Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental approaches to vascularisation within tissue engineering constructs

Tissue engineering opens up a new area to restore the function of damaged tissue or replace a defective organ. Common strategies in tissue engineering to repair and form new tissue containing a functional vascular network include the use of cells, growth factors, extracellular matrix proteins, and biophysical stimuli. Yet, formation of well-distributed, interconnected, and stable vascular network still remains challenging. In addition, anastomoses with host vasculature upon implantation and long-time survival of the new blood vessel in vivo are other critical issues to be addressed. This paper presents a brief review of recent advances in vascularization in vitro as well as in vivo for tissue engineering, along with suggestions for future research.
Neuropsin is essential for early processes of memory acquisition and Schaffer collateral long‐term potentiation in adult mouse hippocampus in vivo

Long‐term potentiation (LTP) is thought to be particularly important in the acquisition of hippocampus‐associated memory, in part because it develops quickly and persists for indefinite periods. Extracellular proteolysis has been hypothesized to contribute to LTP by modifying adhesive relations of synapses and thus the morphology of excitatory synapses. Here we report that neuropsin (NP), an extracellular serine protease, is critically involved in the formation of both the potentiation effect and hippocampus‐dependent forms of memory. NP‐knockout mice were significantly impaired in the Morris water maze and Y‐mazes and failed to exhibit early phase LTP induced by a single tetanus. Potentiation was also impaired or completely blocked by in vivo application of a specific inhibitor or a neutralizing monoclonal antibody for NP. Intriguingly, recombinant (r‐) NP alone, without tetanic stimulation, elicited either long‐lasting potentiation or depression, depending on the applied dose. The r‐NP‐elicited potentiation was occluded by prior induction of LTP, while theta‐burst‐elicited LTP was occluded by application of r‐NP alone, suggesting that the two forms of plasticity have a common signalling pathway. r‐NP‐elicited potentiation and depression increased phosphorylation at different sites on the GluR1 subunit of the AMPA receptor that had previously been associated with LTP or long‐term depression. Thus, we conclude that NP is necessary for establishment of LTP and has a significant role in memory acquisition.
Organ protection in allograft recipients: anesthetic strategies to reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality

Purpose of reviewOrgan protection remains a primary objective in the anesthetic management of patients undergoing transplantation. An ongoing effort has been made to develop strategies to improve graft outcome and reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality, but trials have reported conflicting results. The aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive summary of the anesthetic management in transplant recipients and to identify current strategies for organ protection. Recent findingsDecreasing blood products requirements, intraoperative blood glucose control and adequate postoperative pain therapy may improve patient outcome. Vasopressors have been reported to reduce perioperative bleeding but might be associated with postoperative acute renal failure in liver transplantation. Early extubation may increase survival rates in recipients. These perioperative challenges, along with other protective strategies, have been addressed in 20 recently published studies: 10 randomized controlled trials, nine retrospective studies and one prospective study. SummaryThis review identified several promising strategies ensuring organ protection and improving patient outcome after solid organ transplantation. However, as outcomes were difficult to compare, further evidence will be needed before drawing firm conclusions.
The Impact of Trade and Outsourcing on Skilled and Unskilled Labour in France

This paper investigates the effect of trade and outsourcing on demand for labour in France, including the role of exports. We analyse the impact of outsourcing - imported inputs - on unskilled labour in manufacturing industry during 1990-2002 and find that outsourcing has a significant negative effect on the relative demand for unskilled labour. This could be potentially mitigated by exports in manufacturing, which are found to increase the demand for unskilled labour. Our analysis of economy- wide impact of trade over 1970-2003 finds that imported goods and services, as well as total exports, contribute to the skilled-unskilled differential by increasing the demand for skilled labour. These trade variables, however, have no statistically significant impact on the demand for unskilled labour.
Design procedure for two-stage CMOS opamp with flexible noise-power balancing scheme

This paper presents a basic two-stage CMOS opamp design procedure that provides the circuit designer with a means to strike a balance between two important characteristics in electronic circuit design, namely noise performance and power consumption. It is shown in this paper that, unlike the previously reported design procedures, the proposed design step allows opamp designers to trade between noise performance and power consumption with greater flexibility. In order to verify the viability of the proposed design step, SPICE simulation results of the opamp designed by the proposed procedure, under a variety of temperature and process conditions, are given.
Physical activity classification using the GENEA wrist-worn accelerometer.

