Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Emergence of Seaweed and Seaweed-Containing Foods in the UK: Focus on Labeling, Iodine Content, Toxicity and Nutrition

Seaweed (edible algae) is not a staple food in the Western diet, despite occasional use as a traditional ingredient in coastal areas. High nutritional value, combined with the expansion of the health-food industry, has led to a resurgence of seaweed in the British diet. While seaweed could be useful in tackling dietary iodine insufficiency, consumption of some species and sources of seaweed has also been associated with risks, such as toxicity from high iodine levels, or accumulation of arsenic, heavy metals and contaminants. The current retail level of seaweed and edible algae in the UK market, either as whole foods or ingredients, was evaluated with particular focus on labelling and iodine content. Seaweed-containing products (n = 224) were identified. Only 22 products (10%) stated information regarding iodine content and another 40 (18%) provided information sufficient to estimate the iodine content. For these products, the median iodine content was 110 μg/g (IQR 21–503) and 585 μg per estimated serving (IQR 105–2520). While calculations for iodine exposure per serving relied on assumptions, 26 products could potentially lead to an iodine intake above the (European) tolerable adult upper level of 600 μg/day. In the context of the data presented, there is scope to improve product labelling (species, source, processing, content).
Optical and Transport Properties of as Prepared and Annealed Te-Substituted Sn-Sb-Se Thin Films

Thin films of Sn10Sb20Se70-XTeX (0≤X≤8) composition were deposited using thermal evaporation technique. As-prepared films were amorphous as studied by X-ray diffraction. Surface morphology studies revealed that films have surface roughness ~2 nm and av. grain size ~ 30 nm. Optical band gap Eg calculated from transmittance and reflectance data showed a sharp decrease for initial substitution of Se with Te upto 2 at%. Further substitution upto 4 at%, lead to a small increase in Eg value and thereafter it marginally decreased for further substitution beyond 4at%. The trend of optical band gap variation with tellurium content has been qualitatively explained using band model given by Kastner. The dc-conductivity measurements showed thermally activated conduction with single activation energy for the measured temperature regime and followed Mayer-Neldel rule. The dc-activation energy has nearly half the value as that of optical band gap that revealed the intrinsic nature of semiconductor. The annealing below glass transition Tg led to decrease in optical band gap as well as dc-activation energy that might be related to increase of disorder in material with annealing.
Evaluation of two selective media for the isolation of Bacillus anthracis

Aims: To evaluate two selective media, polymyxin, lysozyme, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, thallium acetate (PLET) agar and R&F Anthracis chromogenic agar (ChrA), for the isolation and selection of Bacillus anthracis.
Comparative metal binding and genomic analysis of the avian (chicken) and mammalian metallothionein

Chicken metallothionein (ckMT) is the paradigm for the study of metallothioneins (MTs) in the Aves class of vertebrates. Available literature data depict ckMT as a one‐copy gene, encoding an MT protein highly similar to mammalian MT1. In contrast, the MT system in mammals consists of a four‐member family exhibiting functional differentiation. This scenario prompted us to analyse the apparently distinct evolutionary patterns followed by MTs in birds and mammals, at both the functional and structural levels. Thus, in this work, the ckMT metal binding abilities towards Zn(II), Cd(II) and Cu(I) have been thoroughly revisited and then compared with those of the mammalian MT1 and MT4 isoforms, identified as zinc‐ and copper‐thioneins, respectively. Interestingly, a new mechanism of MT dimerization is reported, on the basis of the coordinating capacity of the ckMT C‐terminal histidine. Furthermore, an evolutionary study has been performed by means of in silico analyses of avian MT genes and proteins. The joint consideration of the functional and genomic data obtained questions the two features until now defining the avian MT system. Overall, in vivo and in vitro metal‐binding results reveal that the Zn(II), Cd(II) and Cu(I) binding abilities of ckMT lay between those of mammalian MT1 and MT4, being closer to those of MT1 for the divalent metal ions but more similar to those of MT4 for Cu(I). This is consistent with a strong functional constraint operating on low‐copy number genes that must cope with differentiating functional limitation. Finally, a second MT gene has been identified in silico in the chicken genome, ckMT2, exhibiting all the features to be considered an active coding region. The results presented here allow a new insight into the metal binding abilities of warm blooded vertebrate MTs and their evolutionary relationships.
PRAM score as predictor of pediatric asthma hospitalization.

