Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Usability of a Low-Cost 3D Printer in a Tissue Engineering Approach for External Ear Reconstruction

The use of alloplastic materials instead of autologous cartilage grafts offers a new perspective in craniofacial reconstructive surgery. Particularly for regenerative approaches, customized implants enable the surgeon to restore the cartilaginous framework of the ear without donor site morbidity. However, high development and production costs of commercially available implants impede clinical translation. For this reason, the usability of a low-cost 3D printer (Ultimaker 2+) as an inhouse-production tool for cheap surgical implants was investigated. The open software architecture of the 3D printer was modified in order to enable printing of biocompatible and biologically degradable polycaprolactone (PCL). Firstly, the printing accuracy and limitations of a PCL implant were compared to reference materials acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA). Then the self-made PCL-scaffold was seeded with adipose-tissue derived stem cells (ASCs), and biocompatibility was compared to a commercially available PCL-scaffold using a cell viability staining (FDA/PI) and a dsDNA quantification assay (PicoGreen). Secondly, porous and solid patient-customized ear constructs were manufactured from mirrored CT-imagining data using a computer-assisted design (CAD) and computer-assisted manufacturing (CAM) approach to evaluate printing accuracy and reproducibility. The results show that printing of a porous PCL scaffolds was possible, with an accuracy equivalent to the reference materials at an edge length of 10 mm and a pore size of 0.67 mm. Cell viability, adhesion, and proliferation of the ASCs were equivalent on self-made and the commercially available PCL-scaffolds. Patient-customized ear constructs could be produced well in solid form and with limited accuracy in porous form from all three thermoplastic materials. Printing dimensions and quality of the modified low-cost 3D printer are sufficient for selected tissue engineering applications, and the manufacturing of personalized ear models for surgical simulation at manufacturing costs of EUR 0.04 per cell culture scaffold and EUR 0.90 (0.56) per solid (porous) ear construct made from PCL. Therefore, in-house production of PCL-based tissue engineering scaffolds and surgical implants should be further investigated to facilitate the use of new materials and 3D printing in daily clinical routine.
Monte Carlo Simulation of Double-Strand Break Induction and Conversion after Ultrasoft X-rays Irradiation

This paper estimates the yields of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) induced by ultrasoft X-rays and uses the DSB yields and the repair outcomes to evaluate the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of ultrasoft X-rays. We simulated the yields of DSB induction and predicted them in the presence and absence of oxygen, using a Monte Carlo damage simulation (MCDS) software, to calculate the RBE. Monte Carlo excision repair (MCER) simulations were also performed to calculate the repair outcomes (correct repairs, mutations, and DSB conversions). Compared to 60Co γ-rays, the RBE values for ultrasoft X-rays (titanium K-shell, aluminum K-shell, copper L-shell, and carbon K-shell) for DSB induction were respectively 1.3, 1.9, 2.3, and 2.6 under aerobic conditions and 1.3, 2.1, 2.5, and 2.9 under a hypoxic condition (2% O2). The RBE values for enzymatic DSBs were 1.6, 2.1, 2.3, and 2.4, respectively, indicating that the enzymatic DSB yields are comparable to the yields of DSB induction. The synergistic effects of DSB induction and enzymatic DSB formation further facilitate cell killing and the advantage in cancer treatment.
Knee Strength and Ankle Range of Motion Impacts on Timed Function Tests in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: In the Era of Glucocorticoids.

