Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MicroRNAs target on cartilage extracellular matrix degradation of knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is currently indicated to be characterized by destruction of articular cartilage. The destruction can be described as an imbalance between synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. It is accompanied with changes of pro-inflammatory cytokines and degradation enzymes dominated by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS). Recent studies have revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM). They play an important role in articular cartilage homeostasis of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The related mechanisms include mediating the relevant enzymes and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study is to reveal the potential microRNAs (miRNAs) and their corresponding upstream or downstream targeting on cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). MATERIALS AND METHODS 7 databases were extensively searched with a theme of MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The articles were searched regardless of publication status and language. The databases include PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMbase, China Biology Medicine (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructre (CNKI), WanFang Data and Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP). RESULTS This article reviews the microRNAs (miR-140, miR-146a, miR-25, miR-543, miR-19, miR-125b, miR-92a, miR-27b, miR-448, miR-558, miR-155) and their corresponding upstream or downstream in mediating cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. CONCLUSIONS MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been involved in the pathogenesis of KOA. They can directly regulate cartilage homeostasis by targeting on ECM degradation via corresponding upstream/downstream.
Palladium Recovery by Reactive Precipitation using a Cyanex 301‐Based Stable Emulsion

Abstract Cyanex 301®, di(2,4,4‐trimethylpentyl) dithiophosphinic acid, has been combined with gelatin and alginate to prepare a stable emulsion that can be used for the reactive precipitation of palladium (metal reaction with the sulfur functional group of Cyanex 301). The ionotropic gelation of alginate leads to material precipitation. The process has been successfully tested for Pd binding from 0.1–5 M HCl solutions. The maximum binding capacity was found to be close to 350 mg Pd g−1 Cyanex 301. A 1∶1 stoichiometric relation between Cyanex 301 and Pd has been identified. Extractant dependency plots showed that the ligand in the Pd‐Cyanex 301 complex can also have a solvation number higher than one. Palladium uptake is not significantly affected by the presence of competing metals such as Cu, Ni, Zn, or Pt. Quantitative stripping of Pd from the precipitated bio‐polymer could not be achieved.
Amorphous Materials: Properties, Structure, and Durability. Arsenic enrichment in hydrous peraluminous melts: Insights from femtosecond laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-quadrupole mass spectrometry, and in situ X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy

Abstract Despite the ubiquity of arsenic in hydrothermal-magmatic environments, its abundance, distribution, and chemical and structural status in natural silicate melts and glasses remain poorly known. Here we report the first in situ measurements of the redox state and molecular structure of As, using X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy, in a rhyolitic peraluminous glass from Macusani (SE Peru) that is representative of anatectic melts derived from metasedimentary crustal protoliths. Arsenic abundances as well as the concentrations of other trace elements were measured in the glass using a femtosecond laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-quadrupole mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-QMS). The glass shows enrichments, by factors of 10 to 100, in comparison with the mean continental crust values, for As and other incompatible trace elements (e.g., Be, B, Rb, Sn, Sb, and Ta), and by factors of 100 to 200 for Li, Cd, and Cs. Arsenic is present in the peraluminous glass in trivalent state in the form of oxy-hydroxide complexes like AsO(OH)2- and/or As(OH)3, similar to those dominant in the aqueous fluid vapor phases at hydrothermal-magmatic conditions. The similar As chemical speciation between the fluid and the melt is consistent with As fluid/melt partitioning coefficients close to one, as observed in experiments on rhyolite-water systems. The depolymerized melt structure caused by elevated H2O, F, and P contents is likely to allow accomodation of high concentrations of metalloid hydroxide/hydrated complexes. Consequently, hydrous silicate melts may be important transporting media in shallow magmatic-hydrothermal settings for As and similar elements like B and Sb due to their high affinity to water and hydroxide ligands
UV-curable, oxetane-toughened epoxy-siloxane coatings for marine fouling-release coating applications

