Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CD31 Mimetic Coating Enhances Flow Diverting Stent Integration into the Arterial Wall Promoting Aneurysm Healing.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Beyond aneurysmal occlusion, metallic flow diverters (FDs) can induce an adverse endovascular reaction due to the foreignness of metal devices, hampering FD endothelialization across the aneurysm neck, and arterial healing of intracranial aneurysms. Here, we evaluated the potential benefits of an FD coating mimicking CD31, a coreceptor critically involved in endothelial function and endovascular homeostasis, on the endothelialization of FDs implanted in vivo. METHODS Nitinol FD (Silk Vista Baby) and flat disks were dip-coated with a CD31-mimetic peptide via an intermediate layer of polydopamine. Disks were used to assess the reaction of endothelial cells and blood elements in vitro. An aneurysm rabbit model was used to compare in vivo effects on the arterial wall of CD31-mimetic-coated (CD31-mimetic, n=6), polydopamine-coated (polydopamine, n=6), and uncoated FDs (bare, n=5) at 4 weeks post-FD implantation. In addition, long-term safety was assessed at 12 weeks. RESULTS In vitro, CD31-mimetic coated disks displayed reduced adhesion of blood elements while favoring endothelial cell attachment and confluence, compared to bare and polydopamine disks. Strikingly, in vivo, the neoarterial wall formed over the CD31-mimetic-FD struts at the aneurysm neck was characteristic of an arterial tunica media, with continuous differentiated endothelium covering a significantly thicker layer of collagen and smooth muscle cells as compared to the controls. The rates of angiographic complete occlusion and covered branch arterial patency were similar in all 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS CD31-mimetic coating favors the colonization of metallic endovascular devices with endothelial cells displaying a physiological phenotype while preventing the adhesion of platelets and leukocytes. These biological properties lead to a rapid and improved endothelialization of the neoarterial wall at the aneurysm neck. CD31-mimetic coating could therefore represent a valuable strategy for FD biocompatibility improvement and aneurysm healing.
Disparate outer membrane exclusionary properties underlie intrinsic resistance to hydrophobic substances in Pseudomonas spp. isolated from surface waters under triclosan selection

Abstract Representative members of surface water microbiota were obtained from three unrelated municipal sites in Oklahoma by direct plating under selection by the hydrophobic biocide triclosan. Multiple methods were employed to determine if intrinsic triclosan resistance reflected resistance to hydrophobic molecules by virtue of outer membrane impermeability. While all but one organism isolated in the absence of triclosan were able to initiate growth on MacConkey agar, only one was able to initiate significant growth with triclosan present. In contrast, all bacteria selected with triclosan were identified as Pseudomonas spp. using 16S RNA gene sequencing and exhibited growth comparable to Pseudomonas aeruginosa controls in the presence of hydrophobic antibacterial agents to include triclosan. Two representative bacteria isolated in the absence of triclosan allowed for greater outer membrane association with the fluorescent hydrophobic probe 1-N-phenylnapthylamine than did two triclosan-resistant isolates. Compound 48/80 disruption of outer membrane impermeability properties for hydrophobic substances either partially or fully sensitized nine of twelve intrinsically resistant isolates to triclosan. These data suggest that outer membrane exclusion underlies intrinsic resistance to triclosan in some, but not all Pseudomonas spp. isolated by selection from municipal surface waters and implicates the involvement of concomitant triclosan resistance mechanisms.
Multiparametric mixing analysis of the deep waters in the Western Mediterranean Sea

The winters 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 were characterised by the formation in the north-western Mediterranean Sea of dense waters, which were significantly warmer and saltier than previously. The temperature-salinity diagrams show the presence of three different deep water types, a resident one and two newly formed ones. In order to quantitatively evaluate the filling of the deep Western Mediterranean Sea with these three different water masses from their formation region, an extended optimum multiparametric analysis (eOMP) has been performed, which permitted the estimation of the mixing fractions of the deep water masses in the area. The paper presents a comparison between the distributions of the three deep water types in 2005 and in 2006, in order to assess the spreading of the newly formed waters from their formation region.
Hypoxia-induced inhibition of mTORC1 activity in the developing lung: a possible mechanism for the developmental programming of pulmonary hypertension.

