Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maximal Static Respiratory and Sniff Pressures in Healthy Children. A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Rationale: Respiratory muscle strength in children can be assessed by maximal inspiratory pressures (MIP), maximal expiratory pressures (MEP), and sniff nasal inspiratory pressures (SNIP). However, previous studies involved small cohorts of healthy children and reported wide reference ranges. Objectives: To perform a systematic review to summarize existing reference ranges for MIP, MEP, and SNIP tests in healthy children and to conduct a meta‐analysis to develop comprehensive prediction equations. Data Sources: Five databases were searched for relevant studies from database inception to May 29, 2017. Data Extraction: Study inclusion was limited to publications that evaluated MIP, MEP, and SNIP values in healthy children aged 18 years or younger. Studies were also excluded if testing methodology differed greatly from the 2002 American Thoracic Society Statement on Respiratory Muscle Testing. Requests for raw data were made to authors via e‐mail. Synthesis: A total of 18 studies including 3,509 children were systematically reviewed. Diagnostic accuracy of the included studies was assessed using the QUADAS‐2 tool, which revealed a high risk of bias for flow and timing and for applicability that may influence the generalizability of our findings. All 18 studies evaluated respiratory pressures in children in seated position. MIP tests were conducted from residual volume, MEP tests from total lung capacity, and SNIP tests from functional residual capacity. The MIP and MEP values in three age groups for boys and girls were summarized using meta‐analysis based on individual participant data from five studies containing 1,709 healthy children. Further analyses showed that MIP and MEP were significantly greater in boys than in girls (P < 0.0001). In both sexes, MEP values were always greater than MIP values (P < 0.05). Multivariable random effects models were then performed to establish sex‐specific prediction equations. These equations found age, height, and weight to be significant predictor variables. Only two studies with SNIP values from healthy children were included in the review, but they were not part of the meta‐analysis. Conclusions: We summarized the available reference ranges for MIP, MEP, and SNIP tests based on existing literature, especially for three age groups, and developed prediction equations that can be used in pulmonary function laboratories to aid clinicians. Existing literature on SNIP tests is limited, and future studies are encouraged to explore their use in children. Systematic review registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42017072004).
Low-Velocity Impact Behavior of Interlayer/Intralayer Hybrid Composites Based on Carbon and Glass Non-Crimp Fabric

Composites have gained wide use in structural applications; however, they are sensitive to impact damage. The use of hybrid composites is an effective way to overcome this deficiency. The effects of various hybrid structures of interlayer and intralayer warp-knitted fabrics with carbon and glass fibers on the low-velocity impact behavior of composite laminates were studied. Drop-weight impact tests were conducted on two types of interlayer, sandwich and intralayer hybrid composite laminates, which were compared with homogenous composite laminates. During low-velocity impact tests, the time histories of impact forces and absorbed energy by laminate were recorded. The failure modes were analyzed using the micro-CT (computed tomography) and C-scan techniques. The results revealed that the hybrid structure played an important role in peak force and the absorbed energy, and that the hybrid interface had an influence on damage modes, whereas the intralayer hybrid composite laminate damage was affected by the impact location. The intralayer hybrid laminate with C:G = 1:1 exhibited better impact resistance compared to the other hybrid structures.
Searching for the Novel Specific Predictors of Prostate Cancer in Urine: The Analysis of 84 miRNA Expression

The aim of this study was to investigate miRNA profiles of clarified urine supernatant and combined urine vesicle fractions of healthy donors and patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer (PCa). The comparative analysis of miRNA expression was conducted with a custom miRCURY LNA miRNA qPCR panel. Significant combinations of miRNA pairs were selected by the RandomForest-based feature selection algorithm Boruta; the difference of the medians between the groups and a 95% confidence interval was built using the bootstrap approach. The Asymptotic Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney Test was performed for miRNA combinations to compare different groups of donors. Benjamini-Hochberg correction was used to adjust the statistical significance for multiple comparisons. The most diagnostically significant miRNAs pairs were miR-107-miR-26b.5p and miR-375.3p-miR-26b.5p in the urine supernatant fraction that discriminated the group of healthy patients and PCa patients, as well as miR-31.5p-miR-16.5p, miR-31.5p-miR-200b, miR-31.5p-miR-30e.3p and miR-31.5p-miR-660.5p in the fraction extracellular vesicles that were different between healthy men and benign prostate hyperplasia patients. Such statistical criteria as the occurrence of individual significant miRNA pairs in the total number of comparisons, median ΔCt difference, and confidence interval can be useful tools for determining reliable markers of PCa.
Cost‐Effectiveness Comparison of Ustekinumab, Infliximab, or Adalimumab for the Treatment of Moderate‐Severe Crohn's Disease in Biologic‐Naïve Patients

Ustekinumab was recently approved by the United States U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of Crohn's disease. In this analysis, we aimed to compare the cost‐effectiveness of ustekinumab, infliximab, or adalimumab for the treatment of moderate‐severe Crohn's disease in patients who failed conventional therapy (i.e., corticosteroids and immunomodulators) but were naïve to tumor necrosis factor antagonists (i.e., biologic drugs).
Ductular Reaction Cells Display an Inflammatory Profile and Recruit Neutrophils in Alcoholic Hepatitis

Chronic liver diseases are characterized by the expansion of ductular reaction (DR) cells and the expression of liver progenitor cell (LPC) markers. In alcoholic hepatitis (AH), the degree of DR expansion correlates with disease progression and short‐term survival. However, little is known about the biological properties of DR cells, their impact on the pathogenesis of human liver disease, and their contribution to tissue repair. In this study, we have evaluated the transcriptomic profile of DR cells by laser capture microdissection in patients with AH and assessed its association with disease progression. The transcriptome analysis of cytokeratin 7‐positive (KRT7+) DR cells uncovered intrinsic gene pathways expressed in DR and genes associated with alcoholic liver disease progression. Importantly, DR presented a proinflammatory profile with expression of neutrophil recruiting C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand (CXC) and C‐C motif chemokine ligand chemokines. Moreover, LPC markers correlated with liver expression and circulating levels of inflammatory mediators such as CXCL5. Histologically, DR was associated with neutrophil infiltration at the periportal area. In order to model the DR and to assess its functional role, we generated LPC organoids derived from patients with cirrhosis. Liver organoids mimicked the transcriptomic and proinflammatory profile of DR cells. Conditioned medium from organoids induced neutrophil migration and enhanced cytokine expression in neutrophils. Likewise, neutrophils promoted the proinflammatory profile and the expression of chemokines of liver organoids. Conclusion: Transcriptomic and functional analysis of KRT7+ cells indicate that DR has a proinflammatory profile and promote neutrophil recruitment. These results indicate that DR may be involved in the liver inflammatory response in AH, and suggest that therapeutic strategies targeting DR cells may be useful to mitigate the inflammatory cell recruitment in AH.
Spatially-Controllable Hot Spots for Plasmon-Enhanced Second-Harmonic Generation in AgNP-ZnO Nanocavity Arrays

Plasmon-enhanced second-harmonic generation (PESHG) based on hybrid metal-dielectric nanostructures have extraordinary importance for developing efficient nanoscale nonlinear sources, which pave the way for new applications in photonic circuitry, quantum optics, and biosensors. However, the relatively high loss of excitation energies and the low spatial overlapping between the locally enhanced electromagnetic field and nonlinear materials still limit the promotion of nonlinear conversion performances in such hybrid systems. Here, we design and fabricate an array of silver nanoparticle-ZnO (AgNP-ZnO) nanocavities to serve as an efficient PESHG platform. The geometry of AgNP-ZnO nanocavity arrays provides a way to flexibly modulate hot spots in three-dimensional space, and to achieve a good mutual overlap of hot spots and ZnO material layers for realizing efficient SH photon generation originating from ZnO nanocavities. Compared to bare ZnO nanocavity arrays, the resulting hybrid AgNP-ZnO design of nanocavities reaches the maximum PESHG enhancement by a factor of approximately 31. Validated by simulations, we can further interpret the relative contribution of fundamental and harmonic modes to Ag-NP dependent PESHG performances, and reveal that the enhancement stems from the co-cooperation effect of plasmon-resonant enhancements both for fundamental and harmonic frequencies. Our findings offer a previously unreported method for designing efficient PESHG systems and pave a way for further understanding of a surface plasmon-coupled second-order emission mechanism for the enhancement of hybrid systems.
Brassinosteroid Signaling in Plant–Microbe Interactions

