Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study of a thin applicator for Microwave Ablation of liver malignant tumor

Microwave Ablation (MWA) is a minimally invasive method for treatment of malignant tumors. This paper studies a thin interstitial applicator that produces a nearly spherical ablation zone in malignant liver tumor and investigates how the frequency of operation can affect the quality of MWA procedure. The paper then proposes a similar thin applicator but much shorter for MWA.
Molecular Control of Bacterial Death and Lysis

SUMMARY Although the phenomenon of bacterial cell death and lysis has been studied for over 100 years, the contribution of these important processes to bacterial physiology and development has only recently been recognized. Contemporary study of cell death and lysis in a number of different bacteria has revealed that these processes, once thought of as being passive and unregulated, are actually governed by highly complex regulatory systems. An emerging paradigm in this field suggests that, analogous to programmed cell death in eukaryotes, regulated cell death and lysis in bacteria play an important role in both developmental processes, such as competence and biofilm development, and the elimination of damaged cells, such as those irreversibly injured by environmental or antibiotic stress. Further study in this exciting field of bacterial research may provide new insight into the potential evolutionary link between control of cell death in bacteria and programmed cell death (apoptosis) in eukaryotes.
Open-label phase I clinical trial of Ad5-EBOV in Africans in China

ABSTRACT Background: To determine the safety and immunogenicity of a novel recombinant adenovirus type 5 vector based Ebola virus disease vaccine (Ad5-EBOV) in Africans in China. Methods: A phase 1, dose-escalation, open-label trial was conducted. 61 healthy Africans were sequentially enrolled, with 31 participants receiving one shot intramuscular injection and 30 participants receiving a double-shot regimen. Primary and secondary end points related to safety and immunogenicity were assessed within 28 d after vaccination. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02401373). Results: Ad5-EBOV is well tolerated and no adverse reaction of grade 3 or above was observed. 53 (86.89%) participants reported at least one adverse reaction within 28 d of vaccination. The most common reaction was fever and the mild pain at injection site, and there were no significant difference between these 2 groups. Ebola glycoprotein-specific antibodies appeared in all 61 participants and antibodies titers peaked after 28 d of vaccination. The geometric mean titres (GMTs) were similar between these 2 groups (1919.01 vs 1684.70 P = 0.5562). The glycoprotein-specific T-cell responses rapidly peaked after 14 d of vaccination and then decreased, however, the percentage of subjects with responses were much higher in the high-dose group (60.00% vs 9.68%, P = 0.0014). Pre-existing Ad5 neutralizing antibodies could significantly dampen the specific humoral immune response and cellular response to the vaccine. Conclusion: The application of Ad5-EBOV demonstrated safe in Africans in China and a specific GP antibody and T-cell response could occur 14 d after the first immunization. This acceptable safety profile provides a reliable basis to proceed with trials in Africa.
Long‐term regeneration of abdominal vagus: Efferents fail while afferents succeed

Vagal afferents regenerate, by 18 weeks after subdiaphragmatic transection, to reinnervate the gut and to differentiate into the two types of terminals normally found in the smooth muscle wall of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (Phillips et al. [2000] J Comp Neurol. 421:325–346). Regeneration, however, is neither complete nor entirely accurate by 18 weeks. Moreover, the capacity of the vagal efferents to reinnervate the GI tract under comparable conditions has not been evaluated. Therefore, to determine whether a more extended postaxotomy survival interval would (1) result in more extensive reinnervation of smooth muscle, (2) facilitate correction of the inaccuracies of the regenerated axons and terminals, and (3) yield motor as well as sensory reinnervation of GI targets, Sprague‐Dawley rats received either complete subdiaphragmatic vagotomies (n = 18) or sham surgeries (n = 12). Physiological endpoints that might normalize as vagal elements regenerated, including body weight, daily food intake, size of first daily meal, and metabolic efficiency, were monitored. At 45 weeks after the vagotomies, the animals were randomly assigned to afferent (wheat germ agglutinin–horseradish peroxidase) or efferent (cholera toxin subunit B–horseradish peroxidase) mapping conditions, and labeled axons and terminals in the stomach and first 8 cm of the small intestine were inventoried in whole‐mounts. Afferent regeneration was more extensive at 45 weeks than previously observed at 18 weeks after surgery; however, the amount of GI innervation was still not comparable to the intact pattern of the sham rats. Furthermore, abnormal patterns of sensory organization occurred throughout the reinnervated field, with small bundles of axons forming complex tangles and some individual axons terminating in ectopic locations. The presence of growth cone profiles suggested that vagal reorganization was ongoing even 45 weeks after surgery. In contrast to this relatively extensive, albeit incomplete, sensory reinnervation of the gut, motor fibers had failed to reinnervate the GI tract. Thus, dramatic differences exist in the regenerative capacities of the sensory and motor arms of the vagus under the same surgical and maintenance conditions. Furthermore, the functional measures of disordered energy regulation did not normalize over the 45 weeks during which afferent but not efferent innervation was restored. J. Comp. Neurol. 455:222–237, 2003. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Experience with the Use of an Iron Polymaltose (Dextrin) Complex Given by Single Total Dose Infusion to Stable Chronic Haemodialysis Patients

