Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bacteriophage cocktail and multi-strain probiotics in the feed for weanling pigs: effects on intestine morphology and targeted intestinal coliforms and Clostridium.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of bacteriophage cocktail, probiotics and a combination of these two supplements on performance and gut health of weanling pigs. In Experiment 1, 150 weaned piglets were randomly allotted to three treatments on the basis of BW. The dietary treatments included a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg bacteriophage cocktail. Pigs fed 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg bacteriophage product had greater (P<0.05) average daily gain (ADG), apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter from day 22 to 35, ileal Lactobacillus spp. , villus height (duodenum and jejunum), and fewer coliforms (ileum) and Clostridium spp. (ileum). In Experiment 2, 200 weaned piglets were randomly allotted to four treatments. Dietary treatments included basal diet, basal diet supplemented with 3.0 g/kg fermented probiotic product (P), 1.0 g/kg bacteriophage cocktail (B) and combination of 1.0 g/kg bacteriophage cocktail and 3.0 g/kg fermented probiotic product. Pigs fed bacteriophage cocktail diets had greater (P<0.05) overall ADG, gain to feed ratio (G : F), fecal score from day 8 to day 21, and pigs fed bacteriophage cocktail diets had fewer coliforms (ileum) Clostridium spp. (ileum and cecum). Probiotics significantly increased G : F, colonization of Lactobacillus spp. in ileum. At day 35, bacteriophage treatment group showed greater (P<0.05) villus height of the duodenum, but a deeper crypt in duodenum. The present results indicate that the bacteriophage cocktail had a potential to enhance the performance and gut health of weanling pigs, however their combination with probiotics did not show an interaction.
Systematic review of comparative studies examining alternatives to the harmful use of animals in biomedical education.

OBJECTIVE To systematically review the published literature for controlled studies comparing learning outcomes of traditional methods that require the terminal use of animals (eg, dissection, live-animal surgery, and live-animal laboratory demonstrations) with outcomes obtained with alternative teaching methods. DESIGN Systematic review. STUDY POPULATION Controlled studies published between 1996 and 2004. PROCEDURES PubMed was searched with the following keywords, used alone and in combination: educational alternatives, nonlethal teaching methods, veterinary alternatives, medical education, and nonterminal animal use. Cited references of retrieved reports were reviewed to identify additional reports. Reports were selected for review only if a comparison group was included. RESULTS 17 studies that were randomized controlled trials or nonrandomized trials that included a comparison group were identified. Five involved veterinary students, 3 involved medical students, 6 involved university undergraduate students, and 3 involved high school biology students. Sample size ranged from 14 to 283 students. Eleven studies appeared to be randomized, parallel-group trials, 4 involved comparative groups to which participants were not randomly assigned or for which the randomization process was not clear, 1 was a 2-period crossover study, and 1 involved a retrospective review of grades. In all 17 studies reviewed, results associated with the alternative method of instruction were not significantly different from or superior to results associated with the conventional method. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Although the number of controlled studies identified was small, the results seem to support more widespread adoption of alternative teaching methods in biomedical education.
Cancer genome scanning in plasma: detection of tumor-associated copy number aberrations, single-nucleotide variants, and tumoral heterogeneity by massively parallel sequencing.

