Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of interventions on biological monitoring among workers exposed to Pb from lead-acid storage battery plant -

Background: Studies related to the effectiveness of combined interventions such as engineering and administrative controls, use of a respirator, and conducting awareness program about lead exposure on biological monitoring among lead battery workers were not reported. Objective: This study has assessed the effectiveness of interventions on biological monitoring among lead battery manufacturing workers. Materials and Methods: The intervention methods were use of a respirator, awareness program about lead exposure, engineering and administrative controls. Blood lead levels (BLLs) among workers were estimated using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Hematological parameters in workers were determined using Fx-19E automated hematology analyzer. Reticulocyte count in workers was done using supravital staining method. Results: The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, the proportion of alcohol consumption, and smoking habits were noted to be significantly decreased among workers after the intervention. The BLLs were reduced significantly among workers engaged in assembly, casting, engineering services, formation, acid filling, and in executives after the intervention. The red cell indices such as erythrocytes and hematocrit were significantly increased and mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and reticulocyte count were significantly decreased after the intervention. Conclusions: Austere implementation of control measures in lead-acid storage battery plant showed beneficial health effects among lead exposed workers.
Estimating Soil Solution Nitrate Concentration from Dielectric Spectra Using Partial Least Squares Analysis

Fast and reliable methods for in situ monitoring of soil NO3–N concentration could help guide efforts to reduce NO3–N losses to ground and surface waters from agricultural systems. While several studies have been done to indirectly estimate NO3–N concentrations from time domain spectra, no research has been conducted using a frequency domain technique. Hence, the goal of this laboratory study was to estimate NO3–N concentrations from frequency-response data obtained in a frequency range of 5 Hz to 13 MHz. Dielectric spectra of soil samples wetted to five different volumetric water contents (VWC) with 24 solutions containing different concentrations of KNO3 and KCl were analyzed using a partial least squares (PLS) regression method. Global models could not estimate NO3–N concentrations with sufficient accuracy. Models based on the imaginary part of the permittivity were better than those based on the real part. The PLS model estimates were improved when low VWC data and high Cl− concentration were eliminated, reducing the RMSE for NO3–N from 57 to 28 mg L−1. The best results were obtained when the PLS models were constructed at fixed VWC levels using the data without high Cl− concentration. The performance of these models improved with increasing VWC level, reaching the lowest RMSE of 18 mg L−1 at VWC of 0.30 m3 m−3. Disciplines Agriculture | Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering | Life Sciences | Soil Science Comments This article is from Soil Science Society of America Journal 76, no. 5 (2012): 1536–1547, doi:10.2136/ sssaj2011.0391. Rights Works produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted. This article is available at Iowa State University Digital Repository: http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/abe_eng_pubs/296
A Smart Health Monitoring Chair for Nonintrusive Measurement of Biological Signals

We developed nonintrusive methods for simultaneous electrocardiogram, photoplethysmogram, and ballistocardiogram measurements that do not require direct contact between instruments and bare skin. These methods were applied to the design of a diagnostic chair for unconstrained heart rate and blood pressure monitoring purposes. Our methods were operationalized through capacitively coupled electrodes installed in the chair back that include high-input impedance amplifiers, and conductive textiles installed in the seat for capacitive driven-right-leg circuit configuration that is capable of recording electrocardiogram information through clothing. Photoplethysmograms were measured through clothing using seat mounted sensors with specially designed amplifier circuits that vary in light intensity according to clothing type. Ballistocardiograms were recorded using a film type transducer material, polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF), which was installed beneath the seat cover. By simultaneously measuring signals, beat-to-beat heart rates could be monitored even when electrocardiograms were not recorded due to movement artifacts. Beat-to-beat blood pressure was also monitored using unconstrained measurements of pulse arrival time and other physiological parameters, and our experimental results indicated that the estimated blood pressure tended to coincide with actual blood pressure measurements. This study demonstrates the feasibility of our method and device for biological signal monitoring through clothing for unconstrained long-term daily health monitoring that does not require user awareness and is not limited by physical activity.
Blackouts among male and female youth seeking emergency department care

