Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Airway accidents in an intensive care unit

Aim: To document the incidence of airway accidents in the Intensive Care Unit, and to identify the difference in accident rates between short term and long term intubated patients, and between endotracheal intubation and tracheostomy. Design: Prospective, observational non-interventional study. Patients and Methods: All adult patients with either an endotracheal tube or tracheostomy were divided into two groups: intubation for 24 hours, {Long-term intubation/ LTI}. The number of tube days (TDs) were calculated from the day of intubation till the day of extubation, discharge or death. The following airway accidents were noted: blocked tube (BT), unplanned extubations (UE), endobronchial intubation (EBI), kinked tube and leaking cuff. Results: 781 patients (1440 tube days) were studied. 665 patients (951 tube days) required an endotracheal tube. 116 patients (489 tube days) had a tracheostomy. 697 patients (697 tube days) required STI while 84 patients (743 tube days) required LTI. Overall there were 55 airway accidents with an incidence of 7.04% of patients and 3.82 / 100 tube days. The airway accident rate was 4.02 / 100 TD’s and 3.63/ 100 TD’s for STI and LTI, respectively, and 4.21 / 100 TD’s and 3.07 /100 TD’s for endotracheal intuibation and tracheostomy, respectively. Blocked tubes (2.15 per 100 TD’s) and Unplanned extubations (1.32 per 100 TD’s) were the most common airway accidents. Conclusion: The overall incidence of airway accidents was 3.82/ 100 TD’s and 7.04% of patients with no significant difference between STI vs. LTI and endotracheal tube vs. tracheostomy. Control of the airway with the help of a tracheal tube is an important aspect of intensive care. The use of tracheal tubes however is not without complications. The longer a tube stays in-situ, the greater the chances of kinking, blockade and unplanned extubations. All of the above can lead to hypoventilation and hypoxia which are potentially life threatening. The few studies on unplanned extubations have reported an incidence ranging from 0.3 - 30% . 1-2 Significant proportions of those who have an unplanned extubation tolerate it well and do not require reintubation. 6,8 Most of these are associated with minimal or no morbidity. 4 One study of 53 patients however
Giant Reverse Transcriptase-Encoding Transposable Elements at Telomeres

Abstract Transposable elements are omnipresent in eukaryotic genomes and have a profound impact on chromosome structure, function and evolution. Their structural and functional diversity is thought to be reasonably well-understood, especially in retroelements, which transpose via an RNA intermediate copied into cDNA by the element-encoded reverse transcriptase, and are characterized by a compact structure. Here, we report a novel type of expandable eukaryotic retroelements, which we call Terminons. These elements can attach to G-rich telomeric repeat overhangs at the chromosome ends, in a process apparently facilitated by complementary C-rich repeats at the 3′-end of the RNA template immediately adjacent to a hammerhead ribozyme motif. Terminon units, which can exceed 40 kb in length, display an unusually complex and diverse structure, and can form very long chains, with host genes often captured between units. As the principal polymerizing component, Terminons contain Athena reverse transcriptases previously described in bdelloid rotifers and belonging to the enigmatic group of Penelope-like elements, but can additionally accumulate multiple cooriented ORFs, including DEDDy 3′-exonucleases, GDSL esterases/lipases, GIY-YIG-like endonucleases, rolling-circle replication initiator (Rep) proteins, and putatively structural ORFs with coiled-coil motifs and transmembrane domains. The extraordinary length and complexity of Terminons and the high degree of interfamily variability in their ORF content challenge the current views on the structural organization of eukaryotic retroelements, and highlight their possible connections with the viral world and the implications for the elevated frequency of gene transfer.
Robotic assisted minimally invasive surgery

