Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biological Properties of Low-Toxicity PLGA and PLGA/PHB Fibrous Nanocomposite Implants for Osseous Tissue Regeneration. Part I: Evaluation of Potential Biotoxicity

In response to the demand for new implant materials characterized by high biocompatibility and bioresorption, two prototypes of fibrous nanocomposite implants for osseous tissue regeneration made of a newly developed blend of poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and syntheticpoly([R,S]-3-hydroxybutyrate), PLGA/PHB, have been developed and fabricated. Afibre-forming copolymer of glycolide and l-lactide (PLGA) was obtained by a unique method of synthesis carried out in blocksusing Zr(AcAc)4 as an initiator. The prototypes of the implants are composed of three layers of PLGA or PLGA/PHB, nonwoven fabrics with a pore structure designed to provide the best conditions for the cell proliferation. The bioactivity of the proposed implants has been imparted by introducing a hydroxyapatite material and IGF1, a growth factor. The developed prototypes of implants have been subjected to a set of in vitro and in vivobiocompatibility tests: in vitro cytotoxic effect, in vitro genotoxicity and systemic toxicity. Rabbitsshowed no signs of negative reactionafter implantation of the experimental implant prototypes.
Cultivating the wisdom of personnel through internal crowdsourcing

The paper focuses on internal crowdsourcing as a key mechanism through which human resources can be integrated into innovation processes. The theoretical part of the study outlines internal crowdsourcing as a form of co-creation and integrates this with a practice-based view of innovation. In our multiple case study, we examine participatory innovation practice and related activities in three large organisations. We collected data from three different groups of people representing the personnel of these organisations. The analysis was based on qualitative content analysis and comparison of the cases. In our study, we divided the co-creation process into three phases: 1) co-ideation; 2) co-evaluation; 3) co-upgrading/idea redevelopment. The analysis shows that each phase included a number of specific activities necessary to enhance both creativity and efficiency in the process. For innovative companies and their managers, the study offers practical insights into how they can cultivate the wisdom of their personnel.
Encephalitis in children

Encephalitis is an uncommon but potentially devastating neurological syndrome with different aetiologies including direct central nervous system infection with different agents (most commonly viral) and those mediated by the immune system. Whilst there have been several recent publications and guidelines on the management of bacterial central nervous system infections in adults and children, viral infections have been relatively neglected. Guidelines have been published for adults with encephalitis (www.liv.ac.uk/braininfections) but none exist for children. For these reasons, we have reviewed the literature on encephalitis and have formulated a suggested management strategy for children with suspected, clinically diagnosed and proven encephalitis. We have excluded neonates, as encephalitis in this age group has different clinical features and is beyond the scope of this review.
Marine Wind Analysis with the Benefit of Radarsat-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar

A nonlinear regression approach is employed to construct a surface wind analysis from a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) acquisition off the west coast of North America and a collocated operational marine wind forecast. The analysis is iteratively constructed using a cost function that minimizes discrepancies with the wind forecast, the SAR backscatter, and wind directions that are inferred from the backscatter gradients. The relative importance of these discrepancies is defined by three corresponding error covariance matrices and an independent set of buoy observations is used to postulate their precise definition.
Immune activation in Africa is environmentally-driven and is associated with upregulation of CCR5

BackgroundHIV infection in Africa is associated with immune activation and a cytokine profile that stimulates CCR5 expression. We investigated whether this immune activation is environmentally driven; if a dominant expression of CCR5 could indeed be detected in African individuals; and if R5 HIV strains would be prevalent in this population. MethodsFreshly drawn peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HIV-uninfected African and Italian individuals living in rural Africa, from HIV-uninfected Africans and Italians living in Italy, and from HIV-infected African and Italian patients were analysed. Determinations of HIV coreceptor-specific mRNAs and immunophenotype analyses were performed in all samples. Virological analyses included virus isolation and characterization of plasma neutralizing activity. FindingsResults showed that: immune activation is detected both in Italian and African HIV-uninfected individuals living in Africa but not in African subjects living in Italy; CCR5-specific mRNA is augmented and the surface expression of CCR5 is increased in African compared with Italian residents (CXCR4-specific mRNA is comparable); R5-HIV strains are isolated prevalently from lymphocytes of African HIV-infected patients; and plasma neutralizing activity in HIV-infected African patients is mostly specific for R5 strains. ConclusionsImmune activation in African residents is environmentally driven and not genetically predetermined. This immune activation results in a skewing of the CCR5 : CXCR4 ratio which is associated with a prevalent isolation of R5 viruses. These data suggest that the selection of the predominant virus strain within the population could be influenced by an immunologically driven pattern of HIV co receptor expression.
Ecto-ATPase Activity of α-Sarcoglycan (Adhalin)*

