Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of Second Intention Healing of the Lower Eyelid Margin After Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

BACKGROUND Lower eyelid margin defects can be a reconstructive challenge. A possible alternative is second intention healing of the lower eyelid margin. OBJECTIVE To determine the cosmetic outcomes and patient satisfaction of second intention healing of the lower eyelid margin after Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent MMS of the lower eyelid margin. Patient information was gathered on age, sex, diagnosis, postoperative size, number of Mohs stages, thickness of defect, and clinical photographs. The preoperative and postoperative photographs were evaluated with a physician assessment scale and patients completed a satisfaction survey. RESULTS In all 17 patients (100%), the cosmetic results obtained were considered good to excellent. The objective outcomes were graded as excellent, very good, good, satisfactory, unsatisfactory, and poor. The patient satisfaction survey was divided into excellent, good, satisfied, and unsatisfied. Patient satisfaction ranged from satisfied to excellent. The incidence of complications was low with one report of trichiasis. CONCLUSION Second intention healing of the lower eyelid margin can produce good cosmetic results and patients are satisfied with their outcomes.
The influence of retinal image motion on the perceptual grouping of temporally asynchronous stimuli

Briefly presented stimuli can reveal the lower limit of retinal-based perceptual stabilization mechanisms. This is demonstrated in perceptual grouping of temporally asynchronous stimuli, in which alternate row or column elements of a regular grid are presented over two successive display frames with an imperceptible temporal offset. The grouping phenomenon results from a subtle shift between alternate grid elements due to incomplete compensation of small, fixational eye movements occurring between the two presentation frames. This suggests that larger retinal shifts should amplify the introduced shifts between alternate grid elements and improve grouping performance. However, large shifts are necessarily absent in small eye movements. Furthermore, shifts follow a random walk, making the relationship between shift magnitude and performance difficult to explore systematically. Here, we established a systematic relationship between retinal image motion and perceptual grouping by presenting alternate grid elements (untracked) during smooth pursuit of known velocities. Our results show grouping performance to improve in direct proportion to pursuit velocity. Any potential compensation by extraretinal signals (e.g., efference copy) does not seem to occur.
Influence of power supply in the feasibility of Phaeodactylum tricornutum cultures

The influence of fluid-dynamic conditions on the yield of Phaeodactylum tricornutum microalgal cultures was analyzed in two stages: first, the influence of air flow rate; second, the influence of using fluid-moving pumps for recirculating the culture. With respect to the air flow rate, the yield of the cultures increased with the aeration rate up to values of 2.0 v/v/min, then stress was observed and the yield of the cultures decreased. With respect to the influence of mechanical power supply for liquid impulsion, three different types of pumps—centrifugal, pulse, and peristaltic—were essayed at different power supplies. The cultures were stressed for the three types of pumps essayed. For each pump, the higher the power supply the lower was the Fv/Fm value and the higher was the stress at which cells were exposed. The highest measured stress was when the culture was moved with the centrifugal pump. Despite measured stress, for all the experiments stable steady states were reached, thus indicating that cells reduced their yield but did not die, as was verified by cell viability measurements. It was observed that the increase of the power supply improved the frequency of light exposition thus enhancing the yield of the cultures. However, the higher the power supply, the lower the microeddy length scale; therefore, stress could appear. Data demonstrated that the microeddy length scale was always much higher than cell size and therefore the turbulence was not responsible for stress. Also, the mass transfer was discarded as responsible for yield reduction. It was concluded that the shear rate was the factor determining the existence of stress phenomena. The evaluation of these shear rates demonstrated that values above 30–80 s−1 damaged the cells strongly. These data were verified in an outdoor pilot-scale tubular photobioreactor that was implemented with the same type of pumps, thus demonstrating the necessity to take into account this factor in the design and scale-up of microalgal photobioreactors. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Involvement of Akt-dependent CREB signaling pathway in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced early growth response protein-1 (Egr-1) expression in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is believed to play a key role in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. Excessive growth and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) have been suggested to be a major contributor to vascular dysfunction. A potential involvement of early growth response protein-1 (Egr-1), a zinc-finger transcription factor, in the development of vascular diseases has been suggested. Recent studies have shown that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a ROS, increases Egr-1 expression in VSMCs, however, signaling events leading to H2O2-induced Egr-1 expression are not fully understood. Therefore, here we aimed to determine signaling pathways implicated in H2O2-induced Egr-1 expression in VSMCs. We show that H2O2 enhanced the expression of Egr-1 which was associated with an increased phosphorylation of Akt. Pharmacological blockade of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway by wortmannin or SC66 significantly inhibited the protein and mRNA levels of Egr-1 induced by H2O2. H2O2-induced Egr-1 expression was associated with an increased phosphorylation of cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB), and pharmacological inhibition or the silencing of Akt attenuated both H2O2-induced CREB phosphorylation and Egr-1 expression. Moreover, RNA interference-mediated depletion of CREB almost completely abrogated the stimulatory effect of H2O2 on Egr-1 expression. In addition, pharmacological blockade or silencing of c-Src resulted in significant suppression of H2O2-induced Egr-1 expression as well as Akt and CREB phosphorylation. These data suggest that H2O2 triggers its effects on Egr-1 expression through c-Src-mediated Akt and CREB -dependent signaling events in VSMCs.
Secure Traffic Efficiency Control Protocol for Downtown Vehicular Networks