INTRODUCTION Most accelerometer-based activity monitors are worn on the waist or lower back for assessment of habitual physical activity. Output is in arbitrary counts that can be classified by activity intensity according to published thresholds. The purpose of this study was to develop methods to classify physical activities into walking, running, household, or sedentary activities based on raw acceleration data from the GENEA (Gravity Estimator of Normal Everyday Activity) and compare classification accuracy from a wrist-worn GENEA with a waist-worn GENEA. METHODS Sixty participants (age = 49.4 ± 6.5 yr, body mass index = 24.6 ± 3.4 kg·m⁻²) completed an ordered series of 10-12 semistructured activities in the laboratory and outdoor environment. Throughout, three GENEA accelerometers were worn: one at the waist, one on the left wrist, and one on the right wrist. Acceleration data were collected at 80 Hz. Features obtained from both fast Fourier transform and wavelet decomposition were extracted, and machine learning algorithms were used to classify four types of daily activities including sedentary, household, walking, and running activities. RESULTS The computational results demonstrated that the algorithm we developed can accurately classify certain types of daily activities, with high overall classification accuracy for both waist-worn GENEA (0.99) and wrist-worn GENEA (right wrist = 0.97, left wrist = 0.96). CONCLUSIONS We have successfully developed algorithms suitable for use with wrist-worn accelerometers for detecting certain types of physical activities; the performance is comparable to waist-worn accelerometers for assessment of physical activity.
Normative data for the balance error scoring system: Implications for brain injury evaluations

Primary objective: Patients who sustain traumatic brain injuries can experience temporary or permanent deficits in static or dynamic balance. The Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) is a brief, easily-administered test of static balance that recently has been recommended for use with military personnel who do not recover rapidly from a mild traumatic brain injury. However, the test lacks normative reference values for healthy adults, which greatly limits its clinical usefulness. The purpose of this study is to provide normative data for healthy men and women across the lifespan. Methods: Community-dwelling adults (n= 589) between the ages of 20–69 (M= 49.75, SD = 10.81) were administered the BESS. They did not have significant medical, neurological or lower extremity problems that might have an adverse effect on balance. Results: There was no relation between BESS and height and a very small correlation between BESS and weight. There was a small correlation between BESS and waist girth and body mass index. BESS performance was similar in men and women. BESS scores were consistent across the age groups until the 50s, when they worsened. Normative reference values stratified by age groups are presented. Conclusions: These normative data provide a frame of reference for interpreting BESS performance in civilians and military personnel who sustain traumatic brain injuries and adults with diverse neurological problems.
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Improves the Survival and Development of Caprine Preantral Follicles after in vitro Tissue Culture

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)on the survival, activation and growth of goat preantral follicles after in vitro culture. The ovarian cortex was divided into small pieces and one fragment was immediately fixed (control). The remaining fragments were cultured in vitro for 1 or 7 days at 39°C and 5% CO2, in supplemented minimum essential medium (MEM+) with or without different concentrations of VIP (1, 10, 50, 100 or 200 ng/ml). Noncultured (fresh control) and cultured ovarian fragments were processed for histological analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Follicles were classified as primordial or developing, and as normal or degenerated. Our findings indicate that when compared with control, addition of all concentrations of VIP except 200 ng/ml resulted in similar percentages of normal preantral follicles after 1 and 7 days of culture. Culture of ovarian cortex tissue for 1 and 7 days increased the percentage of follicular activation in all treatments when compared with control, except with 1 ng/ml of VIP after 1 day. However, no difference was observed between VIP-treated and MEM+-treated follicles. In addition, after 7 days of culture, the highest follicular and oocyte diameters were observed in follicles cultured with 10 ng/ml VIP relative to MEM+ alone. Transmission electron microscopy showed ultrastructural integrity of follicles after 7 days of culture in 10 ng/ml VIP. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that VIP maintains follicular integrity and stimulates caprine preantral follicle growth.
Metformin restores crizotinib sensitivity in crizotinib-resistant human lung cancer cells through inhibition of IGF1-R signaling pathway

