Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
LncRNA Expression Profiles in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Emerging Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are two common multisystem autoimmune diseases that share, among others, many clinical manifestations and serological features. The role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been of particular interest in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Here, we aimed to summarize the roles of lncRNAs as emerging novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in SLE and RA. We conducted a narrative review summarizing original articles on lncRNAs associated with SLE and RA, published until November 1, 2021. Based on the studies on lncRNA expression profiles in samples (including PBMCs, serum, and exosomes), it was noted that most of the current research is focused on investigating the regulatory mechanisms of these lncRNAs in SLE and/or RA. Several lncRNAs have been hypothesized to play key roles in these diseases. In SLE, lncRNAs such as GAS5, NEAT1, TUG1, linc0949, and linc0597 are dysregulated and may serve as emerging novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In RA, many validated lncRNAs, such as HOTAIR, GAS5, and HIX003209, have been identified as promising novel biomarkers for both diagnosis and treatment. The shared lncRNAs, for example, GAS5, may participate in SLE pathogenesis through the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and trigger the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway in RA. Here, we summarize the data on key lncRNAs that may drive the pathogenesis of SLE and RA and could potentially serve as emerging novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the coming future.
Coordinated Control of DFIG's RSC and GSC Under Generalized Unbalanced and Distorted Grid Voltage Conditions

This paper proposes a coordinated control of the rotor-side converter (RSC) and grid-side converter (GSC) of a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)-based wind-turbine generation system under generalized unbalanced and/or distorted grid voltage conditions. The system behaviors of the RSC and GSC during supply imbalance and distortion are investigated. To enhance the fault ride-through operation capability, the RSC is properly controlled to eliminate the torque oscillations, whereas the GSC is carefully designed to ensure constant active power output from the overall DFIG generation system. To achieve simultaneous regulation of the positive-/negative-sequence currents and fifth-/seventh-order harmonic currents for both the RSC and GSC, a novel current controller, consisting of a conventional proportional-integral regulator and a dual-frequency resonant compensator, is proposed and implemented in the positive (dq)+ reference frame. The simulation and experiment studies demonstrate the correctness of the developed model and the effectiveness of the suggested control strategy for DFIG-based wind-turbine systems under such adverse grid conditions.
The multiple-channel cochlear implant: the interface between sound and the central nervous system for hearing, speech, and language in deaf people—a personal perspective

The multiple-channel cochlear implant is the first sensori-neural prosthesis to effectively and safely bring electronic technology into a direct physiological relation with the central nervous system and human consciousness, and to give speech perception to severely-profoundly deaf people and spoken language to children. Research showed that the place and temporal coding of sound frequencies could be partly replicated by multiple-channel stimulation of the auditory nerve. This required safety studies on how to prevent the effects to the cochlea of trauma, electrical stimuli, biomaterials and middle ear infection. The mechanical properties of an array and mode of stimulation for the place coding of speech frequencies were determined. A fully implantable receiver–stimulator was developed, as well as the procedures for the clinical assessment of deaf people, and the surgical placement of the device. The perception of electrically coded sounds was determined, and a speech processing strategy discovered that enabled late-deafened adults to comprehend running speech. The brain processing systems for patterns of electrical stimuli reproducing speech were elucidated. The research was developed industrially, and improvements in speech processing made through presenting additional speech frequencies by place coding. Finally, the importance of the multiple-channel cochlear implant for early deafened children was established.
Preheating in Hybrid Inflation

We investigate the possibility of preheating in hybrid inflation. This scenario involves at least two scalar fields: the inflaton field \ensuremath{\varphi}, and the symmetry breaking field \ensuremath{\sigma}. We found that the behavior of these fields after inflation, as well as the possibility of preheating (particle production due to parametric resonance), depends crucially on the ratio of the coupling constant \ensuremath{\lambda} (self-interaction of the field \ensuremath{\sigma}) to the coupling constant ${g}^{2}$ (interaction of \ensuremath{\varphi} and \ensuremath{\sigma}). For $\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\gg}{g}^{2},$ the oscillations of the field \ensuremath{\sigma} soon after inflation become very small, and all the energy is concentrated in the oscillating field \ensuremath{\varphi}. For $\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\sim}{g}^{2}$ both fields \ensuremath{\sigma} and \ensuremath{\varphi} oscillate in a rather chaotic way, but eventually their motion stabilizes, and parametric resonance with production of \ensuremath{\chi} particles becomes possible. For $\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\ll}{g}^{2}$ the oscillations of the field \ensuremath{\varphi} soon after inflation become very small, and all the energy is concentrated in the oscillating field \ensuremath{\sigma}. Preheating can be very efficient if the effective masses of the fields \ensuremath{\varphi} and \ensuremath{\sigma} are much greater than the Hubble constant at the end of inflation, since those fields can then oscillate many times per $e$-fold, with a large amplitude. Preheating can also be efficient if these fields are coupled to other light scalar (or vector) fields \ensuremath{\chi}. In the recently proposed hybrid models with a second stage of inflation after the phase transition, both preheating and usual reheating are inefficient. Therefore for a very long time the universe remains in a state with vanishing pressure. As a result, density contrasts generated during the phase transition in these models can grow and collapse to form primordial black holes. Under certain conditions, most of the energy density after inflation will be stored in small black holes, which will later evaporate and reheat the universe.
Assessing prognosis following cardiopulmonary resuscitation and therapeutic hypothermia-a critical discussion of recent studies.

