Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changing Behavior Through Design: A Lab Fume Hood Closure Experiment

One fume hood in a laboratory can use as much energy as three homes per year. When a fume hood is in use, its door (or “sash”) needs to be open, but otherwise it should be closed for safety, as well as to conserve energy. This paper examines strategies to promote fume hood closure behavior. A behavior change experiment conducted in the field tested whether a design signifier (sticker) and comparative feedback extracted from automated building and equipment data would decrease the number of times people left fume hoods open when not in use (while spaces were unoccupied or the hoods were inactive). The experiment included a control building where no fume hood intervention was implemented. The sticker and feedback together resulted in significantly fewer instances of hoods being left open (a 52.8% reduction overall). One year later, with the sticker in place and without further feedback, the instances of hoods being left open when the space was occupied but the hoods were inactive remained significantly lower than baseline. In addition to providing a low-cost strategy to bring about behavior change, findings from this study suggest opportunities to improve fume hood design and to use automated building data to provide laboratory workers with feedback to change their behavior.
Internalized Weight Bias and Disordered Eating: The Mediating Role of Body Image Avoidance and Drive for Thinness

Internalized weight bias has been linked with undesirable physical and psychological health outcomes, including disordered eating. Interventions have targeted internalized weight bias and associated outcomes, but little is known about underlying mechanisms of change. Existing treatment literature suggests that drive for thinness and body image avoidance may sustain the link between internalized weight bias and disordered eating. The present study aimed to determine if drive for thinness and body image avoidance mediated the relationship between internalized weight bias and disordered eating in an ethnically diverse sample. Participants included 225 female college students aged 18–49 years (mean age = 20.4 years, SD = 4.4), with a mean BMI of 23.3 kg/m2 who completed a computer-based survey for partial course credit. As expected, internalized weight bias was positively associated with disordered eating, and results supported the hypothesis of the mediating role of drive for thinness and body image avoidance. These results are important given the shortage of intervention efforts targeting internalized weight bias. Future intervention efforts aimed at reducing internalized weight bias and associated outcomes may benefit from simultaneously targeting drive for thinness and body image avoidance.
Kang Le Xin Reduces Blood Pressure Through Inducing Endothelial-Dependent Vasodilation by Activating the AMPK-eNOS Pathway

Hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke and cardiovascular events in clinic, which is accompanied by the abnormality of vascular tone and endothelial dysfunction of small artery. Here we report that Kang Le Xin (KLX), a novel anthraquinones compound, could reduce blood pressure and the underlying mechanisms involves that KLX induces endothelium-dependent vasodilation. KLX significantly decreases the arterial blood pressure of spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR), decreases the contractile reactivity of superior mesenteric artery to phenylephrine and increases the vasodilatory reactivity of superior mesenteric artery to carbachol in a dose-dependent manner. Besides, KLX reduces vascular tension of endothelium-intact mesenteric artery pre-constricted with phenylephrine in a dose-dependent manner, while this effect is inhibited by depriving vascular endothelium or pretreating vascular rings with L-NAME (endothelial nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) or compound C (AMP-activated protein kinase inhibitor). Moreover, KLX increases nitric oxide (NO) generation, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), AKT and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), while these effects are inhibited by pretreating cells with compound C. In conclusion, KLX is a new compound with the pharmacological action of reducing arterial blood pressure. The underlying mechanism involves KLX induces endothelium-dependent vasodilation through activating AMPK-AKT-eNOS signaling pathway.
Drug‐induced granulomatosis: is dupilumab the new kid on the block?

