Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changing Trends in Lymph Node Lesions in Owerri, South East Nigeria

Aim: The objective of this study is to define the common causes of both peripheral and visceral lymphadenopathy in Owerri and compare with the previous studies. Methodology: The surgical day books, the histology request, and report forms, as well as the operative findings, were used to retrieve the biodata of patients, history, clinical and histologic diagnoses. Results: The mean age was 37.41 years with age range of 2 to 84 years. The peak age of lymphadenopathy was in the 11-20 years age group. There was a female preponderance giving a male to female ratio of 1:1.2. The commonest disease involving the lymph nodes in this study is metastatic carcinomas which constituted 50% (28 cases). The second commonest lesion was reactive lymphoid hyperplasia which contributed 17.86% (10/56), tuberculous lymphadenitis 14.29% (8/56), the lymphomas constituted 8.93% (5 cases), dermatopathic lymphadenitis and Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KF) contributed 3.57% (2 cases) and a single case (1.79%) of chronic non-caseating granulomatous inflammation. Conclusion: Contrary to the previous belief that infectious and inflammatory diseases were the commonest cause of lymphadenopathy in the developing world, this study demonstrated that malignant neoplastic disease is taking a pride of place in lymphadenopathy in our environment.
N . 313 September 2011 FDI and Growth : What Cross-Country Industry Data

The theoretical literature has discussed different channels through which foreign direct investments ( FDI) promote host country’s economic growth, but empiric al analyses have so far been inconclusive. In this paper we provide evidence that FDI have a positive and stati stically significant growth effect in recipient cou ntries, using a panel of 14 manufacturing sectors for (a sample o f) developed and developing countries over the peri od 1992 2004. Moreover, we find that this effect is stronge r in capital intensive and in technologically advan ced sectors, highlighting the importance of sector characteristi cs. We find that the growth enhancing effect comes primarily from an increase in total factor productivity (TFP) and from capital accumulation. FDI not only contri bute to physical capital accumulation, but also generate po sitive technological spillovers. Our results are ro bust to the inclusion of other determinants of economic growth. We also address the issue of potential endogeneity and results are confirmed. Policy implications of our f indings are important, especially for developing co untries, where the growth enhancing promotion of foreign inv estment in capital intensive and technologically ad vanced sectors is at the heart of the debate. JEL classification: F23; F36; F43; O16
Using ultrasound imaging to identify landmarks in vertebra models to assess spinal deformity

Scoliosis is a type of spinal deformity that commonly develops in adolescents. Cobb angle, using the most tilted vertebrae, is the gold standard to assess scoliosis on radiographs. However, regularly taking radiographs introduces harmful ionizing radiation to patients, thus non-ionizing radiation methods have been explored for many years. Ultrasound has been proposed as one of the non-ionizing radiation methods to measure the deformity. This research was divided into two studies: 1) to investigate the reliability and repeatability of a new proposed method to measure Cobb angle; 2) to determine if landmarks can be identified from ultrasound images to measure curvature of spine. Based on the two studies, the feasibility of using ultrasound images to assess spinal deformity will be determined. Thirty-nine radiographs were used in the first study. The new method agreed well with the traditional Cobb method with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value greater than 0.7 in different severity groups, and the average angle difference was 1.6°±3.1°. The second study showed laminae and transverse processes could be recognized from ultrasound images. The difference of the width of the laminae between the phantom and the ultrasound image was 0.3 mm. Therefore, it is feasible to use the proposed method and the laminae from the ultrasound images to assess the severity of scoliosis.
Biodiesel Synthesis From Waste Cooking Oil Using CaO.SrO Catalyst By Transesterification Reaction In Batch Reactor

