Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of The Dose-Response Relationship of Radiation-Induced Bystander Effect in Two Cell Lines Exposed to High Doses of Ionizing Radiation (6 and 8 Gy)

Objective The dose-response relationship of radiation-induced bystander effect (RIBE) is controversial at high dose levels. The aim of the present study is to assess RIBE at high dose levels by examination of different endpoints. Materials and Methods This experimental study used the medium transfer technique to induce RIBE. The cells were divided into two main groups: QU-DB cells which received medium from autologous irradiated cells and MRC5 cells which received medium from irradiated QU-DB cells. Colony, MTT, and micronucleus assays were performed to quantify bystander responses. The medium was diluted and transferred to bystander cells to investigate whether medium dilution could revive the RIBE response that disappeared at a high dose. Results The RIBE level in QU-DB bystander cells increased in the dose range of 0.5 to 4 Gy, but decreased at 6 and 8 Gy. The Micronucleated cells per 1000 binucleated cells (MNBN) frequency of QU-DB bystander cells which received the most diluted medium from 6 and 8 Gy QU-DB irradiated cells reached the maximum level compared to the MNBN frequency of the cells that received complete medium (P<0.0001). MNBN frequency of MRC5 cells which received the most diluted medium from 4 Gy QU-DB irradiated cells reached the maximum level compared to MNBN frequency of cells that received complete medium (P<0.0001). Conclusion Our results showed that RIBE levels decreased at doses above 4 Gy; however, RIBE increased when diluted conditioned medium was transferred to bystander cells. This finding confirmed that a negative feedback mechanism was responsible for the decrease in RIBE response at high doses. Decrease of RIBE at high doses might be used to predict that in radiosurgery, brachytherapy and grid therapy, in which high dose per fraction is applied, normal tissue damage owing to RIBE may decrease.
Glued-in re-bar connection

The aim of this research was to develop a reliable structural timber connection, which would break by failure of its steel components, thus taking advantage of the lower variability and higher strength of steel. The basic concept of the joint was to glue the reinforcing bars in pre-drilled holes and develop a bond strength stronger than tensile resistance of the bar. This report describes the testing and design of such connections. The joints consist of re-bars and steel plates. Weldable #10 and #20 re-bars were used. The steel plates were cut from flat bar. The re-bars are welded to the steel plates and inserted into the holes, and fixed to the wood by epoxy glue. The holes are drilled on an angle to the grain; 30 degree angle was found to be the most effective. The testing consisted of preliminary pull-out tests used to establish the embedment length needed to induce steel failures. Additional testing examined the behavior of glued-in rod joints used as a beam splice connection, a column foundation joint loaded with horizontal forces, and knee joints as used in a portal frame, loaded with positive and negative moment. Steel failures were observed consistently. A typical portal frame was designed in order to tie the research to practical applications. Internal forces from this analysis were then used as a guide to the magnitude of the forces that can be expected in real life situations. In the last part of this report the necessary design steps for two configurations of glued-in rod joints are presented : 1. Column foundation or beam splice joints. 2. Knee joints. This was performed in order to inform structural engineers how glued-in rod joints
Pertuzumab plus trastuzumab in combination with standard neoadjuvant anthracycline-containing and anthracycline-free chemotherapy regimens in patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer: a randomized phase II cardiac safety study (TRYPHAENA).

