Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Center-level Variation in HLA-incompatible Living Donor Kidney Transplantation Outcomes.

BACKGROUND Desensitization protocols for HLA-incompatible living donor kidney transplantation (ILDKT) vary across centers. The impact of these, as well as other practice variations, on ILDKT outcomes remain unknown. METHODS We sought to quantify center-level variation in mortality and graft loss following ILDKT using a 25-center cohort of 1358 ILDKT recipients with linkage to SRTR for accurate outcome ascertainment. We used multilevel Cox regression with shared frailty to determine the variation in post-ILDKT outcomes attributable to between-center differences, and to identify any center-level characteristics associated with improved post-ILDKT outcomes. RESULTS After adjusting for patient-level characteristics, only 6 centers (24%) had lower mortality and 1 (4%) had higher mortality than average. Similarly, only 5 centers (20%) had higher graft loss and 2 had lower graft loss than average. Only 4.7% of the differences in mortality (p<0.01) and 4.4% of the differences in graft loss (p<0.01) were attributable to between-center variation. These translated to a median hazard ratio of 1.36 for mortality and 1.34 of graft loss for similar candidates at different centers. Post-ILDKT outcomes were not associated with the following center-level characteristics: ILDKT volume and transplanting a higher proportion of highly sensitized, prior transplant, preemptive, or minority candidates. CONCLUSION Unlike most aspects of transplantation where center-level variation and volume impact outcomes, we did not find substantial evidence for this in ILDKT. Our findings support the continued practice of ILDKT across these diverse centers.
Identification of Ancestry Informative Marker (AIM) Panels to Assess Hybridisation between Feral and Domestic Sheep

Simple Summary Once present in the entirety of Europe, mouflon (wild sheep) became extinct due to intense hunting, but remnant populations survived and became feral on the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia. Although now protected by regional laws, Sardinian mouflon is threatened by crossbreeding with domestic sheep causing genetic hybridisation. The spread of domestic genes can be detrimental for wild populations as it dilutes the genetic features that characterise them. This work aimed to identify diagnostic tools that could be applied to monitor the level of hybridisation between mouflon and domestic sheep. Tens of thousands of genetic markers known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were screened and we identified the smallest number of SNPs necessary to discriminate between pure mouflon and sheep. We produced four SNP panels of different sizes which were able to assess the hybridisation level of a mouflon and we verified that the SNP panels efficacy is independent of the domestic sheep breed involved in the hybrid. The implementation of these results into actual diagnostic tools will help the conservation of this unique and irreplaceable mouflon population, and the methodology applied can easily be transferred to other case studies of interest. Abstract Hybridisation of wild populations with their domestic counterparts can lead to the loss of wildtype genetic integrity, outbreeding depression, and loss of adaptive features. The Mediterranean island of Sardinia hosts one of the last extant autochthonous European mouflon (Ovis aries musimon) populations. Although conservation policies, including reintroduction plans, have been enforced to preserve Sardinian mouflon, crossbreeding with domestic sheep has been documented. We identified panels of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that could act as ancestry informative markers able to assess admixture in feral x domestic sheep hybrids. The medium-density SNP array genotyping data of Sardinian mouflon and domestic sheep (O. aries aries) showing pure ancestry were used as references. We applied a two-step selection algorithm to this data consisting of preselection via Principal Component Analysis followed by a supervised machine learning classification method based on random forest to develop SNP panels of various sizes. We generated ancestry informative marker (AIM) panels and tested their ability to assess admixture in mouflon x domestic sheep hybrids both in simulated and real populations of known ancestry proportions. All the AIM panels recorded high correlations with the ancestry proportion computed using the full medium-density SNP array. The AIM panels proposed here may be used by conservation practitioners as diagnostic tools to exclude hybrids from reintroduction plans and improve conservation strategies for mouflon populations.
Effect of CD44 on differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes via Smad and ERK signaling pathways

