Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prognostic accuracy of qSOFA in predicting 28-day mortality among infected patients in an emergency department: a prospective validation study

Background Few prospective studies have evaluated the quick Sequential (Sepsis-Related) Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) criteria in emergency department (ED)settings. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic accuracy of qSOFA compared with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in predicting the 28-day mortality of infected patients admitted to an ED. Methods A prospective observational cohort study of all adult (≥18 years) infected patients admitted to the ED of Slagelse Hospital, Denmark, was conducted from 1 October 2017 to 31 March 2018. Patients were enrolled consecutively and data related to SIRS and qSOFA criteria were obtained from electronic triage record. Information regarding mortality was obtained from the Danish Civil Registration System. The original cut-off values of ≥2 was used to determine the prognostic accuracy of SIRS and qSOFA criteria for predicting 28-day mortality and was assessed by analyses of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, likelihood ratios and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results A total of 2112 patients were included in this study. A total of 175 (8.3%) patients met at least two qSOFA criteria, while 1012 (47.9%) met at least two SIRS criteria on admission. A qSOFA criteria of at least two for predicting 28-day mortality had a sensitivity of 19.5% (95% CI 13.6% to 26.5%) and a specificity of 92.6% (95% CI 91.4% to 93.7%). A SIRS criteria of at least two for predicting 28-day mortality had a sensitivity of 52.8% (95% CI 44.8% to 60.8%) and a specificity of 52.5% (95% CI 50.2% to 54.7%). The AUROC values for qSOFA and SIRS were 0.63 (95% CI 0.59 to 0.67) and 0.52 (95% CI 0.48 to 0.57), respectively. Conclusion Both SIRS and qSOFA had poor sensitivity for 28-day mortality. qSOFA improved the specificity at the expense of the sensitivity resulting in slightly higher prognostic accuracy overall.
The Predictive Role of the Biomarker Kidney Molecule-1 (KIM-1) in Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity

Acute kidney injury (AKI) following platinum-based chemotherapeutics is a frequently reported serious side-effect. However, there are no approved biomarkers that can properly identify proximal tubular injury while routine assessments such as serum creatinine lack sensitivity. Kidney-injury-molecule 1 (KIM-1) is showing promise in identifying cisplatin-induced renal injury both in vitro and in vivo studies. In this review, we focus on describing the mechanisms of renal tubular cells cisplatin-induced apoptosis, the associated inflammatory response and oxidative stress and the role of KIM-1 as a possible biomarker used to predict cisplatin associated AKI.
Consolidated Bioprocess for Bioethanol Production from Raw Flour of Brosimum alicastrum Seeds Using the Native Strain of Trametes hirsuta Bm-2

Consolidated bioprocessing (CBP), which integrates biological pretreatment, enzyme production, saccharification, and fermentation, is a promising operational strategy for cost-effective ethanol production from biomass. In this study, the use of a native strain of Trametes hirsuta (Bm-2) was evaluated for bioethanol production from Brosimum alicastrum in a CBP. The raw seed flour obtained from the ramon tree contained 61% of starch, indicating its potential as a raw material for bioethanol production. Quantitative assays revealed that the Bm-2 strain produced the amylase enzyme with activity of 193.85 U/mL. The Bm-2 strain showed high tolerance to ethanol stress and was capable of directly producing ethanol from raw flour at a concentration of 13 g/L, with a production yield of 123.4 mL/kg flour. This study demonstrates the potential of T. hirsuta Bm-2 for starch-based ethanol production in a consolidated bioprocess to be implemented in the biofuel industry. The residual biomass after fermentation showed an average protein content of 22.5%, suggesting that it could also be considered as a valuable biorefinery co-product for animal feeding.
3D Cultures of Salivary Gland Cells in Native or Gelled Egg Yolk Plasma, Combined with Egg White and 3D-Printing of Gelled Egg Yolk Plasma