BACKGROUND Pertuzumab (P) combined with trastuzumab (H)-based chemotherapy improves efficacy in early and advanced HER2-positive breast cancer. We assessed the tolerability, with particular focus on cardiac safety, of H and P with chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant treatment of HER2-positive early breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS In this multicenter, open-label phase II study, patients with operable, locally advanced, or inflammatory breast cancer were randomized 1 : 1 : 1 to receive six neoadjuvant cycles q3w (Arm A: 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide [FEC] + H + P ×3 → docetaxel [T] + H + P ×3; Arm B: FEC ×3 → T + H + P ×3; Arm C: T + carboplatin + H [TCH]+P ×6). pCR was assessed at surgery and adjuvant therapy given to complete 1 year of H. RESULTS Two hundred twenty-five patients were randomized. During neoadjuvant treatment, two patients (2.7%; Arm B) experienced symptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and 11 patients (Arm A: 4 [5.6%]; Arm B: 4 [5.3%]; Arm C: 3 [3.9%]) had declines in left ventricular ejection fraction of ≥10% points from baseline to <50%. Diarrhea was the most common adverse event. pCR (ypT0/is) was reported for 61.6% (Arm A), 57.3% (Arm B), and 66.2% (Arm C) of patients. CONCLUSION The combination of P with H and standard chemotherapy resulted in low rates of symptomatic LVSD.
Attitudes of Health Professional Educators Toward the Use of Social Media as a Teaching Tool: Global Cross-Sectional Study

Background The use of social media in health education has witnessed a revolution within the past decade. Students have already adopted social media informally to share information and supplement their lecture-based learning. Although studies show comparable efficacy and improved engagement when social media is used as a teaching tool, broad-based adoption has been slow and the data on barriers to uptake have not been well documented. Objective The objective of this study was to assess attitudes of health educators toward social media use in education, examine differences between faculty members who do and do not use social media in teaching practice, and determine contributing factors for an increase in the uptake of social media. Methods A cross-sectional Web-based survey was disseminated to the faculty of health professional education departments at 8 global institutions. Respondents were categorized based on the frequency of social media use in teaching as “users” and “nonusers. ” Users sometimes, often, or always used social media, whereas nonusers never or rarely used social media. Results A total of 270 health educators (52.9%, n=143 users and 47.0%, n=127 nonusers) were included in the survey. Users and nonusers demonstrated significant differences on perceived barriers and potential benefits to the use of social media. Users were more motivated by learner satisfaction and deterred by lack of technology compatibility, whereas nonusers reported the need for departmental and skill development support. Both shared concerns of professionalism and lack of evidence showing enhanced learning. Conclusions The majority of educators are open-minded to incorporating social media into their teaching practice. However, both users and nonusers have unique perceived challenges and needs, and engaging them to adapt social media into their educational practice will require previously unreported approaches. Identification of these differences and areas of overlap presents opportunities to determine a strategy to increase adoption.
Cross‐linking of porcine acellular dermal matrices negatively affects induced neovessel formation using platelet‐rich plasma in a rat model of hernia repair

The degree of cross‐linking within acellular dermal matrices (ADM) seems to correlate to neovascularization when used in ventral hernia repair (VHR). Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) enhances wound healing through several mechanisms including neovascularization, but research regarding its effect on soft tissue healing in VHR is lacking. We sought to study the effect of cross‐linking on PRP‐induced neovascularization in a rodent model of bridging VHR. We hypothesized that ADM cross‐linking would negatively affect PRP‐induced neovessel formation. PRP was extracted and characterized from pooled whole blood. Porcine cross‐linked (cADM) and non–cross‐linked ADMs (ncADM) were implanted in a rat model of chronic VHR after treatment with saline (control) or PRP. Neovascularization of samples at 2, 4, and 6 weeks was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical staining of CD 31. Adhesion severity at necropsy was compared using a previously validated scale. Addition of PRP increased neovascularization in both cADM and ncADM at 2‐ and 4‐week time points but appeared to do so in a dependent fashion, with significantly greater neovascularization in the PRP‐treated ncADMs compared to cADMs. Omental adhesions were increased in all PRP‐treated groups. Results indicate that, for 2‐week measurements when compared with the cADM group without PRP therapy, the mean change in neovascularization due to ncADM was 3.27 (Z = 2.75, p = 0.006), PRP was 17.56 (Z = 14.77, p < 0.001), and the combined effect of ncADM and PRP was 9.41 (Z = 5.6, p < 0.001). The 4‐week data indicate that the average neovascularization change due to ncADM was 0.676 (Z = 0.7, p = 0.484), PRP was 7.69 (Z = 7.95, p < 0.001), and combined effect of ncADM and PRP was 5.28 (Z = 3.86, p < 0.001). These findings validate PRP as a clinical adjunct to enhance the native tissue response to implantable biomaterials and suggest that ncADM is more amenable than cADM to induced neovascularization. PRP use could be advantageous in patients undergoing VHR where poor incorporation is anticipated and early‐enhanced neovascularization is desired.
Kinetics of the Human Papillomavirus Type 16 E6 Antibody Response Prior to Oropharyngeal Cancer

