Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adipocytokines during pregnancy and postpartum in women with gestational diabetes and healthy controls

Background: This study aims to explore the changes in maternal serum adipocytokines during pregnancy and post partum in normal and complicated with gestational diabetes (GDM) pregnancies and to investigate the relationship between serum adipocytokines and some of major metabolic parameters. Materials and methods: 236 pregnant women (127 with GDM and 109 control group) and 50 postpartum women (30 with GDM during pregnancy and 20 controls). Using ELISA and EIA kits, serum levels of adipocytokines were tested during pregnancy and post partum. Maternal adipocytokines levels were correlated with some metabolic parameters. Results: Women with GDM had lower values of adiponectin and higher values of leptin during pregnancy (p<0.001; 0.0001) and post partum (p<0.002; 0.0001). Serum apelin was significantly lower in GDM group (p<0.009). However, we did not find significance for resistin (p<0.317) and apelin (p<0.218). Positive correlation for leptin and negative for adiponectin was found for pre-pregnancy and pregnancy body mass index, glycated hemoglobin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index. Using cut point of 8.2 µg/ml for adiponectin and 28.7 ng/ml for leptin could exclude GDM with a sensitivity of 83.6%/81.2% and specificity of 56.6%/64.2% (area under the curve 0.702 and 0.827). Conclusion: There are constant differences in adiponectin and leptin levels between GDM and control group during pregnancy and post partum. Apelin was decreased in our GDM group and no differences were found for resistin and visfatin. Further studies are required to verify the mechanism of this alteration and whether the adipocytokines can be predictors for GDM at an early stage of pregnancy.
Antibiofilm peptides against oral biofilms

ABSTRACT The oral cavity is a major entry point for bacteria and other microorganisms. Oral biofilms are formed by mixed communities of microorganisms embedded in an exopolysaccharide matrix. Biofilms forming on dental hard or soft tissue are the major cause of caries and endodontic and periodontal disease. Human oral biofilms exhibit high resistance to antimicrobial agents. Antibiofilm peptides constitute a diverse class of host-defense molecules that act to combat invasion and infection with biofilms. Different in vitro and in vivo biofilm models with quantitative analysis have been established to provide predictable platforms for the evaluation of the antibiofilm effect of oral antibiofilm peptides. These peptides have engendered considerable interest in the past decades as potential alternatives to traditional disinfecting agents due to their ability to target bacterial biofilms specifically, leading to the prevention of biofilm formation and destruction of pre-existing biofilms by Gram-positive and -negative bacterial pathogens and fungi. At the same time, challenges associated with the application of these antibiofilm peptides in dental practice also exist. The production of effective, nontoxic, and stable antibiofilm peptides is desired in both academic and industrial fields. This review focuses on the antibiofilm properties of current synthetic peptides and their application in different areas of dentistry.
Carbon Supply and Photoacclimation Cross Talk in the Green Alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii1[OPEN]

High-light acclimation strategies of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells grown in different carbon supply regimes show the high plasticity of the photosynthetic apparatus. Photosynthetic organisms are exposed to drastic changes in light conditions, which can affect their photosynthetic efficiency and induce photodamage. To face these changes, they have developed a series of acclimation mechanisms. In this work, we have studied the acclimation strategies of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a model green alga that can grow using various carbon sources and is thus an excellent system in which to study photosynthesis. Like other photosynthetic algae, it has evolved inducible mechanisms to adapt to conditions where carbon supply is limiting. We have analyzed how the carbon availability influences the composition and organization of the photosynthetic apparatus and the capacity of the cells to acclimate to different light conditions. Using electron microscopy, biochemical, and fluorescence measurements, we show that differences in CO2 availability not only have a strong effect on the induction of the carbon-concentrating mechanisms but also change the acclimation strategy of the cells to light. For example, while cells in limiting CO2 maintain a large antenna even in high light and switch on energy-dissipative mechanisms, cells in high CO2 reduce the amount of pigments per cell and the antenna size. Our results show the high plasticity of the photosynthetic apparatus of C. reinhardtii. This alga is able to use various photoacclimation strategies, and the choice of which to activate strongly depends on the carbon availability.
A Theory of Multiperiod Debt Structure

