Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Land-use and climate change risks in the Amazon and the need of a novel sustainable development paradigm

Significance The Amazonian tropical forests have been disappearing at a fast rate in the last 50 y due to deforestation to open areas for agriculture, posing high risks of irreversible changes to biodiversity and ecosystems. Climate change poses additional risks to the stability of the forests. Studies suggest “tipping points” not to be transgressed: 4° C of global warming or 40% of total deforested area. The regional development debate has focused on attempting to reconcile maximizing conservation with intensification of traditional agriculture. Large reductions of deforestation in the last decade open up opportunities for an alternative model based on seeing the Amazon as a global public good of biological assets for the creation of high-value products and ecosystem services. For half a century, the process of economic integration of the Amazon has been based on intensive use of renewable and nonrenewable natural resources, which has brought significant basin-wide environmental alterations. The rural development in the Amazonia pushed the agricultural frontier swiftly, resulting in widespread land-cover change, but agriculture in the Amazon has been of low productivity and unsustainable. The loss of biodiversity and continued deforestation will lead to high risks of irreversible change of its tropical forests. It has been established by modeling studies that the Amazon may have two “tipping points,” namely, temperature increase of 4 °C or deforestation exceeding 40% of the forest area. If transgressed, large-scale “savannization” of mostly southern and eastern Amazon may take place. The region has warmed about 1 °C over the last 60 y, and total deforestation is reaching 20% of the forested area. The recent significant reductions in deforestation—80% reduction in the Brazilian Amazon in the last decade—opens up opportunities for a novel sustainable development paradigm for the future of the Amazon. We argue for a new development paradigm—away from only attempting to reconcile maximizing conservation versus intensification of traditional agriculture and expansion of hydropower capacity—in which we research, develop, and scale a high-tech innovation approach that sees the Amazon as a global public good of biological assets that can enable the creation of innovative high-value products, services, and platforms through combining advanced digital, biological, and material technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in progress.
Tobacco Consumption and Toxicant Exposure of Cigarette Smokers Using Electronic Cigarettes

Background There is considerable debate about the benefits and risks of electronic cigarettes (ECs). To better understand the risk-benefit ratio of ECs, more information is needed about net nicotine consumption and toxicant exposure of cigarette smokers switching to ECs. Methods Forty cigarette smokers (≥1 year of smoking) interested in switching to ECs but not necessarily quitting smoking were enrolled in a 4-week observational study and provided an e-Go C non-variable battery and refillable atomizers and choice of eight flavors in 12 or 24 mg nicotine dosage. Measurement of urinary cotinine (metabolite of nicotine), 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL; a pulmonary carcinogen), and eight volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are toxic tobacco smoke constituents was conducted at baseline and week 4. Results All participants with follow-up data (92.5%) reported using the study EC. Of the 40 smokers, 16 reported no cigarettes at week 2 (40%) and six continued to report no cigarettes at week 4 (15%). Change in nicotine intake over the 4 weeks was non-significant (p = .90). Carbon monoxide (p < .001), NNAL (p < .01) and metabolites of benzene (p < .01) and acrylonitrile (p = .001) were significantly decreased in the study sample. Smokers switching exclusively to ECs for at least half of the study period demonstrated significant reductions in metabolites of ethylene oxide (p = .03) and acrylamide (p < .01). Conclusion Smokers using ECs over 4 weeks maintained cotinine levels and experienced significant reductions in carbon monoxide, NNAL, and two out of eight measured VOC metabolites. Those who switched exclusively to ECs for at least half of the study period significantly reduced two additional VOCs. Implications This study extends current literature by measuring change in smoking dependence and disease-associated biomarkers, NNAL and a panel of eight common VOCs that are toxic tobacco smoke constituents in smokers who switch to ECs. The findings support the idea of harm reduction, however some levels of toxicant exposure are still of clinical concern, particularly for dual users. Extrapolation of these results must be careful to separate the different toxic exposure results for exclusive switchers versus dual cigarette + EC users, and not to equate harm reduction with the idea that using ECs is harmless.
TANGO1/cTAGE5 receptor as a polyvalent template for assembly of large COPII coats

