Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictors of drug retention and treatment response in axial spondyloarthritis patients treated with certolizumab: real-life results from the HURBIO registry.

OBJECTIVES To assess the real-life retention rate of certolizumab and factors related to retention of certolizumab. METHODS We analysed all patients who received at least 1 dose of certolizumab and were registered in the HURBIO database. Patients with at least 1 control visit were included in efficacy analysis. Drug retention rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and predictors of drug retention was determined by Cox proportional hazard model. Factors predicting BASDAI50 response at first visit were analysed by the logistic regression analysis. Reasons of switching and discontinuation were also determined. RESULTS A total of 325 (AS (76%), female 55%) patients were recruited. Median follow-up while receiving certolizumab was 13 (4.7-22.7) months. At 1 year, overall certolizumab retention rate was 72.5%. Predictors of poor certolizumab retention were: Current or ex-smoker [HR 1.11 (0.70-1.76), p=0.65], high CRP levels [HR 0.72 (0.45-1.16), p=0.18], biologic-naïve [HR 0.81 (0.49-1.32), p=0.39] and good BASDAI50 response at first control visit [HR 0.54 (0.30-0.96), p=0.04]. Mean duration from starting certolizumab to the first control visit was 3 (3-6) months. Predictors of poor BASDAI50 response: Presence of nr-axSpa [RR 2.12 (1.01-4.51), p=0.05], female gender [RR 2.14 (1.20-3.82), p=0.01] and history of biologic therapy [RR 3.52 (1.95-6.33), p<0.001]. The most common causes of drug switch were primary failure and drug side-effects. CONCLUSIONS In this study, good BASDAI50 response at first visit seems to be a strong predictor of higher retention of certolizumab in patients with axial spondyloarthritis.
Prognostic value of stem cell markers in glioblastoma

Abstract Background/Context: Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common primary brain tumour in adults and it is associated with a high mortality rate. According to the stem cell theory, the growth, relapse and treatment response of GB is determined by the stem cell subpopulation present in the tumour. Objective: Our aim is to study the prognostic value of stem cell markers (CD44, Nestin, Olig2 and SOX2) in a series of homogeneously treated GBs. Material and methods: We study 280 GBs treated with STUPP acheme with a histologican review of the cases and TMA with a máximum of 4 spots for each case. Each slide was immunohistochemically stained and Reading. We compared the immunohistochemical results with survival tme. Results: Only SOX2 immunoexpression (IE) excedding 10% of the tumour cells was found to be related to good survival (p= 0.037) in univariate analysis. However, amultivariate analysis indicate the age, surgery and MGMT promotes methylation but no SOX2 IE are prognostic factors. Conclusions: We conclude the immunohistochemical studies of stem cell markers in GB are not useful for predicting prognosis in daily practice.
Phase I/II Study of Safety and Preliminary Efficacy of Intravenous Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Chronic Stroke.

Background and Purpose- Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability. Limited treatment options exist for patients with chronic stroke and substantial functional deficits. The current study examined safety and preliminary efficacy estimates of intravenous allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells in this population. Methods- Entry criteria included ischemic stroke >6 months prior and substantial impairment (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥6) and disability. Enrollees received a single intravenous dose of allogeneic ischemia-tolerant mesenchymal stem cells. Phase 1 used a dose-escalation design (3 tiers, n=5 each). Phase 2 was an expanded safety cohort. The primary end point was safety over 1-year. Secondary end points examined behavioral change. Results- In phase 1 (n=15), each dose (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 million cells/kg body weight) was found safe, so phase 2 subjects (n=21) received 1.5 million cells/kg. At baseline, subjects (n=36) averaged 4.2±4.6 years poststroke, age 61.1±10.8 years, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 8 (6.5-10), and Barthel Index 65±29. Two were lost to follow-up, one was withdrawn and 2 died (unrelated to study treatment). Of 15 serious adverse events, none was possibly or probably related to study treatment. Two mild adverse events were possibly related to study treatment, a urinary tract infection and intravenous site irritation. Treatment was safe based on serial exams, electrocardiograms, laboratory tests, and computed tomography scans of chest/abdomen/pelvis. All behavioral end points showed significant gains over the 12-months of follow-up. For example, Barthel Index scores increased by 6.8±11.4 points (mean±SD) at 6-months (P=0.002) and by 10.8±15.5 points at 12-months (P<0.001) post-infusion; the proportion of patients achieving excellent functional outcome (Barthel score ≥95) increased from 11.4% at baseline to 27.3% at 6-months and to 35.5% at 12-months. Conclusions- Intravenous transfusion of allogeneic ischemia-tolerant mesenchymal stem cell in patients with chronic stroke and substantial functional deficits was safe and suggested behavioral gains. These data support proceeding to a randomized, placebo-controlled study of this therapy in this population. Clinical Trial Registration- URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT01297413.
Modern models of endoprostheses and periprosthetic infection

The main goal of the paper is to study epidemiology of infection complications after hip arthroplasty with modern models of endoprosthesis, using the research of other scientists. The authors used theoretic methods, which included analysis and review of literary sources. The authors found that modern foreign endoprostheses have significant advantages in terms of quality, functioning, and design. It is found that endoprosthesis component instability was most widespread causes of inflammatory process developments, as well as postsurgical hematoma, inflammation, postoperative wound edges necrosis, and others.
Field exclusion of large soil predators impacts lower trophic levels, and decreases leaf-litter decomposition in dry forests.

