Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Light and Sucrose Levels on the Anatomy, Ultrastructure, and Photosynthesis of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis Leaflets Cultured in vitro

This article reports the effect of growing conditions on the anatomical and ultrastructural changes associated with the development of photoautotrophy in Gardenia jasminoides Ellis plantlets during shoot multiplication in vitro. Two photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD) (50 and 100 μmol m−2 s−1 PPFD: L50 and L100, respectively) and two sucrose concentrations in the culture medium (5 and 30 g L−1: S5 and S30, respectively) were assayed. An increase in PPFD stimulated the development of photosynthetic tissues and led to higher photosynthesis and dark respiration regardless of the sucrose level assayed. However, the effect of sucrose in the medium depended on the PPFD. For the high‐PPFD treatment, a low sucrose concentration in the medium stimulated the development of photosynthetic tissues, whereas the opposite effect of sucrose was observed at low PPFD. This study demonstrated that an increase in light intensity to moderate values such as L100 has a beneficial effect on the development of structural changes associated with photoautotrophy. Such an effect is stimulated by low sucrose (S5) levels in the medium. These modifications of usual growing conditions (such as L50 combined with S30) for micropropagation may prove to be useful in mass propagation of gardenia. However, the use of a low sucrose level in addition to conventional growing PPFD may be counterproductive.
Quantitative Risk Assessment of Human Salmonellosis in Canadian Broiler Chicken Breast from Retail to Consumption

The current quantitative risk assessment model followed the framework proposed by the Codex Alimentarius to provide an estimate of the risk of human salmonellosis due to consumption of chicken breasts which were bought from Canadian retail stores and prepared in Canadian domestic kitchens. The model simulated the level of Salmonella contamination on chicken breasts throughout the retail‐to‐table pathway. The model used Canadian input parameter values, where available, to represent risk of salmonellosis. From retail until consumption, changes in the concentration of Salmonella on each chicken breast were modeled using equations for growth and inactivation. The model predicted an average of 318 cases of salmonellosis per 100,000 consumers per year. Potential reasons for this overestimation were discussed. A sensitivity analysis showed that concentration of Salmonella on chicken breasts at retail and food hygienic practices in private kitchens such as cross‐contamination due to not washing cutting boards (or utensils) and hands after handling raw meat along with inadequate cooking contributed most significantly to the risk of human salmonellosis. The outcome from this model emphasizes that responsibility for protection from Salmonella hazard on chicken breasts is a shared responsibility. Data needed for a comprehensive Canadian Salmonella risk assessment were identified for future research.
Prevalence and pattern of cutaneous lesions in relationship to CD4 cell counts among newly diagnosed HIV patients in University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Oral lesions are among the earliest clinical manifestation of HIV infection. In developing countries like Nigeria, were sophisticated diagnostic apparatus used to monitor the immunologic status of HIV/AIDS patients is not readily available, early recognition of the commonest and specific HIV-related oral lesions can be used for diagnosis so that prompt treatment can be provided to reduce morbidity. OBJECTIVES To assess the prevalence and spectrum of oral lesions in relationship to CD4 cell counts among newly diagnosed HIV patients in University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. METHODS This was a hospital based, cross sectional, descriptive study of 160 newly diagnosed adult patients attending the HIV/AIDS clinic of UITH, Ilorin. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics committee of the UITH. Informed consent from all the patients was also obtained prior to data collection. All the HIV patients were treatment naïve. A questionnaire guided interview and clinical oral assessment were used. RESULTS The prevalence of oral lesions was 31%. The commonest oral lesion was of fungal origin (53.1%) followed by viral (36.7%). Oral lesions of inflammatory origin (6.7%) were relatively rare while those of bacterial origin (4.1%) were not very common. None of the oral lesions detected was of neoplastic origin. Most of the oral lesions occurred when the CD4 cell counts were less than 200 cells/μl. CONCLUSION Oral lesions are common in people with HIV with very low CD4 cell counts (≤ 200 cells/μl). Oral Candidiasis is the commonest lesion in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
Effect of vitamin A supplementation on childhood morbidity and mortality: critical review of Indian studies.

