Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal Expression of the Envelope Glycoprotein of Orthobornaviruses Determines the Production of Mature Virus Particles

Most viruses causing persistent infection produce few infectious particles from the infected cells. Borna disease virus 1, a member of the genus Orthobornavirus, is an RNA virus that persistently infects the nucleus and has been applied to vectors for long-term gene expression. ABSTRACT An RNA virus-based episomal vector (REVec) whose backbone is Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1) can provide long-term gene expression in transduced cells. To improve the transduction efficiency of REVec, we evaluated the role of the viral envelope glycoprotein (G) of the genus Orthobornavirus, including that of BoDV-1, in the production of infectious particles. By using a G-pseudotype assay in which the lack of G in G-deficient REVec (ΔG-REVec) was compensated for the expression of G, we found that excess expression of BoDV-1-G does not affect particle production itself but results in uncleaved and aberrant mature G expression in the cells, leading to the production of REVec particles with low transduction titers. We revealed that the expression of uncleaved G in the cells inhibits the incorporation of mature G and viral genomic RNA into the particles. This feature of G was conserved among mammalian and avian orthobornaviruses; however, the cleavage efficacy of canary bornavirus 1 (CnBV-1)-G was exceptionally not impaired by its excess expression, which led to the production of the pseudotype ΔG-REVec with the highest titer. Chimeric G proteins between CnBV-1 and -2 revealed that the signal peptide of CnBV-1-G was responsible for the cleavage efficacy through the interaction with intracellular furin. We showed that CnBV-1-G leads to the development of pseudotyped REVec with high transduction efficiency and a high-titer recombinant REVec. Our study demonstrated that the restricted expression of orthobornavirus G contributes to the regulation of infectious particle production, the mechanism of which can improve the transduction efficiency of REVec. IMPORTANCE Most viruses causing persistent infection produce few infectious particles from the infected cells. Borna disease virus 1, a member of the genus Orthobornavirus, is an RNA virus that persistently infects the nucleus and has been applied to vectors for long-term gene expression. In this study, we showed that, common among orthobornaviruses, excessive G expression does not affect particle production itself but reduces the production of infectious particles with mature G and genomic RNA. This result suggested that limited G expression contributes to suppressing abnormal viral particle production. On the other hand, we found that canary bornavirus 1 has an exceptional G maturation mechanism and produces a high-titer virus. Our study will contribute to not only understanding the mechanism of infectious particle production but also improving the vector system of orthobornaviruses.
A Multicenter Survey of Acute Stroke Imaging Protocols for Endovascular Thrombectomy

Purpose Identifying current practices in acute stroke imaging is essential for establishing optimal imaging protocols. We surveyed and assessed the current status of acute stroke imaging for endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) at tertiary hospitals throughout South Korea. Materials and Methods An electronic questionnaire on imaging protocols for EVT in patients with acute ischemic stroke was e-mailed to physicians at 42 registered tertiary hospitals, and their responses were collected between February and March 2020. Results Of the 36 hospitals participating in the survey, 69% (25/36) adopted computed tomography (CT)-based protocols, whereas 31% (11/36) adopted magnetic resonance (MR)-based protocols. Non-enhanced CT (NECT) was the initial imaging study at 28%, NECT with CT angiography (CTA) at 36%, and NECT with CTA and CT perfusion (CTP) at 33% of hospitals. Perfusion imaging was performed at 61% (22/36), CTP at 44% (16/36), and MR perfusion at 17% (6/36) of hospitals. Multiphase CTA was performed at 67%, single-phase CTA at 11%, time-of-flight MR angiography (MRA) at 8%, contrast-enhanced MRA at 8%, and both at 6% of hospitals. For late time window stroke, 50% of hospitals used identical imaging protocols to those for early time window stroke, 39% used additional MR imaging (MRI), and 6% converted the imaging strategy from CT to MRI. Post-processing programs were used at 28% (10/36), and RAPID software at 14% (5/36) of hospitals, respectively. Most hospitals (92%) used the same imaging protocols for posterior and anterior circulation strokes. Conclusion Our multicenter survey demonstrated considerable heterogeneity in acute stroke imaging protocols across South Korean tertiary hospitals, suggesting that hospitals refine their imaging protocols according to hospital-specific conditions.
Modified Split Ring Resonators Sensor for Accurate Complex Permittivity Measurements of Solid Dielectrics