CD44 antigen (CD44) is a transmembrane protein found in cell adhesion molecules and is involved in the regulation of various physiological processes in cells. It was hypothesized that CD44 directly affected the chondrogenic differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs). In the present study, the expression of chondrocyte-associated factors was detected in the absence and presence of the antibody blocker anti-CD44 antibody during the chondrogenic differentiation of hAMSCs. Following inhibition of CD44 expression, the transcriptional levels of chondrocyte-associated genes SRY-box transcription factor 9, aggrecan and collagen type II α 1 chain, as well as the production of chondrocyte markers type II collagen and aggrecan were significantly decreased in hAMSCs. Further investigation indicated that there was no significant change in total ERK1/2 expression following inhibition of CD44 expression; however, phosphorylated (p)-ERK1/2 expression was decreased. The expression of p-Smad2/3 was also upregulated following CD44 inhibition. These data indicated that CD44 may affect the differentiation of hAMSCs into chondrocytes by regulating the Smad2/3 and ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
Efficiency of Differently Processed Membranes Based on Cellulose as Cationic Dye Adsorbents

In order to minimize the pollution caused by the reuse of textile dyes, technologies and materials have been developed that purify waste water in an efficient and cost-effective manner before it is discharged into a water body. In this context, the presented research investigates the potential of two types of fully cellulose-based membranes as adsorbents for cationic dyes used in the textile industry. The first type combines cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and carboxymethylated cellulose (CMC) using the solvent casting process and an esterification coupling reaction, while the second type uses commercial bacterial cellulose (BC) in a native and sodium periodate-treated form (BCox). The corresponding membranes were comprehensively evaluated by means of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. Results confirm the esterification process within the CNF/CMC membranes, as well as BC oxidation after periodate treatment, as shown by bands at 1726.2 cm−1 and 895 cm−1, respectively. The Potentiometric Titration shows the highest total negative charge of 1.07 mmol/g for 4CNF/4CMC, which is assigned to the presence of COO− within CMC polymers, and lowest (0.21 mmol/g) for BCox. The Contact Angle Goniometry data confirm the hydrophilicity of all membranes, and the angle increased from 0 ° (in pure BC) to 34.5 ° in CMC-rich and to 31.4 ° in BCox membranes due to the presence of CH2COO− and CHO groups, respectively. Confocal Fluorescent Microscopy (CFM) demonstrated the highest µ-roughness in 4CNF/4CMC, while Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) depicted diverse morphological features between the membranes, from ultrafine nanofiber networks (in BC and BCox) to larger fiber bundles connected within the polymer phase in CNF/CMC membranes. The adsorption experiment followed by UV–VIS spectroscopy, showed ~100% dye removal efficiency in both CNF/CMC-based membranes, while BC and BCox adsorbed only 24.3% and 23.6%, respectively, when anthraquinone dye was used. Azo dye was only adsorbed with an efficiency of 7–9% on CMC/CNF-based membranes, compared with 5.57% on BC and 7.33% on BCox membranes. The adsorption efficiency at equilibrium was highest for BC (1228 mg/g) and lowest for 7CNF/1CMC (419.24 mg/g) during anthraquinone dye adsorption. In the case of azo dye, the BCox was most effective, with 445.7 mg/g. Applicability of a pseudo second-order model was confirmed for both dyes and all membranes, except for BCox in combination with azo dye, showing the fastest adsorption rate in the case of the 7CNF/1CMC membrane.
The roles of PTEN expression in gastric cancer: a bibliometric, meta and bioinformatics analysis

