Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of gender-specific risk factors in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases: an NHANES-based cross-sectional study

In the present cross-sectional study, based on National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2007–2010) cohorts, various risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) were analyzed (n=12,153). The variables analyzed include, demographics, comorbidities associated with MetS or CVD, behavioral and dietary factors, while the primary endpoints were the prevalence of MetS and CVD. The prevalence of MetS and CVD was slightly higher in males as compared with females (42.50% and 7.65% vs 41.29% and 4.13%, respectively). After controlling for confounding factors, advanced age, family history of diabetes mellitus (DM), overweight, and obesity were significantly associated with the likelihood of MetS, irrespective of gender differences. In males, the diagnosis of prostate cancer and regular smoking were additional risk factors of MetS, whereas, advanced age, family history of heart attack or angina, health insurance coverage, diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis or depression, obesity and low calorie intake were identified as risk factors for CVD. In addition to the above risk factors, higher physical activity and vitamin D insufficiency were also found to increase the risk of CVD in females. Furthermore, obesity was a higher risk factor for MetS than CVD. Emerging risk factors for CVD identified in this study has major clinical implications. Of interest is the correlation of higher physical activity and the risk of CVD in women and the role of depression and lower calorie intake in general population.
Insecticidal, Fumigant, and Repellent Activities of Sweet Wormwood Oil and Its Individual Components Against Red Imported Fire Ant Workers (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract In total, 29 compounds from sweet wormwood ( Artemisia annua L.) oil were identified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The five active components were d -camphor, linalool, cineole, α-terpineol, and l (−)-borneol. The effectiveness of A. annua oil, as well as d -camphor, linalool, cineole, α-terpineol, and l (−)-borneol, as fumigants, contact insecticides, and repellents, were tested on the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren. The results indicated that A. annua oil has no significant topical toxicity; however, the spray contact test revealed that it has strong insecticidal activity and the inhibitory effect is stronger during closed exposure than during open exposure. In the fumigant test, cineole and d -camphor exhibited strong fumigant toxicity on minor and major S. invicta workers. They also caused 100% mortality at 5, 3, 2, and 1 mg/centrifuge tube but not at 0.5 mg/centrifuge tube. The mortality rates of linalool, α-terpineol, and l (−)-borneol exceeded 80% at 5, 3, and 2 mg/centrifuge tube. In the repellent test, cineole and d -camphor showed significant repellency at 100, 10, and 1 mg/kg. However, linalool, α-terpineol, and l (−)-borneol significantly facilitated digging at 10 and 1 mg/kg.
AHNS Series – Do you know your guidelines? Principles of treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer: A review of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines

This article is a continuation of the “Do You Know Your Guidelines” series, an initiative of the American Head and Neck Society's Education Committee to increase awareness of current best practices pertaining to head and neck cancer. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for the management of nasopharyngeal cancer are reviewed here in a systematic fashion. These guidelines outline the workup, treatment and surveillance of patients with nasopharyngeal cancer. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 201–205, 2017
Dissecting genomic hotspots underlying seed protein, oil, and sucrose content in an interspecific mapping population of soybean using high‐density linkage mapping

