Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conventional antibody against Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) shows cross-reaction to Nε-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL): Immunochemical quantification of CML with a specific antibody

Immunological strategies for the detection of N(epsilon)-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), one of the major antigenic structures of advanced glycation end products (AGE), are widely applied to demonstrate the contribution of CML to the pathogeneses of diabetic complications and atherosclerosis. Recent studies have indicated that methylglyoxal (MG), which is generated intracellularly through the Embden-Meyerhof and polyol pathways, reacts with proteins to form MG-derived AGE structures such as N(epsilon)-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL). In order to accurately measure the CML contents of the proteins by means of an immunochemical method, we prepared CML-specific antibodies since conventionally prepared polyclonal anti-CML antibody and monoclonal anti-CML antibody (6D12) cross-reacted with CEL. To prepare polyclonal CML-specific antibody, CML-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (CML-KLH) were immunized with rabbit and CEL-reactive antibody was removed by CEL-conjugated affinity chromatography. Monoclonal antibody specific for CML (CMS-10) was obtained by immunization with CML-KLH, followed by successive screening according to CML-bovine serum albumin (CML-BSA)-positive but CEL-BSA-negative criteria. Both polyclonal CML-specific antibody and CMS-10 significantly reacted with CML-proteins but not with CEL-proteins. It is likely therefore that these antibodies can recognize the difference of one methyl group between CML and CEL. Moreover, CMS-10 significantly reacted with BSA modified with several aldehydes and its reactivity was highly correlated with the CML content, which was determined by high performance liquid chromatography, whereas 6D12 showed a low correlation. These results indicate that CMS-10 can be used to determine the CML contents of modified proteins in a more specific way.
Marine Algae from Northern Norway. III

A find of a dwarfish Scytosiphon on the extremely exposed point of Hanebba near Hasvik on Söröy (70,5° N, 22,1° E) has brought to mind the description of Scytosiphon pygmaeus Reinke in REINKES Algenfiora (1889) and Atlas (1892). REINKE made it on the basis of material dredged from a depth of 20 metres northwest of Fehmarn in Kieler Bucht. Apart from the small size (length 5—10 mm and thickness less than 0,1 mm), the new species deviates from Scytosiphon lomentarius Lyngb. in lacking paraphyses. Even the sporangia are somewhat different: „Es entwickelt nämlich die Rinde nicht auf größeren Flächen im Zusammenhang Sporangien, sondern dieselben entstehen nur aus gruppenweise beisammenliegenden oder vereinzelten Zellen, welche durch unveränderte Rindenzellen voneinander getrennt sind. Die Entstehung der Sporangien ist die gleiche, wie bei Scytosiphon lomentarius,, das einzelne Sporangium ist aber kürzer und besteht nur aus zwei bis drei, höchstens aus vier übereinanderliegenden Zellen. Sogenannte Paraphysen sind nicht vorhanden. " Comments on this particular species are scanty. KYLIN (1933) regarded it without hesitation äs a stage of development of Sc. lomentarius probably because of similarities in the development pattern. ROSENVINGE and LUND (1947) expressed the same opinion 14 years later. On the other hand, LUND (1959) has recently stated: "Several individuals resembled Sc. pygmaeus Rke. This applied for instance to a small plant originating from Farne 0er (East Greenland) and possessing differentiated spores. " NEWTON (1931) reports finds of Sc. pygmaeus in Dorset, growing epiphytically on Furcellaria. It is said to be rare. On the exposed rocks of Hanebba, sloping about 40° and facing west, the Porphyra zone was very broad, about 5 m. I visited the locality at the end of July 1952. Just above the dense Baianus belt, the mid water line, and the lower boundary of the Porphyra zone, the rock was covered by a brown crust, rather dense and easy to remove. The crust proved to be composed of two competing species, a pygmaean Scytosiphon and Ralfsia verrucosa. Cross sections of the crust have revealed interesting details of the cohabitation. In some sections the interwoven mass of filaments belongmg to the Scytosiphon plants (of light colour in the figures) predominated, in other sections Ralfsia was the dominant species, having completely overgrown the Scytosiphon tissues. The length of the Scytosiphon plants arising from the basic disk is 4—7 mm and the diameter about 0,1—0,2 mm. The central cavity, found in Sc. lomentarius y is narrow or non-existent in these plants. The most striking feature is the degree of fertility. About 80 percent of the area of the cross sections is occupied by the plurilocular sporangia,
Effect of music at 432 Hz and 440 Hz on dental anxiety and salivary cortisol levels in patients undergoing tooth extraction: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to compare the effects of music at 432 Hz, 440 Hz, and no music on the clinical perception of anxiety and salivary cortisol levels in patients undergoing tooth extraction. Methodology A parallel-group randomized clinical trial was conducted. Forty-two patients (average age: 23.8±7.8 years, 27 women) with a moderate level of anxiety were distributed in three groups: use of music for 15 minutes at a frequency of 432 Hz (n=15), at 440 Hz (n=15) and a control group without music (n=12). The CORAH Dental Anxiety Scale and salivary cortisol levels, estimated by the solid phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), were measured and compared before and after the music intervention between groups (two-way ANOVA-Tukey p<0.05, RStudio). Results Significantly lower anxiety level values were observed at 432 Hz (8.7±2.67) and 440 Hz (8.4±2.84) compared to the control group (17.2±4.60; p<0.05). The salivary cortisol level at 432 Hz (0.49±0.37 μg/dL) was significantly lower than 440 Hz (1.35±0.69 μg/dL) and the control group (1.59±0.7 μg/dL; p<0.05). Conclusion The use of music significantly decreased clinical anxiety levels, and the frequency of 432 Hz was effective in decreasing salivary cortisol levels before tooth extraction.
Effects of PDE3 Inhibitor Olprinone on the Respiratory Parameters, Inflammation, and Apoptosis in an Experimental Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

