Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Histological Evaluation of a New Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate/Hydroxyapatite/Poly (1-Lactide-Co-Caprolactone) Composite Biomaterial in the Inflammatory Process and Repair of Critical Bone Defects

Background: The use of biomaterials is commonplace in dentistry for bone regeneration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a new alloplastic material for bone repair in critical defects and to evaluate the extent of the inflammatory process. Methods: Forty-five New Zealand rabbits were divided into five groups according to evaluation time (7, 14, 30, 60, 120 days), totaling 180 sites with six-millimeter diameter defects in their tibiae. The defects were filled with alloplastic material consisting of poly (lactide-co-caprolactone), beta-tricalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite and nano-hydroxyapatite (BTPHP) in three different presentations: paste, block, and membrane. Comparisons were established with reference materials, such as Bio-ossTM, Bio-oss CollagenTM, and Bio-gideTM, respectively. The samples were HE-stained and evaluated for inflammatory infiltrate (scored for intensity from 0 to 3) and the presence of newly formed bone at the periphery of the defects. Results: Greater bone formation was observed for the alloplastic material and equivalent inflammatory intensity for both materials, regardless of evaluation time. At 30 days, part of the synthetic biomaterial, regardless of the presentation, was resorbed. Conclusions: We concluded that this novel alloplastic material showed osteoconductive potential, biocompatibility, low inflammatory response, and gradual resorption, thus an alternative strategy for guided bone regeneration.
Victim Localization in USAR Scenario Exploiting Multi-Layer Mapping Structure

Urban search and rescue missions require rapid intervention to locate victims and survivors in the affected environments. To facilitate this activity, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been recently used to explore the environment and locate possible victims. In this paper, a UAV equipped with multiple complementary sensors is used to detect the presence of a human in an unknown environment. A novel human localization approach in unknown environments is proposed that merges information gathered from deep-learning-based human detection, wireless signal mapping, and thermal signature mapping to build an accurate global human location map. A next-best-view (NBV) approach with a proposed multi-objective utility function is used to iteratively evaluate the map to locate the presence of humans rapidly. Results demonstrate that the proposed strategy outperforms other methods in several performance measures such as the number of iterations, entropy reduction, and traveled distance.
Increasing the Number of Sea Surface Reflected Signals Received by GNSS-Reflectometry Altimetry Satellite Using the Nadir Antenna Observation Capability Optimization Method

High spatial resolution Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) sea surface altimetry is of great significance for extracting precise information from sea surface topography. The nadir antenna is one of the key payloads for the GNSS-R altimetry satellite to capture and track the sea surface GNSS reflected signal. The observation capability of the nadir antenna directly determines the number of received reflected signals, which, in turn, affects the spatial resolution of the GNSS-R altimetry. The parameters affecting the ability of the nadir antenna to receive the reflected signal mainly include antenna gain, half-power beam width (HPBW), and pointing angle. Thus far, there are rarely studies on the observation capability of GNSS-R satellite nadir antenna. The design of operational satellite antenna does not fully combine the above three parameters to optimize the design of GNSS-R nadir antenna. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a GNSS-R spaceborne nadir antenna observation capability optimization method. This is the key to improving the number of sea surface reflected signals received by the GNSS-R altimeter satellites, thereby increasing the spatial resolution of the altimetry. This paper has carried out the following research on this. Firstly, based on the GNSS-R geometric relationship and signal processing theory, the nadir antenna signal-to-noise ratio model (NASNRM) with the gain and the elevation angle at the specular point (SP) as the main parameters is established. The accuracy of the model was verified using TechDemoSat-1 (TDS-1) observations. Secondly, based on the theory of electromagnetic scattering, considering the influence of HPBW and pointing angle on the antenna footprint size, a specular point filtering algorithm (SPFA) is proposed. Combined with the results obtained by NASNRM, the number of available specular points (SPs) is counted. The results show that as the antenna gain and the nadir-pointing angle increase, the number of SPs can reach a peak and then gradually decrease. Thirdly, combined with NASNRM and SPSA, a nadir antenna observation capability optimization method (NAOCOM) is proposed. The nadir antenna observation capability is characterized through the reflected signal utilization, and the results obtained by the method are used to optimize the combination of nadir antenna parameters. The research shows that when the orbital height of the GNSS-R satellite is 635 km, the optimal combination of nadir antenna parameters is 20.94 dBi for the gain and 32.82 degrees for the nadir-pointing angle, which can increase the observation capability of the TDS-1 satellite nadir antenna by up to 5.38 times.
Numerical Analysis with Keller-Box Scheme for Stagnation Point Effect on Flow of Micropolar Nanofluid over an Inclined Surface

