Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Converse Ω Anastomosis and Extracorporeal Anastomosis After Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

Background: Converse Ω anastomosis is a recently developed technique of delta-shaped anastomosis for intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy to simplify the anastomotic procedures and reduce their potential risks. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of converse Ω anastomosis, comparing it with conventional extracorporeal Billroth-I anastomosis after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) for gastric cancer. Patients and Methods: Among 169 gastric cancer patients who underwent LDG with Billroth-I anastomosis anastomosis between April 2013 and March 2018, we selected 100 patients by propensity score matching (50 in the converse Ω anastomosis group and 50 in the extracorporeal anastomosis group). Patients’ characteristics, intraoperative outcomes, postoperative complications, and survival time were compared between the 2 groups. Results: Median anastomosis time was significantly longer in the converse Ω group than in the extracorporeal group (40.0 vs. 30.5 min, P=0.005). However, the total procedure time did not differ significantly between the groups. Intraoperative blood loss volume was significantly lower in the converse Ω group than in the extracorporeal anastomosis group (40 vs. 120 mL, P<0.001). There were no significant differences in the number of dissected lymph nodes, postoperative morbidity, mortality, or length of hospital stay. The postoperative body mass index and the prognostic nutritional index did not differ between the groups 1 year after surgery. There were no significant differences in overall survival and relapse-free survival between the 2 groups. Conclusions: Converse Ω anastomosis is feasible and safe. This novel technique can be adopted as a treatment option for reconstruction after LDG in patients with early-stage gastric cancer. Therefore, the risks and benefits of converse Ω anastomosis after LDG should be confirmed in larger cohorts.
The Contribution of the Urokinase Plasminogen Activator and the Urokinase Receptor to Pleural and Parenchymal Lung Injury and Repair: A Narrative Review

Pleural and parenchymal lung injury have long been characterized by acute inflammation and pathologic tissue reorganization, when severe. Although transitional matrix deposition is a normal part of the injury response, unresolved fibrin deposition can lead to pleural loculation and scarification of affected areas. Within this review, we present a brief discussion of the fibrinolytic pathway, its components, and their contribution to injury progression. We review how local derangements of fibrinolysis, resulting from increased coagulation and reduced plasminogen activator activity, promote extravascular fibrin deposition. Further, we describe how pleural mesothelial cells contribute to lung scarring via the acquisition of a profibrotic phenotype. We also discuss soluble uPAR, a recently identified biomarker of pleural injury, and its diagnostic value in the grading of pleural effusions. Finally, we provide an in-depth discussion on the clinical importance of single-chain urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) for the treatment of loculated pleural collections.
Exploring the effects of oily fish consumption on measures of acute and long-term stress in healthy 8–9-year-old children: the FiSK Junior randomised trial

Abstract Long-chain n-3 PUFA (n-3 LCPUFA) are known to reduce blood pressure (BP), heart rate and vagal tone, but potential stress-mitigating effects of n-3 LCPUFA are not well investigated. We explored the effects of oily fish consumption on long-term stress and the stress response in schoolchildren. Healthy 8–9-year-old children were randomised to receive about 300 g/week of oily fish or poultry for 12 weeks (199 randomised, 197 completing). At baseline and endpoint, we measured erythrocyte n-3 LCPUFA, hair cortisol and the response to a 1-min cold pressor test (CPT) on saliva cortisol, BP and continuous electrocardiogram recordings. Post-intervention hair cortisol did not differ between the groups, but sex-specificity was indicated (P sex × group = 0·074, boys: −0·9 (95 % CI −2·9, 1·0) ng/g, girls: 0·7 (95 % CI −0·2, 1·6) ng/g). Children in the fish group tended to be less prone to terminate CPT prematurely (OR 0·20 (95 % CI 0·02, 1·04)). Mean heart beat interval during CPT was 18·2 (95 % CI 0·3, 36·6) ms longer and high frequency power increased (159 (95 % CI 29, 289) ms2) in the fish v. poultry group. The cardiac autonomic response in the 10 min following CPT was characterised by a sympathetic peak followed by a parasympathetic peak, which was most pronounced in the fish group. This exploratory study does not support a strong effect of oily fish consumption on stress but indicates that oily fish consumption may increase vagal cardiac tone during the physiological response to CPT. These results warrant further investigation.
Investigation of the Heterogeneous Reactivity of HCl, HBr, and HI on Ice Surfaces