Background: In a European cohort, it was previously reported that 35% of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) patients were human papillomavirus type-16 (HPV16) seropositive up to 10 years before diagnosis vs 0.6% of cancer-free controls. Here, we describe the kinetics of HPV16-E6 antibodies prior to OPC diagnosis. Methods: We used annual serial prediagnostic blood samples from the PLCO Cancer Screening Trial. Antibodies to HPV were initially assessed in prediagnostic blood drawn at study enrollment from 198 incident head and neck cancer patients (median years to cancer diagnosis = 6.6) and 924 matched control subjects using multiplex serology, and subsequently in serial samples (median = 5/individual). Available tumor samples were identified and tested for HPV16 RNA to define HPV-driven OPC. Results: HPV16-E6 antibodies were present at baseline in 42.3% of 52 OPC patients and 0.5% of 924 control subjects. HPV16-E6 antibody levels were highly elevated and stable across serial blood samples for 21 OPC patients who were seropositive at baseline, as well as for one OPC patient who seroconverted closer to diagnosis. All five subjects with HPV16-driven OPC tumors were HPV16-E6-seropositive, and the four subjects with HPV16-negative OPC tumors were seronegative. The estimated 10-year cumulative risk of OPC was 6.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.8% to 21.5%) for HPV16-E6-seropositive men, 1.3% (95% CI = 0.1% to 15.3%) for HPV16-E6-seropositive women, and 0.04% (95% CI = 0.03% to 0.06%) among HPV16-E6-seronegative individuals. Conclusions: Forty-two percent of subjects diagnosed with OPC between 1994 and 2009 in a US cohort were HPV16-E6 seropositive, with stable antibody levels during annual follow-up for up to 13 years prior to diagnosis. Tumor analysis indicated that the sensitivity and specificity of HPV16-E6 antibodies were exceptionally high in predicting HPV-driven OPC.
Real-Time Visual Measurement With Opponent Hitting Behavior for Table Tennis Robot

In this paper, a visual-based method is proposed for the table tennis robot to estimate the hitting point from the opponent, which can provide a better understanding of the opponent, and thus improve the responsiveness of the table tennis robot. As an essential manifestation of opponent hitting behavior, the information of hitting point includes not only the motion status variation of the ball before and after being hit, but also the racket pose at the hitting moment. To solve this problem, the trajectories of the ball before and after being hit are first predicted based on visual measurement and the motion model of the ball. The racket trajectory of the opponent is then derived by a self-adaptive threshold selection scheme and a multifilter. Considering that the ball and racket trajectories are not absolutely precise, an optimized solution is proposed to compute the hitting point from the opponent. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed approach is the first one that could achieve a fast estimation of the hitting point from the opponent with a satisfactory resolution. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is verified by experiments.
Therapeutic plasma exchange and pregnancy: A case report and guidelines for performing plasma exchange in a pregnant patient

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been demonstrated to be of significant clinical value in a number of diseases and conditions, with well‐established guidelines and recommendations. However, technical support in providing this procedure for pregnant patients is largely absent from these recommendations, leaving therapeutic apheresis practitioners without guidance to safely and adequately treat appropriate conditions in this important patient population. Here, we describe our experience in treating a 35‐year‐old pregnant patient with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis with TPE. Additionally, we outline the principle considerations when developing her treatment plan, and we provide recommendations for apheresis practitioners when performing TPE in pregnant patients. J. Clin. Apheresis 32:191–195, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Patients with Diabetic Neuropathy Are at Risk of a Greater Intraoperative Reduction in Core Temperature

