Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human umbilical cord Wharton's Jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells differentiation into nerve-like cells.

BACKGROUND The two most basic properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the capacities to self-renew indefinitely and differentiate into multiple cells and tissue types. The cells from human umbilical cord Wharton's Jelly have properties of MSCs and represent a rich source of primitive cells. This study was conducted to explore the possibility of inducing human umbilical cord Wharton's Jelly-derived MSCs to differentiate into nerve-like cells. METHODS MSCs were cultured from the Wharton's Jelly taken from human umbilical cord of babies delivered after full-term normal labor. Salvia miltiorrhiza and beta-mercaptoethanol were used to induce the human umbilical cord-derived MSCs to differentiate. The expression of neural protein markers was shown by immunocytochemistry. The induction process was monitored by phase contrast microscopy, electron microscopy (EM), and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). The pleiotrophin and nestin genes were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS MSCs in the Wharton's Jelly were easily attainable and could be maintained and expanded in culture. They were positive for markers of MSCs, but negative for markers of hematopoietic cells and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)-related cells. Treatment with Salvia miltiorrhiza caused Wharton's Jelly cells to undergo profound morphological changes. The induced MSCs developed rounded cell bodies with multiple neurite-like extensions. Eventually they developed processes that formed networks reminiscent of primary cultures of neurons. Salvia miltiorrhiza and beta-mercaptoethanol also induced MSCs to express nestin, beta-tubulinIII, neurofilament (NF) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). It was confirmed by RT-PCR that MSCs could express pleiotrophin both before and after induction by Salvia miltiorrhiza. The expression was markedly enhanced after induction and the nestin gene was also expressed. CONCLUSIONS MSCs could be isolated from human umbilical cord Wharton's Jelly. They were capable of differentiating into nerve-like cells using Salvia miltiorrhiza or beta-mercaptoethanol. The induced MSCs not only underwent morphologic changes, but also expressed the neuron-related genes and neuronal cell markers. They may represent an alternative source of stem cells for central nervous system cell transplantation.
Survival Analysis with Time-varying Relative Risks: A Tree-Based Approach

Abstract A tree-based method for estimating time-varying effects of baseline patient characteristics on survival is introduced. A Cox-type model for censored survival data is used in which the time-varying relative risks are modelled as piecewise constants. The tree method consists of three steps: 1. Growing the tree, in which a fast algorithm using maximized score statistics is utilized to determine the optimal change points; 2. A pruning algorithm is applied to obtain more parsimonious models; 3. Selection of a final tree, which may be either via bootstrap resampling or based on a measure of explained variation. The piecewise constant model is more suitable for clinical interpretation of the regression parameters than the more continuously time-varying models (spline, loess, etc.) that have been proposed previously.
The Air Spora – A Manual for Catching and Identifying Airborne Biological Particles ‐ by Maureen E. Lacey and Jonathan S. West

We may not be able to make you love reading, but the air spora a manual for catching and identifying airborne biological particles will lead you to love reading starting from now. Book is the window to open the new world. The world that you want is in the better stage and level. World will always guide you to even the prestige stage of the life. You know, this is some of how reading will give you the kindness. In this case, more books you read more knowledge you know, but it can mean also the bore is full.
A study on the image diagnosis of melanoma

At present the diagnosis of melanoma is mainly performed based on the experience of each doctor. The doctors need some objective measure for diagnosis of melanoma and nevus. But there are few researches on objective index for the diagnosis. This workr deals with features of melanoma and nevus for computer diagnosis. First, we extracted the contour of lesions with image processing. One hundred five values of features were computed based on ABCD-rule. Discriminant analysis showed the accuracy of 96.0% (specificity of 98.3 % and the sensitivity of 90.0%). The results obviously showed the difference between melanoma and nevus.
Computer-assisted analysis of peripheral zone prostate lesions using T2-weighted and dynamic contrast enhanced T1-weighted MRI

