Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trial Watch: Adoptive cell transfer for oncological indications

One particular paradigm of anticancer immunotherapy relies on the administration of (potentially) tumor-reactive immune effector cells. Generally, these cells are obtained from autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) ex vivo (in the context of appropriate expansion, activation and targeting protocols), and re-infused into lymphodepleted patients along with immunostimulatory agents. In spite of the consistent progress achieved throughout the past two decades in this field, no adoptive cell transfer (ACT)-based immunotherapeutic regimen is currently approved by regulatory agencies for use in cancer patients. Nonetheless, the interest of oncologists in ACT-based immunotherapy continues to increase. Accumulating clinical evidence indicates indeed that specific paradigms of ACT, such as the infusion of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-expressing autologous T cells, are associated with elevated rates of durable responses in patients affected by various neoplasms. In line with this notion, clinical trials investigating the safety and therapeutic activity of ACT in cancer patients are being initiated at an ever increasing pace. Here, we review recent preclinical and clinical advances in the development of ACT-based immunotherapy for oncological indications.
Pure Spinor Superstring and N = 2 Strings

We study the compactification of the pure spinor superstring down to four dimensions. We find that the compactified string is described by a conformal invariant system for both the four dimensional and for the compact six dimensional variables. The four dimensional sector is found to be invariant under a non-critical N=2 superconformal transformations. The pure spinor formalism of the superstring has solved the longstanding problem of the covariant quantization of the superstring [1]. This formalism has passed many tests since it was formulated. It describes correctly the superstring spectrum in the light cone gauge [2], in semi light cone gauge [3] (see also [4]) and in a manifestly ten dimensional covariant manner [5]. It has also been possible to compute amplitudes by using this formalism. Tree-level amplitudes were shown to coincide with the RNS result in [6] and loop amplitudes were defined and used to prove certain non renormalization theorems for low energy effective action terms in [7]. The formalism has been used to construct quantizable sigma model actions in curved backgrounds. The action for a generic supergravity/super Yang-Mills background was
[The importance of patient selection for the treatment of proximal humerus fractures with percutaneous technique].

OBJECTIVES We evaluated the indications and disadvantages of percutaneous technique for proximal humerus fractures in relation to complications encountered in osteoporotic elderly patients and the importance of patient selection. METHODS The study included 18 patients (10 men, 8 women; mean age 48 years; range 14 to 89 years) who underwent percutaneous fixation (closed reduction and pin fixation with K-wires or Schanz screws) for proximal humerus fractures. Eight patients were beyond 60 years of age. According to the Neer classification, five patients had two-part, 13 patients had three-part neck fractures. The patients were evaluated with range of motion of the shoulder, radiographs, and the Disability of Arm Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH). The mean follow-up was 23 months (range 8 to 60 months). RESULTS The mean shoulder abduction was 134 degrees (range 30 degrees to 160 degrees) and the mean elevation was 118 degrees (range 30 degrees to 140 degrees). Full range of motion of the shoulder was achieved in 11 patients (61.1%), including all with two-part fractures. Abduction losses of 60 degrees to 130 degrees and less than 30 degrees were seen in four patients and three patients, respectively, all of whom were older than 60 years. The mean DASH score was 18 (range 0 to 77). Fourteen patients having a score of less than 10 had no pain or functional complaints. Four patients with a score of more than 10 were older than 70 years. Pin migration was observed in seven patients (38.9%), all of whom were over 60 years of age. One patient required revision with partial prosthesis. Nonunion was seen in one patient (5.6%) and malunion with a varus/valgus deformity occurred in four patients (22.2%). None of the patients developed avascular necrosis. CONCLUSION Percutaneous fixation may be preferred in the treatment of two-part and carefully-selected three-part proximal humerus fractures. Due to high complication rate, patient selection is of primary importance among elderly patients.
The Interaction of a Direct-Current Cold Atmospheric-Pressure Air Plasma With Bacteria

