Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determinants and Temporal Trends of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Pregnant Women: The Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children’s Health

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent bio-accumulative chemicals that impact the health of pregnant women and their children. PFAS derive from environmental and consumer products, which depend on human lifestyle, socioeconomic characteristics, and time variation. Here, we aimed to explore the temporal trends of PFAS in pregnant women and the characteristics related to maternal PFAS concentration. Our study is part of the Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children’s Health, the Hokkaido large-scale cohort that recruited pregnant women between 2003 and 2011. Blood samples were acquired from pregnant women during the third trimester to measure PFAS and cotinine concentrations. Maternal basic information was collected with a baseline structured questionnaire. Eleven PFAS were measured from 2123 samples with ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry. Eight PFAS were above 80% detection rate and were included in the final analysis. We used multivariable linear regression to analyze the association of pregnant women characteristics with the levels of eight PFAS. The temporal trend of PFAS was observed in two periods (August 2003 to January 2006 and February 2006 to July 2012). The concentration of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) significantly decreased from August 2003 to January 2006 and from February 2006 to July 2012. The concentrations of perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), and perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA) increased significantly between August 2003 and January 2006, whereas they decreased significantly between February 2006 and July 2012. Women with pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m2 had lower PFUnDA, PFDoDA, and PFTrDA levels than did those with normal BMI (18.5–24.9 kg/m2). Pregnant women, who were active smokers (cotinine > 11.49 ng/mL), had higher PFOS than the non-smokers (cotinine < 0.22 ng/mL). Lower levels of PFHxS, PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, and PFDA were observed in women, who had given birth to more than one child. There were also significant positive associations between PFAS levels and annual income or maternal education. PFAS levels varied in women with higher pre-pregnancy BMI, active smoking status, higher education level and annual income. The causes of the individual PFAS differences should be explored in an independent study.
Exploring the public-private and company size differences in employees’ work characteristics and burnout: data analysis of a nationwide survey in Taiwan

Distinct differences exist between public-private sector organizations with respect to the market environment and operational objectives; furthermore, among private sector businesses, organizational structures and work conditions often vary between large- and small-sized companies. Despite these obvious structural distinctions, however, sectoral differences in employees’ psychosocial risks and burnout status in national level have rarely been systematically investigated. Based on 2013 national employee survey data, 15,000 full-time employees were studied. Sector types were classified into “public,” “private enterprise-large (LE),” and “private enterprise-small and medium (SME);” based on the definition of SMEs by Taiwan Ministry of Economic Affairs, and the associations of sector types with self-reported burnout status (measured by the Chinese version of Copenhagen Burnout Inventory) were examined, taking into account other work characteristics and job instability indicators. Significantly longer working hours and higher perceived job insecurity were found among private sector employees than their public sector counterparts. With further consideration of company size, greater dissatisfaction of job control and career prospect were found among SME employees than the other two sector type workers. This study explores the pattern of public-private differences in work conditions and employees’ stress-related problems to have policy implications for supporting mechanism for disadvantaged workers in private sectors.
Silver Nanoparticles: Two-Faced Neuronal Differentiation-Inducing Material in Neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) Cells

We have previously demonstrated the potential of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNP) in the induction of neuronal differentiation of human neuroblastoma, SH-SY5Y cells; we aimed herein to unveil its molecular mechanism in comparison to the well-known neuronal differentiation-inducing agent, all-trans-retinoic acid (RA). AgNP-treated SH-SY5Y cells showed significantly higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, stronger mitochondrial membrane depolarization, lower dual-specificity phosphatase expression, higher extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, lower AKT phosphorylation, and lower expression of the genes encoding the antioxidant enzymes than RA-treated cells. Notably, pretreatment with N-acetyl-l-cysteine significantly abolished AgNP-induced neuronal differentiation, but not in that induced by RA. ERK inhibition, but not AKT inhibition, suppresses neurite growth that is induced by AgNP. Taken together, our results uncover the pivotal contribution of ROS in the AgNP-induced neuronal differentiation mechanism, which is different from that of RA. However, the negative consequence of AgNP-induced neurite growth may be high ROS generation and the downregulation of the expression of the genes encoding the antioxidant enzymes, which prompts the future consideration and an in-depth study of the application of AgNP-differentiated cells in neurodegenerative disease therapy.
Dose–Response Relationships between Second-Hand Smoke Exposure and Depressive Symptoms among Adolescents in Guangzhou, China

