Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PEGylated Magnetic Nano-Assemblies as Contrast Agents for Effective T2-Weighted MR Imaging

We designed a high-sensitivity magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent that could be used to diagnose diseases. First, magnetic nanocrystals were synthesized by a thermal decomposition method on an organic solvent to obtain a high magnetism and methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic acid) as an amphiphilic polymer using the ring-opening polymerization method to stably disperse the magnetic nanocrystals in an aqueous phase. Subsequently, the magnetic nanoclusters simultaneously self-assembled with methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic acid) using the nano-emulsion method to form magnetic nanoclusters. Because their shape was similar to a raspberry, they were named PEGylated magnetic nano-assemblies. The PEGylated magnetic nano-assemblies were dispersed stably in the aqueous phase with a uniform size of approximately 65–70 nm for an extended period (0 days: 68.8 ± 5.1 nm, 33 days: 69.2 ± 2.0 nm, and 44 days: 63.2 ± 5.6). They exhibited both enough of a magnetic resonance (MR) contrast effect and biocompatibility. In an in vivo study, the PEGylated magnetic nano-assemblies provided a high contrast effect for magnetic resonance images for a long time after one treatment, thereby improving the diagnostic visibility of the disease site.
Effects of Melatonin Supplementation On Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract Melatonin is a physiological indoleamine secreted from the pineal gland into the bloodstream. This hormone has antioxidant effects in cardiovascular disease, but the evidence regarding its effects on blood pressure (BP) has not been conclusive. Therefore, we assessed the impact of melatonin supplementation on systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) through a systematic review and meta—analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane library, and Google scholar (until May 2018) were searched to identify potential RCTs with information on melatonin supplementation and BP. Mean Differences (MD) were pooled using a random-effects model. Standard methods were used for assessment of heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias. Pooling 5 RCTs (6 treatment arms) together identified significant reduction for SBP (MD: −3.43 mmHg, 95% confidence interval (CI): −5.76 to −1.09, p=0.004) and DBP (MD: −3.33 mmHg, 95% CI: −4.57 to −2.08, p<0.001) after supplementation with melatonin compared with control treatment. The sensitivity analysis indicated that the results were robust. We did not observe any evidence regarding publication bias. The findings of this meta-analysis support the overall favorable effect of melatonin supplementation on BP regulation.
Bone loss around narrow implants versus standard diameter implants: Retrospective 2-years case-control study

Background The objectives were to evaluate the bone loss (BL) around narrow diameter implants (3.3 mm) 2 years after implant loading and compare with the bone loss around conventional-diameter implants (4.1 mm), as well as with clinical and anatomical variables. 2-years follow-up. Material and Methods Cases: 20 patients either gender-age, narrow implants (Straumann TM-SLA, diameter 3.3 mm); Control: 20 patients matching for gender-age, conventional implants (Straumann TM-SLA, diameter 4.1). Total 82 implants (31 narrow implants and 51 conventional implants) in 40 patients. To avoid statistical bias, a cluster of one implant per patient was randomly selected (20 narrow implants and 20 conventional implants). To evaluate changes resulting from bone loss around the implants, a total of 80 panoramic radiographs were taken of all 40 patients; the first panoramic image was taken at the time of implant loading and the second one 2 years later. Clinical and demographic variables were obtained from the patients’ medical records. Statistical method: Spearman’s correlation coefficient, chi-squared (Haberman’s post hoc), Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Statistical significance p< 0.05. Results No significant differences in bone loss around were found around narrow implants versus conventional implants. Differences linked to tobacco use were found after studying one implant per patient (p< 0.05). Conclusions With the limitations of the present study, no significant differences in BL were found when comparing narrow implants with conventional implants after 2 years of implant loading. There were also no differences found when accounting for other demographic and clinical variables, with the exception of tobacco use. Key words:Lagervall & Jansson’s index, bone loss, narrow implants, panoramic radiographs.
Regulation of arousal via online neurofeedback improves human performance in a demanding sensory-motor task

