Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of naringenin on the role of nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like2 (Nrf2) and haem oxygenase 1 (HO‐1) in reducing the risk of oxidative stress‐related radiotoxicity in the spleen of rats

The present study was to evaluate the radiomitigative effect of naringenin (NRG) on the modulation of ionizing radiation (IR)‐induced spleen injury. Rats were exposed to 12 Gy (3Gy/two times/week). NRG (50mg/Kg), was orally given one hour after the first radiation dose, and daily continued during the irradiation period. Rats were sacrificed 1 day after the last dose of radiation. NRG showed a significant decrease of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide with a significant elevation of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities and glutathione content. Moreover, NRG confirmed the intracellular defense mechanisms through activation of nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like2 (Nrf2) and haem oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) levels and their protein expression. In addition, NRG deactivated the nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) and reduced the pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Further, NRG showed positive modulation in the haematological values (WBCs, RBCs, Hb, Hct% and PLt). In conclusion, these results suggested that NRG reversed the IR‐induced redox‐imbalance in the rat spleen.
Risks and benefits of consuming edible seaweeds

Abstract Recent interest in seaweeds as a source of macronutrients, micronutrients, and bioactive components has highlighted prospective applications within the functional food and nutraceutical industries, with impetus toward the alleviation of risk factors associated with noncommunicable diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. This narrative review summarizes the nutritional composition of edible seaweeds; evaluates the evidence regarding the health benefits of whole seaweeds, extracted bioactive components, and seaweed-based food products in humans; and assesses the potential adverse effects of edible seaweeds, including those related to ingestion of excess iodine and arsenic. If the potential functional food and nutraceutical applications of seaweeds are to be realized, more evidence from human intervention studies is needed to evaluate the nutritional benefits of seaweeds and the efficacy of their purported bioactive components. Mechanistic evidence, in particular, is imperative to substantiate health claims.
In vivo measurement of blood velocity in human major retinal vessels using the laser speckle method.

PURPOSE To develop a simple, noninvasive method of determining blood velocity and flow through human retinal vessels (RVs), by using the laser speckle method and validating the results by bidirectional laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV). METHOD The square blur rate (SBR), a quantitative blurring index of the laser speckle pattern that parallels the velocity of moving substances, obtained from blood flowing through glass capillary tubes (RV analogues), correlated with tube diameter, background reflectance and absorption, flow velocity, and the SBR obtained from blood flowing through underlying glass capillary tubes (choroidal vessel analogues). A nomogram was constructed to calculate the blood velocity in human RVs from the SBR values obtained in vivo. Blood velocities in RVs were determined in 12 normal eyes by using the laser speckle method and bidirectional LDV. Measurements were performed twice at the same site at 1-hour intervals. RESULTS Measurements from a temporal superior artery (n = 12; mean ± SD) were blood velocity (V(mean)), 41.7 ± 4.2 mm/s; flow, 13.0 ± 3.2 μL/min; and diameter, 119.5 ±15.7 μm and time to complete one measurement, 65 ± 18 seconds, with the laser speckle apparatus; and V(mean), 37.7 ± 6.7 mm/s; flow, 11.7 ±3.0 μL/min; diameter, 111.1 ±16.6 μm; and measurement time, 112 ± 25 seconds, with the bidirectional LDV apparatus. The results obtained by the two methods correlated with each other (V(mean), r = 0.59, P = 0.023; flow, r = 0.83, P = 0.005; and diameter, r = 0.56, P = 0.032). The coefficients of reproducibility for V(mean), blood flow, and diameter measurement were 9.5% ± 2.5%, 10.5% ± 3.2%, and 5.3% ± 2.7% for the former and 15.3% ± 4.2%, 18.5% ± 4.1%, and 6.2% ± 2.2% for the latter, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The laser speckle method accurately and reproducibly determines blood velocity in human RVs in less time than the LDV apparatus requires.
First Report of Pink Seed of Lentil and Chickpea Caused by Erwinia rhapontici in Canada.