BACKGROUND Tumor-derived DNA can be found in the plasma of cancer patients. In this study, we explored the use of shotgun massively parallel sequencing (MPS) of plasma DNA from cancer patients to scan a cancer genome noninvasively. METHODS Four hepatocellular carcinoma patients and a patient with synchronous breast and ovarian cancers were recruited. DNA was extracted from the tumor tissues, and the preoperative and postoperative plasma samples of these patients were analyzed with shotgun MPS. RESULTS We achieved the genomewide profiling of copy number aberrations and point mutations in the plasma of the cancer patients. By detecting and quantifying the genomewide aggregated allelic loss and point mutations, we determined the fractional concentrations of tumor-derived DNA in plasma and correlated these values with tumor size and surgical treatment. We also demonstrated the potential utility of this approach for the analysis of complex oncologic scenarios by studying the patient with 2 synchronous cancers. Through the use of multiregional sequencing of tumoral tissues and shotgun sequencing of plasma DNA, we have shown that plasma DNA sequencing is a valuable approach for studying tumoral heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS Shotgun DNA sequencing of plasma is a potentially powerful tool for cancer detection, monitoring, and research.
Stromal Macrophage Expressing CD204 is Associated with Tumor Aggressiveness in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Background: Tumor tissue is composed of variable numbers of cancer cells and stromal cells, and tumor-associated macrophages are recruited into cancer-induced stroma and produce a specific microenvironment. Alternatively, activated macrophages (M2 phenotype) are known to be related to tumor progression and outcome, and CD204 has been reported to be expressed in M2 macrophages in some tumors. Methods: To investigate whether CD204-positive macrophages reflect tumor aggressiveness in adenocarcinoma of the lung, we investigated the relationships between the numbers of CD204-positive stromal macrophages and both clinicopathological features and outcome in 170 consecutive resected cases. We also examined the relationships between the numbers of CD204-positive macrophages and the expression levels of cytokines involved in the migration and differentiation of M2 macrophages. Results: The numbers of CD204-positive macrophages were significantly correlated with several prognostic factors. The log-rank test showed a significant association between the numbers of CD204-positive macrophages and a poor outcome (p = 0.0073), whereas the numbers of macrophages expressing CD68, a pan-macrophage/monocyte marker, were of marginal prognostic significance (p = 0.0789). We evaluated associations between the levels of expression of the cytokines IL-6, IL-10, IL-12a, IL-12b, M-colony-stimulating factor, IFN-gamma-. , and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in cancer tissue and the numbers of CD204-positive macrophages. The expression levels of IL-10 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, which are involved in differentiation, accumulation, and migration of M2 macrophages, were significantly correlated with the numbers of CD204-positive macrophages (p = 0.031 and p = 0.031, respectively). Conclusion: These findings demonstrated that CD204-positive macrophages clearly reflect the tumor-promoting phenotype of tumor-associated macrophages in lung adenocarcinoma.
Gemfibrozil, a Lipid-lowering Drug, Increases Myelin Genes in Human Oligodendrocytes via Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor-β*

Background: An increase in remyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions is a possible therapeutic approach. Results: Gemfibrozil, an FDA-approved drug for hyperlipidemia, stimulates the expression of myelin genes in primary human oligodendroglia via PPAR-β. Conclusion: These results delineate a novel myelinogenic property of gemfibrozil. Significance: Gemfibrozil may be of therapeutic benefit in MS and other demyelinating diseases. An increase in CNS remyelination and a decrease in CNS inflammation are important steps to halt the progression of multiple sclerosis. Earlier studies have shown that gemfibrozil, a lipid-lowering drug, has anti-inflammatory properties. The current study identified another novel property of gemfibrozil in stimulating the expression of myelin-specific genes (myelin basic protein, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, 2′,3′-cyclic-nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase, and proteolipid protein (PLP)) in primary human oligodendrocytes, mixed glial cells, and spinal cord organotypic cultures. Although gemfibrozil is a known activator of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α), we were unable to detect PPAR-α in either gemfibrozil-treated or untreated human oligodendrocytes, and gemfibrozil increased the expression of myelin genes in oligodendrocytes isolated from both wild type and PPAR-α(−/−) mice. On the other hand, gemfibrozil markedly increased the expression of PPAR-β but not PPAR-γ. Consistently, antisense knockdown of PPAR-β, but not PPAR-γ, abrogated the stimulatory effect of gemfibrozil on myelin genes in human oligodendrocytes. Gemfibrozil also did not up-regulate myelin genes in oligodendroglia isolated from PPAR-β(−/−) mice. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that gemfibrozil induced the recruitment of PPAR-β to the promoter of PLP and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein genes in human oligodendrocytes. Furthermore, gemfibrozil treatment also led to the recruitment of PPAR-β to the PLP promoter in vivo in the spinal cord of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice and suppression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis symptoms in PLP-T cell receptor transgenic mice. These results suggest that gemfibrozil stimulates the expression of myelin genes via PPAR-β and that gemfibrozil, a prescribed drug for humans, may find further therapeutic use in demyelinating diseases.
Brentuximab vedotin administered to platinum‐refractory, transplant‐naïve Hodgkin lymphoma patients can increase the proportion achieving FDG PET negative status

