Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adição de farinha da casca de melão em cupcakes altera a composição físico-química e a aceitabilidade entre crianças

Introdução: O desperdício de alimentos apresenta números alarmantes em todo o mundo. As cascas de frutas se destacam entre os subprodutos que mais são descartados pela população. Dessa forma, são necessárias estratégias que visem a aproveitar os alimentos de uma forma integral, com o intuito de combater a fome e o impacto ambiental do descarte de resíduos. Objetivo: Avaliar a aceitabilidade sensorial de cupcakes adicionados de diferentes níveis de farinha da casca de melão (FCM), entre crianças. Também, determinar a composição físico-química do produto padrão e daquele com maior teor de FCM e aceitação semelhante ao padrão. Metodologia: Foram desenvolvidas cinco formulações de cupcakes: F1 (padrão 0% de FCM) e as demais adicionadas de 4,25% (F2), 8,5% (F3), 12,75% (F4) e 17% (F5) de FCM. Participaram da avaliação sensorial 60 provadores não treinados, de ambos os gêneros, com idade entre 7 e 10 anos. Resultados: Maiores notas foram verificadas para F1 comparada à F5 para os atributos de aparência, aroma, sabor e aceitação global (p<0,05). Para os atributos de textura, cor e para a intenção de compra não houve diferença estatística entre os produtos (p>0,05). Maiores teores de umidade (p<0,05) e menores de cinzas e fibras foram constatados em F1, quando comparada à F4. Conclusão: Um nível de adição de até 12,75% de FCM em cupcakes foi bem aceito pelos provadores infantis, obtendo-se aceitação sensorial semelhante ao produto padrão e com boas expectativas de comercialização.
Comprehensive Analysis of the Relationship Between RAS and RAF Mutations and MSI Status of Colorectal Cancer in Northeastern China

Background/Aims: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is mainly caused by chromosomal instability (CIN) and microsatellite instability (MSI). The RAS and RAF genes are essential components of the CIN pathway, and several studies have found that RAS and RAF mutations are associated with MSI status in CRC. Here, we examined these three factors in CRC in Northeast China and aimed to reveal new details of the relationship between these mutations and MSI status. Methods: This study involved 290 patients with CRC who had RAS or RAF gene mutation detected using fluorescence-based allele-specific polymerase chain reaction or Sanger sequencing. The majority of the identified patients were found to harbor MSI (MSI status). Accurate molecular detection was carried out using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue or blood samples. Results: The rates of RAS and RAF mutations were 58.5% and 4.1%, respectively. The prevalence of RAS mutation in CRC was clearly higher and that of RAF mutation was lower in Northeast China compared with previously reported cohorts in other locations. High MSI level (MSI-H status) was more complex, at around 10%. This was consistent with previous data from China. However, compared with data reported from other continents, MSI-H was higher than that of Japan or South Korea in Asia, and lower than that of Europe or the United States. Conclusion: RAS/RAF mutations and MSI status in CRC are closely associated with tumor location and ethnicity. Further studies investigating the relationship between these three factors can help in the development of treatment strategies for patients with CRC.
Quantitative tract‐based white matter heritability in 1‐ and 2‐year‐old twins

White matter (WM) microstructure, as determined by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), is increasingly recognized as an important determinant of cognitive function and is also altered in neuropsychiatric disorders. Little is known about genetic and environmental influences on WM microstructure, especially in early childhood, an important period for cognitive development and risk for psychiatric disorders. We studied the heritability of DTI parameters, fractional anisotropy (FA), radial diffusivity (RD) and axial diffusivity (AD) along 34 tracts, including 10 bilateral fiber pathways and the respective subdivision, using quantitative tractography in a longitudinal sample of healthy children at 1 year (N = 215) and 2 years (N = 165) of age. We found that heritabilities for whole brain AD, RD, and FA were 0.48, 0.69, and 0.72 at age 1, and 0.59, 0.77, and 0.76 at age 2 and that mean heritabilities of tract‐averaged AD, RD, and FA for individual bundles were moderate (over 0.4). However, the heritability of DTI change between 1 and 2 years of age was not significant for most tracts. We also demonstrated that point‐wise heritability tended to be significant in the central portions of the tracts and was generally spatially consistent at ages 1 and 2 years. These results, especially when compared to heritability patterns in neonates, indicate that the heritability of WM microstructure is dynamic in early childhood and likely reflect heterogeneous maturation of WM tracts and differential genetic and environmental influences on maturation patterns.
Usefulness of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Korean Revised Version in Screening for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition Alcohol Use Disorder among College Students

