Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
European League against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus: the laboratory immunologist’s point of view

OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the association of energy and macronutrient intake at dinner versus breakfast with disease-specific and all-cause mortality in people with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 4,699 people with diabetes who enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2003 to 2014 were recruited for this study. Energy and macronutrient intake was measured by a 24-h dietary recall. The differences (Δ) in energy and macronutrient intake between dinner and breakfast (Δ = dinner − breakfast) were categorized into quintiles. Death information was obtained from the National Death Index until 2015. Cox proportional hazards regression models were developed to evaluate the survival relationship between Δ and diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and all-cause mortality. RESULTS Among the 4,699 participants, 913 deaths, including 269 deaths due to diabetes and 314 deaths due to CVD, were documented. After adjustment for potential confounders, compared with participants in the lowest quintile of Δ in terms of total energy and protein, participants in the highest quintile were more likely to die due to diabetes (hazard ratio [HR]Δenergy 1.92, 99% CI 1.08–3.42; HRΔprotein 1.92, 99% CI 1.06–3.49) and CVD (HRΔenergy 1.69, 99% CI 1.02–2.80; HRΔprotein 1.96, 99% CI 1.14–3.39). The highest quintile of Δtotal fat was related to CVD mortality (HR 1.67, 99% CI 1.01–2.76). Isocalorically replacing 5% of total energy at dinner with breakfast was associated with 4% and 5% lower risk of diabetes (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94–0.98) and CVD (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.93–0.97) mortality, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Higher intake of energy, total fat, and protein from dinner than breakfast was associated with greater diabetes, CVD, and all-cause mortality in people with diabetes.
Efficacy of topical latanoprost in the treatment of eyelid vitiligo: A randomized, double‐blind clinical trial study

Numerous studies have demonstrated that the pigmentation of iris and around the eyelid is a common side effect of latanoprost, a prostaglandin F2alpha analogue used in the treatment of glaucoma. Hence, the authors decided to study the effectiveness of topical latanoprost on vitiligo patches around the eyelid. In this randomized, double‐blind, clinical trial study, 31 patients with vitiligo vulgaris and focal vitiligo involving the eyelids were evaluated. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. First group received topical latanoprost gel twice daily for 12 weeks, whereas the second group received placebo with the same protocol. To evaluate severity of the disease the VIDA rating system was used. Serial photos of the patches were taken to compare and evaluate the repigmentation percentage of the patches. The patients in both groups had almost similar VIDA score (p > .05). First group showed improved pigmentation, whereas participants in the second group did not show any improvement in the pigmentation. The group treated with latanoprost showed significant reduction in the symptoms of the disease, whereas those treated with placebo did not show any alteration (p > .05). No significant complications were observed in either groups. Latanoprost proved effective in treating vitiligo disease involving eyelids.
"A polerovirus, Potato Leafroll virus, alters plant-vector interactions using three viral proteins".

Potato leafroll virus (PLRV), genus Polerovirus, family Luteoviridae, is a major pathogen of potato worldwide. PLRV is transmitted among host plants by aphids in a circulative non-propagative manner. Previous studies have demonstrated that PLRV infection increases aphid fecundity on, and attraction to, infected plants as compared to controls. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating this relationship are still poorly understood. In this study, we measured the impact of PLRV infection on plant-aphid interactions and plant chemistry in two hosts: Solanum tuberosum and Nicotiana benthamiana. Our study demonstrates that PLRV infection attenuates the induction of aphid-induced jasmonic acid and ethylene in S. tuberosum and N. benthamiana. Using transient expression experiments, insect bioassays and chemical analysis, we show that expression of three PLRV proteins (P0, P1, and P7) mediate changes in plant-aphid interactions and inhibition of aphid-induced jasmonic acid and ethylene in N. benthamiana. This study enhances our understanding of the plant-vector-pathogen interface by elucidating new mechanisms by which plant viruses transmitted in a circulative manner can manipulate plant hosts.
Synergy of Ginkgetin and Resveratrol in Suppressing VEGF-Induced Angiogenesis: A Therapy in Treating Colorectal Cancer

