Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toll-like Receptor 2 Functions as a Pattern Recognition Receptor for Diverse Bacterial Products*

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 2 and 4 are signal transducers for lipopolysaccharide, the major proinflammatory constituent in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. We observed that membrane lipoproteins/lipopeptides from Borrelia burgdorferi, Treponema pallidum, and Mycoplasma fermentans activated cells heterologously expressing TLR2 but not those expressing TLR1 or TLR4. These TLR2-expressing cells were also stimulated by living motile B. burgdorferi, suggesting that TLR2 recognition of lipoproteins is relevant to naturalBorrelia infection. Importantly, a TLR2 antibody inhibited bacterial lipoprotein/lipopeptide-induced tumor necrosis factor release from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and TLR2-null Chinese hamster macrophages were insensitive to lipoprotein/lipopeptide challenge. The data suggest a role for the native protein in cellular activation by these ligands. In addition, TLR2-dependent responses were seen using whole Mycobacterium avium andStaphylococcus aureus, demonstrating that this receptor can function as a signal transducer for a wide spectrum of bacterial products. We conclude that diverse pathogens activate cells through TLR2 and propose that this molecule is a central pattern recognition receptor in host immune responses to microbial invasion.
Effects of Glargine Insulin on Glycemic Control in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type II Undergoing Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

Background: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in patients requiring coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is noticeably high (20%–30%). These patients have inferior perioperative outcome, reduced long-term survival, and high risk of recurrent episodes of angina. To improve perioperative outcome surgical unit defined satisfactory glycemic control is desired during this period. Hence, the aim of our study is to compare the efficacy of glargine insulin combination with continuous human insulin infusion for perioperative glycemic control in patients with diabetes undergoing CABG. Materials and Methods: Fifty Patients, who were posted for off-pump CABG with diabetes mellitus type II, were randomized in two group, Group I normal saline + human insulin infusion during the perioperative period, Group II (glargine group): Glargine + human insulin infusion during perioperative period. Results: During surgery and in the postoperative period, random blood sugar and human insulin requirement are significantly higher in control group than glargine group. Other infection, step-up antibiotics, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and hospital stay were significantly higher in control groups in postoperative period. Conclusion: Our study results suggest that glargine effectively manages blood glucose level with significantly greater control over postoperative morbidity.
Correlation between Entecavir Penetration in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and HBV DNA Decay during Treatment of HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B

Background Recently, due to its high effectiveness and tolerability, the treatment of chronic hepatitis B with entecavir became a standard practice. However, limited knowledge is currently available about its pharmacokinetic behaviour and intracellular disposition. Recently, our group reported an inverse correlation between entecavir plasma concentrations and the HBV DNA decay at the first and third month of treatment, respectively. In this paper we investigated the penetration of entecavir in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and in plasma, in order to evaluate the relationship between intracellular penetration and response, in a cohort of naive patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative CHB. Methods Thirty-three patients were prospectively enrolled and gave written informed consent: the monitoring of clinical parameters (for example, HBV DNA, hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg], alanine aminotransferase) was carried out at the baseline and then monthly. Entecavir intra-PBMC and plasma trough concentrations were measured at 1 month of treatment, through a validated method based on liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Results While plasma entecavir analysis confirmed previous evidence of inverse correlation between drug concentrations and HBV DNA decrease after 3 months of treatment (r=-0.723; P<0.001), this correlation was not significant for intra-PBMC concentrations. When the intracellular disposition ratio (intra-PBMC/plasma concentration ratio) was considered, it showed a direct and significant correlation with HBV DNA decay at the third month (r=0.485; P=0.004). Conclusions These results suggest that the antiviral activity of entecavir is dependent on its intracellular uptake, thus resulting in lower plasma concentrations in patients who have a marked HBV DNA decrease during treatment.
Characterization of Thin Carbon Films Produced by the Magnetron Sputtering Technique