Aim Despite the impressive efficacy of crizotinib for the treatment of ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer, patients invariably develop therapeutic resistance. Suppression of the IGF-1R signaling pathway may abrogate this acquired mechanism of drug resistance to crizotinib. Metformin, a widely used antidiabetic agent, may reverse crizotinib resistance through inhibition of IGF-1R signaling. Results The present study revealed that metformin effectively increased the sensitivity of both crizotinib-sensitive and -resistant non-small cell lung cancer cells to crizotinib, as evidenced by decreased proliferation and invasion and enhanced apoptosis. Metformin reduced IGF-1R signaling activation in crizotinib-resistant cells. Furthermore, the addition of IGF-1 to crizotinib-sensitive H2228 cells induced crizotinib resistance, which was overcome by metformin. Experimental design The effects of metformin to reverse crizotinib resistance were examined in vitro by using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT), invasion assay, ki67 incorporation assay, flow cytometry analysis, Western blot analysis, and colony-forming assay. Conclusions Metformin may be used in combination with crizotinib in ALK+ NSCLC patients to overcome crizotinib resistance and prolong survival.
Posttraumatic stress disorder and trauma in youth in juvenile detention.

OBJECTIVE To determine prevalence estimates of exposure to trauma and 12-month rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among juvenile detainees by demographic subgroups (sex, race/ethnicity, and age). DESIGN Epidemiologic study of juvenile detainees. Master's level clinical research interviewers administered the PTSD module of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, version IV (DISC-IV), to randomly selected detainees. SETTING A large, temporary detention center for juveniles in Cook County, Illinois (which includes Chicago and surrounding suburbs). PARTICIPANTS Randomly selected, stratified sample of 898 African American, non-Hispanic white, and Hispanic youth (532 males, 366 females, aged 10-18 years) arrested and newly detained. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, version IV. RESULTS Most participants (92.5%) had experienced 1 or more traumas (mean, 14.6 incidents; median, 6 incidents). Significantly more males (93.2%) than females (84.0%) reported at least 1 traumatic experience; 11.2% of the sample met criteria for PTSD in the past year. More than half of the participants with PTSD reported witnessing violence as the precipitating trauma. CONCLUSION Trauma and PTSD seem to be more prevalent among juvenile detainees than in community samples. We recommend directions for research and discuss implications for mental health policy.
Hypoxia inducible factor-alpha expression correlates with vascular endothelial growth factor-C expression and lymphangiogenesis/angiogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND The number of blood vessels correlates with metastasis in solid tumors, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) could play a role in tumor lymphangiogenesis by regulating the lymphatic expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C). HIF-1alpha protein expression, VEGF-C protein expression, lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and blood vessel density (BVD) in OSCC were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS HIF-1alpha and VEGF-C protein expression were investigated by means of immunohistochemistry in samples from 65 cases of OSCC. The density of the lymphatic microvessels and blood microvessels immunohistochemically stained by LYVE-1 and CD34 antibody, respectively, was calculated. The association between the HIF-1alpha expression and the clinicopathological parameters was evaluated. RESULTS HIF-1alpha overexpression occurred in 43 out of the 65 tumor samples (66.2%), while VEGF-C overexpression was observed in 34 out of the 65 tumor samples (52.3%). Higher LVD was found in both high HIF-1alpha and high VEGF-C expression cases. HIF-1alpha overexpression was significantly correlated with VEGF-C overexpression (p = .018, Chi-square test), higher LVD (p < 0.001, Mann-Whitney U-test), and regional lymph nodal involvement (p = 0.004, Chi-square test) as well as UICC TMN classification (p = 0.043, Chi-square test), respectively. In addition, higher BVD existed in the high HIF-1alpha and VEGF-C expression groups (p < 0.001, Mann-Whitney U-test). CONCLUSION HIF-1alpha might play a crucial role in regional lymph node metastasis as a regulator of lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis in OSCC with a possible novel pathway involving VEGF-C. Therefore, HIF-1alpha might be a particularly promising target for controlling regional lymph node metastases by a combination of antiangiogenic and anti-lymphangiogenic effects in OSCC.
Marburg virus gene 4 encodes the virion membrane protein, a type I transmembrane glycoprotein

