Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toll like receptor 2 and 9 expression on circulating neutrophils is associated with increased mortality in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in inflammatory processes in critically ill patients by binding to pathogen-associated molecular patterns and danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Whether neutrophil or monocyte TLR expression patterns are associated with outcome in critical illness is unknown. OBJECTIVES To answer this question, we conducted a prospective, observational study including 215 consecutive patients admitted to a medical ICU at a tertiary care center. METHODS Blood was drawn at admission and expression of TLR-2, TLR-4, and TLR-9 on neutrophils and monocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS Median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score was 19, and 30-day mortality was 26%. TLR-2 expression on neutrophils was associated with APACHE II, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, and Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment score. TLR-2 (P < 0.001) and TLR-9 (P < 0.05) expression on neutrophils was significantly higher in nonsurvivors. In contrast, neutrophil TLR-4 expression and monocyte TLR expression were not associated with survival. Neutrophil TLR-2 (OR 3.8; 95% CI 1.4-10.2; P < 0.05) and TLR-9 (OR 4.0; 95% CI 2.0-8.1; P < 0.001) expression in the third tertile predicted mortality independent from APACHE II, serum lactate, serum creatinine, and procalcitonin, respectively. CONCLUSION We provide evidence for prognostic properties of neutrophil TLR-2 and TLR-9 expression regarding 30-day mortality in unselected critically ill patients, independent from baseline clinical characteristics, and laboratory values. These findings suggest that specific TLR-dependent activation of the innate immune system via neutrophils possibly caused by cell damage and release of otherwise intracellular components may play a significant role in the pathophysiology of critical illness.
The effectiveness of three different recovery methods on blood lactate, acute muscle performance, and delayed-onset muscle soreness: a randomized comparative study.

BACKGROUND Recovery from exercise is important in sports and rehabilitation for preventing exercise-induced injuries and recovery of performance. This study aimed to compare active recovery (AR), neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), and foam rolling (FR) in terms of blood lactate (Bla) removal, reduction in delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and restoration of muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility in healthy young individuals. METHODS Forty-five subjects aged 20-25 years were assigned to AR, FR, and NMES groups. The subjects performed a single bout of circuit-based high-intensity training (CBHIT) at 85% of the heart rate reserve (HRR). The subjects in the AR group walked at 40% of the HRR, whereas those in the FR group self-massaged the tight muscles. In the NMES group, electrical stimulation was applied to the hamstrings and quadriceps. All recovery methods took 15 minutes. The sit-and-reach performance, quadriceps and hamstring strength, and squat endurance of the subjects were measured prior to CBHIT and after recovery. Bla concentrations were measured before CBHIT and at 0, 5, and 20 minutes of recovery. The DOMS were evaluated for 3 days. RESULTS After recovery, no significant differences were found between the groups in terms of quadriceps (right, p=0.82; left, p=0.772) and hamstring (right, p=0.41; left, p=0.30) strength, sit-and-reach performance (p=0.55), squat endurance (p=0.18), Bla concentration at each time point (p=0.94), and DOMS (p=0.31). CONCLUSIONS This study showed that AR, NMES, and FR have similar effects on Bla removal, performance recovery, and DOMS reduction in healthy young individuals.
Polymorphisms in Serotonin-Related Genes in Anorexia Nervosa . The First Study in Czech Population and Meta-analyses with Previously Performed Studies ( anorexia nervosa / gene polymorphisms / serotonin / meta-analysis / Czech population )

