Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the association between the interval from internal teat sealant administration to calving and early lactation clinical mastitis in New Zealand dairy heifers

AIMS: To examine the association between the interval from internal teat sealant (ITS) administration to calving and the incidence of farmer-recorded clinical mastitis in the first 30 days of lactation in pasture-based dairy heifers. METHODS: Heifers that were administered an ITS by a single veterinary business in the South Island of New Zealand over the winter of 2014 were enrolled in a cross-sectional observational study. ITS was administered to all heifers on each participating farm on a single calendar day. The dates of calving and farmer-diagnosed clinical mastitis were recorded by farm staff. The interval from ITS administration to calving was categorised into four approximately evenly sized groups: <35, 35–48, 49–69 and >69 days. The quartile of the farm’s calving period in which each heifer calved was also investigated as a potential confounding variable. A hierarchical logistic regression model was constructed to determine the association between the interval from ITS administration to calving with the odds of clinical mastitis in the first 30 days of lactation. RESULTS: Analysis was performed on 7,126 eligible heifers from 31 farms, with ITS administered between 9 May and 11 July 2014. The mean interval from ITS administration to calving was 52.9 (SD 24.4, min 1, max 137) days. Clinical mastitis was diagnosed in 420/7,126 (5.9 (95% CI=5.4–6.5)%) heifers between calving and day 30 of lactation. In the final multivariable model, which included calving period quartile, interval from ITS administration to calving was not associated with the odds of clinical mastitis (p=0.516). Compared to an interval from ITS administration to calving of <35 days, the adjusted OR of clinical mastitis for intervals of 35–48, 49–69 and >69 days were 0.83 (95% CI=0.59–1.17), 0.71 (95% CI=0.45–1.11) and 0.68 (95% CI=0.36–1.29), respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Within the range of intervals from ITS administration to calving observed in this study, there was no association with the odds of clinical mastitis in the first 30 days of lactation in dairy heifers. This study suggests that veterinary clinics may be able to extend their ITS administration service and treat dairy heifers earlier than the current recommendation of approximately 4 weeks before the planned start of calving.
Osteochondral regeneration using constructs of mesenchymal stem cells made by bio three‐dimensional printing in mini‐pigs

Osteoarthritis is a major joint disease that has been extensively investigated in humans and in model animals. In this study, we examined the regeneration of articular cartilage and subchondral bone using artificial scaffold‐free constructs composed of adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT‐MSCs) created using bio three‐dimensional (3D) printing with a needle‐array. Printed constructs were implanted into osteochondral defects created in the right femoral trochlear groove of six mini‐pigs, using femoral defects created in the left femurs as controls. Repair within the defects was evaluated at 3 and 6 months post‐implantation using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The radiolucent volume (RV, mm3) in the defects was calculated using multi‐planar reconstruction of CT images. MR images were evaluated based on a modified 2D‐ MOCART (magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue) grading system. Gross and microscopic pathology were scored according to the ICRS (International Cartilage Repair Society) scale at 6 months after implantation. The percentage RV at 3 months postoperation was significantly lower in the implanted defects than in the controls, whereas total scores based on the MOCART system were significantly higher in the implanted defects as compared with the controls. Although there were no statistical differences in the gross scores, the average histological scores were significantly higher in the implanted defects than in the controls. To our knowledge, this is the first report to suggest that artificial scaffold‐free 3D‐printed constructs of autologous AT‐MSCs can be aid in the osteochondral regeneration in pigs. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:1398–1408, 2019.
Mushroom Poisoning—A 17 Year Retrospective Study at a Level I University Emergency Department in Switzerland

