Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduced-Gliadin Wheat Bread: An Alternative to the Gluten-Free Diet for Consumers Suffering Gluten-Related Pathologies

Wheat flour cannot be tolerated by those who suffer allergies to gluten. Human pathologies associated with grain proteins have increased worldwide in recent years, and the only effective treatment available is a lifelong gluten-free diet, which is complicated to follow and detrimental to gut health. This manuscript describes the development of wheat bread potentially suitable for celiac patients and other gluten-intolerant individuals. We have made bread using wheat flour with very low content of the specific gluten proteins (near gliadin-free) that are the causal agents for pathologies such as celiac disease. Loaves were compared with normal wheat breads and rice bread. Organoleptic, nutritional, and immunotoxic properties were studied. The reduced-gliadin breads showed baking and sensory properties, and overall acceptance, similar to those of normal flour, but with up to 97% lower gliadin content. Moreover, the low-gliadin flour has improved nutritional properties since its lysine content is significantly higher than that of normal flour. Conservative estimates indicate that celiac patients could safely consume 67 grams of bread per day that is made with low-gliadin flour. However, additional studies, such as feeding trials with gluten-intolerant patients, are still needed in order to determine whether or not the product can be consumed by the general celiac population, as well as the actual tolerated amount that can be safely ingested. The results presented here offer a major opportunity to improve the quality of life for millions of sufferers of gluten intolerance throughout the world.
Characterization of Lignocellulolytic Activities from a Moderate Halophile Strain of Aspergillus caesiellus Isolated from a Sugarcane Bagasse Fermentation

A moderate halophile and thermotolerant fungal strain was isolated from a sugarcane bagasse fermentation in the presence of 2 M NaCl that was set in the laboratory. This strain was identified by polyphasic criteria as Aspergillus caesiellus. The fungus showed an optimal growth rate in media containing 1 M NaCl at 28°C and could grow in media added with up to 2 M NaCl. This strain was able to grow at 37 and 42°C, with or without NaCl. A. caesiellus H1 produced cellulases, xylanases, manganese peroxidase (MnP) and esterases. No laccase activity was detected in the conditions we tested. The cellulase activity was thermostable, halostable, and no differential expression of cellulases was observed in media with different salt concentrations. However, differential band patterns for cellulase and xylanase activities were detected in zymograms when the fungus was grown in different lignocellulosic substrates such as wheat straw, maize stover, agave fibres, sugarcane bagasse and sawdust. Optimal temperature and pH were similar to other cellulases previously described. These results support the potential of this fungus to degrade lignocellulosic materials and its possible use in biotechnological applications.
Activation of Grm1 expression by mutated BRaf (V600E) in vitro and in vivo

Our laboratory previously showed that ectopic expression of Grm1 is sufficient to induce spontaneous melanoma formation with 100% penetrance in transgenic mouse model, TG-3, which harbors wild-type BRaf. Studies identified Grm1 expression in human melanoma cell lines and primary to secondary metastatic melanoma biopsies having wild-type or mutated BRaf, but not in normal melanocytes or benign nevi. Grm1 expression was detected in tissues from mice genetically engineered with inducible melanocyte-specific BRafV600E. Additionally, stable clones derived from introduction of exogenous BRafV600E in mouse melanocytes also showed Grm1 expression, which was not detected in the parental or empty vector-derived cells, suggesting that expression of BRafV600E could activate Grm1 expression. Despite aberrant Grm1 expression in the inducible, melanocyte-specific BRafV600E mice, no tumors formed. However, in older mice, the melanocytes underwent senescence, as demonstrated previously by others. It was proposed that upregulated p15 and TGFβ contributed to the senescence phenotype. In contrast, in older TG-3 mice the levels of p15 and TGFβ remained the same or lower. Taken together, these results suggest the temporal regulation on the expression of “oncogenes” such as Grm1 or BRafV600E is critical in the future fate of the cells. If BRafV600E is turned on first, Grm1 expression can be induced, but this is not sufficient to result in development of melanoma; the cells undergo senescence. In contrast, if ectopic expression of Grm1 is turned on first, then regardless of wild-type or mutated BRaf in the melanocytes melanoma development is the consequence.
Supplementary Material for Structured Set Matching Networks for One-Shot Part Labeling

