Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TNF-α Modulates P-Glycoprotein Expression and Contributes to Cellular Proliferation via Extracellular Vesicles

P-glycoprotein (Pgp/ABCB1) overexpression is associated with multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype and, consequently, failure in cancer chemotherapy. However, molecules involved in cell death deregulation may also support MDR. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is an important cytokine that may trigger either death or tumor growth. Here, we examined the role of cancer cells in self-maintenance and promotion of cellular malignancy through the transport of Pgp and TNF-α molecules by extracellular vesicles (membrane microparticles (MP)). By using a classical MDR model in vitro, we identified a positive correlation between endogenous TNF-α and Pgp, which possibly favored a non-cytotoxic effect of recombinant TNF-α (rTNF-α). We also found a positive feedback involving rTNF-α incubation and TNF-α regulation. On the other hand, rTNF-α induced a reduction in Pgp expression levels and contributed to a reduced Pgp efflux function. Our results also showed that parental and MDR cells spontaneously released MP containing endogenous TNF-α and Pgp. However, these MP were unable to transfer their content to non-cancer recipient cells. Nevertheless, MP released from parental and MDR cells elevated the proliferation index of non-tumor cells. Collectively, our results suggest that Pgp and endogenous TNF-α positively regulate cancer cell malignancy and contribute to changes in normal cell behavior through MP.
The Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen at Different Pressures on Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status in Rats

Background: The optimal use of oxygen at greater than atmospheric pressures in any operational or therapeutic application (hyperbaric oxygen, HBO2) requires awareness of the fact that the beneficial effects of oxygen coexist with toxic effects depending on the pressure and duration of exposure. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of HBO2 therapy on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in commonly used protocol for acute HBO2 indications, such as carbon monoxide intoxication, central retinal artery occlusion, crush injury, gas gangrene, and to compare it with normobaric oxygen (NBO2) in healthy rats. Materials and Methods: Fifty-six male, young adult Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into seven groups and named as Group I through Group VII. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and erythrocyte glutathione (GSH) levels in control group were compared to the levels in other groups. Results: The increases in MDA levels and the decrease in SOD activities were statistically significant in HBO2 groups at the end of the first 24 h when compared to the control group, and the significant decrease in erythrocyte GSH level was only at 2.4 atmospheres absolute. Conclusions: The present study showed that pressure and frequency of exposure are important factors to consider when investigating HBO2-induced oxidative stress and antioxidant response.
Lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2: The story continues

Inflammation is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. Lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 (Lp‐PLA2) mediates vascular inflammation through the regulation of lipid metabolism in blood, thus, it has been extensively investigated to identify its role in vascular inflammation‐related diseases, mainly atherosclerosis. Although darapladib, the most advanced Lp‐PLA2 inhibitor, failed to meet the primary endpoints of two large phase III trials in atherosclerosis patients cotreated with standard medical care, the research on Lp‐PLA2 has not been terminated. Novel pathogenic, epidemiologic, genetic, and crystallographic studies regarding Lp‐PLA2 have been reported recently, while novel inhibitors were identified through a fragment‐based lead discovery strategy. More strikingly, recent clinical and preclinical studies revealed that Lp‐PLA2 inhibition showed promising therapeutic effects in diabetic macular edema and Alzheimer's disease. In this review, we not only summarized the knowledge of Lp‐PLA2 established in the past decades but also emphasized new findings in recent years. We hope this review could be valuable for helping researchers acquire a much deeper insight into the nature of Lp‐PLA2, identify more potent and selective Lp‐PLA2 inhibitors, and discover the potential indications of Lp‐PLA2 inhibitors.
Identification of novel genes that promote persister formation by repressing transcription and cell division in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