OBJECTIVE To review all published randomized trials concerned with linkage of vitamin A supplementation with reduction of mortality and morbidity in Indian children. METHOD The studies were identified by searching the PubMed, review articles, references of available meta-analyses and bibliography of pertinent references. Studies were extracted and the quality of each study was reviewed with regards to 10 categories of parameters that in our opinion, were important for a vitamin A prophylaxis trial. These included background indicators, subjects, design, intervention, proximal measures, field-work, sources of bias, data analysis, interpretation and documentation. RESULTS Out of 12 studies satisfying the inclusion criteria, the available 11 were examined. Two of the trials were concerned with mortality, 6 with morbidity, and 2 with both mortality and morbidity; 1 study assessed the impact of vitamin A on pneumococcal colonization. Out of 4 mortality trials, only one could satisfactorily report a significant reduction (54 percent) in child mortality following vitamin A supplementation. Of 8 morbidity studies, only 3 indicated some beneficial effect of vitamin A supplementation. None of the studies was perfect in methodology. We could not locate any study that addressed the issue of cost-effectiveness or dietary modifications. The results were not unequivocal and findings for mortality and morbidity were not corroborative. CONCLUSION There is no definite evidence as yet in favor or against substantial benefit of universal vitamin A supplementation to children in India. There is a clear need to undertake a comprehensive trial with adequate sample size and a standardized methodology that could give clear, unbiased, and convincing evidence on the role of routine vitamin A supplementation.
Oral health status and functional capacity in the elderly: a longitudinal population-based study.

Introduction: The study of oral health conditions and functional dependency in elderly people represents an important step toward the comprehension of the intervenient factors in the health care of this population. Purpose: This methodological note described strategies and methods adopted in a longitudinal study which has been analyzing the association of oral health conditions with functional dependence among the elderly population in a city located in the countryside of Northeastern Brazil. Methodological aspects: The assessment of the oral health conditions among the subjects is being carried out by an intraoral epidemiological examination, in which the number of decayed teeth, the periodontal condition, the use and need for dental prosthesis, and the presence of modification in soft tissues is being evaluated. Furthermore, an epidemiological condition of temporomandibular dysfunction and xerostomia are being observed. The functional capacity is being evaluated by the Katz index, and the elderly cognitive capacity is being assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination. Main findings: The first wave of this cohort, which was conducted in 2010 and 2011, evaluated 441 elderly in a city of the Northeastern Brazil. The mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index was 28.16 (± 5.82), and 50.8% of the elderly were edentulous. Among the individuals from the first wave, 10.4% were dependent in at least one of the activities of daily living. Future prospects of cohort: The data collection of second wave is in progress and it is expected that the extensive information collected will contribute to the planning of health actions for this population.
A new mechanism of voltage-dependent gating exposed by KV10.1 channels interrupted between voltage sensor and pore

Voltage-gated ion channels couple transmembrane potential changes to ion flow. Conformational changes in the voltage-sensing domain (VSD) of the channel are thought to be transmitted to the pore domain (PD) through an &agr;-helical linker between them (S4–S5 linker). However, our recent work on channels disrupted in the S4–S5 linker has challenged this interpretation for the KCNH family. Furthermore, a recent single-particle cryo-electron microscopy structure of KV10.1 revealed that the S4–S5 linker is a short loop in this KCNH family member, confirming the need for an alternative gating model. Here we use “split” channels made by expression of VSD and PD as separate fragments to investigate the mechanism of gating in KV10.1. We find that disruption of the covalent connection within the S4 helix compromises the ability of channels to close at negative voltage, whereas disconnecting the S4–S5 linker from S5 slows down activation and deactivation kinetics. Surprisingly, voltage-clamp fluorometry and MTS accessibility assays show that the motion of the S4 voltage sensor is virtually unaffected when VSD and PD are not covalently bound. Finally, experiments using constitutively open PD mutants suggest that the presence of the VSD is structurally important for the conducting conformation of the pore. Collectively, our observations offer partial support to the gating model that assumes that an inward motion of the C-terminal S4 helix, rather than the S4–S5 linker, closes the channel gate, while also suggesting that control of the pore by the voltage sensor involves more than one mechanism.
A genetic screen to isolate type III effectors translocated into pepper cells during Xanthomonas infection.

The bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (Xcv) uses a type III secretion system (TTSS) to translocate effector proteins into host plant cells. The TTSS is required for Xcv colonization, yet the identity of many proteins translocated through this apparatus is not known. We used a genetic screen to functionally identify Xcv TTSS effectors. A transposon 5 (Tn5)-based transposon construct including the coding sequence for the Xcv AvrBs2 effector devoid of its TTSS signal was randomly inserted into the Xcv genome. Insertion of the avrBs2 reporter gene into Xcv genes coding for proteins containing a functional TTSS signal peptide resulted in the creation of chimeric TTSS effector::AvrBs2 fusion proteins. Xcv strains containing these fusions translocated the AvrBs2 reporter in a TTSS-dependent manner into resistant BS2 pepper cells during infection, activating the avrBs2-dependent hypersensitive response (HR). We isolated seven chimeric fusion proteins and designated the identified TTSS effectors as Xanthomonas outer proteins (Xops). Translocation of each Xop was confirmed by using the calmodulin-dependent adenylate cydase reporter assay. Three xop genes are Xanthomonas spp. -specific, whereas homologs for the rest are found in other phytopathogenic bacteria. XopF1 and XopF2 define an effector gene family in Xcv. XopN contains a eukaryotic protein fold repeat and is required for full Xcv pathogenicity in pepper and tomato. The translocated effectors identified in this work expand our knowledge of the diversity of proteins that Xcv uses to manipulate its hosts.
Trunk kinematics and low back pain during pruning among vineyard workers—A field study at the Chateau Larose-Trintaudon

