Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
X-ray Determination of Compressive Residual Stresses in Spring Steel Generated by High-Speed Water Quenching

Automotive components manufacturers use the 5160 steel in leaf and coil springs. The industrial heat treatment process consists in austenitizing followed by the oil quenching and tempering process. Typically, compressive residual stresses are induced by shot peening on the surface of automotive springs to bestow compressive residual stresses that improve the fatigue resistance and increase the service life of the parts after heat treatment. In this work, a high-speed quenching was used to achieve compressive residual stresses on the surface of AISI/SAE 5160 steel samples by producing high thermal gradients and interrupting the cooling in order to generate a case-core microstructure. A special laboratory equipment was designed and built, which uses water as the quenching media in a high-speed water chamber. The severity of the cooling was characterized with embedded thermocouples to obtain the cooling curves at different depths from the surface. Samples were cooled for various times to produce different hardened case depths. The microstructure of specimens was observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to estimate the magnitude of residual stresses on the surface of the specimens. Compressive residual stresses at the surface and sub-surface of about −700 MPa were obtained.
Knockdown of REG Iα Enhances the Sensitivity to 5-Fluorouracil of Colorectal Cancer Cells via Cyclin D1/CDK4 Pathway and BAX/BCL-2 Pathways.

OBJECTIVE The reverse of chemoresistance and the improvement of sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents of colorectal cancer cells have great clinical significance and the mechanism underlying the drug resistance is still unclear. REG Iα was reported to be upregulated in colorectal cancer tissues, but the roles of chemoresistance are still unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS The expression of REG Iα in colorectal cancer cell lines was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR). The expression of REG Iα in HCT116 and LOVO cells was knockdown by siRNA. The cell viability and IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) values were analyzed by the CCK8 assay. The proportion of apoptosis and cell cycles were analyzed by flow cytometry. The migration potency of HCT116 and LOVO cells was analyzed by cell migration assay. The protein level of Cyclin D1, CDK4 (cyclin-dependent kinase 4), Bax and Bcl-2 were analyzed by western blot. RESULTS Knockdown of REG Iα enhances the sensitivity to 5-Fu of colorectal cancer cells. REG Iα knockdown promoted the cell apoptosis of HCT116 and LOVO under the 5-Fu treatment. The cell migration and cycle of colorectal cancer cells was also inhibited by REG Iα knockdown. We also found that REG Iα knockdown induced cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis by Cyclin D1/CDK4 pathway and BAX/BCL-2 pathways. CONCLUSIONS Knockdown of REG Iα enhances the sensitivity to 5-Fu of colorectal cancer cells via cyclin D1/CDK4 pathway and BAX/BCL-2 pathways.
Annexin II as a Dengue Virus Serotype 2 Interacting Protein Mediating Virus Interaction on Vero Cells

Recent evidence has demonstrated that dengue virus requires active filopodia formation for a successful infection. However, the cellular factor involved in the interaction has not been fully elucidated. We used a combination of virus overlay protein binding assay and LC-MS/MS, and identified annexin II as a dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV2) interacting protein on Vero cells, upon filopodia induction. Flow cytometry analysis showed annexin II on the Vero cells surface increased when DENV2 was added. The amount of annexin II in the plasma membrane fraction was reduced as the infection progressed. Antibody-mediated inhibition of infection and siRNA-mediated knockdown of annexin II expression significantly reduced DENV2 infection and production levels. Collectively, we demonstrated that annexin II is one of the host factor involved in DENV2 binding on Vero cells.
Platelet Lysate Inhibits NF-κB Activation and Induces Proliferation and an Alert State in Quiescent Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Retaining Their Differentiation Capability

