Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High Vacuum Die-Cast AlSiMgMn Alloys at as-Cast and T6-Treated Conditions

Al–Si–Mg based alloys can provide high strength and ductility to satisfy the increasing demands of thin wall castings for automotive applications. This study has investigated the effects of T6 heat-treatment on the microstructures, the local mechanical properties of alloy phases and the fracture behavior of high vacuum die-cast AlSiMgMn alloys using in-situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in combination with nano-indentation testing. The microstructures of the alloys at as-cast and T6 treated conditions were compared and analyzed. It is found that the T6 heat treatment plays different roles in affecting the hardness and the Young’s modulus of alloy phases. This study also found that the T6 heat treatment would influence the failure modes of the alloys. The mechanisms of crack propagation in the as-cast and T6 treated alloys were also analyzed and discussed.
Concurrent decreases in the prevalence of wheezing and Ascaris infection among 5‐year‐old children in rural Bangladesh and their regulatory T cell immunity after the implementation of a national deworming program

Epidemiological research on the prevalence of asthma and helminthic infections in various countries has led to the hypothesis that helminthic infections protect against asthma by suppressing the host's immune response. This study was conducted to elucidate whether decreased Ascaris infection following a national deworming program was associated with increased recurrent wheezing among rural Bangladeshi children and to test their anti‐inflammatory immunity.
Effects and Mechanism of Tanshinone II A in Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Migration of Human Colon Cancer Cells

Background The aim of this study was to explore the effect and mechanism of tanshinone II A on proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of human colon cancer cells. Material/Methods CCK-8 approach was carried out to evaluate proliferation after applying various levels of tanshinone II A to SW620 colon carcinoma cells. Flow cytometry (FC) was used to assess apoptosis. Transwell assay was performed to assess invasion in vitro, and the wound-healing assay was applied to assess migration. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate translation of mTOR, while RT-PCR was carried out to assess transcription of VEGF. Results CCK-8 assay showed that tanshinone II A inhibited SW620 proliferation in comparison to the control group subsequent to 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h (P<0.001). FC revealed that tanshinone II A promoted SW620 apoptosis (P<0.001). The cell migration test revealed that the migration index of cells receiving tanshinone II A decreased. mTOR translation as well as VEGE transcription in cells receiving tanshinone II A was noticeably prohibited compared to control group (P<0.001). Conclusions Tanshinone II A is able to inhibit proliferation and migration of human colon cancer SW620 cells and promoted cell death. Its mechanism may be by downregulation of mTOR protein and VEGF mRNA.
Cell scale modelling and numerical simulation of transmembrane potential in neurons and glia

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Body cavities in bryozoans: Functional and phylogenetic implications

Based on morphological evidence, Bryozoa together with Phoronida and Brachiopoda are traditionally combined in the group Lophophorata, although this view has been recently challenged by molecular studies. The core of the concept lies in the presence of the lophophore as well as the nature and arrangement of the body cavities. Bryozoa are the least known in this respect. Here, we focused on the fine structure of the body cavity in 12 bryozoan species: 6 gymnolaemates, 3 stenolaemates and 3 phylactolaemates. In gymnolaemates, the complete epithelial lining of the body cavity is restricted to the lophophore, gut walls, and tentacle sheath. By contrast, the cystid walls are composed only of the ectocyst‐producing epidermis without a coelothelium, or an underlying extracellular matrix; only the storage cells and cells of the funicular system contact the epidermis. The nature of the main body cavity in gymnolaemates is unique and may be considered as a secondarily modified coelom. In cyclostomes, both the lophophoral and endosaccal cavities are completely lined with coelothelium, while the exosaccal cavity only has the epidermis along the cystid wall. In gymnolaemates, the lophophore and trunk cavities are divided by an incomplete septum and communicate through two pores. In cyclostomes, the septum has a similar location, but no openings. In Phylactolaemata, the body cavity is undivided: the lophophore and trunk coeloms merge at the bases of the lophophore arms, the epistome cavity joins the trunk, and the forked canal opens into the arm coelom. The coelomic lining of the body is complete except for the epistome, lophophoral arms, and the basal portions of the tentacles, where the cells do not interlock perfectly (this design probably facilitates the ammonia excretion). The observed partitioning of the body cavity in bryozoans differs from that in phoronids and brachiopods, and contradicts the Lophophorata concept.
β1-Integrins in the Developing Orbitofrontal Cortex Are Necessary for Expectancy Updating in Mice