Background: Many studies of anaemia in patients on chronic haemodialysis have noted a high prevalence of iron deficiency despite oral iron supplementation. Our study examined the effect of intravenous iron given as bolus replacement. As the majority of these patients were not receiving concurrent recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) it allowed an analysis of the safety and efficacy of intravenous iron as a single agent. Methods: All patients with a haemoglobin level of less than 10 g/dl and considered iron deficient by the finding of a percentage transferrin saturation of less than 20% were given intravenous iron in the form of iron polymaltose (dextrin) by total dose infusion (TDI). The dose was calculated from tables supplied by the manufacturers. Patients with serum ferritin levels in excess of 225 ng/ml were excluded. Results: In our unit, 62 out of 80 (77%) patients were considered iron deficient and received IV iron. Ten (10%) were considered to be in iron balance and 8 (10%) had biochemistry suggesting iron overload. None of the patients receiving iron experienced any adverse reactions. At three months a rise in haemoglobin level of at least 1 g/dl was noted in 53% of patients. The response was less in the remainder, but only 2 showed no response. Conclusions: Low levels of iron deficiency are often unrecognized in chronic haemodialysis patients on conventional therapy including oral iron supplementation. In such patients, the use of total dose infusion of iron polymaltose (dextrin) is a safe and effective method of raising haemoglobin levels. Substantial improvements may be achieved without the concurrent use of rhEPO.
Epitope spreading: the role of self peptides and autoantigen processing by B lymphocytes

Summary: A complex interplay of cells, soluble macromolecules, and antigen lead to a productive immune response that evolved for the survival of species. While the immune system is intended to protect from foreign agents, such as bacterial and viral infection, the presence of autoimmune diseases indicates that the system is not perfect in differentiating antigen that they cause harm from benign self constituents. The concept of epitope spreading, where many determinants on an offending antigen are the focus of immune attack, is an efficient means of clearing an infections agent. However, the same mechanisms that lead to a diverse immune response may be harmful when the targets of attack are self tissues or self macromolecules. This review with examine the forms of self antigens that may initiate autoimmunity and the potential role of B lymphocytes, as autoantigen‐presenting cells, as one mechanism by which diversification of autoimmunity may occur.
The Reliability and Validity of the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability Observational Tool as a Measure of Pain in Children with Cognitive Impairment

Pain assessment remains difficult in children with cognitive impairment (CI). In this study, we evaluated the validity and reliability of the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) tool for assessing pain in children with CI. Each child’s developmental level and ability to self-report pain were evaluated. The child’s nurse observed and scored pain with the FLACC tool before and after analgesic administration. Simultaneously, parents scored pain with a visual analog scale, and scores were obtained from children who were able to self-report pain. Observations were videotaped and later viewed by nurses blinded to analgesics and pain scores. One-hundred-forty observations were recorded from 79 children. FLACC scores correlated with parent scores (P < 0.001) and decreased after analgesics (P = 0.001), suggesting good validity. Correlations of total scores (r = 0.5–0.8;P < 0.001) and of each category (r = 0.3–0.8;P < 0.001), as well as measures of exact agreement (&kgr; = 0.2–0.65), suggest good reliability. Test-retest reliability was supported by excellent correlations (r = 0.8–0.883;P < 0.001) and categorical agreement (r = 0.617–0.935; &kgr; = 0.400–0.881;P < 0.001). These data suggest that the FLACC tool may be useful as an objective measure of postoperative pain in children with CI.
[Advanced age--indication or contraindication for laparoscopic colorectal surgery?].

