Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CCR6 blockade on regulatory T cells ameliorates experimental model of multiple sclerosis

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a significant role in limiting damage of tissue affected by autoimmune process, which has been demonstrated in various experimental models for multiple sclerosis (MS) (mostly experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis – EAE), rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes. In this study, we demonstrated that Tregs increasingly migrate to central nervous system (CNS) during subsequent phases of EAE (preclinical, initial attack, and remission). In contrast, in peripheral tissues (blood, lymph nodes, and spleen), a significant accumulation of Tregs is mostly present during EAE remission. Moreover, an increased expression of CCR6 on Tregs in the CNS, blood, lymph nodes, and spleen in all phases of EAE was observed. The highest expression of CCR6 on Tregs from the CNS, lymph nodes, and spleen was noted during the initial attack of EAE, whereas in the blood, the peak expression of CCR6 was detected during the preclinical phase. The presence of Tregs in the CNS during EAE was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. To analyze additional functional significance of CCR6 expression on Tregs for EAE pathology, we modulated the clinical course of this MS model using Tregs with blocked CCR6. EAE mice, which received CCR6-deficient Tregs showed significant amelioration of disease severity. This observation suggests that CCR6 on Tregs may be a potential target for future therapeutic interventions in MS.
Studies on the Extraction of Actinides Using a Solvent Containing D2EHiBA in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids: Unusual Extraction of the Tetravalent Ions

The extraction behavior of U(VI), Pu(IV), and Np(IV) from nitric acid medium has been studied using branched chain di(2-ethylhexyl)isobutyramide (D2EHiBA) dissolved in different room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) [Cnmim][NTf2] (where n = 4, 6, or 8). Uranium extraction (DU) increased gradually with aqueous phase acidity for the three RTILs used in this study suggesting solvation mechanism. There was a reversal in the extraction behavior of Pu(IV) and Np(IV) from nitric acid medium using D2EHiBA dissolved in RTILs as solvents as compared to the behavior reported in the molecular diluent, n-dodecane, which shows negligible extraction of these metal ions. The extraction of Pu(IV) increased with aqueous phase acidity in different RTILs in the order: [C8mim][NTf2] > [C6mim][NTf2] > [C4mim][NTf2]. The distribution ratio values of these metal ions followed the order: DPu(IV) ≥ DNp(IV) > DU(VI) using D2EHiBA as extractant suggesting that RTILs can modify the extraction behavior of extractants.
Refining of edible oils: a critical appraisal of current and potential technologies

Summary The major sources of dietary lipids are edible oils, which include both vegetable and fish oils. Crude oil extracted from vegetable and fish sources contain mono-, di-, triacylglycerols along with impurities, which necessitates refining. The main objective of refining is to remove the contaminants that adversely affect the quality of oil, thereby reducing the shelf life and consumer acceptance. However, this refining process needs to be tailored as the composition of crude oil is highly variable, depending upon the plant/fish species, geographical location of the source and method of oil extraction. Recently, extensive efforts have been made to develop refining technology, using either conventional physical/chemical processes or several unconventional processes including biological and membrane processes. The first section of this review gives a brief description of general composition of some commonly used vegetable and fish oils, followed by the review of various refining methods and their effects on the oil constituents. Finally, an effort is made to understand the technological gaps in the existing methods and possible directions of research to overcome the said gaps.
Physical activity and quality of life predictors among university students with polio in India: A cross-sectional study

