Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Verticillium dahliae transcription factors Som1 and Vta3 control microsclerotia formation and sequential steps of plant root penetration and colonisation to induce disease.

Verticillium dahliae nuclear transcription factors Som1 and Vta3 can rescue adhesion in a FLO8-deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain. Som1 and Vta3 induce the expression of the yeast FLO1 and FLO11 genes encoding adhesins. Som1 and Vta3 are sequentially required for root penetration and colonisation of the plant host by V. dahliae. The SOM1 and VTA3 genes were deleted and their functions in fungus-induced plant pathogenesis were studied using genetic, cell biology, proteomic and plant pathogenicity experiments. Som1 supports fungal adhesion and root penetration and is required earlier than Vta3 in the colonisation of plant root surfaces and tomato plant infection. Som1 controls septa positioning and the size of vacuoles, and subsequently hyphal development including aerial hyphae formation and normal hyphal branching. Som1 and Vta3 control conidiation, microsclerotia formation, and antagonise in oxidative stress responses. The molecular function of Som1 is conserved between the plant pathogen V. dahliae and the opportunistic human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. Som1 controls genes for initial steps of plant root penetration, adhesion, oxidative stress response and VTA3 expression to allow subsequent root colonisation. Both Som1 and Vta3 regulate developmental genetic networks required for conidiation, microsclerotia formation and pathogenicity of V. dahliae.
Diagnostic and Prognostic Role of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Early and Late Phase of Sepsis

Objective: Early diagnosis of sepsis is necessary to decrease morbidity and mortality. This study aims to evaluate neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as diagnostic and prognostic of early and late phase of sepsis. Methods: It was a prospective, observational study, conducted in Intensive Care and High Dependency Unit (Daycare) of the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (tertiary care center), Rohtak, from January 2017 to December 2017. A total of 56 cases of newly diagnosed cases of sepsis were included in the study and 20 healthy adults were taken as controls. Daily NLR was calculated in cases till the primary outcome. Results: The results suggested that NLR seems to have promising role as diagnostic and prognostic marker (with P = 0.001 and P = 0.045, respectively) in sepsis. Conclusion: The study suggests that NLR can be a useful diagnostic and prognostic marker in sepsis.
Acceleration of Enzymatic Degradation of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) by Surface Coating with Anionic Surfactants.

Enzymatic degradation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is promising because this process is safer than conventional industrial approaches. Recently, a cationic PET hydrolase (PETase) was identified from Ideonella sakaiensis. Pre-incubation of a low-crystallinity PET film with anionic surfactants prior to initiating the reaction was found to improve PETase activity 120-fold. After 36 h at 30 °C, the film thickness decreased by 22 %. The binding of surfactants to the film makes the surface anionic, thereby attracting the cationic PETase. Mutagenesis of PETase showed that the surface cationic region formed by R53, R90, and K95, which are located on the same side as the substrate binding pocket, was crucial for efficient acceleration of activity by the anionic surfactant. Thus, surfactant bound on PET aligns the orientation of the active site to the surface, resulting in efficient hydrolysis. We believe that this approach using PETase could be further improved by designing surfactant molecules for the more efficient enzymatic PET degradation.
A low abundance of Bifidobacterium but not Lactobacillius in the feces of Chinese children with wheezing diseases