The interactions of hydrogen halide gases (HX = HCl, HBr, and HI) with thin ice films representative of atmospheric aerosols have been studied using a Knudsen cell reactor coupled to a Fourier transform infrared−reflection absorption (FTIR−RAS) spectroscopic probe. The gas-phase uptake and reaction products resulting from the exposure of hydrogen halides to ice surfaces over a wide range of temperatures (110−210 K), hydrogen halide partial pressures (5−1000 × 10-7 Torr), and ice film thicknesses (10−100 nm) are reported. Studies of HCl and HBr showed efficient reactions on crystalline and amorphous microporous ice films at 110 K to form H3O+ until reaching coverages ranging from (5−20) × 1015 molecules cm-2, after which the rate of reaction dramatically decreased. The uptake of HCl on hexagonal crystalline ice at temperatures representative of the lower stratosphere and upper troposphere (180−210 K) was found to depend strongly on HCl partial pressure. Over the temperature range studied, exposure of ice t.
Control of Light Transmission in a Plasmonic Liquid Metacrystal

In this study, we experimentally demonstrated the control of light transmission through a slab of plasmonic liquid metacrystal by an external electric field. By applying the external static field, we were able to induce macroscopic anisotropy, which caused the polarization-dependent suppression of transmission at resonant frequencies. Such behavior indicates the selective plasmon excitation governed by the orientation of the meta-atoms with respect to the polarization of the electromagnetic wave. The problem of light transmission through a plasmonic liquid metacrystal was analyzed theoretically from first principles, and the obtained results were compared with the experimental data.
2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced colitis in Rattus norgevicus: a categorization proposal

Reproducibility in animal research is crucial for its reliance and translational relevance. The 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is widely used but inconsistently and incompletely characterized throughout the literature. This hinders comparisons between studies and influences the low rate of translation of effective preclinical molecules. The purpose of this study was to categorize TNBS-induced colitis, based on macroscopic and microscopic scoring systems, and to identify basic routine parameters that could anticipate those categories. We retrospectively analysed male Wistar Rattus norvegicus (n=28 for the control group and n=87 for the TNBS group) and categorized TNBS-induced colitis in three phenotypes: Mild, Moderate and Severe colitis, as for human IBD. Also, we showed that the time course of food intake and fecal excretion (but not body weight, fluid intake or welfare scores) could foresee those categories. So, routine evaluation of food intake and fecal excretion may guide researchers in planning their experiments, selecting the animals with the severity of colitis that better matches their aims, or applying early humane endpoints to animals that will not be used in the experiments. In conclusion, categorizing TNBS-induced colitis enhances the reproducibility of data gathered with this experimental model and strengths its translational relevance.
An effective modified method to prepare highly luminescent, highly stable water-soluble quantum dots and its preliminary application in immunoassay

In this paper, a biocompatible poly(γ-glutamic acid) (PGA)-based polymer with numerous thiol groups grafted onto the backbone was self-synthesized. It has been successfully used to prepare water-soluble quantum dots (QDs) with high luminescence and high stability. FTIR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, spectrofluoro-photometry, fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometer were used to characterize QDs@poly(γ-glutamic acid)-grafted cysteamine (PGA-g-MEA). The results indicated that QDs@PGA-g-MEA with an identical small size were highly luminescent with a well maintained, even increased, photoluminescence (PL) intensity when compared with the tributylphosphine oxide (TOPO) coated QDs. Meanwhile, they were highly stable in aqueous solution under a wide range of pH from 2 to 12, as well as under different temperatures. The QDs@PGA-g-MEA were then applied as fluorescent probes to detect human IgGs and the results demonstrated that QDs@PGA-g-MEA had great potential for application in immunofluorescence.
Application of generalized predictive control to baker's yeast production