In this paper, a sensor using modified Split Ring Resonators (SRRs) is designed, simulated, fabricated, and used for advanced investigation and precise measurements of the real part and imaginary part solid dielectrics’ permittivity. Adding vertical strips tightly coupled to the outer ring of the SRR leads to the appearance of two resonant frequencies at 1.24 GHz and 2.08 GHz. This modified geometry also assures an improved sensitivity. Using the full wave electromagnetic solver, both the unloaded and loaded sensors are investigated. The numerical simulations are used to develop a mathematical model based on a curve fitting tool for both resonant frequencies, allowing to obtain analytical relations for real and imaginary parts of permittivity as a function of the sample’s thickness and quality factor. The sensor is designed and fabricated on 1.6 mm thick FR-4 substrate. The measurements of different samples, such as transparent glass, acrylic glass, plexiglass, and Teflon, confirm that the modified SRR sensor is easy to implement and gives accurate results for all cases, with measurement errors smaller than 4.5%. In addition, the measurements highlight the importance of the second resonant frequency in the cases in which numerical limitations do not allow the usage of the first resonant frequency (1 mm thick sample).
Association of Ambulatory Blood Pressure with All-Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Background: Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is the gold standard for the diagnosis of hypertension, but its effects on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients remain uncertain. We aimed to investigate the association between ambulatory blood pressure and clinical outcomes in PD patients. Methods: A prospective, observational cohort study was conducted in PD patients enrolled from March 2001 to July 2018 and followed until October 2019. Blood pressure was evaluated using 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. The endpoints included all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and cardiovascular events. Multivariable Cox regression was used to identify the associations between ambulatory blood pressure and endpoints. Subsequently, multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify factors associated with elevated pulse pressure (PP). Results: A total of 260 PD patients (154 men, 59.2%) were recruited. The median follow-up duration was 40.7 months. Our studies revealed that PP was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.018; 95% CI, 1.001–1.034; p = 0.032), cardiovascular mortality (HR, 1.039; 95% CI, 1.017–1.061; p < 0.001), and cardiovascular events (HR, 1.028; 95% CI, 1.011–1.046; p = 0.001). Systolic blood pressure was an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality (HR, 1.023; 95% CI, 1.007–1.040; p = 0.005) and cardiovascular events (HR, 1.018; 95% CI, 1.006–1.030; p = 0.003). Vascular calcification was significantly associated with elevated PP (OR, 3.069; 95% CI, 1.632–5.772; p = 0.001). Conclusion: 24-h ambulatory PP was the most significant predictor of all blood pressure indicators for clinical outcomes in PD patients.
Nonlinear Measures to Evaluate Upright Postural Stability: A Systematic Review

Conventional biomechanical analyses of human movement have been generally derived from linear mathematics. While these methods can be useful in many situations, they fail to describe the behavior of the human body systems that are predominately nonlinear. For this reason, nonlinear analyses have become more prevalent in recent literature. These analytical techniques are typically investigated using concepts related to variability, stability, complexity, and adaptability. This review aims to investigate the application of nonlinear metrics to assess postural stability. A systematic review was conducted of papers published from 2009 to 2019. Databases searched were PubMed, Google Scholar, Science-Direct and EBSCO. The main inclusion consisted of: Sample entropy, fractal dimension, Lyapunov exponent used as nonlinear measures, and assessment of the variability of the center of pressure during standing using force plate. Following screening, 43 articles out of the initial 1100 were reviewed including 33 articles on sample entropy, 10 articles on fractal dimension, and 4 papers on the Lyapunov exponent. This systematic study shows the reductions in postural regularity related to aging and the disease or injures in the adaptive capabilities of the movement system and how the predictability changes with different task constraints.
Human Teeth-Derived Bioceramics for Improved Bone Regeneration

Hydroxyapatite (HAp, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) is one of the most promising candidates of the calcium phosphate family, suitable for bone tissue regeneration due to its structural similarities with human hard tissues. However, the requirements of high purity and the non-availability of adequate synthetic techniques limit the application of synthetic HAp in bone tissue engineering. Herein, we developed and evaluated the bone regeneration potential of human teeth-derived bioceramics in mice′s defective skulls. The developed bioceramics were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The developed bioceramics exhibited the characteristic peaks of HAp in FTIR and XRD patterns. The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique was applied to determine the Ca/P molar ratio in the developed bioceramics, and it was 1.67. Cytotoxicity of the simulated body fluid (SBF)-soaked bioceramics was evaluated by WST-1 assay in the presence of human alveolar bone marrow stem cells (hABMSCs). No adverse effects were observed in the presence of the developed bioceramics, indicating their biocompatibility. The cells adequately adhered to the bioceramics-treated media. Enhanced bone regeneration occurred in the presence of the developed bioceramics in the defected skulls of mice, and this potential was profoundly affected by the size of the developed bioceramics. The bioceramics-treated mice groups exhibited greater vascularization compared to control. Therefore, the developed bioceramics have the potential to be used as biomaterials for bone regeneration application.
Effects of long-term antibiotic treatment on mice urinary aromatic amino acid profiles

