Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth and viability effects of cell-free extracts from dairy origin yeast on bifidobacteria.

Five strains of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae G1, Kluyveromyces lactis S25, Debaryomyces hansenii R3, D. occidentalis R1, and Yarrowia lipolytica S12) isolated from blue cheese were selected to prepare cell-free extracts and observe their growth promotion effects on three strains of bifidobacteria (B. breve ATCC15700, B. infantis ATCC15697 and B. longum ATCC15707) cultivated in MRS broth supplemented with cysteine-hydrochloride (0.05%). Optical density observation revealed that addition of these yeast extracts at a concentration of 0.1 % was sufficient to stimulate the growth of these bifidobacteria strains. In particular, the yeast extract from K. lactis S25 induced the logarithmic phase earlier for B. infantis ATCC15697 and B. longum ATCC15707. The effect of yeast extract from K. lactis S25 was further investigated using five strains of bifidobacteria (B. bifidum ATCC15696, B. breve ATCC15700, B. infantis ATCC15697, B. longum BB536 and ATCC15708) in the skim milk culture system. In the presence of yeast extracts, the viable cell count was higher than for that of the control, in particular for B. bifidum ATCC15696 and B. longum ATCC 15708 and BB536. The viability of B. bifidum ATCC15696 and B. longum BB536 during refrigeration was significantly improved when yeast extracts from K. lactis were added.
Azacitidine and prophylactic donor lymphocyte infusions after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for pediatric high-risk acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract Post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) maintenance therapy using azacitidine and prophylactic donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) was implemented for high-risk acute myeloid leukemia. Azacitidine was started on day +60 as a 5 day course every 28 days for 6 cycles. DLI was given every 6 weeks for 3 doses starting after day +120. Ten patients were treated on this protocol. With a 90% one-year disease free survival, we report this post-HSCT maintenance therapy is feasible, safe, and well tolerated.
Inhibitor of Hyaluronic Acid Synthesis 4-Methylumbelliferone as an Anti-Inflammatory Modulator of LPS-Mediated Astrocyte Responses

Astrocytes are glial cells that play an important role in neuroinflammation. Astrocytes respond to many pro-inflammatory stimuli, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an agonist of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Regulatory specificities of inflammatory signaling pathways are still largely unknown due to the ectodermal origin of astrocytes. Recently, we have shown that hyaluronic acid (HA) may form part of astrocyte inflammatory responses. Therefore, we tested 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU), a specific inhibitor of HA synthesis, as a possible regulator of LPS-mediated responses. Rat primary astrocytes were treated with LPS with and without 4-MU and gene expression levels of inflammatory (interleukins 1β, (IL-1β), 6, (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha TNFα,) and resolution interleukin 10 (IL-10) markers were evaluated via real-time PCR and western blot. The release of cytokines and HA was determined by ELISA. Oxylipin profiles were measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) analysis. Our data show that 4-MU (i) has anti-inflammatory effects in the course of TLR4 activation, decreasing the cytokines level TNFα, IL-6 and IL-1β and increasing IL-10, (ii) downregulates prostaglandin synthesis but not via cyclooxygenases COX-1 and COX-2 pathways, (iii) modulates HA synthesis and decreases LPS-induced HA synthase mRNA expression (HAS-1, HAS-2) but does not have an influence on HAS-3, HYAL1 and HYAL2 mRNAs; (iv) the effects of 4-MU are predominantly revealed via JNK but not p38, ERK mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) or nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB) pathways. For the first time, it is shown that 4-MU possesses the useful potential to regulate an inflammatory astrocyte response.
Clinical feasibility and utility of a dual-task tandem gait protocol for pediatric concussion management.