OBJECTIVES Bacterial persisters are a small subpopulation of cells that are highly tolerant of antibiotics and contribute to chronic and recalcitrant infections. Global gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa persister cells and genes contributing to persister formation remain largely unknown. The objective of this study was to examine the gene expression profiles of the persister cells and those that regained growth in fresh medium, as well as to identify novel genes related to persister formation. METHODS P. aeruginosa persister cells and those that regrew in fresh medium were collected and subjected to RNA sequencing analysis. Genes up-regulated in the persister cells were overexpressed to evaluate their roles in persister formation. The functions of the persister-contributing genes were assessed with pulse-chase assay, affinity chromatography, fluorescence and electron microscopy, as well as a light-scattering assay. RESULTS An operon containing PA2282-PA2287 was up-regulated in the persister cells and down-regulated in the regrowing cells. PA2285 and PA2287 play key roles in persister formation. PA2285 and PA2287 were found to bind to RpoC and FtsZ, which are involved in transcription and cell division, respectively. Pulse-chase assays demonstrated inhibitory effects of PA2285 and PA2287 on the overall transcription. Meanwhile, light-scattering and microscopy assays demonstrated that PA2285 and PA2287 interfere with cell division by inhibiting FtsZ aggregation. PA2285 and PA2287 are conserved in pseudomonads and their homologous genes in Pseudomonas putida contribute to persister formation. CONCLUSIONS PA2285 and PA2287 are novel bifunctional proteins that contribute to persister formation in P. aeruginosa.
Large ants do not carry their fair share: maximal load-carrying performance of leaf-cutter ants (Atta cephalotes)

ABSTRACT Although ants are lauded for their strength, little is known about the limits of their load-carrying abilities. We determined the maximal load-carrying capacity of leaf-cutter ants by incrementally adding mass to the leaves they carried. Maximal load-carrying ability scaled isometrically with body size, indicating that larger ants had the capacity to lift the same proportion of their body mass as smaller ants (8.78 times body mass). However, larger ants were captured carrying leaf fragments that represented a lower proportion of their body mass compared with their smaller counterparts. Therefore, when selecting leaves, larger ants retained a higher proportion of their load-carrying capacity in reserve. This suggests that either larger ants require greater power reserves to overcome challenges they encounter along the trail or leaf-cutter ants do not select loads that maximize the overall leaf transport rate of the colony. Summary: Larger leaf-cutter ants carry fragments that represent a lower proportion of their body mass compared with smaller ants, and therefore retain a higher proportion of their carrying capacity in reserve.
Lichtheimia corymbifera Colonization Leading to Pulmonary Infection Can Be Prevented with Liposomal Amphotericin B in a New Murine Model

The incidence of pulmonary mucormycosis is constantly increasing, especially in hematological patients staying in high-efficiency particulate air-filtered rooms. Pulmonary inhalation of spores may occur outside the hospital, leading to invasive disease once patients received chemotherapies. ABSTRACT The incidence of pulmonary mucormycosis is constantly increasing, especially in hematological patients staying in high-efficiency particulate air-filtered rooms. Pulmonary inhalation of spores may occur outside the hospital, leading to invasive disease once patients received chemotherapies. We developed a new pulmonary mucormycosis mouse model mimicking the expected pathophysiology in human to study antifungal drugs. Naive mice were inoculated intratracheally with Lichtheimia corymbifera spores. After 3 days, mice received corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide and secondarily developed the disease, while only 5% of the initial inoculum was present in the lungs at day 3. Lung colonization with L. corymbifera spores in immunocompetent mice can last at least 44 days. Antifungal drug was administered the day of immunosuppression. Injection of a single 15 mg/kg of body weight dose of liposomal amphotericin B significantly improved survival and pulmonary fungal burden compared with controls, whereas 80 mg/kg oral posaconazole did not. These results show that a unique dose of liposomal amphotericin B offers a real potential decolonization treatment to prevent infection in our mouse model of L. corymbifera lung colonization followed by lung infection.
Quality and Authenticity Control of Functional Red Yeast Rice—A Review