As sessile organisms, plants are frequently exposed to different stress conditions caused by either biotic or abiotic factors. Understanding the mechanisms that underlie plant interaction with the biotic and abiotic environments is fundamental to both plant biotechnology and sustainable agriculture. Brassinosteroids (BRs) are a group of plant-specific steroidal compounds essential for normal growth and development. Recent research evidence indicates that BRs are also actively involved in plant–environment interactions and play important roles in shaping plant fitness and the growth–defense trade-offs. In this minireview, we focus our attention on recent advances in the understanding of BR functions in modulating plant interactions with different pathogenic microbes, with particular focus on how BR signaling primes the plant innate immunity pathways and achieves a trade-off between growth and immunity.
CircRNA fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 promotes tumor progression in non‐small cell lung cancer by regulating Galectin‐1‐AKT/ERK1/2 signaling

The dysregulation of circular RNA (circRNA) expression is involved in the progression of several cancers, including non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the role and underlying molecular mechanisms of circRNA FGFR3 (circFGFR3) in NSCLC progression remains unknown. Here, we used quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction to validate that circFGFR3 expression was higher in NSCLC tissues than in the paratumor tissues. Furthermore, our study indicated that the forced circFGFR3 expression promoted NSCLC cell invasion and proliferation. Mechanistically, we found that circFGFR3 promoted NSCLC cell invasion and proliferation via competitively combining with miR‐22‐3p to facilitate the galectin‐1 (Gal‐1), p‐AKT, and p‐ERK1/2 expressions. Clinically, we revealed that the high circFGFR3 expression correlates with the poor clinical outcomes in patients with NSCLC. Together, these data provide mechanistic insights into the circFGFR3‐mediated regulation of both the AKT and ERK1/2 signaling pathways by sponging miR‐22‐3p and increasing Gal‐1 expression.
Distinct Patterns of PPARγ Promoter Usage, Lipid Degradation Activity, and Gene Expression in Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue of Lean and Obese Swine

Subcutaneous adipose tissue is a loose connective tissue specializing in the regulation of energy storage and metabolization. In domesticated pigs (Sus scrofa), the temporal development of subcutaneous adipose tissue is critical for meat production. However, the regulation of adipose tissue development remains unclear. Here, the subcutaneous adipose tissue development was characterized and compared in lean (Danish-Landrace) and obese (Min) pigs at juvenile and the juvenile-to-adult growth stages. Using RNA sequencing, we profiled the transcriptome of subcutaneous adipose tissue isolated from 4- and 16-week-old pigs and identified 24,718 expressed transcription units. Of them, 6327 genes were differentially expressed between the breeds and/or developmental stages. Compared with obese pigs, upregulated genes in lean pigs showed significant function and pathway enrichment in fatty acid degradation and mitochondrial functions. Further analysis uncovered the distinct usage preferences of the three alternative peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) promoters associated with the development of subcutaneous adipose tissue in both breeds. Transcriptome analysis of subcutaneous adipose tissue in lean and obese pigs suggested that marker-assisted selection of fatty acid degradation and PPARγ signaling pathways could be important directions for future pork quality improvement and modern breeding.
Nuclear–Cytoplasmic Transport Is a Therapeutic Target in Myelofibrosis