Significance Our ability to make optimal decisions, judgments, and actions in real-world dynamic environments depends on our state of arousal. We show that we can use electroencephalography-based feedback to shift an individual’s arousal so that their task performance increases significantly. This work demonstrates a closed-loop brain–computer interface for dynamically shifting arousal to affect online task performance in accordance with the Yerkes and Dodson law. The approach is potentially applicable to different task domains and/or for clinical applications that utilize self-regulation as a targeted treatment, such as in mental illness. Our state of arousal can significantly affect our ability to make optimal decisions, judgments, and actions in real-world dynamic environments. The Yerkes–Dodson law, which posits an inverse-U relationship between arousal and task performance, suggests that there is a state of arousal that is optimal for behavioral performance in a given task. Here we show that we can use online neurofeedback to shift an individual’s arousal from the right side of the Yerkes–Dodson curve to the left toward a state of improved performance. Specifically, we use a brain–computer interface (BCI) that uses information in the EEG to generate a neurofeedback signal that dynamically adjusts an individual’s arousal state when they are engaged in a boundary-avoidance task (BAT). The BAT is a demanding sensory-motor task paradigm that we implement as an aerial navigation task in virtual reality and which creates cognitive conditions that escalate arousal and quickly results in task failure (e.g., missing or crashing into the boundary). We demonstrate that task performance, measured as time and distance over which the subject can navigate before failure, is significantly increased when veridical neurofeedback is provided. Simultaneous measurements of pupil dilation and heart-rate variability show that the neurofeedback indeed reduces arousal. Our work demonstrates a BCI system that uses online neurofeedback to shift arousal state and increase task performance in accordance with the Yerkes–Dodson law.
Survey and Characterization of Viruses in Sweetpotato from Zimbabwe.

Thirty-one clones of sweetpotatoes collected from some parts of Zimbabwe were used as inoculum sources to mechanically inoculate 13 experimental hosts: Chenopodium amaranticolor, C. quinoa, Cucumis sativus, Datura stramoniumitalic, Gomphrena globosa, Ipomoea purpurea, I. quamoclit, I. rubrocorulea, Nicotiana benthamiana, N. clevelandii, N. glutinosa, N. rustica, and N. tabacum. Systemic vein clearing was observed in N. benthamiana inoculated with buffered sap from nine clones. Purification of the vein clearing inducing agent from one of the sweetpotato clones gave yields ranging from 2 to 17 mg/kg and the A260nm/A280nm was around 1.2. Electron microscopy revealed flexuous filamentous particles with a modal length of 830 nm. Protein analysis of purified virus preparations by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a major protein band of 40 kDa, and this was assumed to be the viral coat protein. Minor protein bands of 27, 37, and 46 kDa were also observed. The viral protein degraded upon storage at 4°C over time to yield a protein band of 27 kDa. Polyclonal antiserum was produced against the purified virus. Protein A gold labeling of the purified virus incubated with available antisera; sweetpotato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV), sweetpotato feathery mottle virus strain russet crack (SPFMV-RC), sweetpotato feathery mottle virus, sweetpotato mild mottle virus, sweetpotato latent virus, sweetpotato chlorotic fleck virus, and sweetpotato caulimo-like virus resulted in a higher labeling density with the antiserum of SPFMV-RC than with the antiserum of SPCSV, while the other sera did not react. Further characterization of the vein clearing inducing agent was attempted by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction amplification of total RNA with degenerate primers for potyviruses and an oligo dT primer and PCR products of correct size were obtained. The nucleotide sequence was determined and the amino acid of the polyprotein deduced. Comparison with other strains of SPFMV showed strong similarity except for an insertion of 22 amino acids at the N-terminus of the coat protein. The coat protein size of 335 amino acids is the biggest SPFMV so far determined.
Clinical magnetic resonance imaging of arthroplasty at 1.5 T