The prime aim of this paper is to probe the flow of micropolar nanofluid towards an inclined stretching surface adjacent to the stagnation region with Brownian motion and thermophoretic impacts. The chemical reaction and heat generation or absorption are also taken into account. The energy and mass transport of the micropolar nanofluid flow towards an inclined surface are discussed. The numerical solution is elucidated for the converted non-linear ordinary differential equation from the set of partial nonlinear differential equations via compatible similarity transformations. A converted system of ordinary differential equations is solved via the Keller-box scheme. The stretching velocity and external velocity are supposed to change linearly by the distance from the stagnation point. The impacts of involved parameters on the concerned physical quantities such as skin friction, Sherwood number, and energy exchange are discussed. These results are drawn through the graphs and presented in the tables. The energy and mass exchange rates show a direct relation with the stagnation point. In the same vein, skin friction diminishes with the growth of the stagnation factor. Heat and mass fluxes show an inverse correspondence with the inclination factor.
Peritumoral activation of the Hippo pathway effectors YAP and TAZ suppresses liver cancer in mice

Mixed signals at tumor margins The Hippo signaling pathway has been implicated in tumor growth, sparking interest in the pathway as a potential therapeutic target. In a study of liver cancer in genetically manipulated mice, Moya et al. discovered that the role of this pathway in tumorigenesis is more complex than previously appreciated. They confirmed that activation of the Hippo pathway within tumor cells drives tumor growth; however, they also found that activation of the pathway in adjacent healthy cells has the opposite effect, suppressing tumor growth. Whether tumor cells survive or are eliminated thus appears to depend on competing signals produced by the tumor and surrounding tissue. Science, this issue p. 1029 In mice, a signaling pathway driving liver tumor growth is tumor suppressive when activated in adjacent healthy cells. The Hippo signaling pathway and its two downstream effectors, the YAP and TAZ transcriptional coactivators, are drivers of tumor growth in experimental models. Studying mouse models, we show that YAP and TAZ can also exert a tumor-suppressive function. We found that normal hepatocytes surrounding liver tumors displayed activation of YAP and TAZ and that deletion of Yap and Taz in these peritumoral hepatocytes accelerated tumor growth. Conversely, experimental hyperactivation of YAP in peritumoral hepatocytes triggered regression of primary liver tumors and melanoma-derived liver metastases. Furthermore, whereas tumor cells growing in wild-type livers required YAP and TAZ for their survival, those surrounded by Yap- and Taz-deficient hepatocytes were not dependent on YAP and TAZ. Tumor cell survival thus depends on the relative activity of YAP and TAZ in tumor cells and their surrounding tissue, suggesting that YAP and TAZ act through a mechanism of cell competition to eliminate tumor cells.
The neural regulation of cancer

Cancers hijack mechanisms of neural plasticity to promote malignant disease progression Cancer has been called the “emperor of all maladies” (1). An estimated 40% of us will be diagnosed with it at some point in our lives (2). We have all witnessed the irreverent brutality of this disease that seems to know no bounds. Like weeds in a garden, cancers emerge suddenly and proliferate aggressively by co-opting vital systems necessary for survival. Although current treatment approaches have targeted the vascular and immune systems as well as cell-intrinsic growth mechanisms, the nervous system's role in cancer growth has been largely underrecognized. My research aims to combine principles of neuroscience and cancer biology to harness microenvironmental dependencies of tumors and disable hijacked mechanisms of neural plasticity.
Breast cancer recurrence and related mortality in U.S. pts with early breast cancer

