Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Remission Patterns of Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome in a Greek Pediatric Population

Background: Data on the prevalence and clinical course of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) vary between populations and according to the culprit food. Objective: To evaluate the incidence, clinical characteristics, and remission patterns of FPIES among children in a Greek pediatric allergy referral center. Methods: We retrospectively studied children with acute FPIES. Data on age, sex, type of reaction, the implicated food, and oral food challenge (OFC) outcomes at baseline and upon reevaluation were analyzed. Results: Between October 2010 and March 2017, 72 (38 males) out of 15,114 subjects who had been referred to our department due to any reported allergic symptoms were diagnosed with acute FPIES. The most commonly implicated foods were cow’s milk (CM) (45.8%), fish (34.7%), rice (9.7%), egg (6.9%), and chicken (2.8%). The mean age at diagnosis was 7.1/19.3/9.1/18.7/8.7 months for those with CM/fish/rice/egg/chicken FPIES, respectively. Sixty-nine OFCs were performed, of which 8 were diagnostic and 61 for tolerance evaluation. The type of culprit food was significantly associated with the outcome of the tolerance OFCs. OFCs to fish resulted positive at a significantly higher rate (12/22; 54.5%) than OFCs to CM (4/29; 13.7%), rice (1/5; 20%), egg (0/3; 0%), and chicken (0/2; 0%) (p = 0.01). The time period between diagnosis and tolerance acquisition was prolonged in the fish FPIES cases (74.8 months; 95% CI: 57.9–91.6) compared to that with other foods such as CM (20.7 months; 95% CI: 17.3–24.1), rice (31.8 months; 95% CI: 21.9–41.7), and egg (24.3 months; 95% CI: 10.7–37.9), as shown in a Kaplan-Meier analysis (log-rank, p < 0.001). When the fish FPIES children were assessed for tolerance, OFCs were significantly more often positive than in CM FPIES children (52 vs. 18.1%; p = 0.03), despite the fact that the children were challenged at an older age (fish: 70.4 months, 95% CI: 58.3–82.5, vs. CM: 26.57 months, 95% CI: 21.1–32, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Acute FPIES had a low incidence in our population. CM and fish were the two most frequent elicitors. Significantly delayed presentation and prolonged remission was noted for FPIES caused by fish.
Nanotechnology in Transportation Vehicles: An Overview of Its Applications, Environmental, Health and Safety Concerns

Nanotechnology has received increasing attention and is being applied in the transportation vehicle field. With their unique physical and chemical characteristics, nanomaterials can significantly enhance the safety and durability of transportation vehicles. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art of nanotechnology and how this technology can be applied in improving the comfort, safety, and speed of transportation vehicles. Moreover, this paper systematically examines the recent developments and applications of nanotechnology in the transportation vehicle industry, including nano-coatings, nano filters, carbon black for tires, nanoparticles for engine performance enchantment and fuel consumption reduction. Also, it introduces the main challenges for broader applications, such as environmental, health and safety concerns. Since several nanomaterials have shown tremendous performance and have been theoretically researched, they can be potential candidates for applications in future environmental friendly transportation vehicles. This paper will contribute to further sustainable research and greater potential applications of environmentally friendly nanomaterials in healthier transportation vehicles to improve the transportation industry around the globe.
A Kinetic and Theoretical Study of the Atmospheric Aqueous-Phase Reactions of OH Radicals with Methoxyphenolic Compounds.

Methoxyphenols, which are emitted through biomass burning, are an important species in atmospheric chemistry. In the present study, the temperature-dependent aqueous-phase OH radical reactions of six methoxyphenols and two related phenols have been investigated through laser flash photolysis and the DFT method. The rate constants obtained were in a range of 1.1 - 1.9 × 1010 L mol-1 s-1 with k(3-MC) > k(Cre) ≈ k(Syr) ≈ k(MEP) > k(Res) > k(3-MP) > k(2-EP) ≈ k(2-MP). We derived the parameters of these reactions from the obtained T-dependent rate constants and found a mean Arrhenius activation energy of 16.9 kJ mol-1. The diffusion rate constants were calculated for each case and compared to the measured ones. Generally, the rate constants are found to be close to fully diffusion controlled (kdiff = 1.4 - 1.5 × 1010 L mol-1 s-1 for all reactions). A structure-function relationship was established through the measurement result, which could be used for predicting unknown rate constants of other phenolic compounds. All of these findings are expected to enhance the predictive capabilities of models, such as the chemical aqueous-phase radical mechanism (CAPRAM).
Evaluation of exercise capacity using two field tests in patients with metabolic syndrome