A new disease of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) caused by Erwinia rhapontici (Millard) Burkh. was found in seed samples from commercial fields in Saskatchewan, Canada in 2002. Infected seeds had a pink or pinkish-brown discoloration of the seed coat. Isolation from surface-sterilized pink seeds resulted in bacterial cultures that produced a water-soluble pink pigment on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Four isolates from different lentil crops, LRC 8265, LRC 8310, LRC 8309, and LRC 8313 and one isolate from a chickpea crop, LRC 8266, were tested as previously described (2). Results of the tests were identical to those for pink bean isolates of E. rhapontici (2) with the following minor exceptions: all were negative for Voges-Proskauer; LRC 8266 was positive for tagatose; LRC 8266, LRC 8309, and LRC 8313 were negative for lactose; and LRC 8266 and LRC 8309 were positive for 5-keto gluconate. For pathogenicity tests, each isolate was inoculated into 30 pods from 6 lentil plants (cv. Laird), 30 pods from 6 desi chickpea plants (cv. Myles), and 30 pods from 6 kabuli chickpea plants (cv. Sanford) by the method described for pink seed of pea (1) and bean (2). Each pod was inoculated with 0.1 ml (0.2 ml for kabuli chickpeas) of bacterial suspension, approximately 108 CFU/ml, by injection through the mid-rib at the basal end. The same number of uninoculated and water-inoculated pods served as controls. Plants were kept in the greenhouse (20 ± 5°C) for 4 weeks, after which isolations of the pathogen were performed as described above. In duplicate experiments, all the isolates caused pink lesions on pods and seeds of lentil, desi chickpea, and kabuli chickpea. The frequency of infected seeds among the five isolates (four lentil and one chickpea) ranged from 50 to 100% on lentil, 73 to 100% on desi chickpea, and 43 to 100% on kabuli chickpea. E. rhapontici was reisolated from seeds with lesions but not from asymptomatic seeds. The study demonstrates that in addition to pea (1) and common bean (2), E. rhapontici is also the causal agent of pink seed of lentil and chickpea. The observation that lentil isolates can infect chickpea and vice versa suggests that host specificity may be lacking in E. rhapontici. To our knowledge, this is the first record of E. rhapontici on lentil and chickpea. References: (1) H. C. Huang et al. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 12:445, 1990. (2) H. C. Huang et al. Plant Dis. 86:921, 2002.
Accuracy of the SD BIOLINE Dengue Duo for rapid point-of-care diagnosis of dengue

Background Rapid diagnosis tests (RDTs) are easy to carry out, provide fast results, and could potentially guide medical treatment decisions. We investigated the performance of a commercially available RDT, which simultaneously detects the non-structural 1 (NS1) dengue virus (DENV) antigen, and IgM and IgG DENV antibodies, using representative serum samples from individuals in a dengue endemic area in Salvador, Brazil. Methodology/Principal findings We evaluated the accuracy of the SD BIOLINE Dengue Duo RDT (Abbott, Santa Clara, USA; former Alere Inc, Waltham, USA) in a random collection of sera. Samples included acute-phase sera from 246 laboratory-confirmed dengue cases and 108 non-dengue febrile patients enrolled in a surveillance study for dengue detection, 73 healthy controls living in the same surveillance community, and 73 blood donors. RDT accuracy was blindly assessed based on the combined results for the NS1 and the IgM test components. The RDT sensitivity was 46.8% (38.6% for the NS1 component and 13.8% for the IgM component). Sensitivity was greater for samples obtained from patients with secondary DENV infections (49.8%) compared to primary infections (31.1%) (P: 0.02) and was also influenced by the result in the confirmatory dengue diagnostic test, ranging from 39.7% for samples of cases confirmed by IgM-ELISA seroconversion between paired samples to 90.4% for samples of cases confirmed by a positive NS1-ELISA. The RDT specificity was 94.4% for non-dengue febrile patients, 87.7% for the community healthy controls, and 95.9% for the blood donors. Conclusions/Significance The SD BIOLINE Dengue Duo RDT showed good specificities, but low sensitivity, suggesting that it may be more useful to rule in than to rule out a dengue diagnosis in dengue endemic regions.
Tryptophan Metabolism and Related Pathways in Psychoneuroimmunology: The Impact of Nutrition and Lifestyle