OBJECTIVES The objective was to determine the association between asthma severity as measured by the Pediatric Respiratory Assessment Measure (PRAM) score and the likelihood of admission for pediatric patients who present to the emergency department (ED) with moderate-to-severe asthma exacerbations and who receive intensive asthma therapy. METHODS This was a secondary analysis of a prospective study of triage nurse-initiated steroid therapy in pediatric asthma. Children aged 2 to 17 years inclusive, presenting with moderate-to-severe acute asthma exacerbations (defined as PRAM ≥ 4), were included. To be eligible for inclusion in the study, children must have received "intensive asthma therapy," defined as nurse-initiated initial bronchodilator and oral steroid therapy at arrival to triage. PRAM scores were measured hourly as per ED protocol. The primary outcome was inpatient hospitalization; secondary outcome was ED stay greater than 8 hours. Logistic regression models were used to predict admission based on PRAM score at triage and then hourly thereafter. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated for each hour. RESULTS A total of 297 patients were included in the analysis, with an admission rate of 11.4% for patients receiving intensive therapy. The 3-hour PRAM (AUC = 0.85) significantly improved prediction of admission compared to PRAM at triage (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS The 3-hour PRAM scores best predicts the need for hospitalization. These results may be applied in clinical settings to facilitate the decision to admit or initiate more aggressive adjunctive therapy to decrease the need for hospitalization.
Regulation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Gene Expression by Clade-Specific Tat Proteins

ABSTRACT The major group of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) strains that comprise the current global pandemic have diversified during their worldwide spread into at least 10 distinct subtypes, or clades. Subtype C predominates in sub-Saharan Africa and is responsible for the majority of worldwide HIV-1 infections, subtype B predominates in North America and Europe, and subtype E is prevalent in Southeast Asia. Significant amino acid variations have been observed among the clade-specific Tat proteins. For the present study, we examined clade-specific interactions between Tat, transactivation-responsive (TAR) element, and P-TEFb proteins and how these interactions may modulate the efficiency of HIV-1 transcription. Clade-specific Tat proteins significantly modified viral gene expression. Tat proteins derived from HIV-1 clades C and E were strong transactivators of long terminal repeat (LTR) activity; Tat E also had a longer half-life than the other Tat proteins and interacted more efficiently with the stem-loop TAR element. Chimeric Tat proteins harboring the Tat E activation domain were strong transactivators of LTR expression. While Tat B, C, and E were able to rescue a Tat-defective HIV-1 proviral clone, Tat E was significantly more efficient at rescue than Tat C, possibly due to the relative stability of the Tat protein. Swapping the activation domains of Tat B, C, and E identified the cyclin T1 association domain as a critical determinant of the transactivation efficiency and of Tat-defective HIV-1 provirus rescue.
Effects of a novel cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor antagonist, MK-329, on gallbladder contraction and gastric emptying in humans. Implications for the physiology of CCK.

To explore the physiology of cholecystokinin (CCK) in humans, we investigated the effect on gallbladder contraction and gastric emptying of a recently developed CCK receptor antagonist, MK-329. In a double-blind, four-period crossover study eight subjects received single doses of 0.5, 2, or 10 mg MK-329, or placebo, followed by an intravenous infusion of CCK-8 (30 pmol/kg.h). In placebo-treated subjects gallbladder volumes decreased on average to 43% of initial volumes after 2 h of CCK infusion. MK-329 caused a dose-dependent inhibition of CCK-stimulated gallbladder contraction with 10 mg producing complete blockade (P less than 0.01, cf. placebo). Gallbladder contraction and gastric emptying rates after a mixed meal were then measured in a two-period crossover study. Subjects received placebo or 10 mg of MK-329 2 h before eating. Gastric emptying of both solids and liquids was measured simultaneously by gamma scintigraphy. In placebo-treated subjects plasma CCK levels increased postprandially to 2.3 pM, gallbladder volumes decreased 68.4 +/- 3.8% (SE), and the times for 50% emptying of liquids and solids from the stomach were 58 +/- 10 and 128 +/- 8 min, respectively. In MK-329-treated subjects there was a marked elevation in peak CCK levels to 13.8 pM (P less than 0.01, cf. placebo), and gallbladder contraction was completely inhibited. Solid and liquid emptying rates were unaffected. These findings demonstrate that (a) MK-329 is a potent, orally active antagonist of CCK in humans, and (b) CCK is the major regulator of postprandial gallbladder contraction. These data also support the concept of negative feedback regulation of CCK secretion and suggest that mechanisms other than CCK play a dominant role in the regulation of postprandial gastric emptying rates.
A metalloprotease–disintegrin, MDC9/meltrin‐γ/ADAM9 and PKCδ are involved in TPA‐induced ectodomain shedding of membrane‐anchored heparin‐binding EGF‐like growth factor

