Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heavy metal and microbial safety assessment of raw and cooked pumpkin and Amaranthus viridis leaves grown in Abakaliki, Nigeria

Abstract In this study, heavy metal and microbial safety assessment of raw and cooked pumpkin and Amaranthus viridis leaves grown in Abakaliki, Nigeria, was examined. The levels of lead (Pb), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) were evaluated using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The microbial cells were counted and further identified to species level using 16S rDNA and ITS rDNA sequencing analysis at CABI microbial identification services United Kingdom (UK). The results showed that the heavy metal concentrations of lead (10.5, 12.0), arsenic (7.5, 8.5), chromium (0.9, 0.1), and mercury (13.1, 14.0) in the pumpkin and A. viridis leaves, respectively, were above maximum acceptable limit according to relevant national and international food regulatory agencies (Tables 1 and 2). Cooking significantlyreduced the concentrations of the heavy metals at (p > 0.05) to or below, lead (6.8, 8.4), arsenic (5.1, 6.1), chromium (0.6.0.1), and mercury (9.5, 11.4) in the pumpkin and A. viridis leaves, respectively, but still not to international safe limit. The result of the microbial safety assessment showed that the microbial load of both the pumpkin and Amaranthus viridis leaves were above acceptable limit and the contaminating organisms were identified as Escherichia coli (504743), Klebsiella pneumonia (504744b), and Aspergillus flavus (504740). This study therefore shows that the vegetables (pumpkin and A. viridis leaves) contain unacceptable levels of toxic heavy metals and potentially dangerous pathogenic microorganisms, thus present significant health risk for the consumers.
Eponymous “valves” of the nasolacrimal drainage apparatus. II. Frequency of visualization on dacryocystography

Developmental remnants may follow segmental canalization of ectodermal epithelial cords forming the nasolacrimal drainage apparatus (NDA). This can result in false luminal “valves” along the path of the NDA, many of which have been named, but most have not been anatomically identified with consistency. By 1908, eight such “valves” were documented, those of: Foltz, Bochdalek, Rosenmüller, Huschke, Aubaret, Béraud or Krause, Taillefer, and Hasner or Cruveilhier or Bianchi. Digital subtraction dacryocystography (DS‐DCG) is the highest spatial resolution imaging technique available to outline in vivo NDA anatomy, luminal profile, and pathology. We believe this is the first report of the conspicuousness and frequency of these “valves” on DS‐DCG. We retrospectively analyzed routine DS‐DCGs with normal findings for the presence and frequency of the eight NDA “valves. ” We examined 92 normal DS‐DCGs on patients aged 14–82 years (71% female, 29% male). We observed “valves” most reliably in the inferior nasolacrimal duct: the inferior valve of Hasner (plica lacrimalis) was present in 98.9% of cases, and more superiorly, the valve of Taillefer (93.5%) and the valve of Krause (79.3%). Contrastingly, we infrequently identified the very superior “valves”: Foltz or Bochdalek in 17.1%, Rosenmüller or Huschke in 46.4%, and Auberat in 40% of cases. Therefore, unlike the inferior NDA valves, these more superior “valves” were less consistently identified and are presumed to be simple mural mucosal irregularities rather than true structural valves. These findings will be useful in diagnostic interpretation of DS‐DCGs and therapeutic planning for patients undergoing luminal procedures on the NDA. Clin. Anat. , 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
LA RELEVANCIA CONTEMPORÁNEA DE MARX