Injured blood vessel repair and blood circulation re-establishment are crucial events for tissue repair. We investigated in primary cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), the effects of platelet lysate (PL), a cocktail of factors released by activated platelets following blood vessel disruption and involved in the wound-healing process triggering. PL exerted a protective effect on HUVEC in an inflammatory milieu by inhibiting IL-1α-activated NF-κB pathway and by inducing the secretion of PGE2, a pro-resolving molecule in the wound microenvironment. Moreover, PL enhanced HUVEC proliferation, without affecting their capability of forming tube-like structures on matrigel, and activated resting quiescent cells to re-enter cell cycle. In agreement with these findings, proliferation-related pathways Akt and ERK1/2 were activated. The expression of the cell-cycle activator Cyclin D1 was also enhanced, as well as the expression of the High Mobility Group Box-1 (HMGB1), a protein of the alarmin group involved in tissue homeostasis, repair, and remodeling. These in vitro data suggest a possible in vivo contribution of PL to new vessel formation after a wound by activation of cells resident in vessel walls. Our biochemical study provides a rationale for the clinical use of PL in the treatment of wound healing-related pathologies.
Complementary feeding, consumption of industrialized foods and nutritional status of children under 3 years old in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 2016: a descriptive study.

OBJECTIVE to verify how and when complementary feeding (CF) begins, its profile, consumption of processed foods and nutritional status of children aged 1-3 years. METHODS children enrolled at public schools in Pelotas, RS, Brazil, were evaluated; length/height-for-age and weight-for-age scores, and body mass index (BMI)/age were used, and a structured questionnaire was administered to parents/caregivers; CF was considered early when started before the age of six months; data were presented in a descriptive way. RESULTS 79 children were evaluated, of whom 13 were overweight and 6 obese; 11 had high weight-for-age; mean age for beginning CF was 5.3 months; when aged <6 months, 43% received gelatin, and 12.7% juice from cartons; when aged 6-24 months, 96.2% received filled biscuits and 91.1% salty snacks. CONCLUSION CF and consumption of processed foods began early; obesity and overweight were more prevalent than malnutrition.
Salicylate and Procyanidin-Rich Stem Extracts of Gaultheria procumbens L. Inhibit Pro-Inflammatory Enzymes and Suppress Pro-Inflammatory and Pro-Oxidant Functions of Human Neutrophils Ex Vivo

Salicylate-rich plants are an attractive alternative to synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs due to a better safety profile and the advantage of complementary anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of the co-occurring non-salicylate phytochemicals. Here, the phytochemical value and biological effects in vitro and ex vivo of the stems of one of such plants, Gaultheria procumbens L. , were evaluated. The best extrahent for effective recovery of the active stem molecules was established in comparative studies of five extracts. The UHPLC-PDA-ESI-MS3, HPLC-PDA, and UV-photometric assays revealed that the selected acetone extract (AE) accumulates a rich polyphenolic fraction (35 identified constituents; total content 427.2 mg/g dw), mainly flavanols (catechins and proanthocyanidins; 201.3 mg/g dw) and methyl salicylate glycosides (199.9 mg/g dw). The extract and its model components were effective cyclooxygenase-2, lipoxygenase, and hyaluronidase inhibitors; exhibited strong antioxidant capacity in six non-cellular in vitro models (AE and procyanidins); and also significantly and dose-dependently reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the release of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α) and proteinases (elastase-2, metalloproteinase-9) in human neutrophils stimulated ex vivo by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (fMLP). The cellular safety of AE was demonstrated by flow cytometry. The results support the application of the plant in traditional medicine and encourage the use of AE for development of new therapeutic agents.
The Key Role of Phosphate on Vascular Calcification

Vascular calcification (VC) is common in dialysis and non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, even in the early stage of the disease. For this reason, it can be considered a CKD hallmark. VC contributes to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and increased mortality among CKD patients, although it has not been proven. There are more than one type of VC and every form represents a marker of systemic vascular disease and is associated with a higher prevalence of CVD in CKD patients, as shown by several clinical studies. Major risk factors for VC in CKD include: Increasing age, dialysis vintage, hyperphosphatemia (particularly in the setting of intermittent or persistent hypercalcemia), and a positive net calcium and phosphate balance. Excessive oral calcium intake, including calcium-containing phosphate binders, increases the risk for VC. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that there is less VC progression with non-calcium-containing phosphate binders. Unfortunately, until now, a specific therapy to prevent progression or to facilitate regression of VC has been found, beyond careful attention to calcium and phosphate balance.
Analysis of Pyricularia oryzae and P. grisea from Different Hosts Based on Multilocus Phylogeny and Pathogenicity Associated with Host Preference in China.