This study aimed to investigate whether a selective phosphodiesterase-3 (PDE3) inhibitor olprinone can positively influence the inflammation, apoptosis, and respiratory parameters in animals with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) model induced by repetitive saline lung lavage. Adult rabbits were divided into 3 groups: ARDS without therapy (ARDS), ARDS treated with olprinone i.v. (1 mg/kg; ARDS/PDE3), and healthy ventilated controls (Control), and were oxygen-ventilated for the following 4 h. Dynamic lung–thorax compliance (Cdyn), mean airway pressure (MAP), arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), alveolar-arterial gradient (AAG), ratio between partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood to a fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2), oxygenation index (OI), and ventilation efficiency index (VEI) were evaluated every hour. Post mortem, inflammatory and oxidative markers (interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, a receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), IL-10, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), 3-nitrotyrosine (3NT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and apoptosis (apoptotic index and caspase-3) were assessed in the lung tissue. Treatment with olprinone reduced the release of inflammatory mediators and markers of oxidative damage decreased apoptosis of epithelial cells and improved respiratory parameters. The results indicate a future potential of PDE3 inhibitors also in the therapy of ARDS.
ISOLATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITIES OF NONTUBERCULOUS MYCOBACTERIA FROM WILDLIFE IN JAPAN

Abstract: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are opportunistic pathogens of humans and animals and are transmitted among the environment, wildlife, livestock, and humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility of NTM in wildlife. In total, 178 samples of feces (n=131) and tissues (n=47) were collected from 11 wildlife species in Gifu Prefecture and Mie Prefecture, Japan, between June 2016 and October 2018. We isolated NTM from 15.3% (20/ 131) of fecal samples using Ogawa medium, and isolates were identified by sequencing the rpoB and hsp65 genes. The rpoB sequences were compared with those from other strains of human and environmental origin. The NTM isolates were obtained from sika deer (Cervus nippon), wild boar (Sus scrofa), Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata), raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), masked palm civet (Paguma larvata), and Japanese weasel (Mustela itatsi) and were classified as rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) and slowly growing mycobacteria (SGM). The 12 RGM identified were Mycolicibacterium peregrinum (n=5), Mycolicibacterium fortuitum (n=3), Mycolicibacterium septicum (n=3), and Mycolicibacterium thermoresistibile (n=1), and the eight SGM were Mycobacterium paraense (n=4), Mycolicibacter arupensis (n=2), Mycolicibacter virginiensis (n=1), and Mycobacterium nebraskense (n=1). The NTM from wildlife showed ≥99% similarity with strains from different sources including humans. The RGM were susceptible to the antimicrobial agents tested except for M. fortuitum, which was resistant to azithromycin and clarithromycin. The SGM showed multiple drug resistance qualities but were susceptible to amikacin, clarithromycin, and rifabutin. These results indicate that wildlife may be reservoir hosts of NTM in Japan. The presence of antimicrobial-resistant NTM in wildlife suggests that the trends of NTM antimicrobial susceptibility in wildlife should be monitored.
Newborn body composition after maternal bariatric surgery

