Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of intravesical instillation of hyaluronic acid with intradetrusor botulinum toxin A injection or cystoscopic hydrodistention for ketamine-associated cystitis

Objective This study aimed to compare the therapeutic effect of intravesical instillation hyaluronic acid with intradetrusor botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injection or cystoscopic hydrodistention for ketamine-associated cystitis. Methods Thirty-six patients were evenly randomly divided into the BTX-A group or the hydrodistention group. Patients received 200 U BTX-A detrusor injections in the BTX-A group and cystoscopic hydrodistention in the hydrodistention group. Intravesical instillation of hyaluronic acid was administrated in both groups for eight times. Patients with involuntary detrusor contraction were divided into the persistent involuntary detrusor contraction group and resolved involuntary detrusor contraction group after treatment in 6 months. The predictors of persistent involuntary detrusor contraction were analyzed. Results Twelve months after treatment, the daytime frequency, Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index, maximal capacity, and maximal cystometric capacity in the BTX-A group were significantly better than those in the hydrodistention group. Patients with resolution of involuntary detrusor contraction had a significantly shorter duration of ketamine, lower amount of fibrosis in pathology, and higher maximal capacity than those with persistent involuntary detrusor contraction 6 months after therapy. Conclusion Intravesical instillation of hyaluronic acid with intradetrusor BTX-A injection appears to be a preferable option for long-term effectiveness compared with cystoscopic hydrodistention.
Aging effects on fire‐retardant additives in polymers

Extensive thermal aging experiments have been conducted on (i) ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR) formulations containing various commercial halogenated-hydrocarbon fire-retardant additives together with Sb2O3, and (ii) on chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE) formulations with and without added Sb2O3. Significant losses of both chlorine and antimony are found on aging, dependent upon the ability of the particular halocarbon to undergo intramolecular dehydrohalogenation. The stoichiometry indicates antimony volatilization as SbCl3. Arrhenius treatment of the data for the EPR formulation which undergoes the most rapid loss gives an overall activation energy of 34 kcal/mol for antimony volatilization and indicates that fire-retardant loss should become appreciable only at temperatures significantly above ambient (i.e., 70°C). Oxygen index flammability measurements showed moderately increased flammability for certain aged EPR samples, but showed significantly decreased flammability for aged CSPE which was correlated with the loss of other volatile components from the formulation.
Fundamental investigation of arc interruption in gas flows. Final report

Continuation of the study of thermal recovery in gas blast interrupters reported earlier in EPRI Report EL-284 is reported. The thermal recovery process was investigated with physical and aerodynamic methods, typically using reduced size nozzles and short sinusoidal current pulses. Current-zero dI/dt and gas pressures were representative of full-size interrupters. Aerodynamic characterization of the cold flow fields in several different nozzle types included measurements of the pressure and flow fields, both steady-state and turbulent components, with special attention given to wakes and shock structures. Special schlieren techniques on DC arcs and high-speed photography on arcs in orifice nozzles show that shock heating broadens the arc independent of turbulence effects and producing a poorly recovering downstream arc section. Measured recovery speeds (RRRV) in both orifice and convergent-divergent nozzles agree with predictions of several arc theories assuming turbulent power losses. However, data on post-zero currents and power loss show values much smaller than theoretical predictions. Hydrogen, deuterium, and methane (CH/sub 4/) were measured to have thermal recovery speeds up to one hundred times that of SF/sub 6/ in the same conditions. Mixtures of SF/sub 6/ with CF/sub 4/, C/sub 2/F/sub 6/, He, or N/sub 2/ can give fast thermal recovery when usedmore » at high total pressure but moderate SF/sub 6/ content. Additional work is reported on development of techniques for measurement of arc temperature, and theoretical models for examining arc behavior prior to current zero and the effects of gas composition on recovery speed. « less
AIR‐DRYING CHARACTERISTICS, EFFECTIVE MOISTURE DIFFUSIVITY AND ACTIVATION ENERGY OF GRAPE LEAVES