1. Datasets 1.1. DiPART Dataset 1.1.1 Curation We obtain linedrawing images from image search engines such as Google Image Search and Bing Image Search. We then obtain the list of part names for each object category by asking a set of annotators. We encourage the annotators to list a set of parts that are visually distinctive from one another and unique to that object category, if possible. We then choose the top ten parts. For each image and part, multiple annotators mark a point on the specified part, and the final point is chosen during a second round of annotations to choose the most representative point among the number of annotations.
Efficacy and Safety of Autologous Fat Transfer in Facial Reconstructive Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Importance The use of autologous fat transfer (AFT) or lipofilling for correcting contour deformities is seen as one of the major breakthroughs in reconstructive plastic surgery. Its applications in facial reconstructive surgery have been of particular interest owing to the prospect of achieving autologous reconstruction by a minimally invasive approach. However, its unpredictability and variable degree of resorption have limited its utility and much skepticism still exists regarding its efficacy. Furthermore, more than 2 decades of clinical research have produced a highly fragmented body of evidence that has not been able to provide definite answers. Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of AFT in facial reconstruction through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Data Sources A literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from inception to October 11, 2017. Study Selection All published studies investigating the efficacy and safety of AFT in facial reconstructive surgery. Data Extraction and Synthesis Two independent reviewers performed data extraction systematically, adhering to the PRISMA guidelines. Summary measures were pooled in a random-effects model meta-analysis. Main Outcomes and Measures The patient and surgeon satisfaction, graft survival, number of AFT sessions, and the incidence of AFT-related complications were the main outcomes of interest in this meta-analysis. Results This systematic review resulted in the inclusion 52 relevant studies consisting of 1568 unique patients. These included 4 randomized clinical trials, 11 cohort studies, and 37 case series. The overall follow-up averaged 1.3 years after AFT. Meta-analysis revealed a very high overall patient satisfaction rate of 91.1% (95% CI, 85.1%-94.8%) and overall surgeon satisfaction rate of 88.6% (95% CI, 83.4%-92.4%). The number of AFT sessions required to achieve the desired result was 1.5 (95% CI, 1.3-1.7) and 50% to 60% of the injected volume was retained at 1 year. Only 4.8% (95% CI, 3.3%-6.9%) of procedures resulted in clinical complications. Conclusions and Relevance To our knowledge, this study provides the first overview of the current knowledge about AFT in facial reconstructive surgery. Our results confirm that AFT is an effective technique for treating soft-tissue deformities in the head and neck, with low rate of minor complications. Level of Evidence NA.
Factors Associated With Integrating Self-Management Support Into Primary Care

PURPOSE The purpose of this article is to expand the understanding of self-management support by describing factors that contribute to implementing a comprehensive self-management program in primary care. METHODS Four rural health centers in medically underserved areas participated in a study to document the implementation of a self-management program. This program consisted of a social marketing plan and decision-making tools to guide patients in making self-management behavior changes. The stages of change constructs of the transtheoretical model were used to design the social marketing plan. Key informant interviews were conducted at 6-month and 9-month intervals to document the implementation process. A standardized set of questions was used in the interviews. The data from the interviews were analyzed using content analysis techniques. RESULTS One of the principle findings is that self-management support requires putting a system in place, not just adding a new component to primary care. The health centers that fully implemented the self-management program made an organizational commitment to keep self-management on the agenda in management meetings, clinical staff set the example by adopting self-management behaviors, and patient self-management support was implemented in multiple patient care venues. CONCLUSION Primary care centers with limited financial resources are able to integrate self-management support into their system of chronic illness care.
“Thinking about Numbers Is Not My Idea of Fun”