The consequences of mushroom poisoning range from mild, mostly gastrointestinal, disturbances to organ failure or even death. This retrospective study describes presentations related to mushroom poisoning at an emergency department in Bern (Switzerland) from January 2001 to October 2017. Gastrointestinal disturbances were reported in 86% of the 51 cases. The National Poisons Information Centre and mycologists were involved in 69% and 61% of the cases, respectively. Identification of the mushroom type/family was possible in 43% of the cases. The most common mushroom family was Boletaceae (n = 21) and the most common mushrooms Xerocomus chrysenteron (n = 7; four being part of a cluster), Clitocybe nebularis, Lepista nuda and Lactarius semisanguifluus (n = 5 each, four being part of a cluster). Poisonous mushrooms included Amanita phalloides (n = 3, all analytically confirmed), Boletus satanas (n = 3), Amanita muscaria (n = 2) and Amanita pantherina (n = 2). There were no fatalities and 80% of the patients were discharged within 24 h. Mushroom poisoning does not appear to be a common reason for emergency consultation and most presentations were of minor severity and related to edible species (e.g., due to incorrect processing). Nevertheless, poisonous mushrooms and severe complications were also recorded. Collaboration with a poison centre and/or mycologists is of great importance, especially in high risk cases.
What triggers healthcare-seeking behaviour when experiencing a symptom? Results from a population-based survey

Background The decision process of whether or not to contact the GP is influenced by different factors which have not all been well examined. Aim The aim of this study was to analyse whether contact to the GP is associated with concern about the symptom, influence on daily activities and symptom burden, such as the total number of symptoms experienced by each person in a general population. Design & setting This Danish nationwide cross-sectional study comprises a random sample of 100 000 people, representative of the adult Danish population ≥20 years. Method Baseline data were collected in a web-based survey conducted from June to December 2012. Results In total 49 706 (52.5%) individuals answered the questionnaire; 45 483 (91.5%) individuals experienced at least one of 44 predefined symptoms during the 4 weeks preceding the completion of the questionnaire. They reported 268 772 symptom experiences of which 58 370 symptoms (21.7%) resulted in contact with a GP. A high level of concern and influence on daily activities was associated with significantly higher odds for GP contact. A high burden of symptoms was associated with lower odds of contact with the GP. Conclusion Approximately every fifth symptom reported by individuals from the general population leads to GP contact. Influence on daily activities, burden of symptoms, and concern about the symptom were significant factors associated with the decision of whether to contact the GP. No overall association between sex and GP contact was observed.
Model Selection for Body Temperature Signal Classification Using Both Amplitude and Ordinality-Based Entropy Measures

Many entropy-related methods for signal classification have been proposed and exploited successfully in the last several decades. However, it is sometimes difficult to find the optimal measure and the optimal parameter configuration for a specific purpose or context. Suboptimal settings may therefore produce subpar results and not even reach the desired level of significance. In order to increase the signal classification accuracy in these suboptimal situations, this paper proposes statistical models created with uncorrelated measures that exploit the possible synergies between them. The methods employed are permutation entropy (PE), approximate entropy (ApEn), and sample entropy (SampEn). Since PE is based on subpattern ordinal differences, whereas ApEn and SampEn are based on subpattern amplitude differences, we hypothesized that a combination of PE with another method would enhance the individual performance of any of them. The dataset was composed of body temperature records, for which we did not obtain a classification accuracy above 80% with a single measure, in this study or even in previous studies. The results confirmed that the classification accuracy rose up to 90% when combining PE and ApEn with a logistic model.
Pectoral girdle and forelimb musculoskeletal function in the echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus): insights into mammalian locomotor evolution

Although evolutionary transformation of the pectoral girdle and forelimb appears to have had a profound impact on mammalian locomotor and ecological diversity, both the sequence of anatomical changes and the functional implications remain unclear. Monotremes can provide insight into an important stage of this evolutionary transformation, due to their phylogenetic position as the sister-group to therian mammals and their mosaic of plesiomorphic and derived features. Here we build a musculoskeletal computer model of the echidna pectoral girdle and forelimb to estimate joint ranges of motion (ROM) and muscle moment arms (MMA)—two fundamental descriptors of biomechanical function. We find that the echidna's skeletal morphology restricts scapulocoracoid mobility and glenohumeral flexion–extension compared with therians. Estimated shoulder ROMs and MMAs for muscles crossing the shoulder indicate that morphology of the echidna pectoral girdle and forelimb is optimized for humeral adduction and internal rotation, consistent with limited in vivo data. Further, more muscles act to produce humeral long-axis rotation in the echidna compared to therians, as a consequence of differences in muscle geometry. Our musculoskeletal model allows correlation of anatomy and function, and can guide hypotheses regarding function in extinct taxa and the morphological and locomotor transformation leading to therian mammals.
Blood Levels of Glutamate and Glutamine in Recent Onset and Chronic Schizophrenia

