Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immunomodulation of cell-penetrating tat-metallothionein for successful outcome of xenotransplanted pancreatic islet

Abstract Pancreatic islet transplantation is a promising treatment for treatment of type 1 diabetes; however, transplantation outcomes have been disappointing due to early graft loss that is mediated by many immune responses. Immune cells not only directly damaged islet but also produced reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is highly toxic to islet cells. Metallothionein (MT) can provide protection against oxidative stress by scavenging various ranges of ROS including superoxide, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide. For scavenging immune response-induced ROS, cell-penetrating Tat peptide-metallothionein (Tat-MT) was delivered into islets. The viability of Tat-MT-treated islets was not damaged during co-culture with macrophages or ROS-generating paraquat. When Tat-MT-treated islets were xenotransplanted, ROS production was significantly attenuated at the islets. Eventually, the survival time of Tat-MT-treated islets was significantly enhanced without any immunosuppressant medicine. Additionally, we confirmed that the survival time of Tat-MT-treated islets in all animals was dramatically improved when accompanied with low dose immunosuppressive agents (tacrolimus and anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody), indicating that Tat-MT delivery could have synergistic effect with immunosuppressants. Collectively, this new combination therapy of Tat-MT delivery with low dose immunosuppressant would be a powerful remedy for successful outcome of islet xenotransplantation.
Detection of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha in Epiretinal Membranes of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy, Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy and Macular Pucker

Purpose: To evaluate epiretinal membranes in proliferative eye disease for the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Methods: Membranes were surgically removed from 66 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and macular pucker (MP). Cytokine concentrations were determined by ELISA (VEGF) and bioassay (TNF-α). Results: VEGF was detected in all 66 membranes investigated. The highest VEGF values were found in patients with type I diabetes (mean = 5,994 pg/mg protein). In patients with type II diabetes, the values were at a mean of 1,242 pg/mg protein. When coagulation therapy was performed for longer than 3 months prior to surgery, VEGF was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced. Intermediate levels of VEGF were found in PVR membranes (mean = 1,417 pg/mg protein). The lowest activity was found in MP (mean = 216 pg/mg protein). In contrast, TNF-α was present in 16 PDR membranes, 9 PVR membranes and 8 MP membranes. Conclusion: The presence of VEGF in all membranes investigated indicates that this cytokine plays an important role in angiogenesis in ischemic retinal disease and in membrane growth in proliferative disorders.
Systematic review of health state utility values for acute myeloid leukemia

Background Cost-utility analyses for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) require health state utility values (HSUVs) in order to calculate quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) for each health state. Aim This study reviewed AML-related HSUVs that could be used in economic evaluation studies. Materials and methods EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases were searched from January 2000 to November 2016 for relevant studies that reported quality of life (QoL) and HSUVs in AML. Identified relevant European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 values were mapped to HSUVs. HSUVs for each health state in the AML treatment pathway were then collated. Results Ten relevant studies were identified. Six were cost-effectiveness analyses utilizing HSUVs for calculation of QALYs, one was an effectiveness analysis (incremental QALY), and two were QoL studies reporting AML-specific utilities. An additional study reported QoL for patients undergoing stem cell transplantation (SCT). Since no study reported HSUVs for relapse, values from a study of secondary AML patients who failed prior treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome were used. Where multiple HSUVs were available, collected values were given priority over assumed values. AML treatment (induction, consolidation, or SCT) was associated with decreased HSUV, while post-treatment complete remission led to increased HSUV. Conclusion There are some methodologically robust HSUVs that can be directly used in economic evaluations for AML. Careful interpretation is advised considering significant differences in methodologies and patient population (inclusion, size). We need to develop HSUVs with larger-sized studies, making greater use of condition-specific data.
Fixed Drug Eruption Presenting as Erythema dyschromicum perstans: A Flare without Taking Any Medications

Fixed drug eruption (FDE) can present as multiple pigmented macules that flare at fixed sites even when the patient has taken no medications. Although this presentation is not characteristic of FDE, it must be borne in mind in order to make a correct diagnosis. We describe such a patient whose condition was initially diagnosed as erythema dyschromicum perstans (EDP). Immunohistochemically intraepidermal T cells were distributed between basal and suprabasal keratinocytes in the lesional skin, a finding suggestive of FDE. A flare occurred not only with exposure to theophylline but also without exposure. A flare has never recurred and pigmented macules faded gradually after avoiding theophylline. On the basis of these findings, we recommend that patients with an EDP-like presentation be examined completely for causes such as drugs before labeling the cutaneous lesions.
Utilizing mobile health method to emergency nurses’ knowledge about Emergency Severity Index triage

