Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of transfection efficiency of polymer-based and lipid-based transfection reagents.

OBJECTIVES In this study, the optimal dose of Lipofectamine 3000 and Turbofect to transfect adherent cell lines such as CHO-K1 and HEK293 cells in comparison with non-adherent H9T-cells with pEGFP-N1 and pCDH was identified. BACKGROUND Lipofectamine 3000 is a new transfection reagent which is claimed to be more efficient than other transfection reagents like Turbofect. Transfection efficiency could be affected by the nature of target cell line and vector. METHODS Transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity of each reagent was identified by using flow cytometry and XTT assay, respectively. RESULTS Lipofectamine 3000 was more efficient in transfecting pCDH, while Turbofect was more efficient in separate transfection of CHO-K1 and HEK293 with pEGFP-N1. Lipofectamine 3000 could be cytotoxic in transfecting H9T-cells with pCDH. Also, H9T-cells were not sufficiently transfected with each plasmid vector by using each Lipofectamine 3000 and Turbofect. Turbofect had less cytotoxicity effect on all three cell lines than Lipofectamine 3000.Transfection of suspended cells like H9T-cells by using Lipofectamine 3000 and Turbofect would not result in sufficient transfection. CONCLUSION Lipofectamine 3000 is the best choice for transfection of CHO-K1 and HEK293 with pCDH while Turbofect is preferably used in transfecting these cell lines with pEGFP-N1 (Tab. 1, Fig. 2, Ref. 26).
Repeated anodal trans‐spinal direct current stimulation results in long‐term reduction of spasticity in mice with spinal cord injury

Spasticity is a disorder of muscle tone that is associated with lesions of the motor system. This condition involves an overactive spinal reflex loop that resists the passive lengthening of muscles. Previously, we established that application of anodal trans‐spinal direct current stimulation (a‐tsDCS) for short periods of time to anaesthetized mice sustaining a spinal cord injury leads to an instantaneous reduction of spasticity. However, the long‐term effects of repeated a‐tsDCS and its mechanism of action remained unknown. In the present study, a‐tsDCS was performed for 7 days and this was found to cause long‐term reduction in spasticity, increased rate‐dependent depression in spinal reflexes, and improved ground and skill locomotion. Pharmacological, molecular and cellular evidence further suggest that a novel mechanism involving Na‐K‐Cl cotransporter isoform 1 mediates the observed long‐term effects of repeated a‐tsDCS.
Inflammatory markers are altered in severe mental disorders independent of comorbid cardiometabolic disease risk factors

Abstract Background Inflammation and immune activation have been implicated in the pathogenesis of severe mental disorders and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite high level of comorbidity, many studies of the immune system in severe mental disorders have not systematically taken cardiometabolic risk factors into account. Methods We investigated if inflammatory markers were increased in schizophrenia (SCZ) and affective (AFF) disorders independently of comorbid CVD risk factors. Cardiometabolic risk factors (blood lipids, body mass index and glucose) and CVD-related inflammatory markers CXCL16, soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), soluble CD14 (sCD14), macrophage inhibitory factor and activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) were measured in n = 992 patients (SCZ, AFF), and n = 647 healthy controls. We analyzed the inflammatory markers before and after controlling for comorbid cardiometabolic risk factors, and tested for association with psychotropic medication and symptom levels. Results CXCL16 (p = 0.03) and sIL-2R (p = 7.8 × 10−5) were higher, while sCD14 (p = 0.05) were lower in patients compared to controls after controlling for confounders, with significant differences in SCZ for CXCL16 (p = 0.04) and sIL-2R (p = 1.1 × 10−5). After adjustment for cardiometabolic risk factors higher levels of sIL-2R (p = 0.001) and lower sCD14 (p = 0.002) remained, also in SCZ (sIL-2R, p = 3.0 × 10−4 and sCD14, p = 0.01). The adjustment revealed lower ALCAM levels (p = 0.03) in patients. We found no significant associations with psychotropic medication or symptom levels. Conclusion The results indicate that inflammation, in particular enhanced T cell activation and impaired monocyte activation, are associated with severe mental disorders independent of comorbid cardiometabolic risk factors. This suggests a role of novel pathophysiological mechanisms in severe mental disorders, particularly SCZ.
Reply to: Statins for Primary Prevention in Older Adults