BACKGROUND Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a neuromuscular disorder that presents in childhood and is characterized by slowly progressive proximal weakness and lower extremity contractures that limit ambulatory ability [1, 2]. Contractures develop in the ankles, knees, and hips due to muscle imbalances, fibrotic changes, loss of strength, and static positioning [2, 5]. Currently, standards of care guidelines emphasize the importance of maintaining good musculoskeletal alignment through stretching, bracing, and glucocorticoid (GC) therapy to preserve strength and function. METHODS This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data through the CINRG Duchenne Natural history study (DNHS). The objectives of this analysis are to understand the progression of ankle contractures for individuals with DMD and to investigate the relationship between progressive lower limb contractures, knee strength, and Timed Function Tests.A collection of TFTs including supine to stand (STS), 10 meter walk test (10MWT), and timed stair climbing (4SC) have been used to monitor disease progression and are predictive of loss of ambulation in these patients [4]. Multiple factors contribute to loss of ambulation, including progressive loss of strength and contracture development that leads to changing biomechanical demands for ambulation. A better understanding of the changes in strength and range of motion (ROM) that contribute to loss of function is important in a more individualized rehabilitation management plan. In this longitudinal study, we measured strength using quantitative muscle testing (QMT) with the CINRG Quantitative Measurement System (CQMS)), ROM was measuresed with a goniometer and TFTs were measured using a standard stopwatch and methodology. RESULTS We enrolled 440 participants; mean baseline age was 8.9 (2.1, 28.0) years with 1321 observations used for analysis. GC use was stratified based on duration on drug with 18.7%at < 6 months or naïve; 4.3%<1 year; 58.0%1 < 10 years; and 19.3%between 10-25 years of GC use. Ankle ROM was better for those on GC compared to GC naive but did not significantly influence long-term progression rates. QMT, ROM, age and GCs contribute to speed of TFTs. Knee extension (KE) strength and Dorsiflexion (DF) ROM are significant predictors of speed for all TFTs (p < 0.001). Of the variables used in this analysis, KE strength is the primary predictor of walking speed, estimating that every pound increase in KE results in a 0.042 m/s improvement in 10MWT, and a smaller similar increase of 0.009 m/s with every degree of ankle DF ROM. CONCLUSION GC use provides an improvement in strength and ROM but does not affect rate of change. Knee strength has a greater influence on speed of TFTs than DF ROM, although both are statistically significant predictors of speed. Results show that retaining knee strength [1, 2], along with joint flexibility, may be important factors in the ability to perform walking, climbing and supine to stand activities.
A study of role of Insulin resistance in recently detected hypertensives in a rural population of Kishanganj, Bihar-A Cross sectional observational study

1 Associate Professor, Dept. of General Medicine, M.G. M. Medical College & L.S. K. Hospital, Kishanganj, Bihar 2 Resident, Dept. of General Medicine, M.G. M. Medical College & L.S. K. Hospital, Kishanganj, Bihar 3 Resident, Dept. of General Medicine, M.G. M. , Medical College & L.S. K. Hospital, Kishanganj, Bihar 4 Resident, Dept. of General Medicine, M.G. M. Medical College & L.S. K. Hospital, Kishanganj, Bihar 5 Resident, Dept. of General Medicine, M.G. M. Medical College & L.S. K Hospital, Kishanganj, Biha 6 Dept. of General Medicine, Medical College & L.S. K. Hospital, Kishanganj, Bihar
Cardiovascular disease risk factors: Role of legislations that control marketing of breastmilk substitutes

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality throughout the world. Breastfeeding has been shown to play a role in the prevention of CVD. The International Code for Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (BMSs) and its relevant resolutions (the Code) were adopted by the World Health Assembly to protect breastfeeding. Aim: This study aims to study the relationships between breastfeeding rates and laws that cover the code with CVD risk factors (obesity and blood pressure) and death from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Methods: Data for scores given to national laws and provisions under the Code for protecting breastfeeding were obtained from the World Health Organization (WHO)/International Baby Food Action Network report in 2020. Data for exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) during infancy were obtained from United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund Global data. The WHO data for CVD risk factors in adults (>18 years) included overweight, obesity raised blood pressure (RBP), raised blood glucose level (RBGL), and death from NCDs. Results: There were significant negative correlations of overweight, obesity, raised BP, and death from NCD with EBF and with scores given to national laws that cover the Code. RBGL correlated negatively with overweight and obesity. Overweight, obesity, RBP, and death from NCDs correlated inversely with provisions in the national laws for monitoring and enforcement at p<0.015. Engagement of health staff and systems and promotion in health facilities correlated with RBP and death from NCDs at p<0.01. Conclusions: Prevention of CVD can benefit from improving breastfeeding rates by the enactment of national laws that cover the Code in its entirety. All countries should enact, monitor, and enforce these laws for promoting and protecting breastfeeding and preventing long-term consequences of feeding BMS.
Impact of temperature on the leaching of sulphate, Co, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn from the Ballangen tailings deposit, Norway: a laboratory column experiment

Temperature is an important factor affecting the leaching of contaminants from waste deposits, especially in the Nordic region where temperature change is more drastic than other areas. In this study, the impact of temperature variation in the leaching of sulphate, Co, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn from the Ballangen tailings deposit, northern Norway, was investigated using a column leaching experiment. Unoxidized tailings were fed into four columns, which were subsequently put into four wine fridges set at 5, 10, 14 and 18 °C, respectively. The columns were filled with 600 ml of deionized water from the top every second week. Leachate was collected at the bottom and tested for pH, conductivity and concentrations of , Co, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn. The saturation index for ferrihydrite and the activity of Fe2+ in the leachate were calculated with PHREEQC. The results showed that the conductivity and leachate concentrations of , Co, Fe, Mn and Ni were highest at 14 and 18 °C, and lowest at 5 °C, which showed high tailings oxidation and subsequent leaching of contaminants at higher temperatures. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) analysis of the residual material confirmed the oxidation of sulphides and leaching of many elements. Ferrihydrite was supersaturated in the leachate from the 14 and 18 °C columns, which showed the oxidation of pyrrhotite and olivine and the precipitation of ferrihydrite. The cumulative mass of Zn leached out was highest at 10 °C, which might be the threshold temperature for the leaching of Zn.
Effectiveness of the Conservative Surgical Management of the Ameloblastomas: A Cross-Sectional Study

Ameloblastoma is a benign, but locally aggressive odontogenic neoplasm, whose appropriate therapeutic management remains highly debatable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and effectiveness of the two conservative surgical therapeutic protocols (curettage with peripheral ostectomy only and curettage plus cryotherapy) for the management of ameloblastomas. About 53 cases of the ameloblastomas treated in 9 years were retrospectively analyzed regarding their clinical, histopathologic, radiographic, and therapeutic data. The results and the postoperative complications related to both the therapeutic protocols were also statistically investigated. A slight female preponderance was seen (1.12:1.0) with a mean age of 27.1 years. The posterior mandible was the most affected site and dental involvement was frequently found. Multilocular lesions causing the alterations of the bone cortices were the most common radiographic findings. Recurrences were seen in 9.4% of the cases and although the patients submitted to curettage plus cryotherapy have shown an increased incidence of wound dehiscence, infection, and paresthesia, only bone sequestration proved to be significantly more frequent in this group compared to the patients treated by curettage with peripheral ostectomy only. The incidence of the recurrences following the conservative management is low and cryotherapy use as an adjuvant tool must be rationally considered.
The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on China’s Carbon Emissions

China is world renowned for its significant achievements in several fields. China’s economic growth has been prominent, with the country’s GDP ranking second globally. China’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows have been significant, with the country now known as the second largest economy in the world. FDI however does have some negative consequences on China’s environment. While attracting FDI promotes economic growth through industrial upgrading, the deleterious impacts of the latter on the environment cannot be ignored. The current study analyses the actual use of FDI and carbon emissions in China from 1997 to 2018. Quantitative analysis was employed to analyze the trends of FDI and carbon emissions in China as a whole and in the respective regions, namely the eastern, central and western regions. Regression analysis was then conducted to analyze the impact of FDI on carbon emissions in China on the national level and regional levels, i.e., in the eastern, central and western regions. The conclusion of this article is that FDI will play a positive role in China’s overall carbon emissions. The study has important implications for policy. We recommend that the corresponding investment policies need to be formulated according to the different levels of economic development among the regions.
Dynamic Quadrilateral Characteristic-Based Distance Relays for Transmission Lines Equipped with TCSC

