Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pooling of Patient-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Reduces Inter-Individual Confounder-Associated Variation without Negative Impact on Cell Viability, Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation

Patient-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) play a key role in bone tissue engineering. Various donor-specific factors were identified causing significant variability in the biological properties of MSCs impairing quality of data and inter-study comparability. These limitations might be overcome by pooling cells of different donors. However, the effects of pooling on osteogenic differentiation, proliferation and vitality remain unknown and have, therefore, been evaluated in this study. MSCs of 10 donors were cultivated and differentiated into osteogenic lineage individually and in a pooled setting, containing MSCs of each donor in equal parts. Proliferation was evaluated in expansion (assessment of generation time) and differentiation (quantification of dsDNA content) conditions. Vitality was visualized by a fluorescence-microscopy-based live/dead assay. Osteogenic differentiation was assessed by quantification of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and extracellular calcium deposition. Compared to the individual setting, generation time of pooled MSCs was shorter and proliferation was increased during differentiation with significantly lower variances. Calcium deposition was comparable, while variances were significantly higher in the individual setting. ALP activity showed high variance in both groups, but increased comparably during the incubation period. In conclusion, MSC pooling helps to compensate donor-dependent variability and does not negatively influence MSC vitality, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation.
Dynamic Monitoring vertical Deflectionof Small Concrete Bridge Using Conventional Sensors And 100 Hz GPS Receivers - Preliminary Results

The last four decades have been significant for Brazil"s highway network development. The country received financial incentives for its expansion and created various structural solutions for bridges and overpasses. Concurrent to this development, in recent years these structures have increasingly shown advanced deterioration stages due to the lack of preventive maintenance programs. Thus, this paper proposes the use of a GPS in a short-term monitoring plan to oversee the structural behavior of a curved reinforced concrete highway bridge already in service. Accordingly, this article presentsthe first research results with the L1 carrier and recorded data at 100 Hz in order to monitor the dynamic behavior of the central span of a small curved concrete bridge, the bridge over the Jaguari River in Extrema, Minas Gerais. The problem is that such structures exhibitsmall peak-to-peak amplitude vertical deflections- up to 5 mm.The challenge lies in the fact that the vast majority of Brazil"s highway network is characterized by small and medium sized concrete bridges. The bridge monitored in the study consists of two traffic lanes and a total length of 134 m, located in the Fernao Dias highway- BR 381, km 946 + 300m, Extrema, Minas Gerais. The bridge under study is significant to this work because this type of structure is largely found throughout the country. Thus, the line of work to be presented will contribute to implementing other monitoring actions forthese types of structures throughout Brazil - quickly and effectively,which will serve as a strategythat can beadded to the conventional monitoring methods. Therefore, GPS data observations were conductedfor two days using two GPS receivers with data sampling intervals of 0.01 seconds- 100 Hz. The Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) was used as filtering model to analyze the frequency response of the bridge generated by the residues of the L1 double difference through the highest GPS satellite constellation.
Channel allocation and downlink beamforming in an SDMA mobile radio system

On the downlink of an SDMA mobile radio system, co-channel interference has to be kept down by beamforming. In this paper two DOA-based beamforming approaches are presented minimizing array signal power while maintaining given signal-to-noise-and-interference ratios for all users. The linear approach is computationally cheap, so that it is suited for channel allocation as well, quickly evaluating the spatial separability of a specific mobile radio scenario. The nonlinear algorithm yields optimum results but only converges quickly, if provided with a good starting point. Therefore, its basic application is burst-to-burst updating of the beamformer.
Pollination Type Recognition from a Distance by the Ovary Is Revealed Through a Global Transcriptomic Analysis

