Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radiation-Induced Changes in Structural Network in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Radiation therapy (RT) is the standard radical treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and has produced excellent effects in terms of survival rate [1, 2]. However, one of the serious complications gave rise by the RT is brain injury. Previous studies have found that RT could cause brain structural abnormalities on gray matter and white matter. Nevertheless, the RT effects on the network level should be further investigated. Herein, we explored changes on the structural network for patients with NPC induced by RT. The structural magnetic resonance data (sMRI) were used to investigate the structural network in 20 NPC patients after and before radiotherapy. After constructing the structural network, we examined the radiation-induced changes in topology properties of small world network using graph theoretical analysis. Our results found that both the before and after radiotherapy groups showed small world properties. Compared with the before radiotherapy (pre-RT) group, the after radiotherapy (post-RT) group had lower global and local efficiency, longer shortest path length, and less clustering coefficient. In addition, the hub regions in the post-RT group were significantly different from the pre-RT group. Our findings exhibited the architecture of network topology and information transfer efficiency became poor in post-RT group. We speculated radiation therapy might induce the differences. The results can provide a new perspective to explore and diagnose radiation-induced brain injury and evaluate the effect of radiotherapy.
Artificial hybridization of Japanese and European eel (Anguilla japonica x A. anguilla) by using cryopreserved sperm from freshwater reared males

Eggs of Japanese eel (Anguilla anguilla) were fertilized with cryopreserved sperm of European eel (A. anguilla) obtained from fish reared and matured in freshwater conditions. A new genomic PCR-RFLP marker was developed to distinguish the two species and detect maternally and paternally derived DNA fragments to genetically verify the hybrid nature of the offspring.
Idiopathic Polyhydramnios and Postnatal Abnormalities

Objective: To investigate the proportion and type of fetal anomalies that are associated with polyhydramnios and to examine whether in cases with idiopathic polyhydramnios during the course of pregnancy and fetal anomalies only diagnosed after birth, antenatal characteristics differ. Methods: This was a retrospective study involving all pregnancies with polyhydramnios defined by a deepest pool of amniotic fluid ≥8 cm and a detailed ultrasound examination, a 75 g glucose tolerance test and a TORCH serology. Results: Between 2004 and 2010, 272 pregnancies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. In 89 (32.7%) and 65 (23.9%) cases, there was a fetal anomaly or diabetes. In 118 (43.4%) pregnancies, polyhydramnios was classified as idiopathic. In 11 (9.3%) of the 118 fetuses, an anomaly was found after birth, mainly gastrointestinal atresia. In these cases, median deepest pool of amniotic fluid was 9.6 cm, and median estimated fetal weight was at the 69th centile, whereas in cases without anomalies diagnosed after birth, median deepest pool was 9.0 cm and median estimated fetal weight at the 90th centile (Mann-Whitney U test: deepest pool p = 0.116, and estimated fetal weight centile p = 0.377). There was also no difference in the maternal and gestational age distribution of these cases (Mann-Whitney U test: maternal age p = 0.293, and gestational age p = 0.499). Conclusion: In about 40% of pregnancies, polyhydramnios remains unexplained during the course of pregnancy. In 10% of these cases, an anomaly will only be found after birth. In this group, antenatal characteristics such as amniotic fluid volume, estimated fetal weight or gestational and maternal age at the time of diagnosis do not help to detect these anomalies before birth.
Individual Wealth, Reservation Wages, and Transitions into Employment

We investigate the relationship between financial wealth, reservation wages, and labor market transitions. Wealth is assumed to affect the level of the reservation wage and the employment probability. We test for the validity of this assumption by estimating a simultaneous‐equations model of reservation wages, labor market transitions, and wealth. The data used for the analysis relate to a sample of unemployed job searchers. We use subjective information on the reservation wage. Wealth is found to have a significantly positive impact on the reservation wage. The overall impact of wealth on the employment probability is negative though small.
The Social News Gap: How News Reading and News Sharing Diverge

