Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electroporation-Mediated Gene Delivery of Na+,K+-ATPase, and ENaC Subunits to the Lung Attenuates Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in a Two-Hit Porcine Model

ABSTRACT Introduction: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common cause of organ failure with an associated mortality rate of 40%. The initiating event is disruption of alveolar-capillary interface causing leakage of edema into alveoli. Hypothesis: Electroporation-mediated gene delivery of epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and Na+,K+-ATPase into alveolar cells would improve alveolar clearance of edema and attenuate ARDS. Methods: Pigs were anesthetized and instrumented, and the superior mesenteric artery was clamped to cause gut ischemia/reperfusion injury and peritoneal sepsis by fecal clot implantation. Animals were ventilated according to ARDSnet protocol. Four hours after injury, animals were randomized into groups: (i) treatment: Na+,K+-ATPase/ENaC plasmid (n = 5) and (ii) control: empty plasmid (n = 5). Plasmids were delivered to the lung using bronchoscope. Electroporation was delivered using eight-square-wave electric pulses across the chest. Following electroporation, pigs were monitored 48 h. Results: The Pao2/Fio2 ratio and lung compliance were higher in the treatment group. Lung wet/dry ratio was lower in the treatment group. Relative expression of the Na+,K+-ATPase transgene was higher throughout lungs receiving treatment plasmids. Quantitative histopathology revealed a reduction in intra-alveolar fibrin in the treatment group. Bronchoalveolar lavage showed increased surfactant protein B in the treatment group. Survival was improved in the treatment group. Conclusions: Electroporation-mediated transfer of Na+,K+-ATPase/ENaC plasmids improved lung function, reduced fibrin deposits, decreased lung edema, and improved survival in a translational porcine model of ARDS. Gene therapy can attenuate ARDS pathophysiology in a high-fidelity animal model, suggesting a potential new therapy for patients.
A novel poly (L-lactide) degrading actinomycetes isolated from Thai forest soil, phylogenic relationship and the enzyme characterization.

Thirteen poly (L-lactide)-degrading microorganisms were isolated and selected based on their ability of clear zone formation on an emulsified PLA agar plate and the enzyme activity in culture broth. According to phenotypic properties and 16S rRNA gene sequence, these strains were classified to various families such as Thermomonosporaceae, Micromonosporaceae, Streptosporangiaceae, Bacillaceae and Thermoactinomycetaceae. Strain T16-1, identified as Actinomadura sp. , demonstrated the highest PLA-degrading activity in the liquid culture using PLA film as a carbon source. A PLA-degrading enzyme produced by the strain was purified to homogeneity shown by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with specific activity of 38.3 unit/mg protein. The optimum pH and temperature were 10.0 and 70 masculineC, respectively, which are higher than previously reported among PLA-degrading enzyme. The enzyme was stable at pH 11-12. However, the enzyme activity remained at 70% when kept at 70 masculineC for 1 h. The molecular weight of purified PLA-degrading enzyme from the strain T16-1 was 30 kDa. The purified enzyme was inhibited by 5 mM EDTA and 5 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and diisopropyl fluorophosphates, strongly hydrolyzed Suc-(Ala)(3)-pNA, gelatin and PLA, but showed low activity on casein. The results indicated the PLA-degrading enzyme produced by the strain Actinomadura sp. T16-1 should be classified as serine protease.
The Edinburgh randomized trial of axillary sampling or clearance after mastectomy