The ectodomains of many proteins located at the cell surface are shed upon cell stimulation. One such protein is the heparin‐binding EGF‐like growth factor (HB‐EGF) that exists in a membrane‐anchored form which is converted to a soluble form upon cell stimulation with TPA, an activator of protein kinase C (PKC). We show that PKCδ binds in vivo and in vitro to the cytoplasmic domain of MDC9/meltrin‐γ/ADAM9, a member of the metalloprotease–disintegrin family. Furthermore, the presence of constitutively active PKCδ or MDC9 results in the shedding of the ectodomain of proHB‐EGF, whereas MDC9 mutants lacking the metalloprotease domain, as well as kinase‐negative PKCδ, suppress the TPA‐induced shedding of the ectodomain. These results suggest that MDC9 and PKCδ are involved in the stimulus‐coupled shedding of the proHB‐EGF ectodomain.
Is Evolution by Natural Selection the Algorithm of Biological Evolution?

It is tempting to be confident that we know how biological evolution works. After all, we know a mechanism capable of producing adaptation, and we understand the necessary and sufficient conditions for this to occur, and those conditions are met in natural populations – the rest is surely just details. However, there can be many different algorithms that utilise a given underlying mechanism (sub-algorithm), and in other contexts we cannot assert that we know what algorithm is operating just because we identify a sub-algorithm it contains. Using sorting algorithms based on the mechanism of ‘compare and swap’ (as an analogue of evolutionary algorithms based on natural selection) we discuss three substantial ways in which an algorithm can be based on, and depend on, a mechanism and yet not be that mechanism, each of which has some bearing on natural processes of evolution: 1) unstructured versus structured applications of a mechanism, 2) data-independent versus data-dependent, 3) iterative versus recursive. In the context of computational algorithms more generally, it is easy to see that each of these issues corresponds to different algorithmic classes. We suggest that in natural evolution, it is not obvious that none of these issues apply, nor that the empirical evidence supports the view that an unstructured, data-independent and iterative interpretation of natural selection is sufficient to create biological evolution.
Cardiac arrhythmia detection using photoplethysmography

Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) cause a very large number of casualties around the world every year and cardiac arrhythmias contribute to significant proportion of CVD related deaths. Bedside cardiac activity monitors in hospitals are based on electrocardiogram (ECG) processing and are known to produce too many false alarms. Moving beyond bedside care, ECG is not very suitable for use in wearable devices. Photoplethysmography (PPG) on the other hand provides an inexpensive and more wearable device-friendly alternative. This work presents a technique to detect life threatening arrhythmias using only PPG waveforms. PhysioNet Challenge 2015 data is used to detect five types of arrhythmias namely, tachycardia, bradycardia, asystole, ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. A novel technique is employed to assign pulse quality index to every PPG pulse and highest quality portion of the signal is used for detection. Results indicate that PPG provides a viable alternative for conventional ECG based detection. An overall true positive rate (TPR) of 93% was achieved with true negative rate (TNR) of 53.78% suggesting that PPG is a viable option for arrhythmia detection.
Temporal dynamics of semantic relations in word embeddings: an application to predicting armed conflict participants