Converging evidence indicates that dysfunctions in glutamatergic neurotransmission and in the glutamate-glutamine cycle play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Here, we investigated glutamate and glutamine levels in the blood of patients with recent onset schizophrenia or chronic schizophrenia compared to healthy controls. Compared with healthy controls, patients with recent onset schizophrenia showed increased glutamine/glutamate ratio, while patients with chronic schizophrenia showed decreased glutamine/glutamate ratio. Results indicate that circulating glutamate and glutamine levels exhibit a dual behavior in schizophrenia, with an increase of glutamine/glutamate ratio at the onset of schizophrenia followed by a decrease with progression of the disorder. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and consequences of changes in circulating glutamate and glutamine in schizophrenia.
Risk Factors for Elizabethkingia Acquisition and Clinical Characteristics of Patients, South Korea

Elizabethkingia infections are difficult to treat because of intrinsic antimicrobial resistance, and their incidence has recently increased. We conducted a propensity score–matched case–control study during January 2016–June 2017 in South Korea and retrospectively studied data from patients who were culture positive for Elizabethkingia species during January 2009–June 2017. Furthermore, we conducted epidemiologic studies of the hospital environment and mosquitoes. The incidence of Elizabethkingia increased significantly, by 432.1%, for 2016–2017 over incidence for 2009–2015. Mechanical ventilation was associated with the acquisition of Elizabethkingia species. Because Elizabethkingia infection has a high case-fatality rate and is difficult to eliminate, intensive prevention of contamination is needed.
The Role of Host Genetic Signatures on Root–Microbe Interactions in the Rhizosphere and Endosphere

Microbiomes inhabiting plants are crucial for plant productivity and well-being. A plethora of interactions between roots, microbiomes, and soil shapes the self-organization of the microbial community associated with the root system. The rhizosphere (i.e., the soil close to the root surface) and endosphere (i.e., all inner root tissues) are critical interfaces for the exchange of resources between roots and the soil environment. In recent years, next-generation sequencing technologies have enabled systemic studies of root-associated microbiomes in the endosphere and interactions between roots and microbes at the root-soil interfaces. Genetic factors such as species and genotype of host plants are the driving force of microbial community differentiation and composition. In this mini-review, we will survey the role of these factors on plant–microbe interactions by highlighting the results of next-generation genomic and transcriptomic studies in the rhizosphere and endosphere of land plants. Moreover, environmental factors such as geography and soil type shape the microbiome. Relationships between the root-associated microbiome, architectural variations and functional switches within the root system determine the health and fitness of the whole plant system. A detailed understanding of plant–microbe interactions is of fundamental agricultural importance and significance for crop improvement by plant breeding.
Efficiency of Voice Features Based on Consonant for Detection of Parkinson's Disease

The objective of the study is to determine the efficiency of features extracted from sustained voiced consonant /m/ in the diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease (PD). The diagnostics applicability of the phonation /m/ is also compared with that of sustained phonation /a/, the one which is commonly employed in PD speech studies. The study included 40 subjects out of which 18 were PD and 22 were controls. The features extracted were used in SVM classifier model to differentiate PD and healthy subjects. The phonation /m/ yielded classification accuracy of 93% and Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC) of 0.85 while the classification accuracy for phonation /a/ was 70% and MCC of 0.39. The spearman correlation coefficient analysis also showed that the features from /m/ phonation were highly correlated with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III) motor score. The results suggest the applicability of features corresponding to nasal consonant in the diagnosis and progression monitoring of PD.
Comparison of the Impact of Annual and Semiannual Mass Drug Administration on Lymphatic Filariasis Prevalence in Flores Island, Indonesia

