Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transforming growth factor β mediates communication of co‐cultured human nucleus pulposus cells and mesenchymal stem cells

Intervertebral disc (IVD) consists of surrounding tissue annulus fibrosus and central nucleus pulposus, which are partially degenerative in scoliotic IVDs. Successful regeneration of scoliotic alterations requires cognition of critical paracrine mediators of cell‐to‐cell contact in the IVD. In this work, we hypothesized that transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) is involved in the intercellular communication of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). We observed that in cultured NPCs TGF‐β1 stimulated COL1A1 expression, encoding collagen I, and in MSCs stimulated COL1A1 and SOX9 expressions. We subsequently co‐cultured NPCs and MSCs together using direct and indirect transwell systems. The expression of miR‐140 and miR‐145 were decreased in co‐cultured NPCs. We observed that direct co‐culture system stronger than the indirect system decreased expression of three miRNA. The expression of COL1A1, ACAN, encoding aggrecan, and SOX9 genes was increased in MSCs co‐cultured with NPCs. Co‐cultures were incubated with two inhibitors of TGF‐β type I receptor: SB‐431542 and SB‐525334. In co‐cultured NPCs, SB‐431542 and SB‐525334 annulated downregulation of miR‐140 and miR‐145. In MSCs these inhibitors diminished stimulation of COL1A1, ACAN, and SOX9. We concluded that stimulation of COL1A1, ACAN, and SOX9 in co‐cultured MSCs and regulation of miR‐140 and miR‐145 in NPCs were TGF‐β‐dependent and TGF‐β is involved in the communication of NPCs and MSCs in co‐culture. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:3023–3032, 2018.
Evaluation of the Relationship between Carcinoembryonic Antigen and TNM Stage in Colorectal Cancer.

Objective We aimed to examine the relationship between carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in the preoperative period and TNM (T: primary tumor, N: lymph node, M: distant metastasis or metastasis) staging in patients with colorectal cancer in our region. Materials and Methods In the present study, 752 cases diagnosed with colorectal cancer between January 1992 and December 2010 we analyzed retrospectively. Results Data of 752 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer between 1992 and 2010 were evaluated; of the 752 patients, 427 (56.8%) were males and 325 (43.2%) were females with the mean age of 56.8±14.9 years. CEA levels of 316 cases were measured; 52.2% of the samples were within normal limits. Cases with CEA ≤5 ng/mL were majorly in Stage III, whereas those with CEA >5 ng/mL were predominantly in Stage IV. The TNM stage, tumor diameter, and differentiation levels were defined, and no statistically significant relationship was detected between these parameters and CEA levels. Conclusion While the CEA levels of 52.2% of participating cases were within normal limits, there was no statistically significant relationship between the CEA levels and differentiation level of tumor, tumor diameter, and TNM staging. According to the data, CEA levels may be within normal limits in the majority of patients with colorectal cancer. Therefore, normal levels of CEA will not rule out colorectal cancer diagnosis, and it can be concluded that these patients should be investigated in detail.
Abnormal Atrial Activation at Surface Electrocardiogram Examination in Born Underweight Young Adults.

Introduction Recent published data demonstrated how subjects born preterm are at higher risk of developing early atrial fibrillation (AF). Materials and Methods The surface ECG of twenty-four adults, former preterm infants born with an extremely low birth weight (ex-ELBW; mean age at study: 23.2±3.3 years; mean gestational age: 27.8±2.3 weeks; mean birth weight: 840±120.1 grams), were compared with those of 24 healthy counterparts born at term (C). A few parameters known to be capable of predicting a predisposition to develop AF were examined: P wave duration and dispersion, P terminal force, isoelectric interval length, PR interval length, and advanced interatrial blocks. Results A shorter PR interval length was found in ex-ELBW compared to C (p<0.0003) as well as longer P wave duration and dispersion, p terminal force, and isoelectric interval (p<0.0001, p<0.0001, p<0.01, and p<0.0004, respectively). Four cases of advanced interatrial block were detected in ex-ELBW, and none in C (p<0.0001). P wave duration, PR interval length, and P wave dispersion were significantly correlated with birth weight (r=0.51 p<0.01, r=0.46 p<0.02, and r=0.42 p<0.04, respectively). When excluding the possible influence of gestational age on birth weight, P wave duration and dispersion were found to be the only statistically significant determinants of abnormal atrial electrical activation (p<0.03 and p<0.04, respectively). On the contrary, when excluding the possible influence of birth weight on gestational age, only P wave duration remained statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion Surface ECG findings of abnormal atrial activity in ex-ELBW may explain their previously reported predisposition to developing AF.
Assessing Cochlear Implant Performance in Older Adults Using a Single, Universal Outcome Measure Created With Imputation in HERMES.