This paper deals with using word embedding models to trace the temporal dynamics of semantic relations between pairs of words. The set-up is similar to the well-known analogies task, but expanded with a time dimension. To this end, we apply incremental updating of the models with new training texts, including incremental vocabulary expansion, coupled with learned transformation matrices that let us map between members of the relation. The proposed approach is evaluated on the task of predicting insurgent armed groups based on geographical locations. The gold standard data for the time span 1994–2010 is extracted from the UCDP Armed Conflicts dataset. The results show that the method is feasible and outperforms the baselines, but also that important work still remains to be done.
Fluoro-3-Deoxythymidine ( [ 18 F ]-FLT ) as Positron Emission Tomography Tracer for Imaging Proliferation in a Murine B-Cell Lymphoma Model and in the Human Disease

Here we describe the evaluation of 3 -[F]fluoro-3 -deoxythymidine {[F]-FLT} as a tracer for positron emission tomography (PET) in a murine model of B-cell lymphoma and in human malignant lymphoma. The human B-cell line DoHH2 expressed high levels of active thymidine kinase 1 (TK-1) as the key enzyme of [F]-FLT metabolism. Immunostaining confirmed high levels of TK-1 in DoHH2 derived xenograft tumors in SCID/SCID mice. In vitro studies demonstrated a time-dependent uptake of [F]-FLT, an efficient phosphorylation to the respective monophosphate and the incorporation of [F]-FLT into the perchloric acid insoluble fraction in DoHH2 cells, indicating the incorporation of this tracer into the DNA. After incubation with [F]FLT for 240 min, 12.5% 1.0% of radioactivity applied to the medium was intracellularly trapped in DoHH2 cells. Specific accumulation of [F]-FLT in the malignant cell clone was confirmed in biodistribution studies in SCID/SCID mice bearing DoHH2-derived tumors. The percentage of injected dose of [F]-FLT per gram of tumor tissue correlated with the tumor-proliferation index as evaluated in BrdUrd-labeling experiments. In a pilot study of 11 patients with both indolent and aggressive lymphoma, [F]-FLT was suitable and comparable to [F]-FDG in the ability to detect malignant lesions by PET scan. Furthermore, we found a close correlation (r 0.95, P < 0.005) of the [F]-FLT standardized uptake values with the Ki67labeling index of tissue biopsies (n 10) in these patients. These results suggest that [F]-FLT represents a novel tracer for PET that enables imaging of proliferation in human lymphoma in vivo.
Barriers to HIV remission research in low- and middle-income countries

Introduction: HIV eradication and remission research has largely taken place in high‐income countries. In low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC), there may be factors that have a substantial impact on the size of the latent HIV reservoir and the immunological response to infection. If a curative strategy is to be available to all HIV‐infected individuals, these factors must be understood.
The Response of Nitrifying Bacteria to Treatments of N-Serve and Roundup in Continuous-Flow Soil Columns

Abstract : This study examined the effects of Roundup (N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine) and N-Serve (2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl) pyridine) on nitrifying organisms in static batch, perfusion soil columns, and a new continuous-flow soil column system. Both N-Serve and Roundup were shown to significantly inhibit nitrification in treated soils over untreated controls. N-Serve completely inhibited nitrification at concentrations greater than 42 micrograms nitrapyrin g-1 dry soil. Roundup significantly reduced nitrification at 6.8 and 68mg glyphosate g-1 dry soil. Continuous-flow columns were examined to determine if microbial populations were altered by chemical treatment. Concentrations of 4.2 mg nitrapyrin and 68 mg glyphosate g-1 dry soil significantly increased heterotrophic populations. Numbers of heterotrophs were not significantly different from controls in soils at lower concentration. Numbers of nitrifying bacteria did not appear to change following treatment although nitrification was inhibited. Fluorescent antibody analysis of nitrifiers revealed that Nitrosolobus was more numerous than Nitrosospira and Nitrosomonas. Nitrosolobus increased in number whereas the other two genera remained unchanged. In this study, the continuous-flow system proved to be both reliable and useful in the culture of nitrifying bacteria. This method is an alternative to traditional techniques for evaluation of the effects of chemicals on microbial biogeochemical cycles. Keywords: Theses; Xenobiotic compounds.
Effect of Self-adhesive Resin Cement and Tribochemical Treatment on Bond Strength to Zirconia

