Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plasmon Sensitized Heterojunction 2D Ultrathin Ag/AgI-δ-Bi2O3 for Enhanced Photocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation

A novel 2D ultrathin Ag/AgI-δ-Bi2O3 photocatalyst was constructed by a facile hydrothermal and in situ photodeposition method, which presented a uniform nanosheet structure with an average height of 6 nm. Its composition, morphology and light-harvesting properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–vis spectrophotometer (UV–vis) and photoluminescence (PL) measurements in detail. The Ag/AgI-δ-Bi2O3 nanocomposites showed an excellent photocatalytic nitrogen fixation performance of 420 μmol L−1 g−1 h−1 in water without any sacrificial agent. The introduction of Ag/AgI nanoparticles caused the morphology modification of δ-Bi2O3, a higher concentration of oxygen vacancy, and the construction of a plasmon sensitized heterojunction, resulting in enhanced light absorption, improved separation efficiency of charge carriers and strong N2 absorption and activation ability, which are responsible for the superior photocatalytic performance of Ag/AgI-δ-Bi2O3.
Rhizosphere interactions: root exudates, microbes, and microbial communities1

The study of the interactions between plants and their microbial communities in the rhizosphere is important for developing sustainable management practices and agricultural products such as biofertilizers and biopesticides. Plant roots release a broad variety of chemical compounds to attract and select microorganisms in the rhizosphere. In turn, these plant-associated microorganisms, via different mechanisms, influence plant health and growth. In this review, we summarize recent progress made in unraveling the interactions between plants and rhizosphere microbes through plant root exudates, focusing on how root exudate compounds mediate rhizospheric interactions both at the plant–microbe and plant–microbiome levels. We also discuss the potential of root exudates for harnessing rhizospheric interactions with microbes that could lead to sustainable agricultural practices.
Galactosamine‐induced fulminant hepatic failure

1 mu tiw* 18 2 (11%) 0 (0%) 5 (28%) 0 (0%) 1 mu tiw 18 2 (11%) 0 (0%) 5 (28%)0 0 (0%) 2.5 mu tiw 19 4 (21%) 2 (11%) 1 (5%) 2 (11%) 2.5 mu tiw* 19 3 (16%) 2 (11%) 1 (5%) 2 (11%) 5 mu tiw* 17 6 (35%) 5 (29%) 4 (23%) 0 (0%) 5 mu tiw 17 6 (35%) 5 (29%) 4 (24%) 0 (0%) 10 mu tiw 23 15 (65%) 12 (52%) 9 (39%) 5 (22%) 10 mu tiw* 23 12 (52%) 10 (43%) 8 (35%) 4 (17%) Total 77 23 (30%) 19 (25%) 18 (23%) 6 (8%) Total 77 27 (35%) 19 (25%) 19 (25%) 7 (9%)
Zika discourse in the Americas: A multilingual topic analysis of Twitter

This work examines Twitter discussion surrounding the 2015 outbreak of Zika, a virus that is most often mild but has been associated with serious birth defects and neurological syndromes. We introduce and analyze a collection of 3.9 million tweets mentioning Zika geolocated to North and South America, where the virus is most prevalent. Using a multilingual topic model, we automatically identify and extract the key topics of discussion across the dataset in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. We examine the variation in Twitter activity across time and location, finding that rises in activity tend to follow to major events, and geographic rates of Zika-related discussion are moderately correlated with Zika incidence (ρ = .398).
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic of bupropion: integrative overview of relevant clinical and forensic aspects

Abstract Bupropion is an atypical antidepressant of the aminoketone group, structurally related to cathinone, associated with a wide interindividual variability. An extensive pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic review of bupropion was performed, also focusing on chemical, pharmacological, toxicological, clinical and forensic aspects of this drug without a limiting period. Bupropion is a chiral, basic, highly lipophilic drug, clinically used as racemate that undergoes extensive stereoselective metabolism. Its major active metabolites, hydroxybupropion, threohydrobupropion, and erythrohydrobupropion reach higher plasma concentrations than bupropion. Bupropion exerts its effects mainly by inhibiting dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake and by blocking several nicotinic receptors. Recent reports highlight recreational use of bupropion via intranasal insufflation and intravenous use. Seizures, insomnia, agitation, headache, dry mouth, and nausea are some of the reported adverse effects. Neurologic effects are major signs of intoxication that should be carefully managed. Finally, the characterization of the polymorphic enzymes involved in the metabolism of bupropion is essential to understand factors that may influence the interindividual and intraindividual variability in bupropion metabolite exposure, including the evaluation of potential drug–drug interactions and pharmacogenetic implications.
A Fast and Reliable Method to Isolate Human Placental Macrophages