For salivary gland (SG) tissue engineering, we cultured acinar NS-SV-AC cell line or primary SG fibroblasts for 14 days in avian egg yolk plasma (EYP). Media or egg white (EW) supplemented the cultures as they grew in 3D-Cryo histology well inserts. In the second half of this manuscript, we measured EYP’s freeze-thaw gelation and freeze-thaw induced gelled EYP (GEYP), and designed and tested further GEYP tissue engineering applications. With a 3D-Cryo well insert, we tested GEYP as a structural support for 3D cell culture or as a bio-ink for 3D-Bioprinting fluorescent cells. In non-printed EYP + EW or GEYP + EW cultures, sagittal sections of the cultures showed cells remaining above the well’s base. Ki-67 expression was lacking for fibroblasts, contrasting NS-SV-AC’s constant expression. Rheological viscoelastic measurements of GEYP at 37 °C on seven different freezing periods showed constant increase from 0 in mean storage and loss moduli, to 320 Pa and 120 Pa, respectively, after 30 days. We successfully 3D-printed GEYP with controlled geometries. We manually extruded GEYP bio-ink with fluorescence cells into a 3D-Cryo well insert and showed cell positioning. The 3D-Cryo well inserts reveal information on cells in EYP and we demonstrated GEYP cell culture and 3D-printing applications.
Coix Seed Extract Enhances the Anti-Pancreatic Cancer Efficacy of Gemcitabine through Regulating ABCB1- and ABCG2-Mediated Drug Efflux: A Bioluminescent Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Study

A deep insight into the function and kinetics of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters may aid in the development of pharmaceutics that can minimize the particular facet of chemo-resistance. We utilized bioluminescence imaging to monitor the ABC transporter mediated intracellular drug efflux function. We also investigated the potential association between the intracellular bioluminescent pharmacokinetic profiles and the anti-tumor efficacy of the coix seed extract and gemcitabine against pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. The bioluminescent pharmacokinetic parameters and pharmacodynamic index (IC50 and TGI) were determined. The expression levels ABCB1 and ABCG2 were assessed. Results showed that coix seed extract could synergistically enhance the anti-cancer efficacy of gemcitabine (p < 0.05). Meanwhile coix seed extract alone or in combination with gemcitabine could significantly increase the AUCluc while decreasing the Kluc (p < 0.01). Western blot and immunohistochemistry assay demonstrated that coix seed extract could significantly mitigate gemcitabine-induced upregulation of ABCB1 and ABCG2 protein. The Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated that the bioluminescent pharmacokinetic parameters and pharmacodynamic index have strong association in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion coix seed extract could augment the efficacy of gemcitabine therapy in pancreatic cancer cells may at least partly due to the alteration of ABC transporter-mediated drug efflux function.
Fatty Acid Profile and Antioxidant Status Fingerprint in Sarcopenic Elderly Patients: Role of Diet and Exercise

