Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and properties of photocross-linked poly(propylene fumarate) scaffolds

The photocross-linking of poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) to form porous scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications was investigated. PPF was cross-linked using the photoinitiator bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phenylphosphine oxide (BAPO) and exposure to 30 min of long wavelength ultraviolet (UV) light. The porous photocross-linked PPF scaffolds (6.5 mm diameter cylinders) were synthesized by including a NaCl porogen (70, 80, and 90 wt% at cross-linking) prior to photocross-linking. After UV exposure, the samples were placed in water to remove the soluble porogen, revealing the porous PPF scaffold. As porogen leaching has not been used often with cross-linked polymers, and even more rarely with photoinitiated cross-linking, a study of the efficacy of this strategy and the properties of the resulting material was required. Results show that the inclusion of a porogen does not significantly alter the photoinitiation process and the resulting scaffolds are homogeneously cross-linked throughout their diameter. It was also shown that porosity can be generally controlled by porogen content and that scaffolds synthesized with at least 80 wt% porogen possess an interconnected pore structure. Compressive mechanical testing showed scaffold strength to decrease with increasing porogen content. The strongest scaffolds with interconnected pores had an elastic modulus of 2.3 ± 0.5 MPa and compressive strength at 1% yield of 0.11 ± 0.02 MPa. This work has shown that a photocross-linking/porogen leaching technique is a viable method to form porous scaffolds from photoinitiated materials.
Comparison of brain temperature with bladder and rectal temperatures in adults with severe head injury.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare brain temperature (Tbr) with conventional indicators of core body temperature (i.e., rectal temperature [Tre] and bladder temperature [Tbl]), in adults with severe head injury. METHODS The relationships between Tbr and Tbl and between Tbr and Tre are described in terms of differences in temperature in eight patients with severe head injury. INSTRUMENTATION Brain tissue temperature was measured every minute, with a thermocouple embedded 2 cm from the tip of a ventriculostomy catheter used to measure intracranial pressure. Tbl was measured with a thermistor embedded in a bladder catheter, and Tre was measured with a thermistor in a rectal probe. RESULTS Tbr was usually greater than Tbl and Tre. The average difference between Tbr and Tbl for each patient ranged from 0.32 to 1.9 degrees C, with standard deviations of the difference ranging from 0.30 to 0.80 degrees C. The average difference between Tbr and Tre for each patient ranged from 0.1 to 2.0 degrees C, with standard deviations of the difference ranging from 0.32 to 1.08 degrees C. In the majority of patients, the differences (Tbr - Tbl and Tbr - Tre) were greater at temperatures outside of the normal temperature range (Tbr < or =36 degrees C and >38 degrees C). CONCLUSION Tbl and Tre often underrepresent Tbr after traumatic brain injury, particularly when the patient is hypo- or hyperthermic.
Fission yeast cut5 links nuclear chromatin and M phase regulator in the replication checkpoint control.

Fission yeast temperature‐sensitive cut5 (cell untimely torn) mutants are defective in initiation and/or elongation of DNA replication but allow mitosis and cell division at a restrictive temperature. We show that the cut5 protein (identical to rad4) (i) is an essential component of the replication checkpoint system but not the DNA damage checkpoint, and (ii) negatively regulates the activation of M phase kinase at mitotic entry. Even if the replication checkpoint has been activated previously, cut5 mutations allow mitosis and cell division after shift to 36 degrees C. Transcription of cut5+ is not under the control of the START gene cdc10+. The cut5 protein is enriched in the nucleus, consisting of repeating domains. An essential domain which resembles the proto‐oncoprotein Ect2 has a strong negative effect on the entry into mitosis when overexpressed. Expression of the cut5 mutant phenotype requires the function of the M phase regulator genes cdc2+, cdc25+ and cdc13+. The cut5 protein forms a novel, essential link between DNA synthesis and M phase activation in the replication checkpoint control pathway.
Role of Amniotic Membrane Transplantation in Acute Chemical Injury