espanolMarx recupera interes. Su clarificacion del funcionamiento del capitalismo contrasta con las simplificaciones neoclasicas y las ingenuidades heterodoxas. Indico la logica de la plusvalia que subyace en la agresion neoliberal y el tipo de superexplotacion que prevalece en el trabajo precario. Esclarecio el origen de la desigualdad y el sentido actual del beneficio. El Capital permite refutar la identificacion de la revolucion digital con el desempleo. Cuestiona las explicaciones de la crisis por desaciertos gubernamentales o carencias de regulaciones. Remarca tensiones intrinsecas en la esfera del consumo y la rentabilidad. Marx subrayo los determinantes productivos de las convulsiones financieras. Sugirio las conexiones de la mundializacion con los patrones nacionales de acumulacion. Anticipo las polarizaciones que generan subdesarrollo en la periferia y los enlaces del antiimperialismo con estrategias socialistas. Tambien conceptualizo la combinacion de ilusiones y temor que propaga la ideologia burguesa. Su proyecto igualitario resurge junto a nuevas sintesis de la accion politica con la elaboracion teorica. EnglishMarx has gained attention again. His clarification of the functioning of capitalism contrasts with the neoclassic simplifications and the heterodox naivety. He stated the surplus value logic that underlies the neoliberal aggression and the kind of over-exploitation that prevails in precarious work. He clarified the origin of inequalities and the current sense of profits. Das Kapital allows us to refute the identification of digital revolution with unemployment. It questions the crisis explanations based on governments’ mistakes or the lack of regulations. It points out the inherent tensions in the consumption and the profitability fields. Marx highlighted financial upheavals’ production determinants. He suggested there are links between globalization and national patters of accumulation. He anticipated the polarizations that build the periphery’s underdevelopment and the connections of anti-imperialism with socialist strategies. He also conceptualized the combination of illusions and fear that the bourgeois ideology spreads. His egalitarian project rises again along with a new synthesis of political action and theoretical elaboration.
Converse for Multi-Server Single-Message PIR with Side Information

Multi-server single-message private information retrieval is studied in the presence of side information. In this problem, K independent messages are replicatively stored at N non-colluding servers. The user wants to privately download one message from the servers without revealing the index of the message to any of the servers, leveraging its M side information messages. We assume that the servers only know the number of the side information messages available at the user but not their indices. We prove a converse bound on the maximum download rates, which coincides with the known achievability scheme proposed by Kadhe et. al. Hence, we characterize the capacity for this problem, which is${\left( {1 + \frac{1}{N} + \frac{1}{{{N^2}}} + \cdots + \frac{1}{{N\left\lceil {\frac{K}{{M + 1}}} \right\rceil - 1}}} \right)^{ - 1}}$. The proof leverages a novel concept that we call virtual side information, which, for a fixed query and any message, identifies the side information that would be needed in order to recover that message.
Antennal Transcriptome Analysis of the Chemosensory Gene Families From Trichoptera and Basal Lepidoptera

The chemosensory gene families of insects encode proteins that are crucial for host location, mate finding, oviposition, and avoidance behaviors. The insect peripheral chemosensory system comprises odorant receptors (ORs), gustatory receptors (GRs), ionotropic receptors (IRs), odorant binding proteins (OBPs), chemosensory proteins (CSPs), and sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs). These protein families have been identified from a large number of insect species, however, they still remain unidentified from several taxa that could provide important clues to their evolution. These taxa include older lepidopteran lineages and the sister order of Lepidoptera, Trichoptera (caddisflies). Studies of these insects should improve evolutionary analyses of insect chemoreception, and in particular shed light on the origin of certain lepidopteran protein subfamilies. These include the pheromone receptors (PRs) in the “PR clade”, the pheromone binding proteins (PBPs), general odorant binding proteins (GOBPs), and certain presumably Lepidoptera-specific IR subfamilies. Hence, we analyzed antennal transcriptomes from Rhyacophila nubila (Trichoptera), Eriocrania semipurpurella, and Lampronia capitella (representing two old lepidopteran lineages). We report 37 ORs, 17 IRs, 9 GRs, 30 OBPs, 7 CSPs, and 2 SNMPs in R. nubila; 37 ORs, 17 IRs, 3 GRs, 23 OBPs, 14 CSPs, and 2 SNMPs in E. semipurpurella; and 53 ORs, 20 IRs, 5 GRs, 29 OBPs, 17 CSPs, and 3 SNMPs in L. capitella. We identified IR members of the “Lepidoptera-specific” subfamilies IR1 and IR87a also in R. nubila, demonstrating that these IRs also occur in Trichoptera. Members of the GOBP subfamily were only found in the two lepidopterans. ORs grouping within the PR clade, as well as PBPs, were only found in L. capitella, a species that in contrast to R. nubila and E. semipurpurella uses a so-called Type I pheromone similar to the pheromones of most species of the derived Lepidoptera (Ditrysia). Thus, in addition to providing increased coverage for evolutionary analyses of chemoreception in insects, our findings suggest that certain subfamilies of chemosensory genes have evolved in parallel with the transition of sex pheromone types in Lepidoptera. In addition, other chemoreceptor subfamilies show a broader taxonomic occurrence than hitherto acknowledged.
Signal Detection and Coding in the Accessory Olfactory System

