Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dexmedetomidine Sedation in Mechanically Ventilated Critically Ill Children: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Objectives: To assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a sedation protocol using dexmedetomidine as the primary sedative in mechanically ventilated critically ill children. Design: Open-label, pilot, prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled trial. The primary outcome was the proportion of sedation scores in the target sedation range in the first 48 hours. Safety outcomes included device removal, adverse events, and vasopressor use. Feasibility outcomes included time to randomization and protocol fidelity. Setting: Six tertiary PICUs in Australia and New Zealand. Patients: Critically ill children, younger than 16 years old, requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation and expected to be mechanically ventilated for at least 24 hours. Interventions: Children randomized to dexmedetomidine received a dexmedetomidine-based algorithm targeted to light sedation (State Behavioral Scale –1 to +1). Children randomized to usual care received sedation as determined by the treating clinician (but not dexmedetomidine), also targeted to light sedation. Measurements and Main Results: Sedation with dexmedetomidine as the primary sedative resulted in a greater proportion of sedation measurements in the light sedation range (State Behavioral Scale –1 to +1) over the first 48 hours (229/325 [71%] vs 181/331 [58%]; p = 0.04) and the first 24 hours (66/103 [64%] vs 48/116 [41%]; p < 0.001) compared with usual care. Cumulative midazolam dosage was significantly reduced in the dexmedetomidine arm compared with usual care (p = 0.002). There were more episodes of hypotension and bradycardia with dexmedetomidine (including one serious adverse event) but no difference in vasopressor requirements. Median time to randomization after intubation was 6.0 hours (interquartile range, 2.0–9.0 hr) in the dexmedetomidine arm compared with 3.0 hours (interquartile range, 1.0–7.0 hr) in the usual care arm (p = 0.24). Conclusions: A sedation protocol using dexmedetomidine as the primary sedative was feasible, appeared safe, achieved early, light sedation, and reduced midazolam requirements. The findings of this pilot study justify further studies of sedative agents in critically ill children.
Rapid turnover of transcription factor Rim101 confirms a flexible adaptation mechanism against environmental stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells activate the Rim101 pathway to adapt to alkaline and salt stresses. On activation of this pathway, the transcription factor Rim101 undergoes proteolytic activation and regulates the expression of responsive genes. We found Rim101 to be a short‐lived protein with a half‐life of approximately 15 min. Its rapid turnover was supposedly mediated by the ubiquitin–proteasome system. Excess accumulation of the processed active Rim101 through its over‐expression conferred tolerance to both alkaline and salt stresses in yeast cells; in contrast, it had detrimental effects under cadmium stress condition. Cadmium ion inhibited proteolytic activation of Rim101, implying reciprocal interaction between the Rim101 pathway and cadmium stress. Our results showed yeast cells to be equipped with two protective systems to prevent overaccumulation of the processed active Rim101; Rim101 processing is inhibited when Rim101 level is high, and turnover of processed Rim101 is accelerated when it is abundant. Collectively, the results confirmed the flexible aspect of stress response in yeast cell; the cells not only prevent excess activation of one stress‐responsive pathway but also facilitate its attenuation to cope with other environmental stresses.
A Framework for Mesoscopic Traffic Simulation in GPU

