Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protective Effect of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Exosomes on Traumatic Brain Injury via miR-216a-5p

Background Transplantation of exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs-Exo) can improve the recovery of neurological function in rats after traumatic brain injury (TBI). We tested a new hypothesis that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-induced MSCs-Exo can effectively promote functional recovery and neurogenesis in rats after TBI. Material/Methods BM-MSCs of rats were extracted by whole bone marrow culture, BDNF was added to BM-MSCs as an intervention, supernatant was collected, and exosomes were separated and purified by ultracentrifugation. Exosomes were identified by Western blot (WB), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and particle size analysis and were subsequently used in cell and animal experiments. The experimental animals were divided into a sham group, a PBS group, an MSCs-Exo group, and a BDNF-induced MSCs-Exo group (n=12). An electric cortical contusion impactor (eCCI) was used to cause TBI in all rats except the sham group. We investigated the recovery of sensorimotor function and spatial learning ability, inflammation inhibition, and neuron regeneration in rats after TBI. Results Compared with the MSCs-Exo group, the BDNF-induced MSCs-Exo group showed better effects in promoting the recovery of sensorimotor function and spatial learning ability. BDNF-induced MSCs-Exo successfully inhibited inflammation and promoted neuronal regeneration in vivo and in vitro. We further analyzed miRNAs in BDNF-induced MSCs-Exo and MSCs-Exo and found that the expression of miR-216a-5p in BDNF-induced MSCs-Exo was significantly higher than that in MSCs-Exo as determined by qRT-PCR. Rescue experiments indicated that miR-216a-5p had a similar function as BDNF-induced MSCs-Exo. Conclusions We found that BDNF-induced MSCs-Exo can improve cell migration and inhibit apoptosis better than MSCs-Exo in rats after TBI, and the mechanism may be related to the high expression of miR-216a-5p.
Co‐cultivation of Thermoanaerobacter strains with a methanogenic partner enhances glycerol conversion

Glycerol‐rich waste streams produced by the biodiesel, bioethanol and oleochemical industries can be treated and valorized by anaerobic microbial communities to produce methane. As current knowledge of the microorganisms involved in thermophilic glycerol conversion to methane is scarce, thermophilic glycerol‐degrading methanogenic communities were enriched. A co‐culture of Thermoanaerobacter and Methanothermobacter species was obtained, pointing to a non‐obligately syntrophic glycerol degradation. This hypothesis was further studied by incubating Thermoanaerobacter brockii subsp. finnii and T. wiegelii with glycerol (10 mM) in pure culture and with different hydrogenotrophic methanogens. The presence of the methanogen accelerated glycerol fermentation by the two Thermoanaerobacter strains up to 3.3 mM day−1, corresponding to 12 times higher volumetric glycerol depletion rates in the methanogenic co‐cultures than in the pure bacterial cultures. The catabolic pathways of glycerol conversion were identified by genome analysis of the two Thermoanaerobacter strains. NADH and reduced ferredoxin formed in the pathway are linked to proton reduction, which becomes thermodynamically favourable when the hydrogen partial pressure is kept low by the hydrogenotrophic methanogenic partner.
The impact of extended adjuvant temozolomide in newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme: a meta-analysis and systematic review

Surgical resection followed by concurrent radiation therapy and temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy is the current standard treatment for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The present metaanalysis investigated the impact of prolonged TMZ maintenance therapy (more than 6 cycles) in comparison with standard TMZ maintenance therapy (exactly six cycles) on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with GBM. A meta-analysis of the literature was conducted using Medline, PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Seven articles involving 1018 patients were included. The overall survival was higher in the case group (>6 cycles TMZ) compared to the control group (6 cycles TMZ) (Z=2.375, P=0.018). The lower and upper limits were between 1.002-10.467 months. The case group had higher progression-free survival compared with the control group (Z=3.84; P<0.001). The lower and upper limits were between 2.559-7.894 months. Evidence from this meta-analysis suggests that prolonged TMZ therapy compared to the standard 6-cycle TMZ therapy was associated with higher survival in patients with glioblastoma.
A case series of inactivated Japanese encephalitis virus vaccination associated with positive West Nile virus blood donor screening nucleic acid tests