OBJECTIVE In the era of big data, it is critical to aggregate results across different institutions. This is a major challenge for cochlear implant (CI) research given multiple, incompatible outcome measures. We use a large, national CI database to develop a formula to convert between the two most common measures: Consonant-Nucleus-Consonant word (CNCw) and Arizona Biomedical (AzBio). We then use this tool to analyze hearing outcomes in older adults with a single, universal outcome measure. STUDY DESIGN Analysis of a prospective, national cochlear implant database (HERMES). SETTING Multicentered, 32 US private practice and academic medical centers. PATIENTS CI subjects (n = 386, n = 430 ears; 10-102 years old; mean: 65). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) CNCw, AzBio. RESULTS Univariable linear regression equations were generated relating CNCw and AzBio scores at each time-point. Correlation (R) was 0.71 (3 mo), 0.69 (6 mo), 0.63 (12 mo), and 0.56 (24 mo) (all p < 0.01). Using these equations, missing outcomes (CNCw, n = 83 or AZBio, n = 96) were imputed (calculated). The average absolute difference between observed and imputed CNCw (when both present) was 10.5% (95% CI = 9.8-11.3). On multivariable regression, age was not a significant predictor of CNCw (p = 0.38) after controlling for sex, hearing loss duration, use, and postoperative follow-up duration. CONCLUSIONS We generated simple linear regression equations to calculate CNCw scores from AzBio, and vice versa, with good accuracy. This allowed one of the largest analyses of CI performance in older adults to date. We confirm that older age is not a significant predictor of performance when controlling for confounders.
Allyl Isothiocyanate Ameliorates Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis in Mouse by Enhancing Tight Junction and Mucin Expression

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic or recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Even though the current strategies to treat IBD include anti-inflammatory drugs and immune modulators, these treatments have side-effects. New strategies are, therefore, required to overcome the limitations of the therapies. In this study, we investigated the anti-colitic effects of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), which is an active ingredient present in Wasabia japonica. The DSS-induced colitis model in the mouse was used to mimic human IBD and we observed that AITC treatment ameliorated the severity of colitis. We further studied the mechanism involved to ameliorate the colitis. To investigate the involvement of AITC on the intestinal barrier function, the effect on the intercellular tight junction was evaluated in the Caco-2 cell line while mucin expression was assessed in the LS174T cell line. AITC positively regulated tight junction proteins and mucin 2 (MUC2) against DSS-induced damage or depletion. Our data of in vivo studies were also consistent with the in vitro results. Furthermore, we observed that MUC2 increased by AITC is dependent on ERK signaling. In conclusion, we propose that AITC can be considered as a new strategy for treating IBD by modulating tight junction proteins and mucin.
Effect of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Program on Opioid Use and Patient-Reported Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program on perioperative outcomes with an emphasis on opioid consumption and patient-reported outcomes in the immediate and extended postoperative periods. METHODS We initiated our ERAS program as part of a quality improvement initiative in November 2014. We compared clinical outcomes among a cohort of 607 women undergoing open gynecologic surgery before or after implementation of ERAS. For 293 patients, patient-reported outcomes were compared using the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Ovarian Cancer. RESULTS Median age was 58 years (range 18-85 years). Median length of stay decreased by 25% for patients in the ERAS pathway (P<.001). Overall, patients in the ERAS group had a 72% reduction in median opioid consumption and 16% were opioid-free during admission up to postoperative day 3 (P<.001). There was no difference in pain scores (P=.80). Patients on ERAS reported less fatigue (P=.01), interference with walking (P=.003), and total interference (composite score of physical and affective measures) during hospitalization (P=.008). After discharge, those on the ERAS pathway demonstrated a significantly shorter median time to return to no or mild fatigue (10 vs 30 days, P=.03), mild or no interference with walking (5 vs 13 days, P=.003), and mild to no total interference (3 vs 13 days, P=.02). There were no significant differences in complications, rates of readmission, or reoperation between the pre- and post-ERAS groups. CONCLUSION Implementation of an ERAS program was associated with significantly decreased opioid use after surgery and improvement in key patient-reported outcomes associated with functional recovery after surgery without compromising pain scores.
Bronchiectasis: a case-based approach to investigation and management

Bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory disease characterised by a syndrome of productive cough and recurrent respiratory infections due to permanent dilatation of the bronchi. Bronchiectasis represents the final common pathway of different disorders, some of which may require specific treatment. Therefore, promptly identifying the aetiology of bronchiectasis is recommended by the European Respiratory Society guidelines. The clinical history and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) features can be useful to detect the underlying causes. Despite a strong focus on this aspect of treatment a high proportion of patients remain classified as “idiopathic”. Important underlying conditions that are treatable are frequently not identified for prolonged periods of time. The European Respiratory Society guidelines for bronchiectasis recommend a minimal bundle of tests for diagnosing the cause of bronchiectasis, consisting of immunoglobulins, testing for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and full blood count. Other testing is recommended to be conducted based on the clinical history, radiological features and severity of disease. Therefore it is essential to teach clinicians how to recognise the “clinical phenotypes” of bronchiectasis that require specific testing. This article will present the initial investigation and management of bronchiectasis focussing particularly on the HRCT features and clinical features that allow recognition of specific causes. Bronchiectasis is a heterogeneous disease with diverse clinical presentation. Careful history, review of radiological features and laboratory testing are required to identify the underlying diagnosis. http://ow.ly/RDF730koTxu
Anticancer effects of Carvone in myeloma cells is mediated through the inhibition of p38 MAPK signalling pathway, apoptosis induction and inhibition of cell invasion.

PURPOSE There is accumulating evidence indicating that plant-derived monoterpenes have impressive health-promoting effects, among them anticancer, antimicrobial and many other activities. Carvone is an important monoterpene with pharmacological potential. In the current study we investigated the anticancer effects of carvone in myeloma KMS-5 cells. METHODS The cell viability was estimated by MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected by DAPI, acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) and annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining. Cell cycle analysis was done by flow cytometry. Cell invasion was determined by martigel invasion assay and protein expression was checked by western blotting. RESULTS The results of the present study indicated carvone exerts significant anticancer effects on the myeloma cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 of carvone was found to be 20 μM against the myeloma KMS-5 cells. The antiproliferative effects were due to induction of apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest. Moreover, carvone could inhibit the cell invasion and the expression of p-P38 protein at IC50. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the results indicate that carvone could prove to be an important molecule for the development of natural product-based anticancer therapy, especially against myeloma.
New Protocol Avoiding Tube Feed Interruptions in Critically Ill Patients Requiring Tracheostomy