Normalization of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) imaging prior to high‐dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) improves outcomes in relapsed and refractory (RR) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), but many patients refractory to platinum‐based salvage regimens are unable to achieve this goal. We therefore investigated whether brentuximab vedotin (BV) could normalize FDG PET in platinum‐refractory HL prior to ASCT. Fifteen consecutive patients with RR HL and FDG PET positive disease after platinum‐based salvage therapy were treated with a median of 4 cycles of BV. Normalization of FDG PET (Deauville ≤2) occurred in 8/15 (53%) patients but was only observed in patients that had achieved partial remission or stable disease after platinum‐based salvage therapy. All patients eventually proceeded to ASCT, regardless of FDG PET status. Our data suggest that BV can normalize FDG PET in a subset of patients with platinum‐refractory HL prior to ASCT. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reducing memory access latency with asymmetric DRAM bank organizations

DRAM has been a de facto standard for main memory, and advances in process technology have led to a rapid increase in its capacity and bandwidth. In contrast, its random access latency has remained relatively stagnant, as it is still around 100 CPU clock cycles. Modern computer systems rely on caches or other latency tolerance techniques to lower the average access latency. However, not all applications have ample parallelism or locality that would help hide or reduce the latency. Moreover, applications' demands for memory space continue to grow, while the capacity gap between last-level caches and main memory is unlikely to shrink. Consequently, reducing the main-memory latency is important for application performance. Unfortunately, previous proposals have not adequately addressed this problem, as they have focused only on improving the bandwidth and capacity or reduced the latency at the cost of significant area overhead. We propose asymmetric DRAM bank organizations to reduce the average main-memory access latency. We first analyze the access and cycle times of a modern DRAM device to identify key delay components for latency reduction. Then we reorganize a subset of DRAM banks to reduce their access and cycle times by half with low area overhead. By synergistically combining these reorganized DRAM banks with support for non-uniform bank accesses, we introduce a novel DRAM bank organization with center high-aspect-ratio mats called CHARM. Experiments on a simulated chip-multiprocessor system show that CHARM improves both the instructions per cycle and system-wide energy-delay product up to 21% and 32%, respectively, with only a 3% increase in die area.
Spinal adenosine A2A receptor inhibition enhances phrenic long term facilitation following acute intermittent hypoxia

Phrenic long term facilitation (pLTF) is a form of respiratory plasticity induced by acute intermittent hypoxia. pLTF requires spinal serotonin receptor activation, new BDNF synthesis and TrkB receptor activation. Spinal adenosine 2A (A2A) receptor activation also elicits phrenic motor facilitation, but by a distinct mechanism involving new TrkB synthesis. Because extracellular adenosine increases during hypoxia, we hypothesized that A2A receptor activation contributes to acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH)‐induced pLTF. A selective A2A receptor antagonist (MSX‐3, 8 μg kg−1, 12 μl) was administered intrathecally (C4) to anaesthetized, vagotomized and ventilated male Sprague–Dawley rats before AIH (three 5 min episodes, 11% O2). Contrary to our hypothesis, pLTF was greater in MSX‐3 versus vehicle (aCSF) treated rats (97 ± 6%vs. 49 ± 4% at 60 min post‐AIH, respectively; P < 0.05). MSX‐3 and aCSF treated rats did not exhibit facilitation without AIH (time controls; 7 ± 5% and 9 ± 9%, respectively; P > 0.05). A second A2A receptor antagonist (ZM2412385, 7 μg kg−1, 7 μl) enhanced pLTF (85 ± 11%, P < 0.05), but an adenosine A1 receptor antagonist (DPCPX, 3 μg kg−1, 10 μl) had no effect (51%± 8%, P > 0.05), indicating specific A2A receptor effects. Intrathecal methysergide (306 μg kg−1, 15μl) blocked AIH‐induced pLTF in both MSX‐3 and aCSF treated rats, confirming that enhanced pLTF is serotonin dependent. Intravenous MSX‐3 (140 μg kg−1, 1 ml) enhanced both phrenic (104 ± 7%vs. 57 ± 5%, P < 0.05) and hypoglossal LTF (46 ± 13%vs. 28 ± 10%; P < 0.05). In conclusion, A2A receptors constrain the expression of serotonin‐dependent phrenic and hypoglossal LTF following AIH. A2A receptor antagonists (such as caffeine) may exert beneficial therapeutic effects by enhancing the capacity for AIH‐induced respiratory plasticity.
Applications of platelet-rich plasma in dermatology: A critical appraisal of the literature

