Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trend analysis and factors associated with biological injuries among health care workers in Southern Italy

Background: Biological injuries are the most common and serious among health care workers. Objectives: This study aims to estimate the injuries’ incidence, job distribution and temporal trend in a hospital in Southern Italy. Methods: Data on accidents, collected from January 2010 to December 2016, were analyzed. Poisson distribution was used to calculate incidence rates and respective 95% confidence intervals. Trends were analyzed using the Joinpoint regression model. A multiple logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with injuries. Results: Three hundred and thirty-five injuries were reported from 2010 to 2016, occurring mainly in the morning (54%) and frequently caused by needlestick (70%). We observed a significant decline in the incidence rates of the total amount of injuries (ACP=-11.3; 95% CI: -16.3 - -5.9), for nurses (ACP=-15.7; 95% CI: -24.3 - -6.2) and for health and social care assistants (ACP=-13.2; 95% CI: -23.1 - -2.0). Among male physicians the risk of biological accident was higher than female physicians (OR=3.67; 95% CI:1.9-7.1), while among male nurses the risk was lower than among female nurses (OR=0.31; 95% CI: 0.17-0.59). For the nursing category, “afternoon” and “night” represented risk factors with OR=2.19 (95% CI: 1.2-3.7) and OR=8.8 (95% CI: 3.4-22.8) respectively. For physicians, surgical intervention was a risk factor (OR=7.71; 95% CI: 3.2-18.4). Conclusions: Our findings confirm the need for continuous monitoring and improved control of work-related exposures, both for health and the associated costs.
Six-month outcomes after treatment of advanced heart failure with a full magnetically levitated continuous flow left ventricular assist device: report from the ELEVATE registry

Aims The ELEVATE registry was planned to study post-approval outcomes with HeartMate 3™ (HM3), a fully magnetically levitated continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Methods and results A total of 482 patients provided consent to participate in ELEVATE (enrolled cohort). Data collection included baseline demographics, survival, adverse events, quality of life (QOL) [EuroQoL-5 Dimensions visual analogue scale (VAS), and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD)]. An additional 58 patients were implanted with HM3 during the same period but expired or were explanted prior to consent, and only survival data were collected (anonymized cohort). We report the 6-month outcomes of the patients who received HM3 as their primary implant (n = 463) and the survival of the 540 patients in the full cohort (enrolled + anonymized). Baseline characteristics included a mean age of 55.6 ± 11.7 years, 89% male, 48% ischaemic aetiology, and 70% on inotropes. The majority of patients (66%) were bridge-to-transplantation (BTT) and 32% were INTERMACS profile 1-2. Full cohort survival at 6 months was 82 ± 2%. In the enrolled primary implant patients, there was no incidence of pump thrombosis, major bleeding was 25%, major infection 35%, and any stroke type 5%. Functional capacity improved significantly (Δ6MWD 230 ± 191 m) as did QOL (ΔVAS 31 ± 23). Freedom from unplanned rehospitalizations at 6 months was 68 ± 2%. Conclusion The 6-month outcomes of the HM3 LVAD demonstrate a highly reliable, thrombosis free, device with low incidence of stroke and improved functional capacity, and QOL. ClinicalTrials. gov Identifier NCT02497950.
Effect of a Strategy of Initial Laryngeal Tube Insertion vs Endotracheal Intubation on 72-Hour Survival in Adults With Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance Emergency medical services (EMS) commonly perform endotracheal intubation (ETI) or insertion of supraglottic airways, such as the laryngeal tube (LT), on patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The optimal method for OHCA advanced airway management is unknown. Objective To compare the effectiveness of a strategy of initial LT insertion vs initial ETI in adults with OHCA. Design, Setting, and Participants Multicenter pragmatic cluster-crossover clinical trial involving EMS agencies from the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium. The trial included 3004 adults with OHCA and anticipated need for advanced airway management who were enrolled from December 1, 2015, to November 4, 2017. The final date of follow-up was November 10, 2017. Interventions Twenty-seven EMS agencies were randomized in 13 clusters to initial airway management strategy with LT (n = 1505 patients) or ETI (n = 1499 patients), with crossover to the alternate strategy at 3- to 5-month intervals. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was 72-hour survival. Secondary outcomes included return of spontaneous circulation, survival to hospital discharge, favorable neurological status at hospital discharge (Modified Rankin Scale score ⩽3), and key adverse events. Results Among 3004 enrolled patients (median [interquartile range] age, 64 [53-76] years, 1829 [60.9%] men), 3000 were included in the primary analysis. Rates of initial airway success were 90.3% with LT and 51.6% with ETI. Seventy-two hour survival was 18.3% in the LT group vs 15.4% in the ETI group (adjusted difference, 2.9% [95% CI, 0.2%-5.6%]; P = .04). Secondary outcomes in the LT group vs ETI group were return of spontaneous circulation (27.9% vs 24.3%; adjusted difference, 3.6% [95% CI, 0.3%-6.8%]; P = .03); hospital survival (10.8% vs 8.1%; adjusted difference, 2.7% [95% CI, 0.6%-4.8%]; P = .01); and favorable neurological status at discharge (7.1% vs 5.0%; adjusted difference, 2.1% [95% CI, 0.3%-3.8%]; P = .02). There were no significant differences in oropharyngeal or hypopharyngeal injury (0.2% vs 0.3%), airway swelling (1.1% vs 1.0%), or pneumonia or pneumonitis (26.1% vs 22.3%). Conclusions and Relevance Among adults with OHCA, a strategy of initial LT insertion was associated with significantly greater 72-hour survival compared with a strategy of initial ETI. These findings suggest that LT insertion may be considered as an initial airway management strategy in patients with OHCA, but limitations of the pragmatic design, practice setting, and ETI performance characteristics suggest that further research is warranted. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02419573
Use of Oral Hydration Protocols for Dysphagic Patients Following Stroke