Significance Proteins destined for secretion from cells enter the secretory pathway in coat protein complex II (COPII)-coated vesicles budding from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Most cargo proteins are small and exit the ER in 60-nm vesicles. However, some secretory cargos are too large to enter such carriers; in particular, the procollagen precursor of the extracellular matrix exits the ER as a 300- to 400-nm fibril. Recent research suggests that procollagen may be packaged into large COPII-coated tubules, guided by the receptor molecule TANGO1/cTAGE5. We show that each TANGO1/cTAGE5 receptor protein has a multiplicity of binding sites to recruit and concentrate COPII proteins. We propose the model that TANGO1/cTAGE5 instructs the COPII coat to form large tubular carriers. The supramolecular cargo procollagen is loaded into coat protein complex II (COPII)-coated carriers at endoplasmic reticulum (ER) exit sites by the receptor molecule TANGO1/cTAGE5. Electron microscopy studies have identified a tubular carrier of suitable dimensions that is molded by a distinctive helical array of the COPII inner coat protein Sec23/24•Sar1; the helical arrangement is absent from canonical COPII-coated small vesicles. In this study, we combined X-ray crystallographic and biochemical analysis to characterize the association of TANGO1/cTAGE5 with COPII proteins. The affinity for Sec23 is concentrated in the proline-rich domains (PRDs) of TANGO1 and cTAGE5, but Sec23 recognizes merely a PPP motif. The PRDs contain repeated PPP motifs separated by proline-rich linkers, so a single TANGO1/cTAGE5 receptor can bind multiple copies of coat protein in a close-packed array. We propose that TANGO1/cTAGE5 promotes the accretion of inner coat proteins to the helical lattice. Furthermore, we show that PPP motifs in the outer coat protein Sec31 also bind to Sec23, suggesting that stepwise COPII coat assembly will ultimately displace TANGO1/cTAGE5 and compartmentalize its operation to the base of the growing COPII tubule.
SURVEILLANCE FOR DYSPLASIA AND COLITIC CANCER BY MAGNIFYING COLONOSCOPY IN PATIENTS WITH ULCERATIVE COLITIS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the macroscopic appearance and pit pattern of colitic cancer and dysplasia associated with ulcerative colitis (UC) by conventional and magnifying colonoscopy. Twelve lesions of dysplasia in nine patients and five colitic cancers in four patients were observed by magnifying colonoscopy. On conventional colonoscopy, most colitic cancers and dysplasias were protruded lesions. However, flat lesions were observed only in dysplasia, not in colitic cancer. All colitic cancers and 83% (10/12 lesions) of dysplasias presented reddish surface. On magnifying colonoscopy, most lesions of colitic cancer and dysplasia showed IIIS to IIIL or IIIL to IV or IV type pit patterns. Tumorous pits associated with colitic cancers and dysplasias were similar to those seen in sporadic colorectal cancers and adenomas. Magnifying colonoscopy is expected to facilitate the qualitative diagnosis of colitic cancer and dysplasia associated with ulcerative colitis and to improve the efficiency of targeted biopsy.
Maternal Smoking: A Life Course Blood Pressure Determinant?

