Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Association Among Quantitative Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography Features, Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System and BRAF V600E Mutation Status in Patients With Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to analyze the association among the thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TI-RADS), quantitative parameters obtained from contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), and BRAF V600E mutation status in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. PATIENTS From November 2016 to June 2017, 54 patients who had undergone thyroid CEUS and BRAF V600E mutation analysis for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma were enrolled in our study. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on mutation status. Sex, age, pathology results, TI-RADS score, and quantitative CEUS parameters were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS There were 43 patients in the BRAF V600E-positive group and 11 patients in the BRAF V600E-negative group. Age and TI-RADS score were not associated with mutation status. The arrival time (17.2 ± 5.1 seconds) and time to peak enhancement (TTP) (26.5 ± 7.4 seconds) of the lesions in the BRAF V600E-positive group were longer than the arrival time (13.2 ± 3.1 seconds) and TTP (21.1 ± 4.4 seconds) of the lesions in the BRAF V600E-negative group. Basic intensity and peak intensity were not associated with mutation status. CONCLUSIONS There is an association between the arrival time and TTP of CEUS and BRAF V600E mutation status. They may help infer the BRAF V600E mutation status in papillary thyroid carcinoma patients before invasive procedures.
Foliar endophytic fungi alter patterns of nitrogen uptake and distribution in Theobroma cacao.

Colonization by foliar endophytic fungi can affect the expression of host plant defenses and other ecologically important traits. However, whether endophyte colonization affects the uptake or redistribution of resources within and among host plant tissues remains unstudied. We inoculated leaves of Theobroma cacao with four common colonizers that range in their effect from protective to pathogenic (Colletotrichum tropicale, Pestalotiopsis sp., Colletotrichum theobromicola, or Phytophthora palmivora). We pulsed the soil with nitrogen-15 (15 N) and then traced 15 N uptake and its subsequent distribution to whole plants and individual leaves. At a whole-plant level, C. tropicale-inoculated plants showed significantly greater 15 N uptake than endophyte-free plants did in the same pot. Among leaves within plants, younger leaves were particularly enriched in 15 N, but endophyte inoculation at the individual leaf level did not alter 15 N distribution within plants. However, leaves co-inoculated with pathogenic Phytophthora and protective C. tropicale experienced significantly elevated 15 N content as pathogen damage increased, compared with leaves inoculated only with the pathogen. Further, endophyte-pathogen co-infection also increased total plant biomass. Our results indicate that colonization by foliar endophytes significantly affects N uptake and distribution among and within host plants in ways that appear to be context dependent on other microbiome components.
Antagonism of IAPs Enhances CAR T-cell Efficacy

Antagonizing “inhibitor of apoptosis proteins” (IAPs) with the clinical SMAC-mimetic, birinapant, enhances the antitumor activity of CAR T cells in a TNF-dependent, perforin-independent manner. The data illustrate the potential for this combination therapy to enhance antitumor efficacy. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has proven successful in the treatment of hematological malignancies, notably acute lymphoblastic leukemia and B-cell lymphoma. However, the efficacy of CAR T cells against solid tumors is poor, likely due to tumor-associated immunosuppression. Here, we demonstrated that antagonizing the “inhibitor of apoptosis proteins” with the clinical smac-mimetic, birinapant, significantly enhanced the antitumor activity of CAR T cells in a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-dependent manner. Enhanced tumor cell death occurred independently of the perforin-mediated granule exocytosis pathway, underscoring the cytotoxic potential of CAR T-cell–derived TNF. Combining CAR T-cell therapy with birinapant significantly reduced established tumor growth in vivo, where either therapy alone was relatively ineffective. Using patient biopsy-derived tumoroids, we demonstrated the synergistic potential of combining CAR T-cell therapy with smac-mimetics. Taken together, we identified CAR T-cell–derived TNF as a potent antitumor effector, which can be further harnessed by smac-mimetics.
Secure Data Group Sharing and Dissemination with Attribute and Time Conditions in Public Cloud