Sexual reproduction in flowering plants involves intimate contact and continuous interactions between the growing pollen tube and the female reproductive structures. These interactions can trigger responses in distal regions of the flower well ahead of fertilization. While pollination-induced petal senescence has been studied extensively, less is known about how pollination is perceived at a distance in the ovary, and how specific this response is to various pollen genotypes. To address this question, we performed a global transcriptomic analysis in the ovary of a wild potato species, Solanum chacoense, at various time points following compatible, incompatible, and heterospecific pollinations. In all cases, pollen tube penetration in the stigma was initially perceived as a wounding aggression. Then, as the pollen tubes grew in the style, a growing number of genes became specific to each pollen genotype. Functional classification analyses revealed sharp differences in the response to compatible and heterospecific pollinations. For instance, the former induced reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related genes while the latter affected genes associated to ethylene signaling. In contrast, incompatible pollination remained more akin to a wound response. Our analysis reveals that every pollination type produces a specific molecular signature generating diversified and specific responses at a distance in the ovary in preparation for fertilization.
DNA-Membrane Anchor Facilitates Efficient Chromosome Translocation at a Distance in Bacillus subtilis

To properly segregate their chromosomes, organisms tightly regulate the organization and dynamics of their DNA. Aspects of the process by which DNA is translocated during sporulation are not yet fully understood, such as what factors indirectly influence the activity of the motor protein SpoIIIE. In this work, we have shown that a DNA-membrane tether mediated by RacA contributes to the activity of SpoIIIE. Loss of RacA nearly doubles the time of translocation, despite the physically distinct locations these proteins and their activities occupy within the cell. This is a rare example of an explicit effect that DNA-membrane connections can have on cell physiology and demonstrates that distant changes to the state of the chromosome can influence motor proteins which act upon it. ABSTRACT Chromosome segregation in sporulating Bacillus subtilis involves the tethering of sister chromosomes at opposite cell poles. RacA is known to mediate chromosome tethering by interacting with both centromere-like elements in the DNA and with DivIVA, a membrane protein which localizes to the cell poles. RacA has a secondary function in which it assists in nucleoid condensation. Here we demonstrate that, in addition to positioning and condensing the chromosome, RacA contributes to efficient transport of DNA by the chromosome segregation motor SpoIIIE. When RacA is deleted, one-quarter of cells fail to capture DNA in the nascent spore, yet 70% of cells fail to form viable spores without RacA. This discrepancy indicates that RacA possesses a role in sporulation beyond DNA capture and condensation. We observed that the mutant cells had reduced chromosome translocation into the forespore across the entire length of the chromosome, requiring nearly twice as much time to move a given DNA locus. Additionally, functional abolition of the RacA-DivIVA interaction reduced translocation to a similar degree as in a racA deletion strain, demonstrating the importance of the RacA-mediated tether in translocation and chromosome packaging during sporulation. We propose that the DNA-membrane anchor facilitates efficient translocation by SpoIIIE, not through direct protein-protein contacts but by virtue of physical effects on the chromosome that arise from anchoring DNA at a distance. IMPORTANCE To properly segregate their chromosomes, organisms tightly regulate the organization and dynamics of their DNA. Aspects of the process by which DNA is translocated during sporulation are not yet fully understood, such as what factors indirectly influence the activity of the motor protein SpoIIIE. In this work, we have shown that a DNA-membrane tether mediated by RacA contributes to the activity of SpoIIIE. Loss of RacA nearly doubles the time of translocation, despite the physically distinct locations these proteins and their activities occupy within the cell. This is a rare example of an explicit effect that DNA-membrane connections can have on cell physiology and demonstrates that distant changes to the state of the chromosome can influence motor proteins which act upon it.
Effects of flow rate on transnasal pulmonary aerosol delivery of bronchodilators via high-flow nasal cannula for patients with COPD and asthma: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Introduction Both in vitro and in vivo radiolabelled studies on nebulisation via high-flow nasal cannula showed that inhaled dose decreases as the administered gas flow increases. In our previous in vitro study, we investigated the effects of the ratio of gas flow to subject’s peak inspiratory flow (GF:IF) on the aerosol deposition, which increased as the GF:IF decreased, with an optimal GF:IF between 0.1 and 0.5 producing a stable ‘lung’ deposition in both quiet and distressed breathing. Thus, we aim to validate our in vitro findings in subjects with reversible airflow limitations by assessing their response to inhaled bronchodilator. Methods and analysis This is a single-centre, randomised controlled trial. Subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma with positive response to 400μg albuterol via metered dose inhaler and valved holding chamber will be enrolled and consented. After a washout period (1–3 days), subjects will be randomly assigned to inhale albuterol with one of three gas flows: 50 L/min, GF:IF=1.0 and GF:IF=0.5. In each arm, subjects will inhale 2 mL saline, followed by escalating doubling doses (0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg) of albuterol in a fill volume of 2 mL, delivered by a vibrating mesh nebuliser via heated nasal cannula set up at 37°C. An interval of 30 min between each dose of albuterol, with spirometry measured at baseline and after each inhalation. Titration will be terminated if forced expiratory volume in 1 s improvement is <5%, or adverse event is observed. Ethics and dissemination This trial has been approved by the Ethic Committee of People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China (no. S2018-200-01). The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, national and international conferences. Trial registration number NCT03739359; Pre-results.
Heterogeneous Oxidation of SO2 in Sulfate Production During Nitrate Photolysis at 300 nm: Effect of pH, Relative Humidity, Irradiation Intensity, and the Presence of Organic Compounds.