Macrophages are specialized cells involved in recognition, uptake, and destruction of microorganisms. Human placental macrophages are poorly investigated because of the lack of a convenient protocol for their isolation. Here, we present a straightforward and reliable method to isolate macrophages from full‐term human placentas. After enzymatic digestion of placental tissue and centrifugation of the cell suspension on a Ficoll cushion, placental macrophages are selected using magnetic beads coated with anti‐CD14 antibodies. Isolated cells are characterized by flow cytometry. Ninety eight percent of isolated CD14+ placental macrophages also express the macrophage marker CD68. Thus, this efficient and reliable method yields placental macrophages at high purity and sufficient quantity for functional studies. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
An Association between Body Mass Index and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem. However, few studies have examined the significance of body mass index (BMI) as a risk factor for the development of CKD in the general Japanese population. Study participants without a clinical history of stroke, transient ischemic attack, myocardial infarction, angina or renal failure (754 men aged 56±15 [mean±SD] years and 962 women aged 59±13 years) were randomly recruited from a single community at the time of their annual health examination. We examined the relationship between increased weight (i.e., BMI) and renal function evaluated by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study Group equation. Increased BMI was consistently associated with reduced eGFR. Estimated GFR was lower in participants with upper normal body weight (BMI, 22.0 to 24.9 kg/m2) or who were overweight or obese (BMI≥25 kg/m2), compared with participants with lower normal body weight (BMI, 18.5 to 21.9 kg/m2). Stepwise multiple regression analysis using eGFR as an objective variable, adjusted for various risk factors as explanatory variables, showed that BMI (β = –0.075) was significantly and independently associated with eGFR, in addition to age, log triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and log fasting blood glucose. Compared with those with lower normal body weight, multivariate-adjusted odds ratios for moderately reduced renal function, defined as an eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 , were 1.86 (1.01–3.42) for upper normal weight and 2.02 (1.01–4.03) for overweight or obese individuals. In conclusion, increased BMI is strongly associated with decreased eGFR in community-dwelling healthy persons.
Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Testing of New Amido-Substituted Triazolopyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine (PBDT) Derivatives

A series of amido-substituted triazolopyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine (PBDT) derivatives was synthesized from isatoic anhydride, and their cytotoxicity against the MRC-5 and Mahlavu cell lines was evaluated. The results suggest that compound PBDT-7i with the meta-trifluoromethylbenzoyl substituent can selectively inhibit the growth of Mahlavu cells and has low toxicity towards MRC-5 cells.
Hepatitis C virus core protein stimulates fibrogenesis in hepatic stellate cells involving the obese receptor

Hepatitis C virus core protein (HCVcp), which is secreted by infected cells, is reported as an immunomodulator in immune cells. However, the effects of HCVcp on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the key cells in liver fibrosis, still remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of HCVcp on obese receptor (ObR) related downstream signaling pathways and fibrogenic gene expression in HSCs. LX‐2, a human HSC line, was incubated with HCVcp. Inhibitors and short interfering RNAs were used to interrogate the mechanisms of HCVcp action on HSCs. HCVcp (20–100 ng/ml) concentration‐dependently stimulated α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) protein expression and mRNA expression of α‐SMA, procollagen α2(I) and TGF‐β1 genes, with a plateau of 220% of controls at 100 ng/ml. HCVcp induced mRNA and protein expression of ObR. Blocking of Ob‐Rb with a neutralizing antibody inhibited phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and AMPKα stimulated by HCVcp. Furthermore, knockdown of Ob‐Rb down‐regulated HCVcp‐induced STAT3, AKT, and AMPKα phosphorylation, and reversed HCVcp‐suppressed mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)γ and sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1c (SREBP‐1c) genes. AMPKα signaling blockade reversed HCVcp‐suppressed SREBP‐1c mRNA expression. HCVcp stimulated reactive oxygen species formation and gp91phox (a component of NADPH oxidase) protein expression, together with AKT phosphorylation, leading to suppression of PPARγ and SREBP‐1c genes. Our results provide a new finding that HCVcp induced ObR‐dependent Janus Kinase (JAK) 2–STAT3, AMPKα, and AKT signaling pathways and modulated downstream fibrogenetic gene expression in HSCs. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 541–550, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Patterns of amenable child mortality over time in 34 member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): evidence from a 15-year time trend analysis (2001–2015)