Introduction In pregnancy after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), there is increased risk of low birthweight in the offspring. The present study examined how offspring body composition was affected by RYGB. Material and methods Mother-newborn dyads, where the mothers had undergone RYGB were included. Main outcome measure was neonatal body composition. Neonatal body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning (DXA) within 48 hours after birth. In a statistical model offspring born after RYGB were compared with a reference material of offspring and analyses were made to estimate the effect of maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain, parity, gestational age at birth and newborn sex on newborn body composition. Analyses were made to estimate the impact of maternal weight loss before pregnancy and of other effects of bariatric surgery respectively. The study was performed at a university hospital between October 2012 and December 2013. Results We included 25 mother-newborn dyads where the mothers had undergone RYGB and compared them to a reference material of 311 mother-newborn dyads with comparable pre-pregnancy BMI. Offspring born by mothers after RYGB had lower birthweight (335g, p<0.001), fat-free mass (268g, p<0.001) and fat% (2.8%, p<0.001) compared with reference material. Only 2% of the average reduction in newborn fat free mass could be attributed to maternal pre-pregnancy weight loss whereas other effects of RYGB accounted for 98%. Regarding reduction in fat mass 52% was attributed to weight loss and 47% to other effects of surgery. Conclusion Offspring born after maternal bariatric surgery, had lower birthweight, fat-free mass and fat percentage when compared with a reference material. RYGB itself and not the pre-pregnancy weight loss seems to have had the greatest impact on fetal growth.
The interpretation and misinterpretation of mortality rate measures

Ecologists frequently measure and compare mortality rates and other count-dependent rates of change. The simplest measures employ mortality counts for predetermined populations over a defined census interval (e.g. Harper 1977; Putz & Milton 1983; Connell et al. 1984; Hubbell & Foster 1990; Turner 1990; Osunkoya et al. 1992). More complex formulations are required to allow comparison over varying time periods, because these measures require a knowledge or assumption of how probabilities of death change over time. In many ecological applications this probability is taken to be constant and can therefore be used to define a rate. In this paper we examine some potentially misleading discrepancies that occur in the recent ecological literature. In its simplest form a constant mortality is modelled by exponential population decline:
Morcegos da região sul do Brasil: análise comparativa da riqueza de espécies, novos registros e atualizações nomenclaturais (Mammalia, Chiroptera)

A comparative analysis of the patterns of bat species richness in southern Brazil is presented, as well as similarity analyses among states. The highest richness of bat species is found in the state of Parana, with 64 species, followed by Santa Catarina with 46, and Rio Grande do Sul, with 40. The family Phyllostomidae plays an important role in determining this pattern. The geographical distributions of Trachops cirrhosus (Spix, 1823), Artibeus cinereus (Gervais, 1851) and Thyroptera tricolor Spix, 1823 are expanded to the state of Parana, establishing a new southern limit for these species and for Thyropteridae. In addition Myotis dinellii Thomas, 1901 is first recorded in Brazil, in Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, establishing a new eastern limit for this species. The distribution of Eptesicus taddeii Miranda, Bernardi & Passos, 2006 is extended by a new record in Rio Grande do Sul. An updated list of bats for the southern Brazilian states is presented with few nomenclatural adjustments. The importance of more intensive field efforts to survey the chiropterofauna is highlighted as a way to improve conservation efforts based on representative surveys and scientific collections.
Thermal Evaporation of Large Area SnS2 Thin Films with a UV-to-NIR Photoelectric Response for Flexible Photodetector Applications.