Summary The cultivated [Glycine max (L) Merr. ] and wild [Glycine soja Siebold & Zucc. ] soybean species comprise wide variation in seed composition traits. Compared to wild soybean, cultivated soybean contains low protein, high oil, and high sucrose. In this study, an interspecific population was derived from a cross between G. max (Williams 82) and G. soja (PI 483460B). This recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of 188 lines was sequenced at 0.3× depth. Based on 91 342 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), recombination events in RILs were defined, and a high‐resolution bin map was developed (4070 bins). In addition to bin mapping, quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis for protein, oil, and sucrose was performed using 3343 polymorphic SNPs (3K‐SNP), derived from Illumina Infinium BeadChip sequencing platform. The QTL regions from both platforms were compared, and a significant concordance was observed between bin and 3K‐SNP markers. Importantly, the bin map derived from next‐generation sequencing technology enhanced mapping resolution (from 1325 to 50 Kb). A total of five, nine, and four QTLs were identified for protein, oil, and sucrose content, respectively, and some of the QTLs coincided with soybean domestication‐related genomic loci. The major QTL for protein and oil were mapped on Chr. 20 (qPro_20) and suggested negative correlation between oil and protein. In terms of sucrose content, a novel and major QTL were identified on Chr. 8 (qSuc_08) and harbours putative genes involved in sugar transport. In addition, genome‐wide association using 91 342 SNPs confirmed the genomic loci derived from QTL mapping. A QTL‐based haplotype using whole‐genome resequencing of 106 diverse soybean lines identified unique allelic variation in wild soybean that could be utilized to widen the genetic base in cultivated soybean.
Evolution of Bordetella pertussis

Bordetella pertussis, a Gram-negative bacterium, causes whooping cough (pertussis) in humans. Vaccination against pertussis was first introduced in the 1950s. The coverage of primary vaccination has been high in industrialized countries where acellular vaccines (ACVs) are commonly used. In many developing countries, the vaccination coverage is increasing and whole-cell vaccines (WCVs) are mainly in use. WCVs include inactivated whole bacteria, whereas ACVs comprise purified antigens including pertussis toxin (Ptx), filamentous hemagglutinin, pertactin (Prn), fimbriae (Fim) 2 and Fim3 in different combinations and concentrations. Compared with WCVs, ACVs are less reactogenic and are also used for booster vaccinations in older children and adults. Despite extensive vaccinations, pertussis has resurged in industrialized countries since the beginning of the 21st century. Major explanations for the resurgence are waning immunity associated with ACVs and bacterial adaptation to vaccine-induced immunity. Compared with the vaccine strains, continuous changes have been observed in genomes of B. pertussis circulating in immunized populations. Common methods used for surveillance of B. pertussis isolates include serotyping, genotyping for vaccine antigens and genomic analyses by multilocus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). More recently, whole genome sequencing has been applied. Many studies demonstrate that variation of B. pertussis occurs in both phenotypes and genotypes.
Duodenal Bacteria From Patients With Celiac Disease and Healthy Subjects Distinctly Affect Gluten Breakdown and Immunogenicity.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Partially degraded gluten peptides from cereals trigger celiac disease (CD), an autoimmune enteropathy occurring in genetically susceptible persons. Susceptibility genes are necessary but not sufficient to induce CD, and additional environmental factors related to unfavorable alterations in the microbiota have been proposed. We investigated gluten metabolism by opportunistic pathogens and commensal duodenal bacteria and characterized the capacity of the produced peptides to activate gluten-specific T-cells from CD patients. METHODS We colonized germ-free C57BL/6 mice with bacteria isolated from the small intestine of CD patients or healthy controls, selected for their in vitro gluten-degrading capacity. After gluten gavage, gliadin amount and proteolytic activities were measured in intestinal contents. Peptides produced by bacteria used in mouse colonizations from the immunogenic 33-mer gluten peptide were characterized by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and their immunogenic potential was evaluated using peripheral blood mononuclear cells from celiac patients after receiving a 3-day gluten challenge. RESULTS Bacterial colonizations produced distinct gluten-degradation patterns in the mouse small intestine. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic pathogen from CD patients, exhibited elastase activity and produced peptides that better translocated the mouse intestinal barrier. P aeruginosa-modified gluten peptides activated gluten-specific T-cells from CD patients. In contrast, Lactobacillus spp. from the duodenum of non-CD controls degraded gluten peptides produced by human and P aeruginosa proteases, reducing their immunogenicity. CONCLUSIONS Small intestinal bacteria exhibit distinct gluten metabolic patterns in vivo, increasing or reducing gluten peptide immunogenicity. This microbe-gluten-host interaction may modulate autoimmune risk in genetically susceptible persons and may underlie the reported association of dysbiosis and CD.
Efficacy of cognitive bias modification interventions in anxiety and depression: meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Cognitive bias modification (CBM) interventions are strongly advocated in research and clinical practice. AIMS To examine the efficiency of CBM for clinically relevant outcomes, along with study quality, publication bias and potential moderators. METHOD We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of CBM interventions that reported clinically relevant outcomes assessed with standardised instruments. RESULTS We identified 49 trials and grouped outcomes into anxiety and depression. Effect sizes were small considering all the samples, and mostly non-significant for patient samples. Effect sizes became non-significant when outliers were excluded and after adjustment for publication bias. The quality of the RCTs was suboptimal. CONCLUSIONS CBM may have small effects on mental health problems, but it is also very well possible that there are no significant clinically relevant effects. Research in this field is hampered by small and low-quality trials, and by risk of publication bias. Many positive outcomes are driven by extreme outliers.
Rapid Detection of Avian Influenza Virus by Fluorescent Diagnostic Assay using an Epitope-Derived Peptide