Background Core hypothermia develops after the induction of general anesthesia, but intraoperative vasoconstriction usually prevents its progression. However, diabetes mellitus is often associated with autonomic neuropathy, which leads to abnormal peripheral neurovascular function. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that diabetic patients experience a greater reduction in core temperature during general anesthesia than nondiabetic patients. Methods We studied 36 nondiabetic patients (control group) and 27 diabetic patients (diabetic group) undergoing elective abdominal surgery. Both groups were divided into young (< 60 yr) and older age (≥ 60 yr) groups. Standard noninvasive autonomic tests (heart rate variation at deep periodical breathing, Valsalva maneuver, and head-up tilt) were carried out for each patient. The relation between the results of these tests of autonomic function and the tympanic membrane temperature during general anesthesia was assessed in relation to peripheral vasoconstriction. Results Thirteen patients in the diabetic group showed abnormal responses to two or more of the basal autonomic function tests (patients with autonomic dysfunction). Changes in core temperature among the groups were similar at 90 min after the induction of anesthesia. However, the core temperature of the diabetic patients with autonomic dysfunction was lower from 120 min (35.1°C) onward compared with the young or older nondiabetic patients and the diabetic patients with normal autonomic function. Peripheral vasoconstriction, evaluated using the forearm–fingertip skin surface temperature gradient, was delayed in patients with autonomic dysfunction compared with the others. Conclusions The current results indicate that diabetic autonomic neuropathy is associated with more severe intraoperative hypothermia. We postulate that diabetic patients become more hypothermic because their peripheral neuropathy delays the onset of thermoregulatory vasoconstriction and reduces its efficacy once triggered. These patients may therefore fail to develop a normal core temperature plateau.
Severe anemia in Malawian children.

BACKGROUND Severe anemia is a major cause of sickness and death in African children, yet the causes of anemia in this population have been inadequately studied. METHODS We conducted a case-control study of 381 preschool children with severe anemia (hemoglobin concentration, <5.0 g per deciliter) and 757 preschool children without severe anemia in urban and rural settings in Malawi. Causal factors previously associated with severe anemia were studied. The data were examined by multivariate analysis and structural equation modeling. RESULTS Bacteremia (adjusted odds ratio, 5.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6 to 10.9), malaria (adjusted odds ratio, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.6 to 3.3), hookworm (adjusted odds ratio, 4.8; 95% CI, 2.0 to 11.8), human immunodeficiency virus infection (adjusted odds ratio, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.0 to 3.8), the G6PD-202/-376 genetic disorder (adjusted odds ratio, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.3 to 4.4), vitamin A deficiency (adjusted odds ratio, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.3 to 5.8), and vitamin B12 deficiency (adjusted odds ratio, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.4 to 3.6) were associated with severe anemia. Folate deficiency, sickle cell disease, and laboratory signs of an abnormal inflammatory response were uncommon. Iron deficiency was not prevalent in case patients (adjusted odds ratio, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.22 to 0.60) and was negatively associated with bacteremia. Malaria was associated with severe anemia in the urban site (with seasonal transmission) but not in the rural site (where malaria was holoendemic). Seventy-six percent of hookworm infections were found in children under 2 years of age. CONCLUSIONS There are multiple causes of severe anemia in Malawian preschool children, but folate and iron deficiencies are not prominent among them. Even in the presence of malaria parasites, additional or alternative causes of severe anemia should be considered.
Estimation of Hydroxyl Radicals Produced by Pulsed Discharge Inside Bubble in Water Using Indigo Carmine as Chemical Probe

