Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Programmed screening for retinoblastoma enhances early diagnosis and improves management outcome for high-risk children

ABSTRACT Purpose To study the impact of a Retinoblastoma (Rb) screening program in the absence of genetic testing on the management and outcome of high-risk children. Methods This is a retrospective, clinical case series of 76 children from families involved in a Rb screening program as they had higher than normal risk as calculated by the conventional ways without genetic testing. Data included calculated risk, method of diagnosis, demographics, tumor features, treatment modalities, and management outcome. Results Out of the 76 children screened, 46 children were diagnosed with Rb (12 by screening and 34 had signs of Rb), the other 30 were free of disease. Patients diagnosed by screening were younger (mean; 2.4 months vs 15.8 months for the group with signs of Rb), had significantly earlier tumor stage at diagnosis (p = .0001), higher eye salvage rate (p = .0001), less need for systemic chemotherapy (p = .022), and better visual outcome (p = .0017) than the other group. None of the eyes were group D or E, enucleated or irradiated. Six (50%) patients were cured without chemotherapy, and the visual acuity was 0.5 or better in 55% of eyes. Of interest, 71% of tumors were diagnosed by the age of 6 months, 90% by the age of 1 year, and no new tumor appeared after the age of 2 years. Conclusion Even in the absence of genetic testing, screening for children with high risk for Rb is effective in enhancing early diagnosis, improving visual outcome, and increasing eye salvage rate with limited exposure to treatment burden.
Efficient Training Procedures for Multi-Spectral Demosaicing

The simultaneous acquisition of multi-spectral images on a single sensor can be efficiently performed by single shot capture using a mutli-spectral filter array. This paper focused on the demosaicing of color and near-infrared bands and relied on a convolutional neural network (CNN). To train the deep learning model robustly and accurately, it is necessary to provide enough training data, with sufficient variability. We focused on the design of an efficient training procedure by discovering an optimal training dataset. We propose two data selection strategies, motivated by slightly different concepts. The general term that will be used for the proposed models trained using data selection is data selection-based multi-spectral demosaicing (DSMD). The first idea is clustering-based data selection (DSMD-C), with the goal to discover a representative subset with a high variance so as to train a robust model. The second is an adaptive-based data selection (DSMD-A), a self-guided approach that selects new data based on the current model accuracy. We performed a controlled experimental evaluation of the proposed training strategies and the results show that a careful selection of data does benefit the speed and accuracy of training. We are still able to achieve high reconstruction accuracy with a lightweight model.
COVID-19: A Matter of Planetary, not Only National Health

Abstract. The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the multidimensional and inseparable connection between human health and environmental systems. COVID-19, similar to other emerging zoonotic diseases, has had a devastating impact on our planet. In this perspective, we argue that as humans continue to globalize and encroach on our surrounding natural systems, societies must adopt a “planetary health lens” to prepare and adapt to these emerging infectious diseases. This piece further explores other critical components of a planetary health approach to societal response, such as the seasonality of disease patterns, the impact of climate change on infectious disease, and the built environment, which can increase population vulnerabilities to pandemics. To address planetary health threats that cross international borders, such as COVID-19, societies must practice interdependence sovereignty and direct resources to organizations that facilitate shared global governance, and thus can enable us to adapt and ultimately build a more resilient world.
An Experimental Study of Temperature Effect on Properties of Nitride Layers on X37CrMoV51 Tool Steel Used in Extrusion Aluminium Industry

The paper concerns the effect of annealing time and temperature on the properties of the nitride layer on X37CrMoV51 tool steel used in the extrusion aluminium industry. Samples made from X37CrMoV51 steel were hardened and tempered, and then nitrided at 530 °C. After nitriding, the samples were annealed in a furnace at 470 °C for 8 h, 12 h, 24 h, 30 h and 60 h, and additionally for 20 h at 270 °C. The samples were tested for structure, hardness and abrasion immediately after nitriding and again after annealing. It was found that annealing the nitrided samples leads to degradation of the nitride layer, accounting for the decrease of hardness. The annealing of the samples at 470 °C, over 12 h causes a decrease in mean hardness value from 1176 HV to 1103 HV, and annealing the samples over 30 h at this temperature leads to a decrease in hardness to 964 HV. The changes in nitrogen content in the white (compound) and diffusion layers and the resulting consequences of changes in phase composition and properties were evaluated. Annealing over 30 h at 470 °C caused the white layer to disappear and the average nitrogen content in the diffusion layer to decrease to the level of about 5–6 at%.
Longitudinal analysis of naturally acquired PfEMP1 CIDR domain variant antibodies identifies associations with malaria protection.