Heterogeneous oxidation of SO2 is one of the promising mechanisms to account for high loading of sulfate during severe haze periods in China. Our earlier work reported the SO2 oxidation by OH and NO2 produced during nitrate photolysis ( Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett. 2019, 6, 86-91). Here, we extend that work to examine sulfate production during nitrate photolysis at 300-nm irradiation, which can additionally generate NO2- or HNO2, N(III). Flow cell/in-situ Raman experiments showed that the reactive uptake coefficient of SO2, SO2, can be expressed as SO2 = 1.64 × pNO3-, the nitrate photolysis rate in the range of (1.0 - 8.0) × 10-5 M s-1. Our kinetic model predicts that N(III) is the main contributor to the SO2 oxidation, followed by NO2 contribution. Furthermore, the addition of OH scavengers (e.g., glyoxal, or oxalic acid) does not suppress the sulfate production, because of the reduced N(III)-consuming reactions, and the high particle pH sustained by their presence. Our calculations illustrate that under characteristic haze conditions, the nitrate photolysis mechanism can produce sulfate at ~1 µg m-3 h-1 at pH = 4-6 and pNO3- = 10-5 M s-1. The present study highlights the importance of nitrate photolysis in heterogeneous oxidation of SO2 by reactive nitrogen (NO2-/HNO2 and NO2) under atmospherically relevant actinic irradiation. However, the nitrate photolysis rate constant needs to be better constrained for ambient aerosols.
Individual risk and familial liability for suicide attempt and suicide in autism: a population-based study

Abstract Background Studies on the individual gender-specific risk and familial co-aggregation of suicidal behaviour in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are lacking. Methods We conducted a matched case-cohort study applying conditional logistic regression models on 54 168 individuals recorded in 1987–2013 with ASD in Swedish national registers: ASD without ID n = 43 570 (out of which n = 19035, 43.69% with ADHD); ASD + ID n = 10 598 (out of which n = 2894 individuals, 27.31% with ADHD), and 270 840 controls, as well as 347 155 relatives of individuals with ASD and 1 735 775 control relatives. Results The risk for suicidal behaviours [reported as odds ratio OR (95% confidence interval CI)] was most increased in the ASD without ID group with comorbid ADHD [suicide attempt 7.25 (6.79–7.73); most severe attempts i.e. requiring inpatient stay 12.37 (11.33–13.52); suicide 13.09 (8.54–20.08)]. The risk was also increased in ASD + ID group [all suicide attempts 2.60 (2.31–2.92); inpatient only 3.45 (2.96–4.02); suicide 2.31 (1.16–4.57)]. Females with ASD without ID had generally higher risk for suicidal behaviours than males, while both genders had highest risk in the case of comorbid ADHD [females, suicide attempts 10.27 (9.27–11.37); inpatient only 13.42 (11.87–15.18); suicide 14.26 (6.03–33.72); males, suicide attempts 5.55 (5.10–6.05); inpatient only 11.33 (9.98–12.86); suicide 12.72 (7.77–20.82)]. Adjustment for psychiatric comorbidity attenuated the risk estimates. In comparison to controls, relatives of individuals with ASD also had an increased risk of suicidal behaviour. Conclusions Clinicians treating patients with ASD should be vigilant for suicidal behaviour and consider treatment of psychiatric comorbidity.
VIP: a Verilog Interpreter for Preprocessing