Much progress has recently been made to enhance mesoscopic traffic simulation with the focus on advanced modeling features and traffic management support capabilities. Subsequently, the computational performance needs to be improved in order to make mesoscopic traffic simulation stay effective to real-time applications. This paper presents a framework for mesoscopic traffic simulation which offloads both the demand and supply components to GPU. The simulation algorithm divides the simulation flow into different steps and designs multiple kernels to handle the steps. A high level of data parallelism is achieved by assigning the GPU threads to the appropriate components of the traffic network. Several optimization options using an innovative data structure and improved warp execution are also deployed to harness the GPU performance while preserving simulation correctness. The performance of the framework is evaluated in a real network showing the speedup of up to nearly 5 times in the demand simulation and more than 4 times in the supply simulation compared to the sequential simulation.
The Effectiveness of High-Flow Nasal Oxygen During the Intraoperative Period: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND High-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) is increasingly being used in intensive care units for management of hypoxemia and respiratory failure. However, the effectiveness of HFNO for preventing hypoxemia in the intraoperative period is unclear. The purpose of this systematic review was to compare patient oxygenation and end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2), between HFNO and conventional oxygenation, during the intraoperative period in surgical patients. METHODS Standard databases were searched from inception to February 2020. Studies involving intraoperative use of HFNO with 1 of the 4 outcomes: (1) oxygen (O2) desaturation, (2) minimum O2 saturation, (3) safe apnea time, or (4) EtCO2 were included. Intraoperative period was divided into 2 phases: at induction with general anesthesia and during surgical procedure under sedation without tracheal intubation. RESULTS Eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs; 4 induction, 4 procedure, 2314 patients) were included for systematic review and meta-analyses. We found the risk of intraoperative O2 desaturation was lower in HFNO versus conventional oxygenation control group; at induction with an odds ratio (OR; 95% confidence interval [CI]) of 0.06 (0.01-0.59, P = .02), and during procedure, OR (95% CI) of 0.09 (0.05-0.18; P < .001). The minimum O2 saturation was higher in HFNO versus conventional oxygenation; at induction by a mean difference (MD) (95% CI) of 5.1% (3.3-6.9; P < .001), and during procedure, by a MD (95% CI) of 4.0% (1.8-6.2; P < .001). Safe apnea time at induction was longer in HFNO versus conventional oxygenation by a MD (95% CI) of 33.4 seconds (16.8-50.1; P < .001). EtCO2 at induction was not significantly different between HFNO and conventional oxygenation groups. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review and meta-analysis show that, in the intraoperative setting, HFNO compared to conventional oxygenation reduces the risk of O2 desaturation, increases minimum O2 saturation, and safe apnea time. HFNO should be considered for anesthesia induction and during surgical procedures under sedation without tracheal intubation in patients at higher risk of hypoxemia.
Mechanical stretch activates piezo1 in caveolae of alveolar type I cells to trigger ATP release and paracrine stimulation of surfactant secretion from alveolar type II cells

Secretion of pulmonary surfactant in the alveoli of the lungs is essential to maintain lung function. Stretching of alveoli during lung inflation is the main trigger for surfactant secretion. Yet, the molecular mechanisms how mechanical distension of alveoli results in surfactant secretion are still elusive. The alveolar epithelium consists of alveolar epithelial type I (ATI) and surfactant secreting type II (ATII) cells. ATI, but not ATII cells, express caveolae, small plasma membrane invaginations that can respond to plasma membrane stresses and serve mechanotransductive roles. Within this study, we investigated the role of caveolae as mechanosensors in the alveolus. We generated a human caveolin‐1 knockout ATI cell (hAELVicav−/−) using CRISPR/Cas9. Wildtype (hAELViwt) and hAELVicav−/− cells grown on flexible membranes responded to increasing stretch amplitudes with rises in intracellular Ca2+. The response was less frequent and started at higher stretch amplitudes in hAELVicav−/− cells. Stretch‐induced Ca2+‐signals depended on Ca2+‐entry via piezo1 channels, localized within caveolae in hAELViwt and primary ATI cells. Ca2+‐entry via piezo1 activated pannexin‐1 hemichannels resulting in ATP release from ATI cells. ATP release was reduced in hAELVicav−/− cells. In co‐cultures resembling the alveolar epithelium, released ATP stimulated Ca2+ signals and surfactant secretion from neighboring ATII cells when co‐cultured with hAELViwt but not hAELVicav−/− cells. In summary, we propose that caveolae in ATI cells are mechanosensors within alveoli regulating stretch‐induced surfactant secretion from ATII cells.
Differential stress tolerance of four pines (Pinaceae) across the elevation gradient of the San Bernardino Mountains, Southern California, USA1

Abstract Ecophysiological studies that investigate species sorting across environmental gradients provide insights into the mechanisms underscoring tree distribution patterns. We examined pine functional traits by measuring a suite of physiological parameters including needle water content, spectral reflectance, transpiration decline, and leaf morphology to explore pine stratification patterns across the elevation gradient of the San Bernardino Mountains in southern California. The high and low elevation species demonstrated moisture and solar radiation tolerance. The lowest elevation species, Pinus attenuata Lem. , maintained low transpiration rates under drought stress and had high concentrations of photosynthetic pigments indicating high photosynthetic capacity. Pinus coulteri Don was the most stress intolerant pine as demonstrated by high transpiration rates. Although Pinus lambertiana Doug. dominated cooler north-facing slopes, its lower transpiration rates suggested that it was well adapted to moisture stress. Pinus contorta Doug. was a typical high elevation stress tolerant tree growing under high incident solar radiation, heavy snow pack, and severe winds. Our results suggest that water availability and solar radiation intensity are the major factors influencing southern California pine distributions.
Maternal host plant effects on aphid performance: contrasts between a generalist and a specialist species on Brussels sprout cultivars