BACKGROUND: UV-curable coatings are promising candidates for environmentally friendly marine fouling-release coatings. Cationic UV-curable epoxy-siloxane release coatings show good release performance but suffer from poor coating mechanical properties. A difunctional oxetane monomer, DOX, was co-photopolymerized with an epoxy-siloxane oligomer at loading levels from 10 to 40 wt% to obtain toughened fouling-release coatings. RESULTS: The DOX-toughened coatings showed enhanced cationic photopolymerization activity, solvent resistance and modulus. DOX-toughened coatings (10 and 20 wt%) exhibited higher impact resistance. The DOX-toughened coatings showed no leachate toxicity and the coatings were hydrophobic and non-toxic to biofilm growth when analyzed with marine bacteria and algae. In general, 10 and 20 wt% DOX-toughened coatings exhibited better marine bacteria and algae fouling-release performance among the DOX-toughened coatings. Pseudo-barnacle shear release stress for the DOX-toughened coatings increased with increasing DOX content. Live barnacle reattachment assay showed that 10 and 20 wt% DOX-toughened coatings had comparable barnacle removal stress to commercial silicone reference coatings. CONCLUSIONS: DOX-toughened (10 and 20 wt%) UV-curable epoxy-siloxane coatings exhibited enhanced mechanical properties and better overall marine fouling-release performance among the toughened UV-curable release coatings studied. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Association of Memory Impairment With Concomitant Tau Pathology in Patients With Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy

Objective Relying on tau-PET imaging, this cross-sectional study explored whether memory impairment is linked to the presence of concomitant tau pathology in individuals with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). Methods Forty-six patients with probable CAA underwent a neuropsychological examination and an MRI for quantification of structural markers of cerebral small vessel disease. A subset of these participants also completed a [11C]-Pittsburgh compound B (n = 39) and [18F]-flortaucipir (n = 40) PET for in vivo estimation of amyloid and tau burden, respectively. Participants were classified as amnestic or nonamnestic on the basis of neuropsychological performance. Statistical analyses were performed to examine differences in cognition, structural markers of cerebral small vessel disease, and amyloid- and tau-PET retention between participants with amnestic and those with nonamnestic CAA. Results Patients with probable CAA with an amnestic presentation displayed a globally more severe profile of cognitive impairment, smaller hippocampal volume (p < 0.001), and increased tau-PET binding in regions susceptible to Alzheimer disease neurodegeneration (p = 0.003) compared to their nonamnestic counterparts. Amnestic and nonamnestic patients with CAA did not differ on any other MRI markers or on amyloid-PET binding. In a generalized linear model including all evaluated neuroimaging markers, tau-PET retention (β = −0.85, p = 0.001) and hippocampal volume (β = 0.64 p = 0.01) were the only significant predictors of memory performance. The cognitive profile of patients with CAA with an elevated tau-PET retention was distinctly characterized by a significantly lower performance on the memory domain (p = 0.004). Conclusions These results suggest that the presence of objective memory impairment in patients with probable CAA could serve as a marker for underlying tau pathology. Classification of Evidence This study provides Class II evidence that tau-PET retention is related to the presence of objective memory impairment in patients with CAA.
Functional vitamin K insufficiency, vascular calcification and mortality in advanced chronic kidney disease: A cohort study