Cloud computing has become increasingly popular among users and businesses around the world. Although cryptographic techniques can provide data protection for users in public cloud, several issues also remain problematic, such as secure data group dissemination and fine-grained access control of time-sensitive data. In this paper, we propose an identity-based data group sharing and dissemination scheme in public cloud, in which data owner could broadcast encrypted data to a group of receivers at one time by specifying these receivers’ identities in a convenient and secure way. In order to achieve secure and flexible data group dissemination, we adopt attribute-based and timed-release conditional proxy re-encryption to guarantee that only data disseminators whose attributes satisfy the access policy of encrypted data can disseminate it to other groups after the releasing time by delegating a re-encryption key to cloud server. The re-encryption conditions are associated with attributes and releasing time, which allows data owner to enforce fine-grained and timed-release access control over disseminated ciphertexts. The theoretical analysis and experimental results show our proposed scheme makes a tradeoff between computational overhead and expressive dissemination conditions.
Severe congenital hemolytic anemia caused by a novel compound heterozygous PKLR gene mutation in a Chinese boy

Here we reported a Chinese Han infant patient with severe transfusion-dependent CHA. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) revealed the co-existence of 2 compound heterozygous mutations of PKLR and SPTA1 genes. PKLR gene is located on chromosome 1q22 and encodes pyruvate kinase (PK). PK participates in anaerobic glycolysis providing 50% ATP for mature RBCs. PKLR gene misfunction leads to pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD) with ATP deprivation and shortened RBCs lifespan. And SPTA1 gene, located on chromosome 1q23.1, encodes a-spectrin, a major component of cytoskeleton. Defects in SPTA1 gene leads to unstable RBCs membrane, characterized by peripheral accumulated RBCs with abnormal shape, such as hereditary spherocytosis (HS), hereditary elliptocytosis (HE) and hereditary pyropoikilocytosis (HPP). Both of the 2 genes result in diseases inherited in autosomal recessive manner, so clinical symptoms only occur in homozygotes or compound heterozygotes with 2 mutant alleles.
Stress in Mothers and Fathers of Children With Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Injuries

The stress load of 26 pairs of parents of children with obstetrical brachial plexus injuries (OBPI) was examined. Parents completed self-reports of condition-related stress, global stress, and psychological distress as well as medical and demographic questions. No significant differences were found between mean scores for mothers and fathers. Strong correlations were found between all study variables for mothers. Only global stress was related to psychological distress for fathers. Differences in the pattern of inter-relationships between maternal and paternal disability-related stress, global stress, and psychological distress should be taken into account when developing interventions to support families of children with OBPI.
Dead space ventilation promotes alveolar hypocapnia reducing surfactant secretion by altering mitochondrial function

Background In acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pulmonary perfusion failure increases physiologic dead space ventilation (VD/VT), leading to a decline of the alveolar CO2 concentration [CO2]iA. Although it has been shown that alveolar hypocapnia contributes to formation of atelectasis and surfactant depletion, a typical complication in ARDS, the underlying mechanism has not been elucidated so far. Methods In isolated perfused rat lungs, cytosolic or mitochondrial Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]cyt or [Ca2+]mito, respectively) of alveolar epithelial cells (AECs), surfactant secretion and the projected area of alveoli were quantified by real-time fluorescence or bright-field imaging (n=3–7 per group). In ventilated White New Zealand rabbits, the left pulmonary artery was ligated and the size of subpleural alveoli was measured by intravital microscopy (n=4 per group). Surfactant secretion was determined in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) by western blot. Results Low [CO2]iA decreased [Ca2+]cyt and increased [Ca2+]mito in AECs, leading to reduction of Ca2+-dependent surfactant secretion, and alveolar ventilation in situ. Mitochondrial inhibition by ruthenium red or rotenone blocked these responses indicating that mitochondria are key players in CO2 sensing. Furthermore, ligature of the pulmonary artery of rabbits decreased alveolar ventilation, surfactant secretion and lung compliance in vivo. Addition of 5% CO2 to the inspiratory gas inhibited these responses. Conclusions Accordingly, we provide evidence that alveolar hypocapnia leads to a Ca2+ shift from the cytosol into mitochondria. The subsequent decline of [Ca2+]cyt reduces surfactant secretion and thus regional ventilation in lung regions with high VD/VT. Additionally, the regional hypoventilation provoked by perfusion failure can be inhibited by inspiratory CO2 application.
Gut Microbiota Profiling of Aflatoxin B1-Induced Rats Treated with Lactobacillus casei Shirota