CONTEXT Clinical management of sport-related concussion requires the assessment of various factors, including motor performance. The tandem gait test, a measure of post-injury motor performance, has demonstrated clinical utility, but is limited by time availability and test uniformity. OBJECTIVE To assess intrasession reliability between tandem gait test trials and determine the number trials necessary for optimal utility and feasibility in clinical decision-making following concussion. DESIGN Cross-Sectional Study Setting: Pediatric Sport Medicine Clinic Participants: Adolescent athletes who recently sustained a concussion (n=44; age=15.4±1.8 years; 39% female) and were seen for care within 14 days (7.3±3.2 days) of their injury, as well as uninjured control participants (n=73; age=15.8±1.3 years; 41% female). All participants completed three single-task and three dual-task tandem gait trials. OUTCOME MEASURES We collected test completion time and cognitive performance for each trial and calculated Pearson correlation coefficients between trials and Intraclass Correlation Coefficients to determine intrasession reliability. We also compared performance between groups, and calculated area under the curve (AUC) values to identify the ability of each trial to distinguish between groups. RESULTS Both the concussion and control group demonstrated high intrasession reliability between tandem gait trials under single (R ≥ 0.82; ICC≥ 0.93) and dual-task conditions (R ≥ 0.79; ICC≥ 0.92). The greatest group classification values were obtained from the second single-task trial (AUC = 0.89) and first dual-task trial (AUC = 0.83). Test completion time provided excellent between-group discrimination in single-task and dual-task conditions. However, cognitive performance during dual-task trials demonstrated only marginally significant clinical utility (AUC ≤ 0.67). CONCLUSION Tandem gait assessments may only require two trials under single-task and one trial under dual-task conditions to effectively discriminate between concussion and control groups. This approach may improve the feasibility (time requirement) of the test, while maintaining excellent discriminatory ability.
Dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has comparable effects to ractopamine on the growth performance, meat quality and fatty acid profiles of loin muscles of finishing pigs under commercial husbandry

Abstract The effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation on pig loin muscle growth performance, meat quality and fatty acid profiles were compared with the effects of ractopamine supplementation. Two hundred seventy commercial Landrace-Yorkshire pigs (135 barrows and 135 gilts/BW = 75 kg) were randomly assigned to one of three treatments. Ninety animals per treatment were allocated into groups of 30 animals (15 barrows and 15 gilts) with three replications. The treatments were as follows: RAC (diet given on the farm and included ractopamine and mixed vegetable oils); CLA 0.5% (basal diet + CLA 0.5%); and CLA 1% (basal diet + 1% CLA). Final weight and daily gain were affected by treatment × sex in gilts supplemented with CLA 0.5% but not in barrows. Feed intake was reduced in animals supplemented with CLA at 0.5%. Supplementation with CLA did not affect the meat quality parameters (p > .05). CLA 1% delayed the lipid oxidation of the pork meat. CLA 1% decreased the contents of 18:1, 18:2, 20:5 n3, and 22:6 n3 in intramuscular fat compared to those in unsupplemented animals (p < .05). In conclusion, CLA 0.5% in the diet showed a better effect than the use of ractopamine on growth performance in gilts but not in barrows. CLA 0.5% evoked a similar response as ractopamine in the PUFA content of intramuscular fat and meat quality. Thus, CLA could replace this commonly used additive, which has been restricted in several countries, in the pork industry. Highlights Dietary CLA 0.5% produced an improvement in growth performance in gilts. Dietary CLA 1% delayed the lipid oxidation of pork meat. CLA is an alternative supplement to ractopamine due to their similar effects on meat quality parameters.
Role of Diet in the Management of Carcinoid Syndrome: Clinical Recommendations for Nutrition in Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors

Abstract Nutrition and metabolism are altered in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, which is related to excessive production of gastrointestinal hormones, peptides, and amines that can cause maldigestion, diarrhea, steatorrhea, and altered gastrointestinal motility. Patients with carcinoid syndrome are at risk of malnutrition due to tryptophan depletion, reduced intake of food, and loss of appetite because of diarrhea and/or flushing. To date, there is limited information on the nutritional issues faced by patients with neuroendocrine tumors, and on what specific recommendations should be made to patients concerning nutrition at various stages of the disease process. Dietary planning should therefore be an integral part of multidisciplinary management for patients with neuroendocrine tumors. Herein, we review current guidance for nutrition in patients with neuroendocrine tumors, focusing on intake of amines and foods to avoid, as well as concurrent medications. We also propose a new and practical food pyramid based on the principles of Mediterranean diet 4.0 that can be easily adapted according to the unmet needs of patients with neuroendocrine tumors at all stages of disease. The overarching goal of the present review is to create greater awareness of nutritional care and considerations that should be given to patients with neuroendocrine tumors.
An assessment of European bream Abramis brama (Linnaeus, 1758) fishery in the downstream of the Irtysh River in China