Thin carbon films containing both amorphous and crystalline structures were produced by RF magnetron sputtering. The depositions of the carbon films were performed on Co buffer layers previously deposited on c-plane (0001) sapphire substrates. The thin carbon films were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and field emission scanning electron microscope (FEG-SEM). The Raman spectra confirmed the presence of amorphous and crystalline structures by the existence of an intense D band separated from the G band, indicating early stages of crystallization. The interplanar distance corresponding to the graphite structures was determined by using HRTEM micrographs.
TRAIL-R1 Is a Negative Regulator of Pro-Inflammatory Responses and Modulates Long-Term Sequelae Resulting from Chlamydia trachomatis Infections in Humans

The immune system eliminates Chlamydia trachomatis infection through inflammation. However, uncontrolled inflammation can enhance pathology. In mice, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor (TRAIL-R), known for its effects on apoptosis, also regulates inflammation. In humans, the four homologues of TRAIL-R had never been investigated for effects on inflammation. Here, we examined whether TRAIL-R regulates inflammation during chlamydial infection. We examined TRAIL-R1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in an Ecuadorian cohort with and without C. trachomatis infections. There was a highly significant association for the TRAIL+626 homozygous mutant GG for infection vs no infection in this population. To confirm the results observed in the human population, primary lung fibroblasts and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were isolated from wildtype (WT) and TRAIL-R-deficient mice, and TRAIL-R1 levels in human cervical epithelial cells were depleted by RNA interference. Infection of BMDMs and primary lung fibroblasts with C. trachomatis strain L2, or the murine pathogen C. muridarum, led to higher levels of MIP2 mRNA expression or IL-1β secretion from TRAIL-R-deficient cells than WT cells. Similarly, depletion of TRAIL-R1 expression in human epithelial cells resulted in a higher level of IL-8 mRNA expression and protein secretion during C. trachomatis infection. We conclude that human TRAIL-R1 SNPs and murine TRAIL-R modulate the innate immune response against chlamydial infection. This is the first evidence that human TRAIL-R1 is a negative regulator of inflammation and plays a role in modulating Chlamydia pathogenesis.
Maximizing Activity in Ising Networks via the TAP Approximation

A wide array of complex biological, social, and physical systems have recently been shown to be quantitatively described by Ising models, which lie at the intersection of statistical physics and machine learning. Here, we study the fundamental question of how to optimize the state of a networked Ising system given a budget of external influence. In the continuous setting where one can tune the influence applied to each node, we propose a series of approximate gradient ascent algorithms based on the Plefka expansion, which generalizes the naive mean field and TAP approximations. In the discrete setting where one chooses a small set of influential nodes, the problem is equivalent to the famous influence maximization problem in social networks with an additional stochastic noise term. In this case, we provide sufficient conditions for when the objective is submodular, allowing a greedy algorithm to achieve an approximation ratio of 1-1/e. Additionally, we compare the Ising-based algorithms with traditional influence maximization algorithms, demonstrating the practical importance of accurately modeling stochastic fluctuations in the system.
CO2 Uptake and Fixation by a Thermoacidophilic Microbial Community Attached to Precipitated Sulfur in a Geothermal Spring