Generalized Predictive Control (GPC) was applied in the production of baker's yeast. The bioreactor was modeled with the autoregressive integrated moving average exogenous (ARIMAX) parametric difference equation model.A 2 L bioreactor with a cooling jacket was used for collecting input-output data. In order to measure pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen in the bioreactor growth medium, suitable sensors were placed in the bioreactor. Medium temperature and the heat of the immersed heater were selected as output and manipulated variable, respectively. Square wave and a pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS) signal were used as disturbance. Model parameters were calculated by using the recursive least square parameter estimation method. Bioreactor temperature was controlled theoretically using the GPC algorithm. The control performance was investigated by giving positive and negative step responses to the set point. The GPC algorithm holds the bioreactor temperature succesfully at the optimal set point. Optimum values of the maximum costing horizon ( N 2 ), control horizon ( N U ), and control weighting ( u ) were found to be 10, 1, and 0.005, respectively.
Benzyl(1,1‐di­methyl‐3‐oxo­butyl)­ammonium iodide

The crystal structure of benzyl(1,1-di­methyl-3-oxo­butyl)­ammonium iodide, C13H20INO, has been determined at 120 K. An intramolecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bond is present that influences the geometry of the cation. In the crystal structure, intermolecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds connect pairs of mol­ecules and N—H⋯I hydrogen-bonding interactions are also present.
Effects of ChREBP deficiency on adrenal lipogenesis and steroidogenesis.

Carbohydrate response element binding protein (ChREBP) is critical in the regulation of fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis in the liver. Interestingly, Chrebp-/- mice show reduced levels of plasma cholesterol, which is critical for steroid hormone synthesis in adrenal glands. Furthermore, Chrebp mRNA expression was previously reported in human adrenal glands. Thus, it remains to be investigated whether ChREBP plays a role directly or indirectly in steroid hormone synthesis and release in adrenal glands. In the present study, we find that Chrebp mRNA is expressed in mouse adrenal glands and that ChREBP binds to carbohydrate response elements. Histological analysis of Chrebp-/- mice shows no adrenal hyperplasia and less oil red O staining compared with that in wild-type mice. In adrenal glands of Chrebp-/- mice, expression of Fasn and Scd1, two enzymes critical for fatty acid synthesis, was substantially lower and triglyceride content was reduced. Expression of Srebf2, a key transcription factor controlling synthesis and uptake of cholesterol and the target genes was upregulated, while cholesterol content was not significantly altered in the adrenal glands of Chrebp-/- mice. Adrenal corticosterone content and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone levels were not significantly altered in Chrebp-/- mice. Consistently, expression of genes related to steroid hormone synthesis was not altered. Corticosterone secretion in response to two different stimuli, namely 24-h starvation and cosyntropin administration, were also not altered in Chrebp-/- mice. Taking these results together, corticosterone synthesis and release were not affected in Chrebp-/- mice despite reduced plasma cholesterol levels.
Identification of hub genes and key pathways in the emphysema phenotype of COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to use weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to explore the molecular pathogenesis of the emphysema phenotype of COPD. After obtaining lung mRNA expression profiles from ten patients with the emphysema phenotype of COPD and eight controls, emphysema-associated gene modules were identified with WGCNA. Among 13 distinct modules, the green-yellow and brown modules showed the strongest correlations with emphysema severity and lung function and were thus selected as hub modules. On gene ontology analysis, these two modules were mainly enriched in immune response, B cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway, extracellular matrix (ECM) organization, and collagen fibril organization. Pathway analysis primarily showed enrichment in BCR signaling pathways, ECM receptor interaction, and NF-κB and TGF-β signaling pathways for the two hub modules. Several genes, including FCRLA, MS4A1, CD19, FKBP10, C1S and HTRA1, among others, were identified as hub genes. Our results shed light on the potential genetic mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of the emphysema phenotype of COPD. However, further research will be needed to confirm the involvement of the identified genes and to determine their therapeutic relevance.
Hemodynamic Instability During Liver Transplantation in Patients With End-stage Liver Disease: A Consensus Document from ILTS, LICAGE, and SATA

