Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IL-22 expression is increased variedly in the initial phase, onset and chronic phase of a pristane-induced arthritis rat model

The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression pattern of T helper (Th) 17 and Th22 cell-related factors in a pristane-induced arthritis (PIA) rat model. PIA rats were divided into the initial phase group [day (D) 6 post-pristane injection], the onset of clinical arthritis group (D12), the acute arthritis group (D26) and the chronic arthritis group (D70). Rats injected with saline alone were used as the control group. The mRNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-17F, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-22, IL-22 receptor (R) 1, IL-22 binding protein (BP) and RAR-related orphan receptor α were examined in the spleen and/or synovium of the various phases of PIA rats by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. The results demonstrated that, in the spleen, IL-22 exhibited an increasing trend in both the initial phase and the onset of disease, while the ratio of IL-22R1/IL-22BP increased in both phases, compared with the control group. During the acute arthritis phase, IL-17F and IFN-γ were significantly increased and IL-17A exhibited an increasing tendency in the synovium, compared with the control group. In the chronic phase, IL-22, IL-22R1 and IFN-γ were increased in the spleen, while IL-22 exhibited an increasing trend in the synovium. In addition, immunohistochemistry analysis was used to evaluate the expression of IL-17A, IL-21, IL-22 and IL-22R1 in the ankle joints of D26 PIA rats. IL-17A was mainly expressed in infiltrated inflammatory cells in the synovium. IL-21 and IL-22 were both expressed in the inflammatory cells and in the articular chondrocyte of the proliferative zone. IL-22R1 was expressed in proliferating synovial cells. In conclusion, Th17 and Th22-related factor expression varied in different disease progression phases and in different tissues in PIA rats. IL-22 expression exhibited an increasing trend in the initial phase and the onset phase of arthritis and increased significantly with progression to chronic arthritis in the PIA rat model. It is thought that IL-22 may serve an important role in the pathological process of PIA, particularly in the chronic fluctuation phase. Therefore, it may be a candidate molecule for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Long-Term Quality of Life in Adult Survivors of Pediatric Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma

Context Little is known about long-term quality of life (QoL) of survivors of pediatric differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate generic health-related QoL (HRQoL), fatigue, anxiety, and depression in these survivors compared with matched controls, and to evaluate thyroid cancer-specific HRQoL in survivors only. Design Survivors diagnosed between 1970 and 2013 at age ≤18 years, were included. Exclusion criteria were a follow-up <5 years, attained age <18 years, or diagnosis of DTC as a second malignant neoplasm (SMN). Controls were matched by age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Survivors and controls were asked to complete 3 questionnaires [Short-Form 36 (HRQoL), Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory 20 (fatigue), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (anxiety/depression)]. Survivors completed a thyroid cancer-specific HRQoL questionnaire. Results Sixty-seven survivors and 56 controls. Median age of survivors at evaluation was 34.2 years (range, 18.8 to 61.7). Median follow-up was 17.8 years (range, 5.0 to 44.7). On most QoL subscales, scores of survivors and controls did not differ significantly. However, survivors had more physical problems (P = 0.031), role limitations due to physical problems (P = 0.021), and mental fatigue (P = 0.016) than controls. Some thyroid cancer-specific complaints (e.g., sensory complaints and chilliness) were present in survivors. Unemployment and more extensive disease or treatment characteristics were most frequently associated with worse QoL. Conclusions Overall, long-term QoL in survivors of pediatric DTC was normal. Survivors experienced mild impairment of QoL in some domains (physical problems, mental fatigue, and various thyroid cancer-specific complaints). Factors possibly affecting QoL need further exploration.
Is there a Link between Vitamin B and Multiple Sclerosis?