Purpose The aim of the study was to describe the use of oral hydration protocols for dysphagic patients following stroke. Design and Methods We reviewed inpatient records for patients able to take food and liquids orally within 30 days of an ischemic stroke. Orders were hierarchically defined with three levels of liquid consistency modification (LCM) and six levels of augmented hydration orders (AHOs). Change from admission to discharge in hydration and functional independence measure (FIM) scores across LCM and AHO groups was assessed. Findings Length of stay, admission FIM, discharge FIM, and change in FIM scores were all significantly related to LCM and AHO group assignment. Need for supplemental intravenous hydration was low (6.9%) over the 2-year study period and was significantly related to both LCM and AHO group assignment. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance The association of LCM and AHO interventions with functional outcomes and need for intravenous fluids helps to validate their clinical utility.
Highly selective and reversible NO2 gas sensor using vertically aligned MoS2 flake networks

We demonstrate a highly selective and reversible NO2 resistive gas sensor using vertically aligned MoS2 (VA-MoS2) flake networks. We synthesized horizontally and vertically aligned MoS2 flakes on SiO2/Si substrate using a kinetically controlled rapid growth CVD process. Uniformly interconnected MoS2 flakes and their orientation were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The VA-MoS2 gas sensor showed two times higher response to NO2 compared to horizontally aligned MoS2 at room temperature. Moreover, the sensors exhibited a dramatically improved complete recovery upon NO2 exposure at its low optimum operating temperatures (100 °C). In addition, the sensing performance of the sensors was investigated with exposure to various gases such as NH3, CO2, H2, CH4 and H2S. It was observed that high response to gas directly correlates with the strong interaction of gas molecules on edge sites of the VA-MoS2. The VA-MoS2 gas sensor exhibited high response with good reversibility and selectivity towards NO2 as a result of the high aspect ratio as well as high adsorption energy on exposed edge sites.
ETS1 induces transforming growth factor β signaling and promotes epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition in prostate cancer cells

