Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Transcriptome Response to a Mixture of Lactobacilli Strains in Intestinal Porcine Epithelial Cell Line

Background: Food and feed supplements containing microorganisms with probiotic potential are of increasing interest due to their healthy promoting effect on human and animals. Their mechanism of action is still unknown. Using a microarray approach, the aim of this study was to investigate the differences in genome-wide gene expression induced by a mixture of three Lactobacillus strains (L. rhamnosus, L. plantarum, and L. paracasei) in intestinal porcine epithelial cells (IPEC-1) and to identify the genes and pathways involved in intestinal barrier functions. Methods: Undifferentiated IPEC-1 cells seeded at a density of 2.0 × 105/mL in 24-wells culture plates were cultivated at 37 °C and 5% CO2 until they reached confluence (2–3 days). Confluent cells monolayer were then cultivated with 1 mL of fresh lactobacilli (LB) mixture suspension prepared for a concentration of approximately 3.3 × 107 CFU/mL for each strain (1 × 108 CFU/mL in total) for 3 h and analyzed by microarray using Gene Spring GX v.11. 5. Results: The functional analysis showed that 1811 of the genes modulated by LB treatment are involved in signaling (95% up-regulation, 121 genes with a fold change higher than 10). The most enhanced expression was registered for AXIN2 (axis inhibition protein 2-AXIN2) gene (13.93 Fc, p = 0.043), a negative regulator of β-catenin with a key role in human cancer. LB affected the cellular proliferation by increasing 10 times (Fc) the NF1 gene encoding for the neurofibromin protein, a tumor suppressor that prevent cells from uncontrolled proliferation. The induction of genes like serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade A member 3 (SERPINA 3), interleukin-20 (IL-20), oncostatin M (OSM), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and the suppression of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2/macrophage inflammatory protein 2-alpha (CXCL-2/MIP-2), regulator of G-protein signaling 2 (RGS2), and of pro-inflammatory interleukin-18 (IL-18) genes highlights the protective role of lactobacilli in epithelial barrier function against inflammation and in the activation of immune response. Conclusion: Gene overexpression was the predominant effect produced by lactobacilli treatment in IPEC-1 cells, genes related to signaling pathways being the most affected. The protective role of lactobacilli in epithelial barrier function against inflammation and in the activation of immune response was also noticed.
Workplace Ostracism and Employee Creativity: An Integrative Approach Incorporating Pragmatic and Engagement Roles

Extending an extant dynamic componential perspective, we propose an integrative model of how and why workplace ostracism exhibited by supervisors relates to employees’ creativity through pragmatic (task resources) and engagement (creative process engagement) effects. Specifically, we predict that workplace ostracism negatively relates to creativity through reduced task resources and creative process engagement. Perceived organizational support plays a key role in buffering the negative effects of workplace ostracism in both pragmatic and engagement domains. Three-wave, supervisor–subordinate, dyadic data from a bank in China support these hypotheses. We discuss the implications of these results for both research and practice.
Helium in-plane migration behavior on 〈1 0 0〉 symmetric tilt grain boundaries in tungsten

We present the results of an atomistic modeling study of small helium cluster migration in the plane of symmetric tilt grain boundaries. The relevant migration pathways and energies were determined by way of temperature accelerated dynamics and the nudged elastic band method. We find that small helium clusters show much higher migration energies when bound to the grain boundary than in the bulk for all types of grain boundaries, indicating strongly-impeded helium transport behavior. Larger helium clusters (up to three helium atoms) tend to have higher migration energies compared with smaller clusters. Longer-distance migrations also tend to have higher migration energies, but helium cluster migration is highly affected by the structure of the grain boundary. The binding energy of the grain boundaries studied is high enough that helium clusters would be unlikely to leave the grain boundary plane. However, vacancy migration energies are relatively low compared to the bulk, and are also much lower than helium cluster migration energies on the grain boundary plane. This suggests that helium cluster migration on the grain boundary is actually governed by the rate of vacancy migration: in the bulk, helium clusters are mobile, but they become bound to and immobilized by grain boundaries, forming bubbles. Bubbles, however, are likely more mobile on the grain boundary than they are in the bulk due to the increased rate of vacancy migration on the grain boundary. We expect similar migration behavior for other types of grain boundaries because of the increased excess volume found near all grain boundaries.
Explaining intelligibility in speech-modulated maskers using acoustic glimpse analysis.

