Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simulating the ideal geometrical and biomechanical parameters of the pulmonary autograft to prevent failure in the Ross operation.

OBJECTIVES Reinforcements for the pulmonary autograft (PA) in the Ross operation have been introduced to avoid the drawback of conduit expansion and failure. With the aid of an in silico simulation, the biomechanical boundaries applied to a healthy PA during the operation were studied to tailor the best implant technique to prevent reoperation. METHODS Follow-up echocardiograms of 66 Ross procedures were reviewed. Changes in the dimensions and geometry of reinforced and non-reinforced PAs were evaluated. Miniroot and subcoronary implantation techniques were used in this series. Mechanical stress tests were performed on 36 human pulmonary and aortic roots explanted from donor hearts. Finite element analysis was applied to obtain high-fidelity simulation under static and dynamic conditions of the biomechanical properties and applied stresses on the PA root and leaflet and the similar components of the native aorta. RESULTS The non-reinforced group showed increases in the percentages of the mean diameter that were significantly higher than those in the reinforced group at the level of the Valsalva sinuses (3.9%) and the annulus (12.1%). The mechanical simulation confirmed geometrical and dimensional changes detected by clinical imaging and demonstrated the non-linear biomechanical behaviour of the PA anastomosed to the aorta, a stiffer behaviour of the aortic root in relation to the PA and similar qualitative and quantitative behaviours of leaflets of the 2 tissues. The annulus was the most significant constraint to dilation and affected the distribution of stress and strain within the entire complex, with particular strain on the sutured regions. The PA was able to evenly absorb mechanical stresses but was less adaptable to circumferential stresses, potentially explaining its known dilatation tendency over time. CONCLUSIONS The absence of reinforcement leads to a more marked increase in the diameter of the PA. Preservation of the native geometry of the PA root is crucial; the miniroot technique with external reinforcement is the most suitable strategy in this context.
Levels of biogenic amines in maize silages Š

Seven biogenic amines (BAs) and polyamines were determined in 113 maize silages sampled from farm large-capacity silos 6–8 weeks after filling and sealing the silos. Amines were quantified as N-benzamides by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography. Mean dry matter (DM) contents of silages were 449±62 and 378±56 g/kg in 1999 and 2000, respectively. Tyramine (TY), putrescine (PUT), cadaverine (CAD) and spermidine were present in all samples, while tryptamine (TR), spermine (SPM) and histamine (HI) were detected only in a part of silages at very low levels. Mean tyramine, putrescine, cadaverine and spermidine contents were 482, 98, 48 and 17 mg/kg and 145, 136, 96 and 38 mg/kg in silages produced in 1999 and 2000, respectively. However, wide variations occurred. Possible effects on silage palatability and ruminants health are discussed. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Hepatobiliary diseases in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographic findings

This study describes ultrasonographic observations of five hepatobiliary diseases in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Fifty buffalo, including 20 clinically normal and 30 hepatobiliary diseased buffalo were enrolled in the study. Complete clinical, radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations and laboratory analyses were conducted. Focal parenchymal lesions including liver abscess (n = 12) and hepatic cyst (n = 6), diffuse parenchymal lesion (hepatobiliary cirrhosis, n = 5) and obstruction of hepatobiliary passages including cholestasis (n = 4), and hepatocholelithiasis (n = 3) were successfully imaged by ultrasonography. Hepatic abscess imaged as a hypoechoic to echogenic circumscribed mass of various diameters with a distinct echogenic capsule. Hepatic cyst imaged as a pear-shaped sac with a bright echogenic margin, anechoic content, and distal acoustic enhancement. In hepatobiliary fibrosis, the liver showed linear bands of increasing echogenicity with less distinct imaging of the portal vasculature. Cholestasis was imaged as dilatation of the gallbladder (GB) with wall thickening and homogeneous or heterogeneous contents. Hepatocholelithiasis imaged as an echoic structure within the hepatic parenchyma, or within and around the GB and bile duct, with more echogenicity of the hepatic parenchyma than normal. Ultrasonography can be an efficient rapid, noninvasive tool for screening of common hepatobiliary diseases in buffalo under field conditions.
Leveraging publication metadata and social data into FolkRank for scientific publication recommendation