Anorexia nervosa is a serious psychiatric disorder characterized by the inability to maintain normal body weight. The frequently studied polymorphisms in the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor gene (-1438A/G) and in serotonin transporter 5-HTT gene (LPR, VNTR) have led to controversial results in different populations. The aim of the study was to address association of the above-mentioned polymorphisms with anorexia nervosa in the Czech population. We genotyped a well-defined group of 75 patients with anorexia nervosa (average age of 25.39 years, SD 6.18; average BMI 14.65 (SD 1.38)). The control group consisted of 65 Caucasian healthy females (average age 25.76 years, SD 5.12; average BMI 20.69, SD 1.85). The 5-HT2A receptor -1438A/G polymorphism analysis showed a trend for the association with odds ratios for risk allele A being in the same direction. In combination with a previously published Polish cohort, the allelic test reached a suggestive borderline (P = 0.0362, χ statistics, 1 df). In meta-analysis which included all published results for allelic tests, the resulting P value was highly significant (0.0003, χ statistics, 1 df). Using quantitative association of 5-HTR2A polymorphism with BMI in the Czech sample, a borderline association (P = 0.055) was observed. In 5-HTT, LPR polymorphism analysis, unlike in 5-HT2A, neither allelic nor quantitative association with BMI for the bi-allelic 5-HTT marker was observed. Results of this study support previous reports of a significant role of the A allele (-1438A/G, 5-HT2A receptor) as a risk factor in anorexia ner-
Effects Of Saffron Supplementation On Inflammation And Metabolic Responses In Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is accompanied by elevated inflammation, oxidative stress, hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia which all contribute to cardiovascular disease pathogenesis. Saffron as a complementary medicine and source of antioxidants could play a role in alleviating diabetes and its complications. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of saffron supplementation as an adjunct therapy in T2D. Patients and methods This randomized controlled trial included 80 T2D patients with a mean age of 54.1 years. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups to take either saffron tablets (100 mg/day; n=40) or placebo (n=40) for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were obtained at the beginning and after the intervention period to quantify glycemic factors, lipid profile, and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Anthropometric indices and dietary intakes were also measured at baseline and at study end. Results Compared with placebo, saffron supplementation resulted in significant decreases in waist circumference (p<0.001) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (p=0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in other indices, including anthropometric parameters, serum insulin, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, insulin sensitivity indices, lipid profile, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, total antioxidant capacity, and tumor necrosis factor-α between the study groups (p>0.05). Conclusion Overall, 12 weeks of saffron supplementation in diabetic patients had beneficial effects on waist circumference and serum MDA levels. However, saffron did not influence other evaluated cardio metabolic risk markers in diabetic patients.
Progression-Free but No Overall Survival Benefit for Adult Patients with Bevacizumab Therapy for the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common high-grade primary brain tumor in adults. Standard multi-modality treatment of glioblastoma with surgery, temozolomide chemotherapy, and radiation results in transient tumor control but inevitably gives way to disease progression. The need for additional therapeutic avenues for patients with GBM led to interest in anti-angiogenic therapies, and in particular, bevacizumab. We sought to determine the efficacy of bevacizumab as a treatment for newly diagnosed GBM. We conducted a literature search using the PubMed database and Google Scholar to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) since 2014 investigating the safety and efficacy of bevacizumab in the treatment of adult patients (18 years and older) with newly diagnosed GBM. Only Level Ι data that reported progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were included for analysis. Random effects meta-analyses on studies with newly diagnosed glioblastoma were conducted in R to estimate the pooled hazard ratio (HR) for PFS and OS. Six RCTs met requirements for meta-analysis, revealing a pooled estimate of PFS HR suggesting a 33% decreased risk of disease progression (HR 0.67, 95% CI, 0.58–0.78; p < 0.001) with bevacizumab therapy, but no effect on OS (HR = 1, 95% CI, 0.85–1.18; p = 0.97). A pooled estimate of the mean difference in OS months of −0.13 predicts little difference in time of survival between treatment groups (95% CI, −1.87–1.61). The pooled estimate for the mean difference in PFS months was 2.70 (95% CI, 1.89–3.50; p < 0.001). Meta-analysis shows that bevacizumab therapy is associated with a longer PFS in adult patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, but had an inconsistent effect on OS in this patient population.
A Simple Mean-variance Model for Equities and Equity Options under Inflation Rate Dynamics

