Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Mediators that Promote Carotid Body Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity Related Syndromes

Carotid bodies (CBs) are peripheral chemoreceptors that sense changes in blood O2, CO2, and pH levels. Apart from ventilatory control, these organs are deeply involved in the homeostatic regulation of carbohydrates and lipid metabolism and inflammation. It has been described that CB dysfunction is involved in the genesis of metabolic diseases and that CB overactivation is present in animal models of metabolic disease and in prediabetes patients. Additionally, resection of the CB-sensitive nerve, the carotid sinus nerve (CSN), or CB ablation in animals prevents and reverses diet-induced insulin resistance and glucose intolerance as well as sympathoadrenal overactivity, meaning that the beneficial effects of decreasing CB activity on glucose homeostasis are modulated by target-related efferent sympathetic nerves, through a reflex initiated in the CBs. In agreement with our pre-clinical data, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which reduces CB activity, improves glucose homeostasis in type 2 diabetes patients. Insulin, leptin, and pro-inflammatory cytokines activate the CB. In this manuscript, we review in a concise manner the putative pathways linking CB chemoreceptor deregulation with the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases and discuss and present new data that highlight the roles of hyperinsulinemia, hyperleptinemia, and chronic inflammation as major factors contributing to CB dysfunction in metabolic disorders.
Dissecting the Cardiac Conduction System: Is It Worthwhile?

Background Pathologic examination of conduction system (CS) is not routinely performed, and histologic changes are mostly reported in forensic practice. Methods We studied the value of dissecting the CS in a cohort of pediatric patients with unexplained sudden death or severe, inexplicable arrhythmias. Histopathologic changes present in CS components were recorded and correlated with findings noted in other cardiac structures. Results Twenty-one subjects (11 unexplained sudden deaths and 10 life-threatening arrhythmias) were identified; 18 (86%) had CS pathologic abnormalities. In 13 patients (62%), the CS findings mirrored those found in other cardiac sections (inflammation, allograft vasculopathy, vascular fibromuscular dysplasia, cardiomyopathy-related changes, and tumor/tumor-like conditions). Five cases (24%) had abnormalities restricted to CS (bundle of His [BH] with fibrotic scar and patch material following ventricular septal defect repair, inflammation, BH with fibrosis and calcifications, and intimal fibroplasia of sinoatrial node artery). Conclusions Pathologic changes within the CS are present in a high number of pediatric patients presenting with unexplained sudden death or life-threatening arrhythmias. Frequently, the findings mirror those observed in other cardiac structures. However, in a significant number of cases (24%), the changes are restricted to CS and likely explain the patients’ symptoms or cause of death, suggesting that systematic dissection of CS unveils valuable information.
Preoperative stratification for postoperative delirium: obstructive sleep apnea is a predictor, the STOP-BANG is not?

In the October 2018 issue of the Annals of Thoracic Surgery , Wang et al . published a study intended to test the hypothesis that STOP-BANG can contribute to predict the risk for postoperative delirium (POD) (1). In this paper, the authors report data from an a priori planned sub-analysis of the “PrEventing POstoperative Delirium” (PEPOD) trial: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, single-center clinical trial on the effects of low-dose haloperidol in patients that present POD after major thoracic surgery (protocol NCT02213900).
SEXUAL STRATEGIES IN PLANTS

Summary It is postulated that in one reproductive session the level of maternal expenditure of an angiosperm plant is determined by a temporal series of controls on the number of potential fruit in which an investment is made. The serial adjustment hypothesis has three parts: A. The amount of maternal expenditure is regulated at many developmental units, particularly single flowers and fruit, at three principal sequential stages – the determination of flowers, the development of ovaries and the maturation of fruit. B. At each stage, the initiation or continuation of an investment requires an amount of available resources above a certain threshold. Hence maternal expenditure is continually adjusted to the resources available at each developmental site. C. The pattern of controls that maximizes the maternal fitness of a plant is selected. Many factors affect the relative advantages of regulation at the three stages, therefore species and sexual morphs appear to vary widely in their proportional use of the three stages. Regulation of flower determination has the general advantages of offering bidirectional adjustment of maternal investment, maintaining a constant ratio of maternal to paternal investment, and reducing wasted expenditure. The later stages, ovary and fruit regulation, allow secondary adjustments of maternal investment in unpredictable circumstances and permit adjustment of the relative numbers of polliniferous and seminiferous flowers. The relative advantages of restricting the numbers of developing ovaries, or of maturing fruit, depend principally on the extent to which differences in the capacity of flowers to mature fruit are evident before anthesis.
Deposition of egg capsule and larval development of Rapana venosa (Gastropoda: Muricidae) from the south-eastern Black Sea