Intelligibility was measured in speech-modulated noise varying in level and temporal modulation rate (TMR). Acoustic analysis measured glimpses available above a local signal-to-noise ratio criterion (LC). The proportion and rate of glimpses were correlated with intelligibility, particularly in relation to masker level or TMR manipulations, respectively. Intelligibility correlations for each metric were maximized at different analysis LCs. Regression analysis showed that both metrics measured at -2 dB LC were required to best explain the total variance (R2 = 0.49) for individual sentence intelligibility. Acoustic conditions associated with recognizing speech in complex maskers are best explained using multidimensional glimpse metrics.
Changes in antipsychotic drug usage and factors affecting the use of typical drugs based on nationwide health insurance data in South Korea

Objectives To determine changes in antipsychotic drug usage in all South Korean patients with schizophrenia in 2011–2015 and factors affecting their utilisation in 2015. Design and setting Retrospective cohort study using health insurance claims data on patients with schizophrenia in South Korea in 2011–2015. Participants All treated patients with schizophrenia in South Korea in 2011–2015. The number of patients with schizophrenia was 171 302 in 2011, 175 488 in 2012, 177 763 in 2013, 180 079 in 2014 and 183 427 in 2015. Main outcome measures Changes in antipsychotic drug usage and factors affecting the use of antipsychotics. Results Among patients with schizophrenia, there were tendencies of decreased use of antipsychotic combination therapy of typical drugs (from 11.5% to 7.5%) but increased use of combination therapy of atypical drugs (from 21.8% to 29.0%). Factors affecting the use of typical drugs were sex, age, geographical region, type of benefits/insurances and type of medical institutions. Use of typical antipsychotics was increased by age (OR=1.02, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.02). It was higher in men (OR=1.27, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.30) than that in women. It was higher in Medicaid benefiters (OR=4.49, 95% CI 4.35 to 4.64) than that in patients with health insurance. Use of typical drugs was higher among patients treated in general hospitals (OR=1.46, 95% CI 1.32 to 1.64), primary hospitals (OR=3.25, 95% CI 2.95 to 3.59), long-term care hospitals (OR=3.00, 95% CI 2.59 to 3.49) and clinics (OR=8.87, 95% CI 8.06 to 9.76) compared with that in tertiary care hospitals. Compared with metropolitan region, higher use of typical antipsychotics was seen in Gangwon (OR=1.14, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.25), Jeolla (OR=1.32, 95% CI 1.26 to 1.39) and Gyeongsang (OR=1.14, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.18) provinces. Conclusions Results of this study confirmed changes of antipsychotic drug usage from typical to atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia and identified factors affecting the use of typical drugs, in contrast with current treatment trend in South Korea. These results may be used in the improvement of a medical system.
The effect of consultant outcome publication on surgeon behaviour: a systematic review and narrative synthesis

Introduction Surgeon‐specific outcome data, or consultant outcome publication, refers to public access to named surgeon procedural outcomes. Consultant outcome publication originates from cardiothoracic surgery, having been introduced to US and UK surgery in 1991 and 2005, respectively. It has been associated with an improvement in patient outcomes. However, there is concern that it may also have led to changes in surgeon behaviour. This review assesses the literature for evidence of risk‐averse behaviour, upgrading of patient risk factors and cessation of low‐volume or poorly performing surgeons. Materials and methods A systematic literature review of Embase and Medline databases was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis guidelines. Original studies including data on consultant outcome publication and its potential effect on surgeon behaviour were included. Results Twenty‐five studies were identified from the literature search. Studies suggesting the presence of risk‐averse behaviour and upgrading of risk factors tended to be survey based, with studies contrary to these findings using recognised regional and national databases. Discussion and conclusion Our review includes instances of consultant outcome publication leading to risk‐averse behaviour, upgrading of risk factors and cessation of low‐volume or poorly performing surgeons. As UK data on consultant outcome publication matures, further research is essential to ensure that high‐risk patients are not inappropriately turned down for surgery.
The Great East Japan Earthquake, Tsunamis, and Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Disaster: Lessons for Evidence Integration from a WADEM 2017 Presentation and Panel Discussion