Dupilumab is an IgG4 antibody directed toward IL-4 and IL-13, two major effectors of the Th2 immunity response. It was originally developed for severe and/or refractory atopic dermatitis, nevertheless its use has secondarily been broadened to severe asthma 1 . We report herein the case a 28-year-old, non-smoker male who presented to the emergency department with confusion, headaches, emesis and photophobia. His medical history included only a severe atopic dermatitis leading to dupilumab initation 4 months earlier. Physical examination revealed a meningoencephalitis syndrome, and a bilateral parotidomegaly.
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Myocarditis: Pathophysiological Characteristics, Diagnosis, and Treatment

T raditional cytotoxic chemotherapy and novel cancer therapies have various cardiotoxicities, ranging from heart failure to arrhythmias. One of the most exciting developments in cancer treatment is immunotherapy, which uses the immune system to attack malignancies. Among the immunotherapy armamentarium are immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which have shown promising results. ICIs are monoclonal antibodies that target the host immune negative regulation receptors, such as CTLA-4 (cytotoxic Tlymphocyte–associated protein 4), programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1), and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PDL1). There are currently 7 US Food and Drug Administration– approved ICIs, which include ipilimumab (anti-CTLA4), nivolumab, pembrolizumab, cemiplimab (anti–PD-1), avelumab, atezolizumab, and durvalumab (anti–PD-L1) (Table). The indications for their use in cancer treatment continue to expand for an increasing number of malignancies, and in some as first-line therapy. Parallel with the increased use, recognition of immune-related adverse events (IRAEs) has also improved. The most common fatal IRAE is colitis, but the associated mortality is low at 2% to 5%. At the other end of the spectrum is ICI-related myocarditis, which is an uncommon IRAE, but is associated with a high reported mortality. There is a need for increased awareness to suspect, diagnose, and treat ICI-related myocarditis. There are few large case series describing cardiotoxicities of ICIs, with the largest coming from adverse event reporting databases. Although these databases provide larger patient numbers and allow comparisons to other cancer therapeutics, they lack granular data on how the myocarditis was diagnosed or treated. Clinical trial data provide fewer patient numbers but allow for a more standardized reporting system of toxicity in the common terminology criteria for adverse events. Although there is a specified adverse event “myocarditis” in the category of “cardiac disorders” in the common terminology criteria for adverse events version 5, this does not provide a standard for how myocarditis is diagnosed or treated. The articles describing use of cardiac imaging studies or endomyocardial biopsy for diagnosis are limited to small case series and case reports, which have a wide variability in the use of either tool for diagnosis. Furthermore, there are even fewer reports of effective treatment using immunomodulators, which have variable dosing and choice of immunomodulation. ICI-related myocarditis is a new entity that requires further research, and the following review will discuss the current literature available for aiding physicians to better diagnose and treat patients with this infrequent but fatal toxicity.
Biological characterization of an injectable platelet-rich fibrin mixture consisting of autologous albumin gel and liquid platelet-rich fibrin (Alb-PRF)

Abstract Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) has been proposed as an autologous membrane with the advantages of host accumulation of platelets and leukocytes with entrapment of growth factors. However, limitations include its faster resorption properties (~2 weeks). Interestingly, recent studies have demonstrated that by heating a liquid platelet-poor plasma (PPP) layer, the resorption properties of heated albumin (albumin gel) can be extended from 2 weeks to greater than 4 months (e-PRF). The aim of the present study was to characterize the biological properties of this novel regenerative modality. Whole blood collected from peripheral blood in 9-mL plastic tubes was centrifuged at 700 g for 8 minutes. Thereafter, the platelet-poor plasma layer was heated at 75°C for 10 minutes to create denatured albumin (albumin gel). The remaining cells and growth factor found within the buffy coat layer (liquid PRF) were thereafter mixed back together with the cooled albumin gel to form Alb-PRF. Histological analysis, including the distribution of cells within Alb-PRF, was then performed. Seven different growth factor release kinetics from Alb-PRF were characterized up to 10 days, including PDGF-AA, PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, TGF-β1, VEGF, IGF and EGF. Thereafter, gingival fibroblast cell responses to Alb-PRF were investigated by means of a live/dead assay at 24 hours; migration assay at 24 hours; proliferation assay at 1, 3 and 5 days; real-time PCR for the expression of TGF-β and collagen 1a2 at 3 and 7 days; and collagen 1 immunostaining at 14 days. It was first observed histologically that viable cells were evenly distributed throughout the Alb-PRF formulation. Growth factor release demonstrated a slow and gradual release, particularly for TGF-β1 and PDGF-AA/AB, during the entire 10-day period. Alb-PRF also exhibited statistically significantly higher cell biocompatibility at 24 hours and statistically significantly induced greater fibroblast proliferation at 5 days when compared to those of control TCP. Alb-PRF further induced statistically significantly greater mRNA levels of TGF-β at 3 and 7 days, as well as collagen 1 at 7 days. The present results indicate that Alb-PRF possesses regenerative properties induced by the slow and gradual release of growth factors found in liquid PRF via albumin gel degradation. Future studies are thus warranted to fully characterize the degradation properties of Alb-PRF in vivo and explore future clinical applications in various fields of medicine.
Circular RNA circABCC4 regulates lung adenocarcinoma progression via miR‐3186‐3p/TNRC6B axis