West Nile Virus (WNV) is a member of the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) serocomplex within the Flaviviridae family. We report four whole blood donors and one plasma donor with WNV nucleic acid test (NAT)‐reactive donations between September 2018 and November 2019, following recent Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccination.
A comparative analysis of Donald Bradman and Steven Smith: what are their secrets?

There has been growing evidence on the batting backlift technique in cricket at varying levels of cricket ability and the way in which batsmen direct or manoeuvre their bat in various ways. Most recently, there has been elevated awareness and discussion around the technique of Steven Smith. To an extent, there has been some comparison and reference been made to Sir Donald Bradman. Both Donald Bradman and Steven Smith have exhibited techniques and movements at the crease which many regard as ‘unorthodox’ or ‘unnatural’. This paper compares each of the batting technique components of both batsmen. The paper describes that both Bradman and Smith held their bat with an open grip which allowed them to hit the ball in most scoring areas of the field. The most common element that both batsmen demonstrate is a backlift that is directed towards the gulley or point region, otherwise known as the rotary method of batting, which is contrary to most of the coaching literature. Future research would require objective measures on Steven Smith to fully understand the kinetics and kinematics associated with his batting technique. The variances of performance averages across other formats (one-day internationals and 20-20 cricket) must be noted.
Intravital imaging of megakaryocytes

Abstract The dynamics of platelet formation could only be investigated since the development of two-photon microscopy in combination with suitable fluorescent labeling strategies. In this review paper, we give an overview of recent advances in fluorescence imaging of the bone marrow that have contributed to our understanding of platelet biogenesis during the last decade. We make a brief survey through the perspectives and limitations of today’s intravital imaging, but also discuss complementary methods that may help to piece together the puzzle of megakaryopoiesis and platelet formation.
Computational vision and machine learning to evaluate Metacarpophalangeal and Interphalangeal deviation in fingers for clinical purpose

Metacarpophalangeal deviations can be present from congenital diseases, nerve injuries, direct trauma such as fractures, autoimmune arthropathies such as that associated with lupus erythematosus (Jaccoud), to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is an inﬂammatory disease of joint components with varying degrees of destruction of the small joints of hands, producing a deformation that is evidenced in the deviation of the axis of the ﬁngers having an impact on the functionality of the hand. The application of computational vision and machine learning in the quantiﬁcation of ﬁnger angulation and joint thickening, can provide an objective way to record measures that are routinely performed subjectively if there is no specialized equipment. These measurements can be very useful to have an adequate pre and post intervention record or simply have a standardized record in the case of degenerative pathologies. Through digital image processing, it is possible to deﬁne markers that allow us to calculate the angulation and width of the metacarpophalangeal segments at the service of the clinic or useful in research. The results generated were collected in a csv ﬁle showing 80% eﬀectiveness in images with arthritis.
The Great Disrupter: Relationship of Alexithymia to Emotion Regulation Processes and Smoking among Pregnant Women