We develop a theory of multiperiod debt structure. A simple trade-off between the termination threat required to make debt repayments incentive compatible and the desire to avoid early liquidation determines the number of repayments, their timing, and amounts. As firms increase their borrowing, they add periodic risky repayments from the back of the maturity structure, with the time between repayments increasing in cash-flow risk. Cash-flow growth or a significant risk-free cash-flow component limits the number of risky repayments. Firms with a significant risk-free cash-flow component choose dispersed maturity profiles with smaller, relatively safe repayments every period, rather than riskier periodic repayments. Received May 31, 2017; editorial decision October 8, 2018 by Editor Stijn Van Nieuwerburgh.
Viral‐associated trichodysplasia spinulosa: a case with electron microscopic and molecular detection of the trichodysplasia spinulosa‐associated human polyomavirus

Trichodysplasia spinulosa (TS) is a folliculocentric and clinically papular dermatological disorder occurring in the setting of immunosuppression typically in association with solid organ transplantation or hematolymphoid malignancies. We report the occurrence of TS in a 7‐year‐old girl with Down syndrome and pre‐B‐acute lymphoblastic leukemia who was completing chemotherapy at onset. The patient's affected follicles were dilated by an expansion of a dystrophic follicular inner root sheath cell population displaying enlarged trichohyaline cytoplasmic granules and progressing centrally to keratotic and parakeratotic debris, and superficially demonstrating some diminutive hair shaft‐like material within the keratotic spicules. Electron microscopic studies of a follicular lesion showed extracellular viral particles suggestive of a polyomavirus within the central follicular keratotic debris. DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing studies, performed on the tissue of the microscopic slide and paraffin block, for the recently identified TS‐associated polyomavirus (TSPyV) resulted as positive for TSPyV. PCR for the Merkel cell polyomavirus was negative. To date, this case is unique in representing the first case of TS confirmed by electron microscopy in which a related viral pathogen has been molecularly identified. An additional 19 reported cases classifiable as TS are tabulated and reviewed.
The HCUP SID Imputation Project: Improving Statistical Inferences for Health Disparities Research by Imputing Missing Race Data

OBJECTIVE To identify the most appropriate imputation method for missing data in the HCUP State Inpatient Databases (SID) and assess the impact of different missing data methods on racial disparities research. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING HCUP SID. STUDY DESIGN A novel simulation study compared four imputation methods (random draw, hot deck, joint multiple imputation [MI], conditional MI) for missing values for multiple variables, including race, gender, admission source, median household income, and total charges. The simulation was built on real data from the SID to retain their hierarchical data structures and missing data patterns. Additional predictive information from the U.S. Census and American Hospital Association (AHA) database was incorporated into the imputation. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Conditional MI prediction was equivalent or superior to the best performing alternatives for all missing data structures and substantially outperformed each of the alternatives in various scenarios. CONCLUSIONS Conditional MI substantially improved statistical inferences for racial health disparities research with the SID.
State-of-the-Art Advances in Radiation Biodosimetry for Mass Casualty Events Involving Radiation Exposure

With the possibility of large-scale terrorist attacks around the world, the need for modeling and development of new medical countermeasures for potential future chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) has been well established. Project Bioshield, initiated in 2004, provided a framework to develop and expedite research in the field of CBRN exposures. To respond to large-scale population exposures from a nuclear event or radiation dispersal device (RDD), new methods for determining received dose using biological modeling became necessary. The field of biodosimetry has advanced significantly beyond this original initiative, with expansion into the fields of genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and transcriptomics. Studies are ongoing to evaluate the use of lymphocyte kinetics for dose assessment, as well as the development of field-deployable EPR technology. In addition, expansion of traditional cytogenetic assessment methods through the use of automated platforms and the development of laboratory surge capacity networks have helped to advance our biodefense preparedness. In this review of the latest advances in the field of biodosimetry we evaluate our progress and identify areas that still need to be addressed to achieve true field-deployment readiness.
Tetra‐p‐aminophenylporphyrin conjugated with Gd‐DTPA: Tumor‐specific contrast agent for MR imaging