Ocular trauma and corneal ulceration are responsible for 1.5 to 2.0 million new cases of monocular blindness yearly. Between 11.5% and 22.1% of traumatic ocular injuries are caused by chemical burns, a majority of which occur in young men because of exposure to alkali or acid in the setting of industrial accidents. Less frequently, these injuries result from exposure to chemicals at home and in association with criminal assaults. The spectrum of chemical ocular injuries is broad and ranges from mild epithelial damage to ocular surface destruction with associated damage to intraocular structures. Management is directed by limiting the extent of damage immediately following chemical injury and to preserve the potential for later visual restoration to the greatest degree possible. Immediate therapy is directed toward prompt irrigation and removal of the offending agent and restoring the physiological pH. Initial medical therapy is directed toward promoting recovery of the corneal epithelium, augmenting collagen synthesis and corneal repair, and controlling inflammation. Medical treatments that have been advocated include corticosteroids, ascorbic acid, citrate, tetracycline, medroxyprogesterone, and platelet-rich plasma eye drops. Surgical therapy is usually directed toward removal of necrotic tissue and preservation of limbal vasculature and limbal stem cells. Surgical treatments that have been used in the management of chemical injuries in the acute phase include tenonplasty and amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT). After the resolution
Inductive Ability of Human Developing and Differentiated Dental Mesenchyme

The development of cell-based therapeutic strategies to bioengineer tooth tissue is a promising approach for the treatment of lost or damaged tooth tissue. The lack of a readily available cell source for human dental epithelial cells (ECs) severely constrains the progress of tooth bioengineering. Previous studies in model organisms have demonstrated that developing dental mesenchyme can instruct nondental epithelium to differentiate into enamel-forming epithelium. In this study, we characterized the ability of fetal and adult human dental mesenchyme to promote differentiation of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived ECs (ES-ECs) into ameloblast-lineage cells. ES-ECs were co-cultured either with human fetal dental mesenchymal cells (FDMCs) or with adult dental mesenchymal cells (ADMCs) in either a three-dimensional culture system, or in the renal capsules of SCID mice. When co-cultured with FDMCs in vitro, ES-ECs polarized and expressed amelogenin. Tooth organ-like structures assembled with epithelium and encased mesenchyme and developing enamel-like structures could be detected in the complexes resulting from in vitro and ex vivo co-culture of ES-ECs and FDMCs. In contrast, co-cultured ES-ECs and ADMCs formed amorphous spherical structures and occasionally formed hair. Transcription factors were significantly upregulated in FDMCs compared to ADMCs including MSX1, GLI1, LHX6, LHX8,LEF1 and TBX1. In summary, FDMCs but not ADMCs had the capacity to induce differentiation of ES-ECs into ameloblast lineage cells. Further characterization of the functional differences between these two types of dental mesenchyme could enable reprogramming of ADMCs to enhance their odontogenic inductive competence.
Glutathione induces GABA release through P2X7R activation on Müller glia

ABSTRACT The retinal tissue of warm-blooded vertebrates performs surprisingly complex and accurate transduction of visual information. To achieve precision, a multilayered neuroglia structure is established throughout the embryonic development, and the presence of radial Müller (glial) cells ensure differentiation, growth and survival for the neuronal elements within retinal environment. It is assumed that Müller cells serve as a dynamic reservoir of progenitors, capable of expressing transcription factors, differentiating and proliferating as either neuronal or glial cells depending on extrinsic cues. In the postnatal period, Müller glia may re-enter cell cycle and produce new retinal neurons in response to acute damage. In this context, glutathione (GSH), a virtually ubiquitous tripeptide antioxidant, which is found at milimolar concentrations in central glial cells, plays a vital role as a reducing agent, buffering radical oxygen species (ROS) and preventing cell death in severely injured retinal tissues. Despite its antioxidant role, data also point to GSH as a signaling agent, suggesting that GABA release and P2X7R-mediated calcium inwards occur in Müller cells in a GSH-enriched environment. These phenomena indicate a novel mechanistic response to damage in the vertebrate retinal tissue, particularly in neuron-glia networks.
Characterizing Fatigue Response of Nickel-Titanium Alloys by Rotary Beam Testing