The intelligent transport system increasingly considers the traﬃc eﬃciency applications over the road networks. This type of application aims mainly at reducing the traveling time of each vehicle toward its targeted destination/destinations and deceasing the fuel consumption and the gas emissions there. The Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANETs) technology is one of the main approaches that have been used in these applications. However, the connecting environment of VANETs introduces a good chance for malicious drivers to take advantages of other cooperative drivers and deceive them to achieve their own beneﬁts. This paper introduces a Secure Traﬃc Eﬃciency control Protocol (STEP). The designed protocol means to secure the traﬃc eﬃciency control applications over the downtown areas. It protects the privacy of cooperative drivers and minimizes any damage that malicious drivers may cause. From the experimental results, the STEP protocol succeeds to detect malicious nodes over the road network. Thus, it enhances the correctness of the traﬃc eﬃciency applications and increases their feasibility.
Slower senescence in a wild insect population in years with a more female-biased sex ratio

Life-history theories of senescence are based on the existence of a trade-off in resource allocation between body maintenance and reproduction. This putative trade-off means that environmental and demographic factors affecting the costs of reproduction should be associated with changes in patterns of senescence. In many species, competition among males is a major component of male reproductive investment, and hence variation in the sex ratio is expected to affect rates of senescence. We test this prediction using nine years of demographic and behavioural data from a wild population of the annual field cricket Gryllus campestris. Over these generations, the sex ratio at adulthood varied substantially, from years with an equal number of each sex to years with twice as many females as males. Consistent with the predictions of theory, we found that in years with a greater proportion of females, both sexes experienced a slower increase in mortality rate with age. Additionally, phenotypic senescence in males was slower in years when there were more females. Sex ratio did not affect the baseline mortality rate in males, but females suffered higher age-independent mortality rates when males were in short supply.
COMPARISON OF MALE AND FEMALE VICTIMS OF INTIMATE PARTNER HOMICIDE AND BIDIRECTIONALITY- AN ANALYSIS OF THE NATIONAL VIOLENT DEATH REPORTING SYSTEM.

INTRODUCTION Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health crisis, affecting at least 1:4 women and 1:9 men. A recent multi-center trial on universal screening in trauma patients showed similar rates of positive screens between men and women. Few studies have explored the bidirectional violence in opposite sex or same sex relationships. Our goal was to estimate prevalence and risk factors for the most severe manifestation of IPV: intimate partner homicide (IPH). METHODS This is a 2003-2015 retrospective review of the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), a CDC database of surveillance data. Deaths were coded IPV if the primary relationship between the suspect and victim fell into the categories of "current partner" or "ex-partner. " Bivariable and multivariable analysis examined differences between groups for factors and circumstances. RESULTS 6,131 persons in opposite-sex relationships and 181 in same-sex relationships were murdered due to IPV. Women and Black men were disproportionately affected, and alcohol and preceding arguments were a factor in a higher proportion of male victims. Abuse preceded homicide in many women with almost half of male suspects attempting or committing suicide at the time of IPH. Women were more likely than men to use a stabbing instrument, although firearms were still the most common means for each group. In 46.5% of homicides of women, the male suspect attempted suicide (p <0.001). Bidirectionality was highest in male victims of female perpetrators, and in same-sex pairings regardless of sex of the victim. CONCLUSION Homicide due to IPV is a significant public health crisis for both men and women, with women and Black men at particular risk. Firearms are the most commonly used weapon for homicide in both genders, and mental illness is not a common risk factor. A staggering proportion of these homicides involve suicide of the suspect, suggesting that each potential incident has two victims to target for prevention and intervention. Interventional programs to prevent such bidirectional mortality are urgently needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III STUDY TYPE: Retrospective Secondary Data Analysis.
What is related to the well-being of the siblings of patients with schizophrenia: An evaluation within the Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Stress and Coping Model

