Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Macrophage activation syndrome, an important differential diagnosis for septic shock

Abstract Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a rare and life threatening complication of rheumatic diseases. It is seen most frequently in association with systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis and less commonly in other rheumatic diseases of childhood including systemic lupus erythematosus. Recognition of MAS in patients with rheumatic diseases is often challenging as it may mimic the clinical features of the underlying disease. Sometimes MAS can be the mode of initial presentation adding to the diagnostic complexity. We describe two cases of MAS in association with systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis who presented with a clinical picture suggestive of septic shock. The Internal Review Board at Shands Children’s Hospital and the University of Florida waived the need for approval for these case reports.
Long- and short-term responses of Asclepias species differ in respect to fire, grazing, and nutrient addition.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY The tallgrass prairie ecosystem has experienced a dramatic reduction over the past 150 yr. This reduction has impacted the abundance of native grassland species, including milkweeds (Asclepias). METHODS We used two long-term (27 yr) data sets to examine how fire, grazing, and nutrient addition shape milkweed abundance in tallgrass prairie. We compared these results to those of a greenhouse experiment that varied nutrient levels in the absence of competition, herbivory, and mutualistic relationships. KEY RESULTS Asclepias species exhibited broad patterns in response to burning regimes that did not include grazing, but experienced more species-specific patterns in other combinations. Asclepias syriaca was the only species to increase in abundance in plots that included burning and nutrient addition. In the greenhouse we found that nitrogen significantly increased biomass, while no effect of phosphorus was detected. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that A. syriaca will do best in settings with high nutrient loads, low competition, and no grazers. These characteristics define a small portion of the tallgrass prairie but exemplify modern agricultural settings, which have replaced prairies. However, other milkweeds examined did not share this pattern, which indicates that milkweed species will respond differently when exposed to agricultural settings, with some less able to cope with land conversion to pasture or row-crop agriculture.
Cancer-associated fibroblasts suppress SOX2-induced dysplasia in a lung squamous cancer coculture

Significance Tumor−stroma interactions play a critical role in regulating tumorigenesis. However, how these interactions contribute to changes in tissue architecture and cell polarity observed during tumor development is unclear. Here we report a 3D coculture system that recapitulates key phenotypic changes during the progression of lung squamous carcinoma (LUSC) as well as the dynamic interactions between LUSC cells and components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Our data suggest that two major components of TME, including the extracellular matrix and cancer-associated fibroblasts, could override cell intrinsic oncogenic changes in determining the disease phenotype in the context of LUSC. These findings may have broad implications for LUSC biology as well as the design of future therapies. Tumorigenesis depends on intricate interactions between genetically altered tumor cells and their surrounding microenvironment. While oncogenic drivers in lung squamous carcinoma (LUSC) have been described, the role of stroma in modulating tissue architecture, particularly cell polarity, remains unclear. Here, we report the establishment of a 3D coculture system of LUSC epithelial cells with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and extracellular matrix that together capture key components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Single LUSC epithelial cells develop into acinar-like structures with 0.02% efficiency, and addition of CAFs provides proper tumor−stromal interactions within an appropriate 3D architectural context. Using this model, we recapitulate key pathological changes during tumorigenesis, from hyperplasia to dysplasia and eventually invasion, in malignant LUSC spheroids that undergo phenotypic switching in response to cell intrinsic and extrinsic changes. Overexpression of SOX2 is sufficient to mediate the transition from hyperplasia to dysplasia in LUSC spheroids, while the presence of CAFs makes them invasive. Unexpectedly, CAFs suppress the activity of high SOX2 levels, restore hyperplasia, and enhance the formation of acinar-like structures. Taken together, these observations suggest that stromal factors can override cell intrinsic oncogenic changes in determining the disease phenotype, thus providing fundamental evidence for the existence of dynamic reciprocity between the nucleus and the TME of LUSC.
AN ASSOCIATION RULE BASED MODEL FOR INFORMATION EXTRACTION FROM PROTEIN SEQUENCE DATA