Background There is a distinction in alcohol consumption behavior between adults and college students. This study aims to verify the usability and the optimal cutoff point of Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test–Korean revised version (AUDIT-KR) for screening alcohol use disorder in college students when the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM), 5th edition diagnostic criteria is applied. Methods A total of 922 college students living in Daejeon were enrolled and divided into two groups based on how many items they corresponded to among DSM-5 alcohol use disorder diagnostic criteria: those who corresponded to ≥2 of the 11 items were classified into the patient group (107 males, 89 females) while the others into the control group (311 males, 415 females). The participants were evaluated using AUDIT-KR to find the optimal cutoff point for screening alcohol use disorder, sensitivity, and specificity. Results The mean±standard deviation scores in the AUDIT-KR were 12.76±7.27, 10.72±4.62 for males and females, respectively, in the patient group. In contrast, in the control group the scores were 6.26±5.23 and 3.95±3.59 in males and females, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (95% confidence interval) regarding alcohol use disorder screening by AUDIT-KR was 0.768 (0.715–0.821) and 0.883 (0.848–0.919) for males and females, respectively. The optimal cutoff point of alcohol use disorder for males was >9, sensitivity 64.49%, and specificity 76.85%. The optimal cutoff point for females was >6, sensitivity 82.02%, and specificity 80.48%. Conclusion This study suggested that AUDIT-KR can be used as a screening tool for alcohol use disorder in groups of college students when DSM-5 diagnosis criteria are applied.
Anticipated expansion of a new approach to treating hypertension without medication by catheter-based renal denervation.

The RADIANCE-HTN SOLO trial recently revealed that catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) using endovascular ultrasound could reduce the ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) after 2 months without medications in patients who had combined systolic/diastolic hypertension (HT) (1). Accordingly, RDN is being re-evaluated because of the contrast to the disappointing results of the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial (2), which indicated that RDN did not have an antihypertensive effect.
Dietary patterns and their association with menopausal symptoms: a cross-sectional study

Objective: Although menopause is a natural event in a woman's life, some of its symptoms can be severe enough to adversely affect her health. There is some evidence to suggest that diet has an influence on menopausal symptoms, but less attention has been paid to dietary patterns. The purpose of this study is to determine the association of dietary patterns with physical, mental, and genitourinary menopausal symptoms. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was applied using a sample of 400 postmenopausal women who attended health centers in the south of Tehran, Iran. The menopausal symptoms were assessed by a Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) questionnaire; a 147-item, semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire was used to collect dietary information, and major dietary patterns were identified by principal component analysis. Linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between menopausal symptoms and dietary patterns. Results: Three major dietary patterns were identified: vegetables and fruits (VF); mayonnaise, liquid oils, sweets, and desserts (MLSD); and solid fats and snacks (SFS). It has been found that the VF dietary pattern is inversely associated with general (&bgr; = −1.37; SE = 1.08; P for trend <0.001), physical (&bgr; = −1.54; SE = 1.09; P for trend <0.001), and mental (&bgr; = −1.58; SE = 1.11; P for trend <0.001) symptoms. A stronger adherence to the MLSD dietary pattern was directly associated with general (&bgr; = 1.15; SE = 1.08; P for trend <0.001) and genitourinary symptoms (&bgr; = 1.54; SE = 1.1; P for trend <0.001). Moreover, the SFS dietary pattern was directly related to the general (&bgr; = 1.23; SE = 1.09; P for trend = 0.01), physical (&bgr; = 1.24; SE = 1.09; P for trend = 0.04), and mental (&bgr; = 1.29; SE = 1.12; P for trend < 0.001) symptoms. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that there is an inverse association between VF dietary pattern and menopausal symptoms. In contrast, the MLSD and SFS dietary patterns were correlated to an increased risk of these symptoms.
Morphology and evolution of bioluminescent organs in the glowbellies (Percomorpha: Acropomatidae) with comments on the taxonomy and phylogeny of Acropomatiformes