Expression of the transcriptional regulator, E26 transformation‐specific 1 (ETS1), is elevated in human prostate cancers, and this is associated with more aggressive tumor behavior and a rapid progression to castrate‐resistant disease. Multiple ETS1 isoforms with distinct biological activities have been characterized and in 44 matched nonmalignant and malignant human prostate specimens, messenger RNAs for two ETS1 isoforms, ETS1p51 and ETS1p42, were detected, with ETS1p51 levels significantly lower in prostate tumor compared to matched nonmalignant prostate tissues. In contrast, ETS1p51 protein, the only ETS1 isoform detected, was expressed at significantly higher levels in malignant prostate. Analysis of epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT)–associated genes regulated following overexpression of ETS1p51 in the LNCaP prostate cancer cell line predicted promotion of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling and of EMT. ETS1p51 overexpression upregulated cellular levels of the EMT transcriptional regulators, ZEB1 and SNAIL1, resulted in reduced expression of the mesenchymal marker vimentin with concomitantly elevated levels of claudin 1, an epithelial tight junction protein, and increased prostate cancer cell migration and invasion. ETS1p51‐induced activation of the pro‐EMT TGFβ signaling pathway that was predicted in polymerase chain reaction arrays was verified by demonstration of elevated SMAD2 phosphorylation following ETS1p51 overexpression. Attenuation of ETS1p51 effects on prostate cancer cell migration and invasion by inhibition of TGFβ pathway signaling indicated that ETS1p51 effects were in part mediated by induction of TGFβ signaling. Thus, overexpression of ETS1p51, the predominant ETS1 isoform expressed in prostate tumors, promotes an EMT program in prostate cancer cells in part via activation of TGFβ signaling, potentially accounting for the poor prognosis of ETS1‐overexpressing prostate tumors.
Mediating Role of E- Learning Resources in Developing Entrepreneurial Inclinations Amongst Undergraduate Students At Universiti Utara Malaysia

In this study the authors tried to identify mediating role of innovation and moderating role of size of enterprise in the relationship Making a living with lawful earnings is possible by working for others, becoming self-employed or employing others. This paper aims at providing insights into the role of structural support and the use of E-learning such as business simulations games in developing entrepreneurial intentions of university students. The underlying theories of experiential learning, constructivist learning theory and bloom’s taxonomy are discussed in relation with the objectives of this study. The response of 252 university students from Malaysia was collected through self-administrative survey using simple random sampling technique. The results of PLS-SEM demonstrate a significant positive impact of E-learning resources and perceived structural support from Government in developing entrepreneurial inclinations of students at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). The present study provides an overview and highlight the role assumed by the institutions of higher education through adoption of E-learning resources in order to nurture entrepreneurship among young generation. Additionally, keeping in view the role of higher education in socio-economic development, recommendations have also been proposed for universities and policy makings institutions to cope with the current challenges of higher education. The findings of this study have important implications of enhancing entrepreneurial capacity in Malaysia.
Psychometric validation of the French version of the Supportive Care Needs Survey for Partners and Caregivers of cancer patients

The objective of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the French version of the Supportive Care Needs Survey for Partners and Caregivers (SCNS-P&C-F). The SCNS-P&C-F, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the CareGiver Oncology Quality of Life questionnaire (CarGOQoL) were completed by 327 caregivers at the baseline. The SCNS-P&C-F was completed a second time by 121 participants within 30 days. Four factors were retained with a good explanation of variance (82.65%) and acceptable internal consistencies (α: 0.70 to 0.94): 1) Health Care Service and Information Needs, 2) Emotional and Psychological Needs, 3) Work and Social Security Needs and 4) Communication and Family Support Needs. Overall, convergent and divergent validities were confirmed. The caregiver's gender, age, professional status and level of anxiety and depression, as well as the type of relationship with the patient and cancer, showed an effect on some caregivers' unmet supportive care needs. Lastly, the test-retest reliability was acceptable (> 0.70), except for the communication and family support dimension. The scale is appropriate for clinical and research use (e.g. good reliability and validity).
Isolation of mitochondrial subpopulations from skeletal muscle: Optimizing recovery and preserving integrity