Perinatal hypoxia induces permanent structural and functional changes in the lung and its pulmonary circulation that are associated with the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in later life. The mechanistic target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is vital for fetal lung development and implicated in hypoxia-associated PH, yet its involvement in the developmental programming of PH remains unclear. Pregnant C57/BL6 dams were placed in hyperbaric (760 mmHg) or hypobaric chambers during gestation (505 mmHg, day 15 through postnatal day 4) or adulthood (420 mmHg, postnatal day 21 through 8wks). Pulmonary hemodynamics and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) were measured at 8wks. mTOR pathway proteins were assessed in fetal (day 18.5) and adult lung (8wks). Perinatal hypoxia induced PH during adulthood, even in the absence of a sustained secondary hypoxic exposure, as indicated by reduced pulmonary artery acceleration time (PAAT) and peak flow velocity through the pulmonary valve, as well as greater RVSP, RV wall thickness and RV/LV weight. Such effects were independent of increased blood viscosity. In fetal lung homogenates, hypoxia reduced the expression of critical downstream mTOR targets, most prominently total and phosphorylated 4EBP1, as well as vascular endothelial growth factor, a central regulator of angiogenesis in the fetal lung. In contrast, adult offspring of hypoxic dams tended to have elevated p4EBP1 compared to controls. Our data suggest that inhibition of mTORC1 activity in the fetal lung as a result of gestational hypoxia may interrupt pulmonary vascular development and thereby contribute to the developmental programming of PH.
Content comparison and person-centeredness of standards for quality improvement in cardiovascular health care

Background Quality standards are important for improving health care by providing compelling evidence for best practice. High quality person-centered health care requires information on patients' experience of disease and of functioning in daily life. Objective To analyze and compare the content of five Swedish National Quality Registries (NQRs) and two standard sets of the International Consortium of Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) related to cardiovascular diseases. Materials and methods An analysis of 2588 variables (= data items) of five NQRs—the Swedish Registry of Congenital Heart Disease, Swedish Cardiac Arrest Registry, Swedish Catheter Ablation Registry, Swedish Heart Failure Registry, SWEDEHEART (including four sub-registries) and two ICHOM standard sets–the Heart Failure Standard Set and the Coronary Artery Disease Standard Set. According to the name and definition of each variable, the variables were mapped to Donabedian’s quality criteria, whereby identifying whether they capture health care processes or structures or patients’ health outcomes. Health outcomes were further analyzed whether they were clinician- or patient-reported and whether they capture patients’ physiological functions, anatomical structures or activities and participation. Results In total, 606 variables addressed process quality criteria (31%), 58 structure quality criteria (3%) and 760 outcome quality criteria (38%). Of the outcomes reported, 85% were reported by clinicians and 15% by patients. Outcome variables addressed mainly ‘Body functions’ (n = 392, 55%) or diseases (n = 209, 29%). Two percent of all documented data captured patients’ lived experience of disease and their daily activities and participation (n = 51, 3% of all variables). Conclusions Quality standards in the cardiovascular field focus predominately on processes (e.g. treatment) and on body functions-related outcomes. Less attention is given to patients’ lived experience of disease and their daily activities and participation. The results can serve as a starting-point for harmonizing data and developing a common person-centered quality indicator set.
Taxing working memory to modulate mental imagery of the 9/11 terrorist attacks following media exposure during childhood: a pilot study in young adult UK residents

