Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A pilot observational study of the association between fatigue after stroke and C-reactive protein.

BACKGROUND The aetiology of fatigue after stroke is unknown. We explored the relationship between fatigue and C-reactive protein (CRP) as a marker of inflammation. METHODS This cross-sectional study recruited inpatients with a stroke (onset within the previous three months) over a five-week period. Those with dysphasia or confusion severe enough to prevent informed consent and those with current infection were excluded. A semi-structured interview determined a) fulfillment of a case definition for fatigue and b) severity of fatigue (fatigue assessment scale, FAS). Venous blood was taken for CRP. A hospital anxiety and depression score (HADS) was used to screen for emotional distress. RESULTS Of the 28 patients recruited (mean age 72.7 years, proportion men 47%), 15 (53%) fulfilled the case definition for fatigue. C-reactive protein data were logarithmically transformed for analysis. C-reactive protein levels did not differ significantly between those with and without fatigue, according to the case definition (=28, p=0.35). After exclusion of those with pre-stroke fatigue and those with high scores on the HADS (suggestive of emotional distress), the geometric mean CRP of the fatigued group was 16.04 mg/l (95% CI: 7.12-36.14) compared with 5.16 mg/l (95% CI: 2.7-9.85) in the non-fatigued group (n=21, p=0.025, unpaired t test), but the relationship between FAS and CRP was not statistically significant (r=0.37, p=0.098). CONCLUSION This pilot study is the first to demonstrate an association between fatigue after stroke and higher CRP, after excluding patients with pre-stroke fatigue and those with probable mood disorders. If this finding is confirmed in a larger number of patients, it might provide a target for treating fatigue after stroke.
Evaluation of Expression Level of Apolipoprotein M as a Diagnostic Marker for Primary Venous Thromboembolism

Recently, decreased levels of apolipoprotein M (ApoM) were shown to be associated with higher risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in male patients. However, the role of ApoM in primary VTE is unknown. We aimed in our study to analyze the plasma levels of ApoM in patients with VTE in order to evaluate the diagnostic importance of ApoM in primary VTE. A total of 357 patients with suspected first episode of VTE were recruited prospectively in the SCORE study. Plasma samples from 307 patients were available for quantifying the plasma levels of ApoM in patients with VTE using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Among the whole population, plasma levels (mean [standard deviation]) of ApoM were not significantly different between patients with VTE (0.72 [0.20]) and non-VTE patients (0.72 [0.16]), P = . 99. Similarly, in regression analyses, no significant association of ApoM plasma levels with the risk of VTE was found on univariate (odds ratio [OR] =1.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21-4.84, P = .99) and multivariate analysis (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.19-8.34, P = .819) after adjusting for age, body mass index, and smoking. Moreover, results did not differ significantly after stratification of data according to sex (P > .05). In this study, our results do not suggest a diagnostic role for ApoM plasma levels in patients with primary VTE. Moreover, the current study suggests that role of ApoM as a risk factor may differ for primary VTE and recurrent VTE in male patients.
An Investigation of How Wavelet Transform Can Affect the Correlation Performance of Biomedical Signals - The Correlation of EEG and HRV Frequency Bands in the Frontal Lobe of the Brain

Recently, the correlation between biomedical signals, such as electroencephalograms (EEG) and electrocardiograms (ECG) time series signals, has been analysed using the Pearson Correlation method. Although Wavelet Transformations (WT) have been performed on time series data including EEG and ECG signals, so far the correlation between WT signals has not been analysed. This research shows the correlation between the EEG and HRV, with and without WT signals. Our results suggest electrical activity in the frontal lobe of the brain is best correlated with the HRV. We assume this is because the frontal lobe is related to higher mental functions of the cerebral cortex and responsible for muscle movements of the body. Our results indicate a positive correlation between Delta, Alpha and Beta frequencies of EEG at both low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) of HRV. This finding is independent of both participants and brain hemisphere.
Daily Rhythm in Plasma N-acetyltryptamine