Abstract. We compared the impact of annual and semiannual mass drug administration (MDA) on the prevalence of Brugia timori and Wuchereria bancrofti in Flores Island. Two villages (Paga, B. timori only; Lewomada, co-endemic) received annual MDA with diethylcarbamazine/albendazole and a larger village (Pruda, co-endemic) received semiannual MDA. Infection parameters (microfilariae [Mf], antibodies to recombinant filarial antigen BmR1 [Brugia Rapid (BR)], and a test for W. bancrofti antigenemia [immunochromatographic test (ICT)]) were assessed before and after treatment. The crude Mf prevalence in Pruda decreased after five semiannual treatments from 14.2% to 1.2%, whereas the Mf prevalence in the other two villages decreased after three annual treatments from 3.9% to 0% and from 5% to 0.3%, respectively. ICT positivity prevalence in Pruda and Lewomada decreased from 22.9% and 6.5% to 7% and 0.8%, respectively, whereas BR antibody prevalence in Pruda, Lewomada, and Paga decreased from 28.9%, 31.7%, and 12.5% to 3.6%, 4.1%, and 1.8%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis indicated that that Mf, BR, and ICT prevalence decreased significantly over time and that for the Mf and ICT outcomes the semiannual treatment had higher odds of positivity. Model-adjusted prevalence estimates revealed that apparent differences in treatment effectiveness were driven by differences in baseline prevalence and that adjusted prevalence declined more rapidly in the semiannual treatment group. We conclude that in this setting, annual MDA was sufficient to reduce Mf prevalence to less than 1% in areas with low to moderate baseline prevalence. Semiannual MDA was useful for rapidly reducing Mf prevalence in an area with higher baseline endemicity.
Intelligent Control of Electric Machine Drive Systems

In this paper the novel approach based on an intelligent control and monitoring for the redundant and energy-efficient electric machine-drives is presented. Different control optimization strategies are studied for the case of stochastic and determined perturbations. Principals of the state variables fuzzy-logic control and artificial neural networks (ANN) application are suggested.
Study of Fuel Inlet Temperature Variations on Palm Biodiesel Operating with a Diesel Engine

Biofuel includes biodiesel is introduced to overcome the air pollution problems. Biodiesel is the sustainable and alternative fuel that derived from edible and non-edible oil produced from bio-originated species, plants, and animals. This paper presents the simulation analysis on the effect of fuel temperature variations on diesel engine performance and emission using palm-biodiesel. A one-dimensional numerical analysis, Diesel RK software is used to simulate a single cylinder, four-stroke diesel engine on the performance and emission when operated at a full load condition using fuel temperature variations ranging 300 K to 333 K. Results showed that simulated results for brake power and brake torque were 0.7% each when compared to the highest and lowest fuel temperature ranging from 333 K to 300 K. Moreover, higher fuel temperature for palm biodiesel tends to produce lower exhaust gas temperature and brake specific fuel consumption at a constant engine speed of 2400 rpm. It can be concluded that from the study, fuel temperature variations of biodiesel could produce a significant effect regarding engine performance and emission that influence the driving economy of the engine.
Evolution of longevity improves immunity in Drosophila