Bioluminescent organs have evolved many times within teleost fishes and exhibit a wide range of complexity and anatomical derivation. Although some bioluminescent organs have been studied in detail, the morphology of the bacterial light organs in glowbellies (Acropoma) is largely unknown. This study describes the anatomy of the bioluminescent organs in Haneda's Glowbelly (Acropoma hanedai) and the Glowbelly (Acropoma japonicum) and places the evolution of this light‐producing system in the context of a new phylogeny of glowbellies and their relatives. Gross and histological examination of the bioluminescent organs indicate that they are derived from perianal ectodermal tissue, likely originating from the developmental proctodeum, contrary to at least one prior suggestion that the bioluminescent organ in Acropoma is of endodermal intestinal derivation. Additionally, anterior bioluminescent organ development in both species is associated with lateral spreading of the bacteria‐containing arms of the bioluminescent organ from an initial median structure. In the context of a 16‐gene molecular phylogeny, the bioluminescent organ in Acropoma is shown to have evolved within the Acropomatidae in the ancestor of Acropoma. Further, ancestral‐states reconstruction demonstrates that the bioluminescent organs in Acropoma evolved independently from the light organs in related howellid and epigonid taxa which have esophageal or intestinally derived bioluminescent organs. Across the acropomatiforms, our reconstructions indicate that bioluminescent organs evolved independently four or five times. Based on the inferred phylogeny of the order where Acropoma and Doederleinia were separated from other traditional acropomatids, the familial taxonomy of the Acropomatidae was modified such that the previously described Malakichthyidae and Synagropidae were recognized. We also morphologically diagnose and describe the family Lateolabracidae.
Skin Lesion Analysis By Multi-Target Deep Neural Networks

Automatic skin lesion analysis involves two critical steps: lesion segmentation and lesion classification. In this work, we propose a novel multi-target deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) to simultaneously tackle the problem of segmentation and classification. Based on U-Net and GoogleNet, a single model is constructed with three different targets of both lesion segmentation and two independent binary lesion classifications (i.e., melanoma detection and seborrheic keratosis identification), aiming to explore the differences and commonalities over different target models. We conduct experiments on dermoscopic images from the International Skin Imaging Collaboration (ISIC) 2017 Challenge. Results of our multi-target DCNN model demonstrates superiority over single model with one target only (such as U-net or GoogleNet), indicating its learning efficiency and potential for application in automatic skin lesion diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first demonstration for a single end-to-end deep neural network model that simultaneously handle both segmentation and classification in the field of skin lesion analysis.
The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Fermented Herbal Roots of Asparagus cochinchinensis in an Ovalbumin-Induced Asthma Model

Introduction: Roots of Asparagus cochinchinensis, which have pharmacologically active ingredients, have received great attention because they show good therapeutic effects for various inflammatory diseases without specific toxicity. This study investigated the anti-asthmatic effects of a butanol extract of Asparagus cochinchinensis roots that had been fermented with Weissella cibaria (BAW) and its possible underlying cholinergic regulation. Methods: Alterations of the anti-asthmatic markers and the molecular response factors were measured in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma model after treatment with BAW. Results: Treatment with BAW decreased the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in lipopolysaccharides (LPS) activated RAW264.7 cells. The results of the animal experiments revealed lower infiltration of inflammatory cells and bronchial thickness, and a significant reduction in the number of macrophages and eosinophils, concentration of OVA-specific IgE, and expression of Th2 cytokines in the OVA + BAW treated group. In addition, a significant recovery of goblet cell hyperplasia, MMP-9 expression, and the VEGF signaling pathway was observed upon airway remodeling in the OVA + BAW treated group. Furthermore, these responses of BAW were linked to recovery of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) M3 downstream signaling pathway in epithelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and afferent sensory nerves of OVA + BAW-treated mice. Conclusion: Overall, these findings are the first to provide evidence that the therapeutic effects of BAW can prevent airway inflammation and remodeling through the recovery of cholinergic regulation in structural cells and inflammatory cells of the chronic asthma model.
Multi-Spectral Imaging via Computed Tomography (MUSIC) - Comparing Unsupervised Spectral Segmentations for Material Differentiation