Abstract Background: Many women continue to smoke during pregnancy, despite known risks, often in response to negative affect. Recent scholarship has begun to examine factors that decrease the success of behavioral treatments for smoking cessation in pregnancy, which are the preferred interventions. Alexithymia is one factor that may interfere with smoking cessation interventions. Alexithymia restricts access to emotional information and increases propensity toward maladaptive behaviors, including smoking. However, mechanisms underlying such effects are largely unknown. Objectives: Using data from a longitudinal treatment study, the present research examined difficulties with emotion regulation as a potential mechanism linking alexithymia and smoking. Pregnant smokers (n = 73; mean age = 24.78; SD = 4.50) completed measures related to alexithymia, smoking, emotion regulation, depression, anxiety, and anger at baseline and then again following eight sessions of Cognitive-Behavioral Smoking Cessation Treatment. Results: Nearly 40% of the sample met the criteria for alexithymia. The alexithymia group reported higher depression, anxiety, and anger. They also reported more difficulties with emotion regulation. In a path analysis, baseline alexithymia had a significant positive indirect effect on number of cigarettes smoked at the end of treatment through difficulties with emotion regulation. Conclusions/Importance: Similar to other studies, alexithymia limits the understanding of emotional information necessary for selection and implementation of adaptive coping responses. Our results extend the literature by suggesting that smoking may be an attempt to manage undifferentiated and unpleasant sensations created by alexithymia.
Factors Influencing eHealth Literacy among Korean Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Successful online learning depends on the supported learner's attitude, motivation, and self-efficacy, along with their ability to utilize the flexibility and convenience of digital technology. As information and communications technology is introduced in healthcare, eHealth literacy (eHL) is becoming increasingly essential in nursing education. This study aimed to identify the eHL levels and the factors affecting eHL among nursing students. A survey was conducted among 205 nursing students from two colleges in Korea. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the factors associated with the eHL of nursing students were examined using multiple regression analysis. The eHL of nursing students, measured using the eHealth literacy scale, was found to be higher than in previous studies. Factors affecting eHL of nursing students were academic level, digital literacy toward information and communications technology for learning, and self-efficacy for online education. These factors accounted for 38.8% of the variability in eHL among nursing students. In order to improve the eHL of nursing students, nursing education should consider a multidimensional approach towards developing digital literacy and self-efficacy among them. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
FDG-PET Imaging for Hodgkin and Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma—An Updated Overview

Since the mid-1990s, 18F-fluorodeoxglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) in combination with computed tomography has come to play a prominent role in the management of malignant lymphomas. One of the first PET applications in oncology was the detection of lymphoma manifestations at staging, where it has shown high sensitivity. Nowadays, this imaging modality is also used during treatment to evaluate the individual chemosensitivity and adapt further therapy accordingly. If the end-of-treatment PET is negative, irradiation in advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma patients can be safely omitted after highly effective chemotherapy. Thus far, lymphoma response assessment has mainly been performed using visual criteria, such as the Deauville five-point scale, which became the international standard in 2014. However, novel measures such as metabolic tumor volume or total lesion glycolysis have recently been recognized by several working groups and may further increase the diagnostic and prognostic value of FDG-PET in the future.
An enzyme-based protocol for cell-free synthesis of nature-identical capsular oligosaccharides from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) is the etiological agent of acute porcine pneumonia and responsible for severe economic losses worldwide. The capsule polymer of App serotype 1 (App1) consists of [4)-GlcNAc-β(1,6)-Gal-α-1-(PO4-] repeating units that are O-acetylated at O-6 of the GlcNAc. It is a major virulence factor and was used in previous studies in the successful generation of an experimental glycoconjugate vaccine. However, the application of glycoconjugate vaccines in the animal health sector is limited, presumably because of the high costs associated with harvesting the polymer from pathogen culture. Consequently, here we exploited the capsule polymerase Cps1B of App1 as an in vitro synthesis tool and an alternative for capsule polymer provision. Cps1B consists of two catalytic domains, as well as a domain rich in tetratricopeptide repeats (TPRs). We compared the elongation mechanism of Cps1B with that of a ΔTPR truncation (Cps1B-ΔTPR). Interestingly, the product profiles displayed by Cps1B suggested processive elongation of the nascent polymer, whereas Cps1B-ΔTPR appeared to work in a more distributive manner. The dispersity of the synthesized products could be reduced by generating single-action transferases and immobilizing them on individual columns, separating the two catalytic activities. Furthermore, we identified the O-acetyltransferase Cps1D of App1 and used it to modify the polymers produced by Cps1B. Two-dimensional NMR analyses of the products revealed O-acetylation levels identical to those of polymer harvested from App1 culture supernatants. In conclusion, we have established a protocol for the pathogen-free in vitro synthesis of tailored, nature-identical App1 capsule polymers.
Design and Synthesis of a Ratiometric Photoacoustic Probe for in situ Imaging of Zinc Ions in Deep-Tissue in vivo.