Abstract Purpose Field tests are popular for assessing exercise capacity because they are practical and have established validity. The objective of this study was to compare physiological responses and exercise performance of patients with metabolic syndrome in two field tests of exercise capacity. Material and Methods Forty-seven patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome participated in this cross-sectional study. Exercise capacity was assessed using incremental shuttle walk test and six-minute walk test. Factors determining exercise capacity and agreement between the two tests were also investigated. Results Metabolic syndrome patients achieved a significantly greater percentage of predicted maximal heart rate, blood pressure, and longer distance in the incremental shuttle walk test than in the six-minute walk test (p < 0.001). Gender and body mass index explained 48.5% of the variance in six-minute walk test distance (R = 0.697, R 2 = 0.485, F (2-46) = 20.737, p < 0.001). Body mass index and fat-free mass explained 55% of the variance in incremental shuttle walk test distance (R = 0.746, R 2= 0.557, F (2-46) = 27.623, p < 0.001). Conclusions Despite the agreement in the percentages of predicted maximal heart rate during these two field tests, the incremental shuttle walk test may be a better assessment tool than the six-minute walk test because it elicits more pronounced and definitive physiological responses to exercise tolerance in patients with metabolic syndrome. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION The incremental shuttle walk test can be used to evaluate exercise capacity in metabolic syndrome. The incremental shuttle walk test elicits greater physiological responses than the six-minute walk test. The incremental shuttle walk test may be preferable over the six-minute walk test in investigating exercise capacity. Both tests can guide and assist in the evaluation of this patient population in clinical practice. Body mass index affected distance in both exercise tests.
The potential value of lncRNA-BC050642 in osteosarcoma origination and outcomes

Abstract Background The purpose of our research was to explore potential value of lncRNA-BC050642 in osteosarcoma origination and prognosis. Methods In this study, the tissue specimens were collected from 97 osteosarcoma patients and 97 age-matched healthy controls. Besides, human osteosarcoma cell lines U2OS and normal osteoblastic cell line hFOB1.19 were selected for experiments in vitro. lncRNA-BC050642 levels were measured through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Relative expression of the gene c-myc was determined via ELISA analysis. x 2 test was implemented to appraise possible relationship between BC050642 level and clinicopathological features. Cell proliferation assay, plate colony formation assay, and cell apoptosis assay were adopted to analyze the influence of BC050642 on tumor development. Besides, prognostic value of BC050642 was estimated using Kaplan–Meier and cox regression analysis. Results BC050642 levels showed distinctive increases in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines compared with controls. And c-myc expression was down-regulated in osteosarcoma. There was a negative correlation between the expressions of BC050642 and c-myc. BC050642 expression was proved to be significantly correlated with Ennking and histological type. Up-regulated BC050642 could promote cell proliferation, induce colony formation and meanwhile inhibit cell apoptosis. Conclusions BC050642 is up-regulated in osteosarcma and its over-expression promotes tumor development via down-regulating the expression of c-myc. It also may be an independent prognostic biomarker for osteosarcoma.
The impact of skeletal muscle abnormalities on tolerance to adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation and outcome in patients with endometrial cancer

Skeletal muscle abnormalities, such as low skeletal muscle mass, measured by skeletal muscle index (SMI), and low skeletal muscle quality, measured by skeletal muscle density (SMD), are associated with poor prognosis in cancer. There has been little investigation of their impact on tolerance to radiation therapy and overall outcome in gynaecologic cancers. We examined the effect of low SMI and SMD on treatment tolerance and survival outcomes in patients with endometrial cancer receiving pelvic radiation.
Geologic legacy spanning >90 years explains unique Yellowstone hot spring geochemistry and biodiversity.

Little is known about how the geological history of an environment shapes its physical and chemical properties and how these, in turn, influence the assembly of communities. Evening Primrose (EP), a moderately acidic hot spring (pH 5.6, 77.4°C) in Yellowstone National Park (YNP), has undergone dramatic physicochemical change linked to seismic activity. Here, we show that this legacy of geologic change led to the development of an unusual sulfur-rich, anoxic chemical environment that supports a unique archaeal-dominated and anaerobic microbial community. Metagenomic sequencing and informatics analyses reveal that >96% of this community is supported by dissimilatory reduction or disproportionation of inorganic sulfur compounds, including a novel, deeply diverging sulfate reducing thaumarchaeote. When compared to other YNP metagenomes, the inferred functions of EP populations were like those from sulfur-rich acidic springs, suggesting that sulfur may overprint the predominant influence of pH on the composition of hydrothermal communities. Together, these observations indicate that the dynamic geological history of EP underpins its unique geochemistry and biodiversity, emphasizing the need to consider the legacy of geologic change when describing processes that shape the assembly of communities. Originality-Significance Statement All environments are geologically dynamic over varying timescales. However, how the legacy of geologic change influences the physical and chemical properties of an environment and how these, in turn, influence the assembly of microbiomes is understudied. Here, we examine the recent geologic history of a well-studied hydrothermal system in Yellowstone National Park and show that its legacy of geologic change led to the development of an unusual sulfur-rich, anoxic chemical environment that supports a unique archaeal-dominated microbiome. The energy metabolism of >96% of the community is supported by anaerobic dissimilation of inorganic sulfur, including that of a novel sulfate reducing thaumarchaote. The results provide new insight into thermophilic sulfur cycling and underscore the need to consider the legacy of geologic and environmental change when describing processes that shape the assembly of communities. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Conserved sequences identify the closest living relatives of primates