There has been little focus on the possible association between second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure and depressive symptoms among adolescents. Thus, this study aimed to explore the dose–response relationships between SHS exposure and depressive symptoms among adolescents and differentiate these associations in setting-specific exposure and severity-specific outcomes. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a stratified cluster sampling method to obtain a representative sample of high school students in Guangzhou, China. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to explore the potential associations between SHS exposure and depressive symptoms. Among 3575 nonsmoking students, 29.6% were classified as having probable depressive symptoms and 9.6% had severe depressive symptoms. There were monotonically increasing dose–response relationships between setting-specific (public places, homes, or indoor/outdoor campuses) SHS exposure and severity-specific (probable or severe) depressive symptoms. When examining these relations by source of exposure, we also observed similar dose–response relationships for SHS exposure in campuses from smoking teachers and from smoking classmates. Our findings suggest that regular SHS exposure is associated with a significant, dose-dependent increase in risk of depressive symptoms among adolescents, and highlight the need for smoke-free environments to protect the health of adolescents.
Experimental and numerical study of hydrodynamic characteristics of gullies for buildings

The miniaturization of a gully for building drainage system is attempted by installing a streamlined bump in the discharge pipe to maintain the minimum water trap height of 50 mm. The hydrodynamic performances of the air–water flows with or without glass balls through the two types of four-entry gullies with beveled or vertical nozzle flows are experimentally and numerically studied. The images of air–water–solid flow, maximum flow rates, self-purification properties and sustainable water traps subject to static and dynamic loadings are experimentally detected. The predictions of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) unravel the characteristic flow structures to assist the interpretation of experimental results. In this respect, the observed entrained air bubbles and clustered glass balls in each gully correspond favorably to the regions with negative static pressures and weak flow momentums as disclosed by the CFD predictions. The measured ratios between discharged and supplied glass balls are consistently higher for the gully with beveled nozzle flows. The less efficient transportation of glass balls out of the drum for the gully with downward nozzle flow is attributed to the larger pressure gradients with considerable air entrainments. The relaxations of the form and friction drags over the nozzle-tip region and the reductions of air entrainments are essential for upgrading the maximum flow rate and the self-purification performance of a miniaturized gully.
Tinnitus Severity Is Related to the Sound Exposure of Symphony Orchestra Musicians Independently of Hearing Impairment

Objectives: Tinnitus can be debilitating and with great impact of musicians professional and private life. The objectives of the study were therefore to: (1) describe the epidemiology of tinnitus including its severity in classical orchestra musicians, (2) investigate the association between tinnitus severity in classical musicians and their cumulative lifetime sound exposure, and (3) the association between tinnitus and hearing thresholds. Design: The study population included all musicians from five Danish symphony orchestras. Answers regarding their perception of tinnitus were received from 325 musicians, and 212 musicians were also tested with audiometry. Any tinnitus and severe tinnitus were two definitions of tinnitus used as outcomes and analyzed in relation to an estimation of the cumulative lifetime sound exposure from sound measurements and previously validated questionnaires and the average hearing threshold of 3, 4, and 6 kHz. Results: Thirty-five percentage of all musicians (31% female and 38% of male musicians) reported having experienced at least one episode of tinnitus lasting for more than 5 minutes during their life. Severe tinnitus with a severe impact on daily life was reported by 19% of the musicians (18% of female and 21% of male musicians). The severity of tinnitus was associated with increased lifetime sound exposure but not to poorer high frequency hearing thresholds when the lifetime sound exposure was considered. The odds ratio for an increase in one unit of tinnitus severity was 1.25 (95% CI, 1.12–1.40) for every 1 dB increase in lifetime sound exposure. Conclusion: Musicians frequently report tinnitus. Any tinnitus and severe tinnitus are significantly associated with the cumulative lifetime sound exposure, which was shown to be the most important factor not only for the prevalence but also for the severity of tinnitus—even in musicians without hearing loss. High-frequency hearing thresholds and tinnitus severity were correlated only if the cumulative lifetime sound exposure was excluded from the analyses.
Relation between mycoplasma infection and recurrent spontaneous abortion.

OBJECTIVE This study explores the possible relation between cervical infections with Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) and Mycoplasma hominis (MH) and the occurrence of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). PATIENTS AND METHODS 132 patients with RSA (observation group) and 96 normal pregnancy volunteers undergoing planned abortions (control group) were selected successively and enrolled in the investigation. Cervical secretion samples were obtained for each subject. Bacterial cultures were started to detect UU, MH and other bacterial infections, and fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect gene copy number in chorion and decidual tissues. Additionally, ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) was used to detect anticardiolipin antibody (ACA) to rate positivity of Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG in secretions, and Western blot was applied to quantify the expression levels of Interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), prostacyclin (PGI2) and bax/bcl-2. RESULTS Our results showed the UU, MH, and overall bacterial infection rate of chorionic and decidual tissues, and the gene copy number of UU, MH were higher in the observation group than those in the control group (p<0.05). Moreover, the ACA-IgM and IgG positive rates in secretions of the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p<0.05). Finally, the expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, PGI2, and bax/bcl-2 were higher than those in the control group as well (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our results support the notion that RSA might be associated with UU and MH infection, could influence the occurrence of other bacterial infections and could stimulate ACA expression, inflammatory response, thrombogenesis, and factors associated with cell apoptosis, increasing the risk for an abortion during pregnancy.
Borylation of α,β-Unsaturated Acceptors by Chitosan Composite Film Supported Copper Nanoparticles

