Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cross-linked esterase aggregates (CLEAs) using nanoparticles as immobilization matrix

Abstract The present study focusses on the enhancement of the catalytic activity and stability of an acetylesterase enzyme isolated from Staphylococcus spp. as Cross-Linked Enzyme Aggregates (CLEAs). The various parameters governing the activity of CLEAs were optimized. The magnetite and graphene oxide nanoparticles were successfully prepared via the chemical co-precipitation and Hummer's method, respectively. These nanoparticles supported the preparation as magnetite nanoparticle-supported cross-Linked Enzyme Aggregates (MGNP-CLEAs) and graphene oxide-supported Cross-Linked Enzyme Aggregates (GO-CLEAs). The activity and stability of these immobilized CLEAs were compared with the free enzyme at various temperature, pH, and organic solvents along with its storage stability and reusability. The immobilized preparations were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) techniques. Acetylesterase precipitated with 60% saturated ammonium sulfate salt (SAS) solution and cross-linked with 100 mM glutaraldehyde for 4 h at 30 °C was found to be optimal to produce CLEAs with highest activity recovery of 99.8%. The optimal pH at 8.0 and temperature at 30 °C remained the same for both the free and immobilized enzyme, respectively. Storage stability significantly improved for the immobilized enzyme as compared to free enzyme. SEM showed type-I aggregate and FT-IR revealed the successful immobilization of the enzyme. MGNP-CLEAs were found to have better activity and stability in comparison to other immobilized preparations.
Bonding Performance of Universal Adhesives: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE To evaluate through a systematic review and meta-analysis whether the immediate and long-term bonding performance of universal adhesives would be improved by prior acid etching. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two reviewers performed a literature search up to April 2018 in eight databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, SciELO, Scopus, LILACS, IBECS, and BBO. Only studies that evaluated the dentin or enamel bond strength of universal adhesives using a self-etch or etch-and-rinse strategy were included. Analyses were carried out using RevMan 5.3. 5 (The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark). A global analysis comparing self-etch or etch-and-rinse strategies and the influence of aging on bonding performance was performed with random-effects models at a significance level of p < 0.05. RESULTS A total of 59 in vitro studies were included in the meta-analysis. The enamel bond strength of universal adhesives was improved by the etch-and-rinse approach (p < 0.05). In dentin, this effect was observed for ultra-mild and intermediately strong universal adhesives (p < 0.05). Irrespective of the strategy employed, intermediately strong adhesives showed a decrease in bond strength after all types of aging. This effect was also observed for ultra--mild universal adhesives used in the etch-and-rinse approach (p < 0.05). Mild universal adhesives showed bond strength stability in both strategies (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The in vitro evidence suggests that bonding performance of mild universal adhesives can be improved by using the selective enamel-etch strategy. Mild universal adhesives seem to be the more stable materials, in both etch-and-rinse or self-etch strategies.
Reactivation of Previous Experiences in a Working Memory Task

Recent experiences influence the processing of new information even when those experiences are irrelevant to the current task. Does this reflect the indirect effects of a passively maintained representation of the previous experience, or is this representation reactivated when a new event occurs? To answer this question, we attempted to decode the orientation of the stimulus on the previous trial from the electroencephalogram on the current trial in a working memory task. Behavioral data confirmed that the previous-trial stimulus orientation influenced the reported orientation on the current trial, even though the previous-trial orientation was now task irrelevant. In two independent experiments, we found that the previous-trial orientation could be decoded from the current-trial electroencephalogram, indicating that the current-trial stimulus reactivated or boosted the representation of the previous-trial orientation. These results suggest that the effects of recent experiences on behavior are driven, in part, by a reactivation of those experiences and not solely by the indirect effects of passive memory traces.
Diagnostic Performance of a Smart Device With Photoplethysmography Technology for Atrial Fibrillation Detection: Pilot Study (Pre-mAFA II Registry)

