Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Encapsulation of soybean meal with fats enriched in palmitic and stearic acids: effects on rumen-undegraded protein and in vitro intestinal digestibility

ABSTRACT Fat coating of soybean meal (SBM) can reduce its protein degradability in the rumen, but the encapsulation of SBM with palmitic (PA) and stearic acids (SA) has not yet been investigated, despite both fatty acids are common energy sources in dairy cow diets. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of applying a novel method, using either 400 or 500 g fat/kg (treatments FL40 and FL50, respectively), which was enriched in PA and SA at different ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100), on physical and chemical characteristics, ruminal degradability, solubility and in vitro intestinal protein digestibility (IVIPD) of the obtained products. Encapsulation of SBM in fat resulted in greater mean particle size and lower bulk density and protein solubility than unprotected SBM (USBM). Treatment FL50 resulted in increased (p < 0.01) rumen-undegraded protein (RUP) compared to USBM. There were no differences in RUP of SBM when different PA: SA ratios were used. The mean RUP content of treatments FL40 and FL50 (306 and 349 g/kg, respectively) was greater compared to USBM (262 g/kg, p < 0.05), but lower than that for a standard heat-treated SBM (431 g/kg). Values of IVIPD did not differ among SBM, heat-treated SBM and FL40 and FL50 samples, all being greater than 97.8%. In conclusion, encapsulation of SBM with fats enriched in PA and SA proved to be effective in reducing protein solubility and increasing RUP without depressing protein digestibility in the intestine. For validation of the method, in vivo research to investigate the effects of these products on the production of dairy cows is warranted.
SDF-1 plasmid treatment for patients with peripheral artery disease (STOP-PAD): Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

The efficacy of biologic therapies in critical limb ischemia (CLI) remains elusive, in part, due to limitations in trial design and patient selection. Using a novel design, we examined the impact of complementing revascularization therapy with intramuscular JVS-100 – a non-viral gene therapy that activates endogenous regenerative repair pathways. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 2B trial, we randomized 109 patients with CLI (Rutherford class V or VI) to 8 mg or 16 mg intramuscular injections of placebo versus JVS-100. Patients were eligible if they persistently had reduced forefoot perfusion, by toe–brachial index (TBI) or skin perfusion pressure (SPP), following successful revascularization with angiographic demonstration of tibial arterial flow to the ankle. The primary efficacy end point was a 3-month wound healing score assessed by an independent wound core laboratory. The primary safety end point was major adverse limb events (MALE). Patients’ mean age was 71 years, 33% were women, 79% had diabetes, and 8% had end-stage renal disease. TBI after revascularization was 0.26, 0.27, and 0.26 among the three groups (placebo, 8 mg, and 16 mg injections, respectively). Only 26% of wounds completely healed at 3 months, without any differences between the three groups (26.5%, 26.5%, and 25%, respectively). Similarly, there were no significant changes in TBI at 3 months. Three (2.8%) patients died and two (1.8%) had major amputations. Rates of MALE at 3 months were 8.8%, 20%, and 8.3%, respectively. While safe, JVS-100 failed to improve wound healing or hemodynamic measures at 3 months. Only one-quarter of CLI wounds healed at 3 months despite successful revascularization, highlighting the need for additional research in therapies that can improve microcirculation in these patients. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02544204
Integrins: Moonlighting Proteins in Invadosome Formation

Invadopodia are actin-rich protrusions developed by transformed cells in 2D/3D environments that are implicated in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and degradation. These structures have an undoubted association with cancer invasion and metastasis because invadopodium formation in vivo is a key step for intra/extravasation of tumor cells. Invadopodia are closely related to other actin-rich structures known as podosomes, which are typical structures of normal cells necessary for different physiological processes during development and organogenesis. Invadopodia and podosomes are included in the general term ‘invadosomes,’ as they both appear as actin puncta on plasma membranes next to extracellular matrix metalloproteinases, although organization, regulation, and function are slightly different. Integrins are transmembrane proteins implicated in cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions and other important processes such as molecular signaling, mechano-transduction, and cell functions, e.g., adhesion, migration, or invasion. It is noteworthy that integrin expression is altered in many tumors, and other pathologies such as cardiovascular or immune dysfunctions. Over the last few years, growing evidence has suggested a role of integrins in the formation of invadopodia. However, their implication in invadopodia formation and adhesion to the ECM is still not well known. This review focuses on the role of integrins in invadopodium formation and provides a general overview of the involvement of these proteins in the mechanisms of metastasis, taking into account classic research through to the latest and most advanced work in the field.
Object Recognition, Segmentation, and Classification of Mobile Laser Scanning Point Clouds: A State of the Art Review