Abstract In many mammalian species, the accessory olfactory system plays a central role in guiding behavioral and physiological responses to social and reproductive interactions. Because of its relatively compact structure and its direct access to amygdalar and hypothalamic nuclei, the accessory olfactory pathway provides an ideal system to study sensory control of complex mammalian behavior. During the last several years, many studies employing molecular, behavioral, and physiological approaches have significantly expanded and enhanced our understanding of this system. The purpose of the current review is to integrate older and newer studies to present an updated and comprehensive picture of vomeronasal signaling and coding with an emphasis on early accessory olfactory system processing stages. These include vomeronasal sensory neurons in the vomeronasal organ, and the circuitry of the accessory olfactory bulb. Because the overwhelming majority of studies on accessory olfactory system function employ rodents, this review is largely focused on this phylogenetic order, and on mice in particular. Taken together, the emerging view from both older literature and more recent studies is that the molecular, cellular, and circuit properties of chemosensory signaling along the accessory olfactory pathway are in many ways unique. Yet, it has also become evident that, like the main olfactory system, the accessory olfactory system also has the capacity for adaptive learning, experience, and state-dependent plasticity. In addition to describing what is currently known about accessory olfactory system function and physiology, we highlight what we believe are important gaps in our knowledge, which thus define exciting directions for future investigation.
Prevalence and factors associated with H. pylori infection in Saudi patients with dyspepsia

Background Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a major cause of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and chronic active gastritis that may progress to gastric cancer. Globally, it has been estimated that 50% or more of the world’s population is infected by H. pylori, making it the most widespread infection across the globe. Objectives To determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection and to identify factors associated with H. pylori infection in Saudi patients presenting with dyspepsia. Methods In this prospective cross-sectional study, a total of 404 gastric biopsies were endoscopically obtained from 404 patients with dyspepsia from September 2014 to April 2016 (Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia). The specimens were analyzed using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The data was examined using descriptive statistics as well as determining the prevalence, and employing Chi square and Fisher exact test. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant in examining the research hypotheses. Results The overall prevalence of H. pylori in Jazan Province was 46.5% (95% CI: 41.7–51.4) and the prevalence was lower among those > 55 years old. Prevalence was higher among urban (50.0%; 95% CI: 43.1–56.8) versus rural (42.1%; 95% CI: 35.1–49.3), but with no significant difference. Prevalence did not show significant difference among different Body Mass Index (BMI) categories, ranging from 40.2% to 47.7%. The prevalence of H. pylori in females was 47.1% (95% CI: 40.4–53.9) versus 45.6% (95% CI: 38.7–52.6) in males. Histopathology findings were associated with H. pylori infection with prevalence of 58.1% among patients with chronic active gastritis, compared to 24.1% and 34.8% among mild and chronic gastritis, respectively. Conclusion Our results indicate that there is a high prevalence of H. pylori among Saudi patients with dyspepsia. Prevalence of H. pylori was high in ages below 55 years. Chronic active gastritis was significantly associated with H. pylori infection. In depth studies are needed to determine associated factors with of H pylori infection in the region
Stable carbon isotopic composition of peat columns, subsoil and vegetation on natural and forestry-drained boreal peatlands