Pyricularia oryzae and P. grisea are important agents of major diseases on a wide range of gramineous hosts, and while P. oryzae is the most important pathogen causing outbreak of the rice blast, P. grisea is mainly pathogen of crabgrass. In this study, 103 P. oryzae and 20 P. grisea isolates were collected from seven species of plants, and their phylogeny, pathogenicity, and relationship with host preferences were analyzed to investigate the differences among them from different hosts. Based on phylogenetic analysis of multilocus sequences, 16 isolates from crabgrass and four isolates from green bristlegrass were identified as P. grisea, and another 103 isolates from crabgrass, green bristlegrass, goose grass, foxtail millet, wild millet, rice and sedge belonged to P. oryzae. Results on pathogenicity tests by artificial inoculation demonstrated that six out of ten P. oryzae isolates from rice and three out of 44 P. oryzae isolates from green bristlegrass showed cross-infectivity on green bristlegrass and rice, respectively. Taken together, our results demonstrated that isolates from green bristlegrass and crabgrass consist of both P. oryzae and P. grisea, and that P. oryzae isolates showed cross-infectivity between rice and green bristlegrass, suggesting host shifts may occur for P. oryzae and P. grisea.
Randomized Trial of Verubecestat for Prodromal Alzheimer's Disease

BACKGROUND Prodromal Alzheimer's disease offers an opportunity to test the effect of drugs that modify the deposition of amyloid in the brain before the onset of dementia. Verubecestat is an orally administered β‐site amyloid precursor protein–cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE‐1) inhibitor that blocks production of amyloid‐beta (Aβ). The drug did not prevent clinical progression in a trial involving patients with mild‐to‐moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. METHODS We conducted a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, 104‐week trial to evaluate verubecestat at doses of 12 mg and 40 mg per day, as compared with placebo, in patients who had memory impairment and elevated brain amyloid levels but whose condition did not meet the case definition of dementia. The primary outcome was the change from baseline to week 104 in the score on the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale–Sum of Boxes (CDR‐SB; scores range from 0 to 18, with higher scores indicating worse cognition and daily function). Secondary outcomes included other assessments of cognition and daily function. RESULTS The trial was terminated for futility after 1454 patients had been enrolled; 485 had been assigned to receive verubecestat at a dose of 12 mg per day (the 12‐mg group), 484 to receive verubecestat at a dose of 40 mg per day (the 40‐mg group), and 485 to receive placebo. A total of 234 patients, 231 patients, and 239 patients per group, respectively, completed 104 weeks of the trial regimen. The estimated mean change from baseline to week 104 in the CDR‐SB score was 1.65 in the 12‐mg group, 2.02 in the 40‐mg group, and 1.58 in the placebo group (P=0.67 for the comparison between the 12‐mg group and the placebo group and P=0.01 for the comparison between the 40‐mg group and the placebo group), suggesting a worse outcome in the higher‐dose group than in the placebo group. The estimated rate of progression to dementia due to Alzheimer's disease was 24.5, 25.5, and 19.3 events per 100 patient‐years in the 12‐mg group, the 40‐mg group, and the placebo group, respectively (hazard ratio for 40 mg vs. placebo, 1.38; 97.51% confidence interval, 1.07 to 1.79, not adjusted for multiple comparisons), favoring placebo. Adverse events were more common in the verubecestat groups than in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS Verubecestat did not improve clinical ratings of dementia among patients with prodromal Alzheimer's disease, and some measures suggested that cognition and daily function were worse among patients who received verubecestat than among those who received placebo. (Funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01953601.)
Impact of obstructive sleep apnea on pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome are highly prevalent respiratory conditions. Their coexistence is referred to as the overlap syndrome. They are both related to pulmonary hypertension (PH) development. This study investigated the effects of OSA on PH in patients with COPD and the associated factors. Methods: Consecutive patients with stable COPD were recruited for an observational cross-sectional study from September 2016 to May 2018 at Peking University Third Hospital. In total, 106 patients with COPD were enrolled and performed home portable monitoring and echocardiography. OSA was defined by an apnea hypopnea index (AHI) ≥10 events/h. Based on OSA absence or presence, patients were divided into the COPD with OSA and COPD without OSA groups. Factors affecting pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and PH were identified using univariate analysis and logistic regression models. Results: In the 106 patients with COPD, the mean age was 69.52 years, 91.5% were men, and the mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) percentage of predicted was 56.15%. Fifty-six (52.8%) patients with COPD were diagnosed with OSA, and 24 (22.6%) patients with COPD were diagnosed as PH. Compared with COPD without OSA group, the median PAP in COPD with severe OSA group increased by 5 mmHg (36.00 [26.00–50.00] mmHg vs. 31.00 [24.00–34.00] mmHg, P = 0.036). COPD with percent of night-time spent with oxygen saturation below 90% (T90) > 10% group had higher PAP than COPD with T90 ≤ 1% group (36.00 [29.00–50.00)] mmHg vs. 29.00 [25.50–34.00] mmHg, F = 7.889, P = 0.007). Univariate analysis revealed age, FEV1% predicted, T90, and Charlson index had statistically significant effects on PH. Multiple regression analysis showed a significant and independent effect of both FEV1% predicted (odds ratio [OR] = 3.46; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15–10.46; P = 0.028) and AHI (OR = 3.20; 95% CI: 1.09–19.35; P = 0.034) on PH. Conclusions: Patients with COPD with OSA are more susceptible to PH, which is associated with declining lung function and increased severity of OSA. Thus, nocturnal hypoxemia and OSA in elderly patients with COPD should be identified and treated.
Evolutionary Insights of the ZW Sex Chromosomes in Snakes: A New Chapter Added by the Amazonian Puffing Snakes of the Genus Spilotes