This article seeks to explain variation in news sharing patterns on social media. It finds that news editors have considerable power to shape the social media agenda through the use of “story importance cues” but also shows that there are some areas of news reporting (such as those related to crime and disasters) where this power does not apply. This highlights the existence of a social “news gap” where social media filters out certain types of news, producing a social media news agenda which has important differences from its traditional counterpart. The discussion suggests that this may be consequential for perceptions of crime and engagement with politics; it might even stimulate a partial reversal of the tabloidization of news outlets.
Journalists are humans, too: A phenomenology of covering the strongest storm on earth

This study focused on the phenomenology of covering a natural disaster by documenting the lived experience of 12 national and local journalists who covered Typhoon Haiyan when it hit the Philippines in November 2013. Studies that focused on journalists who covered natural disasters have identified their experiences as either journalists trying to balance their norms or as victims dealing with trauma. Our analysis brings these experiences together for a more holistic description of the experience of covering a natural disaster, arguing that one aspect of the experience cannot be understood without the other. Through an interpretative phenomenological analysis, this study found that the journalists experienced the storm as journalists, leaders, victims, and as community members. Such experiences were marked by liminal gaps, with one experience affecting the other.
Biomarkers of gastric cancer-related ischemic stroke and its underlying pathogenesis

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the biomarkers and underlying pathogenesis of ischemic stroke in patients with gastric cancer (GC). Patients with active gastric cancer who had experienced acute ischemic stroke without conventional vascular risk factors (gastric cancer-related stroke [GCS] group) and visited The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University and First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2003 to December 2016 were retrospectively enrolled. The patients’ clinical features and laboratory findings were compared with those of age-, sex-, and disease progression-matched patients with GC without ischemic stroke (GC group) who had been admitted to the same hospital during the same period (GCS:GC ratio = 1:2). Among the 9166 patients diagnosed with GC, 70 had experienced a cerebral infarction and were enrolled in this study. Among them, 53 (75.71%) harbored multiple lesions in multiple vascular territories. Notably, patients in the GCS group exhibited significant increases in the D-dimer and cancer antigen 125 (CA125) levels and platelet-to-neutrophil ratio (PNR), compared to their counterparts in the GC group. A multiple logistic regression analysis identified all 3 factors as independent risk factors for cerebral infarction in patients with GC (D-dimer, odds ratio [OR] = 1.006 per 1 ng/mL increase, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.004–1.009, P = .000; CA125, OR = 1.016 per 1 U/mL increase, 95% CI, 1.005–1.027, P = .005; PNR, OR = 1.025 per 1 point increase, 95% CI: 1.003–1.048, P = .023). Elevated plasma D-dimer and CA125 levels and an increased PNR might affect the occurrence of GC-related ischemic stroke and could therefore serve as potential biomarkers.
ANALISIS MIKROBIOLOGI ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7 PADA HASIL OLAHAN HEWAN SAPI DALAM PROSES PRODUKSINYA

