Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 (MEN1) 5′UTR Deletion, in MEN1 Family, Decreases Menin Expression

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the occurrence of parathyroid, pancreatic and pituitary tumors, and is due to mutations in the coding region of the MEN1 gene, which encodes menin. We investigated a family with identical twins that had MEN1, with different MEN1 tumors. DNA sequence analysis of the MEN1 coding region had not identified any abnormalities and we hypothesized that deletions and mutations involving the untranslated regions may be involved. Informed consent and venous blood samples were obtained from five family members. Sanger DNA sequencing and multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analyses were performed using leukocyte DNA. This revealed a heterozygous 596bp deletion (Δ596bp) between nucleotides −1087 and −492 upstream of the translation start site, located within the MEN1 5′ untranslated region (UTR), and includes the core promoter and multiple cis‐regulatory regions. To investigate the effects of this 5′UTR deletion on MEN1 promoter activity, we generated luciferase reporter constructs, containing either wild‐type 842bp or mutant 246bp MEN1 promoter, and transfected them into human embryonic kidney HEK293 and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor BON‐1 cells. This revealed the Δ596bp mutation to result in significant reductions by 37‐fold (p < 0.0001) and 16‐fold (p < 0.0001) in luciferase expression in HEK293 and BON‐1 cells, respectively, compared to wild‐type. The effects of this 5′UTR deletion on MEN1 transcription and translation were assessed using qRT‐PCR and Western blot analyses, respectively, of mRNA and protein lysates obtained from Epstein‐Barr‐virus transformed lymphoblastoid cells derived from affected and unaffected individuals. This demonstrated the Δ596bp mutation to result in significant reductions of 84% (p < 0.05) and 88% (p < 0.05) in MEN1 mRNA and menin protein, respectively, compared to unaffected individuals. Thus, our results report the first germline MEN1 5′UTR mutation and highlight the importance of investigating UTRs in MEN1 patients who do not have coding region mutations. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Single-Event Transients in an IEEE 802.15.4 RF Receiver for Wireless Sensor Networks

This paper presents a procedure to analyse the effects of radiation in an IEEE 802.15. 4 RF receiver for wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Specifically, single-event transients (SETs) represent one of the greatest threats to the adequate performance of electronic communication devices in high-radiation environments. The proposed procedure consists in injecting current pulses in sensitive nodes of the receiver and analysing how they propagate through the different circuits that form the receiver. In order to perform this analysis, a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) low-IF receiver has been designed using a 0.18 μm technology from the foundry UMC. In order to analyse the effect of single-event transients in this receiver, it has been studied how current pulses generated in the low-noise amplifier propagate down the receiver chain. The effect of the different circuits that form the receiver on this kind of pulse has been studied prior to the analysis of the complete receiver. First, the effect of SETs in low-noise amplifiers was analysed. Then, the propagation of pulses through mixers was studied. The effect of filters in the analysed current pulses has also been studied. Regarding the analysis of the designed RF receiver, an amplitude and phase shift was observed under the presence of SETs.
Capsular polysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide O type analysis of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates by genotype in China

Abstract Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common pathogen associated with nosocomial infections and is characterised serologically by capsular polysaccharide (K) and lipopolysaccharide O antigens. We surveyed a total of 348 non-duplicate K. pneumoniae clinical isolates collected over a 1-year period in a tertiary care hospital, and determined their O and K serotypes by sequencing of the wbb Y and wzi gene loci, respectively. Isolates were also screened for antimicrobial resistance and hypervirulent phenotypes; 94 (27.0%) were identified as carbapenem-resistant (CRKP) and 110 (31.6%) as hypervirulent (hvKP). isolates fell into 58 K, and six O types, with 92.0% and 94.2% typeability, respectively. The predominant K types were K14K64 (16.38%), K1 (14.66%), K2 (8.05%) and K57 (5.46%), while O1 (46%), O2a (27.9%) and O3 (11.8%) were the most common. CRKP and hvKP strains had different serotype distributions with O2a:K14K64 (41.0%) being the most frequent among CRKP, and O1:K1 (26.4%) and O1:K2 (17.3%) among hvKP strains. Serotyping by gene sequencing proved to be a useful tool to inform the clinical epidemiology of K. pneumoniae infections and provides valuable data relevant to vaccine design.
Solitary plasmacytoma of the occipital bone: a case report

