Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pregnancy-Related Immune Changes and Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System

Demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system comprise a heterogeneous group of autoimmune disorders characterized by myelin loss with relative sparing of axons occurring on a background of inflammation. Some of the most common demyelinating diseases are multiple sclerosis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. Besides showing clinical, radiological, and histopathological features that complicate their diagnosis, demyelinating diseases often involve different immunological processes that produce distinct inflammatory patterns. Evidence of demyelination diseases derives mostly from animal studies of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model that relies on direct antibody–antigen interactions induced by encephalitogenic T cells. Pregnancy is characterized by non-self-recognition, immunomodulatory changes and an altered Th1/Th2 balance, generally considered a Th2-type immunological state that protects the mother from infections. During pregnancy, the immune response of patients with autoimmune disease complicated with pregnancy is different. Immune tolerance in pregnancy may affect the course of some diseases, which may reach remission or be exacerbated. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the immune status during pregnancy and discuss the relationship between pregnancy-related immune changes and demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system.
Dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty for female urethral stricture improves sexual function: Short-term results of a prospective study using vaginal graft

Introduction: Both dorsal and ventral approaches are acceptable options for the surgical reconstruction of female urethral strictures (FUS), but damage to the sphincter and the clitoral nerves resulting in sexual dysfunction is the chief argument against the dorsal approach. Most of the reported case series are retrospective and none has evaluated sexual functions. This study prospectively evaluates the early sexual and functional results after dorsal onlay vaginal graft urethroplasty (DVGU) for FUS. Materials and Methods: All women with a history of obstructive voiding symptoms and previous urethral dilatation were evaluated with urodynamic study, voiding cystourethrography, and cystoscopy for the presence of FUS, which was defined as visual demonstration of anatomical narrowing on urethro-cystoscopy. DVGU was offered as a definitive management for all those identified with FUS. Surgical outcomes were assessed at 3 and 6 months with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), uroflowmetry, and postvoid residual (PVR) estimation. For sexually active females, sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI) score both preoperatively and at 3 months following surgery. Results: Seventy-one women were evaluated. FUS was identified in 29 women (flimsy in 12 and dense in 17). Thirteen women with dense strictures underwent DVGU. The mean improvement in the IPSS score, Qmax, and PVR was 12.6, 16.64 ml/s, and 103.08 ml at 3 months, respectively. The FSFI score improved with a mean of 6.42 points after urethroplasty. None of the patients developed incontinence. There were three failures after a mean follow-up of 8.5 months. Conclusion: The early functional results after DVGU are good without any negative impact on the continence or the sexual functions.
RNA-Dependent Regulation of Virulence in Pathogenic Bacteria

During infection, bacterial pathogens successfully sense, respond and adapt to a myriad of harsh environments presented by the mammalian host. This exquisite level of adaptation requires a robust modulation of their physiological and metabolic features. Additionally, virulence determinants, which include host invasion, colonization and survival despite the host's immune responses and antimicrobial therapy, must be optimally orchestrated by the pathogen at all times during infection. This can only be achieved by tight coordination of gene expression. A large body of evidence implicate the prolific roles played by bacterial regulatory RNAs in mediating gene expression both at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. This review describes mechanistic and regulatory aspects of bacterial regulatory RNAs and highlights how these molecules increase virulence efficiency in human pathogens. As illustrative examples, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, the uropathogenic strain of Escherichia coli, Helicobacter pylori, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been selected.
Preclinical Evidence and Possible Mechanisms of Extracts or Compounds from Cistanches for Alzheimer’s Disease