Fatigue information has been reliable in predicting wire critical structural integrity. The aim of this study is to expound on the characterization technique of rotary beam fatigue testing RBT. By alternating tension and compression stress states through RBT, it is possible to determine the life expectancy of Nitinol monofilament round wires. Fatigue testing has been employed to characterize the influence of subtle changes in inclusion content, chemistry variations of raw mate- rial, ingot transformation temperatures of Nitinol NiTi, and surface finish conditions for implant grade wires. Currently, an ASTM standard does not exist that concentrates solely on fatigue testing shape memory alloys. By exploiting part geometry, this testing technique serves to compliment other characterization methods. Evaluation of fracture surfaces has proven useful in diagnosing the factors influencing failures. The utilization of fatigue data and fracture mechanics compliments tensile test- ing in providing information to the design engineer. Results from studying flexural endurance, statis- tical Weibull life assessment analysis, fracture analysis, and a determination of stress/strain levels at the site of failure have proven useful in determining desired material properties for next generation medical devices.
A Gaming Ecosystem Crowdsourcing Deep Semantic Annotations

This article reports on an analysis of the semantic quality of artwork annotations that have been collected by the web platform ARTigo from 2008 to 2014. ARTigo is both, a gaming platform for collecting semantic annotations and a semantic search engine: While playing games featuring artworks, one leaves data describing these artworks that are automatically used for building up, and continuously improving, an artwork search engine. ARTigo is an ecosystem consisting of different types of games aiming at collecting annotations of different semantic depth: Description games aim at collecting mere descriptions, diversification games aim at completing artwork descriptions with more specific characterizations, integration games cluster annotations so as to generate more precise descriptions. The qualitative analysis this article reports about points to both, the effectiveness of ARTigo as a gaming ecosystem and the effectiveness of each of game at collecting annotations with the desired semantic depth.
Acquiring Potential Blood Donors in Large Cities: A Preference-Based Donor Segmentation Study

ABSTRACT In contrast to previous segmentation studies that apply mostly demographic segmentation criteria, this study presents a behavioral segmentation approach to explain how potential blood donors in large cities can be most effectively clustered and acquired. The authors conduct a representative online panel study among 2,062 potential blood donors living in the four largest cities of Germany—Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, and Cologne. Applying explorative factor analysis and cluster analysis, the study identifies and describes seven preference-based blood donor segments. Using the segmentation results, the authors derive several blood donor acquisition strategies that are directly linked to the identified preferences.
FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF FIVE NOVEL CYP2C8 VARIANTS, G171S, R186X, R186G, K247R, AND K383N, FOUND IN A JAPANESE POPULATION

Cytochrome P450 2C8 is one of the primary enzymes responsible for the metabolism of a wide range of drugs such as paclitaxel, cerivastatin, and amiodarone. We have sequenced the CYP2C8 gene from 201 Japanese subjects and found five novel nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): 511G>A (G171S), 556C>T (R186X; X represents the translational stop codon), 556C>G (R186G), 740A>G (K247R), and 1149G>T (K383N), with the allele frequency of 0.0025. The CYP2C8 variants were heterologously expressed in COS-1 cells and functionally characterized in terms of expression level, paclitaxel 6α-hydroxylase activity, and intracellular localization. The prematurely terminated R186X variant was undetectable by Western blotting and inactive toward paclitaxel 6α-hydroxylation. The G171S, K247R, and K383N variants exhibited properties similar to those of the wild-type CYP2C8. Paclitaxel 6α-hydroxylase activity of the R186G transfectant was only 10 to 20% that of wild-type CYP2C8. Furthermore, the R186G variant displayed a lower level of protein expression in comparison to the wild type, which was restored by the addition of a proteasome inhibitor (MG-132; Z-Leu-Leu-Leu-aldehyde). The reduced CO-difference spectral analysis using recombinant proteins from an insect cell/baculovirus system revealed that the R186G variant has a minor peak at 420 nm in addition to the characteristic Soret peak at 450 nm, suggesting the existence of improperly folded protein. These results indicate that the novel CYP2C8 SNPs, 556C>T (R186X) and 556C>G (R186G), could influence the metabolism of CYP2C8 substrates such as paclitaxel and cerivastatin.
Cytomegalovirus Infection With Retinitis After Brentuximab Vedotin Treatment for CD30+ Lymphoma