Background. Numeracy refers to people’s ability to use numbers. Low numeracy has been associated with difficulties in understanding risk-benefit information and making health decisions. Older adults tend to perform worse than younger adults on measures of numeracy, but some theories of aging suggest that older adults may lack motivation for such tasks. We therefore test whether age differences in numeracy performance are mediated by a reduced motivation to think hard about complex problems—as measured by need for cognition. Method. We recruited an age-diverse convenience sample of 306 UK adults. They completed measures of numeracy and need for cognition. They self-reported their educational attainment and other demographics. Results. Older age was related to lower numeracy and lower need for cognition. The negative relationship between age and numeracy was mediated by need for cognition. These findings held after we controlled for educational attainment and other demographic factors. Discussion. Older adults may show lower numeracy performance due to lack of motivation. We discuss strategies for improving people’s motivation to complete numeracy measures and other numerical tasks.
Dendritic Cell-Mediated, DNA-Based Vaccination against Hepatitis C Induces the Multi-Epitope-Specific Response of Humanized, HLA Transgenic Mice

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the etiologic agent of chronic liver disease, hepatitis C. Spontaneous resolution of viral infection is associated with vigorous HLA class I- and class II-restricted T cell responses to multiple viral epitopes. Unfortunately, only 20% of patients clear infection spontaneously, most develop chronic disease and require therapy. The response to chemotherapy varies, however; therapeutic vaccination offers an additional treatment strategy. To date, therapeutic vaccines have demonstrated only limited success. Vector-mediated vaccination with multi-epitope-expressing DNA constructs alone or in combination with chemotherapy offers an additional treatment approach. Gene sequences encoding validated HLA-A2- and HLA-DRB1-restricted epitopes were synthesized and cloned into an expression vector. Dendritic cells (DCs) derived from humanized, HLA-A2/DRB1 transgenic (donor) mice were transfected with these multi-epitope-expressing DNA constructs. Recipient HLA-A2/DRB1 mice were vaccinated s.c. with transfected DCs; control mice received non-transfected DCs. Peptide-specific IFN-γ production by splenic T cells obtained at 5 weeks post-immunization was quantified by ELISpot assay; additionally, the production of IL-4, IL-10 and TNF-α were quantified by cytokine bead array. Splenocytes derived from vaccinated HLA-A2/DRB1 transgenic mice exhibited peptide-specific cytokine production to the vast majority of the vaccine-encoded HLA class I- and class II-restricted T cell epitopes. A multi-epitope-based HCV vaccine that targets DCs offers an effective approach to inducing a broad immune response and viral clearance in chronic, HCV-infected patients.
A New Look at Established Therapies

Purpose Current evidence shows early initiation of insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) improves glycemic control, responsiveness to subsequent oral antidiabetic therapies, β-cell function, and possible cardiovascular outcomes. The American Diabetes Association (ADA)/ European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 2008 algorithm introduces insulin therapy earlier in the treatment of T2DM with prompt intensification to achieve therapeutic goals. Agent selection and insulin regimens are based on patient A1C levels and willingness to monitor blood glucose, use of previous medications, blood glucose patterns, diet, and lifestyle. Practical considerations offered for diabetes educators and clinicians include creating strategies for early initiation of insulin, addressing patients’ psychosocial barriers and quality of life concerns, understanding pharmacokinetic properties of insulin formulations, selecting appropriate therapy and patient-based regimens, and intensifying therapy to achieve glycemic control. Conclusions Diabetes education, including intentional curriculum design, for patients with T2DM who are initiating or intensifying insulin therapy, addresses patient barriers to care, reduces the burden of treatment, improves adherence to treatment protocols, and helps optimize clinical outcomes.
Assessing Parent Perceptions of Physical Activity in Families of Toddlers With Neurodevelopmental Disorders: The Parent Perceptions of Physical Activity Scale (PPPAS).