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) suffer from vitamin K deficiency and are at high risk of vascular calcification (VC) and premature death. We investigated the association of functional vitamin K deficiency with all-cause mortality and whether this association is modified by the presence of VC in CKD stage 5 (CKD G5). Plasma dephosphorylated-uncarboxylated matrix Gla-protein (dp-ucMGP), a circulating marker of functional vitamin K deficiency, and other laboratory and clinical data were determined in 493 CKD G5 patients. VC was assessed in subgroups by Agatston scoring of coronary artery calcium (CAC) and aortic valve calcium (AVC). Backward stepwise regression did not identify dp-ucMGP as an independent determinant of VC. During a median follow-up of 42 months, 93 patients died. Each one standard deviation increment in dp-ucMGP was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (sub-hazard ratio (sHR) 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.37) adjusted for age, sex, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, body mass index, inflammation, and dialysis treatment. The association remained significant when further adjusted for CAC and AVC in sub-analyses (sHR 1.22, 1.01–1.48 and 1.27, 1.01–1.60, respectively). In conclusion, functional vitamin K deficiency associates with increased mortality risk that is independent of the presence of VC in patients with CKD G5.
Six Glycolysis-Related Genes as Prognostic Risk Markers Can Predict the Prognosis of Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the worst-prognosis malignant tumors. This study used bioinformatic analysis of the transcriptome sequencing data of HNSCC and the patients' survival and clinical data to construct a prediction signature of glycolysis-related genes as the prognostic risk markers. Methods Gene expression profile data about HNSCC tissues (n = 498) and normal tissues in the head and neck (n = 44) were got from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), as well as patients' survival and clinical data. Then, we obtained core genes; their expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tissues is significantly different from that in normal head and neck tissues. The predicted glycolysis-related genes are screened through univariate Cox regression analysis, and then, the prognostic risk markers were constructed through further correction of multivariate Cox regression analysis. The Kaplan-Meier curve and receiver operating characteristic curve are used to analyze the potential value of these risk markers in diagnosis and prognosis. We also evaluated that the glycolysis-related prognostic risk markers composed of 6 oncogenes are correlated with clinical features, such as age, gender, grade, and clinical stage of the tumor, by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Results Differentially expressed glycolytic genes in HNSCC tissues and normal head and neck tissues were screened from TCGA databases using the bioinformatic method. We confirmed a set of six glycolytic genes that were significantly associated with OS in the test series. According to our analysis, the prognostic risk markers composed of HPRT1, STC2, PLCB3, GPR87, PYGL, and SLC5A12 may be an independent risk factor for the prognosis of HNSCC. Conclusions Through this analysis, we constructed new prognostic risk markers related to glycolysis as a prognostic risk marker for patients with HNSCC and provided new ideas and molecular targets for the research and individualized treatment of HNSCC.
Empirical assessment of biases in cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease: an umbrella review and re-analysis of data from meta-analyses.

OBJECTIVE Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a leading cause of years lived with disability in older age, and several cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers have been proposed in individual meta-analyses to be associated with AD but field-wide evaluation and scrutiny of the literature is not available. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed an umbrella review for the reported associations between CSF biomarkers and AD. Data from available meta-analyses were reanalyzed using both random and fixed effects models. We also estimated between-study heterogeneity, small-study effects, excess significance, and prediction interval. RESULTS A total of 38 meta-analyses on CSF markers from 11 eligible articles were identified and reanalyzed. In 14 (36%) of the meta-analyses, the summary estimate and the results of the largest study showed non-concordant results in terms of statistical significance. Large heterogeneity (I2≥75%) was observed in 73% and small-study effects under Egger's test were shown in 28% of CSF biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that there is an excess of statistically significant results and significant biases in the literature of CSF biomarkers for AD. Therefore, the results of CSF biomarkers should be interpreted with caution.
Rates of Anastomotic Complications and Their Management Following Esophagectomy