ABSTRACT Background and Objectives Media trauma in civilians is linked to intrusive imagery-based memory symptoms. We investigated whether mental imagery of the 9/11 terrorist attacks following media exposure is dampened by taxing working memory (WM). Methods Forty-five young adult UK residents, who were exposed to the 9/11 terrorist attacks as children via the media, identified a personally-relevant mental image of the attacks. They were then randomly allocated to: (1) recall + Tetris, (2) recall + eye movements (EMs), or (3) recall-only. Ratings on imagery vividness and emotionality were provided at three time points: pre-, post-manipulations, and at 24-hr follow-up. Results Repeated measures ANOVAs revealed that recall + Tetris and recall + EMs (relative to recall-only) significantly reduced imagery vividness and emotionality from pre- to post-manipulations, but not to follow-up. Limitations A passive control group is needed to fully rule out the role of natural memory decay; the follow-up was exploratory and took place outside the laboratory with reduced experimental control. Conclusions Aversive memory imagery from media trauma in civilians can be dampened by taxing WM, at least temporarily, which could be therapeutically useful. The use of such cognitive techniques may also hold relevance for public health approaches to address the impact of collective trauma.
Exercise protects against cardiac and skeletal muscle dysfunction in a mouse model of inflammatory arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory arthritis impacting joints as well as cardiac and skeletal muscle. RA's distinct impact on cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue is suggested by studies showing that new RA pharmacologic agents strongly improve joint inflammation, but have little impact on RA associated mortality, cardiovascular disease and sarcopenia. Thus, the objective is to understand the distinct effects of RA on cardiac and skeletal muscle, and to therapeutically target these tissues through endurance-based exercise as a way to improve RA mortality and morbidity. Methods We utilize the well characterized RA mouse model, the K/BxN mouse to investigate cardiac and skeletal muscle pathologies, including the use of wheel running exercise to mitigate these pathologies. Results Strikingly, we found that K/BxN mice, like human RA patients, also exhibit both cardiac and skeletal muscle myopathies that were correlated with circulating IL-6 levels. Three months of wheel running exercise significantly improved K/BxN joint swelling and reduced systemic IL-6 concentrations. Importantly, there were morphologic, gene expression and functional improvements in both the skeletal muscle and cardiac myopathies with exercise. Conclusion The K/BxN mouse model of RA recapitulated important RA clinical comorbidities, including altered joint, cardiac and skeletal muscle function. These morphological, molecular and functional alterations were mitigated with regular exercise, thus suggesting exercise as a potential therapeutic intervention to lessen disease activity in the joint and the peripheral tissues, including the heart and skeletal muscle.
Intra-amniotic infection and sterile intra-amniotic inflammation are associated with elevated concentrations of cervical fluid interleukin-6 in women with spontaneous preterm labor with intact membranes

Abstract Objective To determine the concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the cervical fluid in women with spontaneous preterm labor with intact fetal membranes (PTL) complicated by intra-amniotic infection (the presence of both microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and intra-amniotic inflammation), or sterile intra-amniotic inflammation (the presence of intra-amniotic inflammation alone). Methods Eighty women with singleton pregnancies complicated by PTL between gestational ages 22 + 0 and 34 + 6 weeks were included in this retrospective cohort study. Samples of amniotic and cervical fluids were collected at the time of admission. Amniotic fluid samples were obtained via transabdominal amniocentesis, and cervical fluid was obtained using a Dacron polyester swab. Microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity was diagnosed based on the combination of culture and molecular biology methods. The concentration of IL-6 in the amniotic and cervical fluids were measured using an automated electrochemiluminescence immunoassay method. Intra-amniotic inflammation was defined as an amniotic fluid IL-6 concentration ≥3000 pg/mL. Results The presence of intra-amniotic infection and sterile inflammation was identified in 15% (12/80) and 26% (21/80) of the women, respectively. Women with intra-amniotic infection (median: 587 pg/mL; p = .01) and with sterile intra-amniotic inflammation (median: 590 pg/mL; p = .005) had higher concentrations of IL-6 in the cervical fluid than those without intra-amniotic inflammation (intra-amniotic infection: median 587 pg/mL vs. without inflammation, median: 136 pg/mL; p = .01; sterile intra-amniotic inflammation, median: 590 pg/mL vs. without inflammation, p = .005). No differences were found in the concentrations of IL-6 in the cervical fluid between women with intra-amniotic infection and sterile intra-amniotic inflammation (p = .81). Conclusion In pregnancies with PTL, both forms of intra-amniotic inflammation are associated with elevated concentrations of IL-6 in the cervical fluid.
Mass Spectrometry Spatial-Omics on a Single Conductive Slide