Tetra‐P‐aminophenylporphyrin (TPP) was conjugated with gadolinium diethylenetriaminepen‐taacetic acid (DTPA) and used as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to achieve tumor selectivity in nude mice. A substantial decrease in T1 was measured in excised tissues (kidneys, tumor, and liver) from mice that received the porphy‐rin derivative Gd2(DTPA)4 TPP. Toxicity and photo‐toxicity were less than those obtained with hematoporphyrin derivative in both L1210 lym‐phoblastic leukemia cells and HT 29 human co‐lonic cancer cells, as determined with in vitro assays. MR images showed an enhancement of contrast between the tumor and adjacent tissue after injection of this agent. The results indicate that Gd2(DTPA)4TPP could be a useful prototype paramagnetic porphyrin MR imaging contrast agent with an affinity for tumors.
Impact of Standardized Simulated Patients on First-Year Pharmacy Students’ Knowledge Retention of Insulin Injection Technique and Counseling Skills

Objective. To compare pre- and post-intervention test scores assessing insulin injection technique and counseling skills among P1 students with (intervention) or without (control) simulated patients, and to compare counseling checklist and knowledge retention test scores between groups. Methods. This study utilized cluster randomization. In addition to traditional instruction, the intervention group counseled a simulated patient on the use of insulin using the teach-back method. Test score changes from baseline were analyzed via two-sample t-test. Results. The intervention group exhibited a significantly greater increase in knowledge test scores from baseline compared to the control group. Similar changes were seen in post-instruction counseling checklist scores and knowledge retention test scores from baseline. Conclusion. Simulated patient interactions, when added to traditional coursework within a P1 skills lab, improve student counseling aptitude and knowledge retention scores.
Pliocene intraspecific divergence and Plio‐Pleistocene range expansions within Picea likiangensis (Lijiang spruce), a dominant forest tree of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau

A knowledge of intraspecific divergence and range dynamics of dominant forest trees in response to past geological and climate change is of major importance to an understanding of their recent evolution and demography. Such knowledge is informative of how forests were affected by environmental factors in the past and may provide pointers to their response to future environmental change. However, genetic signatures of such historical events are often weak at individual loci due to large effective population sizes and long generation times of forest trees. This problem can be overcome by analysing genetic variation across multiple loci. We used this approach to examine intraspecific divergence and past range dynamics in the conifer Picea likiangensis, a dominant tree of forests occurring in eastern and southern areas of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau (QTP). We sequenced 13 nuclear loci, two mitochondrial DNA regions and three plastid (chloroplast) DNA regions in 177 individuals sampled from 22 natural populations of this species, and tested the hypothesis that its evolutionary history was markedly affected by Pliocene QTP uplifts and Quaternary climatic oscillations. Consistent with the taxonomic delimitation of the three morphologically divergent varieties examined, all individuals clustered into three genetic groups with intervariety admixture detected in regions of geographical overlap. Divergence between varieties was estimated to have occurred within the Pliocene and ecological niche modelling based on 20 ecological variables suggested that niche differentiation was high. Furthermore, modelling of population‐genetic data indicated that two of the varieties (var. rubescens and var. linzhiensis) expanded their population sizes after the largest Quaternary glaciation in the QTP, while expansion of the third variety (var. likiangensis) began prior to this, probably following the Pliocene QTP uplift. These findings point to the importance of geological and climatic changes during the Pliocene and Pleistocene as causes of intraspecific diversification and range shifts of dominant tree species in the QTP biodiversity hot spot region.
Remittances and the Dutch Disease: Evidence from the Republic of Moldova