Normal physiology undergoes 24-h changes in function that include daily rhythms in circulating hormones, most notably melatonin and cortical steroids. This study focused on N-acetyltryptamine, a little-studied melatonin receptor mixed agonist-antagonist and the likely evolutionary precursor of melatonin. The central issue addressed was whether N-acetyltryptamine is physiologically present in the circulation. N-acetyltryptamine was detected by LC-MS/MS in daytime plasma of 3 different mammals in subnanomolar levels (mean ± SEM: rat, 0.29 ± 0.05 nM, n = 5; rhesus macaque, 0.54 ± 0.24 nM, n = 4; human, 0.03 ± 0.01 nM, n = 32). Analysis of 24-h blood collections from rhesus macaques revealed a nocturnal increase in plasma N-acetyltryptamine (p < 0.001), which varied from 2- to 15-fold over daytime levels among the 4 animals studied. Related RNA sequencing studies indicated that the transcript encoding the tryptamine acetylating enzyme arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) is expressed at similar levels in the rhesus pineal gland and retina, thereby indicating that either tissue could contribute to circulating N-acetyltryptamine. The evidence that N-acetyltryptamine is a physiological component of mammalian blood and exhibits a daily rhythm, together with known effects as a melatonin receptor mixed agonist-antagonist, shifts the status of N-acetyltryptamine from pharmacological tool to candidate for a physiological role. This provides a new opportunity to extend our understanding of 24-h biology.
Seed Polyphenolic Profile, Antioxidative Activity, and Fatty Acids Composition of Wild and Cultivated Carthamus Species

Total flavonoid content (TFC) and cyanidin‐3‐glucoside (Cyd‐3‐glu) of seed and seed coat extract of 16 genotypes from five species of Carthamus were studied, and their major polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of the seed coat extracts were determined using HPLC analysis and DPPH assay, respectively. Additionally, fatty acids composition of the seed oil was analyzed by GC. In general, TFC and Cyd‐3‐glu content of seed coat extracts were higher than those of seed extracts. A novel breeding line with black seed coat (named A82) depicted lower TFC (3.79 mg QUE/g DW) but higher Cyd‐3‐glu (24.64 mg/g DW) compared to the white and other seed‐pigmented genotypes. DPPH radical scavenging activity showed a strong association with Cyd‐3‐glu content (r = 0.84), but no correlation with TFC (r = −0.32). HPLC analysis of seed coat extracts revealed that four compounds were dominant constituents including rutin (7.23 – 117.95 mg/100 g DW), apigenin (4.37 – 64.88 mg/100 g DW), quercetin (3.09 – 14.10 mg/100 g DW), and ferulic acid (4.49 – 30.41 mg/100 g DW). Interestingly, the genotype A82 with an appropriate polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acids index (5.46%) and a moderate linoleic fatty acid content (64.70%) had higher nutritional and pharmaceutical value than all the other genotypes.
Comparison of four methods for bioavailability‐based risk assessment of mixtures of Cu, Zn, and Ni in freshwater