Egg capsules and intracapsular embryos of Rapana venosa were studied to determine the reproductive pattern of this invader species in the south-eastern Black Sea. Egg deposition of R. venosa in the laboratory at 25°C was described. Egg laying began in mid-June, reached a peak in July and ended in late August in 1996. The total number of the egg capsules per whelk ranged between 197 and 999 (mean 575 ±41). The mean length of the egg capsules was 13.26 mm. Each capsule contained between 124 and 1090 embryos with a mean of 555 ±10. Mean larval production per rapa whelk was about 392,931 ±42,731. The mean size of eggs produced was 213.8 μm. Five different stages of intracapsular development were observed. Embryos developed without nurse eggs. Veliger larvae completed their intracapsular development and hatched in 22 days at 25°C.
Against medical advice discharges in injection and non-injection drug use-associated infective endocarditis: A nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND Among those with injection drug use-associated infective endocarditis (IDU-IE), against medical advice (AMA) discharge is common and linked to adverse outcomes. Understanding trends, risk factors and timing is needed to reduce IDU-IE AMA discharges. METHODS We identified individuals ages 18-64 with International Classification of Diseases, 9thRevision diagnosis codes for infective endocarditis (IE) in the National Inpatient Sample, a representative sample of United States hospitalizations from January 2010 to September 2015. We plotted unadjusted quarter-year trends for AMA discharges and used multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with AMA discharge among IE hospitalizations, comparing IDU-IE to non-IDU-IE. RESULTS We identified 7,259 IDU-IE and 23,633 non-IDU-IE hospitalizations. Of these hospitalizations, 14.2% of IDU-IE and 1.9% of non-IDU-IE resulted in AMA discharges. More than 30% of AMA discharges for both groups occurred before hospital day 3. In adjusted models, IDU status [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 3.92 (95% CI: 3.43-4.48)] was associated with increased odds of AMA discharge. Among IDU-IE, women [AOR 1.21 (95% CI: 1.04-1.41)] and Hispanics [AOR 1.32 (95% CI: 1.03-1.69)] had increased odds of AMA discharge, which differed from non-IDU-IE. Over nearly 6-years, odds of AMA discharge increased 12% per year for IDU-IE [AOR 1.12 (95% CI: 1.07-1.18)] and 6% per year for non-IDU-IE [AOR 1.06 (95% CI: 1.00-1.13)]. CONCLUSION AMA discharges have risen among individuals with IDU-IE and non-IDE-IE. Among those who inject drugs, AMA discharges were more common and increases sharper. Efforts that address the rising fraction, disparities, and timing of IDU-IE AMA discharges are needed.
A New Archosaur (Diapsida, Archosauriformes) from the Marine Triassic of China

ABSTRACT A new Middle Triassic archosaur, Diandongosuchus fuyuanensis, gen. et sp. nov., is described on the basis of a skeleton from the Zhuganpo Member (Ladinian) of the Falang Formation, eastern Yunnan Province, China. It is primarily characterized by the nasal process of the premaxilla extending posteriorly well beyond the external naris, the super-sized coracoid foramen laterally bordered by the scapula, the ischium with a strongly expanded medial portion anteroposteriorly longer than the proximodistal height of the bone, and anteriorly notched cervical osteoderms. D. fuyuanensis is a pseudosuchian on the basis of the crocodile-normal tarsal joint and other features, such as the distal end of the ulna in posterolateral view squared off, osteoderms with a distinct anterior process, the presacral vertebrae dorsally covered by more than one osteoderm, dorsal osteoderm alignment dorsal to presacrals 10–24 staggered, the pubis-ischium contact reduced to a thin proximal contact, and the medial contact of the ischia extensive but the dorsal margins separate. It is from a marine deposit but shows few morphological adaptations of the postcranial skeleton for a semiaquatic way of life when compared with Qianosuchus from the Anisian limestone of the same area. A phylogenetic analysis derived from an existing data matrix suggests that the new archosaur occupies the basal-most position in Poposauroidea and further confirms the poposauroid status of Qianosuchus. On the basis of current information, the discovery of Diandongosuchus does not firmly underscore the affinity of the semiterrestrial vertebrate faunas between the eastern and western regions along the northern coastline of the Tethys.
Understanding microglial diversity and implications for neuronal function in health and disease

