Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Single Monoclonal Antibody against the Peanut Allergen Ara h 2 Protects against Systemic and Local Peanut Allergy

Background: Peanut allergy is the most prevalent and dangerous food allergy. Peanuts consist of a large number of different allergens and peanut-allergic patients are frequently sensitized to multiple allergens. Hence, conventional desensitization approaches aim at targeting as many allergens as possible. Methods: The monoclonal anti-Ara h 2 antibody (mAb) was produced by hybridoma cells derived from WT BALB/c mice after immunization with a vaccine based on virus-like particles coupled to Ara h 2. BALB/c mice were sensitized intraperitoneally with peanut extract absorbed to alum and mAbs were applied i.v. Challenge was performed the next day with the whole peanut extract intravenously and via skin prick test. Results: Here we show in peanut-allergic mice that a single high-affinity mAb specific for Ara h 2 is able to block systemic and local allergic reactions induced by the complex peanut extract. We confirm in vitro binding of the mAb to the inhibitory low-affinity FcγRIIb receptor using a sensitive biosensor and demonstrate in vivo that protection was dependent on FcγRIIb. Conclusion: A single mAb specific for Ara h 2 is able to improve local and systemic allergic symptoms induced by the whole allergen mixture.
Artificial bee colony algorithm for content‐based image retrieval

Image retrieval is the process of searching for digital images from a large database. There exist two distinctive research groups, which employ the content‐based and description‐based approaches, respectively. However, research in the content‐based domain is currently dominant in the field, while the other approaches are not as widely utilized. Although there are a number of different techniques that are available for image retrieval, the development of more effective methods is still necessary. In recent years, previous research has shown that biologically inspired metaheuristic algorithms have great potential for use in solving problems in many science and engineering domains. The artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm is one of the more promising biologically inspired metaheuristic approaches used to find optimal solutions as it has the advantages of convenient implementation and efficient performance. In this article, a new efficient method based on a combination of the gray‐level cooccurrence matrix (GLCM) with the ABC, referred to as “GLCM‐ABC,” is proposed for use in content‐based image retrieval (CBIR). The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach works well for CBIR and can classify specific types of material surfaces in images with a reasonably high level of accuracy as well as outperform other existing algorithms.
Decursin negatively regulates LPS-induced upregulation of the TLR4 and JNK signaling stimulated by the expression of PRP4 in vitro

ABSTRACT The current investigation was carried out to analyze the correlation of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and pre-mRNA processing factor 4B (PRP4) in inducing inflammatory response and cell actin cytoskeleton rearrangement in macrophages (Raw 264.7) and colorectal (HCT116) as well as skin cancer (B16-F10) cells. Cell lines were stimulated with LPS, and the expression of PRP4 as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines and proteins like IL-6, IL-1β, TLR4, and NF-κB were assayed. The results demonstrated that LPS markedly increased the expression of PRP4, IL-6, IL-1β, TLR4, and NF-κB in the cells. LPS and PRP4 concomitantly altered the morphology of cells from an aggregated, flattened shape to a round shape. Decursin, a pyranocoumarin from Angelica gigas, inhibited the LPS and PRP4-induced inflammatory response, and reversed the induction of morphological changes. Finally, we established a possible link of LPS with TLR4 and JNK signaling, through which it activated PRP4. Our study provides molecular insights for LPS and PRP4-related pathogenesis and a basis for developing new strategies against metastasis in colorectal cancer and skin melanoma. Our study emphasizes that decursin may be an effective treatment strategy for various cancers in which LPS and PRP4 perform a critical role in inducing inflammatory response and morphological changes leading to cell survival and protection against anti-cancer drugs.
Theranostic approaches in nuclear medicine: current status and future prospects