Multi-spectral computed tomography is an emerging technology for the non-destructive identification of object materials and the study of their physical properties. Applications of this technology can be found in various scientific and industrial contexts, such as luggage scanning at airports. Material distinction and its identification is challenging, even with spectral x-ray information, due to acquisition noise, tomographic reconstruction artefacts and scanning setup application constraints. We present MUSIC - and open access multi-spectral CT dataset in 2D and 3D - to promote further research in the area of material identification. We demonstrate the value of this dataset on the image analysis challenge of object segmentation purely based on the spectral response of its composing materials. In this context, we compare the segmentation accuracy of fast adaptive mean shift (FAMS) and unconstrained graph cuts on both datasets. We further discuss the impact of reconstruction artefacts and segmentation controls on the achievable results. Dataset, related software packages and further documentation are made available to the imaging community in an open-access manner to promote further data-driven research on the subject
Global DNA methylation profiling in peripheral blood cells of South African women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract Background/Objective: Recently, several studies have reported that DNA methylation changes in tissue are reflected in blood, sparking interest in the potential use of global DNA methylation as a biomarker for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This study investigated whether global DNA methylation is associated with GDM in South African women. Methods: Global DNA methylation was quantified in peripheral blood cells of women with (n = 63) or without (n = 138) GDM using the MDQ1 Imprint® DNA Quantification Kit. Results: Global DNA methylation levels were not different between women with or without GDM and were not associated with fasting glucose or insulin concentrations. However, levels were 18% (p = 0.012) higher in obese compared to non-obese pregnant women and inversely correlated with serum adiponectin concentrations (p = 0.005). Discussion: Contrary to our hypothesis, global DNA methylation was not associated with GDM in our population. These preliminary findings suggest that despite being a robust marker of overall genomic methylation that offers opportunities as a biomarker, global DNA methylation profiling may not offer the resolution required to detect methylation differences in the peripheral blood cells of women with GDM. Moreover, global DNA methylation in peripheral blood cells may not reflect changes in placental tissue. Further studies in a larger sample are required to explore the candidacy of a more targeted approach using gene-specific methylation as a biomarker for GDM in our population.
Incidence of Long‐Term Structural Valve Dysfunction and Bioprosthetic Valve Failure After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Background Long‐term data on durability of currently available transcatheter heart valves are sparse. We sought to assess the incidence of long‐term (8‐year) structural valve dysfunction and bioprosthetic valve failure in a cohort of patients with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) who reached at least 5‐year follow‐up. Methods and Results Consecutive patients with at least 5‐year follow‐up available undergoing TAVR from June 4, 2007 to March 30, 2012 were included. Structural valve dysfunction and bioprosthetic valve failure were defined according to newly standardized European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions/European Society of Cardiology/European Association for Cardio‐Thoracic Surgery criteria and reported as cumulative incidence function to account for the competing risk of death. A total of 288 consecutive patients with a mean age of 80.7±5.3 years and with a mean Society of Thoracic Surgery mortality score of 8.1±5.1% were analyzed. Survival rate at 8 years was 29.8%. Mean pressure gradients decreased from 53.3±15.9 mm Hg (pre‐TAVR) to 10.5±4.5 mm Hg (in‐hospital post‐TAVR) (P<0.001). There was a small, not significant, increase in the transaortic gradient throughout follow‐up. Bioprosthetic valve failure was observed in a total of 11 patients (8‐year cumulative incidence function: 4.51%; 95% confidence interval, 1.95%–8.76%). Severe and moderate structural valve dysfunctions were reported in 7 patients (8‐year cumulative incidence function: 2.39%; 95% confidence interval, 0.77%–5.71%) and 13 patients (8‐year cumulative incidence function: 5.87%; 95% confidence interval, 3.06%–9.96%), respectively. Aortic valve reintervention (redo TAVR) was successfully performed in 2 patients (0.7%) presenting with symptomatic severe restenosis and intraprosthetic regurgitation subsequent to endocarditis. Conclusions In an aged population of patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis treated with first‐generation bioprostheses, TAVR was associated with a survival rate of 30% but low rates of bioprosthetic valve failure and structural valve dysfunction at 8 years.
Zeitgebers and their association with rest-activity patterns

