Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High N-Terminal proB-Type Natriuretic Peptide Indicates Elevated Risk of Death after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Compared to Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Background: Reduced left ventricular function (LVF) is a predictor for stent-thrombosis. In advanced heart failure (characterized by high NT-proBNP) with an activated coagulation system, coronary events clinically perceived as sudden death or death from heart failure may be more common in patients treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) than in patients treated by coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Our study analyses (1) if patients with reduced LVF who require coronary revascularization will have a better survival benefit with CABG or PCI, and (2) if the survival benefit is predicted by NT-proBNP. Methods: This observational retrospective study included patients from the coronary catheter laboratory database of the Medical University of Vienna (CCLD-MUW). Multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to test the hypothesis that there is an interaction in the risk of death between those with lower or elevated NT-proBNP levels and the revascularization procedure (PCI or CABG). The relative risk of PCI compared to CABG as reference was calculated for patients with low and elevated NT-proBNP levels. Results: In the entire study population with 398 patients (340 PCI and 58 CABG) the revascularization procedure had no predictive value. When the revascularization procedure*NTproBNP interaction was forced into the Cox regression model, this term was an independent predictor of death. The relative risk of PCI compared to CABG was similar in patients with lower NT-proBNP—1.01 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.45–2.24), but was significantly increased in patients with elevated NT-proBNP—1.58 (95% CI, 1.07–2.33). Conclusion: Death is associated to the revascularization procedure, but only in those patients with elevated NT-proBNP levels. NT-proBNP is a predicting factor for the revascularization procedure: elevated levels showed an increased risk of death after PCI compared to CABG, whereas lower levels were associated with a similar risk after both revascularization procedures.
Omadacycline as a promising new agent for the treatment of infections with Mycobacterium abscessus

Abstract Background Despite intensive treatment regimens, the outcome of Mycobacterium abscessus infections is extremely poor and thus novel treatment regimens are needed. Although tigecycline seems to be one of the best options currently available, its long-term use is hampered by severe toxic side effects as well as the need for intravenous administration and the relatively high concentrations required for efficacy. Objectives To assess the in vitro activity of omadacycline against M. abscessus and compare it with the activity of tigecycline. Methods The concentration- and time-dependent killing capacities of omadacycline and tigecycline against M. abscessus subspecies abscessus were determined using a time–kill kinetics assay. Time–kill curves as well as concentration–effect curves were generated. Results Time–kill curves showed strong concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity for both omadacycline and tigecycline. Omadacycline showed inhibition of mycobacterial growth at 4 mg/L and mycobacterial killing at concentrations ≥16 mg/L. Tigecycline showed mycobacterial killing at concentrations ≥4 mg/L, achieving elimination at concentrations ≥16 mg/L. The concentration–effect curves after 7 days of exposure showed stasis, 1 log mycobacterial killing and 2 log mycobacterial killing at 3.3, 4.0 and 4.8 mg/L for omadacycline and 2.2, 2.7 and 3.4 mg/L for tigecycline, respectively. Conclusions The results of this in vitro study on omadacycline activity, together with its favourable (pharmacokinetic) properties, suggest that omadacycline is a potential new agent for the treatment of M. abscessus infections.
Motor point topography of fundamental grip actuators in tetraplegia - implications in nerve transfer surgery.