The ever-growing flood of new scientific articles requires novel retrieval mechanisms. One means for mitigating this instance of the information overload phenomenon are collaborative tagging systems, that allow users to select, share and annotate references to publications. These systems employ recommendation algorithms to present to their users personalized lists of interesting and relevant publications. In this paper we analyze different ways to incorporate social data and metadata from collaborative tagging systems into the graph-based ranking algorithm FolkRank to utilize it for recommending scientific articles to users of the social bookmarking system BibSonomy. We compare the results to those of Collaborative Filtering, which has previously been applied for resource recommendation.
Genetic and Pharmacologic Inactivation of ANGPTL3 and Cardiovascular Disease

BACKGROUND Loss‐of‐function variants in the angiopoietin‐like 3 gene (ANGPTL3) have been associated with decreased plasma levels of triglycerides, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. It is not known whether such variants or therapeutic antagonism of ANGPTL3 are associated with a reduced risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. METHODS We sequenced the exons of ANGPTL3 in 58,335 participants in the DiscovEHR human genetics study. We performed tests of association for loss‐of‐function variants in ANGPTL3 with lipid levels and with coronary artery disease in 13,102 case patients and 40,430 controls from the DiscovEHR study, with follow‐up studies involving 23,317 case patients and 107,166 controls from four population studies. We also tested the effects of a human monoclonal antibody, evinacumab, against Angptl3 in dyslipidemic mice and against ANGPTL3 in healthy human volunteers with elevated levels of triglycerides or LDL cholesterol. RESULTS In the DiscovEHR study, participants with heterozygous loss‐of‐function variants in ANGPTL3 had significantly lower serum levels of triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol than participants without these variants. Loss‐of‐function variants were found in 0.33% of case patients with coronary artery disease and in 0.45% of controls (adjusted odds ratio, 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.41 to 0.85; P=0.004). These results were confirmed in the follow‐up studies. In dyslipidemic mice, inhibition of Angptl3 with evinacumab resulted in a greater decrease in atherosclerotic lesion area and necrotic content than a control antibody. In humans, evinacumab caused a dose‐dependent placebo‐adjusted reduction in fasting triglyceride levels of up to 76% and LDL cholesterol levels of up to 23%. CONCLUSIONS Genetic and therapeutic antagonism of ANGPTL3 in humans and of Angptl3 in mice was associated with decreased levels of all three major lipid fractions and decreased odds of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. (Funded by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01749878.)
β-amyloid inhibits hippocampal LTP through TNFR/IKK/NF-κB pathway

Abstract Objective The suppressive action of the acute application of oligomeric amyloid-β (Aβ) on hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) has been reported widely. Many mechanisms have been proposed for Aβ inhibited LTP induction. The inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) has also been reported to play a key role in this LTP inhibition through Aβ. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the link between Aβ- and TNF-α-mediated hippocampal LTP inhibition. Methods Acute hippocampal slices of male wildtype or Alzheimer’s disease (AD) transgenic mouse models were treated with the inhibitors of either TNF-α, IκB Kinase (IKK) or Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB) in the presence or absence of oligomeric Aβ42 (500 nM/2 h). The LTP was assessed using field excitatory post synaptic potential recordings (fEPSP), and immunoblotting was used to evaluate the expression of IKK and NF-κB. Results Acute treatment with Aβ or TNF-α alone inhibited LTP and increased the phosphorylation of IKK and NF-κB in wild type mouse hippocampal slices. Pretreatment with TNF-α antagonist infliximab rescued the LTP impairment by Aβ and also restored the levels of IKK and NF-κB to the control levels. In addition, pretreatment with IKK2 IV or JSH23 also restored the Aβ-mediated LTP impairment. Furthermore, AD transgenic mouse hippocampal slices treated with infliximab or inhibitors of IKK or NF-κB showed improved LTP and reversed the activation of IKK and NF-κB. Conclusion In conclusion, our observations suggest that the IKK/NF-κB signaling pathway play an important role in Aβ-mediated hippocampal LTP impairment. Aβ might modulate IKK/NF-κB activity by binding or activating tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR).
Prognostic Impact of Statin Intensity in Heart Failure Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease: A Report From the CHART‐2 (Chronic Heart Failure Registry and Analysis in the Tohoku District 2) Study