Recently, portfolio managers have to optimize their portfolios taking the in flation rate into consideration because many central banks have adopted inflation targeting policies and the asset returns should be influenced by the target inflation rate. In such an investment environment, we model the equity process so that it can depend on an inflation rate that follows the OU process. Accordingly, we derive the expected returns, the volatilities and the correlation matrix, which are key ingredients for the use of the mean-variance model. We also provide an option pricing formula based on our equity model under the hedge-neutral probability measure and generate the future paths of not only the equity prices and the inflation rate but also the option prices. Using the proposed model, it is possible to optimize portfolios including the equity options under several inflation scenarios.
Serum heart-type fatty acid-binding protein as a predictor for the development of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury: methodological issues

Dear Editor, We read with great interest the study of Jiang et al. entitled ‘Serum heart-type fatty acid-binding protein as a predictor for the development of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury’. The aim of the authors was to determine the predictive capacity of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (HFABP) for sepsisassociated acute kidney injury (SAKI) [1]. For this purpose, 442 patients with sepsis included in the study. Patients were divided into the no-AKI group (n = 317) and AKI group (n = 125). Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between HFABP and SAKI. Predictive performance of the HFABP to SAKI evaluated by c-index, net reclassification improvement index (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement index (IDI). The results showed HFABP concentration is an independent risk factor for SAKI (OR: 11.398; 95% CI: 6.218–20.891, P < 0.001). The AUC for prediction model with HFABP significantly improved (0.867 vs 0.755, P < 0.001), NRI 25.03% (95% CI 9.72–38.51%) and IDI 14.33 (95% CI 11.04–17.62) [1]. To develop a prediction model, we need two different data sets or at least one data set divided into two data (groups of patients with both failure and success) to predict an outcome. Generally, if the prediction model is not validated, the main outcome of research has spurious results. Different approaches apply for validation of a prediction model such as the split file, bootstrapping, or other well-known validation methods [2–4]. In the limitation of the study mentioned that data from single-center and data set was small. Bootstrapping is particularly recommended when the data set is small with many candidate predictors and when predictor selection techniques have been used regardless of the modeling technique. Also, since all of the data is applied to model development and model evaluation, generally bootstrapping resampling methods are recommended [5]. Another point is that interactions between important variables should be evaluated, especially when there are qualitative interactions, the final results will be significantly affected [5]. C-index, NRI and IDI are indexes to measures of discrimination. We cannot say that these indexes determine alone the predictive ability of the HFABP to SAKI. There are various measures such as calibration, discrimination, reclassification and overall measures of performance to evaluate the model performance [6]. The authors concluded that the Serum HFABP is correlated with SAKI development and could become a potential predictive biomarker [1]. Briefly, in prediction studies, the main purpose is to provide a model, index, or score applicable to an individual (patient). Finally, associations, even those that are statistically significant, do not guarantee prediction [2–6]. In this letter, we discussed methodological issues in the study. Any prediction study should consider the above points.
HYBRID: Ambulatory Robotic Gait Trainer with Movement Induction and Partial Weight Support

Robotic exoskeletons that induce leg movement have proven effective for lower body rehabilitation, but current solutions offer limited gait patterns, lack stabilization, and do not properly stimulate the proprioceptive and balance systems (since the patient remains in place). Partial body weight support (PBWS) systems unload part of the patient’s body weight during rehabilitation, improving the locomotive capabilities and minimizing the muscular effort. HYBRID is a complete system that combines a 6DoF lower body exoskeleton (H1) with a PBWS system (REMOVI) to produce a solution apt for clinical practice that offers improves on existing devices, moves with the patient, offers a gait cycle extracted from the kinematic analysis of healthy users, records the session data, and can easily transfer the patient from a wheelchair to standing position. This system was developed with input from therapists, and its response times have been measured to ensure it works swiftly and without a perceptible delay.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Three-Dimensional Structure Generation of Zinc Oxide-Based Nanomedicine for Biomedical Applications