Grape leaves were dried in a thin layer under hot air at 40, 50 and 60C m/s in the a cabinet dryer. The drying rate curves showed that the drying of grape leaves was characterized by a single falling rate period. Drying of grape leaves was greatly influenced by air temperature. Eight mathematical models available in the literature were fitted to the experimental data. The Wang and Singh and Midilli et al. models gave the best fits for each drying curve; based on the statistical tests, namely, coefficient of determination (R2), mean relative percent error (P), reduced chi-square (χ2) and root mean square error (RMSE). Fick's second law model was used to calculate the effective moisture diffusivity, which increased with temperature from 4.13 × 10−10 to 1.83 × 10−9 m2/s, with estimated activation energy value of 64.56 kJ/mol. The rehydration capacity was found to decrease with an increase in rehydration temperature. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Grape leaves are extremely perishable. Because of their short shelf life under normal ambient conditions of temperature and humidity, their preservation has assumed importance. Drying, which is the oldest of food preservation practiced by mankind, is the most important process to preserve agricultural products because it has a great effect on the quality of the dried products. The objective in drying foods is the reduction of the moisture content to a level that allows safe storage over an extended period. In this study, drying characteristics of grape leaves were studied in a convectional hot air-dryer. The effect of air temperature on drying and rehydration characteristics was determined. For the optimal products, the drying characteristics, namely drying time and rehydration capacity, are considered.
Increase in soil carbon sequestration using rice husk charcoal without stimulating CH4 and N2O emissions in an Andosol paddy field in Japan

Abstract Biochar application has been recognized as an effective option for promoting carbon (C) sequestration, but it may also affect the production and consumption of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) in soil. A 1-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of rice husk charcoal application on rice (Oryza sativa L.) productivity and the balance of greenhouse gas exchanges in an Andosol paddy field. The experiment compared the treatments of rice husk charcoal applied at 10, 20 and 40 Mg ha−1 (RC10, RC20 and RC40, respectively), rice husk applied at 20 Mg ha−1 (RH20), and the control (CONT). Rice straw and grain yields did not significantly differ among the treatments. The seasonal cumulative CH4 emissions were 38–47% higher from RC10, RC20 and RC40 than from the CONT. However, the increases were not in proportion to the application rates of rice husk charcoal, and their values did not significantly differ from the CONT. On the contrary, the RH20 treatment significantly increased the cumulative CH4 emission by 227% compared to the CONT. The N2O emissions during the measurement were not affected by the treatments. As a result, the combined global warming potential (GWP) of CH4 and N2O emissions was significantly higher in RH20 than in the other treatments. There was a positive linear correlation between C storage in the top 10 cm of soil and the application rate of rice husk charcoal. The increases in soil C contents compared to the CONT corresponded to 98–149% of the C amounts added as rice husk charcoal and 41% of the C added as rice husk. Carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes in the off season were not significantly different among RC10, RC20, RC40 and CONT, indicating that C added as rice husk charcoal remained in the soil during the fallow period. The CO2 equivalent balance between soil C sequestration and the combined GWP indicates that the rice husk charcoal treatments stored more C in soil than the CONT, whereas the RH20 emitted more C than the CONT. These results suggest that rice husk charcoal application will contribute to mitigating global warming without sacrificing rice yields.
Clinical features and treatment outcomes of human immunodeficiency virus-associated cryptococcal meningitis: a 2-year retrospective analysis

Abstract Background: Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is one of the most common opportunistic infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, and is complicated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical features, characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of first-diagnosed HIV-associated CM after 2-years of follow-up. Methods: Data from all patients (n = 101) of HIV-associated CM hospitalized in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center from September 2013 to December 2016 were collected and analyzed using logistic regression to identify clinical and microbiological factors associated with mortality. Results: Of the 101 patients, 86/99 (86.9%) of patients had CD4 count <50 cells/mm3, 57/101 (56.4%) were diagnosed at ≥14 days from the onset to diagnosis, 42/99 (42.4%) had normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cell counts and biochemical examination, 30/101 (29.7%) had concomitant Pneumocystis (carinii) jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) on admission and 37/92 (40.2%) were complicated with cryptococcal pneumonia, 50/74 (67.6%) had abnormalities shown on intracranial imaging, amongst whom 24/50 (48.0%) had more than one lesion. The median time to negative CSF Indian ink staining was 8.50 months (interquartile range, 3.25–12.00 months). Patients who initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) before admission had a shorter time to negative CSF Indian ink compared with ART-naïve patients (7 vs. 12 months, χ2 = 15.53, P < 0.001). All-cause mortality at 2 weeks, 8 weeks, and 2 years was 10.1% (10/99), 18.9% (18/95), and 20.7% (19/92), respectively. Coinfection with PCP on admission (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.933; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.166–13.269, P = 0.027) and altered mental status (AOR, 9.574; 95% CI, 2.548–35.974, P = 0.001) were associated with higher mortality at 8 weeks. Conclusion: This study described the clinical features and outcomes of first diagnosed HIV-associated CM with 2-year follow-up data. Altered mental status and coinfection with PCP predicted mortality in HIV-associated CM.
Toward a qualitative understanding of the initial electron transfer site in Dawson-type heteropolyanions