Navigating a changing environment requires associating stimuli and actions with their likely outcomes and modifying these associations when they change. These processes involve the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Although some molecular mediators have been identified, developmental factors are virtually unknown. We hypothesized that the cell adhesion factor β1-integrin is essential to OFC function, anticipating developmental windows during which β1-integrins might be more influential than others. We discovered that OFC-selective β1-integrin silencing before adolescence, but not later, impaired the ability of mice to extinguish conditioned fear and select actions based on their likely outcomes. Early-life knock-down also reduced the densities of dendritic spines, the primary sites of excitatory plasticity in the brain, and weakened sensitivity to cortical inputs. Notwithstanding these defects in male mice, females were resilient to OFC (but not hippocampal) β1-integrin loss. Existing literature suggests that resilience may be explained by estradiol-mediated transactivation of β1-integrins and tropomyosin receptor kinase B (trkB). Accordingly, we discovered that a trkB agonist administered during adolescence corrected reward-related decision making in β1-integrin-deficient males. In sum, developmental β1-integrins are indispensable for OFC function later in life. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is a subregion of the frontal cortex that allows organisms to link behaviors and stimuli with anticipated outcomes, and to make predictions about the consequences of one's behavior. Aspects of OFC development are particularly prolonged, extending well into adolescence, likely optimizing organisms' abilities to prospectively calculate the consequences of their actions and select behaviors appropriately; these decision making strategies improve as young individuals mature into adulthood. Molecular factors are not, however, well understood. Our experiments reveal that a cell adhesion protein termed “β1-integrin” is necessary for OFC neuronal maturation and function. Importantly, β1-integrins operate during a critical period equivalent to early adolescence in humans to optimize the ability of organisms to update expectancies later in life.
Markers of kidney tubule function and risk of cardiovascular disease events and mortality in the SPRINT trial.

AIMS Biomarkers of kidney tubule injury, inflammation and fibrosis have been studied extensively and established as risk markers of adverse kidney and cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. However, associations of markers of kidney tubular function with adverse clinical events have not been well studied, especially in persons with chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS AND RESULTS Using a sample of 2377 persons with CKD at the baseline Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) visit, we evaluated the association of three urine tubular function markers, alpha-1 microglobulin (α1m), beta-2 microglobulin (β2m), and uromodulin, with a composite CVD endpoint (myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, stroke, acute decompensated heart failure, or death from cardiovascular causes) and mortality using Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusted for baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albuminuria, and CVD risk factors. In unadjusted analysis, over a median follow-up of 3.8 years, α1m and β2m had positive associations with composite CVD events and mortality, whereas uromodulin had an inverse association with risk for both outcomes. In multivariable analysis including eGFR and albuminuria, a two-fold higher baseline concentration of α1m was associated with higher risk of CVD [hazard ratio (HR) 1.25; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10-1.45] and mortality (HR 1.25; 95% CI: 1.10-1.46), whereas β2m had no association with either outcome. A two-fold higher uromodulin concentration was associated with lower CVD risk (HR 0.79; 95% CI: 0.68-0.90) but not mortality (HR 0.86; 95% CI: 0.73-1.01) after adjusting for similar confounders. CONCLUSION Among non-diabetic persons with CKD, biomarkers of tubular function are associated with CVD events and mortality independent of glomerular function and albuminuria.
Discussion: Outcomes of Single versus Double Fascicular Nerve Transfers for Restoration of Elbow Flexion in Patients with Brachial Plexus Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