ABSTRACT Introduction: Theranostics is an emerging field in which diagnosis and specific targeted therapy are combined to achieve a personalized treatment approach to the patient. In nuclear medicine clinical practice, theranostics is often performed utilizing the same molecule labeled with two different radionuclides, one radionuclide for imaging and another for therapy. Areas covered: The authors review the clinical applications of different radiopharmaceuticals in the field of interest, including the well-established use of radioactive iodine in differentiated thyroid cancer, radiolabeled metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) in neuroblastoma and the clinical impact of peptide radionuclide receptorial therapy (PRRT) in the management of neuroendocrine tumors. Furthermore, the more cutting-edge and recently introduced theranostic approaches will be reviewed, such as the radioligand therapy with 177Lu-prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and targeted alpha therapy in castration-resistant prostate cancer. Finally, the main applications of PET for the imaging of biomarkers suitable for the non-radionuclide targeted therapy will be covered. Expert opinion: Theranostics is envisaging a revolutionary clinical approach which is deeply connected with the concept of personalized medicine and ruled by a ‘patient-centered’ vision. In this perspective, the theranostic applications will need well-trained specialists, capable to manage not only the technological aspects of the discipline, but also to deal with the more innovative oncological therapies in a multidisciplinary setting.
Anti-glycation effect and the α-amylase, lipase, and α-glycosidase inhibition properties of a polyphenolic fraction derived from citrus wastes

Abstract The advanced glycation end products (AGEs) constitute a wide variety of substances synthesized from interactions between amino groups of proteins and reducing sugars, which excess induces pathogenesis of chronic diseases. Brazil is the major producer of citrus, a low-cost source of hesperidin, which is a polyphenol recognized for its capacity to inhibit AGEs formation. This is the first work to evaluate the effects of a polyphenolic fraction derived from citrus wastes on the antiglycation and on the inhibition properties of digestive enzymes on the possibility to process these wastes in high value-added products. At concentrations of 10, 15 and 20 mg/mL inhibition of AGEs was higher than 60%. The extracts were able to inhibit by 76% the activity of pancreatic lipase and by 98% the activity of α-glucosidase. For the α-amylase the inhibition capacity was lower than 50%. Strong correlation was obtained among anti-glycation with polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Harnessing the immune system via FcγR function in immune therapy: a pathway to next‐gen mAbs

The human fragment crystallizable (Fc)γ receptor (R) interacts with antigen‐complexed immunoglobulin (Ig)G ligands to both activate and modulate a powerful network of inflammatory host‐protective effector functions that are key to the normal physiology of immune resistance to pathogens. More than 100 therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are approved or in late stage clinical trials, many of which harness the potent FcγR‐mediated effector systems to varying degrees. This is most evident for antibodies targeting cancer cells inducing antibody‐dependent killing or phagocytosis but is also true to some degree for the mAbs that neutralize or remove small macromolecules such as cytokines or other Igs. The use of mAb therapeutics has also revealed a “scaffolding” role for FcγR which, in different contexts, may either underpin the therapeutic mAb action such as immune agonism or trigger catastrophic adverse effects. The still unmet therapeutic need in many cancers, inflammatory diseases or emerging infections such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) requires increased effort on the development of improved and novel mAbs. A more mature appreciation of the immunobiology of individual FcγR function and the complexity of the relationships between FcγRs and antibodies is fueling efforts to develop more potent “next‐gen” therapeutic antibodies. Such development strategies now include focused glycan or protein engineering of the Fc to increase affinity and/or tailor specificity for selective engagement of individual activating FcγRs or the inhibitory FcγRIIb or alternatively, for the ablation of FcγR interaction altogether. This review touches on recent aspects of FcγR and IgG immunobiology and its relationship with the present and future actions of therapeutic mAbs.
Effect of Co-Fermentation with Lactic Acid Bacteria and K. marxianus on Physicochemical and Sensory Properties of Goat Milk