Although chemical risk assessment is still mainly conducted on a substance‐by‐substance basis, organisms in the environment are typically exposed to mixtures of substances. Risk assessment procedures should therefore be adapted to fit these situations. Four mixture risk assessment methodologies were compared for risk estimations of mixtures of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni). The results showed that use of the log‐normal species sensitivity distribution (SSD) instead of the best‐fit distribution and sampling species sensitivities independently for each metal instead of using interspecies correlations in metal sensitivity had little impact on risk estimates. Across 4 different monitoring datasets, between 0% and 52% of the target water samples were estimated to be at risk, but only between 0% and 15% of the target water samples were at risk because of the mixture of metals and not any single metal individually. When a natural baseline database was examined, it was estimated that 10% of the target water samples were at risk because of single metals or their mixtures; when the most conservative method was used (concentration addition [CA] applied directly to the SSD, i.e., CASSD). However, the issue of metal mixture risk at geochemical baseline concentrations became relatively small (2% of target water samples) when a theoretically more correct method was used (CA applied to individual dose response curves, i.e., CADRC). Finally, across the 4 monitoring datasets, the following order of conservatism for the 4 methods was shown (from most to least conservative, with ranges of median margin of safety [MoS] relative to CASSD): CASSD > CADRC (MoS = 1.17–1.25) > IADRC (independent action (IA) applied to individual dose‐response curves; MoS = 1.38–1.60) > IASSD (MoS = 1.48–1.72). Therefore, it is suggested that these 4 methods can be used in a general tiered scheme for the risk assessment of metal mixtures in a regulatory context. In this scheme, the CASSD method could serve as a first (conservative) tier to identify situations with likely no potential risk at all, regardless of the method used (the sum toxic unit expressed relative to the 5% hazardous concentration [SumTUHC5] < 1) and the IASSD method to identify situations of potential risk, also regardless of the method used (the multisubstance potentially affected fraction of species using the IASSD method [msPAFIA,SSD] > 0.05). The CADRC and IADRC methods could be used for site‐specific assessment for situations that fall in between (SumTUHC5 > 1 and msPAFIA,SSD < 0.05). Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2123–2138. © 2017 SETAC
Perceived barriers to and drivers of community participation in protected‐area governance

Protected areas (PAs) are a frequently used conservation strategy, yet their socioeconomic impacts on local communities remain contentious. A shift toward increased participation by local communities in PA governance seeks to deliver benefits for human well‐being and biodiversity. Although participation is considered critical to the success of PAs, few researchers have investigated individuals’ decisions to participate and what this means for how local people experience the costs and benefits of conservation. We explored who participates in PA governance associations and why; the perceived benefits and costs to participation; and how costs and benefits are distributed within and between communities. Methods included 3 focus groups, 37 interviews, and 217 questionnaire surveys conducted in 3 communities and other stakeholders (e.g., employees of a nongovernmental organization and government officials) in PA governance in Madagascar. Our study design was grounded in the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the most commonly applied behavior model in social psychology. Participation in PA governance was limited by miscommunication and lack of knowledge about who could get involved and how. Respondents perceived limited benefits and high costs and uneven distribution of these within and between communities. Men, poorer households, and people in remote villages reported the highest costs. Our findings illustrate challenges related to comanagement of PAs: understanding the heterogeneous nature of communities; ensuring all households are represented in governance participation; understanding differences in the meaning of forest protection; and targeting interventions to reach households most in need to avoid elite capture.
Power Line Communications: Understanding the Channel for Physical Layer Evolution Based on Filter Bank Modulation

This paper provides an overview of power line communication (PLC) applications, challenges and possible evolution. Emphasis is put on two relevant aspects: a) channel characterization and modeling, b) filter bank modulation for spectral efficient transmission. The main characteristics of both the indoor channel (in-home, in-ship, in-car) and the outdoor low voltage and medium voltage channels are reported and compared. A simple approach to statistically model the channel frequency response (CFR) is described and it is based on the generation of a vector of correlated random variables. To overcome the channel distortions, it is shown that filter bank modulation can provide robust performance. In particular, it is shown that the sub-channel spectral containment of filtered multitone modulation (FMT) can provide high notching capability and spectral efficiency. Reduced complexity can be obtained with a cyclic filter bank modulation approach that we refer to as cyclic block FMT modulation (CB-FMT) which still provides higher spectral flexibility/efficiency than OFDM. key words: power line communications, power line channel, channel model, filter bank modulation
Prediction and Calibration of Pavement Fatigue Performance Using Two-Stage Weibull Approach

