Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hybrid polycaprolactone/polyethylene oxide scaffolds with tunable fiber surface morphology, improved hydrophilicity and biodegradability for bone tissue engineering applications

Abstract In the present study, we attempt to modify Polycaprolactone (PCL) by blending it with a water soluble polymer Polyethyleneoxide (PEO) having two different molecular weights (Mv ~1,00,000 and 6,00,000) using electrospinning technique. The effect of PEO molecular weight and blend ratio on fiber morphology, porosity, surface wettability, static and dynamic mechanical properties of PCL was investigated. In vitro degradation studies in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) at 37 °C demonstrated formation of pores on fiber surface especially in blend scaffolds with 50:50 ratios. In vitro studies using human osteoblast sarcoma (hOS) cell lines on blend scaffolds showed improved cellular response with good cell adhesion, viability and proliferation. The study revealed that incorporation of PEO on PCL scaffolds complemented the properties of PCL and facilitated fabrication of scaffolds with improved hydrophilicity, mechanical property and tunable degradation profile with better cell viability which makes it an ideal candidate for bone tissue engineering applications.
Valproic acid changes the expression of tyrosine‐phosphorylated proteins in rat seminal vesicle

Previous studies reported the effects of valproic acid (VPA) on tyrosine‐phosphorylated (TyrPho) protein expression in the testis and epididymis, but its effects on that in the seminal vesicle (SV) have never been demonstrated. This study attempted to investigate the expressions of TyrPho proteins in SV treated with VPA. Sixteen rats were divided into control and VPA‐treated groups. The control rats were injected with normal saline, whereas the treated animals were intraperitoneally injected with VPA (500 mg/kg BW) for 10 consecutive days (n = 8/each). The biochemical parameters in blood plasma and SV fluid were analysed. The SV tissues and fluid were investigated for the presence and expression of TyrPho proteins, androgen receptor (AR) proteins and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70). Significantly, VPA caused SV atrophy and reductions in secretion and biochemical parameter levels. There were significant increases in many TyrPho proteins in the plasma (a 95 kDa) and SV tissue (a 40 kDa) of the VPA rats. However, the expressions of seminal AR, Hsp70 and TyrPho proteins (50 and 48 kDa) were significantly lower in VPA rats. Recent results have indicated that VPA affected SV morphology and decreased biochemical fluid substances including TyrPho proteins associated with decreased expressions of AR and Hsp70.
Prevalence of positive screening test results and agreement between cytology and human papillomavirus testing in primary cervical cancer screening in North-Western Romania

Using data from a pilot study conducted in North-Western Romania, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of abnormal cytology and positive high-risk human papillomavirus (hr-HPV) test results in an ethnically diverse screening population and to assess the agreement between cytology and hr-HPV testing to evaluate the feasibility of integrating the latter as a primary test in the national cervical cancer screening program. The cross-sectional pilot study included Roma women, other ethnic minorities, and women in rural remote areas. Samples were taken for liquid-based cytology and hr-HPV testing (Hybrid Capture 2 DNA test) by a mobile health unit. The prevalence of positive screening results and the agreement between cytology and hr-HPV testing were estimated by κ coefficient. A total of 1019 women were included in the study. The population prevalence of positive screening results was similar for both tests (12%). The prevalence of abnormal cytology increased with increasing age, whereas the prevalence of positive hr-HPV test showed a bimodal age pattern. Substantial differences in the prevalence of abnormal cytology were found by ethnicity, with highest prevalence in Romanian women (14%), followed by Roma women (6%) and women of other ethnicities (5%) (P = 0.002). Similar ethnic differences in the prevalence of positive hr-HPV test were not observed. The overall agreement of positive screening results between the two methods was fair (κ = 0.25; 95% confidence interval = 0.18–0.30, P < 0.001) and ranged from poor to substantial depending on the age group. The prevalence of abnormal cytology result was high and similar to the prevalence of positive hr-HPV test result, which could allow for the implementation of hr-HPV testing as a primary test in the cervical cancer screening program in Romania.
The cytogeography of Aster ageratoides var. laticorymbus (Asteraceae), a polyploid complex endemic to China