Gene 4 of Marburg virus, strain Musoke, was subjected to nucleotide sequence analysis. It is 2,844 nucleotides long and extends from genome position 5821 to position 8665 (EMBL Data Library, emnew: MVREPCYC [accession no. Z12132]). The gene is flanked by transcriptional signal sequences (start signal, 3'-UACUUCUUGUAAUU-5'; termination signal, 3'-UAAUUCUUUUU-5') which are conserved in all Marburg virus genes. The major open reading frame encodes a polypeptide of 681 amino acids (M(r), 74,797). After in vitro transcription and translation, as well as expression in Escherichia coli, this protein was identified by its immunoreactivity with specific antisera as the unglycosylated form of the viral membrane glycoprotein (GP). The GP is characterized by the following four different domains: (i) a hydrophobic signal peptide at the amino terminus (1 to 18), (ii) a predominantly hydrophilic external domain (19 to 643), (iii) a hydrophobic transmembrane anchor (644 to 673), and (iv) a small hydrophilic cytoplasmic tail at the carboxy terminus (674 to 681). Amino acid analysis indicated that the signal peptide is removed from the mature GP. The GP therefore has the structural features of a type I transmembrane glycoprotein. The external domain of the protein has 19 N-glycosylation sites and several clusters of hydroxyamino acids and proline residues that are likely to be the attachment sites for about 30 O-glycosidic carbohydrate chains. The region extending from positions 585 to 610 shows significant homology to a domain observed in the envelope proteins of several retroviruses and Ebola virus that has been suspected to be responsible for immunosuppressive properties of these viruses. A second open reading frame of gene 4 has the coding capacity for an unidentified polypeptide 112 amino acids long.
Injected hyaluronidase reduces restylane-mediated cutaneous augmentation.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of injected hyaluronidase in cutaneous areas previously augmented with Restylane (Q-Med AB, Uppsala, Sweden), a nonanimal, stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) gel. METHODS A prospective, randomized study was undertaken in 2 parts. First, the effects of hyaluronidase and saline were compared on post-NASHA dermal augmentation. Next, 3 different doses of hyaluronidase were evaluated after NASHA gel dermal augmentation. A blinded evaluator assigned postinjection skin scores. Each patient served as his or her own control. RESULTS Hyaluronidase dramatically reduced the size of the augmentation created by injected Restylane in all of our subjects. A comparison of average scores of saline-injected sites vs hyaluronidase-injected sites revealed a statistically significant difference. By 4 to 7 days after hyaluronidase injection, skin scores were at 20% of baseline (P<.001). Dose-related response to injected hyaluronidase was also observed, although it was not statistically significant. A number of patients (25%) demonstrated localized, self-limiting hypersensitivity reactions to injected hyaluronidase. CONCLUSIONS Intradermal hyaluronidase injections can be used to reduce dermal augmentation from previously injected Restylane. A small dose of hyaluronidase equivalent to 5 to 10 U may be injected initially.
The consequences and policy implications of urban encroachment into flood-risk areas: the case of Ibadan

