Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A point of care test for interleukin-6 in amniotic fluid in preterm prelabor rupture of membranes: a step toward the early treatment of acute intra-amniotic inflammation/infection

Abstract Objective: Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (preterm PROM) accounts for 30–40% of spontaneous preterm deliveries and thus is a major contributor to perinatal morbidity and mortality. An amniotic fluid (AF) interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration is a key cytokine for the identification of intra-amniotic inflammation, patients at risk of impending preterm delivery and adverse pregnancy complications. The conventional method to determine IL-6 concentrations in AF is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). However, this technique is not available in clinical settings, and the results may take several days. A lateral flow-based immunoassay, or point of care (POC) test, has been developed to address this issue. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of AF IL-6 determined by the POC test to that determined by ELISA for the identification of intra-amniotic inflammation in patients with preterm PROM. Materials and methods: This retrospective cohort study includes 56 women with singleton pregnancies who presented with preterm PROM. Amniocentesis was performed at the time of diagnosis, and AF was analyzed using cultivation techniques for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria as well as genital mycoplasmas. AF Gram stain and AF white blood cell counts were determined. AF IL-6 concentrations were measured using both lateral flow-based immunoassay and ELISA. The primary outcome was intra-amniotic inflammation defined as AF ELISA IL-6 ≥ 2600 pg/ml. A previously determined cut-off of 745 pg/ml was used to define a positive POC test. Results: (1) The POC test for AF IL-6 concentrations had 97% sensitivity and 96% specificity for the identification of intra-amniotic inflammation, as defined using ELISA among patients with preterm PROM and (2) the diagnostic performance of the POC test for IL-6 was strongly correlated to that of an ELISA test for the identification of intra-amniotic inflammation and was equivalent for the identification of acute inflammatory placental lesions and microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC). Conclusion: A POC AF IL-6 test can identify intra-amniotic inflammation in patients with preterm PROM. Results can be available within 20 min – this makes it possible to implement interventions designed to treat intra-amniotic inflammation and improve pregnancy outcomes.
Free IL-12p40 Monomer Is a Polyfunctional Adaptor for Generating Novel IL-12–like Heterodimers Extracellularly

IL-12p40 partners with the p35 and p19 polypeptides to generate the heterodimeric cytokines IL-12 and IL-23, respectively. These cytokines play critical and distinct roles in host defense. The assembly of these heterodimers is thought to take place within the cell, resulting in the secretion of fully functional cytokines. Although the p40 subunit alone can also be rapidly secreted in response to inflammatory signals, its biological significance remains unclear. In this article, we show that the secreted p40 monomer can generate de novo IL-12–like activities by combining extracellularly with p35 released from other cells. Surprisingly, an unbiased proteomic analysis reveals multiple such extracellular binding partners for p40 in the serum of mice after an endotoxin challenge. We biochemically validate the binding of one of these novel partners, the CD5 Ag-like glycoprotein, to the p40 monomer. Nevertheless, the assembled p40-CD5L heterodimer does not recapitulate the biological activity of IL-12. These findings underscore the plasticity of secreted free p40 monomer, suggesting that p40 functions as an adaptor that is able to generate multiple de novo composites in combination with other locally available polypeptide partners after secretion.
The effect of intranasal nedocromil sodium on viral upper respiratory tract infections in human volunteers

Two studies involving double‐blind group comparative trials in human volunteers compared the effects of intranasal nedocromil sodium (2·6 mg active drug per nostril, q.i.d.) with placebo on clinical symptoms and performance impairment associated with the common cold. In the first study volunteers were challenged with rhinoviruses (RV9 and RV14), and in the second study with respiratory coronavirus. In both studies, active and placebo groups of volunteers were demographically similar. Infection rates in both groups were also similar. There were no withdrawals resulting from unusual symptoms related to either treatment. In the rhinovirus study (19, placebo; 20, nedocromil sodium) daily symptom scores and daily mean nasal secretion weights were significantly lower in the nedocromil sodium‐treated group. In the coronavirus study (26, placebo; 27, nedocromil sodium) there was little difference in the severity of colds between the active and placebo‐treated groups, but trends favoured nedocromil sodium. In both studies the impairment of performance in volunteers who developed a cold was significantly less in those treated with nedocromil sodium than in those treated with placebo.
Promoting interaction amongst autistic adolescents using robots

