Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immunohistochemical Detection of Potential Microbial Antigens in Granulomas in the Diagnosis of Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis may have more than a single causative agent, including infectious and non-infectious agents. Among the potential infectious causes of sarcoidosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Propionibacterium acnes are the most likely microorganisms. Potential latent infection by both microorganisms complicates the findings of molecular and immunologic studies. Immune responses to potential infectious agents of sarcoidosis should be considered together with the microorganisms detected in sarcoid granulomas, because immunologic reactivities to infectious agents reflect current and past infection, including latent infection unrelated to the cause of the granuloma formation. Histopathologic data more readily support P. acnes as a cause of sarcoidosis compared with M. tuberculosis, suggesting that normally symbiotic P. acnes leads to granuloma formation in some predisposed individuals with Th1 hypersensitivity against intracellular proliferation of latent P. acnes, which may be triggered by certain host or drug-induced conditions. Detection of bacterial nucleic acids in granulomas does not necessarily indicate co-localization of the bacterial proteins in the granulomas. In the histopathologic diagnosis of sarcoidosis, M. tuberculosis-associated and P. acnes-associated sarcoidosis will possibly be differentiated in some patients by immunohistochemistry with appropriate antibodies that specifically react with mycobacterial and propionibacterial antigens, respectively, for each etiology-based diagnosis and potential antimicrobial intervention against sarcoidosis.
Improved Breakdown Strength of Polypropylene Film by Polycyclic Compounds Addition for Power Capacitors

In this paper, an improved method for the electric performance of polypropylene (PP) film was proposed to promote the safety and stability of power capacitors. Modified PP films containing three different polycyclic compounds were prepared, which showed good thermal properties and decreased DC conductivity. The DC breakdown strength of the modified PP films under both positive and negative voltage is increased compared with that of the original film. The deep traps introduced by polycyclic compounds and the decreased carrier mobility give an explanation of the decreased DC conductivity. A quantum chemistry calculation was further performed to clarify the mechanism for improving electrical performance, presenting that polycyclic compounds with a high electron affinity and low ionization energy can capture high-energy electrons, protecting the PP molecular chain from attack, and then increase the breakdown strength. It is concluded that the modified PP films by polycyclic compounds have great potential in improving the insulating properties of power capacitors.
EM Model-Based Device-Free Localization of Multiple Bodies †

In this paper, we discuss the problem of device-free localization and tracking, considering multiple bodies moving inside an area monitored by a wireless network. The presence and motion of non-instrumented subjects leave a specific footprint on the received Radio-Frequency (RF) signals by affecting the Received Signal Strength (RSS) in a way that strongly depends on people location. The paper targets specifically the modelling of the effects on the electromagnetic (EM) field, and the related inference methods. A multiple-body diffraction model is exploited to predict the impact of these bodies on the RSS field, i.e., the multi-body-induced shadowing, in the form of an extra attenuation w.r. t. the reference scenario where no targets are inside the monitored area. Unlike almost all methods available in the literature, that assume multi-body-induced shadowing to sum linearly with the number of people co-present in the monitored area, the proposed model describes also the EM effects caused by their mutual interactions. As a relevant case study, the proposed EM model is exploited to predict and evaluate the effects due to two co-located bodies inside the monitored area. The proposed real-time localization and tracking method, exploiting both average and deviation of the RSS perturbations due to the two subjects, is compared against others techniques available in the literature. Finally, some results, based on experimental RF data collected in a representative indoor environment, are presented and discussed.
FAM72, Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) and Beyond