Abstract In April 2017, some of the health impacts of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunamis, and resultant Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster (Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan) were presented at the 19th Congress of the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM; Madison, Wisconsin USA) in Toronto, Canada. A panel discussion was then opened by asking audience members about their experiences in their own countries, and how they would suggest taking steps to reach the goals of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. This paper summarizes the presentation and panel discussion, with a particular focus on the common problems identified in understanding and reducing health risks from disasters in multiple countries, such as the ethical and practical difficulties in decision making on evacuating vulnerable populations that arose similarly during the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011 and Hurricane Ike’s approach to Galveston (Texas USA) in 2008. This paper also highlights the need for greater integration of research, for example through increased review and collation of evidence from different disaster settings to identify common problems and possible solutions, which was identified in this panel session as a precursor to fulfilling the goals of the Sendai Framework. Leppold C, Ochi S, Nomura S, Murray V. The Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunamis, and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster: lessons for evidence integration from a WADEM 2017 presentation and panel discussion. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(4):424–427
Risk of Immune-Related Pancreatitis in Patients with Solid Tumors Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Systematic Assessment with Meta-Analysis

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the risk of immune-related pancreatitis associated with the treatment by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for solid tumors. Eligible studies were selected from multiple databases including phase II/III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with ICIs in solid tumor patients. The data were analyzed with Stata version 12.0 software. After excluding ineligible studies, a total of 15 clinical trials were considered eligible for the meta-analysis, which included 9099 patients. Compared with chemotherapy or placebo, the risk ratio (RR) for all-grade lipase elevation after CTLA-4 inhibitor treatment was 1.05 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01–2.24, p = 0.047). However, the risk for pancreatitis after ICI treatment in any subgroup was not significantly higher than that after control therapy. In addition, compared with ipilimumab/nivolumab alone, the RR for all-grade and high-grade lipase elevation under combination treatment of nivolumab and ipilimumab was 6.43 (95% CI: 1.43–28.99, p = 0.015) and 6.44 (95% CI: 1.39–29.79, p = 0.017), respectively, and the RR for all-grade amylase elevation under combination treatment was 6.08 (95% CI: 1.51–24.44, p = 0.011). Our meta-analysis has demonstrated that both CTLA-4 inhibitors alone and combination treatment of nivolumab and ipilimumab could increase the risk of amylase or lipase elevation, but not significantly increase the risk of pancreatitis when compared with controls.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Once-Daily Tacrolimus Compared With Twice-Daily Tacrolimus in the Early Stage After Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Background: This study investigates the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of tacrolimus using the once-daily (OD) formulation in the early stage after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in comparison with those using the twice-daily (TD) formulation. Methods: Nine patients undergoing primary LDLT and treated with the OD tacrolimus formulation were included. The trough blood concentration (C0) of tacrolimus was monitored every day for 3 weeks after LDLT. A time course study of the blood tacrolimus concentrations and calcineurin (CN) phosphatase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was performed 3 weeks after LDLT. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters were compared with previously reported data using the TD formulation. Results: The interindividual variability in the daily dose of tacrolimus was significantly larger in the OD formulation than in the TD formulation (P < 0.001). In the time course study, the tacrolimus blood concentrations at 4, 8, and 12 hours after administration and the area under the concentration–time curve from 0 to 24 hours (AUC0–24) in the OD group were significantly higher than in the TD group, although the C0 was equivalent. In addition, the C0 was not significantly correlated with the AUC0–24 in the OD formulation. The apparent clearance and the pharmacodynamic parameters examined were not significantly different between the OD and TD groups. Conclusions: The C0 monitoring of the OD formulation may not be optimal in patients at the early stage after LDLT because the C0 was not correlated with the AUC0–24. If clinicians target the same C0 using the OD and TD formulations, the exposure of tacrolimus can be higher in the OD formulation, and excessive immunosuppression should be noted. Particular attention should be paid to the patients in the early stage after LDLT in the use of the OD oral formulation of tacrolimus.
Dysregulated circRNAs in plasma from active tuberculosis patients