CaO is a very good catalyst for oil transesterification reactions into biodiesel, but requires a reaction time of 2 hours to obtain equilibrium. The time of CaO catalysis reaction can be accelerated by modifying the CaO catalyst with SrO. Synthesis biodiesel of waste cooking oil has been successfully conducted by transesterification reaction that used batch reactor assisted by CaO.SrO catalyst. The aim of this study is to determine the characteristics and catalytic activity of catalyst in the transesterification reaction. Catalysts have been successfully synthesized by coprecipitation method with oil to methanol molar ratio of 1:1, and its calcined at 800oC for 3 hours. Catalyst was characterized by XRD to determine the crystallinity. The smaller catalyst crystallinity obtained as the decline in intensity and shifts diffraction angles of CaO modified SrO catalyst. Surface area of catalyst characterized by SAA, that allow surface area between CaO modified SrO by 10.217 m2/g. Transesterification reaction performed on variation time (30, 60, 90, 120, 150 minutes), and the catalysts amount (1, 2, 4, 6, 8% w/v). The optimum condition of catalytic activity in reaction for 2 hours and the catalyst amount is 1% w/v of reactants that produce yield of biodiesel is 96.4%.
Baicalin is a substrate of OATP2B1 and OATP1B3

The use and significance of baicalin, the main bioactive component found in Radix Scutellaria, have been on the rise due to its interesting pharmacological properties. Baicalin, a low passive permeability compound, is directly absorbed from the upper intestine and its hepatic elimination is dominant. However, interaction but no transport studies have implicated organic anion‐transporting polypeptides in its cellular uptake. By using mammalian cells stably expressing the uptake transporters of interest, we are showing that baicalin is a potent substrate of Organic anion‐transporting polypeptide 2B1 (OATP2B1) and less potent substrate of OATP1B3. OATP2B1 and OATP1B3 transport baicalin and may play a role in the hepatic uptake of baicalin formed in the intestine.
Tilburg University Validation of subscales on the child and youth resilience measure-28 ( CYRM-28 )

Objectives: This article presents the validation of the 28-item Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-28) among two Canadian samples of youth with complex needs. Method: The CYRM-28 was administered to two groups of concurrent service using youth in Atlantic Canada (n1 1⁄4 497; n2 1⁄4 410) allowing for use of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Results: Reproducibility agreement is achieved and subscales of the measure are confirmed and show adequate psychometric properties. Conclusions: Findings add support to the CYRM-28 as a reliable and valid self-report instrument that measures three components of resilience processes in the lives of complex needs youth. Advanced statistical modeling yielded evidence that the scale, originally developed for use in various countries, can be used to assess resilience in youth from various ethnocultural backgrounds in Atlantic Canada.
Loss of Genetic Variation in Greater Prairie Chickens Following a Population Bottleneck in Wisconsin, U.S.A.

Abstract: Over the last century, populations of the Greater Prairie Chicken ( Tympanuchus cupido ) have declined or gone extinct throughout midwestern North America. In Wisconsin the population declined by 50% from 1951 to 1961 and has remained at low ( 1500 individuals ) but fluctuating levels for the past 40 years. We examined historic ( 1951 ) and contemporary ( 1996–1999 ) populations of prairie chickens in Wisconsin to determine whether there was a loss of genetic variation following the population bottleneck. We compared microsatellite DNA variation at six loci in historic ( 1951, n = 47 ) and contemporary ( 1996–1999, n = 87 ) populations. Population mean heterozygosity and number of alleles per locus were significantly lower in the late 1990s than in 1951. This loss of genetic variation following a population bottleneck is consistent with the results of a similar study in Illinois, but we found no evidence of a reduction in hatching success.
Peripheral T cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL‐NOS). A new prognostic model developed by the International T cell Project Network

Different models to investigate the prognosis of peripheral T cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (PTCL‐NOS) have been developed by means of retrospective analyses. Here we report on a new model designed on data from the prospective T Cell Project. Twelve covariates collected by the T Cell Project were analysed and a new model (T cell score), based on four covariates (serum albumin, performance status, stage and absolute neutrophil count) that maintained their prognostic value in multiple Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was proposed. Among patients registered in the T Cell Project, 311 PTCL‐NOS were retained for study. At a median follow‐up of 46 months, the median overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) was 20 and 10 months, respectively. Three groups were identified at low risk (LR, 48 patients, 15%, score 0), intermediate risk (IR, 189 patients, 61%, score 1–2), and high risk (HiR, 74 patients, 24%, score 3–4), having a 3‐year OS of 76% [95% confidence interval 61–88], 43% [35–51], and 11% [4–21], respectively (P < 0·001). Comparing the performance of the T cell score on OS to that of each of the previously developed models, it emerged that the new score had the best discriminant power. The new T cell score, based on clinical variables, identifies a group with very unfavourable outcomes.
A framework for the efficient segmentation of large-format color images