Purpose: Myelofibrosis is a hematopoietic stem cell neoplasm characterized by bone marrow reticulin fibrosis, extramedullary hematopoiesis, and frequent transformation to acute myeloid leukemia. Constitutive activation of JAK/STAT signaling through mutations in JAK2, CALR, or MPL is central to myelofibrosis pathogenesis. JAK inhibitors such as ruxolitinib reduce symptoms and improve quality of life, but are not curative and do not prevent leukemic transformation, defining a need to identify better therapeutic targets in myelofibrosis. Experimental Design: A short hairpin RNA library screening was performed on JAK2V617F-mutant HEL cells. Nuclear–cytoplasmic transport (NCT) genes including RAN and RANBP2 were among top candidates. JAK2V617F-mutant cell lines, human primary myelofibrosis CD34+ cells, and a retroviral JAK2V617F-driven myeloproliferative neoplasms mouse model were used to determine the effects of inhibiting NCT with selective inhibitors of nuclear export compounds KPT-330 (selinexor) or KPT-8602 (eltanexor). Results: JAK2V617F-mutant HEL, SET-2, and HEL cells resistant to JAK inhibition are exquisitely sensitive to RAN knockdown or pharmacologic inhibition by KPT-330 or KPT-8602. Inhibition of NCT selectively decreased viable cells and colony formation by myelofibrosis compared with cord blood CD34+ cells and enhanced ruxolitinib-mediated growth inhibition and apoptosis, both in newly diagnosed and ruxolitinib-exposed myelofibrosis cells. Inhibition of NCT in myelofibrosis CD34+ cells led to nuclear accumulation of p53. KPT-330 in combination with ruxolitinib-normalized white blood cells, hematocrit, spleen size, and architecture, and selectively reduced JAK2V617F-mutant cells in vivo. Conclusions: Our data implicate NCT as a potential therapeutic target in myelofibrosis and provide a rationale for clinical evaluation in ruxolitinib-exposed patients with myelofibrosis.
Effects of Protonation, Hydroxylamination, and Hydrazination of g-C3N4 on the Performance of Matrimid®/g-C3N4 Membranes

One of the challenges to continue improving polymeric membranes properties involves the development of novel chemically modified fillers, such as nitrogen-rich 2-D nanomaterials. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has attracted significant interest as a new class of these fillers. Protonation is known to afford it desirable functionalities to form unique architectures for various applications. In the work presented herein, doping of Matrimid® with protonated g-C3N4 to yield Matrimid®/g-C3N4 mixed matrix membranes was found to improve gas separation by enhancing the selectivity for CO2/CH4 by up to 36.9% at 0.5 wt % filler doping. With a view to further enhancing the contribution of g-C3N4 to the performance of the composite membrane, oxygen plasma and hydrazine monohydrate treatments were also assayed as alternatives to protonation. Hydroxylamination by oxygen plasma treatment increased the selectivity for CO2/CH4 by up to 52.2% (at 2 wt % doping) and that for O2/N2 by up to 26.3% (at 0.5 wt % doping). Hydrazination led to lower enhancements in CO2/CH4 separation, by up to 11.4%. This study suggests that chemically-modified g-C3N4 may hold promise as an additive for modifying the surface of Matrimid® and other membranes.
Research on Path Planning Model Based on Short-Term Traffic Flow Prediction in Intelligent Transportation System

Vehicle driving path planning is an important information service in intelligent transportation systems. As an important basis for path planning optimization, the travel time prediction method has attracted much attention. However, traffic flow has features of high nonlinearity, time-varying, and uncertainty, which makes it hard for prediction method with single feature to meet the accuracy demand of intelligent transportation system in big data environment. In this paper, the historical vehicle Global Positioning System (GPS) information data is used to establish the traffic prediction model. Firstly, the Clustering in QUEst (CLIQUE)-based clustering algorithm V-CLIQUE is proposed to analyze the historical vehicle GPS data. Secondly, an artificial neural network (ANN)-based prediction model is proposed. Finally, the ANN-based weighted shortest path algorithm, A-Dijkstra, is proposed. We used mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) to evaluate the predictive model and compare it with the predicted results of Average and support regression vector (SRV). Experiments show that the improved ANN path planning model we proposed can accurately predict real-time traffic status at the given location. It has less relative error and saves time for users’ travel while saving social resources.
Ubuntu considered in light of exclusion of people with disabilities

