Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Different inflammatory cytokines release after open and endovascular reconstructions influences wound healing

Prodromal signs of a non‐healing wound after revascularisation, which might be strictly linked with impending failure of vascular reconstructions, are associated with an inflammatory response mediated by several circulating adhesion molecules, extracellular endopeptidases, and cytokines. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of selected plasma biomarkers in the prediction of both wound healing and failure of infrapopliteal vein graft or percutaneous trans‐luminal angioplasty (PTA) with selective stent positioning of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) in a population affected with critical limb ischaemia. A total of 68 patients who underwent either surgical or endovascular revascularisation of the inferior limb with autologous saphenous vein infrapopliteal bypass or PTA and selective stenting of the SFA were enrolled in our study. Patients were divided into two groups according to treatment: 41 patients were included in Group 1 (open surgery) and 27 in Group 2 (endovascular procedure). Plasma and blood samples were collected on the morning of surgery and every 6 months thereafter for up to 2 years of follow‐up or until an occlusion occurred of either the vein bypass graft or the vessel treated endovascularly. Fifteen age‐matched healthy male volunteers were considered a reference for biological parameters. Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 [VCAM‐1]/CD106, inter‐cellular adhesion molecule‐1 [ICAM‐1]/CD54), interleukin‐1 (IL‐1), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), and metalloproteinases (MMP)‐2 and ‐9 plasma levels were measured with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The mean observed time to heal of 54 wounds was 13 ± 4 months, with no statistically significant differences among the groups. The healing failure of the remaining wounds was strictly related to an unsuccessful open (n = 12) or endovascular (n = 8) treatment. The 2‐year primary patency rate was 65% (SE = .09) in Group 1 and 52% (SE = .1) in Group 2. When compared with mean concentration values of Group 1, VCAM‐1 and ICAM‐1 were always significantly higher during follow‐up in patients of Group 2 (P < .05). Furthermore, in the same group, IL‐6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) were found to be significantly higher at 6‐ and 12‐month (P < .05) when compared with surgically treated patients. Cox regression analysis showed that elevated plasma levels of VCAM‐1, ICAM‐1, IL‐6, and TNF‐α during follow up were strongly related to impaired wound healing and/or revascularisation failure (P < .05). Elevated plasma levels of inflammatory markers VCAM‐1, ICAM‐1, IL‐6, and TNF‐α may be related to the failure of wound healing and revascularisation procedures. Interestingly, we have observed that endovascular treatments cause a higher level of these inflammation biomarkers when compared with a vein graft, although wound‐healing and patency and limb salvage rates are not influenced.
RESULTS OF TREATMENT OF CERTAIN DISEASES OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM WITH ACTH AND CORTICOSTEROIDS

In view of the antiphlogistic, antiallergic and antitoxic components of the corticosteroids it seemed suitable to treat inflammations of the central nervous system with suprarenal cortical hormones and ACTH. Herrit et al. (1954) published early in the last decade some of the first results of such treatment. The authors adopted a rather sceptical attitude towards the results, even though they could observe temporary remission in cases of multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis. Many authors investigated these problems in the following years (Alajouanine et al. 1956, X i g wald et al. 1957, Lauz 1956, Feldmann & Kidron 1956, Jaklitsch 1958, Ploog et al. 1959). With due caution the reports grew more optimistic in the course of these years, particularly as regards acute attacks of multiple sclerosis, but also other acute or subacute inflammatory affections. Up to 1961 the dosage, the preparations employed and also the duration of the treatment varied with the author. It was Alexander et al. (1961) who suggested that ACTH may be preferred to the corticosteroids and used with initial high dosage as shock therapy. They also standardized the treatment as regards dosage, course and duration. Since then, most research workers have followed Alexander’s directions, though frequently introducing some variations. Several surveys of the results obtained with ACTH and corticosteroid therapy in the field of neurology have appeared in recent years (Thiele 1960, Hultsch 1961, Barnmer 1963, Alexander & Cuss 1963). Bock 1963 has reported a t length on the complications inherent in the ACTH-corticosteroid therapy. It seems to be generally accepted a t present that ACTH-corticosteroid treatment should be used a t acute attacks of multiple sclerosis (Hoeck 1963, Anttinen 1963, Marshall & Hoeck 1963, Destunis & Freymuth 1961, Reifenberg et al. 1961). It should a t least be tried in cases of chronic multiple sclerosis, according to several authors, as a positive effect often could be observed also in these types of the disease. According to Bummer et al. (1963) there is
Current In Vivo Models of Varicella-Zoster Virus Neurotropism