In this study, a multi-starters fermentation system involved lactic acid bacteria and yeasts was applied to obtain a novel acidified goat milk (AGM). Significant differences were found in the volatile flavor profile among goat milk, goat yogurt, and AGM reflected by principal component analysis of electronic nose (E-nose) data. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) results indicated that the relative content of free octanoic acid decreased, and more aromas were formed in AGM, which were considered to mask the goaty smell and give AGM a pleasant flavor. Rheological analysis indicated that AGM had higher apparent viscosity and G’ and G’’ moduli than goat yogurt and goat milk. Therefore, the goat yogurt fermented by lactic acid bacteria and K. marxianus exhibits a new method to alleviate the goaty flavor in goat milk and provides a novel option for those who were allergic to milk protein and dislike goaty flavor in goat milk.
Ubiquitin-Fold Modifier-1 Participates in the Diabetic Inflammatory Response by Regulating NF-κB p65 Nuclear Translocation and the Ubiquitination and Degradation of IκBα

Background Ubiquitin-fold modifier-1 (Ufm1) is a recently identified ubiquitin-like protein. We previously confirmed that Ufm1 expression was increased in diabetic mice. However, its role in the development of diabetes remains undefined. Methods Lentivirus-mediated gene knockdown and overexpression techniques were used to observe the effect of Ufm1 on the expression of inflammatory factors, adhesion molecules and chemokines, as well as the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in macrophages. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses were used to analyse the mechanism by which Ufm1 affects the transcriptional activity of NF-κB. Finally, the effects of Ufm1 on inflammation and pancreatic, renal and myocardial damage were observed in db/db mice. Results Knockdown of Ufm1 by lentivirus shRNA targeting Ufm1 (Lv-shUfm1) led to decreased secretion of IL-6, IL-1β, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MCP-1 and CXCL2 in RAW264.7 cells that were exposed to LPS and TNF-α, while lentiviral overexpression of Ufm1 (Lv-Ufm1) caused the opposite effect. Interestingly, further investigation indicated that Ufm1 induced NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation in RAW264.7 cells via increasing the ubiquitination and degradation of IκBα. In an in vivo experiment, pretreatment of db/db mice with Lv-shUfm1 reduced the mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MCP-1 and CXCL2 in resident peritoneal macrophages (RPMs) and decreased the plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MCP-1 and CXCL2. Additionally, in Lv-Ufm1-treated mice, the inverse results were observed. Following treatment with Lv-shUfm1 and Lv-Ufm1, NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation in RPMs was decreased and increased, respectively. Importantly, we observed that Lv-shUfm1 injection led to a decrease in plasma glycaemia, a reduction in urinary albuminuria and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and an improvement in the histopathological appearance of pancreatic, kidney and myocardial tissue. Pretreatment of the mice with Lv-shUfm1 inhibited macrophage infiltration in the pancreas, kidney and myocardial tissue. Conclusion Our data elucidate a new biological function of Ufm1 that mediates inflammatory responses. Ufm1-mediated p65 nuclear translocation occurs by modulating the ubiquitination and degradation of IκBα. Moreover, downregulating Ufm1 is an effective strategy to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes and its complications.
The Effect of Systemic Hyperoxia and Hypoxia on Scotopic Thresholds in People with Early and Intermediate Age-related Macular Degeneration

ABSTRACT Purpose: Morphological retinal changes combined with functional evidence implicate hypoxia in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, the role of hypoxia in the scotopic threshold deficit reported in AMD has not been investigated. This study compared scotopic thresholds in participants with early and intermediate AMD recorded under conditions of systemic hypoxia, hyperoxia and normoxia. Materials and Methods: Over two sessions scotopic thresholds were measured with participants breathing 21% and 60% oxygen (n = 12 early AMD, n = 11 age-similar controls) or 21% and 14% oxygen (n = 16 early AMD, n = 20 age-similar controls). Thresholds were measured using a ‘white’, annular 12 degrees stimulus, using a QUEST procedure. Results: There was no statistically significant change in scotopic thresholds within the AMD or control group when breathing the hyperoxic gas mixture (60% oxygen) or the hypoxic gas mixture (14% oxygen) when compared to the normoxic condition (21% oxygen). There was also no statistically significant difference in scotopic thresholds between groups under the hyperoxic or hypoxic gas conditions. The difference between groups under the normoxic condition was not statistically significant for the hyperoxia study (p = .70), but did reach significance in the hypoxia study (p = .05). Conclusion: This study provided no evidence that breathing that breathing 14% or 60% oxygen altered scotopic thresholds in those with early AMD when compared to controls. However, the lack of elevated scotopic thresholds in the AMD group of the hyperoxia study is of note, as it is unlikely that hyperoxia would reduce thresholds which were not significantly raised at baseline, regardless of whether hypoxia was a factor in the disease pathogenesis. The findings of this study do not rule out a role for hypoxia in early AMD, but this needs to be assessed in future experiments using measures that differ significantly between people with AMD and controls.
Amsler grid test for detection of advanced glaucoma in Ethiopia

