Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular Mechanisms of Immunoglobulin E Regulation

This article is also accessible online at: http://BioMedNet.com/karger Correspondence to: Dr. Raif S. Geha Children’s Hospital, Division of Immunology 300 Longwood Avenue, Enders 8 Boston, MA 02115 (USA) Tel. +1 617 355 7603, Fax +1 617 355 8205, E-Mail geha@Al.tch. harvard.edu .
The Influence of Increasing Dialysis Treatment Time and Reducing Dry Weight on Blood Pressure Control in Hemodialysis Patients: A Prospective Study

A good blood pressure control can be achieved with long hemodialysis sessions (dialysis center of Tassin, France). However, it is not well known whether a higher dialysis dose or a lower dry weight is responsible for this phenomenon. In a preliminary study, 21 hypertensive dialysis patients, dialyzed three times a week for 3–5 h, were randomized into three groups during a 3-month study period. In 6 patients, the dialysis treatment time was increased by 2 h, and the dry weight was gradually decreased (group 1). In 7 patients the dialysis treatment time was increased by 2 h without a change in dry weight (group 2). In 8 patients the dry weight was gradually lowered without changing the dialysis treatment time (group 3). Before and after the study, cardiac index and left ventricular mass index (echocardiography) and forearm vascular resistance (strain gauge plethysmography) were determined on a middialytic day. The blood pressure was assessed by 48-hour ambulatory monitoring. The antihypertensive medication was reduced when the postdialytic blood pressure became <130/80 mm Hg. The dry weight was reduced by 2.6 ± 1.4 kg in group 1 and by 2.3 ± 0.8 kg in group 3 (p < 0.05). The number of classes of antihypertensive medication was reduced from 3.3 to 1.8 in group 1 (NS), from 2.4 to 1.7 in group 2 (NS), and from 3.1 to 1.3 in group 3 (p < 0.05). The dose of the remaining antihypertensive drugs was reduced by 50% in group 1 (p < 0.05), by 32% in group 2 (NS), and by 72.2% in group 3 (p < 0.05). The interdialytic systolic blood pressure decreased significantly after increasing the dialysis time without changing the dry weight (group 2: 7 ± 5 mm Hg; p < 0.05). The systolic blood pressure was also lower in the other patients groups: group 1: 13 ± 26 mm Hg, group 3 : 7 ± 16 mm Hg (NS). The pulse pressure decreased significantly in group 2 (7 ± 5 mm Hg; p < 0.05) and in group 3 (6 ± 7 mm Hg; p < 0.05) and tended to decrease in group 1 (11 ± 12 mm Hg; p = 0.08). The diastolic blood pressure and the day-night blood pressure difference did not change significantly, nor did cardiac index and left ventricular mass index. The forearm vascular resistance tended to decrease in the patients on long dialysis sessions. This preliminary study suggests that the dialysis treatment time might have an independent beneficial effect on blood pressure control.
Immunocryosurgery as monotherapy for lentigo maligna or combined with surgical excision for lentigo maligna melanoma

The incidence of lentigo maligna (LM), in situ (LM) or invasive (lentigo maligna melanoma, LMM), has increased during the last decades. Due to functional or cosmetic outcomes, optimal treatment with surgical excision may not be appropriate in some cases. We tried less invasive therapy, immunocryosurgery, as a single treatment for LM or combined with surgery for LMM, with better aesthetic results. Three patients with LM or LMM not amenable to complete surgical excision were selected. LMM patients underwent limited surgical resection of the invasive area. Subsequently, a combined treatment with topical imiquimod and cryosurgery was performed. The LM patient received immunocryosurgery directly. All of them were free of local and systemic disease at 48, 42 and 41 months after discontinuation of therapy. We consider that immunocryosurgery is an alternative option for LM or even for LMM (after removal of the invasive tissue with narrow margins) in poor surgical candidates, with good therapeutic, functional and cosmetic results.
Ocean acidification and kelp development: Reduced pH has no negative effects on meiospore germination and gametophyte development of Macrocystis pyrifera and Undaria pinnatifida