As a non-invasive deep tissue imaging technique, photoacoustic (PA) imaging has great application potential in biomedicine and molecular diagnosis. Zinc ion (Zn2+), a necessary metal ion in human body, plays a very important role in the regulation of gene transcription and metalloenzyme function. The imbalance of Zn2+ homeostasis is also associated with a variety of neurological diseases. Therefore, it is critically important to accurately image the steady state changes of Zn2+ in vivo. However, no PA imaging method is currently available for Zn2+. To this end, we designed and synthesized the first PA probe of Zn2+ namely CR-1 for in situ ratiometric imaging of Zn2+ in deep-tissue in vivo. The CR-1 combined with Zn2+ weakened the conjugation system of the π electron in the CR-1 molecule, which resulted in the blue shift of its absorption peak from 710 nm to 532 nm. The PA signal intensity decreased at 710 nm and increased at 532 nm, and the ratiometric PA signal at these two wavelengths (PA532/PA710) showed a good linear relationship with the concentration of Zn2+ in the range of 0 to 50 μΜ, with a detection limit as low as 170 nM. Furthermore, this probe exhibits extremely fast responsiveness, highly selective and excellent biocompatibility. We have used the developed PA probe for the ratiometric PA imaging of Zn2+ in thigh tissue of mice, and still can image accurately Zn2+ after covering a chicken breast tissue on the surface of mice thigh. In light of these outstanding features, the developed PA probe has high potential for imaging Zn2+ in deep tissues, thus it will open up new avenues for the study of the complex biochemical processes involving Zn2+ in vivo.
[Clinical characteristics and influencing factors of patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia combined with liver injury in Shaanxi region].

Objective: To understand the clinical characteristics, change of liver function, influencing factors and prognosis in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) combined with liver injury. Methods: The general conditions, biochemical indicators of liver, blood clotting mechanism, routine blood test, UGT1A1 * 28 gene polymorphism and other data of 40 cases with COVID-19 admitted to the isolation ward of Tangdu Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical characteristics, influencing factors and prognosis of liver injury in patients with liver injury group and those with normal liver function group were compared. The mean of two samples in univariate analysis was compared by t-test and analysis of variance. The counting data was measured by χ(2) tests. The non-normal distribution measurement data were described by the median, and the non-parametric test was used. Statistically significant influencing factors were used as the independent variables in univariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the main influencing factors of liver injury. Results: Of the 40 cases, 25 were male (62.5%) and 15 were female (37.5%), aged 22 to 83 (53.87 ± 15.84) years. Liver injury was occurred in 22 cases (55%) during the course of the disease. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level was initially increased (4.4 to 3.5 times of the normal value) along with decrease of albumin in the second week, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Ten cases (43.5%) had highest abnormal total blood bilirubin (54.1 μmol/ L). There was no correlation between the increase in transaminase and the increase in total blood bilirubin (R = -0.006, P = 0.972). Three cases had prothrombin activity (PTA) of ≤ 50%, 10 cases had elevated FDP, and 13 cases had elevated D-dimer, all of whom were severe or critically ill. Liver function injury was more likely to occur in patients who used many types of drugs and large amounts of hormones (P = 0.002, P = 0.031), and there was no correlation with the TA6TA7 mutation in the UGT1A1 * 28 gene locus. Multiple regression analysis showed that the occurrence of liver injury was only related to critical illness. The liver function of all patients had recovered within one week after conventional liver protection treatment. Conclusion: COVID-19 combined with liver function injury may be due to the slight elevation of transaminase, mostly around the second week of the disease course. Severe patients have a higher proportion of liver injury, and critical type is an independent risk factor for liver injury.
Effects of day length- and temperature-regulated genes on annual transcriptome dynamics in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don), a gymnosperm indeterminate species