Abstract Per-recruit analyses, with consideration for uncertainty in growth, natural mortality and maturity, were conducted for European bream Abramis brama in the downstream section of the Irtysh River in China to assess its status. The Chapman-Robson method produced an estimate of total mortality rate (Z) of 0.65 year−1. The natural mortality rates (M) were estimated as 0.13 and 0.26 year−1, resulting in corresponding estimates of current fishing mortality rate (Fcur) of 0.52 and 0.39 year−1, respectively. All the estimates of yield per recruit (YPR), spawning stock biomass per recruit (SSB/R) and corresponding biological reference points (BRPs) were sensitive to M. The uncertainty of growth and maturity parameters had limited impacts on the estimates of BRPs, but had a large effect on the YPR and SSB/R outputs. Our findings indicate that A. brama may be at higher risk of growth overfishing than those of recruitment overfishing. In addition, increasing the tc to nine years might ensure that the spawning potential ratios (SPRs) are above the management targets under all ranges of F with comparatively small impacts on YPR regardless of M. In addition to providing a basic assessment for A. brama in the downstream of the Irtysh River in China, our study presents a comprehensive approach that may be useful for data-limited species in other fisheries.
Dydrogesterone as an oral alternative to vaginal progesterone for IVF luteal phase support: A systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the evidence on the efficacy and safety of oral dydrogesterone versus micronized vaginal progesterone (MVP) for luteal phase support. Embase and MEDLINE were searched for studies that evaluated the effect of luteal phase support with daily administration of oral dydrogesterone (20 to 40 mg) versus MVP capsules (600 to 800 mg) or gel (90 mg) on pregnancy or live birth rates in women undergoing fresh-cycle IVF (protocol registered at PROSPERO [CRD42018105949]). Individual participant data (IPD) were extracted for the primary analysis where available and aggregate data were extracted for the secondary analysis. Nine studies were eligible for inclusion; two studies had suitable IPD (full analysis sample: n = 1957). In the meta-analysis of IPD, oral dydrogesterone was associated with a significantly higher chance of ongoing pregnancy at 12 weeks of gestation (odds ratio [OR], 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 1.61; P = 0.0075) and live birth (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.57; P = 0.0214) compared to MVP. A meta-analysis combining IPD and aggregate data for all nine studies also demonstrated a statistically significant difference between oral dydrogesterone and MVP (pregnancy: OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.34; P = 0.04; live birth: OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.38; P = 0.02). Safety parameters were similar between the two groups. Collectively, this study indicates that a higher pregnancy rate and live birth rate may be obtained in women receiving oral dydrogesterone versus MVP for luteal phase support.
A Neuroimaging Preparation Protocol Tailored for Autism

This paper describes the key basic elements required for a successful multi‐parametric MRI data acquisition in awake children with autism. The procedure was designed by taking into account methodological challenges arising from the acquisition of Resting State fMRI (RS fMRI) data, and factors such as cost, time, and staff availability. The ultimate aim was to prepare an imaging preparation protocol with high transferability to the whole autism spectrum, adaptable for use in a multi‐site research with multiple time points. As part of a randomized pharmaco‐intervention study, 31 children aged 4–10 years with Neurofibromatosis 1 and autism underwent MR imaging at baseline and end of intervention. The protocol consisted of tailored habituation instructions including gradual exposure to scanner noise, a social stories booklet, positive incentive strategies, and Play Therapy support. Success rate for initial acquisition was 71% for GABA+ MR spectroscopy at either location, 87% for perfusion, and 67% for diffusion assessment, and 71% for RS fMRI. Qualitative data indicated that 84% parents found the habituation protocol helpful.
Nb-Ti-Zr alloys for orthopedic implants