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness that strongly affects not only the patients with schizophrenia, but also their families and close relatives. So far, family research on patients with schizophrenia has mainly focused on parents, but has neglected siblings. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the well-being of 103 siblings of patients with schizophrenia within the Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Coping and Stress Model. Materials: A Sociodemographic Information Form, Subjective Well-being Scale, Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, Ways of Coping Scale and Shortened Perceived Parental Rearing Styles Form were administered to the siblings of patients with schizophrenia. Results: The results of this study revealed that well-being was associated with perceived mother overprotection, perceived social support, problem-focused coping and indirect coping. Social support moderated the relationship between burden and well-being as a buffering factor. Conclusion: Therefore, siblings of patients with schizophrenia should be given access to social support and their problem-focused coping strategies should be strengthened. Besides, parents should be supported to provide suitable care for the siblings of patients with schizophrenia.
The desmosome is a mesoscale lipid raft–like membrane domain

Desmogleins are cadherin family adhesion molecules essential for epidermal integrity. Previous studies have shown that desmogleins associate with lipid rafts, but the significance of this association was not clear. Here, we report that the desmoglein transmembrane domain (TMD) is the primary determinant of raft association. Further, we identify a novel mutation in the DSG1 TMD (G562R) that causes severe dermatitis, multiple allergies, and metabolic wasting (SAM) syndrome. Molecular modeling predicts that this G to R mutation shortens the DSG1 TMD, and experiments directly demonstrate that this mutation compromises both lipid raft association and desmosome incorporation. Finally, cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) indicates that the lipid bilayer within the desmosome is ~10% thicker than adjacent regions of the plasma membrane. These findings suggest that differences in bilayer thickness influence the organization of adhesion molecules within the epithelial plasma membrane, with cadherin TMDs recruited to the desmosome via establishment of a specialized mesoscale lipid raft-like membrane domain.
Efficient and unique cobarcoding of second-generation sequencing reads from long DNA molecules enabling cost-effective and accurate sequencing, haplotyping, and de novo assembly

Here, we describe single-tube long fragment read (stLFR), a technology that enables sequencing of data from long DNA molecules using economical second-generation sequencing technology. It is based on adding the same barcode sequence to subfragments of the original long DNA molecule (DNA cobarcoding). To achieve this efficiently, stLFR uses the surface of microbeads to create millions of miniaturized barcoding reactions in a single tube. Using a combinatorial process, up to 3.6 billion unique barcode sequences were generated on beads, enabling practically nonredundant cobarcoding with 50 million barcodes per sample. Using stLFR, we demonstrate efficient unique cobarcoding of more than 8 million 20- to 300-kb genomic DNA fragments. Analysis of the human genome NA12878 with stLFR demonstrated high-quality variant calling and phase block lengths up to N50 34 Mb. We also demonstrate detection of complex structural variants and complete diploid de novo assembly of NA12878. These analyses were all performed using single stLFR libraries, and their construction did not significantly add to the time or cost of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) library preparation. stLFR represents an easily automatable solution that enables high-quality sequencing, phasing, SV detection, scaffolding, cost-effective diploid de novo genome assembly, and other long DNA sequencing applications.
Fridamycin A, a Microbial Natural Product, Stimulates Glucose Uptake without Inducing Adipogenesis

Type 2 diabetes is a complex, heterogeneous, and polygenic disease. Currently, available drugs for treating type 2 diabetes predominantly include sulfonylureas, α-glucosidase inhibitors, and biguanides. However, long-term treatment with these therapeutic drugs is often accompanied by undesirable side effects, which have driven interest in the development of more effective and safer antidiabetic agents. To address the urgent need for new chemical solutions, we focused on the analysis of structurally novel and/or biologically new metabolites produced by insect-associated microbes as they have recently been recognized as a rich source of natural products. Comparative LC/MS-based analysis of Actinomadura sp. RB99, isolated from a fungus-growing termite, led to the identification of the type II polyketide synthase-derived fridamycin A. The structure of fridamycin A was confirmed by 1H NMR data and LC/MS analysis. The natural microbial product, fridamycin A, was examined for its antidiabetic properties in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, which demonstrated that fridamycin A induced glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells by activating the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway but did not affect adipocyte differentiation, suggesting that the glucose uptake took place through activation of the AMPK signaling pathway without inducing adipogenesis. Our results suggest that fridamycin A has potential to induce fewer side effects such as weight gain compared to rosiglitazone, a commonly used antidiabetic drug, and that fridamycin A could be a novel potential therapeutic candidate for the management of type 2 diabetes.
Determination of Hg in Farmed and Wild Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus L.) Muscle