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), an exclusively human herpesvirus, causes chickenpox and establishes a latent infection in ganglia, reactivating decades later to produce zoster and associated neurological complications. An understanding of VZV neurotropism in humans has long been hampered by the lack of an adequate animal model. For example, experimental inoculation of VZV in small animals including guinea pigs and cotton rats results in the infection of ganglia but not a rash. The severe combined immune deficient human (SCID-hu) model allows the study of VZV neurotropism for human neural sub-populations. Simian varicella virus (SVV) infection of rhesus macaques (RM) closely resembles both human primary VZV infection and reactivation, with analyses at early times after infection providing valuable information about the extent of viral replication and the host immune responses. Indeed, a critical role for CD4 T-cell immunity during acute SVV infection as well as reactivation has emerged based on studies using RM. Herein we discuss the results of efforts from different groups to establish an animal model of VZV neurotropism.
Centaurea cyanus extracted 13‐O‐acetylsolstitialin A decrease Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio and expression of cyclin D1/Cdk‐4 to induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cell lines

Natural products are considered recently as one of the source for production of efficient therapeutical agents for breast cancer treatment. In this study, a sesquiterpene lactone, 13‐O‐acetylsolstitialin A (13ASA), isolated from Centaurea cyanus, showed cytotoxic activities against MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cell lines using standard 3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. To find the mechanism of action of cytotoxicity, annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining was performed for evaluation of apoptosis. This process was further confirmed by immunoblotting of anti‐ and proapoptotic, Bcl‐2 and Bax, proteins. Cell cycle arrest was evaluated by measurement of fluorescence intensity of PI dye and further confirmed by immunoblotting of Cdk‐4 and cyclin D1. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using the JC‐1 and DCFDA fluorescence probes, respectively. These experiments showed that 13ASA is a potent cytotoxic agent, which activates apoptosis‐mediated cell death. In response to this compound, Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio was noticeably increased in MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells. Moreover, 13ASA induced cell cycle arrest at subG1 and G1 phases by decreasing protein levels of cyclin D1 and Cdk‐4. It was done possibly through the decrease of ΔΨm and increase of ROS levels which induce apoptosis. In conclusion, this study mentioned that 13ASA inhibit the growth of MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cell lines through the induction of cell cycle arrest, which triggers apoptotic pathways. 13ASA can be considered as a susceptible compound for further investigation in breast cancer study.
Single relay selection schemes in two-way relaying networks

Considering the issues involved in the multiple relaying cooperation such as the perfect synchronization and high complexity, some single-relay selection schemes are presented in this paper for two-way relaying networks, where this network is consisted of two source nodes and multiple relay nodes, each node with single antenna. The novel single-relay selection schemes based on the transmission rate maximization, equivalent channel gain maximization, and the minimization of the harmonic mean of channel gains, respectively, are proposed to determine the best relay. Numerical simulations are performed to show the performance of the proposed schemes in terms of the capacity and the cumulative distribution function of the two-way relaying network.
How would your favourite user model cope with these scenarios?