ABSTRACT Carbon fixation at temperatures above 73°C, the upper limit for photosynthesis, is carried out by chemosynthetic thermophiles. Yellowstone National Park (YNP), Wyoming possesses many thermal features that, while too hot for photosynthesis, presumably support chemosynthetic-based carbon fixation. To our knowledge, in situ rates of chemosynthetic reactions at these high temperatures in YNP or other high-temperature terrestrial geothermal springs have not yet been reported. A microbial community attached to precipitated elemental sulfur (So floc) at the source of Dragon Spring (73°C, pH 3.1) in Norris Geyser Basin, YNP, exhibited a maximum rate of CO2 uptake of 21.3 ± 11.9 μg of C 107 cells−1 h−1. When extrapolated over the estimated total quantity of So floc at the spring's source, the So floc-associated microbial community accounted for the uptake of 121 mg of C h−1 at this site. On a per-cell basis, the rate was higher than that calculated for a photosynthetic mat microbial community dominated by Synechococcus spp. in alkaline springs at comparable temperatures. A portion of the carbon taken up as CO2 by the So floc-associated biomass was recovered in the cellular nucleic acid pool, demonstrating that uptake was coupled to fixation. The most abundant sequences in a 16S rRNA clone library of the So floc-associated community were related to chemolithoautotrophic Hydrogenobaculum strains previously isolated from springs in the Norris Geyser Basin. These microorganisms likely contributed to the uptake and fixation of CO2 in this geothermal habitat.
Fabrication of Metallic Structures via Multi-Photon Polymerization

We present our research into the modeling and fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) nanostructures by direct laser writing, using an organic-inorganic hybrid polymer that can be selectively covered with metal. This material exhibits low shrinkage when structuring, metal binding affinity and ohmic conductivity when covered with metal, allowing the fabrication of three-dimensional conducting nanostructures.
Erratum: A candidate gene-based association study of tocopherol content and composition in rapeseed (Brassica napus)

1 Faculty of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Plant Breeding Institute, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany 2 National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China 3 Quantitative Crop Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany 4 Norddeutsche Pflanzenzucht Hans-Georg Lembke KG, Hohenlieth, Germany 5 Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Nutritional Sciences and Environmental Management, Institute of Agronomy and Plant Breeding I, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
LHD: Improving Cache Hit Rate by Maximizing Hit Density

Cloud application performance is heavily reliant on the hit rate of datacenter key-value caches. Key-value caches typically use least recently used ( LRU ) as their eviction policy, but LRU ’s hit rate is far from optimal under real workloads. Prior research has proposed many eviction policies that improve on LRU , but these policies make restrictive assumptions that hurt their hit rate, and they can be difﬁcult to implement efﬁciently. We introduce least hit density ( LHD ), a novel eviction policy for key-value caches. LHD predicts each object’s expected hits-per-space-consumed ( hit density ), ﬁltering objects that contribute little to the cache’s hit rate. Unlike prior eviction policies, LHD does not rely on heuristics, but rather rigorously models objects’ behavior using conditional probability to adapt its behavior in real time. To make LHD practical, we design and implement RankCache, an efﬁcient key-value cache based on mem-cached. We evaluate RankCache and LHD on commercial memcached and enterprise storage traces, where LHD consistently achieves better hit rates than prior policies. LHD requires much less space than prior policies to match their hit rate, on average 8 × less than LRU and 2–3 × less than recently proposed policies. Moreover, RankCache requires no synchronization in the common case, improving request throughput at 16 threads by 8 × over LRU and by 2 × over CLOCK .
EPSP depression following neocortical seizures in cat

To study the possible mechanism(s) underlying unresponsiveness following neocortical seizures, we recorded excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) of cortical neurons evoked by ipsilateral cortical stimulation before and after spontaneous or elicited seizures. Regular‐spiking neurons (n = 32) were intracellularly recorded in association area five of cats under ketamine–xylazine or barbiturate anesthesia. Compared with control responses, cortically evoked EPSPs were characterized by decreased amplitude after electrographic seizures. Synaptic responses and intrinsic properties were measured by applying extracellular electrical stimuli followed by intracellular hyperpolarizing current pulses. The input resistance decreased during seizures but quickly recovered to control level after the paroxysms, whereas the amplitude of evoked EPSPs remained lower following seizures, generally for 2–12 min, suggesting that the decreased EPSPs were not due to an alteration of intrinsic response. Data demonstrate a long‐lasting decreased synaptic responsiveness following generalized spike‐wave seizures slowly recovering in time.
Anchorless Cooperative Tracking Using Multipath Channel Information