Red yeast rice (RYR) is made by fermenting the rice with Monascus. It is commonly used in food colorants, dyeing, and wine making in China and its neighboring countries. Nowadays RYR has two forms on the market: common RYR is used for food products, the other form is functional RYR for medicine. However, some researchers reported that commercial lovastatin (structure is consistent with monacolin K) is illegally added to common RYR to meet drug quality standards, so as to imitate functional RYR and sell the imitation at a higher price. Based on current detection methods, it is impossible to accurately distinguish whether functional RYR is adulterated. Therefore, it is especially important to find a way to authenticate functional RYR. In the current review, the advances in history, applications, components (especially monacolins, monacolins detection methods), quality standards, authentication methods and perspectives for the future study of RYR are systematically reviewed.
A Comparative Multidose Pharmacokinetic Study of Buspirone Extended‐Release Tablets with a Reference Immediate‐Release Product

Buspirone is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,717,634 as a pharmaceutically active compound that has been found to be effective for the treatment of anxiety disorders and depression. In this randomized, two‐treatment, two‐period, multidose crossover study, the pharmacokinetics of a once‐daily extended‐release (ER) formulation of buspirone was compared with that of an immediate‐release (IR) formulation of commercially available buspirone. A total of 30 mg of the ER formulation was administered to 36 healthy volunteers once daily for 7 days, and 15 mg of the IR formulation was administered twice daily for 7 days. Pharmacokinetic profiles of buspirone and its metabolite, 1‐pyrimidinylpiperazine (1‐PP), were obtained at steady state. The bioavailability of buspirone from the ER formulation was more than three times higher than that from the IR formulation at steady state, and that of 1‐PP was about 25% less. The mean steady‐state Cmax of buspirone from the ER formulation was 46% higher than that from the IR formulation (p < 0.05), and that for 1‐PP was lower by 29% (p < 0.05). The mean apparent half‐life of buspirone from the ER formulation (9.04 hours) was considerably longer than that observed for the IR formulation (3.06 hours). The median 1‐PP/buspirone AUC ratio was much higher for the IR formulation at steady state (24.4) than for the ER formulation (6.44). There were no significant differences in average pharmacokinetic metrics observed in men and women. Based on these observations of the potential benefits of once‐daily dosing with the ER product in terms of prolonged buspirone plasma concentrations, a significant in‐crease in the ratio of buspirone to 1‐PP concentration with a lower intersubject variation could be achieved that should provide an improvement in the desired therapeutic effects of buspirone.
Outpatient Prescription Opioid Use in Pediatric Medicaid Enrollees With Special Health Care Needs