In this paper, a data mining technique for protein sequence pattern extraction is developed. Specifically, the aim is to explore the use of association rules as a basis to build successful secondary structure predictors, in a sequencestructure layer. No heuristic or biological infor mation is taken into account in the present study and only the information given by the association rules is used as a basis for building a secondary structure predictor. This work gives some insights about secondary structure prediction features to be used in learning algorithmsI¾ this is expected to be useful to achieve substantial improvements of accuracy in protein secondary structure prediction.
Nectar: Multi-user Spatial Augmented Reality for everyone: Three live demonstrations of educative applications

In this demonstration we showcase a new spatial augmented reality device (interactive projection) with three applications: education and experimentation of color models, map exploration for visually impaired people and scientific vulgarization of machine learning. The first exhibition is an interactive exploration about the nature of light. Visitors can experiment with additive subtractive color models. We engage them with questions, and they have to reply using cards to find out answers. This exhibit is suitable for children. The second exhibition is about map exploration and creation for Visually Impaired Persons (VIP). VIP generally use tactile maps with braille to learn about an unknown environment. However, these maps are not accessible to the 80% of VIP who don't read braille. Our prototype augments raised-line maps with audio output. The third exhibition is destined to be used for scientific outreach. It enables the creation of artificial neural networks (ANN) using tangible interfaces. Neurons are represented by laser-cut diamond shaped tokens, and the data to learn is printed on cards. The ANN learns to differentiate shapes, and the whole learning process is made visible and interactive. These three applications demonstrate the capabilities of our hardware and software development kit in different scenarios. At ReVo, each demonstration will have its own setup and interactive space.
Meta-Omics Tools in the World of Insect-Microorganism Interactions

Microorganisms are able to influence several aspects of insects’ life, and this statement is gaining increasing strength, as research demonstrates it daily. At the same time, new sequencing technologies are now available at a lower cost per base, and bioinformatic procedures are becoming more user-friendly. This is triggering a huge effort in studying the microbial diversity associated to insects, and especially to economically important insect pests. The importance of the microbiome has been widely acknowledged for a wide range of animals, and also for insects this topic is gaining considerable importance. In addition to bacterial-associates, the insect-associated fungal communities are also gaining attention, especially those including plant pathogens. The use of meta-omics tools is not restricted to the description of the microbial world, but it can be also used in bio-surveillance, food safety assessment, or even to bring novelties to the industry. This mini-review aims to give a wide overview of how meta-omics tools are fostering advances in research on insect-microorganism interactions.
Techniques for Analyzing Random Graph Dynamics and Their Applications

Graph theory is birth in 1736 with the publication of the work of the Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler on the problem of finding a round trip path that would cross all the seven bridges of the city of Konigsberg exactly once (Euler, 1736). Since then, this theory has known many important developments and has answered to a lot of practical issues. Today, the graph theory is considered as an essential component of discrete mathematics. It aims at analyzing the structure induced by interactions between a set of elements and to study the resulting fundamental properties. Graph theory occurs as a fundamental and theoretical framework for analyzing a wide range of the so-called real-world networks in biology, computer sciences, multi-agent systems, chemistry, physics, economy, knowledge management, and sociology. In many works, graph models are employed as constructive descriptions to represent and understand the behavior of different complexe systems (Molloy and Reed, 1998; Mieghem et al., 2000; Newman, 2003; Kawahigashi et al. 2005; Jurdak, 2007). In such models, the graph vertices stand for the components (nodes) of the network that encode information about the values of the state variables of the dynamical system and the edges represent the mutual relationships between the correspondent endnodes. In practice, random graph theory has become increasingly important for modeling networks whose behaviors exhibit nondeterministic looks. In recent years, many significant results have used random graph models to explain, replicate and simulate the behavior of dynamic real-world networks (Hekmat and Van Mieghem, 2003; Kawahigashi et al., 2005; Durrett, 2006; Onat et al., 2008; Hewer et al., 2009; Hamlili, 2010; Trullols et al., 2010).
AR costumes: automatically augmenting watertight costumes from a single RGB image