Shifts in densities of apex predators may indirectly affect fundamental ecosystem processes, such as decomposition, by altering patterns of cascading effects propagating through lower trophic levels. These top-down effects may interact with anthropogenic impacts, such as climate change, in largely unknown ways. We investigated how changes in densities of large predatory arthropods in forest leaf-litter communities altered lower trophic levels and litter decomposition. We conducted our experiment in soil communities that had experienced different levels of long-term average precipitation. We hypothesized that altering abundances of apex predators would have stronger effects on soil communities inhabiting dry forests, due to lower secondary productivity and greater resource overexploitation by lower trophic levels compared to wet forests. We experimentally manipulated abundances of the largest arthropod predators (apex predators) in field mesocosms replicated in the leaf-litter community of Iberian beech forests that differed in long-term mean annual precipitation by 25% (three dry forests with MAP < 1250 mm and four wet forests with MAP > 1400 mm). After one year, we assessed abundances of soil fauna in lower trophic levels and indirect impacts on leaf-litter decomposition using litter of understory hazel, Corylus avellana. Reducing densities of large predators had a consistently negative effect on final abundances of the different trophic groups and several taxa within each group. Moreover, large predatory arthropods strongly impacted litter decomposition, and their effect interacted with the long-term annual rainfall experienced by the soil community. In the dry forests, a 50% reduction in the densities of apex predators was associated with a 50% reduction in decomposition. In wet forests, the same reduction in densities of apex soil predators did not alter the rate of litter decomposition. Our results suggest that predators may facilitate lower trophic levels by indirectly reducing competition and resource overexploitation, cascading effects that may be more pronounced in drier forests where conditions have selected for greater competitive ability and more rapid resource utilization. These findings thus provide insights into the functioning of soil invertebrate communities and their role in decomposition, as well as potential consequences of soil community responses to climate change.
Effect of wood type and thickness on acetification kinetics in traditional vinegar production

Traditional vinegar production is a lengthy process which implies high operational risks and jeopardizes the organoleptic characteristics of the final product. In an effort to solve these problems without changing the traditional model, we modified the wood type and thickness of vinegar barrels. We acetified in triplicate in barrels made of acacia, cherry, chestnut, and oak and in three wood thicknesses (15, 20, and 25 mm) in two different vinegar plants. The operating volume was set at 60 L. Reducing wood thickness improved neither maximum acetification velocity or the total length of the process, and in some cases even worsened them. The process took longer in oak barrels than in other types of wood barrel in one of the vinegar plants. Therefore, the choice of wood is a parameter to be considered in the wine vinegar production.
The investigation of the G-quadruplex aptamer selectivity to Pb2+ ion: a joint molecular dynamics simulation and density functional theory study

Abstract The aptamers with the ability to form a G-quadruplex structure can be stable in the presence of some ions. Hence, study of the interactions between such aptamers and ions can be beneficial to determine the highest selective aptamer toward an ion. In this article, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and quantum mechanics (QM) calculations have been applied to investigate the selectivity of the T30695 aptamer toward Pb2+ in comparison with some ions. The Free Energy Landscape (FEL) analysis indicates that Pb2+ has remained inside the aptamer during the MD simulation, while the other ions have left it. The Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MM-PBSA) binding energies prove that the conformational stability of the aptamer is the highest in the presence of Pb2+. According to the compaction parameters, the greatest compressed ion-aptamer complex, and hence, the highest ion-aptamer interaction have been induced in the presence of Pb2+. The contact maps clarify the closer contacts between the nucleotides of the aptamer in the presence of Pb2+. The density functional theory (DFT) results show that Pb2+ forms the most stable complex with the aptamer, which is consistent with the MD results. The QM calculations reveal that the N-H bonds and the O…H distances are the longest and the shortest, respectively, in the presence of Pb2+. The obtained results verify that the strongest hydrogen bonds (HBs), and hence, the most compressed aptamer structure are induced by Pb2+. Besides, atoms in molecules (AIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses confirm the results. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
Mechanical properties of repaired liver using an argon beam coagulator with albumin