α-Sarcoglycan is a component of the sarcoglycan complex of dystrophin-associated proteins. Mutations of any of the sarcoglycan genes cause specific forms of muscular dystrophies, collectively termed sarcoglycanopathies. Importantly, a deficiency of any specific sarcoglycan affects the expression of the others. Thus, it appears that the lack of sarcoglycans deprives the muscle cell of an essential, yet unknown function. In the present study, we provide evidence for an ecto-ATPase activity of α-sarcoglycan. α-Sarcoglycan binds ATP in a Mg2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent manner. The binding is inhibited by 3′-O-(4-benzoyl)benzoyl ATP and ADP. Sequence analysis reveals the existence of a consensus site for nucleotide binding in the extracellular domain of the protein. An antibody against this sequence inhibits the binding of ATP. A dystrophin·dystrophin-associated protein preparation demonstrates a Mg-ATPase activity that is inhibited by the antibody but not by inhibitors of endo-ATPases. In addition, we demonstrate the presence in the sarcolemmal membrane of a P2X-type purinergic receptor. These data suggest that α-sarcoglycan may modulate the activity of P2X receptors by buffering the extracellular ATP concentration. The absence of α-sarcoglycan in sarcoglycanopathies leaves elevated the concentration of extracellular ATP and the persistent activation of P2X receptors, leading to intracellular Ca2+ overload and muscle fiber death.
Stereoselectivity of idarubicin reduction in various animal species and humans.

1. The (13S)-dihydro derivative of idarubicin, (13S)-idarubicinol, is the major urinary metabolite of idarubicin in humans. Idarubicinol epimers were quantified by h.p.l.c. in urine from rats, mice, rabbits, dogs and man after i.v. administration of idarubicin, and in man after oral dosing. The (13R)- and (13S)-epimers of idarubicinol were determined in rat bile. 2. After i.v. injection of idarubicin. (13R)-idarubicinol was not detectable in mice and rabbit urine and no more than 0.5% of the dose was present in the urine of other species. In man, the proportion of (13R)-idarubicinol in total idarubicinol was similar after i.v. (4.1%) and oral (3.8-5.0%) administration of idarubicin; the same applies to rat bile and urine. 3. Reduction of idarubicin in vivo is dependent upon ketone reductases, and proceeds more stereoselectively than that of most ketones giving rise to the (13S)-epimer almost exclusively. The high stereospecificity in idarubicin reduction might result from chiral induction due to the presence of asymmetric centres near to the carbonyl group in idarubicin.
Mechanism of expression of DNA repair gene vsr, an Escherichia coli gene that overlaps the DNA cytosine methylase gene, dcm

The DNA cytosine methylase gene of Escherichia coli, dem, overlaps an open reading frame (ORF) that continues in +1 register past the end of dcm. This ORF codes for a gene, vsr, that is required for a T:G to C:G base mismatch correction process. In this study, mutants that affect the level of expression of the two genes were constructed and characterized. Further, a previously isolated mutant, dcm‐6, was cloned and mutations within it were identified. Northern blots were used to identify dcm‐specific RNA species in wild type and dcm‐6 cells. Based on these studies we conclude that there is a six‐codon overlap between vsr and dcm. The two proteins appear to be made from a single RNA transcript and translation of dcm is required for the efficient synthesis of Vsr. Further, Vsr is active by itself and may not be produced as a fusion with Dem. This is the first example of chromosomal genes that overlap in their coding regions and produce proteins with distinct functions.
Regional advisory board position statement on optimal pneumococcal vaccination in adults. Update to 2011 consensus on adult pneumococcal disease: update on optimal pneumococcal vaccination in adults.