Simple Summary Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a serious and aggressive cancer disease that has not allowed scientists to rest for decades. In this review, we consider the new gene pair |-SRGAP2–FAM72-| and discuss its role in the cell cycle and the possibility of defining new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of GBM and other cancers via this gene pair |-SRGAP2–FAM72-|. Abstract Neural stem cells (NSCs) offer great potential for regenerative medicine due to their excellent ability to differentiate into various specialized cell types of the brain. In the central nervous system (CNS), NSC renewal and differentiation are under strict control by the regulation of the pivotal SLIT-ROBO Rho GTPase activating protein 2 (SRGAP2)—Family with sequence similarity 72 (FAM72) master gene (i.e., |-SRGAP2–FAM72-|) via a divergent gene transcription activation mechanism. If the gene transcription control unit (i.e., the intergenic region of the two sub-gene units, SRGAP2 and FAM72) gets out of control, NSCs may transform into cancer stem cells and generate brain tumor cells responsible for brain cancer such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Here, we discuss the surveillance of this |-SRGAP2–FAM72-| master gene and its role in GBM, and also in light of FAM72 for diagnosing various types of cancers outside of the CNS.
Thermogelling hydrogels of poly(ε‐caprolactone‐co‐D,L‐lactide)–poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(ε‐caprolactone‐co‐D,L‐lactide) and poly(ε‐caprolactone‐co‐L‐lactide)–poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(ε‐caprolactone‐co‐L‐lactide) aqueous solutions

Thermogelling poly(e-caprolactone-co-D,L-lactide)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(e-caprolactone-co-D,L-lactide) and poly(e-caprolactone-co-L-lactide)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(e-caprolactone-co-L-lactide) triblock copolymers were synthesized through the ring-opening polymerization of e-caprolactone and D,L-lactide or L-lactide in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol). The polymerization reaction was carried out in 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene with Sn(Oct) 2 as the catalyst at various temperatures, and the yields were about 96%. The molecular weights and polydispersities (M w /M n ) by gel permeation chromatography were in the ranges of 5140-6750 and 1.35-1.45, respectively. The differential scanning calorimetry results showed that the melting temperatures of the poly(e-caprolactone) components were between 30 and 40°C. By the subtle tuning of the chemical compositions and microstructures of these triblock copolymers, the aqueous solutions underwent sol-gel transitions as the temperature increased, with the suitable lower critical solution temperature in the range of 17-28 °C at different concentrations. Transesterification in the polymerization process generated the redistribution of sequences, which remarkably affected the sol-gel transition temperature. The amphiphilic copolymers formed micelles in aqueous solutions with a diameter of 62 nm and a critical micelle concentration of about 0.032 wt % at 20 °C. Micelles aggregated as the temperature increased, leading to gel formation. The sol-gel transition was studied, with a focus on the structure-property relationship. It is expected to have potential applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering.
Electrochemiluminescence-Based Quantitation of Classical Clinical Chemistry Analytes

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL)-based assays are described for the quantitation of potentially any clinical analyte that can be linked to a β-nicotinamide adenine cofactor-requiring or hydrogen peroxide-forming enzyme. Light was emitted when an appropriate voltage was applied to an electrode immersed in a solution containing the inorganic luminescent complex, ruthenium(II) tris(bipyridyl), and either NAD(P)H or H2O2. The detection of H2O2 required oxalate as a coreactant. The amount of emitted light directly related to the concentration of NAD(P)H or H2O2. Five classical clinical analytes were quantitated using different formats: glucose (coupled to both NADH- and H2O2-producing enzymes), ethanol (two NADH-producing enzymes in series), carbon dioxide (NADH-depleting enzyme), cholesterol (H2O2-forming enzyme), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (temporal measurement of catalytic NADPH formation). Satisfactory correlations were found between ECL and conventional spectrophotometric analyses. The wide asso.
Skull base reconstruction: A question of flow? A critical analysis of 521 endoscopic endonasal surgeries