Solitary plasmacytoma (SP) of the skull is an uncommon clinical entity that is characterized by a localized proliferation of neoplastic monoclonal plasma cells. This case report describes a 50-year-old male that presented with a headache and an exophytic soft mass on the occiput. The diagnosis of SP was based on the pathological results and imaging examinations. The patient underwent occipital craniotomy, skull reconstruction and lower trapezius myocutaneous flap (LTMF) transplantation under general anaesthesia. The tumour was capsulized and extended to the subcutaneous and the subdural space through the dura mater with skull defects. The neoplasm of the occipital bone involved large areas of scalp and subcutaneous tissue, which resulted in a large postoperative scalp defect that was repaired using LTMF transplantation. All of the tumour was removed and the transplanted flap grew well. Follow-up at 5 months identified an aggressive mass lesion on the right frontal lobe. The patient received six cycles of the PAD chemotherapy regimen (bortezomib, doxorubicin and dexamethasone) and the lesion was significantly reduced. This case demonstrates that LTMF is an alternative approach for the repair of scalp and subcutaneous soft tissue defects caused by the excision of a large malignant tumour of the occipital region. Chemotherapy is the choice of treatment for neoplastic recurrence.
Bioenergetic Impairment of Triethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate- (TEGDMA-) Treated Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs) and Isolated Brain Mitochondria are Amended by Redox Compound Methylene Blue †

Background: Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) monomers released from resin matrix are toxic to dental pulp cells, induce apoptosis, oxidative stress and decrease viability. Recently, mitochondrial complex I (CI) was identified as a potential target of TEGDMA. In isolated mitochondria supported by CI, substrates oxidation and ATP synthesis were inhibited, reactive oxygen species production was stimulated. Contrary to that, respiratory Complex II was not impaired by TEGDMA. The beneficial effects of electron carrier compound methylene blue (MB) are proven in many disease models where mitochondrial involvement has been detected. In the present study, the bioenergetic effects of MB on TEGDMA-treated isolated mitochondria and on human dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) were analyzed. Methods: Isolated mitochondria and DPSC were acutely exposed to low millimolar concentrations of TEGDMA and 2 μM concentration of MB. Mitochondrial and cellular respiration and glycolytic flux were measured by high resolution respirometry and by Seahorse XF extracellular analyzer. Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured fluorimetrically. Results: MB partially restored the mitochondrial oxidation, rescued membrane potential in isolated mitochondria and significantly increased the impaired cellular O2 consumption in the presence of TEGDMA. Conclusion: MB is able to protect against TEGDMA-induced CI damage, and might provide protective effects in resin monomer exposed cells.
Eremomastax speciosa potentializes the PMSG-inducing effect on some physiological and biochemical parameters in PMSG-primed immature rats

Summary The present study evaluated the effect of the aqueous extract from leaves of E. speciosa on some physiological and biochemical parameters of reproduction and the onset of puberty in pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG)-primed immature female rats. High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify the phenolic compounds in the methanol/methylene chloride (1:1) extract, the ethanolic and ethyl acetate fractions and the aqueous residue of E. speciosa. E. speciosa (0, 8, 32 or 64 mg/kg) were administered for 15 days to 24 non-PMSG-primed and 24 primed rats with 0.01 IU of PMSG. At the end of the treatment period, animal were sacrificed and their body, ovarian, uterine weight, ovarian protein or cholesterol level, as well as data on puberty onset were recorded. Of the 16 polyphenolic compounds quantitatively revealed in the extracts and fractions of E. speciosa after HPLC analysis, quercetin, rutin, apigenin and eugenol were the most abundant. Non-primed rats showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the uterine relative weight at the dose of 8 mg/kg when compared with the other treatments. The uterine proteins and the ovarian cholesterol (P < 0.05), respectively, showed a reduction at doses of 64 mg/kg and 32 mg/kg in non-primed rats. However in PMSG-primed rats, a significant decrease (P < 0.05) was observed in ovarian cholesterol at 64 mg/kg. In conclusion, E. speciosa potentializes the PMSG-inducing effect on folliculogenesis in PMSG-primed rats.
Effective inhibition of Th17/Th22 pathway in 2D and 3D human models of psoriasis by Celastrol enriched plant cell culture extract.