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), a general kind of bronchogenic malignancy globally, is depicted as one of the most critical factors affecting human health severely. Featured with loop structure, circular RNA (circRNA) has been described as an essential regulator of multiple human malignancies. Nevertheless, knowledge concerning the regulatory function of circRNA in LUAD progression remains limited. Identified as a novel circRNA, circABCC4 has not been studied in LUAD as yet. This is the first time to probe into the underlying role of circABCC4 in LUAD. In this study, a notably elevated expression of circABCC4 was found in LUAD tissues and cells. Besides, circABCC4 is verified to be characterized with a circular structure in LUAD. Functional assays elucidated that knockdown of circABCC4 significantly impaired LUAD cell proliferation, migration as well as accelerated cell apoptosis. Molecular mechanism experiments later revealed that circABCC4 could bind with miR‐3186‐3p and miR‐3186‐3p was a tumor suppressor in LUAD. Moreover, TNRC6B was validated to combine with miR‐3186‐3p, and its expression was respectively negatively and positively regulated by miR‐3186‐3p and circABCC4 in LUAD. Final rescue experiments further delineated that TNRC6B upregulation partially restored circABCC4 downregulation‐mediated effect on LUAD progression. In sum, circABCC4 regulates LUAD progression via miR‐3186‐3p/TNRC6B axis.
Kinetic and Kinematic Changes in Vertical Jump in Prepubescent Girls After 10 Weeks of Plyometric Training.

PURPOSE To examine the effect of a 10-week plyometric training (PT) on the kinematic and kinetic properties of prepubescent girls during squat jump, countermovement jump, and drop jumps. METHODS Twenty-four untrained girls (aged 9-11 y) were assigned to a training group (TG) and a control group. The TG followed twice a week PT for 10 weeks. Squat jump, countermovement jump, and drop jumps performed from heights of 20, 35, and 50 cm were tested before and after PT. Jump height, kinematic, and kinetic parameters were evaluated using a motion analysis system and a force plate. RESULTS Jumping height in all jump types increased significantly after PT for the TG (P < .001). After training, the TG presented increased power (P < .001) and knee angular velocity (P < .001), higher knee flexion at the deepest point during the braking phase (P < .001), longer contact time (P < .001), and unchanged stiffness and reaction strength index (P > .05). No differences were observed in the control group (P > .05). CONCLUSION These findings indicate that a 10-week PT positively affected jumping performance in prepubescent girls who improved their drop jump performance after training not by adopting a stiff/bouncing jumping style of short contact time and increased stiffness, but a compliant/absorbing style of prolonged contact time.
Nutrients mitigate the impacts of extreme drought on plant invasions.