Abstract Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous blood-derived product enriched in platelets, growth factors, chemokines and cytokines. Initial applications were predominantly in musculoskeletal and maxillofacial fields, however in recent years, it has been used for a range of dermatological indications including wound healing, fat grafting, alopecia, scar revision and dermal volume augmentation. Here, we critically appraise the literature relating to the usage of PRP within Dermatology. We have evaluated in vitro data, preclinical animal studies and human trials. We conclude that, whilst the literature may be consistent with a modest benefit for specific indications, there is not sufficient evidence supporting the efficacy of PRP to justify a role in routine dermatological practice at the present time. However, since PRP is generally well tolerated with few reported complications, further study may be justified in the context of organized trials.
Physical pain increases interpersonal trust in females

People behave and interact with others differently when experiencing physical pain. Pain has dramatic effects on one's emotional responses, cognitive functions and social interaction. However, little has been known about whether and how physical pain influences interpersonal trust in social interaction. In the present study, we examined the influence of physical pain on trusting behaviour.
Packing Squares into Squares

We consider the problem of packing a list of squares into unit capacity squares. The objective of this problem is to minimize the number of unit capacity squares used in the packing. We consider a restricted version of this problem and exhibit a polynomial time algorithm to solve it. We use this algorithm in the design of an approximation algorithm for the original problem, and show that its asymptotic performance bound is 1:988. This bound compares favourably with the bound 2:125, known for an algorithm obtained by Chung, Garey and Johnson for the more general problem, where the items to be packed are rectangles.
Fractional positive and stable time-varying continuous-time linear electrical circuits

The positivity and asymptotic stability of fractional time-varying continuous-time linear electrical circuits is addressed. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the positivity and sufficient conditions for asymptotic stability of the electrical circuits are established. New definitions of the capacitance and inductance of fractional time-varying linear electrical circuits are proposed. It is shown that there exists a large class of fractional positive and stable linear electrical circuits with time-varying parameters. Examples of positive and stable linear electrical circuits are presented.
Epigenetic Mutation of the Succinate Dehydrogenase C Promoter in a Patient With Two Paragangliomas.

CONTEXT Mutational inactivation of the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) complex is a well-described cause of tumor development in pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas (PPGLs) and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Epigenetic inactivation of the SDHC gene is a more recently discovered phenomenon, which so far has only been described in GISTs and PPGLs from patients with Carney triad syndrome. CASE DESCRIPTION A 33-year-old patient presented with two abdominal paragangliomas (PGLs) and an adrenocortical adenoma. Both PGLs showed high succinate:fumarate ratios indicative of SDHx mutations; however, no mutations in any of the known PPGL susceptibility genes were found in leucocyte or tumor DNA. We identified methylation of the SDHC promoter region in both PGLs, which coincided with decreased SDHC expression at mRNA and protein levels and a hypermethylated epigenomic signature (CpG island methylator phenotype). Low-level SDHC promoter methylation was also observed in the adenoma but not in normal adrenal tissue or blood, suggesting postzygotic somatic mosaicism for SDHC promoter methylation in the patient. CONCLUSIONS This report provides evidence that SDHC promoter methylation can cause PGLs due to SDHC inactivation, emphasizing the importance of considering epigenetic changes and functional readouts in the genetic evaluation of patients not only with GISTs and Carney triad but also with PPGL.
Survey of Japanese ophthalmic surgeons regarding perioperative disinfection and antibiotic prophylaxis in cataract surgery