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Objective: This study aimed to characterize rates and management of anastomotic leak (AL) and conduit necrosis (CN) after esophagectomy in an international cohort. Background: Outcomes in patients with anastomotic complications of esophagectomy are currently uncertain. Optimum strategies to manage AL/CN are unknown, and have not been assessed in an international cohort. Methods: This prospective multicenter cohort study included patients undergoing esophagectomy for esophageal cancer between April 2018 and December 2018 (with 90 days of follow-up). The primary outcomes were AL and CN, as defined by the Esophageal Complications Consensus Group. The secondary outcomes included 90-day mortality and successful AL/CN management, defined as patients being alive at 90 day postoperatively, and requiring no further AL/CN treatment. Results: This study included 2247 esophagectomies across 137 hospitals in 41 countries. The AL rate was 14.2% (n = 319) and CN rate was 2.7% (n = 60). The overall 90-day mortality rate for patients with AL was 11.3%, and increased significantly with severity of AL (Type 1: 3.2% vs. Type 2: 13.2% vs. Type 3: 24.7%, P < 0.001); a similar trend was observed for CN. Of the 329 patients with AL/CN, primary management was successful in 69.6% of cases. Subsequent rounds of management lead to an increase in the rate of successful treatment, with cumulative success rates of 85.4% and 88.1% after secondary and tertiary management, respectively. Conclusion: Patient outcomes worsen significantly with increasing AL and CN severity. Reintervention after failed primary anastomotic complication management can be successful, hence surgeons should not be deterred from trying alternative management strategies.
Quick self-assembly of bio-inspired multi-dimensional well-ordered structures induced by ultrasonic wave energy

Bottom-up self-assembly of components, inspired by hierarchically self-regulating aggregation of small subunits observed in nature, provides a strategy for constructing two- or three-dimensional intriguing biomimetic materials via the spontaneous combination of discrete building blocks. Herein, we report the methods of ultrasonic wave energy-assisted, fast, two- and three-dimensional mesoscale well-ordered self-assembly of microfabricated building blocks (100 μm in size). Mechanical vibration energy-driven self-assembly of microplatelets at the water-air interface of inverted water droplets is demonstrated, and the real-time formation process of the patterned structure is dynamically explored. 40 kHz ultrasonic wave is transferred into microplatelets suspended in a water environment to drive the self-assembly of predesigned well-ordered structures. Two-dimensional self-assembly of microplatelets inside the water phase with a large patterned area is achieved. Stable three-dimensional multi-layered self-assembled structures are quickly formed at the air-water interface. These demonstrations aim to open distinctive and effective ways for new two-dimensional surface coating technology with autonomous organization strategy, and three-dimensional complex hierarchical architectures built by the bottom-up method and commonly found in nature (such as nacre, bone or enamel, etc.).
Differential effects of dexamethasone on arterial stiffness, myocardial remodeling and blood pressure between normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats

Dexamethasone (DEX)‐induced hypertension is observed in normotensive rats, but little is known about the effects of DEX on spontaneously hypertensive animals (SHR). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of DEX on hemodynamics, cardiac hypertrophy and arterial stiffness in normotensive and hypertensive rats. Wistar rats and SHR were treated with DEX (50 μg/kg s.c., 14 d) or saline. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), echocardiographic parameters, blood pressure (BP), autonomic modulation and histological analyses of heart and thoracic aorta were performed. SHR had higher BP compared with Wistar, associated with autonomic unbalance to the heart. Echocardiographic changes in SHR (vs. Wistar) were suggestive of cardiac remodeling: higher relative wall thickness (RWT, +28%) and left ventricle mass index (LVMI, +26%) and lower left ventricle systolic diameter (LVSD, −19%) and LV diastolic diameter (LVDD, −10%), with slightly systolic dysfunction and preserved diastolic dysfunction. Also, SHR had lower myocardial capillary density and similar collagen deposition area. PWV was higher in SHR due to higher aortic collagen deposition. DEX‐treated Wistar rats presented higher BP (~23%) and autonomic unbalance. DEX did not change cardiac structure in Wistar, but PWV (+21%) and aortic collagen deposition area (+21%) were higher compared with control. On the other side, DEX did not change BP or autonomic balance to the heart in SHR, but reduced RWT and LV collagen deposition area (−12% vs. SHRCT). In conclusion, the results suggest a differential effect of dexamethasone on arterial stiffness, myocardial remodeling and blood pressure between normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats.
Mental health and demographic correlates of loneliness after left ventricular assist device implantation