In the past, accelerated tryptophan breakdown was considered to be a feature of clinical conditions, such as infection, inflammation, and malignant disease. More recently, however, the focus has changed to include the additional modulation of tryptophan metabolism by changes in nutrition and microbiota composition. The regulation of tryptophan concentration is critical for the maintenance of systemic homeostasis because it integrates essential pathways involved in nutrient sensing, metabolic stress response, and immunity. In addition to tryptophan being important as a precursor for the synthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin, several catabolites along the kynurenine axis are neuroactive. This emphasizes the importance of the immunometabolic fate of this amino acid for processes relevant to neuropsychiatric symptoms. In humans, besides hepatic catabolism, there is usually a strong relationship between immune activation-associated tryptophan breakdown and increased levels of biomarkers, such as neopterin, which has particular relevance for both acute and chronic diseases. A shift towards neopterin synthesis during oxidative stress may indicate a corresponding decrease in tetrahydrobiopterin, a cofactor of several mono-oxygenases, providing a further link between tryptophan metabolism and serotonergic and catecholaminergic neurotransmission. The psychoneuroimmunological consequences of tryptophan metabolism and the susceptibility of this pathway to modulation by a variety of nutritional and lifestyle-related factors have important implications for the development of both diagnostic and treatment options.
Efficient clustering of high-dimensional data sets with application to reference matching

important problems involve clustering large datasets. Although naive implementations of clustering are computa- tionally expensive, there are established ecient techniques for clustering when the dataset has either (1) a limited num- ber of clusters, (2) a low feature dimensionality, or (3) a small number of data points. However, there has been much less work on methods of eciently clustering datasets that are large in all three ways at once|for example, having millions of data points that exist in many thousands of di- mensions representing many thousands of clusters. We present a new technique for clustering these large, high- dimensional datasets. The key idea involves using a cheap, approximate distance measure to eciently divide the data into overlapping subsets we call canopies . T hen cluster- ing is performed by measuring exact distances only between points that occur in a common canopy. Using canopies, large clustering problems that were formerly impossible become practical. Under reasonable assumptions about the cheap distance metric, this reduction in computational cost comes without any loss in clustering accuracy. Canopies can be applied to many domains and used with a variety of cluster- ing approaches, including Greedy Agglomerative Clustering, K-means and Expectation-Maximization. We present ex- perimental results on grouping bibliographic citations from the reference sections of research papers. Here the canopy approach reduces computation time over a traditional clus- tering approach by more than an order of magnitude and decreases error in comparison to a previously used algorithm by 25%.
Kanagawa Investigation of the Total Check-up Data from the National database (KITCHEN): protocol for data-driven population-based repeated cross-sectional and 6-year cohort studies

Introduction The unmitigated incidence of cardiometabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, has gained attention in Japan. ‘Big data’ can be useful to clarify conflicting observations obtained from studies with small samples and about rare conditions that are often neglected. We epidemiologically address these issues using data from health check-ups conducted in Kanagawa Prefecture, the prefecture with the second largest population in Japan, in the Kanagawa Investigation of the Total Check-up Data from the National Database (KITCHEN). Methods and analysis This research consists of a series of population-based cross-sectional studies repeated from 2008–2014 and 6-year cohort studies. Since 2017, we have reviewed the data of people living in Kanagawa Prefecture who underwent a health check-up mainly for general health and the prevention of metabolic syndrome. The sample size ranges from 1.2 million to 1.8 million people in the cross-sectional studies and from 370 000 to 590 000 people in the cohort studies. These are people aged 40–74 years, whose clinical parameters were measured and who responded individually to a questionnaire. We investigate potential associations and causalities of various aetiologies, including diabetes and metabolic syndrome, using clinical data and lifestyle information. With multidisciplinary analysis, including data-driven analysis, we expect to obtain a wide range of novel findings, to confirm indeterminate previous findings, especially in terms of cardiometabolic disease, and to provide new perspectives for human health promotion and disease prevention. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval was received from the Ethics Committee of Kanagawa University of Human Services (10-43). The protocol was approved in December 2016 by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (No. 121). The study results will be disseminated through open platforms including journal articles, relevant conferences and seminar presentations.
Evaluating the fate of bacterial indicators, viral indicators, and viruses in water resource recovery facilities

