Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quality Standards For Retail Meats.

To be of public benefit a quality standard for meat at retail must do as it purports to do - i.e. to reduce the public hazard and/or prevent consumer deception. In addition, it must be technically workable for both the industry and the administrative branches of regulatory agencies. With processed meats and ground beef, it has not been demonstrated that they present a potential hazard. In addition, if a health hazard were demonstrated, it would not be reduced by the use of microbiological quality standards such as Aerobic Plate Count or number of Escherichia coli . Use of the bacterial criterion Aerobic Plate Count of 107/g, in place of organoleptic standards could reduce the retail shelf-life of processed meats by 20-66%. An Aerobic Plate Count, 107/g, could remove in excess of 33% of ground beef sold at retail level. In both instances a substantial quantity of wholesome meat would be prematurely removed from the retail market. Chemical standards such as protein, fat, moisture, cereal, are relatively static and do not substantially change over the retail shelf-life of meat. However the bacterial population in meat demonstrates a dynamic growth pattern. Hence the Aerobic Plate Count may indicate product age, but not necessarily product deterioration or potential health hazard. E. coli , although an intestinal bacterium, is capable of growing outside the host intestine, thrive on a variety of substrates and thrive for long periods. Thus the presence of E. coli cannot be correlated with the extent of initial fecal contamination, nor with the presence of pathogens. A program of increased awareness of personal hygiene, temperature control, stock rotation, elimination of areas for potential cross-contamination and a regular sanitation program throughout the meat cycle will guarantee the microbiological quality of meats at retail.
On the cost of fault-tolerant consensus when there are no faults: preliminary version

We consider the consensus problem in an asynchronous model enriched with unreliable failure detectors and in the partial synchrony model. We consider algorithms that solve consensus and tolerate crash failures and/or message omissions. We prove tight lower bounds on the number of communication steps performed by such algorithms in failure-free executions. We present in a unified framework a number of related lower bound results. Thus, we shed light on the relationships among different known lower and upper bounds, and at the same time, illustrate a general technique for obtaining simple and elegant lower bound proofs. We also illustrate matching upper bounds: we algorithms that achieve the lower bound.
Design and Implementation of an Embedded NIOS II System for JPEG2000 Tier II Encoding

This paper presents a novel implementation of the JPEG2000 standard as a system on a chip (SoC). While most of the research in this field centers on acceleration of the EBCOT Tier I encoder, this work focuses on an embedded solution for EBCOT Tier II. Specifically, this paper proposes using an embedded softcore processor to performTier II processing as the back end of an encoding pipeline. The Altera NIOS II processor is chosen for the implementation and is coupled with existing embedded processingmodules to realize a fully embedded JPEG2000 encoder. The design is synthesized on a Stratix IV FPGA and is shown to out perform other comparable SoC implementations by 39% in computation time.
The PPARα-PGC-1α Axis Controls Cardiac Energy Metabolism in Healthy and Diseased Myocardium

The mammalian myocardium is an omnivorous organ that relies on multiple substrates in order to fulfill its tremendous energy demands. Cardiac energy metabolism preference is regulated at several critical points, including at the level of gene transcription. Emerging evidence indicates that the nuclear receptor PPARα and its cardiac-enriched coactivator protein, PGC-1α, play important roles in the transcriptional control of myocardial energy metabolism. The PPARα-PGC-1α complex controls the expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in cardiac fatty acid and glucose metabolism as well as mitochondrial biogenesis. Also, evidence has emerged that the activity of the PPARα-PGC-1α complex is perturbed in several pathophysiologic conditions and that altered activity of this pathway may play a role in cardiomyopathic remodeling. In this review, we detail the current understanding of the effects of the PPARα-PGC-1α axis in regulating mitochondrial energy metabolism and cardiac function in response to physiologic and pathophysiologic stimuli.
NGM282 Improves Liver Fibrosis and Histology in 12 Weeks in Patients With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