www.PRSJournal. com 167 I this article,1 the authors used meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of single versus double fascicular transfer, both of which are techniques for elbow flexion in upper brachial plexus injury, and reported their results in the Discussion section, as follows: (1) after single or double fascicular nerve transfer, 88.0 percent can reach Medical Research Council grade 3 or higher; (2) results in patients with C5 to C6 lesions appeared slightly better compared with patients with C5 to C7 lesions (Medical Research Council grade 3 or higher, 93.3 percent versus 78.6 percent); (3) for patients reaching Medical Research Council grade 4 or higher, double fascicular nerve transfer is slightly better (84.4 percent versus 72.8 percent; p = 0.435); and (4) the benefit from double fascicular nerve transfer was only present in patients with preoperative delay less than 6 months (p = 0.035). The authors then drew some conclusions: (1) in pure C5 to C6 root avulsion, additional reinnervation of the brachialis muscle did not result in a significantly improved elbow flexion (Medical Research Council grade 3 or higher); (2) patients with C5 to C7 lesions are more likely to receive a single fascicular nerve transfer; and (3) they further suggested that the median nerve can be spared for another purpose in brachial plexus reconstruction. The whole article was well written and well organized. I personally have performed more than 2000 cases of adult brachial plexus injury exploration and reconstruction, including many distal nerve transfers.2 I am glad to be invited to write a Discussion on the above article. Before discussing the article, I would like to show some different results from the different reconstruction strategies for the C5 to C6 pure upper plexus root injury. If the elbow flexion restoration is contributed from brachial plexus exploration and proximal nerve grafts such as C5 nerve grafts to C5 or to suprascapular nerve and posterior division of the upper trunk, and C6 nerve grafts to C6 or anterior division of the upper trunk, not only elbow biceps and brachialis, but also forearm supinator and brachioradialis muscle recovery can be potentially achieved (Fig. 1). If the restoration comes from the Mackinnon method (double fascicular transfer), recovery of both biceps and brachialis muscles can be achieved. However, there is no opportunity to achieve forearm supinator and brachioradialis muscle recovery (Fig. 2). If the restoration is from the Oberlin I method (single fascicular transfer), only biceps muscle recovery can be expected to recover (Fig. 3). I have major and minor concerns regarding the article. My major concerns include the
Long-term expansion and differentiation of adult murine epidermal stem cells in 3D organoid cultures

Significance A vast number of skin pathologies cannot be studied well in vitro because of the lack of a long-term feeder and serum-free culture system for epidermis. Here we develop a long-term culture system for adult murine keratinocytes that is genetically stable over time. Using an organoid-based approach, we establish a 3D culture of murine keratinocytes that resembles the interfollicular epidermis, including proliferative cells in the basal layer and differentiation toward the cornified envelope. As culture models of spontaneously differentiating murine epidermis, these organoids may therefore serve as a platform for studying the basic biology of skin diseases, such as cancer, and their underlying genetic alterations. Mammalian epidermal stem cells maintain homeostasis of the skin epidermis and contribute to its regeneration throughout adult life. While 2D mouse epidermal stem cell cultures have been established decades ago, a long-term, feeder cell- and serum-free culture system recapitulating murine epidermal architecture has not been available. Here we describe an epidermal organoid culture system that allows long-term, genetically stable expansion of adult epidermal stem cells. Our epidermal expansion media combines atypically high calcium concentrations, activation of cAMP, FGF, and R-spondin signaling with inhibition of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. Organoids are established robustly from adult mouse skin and expand over at least 6 mo, while maintaining the basal-apical organization of the mouse interfollicular epidermis. The system represents a powerful tool to study epidermal homeostasis and disease in vitro.
Burden of hypoxia and intraventricular haemorrhage in extremely preterm infants