Abstract The gut microbiota–host co-metabolites are good indicators for representing the cross-talk between host and gut microbiota in a bi-direct manner. There is increasing evidence that levels of aromatic amino acids (AAAs) are associated with the alteration of intestinal microbial community though the effects of long-term microbial disturbance remain unclear. Here we monitored the gut microbiota composition and host–microbiota co-metabolites AAA profiles of mice after gentamicin and ceftriaxone treatments for nearly 4 months since their weaning to reveal the relationship between host and microbiome in long- term microbial disturbances. The study was performed employing targeted LC-MS measurement of AAA-related metabolites and 16S RNA sequence of mice cecal contents. The results showed obvious decreased gut microbial diversity and decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio in the cecal contents after long-term antibiotics treatment. The accumulated AAA (tyrosine, phenylalanine and tryptophan) and re-distribution of their downstreaming metabolites that produced under the existence of intestinal flora were found in mice treated with antibiotics for 4 months. Our results suggested that the long-term antibiotic treatment significantly changed the composition of the gut microbiota and destroyed the homeostasis in the intestinal metabolism. And the urinary AAA could be an indicator for exploring interactions between host and gut microbiota.
Nurse-Led Body-Mind-Spirit Based Relapse Prevention Intervention for People With Diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder at a Mental Health Care Setting, India: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND Alcohol dependence is associated with alcohol-related problems and persistent vulnerability to relapse. Despite newer medications, frequent relapses continue to occur. Hence, there is a need to look at holistic approaches to deal with this problem. OBJECTIVE Evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-led body-mind-spirit (BMS)-based relapse prevention intervention on craving and quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption among alcohol-dependent individuals. METHODS Randomized control trial was adopted, and the study was conducted at a mental health care setting in India. Sixty individuals with alcohol use disorder were randomly assigned to a BMS group (n = 30) and a treatment-as-usual (TAU) group (n = 30) between June 2017 and March 2018. Subjects of both groups were initially assessed for craving and quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption. BMS subjects received seven sessions of BMS intervention and routine treatment at de-addiction wards. The interventions comprise of body, mind, and spirit strategies that aid in handling triggers, accept responsibility for their own well-being and take charge of self health. TAU group subjects received only routine treatment. All the participants were followed up over 3 months postdischarge. RESULTS Over 3 months of follow-up, BMS group subjects (vs. TAU group) reported significantly lesser quantity of alcohol consumption (F = 9.74, p < .001, η = .144), fewer drinking days (F = 14.04, p < .001, η = .195), lower relapse rates (14 vs. 28), and lesser craving (F = 14.01, p < .001, η = .195). Regression analysis showed that number of previous attempts (>1) and increased baseline drinking were associated with relapse. CONCLUSION Findings provide evidence of BMS intervention in reducing craving and drinking outcomes among alcohol-dependent individuals in India.
Peroxiredoxins in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Substantial evidence indicates that oxidative/nitrosative stress contributes to the neurodegenerative diseases. Peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) are one of the enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms neutralizing reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. Since mammalian PRDXs were identified 30 years ago, their significance was long overshadowed by the other well-studied ROS/RNS defense systems. An increasing number of studies suggests that these enzymes may be involved in the neurodegenerative process. This article reviews the current knowledge on the expression and putative roles of PRDXs in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Huntington’s disease.
In vitro characterization of novel multidrug-eluting soy protein wound dressings

Polymers derived from natural sources are of interest in the scientific and medical communities, especially soy protein which exhibits low immunogenicity and good mechanical properties, and supports cell proliferation. Soy protein is cost-effective compared to other natural polymers and is attractive also due to its non-animal origin and relatively long storage stability. In the current study, hybrid film structures were developed and studied as a novel wound dressing platform with controlled release of three bioactive agents. The dense top layer is designed to provide mechanical support, control the water vapor permeability and to elute the antibiotic drug cloxacillin and the analgesic drug bupivacaine to the wound site. The porous sub-layer is designed to absorb the wound exudates and release the hemostatic agent tranexamic acid for bleeding control. The results show that the formulation parameters, i.e. crosslinker and plasticizer concentrations, affected the mechanical properties of the wound dressings as well as relevant physical properties (water vapor transmission rate and swelling kinetics), but had almost no effect on the drug-release profiles. While the antibiotic drug and the analgesic drug were released within several hours, the hemostatic agent was released within several minutes, according to the well designed hybrid structure. In conclusion, our novel soy protein hybrid wound dressings are biocompatible, can deliver various drugs simultaneously in a controlled fashion for each drug individually, and can be adjusted to suit various types of wounds by altering their properties through formulation effects.
Identification of common neural substrates with connectomic abnormalities in four major psychiatric disorders: A connectome-wide association study