1. Singh S, Zieman S, Go AS, et al. Statins for primary prevention in older adults—moving toward evidence-based decision-making. J Am Geriatr Soc 2018;66:2188-2196. 2. Beckett NS, Peters R, Fletcher AE, et al. Treatment of hypertension in patients 80 years of age or older. N Engl J Med 2008;358:1887-1898. 3. Strandberg TE, Kolehmainen L, Vuorio A. Evaluation and treatment of older patients with hypercholesterolemia: a clinical review. JAMA 2014;312:11361144. 4. Collins R, Reith C, Emberson J, et al. Interpretation of the evidence for the efficacy and safety of statin therapy. Lancet 2016;388:2532-2561. 5. Orkaby AR, Gaziano JM, Djousse L, Driver JA. Statins for primary prevention of cardiovascular events and mortality in older men. J Am Geriatr Soc 2017;65:2362-2368. 6. Pilotto A, Panza F, Copetti M, et al. Statin treatment and mortality in community-dwelling frail older patients with diabetes mellitus: a retrospective observational study. PLoS One 2015;10(6):e0130946. https://doi.org/10.1371/ journal.pone. 0130946. 7. Pilotto A, Gallina P, Panza F, et al. Relation of statin use and mortality in community-dwelling frail older patients with coronary artery disease. Am J Cardiol 2016;118:1624-1630.
A systematic review of outcomes after salvage abdominoperineal resection for persistent or recurrent anal squamous cell cancer

Up to 30% of patients with squamous cell cancer of the anus (SCCA) will require a salvage abdominoperineal resection (APR) for either persistent or recurrent disease. The objective of this study was to assess cancer‐related outcomes in patients with (i) persistent or (ii) recurrent SCCA.
Collagenase injections for Dupuytren's contracture: prospective cohort study in a public health setting

Dupuytren's disease causes a flexion contracture of the hand that limits hand function and reduces quality of life. Traditional management is surgical excision which is associated with potentially serious complications. A viable alternative is collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) (Xiaflex®; Pfizer Australia) which is an effective, safe, outpatient treatment that to date has no published data in the Australian public health setting.
Targeted T1 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Enhancement with Extraordinarily Small CoFe2O4 Nanoparticles

Extraordinarily small (2.4 nm) cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (ESCIoNs) were synthesized by a one-pot thermal decomposition approach to study their potential as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. Fine size control was achieved using oleylamine alone, and annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy revealed highly crystalline cubic spinel particles with atomic resolution. Ligand exchange with dimercaptosuccinic acid rendered the particles stable in physiological conditions with a hydrodynamic diameter of 12 nm. The particles displayed superparamagnetic properties and a low r2/r1 ratio suitable for a T1 contrast agent. The particles were functionalized with bile acid, which improved biocompatibility by significant reduction of reactive oxygen species generation and is a first step toward liver-targeted T1 MRI. Our study demonstrates the potential of ESCIoNs as T1 MRI contrast agents.
“Carpal tunnel syndrome:” A bibliometric study of 35 years of research

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a disease caused by compression of the median nerve passing through the wrist. Patients suffer from severe pain and paresthesis in the median nerve. Compression of the median nerve occurs, with prolonged working on keyboards (computer or laptop or music players) being one of the reasons along with others such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. CTS research holds great promise for the patients as well as doctors for better medical treatment. The study has been carried out with an objective to analyze research progress based on the literature published on CTS during the last 35 years. The retrospective study has been carried out from the data indexed in SCOPUS multidisciplinary database from 1983 to 2017 (35 years). The study involves analysis of publication trends in terms of total articles, productive countries, institutions, journals, productive authors, most cited articles along with impact in terms of citation and h-Index. The SCOPUS database yielded 13187 articles during the study period. These articles were analyzed further for interpreting results. In the last 35 years, the number of scientific publications on CTS has been increasing with an annual growth rate of 9.86% per year. USA has been the most productive country. Literature pertaining to females is more than clinical studies involving males.
Letter: impact of Epstein‐Barr virus serological status on clinical outcomes in adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease – authors' reply