BACKGROUND An important development in the field of adult pneumococcal vaccination since the last Consensus Statement, published by the Expert Panel of Central and Eastern Europe and Israel (the Region) in September 2012, was the licensure of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) for adults aged 50 years and older. DISCUSSION The Expert Panel has developed this Position Statement as an update to its previous Consensus to address the following topics which are likely to be on the agenda of national scientific societies during the ongoing updates of vaccination recommendations in the Region: the availability of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for adults over 50 years of age, the available clinical evidence on its use in adults, and the future place of conjugate vaccines in adult pneumococcal vaccination. The Expert Panel concluded that there is sufficient epidemiologic immunogenicity and safety evidence to use PCV 13 in adults over 50 years of age. RESULTS The use of conjugate vaccine induces immunological memory and can overcome some limitations associated with the plain polysaccharide vaccine (PPV). It was also agreed that, if the use of PPV is considered appropriate, PCV13 should be administered first, regardless of prior pneumococcal vaccination status.
Analyzing the Emergence of Alibaba Group from Business Ecosystem Perspective

Business ecosystem perspective is a systematic thinking for business development. It has the form of dynamic and sophisticated relationships of participants or the intentional communities that are established based on the same business, economic purposes. Due to the fast-changing environment, business ecosystem perspective encourages co-evolution and value sharing among the participants to capture the opportunities in worldwide market. Therefore, this paper, from business ecosystem perspective, adopts case study and content research methodology to analyze a successful business development case – Alibaba Group. Under the leadership of Jack Ma, Alibaba has been developed as the largest company in e-Commerce business of China market. In 2014, Alibaba’s IPO in New York Stock Exchange was marked as one of the biggest IPO in the history. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the growth process regarding to the participation and evolution of business agents and the dynamic driving forces facilitating the emergence of business ecosystem, and to gain insights on management practices through the application of business ecosystem perspective. The research results show a couple of conclusions for building business ecosystem. First, the rapidly growing China e-Commerce market is the favorable external condition for Alibaba to emerge. Second, the integration of three critical elements, which are trading platform, payment system and logistics network, forms the solid infrastructure for Alibaba e-Commerce business ecosystem. Third, simultaneous developments among above critical elements are important in the emergence of particular business ecosystem. Finally, the role of major participants in every element is gradually evolving into a higher value creation and wider value sharing keystone player to increase the scope and diversity of business ecosystem. The strategic implications include the condition, structure and process for e-commerce business to emerge from business ecosystem perspective and can be referred for future studies.
Development of a Hand-Assist Robot With Multi-Degrees-of-Freedom for Rehabilitation Therapy

This paper presents a virtual reality (VR)-enhanced new hand rehabilitation support system that enables patients to exercise alone. This system features a multi-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) motion assistance robot, a VR interface for patients, and a symmetrical master-slave motion assistance training strategy called "self-motion control," in which the stroke patient's healthy hand on the master side creates the assistance motion for the impaired hand on the slave side. To assist in performing the fine exercise motions needed for functional recovery of the impaired hand, the robot was constructed in an exoskeleton with 18 DOFs, to assist finger and thumb independent motions such as flexion/extension and abduction/adduction, thumb opposability, and hand-wrist co- ordinated motions. To enhance the effectiveness of the exercises, audio-visual instructions of each training motion using VR technology were designed with the input of clinician researchers. Experimental results from healthy subjects and patients show sufficient performance in the range of motion of the robot as well as sufficient assistance forces.
Multiresolution Surface Modeling Based on Hierarchical Triangulation

This paper describes a sequential multiresolution surface modeling technique. The initial model consists in a surface triangulation resulting from the integration of a set of range views. Thereafter, a hierarchical triangulation algorithm iteratively removes vertices of the triangulation, always minimizing the retriangulation error. The equiangularity of the surface triangulation is optimized in 3-D space throughout the optimization process. Besides compressing surface information, the proposed technique preserves the topology of the triangulation and surface orientation discontinuities. Experimental models built from complex multipart objects with holes are presented.
Promoter methylation primarily occurs in tumor cells of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND The distribution of promoter methylation throughout the lungs of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unknown. In this explorative study, we assessed the methylation status of the promoter region of 11 genes in brush samples of 3 well-defined endobronchial locations in patients with NSCLC and in brushes of former and current smokers without NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS The methylation status of RASSF1A, GATA4, GATA5, SFRP1, RARbeta2, DAPK, MGMT, p16, p14, CHFR and APC2 was determined in all samples using real-time methylation-specific PCR. RESULTS Ten patients with NSCLC and 18 non-NSCLC controls were included. Eight patients had one or more methylated genes in their tumor brush. Promoter methylation of genes in proximal or contralateral locations was much less frequent than in tumor brushes, and almost exclusively occurred in normal tissue if the same gene was also methylated in the tumor brush. CONCLUSION Promoter methylation almost exclusively occurred in tumor cells of patients with NSCLC.
Insulin Resistance in the Pathogenesis of Dyslipidemia