ABSTRACT This paper analyzes the linkage between exports, real effective exchange rates, and workers’ remittances in the Republic of Moldova based on impulse response functions through a vector autoregressive model. We find that an inflow of remittances leads to an appreciation of real exchange rate and a decline of exports, but the magnitude is small. Another finding is that the exchange rate appreciation does not affect remittance transfers for the first three-quarters.
Diagnosis and medical management of ocular surface squamous neoplasia

ABSTRACT Introduction: Topical chemotherapy has gained popularity among clinicians for the treatment of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) . The principal topical chemotherapy agents used in the management of OSSN are interferon-α2b, 5-fluorouracil, and mitomycin C. High-resolution optical coherence tomography (HR-OCT) is a non-invasive technique that can differentiate OSSN from other ocular surface lesions. Areas covered: This review highlights the current regimens and diagnostic modalities used in managing OSSN. A review of the literature was performed using the keywords ‘conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia’, ‘ocular surface squamous neoplasia’, ‘optical coherence tomography’, ‘interferon-α2b’, ‘5-fluorouracil’ and ‘mitomycin C’. Expert commentary: Topical chemotherapy for OSSN can be used as primary therapy, for chemoreduction prior to surgical excision, and postoperatively to prevent tumor recurrence. It has the advantage of treating microscopic disease as well as large tumors. HR-OCT provides an ‘optical biopsy’ that can assist in diagnosis and guide management of OSSN lesions.
Immunogenicity and Protection Efficacy of Replication-Deficient Influenza A Viruses with Altered NS1 Genes

ABSTRACT We explored the immunogenic properties of influenza A viruses with altered NS1 genes (NS1 mutant viruses). NS1 mutant viruses expressing NS1 proteins with an impaired RNA-binding function or insertion of a longer foreign sequence did not replicate in murine lungs but still were capable of inducing a Th1-type immune response resulting in significant titers of virus-specific serum and mucosal immunoglobulin G2 (IgG2) and IgA, but with lower titers of IgG1. In contrast, replicating viruses elicited high titers of serum and mucosal IgG1 but less serum IgA. Replication-deficient NS1 mutant viruses induced a rapid local release of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6. Moreover, these viruses also elicited markedly higher levels of IFN-α/β in serum than the wild-type virus. Comparable numbers of virus-specific primary CD8+ T cells were determined in all of the groups of immunized mice. The most rapid onset of the recall CD8+-T-cell response upon the wild-type virus challenge was detected in mice primed with NS1 mutant viruses eliciting high levels of cytokines. It is noteworthy that there was one NS1 mutant virus encoding NS1 protein with a deletion of 40 amino acids predominantly in the RNA-binding domain that induced the highest levels of IFN-α/β, IL-6 and IL-1β after infection. Mice that were immunized with this virus were completely protected from the challenge infection. These findings indicate that a targeted modification of the RNA-binding domain of the NS1 protein is a valuable technique to generate replication-deficient, but immunogenic influenza virus vaccines.
Clinical Application of Whole-Genome Sequencing To Inform Treatment for Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Cases

ABSTRACT The treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis cases is challenging, as drug options are limited, and the existing diagnostics are inadequate. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has been used in a clinical setting to investigate six cases of suspected extensively drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (XDR-TB) encountered at a London teaching hospital between 2008 and 2014. Sixteen isolates from six suspected XDR-TB cases were sequenced; five cases were analyzed in a clinically relevant time frame, with one case sequenced retrospectively. WGS identified mutations in the M. tuberculosis genes associated with antibiotic resistance that are likely to be responsible for the phenotypic resistance. Thus, an evidence base was developed to inform the clinical decisions made around antibiotic treatment over prolonged periods. All strains in this study belonged to the East Asian (Beijing) lineage, and the strain relatedness was consistent with the expectations from the case histories, confirming one contact transmission event. We demonstrate that WGS data can be produced in a clinically relevant time scale some weeks before drug sensitivity testing (DST) data are available, and they actively help clinical decision-making through the assessment of whether an isolate (i) has a particular resistance mutation where there are absent or contradictory DST results, (ii) has no further resistance markers and therefore is unlikely to be XDR, or (iii) is identical to an isolate of known resistance (i.e., a likely transmission event). A small number of discrepancies between the genotypic predictions and phenotypic DST results are discussed in the wider context of the interpretation and reporting of WGS results.
Integrating omics to unravel the stress-response mechanisms in probiotic bacteria: Approaches, challenges, and prospects