1. de Francisco R, Castaño‐García A, Martínez‐González S, et al. Impact of Epstein‐Barr virus serological status on clinical outcomes in adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2018;48:723‐730. 2. Rahier JF, Magro F, Abreu C, et al. Second European evidence‐based consensus on the prevention, diagnosis and management of opportunistic infections in inflammatory bowel disease. J Crohns Colitis. 2014;8:443‐468. 3. Higgins CD, Swerdlow AJ, Macsween KF, et al. A study of risk factors for acquisition of Epstein‐Barr virus and its subtypes. J Infect Dis. 2007;195:474‐482. 4. Ahmed T, Brown F, Ahmed R, et al. PWE‐001 Effects of EBV naive status on treatment decisions in IBD. Gut. 2018;67:A67‐A68. 5. Harley JB, Chen X, Pujato M, et al. Transcription factors operate across disease loci, with EBNA2 implicated in autoimmunity. Nat Genet. 2018;50:699‐707. 6. Gerich ME, Barnes EL, Fennimore B, et al. Assessing the cost‐effectiveness of Epstein‐Barr virus screening in young men initiating combination therapy with infliximab and azathioprine for Crohn's disease. Gastroenterology. 2018;154:S27‐S28.
Predictors of the Therapeutic Efficacy and Consideration of the Best Combination Therapy of Sodium-Glucose Co-transporter 2 Inhibitors

Background We investigated the predictive markers for the therapeutic efficacy and the best combination of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and ipragliflozin) therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods A total of 804 patients with T2DM who had taken SGLT2 inhibitor as monotherapy or an add-on therapy were analyzed. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify the predictors of SGLT2 inhibitor response including the classes of baseline anti-diabetic medications. Results After adjusting for age, sex, baseline body mass index (BMI), diabetes duration, duration of SGLT2 inhibitor use, initial glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and other anti-diabetic agent usage, multivariate analysis revealed that shorter diabetes duration, higher initial HbA1c and eGFR were associated with better glycemic response. However, baseline BMI was inversely correlated with glycemic status; lean subjects with well-controlled diabetes and obese subjects with inadequately controlled diabetes received more benefit from SGLT2 inhibitor treatment. In addition, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitor use was related to a greater reduction in HbA1c in patients with higher baseline HbA1c ≥7%. Sulfonylurea users experienced a larger change from baseline HbA1c but the significance was lost after adjustment for covariates and metformin and thiazolidinedione use did not affect the glycemic outcome. Conclusion A better response to SGLT2 inhibitors is expected in Korean T2DM patients who have higher baseline HbA1c and eGFR with a shorter diabetes duration. Moreover, the add-on of an SGLT2 inhibitor to a DPP4 inhibitor is likely to show the greatest glycemic response.
Kai Xin San ameliorates scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction

Kai Xin San (KXS, containing ginseng, hoelen, polygala, and acorus), a traditional Chinese herbal compound, has been found to regulate cognitive dysfunction; however, its mechanism of action is still unclear. In this study, 72 specific-pathogen-free male Kunming mice aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into a vehicle control group, scopolamine group, low-dose KXS group, moderate-dose KXS group, high-dose KXS group, and positive control group. Except for the vehicle control group and scopolamine groups (which received physiological saline), the doses of KXS (0.7, 1.4 and 2.8 g/kg per day) and donepezil (3 mg/kg per day) were gastrointestinally administered once daily for 2 weeks. On day 8 after intragastric treatment, the behavioral tests were carried out. Scopolamine group and intervention groups received scopolamine 3 mg/kg per day through intraperitoneal injection. The effects of KXS on spatial learning and memory, pathological changes of brain tissue, expression of apoptosis factors, oxidative stress injury factors, synapse-associated protein, and cholinergic neurotransmitter were measured. The results confirmed the following. (1) KXS shortened the escape latency and increased residence time in the target quadrant and the number of platform crossings in the Morris water maze. (2) KXS increased the percentage of alternations between the labyrinth arms in the mice of KXS groups in the Y-maze. (3) Nissl and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining revealed that KXS promoted the production of Nissl bodies and inhibited the formation of apoptotic bodies. (4) Western blot assay showed that KXS up-regulated the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and inhibited the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax. KXS up-regulated the expression of postsynaptic density 95, synaptophysin, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. (5) KXS increased the level and activity of choline acetyltransferase, acetylcholine, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, and reduced the level and activity of acetyl cholinesterase, reactive oxygen species, and malondialdehyde through acting on the cholinergic system and reducing oxidative stress damage. These results indicate that KXS plays a neuroprotective role and improves cognitive function through reducing apoptosis and oxidative stress, and regulating synapse-associated protein and cholinergic neurotransmitters.
Wise Reasoning Benefits From Emodiversity, Irrespective of Emotional Intensity

The role of emotions in wise reasoning is not well understood. On the one hand, work on emotional regulation suggests that downregulating intense emotions may lead to wiser reasoning. On the other hand, emerging work suggests that recognizing and balancing emotions provides critical insights into life experiences, suggesting an alternative path to wiser reasoning. We present a series of observational, diary, and experimental studies (N = 3,678 participants) addressing these possibilities, examining how wisdom-related characteristics of reasoning—epistemic humility, recognition of a world in flux, self-transcendence, recognition of diverse perspectives on an issue, and search for integration of diverse perspectives/compromise—relate to emotional intensity and to emodiversity (i.e., emotional richness and evenness) in a given situation. Across 5 studies, testing wisdom nominees and examining individual differences and manipulated wise reasoning, wisdom-related characteristics appeared in conjunction with emodiversity, independent of downregulated emotional intensity. The positive association between emodiversity and wisdom-related characteristics occurred consistently for daily challenges, unresolved interpersonal conflicts, as well as political conflicts. The relationship between emotional intensity and wisdom-related characteristics was less systematic, with some studies showing a positive (rather than negative) association between emotional intensity and wisdom. Together, these results demonstrate that wise reasoning does not necessarily require uniform emotional downregulation. Instead, wise reasoning can also benefit from a rich and balanced emotional life.
Typology of Technology-Supported Dementia Care Interventions From an In-Home Telehealth Trial

Identifying the needs of dementia caregivers is critical for supporting dementia home care. This study identified a typology of expert interventions delivered to dementia caregivers during an innovative telehealth trial that used in-home video recordings to directly observe care challenges. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze narrative notes describing interventions that were developed based on video data submitted by 33 caregiver–care recipient dyads. Two major themes emerged: education and skills for dementia care and caregiver support. Ten subthemes included education and skills related to: behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, disease expectations, safety, activities of daily living, medical care optimization, and medication utilization and caregiver support related to: respite, positive reinforcement, social and financial support, and self-care. Families providing in-home dementia care experience a wide range of care challenges. By using video data, dementia care experts were able to witness and evaluate challenging care situations and provide individualized feedback.
Do clients receiving Home based testing and counselling (HBTC) utilize the HIV prevention messages delivered? A study among residents in an urban informal settlement in Kenya who previously received HBTC.