Several recent studies have suggested that insulin resistance may be a factor in causing dyslipidemia (1-5). The characteristic lipoprotein abnormalities associated with insulin resistance include hypertriglyceridemia and high levels of VLDL and low levels of HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein (apo) A-I. Although no relationship has been observed between insulin resistance and levels of LDL cholesterol, some studies suggest an association of insulin resistance with LDL particle size (6,7). By definition, insulin resistance implies an insufficient biological or metabolic response to a given plasma concentration of insulin. Therefore, understanding the physiological effects of insulin on various lipids, apolipoproteins, and lipidregulating enzymes may help in comprehending the relationship between insulin resistance and lipoprotein abnormalities. Although this article will review various mechanisms by which insulin resistance causes lipoprotein abnormalities, some investigators, based on in vitro studies, have suggested the possibility that high concentrations of triglyceride-rich VLDL particles may impair insulin action by inhibiting insulin binding to its receptor, i.e., insulin resistance may be secondary to primary dyslipidemia (8,9). Others, however, have failed to confirm these findings (10). Preliminary results of a study from our laboratory showed that 1) patients with primary hypertriglyceridemia were markedly insulin-resistant and 2) marked lowering of plasma triglyceride levels with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake did not improve the low rates of insulin-mediated glucose disposal in them, thus indicating that insulin resistance probably is the underlying mechanism in patients with primary hypertriglyceridemia and not vice versa (11).
Osteonecrosis of sternum and rib in a patient treated for hodgkin's disease

A 39‐year‐old man is described in whom osteonecrosis of the manubrium sterni developed 23 months and of a rib 25 months after treatment for Hodgkin's disease Stage IIIB with polychemotherapy and subdiaphragmatic radiotherapy. The radiologic and histologic characteristics of this very rare localization of steroid‐associated osteonecrosis are discussed.
A longitudinal study of Stargardt disease: quantitative assessment of fundus autofluorescence, progression, and genotype correlations.

PURPOSE We characterized subtypes of fundus autofluorescence (AF) and the progression of retinal atrophy, and correlated these findings with genotype in Stargardt disease. METHODS Full clinical examination and AF imaging was undertaken in 68 patients with Stargardt disease. The baseline data were compared to those at follow-up. Patients were classified into three AF subtypes: type 1 had a localized low signal at the fovea surrounded by a homogeneous background, type 2 had a localized low signal at the macula surrounded by a heterogeneous background with numerous foci of abnormal signal, and type 3 had multiple low signal areas at the posterior pole with a heterogeneous background. At baseline, there were 19 patients with type 1, 41 with type 2, and 8 with type 3 disease. The areas of reduced AF signal were measured and rate of atrophy enlargement (RAE) was calculated as the difference of the atrophy size over time (mm²) divided by the follow-up interval (years). Molecular screening of ABCA4 was undertaken. RESULTS The mean follow-up interval was 9.1 years. A total of 42% cases with type 1 disease progressed to type 2, and 12% with type 2 progressed to type 3. The RAE (mm²/y) based upon baseline AF subtypes was significantly different; 0.06 in type 1, 0.67 in type 2, and 4.37 in type 3. ABCA4 variants were identified in 57 patients. There was a significant association between AF subtype and genotype. CONCLUSIONS The AF pattern at baseline influences the enlargement of atrophy over time and has genetic correlates. These data are likely to assist in the provision of counseling on prognosis in Stargardt disease and be valuable for future clinical trials.
Pharmacological Effects of RAAS Blockade in Ischemic Nephropathy.

BACKGROUND The management of ischemic nephropathy due to atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis has become increasingly conservative in the modern era, with current guidelines recommending optimized medical therapy as the initial step. The doubts raised by the recently published trials of revascularization strategies have led to a renewed focus on pharmacological strategies promoting blood pressure control and renal protection. It is essential to further elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying hypoperfusion induced renal microvascular dysfunction with subsequent tissue injury and fibrogenesis. The role of renin angiotensin aldosterone system as a mediator of the main pathophysiological consequences of ischemic nephropathy is well known. However, more recent experimental evidence on the adrenergic system and intrarenal tubular feedback mechanisms has stimulated new interest towards a multi-target therapeutic approach. METHODS This review focuses on the pharmacology of the principle therapeutic drug classes currently used in the treatment of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis with an analysis of their metabolic aspects and use in clinical practice based on evidence from clinical trials. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS An optimal pharmacologic approach is crucial for a successful prevention of renal injury and cardiovascular events in this high-risk population. Antihypertensive treatment should include renin angiotensin aldosterone system blockade medication not only for their antihypertensive properties, but especially for those cardio and renoprotective.