Plasma fatty acids (FAs) and oxidant status contribute to the etiology of sarcopenia in the elderly concurring to age-related muscle loss and elderly frailty through several mechanisms including changes in FA composition within the sarcolemma, promotion of chronic low-grade inflammation, and insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to determine the FA profile and pro-antioxidant status in sarcopenic frail elderly patients enrolled in a nutritional and physical activity program and to evaluate their correlation with clinical markers. Moreover, the possible changes, produced after a short-term clinical protocol, were evaluated. Plasma and erythrocyte FA composition and pro-antioxidant status were analyzed in sarcopenic elderly subjects recruited for the randomized clinical study and treated with a placebo or dietary supplement, a personalized diet, and standardized physical activity. Subjects were tested before and after 30 days of treatment. Pearson correlations between biochemical parameters and patients’ characteristics at recruitment indicate interesting features of sarcopenic status such as negative correlation among the plasma FA profile, age, and physical characteristics. Physical activity and dietetic program alone for 30 days induced a decrease of saturated FA concentration with a significant increase of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid. Supplementation plus physical activity induced a significant decrease of linoleic acid, omega-6 polyunsaturated FAs, and an increase of stearic and oleic acid concentration. Moreover, glutathione reductase activity, which is an indicator of antioxidant status, significantly increased in erythrocytes. Changes over time between groups indicate significant differences for saturated FAs, which suggest that the amino acid supplementation restores FA levels that are consumed during physical activity. A relationship between FA and clinical/metabolic status revealed unique correlations and a specific metabolic and lipidomic fingerprint in sarcopenic elderly. The results indicate the positive beneficial role of supplementation and physical activity on plasma FA status and the antioxidant system as a co-adjuvant approach in sarcopenic, frail, elderly patients.
Effects of Bilayer Nanofibrous Scaffolds Containing Curcumin/Lithospermi Radix Extract on Wound Healing in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Impaired growth factor production, angiogenic response, macrophage function, and collagen accumulation have been shown to delay wound healing. Delayed wound healing is a debilitating complication of diabetes that leads to significant morbidity. In this study, curcumin and Lithospermi radix (LR) extract, which are used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine, were added within nanofibrous membranes to improve wound healing in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model. Gelatin-based nanofibers, which were constructed with curcumin and LR extract at a flow rate of 0.1 mL/hour and an applied voltage of 20 kV, were electrospun onto chitosan scaffolds to produce bilayer nanofibrous scaffolds (GC/L/C). The wounds treated with GC/L/C exhibited a higher recovery rate and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) expression in Western blot assays. The decreased levels of pro-inflammatory markers, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), provided evidence for the anti-inflammatory effects of GC/L/C treatment. Chronic wounds treated with GC/L/C achieved better performance with a 58 ± 7% increase in recovery rate on the seventh day. Based on its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects, the GC/L/C bilayer nanofibrous scaffolds can be potential materials for chronic wound treatment.
The Association between Nitric Oxide Pathway, Blood Pressure Abnormalities, and Cardiovascular Risk Profile in Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD), while major CV events are rare in young CKD patients. In addition to nitric oxide (NO)-related biomarkers, several surrogate markers have been assessed to stratify CV risk in youth with CKD, including 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT), pulse wave velocity (PWV), ABPM-derived arterial stiffness index (AASI), flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), and left ventricular mass index (LVMI). The aim of this study was to identify subclinical CVD through the analysis of indices of CV risk in children and adolescents with CKD. Between 2016 and 2018, the prospective observational study enrolled 125 patients aged 3 to 18 years with G1–G4 CKD stages. Close to two-thirds of young patients with CKD exhibited blood pressure (BP) abnormalities on ABPM. CKD children with abnormal office BP showed lower plasma arginine levels and arginine-to-asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) ratio, but higher ratios of ADMA-to-symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and citrulline-to-arginine. High PWV and AASI, indices of arterial stiffness, both strongly correlated with high BP load. Additionally, LV mass and LVMI exhibited strong correlations with high BP load. Using an adjusted regression model, we observed the citrulline-to-arginine ratio was associated with 24-h systolic and diastolic BP, systolic blood pressure (SBP) load, and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) load. Early assessments of NO-related parameters, BP load abnormalities, arterial stiffness indices, and LV mass will aid in early preventative care toward decreasing CV risk later in life for children and adolescents with CKD.
Immune Complexes Impaired Glomerular Endothelial Cell Functions in Lupus Nephritis

Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most common and severe complications of lupus. However, the mechanisms for renal damage have not been well elucidated. There are evidences show that glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) are damaged in LN. Immune complexes can deposit in subendothelial area and could affect GEC functions. In the present study, we used heat-aggregated gamma globulin (HAGG) to simulate immune complexes and investigated their effects on GEC functions. Our results revealed that HAGG impaired different aspect of the GEC functions. HAGG changed cell morphology, upregulated the expression of active caspase-3, inhibited angiogenesis, and increased NO production in GECs. These results provide new clues for the mechanisms of renal damage and the pathology of LN.
Field Programmable Gate Array-Embedded Platform for Dynamic Muscle Fiber Conduction Velocity Monitoring