BACKGROUND The prognosis of patients who are comatose after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is poor but can be improved by mild therapeutic hypothermia. We studied the question whether the known, reliable indicators of a poor prognosis after CPR are also valid for patients treated with CPR and hypothermia. METHODS This review is based on a selective search of the PubMed database for recent articles on the assessment of prognosis in persons who are comatose after CPR and therapeutic hypothermia. RESULTS On the basis of 21 clinical trials, 4 of which yielded level I evidence, 9 level II evidence, and 8 level III evidence, the following were identified as reliable indicators of a poor prognosis: generalized myoclonus, bilateral absence of the pupillary light response or of the corneal reflex, bilateral absence of the cortical components of median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials, a burst-suppression or isoelectric EEG, continuous generalized epileptiform discharges, and an elevated serum concentration of neuron-specific enolase (with a higher cutoff value than for normothermic patients). CONCLUSION If the prognosis is poor, this should be thoroughly discussed with the patient's family, and the nature and extent of further intensive treatment should be reconsidered. The patient's wishes, if known, are paramount. Any decision to withhold care should be taken only if there are multiple concurrent indicators of a poor prognosis. If only one such indicator is present, or if the findings are inconsistent, such decisions should be postponed.
Single versus double autologous stem-cell transplantation for multiple myeloma.

BACKGROUND We conducted a randomized trial of the treatment of multiple myeloma with high-dose chemotherapy followed by either one or two successive autologous stem-cell transplantations. METHODS At the time of diagnosis, 399 previously untreated patients under the age of 60 years were randomly assigned to receive a single or double transplant. RESULTS A complete or a very good partial response was achieved by 42 percent of patients in the single-transplant group and 50 percent of patients in the double-transplant group (P=0.10). The probability of surviving event-free for seven years after the diagnosis was 10 percent in the single-transplant group and 20 percent in the double-transplant group (P=0.03). The estimated overall seven-year survival rate was 21 percent in the single-transplant group and 42 percent in the double-transplant group (P=0.01). Among patients who did not have a very good partial response within three months after one transplantation, the probability of surviving seven years was 11 percent in the single-transplant group and 43 percent in the double-transplant group (P<0.001). Four factors were significantly related to survival: base-line serum levels of beta2-microglobulin (P<0.01) and lactate dehydrogenase (P<0.01), age (P<0.05), and treatment group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS As compared with a single autologous stem-cell transplantation after high-dose chemotherapy, double transplantation improves overall survival among patients with myeloma, especially those who do not have a very good partial response after undergoing one transplantation.
Empiric antibiotic therapy and mortality among medicare pneumonia inpatients in 10 western states : 1993, 1995, and 1997.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To examine the association of empiric inpatient antibiotic treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) with mortality, and whether this association varies from year to year. DESIGN Population-based, retrospective study adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, and clinical characteristics. SETTING Acute-care hospitals in 10 western states. PATIENTS A group of 10,069 Medicare beneficiaries aged > or = 65 years who were hospitalized with CAP during fiscal years 1993, 1995, and 1997. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS We examined the risk for mortality during the 30 days after admission to the hospital. The impact of specific antibiotic regimens varied greatly from year to year. In 1993, therapy with a macrolide plus a beta-lactam was associated with significantly lower mortality than therapy with either a beta-lactam alone (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.25 to 0.69) or other regimens that did not include a macrolide, beta-lactam, or fluoroquinolone (AOR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.20 to 0.62). Those associations were not observed in 1995 or 1997. Lower mortality was associated with fluoroquinolone monotherapy compared with beta-lactam monotherapy in 1997 (AOR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.96) and with macrolide monotherapy compared with other regimens in 1995 (AOR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.93), but the number of patients who received these regimens was small. CONCLUSIONS The inclusion of a macrolide or a fluoroquinolone in initial empiric CAP treatment was associated with improved survival, but this association varied from year to year, perhaps as a result of a temporal variation in the incidence of atypical pathogen pneumonia. Improved testing and surveillance for atypical pathogen pneumonia are needed to guide empiric therapy.
Retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma: Report of two cases and review of the literature