Amount of hydroxyl radicals produced by pulsed discharge inside bubble in water is estimated with the decomposition of indigo carmine as a chemical probe. Argon gas (99.99 vol.% purity) is injected into the water through a vertically positioned glass tube, in which high-voltage wire electrode is placed to generate plasmas at low applied voltage. Amount of the indigo carmine decomposition increases with increasing indigo carmine concentration and held a constant value at <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1.5 {\times} 10^{-6}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> mol when indigo carmine concentration is higher than 2.5 mM. The amount of hydroxyl radicals is estimated as <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1.3 \times 10^{-6}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> mol by measuring the hydrogen peroxide production in the potassium solution, which corresponds to the amount of hydroxyl radicals obtained from indigo carmine decomposition. The energy yield of dissolved hydroxyl radical, which contributes to react with the solutes in the solutions, is estimated to be 4 ~ <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$5 \times 10^{-9}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> mol/J.
Azorean freshwater invertebrates: Status, threats and biogeographic notes

Azorean freshwater invertebrates: Status, threats and biogeographic notes This paper presents an updated catalogue of the freshwater invertebrates of the Azores archipelago and reviews the published records to account for the current taxonomic status and changes in the nomenclature of the listed taxa. The number of freshwater invertebrate species that has been recorded in the Azores has risen sharply throughout the 20th century to 241 species based on field collections and the identification by several generations of local and foreign researchers. The freshwater fauna has been described as the following: (i) being "disharmonic", i.e., lacking taxa commonly found in continental freshwater systems such as the Plecoptera, and (ii) possessing a relatively high degree of endemism in selected groups. As expected, most recorded invertebrates are primarily of Palaearctic origin. However, endemic species make up 11 % of the freshwater invertebrate fauna, which emphasises the unique character of Azorean freshwater habitats, the importance of conservation measures and the need to continue the study of these systems.
Antimicrobial resistance in Mycobacterium abscessus complex isolated from patients with skin and soft tissue infections at a tertiary teaching hospital in Taiwan

Background Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) is the most common non-tuberculous mycobacterium that causes complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs). The selection of antimycobacterial agents for successful treatment of such infections is a critical issue. Objectives To investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of MABC isolates from skin and soft tissue to a variety of antimycobacterial agents. Methods Sixty-seven MABC isolates were collected and partial gene sequencing of secA1, rpoB and hsp65 was used to classify them into three subspecies: M. abscessus subsp. abscessus (MAB), M. abscessus subsp. massiliense (MMA) and M. abscessus subsp. bolletii (MBO). The MICs of 11 antimycobacterial agents for these 67 isolates were determined using a broth microdilution method and commercial Sensititre RAPMYCOI MIC plates, as recommended by CLSI. Results In total, 28 MAB, 38 MMA and 1 MBO were isolated from patients with cSSTIs at our hospital. Most MABC strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, imipenem, linezolid, minocycline, moxifloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. In addition, most MABC strains were intermediately susceptible or resistant to cefoxitin. Eighteen of the 28 MABs and 1 MBO isolate harboured the T28 polymorphism in the erm(41) gene. Two of the 38 MMA isolates had an rrl A2059G point mutation. Most of the MABC strains were susceptible to amikacin and tigecycline. Conclusions In Taiwan, amikacin, clarithromycin and tigecycline have good activity against MMA and MAB erm(41) C28 sequevar isolates, whereas amikacin and tigecycline, rather than clarithromycin, have good activity against both MBO and MAB erm(41) T28 sequevar isolates. Clinical trials are warranted to correlate these data with clinical outcomes.
A distributed and topology-agnostic approach for on-line NoC testing

A new distributed on-line test mechanism for NoCs is proposed which scales to large-scale networks with general topologies and routing algorithms. Each router and its links are tested using neighbors in different phases. Only the router under test is in test mode and all other parts of the NoC are in functional mode. Experimental results show that our on-line test approach can detect stuck-at and short-wire faults in the routers and links. Our approach achieves 100% fault coverage for the data-path and 85% for the control paths including routing logic, FIFO's control path and the arbiter of a 5×5 router. Synthesis results show that the hardware overhead of our test components with TMR (Triple Module Redundancy) support is 20% for covering both stuck-at and short-wire faults and 7% for covering only stuck-at faults in the 5×5 router. Simulation results show that our on-line testing approach has an average latency overhead of 20% and 3% in synthetic traffic and PARSEC traffic benchmarks on an 8×8 NoC, respectively.