1 The performance of the second generation (G2) of alates and apterae of a generalist, Myzus persicae, and a specialist, Brevicoryne brassicae, aphid species reared on Chinese cabbage or cabbage was evaluated on five cultivars of Brussels sprout. 2 Aphid performance was influenced both by the type of host on which the parent aphid had been reared and by the host on which it was feeding when reproducing. 3 The fecundity of the G2 of alates of both aphid species reared on Chinese cabbage differed significantly between all the cultivars of Brussels sprout and, on average, was 25% higher than those reared on cabbage. These differences were also apparent for the intrinsic rate of increase of B. brassicae but not for M. persicae. 4 There was a trend for the G2 of alates from Chinese cabbage to have greater fecundity compared with aphids from cabbage. These differences were significant for the fecundity of the G2 of alates of both aphid species on Brussels sprout cultivars Fillbasket (30% higher), Red Delicious (35% higher) and Winter Harvest (25% higher) than those reared on cabbage. 5 The intrinsic rate of increase for the G2 of alates of B. brassicae from Chinese cabbage was significantly different on all Brussels sprout cultivars tested. The intrinsic rate of increase differed significantly between aphids reared on either Chinese cabbage or cabbage on cultivars Oliver and Darkmar‐21 (M. persicae) and Red Delicious and Winter Harvest (B. brassicae). The cv. Oliver appeared to be the most consistently good host; Red Delicious was the poorest host overall.
Alport syndrome: Proteomic analysis identifies early molecular pathway alterations in Col4a3 knock out mice

Alport syndrome (AS) is the second most common hereditary kidney disease caused by mutations in collagen IV genes. Patients present with microhaematuria that progressively leads to proteinuria and end stage renal disease. Currently, no specific treatment exists for AS. Using mass spectrometry based proteomics, we aimed to detect early alterations in molecular pathways implicated in AS before the stage of overt proteinuria, which could be amenable to therapeutic intervention.
Physiotherapy in women with diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles

Introduction: Diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles (DRAM) is the separation of the two rectus abdominis muscles more than 2 cm wide. It often arises as a result of android obesity, dysfunctional abdominal cramp and pregnancy. Untreated diastasis may lead to dangerous heath consequences such as. : abdominal hernia, lower back pain or disorders in pelvis’s area. The aim of this study was to determinate the effectiveness of novel physiotherapeutic program in women with diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles. Material and methods: The study was conducted on a group of 40 women between 20-45 years old (mean 32,32+5,9 year). They all were qualified in obstetric ward of Szpital Bielański in Warsaw. All of them were in the postpartum between 0-3 days after labor and have DRAM greater than 2 cm (measured by palpation on the umbilicus height, 4,5 cm above and below umbilicus). In research group (included 20 women) applied novel physiotherapeutic program aimed at reduction of DRAM. In controlled group (20 women) there was no therapy but only observation of spontaneous reduction of diastasis. The study took 6 weeks. Results: Data analysis had shown 95% effectiveness of novel physiotherapeutic program. Chi-square test has confirmed the difference in DRAM size in both groups (p<0,0001). A statistically significant correlation was demonstrated between width of diastasis and growth of the mother’s weight gain in pregnancy, waist-to-hip ratio, BMI, number of delivery and mother’s physical activity before and during pregnancy (p<0,05). There wasn’t clear correlation between width of diastasis and mother’s age or infant’s mass (p>0,05). Conclusions: It seems that spontaneous reduction of diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles is very rare. New physiotherapeutic program is an effective method in DRAM’s reduction. The research should be continued in larger group of women and after effectiveness confirmation, program should be introduced in obstetric wards. diastasis rectus abdominis, puerperium, postpartum, physiotherapy, kinesiotaping email: patrycjaxbobowik@gmail.com The research was financed from the authors’ own resources Badania sfinansowane ze środków własnych autorów Rehabilitation Advances in Rehabilitation/Postępy Rehabilitacji (3), 11 – 17, 2018 A – preparing concepts B – formulating methods C – conducting research D – processing results E – interpretation and conclusions F – editing the final version
A DNA barcode examination of the Laminariaceae (Phaeophyceae) in Canada reveals novel biogeographical and evolutionary insights