AimTo evaluate the interactive effects of different self‐adhesive resin cements and tribochemical treatment on bond strength to zirconia.MethodologyThe following self‐adhesive resin cements for bonding two zirconia blocks were evaluated: Maxcem (MA), Smartcem (SM), Rely X Unicem Aplicap (UN), Breeze (BR), Biscem (BI), Set (SE), and Clearfil SA luting (CL). The specimens were grouped according to conditioning as follows: Group 1, polishing with 600 grit polishing paper; Group 2, silica coating with 110 µm Al2O3 particles which modified with silica; and, Group 3, tribochemical treatment ‐ silica coating + silanization. Specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours before testing shear bond strength.ResultsSilica coating and tribochemical treatment significantly increased the bond strength of the MA, UN, BR, BI, SE and CL to zirconia compared to #600 polishing. For both #600 polished and silica coating treatments, MDP‐containing self‐adhesive resin cement CL had the highest bond strengths to zirconia.ConclusionApplying silica coating and tribochemical treatment improved the bond strength of self‐adhesive resin cement to zirconia, especially for CL.
Impact of Rapid Detection of Viral and Atypical Bacterial Pathogens by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for Patients with Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

Abstract Background. Rapid diagnostic tests with a high sensitivity for lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) could lead to improved patient care and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and associated costs. Diagnostic yields, feasibility, and costs of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab specimens in the routine diagnostic work-up for LRTI were determined. Methods. In a randomized controlled trial, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab specimens from patients admitted for antibiotic treatment of LRTI were evaluated by means of real-time PCR for respiratory viruses and atypical pathogens, as well as by conventional diagnostic procedures. Real-time PCR results for patients in the intervention group were reported to the treating physician; results for patients in the control group were not made available. Results. A total of 107 patients (mean age [± standard deviation], 63.6 ± 16.3 years) were included, of whom 55 were allocated to the intervention group. The pathogens detected most frequently were influenza virus (14 patients), Streptococcus pneumoniae (8), coronavirus (6), Staphylococcus aureus (5), and rhinoviruses (5). Real-time PCR increased the diagnostic yield from 23 cases (21% of patients) to 47 cases (43% of patients), compared with conventional diagnostic tests. The detection of viral pathogens by PCR was associated with the winter season, less infiltrates on chest radiographs, lower C-reactive protein levels, and shorter duration of symptoms. Use of real-time PCR results resulted in partial or total cessation of antibiotic treatment for 6 patients (11%; 95% confidence interval, 2–19), but overall antibiotic use was comparable in the intervention group and the control group (median duration of treatment, 10.0 vs. 9.0 days; P = not significant). Use of real-time PCR increased treatment and diagnostic costs with €318.17 per patient. Conclusions. Implementation of real-time PCR for the etiological diagnosis of LRTI increased the diagnostic yield considerably, but it did not reduce antibiotic use or costs.
Incidence and Predictors of Early Recanalization After Intravenous Thrombolysis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and Purpose— After the demonstration of efficacy of bridging therapy, reliably predicting early recanalization (ER; ⩽3 hours after start of intravenous thrombolysis) would be essential to limit futile, resource-consuming, interhospital transfers. We present the first systematic review on the incidence and predictors of ER after intravenous thrombolysis alone. Methods— We systematically searched for studies including patients solely treated by intravenous thrombolysis that reported incidence of ER and its association with baseline variables. Using meta-analyses, we estimated pooled incidence of ER, including according to occlusion site, and summarized the available evidence regarding predictors of no-ER. Results— We identified 26 studies that together included 2063 patients. The overall incidence of partial or complete ER was 33% (95% confidence interval, 27–40). It varied according to occlusion site: 52% (39–64) for distal middle cerebral artery, 35% (28–42) for proximal middle cerebral artery, 13% (6–22) for intracranial carotid artery, and 13% (0–35) for basilar occlusion. Corresponding rates for complete ER were 38% (22–54), 21% (15–29), 4% (1–8), and 4% (0–22), respectively. Proximal occlusion and higher National Institute of Health Stroke Scale were the most consistent no-ER predictors. Other factors, such as long or totally occlusive thrombus and poor collateral circulation, emerged as potential predictors but will need confirmation. Conclusion— The overall incidence of ER after intravenous thrombolysis is substantial, highlighting the importance of reliably predicting ER to limit futile, interhospital transfers. Incidence of no-ER is particularly high for proximal occlusion and severe strokes. Given the scarcity of published data, further studies are needed to improve no-ER prediction accuracy.