Seasonal phenomena in plants are primarily affected by day length and temperature. The shoot transcriptomes of trees grown in the field and a controlled-environment chamber were compared to characterize genes that control annual rhythms and the effects of day length- and temperature-regulated genes in the gymnosperm Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don), which exhibits seasonally indeterminate growth. Annual transcriptome dynamics were clearly demonstrated by principal component analysis using microarray data obtained under field-grown conditions. Analysis of microarray data from trees grown in a controlled chamber identified 2,314 targets exhibiting significantly different expression patterns under short-day (SD) and long-day conditions, and 2,045 targets exhibited significantly different expression patterns at 15°C (LT; low temperature) versus 25°C. Interestingly, although growth was suppressed under both SD and LT conditions, approximately 80% of the SD- and LT-regulated targets differed, suggesting that each factor plays a unique role in the annual cycle. The top 1,000 up-regulated targets in the growth/dormant period in the field coincided with more than 50% of the SD- and LT-regulated targets, and gene co-expression network analysis of the annual transcriptome indicated a close relationship between the SD- and LT-regulated targets. These results indicate that the respective effects of day length and temperature interact to control annual transcriptome dynamics. Well-known upstream genes of signaling pathways responsive to environmental conditions, such as the core clock (LHY/CjLHYb and CCA1/CjLHYa) and PEBP family (MFT) genes, exhibited unique expression patterns in Japanese cedar compared with previous reports in other species, suggesting that these genes control differences in seasonal regulation mechanisms between species. The results of this study provide new insights into seasonal regulation of transcription in Japanese cedar.
Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-Based Thermoresponsive Composite Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM)-based thermosensitive hydrogels demonstrate great potential in biomedical applications. However, they have inherent drawbacks such as low mechanical strength, limited drug loading capacity and low biodegradability. Formulating PNIPAM with other functional components to form composited hydrogels is an effective strategy to make up for these deficiencies, which can greatly benefit their practical applications. This review seeks to provide a comprehensive observation about the PNIPAM-based composite hydrogels for biomedical applications so as to guide related research. It covers the general principles from the materials choice to the hybridization strategies as well as the performance improvement by focusing on several application areas including drug delivery, tissue engineering and wound dressing. The most effective strategies include incorporation of functional inorganic nanoparticles or self-assembled structures to give composite hydrogels and linking PNIPAM with other polymer blocks of unique properties to produce copolymeric hydrogels, which can improve the properties of the hydrogels by enhancing the mechanical strength, giving higher biocompatibility and biodegradability, introducing multi-stimuli responsibility, enabling higher drug loading capacity as well as controlled release. These aspects will be of great help for promoting the development of PNIPAM-based composite materials for biomedical applications.
Fully Biobased Epoxy Resins from Fatty Acids and Lignin

The use of renewable resources for plastic production is an imperious need for the reduction of the carbon footprint and the transition towards a circular economy. With that goal in mind, fully biobased epoxy resins have been designed and prepared by combining epoxidized linseed oil, lignin, and a biobased diamine derived from fatty acid dimers. The aromatic structures in lignin provide hardness and strength to an otherwise flexible and breakable epoxy resin. The curing of the system was investigated by infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The influence of the different components on the thermo-mechanical properties of the epoxy resins was analyzed by DSC, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and tensile tests. As the content of lignin in the resin increases, so does the glass transition, the Young’s modulus, and the onset of thermal degradation. This correlation is non-linear, and the higher the percentage of lignin, the more pronounced the effect. All the components of the epoxy resin being commodity chemicals, the present system provides a realistic opportunity for the preparation of fully biorenewable resins at an industrial scale.