BACKGROUND Damage to the myelin sheath (demyelination) is one of the main manifestations of multiple sclerosis (MS). Interestingly, both MS and vitamin B deficiencies result in severe myelin degeneration, leading to loss in neuronal signal transmission. OBJECTIVE Deficiency in vitamin B complex vary, although common symptoms include fatigue, increased oxidative stress, inflammation and demyelination. In particular, vitamin B12 (cobalamin) has had increased attention for its role in the methylation process, involvement in myelination and remyelination, and reversal of MS symptoms. METHOD Here, we discuss the role of vitamin B complex (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12) in MS. RESULTS The anti-inflammatory and re-myelinating attributes of vitamin B complex members are promising, despite limited clinical studies. CONCLUSION There is an urgent need for larger studies to determine the role of vitamin B supplementation alone, or in combination with other therapeutic agents, in prevention or reversal of MS, and aid in improved quality of life of MS patients.
Activated FGFR3 prevents subchondral bone sclerosis during the development of osteoarthritis in transgenic mice with achondroplasia

The purpose of this study is to investigate the morphometric changes of the subchondral bone during the development of osteoarthritis (OA) in transgenic mice with achondroplasia (Fgfr3ach) carrying a heterozygous gain‐of‐function mutation in Fgfr3. Two OA models (spontaneously developed with age: The aging model, and surgically induced by destabilization of the medial meniscus: The DMM model) were established. Articular cartilage, epiphysis, and metaphysis of the knee joint were histologically and morphometrically compared between wild‐type mice, and Fgfr3ach mice in both OA models. Articular cartilage degeneration was scored according to the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scoring system. Several morphometric parameters including bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV), trabecular bone thickness (Tb.Th), and subchondral bone thickness in the medial tibial plateau (MTP) (Sb.Th med) were quantified by micro‐computed tomography (CT). In the aging model, although there were no significant differences in the OARSI score between wild‐type mice and Fgfr3ach mice, Sb.Th med and Tb.Th in the epiphysis significantly increased in wild‐type mice. In the DMM model, the OARSI score of the medial compartment was significantly lower in Fgfr3ach mice than in wild‐type mice. BMD, BV/TV, and Tb.Th in the epiphysis increased in wild‐type mice and unchanged in Fgfr3ach mice, and the Sb.Th med was significantly larger in wild‐type mice after surgery. Subchondral sclerosis, which preceded the cartilage degeneration, was inhibited in Fgfr3ach mice. Activated FGFR3 signaling prevented sclerotic changes of the subchondral bone and subsequent cartilage degeneration. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:300–308, 2018.
Empirical Evidence for the Outcomes of Therapeutic Video Games for Adolescents With Anxiety Disorders: Systematic Review

Background Extant evidence suggests that the proportion of adolescents suffering from anxiety disorders (ADs) has increased by up to 70% since the mid-1980s, with experience of anxiety at this stage associated with significant negative short- and long-term life outcomes. The existing therapeutic interventions (eg, cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT; attention bias modification, ABM) have proven to have clinically measurable benefits in reducing anxiety, but their efficacy is often compromised by social and practical barriers. The growing discrepancy between demand for, and access to, clinical interventions for anxiety has led to the development of a range of eHealth (health care practice supported by electronic processes and communication) and mHealth (versions of eHealth using mobile devices) interventions. One such protocol is therapeutic games, which aim to provide clinical frameworks in dynamic, adaptable, and personalized virtual environments. Although some evidence exists to suggest therapeutic games are associated with reductions in subjective anxiety and observed stress reactivity, there is currently, to our knowledge, no systematic review of the adherence to, and effectiveness of, therapeutic games for adolescent anxiety. Objective The aim of this review was to establish the effectiveness of therapeutic games in making clinically measurable reductions in anxiety symptoms in adolescent samples. Methods A systematic search of the existing academic literature published between 1990 and July 2017 was conducted using the databases Journal of Medical Internet Research, Journal Storage, Psychology Articles, Psychology Info, ScienceDIRECT, and Scopus. Records linked to empirical papers on therapeutic games for anxiety using adolescent samples were evaluated. Results A total of 5 studies (N=410 participants) met the inclusion criteria, and 3 gamified anxiety interventions for adolescents were identified. The papers included a mixture of randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and usability studies comprising quantitative and qualitative measures, with varying degrees of mixed methods. Extant evidence shows potential for therapeutic games to create clinically measurable reductions in symptoms of anxiety in adolescent samples, though findings are complicated in some cases by a low sample size, and in other cases by research design and methodological complications, including anxiety reductions in control groups caused by a control-game selection. Conclusions Although research in this field appears to be extremely limited, as demonstrated by the small number of papers meeting the inclusion criteria for this review, early findings suggest that therapeutic games have potential in helping to engage adolescents with anxiety and lead to clinically measurable reductions in symptoms.
Combined Effect of Ultrasound and Mild Temperatures on the Inactivation of E. coli in Fresh Carrot Juice and Changes on its Physicochemical Characteristics.