BACKGROUND: Mobile health has the potential to revolutionize the role of educators by empowering nurses to take more responsibility for their own learning. Hence, this study was designed to examine the effect of mobile health method to emergency nurses’ knowledge about Emergency Severity Index triage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A two groups’ pool blind quasi-experimental study was performed on emergency department nurses working in hospitals affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The study was conducted from September to November 2014. Sample size was calculated as 35 participants in each group (a total of seventy participants). Participants were divided into two groups of mobile health and workshop, randomly. Participants’ knowledge score was collected according to researcher-made questionnaire with twenty questions. SPSS version 11.5 was used to conduct statistical tests such as independent t-test and paired t-test for analyzing the data with the significant level <0.05. RESULTS: The results show that there was not any significant difference between the knowledge scores of mobile health and workshop group before intervention, but there was a significant difference after 2-week intervention (P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: The electronic program was an attractive education method for emergency nurses because in these method educators by empowering nurses to take more responsibility for their own learning. Hence, it is suggested that mobile health is used by authorities along with routine training, due to its less cost and spending less time.
Impacts of land use on climate and ecosystem productivity over the Amazon and the South American continent

The Amazon basin is characterized by a strong interplay between the atmosphere and vegetation. Anthropogenic land use and land cover change (LULCC) affects vegetation and the exchange of energy and water with the atmosphere. Here we have assessed potential LULCC impacts on climate and natural vegetation dynamics over South America with a regional Earth system model that also accounts for vegetation dynamics. The biophysical and biogeochemical impacts from LULCC were addressed with two simulations over the CORDEX-South America domain. The results show that LULCC imposes local and remote influences on South American climate. These include significant local warming over the LULCC-affected area, changes in circulation patterns over the Amazon basin during the dry season, and an intensified hydrological cycle over much of the LULCC-affected area during the wet season. These changes affect the natural vegetation productivity which shows contrasting and significant changes between northwestern (around 10% increase) and southeastern (up to 10% decrease) parts of the Amazon basin caused by mesoscale circulation changes during the dry season, and increased productivity in parts of the LULCC-affected areas. We conclude that ongoing deforestation around the fringes of the Amazon could impact pristine forest by changing mesoscale circulation patterns, amplifying the degradation of natural vegetation caused by direct, local impacts of land use activities.
Dermocystidium sp. infection in farmed hybrid fish Colossoma macropomum × Piaractus brachypomus in Brazil.

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the COMPETE – Operational Competitiveness Programme; FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology; National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Grant/Award Number: 305195/2016-6, 305869/2014-0; CAPES/ EMBRAPA / Participation of J.C. Eiras was partially supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the COMPETE – Operational Competitiveness Programme, and national funds through FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology, under the project “Pest-C/MAR/LA0015/2011. The authors thank National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for financial support to R. Y. Fujimoto (305195/2016-6), M.L. Martins (305869/2014-0) and CAPES/EMBRAPA (15/2014) for PhD scholarship to N.C. Sousa.
Effect of nonsuckling period on pituitary prolactin secretory activity in rats.

To study the effect of nonsuckling period on the response of pituitary prolactin secretion to resuckling, the pituitary and serum prolactin levels and synthesis and release of prolactin of the pituitary in vitro before and/or after resuckling following various lengths of nonsuckling period were measured by radioimmunoassay or by the technique of 14C-leucine incorporation into prolactin in primiparous Sprague-Dawley rats.The pituitary prolactin content and concentration increased after 8 h of nonsuckling and then gradually decreased. Nevertheless, serum prolactin concentration after 3 and 10 min of resuckling and prolactin released from the pituitary in vitro were higher in the rats with 24 h of the nonsuckling period than in the rats with 8, and 16 h of the nonsuckling period. These results suggest that prolactin secretion, especially its release, was intensively inhibited until about 16 h, but apparently recovered at 24 h of the nonsuckling period. The significance of these findings was discussed.
A 5G Wideband Patch Antenna With Antisymmetric L-shaped Probe Feeds

A dual-polarized patch antenna element fed by a pair of antisymmetric L-shaped probes is proposed. The designed twin L-shaped probe feeding structure is able to introduce feed capacitance to the antenna for broadband operation. The lengths of the two L-shaped probe feeds are identical, but the feeds are antisymmetric. This feeding design can minimize the unwanted radiation from the probe effectively. The dual-polarized antenna can be operated in the frequency band 1580–2750 MHz, which covers the current mobile communication systems, 3G and 4G and higher band frequencies. A prototype with dual slanted ±45° polarization has been fabricated for validation. Both the simulation and measured results show that the proposed antenna has wide bandwidth of 54% (SWR < 2) with desirable directional radiation patterns in the vertical and horizontal planes, as well as high isolation better than −30 dB between the two input ports.
Effect of post-brushing water rinsing on caries-like lesions at approximal and buccal sites.