Background The beneficial prognostic impact of statins has been established in patients with ischemic heart disease but not in those with heart failure (HF). In addition, it is still unclear whether patients benefit from statins regardless of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Methods and Results We examined 2444 consecutive stage C or D HF patients with ischemic heart disease registered in CHART‐2 (Chronic Heart Failure Registry and Analysis in the Tohoku District 2), a multicenter, prospective, observational cohort study in Japan. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the Japanese standard doses of statins and statin‐intensity categories defined by the 2013 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines: higher (moderate‐high)‐intensity (n=868), lower (low)‐intensity (n=526), and no statin (n=1050). The median follow‐up period was 6.4 years (13929 person‐years). Analysis with the inverse probability of treatment weighted using a propensity score for multiple treatment revealed that both the higher‐intesity group (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.68; P<0.001) and the lower‐intensity group (HR: 0.82; P<0.001) had significantly lower incidence of the primary end point—a composite of all‐cause death and HF admission—compared with the no statin group. The higher‐intensity statin group had significantly lower incidence of the primary end point (HR: 0.82; P<0.001), all‐cause death (HR: 0.83; P<0.001), and HF admission (HR: 0.78; P<0.001) than the lower‐intensity statin group. Moreover, the use of statins, either higher‐ or lower‐intensity, was associated with reduced incidence of the primary end point, regardless of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Conclusions These results suggest that statin use, particularly the use of higher‐intensity statins, has a beneficial prognostic impact in HF patients with ischemic heart disease, regardless of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT00418041.
Probiotic Survey in Cancer Patients Treated in the Outpatient Department in a Comprehensive Cancer Center

Purpose. Availability without prescription restriction, low cost, and simple oral administration allow cancer patients to use probiotics without knowledge of potential risks. We present a survey of probiotic use and the association with patient tumor characteristics in cancer patients treated at the outpatient department of the National Cancer Institute in Slovakia. Patients and Methods. Between March and December 2014, 499 patients were asked to evaluate their overall experience with probiotics by questionnaire form, including the length and method of use relative to anticancer therapy, expectations, side-effect experiences, understanding of the possible risks, dietary supplement use, and others. The relevant data were statistically evaluated. Results. The cohort consisted of 323 women (64.7%) and 176 men (35.3%); 91.6% were undergoing chemotherapy (2.6% together with radiotherapy) and 8.4% had no anticancer therapy. The prevalence of probiotic use was 28.5% and only 12 patients using probiotics (8.5%) described negative side effects. Most patients declared consideration of probiotic use based on recommendation from a physician (37.3%) or a pharmacist (14.8%). Nevertheless, up to 86.6% of patients declared no knowledge of possible risks. Statistically significant correlation was found between probiotic use and age of patients (P < .008), gender (P < .023), and taking other dietary supplements (P < .000002). Conclusions. In this prospective study, we present for the first time the prevalence, side-effect experience, and aspects that most likely influence probiotic use in cancer patients. Minimal knowledge of risks underlines the importance of an active approach by oncologists to inform patients about probiotic safety.
Use of Condensed Nanofat Combined With Fat Grafts to Treat Atrophic Scars