// Hua-Chuan Zheng 1 , Yu-Hong Qiu 1, 2 and Shuang Zhao 1 1 Department of Experimental Oncology and Animal Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China 2 Library, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China Correspondence to: Hua-Chuan Zheng, email: zheng_huachuan@hotmail.com Keywords: PTEN; gastric cancer; bibliometrics; meta analysis; bioinformatics analysis Received: August 01, 2017 Accepted: November 03, 2017 Published: January 02, 2018 ABSTRACT PTEN encodes a dual phospholipid phosphatase, and is frequently deleted, mutated or down-regulated in a variety of human malignancies. Here, we performed a systematic bibliometric, meta- and bioinformatics analysis through multiple online databases up to March 14, 2017. The co-citation and co-word analysis showed that the study about PTEN and gastric cancer mainly focused on PTEN discovery, correlation of its genetic and epigenetic alteration with cancers, the effects of PTEN expression on the phenotypes of gastric cancer cells, and the regulatory effects of miRNA on PTEN translation. Meta-analysis indicated that down-regulated PTEN expression was seen in gastric cancer in comparison to normal mucosa and dysplasia ( p < 0.05), and positively with depth of invasion, lymph node and distant metastasis, TNM staging, dedifferentiation and poor prognosis of gastric cancer ( p < 0.05). According to bioinformatics databases, PTEN mRNA expression was higher in gastric cancer than normal tissues ( p < 0.05), and positively correlated with depth of invasion and differentiation of gastric cancer ( p < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier plotter showed that a higher PTEN expression was positively correlated with overall and progression-free survival rates of all cancer patients, even stratified by aggressive parameters ( p < 0.05). These findings indicated that PTEN expression might be employed as a potential marker to indicate gastric carcinogenesis and subsequent progression, even prognosis.
[Network Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of Chinese patent medicine for bradyarrhythmia].

To assess the clinical efficacy of Chinese patent medicine for bradyarrhythmia(BA) by using network Meta-analysis method. Relevant randomized controlled trials(RCTs) of Chinese patent medicine for BA were retrieved from China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), WanFang Database, VIP database, SinoMed, PubMed and Cochrane Library. The retrieval time ranged from the commencement of each database to February 2019. We completed the literature screening and data extraction according to the pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of inclusion studies was assessed using the bias risk assessment tool recommended by the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Review 5.3. The data were analyzed by WinBUGS, and STATA software was used for plotting. Finally, 46 RCTs were included, involving 4 Chinese patent medicines and 3 306 patients. According to the network Meta-analysis, the total effective rate in alleviating BA symptoms had 7 direct comparisons and 3 indirect comparisons. The efficacy of the 4 Chinese patent medicines combined with routine therapy was superior to that of routine therapy, with statistically significant differences. The order of the four Chinese patent medicines by efficacy was as follows: Shenxian Shengmai Oral Liquid>Shensong Yangxin Capsules>Xinbao Pills>Ningxinbao Capsules. The average heart rate had 7 direct comparisons and 3 indirect comparisons. The efficacy of Shenxian Shengmai Oral Liquid and Shensong Yangxin Capsules combined with routine therapy was superior to that of routine therapy, with statistically significant differences. The order of the four Chinese patent medicines by efficacy was as follows: Shenxian Shengmai Oral Liquid>Shensong Yangxin Capsules>Xinbao Pills>Ningxinbao Capsules. The results showed that the Chinese patent medicines combined with routine therapy were effective in the treatment of BA. Due to the differences in the quantity and quality of the included studies on different Chinese patent medicines, the sequencing results of Chinese patent medicines need to be further verified.
Violence against Emergency Department nurses; Can we identify the perpetrators?

Introduction Violence against health care workers is a major issue in health care organisations and is estimated to affect 95% of workers, presenting an enormous risk for workers and employers. Current interventions generally aim at managing rather than preventing or minimising violent incidents. To create better-targeted interventions, it has been suggested to shift attention to the perpetrators of violence. The aim of this study was to identify and discuss the perceptions, held by Emergency Department nurses, about perpetrators of occupational violence and aggression. Methods Two focus groups were conducted with Emergency Department nurses at a major metropolitan hospital in Australia. In the focus groups, the nurses’ perceptions about perpetrators of violence against health care workers were identified and discussed. The results were analysed using descriptive analysis. Results This study confirmed that violence is a major issue for Emergency Department nurses and has a considerable impact on them. Participants acknowledged that violence at work had become an intrinsic part of their job and they tend to focus on coping mechanisms. The nurses identified six overlapping groups of perpetrators and described their approach to dealing with these perpetrators. The results highlighted additional factors that impact on the occurrence and management of violence, such as the presence of security, wait times, and the triage system. Conclusions Based on the focus groups with Emergency Department nurses we conclude that violence at work is an everyday danger for Emergency Department nurses, who feel vulnerable and recognise that it is not within their power to solve this issue given the societal component. Our conclusion is that attention needs to shift from equipping workers with tools to manage violence to the perpetrator and the development of interventions to reduce violence from targeted perpetrator groups.
Long-Term Performance Assessment of Low-Cost Atmospheric Sensors in the Arctic Environment