Primary retroperitoneal cystic tumor is extremely rare, and its histogenesis and biological behavior remain speculative. Two surgical cases of retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma (Case 1, an 18‐year‐old woman; and Case 2, an 85‐year‐old woman) are reported. The cystadenomas in these cases were mainly lined by a monolayer of columnar or thin flat cells. Case 1 was positive for mucin and epithelial membrane antigen, whereas Case 2 was positive for a mesothelial marker (calretinin). Ciliated epithelium was also interspersed in Case 2. Some parts showed papillary projections, resembling well‐differentiated papillary mesothelioma. Within the cyst walls of both cases, ovarian‐like stroma that was positive for both estrogen and progesterone receptors was found. Interestingly, focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver was also detected in Case 1. We believe the retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma might have arisen from the peritoneum via mucinous epithelial metaplasia with a phenotype of extragenital Mullerian system.
The cell death factor, cell wall elicitor of rice blast fungus (Magnaporthe grisea) causes metabolic alterations including GABA shunt in rice cultured cells

An elicitor derived from the cell wall of rice blast fungus (Magnaporthe grisea) causes cell death in suspension cultured cells of rice (Oryza sativa L.). To elucidate the role of M. grisea elicitor on metabolic pathway of rice cells, we performed metabolite profiling using capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE/MS). Treatment with M. grisea elicitor increased the amounts of antioxidants and free amino acids and decreased the amount of metabolites in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Lower ATP concentration caused aberrant energy charge, concurrently with reduced amount of NAD(P)H in elicitor treated cells. Among free amino acids detected in this study, the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) increased. GABA is metabolized through a bypass pathway of the TCA cycle called GABA shunt, which is composed of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), GABA transaminase (GABA-T), and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH). While M. grisea elicitor negligibly affected GAD and SSADH, GABA-T activity significantly decreased. The decrease in GABA-T activity was recovered by NADPH oxidase inhibitor, which prevents cell death induced by M. grisea elicitor. Thus, GABA accumulation observed in rice cells under elicitor stress is partly associated with GABA-T activity.
Characterization of the human ribonucleotide reductase M2 subunit gene; genomic structure and promoter analyses

Ribonucleotide Reductase (RR) is a rate-limiting enzyme in DNA synthesis and repair consisting of two subunits, M1 and M2. RRM2 plays a role in cell proliferation, tumorgenicity, metastasis and drug resistance. To better understand the regulation of RRM2, we have sequenced the entire human RRM2 gene. Approximately 10.3 kb of genomic DNA was sequenced and deposited to GenBank (accession number AY032750). Intron/exon junctions were identified and the gene was found to consist of ten exons. Two transcription initiation sites were identified and correspond to mRNA transcripts of 3.4 kb and 1.65 kb. Deletion analysis of the 5′-flanking region showed that there was promoter activity consistent with the presence of two separate promoters driving expression of the two RRM2 transcripts. A thorough analysis of the genomic sequence and promoter regions of the RRM2 gene will provide insight into the processes involved in tumor transformation and drug resistance.
Incidence of surgical site infection following caesarean section: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Introduction Caesarean section (CS) rates have increased globally during the past three decades. Surgical site infection (SSI) following CS is a common cause of morbidity with reported rates of 3–15%. SSI represents a substantial burden to the health system including increased length of hospitalisation and costs of postdischarge care. The definition of SSI varies with the postoperative follow-up period among different health systems, resulting in differences in the reporting of SSI incidence. We propose to conduct the first systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the pooled estimate for the overall incidence of SSI following CS. Methods and analysis We will perform a comprehensive search to identify all potentially relevant published studies on the incidence of SSI following CS reported from 1992 in the English language. Electronic databases including PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE and Scopus will be searched using a detailed search strategy. Following study selection, full-text paper retrieval, data extraction and synthesis, we will appraise study quality and risk of bias and assess heterogeneity. Incidence data will be combined where feasible in a meta-analysis using Stata software and fixed-effects or random-effects models as appropriate. This systematic review will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval is not required as this review will use published data. The review will evaluate the overall incidence of SSI following CS and will provide the first quantitative estimate of the magnitude of SSI. It will serve as a benchmark for future studies, identify research gaps and remaining challenges, and emphasise the need for appropriate prevention and control measures for SSI post-CS. A manuscript reporting the results of the systematic review and meta-analysis will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal and presented at scientific conferences. Trial registration number CRD42015024426.
Analysis and optimization of the 13C octanoic acid breath test