We describe a method to automatically augment a watertight digital costume onto a person's body from a monocular RGB image. When overlaying a digital costume onto a body using pose matching, several parts of the person's cloth or skin remain visible due to differences in shape and proportions. In this paper, we present a practical solution to these artifacts which requires minimal costume parameterization work, and a straightforward inpainting approach. To our knowledge, our approach is the first to deliver plausible watertight costumes from RGB imagery only, and is compatible with mobile devices. We show successful results at high resolution in our video and project web page, as well as defects in the discussion section of paper, which can serve as comparison for future improvements.
Vitamin D and Immunomodulation in Bronchial Asthma

1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS.6 LIST OF FIGURES.13 LIST OF TABLES.15 ABBREVIATIONS.16 CHAPTER 1 : Introduction.20 1.1 Asthma . 21 1.1.1 Definition of Asthma . 21 1.1.2 Epidemiology of Asthma.21 1.1.3 Economic Burden of Asthma . 22 1.1. 4 Etiology of Asthma.22 1.1. 5: Classification of Asthma.24 1.1. 6 Pathogenesis of Asthma . 25 1.1. 6-1 Airway Inflammation.26 1.1. 6-2 Airway Obstruction . 27 1.1. 6-3 Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness . 29 1.1. 7 Structural Changes in the Airways . 29 7 1.1. 8 Airway Epithelium in Asthma . 30 1.1. 9 Airway Smooth Muscles in Asthma.31 1.1.10 Cytokines in Asthma.31 Interleukin-4.32 Interleukin-5.33 Interleukin-9.33 Interleukin-13.34 Interleukin-17.34 Tumour Necrosis Factor -α . 34 Interleukin -1β. 35 Interleukin-10 . 36 Chemokines.36 1.2 NF-κB. 38 1.2. 1 Role of NF-κB in Asthma.39 1.2. 2 Rel Protein Family . 40 1.2. 3 Nuclear Transport of NF-κB. 40 1.3 Nuclear-Cytoplasmic Transport.43 1.3. 1 Importins and Exportins.43 1.3. 2 Import . 46 1.3. 3 Export . 46 1.3. 4 Importin α . 49
Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activities of Adansonia digitata L. (Baobab) from Mali, as a Source of Health-Promoting Compounds

Background: Adansonia digitata L. (Malvaceae), also known as baobab, is a tree attracting recent interest especially due to the high nutritional value of the fruit pulp. However, few studies are reported on the secondary metabolite content, showing high variability depending on the geographic region. Methods: In this study, the chemical profiles of Malian commercial baobab fruits and leaves, focused on phenolic content, were investigated by HPLC coupled with a photodiode array (PDA)/UV and an electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometer (MS) and gas chromatography (GC)/MS. In addition, the extracts of fruit pulps obtained from three different markets (Fruits 1, 2, and 3) were evaluated for their total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibition. Results: Baobab fruit pulps were found to be rich in procyanidins and flavonol glycosides, with tiliroside as the major constituent. The baobab leaves showed a similar profile respect to the fruits, but with more detected phenolics. All fruit pulp extracts exerted antioxidant activity (highest for Fruit 3) and higher α-glucosidase inhibition than acarbose used as standard. Conclusions: This study confirmed the variability of baobab with different origins and indicated Malian species baobab as a promising source of health-promoting substances.
Cross‐sector alliances for large‐scale health leadership development in Canada