The combination of ultrasound and mild temperatures to process fruits and vegetables juices is a novel approach that is showing promising results for microbial inactivation and preservation of bioactive compounds and sensory attributes. This study centers on investigating the inactivation of Escherichia coli (ATCC 11755) in carrot juice as a result of the combined effect of ultrasound (24 kHz frequency, 120 μm, and 400 W) with temperature (50, 54, and 58 °C) and processing time (0 to 10 min). In addition, the possible changes in physicochemical properties and the retention of bioactive compounds after processing were analyzed. Microbial inactivation with ultrasound treatment at 50 °C resulted in 3.5 log reduction after 10 min, whereas at 54 °C almost 5 log reduction was attained in the same period of time; meanwhile, for treatment at 58 °C, no viable cells were detected (>5 log reduction) after 2 min. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) on pH (6.80 to 6.82), °Brix (8.0 to 8.5), titratable acidity (0.29% to 0.30%), total carotenoid (1774 to 1835 μg/100 mL), phenolic compounds (20.19 to 20.63 μg/mL), ascorbic acid (4.8 mg/100 mL), and color parameters between fresh and ultrasound treated samples at the studied temperatures. To predict the inactivation patterns, observed values were tested using 3 different general models: first-order, Weibull distribution, and biphasic. The Weibull and biphasic models show good correlation for inactivation under all processing conditions. Results show ultrasound in combination with mild temperature could be effectively used to process fresh carrot juice providing a safe product without affecting physicochemical characteristics. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The combination of ultrasound and mild temperatures is effective in reducing microbial load in carrot juice to safe levels. This combination would be beneficial in the industrial processing of carrot juice without altering the quality attributes or bioactive compounds.
Chemical modification of wood: A short review

Abstract For most markets for wood, it is used without any treatments or modifications. When wood is used in adverse environments, it may be treated with chemicals to help prevent decay, improve water resistance, reduce the effects of ultraviolet radiation or increase fire retardancy. Many of these treatments involve the use of toxic or corrosive chemicals that can harm the environment. Chemical modification of wood provides an alternative by providing protection against water, decay, UV and thermal degradations by bonding chemicals to the cell wall polymers that do not leach out. Dimensional stability and decay resistance are two major properties that can be greatly improved by simple reactions with acetic anhydride.
Do Children Perceive Whether a Robotic Peer is Learning or Not?

Social robots are being used to create better educational scenarios, thereby fostering children’s learning. In the work presented here, we describe an autonomous social robot that was designed to enhance children’s handwriting skills. Exploiting the benefits of the learning-by-teaching method, the system provides a scenario in which a child acts as a teacher and corrects the handwriting difficulties of the robotic agent. To explore the children’s perception towards this social robot and the effect on their learning, we have conducted a multi-session study with children that compared two contrasting competencies in the robot: ‘learning’vs ‘non-learning’ and presented as two conditions in the study. The results suggest that the children learned more in the learning condition compared with the non-learning condition and their learning gains seem to be affected by their perception of the robot. The results did not lead to any significant differences in the children’s perception of the robot in the first two weeks of interaction. However, by the end of the 4th week, the results changed. The children in the learning condition gave significantly higher writing ability and overall performance scores to the robot compared with the non-learning condition. In addition, the change in the robot’s learning capabilities did not show to affect their perceived intelligence, likability and friendliness towards it.
HIV prevalence and correlated factors of female sex workers and male clients in a border region of Yunnan Province, China