We describe here the preparation of copper nanoparticles stabilized on a chitosan/poly (vinyl alcohol) composite film. This material could catalyze the borylation of α,β-unsaturated acceptors in aqueous media under mild conditions. The corresponding organoboron compounds as well as their converted β-hydroxyl products were all obtained in good to excellent yields. It is noteworthy that this catalyst of copper nanoparticles can be easily recycled eight times and remained catalytically reactive. This newly developed methodology provides an efficient and sustainable pathway for the synthesis of organoboron compounds and application of copper nanoparticles.
On the capacity of a class of K-user Gaussian broadcast channel with states known at the transmitter

This studies the capacity of a class of K-user Gaussian broadcast channels with additive i.i. d. Gaussian state sequences which are non-causally known at the transmitter (GBC-SKT). The transmitter wishes to reliably communicate both a common and a private message to each receiver, thus attempting to simultaneously pre-code the common message against different states presented in channel outputs. The authors first derive the approximate capacity for the 2-user GBC-SKT to within 1.25 bits per channel use (bpcu) for all channel parameters and state variances. Then they extended the result to derive the approximate capacity for a class of K-user GBC-SKT to within 1.5 bpcu. In the capacity-approaching strategy, the channel input is obtained as the superposition of two codewords: a bottom codeword treating the channel state as noise and a top codeword pre-coded against the channel state at each user for a portion of the transmission block length or power. For the outer bound, they use the fact that the capacity should be decreasing in state variance in order to get to the tighter outer bound for high values of state variances.
Usability Evaluation of Google Classroom : Basis for the Adaptation of GSuite E-Learning Platform

- Electronic learning is a technology learning that plays an important role in modern education and training. Its great contribution lies in the fact that content is available at any place and device from a fixed device to mobile device. Nowadays, education is accessible everywhere with the use of technology. There are several LMS (Learning Management Systems) available. One of the new tool available was released by Google under GSuite. Pangasinan State University is currently subscribed to GSuite for Education, and recently Google introduces Classroom as an eLearning platform for an educational institution. This research aims to evaluate the new product, its functionalities for the purpose of adapting and deployment. The main objective of this paper is to identify the usability and evaluation of the Learning Management System (LMS) Google Classroom, its functionalities, features, and satisfaction level of the students. Based on the result, the respondents agreed that GSuite classroom is recommended. The result of this study will be the proposed e-learning platform for Pangasinan State University, Lingayen Campus initially need in the College of Hospitality Management, Business and Public Administration.
THICKNESSES OF CENTRAL MACULAR, RETINAL NERVE FIBER, AND GANGLION CELL INNER PLEXIFORM LAYERS IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION.

PURPOSE To compare retinal thickness between patients with chronic hypertension without retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, Keith-Wagener-Barker Grade IV status, and normal controls using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. METHODS In this retrospective study, we analyzed patients who visited our retinal clinic from January 2013 to February 2016. Of those included, 58 eyes of 58 patients were in the healthy control group (Group A), 37 eyes of 37 patients were in the chronic hypertension without retinopathy group (disease duration of at least 10 years; Group B), and 31 eyes of 31 patients with relieved hypertensive retinopathy (Grade IV hypertensive retinopathy a year or more ago but no longer had hypertensive retinopathy at the time of the study; Group C). The thicknesses of the central macula, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) were measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography in each group. RESULTS The average thicknesses of the central macula, RNFL, and GCIPL layers were lower in Group B than in Group A (P < 0.001, 0.001, and <0.001, respectively). The thicknesses of the three layers were lower in Group C than in Group B (P < 0.001, <0.001, and <0.001, respectively). Of the three groups, the average thicknesses of the central macula, RNFL, and GCIPL were lowest in the Group C (P < 0.001, <0.001, and <0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION The central macula, RNFL, and GCIPL in Group B were significantly thinner than those of healthy eyes, and these retinal changes were more prominent in Group C. Thus, the effects of retinal changes associated with hypertension should be considered when analyzing the thicknesses of the central macular, RNFL, and GCIPL layers in patients with ocular disorders, including retinal, glaucoma, and neuro-ophthalmological diseases.
Lipids, Apolipoproteins, and Inflammatory Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Risk: What Have We Learned?