McDevit D.C. and Saunders G.W. 2010. A DNA barcode examination of the Laminariaceae (Phaeophyceae) in Canada reveals novel biogeographical and evolutionary insights. Phycologia 49: 235–248. DOI: 10.2216/09-36.1 DNA barcoding is becoming a widely applied tool for the rapid and accurate identification of eukaryotic species. In this study we used the DNA barcode for large-scale screening of the brown algal family Laminariaceae in Canada. With the examination of 194 COI-5P (5′ end of cytochrome c oxidase 1) sequences (150 newly determined) from representatives of this family, we confirmed the presence of 12 species in Canadian waters (Cymathaere triplicata, Laminaria digitata, L. ephemera, L. setchellii, L. solidungula, L. yezoensis, Macrocystis integrifolia, Nereocystis leutkeana, Postelsia palmaeformis, Saccharina groenlandica, S. latissima and S. sessilis). Saccharina groenlandica, a species with a history of taxonomic confusion, was found in the Pacific, Hudson Bay (subarctic) and Atlantic Canada extending greatly our comprehension of the biogeography of this species. Additionally, COI-5P data from S. latissima, combined with ITS results, provided insights into historical distributional patterns and uncovered a hybridization zone between incipient species in this complex. These discoveries highlight how the growth of a worldwide barcode database for the assignment of individuals to genetic species will uncover new perspectives on biogeography and species diversity on a global scale.
Effects of sugar beet pulp on growth and health status of weaned piglets

Abstract The effects on growth performance and on some health parameters due to the inclusion of sugar beet pulp in antibiotic-free diets for weaned piglets were evaluated on a commercial farm. A conventional diet (C) and one containing 120 g/kg of sugar beet pulp (SBP) were fed to 668 weaned piglets from 21 to 64±3 days of age. Every two weeks, live weight and feed consumption (FC) of the two groups were recorded by pens. Fecal samples were collected from 8 pairs of piglets for each treatment to evaluate the evolution over the time of the apparent digestibility of the nutrients, as well as the volatile fatty acids content and the microbial count in the feces. The dietary treatment did not affect FC. In comparison to C, SBP slightly reduced average daily gain over 36 to 49 (528 vs. 498 g/d; P<0.05) and 50 to 64±3 (677 vs. 631 g/d, respec-tively; P<0.01) days of age. Digestibility of NDF of diet C increased with age from 441 to 526 g/kg whereas that of diet SBP increased from 465 to 638 g/kg. The differences between diets became significant after 36 days of age (P<0.01). From 29 to 35 days of age higher contents of water (793 vs. 713 g/kg; P<0.01), acetic (322 vs. 206 µmol/g dm; P<0.01) propionic (108 vs. 81 µmol/kg dm; P<0.01) acids and lower counts for fecal-coliforms (6.9 vs. 8.2 log10/g; P<0.01), clostridia (1.3 vs. 2.3 log10/g; P<0.01) and Staphylococcus spp. (6.7 vs. 8.1 log10/g; P<0.01) were found in the feces of the SBP piglets compared to those of C. These differences progressively disappeared with time. Some piglets showed clinical signs of purulent arthritis and meningitis, but no signs of diarrhea were observed. The SBP group showed, with respect to C, a significantly lower number of piglet deaths caused by meningitis (15 vs. 30 ‰, respectively; χ2, P<0.05), and a significantly lower number of piglets removed because lack of growth (33 vs. 76 ‰, respectively; χ2, P<0.01). No clear evidence to explain this result was found, however it was concluded that the inclusion of 12% of sugar beet pulp in antibiotic-free diets can improve the health status of piglets with little effect on growth performance.
REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS OF FUCUS VESICULOSUS (PHAEOPHYCEAE) IN THE BALTIC SEA