The objectives of this study are to (1) use as much information as possible from flexural beam fatigue tests so as to simulate the in-situ stiffness deterioration of asphalt concrete pavement by applying appropriate correction factors and (2) evaluate the possible factors, such as air-void content, fatigue damage accumulation mechanism, and wander pattern, that affect the correction factors. An integrated two-stage Weibull model was established to take into account both crack initiation and crack propagation of laboratory controlled-deformation flexural fatigue beam tests at various testing conditions and material properties. Correction factors which calibrate between the laboratory testing results and in-situ pavement performance were obtained by comparing the simulated stiffness deterioration curve with the in-situ stiffness deterioration utilizing accelerated pavement testing facilities-Heavy Vehicle Simulator (HVS) sponsored by the California Department of Transportation Accelerated Pavement Testing Program (CAL/APT). Deflection data from multi-depth deflectometer (MDD) was used to back-calculate the stiffness deterioration of asphalt concrete based on the Odemark-Boussinesq method. In the two-stage Weibull simulation, an experimental design including two fatigue damage accumulation mechanisms (“repetition-hardening” and “stiffness-ratiohardening”), two air-void content patterns (“exponential decreased” and “constant”), and three wander patterns (“uniform”, “normal”, and “no-wander”) was evaluated and compared. Results indicate that the two-stage Weibull approach is quite promising in fatigue pavement performance prediction and can be utilized toward more complicated in-situ applications.
“Prostate cancer is far more hidden…”: Perceptions of stigma, social isolation and help‐seeking among men with prostate cancer

The purpose of this study was to provide in-depth insight into men's experiences of prostate cancer, specifically: perceived stigma and self-blame, social isolation, unmet need and help-seeking. A qualitative descriptive approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 20 men diagnosed with prostate cancer, and thematic analysis was undertaken. Some participants perceived a stigma associated with prostate cancer and cancer in general, which sometimes acted as a barrier to disclosure. Self-blame and internalisation of cause was not a prominent issue. Participants' descriptions of emotional distress, social isolation and anxiety demonstrated the impact of prostate cancer. Social isolation was most commonly reported as a physical consequence of treatment and/or side effects. Participants felt both support and ongoing care were limited at post-treatment. Most did not seek or receive help for emotional or psychosocial problems from a formal source due to anticipated awkwardness, autonomous coping, not burdening others, unwanted sympathy and retaining privacy. Prostate cancer can cause considerable emotional and social burden for some men, and many are unlikely to seek or receive help. Men, and their support networks, require active encouragement throughout diagnosis, treatment and follow-up to overcome barriers and access additional support, particularly for sexual, emotional and psychosocial issues.
Maternal genetic backgrounds contribute to the genetic susceptibility of tongue cancer patients in Hunan, central of China

Abstract Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations played crucial roles on affecting the susceptibility to cancer. In this study, to investigate whether mitochondrial DNA mutations contributed to the genetic susceptibility of Chinese tongue cancer patients, mtDNA control regions of 105 Chinese tongue cancer patients were amplified and sequenced, the mutations were recorded by comparing with the revised Cambridge Reference Sequence (rCRS), which were attributed to certain mtDNA haplogroups based on the specific variations motif of each patients. The Miao Chinese group (a Chinese ethnic minority) from surrounding region has no essential difference with tongue cancer group, which was taken as the matched control group with principal component analysis by taking the haplogroups frequency of 105 tongue cancer individuals and 354 healthy individuals of eight groups from the similar geographic regions as input factors. This was supported by the smallest genetic distance between tongue cancer and Miao_2 groups. Further, the statistical analysis based on mtDNA variations of hypervariable sequence I (HVSI) indicated that 13 variations including 16,124, 16,148, 16,182C, 16,183C, 16,227, 16,266A, 16,249, 16,272, 16,291, 16,327, 16,335, 16,497, and 16,519 have significant differences between tongue cancer group and matched control group. Comparison of mtDNA haplogroups between tongue cancer and control groups indicated that mtDNA haplogroups C, F2*, and M10 have significant differences. It’s worth noting that 16,327 and 16,291 was the defining variation of haplogroups C and F2*, respectively. Our results suggested that mitochondrial DNA may play a crucial role for the maternal genetic susceptibility of tongue cancer patients from Hunan, central of China.
A Real-Time Superpixel Segmentation by DBSCAN Clustering Algorithm