Female sex workers (FSWs) and their male clients are vulnerable to HIV infection and serve as a bridge in HIV transmission from the high-risk population to the general, low-risk population. To examine the factors of FSWs and male clients that correlate with the prevalence of HIV infection in the Chinese–Vietnamese border region, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2014 in the Hekou county of the Yunnan province of China. We performed a questionnaire survey to collect data on demographics, sexual behavior, and drug use. Blood and urine samples were collected for testing of HIV/sexually transmitted infections and drug use. We found that the prevalence of HIV infection among FSWs was 2.74%, and 15 male clients (2.62%) were HIV-positive. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that herpes simplex virus type 2 infection was a risk factor for HIV infection in FSWs and male clients, suggesting the increased role of sexual transmission in the HIV epidemic in the Chinese–Vietnamese border region. Positive urinalysis result for amphetamine-type stimulants was observed in FSWs with HIV infection. History of drug use was correlated with HIV infection, which increased the HIV infection risk of male clients, confirming that drug use is an important target in future interventions for HIV prevention.
ATP‐induced IL‐1β secretion is selectively impaired in microglia as compared to hematopoietic macrophages

Under stressful conditions nucleotides are released from dying cells into the extracellular space, where they can bind to purinergic P2X and P2Y receptors. High concentrations of extracellular ATP in particular induce P2X7‐mediated signaling, which leads to inflammasome activation. This in turn leads to the processing and secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, like interleukin (IL)−1β. During neurodegenerative diseases, innate immune responses are shaped by microglia and we have previously identified microglia‐specific features of inflammasome‐mediated responses. Here, we compared ATP‐induced IL‐1β secretion in primary rhesus macaque microglia and bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMDM). We assessed the full expression profile of P2 receptors and characterized the induction and modulation of IL‐1β secretion by extracellular nucleotides. Microglia secreted significantly lower levels of IL‐1β in response to ATP when compared to BMDM. We demonstrate that this is not due to differences in sensitivity, kinetics or expression of ATP‐processing enzymes, but rather to differences in purinergic receptor expression levels and usage. Using a combined approach of purinergic receptor agonists and antagonists, we demonstrate that ATP‐induced IL‐1β secretion in BMDM was fully dependent on P2X7 signaling, whereas in microglia multiple purinergic receptors were involved, including P2X7 and P2X4. These cell type‐specific features of conserved innate immune responses may reflect adaptations to the vulnerable CNS microenvironment. GLIA 2016;64:2231–2246
Increased Th1/Th17 Responses Contribute to Low-Grade Inflammation in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Background/Aims: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the primary cause of senior blindness in developed countries. Mechanisms underlying initiation and development of AMD remained known. Methods: We examined the CD4+ T cell compartments and their functions in AMD patients. Results: AMD patients presented significantly higher frequencies of interferon (IFN)-γ-expressing and interleukin (IL)-17-expressing CD4+ T cells than healthy controls. The levels of IFN-γ and IL-17 expression by CD4+ T cells were significantly higher in AMD patients. These IFN-γ-expressing Th1 cells and IL-17-expressing Th17 cells could be selectively enriched by surface CCR3+ and CCR4+CCR6+ expression, respectively. Th1 and Th17 cells from AMD patients promoted the differentiation of monocytes toward M1 macrophages, which were previously associated with retinal damage. Th1 and Th17 cells also increased the level of MHC class I expression in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE)-1 cells, while Th1 cells increased the frequency of MHC class II-expressing RPE-1 cells. These proinflammatory effects were partly, but not entirely, induced by the secretion of IFN-γ and IL-17. Conclusions: This study demonstrated an enrichment of Th1 cells and Th17 cells in AMD patients. These Th1 and Th17 cells possessed proinflammatory roles in an IFN-γ- and IL-17-dependent fashion, and could potentially serve as therapeutic targets.
Measuring Nutrition-Related Unmet Needs in Recently Hospital-Discharged Homebound Older Adults