Introduction Post-operative CSF leak still represents the main drawback of Endoscopic Endonasal Approach (EEA), and different reconstructive strategies have been proposed in order to decrease its rate. Objective To critically analyze the effectiveness of different adopted reconstruction strategies in patients that underwent EEA. Materials and methods Adult patients with skull base tumor surgically treated with EEA were retrospectively analyzed. Data recorded for each case concerned patient demographics, type of surgical approach, histotype, anatomical site of surgical approach, intra-operative CSF leak grade (no leak (INL), low flow (ILFL), high flow (IHFL)), reconstructive adopted strategy, Lumbar Drain positioning, post-operative CSF leak rate and intra/post-operative complications. Results A total number of 521 patients (January 2012-December 2019) was included. Intra-operative CSF leak grade showed to be associated with post-operative CSF leak rate. In particular, the risk to observe a post-operative CSF leak was higher when IHFL was encountered (25,5%; Exp(B) 16.25). In particular, vascularized multilayered reconstruction and fat use showed to be effective in lowering post-operative CSF leaks in IHFL (p 0.02). No differences were found considering INL and ILFL groups. Yearly post-operative CSF leak rate analysis showed a significative decreasing trend. Conclusion Intra-operative CSF leak grade strongly affected post-operative CSF leak rate. Multilayer reconstruction with fat and naso-septal flap could reduce the rate of CSF leak in high risk patients. Reconstructive strategies should be tailored according also to the type and the anatomical site of the approach.
DFT Calculations of the Electron Affinities of Nucleic Acid Bases: Dealing with Negative Electron Affinities

To better understand the cause of the diversity in reported values of the electron affinities (EAs) for DNA bases, we performed a series of DFT (B3LYP functional) calculations at different basis set sizes. Through investigation of (1) trends in the values of EAs, (2) the excess electron spin distribution of the anion radical dependence on basis set size, (3) effect of the excess electron on ZPEs, we are able to identify the features of a basis set that allows for dipole-bound and continuum states to compete with molecular states for the electron. Smaller basis sets that confine the excess electron to the molecule allow for reasonable estimates of relative valence electron affinities excluding dipole-bound states and suggest the order of adiabatic valence electron affinities to be U ≈ T > C ≈ I (hypoxanthine) > A > G with G nearly 1 eV less electron affinic than U. Combining the best estimates from theory and experiment we place the adiabatic valence electron affinities of the pyrimidines as zero to +0.2 e.
Physical features of newborns exposed during pregnancy to anticonvulsant medication and developmental monitoring

Antiepileptic drug (AED) use during pregnancy can affect the physical features, intelligence, and behavior in the exposed infants and children. Identifying these AED‐related effects early makes intervention in childhood possible. To examine the accuracy of the identification of AED effects on the physical features of newborn infants, the written findings in routine physical examinations in medical records can be evaluated.
Electrogeneration of Biotinylated Functionalized Polypyrroles for the Simple Immobilization of Enzymes

A new biotin derivative functionalized by a pyrrole group has been synthesized. This functionalization has allowed the preparation of the first example of a poly(pyrrole-biotin) film by oxidative polymerization. In addition, the successful copolymerization of a polypyridinyl complex of ruthenium(II) containing pyrrole groups with the biotin derivative provided redox copolymers exhibiting specific adsorption sites. The resulting copolymer electrodes were applied to the immobilization of a biotinylated glucose oxidase through an avidin bridge. An avidin-conjugated alkaline phosphatase was also immobilized by direct specific adsorption onto the biotinylated polymer. The amperometric response of the resulting biosensors to glucose and phenylphosphate has been studied.
Cost-effectiveness of an enhanced Paramedic Acute Stroke Treatment Assessment (PASTA) during emergency stroke care: Economic results from a pragmatic cluster randomized trial