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the first cause of death in the world. CVD risk is influenced by multiple factors, some nonmodifiable such as age, sex, and genetic background, and others modifiable. Great progress has been made over the last decades in the identification of biomarkers of incident or recurrent CV risk and surrogate endpoints of CV outcomes. We present the current state of knowledge for CV biomarkers in plasma including lipids, apolipoproteins, inflammation‐related, and emerging omics‐based biomarkers. Clinically validated surrogate endpoints for CV outcomes include plasma low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol reduction, and plasma triglyceride reduction is a likely relevant surrogate endpoint. High‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol is not a validated surrogate endpoint, but is a useful biomarker of CV risk. CV risk biomarkers of interest include apolipoprotein B and non‐HDL‐cholesterol, lipoprotein (a), C‐reactive protein, and recently, genetic and protein‐based risk scores and gut microbiota‐derived trimethylamine oxide levels.
Intraneural Ultrasound-guided Sciatic Nerve Block: Minimum Effective Volume and Electrophysiologic Effects

What We Already Know about This TopicReducing the volume of local anesthetic administered for neural blockade may increase safetyLocal anesthetic administration can result in nerve damage What This Article Tells Us That Is NewThe low volume intraneural injection of ropivacaine 1% provided complete sensory-motor nerve blockReductions in action potential amplitudes lasting at least 6 months from the time of nerve block suggest that additional safety studies will be required Background: Both extra- and intraneural sciatic injection resulted in significant axonal nerve damage. This study aimed to establish the minimum effective volume of intraneural ropivacaine 1% for complete sensory-motor sciatic nerve block in 90% of patients, and related electrophysiologic variations. Methods: Forty-seven consecutive American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II patients received an ultrasound-guided popliteal intraneural nerve block following the up-and-down biased coin design. The starting volume was 15 ml. Baseline, 5-week, and 6-month electrophysiologic tests were performed. Amplitude, latency, and velocity were evaluated. A follow-up telephone call at 6 months was also performed. Results: The minimum effective volume of ropivacaine 1% in 90% of patients for complete sensory-motor sciatic nerve block resulted in 6.6 ml (95% CI, 6.4 to 6.7) with an onset time of 19 ± 12 min. Success rate was 98%. Baseline amplitude of action potential (mV) at ankle, fibula, malleolus, and popliteus were 8.4 ± 2.3, 7.1 ± 2.0, 15.4 ± 6.5, and 11.7 ± 5.1 respectively. They were significantly reduced at the fifth week (4.3 ± 2.1, 3.5 ± 1.8, 6.9 ± 3.7, and 5.2 ± 3.0) and at the sixth month (5.9 ± 2.3, 5.1 ± 2.1, 10.3 ± 4.0, and 7.5 ± 2.7) (P < 0.001 in all cases). Latency and velocity did not change from the baseline. No patient reported neurologic symptoms at 6-month follow-up. Conclusions: The intraneural ultrasound-guided popliteal local anesthetic injection significantly reduces the local anesthetic dose to achieve an effective sensory-motor block, decreasing the risk of systemic toxicity. Persistent electrophysiologic changes suggest possible axonal damage that will require further investigation.
Serotypes of Salmonella in Broiler Carcasses Marketed at Ibague, Colombia.

Salmonella enterica is a large group of Gram-negative bacteria responsible for a number of foodborne infections associated with the consumption of contaminated poultry products. The hygienic status of raw chicken meat marketed at Ibague, Tolima, Colombia, is currently unknown. To address this issue, a cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of Salmonella spp. , in raw chicken marketed at different outlets in this city. Salmonella spp. was isolated by standard microbiological methods, followed by biochemical, serological, and molecular confirmation. Additionally, risk factors associated with the presence of the bacteria were identified. The prevalence of Salmonella in raw chicken was 17.41% (47/270), and 14 different serotypes were found, out of which S. Paratyphi B (36.17%), S. Hvittingfoss (19.15%) and S. Muenster (10.64%) were the most prevalent and represented 65.95% of all serotypes. Amplification of 284 bp of the invA gene was achieved by PCR in a number of randomly selected isolates. Raw chicken as the only type of meat sold at stores (odds ratio: 2,157, p<0.05), and stainless steel as a contact surface of chicken meat (odds ratio: 13,29, p<0.05), were found to be potential risk factors for the presence of Salmonella in chicken meat. This work serves as a reference about the current status of Salmonella in chicken meat marketed in Ibague, Tolima, Colombia, and indicates the need to establish appropriate control and contingency measures to minimize the presence of the bacteria in raw chicken to prevent its transmission to humans.