Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Echinococcus granulosus genotypes in Iran: a systematic review

Abstract Cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) is a significant zoonosis, especially in developing countries of the Middle East, with many studies focusing on CE genotypes in Iran. We performed a systematic review to determine the exact status of E. granulosus genotypes in the country. We explored English (Pubmed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science and Science Direct) and Persian (Magiran, Iran Medex and Scientific Information Database) databases along with Google Scholar. Our review included 73 studies published prior to the end of 2015. In total, 2952 animal (intermediate and definitive) hosts were examined, and the prevalent genotypes comprised G1 (92.75%) and G6 (4.53%) in sheep, cattle, camels, goats and buffaloes; G3 (2.43%) in five herbivore hosts and dogs; G7 (0.2%) in sheep and goats; and G2 (0.06%) in dogs. G1 was mostly dominant in West Azerbaijan, whereas G3 and G6 were identified most frequently in the provinces of Isfahan and Fars, respectively. Regarding human CE infection, 340 cases were reported from Iran, with the identified genotypes G1 (n = 320), G6 (n = 13) and G3 (n = 7). Most CE-infected humans originated from Isfahan province (168 cases), whereas the lowest number of infected persons was noted in Kerman province (two cases). The information obtained from this systematic review is central to better understanding the biological and epidemiological characteristics of E. granulosus s.l. genotypes in Iran, leading to more comprehensive control strategies.
Tobacco Smoking Increases Immune Activation and Impairs T-Cell Function in HIV Infected Patients on Antiretrovirals: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

Background The influence of tobacco smoking on the immune system of HIV infected individuals is largely unknown. We investigated the impact of tobacco smoking on immune activation, microbial translocation, immune exhaustion and T-cell function in HIV infected individuals. Method HIV infected smokers and non-smokers (n = 25 each) with documented viral suppression on combination antiretroviral therapy and HIV uninfected smokers and non-smokers (n = 15 each) were enrolled. Markers of immune activation (CD38 and HLA-DR) and immune exhaustion (PD1, Tim3 and CTLA4) were analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by flow cytometry. Plasma markers of microbial translocation (soluble-CD14 - sCD14 and lipopolysaccharide - LPS) were measured. Antigen specific functions of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells were measured, by flow cytometry, in PBMCs after 6 hours stimulation with Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and Influenza Virus (CEF) peptide pool. Results Compared to non-smokers, smokers of HIV infected and uninfected groups showed significantly higher CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell activation with increased frequencies of CD38+HLA-DR+ cells with a higher magnitude in HIV infected smokers. Expressions of immune exhaustion markers (PD1, Tim3 and CTLA4) either alone or in combinations were significantly higher in smokers, especially on CD4+ T-cells. Compared to HIV uninfected non-smokers, microbial translocation (sCD14 and LPS) was higher in smokers of both groups and directly correlated with CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell activation. Antigen specific T-cell function showed significantly lower cytokine response of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells to CEF peptide-pool stimulation in smokers of both HIV infected and uninfected groups. Conclusions Our results suggest that smoking and HIV infection independently influence T-cell immune activation and function and together they present the worst immune profile. Since smoking is widespread among HIV infected individuals, studies are warranted to further evaluate the cumulative effect of smoking on impairment of the immune system and accelerated disease progression.
The functional network signature of heterogeneity in freezing of gait

