Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A 3-month, Multicenter, Randomized, Open-label Study to Evaluate the Impact on Wound Healing of the Early (vs Delayed) Introduction of Everolimus in De Novo Kidney Transplant Recipients, With a Follow-up Evaluation at 12 Months After Transplant (NEVERWOUND Study)

Background. The risk of wound healing complications (WHCs) and the early use of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors after kidney transplantation (KT) have not been fully addressed. Methods. The NEVERWOUND study is a 3-month, multicenter, randomized, open-label study designed to evaluate whether a delayed (ie, 28 ± 4 d posttransplant) immunosuppression regimen based on everolimus (EVR) reduces the risk of WHC versus EVR started immediately after KT. Secondary endpoints were treatment failure (biopsy-proven acute rejection, graft loss, or death), delayed graft function, patient and graft survival rates, and renal function. Results. Overall, 394 KT recipients were randomized to receive immediate (N = 197) or delayed (N = 197) EVR after KT. At 3 months, WHC-free rates in the immediate EVR versus delayed EVR arm, considering the worst- and best-case scenario approach, were 0.68 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62-0.75) versus 0.62 (95% CI, 0.55-0.68) (log-rank P = 0.56) and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.64-0.77) versus 0.72 (95% CI, 0.65-0.78) (log-rank P = 0.77), respectively. The 3- and 12-month treatment failure rates, delayed graft function and renal function, and patient and graft survival were not different between the arms. Conclusions. The early introduction of EVR after KT did not increase the risk of WHC, showing good efficacy and safety profile.
Effects of Stress on Phase Transformations in Grinding by FE Modeling and Experimental Approaches

In the grinding process, the materials within the surface layer may undergo phase transformation and finally form a strengthened layer. It is of great significance to model the phase transformation and predict the characteristics of the strengthened layer accurately. The phase transformations occur under the varying temperature and high stress–strain in grinding, so the effects of stress on the transformations are inescapable. This paper focuses on revealing the effects of stress on phase transformations in grinding. For this purpose, a thermal–mechanical–metallurgical direct coupling finite element (FE) model of grinding was established in Abaqus. The coupling interactions such as the latent heat, the volume change strain caused by phase transformation, and the stress-induced phase transformation were considered in the modeling procedure. Grinding experiments were carried out and proved the model could accurately predict the microstructure distribution and thickness of the strengthened layer. Further, the evolution of the phase transformation was discussed, and the effects of stress on the transformations were revealed.
Sulfated Lewis A trisaccharide on oviduct membrane glycoproteins binds bovine sperm and lengthens sperm lifespan

A fraction of sperm deposited at mating or insemination reaches the oviduct isthmus, where sperm are retained and thereby form a reservoir. This reservoir delays capacitation, prevents polyspermy, selects a fertile population of sperm, and, foremost, increases sperm lifespan. The molecular interactions underlying the formation of a sperm reservoir are becoming clearer in mammals. Sperm lectins bind to oviductal glycans to form the reservoir. Herein, we found that the highest percentage of bovine sperm bound to the 3′-O-sulfated form of Lewis A (suLeA) trisaccharide and sialylated Lewis A and that fluoresceinated versions of each localized to receptors on the anterior head of the sperm. Following capacitation, binding to suLeA decreased significantly, a potential explanation for sperm release from the reservoir. MS and immunohistochemistry analyses indicated that suLeA motifs were present predominantly on O-linked glycans initiated by GalNAc residues, but no sialylated Lewis A was detected. To determine whether sperm binding to isolated suLeA in vitro could mimic in vivo sperm binding to oviduct cells and increase sperm longevity, we immobilized suLeA and incubated it with sperm. Using free-swimming sperm and sperm bound to immobilized laminin as controls, we observed that over 96 h, the viability of free-swimming sperm decreased to 10%, and that of sperm bound to immobilized laminin decreased to about 50%, whereas viability of sperm bound to immobilized suLeA was highest throughout the incubation and 60% at 96 h. These results indicate that bovine sperm binding to oviduct suLeA retains sperm for reservoir formation and extends sperm lifespan.
Phenolic composition, antioxidant activity, anticholinesterase potential and modulatory effects of aqueous extracts of some seaweeds on β-amyloid aggregation and disaggregation