Background: The intestinal microbiota is linked with allergic reaction diseases. However, the difference in the fecal microbiota composition between sensitized wheezy and nonsensitized subjects in Chinese children remains unknown. The aim of this study was to quantitate the amounts of fecal microbiota in wheezy children, and to explore the correlation between fecal microbiota and serum Th1/Th2/Th17-type cytokines and total IgE in these patients. Methods: The amounts of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were determined using a 16S-RNA real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method in wheezy children (cases) and nonwheezy controls. Serum Th1/Th2/Th17-type cytokines levels were measured using flow a cytometric bead array assay. In addition, the concentrations of total serum IgE was also determined. Results: In comparison with that in the healthy control (HC), significantly lower abundance of Bifidobacterium and lower levels of Th1 cytokines (IFN-&ggr; and TNF-&agr;), but higher levels of Th2-type cytokines (IL-4, IL-5) and Th17-type (IL-17A) cytokine were detected in children with bronchiolitis and asthma. But there was no significant difference in the amounts of Lactobacillus. Interestingly, the amounts of fecal Bifidobacterium were correlated positively with serum Th1 cytokines IFN-&ggr;, and correlated negatively with serum Th17 cytokines IL-17A, Th2 cytokines IL-4 and serum total IgE in these patients. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that lower quantity of Bifidobacterium, but not Lactobacillus, may be correlated with asthma and bronchiolitis in chinese children. These results also may provide guidance in choosing the proper probiotics for wheezing children.
Phenotype-specific enrichment of Mendelian disorder genes near GWAS regions across 62 complex traits

Although recent studies provide evidence for a common genetic basis between complex traits and Mendelian disorders, a thorough quantification of their overlap in a phenotype-specific manner remains elusive. Here, we quantify the overlap of genes identified through large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for 62 complex traits and diseases with genes known to cause 20 broad categories of Mendelian disorders. We identify a significant enrichment of phenotypically-matched Mendelian disorder genes in GWAS gene sets. Further, we observe elevated GWAS effect sizes near phenotypically-matched Mendelian disorder genes. Finally, we report examples of GWAS variants localized at the transcription start site or physically interacting with the promoters of phenotypically-matched Mendelian disorder genes. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that genes that are disrupted in Mendelian disorders are dysregulated by noncoding variants in complex traits, and demonstrate how leveraging findings from related Mendelian disorders and functional genomic datasets can prioritize genes that are putatively dysregulated by local and distal non-coding GWAS variants.
The Best Practice for Increasing Telephone Outreach: An Integrative Review

Purpose of Study: Many hospitals established telephone follow-up (TFU) programs to improve care transitions and reduce hospital readmissions. However, there is a lack of knowledge on how to increase the outreach of TFU programs. This integrative review aims to answer the clinical practice question, “What is the best practice for increasing telephone follow-up reach rates post-hospital discharge? ” Primary Practice Setting: The primary setting evaluated in this review was hospital-based phone call programs that are conducting post-hospital discharge TFU. Methodology: In this integrative review, we searched studies published between January 2003 and November 2017. We searched 5 electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Cochrane. The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice model was used to critically analyze and synthesize the selected articles. Results: Nine articles were reviewed, and this study uncovered that pre-hospital face-to-face meeting might increase TFU reach rates. However, most studies calculated reach rates using only frequencies/percentages. This contributed to our low-quality rating on most of the reviewed studies. Implications for Case Management Practice: This review identified that TFU, as a component of a care coordination program, may reduce hospital readmissions and control health care utilization. However, few studies (n = 2) used TFU reach rates as a major study outcome to determine the impact of face-to-face meetings on phone outreach. Therefore, the evidence is limited to inform case management practice to increase phone outreach post-hospital discharge. It is recommended to conduct further research and test different methods that may increase phone outreach.
An observational Prospective Study to Evaluate the Preoperative Risk Factors of New-onset Diabetes Mellitus after Renal Transplantation in a Tertiary Care Centre in Eastern India