ABSTRACT Background: Alcohol-related blackouts are a common consequence of heavy drinking, and these blackouts pose risk for injury and other adverse health outcomes. Objective: To examine the prevalence and correlates of blackouts among underage drinkers. Methods: Youth (ages 14–20) presenting to a suburban Emergency Department (ED) completed screening surveys. Among those reporting past-year alcohol consumption, we examined past 3-month blackouts in relation to: background characteristics (e.g., demographics, fraternity/sorority involvement), substance use, sexual risk behaviors and incapacitated sexual assault (unaware/unable to consent due to alcohol/drugs), forced sexual assault, positive depression screening, and reason for ED visit (injury vs. medical). Results: In total, 2,300 past-year drinkers participated: 58% female, 75% Caucasian, and mean age = 18.4. Regarding past 3-month blackouts, 72.7% reported none, 19.3% reported monthly or less, and 8% reported monthly or more. Multivariate cumulative logit regression indicated that blackout frequency was positively associated with: college involvement in Greek life, alcohol use severity, prescription drug misuse, marijuana, screening positive for depression, incapacitated sexual assault, and a gender by alcohol use severity interaction. Conclusion: With one-quarter of this clinical sample reporting recent blackouts, as well as the association between blackout frequency and health risk behaviors and other outcomes, findings underscore the need for programs focusing on substance use, depression, and preventing sexual assault. Interventions should also address poly-substance use and drinking motives. Although findings highlight how college students in Greek life may be at high risk for blackouts, many participants not in college also reported blackouts, suggesting that interventions in other settings are also needed.
Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity of juglone encapsulated PLGA nanoparticles

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of different process parameters which including; initial juglone amount, initial poly(d,l‐lactide co‐glycolide) amount, polyvinyl alcohol volume and polyvinyl alcohol concentration on encapsulation of juglone to poly(d,l‐lactide co‐glycolide) nanoparticles.
Stable Reference Gene Selection for RT-qPCR Analysis in Nonviruliferous and Viruliferous Frankliniella occidentalis

Reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a reliable technique for measuring and evaluating gene expression during variable biological processes. To facilitate gene expression studies, normalization of genes of interest relative to stable reference genes is crucial. The western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), the main vector of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), is a destructive invasive species. In this study, the expression profiles of 11 candidate reference genes from nonviruliferous and viruliferous F. occidentalis were investigated. Five distinct algorithms, geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, the ΔC t method, and RefFinder, were used to determine the performance of these genes. geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder identified heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), elongation factor 1 α, and ribosomal protein l32 (RPL32) as the most stable reference genes, and the ΔC t method identified HSP60, HSP70, RPL32, and heat shock protein 90 as the most stable reference genes. Additionally, two reference genes were sufficient for reliable normalization in nonviruliferous and viruliferous F. occidentalis. This work provides a foundation for investigating the molecular mechanisms of TSWV and F. occidentalis interactions.
Mental Toughness in South African Youth

Young people are particularly vulnerable to health risk behaviors and interpersonal violence, stimulating scholars’ attention towards identifying factors that may reduce the likelihood that these actions will occur. Associated with positive outcomes in a variety of domains, mental toughness in young people might protect them from engaging in potentially deleterious interpersonal or health-risk behaviors, while potentially promoting positive psychological behaviors. Within this framework, the present study investigated the relationships between mental toughness, attitudes towards physical and psychological risk-taking, and trait forgiveness in a sample of 123 (males = 54, females = 69) South African youth (M age = 23.97 years, SD = 4.46). Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated higher levels of mental toughness were associated with being more forgiving, ( η p 2 = .036), perceiving physical risk-taking more positively ( η p 2 = .062), but having more negative attitudes towards psychological risk-taking ( η p 2 = .036). These findings give credence to mental toughness as a psychological characteristic involved in youth risk-taking perceptions and interpersonal functioning. Future research might explore the integration of mental toughness into the development of future youth risk behavior interventions.
Modeling cerebral autoregulation and CO2 reactivity in patients with severe head injury.

The mathematical model presented in a previous work is used to simulate the time pattern of intracranial pressure (ICP) and of blood velocity in the middle cerebral artery ( V MCA) in response to maneuvers simultaneously affecting mean systemic arterial pressure (SAP) and end-tidal CO2pressure. In the first stage of this study, a sensitivity analysis was performed to clarify the role of some important model parameters [cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) outflow resistance, intracranial elastance coefficient, autoregulation gain, and the position of the regulation curve] during CO2 alteration maneuvers performed at different SAP levels. The results suggest that the dynamic "ICP- V MCA" relationship obtained during changes in CO2 pressure may contain important information on the main factors affecting intracranial dynamics. In the second stage, the model was applied to the reproduction of real ICP and velocity tracings in neurosurgical patients. Ten distinct tracings, taken from six patients during CO2changes at different mean SAP levels, were reproduced. Best fitting between model and clinical curves was achieved by minimizing a least-squares criterion function and adjusting certain parameters that characterize CSF circulation, intracranial compliance, and the strength of the regulation mechanisms. A satisfactory reproduction was achieved in all cases, with parameter numerical values in the ranges reported in clinical literature. It is concluded that the model may be used to give reliable estimations of the main factors affecting intracranial dynamics in individual patients, starting from routine measurements performed in neurosurgical intensive care units.
Plasma IL-1 Receptor Antagonist Concentration Has an Inverse Association With Birth Weight in Prepubertal Children