Most autistic people present some difficulties in developing social behavior, living in their own world. The intent of this study is to improve the social life of adolescents with both autism and mental impairment, with a main focus on promoting their social interaction and communication. An experiment designed to call for the adolescents' attention and enforce their collaboration is described; in it a LEGO MindStorm robot behaves as a mediator/promotor of this interaction. Further, sensory motor coordination and accuracy skills of the adolescents are also slightly explored. Four scenarios were envisaged. Results are described showing the outcomes of the experiment.
A method for determining precise electrical hearing thresholds in cochlear implant users

Abstract Objective: A psychoacoustic procedure designed for the precise assessment of perceptional threshold (T-level) in cochlear implant (CI) users is presented. The impact of this procedure on speech perception was investigated. Design: Individual T-level measurements were obtained with the proposed procedure and three different speech processor fitting conditions were applied: (1) fitting familiar to the subject, T-levels unchanged, (2) T-level set to thresholds determined with the new procedure, (3) T-level set to thresholds determined with the new procedure, but T-level is decreased by 10 clinical units (CU). The impact of the different fitting conditions was measured by means of categorical loudness scaling (CLS) and speech perception tests in quiet and noise. Study sample: A prospective study at a tertiary referral university hospital. 18 experienced postlingually deafened cochlear implanted adult subjects. Results: Average sound-field thresholds obtained by CLS were lowest in condition using the new procedure yielding a larger dynamic range with significantly higher speech scores in quiet compared to those with a subject’s commonly used programme, and significantly improved in noise even after reducing T-levels by 10 CU. Conclusion: The precise determination of T-levels by means of the proposed procedure improved performance in several speech recognition tasks. Compared to the default behavioural setting, T-level increased on median by 9 CU. Average speech reception threshold in noise for soft speech levels (50 dB sound pressure level) decreased by 1 dB.
Endogenous c-N-Ras Provides a Steady-state Anti-apoptotic Signal*

We report that c-N-Ras possesses an isoform-specific, functional role in cell survival under steady-state conditions. This function includes protection from programmed cell death by serum deprivation or upon treatment with apoptosis-inducing agents. The data demonstrate that c-N-Ras may play a functional role in the regulation of steady-state phosphorylated Akt and serine 136-phosphorylated Bad (Ser136-pBad). Immortalized N-Ras knockout fibroblasts possess nearly undetectable levels of steady-state Ser136-pBad. In contrast, wild-type control cells and the N-Ras knockout cells ectopically expressing c-N-Ras at control levels maintained easily detectable levels of Ser136-pBad both at steady-state and following treatment with tumor necrosis factor α. Similar results were seen with Ser112-pBad. These differences did not arise from differences in total Bad protein levels. These data correlate with the observation that the N-Ras knockout cells exhibit a heightened susceptibility to the induction of apoptosis. Ectopic expression of c-N-Ras in the N-Ras knockout cells at endogenous levels, compared with control cells, significantly rescues the apoptotically sensitive phenotype. Elevated expression of either c-Kirsten A-Ras or c-Kirsten B-Ras did not reverse the apoptotic sensitivity of the N-Ras knockout cells or result in increased levels of either phospho-Akt or phospho-Bad. Our results indicate that, at steady state, c-N-Ras possesses an isoform-specific, functional role in cell survival.
Neuropsychological deficits associated with antiphospholipid antibodies.