The aim was to study the effect of two different water rinsing procedures after toothbrushing with an NaF-containing dentifrice on the degree of de- or remineralization of enamel and dentine at approximal and buccal sites. Seven adults, wearing complete dentures, participated in two experimental periods (A and B) in a randomised order. During period A, they brushed with the dentifrice for 2 min, followed by 1-min active mouthrinse with the toothpaste-foam combined with 10 ml of water. No more water was used after the slurry had been spat out. During period B, the brushing was followed by 3 thorough rinsings of approximately 15 ml water each. These two procedures were carried out twice daily, i.e. in the morning (after breakfast) and in the evening (just before bedtime), during 3 months. Demineralized enamel and dentine samples were mounted at two locations--approximally and buccally--in the first molar region of the upper prostheses. Quantitative microradiography (TMR) was used to assess the lesion depth (ld) and the mineral loss (delta Z). The results showed that the approximally located samples continued to lose mineral during both periods A and B. However, the ld and delta Z values for enamel (p < 0.01) and dentine (p < 0.05) increased less during A than B. The buccally located enamel and dentine samples remineralized during the experiment, but no statistically significant differences were found for the ld and delta Z values of either enamel or dentine between periods A and B. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Linking scales in sea ice mechanics

Mechanics plays a key role in the evolution of the sea ice cover through its control on drift, on momentum and thermal energy exchanges between the polar oceans and the atmosphere along cracks and faults, and on ice thickness distribution through opening and ridging processes. At the local scale, a significant variability of the mechanical strength is associated with the microstructural heterogeneity of saline ice, however characterized by a small correlation length, below the ice thickness scale. Conversely, the sea ice mechanical fields (velocity, strain and stress) are characterized by long-ranged (more than 1000 km) and long-lasting (approx. few months) correlations. The associated space and time scaling laws are the signature of the brittle character of sea ice mechanics, with deformation resulting from a multi-scale accumulation of episodic fracturing and faulting events. To translate the short-range-correlated disorder on strength into long-range-correlated mechanical fields, several key ingredients are identified: long-ranged elastic interactions, slow driving conditions, a slow viscous-like relaxation of elastic stresses and a restoring/healing mechanism. These ingredients constrained the development of a new continuum mechanics modelling framework for the sea ice cover, called Maxwell–elasto-brittle. Idealized simulations without advection demonstrate that this rheological framework reproduces the main characteristics of sea ice mechanics, including anisotropy, spatial localization and intermittency, as well as the associated scaling laws. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Microdynamics of ice’.
A systematic approach to autoinflammatory syndromes: a spelling booklet for the beginner

ABSTRACT Introduction: Hallmark of autoinflammatory syndromes (AIS) is the periodic recurrence of ‘sterile’ inflammatory attacks characterized by fever and organ- or tissue-specific inflammation. Basic research projects over the last two decades have boosted our understanding of pathological pathways, mainly involving interleukin (IL)-1 biosynthesis, and also revealed that their dysregulation results from genetically-heterogeneous inborn errors of innate immunity and leads to multiple inflammatory phenotypes. Starting from the evidence of poor response to IL-1 inhibitors of some patients with multi-organ inflammation, further research studies have disclosed a crucial role for nuclear factor (NF)-κB and type I interferon (IFN) in specific AIS. Presently, new genetically-defined AIS have been identified, following the in-depth analysis of molecular pathways which involve either constitutive NF-κB activation or IFN signaling. Areas covered: This review is intended as a spelling booklet to help clinicians approaching patients with AIS in a simple way, using the component of the innate immunity they mainly affect. AIS have been split into 4 groups: IL-1-mediated disorders, NF-κB-mediated disorders, IFN-mediated disorders, and syndromes with still unraveled pathogenetic mechanisms or without any dominating cytokine involved. This classification has mere scholastic purposes and does not reflect the intimate complexity of each disorder discussed herein. Expert commentary: The understanding of dysregulated molecular pathways driving specific phenotypes in most AIS has prompted numerous projects to discover therapies targeting directly cytokine-mediated manifestations in such problematic patients, hopefully aimed to decrease or cancel inflammation and lead to a drastic change in patients’ lives. The future has only begun.
Association of Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment Form Use With End-of-Life Care Quality Metrics in Patients With Cancer.