Background The Paramedic Acute Stroke Treatment Assessment (PASTA) trial evaluated an enhanced emergency care pathway which aimed to facilitate thrombolysis in hospital. A pre-planned health economic evaluation was included. The main results showed no statistical evidence of a difference in either thrombolysis volume (primary outcome) or 90-day dependency. However, counter-intuitive findings were observed with the intervention group showing fewer thrombolysis treatments but less dependency. Aims Cost-effectiveness of the PASTA intervention was examined relative to standard care. Methods A within trial cost-utility analysis estimated mean costs and quality-adjusted life years over 90 days’ time horizon. Costs were derived from resource utilization data for individual trial participants. Quality-adjusted life years were calculated by mapping modified Rankin scale scores to EQ-5D-3L utility tariffs. A post-hoc subgroup analysis examined cost-effectiveness when trial hospitals were divided into compliant and non-compliant with recommendations for a stroke specialist thrombolysis rota. Results The trial enrolled 1214 patients: 500 PASTA and 714 standard care. There was no evidence of a quality-adjusted life year difference between groups [0·007 (95% CI: −0·003 to 0·018)] but costs were lower in the PASTA group [−£1473 (95% CI: −£2736 to −£219)]. There was over 97.5% chance that the PASTA pathway would be considered cost-effective. There was no evidence of a difference in costs at seven thrombolysis rota compliant hospitals but costs at eight non-complaint hospitals costs were lower in PASTA with more dominant cost-effectiveness. Conclusions Analyses indicate that the PASTA pathway may be considered cost-effective, particularly if deployed in areas where stroke specialist availability is limited. Trial Registration: ISRCTN12418919 www.isrctn. com/ISRCTN12418919
A robust and flexible CRISPR/Cas9 based system for neutrophil-specific gene inactivation in zebrafish.

CRISPR/Cas9-based tissue-specific knockout techniques are essential in probing the functions of genes in embryonic development and disease using zebrafish. However, the lack of capacity to perform gene-specific rescue or live-imaging in the tissue-specific knockout background has limited the utility of this approach. Here, we report a robust and flexible gateway system for tissue-specific gene inactivation in neutrophils. Using a transgenic fish line with neutrophil-restricted expression of Cas9 and ubiquitous expression of sgRNAs targeting rac2, specific disruption of the rac2 gene in neutrophils is achieved. Transient expression of sgRNAs targeting rac2 or cdk2 in the neutrophil-restricted Cas9 line also results in significantly decreased cell motility. Re-expressing sgRNA-resistant rac2 or cdk2 gene restored neutrophil motility in the corresponding knockout background. Moreover, active Rac and force bearing F-actins localize to both the cell front and the contracting tail during neutrophil interstitial migration in an oscillating fashion that is disrupted when rac2 is knocked out. Together, our work provides a potent tool that can be used to advance the utility of zebrafish in identifying and characterizing gene functions in a tissue-specific manner.
Skeletal and Dental Correction and Stability Following LeFort I Advancement in Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate With Mild, Moderate, and Severe Maxillary Hypoplasia

Objective: This study evaluates skeletal and dental outcomes of LeFort I advancement surgery in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) with varying degrees of maxillary skeletal hypoplasia. Design: Retrospective study. Method: Lateral cephalograms were digitized at preoperative (T1), immediately postoperative (T2), and 1-year follow-up (T3) and compared to untreated unaffected controls. Based on the severity of cleft maxillary hypoplasia, the sample was divided into 3 groups using Wits analysis: mild: ≤0 to ≥−5 mm; moderate: <−5 to >−10 mm; and severe: ≤−10 mm. Participants: Fifty-one patients with nonsyndromic CLP with hypoplastic maxilla who met inclusion criteria. Intervention: LeFort I advancement. Main Outcome Measure: Skeletal and dental stability post-LeFort I surgery at a 1-year follow-up. Results: At T2, LeFort I surgery produced an average correction of maxillary hypoplasia by 6.4 ± 0.6, 8.1 ± 0.4, and 10.7 ± 0.8 mm in the mild, moderate, and severe groups, respectively. There was a mean relapse of 1 to 1.5 mm observed in all groups. At T3, no statistically significant differences were observed between the surgical groups and controls at angle Sella, Nasion, A point (SNA), A point, Nasion, B point (ANB), and overjet outcome measures. Conclusions: LeFort I advancement produces a stable correction in mild, moderate, and severe skeletal maxillary hypoplasia. Overcorrection is recommended in all patients with CLP to compensate for the expected postsurgical skeletal relapse.
An update to the CRM1 cargo/NES database NESdb