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the pre-transplant risk factors as independent predictors on the new-onset of diabetes mellitus after renal transplants (NODATs). Materials and Methods: A single-centred prospective real-world observational study of 100 subjects who underwent renal transplantation over a period of 2 years. All known patients with diabetes were excluded from the study. NODAT was defined according to the American Diabetes Association definition. In addition to pre-transplant workup 2 days prior to transplant, post-transplant follow-up done on weekly basis for 1st month, every 15th day from 1st month to 3rd month, monthly from 3rd month to 12th month. Each transplant patient followed up for 1 year post-transplant or for 6 months post-development of NODAT, whichever was later. All the pre-transplant variables namely body mass index (BMI), family history of diabetes mellitus (DM), HbA1c, fasting insulin level, fasting c-peptide level, serology for hepatitis B, C, serum magnesium level and pre-operative insulin ressistance were further compared between NODAT and non-NODAT groups at the end of the study to assess their strength of associations. Results: Among the 100 subjects included in the study, 24 developed NODAT. Risk factors namely age, family history of DM, BMI, hepatitis B and C infection, total cholesterol, triglyceride level, pre-operative HbA1c, pre-operative insulin resistance and pre-diabetes were significantly higher, whereas beta-cell function, ABO compatibility and magnesium levels being significantly lower in NODAT cohort. Conclusion: The incidence of NODAT is quite high (24%). Risk of development of NODAT was related to traditional as well as novel risk factors. Key aspects lies in identifying patients at risk of developing NODAT, using traditional risk factors for early diagnosis and introducing interventions on modifiable risk factors for prevention and timely intervention.
CSF sAPPβ, YKL-40, and NfL along the ALS-FTD spectrum

Objective To investigate the clinical utility of 3 CSF biomarkers along the clinical spectrum of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Methods We analyzed 3 CSF biomarkers: the soluble β-fragment of amyloid precursor protein (sAPPβ), YKL-40, and neurofilament light (NfL) in FTD (n = 86), ALS (n = 38), and a group of age-matched cognitively normal controls (n = 49). Participants with FTD with a CSF profile of Alzheimer disease were excluded. We compared cross-sectional biomarker levels between groups, studied their correlation with cognitive and functional scales (global cognitive z score, frontotemporal lobar degeneration Clinical Dementia Rating, revised ALS Functional Rating Scale, and ALS progression rate), survival, and cortical thickness. Results We found increased levels of YKL-40 and decreased levels of sAPPβ in both FTD and ALS groups compared to controls. The lowest sAPPβ levels and sAPPβ/YKL-40 ratio were found in the FTD group. In FTD, sAPPβ and the sAPPβ/YKL-40 ratio correlated with the disease severity. In the whole ALS-FTD spectrum, NfL levels and the NfL:sAPPβ ratio correlated with global cognitive performance (r = −0.41, p < 0.001 and r = −0.44, p < 0.001, respectively). In the ALS group, YKL-40 correlated with disease progression rate (r = 0.51, p = 0.001) and was independently associated with shorter survival. In both FTD and ALS groups, the sAPPβ/YKL-40 ratio showed a positive correlation with cortical thickness in frontotemporal regions. Conclusions sAPPβ, YKL-40, and NfL could represent valuable tools for the staging and prognosis of patients within the ALS-FTD clinical spectrum. Classification of evidence This study provides Class III evidence that CSF levels of sAPPβ, YKL-40, and NfL are useful to assess frontotemporal neurodegeneration and the progression rate in the ALS-FTD continuum.
The Mechanisms of Alpha-Amylase Inhibition by Flavan-3-Ols and the Possible Impacts of Drinking Green Tea on Starch Digestion.

Many studies have shown that flavan-3-ols inhibit mammalian alpha-amylases but the published IC50 and Ki values vary up to a thousand times. We therefore tested the effects of 6 pure flavan-3-ols-abundant in green tea-on the activity of pure porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase (PPA) under steady-state kinetic conditions. We used both amylose and maltopentaose as substrates, along with spectrophotometry and chromatography as analytical tools, respectively. A Docking approach was also used to probe the interaction between PPA and each flavan-3-ol. The results showed that the 6 flavan-3-ols inhibit amylose hydrolysis with Ki comprised between 7 and 34 μM, according to a mixed inhibition profile for gallocatechin gallate, and a competitive inhibition profile for the 5 other flavanols. Only the galloyl-containing flavan-3-ols inhibited the maltopentaose hydrolysis with a Ki of about 30 μM according to a noncompetitive profile. We conclude that dietary flavan-3-ols could inhibit starch digestion nonnegligibly. The results of the docking trials were concordant with the kinetic data and have noticeably revealed that the cis-flavan-3-ols epigallocatechin gallate and epicatechin gallate bind similarly to PPA, involving π-stacking with Trp59.
Deletion in mice of X‐linked, Brugada syndrome–and atrial fibrillation–associated Kcne5 augments ventricular Kv currents and predisposes to ventricular arrhythmia