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the benefits and challenges of enacting cross‐sector alliances as a strategy to meet the health leadership capacity and capability requirements to effect improvements in health service delivery.Design/methodology/approach – The findings originate from two case studies of cross‐sector alliances in Canada.Findings – Value generated by strategic alliances in health with organisations from public, private and civil sectors is accrued at the inter‐organisational, organisational, group and individual level. Obstacles related to mindsets, operations and governance guiding the partnerships were identified which further an understanding of the advantages and constraints for using cross‐sector alliances as a strategy for large‐scale health leadership development.Research limitations/implications – Future research could investigate whether other factors influence the overall success of using an alliance strategy which may lead to a more comprehensive understanding of large‐scale .
The Difficult Secondary Tracheoesophageal Puncture: A Technique for Safe Insertion

Background/Aims: The tracheoesophageal prothesis (TEP) has become the primary modality for laryngeal communication after total laryngectomy due to high success rates, minimal morbidity, and more natural pulmonary driven speech. Fibrosis, kyphosis, and post-radiation contracture may preclude TEP placement through rigid esophagoscopy, and certain patients may not tolerate an in-office awake procedure. For such patients, a technique for flexible esophageal stenting and TEP placement is necessary. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 3 patients who underwent TEP placement through endotracheal-tube esophageal stenting at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Results: All 3 patients underwent laryngectomy after prior chemoradiotherapy for laryngeal cancer with resulting neck contracture and fibrosis preventing rigid esophagoscopy. All patients underwent successful TEP placement through endotracheal stenting without complication and developed excellent tracheoesophageal speech. Specific technical details are highlighted. Conclusions: In patients with anatomical constraints preventing traditional TEP placement through rigid esophagoscopy, fiberoptic guidance through an endotracheal tube stent provides a safe and efficient approach for TEP placement.
Identification of Dual Receptor Binding Protein Systems in Lactococcal 936 Group Phages

Siphoviridae of the lactococcal 936 group are the most commonly encountered bacteriophages in the dairy processing environment. The 936 group phages possess a discrete baseplate at the tip of their tail—a complex harbouring the Receptor Binding Protein (RBP) which is responsible for host recognition and attachment. The baseplate-encoding region is highly conserved amongst 936 phages, with 112 of 115 publicly available phages exhibiting complete synteny. Here, we detail the three exceptions (Phi4.2, Phi4R15L, and Phi4R16L), which differ from this genomic architecture in possessing an apparent second RBP-encoding gene upstream of the “classical” rbp gene. The newly identified RBP possesses an elongated neck region relative to currently defined 936 phage RBPs and is genetically distinct from defined 936 group RBPs. Through detailed characterisation of the representative phage Phi4.2 using a wide range of complementary techniques, we demonstrated that the above-mentioned three phages possess a complex and atypical baseplate structure. Furthermore, the presence of both RBPs in the tail tip of the mature virion was confirmed, while the anticipated host-binding capabilities of both proteins were also verified.
Development of a Kinetic Model and Calculation of Radiation

The treatment for some thyroid carcinomas involves surgically removing the thyroid gland and administering the radiopharmaceutical Sodium iodide 1311 (NaI). A diagnostic dose of NaI is given to the patient to determine if remnant tissue from the gland remains or larger doses are administered in order to treat the malignant tissue. Past research regarding NaI uptake and retention in euthyroid individuals (normal functioning thyroid) reveal that radioiodine concentrates mainly in the thyroid tissue and the remaining material is excreted from the body. The majority of radioiodine in athyroid (without thyroid) individuals is also eliminated from the body; however, there has been recent evidence of a long-term retention phase for individuals with no radioiodine concentrating tissue. Thus, the long-term component indicates the binding of radioiodine to other tissues in the body. The general purpose of this study was to develop a kinetic model and estimate the absorbed dose to athyroid individuals regarding the distribution and retention of NaI. The iodine kinetics in three athyroid individuals was fitted to a 4-compartment model. The residence times were calculated using multi-exponential curve fitting techniques with a mean of 13.5 hours and a mean biological half-life of 5 days. The dose estimates to 26 target organs were determined for the short and long-term retention phases.
Rumen and plasma metabolomics profiling by UHPLC-QTOF/MS revealed metabolic alterations associated with a high-corn diet in beef steers