A direct-current cold atmospheric-pressure air plasma microjet (PMJ) based on the microhollow cathode discharge design is used to inactivate six types of bacteria within a small well-defined area on a large Petri dish. We show that the PMJ is very effective in inactivating bacteria in their vegetative state as well as in the spore state within the area of plasma exposure. We also observed that bacteria in their vegetative state were inactivated efficiently outside the area of direct plasma exposure. Different bacteria responded differently to an increase in the plasma exposure (dose). Lastly, we observed two types of colony forming unit (CFU) distributions after plasma treatment; one distribution is diffusionlike with a gradual increase of the surviving CFU as one moves radially away from the area of direct plasma exposure, and the other distribution shows an essentially uniform reduction in surviving CFU across the entire Petri dish.
Short-term effects of greater occipital nerve blocks in chronic migraine: A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background Greater occipital nerve (GON) blocks are widely used for the treatment of headaches, but quality evidence regarding their efficacy is scarce. Objective The objective of this article is to assess the short-term clinical efficacy of GON anaesthetic blocks in chronic migraine (CM) and to analyse their effect on pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) in different territories. Participants and methods The study was designed as a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Thirty-six women with CM were treated either with bilateral GON block with bupivacaine 0.5% (n = 18) or a sham procedure with normal saline (n = 18). Headache frequency was recorded a week after and before the procedure. PPT was measured in cephalic points (supraorbital, infraorbital and mental nerves) and extracephalic points (hand, leg) just before the injection (T0), one hour later (T1) and one week later (T2). Results Anaesthetic block was superior to placebo in reducing the number of days per week with moderate-or-severe headache (MANOVA; p = 0.027), or any headache (p = 0.04). Overall, PPTs increased after anaesthetic block and decreased after placebo; after the intervention, PPT differences between baseline and T1/T2 among groups were statistically significant for the supraorbital (T0–T1, p = 0.022; T0–T2, p = 0.031) and infraorbital sites (T0–T1, p = 0.013; T0–T2, p = 0.005). Conclusions GON anaesthetic blocks appear to be effective in the short term in CM, as measured by a reduction in the number of days with moderate-to-severe headache or any headache during the week following injection. GON block is followed by an increase in PPTs in the trigeminal area, suggesting an effect on central sensitisation at the trigeminal nucleus caudalis. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02188394).
Action Versus State Orientation and Self-Control Performance After Depletion

Three studies investigated the role of action versus state orientation in how people deal with depletion of self-control resources. Action-oriented persons were expected to continue allocating resources and hence to perform better than state-oriented persons who were expected to conserve strength. Consistent with this, action-oriented persons performed better on the d2 test of attention than state-oriented persons after a strenuous physical exercise (Study 1), showed higher acuity on the critical fusion frequency test after a test of vigilance (Study 2), and performed better on the Stroop test after a depleting sensorimotor task (Study 3). No differences emerged between action- and state-oriented persons in their initial performance and in a non-depleting context. The impact of depletion on subsequent performance is thus not fixed, but moderated by personality.
Can Information Systems Reduce Stress? The Impact of Information Systems on Perceived Stress and Attitude

In recent years, the phenomenon of technostress has been occurring more frequently. While most research has focused on stress caused by the use of IS, we took the opposite approach: in this paper, we merge research approaches from IS, behavioral theory, and stress to investigate whether IS can also be used to reduce the level of perceived stress. In addition, we investigate the relationship between stress and attitude toward behavior. To do so, we conducted a mental simulation experiment using the example of range anxiety to determine the impact of IS on the appraisal processes. We found evidence that events are less frequently appraised as stressful when supportive IS are used. Furthermore, we were able to show that the reduction of perceived stress negatively influences attitude toward behavior. This result is of particular importance as attitude toward behavior plays an important role in predicting behavioral intention.
The unmet needs for family planning and its associated factors among ever married women in selected villages of Anekal taluk, Karnataka: a community based cross sectional study

Family planning defined by World Health Organization (WHO) is as followsa way of thinking and living that is adopted voluntarily, upon the basis of knowledge, attitudes and responsible decisions by individuals and couples, in order to promote the health and welfare of the family group and thus contribute effectively to the social development of a country. Family planning can be defined as the term which refers to use of modern contraceptives or natural techniques for either limiting or spacing pregnancies. Pills, male and female sterilization, intrauterine device (IUDs), injectables, implants, male and female condoms, diaphragm and emergency ABSTRACT
Induction of Phase II Enzyme Activity by Various Selenium Compounds

Abstract: Twenty-seven selenium compounds and sixteen structurally related organosulfur compounds were tested for quinone reductase (QR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) inducing activity in murine hepatoma (Hepa 1c1c7) cells. Sixteen selenium compounds were able to double QR activity, and seven of them also doubled GST activity. The nine most potent compounds, dimethyl diselenide, 2,5-diphenyl- selenophene, dibenzyl diselenide, methylseleninic acid, diphenyl diselenide, benzeneseleninic acid, benzene selenol, triphenylselenonium chloride, and ebselen (2-phenyl- 1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one), doubled QR-specific activity at levels lower than 7 μM. The concentration-dependence of QR induction and cell growth inhibition were linearly correlated (P < 0.001, r2 = 0.96) among the group of organoselenium compounds with putative selenol-generating potential, implying that both responses of Hepa 1c1c7 cells were based on these selenol metabolites.
Relationship between sperm cell ubiquinone and seminal parameters in subjects with and without varicocele