KCNE5 is an X‐linked gene encoding KCNE5, an ancillary subunit to voltage‐gated potassium (Kv) channels. Human KCNE5 mutations are associated with atrial fibrillation (AF)– and Brugada syndrome (BrS)–induced cardiac arrhythmias that can arise from increased potassium current in cardiomyocytes. Seeking to establish underlying molecular mechanisms, we created and studied Kcne5 knockout (Kcne5−/0) mice. Intracardiac ECG revealed that Kcne5 deletion caused ventricular premature beats, increased susceptibility to induction of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (60 vs. 24% in Kcne5+/0 mice), and 10% shorter ventricular refractory period. Kcne5 deletion increased mean ventricular myocyte Kv current density in the apex and also in the subpopulation of septal myocytes that lack fast transient outward current (Ito,f). The current increases arose from an apex‐specific increase in slow transient outward current‐1 (IKslow,1) (conducted by Kv1.5) and Ito,f (conducted by KV4) and an increase in IKslow,2 (conducted by Kv2.1) in both apex and septum. Kcne5 protein localized to the intercalated discs in ventricular myocytes, where KV2.1 was also detected in both Kcne5−/0 and Kcne5+/0 mice. In HL‐1 cardiac cells and human embryonic kidney cells, KCNE5 and KV2.1 colocalized at the cell surface, but predominantly in intracellular vesicles, suggesting that Kcne5 deletion increases IK,slow2 by reducing KV2.1 intracellular sequestration. The human AF‐associated mutation KCNE5‐L65F negative shifted the voltage dependence of KV2.1‐KCNE5 channels, increasing their maximum current density >2‐fold, whereas BrS‐associated KCNE5 mutations produced more subtle negative shifts in KV2.1 voltage dependence. The findings represent the first reported native role for Kcne5 and the first demonstrated Kcne regulation of KV2.1 in mouse heart. Increased KV current is a manifestation of KCNE5 disruption that is most likely common to both mouse and human hearts, providing a plausible mechanistic basis for human KCNE5‐linked AF and BrS. —David, J.‐P., Lisewski, U. , Crump, S. M. , Jepps, T. A. , Bocksteins, E. , Wilck, N. , Lossie, J., Roepke, T. K. , Schmitt, N. , Abbott, G. W. Deletion in mice of X‐linked, Brugada syndrome—and atrial fibrillation–associated Kcne5 augments ventricular KV currents and predisposes to ventricular arrhythmia. FASEB J. 33, 2537–2552 (2019). www.fasebj. org
Examination of Physical Fitness Parameters Between Professional and Amateur Greek Soccer Players During the Transition Period.

Bekris, E, Pidoulas, G, Pidoulas, P, Gissis, I, Katis, A, and Komsis, S. Examination of physical fitness parameters between professional and amateur Greek soccer players during the transition period. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2018-The aim of the study was to compare physical fitness parameters between professional and amateur soccer players of different levels. The sample consisted of 381 soccer players divided in 4 experimental groups: first division professional players (n = 115), second division professional players (n = 70), third division semiprofessional players (n = 93), and amateur soccer players (n = 103). Players were tested for several physiological parameters at the end of the transition period. Analysis of variance showed significantly lower body fat and increased maximum oxygen consumption (V[Combining Dot Above]O2max) and velocity of maximum oxygen consumption (vV[Combining Dot Above]O2max) values for first division professional players compared with the other experimental groups (p < 0.05). Similarly, first division professional players showed higher performance during squat jump and countermovement jump test compared with the other experimental groups (p < 0.05). Significant differences on flexibility test were observed between amateur players and the other group (p < 0.05). The results of the study indicated that Greek soccer players at the highest level overcome in almost all the underexamination physiological parameters probably because of less absence from training and better implementation of training programs during the transition period.
Biomarkers as predictive tools to test the in vivo anti-sarcoptic mange activity of propolis in naturally infested rabbits