ABSTRACT Functional limitations in homebound older adults may cause difficulties with obtaining and preparing adequate healthy food. Services exist to help with these difficulties, however, not all individuals who could benefit receive them. This secondary analysis of observational data, obtained via questionnaires from homebound, recently hospital discharged older adults (n = 566), aimed to identify the prevalence and correlates of unmet need for such services, and to examine the disagreement between self-reported need for a service and functional limitation that could be addressed by that service. One-fifth of respondents reported unmet need for vision services and oral health services, and one-tenth reported unmet need for transportation services and physical therapy. There was a significant association between reported need and functional limitation (p < 0.001) for all services, except mental health and grocery delivery. However, for each service there were participants who under-reported need, compared with functional ability indicators. More research is required to determine the best methods for measuring these needs to ensure that nutritional vulnerability is detected and addressed in those returning from hospital.
TMIGD1 acts as a tumor suppressor through regulation of p21Cip1/p27Kip1 in renal cancer

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a high-risk metastasizing tumor with a poor prognosis and poorly understood mechanism. In this study, we demonstrate that transmembrane and immunoglobulin domain-containing 1 (TMIGD1) is a novel tumor suppressor that is highly expressed in normal renal tubular epithelial cells, but it is downregulated in human renal cancer. We have identified CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteinβ (C/EBPβ, also called LAP) as a key transcriptional regulator of TMIGD1, whose loss of expression is responsible for downregulation of TMIGD1 in RCC. Transcriptionally active C/EBPβ/LAP physically interacted with and increased TMIGD1 promoter activity and expression of TMIGD1. Re-introduction of TMIGD1 into renal tumor cells significantly inhibited tumor growth and metastatic behaviors such as morphogenic branching and cell migration. Restoring TMIGD1 expression in renal tumor cells stimulated phosphorylation of p38MAK, induced expression of p21CIP1 (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1), and p27KIP1 (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B) expression, key cell cycle inhibitor proteins involved in regulation of the cell cycle. The present study identifies TMIGD1 as a novel candidate tumor suppressor gene and provides important insight into pathobiology of RCC that could lead to a better diagnosis and possible novel therapy for RCC.
Kirigami skins make a simple soft actuator crawl

Highly stretchable kirigami flat sheets transform into 3D-textured surfaces and facilitate crawling. Bioinspired soft machines made of highly deformable materials are enabling a variety of innovative applications, yet their locomotion typically requires several actuators that are independently activated. We harnessed kirigami principles to significantly enhance the crawling capability of a soft actuator. We designed highly stretchable kirigami surfaces in which mechanical instabilities induce a transformation from flat sheets to 3D-textured surfaces akin to the scaled skin of snakes. First, we showed that this transformation was accompanied by a dramatic change in the frictional properties of the surfaces. Then, we demonstrated that, when wrapped around an extending soft actuator, the buckling-induced directional frictional properties of these surfaces enabled the system to efficiently crawl.
Factors Affecting Initial Disability Allowance Rates for the Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income Programs: The Role of the Demographic and Diagnostic Composition of Applicants and Local Labor Market Conditions

Various factors outside the control of decision makers may affect the rate at which disability applications are allowed or denied during the initial step of eligibility determination in the Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. In this article, using individual-level data on applications, I estimate the role of three important factors--the demographic characteristics of applicants, the diagnostic mix of applicants, and the local unemployment rate--in affecting the probability of an initial allowance and state allowance rates. I use a random sample of initial determinations from 1993 through 2008 and a fixed-effects multiple regression framework. The empirical results show that the demographic and diagnostic characteristics of applicants and the local unemployment rate substantially affect the initial allowance rate. An increase in the local unemployment rate tends to be associated with a decrease in the initial allowance rate. This negative relationship holds for adult DI and SSI applicants and for SSI childhood applicants.