The paper describes VIP, a Verilog Interpreter for Preprocessing. The single pass interpreter converts the extended standard of the Verilog language proposed in LRM2.0a by OVI to the existing standard as in LRM1.0, thus enabling the simulation of the newly written code by the existing simulators. Even if the upcoming standard of the IEEE working committee 1364 disregards the LRM2.0a standard this tool will continue to be an important option for easy code management in future. The two new features which have been included to be checked by the interpreter are the array of instances and the parameterized macro definition. Also the flexibility and performance of the interpreter has been compared with the other existing preprocessor.
Dissecting fat-tailed fluctuations in the cytoskeleton with active micropost arrays

Significance The cytoskeleton is a remarkable example of an active biomaterial and is at the heart of critically important problems in biology and medicine related to animal cells’ mechanical sensing and function. A satisfying physical understanding of the actomyosin cortex’s complex biophysics and mechanical properties has, however, proven elusive. We measure cytoskeletal motion, forces, and rheology using substrates containing arrays of flexible microscopic posts with high precision and statistical power. Surprisingly, the cytoskeletal networks display highly intermittent fluctuations whose energy content is dominated by rare large events, similar to what is seen in earthquakes or physical systems with avalanches. Our findings suggest that future cytoskeletal models must contain elements that self-organize onto a mechanically marginal state prone to avalanches. The ability of animal cells to crawl, change their shape, and respond to applied force is due to their cytoskeleton: A dynamic, cross-linked network of actin protein filaments and myosin motors. How these building blocks assemble to give rise to cells’ mechanics and behavior remains poorly understood. Using active micropost array detectors containing magnetic actuators, we have characterized the mechanics and fluctuations of cells’ actomyosin cortex and stress fiber network in detail. Here, we find that both structures display remarkably consistent power law viscoelastic behavior along with highly intermittent fluctuations with fat-tailed distributions of amplitudes. Notably, this motion in the cortex is dominated by occasional large, step-like displacement events, with a spatial extent of several micrometers. Overall, our findings for the cortex appear contrary to the predictions of a recent active gel model, while suggesting that different actomyosin contractile units act in a highly collective and cooperative manner. We hypothesize that cells’ actomyosin components robustly self-organize into marginally stable, plastic networks that give cells’ their unique biomechanical properties.
The moderation of attachment in the association between depressive symptoms and self-harm among a clinical sample

Abstract Background Self-harm is a severe health problem worldwide and in particular in clinical settings. The association of depression and self-harm has been extensively studied alongside various variables that have been examined as moderating this association. However, no previous study has examined the moderating role of attachment in this association. Aim We explored the role of attachment orientation in moderating the association between depressive symptoms and self-harm among a sample of patients in a community mental health clinic. Method This study was a de-identified archival study of patients’ medical charts, and used a convenience sample of 199 patients, which completed self-report measures following the initial intake appointment as part of clinic procedures. Results Findings showed that both attachment anxiety and avoidance moderated the association between depressive symptoms and self-harm, such that depressive symptoms were positively associated with self-harm only when attachment anxiety scores were high, and attachment avoidance scores were high or average. Conclusions Attachment anxiety and avoidance should be assessed in the initial intake of patients as it has a contribution to understanding self-harm vulnerability among new patients. Future studies should explore this moderation longitudinally so causality could be inferred.
Obstructive sleep apnea severity and dental arches dimensions in children with late primary dentition: An observational study