BACKGROUND Malaria pathogenicity is determined, in part, by the adherence of Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes to the microvasculature mediated via specific interactions between PfEMP1 variant domains to host endothelial receptors. Naturally acquired antibodies against specific PfEMP1 variants can play an important role in clinical protection against malaria. METHODS We evaluated IgG responses against a repertoire of PfEMP1 CIDR domain variants to determine the rate and order of variant-specific antibody acquisition and their association with protection against febrile malaria in a prospective cohort study conducted in an area of intense, seasonal malaria transmission. RESULTS Using longitudinal data, we found that IgG to the pathogenic domain variants CIDRα1. 7 and CIDRα1. 8 were acquired the earliest. Furthermore, IgG to CIDRγ3 was associated with reduced prospective risk of febrile malaria and recurrent malaria episodes. CONCLUSION This study provides evidence that acquisition of IgG antibodies to PfEMP1 variants is ordered and demonstrates that antibodies to CIDRα1 domains are acquired the earliest in children residing in an area of intense, seasonal malaria transmission. Future studies will need to validate these findings in other transmission settings and determine the functional activity of these naturally acquired CIDR variant-specific antibodies. FUNDING Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health.
Flood effects on invertebrates, sediments and particulate organic matter in the hyporheic zone of a gravel-bed stream

Summary 1. We investigated the effects of a flood on the fauna and physical habitat of the hyporheic zone of the Kye Burn, a fourth order gravel-bed stream in New Zealand. 2. Freeze core hyporheic samples (to 50 cm depth) and benthic samples (to 10 cm) were taken, along with measurements of vertical hydrological gradient, before, 2 days after and 1 month after the flood (estimated return period: 1.5 years, estimated Qmax = 10.4 m3 s−1). 3. The composition of the hyporheos differed over the three sampling occasions with fewer taxa collected immediately postflood than preflood. The equitability of the community was higher on both postflood occasions, consistent with the reduced densities of two abundant taxa (Leptophlebiidae and Copepoda). 4. Total invertebrate abundance was lower on the postflood occasions than preflood in both benthic (0–10 cm) and hyporheic (10–50 cm) sediments. Several taxa, including asellotan isopods and amphipods, recovered within 1 month of the event. Hyporheic densities of larval Hydora and nematodes did not differ among the three sampling occasions, but the water mite Pseudotryssaturus was more abundant 1 month after the flood than preflood. There was no evidence of vertical movements (to 50 cm) by any taxa in response to the flood. 5. The proportion of fine sediments (<1 mm) in the subsurface sediments (10–50 cm) increased over the three sampling occasions and median particle size declined, but sediment porosity did not change. More particulate organic matter was found in the sediments after the flood. 6. Our study provides little evidence that the hyporheic zone (to 50 cm) acted as a significant refuge during the flood event, although movements to or recolonisation from sediments deeper than 50 cm could explain the recovery of many crustacean and mite taxa within 1 month.
Uncovering Distinct Primary Vaccination-Dependent Profiles in Human Bordetella pertussis Specific CD4+ T-Cell Responses Using a Novel Whole Blood Assay

To advance research and development of improved pertussis vaccines, new immunoassays are needed to qualify the outcome of Bordetella pertussis (Bp) specific CD4+ T-cell differentiation. Here, we applied a recently developed whole blood assay to evaluate Bp specific CD4+ T-cell responses. The assay is based on intracellular cytokine detection after overnight in vitro Bp antigen stimulation of diluted whole blood. We show for the first time that CD4+ T-cell memory of Th1, Th2, and Th17 lineages can be identified simultaneously in whole blood. Participants ranging from 7 to 70 years of age with different priming backgrounds of whole-cell pertussis (wP) and acellular pertussis (aP) vaccination were analyzed around an acellular booster vaccination. The assay allowed detection of low frequent antigen-specific CD4+ T-cells and revealed significantly elevated numbers of activated and cytokine-producing CD4+ T-cells, with a significant tendency to segregate recall responses based on primary vaccination background. A stronger Th2 response hallmarked an aP primed cohort compared to a wP primed cohort. In conclusion, analysis of Bp specific CD4+ T-cell responses in whole blood showed separation based on vaccination background and provides a promising tool to assess the quantity and quality of CD4+ T-cell responses induced by vaccine candidates.
Pulmonary interstitial glycogenosis cells express mesenchymal stem cell markers