Endogenous circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported in various diseases. However, their role in active TB remains unknown. The study was aimed to determine plasma circRNA expression profile to characterize potential biomarker and improve our understanding of active TB pathogenesis. CircRNA expression profiles were screened by circRNA microarrays in active TB plasma samples. Dysregulated circRNAs were then verified by qRT‐PCR. CircRNA targets were predicted based on analysis of circRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA interaction. GO and KEGG pathway analyses were used to predict the function of circRNA. ROC curve was calculated to evaluate diagnostic value for active TB. A total of 75 circRNAs were significantly dysregulated in active TB plasma. By further validation, hsa_circRNA_103571 exhibited significant decrease in active TB patients and showed potential interaction with active TB‐related miRNAs such as miR‐29a and miR‐16. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that hsa_circRNA_103571 was primarily involved in ras signalling pathway, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, T‐ and B‐cell receptor signalling pathway. ROC curve analysis suggested that hsa_circRNA_103571 had significant value for active TB diagnosis. Circulating circRNA dysregulation may play a role in active TB pathogenesis. Hsa_circRNA_103571 may be served as a potential biomarker for active TB diagnosis, and hsa_circRNA_103571‐miRNA‐mRNA interaction may provide some novel mechanism for active TB.
Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi in forest workers from inspectorates with different forest types in Lower Silesia, SW Poland: preliminary study

ABSTRACT To estimate the Lyme borreliosis (LB) risk for forest workers, totally 646 blood samples were tested for IgG and IgM anti-Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. (anti-B.b.) antibody occurrence using ELISA tests confirmed with western blot. To clarify the varied LB risk, additionally, the data from the Forest Data Bank determining the detailed forest habitat type in particular forest inspectorates were used. The occurrence of the anti-B.b. antibody was confirmed in 22% (8.7% IgM, 17.8% IgG) of forest workers. Analysis of the influence of the habitat type (forest types) indicated the significant positive impact of the occurrence of the deciduous and mixed-deciduous forests on the seroprevalence of anti-B.b. IgG level among forestry workers. However, the share of forest type cannot be the only factor taken into account when assessing risk.
[Occurrence and Ecological Risk Assessment of Typical Persistent Organic Pollutants in Baiyangdian Lake].

A comprehensive survey of the pollution characteristics of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the surface water and surface sediment of Baiyangdian Lake was carried out. The survey showed that:① The concentrations of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs), organic chlorine pesticides (OCPs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the surface water of Baiyangdian Lake were 71.32-228.27 ng·L-1, 2.62-6.13 ng·L-1, and 0-6.5 ng·L-1, respectively, and those in the surface sediment were 163.20-861.43 ng·g-1, 2.25-6.07 ng·g-1, and 230.96-1224.13 pg·g-1, respectively. On comparison with historical data, the concentrations of PAHs and OCPs in both the surface water and surface sediment were found to be decreasing, while compared with the domestic and foreign lakes, the concentration of PBDEs in the surface sediment was at a low level. ② The main source of PAHs, both in the surface water and surface sediment in Baiyangdian Lake, originated from fuel discharge and combustion sources. HCHs compose the main part of OCPs in both the surface water (93.76%) and surface sediment (63.10%). In the surface water body, HCHs mainly originated from the degradation of industrial HCHs; in some sites HCHs originated from atmospheric long-distance transmission and the usage of Lindane, while DDTs originated from historical residues. In surface sediment, HCHs mainly originated from the usage of new Lindane, with little industrial HCHs, and DDTs mainly originated from historical residues, while new DDTs may have been used in some sites. BDE-2 (65.80%) composed the main part of PBEDs in the surface water, and it mainly originated from atmospheric long-distance transmission and degradation of high brominated diphenyl ethers; BDE-209 (63.82%) constituted the main part of PBDEs in the surface sediment, and it mainly originated from the commercial Deca-BDEs. ③ Ecological Risk Assessment show that there was no obvious ecological risks in Baiyangdian Lake, but in some sites POPs may cause ecological risks; these sites should be monitored more frequently.
Serum uric acid and arterial hypertension—Data from Sephar III survey