NGM282, an engineered fibroblast growth factor 19 analogue, rapidly and significantly reduced liver fat content in a multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study in patients with biopsy‐confirmed nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, it is unclear whether these changes would be accompanied by histological improvement. In this open‐label study, we assessed the histological efficacy of NGM282 in patients with biopsy‐confirmed nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Paired liver biopsies from 43 patients who received subcutaneous NGM282 (1 mg, n = 24; 3 mg, n = 19) once daily for 12 weeks were evaluated blinded to time point, subject, and clinical information. At week 12, NGM282 significantly reduced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score (NAS; −1.9; 95% confidence interval, −2.6 to −1.2; P < 0.001 in the 1 mg group; −2.2, −3.1 to −1.3; P < 0.001 in the 3 mg group) and fibrosis (−0.5; −0.9 to 0; P = 0.035 in the 3 mg group) scores. Overall, 50% and 63% of the patients receiving NGM282 1 mg or 3 mg, respectively, improved NAS by 2 or more points without fibrosis worsening. Of the patients receiving NGM282 1 mg or 3 mg, 25% and 42%, respectively, improved liver fibrosis by one stage or more without worsening of steatohepatitis. Treatment with NGM282 led to relative reductions in liver fat content (−58% and −67% in the 1 mg and 3 mg groups, respectively), corrected T1 (cT1; −8% and −9%), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (−67% and −60%), aspartate aminotransferase (−57% and −52%), and fibrogenesis biomarkers neoepitope‐specific N‐terminal propeptide of type III collagen (Pro‐C3; −22% and −33%) and enhanced liver fibrosis score (ELF; −3% and −6%) at week 12. Greater reductions in Pro‐C3, ELF, and cT1, but not in liver fat content, 7alpha‐hydroxy‐4‐cholesten‐3‐one, or ALT, were observed in histological responders than in nonresponders. Conclusion: In this open‐label study, NGM282 improved the histological features of NASH in 12 weeks with significant reductions in NAS and fibrosis scores, accompanied by improvements in noninvasive imaging and serum markers.
Extraintestinal manifestations in inflammatory bowel disease – epidemiology, genetics, and pathogenesis

ABSTRACT Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder, primarily of, but not restricted to the gut. Extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) are frequently observed and involve the joints, eyes, hepatobiliary tract, and skin. Areas covered: In this review, we discuss classical EIM focusing on epidemiology, genetics, and pathogenesis, highlighting recent advances in the understanding of EIM. We further discuss treatment-induced immunological phenomena, which are increasingly recognized and might challenge IBD-treating physicians in the era of biological treatment. Expert opinion: EIM considerably contributes to morbidity and mortality. Genetic studies have revealed a common genetic background between EIM and IBD and among specific EIM. Identified protein interactions have been shown to cluster in shared biological pathways. However – despite these recent advances – pathogenesis of EIM is at best partially understood. Several pathogenic mechanisms have been proposed such as upregulation of tumor necrosis factor, aberrant lymphocyte homing, and cross-reactive antigen presentation. It still remains unclear whether EIM is a direct result of the inflammatory process in the gut or rather a consequence of a shared genetic background leading to dysfunctional immune responses to environmental stimuli. Exploration and understanding of EIM genetics and pathophysiology will pave the road for better and more efficacious treatment options in the future.
The Spectrum of Learning and Teaching: The Impact of a Fourth‐Year Anatomy Course on Medical Student Knowledge and Confidence

There is growing demand from accrediting agencies for improved basic science integration into fourth‐year medical curricula and inculcation of medical students with teaching skills. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a fourth‐year medical school elective course focused on teaching gross anatomy on anatomical knowledge and teaching confidence. Fourth‐year medical student “teacher” participants' gross anatomy knowledge was assessed before and after the course. Students rated their overall perceived anatomy knowledge and teaching skills on a scale from 0 (worst) to 10 (best), and responded to specific knowledge and teaching confidence items using a similar scale. First‐year students were surveyed to evaluate the effectiveness of the fourth‐year student teaching on their learning. Thirty‐two students completed the course. The mean anatomy knowledge pretest score and posttest scores were 43.2 (±22.1) and 74.1 (±18.4), respectively (P < 0.001). The mean perceived anatomy knowledge ratings before and after the course were 6.19 (±1.84) and 7.84 (±1.30), respectively (P < 0.0001) and mean perceived teaching skills ratings before and after the course were 7.94 (±1.24) and 8.53 (±0.95), respectively (P = 0.002). Student feedback highlighted five themes which impacted fourth‐year teaching assistant effectiveness, including social/cognitive congruence and improved access to learning opportunities. Together these results suggest that integrating fourth‐year medical students in anatomy teaching increases their anatomical knowledge and improves measures of perceived confidence in both teaching and anatomy knowledge. The thematic analysis revealed that this initiative has positive benefits for first‐year students.
Eosinophil cell count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in early childhood wheezing: is it predictive of future asthma?