In this study, computer-assisted analysis of prostate lesions was researched by combining information from two different magnetic resonance (MR) modalities: T2-weighted (T2-w) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) T1-w images. Two issues arise when incorporating T2-w images in a computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) system: T2-w values are position as well as sequence dependent and images can be misaligned due to patient movement during the acquisition. A method was developed that computes T2 estimates from a T2-w and proton density value and a known sequence model. A mutual information registration strategy was implemented to correct for patient movement. Global motion is modelled by an affine transformation, while local motion is described by a volume preserving non-rigid deformation based on B-splines. The additional value to the discriminating performance of a DCE T1-w-based CADx system was evaluated using bootstrapped ROC analysis. T2 estimates were successfully computed in 29 patients. T2 values were extracted and added to the CADx system from 39 malignant, 19 benign and 29 normal annotated regions. T2 values alone achieved a diagnostic accuracy of 0.85 (0.77–0.92) and showed a significantly improved discriminating performance of 0.89 (0.81–0.95), when combined with DCE T1-w features. In conclusion, the study demonstrated a simple T2 estimation method that has a diagnostic performance such that it complements a DCE T1-w-based CADx system in discriminating malignant lesions from normal and benign regions. Additionally, the T2 estimate is beneficial to visual inspection due to the removed coil profile and fixed window and level settings.
Effect of establishing guidelines on appropriate urinary catheter placement.

OBJECTIVES Avoiding placement of unnecessary urinary catheters (UCs) in the emergency department (ED) affects UC utilization during hospitalization. The authors sought to evaluate the effect of establishing institutional guidelines for appropriate UC placement coupled with emergency physician (EP) education on UC utilization. METHODS Urinary catheter utilization was measured before and after the establishment of guidelines and EP education. Data collected included the presence of a UC on ED arrival, placement of a UC in the ED, documentation of a physician order for UC placement, reasons for placement, and compliance with the guidelines. Chi-square analyses were used to study the association between pre- and postintervention time periods and catheter use. RESULTS A total of 377 (15%) patients had UCs; only 151 (47%) UCs initially placed in the ED had a physician order documented. UC placement was appropriately indicated in 75.5% of patients with a documented physician order, but in only 52% of cases without a documented physician order (p<0.001). The physician intervention was associated with an overall reduction in UC utilization from 16.4% to 13% (p=0.018). Physicians ordered 40% fewer UCs postintervention compared to preintervention. Preintervention, a physician order for UC placement was found indicated in 72.6% patients, compared to 82.2% patients with UC placed postintervention (p=0.21). CONCLUSIONS Establishing guidelines for UC placement and physician education in the ED were associated with a marked reduction in utilization. However, addressing appropriate UC utilization may require evaluating other factors such as nursing influence on utilization.
Cellular and Network Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: Insights from Animal Models and Brain Slice

3.1 Meaningful Animal Studies of tDCS and the Quasi-Uniform Assumption . 56 3.1. 1 Classification of Animal Studies . 56 3.1. 2 tDCS Dose in Human and Animals, and the Quasi-Uniform Assumption . 58 3.1. 3 Stimulator and Electrode Techniques, and Nomenclature . 61 3.1. 4 Dose Control and Meaningful Animal Studies . 64 3.1. 5 Outcome Measures . 65 3.2 Somatic Doctrine and Need for Amplification . 65 3.2. 1 Neuronal Polarization . 66 3.2. 2 Modulation of Excitability, Polarity-Specific Effects . 66 3.2. 3 Quantifying Polarization with Coupling Constants . 67 3.2. 4 Amplification through Rate and Timing . 69 3.2. 5 Seizure Threshold and Modulation . 71 3.2. 6 Limitations of the Somatic Doctrine . 71 3.3 Plasticity, Synaptic Processing, and a “Terminal Doctrine” . 73 3.3.1 Paradigms for DC Modulation of Synaptic Efficacy . 73 3.3.2 Relation with Tetanic Stimulation Induced LTP/LTD . 75 3.3.3 Which Compartments are Influenced by DC Stimulation: Soma and Dendrites . 77 3.3. 4 Which Compartments Are Influenced by DC Stimulation: Synaptic Terminals . 78
Simultaneous evaluation of viability and acrosome integrity of mouse spermatozoa using light microscopy