In this study, we highlight outpatient OEs in CYSHCN by prevalence and type of OE, diagnoses, and health care encounters. BrightcoveDefaultPlayer10.1542/6138655204001PEDS-VA_2018-2199 Video Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although potentially dangerous, little is known about outpatient opioid exposure (OE) in children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). We assessed the prevalence and types of OE and the diagnoses and health care encounters proximal to OE in CYSHCN. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of 2 597 987 CYSHCN aged 0-to-18 years from 11 states, continuously enrolled in Medicaid in 2016, with ≥1 chronic condition. OE included any filled prescription (single or multiple) for opioids. Health care encounters were assessed within 7 days before and 7 and 30 days after OE. RESULTS: Among CYSHCN, 7.4% had OE. CYSHCN with OE versus without OE were older (ages 10–18 years: 69.4% vs 47.7%), had more chronic conditions (≥3 conditions: 49.1% vs 30.6%), and had more polypharmacy (≥5 other medication classes: 54.7% vs 31.2%), P < . 001 for all. Most (76.7%) OEs were single fills with a median duration of 4 days (interquartile range: 3–6). The most common OEs were acetaminophen-hydrocodone (47.5%), acetaminophen-codeine (21.5%), and oxycodone (9.5%). Emergency department visits preceded 28.8% of OEs, followed by outpatient surgery (28.8%) and outpatient specialty care (19.1%). Most OEs were preceded by a diagnosis of infection (25.9%) or injury (22.3%). Only 35.1% and 62.2% of OEs were associated with follow-up visits within 7 and 30 days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: OE in CYSHCN is common, especially with multiple chronic conditions and polypharmacy. In subsequent studies, researchers should examine the appropriateness of opioid prescribing, particularly in emergency departments, as well as assess for drug interactions with chronic medications and reasons for insufficient follow-up.
Luteal phase clomiphene citrate for ovulation induction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Objective: To assess the efficacy of late luteal phase clomiphene citrate (CC) administration relative to early follicular phase CC for ovulation induction for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Study design: Review. Materials and methods: A complete electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and CBM were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The search was not restricted by language and publication time. Two reviewers selected trials and assessed trial quality by the Cochrane Handbook 5.1. 0 independently. Results: Four eligible RCT studies involving 708 women (934 cycles) were included. The results of the Meta-analysis: Late luteal phase group was associated with a number of higher total follicles (MD 1.82; 95% CI 0.86–2.78, p < 0.00001) and significant higher endometrial thickness on the day of HCG (MD 0.88; 95% CI 0.78–0.99, p < 0.00001) compared with early follicular group. There were no significant differences in the rate of pregnancy (RR 1.29; 95% CI 0.83–2.01, p = 0.26), ovulation rate (RR 0.99; 95% CI 0.86–1.14, p = 0.87), and abortion rate (RR 1.12; 95% CI 0.38 to 3.29, p = 0.84) between the two groups. Conclusion: It appeared that late luteal phase CC for ovulation induction might be an effective method for ovulation induction in women with PCOS compared to conventional CC administration. Further intensive randomized-controlled studies should be warranted to define the efficacy of CC used in late luteal phase.
Simple Reconfigurable Circularly Polarized Antenna at Three Bands

In this paper, a simple design for a triple-band circularly polarized (CP) antenna with the capability of switching its polarization between dual-sense CPs is presented. The proposed antenna is comprised of a monopole loop antenna as a primary radiator. By placing a parasitic loop around the primary radiator, an additional CP band is achieved. Reconfigurability of the polarization between right-hand CP (RHCP) and left-hand CP (LHCP) at three different frequencies of 2.5, 3.3, and 3.8 GHz was realized by controlling the ON/OFF states of two PIN diodes. For validation, the fabricated antenna yielded an impedance bandwidth of 52.6% (2.34–4.01 GHz), while the axial ratio bandwidths for both the RHCP and LHCP states were 3.5% (2.47–2.56 GHz), 6.6% (3.20–3.42 GHz), and 2.4% (3.74–3.83 GHz). The measured broadside gains within the axial ratio bandwidth were 1.2, 2.7, and 1.4 dBi, respectively. Compared to other reconfigurable multi-band CP antennas, the proposed design is the first work to achieve a reconfigurable polarization at three distinct bands at a low fabrication cost by using only two diodes. The proposed antenna is suitable for WLAN and WiMAX applications.
Functional performance of children with developmental coordination disorder at home and at school

This study investigated the functional performance of daily activities at home and at school in a population‐based sample of children with different degrees of motor coordination impairment and competence. Sixteen children (seven males, nine females; mean age 8y, SD 9mo) with developmental coordination disorder (DCD), 25 with suspected DCD ([sDCD] 17 males, eight females; mean age 7y 6mo, SD 8mo), and 63 children without motor problems (39 males, 24 females; mean age 7y 9mo, SD 7mo) were recruited from public schools (Grades 1–3, age 6y 4mo–9y 10mo) using the Chinese version of the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire, the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, and the Bruininks‐Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency. Functional performance was assessed using the Chinese versions of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales and the School Function Assessment–Chinese version. The functional performance of children with DCD and sDCD was statistically significantly lower than those without DCD (p’s<0.05). χ2 and logistic regression analyses showed significant differences among all groups in the proportion of children scoring at the ‘inadequate’ adaptive level of home performance (p’s<0.05). There were also significant differences among the groups in the proportion of children scoring below the cut‐off in school performance (p’s<0.05). The findings show the pervasive impact of DCD on children’s functional performance in daily activities at home and at school.
Eliminating the Effect of Image Border with Image Periodic Decomposition for Phase Correlation Based Remote Sensing Image Registration †