Objectives: Nowadays breath test, using the Ghoss method for the calculation of gastric emptying of solids, is characterized by a very high number of expirations in a very long time (about 4 hours). In this work, a simplified model aiming to the reduction of the number of expirations during this time was designed, preserving high levels of accuracy, sensitivity and specificity in the classification between ‘normal’ or ‘delayed’ gastric emptying. Materials and Methods: Materials consist of 238 breath test exams from 66 different patients; for each exam, the relevance of each expiration was evaluated. Several models were designed and tested comparing their performance with a full model which took into account 17 expirations; among them, the model with the highest accuracy was selected: it consists of 7 expirations (baseline, 75, 135, 195, 210, 225 and 240 min). Results: Considering the previous model, the number of expirations was reduced by 62.5 %, still reaching high levels of accuracy, sensitivity and specificity (about 90 %) comparable with the full model which showed an accuracy of 98 %. Conclusion: The adoption of the proposed model led to a considerable reduction of required expirations, still having good performance in classifying ‘normal’ and ‘delayed’ gastric emptying. At the same time, since it requires fewer breaths, test was also simplified, allowing patients to do this exam at home. Furthermore, the reduction of breaths led to a considerable cost reduction of the entire examination.
Cascaded all-optical sub-channel add/drop multiplexing from a 1-Tb/s MB-OFDM or N-WDM super-channel with ultra-low guard-bands

We show cascaded 100-Gb/s sub-channel add/drop from a 1-Tb/s MB-OFDM or Nyquist-WDM super-channel having ultra-low inter-sub-channel guard-bands within a recirculating loop via a hierarchical ROADM using high-resolution filters, showcasing up to 1000-km transmission reach and five ROADM node passages for the add/drop sub-channel when hybrid Raman-EDFA is used.
Nematicidal activity of leaves of common shrub and tree species from Southern Chile against Meloidogyne hapla

L. Bohm, N. Arismendi, and L. Ciampi. 2009. Nematicidal activity of leaves of common shrub and tree species from Southern Chile against Meloidogyne hapla. Cien. Inv. Agr. 36 (2): 249-258. The biological control of the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne hapla, was evaluated through the addition of organic amendments of dry and chopped leaves of Buddleja globosa, Drymis winteri, Eucalyptus globulus, Gevuina avellana, Laurelia sempervirens, Luma apiculata, Maytenus boaria and Ugni molinae to the soil substratum. The assays were carried out in pots seeded with lettuce plants (cv. Reina de Mayo). All pots were inoculated with 2000 eggs and juveniles of M. hapla, and then maintained under greenhouse conditions for 45 days. Control pots without foliage additions were also seeded with lettuce. The results show that the addition of dry leaves of L. sempervirens, G. avellana, M. boaria, D. winteri, and B. globosa signifi cantly reduced root-knot nematode development in soil in which lettuce plants were grown. On the other hand, while all of the treatments signifi cantly affected the development of eggs and juveniles of M. hapla, the best inhibitory effect was found with dry leaves of U. molinae, D. winteri and L. sempervirens. For all plant species, an increase in the concentration of dry leaves incorporated into the substratum resulted in better control of nematode population.
Neural mechanisms and behavioral aspects of taste.

(by Carl Pfaffmann) . 284 Conclusions 291 Recent Compilations 291 PERIPHERAL PROCESSES . 291 Sensory Electrophysiology, Coding, and Behavioral Discrimination 291 Receptor Fields and Single Papilla 299 The Sugar Receptor 301 Taste Preferences and Hedonic Processes . 302 CENTRAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE GUSTATORY SYSTEM . 305 CENTRAL INVOLVEMENT IN COMPLEX GUSTATORY PHENOMENA . 312 CONCLUSIONS : 317
Oxidative Modification of Blood Serum Proteins in Multiple Sclerosis after Interferon Beta and Melatonin Treatment

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease involving oxidative stress (OS). This study was aimed at examination of the effect of melatonin supplementation on OS parameters, especially oxidative protein modifications of blood serum proteins, in MS patients. The study included 11 control subjects, 14 de novo diagnosed MS patients with the relapsing-remitting form of MS (RRMS), 36 patients with RRMS receiving interferon beta-1b (250 μg every other day), and 25 RRMS patients receiving interferon beta-1b plus melatonin (5 mg daily). The levels of N′-formylkynurenine, kynurenine, dityrosine, carbonyl groups, advanced glycation products (AGEs), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and malondialdehyde were elevated in nontreated RRSM patients. N′-Formylkynurenine, kynurenine, AGEs, and carbonyl contents were decreased only in the group treated with interferon beta plus melatonin, while dityrosine and AOPP contents were decreased both in the group of patients treated with interferon beta and in the group treated with interferon beta-1b plus melatonin. These results demonstrate that melatonin ameliorates OS in MS patients supporting the view that combined administration of interferon beta-1b and melatonin can be more effective in reducing OS in MS patients than interferon beta-1b alone.