Objectives To analyse the trends of amenable mortality rates (AMRs) in children over the period 2001–2015. Design Time trend analysis. Setting Thirty-four member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Participants Midyear estimates of the resident population aged ≤14 years. Primary and secondary outcome measures Using data from the WHO Mortality Database and Nolte and McKee’s list, AMRs were calculated as the annual number of deaths over the population/100 000 inhabitants. The rates were stratified by age groups (<1, 1–4, 5–9 and 10–14 years). All data were summarised by presenting the average rates for the years 2001/2005, 2006/2010 and 2011/2015. Results There was a significant decline in children’s AMRs in the <1 year group in all 34 OECD countries from 2001/2005 to 2006/2010 (332.78 to 295.17/100 000; %Δ −11.30%; 95% CI −18.75% to −3.85%) and from 2006/2010 to 2011/2015 (295.17 to 240.22/100 000; %Δ −18.62%; 95% CI −26.53% to −10.70%) and a slow decline in the other age classes. The only cause of death that was significantly reduced was conditions originating in the early neonatal period for the <1 year group. The age-specific distribution of causes of death did not vary significantly over the study period. Conclusions The low decline in amenable mortality rates for children aged ≥1 year, the large variation in amenable mortality rates across countries and the insufficient success in reducing mortality from all causes suggest that the heath system should increase its efforts to enhance child survival. Promoting models of comanagement between primary care and subspecialty services, encouraging high-quality healthcare and knowledge, financing universal access to healthcare and adopting best practice guidelines might help reduce amenable child mortality.
Patient selection in palliative surgery: Defining value

Proper patient selection for palliative surgery requires a challenging and often complex decision‐making process. Optimally, proposed palliative procedures must be undertaken with an intent to provide the greatest possible value to patients at the end of life. This review describes the process of patient selection and identifies psychosocial, biochemical, and functional markers that can complement sound surgical judgment.
Variation in facial bone growth remodeling in prehistoric populations from southern South America.

OBJECTIVES To assess the intraspecific variation in bone remodeling patterns in modern humans, we studied two populations from southern South America that represent the extremes of morphological variation in this region. We particularly analyzed the ontogenetic changes in the patterns of bone growth remodeling and compared the patterns between samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS We obtained high-resolution casts of the periosteal surface of the upper and middle face of subadults (n = 36) and adult (n = 36) individuals from a sample of hunter-gatherers from Patagonia and a sample of horticulturists from Northwest Argentina. The areas of bone formation and resorption were registered using an incident-light microscope. We then estimated the average bone remodeling map by sample and age, and performed principal component analysis and multivariate regressions to assess the extension and distribution of these areas across ontogeny and between samples. RESULTS We found that the remodeling pattern of the glabella, supraorbital arch, frontal process of the maxilla, and a large part of the zygomatic bone is relatively constant in subadults and adults from both sample with a clear predominance of bone formation. In contrast, the middle face is characterized by the spatial alternation between formation and resorption areas, and greater variation with age and between samples. The main differences were found in areas related to chewing and muscle insertions. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides the first evidence of interpopulation variation in bone growth remodeling and suggests that biomechanical factors can influence the observed patterns. It also underlines the need to account for ecological factors in within and between species comparisons.
MicroRNA expression profiling of lung adenocarcinoma in Xuanwei, China

Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been proved to be related to the development and progression of lung cancer. However, the expression signatures of miRNAs in lung adenocarcinoma in Xuanwei are not yet clear. The current study aimed to identify the potential miRNA profiles in lung adenocarcinoma in Xuanwei by microarray. The miRNA profiles in 24 lung adenocarcinoma and paired non-tumor tissues in Xuanwei were ascertained by using the Exiqon miRCURY LNA microRNA Array (v.18.0). The results of the microarrays were further verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) detection. Bioinformatics analysis was used to carry out the functional annotations of differentially expressed miRNAs. One hundred fifty five differentially expressed (≥2-fold change) miRNAs were identified (65 upregulated and 90 downregulated). QRT-PCR was used to validate the top 4 most upregulated and downregulated miRNAs, and the results were generally consisted with microarray. Furthermore, the differentially expressed miRNAs were significantly enriched in numerous common pathways that were bound up with cancer. The pathways included focal adhesion and signaling pathways, such as cyclic guanosine monophosphate -protein kinase G (cGMP-PKG) signaling pathways, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, and Hippo signaling pathway, etc. Our study identified the potential miRNA profiles in lung adenocarcinoma in Xuanwei by microarray. These miRNAs might be used as biomarkers for diagnosis and/or prognosis for lung cancer in Xuanwei and therefore warrant further investigation. Further study is needed to reveal the potential role of these miRNAs in the carcinogenesis of XuanWei Lung Cancer (XWLC).
The contribution of IL-17 to the development of autoimmunity in psoriasis