Freezing of gait is a complex, heterogeneous, and highly variable phenomenon whose pathophysiology and neural signature remains enigmatic. Evidence suggests that freezing is associated with impairments across cognitive, motor and affective domains; however, most research to date has focused on investigating one axis of freezing of gait in isolation. This has led to inconsistent findings and a range of different pathophysiological models of freezing of gait, due in large part to the tendency for studies to investigate freezing of gait as a homogeneous entity. To investigate the neural mechanisms of this heterogeneity, we used an established virtual reality paradigm to elicit freezing behaviour in 41 Parkinson's disease patients with freezing of gait and examined individual differences in the component processes (i.e. cognitive, motor and affective function) that underlie freezing of gait in conjunction with task-based functional MRI. First, we combined three unique components of the freezing phenotype: impaired set-shifting ability, step time variability, and self-reported anxiety and depression in a principal components analysis to estimate the severity of freezing behaviour with a multivariate approach. By combining these measures, we were then able to interrogate the pattern of task-based functional connectivity associated with freezing (compared to normal foot tapping) in a sub-cohort of 20 participants who experienced sufficient amounts of freezing during task functional MRI. Specifically, we used the first principal component from our behavioural analysis to classify patterns of functional connectivity into those that were associated with: (i) increased severity; (ii) increased compensation; or (iii) those that were independent of freezing severity. Coupling between the cognitive and limbic networks was associated with 'worse freezing severity', whereas anti-coupling between the putamen and the cognitive and limbic networks was related to 'increased compensation'. Additionally, anti-coupling between cognitive cortical regions and the caudate nucleus were 'independent of freezing severity' and thus may represent common neural underpinnings of freezing that are unaffected by heterogenous factors. Finally, we related these connectivity patterns to each of the individual components (cognitive, motor, affective) in turn, thus exposing latent heterogeneity in the freezing phenotype, while also identifying critical functional network signatures that may represent potential targets for novel therapeutic intervention. In conclusion, our findings provide confirmatory evidence for systems-level impairments in the pathophysiology of freezing of gait and further advance our understanding of the whole-brain deficits that mediate symptom expression in Parkinson's disease.
EGFR TKI as first-line treatment for patients with advanced EGFR mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer

After the discovery of activating mutations in EGFR, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been introduced into the first-line treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A series of studies have shown that EGFR TKI monotherapy as first-line treatment can benefit NSCLC patients harbouring EGFR mutations. Besides, combination strategies based on EGFR TKIs in the first line treatment have also been proved to delay the occurrence of resistance. In this review, we summarize the scientific literature and evidence of EGFR TKIs as first-line therapy from the first-generation EGFR TKIs to conceptually proposed fourth-generation EGFR TKI, and also recommend the application of monotherapy and combination therapies of the EGFR-based targeted therapy with other agents such as chemotherapy, anti-angiogenic drugs and immunecheckpoint inhibitors.
Implementation of a Lifestyle Intervention for People With Serious Mental Illness in State-Funded Mental Health Centers.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate health outcomes of a state-supported implementation in community mental health settings of an evidence-based lifestyle intervention for overweight and obese adults with serious mental illness. METHODS Weight and fitness outcomes were evaluated for 122 overweight or obese adults with serious mental illness in four community mental health centers (CMHCs) that were participating in a phased statewide implementation of the In SHAPE lifestyle intervention. Six- and 12-month outcomes were compared between two CMHCs that implemented In SHAPE in the first 12 months and two CMHCs with similar characteristics that implemented In SHAPE in a subsequent phase in the statewide implementation 12 months later. RESULTS Participants in the two In SHAPE sites (N=63 participants) lost significantly more weight (p=.003) and showed greater improvement in fitness (p=.011) compared with participants at the two usual care control sites (N=59 participants). At six months, nearly half (49%) of In SHAPE participants and at 12 months more than half (60%) of In SHAPE participants showed clinically significant cardiovascular risk reduction defined as ≥5% weight loss or improved fitness (>50 m [164 feet] increase on the six-minute walk test). The difference between the In SHAPE and control groups was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS This natural experiment demonstrated promising public health benefits of a practical implementation of health promotion programming for overweight and obese adults with serious mental illness and offers a potential model for reducing risk of early mortality among individuals served by state-funded mental health centers nationwide.
Nutrient Requirements and Interactions Folate Status Response to Controlled Folate Intake in Pregnant Women