Extreme climate events, such as drought, are becoming increasingly important drivers of plant community change, yet little is known about their impacts on invasive plants. Further, drought impacts may be altered by other anthropogenic stressors, such as eutrophication. We found drought dramatically reduced density of invasive Lepidium latifolium in salt marshes, and this die-back was mitigated by nutrient addition. In a 3-year field experiment (2014-2016) conducted during an unprecedented drought (2012-2015), we tracked the effects of drought and nutrient addition on the plant community. We conducted this research at four salt marshes across a salinity gradient in the San Francisco Bay, CA, USA. We manipulated paired native and invaded plots, half of which were treated monthly with N and P for 1.5 years during the most intense period of the drought and one subsequent wet winter. In addition, we monitored unmanipulated L. latifolium-invaded transects within our freshest and most saline sites throughout the three years of our manipulative experiment and one additional wet winter. We documented a dramatic die-back of invasive L. latifolium during extreme drought, with reductions in stem density (52%-100%) and height (17%-47%) that were more severe at low salinity sites than high salinity sites. We found nutrient application lessened the effect of drought on L. latifolium stem density, but not height. In native plots, extreme drought reduced native plant cover (4%-24%), but nutrient addition mitigated this impact. Interestingly, native plants in invaded plots did not suffer reductions in cover due to drought, perhaps because they were simultaneously benefiting from the die-back of the invader. Our results show drought negatively impacted both native and invasive plants and this impact was stronger on the invader, which experienced persistent declines two years after the end of the drought. However, by mitigating the effect of drought on invasive plants, nutrient addition potentially erased the advantage drought provided native plants over invasive plants under ambient nutrient conditions.
Dextromethorphan Protect the Valproic Acid Induced Downregulation of Neutrophils in Patients with Bipolar Disorder

Objective Valproic acid (VPA) is an anticonvulsant and commonly long term used as a mood stabilizer for patients with mood disorders. However its chronic effects on the hematological changes were noticed and need to be further evaluated. In this study, we evaluated, in Taiwanese Han Chinese patients with bipolar disorders (BD), the chronic effects of VPA or VPA plus dextromethorphan (DM) on the hematological molecules (white blood cell [WBCs], red blood cells [RBCs], hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets). Methods In a 12-week, randomized, double-blind study, we randomly assigned BD patients to one of three groups: VPA plus either placebo (VPA+P, n = 57) or DM (30 mg/day, VPA+DM30, n = 56) or 60 mg/day (VPA+DM60, n = 53). The Young Mania Rating Scale and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were used to evaluate symptom severity, and the hematological molecules were checked. Results Paired t test showed that the WBC, neutrophils, platelets and RBCs were significantly lowered after 12 weeks of VPA+P or VPA+DM30 treatment. VPA+DM60 represented the protective effects in the WBCs, neutrophils, and RBCs but not in the platelets. We further calculated the changes of each hematological molecules after 12 weeks treatment. We found that combination use of DM60 significantly improved the decline in neutrophils induced by the long-term VPA treatment. Conclusion Hematological molecule levels were lower after long-term treatment with VPA. VPA+DM60, which yielded the protective effect in hematological change, especially in the neutrophil counts. Thus, DM might be adjunct therapy for maintaining hematological molecules in VPA treatment.
The Role of Robotic Path Assistance and Weight Support in Facilitating 3D Movements in Individuals With Poststroke Hemiparesis