ABSTRACT We studied natural and forestry-drained peatlands to examine the effect of over 34 years lowered water table on the δ13C values of vegetation, bulk peat and subsoil. In the seven studied sites, δ13C in the basal peat layer was 1.1 and 1.2 ‰ lower than that of the middle-layer and surface layer, respectively. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between the δ13C values of the basal and surface peat layers, possibly due to carbon (C) recycling within the peat column. In the same mire complex, natural fen peat δ13C values were lower than those of the nearby bog, possibly due to the dominance of vascular plants on fen and the generally larger share of recycled C in the fens than in the bogs. Furthermore, natural and 51 years previously drained fen and bog, on the opposite sides of a ditch on the same mire complex, showed no significant differences in δ13C values. Plant δ13C values were lower, while δ13C values of subsoil were higher in the drained than in the natural site of the fen.
Melatonin inhibits breast cancer cell invasion through modulating DJ‐1/KLF17/ID‐1 signaling pathway

Breast cancer is the most common neoplastic disorder diagnosed in women. The main goal of this study was to explore the effect of melatonin against breast cancer metastasis and compared this with the actions of taxol (a well‐known chemotherapeutic drug), and the impact of their combination against breast cancer metastasis. Melatonin showed no cytotoxic effect while taxol showed antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects on MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells. Furthermore, melatonin inhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species. Melatonin and taxol clearly decreased cell migration and invasion at low doses, especially those matching the normal physiological concentration at night. Melatonin and taxol markedly reduced DJ‐1 and ID‐1 and increased KLF17 messenger RNA and protein expression levels. The present results also showed that melatonin and taxol induced GSK3‐β nuclear and Snail cytosolic localization. These changes were accompanied by a concurrent rise in E‐cadherin expression. The above data show that normal levels of melatonin may help in preventing breast cancer metastasis through inhibiting DJ‐1/KLF17/ID‐1 signaling pathway. The combination of melatonin and taxol is a potent candidate against breast cancer metastasis, better than using melatonin or taxol as a single drug.
A randomized, controlled pilot study of the effects of vitamin D supplementation on balance in Parkinson's disease: Does age matter?

Objectives To explore if short term, high dose vitamin D supplementation is safe and improves balance in persons with Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods A pilot randomized, double-blind intervention trial to measure the effects of 16 weeks of high dose vitamin D (10,000 IU/day) on balance as well as other motor and non-motor features of PD. We measured balance, gait, strength, falls, cognition, mood, PD severity, and quality of life before and after 16 weeks of high dose vitamin D supplementation or placebo. All participants also received 1000 mg calcium once daily. Results Fifty-one randomized participants completed sixteen weeks of high dose vitamin D supplementation or placebo. The intervention resulted in a rise in serum concentrations of vitamin D (25-OH) (30.2 ng/ml to 61.1 ng/ml) and was well tolerated with no serious adverse events. Serum vitamin D (25-OH) levels rose steadily and did not suggest a leveling off at the end of the 16 weeks. There was not an improvement in the primary endpoint, balance as measured by the Sensory Organization Test (p = 0.43). A post hoc analysis examining treatment effects in younger (ages 52–66) versus older (ages 67–86) participants found a significant improvement in the SOT of 10.6 points in the younger half of the cohort (p = 0.012). Conclusions Short term, high dose vitamin D supplementation appears safe in persons with PD, but did not significantly improve balance as measured with the Sensory Organization Test in this pilot study population. A post hoc analysis suggests that vitamin D may have potential for improving balance in a younger population with PD. High dose vitamin D supplementation in PD needs further study especially in light of new research suggesting that mega doses and even moderate doses (as low as 4000IU a day) may increase falls in an older populations. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01119131.
Survival Analysis of Glioblastoma Multiforme