Introduction Exposure to maternal smoking early in life may affect blood pressure (BP) control mechanisms. We examined the association between maternal smoking (before conception, during pregnancy, and 4 years after delivery) and BP in preschool children. Methods We evaluated 4295 of Generation XXI children, recruited at birth in 2005-2006 and reevaluated at the age of 4. At birth, information was collected by face-to-face interview and additionally abstracted from clinical records. At 4-year follow-up, interviews were performed and children's BP measured. Linear regression models were fitted to estimate the association between maternal smoking and children's BP. Results Children of smoking mothers presented significantly higher BP levels. After adjustment for maternal education, gestational hypertensive disorders, and child's body mass index, children exposed during pregnancy to maternal smoking presented a higher systolic BP (SBP) z-score (β = 0.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04 to 0.14). In crude models, maternal smoking was associated with higher SBP z-score at every assessed period. However, after adjustment, an attenuation of the association estimates occurred (β = 0.08, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.13 before conception; β = 0.07, 95%CI 0.02 to 0.12; β = 0.04, 95%CI -0.02 to 0.10; and β = 0.06, 95%CI 0.00 to 0.13 for the first, second, and third pregnancy trimesters, respectively; and β = 0.07, 95%CI 0.02 to 0.12 for current maternal smoking). No significant association was observed for diastolic BP z-score levels. Conclusion Maternal smoking before, during, and after pregnancy was independently associated with systolic BP z-score in preschool children. This study provides additional evidence to the public health relevance of maternal smoking cessation programs if early cardiovascular health of children is envisaged. Implications Using observational longitudinal data from the birth cohort Generation XXI, this study showed that exposure to maternal smoking-before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and 4 years after delivery-was associated with a systolic BP-raising effect in children at the age of 4. The findings of this study add an important insight into the need to support maternal smoke-free environments in order to provide long-term cardiovascular benefit, starting as early as possible in life.
Cellular and molecular aspects of weight regulation: the adipose tissue

This dissertation studied the effects of a low-calorie diet on fat molecules and the impact of genes on body weight regulation. We discovered two different genetic variations (the FTO gene in men and the MMP2 gene in women) that predict a weight gain of at least 8 kilos over the course of a decade. Furthermore, it was shown that fat cells increase their ability to include higher levels of glucose and fatty acids following weight loss achieved with a diet. After three weeks, fat cells were found to be craving fat, a mechanism provoking old eating habits (the so-called yo-yo effect). Certain target groups, including people having a genetic predisposition, should therefore receive improved weight-loss and/or weight-maintenance counselling.
Scalable Synthesis of 2D Si Nanosheets

2D Si nanomaterials have attracted tremendous attention due to their novel properties and a wide range of potential applications from electronic devices to energy storage and conversion. However, high‐quality and large‐scale fabrication of 2D Si remains challenging. This study reports a room‐temperature and one‐step synthesis technique that leads to large‐scale and low‐cost production of Si nanosheets (SiNSs) with thickness ≈4 nm and lateral size of several micrometers, based on the intrinsic delithiation process of chemically leaching lithium from the Li13Si4 alloy. Together with experimental results, a combination of theoretical modeling and atomistic simulations indicates that the formation of single SiNS arises from spontaneous delamination of nanosheets from their substrate due to delithiation‐induced mismatch. Subsequently, the synthesized Si nanosheets evolve from amorphous to nanocrystalline to crystalline structures during annealing at different temperatures. It is demonstrated that these SiNSs possess unique mechanical properties, in particular ultralow friction, in contrast to their bulk counterparts.
High‐Performance Polymers Sandwiched with Chemical Vapor Deposited Hexagonal Boron Nitrides as Scalable High‐Temperature Dielectric Materials

Polymer dielectrics are the preferred materials of choice for power electronics and pulsed power applications. However, their relatively low operating temperatures significantly limit their uses in harsh‐environment energy storage devices, e.g., automobile and aerospace power systems. Herein, hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) films are prepared from chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and readily transferred onto polyetherimide (PEI) films. Greatly improved performance in terms of discharged energy density and charge–discharge efficiency is achieved in the PEI sandwiched with CVD‐grown h‐BN films at elevated temperatures when compared to neat PEI films and other high‐temperature polymer and nanocomposite dielectrics. Notably, the h‐BN‐coated PEI films are capable of operating with >90% charge–discharge efficiencies and delivering high energy densities, i.e., 1.2 J cm−3, even at a temperature close to the glass transition temperature of polymer (i.e., 217 °C) where pristine PEI almost fails. Outstanding cyclability and dielectric stability over a straight 55 000 charge–discharge cycles are demonstrated in the h‐BN‐coated PEI at high temperatures. The work demonstrates a general and scalable pathway to enable the high‐temperature capacitive energy applications of a wide range of engineering polymers and also offers an efficient method for the synthesis and transfer of 2D nanomaterials at the scale demanded for applications.
Sex Differences in Subjective Responses To Moderate Versus Very Low Nicotine Content Cigarettes

