Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Migration Homing and Tracking

In this review, we discuss the migration and homing ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and MSC-like cells and factors influencing this. We also discuss studies related to the mechanism of migration and homing and the approaches undertaken to enhance it. Finally, we describe the different methods available and frequently used to track and identify the injected cells in vivo.
Oxygen isotope evidence for slab melting in modern and ancient subduction zones

We measured oxygen isotope compositions of 34 adakites, high-Mg andesites, and lavas suspected to contain abundant slab and sediment melts from the Western and Central Aleutians, the Andes, Panama, Fiji, Kamchatka, Setouchi (Japan), and the Cascades. This suite covers much of the diversity of arc lavas previously hypothesized to contain abundant dslabT melts. Measured and calculated values of yO for olivine phenocrysts in these samples vary between 4.88x and 6.78x, corresponding to calculated melt values of 6.36x to 8.17x. Values of yO for these samples are correlated with other geochemical parameters having petrogenetic significance, including Sr/Y, La/Yb, Sr/Sr, and Nd/Nd. Archetypical adakites from Adak Island (Central Aleutian) and Cook Island (Andean Austral zone), previously interpreted to be nearly pure melts of basaltic and gabbroic rocks in subducting slabs, have values of yO slightly higher than those of normal mid-oceanridge basalts, and in oxygen isotope equilibrium with typical mantle peridotite (i.e., their subtle O enrichment reflects their Sirich compositions and low liquidus temperatures, not O-rich sources). Other primitive adakites from Panama and Fiji show only subtle sub-per mil enrichments in the source. This finding appears to rule out the hypothesis that end-member adakites are unmodified partial melts of basaltic rocks and/or sediments in the top (upper 1–2 km) of the subducted slab, which typically have yO values of ca. 9–20x, and also appears to rule out them being partial melts of hydrothermally altered gabbros from the slab interior, which typically have yO values of ca. 2–5x. One explanation of this result is that adakites are mixtures of partial melts from several different parts of the slab, so that higherand lower-yO components average out to have no net difference from average mantle. Alternatively, adakites might be initially generated with more extreme yO values, but undergo
Infection and Epilepsy: Current Dilemma

Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology ¦ Volume 22 ¦ Issue 4 ¦ October-December 2019 514 Parkinson’s disease,[7] spinal muscular atrophy,[7] monomelic amyotrophy,[7] Morvan syndrome,[8] capecitabine-induced leukoencephalopathy,[9] tumor necrosis factor-alpha therapy of psoriatic arthritis,[10] GM2 gangliosidoses (Sandhoff disease, AB-variant, and Tay–Sachs disease), frontotemporal dementia, Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, flail arm syndrome, Lyme disease, progressive muscular atrophy, cramp fasciculation syndrome, pure motor neuropathy with or without conduction block, Sjögren syndrome, aluminium intoxication, and lead intoxication.
Determination of the minimal clinically significant difference on a patient visual analog sleep quality scale

The amount of change in quality of sleep (QOS), as measured by a 100‐mm visual analog scale (VAS), that constitutes a minimum clinically significant difference was determined. A total of 428 patients with insomnia aged 55 years and older received placebo (2 weeks), prolonged release melatonin 2 mg (3 weeks) and then placebo (2 weeks). Sleep quality was assessed by the end of each period using the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (LSEQ) QOS variable and a five‐point severity‐rating scale. The mean difference between current and preceding VAS scores in patients improving or worsening by 1 point was 13 mm (95% CI 11–16). Correlation analysis indicated that a change of 1 point was associated with a mean change of 10.3 mm on the VAS. In conclusion, a change of 10 mm change in the 100‐mm VAS QOS variable of the LSEQ, signifies an important change in patients’ sleep quality.
A prospective study of postural balance and risk of falling in an ambulatory and independent elderly population.