The subsarcolemmal (SSM) and interfibrillar (IFM) mitochondria in skeletal muscle appear to have distinct biochemical properties affecting metabolism in health and disease. The isolation of mitochondrial subpopulations has been a long‐time challenge while the presence of a continuous mitochondrial reticulum challenges the view of distinctive SSM and IFM bioenergetics. Here, a comprehensive approach is developed to identify the best conditions to separate mitochondrial fractions.
The University of Bradford Institutional Repository

-This paper proposes the application of a genetic algorithm and simulated annealing based hybrid approach for the scheduling of generator maintenance in power systems using an integer representation. The adapted approach uses the probabilistic acceptance criterion of simulated annealing within the genetic algorithm framework. A case study is formulated in this paper as an integer programming problem using a reliability based objective function and typical problem constraints. The implementation and performance of the proposed solution technique are discussed. Results contained in this paper will demonstrate that the technique is more effective than approaches based solely on genetic algorithms or solely on simulated annealing. It therefore proves to be a valid approach for the solution of generator maintenance scheduling problems.
Interaction Between XRCC1 Gene Polymorphisms and Obesity on Susceptibility to Papillary Thyroid Cancer in Chinese Han Population

Background/Aims: To investigate the association of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within XRCC gene and additional gene- environment interaction with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) risk. Methods: Testing for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in controls was conducted using SNPstats (online software: http://bioinfo.iconcologia.net/SNPstats). Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) was used to screen the best interaction combination among 5 SNPs within XRCC gene and obesity. Results: Logistic regression analysis showed that the C allele of rs861539 and T allele of rs1799782 were associated with increased PTC risk Adjusted ORs (95%CI) were 1.65 (1.23-2.12) and 1.61 (1.20-2.04). However There was no relation of rs25489 Rs25487 and rs13181 with PTC. The cross-validation consistency and the testing accuracy for each of the models were determined by GMDR analysis. One two-locus model (rs1799782 and obesity) had a testing accuracy of 62.11% Which was significant at the p < 0.01 level. The D’ value between rs1799782 and rs13181 within ERCC1 gene was more than 0.75 (0.825). So haplotype analysis was just conducted for rs1799782 and rs13181 using the SHEsis online haplotype analysis software. In all samples The haplotype C- A was observed most frequently in two groups With 49.46% and 55.79% in the PTC patients and controls Respectively. The results also indicated that haplotype T- C was significantly associated with increased PTC risk. Conclusion: The C allele of rs861539 and T allele of rs1799782 Interaction between rs1799782 and obesity and haplotype T- C were all associated with increased PTC risk.
Salicylic acid activates poplar defense against the biotrophic rust fungus Melampsora larici‐populina via increased biosynthesis of catechin and proanthocyanidins

Summary Poplar trees synthesize flavan‐3‐ols (catechin and proanthocyanidins) as a defense against foliar rust fungi, but the regulation of this defense response is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of hormones in regulating flavan‐3‐ol accumulation in poplar during rust infection. We profiled levels of defense hormones, signaling genes, and flavan‐3‐ol metabolites in black poplar leaves at different stages of rust infection. Hormone levels were manipulated by external sprays, genetic engineering, and drought to reveal their role in rust fungal defenses. Levels of salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid, and abscisic acid increased in rust‐infected leaves and activated downstream signaling, with SA levels correlating closely with those of flavan‐3‐ols. Pretreatment with the SA analog benzothiadiazole increased flavan‐3‐ol accumulation by activating the MYB–bHLH–WD40 complex and reduced rust proliferation. Furthermore, transgenic poplar lines overproducing SA exhibited higher amounts of flavan‐3‐ols constitutively via the same transcriptional activation mechanism. These findings suggest a strong association among SA, flavan‐3‐ol biosynthesis, and rust resistance in poplars. Abscisic acid also promoted poplar defense against rust infection, but likely through stomatal immunity independent of flavan‐3‐ols. Jasmonic acid did not confer any apparent defense responses to the fungal pathogen. We conclude that SA activates flavan‐3‐ol biosynthesis in poplar against rust infection.
Genomics-guided discovery and structure identification of cyclic lipopeptides from the Bacillus siamensis JFL15

