Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Research Progress on Stem Cell Therapies for Articular Cartilage Regeneration

Injury of articular cartilage can cause osteoarthritis and seriously affect the physical and mental health of patients. Unfortunately, current surgical treatment techniques that are commonly used in the clinic cannot regenerate articular cartilage. Regenerative medicine involving stem cells has entered a new stage and is considered the most promising way to regenerate articular cartilage. In terms of theories on the mechanism, it was thought that stem cell-mediated articular cartilage regeneration was achieved through the directional differentiation of stem cells into chondrocytes. However, recent evidence has shown that the stem cell secretome plays an important role in biological processes such as the immune response, inflammation regulation, and drug delivery. At the same time, the stem cell secretome can effectively mediate the process of tissue regeneration. This new theory has attributed the therapeutic effect of stem cells to their paracrine effects. The application of stem cells is not limited to exogenous stem cell transplantation. Endogenous stem cell homing and in situ regeneration strategies have received extensive attention. The application of stem cell derivatives, such as conditioned media, extracellular vesicles, and extracellular matrix, is an extension of stem cell paracrine theory. On the other hand, stem cell pretreatment strategies have also shown promising therapeutic effects. This article will systematically review the latest developments in these areas, summarize challenges in articular cartilage regeneration strategies involving stem cells, and describe prospects for future development.
Assessment of testes with two-dimensional Shear Wave Elastography in patients with operated inguinal hernia.

AIM We compared the two-dimensional shear-wave elastography (2D-SWE) values between the testes with same side operated inguinal hernia (IH) and the contralateral testes, as well as the testes of healthy volunteers without IH. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 189 participants (117 unilateral [117 testes] and 8 bilateral operated IH patients [16 testes] and 64 healthy volunteers [128 testes]), providing a total of 378 testicles, were investigated prospectively. All patients underwent B-mode ultrasonography (US) and 2D-SWE examinations. Operation type, the period between diagnosis and operation, the period since the operation, testes volumes, and 2D-SWE values were compared. RESULTS The B-mode US finding of the testes were normal in all participants. The mean testes' volume of same side operated IH was significantly lower comparing to contralat-eral testes and the healthy group (p<0.001). The 2D-SWE values of the testes with same side operated IH were significantly higher comparing to the contralateral testes and the healthy group (p<0.001). There was a statistically significant correlation between 2D-SWE values and IH severity, as well as the duration of the hernia (p=0.001). There was no significant correlation between the IH severity and testes volume (p=0.285). No significant difference was found between the direct and indirect IH in terms of testicular volume and SWE values and between the duration of the hernia, the time after sugery, testicular volume and SWE values according to operation techniques(p>0.005). CONCLUSIONS The 2D-SWE can be used as an effective imag-ing method to evaluate testicular stiffness with objective numerical values, to estimate the severity of histologic damage in patients with operated IH.
Surface plasmon resonance of gold nanoparticles formed by cathodic arc plasma ion implantation into polymer

Shallow subsurface layers of gold nanoclusters were formed in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) polymer by very low energy (49 eV) gold ion implantation. The ion implantation process was modeled by computer simulation and accurately predicted the layer depth and width. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to image the buried layer and individual nanoclusters; the layer width was ∼6–8 nm and the cluster diameter was ∼5–6 nm. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption effects were observed by UV-visible spectroscopy. The TEM and SPR results were related to prior measurements of electrical conductivity of Au-doped PMMA, and excellent consistency was found with a model of electrical conductivity in which either at low implantation dose the individual nanoclusters are separated and do not physically touch each other, or at higher implantation dose the nanoclusters touch each other to form a random resistor network (percolation model).
Metabolic Syndrome Prediction Models Using Machine Learning and Sasang Constitution Type