Background: Quality of life (QoL) assessments measure the overall well-being of a person. Available data suggest an estimated 10-20 million polio survivors worldwide. Few studies have investigated the physical activity and the QoL of these patients in India. Aim: The present cross-sectional study attempted to measure the physical activity and QoL of polio survivors and to evaluate the relationship between physical activity and QoL, among other factors. Methods: The study was conducted in 96 students (64 women and 32 men with a mean age of 22.1±3.7 years). QoL, physical activity, fatigue, and pain were measured by the World Health Organization QoL measure – abbreviated version (WHOQOL-BREF), physical activity scale for individuals with physical disabilities (PASIPD), multidimensional fatigue symptom inventory-short form (MFSI-SF), and numerical rating scale. Results: The mean metabolic equivalent score was 27.10 h/day. Low mean scores were observed for the physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, and environmental domains of QoL (25.2±3.3, 21.8±3.0, 12.0±1.8, and 23.0±4.3, respectively). There was a weak negative association between physical activity levels and the physical health domain of QoL (P<0.05), whereas no associations were identified between physical activity levels and other QoL domains (P>0.05). Regression analysis identified female gender, fatigue, and physical activity as predictors of the physical health domain, and female gender, number of sites affected, and assistive devices used as predictors of the psychological health domain of QoL. Conclusions: Low physical activity levels and QoL were noted among students with poliomyelitis in Uttar Pradesh, India. Relevance for patients: Considering the inverse relationship between physical activity and QoL, physical activities should be modified or protected in polio survivors. Female polio survivors may be referred to psychological counseling to learn coping strategies, even during periods of relative stability.
Efficacy and safety of Shufeng Jiedu Capsule in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract Background: With the outbreak of novel coronavirus, the treatment of respiratory diseases has been promoted. In particular, many traditional Chinese medicines, including Chinese patent medicines, have been found to be effective in the treatment of respiratory illness in China. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of most common respiratory condition. It is predicted that COPD will be become the third frequent cause of death by 2030. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of Shufeng Jiedu Capsule in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Methods: According to the search strategy, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Shufeng Jiedu Capsule in the treatment of AECOPD were obtained from Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, CNKI, VIP, CBM, and WANGFANG. Studies were screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the Cochrane risk bias assessment tool was used to assess the quality of the study. Meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.4 software. Finally, the evidence level of the results will be evaluated. Results: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shufeng Jiedu Capsule in the treatment of AECOPD, and to provide basis for clinical rational drug use. Conclusion: Our research results of this study could provide reference for clinical decision-making and guiding development in the future COPD patient. INPLASY registration number: INPLASY2020120062
Immunotherapy-related pneumonitis and bacterial pneumonia after the successful treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma with pembrolizumab

Abstract Introduction: Pembrolizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), is approved as a therapy for unresectable or metastatic melanoma. Immunotherapy-associated pneumonitis is an uncommon event. Patient concerns: A 73-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a history of melanoma on the left side of the face (resected in December 2012) and metastasis to the left lung upper lobe (resected in November 2016). Recurrence of metastasis to the bilateral lungs and left pleura was detected in April 2018. A complete response was achieved following treatment with pembrolizumab, with lower limb rashes the only adverse events occurring during therapy. The patient was readmitted in March 2019 with a productive cough, shortness of breath, and mild fever, and sputum culture identified Escherichia coli. Diagnosis: A diagnosis of pneumonia was made, and although cough and shortness of breath responded to ceftazidime and levofloxacin, but fever and poor appetite persisted. Computed tomography showed no improvement in the bilateral lower lobe lesions. Prednisone was initiated based on a clinical diagnosis of immunotherapy-related pneumonitis. The response to prednisone confirmed the diagnosis. Interventions: The patient first received ceftazidime and levofloxacin, but the symptoms persisted. Prednisone was initiated based on a clinical diagnosis of immunotherapy-related pneumonitis. Outcome: Complete resolution of the bilateral lung lesions occurred after 45 days of prednisone therapy. Conclusion: This case report highlights that both pneumonitis and bacterial pneumonia can occur as complications of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.
Effects of preoperative, scheduled administration of antiemetics in reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty

Abstract There is no established protocol regarding the timing of administration of antiemetics in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to determine whether preoperative, rather than postoperative administration of an antiemetic could reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing TKA, and whether there was a difference in postoperative pain, patient satisfaction and complications after TKA between the 2 different administration times. The included patients (N = 101) either received intravenous administration of the ramosetron 1 hour before surgery (N = 50) or at the end of surgery (N = 51) consecutively order. The incidence of PONV and the frequency of rescue medicine use were recorded until 48 hours postoperatively. The severity of postoperative pain and patient satisfaction were assessed using the visual analogue scale. The incidence of complications associated with use of antiemetic was assessed. Preoperative administration of ramosetron did not decrease PONV during the first 48 hours. There was no significant difference in the incidence of nausea and vomiting, use of rescue antiemetics, and the severity of nausea (P > .05). Postoperative pain, satisfaction scores, and the incidence of complications were not different between the 2 groups (P > .05). Preoperative administration of ramosetron did not show clinical advantage in reducing POVN, postoperative pain and improving patient satisfaction. However, the outcomes of complications were not inferior to those of postoperative administration. Therefore, under the current protocol of multimodal therapies, timing of administration of pre-emptive antiemetic did not have significant effect on PONV.
Informed consent for neonatal trials: practical points to consider and a check list