Background This article emanates from a study funded by the KwaZulu-Natal chapter of South Africa’s National Research Foundation on the ‘Archaeology of Ubuntu’. It explores the notion of ubuntu and disability in a group of Zulu people from four communities within KwaZulu-Natal. The study is based on the notion that ubuntu is humaneness. Being human is linked to notions of care, respect and compassion. Objectives The article explores the treatment of people with disabilities from the elders’ perspectives in this community. Method This article is based on qualitative data resulting from structured interviews conducted in the KwaZulu-Natal Province between February and March 2015. Results The results reveal that society considered the birth of a disabled child as a curse from God and punishment from the ancestors. The results also indicate that people with disabilities were excluded from community activities; marrying a disabled person was unthinkable because they were stigmatised and dehumanised. The work of Hannah Arendt is used to interrogate people’s perceptions of others with disabilities in their communities. Conclusion The article posits that treatment of people with disabilities is not cast in stone but can be renegotiated and restructured through community engagement to represent genuine inclusion.
Selective cytotoxicity of green synthesized silver nanoparticles against the MCF-7 tumor cell line and their enhanced antioxidant and antimicrobial properties

Introduction Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are of great interest due to their unique and controllable characteristics. Different synthesis methods have been proposed to produce these nanoparticles, which often require elevated temperatures/pressures or toxic solvents. Thus, green synthesis could be a replacement option as a simple, economically viable and environmentally friendly alternative approach for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Methods Here, the potential of the walnut green husk was investigated in the production of silver nanoparticles. An aqueous solution extracted from walnut green husk was used as a reducing agent as well as a stabilizing agent. Then, the synthesized nanoparticles were characterized with respect of their anticancer, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Results Results showed that the synthesized nanoparticles possessed an average size of 31.4 nm with a Zeta potential of -33.8 mV, indicating high stability. A significant improvement in the cytotoxicity and antioxidant characteristics of the green synthesized Ag nanoparticles against a cancerous cell line was observed in comparison with the walnut green husk extract and a commercial silver nanoparticle (CSN). This could be due to a synergistic effect of the synthesized silver nanoparticles and their biological coating. AgNPs and the extract exhibited 70% and 40% cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cancerous cells, respectively, while CSN caused 56% cell death (at the concentration of 60 µg/mL). It was observed that AgNPs were much less cytotoxic when tested against a noncancerous cell line (L-929) in comparison with the control material (CSN). The free radical scavenging analysis demonstrated profound anti-oxidant activity for the synthesized nanoparticles in comparison with the extract and CSN. It was also detected that the synthesized AgNPs possess antibacterial activity against nosocomial and standard strains of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (minimum inhibitory concentration =5-30 µg/mL). Conclusion These findings imply that the synthesized nanoparticles using green nanotechnology could be an ideal strategy to combat cancer and infectious diseases.
Rapid Development of High-Level Resistance to Dolutegravir With Emergence of T97A Mutation in 2 Treatment-Experienced Individuals With Baseline Partial Sensitivity to Dolutegravir

Abstract HIV integrase mutation T97A emerges after suboptimal therapy with integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs), but the contribution of T97A to dolutegravir resistance remains uncertain. Here we report >10-fold increase in dolutegravir resistance after the single addition of T97A in 2 individuals with prior INSTI resistance receiving dolutegravir salvage therapy.
Endophytic Colletotrichum species from Dendrobium spp. in China and Northern Thailand

Abstract Species of Colletotrichum are commonly found in many plant hosts as pathogens, endophytes and occasionally saprobes. Twenty-two Colletotrichum strains were isolated from three Dendrobium species – D.cariniferum, D.catenatum and D.harveyanum, as well as three unidentified species. The taxa were identified using morphological characterisation and phylogenetic analyses of ITS, GAPDH, ACT and ß–tubulin sequence data. This is the first time to identify endophytic fungi from Dendrobium orchids using the above method. The known species, Colletotrichumboninense, C.camelliae-japonicae, C.fructicola, C.jiangxiense and C.orchidophilum were identified as fungal endophytes of Dendrobium spp. , along with the new species, C.cariniferi, C.chiangraiense, C.doitungense, C.parallelophorum and C.watphraense, which are introduced in this paper. One strain is recorded as an unidentified species. Corn meal agar is recommended as a good sporulation medium for Colletotrichum species. This is the first report of fungal endophytes associated with Dendrobiumcariniferum and D.harveyanum. Colletotrichumcamelliae-japonicae, C.jiangxiense, and C.orchidophilum are new host records for Thailand.