Between January 1980 and October 1983, 417 patients were randomized for mastectomy followed by axillary node sampling or full axillary clearance. The aim of the study was to determine whether a standard ‘four‐node’ axillary sample, followed by careful dissection of removed tissue, could accurately indicate the extent of local treatment required. Axillary radiotherapy was given only to patients with histological involvement of sampled nodes and not to any having axillary clearance. The incidence of involved nodes was similar for both groups, as were distant relapse and survival rates. Currently 62.6 per cent are alive after clearance and 65.0 per cent after sampling. A non‐significant increase in the rate of locoregional relapse was observed for those treated by axillary node clearance, this being due mainly to increased relapse on the unirradiated chest wall (clearance 21 per cent versus sampling 12 per cent in patients with node‐positive disease). There was only a minor difference in axillary relapse, favouring axillary clearance (3.0 versus 5.4 per cent). In patients with operable breast cancer, mastectomy with axillary node sampling gives equal control to mastectomy with axillary node clearance but, as morbidity is greater, surgical clearance of the axilla is the preferred option.
Aqueous Two-Phase Extraction of Polyphenols Using a Microchannel System - Process Optimization and Intensification

Summary Polyphenols are one of the most numerous and widespread groups of compounds in the plant world. Nowadays, organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, acetone, dimethylformamide, ethyl acetate and diethylether are mainly used for the extraction of polyphenols. These solvents require special process conditions and special care in the disposal of the used solvents. In this paper, the extraction of polyphenols from the model solution was performed using the aqueous two-phase system which contains 80–90 % water and represents low burden on the environment. The aqueous solution of gallic acid (GA) was used as a model solution of polyphenols. The extraction was performed in the aqueous two-phase system containing PEG6000/H2O/(NH4)2SO4 in a macroextractor (V=10 mL) and microextractor (V=14 µL). The influence of the process parameters, the concentration of gallic acid, pH and composition of the aqueous two-phase system was investigated in order to maximize the partition coefficient. The method of multifactor experimental planning was used to optimize the extraction process and the results were statistically analysed using the evolutionary operation method (EVOP). Optimal operating conditions of the extraction process were pH=6.50, aGA=4.50 g/L, the mass fraction of polyethylene glycol (PEG) wPEG=0.1037 g/g and the mass fraction of ammonium sulphate (AMS) wAMS=0.0925 g/g. Under these conditions the maximal partition coefficient of K=5.54 and the extraction efficiency of E=89.11 % were achieved and successfully applied for total phenol extraction from white wine in the macro- and microextractor. Approximately the same partition coefficients and extraction efficiency were achieved in the microextractor within a 60-fold shorter residence time.
Pannexin1 Channels Contain a Glycosylation Site That Targets the Hexamer to the Plasma Membrane*

Pannexins are newly discovered channel proteins expressed in many different tissues and abundantly in the vertebrate central nervous system. Based on membrane topology, folding and secondary structure prediction, pannexins are proposed to form gap junction-like structures. We show here that Pannexin1 forms a hexameric channel and reaches the cell surface but, unlike connexins, is N-glycosylated. Using site-directed mutagenesis we analyzed three putative N-linked glycosylation sites and examined the effects of each mutation on channel expression. We show for the first time that Pannexin1 is glycosylated at Asn-254 and that this residue is important for plasma membrane targeting. The glycosylation of Pannexin1 at its extracellular surface makes it unlikely that two oligomers could dock to form an intercellular channel. Ultrastructural analysis by electron microscopy confirmed that Pannexin1 junctional areas do not appear as canonical gap junctions. Rather, Pannexin1 channels are distributed throughout the plasma membrane. We propose that N-glycosylation of Pannexin1 could be a significant mechanism for regulating the trafficking of these membrane proteins to the cell surface in different tissues.
Theoretical implications of the application of polymorphic protein systems to gene location on a trisomic chromosome, and its application to the haptoglobin phenotype frequencies in Down's syndrome

In this, the first of a series of communications on the application of the study of polymorphic enzyme and protein systems to gene location on a trisomic chromosome, the theoretical implications are considered. Mathematical models for the expected phenotype shift have been examined, and have been expanded to include a three‐allele locus and a three‐allele locus with one allele being of the ‘silent’ variety. Some modifications in the existing mathematical models were necessary due to possible failure of electrophoretic and immuno‐electrophoretic separations to differentiate between some heterozygote forms. The mathematical models have been applied to a series of hi‐allelic polymorphic systems and one tri‐allelic system to determine the minimum number of subjets with trisomy that would be required to establish the presence or absence of a phenotype shift. The additional use of the techniques for estimating the position of the gene with respect to the centromere, and estimating the timing of the non‐disjunction are discussed.
Two-Photon Imaging of Lymphocyte Motility and Antigen Response in Intact Lymph Node