Background Machine learning may be a useful tool for predicting metabolic syndrome (MetS), and previous studies also suggest that the risk of MetS differs according to Sasang constitution type. The present study investigated the development of MetS prediction models utilizing machine learning methods and whether the incorporation of Sasang constitution type could improve the performance of those prediction models. Methods Participants visiting a medical center for a health check-up were recruited in 2005 and 2006. Six kinds of machine learning were utilized (K-nearest neighbor, naive Bayes, random forest, decision tree, multilayer perceptron, and support vector machine), as was conventional logistic regression. Machine learning-derived MetS prediction models with and without the incorporation of Sasang constitution type were compared to investigate whether the former would predict MetS with higher sensitivity. Age, sex, education level, marital status, body mass index, stress, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking were included as potentially predictive factors. Results A total of 750/2,871 participants had MetS. Among the six types of machine learning methods investigated, multiplayer perceptron and support vector machine exhibited the same performance as the conventional regression method, based on the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves. The naive-Bayes method exhibited the highest sensitivity (0.49), which was higher than that of the conventional regression method (0.39). The incorporation of Sasang constitution type improved the sensitivity of all of the machine learning methods investigated except for the K-nearest neighbor method. Conclusion Machine learning-derived models may be useful for MetS prediction, and the incorporation of Sasang constitution type may increase the sensitivity of such models.
Expand to shield: IL-15 and in situ lymphocytic proliferation

ABSTRACT The tumor microenvironment includes a complex network of cytokines and chemokines that contribute to shaping the intratumoral immune reaction. Understanding the mechanisms leading to immune-hot (Immunoscore-high) altered (excluded and immunosuppressed) and cold tumors are of critical importance for successful anti-cancer therapies. Two essential mechanisms are highlighted. Specific chemokines and adhesion molecules appeared to target and attract immune effector T cells to the tumor microenvironment and to specific regions within the tumor. These mechanisms are dependent upon intratumoral IL-15 expression. Decreased IL15 expression also affected the local proliferation of B and T lymphocytes. A comprehensive analysis revealed a major contribution of IL15 in shaping the tumor immune contexture. Thus, an in situ lymphocytic infiltration is mediated through chemokines and attraction inside or around the tumor microenvironment, and an IL15-mediated in situ lymphocytic proliferation, which expand the local pool of intratumoral cytotoxic CD8 T-cells are key determinants of the immune contexture. Increased IL15 expression and local proliferation of T-cells were associated with decreased risk of tumor recurrence and prolonged survival of cancer patients. These data provide further mechanisms to prioritize research and help in designing better therapeutic interventions.
Next Generation Exome Sequencing of Pediatric Asthma Identifies Rare and Novel Variants in Candidate Genes

Multiple genes have been implicated to have a role in asthma predisposition by association studies. Pediatric patients often manifest a more extensive form of this disease and a particularly severe disease course. It is likely that genetic predisposition could play a more substantial role in this group. This study is aimed at identifying the spectrum of rare and novel variation in known pediatric asthma susceptibility genes using whole exome sequencing analysis in nine individual cases of childhood onset allergic asthma. DNA samples from the nine children with a history of bronchial asthma diagnosis underwent whole exome sequencing on Ion Proton. For each patient, the entire complement of rare variation within strongly associated candidate genes was catalogued. The analysis showed 21 variants in the subjects, 13 had been previously identified, and 8 were novel. Also, among of which, nineteen were nonsynonymous and 2 were nonsense. With regard to the novel variants, the 2 nonsynonymous variants in the PRKG1 gene (PRKG1: p.C519W and PRKG1: p.G520W) were presented in 4 cases, and a nonsynonymous variant in the MAVS gene (MAVS: p.A45V) was identified in 3 cases. The variants we found in this study will enrich the variant spectrum and build up the database in the Saudi population. Novel eight variants were identified in the study which provides more evidence in the genetic susceptibility in asthma among Saudi children, providing a genetic screening map for the molecular genetic determinants of allergic disease in Saudi children, with the goal of reducing the impact of chronic diseases on the health and the economy. We believe that the advanced specified statistical filtration/annotation programs used in this study succeeded to release such results in a preliminary study, exploring the genetic map of that disease in Saudi children.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Metaphycus eriococci (Timberlake) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