Introduction Men and women may be differentially sensitive to the acute perceptual responses to smoking cigarettes that vary in nicotine content ("dose") but are matched on non-nicotine constituents. Methods Dependent adult smokers (43 M, 31 F) took four controlled puffs from Spectrum research cigarettes that were moderate (16-17 mg/g) or very low (0.4 mg/g) in nicotine content, and matched on "tar. " To ensure reliable responses, each cigarette was administered singly five times in random order under blind conditions, with one or the other provided every 15 minutes over a 2.5-hour session following overnight abstinence. Subjective perceptions (eg, "satisfying", "how much nicotine") were rated after each cigarette. Results Subjective ratings differed due to cigarette nicotine content, as expected, and did so differentially between men and women. The interaction of nicotine content by sex was significant for most rated subjective perceptions of the cigarette, as multivariate analyses showed that differences due to nicotine content were highly significant for men (p < .001) but only marginal for women (p = .08). Conclusions Relative to men, women's subjective responses to acute smoking are less sensitive to differences in cigarette nicotine content. To our knowledge, this is the first comparison of sex differences in response to very carefully controlled doses of smoked nicotine per se. Further research should examine possible sex differences in nicotine dosing administered by other smoked and nonsmoked methods, as well as the developmental pattern of these differences during onset and during cessation of dependent smoking. Implications Subjective perceptions of smoking cigarettes varying in nicotine contents differ between men and women. These results with research cigarettes are similar to other studies with carefully dosed nicotine administration by other means, supporting the notion that women, relative to men, are less sensitive to pharmacological factors and more sensitive to nonpharmacological factors in acute cigarette smoking. Future studies are warranted to examine sex differences in other responses to controlled nicotine intake via smoking, and via other smoked and nonsmoked methods of administering nicotine doses.
Efficient Delivery of Genome-Editing Proteins In Vitro and In Vivo

Efficient intracellular delivery of proteins is needed to fully realize the potential of protein therapeutics. Current methods of protein delivery commonly suffer from low tolerance for serum, poor endosomal escape, and limited in vivo efficacy. Here we report that common cationic lipid nucleic acid transfection reagents can potently deliver proteins that are fused to negatively supercharged proteins, that contain natural anionic domains, or that natively bind to anionic nucleic acids. This approach mediates the potent delivery of nM concentrations of Cre recombinase, TALE- and Cas9-based transcriptional activators, and Cas9:sgRNA nuclease complexes into cultured human cells in media containing 10% serum. Delivery of Cas9:sgRNA complexes resulted in up to 80% genome modification with substantially higher specificity compared to DNA transfection. This approach also mediated efficient delivery of Cre recombinase and Cas9:sgRNA complexes into the mouse inner ear in vivo , achieving 90% Cre-mediated recombination and 20% Cas9-mediated genome modification in hair cells.
Metric Units and the Preferred Dosing of Orally Administered Liquid Medications

Medication overdoses are a common, but preventable, problem among children. Volumetric dosing errors and the use of incorrect dosing delivery devices are 2 common sources of these preventable errors for orally administered liquid medications. To reduce errors and increase precision of drug administration, milliliter-based dosing should be used exclusively when prescribing and administering liquid medications. Teaspoon- and tablespoon-based dosing should not be used. Devices that allow for precise dose administration (preferably syringes with metric markings) should be used instead of household spoons and should be distributed with the medication.
Abordaje del tabaquismo por el cardiólogo: cómo realizar una intervención efectiva