Abstract Objective: Increased eosinophil level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) characterizes asthma in school-age children and adults and has been suggested as a marker for disease severity and response to treatment. We aimed to investigate the occurrence and yield of BALF eosinophil cell count in preschool children with recurrent wheezing and its possible relation to future diagnosis of asthma. Methods: BALF was retrospectively studied in young wheezy children and its relation to asthma at age 6 years was evaluated. BALF from children aged 1–48 months (mean = 20.4) was analyzed in preschool wheezy children. Children with anatomical airway obstruction and other lower airway/lung diseases who underwent BALF served as controls. Assessment of asthma was accomplished at 6 years. Results: Eighty-two children were included. The mean age during bronchoscopy and BAL was 20.4 ± 14.4 months (range: 1–48 months). Twenty-six patients had recurrent preschool wheezing, 13 anatomical airway obstruction and 43 had other lower airways/lung diseases. Groups were comparable for age during bronchoscopy and gender. No difference was found between groups for any of the BALF cell types. Eosinophils were very low in all three groups [mean (interquartile range): 0 (0–0.4), 0 (0–0.8), and 0.4 (0–1), respectively, p = 0.25]. No difference in eosinophil levels during bronchoscopy was found between asthmatic children to non-asthmatic as defined at age 6 years. Conclusions: Wheezing in preschool children is not associated with increased BALF eosinophils; hence, at this age, the diagnostic yield of BALF for cell count analysis for diagnosing asthma is limited and is not routinely indicated.
Total synthesis of (-)-histrionicotoxin.

A total synthesis of (-)-histrionicotoxin was achieved. Our synthesis features preparation of a pseudosymmetrical dienyne through chirality transfer from an allenylsilane, a dienyne metathesis to produce the bicyclo [5.4. 0] system in optically active form, selective functionalization of a diene via a 5-exo-trig iodoetherification, and an asymmetric propargylation.
Clinical and microbial epidemiology of otomycosis in the city of Yasuj, southwest Iran, revealing Aspergillus tubingensis as the dominant causative agent.

PURPOSE Otomycosis is a mycotic infection of the external auditory canal and can be caused by a wide range of fungal species. In this study, we aimed to identify fungal isolates from patients suspected of otomycosis. METHODOLOGY External ear canal samples were taken from patients referred to the outpatient department of Shahid-Mofatteh Clinic in the city of Yasuj, Iran, and examined by direct microscopy and culture. DNA of the isolated fungi was tested by internal transcribed spacer PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis for identification of yeasts and β-tubulin sequencing for identification of Aspergillus species. RESULTS Among 275 patients suspected of otomycosis, 144 cases (83 female and 61 male) were confirmed with otomycosis. For 89% (n=128) of positive cultures, microscopy was also positive, while there were no cases with a microscopy-positive and culture-negative result. The predominant predisposing factor was self-cleaning of the external ear using unhygienic tools, and the main risk occupation was 'housewife'. The most common isolated fungi were typically Aspergillus (n=120), including 73 isolates of Aspergillus section Nigri, 43 of section Flavi, 3 of section Terrei and 1 of section Fumigati. After sequencing, 44 out of 73 strains primarily identified as Aspergillus niger turned out to be Aspergillus tubingensis. Thirty-five isolates were identified as Candida, including Candida parapsilosis (n=22), Candida albicans (n=12) and Candida tropicalis (n=1). CONCLUSION Aspergillus tubingensis was the most common species involved in otomycosis. This work corroborates the difficulty of precise identification of species within the black Aspergilli by morphological characteristics.
Trophy hunting mediates sex-specific associations between early-life environmental conditions and adult mortality in bighorn sheep.

Environmental conditions during early development, from conception to sexual maturity, can have lasting consequences on fitness components. Although adult life span often accounts for much of the variation in fitness in long-lived animals, we know little about how early environment affects adult life span in the wild, and even less about whether these effects differ between the sexes. Using data collected over 45 years from wild bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), we investigated the effects of early environment on adult mortality in both sexes, distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic sources of mortality. We used the average body mass of yearlings (at about 15 months of age) as a yearly index of environmental quality. We first examined sex differences in natural mortality responses to early environment by censoring harvested males in the year they were shot. We then investigated sex differences in the effects of early environment on overall mortality (natural and hunting mortality combined). Finally, we used path analysis to separate the direct influence of early environment from indirect influences, mediated by age at first reproduction, adult mass and horn length. As early environmental conditions improved, natural adult mortality decreased in both sexes, although for males the effect was not statistically supported. Sex differences in the effects of early environment on adult mortality were detected only when natural and hunting mortality were pooled. Males that experienced favourable early environment had longer horns as adults and died earlier because of trophy hunting, which does not mimic natural mortality. Females that experienced favourable early environment started to reproduce earlier and early primiparity was associated with reduced mortality, suggesting a silver-spoon effect. Our results show that early conditions affect males and females differently because of trophy hunting. These findings highlight the importance of considering natural and anthropogenic environmental factors across different life stages to understand sex differences in mortality.
[Analysis of medical rescue operations performed by medical rescue teams from all over poland in patients with burn wounds].