PURPOSE Many patients with advanced cancer receive aggressive treatment near the end of life. The Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form is an innovation that converts patient preferences into medical orders. We compared the end-of-life care of patients with advanced cancer who had completed POLST forms with that of patients who had advance directives (ADs). METHODS We studied 2,159 West Virginians with ADs and/or POLST forms in the West Virginia e-Directive Registry who died as a result of cancer between January 2011 and February 2016. Data from the Vital Registration Office (date, site, and cause of death) were merged with those from the registry (form type, completion date, and hospice admission). The primary outcome variables were out-of-hospital death (OHD) and hospice admission. RESULTS The percentage of patients with OHD was 85.7% for patients with POLST forms compared with 72.0% for those with ADs ( P < .001). The odds of OHD for patients with POLST forms were 2.33 times those of patients with ADs. The percentage of patients admitted to hospice was 49.9% for those with POLST forms compared with 27.0% for those with ADs ( P < .001). The odds of being admitted to hospice for patients with POLST forms were 2.69 times those of patients with ADs. CONCLUSION Advance care planning with completion of POLST forms compared with ADs in patients with advanced cancer was associated with two quality end-of-life care metrics: OHD and hospice admission. Our study suggests that goals-of-care discussions including POLST form completion may improve end-of-life care for patients with advanced cancer.
Male mate choice via cuticular hydrocarbon pheromones drives reproductive isolation between Drosophila species

Mate discrimination is a key mechanism restricting gene flow between species. While studied extensively with respect to female mate choice, mechanisms of male mate choice between species are far less studied. Thus, we have little knowledge of the relative frequency, importance, or overall contribution of male mate discrimination to reproductive isolation. In the present study, we estimated the relative contributions of male and female choice to reproductive isolation between Drosophila simulans and D. sechellia, and show that male mate discrimination accounts for the majority of the current isolation between these species. We further demonstrate that males discriminate based on female cuticular hydrocarbon pheromones, and collect evidence supporting the hypothesis that male mate discrimination may alleviate the costs associated with heterospecific courtship and mating. Our findings highlight the potentially significant contribution of male mate choice to the formation of reproductive isolating barriers, and thus the speciation process.
The role of Walsh structure and ordinal linkage in the optimisation of pseudo-Boolean functions under monotonicity invariance

Optimisation heuristics rely on implicit or explicit assumptions about the structure of the black-box fitness function they optimise. A review of the literature shows that understanding of structure and linkage is helpful to the design and analysis of heuristics. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the role that problem structure plays in heuristic optimisation. Many heuristics use ordinal operators; which are those that are invariant under monotonic transformations of the fitness function. In this thesis we develop a classification of pseudo-Boolean functions based on rank-invariance. This approach classifies functions which are monotonic transformations of one another as equivalent, and so partitions an infinite set of functions into a finite set of classes. Reasoning about heuristics composed of ordinal operators is, by construction, invariant over these classes. We perform a complete analysis of 2-bit and 3-bit pseudo-Boolean functions. We use Walsh analysis to define concepts of necessary, unnecessary, and conditionally necessary interactions, and of Walsh families. This helps to make precise some existing ideas in the literature such as benign interactions. Many algorithms are invariant under the classes we define, which allows us to examine the difficulty of pseudo-Boolean functions in terms of function classes. We analyse a range of ordinal selection operators for an EDA. Using a concept of directed ordinal linkage, we define precedence networks and precedence profiles to represent key algorithmic steps and their interdependency in terms of problem structure. The precedence profiles provide a measure of problem difficulty. This corresponds to problem difficulty and algorithmic steps for optimisation. This work develops insight into the relationship between function structure and problem difficulty for optimisation, which may be used to direct the development of novel algorithms. Concepts of structure are also used to construct easy and hard problems for a hill-climber.
Nonlinear modeling of crystal system transition of black phosphorus using continuum-DFT model

In this paper, the nonlinear behavior of black phosphorus crystals is investigated in tandem with dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT-D) analysis under uniaxial loadings. From the identified anisotropic behavior of black phosphorus due to its morphological anisotropy, a hyperelastic anisotropic (HA) model named continuum-DFT is established to predict the nonlinear behavior of the material. In this respect, uniaxial Cauchy stresses are employed on both the DFT-D and HA models along the zig-zag and armchair directions. Simultaneously, the transition of the crystal system is recognized at about 4.5 GPa of the applied uniaxial tensile stress along the zig-zag direction on the DFT-D simulation in the nonlinear region. In order to develop the nonlinear continuum model, unknown constants are surveyed with the optimized least square technique. In this regard, the continuum model is obtained to reproduce the Cauchy stress–stretch and density of strain–stretch results of the DFT-D simulation. Consequently, the modified HA model is introduced to characterize the nonlinear behavior of black phosphorus along the zig-zag direction. More importantly, the specific transition of the crystal system is successfully predicted in the new modified continuum-DFT model. The results reveal that the multiscale continuum-DFT model is well defined to replicate the nonlinear behavior of black phosphorus along the zig-zag and armchair directions.