Aster ageratoides var. laticorymbus is distrubuted from southwestern China to eastern China. Population sampling across its whole distribution area was made in its twenty-six populations. Chromosome numbers of all the populations were investigated, and six populations, representative of various ploidy levels, were analyzed karyotypically for the first time. The results show that this variety is a polyploid complex comprised of 2x, 4x and 6x. The populations are mostly hexaploid (2n=6x=54) and occupy an extensive area from southwestern China to eastern China while the diploid (2n=2x=18) and the tetraploid (2n=4x=36) are less frequent and limited to narrower regions of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the transitional belts from the plateau to adjacent areas. Based on the cytogeographical distribution of the complex, the analysis of its karyotypes, its morphological variations related to geography and a previous report, some hypothesis are made: (1) the polyploids of the complex might be autopolyploids, and the tetraploid might have originated independently twice; (2) in terms of some karyotypical parameters, different ploidy levels of the complex evolved at different speeds; (3) the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau is the diversity center and the origin center of the complex, and the place from which the hexaploid dispersed eastwards to eastern China; (4) the distribution pattern that the hexaploid is dominating might have been formed by the competitive exclusion and its high capability to disperse and occupy new habits; and (5) the variety is a relative young complex.
White Matter Tract Integrity: An Indicator of Axonal Pathology after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

We seek to elucidate the underlying pathophysiology of injury sustained after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) using multi-shell diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, deriving compartment-specific white matter tract integrity (WMTI) metrics. WMTI allows a more biophysical interpretation of white matter (WM) changes by describing microstructural characteristics in both intra- and extra-axonal environments. Thirty-two patients with mTBI within 30 days of injury and 21 age- and sex-matched controls were imaged on a 3 Tesla magnetic resonance scanner. Multi-shell diffusion acquisition was performed with five b-values (250-2500 sec/mm2) along 6-60 diffusion encoding directions. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) was used with family-wise error (FWE) correction for multiple comparisons. TBSS results demonstrated focally lower intra-axonal diffusivity (Daxon) in mTBI patients in the splenium of the corpus callosum (sCC; p < 0.05, FWE-corrected). The area under the curve value for Daxon was 0.76 with a low sensitivity of 46.9% but 100% specificity. These results indicate that Daxon may be a useful imaging biomarker highly specific for mTBI-related WM injury. The observed decrease in Daxon suggests restriction of the diffusion along the axons occurring shortly after injury.
Health-related quality of life in different states of breast cancer – comparing different instruments

Abstract Background: The prognosis of breast cancer has improved significantly during the last few decades increasing the interest in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to compare the HRQoL scores produced by different instruments and to shed light on their validity in various states of breast cancer by studying the association of cancer-related symptoms with HRQoL. Material and methods: An observational, cross-sectional study of breast cancer patients treated in the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District from September 2009 to April 2011. A total of 840 patients completed three HRQoL questionnaires: the EQ-5D-3L (including VAS), 15D and EORTC QLQ-30 and a questionnaire concerning sociodemographic factors. Patients were divided into five mutually exclusive groups: primary treatment (n = 118), recovery (6–18 months from diagnosis) (n = 150), remission (>18 months) (n = 382), metastatic disease (n = 176) and palliative care (n = 14). The association of HRQoL with sociodemographic and clinical factors and cancer-related symptoms, screened by the EORTC QLQ-30, was studied by multivariate modeling using stepwise linear regression analysis. Results: HRQoL scores were the best at the time closest to diagnosis and deteriorated with disease progression. The EQ-5D had a pronounced ceiling effect with 40.8% of the respondents scoring 1 (perfect health) compared to 6% for the 15D and 5.6% for VAS. In regression analyses, pain, fatigue and financial difficulties were the most important predictors of lower HRQoL. The 15D showed better discriminatory power and content validity. The EORTC QLQ-C30 functioning deteriorated in advanced states of the disease with physical, social and role functioning being the most affected. Insomnia, fatigue and pain were the most commonly reported symptoms in all groups. Conclusions: Different HRQoL instruments produce notably different HRQoL scores. The EQ-5D has a pronounced ceiling effect. Pain and fatigue are the most common symptoms associated with poor HRQoL in all disease states.
Detection of Leishmania RNA virus 2 in Leishmania species from Turkey.