OBJECTIVE Introduction: A burn is a superficial or deep tissue damage caused by the action of: heat (high temperature), chemicals, electric current, solar rays and ionizing radiation. The aim: To analyze the trips of emergency medical teams in the period from November 1, 2017 to April 30, 2018 to patients diagnosed with burns throughout the country. PATIENTS AND METHODS Materials and methods: The analysis covers the whole of Poland, all medical rescue teams. The obtained data comes from the System of Supporting the State Medical Rescue System. The analysis includes the characteristics of the population studied and the medicines used. The study included those that ended with the diagnosis of burns (T-20 to T-32). Taking into account the above criteria, 547 cases were obtained. RESULTS Results: In 321 cases, there were women and 226 cases of men (58.68% vs 41.32%, p<0.001). More often, it referred to patients over 18 (317 cases vs. 193 below 18 years of age, p<0.001) in 37 cases no data. Most events were recorded in the Masovian and Silesian voivodships (12.97% and 11.33%) and the least in Podlasin (2.92%). In 20.47% of cases, pain treatment was applied, of which in the group of adults in 25.23% vs. 1658% in children, p<0.001. CONCLUSION Conclusions: The above results of medical emergency teams' activities indicate insufficient pharmacological treatment, which requires rapid improvement.
The Role of a Deep-Learning Method for Negation Detection in Patient Cohort Identification from Electroencephalography Reports

Detecting negation in biomedical texts entails the automatic identification of negation cues (e.g. "never", "not", "no longer") as well as the scope of these cues. When medical concepts or terms are identified within the scope of a negation cue, their polarity is inferred as "negative". All the other concepts or words receive a positive polarity. Correctly inferring the polarity is essential for patient cohort retrieval systems, as all inclusion criteria need to be automatically assigned positive polarity, whereas exclusion criteria should receive negative polarity. Motivated by the recent development of techniques using deep learning, we have experimented with a neural negation detection technique and compared it against an existing neural polarity recognition system, which were incorporated in a patient cohort system operating on clinical electroencephalography (EEG) reports. Our experiments indicate that the neural negation detection method produces better patient cohorts then the polarity recognition method.
Chromosomal Rearrangements during Turtle Evolution Altered the Synteny of Genes Involved in Vertebrate Sex Determination

Sex-determining mechanisms (SDMs) set an individual's sexual fate by its genotype (genotypic sex determination, GSD) or environmental factors like temperature (temperature- dependent sex determination, TSD), as in turtles where the GSD “trigger” remains unknown. SDMs co-evolve with turtle chromosome number, perhaps because fusions/fissions alter the relative position/regulation of sexual development genes. Here, we map 10 such genes via FISH onto metaphase chromosomes in 6 TSD and 6 GSD turtles for the first time. Results uncovered intrachromosomal rearrangements involving 3 genes across SDMs (Dax1, Fhl2, and Fgf9) and a chromosomal fusion linking 2 genes (Sf1 and Rspo1) in 1 chromosome in a TSD turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa) that locate to 2 chromosomes in all others. Notably, Sf1 and its repressor Foxl2 map to Apalone spinifera's ZW chromosomes but to a macro- (Foxl2) and a microautosome (Sf1) in other turtles potentially inducing SDM evolution. However, our phylogenetically informed analysis refutes Foxl2 (but not Sf1) as Apalone's master sex-determining gene. The absence of common TSD-specific or GSD-specific rearrangements underscores the independent evolutionary trajectories of turtle SDMs. Further comparative analyses using more genes from the sexual development network are warranted to inform genome evolution and its contribution to enigmatic turnovers of vertebrate sex determination.
The Genetics and Genome-Wide Screening of Regrowth Loci, a Key Component of Perennialism in Zea diploperennis

Perennialism is common among the higher plants, yet little is known about its inheritance. Previous genetic studies of the perennialism in Zea have yielded contradictory results. In this study, we take a reductionist approach by specifically focusing on one trait: regrowth (the plant’s ability to restart a new life cycle after senescence on the same body). To address this, six hybrids were made by reciprocally crossing perennial Zea diploperennis Iltis, Doebley & R. Guzman with inbred lines B73 and Mo17 and Rhee Flint, a heirloom variety, of Z. mays L. ssp. mays. All the F1 plants demonstrated several cycles of growth, flowering, senescence and regrowth into normal flowering plants, indicating a dominant effect of the Z. diploperennis alleles. The regrowability (i.e., the plants’ ability to regrow after senescence) was stably transmitted to progeny of the hybrids. Segregation ratios of regrowth in the F2 generations are consistent with the trait controlled by two dominant, complementary loci, but do not exclude the influence of other modifiers or environment. Genome-wide screening with genotyping-by-sequencing technology indicated two major regrowth loci, regrowth 1 (reg1) and regrowth 2 (reg2), were on chromosomes 2 and 7, respectively. These findings lay the foundation for further exploration of the molecular mechanism of regrowth in Z. diploperennis. Importantly, our data indicate that there is no major barrier to transferring this trait into maize or other grass crops for perennial crop development with proper technology, which enhances sustainability of grain crop production in an environmentally friendly way.