A two-fold adaptive dynamic quadrilateral relay is developed in this research for protecting Thyristor-Controlled Series Compensator (TCSC)-compensated transmission lines (TLs). By investigating a new tilt angle and modifying the Takagi method to recognize the fault zone identifier, the proposed relay adapts its reactive reach and resistive reach separately and independently. The investigated tilt angle and identified fault zone use the TCSC reactance to compensate its effect on the TL parameters and system homogeneity. Excessive tests are simulated by MATLAB on the non-homogenous network, IEEE-9 bus system and further tests are carried out on IEEE-39 bus system in order to generalize and validate the efficiency of the proposed approach. The designed trip boundaries are able to detect wide range of resistive faults under all TCSC modes of operations. The proposed approach is easy to implement as there no need for data synchronization or a high level of computation and filtration. Moreover, the proposed adaptive dynamic relay can be applied for non-homogeneity systems and short as well as long TLs which are either TCSC-compensated or -uncompensated TLs.
Municipal Representation Style and Focus: Evidence from Canadian Mayors and Councillors

ABSTRACT The comparably small scope of municipal politics creates a unique setting within which elected officials act as representatives. Here, we explore how mayors and councillors in Canadian cities do so by addressing and explaining variation in their representational style and focus. Across three studies, we explore how these elected officials allocate their time and aspire to allocate their time between different representational activities and who they attempt to represent. We do so using data from a new survey of Canadian mayors and councillors. Canadian mayors and councillors tend to prioritise policy representation over other types of representation and aspire to spend further time on policy-related matters. Further, mayors and councillors, despite some variation, tend to prioritise representation of their cities as wholes. A number of institutional and individual-level factors help to explain variation in these responses.
Integrative and perturbation‐based analysis of the transcriptional dynamics of TGFβ/BMP system components in transition from embryonic stem cells to neural progenitors

Cooperative actions of extrinsic signals and cell‐intrinsic transcription factors alter gene regulatory networks enabling cells to respond appropriately to environmental cues. Signaling by transforming growth factor type β (TGFβ) family ligands (eg, bone morphogenetic proteins [BMPs] and Activin/Nodal) exerts cell‐type specific and context‐dependent transcriptional changes, thereby steering cellular transitions throughout embryogenesis. Little is known about coordinated regulation and transcriptional interplay of the TGFβ system. To understand intrafamily transcriptional regulation as part of this system's actions during development, we selected 95 of its components and investigated their mRNA‐expression dynamics, gene‐gene interactions, and single‐cell expression heterogeneity in mouse embryonic stem cells transiting to neural progenitors. Interrogation at 24 hour intervals identified four types of temporal gene transcription profiles that capture all stages, that is, pluripotency, epiblast formation, and neural commitment. Then, between each stage we performed esiRNA‐based perturbation of each individual component and documented the effect on steady‐state mRNA levels of the remaining 94 components. This exposed an intricate system of multilevel regulation whereby the majority of gene‐gene interactions display a marked cell‐stage specific behavior. Furthermore, single‐cell RNA‐profiling at individual stages demonstrated the presence of detailed co‐expression modules and subpopulations showing stable co‐expression modules such as that of the core pluripotency genes at all stages. Our combinatorial experimental approach demonstrates how intrinsically complex transcriptional regulation within a given pathway is during cell fate/state transitions.
Factors Affecting Adherence to Early Mobilization in an Intensive Care Unit: An Analysis of Data Collected Prospectively Over a Three-Year Period by Clinical Information System

