Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transferrin as a predictor of survival in cirrhosis

Patients with cirrhosis frequently present with high serum ferritin and low transferrin concentrations, reflecting impaired liver function and inflammation. Recent studies have shown that transferrin and its saturation with iron are Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease–independent predictors of mortality in patients with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic utility of serum iron parameters in relation to markers of liver function and immune activation. Clinical, demographic, and biochemical data were retrospectively analyzed from a cohort of 1255 consecutive patients with cirrhosis (age ≥ 18 years) who presented from August 1, 2004 until December 31, 2014 at the University Hospital of Innsbruck. Patients with malignancies at diagnosis including hepatocellular carcinoma were excluded. Survival analysis was carried out by Cox regression by using baseline laboratory parameters, and findings were validated in an independent patient cohort. During a median follow‐up of 2.4 years, 193 deaths occurred and 254 patients underwent liver transplantation. In patients with transferrin < 180 mg/dL, 3‐month, 1‐year, and 5‐year transplant‐free survival estimates were significantly lower (91.7%, 79.0%, and 30.5%) when compared with the group of patients with transferrin ≥ 180 mg/dL (98.9%, 95.5%, and 68.0%, P < 0.001). Transferrin predicted transplant‐free survival independently of Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease–sodium (MELD‐Na) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) in multivariate regression analysis including all patients. When patients with alcoholic or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were excluded, transferrin was in addition an albumin‐independent predictor of transplant‐free survival. In conclusion, the association of transferrin with transplant‐free survival is independent of MELD‐Na score and CRP. In patients without fatty liver disease, transferrin also predicts survival independently of albumin. Liver Transplantation 24 343–351 2018 AASLD.
Pore Structure of Concrete with Mineral Admixtures and Its Effect on Self-Desiccation Shrinkage

High-performance concrete (HPC) is known for the specificity of its pore system compared with that of conventional concrete. Indeed, its capillaries are characterized by very fine pores. Refinement of these pores mainly depends on the type, proportion, and fineness of the pozzolanic materials incorporated. The finest HPC pores, however, induce two opposite phenomena: on the one hand, better mechanical performances, which lead to considerable improvement in durability; and on the other hand, increased self-desiccation shrinkage caused by the high capillary depression in these finer pores. This study highlights both fundamental aspects resulting from the use of mineral admixtures in HPC. Concrete mixtures with two water-binder ratios (w/b) of 0.35 and 0.30, and three types of binders were used in this research. Shrinkage was measured on massive blocks that somewhat simulated a real concrete structure. The pore size distribution was measured at different ages by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). The results obtained show that refinement of the capillary network and its evolution with time are closely related to mineral addition type and fineness. Moreover, refinement of the pores evolves significantly at a very early age depending on the type of binder used. This change in the pore structure of capillaries induces an increase in the magnitude of self desiccation shrinkage during this lapse of time. Also, the lower the w/b of the mixtures, the higher the effect of refinement of the capillary network on self desiccation shrinkage development. It was also found that the incorporation of mineral admixtures considerably reduces the average pore radius while it increases the amount of pores smaller than 15 nm (5.9 x 10 ―7 in.). In general, the smaller the average pore radius is, the higher the shrinkage will be.
Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and Joint Hypermobility: A School-based Study

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of joint hypermobility (JH) among school children with and without functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). School children completed validated Rome III questionnaires to diagnose FGID. Each child diagnosed with an FGID was matched for age and sex with a healthy control. The prevalence of JH in both groups was compared. A total of 654 school children participated in the study. One hundred forty-eight (22.6%) children were diagnosed with an FGID. Data from 136 FGIDs and 136 healthy controls were analyzed. Joint laxity was assessed to establish the Beighton score (≥4 was considered JH). There was no significant difference in JH between children with and without diagnoses of FGIDs odds ratio (OR) 1.03 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59–1.81, P = 0.89). Multivariate analysis showed that younger age OR 2.31 (95% CI: 1.30–4.10, P = 0.004) and female sex OR 2.27 (95% CI: 1.22–4.24, P = 0.009) were significantly associated with JH. JH is equally prevalent in school children with and without FGIDs.
Effect of food fortification on folic acid intake in the United States.