Summary. In a previous paper it was demonstrated that Coenzyme Q10, a lipidic molecule with important antioxidant properties, is present at remarkable levels in human seminal fluid, and shows a direct correlation with seminal parameters (sperm count and motility). In patients with varicocele, on the contrary, correlation with sperm motility was lacking and a higher proportion of Coenzyme Q10 was found in seminal plasma. In the present study, the levels of Coenzyme Q10 in the cell pellet of spermatozoa, obtained after centrifugation of semen, were evaluated. In nonvaricocele subjects it was observed that a higher concentration of Coenzyme Q 10 (expressed as ng of the molecule per million of cells) was present in the spermatozoa of oligospermic and asthenospermic patients (sperm count <20*106 spermatozoa ml−1, sperm motility <40%). This relationship was not observed in varicocele subjects, who also showed slightly lower intracellular absolute values of the coenzyme.
The structure of the macrophage actin skeleton

The actin skeleton of the macrophage consists of a three-dimensional network of actin filaments and associated proteins. The organization of this multiprotein structure is regulated at several levels in cells. Receptor stimulation induces a massive actin polymerization at the cell cortex, changes in cell shape and active cellular movements. Gelsolin may have a pivotal role in restructuring the actin skeleton in response to agonist stimulation, as the activity of this potent actin-modulating protein is regulated by both Ca2+ and polyphosphoinositides. Micromolar concentrations of Ca2+ activate gelsolin to bind to the sides of actin filaments, sever, and cap the filament end. Polyphosphoinositides, in particular PIP and PIP2, release gelsolin from the filament ends. A structure-function analysis of gelsolin indicates that its N-terminal half is primarily responsible for severing actin filaments, and elucidates mechanisms by which Ca2+ and phospholipid may regulate gelsolin functions. The ultrastructure of actin filaments in the macrophage cortical cytoplasm is regulated, to a large extent, by the actin cross-linking protein, actin-binding protein (ABP) which defines filament orthogonality.
Protective effects of physiological testosterone on advanced glycation end product-induced injury in human endothelial cells

The effect of testosterone, a sex steroid, on endothelial cells is controversial as it is uncertain if it has a protective effect on them. Whether physiological testosterone can inhibit the deleterious effects of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on endothelial cells remains to be elucidated. The present study focused on elucidating the effect of testosterone on the injury of endothelial cells induced by AGEs. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured in vitro and treated with AGEs in the presence or absence of various concentrations of testosterone. The cell viability in each group was measured using an MTS assay. Early-stage apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry with Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide double staining, and the expression levels of apoptosis-associated proteins, B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and caspase-3, were determined using western blot analysis. Oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory parameters in the medium were evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The MTS results showed that AGEs significantly decreased the proliferation of HUVECs, whereas a physiological concentration of testosterone alleviated this damage. Physiological concentrations of testosterone protected the HUVECs from AGE-induced apoptosis, mediated by caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl-2. In addition, treatment of the HUVECs with AGEs caused a significant decrease in anti-oxidative parameters, but increased the concentrations of malondialdehyde and tumor necrosis factor-α. The activation of Janus kinase 2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 was significantly increased by incubation with AGEs. However, pre-incubation with a physiological concentration of testosterone attenuated these changes. Therefore, the data obtained in the present study established the potential role of physiological testosterone in ameliorating AGE-induced damage in HUVECs.
The Factor Structure in Equity Options

Principal component analysis of equity options on Dow-Jones firms reveals a strong factor structure. The first principal component explains 77% of the variation in the equity volatility level, 77% of the variation in the equity option skew, and 60% of the implied volatility term structure across equities. Furthermore, the first principal component has a 92% correlation with S&P500 index option volatility, a 64% correlation with the index option skew, and a 80% correlation with the index option term structure. We develop an equity option valuation model that captures this factor structure. The model allows for stochastic volatility in the market return and also in the idiosyncratic part of firm returns. The model predicts that firms with higher betas have higher implied volatilities, and steeper moneyness and term structure slopes. We provide a tractable approach for estimating the model on a large set of index and equity option data on which the model provides a good fit. The equity option data support the cross-sectional implications of the estimated model.
An Error Analysis for Polynomial Optimization over the Simplex Based on the Multivariate Hypergeometric Distribution

We study the minimization of fixed-degree polynomials over the simplex. This problem is well-known to be NP-hard, as it contains the maximum stable set problem in graph theory as a special case. In this paper, we consider a rational approximation by taking the minimum over the regular grid, which consists of rational points with denominator $r$ (for given $r$). We show that the associated convergence rate is $O(1/r^2)$ for quadratic polynomials. For general polynomials, if there exists a rational global minimizer over the simplex, we show that the convergence rate is also of the order $O(1/r^2)$. Our results answer a question posed by De Klerk, Laurent, and Sun [Math. Program. , 151 (2015), pp. 433--457]. and improves on previously known $O(1/r)$ bounds in the quadratic case.
Cotton Ascorbate Oxidase Promotes Cell Growth in Cultured Tobacco Bright Yellow-2 Cells through Generation of Apoplast Oxidation