738 Background: An understanding of the relationship between breast cancer (BC) recurrence and mortality in pts with early BC is important. The objective of this study, therefore, was to evaluate this relationship among a mid-western health system population. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 1616 pts (mean age 60 yrs) with early BC (stage I and II) was conducted using data from a large integrated health care system. Information on demographics, disease characteristics/treatment, evidence/type of recurrence, and death was obtained. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to compare overall and BC-related mortality between recurrence types, and also between each recurrence type and a control group without recurrence. For each comparison, hazard ratios (HR) were estimated after controlling for baseline covariates. Results: During a median follow-up of 44.5 (range 6.1–98.3) months, there were 192 (11.9%) recurrence events (26.1% loco-regional, 15.6% contralateral, 58.3% distant) and 188 (11.6%) deaths due to.
Asthma and rhinitis in the elderly: Nationwide epidemiologic study

Introduction: Asthma and rhinitis are frequent respiratory diseases in both children and adults. However, nationwide epidemiologic studies addressing these diseases in the elderly do not exist. Aims: To estimate the prevalence of physician‐ ‐diagnosed asthma, rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis in the population aged 65 years or above in mainland Portugal and to eva‐ luate its association in this age group. Methods: Cross ‐sectional, nationwide, population ‐based survey of citizens aged 65 years or above, living in mainland Portugal. Results: Data were obtained from 3678 respondents. The prevalence of physician ‐diagnosed asthma, rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis was 10.9% (95% confidence interval (95%CI) 9.9 ‐11.9); 29.8% (95%CI 28.4 ‐31.3) and 20.5% (95%CI 19.2 ‐21.8), respectively. A strong association between asthma and rhinitis was found (odds ratio 13.86 (95%CI 10.66 ‐18.02)). The risk for asthma increased with persistency and severity of rhinitis. Conclusions: Asthma, rhinitis and rhi‐ noconjunctivitis are common and strongly associated diseases in the elderly. This study strengthens the need for an integrated assessment of asthma and rhinitis also in this age group.
Barriers to and facilitators of paediatric adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) amongst children younger than five years in rural South Africa

iii OPSOMMING . v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . vii TABLE OF CONTENTS . viii LIST OF FIGURES . xv LIST OF TABLES . xvi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . xvii GLOSSARY . xix LIST OF APPENDICES . xx CHAPTER 1 .
Increased Osseous 99mTc-DPD Uptake in End-Stage Ankle Osteoarthritis

Background: We analyzed the histopathologic findings in end-stage osteoarthritic ankle joint tissue that display increased uptake of bone-seeking radiotracer in single-photon emission computed tomography–computed tomography (SPECT-CT) imaging. Methods: Six consecutive patients with end-stage osteoarthritis undergoing total ankle replacement received preoperative SPECT-CT imaging using 99mTechnetium dicarboxypropane diphosphonate (99mTc-DPD). Using imaging data for stratification, osteochondral tissue sections were prepared from SPECT-positive (+) and -negative (–) areas of tibial and talar resection specimens. Histomorphometric analyses of osteoblast numbers, collagen deposition, and cartilage degeneration were performed on hematoxylin and eosin, van Gieson’s and Safranin-O stained tissue sections. Osteoclast activity was visualized using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Results: Increased 99mTc-DPD uptake was observed exclusively subjacent to the subchondral bone plate of tibial and talar joint compartments. SPECT(–) tissues displayed typical fatty marrow morphology containing mainly collagen-positive blood vessels and few marrow and bone-lining cells. SPECT(+) tissues were characterized by increased numbers of active bone-lining osteoblasts depositing collagen fibers. Collagen area fraction of subchondral bone marrow was significantly increased in SPECT(+) (0.52 ± 0.21) compared with SPECT(–) (0.29 ± 0.13) tissues (P = .30). Multinucleated TRAP(+) osteoclasts were absent from bone formation sites, but associated with vascular structures invading articular cartilage through the subchondral bone plate. Increased 99mTc-DPD uptake was specifically and strongly correlated with increased osteoblast numbers (P = .011), and with collagen area fraction (P = .030) but not with Mankin score (P = .202), or with osteoclast number (P = .576). Conclusion: Subchondral bone tissues in SPECT(+) areas of end-stage ankle osteoarthritis were histologically characterized by increased osteoblast-mediated bone formation in the absence of functional osteoclasts, and increased cellularity and collagen deposition in marrow tissues. Clinical Significance: Our findings suggest a pathologic bone-remodeling process in end-stage ankle OA areas with increased 99mTc-DPD uptake. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.
Exosomes from conditioned media of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells promote bone regeneration by enhancing angiogenesis