The nuclear export receptor CRM1 transports hundreds to thousands of diverse functioning macromolecules (proteins and RNAs) from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. CRM1 cargo proteins contain short 8–15 residue-long nuclear export signals (NESs) that bind directly to the NES-binding groove of CRM1. NES peptides are diverse in both sequence and structure; many match the classical Φ1X2-3Φ2X2-3Φ3XΦ4 consensus sequence pattern where Φ is Leu, Val, Ile, Phe, or Met and X is any amino acid (classes 1a–d in Table 1). However, recent structural studies of CRM1 bound to NESs with diverse sequences significantly expanded the diversity of this sequence pattern, increasing variation of the number of X residues to form different spacings between the four hydrophobic Φ residues (Fung et al., 2015, 2017) (Table 1). In 2012, we published the NESdb (http://prodata.swmed.edu/LRNes/index.php), a database of 221 NES-containing CRM1 cargoes (Xu et al., 2012). Each entry in NESdb displayed the sequence, structure, and experimental information on the putative NES sequence(s) of a previously reported CRM1 cargo. The NES entries were separated into two groups: “NESs” and “NESs in doubt. ” Twenty-two of the 221 NESs were NESs in doubt entries, which included contradictory evidence that raised questions about the validity of the reported NESs. We have updated NESdb to a total of 399 entries. This letter describes the significant expansion of the database. We also highlight advances in NES identification that are important to consider for the search of NESs in potential CRM1 cargoes.
SARS-CoV-2 infection of human iPSC-derived cardiac cells reflects cytopathic features in hearts of patients with COVID-19

Infection of human iPSC–derived cardiomyocytes by SARS-CoV-2 leads to specific cytopathic features reflected in patient autopsy samples. Clues from cardiac cells Cardiac damage has been identified in individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2. Perez-Bermejo et al. studied cytopathic features of infection using human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)–derived cells and samples of heart tissue from patients. They found that hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes were readily infected with SARS-CoV-2, whereas fibroblasts and endothelial cells were not. Infection altered gene expression and caused sarcomeric fragmentation. Autopsy samples revealed myofibrillar disruptions in the hearts of individuals infected with COVID-19 who had confirmed myocarditis and individuals who did not have cardiac involvement, with features similar to those seen in hiPSC-derived infected cells. Results support use of hiPSC-derived cells to study SARS-CoV-2–induced cardiac damage. Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes cardiac dysfunction in up to 25% of patients, its pathogenesis remains unclear. Exposure of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)–derived heart cells to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) revealed productive infection and robust transcriptomic and morphological signatures of damage, particularly in cardiomyocytes. Transcriptomic disruption of structural genes corroborates adverse morphologic features, which included a distinct pattern of myofibrillar fragmentation and nuclear disruption. Human autopsy specimens from patients with COVID-19 reflected similar alterations, particularly sarcomeric fragmentation. These notable cytopathic features in cardiomyocytes provide insights into SARS-CoV-2–induced cardiac damage, offer a platform for discovery of potential therapeutics, and raise concerns about the long-term consequences of COVID-19 in asymptomatic and severe cases.
Relation of medication adherence to cognitive functions in egyptian patients with bipolar I disorder

Nonadherence to medication regimens is frequently reported in bipolar I disorder (BDI) patients. However, little is known about the relationship between cognitive functions and adherence in BDI. To establish possible associations between medication adherence and cognitive function in patients with BDI. A total of 110 inpatients with BDI were subjected to the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorder, Morisky 8-Item Medication Adherence Scale, Young Mania Rating Scale, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised, Wechsler memory scale (WMS) and Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST). Patients were assessed on admission and followed up 6 months after discharge. Six months after discharge, (58.2%) of patients were nonadherent to their medications. The nonadherent group were younger males with less years of education, with lower mean scores in information orientation and visual memory backward domains of WMS and lower mean scores in perseveration responses, perseveration errors and learning to learn domains of WCST. In logistic regression analysis, younger age and impaired information orientation domain of WMS were putative predictors of nonadherence. Episodic memory and younger age were the strongest patients’ related factors associated with nonadherence to medication. These results suggest that rehabilitation of specific cognitive skills may improve adherence in BDI.