In addition to device flexibility, the retentivity performance of photoelectric materials after an extreme reverse-bending process is intrinsically important and desirable for next-generation advanced flexible-optoelectronics. In this work, we designed and fabricated large-area flexible SnS2 thin films with a novel nanosheet/amorphous blended structure to achieve an outstanding flexible photoelectric performance via a facile evaporation and post thermal annealing route. Crystal structure analysis showed that the obtained SnS2 thin films were constructed with nanosheets oriented parallel to the substrate that were surrounded and connected by the amorphous component with a smooth surface. This nanosheet/amorphous blended structure allowed extreme bending due to the adhesive and strain-accommodation effect that arises from the amorphous components. The assembled SnS2 flexible photodetectors can bear a small bending radius as low as 1 mm for over 3000 bending-flatting cycles without a drastic performance decay. In particular, over 90% of the initial photoelectric responsivity (40.8 mA/W) was maintained even after 1000 bending-flatting cycles. Moreover, the SnS2 thin film can convert the photons to the photocurrent over a wide spectral range from ultraviolet (UV) to near infrared (NIR). These unique characteristics indicate that the strategy used in this work is attractive for the development of future wearable photoelectric and artificial intelligence applications.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid promotes human hepatocellular carcinoma growth through overexpressed gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor α3 subunit

AIM: To investigate the expression pattern of gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptors in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and indicate the relationship among gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor α3 subunit (GABRA3) and HCC. METHODS: HCC cell line Chang, HepG2, normal liver cell line L-02 and 8 samples of HCC tissues and paired non-cancerous tissues were analyzed with semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the expression of GABAA receptors. HepG2 cells were treated with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at serial concentrations (0, 1, 10, 20, 40 and 60 μmol/L), and their proliferating abilities were analyzed with the 3-(4, 5-methylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, cell doubling time test, colon formation assay, cell cycle analysis and tumor planted in nude mice. Small interfering RNA was used for knocking down the endogenous GABRA3 in HepG2. Proliferating abilities of these cells treated with or without GABA were analyzed. RESULTS: We identified the overexpression of GABRA3 in HCC cells. Knockdown of endogenous GABRA3 expression in HepG2 attenuated HCC cell growth, suggesting its role in HCC cell viability. We determined the in vitro and in vivo effect of GABA in the proliferation of GABRA3-positive cell lines, and found that GABA increased HCC growth in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, the addition of GABA into the cell culture medium promoted the proliferation of GABRA3-expressing HepG2 cells, but not GABRA3-knockdown HepG2 cells. This means that GABA stimulates HepG2 cell growth through GABRA3. CONCLUSION: GABA and GABRA3 play important roles in HCC development and progression and can be a promising molecular target for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for HCC.
Clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with hypertension on renin–angiotensin system inhibitors

ABSTRACT In December 2019, COVID-19 outbroke in Wuhan, China. The current study aimed to explore the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 complicated by hypertension. In this retrospective, single-center study, we recruited 110 discharged patients with COVID-19 at Wuhan Fourth Hospital in Wuhan, China, from January 25 to February 20, 2020. All study cases were grouped according to whether they had a history of hypertension. Then, a subgroup analysis for all hypertensive patients was carried out based on whether to take ACEI or ARB drugs. The mean age of 110 patients was 57.7 years (range, 25–86 years), of which 60 (54.5%) were male patients. The main underlying diseases included hypertension [36 (32.7%)] and diabetes [11 (10.0%)]. Compared with the non-hypertensive group, the lymphocyte count was significantly lower in the hypertensive group (average value, 0.96 × 109/L vs 1.26 × 109/L), and analysis of clinical outcomes showed that the crude mortality rate was higher in the hypertensive group [7/36 (19.4%) vs 2/74 (2.7%)]. Patients treated with ACEI or ARB, compared with the control group, were younger (average age, 58.5 years vs 69.2 years), but there was no statistical difference in the crude cure rate [10/15 (66.7%) vs 15/21 (71.4%)] and the crude mortality rate [2/15 (13.3%) vs 5/21 (23.8%)]. In conclusions, the COVID-19 patients with a history of hypertension had a significantly lower lymphocyte count on admission. The elderly and comorbidities such as hypertension may together constitute risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19. Taking ACEI or ARB drugs may not change the prognosis of COVID-19 patients with hypertension.
Are high‐risk patient and revision arthroplasty effective indications for closed‐incisional negative‐pressure wound therapy after total hip or knee arthroplasty? A systematic review and meta‐analysis