Ginkgetin, a biflavone from Ginkgo biloba leaf, and resveratrol, a polyphenol found in grape and wine, are two phytochemicals being identified for its binding to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF): the binding, therefore, resulted in the alteration of the physiological roles of VEGF-mediated angiogenesis. The bindings of ginkgetin and resveratrol were proposed on different sites of VEGF, but both of them suppressed the angiogenic properties of VEGF. The suppressive activities of ginkgetin and resveratrol in VEGF-mediated angiogenesis were supported by several lines of evidence including (i) inhibiting the formation of sub-intestinal vessel in zebrafish embryos and microvascular sprouting in rat aortic ring; and (ii) suppressing the phosphorylations of VEGFR2, Akt, eNOS, and Erk as well as expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-2, and MMP-9 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Here, we showed the synergy of ginkgetin and resveratrol in suppressing the VEGF-induced endothelial cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation. The synergy of ginkgetin and resveratrol was further illustrated in HT-29 colon cancer xenograft nude mice. Ginkgetin and resveratrol, when applied together, exerted a synergistic anti-tumor effect of 5-fluorouracil with decreasing microvessel density of tumors. In parallel, the combination of ginkgetin and resveratrol synergistically relieved the 5-fluorouracil-induced inflammatory response by suppressing expressions of COX-2 and inflammatory cytokines. Thus, the anti-angiogenic roles of ginkgetin and/or resveratrol could provide effective therapeutic strategy in cancer, similar to that of Avastin, in suppressing the VEGF-mediated angiogenesis during cancer development.
Right ventricular function correlates of right atrial strain in pulmonary hypertension: a combined cardiac magnetic resonance and conductance catheter study.

The functional relevance of right atrial (RA) function in pulmonary hypertension (PH) remains incompletely understood. The purpose of this study was to explore the correlation of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) feature tracking-derived RA phasic function with invasively measured pressure-volume (PV) loop-derived right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic elastance (Eed) and RV-arterial coupling [end-systolic/arterial elastance (Ea/Ees)]. In 54 patients with severe PH, CMR was performed within 24 hours of diagnostic right heart catheterization and PV measurements. RA phasic function was assessed by CMR imaging of RA reservoir, passive, and active strain. The association of RA phasic function with indices of RV function was evaluated by Spearman's rank correlation and linear regression analyses. Median [interquartile range] RA reservoir, passive, and active strain were 19.5% [11.0-24.5], 7.0% [4.0-12.0], and 13.0% [7.0-18.5], respectively. Ees/Ea was 0.73 [0.48-1.08] and Eed was 0.14 mm Hg/ml [0.05-0.22]. RV diastolic impairment [RV end-diastolic pressure (EDP) and Eed] was correlated with RA phasic function, but Ea and Ees were not. In addition, RA phasic function was correlated with inferior vena cava diameter. In multivariate linear regression analysis, adjusting for key PV-loop indices, Eed and EDP remained significantly associated with RA phasic function. We conclude that RA phasic function is altered in relation to impaired diastolic function of the chronically overloaded right ventricle, and contributes to backwards venous flow and systemic congestion. These results call for more attention to RA function in the management of patients with PH.
FLT3-ITD Activates RSK1 to Enhance Proliferation and Survival of AML Cells by Activating mTORC1 and eIF4B Cooperatively with PIM or PI3K and by Inhibiting Bad and BIM