Importance In addition to the physical deformity, there is often great psychological burden of facial scars for patients. In this study, we use condensed nanofat combined with fat grafts in a novel technique to improve atrophic facial scars by raising both the surface and the bottom of the affected area. Objective To assess whether the use of condensed nanofat combined with fat grafting can be effective in treating atrophic facial scars from both an aesthetic and a functional perspective. Design, Setting, and Participants In this prospective case series of 20 patients with 25 atrophic facial scars, each scar was treated with condensed nanofat combined with fat grafts at the Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. Postoperative results were evaluated by the patients themselves and by 3 senior plastic surgeon observers. Main Outcomes and Measures Multiple preoperative and postoperative examinations included the use of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) to evaluate both the functional and aesthetic aspects of the atrophic facial scars. Punch biopsy specimens were stained for the presence of melanin, elastic fibers, and cytokeratin (CK) 14 and CK19. Images were analyzed using ImageJ software, and the data were analyzed by paired sample t test. Results Twenty patients (6 men and 14 women; mean age, 38.25 years; age range, 21-62 years) with a total of 25 atrophic facial scars were treated between March 2014 and December 2016. The patients’ mean (SD) scar assessment scores were significantly decreased postoperatively in the final examination for color, 6.40 (0.51) vs 2.40 (0.24) (P < .001); stiffness, 7.20 (0.37) vs 3.20 (0.20) (P < .001); thickness, 5.80 (0.73) vs 1.80 (0.37) (P = .001); and irregularity, 5.20 (0.49) vs 2.20 (0.37) (P = .003); and the observers’ scores were also significantly decreased for pigmentation, 4.40 (0.51) vs 2.00 (0.32) (P = .004); thickness, 3.00 (0.32) vs 1.80 (0.20) (P = .03); relief, 4.40 (0.51) vs 2.40 (0.24) (P = .003); and pliability, 4.20 (0.37) vs 1.40 (0.24) (P < .001). In the final follow-up examinations, a significantly improved overall POSAS score was found among both patients, 28.80 (1.02) vs 12.20 (0.80) (P < .001), and observers, 18.00 (0.71) vs 9.20 (0.37) (P = .001). Enhancement of Fontana-Masson staining of melanin in the basal cell layer was observed postoperatively, and a significant postoperative change was detected for the mean (SD) values of average optical density from the preoperative measurement, 0.671 (0.083) vs 0.844 (0.110) (P = .01). The sebaceous glands and sweat glands that were not found in the preoperative images were seen postoperatively by immunohistochemical staining with CK14 and CK19. Conclusions and Relevance Our preliminary clinical and pathological results indicate that the use of condensed nanofat combined with fat grafts may be an effective approach to treating atrophic facial scars from both an aesthetic and a functional perspective. Level of Evidence 4.
Immunopathology of Virus-Induced Anterior Uveitis

ABSTRACT Herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus, human cytomegalovirus, and rubella virus are the most common causes of virus-induced anterior uveitis. They can present in a variety of entities not only with typical but also overlapping clinical characteristics. These viral infections are commonly associated with ocular infiltration of T cells and B/plasma cells, and expression of cytokines and chemokines typical of a proinflammatory immune response. The infections differ in that the herpes viruses cause an acute lytic infection and inflammation, whereas rubella virus is a chronic low-grade infection with slowly progressing immunopathological responses. The outcome of an intraocular viral infection may largely be guided by the characteristics of the virus, which subsequently dictates the severity and type of the immune response, and the host immune status.
Abnormal fronto‐striatal activation as a marker of threshold and subthreshold Bulimia Nervosa

This study aimed to determine whether functional disturbances in fronto‐striatal control circuits characterize adolescents with Bulimia Nervosa (BN) spectrum eating disorders regardless of clinical severity. FMRI was used to assess conflict‐related brain activations during performance of a Simon task in two samples of adolescents with BN symptoms compared with healthy adolescents. The BN samples differed in the severity of their clinical presentation, illness duration and age. Multi‐voxel pattern analyses (MVPAs) based on machine learning were used to determine whether patterns of fronto‐striatal activation characterized adolescents with BN spectrum disorders regardless of clinical severity, and whether accurate classification of less symptomatic adolescents (subthreshold BN; SBN) could be achieved based on patterns of activation in adolescents who met DSM5 criteria for BN. MVPA classification analyses revealed that both BN and SBN adolescents could be accurately discriminated from healthy adolescents based on fronto‐striatal activation. Notably, the patterns detected in more severely ill BN compared with healthy adolescents accurately discriminated less symptomatic SBN from healthy adolescents. Deficient activation of fronto‐striatal circuits can characterize BN early in its course, when clinical presentations are less severe, perhaps pointing to circuit‐based disturbances as useful biomarker or risk factor for the disorder, and a tool for understanding its developmental trajectory, as well as the development of early interventions.
Anti-Gouty Arthritis and Antihyperuricemia Effects of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Head Extract in Gouty and Hyperuricemia Animal Models