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles have been studied as metal-based drugs that may be used for biomedical applications due to the fact of their biocompatibility. Their physicochemical properties, which depend on synthesis techniques involving physical, chemical, biological, and microfluidic reactor methods affect biological activity in vitro and in vivo. Advanced tool-based physicochemical characterization is required to identify the biological and toxicological effects of ZnO nanoparticles. These nanoparticles have variable morphologies and can be molded into three-dimensional structures to enhance their performance. Zinc oxide nanoparticles have shown therapeutic activity against cancer, diabetes, microbial infection, and inflammation. They have also shown the potential to aid in wound healing and can be used for imaging tools and sensors. In this review, we discuss the synthesis techniques, physicochemical characteristics, evaluation tools, techniques used to generate three-dimensional structures, and the various biomedical applications of ZnO nanoparticles.
Fabrication of Interconnected Plasmonic Spherical Silver Nanoparticles with Enhanced Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) Peaks Using Quince Leaf Extract Solution

Interconnected spherical metallic silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were synthesized in the current study using a green chemistry method. The reduction of silver ions to Ag NPs was carried out with low-cost and eco-friendly quince leaves. For the first time, it was confirmed that the extract solution of quince leaves could be used to perform green production of Ag NPs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was conducted to identify the potential biomolecules that were involved in the Ag NPs. The results depicted that the biosynthesis of Ag NPs through the extract solution of quince leaf was a low-cost, clean, and safe method, which did not make use of any contaminated element and hence, had no undesirable effects. The majority of the peaks in the FTIR spectrum of quince leaf extracts also emerged in the FTIR spectrum of Ag NPs but they were found to be of less severe intensity. The silver ion reduction was elaborated in detail on the basis of the FTIR outcomes. In addition, through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, the Ag NPs were also confirmed to be crystalline in type, owing to the appearance of distinct peaks related to the Ag NPs. The creation of Ag NPs was furthermore confirmed by using absorption spectrum, in which a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peak at 480 nm was observed. The LSPR peak achieved in the present work was found to be of great interest compared to those reported in literature. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images were used to provide the morphology and grain size of Ag NPs. It was shown from the FESEM images that the Ag NPs had interconnected spherical morphology.
Generalized Lee-Wick formulation from higher derivative field theories

We study a higher derivative (HD) field theory with an arbitrary order of derivative for a real scalar field. The degree of freedom for the HD field can be converted to multiple fields with canonical kinetic terms up to the overall sign. The Lagrangian describing the dynamics of the multiple fields is known as the Lee-Wick (LW) form. The first step to obtain the LW form for a given HD Lagrangian is to find an auxiliary field (AF) Lagrangian which is equivalent to the original HD Lagrangian up to the quantum level. Until now, the AF Lagrangian has been studied only for N=2 and 3 cases, where N is the number of poles of the two-point function of the HD scalar field. We construct the AF Lagrangian for arbitrary N. By the linear combinations of AF fields, we also obtain the corresponding LW form. We find the explicit mapping matrices among the HD fields, the AF fields, and the LW fields. As an exercise of our construction, we calculate the relations among parameters and mapping matrices for N=2, 3, and 4 cases.
Modeling of friction-induced deformation and microstructures.