Abstract Brentuximab vedotin is an antibody-conjugated chemotherapy targeting CD30 indicated in treatment of several lymphomas. We report the first 3 cases of cytomegalovirus severe infections with retinitis following this treatment. Evolution was favorable, but relapse occurred after treatment rechallenge. We suggest vigilance about cytomegalovirus in patients treated with brentuximab vedotin.
Supplementation of milk formula with galacto-oligosaccharides improves intestinal micro-flora and fermentation in term infants.

BACKGROUND Oligosaccharides in human milk may protect infants by improving the intestinal micro-flora and fermentation. This study was to investigate effects of infant formula milk consisting of galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) on intestinal microbial populations and the fermentation characteristics in term infants in comparison with that of human milk. METHODS The test formula (Frisolac H, Friesland, Netherland) was supplemented with GOS at a concentration of 0.24 g/dl. Human milk and another formula without oligosaccharides (Frisolac H, Friesland, Netherland) were used as positive and negative control respectively. Growth, stool characteristics, and side effects of the recruited infants were recorded after 3 and 6 months' follow-up, and the fecal species were collected for the analysis of intestinal micro-flora, short chain fatty acid (SCFA) and pH. RESULTS At the end of 3- and 6-month feeding period, intestinal Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli were significantly increased in infants fed with GOS supplemented formula and human milk when compared with infants fed with negative control formula; however, there was no statistically significant difference between GOS supplemented formula and human milk groups. Stool characteristics were influenced by the supplement and main fecal SCFA (acetic), and stool frequency were significantly increased in infants fed with GOS supplemented formula and human milk, while the fecal pH was significantly decreased as compared with that of negative control (P < 0.05). Supplementation had no influence on incidence of side effects (including crying, regurgitation and vomiting). CONCLUSIONS Supplementing infant formula with GOS at a concentration of 0.24 g/dl stimulates the growth of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli in the intestine and stool characteristics are similar to in term infants fed with human milk.
Survival time and prognostic factors of patients with initial noncurative colorectal liver metastases

Abstract The true survival benefit of different curative strategies involving type of operative procedure and timing for patients with initial noncurative colorectal liver metastases remains uncertain. The goal of this study was to examine the effect of primary tumor resection on patients’ survival and to clarify the predictive factors related to overall survival (OS). This was a retrospective study that included 219 patients with initial noncurative colorectal liver metastases without extrahepatic disease. The clinicopathological characteristics of patients and their survival were examined. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan–Meier method. All variables associated with P <. 05 in univariate analysis were included in multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional-hazard regression model. The 1-, 3-, 5-year OS rates of patients with simultaneous liver resection were 79.1%, 39.1%, and 28.4%, respectively, and those of patients with staged liver resection were 83.3%, 46.7%, and 36.8%, respectively (P = .380). The 1-, 3-, 5-year OS rates of patients with primary tumor resection were 57.0%, 18.2%, and 12.3%, respectively, while for the patients without primary tumor resection were 38.9%, 5.6%, and 0%, respectively (P = .012). Independent prognostic factors for OS were carbohydrate antigen19–9, primary tumor resection, tumor differentiation, and adjuvant chemotherapy. No difference in OS was observed between simultaneous liver resection and staged liver resection, while primary tumor resection was beneficial to noncurative colorectal liver metastases.
Slump despite Global Upturn