Introduction: To evaluate the survival of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). Material and Methods: Patients with a pathological diagnosis of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) between 1 January 1994 and 30 November 2013, were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria: 1) GBM patients with confirmed pathology, 2) GBM patients were treated by multimodality therapy. Exclusion criteria: 1) GBM patients with unconfirmed pathology, 2) GBM patients with spinal involvement, 3) GBM patients with incomplete data records. Seventy-seven patients were treated by multimodality therapy such as surgery plus post-operative radiotherapy (PORT), post-operative Temozolomide (TMZ) concurrent with radiotherapy (CCRT), post-operative CCRT with adjuvant TMZ. The overall survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test was used to compare the survival curves. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Seventy-seven patients with a median age of 53 years (range 4-76 years) showed a median survival time (MST) of 12 months. In subgroup analyses, the PORT patients revealed a MST of 11 months and 2 year overall survival (OS) rates were 17.2%, the patients with post-operative CCRT with or without adjuvant TMZ revealed a MST of 23 months and 2 year OS rates were 38.2%. The MST of patients by Recursive Partitioning Analysis (RPA), classifications III, IV, V, VI were 26.8 months, 14.2 months, 9.9 months, and 4.0 months, (p <0.001). Conclusions: The MST of the patients who had post-operative CCRT with or without adjuvant TMZ was better than the PORT group. The RPA classification can be used to predict survival. Multimodality therapy demonstrated the most effective treatment outcome. Temozolomide might be beneficial for GBM patients in order to increase survival time.
Static and dynamic methods to determine adsorption isotherms of hemp seed (Cannabis sativa L.) with different percentages of dockage

Abstract Adsorption and desorption isotherms of hemp seeds with 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% of dockage were determined using the salt solution static (SSS) method. The wet hemp seeds with 0% dockage were also dried at 30℃ with 50% RH, 35℃ with 30% and 50% RH, and 40℃ with 30% and 50% RH inside a thin‐layer dryer (thin‐layer dynamic method). The hemp seeds with different percentages of dockage showed hysteresis, and this hysteresis became more obvious with the decrease of temperature. At the same condition, the equilibrium moisture content of hemp seeds with 0% dockage was approximately 0.5 percent points lower than that of the hemp seeds with dockage. The best equation to fit the equilibrium moisture content data under constant temperature and RH was the modified GAB equation for both adsorption and desorption isotherms. The constant rate period of drying was observed for <0.75 hr when drying air RH was 30% or when drying air temperature was 40℃. The Henderson and Pabis model was the best model to fit the thin‐layer drying data. The equilibrium moisture contents measured by the SSS method were lower than those measured by the thin‐layer dynamic method when temperature was ≤35℃.
Insight into vital role of autophagy in sustaining biological control potential of fungal pathogens against pest insects and nematodes

ABSTRACT Autophagy is a conserved self-degradation mechanism that governs a large array of cellular processes in filamentous fungi. Filamentous insect and nematode mycopthogens function in the natural control of host populations and have been widely applied for biological control of insect and nematode pests. Entomopathogenic and nematophagous fungi have conserved “core” autophagy machineries that are analogous to those found in yeast but also feature several proteins involved in specific aspects of the autophagic pathways. Here, we review the functions of autophagy in protecting fungal cells from starvation and stress cues and sustaining cell differentiation, asexual development and virulence. An emphasis is placed upon the regulatory mechanisms involved in autophagic and non-autophagic roles of some autophagy-related genes. Methods used for monitoring conserved or specific autophagic events in fungal pathogens are also discussed.
Hypodontia of mandibular incisors: considerations on the orthodontic treatment

ABSTRACT Hypodontia is the most prevalent craniofacial malformation in mankind. It may present a wide variety of manifestations and, depending on the number and location of missing teeth, it may affect the esthetics, mastication, speech and occlusal balance. This paper discusses the therapeutic approaches to solve this condition, describing a case report with hypodontia of one mandibular lateral incisor, which treatment option included space closure at the region of hypodontia associated with composite resin restorations in the mandibular central incisors. The three-year follow-up after treatment revealed occlusal stability, adequate intercuspation in Class I relationship and excellent micro and macroesthetics.