Mobile Laser Scanning (MLS) is a versatile remote sensing technology based on Light Detection and Ranging (lidar) technology that has been utilized for a wide range of applications. Several previous reviews focused on applications or characteristics of these systems exist in the literature, however, reviews of the many innovative data processing strategies described in the literature have not been conducted in sufficient depth. To this end, we review and summarize the state of the art for MLS data processing approaches, including feature extraction, segmentation, object recognition, and classification. In this review, we first discuss the impact of the scene type to the development of an MLS data processing method. Then, where appropriate, we describe relevant generalized algorithms for feature extraction and segmentation that are applicable to and implemented in many processing approaches. The methods for object recognition and point cloud classification are further reviewed including both the general concepts as well as technical details. In addition, available benchmark datasets for object recognition and classification are summarized. Further, the current limitations and challenges that a significant portion of point cloud processing techniques face are discussed. This review concludes with our future outlook of the trends and opportunities of MLS data processing algorithms and applications.
Human Semen Quality, Sperm DNA Damage, and the Level of Urinary Concentrations of 1N and TCPY, the Biomarkers of Nonpersistent Insecticides

The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between environmental exposure to nonpersistent insecticides and semen quality (concentration, motility, morphology, computer-aided semen analysis [CASA] parameters, and sperm DNA damage). Urine samples (n = 315) collected from men who attended the infertility clinic with normal semen concentration of 15 to 300 mln/ml and age under 45 years were analyzed for two metabolites (1-naphthol [1N] and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol [TCPY]) of nonpersistent insecticides. Participants provided semen, blood, and saliva samples; additionally, men filled a detailed questionnaire. The results identified that urinary TCPY concentration was significantly associated with a decrease in motility; also there was a positive association between TCPY and DNA fragmentation index (DFI). 1N concentration was negatively associated with a percentage of sperm with normal morphology and positively with one of the CASA parameters (curvilinear velocity [VCL]). The results suggest that environmental exposure to nonpersistent insecticides may have an impact on semen quality parameters and sperm DNA damage.
Analytical Modeling and Experimental Validation of an Energy Harvesting System for the Smart Plate with an Integrated Piezo-Harvester

The literature on piezoelectric energy harvesting (PEH) is strongly focused on structures, like cantilever beams with piezoceramic layers, due to the fact that they are easily modelled and implemented. As compared to the number of studies dealing with the aforementioned case, research on 2D structures with an attached piezoceramic patch harvester is very limited. Thus, an analytical modeling and experimental validations of a piezo harvester structurally integrated on a thin plate with SFSF (Simply supported-Free-Simply supported-Free) boundary conditions is presented in this paper. The distributed parameter electroelastic model of a harvester bonded to an aluminum plate with both piezo-patch actuators is developed on the basis of the Kirchhoff plate theory and the modal analysis for physical and modal coordinates. This allows to estimate the steady-state value output voltage for each odd mode in the frequency range of 10–300 Hz. Finally, the obtained results for the electroelastic analytical model is experimentally verified on a laboratory stand.
Effects of Respiratory Muscle Endurance Training in Hypoxia on Running Performance.

