Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cell Death in Liver Diseases: A Review

Regulated cell death (RCD) is pivotal in directing the severity and outcome of liver injury. Hepatocyte cell death is a critical event in the progression of liver disease due to resultant inflammation leading to fibrosis. Apoptosis, necrosis, necroptosis, autophagy, and recently, pyroptosis and ferroptosis, have all been investigated in the pathogenesis of various liver diseases. These cell death subroutines display distinct features, while sharing many similar characteristics with considerable overlap and crosstalk. Multiple types of cell death modes can likely coexist, and the death of different liver cell populations may contribute to liver injury in each type of disease. This review addresses the known signaling cascades in each cell death pathway and its implications in liver disease. In this review, we describe the common findings in each disease model, as well as the controversies and the limitations of current data with a particular focus on cell death-related research in humans and in rodent models of alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis (NASH/NAFLD), acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity, autoimmune hepatitis, cholestatic liver disease, and viral hepatitis.
Coacervate Thermoresponsive Polysaccharide Nanoparticles as Delivery System for Piroxicam

Low water solubility frequently compromises the therapeutic efficacy of drugs and other biologically active molecules. Here, we report on coacervate polysaccharide nanoparticles (CPNs) that can transport and release a model hydrophobic drug, piroxicam, to the cells in response to changes in temperature. The proposed, temperature-responsive drug delivery system is based on ionic derivatives of natural polysaccharides—curdlan and hydroxypropyl cellulose. Curdlan was modified with trimethylammonium groups, while the anionic derivative of hydroxypropyl cellulose was obtained by the introduction of styrenesulfonate groups. Thermally responsive nanoparticles of spherical shape and average hydrodynamic diameter in the range of 250–300 nm were spontaneously formed in water from the obtained ionic polysaccharides as a result of the coacervation process. Their morphology was visualized using SEM and AFM. The size and the surface charge of the obtained objects could be tailored by adjusting the polycation/polyanion ratio. Piroxicam (PIX) was effectively entrapped inside the nanoparticles. The release profile of the drug from the CPNs-PIX was found to be temperature-dependent in the range relevant for biomedical applications.
Developing a Solution for Mobility and Distribution Analysis Based on Bluetooth and Artificial Intelligence

The purpose of this research was to develop a simple, cost-effective, but enough efficient solution for locating, tracking and distribution analysis of people and/or vehicle flowing, based on non-intrusive Bluetooth sensing and selective filtering algorithms employing artificial intelligence components. The solution provides a tool for analyzing density of targets in a specific area, useful when checking contact proximities of a target along a route. The principle consists of the detection of mobile devices that use active Bluetooth connections, such as personal notebooks, smartphones, smartwatches, Bluetooth headphones, etc. to locate and track their movement in the dedicated area. For this purpose, a specific configuration of three BT sensors is used and RSSI levels compared, based on a combination of differential location estimates. The solution may also be suited for indoor localization where GPS signals are usually weak or missing; for example, in public places such as subway stations or trains, hospitals, airport terminals and so on. The applicability of this solution is estimated to be vast, ranging from travel and transport information services, route guidance, passenger flows tracking, and path recovery for persons suspected to have SARS-COV2 or other contagious viruses, serving epidemiologic enquiries. The specific configuration of Bluetooth detectors may be installed either in a fixed location, or in a public transport vehicle. A set of filters and algorithms for triangulation-based location of detected targets and movement tracking, based on artificial intelligence is employed. When applied in the public transport field, this setup can be also developed to extract additional information on traffic, such as private traffic flowing, or passenger movement patterns along the vehicle route, improved location in absence of GPS signals, etc. Field tests have been carried out for determining different aspects concerning indoor location accuracy, reliability, selection of targets and filtering. Results and possible applications are also presented in the final section of the paper.
Obesity Epidemic—The Underestimated Risk of Endometrial Cancer