A novel approach to large-format image segmentation is presented, focused on usage in content-based multimedia applications. The proposed framework aims at facilitating the time-efficient segmentation of large-format images while maintaining the high perceptual quality of the segmentation result. For this to be achieved, the employed segmentation algorithm is applied to reduced versions of the large-format images, in order to speed-up its execution, resulting in a coarse-grained segmentation mask. The final fine-grained segmentation mask is produced by an enhancement stage that involves partial reclassification of the pixels of the original image using a Bayes classifier. As shown by experimental evaluation, this novel scheme provides fast segmentation with high perceptual segmentation quality.
A Comparative Study of Conventional Physiotherapy versus Robot-Assisted Gait Training Associated to Physiotherapy in Individuals with Ataxia after Stroke

Objectives To assess the influence of RAGT on balance, coordination, and functional independence in activities of daily living of chronic stroke survivors with ataxia at least one year of injury. Methods It was a randomized controlled trial. The patients were allocated to either therapist-assisted gait training (TAGT) or robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT). Both groups received 3 weekly sessions of physiotherapy with an estimated duration of 60 minutes each and prescribed home exercises. The following outcome measures were evaluated prior to and after the completion of the 5-month protocol treatment: BBS, TUG test, FIM, and SARA. For intragroup comparisons, the Wilcoxon test was used, and the Mann–Whitney test was used for between-group comparison. Results Nineteen stroke survivors with ataxia sequel after one year of injury were recruited. Both groups showed statistically significant improvement (P < 0.05) in balance, functional independencein, and general ataxia symptoms. There were no statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) for between-group comparisons both at baseline and after completion of the protocol. Conclusions Chronic stroke patients with ataxia had significant improvements in balance and independence in activities of daily living after RAGT along with conventional therapy and home exercises. This trial was registered with trial registration number 39862414.6. 0000.5505.
Consumption of Sugars, Sugary Foods, and Sugary Beverages in Relation to Adiposity-Related Cancer Risk in the Framingham Offspring Cohort (1991–2013)

Background: Higher sugar consumption may increase cancer risk by promoting insulin-glucose dysregulation, oxidative stress, hormonal imbalances, and excess adiposity. This prospective study investigates the association between dietary sugars (fructose and sucrose) and sugary foods and beverages in relation to combined and site-specific (breast, prostate, colorectal) adiposity-associated cancers. Methods: The analytic sample consisted of 3,184 adults, aged 26–84 years, from the Framingham Offspring cohort. Diet data were first collected between 1991 and 1995 using a food frequency questionnaire. Intakes of fructose, sucrose, sugary foods, and sugary beverages (fruit juice and sugar-sweetened beverages) were derived. Participants were followed up until 2013 to ascertain cancer incidence; 565 doctor-diagnosed adiposity-related cancers, including 124 breast, 157 prostate, and 68 colorectal cancers occurred. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate associations. Tests for interaction with BMI and waist circumference were conducted. Results: No associations were observed between fructose, sucrose, sugary food consumption, and combined incidence of adiposity-related cancers or the examined site-specific cancers. While total consumption of sugary beverages was not associated with site-specific cancer risk, higher intakes of fruit juice were associated with 58% increased prostate cancer risk (HR: 1.58; 95% CI, 1.04–2.41) in multivariable-adjusted models. In exploratory stratified analyses, higher sugary beverage intakes increased overall adiposity-related cancer risk by 59% in participants with excessive central adiposity (HR: 1.59; 95% CI, 1.01–2.50; Ptrend = 0.057). Conclusions: In this cohort of American adults, higher sugary beverage consumption was associated with increased cancer risk among participants with central adiposity. Impact: These analyses suggest that avoiding sugary beverages represents a simple dietary modification that may be used as an effective cancer control strategy. Cancer Prev Res; 11(6); 347–58. ©2018 AACR.
A Study of Alterations in DNA Epigenetic Modifications (5mC and 5hmC) and Gene Expression Influenced by Simulated Microgravity in Human Lymphoblastoid Cells