Masalah di bidang penyehatan makanan adalah masih tingginya tingkat kontaminasi bakteri makanan yang disajikan oleh berbagai penyelenggara makanan, antara lain pedagang kaki lima, restoran, jasa boga dan industri makanan. Produk daging dan susu sapi serta olahannya merupakan jenis makanan yang berisiko tinggi terhadap bahaya kontaminasi. Dengan demikian perlu dilakukan pengamanan makanan terhadap pencemaran bakteri terutama yang disebabkan oleh E.coli O157:H7, khususnya yang berasal dari bahan makanan mentah terkait dengan rantai makanan mulai dari proses produksi sampai sebelum dikonsumsi. Walaupun jenis bakteri patogen ini merupakan flora normal pada usus hewan ternak, tetapi perlu juga diwaspadai adanya wabah karena pencemaran E.coli O157:H7 terhadap produk sapi yang dihasilkan. Untuk mengantisipasi keganasan Escherichia coli O157:H7 ini, maka perlu dilakukan penelitian untuk melihat mata rantai perjalanan bakteri patogen ini mulai dari tahap produksi sampai ke tingkat pedagang. Tujuan dari penelitian adalah untuk mengetahui adanya bakteri E.coli O157:H7 pada produk daging dan susu yang terdapat pada Rumah Pemotongan Hewan (RPH), peternakan sapi, pasar tradisional dan pedagang lainnya serta mengetahui faktorfaktor yang berpengaruh terhadap penyebarannya. Desain survei yang digunakan untuk penelitian ini adalah desain cross sectional. Bahan pemeriksaan berupa air/susu sebanyak 250 ml susu/air dan daging sapi sebanyak 250 gram daging sapi/karkas. Pemeriksaan bakteriologi dilakukan secara kualitatif yang terdiri atas presumptive test, comfirmed test, dan completed test, sedangkan kuantitatif terdiri atas Total Plate Count (TPC) dan MPN (Most Probable Number) yaitu perkiraan jumlah kuman yang mendekati per 100 ml air. Hasil pemeriksaan menunjukan bahwa semua daging (100% daging) yang berasal dari RPH dan pasar tradisional telah terkontaminasi oleh E.coli O157: H7, sebagian besar susu segar dan yang dipasteurisasi (73.7%) yang berasal dari Peternakan Sapi Perah (PSP) dan pedagang/industri skala rumah tangga telah terkontaminasi oleh E.coli O157: H7, demikian juga dengan sebagian besar sampel air (60%) dan tenaga penjamah (41.7%) telah terkontaminasi oleh micro organism ini.
The effect and mechanism of electroacupuncture at LI11 and ST37 on constipation in a rat model

Background Electroacupuncture (EA) is used clinically for the treatment of constipation. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) plays an important role in colonic motility; however it is unknown whether alterations in colonic 5-HT are associated with EA. In this study, the effect and mechanism of EA at acupuncture points LI11 and ST37 were examined using a cold saline-induced rat model of constipation. Methods A rat constipation model was induced by cold saline gavage in 24 Sprague-Dawley rats. A further six rats were included as a Control group. The constipated rats were divided into four groups (n=6 each): a Constipation group that remained untreated; a Constipation+LI11 group that received EA at LI11; a Constipation+ST37 groups that received EA at ST37; and a Constipation+LI11+ST37 group that received EA at both LI11 and ST37. After EA treatment, faecal water content, defaecation frequency, and gastrointestinal (GI) transit were measured, as well as the expression of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) in colonic tissues (by Western blot analysis) and 5-HT in both faeces and colonic tissues (by ELISA). Results All three EA-treated groups demonstrated significant improvements in faecal water content, defaecation frequency and GI transit (p<0.05). In addition, TPH and 5-HT expression were both increased by EA at LI11 and/or ST37 (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between the three EA groups for any outcomes. Conclusions EA at LI11 and/or ST37 had a positive effect on objective markers of constipation in a rat model. In addition, EA increased 5-HT and TPH in the colonic tissues.
Residual Stress Mapping in Welds Using the Contour Method

The contour method, a newly-invented sectioning technique for residual stress measurement, has the potential to measure the cross-sectional residual stress profile of a weld in a simple and time-efficient manner. In this paper we demonstrate the capability of the contour method to measure cross-sectional residual stress profiles, which are compared with neutron diffraction measurements and show excellent agreement. The results provide useful information for safetycritical design of welded components and optimization of welding parameters, and also illustrate the potential of the contour technique as a powerful tool for residual stress evaluation.
Incidence of pneumonia in nursing home residents in Germany: results of a claims data analysis