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a ubiquitous carcinogenic food contaminant. Gut microbiota is of vital importance for the host’s health, regrettably, limited studies have reported the effects of xenobiotic toxins towards gut microbiota. Thus, the present study aims to investigate the interactions between AFB1 and the gut microbiota. Besides, an AFB1-binding microorganism, Lactobacillus casei Shirota (Lcs) was tested on its ability to ameliorate the changes on gut microbiota induced by AFB1. The fecal contents of three groups of rats included an untreated control group, an AFB1 group, as well as an Lcs + AFB1 group, were analyzed. Using the MiSeq platform, the PCR products of 16S rDNA gene extracted from the feces were subjected to next-generation sequencing. The alpha diversity index (Shannon) showed that the richness of communities increased significantly in the Lcs + AFB1 group compared to the control and AFB1 groups. Meanwhile, beta diversity indices demonstrated that AFB1 group significantly deviated from the control and Lcs + AFB1 groups. AFB1-exposed rats were especially high in Alloprevotella spp. abundance. Such alteration in the bacterial composition might give an insight on the interactions of AFB1 towards gut microbiota and how Lcs plays its role in detoxification of AFB1.
pLoc_bal-mEuk: predict subcellular localization of eukaryotic proteins by general PseAAC and quasi-balancing training dataset.

OBJECTIVE Information of protein subcellular localization is crucially important for both basic research and drug development. With explosive growth of protein sequences discovered in the post-genomic age, it is highly demanded to develop powerful bioinformatics tools for timely and effectively identifying their subcellular localization purely based on the sequence information alone. Recently, a predictor called "pLoc-mEuk" was developed for identifying the subcellular localization of eukaryotic proteins. Its performance is overwhelmingly better than that of the other predictors for the same purpose, particularly in dealing with multi-label systems where many proteins, called "multiplex proteins", may simultaneously occur in two or more subcellular locations. Although it is indeed a very powerful predictor, more efforts are definitely needed to further improve it. This is because pLoc-mEuk was trained by an extremely skewed dataset where some subset was about 200 times the size of the other subsets. Accordingly, it cannot avoid the biased consequence caused by such an uneven training dataset. METHODS To alleviate such bias, we have developed a new a new predictor called pLoc_bal-mEuk by quasi-balancing the training dataset. Cross-validation tests on exactly the same experiment-confirmed dataset have indicated that the proposed new predictor is remarkably superior to pLoc-mEuk, the existing state-of-the-art predictor in identifying the subcellular localization of eukaryotic proteins. It has not escaped our notice that the quasi-balancing treatment can also be used to deal with many other biological systems. RESULTS To maximize the convenience for most experimental scientists, a user-friendly web-server for the new predictor has been established at http://www.jci-bioinfo.cn/pLoc_bal-mEuk/. CONCLUSION It is anticipated that the pLoc_bal-Euk predictor holds very high potential to become a useful high throughput tool in identifying the subcellular localization of eukaryotic proteins, particularly for finding multi-target drugs that is currently a very hot trend in drug development.
Diagnosing Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Hematology Patients: a Retrospective Multicenter Evaluation of a Novel Lateral Flow Device