Simple Summary Endometrial cancer is the most frequent gynecologic tumor in developed countries. Obesity is an established risk factor for this disease. This work provides an overview of pathophysiological interactions and pathways in obese women initiating tumorigenesis. Furthermore, the clinical impact of adiposity on the treatment of endometrial cancer is discussed as well therapeutic and preventive options. Abstract Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most frequently observed malignant gynecologic disease in developed countries. There is a strong association between the established risk factor obesity and the incidence of EC. Furthermore, the rate of women with a body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2 is increasing worldwide, correspondingly leading to a higher prevalence of EC. Understanding the adipose tissue as an endocrine organ, elementary pathophysiological pathways of tumorigenesis have been revealed. This includes the fundamental role of hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and hyperestrogenemia, as well as interactions with a chronic proinflammatory microenvironment. Therapeutic options potentially include metformin or bariatric surgery. Moreover, changes in individual lifestyle such as weight reduction, physical activity, and an awareness of healthy nutrition are effective in preventing the disease.
Chitosan and Cellulose-Based Hydrogels for Wound Management

Wound management remains a challenge worldwide, although there are several developed wound dressing materials for the management of acute and chronic wounds. The wound dressings that are currently used include hydrogels, films, wafers, nanofibers, foams, topical formulations, transdermal patches, sponges, and bandages. Hydrogels exhibit unique features which make them suitable wound dressings such as providing a moist environment for wound healing, exhibiting high moisture content, or creating a barrier against bacterial infections, and are suitable for the management of exuding and granulating wounds. Biopolymers have been utilized for their development due to their non-toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible properties. Hydrogels have been prepared from biopolymers such as cellulose and chitosan by crosslinking with selected synthetic polymers resulting in improved mechanical, biological, and physicochemical properties. They were useful by accelerating wound re-epithelialization and also mimic skin structure, inducing skin regeneration. Loading antibacterial agents into them prevented bacterial invasion of wounds. This review article is focused on hydrogels formulated from two biopolymers—chitosan and cellulose—for improved wound management.
LncRNA MIR205HG Drives Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression by Regulating miR-214/SOX4 Axis

Background Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common and fatal malignancy, which has posed a great challenge to public health, especially in China. Dysregulation of long non-coding RNAs is involved in the occurrence, development, invasion, and metastasis of multiple cancers including ESCC. However, little is known about the function of MIR205HG in ESCC. Methods We used qRT-PCR to detect the expression level of MIR205HG, miR-214, and SOX4 in human ESCC tissues and cell lines. Loss-of-functional assays were performed to test the impact of MIR205HG on cell proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis process via CCK-8, transwell, and flow cell cytometry assays. Additionally, the downstream molecular mechanism of MIR205HG in ESCC was explored. Results Here, we found MIR205HG was substantially up-regulated in ESCC, and there was a positive correlation between MIR205HG expression and tumor size and lymphatic metastasis of ESCC patients. Inhibition of MIR205HG attenuated cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Silencing MIR205HG increased G1 phase cell counts and decreased S phase cell counts, along with increased apoptotic cell populations. Notably, the rescue assays indicated that miR-214 could partly reverse the influence of MIR205HG on ESCC cell migration. We also found that SOX4 was a direct target mRNA of miR-214, and MIR205HG could act as a molecular sponge to regulate SOX4 expression in ESCC. Conclusion Taken together, our findings demonstrate that MIR205HG promotes ESCC progression by regulating the miR-214/SOX4 axis. MIR205HG may be a novel candidate target for ESCC diagnosis and therapy.
Crystal growth in poly(L-lactide) thin film revealed by in situ atomic force microscopy

Direct visualization of crystal growth in poly-(L-lactide) thin films was carried out by using a temperature-controlled atomic force microscopy (AFM). At the initial stage of crystallization, edge-on lamellar crystals have nucleated and elongated. Subsequently, the edge-on lamellar crystals showed S-shaped morphology and changed their orientation from edge-on manner to flat-on one. The curvature of edge-on lamellar crystal has been discussed in terms of inclination and distortion of polymer chains in the crystal. In addition, mechanism on the formation of flat-on crystal from edge-on lamellae was proposed as derivative growth on the basis of in situ AFM observation of crystal growth and enzymatic degradation.
Safety and Efficacy of Intermittent High-Dose Liposomal Amphotericin B Antifungal Prophylaxis in Haemato-Oncology: An Eight-Year Single-Centre Experience and Review of the Literature