Determination of the percentage of live cells with intact acrosomes and no morphologic aberrations could be a practical index of semen quality. We applied viability and acrosome staining techniques, originally described for bull, boar and rabbit sperm, to mouse spermatozoa. The viability stain was either trypan blue or Congo red. The stain was precipitated by neutral red in the fixative. The acrosome was stained by Giemsa. Sperm morphology, including cytoplasmic droplets, could be evaluated as well. The staining method described here is a useful routine tool for simultaneous evaluation of the plasma membrane integrity of different sperm subdomains, the status of the acrosome, and cellular morphology.
Immediately restored, single-tapered implants in the anterior maxilla: prosthodontic and aesthetic outcomes after 1 year.

BACKGROUND Conventional implant protocols advocate a two-stage technique with a load-free, submerged healing period. Recent studies suggest that immediate restoration of single implants may be a viable treatment option. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate prosthodontic and aesthetic peri-implant mucosal outcomes of immediately restored, Southern single-tapered implants in the anterior maxilla after 1 year. MATERIALS AND METHODS Participants (mean age: 43.25 years; range: 23-71 years) satisfying specified inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to conventional two-stage restoration (control group; n=14) and immediate restoration groups (test group; n =14) in a randomized controlled clinical trial. Tapered, roughened-surface Southern implants were placed using a standardized technique, and implant level bone impressions were made. Provisional screw-retained crowns, out of occlusion, were placed at second-stage surgery after 26 weeks for the conventional restoration group, and within 4 hours of implant placement for the immediate restoration group. Both groups had definitive screw-retained metal-ceramic crowns placed in occlusion 8 weeks later. Peri-implant mucosal response and papilla index were recorded 4 weeks after definitive crown placement to allow for mucosal maturation and at 1 year. Prosthodontic and aesthetic outcomes were assessed using established criteria. RESULTS There were no significant differences within, or between, the control and test groups for age, gender, bone quality or quantity, implant stability measurements at surgery, or implant length. There were no significant differences in the implant success rate as determined by radiographic bone loss and stability tests after 1 year. There were no significant differences in prosthodontic maintenance, peri-implant mucosal response, and papilla index between the two groups over 1 year. CONCLUSIONS Tapered, roughened-surface implants immediately restored with single provisional crowns at surgery and definitive crowns 8 weeks later were as prosthodontically and aesthetically successful as conventionally restored two-stage implants during the first year of service. Restoring single implants immediately with screw-retained crowns is an efficient procedure, but the short-term outcome is by no means superior to a conventional two-stage approach.
Anti‐inflammatory actions of adrenomedullin through fine tuning of HIF stabilization

In intact mucosal tissues, epithelial cells are anatomically positioned in proximity to a number of subepithelial cell types, including endothelia. A number of recent studies have suggested that imbalances between energy supply and demand can result in “inflammatory hypoxia. ” Given these associations, we hypothesized that endothelial‐derived, hypoxia‐inducible mediators might influence epithelial function. Guided by cDNA micro‐array analysis of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC‐1 line) subjected to hypoxia (pO2 20 torr, 8 h), we identified adrenomedullin (ADM) as a prominent hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF) that acts on epithelial cells through cell surface receptors. We assessed the functional ability for exogenous ADM to signal in human intestinal Caco2 cells in vitro by demonstrating a dose‐dependent induction of Erk1/2phosphorylation. Further analysis revealed that ADM deneddylates cullin‐2 (Cul2), whose action has been demonstrated to control the activity of HIF. Caco2 cells stably expressing a hypoxic response element (HRE)‐driven luciferase promoter confirmed that ADM activates the HIF signaling pathway. Extensions of these studies revealed an increase in canonical HIF‐1‐dependent genes following stimulation with ADM. To define physiological relevance, we investigated the effect of ADM in a DSS model of murine colitis. Administration of ADM resulted in reduced inflammatory indices and less severe histological inflammation compared to vehicle controls. Analysis of tissue and serum cytokines showed a marked and significant inhibition of colitis‐associated TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and KC. Analysis of circulating ADM demonstrated an increase in serum ADM in murine models of colitis. Taken together, these results identify ADM as an endogenously generated vascular mediator that functions as a mucosal protective factor through fine tuning of HIF activity. —MacManus, C.F. , Campbell, E.L. , Keely, S. , Burgess, A, Kominsky, DJ. , Colgan, S.P. Anti‐inflammatory actions of adrenomedullin through fine tuning of HIF stabilization. FASEB J. 25, 1856‐1864 (2011). www.fasebj. org
Determinants of handbike use in persons with spinal cord injury: results of a community survey in Switzerland