Abstract The complete mitochondrial genome of the Metaphycus eriococci (Timberlake, 1916) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was obtained via next-generation sequencing. This mitochondrial genome is 15,749 bp in length with 37 classical eukaryotic mitochondrial genes and an A + T-rich region. All the 13 PCGs begin with typical ATN codons. Among them, 12 PCG genes terminate with TAA, only one with TAG. All of the 22 tRNA genes, ranging from 58 to 72 bp with typical cloverleaf structure except for trnS1 and trnE, whose dihydrouridine arm forms a simple loop. A dramatic gene rearrangement with a large inversion of six protein-coding genes (nad3-cox3-atp6-atp8-cox2-cox1) also found in M. eriococci. Phylogenetic analysis highly supported the monophyly of Pteromalidae, Eupelmidae, and Encyrtidae are sister groups. Within Encyrtidae, Metaphycus eriococci and Aenasius arizonensis are close to each other.
Patient Perceptions of Audio and Video Recording in the Operating Room

Objective: The goal of this study was to determine surgical patients’ perceptions of hypothetical continuous audio-video OR recording (ORR). Summary of Background Data: Continuous audio-video recording of the operating room (OR), akin to the aviation industry's black box, has been proposed as a means to enhance training, supplement the medical record, and allow large-scale analysis of surgical performance and safety. These recordings would include patients' bodies; yet, understanding of patient perceptions regarding such technology is limited. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted during elective surgery preoperative appointments during a 2-week period in August 2018 at a quaternary care center. Deidentified transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Forty-nine subjects were interviewed. Subjects recognized the potential for recording to improve surgical quality, safety and training. Subjects also desired access to an objective record of their own surgery, for the purposes of future care, medical-legal evidence, and to satisfy their own curiosity and understanding. Subjects had mixed perceptions regarding OR decorum and thus, differing views on the potential effect of ORR on OR behavior; some imagined that ORR would discourage bad behavior and others worried that it would cause unnecessary anxiety to the surgical team. Conclusions: Patients have a diverse set of views about the potential benefits, risks, and uses for OR data and consider themselves to be important stakeholders. Our study identifies pathways and potential challenges to implementation of continuous audio/video recording in ORs.
Gene switch for l‐glucose‐induced biopharmaceutical production in mammalian cells

In this study, we designed and built a gene switch that employs metabolically inert l‐glucose to regulate transgene expression in mammalian cells via d‐idonate‐mediated control of the bacterial regulator LgnR. To this end, we engineered a metabolic cascade in mammalian cells to produce the inducer molecule d‐idonate from its precursor l‐glucose by ectopically expressing the Paracoccus species 43P‐derived catabolic enzymes LgdA, LgnH, and LgnI. To obtain ON‐ and OFF‐switches, we fused LgnR to the human transcriptional silencer domain Krüppel associated box (KRAB) and the viral trans‐activator domain VP16, respectively. Thus, these artificial transcription factors KRAB‐LgnR or VP16‐LgnR modulated cognate promoters containing LgnR‐specific binding sites in a d‐idonate‐dependent manner as a direct result of l‐glucose metabolism. In a proof‐of‐concept experiment, we show that the switches can control production of the model biopharmaceutical rituximab in both transiently and stably transfected HEK‐293T cells, as well as CHO‐K1 cells. Rituximab production reached 5.9 µg/ml in stably transfected HEK‐293T cells and 3.3 µg/ml in stably transfected CHO‐K1 cells.
Influence of Chest and Diaphragm Manual Therapy on the Spirometry Parameters in Patients with Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study

Objective To evaluate the influence of manual therapy of the chest and diaphragm on the spirometry parameters in patients with cerebral palsy (CP). Method The study was carried out on 20 youths with CP. All participated in 6 sessions (3 sham and 3 actual), with measurements of spirometry at baseline, postsham therapies 1 and 3, before actual therapy, and postactual therapy sessions 1 and 3. Two manual techniques were included: soft tissue mobilization of the chest and the diaphragm. Results After the first actual therapy, there was a significant (p < 0.01) improvement in forced vital capacity (FVC) by 0.23 L (8% of the average predicted value) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) by 0.18 L (7% of the average predicted value) as compared to results before the therapy. Change in FVC parameter was clinically significant, whereas change in FEV1 was not clinically significant. After sham therapy, there was no improvement in spirometry parameters as compared to baseline results. Conclusion Single-time manual therapy of the chest and diaphragm has a positive effect on FVC and FEV1.
Current State of Non-wearable Sensor Technologies for Monitoring Activity Patterns to Detect Symptoms of Mild Cognitive Impairment to Alzheimer's Disease