Purpose To elucidate Japanese trends for perioperative disinfection and antibiotic selection during cataract surgeries. Methods Perioperative iodine use and antibiotic prophylaxis for cataract surgery were surveyed in eight regions in Japan by mail or through interviews from February 1 to March 1, 2014. Results We surveyed 572 surgeons, of whom 386 (67%) responded. Most of the surgeons (94%) used iodine compounds before surgery for periocular skin disinfection (povidone–iodine [PI]: 79%; polyvinyl alcohol-iodine [PAI]: 15%) or conjunctival disinfection (85%; PI: 36%; PAI: 49%). Preoperative conjunctival iodine was primarily used as an eye wash (irrigation: 95%) and less often as an eye drop (5%). It was determined that 31% of surgeons waited 30 seconds or more between periocular disinfection and conjunctival disinfection. During surgery, 14% of surgeons used iodine several times, including immediately before intraocular lens insertion, and 7% used the Shimada technique (repeated iodine irrigation). Preoperative antibiotic eye drops were used by 99% of surgeons, and antibiotics were added to the irrigation bottle by 22%. The surgeons reported use of subconjunctival antibiotic injections (23%), antibiotic ointments (79%), and intracameral antibiotics (7%: 22 moxifloxacin; 6 levofloxacin). All surgeons prescribed postoperative eye drops, with 10% initiating the drops on the day of surgery. Conclusion Iodine compounds are commonly used preoperatively, but few institutions use iodine compounds intraoperatively, particularly with repeated application. The selection of antibiotic administration and disinfection technique has to be at the surgeon’s discretion. However, intracameral antibiotic and intraoperative iodine compound use are techniques that should be widely recognized.
Pre-procedural assessment of aortic annulus dimensions for transcatheter aortic valve replacement: comparison of a non-contrast 3D MRA protocol with contrast-enhanced cardiac dual-source CT angiography.

AIMS To evaluate the feasibility of a non-contrast three-dimensional (3D)-FLASH magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) protocol for pre-procedural aortic annulus assessment for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in comparison with cardiac dual-source computed tomography angiography (CTA). METHODS AND RESULTS In this prospective study, 69 of 104 consecutive patients (mean age 81.8 ± 5.4 years, 37.7% arrhythmic) with severe aortic stenosis who had undergone pre-TAVR cardiac CTA received a respiratory and ECG-triggered, non-contrast 3D-FLASH MRA at 3 T. Annular area measurements were obtained at mid-diastole for both modalities whereas maximum systolic area was assessed by CTA only. Systolic MRA dimensions were modelled, by adding the relative difference of systolic and diastolic CTA area dimensions as a corrective factor. Hypothetical prosthesis sizing was performed based on systolic CTA, diastolic, and modelled systolic MRA area measurements. MR image quality and degree of annular calcifications were evaluated using 4-point-grading scales. The mean acquisition time was 14 ± 4.2 min. The mean image quality was 3.1 ± 0.9 with only two examinations rated non-diagnostic. The mean degree of calcifications was equal. As assessed by Bland-Altman analysis, there was no relevant systematic difference between area measurements for modelled systolic MRA and systolic CTA [the mean difference -3.1 mm(2) (limits of agreement -44.4 mm(2); 38.2 mm(2))]. Agreement for hypothetical prosthesis sizing was found in 63 of 67 (94%) patients for systolic CTA and modelled systolic MRA. CONCLUSION The employed non-contrast 3D-FLASH MRA protocol allows for reliable assessment of aortic annulus dimensions and calcifications even in the presence of arrhythmias in an all-comers pre-TAVR population. Implementation of this technique appears legitimate in patients at an increased risk for contrast-induced nephropathy.
Issues about diagnosis and treatment of toxic epidermal necrolysis

The authors describe a clinical picture, clearly suggestive of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), with compatible mucocutaneous lesions and positive Nikolsky’s sign, which is characteristic but not specific to this disease. [2] The clinical picture begins less than three weeks after initiating carbamazepine, a drug, that is clearly related to TEN. [3] However, confirmation of the diagnosis requires a cutaneous biopsy for conventional histopathology and immunohistochemistry to rule out other conditions that may be clinically similar to or even completely indistinguishable from TEN (staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome, linear IgA dermatosis, bullous pemphigus, etc.). [2]