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of laparoscopically-assisted (LAC) and open (OC) colorectal surgery in elderly patients (a 75 years) and to compare them to a cohort of younger patients (<75 years) undergoing similar surgical procedures. METHODS Patients who underwent elective laparoscopically-assisted or open colorectal surgery in the period between January 2001 and December 2009 were included in the analysis. The primary end point was the incidence of short-term postoperative morbidity and mortality, long-term overall and colorectal cancer specific survival which were analyzed in relation to the age and operative technique. RESULTS During the study period, 557 elective laparoscopic and 404 elective open colorectal operations were performed. 190 patients (20 %) were older than 75 years, 99 of which underwent laparoscopic and 91 open surgery. In geriatric patients, the open approach was associated with increase of postoperative morbidity, statistically nonsignificant (LAC > or = 75 years 30% vs. OC < 75 years 40%, p = 0,151). In the laparoscopic procedures, the morbidity rate did not differ in both age groups (LAC > or = 75 years 30% vs. LAC < 75 years 28%, p = 0,702). Conversely open procedures in elderly patients were associated with a significant increase of postoperative complications compared to younger patients (OC > or = 75 years 40% vs. OC < 75 years 29%, p= 0,033). There was no difference in postoperative mortality rate between laparoscopic and open approach in geriatric patients (LAC > or = 75 years 5% vs. OC > or = 75 years 3%, p=0,548). Mortality rate did not differ in both age groups operated laparoscopically (LAC > or = 75 years 5% vs. LAC < 75 years 3%, p = 0,322) even by open approach (OC > or = 75 years 3% vs. OC <75 years 2%, p = 0,433). Although five year overall survival was significantly lower in the older age group (LAC > or = 75 years 43 +/- 8% vs. LAC < 75 years 58 +/- 4 %, p = 0,049; OC - 75 years 35 +/- 7% vs. OC < 75 years 56 +/- 4%, p = 0,006), five year colorectal cancer specific survival was not different between both age groups (LAC > or = 75 years 76 +/- 9% vs. LAC < 75 years 75 +/- 4%, p = 0,693; OC > or = 75 years 67 +/- 7% vs. OC < 75 years 69 +/- 4%, p = 0,824). In the elderly patients surgical technique did not influenced overall five year survival (LAC > or = 75 years 43 +/- 8% vs. OC > or = 75 years 35 +/- 7%, p = 0,428), even five year colorectal cancer specific survival (LAC . or = 75 years 76 +/- 9% vs. OC a 75 years 69 +/- 7%, p = 0,393). CONCLUSION Laparoscopically-assisted colorectal surgery should be particularly considered in geriatric patients, for the reason of lower incidence of postoperative complications. Oncological safety of miniinvasive approach in the treatment of colorectal cancer is valid also for the specific group of elderly patients.
Changes in Cancer Registry Coding for Lymphoma Subtypes: Reliability Over Time and Relevance for Surveillance and Study