Elucidating the closest living relatives of extant primates is essential for fully understanding important biological processes related to the genomic and phenotypic evolution of primates, especially of humans. However, the phylogenetic placement of these primate relatives remains controversial, with three primary hypotheses currently espoused based on morphological and molecular evidence. In the present study, we used two algorithms to analyze differently partitioned genomic datasets consisting of 45.4 Mb of conserved non-coding elements and 393 kb of concatenated coding sequences to test these hypotheses. We assessed different genomic histories and compared with other molecular studies found solid support for colugos being the closest living relatives of primates. Our phylogeny showed Cercopithecinae to have low levels of nucleotide divergence, especially for Papionini, and gibbons to have a high rate of divergence. The MCMCtree comprehensively updated divergence dates of early evolution of Primatomorpha and Primates.
Phase II California Cancer Consortium Trial of Gemcitabine-Eribulin Combination in Cisplatin-Ineligible Patients With Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma: Final Report (NCI-9653).

PURPOSE Patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma are often ineligible for cisplatin-based treatments. A National Cancer Institute Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program-sponsored trial assessed the tolerability and efficacy of a gemcitabine-eribulin combination in this population. METHODS Patients with treatment-naïve advanced or recurrent metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, ureter, or urethra not amenable to curative surgery and not candidates for cisplatin-based therapy were eligible. Cisplatin ineligibility was defined as creatinine clearance less than 60 mL/min (but ≥ 30 mL/min), grade 2 neuropathy, or grade 2 hearing loss. Treatment was gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 intravenously followed by eribulin 1.4 mg/m2, both on days 1 and 8, repeated in 21-day cycles until progression or unacceptable toxicity. A Simon two-stage phase II trial design was used to distinguish between Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1 objective response rates of 20% versus 50%. RESULTS Between June 2015 and March 2017, 24 eligible patients with a median age of 73 years (range, 62 to 88 years) underwent therapy. Performance status of 0, 1, or 2 was seen in 11, 11, and two patients, respectively. Sites of disease included: lymph nodes, 16; lungs, nine; liver, seven; bladder, five; bones, two. Median number of cycles received was four (range, one to 16). Of 24 patients, 12 were confirmed responders; the observed objective response rate was 50% (95% CI, 29% to 71%). Median overall survival was 11.9 months (95% CI, 5.6 to 20.4 months), and median progression-free survival was 5.3 months (95% CI, 4.5 to 6.7 months). The most common treatment-related any-grade toxicities were fatigue (83% of patients), neutropenia (79%), anemia (63%), alopecia (50%), elevated AST (50%), and constipation, nausea, and thrombocytopenia (42% each). CONCLUSION Gemcitabine-eribulin treatment response and survival for cisplatin-ineligible patients compare favorably to other regimens. Additional research is needed.
Pentoxifylline for the Prevention of Postsurgical Keloid Recurrence.

Keloids are abnormal overgrowths of dermal fibrous tissue due to an exaggerated wound healing response after cutaneous insults. Although surgical excision is a common treatment option, recurrence rates after surgery can be high, especially without postoperative treatment modalities. The current postoperative standard of care is to administer monthly intralesional triamcinolone injections. However, even for patients with a high disease burden (e.g., with multiple symptomatic keloids), there are no systemic treatments typically employed.
Vestibular migraine: An update on current understanding and future directions

Background Vestibular migraine is among the most common causes of recurrent vertigo in the general population. Despite its prevalence and high impact on healthcare cost and utilization, it has remained an under-recognized condition with largely unknown pathophysiology. In the present article, we aim to provide an overview of the current understanding of vestibular migraine. Methods We undertook a narrative literature review on the epidemiology, presentations, clinical and laboratory findings, pathophysiology, and treatments of vestibular migraine. Results Currently, the diagnosis of vestibular migraine relies solely on clinical symptoms since clinical tests of vestibular function are typically normal, or difficult to interpret based on inconsistent results reported in earlier studies. The challenges related to diagnosis of vestibular migraine lie in its relatively broad spectrum of manifestations, the absence of typical migraine headaches with vestibular symptoms, and its very recent definition as a distinct entity. Here, we highlight these challenges, discuss common vestibular symptoms and clinical presentations in vestibular migraine, and review the current aspects of its clinical diagnosis and evaluation. The concepts related to the pathophysiology and treatment of vestibular migraine are also discussed. Conclusion Vestibular migraine is still underdiagnosed clinically. Future studies are needed to address the pathophysiological mechanisms and investigate effective treatment regimens.
Association Between Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) Level and Unfavorable Outcomes in Participants of Ischemic Stroke without Diabetes: A Multi-Center Retrospective Study