Neurologic events associated with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPAs) include transient ischemic attack, stroke, and vascular dementia in individuals much younger than is typically observed with these disorders. The present study evaluated 27 non-elderly adults with aPAs but without concurrent disease processes or history of neurologic event and 27 age- and education-matched controls. MANOVA (p <.01) indicated group differences in executive functioning, verbal learning and memory, and visuospatial ability. In contrast, gross attentional processes and fine motor skills appeared unaffected by the syndrome. Moreover, the frequency of impaired neuropsychologic performance was greater among individuals with aPAs than among controls (p <.01). The presence of cognitive deficits in otherwise asymptomatic patients with aPAs indicates a preclinical phase of neurologic involvement and may prove to be the most sensitive markers of the syndrome.
SDF1-CXCR4 Signaling Maintains Central Post-Stroke Pain through Mediation of Glial-Neuronal Interactions

Central post-stroke pain (CPSP) is an intractable central neuropathic pain that has been poorly studied mechanistically. Here we showed that stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1 or CXCL12), a member of the CXC chemokine family, and its receptor CXCR4 played a key role in the development and maintenance of thalamic hemorrhagic CPSP through hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) mediated microglial-astrocytic-neuronal interactions. First, both intra-thalamic collagenase (ITC) and SDF1 injections could induce CPSP that was blockable and reversible by intra-thalamic administration of both AMD3100 (a selective CXCR4 antagonist) and inhibitors of microglial or astrocytic activation. Second, long-term increased-expression of SDF1 and CXCR4 that was accompanied by activations of both microglia and astrocytes following ITC could be blocked by both AMD-3100 and YC-1, a selective inhibitor of HIF-1α. AMD-3100 could also inhibit release of proinflammatory mediators (TNFα, IL1β and IL-6). Increased-expression of HIF-1α, SDF1, CXCR4, Iba1 and GFAP proteins could be induced by both ITC and intra-thalamic CoCl2, an inducer of HIF-1α that was blockable by both HIF-1α inhibition and CXCR4 antagonism. Finally, inhibition of HIF-1α was only effective in prevention, but not in treatment of ITC-induced CPSP. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that in the initial process of thalamic hemorrhagic state HIF-1α up-regulated SDF1-CXCR4 signaling, while in the late process SDF1-CXCR4 signaling-mediated positive feedback plays more important role in glial-glial and glial-neuronal interactions and might be a novel promising molecular target for treatment of CPSP in clinic.
In vitro and in vivo bioactivity assessment of a polylactic acid/hydroxyapatite composite for bone regeneration.

Synthetic bone graft substitutes based on composites consisting of a polymer and a calcium-phosphate (CaP) ceramic are developed with the aim to satisfy both mechanical and bioactivity requirements for successful bone regeneration. In the present study, we have employed extrusion to produce a composite consisting of 50 wt. % poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PLA) and 50 wt. % nano-sized hydroxyapatite (HA) powder, achieving homogeneous distribution of the ceramic within the polymeric phase. In vitro, in both a simulated physiological saline (SPS) and a simulated body fluid (SBF), a greater weight loss was observed for PLA/HA than for PLA particles upon 12-week immersion. Furthermore, in SPS, a continuous release of calcium and phosphate from the composite was measured, whereas in SBF, decrease of the amount of the two ions in the solution was observed both for PLA and PLA/HA accompanied with the formation of a CaP layer on the surface. In vitro characterization of the composite bioactivity was performed by culturing human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) and assessing proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, with PLA as a control. Both PLA/HA composite and PLA control were shown to support hMSCs proliferation over a period of two weeks. In addition, the composite significantly enhanced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of hMSCs in osteogenic medium as compared with the polymer control. A novel implant design was employed to develop implants from dense, extruded materials, suitable for testing osteoinductivity in vivo. In a preliminary study in dogs, PLA/HA composite implants induced heterotopic bone formation upon 12-week intramuscular implantation in all animals, in contrast to PLA control, which was not osteoinductive. Unlike in vitro, a more pronounced degradation of PLA was observed in vivo as compared with PLA/HA composite.
In Vivo Brain Dialysis Study of the Somatodendritic Release of Serotonin in the Raphe Nuclei of the Rat: Effects of 8‐Hydroxy‐2‐(Di‐n‐Propylamino)tetralin