Highly accurate location information is a key facilitator to stimulate future services for the commercial and public sectors. Positioning and tracking of absolute positions of wireless nodes usually requires information provided from technical infrastructure, e.g., satellites or fixed anchor nodes, whose maintenance is costly and whose limited operating coverage narrows the positioning service. In this paper, we present an algorithm aimed at the tracking of absolute positions without using information from fixed anchors, odometers, or inertial measurement units. We perform radio channel measurements, in order to exploit position-related information contained in multipath components (MPCs). Tracking of the absolute node positions is enabled by the estimation of MPC parameters followed by the association of these parameters to a floorplan. To account for uncertainties in the floorplan and for propagation effects like diffraction and penetration, we recursively update the provided floorplan using the measured MPC parameters. We demonstrate the ability to localize two agent nodes without the employment of further infrastructure, using data from ultra-wideband channel measurements. Furthermore, we show the potential performance gain if also one fixed anchor is available, and we validate the algorithm for a range of different signal bandwidths and a number of nodes.
Optimization of human, animal, and environmental health by using the One Health approach

Emerging diseases are increasing burdens on public health, negatively affecting the world economy, causing extinction of species, and disrupting ecological integrity. One Health recognizes that human, domestic animal, and wildlife health are interconnected within ecosystem health and provides a framework for the development of multidisciplinary solutions to global health challenges. To date, most health-promoting interventions have focused largely on single-sector outcomes. For example, risk for transmission of zoonotic pathogens from bush-meat hunting is primarily focused on human hygiene and personal protection. However, bush-meat hunting is a complex issue promoting the need for holistic strategies to reduce transmission of zoonotic disease while addressing food security and wildlife conservation issues. Temporal and spatial separation of humans and wildlife, risk communication, and other preventative strategies should allow wildlife and humans to co-exist. Upstream surveillance, vaccination, and other tools to prevent pathogen spillover are also needed. Clear multi-sector outcomes should be defined, and a systems-based approach is needed to develop interventions that reduce risks and balance the needs of humans, wildlife, and the environment. The ultimate goal is long-term action to reduce forces driving emerging diseases and provide interdisciplinary scientific approaches to management of risks, thereby achieving optimal outcomes for human, animal, and environmental health.
Reducing barriers to medication access and adherence for ACA and Medicaid participants: a peer-to-peer, community-based approach.

OBJECTIVES To identify how peer-to-peer support programs empower patients by improving health literacy and providing education on important patient issues, including increasing access and reducing barriers to life-saving medications and how these programs improve patient outcomes. STUDY DESIGN A review of current literature, identification of gaps in research, and case studies. METHODS An analysis of data collected from the cluster sample and a review of secondary data from patient case studies were used to create a theoretical framework of community-based, peer support services. The research examines how peer-to-peer support services empower and educate patients to improve access and adherence to critical medications. Mended Hearts is made up of such peer support groups, comprising heart patients and caregivers; it studies patient populations in addition to piloting new programs. RESULTS Patients who receive peer-to-peer support services are more empowered and educated, and as a result, are able to make better healthcare choices and access resources that reduce many of the barriers that Affordable Care Act exchange and Medicaid participants face. CONCLUSIONS Peer-to-peer support and education models reduce barriers to accessing medications and improve medication adherence, which subsequently improve patient outcomes.
Theories of musculoskeletal injury causation

Based on the scientific evidence in published literature about precipitation of musculoskeletal injuries in the workplace, four theories have been proposed to explain these afflictions. Central to all theories is the presupposition that all occupational musculoskeletal injuries are biomechanical in nature. Disruption of mechanical order of a biological system is dependent on the individual components and their mechanical properties. These common denominators will be causally affected by the individual's genetic endowment, morphological characteristics and psychosocial makeup, and by the occupational biomechanical hazards. This phenomenon is explained by the Multivariate Interaction Theory. Differential Fatigue Theory accounts for unbalanced and asymmetric occupational activities creating differential fatigue and thereby a kinetic and kinematic imbalance resulting in injury precipitation. Cumulative Load Theory suggests a threshold range of load and repetition product beyond which injury precipitates, as all material substances have a finite life. Finally, Overexertion Theory claims that exertion exceeding the tolerance limit precipitates occupational musculoskeletal injury. It is also suggested that while these theories may explain the immediate mechanism of precipitation of injuries, they all operate simultaneously and interact to modulate injuries to varying degrees in different cases.
Bubble-induced acoustic mixing in a microfluidic device