The differentiation between an upper motoneuron (UMN) lesion and lower motoneuron (LMN) lesion of forearm muscles in patients with tetraplegia is critical for the choice of treatment strategy. Specifically, the M. pronator teres (PT), M. flexor digitorum profundus III (FDPIII) and M. flexor pollicis longus (FPL) were studied since they represent key targets in nerve transfer surgery to restore grasp function. Forearm muscles of 24 patients with tetraplegia were tested bilaterally with electrical stimulation (ES) to determine whether UMN lesion or LMN lesion was present. For detecting and testing the nerve stimulation points, a standardised mapping was developed and clinically applied. The relation between the anatomical segmental spinal innervation and the innervation pattern tested by ES was determined. The data of 44 arms were analyzed. For PT, 19 arms showed an intact UMN, 18 arms an UMN lesion and seven arms partial denervation. For FDPIII, 3 arms demonstrated an intact UMN, 26 arms an UMN lesion, 10 arms partial denervation and 5 arms denervation. For FPL, 2 arms presented an intact UMN, 16 arms an UMN lesion, 12 arms partial denervation and 14 arms denervation. 20.1% ES tested muscles were partially denervated. In four patients only one arm could be tested because of surgery-related limitations. According to the level of lesion and the segmental spinal innervation most denervated muscles were present in the patient group C6 to C8. The ES together with the developed mapping system is reliable and can be recommended for standardized testing in surgery and rehabilitation. It offers the possibility to detect if and to what extent UMN and LMN lesions are present for the target muscles. It allows for refined preoperative diagnostics and prognostics in SCI neurotization surgery. Electrical stimulation, Tetraplegia, Motor point topography, Grip function, Nerve transfer.
Functional Protein-Based Bioinspired Nanomaterials: From Coupled Proteins, Synthetic Approaches, Nanostructures to Applications

Protein-based bioinspired nanomaterials (PBNs) combines the advantage of the size, shape, and surface chemistry of nanomaterials, the morphology and functions of natural materials, and the physical and chemical properties of various proteins. Recently, there are many exciting developments on biomimetic nanomaterials using proteins for different applications including, tissue engineering, drug delivery, diagnosis and therapy, smart materials and structures, and water collection and separation. Protein-based biomaterials with high biocompatibility and biodegradability could be modified to obtain the healing effects of natural organisms after injury by mimicking the extracellular matrix. For cancer and other diseases that are difficult to cure now, new therapeutic methods involving different kinds of biomaterials are studied. The nanomaterials with surface modification, which can achieve high drug loading, can be used as drug carriers to enhance target and trigger deliveries. For environment protection and the sustainability of the world, protein-based nanomaterials are also applied for water treatment. A wide range of contaminants from natural water source, such as organic dyes, oil substances, and multiple heavy ions, could be absorbed by protein-based nanomaterials. This review summarizes the formation and application of functional PBNs, and the details of their nanostructures, the proteins involved, and the synthetic approaches are addressed.
A Vascular Aging Index as Independent Predictor of Cardiovascular Events and Total Mortality in an Elderly Urban Population

The morphology and function of the arteries can be directly measured using different established methods. This prospective cohort study aimed to translate 2 of these, aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) and carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT), into a combined Vascular Aging Index (VAI) and then evaluate the predictive power of aPWV, cIMT, and VAI. Patients (n = 2718) were included from the cardiovascular arm of the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study (median age 71.9 years, 62.2% females). Total follow-up time was 16 448 person-years and a composite cardiovascular disease (CVD) end point was used. Cox regressions yielded adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) per 1 standard deviation increment of loge aPWV, loge cIMT, and loge VAI of 1.25 (1.08-1.45, P = .003), 1.27 (1.13-1.44, P < .001), and 1.45 (1.26-1.68, P < .001), respectively. The C-statistics increased from 0.714 to 0.734 when adding aPWV and cIMT to a model of conventional risk factors. Net Reclassification Index also showed a significant (P < .001) improvement for the classification of event-free patients and no change for patients with events. A VAI based on aPWV and cIMT had a good predictive performance. Used together, aPWV and cIMT incrementally and significantly improve the prediction of CVD events by correctly down-adjusting the predicted risk for noncases.
Next-Generation Sequencing in the Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy-Associated Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the genetic mutation spectrum in Chinese patients with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy-associated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (FEVR-RRD) and to analyze the preliminary genotype-phenotype association. Methods In this consecutive, cross-sectional study, 54 patients with FEVR-RRD were studied. Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations and targeted next-generation sequencing were performed in all patients. The genotype-phenotype association was also analyzed. Results Causative mutations were identified in 38.9% (21/54) of patients (14/54 in LRP5, 4/54 in FDZ4, and 3/54 in TSPAN12). The study identified 22 potentially pathogenic mutations in 21 unrelated FEVR probands, and 14 were novel (10/15 in LRP5, 1/4 in FZD4, and 3/3 in TSPAN12). Furthermore, to explore the genotype-phenotype association, late-phase angiographic posterior and peripheral leakage (LAPPEL) was identified in 100% (4/4) of patients with FZD4 mutations and 100% (3/3) of patients with TSPAN12 mutations but only in 42.9% (6/14) of patients with LRP5 mutations. Extraretinal neovascularization (ERNV) was found in 100% (4/4) of patients with FZD4 mutations and in 66.7% (2/3) of patients with TSPAN12 mutations, but only in 21.4% (3/14) of patients with LRP5 mutations. Conclusions The positive rate for pathogenic mutations in the known FEVR-associated genes was 38.9% (21/54). Among the mutations, LRP5 mutation was the predominant, accounting for 66.7% (14/21) of genetic positive patients. Patients with FEVR-RRD due to LRP5 mutations have less retinal vascular leakage or neovasculization than do patients with FEVR-RRD due to TSPAN12/FZD4 mutations. Moreover, 14 novel variants were found, which provided a deeper understanding of this disease.
INFOSTATIONS (cid:0) A New System Model for Data and Messaging Services