Triazoles remain first-line agents for antifungal prophylaxis in high-risk haemato-oncology patients, but their use is increasingly contraindicated due to drug–drug interactions and additive toxicities with novel treatments. In this retrospective, single-centre, observational study, we present our eight-year experience of antifungal prophylaxis using intermittent high-dose liposomal Amphotericin B (L-AmB). All adults identified through our Antifungal Stewardship Programme as receiving L-AmB prophylaxis at 7.5 mg/kg once-weekly between February 2012 and January 2020 were included. Adverse reactions, including infusion reactions, electrolyte loss, and nephrotoxicity, were recorded. ‘Breakthrough’ invasive fungal infection (IFI) occurring within four weeks of L-AmB was classified using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Invasive Fungal Infections Cooperative Group and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG) criteria. Moreover, 114 courses of intermittent high-dose L-AmB prophylaxis administered to 92 unique patients were analysed. Hypokalaemia was the most common grade 3–4 adverse event, with 26 (23%) courses. Grade 3 nephrotoxicity occurred in 8 (7%) and reversed in all six patients surviving to 90 days. There were two (1.8%) episodes of breakthrough IFI, one ‘probable’ and one ‘possible’. In this study, the largest evaluation of intermittent high-dose L-AmB prophylaxis conducted to date, toxicity was manageable and reversible and breakthrough IFI was rare. L-AmB prophylaxis represents a viable alternative for patients with a contraindication to triazoles.
Targeting Glycans and Heavily Glycosylated Proteins for Tumor Imaging

Simple Summary Distinguishing malignancy from healthy tissue is essential for oncologic surgery. Targeted imaging during an operation aids the surgeon to operate better. The present tracers for detecting cancer are directed against proteins that are overexpressed on the membrane of tumor cells. This review evaluates the use of tumor-associated sugar molecules as an alternative for proteins to image cancer tissue. These sugar molecules are present as glycans on glycosylated membrane proteins and glycolipids. Due to their location and large numbers per cell, these sugar molecules might be better targets for tumor imaging than proteins. Abstract Real-time tumor imaging techniques are increasingly used in oncological surgery, but still need to be supplemented with novel targeted tracers, providing specific tumor tissue detection based on intra-tumoral processes or protein expression. To maximize tumor/non-tumor contrast, targets should be highly and homogenously expressed on tumor tissue only, preferably from the earliest developmental stage onward. Unfortunately, most evaluated tumor-associated proteins appear not to meet all of these criteria. Thus, the quest for ideal targets continues. Aberrant glycosylation of proteins and lipids is a fundamental hallmark of almost all cancer types and contributes to tumor progression. Additionally, overexpression of glycoproteins that carry aberrant glycans, such as mucins and proteoglycans, is observed. Selected tumor-associated glyco-antigens are abundantly expressed and could, thus, be ideal candidates for targeted tumor imaging. Nevertheless, glycan-based tumor imaging is still in its infancy. In this review, we highlight the potential of glycans, and heavily glycosylated proteoglycans and mucins as targets for multimodal tumor imaging by discussing the preclinical and clinical accomplishments within this field. Additionally, we describe the major advantages and limitations of targeting glycans compared to cancer-associated proteins. Lastly, by providing a brief overview of the most attractive tumor-associated glycans and glycosylated proteins in association with their respective tumor types, we set out the way for implementing glycan-based imaging in a clinical practice.
Ultrasound Measured Depth of Pelvic Free Fluid Correlates Well with Blood Loss Volume in Patients with Ectopic Pregnancy