The Arctic is an important natural laboratory that is extremely sensitive to climatic changes and its monitoring is, therefore, of great importance. Due to the environmental extremes it is often hard to deploy sensors and observations are limited to a few sparse observation points limiting the spatial and temporal coverage of the Arctic measurement. Given these constraints the possibility of deploying a rugged network of low-cost sensors remains an interesting and convenient option. The present work validates for the first time a low-cost sensor array (AIRQino) for monitoring basic meteorological parameters and atmospheric composition in the Arctic (air temperature, relative humidity, particulate matter, and CO2). AIRQino was deployed for one year in the Svalbard archipelago and its outputs compared with reference sensors. Results show good agreement with the reference meteorological parameters (air temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH)) with correlation coefficients above 0.8 and small absolute errors (≈1 °C for temperature and ≈6% for RH). Particulate matter (PM) low-cost sensors show a good linearity (r2 ≈ 0.8) and small absolute errors for both PM2.5 and PM10 (≈1 µg m−3 for PM2.5 and ≈3 µg m−3 for PM10), while overall accuracy is impacted both by the unknown composition of the local aerosol, and by high humidity conditions likely generating hygroscopic effects. CO2 exhibits a satisfying agreement with r2 around 0.70 and an absolute error of ≈23 mg m−3. Overall these results, coupled with an excellent data coverage and scarce need of maintenance make the AIRQino or similar devices integrations an interesting tool for future extended sensor networks also in the Arctic environment.
The Redox-Metabolic Couple of T-lymphocytes: Potential Consequences for Hypertension.

Significance. T-lymphocytes, as part of the adaptive immune system, possess the ability to activate and function in extreme cellular microenvironments, which requires these cells to remain highly malleable. One mechanism in which T-lymphocytes achieve this adaptability is by responding to cues from both reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) as well as metabolic flux, which together fine-tune the functional fate of these adaptive immune cells. Recent Advances. To date, examinations of the redox and metabolic effects on T-lymphocytes have primarily investigated these biological processes as separate entities. Given that the redox and metabolic environments possess significant overlaps of pathways and molecular species, it is inevitable that perturbations in one environment affects the other. Recent consideration of this redox-metabolic couple has demonstrated the strong link and regulatory consequences of these two systems in T-lymphocytes. Critical Issues. The redox and metabolic control of T-lymphocytes is essential to prevent dysregulated inflammation, which has been observed in cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension. The role of the adaptive immune system in hypertension has been extensively investigated, but the understanding of how the redox and metabolic environments control T-lymphocytes in this disease remains unclear. Future Directions. Herein, we provide a discussion of the redox and metabolic control of T-lymphocytes as separate entities, as well as coupled to one another, to regulate adaptive immunity. While investigations examining this pair together in T-lymphocytes are sparse, we speculate that T-lymphocyte destiny is shaped by the redox-metabolic couple. In contrast, disrupting this duo may have inflammatory consequences such as hypertension.
Habit learning in hierarchical cortex–basal ganglia loops

How do the multiple cortico‐basal ganglia‐thalamo‐cortical loops interact? Are they parallel and fully independent or controlled by an arbitrator, or are they hierarchically organized? We introduce here a set of four key concepts, integrated and evaluated by means of a neuro‐computational model, that bring together current ideas regarding cortex–basal ganglia interactions in the context of habit learning. According to key concept 1, each loop learns to select an intermediate objective at a different abstraction level, moving from goals in the ventral striatum to motor in the putamen. Key concept 2 proposes that the cortex integrates the basal ganglia selection with environmental information regarding the achieved objective. Key concept 3 claims shortcuts between loops, and key concept 4 predicts that loops compute their own prediction error signal for learning. Computational benefits of the key concepts are demonstrated. Contrasting with former concepts of habit learning, the loops collaborate to select goal‐directed actions while training slower shortcuts develops habitual responses.
Weight loss reduces head motion: Revisiting a major confound in neuroimaging