PURPOSE We hypothesized that respiratory muscle endurance training (RMET) in hypoxia induces greater improvements in respiratory muscle endurance with attenuated respiratory muscle metaboreflex and consequent whole-body performance. We evaluated respiratory muscle endurance and cardiovascular response during hyperpnoea and whole-body running performance before and after RMET in normoxia and hypoxia. METHODS Twenty-one collegiate endurance runners were assigned to control (n = 7), normoxic (n = 7), and hypoxic (n = 7) groups. Before and after the 6 wk of RMET, incremental respiratory endurance test and constant exercise tests were performed. The constant exercise test was performed on a treadmill at 95% of the individual's peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2peak). The RMET was isocapnic hyperpnoea under normoxic and hypoxic conditions (30 min·d). The initial target of minute ventilation during RMET was set to 50% of the individual maximal voluntary ventilation, and the target increased progressively during the 6 wk. Target arterial oxygen saturation in the hypoxic group was set to 90% in the first 2 wk, and thereafter it was set to 80%. RESULTS Respiratory muscle endurance was increased after RMET in the normoxic and hypoxic groups. The time to exhaustion at 95% V˙O2peak exercise also increased after RMET in the normoxic (10.2 ± 2.4 to 11.2 ± 2.6 min) and hypoxic (11.5 ± 2.6 to 12.6 ± 3.0 min) groups, but not in the control group (9.6 ± 3.2 to 9.4 ± 4.0 min). The magnitude of these changes did not differ between the normoxic and the hypoxic groups (P = 0.84). CONCLUSION These results suggest that the improvement of respiratory muscle endurance and blunted respiratory muscle metaboreflex could, in part, contribute to improved endurance performance in endurance-trained athletes. However, it is also suggested that there are no additional effects when the RMET is performed in hypoxia.
Unilateral pedicle screw fixation through a tubular retractor via the Wiltse approach compared with conventional bilateral pedicle screw fixation for single-segment degenerative lumbar instability: a prospective randomized study.

OBJECT Treatment of patients with single-segment degenerative lumbar instability using unilateral pedicle screw fixation can achieve stability and fusion rates similar to those of bilateral pedicle screw fixation. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical outcome of using unilateral pedicle screw fixation through a tubular retractor via the Wiltse approach to treat single-segment degenerative lumbar instability. METHODS Thirty-nine consecutive patients with single-segment, low-grade, degenerative lumbar instability were randomly assigned to treatment with either unilateral (n = 20) or bilateral (n = 19) pedicle screw fixation. In the unilateral group, patients underwent unilateral posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and ipsilateral pedicle screw fixation through a tubular retractor via the Wiltse approach. In the bilateral group, patients underwent modified bilateral PLIF with bilateral pedicle screw fixation via the posterior midline approach. During follow-up, patients were evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS), the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the Oswestry Disability Index. RESULTS The unilateral group had a shorter operative duration (p < 0.05) and less blood loss (p < 0.001). All patients completed more than 2 years of follow-up (mean 36 months). In general, the time trends in improvement on the VAS and JOA differed slightly between the groups through 2 years, but no significant difference in back pain VAS score or leg pain VAS score was found between these 2 groups at the 2-year follow-up. Complete bone fusion was shown on CT in all patients at the 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Unilateral pedicle screw fixation through a tubular retractor via the Wiltse approach appears to be as safe and effective as bilateral pedicle screw fixation for the treatment of single-segment degenerative lumbar instability.
A Novel Single-Character Visual BCI Paradigm With Multiple Active Cognitive Tasks

Objective: To introduce a novel event-related potential (ERP)-based brain–computer interface (BCI) paradigm with active mental tasks multiplying precise judgment and visual cognitive capacities and evaluate its performance. Methods: This study employed a paradigm with three types of targets (true-, pseudo-, and non-), double flash codes, colors and color terms, and four test conditions. The primary hypothesis was that active mental tasks combining multiple cognitive capacities and clear judgment for different categories of stimuli increase the BCI performance and evoke stronger or specific ERPs. Classification methods were proposed and evaluated, and two were used in online experiments. Results: The modes containing active mental tasks provided higher accuracy than the control mode (by up to 19.06%). The color-word matching mode had the highest judgment level and achieved the best performance. True-stimuli evoked strong P3b, while pseudotarget signals provided obvious N4, but the control mode seemed less sensitive to both of them. Different types of stimuli evoked distinctive N2 and P3a components. Conclusion: An appropriate boost in the judgment level using multiple stimuli and cognitive approaches could be investigated to improve the BCI performance and evoke or enhance ERPs. Utilizing active mental tasks may be a promising way to promote BCIs. Significance: Active mental tasks combining multiple cognitive capacities and precise judgments were adopted in an ERP-based BCI. Color and color words were introduced as stimuli to construct an alternative paradigm, and the judgment levels of different conditions were calculated. High accuracies and the participants’ preferences were obtained, which may promote the effective use of BCIs.
An estimate of the total number of true human miRNAs