Amazonian puffing snakes (Spilotes; Colubridae) are snakes widely distributed in the Neotropical region. However, chromosomal data are scarce in this group and, when available, are only limited to karyotype description using conventional staining. In this paper, we focused on the process of karyotype evolution and trends for sex chromosomes in two Amazonian Puffer Snakes (S. pulllatus and S. sulphureus). We performed an extensive karyotype characterization using conventional and molecular cytogenetic approaches. The karyotype of S. sulphureus (presented here for the first time) exhibits a 2n = 36, similar to that previously described in S. pullatus. Both species have highly differentiated ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes, where the W chromosome is highly heterochromatic in S. pullatus but euchromatic in S. sulphureus. Both W chromosomes are homologous between these species as revealed by cross-species comparative genomic hybridization, even with heterogeneous distributions of several repetitive sequences across their genomes, including on the Z and on the W chromosomes. Our study provides evidence that W chromosomes in these two species have shared ancestry.
mTOR Signalling in Head and Neck Cancer: Heads Up

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway is a central regulator of metabolism in all cells. It senses intracellular and extracellular signals and nutrient levels, and coordinates the metabolic requirements for cell growth, survival, and proliferation. Genetic alterations that deregulate mTOR signalling lead to metabolic reprogramming, resulting in the development of several cancers including those of the head and neck. Gain-of-function mutations in EGFR, PIK3CA, and HRAS, or loss-of-function in p53 and PTEN are often associated with mTOR hyperactivation, whereas mutations identified from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset that potentially lead to aberrant mTOR signalling are found in the EIF4G1, PLD1, RAC1, and SZT2 genes. In this review, we discuss how these mutant genes could affect mTOR signalling and highlight their impact on metabolic processes, as well as suggest potential targets for therapeutic intervention, primarily in head and neck cancer.
A Comparison of Word-Recognition Performances on the Auditec and VA Recorded Versions of Northwestern University Auditory Test No. 6 by Young Listeners with Normal Hearing and by Older Listeners with Sensorineural Hearing Loss Using a Randomized Presentation-Level Paradigm