Objective Thresholds of cerebral hypoxia through monitoring of near-infrared spectroscopy tissue oxygenation index (TOI) were used to investigate the relationship between intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) and indices of hypoxia. Design Prospective observational study. Setting A single-centre neonatal intensive care unit. Patients Infants <28 weeks’ gestation with an umbilical artery catheter. Methods Thresholds of hypoxia were determined from mean values of TOI using sequential Χ2 tests and used alongside thresholds from existing literature to calculate percentage of time in hypoxia and burden of hypoxia below each threshold. These indices were then compared between IVH groups. Results 44 infants were studied for a median of 18.5 (range 6–21) hours in the first 24 hours of life. Sequential Χ2 analysis yielded a TOI threshold of 71% to differentiate between IVH (16 infants) and no IVH (28 infants). Percentage of time in hypoxia was significantly higher in infants with IVH than those without, using thresholds of 60%–67%. Burden of hypoxia was significantly higher in infants with IVH than without, using thresholds of 62%–80%. With the threshold of 71%, percentage of time in hypoxia was lower by 12.2% with a 95% CI of (−25.7 to 1.2) (p=0.073), and the burden of hypoxia was lower by 29.2% hour (%h) (95% CI −55.2 to −3.1)%h (p=0.012) in infants without IVH than those with IVH. Conclusions Using defined TOI thresholds, infants with IVH spent higher percentage of time in hypoxia with higher burden of cerebral hypoxia than those without, in the first 24 hours of life.
The Role of Depression and Anxiety in Frail Patients with Heart Failure

An increased interest regarding the impact of frailty on the prognosis of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been observed in the last decade. Frailty is a syndrome characterized by a reduced biological reserve that increases the vulnerability of an individual in relation to stressors. Among the patients with CVD, a higher incidence of frailty has been reported in those with heart failure (HF). Regardless of its conceptualizations, frailty is generally associated with negative outcomes in HF and an increased risk of mortality. Psychological factors, such as depression and anxiety, increase the risk of negative outcomes on the cardiac function and mortality. Depression and anxiety are found to be common factors impacting the heart disease and quality of life (QoL) in patients with HF. Depression is considered an independent risk factor of cardiac-related incidents and death, and a strong predictor of rehospitalization. Anxiety seems to be an adequate predictor only in conjunction with depression. The relationship between psychological factors (depression and anxiety) and frailty in HF has hardly been documented. The aim of this paper is to review the reported data from relevant studies regarding the impact of depression and anxiety, and their effects on clinical outcomes and prognosis in frail patients with HF.
Ridge Augmentation Comparing an Allograft Plus Autogenous Bone Chips to an Osteoinductive Demineralized Bone Matrix: A Clinical and Histologic Study in Humans.

PURPOSE The primary aim of this randomized, controlled, blinded, clinical trial was to compare a mix of particulate allograft and harvested autogenous particles (Autogenous) to an osteoinductive demineralized bone matrix (DBM) allograft on clinical and histologic outcomes for horizontal ridge augmentation procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fourteen patients with a horizontal ridge defect with at least 1 adjacent tooth were entered into this study. The test group of 7 subjects received corticocancellous particulate allograft (Mineross) mixed with autogenous bone chips (70:30) harvested using a bone scraper (SafeScraper TWIST). Seven subjects in the control group received DBM (Optecure-CCC). Both groups had a corticocancellous particulate allograft overlay and an acellular dermis membrane (ADMG) (AlloDerm GBR) to cover the grafts. RESULTS For the Autogenous group, there was a gain of 3.5 ± 1.4 mm while the DBM group gained 3.8 ± 1.6 mm (P < 0.05). Vertical change was minimal for both groups (P > 0.05). The Autogenous group had a mean of 35% vital bone while the DBM had 39% (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Both treatments provided similar gain of ridge width and minimal loss of ridge height. The autogenous bone chips did not provide any additional benefit when compared with allograft alone that had lot verified osteoinductive activity.
Blister Packaging Medications for Adherence for American Indians/Alaska Natives in the Outpatient Setting