A new method for tissue soldering using an argon ion beam coagulator (ABC) and human serum albumin is presented. The ABC is widely used in surgery and provides a fast and precise means of achieving hemostasis. In this paper, the mechanical properties of liver and denatured albumin (solder) were measured and the failure methods of liver repaired with albumin were identified. The ultimate tensile strength was measured for healthy liver (N=37) and thermally damaged liver (N=32). The ultimate tensile strength was measured for three concentrations of coagulated albumin (25, 38 and 53%) in a single layer and for two layers of denatured 38% albumin. Failure under tension of argon beam coagulator soldered liver on the parenchymal surface (N=30) with 38% albumin in two layers had a 70% occurrence for tearing at a mean stress of 39 kPa and a 23% occurrence for shearing at a mean stress of 7 kPa. Liver repaired on the interior surface (N=11) failed in tension by tearing (64%) at a mean stress of 34 kPa and by shearing (36%) at a mean stress of 6 kPa. Argon beam coagulator soldering with 38% albumin took 6 s/cm2 for two layers of solder and gave the best balance of usability and strength.
Complexity and Transition Management

This article presents a framework, transition management, for managing complex societal systems. The principal contribution of this article is to articulate the relationship between transition management and complex systems theory. A better understanding of the dynamics of complex, adaptive systems provides insight into the opportunities, limitations, and conditions under which it is possible to influence such systems. Transition management is based on key notions of complex systems theory, such as variation and selection, emergence, coevolution, and self‐organization. It involves a cyclical process of phases at various scale levels: stimulating niche development at the micro level, finding new attractors at the macro level by developing a sustainability vision, creating diversity by setting out experiments, and selecting successful experiments that can be scaled up.
An examination of the spectrum for coastal winds on the mesoscale

approved: Wind speed data were taken at a weather station on the coast and horizontal wind speed energy spectra were computed. The shape of an average spectrum obtained in marine environment is compared with an average land spectrum and the presence of a spectral gap is observed in the shoreline spectrum. Wave number domain spectra are compared with frequency domain spectra. Strong similarity between the spectra is found for short periods, but at longer periods the f-space spectrum localizes most of the energy at specific frequencies, while the k-space spectrum spreads the energy over many wave numbers. When the wind speed is fairly constant, Taylorts hypothesis is found to be a reasonable approximation up to periods of tens of minutes. A preliminary investigation of the dependence of the value of the drag coefficient on the period over which the average wind Redacted for Privacy CDx is measured was made. A line of the form = . 89 + . 1 log X CD10 fits the graphed points quite well with a correlation of . 98, where X is the averaging distance in miles. Differences of 20% in the value of the drag coefficient over averaging distances between 10 and 1600 miles are observed. From this preliminary study, it appears that a more detailed study of this effect would be worthwhile. An Examination of the Spectrum for Coastal Winds on the Mesoscale by Daniel Evan Frye A THESIS submitted to Oregon State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science June 197Z
Sensitivity to three Parastagonospora nodorum necrotrophic effectors in current Australian wheat cultivars and the presence of further fungal effectors

Abstract. Parastagonospora nodorum is a major fungal pathogen of wheat in Australia, causing septoria nodorum blotch (SNB). Virulence of P. nodorum is quantitative and depends largely on multiple effector–host sensitivity gene interactions. The pathogen utilises a series of proteinaceous, necrotrophic effectors to facilitate disease development on wheat cultivars that possess appropriate dominant sensitivity loci. Thus far, three necrotrophic effector genes have been cloned. Proteins derived from these genes were used to identify wheat cultivars that confer effector sensitivity. The goal of this study was to determine whether effector sensitivity could be used to enhance breeding for SNB resistance. We have demonstrated that SnTox1 effector sensitivity is common in current commercial Western Australian wheat cultivars. Thirty-three of 46 cultivars showed evidence of sensitivity to SnTox1. Of these, 19 showed moderate or strong chlorotic/necrotic responses to SnTox1. Thirteen were completely insensitive to SnTox1. Disease susceptibility was most closely associated with SnTox3 sensitivity. We have also identified biochemical evidence of a novel chlorosis-inducing protein or proteins in P. nodorum culture filtrates unmasked in strains that lack expression of ToxA, SnTox1 and SnTox3 activities.
Increasing Comparability and Utility of Gut Microbiome Studies in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review