FLT3-ITD is the most frequent tyrosine kinase mutation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) associated with poor prognosis. We previously found that FLT3-ITD activates the mTORC1/S6K/4EBP1 pathway cooperatively through the STAT5/PIM and PI3K/AKT pathways to promote proliferation and survival by enhancing the eIF4F complex formation required for cap-dependent translation. Here, we show that, in contrast to BCR/ABL causing Ph-positive leukemias, FLT3-ITD distinctively activates the serine/threonine kinases RSK1/2 through activation of the MEK/ERK pathway and PDK1 to transduce signals required for FLT3-ITD-dependent, but not BCR/ABL-dependent, proliferation and survival of various cells, including MV4-11. Activation of the MEK/ERK pathway by FLT3-ITD and its negative feedback regulation by RSK were mediated by Gab2/SHP2 interaction. RSK1 phosphorylated S6RP on S235/S236, TSC2 on S1798, and eIF4B on S422 and, in cooperation with PIM, on S406, thus activating the mTORC1/S6K/4EBP1 pathway and eIF4B cooperatively with PIM. RSK1 also phosphorylated Bad on S75 and downregulated BIM-EL in cooperation with ERK. Furthermore, inhibition of RSK1 increased sensitivities to BH3 mimetics inhibiting Mcl-1 or Bcl-2 and induced activation of Bax, leading to apoptosis, as well as inhibition of proliferation synergistically with inhibition of PIM or PI3K. Thus, RSK1 represents a promising target, particularly in combination with PIM or PI3K, as well as anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members, for novel therapeutic strategies against therapy-resistant FLT3-ITD-positive AML.
Special Issue Editors’ Essay

Background: Impact evaluations draw their data from two sources, namely, surveys conducted for the evaluation or administrative data collected for other purposes. Both types of data have been used to estimate program impacts. This is an introductory essay to a Special Issue entitled “Do the Estimated Effects of Social Programs Depend on the Source of Data Used to Measure Them? Survey Data Versus Administrative Data. ” In addition to this essay, the Special Issue contains six articles, which appear in Volume 42, Issue 5–6 (October–December 2018) and in this issue (Volume 43, Issue 5 (October 2019)) of Evaluation Review. Objective: To describe and summarize each of the six papers and draw lessons from them. The papers investigate the relative strengths and weaknesses of survey and administrative data for estimating the impacts of policy interventions. Results: This essay first describes a simple model of the mechanisms that can cause impacts estimated with survey data to differ from those estimated with administrative data. It then describes and summarizes each of the papers appearing in this Special Issue and uses the model described to interpret the findings when it is applicable. The final section draws general lessons from the papers. Conclusions: The decision on whether to use survey or administrative data to estimate program impacts can be highly consequential because the estimates can differ considerably. All the papers in this Special Issue point to the importance of using both survey data and administrative data whenever possible.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

The toxicokinetics of triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) in vivo including the uptake, deposition, and biotransformation into the metabolite diphenyl phosphate (DPHP) is presently reported in embryonated eggs and chicks of Japanese quail. Quail were dosed with TPHP at 3 concentrations by air cell egg injection on embryonic day 0, followed by daily oral dosing after chicks hatched (5 d). Vehicle‐only exposed controls were also used. In dosed eggs, only 33% of the TPHP remained 2 d after injection (no hepatic development); after 10 d (post‐hepatogenesis), only 2% remained. The estimated TPHP half‐lives in the eggs ranged from 1.1 to 1.8 d for the 3 dosed groups. In all exposed eggs and chicks, DPHP significantly increased with dose (0.001<p< 0.044). It appears that DPHP is an important metabolite in quail, making up 41 to 74% of all metabolites formed in embryonated eggs. In chicks, at medium and high doses, DPHP concentrations significantly exceeded those of TPHP (p≤ 0.007), making up 67 and 76% of the total burden, respectively. Our findings suggest that rapid TPHP metabolism occurred in chicks and embryonated quail eggs but that this may vary with the age of the embryonated egg and the stage of embryo development, which should be considered when evaluating concentrations of TPHP and DPHP measured in eggs of wild birds. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:565–573. © 2019 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry © 2019 SETAC
Contrast-enhanced computed tomography findings of canine primary renal tumors including renal cell carcinoma, lymphoma, and hemangiosarcoma