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) can analyze the spatial distribution of hundreds of different molecules directly from tissue sections usually placed on conductive glass slides to provide conductivity on the sample surface. Additional experiments are often required for molecular identification using consecutive sections on membrane slides compatible with laser capture microdissection (LMD). In this work, we demonstrate for the first time the use of a single conductive slide for both matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI)-MSI and direct proteomics. In this workflow, regions of interest can be directly ablated with LMD while preserving protein integrity. These results offer an alternative for MSI-based multimodal spatial-omics.
Pharmacotherapeutic Considerations for Use of Cannabinoids to Relieve Symptoms of Nausea and Vomiting Induced by Chemotherapy.

Patients suffering from malignant diseases receive very often highly emetogenic chemotherapy as part of their treatment. With the aim of assessing the efficacy of cannabinoids in treating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), we searched the literature published until April 2020 in Medline/PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, and in specific web pages. Randomized clinical trials comparing cannabinoids efficacy in managing CINV with that of placebo reported absence of vomit-ing (3 trials, 168 patients) and absence of nausea and vomiting (3 trials, 288 participants). In comparison with patients receiving other antiemetics, patients receiving cannabinoids reported no nausea (5 trials, 258 participants), no vomiting (4 trials, 209 participants), and absence of both (4 trials, 414 patients). Across all trials, cannabinoids were more effective in relieving the symptoms of nausea and vomiting induced by cytotoxic therapy than placebo was and slightly better than conventional antiemetics. A retrospective review com-paring nabilone, dronabinol, delta-9-THC, and delta 8-THC with other antiemetics used to manage CINV in pediatric patients showed that these drugs could also be used as adjuvant antiemetics. Cancer patients on highly emetogenic chemotherapy but with insufficiently effective standard antiemetic therapy can be given cannabis preparations containing similar amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol and can-nabidiol, which should be received in strict compliance with the professional guidelines for the treatment of CINV.
Hemodynamic and behavioral changes in older adults during cognitively demanding dual tasks

Executive functions play a fundamental role in walking by integrating information from cognitive‐motor pathways. Subtle changes in brain and behavior may help identify older adults who are more susceptible to executive function deficits with advancing age due to prefrontal cortex deterioration. This study aims to examine how older adults mitigate executive demands while walking during cognitively demanding tasks.
Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Promotes Autophagy-Mediated Migration of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Cartilage Repair

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) migration is promoted by low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), but its mechanism is unclear. Since autophagy is known to regulate cell migration, our study aimed to investigate if LIPUS promotes the migration of MSCs via autophagy regulation. We also aimed to investigate the effects of intra-articular injection of MSCs following LIPUS stimulation on osteoarthritis (OA) cartilage. For the in vitro study, rat bone marrow-derived MSCs were treated with an autophagy inhibitor or agonist, and then they were stimulated by LIPUS. Migration of MSCs was detected by transwell migration assays, and stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) protein levels were quantified. For the in vivo study, a rat knee OA model was generated and treated with LIPUS after an intra-articular injection of MSCs with autophagy inhibitor added. The cartilage repair was assessed by histopathological analysis and extracellular matrix protein expression. The in vitro results suggest that LIPUS increased the expression of SDF-1 and CXCR4, and it promoted MSC migration. These effects were inhibited and enhanced by autophagy inhibitor and agonist, respectively. The in vivo results demonstrate that LIPUS significantly enhanced the cartilage repair effects of MSCs on OA, but these effects were blocked by autophagy inhibitor. Our results suggest that the migration of MSCs was enhanced by LIPUS through the activation autophagy, and LIPUS improved the protective effect of MSCs on OA cartilage via autophagy regulation.
Patients’ experiences and wellbeing after injury: A focus group study