The term “robot” was coined by the Czech playright Karel Capek in 1921 in his play Rossom's Universal Robots. The word “robot” is from the check word robota which means forced labor. The era of robots in surgery commenced in 1994 when the first AESOP (voice controlled camera holder) prototype robot was used clinically in 1993 and then marketed as the first surgical robot ever in 1994 by the US FDA. Since then many robot prototypes like the Endoassist (Armstrong Healthcare Ltd., High Wycombe, Buck, UK), FIPS endoarm (Karlsruhe Research Center, Karlsruhe, Germany) have been developed to add to the functions of the robot and try and increase its utility. Integrated Surgical Systems (now Intuitive Surgery, Inc.) redesigned the SRI Green Telepresence Surgery system and created the daVinci Surgical System® classified as a master-slave surgical system. It uses true 3-D visualization and EndoWrist®. It was approved by FDA in July 2000 for general laparoscopic surgery, in November 2002 for mitral valve repair surgery. The da Vinci robot is currently being used in various fields such as urology, general surgery, gynecology, cardio-thoracic, pediatric and ENT surgery. It provides several advantages to conventional laparoscopy such as 3D vision, motion scaling, intuitive movements, visual immersion and tremor filtration. The advent of robotics has increased the use of minimally invasive surgery among laparoscopically naïve surgeons and expanded the repertoire of experienced surgeons to include more advanced and complex reconstructions.
Nursing Unit Mangers: Defining a Role

ABSTRACT: Using Katz's classification scale, a panel of experts — nurse managers, nurse academics and professional and industrial nursing organization representatives — identified roles expected of first-line nursing managers in New South Wales hospitals. The 156 competencies defined by this group were classified into technical, human and conceptual skills. Classifications determine the manager's responsibilities, authority and performance accountability.
Linkage of A-to-I RNA Editing in Metazoans and the Impact on Genome Evolution

Abstract The adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editomes have been systematically characterized in various metazoan species, and many editing sites were found in clusters. However, it remains unclear whether the clustered editing sites tend to be linked in the same RNA molecules or not. By adopting a method originally designed to detect linkage disequilibrium of DNA mutations, we examined the editomes of ten metazoan species and detected extensive linkage of editing in Drosophila and cephalopods. The prevalent linkages of editing in these two clades, many of which are conserved between closely related species and might be associated with the adaptive proteomic recoding, are maintained by natural selection at the cost of genome evolution. Nevertheless, in worms and humans, we only detected modest proportions of linked editing events, the majority of which were not conserved. Furthermore, the linkage of editing in coding regions of worms and humans might be overall deleterious, which drives the evolution of DNA sites to escape promiscuous editing. Altogether, our results suggest that the linkage landscape of A-to-I editing has evolved during metazoan evolution. This present study also suggests that linkage of editing should be considered in elucidating the functional consequences of RNA editing.
Integrating Embryonic Development and Evolutionary History to Characterize Tentacle-Specific Cell Types in a Ctenophore

Abstract The origin of novel traits can promote expansion into new niches and drive speciation. Ctenophores (comb jellies) are unified by their possession of a novel cell type: the colloblast, an adhesive cell found only in the tentacles. Although colloblast-laden tentacles are fundamental for prey capture among ctenophores, some species have tentacles lacking colloblasts and others have lost their tentacles completely. We used transcriptomes from 36 ctenophore species to identify gene losses that occurred specifically in lineages lacking colloblasts and tentacles. We cross-referenced these colloblast- and tentacle-specific candidate genes with temporal RNA-Seq during embryogenesis in Mnemiopsis leidyi and found that both sets of candidates are preferentially expressed during tentacle morphogenesis. We also demonstrate significant upregulation of candidates from both data sets in the tentacle bulb of adults. Both sets of candidates were enriched for an N-terminal signal peptide and protein domains associated with secretion; among tentacle candidates we also identified orthologs of cnidarian toxin proteins, presenting tantalizing evidence that ctenophore tentacles may secrete toxins along with their adhesive. Finally, using cell lineage tracing, we demonstrate that colloblasts and neurons share a common progenitor, suggesting the evolution of colloblasts involved co-option of a neurosecretory gene regulatory network. Together these data offer an initial glimpse into the genetic architecture underlying ctenophore cell-type diversity.
Multipronged CD4+ T‐cell effector and memory responses cooperate to provide potent immunity against respiratory virus