Abstract While the number of human miRNA candidates continuously increases, only a few of them are completely characterized and experimentally validated. Toward determining the total number of true miRNAs, we employed a combined in silico high- and experimental low-throughput validation strategy. We collected 28 866 human small RNA sequencing data sets containing 363.7 billion sequencing reads and excluded falsely annotated and low quality data. Our high-throughput analysis identified 65% of 24 127 mature miRNA candidates as likely false-positives. Using northern blotting, we experimentally validated miRBase entries and novel miRNA candidates. By exogenous overexpression of 108 precursors that encode 205 mature miRNAs, we confirmed 68.5% of the miRBase entries with the confirmation rate going up to 94.4% for the high-confidence entries and 18.3% of the novel miRNA candidates. Analyzing endogenous miRNAs, we verified the expression of 8 miRNAs in 12 different human cell lines. In total, we extrapolated 2300 true human mature miRNAs, 1115 of which are currently annotated in miRBase V22. The experimentally validated miRNAs will contribute to revising targetomes hypothesized by utilizing falsely annotated miRNAs.
Staging and survival of colorectal cancer (CRC) in octogenarians: Nationwide Study of US Veterans.

Background The US Preventive Services Task Force of Colorectal Cancer (USPSTF) recommends against continuing screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) past 75 years in adequately screened individuals. Survival and staging data for CRC that compares elderly vs. younger populations has not been published. This study aims to compare staging (0-4) of CRC in groups of 60-69, 70-79 and 80-89-year-old; also, to compare surgical and no treatment (i.e., no surgery) survival outcomes (5-10 years) in these age groups. Methods Male veterans within groups 60-69, 70-79 and 80-89 years of age who were diagnosed with CRC between 2000 and 2015 were selected from Veterans affairs national cancer cube registry. Results Their staging, surgery or no treatment, and 5-10 years survival data was obtained from the cancer cube. Surgical and survival data was obtained only for stage 0-2 as surgery is currently the standard of treatment for these stages. Conclusions Highest number of CRC cases diagnosed across each age group was stage 1 with stage 2 being second. In surgical treatment group the survival was statistical different for 80-89 age group as compared to 60-69 (34.4%) and 70-79 (30.86%) although octogenarians did have a surprisingly high mean of 25.45%. The 5-10-year survival data for no treatment group (i.e., no surgery) was very poor.
A Novel Chemoimmunomodulating Property of Docetaxel: Suppression of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Tumor Bearers

Purpose: Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) accumulate in tumor-bearing hosts and are associated with immune suppression. To date, there have only been few studies that evaluate the direct effect of chemotherapeutic agents on MDSCs. Agents that inhibit MDSCs may be useful in the treatment of patients with various cancers. Experimental Design: We investigated the in vivo effects of docetaxel on immune function in 4T1-Neu mammary tumor-bearing mice to examine if a favorable immunomodulatory effect accompanies tumor suppression. Primary focus was on the differentiation status of MDSCs and their ability to modulate T-cell responses. Results: Docetaxel administration significantly inhibited tumor growth in 4T1-Neu tumor-bearing mice and considerably decreased MDSC proportion in the spleen. The treatment also selectively increased CTL responses. Docetaxel-pretreated MDSCs cocultured with OT-II splenocytes in the presence of OVA323-339 showed OT-II–specific CD4 activation and expansion in vitro. In characterizing the phenotype of MDSCs for M1 (CCR7) and M2 [mannose receptor (CD206)] markers, MDSCs from untreated tumor bearers were primarily MR+ with few CCR7+ cells. Docetaxel treatment polarized MDSCs toward an M1-like phenotype, resulting in 40% of MDSCs expressing CCR7 in vivo and in vitro, and macrophage differentiation markers such as MHC class II, CD11c, and CD86 were upregulated. Interestingly, docetaxel induced cell death selectively in MR+ MDSCs while sparing the M1-like phenotype. Finally, inhibition of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 may in part be responsible for the observed results. Conclusions: These findings suggest potential clinical benefit for the addition of docetaxel to current immunotherapeutic protocols. Clin Cancer Res; 16(18); 4583–94. ©2010 AACR.
DELAYED KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION AFTER 83 HOURS OF COLD ISCHEMIA TIME IN COMBINED LIVER-KIDNEY TRANSPLANT.