Objectives This paper aims to evaluate the association between serum uric acid (SUA) levels, arterial hypertension (HT) prevalence, blood pressure values control, kidney function and intima media thickness (IMT), as a surrogate marker of early atherosclerosis, in a representative group of Romanian adult population. Materials and methods The study sample consists in 1920 adults included in SEPHAR III (Study for the Evaluation of Prevalence of Hypertension and cArdiovascular Risk in Romania) survey (mean age 48.63 years, 52.76% females) collecting data for SUA levels, blood pressure (BP) measurements, kidney function by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and carotid IMT. SUA levels between 2,40–5,70mg/dl in females and 3,40–7,00mg/dl in males respectively were considered normal. HT and HT control were defined according to the current guidelines. IMT evaluation was assessed by B-mode Doppler ultrasound evaluation. Results Hypertensive subjects had significantly higher values of SUA compared with normotensive subjects, hypertensive patients were 1.713 times more likely to have higher values of SUA. Among treated hypertensive patients, those without optimal BP control had significantly higher SUA levels compared with those with optimal BP control, the presence of hyperuricemia increasing the odds of suboptimal BP control by 1.023. Hyperuricemic subjects had significantly lower eGFR values compared with normouricemic ones, on an average with 14.28ml/min/1.73m2 by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula (MDRD) and with 16.64ml/min/1.73m2 by Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula (CKD-EPI), with an indirect association between SUA levels and eGFR values (rs = -0.319 / -0.347), independent of age. IMT values recorded in hyperuricemic subjects were significantly increased, on an average with 0.08mm, compared with normouricemic subjects, with a direct association between SUA levels and IMT values (rs = 0.263), independent of BP values. Conclusion The results of our study offers support that increased SUA levels are associated with arterial hypertension and with suboptimal BP control in treated hypertensive subjects. The decline in kidney function, independent of age, and also increased IMT values as a marker of atherosclerosis, were also correlated with elevated SUA values. Hyperuricemia screening may have a role in identifying patients at risk of developing HT and lowering SUA levels may improve not only BP control in treated HT patients but also decrease total cardiovascular mortality by slowing the progression of atherosclerosis and renal failure in hypertensive patients.
The Mobility Crime Triangle for Sexual Offenders and the Role of Individual and Environmental Factors

This study—based on a national data set (N = 1,447)—focuses on extrafamilial sexual assaults and their mobility. Spatial information about the offender’s house, the victim’s house, and the crime scene was combined in mobility crime triangles. The findings reveal that most of the assaults fall in the categories of total mobility (42.78%) and offender mobility (33.10%). Our results also show the validity of the distance decay function with over 50% of aggressions occurring within 3 km of the offender’s house. The analysis did not reveal the existence of buffer zones, probably due to the acquaintance between some of the offenders and their victims. The evidence suggests that environmental risk factors are more significant than individual ones when it comes to explaining the variation among mobility patterns in sexual assaults. Offenders appear to adapt their mobility patterns and modus operandi according to the environmental constraints. Often, offenders choose their own or their victim’s house as a safe environment for performed sexual assault.