BACKGROUND An ability to predict risk of future falling is needed in order to target high-risk individuals for preventive intervention. The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of different measures of postural balance to predict risk of falling prospectively in an ambulatory and independent elderly population. METHODS Balance tests were performed on 100 volunteers (aged 62-96), and falling was then monitored prospectively over a one-year period. The balance testing comprised measurements of: (a) spontaneous postural sway, (b) induced anterior-posterior sway, (c) induced medial-lateral sway, (d) anticipatory adjustments preceding volitional arm movements, (e) timed one-leg stance, and (f) performance on a clinical balance assessment scale. Small pseudorandom platform motions were used to perturb balance in the induced-sway tests. Using force plates, the spontaneous- and induced-sway responses were quantified in terms of the amplitude, speed, and mean frequency of the center-of-pressure displacement; input-output models were also used to parameterize the induced-sway performance. RESULTS Although a number of measures showed evidence of significant differences between fallers and nonfallers, the differences were most pronounced for measures related to the control of lateral stability. Lateral spontaneous-sway amplitude (blindfolded conditions) was found to be the single best predictor of future falling risk, particularly for the large group of falls that were precipitated by a biomechanical perturbation. This measure was able to predict future falling risk with moderate accuracy, even in those individuals with no recent history of falling. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that control of lateral stability may be an important area for fall-preventative intervention. The ability of a simple and safe force-plate measure of spontaneous postural sway to predict future falling risk suggests a possible clinical application as a preliminary screening tool for risk of falling.
Adjuvant Topiramate Administration: A Pharmacologic Strategy for Addressing NMDA Receptor Hypofunction in Schizophrenia

N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor hypofunction (NRH) and its downstream consequences, especially excitotoxicity, may explain the progressive psychosocial deterioration and ventriculomegaly observed in at least some patients with schizophrenia. Topiramate has several properties that address downstream consequences of NRH. In this open-label investigation, the authors examined the salutary therapeutic effects of adjuvant topiramate in 12 patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Patients were selected on the basis of the presence of negative symptoms. An optimal dose of topiramate was determined for each patient during a slow 4-week titration process. Patients were maintained on topiramate and their stable antipsychotic medications for 8 weeks, after which topiramate was tapered and discontinued. Patients were followed for an additional 4 weeks on their stable antipsychotic medications. Clinical measures of efficacy (eg, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale), cognitive measures (eg, verbal fluency, memory), and safety measures (eg, postural sway) were assessed throughout this study. Topiramate administration (average dose, 110.42 mg/day) decreased total scores on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Topiramate was also associated with a selective and reversible worsening of verbal fluency performance. These results encourage further testing of topiramate and kainate/&agr;-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptor antagonists in schizophrenia patients and support the heuristic model of NRH.
Possible Ethnic-specific Hiv Antiretroviral Re- Sistance?

HIV resistance varies considerably across populations and is at least partially attributable to genetics. The multi-drug resistance transporter (MDR-1) gene, which codes for the p-glycoprotein, contains a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that varies widely and is correlated in part to ethnicity. A landmark study by Fellay et al. showed a marked difference in drug concentration and CD4 count in patients with the C3435T polymorphism. Patients with
Effectiveness and safety of intravitreal aflibercept in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration treated in routine clinical practices across France: 12-month outcomes of the RAINBOW study

Background/aims To monitor treatment-naïve patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) receiving intravitreal aflibercept (IVT-AFL) in France. Methods RAINBOW (Real life use of intravitreal Aflibercept In FraNce - oBservatiOnal study in Wet age-related macular degeneration) is an ongoing, observational, retrospective and prospective 4-year study to assess visual (primary), anatomical and safety outcomes following IVT-AFL treatment in wet AMD patients. We report the interim 12-month outcomes in patients who have already been enrolled. Results Safety data were analysed from 586 patients (safety analysis set); and effectiveness data were analysed from 502 patients with at least one follow-up (full-analysis set) and from 353 patients with visual acuity data at baseline and month 12. The mean (SD) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 56.7 (18.2) letters and the mean (SD) central retinal thickness (CRT) was 395.6 (140.5)µm at baseline. Most patients (76.9%) received a loading dose (first three injections within 90 days). The mean (SD) number of IVT-AFL injections over 12 months was 6.0 (2.1) and 6.6 (1.8) (patients who received a loading dose). The mean (SD) change in BCVA was 5.5 (15.0) letters and 6.8 (14.5) letters (patients who received a loading dose) at month 12 (p<0.001 vs baseline). The mean (SD) CRT reduction was –108.7 (146.8)µm and –116.4 (150.4)µm (loading dose) at month 12 (p<0.001 vs baseline). Overall, 118 (20.1%) patients experienced at least one treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE), 1.2% experienced ocular TEAEs and 3.9% experienced serious AEs. Conclusion This 12-month interim analysis showed that IVT-AFL was associated with sustained improvements in a real-world setting. The RAINBOW results are consistent with the VIEW clinical studies. Trial registration number NCT02279537 Pre-results.
Origin and Properties of Striatal Local Field Potential Responses to Cortical Stimulation: Temporal Regulation by Fast Inhibitory Connections