Because lymphoma comprises numerous histologic subtypes, understanding the reasons for ongoing increases in its incidence requires surveillance and etiologic study of these subtypes. However, this research has been hindered by many coexisting classification schemes. The Revised European American classification of Lymphoid Neoplasms (REAL)/WHO system developed in 1994 and now used in clinical settings was not incorporated into the International Classification of Diseases-Oncology (ICD-O), used by cancer registries, until the release of the third edition (ICD-O-3) in 2001. Studies including patients diagnosed before 2001 may have codes from earlier ICD-O versions that must be converted to ICD-O-3 and have higher proportions of unclassified (e.g., lymphoma and not otherwise specified) cases. To better understand (a) the agreement of computer-converted ICD-O-3 codes to ICD-O-3 codes generated directly from diagnostic pathology reports and (b) the reproducibility of unclassified status, we reviewed a population-based series of diagnostic pathology reports for lymphoma patients diagnosed before (1988-1994; n = 1,493) and after (1998-2000; n = 1,527) the REAL/WHO scheme was introduced. Overall, computer- and coder-assigned ICD-O-3 codes agreed for 77% of patients in both groups and improved slightly (82%) when codes were grouped. The most common lymphoma subtypes, diffuse large B cell and follicular, had relatively good reliability (84-89%) throughout the study period. T-cell and natural killer cell lymphomas had worse agreement than B-cell lymphomas, even when grouped. Many (42-43%) lymphomas reported as unclassifiable could be assigned a subtype upon pathology report review. These findings suggest that the study of lymphoma subtypes could be improved by (a) use of more standardized terminology in pathology reports, (b) grouping individual ICD-O-3 codes to reduce misclassification bias, and (c) routine secondary editing of unclassified lymphomas by central cancer registries. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(4):630–8)
Test-retest reliability of repeated knee laxity measurements in the acute phase following a knee trauma using a Rolimeter

The purpose was to examine the test-retest reliability of the Rolimeter measurement procedure in the acute time phase, following a substantial knee trauma. In total, 15 participants with acute knee trauma were examined by one single observer at three different time-points with the Rolimeter using a maximum force. The selected time-points were: baseline (0–7 days after the trauma), midpoint (3–4 weeks after the trauma), and endpoint (3–4 weeks after the trauma). The anterior-posterior displacement was recorded where the endpoint evaluation was used as the reference value. The mean anterior laxity scores remained constant over the measurement time-points for both knees, with an anterior laxity that was 2.7 mm higher (on average) in the injured than the noninjured knee (9.5 mm vs. 6.8 mm). The mean difference (i.e., bias) between laxity scores, for the injured knee, measured at endpoint versus baseline was 0.2±1.0 mm and −0.2±1.1 mm when measured at endpoint versus midpoint, with average typical errors of 0.7 and 0.8 mm and intra-class correlations that were very strong (both r=~0.93). For the same comparisons on the noninjured knee, systematic bias was close to zero (0.1±0.3 and −0.1±0.3 mm, respectively), and both the intra-class correlations were almost perfect (r=~0.99). The current study implicates that repeated Rolimeter measurements are relatively reliable for quantifying anterior knee laxity during the acute time-phases following knee trauma. Hence, the Rolimeter, in combination with manual tests, seems to be a valuable tool for identifying anterior cruciate ligament injuries.
Up‐regulation of heat shock protein 70‐1 (Hsp70‐1) in human limbo‐corneal epithelial cells cultivated on amniotic membrane: A proteomic study

Transplantation of cultivated human limbo‐corneal epithelial (HLE) cells has been recognized as an effective stem cell (SC) therapy for treating corneal epithelial SC deficiency caused by burn or other diseases. With this technique, cryo‐preserved human intact amniotic membrane (IAM) has been successfully used as a cell culture substrate and carrier, and is reported to preferentially preserve HLE stem/progenitor cells in vitro. However, little is known about what factors released by HLE cells are involved in the progenitor cell‐preserving mechanism. Using proteomic method, we identified 13 proteins over‐expressed by HLE cells cultured on IAM, which included heat shock protein 70‐1 (Hsp70‐1), Hsp‐27, glutathione (GSH) S‐transferase, annexin A2, galectin‐7, and protein S100‐A9. Increased Hsp70‐1 expression was confirmed by Western blot and real‐time PCR. The role of Hsp70‐1 in promoting HLE cell survival was demonstrated by increased apoptosis index and increased cleaved poly ADP‐ribose polymerase (CPARP) formation in hsp70‐1‐silenced, but not normal HLE cells after exposure to sublethal UVB irradiation or hydrogen peroxide. To understand the regulatory mechanism of Hsp70‐1 expression in HLE cells, the role of transcription factor deltaNp63 (a well‐recognized HLE stem cell; SC marker) was studied. We found that over‐expression of deltaNp63α by plasmid vector induced a corresponding increase in Hsp70‐1 protein production. Likewise, Hsp70‐1 expression decreased in HLE cells after addition of deltaNp63α SiRNA. Immunoconfocal microscopy also revealed a paralleled expression of both proteins in corneal specimens. Thus, deltaNp63α‐associated Hsp70‐1 over‐expression may promote HLE progenitor cell survival on IAM, possibly through the cytoprotective and anti‐apoptotic effect of Hsp70‐1. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 2030–2039, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transient protonation changes in channelrhodopsin-2 and their relevance to channel gating