Objective This study was done to determine the validity of amsler grid test black on white (BOW), as well as white on black (WOB) for identifying central visual field (VF) defects in patients with advanced glaucoma. Design Prospective study. Participants We prospectively included 100 consecutive eyes of 88 adult patients with advanced glaucoma and 100 eyes of 100 normal individuals. We used a lottery method to choose the side of the eye for the control groups. Methods All participants had reliable Humphrey 10–2 Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm (SITA) standard VF. Both the BOW and WOB amsler grid tests were done for each group. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the amsler grid scotoma area were calculated with the 10–2 VF as the reference standard. Results The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of age and the 10–2 VF mean deviation (MD) of advanced glaucoma eyes were 59.8 ± 11.8 (range 34–84) years and -19.94 ± 9.8(range -34.98–-0.52) respectively. Among 108 eyes with normal 10–2 VF test, 103 had a normal BOW amsler grid test and 5 had an abnormal BOW test. Among 92 eyes with an abnormal 10–2 VF test, 74 had an abnormal and 18 had normal BOW amsler grid test. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the BOW amsler grid test were 80.4%, 95.4%, 93% and 85.1% respectively whereas that of the WOB amsler grid test were 71.7%, 95.4%, 93% and 72.8% respectively. Conclusion The sensitivity and specificity of both BOW and WOB amsler grid tests were high in detecting VF defects in advanced glaucoma.
Normothermic machine perfusion of ischaemically damaged porcine kidneys with autologous, allogeneic porcine and human red blood cells

In porcine kidney auto-transplant models, red blood cells (RBCs) are required for ex-vivo normothermic machine perfusion (NMP). As large quantities of RBCs are needed for NMP, utilising autologous RBCs would imply lethal exsanguination of the pig that is donor and recipient-to-be in the same experiment. The purpose of this study was to determine if an isolated porcine kidney can also be perfused with allogeneic porcine or human RBCs instead. Porcine kidneys, autologous and allogeneic blood were obtained from a local slaughterhouse. Human RBCs (O-pos), were provided by our transfusion laboratory. Warm ischaemia time was standardised at 20 minutes and subsequent hypothermic machine perfusion lasted 1.5–2.5 hours. Next, kidneys underwent NMP at 37°C during 7 hours with Williams' Medium E and washed, leukocyte depleted RBCs of either autologous, allogeneic, or human origin (n = 5 per group). During perfusion all kidneys were functional and produced urine. No macroscopic adverse reactions were observed. Creatinine clearance during NMP was significantly higher in the human RBC group in comparison with the allogeneic group (P = 0.049) but not compared to the autologous group. The concentration of albumin in the urine was significantly higher in the human RBC group (P <0.001) compared to the autologous and allogeneic RBC group. Injury marker aspartate aminotransferase was significantly higher in the human RBC group in comparison with the allogeneic group (P = 0.040) but not in comparison with the autologous group. Renal histology revealed glomerular and tubular damage in all groups. Signs of pathological hyperfiltration and microvascular injury were only observed in the human RBC group. In conclusion, perfusion of porcine kidneys with RBCs of different origin proved technically feasible. However, laboratory analysis and histology revealed more damage in the human RBC group compared to the other two groups. These results indicate that the use of allogeneic RBCs is preferable to human RBCs in a situation where autologous RBCs cannot be used for NMP.
The impact of life events on later life: a latent class analysis of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.