Loneliness is a risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, and hospital readmission, yet there are no studies to our knowledge examining loneliness in left ventricular assistance device (LVAD) patients. This study used a cross-sectional survey design on a convenience sample of LVAD patients (n = 73). Logistic regression was used to identify demographic correlates of loneliness; linear regression was used to examine the relationship between loneliness and both stress and depression. Loneliness was measured via the loneliness item from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CESD), depression via the CESD (excluding the loneliness item), and stress via the Perceived Stress Scale. In bivariate analyses, older age (OR per year = 0.958, 95%CI = 0.919–0.998) and being partnered (OR = 0.245, 95%CI = 0.083–0.724) were associated with less loneliness. In the multivariate model, there was an interaction effect between age and partnership (p = 0.0212), where older age was protective against loneliness for non-partnered, but not partnered, patients. Higher loneliness was associated with higher stress (β = 0.484, B = 5.687, 95%CI = 3.195–8.178) and depression (β = 0.618, B = 7.544, 95%CI = 5.241–9.848). Patients who are not partnered and younger may be at increased risk of loneliness after LVAD. Loneliness in turn is associated with higher stress and depression. Longitudinal research is necessary to speak to direction of effects.
Family Planning for People with Multiple Sclerosis in Saudi Arabia: an Expert Consensus

More than half of all patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are women of childbearing age. Raising a family is an important life goal for women in our region of the world. However, fears and misconceptions about the clinical course of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and the effects of disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) on the foetus have led many women to reduce their expectations of raising a family, sometimes even to the point of avoiding pregnancy altogether. The increase in the number of DMDs available to manage RRMS and recent studies on their effects in pregnancy have broadened management options for these women. Interferon beta now has an indication in Europe for use during pregnancy (according to clinical need) and can be used during breastfeeding. Glatiramer acetate is a further possible option for women with lower levels of RRMS disease activity who are, or about to become, pregnant; natalizumab may be used up to 30 weeks in patients with higher levels of disease activity. Where possible, physicians need to support and encourage women to pursue their dream of a fulfilling family life, supported where necessary by active interventions for RRMS that are increasingly evidence based.
“Death Diamond” Tracing on Thromboelastography as a Marker of Poor Survival After Trauma

Background Improvements in health care innovations have resulted in an enhanced ability to extend patient viability. As a consequence, resources are being increasingly utilized at an unsustainable level. As we implement novel treatments, identifying futility should be a focus. The “death diamond” (DD) is a unique thrombelastography (TEG) tracing that is indicative of failure of the coagulation system, with a mortality rate exceeding 90%. The purpose of this study was to determine if the DD was a consistent marker of poor survival in a multicenter study population. We hypothesize that the DD, while an infrequent occurrence, predicts poor survival and can be used to stratify patients in whom resuscitation efforts are futile. Methods A retrospective multi-institutional study of trauma patients presenting with TEG DDs between 8/2008 and 12/2018 at four American College of Surgeons trauma centers was completed. Demographics, injury mechanisms, TEG results, management, and survival were examined. Results A total of 50 trauma patients presented with DD tracings, with a 94% (n = 47) mortality rate. Twenty-six (52%) patients received a repeat TEG with 10 patients re-demonstrating the DD tracing. There was 100% mortality in patients with serial DD tracings. The median use of total blood products was 18 units (interquartile range 6, 34.25) per patient. Discussion The DD is highly predictive of trauma-associated mortality. This multicenter study highlights that serial DDs may represent a possible biomarker of futility.
Sex Differences in Cognitive Decline Among US Adults

Key Points Question Does the risk of cognitive decline among US adults vary by sex? Findings In this cohort study using pooled data from 26 088 participants, women, compared with men, had higher baseline performance in global cognition, executive function, and memory. Women, compared with men, had significantly faster declines in global cognition and executive function, but not memory. Meaning These findings suggest that women may have greater cognitive reserve but faster cognitive decline than men.