The present study was designed to investigate the use of specific biomarkers, such as albumin, serum total protein, aspartate amino transferase (AST), globulin, alanine amino transferase (ALT), serum cortisol and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as predictive tools for sarcoptic mange in rabbits. A total of 40 naturally infested rabbits were equally divided into four groups.Thirty infested rabbits were administered with three different treatments (propolis,ivermectin, and propolis with ivermectin) and were compared to10 infested un-treated rabbits. The impact of treatment was assessed via microscopic examination of skin scrapings, clinical signs, and blood measurements relating to the liver. The present study demonstrated that topical application of 10% propolis ointment resulted in complete recovery from clinical signs and complete absence of mites based on microscopic examination after 10–15 days of treatment. Moreover, AST, ALP, ALT, and cortisol were determined to be acceptable biomarkers to track the response of diseased rabbits to the therapeutic use of propolis.
Occurrence of Subacute Thyroiditis following Influenza Vaccination

Declaration of patient consent The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
Application of lower limb nerve block combined with slow induction of light general anesthesia and tracheal induction in elderly hip surgery

Background: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of lower limb nerve block combined with slow induction of light general anesthesia and tracheal intubation in hip surgery in the elderly. Methods: Thirty elderly patients who underwent hip surgery under the lower limb nerve block were randomly divided into 2 groups: slow induction of light general anesthesia and tracheal intubation group (group M), and laryngeal mask light general anesthesia group (group H). After undergoing total intravenous anesthesia without muscle relaxants, all patients received sciatic nerve, lumbar plexus, and paravertebral nerve blocks. The hemodynamic situations, dosage of anesthetics, time for awakening and extubation (or laryngeal mask removal), and incidence of respiratory adverse reactions in the induction period were recorded. Results: Compared with baseline levels, the difference in mean arterial pressure (MAP) value at each time point after intubation/laryngeal mask removal in both groups was not statistically significant (P > .05). Furthermore, the time for awakening and extubation/laryngeal mask removal, and anesthetic dosage were significantly decreased in group M, when compared with group H (P < .05). For the incidence of adverse reactions, the incidence of poor sealing and hypoxia was significantly lower in group M than in group H (P < .05), and the incidence of sore throat was significantly lower in group H than in group M (P < .05). Conclusion: Lower limb nerve block combined with slow induction of light general anesthesia and tracheal intubation was associated with smaller anesthetic dosage, and shorter duration of anesthesia induction and extubation/laryngeal mask after surgery.
Update on: proteome analysis in thyroid pathology – part II: overview of technical and clinical enhancement of proteomic investigation of the thyroid lesions

ABSTRACT Introduction: An accurate diagnostic classification of thyroid lesions remains an important clinical aspect that needs to be addressed in order to avoid ‘diagnostic’ thyroidectomies. Among the several ‘omics’ techniques, proteomics is playing a pivotal role in the search for diagnostic markers. In recent years, different approaches have been used, taking advantage of the technical improvements related to mass spectrometry that have occurred. Areas covered: The review provides an update of the recent findings in diagnostic classification, in genetic definition and in the investigation of thyroid lesions based on different proteomics approaches and on different type of specimens: cytological, surgical and biofluid samples. A brief section will discuss how these findings can be integrated with those obtained by metabolomics investigations. Expert commentary: Among the several proteomics approaches able to deepen our knowledge of the molecular alterations of the different thyroid lesions, MALDI-MSI is strongly emerging above all. In fact, MS-imaging has also been demonstrated to be capable of distinguishing thyroid lesions, based on their different molecular signatures, using cytological specimens. The possibility to use the material obtained by the fine needle aspiration makes MALDI-MSI a highly promising technology that could be implemented into the clinical and pathological units.