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) could be a transitory stage to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and underlines the importance of early detection of this stage. In MCI stage, though the older adults are not completely dependent on others for day-to-day tasks, mild impairments are seen in memory, attention, etc., subtly affecting their daily activities/routines. Smart sensing technologies, such as wearable and non-wearable sensors, coupled with advanced predictive modeling techniques enable daily activities/routines based early detection of MCI symptoms. Non-wearable sensors are less intrusive and can monitor activities at naturalistic environment with no interference to an individual's daily routines. This review seeks to answer the following questions: (1) What is the evidence for use of non-wearable sensor technologies in early detection of MCI/AD utilizing daily activity data in an unobtrusive manner? (2) How are the machine learning methods being employed in analyzing activity data in this early detection approach? A systematic search was conducted in databases such as IEEE Explorer, PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar for the papers published from inception till March 2019. All studies that fulfilled the following criteria were examined: a research goal of detecting/predicting MCI/AD, daily activities data to detect MCI/AD, noninvasive/non-wearable sensors for monitoring activity patterns, and machine learning techniques to create the prediction models. Out of 2165 papers retrieved, 12 papers were eligible for inclusion in this review. This review found a diverse selection of aspects such as sensors, activity domains/features, activity recognition methods, and abnormality detection methods. There is no conclusive evidence on superiority of one or more of these aspects over the others, especially on the activity feature that would be the best indicator of cognitive decline. Though all these studies demonstrate technological developments in this field, they all suggest it is far in the future it becomes an effective diagnostic tool in real-life clinical practice.
Relationships among intramammary health, udder and teat characteristics, and productivity of extensively managed ewes.

Mastitis is an economically important disease and its subclinical state is difficult to diagnose, which makes mitigation more challenging. The objectives of this study were to screen clinically healthy ewes in order to: (i) identify cultivable microbial species in milk, (ii) evaluate somatic cell count (SCC) thresholds associated with intramammary infection, and (iii) estimate relationships between udder and teat morphometric traits, SCC, and ewe productivity. Milk was collected from two flocks in early (< 5 d) and peak (30-45 d) lactation to quantify SCC (n = 530) and numerate cultivable microbial species by culture-based isolation followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS; n = 243) identification. Within flock and lactation stage, 11 to 74% (mean = 36%) of samples were culture positive. More than 50 unique identifications were classified by MALDI-TOF MS analysis, and Bacillus licheniformis (18-27%), Micrococcus flavus (25%), B. amyloliquefaciens (7-18%), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (26%) were among the most common within flock and across lactation stage. Optimum SCC thresholds to identify culture-positive samples ranged from 175 × 10 3 cells/mL to 1675 × 10 3 cells/mL. Ewe productivity was assessed as total 120-d adjusted litter weight (LW120) and analyzed within flock with breed, parity, year, and the linear covariate of log10 SCC (LSCC) at early or peak lactation. Although dependent on lactation stage and year, each 1-unit increase in LSCC (e.g., an increase in SCC from 100 × 10 3 cells/mL to 1000 × 10 3 cells/mL) was predicted to decrease LW120 between 9.5 and 16.1 kg when significant. Udder and teat traits included udder circumference, teat length, teat placement, and degree of separation of the udder halves. Correlations between traits were generally low to moderate within and across lactation stage and most were not consistently predictive of ewe LSCC. Overall, the frequencies of bacteria-positive milk samples indicated that subclinical mastitis is common in these flocks and can impact ewe productivity. Therefore, future research is warranted to investigate pathways and timing of microbial invasion, genomic regions associated with susceptibility, and husbandry to mitigate the impact of subclinical mastitis in extensively managed ewes.
Electroacupuncture may alleviate neuropathic pain via suppressing P2X7R expression