Niobium (Nb), Titanium (Ti), and Zirconium (Zr) have attracted much attention as implant materials due to it’s excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. However, little attention has been paid to high Nb-containing biomedical alloys. Here, the 50 wt. %Nb-XTi-Zr ternary alloy(x = 20wt.%, 30 wt.%, 40 wt.%) with relative density over 90% was prepared by powder metallurgy method. The massive α(Zr) distributed along the grain boundaries and lamellar β(Zr) appeared in the grains of β(Nb) in the 50 wt. %Nb-20wt. %Ti-Zr alloy. The acicular α phase is mainly distributed in the β-grain of 50 wt. %Nb-30wt. %Ti-Zr alloy. And α(Ti)-colonies in the β-grains and continuous α(Ti)GB at β-grain boundary can be observed in the 50 wt. %Nb-40wt. %Ti-Zr alloy. Comparing with Nb-20wt. %Ti-Zr alloy and 50 wt. %Nb-40wt. %Ti-Zr alloy, the 50 wt. %Nb-30wt. %Ti-Zr alloy showed lower Vickers hardness and elastic modulus. Furthermore, the as-sintered 50 wt. %Nb-XTi-Zr alloy promoted the cell proliferation and cell adhesion of MG-63 cells on the surface of alloys. In conclusion, the 50 wt. %Nb-XTi-Zr alloy combines excellent mechanical and biological properties, and the 50 wt. %Nb-30wt. %Ti-Zr alloy with lower elastic modulus (close to the bone) is a more promising candidate for bone implant material.
Engineering of Living Cells with Polyphenol‐Functionalized Biologically Active Nanocomplexes

Approaches to safely and effectively augment cellular functions without compromising the inherent biological properties of the cells, especially through the integration of biologically labile domains, remain of great interest. Here, a versatile strategy to assemble biologically active nanocomplexes, including proteins, DNA, mRNA, and even viral carriers, on cellular surfaces to generate a cell‐based hybrid system referred to as “Cellnex” is established. This strategy can be used to engineer a wide range of cell types used in adoptive cell transfers, including erythrocytes, macrophages, NK cells, T cells, etc. Erythrocytenex can enhance the delivery of cargo proteins to the lungs in vivo by 11‐fold as compared to the free cargo counterpart. Biomimetic microfluidic experiments and modeling provided detailed insights into the targeting mechanism. In addition, Macrophagenex is capable of enhancing the therapeutic efficiency of anti‐PD‐L1 checkpoint inhibitors in vivo. This simple and adaptable approach may offer a platform for the rapid generation of complex cellular systems.
A Longitudinal Study of Burnout and Well-being in Family Medicine Resident Physicians.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) core competencies for residency learning and work environment standards acknowledge high levels of burnout and depression in resident physicians and the critical importance of physician well-being to patient care and effective education. The objective of this study was to follow family medicine resident physicians' well-being throughout residency. METHODS Family medicine resident physicians from 12 programs completed validated assessments (burnout, depression, perceived stress, satisfaction with life, positive and negative affect, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, gratitude) at residency start, second year start, and graduation. Resident physicians were from the 2011, 2012, and 2013 graduating classes (N=158). RESULTS Two indicators of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization) increased between the start of residency and the start of the second year, remaining elevated at graduation. Emotional intelligence was lower at graduation than at the start of residency. In contrast, other measures of well-being (stress, life satisfaction, affect) improved during the second and third years. Depression, mindfulness, and gratitude remained stable. Increased levels of burnout risk at graduation were negatively associated with emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and gratitude. CONCLUSIONS While the stressful impact of residency is transitory for some measures of well-being, that is not the case for burnout or emotional intelligence. Burnout levels peak after the first year of residency and remain high through graduation. Targeted interventions to identify and address burnout in residency need to be evaluated in future studies.
G1/S transcription factors assemble in discrete clusters that increase in number as cells grow

The spatio-temporal organization of transcription factor (TF)-promoter interactions is critical for the coordination of transcriptional programs. In budding yeast, the main G1/S transcription factors, SBF and MBF, are limiting with respect to target promoters in small G1 phase cells and accumulate as cells grow, raising the question of how SBF/MBF are dynamically distributed across the G1/S regulon. Super-resolution Photo-Activatable Localization Microscopy (PALM) mapping of the static positions of SBF/MBF subunits revealed that 85% were organized into discrete clusters containing ∼8 copies regardless of cell size, while the number of clusters increased with growth. Stochastic simulations with a mathematical model based on co-localization of promoters in clusters recapitulated observed cluster behavior. A prediction of the model that SBF/MBF should exhibit both fast and slow dynamics was confirmed in PALM experiments on live cells. This spatio-temporal organization of the TFs that activate the G1/S regulon may help coordinate commitment to division.
EFFICACY OF SPECIFIC PREVENTION OF INFLUENZA IN INDIVIDUALS WITH POLYMORPHISMS ARG753GLN OF TLR-2, LEU412PHE OF TLR-3, ASP299GLY OF TLR-4 GENES.