BACKGROUND Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease in which the Th17 pathway is mainly involved. Systemic interventions with biologics that specifically block the Th17 pathway are effective to treat severe psoriasis. However, for efficient topical treatment, small molecules are more suitable than antibodies to penetrate and target epidermal keratinocytes, the key players in psoriasis. Celastrol, a well-described triterpene, is present in low amounts in Tripterygium wilfordii roots. By using plant cell culture (PCC), we were able to boost Celastrol production in bioreactors. Here, we evaluated immune modulator effect of Celastrol enriched extract (CEE) in Th17/Th22 psoriasis induced in 2D and 3D human models in vitro in view of its dermatological usage. METHODS Human CD4+ T cells (hCD4), Normal Human Epidermal Keratinocytes (NHEK), micro-epidermis and reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) were preincubated with CEE and reference controls. Then, hCD4 were stimulated by anti-[CD3/CD28] while others were stimulated by Th17/22 cytokines cocktails. Psoriasis biomarkers were assessed by ELISA (hCD4 and RHE), by RT-qPCR (NHEK) or by ICH/ELISA (micro-epidermis). RESULTS In 2D stimulated models (hCD4 and NHEK), CEE dose dependently inhibited, respectively, the expression of Th17 cytokines and psoriasis induced biomarkers. In 3D models (RHE and micro-epidermis), IL-8 expression was significantly reduced (RHE) and native phenotype was restored by CEE (micro-epidermis). CONCLUSION These results clearly showed that Th17/Th22 cytokines, main inflammatory parameters, and psoriasis associated key biomarkers were inhibited by CEE in both 2D and 3D human in vitro models. Therefore, skin homeostasis could be restored by these modulator effects. Moreover, this high added value CEE was obtained by an ecofriendly bioprocess in contrast to traditional roots extracts. This is the first time that a well-defined CEE immune modulator has been proposed for psoriasis adjuvant care to reduce inflammation.
The combination of nutraceuticals and functional feeds as additives modulates gut microbiota and blood markers associated with immune response and health in weanling piglets

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a combination of feed additives with complementary functional properties on the intestinal microbiota, homocysteine, and vitamins E and B status as well as systemic immune response of weanling piglets. At weaning, 32 litters were assigned to one of the following dietary treatments (DT): 1) conventional diet (CTRL); 2) CTRL diet supplemented with antibiotics (ATB); 3) a cocktail of feed additives containing cranberry extract, encapsulated carvacrol, yeast-derived products, and extra vitamins A, D, E, and B complex (CKTL); or 4) CKTL diet with bovine colostrum in replacement of plasma proteins (CKTL + COL). Within each litter, the piglets with lowest and highest birth weights (LBW and HBW, respectively) and two piglets of medium birth weight (MBW) were identified. The MBW piglets were euthanized at 42 d of age in order to characterize the ileal and colonic microbiota. Blood samples were also collected at weaning and at 42 d of age from LBW and HBW piglets to measure insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), cysteine, homocysteine, and vitamins E, B6, and B12, and to characterize the leukocyte populations. At 42 d of age, cytokine production by stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells was also measured. In a second experiment, piglets were reared under commercial conditions to evaluate the effects of the DT on the growth performance. At the indicator species analysis, the highest indicator value (IV) for Succinivibrio dextrinosolvens was found in the CKTL group, whereas the highest IV for Lactobacillus reuteri and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii was evidenced in the CKTL + COL group (P < 0.05). Compared with the other DT, CTRL piglets had higher concentrations of homocysteine, whereas the CKTL and CKTL + COL supplementations increased the concentrations of vitamins E and B12 (P < 0.05). DT had no effect on IGF-1 concentration and on blood leukocytes populations; however, compared with HBW piglets, LBW animals had lower values of IGF-1, whereas the percentages of γδ T lymphocytes and T helper were decreased and increased, respectively (P < 0.05). CKTL + COL also improved the growth performance of piglets reared under commercial conditions (P < 0.05). This study highlights the impact of birth weight on piglet systemic immune defenses and the potential of weaning diet supplemented with feed additives and bovine colostrum to modulate the homocysteine metabolism and the intestinal microbiota.
Internet Public Opinion Evolution in the COVID-19 Event and Coping Strategies

ABSTRACT Objectives: In this study, we carried out a text analysis on the information disseminated and discussed among netizens on the Baidu Post Bar (the world’s largest Chinese forum) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, to create a policy basis for health administrative departments. Methods: We used Python tools to search for the relevant data on the Baidu Post Bar. Next, a text analysis was performed on the posts’ contents using a combination of latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA), sentiment analysis, and correlation analysis. Results: According to the LDA analysis, the public was highly interested in topics such as COVID-19 prevention, infection symptoms, infection and coping measures, sources of transmission and treatments, community management, and work resumption. The majority of the public had negative emotional values, yet a portion of the public held positive emotional values. We also performed a correlation analysis of the influencing factors was established. Conclusions: Netizens’ degree of concern shown in their posts was greatly associated with the spread of COVID-19. With the rise, diffusion, outbreak, and mitigation of COVID-19 in China, netizens have successively created a large number of posts, and the topics of discussion varied over time. Therefore, the media and the government have the responsibility to distribute positive information, to correctly guide the public’s emotions to bring some sort of reassurance to the public.
The Association Between Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Anxiety Sensitivity in a College Sample