High-grain diets are strongly associated with metabolic disorders in beef steers. Metabolomics can be used to explore the relationship between diet and metabolic changes, but no study has reported rumen and plasma metabolomics profiling associated with increasing dietary corn proportions in the diet of beef steers. Therefore, 12 steers paired according to similar body weights and body condition scores were randomly allocated to one of two diets: a low-corn (28.76%) diet (LCD) with a 40:60 ratio of concentrate to roughage and a high-corn (48.76%) diet (HCD) with a 60:40 ratio of concentrate to roughage. Metabolomics profiling by ultra-high-performance liquid tandem chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF/MS) showed that steers fed the HCD had increased rumen and plasma carbohydrate metabolites and amino acids, which contributed to the growth of the beef steers. However, the rumen acidity and ruminal and plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentrations significantly increased with the increase amounts of corn in the diet. In total, 717 rumen metabolites and 386 plasma metabolites were identified. By multivariate analysis, 144 rumen and 56 plasma metabolites were further identified that were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05 and variable influence on projection > 1). The differential metabolites in the rumen and plasma were associated with different metabolic pathways, and phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis and phenylalanine metabolism were common key metabolic pathways for the two biofluids. In conclusion, the high-corn diet improved the growth performance of beef steers but decreased the ruminal pH and increased the LPS and harmful metabolites in the rumen and blood, which has implications for the incidence of metabolic diseases. The identified differential metabolites in both the rumen and plasma and the related metabolic pathways may contribute to the exploration of potential biomarkers for high-corn diet-based metabolic diseases.
Transport of Bupropion and its Metabolites by the Model CHO and HEK293 Cell Lines.

BACKGROUND Bupropion (BUP) is widely used as an antidepressant and smoking cessation aid. There are three major pharmacologically active metabolites of BUP, Erythrohydrobupropion (EB), Hydroxybupropion (OHB) and Threohydrobupropion (TB). At present, the mechanisms underlying the overall disposition and systemic clearance of BUP and its metabolites have not been well understood, and the role of transporters has not been studied. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to investigate whether BUP and its active metabolites are substrates of the major hepatic uptake and efflux transporters. METHOD CHO or HEK293 cell lines or plasma membrane vesicles that overexpress OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OATP2B1, OATP4A1, OCT1, BCRP, MRP2 or P-gp were used in cellular or vesicle uptake and inhibition assays. Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to quantify transport activity. RESULTS BUP and its major active metabolites were actively transported into the CHO or HEK293 cells overexpressing OATP1B1, OATP1B3 or OATP2B1; however, such cellular active uptake could not be inhibited at all by prototypical inhibitors of any of the OATP transporters. These compounds were not transported by OCT1, BCRP, MRP2 or P-gp either. These results suggest that the major known hepatic transporters likely play a minor role in the overall disposition and systemic clearance of BUP and its active metabolites in humans. We also demonstrated that BUP and its metabolites were not transported by OATP4A1, an uptake transporter on the apical membrane of placental syncytiotrophoblasts, suggesting that OATP4A1 is not responsible for the transfer of BUP and its metabolites from the maternal blood to the fetal compartment across the placental barrier in pregnant women. CONCLUSION BUP and metabolites are not substrates of the major hepatic transporters tested and thus these hepatic transporters likely do not play a role in the overall disposition of the drug. Our results also suggest that caution should be taken when using the model CHO and HEK293 cell lines to evaluate potential roles of transporters in drug disposition.
Malpositioning of Central Venous Catheter:Two Case Reports

Malpositioning of central venous catheter inserted into subclavian vein is a known and dreaded complication. Malpositioning of catheter tip into contralateral subclavian is an extremely unusual occurrence. The author describes two cases, one of subclavian central venous catheter and another of a peripherally inserted central catheter, in which the catheter malpositioned into contralateral subclavian vein.