Evoked striatal field potentials are seldom used to study corticostriatal communication in vivo because little is known about their origin and significance. Here we show that striatal field responses evoked by stimulating the prelimbic cortex in mice are reduced by more than 90% after infusing the AMPA receptor antagonist CNQX close to the recording electrode. Moreover, the amplitude of local field responses and dPSPs recorded in striatal medium spiny neurons increase in parallel with increasing stimulating current intensity. Finally, the evoked striatal fields show several of the basic known properties of corticostriatal transmission, including paired pulse facilitation and topographical organization. As a case study, we characterized the effect of local GABAA receptor blockade on striatal field and multiunitary action potential responses to prelimbic cortex stimulation. Striatal activity was recorded through a 24 channel silicon probe at about 600 µm from a microdialysis probe. Intrastriatal administration of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline increased by 65±7% the duration of the evoked field responses. Moreover, the associated action potential responses were markedly enhanced during bicuculline infusion. Bicuculline enhancement took place at all the striatal sites that showed a response to cortical stimulation before drug infusion, but sites showing no field response before bicuculline remained unresponsive during GABAA receptor blockade. Thus, the data demonstrate that fast inhibitory connections exert a marked temporal regulation of input-output transformations within spatially delimited striatal networks responding to a cortical input. Overall, we propose that evoked striatal fields may be a useful tool to study corticostriatal synaptic connectivity in relation to behavior.
Double Poisson algebras

In this paper we develop Poisson geometry for non-commutative algebras. This generalizes the bi-symplectic geometry which was recently, and independently, introduced by Crawley-Boevey, Etingof and Ginzburg. Our (quasi-)Poisson brackets induce classical (quasi-)Poisson brackets on representation spaces. As an application we show that the moduli spaces of representations associated to the deformed multiplicative preprojective algebras recently introduced by Crawley-Boevey and Shaw carry a natural Poisson structure.
Processes Associated with Convection Initiation in the North American Mesoscale Forecast System, Version 3 (NAMv3)

In support of the Next Generation Global Prediction System (NGGPS) project, processes leading to convection initiation in the North American Mesoscale Forecast System, version 3 (NAMv3) are explored. Two severe weather outbreaks—occurring over the southeastern United States on 28 April 2014 and the central Great Plains on 6 May 2015—are forecast retrospectively using the NAMv3 CONUS (4 km) and Fire Weather (1.33 km) nests, each with 5-min output. Points of convection initiation are identified, and patterns leading to convection initiation in the model forecasts are determined. Results indicate that in the 30 min preceding convection initiation at a grid point, upward motion at low levels of the atmosphere enables a parcel to rise to its level of free convection, above which it is accelerated by the buoyancy force. A moist absolutely unstable layer (MAUL) typically is produced at the top of the updraft. However, when strong updrafts are collocated with large vertical gradients of potential temperature and moisture, noisy vertical profiles of temperature, moisture, and hydrometeor concentration develop beneath the rising MAUL. The noisy profiles found in this study are qualitatively similar to those that resulted in NAMv3 failures during simulations of Hurricane Joaquin in 2015. The CM1 cloud model is used to reproduce these noisy profiles, and results indicate that the noise can be mitigated by including explicit vertical diffusion in the model. Left unchecked, the noisy profiles are shown to impact convective storm features such as cold pools, precipitation, updraft helicity intensity and tracks, and the initiation of spurious convection.
The Impact of Company-Level ART Provision to a Mining Workforce in South Africa: A Cost–Benefit Analysis