ABSTRACT Zeitgebers such as light, eating and physical activity provide input to the circadian clock. Chronic circadian misalignment is associated with significant adverse health effects. An improved understanding of the impact of the timing of zeitgebers on the stability of 24-hour rest-activity rhythm in free-living settings may identify behavioural and environmental intervention targets. A total of 133 healthy adults, aged 21–60 years, wore a wrist actigraph for 7 consecutive days. We applied a non-parametric analysis to activity counts to derive rest-activity patterns. We administered a questionnaire through a smartphone app to collect self-reported timing of light exposure, eating episodes and physical activity. To assess the relationship between timing exposures (first and last exposure to outdoor light, first exposure to indoor light, last eating episode, first eating episode, morning physical activity proportion, evening physical activity proportion) and rest-activity or sleep outcomes (bedtimes, total sleep time, inter-daily stability, intra-daily variability, L5 and M10 midpoint), we first calculated Spearman correlations, using the false discovery rate method to control for multiple comparisons. From those significant associations, we then fit regression models adjusting for age, sex, race, household income, education level, study site, body mass index, as well as physical activity. Finally, we tested for interaction between chronotype and each timing-related exposure and stratified the analysis by morning type. All zeitgebers, except for evening physical activity proportion, were correlated with at least four of the seven sleep and rest-activity outcomes. In adjusted analysis, later timing of first (after 6:30 to 7:45 AM versus earlier) and last exposure to indoor light (after 11:00 PM versus earlier) and first (after 7:45–9:45 AM versus earlier) and last eating episode (after 8:00–09:00 PM versus earlier) were associated with a shift of 0.60–1.39 hours to later bedtimes, M10 and L5 midpoints (i.e. timing of peak activities or inactivities). Later timing of first exposure to outdoor light (after 09:30 AM versus earlier) was also associated with 0.51 (95% CI: 0.19 to 0.83) hours longer total sleep time. Higher morning physical activity proportion (> 33%) was associated with 0.95 (95% CI: −1.38 to −0.53) hours earlier in-bed time and 0.69 (95% CI: −1.14 to −0.24) hours earlier out-of-bed time, 0.92 (95% CI: −1.41 to −0.42) hours earlier M10 and 0.96 (95% CI: −1.42 to −0.49) min earlier L5 midpoint. The results did not change substantially with further adjustment for total activity. There was a significant interaction between morning chronotype and first eating episode with rest-activity patterns (p < 0.05), with first eating episode associating with timing of activities only in non-morning type adults. Timing of zeitgebers was associated with sleep and rest-activity patterns, including bedtimes, L5 and M10 midpoint. Future research should evaluate the impact of manipulating zeitgebers on both circadian rhythms and health outcomes.
Dual-Band Circularly Polarized Antenna With Wide Axial Ratio Beamwidths for Upper Hemispherical Coverage

This paper presents a dual-band circularly polarized cross-dipole antenna with wide axial ratio beamwidths for full upper hemispherical coverage for GPS L1 and L2 bands. The antenna has curved radiating arms and a corrugated back cavity to enhance the beamwidth. A wideband hybrid coupler is used to feed the antenna at the two nearby frequency bands. Experimental results show that very wide 3-dB AR beamwidths of over 200° can be obtained, fully covering the upper hemisphere for the two GPS bands.