(cid:0) A new wireless system concept called Infosta(cid:0) tions(cid:1) that can provide isolated pockets of high bandwidth connectivity(cid:1) is presented for future data and messaging ser(cid:2) vices(cid:3) Emphasis is on an architecture that can support delay tolerant high data rate services at relatively low costs(cid:1) which may account for their dramatic growth(cid:3) Key issues in the design of an Infostation radio system are outlined while fo(cid:2) cussing on the coverage and capacity that is feasible under
Stable multiple model adaptive flight control for accommodation of a large class of control effector failures

We propose a new parametrization for the modeling of control effector failures in flight control applications. The failures include float, lock-in-place, hard-over, and loss of effectiveness. It is shown that the resulting representation leads naturally to a multiple model formulation of the corresponding control problem that can be solved using a multiple model adaptive reconfigurable control approach. We derive stable multiple model adaptive reconfigurable control algorithms for the most complex case when one of the effectors undergoes float, lock-in-place or hard-over failure, while all others lose effectiveness. The stability of the overall reconfigurable control system is demonstrated using the Lyapunov method and the separation between identification and control arising in the context of indirect adaptive control. The approach is illustrated through numerical simulations of the F-18 aircraft carrier landing manoeuvre.
Puerarin prevents high-fat diet-induced obesity by enriching Akkermansia muciniphila in the gut microbiota of mice

Growing evidence indicates that the gut microbiota plays a significant role in the pathophysiological processes of obesity and its related metabolic symptoms in the host. Puerarin, an active ingredient in the root of Pueraria lobate has been suggested to have a potent anti-obesity effect. Herein, we tested whether this effect of puerarin is associated with changes in the gut microbiota. In addition to reducing body weight, inflammation, and insulin resistance, puerarin administration significantly altered the composition of the gut microbiota. Notably, puerarin treatment greatly increased the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila, a mucin-degrading bacterium known to be beneficial for host metabolism and significantly downregulated in high-fat diet–fed mice. Further experiments revealed that puerarin increased intestinal expression levels of Muc2 and Reg3g and protected intestinal barrier function (normal permeability) by increasing the expression of ZO-1 and occludin in vivo and in vitro. These data suggest that puerarin’s enriching effect on A. muciniphila is mediated, at least in part, by a host cellular response to protect the host from diet-induced metabolic disorders and other diseases.
Impact of prior statin use on mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and bloodstream infection

Objective This study assessed the effect of prior statin use on the 28-day mortality of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) who develop bloodstream infections. Methods This retrospective cohort study included all adult type 2 DM patients with bacteremia and verified prior medication history who visited the emergency department of a single tertiary hospital between January 2007 and December 2013. All major adverse consequences including septic shock events, use of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit admission, and 28-day mortality were assessed. Results A total of 1,979 patients were enrolled in the study, of whom 507 were taking statins. Statin users had less severe disease presentation and lower levels of sepsis biomarkers such as bandemia (1.3 ± 3.1 vs 1.8 ± 4.2). After adjustment for confounding variables using a Cox regression model, only older age (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.04), urinary tract infection (adjusted HR: 0.56, 95% CI, 0.43–0.75), and prior statin use (adjusted HR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.42–0.85) were significantly associated with 28-day in-hospital mortality. Conclusion Prior statin treatment in patients with type 2 DM and bacteremia was associated with a lower 28-day in-hospital mortality rate.
Determinants of Willingness of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus to Receive the Seasonal Influenza Vaccine in Southeast China