Obtaining informed consent from parents of critically ill neonates can be challenging. The parental decision-making process is influenced by the severity of the child’s condition, the benefit–risk balance, their emotional state and the quality of the relationship with the clinical team. Independent of local legislation, parents may prefer that consent is sought from both. Misconceptions about the absence of risks or unrealistic expectations about benefits should be openly addressed to avoid misunderstandings which may harm the relationship with the clinical team. Continuous consent can be sought where it is unclear whether the free choice of parental consent has been compromised. Obtaining informed consent is a dynamic process building on trusting relationships. It should include open and honest discussions about benefits and risks. Investigators may benefit from training in effective communication. Finally, involving parents in neonatal research including the development of the informed consent form and the process of obtaining consent should be considered standard practice.
Nationwide temporal trend analysis of reperfusion therapy utilization and mortality in acute ischemic stroke patients in Japan

Abstract This study aimed to elucidate nationwide trends in reperfusion therapy utilization and subsequent 30-day mortality in acute ischemic stroke patients in Japan. The analysis focused on intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV rt-PA) and endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Using health insurance claims data, we calculated the age- and sex-adjusted monthly number of acute ischemic stroke patients who received IV rt-PA and/or EVT in Japan from April 2010 to March 2016, and investigated the 30-day all-cause mortality rates after undergoing these therapies. Through an interrupted time-series analysis, we examined the(1) trends prior to extension of the IV rt-PA therapeutic time window from 3 hours to 4.5 hours in September 2012,(2) changes that occurred immediately after the extension, and(3) differences in trends between the pre- and post-extension periods. During the study period, 69,920 patients with acute ischemic stroke (mean age ± standard deviation: 74.9 ± 12.0 years; 41.4% women) received IV rt-PA and/or EVT. The age- and sex-adjusted number of patients receiving IV rt-PA monotherapy increased immediately after the time window extension ( P < .001), but did not change during the pre- (P = .90) and post-extension (P = .58) periods. In contrast, the number of patients receiving EVT with or without IV rt-PA continuously increased during the pre-extension period (P < .001), and further increased during the post-extension period (P <.001); however, this number decreased immediately after the extension (P < .001). There were no significant changes in 30-day all-cause mortality during the pre- (P = .40) and post-extension (P = .64) periods, as well as immediately after the extension (P = .53). The extension of the IV rt-PA therapeutic time window and progressively widespread use of EVT in Japan have increased the number of acute ischemic stroke patients eligible for reperfusion therapy. These trends were not accompanied by a higher risk of post-reperfusion mortality.
Gelation of gelatin solution.

In order to study the gelling mechanism of gelatin, the phase diagram for a diluted gelatin solution was investigated. Phase boundary curves were obtained by measuring the fluorescent depolarization, optical rotation, reduced viscosity, and light scattering of the gelatin solution. The phase diagram obtained exhibited similar features to those for amylose and agarose gelling systems. From this similarity, the gelling mechanism of gelatin is concluded to be as follows: The randomly coiled gelatin molecule in hot solution partially recovers a collagen fold at the denaturation temperature near 40°C on cooling. This gelatin state is presumed to correspond to the interrupted helical form for amylose. This partial helical solution then separates into two phases, a dilute solution and a coacervate consisting of a concentrated solution, at a phase separation temperature which depends upon the gelatin concentration. When the concentration is sufficiently high, coacervate particles are connected with each other to .
APOL1 screening of potential living kidney donors in resource‐limited countries: an initial experience in Antigua & Barbuda and Nigeria

The Apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) gene plays an important role in determining risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is prevalent in countries with large populations of African ancestry.1,2 The effects of the presence of high risk variants pose a challenge when considering kidney transplantation in endemic populations due to the potential detrimental effects on recipients and donors alike. For recipients, grafts from both living and deceased donors with two APOL1 risk variant alleles are associated with shorter graft survival and decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in comparison to those with zero or one variant.3 Similarly, living donors with two risk variant APOL1 alleles experience significantly decreased pre- and post-donation GFR when compared to those with zero or one variant, precipitating the introduction of APOL1 risk variant screening of potential living kidney donors (pLKDs) across many institutions in resource-rich settings such as the United States.4,5 This is the first study to screen for APOL1 risk variants in pLKDs located in Nigeria, and Antigua & Barbuda, countries with large populations of African descent.
Single-cell chromatin accessibility profiling of glioblastoma identifies an invasive cancer stem cell population associated with lower survival

Chromatin accessibility discriminates stem from mature cell populations, enabling the identification of primitive stem-like cells in primary tumors, such as glioblastoma (GBM) where self-renewing cells driving cancer progression and recurrence are prime targets for therapeutic intervention. We show, using single-cell chromatin accessibility, that primary human GBMs harbor a heterogeneous self-renewing population whose diversity is captured in patient-derived glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). In-depth characterization of chromatin accessibility in GSCs identifies three GSC states: Reactive, Constructive, and Invasive, each governed by uniquely essential transcription factors and present within GBMs in varying proportions. Orthotopic xenografts reveal that GSC states associate with survival, and identify an invasive GSC signature predictive of low patient survival, in line with the higher invasive properties of Invasive state GSCs compared to Reactive and Constructive GSCs as shown by in vitro and in vivo assays. Our chromatin-driven characterization of GSC states improves prognostic precision and identifies dependencies to guide combination therapies.
Biochemical and Biophysical pH Clamp Controlling Net H+ Efflux across the Plasma Membrane of Plant Cells.