Abstract Context: Birth size has an impact on later cardiometabolic risk that is strongly related to low-grade inflammation. Objective: To evaluate plasma interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) concentrations in relation to birth size and cardiometabolic and inflammatory markers in prepubertal children. Design: A cohort study. Anthropometric data were recorded. Fasting blood samples were collected for plasma analyses of IL-1ra, alanine transaminase, total cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterols, triglyceride, glucose, and serum analyses of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentrations. Participants: Forty-nine large for gestational age (LGA), 56 appropriate for gestational age, and 23 small for gestational age (SGA) children at 5 to 8 years of age were examined. Main Outcome Measures: Differences in IL-1ra concentrations among the birth-size groups and associations between IL-1ra and other metabolic markers were assessed. Results: Body mass index (BMI) standard deviation score (SDS)-adjusted plasma IL-1ra concentrations were highest in the SGA- and lowest in the LGA-born children (P = 0.015). Age- and sex-adjusted IL-1ra concentrations had strongest associations with BMI SDS (P < 0.001) and hs-CRP (P < 0.001, also when further adjusted for BMI SDS). Conclusions: Prepubertal children born SGA had the highest and those born LGA the lowest IL-1ra concentrations in this study cohort. Most associations found between IL-1ra and the studied metabolic parameters were weight related, but the association with hs-CRP remained strong after adjustment for BMI. It seems that at prepuberty, SGA children have a stronger inflammatory state than LGA children and may thus be at a greater risk for later metabolic disturbances.
Treatments for Latrodectism—A Systematic Review on Their Clinical Effectiveness

Latrodectism or envenomation by widow-spiders is common and clinically significant worldwide. Alpha-latrotoxin is the mammalian-specific toxin in the venom that results in toxic effects observed in humans. Symptoms may be incapacitating and include severe pain that can persist for days. The management of mild to moderate latrodectism is primarily supportive while severe cases have variously been treated with intravenous calcium, muscle relaxants, widow-spider antivenom and analgesic opioids. The object of this systematic review is to examine the literature on the clinical effectiveness of past and current treatments for latrodectism. MEDLINE, EMBASE and Google Scholar were searched from 1946 to December 2016 to identify clinical studies on the treatment of latrodectism. Studies older than 40 years and not in English were not reviewed. There were only two full-publications and one abstract of placebo-controlled randomised trials on antivenom use for latrodectism. Another two randomised comparative trials compared the route of administration of antivenom for latrodectism. There were fourteen case series (including two abstracts), fourteen case reports and one letter investigating drug treatments for latrodectism with the majority of these also including antivenom for severe latrodectism. Antivenom with opioid analgesia is often the major treatment reported for latrodectism however; recent high quality evidence has cast doubt on the clinical effectiveness of this combination and suggests that other treatments need to be investigated.
In Vivo and In Vitro Toxicity Evaluation of Hydroethanolic Extract of Kalanchoe brasiliensis (Crassulaceae) Leaves

The species Kalanchoe brasiliensis, known as “Saião,” has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antihistamine activities. It also has the quercetin and kaempferol flavonoids, which exert their therapeutic activities. With extensive popular use besides the defined therapeutical properties, the study of possible side effects is indispensable. The objective of this study is to evaluate the toxicity in vitro and in vivo from the hydroethanolic extract of the leaves of K. brasiliensis. The action of the extract (concentrations from 0.1 to 1000 uL/100 uL) in normal and tumor cells was evaluated using the MTT method. Acute toxicity and subchronic toxicity were evaluated in mice with doses of 250 to 1000 mg/kg orally, following recognized protocols. The in vitro results indicated cytotoxic activity for 3T3 cell line (normal) and 786-0 (kidney carcinoma), showing the activity to be concentration-dependent, reaching 92.23% cell inhibition. In vivo, the extract showed no significant toxicity; only liver changes related to acute toxicity and some signs of liver damage, combining biochemical and histological data. In general, the extract showed low or no toxicity, introducing itself as safe for use with promising therapeutic potential.
Learning protein constitutive motifs from sequence data