Frictional contact results in surface and subsurface damage that could influence the performance, aging, and reliability of moving mechanical assemblies. Changes in surface roughness, hardness, grain size and texture often occur during the initial run-in period, resulting in the evolution of subsurface layers with characteristic microstructural features that are different from those of the bulk. The objective of this LDRD funded research was to model friction-induced microstructures. In order to accomplish this objective, novel experimental techniques were developed to make friction measurements on single crystal surfaces along specific crystallographic surfaces. Focused ion beam techniques were used to prepare cross-sections of wear scars, and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and TEM to understand the deformation, orientation changes, and recrystallization that are associated with sliding wear. The extent of subsurface deformation and the coefficient of friction were strongly dependent on the crystal orientation. These experimental observations and insights were used to develop and validate phenomenological models. A phenomenological model was developed to elucidate the relationships between deformation, microstructure formation, and friction during wear. The contact mechanics problem was described by well-known mathematical solutions for the stresses during sliding friction. Crystal plasticity theory was used to describe the evolution of dislocation content in the worn material, which in turn provided an estimate of the characteristic microstructural feature size as a function of the imposed strain. An analysis of grain boundary sliding in ultra-fine-grained material provided a mechanism for lubrication, and model predictions of the contribution of grain boundary sliding (relative to plastic deformation) to lubrication were in good qualitative agreement with experimental evidence. A nanomechanics-based approach has been developed for characterizing the mechanical response of wear surfaces. Coatings are often required to mitigate friction and wear. Amongst other factors, plastic deformation of the substrate determines the coating-substrate interface reliability. Finite element modeling has been applied to predict the plastic deformation for the specific case of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coated Ni alloy substrates.
The Korean Society for Neuro-Oncology (KSNO) Guideline for WHO Grade III Cerebral Gliomas in Adults: Version 2019.01

Background There was no practical guideline for the management of patients with central nervous system tumor in Korea in the past. Thus, the Korean Society for Neuro-Oncology (KSNO), a multidisciplinary academic society, developed the guideline for glioblastoma successfully and published it in Brain Tumor Research and Treatment, the official journal of KSNO, in April 2019. Recently, the KSNO guideline for World Health Organization (WHO) grade III cerebral glioma in adults has been established. Methods The Working Group was composed of 35 multidisciplinary medical experts in Korea. References were identified by searches in PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases using specific and sensitive keywords as well as combinations of keywords. Scope of the disease was confined to cerebral anaplastic astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma in adults. Results Whenever radiological feature suggests high grade glioma, maximal safe resection if feasible is globally recommended. After molecular and histological examinations, patients with anaplastic astrocytoma, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant should be primary treated by standard brain radiotherapy and adjuvant temozolomide chemotherapy whereas those with anaplastic astrocytoma, NOS, and anaplastic astrocytoma, IDH-wildtype should be treated following the protocol for glioblastomas. In terms of anaplastic oligodendroglioma, IDH-mutant and 1p19q-codeletion, and anaplastic oligodendroglioma, NOS should be primary treated by standard brain radiotherapy and neoadjuvant or adjuvant PCV (procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine) combination chemotherapy. Conclusion The KSNO's guideline recommends that WHO grade III cerebral glioma of adults should be treated by maximal safe resection if feasible, followed by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy according to molecular and histological features of tumors.
The missing link: a low-mass X-ray binary in M31 seen as an ultraluminous X-ray source

A new, transient ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX) was recently discovered by Chandra in M31 with a luminosity at ∼5 × 10 39 erg s −1 . Here we analyse a series of five subsequent XMM–Newton observations. These show a steady decline in X-ray luminosity over 1.5 months, from 1.8 × 10 39 to 0.6 × 10 39 erg s −1 , giving an observed e-fold time-scale of ∼40 d. This is similar to the decay time-scales seen in multiple soft X-ray transients in our own Galaxy, supporting the interpretation of this ULX as a stellar mass black hole in a low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB), accreting at super-Eddington rates. This is further supported by the lack of detection of an O/B star in quiescence and the spectral behaviour of the XMM–Newton data being dominated by a disc-like component rather than the power law expected from a sub-Eddington intermediate-mass black hole. These data give the best sequence of high Eddington fraction spectra ever assembled due to the combination of low absorption column to M31 and well-calibrated bandpass down to 0.3 keV of XMM–Newton in full frame mode. The spectra can be roughly described by