Neuropathic pain is a severe problem that is difficult to treat clinically. Reducing abnormal remodeling of dendritic spines/synapses and increasing the anti-inflammatory effects in the spinal cord dorsal horn are potential methods to treat this disease. Previous studies have reported that electroacupuncture (EA) could increase the pain threshold after peripheral nerve injury. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. P2X7 receptors (P2X7R) mediate the activation of microglia and participate in the occurrence and development of neuropathic pain. We hypothesized that the effects of EA on relieving pain may be related to the downregulation of the P2X7R. Spinal nerve ligation (SNL) rats were used as a model in this experiment, and 2'(3')-O-(4-benzoyl)benzoyl ATP (BzATP) was used as a P2X7R agonist. We found that EA treatment decreased dendritic spine density, inhibited synaptic reconstruction and reduced inflammatory response, which is consistent with the decrease in P2X7R expression as well as the improved neurobehavioral performance. In contrast to the beneficial effects of EA, BzATP enhanced abnormal remodeling of dendritic spines/synapses and inflammation. Furthermore, the EA-mediated positive effects were reversed by BzATP, which is consistent with the increased P2X7R expression. These findings indicated that EA improves neuropathic pain by reducing abnormal dendritic spine/synaptic reconstruction and inflammation via suppressing P2X7R expression.
Crystal structure of the γ‐form of nylon 6

The crystal structure of the γ-form of nylon 6 (polycaproamide) obtained by the iodine treatment of the α-from of nylon 6 has been determined by x-ray diffraction. The unit cell contains four repeating units and is monoclinic with a = 9.33 A. , b = 16.88 A. (fiber axis), c = 4.78 A. , β = 121°. The space group is P21/a. There is considerable deviation from the planar configuration in the amide group of the chain. The plane of the CH2 chain zigzag lies nearly parallel to the (001) plane. The crystal is composed of the pleated sheets of the parallel chains joined by hydrogen bond between the adjacent chains. The chain directions are opposite in alternating sheets. The hydrogen-bond length is 2.83 A. , a reasonable figure for an NH·. O chains joined by a hydrogen bond between the adjacent chains. The direction of the hydrogen bond makes an angle of 12° with the (100) plane, and the CO and NH bonds are nearly colinear. The amide groups lie at the same level in the cell.
Tetragonia tetragonioides Relieves Depressive-Like Behavior through the Restoration of Glial Loss in the Prefrontal Cortex

Tetragonia tetragonioides, which is a halophyte and grows widely in Asian-Pacific regions, has been used for the treatment of digestive disorders in traditional oriental medicine. This study examined the potential antidepressant effect of Tetragonia tetragonioides in an astroglial degeneration model of depression, which was established based on the postmortem study of depressive patients' brain presenting diminished astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex. C57BL/6 male mice were exposed to glial ablation in the prefrontal cortex by the administration of the gliotoxin, L-alpha-aminoadipic acid (L-AAA) to induce depression. Tetragonia tetragonioides at doses of 100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg, imipramine at a dose of 15 mg/kg, and distilled water were orally administrated to mice for 18 days. Behavioral tests including the open field test (OFT), sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swimming test (FST), and tail suspension test (TST) were carried out after 2 days of L-AAA injection. The expression levels of GFAP and NeuN in the prefrontal cortex were determined by immunohistochemistry. Mice subjected to glial ablation in the prefrontal cortex displayed decreased sucrose consumption in SPT and increased immobility time in FST and TST. Treatment with imipramine and Tetragonia tetragonioides remarkably ameliorated the behavioral despair induced by L-AAA. In addition, immunohistochemistry analysis showed that treatment with Tetragonia tetragonioides significantly restored the glial loss as indicated by the elevated GFAP expression level. These findings suggest that Tetragonia tetragonioides exerts an antidepressant effect through the restoration of glial loss under conditions of depression and can be a candidate for an antidepressant agent.