Significance It was always a dream to control cells and living animals by light. Discovery of channelrhodopsin turned the dream into reality because this light-activated cation channel is able to elicit action potentials with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. To unravel the underlying molecular mechanism, we have applied time-resolved IR spectroscopy, and we suggest how the observed proton transfer and the protein conformational changes lead to opening of the cation channel. Our results will not only contribute to the rational design of channelrhodopsin variants with improved properties, but also help to decipher the temporal sequence in the gating of ion channels. The discovery of the light-gated ion channel channelrhodopsin (ChR) set the stage for the novel field of optogenetics, where cellular processes are controlled by light. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of light-induced cation permeation in ChR2 remains unknown. Here, we have traced the structural changes of ChR2 by time-resolved FTIR spectroscopy, complemented by functional electrophysiological measurements. We have resolved the vibrational changes associated with the open states of the channel (P2390 and P3520) and characterized several proton transfer events. Analysis of the amide I vibrations suggests a transient increase in hydration of transmembrane α-helices with a t1/2 = 60 μs, which tallies with the onset of cation permeation. Aspartate 253 accepts the proton released by the Schiff base (t1/2 = 10 μs), with the latter being reprotonated by aspartic acid 156 (t1/2 = 2 ms). The internal proton acceptor and donor groups, corresponding to D212 and D115 in bacteriorhodopsin, are clearly different from other microbial rhodopsins, indicating that their spatial position in the protein was relocated during evolution. Previous conclusions on the involvement of glutamic acid 90 in channel opening are ruled out by demonstrating that E90 deprotonates exclusively in the nonconductive P4480 state. Our results merge into a mechanistic proposal that relates the observed proton transfer reactions and the protein conformational changes to the gating of the cation channel.
Upregulated lncRNA-UCA1 contributes to progression of lung cancer and is closely related to clinical diagnosis as a predictive biomarker in plasma.

OBJECTIVE Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play an important regulatory roles in cancer biology, and the lncRNA-UCA1 is upregulated in several cancers such as bladder cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer, however, the contributions of UCA1 to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain largely unknown. METHODS Expression levels of lncRNA-UCA1 in tumor tissues and plasma from NSCLC patients was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR, and its association with overall survival of patients was analyzed by statistical analysis. Moreover, the UCA1 expression correlation between tumor tissues and plasma was demonstrated by linear regression analysis. RESULTS the results showed that the expression of UCA1 in NSCLC tissues was obviously higher than that observed in pair-matched adjacent nontumourous tissues, (P < 0.001). The agarose gel electrophoretogram of RT-PCR products further confirmed that UCA1 was increased in NSCLC tissues. To assess the correlation of UCA1 expression with Clinicopathological data, we found that the expression level of UCA1 was associate with histological grade (P < 0.001) and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001). Intriguingly, the expression of UCA1 was significantly increased in plasma from NSCLC patients. The UCA1 expression measurements obtained from plasma and tumor tissues were strongly correlated in 60 patient samples (r = 0.881). By receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, plasma UCA1 provided the highly diagnostic performance for detection of NSCLC (the area under the ROC curve (AUC), 0.886; P < 0.001). In conclusion, the current results indicated that Plasma UCA1 could serve as a potential biomarker for diagnosis of NSCLC. UCA1 as a biomarker in clinical application might significantly improve the efficacy of human NSCLC screening.