Pulmonary interstitial glycogenosis (PIG) was first defined as a distinct neonatal interstitial lung disease of unknown aetiology that presents in neonates and young infants with mild to severe hypoxic lung disease [1]. Characterised clinically by unexplained respiratory distress and cyanosis with an onset during early infancy, PIG was primarily defined by the presence of distinct and unusual-appearing cells contained within the interstitium that were characterised by a widened interstitium containing variable numbers of immature-appearing, polygonal-to-spindle shaped cells, which may contribute to impaired gas exchange. The most unique feature of PIG cells is the widespread presence of non-membrane bound, periodic acid-Schiff stain-positive, mono-particulate glycogen in the cytoplasm, for which the disease was named (“glycogenosis”) [1]. By ultrastructure, PIG cells are considered primitive due to the presence of only sparse organelles and a lack of specific features that indicate differentiation towards any well-characterised pulmonary cell line, including lymphocytes or macrophages [1]. Pulmonary interstitial glycogenesis (PIG) is characterised by a unique but poorly characterised cell population in developmental lung disease. This study reports that PIG cells express cellular markers, suggesting a mesenchymal stem cell lineage. https://bit.ly/2YNdDIY
Correlation between lead and iron in children's blood in Jordan

A total of 200 Jordanian children were classified into two groups: 100 Fe replete and 100 Fe deficient with ages ranging between 3.0 and 12.0 years (6.9 ± 2.7 years). All participants were chosen according to proper selection criteria followed by the sample collection: the samples were analyzed for hemoglobin and red blood cells; ferritin, an immunoassays-based instrument; and levels of Pb, Cu, and Zn. There were no significant differences between genders regarding Fe-deficiency (p = 0.57 and χ2 = 0.33), with a significant association of younger individuals (3.0–9.1 years) with Fe-deficiency (p < 0.05 and χ2 = 22.7). In addition, there is a significant positive correlation between Fe-deficiency with blood levels of Pb, Cu, and Zn (p < 0.05), (r = 0.43, 0.35, and 0.42, respectively) as compared to control group, this findings supported, by comparing the levels of the examined metals in both groups, in individuals whom close to heavy metals source (highway traffic or oil gas station), and found that the mean of the heavy metals level in close Fe-deficient group higher than in close Fe-replete group.
Effect of defoliation management, based on leaf stage, on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii Kunth.) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) under dryland conditions. 2. Nutritive value

A field experiment was undertaken between April 2003 and May 2004 in southern Tasmania, Australia, to quantify and compare changes in the nutritive value of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii Kunth.) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) under a defoliation regime based on stage of leaf regrowth. Defoliation interval was based on the time taken for two, three or four leaves per tiller to fully expand. At every defoliation event, samples were collected and analysed for acid-detergent fibre (ADF), neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) and total nitrogen (N) concentrations and to estimate metabolizable energy (ME) and digestible dry matter (DDM) concentrations. Amounts of crude protein (CP) and metabolizable energy (MJ) per hectare values were subsequently calculated. There was a significantly lower (P < 0.001) NDF concentration for perennial ryegrass compared with prairie grass and cocksfoot, and a significantly lower (P < 0.001) ADF concentration for cocksfoot compared with prairie grass and perennial ryegrass, regardless of defoliation interval. The CP concentration of cocksfoot was significantly greater (P < 0.001) compared with the CP concentrations of prairie grass and perennial ryegrass. The estimated ME concentrations in cocksfoot were high enough to satisfy the requirements of a lactating dairy cow, with defoliation at or before the four-leaf stage maintaining ME concentrations between 10.7 and 10.9 MJ kg-1 DM, and minimizing reproductive plant development. The ME concentrations of prairie grass (10.2-10.4 MJ kg-1 DM) were significantly lower (P < 0.001) than for cocksfoot (as above) and perennial ryegrass (11.4-11.6 MJ kg-1 DM) but a higher DM production per hectare resulted in prairie grass providing the greatest amounts of ME ha-1. © 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Food Shortages and International Agricultural Programs

The most recent data indicate an unconscionable 842 million people are chronically hungry in the world, 94 percent in developing countries. India, China, and other Asian countries that were the center of concern over hunger in 1960 have been among the most successful at increasing food production and consumption. Current food shortages, both chronic and acute, are concentrated in sub-Sahara Africa. There, production has lagged behind needs and fluctuations from natural and human-caused disasters have generated recurring food shortages and need for food aid. Three elements played critical roles in Asia and are likely to be the key to solving food shortages in Africa: rural/agricultural economic growth that generated increased incomes for the rural poor, stability of food prices, and non-agricultural economic growth. U.S. universities have educated many of the agricultural scientists in developing countries and those at CGIAR centers. The international agricultural programs of U.S. universities that have been important in maintaining links between U.S. and foreign institutions and in facilitating the training of developing country scientists need continued financial support.
Situational Experience around the World: A Replication and Extension in 62 Countries.