In veterinary medicine, abdominal ultrasonography is used to rank the differential diagnosis of renal lesions. However, a conventional sonographic examination may show nonspecific findings. The purpose of this study was to assess the computed tomography (CT) findings of canine renal tumors, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC), lymphoma, and hemangiosarcoma (HSA). In this retrospective study, the following CT parameters were recorded for each dog: 1) extent of renal involvement of tumors, 2) enhancement pattern, 3) number of renal tumors, 4) renal tumor vessel enhancement in the corticomedullary phase, 5) presence of lymphadenopathy and lung metastasis, and 6) attenuation values of the renal tumors on the pre- and post-contrast corticomedullary, nephrographic, and excretory phase images. Fifteen dogs met the inclusion criteria, of which nine had RCCs, four had lymphomas, and two had HSAs. RCCs tended to show heterogeneous enhancement and unilateral renal involvement, and vessel enhancement was detected in the corticomedullary phase in dogs with RCC. Conversely, renal lymphomas showed homogeneous enhancement, bilateral renal involvement, and multiple masses; in these dogs, no vessel enhancement was detected in the corticomedullary phase, and the incidence of lymphadenopathy was low. However, in dogs with lymphadenopathy, the renal lymphoma was associated with regionally severe lymphadenopathy. Finally, renal HSAs tended to show heterogeneous enhancement with a non-enhanced area and unilateral renal involvement; in these dogs, vessel enhancement was detected in the nephrographic phase, with the enhancement expanding around the vessel. These findings had no significant differences. Further studies with a larger sample size are required to examine the association between CT and histopathological findings.
Persistent Listeria monocytogenes Isolates from a Poultry-Processing Facility Form More Biofilm but Do Not Have a Greater Resistance to Disinfectants than Sporadic Strains

Some strains of Listeria monocytogenes can persist in food-processing environments, increasing the likelihood of the contamination of foodstuffs. To identify traits that contribute to bacterial persistence, a selection of persistent and sporadic L. monocytogenes isolates from a poultry-processing facility was investigated for biofilm-forming ability (crystal violet assay). The susceptibility of sessile cells to treatments (five minutes) with sodium hypochlorite having 10% active chlorine (SHY: 10,000 ppm, 25,000 ppm, and 50,000 ppm) and benzalkonium chloride (BZK: 2500 ppm, 10,000 ppm, and 25,000 ppm) was also studied. All isolates exhibited biofilm formation on polystyrene. Persistent strains showed larger (p < 0.001) biofilm formation (OD580 = 0.301 ± 0.097) than sporadic strains (OD580 = 0.188 ± 0.082). A greater susceptibility to disinfectants was observed for biofilms of persistent strains than for those of sporadic strains. The application of SHY reduced biofilms only for persistent strains. BZK increased OD580 in persistent strains (2500 ppm) and in sporadic strains (all concentrations). These results indicate that the use of BZK at the concentrations tested could represent a public health risk. Findings in this work suggest a link between persistence and biofilm formation, but do not support a relationship between persistence and the resistance of sessile cells to disinfectants.
Concentration of Healthcare Resources in China: The Spatial–Temporal Evolution and Its Spatial Drivers

This paper estimated and evaluated the spatial–temporal evolution of the concentration of healthcare resources (HCRs), in 31 provinces in China between 2004 and 2017, by using the entropy method. The spatial Durbin model (SDM) was used to further analyze the mechanisms behind the spatial driving forces at the national and regional levels. The findings revealed that: (i) The concentration of HCRs differed significantly among eastern, central, and western regions. The eastern, followed by the central region, had the highest concentration. Going east to west, the concentration of HCRs in the first echelon decreased, while it increased in the second and third echelons; (ii) places with higher concentrations clustered, while those with lower concentrations agglomerated; and (iii) economic development, population size, and urbanization promoted concentration. Education facilitated HCR concentration in the eastern and central regions, income stimulated HCR concentration in the eastern and western regions, and fiscal expenditure on healthcare promoted HCR concentration in the eastern region. Economic development inhibited HCR concentration in neighboring regions, population size restrained HCR concentration in neighboring areas in the western region, urbanization and income curbed HCR concentration in neighboring areas in the eastern and western regions, and fiscal expenditure on healthcare hindered HCR concentration in neighboring areas in the eastern region. Policy recommendations were proposed toward optimizing allocation of healthcare resources, increasing support for healthcare and education, and accelerating urbanization.
Postablation Modulation after Single High-Dose Radiation Therapy Improves Tumor Control via Enhanced Immunomodulation