Abstract Context: Seaweeds contain bioactive compounds with different biological activities. They are used as functional ingredients for the development of therapeutic agents to combat degenerative diseases. Objective: This study investigated the phenolic composition, antioxidant activity, cholinesterase inhibitory and anti-amyloidogenic activities of aqueous extracts of Gracilaria beckeri (J.Agardh) Papenfuss (Gracilariaceae) (RED-AQ), Ecklonia maxima (Osbeck) Papenfuss (Lessoniaceae) (ECK-AQ), Ulva rigida (C.Agardh) Linnaeus (Ulvaceae) (URL-AQ) and Gelidium pristoides (Turner) Kützing (Gelidiaceae) (GEL-AQ). Materials and methods: Phenolic composition of the seaweed extracts was determined using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Radical scavenging and metal chelating activities were assessed in vitro. The effect of the extracts (21–84 µg/mL) on acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities were also investigated using an in vitro colorimetric assay. Transmission electron microscope and thioflavin-T fluorescence assay were used to examine the anti-amyloidogenic activities of the extracts. Results: Phloroglucinol, catechin, epicatechin 3-glucoside were identified in the extracts. ECK-AQ (IC50=30.42 and 280.47 µg/mL) exhibited the highest OH• scavenging and metal chelating activities, while RED-AQ (41.23 and 334.45 µg/mL) exhibited the lowest. Similarly, ECK-AQ (IC50 = 49.41 and 52.11 µg/mL) exhibited higher inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities, while RED-AQ (64.56 and 63.03 µg/mL) showed the least activities. Rapid formation of β-amyloid (Aβ1-42) fibrils and aggregates was observed in electron micrographs of the control after 72 and 96 h. The reduction of Aβ1-42 aggregates occurred after co-treatment with the seaweed extracts. Discussion and conclusion: ECK-AQ, GEL-AQ, URL-AQ and RED-AQ may possess neuroprotective potential and could be explored for the management of Alzheimer’s disease.
Proton Conductivity through Polybenzimidazole Composite Membranes Containing Silica Nanofiber Mats

The quest for sustainable and more efficient energy-converting devices has been the focus of researchers′ efforts in the past decades. In this study, SiO2 nanofiber mats were fabricated through an electrospinning process and later functionalized using silane chemistry to introduce different polar groups −OH (neutral), −SO3H (acidic) and −NH2 (basic). The modified nanofiber mats were embedded in PBI to fabricate mixed matrix membranes. The incorporation of these nanofiber mats in the PBI matrix showed an improvement in the chemical and thermal stability of the composite membranes. Proton conduction measurements show that PBI composite membranes containing nanofiber mats with basic groups showed higher proton conductivities, reaching values as high as 4 mS·cm−1 at 200 °C.
Diethylnitrosamine aggravates cadmium-induced hepatorenal oxidative damage in prepubertal rats

The adverse health consequences of environmental, occupational, and dietary exposure to either diethylnitrosamine (DEN) or cadmium (Cd) have been widely investigated. However, because most environmental exposures to xenobiotics do not occur in isolation but in mixtures, the effects of simultaneous exposure to both DEN and Cd on hepatorenal function deserves investigation. The present study investigated the impact of 7 days oral co-exposure to 10 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) of DEN and 5 mg/kg b.w. of Cd on biomarkers of hepatic and renal functions, antioxidant defense systems, and oxidative stress indices in the liver and kidney of prepubertal rats. The results showed that the significant (p < 0.05) increases in the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, urea, and creatinine following separate administration of DEN and Cd to rats were further increased in the co-exposure group. Moreover, marked decreases in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase as well as glutathione levels following individual administration of DEN and Cd to rats were exacerbated in the co-exposure group. Further, the marked increase in the lipid peroxidation level and the histopathological lesions in the liver and kidney of rats treated with DEN or Cd alone were intensified in the co-exposure group These findings indicate that co-exposure to DEN and Cd elicited more severe hepatic and renal oxidative damage in the rats, thus suggesting a greater risk to humans who are co-exposed to them.
Exposing the mechanisms underlying successful animal-assisted interventions for people with dementia: A realistic evaluation of the Dementia Dog Project

There is increasing recognition of animal-assisted interventions as a promising area of practice within health and social care for people living with dementia. However, much of the research focuses on benefits for those living in care homes and not in their own homes. The Dementia Dog Project is an innovative project that aims to support people with dementia to engage with dogs and to promote the use of dogs in dementia care in the community. The pilot project introduced a dementia assistance dog to four couples where one person had a diagnosis of dementia. The aim of this paper is to explore the mechanisms that can successfully expose the benefits of integrating dogs into dementia care by drawing on the findings of a realistic evaluation of the pilot phase of the Dementia Dog Project (2013–2015). A realistic evaluation, with its focus on context, mechanisms and outcomes illuminates why an approach may work in some situations but not in others. This makes it especially appropriate to the unique, complex experience of living with dementia and the early development stage of the programme. The analysis triangulated data from a range of primary and secondary sources including interviews with the project team, case reports, team meeting notes and transcripts of interviews with participants. The findings identified three mechanisms that help to unlock the most positive outcomes for both the participants and the dogs. These were (1) the human–animal bond, (2) relationship dynamics and (3) responsibility of caring. The findings presented within this paper provide essential information to inform and advance the planning for the use of assistance dogs for people with dementia.
Synthesis of Pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-ones via Multicomponent Reactions and In Vitro–In Silico Studies Against SiHa, HeLa, and CaSki Human Cervical Carcinoma Cell Lines