In a paper presented at the 1987 CHI conference (Young &amp; Barnard, 1987), we proposed the use of scenarios as one methodological route to the development of user models of broader scope. In this article we summarise the argument and present five such scenarios as a challenge to the state of the art in user modelling. We invite the reader to ponder the question: How well would your favourite user modelling technique handle some, most, or all of these scenarios? And have you any further scenarios to add to those presented here?
Novel analytical procedures for folded strip dipole antennas

A new analysis method is described in this paper to accurately calculate the input impedance of a folded strip dipole antenna. Previous analytical procedures use a quasi-static approach to analytically predict the input impedance of an equivalent cylindrical folded dipole. The new design procedure takes advantage of new analytical equations for strip dipoles, and consequently does not need the equivalence between a rectangular and a circular cross section dipole antenna, which improves the accuracy of the analytical equations. In addition, a correction factor to the coplanar strip (CPS) transmission line length is presented to allow a wider separation between the strips of the folded dipole. Two examples are given to validate the accuracy of the newly proposed analytical procedure. The results of the analytical equations are compared with the results obtained by the electromagnetic simulation software CST Microwave Studio MWS®. The deviations between Analytical Equations (AE) and the Finite Integration Technique (FIT) do not exceed -11 dB (reflection), which makes this method 3.5 dB more accurate than the most recent reported analytical techniques (-7.5 dB). In addition, the newly proposed solution can be extended to analytically characterize different kind of antennas such as the log periodic, Yagi-Uda and folded dipole array antenna.
Parents of preterm children narrate constructive aspects of their experiences.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To explore how parents of preterm infants express the constructive aspects of their experiences. Using the notion of post-traumatic growth as a back-drop, this study supplements the research on parents' difficulties by providing a more nuanced understanding of what it is like to have a preterm child. BACKGROUND Researchers have reported that parents feel afraid, worried, helpless, powerless, guilty and stressed, as well as that preterm birth can be associated with physical and psychological ill health among parents; however, a few researchers have found indications of post-traumatic growth among parents. DESIGN This study includes qualitative interviews and relates to COREQ guidelines for reporting qualitative research. METHODS A total of 13 mothers and 10 fathers of extremely preterm children, as well as 11 mothers and 7 fathers of moderately preterm children, were interviewed. The data analysis was based on thematic analysis. RESULTS The analysis resulted in six themes that describe various constructive aspects of having a preterm child: acceptance of the fact that events do not always occur as planned; gratitude and reconsideration of the situation; reappraisal of close relationships; reliance on one's own ability to deal with events; thankfulness for what one has; and openness to being exposed to various kinds of people and their experiences. CONCLUSIONS The parents recounted constructive aspects of their experiences such as an altered understanding of themselves, others and life itself. These themes provide a more nuanced way of understanding how parents can relate to having preterm children. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE This knowledge can help professionals to enable parents to activate their social network and to acknowledge their care for each other, as well as to help parents see beyond cultural ideals regarding childbirth and family life and to find their own solutions to everyday life.
Crystal structure of enoyl–acyl carrier protein reductase (FabK) from Streptococcus pneumoniae reveals the binding mode of an inhibitor