A metabolic study (84-d) was conducted to investigate the folate status response of pregnant subjects (n Å 12) during their second trimester and nonpregnant controls (n Å 12) to folate intakes approximating the current (400 mg/d) and former (800 mg/d) recommended dietary allowance (RDA). The overall goal of the study was to provide metabolic data to assist in the interpretation of the current RDA for folate. Subjects were fed a controlled diet containing 120 { 15 mg/d (mean { SD) folate and either 330 or 730 mg/d synthetic folic acid. Outcome variables between and within supplementation groups were compared at steady state. Serum folate was higher (P ° 0.05) in pregnant women consuming 850 compared with 450 mg/d (44.6 { 13.4, 26.3 { 11.3 nmol/L, respectively, mean { SD). No differences (P ú 0.05) were detected in serum folate between pregnant and nonpregnant women within the same supplementation group. Urinary 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate excretion was greater (P ° 0.05) in pregnant women consuming 850 compared with 450 mg/d (198.0 { 100.4, 9.5 { 3.2 nmol/d, respectively). No differences (P ú 0.05) in 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate excretion were detected between pregnant and nonpregnant women within supplementation groups. Differences (P ° 0.05) were not detected in red cell folate between pregnant women consuming either 450 or 850 mg/d (1452.5 { 251.8, 1733.5 { 208.5 nmol/L, respectively) or between pregnant and nonpregnant women consuming 450 mg/d. Our data suggest that 450 mg/d (dietary folate / synthetic folic acid) is sufficient to maintain folate status in pregnant women. This level of intake equates to Ç600 mg/d dietary equivalents, assuming 50 and 75% availability of dietary folate and synthetic folic acid consumed with meals, respectively. J. Nutr. 127: 2363–2370, 1997.
PHYLOGENY OF THE FALCONIDAE INFERRED FROM MOLECULAR AND MORPHOLOGICAL DATA

ABSTR^CT. --Molecular data and variation in syringeal morphology were used to infer a phylogeny for the family Falconidae and to address three issues currently of interest in systematics: (1) the treatment of multiple data sets in phylogenetic analysis, (2) a priori analysis and differential weighting of molecular data, and (3) the reliability of molecular versus morphological data in phylogenetic analysis. Problems in recovering phylogenetic signal caused by rapidly changing sites in the molecular data were not solved by combining data sets. Differentially weighting saturated partitions of the sequence data, prior to phylogenetic analysis, provided a phylogeny congruent with morphological analysis. Molecular data provide substantially more informative characters than morphological data. However, morphological data provide a higher proportion of unreversed synapomorphies. A reclassification of the family based on the phylogeny results in two subfamilies: (1) the Herpetotherinae, (forest-falcons [Micrastur] and Laughing Falcon [Herpetotheres cachinnans]); and (2) the Falconinae, which includes the tribes Falconini (Spot-winged Falconet [Spiziapteryx circumcinctus], pygmy-falcons [Polihierax], falconets [Microhierax], and the genus Falco) and Caracarini (caracaras). The phylogeny also indicates that two genera, Daptrius and Polihierax, are polyphyletic, and these two are split. Finally, a biogeographic hypothesis derived from tl•e phylogeny implies that the origin and early diversification of the family occurred in South America. Received 12 November 1997, accepted 18 June 1998.
Physico-mechanical properties of bauxite residue-clay bricks

This study is focused on consolidating knowledge on the application of Bauxite residue in the building industry. X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) reports of the bauxite and bauxite residue are given. Physico-mechanical properties of red mud (RM)-Clay (AC) bricks are also presented. The RM-AC bricks have compositions; 90%-10%, 80%-20%, 70%-30%, 60%40%, 50%-50%, 40%-60% prepared and fired at sintering temperatures 800 o C, 900 o C and 1100 o C. The experimental results obtained showed that at each of the three stated sintering temperatures, bulk density increases as apparent porosity and water of absorption reduces. Bulk densities computed were within the range (1.3-1.8)g/cm 3 at 1100 o C sintering temperature. Maximum flexural strength was found to be associated with 50%-50% (Red mud-clay) composition at 1100 o C. And the compressive strength (3.2-12.5) MPa range found for all batches at 1100 o C sintering temperature. Generally, flexural and compressive strengths were increased with higher sintering temperature. The results obtained for various characterization analysis compares well with literature and hold potential in bauxite residue eco-friendly application as fired brick.
Interface effect on thermal conductivity of carbon nanotube composites