A series of 12 polysubstituted pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-ones were synthesized via a one-pot cascade process (Ugi–3CR/aza Diels-Alder/N-acylation/decarboxylation/dehydration) and studied in vitro using human epithelial cervical carcinoma SiHa, HeLa, and CaSki cell line cultures. Three compounds of the series exhibited significative cytotoxicity against the three cell lines, with HeLa being the most sensitive one. Then, based on these results, in silico studies by docking techniques were performed using Paclitaxel as a reference and αβ-tubulin as the selected biological target. Worth highlighting is that strong hydrophobic interactions were observed between the three active molecules and the reference drug Paclitaxel, to the αβ-tubulin. In consequence, it was determined that hydrophobic–aromatic moieties of bioactive compounds and Paclitaxel play a key role in making stronger interactions to the ligand–target complex. A quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) study revealed that the six membered rings are the most significant molecular frameworks, being present in all proposed models for the in vitro-studied cell lines. Finally, also from the docking interpretation, a ligand-based pharmacophore model is proposed in order to find further potential polyheterocyclic candidates to bind stronger to the αβ-tubulin.
Prognostic role of C-reactive protein to albumin ratio in colorectal cancer

Abstract Objective: This meta-analysis evaluates the prognosis value of C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) in colorectal cancer. Methods: Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as effective values. Results: A total of 6 studies with 1942 patients were included in this study. Pooled results revealed that elevated pretreatment CAR was related with poorer overall survival (OS) (HR: 2.09, 95%CI: 1.78–2.45, P < .001) in colorectal cancer. Conclusion: Elevated CAR was associated with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer. Thus CAR might be used as a prognostic system and classification of colorectal patients in clinical potential.
Immediate Effect of a Yoga Breathing Practice on Attention and Anxiety in Pre-Teen Children

Pre-teen children face stressors related to their transition from childhood to adolescence, with a simultaneous increase in academic pressure. The present study compared the immediate effects of 18 min of (i) high frequency yoga breathing with (ii) yoga-based breath awareness and (iii) sitting quietly, on (a) attention and (b) anxiety, in 61 pre-teen children (aged between 11 and 12 years; 25 girls). Attention was assessed using a six letter cancellation task and Spielberger’s State Trait Anxiety Inventory STAI-S was used to measure anxiety before and after the three practices, practiced on separate days. Repeated measures ANOVA, followed by Bonferroni adjusted post-hoc analyses showed an increase in total attempts and net scores after high frequency yoga breathing (p < 0.05), while wrong attempts increased after yoga based breath awareness (p < 0.05). Anxiety decreased comparably after all three interventions. The 25 girls in the group had the same trend of results as the whole group with respect to the attention-based cancellation task, while boys showed no, how since change. For both girls and boys, anxiety decreased after all three 18min interventions. The results suggest that high frequency yoga breathing could be a short, useful school based practice to improve attention and reduce anxiety.
Achieving Secondary Dispersion of Modified Nanoparticles by Hot-Stretching to Enhance Dielectric and Mechanical Properties of Polyarylene Ether Nitrile Composites

Enhanced dielectric and mechanical properties of polyarylene ether nitrile (PEN) are obtained through secondary dispersion of polyaniline functionalized barium titanate (PANI-f-BT) by hot-stretching. PANI-f-BT nanoparticles with different PANI content are successfully prepared via in-situ aniline polymerization technology. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic instrument (XPS) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results confirm that the PANI layers uniformly enclose on the surface of BaTiO3 nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are used as functional fillers to compound with PEN (PEN/PANI-f-BT) for studying its effect on the mechanical and dielectric performance of the obtained composites. In addition, the nanocomposites are uniaxial hot-stretched by 50% and 100% at 280 °C to obtain the oriented nanocomposite films. The results exhibit that the PANI-f-BT nanoparticles present good compatibility and dispersion in the PEN matrix, and the hot-stretching endows the second dispersion of PANI-f-BT in PEN resulting in enhanced mechanical properties, crystallinity and permittivity-temperature stability of the nanocomposites. The excellent performances of the nanocomposites indicate that a new approach for preparing high-temperature-resistant dielectric films is provided.
Cloning and functional characterization of a novel metallothionein gene in Antarctic sea‐ice yeast (Rhodotorula mucilaginosa)