Background HIV impacts heavily on the operating costs of companies in sub-Saharan Africa, with many companies now providing antiretroviral therapy (ART) programmes in the workplace. A full cost–benefit analysis of workplace ART provision has not been conducted using primary data. We developed a dynamic health-state transition model to estimate the economic impact of HIV and the cost–benefit of ART provision in a mining company in South Africa between 2003 and 2022. Methods and Findings A dynamic health-state transition model, called the Workplace Impact Model (WIM), was parameterised with workplace data on workforce size, composition, turnover, HIV incidence, and CD4 cell count development. Bottom-up cost analyses from the employer perspective supplied data on inpatient and outpatient resource utilisation and the costs of absenteeism and replacement of sick workers. The model was fitted to workforce HIV prevalence and separation data while incorporating parameter uncertainty; univariate sensitivity analyses were used to assess the robustness of the model findings. As ART coverage increases from 10% to 97% of eligible employees, increases in survival and retention of HIV-positive employees and associated reductions in absenteeism and benefit payments lead to cost savings compared to a scenario of no treatment provision, with the annual cost of HIV to the company decreasing by 5% (90% credibility interval [CrI] 2%–8%) and the mean cost per HIV-positive employee decreasing by 14% (90% CrI 7%–19%) by 2022. This translates into an average saving of US$950,215 (90% CrI US$220,879–US$1.6 million) per year; 80% of these cost savings are due to reductions in benefit payments and inpatient care costs. Although findings are sensitive to assumptions regarding incidence and absenteeism, ART is cost-saving under considerable parameter uncertainty and in all tested scenarios, including when prevalence is reduced to 1%—except when no benefits were paid out to employees leaving the workforce and when absenteeism rates were half of what data suggested. Scaling up ART further through a universal test and treat strategy doubles savings; incorporating ART for family members reduces savings but is still marginally cost-saving compared to no treatment. Our analysis was limited to the direct cost of HIV to companies and did not examine the impact of HIV prevention policies on the miners or their families, and a few model inputs were based on limited data, though in sensitivity analysis our results were found to be robust to changes to these inputs along plausible ranges. Conclusions Workplace ART provision can be cost-saving for companies in high HIV prevalence settings due to reductions in healthcare costs, absenteeism, and staff turnover. Company-sponsored HIV counselling and voluntary testing with ensuing treatment of all HIV-positive employees and family members should be implemented universally at workplaces in countries with high HIV prevalence.
Velocity zone classification in elite women’s football: where do we draw the lines?

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study aims to develop generic velocity thresholds for the analysis of external load data collected in international women’s football matches. Methods: Doppler-derived recordings of instantaneous velocity and acceleration were collected (10 Hz GPS) from 27 international female football players during 52 international matches between 2012 and 2015. Data were examined with k-means, Gaussian mixture model (GMM), and Spectral Clustering methods to identify four velocity zones, in each completed half of match-play (277 observations). Spectral Clustering was also performed with 4 different smoothing parameters ( values of 0, 0.001, 0.01, and 0.1). Linear-mixed modelling was used to determine generic squad thresholds, accounting for the within-subject variation. Results: k-means and GMM generated low transition velocities, which had limited logical validity and deemed not fit for purpose. Spectral Clustering with a value of 0.1 derived thresholds that differed from the various methods adopted in existing literature and industry practice, yet providing a rigorous, acceptable, and feasible determination of velocity thresholds. Conclusion: Velocities of 3.46 (12.5 km h−1), 5.29 (19.0 km h−1), and 6.26 m s−1 (22.5 km h−1) are recommended as entry criteria into high, very-high velocity, and sprinting locomotor categories, respectively, for the purpose of external load assessments in elite women’s football.
Low complexity 2-D Hidden Markov Model for face recognition