Head motion during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) induces image artifacts that affect virtually every brain measure. In parallel, cross‐sectional observations indicate a correlation of head motion with age, psychiatric disease status and obesity, raising the possibility of a systematic artifact‐induced bias in neuroimaging outcomes in these conditions, due to the differences in head motion. Yet, a causal link between obesity and head motion has not been tested in an experimental design. Here, we show that a change in body mass index (BMI) (i.e., weight loss after bariatric surgery) systematically decreases head motion during MRI. In this setting, reduced imaging artifacts due to lower head motion might result in biased estimates of neural differences induced by changes in BMI. Overall, our finding urges the need to rigorously control for head motion during MRI to enable valid results of neuroimaging outcomes in populations that differ in head motion due to obesity or other conditions.
Metformin inhibition of colorectal cancer cell migration is associated with rebuilt adherens junctions and FAK downregulation

E‐cadherin, a central component of the adherens junction (AJ), is a single‐pass transmembrane protein that mediates cell–cell adhesion. The loss of E‐cadherin surface expression, and therefore cell–cell adhesion, leads to increased cell migration and invasion. Treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC)‐derived cells (SW‐480 and HT‐29) with 2.0 mM metformin promoted a redistribution of cytosolic E‐cadherin to de novo formed puncta along the length of the contacting membranes of these cells. Metformin also promoted translocation from the cytosol to the plasma membrane of p120‐catenin, another core component of the AJs. Furthermore, E‐cadherin and p120‐catenin colocalized with β‐catenin at cell–cell contacts. Western blot analysis of lysates of CRC‐derived cells revealed a substantial metformin‐induced increase in the level of p120‐catenin as well as E‐cadherin phosphorylation on Ser838/840, a modification associated with β‐catenin/E‐cadherin interaction. These modifications in E‐cadherin, p120‐catenin and β‐catenin localization suggest that metformin induces rebuilding of AJs in CRC‐derived cells. Those modifications were accompanied by the inhibition of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), as revealed by a significant decrease in the phosphorylation of FAK at Tyr397 and paxillin at Tyr118. These changes were associated with a reduction in the numbers, but an increase in the size, of focal adhesions and by the inhibition of cell migration. Overall, these observations indicate that metformin targets multiple pathways associated with CRC development and progression.
Local fat content and muscle quality measured by a new electrical impedance myography device: correlations with ultrasound variables

Abstract The present study investigated the relationship between local fat percentage (SKfat) and muscle quality (MQ) estimated by a new hand-held electrical impedance myography (hEIM) device or derived from ultrasound and strength assessments. The right anterior thigh of 90 healthy participants (mean ± SD; age=22.9 ± 2.9 years; 45 men: BMI = 23.9 ± 2.4 kgm−2; 45 women: BMI = 21.1 ± 1.9 kgm−2) was scanned by hEIM and ultrasound. Correlations between SKfat, local subcutaneous fat (SUBfat), and echo intensity (EIus) were explored. Correlations between MQ, EIus, quadriceps femoris anatomical cross-sectional area (ACSAQF), knee extensors maximum voluntary isometric torque (T), T/ACSAQF, EIus/SUBfat, and ACSAQF/SUBfat were also assessed. SKfat correlated with SUBfat (r = 0.88; p < 0.001) and EIus (r = 0.64; p < 0.001). MQ correlated with EIus (r = −0.66; p < 0.001), ACSAQF (r = 0.37; p < 0.001), EIus/SUBfat (r = 0.37; p < 0.001), and ACSAQF/SUBfat (r = 0.81; p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that SUBfat, EIus, and sex explained 86% of SKfat variance, whereas ACSAQF/SUBfat, sex and EIus explained 75% of MQ variance. In conclusion, high hEIM local fat percentage relates to greater subcutaneous fat and intramuscular non-contractile tissue content. High hEIM muscle quality relates to greater muscle-size:subcutaneous-fat ratio and contractile tissue content. Sex influences the prediction of both parameters. This hEIM device seems to be useful to estimate local thigh composition.