OBJECTIVE The current study seeks to replicate and extend principal findings reported in The World at 7:00 (Guillaume et al., 2016), a project that examined the psychological experience of situations in 20 countries. METHOD Data were collected from participants in 62 countries (N = 15,318), recruited from universities by local collaborators to complete the study via a custom-built website using 42 languages. RESULTS Several findings of the previous study were replicated. The average reported situational experience around the world was mildly positive. The same countries tended to be most alike in reported situational experience (r = .60) across the two studies, among the countries included in both. As in the previous study, the homogeneity of reported situational experience was significantly greater within than between countries, although the difference was small. The previously reported exploratory finding that negative aspects of situations varied more across countries than positive aspects did not replicate. Correlations between aspects of reported situational experience and country-level average value scores, personality, and demographic variables were largely similar between the two studies. CONCLUSION The findings underscore the importance of cross-cultural situational research and the need to replicate its results, and highlight the complex interplay of culture and situational experience.
Effects of female attributes and egg properties on offspring viability in a rheophilic cyprinid, Chondrostoma nasus

Intraspecific differences in female attributes influence egg quality and, as a consequence, offspring viability. To further investigate this hypothesis, we compared female attributes, egg size, biochemical egg composition, and survival potential of offspring from 20 female spawners of an endangered rheophilic cyprinid, Chondrostoma nasus. Egg size was strongly related to female age and size. The chemical composition of egg dry matter was influenced by female size to a lesser extent. No significant relationship between egg size and egg dry matter composition was observed. Mortality curves revealed three distinct periods of elevated mortality: early mortality, hatching mortality, and starvation mortality, separated by periods of reduced mortality. No significant correlations between embryonic mortality (early mortality and hatching mortality) and egg size were found. Starvation mortality was size selective: resistance to starvation correlated significantly with egg size and egg energy content. The direct an.
Alkalinity generation and sediment CO2 uptake influence establishment of Sparganium angustifolium in softwater lakes

SUMMARY 1. Softwater lakes are generally dominated by slow growing, small, isoetid plant species that are adapted to the carbon- and nutrient-limited conditions in these lakes. We investigated the strategy of a fast growing species, Sparganium angustifolium, for occupying softwater lakes. A field survey was carried out in Norwegian carbon-limited Isoeteto-Lobelietum softwater lakes to compare abiotic conditions at locations with and without S. angustifolium. In addition, long term abiotic changes (1995-2008) related to the sudden establishment of the species on experimentally limed plots were studied. Based on the results, the carbon acquisition mechanism of S. angustifolium was tested in eco-physiological laboratory experiments. 2. The redox potential was significantly lower at locations with S. angustifolium (220 ± 2.3) compared to locations without S. angustifolium (338.1 ± 13.9). The lower redox potential was accompanied by significantly higher concentrations of HCO3 ) ,C O 2 and Fe 2+ in the sediment pore water, indicating in-lake alkalinity generation due to higher iron reduction rates in the generally iron-rich sediments. In addition, the lower redox potential was accompanied by a higher nutrient availability (NH4 + and PO4 3) ) in the sediment pore water. Since there were no differences in water quality between the lakes, the ability of S. angustifolium to grow in softwater lakes very likely depends upon the higher dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and nutrient concentrations present in the sediment pore water. 3. Results from the liming experiment revealed that appearance of S. angustifolium on limed plots was related to the dissolution of Ca and Mg carbonates and development of a lower redox potential in the sediment. These processes were accompanied by a sustained increase in the availability of DIC in the sediment pore water. 4. The eco-physiological experiments indicated that S. angustifolium can increase in biomass and produce floating leaves at a relatively high DIC availability in the root medium. In addition, it appeared that S. angustifolium can take up CO2 by the roots. As far as we know, the ability to use sediment CO2 has only been described as an adaptation typical for isoetid plant species. Use of the relatively large sediment CO2 pools present in these sediment types (>1000 lmol L )1 ) to enable development of long
Microbial Safety of Milk Production and Fermented Dairy Products in Africa

In Africa, milk production, processing and consumption are integral part of traditional food supply, with dairy products being a staple component of recommended healthy diets. This review provides an overview of the microbial safety characteristics of milk production and fermented dairy products in Africa. The object is to highlight the main microbial food safety hazards in the dairy chain and to propose appropriate preventive and control measures. Pathogens of public health concern including Mycobacterium bovis, Brucella abortus and Coxiella burnettii, which have largely been eradicated in many developed nations, still persist in the dairy chain in Africa. Factors such as the natural antimicrobial systems in milk and traditional processing technologies, including fermentation, heating and use of antimicrobial additives, that can potentially contribute to microbial safety of milk and dairy products in Africa will be discussed. Practical approaches to controlling safety hazards in the dairy chain in Africa have been proposed. Governmental regulatory bodies need to set the necessary national and regional safety standards, perform inspections and put measures in place to ensure that the standards are met, including strong enforcement programs within smallholder dairy chains. Dairy chain actors would require upgraded knowledge and training in preventive approaches such as good agricultural practices (GAP), hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) design and implementation and good hygienic practices (GHPs). Food safety education programs should be incorporated into school curricula, beginning at the basic school levels, to improve food safety cognition among students and promote life-long safe food handling behaviour.