Background/Objectives One-half of all U.S. adults will experience at least one traumatic event, and of those, approximately 11% develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Despite efficacious treatments for PTSD, one-third of people diagnosed still express symptoms after treatment.Thus, it is important to identify underlying factors that may be associated with PTSD symptom clusters to improve treatment efficacy. One potential factor is anxiety sensitivity (AS), or “the fear of fear,” and includes three different subfactors: physical, cognitive, and social concerns, yet few studies have examined this association using the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3. Method Participants included 65 undergraduate students from a Southeastern University who were elevated on anxiety sensitivity cognitive concerns and experienced at least one traumatic event. Participants completed measures of trauma exposure, anxiety sensitivity, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and suicidal ideation. Results Results revealed that AS physical symptoms had the most robust association with potential PTSD symptoms and individual PTSD symptom clusters with the exception of the avoidance and numbing cluster Conclusions These findings may help clarify the nature of the relationship between PTSD symptoms and AS using the most updated measure of AS (ASI-3).
Learning Cross-Modal Common Representations by Private–Shared Subspaces Separation

Due to the inconsistent distributions and representations of different modalities (e.g., images and texts), it is very challenging to correlate such heterogeneous data. A standard solution is to construct one common subspace, where the common representations of different modalities are generated to bridge the heterogeneity gap. Existing methods based on common representation learning mostly adopt a less effective two-stage paradigm: first, generating separate representations for each modality by exploiting the modality-specific properties as the complementary information, and then capturing the cross-modal correlation in the separate representations for common representation learning. Moreover, these methods usually neglect that there may exist interference in the modality-specific properties, that is, the unrelated objects and background regions in images or the noisy words and incorrect sentences in the text. In this article, we hypothesize that explicitly modeling the interference within each modality can improve the quality of common representation learning. To this end, we propose a novel model private–shared subspaces separation (P3S) to explicitly learn different representations that are partitioned into two kinds of subspaces: 1) the common representations that capture the cross-modal correlation in a shared subspace and 2) the private representations that model the interference within each modality in two private subspaces. By employing the orthogonality constraints between the shared subspace and the private subspaces during the one-stage joint learning procedure, our model is able to learn more effective common representations for different modalities in the shared subspace by fully excluding the interference within each modality. Extensive experiments conducted on cross-modal retrieval verify the advantages of our P3S method compared with 15 state-of-the-art methods on four widely used cross-modal datasets.
Effects of a Specific Inhibitor of HIV Proteinase (Ro 31-8959) on Virus Maturation in a Chronically Infected Promonocytic Cell Line (U1)

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) proteinase inhibitor Ro 31-8959 prevents the maturation of virus in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated U1 cells, a chronically infected promonocytic cell line. Inhibition of both the morphological maturation of virions and the enzymic processing of gag polyprotein (p56) to produce capsid protein p24 was demonstrated at nanomolar concentrations of the compound. Furthermore, prolonged inhibition of the processing of p56 antigen was confirmed in pulse-chase experiments. The conclusion is that Ro 31-8959 can inhibit production of mature virions in a promonocyte cell line which is infected chronically/latently with HIV.
Effects of Computerized Decision Support Systems on Practitioner Performance and Patient Outcomes: Systematic Review

Background Computerized decision support systems (CDSSs) are software programs that support the decision making of practitioners and other staff. Other reviews have analyzed the relationship between CDSSs, practitioner performance, and patient outcomes. These reviews reported positive practitioner performance in over half the articles analyzed, but very little information was found for patient outcomes. Objective The purpose of this review was to analyze the relationship between CDSSs, practitioner performance, and patient medical outcomes. PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were queried. Methods Articles were chosen based on year published (last 10 years), high quality, peer-reviewed sources, and discussion of the relationship between the use of CDSS as an intervention and links to practitioner performance or patient outcomes. Reviewers used an Excel spreadsheet (Microsoft Corporation) to collect information on the relationship between CDSSs and practitioner performance or patient outcomes. Reviewers also collected observations of participants, intervention, comparison with control group, outcomes, and study design (PICOS) along with those showing implicit bias. Articles were analyzed by multiple reviewers following the Kruse protocol for systematic reviews. Data were organized into multiple tables for analysis and reporting. Results Themes were identified for both practitioner performance (n=38) and medical outcomes (n=36). A total of 66% (25/38) of articles had occurrences of positive practitioner performance, 13% (5/38) found no difference in practitioner performance, and 21% (8/38) did not report or discuss practitioner performance. Zero articles reported negative practitioner performance. A total of 61% (22/36) of articles had occurrences of positive patient medical outcomes, 8% (3/36) found no statistically significant difference in medical outcomes between intervention and control groups, and 31% (11/36) did not report or discuss medical outcomes. Zero articles found negative patient medical outcomes attributed to using CDSSs. Conclusions Results of this review are commensurate with previous reviews with similar objectives, but unlike these reviews we found a high level of reporting of positive effects on patient medical outcomes.