BACKGROUND The addition of folic acid to all enriched cereal-grain foods, mandated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was initiated in January 1998. Although this program was designed such that typical folate intakes would be increased by approximately 100 micro g/d and that the risk of intakes > 1000 micro g/d (the FDA's safe upper limit of daily intake) would be minimal, its actual effect on folate intake has yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE The objective was to estimate the effect of folic acid fortification on the amount of folate consumed by persons in the United States. DESIGN Linear regression analysis of data from published studies was used to determine the relation between a chronic folic acid dose and the resulting increase in steady state concentrations of folate in plasma or serum. Using this regression equation and reverse prediction, we quantified the increase in folic acid intake from fortification required to achieve the increase in plasma or serum folate observed in published studies. RESULTS The increase in circulating folate concentration was linearly related to folic acid intake over the range of 100-1000 micro g/d (r = 0.984, P < 0.0001). Predicted increases in folic acid intake from fortified food ranged from 215 to 240 micro g/d. CONCLUSIONS Typical intakes of folic acid from fortified foods are more than twice the level originally predicted. The effect of this much higher level of fortification must be carefully assessed, especially before calls for higher levels of fortification are considered.
Pathogenesis of Crohn's disease

Significant progress in our understanding of Crohn's disease (CD), an archetypal common, complex disease, has now been achieved. Our ability to interrogate the deep complexities of the biological processes involved in maintaining gut mucosal homeostasis is a major over-riding factor underpinning this rapid progress. Key studies now offer many novel and expansive insights into the interacting roles of genetic susceptibility, immune function, and the gut microbiota in CD. Here, we provide overviews of these recent advances and new mechanistic themes, and address the challenges and prospects for translation from concept to clinic.
Processing of PZT piezoelectric thin films for microelectromechanical systems

Piezoelectric Pb(Zr/sub 0.52/Ti/sub 0.48/)O/sub 3/ (PZT) thin films for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) were deposited on platinum coated silicon substrates by sol-gel processing using lead acetate trihydrate as the lead source. A thickness uniformity of better than 1% variation over 4" wafers was achieved. Auger depth profiling showed good compositional homogeneity through the film thickness, with some lead loss at the film surface. A PbO top layer on the top of PZT thin films gave improved properties. Grazing angle scanning XRD confirmed that the PbO top layer helped prevent the formation of a pyrochlore surface layer during crystallization. Work on reactive ion etching of the PZT thin films was also initiated. It was found that Cl/sub 2//CCl/sub 4/ mixtures could be used to etch PZT with an etching rate of 100/spl sim/150 /spl Aring//min, and HCFC-124 with a rate of 320 /spl Aring//min.
Computer-Based Image Studies on Tumor Nests Mathematical Features of Breast Cancer and Their Clinical Prognostic Value

Background The expending and invasive features of tumor nests could reflect the malignant biological behaviors of breast invasive ductal carcinoma. Useful information on cancer invasiveness hidden within tumor nests could be extracted and analyzed by computer image processing and big data analysis. Methods Tissue microarrays from invasive ductal carcinoma (n = 202) were first stained with cytokeratin by immunohistochemical method to clearly demarcate the tumor nests. Then an expert-aided computer analysis system was developed to study the mathematical and geometrical features of the tumor nests. Computer recognition system and imaging analysis software extracted tumor nests information, and mathematical features of tumor nests were calculated. The relationship between tumor nests mathematical parameters and patients' 5-year disease free survival was studied. Results There were 8 mathematical parameters extracted by expert-aided computer analysis system. Three mathematical parameters (number, circularity and total perimeter) with area under curve >0.5 and 4 mathematical parameters (average area, average perimeter, total area/total perimeter, average (area/perimeter)) with area under curve <0.5 in ROC analysis were combined into integrated parameter 1 and integrated parameter 2, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that integrated parameter 1 (P = 0.040) was independent prognostic factor of patients' 5-year disease free survival. The hazard risk ratio of integrated parameter 1 was 1.454 (HR 95% CI [1.017–2.078]), higher than that of N stage (HR 1.396, 95% CI [1.125–1.733]) and hormone receptor status (HR 0.575, 95% CI [0.353–0.936]), but lower than that of histological grading (HR 3.370, 95% CI [1.125–5.364]) and T stage (HR 1.610, 95% CI [1.026 –2.527]). Conclusions This study indicated integrated parameter 1 of mathematical features (number, circularity and total perimeter) of tumor nests could be a useful parameter to predict the prognosis of early stage breast invasive ductal carcinoma.
The Cellular Prion Protein Controls Notch Signaling in Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells

The prion protein is infamous for its involvement in a group of neurodegenerative diseases known as Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies. In the longstanding quest to decipher the physiological function of its cellular isoform, PrPC, the discovery of its participation to the self‐renewal of hematopoietic and neural stem cells has cast a new spotlight on its potential role in stem cell biology. However, still little is known on the cellular and molecular mechanisms at play. Here, by combining in vitro and in vivo murine models of PrPC depletion, we establish that PrPC deficiency severely affects the Notch pathway, which plays a major role in neural stem cell maintenance. We document that the absence of PrPC in a neuroepithelial cell line or in primary neurospheres is associated with drastically reduced expression of Notch ligands and receptors, resulting in decreased levels of Notch target genes. Similar alterations of the Notch pathway are recovered in the neuroepithelium of Prnp−/− embryos during a developmental window encompassing neural tube closure. In addition, in line with Notch defects, our data show that the absence of PrPC results in altered expression of Nestin and Olig2 as well as N‐cadherin distribution. We further provide evidence that PrPC controls the expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) downstream from Notch. Finally, we unveil a negative feedback action of EGFR on both Notch and PrPC. As a whole, our study delineates a molecular scenario through which PrPC takes part to the self‐renewal of neural stem and progenitor cells. Stem Cells 2017;35:754–765
Effects of Baseline CSF α-Synuclein on Regional Brain Atrophy Rates in Healthy Elders, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease

Background Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) α-synuclein is reduced in synucleinopathies, including dementia with Lewy bodies, and some studies have found increased CSF α-synuclein in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). No study has explored effects of CSF α-synuclein on brain atrophy. Here we tested if baseline CSF α-synuclein affects brain atrophy rates and if these effects vary across brain regions, and across the cognitive spectrum from healthy elders (NL), to patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. Methods Baseline CSF α-synuclein measurements and longitudinal structural brain magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 74 NL, 118 MCI patients and 55 AD patients. Effects of baseline CSF α-synuclein on regional atrophy rates were tested in 1) four pre-hoc defined regions possibly associated with Lewy body and/or AD pathology (amygdala, caudate, hippocampus, brainstem), and 2) all available regions of interest. Differences across diagnoses were tested by assessing the interaction of CSF α-synuclein and diagnosis (testing NL versus MCI, and NL versus AD). Results The effects of CSF α-synuclein on longitudinal atrophy rates were not significant after correction for multiple comparisons. There were tendencies for effects in AD in caudate (higher atrophy rates in subjects with higher CSF α-synuclein, P=0.046) and brainstem (higher atrophy rates in subjects with lower CSF α-synuclein, P=0.063). CSF α-synuclein had significantly different effects on atrophy rates in NL and AD in brainstem (P=0.037) and caudate (P=0.006). Discussion: With the possible exception of caudate and brainstem, the overall weak effects of CSF α-synuclein on atrophy rates in NL, MCI and AD argues against CSF α-synuclein as a biomarker related to longitudinal brain atrophy in these diagnostic groups. Any effects of CSF α-synuclein may be attenuated by possible simultaneous occurrence of AD-related neuronal injury and concomitant Lewy body pathology, which may elevate and reduce CSF α-synuclein levels, respectively.
Bioavailable Testosterone Linearly Declines Over A Wide Age Spectrum in Men and Women From The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