In the remote sensing community, accurate image registration is the prerequisite of the subsequent application of remote sensing images. Phase correlation based image registration has drawn extensive attention due to its high accuracy and high efficiency. However, when the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) of an image is computed, the image is implicitly assumed to be periodic. In practical application, it is impossible to meet the periodic condition that opposite borders of an image are alike, and image always shows strong discontinuities across the frame border. The discontinuities cause a severe artifact in the Fourier Transform, namely the known cross structure composed of high energy coefficients along the axes. Here, this phenomenon was referred to as effect of image border. Even worse, the effect of image border corrupted its registration accuracy and success rate. Currently, the main solution is blurring out the border of the image by weighting window function on the reference and sensed image. However, the approach also inevitably filters out non-border information of an image. The existing understanding is that the design of window function should filter as little information as possible, which can improve the registration success rate and accuracy of methods based on phase correlation. In this paper, another approach of eliminating the effect of image border is proposed, namely decomposing the image into two images: one being the periodic image and the other the smooth image. Replacing the original image by the periodic one does not suffer from the effect on the image border when applying Fourier Transform. The smooth image is analogous to an error image, which has little information except at the border. Extensive experiments were carried out and showed that the novel algorithm of eliminating the image border can improve the success rate and accuracy of phase correlation based image registration in some certain cases. Additionally, we obtained a new understanding of the role of window function in eliminating the effect of image border, which is helpful for researchers to select the optimal method of eliminating the effect of image border to improve the registration success rate and accuracy.
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Virtual Reality in Pediatrics: Effects on Pain and Anxiety

BACKGROUND: Medical procedures often evoke pain and anxiety in pediatric patients. Virtual reality (VR) is a relatively new intervention that can be used to provide distraction during, or to prepare patients for, medical procedures. This meta-analysis is the first to collate evidence on the effectiveness of VR on reducing pain and anxiety in pediatric patients undergoing medical procedures. METHODS: On April 25, 2018, we searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO with the keywords “VR,” “children,” and “adolescents. ” Studies that applied VR in a somatic setting with participants ≤21 years of age were included. VR was defined as a fully immersive 3-dimensional environment displayed in surround stereoscopic vision on a head-mounted display (HMD). We evaluated pain and anxiety outcomes during medical procedures in VR and standard care conditions. RESULTS: We identified 2889 citations, of which 17 met our inclusion criteria. VR was applied as distraction (n = 16) during venous access, dental, burn, or oncological care or as exposure (n = 1) before elective surgery under general anesthesia. The effect of VR was mostly studied in patients receiving burn care (n = 6). The overall weighted standardized mean difference (SMD) for VR was 1.30 (95% CI, 0.68–1.91) on patient-reported pain (based on 14 studies) and 1.32 (95% CI, 0.21–2.44) on patient-reported anxiety (based on 7 studies). The effect of VR on pediatric pain was also significant when observed by caregivers (SMD = 2.08; 95% CI, 0.55–3.61) or professionals (SMD = 3.02; 95% CI, 0.79–2.25). For anxiety, limited observer data were available. CONCLUSIONS: VR research in pediatrics has mainly focused on distraction. Large effect sizes indicate that VR is an effective distraction intervention to reduce pain and anxiety in pediatric patients undergoing a wide variety of medical procedures. However, further research on the effect of VR exposure as a preparation tool for medical procedures is needed because of the paucity of research into this field.