ABSTRACT Urban encroachment on floodplains has exacerbated flood disasters owing to the reduction in the floodplain’s capacity to mitigate flooding, thereby bringing more settlements and people at flood risk. This study examined the consequences and policy implications of urban encroachment into Ibadan’s flood-risk areas. The survey-based study relied on primary and secondary data, with multistage sampling procedures selecting 15% of the flood-affected buildings in 2011, from which a structured questionnaire was administered to 402 households. The study revealed that the institutional arrangements with respect to responsibilities, regulations and control of urban floodplains were fragmented and non-participatory. At least 62% of all the affected buildings encroached into the statutory setbacks to rivers. Household property lost/damaged included domestic goods (75%), domestic animals and pets (60%), working instruments/machines (31%), the source of domestic water (34%) and vehicles (29%). Strong direct correlations were found between the urban and peri-urban communities in (1) the number of damaged/lost property and (2) the number of households that suffered health-related challenges. The paper recommends that the overall co-ordination of flood management activities be entrusted to an institution that can assume responsibility for legal, technical, administrative and financial matters related to urban planning and flood-risk management.
Roles of Cytochrome P450 in Development

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) forms are ubiquitous in nature, appearing in almost all phyla, with many forms appearing in any organism. About 50 different forms have been identified in man, and some of these are found in the embryo, some showing temporal dependence. Many of the forms of cytochrome P450 present in one species have homologues in other species. For example, CYP1A2 is present in many species, including man, rabbits, rodents, fish and fowl. The amino acid sequence identity of these homologues is often in excess of 70%. CYP26, too, has more than 61% identity in amino acid sequence between fish, fowl and mammals. In view of the high degree of conservation of sequence as well as of enzymatic activities, it is only reasonable to assume that such strong conservation of sequence also reflects a conservation of function. Since the 'xenobiotic metabolizing' enzymes predate the production of the many xenobiotics they are known to metabolize, perhaps it is reasonable to consider endobiotics as natural substrates for their metabolism. Of the identified forms of cytochrome P450 that are present in embryonic tissue, we consider the possibility that they serve the organism in support of morphogenesis of the embryonic tissue. These forms may either function to generate morphogenic molecules or to keep regions free of them, thereby creating temporal and spatial regions of morphogen action and supporting region-specific changes in cells. One known morphogen, retinoic acid, has the enzymes retinal dehydrogenase (RALDH) and CYP26 maintaining its actions, the former responsible for its generation and the latter for its elimination. Another form of cytochrome P450, CYP1B1 appears also to be involved in differentiation of tissue, with its absence resulting in primary congenital glaucoma. However, the nature of the morphogen it may maintain still remains to be elucidated.
Diagnosing Hypertension in Primary Care Clinics According to Current Guidelines

Purpose: This descriptive study examines hypertension diagnostic practices in Utah primary care clinics relative to the 2015 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations for the accurate diagnosis of hypertension. We assessed clinic procedures in place to facilitate accurate in-office and out-of-office blood pressure (BP) measurement. Methods: An online questionnaire was administered to 321 primary care clinics. We compared current clinic BP measurement practices with the USPTF recommendations and assessed the level of adherence to the recommendations by level of clinic integration with a hospital. Results: Of the 321 primary care clinics that received the assessment, 123 (38.3%) completed the questionnaire. Clinics varied significantly in their ability to provide accurate in-office measurement, ranging from 57.5% to 93.5% of clinics complying with USPSTF recommendations. Only 25.2% of clinics reported having access to ambulatory monitoring and 36.6% had instructional materials for accurate home BP monitoring. Clinics integrated with a hospital were more likely to report adherence to recommendations than solo or independent clinics (36.4% vs 10.5%; P < .01). Conclusion: This assessment shows that many primary care clinics are not well prepared to implement the USPSTF guidelines for accurate diagnosis of hypertension. Most office practices will benefit from support to develop their capacities.