Background The impact of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels on outcomes in patients with non-diabetic acute ischemic stroke remains uncertain. The objective of this study was to explore whether LDL-C could refine outcomes after acute ischemic stroke in patients with non-diabetic acute ischemic stroke. Material/Methods A multi-center, retrospective, clinical-based study was conducted within eight hospitals between January 2015 and August 2016. Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) was used for measurement of unfavorable outcome which was evaluated by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 6 months after acute ischemic stroke, estimated categorically according to multivariate logistic regression. Results A total of 1614 participants with non-diabetic acute ischemic stroke were enrolled, of which 376 patients (23.3%) had unfavorable neurologic outcomes at 6 months. After multivariate analysis comparing 4 LDL-C levels by quartiles (Q), we found that compared to Q1 (LDL-C level ≤2.41 mmol/L), there was a significant association between the frequency of unfavorable outcomes and levels of LDL-C (Q3: 2.95–3.54 mmol/L) for all participants (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=0.63; 95% CI: 0.44–0.92, P=0.016) and patients with first ever strokes (aOR=0.52; 95% CI: 0.31–0.87, P=0.013). Conclusions Compared to lower LDL-C levels, non-diabetic patients with LDL-C levels in Q3 (2.95–3.54 mmol/L), were less likely to have unfavorable functional outcomes at 6 months after acute ischemic stroke. Managing HDL-C is one of the most important steps for the recovery of acute ischemic stroke.
Personalized circulating tumor DNA analysis to detect residual disease after neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer

A robust personalized ctDNA test, TARDIS, achieves high accuracy for residual disease after completion of neoadjuvant therapy. Early detection, no time travel needed Analysis of tumor DNA shed into a patient’s circulation can provide a noninvasive means of detecting the presence of a tumor and analyzing its DNA for targetable mutations. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to detect small amounts of tumor DNA in the blood, especially in patients who have already undergone initial chemotherapy treatment. To address this problem, McDonald et al. developed a method of targeted digital sequencing (TARDIS), which is customized for each patient but can then be used to monitor the patient over time for and allow early detection of tumor recurrence. Longitudinal analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has shown promise for monitoring treatment response. However, most current methods lack adequate sensitivity for residual disease detection during or after completion of treatment in patients with nonmetastatic cancer. To address this gap and to improve sensitivity for minute quantities of residual tumor DNA in plasma, we have developed targeted digital sequencing (TARDIS) for multiplexed analysis of patient-specific cancer mutations. In reference samples, by simultaneously analyzing 8 to 16 known mutations, TARDIS achieved 91 and 53% sensitivity at mutant allele fractions (AFs) of 3 in 104 and 3 in 105, respectively, with 96% specificity, using input DNA equivalent to a single tube of blood. We successfully analyzed up to 115 mutations per patient in 80 plasma samples from 33 women with stage I to III breast cancer. Before treatment, TARDIS detected ctDNA in all patients with 0.11% median AF. After completion of neoadjuvant therapy, ctDNA concentrations were lower in patients who achieved pathological complete response (pathCR) compared to patients with residual disease (median AFs, 0.003 and 0.017%, respectively, P = 0.0057, AUC = 0.83). In addition, patients with pathCR showed a larger decrease in ctDNA concentrations during neoadjuvant therapy. These results demonstrate high accuracy for assessment of molecular response and residual disease during neoadjuvant therapy using ctDNA analysis. TARDIS has achieved up to 100-fold improvement beyond the current limit of ctDNA detection using clinically relevant blood volumes, demonstrating that personalized ctDNA tracking could enable individualized clinical management of patients with cancer treated with curative intent.
Cellular Logistics: Unraveling the Interplay Between Microtubule Organization and Intracellular Transport.

Microtubules are core components of the cytoskeleton and serve as tracks for motor protein-based intracellular transport. Microtubule networks are highly diverse across different cell types and are believed to adapt to cell type-specific transport demands. Here we review how the spatial organization of different subsets of microtubules into higher-order networks determines the traffic rules for motor-based transport in different animal cell types. We describe the interplay between microtubule network organization and motor-based transport within epithelial cells, oocytes, neurons, cilia, and the spindle apparatus. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology, Volume 35 is October 7, 2019. Please see http://www.annualreviews. org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.