Background Injury can have physical, psychological and social consequences. It is unclear which factors have an impact on patients’ wellbeing after injury. This study aimed to explore, using focus groups, patients’ experiences and wellbeing after injury and which factors, impede or facilitate patients’ wellbeing. Methods Trauma patients, treated in the shock room of the Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, the Netherlands, participated in focus groups. Purposive sampling was used. Exclusion criteria were younger than 18 years old, severe traumatic brain injury, dementia, and insufficient knowledge of the Dutch language. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using coding technique open, axial, and selective coding, based on phenomenological approach. Results Six focus groups (3 to 7 participants) were held before data saturation was reached. In total, 134 patients were invited, 28 (21%) agreed to participate (Median age: 59.5; min. 18 –max. 84). Main reasons to decline were fear that the discussion would be too confronting or patients experienced no problems regarding the trauma or treatment. Participants experienced difficulties on physical (no recovery to pre-trauma level), psychological (fear of dying or for permanent limitations, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, cognitive dysfunction), social (impact on relatives and social support) wellbeing. These are impeding factors for recovery. However, good communication, especially clarity about the injury and expectations concerning recovery and future perspectives could help patients in surrendering to care. Patients felt less helpless when they knew what to expect. Conclusions This is the first study that explored patients’ experiences and wellbeing after injury. Patients reported that their injury had an impact on their physical, psychological, and social wellbeing up to 12 months after injury. Professionals with the knowledge of consequences after injury could improve their anticipation on patients’ need.
Interleukin-18 and interferon-γ single nucleotide polymorphisms in Egyptian patients with tuberculosis

Background Interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) are cytokines of crucial role in inflammation and immune reactions. There is a growing evidence supporting important roles for IL-18 and IFN γ in tuberculosis (TB) infection and anti-tuberculosis immunity. Objective To evaluate the role of polymorphisms in IL-18-607 and -137 and INF-γ +874 in susceptibility to TB infection among Egyptian patients. Methods A case control study was conducted to investigate the polymorphism at IL-18-607, -137 and INF-γ+874 by sequence specific primer-polymerase chain reaction (SSP- PCR) in 105 patients with pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis and 106 controls. Results A significant protective effect against TB was found in homozygous CC genotype at IL-18 -137G/C, in addition to a 7-fold risk with GG and GC genotypes in the recessive model. Apart from a decreased risk with the AC genotype, no association was detected between the susceptibility to TB and different genotypes or alleles at the IL-18 -607A/C site. The homozygous AA genotype in INF-γ+874 showed a significant higher risk to TB than the homozygous TT or heterozygous AT genotypes with nearly a 2-fold risk of TB infection with the A allele. Regarding haplotype association, the GC haplotype was strongly associated with TB infection compared to other haplotypes. Conclusion These findings suggest; for the first time in Egypt; a significant risk to TB infection with SNP at the IL-18-137G/C with no LD with SNP at the IL-18-607 site. The homozygous AA genotype in INF-γ+874 showed a significant higher risk to TB than the homozygous TT or heterozygous AT genotypes.
Early Assessment and Support Alliance Connections: Community-Based Participatory Research to Develop a Peer-based Early Psychosis Web Resource with Young Adults

Abstract:Background: Young adults (YA) who have experienced early psychosis (EP) have valuable information about their recovery process yet are often left out of research.Objectives: We used a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach in partnership with the Early Assessment and Support Alliance (EASA) EP program and Portland State University to develop a peer-driven, webbased, recovery resource.Methods: We used our CBPR process to collaboratively develop the resource and conducted an iterative usability study to test and refine it.Lessons Learned: The resource was well-received and accessible. YA partners emphasize the importance of being prepared to learn about research and one's self, being open to new experiences, and how being co-researchers can help with processing EP experiences for the benefit of one's self and peers.Conclusions: Peer involvement in intervention development may increase usability. It benefits YA and adult coresearchers. We strongly recommend including YA who have experienced EP as co-researchers.