Abstract Purpose: To examine the prevalence and determinants of handbike use in persons living with spinal cord injury in Switzerland. Method: A population-based cross-sectional survey in Switzerland. Results: The crude prevalence of handbike use among the 1549 participants was 22.6%, varying between 25.3% in men and 17.7% in women. Prevalence was higher in complete than in incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) (41.5% versus 11.9% in paraplegia, 25.6% versus 11.1% in tetraplegia). Multivariable analysis of handbike use confirmed differences with lesion characteristics and gender and showed a decline with age, lowest rates in the low-income group, variation with language, but no association with level of education or cause of spinal cord injury. In total, 45.8% of users reported to engage in handcycling at least once a week. Frequent contextual reasons for refraining from handcycling were: no interest (26%); inability due to disability (20%); unfamiliarity with the handbike (19%) and financial constraints (14%). Conclusions: Conditional on the major determinants that include demographic factors and lesion characteristics, main barriers involve contextual factors that can principally be overcome. Our findings thus suggest scope for promoting handcycling as a means towards a healthy and more physically active lifestyle in persons living with SCI. Implications for Rehabilitation Handcycling is an effective means of improving health and quality of life of persons with a spinal cord injury. Persons with the following traits are most likely to use the handbike: persons younger than 62 years, with a complete paraplegia, who are German-speaking (vs. French/Italian) and having a middle or high net income. Indicated reasons for not using a handbike varied by SCI characteristics and included disinterest, inability related to the level of impairment, unfamiliarity and financial costs. Barriers that involve the above mentioned contextual factors can principally be overcome by targeted policy or information campaigns.
STUB1/CHIP is required for HIF1A degradation by chaperone-mediated autophagy

The transcription factor HIF1 is mostly regulated by the oxygen-dependent proteasomal degradation of the labile subunit HIF1A. Recent data showed degradation of HIF1A in the lysosome through chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA). However the molecular mechanism involved has not been elucidated. This study shows that the KFERQ-like motif, that has been identified in all CMA substrates, is required to mediate the interaction between HIF1A and the chaperone HSPA8. Moreover, mutations in the KFERQ-like motif of HIF1A preclude the interaction with the CMA receptor LAMP2A, thus inhibiting its lysosomal degradation. Importantly, we show for the first time that the ubiquitin ligase STUB1 is required for degradation of HIF1A in the lysosome by CMA. Indeed, mutations in STUB1 that inhibit either the ubiquitin ligase activity or its ability to bind to HSPA8, both prevent degradation of HIF1A by CMA. Moreover, we show that HIF1A binds to and is translocated into intact lysosomes isolated from rat livers. This new pathway for degradation of HIF1A does not depend on the presence of oxygen and is activated in response to nutrient deprivation such that the levels of HIF1A bound to CMA positive lysosomes significantly increase in starved animal livers and the binding of HIF1A to LAMP2A increases in response to serum deprivation. Moreover, excessive degradation of HIF1A by CMA compromises cells' ability to respond to and survive under hypoxia, suggesting that this pathway might be of pathophysiological importance in conditions that combine hypoxia with starvation.
DNA barcoding of Rhododendron (Ericaceae), the largest Chinese plant genus in biodiversity hotspots of the Himalaya–Hengduan Mountains