Lymphocyte motility is vital for trafficking within lymphoid organs and for initiating contact with antigen-presenting cells. Visualization of these processes has previously been limited to in vitro systems. We describe the use of two-photon laser microscopy to image the dynamic behavior of individual living lymphocytes deep within intact lymph nodes. In their native environment, T cells achieved peak velocities of more than 25 micrometers per minute, displaying a motility coefficient that is five to six times that of B cells. Antigenic challenge changed T cell trajectories from random walks to “swarms” and stable clusters. Real-time two-photon imaging reveals lymphocyte behaviors that are fundamental to the initiation of the immune response.
On the Origins of the Term "Computational Aesthetics"

To provide some background, as well as a historical context, for the Eurographics 2005 Workshop on Graphics, Visualization and Imaging we provide a chronology, complete with references, covering various research activities that invoke the term 'aesthetics" in a computational setting. Much of the research cited focuses on the problem of making numerical assessments of the aesthetic content of works of art.
On the role of external constraints in a spatially extended evolutionary prisoner’s dilemma game

We study the emergency of mutual cooperation in evolutionary prisoner’s dilemma games when the players are located on a square lattice. The players can choose one of the three strategies: cooperation (C), defection (D) or “tit for tat” (T), and their total payoffs come from games with the nearest neighbors. During the random sequential updates the players adopt one of their neighboring strategies if the chosen neighbor has higher payoff. We compare the effect of two types of external constraints added to the Darwinian evolutionary processes. In both cases the strategy of a randomly chosen player is replaced with probability P by another strategy. In the first case, the strategy is replaced by a randomly chosen one among the two others, while in the second case the new strategy is always C. Using generalized mean-field approximations and Monte Carlo simulations the strategy concentrations are evaluated in the stationary state for different strength of external constraints characterized by the probability P.
Mobile application to collect information about architecture to obtain a collective knowledge base.

During the early stages of the architectural design process, students and architects seek information for inspiration, and to evaluate design ideas or similar solutions. An essential part of design education therefore involves building up a knowledge base of already built or designed buildings. Most students gather such information by visiting or researching building designs, for example through photos taken on design studio field trips. These photos are used for studio work or archived for later use. The "ar:searchbox.app" aims to support this in two ways. Firstly, by supporting easy mobile information acquisition and sharing, as well as the semi-automatic derivation of high quality metadata; and secondly, by employing urban environment sensitive search and similarity-based browsing strategies to support mobile education as well as a web-based access to the information. To provide long-term access and to establish an information base that is not restricted to a single design studio, the "ar:searchbox.app" builds on our previous "ar:searchbox" project which uses a central media server called "mediaTUM" that provides a handling concept for flexible metadata schemas and scalable infrastructures.
CDC-25.2, a C. elegans ortholog of cdc25, is essential for the progression of intestinal divisions

ABSTRACT Intestinal divisions in Caenorhabditis elegans take place in 3 stages: (1) cell divisions during embryogenesis, (2) binucleations at the L1 stage, and (3) endoreduplications at the end of each larval stage. Here, we report that CDC-25.2, a C. elegans ortholog of Cdc25, is required for these specialized division cycles between the 16E cell stage and the onset of endoreduplication. Results of our genetic analyses suggest that CDC-25.2 regulates intestinal cell divisions and binucleations by counteracting WEE-1.3 and by activating the CDK-1/CYB-1 complex. CDC-25.2 activity is then repressed by LIN-23 E3 ubiquitin ligase before the onset of intestinal endoreduplication, and this repression is maintained by LIN-35, the C. elegans ortholog of Retinoblastoma (Rb). These findings indicate that timely regulation of CDC-25.2 activity is essential for the progression of specialized division cycles and development of the C. elegans intestine.
Differences in nitrogen use efficiency between leaves from canopy and subcanopy trees