Growth factors in serum-free conditioned media from human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-CM) are known to be effective in bone regeneration. However, the secretomes in MSC-CM that act as active ingredients for bone regeneration, as well as their mechanisms, remains unclear. Exosomes, components of MSC-CM, provide the recipient cells with genetic information and enhance the recipient cellular paracrine stimulation, which contributes to tissue regeneration. We hypothesized that MSC-CM-derived exosomes (MSC-Exo) promoted bone regeneration, and that angiogenesis was a key step. Here, we prepared an MSC-Exo group, MSC-CM group, and Exo-antiVEGF group (MSC-Exo with angiogenesis inhibitor), and examined the osteogenic and angiogenic potential in MSCs. Furthermore, we used a rat model of calvaria bone defect and implanted each sample to evaluate bone formation weekly, until week 4 after treatment. Results showed that MSC-Exo enhanced cellular migration and osteogenic and angiogenic gene expression in MSCs compared to that in other groups. In vivo, early bone formation by MSC-Exo was also confirmed. Two weeks after implantation, the newly formed bone area was 31.5 ± 6.5% in the MSC-Exo group while those in the control and Exo-antiVEGF groups were 15.4 ± 4.4% and 8.7 ± 1.1%, respectively. Four weeks after implantation, differences in the area between the MSC-Exo group and the Exo-antiVEGF or control groups were further broadened. Histologically, notable accumulation of osteoblast-like cells and vascular endothelial cells was observed in the MSC-Exo group; however, fewer cells were found in the Exo-antiVEGF and control groups. In conclusion, MSC-Exo promoted bone regeneration during early stages, as well as enhanced angiogenesis. Considering the tissue regeneration with transplanted cells and their secretomes, this study suggests that exosomes might play an important role, especially in angiogenesis.
Rescue of infectious Arumowot virus from cloned cDNA: Posttranslational degradation of Arumowot virus NSs protein in human cells

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease endemic to Africa and the Middle East, affecting both humans and ruminants. There are no licensed vaccines or antivirals available for humans, whereas research using RVF virus (RVFV) is strictly regulated in many countries with safety concerns. Nonpathogenic Arumowot virus (AMTV), a mosquito-borne phlebovirus in Africa, is likely useful for the screening of broad-acting antiviral candidates for phleboviruses including RVFV, as well as a potential vaccine vector for RVF. In this study, we aimed to generate T7 RNA polymerase-driven reverse genetics system for AMTV. We hypothesized that recombinant AMTV (rAMTV) is viable, and AMTV NSs protein is dispensable for efficient replication of rAMTV in type-I interferon (IFN)-incompetent cells, whereas AMTV NSs proteins support robust viral replication in type-I IFN-competent cells. The study demonstrated the rescue of rAMTV and that lacking the NSs gene (rAMTVΔNSs), that expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) (rAMTV-GFP) or that expressing Renilla luciferase (rAMTV-rLuc) from cloned cDNA. The rAMTV-rLuc and the RVFV rMP12-rLuc showed a similar susceptibility to favipiravir or ribavirin. Interestingly, neither of rAMTV nor rAMTVΔNSs replicated efficiently in human MRC-5 or A549 cells, regardless of the presence of NSs gene. Little accumulation of AMTV NSs protein occurred in those cells, which was restored via treatment with proteasomal inhibitor MG132. In murine MEF or Hepa1-6 cells, rAMTV, but not rAMTVΔNSs, replicated efficiently, with an inhibition of IFN-β gene upregulation. This study showed an establishment of the first reverse genetics for AMTV, a lack of stability of AMTV NSs proteins in human cells, and an IFN-β gene antagonist function of AMTV NSs proteins in murine cells. The AMTV can be a nonpathogenic surrogate model for studying phleboviruses including RVFV.
Maternal and Neonatal Hair Cortisol Levels Are Associated with Infant Neurodevelopment at Six Months of Age