Genetic data implicate microglia as central players in brain health and disease, urging the need to better understand what microglia do in the brain. Microglia are critical partners in neuronal wiring and function during development and disease. Emerging literature suggests that microglia have diverse functional roles, raising the intriguing question of which functions of microglia become impaired in disease to undermine proper neuronal function. It is also becoming increasingly clear that microglia exist in heterogeneous cell states. Microglial cell states appear context‐dependent, that is, age, sex, location, and health of their microenvironment; these are further influenced by external signaling factors including gut microbiota and lipid metabolites. These data altogether suggest that microglia exist in functional clusters that impact, and are impacted by, surrounding neuronal microenvironment. However, we still lack understanding of how we can translate microglia cell states into function. Here, we summarize the state‐of‐the‐art on the diverse functions of microglia in relation to neuronal health. Then, we discuss heterogeneity during developing, healthy adult and diseased brains, and whether this may be predetermined by origin and/or regulated by local milieu. Finally, we propose that it is critical to gain high‐resolution functional discernment into microglia‐neuron interactions while preserving the spatial architecture of the tissue. Such insight will reveal specific targets for biomarker and therapeutic development toward microglia‐neuron crosstalk in disease.
Early conversion to a CNI-free immunosuppression with SRL after renal transplantation—Long-term follow-up of a multicenter trial

Introduction Early conversion to a CNI-free immunosuppression with SRL was associated with an improved 1- and 3- yr renal function as compared with a CsA-based regimen in the SMART-Trial. Mixed results were reported on the occurrence of donor specific antibodies under mTOR-Is. Here, we present long-term results of the SMART-Trial. Methods and materials N = 71 from 6 centers (n = 38 SRL and n = 33 CsA) of the original SMART-Trial (ITT n = 140) were enrolled in this observational, non-interventional extension study to collect retrospectively and prospectively follow-up data for the interval since baseline. Primary objective was the development of dnDSA. Blood samples were collected on average 8.7 years after transplantation. Results Development of dnDSA was not different (SRL 5/38, 13.2% vs. CsA 9/33, 27.3%; P = 0.097). GFR remained improved under SRL with 64.37 ml/min/1.73m2 vs. 53.19 ml/min/1.73m2 (p = 0.044). Patient survival did not differ between groups at 10 years. There was a trend towards a reduced graft failure rate (11.6% SRL vs. 23.9% CsA, p = 0.064) and less tumors under SRL (2.6% SRL vs. 15.2% CsA, p = 0.09). Conclusions An early conversion to SRL did not result in an increased incidence of dnDSA nor increased long-term risk for the recipient. Transplant function remains improved with benefits for the graft survival.
IFN-γ Alters the Pathology of Graft Rejection: Protection from Early Necrosis1

We studied the effect of host IFN-γ on the pathology of acute rejection of vascularized mouse heart and kidney allografts. Organs from CBA donors (H-2k) were transplanted into BALB/c (H-2d) hosts with wild-type (WT) or disrupted (GKO, BALB/c mice with disrupted IFN-γ genes) IFN-γ genes. In WT hosts, rejecting hearts and kidneys showed mononuclear cell infiltration, intense induction of donor MHC products, but little parenchymal necrosis at day 7. Rejecting allografts in GKO recipients showed infiltrate but little or no induction of donor MHC and developed extensive necrosis despite patent large vessels. The necrosis was immunologically mediated, since it developed during rejection, was absent in isografts, and was prevented by immunosuppressing the recipient with cyclosporine or mycophenolate mofetil. Rejecting kidneys in GKO hosts showed increased mRNA for heme oxygenase 1, and decreased mRNA for NO synthase 2 and monokine inducible by IFN-γ (MIG). The mRNA levels for CTL genes (perforin, granzyme B, and Fas ligand) were similar in rejecting kidneys in WT and GKO hosts, and the host Ab responses were similar. The administration of recombinant IFN-γ to GKO hosts reduced but did not fully prevent the effects of IFN-γ deficiency: MHC was induced, but the prevention of necrosis and induction of MIG were incomplete compared with WT hosts. Thus, IFN-γ has unique effects in vascularized allografts, including induction of MHC and MIG, and protection against parenchymal necrosis, probably at the level of the microcirculation. This is probably a local action of IFN-γ produced in large quantities in the allograft.
β-1,2- and α-1,2-LinkedOligomannosides Mediate Adherence of Candida albicansBlastospores to Human Enterocytes InVitro