This paper proposes a novel architecture of a wearable Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)-based platform to dynamically monitor Muscle Fiber Conduction Velocity (MFCV). The system uses a set of wireless sensors for the detection of muscular activation: four surface electromyography electrodes (EMGs) and two footswitches. The beginning of movement (trigger) is set by sensors (footswitches) detecting the feet position. The MFCV value extraction exploits an iterative algorithm, which compares two 1-bit digitized EMG signals. The EMG electrode positioning is ensured by a dedicated procedure. The architecture is implemented on FPGA board (Altera Cyclone V), which manages an external Bluetooth module for data transmission. The time spent for data elaboration is 63.5 ms ± 0.25 ms, matching real-time requirements. The FPGA-based MFCV estimator has been validated during regular walking and in the fatigue monitoring context. Six healthy subjects contributed to experimental validation. In the gait analysis, the subjects showed MFCV evaluation of about 7.6 m/s ± 0.36 m/s, i.e., <0.1 m/s, a typical value for healthy subjects. Furthermore, in agreement with current research methods in the field, in a fatigue evaluation context, the extracted data showed an MFCV descending trend with the increment of the muscular effort time (Rested: MFCV = 8.51 m/s; Tired: 4.60 m/s).
The Multidisciplinary Team for Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours: The Radiologist’s Challenge

Abstract Background Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NETs) are a heterogeneous group of tumours. An effective diagnosis requires a multimodal approach that combines evaluation of clinical symptoms, hormonelevels, radiological and nuclear imaging, and histological confirmation. Imaging plays a critical role in NETs diagnosis, prognosis and management, so the radiologists are important members of the multidisciplinary team. During diagnostic work-up two critical issues are present: firstly the need to identify tumor presence and secondly to define the primary site and assess regional and distant metastases. Conclusions The most appropriate imaging technique depends on the type of neuroendocrine tumour and the availability of specialized imaging techniques and expertise. There is no general consensus on the most efficient imaging pathway, reflecting the challenge in reliably detection of these tumours.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a member of the anthropogenic class of perfluorinated alkyl acids (PFAAs) and one of the most frequently detected PFAAs in water, humans, mammals, and fish around the world. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a small freshwater fish considered an appropriate vertebrate model for investigating the toxicity of compounds. Previous investigations showed tissue‐specific bioaccumulation and alterations in the expression of fatty acid–binding proteins (fabps) in male and female zebrafish, potentially due to interactions between PFAA and fatty acid transporters. In addition, a number of neurological impacts have been reported as a result of human and animal exposure to PFAAs. Therefore, the present comprehensive study was designed to investigate whether PFOS exposure affects the expression of genes associated with fatty acid metabolism (fabp1a, fabp2, and fabp10a) in zebrafish liver, intestine, heart, and ovary and genes involved in the nervous system (acetylcholinesterase, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, choline acetyltransferase, histone deacetylase 6, and nerve growth factor) in brain and muscle. The results indicate alterations in expression of genes associated with fatty acid metabolism and neural function that vary with both exposure concentration and sex. In addition, our findings highlight that expression of these genes differs according to exposure duration. The present results extend the knowledge base on PFOS effects to other tissues less often studied than the liver. The findings of the present investigation provide a basis for future studies on the potential risks of PFOS as one of the most abundant PFAAs in the environment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:437–449. © 2019 SETAC
Variability and Potential of Seaweeds as Ingredients of Ruminant Diets: An In Vitro Study

Simple Summary The use of seaweeds as ingredients of ruminant diets can be an alternative to conventional feedstuffs, but it is necessary to assess their nutritive value. The aim of this study was to analyze the chemical composition and in vitro rumen fermentation of eight brown, red and green seaweed species collected in Norway during both spring and autumn. The in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics of 17 diets composed of oat hay:concentrate in a 1:1 ratio, with the concentrate containing no seaweed or including one of the 16 seaweed samples, was also studied. Species and season determined differences in chemical composition and in vitro fermentation of seaweeds. Most of the tested seaweeds can be included in the diet (up to 200 g/kg concentrate) without negative effects on in vitro ruminal fermentation. Abstract This study was designed to analyze the chemical composition and in vitro rumen fermentation of eight seaweed species (Brown: Alaria esculenta, Laminaria digitata, Pelvetia canaliculata, Saccharina latissima; Red: Mastocarpus stellatus, Palmaria palmata and Porphyra sp.; Green: Cladophora rupestris) collected in Norway during spring and autumn. Moreover, the in vitro ruminal fermentation of seventeen diets composed of 1:1 oat hay:concentrate, without (control diet) or including seaweeds was studied. The ash and N contents were greater (p < 0.001) in seaweeds collected during spring than in autumn, but autumn-seaweeds had greater total extractable polyphenols. Nitrogen in red and green seaweeds was greater than 2.20 and in brown seaweeds, it was lower than 1.92 g/kg DM. Degradability after 24 h of fermentation was greater in spring seaweeds than in autumn, with Palmaria palmata showing the greatest value and Pelvetia canaliculata the lowest. Seaweeds differed in their fermentation pattern, and autumn Alaria esculenta, Laminaria digitata, Saccharina latissima and Palmaria palmata were similar to high-starch feeds. The inclusion of seaweeds in the concentrate of a diet up to 200 g/kg concentrate produced only subtle effects on in vitro ruminal fermentation.
Facile Synthesis of Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots with Chitosan for Fluorescent Detection of Fe3+