In this paper, a low complexity 2-D Hidden Markov Model (HMM) Face Recognition (FR) system is introduced to provide a 2-D representation of the statistical features of the facial image, as opposed to the 1-D HMM and the 2-D Pseudo HMM (2-DPHMM) found in the literature. The proposed model is designed to have low complexity when compared to the Markov Random Field based 2-D HMM (MRF 2-D HMM). The model is implemented in the 2-D Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) compressed domain based on a non-overlapped 8/spl times/8 pixel blocks scheme to maintain the compatibility with JPEG. It is shown that the proposed model has considerably lower complexity than the MRF 2-D KMM and 2-D PHMM.
Migration of the schistosomula of Schistosoma mansoni from skin to lungs

Summary The number of schistosomula recovered from abdominal skin declined exponentially with time after infection. However, this decline was shown to be an untrue reflection of the numbers present because of changes in recoverability on days subsequent to infection. Digestion of skin by the enzymes collagenase and hyaluronidase produced a small increase in the number of schistosomula recovered. The number of schistosomula present in abdominal skin and capable of reaching maturity was estimated by exciting the area to which cercariae had been applied, from groups of hosts at daily intervals after exposure. The number of worms maturing in each group of hosts was then determined. The mean duration of stay of schistosomula in mouse, hamster and rat abdominal skin was estimated at 88, 64·5 and 70 h, respectively. The fluid content of abdominal skin to which cercariae had been applied, increased following infection but it was concluded that this alone was not the predominant factor controlling exit of worms. The stimulation of a delayed hypersensitivity response not directed against schistosomes (in mice previously sensitized with 1-chloro,2–4-dinitrobenzene (DNB)) 1 day after exposure to cercariae, produced a significant increase in the number of schistosomula leaving the skin and reaching maturity. Schistosomula can be recovered from the axial lymph nodes of mice, hamsters and rats. If the schistosomula from mice are injected into the tail vein of uninfected mouse hosts, they have the same chance of maturing as comparable skin schistosomula. They are therefore apparently unharmed by their passage through the nodes. Interference with lymphatic drainage by surgical removal of lymph nodes has no effect on the number of schistosomula recovered from the lungs, but the peak recovery is delayed by 24 h. The hamster cheek-pouch, a site with no afferent lymphatic drainage, was also used to investigate the importance of the lymphatic exit route. There was no reduction in the number of adult worms recovered following infection at this site compared with the normal abdominal skin site. The migration of schistosomula to deeper tissues and their entry into blood vessels was followed using the cheek-pouch preparation. It was concluded that the major route of exit from the skin is the blood vascular system.
The Role of Fixed-Dose Combination Therapy with Drugs that Target the Renin-Angiotensin System in the Hypertension Paradigm

Most patients with hypertension require two or more agents from different classes to achieve BP control. Several fixed-dose combinations are available, often combining agents that target the renin angiotensin system (angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitors or an angiotensin receptor blockers [ARBs]) plus either thiazide diuretics or calcium channel blockers (CCBs). At low doses, these combinations may have greater efficacy and better tolerability than the respective high dose monotherapies. Combining an ARB (instead of an ACE inhibitor) with the CCB amlodipine offers efficacy with improved tolerability. This review aims to highlight the simplicity, tolerability, and convenience of fixed-dose combinations targeting the renin-angiotensin system, which can lead to improved compliance and more patients achieving BP goals.
Nano-structures of debranched potato starch obtained by isoamylolysis.

Starch debranching is fundamental for understanding the structure-function relationships of starch. In this paper, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to investigate potato starch by isoamylase [EC 3.2. 1.68] debranching at nanometer scale. The hydrolysates were separated by gel-permeation chromatography and the fractions were imaged. In addition to linear structures and branches, coiled structures were revealed in the intermediate hydrolysates. It is concluded that isoamylolysis is very useful for a better understanding of starch structure-property relationships.
Decrease in interleukin‐21 in children suffering with severe atopic dermatitis

To cite this article: Lin S‐C, Chuang Y‐H, Yang Y‐H, Chiang B‐L. Decrease in interleukin‐21 in children suffering with severe atopic dermatitis. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011: 22: 869–875.