The Himalaya–Hengduan Mountains encompass two global biodiversity hotspots with high levels of biodiversity and endemism. This area is one of the diversification centres of the genus Rhododendron, which is recognized as one of the most taxonomically challenging plant taxa due to recent adaptive radiations and rampant hybridization. In this study, four DNA barcodes were evaluated on 531 samples representing 173 species of seven sections of four subgenera in Rhododendron, with a high sampling density from the Himalaya–Hengduan Mountains employing three analytical methods. The varied approaches (nj, pwg and blast) had different species identification powers with blast performing best. With the pwg analysis, the discrimination rates for single barcodes varied from 12.21% to 25.19% with ITS < rbcL < matK < psbA‐trnH. Combinations of ITS + psbA‐trnH + matK and the four barcodes showed the highest discrimination ability (both 41.98%) among all possible combinations. As a single barcode, psbA‐trnH performed best with a relatively high performance (25.19%). Overall, the three‐marker combination of ITS + psbA‐trnH + matK was found to be the best DNA barcode for identifying Rhododendron species. The relatively low discriminative efficiency of DNA barcoding in this genus (~42%) may possibly be attributable to too low sequence divergences as a result of a long generation time of Rhododendron and complex speciation patterns involving recent radiations and hybridizations. Taking the morphology, distribution range and habitat of the species into account, DNA barcoding provided additional information for species identification and delivered a preliminary assessment of biodiversity for the large genus Rhododendron in the biodiversity hotspots of the Himalaya–Hengduan Mountains.
Utility of PDL progenitors for in vivo tissue regeneration: a report of 3 cases.

OBJECTIVE Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disorder with widespread morbidities involving both oral and systemic health. The primary goal of periodontal treatment is the regeneration of the lost or diseased periodontium. In this study, we retrospectively examined feasibility and safety of reconstructing the periodontal intrabony defects with autologous periodontal ligament progenitor (PDLP) implantation in three patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this retrospective pilot study, we treated 16 teeth with at least one deep intrabony defect of probing depth (PD) > OR = 6 mm with PDLP transplantation and evaluated clinical outcome measures in terms of probing depth, gingival recession and attachment gain for a duration of 32-72 months. Furthermore, we compare PDLPs with standard PDL stem cells (PDLSCs) and confirmed that PDLPs possessed progenitor characters. RESULTS Clinical examination indicated that transplantationof PDLPs may provide therapeutic benefit for the periodontal defects. All treated patients showed no adverse effects during the entire course of follow up. We also found that PDLPs were analogous to PDLSCs in terms of high proliferation, expression of mesenchymal surface molecules, multipotent differentiation, and in vivo tissue regain. However, PDLPs failed to express scleraxis, a marker of tendon, as seen in PDLSCs. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated clinical and experimental evidences supporting a potential efficacy and safety of utilizing autologous PDL cells in the treatment of human periodontitis.
Co-localization of putative calcium channels (phenylalkylamine-binding sites) on oil bodies in protoplasts from dark-grown sunflower seedling cotyledons

Oil bodies are spherical entities containing a triacylglycerol (TAG) matrix encased by a phospholipid monolayer, which is stabilized by oil body-specific proteins, principally oleosins. Biochemical investigations in the recent past have also demonstrated the expression of calcium-binding proteins, called caleosins, as a component of oil body membranes during seed germination. Using DM-Bodipy-phenylalkylamine (PAA; a fluorescent derivative of phenylalkylamine)-a fluorescent probe known to bind L-type calcium channel proteins, present investigations provide the first report on the localization and preferential accumulation of putative calcium channel proteins on/around oil bodies during peak lipolytic phase in protoplasts derived from dark-grown sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv Morden) seedling cotyledons. Specificity of DM-Bodipy-PAA labeling was confirmed by using bepridil, a non-fluorescent competitor of PAA while non-specific dye accumulation has been ruled out by using Bodipy-FL as control. Co-localization of fluorescence from DM-Bodipy-PAA binding sites (ex: 504 nm; em: 511 nm) and nile red fluorescing oil bodies (ex: 552 nm; em: 636 nm) has been undertaken by epifluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). It revealed the affinity of PAA-sensitive ion channels for the oil body surface. Findings from the current investigations highlight the significance of calcium and calcium channel proteins during oil body mobilization in sunflower.