Enoyl–acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductases are critical for bacterial type II fatty acid biosynthesis and thus are attractive targets for developing novel antibiotics. We determined the crystal structure of enoyl–ACP reductase (FabK) from Streptococcus pneumoniae at 1.7 Å resolution. There was one dimer per asymmetric unit. Each subunit formed a triose phosphate isomerase (TIM) barrel structure, and flavin mononucleotide (FMN) was bound as a cofactor in the active site. The overall structure was similar to the enoyl–ACP reductase (ER) of fungal fatty acid synthase and to 2‐nitropropane dioxygenase (2‐ND) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, although there were some differences among these structures. We determined the crystal structure of FabK in complex with a phenylimidazole derivative inhibitor to envision the binding site interactions. The crystal structure reveals that the inhibitor binds to a hydrophobic pocket in the active site of FabK, and this is accompanied by induced‐fit movements of two loop regions. The thiazole ring and part of the ureido moiety of the inhibitor are involved in a face‐to‐face π–π stacking interaction with the isoalloxazine ring of FMN. The side‐chain conformation of the proposed catalytic residue, His144, changes upon complex formation. Lineweaver–Burk plots indicate that the inhibitor binds competitively with respect to NADH, and uncompetitively with respect to crotonoyl coenzyme A. We propose that the primary basis of the inhibitory activity is competition with NADH for binding to FabK, which is the first step of the two‐step ping‐pong catalytic mechanism.
Anticoagulants in Older Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation after Intracranial Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose Patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who survive an intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) have an increased risk of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism (IS/ SE). We investigated whether starting oral anticoagulants (OACs) among older NVAF patients after an ICH was associated with a lower risk of IS/SE and mortality but offset by an increase in major bleeding. Methods We assembled a patient cohort from the Quebec Régie de l’Assurance Maladie du Québec (RAMQ) and Med-Echo administrative databases. We identified older adults with NVAF from 1995 to 2015. All patients with incident ICH and discharged in community were included. Patients were categorized according to OAC exposure. Outcomes included IS/SE, all-cause mortality, recurrent ICH and major bleeding after a quarantine period of 6 weeks. Crude event rates were calculated at 1-year of follow-up, and Cox proportional hazard models with a time-dependent binary exposure were used to assess adjusted hazard ratios (AHRs). Results The cohort of 683 NVAF patients with ICH aged 83 years on average. The rates (per 100 person-years) for IS/SE, death, ICH and major bleeding were 3.3, 40.6, 11.4, and 2.7 for the no OAC group; and 2.6, 16.3, 5.2, and 5.2 for OAC group, respectively. The AHR for IS/SE and death was 0.10 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.05 to 0.21), 0.43 (95% CI, 0.19 to 0.97) for recurrent ICH and 1.73 (95% CI, 0.71 to 4.20) for major extracranial bleeding comparing OAC exposure to non-exposed. Conclusions Initiating OAC after ICH in older individuals with NVAF is associated with a reduction of IS/SE and mortality and a trend in recurrent ICH supporting its use after ICH.
Lung cancer mortality reduction by LDCT screening—Results from the randomized German LUSI trial

In 2011, the U.S. National Lung Cancer Screening Trial (NLST) reported a 20% reduction of lung cancer mortality after regular screening by low‐dose computed tomography (LDCT), as compared to X‐ray screening. The introduction of lung cancer screening programs in Europe awaits confirmation of these first findings from European trials that started in parallel with the NLST. The German Lung cancer Screening Intervention (LUSI) is a randomized trial among 4,052 long‐term smokers, 50–69 years of age, recruited from the general population, comparing five annual rounds of LDCT screening (screening arm; n = 2,029 participants) with a control arm (n = 2,023) followed by annual postal questionnaire inquiries. Data on lung cancer incidence and mortality and vital status were collected from hospitals or office‐based physicians, cancer registries, population registers and health offices. Over an average observation time of 8.8 years after randomization, the hazard ratio for lung cancer mortality was 0.74 (95% CI: 0.46–1.19; p = 0.21) among men and women combined. Modeling by sex, however showed a statistically significant reduction in lung cancer mortality among women (HR = 0.31 [95% CI: 0.10–0.96], p = 0.04), but not among men (HR = 0.94 [95% CI: 0.54–1.61], p = 0.81) screened by LDCT (pheterogeneity = 0.09). Findings from LUSI are in line with those from other trials, including NLST, that suggest a stronger reduction of lung cancer mortality after LDCT screening among women as compared to men. This heterogeneity could be the result of different relative counts of lung tumor subtypes occurring in men and women.
6-SFT, a Protein from Leymus mollis, Positively Regulates Salinity Tolerance and Enhances Fructan Levels in Arabidopsis thaliana