Homogeneous and fast mixing of samples at microscale is a critical requirement for successful applications of microfluidics in biochemical analysis, chemical synthesis, drug delivery and nanomaterial synthesis. This paper reports the optimisation of bubble-induced mixing in a microfluidic device in terms of voltage, driving frequency, piezo transducer position and PDMS thickness. The microfluidic device consists of a microwell (with the diameter of 1mm and volume of ~95 nL) with two rectangular bubble traps (400×400μm) on both sides of the well. After the injection of liquid, air bubbles were spontaneously trapped in two rectangular traps. When the frequency of a piezo was equal to the resonance frequency of air bubbles, strong liquid recirculation formed (so called acoustic microstreaming) in the vicinity of the interface of air bubbles and water. The acoustic induced flow of microbeads and mixing of water and fluorescence dye were imaged to study the mixing efficiency. For a given voltage and PDMS thickness, when the piezo was placed on top of the well, the mixing was most vigorous. For a given frequency, the mixing efficiency was directly proportional to the voltage (4-20V) and inversely proportional to the PDMS thickness (0.3-2mm). When the frequency driving the piezo was approaching the resonance frequency of air bubbles, the mixing efficiency was maximal, while when it was far away from the resonance frequency of air bubbles, the mixing efficiency was much lower. This work provides guidance to the design and the application of bubble-induced acoustic mixing in microfluidics.
Effectiveness of Proseal laryngeal mask airway and laryngeal tube suction in elective non-laparoscopic surgeries of up to ninety minutes duration: A prospective, randomized study

Background and Aims: Proseal laryngeal mask airway (LMA) and laryngeal tube suction (LTS) are both supraglottic devices with an esophageal suction port. In the present prospective, randomized study, the effectiveness of airway seal, hemodynamic variables, ability to pass orogastric tube, and postoperative complications with the two devices were evaluated. Material and Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, single-blind study conducted in a hospital-based setting. Sixty patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists Grade I and II) undergoing elective general surgery were randomly allocated to Group A (Proseal LMA) or Group B (LTS), and airway seal pressure (primary outcome), peak pressure, hemodynamic parameters (blood pressure, pulse rate and pulse oximetry) during and 5 min after insertion, insertion time, ease of insertion, and postoperative complications (sore throat and hoarseness of voice for a period of 24 hours) (secondary outcomes) were noted. The quantitative data was summarized as mean and standard deviation, and analyzed using Student's t-test. All the qualitative data were summarized as proportions and analyzed using Chi-square test. The levels of significance and α-error were kept 95% and 5%, respectively, for all statistical analyses. P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant (S). Results: Proseal LMA had shorter insertion time (16.4 ± 5.6 vs. 20.0 ± 3.9 s), higher seal pressure (27.6 ± 4.6 vs. 24.1 ± 5.6 cm of H2O), lesser peak pressure (16.3 ± 2.3 vs. 18.5 ± 3.9 cm of H2O), higher success rate of orogastric tube passage (86.7 vs. 76.7%), and lesser postoperative sore throat (3.3 vs. 10%). Conclusions: Both Proseal LMA and LTS were acceptable alternatives for airway management in elective surgeries with controlled ventilation, but the quality of ventilation was found to be significantly better with Proseal LMA (in terms of higher seal pressure, lesser peak pressure, lesser insertion time, and lesser complications).