The absorption of anthropogenic CO2 by the oceans is causing a reduction in the pH of the surface waters termed ocean acidification (OA). This could have substantial effects on marine coastal environments where fleshy (non‐calcareous) macroalgae are dominant primary producers and ecosystem engineers. Few OA studies have focused on the early life stages of large macroalgae such as kelps. This study evaluated the effects of seawater pH on the ontogenic development of meiospores of the native kelp Macrocystis pyrifera and the invasive kelp Undaria pinnatifida, in south‐eastern New Zealand. Meiospores of both kelps were released into four seawater pH treatments (pHT 7.20, extreme OA predicted for 2300; pHT 7.65, OA predicted for 2100; pHT 8.01, ambient pH; and pHT 8.40, pre‐industrial pH) and cultured for 15 d. Meiospore germination, germling growth rate, and gametophyte size and sex ratio were monitored and measured. Exposure to reduced pHT (7.20 and 7.65) had positive effects on germling growth rate and gametophyte size in both M. pyrifera and U. pinnatifida, whereas, higher pHT (8.01 and 8.40) reduced the gametophyte size in both kelps. Sex ratio of gametophytes of both kelps was biased toward females under all pHT treatments, except for U. pinnatifida at pHT 7.65. Germling growth rate under OA was significantly higher in M. pyrifera compared to U. pinnatifida but gametophyte development was equal for both kelps under all seawater pHT treatments, indicating that the microscopic stages of the native M. pyrifera and the invasive U. pinnatifida will respond similarly to OA.
Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury Associated with Interdonor Incompatibility for the Neutrophil-Specific Antigen HNA-1a

Background and Objectives: A patient transfused with two pooled platelet concentrates became breathless. Bilateral infiltrates were seen on chest X-ray. A diagnosis of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) was made. The patient received 100% oxygen and recovered after 5 days. Materials and Methods: Antibody screening, cross-matching for granulocyte and lymphocyte antibodies and typing for granulocyte antigens was undertaken. Results: The patient typed as HNA-1b/HNA-1b. Granulocyte and lymphocyte antibodies were not detected in the patient’s serum or in any of the donor sera by cross-match. In antibody screening against typed panel granulocytes, complement-fixing anti-HNA-1a IgM antibodies were detected in the serum of one female donor. Two of the other donors who contributed to the pooled platelet concentrate containing the HNA-1a IgM antibodies typed as HNA-1a/HNA-1b. Conclusion: Anti-HNA-1a IgM antibodies may have formed immune complexes with white cell fragments or soluble FcγRIII from HNA-1a+ donors in the pooled platelet concentrate and initiated TRALI.
Rapid discrimination of different Apiaceae species based on HPTLC fingerprints and targeted flavonoids determination using multivariate image analysis.

INTRODUCTION Species of Apiaceae are used in folk medicine as spices and in officinal medicinal preparations of drugs. They are an excellent source of phenolics exhibiting antioxidant activity, which are of great benefit to human health. Discrimination among Apiaceae medicinal herbs remains an intricate challenge due to their morphological similarity. OBJECTIVE In this study, a combined "untargeted" and "targeted" approach to investigate different Apiaceae plants species was proposed by using the merging of high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC)-image analysis and pattern recognition methods which were used for fingerprinting and classification of 42 different Apiaceae samples collected from Egypt. METHODOLOGY Software for image processing was applied for fingerprinting and data acquisition. HPTLC fingerprint assisted by principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA)-heat maps resulted in a reliable untargeted approach for discrimination and classification of different samples. The "targeted" approach was performed by developing and validating an HPTLC method allowing the quantification of eight flavonoids. RESULTS The combination of quantitative data with PCA and HCA-heat-maps allowed the different samples to be discriminated from each other. CONCLUSION The use of chemometrics tools for evaluation of fingerprints reduced expense and analysis time. The proposed method can be adopted for routine discrimination and evaluation of the phytochemical variability in different Apiaceae species extracts.
Hand Rejuvenation by Targeted Volume Restoration of the Dorsal Fat Compartments