Background: Early mobilization benefits critically ill patients. Scant information is available about adherence to early mobilization protocols in intensive care units (ICU). With the aim of optimizing the application of our early mobilization protocol in mechanically ventilated patients in routine daily practice, this study analyzed adherence to the protocol, impediments to adherence, and adverse eventsin our ICU. Methods: This observational study analyzed data collected prospectively at a 24-bed polyvalent ICU over a three-year period (2017–2019). Data from adult patients on mechanical ventilation > 48 hours who met the inclusion criteria for the early mobilization protocol were included. We analyzed demographics, adherence to the protocol, total number of mobilizations, impediments to early mobilization, artificial airway/ventilatory support at each mobilization level, and adverse events during mobilization. All data was automatically obtained from the clinical information system by extract, transform, and load processes using Python 3.0. The unit of analysis was ICU stay-day. Results: We analyzed 3269 stay-days from 388 patients with median age of 63 (51–72) years, median APACHE II 23 (18–29) and median ICU stay of 10.1 (6.2–16.5) days. Adherence to the protocol was 56.6% (1850 stay-days), but patients were mobilized in only 32.2% (1472) of all stay-days. The most common reasons for not mobilizing patients were failure to meeting the criteria for clinical stability in 241 (42%) stay-days and unavailability of physiotherapists in 190 (33%) stay-days. Adverse events occurred in only 6 (0.4%) stay-days mobilizations. Conclusions: Although adherence to the protocol was high, patients were mobilized in only one-third of all stay-days. This study points to ways we can improve early mobilization in our ICU, including assessing the suitability of the criteria for clinical stability and increasing the presence of physiotherapists.
Breast Milk Micronutrients and Infant Neurodevelopmental Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Micronutrients are fundamental for healthy brain development and deficiencies during early development can have a severe and lasting impact on cognitive outcomes. Evidence indicates that undernourished lactating individuals may produce breast milk containing lower concentrations of certain vitamins and minerals. Exclusively breastfed infants born to mothers deficient in micronutrients may therefore be at risk of micronutrient deficiencies, with potential implications for neurodevelopment. This systematic review aims to consider current knowledge on the effects of breast milk micronutrients on the developmental outcomes of infants. The databases Medline, Global Health, PsychInfo, Open Grey, and the Web of Science were searched for papers published before February 2021. Studies were included if they measured micronutrients in breast milk and their association with the neurodevelopmental outcomes of exclusively breastfed infants. Also, randomised control trials investigating neurocognitive outcomes following maternal supplementation during lactation were sought. From 5477 initial results, three observational studies were eligible for inclusion. These investigated associations between breast milk levels of vitamin B6, carotenoids, or selenium and infant development. Results presented suggest that pyroxidal, β-carotene, and lycopene are associated with infant neurodevelopmental outcomes. Limited eligible literature and heterogeneity between included papers prevented quantitative synthesis. Insufficient evidence was identified, precluding any conclusions on the relationship between breast milk micronutrients and infant developmental outcomes. Further, the evidence available was limited by a high risk of bias. This highlights the need for further research in this area to understand the long-term influence of micronutrients in breast milk, the role of other breast milk micronutrients in infant neurodevelopmental outcomes, and the impact of possible lactational interventions.
Can We Improve the Functional Threshold Power Test by Adding High-Intensity Priming Arm-Crank?

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of arm-crank induced priming on subsequent 20 min Functional Threshold Power Test among 11 well-trained male cyclists (18.8 ± 0.9 years; 182 ± 5 cm; 73.0 ± 6.6 kg; V˙O2max 67.9 ± 5.1 mL·kg−1·min−1). Participants completed an incremental test and two maximal performance tests (MPTs) in a randomized order. Warm-up prior to MPTlow consisted of 20 min aerobic exercise and 25 s high-intensity all-out arm crank effort was added to warm-up in MPThigh. Constant intensities for the first 17 min of MPT were targeting to achieve a similar relative fatigue according to participants’ physiological capacity before the last 3 min all-out spurt. Final 3 min all-out spurt power was 4.94 ± 0.27 W·kg−1 and 4.85 ± 0.39 W·kg−1 in MPTlow and MPThigh, respectively (not statistically different: p = 0.116; d = 0.5). Blood lactate [La] levels just before the start were higher (p < 0.001; d = 2.6) in MPThigh (5.6 ± 0.5 mmol·L−1) compared to MPTlow (1.1 ± 0.1 mmol·L−1). According to V˙CO2 and net [La] data, significantly higher anaerobic energy production was detected among MPTlow condition. In conclusion, priming significantly reduced anaerobic energy contribution but did neither improve nor decrease group mean performance although effects were variable. We suggest priming to have beneficial effects based on previous studies; however, the effects are individual and additional studies are needed to distinguish such detailed effects in single athletes.