A facile, economical, and one-step hydrothermal method was used to prepare highly luminescent nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) with chitosan as both carbon and nitrogen sources. The as-prepared N-CQDs have an average size of 2 nm and exhibit excitation wavelength-dependent fluorescence with a maximum excitation and emission at 330 and 410 nm, respectively. Furthermore, due to the effective quenching effect of Fe3+ ions, the prepared N-CQDs can be used as a fluorescent sensor for Fe3+ ion-sensitive detection with a detection limit of 0.15 μM. The selectivity experiments revealed that the fluorescent sensor is specific to Fe3+ even with interference by high concentrations of other metal ions. Most importantly, the N-CQD-based Fe3+ ion sensor can be successfully applied to the determination of Fe3+ in real water samples. With excellent sensitivity and selectivity, such stable and cheap carbon materials are potentially suitable for the monitoring of Fe3+ in environmental application.
Xanthoxyletin Inhibits Proliferation of Human Oral Squamous Carcinoma Cells and Induces Apoptosis, Autophagy, and Cell Cycle Arrest by Modulation of the MEK/ERK Signaling Pathway

Background This study aimed to investigate the effects of xanthoxyletin, a plant-derived coumarin, on human oral squamous cancer cells in vitro and in mouse xenografts in vivo. Materia/Methods The study included SCC-1 human oral cancer cells and EBTr normal embryonic bovine tracheal epithelial cells, which were treated with 0 μM, 5 μM, 10 μM, and 20 μM of xanthoxyletin for 24 hours. The MTT assay assessed cell viability, and autophagy was detected by electron microscopy. Cell apoptosis was investigated using 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), annexin V, and propidium iodide (PI) fluorescence flow cytometry, which was also used to investigate the cell cycle. Protein expression was measured by Western blot. Mouse xenografts were used for the in vivo evaluation of the effects of xanthoxyletin. Results Xanthoxyletin significantly inhibited the proliferation of oral cancer cells (IC50, 10–30 μM) with lower cytotoxicity for normal cells. Xanthoxyletin treatment was associated with G2/M arrest of the cell cycle and with increased apoptosis and autophagy of SCC-1 cells. Apoptosis and autophagy induced by xanthoxyletin were also associated with changes in expression of the apoptosis-associated proteins, Bax and Bcl-2, and the autophagy-associated proteins, LC3I, LC3II, Beclin 1, p62, and VSp34. Xanthoxyletin inhibited the expression of components of the signaling cascade of the MEK/ERK pathway in the SCC-1 oral cancer cells. The in vivo effects of xanthoxyletin showed inhibition of growth of mouse xenografts. Conclusions Xanthoxyletin inhibited the proliferation of human oral squamous carcinoma cells and induced apoptosis, autophagy, and cell cycle arrest by modulation of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway.
The evaluation of VEGF and HIF‐1α gene polymorphisms and multiple sclerosis susceptibility

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that leads to myelin sheath destruction. Hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 (HIF‐1) has several roles in cells, such as inducing inflammation and angiogenesis. Recently, several lines of evidence have indicated the role of the hypoxia response and the HIF‐1 signaling pathway in an autoimmune disease such as MS. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of HIF‐1α gene polymorphisms and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (as a major target gene of HIF‐1α) gene polymorphism on MS susceptibility.