OBJECTIVE The aim: Is to study the efficacy of influenza vaccination for individuals with polymorphism Arg753Gln of TLR-2 gene, Leu412Phe of TLR-3 gene, and Asp299Gly of TLR-4 gene. PATIENTS AND METHODS Materials and methods: 66 people with mutant genotypes and normal distribution of alleles of TLR-2, TLR-3, TLR-4 genes, aged 18-63, were inoculated with anti-influenza vaccine. The genotyping of Arg753Gln polymorphic site of TLR-2, Asp299Gly of TLR-4, and Leu412Phe of TLR-3 gene was carried out by polymerase chain reaction with oligonucleotide primers usage. The immunological efficacy of vaccination was evaluated by seroconversion, seroprotection, and dynamics of mean geometric titers of antibodies. RESULTS Results: It has been established that individuals with mutant genotypes Arg/Gln of TLR-2, Leu/Phe, Phe/Phe of TLR-3, Asp/Gly of TLR-4 genes have a vaccinal response to administering anti-influenza vaccine at the level of subjects with normal distribution of TLR alleles, as evidenced by the growth in dynamics of mean geometric titers of antibodies to vaccine strains, the level of seroprotection and seroconversion. Clinical and epidemiological efficacy of vaccination in this category of people is characterized by: reduction of ARI cases in the postvaccinal period by 2,0-3,0 times; prevention of pneumonia in all vaccinated subjects; decrease in the frequency of bronchitis by 2,5-3,8 times. CONCLUSION Conclusions: Effectiveness of influenza vaccination in individuals with Arg573Gln polymorphism of TLR-2, Leu412Phe of TLR-3, Asp299Gly of TLR-4 genes by immune and clinical epidemiological parameters is determined at the level of vaccinated subjects with normal distribution of TLR-2, TLR-3, TLR-4 alleles. Specific influenza immunization of people with polymorphic modified genotypes of TLR-2, TLR-3, TLR-4 genes can prevent the development of pneumonia and reduce the incidence of bronchitis.
Two-Stage Solution Methods for Vehicle Routing in Disaster Area

This paper addresses a vehicle routing problem in disaster area. The objective is to distribute humanitarian aid to affected zones from a set of opened humanitarian aid distribution centres using different types of vehicles. Given the particular context of emergency, distribution is planned to satisfy the demand of each affected zone for each type of humanitarian aid in the shortest possible time (this time includes both travelling and vehicles loading and unloading times). An exact and a heuristic solution method are presented, evaluated and compared through a large set of generated instances. We also investigate the impact of split delivery on delivery times.
Amplifying Domain Expertise in Clinical Data Pipelines

Digitization of health records has allowed the health care domain to adopt data-driven algorithms for decision support. There are multiple people involved in this process: a data engineer who processes and restructures the data, a data scientist who develops statistical models, and a domain expert who informs the design of the data pipeline and consumes its results for decision support. Although there are multiple data interaction tools for data scientists, few exist to allow domain experts to interact with data meaningfully. Designing systems for domain experts requires careful thought because they have different needs and characteristics from other end users. There should be an increased emphasis on the system to optimize the experts’ interaction by directing them to high-impact data tasks and reducing the total task completion time. We refer to this optimization as amplifying domain expertise. Although there is active research in making machine learning models more explainable and usable, it focuses on the final outputs of the model. However, in the clinical domain, expert involvement is needed at every pipeline step: curation, cleaning, and analysis. To this end, we review literature from the database, human-computer information, and visualization communities to demonstrate the challenges and solutions at each of the data pipeline stages. Next, we present a taxonomy of expertise amplification, which can be applied when building systems for domain experts. This includes summarization, guidance, interaction, and acceleration. Finally, we demonstrate the use of our taxonomy with a case study.