BACKGROUND Leishmania RNA virus (LRV) is a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus infecting some Leishmania strains and triggering a destructive hyperinflammatory response in mammalian hosts in the New World. There is limited knowledge of the presence of this virus in Old World Leishmania species and its role in the outcome of the disease. We aimed to investigate the presence of LRV in Leishmania species/strains from Turkey. METHODS Twenty-nine previously identified Leishmania isolates (24 L. tropica, 2 L. infantum, 3 L. major) were examined for LRV positivity using dsRNA visualization in agarose gel after total nucleic acid extraction and RQ-deoxyribonuclease treatment and amplification of a 526 bp fragment of the LRV2-specific RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Ten (7 L. tropica [24.13%], 3 L. major [10.34%]) of the 29 Leishmania strains gave positive results for LRV. Basic Local Alignment Search Tool analysis showed that all these viruses are LRV2-1. LRV2 was detected for the first time in L. tropica strains in the present study. CONCLUSIONS The clinical manifestation and resistance status of the disease can be different depending on the host and parasite species/strains. The presence of LRV2 may be one of the factors contributing the course of disease. Further studies are needed to elucidate the specific role of LRV2, as it may be a potential target for effective treatment strategies.
Efficacy of using non-linear pedagogy to support attacking players’ individual learning objectives in elite-youth football: A randomised cross-over trial

ABSTRACT The present study examined the efficacy of a coaching curriculum, based on non-linear pedagogy, on improving attacking players’ individual learning objectives (ILOs) in elite-youth football. Participants included 22 attacking players (i.e., centre-forwards, wide-players and attacking midfield players) from a professional football academy in England. The players were randomly appointed to both control (CON) and intervention (INT) periods following baseline measures. The INT (non-linear) and CON (linear) periods were both designed to support the ILOs provided to each player as part of the elite player performance plan. The study adopted a randomised cross-over design and ILOs considered important for attacking players (i.e., strong foot finishing, weak foot finishing, 1-v-1 and decision-making) were evaluated using the Loughborough Shooting Skill Test. The results showed significant differences for INT in 1-v-1 (P< 0.02) and decision-making (P< 0.01). However, there were no significant differences for strong foot finishing, weak foot finishing or time taken. These results support non-linear pedagogy in developing 1-v-1 game play and decision-making but not for technical shooting proficiency.
Control of enuresis with imipramine.

One child in five wets the bed at the age of 4 (Bransby, Blomfield, and Douglas, 1955). Thereafter the incidence falls, but even at the age of 14 between 2 and 3% of the population remain enuretic. Many pharmacological remedies have been applied to this problem in the past, but there have been few controlled trials, and little evidence of better than placebo response with such traditional remedies as amphetamine and belladonna derivatives (Kim, 1959; Glicklich, 1951). Until the introduction of the newer antidepressant drugs, the only effective treatment has been the alarm (Mowrer and Mowrer, 1938; Lovibond, 1964). The acceptability of this form of treatment may be limited by socio-economic factors and the high degree of co-operation demanded from both child and parent. The relapse rate with the alarm is high (Turner and Young, 1966). A safe and effective pharmacological method of control or cure remains a desirable goal. MacLean (1960) was the first to report the apparent effectiveness of imipramine in nocturnal enuresis, and his initial uncontrolled observations preceded more than 60 subsequent papers on the subject. In this welter of literature we have noted only 12 satisfactorily designed trials. However, only 2 of these (Poussaint and Ditman, 1965; Friday and Feldman, 1966) were conducted on children referred to a paediatric out-patient clinic, the remainder having been carried out on children in institutions, service recruits, or disturbed children being seen at a psychiatric centre. Friday and Feldman (1966) studied 51 children, the majority ofwhom came from a socially deprived background, with a high incidence of neurotic behaviour. These were given a brief course of treatment with 10 or 25 mg. imipramine, depending on age; 82% of the children had their wetting frequency reduced by over 50% while on the drug, as compared to 4500 of those children receiving placebo.
Manifold Regularized Gaussian Mixture Model for Semi-supervised Clustering