Purpose The ultrasonic finding of pelvic free fluid which suggests the possibility of internal haemorrhage helps the determination of the severity of patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective study investigating ultrasonic measurements and haemorrhage volumes in patients having an ectopic pregnancy in a single centre from January 2013 to November 2016. The logistic regression model was used to establish the prediction model for haemorrhage volumes. The diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by area under ROC curve (AUC) analysis. We employed 800 ml as the cut-off point of the haemorrhage and further set it to 1000 ml and 1200 ml in the sensitivity analysis. Results The mean pelvic free fluid depths measured by TVS and TAS were 4.45 ± 2.15 cm and 4.45 ± 2.56 cm in the haemorrhage ≥800 ml group, while they were 2.48 ± 1.51 cm and 2.55 ± 1.19 cm in <800 ml group. AUCs and the corresponding cut-off points were 0.741 (95% CI 0.677 to 0.804) and 0.118 when predicted by the standardised depths of TVS and TAS, 0.784 (95% CI 0.696–0.872) and 2.95 cm by the raw depths of TVS, and 0.748 (95% CI 0.665–0.831) and 3.35 cm by the raw depths of TAS. Conclusions The depth of pelvic free fluid measured by TVS and TAS can be used to predict blood loss volume in patients having an ectopic pregnancy. TVS may perform better than TAS.
Green Communication for Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks: Triangle Metric Based Multi-Layered Routing Protocol

In this paper, we propose a non-localization routing protocol for underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs), namely, the triangle metric based multi-layered routing protocol (TM2RP). The main idea of the proposed TM2RP is to utilize supernodes along with depth information and residual energy to balance the energy consumption between sensors. Moreover, TM2RP is the first multi-layered and multi-metric pressure routing protocol that considers link quality with residual energy to improve the selection of next forwarding nodes with more reliable and energy-efficient links. The aqua-sim package based on the ns-2 simulator was used to evaluate the performance of the proposed TM2RP. The obtained results were compared to other similar methods such as depth based routing (DBR) and multi-layered routing protocol (MRP). Simulation results showed that the proposed protocol (TM2RP) obtained better outcomes in terms of energy consumption, network lifetime, packet delivery ratio, and end-to-end delay.
The Investigation of the Silica-Reinforced Rubber Polymers with the Methoxy Type Silane Coupling Agents

The methoxy-type silane coupling agents were synthesized via the modification of the hydrolyzable group and characterized to investigate the change in properties of silica/rubber composites based on the different silane coupling agent structures and the masterbatch fabrication methods. The prepared methoxy-type silane coupling agents exhibited higher reactivity towards hydrolysis compared to the conventional ethoxy-type one which led to the superior silanization to the silica filler surface modified for the reinforcement of styrene-butadiene rubber. The silica/rubber composites based on these methoxy-type silane coupling agents had the characteristics of more developed vulcanization and mechanical properties when fabricated as masterbatch products for tread materials of automobile tire surfaces. In particular, the dimethoxy-type silane coupling agent showed more enhanced rubber composite properties than the trimethoxy-type one, and the environmentally friendly wet masterbatch fabrication process was successfully optimized. The reactivity of the synthesized silane coupling agents toward hydrolysis was investigated by FITR spectroscopic analysis, and the mechanical properties of the prepared silica-reinforced rubber polymers were characterized using a moving die rheometer and a universal testing machine.
Concurrent Validity of Equine Joint Range of Motion Measurement: A Novel Digital Goniometer versus Universal Goniometer