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. The asymptomatic nature and paroxysmal frequency of AF lead to suboptimal early detection. A novel technology, photoplethysmography (PPG), has been developed for AF screening. However, there has been limited validation of mobile phone and smart band apps with PPG compared to 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECG). Objective We investigated the feasibility and accuracy of a mobile phone and smart band for AF detection using pulse data measured by PPG. Methods A total of 112 consecutive inpatients were recruited from the Chinese PLA General Hospital from March 15 to April 1, 2018. Participants were simultaneously tested with mobile phones (HUAWEI Mate 9, HUAWEI Honor 7X), smart bands (HUAWEI Band 2), and 12-lead ECG for 3 minutes. Results In all, 108 patients (56 with normal sinus rhythm, 52 with persistent AF) were enrolled in the final analysis after excluding four patients with unclear cardiac rhythms. The corresponding sensitivity and specificity of the smart band PPG were 95.36% (95% CI 92.00%-97.40%) and 99.70% (95% CI 98.08%-99.98%), respectively. The positive predictive value of the smart band PPG was 99.63% (95% CI 97.61%-99.98%), the negative predictive value was 96.24% (95% CI 93.50%-97.90%), and the accuracy was 97.72% (95% CI 96.11%-98.70%). Moreover, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of mobile phones with PPG for AF detection were over 94%. There was no significant difference after further statistical analysis of the results from the different smart devices compared with the gold-standard ECG (P>.99). Conclusions The algorithm based on mobile phones and smart bands with PPG demonstrated good performance in detecting AF and may represent a convenient tool for AF detection in at-risk individuals, allowing widespread screening of AF in the population. Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-OOC-17014138; http://www.chictr. org.cn/showproj.aspx? proj=24191 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation/76WXknvE6)
Epidemiological Characteristics of Norovirus Associated with Sporadic Gastroenteritis among Children from the 2006/2007 to 2011/2012 Season in Nara Prefecture, Japan

The present study aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics of norovirus (NoV) associated with sporadic gastroenteritis in regional populations of Nara Prefecture, Japan, from the 2006/2007 to 2011/2012 epidemic season. Fecal specimens of sporadic gastroenteritis collected between September 2006 and August 2012 in Nara Prefecture were examined for the presence of NoV by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The NoV genotype was determined by nucleotide sequence analysis. In total, 274 NoVs associated with sporadic gastroenteritis were identified. We detected 10 different NoV genotypes: GI/3, GI/4, GI/8, GII/2, GII/3, GII/4, GII/6, GII/7, GII/12, and GII/13. A high NoV detection rate of 35.9% was identified in 1-year-old children. Among the 274 NoV isolates, 142 were obtained from males and 131 were obtained from females (the source of one was unknown). The most prevalent genotype was GII/4, accounting for 117 of the 192 different NoVs identified by sequencing. More epidemiological data will be required to determine the epidemiological characteristics of NoVs in other areas of Japan.
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Does Not Improve Language Outcome in Subacute Poststroke Aphasia

Background and Purpose— The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on word-finding treatment outcome in subacute poststroke aphasia. Methods— In this multi-center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial with 6-month follow-up, we included 58 patients with subacute aphasia (<3 months poststroke), who were enrolled in a stroke rehabilitation program. Patients participated in 2 separate intervention weeks. Each intervention week included 5 daily sessions of 45-minute word-finding therapy combined with either anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (1 mA, 20 minutes; experimental group) or sham transcranial direct current stimulation (control group) over the left inferior frontal gyrus. The primary outcome measure was the Boston Naming Test. Secondary outcome measures included naming performance for trained/untrained picture items and verbal communication. Results— Both the experimental (n=26) and the control group (n=32) improved on the Boston Naming Test over the intervention period and 6-month follow-up; however, there were no significant differences between groups. Also for the secondary outcome measures, no significant differences were found. Conclusions— The results of the present study do not support an effect of transcranial direct current stimulation as an adjuvant treatment in subacute poststroke aphasia. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.trialregister. nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp. Unique identifier: NTR4364.
Creation of the Fontan circulation in sheep: a survival model.

OBJECTIVES Patients with a single ventricle survive thanks to the Fontan palliation. Nevertheless, there is a growing number of Fontan patients with progressive heart failure. To validate therapeutic options in these patients, we developed a chronic Fontan large animal model. METHODS A Fontan circulation was surgically created in 15 sheep. The superior vena cava was anastomosed end-to-side to the pulmonary artery. The inferior vena cava was connected to the pulmonary artery by an ePTFE conduit, and the inferior vena cava-right atrium junction was ligated. RESULTS Total cavopulmonary connection was successfully performed in all 15 animals. After creation of the Fontan circulation, central venous pressure increased from 4 [interquartile range (IQR) 3-6] mmHg to 16 (IQR 14-17) mmHg, mean arterial blood pressure decreased from 68 (IQR 54-75) mmHg to 52 (IQR 50-61) mmHg and cardiac output decreased from 5.1 (IQR 4.6-6.8) l/min to 1.7 (IQR 1.3-2.7) l/min. Five animals were electively sacrificed after a follow-up period of 21 weeks. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that it is feasible to create a chronic animal model with unsupported Fontan circulation. This animal model not only opens perspectives to investigate the pathophysiology of the failing Fontan circulation, but also provides the possibility to study therapeutic options such as the effect of mechanical circulatory support in the failing Fontan physiology.
Interleukin-10 Produced by Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Provides Protection to Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Sequence Type 258 by Enhancing Its Clearance in the Airways

Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence type 258 (CRKP-ST258) can cause chronic infections in lungs and airways, with repeated episodes of bacteremia. In this report we addressed whether the recruitment of myeloid cells producing the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) modulates the clearance of CKRP-ST258 in the lungs and establishes bacterial persistence. ABSTRACT Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence type 258 (CRKP-ST258) can cause chronic infections in lungs and airways, with repeated episodes of bacteremia. In this report we addressed whether the recruitment of myeloid cells producing the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) modulates the clearance of CKRP-ST258 in the lungs and establishes bacterial persistence. Our data demonstrate that during pneumonia caused by a clinical isolate of CRKP-ST258 (KP35) there is an early recruitment of monocyte-myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs) and neutrophils that actively produce IL-10. However, M-MDSCs were the cells that sustained the production of IL-10 over the time of infection evaluated. Using mice unable to produce IL-10 (IL-10−/−), we observed that the production of this cytokine during the infection caused by KP35 is important to control bacterial burden, to prevent lung damage, to modulate cytokine production, and to improve host survival. Importantly, intranasal transfer of bone marrow-derived M-MDSCs from mice able to produce IL-10 at 1 day prior to infection improved the ability of IL-10−/− mice to clear KP35 in the lungs, decreasing their mortality. Altogether, our data demonstrate that IL-10 produced by M-MDSCs is required for bacterial clearance, reduction of lung tissue damage, and host survival during KP35 pneumonia.
Vitamin D levels reverberate in monocytes modulation in hemodialysis patients

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a severe vitamin D deficiency and increasing epidemiological data suggesting that this deficiency may play a role in overall morbidity and mortality associated with CKD. It is known that vitamin D regulates the immune system, however, in dialysis patients this deficiency and the modulation of proinflammatory cells is unclear. Among these, monocytes arouse interest considering they constitutively express vitamin D receptors.
Potential Medication-Related Problems in Older Breast, Colon, and Lung Cancer Patients in the United States

Background: Older adults are often exposed to multiple medications, some of which could be inappropriate or have the potential to interact with each other. Older cancer patients may be at increased risk for medication-related problems due to exposure to cancer-directed treatment. Methods: We described patterns of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use and potential drug–chemotherapy interactions among adults age 66+ years diagnosed with stage I–III breast, stage II–III colon, and stage I to II lung cancer. Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–Medicare database, patients had to have Medicare Part D coverage with 1+ prescription in the diagnosis month and Medicare Parts A/B coverage in the prior 12 months. We estimated monthly prevalence of any and cancer-related PIM from 6 months pre- to 23 months postcancer diagnosis and 12-month period prevalence of potential drug–chemotherapy interactions. Results: Overall, 19,318 breast, 7,283 colon, and 7,237 lung cancer patients were evaluated. Monthly PIM prevalence was stable prediagnosis (37%–40%), but increased in the year following a colon or lung cancer diagnosis, and decreased following a breast cancer diagnosis. Changes in PIM prevalence were driven primarily by cancer-related PIM in patients on chemotherapy. Potential drug–chemotherapy interactions were observed in all cohorts, with prevalent interactions involving hydrochlorothiazide, warfarin, and proton-pump inhibitors. Conclusions: There was a high burden of potential medication-related problems among older cancer patients; future research to evaluate outcomes of these exposures is warranted. Impact: Older adults diagnosed with cancer have unique medication management needs. Thus, pharmacy specialists should be integrated into multidisciplinary teams caring for these patients. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(1); 41–49. ©2017 AACR.
Multimodal prevention of first psychotic episode through N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine and integrated preventive psychological intervention in individuals clinically at high risk for psychosis: Protocol of a randomized, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group trial

Meta‐analyses indicate positive effects of both antipsychotic and cognitive‐behavioural interventions in subjects clinically at high risk (CHR) for psychosis in terms of a delay or prevention of psychotic disorders. However, these effects have been limited regarding social functioning and the relative efficacy of both types of interventions remains unclear. Furthermore, neuroprotective substances seem to be a promising alternative agent in psychosis‐prevention as they are associated with few and weak side‐effects.
Ionized calcium in human cerebrospinal fluid and its influence on intrinsic and synaptic excitability of hippocampal pyramidal neurons in the rat