A simple formula for the thermal conductivity enhancement in carbon nanotube composites is presented by incorporating the interface thermal resistance with an effective medium approach. This model well describes the thermal conductivity enhancement observed recently in nanotube suspensions. In particular, this simple formula predicts that a large interface thermal resistance across the nanotube-matrix interface causes a significant degradation in the thermal conductivity enhancement, even for the case with ultrahigh intrinsic thermal conductivity and aspect ratio of the carbon nanotubes embedded.
Sphingolipids in food and the emerging importance of sphingolipids to nutrition.

Eukaryotic organisms as well as some prokaryotes and viruses contain sphingolipids, which are defined by a common structural feature, i.e. , a "sphingoid base" backbone such as D-erythro-1,3-dihydroxy, 2-aminooctadec-4-ene (sphingosine). The sphingolipids of mammalian tissues, lipoproteins, and milk include ceramides, sphingomyelins, cerebrosides, gangliosides and sulfatides; plants, fungi and yeast have mainly cerebrosides and phosphoinositides. The total amounts of sphingolipids in food vary considerably, from a few micromoles per kilogram (fruits) to several millimoles per kilogram in rich sources such as dairy products, eggs and soybeans. With the use of the limited data available, per capita sphingolipid consumption in the United States can be estimated to be on the order of 150-180 mmol (approximately 115-140 g) per year, or 0.3-0.4 g/d. There is no known nutritional requirement for sphingolipids; nonetheless, they are hydrolyzed throughout the gastrointestinal tract to the same categories of metabolites (ceramides and sphingoid bases) that are used by cells to regulate growth, differentiation, apoptosis and other cellular functions. Studies with experimental animals have shown that feeding sphingolipids inhibits colon carcinogenesis, reduces serum LDL cholesterol and elevates HDL, suggesting that sphingolipids represent a "functional" constituent of food. Sphingolipid metabolism can also be modified by constituents of the diet, such as cholesterol, fatty acids and mycotoxins (fumonisins), with consequences for cell regulation and disease. Additional associations among diet, sphingolipids and health are certain to emerge as more is learned about these compounds.
Bargaining-based energy trading market for interconnected microgrids

This paper studies the energy trading among multiple connected microgrids, and analyzes the impacts of such trading on the microgrids' costs. In our model, microgrids with excessive power generations can trade with other microgrids in deficit of power supplies for mutual benefits. We design a bargaining-based energy trading market, where all the interconnected microgrids cooperatively decide the amount of energy trade and the associated payments. We propose a decentralized algorithm to solve the bargaining problem, with minimum information exchange overhead. Numerical studies based on realistic data demonstrate the effectiveness of the bargaining-based energy trading market design, and show that the reduction of total cost of the interconnected-microgrids system can be up to 22% comparing with the case of no trading.
Postexercise High-Fat Feeding Suppresses p70S6K1 Activity in Human Skeletal Muscle.