Abstract Pneumonia is one of the most common infectious diseases with a high mortality, especially in the elderly population. To date, there have been only a few population-based studies dealing with the incidence of pneumonia in nursing homes (NHs). We conducted a cohort study using data from a large German statutory health insurance fund. Between 2010 and 2014, 127 227 NH residents 65 years and older were analysed. For the calculation of incidences per 100 person-years (PY) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), we assessed the first diagnosis of pneumonia during the time in NH. We compared the rates between sexes, age groups, care levels, and comorbidities and we performed a multivariate Cox regression analysis. The mean age in the cohort was 84.0 years (74.6% female). A total of 19 183 incident cases led to an overall 5-year-incidence of 11.8 per 100 PY (95% CI 11.7–12.0). The incidence in men was substantially higher than in women. Rates were highest in the first month after NH placement. Our study revealed that the incidence of pneumonia is high in German NH residents and especially in males. Due to demographic changes, pneumonia will likely be increasingly relevant in the health care of the elderly and institutionalised population.
Effect of selenium on carbon partitioning and nitrogen allocation at three developmental stages in oilseed rape (Brassica napus) plants.

In order to investigate the mechanisms for the effect of selenium (Se) on leaf senescence, oilseed rape plants were grown under growth chamber conditions in perlite irrigated with nutrient solution and harvested at three distinct developmental stages; rosette, bolting and fruiting stages. Se treatment was started for six-week-old plants with 3 μg (as Na2SeO4) liter week, reaching the total amount of 50 μg Se liter in the plants harvested at fruiting stage. At harvest, the young, middleaged and old leaves were analysed separately for relative chlorophyll concentration, photosynthesis and respiration rate, carbohydrates and proteins, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium concentrations. Results showed that leaf photosynthesis and respiration rate were both consistently elevated by Se, irrespective of the leaf age and of the developmental stage of the plant. Senescence of old leaves was postponed by Se at rosette and bolting, but not at fruiting stage. Se exerted a dual effect on nitrogen allocation to and remobilisation from the old leaves. At rosette and bolting stages, Se increased nitrogen allocation to the old leaves and diminished its remobilisation, whereas accelerated nitrogen remobilisation towards reproductive parts at fruiting stage. Relative leaf chlorophyll concentration was positively correlated with the extent of nitrogen but not of phosphorus or potassium remobilisation, suggesting involvement of nitrogen remobilisation in Se-mediated delay of leaf senescence. © 2018 Friends Science Publishers
Microelectrode Recording Duration and Spatial Density Constraints for Automatic Targeting of the Subthalamic Nucleus

Background: Accurate detection of the boundaries of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery using microelectrode recording (MER) is considered to refine localization and may therefore improve clinical outcome. However, MER tends to extend operation time and its cost-utility balance has been debated. Objectives: To quantify the tradeoff between accuracy of STN localization and the spatial and temporal parameters of MER that effect the operation time using an automated detection method. Methods: We retrospectively estimated the accuracy of STN detection on data from 100 microelectrode trajectories. Our dense (average step = 0.12 mm) and long (average duration = 22.5 s) MER data was downsampled in the spatial and temporal domains. Then, the STN borders were detected automatically on both the downsampled and original data and compared to each other. Results: With a recording duration of 16 s, average accuracy for detecting STN entry ranged from 0.06 mm for a 0.1-mm step to 0.51 mm for a 1.0-mm step. Smaller effects were found along the temporal axis. For example, a 0.1-mm recording step yielded an STN entry average accuracy ranging from 0.06 mm for a 16-second recording duration to 0.16 mm for 0.1 s. Conclusions: STN entry detection error was about half of the step size. Sampling duration of STN activity can be minimized to 1 s/record without compromising accuracy. We conclude that bilateral DBS surgery time utilizing MER may be significantly shortened without compromising targeting accuracy.
Children, Medicine, and the Built Environment of Early Twentieth-Century Toronto

Abstract:The public health movement from the 1880s to the early years of the twentieth century was active in children's health and education in North American cities. Focusing on the City of Toronto, this article suggests that activities associated with the public health movement—the preoccupation with sanitation and health inspection, the building of clinics and special classrooms, and the emphasis on organized play and playgrounds—were forces in the process of the medicalization of education and encompassed strategies employed to confront social anxieties about difference (e.g., bodies, abilities, race, poverty) during a time of massive population growth and urban transformation.
Arabidopsis pollen tube germination and growth depend on the mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex.

The mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex (MCUc) was recently characterized in details in metazoans and consists of pore-forming units (MCUs) and regulatory factors that channel calcium (Ca2+ ) ion into the mitochondria. MCUs participate in many stress and developmentally related processes involving Ca2+ . Although multiple homologues of MCUs and one regulatory subunit are usually present in plants, the first functional characterization and contribution to Ca2+ related processes of these proteins have been reported recently. Here, we focused on two predicted Arabidopsis MCUs and studied their role in the germination and the growth of pollen tube, a tip-growing cell type highly dependent on Ca2+ homeostasis. Heterologous expression of MCU1 or MCU2 in yeast is sufficient to generate a mitochondrial Ca2+ influx. MCU1 and MCU2 fluorescent reporters are co-expressed in the vegetative cell mitochondria of the pollen grain but are undetectable in the embryo sac. We demonstrate that MCU1 and MCU2 can form a heterotypic complex. Phenotypic analyses revealed an impaired pollen tube germination and growth in vitro only for the mcu2 mutants suggesting a predominant role of MCU2. Our results show that mitochondrial Ca2+ controlled by MCUs is an additional player in Arabidopsis pollen tube germination and growth.
Racial Differences in Blood Lipids Lead to Underestimation of Cardiovascular Risk in Black Women in a Nested observational Study

Background: During screening for enrollment in a clinical trial, we noticed potential racial disparities in metabolic syndrome variables in women who responded to our study advertisement. We designed a nested observational study to investigate whether metabolic syndrome variables differed between non-Hispanic blacks and non-Hispanic whites. Methods: The cohort comprised of women who have met the preliminary clinical trial criteria (body mass index [BMI] 25—45, age 20—75 years, and no use of lipid-lowering medications or supplements). These women, including 116 blacks and 138 whites, provided fasting blood samples for analysis of serum lipid profile. Results: Blacks had lower mean triglycerides (81.1 ± 3.3 mg/dL vs 140.6 ± 5.9 mg/dL; P < .0001), total cholesterol (176.1 ± 3.6 mg/dL vs 201.6 ± 3.3 mg/dL; P < .0001), and low-density lipoprotein (111.7 ± 3.3 mg/dL vs 128.2 ± 2.9 mg/dL; P < .001) and higher mean BMI (37.2 ± 0.5 vs 35.2 ± 0.5; P < .01) and diastolic blood pressure (82.4 ± 0.8 mmHg vs 79.4 ± 0.7 mmHg; P < .01) than whites. Only 7% of blacks, compared with 41% of whites, had triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL; as a result, fewer black women met metabolic syndrome criteria than white women. Additionally, in women with waist circumference ≥88 cm (N = 215), high-density lipoprotein was higher in blacks than in whites (48.3 ± 1.5 mg/dL vs 44.2 ± 1.3 mg/dL; P < .05). Conclusions: Due to racial differences in blood lipids, current metabolic syndrome criteria may result in underestimation of cardiovascular risk in blacks.
E-mail Karger@karger.com Guidelines 2013 Eta Guideline: Management of Subclinical Hypothyroidism

stopped. Age-specific local reference ranges for serum TSH should be considered in order to establish a diagnosis of SCH in older people. The oldest old subjects (>80–85 years) with elevated serum TSH ≤ 10 mU/l should be carefully followed with a wait-and-see strategy, generally avoiding hormonal treatment. If the decision is to treat SCH, then oral L-thyrox-ine, administered daily, is the treatment of choice. The serum TSH should be rechecked 2 months after starting L-thyrox-ine therapy, and dosage adjustments made accordingly. The aim for most adults should be to reach a stable serum TSH in the lower half of the reference range (0.4–2.5 mU/l). Once patients with SCH are commenced on L-thyroxine treatment, then serum TSH should be monitored at least annually thereafter .