Background: Maternal stress during pregnancy can affect fetal development during certain sensitive periods. Objective: To longitudinally assess maternal hair cortisol levels during pregnancy, and the postpartum along with neonatal hair cortisol levels that could be associated with infant neurodevelopment at six months of age. Methods: A sample of 41 pregnant women longitudinally assessed during the first, second, and third trimester and the postpartum, along with their 41 full-term neonates participated in this study. Hair cortisol levels were assessed from participants. Infant neurodevelopment was assessed by means of the Bayley Scale of Infants Development, Third Edition at age six months. Results: Maternal hair cortisol levels in the first and second trimester accounted for 24% and 23%, respectively, of variance of infant gross motor development (p < 0.05). Maternal hair cortisol levels during the postpartum accounted for 31% of variance of infant cognitive development (p < 0.05), and 25% of variance of infant gross motor development (p < 0.05). Neonatal hair cortisol levels accounted for 28% of variance of infant gross motor development (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The preconception and prenatal time are sensitive periods related to infant neurodevelopment along with the cortisol levels surrounding the fetus while in the womb. Pregnant women could be assessed for hair cortisol levels while attending a prenatal appointment.
Physical Human–Robot Collaboration: Robotic Systems, Learning Methods, Collaborative Strategies, Sensors, and Actuators

This article presents a state-of-the-art survey on the robotic systems, sensors, actuators, and collaborative strategies for physical human–robot collaboration (pHRC). This article starts with an overview of some robotic systems with cutting-edge technologies (sensors and actuators) suitable for pHRC operations and the intelligent assist devices employed in pHRC. Sensors being among the essential components to establish communication between a human and a robotic system are surveyed. The sensor supplies the signal needed to drive the robotic actuators. The survey reveals that the design of new generation collaborative robots and other intelligent robotic systems has paved the way for sophisticated learning techniques and control algorithms to be deployed in pHRC. Furthermore, it revealed the relevant components needed to be considered for effective pHRC to be accomplished. Finally, a discussion of the major advances is made, some research directions, and future challenges are presented.
Efficacy and Safety of Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors on Top of Ticagrelor in STEMI: A Subanalysis of the ATLANTIC Trial

Abstract Background Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPIs) in combination with clopidogrel improve clinical outcome in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI); however, finding a balance that minimizes both thrombotic and bleeding risk remains fundamental. The efficacy and safety of GPI in addition to ticagrelor, a more potent P2Y12-inhibitor, have not been fully investigated. Methods 1,630 STEMI patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were analyzed in this subanalysis of the ATLANTIC trial. Patients were divided in three groups: no GPI, GPI administration routinely before primary PCI, and GPI administration in bailout situations. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of death, myocardial infarction, urgent target revascularization, and definite stent thrombosis at 30 days. The safety outcome was non-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)-related PLATO major bleeding at 30 days. Results Compared with no GPI (n = 930), routine GPI (n = 525) or bailout GPI (n = 175) was not associated with an improved primary efficacy outcome (4.2% no GPI vs. 4.0% routine GPI vs. 6.9% bailout GPI; p = 0.58). After multivariate analysis, the use of GPI in bailout situations was associated with a higher incidence of non-CABG-related bleeding compared with no GPI (odds ratio [OR] 2.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.32–6.64; p = 0.03). However, routine GPI use compared with no GPI was not associated with a significant increase in bleeding (OR 1.78, 95% CI 0.88–3.61; p = 0.92). Conclusion Use of GPIs in addition to ticagrelor in STEMI patients was not associated with an improvement in 30-day ischemic outcome. A significant increase in 30-day non-CABG-related PLATO major bleeding was seen in patients who received GPIs in a bailout situation.