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine a new tool (PPPAS = Parent Perceptions of Physical Activity Scale-Preschool) developed to study parental perceptions of physical activity (PA) among parents of toddler and preschool age children. METHOD 143 children (mean age 31.65 months; 75% male) and their parents were recruited from a neurodevelopmental clinic. Parents completed questionnaires, and both a psychologist and a physician evaluated the children. Eighty-three percent of the children received a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder; 20% of the children had a BMI > 85th percentile. Analyses were conducted to evaluate the reliability, concurrent validity, discriminant validity, and predictive validity of PPPAS scores. RESULTS Results supported a two-factor structure: Perceptions of the Benefits of PA and the Barriers to PA. The internal consistency of scores was good for both PPPAS subscales, derived from the two factors. Parent perceptions of barriers to PA were significantly correlated with delays in overall adaptive functioning, daily living skills, socialization, and motor skills. When a child's motor skills were delayed, parents were less likely to believe PA was beneficial and perceived more barriers to PA. Parent perceptions of barriers to PA predicted parent-reported weekly unstructured PA and ratings of how physically active their child was compared with other children. CONCLUSION We present the PPPAS-Preschool for use in pediatric exercise research and discuss potential applications for the study of parent perceptions of PA in young children.
Falls Among Adult Patients Hospitalized in the United States: Prevalence and Trends

Objectives The purpose of this study was to provide normative data on fall prevalence in U.S. hospitals by unit type and to determine the 27-month secular trend in falls before the implementation of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) rule, which does not reimburse hospitals for care related to injury resulting from hospital falls. Methods We used data from the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) collected between July 1, 2006, and September 30, 2008, to estimate prevalence and secular trends of falls occurring in adult medical, medical-surgical, and surgical nursing units. More than 88 million patient days (pd) of observation were contributed from 6100 medical, surgical, and medical-surgical nursing units in 1263 hospitals across the United States. Results A total of 315,817 falls occurred (rate = 3.56 falls/1000 pd) during the study period, of which, 82,332 (26.1%) resulted in an injury (rate = 0.93/1000 pd). Both total fall and injurious fall rates were highest in medical units (fall rate = 4.03/1000 pd; injurious fall rate = 1.08/1000 pd) and lowest in surgery units (fall rate = 2.76/1000 pd; injurious fall rate = 0.67/1000 pd). Falls (0.4% decrease per quarter, P < 0.0001) and injurious falls (1% decrease per quarter, P < 0.0001) both decreased over the 27-month study. Conclusions In this large sample, fall and injurious fall prevalence varied by nursing unit type in U.S. hospitals. Over the 27-month study, there was a small, but statistically significant, decrease in falls (P < 0.0001) and injurious falls (P < 0.0001).
ALSUntangled 39: Acuscope (micro-Amp electrical muscle stimulation)

ALSUntangled reviews alternative and off-label treatments (AOTs) for people with ALS (PALS). Here we evaluate Acuscope therapy for ALS in response to 395 requests (1). As with all our previous reviews, this paper will focus on the specific possibility that Acuscope treatment might slow, stop or reverse ALS progression. Reviews on potential symptomatic benefits (such as improved pain or energy levels) are outside the scope of our programme.
miR-285–Yki/Mask double-negative feedback loop mediates blood–brain barrier integrity in Drosophila