The prevalence of low back disorders is dramatically high in viticulture. Field measurements that objectively quantify work exposure can provide information on the relationship between the adopted trunk postures and low back pain. The purposes of the present study were three-fold (1) to carry out a kinematics analysis of vineyard-workers’ pruning activity by extracting the duration of bending and rotation of the trunk, (2) to question separately the relationship between the duration of forward bending or trunk rotation with low back pain intensity and pressure pain sensitivity and (3) to question the relationship between the combined duration of forward bending and trunk rotation on low back pain intensity and pressure pain sensitivity. Fifteen vineyard-workers were asked to perform pruning activity for 12 minutes with a wireless triaxial accelerometer placed on their trunk. Kinematic analysis of the trunk showed that vineyard-workers spent more than 50% of the time with the trunk flexed greater than 30° and more than 20% with the trunk rotated greater than 10°. These results show that pruning activity lead to the adoption of forward bended and rotated trunk postures that could significantly increase the risk of work related musculoskeletal disorders in the low back. However, this result was mitigated by the observation of an absence of significant association between the duration of forward bending and trunk rotation with low back pain intensity or pressure pain sensitivity. Even if prospective field measurements and studies assessing the effects of low back pain confounders are needed, this field study provides new genuine information on trunk kinematics during pruning activity.
SentiBERT: A Transferable Transformer-Based Architecture for Compositional Sentiment Semantics

We propose SentiBERT, a variant of BERT that effectively captures compositional sentiment semantics. The model incorporates contextualized representation with binary constituency parse tree to capture semantic composition. Comprehensive experiments demonstrate that SentiBERT achieves competitive performance on phrase-level sentiment classification. We further demonstrate that the sentiment composition learned from the phrase-level annotations on SST can be transferred to other sentiment analysis tasks as well as related tasks, such as emotion classification tasks. Moreover, we conduct ablation studies and design visualization methods to understand SentiBERT. We show that SentiBERT is better than baseline approaches in capturing negation and the contrastive relation and model the compositional sentiment semantics.
Individual treatment effect prediction for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients

A treatment for a complicated disease might be helpful for some but not all patients, which makes predicting the treatment effect for new patients important yet challenging. Here we develop a method for predicting the treatment effect based on patient characteristics and use it for predicting the effect of the only drug (Riluzole) approved for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Our proposed method of model-based random forests detects similarities in the treatment effect among patients and on this basis computes personalised models for new patients. The entire procedure focuses on a base model, which usually contains the treatment indicator as a single covariate and takes the survival time or a health or treatment success measurement as primary outcome. This base model is used both to grow the model-based trees within the forest, in which the patient characteristics that interact with the treatment are split variables, and to compute the personalised models, in which the similarity measurements enter as weights. We applied the personalised models using data from several clinical trials for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis from the Pooled Resource Open–Access Clinical Trials database. Our results indicate that some amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients benefit more from the drug Riluzole than others. Our method allows gradually shifting from stratified medicine to personalised medicine and can also be used in assessing the treatment effect for other diseases studied in a clinical trial.
Evaluation of surgical impaction technique and how it affects locking strength of the head–stem taper junction

Cases of fretting and corrosion at the taper junction have been reported in large metal-on-metal bearing combinations, and more recently, this concern has included metal-on-polyethylene bearing combinations. Many of these patients have been revised due to adverse local tissue reaction secondary to taper corrosion. This taper corrosion–related adverse local tissue reaction seems to be a multifactorial issue and difficult to assess. The aim of this study was to look at one potential variable, the impaction behavior (impaction force, number of blows, etc.) of orthopedic surgeons, and understand how this can affect the locking strength of tapers. A group of experienced orthopedic surgeons were asked to use their typical surgical approach to impact a femoral head onto a hip femoral stem using an Operating Room (OR)-simulated test setup. Impaction parameters such as impaction force, velocity, and energy, as well as the number of impacts, were characterized and applied in a bench-top study used to evaluate the effect of these parameters on the initial stability of the taper junction. High variation was found in the surgical impaction parameters, but overall it was determined that increased impaction force correlated to superior stability of the taper junction.
Barriers to enrollment in inflammatory bowel disease randomized controlled trials: An investigation of patient perspectives