Abstract: The characteristics of the serotonin (5‐HT) output in the dorsal and median raphe nuclei of the rat were studied using in vivo microdialysis. The basal output of 5‐HT increased after KC1 was added to the perfusion fluid. In contrast, neither the omission of calcium ions nor the addition of 0.5 nM tetrodotoxin affected dialysate 5‐HT or 5‐hy‐droxyindoleacetic acid (5‐H1AA). Reserpine did not decrease the output of 5‐HT and 5‐HIAA 24 h later and p‐chloroamphetamine increased 5‐HT in both vehicle‐ and reserpine‐treated rats severalfold. 8‐Hydroxy‐2‐(di‐n‐pro‐pylamino)tetralin (8‐OH‐DPAT), at 1 or 10 μM, perfused into the raphe did not change the outputs of 5‐HT or 5‐HIAA. Higher doses (0.1, Land 10 mM) increased extracellular 5‐HT in the raphe, probably via an inhibition of uptake. In animals bearing two probes (raphe nuclei and ventral hippocampus), only the 10 vaM dose of 8‐OH‐DPAT perfused into the raphe decreased the hippocampal output of 5‐HT and 5‐HIAA. The systemic injection of 0.1 mg/kg 8‐OH‐DPAT decreased dialysate 5‐HT and 5‐HIAA in the raphe and hippocampus. These results suggest that extracellular 5‐HT in raphe nuclei originates from a cytoplasmic pool and is not dependent on either nerve impulse of 5‐HT neurons or local activation of 5‐HT1A receptors.
Vitamin E supplementation increases LDL resistance to ex vivo oxidation in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND Oxidative stress and alterations in lipid metabolism observed in hemodialysis patients potentiate the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidability, recognized as a key event during early atherogenesis. OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of an oral vitamin E supplementation on oxidative stress markers and LDL oxidability in hemodialysis patients. METHODS Fourteen hemodialysis patients and six healthy volunteers were given oral vitamin E (500 mg/day) for six months. Oxidative stress was assessed using: plasma and lipoprotein vitamin E levels [high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) procedure]; thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS, Yaggi method); and copper-induced LDL oxidation. All parameters were evaluated before initiation of vitamin E supplementation, and at three and six months thereafter. RESULTS At baseline, a significantly higher TBARS concentration and a higher LDL oxidability were observed in hemodialysis patients when compared to controls. After six months of vitamin E supplementation, TBARS and LDL oxidability were normalized in hemodialysis patients. CONCLUSION Our data confirm that hemodialysis patients are exposed to oxidative stress and increased susceptibility to ex vivo LDL oxidation. Since oral vitamin E supplementation prevents oxidative stress and significantly increases LDL resistance to ex vivo oxidation, supplementation by natural antioxidants such as vitamin E may be beneficial in hemodialysis patients.
Efficient Clearance of Early Apoptotic Cells by Human Macrophages Requires M2c Polarization and MerTK Induction