Currently, the point of care testing (POCT) is not fully developed for subtype-specific avian influenza virus detection. In this study, an H5N1 hemaglutinin 1 (HA1) epitope (P0: KPNDAINF) and three modified peptides (P1: KPNTAINF, P2: KPNGAINF, P3: KPNDAINDAINF) were evaluated as POCT elements for rapid detection of avian influenza virus. Based on modeling predictions by Autodock Vina, binding affinity varied depending on alteration of one amino acid in these peptides. The binding energy of P2 indicated its potential for a strong interaction with HA. Fluorescence-linked immunosorbent assay experimentally demonstrated the interaction between these peptides and virus. The four peptides interacted with HA1 of H5N3 with different binding affinities with P2 showing the strongest binding affinity. When P0 and P2 peptides were used in rapid fluorescent immunochromatographic test (FICT) as detection elements, the inter-assay coefficients of variation (CV) indicated that P2-linked FICT was more acceptable than the P0-linked FICT in the presence of human specimens. Antibody pair-linked FICT was influenced by clinical samples more than the P2-linked FICT assay, which showed a 4-fold improvement in the detection limit of H5N3 and maintained H5 subtype-specificity. Compared to the rapid diagnostic test (RDT) which is not specific for influenza subtypes, P2-linked FICT could increase virus detection. In conclusion, results of this study suggest that HA epitope-derived peptides can be used as alternatives to antibodies for a rapid fluorescent diagnostic assay to detect avian influenza virus.
Effectiveness of base‐of‐skull immobilization system in a compact proton therapy setting

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate daily repositioning accuracy by analyzing inter‐ and intra‐fractional uncertainties associated with patients treated for intracranial or base of skull tumors in a compact proton therapy system with 6 degrees of freedom (DOF) robotic couch and a thermoplastic head mask indexed to a base of skull (BoS) frame. Materials and methods Daily orthogonal kV alignment images at setup position before and after daily treatments were analyzed for 33 patients. The system was composed of a new type of thermoplastic mask, a bite block, and carbon‐fiber BoS couch‐top insert specifically designed for proton therapy treatments. The correctional shifts in robotic treatment table with 6 DOF were evaluated and recorded based on over 1500 planar kV image pairs. Correctional shifts for patients with and without bite blocks were compared. Results Systematic and random errors were evaluated for all 6 DOF coordinates available for daily vector corrections. Uncertainties associated with geometrical errors and their sources, in addition to robustness analysis of various combinations of immobilization components were presented. Conclusions Analysis of 644 fractions including patients with and without a bite block shows that the BoS immobilization system is capable of maintaining intra‐fraction localization with submillimeter accuracy (in nearly 83%, 86%, 95% of cases along SI, LAT, and PA, respectively) in translational coordinates and subdegree precision (in 98.85%, 98.85%, and 96.4% of cases for roll, pitch, and yaw respectively) in rotational coordinates. The system overall fares better in intra‐fraction localization precision compared to previously reported particle therapy immobilization systems. The use of a mask‐attached type bite block has marginal impact on inter‐ or intra‐fraction uncertainties compared to no bite block.
Strain-mediated type-I/type-II transition in MXene/Blue phosphorene van der Waals heterostructures for flexible optical/electronic devices