Over the last decade, the known spectrum of CD4+ T‐cell effector subsets has become much broader, and it has become clear that there are multiple dimensions by which subsets with a particular cytokine commitment can be further defined, including their stage of differentiation, their location, and, most importantly, their ability to carry out discrete functions. Here, we focus on our studies that highlight the synergy among discrete subsets, especially those defined by helper and cytotoxic function, in mediating viral protection, and on distinctions between CD4+ T‐cell effectors located in spleen, draining lymph node, and in tissue sites of infection. What emerges is a surprising multiplicity of CD4+ T‐cell functions that indicate a large arsenal of mechanisms by which CD4+ T cells act to combat viruses.
Contact dermatitis in hairdressers: the Italian experience

A multicenter study was performed in 9 Italian centers by members of the GIRDCA, to evaluate the frequency and source of contact sensitization in a group of 302 hairdressers with dermatitis. Occupational habits and use of preventive measures were specifically investigated both in these 302 hairdressers and in a further group of 240 hairdressers who answered a questionnaire. The result showed the presence of an occupationally relevant sensitization in 60.9% of the 302 hairdresses. This proportion included 52 hairdressers who had negative patch tests to the hairdresser' series but showed positive reactions to other allergens, such as nickel, rubber additives, preservatives and fragrances, which were judged relevant to their occupation. Among hair dyes, PPD caused 73 reactions (24.2%), PAP 32 reactions (10.6%), ONPPD 24 reactions (7.9%), and PTD 40 reactions (13.2%). A low incidence of sensitization was detected in our hairdressers to resorcinol and pyrogallol (1.3% for each substance). Among permanent wave allergens, positive reactions to GMTG were found in 11.3% of patients, while ATG gave a lower rate of positive reactions (5.0%). Allergic contact dermatitis due to APS was also relatively common (11.3%). 4 hairdressers in the study gave a positive reaction 30 min after a provocative lest with latex gloves, patch testing to the rubber series being negative, Enquiry regarding preventive measures revealed that the majority of hairdressers' use gloves when doing hair dyeing, but rarely use them for washing dyed hair or for doing permanent waving. The infrequent use of preventive measures by Italian hairdressers was confirmed by the results of the questionnaire, and possibly explains the high frequency of skin problems (12.5%) in the hairdressing population that was specifically interviewed.
‘It's very hard to find what to put in the kid's lunch’: What Perth parents think about food for school lunch boxes

Aim: To describe the factors affecting school food selection by parents of young children attending low socioeconomic schools in Perth and recommend the features of resources parents need to make healthier choices. Methods: Nine focus groups of parents of young children attending low socioeconomic status schools in Perth were conducted where parents were asked about the food their children ate at school and their opinions of school food resources. Results: Focus group discussion centred on the themes of the challenge of being a good parent by providing healthy lunch box food; making compromises in what their children eat at school and the barriers to healthy eating in the school environment. Parents were concerned about what their children were eating at school but the barriers of convenience, child preference, cost and food safety prevented them from including healthier food in the lunch box. The amount of time allowed for eating and lack of refrigeration were school-based barriers that impacted on the type and amount of food selected. Parents liked colourful, practical school food resources with recipes and nutrition information aimed at children. Conclusions: Parents want help with selecting lunch box food/drinks that are nutritious, convenient, inexpensive and appealing for children to eat. Schools need to be supported to introduce healthy eating programs and should review the time given for young children to eat at school. Dietitians need to consider the home food environment and what motivates parents to make food choices for their children.
TCR repertoires of intratumoral T‐cell subsets