DOI: 10.1097/TP.0000000000002673 DELAYED KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION AFTER 83 HOURS OF COLD ISCHEMIA TIME IN COMBINED LIVER-KIDNEY TRANSPLANT Burcin Ekser, Angela M. Chen, Chandrashekhar A. Kubal, Jonathan A. Fridell, Plamen Mihaylov, William C. Goggins, John A. Powelson From the Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA. Address for correspondence:Burcin Ekser, MD, PhD, Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine , 550 University Blvd, Room 4601, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, Tel: 317-948-3835, Email: bekser@iupui.edu Authorship: BE and AMC finalized the draft. All authors participated in the patient care and gave important feedback. All authors approved the final version. Disclosure: None.
Biosynthesis of Nutraceutical Fatty Acids by the Oleaginous Marine Microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum Utilizing Hydrolysates from Organosolv-Pretreated Birch and Spruce Biomass

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential for human function, however they have to be provided through the diet. As their production from fish oil is environmentally unsustainable, there is demand for new sources of PUFAs. The aim of the present work was to establish the microalgal platform to produce nutraceutical-value PUFAs from forest biomass. To this end, the growth of Phaeodactylum tricornutum on birch and spruce hydrolysates was compared to autotrophic cultivation and glucose synthetic media. Total lipid generated by P. tricornutum grown mixotrophically on glucose, birch, and spruce hydrolysates was 1.21, 1.26, and 1.29 g/L, respectively. The highest eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) production (256 mg/L) and productivity (19.69 mg/L/d) were observed on spruce hydrolysates. These values were considerably higher than those obtained from the cultivation without glucose (79.80 mg/L and 6.14 mg/L/d, respectively) and also from the photoautotrophic cultivation (26.86 mg/L and 2.44 mg/L/d, respectively). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the use of forest biomass as raw material for EPA and docosapentaenoic acid (DHA) production.
Mevalonate signaling, COPD and cancer: the statins and beyond

Evidence suggests that smoking confers a persistent and/or exaggerated inflammatory response in the lungs that, with underlying genetic susceptibility, may result in lung remodeling and impaired repair. The innate immune response to smoking described above, which is modified by the mevalonate pathway, provides a plausible pathogenic link between the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. The mevalonate pathway modifies innate responsiveness through important intracellular signaling molecules called guanine phosphate transferases (GTPases) such as Rho-A. Smoke exposure activates cell surface proteins which, through the mediating influence of GTPases, then modifies the activation of nuclear factor kappa -light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFĸB) its downstream effects on genes underlying innate immunity, neutrophilic inflammation and carcinogenesis. The mevalonate pathway is modifiable through the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-Coenzyme A (HMGCo-A) reductase. This enzyme controls the rate limiting step of the mevalonate pathway and is subject to inhibition by statin drugs (HMGCo-A reductase inhibitors) and small chain fatty acids derived from high dietary fiber intake. Ths, inhibitory effect dampens the innate immune response to smoking and may modify pulmonary inflammation and lung remodeling. This article is a symposia summary outlining the preclinical and clinical data suggesting that statins and a high-fiber diet may have a chemopreventive effect on lung cancer.