Currently, disease-modified strategies to prevent, halt or reverse the progress of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are still lacking. Previous studies indicated extracts or compounds from Cistanches (ECC) exert a potential neuroprotective effect against AD. Thus, we conducted a preclinical systematic review to assess preclinical evidence and possible mechanisms of ECC in experimental AD. A systematical searching strategy was carried out across seven databases from their inceptions to July 2018. Twenty studies with 1696 rats or mice were involved. Neurobehavioral function indices as primary outcome measures were established by the Morris water maze test (n = 11), step-down test (n = 10), electrical Y-maze test (n = 4), step-through test (n = 3), open field test (n = 2) and passage water maze test (n = 1). Compared with controls, the results of the meta-analysis showed ECC exerted a significant effect in decreasing the escape latency, error times and wrong reaction latency in both the training test and the retention test, and in increasing the exact time and the percentage of time in the platform-quadrant and the number of platform crossings (all P<0.01). In conclusion, ECC exert potential neuroprotective effects in experimental AD, mainly through mechanisms involving antioxidant stress and antiapoptosic effects, inhibiting Aβ deposition and tau protein hyperphosphorylation and promoting synapse protection. Thus, ECC could be a candidate for AD treatment and further clinical trials.
Pneumocystis jirovecii in Spanish Patients With Heart Failure

Objective: Pneumocystis colonization is frequent in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) producing local and systemic inflammation. Heart failure is also a common comorbidity among patients with COPD. Heart failure is a chronic, frequent, and disabling condition with high morbidity and mortality, but with a modifiable course where endothelial dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension have great importance. Animal models have shown that Pneumocystis infection can cause relevant functionally changes in vascular responses in the lung, promoting the development of pulmonary hypertension. Pneumocystis colonization could be a hidden cause of worsening heart failure through it capacity to induce inflammatory response with subsequent endothelial dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of Pneumocystis jirovecii colonization in heart failure patients and its possible association with reduced or preserved ejection fraction. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out including 36 heart failure patients and 36 control cases. Identification of P. jirovecii colonization was performed by means of molecular techniques in oropharyngeal washing. Results: Pneumocystis-DNA was identified in oropharyngeal washing in 1 (2.7%) of 36 heart failure patients and in 3 (8.3%) of 36 controls. Conclusions: Pneumocystis colonization does not seem to have a role in the pathophysiology of heart failure.
Seeding Public Goods Is Essential for Maintaining Cooperation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Quorum sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa controls the production of costly public goods such as exoproteases. This cooperative behavior is susceptible to social cheating by mutants that do not invest in the exoprotease production but assimilate the amino acids and peptides derived by the hydrolysis of proteins in the extracellular media. In sequential cultures with protein as the sole carbon source, these social cheaters are readily selected and often reach equilibrium with the exoprotease producers. Nevertheless, an excess of cheaters causes the collapse of population growth. In this work, using the reference strain PA14 and a clinical isolate from a burn patient, we demonstrate that the initial amount of public goods (exoprotease) that comes with the inoculum in each sequential culture is essential for maintaining population growth and that eliminating the exoprotease in the inoculum leads to rapid population collapse. Therefore, our results suggest that sequential washes should be combined with public good inhibitors to more effectively combat P. aeruginosa infections.
ST2 and REG3α as Predictive Biomarkers After Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplantation Using Post-transplantation High-Dose Cyclophosphamide

Allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a curative procedure for several hematological malignancies. Haploidentical HSCT (haplo-HSCT) using high-dose post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) makes transplantation possible for patients with no HLA-matched sibling donor. However, this treatment can cause complications, mainly infection, graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD), and conditioning-related toxicity. In recent years, different biomarkers in the form of tissue-specific proteins have been investigated; these may help us to predict complications of allo-HSCT. In this study we explored two such biomarkers, suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) and regenerating islet-derived 3α (REG3α), in the largest series reported of T cell–replete haplo-HSCT with PTCy. Plasma samples drawn from 87 patients at days +15 and +30 were analyzed. ST2 and REG3α levels at day +15 were not associated with post-transplant complications. ST2 levels at day +30 were higher in patients with grade II-IV acute GVHD, mainly those who received reduced intensity conditioning (RIC; median 2,503 vs. 1,830 ng/ml; p = 0.04). Of note, patients with higher plasma ST2 levels at day +30 also presented a higher incidence of non-relapse mortality (HR, 7.9; p = 0.004) and lower 2-year overall survival (25 vs. 44 months; p = 0.02) than patients with lower levels. Patients with REG3α levels higher than 1,989 pg/ml at day +30 presented a higher incidence of acute gastrointestinal GVHD in the whole cohort (HR, 8.37; p = 0.003) and in the RIC cohort (HR 6.59; p = 0.01). These data suggest that measurement of ST2 and REG3α might be useful for the prognosis and prediction of complications in patients undergoing haplo-HSCT with PTCy.
Bactericidal and Anti-biofilm Activity of the Retinoid Compound CD437 Against Enterococcus faecalis

Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), a biofilm-forming pathogen, causes nosocomial infections. In recent years, drug resistance by enterococci has become increasingly severe due to widespread antibiotic abuse. Therefore, novel antibacterial agents are urgently needed. In this study, the synthetic retinoid compound CD437 was found to have potent bactericidal effect on E. faecalis. In addition, CD437 exhibited synergistic effects when administered in combination with gentamicin and additive effects when combined with ceftriaxone sodium. CD437 also inhibited biofilm formation by E. faecalis and exerted bactericidal effect on mature biofilm. Moreover, CD437 exhibited antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects against Staphylococcus. No bactericidal action of CD437 was observed against the gram-negative bacillus, but Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) matrix formation was reduced. Overall, these findings indicate that CD437 has the potential to be developed as a novel antibacterial drug.
Nonneoplastic Cystic Lesions of the Central Nervous System—Histomorphological Spectrum: A Study of 538 Cases

Abstract Background A wide spectrum of non-neoplastic cystic lesions can occur in the central nervous system (CNS). These are uncommon, benign and of diverse aetiology, pathogenesis and clinical presentation.The spectrum of these lesion varies based on the location and in turn histogenesis. Objectives To evaluate the pathologic spectrum of non-neoplastic cystic lesions in the CNS (both developmental and acquired) and highlight the role of histopathology in the diagnosis of these cystic lesions. Settings and Design This was a retrospective study done at Department of Neuropathology,NIMHANS. Materials and Methods All the histologically diagnosed non-neoplastic cystic lesions of CNS submitted to the Department of Neuropathology between 2014 and 2017 were reviewed in this study. The data was analysed in relation to the type of cysts, location(intracranial and spinal), and clinical profile using SPSS software version 17.0. Results The study included 538 cases with patient age ranging from 5 months to 90 years [M:F:1:1.05]. Non-infective cysts (489/538, 90.8%) predominated over the infective cysts (49/539, 9.2%) with epidermoid cysts (132/538, 24.5%) being the most frequent one followed by colloid cysts (126/538, 23.4%) and arachnoid cysts (111/538,20.6%). The most common infective cyst was neurocysticercosis (42/538, 7.8%) followed by hydatid cyst (7/538, 1.3%). Intracranial cysts (415/538, 77.1%) were more common than spinal ones (123/538, 22.9%). Conclusions: A variety of cystic lesions occur in the CNS with overlapping clinical features, image findings and lining. Hence, histological analysis plays a crucial role in the evaluation of these lesions.
Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) with EUS-FNA: The ROSE looks beautiful

283 Address for correspondence Dr. Siyu Sun, Endoscopy Center, Liaoning Engineering Technology Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive Endoscopy, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36, Sanhao Street, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China. E-mail: sunsy@sj-hospital.org Received: 2019-09-10; Accepted: 2019-09-22; Published online: 2019-10-01 Rapid on‐site evaluation (ROSE) with EUS‐FNA: The ROSE looks beautiful
Functional Change of Effector Tumor-Infiltrating CCR5+CD38+HLA-DR+CD8+ T Cells in Glioma Microenvironment