The infiltration of human tumors by T cells is a common phenomenon, and over the past decades, it has become increasingly clear that the nature of such intratumoral T‐cell populations can predict disease course. Furthermore, intratumoral T cells have been utilized therapeutically in clinical studies of adoptive T‐cell therapy. In this review, we describe how novel methods that are either based on T‐cell receptor (TCR) sequencing or on cancer exome analysis allow the analysis of the tumor reactivity and antigen‐specificity of the intratumoral TCR repertoire with unprecedented detail. Furthermore, we discuss studies that have started to utilize these techniques to probe the link between cancer exomes and the intratumoral TCR pool. Based on the observation that both the cancer epitope repertoire and intratumoral TCR repertoire appear highly individual, we outline strategies, such as ‘autologous TCR gene therapy’, that exploit the tumor‐resident TCR repertoire for the development of personalized immunotherapy.
Innate immunity in the lung regulates the development of asthma

The lung, while functioning as a gas exchange organ, encounters a large array of environmental factors, including particulate matter, toxins, reactive oxygen species, chemicals, allergens, and infectious microbes. To rapidly respond to and counteract these elements, a number of innate immune mechanisms have evolved that can lead to lung inflammation and asthma, which is the focus of this review. These innate mechanisms include a role for two incompletely understood cell types, invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), which together produce a wide range of cytokines, including interleukin‐4 (IL‐4), IL‐5, IL‐13, interferon‐γ, IL‐17, and IL‐22, independently of adaptive immunity and conventional antigens. The specific roles of iNKT cells and ILCs in immunity are still being defined, but both cell types appear to play important roles in the lungs, particularly in asthma. As we gain a better understanding of these innate cell types, we will acquire great insight into the mechanisms by which allergic and non‐allergic asthma phenotypes develop.
ID'ing innate and innate‐like lymphoid cells

The immune system can be divided into innate and adaptive components that differ in their rate and mode of cellular activation, with innate immune cells being the first responders to invading pathogens. Recent advances in the identification and characterization of innate lymphoid cells have revealed reiterative developmental programs that result in cells with effector fates that parallel those of adaptive lymphoid cells and are tailored to effectively eliminate a broad spectrum of pathogenic challenges. However, activation of these cells can also be associated with pathologies such as autoimmune disease. One major distinction between innate and adaptive immune system cells is the constitutive expression of ID proteins in the former and inducible expression in the latter. ID proteins function as antagonists of the E protein transcription factors that play critical roles in lymphoid specification as well as B‐ and T‐lymphocyte development. In this review, we examine the transcriptional mechanisms controlling the development of innate lymphocytes, including natural killer cells and the recently identified innate lymphoid cells (ILC1, ILC2, and ILC3), and innate‐like lymphocytes, including natural killer T cells, with an emphasis on the known requirements for the ID proteins.
Lack of Maf1 enhances pyruvate kinase activity and fermentative metabolism while influencing lipid homeostasis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Maf1 protein is a general negative repressor of RNA polymerase III, which is conserved in eukaryotes from yeast to humans. Herein, we show the yeast maf1Δ mutant increases pyruvate kinase activity, the key enzyme in glycolysis and an important player in switching between fermentative and oxidative metabolism. We observed enhanced ethanol production and elevated lipid content in the maf1Δ strain grown on glucose. However, after shifting to a non‐fermentable carbon source, the opposite effect was observed, and the mutant cells accumulated smaller lipid droplets. Thus, it has been concluded that the Maf1 protein is essential for regulation of glucose metabolism and lipid homeostasis.
The Bisphenol A analogue Bisphenol S binds to K‐Ras4B – implications for ‘BPA‐free’ plastics

K‐Ras4B is a small GTPase that belongs to the Ras superfamily of guanine nucleotide‐binding proteins. GTPases function as molecular switches in cells and are key players in intracellular signalling. Ras has been identified as an oncogene and is mutated in more than 20% of human cancers. Here, we report that Bisphenol S binds into a binding pocket of K‐Ras4B previously identified for various low molecular weight compounds. Our results advocate for more comprehensive safety studies on the toxicity of Bisphenol S, as it is frequently used for Bisphenol A‐free food containers.
Membrane topology and search for potential redox partners of colon cancer‐specific cytochrome P450 2W1