PURPOSE This study aimed to examine the effects of reduced CHO but high postexercise fat availability on cell signaling and expression of genes with putative roles in regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis, lipid metabolism, and muscle protein synthesis. METHODS Ten males completed a twice per day exercise model (3.5 h between sessions) comprising morning high-intensity interval training (8 × 5 min at 85% V˙O2peak) and afternoon steady-state (SS) running (60 min at 70% V˙O2peak). In a repeated-measures design, runners exercised under different isoenergetic dietary conditions consisting of high-CHO (HCHO: 10 g·kg CHO, 2.5 g·kg protein, and 0.8 g·kg fat for the entire trial period) or reduced-CHO but high-fat availability in the postexercise recovery periods (HFAT: 2.5 g·kg CHO, 2.5 g·kg protein, and 3.5 g·kg fat for the entire trial period). RESULTS Muscle glycogen was lower (P < 0.05) at 3 h (251 vs 301 mmol·kg dry weight) and 15 h (182 vs 312 mmol·kg dry weight) post-SS exercise in HFAT compared with HCHO. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase α2 activity was not increased post-SS in either condition (P = 0.41), although comparable increases (all P < 0.05) in PGC-1α, p53, citrate synthase, Tfam, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, and estrogen-related receptor α mRNA were observed in HCHO and HFAT. By contrast, PDK4 (P = 0.003), CD36 (P = 0.05), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (P = 0.03) mRNA were greater in HFAT in the recovery period from SS exercise compared with HCHO. Ribosomal protein S6 kinase activity was higher (P = 0.08) at 3 h post-SS exercise in HCHO versus HFAT (72.7 ± 51.9 vs 44.7 ± 27 fmol·min·mg). CONCLUSION Postexercise high-fat feeding does not augment the mRNA expression of genes associated with regulatory roles in mitochondrial biogenesis, although it does increase lipid gene expression. However, postexercise ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 activity is reduced under conditions of high-fat feeding, thus potentially impairing skeletal muscle remodeling processes.
Optimally Distributed Kalman Filtering with Data-Driven Communication

For multisensor data fusion, distributed state estimation techniques that enable a local processing of sensor data are the means of choice in order to minimize storage and communication costs. In particular, a distributed implementation of the optimal Kalman filter has recently been developed. A significant disadvantage of this algorithm is that the fusion center needs access to each node so as to compute a consistent state estimate, which requires full communication each time an estimate is requested. In this article, different extensions of the optimally distributed Kalman filter are proposed that employ data-driven transmission schemes in order to reduce communication expenses. As a first relaxation of the full-rate communication scheme, it can be shown that each node only has to transmit every second time step without endangering consistency of the fusion result. Also, two data-driven algorithms are introduced that even allow for lower transmission rates, and bounds are derived to guarantee consistent fusion results. Simulations demonstrate that the data-driven distributed filtering schemes can outperform a centralized Kalman filter that requires each measurement to be sent to the center node.
Prenatal folic acid use associated with decreased risk of myelomeningocele: A case-control study offers further support for folic acid fortification in Bangladesh

Neural tube defects contribute to severe morbidity and mortality in children and adults; however, they are largely preventable through maternal intake of folic acid before and during early pregnancy. We examined the association between maternal prenatal folic acid supplement intake and risk of myelomeningocele (a severe and common type of neural tube defect) in the offspring. We performed secondary analysis using data from a case-control study conducted at Dhaka Community Hospital, Bangladesh between April and November of 2013. Cases and controls included children with and without myelomeningocele, respectively, and their mothers. Cases were identified from local hospitals and rural health clinics served by Dhaka Community Hospital. Controls were selected from pregnancy registries located in the same region as the cases, and matched (1:1) to cases by age and sex. Myelomeningocele in the offspring was confirmed by a pediatrician with expertise in classifying neural tube defects. Maternal prenatal folic acid supplement intake was the main exposure of interest. We estimated crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using conditional logistic regression analysis. There were 53 pairs of matched cases and controls in our study. Overall, 51% of case mothers reported using folic acid supplements during pregnancy compared to 72% of control mothers (p = 0.03). Median plasma folate concentrations at the time of study visit were 2.79 ng/mL and 2.86 ng/mL among case and control mothers, respectively (p = 0.85). Maternal prenatal folic acid use significantly decreased the odds of myelomeningocele in the offspring (unadjusted OR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.18–0.96). The association was slightly attenuated after adjusting for maternal age at the time of pregnancy (adjusted OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.18–1.02). Our study confirms the protective association between maternal prenatal folic acid supplement use and myelomeningocele among children born in Bangladesh. Our findings point to an overall low folic acid supplement use and low plasma folate concentrations among women of reproductive age in Bangladesh. Mandatory fortification of staple foods with folic acid can address low folate status among women of child-bearing age, and prevent child morbidity and mortality associated with myelomeningocele in Bangladesh.