— In this paper, we propose a real-time image superpixel segmentation method with 50 frames/s by using the density- based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) algorithm. In order to decrease the computational costs of superpixel algorithms, we adopt a fast two-step framework. In the first clustering stage, the DBSCAN algorithm with color-similarity and geometric restrictions is used to rapidly cluster the pixels, and then, small clusters are merged into superpixels by their neighborhood through a distance measurement defined by color and spatial features in the second merging stage. A robust and simple distance function is defined for obtaining better superpixels in these two steps. The experimental results demonstrate that our real-time superpixel algorithm (50 frames/s) by the DBSCAN clustering outperforms the state-of-the-art superpixel segmentation methods in terms of both accuracy and efficiency.
Analyzing the capacity of the Daphnia magna and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata bioavailability models to predict chronic zinc toxicity at high pH and low calcium concentrations and formulation of a generalized bioavailability model for D. magna

Risk assessment in the European Union implements Zn bioavailability models to derive predicted‐no‐effect concentrations for Zn. These models are validated within certain boundaries (i.e., pH ≤ 8 and Ca concentrations ≥ 5mg/L), but a substantial fraction of the European surface waters falls outside these boundaries. Therefore, we evaluated whether the chronic Zn biotic ligand model (BLM) for Daphnia magna and the chronic bioavailability model for Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata could be extrapolated to pH > 8 and Ca concentrations < 5 mg/L. Results from D. magna experiments suggested that the BLM is not able to reflect the pH effect over a broad pH range (5.5–8.5). In addition, because of Ca deficiency of D. magna in the soft water tests, we cannot conclude whether the BLM is applicable below its Ca boundary. Results for P. subcapitata experiments showed that the bioavailability model can accurately predict Zn toxicity for Ca concentrations down to 0.8 mg/L and pH values up to 8.5. Because the chronic Zn BLM for D. magna could not be extrapolated beyond its validity boundaries for pH, a generalized bioavailability model (gBAM) was developed. Of 4 gBAMs developed, we recommend the use of gBAM‐D, which combines a log‐linear relation between the 21‐d median effective concentrations (expressed as free Zn2+ ion activity) and pH, with more conventional BLM‐type competition constants for Na, Ca, and Mg. This model is a first step in further improving the accuracy of chronic toxicity predictions of Zn as a function of water chemistry, which can decrease the uncertainty in implementing the bioavailability‐based predicted‐no‐effect concentration in the risk assessment of high‐pH and low–Ca concentration regions in Europe. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2781–2798. © 2017 SETAC
Halofuginone‐induced autophagy suppresses the migration and invasion of MCF‐7 cells via regulation of STMN1 and p53

Traditional Chinese medicines have been recognized as especially promising anticancer agents in modern anticancer research. Halofuginone (HF), an analog of quinazolinone alkaloid extracted from Dichroa febrifuga, is widely used in traditional medicine. However, whether HF inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells and/or reduces the migration and invasion of MCF‐7 human breast cancer cells, as well as the underlying mechanisms in vitro, remains unclear. In this study, we report that an HF extract inhibits the growth of MCF‐7 cells and reduces their migration and invasion, an important feature of potential anticancer agents. In addition, HF significantly increases the activation of autophagy, which is closely associated with tumor metastasis. As STMN1 and p53 have been closely implicated in breast cancer progression, we analyzed their expression in the context of HF extract treatment. Western blot analysis showed that HF suppresses STMN1 and p53 expression and activity in an autophagy‐dependent manner. Collectively, these data indicate that activation of autophagy reduces expression of STMN1 and p53, and the migration and invasion of cancer cells contributes to the anti‐cancer effects of the HF. These findings may provide new insight into breast cancer prevention and therapy.