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has historically been avoided for the routine clinical evaluation of metal implants at many clinical centers due to the presence of artifact that creates in‐plane and through‐plane distortions and signal intensity voids in generated images. However, when the image acquisition parameters are appropriately modified and advanced multi‐spectral pulse sequences are used, high‐quality diagnostic images can be generated and may be used for diagnosing patients with suspected periprosthetic pathology. MRI provides superior soft‐tissue contrast and excellent sensitivity for mobile water and is, therefore, a valuable tool in the evaluation of these patients, given the increasing prevalence of arthroplasty within the general population. Knowledge of expected normal postoperative appearance in patients with total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, and total shoulder arthroplasty facilitates the detection of abnormal findings in this population, as does familiarity with common pathologic conditions encountered in the periprosthetic region. This review article will provide background information regarding the presence of image artifacts, methods to reduce the artifacts, and application of MRI at 1.5 T for evaluating common complications in subjects with total knee arthroplasty, total hip arthroplasty, and total shoulder arthroplasty.
CalliSpheres Drug-Eluting Bead Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Presents With Better Efficacy and Equal Safety Compared to Conventional TACE in Treating Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The aim of this study was to compare the treatment response, survival, liver function, and adverse event incidence of drug-eluting bead transcatheter arterial chemoembolization using CalliSpheres microspheres with conventional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Seventy-three patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who received drug-eluting bead transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (using CalliSpheres microspheres) or conventional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization treatment were consecutively enrolled. Treatment response was assessed by modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors at month 1/month 3/month 6; posttreatment, liver function indexes, and adverse events were recorded. Progression-free survival and overall survival were also calculated. Objective response rate of patients at months 1, 3, and 6, disease control rate of patients and objective response rate of nodules at month 3 were increased in drug-eluting bead transcatheter arterial chemoembolization group compared with conventional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization group. In addition, drug-eluting bead transcatheter arterial chemoembolization using CalliSpheres microspheres was an independent factor for predicting better objective response rate at month 1. Patients in drug-eluting bead transcatheter arterial chemoembolization group achieved longer progression-free survival and similar overall survival compared to those in conventional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization group; Cox proportional hazards regression model analyses revealed that drug-eluting bead transcatheter arterial chemoembolization using CalliSpheres microspheres was associated with better progression-free survival while it did not affect overall survival. Meanwhile, most of the occurrences of abnormal liver function indexes were similar between 2 groups, whereas drug-eluting bead transcatheter arterial chemoembolization group had a higher percentage of patients with total bile acid ≥2 upper limit of normal compared to conventional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization group at month 1. Moreover, the adverse event incidences between 2 groups were similar. In conclusion, drug-eluting bead transcatheter arterial chemoembolization using CalliSpheres microspheres achieves better treatment response and progression-free survival while equal safety compared to conventional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
Investigation of light delivery geometries for photoacoustic applications using Monte Carlo simulations with multiple wavelengths, tissue types, and species characteristics

Abstract. Combined ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging systems are being developed for biomedical and clinical applications. One common probe configuration is to use a linear transducer array with external light delivery to produce coregistered ultrasound and photoacoustic images. The diagnostic capability of these systems is dependent on the effectiveness of light delivery to the imaging target. We use Monte Carlo modeling to investigate the optimal design geometry of an integrated probe. Simulations are conducted with multiple tissue compositions and wavelengths. The effect of a skin layer with the thickness of a mouse or a human is also considered. The model was validated using a tissue-mimicking gelatin phantom and corresponding Monte Carlo simulations. The optimal illumination angle is shallower with human skin thickness, whereas intermediate angles are ideal with mouse skin thickness. The effect of skin thickness explains differences in the results of prior work. The simulations also indicate that even with identical hardware and imaging parameters, light delivery will be up to 3 × smaller in humans than in mice, due to the increased scattering from thicker skin. Our findings have clear implications for the many researchers using mice to test and develop imaging methods for clinical translation.
A synthetic heparinoid blocks Tau aggregate cell uptake and amplification

Tau aggregation underlies neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease and related tauopathies. We and others have proposed that transcellular propagation of pathology is mediated by Tau prions, which are ordered protein assemblies that faithfully replicate in vivo and cause specific biological effects. The prion model predicts the release of aggregates from a first-order cell and subsequent uptake into a second-order cell. The assemblies then serve as templates for their own replication, a process termed “seeding. ” We have previously observed that heparan sulfate proteoglycans on the cell surface mediate the cellular uptake of Tau aggregates. This interaction is blocked by heparin, a sulfated glycosaminoglycan. Indeed, heparin-like molecules, or heparinoids, have previously been proposed as a treatment for PrP prion disorders. However, heparin is not ideal for managing chronic neurodegeneration, because it is difficult to synthesize in defined sizes, may have poor brain penetration because of its negative charge, and is a powerful anticoagulant. Therefore, we sought to generate an oligosaccharide that would bind Tau and block its cellular uptake and seeding, without exhibiting anticoagulation activity. We created a compound, SN7–13, from pentasaccharide units and tested it in a range of assays that measured direct binding of Tau to glycosaminoglycans and inhibition of Tau uptake and seeding in cells. SN7–13 does not inhibit coagulation, binds Tau with low nanomolar affinity, and inhibits cellular Tau aggregate propagation similarly to standard porcine heparin. This synthetic heparinoid could facilitate the development of agents to treat tauopathy.
Factors associated with cervical arterial dysfunction: a survey of physical therapist educators in the United States