Cytochrome P450 2W1 (CYP2W1) is a colon tumor‐specific enzyme, suggested as a potential target for cancer therapy. In contrast to other endoplasmic reticulum P450s, we found completely inverted ER membrane topology of CYP2W1 using different approaches (redox sensitive luciferase assay and protease protection assay) and demonstrated that canonical CYP reductants, cytochrome P450 reductase, and cytochrome b5 cannot serve as electron donors for CYP2W1. Moreover, the reduced catalytic activity of the Asn177 mutant that is modified by glycan moieties in the wild‐type enzyme indicates a functional relevance of CYP2W1 glycosylation.
A419C Polymorphism of Glyoxalase I Gene: Renal Function and Histological Findings at 12 Months after Renal Transplantation

Background and Aims: AGEs (advanced glycation end products) are involved in the pathogenesis of vascular damage and progression of chronic kidney diseases. They are detoxified by the glyoxalase (GLO) system. The aim of the study was to test whether A419C polymorphism of GLO I gene is associated with the outcome of kidney transplantation. Methods: A419C polymorphism of the GLO I gene was assessed in 145 renal transplant recipients and its relationship to histological changes in 12 months protocol kidney graft biopsy and renal function was examined. Results: Genotype frequencies of the studied polymorphism corresponded to the expected frequencies according to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No significant differences among allelic and genotype frequencies among patients with normal histological findings, interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy and subclinical rejection and renal parameters were found. However, a trend towards lower levels of serum creatinine and proteinuria was observed in patients with CC genotype. Conclusions: This is the first study of glyoxalase I gene polymorphism in patients with the transplanted kidney. Although no significant relationship of the GLO I genotype to the histology of the transplanted kidney and renal parameters could be found, a trend towards better outcome in patients with the CC genotype was
Targeting signaling factors for degradation, an emerging mechanism for TRAF functions

Tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)‐associated factors (TRAFs) form a family of proteins that are best known as signaling adapters of TNFRs. However, emerging evidence suggests that TRAF proteins, particularly TRAF2 and TRAF3, also regulate signal transduction by controlling the fate of intracellular signaling factors. A well‐recognized function of TRAF2 and TRAF3 in this aspect is to mediate ubiquitin‐dependent degradation of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB)‐inducing kinase (NIK), an action required for the control of NIK‐regulated non‐canonical NF‐κB signaling pathway. TRAF2 and TRAF3 form a complex with the E3 ubiquitin ligase cIAP (cIAP1 or cIAP2), in which TRAF3 serves as the NIK‐binding adapter. Recent evidence suggests that the cIAP‐TRAF2‐TRAF3 E3 complex also targets additional signaling factors for ubiquitin‐dependent degradation, thereby regulating important aspects of immune and inflammatory responses. This review provides both historical aspects and new insights into the signaling functions of this ubiquitination system.
Genetics, genomics, and evolutionary biology of NKG2D ligands

Human and mouse NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs) are absent or only poorly expressed by most normal cells but are upregulated by cell stress, hence, alerting the immune system in case of malignancy or infection. Although these ligands are numerous and highly variable (at genetic, genomic, structural, and biochemical levels), they all belong to the major histocompatibility complex class I gene superfamily and bind to a single, invariant, receptor: NKG2D. NKG2D (CD314) is an activating receptor expressed on NK cells and subsets of T cells that have a key role in the recognition and lysis of infected and tumor cells. Here, we review the molecular diversity of NKG2DLs, discuss the increasing appreciation of their roles in a variety of medical conditions, and propose several explanations for the evolutionary force(s) that seem to drive the multiplicity and diversity of NKG2DLs while maintaining their interaction with a single invariant receptor.