Mer tyrosine kinase (MerTK) is a major macrophage apoptotic cell (AC) receptor. Its functional impairment promotes autoimmunity and atherosclerosis, whereas overexpression correlates with poor prognosis in cancer. However, little is known about mechanisms regulating MerTK expression in humans. We found that MerTK expression is heterogenous among macrophage subsets, being mostly restricted to anti-inflammatory M2c (CD14+CD16+CD163+CD204+CD206+CD209−) cells, differentiated by M-CSF or glucocorticoids. Small numbers of MerTK+ “M2c-like” cells are also detectable among circulating CD14brightCD16+ monocytes. MerTK expression levels adapt to changing immunologic environment, being suppressed in M1 and M2a macrophages and in dendritic cells. Remarkably, although glucocorticoid-induced differentiation is IL-10 independent, M-CSF–driven M2c polarization and related MerTK upregulation require IL-10. However, neither IL-10 alone nor TGF-β are sufficient to fully differentiate M2c (CD16+CD163+MerTK+) macrophages. M-CSF and IL-10, both released by T lymphocytes, may thus be required together to promote regulatory T cell–mediated induction of anti-inflammatory monocytes-macrophages. MerTK enables M2c macrophages to clear early ACs more efficiently than other macrophage subsets, and it mediates AC clearance by CD14brightCD16+ monocytes. Moreover, M2c cells release Gas6, which in turn amplifies IL-10 secretion via MerTK. IL-10–dependent induction of the Gas6/MerTK pathway may, therefore, constitute a positive loop for M2c macrophage homeostasis and a critical checkpoint for maintenance of anti-inflammatory conditions. Our findings give new insight into human macrophage polarization and favor a central role for MerTK in regulation of macrophage functions. Eliciting M2c polarization can have therapeutic utility for diseases such as lupus, in which a defective AC clearance contributes to initiate and perpetuate the pathological process.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort

Large‐scale, prospective cohort studies have played a critical role in discovering factors that contribute to variability in cancer risk in human populations. Epidemiologists and volunteers at the American Cancer Society (ACS) were among the first to establish such cohorts, beginning in the early 1950s and continuing through the present, and these ACS cohorts have made landmark contributions in many areas of epidemiologic research.
Momentum and Low Volatility During the History

The ever-presence of stock market anomalies poses a serious challenge to the market efficiency theory as well as to the researchers who seek for an explanation for these anomalies. However, most of these anomalies do not work consistently in different periods of time or markets. Low volatility and Momentum are two of the anomalies which have been confirmed to work in an extensive range of settings. This paper takes another look at these two anomalies during the entire history of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and London Stock Exchange (LSE), two of the biggest and most historically important exchanges in the world. Surprisingly, I do not find evidence of Low Volatility and Momentum anomaly in these markets. Instead, reverse effects of these anomalies are found in the NYSE dataset. The lack of consistency in performance of these anomalies between different markets and periods of time may imply that these investing tactics are not entirely riskless.
Board structures, liberal countries, and developed market economies. Do they matter in environmental reporting? An international outlook

This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article: Board structures, liberal countries, and developed market economies. Do they matter in environmental reporting? An international outlook, which has been published in final form at: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2275. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.
Support for mothers, fathers and families after perinatal death.

BACKGROUND Provision of an empathetic, sensitive, caring environment and strategies to support mothers, fathers and their families experiencing perinatal death are now an accepted part of maternity services in many countries. Interventions such as psychological support or counselling, or both, have been suggested to improve outcomes for parents and families after perinatal death. OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of any form of intervention (i.e. medical, nursing, midwifery, social work, psychology, counselling or community-based) on parents and families who experience perinatal death. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (28 January 2013) and article bibliographies. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised trials of any form of support aimed at encouraging acceptance of loss, bereavement counselling, or specialised psychotherapy or counselling for mothers, fathers and families experiencing perinatal death. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently assessed eligibility of trials. MAIN RESULTS No trials were included. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Primary healthcare interventions and a strong family and social support network are invaluable to parents and families around the time a baby dies. However, due to the lack of high-quality randomised trials conducted in this area, the true benefits of currently existing interventions aimed at providing support for mothers, fathers and families experiencing perinatal death is unclear. Further, the currently available evidence around the potential detrimental effects of some interventions (e.g. seeing and holding a deceased baby) remains inconclusive at this point in time. However, some well-designed descriptive studies have shown that, under the right circumstances and guided by compassionate, sensitive, experienced staff, parents' experiences of seeing and holding their deceased baby is often very positive. The sensitive nature of this topic and small sample sizes, make it difficult to develop rigorous clinical trials. Hence, other research designs may further inform practice in this area. Where justified, methodologically rigorous trials are needed. However, methodologically rigorous trials should be considered comparing different approaches to support.