Abstract Background Recent imaging studies of large datasets suggested that psychiatric disorders have common biological substrates. This study aimed to identify all the common neural substrates with connectomic abnormalities across four major psychiatric disorders by using the data-driven connectome-wide association method of multivariate distance matrix regression (MDMR). Methods This study analyzed a resting functional magnetic resonance imaging dataset of 100 patients with schizophrenia, 100 patients with bipolar I disorder, 100 patients with bipolar II disorder, 100 patients with major depressive disorder, and 100 healthy controls (HCs). We calculated a voxel-wise 4,330 × 4,330 matrix of whole-brain functional connectivity (FC) with 8-mm isotropic resolution for each participant and then performed MDMR to identify structures where the overall multivariate pattern of FC was significantly different between each patient group and the HC group. A conjunction analysis was performed to identify common neural regions with FC abnormalities across these four psychiatric disorders. Results The conjunction of the MDMR maps revealed that the four groups of patients shared connectomic abnormalities in distributed cortical and subcortical structures, which included bilateral thalamus, cerebellum, frontal pole, supramarginal gyrus, postcentral gyrus, lingual gyrus, lateral occipital cortex, and parahippocampus. The follow-up analysis based on pair-wise FC of these regions demonstrated that these psychiatric disorders also shared similar patterns of FC abnormalities characterized by sensory/subcortical hyperconnectivity, association/subcortical hypoconnectivity, and sensory/association hyperconnectivity. Conclusions These findings suggest that major psychiatric disorders share common connectomic abnormalities in distributed cortical and subcortical regions and provide crucial support for the common network hypothesis of major psychiatric disorders.
Impact of nonionizing electromagnetic radiation on male infertility: an assessment of the mechanism and consequences

Abstract Purpose Environment and lifestyle factors are being attributed toward increased instances of male infertility. Rapid technological advancement, results in emission of electromagnetic radiations of different frequency which impacts human both biologically as well as genetically. Devices like cell phone, power line and monitors emit electromagnetic radiation and are a major source of the exposure. Numerous studies describe the detrimental consequence of radiation on physiological parameters of male reproductive system including sperm parameters (morphology, motility, and viability), metabolism and genomic instability. While the thermal and nonthermal interaction of nonionizing radiations with biological tissues can’t be ruled out, most studies emphasize the generation of reactive oxygen species. Oxidative stress alters redox equilibrium and disrupts morphology and normal functioning of sperms along with declination of total anti-oxidant capacity. Conclusion In this paper, we describe a detailed literature review with the intent of analyzing the impact of electromagnetic radiation and understand the consequence on male reproductive system. The underlying mechanism suggesting ROS generation and pathway of action has also been discussed. Additionally, the safety measures while using electronic gadgets and mobile phones has also been presented.
General and abdominal obesity and incident hypertension among people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy

ABSTRACT Hypertension is highly prevalent among people living with HIV (PLWH). We sought to characterize the hypertension incidence among PLWH on antiretroviral therapy, focusing on the effect of change in general and abdominal obesity on hypertension during follow-up. This was a prospective analysis of 229 treated PLWH aged over 40 years without hypertension at baseline. Overall a median follow-up of 2.9 years, 26.2% PLWH developed hypertension. In multivariable models, compared to those without obesity measures at both baseline and follow-up visit, PLWH with general obesity at both occasions (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.83, P = 0.006) or at baseline only (aOR = 5.45, P = 0.003), abdominal obesity (measured as waist circumference) at both occasions (aOR = 3.87, P = 0.001) or at follow-up only (aOR = 2.27; 9P = 0.060), abdominal obesity (measured as waist-to-hip ratio) at both occasions (aOR = 2.27, P = 0.077) were at increased risk of incident hypertension. Our data show that both general and abdominal obesity especially in the persistent status increase the hypertension risk in treated PLWH.
Adsorption Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Resin for Metal Impurities in Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) Terephthalate

Adsorption of heavy metals from degraded of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) products by strong cation exchange resin AmberliteIR-120 under optimized conditions toward the selectivity removal of metals are in the following order: Al3+ > Zn2+ > Mg2+ > Fe2+ > Ni2+. Therefore, kinetic and adsorption isotherm models were applied for fitting experimental data. Comparatively, adsorption isotherm study revealed that Langmuir isotherm model better fits adsorption on surface of resin over than the Freundlich model. In summary, AmberliteIR-120 strong acid cation exchange resin can be used as an efficient adsorbent for heavy metals removal from depolymerized products bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate.