Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association Between Poor Cognitive Functioning and Risk of Incident Parkinsonism: The Rotterdam Study

Importance Cognitive dysfunction is a common feature among patients with parkinsonism, including Parkinson disease (PD). However, there is a scarcity of data on cognitive functioning before parkinsonism diagnosis, a stage at which patients may still respond to putative disease-modifying interventions. Objective To assess whether poor cognitive functioning is associated with an increased risk of parkinsonism. Design, Setting, and Participants Between January 8, 2002, and December 14, 2008, baseline cognitive function was assessed in 7386 participants of the Rotterdam Study who were free of parkinsonism and dementia. Four tests were administered (Stroop color word test, letter-digit substitution, verbal fluency, and word learning) and a global cognition score was derived from principal component analysis. Subsequently, participants were followed up until January 1, 2015, for the onset of parkinsonism through serial in-person examinations and complete access to medical records. Parkinsonism was defined as the (1) presence of hypokinesia or bradykinesia plus at least 1 other cardinal sign and/or (2) clinical diagnosis by a neurologist or geriatrician. Patients with dementia diagnosis before parkinsonism diagnosis were considered to have probable PD. Main Outcomes and Measures Hazard ratios (HRs) for incident parkinsonism per SD decrease in global cognition, adjusted for age, sex, and study subcohort. Results A total of 7386 patients were included in the analysis; of these, 4236 (57.4%) were women and mean (SD) age was 65.3 (10.2) years. During follow-up (median, 8.3 years; range, 0-15 years), 79 (1.1%) individuals received a diagnosis of incident parkinsonism; of these, 57 (72.2%) received a diagnosis of probable PD. Among patients with incident parkinsonism, 24 (30.4%) also developed dementia (10 before and 14 after parkinsonism onset). Poor global cognition at baseline was associated with a higher hazard of incident parkinsonism (hazard ratio [HR], 1.79; 95% CI, 1.37-2.33). The association remained robust beyond the first 8 years (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.01-2.59) and after removing individuals with dementia onset before parkinsonism (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.28-2.27). Poor global cognition at baseline was also associated with incident probable PD (HR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.11-2.08). Letter-digit substitution (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.22-2.04), verbal fluency (HR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.23-2.08), and inverted interference task Stroop color word test (HR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.25-1.96) scores were each associated with incident parkinsonism, whereas the association with word learning delayed-task scores was weaker (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.92-1.52). Conclusions and Relevance Poor cognitive functioning is associated with an increased risk of incident parkinsonism, including probable PD. Cognition indicates the probability of parkinsonism over long intervals and extends beyond patients with onset of parkinsonism after dementia. The findings suggest that cognitive dysfunction can be considered a sign of prodromal PD.
Incretin responses to oral glucose and mixed meal tests and changes in fasting glucose levels during 7 years of follow-up: The Hoorn Meal Study

We conducted the first prospective observational study in which we examined the association between incretin responses to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and mixed meal test (MMT) at baseline and changes in fasting glucose levels 7 years later, in individuals who were non-diabetic at baseline. We used data from the Hoorn Meal Study; a population-based cohort study among 121 subjects, aged 61.0±6.7y. GIP and GLP-1 responses were determined at baseline and expressed as total and incremental area under the curve (tAUC and iAUC). The association between incretin response at baseline and changes in fasting glucose levels was assessed using linear regression. The average change in glucose over 7 years was 0.43 ± 0.5 mmol/l. For GIP, no significant associations were observed with changes in fasting glucose levels. In contrast, participants within the middle and highest tertile of GLP-1 iAUC responses to OGTT had significantly smaller increases (actually decreases) in fasting glucose levels; -0.28 (95% confidence interval: -0.54;-0.01) mmol/l and -0.39 (-0.67;-0.10) mmol/l, respectively, compared to those in the lowest tertile. The same trend was observed for tAUC GLP-1 following OGTT (highest tertile: -0.32 (0.61;-0.04) mmol/l as compared to the lowest tertile). No significant associations were observed for GLP-1 responses following MMT. In conclusion, within our non-diabetic population-based cohort, a low GLP-1 response to OGTT was associated with a steeper increase in fasting glucose levels during 7 years of follow-up. This suggests that a reduced GLP-1 response precedes glucose deterioration and may play a role in the etiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Theory and experiment of novel microstrip slow-wave open-loop resonator filters

This paper presents the theory and experiment of a new class of microstrip slow-wave open-loop resonator filters. A comprehensive treatment of capacitively loaded transmission line resonator is described, which leads to the invention of microstrip slow-wave open-loop resonator. The utilization of microstrip slow-wave open-loop resonators allows various filter configurations including those of elliptic or quasi-elliptic function response to be realized. The filters are not only compact size due to the slow-wave effect, but also have a wider upper stopband resulting from the dispersion effect. These attractive features make the microstrip slow-wave open-loop resonator filters promising for mobile communications, superconducting and other applications. Two filter designs of this type are described in detail. The experimental results are demonstrated and discussed.
Comparison Between Eggsticks of Two Cactophagous Moths, Cactoblastis cactorum and Melitara prodenialis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

ABSTRACT The invasive cactus borer Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) now cooccurs with a species of borer native to North America, Melitara prodenialis Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), in the southeastern United States. Because C. cactorum damages native species of pricklypear (Opuntia) often through population outbreaks, it is necessary to distinguish this species from the native cactus borer that has reduced impact on pricklypear populations. Cactoblastis cactorum and M. prodenialis eggs are laid one on top of another to form eggsticks that resemble cactus spines. Both moth species utilize the same host plant species in the Opuntia genus, and during larval life stages it is easy to distinguish the two species. Determining species identification based on eggs alone, however, has been difficult. Yet, it is impractical to wait for eggs to hatch and larvae to develop to determine species identification for research or monitoring purposes. Several objective, quantitative differences were found between the two species that can be used in laboratory identification to train research assistants or invasive management personnel for the field. Based on the data, we provide a dichotomous key to distinguish the eggsticks of these two species.
Self-Selected Rest Interval Improves Vertical Jump Post-Activation Potentiation.

This study compared the effects of self-selected rest interval and fixed rest interval strategies on post-activation potentiation (PAP) in countermovement jump (CMJ) performance. Twelve strength-trained male's (age: 25.4 ± 3.6 years; body mass: 78.8 ± 10.5 kg; height: 175 ± 7.0 cm; half-squat 1RM: 188.7 ± 33.4 kg) performed three experimental conditions: 1) fixed rest interval (FRI: CMJ test; 4-min rest interval; 5RM back squat; 4-min rest interval; CMJ test), 2) self-selected rest interval (SSRI: CMJ test; 4-min rest interval; 5RM back squat; SSRI; CMJ test), and 3) control (C: CMJ test; 8-min rest interval; CMJ test). In SSRI, participants were instructed to rest until they felt fully recovered and able to exercise at maximal intensity based on the perceived readiness scale (PR). Significant changes in pre-post CMJ performance were observed in the SSRI condition (38.2 ± 4.6 cm vs 40.5 ± 4.4 cm; p = 0.08; CI: 0.72 to 3.82 cm; ES = 0.93). There were significant differences in post CMJ performance when SSRI was compared to FRI (40.5 ± 4.4 cm vs 37.7 ± 5.1 cm; p = 0.02; CI 0.43 to 5.08; ES = 1.13) and C (40.5 ± 4.4 cm vs. 37.4 ± 5.7 cm; p = 0.01; CI: 0.66 to 5.61; ES = 1.35). The average rest interval length for the SSRI condition was 5:57 ± 2:44 min:sec (CI: 4:24 to 7:30). Our results suggest the use of SSRI was an efficient and practical strategy to elicit PAP on CMJ height in strength-trained individuals.
Glecaprevir and Pibrentasvir in Patients with HCV and Severe Renal Impairment

BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is more prevalent among patients who have chronic kidney disease than among those who do not have the disease. Patients with chronic kidney disease who also have HCV infection are at higher risk for progression to end‐stage renal disease than those who have chronic kidney disease without HCV infection. Patients with both HCV infection and advanced chronic kidney disease have limited treatment options. METHODS We conducted a multicenter, open‐label, phase 3 trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment with the combination of the NS3/4A protease inhibitor glecaprevir and the NS5A inhibitor pibrentasvir for 12 weeks in adults who had HCV genotype 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 infection and also had compensated liver disease (with or without cirrhosis) with severe renal impairment, dependence on dialysis, or both. Patients had stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease and either had received no previous treatment for HCV infection or had received previous treatment with interferon or pegylated interferon, ribavirin, sofosbuvir, or a combination of these medications. The primary end point was a sustained virologic response 12 weeks after the end of treatment. RESULTS Among the 104 patients enrolled in the trial, 52% had genotype 1 infection, 16% had genotype 2 infection, 11% had genotype 3 infection, 19% had genotype 4 infection, and 2% had genotype 5 or 6 infection. The sustained virologic response rate was 98% (102 of 104 patients; 95% confidence interval, 95 to 100). No patients had virologic failure during treatment, and no patients had a virologic relapse after the end of treatment. Adverse events that were reported in at least 10% of the patients were pruritus, fatigue, and nausea. Serious adverse events were reported in 24% of the patients. Four patients discontinued the trial treatment prematurely because of adverse events; three of these patients had a sustained virologic response. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with glecaprevir and pibrentasvir for 12 weeks resulted in a high rate of sustained virologic response in patients with stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease and HCV infection. (Funded by AbbVie; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02651194.)
Physical Properties of Antithrombogenic Materials – An Electronic Model of Contact Activation

The biocompatibility of a material is mainly determined by its surface properties. For intravascular stents, the interaction with blood and with the adjacent vessel wall determine the risks of complications such as thrombosis or restenosis. The interactions of proteins, or living cells, with an implant surface at the phase boundary are the origin of irreversible processes such as thrombosis, leukocyte activation, cell proliferation and complement activation. The activation, cleavage or deformation of biomolecules triggers further biochemical reactions that often result in a loss of the implant functionality or are even life-threatening. The development of biomaterials is thus oriented toward those physical properties that distinguish 'nonactivating' from 'activating' materials. In the present work, the guidelines for the development of intravascular stents have been defined by an analysis of the physical processes of interaction between fibrinogen and a solid surface. A model has been developed for the primary electron transfer; and the physical properties that hinder or favor this process have been derived. Based on this knowledge, amorphous hydrogen-rich phosphorous-doped silicon carbide (a-SiC:H) has been selected and optimized as an effective antithrombogenic coating for intravascular stents.
Reconstruction and time reversal in thermoacoustic tomography in acoustically homogeneous and inhomogeneous media

The paper starts with a comparative discussion of features and limitations of the three types of recent approaches to reconstruction in thermoacoustic/photoacoustic tomography: backprojection formulae, eigenfunction expansions and time reversal. The latter method happens to be the least restrictive. It is then considered in more detail, e.g. its relation to trapping properties of the medium. The time reversal method is exact only in the case of a constant sound speed in odd dimension, due to validity of the Huygens' principle. The next best case is of non-trapping speed in odd dimensions. The authors provide 2D examples and discuss the features of numerical reconstructions for constant and variable (both non-trapping and trapping) speeds, showing that this technique works surprisingly well even under the most unfavorable circumstances (variable, and even trapping sound speed in 2D). In particular, a ‘limited view’ effect due to trapping is observed and explained. Finally, an initial consideration of the problem of sound speed recovery is also provided.
Chronic probable PTSD in police responders in the world trade center health registry ten to eleven years after 9/11.

BACKGROUND Police enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Registry (WTCHR) demonstrated increased probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the terrorist attack of 9/11/2001. METHODS Police enrollees without pre-9/11 PTSD were studied. Probable PTSD was assessed by Posttraumatic Stress Check List (PCL). Risk factors for chronic, new onset or resolved PTSD were assessed using multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS Half of police with probable PTSD in 2003-2007 continued to have probable PTSD in 2011-2012. Women had higher prevalence of PTSD than men (15.5% vs. 10.3%, P = 0.008). Risk factors for chronic PTSD included decreased social support, unemployment, 2+ life stressors in last 12 months, 2+ life-threatening events since 9/11, 2+ injuries during the 9/11 attacks, and unmet mental health needs. CONCLUSION Police responders to the WTC attacks continue to bear a high mental health burden. Improved early access to mental health treatment for police exposed to disasters may be needed.
Molecular diagnosis of maturity onset diabetes of the young in India

Diabetes is highly prevalent in India and the proportion of younger patients developing diabetes is on the increase. Apart from the more universally known type 1 diabetes and obesity related type 2 diabetes, monogenic forms of diabetes are also suspected to be prevalent in many young diabetic patients. The identification of the genetic basis of the disease not only guides in therapeutic decision making, but also aids in genetic counselling and prognostication. Genetic testing may establish the occurrence and frequency of early diabetes in our population. This review attempts to explore the utilities and horizons of molecular genetics in the field of maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY), which include the commoner forms of monogenic diabetes.
Clinical trial of carbazepine (tegretol) in trigeminal neuralgia.

Carbazepine, Tegretol (5-carbamyl-dibenz (b,f)azepin), originally known as G.32883 and introduced in 1959 as an anticonvulsant, was first shown to have some effect in relieving the pain oftrigeminal neuralgia by Blom (1962, 1963). Since then Spillane (1963, 1964), McArdle (1963), and Taylor (1963) have confirmed that this drug has a specific effect in relieving the pain of trigeminal neuralgia in some 60 to 80% of patients. This paper describes a controlled trial of carbazepine carried out simultaneously at The National Hospital, Queen Square, London, Cardiff Royal Infirmary, and Guy's Hospital, London.
Electromagnetic Interference Shielding of Polyaniline/Poloxalene/Carbon Black Composite

Novel polyaniline (PANI), poloxalene (POX), and carbon black (CB) composites and PANI/POX blend have been successfully fabricated. The electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness measurement indicated that the PANI/POX/CB composites acted as effective lightweight shielding materials. The EMI shielding mechanism and relationship between the shielding effectiveness and electrical conductivity were also studied. CB nanofiller was used to improve the electrical conductivity of the composite. Morphology of PANI/POX blend consisted of two phases while PANI/POX/CB showed homogeneous diminutive granular morphology. Acid fucntionalization of CB improved its dispersion in PANI/POX matrix and created good adhesion between the PANI/POX blend and nanofiller. It is demonstrated that the inclusion of CB particle led to higher electrical conductivity and EMI shielding efficiency. Only 10 wt. % CB addition into the blend matrix revealed EMI shielding effectiveness of ~20 dB i.e. desired for significant commercial applications.
A millimetre-wave redshift search for the unlensed HyLIRG, HS1700.850.1

We report the redshift of an unlensed, highly obscured submillimetre galaxy (SMG), HS1700.850. 1, the brightest SMG (S_(850 μm) = 19.1 mJy) detected in the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope/Submillimetre Common-user Bolometer Array-2 (JCMT/SCUBA-2) Baryonic Structure Survey, based on the detection of its ^(12)CO line emission. Using the Institute Radio Astronomie Millimetrique Plateau de Bure Interferometer with 3.6 GHz band width, we serendipitously detect an emission line at 150.6 GHz. From a search over 14.5 GHz in the 3- and 2-mm atmospheric windows, we confirm the identification of this line as ^(12)CO(5–4) at z = 2.816, meaning that it does not reside in the z ∼ 2.30 proto-cluster in this field. Measurement of the 870 μm source size (<0.85 arcsec) from the Sub-Millimetre Array (SMA) confirms a compact emission in a S_(870 μm) = 14.5 mJy, L_(IR) ∼ 10^(13) L⊙ component, suggesting an Eddington-limited starburst. We use the double-peaked 12CO line profile measurements along with the SMA size constraints to study the gas dynamics of a HyLIRG, estimating the gas and dynamical masses of HS1700.850. 1. While HS1700.850. 1 is one of the most extreme galaxies known in the Universe, we find that it occupies a relative void in the Lyman-Break Galaxy distribution in this field. Comparison with other extreme objects at similar epochs (HyLIRG Quasars), and cosmological simulations, suggests such an anti-bias of bright SMGs could be relatively common, with the brightest SMGs rarely occupying the most overdense regions at z = 2–4.
Regulatory network analysis of LINC00472, a long noncoding RNA downregulated by DNA hypermethylation in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the common malignant cancers in the world, is caused by accumulated alterations of genetic and epigenetic factors over a long period of time. Along with that protein‐coding genes being identified as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in CRC, a number of lncRNAs have also been found to be associated with CRC. Considering the important regulatory role of lncRNAs, the first goal of this study was to identify CRC‐associated lncRNAs from a public database. One such lncRNA, LINC00472, was verified to be downregulated in CRC cell lines and cancer tissues compared with adjacent tissues. In addition, the down‐regulation of LINC00472 seemed to be caused by DNA hypermethylation at its promoter region. Furthermore, the expression of LINC00472 and DNA methylation of promoter were significantly correlated with clinicopathological features. And DNA hypermethylation of LINC00472 may serve as a better diagnostic biomarker than its expression for CRC. Finally, we predicted the functions of LINC00472 and constructed a regulatory network and found LINC00472 may be involved in cell cycle and cell proliferation processes. Our results may provide a clue to further research into the function and regulatory mechanism of LINC00472 in CRC.
Análise sensorial de alimentos

Conceitos basicos em analise sensorial, os sentidos humanos, estimulos, receptores e sensacoes, instalacao e funcionamento de laboratorio, recrutamento, selecao e treinamento de equipes de provadores, principais testes utilizados, analises estatisticas e metodos classicos de avaliacao sensorial. Delineamentos aplicados aos testes em questao.
High Rates of Neutralizing Antibodies to Toscana and Sandfly Fever Sicilian Viruses in Livestock, Kosovo

Toscana and sandfly fever Sicilian viruses (TOSV and SFSV, respectively), both transmitted by sand flies, are prominent human pathogens in the Old World. Of 1,086 serum samples collected from cattle and sheep during 2013 in various regions of Kosovo (Balkan Peninsula), 4.7% and 53.4% had neutralizing antibodies against TOSV and SFSV, respectively.
ALMA resolves extended star formation in high-z AGN host galaxies

We present high-resolution (0.3 arcsec) Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) 870 μm imaging of five z ≈ 1.5–4.5 X-ray detected AGN (with luminosities of L2–8keV > 1042 erg s−1). These data provide a ≳20 times improvement in spatial resolution over single-dish rest-frame far-infrared (FIR) measurements. The sub-millimetre emission is extended on scales of FWHM ≈ 0.2 arcsec–0.5 arcsec, corresponding to physical sizes of 1–3 kpc (median value of 1.8 kpc). These sizes are comparable to the majority of z=1–5 sub-millimetre galaxies (SMGs) with equivalent ALMA measurements. In combination with spectral energy distribution analyses, we attribute this rest-frame FIR emission to dust heated by star formation. The implied star-formation rate surface densities are ≈20–200 M⊙ yr−1 kpc−2, which are consistent with SMGs of comparable FIR luminosities (i.e. LIR ≈ [1–5] × 1012 L⊙). Although limited by a small sample of AGN, which all have high-FIR luminosities, our study suggests that the kpc-scale spatial distribution and surface density of star formation in high-redshift star-forming galaxies is the same irrespective of the presence of X-ray detected AGN.
Wild‐type p53 enhances endothelial barrier function by mediating RAC1 signalling and RhoA inhibition

Inflammation is the major cause of endothelial barrier hyper‐permeability, associated with acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. This study reports that p53 “orchestrates” the defence of vascular endothelium against LPS, by mediating the opposing actions of Rac1 and RhoA in pulmonary tissues. Human lung microvascular endothelial cells treated with HSP90 inhibitors activated both Rac1‐ and P21‐activated kinase, which is an essential element of vascular barrier function. 17AAG increased the phosphorylation of both LIMK and cofilin, in contrast to LPS which counteracted those effects. Mouse lung microvascular endothelial cells exposed to LPS exhibited decreased expression of phospho‐cofilin. 17AAG treatment resulted in reduced levels of active cofilin. Silencing of cofilin pyridoxal phosphate phosphatase (PDXP) blocked the LPS‐induced hyper‐permeability, and P53 inhibition reversed the 17AAG‐induced PDXP down‐regulation. P190RHOGAP suppression enhanced the LPS‐triggered barrier dysfunction in endothelial monolayers. 17AAG treatment resulted in P190RHOGAP induction and blocked the LPS‐induced pMLC2 up‐regulation in wild‐type mice. Pulmonary endothelial cells from “super p53” mice, which carry additional p53‐tg alleles, exhibited a lower response to LPS than the controls. Collectively, our findings help elucidate the mechanisms by which p53 operates to enhance barrier function.