Metallothionein (MT) is a low‐molecular‐weight protein with a high metal binding capacity and plays a key role in organism adaptation to heavy metals. In this study, a metallothionein gene was successfully cloned and sequenced from Antarctic sea‐ice yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa AN5. Nucleotide sequencing and analysis revealed that the gene had four exons interrupted by three introns. MTs complementary DNA (named as RmMT) had an open reading frame of 321 bp encoding a 106 amino acid protein with a predicted molecular weight of 10.3 kDa and pI of 8.49. The number of amino acids and distribution of cysteine residues indicated that RmMT was a novel family of fungal MTs. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that RmMT expression was elevated under copper‐induced stress. The RmMT gene was transferred into E. coli and the RmMT expressing bacteria showed improved tolerance to copper ion and increased accumulation of heavy metals, such as Cu2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, and Ag+. Moreover, in vitro studies, purified recombinant RmMT demonstrated that it could be used as a good scavenger of superoxide anion, hydroxyl, and 1,1‐Diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. In summary, these results demonstrate that RmMT plays a key role in the tolerance and bioaccumulation of heavy metals.
New Antiproliferative Cembrane Diterpenes from the Red Sea Sarcophyton Species

The combination of liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRESMS)-based dereplication and antiproliferative activity-guided fractionation was applied on the Red Sea-derived soft coral Sarcophyton sp. This approach facilitated the isolation of five new cembrane-type diterpenoids (1–5), along with two known analogs (6 and 7), as well as the identification of 19 further, known compounds. The chemical structures of the new compounds were elucidated while using comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, including one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR and HRMS. All of the isolated cembranoids (1–7) showed moderate in vitro antiproliferative activity against a human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), with IC50 ranging from 22.39–27.12 µg/mL. This class of compounds could thus serve as scaffold for the future design of anticancer leads.
Three Tesla 3D High-Resolution Vessel Wall MRI of the Orbit may Differentiate Arteritic From Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy.

BACKGROUND Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) is the most common cause of acute optic neuropathy in older patients. Distinguishing between arteritic AION (A-AION) and nonarteritic (NA-AION) is paramount for improved patient management. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate 3-dimensional high-resolution vessel wall (HR-VW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3 T to discriminate A-AION from NA-AION. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective single-center study was approved by a national research ethics board and included 27 patients (17 A-AION and 10 NA-AION) with 36 AIONs from December 2014 to August 2017 who underwent 3 T HR-VW MRI. Two radiologists blinded to clinical data individually analyzed the imaging separately and in random order. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus with a third neuroradiologist. The primary diagnostic criterion was the presence of inflammatory changes of the ophthalmic artery. Secondary diagnostic criteria included the presence of an enhancement of the optic nerve or its sheath, the optic disc, or inflammatory changes of posterior ciliary or extracranial arteries. A Fisher exact test was used to compare A-AION from NA-AION patients. RESULTS Inflammatory changes of the ophthalmic artery were present in all patients with A-AION but in none of NA-AION (P < 0.0001). Its sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 100%. Inflammatory changes of posterior ciliary arteries were significantly more likely in A-AOIN (82% vs 0%, P < 0.0001). Interreader and intrareader agreements were almost perfect (κ = 0.82-1). CONCLUSIONS High-resolution vessel wall MRI seems highly accurate when distinguishing A-AION from NA-AION and might be useful to improve patient management.
The relations among three popular indices of risks

The relative risk, risk difference, and odds ratio are three major indices of differences in risks of diseases between different groups. Although widely used in research and practice in biomedical and epidemiologic research, misconceptions are not uncommon about their relationships. Many publications offer contradicting advices in how to use them in studies. Some biomedical researchers believe that these indices are related in a monotone fashion, and, thus, changes in one direction in one of the indices can be interpreted as same directional changes in the other two. Misconceptions about these three indices such as the monotone relationship are so prevalent in the biomedical and epidemiologic research that clarifications of such popular beliefs are warranted. In this paper, we take a systematic approach to characterize the relationships among the indices. We develop key results to elucidate the intricate relationships between the indices. Our findings speak to the need for investigators to carefully consider the different indices before using them in their studies, since they are not interchangeable and results based on one index are generally not translatable into any of the others.
Advances and Opportunities in Passive Wake-Up Radios with Wireless Energy Harvesting for the Internet of Things Applications

Wake-up radio is a promising approach to mitigate the problem of idle listening, which incurs additional power consumption for the Internet of Things (IoT) wireless transmission. Radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting technique allows the wake-up radio to remain in a deep sleep and only become active after receiving an external RF signal to ‘wake-up’ the radio, thus eliminating necessary hardware and signal processing to perform idle listening, resulting in higher energy efficiency. This review paper focuses on cross-layer; physical and media access control (PHY and MAC) approaches on passive wake-up radio based on the previous works from the literature. First, an explanation of the circuit design and system architecture of the passive wake-up radios is presented. Afterward, the previous works on RF energy harvesting techniques and the existing passive wake-up radio hardware architectures available in the literature are surveyed and classified. An evaluation of the various MAC protocols utilized for the novel passive wake-up radio technologies is presented. Finally, the paper highlights the potential research opportunities and practical challenges related to the practical implementation of wake-up technology for future IoT applications.