ABSTRACT Candida albicans is a commensal dimorphic yeast of the digestive tract that causes hematogenously disseminated infections in immunocompromised individuals. Endogenous invasive candidiasis develops from C. albicans adhering to the intestinal epithelium. Adherence is mediated by the cell wall surface, a domain composed essentially of mannopyranosyl residues bound to proteins, the N-linked moiety of which comprises sequences of α-1,2- and β-1,2-linked mannose residues. β-1,2-linked mannosides are also associated with a glycolipid, phospholipomannan, at the C. albicans surface. In order to determine the roles of β-1,2 and α-1,2 oligomannosides in the C. albicans-enterocyte interaction, we developed a model of adhesion of C. albicans VW32 blastospores to the apical regions of differentiated Caco-2 cells. Preincubation of yeasts with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for α-1,2 andβ -1,2 mannan epitopes resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in adhesion (50% of the control with a 60-μg/ml MAb concentration). In competitive assays β-1,2 and α-1,2 tetramannosides were the most potent carbohydrate inhibitors, with 50% inhibitory concentrations of 2.58 and 6.99 mM, respectively. Immunolocalization on infected monolayers with MAbs specific forα -1,2 and β-1,2 oligomannosides showed that these epitopes were shed from the yeast to the enterocyte surface. Taken together, our data indicate that α-1,2 and β-1,2 oligomannosides are involved in the C. albicans-enterocyte interaction and participate in the adhesion of the yeasts to the mucosal surface.
Effect of Carboxy Methyl Cellulose and Gum Arabic on the Stability of Frozen Dough for Bakery Products

Extended storage of frozen dough resulted in changes in rheological properties, which cause increasing proofing time and ultimately lower loaf volume of bread. The main causes of these changes are ice crystallization, which damage the gluten network. The major objective of this research was to reduce ice crystallization in frozen dough by incorporation of hydrophilic gums such as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and gum arabic at different levels. The doughs were stored frozen up to 8 weeks. Bread characteristics were analyzed after every 15 days for specific loaf volume, external and internal characteristics. Specific loaf volume increased significantly with the addition of different levels of gums compared with the frozen control. Although the external and internal characteristics of bread deteriorated with storage time, addition of gum arabic and CMC improved the characteristics of bread as compared to control after each storage period.
Karenia longicanalis sp. nov. (Dinophyceae): a New Bloom-Forming Species Isolated from Hong Kong, May 1998

Abstract A new dinoflagellate species, Karenia longicanalis sp. nov. is described from a bloom, which occurred in mid-May, 1998 in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong and the southwestern coastal waters of Hong Kong Island. Live cells have up to 30 yellow-green, round chloroplasts, each containing a pyrenoid, and a spherical centrally located nucleus surrounded by a ‘nuclear capsule’. The cell is slightly dorso-ventrally flattened, 17.5–35.0 μm long and 13.75–32.5 μm wide. The epicone and hypocone are hemispherical. The cingulum is displaced about 22% of the body length. A straight apical groove is located to the right of the sulcal axis and extends over the apex and 2/3 down the dorsal side of the epicone. The sulcus extends from the cingulum to the antapex, where it makes an antapical indentation or concavity. No fish kills were observed during this bloom. Karenia longicanalis sp. nov. closely resembles morphologically Karenia digitata and Gymnodinium mikimotoi, and thus belongs to the ‘mikimotoi-complex’.
Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma: A rare but challenging entity.

Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) is a rare T-cell neoplasm that most commonly arises from a small subset of γ/δ T-cell receptor-expressing lymphocytes. HSTCL is more common in adolescent and young adults and has a rapidly progressive clinical course and poor outcome due to its refractoriness to conventional chemotherapy regimens. Approximately 20% of the cases arise in the background of chronic immunosuppression or immune dysregulation. Patients commonly present with constitutional symptoms, hepatic and liver enlargement, and cytopenias; hematophagocytic syndrome can also occur. The most frequent chromosomal aberrations associated with HSTCL are isochromosome 7q and trisomy 8, and most cases harbor mutations in genes involved in chromatin modification or the JAK/STAT pathway. The rarity of this disease, along with lack of nodal involvement and presenting symptoms that mimic different entities including infectious etiologies, makes this lymphoma a significant diagnostic challenge. In this review, we highlight the clinical and pathologic features of HSTCL. Moreover, we summarize the results of recent molecular studies suggesting potential targets for novel therapeutics strategies.
Conventional and rapid methods for identification of Staphylococcus aureus from clinical specimens

Staphylococcus aureus is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive coccal bacterium whose incidence ranges from skin, soft tissue, respiratory, bone, joint, endovascular to wound infections. The purpose of this study was to identify Staphylococcus aureus from clinical specimens using routine conventional and rapid tests. Gram staining, catalase test, coagulase test, DNase test, haemolysis on blood agar and Microgen™ STAPH-ID kit tests were carried out. A total of 125 Gram positive cocci were tested. The Gram staining technique yielded 100 (80.00%) Staphylococcus spp (Gram positive cocci in clusters). 89(71.20%) isolates were positive to haemolysis on blood agar. Mannitol Salt Agar, DNase agar and Catalase test correctly identified 69 (55.2%) of the Gram positive cocci to be S. aureus as was confirmed by the Microgen™ STAPH-ID kit test. Coagulase test yielded 66 (52.8%) positive results. The Microgen™ STAPH-ID kit test identified three non-coagulase Staphylococcus aureus isolates. The Microgen™ STAPH-ID kit test was the most reliable of the tests, with accuracy comparable to any other rapid test. However, it is the most expensive of the tests. This study established that conventional tests can be used for direct identification of S. aureus to species level if the battery of tests is increased.
Mutation Induction in the Cyanobacterium Gloeocapsa alpicola

The lethal and mutagenic effects of ultraviolet light (u.v.), ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS), methyl methanesulphonate (MMS), N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and mitomycin C on the unicellular cyanobacterium Gloeocapsa alpicola have been investigated. Mitomycin C and EMS did not significantly increase the frequency of streptomycin-resistant mutants above the spontaneous level. MNNG and MMS produced increases of 10 to 30 times the spontaneous frequency. Contrary to previous reports on mutation induction in cyanobacteria, u.v. was the most effective mutagen, increasing the spontaneous mutation frequency 4000-fold. However, since photoreactivating light eliminated most of this mutagenic response it was necessary to rigorously exclude light of wavelengths < 550 nm during post-irradiation growth. Caffeine failed to increase the mutation frequency of u.v. -irradiated cultures, but cells were more sensitive to u.v. killing in the presence of caffeine.
The Influence of Anthocyanidin Profile on Antileishmanial Activity of Arrabidaea chica Morphotypes

Arrabidaea chica Verlot (crajiru) is a plant used in folk medicine as an astringent, anti-inflammatory, wound healing and to treat fungal and viral diseases such as measles chickenpox and herpes. Arrabidaea chica has several morphotypes recognized but little is known about its chemical variability. In the present study the anthocyanidin profile of A. chica morphotypes collected in two seasons (summer and winter) have been examined and their activity against Leishmania infection compared. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD-UV) and by tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (ESI-MS/MS) were used for anthocyanidin separation and identification. Antileishmanial activity was measured against promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis. Multivariate analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson’s correlation were performed to classify morphotypes accordingly to their anthocyanidin profile. The presence of 6,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-5-methoxyflavylium (3′-hydroxy-carajurone) (1), carajurone (2), 6,7,3′-trihydroxy-5,4′-dimethoxy-flavylium (3′-hydroxy-carajurin) (3) and carajurin (4), and three unidentified anthocyanidins were detected. Two different groups were recognized: group I containing 3′-hydroxy-carajurone; and group II with high content of carajurin. Among anthocyanidins identified in the extracts, only carajurin showed significant statistical correlation (p = 0.030) with activity against L. amazonensis. Carajurin could thus be considered as a pharmacological marker for the antileishmanial potential of the species.