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the dimensions of the upper and lower arches in children affected by OSAS with different levels of severity of obstruction. Methods: Twenty-seven Caucasian children (14 males, 13 females; mean age 6, range 5.2–6.1 years) with a diagnosis of OSAS determined by polysomnography were enrolled in this study. The dimensions of both dental arches were measured, and the data were compared among children affected by severe, moderate, and mild OSAS. Results: Statistically significant differences among the three groups revealed that children with severe OSAS had the highest values of upper intercanine and intermolar distances in the sample. Discussion: A severe OSAS grade (AHI > 10) is associated with statistically significantly higher upper intercanine and intermolar distances compared with mild and moderate grades. An early approach to OSAS in children with late primary dentition is auspicated in order to prevent an influence on dental arches growth.
Validation of Risk Scoring Systems in Ursodeoxycholic Acid-Treated Patients With Primary Biliary Cholangitis.

INTRODUCTION Risk stratification based on biochemical variables is a useful tool for monitoring ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)-treated patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Several UDCA response criteria and scoring systems have been proposed for risk prediction in PBC, but these have not been validated in large external cohorts. METHODS We performed a study on data of 1746 UDCA-treated patients with PBC from 25 centers in Europe, United States, and Canada. The prognostic performance of the risk scoring systems (GLOBE and UK-PBC) and the UDCA response criteria (Barcelona, Paris I, Paris II, Rotterdam, and Toronto) were evaluated. We regarded cirrhosis-related complications (ascites, variceal bleeding, and/or hepatic encephalopathy) as clinical end points. RESULTS A total of 171 patients reached a clinical end point during a median 7 years (range 1-16 years) of follow-up. The 5-, 10- and 15-year adverse outcome-free survivals were 95%, 85%, and 77%. The GLOBE and UK-PBC scores predicted cirrhosis-related complications better than the UDCA response criteria. The hazard ratio (HR) for a 1 standard deviation increase was HR 5.05 (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.43-5.74, P < 0.001) for the GLOBE score and HR 3.39 (95% CI: 3.10-3.72, P < 0.001) for the UK-PBC score. Overall, the GLOBE and UK-PBC risk scores showed similar and excellent prognostic performance (C-statistic, 0.93; 95% CI: 0.91%-95% vs 0.94; 95% CI: 0.91%-0.96%). DISCUSSION In our international, multicenter PBC cohort, the GLOBE and UK-PBC risk scoring systems were good predictors of future cirrhosis-related complications.
Nano-encapsulation of curcumin using soy protein hydrolysates – tannic acid complexes regulated by photocatalysis: a study on the storage stability and in vitro release

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of soy protein hydrolysates (SPH)-tannic acid (TA) complex nanoparticle obtained by photocatalysis (SPH-T (P)) to construct curcumin (Cur) delivery vehicles. Methods: The interaction behaviour of SPH-T (P) was investigated using Fourier transform infra-red, X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimeter analyzes. Formation and stability of the complexes were characterised by particle size, morphology, zeta potential, and in vitro release. Results: Negatively charged Cur-loaded complex with small size (<100 nm), spherical cluster shape and uniform size distribution were formed through the driving force of electrostatic attraction, followed by hydrogen bonding. The presence of photocatalysis in the complexes significantly improved the storage stability and in vitro sustained release of curcumin by enhancing the hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic effects and π–π stacking interactions between SPH and TA. Conclusion: SPH-T (P) would be a useful and promising delivery vehicle for encapsulating, protecting, and delivering hydrophobic nutraceuticals.