Background Recent anatomic findings suggest aging-related changes of the complex fat distribution in the hand. Objectives To rejuvenate the aging hand, we developed a targeted fat grafting technique based on the physiologic fat distribution of the hand. Methods The dorsum of both hands was examined in 30 healthy volunteers of different age utilizing B-mode ultrasound to determine physiological changes of the aging hand. Additional anatomic dissection was performed in 10 hands of five fresh cadavers to establish the anatomic basis for the targeted restoration technique. A total of 17 patients were treated for hand rejuvenation utilizing this technique and followed up for at least 6 months. The posttreatment outcome was assessed through B-mode ultrasound, 3-dimensional (3D) topography scanning, and a patient satisfaction survey. Results According to the fat distribution of the dorsum, hand aging was divided into three grades: (1) mild atrophy with rhytides; (2) moderate atrophy with exposed veins; and (3) serious atrophy with exposed tendons. Anatomic findings showed the existence of distinct superficial and deep fat compartments. The average fat grafting volume was 25.5 ml per hand dorsum administered in one or two procedures. Patients were monitored for 8.3 ± 2.6 months. After 6 months, a volume gain was found in all patients. The degree of aging was significantly reduced. The majority of patients (94.1%) were satisfied with their results. Conclusions This study provides the anatomic and clinical basis for targeted restoration of the physiological fat volume in the hand dorsum with high satisfaction rates. Level of Evidence 4.
Uncovering functional signature in neural systems via random matrix theory

Neural systems are organized in a modular way, serving multiple functionalities. This multiplicity requires that both positive (e.g. excitatory, phase-coherent) and negative (e.g. inhibitory, phase-opposing) interactions take place across brain modules. Unfortunately, most methods to detect modules from time series either neglect or convert to positive, any measured negative correlation. This may leave a significant part of the sign-dependent functional structure undetected. Here we present a novel method, based on random matrix theory, for the identification of sign-dependent modules in the brain. Our method filters out both local (unit-specific) noise and global (system-wide) dependencies that typically obfuscate the presence of such structure. The method is guaranteed to identify an optimally contrasted functional ‘signature’, i.e. a partition into modules that are positively correlated internally and negatively correlated across. The method is purely data-driven, does not use any arbitrary threshold or network projection, and outputs only statistically significant structure. In measurements of neuronal gene expression in the biological clock of mice, the method systematically uncovers two otherwise undetectable, negatively correlated modules whose relative size and mutual interaction strength are found to depend on photoperiod.
Molecular mechanisms underlying lineage bias in aging hematopoiesis.

Although hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have traditionally been thought to possess the ability to give rise to all the mature cell types in the hematopoietic system, this conception of hematopoiesis was based on evaluation of hematopoietic output from large numbers of HSCs using transplantation models. More recent studies evaluating HSCs at the clonal or near-clonal level, both in transplantation studies and during in situ hematopoiesis, have established that individual HSCs can exhibit lineage bias, giving rise to myeloid-biased, lymphoid-biased, or more balanced differentiation, with the proportion of myeloid-biased HSCs increasing with age. This age-associated shift in lineage potential is associated with decreased cellular immunity and increased incidence of diseases with prominent inflammatory components including atherosclerosis, autoimmunity, neurodegenerative disease, and carcinogenesis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate this shift in linage bias therefore represents an important area of investigation in numerous human diseases. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the cell-intrinsic (autonomous) and cell-extrinsic factors that regulate HSC lineage fate bias during aging. In addition, we have attempted to bring attention to important caveats and unanswered questions related to the issue of HSC lineage bias to encourage explorations of these important lines of inquiry. Ultimately, we expect a comprehensive understanding of HSC lineage bias during aging to have important implications for human health, since strategies to alter lineage bias in old HSCs not only has the potential to restore immune function in the elderly, but also to reduce the incidence of inflammation-associated diseases, many for which there is a current unmet need for novel and more effective treatments.
Microalbuminuria fractional clearance and early renal permselectivity changes in essential hypertension.