Willingness of patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine is low in China. A cross-sectional study on a representative sample of T2DM patients was conducted in Ningbo, a city in southeast China, to assess T2DM patients’ willingness to be vaccinated against influenza and identify the influence factors of this willingness. Data regarding the participant’s history of influenza, the knowledge, willingness and uptake of the influenza vaccine, demographic characteristics, reasons for willingness or unwillingness to be vaccinated was collected. Only 19.55% of a total of 1749 participants reported a willingness to be vaccinated. Factors positively associated with willingness to be vaccinated were perceived susceptibility to influenza (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.5–2.5), awareness of the vaccine (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.3–2.3) and previous history of influenza vaccination (OR = 4.4, 95% CI: 3.0–6.4). Patients with T2DM who were farmers (OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4–0.8) and those managed by contracted family doctors (OR = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.6–1.0) expressed less willingness to be vaccinated. Targeted interventions such as enhancing health education and strengthening medical staff training should be conducted to increase T2DM patients’ willingness to be vaccinated and enhance influenza vaccine uptake among this population.
Diagnostic Significance of Ultrasonographic Markers and Score in Detection of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in the Indian Subcontinent

Abstract In most countries, only high-risk women are screened for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). In addition, a onetime early screening test may miss GDM as it may be diagnosable between 24 and 28 weeks. Thus, it is preferable to have alternative tests to classify women as high risk for GDM and keep them under regular follow-up. A total of 120 women with singleton pregnancies and established maternal and/or pregnancy-related risk factors for GDM and who provided informed consent were subjected to an obstetric ultrasound scan at/or after 24 weeks' gestation followed by administration of a 2-hour 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Various ultrasound markers were determined/measured. Each ultrasound GDM marker was assigned 1 point to create the ultrasound gestational diabetes screening (UGDS) score. All ultrasound GDM markers positively correlated to the disease (P < 0.0001). The strongest independent predictor of GDM was an immature appearance of placenta (relative risk, 49.09; 95% confidence interval, 7.04–342.28; P < 0.0001). Receiver operator characteristics showed an area under the curve of 96.9%, confirming good ability of the UGDS to discriminate between positive and negative oral glucose tolerance test. A UGDS score of 4, providing diagnostic efficiency of 92%, sensitivity of 93.2%, specificity of 92%, positive predictive value of 85.4%, and negative predictive value of 96.4%, is proposed by this study. This study suggests that ultrasound markers significantly vary in GDM compared with normal pregnancy women and that UGDS is a good predictor of GDM. The UGDS may be considered an adjunct to current screening tools for GDM.
dTcf/Pangolin suppresses growth and tumor formation in Drosophila