Ascorbate oxidase (AO) plays an important role in cell growth through the modulation of reduction/oxidation (redox) control of the apoplast. Here, a cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) apoplastic ascorbate oxidase gene (GhAO1) was obtained from fast elongating fiber tissues. GhAO1 belongs to the multicopper oxidase (MCO) family and includes a signal peptide and several transmembrane regions. Analyses of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) and enzyme activity showed that GhAO1 was expressed abundantly in 15-day post-anthesis (dpa) wild-type (WT) fibers in comparison with fuzzless-lintless (fl) mutant ovules. Subcellular distribution analysis in onion cells demonstrated that GhAO1 is localized in the cell wall. In transgenic tobacco bright yellow-2 (BY-2) cells with ectopic overexpression of GhAO1, the enhancement of cell growth with 1.52-fold increase in length versus controls was indicated, as well as the enrichment of both total ascorbate in whole-cells and dehydroascorbate acid (DHA) in apoplasts. In addition, promoted activities of AO and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR) in apoplasts and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) in whole-cells were displayed in transgenic tobacco BY-2 cells. Accumulation of H2O2, and influenced expressions of Ca2+ channel genes with the activation of NtMPK9 and NtCPK5 and the suppression of NtTPC1B were also demonstrated in transgenic tobacco BY-2 cells. Finally, significant induced expression of the tobacco NtAO gene in WT BY-2 cells under indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) treatment appeared; however, the sensitivity of the NtAO gene expression to IAA disappeared in transgenic BY-2 cells, revealing that the regulated expression of the AO gene is under the control of IAA. Taken together, these results provide evidence that GhAO1 plays an important role in fiber cell elongation and may promote cell growth by generating the oxidation of apoplasts, via the auxin-mediated signaling pathway.
Metabolic strategies in wild male Barbary macaques: evidence from faecal measurement of thyroid hormone

Selection is expected to favour the evolution of flexible metabolic strategies, in response to environmental conditions. Here, we use a non-invasive index of basal metabolic rate (BMR), faecal thyroid hormone (T3) levels, to explore metabolic flexibility in a wild mammal inhabiting a highly seasonal, challenging environment. T3 levels of adult male Barbary macaques in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco, varied markedly over the year; temporal patterns of variation differed between a wild-feeding and a provisioned group. Overall, T3 levels were related to temperature, foraging time (linked to food availability) and intensity of mating activity, and were higher in the provisioned than in the wild-feeding group. In both groups, T3 levels began to increase markedly one month before the start of the mating season, peaking four to six weeks into this period, and at a higher level in the wild-feeding group. Our results suggest that while both groups demonstrate marked metabolic flexibility, responding similarly to ecological and social challenges, such flexibility is affected by food availability. This study provides new insights into the way Barbary macaques respond to the multiple demands of their environment.
Immune‐Modulating Effects of Melatonin, N‐Acetylserotonin, and N‐Acetyldopamine

Abstract: Melatonin and N‐acetylserotonin (NAS) have antioxidant properties. In the present study, we examined whether melatonin, NAS, and N‐acetyldopamine (NAD) have a modulatory effect on tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) synthesis and superoxide production. Differentiated THP‐1‐derived human monocytes were coincubated with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and rising concentrations of melatonin, NAS, or NAD. After 24 h, TNF‐α was measured in cell supernatants. In addition, the production of superoxide by HL‐60‐derived human neutrophils upon stimulation with 4‐β‐phorbol 12‐β‐myristate 13‐α‐acetate (PMA) or N‐formyl methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine (fMLP) and increasing concentrations of melatonin, NAS, or NAD was determined. Incubation of THP‐1‐derived monocytes with increasing concentrations of melatonin, NAS, or NAD resulted in a marked decrease in LPS‐stimulated TNF‐α production, which was dose‐dependent and on the order of 96‐98%. Incubation of HL‐60‐derived neutrophils with increasing concentrations of melatonin, NAS, or NAD resulted in a modest decrease in PMA‐stimulated superoxide production, which was dose‐dependent. At the 100 μM dose, melatonin, NAS, or NAD resulted in a 14 ± 4%, 30 ± 1%, and 29 ± 1% decrease in PMA‐stimulated superoxide production, respectively. Coincubation of HL‐60 cells with melatonin, NAS, or NAD also resulted in a modest dose‐dependent decrease in fMLP‐stimulated superoxide production. At the 100 μM dose, melatonin, NAS, or NAD resulted in a 13 ± 1%, 14 ± 1%, and 14 ± 1% decrease in superoxide production, respectively. Our results indicate that the inhibitory effect of melatonin, NAS, or NAD on LPS‐induced TNF‐α production is robust and dose‐dependent. These compounds are equally effective in attenuating the generation of oxidant radicals, although to a lesser degree.