Background. High-intensity repetitive training is challenging to provide poststroke. Robotic approaches can facilitate such training by unweighting the limb and/or by improving trajectory control, but the extent to which these types of assistance are necessary is not known. Objective. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which robotic path assistance and/or weight support facilitate repetitive 3D movements in high functioning and low functioning subjects with poststroke arm motor impairment relative to healthy controls. Methods. Seven healthy controls and 18 subjects with chronic poststroke right-sided hemiparesis performed 300 repetitions of a 3D circle-drawing task using a 3D Cable-driven Arm Exoskeleton (CAREX) robot. Subjects performed 100 repetitions each with path assistance alone, weight support alone, and path assistance plus weight support in a random order over a single session. Kinematic data from the task were used to compute the normalized error and speed as well as the speed-error relationship. Results. Low functioning stroke subjects (Fugl-Meyer Scale score = 16.6 ± 6.5) showed the lowest error with path assistance plus weight support, whereas high functioning stroke subjects (Fugl-Meyer Scale score = 59.6 ± 6.8) moved faster with path assistance alone. When both speed and error were considered together, low functioning subjects significantly reduced their error and increased their speed but showed no difference across the robotic conditions. Conclusions. Robotic assistance can facilitate repetitive task performance in individuals with severe arm motor impairment, but path assistance provides little advantage over weight support alone. Future studies focusing on antigravity arm movement control are warranted poststroke.
Identification of a circular code periodicity in the bacterial ribosome: origin of codon periodicity in genes?

ABSTRACT Three-base periodicity (TBP), where nucleotides and higher order n-tuples are preferentially spaced by 3, 6, 9, etc. bases, is a well-known intrinsic property of protein-coding DNA sequences. However, its origins are still not fully understood. One hypothesis is that the periodicity reflects a primordial coding system that was used before the emergence of the modern standard genetic code (SGC). Recent evidence suggests that the X circular code, a set of 20 trinucleotides allowing the reading frames in genes to be retrieved locally, represents a possible ancestor of the SGC. Motifs from the X circular code have been found in the reading frame of protein-coding regions in extant organisms from bacteria to eukaryotes, in many transfer RNA (tRNA) genes and in important functional regions of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA), notably in the peptidyl transferase centre and the decoding centre. Here, we have used a powerful correlation function to search for periodicity patterns involving the 20 trinucleotides of the X circular code in a large set of bacterial protein-coding genes, as well as in the translation machinery, including rRNA and tRNA sequences. As might be expected, we found a strong circular code periodicity 0 modulo 3 in the protein-coding genes. More surprisingly, we also identified a similar circular code periodicity in a large region of the 16S rRNA. This region includes the 3ʹ major domain corresponding to the primordial proto-ribosome decoding centre and containing numerous sites that interact with the tRNA and messenger RNA (mRNA) during translation. Furthermore, 3D structural analysis shows that the periodicity region surrounds the mRNA channel that lies between the head and the body of the SSU. Our results support the hypothesis that the X circular code may constitute an ancestral translation code involved in reading frame retrieval and maintenance, traces of which persist in modern mRNA, tRNA and rRNA despite their long evolution and adaptation to the SGC.
Timing of cholecystectomy as the therapy for acute calculous cholecystitis.

INTRODUCTION Acute calculous cholecystitis is a common disease treated mostly by surgical therapy - laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CHE), particularly upon the common failure of conservative therapy. Timing of the surgery is essential for the development of perioperative complications. METHODS We carried out a retrospective study with patients hospitalised at our Department of Surgery, University Hospital Královské Vinohrady between January 2013 and December 2015 for the treatment of acute calculous cholecystitis. We had a set of 209 patients. We looked for the presence of perioperative complications in relation to the time of surgery - cholecystectomy. RESULTS Having compared patients with primary surgical treatment of acute calculous cholecystitis we found that twice as many patients after acute cholecystectomy done within 24 hours from admission developed 26% perioperative complications compared to those who had the surgery later than within 24 hours from their admission to the hospital (43.9%). We also found that there was a higher number of conversions from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy in the group of patient undergoing cholecystectomy within 24 hours from admission. CONCLUSION Timing of the surgical treatment of acute calculous cholecystitis is essential for the development of postoperative complications. Acute laparoscopic cholecystectomy done by an experienced surgeon within 24 hours from admission of the patient to the hospital should be the golden standard, irrespective of the duration of the symptoms or severity of the acute cholecystitis. The sooner, the better.