Background: Despite a sizeable inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population in the United States, large trials in IBD have difficulty recruiting patients. Reasons for low enrollment are uncertain. Our objective was to investigate specific barriers to enrollment in clinical trials by determining aspects of study design, disease state, demographics, and previous experiences with research that influence a patient's willingness to participate. Methods: Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) at the Massachusetts General Hospital Crohn's and Colitis Center were surveyed. Results: Most participants (61%) had participated in some clinical research previously, although 50% of those were not interested in participating in a future study. Frequent doctor visits (69%), requirement of colonoscopy (55%), or sigmoidoscopy (49%), and blinding (46%) were the biggest deterrent study requirements. With each addition of one of these components, potential enrollment fell from 43.2% (86) to 14.6% (29) interested patients. Respondents were likely to participate in studies that were open label (60%), initially randomized then open label (57.6%), or saw the same doctor (52.5%). Among those disinclined to participate, strategies to boost enrollment included monetary compensation, an open‐label component, or providing the same doctor at each visit. Men and patients who were currently flaring were more likely to participate. Conclusions: Elements of study design negatively and positively influence willingness to participate. Invasive procedures, randomization, and frequent visits negatively influenced willingness to participate and as each of these components are added, a significant additive percent of potential subjects are lost. Strategies to further identify barriers to enrollment within IBD study populations should be pursued. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2012;)
THE IMPACT OF RACISM ON CLINICIAN COGNITION, BEHAVIOR, AND CLINICAL DECISION MAKING

Abstract Over the past two decades, thousands of studies have demonstrated that Blacks receive lower quality medical care than Whites, independent of disease status, setting, insurance, and other clinically relevant factors. Despite this, there has been little progress towards eradicating these inequities. Almost a decade ago we proposed a conceptual model identifying mechanisms through which clinicians' behavior, cognition, and decision making might be influenced by implicit racial biases and explicit racial stereotypes, and thereby contribute to racial inequities in care. Empirical evidence has supported many of these hypothesized mechanisms, demonstrating that White medical care clinicians: (1) hold negative implicit racial biases and explicit racial stereotypes, (2) have implicit racial biases that persist independently of and in contrast to their explicit (conscious) racial attitudes, and (3) can be influenced by racial bias in their clinical decision making and behavior during encounters with Black patients. This paper applies evidence from several disciplines to further specify our original model and elaborate on the ways racism can interact with cognitive biases to affect clinicians' behavior and decisions and in turn, patient behavior and decisions. We then highlight avenues for intervention and make specific recommendations to medical care and grant-making organizations.
Repeated dose and reproductive/developmental toxicity of perfluorododecanoic acid in rats

Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) are a series of environmental contaminants that have received attention because of their possible adverse effects on wildlife and human health. Although many toxicological studies have been performed on perfluorooctanoic acid with carbon chain length C8, available toxicity data on PFCAs with longer chains are still insufficient to evaluate their hazard. A combined repeated dose and reproductive/developmental toxicity screening study for perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA; C12) was conducted in accordance with OECD guideline 422 to fill these toxicity data gaps. PFDoA was administered by gavage to male and female rats at 0.1, 0.5, or 2.5 mg/kg/day. The administration of PFDoA at 0.5 and 2.5 mg/kg/day for 42–47 days mainly affected the liver, in which hypertrophy, necrosis, and inflammatory cholestasis were noted. Body weight gain was markedly inhibited in the 2.5 mg/kg/day group, and a decrease in hematopoiesis in the bone marrow and atrophic changes in the spleen, thymus, and adrenal gland were also observed. Regarding reproductive/developmental toxicity, various histopathological changes, including decreased spermatid and spermatozoa counts, were observed in the male reproductive organs, while continuous diestrous was observed in the females of the 2.5 mg/kg/day group. Seven of twelve females receiving 2.5 mg/kg/day died during late pregnancy while four other females in this group did not deliver live pups. No reproductive or developmental parameters changed at 0.1 or 0.5 mg/kg/day. Based on these results, the NOAELs of PFDoA were concluded to be 0.1 mg/kg/day for repeated dose toxicity and 0.5 mg/kg/day for reproductive/developmental toxicity. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 1244–1263, 2015.