Purpose: Radiotherapy (RT) is frequently used for local control of solid tumors using equal dose per fraction. Recently, single high-dose radiation has been used for ablation of solid tumors. In this report, we provide a novel immunological basis for radiation dose fractionation consisting of a single high-dose radiotherapy, followed by postablation modulation (PAM) with four daily low-dose fractions (22 Gy + 0.5 Gy × 4) to reprogram the tumor microenvironment by diminishing immune suppression, enabling infiltration of effector cells and increasing efficacy of tumor control. Experimental Design: Palpable 3LL and 4T1 tumors in C57Bl/6 and Balb/c mice were irradiated with the Small-Animal Radiation Research Platform irradiator, and tumor growth and survival were monitored. Immunomodulation of tumor and immune cells in vitro and in vivo characterization of tumor-infiltrating immune effector cells were performed by FACS. For systemic application of PAM-RT, whole-lung irradiation was administered in 4T1-bearing Balb/c mice. Results: We report significant tumor growth delays and increased survival in 3LL tumor–bearing mice with PAM. Primary tumor PAM-RT increased infiltration of immune effector cells and decreased Treg in irradiated tumors and secondary lymphoid organs. In a model of murine metastatic breast cancer (4T1), we demonstrated that systemic PAM-RT to the whole lung, 12 days after primary tumor ablative radiotherapy, increased survival with suppression of pulmonary metastases. Conclusions: We provide a novel immunologic basis for radiation dose fractionation consisting of a single high dose of radiotherapy followed by daily low-dose PAM-RT fractionation to improve the immunogenic potential of ablative radiotherapy.
Impacts of Built Environment on Urban Vitality: Regression Analyses of Beijing and Chengdu, China

The loss of urban vitality is an important problem in the development of urban central areas. Analyzing the correlation between urban built environment and urban vitality supports urban planning and design. However, current research excludes the study of how consistent built environment factors affect urban vitality of cities with different development situations. Therefore, using social media check-in data, this paper measures neighborhood vibrancy in urban central areas in Beijing and Chengdu, China. Four levels of spatial information were used to measure the built environment: regulatory planning management unit (RPMU), land use, road network, and building. Regression model is used to quantify the correlation between urban vitality and the built environment of these two cities. The study found a strong correlation between built environment factors and urban vitality. Among the built environment factors, points of interest (POI) diversity and public transport accessibility indicators were strongly positively correlated with neighborhood vibrancy. However, the density indicators had totally different effects on urban vitality of cities with different development situations, which is excluded in existing studies. This research strengthens the practical understanding of the compact city concept, and can support the design and planning of urban built environment.
A Novel pH- and Salt-Responsive N-Succinyl-Chitosan Hydrogel via a One-Step Hydrothermal Process

In this study, we synthesized a series of pH-sensitive and salt-sensitive N-succinyl-chitosan hydrogels with N-succinyl-chitosan (NSCS) and the crosslinker glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) via a one-step hydrothermal process. The structure and morphology analysis of the NSCS and glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane-N-succinyl chitosan hydrogel (GNCH) revealed the close relation between the swelling behavior of hydrogels and the content of crosslinker GPTMS. The high GPTMS content could weaken the swelling capacity of hydrogels and improve their mechanical properties. The hydrogels show high pH sensitivity and reversibility in the range of pH 1.0 to 9.0, and exhibit on-off switching behavior between acidic and alkaline environments. In addition, the hydrogels perform smart swelling behaviors in NaCl, CaCl2, and FeCl3 solutions. These hydrogels may have great potential in medical applications.