Content and General Description (PDF) In 2015, the FDI inflow to the Central, East and Southeast European (CESEE) countries fell to its lowest level since 2008, while global FDI recovered. The decline was especially severe in the EU Member States of Central and Eastern Europe, as well as in Russia, while expansions were recorded in the Western Balkans and Turkey. The first part of this report provides an analysis of the 2015 FDI trends in 23 countries, highlighting uneven developments. New features of FDI have appeared recently in the Central European countries, which are deeply integrated into multinational production networks. FDI inflows fluctuate more wildly than before and have lost their close connection with economic growth or changes in the business environment. Capital relations between subsidiaries and parent companies have become more complex capital reserves, losses and profits are shifted around within multinational conglomerates in various forms of FDI and income. Moreover, tax optimisation by multinational enterprises has become one of the main factors determining the economic sector or the immediate host country chosen by investors when they reorganise their assets into holdings. Round-tripping domestic capital distorts the FDI statistics, of Russia in particular. Special sections of this report analyse the Russian FDI collapse, the Chinese expansion, and the position of Austria as investor and investment destination of CESEE countries. A further section presents new features of greenfield investments in 2015 a declining number of projects and lower capital investments that increasingly focus on the manufacturing sector. Forecasts for FDI in 2016 point downwards again, because the international environment may not support capacity expansions, and also economic growth in most of the CESEE will be less robust than last year. The second part of this report contains two sets of tables Tables I cover FDI flow and stock data, FDI flows by components and related income; Tables II provide detailed FDI data by economic activity and by country. The main sources of data are the central banks of the individual Central, East and Southeast European countries. Methodological explanations highlight important recent changes in reporting standards and their application in the wiiw FDI Database and wiiw FDI Report. The wiiw FDI Database is available online This online access with a modern query tool supports easy search and download of data. The wiiw FDI Database contains the full set of FDI data with time series starting form 1990 as far as available. Access to wiiw FDI Database
Sub‐chronic exposure to opiates in the rat: Effects on brain levels of substance P and calcitonin gene‐related peptide during dependence and withdrawal

Substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) are putative transmitters in the central and peripheral (sensory) nervous systems. In this study, we examined the effects of dependence on and withdrawal from morphine and methadone on brain SP and CGRP content. Female Long Evans rats (70–100 g) were provided with plain drinking water or solutions containing opiate. No choice of drinking fluid was allowed. The maintenance level of each opiate (0.8 and 0.4 mg/ml for morphine and methadone, respectively) was continued for 4 days. Following an injection with naloxone (10 mg/kg i.p.) or saline, animals were decapitated 0, 20, or 60 min later and regional brain peptide content was measured by specific radioimmunoassays. SP and CGRP content in opiate‐maintained and naive animals were similar following saline injection. However, following naloxone injection in morphine‐maintained animals, SP content was elevated in the hypothalamus and midbrain at 20 min, but by 60 min was no longer distinguishable from basal (0 min) level. CGRP content was increased in the medulla oblongata and followed a comparable time course but, unlike SP, was not altered in the hypothalamus or midbrain. No alterations were observed in methadone‐maintained animals. These results correlated with the peak of the behavioral morphine withdrawal syndrome and were consistent with the comparatively milder abstinence encountered in methadone medication. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND ASSESSMENT Simulated Patients vs. Standardized Patients in Objective Structured Clinical Examinations

SUMMARY This paper describes design, implementation, and as-sessment of a nontraditional skills-based course in phar-macy practice. Of particular importance is the way inwhich nonstandardized portrayals were used in the con-text of a university-based course. As described, studentsexperience initial apprehension at the notion of beinggraded on the basis of nonstandardized events; however,based on course results and post-graduation licensing ex-amination results, there appears to have been no adverseeffectonstudentsasaresultofthisapproach.Importantlystudentsthemselvessupportedthenonstandardizedlearn-ing environment in facilitating professional skills devel-opment and identified this experience as important inassisting them in becoming competent, caring practi-tioners. A key finding from this experience has beenthe valueofusingpatient-actorsascollaboratorsandedu-cators, rather than simply vehicles for assessment. Thefeedback and assessment provided by simulated patient-educators complements the work of pharmacist-assessorsand educators, and provides students with a rich contextfor developing their patient care skills.