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a potentially lethal infection in patients with hematological diseases or following allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Early diagnosis is essential, as delayed treatment results in increased mortality. ABSTRACT Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a potentially lethal infection in patients with hematological diseases or following allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Early diagnosis is essential, as delayed treatment results in increased mortality. Recently, a lateral flow device (LFD) for the diagnosis of IPA was CE marked and made commercially available by OLM Diagnostics. We retrospectively analyzed bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALf) collected from adult hematology patients from 4 centers in The Netherlands and Belgium. Galactomannan was retested in all samples. All samples were applied to an LFD and read out visually by two independent researchers blinded to the diagnosis of the patient. All samples were also read out using a digital reader. We included 11 patients with proven IPA, 68 patients with probable IPA, 44 patients with possible IPA, and 124 patients with no signs of IPA (controls). In cases of proven IPA versus controls, sensitivity and specificity were 0.82 and 0.86 for visual readout and 0.82 and 0.96 for digital readout, respectively. When comparing patients with proven and probable IPA as cases versus controls, sensitivity and specificity were found to be 0.71 and 0.86, respectively. When excluding serum and BALf galactomannan as mycological criteria from the 2008 European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Invasive Fungal Infections Cooperative Group (EORTC)/Mycoses Study Group of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (MSG) consensus definitions, the LFD was less specific than galactomannan when comparing subjects with proven and probable IPA to controls (0.86 versus 0.96; P = 0.005) but had similar sensitivity (0.76 versus 0.85; P = 0.18). In conclusions, in this large study of the CE-marked LFD in BALf from hematology patients, the LFD had a good performance for the diagnosis of IPA.
Orthorexic Tendency in Polish Students: Exploring Association with Dietary Patterns, Body Satisfaction and Weight

Body dissatisfaction is central to clinically diagnosed eating disorders (ED) and seems to be important in causing other non-clinical disorders, including orthorexia nervosa (ON). It can also affect eating behaviors. The aim of this study was to assess the associations of ON tendency with dietary patterns (DPs) and body satisfaction. The data were collected in 2017 through questionnaire survey among 1120 students of health-oriented and other academic programs from seven universities in Poland. Principal components analysis (PCA) was conducted to derive DPs and body satisfaction factors. Six DPs, such as, ‘High-sugar products & snacks’, ‘Fresh products & nuts’, ‘Fatty products & dressings’, ‘Oils & potatoes’, ‘Dairy products & whole-meal bread’, ‘Meat’, and two body satisfaction factors, such as, ‘Bottom body & weight’, and ‘Upper body’ were identified. ON tendency was measured using ORTO-15 questionnaire with both cut-offs, i.e., 35 and 40. Logistic regression analysis was used to verify associations between ON tendency, body satisfaction factors, and DPs. More students of health related majors were characterized by ON tendency in comparison to students of other majors (35.9 vs. 37.2; p < 0.001). More women were dissatisfied with ‘Bottom body & weight compared to men (<0.001). The higher the body mass index (BMI), the more people were dissatisfied with ‘Bottom body & weight’ (p < 0.001). More students with ON tendency were satisfied with their ‘Upper body’ than those without ON tendency, but there were no differences in ON tendency in regard to ‘Bottom body & weight’ satisfaction. ON tendency was associated with more frequent consumption of vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, and less frequent consumption of products high in sugar, snacks, fatty products and dressings. Using cut-off at 35 in ORTO-15 seems to be more appropriate than cut-off at 40 to identify external variables describing ON. Future research on orthorexia nervosa should use other research tools than ORTO-15 to better identify individuals with ON and to confirm our findings.
Flourishing After a Stroke: A Nationally Representative Portrait of Resilience and Mental Health Among Older Canadians

Objectives: The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of, and factors associated with, complete mental health (CMH) among stroke survivors aged 50+ years. Method: Bivariate and logistic regression analyses of nationally representative data from the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey–Mental Health of 11,157 older adults aged 50+ years (300 stroke survivors). CMH included all of these elements: (a) absence of any past-year mental illness (measured by the World Health Organization version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview [WHO-CIDI] scales), (b) almost daily happiness or satisfaction, and (c) psychological and social well-being. Results: Two thirds of the stroke survivors (68%) were in CMH. Among stroke survivors, the odds of CMH were higher among those with at least one confidant (odds ratio [OR] = 4.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.52, 12.41]), those without disabling chronic pain (OR = 2.34; 95% CI = [1.24, 4.41]), and those without a history of childhood maltreatment (OR = 2.10; 95% CI = [1.09, 4.05]), depression (OR = 3.83; 95% CI = [1.10, 13.37]), or generalized anxiety disorders (OR = 3.42; 95% CI = [1.19, 9.79]). Discussion: These findings provide encouraging information for stroke survivors.
PTPRD: neurobiology, genetics, and initial pharmacology of a pleiotropic contributor to brain phenotypes