Significance How growth is controlled is a crucial aspect in developmental biology. The Wnt/Wingless pathway plays central roles regulating animal growth and aberrant activity in this signaling cascade can lead to cancer. It is therefore crucial to understand the roles of the different components of this pathway in growth control and tumorigenesis. We have used the wing imaginal disk of Drosophila to study the growth regulatory roles of the transcription factor dTcf/Pangolin, the final effector of the Wnt/Wingless cascade. We have observed that dTcf/Pangolin can limit tissue growth and tumor formation, and we have identified the genes controlled by dTcf/Pangolin involved in tumor formation. This work uncovers a network of genes regulated by dTcf/Pangolin involved in tumorigenesis. Wnt/Wingless (Wg) signaling controls many aspects of animal development and is deregulated in different human cancers. The transcription factor dTcf/Pangolin (Pan) is the final effector of the Wg pathway in Drosophila and has a dual role in regulating the expression of Wg target genes. In the presence of Wg, dTcf/Pan interacts with β-catenin/Armadillo (Arm) and induces the transcription of Wg targets. In absence of Wg, dTcf/Pan partners with the transcriptional corepressor TLE/Groucho (Gro) and inhibits gene expression. Here, we use the wing imaginal disk of Drosophila as a model to examine the functions that dTcf/Pan plays in a proliferating epithelium. We report a function of dTcf/Pan in growth control and tumorigenesis. Our results show that dTcf/Pan can limit tissue growth in normal development and suppresses tumorigenesis in the context of oncogene up-regulation. We identify the conserved transcription factors Sox box protein 15 (Sox15) and Ftz transcription factor 1 (Ftz-f1) as genes controlled by dTcf/Pan involved in tumor development. In conclusion, this study reports a role for dTcf/Pan as a repressor of normal and oncogenic growth and identifies the genes inducing tumorigenesis downstream of dTcf/Pan.
Mass spectral analysis of acetylated peptides: Implications in proteomics

Sequence determination of peptides using mass spectrometry plays a crucial role in the bottom-up approaches for the identification of proteins. It is crucially important to minimise false detection and validate sequence of the peptides in order to correctly identify a protein. Chemical modification of peptides followed by mass spectrometry is an option for improving the spectral quality. In silico-derived tryptic peptides with different N-terminal amino acids were designed from human proteins and synthesized. The effect of acetylation on the fragmentation of peptides was studied. N-terminal acetylation of the tryptic peptides was shown to form b1-ions, improve the abundance and occurrence of b-ions. In some cases, the intensity and occurrence of some y-ions also varied. Thus, it is demonstrated that acetylation plays an important role in improving the de novo sequencing efficiency of the peptides. The acetylation method was extended to tryptic peptides generated from the proteome of an Antarctic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae Lz4W using the proteomics work flow and mass spectra of the peptides were analysed. Comparison of the MS/MS spectra of the acetylated and unacetylated peptides revealed that acetylation helped in improving the spectral quality and validated the peptide sequences. Using this method, 673 proteins of the 1070 proteins identified were validated.
Effect and Interaction of β-Lactoglobulin, Kappa Casein, and Prolactin Genes on Milk Production and Composition of Awassi Sheep

Simple Summary Beta-lactoglobulin (β-LG), prolactin (PRL), and Kappa casein (CSN3) all contribute to the determination of milk production and composition, but have not been assessed in local Awassi sheep. Therefore, our aim was to analyze the contribution of these genes in milk production and composition traits in commercial Awassi ewe population by genotyping and sequencing these genes. Our results showed the prevalence of the different variations (alleles) of the tested genes in the Awassi population, and no association among β-LG and CSN3 polymorphic genotypes and milk production, or PRL and fat%. Also, all 3 genes help determine the milk production potential of Awassi ewes and help assess milk components, and thus can be used in breeding programs to select for milk potential. Abstract A participatory animal-breeding program was applied to 9 commercial Awassi sheep flocks in Jordan. This study aimed to assess the influence of Beta-lactoglobulin (β-LG), Prolactin (PRL), and Kappa casein (CSN3) genes, genotypes and their interaction on milk production and composition traits of 167 genotyped Awassi ewes via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing. Allele frequencies for the two variants were 0.42 and 0.58 for β-LG, 0.82 and 0.18 for PRL, and 0.92 and 0.08 for CSN3. No association was found among β-LG and CSN3 polymorphic genotypes with milk production traits. However, ewes with PRL AA genotype showed higher milk production, β-LG AB was associated with lowest fat%, high solid not fat (SNF)%, protein%, and lactose%. β-LG BB was associated with highest milk density. PRL, β-LG, and CSN3 polymorphic genotypes were differentially associated with milk production and component traits. Furthermore, β-LG × PRL interaction showed the highest milk production and fat%; β-LG × PRL recorded the highest SNF%, protein%, lactose%, and milk density, while the PRL × CSN3 had the highest fat% and SNF%. The enhancing effects of these gene interactions can be incorporated in Awassi breeding programs to improve milk production and composition.