjecting iron surfaces to a sliding regime on prepared leaves. Iron plates weighing 9, 16, and 23 N were soiled with polyethylene film at 135°C, 183°C, and 230°C. The surface morphology of banana leaves consisted of parallel ridges running along the leaf axis. Stomata and air pockets, the main biomimetic microstructures of banana leaves, were located between the spaces of the ridges. The cleansing action of the banana leaf surfaces (defined as dislodging of soil from the iron plate) was explained in terms of adhesive forces among the iron plate, polyethylene soil, and surface microstructure. The adhesion forces between the polyethylene soil and microstructures were the most significant. The operating forces were bio-adhesive in nature. The cleansing action increased as the loads and temperatures increased; the greatest cleansing action was obtained at 230°C (16 N). The morphological changes in the stomata and the air pockets during cleansing at different temperatures were tabulated.
Streaming Sparse Gaussian Process Approximations

Sparse pseudo-point approximations for Gaussian process (GP) models provide a suite of methods that support deployment of GPs in the large data regime and enable analytic intractabilities to be sidestepped. However, the field lacks a principled method to handle streaming data in which both the posterior distribution over function values and the hyperparameter estimates are updated in an online fashion. The small number of existing approaches either use suboptimal hand-crafted heuristics for hyperparameter learning, or suffer from catastrophic forgetting or slow updating when new data arrive. This paper develops a new principled framework for deploying Gaussian process probabilistic models in the streaming setting, providing methods for learning hyperparameters and optimising pseudo-input locations. The proposed framework is assessed using synthetic and real-world datasets.