Much has been learned about the genetics of aging from studies in model organisms, but still little is known about naturally occurring alleles that contribute to variation in longevity. For example, analysis of mutants and transgenes has identified insulin signaling as a major regulator of longevity, yet whether standing variation in this pathway underlies microevolutionary changes in lifespan and correlated fitness traits remains largely unclear. Here, we have analyzed the genomes of a set of Drosophila melanogaster lines that have been maintained under direct selection for postponed reproduction and indirect selection for longevity, relative to unselected control lines, for over 35 years. We identified many candidate loci shaped by selection for longevity and late‐life fertility, but – contrary to expectation – we did not find overrepresentation of canonical longevity genes. Instead, we found an enrichment of immunity genes, particularly in the Toll pathway, suggesting that evolutionary changes in immune function might underpin – in part – the evolution of late‐life fertility and longevity. To test whether this genomic signature is causative, we performed functional experiments. In contrast to control flies, long‐lived flies tended to downregulate the expression of antimicrobial peptides upon infection with age yet survived fungal, bacterial, and viral infections significantly better, consistent with alleviated immunosenescence. To examine whether genes of the Toll pathway directly affect longevity, we employed conditional knockdown using in vivo RNAi. In adults, RNAi against the Toll receptor extended lifespan, whereas silencing the pathway antagonist cactus‐–causing immune hyperactivation – dramatically shortened lifespan. Together, our results suggest that genetic changes in the age‐dependent regulation of immune homeostasis might contribute to the evolution of longer life.
Risk of Death Following Application of Paclitaxel‐Coated Balloons and Stents in the Femoropopliteal Artery of the Leg: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have already shown that paclitaxel‐coated balloons and stents significantly reduce the rates of vessel restenosis and target lesion revascularization after lower extremity interventions. Methods and Results A systematic review and meta‐analysis of RCTs investigating paclitaxel‐coated devices in the femoral and/or popliteal arteries was performed. The primary safety measure was all‐cause patient death. Risk ratios and risk differences were pooled with a random effects model. In all, 28 RCTs with 4663 patients (89% intermittent claudication) were analyzed. All‐cause patient death at 1 year (28 RCTs with 4432 cases) was similar between paclitaxel‐coated devices and control arms (2.3% versus 2.3% crude risk of death; risk ratio, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.72–1.61). All‐cause death at 2 years (12 RCTs with 2316 cases) was significantly increased in the case of paclitaxel versus control (7.2% versus 3.8% crude risk of death; risk ratio, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.15–2.47; —number‐needed‐to‐harm, 29 patients [95% CI, 19–59]). All‐cause death up to 5 years (3 RCTs with 863 cases) increased further in the case of paclitaxel (14.7% versus 8.1% crude risk of death; risk ratio, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.27–2.93; —number‐needed‐to‐harm, 14 patients [95% CI, 9–32]). Meta‐regression showed a significant relationship between exposure to paclitaxel (dose‐time product) and absolute risk of death (0.4±0.1% excess risk of death per paclitaxel mg‐year; P<0.001). Trial sequential analysis excluded false‐positive findings with 99% certainty (2‐sided α, 1.0%). Conclusions There is increased risk of death following application of paclitaxel‐coated balloons and stents in the femoropopliteal artery of the lower limbs. Further investigations are urgently warranted. Clinical Trial Registration URL: www.crd. york.ac. uk/PROSPERO. Unique identifier: CRD42018099447.
Influence of N2 on Formation Conditions and Guest Distribution of Mixed CO2 + CH4 Gas Hydrates

In this contribution, a method based on a solid solution theory of clathrate hydrate for multiple cage occupancy, host lattice relaxation, and guest-guest interactions is presented to estimate hydrate formation conditions of binary and ternary gas mixtures. We performed molecular modeling of the structure, guest distribution, and hydrate formation conditions for the CO2 + CH4 and CO2 + CH4 + N2 gas hydrates. In all considered systems with and without N2, at high and medium content of CO2 in the gas phase, we found that CO2 was more favorable in occupying clathrate hydrate cavities than CH4 or N2. The addition of N2 to the gas phase increased the ratio concentration of CO2 in comparison with the concentration of CH4 in clathrate hydrates and made gas replacement more effective. The mole fraction of CO2 in the CO2 + CH4 + N2 gas hydrate rapidly increased with the growth of its content in the gas phase, and the formation pressure of the CO2 + CH4 + N2 gas hydrate rose in comparison to the formation pressure of the CO2 + CH4 gas hydrate. The obtained results agreed with the known experimental data for simple CH4 and CO2 gas hydrates and the mixed CO2 + CH4 gas hydrate.