Receptor‐type protein tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type D (PTPRD) has likely roles as a neuronal cell adhesion molecule and synaptic specifier. Interest in its neurobiology and genomics has been stimulated by results from human genetics and mouse models for phenotypes related to addiction, restless leg syndrome, neurofibrillary pathology in Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment/intellectual disability, mood lability, and obsessive‐compulsive disorder. We review PTPRD's discovery, gene family, candidate homomeric and heteromeric binding partners, phosphatase activities, brain distribution, human genetic associations with nervous system phenotypes, and mouse model data relevant to these phenotypes. We discuss the recently reported discovery of the first small molecule inhibitor of PTPRD phosphatase, the identification of its addiction‐related effects, and the implications of these findings for the PTPRD‐associated brain phenotypes. In assembling PTPRD neurobiology, human genetics, and mouse genetic and pharmacological datasets, we provide a compelling picture of the roles played by PTPRD, its variation, and its potential as a target for novel therapeutics.
Short-Foot Exercise Promotes Quantitative Somatosensory Function in Ankle Instability: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Ankle sprain reduces capacity for neurosensory information processing, and these patients commonly progress to chronic ankle instability (CAI). To address this problem, the short-foot exercise (SFE) may be used. However, there has been no previous research on the neurosensory impact of SFE. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess improvement of quantitative neurosensory indicators after SFE and to determine the effect of proprioceptive sensory exercise (PSE) in patients with CAI. Material/Methods The present study included 30 adults (age range: 19–29 years; 50% female). Selection criteria for CAI (Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool ≤24) were implemented, and participants were randomly allocated to 2 groups: SFE (n1=15) and PSE (n2=15). Exercises were conducted 3 times per week for 8 weeks. Measurements of quantitative somatosensory of joint position sense and vibration sensory thresholds, dynamic balance, and ankle instability assessment were evaluated before and after completion of each intervention. Data were analyzed using a repeated- measures analysis of variance. Results In a time-by-group comparison, the SFE group showed a more significant improvement with regards to eversion joint position sense (F1,28=4.543, p<0.05). For vibration sensory threshold, the SFE group showed a more significant improvement (F1,28=8.280, p<0.01). Balance index according to anterio-posterior, mediolateral, and overall index the SFE group a more significant improvement (F1,28=6.666, 4.585, 5.207, p<0.05). And ankle instability SFE group showed a more significant improvement (F1,28=6.890, p<0.05). Conclusions SFE is more effective than PSE for treating ankle sprain patients. There is a need to develop and promote an effective and controlled exercise program to facilitate the return of ankle sprain patients to normal daily life.
Retrospective evaluation of clinical outcome after chemotherapy for lymphoma in 15 equids (1991‐2017)

Background Prognosis associated with lymphoma in horses is poorly characterized, and treatment is often palliative. Long‐term outcome after chemotherapy for horses with lymphoma is not well documented. Objective To report long‐term outcome of horses with lymphoma treated with chemotherapy. Animals Fifteen equids. Methods Retrospective case series. Medical record search and call for cases on the ACVIM listserv for horses treated with chemotherapy for lymphoma. Results Fifteen cases with adequate data were identified. Complete remission was achieved in 5 horses (33.3%), partial response was achieved in 9 equids (60%), and stable disease was achieved in 1 horse. Overall response rate was 93.3% (14/15). Overall median survival time was 8 months (range, 1‐46 months). Nine horses experienced a total of 14 adverse effects attributable to chemotherapy. Adverse effects were graded according to the Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group common terminology criteria for adverse events grading system (grade 1 alopecia, n = 2; grade 1 neutropenia, n = 2; grade 1 lymphopenia, n = 3; grade 1 lethargy, n = 1; grade 2 neurotoxicity, n = 1; grade 2 colic, n = 1; grade 1 hypersensitivity, n = 1; grade 2 hypersensitivity, n = 2; grade 5 hypersensitivity, n = 1). Higher grade adverse effects most commonly were associated with doxorubicin administration (n = 4), including 1 horse that died 18 hours post‐administration. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Chemotherapy can be used successfully for treatment of horses with lymphoma. Adverse effects, most commonly mild, occurred in approximately two‐thirds of treated horses.