BACKGROUND Age-related changes in testosterone levels in older persons and especially in women have not been fully explored. The objective of this study was to describe age-related trajectories of total testosterone (TT), ammonium sulfate precipitation-measured bioavailable testosterone (mBT), and sex hormone-binding glycoprotein (SHBG) in men and women from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, with special focus on the oldest adults. METHODS Participants included 788 White men and women aged 30-96 years with excellent representation of old and oldest old, who reported not taking medications known to interfere with testosterone. Longitudinal data were included when available. TT, mBT, and SHBG were assayed. Age-related trajectories of mBT were compared with those obtained using calculated bioavailable testosterone (cBT). Generalized least square models were performed to describe age-related trajectories of TT, mBT, and SHBG in men and women. RESULTS mBT linearly declines over the life span and even at older ages in both sexes. In men, TT remains quite stable until the age of 70 years and then declines at older ages, whereas in women TT progressively declines in premenopausal years and slightly increases at older ages. Differences in age-related trajectories between total and bioavailable testosterone are only partially explained by age changes in SHBG, whose levels increases at accelerated rates in old persons. Noteworthy, although mBT and cBT highly correlated with one another, mBT is a much stronger correlate of chronological age than cBT. CONCLUSION In both men and women, mBT linearly declines over the life span and even at old ages. Its relationship with age-related phenotypes should be further investigated.
Geometric and radiometric analysis of paintings

The paper reports an overview of some experiences carried out by some Italian research groups (Politecnico di Milano, University of Palermo, Bruno Kessler Foundation in Trento) aimed to assess the conservation’s state of some analysed paintings and provide useful information for further diagnostic applications. The activities were accomplished in interdisciplinary teams composed of photogrammetrists, surveyors, restorers and experts of non-destructive diagnostic techniques for Cultural Heritage. Two main aspects are considered: (i) the analysis of the radiometric contents using multispectral images and (ii) the 3D surveying for geometric deformation analysis by means of photogrammetry and laser scanning.
Differentiation of Crohn’s Disease-Associated Isolates from Other Pathogenic Escherichia coli by Fimbrial Adhesion under Shear Force

Shear force exerted on uropathogenic Escherichia coli adhering to surfaces makes type-1 fimbriae stretch out like springs to catch on to mannosidic receptors. This mechanism is initiated by a disruption of the quaternary interactions between the lectin and the pilin of the two-domain FimH adhesin and transduces allosterically to the mannose-binding pocket of FimH to increase its affinity. Mannose-specific adhesion of 14 E. coli pathovars was measured under flow, using surface plasmon resonance detection on functionalized graphene-coated gold interfaces. Increasing the shear had important differential consequences on bacterial adhesion. Adherent-invasive E. coli, isolated from the feces and biopsies of Crohn’s disease patients, consistently changed their adhesion behavior less under shear and displayed lower SPR signals, compared to E. coli opportunistically infecting the urinary tract, intestines or loci of knee and hip prostheses. We exemplified this further with the extreme behaviors of the reference strains UTI89 and LF82. Whereas their FimA major pilins have identical sequences, FimH of LF82 E. coli is marked by the Thr158Pro mutation. Positioned in the inter-domain region known to carry hot spots of mutations in E. coli pathotypes, residue 158 is indicated to play a structural role in the allosteric regulation of type-1 fimbriae-mediated bacterial adhesion.
Psychosocial Impact of Pediatric Cancer on Parents : A Literature Review

A diagnosis of childhood cancer represents challenges for patients, family members, and health workers. The parents of a child or adolescent have to play an expanded role because they need to reconcile parental tasks and treatment demands. This study presents an integrative literature review concerning difficulties experienced by pediatric caregivers during onco-hematological treatment. The CAPES periodicals portal and the Scientific Library Online (SciELO) were searched for papers published between 1999 and 2009. Relevant themes are highlighted in Brazilian and international studies published in the field, such as psychological disorders experienced by caregivers, the professional and financial impact associated with treatment, changes in educative practices and family dynamics, and the influence of cultural practices on the experience of treatment. Suggestions for further research are presented to support efficient psychosocial interventions and minimize the psychosocial costs experienced by pediatric caregivers over the course of onco-hematological treatments.
CXCR4 increases in-vivo glioma perivascular invasion, and reduces radiation induced apoptosis: A genetic knockdown study