This study was performed to investigate the therapeutic effects and possible mechanisms of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) head extract (SHE) on gout. First, the components of sunflower head powder and SHE were analyzed systematically. SHE, especially SHEB (extracted with 20% ethanol and 80% double-distilled water), strongly suppressed the swelling of the ankles in rats with acute gout induced by monosodium urate (MSU) crystals and reduced the levels of uric acid and xanthine oxidase (XO) in mice with hyperuricemia induced by oteracil potassium and yeast extract powder. Hematoxylin and eosin staining indicated that SHEB reduced inflammation cells and increased the joint space in the ankle compared with the control rats with MSU-induced gout. In the rats with acute gout, among 13 detected inflammatory cytokines, SHEB significantly enhanced the serum levels of interleukin-10 and the monocyte chemoattractant protein 1α. In the mice with hyperuricemia, SHEB reduced the levels of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and nitrogen monoxide in liver tissues. The potential therapeutic effects of SHE on gout are probably due to the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines and the suppression of XO activity via the modulation of oxidative stress status.
ACCUMULATION AND REDUCTION OF ARSENATE BY THE FRESHWATER GREEN ALGA CHLORELLA SP. (CHLOROPHYTA)

Arsenate accumulation and reduction kinetics at both high and low phosphate concentrations were investigated in the green alga Chlorella sp, isolated from the arsenic‐contaminated Upper Mystic Lake near Boston, MA. Growth rate, accumulated cellular arsenic, and release of As(III) were determined over a range of arsenate concentrations. Arsenate inhibited growth and reduced final cell yield at high phosphate concentration. However, growth rate, final cell yield, and cellular arsenic content were all enhanced by higher arsenate concentrations in cultures grown at a low concentration of phosphate. The traditional view that phosphate‐limited cells are necessarily more sensitive to As(V) toxicity may not be correct. The reduction rates of As(V) by Chlorella sp. obtained in our laboratory were similar to net reduction rates measured in epilimnetic water from the Upper Mystic Lake, demonstrating the importance of phytoplankton in arsenic reduction in freshwater.
No Evidence of a Curvilinear Relation Between Conscientiousness and Relationship, Work, and Health Outcomes

Across 2 studies and 4 samples (Ns = 8,332, 2,136, 4,963, and 753, respectively), we tested whether the relation between conscientiousness and variables associated with important aspects of individuals’ lives were curvilinear such that being high on conscientiousness was manifestly negative. Across multiple outcomes including measures of health, well-being, relationship satisfaction, job satisfaction, and organizational citizenship, we found no evidence for a systematic curvilinear relation between conscientiousness and these outcomes. Furthermore, heeding the call to use more sophisticated psychometric modeling of the conscientiousness spectrum, we used different types of scale construction and scoring methods (i.e., dominance and ideal point) and again found no evidence of curvilinear relationships between conscientiousness and the aforementioned variables. We discuss the potential reasons for the inconsistency with past research.
The role of the cell wall in plant immunity

The battle between plants and microbes is evolutionarily ancient, highly complex, and often co-dependent. A primary challenge for microbes is to breach the physical barrier of host cell walls whilst avoiding detection by the plant’s immune receptors. While some receptors sense conserved microbial features, others monitor physical changes caused by an infection attempt. Detection of microbes leads to activation of appropriate defense responses that then challenge the attack. Plant cell walls are formidable and dynamic barriers. They are constructed primarily of complex carbohydrates joined by numerous distinct connection types, and are subject to extensive post-synthetic modification to suit prevailing local requirements. Multiple changes can be triggered in cell walls in response to microbial attack. Some of these are well described, but many remain obscure. The study of the myriad of subtle processes underlying cell wall modification poses special challenges for plant glycobiology. In this review we describe the major molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie the roles of cell walls in plant defense against pathogen attack. In so doing, we also highlight some of the challenges inherent in studying these interactions, and briefly describe the analytical potential of molecular probes used in conjunction with carbohydrate microarray technology.