It is well‐known that the extracellular concentration of calcium affects neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission. Less is known about the physiological concentration of extracellular calcium in the brain. In electrophysiological brain slice experiments, the artificial cerebrospinal fluid traditionally contains relatively high concentrations of calcium (2‐4 mM) to support synaptic transmission and suppress neuronal excitability. Using an ion‐selective electrode, we determined the fraction of ionized calcium in healthy human cerebrospinal fluid to 1.0 mM of a total concentration of 1.2 mM (86%). Using patch‐clamp and extracellular recordings in the CA1 region in acute slices of rat hippocampus, we then compared the effects of this physiological concentration of calcium with the commonly used 2 mM on neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission, and long‐term potentiation (LTP) to examine the magnitude of changes in this range of extracellular calcium. Increasing the total extracellular calcium concentration from 1.2 to 2 mM decreased spontaneous action potential firing, induced a depolarization of the threshold, and increased the rate of both de‐ and repolarization of the action potential. Evoked synaptic transmission was approximately doubled, with a balanced effect between inhibition and excitation. In 1.2 mM calcium high‐frequency stimulation did not result in any LTP, whereas a prominent LTP was observed at 2 or 4 mM calcium. Surprisingly, this inability to induce LTP persisted during blockade of GABAergic inhibition. In conclusion, an increase from the physiological 1.2 mM to 2 mM calcium in the artificial cerebrospinal fluid has striking effects on neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission, and the induction of LTP.
Synovial Chondromatosis of the Foot and Ankle

Background: Synovial chondromatosis (SC) is a benign condition where the synovial lining of joints, bursae, or tendon sheaths undergoes metaplasia and ultimately forms cartilaginous loose bodies. Synovial chondromatosis of the foot and ankle is exceedingly rare, and outcomes following surgical excision are largely unknown. Materials and Methods: An Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective review of our institution's surgical database from 1970 to 2006 revealed 8 patients with SC of the foot and/or ankle confirmed by pathology. Results: Eight patients (4 female and 4 male) presented with pain, locking, or stiffness. Average age at presentation was 37 (range, 19 to 60) years. Average followup was 9.5 (range, 1 to 31) years. Six patients had involvement of the ankle, and two, the midfoot. Four patients underwent ankle synovectomy with loose body removal, and were pain-free at last followup. One patient underwent excision and midfoot arthrodesis for severe midfoot destruction. Three patients ultimately underwent below knee amputation, one for multiple recurrences and two for malignant transformation to low-grade chondrosarcoma. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the largest reported series of patients with SC of the foot and ankle. In half the patients, synovectomy with excision of loose bodies resulted in pain free return to normal function, without recurrence, at last followup. However, recurrence occurred in 3 (37.5%) of 8 patients with subsequent malignant transformation to low-grade chondrosarcoma occurring in 2 patients.
miR-101 suppresses the development of MLL-rearranged acute myeloid leukemia

Dysregulation of miRNA (a class of short non-coding RNA) has been observed in solid tumors and leukemia,[1][1],[2][2] and the role of miRNA in cancer development is largely context-dependent. [2][2] While several miRNA (e.g. miR-29b)[3][3] have been functionally linked to acute myeloid leukemia (AML
Ultrastructural Changes of the Right Ventricular Myocytes in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Background Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious disease without cure. Elevated pulmonary vascular resistance puts strain on the right ventricle (RV) and patients die of RV failure. Subjecting Sprague–Dawley rats to SU5416 injection and hypoxia promotes severe PAH with pulmonary vascular lesions similar to human disease and has been well utilized to investigate pulmonary vascular pathology. However, despite exhibiting severe RV fibrosis, these rats do not die. Recently, subjecting Fischer (CDF) rats to the same treatment to promote PAH was found to result in mortality. Thus, the present study performed detailed morphological characterizations of Fischer rats with PAH. Methods and Results Rats were subjected to SU5416 injection and hypoxia for 3 weeks, followed by maintenance in normoxia. More than 90% of animals died within 6 weeks of the SU5416 injection. Necropsy revealed the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity, right ventricular hypertrophy and dilatation, hepatomegaly, and other indications of congestive heart failure. Time course studies demonstrated the progressive thickening of pulmonary arteries with the formation of concentric lamellae and plexiform lesions as well as RV fibrosis in PAH rats. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the destruction of the myofilaments, T‐tubules, and sarcoplasmic reticulum. RV mitochondrial damage and fission were found in Fischer rats, but not in Sprague–Dawley rats, with PAH. Conclusions These results suggest that the destruction of RV mitochondria plays a role in the mechanism of PAH‐induced death. The SU5416/hypoxia model in Fischer rats should be useful for further investigating the mechanism of RV failure and finding effective therapeutic agents to increase the survival of PAH patients.