We examined the effects of increasing light availability along a vertical gradient within a forest community on the efficiency of leaf nitrogen (N) use in individual trees. The N contents of green and senescent leaves in canopy and subcanopy trees of an evergreen coniferous species, Podocarpus nagi, and an evergreen hardwood species, Neolitsea aciculata, were analyzed in a mixed forest community at Mt Mikasa, Nara City, Japan. The inverse of N concentration (NC) in senescent leaves was used as an index of N use efficiency (NUE) at the leaf-level. The leaf-level NUE was higher in canopy trees than in subcanopy trees in both P. nagi and N. aciculata, although soil N mineralization rates around canopy and subcanopy trees did not differ significantly. The NC in green leaves was lower in canopy trees than in subcanopy trees. The ratio of resorbed N in senescent leaves to the N content in green leaves was higher in canopy trees than in subcanopy trees. The higher leaf-level NUE of canopy trees was partly a result of lower NC in living tissues and partly because of greater N resorption during senescence. The present study suggested that the leaf-level NUE could be increased in response to an imbalance between soil N and light availability caused by spatial community structure.
Birth of a cohort — the first 20 years of the Raine study

n Th se I the beginning there was an idea . and funding. e project might never have started if not for a rendipitous meeting between an accountant for the Raine Medical Research Foundation and a young obstetrician. The Foundation had been established 30 years earlier by the bequest of Mary Raine (Box 1), a successful businesswoman who left her property empire to the University of Western Australia (UWA) for medical research. The accountant mentioned that the Foundation had decided to award a large sum of money to one big, visionary project, and the very next day the grant application was underway. The obstetrician’s big idea, the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort, had two objectives: to investigate the hypothesis that complications of pregnancy might be prevented by frequent ultrasound scans, and to develop a long-term cohort to study the role that early life events have on later health. From 1989 to 1991, 2900 pregnant women were randomly assigned to either routine obstetric ultrasound or multiple scans.1 Extensive data were collected during pregnancy and the children were assessed at birth and at ages 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 14, 17, 18 and 20 years (Box 2). Questionnaire data, physical measurements and biological samples were collected looking at growth, cardiovascular, respiratory, immunological, musculoskeletal, nutritional, psychiatric, neurocognitive and ophthalmic health. The current dataset contains more than 85 000 measures on each participant, as well as 2.5 million genetic variants, with an exponential increase in publication output over time. Selected findings are summarised in Box 3.
Enabling rich content service on the edge: opportunities and challenges

In this position paper, we examine the opportunities and challenges of enabling rich content service on the edge resources (CDN and smart proxies). We discuss what edge resources are engaged and the research problems involved in planning and mapping instantiated service graph on the resources. Finally, we describe the Fadel experimental system, our research vehicle to tackle the research challenges as outlined in this paper.
APPSW Transgenic Mice Develop Age‐related Aβ Deposits and Neuropil Abnormalities, but no Neuronal Loss in CA1

The recent availability of transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer disease has allowed direct in vivo assessment of the molecular and neuropathological effects of cerebral amyloid deposition. We examined 16-month-old Tg(HuAPP695. K670N-M671L)2576 mice expressing human APP K670N-M671L (APPSw), which have amyloid deposition and behavioral deficits by 11 months of age. Transgene expression is predominantly neuronal, and results in amyloid deposits, comparable to human senile plaques, at terminal zones of transgene positive neurons in cortical and limbic regions. Amyloid deposits were associated with prominent gliosis and neuritic dystrophy, without neuronal loss in CAI, loss of synaptophysin immunoreactivity in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, or loss of messenger RNA for neuronal synaptic, cytoskeletal, or metabolic proteins. We conclude that Aβ is not acutely neurotoxic, but can disrupt neuronal processes and provoke an inflammatory response.
Inferring Networks and Estimating Influence in Social Media