Abstract Background: The Auditec of St. Louis and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recorded versions of the Northwestern University Auditory Test No. 6 (NU-6) are in common usage. Data on young adults with normal hearing for pure tones (YNH) demonstrate equal recognition performances on the two versions when the VA version is presented 5 dB higher but similar data on older listeners with sensorineural hearing loss (OHL) are lacking. Purpose: To compare word-recognition performances on the Auditec and VA versions of NU-6 presented at six presentation levels with YNH and OHL listeners. Research Design: A quasi-experimental, repeated-measures design was used. Study Sample: Twelve YNH (M = 24.0 years; PTA = 9.9-dB HL) and 36 OHL listeners (M = 71.6 years; PTA = 26.7-dB HL) participated in three, one-hour sessions. Data Collection and Analyses: Each listener received 100 stimulus words that were randomized by 6 presentation levels for each of two speakers (YNH, −2 to 28-dB SL; OHL, −2 to 38-dB SL). The sessions were limited to 25 practice and 400 experimental words. Digital versions of the 16, 25-word tracks for each session were alternated between speakers. Results: Each of the 48 listeners had higher recognition performances on the Auditec version of NU-6 than on the VA version. The respective overall recognition performances on the Auditec and VA versions were 71.4% and 64.1% (YNH) and 68.7% and 58.2% (OHL). At the highest presentation levels, recognition performances on the two versions differed by only 0.5% (YNH) and 3.3% (OHL). At the 50% correct point, performances on the Auditec version were 3.2 dB (YNH) and 6.1 dB (OHL) better than those on the VA version. The slopes at the 50% points on the mean functions for both speakers were about 4.9%/dB (YNH) and 3.0%/dB (OHL); however, the slopes evaluated from the individual listener data were steeper, 5.2 to 5.3%/dB (YNH) and 3.3 to 3.5%/dB (OHL). When the individual data were transformed from dB SL to dB HL, the differences between the two listener groups were emphasized. The four functions (2 speakers by 2 listener groups) were plotted for each of the 48 participants and each of the 200 words, which revealed the gamut of relations among the datasets. Examination of the data for each speaker across test sessions, in the traditional 50-word lists, and in the typically used 25-word lists of Randomization A revealed no differences of clinical concern. Finally, introspective reports from the listeners revealed that 91.7% and 83.3% of the YNH and OHL listeners, respectively, thought the Auditec speaker was easier to understand than the VA speaker. Recognition performances on each participant and on each word are presented.
Hydroxychloroquine treatment during pregnancy in lupus patients is associated with lower risk of preeclampsia

Background Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is regarded as a mainstay in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) because of its efficacy in preventing flares, achieving remission, and reducing overall mortality. However, the impact of HCQ on pregnancy outcomes remains controversial. Objective We aimed to investigate the effect of HCQ on pregnancy outcomes in patients with SLE. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of 151 pregnancies in 122 patients with SLE (80 pregnancies in the HCQ treatment group and 71 pregnancies in the HCQ nontreatment group). We reviewed baseline characteristics including maternal comorbidities such as antiphospholipid syndrome, lupus nephritis, and autoimmune hepatitis. Pregnancy outcomes (preeclampsia, preterm delivery, and fetal growth restriction) and neonatal outcomes (gestational age at delivery and birth weight) were compared between HCQ treatment and nontreatment groups. Results Preeclampsia was significantly less complicated (7.5% vs 19.7%, p = 0.032) and neonatal birth weight was significantly greater (2757.0 ± 583.5 g vs 2542.3 ± 908.3 g, p = 0.001) in the HCQ treatment group than in the HCQ nontreatment group. Multiple logistic analysis adjusting for body mass index (BMI), lupus nephritis, serum uric acid, and estimated glomerular filtration rate revealed HCQ treatment was associated with exceedingly lower risk of preeclampsia in SLE pregnancy (odds ratio (OR) 0.106 (confidence interval (CI) 0.017–0.671)). Other independent risk factors for preeclampsia were a high prepregnancy BMI (OR 1.575 (CI 1.114–2.227)) and low eGFR level (OR 0.931 (CI 0.886–0.979)) before pregnancy. Conclusion Our data showed pregnancy outcomes in SLE patients can be improved in the HCQ treatment group with about 90% reduction of preeclampsia.