Over the last few decades, Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) has attracted considerable interest in data mining and pattern recognition. GMM can be used to cluster a bunch of data through estimating the parameters of multiple Gaussian components using Expectation-Maximization (EM). Recently, Locally Consistent GMM (LCGMM) has been proposed to improve the clustering performance of GMM by exploiting the local manifold structure modeled by a p nearest neighbor graph. In practice, various prior knowledge may be available which can be used to guide the clustering process and improve the performance. In this paper, we introduce a semi-supervised method, called Semi-supervised LCGMM (Semi-LCGMM), where prior knowledge is provided in the form of class labels of partial data. Semi-LCGMM incorporates prior knowledge into the maximum likelihood function of LCGMM and is solved by EM. It is worth noting that in our algorithm each class has multiple Gaussian components while in the unsupervised settings each class only has one Gaussian component. Experimental results on several datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm.
Chimeric Hemagglutinin-Based Influenza Virus Vaccines Induce Protective Stalk-Specific Humoral Immunity and Cellular Responses in Mice

The high variation of the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA), particularly of its immunodominant head epitopes, makes it necessary to reformulate seasonal influenza virus vaccines every year. Novel influenza virus vaccines that redirect the immune response toward conserved epitopes of the HA stalk domain should afford broad and durable protection. Sequential immunization with chimeric HAs (cHAs) that express the same conserved HA stalk and distinct exotic HA heads has been shown to elicit high levels of broadly cross-reactive Abs. In the current mouse immunization studies, we tested this strategy using inactivated split virion cHA influenza virus vaccines (IIV) without adjuvant or adjuvanted with AS01 or AS03 to measure the impact of adjuvant on the Ab response. The vaccines elicited high levels of cross-reactive Abs that showed activity in an Ab-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity reporter assay and were protective in a mouse viral challenge model after serum transfer. In addition, T cell responses to adjuvanted IIV were compared with responses to a cHA-expressing live attenuated influenza virus vaccine (LAIV). A strong but transient induction of Ag-specific T cells was observed in the spleens of mice vaccinated with LAIV. Interestingly, IIV also induced T cells, which were successfully recalled upon viral challenge. Groups that received AS01-adjuvanted IIV or LAIV 4 wk before the challenge showed the lowest level of viral replication (i.e., the highest level of protection). These studies provide evidence that broadly cross-reactive Abs elicited by cHA vaccination demonstrate Fc-mediated activity. In addition, cHA vaccination induced Ag-specific cellular responses that can contribute to protection upon infection.
Clinical Versus Echographic Estimation of Fetal Weight at Term in A Selected Caucasian Milieu: A Comparative Analysis of The Kongnyuy – Mbu’s Clinical Estimation