Gut microbiota have been studied in relation to the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD) due to the early gastrointestinal symptomatology and presence of alpha-synuclein pathology in the enteric nervous system, hypothesized to ascend via the vagal nerve to the central nervous system. Accordingly, sixteen human case-control studies have published gut microbiome composition changes in PD and reported over 100 differentially abundant taxa covering all taxonomic levels from phylum to genus or species, depending on methodology. While certain findings were replicated across several studies, various contradictory findings were reported. Here, differences in methodologies and the presence of possible confounders in the study populations are assessed for their potential to confound the results of gut microbiome studies in PD. Gut microbiome studies in PD exhibited considerable variability with respect to the study population, sample transport conditions, laboratory protocols and sequencing, bioinformatics pipelines, and biostatistical methods. To move from the current heterogeneous dataset towards clinically relevant biomarkers and the identification of putative therapeutic targets, recommendations are derived from the limitations of the available studies to increase the future comparability of microbiome studies in PD. In addition, integration of currently available data on the gut microbiome in PD is proposed to identify robust gut microbiome profiles in PD. Furthermore, expansion of the current dataset with atypical parkinsonism cohorts, prodromal and treatment-naïve de novo PD subjects, measurements of fecal microbial concentrations and multi-omics assessments are required to provide clinically relevant biomarkers and reveal therapeutic targets within the gut microbiome of PD.
Therapeutic change processes link and clarify targets and outcomes

287 “diagnosis” relying on current classification systems. We still need to figure out what constitutes a meaningful change in scores and we might have to stick with relatively arbitrary clinical indices such as response (for example, the 50% reduction in scores often used in depression trials) which are also used for other dimensional health conditions (such as hypertension), or we could calibrate a meaningful change in scores against patient-defined global ratings to generate a “minimal clinically important difference”. Outcomes may, in turn, vary across the severity dimension of the psychopathology; for example, the primary domain of concern may be symptom experience at one stage, but may shift to social functioning at another. Another implication of adopting dimensional approaches is that new kinds of outcomes, amenable to remote monitoring, may become a reality, for example real-time passive assessment of digital behavioural markers. In this context, outcome assessments are not only useful as end-points to evaluate the effectiveness of psychotherapy, but also as dynamic decision points for guiding treatment choices which can allocate more intensive interventions as per patient trajectories, for example to distiguish early responders to low-intensity interventions from those who need more intensive treatments. In short, reimagining outcomes and targets must require a reimagining of the nature of mental health conditions. We must invest in clinical research paradigms which adopt novel, dimensional, approaches to characterizing these conditions, offering new approaches to defining targets and outcomes. The current system which has been the foundation of psychiatric research, and which historically was envisioned to lead to an elucidation of etiology, mechanisms and therapeutics, has brought us to a dead-end.
Bio-composites based on polypropylene filled with waste of camellia sinensis

Purpose: This study aims to examine the properties of polypropylene (PP) composites filled with household waste tea (camellia sinensis) (HWT) to development of their mechanical properties and also to gain the economic value of HWT. Design/methodology/approach: HWT was grinded using a disk mill in the finely powder form. Prepared finely tea powders were characterized compositional and morphologically by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-Ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscope. PP composites were prepared at different proportions of HWT ranging from 0 wt% to 40 wt% with two particle sizes (<30 μm and <60 μm) by high-volume energy mixer so as to evaluate the effect of the HWT filler on mechanical properties. Findings: The mechanical properties of composites were evaluated through modulus of elasticity, ultimate tensile strength and flexural strength in terms of filler particle size and filler contents. The results showed that the modulus of elasticity of composites increased as a function of additional HWT particles and the highest value was observed which was containing 40 wt% filler contents. Research limitations/implications: Clearly, the maximum flexural and tensile strength of HWT particles filled composites were observed for 10 wt% HWT loading into PP composite increased when compared to other filler contents (20-40 wt%). Practical implications: For potential applications in the plastics industry, such as outdoor deck floors, cladding and siding, indoor furniture etc., it is desirable to form polymer composite systems by combining phases with polymer, so as to reduce expenses of materials, to have strength and, at the same time to be biodegradable. Originality/value: Despite HWT was chemically untreated, the mechanical properties of composites increased it would appear that it can be a renewable alternative material for manufacturing of PP matrix composites.
Title The visual strategy specific to humans among hominids : Astudy using the gap-overlap paradigm

26 Although an extensive body of literature exists on the cognitive underpinnings of gaze 27 movements in macaques and humans, few studies have investigated this topic from a broader 28 evolutionary perspective. This study used the gap–overlap paradigm to examine the timing of 29 the gaze movements by four hominid species: humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans. 30 The saccade latency involved in shifting the gaze from central to peripheral stimuli was 31 measured and compared under two conditions, gap and overlap. The central stimulus 32 disappeared shortly before the onset of the peripheral stimulus under the gap condition, but it 33 remained under the overlap condition. Although all species demonstrated similar saccade 34 latencies under the gap condition, the species clearly differed from one another under the 35 overlap condition, which may suggest their similar perceptual and motor mechanism of making 36 a saccade on the one hand and their differential strategies for coping with the competition 37 between two activities involving fixation and initiation of a saccade (i.e. central vs. peripheral 38 visual stimuli) on the other hand. In particular, humans showed longer saccade latency under the 39 overlap condition compared to the other great apes, which may reflect this species’ unique 40 means of visual processing. 41