A year‐long sampling campaign at nine water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) was conducted to assess the treatability and fate of bacterial indicators, viral indicators, and viruses. Influent concentrations of viral indicators (male‐specific and somatic coliphages) and bacterial indicators (Escherichia coli and enterococci) remained relatively constant, typically varying by one order of magnitude over the course of the year. Annual average bacterial indicator reduction ranged from 4.0 to 6.7 logs, and annual average viral indicator reduction ranged from 1.6 to 5.4 logs. Bacterial and viral indicator reduction depended on the WRRF's treatment processes, and bacterial indicator reduction was greater than viral indicator reduction for many processes. Viral reduction (adenovirus 41, norovirus GI, and norovirus GII) was more similar to viral indicator reduction than bacterial indicator reduction. Overall, this work suggests that viral indicator reduction in WRRFs is variable and depends on specific unit processes. Moreover, for the same unit treatment process, viral indicator reduction and bacterial indicator reduction can vary.
Children's speech perception and loudness ratings when fitted with hearing aids using the DSL v.4.1 and the NAL-NL1 prescriptions

Abstract This paper reports speech and loudness measures on a group of children in a double-blind cross-over trial comparing the NAL-NL1 and DSL[i/o] prescriptions. Twenty-four children with hearing impairment were fitted with digital WDRC hearing aids at each site (Australia, Canada). Speech recognition was measured for nonsense syllables and for the 50% correct threshold for sentence recognition in noise. Loudness ratings for sentences were made on a 7-point scale. Measures were made at fitting and repeated following 8-week trials. Fitting orders were randomized and counterbalanced. Significant differences in consonant recognition occurred for individual children. On average, scores at the 80 dB SPL presentation level were better with the NAL-NL1 fitting. Loudness ratings differed at baseline but did not differ following home trials. Speech recognition scores revealed a small but significant interaction of prescription with level in quiet but not in noise. Individual children had significant performance differences. Loudness ratings showed significant acclimatization effects for children at both sites. Sumario Este trabajo reporta las mediciones de lenguaje y de intensidad subjetiva en un grupo de niños sometidos a un estudio cruzado doble ciego, que comparó las prescripciones NAL-NL1 y DSL. A 24 niños con problemas auditivos se les adaptaron auxiliares auditivos digitales con WDRC en cada sede (Australia, Canadá). El reconocimiento del lenguaje se midió con sílabas sin sentido y con el umbral correcto del 50% de reconoci-miento de oraciones en ruido. Los índices de intensidad subjetiva con oraciones se obtuvieron con base en una escala de 7 grados. Las mediciones se tomaron al hacer la adaptación y de manera repetida con pruebas cada 8 semanas. Las instrucciones de adaptación se manejaron con bases aleatorias y de contrapeso. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en el reconocimiento de consonantes en algunos niños. En promedio, las puntuaciones en el nivel de presentación de 80 dB SPL fueron mejores con la adaptación NAL-NL1. Los índices de intensidad subjetiva difirieron en el basal, pero no en las siguientes pruebas en el hogar. Las puntuaciones de reconocimiento del lenguaje revelaron una pequeña pero significativa interacción de la prescripción con el nivel sin ruido pero no con ruido. Los niños en lo individual tuvieron diferencias de rendimiento significativas. Los índices de intensidad subjetiva mostraron efectos de aclimatación en los niños, en las dos sedes.
Mode of delivery in hemophilia: vaginal delivery and Cesarean section carry similar risks for intracranial hemorrhages and other major bleeds