Statistical analysis of evolutionary-related protein sequences provides information about their structure, function, and history. We show that Restricted Boltzmann Machines (RBM), designed to learn complex high-dimensional data and their statistical features, can efficiently model protein families from sequence information. We here apply RBM to 20 protein families, and present detailed results for two short protein domains (Kunitz and WW), one long chaperone protein (Hsp70), and synthetic lattice proteins for benchmarking. The features inferred by the RBM are biologically interpretable: they are related to structure (residue-residue tertiary contacts, extended secondary motifs (α-helixes and β-sheets) and intrinsically disordered regions), to function (activity and ligand specificity), or to phylogenetic identity. In addition, we use RBM to design new protein sequences with putative properties by composing and 'turning up' or 'turning down' the different modes at will. Our work therefore shows that RBM are versatile and practical tools that can be used to unveil and exploit the genotype–phenotype relationship for protein families.
The Human Gut Phage Community and Its Implications for Health and Disease

In this review, we assess our current understanding of the role of bacteriophages infecting the human gut bacterial community in health and disease. In general, bacteriophages contribute to the structure of their microbial communities by driving host and viral diversification, bacterial evolution, and by expanding the functional diversity of ecosystems. Gut bacteriophages are an ensemble of unique and shared phages in individuals, which encompass temperate phages found predominately as prophage in gut bacteria (prophage reservoir) and lytic phages. In healthy individuals, only a small fraction of the prophage reservoir is activated and found as extracellular phages. Phage community dysbiosis is characterized by a shift in the activated prophage community or an increase of lytic phages, and has been correlated with disease, suggesting that a proper balance between lysis and lysogeny is needed to maintain health. Consequently, the concept of microbial dysbiosis might be extended to the phage component of the microbiome as well. Understanding the dynamics and mechanisms to restore balance after dysbiosis is an active area of research. The use of phage transplants to re-establish health suggests that phages can be used as disease treatment. Such advances represent milestones in our understanding of gut phages in human health and should fuel research on their role in health and disease.
Elevated IL-4 and IFN-γ Levels in Muscle Tissue of Patients with Dermatomyositis.

BACKGROUND/AIM To investigate the contribution of muscle tissue-derived cytokines in dermatomyositis (DM). MATERIALS AND METHODS Muscle homogenates were prepared from deltoid muscle biopsy specimens of 10 patients with DM and eight controls with no pathological signs of myopathy. Interleukin (IL)-4, interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-17 levels were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting analysis. Muscle strength grades were recorded. RESULTS Patients with DM showed significantly elevated muscle tissue IL-4 and IFN-γ levels, whereas IL-17 levels were comparable between patients with DM and controls. Immunoblotting studies confirmed ELISA results. In DM muscle specimens, IL-4 and IFN-γ levels were positively correlated, while no correlation was observed between IL-17 and the other two cytokines. Moreover, IL-4 and IFN-γ levels were significantly negative correlated with muscle strength grades for the deltoid muscle. CONCLUSION Our results confirm the involvement of T helper (Th) 1-type and Th2-type immunity in DM pathogenesis. Muscle tissue appears to contribute to muscle weakness in DM by producing inflammatory cytokines.
Modeling agent’s preferences by its designer’s social value orientation

ABSTRACT Human social preferences have been shown to play an important role in many areas of decision-making. There is evidence from the social science literature that human preferences in interpersonal interactions depend partly on a measurable personality trait called, Social Value Orientation (SVO). Automated agents are often written by humans to serve as their delegates when interacting with other agents. Thus, one might expect an agent’s behaviour to be influenced by the SVO of its human designer. With that in mind, we present the following: first, we explore, discuss and provide a solution to the question of how SVO tests that were designed for humans can be used to evaluate agents’ social preferences. Second, we show that in our example domain there is a medium–high positive correlation between the social preferences of agents and their human designers. Third, we exemplify how the SVO information of the designer can be used to improve the performance of some other agents playing against those agents, and lastly, we develop and exemplify the behavioural signature SVO model which allows us to better predict performances when interactions are repeated and behaviour is adapted.