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Hemodynamic instability (HDI) during liver transplantation (LT) can be difficult to manage and increases postoperative morbidity and mortality. In addition to surgical causes of HDI, patient- and graft-related factors are also important. Nitric oxide–mediated vasodilatation is a common denominator associated with end-stage liver disease related to HDI. Despite intense investigation, optimal management strategies remain elusive. In this consensus article, experts from the International Liver Transplantation Society, the Liver Intensive Care Group of Europe, and the Society for the Advancement of Transplant Anesthesia performed a rigorous review of the most current literature regarding the epidemiology, causes, and management of HDI during LT. Special attention has been paid to unique LT-associated conditions including the causes and management of vasoplegic syndrome, cardiomyopathies, LT-related arrhythmias, right and left ventricular dysfunction, and the specifics of medical and fluid management in end-stage liver disease as well as problems specifically related to portal circulation. When possible, management recommendations are made.
The Role of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) in Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common gynecological malignancies. Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) is a decapeptide first described to be secreted by the hypothalamus to regulate pituitary gonadotropin secretion. In this systematic review, we analyze and summarize the data indicating that most EC express GnRH and its receptor (GnRH-R) as part of an autocrine system regulating proliferation, the cell cycle, and apoptosis. We analyze the available data on the expression and function of GnRH-II, its putative receptor, and its signal transduction. GnRH-I and GnRH-II agonists, and antagonists as well as cytotoxic GnRH-I analogs, have been shown to inhibit proliferation and to induce apoptosis in human EC cell lines in pre-clinical models. Treatment with conventional doses of GnRH-agonists that suppress pituitary gonadotropin secretion and ovarian estrogen production has become part of fertility preserving therapy of early EC or its pre-cancer (atypical endometrial hyperplasia). Conventional doses of GnRH-agonists had marginal activity in advanced or recurrent EC. Higher doses or more potent analogs including GnRH-II antagonists have not yet been used clinically. The cytotoxic GnRH-analog Zoptarelin Doxorubicin has shown encouraging activity in a phase II trial in patients with advanced or recurrent EC, which expressed GnRH-R. In a phase III trial in patients with EC of unknown GnRH-R expression, the cytotoxic GnRH doxorubicin conjugate was not superior to free doxorubicin. Further well-designed clinical trials exploiting the GnRH-system in EC might be useful.
Shape and Temperature Expansion of Free Volume Holes in Some Cured Polybutadiene-Polyisoprene Rubber Blends

The free volume fraction of a macromolecular structure can be assessed theoretically by using a suitable model; however, it can also be evaluated from experimental data obtained from dilatometry and positron annihilation lifetime spectra. In this second case, a regular geometry of the sub-nanometric cavities forming the free volume has to be assumed, although in fact they are irregularly shaped. The most popular approach is to guess spherical holes, which implies an isotropic growth of these last with temperature. In this work, we compared the free volume fraction, as obtained from experiments in a set of polybutadiene and polyisoprene cured rubbers and their blends, with the analogous quantity expected by using the lattice-hole model. The results allowed us to obtain insights on the approximate shape of the holes. Indeed, a cylindrical flattened geometry of the cavities produced a better agreement with the theory than the spherical shape. Furthermore, the best fit was obtained for holes that expanded preferentially in the radial direction, with a consequent decrease of the aspect ratio with temperature.
Photocatalysis Using ZnO Thin Films and Nanoneedles Grown by Metal–Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition

& + # . % #. D % 7 % < # # + #<< # % * < # # + # " + # % D 7 # # % 7 # # #. + # + D % 7# # % * = # % ; = #" . < <# % # 7 # / # < /6 % : <# # 7 % # # . <# % < /% * < # # + + # . # " % . + # * " # # # 7# 6 # / " < /% #" * # + . % # < % % # /# / 7 < # # % < . 7 <# # # % " + % + 7 / # 7 6 # # < /% <6 < * < # # + 7# # # * % . # # " < . 7 # + 7 % < E #" . / % + % 77 . 0# < # # + 7# 6 # ( 7 * 7 7 % < E 7 # 6 *# 7 # "#< % < F = @ G # 7# + #%"# #* ? D + # + 7 # # #. + * % #% 7 # % # + 7# < % # / < # # + # " + * # + # / " # # # # * 7 # / # * # 6 6 " 7 F 01G # . # 4 7 < " / 6 % 7 # F G 7 % # 7# # / D6 7 + * 01 # # * % # % %# < # # + # % < " # #<< # 9 1 ! " < # # + #<< # D % # #" # + . < 6 % : 77 # / < < # # + # " + ; = 7 # % # % # #+ * / * = @ < <# % . ; = 7 # % # % # #+ * #7 = @ * / + 7 % 7<# < # # + # # 7# # . 6 # % %+ / /# # % * # < # 7# # # #. 7# < % . # / # % #"# #. + # * 0 %% # + = @ #. % < 7# # #< # % # * . # 4 = @ ; = 7 # % # 6 % # #+ % < 7< # / # / # 22 H > ' / * / 7< # # #< * # . # # / ; = # % # #+ / < <# % / * # + 7 # # # + # # * 6 # + 7< + % 6% 7 # * / 7 6 % # / # # + 6 7 % D % < . < # 7 # 7< # 7# # # % 7# 7 # # <# # % < > # < # < # 7# # # . # + 7#% . + # * * + * / <# #7 # % < < # % 7< # / # + < 6 # 7 > 2 < " + < % . ; = 7 # % # % # 6 #+ D . % D + # + # % < # < < >
Specific protein kinase C isoform exerts chronic inhibition on the slowly activating delayed-rectifier potassium current by affecting channel trafficking

ABSTRACT The slowly activating delayed rectifier K+ current (I Ks) plays a key role in the repolarization of ventricular action potential in the human heart and is formed by the pore-forming α-subunit encoded by KCNQ1 (Kv7.1) and β-subunit encoded by KCNE1. Evidence suggested that I Ks was regulated through protein kinase C (PKC) pathway, but the mechanism is controversial. This study was designed to identify the specific PKC isoform involved in the long-term regulation of I Ks current. The I Ks current was recorded using whole-cell patch-clamp technique in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293B cell co-transfected with human KCNQ1/KCNE1 genes. The results revealed that both chronic activation of Ang II and PMA reduced the I Ks current in a long-term regulation (about 24 hours). Further evidence showed that PKCε knockdown by siRNA antagonized the AngII-induced chronic inhibition on the I Ks current, whereas knockdown of cPKC (PKCα and PKCβ) attenuated the inhibition effect of PMA on the current. Moreover, the forward transport inhibition of the channel with brefeldin A alleviated the Ang II-induced chronic inhibition on I Ks current, while the channel endocytosis inhibition with dynasore alleviated both Ang II and PMA-induced chronic inhibition on I Ks current. The above results showed that PKCε activation promoted the channel endocytosis and inhibited the channel forward transport to the plasma membrane, while cPKC activation only promoted the channel endocytosis, which both down regulated the channel current.
Chromium Quantification in a Leather Tanning Industrial Area Using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

We report the use of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for determination of soil contamination due to effluents from the leather tanning industry in Kasur district of Punjab in Pakistan. The quantitative analysis was performed by making a calibration curve for Cr using LIBS spectral line at 427.48 nm. Chromium concentration of 839 mg·kg -1 in the vicinity of an effluent drain and 1,829 mg·kg -1 in the area of an old stagnant pool was found. The leaching of Cr due to seepage of industrial effluents from deteriorating bricklined drains in horizontal direction also was observed.