BACKGROUND Inequalities in life events can lead to inequalities in older age. This research aimed to explore associations between life events reported by older people and quality of life (QoL) and functional ability. METHODS Participants were grouped according to eight life events: parental closeness, educational opportunities in childhood, financial hardship, loss of an unborn child, bereavement due to war, involvement in conflict, violence and experiencing a natural disaster. Linear and logistic regressions were used to explore associations between these groups and the main outcomes of functional ability and QoL. RESULTS 7555 participants were allocated to four LCA groups: 'few life events' (n = 6,250), 'emotionally cold mother' (n = 724), 'violence in combat' (n = 274) and 'many life events' (n = 307). Reduced QoL was reported in the 'many life events' (coefficient - 5.33, 95%CI -6.61 to -4.05), 'emotionally cold mother' (-1.89, -2.62 to 1.15) and 'violence in combat' (-1.95, -3.08 to -0.82) groups, compared to the 'few life events' group. The 'many life events' group also reported more difficulty with activities of daily living. CONCLUSIONS Policies aimed at reducing inequalities in older age should consider events across the life course.
The effect of coding courses on the cognitive abilities and problem-solving skills of preschool children

ABSTRACT Background and Context: There are studies which indicate that computer programming supports high-level abilities for everyone such as creative thinking, questioning, problem solving and critical thinking which are considered within the scope of 21st-century abilities. Objective: The current experimental study was carried out to put forth the impact on the problem solving and cognitive abilities of computer programming course applied on 4–5-year-old preschool children. Method: The study was arranged according to a pretest-posttest control group experiment model. Findings: According to the results, there is an increase in the non-verbal cognitive abilities of children in the experiment group with no statistically significant difference in their problem-solving skills. Implications: Our findings give an evidence about the effects of a coding course on preschool children through the use of two validated tests for problem-solving skills and cognitive skills.
Assessment in the Survival Outcome After Transarterial Chemoembolization Combined with Cryoablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Diameter > 4cm) Based on the Albumin-Bilirubin Grade and Platelet-Albumin-Bilirubin ‎grade: ‎ A Preliminary Study

Objective Based on the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) and platelet-albumin-bilirubin (PALBI) grade to assess the long-term outcomes of patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after transarterial chemoembolization combined with cryoablation (TACE-CRA). Materials and Methods We studied 86 patients with HCC nodules (up to 3 HCCs with maximum diameters of 4.1–12.0 cm) who subsequently underwent TACE-CRA from July 2007 to August 2018. The overall survival (OS) was compared between groups classified by ALBI and PALBI grade. Baseline characteristics were collected to identify the risk factors for determination of poor OS after TACE-CRA. The prognostic performances of CTP class, ALBI and PALBI grade were compared. Results After a median follow-up time of 33.8 months, 41 patients had died. The cumulative1-, 3- and 5-year OS rates were 74.5%, 38.0% and 29.3%, respectively. Stratified according to ALBI grade, the cumulative 3- and 5-year OS rates were 41.2% and 41.2% in grade 1, respectively, and 20.9% and 9.8% in grades 2–3, respectively (P < 0.001). Stratified according to PALBI grade, the cumulative 3- and 5-year OS rates were 41.2% and 37.5% in grade 1, respectively, and 36.3% and 21.2% in grades 2–3, respectively (P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis results showed that older age, and ALBI grade 2–3 were associated with overall mortality. ALBI grade demonstrated significantly greater area under the curve values than CTP class and PALBI in predicting 1-, 3- and 5-year OS. Conclusion ALBI grade offers accurate prediction of long-term outcome for patients with HCC (diameter > 4 cm) after TACE-CRA.