The propagation of information, cascading behavior, spread of ideas, viruses and diseases through a network have been studied in different contexts, such as viral marketing (Kempe et al., 2003), the spread of news and opinions (Adar et al., 2004), the spread of technological inovations (Rogers, 1999), and the spread of infectious diseases (Anderson et al., 1992). In such cases, we have a set of contagions diffusing across a network. As a contagion spreads in a network (static or dynamic) it creates a trace at that instant of time, called a cascade. In order to study network diffusion, there are usually two fundamental challenges that need to be addressed. First, to be able to track cascading processes of contagion diffusion, which is certainly nontrivial with large-real world graphs. For example, given data about when did which nodes get infected by a virus, one can construct an exponentially large number of trees containing the infected nodes consistent with the data and the exact inference problem is simply intractable. Second, in a typical scenario only the contamination of nodes as a function of time is observed and the structure of the diffusion network is often unknown or unobserved. For example, in a viral marketing setting, it is easy to track the products purchased by people with respect to time, but not who influenced them into purchasing those.
Illness perceptions and quality of life among tuberculosis patients in Gezira, Sudan.

AIMS This study aimed to answer the following research question: What is the level of illness perceptions and quality of life among TB patients in Gezira state? METHODS A descriptive study design was used. Newly diagnosed smear positive TB patients registered in Gezira state in 2010 (n=425) formed the study population. The illness perceptions were measured by using Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire (BIPQ). Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) was assessed by means of the 12-item short form Health Survey questionnaire (FS-12). RESULTS TB patients saw TB as having minor consequences, TB not being very well controlled by treatment, and TB as lasting long as a disease; they also associated several symptoms with TB. Furthermore, the patients had relatively poor physical and mental quality of life. Identity, consequences, personal control and emotional representations were associated with poor physical quality of life while concern about illness was associated with poor mental quality of life. CONCLUSION The illness perceptions of the TB patients might influence their adherence to treatment. The poor quality of life of the TB patients in the different areas of quality of life such as daily activities and work, calls for programmes to strengthen TB information, education and counselling.
Cost-effectiveness of stroke care in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal patients: an observational cohort study in the Northern Territory of Australia

Objective To assess cost-effectiveness of stroke care for Aboriginal compared with non-Aboriginal patients in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia. Design Cost-effectiveness analysis using data from a cohort-based follow-up study of stroke incidents. Setting Public hospitals in the NT from 1992 to 2013. Participants Individual patient data were extracted and linked from the hospital inpatient and primary care information systems. Outcome measures Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated and assessed graphically. Survival time was used to measure effectiveness of stroke care, in comparison with the net costs per life-year gained, from a healthcare perspective, by applying multivariable models to account for time-dependent confounding. Results 2158 patients with incident stroke were included (1171 males, 1178 aged <65 years and 966 from remote areas). 992 patients were of Aboriginal origin (46.0%, disproportionately higher than the population proportion of 27%). Of all cases, 42.6% were ischaemic and 29.8% haemorrhagic stroke. Average age of stroke onset was 51 years in Aboriginal, compared with 65 years in non-Aboriginal patients (p<0.001). Aboriginal patients had 71.4% more hospital bed-days, and 7.4% fewer procedures than non-Aboriginal patients. Observed health costs averaged $A50 400 per Aboriginal compared with $A33 700 per non-Aboriginal patient (p<0.001). The differential costs and effects for each population were distributed evenly across the incremental cost-effectiveness plane threshold line, indicating no difference in cost-effectiveness between populations. After further adjustment for confounding and censoring, cost-effectiveness appeared greater for Aboriginal than non-Aboriginal patients, but this was not statistically significant (p=0.25). Conclusions Stroke care for the NT Aboriginal population is at least as cost-effective as the non-Aboriginal population. Stroke care presents worthwhile and equitable survival benefits for Aboriginal patients in remote communities, notwithstanding their higher level burden of disease. These findings are relevant for healthcare planning and policy development regarding equal access to stroke care for Aboriginal patients.