Mercury (Hg) is a well-known toxic element, diffused in the environment, especially in the Mediterranean Sea which is rich in cinnabar deposits. Mercury bioaccumulation in fish is of great concern, especially for top-level aquatic predators (e.g., shark, tuna, swordfish) and above all for species of large human consumption and high nutritional value. This work aimed to determine Hg concentrations in farmed and wild Atlantic Bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) caught in the Mediterranean area in order to evaluate the level of Hg bioaccumulation. selenium (Se) content was also determined, since this element is an antagonist of mercury toxicity. Mercury and Se were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry after microwave digestion of the samples. Hg content in farmed tuna was below the legal limit (1 mg/kg, wet weight, w.w.) for all specimens (0.6 ± 0.2 mg/kg), whereas the wild ones had a content over the limit (1.7 ± 0.6 mg/kg); Se concentration was higher in farmed specimens (1.1 ± 0.9 mg/kg) compared to wild ones (0.6 ± 0.3 mg/kg). A safe seafood could show a Se/Hg ratio >1 and a health benefit value (HBVSe) > 0: farmed tuna had higher values than the wild specimens (Se/Hg 5.48 vs. 1.32; HBVSe 11.16 vs. 0.29). These results demonstrate that for Hg, there is a better risk/benefit ratio in farmed T. thynnus. making it safer than wild tuna.
Deflections in Lava Flow Directions Relative to Topography in the Tharsis Region of Mars: Indications of Post-Flow Tectonic Motion

High-resolution topographic data from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA), and imagery from the Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) and the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) allow for the first accurate assessment of lava flow directions relative to topographic slopes in the Tharsis region. Tharisis has long been recognized as the dominant tectonic and volcanic province on the planet, with a complex geologic history. In this study, lava flow directions on Daedalia Planum, Syria Planum, Tempe Terra, and near the Tharsis Montes are compared with MOLA topographic contours to look for deviations of flow directions from the local slope direction. The topographic deviations identified in this study are likely due to Tharsis tectonic deformation that has modified the regional topography subsequent to the emplacement of the flows, and can be used to model the mechanisms and magnitudes of relatively recent tectonism in the region. A similar approach was used to identify possible post-flow tectonic subsidence on the Snake River Plain in Idaho.
Revalidation of a Perioperative Risk Assessment Measure for Skin.

BACKGROUND Validated perioperative pressure injury (PI) risk assessment measures are few and often cumbersome to complete, leading to missed opportunities to identify and target prevention interventions to those patients at increased risk for developing a postsurgical PI. OBJECTIVES Previous validation of a 6-item perioperative risk assessment measure for skin (PRAMS) was conducted in our community hospital with positive findings. The purpose of this study was to increase generalizability by revalidating the PRAMS in a larger sample. METHODS This was a retrospective chart review of all surgical patients > 18 years positioned in the supine or lateral position in a Midwest quaternary care, multispecialty, 1,500 bed hospital during a six-month period (n = 1526). The intent of the study was to revalidate the PRAMS. The main outcome of interest was the development of PI after surgery. Risk indicators of interest included diabetes, age, surgical time, Braden score, prior surgery and pre-existing PI. The diagnostic ability of any of the risk indicators on the development of a postsurgical PI was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. RESULTS Postsurgical pressure injuries occurred in 121 patients. Comparing current to previous study results, the PRAMS was effective in identifying surgical patients at risk for PI (sensitivity = .98). Those patients with a postsurgical PI had a lower mean Braden score, were more likely to have a pre-existing PI, and were more likely to have a previous surgery during the same admission (p < .001 for all risk indicators), comparing favorably to the original study. Patients without risk indicators were unlikely to develop a postsurgical PI (negative predictive value = .98). Results of this validation study demonstrate that the PRAMS is effective in identifying patients who developed a postsurgical PI using information readily available to the perioperative staff.
Right heart in pulmonary hypertension: from adaptation to failure

Right ventricular (RV) failure (RVF) has garnered significant attention in recent years because of its negative impact on clinical outcomes in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). PH triggers a series of events, including activation of several signaling pathways that regulate cell growth, metabolism, extracellular matrix remodeling, and energy production. These processes render the RV adaptive to PH. However, RVF develops when PH persists, accompanied by RV ischemia, alterations in substrate and mitochondrial energy metabolism, increased free oxygen radicals, increased cell loss, downregulation of adrenergic receptors, increased inflammation and fibrosis, and pathologic microRNAs. Diastolic dysfunction is also an integral part of RVF. Emerging non-invasive technologies such as molecular or metallic imaging, cardiac MRI, and ultrafast Doppler coronary flow mapping will be valuable tools to monitor RVF, especially the transition to RVF. Most PH therapies cannot treat RVF once it has occurred. A variety of therapies are available to treat acute and chronic RVF, but they are mainly supportive, and no effective therapy directly targets the failing RV. Therapies that target cell growth, cellular metabolism, oxidative stress, and myocyte regeneration are being tested preclinically. Future research should include establishing novel RVF models based on existing models, increasing use of human samples, creating human stem cell-based in vitro models, and characterizing alterations in cardiac excitation–contraction coupling during transition from adaptive RV to RVF. More successful strategies to manage RVF will likely be developed as we learn more about the transition from adaptive remodeling to maladaptive RVF in the future.