Cells alter their gene expression in response to exposure to various environmental changes. Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation are believed to regulate the alterations in gene expression patterns. In vitro and in vivo studies have documented changes in cellular proliferation, cytoskeletal remodeling, signal transduction, bone mineralization and immune deficiency under the influence of microgravity conditions experienced in space. However microgravity induced changes in the epigenome have not been well characterized. In this study we have used Next-generation Sequencing (NGS) to profile ground-based “simulated” microgravity induced changes on DNA methylation (5-methylcytosine or 5mC), hydroxymethylation (5-hydroxymethylcytosine or 5hmC), and simultaneous gene expression in cultured human lymphoblastoid cells. Our results indicate that simulated microgravity induced alterations in the methylome (~60% of the differentially methylated regions or DMRs are hypomethylated and ~92% of the differentially hydroxymethylated regions or DHMRs are hyperhydroxymethylated). Simulated microgravity also induced differential expression in 370 transcripts that were associated with crucial biological processes such as oxidative stress response, carbohydrate metabolism and regulation of transcription. While we were not able to obtain any global trend correlating the changes of methylation/ hydroxylation with gene expression, we have been able to profile the simulated microgravity induced changes of 5mC over some of the differentially expressed genes that includes five genes undergoing differential methylation over their promoters and twenty five genes undergoing differential methylation over their gene-bodies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first NGS-based study to profile epigenomic patterns induced by short time exposure of simulated microgravity and we believe that our findings can be a valuable resource for future explorations.
Chemical Mechanism of UDP-Galactopyranose Mutase from Trypanosoma cruzi: A Potential Drug Target against Chagas' Disease

UDP-galactopyranose mutase (UGM) is a flavoenzyme that catalyzes the conversion of UDP-galactopyranose to UDP-galactofuranose, the precursor of galactofuranose (Galf). Galf is found in several pathogenic organisms, including the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas' disease. Galf) is important for virulence and is not present in humans, making its biosynthetic pathway an attractive target for the development of new drugs against T. cruzi. Although UGMs catalyze a non-redox reaction, the flavin must be in the reduced state for activity and the exact role of the flavin in this reaction is controversial. The kinetic and chemical mechanism of TcUGM was probed using steady state kinetics, trapping of reaction intermediates, rapid reaction kinetics, and fluorescence anisotropy. It was shown for the first time that NADPH is an effective redox partner of TcUGM. The substrate, UDP-galactopyranose, protects the enzyme from reacting with molecular oxygen allowing TcUGM to turnover ∼1000 times for every NADPH oxidized. Spectral changes consistent with a flavin iminium ion, without the formation of a flavin semiquinone, were observed under rapid reaction conditions. These data support the proposal of the flavin acting as a nucleophile. In support of this role, a flavin-galactose adduct was isolated and characterized. A detailed kinetic and chemical mechanism for the unique non-redox reaction of UGM is presented.
Integrated approach for identifying and evaluating the quality of Marsdenia tenacissima in the medicine market

The accurate identification and quality evaluation of herbal medical plants is highly necessary to ensure their safety and efficacy. In present study, a new strategy combining DNA barcoding techniques with thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was proposed to facilitate the identification and quality control of M. tenacissima. In present work, the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) barcode was successfully used to identify 58 M. tenacissima samples and its adulterants. TLC successfully identified the other three M. tenacissima samples that failed to produce ITS2 regions. An adulterant was found in all the 62 samples. Moreover, the content of active medicinal ingredients is important for herbal plants quality. The content of tenacissoside H (TS-H) of M. tenacissima samples was determined by HPLC to range from 0.39% to 1.09%, which meets the criterion of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Thus, DNA barcoding coupled with TLC and HPLC is very promising to identify and evaluate the quality of M. tenacissima in the medicine market.
First-Language Acquisition in Adolescence: Evidence for a Critical Period for Verbal Language Development