In order to verify if, in essential hypertension (EH), the microalbuminuria (AER) increase could be due to hemodynamic modifications or to glomerular structural changes, in 15 essential hypertensives (EHs) with 24-hour AER > 16 micrograms/min and in 15 EHs with 24-hour AER < or = 16 micrograms/min, the day- and nighttime behavior of creatinine clearance (Ccr), as well as AER clearance (AER-C) and fractional clearance (AER-FC), and behavior of blood pressure (BP) was evaluated. Patients with 24-hour AER > 16 micrograms/min showed significantly higher values of 24-hour and daytime Ccr than the other group of EHs, while during the night period, there were no significant differences between the two groups. On the contrary, AER and both AER-C and AER-FC resulted markedly and significantly higher in the EHs with 24-hour AER > 16 micrograms/min not only in the 24-hour evaluation, but also during the nighttime study, notwithstanding the significant decrease in BP and in Ccr observed during the night. These data, in the absence of correlations between BP and AER-FC seem to demonstrate the existence in EHs with 24-hour AER > 16 micrograms/min of an altered glomerular permselectivity, due to changes of the glomerular membrane.
N-Acetyl Aspartate: A Marker for Neuronal Loss or Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Initially described by Tallan et al. [1], N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) is found at very high concentrations in the mammalian brain (6–7 Ìmol/g in human brain) and is second only to glutamate in terms of free amino acid concentrations. Very limited concentrations are found in other tissues, e.g. liver, kidney, muscle. Regional studies on mouse have indicated its presence in all areas of the brain, with particularly high concentrations in cerebral grey matter (7.1 Ìmol/g) and low concentrations in the medulla (3.1 Ìmol/g) [2]. With a molecular mass of 175 Da, NAA has a double negative charge at physiological pH, necessitating active transport across biological membranes (fig. 1). Early studies by Buniatian et al. [3] demonstrated that NAA may act as an acetyl group donor to glucosamine and choline. Furthermore, D’Adamo and Yatsu [4] using double radioactively labelled NAA showed that the acetyl group is incorporated into brain lipids 3 times more effectively than acetate alone. Additionally, in the immature rat brain NAA rapidly increases as the brain develops [2], and the maximum incorporation of the acetyl moiety of NAA into brain lipids occurs during the period of myelination [5]. The results of all these studies are consistent with a role for NAA in myelination. Fig. 1. Structure of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA).
Is global elimination of HCV realistic?

The elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been made possible through the availability of new antiviral drugs which may now be administered to all patients with HCV infection, even those with decompensated cirrhosis. The goal of the World Health Organization (WHO) is to reduce the incidence of chronic hepatitis infection from the current 6‐10 million to 0.9 million cases of chronic infections by 2030, and annual deaths from 1.4 million to fewer than 0.5 million. Achieving these targets will require full implementation of epidemiological knowledge of HCV infection, screening and testing practices and strategies to link HCV patients to care. This review will focus on the current state of knowledge in the epidemiology of HCV and what can be done to increase patient awareness and reduce the barriers to treatment. Furthermore, we will discuss the role of HCV clearance on the control of HCV‐related outcomes.
Molecular characterization of a mouse Y chromosomal repetitive sequence that detects transcripts in the testis.

145SC5 is a Y chromosomal repetitive sequence isolated from a BALB/c mouse and is unique in that it detects poly(A)-containing transcripts in the testis. We determined nucleotide sequences of 145SC5 and a related cDNA clone designated PC11 and compared their sequences to that of pYMT2/B, another related cDNA clone. 145SC5 and PC11 are almost identical (97%), while PC11 and pYMT2/B share 84% identity. In situ hybridization and Southern blot analysis with XXSxr male mice demonstrated that 145SC5-related sequences were distributed over the entire length of the Y chromosome including the short arm. Two types of Y chromosome are present in inbred mouse strains: the Mus musculus musculus type and M.m. domesticus type. Among 26 inbred strains surveyed, 145SC5 detected polymorphims only in the M.m. domesticus Y chromosome.
Robotic devices and brain-machine interfaces for hand rehabilitation post-stroke.