The optimal mode of delivery for a pregnant hemophilia carrier is still a matter of debate. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of intracranial hemorrhage and other major bleeds in neonates with moderate and severe hemophilia in relationship to mode of delivery and known family history. A total of 926 neonates, 786 with severe and 140 with moderate hemophilia were included in this PedNet multicenter study. Vaginal delivery was performed in 68.3% (n=633) and Cesarean section in 31.6% (n=293). Twenty intracranial hemorrhages (2.2%) and 44 other major bleeds (4.8%) occurred. Intracranial hemorrhages occurred in 2.4% of neonates following vaginal delivery compared to 1.7% after Cesarean section (P=not significant); other major bleeds occurred in 4.2% born by vaginal delivery and in 5.8% after Cesarean section (P=not significant). Further analysis of subgroups (n=813) identified vaginal delivery with instruments being a significant risk factor for both intracranial hemorrhages and major bleeds (Relative Risk: 4.78-7.39; P<0.01); no other significant differences were found between vaginal delivery without instruments, Cesarean section prior to and during labor. There was no significant difference in frequency for intracranial hemorrhages and major bleeds between a planned Cesarean section and a planned vaginal delivery. Children with a family history of hemophilia (n=466) were more likely to be born by Cesarean section (35.8% vs. 27.6%), but no difference in the rate of intracranial hemorrhages or major bleeds was found. In summary, vaginal delivery and Cesarean section carry similar risks of intracranial hemorrhages and major bleeds. The ‘PedNet Registry’ is registered at clinicaltrials.gov identifier: 02979119.
Attitudes of Community Hospital Critical Care Nurses Toward Family‐Witnessed Resuscitation

Background Family‐witnessed resuscitation is not consistently practiced in critical care despite the fact that it is recommended and research shows that it supports the emotional needs of families and patients and improves decision‐making, care, and communication. Nurses support the idea of family‐witnessed resuscitation but may not believe it should be standard practice. Objectives To examine the attitudes of American community hospital critical care nurses about family‐witnessed resuscitation and to identify differences in attitudes between nurses who have and have not experienced it. Methods This cross‐sectional, descriptive study of 40 critical care nurses was conducted at 2 community hospitals. Demographic data were collected and a previously developed questionnaire was used to survey participants on their attitudes about family‐witnessed resuscitation factors including decision‐making, process, and outcomes. Results Most participants (92%) had experienced family‐witnessed resuscitation and most had positive attitudes about the benefits and outcomes of family‐witnessed resuscitation. Participants did not believe that family presence is too distressing for families or that resuscitation team performance would be negatively affected. Participants indicated that fear of litigation, family disruption of resuscitation, and family misinterpretation of procedures would not increase with family presence. Conclusions Findings show that community hospital critical care nurses support family‐witnessed resuscitation. Prior experiences and cultural beliefs should be considered when developing family‐witnessed resuscitation policies. Further research is needed on the influence of these factors on nurses' attitudes toward family presence to inform practice.
Regression dilution in energy management patterns

ABSTRACT Analysis of some experimental biology data involves linear regression and interpretation of the resulting slope value. Usually, the x-axis measurements include noise. Noise in the x-variable can create regression dilution, and many biologists are not aware of the implications: regression dilution results in an underestimation of the true slope value. This is particularly problematic when the slope value is diagnostic. For example, energy management strategies of animals can be determined from the regression slope estimate of mean energy expenditure against resting energy expenditure. Typically, energy expenditure is represented by a proxy such as heart rate, which adds substantive measurement error. With simulations and analysis of empirical data, we explore the possible effect of regression dilution on interpretations of energy management strategies. We conclude that unless the coefficient of determination r2 is very high, there is a good possibility that regression dilution will affect qualitative interpretation. We recommend some ways to contend with regression dilution, including the application of alternative available regression approaches under certain circumstances. Summary: Patterns of energy management in animals inferred from slope estimates from linear regressions of energy expenditure can be affected by regression dilution unless r2 is very high, influencing the accuracy and interpretation of these estimates.