Psoriasis is an (auto)immune-mediated disease that manifests as widespread desquamative erythema. The TNF-α/IL-23/IL-17A axis is crucial to its pathogenesis, which is demonstrated by its excellent therapeutic response to biologics that target this axis. There is a strong association between HLA-C*0602 and psoriasis, and researchers have identified autoantigens that are restricted to this major histocompatibility class I molecule. These auto-Ags include LL-37, A disintegrin and metalloprotease domain containing thrombospondin type 1 motif-like 5 (ADAMTSL5), and keratin 17. IL-17A-producing T cells have been identified in T cell populations that are reactive to these auto-Ags. In addition, lipid Ags have surfaced as candidate auto-Ags that activate IL-17A-producing T cells in a CD1a-restricted manner. In this article, we review the candidate auto-Ags that may contribute to the activation of the IL-17A-deviated immune response in psoriasis.
A randomised controlled trial of a telephone administered brief HIV risk reduction intervention amongst men who have sex with men prescribed post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV after sexual exposure in the UK: Project PEPSE

Background In western countries, men who have sex with men (MSM) are most affected by HIV and increasingly likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour. MSM who experience a potential sexual exposure to HIV (PEPSE) and receive a preventative regimen of anti-HIV treatment are at particularly high risk of acquiring HIV and could potentially benefit from targeted risk reduction behavioural interventions such as motivational interviewing (MI). Purpose The aim of this trial was to examine the impact of augmented MI (MI plus information provision and behavioural skills building), over and above routine care, on reducing risky sexual behaviour in MSM prescribed PEPSE. Secondary aims of the research were to examine whether the intervention reduced sexually transmitted infections (STI) and further requests for PEP. Methods A parallel-group pragmatic randomised controlled trial was conducted with 175 MSM recruited from five sexual health (SH) clinics in the south east of England. The intervention was two fixed-duration sessions of telephone administered augmented MI. A manual guided the selection of individualised persuasive communication strategies based on underlying change mechanisms specified by the Information, Motivation and Behavioural Skills (IMB) model. Primary outcomes were the number of receptive and active anal intercourse (AI) partners, the use of condoms every time during receptive and active AI and the use of condoms sometimes during receptive and active AI. Results There were no significant impacts on sexual risk behaviour or any of the psychological measures, and no discernible reduction in requests for repeat PEP or rates of STIs within a year. Conclusion Our behavioural intervention of augmented MI did not affect risky sexual behaviour, rates of further PEP and STIs, and psychological factors, in MSM prescribed PEPSE. Trial registration numbers UKCRN ID:11436; ISRCTN00746242.
Incidence and economic burden of community-acquired gastroenteritis in the Netherlands: Does having children in the household make a difference?

This study aimed at estimating gastroenteritis (GE) incidence in all age groups of the Netherlands’ general population, with special emphasis on the role of children in GE burden, and the associated costs. Monthly from November 2014 to November 2016, a random sample of 2000 residents in the Netherlands was invited to complete a questionnaire on household characteristics and health complaints. We calculated GE incidence rates standardized to the Dutch population and used multivariable logistic regression models to identify potential risk factors. We calculated the costs related to resources used within the healthcare sector, the resources used by patients and their families, and productivity losses (paid worktime) due to GE. The overall standardized incidence rate was 0.81 GE episodes/person-year, with the highest rate in children ≤4 years (1.96 episodes/person-year). GE was observed more often in households with children (≤17 years), especially if children attended out-of-home childcare services, and among individuals with non-native Dutch ethnic background. Less GE was observed among employed persons aged 25–64 years, compared with those unemployed, but the opposite was observed in persons ≥65 years. The average costs per GE episode was €191, resulting in €945 million annual total costs for GE in the Netherlands (€55 per inhabitant). The majority of costs (55%) were attributable to productivity losses of the ill or their caregivers. In conclusion, GE still poses a significant burden, particularly in preschool children and adults living in households with children. Similar to other industrialized countries, the major factor driving the costs due to GE was the loss of productivity. This study also provides up-to-date baseline GE incidence rates and associated societal costs to better contextualize the burden of the disease in support of policy making.
Faster maximum-likelihood reconstruction via explicit conjugation of search directions

Conjugate gradient (CG) is useful to perform maximum-likelihood (ML) reconstruction in positron emission tomography (PET). Although first derived to solve linear systems of equations, CG has been used for non-quadratic objectives. For the log-likelihood of inhomogeneous Poisson processes, the search directions generated by the generic Polak-Ribière formulation are not quite conjugate. We investigated a new CG formulation specific to the ML criterion in PET that preserves the conjugation. We first established a new relationship between the search direction and the image residual. We then derived a new method to generate a basis of search directions conjugate in the ML sense. Conjugation was enforced explicitly by forming the new search direction from a linear combination of the gradient and all the past search directions. The new formulation converges faster to the ML optimal solution. The equivalent of 50 Polak-Ribière iterations is reached in 39 iterations (1.3× faster) and the equivalent of 2000 Polak-Ribière iterations is reached in 451 iterations (4.4× faster). The truncation of the new formulation converges at the same rate as the Polak-Ribière method. The new formulation requires only a negligible amount of extra computation, but very large amounts of memory to store past search directions.