Objective: To compare adherence one year before and after blister pack implementation in America Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) patients and to describe the patient population who used blister packs in the outpatient setting. Methods: A retrospective analysis of AI/AN patients receiving blister packs was performed to determine medication adherence as measured by a variable medication possession ratio (MPR). Patient characteristics and the reason for blister pack initiation were also assessed. Results: Of the 25 patients receiving blister packs, 76% were female, 56% were elderly and 60% had cognitive impairment. The three most common types of medications used were hypertension meds, vitamins and diabetes meds. The average MPR one year before blister pack implementation was 67.4% and significantly increased to 86.0% one year after. Conclusion: Blister packs significantly increased the average MPR after one year of implementation in a small group of AI/AN patients. Blister packs were utilized most commonly in patients who were female, had cognitive impairment, and who were taking numerous medications with a high pill burden in the outpatient setting.
Platelet‐Rich Plasma Released From Polyethylene Glycol Hydrogels Exerts Beneficial Effects on Human Chondrocytes

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating joint disease resulting from chronic joint inflammation and erosion of articular cartilage. A promising biological treatment for OA is intra‐articular administration of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP). However, immediate bolus release of growth factors limits beneficial therapeutic effects of PRP, thus necessitating the demand for sustained release platforms. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic value of PRP released from a polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel on articular chondrocytes/cartilage explants derived from OA patients. Lyophilized PRP (PRGF) was encapsulated in PEG hydrogels at 10% w/v and hydrogel swelling, storage modulus and degradation and PRGF release kinetics were determined. PRGF releasate from the hydrogels was collected on day 1, 4, and 11. Encapsulation of PRGF at 10% w/v in PEG hydrogels had minimal effect on hydrogel properties. PRGF was released with an initial burst followed by sustained release until complete hydrogel degradation. Effect of PRGF releasates and bolus PRGF (1% w/v PRGF) on patient‐derived cartilage explants or chondrocytes was assessed by chondrocyte proliferation (pico‐green assay), gene expression for COL1A1, COL2A1, MMP13, COX2, and NFKB1 (real‐time polymerase chain reaction), and measurement of nitric oxide concentration (Griess’ assay). Compared to bolus PRGF, PRGF releasates enhanced chondrocyte proliferation, suppressed the expression of genes like MMP13, NFKB1, COL1A1, and COL2A1 and reduced levels of nitric oxide. Taken together, these results indicate that release of PRGF from PEG hydrogels may improve the therapeutic efficacy of PRP and merits further investigation in an animal model of OA. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:2401–2410, 2019
Significance of Affection Changes during Pregnancy: Intimacy, Passion, and Commitment

The complex process of gestation involves significant biological, psychological, and social changes for both women and men looking toward the same direction. The aim of this study was to analyze changes occurring in affective health between the members of a couple during pregnancy. For this, a cross sectional descriptive study using Sternberg’s questionnaire based on his Triangular Theory of Love (intimacy, passion, and commitment) was implemented. A total of 180 couples participated in the study. Data were collected four times during pregnancy: at the beginning, during the first trimester, the second trimester, and during the third trimester. The level of intimacy was higher at the beginning of pregnancy (123.93 ± 9.67), the same as the level of passion (119 ± 9.83). The commitment score in women was, in general, higher than in men. The commitment score in men increased at the beginning of the third trimester (124.31 ± 7.72). Statistically significant differences between the sexes were found for the level of commitment at the beginning of the pregnancy (p = 0.001) and at the third trimester (p = 0.008), these scores being higher for women than for men. No significant differences between men and women were found for the remaining components of the triangle. During pregnancy, no significant changes were found regarding overall affection throughout the entire period.