Human glioma facilitates an impaired anti-tumor immunity response, including defects in circulation of T lymphocytes. The level of CD8+ T-cell activation acts as an immune regulator associated with disease progression. However, little is known about the characteristics of peripheral and tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells in patients with glioma. In this study, we examined the level of CD8+ T-cell activation in a group of 143 patients with glioma and determined that peripheral CD3+ T cells decreased in accordance with disease severity. The patients' peripheral CD8+ T-cell populations were similar to that of healthy donors, and a small amount of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes was identified in glioma tissues. An increase in activated CD8+ T cells, characterized as CD38+HLA-DR+, and their association with disease progression were identified in the patients' peripheral blood and glioma, and shown to display enriched CCR5+ and TNFR2+ expression levels. Ex vivo examination of CD38+HLA-DR+CD8+ T cells indicated that this subset of cells displayed stronger secretion of IFN-γ and IL-2 before and after a 6-h stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin (ION) relative to healthy CD38+HLA-DR+CD8+ T cells, indicating the functional feasibility of CD38+HLA-DR+CD8+ T cells. Higher CCL5 protein and mRNA levels were identified in glioma tissues, which was consistent with the immunohistochemistry results revealing both CCL5 and CD38+HLA-DR+CD8+ T cell expression. Patients' CCR5+CD38+HLA-DR+CD8+ T cells were further validated and shown to display increases in CD45RA+CCR7− and T-bet+ accompanied by substantial CD107-a, IFN-γ, and Granzyme B levels in response to glioma cells.
Exploring EEG Effective Connectivity Network in Estimating Influence of Color on Emotion and Memory

Color is a perceptual stimulus that has a significant impact on improving human emotion and memory. Studies have revealed that colored multimedia learning materials (MLMs) have a positive effect on learner’s emotion and learning where it was assessed by subjective/objective measurements. This study aimed to quantitatively assess the influence of colored MLMs on emotion, cognitive processes during learning, and long-term memory (LTM) retention using electroencephalography (EEG). The dataset consisted of 45 healthy participants, and MLMs were designed in colored or achromatic illustrations to elicit emotion and that to assess its impact on LTM retention after 30-min and 1-month delay. The EEG signal analysis was first started to estimate the effective connectivity network (ECN) using the phase slope index and expand it to characterize the ECN pattern using graph theoretical analysis. EEG results showed that colored MLMs had influences on theta and alpha networks, including (1) an increased frontal-parietal connectivity (top–down processing), (2) a larger number of brain hubs, (3) a lower clustering coefficient, and (4) a higher local efficiency, indicating that color influences information processing in the brain, as reflected by ECN, together with a significant improvement in learner’s emotion and memory performance. This is evidenced by a more positive emotional valence and higher recall accuracy for groups who learned with colored MLMs than that of achromatic MLMs. In conclusion, this paper demonstrated how the EEG ECN parameters could help quantify the influences of colored MLMs on emotion and cognitive processes during learning.
A TBR1-K228E Mutation Induces Tbr1 Upregulation, Altered Cortical Distribution of Interneurons, Increased Inhibitory Synaptic Transmission, and Autistic-Like Behavioral Deficits in Mice

Mutations in Tbr1, a high-confidence ASD (autism spectrum disorder)-risk gene encoding the transcriptional regulator TBR1, have been shown to induce diverse ASD-related molecular, synaptic, neuronal, and behavioral dysfunctions in mice. However, whether Tbr1 mutations derived from autistic individuals cause similar dysfunctions in mice remains unclear. Here we generated and characterized mice carrying the TBR1-K228E de novo mutation identified in human ASD and identified various ASD-related phenotypes. In heterozygous mice carrying this mutation (Tbr1+/K228E mice), levels of the TBR1-K228E protein, which is unable to bind target DNA, were strongly increased. RNA-Seq analysis of the Tbr1+/K228E embryonic brain indicated significant changes in the expression of genes associated with neurons, astrocytes, ribosomes, neuronal synapses, and ASD risk. The Tbr1+/K228E neocortex also displayed an abnormal distribution of parvalbumin-positive interneurons, with a lower density in superficial layers but a higher density in deep layers. These changes were associated with an increase in inhibitory synaptic transmission in layer 6 pyramidal neurons that was resistant to compensation by network activity. Behaviorally, Tbr1+/K228E mice showed decreased social interaction, increased self-grooming, and modestly increased anxiety-like behaviors. These results suggest that the human heterozygous TBR1-K228E mutation induces ASD-related transcriptomic, protein, neuronal, synaptic, and behavioral dysfunctions in mice.
Marine Heatwave, Harmful Algae Blooms and an Extensive Fish Kill Event During 2013 in South Australia

In 2013, South Australia experienced unusually high and variable water temperatures (5°C above the historic average), with a peak sea surface temperature of approximately 27°C over a wide geographic area covering both gulfs and shelf waters. Over the same period and similar geographic area, a prolonged and widespread marine mortality event occurred. From January to May 2013, low level rates of incidental morbidity and mortality of abalone (Haliotis rubra and H. laevigata) and at least 29 fish species were observed. Mortalities were geographically extensive from Port MacDonnell on the South Coast of South Australia to Point Drummond on Eyre Peninsula, and including two gulf systems, spanning approximately 2,900km of coastline. Mortalities were investigated using gross pathology, histopathology, bacterial culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. Water samples were collected to assess water column nutrient status and phytoplankton biomass levels and community composition. High nutrient concentrations were suggestive of high phytoplankton productivity, with conditions conducive to diatom blooms. A harmful (abrasive) diatom, Chaetoceros coarctatus, was observed in higher concentrations than the historical average. Observed fish mortalities were restricted to a small proportion of the populations and primarily comprised of temperate small-bodied benthic inshore species. Fish histopathology was suggestive of prolonged stress (melanomacrophage aggregation in spleens and kidneys), physical gill damage (focal gill lesions likely caused by C. coarctatus) and lethal bacterial septicaemia. Infectious and notifiable diseases were ruled out in all fish and abalone samples. Abalone mortalities were also restricted to a small proportion of the population with thermal stress a likely contributing factor that resulted in terminal secondary bacterial infections. A marine heatwave event, which promoted blooms of algae, including C. coarctatus, was likely the primary cause of widespread marine mortalities throughout South Australia in 2013. With marine heatwaves projected to increase in frequency, duration and spatial extent, this investigation demonstrated that most at risk will be temperate species in shallow water habitats already at their upper thermal tolerance limits, particularly those with high site fidelity. This should be considered in future climate proofing strategies, including risk and impact assessments underpinning the management of marine resources, fisheries, aquaculture and ecotourism.
Potential antimicrobial properties of streptomyces isolated from Sammuk Mountain soil, Chonburi Province, Thailand

An infection of pathogenic microorganisms can create a big problem for human health. This has triggered the need for discovery and development of antibiotic drugs with altered modes of action. Approximately 45% of antibiotic drugs are derived from Streptomyces, which are the most commonly isolated actinomycete genera. The present investigation aimed to search for and study antimicrobial-producing actinomycetes isolated from soil samples from Sammuk Mountain, Chonburi province, Thailand. A total of 50 isolates from six soil samples were obtained and their actinomycetes were better isolated using humic acid-vitamin agar medium (64.0%) than starch casein nitrate agar medium (36.0%). In addition, the secondary metabolites produced from 13 isolates (26.0%) exhibited a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and yeast. Thus, Sammuk Mountain soil is an important source of antibiotic-producing actinomycetes.
Qualitative Reasoning and Data Mining

In this paper, we introduce a new data mining framework that is based on qualitative reasoning. We consider databases where the item domains are of different types, such as numerical values, time intervals and spatial regions. Then, for the considered tasks, we associate to each item a constraint network in a qualitative formalism representing the relations between all the pairs of objects of the database w.r. t. this item. In this context, the introduced data mining problems consist in discovering qualitative covariations between items. In a sense, our framework can be seen as a generalization of gradual itemset mining. In order to solve the introduced problem, we use a declarative approach based on the satisfiability problem in classical propositional logic (SAT). Indeed, we define SAT encodings where the models represent the desired patterns. 2012 ACM Subject Classification Information systems → Data mining; Information systems → Association rules; Theory of computation → Constraint and logic programming; Computing methodologies → Knowledge representation and reasoning