Development of novel van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures from various two-dimensional (2D) materials shows unprecedented possibilities by combining the advantageous properties of their building layers. In particular, transforming the vdW heterostructures from type-I to type-II is of great interest and importance to achieve efficient charge separation in photocatalytic, photovoltaic, and optoelectronic devices. In this work, by means of ab initio calculations, we have systematically investigated the electronic structures, optical properties, and mechanical properties of MXene/Blue Phosphorene (BlueP) vdW heterostructures under various deformations. We highlight that, under strain, the type-I heterostructures can be transformed to type-II with their conduction band minimum (CBM) and valence band maximum (VBM) separated in different layers. Interestingly, the locations of the CBM or VBM in MXene/BlueP vdW heterostructures can also be reversed by compressive or tensile strain between the building layers, which indicates that either layer can be utilized as an electron donor or acceptor by varying its deformation conditions. Meanwhile, this compressive (tensile) strain can also induce a red (blue) shift in the optical absorption spectra of MXene/BlueP vdW heterostructures. Finally, our results on the mechanical flexibility and deformation mechanism of MXene/BlueP vdW heterostructures suggest their great long-term stability as well as promising applications in flexible devices. We believe that our findings will open a new way for the modulation and development of vdW heterostructures in flexible optical/electronic devices.
The effect of high intensity exercise and anticipation on trunk and lower limb biomechanics during a crossover cutting manoeuvre

ABSTRACT We investigated the effects of high intensity, intermittent exercise (HIIP) and anticipation on trunk, pelvic and lower limb biomechanics during a crossover cutting manoeuvre. Twenty-eight male, varsity athletes performed crossover cutting manoeuvres in anticipated and unanticipated conditions pre- and post-HIIP. Kinematic and kinetic variables were captured using a motion analysis system. Statistical parametric mapping (repeated-measures ANOVA) was used to identify differences in biomechanical patterns. Results demonstrated that both unanticipation and fatigue (HIIP) altered the biomechanics of the crossover cutting manoeuvre, whereas no interactions effects were observed. Unanticipation resulted in less trunk and pelvic side flexion in the direction of cut (d = 0.70 – 0.79). This led to increased hip abductor and external rotator moments and increased knee extensor and valgus moments with small effects (d = 0.24–0.42), potentially increasing ACL strain. The HIIP resulted in trivial to small effects only with a decrease in internal knee rotator and extensor moment and decreased knee power absorption (d = 0.35), reducing potential ACL strain. The effect of trunk and hip control exercises in unanticipated conditions on the crossover cutting manoeuvre should be investigated with a view to refining ACL injury prevention programmes.
A 50 μW Microbial Fuel Cell Isolated Energy Harvesting Interface Based on Air Coupled Inductors

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are emerging energy har vesters that are promising for the autonomous supply of remote sensors on the seabed. The low voltage delivered by the MFC’s, a few 100mV, imposes an electrical interface to boost the latter to the sensor’s needs. The flyback in discontinuous conduction mode appear s to be the best candidate since it allows the maximum power delivered by the MFC to be extrac ted, the sensor to be electrically isolated from the source and the voltage to be boosted that required by the energy buffering. Our previous work highlighted the significant impact of he magnetic core loss due to hysteresis and magnetic saturation even at μ-scale energy transfer . In this paper, we propose to remove the magnetic core to suppress these losses. The low den sity harvested power (100μW for 10 cm2 electrodes) and low-size constraint i.e. 1m2 scale in seabed remote sensors applications allows us to use 0.5 m2 air-core inductance by plugging in a 20-cm2 MFC, delivering a maximum power of 90μW at 0.3V. The proposed air-core couple d inductor based flyback achieved 60% efficiency experimentally from end to end peak. The se results are 10% lower than those achieved with a magnetic core. This decrease is du e to the increase in the losses generated in the active components. However, the experimental re sults are in good agreement with simulations in which a model of the coreless couple d inductances, extracted from characterizations, is used. Finally, potential impr ovements linked to custom designed components due to progress in active components suc h as transistors and diodes are also discussed. A thorough analysis led us to think that in the future, the coreless solution may surpass its magnetic counterpart, and hence become a viable alternative.
The Mammalian Ste 20-like Kinase 2 ( Mst 2 ) Modulates Stress-induced Cardiac Hypertrophy *