Marine organisms colonizing brackish habitats such as the Baltic Sea must cope with the negative effects of low salinities on reproductive success because these may reduce gamete viability and/or increase polyspermy. Reproductive characteristics of the marine seaweed Fucus vesiculosus L. were studied in several brackish habitats, particularly in the northern Baltic Sea, to understand its ability to reproduce where few other marine species survive. Polyspermy and fertilization success were variable at the boundary of the continuous distribution of F. vesiculosus in the Baltic Sea, and polyspermy was high (10%–30%) when fertilization was successful. A strong female bias (80%–86%, ca. 5.5:1) was found at the northernmost limit of Baltic F. vesiculosus. Electrophysiological studies showed that many eggs have a high input resistance (519 ± 150 MΩ[mean ± SE, n = 14] at Drivan, 1995), which may be helpful in preventing polyspermy in this brackish habitat. The polyspermy block remains sodium‐dependent in the northern Baltic. Sperm bound quickly to northern Baltic eggs in natural water, but fertilization was delayed compared to marine F. vesiculosus. A subset of northern Baltic eggs studied during an optimal reproductive period (7–11 July 1995) had a membrane potential (Em) of ca. −100 mV and an effective fertilization potential (FP) of ca. 2 min with a plateau of −25 mV, but repolarized too rapidly for the FP to be protective. Pronuclear migration and cell wall secretion occurred more slowly in Baltic than in marine zygotes. The reproductive success of theseboundary populations may be dependent upon windows of opportunity when there are favorable combinations of the levels of salinity, water motion, population density, and sex ratio. These factors and the short duration of the reproductive season in the northern Baltic Sea may result in reproductive failure in some years.
Cytotoxicity of nonylphenol on spermatogonial stem cells via phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway.

BACKGROUND With continuous advancement of industrial society, environmental pollution has become more and more serious. There has been an increase in infertility caused by environmental factors. Nonylphenol (NP) is a stable degradation product widely used in daily life and production and has been proven to affect male fertility. However, the underlying mechanisms therein are unclear. Thus, it is necessary to study the effect and mechanism of NP on spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). AIM To investigate the cytotoxic effect of NP on SSCs via the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway. METHODS SSCs were treated with NP at 0, 10, 20 or 30 µmol. MTT assay was performed to evaluate the effect of NP on the proliferation of SSCs. Flow cytometry was conducted to measure SSC apoptosis. The expression of Bad, Bcl-2, cytochrome-c, pro-Caspase 9, SOX-2, OCT-4, Nanog, Nanos3, Stra8, Scp3, GFRα1, CD90, VASA, Nanos2, KIT, PLZF and PI3K/AKT/mTOR-related proteins was observed by western blot, and the mRNA expression of SOX-2, OCT-4 and Nanog was detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Compared with untreated cells (0 μmol NP), SSCs treated with NP at all concentrations showed a decrease in cell proliferation and expression of Bcl-2, Nanog, OCT-4, SOX-2, Nanos3, Stra8, Scp3, GFRα1, CD90, VASA, Nanos2, KIT, and PLZF (P < 0.05), whereas the expression of Bad, cytochrome-c, and pro-Caspase 9 increased significantly (P < 0.05). We further examined the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and found that the phosphorylation of PI3K, AKT, mTORC1, and S6K was significantly decreased by NP at all concentrations compared to that in untreated SSCs (P < 0.05). NP exerted the greatest effect at 30 μmol among all NP concentrations. CONCLUSION NP attenuated the proliferation, differentiation and stemness maintenance of SSCs while promoting apoptosis and oxidative stress. The associated mechanism may be related to the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
Investigation of monocyte HDL ratio as an indicator of inflammation and complete blood count parameters in patients with acne vulgaris

Acne vulgaris is a common inflammatory skin disease that affects the pilosebaceous unit. Increased sebum production, hyperkeratosis in follicular infundibulum, inflammation and Propionibacterium acnes are among aetiological factors. Complete blood count (CBC) parameters are used as diagnosis biomarkers for many diseases related with inflammatory processes. Although monocyte/HDL ratio (MHR) has been defined as an inflammatory marker recently, we did not come across any studies about MHR in acne, which is known to be an inflammatory disease. The present study was conducted to compare CBC parameters and MHR levels in acne vulgaris patients and healthy controls (HCs).