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly invasive brain tumor. Perivascular invasion, autovascularization and vascular co-option occur throughout the disease and lead to tumor invasion and progression. The molecular basis for perivascular invasion, i.e., the interaction of glioma tumor cells with endothelial cells is not well characterized. Recent studies indicate that glioma cells have increased expression of CXCR4. We investigated the in-vivo role of CXCR4 in perivascular invasion of glioma cells using shRNA-mediated knock down of CXCR4. We show that primary cultures of human glioma stem cells HF2303 and mouse glioma GL26-Cit cells exhibit significant migration towards human (HBMVE) and mouse (MBVE) brain microvascular endothelial cells. Blocking CXCR4 on tumor cells with AMD3100 in-vitro, inhibits migration of GL26-Cit and HF2303 toward MBVE and HBMVE cells. Additionally, genetic down regulation of CXCR4 in mouse glioma GL26-Cit cells inhibits their in-vitro migration towards MBVE cells; in an in-vivo intracranial mouse model, these cells display reduced tumor growth and perivascular invasion, leading to increased survival. Quantitative analysis of brain sections showed that CXCR4 knockdown tumors are less invasive. Lastly, we tested the effects of radiation on CXCR4 knock down GL26-Cit cells in an orthotopic brain tumor model. Radiation treatment increased apoptosis of CXCR4 downregulated tumor cells and prolonged median survival. In summary, our data suggest that CXCR4 signaling is critical for perivascular invasion of GBM cells and targeting this receptor makes tumors less invasive and more sensitive to radiation therapy. Combination of CXCR4 knock down and radiation treatment might improve the efficacy of GBM therapy.
Using the laws of thermodynamics to understand how matrix metalloproteinases coordinate the myocardial response to injury

Following myocardial infarction (MI), the left ventricle (LV) undergoes a series of molecular, cellular, and functional alterations that are both part of the wound healing response to form a scar in the infarct region and the consequence of that response. Using the laws of thermodynamics as an analogy, we present here three laws for categorizing the post-MI LV remodeling process. The first law is that the LV will attempt to maintain equilibrium and compensate as a way to maximize function, the second law is that remodeling is progressive and unidirectional, and the third law is that the final goal is (ideally, but not always achievable) a stable, equilibrated scar. This comparison helps to define the boundaries of the system, whether it be the infarct zone, the LV, the heart, or the entire body. This review provides an overview for those not directly in the field and establishes a framework to help prioritize future research directions.
Visceral adipose tissue: relations between single-slice areas and total volume.

BACKGROUND Visceral adipose tissue (VAT), which is linked with the metabolic consequences of obesity, is usually characterized by measuring VAT area at the L4-L5 vertebral interspace. However, the location of the slice with the strongest relation to VAT volume is not established. OBJECTIVE We sought to investigate the relations between cross-sectional VAT areas at different anatomic locations and VAT volume in a large, diverse sample of healthy subjects. DESIGN VAT volume was derived from slice areas taken at 5-cm intervals from magnetic resonance images in 121 healthy men [x +/- SD age: 41.9 +/- 15.8 y; body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)): 26.0 +/- 3.2; VAT: 2.7 +/- 1.8 L] and 198 healthy women (age: 48.1 +/- 18.7 y; BMI: 27.0 +/- 5.4; VAT: 1.7 +/- 1.2 L). Regression models were developed to identify the best single slice for estimating VAT volume. RESULTS The VAT area 10 cm above L4-L5 (A(+10)) in men (R(2) = 0.932, P < 0.001) and 5 cm above L4-L5 (A(+5)) in women (R(2) = 0.945, P < 0.001) had the highest correlation with abdominal VAT. R(2) increased by only 3.8% in men and 0.5% in women with adjustment for age, race, scanning position, BMI, and waist circumference. Studies using A(+10) in men and A(+5) in women will require 14% and 9% fewer subjects, respectively, than those using slices at L4-L5 and will have equivalent power. CONCLUSION Measurement of slice areas at A(+10) in men and A(+5) in women provides greater power for the detection of VAT volume differences than does measurement at L4-L5.