OBJECTIVE To review the state of the art of robotic-aided hand physiotherapy for post-stroke rehabilitation, including the use of brain-machine interfaces. Each patient has a unique clinical history and, in response to personalized treatment needs, research into individualized and at-home treatment options has expanded rapidly in recent years. This has resulted in the development of many devices and design strategies for use in stroke rehabilitation. METHODS The development progression of robotic-aided hand physiotherapy devices and brain-machine interface systems is outlined, focussing on those with mechanisms and control strategies designed to improve recovery outcomes of the hand post-stroke. A total of 110 commercial and non-commercial hand and wrist devices, spanning the 2 major core designs: end-effector and exoskeleton are reviewed. RESULTS The growing body of evidence on the efficacy and relevance of incorporating brain-machine interfaces in stroke rehabilitation is summarized. The challenges involved in integrating robotic rehabilitation into the healthcare system are discussed. CONCLUSION This review provides novel insights into the use of robotics in physiotherapy practice, and may help system designers to develop new devices.
Andean berries from Ecuador: A review on Botany, Agronomy, Chemistry and Health Potential

Interest in exploring new and exotic types of berries has grown in recent years. Highly valued for its unique flavor, texture and color, recent researches have shown that Andean berries are an important source of bioactive compounds. This article provides botanical and agronomic descriptions and reviews the chemical and biological activities of two types of berries (Physalis peruviana L. and Solanum betaceum C.) and one commonly known as a berry, Rubus glaucus B. All highly consumed in Ecuador and enjoying great popularity in Andean traditional medicine. Although both traditional folk medicine and composition of these berries suggest significant health benefits, few studies to date have investigated these potentials.
LncRNA TUC338 promotes invasion of lung cancer by activating MAPK pathway.

OBJECTIVE Lung cancer is highly heterogeneous and the 5-year survival rate is less than 15%. It is currently difficult to determine the heterogeneity of lung cancer and the underlying pathogenetic of metastasis. We aimed to investigate the effect of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) TUC338 on the invasion of lung cancer by activating MAPK pathway and to understand the heterogeneity and metastasis mechanism of lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS The expression of lncRNA TUC338 in 42 samples of lung cancer and paracancerous tissues were accessed by RT-qPCR. The relationship between the expression of lncRNA and clinicopathological parameters was analyzed. After overexpressing and interfering with lncRNA TUC338, effects of lncRNA TUC338 on cell proliferation and invasion were determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) and transwell assay. The protein expression was evaluated by Western blot. RESULTS Higher expression of TUC338 in lung cancer was observed in comparison with that in paracancerous tissues. The survival time of TUC338 was correlated with the expression of TUC338. Clinical data analysis revealed that the expression of TUC338 was correlated with the overall survival, tumor size and lymph node metastasis in patients, but not with age and gender. After interfering and overexpressing TUC338, it was found that the activity of lung cancer cells was decreased, as well as the invasion ability after interference with TUC338. After overexpression of TUC338, we found that lung cancer cell activity increased, as well as the invasion ability. By Western blot, we found that TUC338 can promote the development of lung cancer through regulating MAPK pathway. CONCLUSIONS TUC338 was overexpressed in lung cancer, and its expression may have a relationship to the prognosis of lung cancer. MAPK pathway was involved in the invasion of lung cancer regulated by TUC338.
Dynamic lateral balance of humanoid robots on unstable surfaces

This work presents a control algorithm to achieve dynamic lateral balance in humanoid robots on unstable and geodynamic surfaces such as a seesaw or a suspension bridge. The proposed method generates a stable pose at any given point using the feedback from an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) in realtime which enables the robot to balance on dynamic surfaces. The algorithm provides a robust control of the Center of Gravity (CoG) of the robot and constricts the CoG from moving away from the most stable pose of the robot in the double support mode thus achieving stability at any given point in time. The method implemented is relatively less heavy in the terms of computation and easy to implement. The proposed system works on any humanoid platform irrespective of size and weight, given the robot has the required degrees of freedom needed to achieve balance.