P-type H+ ATPases mediate active H+ efflux from plant cells. They generate a proton motive force across the plasma membrane providing the free energy to drive the transport of other solutes, partly by coupling to H+ influx. Wegner & Shabala (2020; New Phytol. 225:37-47) recently suggested that passive H+ influx can exceed pump-driven efflux due to 'active buffering', i.e. cytosolic H+ scavenging and apoplastic H+ generation by metabolism ('biochemical pH clamp'). Charge balance is provided by K+ efflux or anion influx. Here, this hypothesis is extended to net H+ efflux: Even though H+ pumping is faster than backflow via symporters and antiporters, a progressive increase in the transmembrane pH gradient is avoided. Cytosolic H+ release is associated with bicarbonate formation from CO2 . Bicarbonate serves as substrate for the PEPcase catalyzing the reaction from phosphoenolpyruvate to oxaloacetate subsequently reduced to malate. Organic anions like malate and citrate are released across the plasma membrane and are (partly) protonated in the apoplast, thus limiting pump-induced acidification. Moreover, a 'biophysical pH clamp' is introduced, i.e. adjustment of apoplastic/cytosolic pH involving net H+ fluxes across the plasma membrane, while the gradient between compartments is maintained. Both clamps aren't mutually exclusive but are likely to coexist.
KHDRBS3 promotes multi‐drug resistance and anchorage‐independent growth in colorectal cancer

5‐Fluorouracil (5‐FU) is one of the most frequently used pharmacological agents in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). Resistance to chemotherapy is a major cause of treatment failure of CRC, and it is a well known fact that cancer stem cells play a significant role in the acquisition of drug resistance. In this study, we focused on the KHDRBS3 gene that encodes KH RNA Binding Domain Containing, Signal Transduction Associated 3. We first clarified the relationship between KHDRBS3 and 5‐FU resistance. We then observed higher expression levels of KHDRBS3 in KRAS‐mutant organoids and cell lines in comparison with KRAS wild‐type organoids and cell lines. Immunohistochemical analysis using CRC cases revealed that the prognosis of KHDRBS3‐positive patients was significantly worse compared with that of KHDRBS3‐negative patients. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses showed that KHDRBS3 was an independent prognostic factor in patients with CRC. We determined that KHDRBS3 might play a crucial role in the acquisition of stem cell properties, such as drug resistance and spheroid/organoid formation, by regulating CD44 variant expression and the Wnt signaling pathway. In an immunodeficient mouse model, KHDRBS3‐positive cells showed efficient tumor formation and formed metastatic lesions in the lungs. These results indicated that KHDRBS3 plays a crucial role in drug resistance and anchorage‐independent growth by maintaining stem cell‐like features in CRC cells. KHDRBS3 could be a promising candidate marker for predicting chemotherapeutic effect and prognosis in CRC patients.
Angular and Wavelength Dependence of the Light Scattered from a Cloud of Particles Formed by Homogeneous Nucleation

Details of the features of light scattering from ice particles formed via condensation by homogeneous nucleation are presented. An argon‐ion laser is used, and the results indicate that dipole or Rayleigh scattering is applicable to the situation under study. In addition, measurements of the number and the mean radius of the particles are made.
Global Deletion of Pannexin 3 Resulting in Accelerated Development of Aging‐Induced Osteoarthritis in Mice

Osteoarthritis (OA) results in pathologic changes in the joint tissue. The mechanisms driving disease progression remain largely unclear, and thus disease‐modifying treatments are lacking. Pannexin 3 (Panx3) was identified as a potential mediator of cartilage degeneration in OA, and our previous study in mice indicated that deletion of the Panx3 gene delayed surgically induced cartilage degeneration. This study was undertaken to examine the role of Panx3 in other OA subtypes, particularly primary OA during aging, in a mouse model of aging‐induced OA.
Validation of a Bioassay for Predicting Response to Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors in Rheumatoid Arthritis

While the five current FDA-approved classes of targeted disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have comparable efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the response of an individual patient to each targeted DMARD can vary widely even among drugs within the same class. Thus far, there is no biomarker or assay in routine clinical practice for predicting a patient's response in a drug-specific or even class-specific manner (1).