Current anesthesia guidelines require tube feed (TF) interruption for at least four hours before tracheostomy. We hypothesized that preprocedural TF interruption is not required before tracheostomy. We developed a protocol allowing continued feeding. Fifty-six patients undergoing tracheostomy with or without percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement were included. Eleven patients underwent tracheostomy without TF interruption (TF group); the remaining 45 patients had TFs held per the existing anesthesia protocol (nil per os group). Data were collected by retrospective chart review. The groups were similar with regard to age, sex, race, risk of mortality, and preoperative albumin levels (3.2 vs 2.9 g/dL). There was no difference in pulmonary complications. No intraoperative aspiration occurred in either group, and there was no increase in mortality in the TF group (9.1 vs 22.2%, P = 0.43). The TF group had feeds held for 9.5 ± 6.3 vs 25.4 ± 19.0 hours (P = 0.0018). The TF group had a decreased missed caloric intake [761.5 ± 566.6 vs 1983.5 ± 1590.8 kcal (P = 0.0039)]. The TF group had a shorter time from consultation [40.4 vs 50.6 hours (P = 0.54)] and case booking [7.9 vs 12.8 hours (P = 0.40)] to the OR. The average length of stay for the TF group was 26.3 versus 31.1 days (P = 0.45). There was no increase in pulmonary complications or mortality in the fed patients, who experienced less procedural delays. Meanwhile, patients kept nil per os sustained a substantial caloric deficit. Tracheostomy without TF interruption is feasible and reduces malnutrition.
Moped Crashes are Just as Dangerous as Motorcycle Crashes

Mopeds’ (MP) limited speed gives the impression that they are safer than motorcycles (MCs), but factors other than speed may contribute to crash outcome. Records of patients involved in MC or MP crashes evaluated at the University of Louisville Hospital emergency department between 2010 and 2014 were reviewed. Among patients who required hospital admission, the frequency of rib fractures, hemo- or pneumothorax, abdominal injury, extremity injury, and vertebral body fractures were greater in the MC group, whereas head and facial injuries were more common in the MP group. Positive toxicology screens were equivalent (MC 51.8% vs MP 56.8%, P = 0.25), and fewer MP riders wore helmets (33.8% vs 9.2%, P < 0.01). The injury severity score for MC was higher (15.2 vs 13.9, P = 0.039), but mortality was equivalent between groups (7.5 vs 7.6%, P = 0.98). Among patients discharged from the emergency department with minor injuries, frequency of all injury types were equivalent. Although MC patients had a statistically higher injury severity score, differences were clinically similar with equal mortality rate. Moped riders are just as likely to suffer death or serious injury after a crash compared with MC riders, and injury prevention efforts should be aimed at both groups.
The salivary microbiome of diabetic and non‐diabetic adults with periodontal disease

BACKGROUND A comparison of the salivary microbiome of non-diabetic and diabetic cohorts having periodontal health, gingivitis and periodontitis could reveal microbial signatures unique to each group that will increase understanding of the role of oral microbiota in the pathogenesis of disease, and assist with diagnosis and risk assessment for both periodontal disease and diabetes. METHODS A group of individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D) was compared with a group without T2D. For both the diabetic and non-diabetic cohorts, three subgroups were established: periodontal health, gingivitis, and periodontitis. Salivary DNA was extracted (n = 146), polymerase chain reaction was performed to amplify 16S rRNA hypervariable region V3-V4, and constructed libraries were sequenced and subjected to bioinformatic and statistical analyses. RESULTS Microbiome analysis resulted in 88 different genus level operational taxonomic units (OTUs) for differential abundance testing. Results were largely described by two trends. Trend 1 showed OTUs that increased in abundance with increasing periodontal disease, and in diabetics relative to non-diabetics. Trend 1 OTUs comprised a mix of primarily anaerobic commensals and potential periodontopathogens. Trend 2 was driven primarily by genera that decreased in abundance in those with diabetes relative to those without diabetes, which included other anaerobes associated with periodontal disease. Overall, oral microbial diversity decreased in diabetics and increased with progression of periodontal disease compared with periodontally healthy controls. CONCLUSION Although select microbiota increased in both diabetes and periodontal disease progression, these genera decreased in co-existing diabetes and periodontal disease. These findings suggest that the genera abundance continues to change with additional stress imposed by co-existing conditions.
Syntactic Theory: A Formal Introduction