Simple Summary With the growth of the field of equine rehabilitation, there is an increased demand on rehabilitation clinicians to utilize simple and reliable objective outcome assessment tools. Goniometry, the measurement of joint angles, traditionally performed with a universal goniometer (UG), is a commonly utilized assessment tool in monitoring problems of the musculoskeletal system, as well as the progression of rehabilitation interventions. Goniometry has been demonstrated to be of value, being both reliable and valid, in humans and other animal species. There are different types of goniometers, each of which has some benefit, but varies in accessibility, cost, and user-friendliness. This study examined the use of a novel digital goniometer (DG) in the measurement of angles of two joints in a horse, and comparing the measurements to those taken with a UG. The study demonstrated significant differences in range of motion for the carpus and fetlock joint, a 2–3° difference comparing measurements on a sedated horse with corresponding radiographs, a “fair” to “excellent” inter-tester reliability and a “fair” to “almost perfect” intra-tester reliability. The novel DG was found to be easier to use than the UG. In conclusion, the novel DG may serve as a simple tool for measuring joint motion in equine rehabilitation patients. Abstract Goniometry is the measurement of joint angles with a conventional universal goniometer (UG) or a digital goniometer (DG). The UG is validated for use in dogs and cats. However, it demands both of the user’s hands when measuring. To avoid this, a novel type of DG has been developed, simplifying measurement by offering single-hand usage. The objective of this study is to examine the concurrent validity of the DG. The study consists of measurement with the DG and UG for flexion of the carpus and fetlock on ten horses, and with the DG in flexion and neutral positioning of the fetlock on a sedated horse and corresponding radiographs, intra- and inter-tester reliability and a survey on user-friendliness. The data were analyzed with ANOVA and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), with a significance of p < 0.05. The study showed significant differences in range of motion for the carpus and fetlock joint, a 2–3° difference comparing measurements on a sedated horse with corresponding radiographs, a “fair” to “excellent” inter-tester reliability and a “fair” to “almost perfect” intra-tester reliability, and the DG was easier to use than the UG. In conclusion, the novel DG may serve as a simple tool for measuring joint motion in equine rehabilitation patients.
X-ray determination of electron distributions in forsterite, fayalite and tephroite

Atomic net charges and electron density distributions of the olivine structures forsterite (a-Mg2SiO4), fayalite (a-Fe2SiO4) and tephroite (a-Mn2SiO 4) have been determined from accurate single-crystal X-ray data on the respective synthetic crystals. The atomic net charges were obtained from the direct integration of the electron density within the sphere of a newly defined radius, the effective distribution radius, around each cation. Such net charges revealed that the tetrahedral Si atom is less ionic than the octahedral cations and the transition-metal Fe and Mn are less ionic than Mg. These charges also showed that the M(1)-site cation is less ionic than the M(2)-site cation when the cations of the same kind occupy both M(1) and M(2) sites. * Present address: Department of Earth Sciences, Ehime University, Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama 790, Japan. 0567-7408/81/030513-06501.00 Radial distributions of valence electrons outside the Ar cores of the transition metals show that the 3d electrons have their maximum densities about 0.4 ~ 0.5 A from the centre of the atom. In three-dimensional difference Fourier maps of forsterite the positive peaks appeared 0.96 A, on average, from the centre of the Si atom along each of the four S i -O directions. [Crystal data: forsterite: a = 4.7534(6), b = 10.1902(15), e = 5.9783 (7)A, space group Pbnm, final R = 0.0209; fayalite: a = 4.8195 (6), b = 10.4788(17), c = 6.0873 (8)A, space group Pbnm, final R = 0.0255; tephroite: a = 4.9023 (6), b = 10,5964 (16), c = 6.2567 (9) A, space group Pbnm, final R = 0.0310. ]
Macrophage Proinflammatory Responses to Microorganisms and Transplanted Organs

Tissue-resident macrophages and those conscripted from the blood/bone marrow are professional phagocytes. They play a role in tissue homeostasis, replacement, and healing, and are the first-line responders to microbial (viral, bacterial, and fungi) infections. Intrinsic ameboid-type motility allows non-resident macrophages to move to the site of inflammation or injury, where, in response to the inflammatory milieu they perform the anti-microbial and/or tissue repair functions. Depending on the need and the signaling from the surrounding tissue and other immune cells, macrophages acquire morphologically and functionally different phenotypes, which allow them to play either pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory functions. As such, the macrophages are also the major players in the rejection of the transplanted organs making an excellent target for the novel anti-rejection therapies in clinical transplantation. In this review, we describe some of the less covered aspects of macrophage response to microbial infection and organ transplantation.