ABSTRACT Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the key constructs associated with symptom description and behavior, natural history of complaints, and previous medical history of cervical arterial dysfunction (CAD) according to a panel of physical therapist (PT) educators. Methods: An electronic survey was conducted of licensed PT educators currently involved in musculoskeletal physical therapy education within a credentialed program. Survey prompts queried educators to list the subjective and objective items associated with CAD, in open-text format. Responses were coded to identify unique themes (constructs). Principal axis factor analysis with Varimax rotation was performed to identify underlying constructs associated with CAD according to the panel of educators. Results: Seventy-two educators completed the survey (24.2% response rate) resulting in 50 identified unique items through thematic coding. Factor analysis (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy = .679, Bartlett’s test of sphericity (x 2(351) = 1129.06. p < . 001), resulted in a four-factor solution: ‘5Ds and 3 Ns,’ ‘Other Neurological Findings,’ ‘Signs & Symptoms in Rotation and/or Extension,’ and ‘General Health. ’ Discussion: According to the PT educators in this study, the factors associated with CAD appear to reflect the IFOMPT guidelines. The responses and subsequent factor analysis demonstrate the lack of any one clinical finding for the identification of CAD in a patient with neck pain. Level of Evidence: V.
Natural products and enzymes from plant cell cultures

Plants represent an unlimited source of natural products. Many of the recently detected phytochemicals exhibit remarkable bioactivities, ranging from anticancer activity, phosphodiesterase inhibition to cytotoxicity against HIVinfected cells. Cultivated plant cells produce at their unorganized, dedifferentiated stage secondary metabolites, but in very different amounts in so far as new compounds are concerned. In fact, more than 140 novel natural products are presently known from plant cell cultures, which also include new metabolites formed by biotransformation. The biotransformation capacity of suspended cells is described and recent high yielding transformations, like the formation of arbutin by hydroquinone-transformation with Rauwolfia cells are discussed. As an example of alkaloid production by cell suspensions, the pattern of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids of the Indian medicinal plant Rauwolfia serpentina Benth. is described and the so far 30 identified compounds are divided into eight groups which are biosynthetically closely related. Some of the key biosynthetic reactions leading to the Rauwolfia alkaloids are discussed and an overview of the enzymes involved in the formation of the alkaloid ajmaline and proteins catalyzing side reactions of the ajmaline pathway are given.
Recognizing New Classes with Synthetic Data in the Loop: Application to Traffic Sign Recognition

On-board vision systems may need to increase the number of classes that can be recognized in a relatively short period. For instance, a traffic sign recognition system may suddenly be required to recognize new signs. Since collecting and annotating samples of such new classes may need more time than we wish, especially for uncommon signs, we propose a method to generate these samples by combining synthetic images and Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) technology. In particular, the GAN is trained on synthetic and real-world samples from known classes to perform synthetic-to-real domain adaptation, but applied to synthetic samples of the new classes. Using the Tsinghua dataset with a synthetic counterpart, SYNTHIA-TS, we have run an extensive set of experiments. The results show that the proposed method is indeed effective, provided that we use a proper Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to perform the traffic sign recognition (classification) task as well as a proper GAN to transform the synthetic images. Here, a ResNet101-based classifier and domain adaptation based on CycleGAN performed extremely well for a ratio ∼1/4 for new/known classes; even for more challenging ratios such as ∼4/1, the results are also very positive.
Identification and characterization of potent and selective aquaporin-3 and aquaporin-7 inhibitors

The aquaglyceroporins are a subfamily of aquaporins that conduct both water and glycerol. Aquaporin-3 (AQP3) has an important physiological function in renal water reabsorption, and AQP3-mediated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) permeability can enhance cytokine signaling in several cell types. The related aquaglyceroporin AQP7 is required for dendritic cell chemokine responses and antigen uptake. Selective small-molecule inhibitors are desirable tools for investigating the biological and pathological roles of these and other AQP isoforms. Here, using a calcein fluorescence quenching assay, we screened a library of 7360 drug-like small molecules for inhibition of mouse AQP3 water permeability. Hit confirmation and expansion with commercially available substances identified the ortho-chloride–containing compound DFP00173, which inhibited mouse and human AQP3 with an IC50 of ∼0.1–0.4 μm but had low efficacy toward mouse AQP7 and AQP9. Surprisingly, inhibitor specificity testing revealed that the methylurea-linked compound Z433927330, a partial AQP3 inhibitor (IC50, ∼0.7–0.9 μm), is a potent and efficacious inhibitor of mouse AQP7 water permeability (IC50, ∼0.2 μm). Stopped-flow light scattering measurements confirmed that DFP00173 and Z433927330 inhibit AQP3 glycerol permeability in human erythrocytes. Moreover, DFP00173, Z433927330, and the previously identified AQP9 inhibitor RF03176 blocked aquaglyceroporin H2O2 permeability. Molecular docking to AQP3, AQP7, and AQP9 homology models suggested interactions between these inhibitors and aquaglyceroporins at similar binding sites. DFP00173 and Z433927330 constitute selective and potent AQP3 and AQP7 inhibitors, respectively, and contribute to a set of isoform-specific aquaglyceroporin inhibitors that will facilitate the evaluation of these AQP isoforms as drug targets.