In this research, a strain with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities was isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of hairtail (Trichiurus haumela) and identified as Bacillus siamensis JFL15 through morphological, 16S rRNA, and average nucleotide identity analyses. The genome of B. siamensis JFL15 was sequenced, and three gene clusters involved in the biosynthesis of surfactin (srf), bacillibactin (dhb), and fengycin (fen) were predicted through antiSMASH analysis. The combined genomics-metabolics profiling of the strain revealed 20 active compounds, which belong to four main types of cyclic lipopeptides produced by Bacillus species: bacillibactin, iturin, fengycin, and surfactin. Among these lipopeptides, two high-purity antifungal components, namely, components b and c, were successfully identified as iturin A and bacillomycin F. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of iturin A for Magnapothe grisea, Rhizoctorzia solani, and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides were 125.00, 62.50, and 125.00 μg/ml, respectively, whereas the MICs of bacillomycin F for these three organisms were 62.50, 31.25, and 62.50 μg/ml, respectively. The mechanism of bacillomycin F and iturin A against M. grisea was also investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that the surface of the hypha treated with iturin A or bacillomycin F became sunk, lumpy, and wrinkled. The diversity of the identified and predicted compounds from B. siamensis JFL15 suggested that this strain might be a promising biocontrol agent for an effective and environmentally friendly control of pathogenic microorganisms. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to describe cyclic lipopeptides purified and identified from B. siamensis.
Across-night dynamics in traveling sleep slow waves throughout childhood

Study Objectives Sleep slow waves behave like traveling waves and are thus a marker for brain connectivity. Across a night of sleep in adults, wave propagation is scaled down, becoming more local. Yet, it is unknown whether slow wave propagation undergoes similar across-night dynamics in childhood-a period of extensive cortical rewiring. Methods High-density electroencephalography (EEG; 128 channels) was recorded during sleep in three groups of healthy children: 2.0-4.9 years (n = 11), 5.0-8.9 years (n = 9) and 9.0-16.9 years (n = 9). Slow wave propagation speed, distance, and cortical involvement were quantified. To characterize across-night dynamics, the 20% most pronounced (highest amplitude) slow waves were subdivided into five time-based quintiles. Results We found indications that slow wave propagation distance decreased across a night of sleep. We observed an interesting interaction of across-night slow wave propagation dynamics with age (p < 0.05). When comparing the first and last quintiles, there was a trend level difference between age groups: 2- to 4.9-year-old children showed an 11.9% across-night decrease in slow wave propagation distance, which was not observed in the older two age groups. Regardless of age, cortical involvement decreased by 10.4%-23.7% across a night of sleep. No across-night changes were observed in slow wave speed. Conclusions Findings provide evidence that signatures of brain connectivity undergo across-night dynamics specific to maturational periods. These results suggest that across-night dynamics in slow wave propagation distance reflect heightened plasticity in underlying cerebral networks specific to developmental periods.
Chemosensory proteins used as target for screening behaviourally active compounds in the rice pest Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Reverse chemical ecology based on insect functional odorant binding proteins has been extensively studied to screen behaviourally active compounds, whereas chemosensory proteins (CSPs), which are reportedly involved in olfactory chemical reception and could serve as molecular targets remain unclear. In the present study, two behaviourally active compounds for Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, a serious pest of rice in Asia, were successfully screened via an antenna‐biased CSP, CmedCSP33. Fluorescence competitive binding assays showed that CmedCSP33 could bind to seven out of 32 rice volatiles. Fluorescence quenching experiments revealed that CmedCSP33 forms a stable complex with nerolidol and β‐ionone, and circular dichroism (CD) spectra demonstrated that these two compounds cause conformational changes in CmedCSP33. Furthermore, H‐tube olfactometer bioassays showed that C. medinalis displayed prominent attractant responses to nerolidol and prominent repellent responses to β‐ionone. Additionally, binding assays and CD spectra at different pH values implied that extensive conformational changes may be a general feature of CSPs for triggering the subsequent chemical transduction. Overall, our findings provide evidence for the involvement of CSPs in olfactory perception, and a protocol for effectively screening behaviourally active compounds.