Significance The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is evolutionarily conserved from invertebrates to vertebrates to ensure a well-balanced ionic environment for proper neuronal functions. The Hippo pathway is a highly conserved signaling pathway essential for organ size control and tissue homeostasis. Until now, whether Hippo pathway is required for BBB maintenance has been unknown. We show here that miR-285 is an upstream regulator of the Hippo pathway, which can directly target Yorkie (Yki) cofactor Multiple Ankyrin repeats Single KH domain (Mask). miR-285 and Yki/Mask form a double-negative feedback loop to finely tune endoreplication of subperineurial glial (SPG) cells to keep proper cell size and maintain a functional BBB. Our findings propose an exquisite microRNA-mediated regulatory circuit that regulates Hippo signaling activity and tissue homeostasis during development. The Hippo signaling pathway is highly conserved from Drosophila to mammals and plays a central role in maintaining organ size and tissue homeostasis. The blood–brain barrier (BBB) physiologically isolates the brain from circulating blood or the hemolymph system, and its integrity is strictly maintained to perform sophisticated neuronal functions. Until now, the underlying mechanisms of subperineurial glia (SPG) growth and BBB maintenance during development are not clear. Here, we report an miR-285–Yorkie (Yki)/Multiple Ankyrin repeats Single KH domain (Mask) double-negative feedback loop that regulates SPG growth and BBB integrity. Flies with a loss of miR-285 have a defective BBB with increased SPG ploidy and disruptive septate junctions. Mechanistically, miR-285 directly targets the Yki cofactor Mask to suppress Yki activity and down-regulates the expression of its downstream target cyclin E, a key regulator of cell cycle. Disturbance of cyclin E expression in SPG causes abnormal endoreplication, which leads to aberrant DNA ploidy and defective septate junctions. Moreover, the expression of miR-285 is increased by knockdown of yki or mask and is decreased with yki overexpression, thus forming a double-negative feedback loop. This regulatory loop is crucial for sustaining an appropriate Yki/Mask activity and cyclin E level to maintain SPG ploidy and BBB integrity. Perturbation of this signaling loop, either by dysregulated miR-285 expression or Yki activity, causes irregular SPG ploidy and BBB disruption. Furthermore, ectopic expression of miR-285 promotes canonical Hippo pathway-mediated apoptosis independent of the p53 or JNK pathway. Collectively, these results reveal an exquisite regulatory mechanism for BBB maintenance through an miR-285–Yki/Mask regulatory circuit.
Electron beam computed tomography: on its way into mainstrem cardiology?

The recent surge of interest by both cardiologists and patients in electron beam computed tomography, an imaging technique developed in the 1970s, stems from reports about its excellent ability to depict high grade coronary artery stenoses and its capability to quantify coronary calcification and monitor the development of calcific deposits. This editorial will focus on the current evidence indicating that electron beam computed tomography has a role in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with coronary artery disease.
Current Continuous-Casting Machines: Potentials for Technological and Equipment Development

Iron & steel works of Ukraine are one of the largest billet and long products suppliers on the world market, dynamics of which development is characterized by noticeable competitive growth and quality specifications. In this context, analysis of trends in technological and equipment development for billet continuous casting is of interest. In metallurgical practice, billet is a product of metallurgical manufacture in the form of steel bar of square, rectangular or round cross-section (maximum size of smaller side is not more than 180-200 mm) produced through casting on a continuous-casting machine (Figure 1) or by blooming. Further, the billet is used as an incoming billet for rolling of various shapes (circle, reinforcing rod, square billet, channel bar, I-bar, etc.).
Clinical Outcomes of Patients over 75 Years of Age with Degenerative Spondylolisthesis Following Bilateral Decompression via Unilateral Approach.

AIM To investigate the clinical outcomes of bilateral decompression via unilateral approach (BDUA) on degenerative spondylolisthesis with spinal stenosis in patients over 75 years of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS Elderly patients (n=41; average age=79.3±2.5 years) who underwent BDUA under spinal anaesthesia between April 2011 and May 2014 were enrolled. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) values of the patients were evaluated preoperatively and at the last visit postoperatively (Mean follow-up period=27 month). All parameters were analysed using Student paired-sample t test with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS All 41 patients experienced significant postoperative improvement in VAS leg (p < 0.01) and back pain (p < 0.05) scores. Average ODIs were 52±4.1% preoperatively and 39±3.5% postoperatively. All changes were statistically significant. CONCLUSION BDUA is a safe and very effective treatment in elderly patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis with spinal stenosis. This procedure has a very low complication rate and can be performed successfully under spinal anaesthesia.