INTRODUCCION El vinculo entre tabaquismo activo y pasivo y la enfermedad cardiovascular ha sido amplia y claramente documentado (1,2). Es el factor de riesgo cardiovascular mas deletereo luego de la hipertension arterial y existe amplia evidencia acerca de los beneficios que conlleva la cesacion en la esfera cardiovascular (3-5). A pesar de esto el tratamiento del tabaquismo es la cenicienta de las intervenciones realizadas en la practica cardiologica. Esta intervencion terapeutica ha sido definida como “una responsabilidad fundamental de cada especialista cardiovascular” (6) y como “la intervencion aislada mas poderosa en la practica clinica cardiologica” (7). Estas definiciones se fundamentan en que la reduccion de riesgo conseguida al dejar de fumar supera ampliamente a la obtenida por otros tratamientos de la esfera cardiovascular, que son ampliamente conocidos e implementados por los cardiologos en su practica diaria (8) (tabla 1). LOS MEDICOS Y LA CESACION TABAQUICA Encuestas nacionales e internacionales han documentado que muy pocos medicos aplican en forma adecuada estrategias terapeuticas efectivas para ayudar a sus pacientes a dejar de fumar (9,10), habiendose identificado varias causas que explican el bajo nivel de involucramiento de los mismos. Una de las razones es el concepto erroneo y fuertemente arraigado de considerar al tabaquismo como un “habito” o “estilo de vida”. Asi lo aprendimos en la formacion de grado y de postgrado, asi se ensena todavia en muchas universidades y asi lo vemos reflejado en numerosas guias nacionales e internacionales, donde el tabaquismo aparece en el capitulo de factores de riesgo ligados al estilo de vida. Sin embargo, el conocimiento cientifico demostro la naturaleza adictiva de la conducta de fumar, lo que llevo a considerar al tabaquismo como una enfermedad por la Organizacion Mundial de la Salud (OMS) y por la Asociacion de Psiquiatria Norteamericana en
The role of plasmapheresis in adult respiratory distressed syndrome due to meningococcemia with disseminated intravascular coagulation - a case report

Background: The aim of the present case report is to assess the efficiency of plasmapheresis in patients detected with meningococcemia since this procedure seems to lower circulating levels of endotoxin while it may also eliminate activated complement, clotting factors and lysosomal enzymes resulting from thromboplastin and activated granulocytes. Objective: Pay attention to plasmapheresis in Adult Respiratory Distressed Syndrome (ARDS) due to meningococcemia with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Material and methods: A 23-year-old woman with no prior medical history has been monitored for 14 days after being admitted with a 12-hour history of vomiting, headache, confusion, and hypothermia (35.6oC). Results: Plasmapheresis had been used as adjunctive therapy during septic shock. Conclusion: Patient was treated with five sessions of plasmapheresis and recovered without sequelae. No complications associated with this procedure were observed.
Restoration of anti‐tetanus toxoid responses in patients initiating highly active antiretroviral therapy with or without a boost immunization: an INITIO substudy

INITIO is an open‐labelled randomized trial evaluating first‐line therapeutic strategies for human immunodeficiency virus‐1 (HIV‐1) infection. In an immunology substudy a tetanus toxoid booster (TTB) immunization was planned for 24 weeks after initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). All patients had received tetanus toxoid immunization in childhood. Generation of proliferative responses to tetanus toxoid was compared in two groups of patients, those receiving a protease inhibitor (PI)‐sparing regimen (n = 21) and those receiving a PI‐containing (n = 54) regimen. Fifty‐two participants received a TTB immunization [PI‐sparing (n = 15), PI‐containing (n = 37)] and 23 participants did not [PI‐sparing (n = 6) or PI‐containing (n = 17)]. Cellular responses to tetanus antigen were monitored by lymphoproliferation at time of immunization and every 24 weeks to week 156. Proportions with a positive response (defined as stimulation index ≥ 3 and Δ counts per minute ≥ 3000) were compared at weeks 96 and 156. All analyses were intent‐to‐treat. Fifty‐two participants had a TTB immunization at median 25 weeks; 23 patients did not. At weeks 96 and 156 there was no evidence of a difference in tetanus‐specific responses, between those with or without TTB immunization (P = 0·2, P = 0·4). There was no difference in the proportion with response between those with PI‐sparing or PI‐containing regimens at both time‐points (P = 0·8, P = 0·7). The proliferative response to tetanus toxoid was unaffected by initial HAART regimen. Anti‐tetanus responses appear to reconstitute eventually in most patients over 156 weeks when treated successfully with HAART, irrespective of whether or not a TTB immunization has been administered.