This second edition of "Syntactic Theory: A Formal Introduction" expands and improves upon a truly unique introductory syntax textbook. Like the first edition its focus is on the development of precisely formulated grammars whose empirical predictions can be directly tested. There is also considerable emphasis on the prediction and evaluation of grammatical hypotheses, as well as on integrating syntactic hypotheses with matters of semantic analysis. The book covers the core areas of English syntax from the last quarter century, including complementation, control, "raising constructions", passives, the auxiliary system, and the analysis of long distance dependency constructions. "Syntactic Theory's" step-by-step introduction to a consistent grammar in these core areas is complemented by extensive problem sets drawing from a variety of languages. The book's theoretical perspective is presented in the context of current models of language processing, and the practical value of the constraint-based, lexicalist grammatical architecture proposed has already been demonstrated in computer language processing applications. This thoroughly reworked second edition includes revised and extended problems sets, updated analyses, additional examples and more detailed exposition throughout.
Partial swing golf shots: scaled from full swing or independent technique?

Abstract During practice and competition, golfers are required to use submaximal effort to hit the ball a given distance, i.e., perform a partial shot. While the full golf swing has undergone extensive research, little has addressed partial shots and the biomechanical modifications golfers employ. This study investigates the biomechanical changes between full and partial swings, and determines if the partial swing is a scaled version of the full swing. Using a repeated measures design, 13 male golfers completed a minimum of 10 swings in the full and partial swing conditions, whilst club, ball, kinematic, and kinetic parameters were recorded. Large and statistically significant reductions in body motion (centre of pressure ellipse: 33.0%, p = 0.004, d = 2.26), combined with moderate reductions in lateral shift (25.5%, p = 0.004, d = 0.33) and smaller reductions in trunk rotation (arm to vertical at top of backswing: 14.1%, p = 0.002, d = 2.58) indicate golfers favour larger reductions in proximal measures, combined with diminished reductions as variables moved distally. Furthermore, the partial swing was not found to be a scaled version of the full swing implying a new approach to coaching practices might be considered.
Knowledge and Assertion in Korean

Evidence from life science, cognitive science, and philosophy supports the hypothesis that knowledge is a central norm of the human practice of assertion. However, to date, the experimental evidence supporting this hypothesis is limited to American anglophones. If the hypothesis is correct, then such findings will not be limited to one language or culture. Instead, we should find a strong connection between knowledge and assertability across human languages and cultures. To begin testing this prediction, we conducted three experiments on Koreans in Korean. In each case, the findings replicated prior results observed in Americans and were corroborated by key findings from new replication studies on Americans using materials back-translated from Korean. These findings support the theory that there is a core, cross-culturally robust human practice of assertion and that, according to the rules of this practice, assertions should express knowledge.
MDCKpred: a web-tool to calculate MDCK permeability coefficient of small molecule using membrane-interaction chemical features

Abstract Structure-based models to understand the transport of small molecules through biological membrane can be developed by enumerating intermolecular interactions of the small molecule with a biological membrane, usually a dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) monolayer. This ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) property based on Madin–Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cell line demonstrates intestinal drug absorption of small molecules and correlated to human intestinal absorption which acts as a determining factor to forecast small-molecule prioritization in drug-discovery projects. We present here the development of MDCKpred web-tool which calculates MDCK permeability coefficient of small molecule based on the regression model, developed using membrane-interaction chemical features. The web-tool allows users to calculate the MDCK permeability coefficient (nm/s) instantly by providing simple descriptor inputs. The chemical-interaction features are derived from different parts of the DMPC molecule viz. head, middle, and tail regions and accounts overall intermolecular contacts of the small molecule when passively diffused through the phospholipid-rich biological membrane. The MDCKpred model is both internally (R2 = .76; = .68; Rtrain = .87; Rtest = .69) and externally (Rext = .55) validated. Furthermore, we used natural molecules as application examples to demonstrate its utility in lead exploration and optimization projects. The MDCKpred web-tool can be accessed freely at http://www.mdckpred. in. This web-tool is designed to offer an intuitive way of prioritizing small molecules based on calculated MDCK permeabilities.