To determine the effective indications of closed‐incisional negative‐pressure wound therapy (ciNPWT) following total hip or knee arthroplasty, this systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted. The systematic search was performed on MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library, and 11 studies were included. The studies comparing between ciNPWT and conventional dressings were categorised into following subgroups based on patient risk and revision procedures: routine vs high‐risk patient; primary vs revision arthroplasty. Pooled estimates were calculated for wound complication and surgical site infection (SSI) rates in the subgroup analyses using Review Manager. In high‐risk patients, the overall rates of wound complication (odds ratio [OR] = 0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.15‐0.93; P = .030) and SSI (OR = 0.24; 95% CI = 0.09‐0.64; P = .005) were significantly lower in the ciNPWT; however, there were no differences in routine patients. In cases involving revision arthroplasties, the overall rates of wound complication (OR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.18‐0.62; P < .001) and SSI (OR = 0.26; 95% CI = 0.11‐0.66; P = .004) were significantly lower in the ciNPWT; however, there were no differences in cases involving primary arthroplasties. In summary, ciNPWT showed a positive effect in decreasing the rates of wound complication and SSI in high‐risk patients and in revision arthroplasties.
Effect of Fungicide on Soybean Growth and Yield

In response to rising input costs and narrowing profit margins, soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] producers are continually looking for ways to increase soybean yield. One approach being promoted is the use of foliar fungicides, for both foliar pathogen control and nonfungicidal plant physiological effects. The objective of this field experiment was to evaluate a strobilurin and a triazole alone or in combination on soybean in the absence of foliar diseases to determine the potential effect on soybean growth and yield. The experiment was conducted in Iowa at one location in 2005 and two locations in 2006 with four soybean cultivars. Triazole (tebuconazole), a curative fungicide and strobilurin (pyraclostrobin), a preventative fungicide, were applied alone and in combination at growth stages R1, R3, and R5. Low levels of foliar diseases were observed. Seed yield for the control treatment averaged 4308 kg ha -1 across all sites. Foliar fungicides did not affect soybean seed yield. Few differences were observed among the treatments in soybean growth and yield components. Total biomass was 10% greater with the pyraclostrobin applied at R3 compared with the control, and was a result of increased stem weight. In this study, fungicides applied in the absence of foliar disease did not produce nonfungicidal physiological effect or associated yield improvement. It was concluded that environmental conditions and assessment of disease levels should be used as a guide for foliar fungicide application on soybean.
Developing a core outcome set for interventions to improve discharge from mental health inpatient services: a survey, Delphi and consensus meeting with key stakeholder groups

Objective To develop a core set of outcomes to be used in all future studies into discharge from acute mental health services to increase homogeneity of outcome reporting. Design We used a cross-sectional online survey with qualitative responses to derive a comprehensive list of outcomes, followed by two online Delphi rounds and a face-to-face consensus meeting. Setting The setting the core outcome set applies to is acute adult mental health. Participants Participants were recruited from five stakeholder groups: service users, families and carers, researchers, healthcare professionals and policymakers. Interventions The core outcome set is intended for all interventions that aim to improve discharge from acute mental health services to the community. Results Ninety-three participants in total completed the questionnaire, 69 in Delphi round 1 and 68 in round 2, with relatively even representation of groups. Eleven participants attended the consensus meeting. Service users, healthcare professionals, researchers, carers/families and end-users of research agreed on a four-item core outcome set: readmission, suicide completed, service user-reported psychological distress and quality of life. Conclusion Implementation of the core outcome set in future trials research will provide a framework to achieve standardisation, facilitate selection of outcome measures, allow between-study comparisons and ultimately enhance the relevance of trial or research findings to healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers and service users.