It has been hypothesized that there is a critical period for first-language acquisition that extends into late childhood and possibly until puberty. The hypothesis is difficult to test directly because cases of linguistic deprivation during childhood are fortunately rare. We present here the case of E.M. , a young man who has been profoundly deaf since birth and grew up in a rural area where he received no formal education and had no contact with the deaf community. At the age of 15, E.M. was fitted with hearing aids that corrected his hearing loss to 35 dB, and he began to learn verbal Spanish. We describe his language development over the 4-year period since his acquisition of hearing aids and conclude that the demonstrates severe deficits in verbal comprehension and production that support the critical period hypothesis.
A comparative analysis of printing techniques by using an active concentric ring electrode for bioelectrical recording

Purpose – This paper aims to present a comparison between three types of manufacturing techniques, namely, screen-printed, inkjet and gravure, using different types of inks, for the implementation of concentric ring electrodes which permit estimation of Laplacian potential on the body surface. Design/methodology/approach – Flexible concentric ring electrodes not only present lower skin–electrode contact impedance and lower baseline wander than rigid electrodes but are also less sensitive to interference and motion artefacts. The above three techniques allow printing of conductive inks on flexible substrates, and with this work, the authors aim to study which is the best technique and ink to obtain the best electrode response. Findings – From the results obtained regarding ink thickness, resistivity, electrode resistance and other performance parameters derived from electrocardiographic signal recording tests, it can be said that concentric electrodes using the screen-printing and inkjet techniques are sui.
The Waxing and Waning of Mnemic Neglect

The mechanisms underlying mnemic neglect (MN) and the conditions under which it waxes and wanes are not yet fully understood. The research in this article examined conditions during both encoding and recall that could potentially moderate the MN effect and that could provide cues about the cognitive mechanisms that contribute to the effect. Results showed that MN: (a) emerged after recall was delayed (Study 1); (b) could not be attributed to differential behavior looking time (Study 2); (c) did not emerge under cognitive load (Study 3); and (d) was not linked to the perceived extremity, importance, or evaluations of the behaviors. However, how informative the behaviors were perceived for personality may contribute to the effect (Study 4). Finally, results from Study 3 and Study 4 showed that when participants were cognitively occupied during encoding, the MN effect waned. Implications of these collective findings for the MN phenomenon were discussed.
Study on lowering the percolation threshold of carbon nanotube-filled conductive polypropylene composites

Conductive polymer composites (CPCs) consist of a polymeric matrix and a conductive filler, for example, carbon black, carbon fibers, graphite or carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The critical amount of the electrically conductive filler necessary to build up a continuous conductive network, and accordingly, to make the material conductive; is referred to as the percolation threshold. From technical and economical viewpoints, it is desirable to decrease the conductive- filler percolation-threshold as much as possible. In this study, we investigated the effect of polymer/conductive-filler interactions, as well as the processing and morphological development of low-percolation-threshold (Φc) conductive-polymer composites. The aim of the study was to produce conductive composites containing less multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs) than required for pure polypropylene (PP) through two approaches: one using various mixing methods and the other using immiscible polymer blends. Variants of the conductive PP composite filled with MWCNT was prepared by dry mixing, melt mixing, mechanofusion, and compression molding. The percolation threshold (Φc) of the MWCNT-PP composites was most successfully lowered using the mechanofusion process than with any other mixing method (2-5 wt%). The mechanofusion process was found to enhance formation of a percolation network structure, and to ensure a more uniform state of dispersion in the CPCs. The immiscible-polymer blends were prepared by melt mixing (internal mixer) poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF, PP/PVDF, volume ratio 1:1) filled with MWCNT.