Min Zi, Arfa Maqsood, Sukhpal Prehar, Tamer M. A. Mohamed, Riham Abou-Leisa, Abigail Robertson, Elizabeth J. Cartwright, Simon G. Ray, Sangphil Oh, Dae-Sik Lim, Ludwig Neyses, and Delvac Oceandy From the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom, the Department of Cardiology, South Manchester University Hospital and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M23 9LT, United Kingdom, and the Department of Biological Sciences, National Creative Research Initiatives Center, Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology (WCU), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 305-701, Korea
Perspectives of Community Co-Researchers About Group Dynamics and Equitable Partnership Within a Community–Academic Research Team

Equitable partnership processes and group dynamics, including individual, relational, and structural factors, have been identified as key ingredients to successful community-based participatory research partnerships. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the key aspects of group dynamics and partnership from the perspectives of community members serving as co-researchers. Semistructured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 Latino immigrant co-researchers from an intervention project with Latinos Unidos por la Salud (LU-Salud), a community research team composed of Latino immigrant community members and academic investigators working in a health research partnership. A deductive framework approach guided the interview process and qualitative data analysis. The LU-Salud co-researchers described relationships, personal growth, beliefs/identity motivation (individual dynamics), coexistence (relational dynamics), diversity, and power/resource sharing (structural dynamics) as key foundational aspects of the community–academic partnership. Building on existing CBPR and team science frameworks, these findings demonstrate that group dynamics and partnership processes are fundamental drivers of individual-level motivation and meaning making, which ultimately sustain efforts of community partners to engage with the research team and also contribute to the achievement of intended research outcomes.
Is drug discontinuation risk of adalimumab compared with etanercept affected by concomitant methotrexate dose in patients with rheumatoid arthritis?

Objective To compare drug discontinuation risk between adalimumab (ADA) and etanercept (ETN) treatment among anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF)-naïve rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, in particular the influence of concomitant dose of methotrexate (MTX). Methods This retrospective nationwide population-based cohort study identified 4,592 anti-TNF-naïve RA patients in whom ETN (n=2,609) or ADA (n=1,983) was initiated using National Health Insurance claims data. After adjustment for prior medication, concomitant medication, and baseline demographic data, the relative risk of drug discontinuation in ADA users compared with ETN users was quantified by calculating adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using Cox proportional hazard regression analyses, stratified by the follow-up time (≤1 year, >1 year) and/or concomitant MTX dose (≤10 mg/wk, >10 mg/wk). Results ADA users had a higher risk of drug discontinuation compared with ETN users during the first year of follow-up (aHR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.01–1.27), but not during all treatment periods (aHR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.98–1.16) or after 1 year (aHR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.87–1.13). However, ADA users had a significantly higher risk of drug discontinuation compared with ETN users among patients on concomitant MTX >10 mg/wk during all treatment periods (aHR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.10–1.47), during the first year of follow-up (aHR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.22–1.78), or after 1 year (aHR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.06–1.90), but not among patients on concomitant MTX 0–10 mg/wk. Conclusion This population-based cohort study demonstrated a modification effect of concomitant MTX dose on the relative risk of anti-TNF discontinuation for ADA compared with ETN among anti-TNF-naïve RA patients. However, the lack of exact cause of anti-TNF discontinuation limited causal inference of such a concomitant MTX dose-related modification effect.