Background: Estimation of fetal weight is essential in contemporary obstetrics. Clinical estimations using maternal and fetal characteristics and ultrasound methods exist. We compared a simple clinical estimation that is in use in low resourced facilities in Cameroon and ultrasound in a completely Caucasian environment. Methodology: In this cross –sectional study, consented pregnant women with singleton pregnancies were carefully selected and enrolled. Those with adjuvant pathologies that increased uterine volumes were eliminated. We measured fundal heights and applied the Kornyuy – Mbu’s formula for birth weights and compared these with echographic estimations and actual birth weights. We calculated the percentage error between estimated birth weights (EBW) and actual birth weights (ABW) for accuracy and the ratio by percentage of estimation within 10% of actual birth weights. Results: The average birth weight was 3,529 + 0.35g. We did not have any baby who weighed 4,000g. The mean maternal age was 29, 2 + 4 years. The median gravidity and parity were 2 and1 respectively. The mean gestational age at delivery was 40.8 + 0.6 weeks. Clinical method underestimated and echographic method overestimated birth weights slightly but with no significance difference (P=0.130). Clinical method was able to estimate birth-weights within 10% of actual birth weight in all the subjects as against only 50% of the subjects with ultrasound. Conclusion: Clinical estimation of birth weight as described by Kornyuy and Mbu is as accurate as routine echographic estimation in cases that are well selected.
Sentiment Analysis by Capsules

In this paper, we propose RNN-Capsule, a capsule model based on Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) for sentiment analysis. For a given problem, one capsule is built for each sentiment category e.g., 'positive' and 'negative'. Each capsule has an attribute, a state, and three modules: representation module, probability module, and reconstruction module. The attribute of a capsule is the assigned sentiment category. Given an instance encoded in hidden vectors by a typical RNN, the representation module builds capsule representation by the attention mechanism. Based on capsule representation, the probability module computes the capsule's state probability. A capsule's state is active if its state probability is the largest among all capsules for the given instance, and inactive otherwise. On two benchmark datasets (i.e., Movie Review and Stanford Sentiment Treebank) and one proprietary dataset (i.e., Hospital Feedback), we show that RNN-Capsule achieves state-of-the-art performance on sentiment classification. More importantly, without using any linguistic knowledge, RNN-Capsule is capable of outputting words with sentiment tendencies reflecting capsules' attributes. The words well reflect the domain specificity of the dataset.
Routing Networks and the Challenges of Modular and Compositional Computation

Compositionality is a key strategy for addressing combinatorial complexity and the curse of dimensionality. Recent work has shown that compositional solutions can be learned and offer substantial gains across a variety of domains, including multi-task learning, language modeling, visual question answering, machine comprehension, and others. However, such models present unique challenges during training when both the module parameters and their composition must be learned jointly. In this paper, we identify several of these issues and analyze their underlying causes. Our discussion focuses on routing networks, a general approach to this problem, and examines empirically the interplay of these challenges and a variety of design decisions. In particular, we consider the effect of how the algorithm decides on module composition, how the algorithm updates the modules, and if the algorithm uses regularization.
Staying in school for lunch instead of eating in fast-food restaurants: results of a quasi-experimental study among high-school students

Abstract Objective Following the adoption of food policies replacing unhealthy products by healthy foods in school, the present study tested the effectiveness of an intervention aimed at encouraging high-school students to stay in school for lunch instead of eating in fast-food restaurants. Design A 12-week multi-strategy intervention targeting specific determinants of behaviour was evaluated via a quasi-experimental pre- and post-intervention design. A self-administered questionnaire was employed based on the theory of planned behaviour. Setting An experimental (n 129) and a control school (n 112) in central Canada. Subjects High-school students aged 12 to 17 years. Results Compared with control school students, those in the experimental school significantly increased the mean number of days that they stayed in school for lunch (relative risk = 1·55; 95 % CI 1·06, 2·27; P = 0·024), as well as the proportion who remained in school for lunch every day (relative risk = 1·21; 95 % CI 1·04, 1·40; P = 0·014). Among the psychosocial variables targeted, only self-efficacy appeared to be influenced by the intervention, mainly because of a decline in control group values. Mediation analysis indicated a significant mediating effect of self-efficacy on the mean number of days that students stayed in school for lunch (bias-corrected and accelerated point estimate = 0·079; 95 % CI 0·0059, 0·1958). Conclusions These results suggest that interventions aimed at enhancing self-efficacy can successfully contribute to students staying in school during lunch time. Such interventions should be considered in obesity prevention programmes adapted to high-school students.