Background Home based HIV testing and counseling (HBTC) increases access to services and is associated with high testing uptake. Alongside testing, individuals are offered HIV prevention messages with an aim of helping them reduce HIV high risk sexual behaviors. This study explored the level of provision and subsequent utilization of HIV prevention messages and associated change in behavior among individuals who had received HBTC previously in an informal settlement. Methods In a mixed method cross sectional study, we interviewed 1257 individuals and conducted 6 focus group discussions (FGD). Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) was used to construct provision of prevention messages and behavior change indices using STATA 3.0. Pearson's chi-square statistics was used to test for bivariate association between the outcomes and logistic regression analysis was carried out with the behavior change index as the outcome of interest and the predictors considered significant (p<0.1). Thematic content analysis for qualitative data was done using Atlas 3.0. Results Out of the 1257participants, 1078 (85.8%) had ever tested for HIV, with 74.2% having tested in the Kibera HBTC program. Nearly all (97.4%) rated HBTC experience as either excellent (62.4%) or good (37%) and would recommend it to a friend. Provision of prevention messages was high among HBTC clients compared to clients from other testing sites; partner reduction counselling (64% versus 52%) and faithfulness (78.3% versus 67%); p=0.001. Self-reported behavior change after HBTC was generally low with condom use at 10.7% and men more likely to practice safer sex (p = 0.002). Trust of the sexual partners and fear of suspicion were the main reasons given for not using condoms. Clients testing HIV positive after previous negative result were 3.4%. The focus group discussions reported multiple sexual partnerships among both HIV negative and positive residents alike. Conclusion Although prevention messages delivered during HBTC are accepted and appreciated in this community, their utilization is low in both HIV negative and positive individuals. Innovative strategies for change of normative beliefs about sexual behavior are urgently needed.
Circulating Long Noncoding RNA LIPCAR Predicts Heart Failure Outcomes in Patients Without Chronic Kidney Disease

The plasma levels of long noncoding RNA LIPCAR are elevated in heart failure (HF) patients with reduced ejection fraction and associated with left ventricular remodeling and poor outcomes. We studied whether the presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), as defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate value <60mL/(min·1.73m2) modified the associations of plasma LIPCAR with left ventricular remodeling and outcomes in HF patients. Two hundred and thirty-four patients (mean age 74 [9.14] years, 50% male) were enrolled and followed for 4.73 (0.24–7.25) years. Plasma LIPCAR was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. LIPCAR was increased (P=0.005) in patients compared with 17 age- and sex-matched controls, directly correlated with age (P=0.001) and with the maximal early transmitral flow velocity to the mean peak early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus displacement ratio (P=0.001) and inversely correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (P<0.001). LIPCAR was associated with hospitalization for HF, cardiovascular death, and a composite of hospitalization for HF or cardiovascular death (P⩽0.010), these associations being dependent of estimated glomerular filtration rate. The interactions between estimated glomerular filtration rate and LIPCAR with respect to these outcomes were statistically significant or of borderline significance (P⩽0.060). LIPCAR was increased in CKD patients compared with non-CKD patients (P=0.021). LIPCAR was independently associated with hospitalization for HF (P⩽0.039) only in non-CKD patients, but its addition to traditional risk factors did not improve risk prediction in these patients. In conclusion, plasma LIPCAR prognosticates outcomes in elderly HF patients without CKD. Thus, there is an effect modification of CKD on the association of circulating LIPCAR with outcomes in HF patients.
Deciphering DMET genetic data: comprehensive assessment of Northwestern Han, Tibetan, Uyghur populations and their comparison to eleven 1000 genome populations

Abstract We investigated the allele frequencies of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination (ADME)-related drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters (DMET) genes in the Northwestern Han, Tibetan and Uyghur populations and compared the related genes in these three populations with those in eleven 1000 Genome populations. We examined 1936 single nucleotide polymorphisms of 225 DMET genes involved in ADME processes and found 732, 679 and 804 sites were polymorphic in Han, Tibetan and Uyghur. Tibetan differed from Han in only four sites (p < .05), whereas Uyghur differed from Han and Tibetan in 24 and 21 sites, respectively (p < .05). The distributions of 1058 genotyping data of 245 individuals from Han, Tibetan and Uyghur were compared with 1207 other individuals from the eleven 1000 Genomes populations. The top four populations in Han that exhibited the smallest pairwise Fst values were CHB, Tibetan, CHD and JPT; those in Tibetan were Han, CHB, Uyghur and CHD; and those in Uyghur were Han, Tibetan, GIH and CEU. MEGA results revealed that CHB, CHD, JPT, Han, Tibetan and Uyghur were grouped in cluster 1. GIH, MEX, CEU and TSI were grouped in cluster 2. MKK, ASW, LWK and YRI were grouped in cluster 3.