Fructans play vital roles in abiotic stress tolerance in plants. In this study, we isolated the sucrose:6-fructosyltransferase gene, which is involved in the synthesis of fructans, from Leymus mollis by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The Lm-6-SFT gene was introduced into Arabidopsis thaliana cv. Columbia by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The transgenic plants were evaluated under salt stress conditions. The results showed that the expression of Lm-6-SFT was significantly induced by light, abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), and salt treatment in L. mollis plants. Overexpression of Lm-6-SFT in Arabidopsis promoted seed germination and primary root growth during the early vegetative growth stage under salt stress. We also found that the transgenic plants expressing Lm-6-SFT had increased proline and fructan levels. β-Glucuronidase staining and promoter analysis indicated that the promoter of Lm-6-SFT was regulated by light, ABA, and salt stress. Quantitative PCR suggested that overexpression of Lm-6-SFT could improve salt tolerance by interacting with the expression of some salt stress tolerance genes. Thus, we demonstrated that the Lm-6-SFT gene is a candidate gene that potentially confers salt stress tolerance to plants. Our study will aid the elucidation of the regulatory mechanism of 6-SFT genes in herb plants.
Investigating the Spatiotemporal Variability and Driving Factors of Artificial Lighting in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region Using Remote Sensing Imagery and Socioeconomic Data

With rapid urbanization and economic development, artificial lighting at night brings convenience to human life but also causes a considerable urban environmental pollution issue. This study employed the Mann-Kendall non-parametric test, nighttime light indices, and the standard deviation method to investigate the spatio-temporal characteristics of artificial lighting in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Moreover, nighttime light imagery from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Operational Linescan System, socioeconomic data, and high-resolution satellite images were combined to comprehensively explore the driving factors of urban artificial lighting change. The results showed the following: (1) Overall, there was an increasing trend in artificial lighting in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, which accounted for approximately 56.87% of the total study area. (2) The change in artificial lighting in the entire area was relatively stable. The artificial lighting in the northwest area changed faster than that in the southeast area, and the areas where artificial lighting changed the most were Beijing, Tianjin and Tangshan. (3) The fastest growth of artificial lighting was in Chengde and Zhangjiakou, where the rates of increase were 334% and 251%, respectively. The spatial heterogeneity of artificial lighting in economically developed cities was higher than that in economically underdeveloped cities such as Chengde and Zhangjiakou. (4) Multi-source data were combined to analyse the driving factors of urban artificial lighting in the entire area. The Average Population of Districts under City (R2 = 0.77) had the strongest effect on artificial lighting. Total Passenger Traffic (R2 = 0.54) had the most non-obvious effect. At different city levels, driving factors varied with differences of economy, geographical location, and the industrial structures of cities. Urban expansion, transportation hubs, and industries were the major reasons for the significant change in nighttime light. Urban artificial lighting represents a trend of overuse closely related to nighttime light pollution. This study of artificial lighting contributes to the rational planning of urban lighting systems, the prevention and control of nighttime light pollution, and the creation of liveable and ecologically green cities.
Hybrid Data Fusion DBN for Intelligent Fault Diagnosis of Vehicle Reducers

Given its importance, fault diagnosis has attracted considerable attention in the literature, and several machine learning methods have been proposed to discover the characteristics of different aspects in fault diagnosis. In this paper, we propose a Hybrid Deep Belief Network (HDBN) learning model that integrates data in different ways for intelligent fault diagnosis in motor drive systems, such as a vehicle drive system. In particular, we propose three data fusion methods: data union, data join, and data hybrid, based on detailed data fusion research. Additionally, the significance of the fusion is explained from the energy perspective of the signal. In particular, the appropriate fusion methods and data structures suitable for model training requirements can help improve the accuracy of fault diagnosis. Moreover, mixed-precision training is used as a special fusion method to further improve the performance of the model. Experiments with the datasets obtained from the simulation platform demonstrate the superiority of our proposed model over the state-of-the-art methods.