ABSTRACT Identifying the stress-response mechanism of probiotic bacteria has always captivated the interest of food producers. It is crucial to identify probiotic bacteria that have increased stress tolerance to survive during production, processing, and storage of food products. However, in order to achieve high resistance to environmental factors, there is a need to better understand stress-induced responses and adaptive mechanisms. With advances in bacterial genomics, there has been an upsurge in the application of other omic platforms such as transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and some more recent ones such as interactomics, fluxomics, and phenomics. These omic technologies have revolutionized the functional genomics and their application. There have been several studies implementing various omic technologies to investigate the stress responses of probiotic bacteria. Integrated omics has the potential to provide in-depth information about the mechanisms of stress-induced responses in bacteria. However, there remain challenges in integrating information from different omic platforms. This review discusses current omic techniques and challenges faced in integrating various omic platforms with focus on their use in stress-response studies.
Effect of Endothermic Reaction Associated with Glass Transition on the Breakdown Strength of Biodegradable Polymer Films

Effect of endothermic reaction associated with glass transition on the DC and impulse breakdown strength of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and polyethylene terephthalate succinate (PETS) was studied experimentally. Impulse breakdown strength decreases monotonically with an increase in temperature for both PLLA and PETS. However, it increases and shows a hump when the temperature approaches a certain temperature that is slightly lower than the glass transition temperature. Then it decreases again. Moreover, the degree of increment in impulse breakdown strength at this hump depends on the crystallinity of PLLA. In the case of DC breakdown, a similar local maximum as seen in impulse breakdown is not observed. Three possibilities, namely energy absorption and structural change both due to glass transition, and space charge formation, are discussed to explain the experimental results.
Hemostatic and Fibrinolytic Changes Are Related to Inflammatory Conditions in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis — Effect of Different Treatments

Objective. To prospectively evaluate the effect of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors on hemostatic and fibrinolytic variables in subjects with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods. Among subjects with PsA who were taking traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD), 98 patients with active disease who switched to treatment with TNF-α inhibitors were enrolled in this study (Group 1). In parallel, 98 matched subjects with minimal disease activity (MDA) and treated with DMARD were enrolled (Group 2). In all patients, hemostatic and fibrinolytic variables were evaluated at enrollment and after a 6-month followup. Results were stratified according to treatment and to MDA achievement. Results. Seventy-six Group 1 and 80 Group 2 subjects completed the 6-month followup. During the followup, significant changes in hemostatic and fibrinolytic variables were found in Group 1, but not in Group 2 subjects. At the end of the followup, patients treated with TNF-α inhibitors showed significantly lower levels of hemostatic and fibrinolytic variables as compared to those treated with traditional DMARD. Among Group 1 subjects, changes in hemostatic and fibrinolytic variable levels were significantly higher in those who achieved MDA versus in those who did not. Multivariate analyses showed that a treatment with TNF-α blockers affected fibrinolytic variables [plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA)] and some acute-phase proteins (D-dimer, coagulation factor VIII, and von Willebrand factor). In contrast, the MDA achievement during treatment with TNF-α blockers maximally affected fibrinolytic variables (PAI-1 and t-PA). Conclusion. TNF-α inhibitors brought about a significant improvement of hemostatic and fibrinolytic balance in subjects with PsA. Maximal changes were found in patients achieving MDA.