EPR, NMR, optical spectra and electrochemistry experiments on an extended series of one-electron reduced Dawson-type heteropolyanions converge to support the conclusion that the equatorial (α1) tungsten atoms are first reduced in [P2W18O62]6−. This conclusion is reinforced, for instance, by the interpretation of the electrochemical behaviours of a series of [P2W18−xMoxO62]6− derivatives. In search for a rationale, the study of the electronic structure of such Dawson-type heteropolyanions by means of extended Huckel calculations provides a qualitative understanding of this reduction process. It is found that the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), which is likely to be involved in the initial electron transfer, is essentially “belt”-centred in [P2W18O62]6−. Also, the change of the reduction site (α1→α2) upon substitution in the “cap” region (α2 site) by a more electronegative metal centre (Mo for instance) is consistent with the localization of the LUMO on the substituted centre(s).
MicroRNA-16-1-3p Represses Breast Tumor Growth and Metastasis by Inhibiting PGK1-Mediated Warburg Effect

The Warburg effect (aerobic glycolysis) is a hallmark of cancer and is becoming a promising target for diagnosis and therapy. Phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) is the first adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-generating glycolytic enzyme in the aerobic glycolysis pathway and plays an important role in cancer development and progression. However, how microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate PGK1-mediated aerobic glycolysis remains unknown. Here, we show that miR-16-1-3p inhibits PGK1 expression by directly targeting its 3′-untranslated region. Through inhibition of PGK1, miR-16-1-3p suppressed aerobic glycolysis by decreasing glucose uptake, lactate and ATP production, and extracellular acidification rate, and increasing oxygen consumption rate in breast cancer cells. Aerobic glycolysis regulated by the miR-16-1-3p/PGK1 axis is critical for modulating breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. In breast cancer patients, miR-16-1-3p expression is negatively correlated with PGK1 expression and breast cancer lung metastasis. Our findings provide clues regarding the role of miR-16-1-3p as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer through PGK1 suppression. Targeting PGK1 through miR-16-1-3p could be a promising strategy for breast cancer therapy.
Chronic BACE-1 Inhibitor Administration in TASTPM Mice (APP KM670/671NL and PSEN1 M146V Mutation): An EEG Study

Objective. In this exploratory study, we tested whether electroencephalographic (EEG) rhythms may reflect the effects of a chronic administration (4 weeks) of an anti-amyloid β-site amyloid precursor protein (APP) cleaving enzyme 1 inhibitor (BACE-1; ER-901356; Eisai Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) in TASTPM (double mutation in APP KM670/671NL and PSEN1 M146V) producing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) amyloid neuropathology as compared to wild type (WT) mice. Methods. Ongoing EEG rhythms were recorded from a bipolar frontoparietal and two monopolar frontomedial (prelimbic) and hippocampal channels in 11 WT Vehicle, 10 WT BACE-1, 10 TASTPM Vehicle, and 11 TASTPM BACE-1 mice (males; aged 8/9 months old at the beginning of treatment). Normalized EEG power (density) was compared between the first day (Day 0) and after 4 weeks (Week 4) of the BACE-1 inhibitor (10 mg/Kg) or vehicle administration in the 4 mouse groups. Frequency and magnitude of individual EEG delta and theta frequency peaks (IDF and ITF) were considered during animal conditions of behaviorally passive and active wakefulness. Cognitive status was not tested. Results. Compared with the WT group, the TASTPM group generally showed a significantly lower reactivity in frontoparietal ITF power during the active over the passive condition (p < 0.05). Notably, there was no other statistically significant effect (e.g., additional electrodes, recording time, and BACE-1 inhibitor). Conclusions. The above EEG biomarkers reflected differences between the WT and TASTPM groups, but no BACE-1 inhibitor effect. The results suggest an enhanced experimental design with the use of younger mice, longer drug administrations, an effective control drug, and neuropathological amyloid markers.
Field Emission Air-Channel Devices as a Voltage Adder

Field emission air-channel (FEAC) devices can work under atmospheric pressure with a low operation voltage when the electron channel is far less than the mean free path (MFP) in the air, thereby making them a practical component in circuits. Forward and reverse electron emissions of the current FEAC devices demonstrated symmetric Fowler–Nordheim (F–N) plots owing to the symmetric cathode and anode electrodes. This research aimed to demonstrate the arithmetic application of the FEAC devices, their substrate effect, and reliability. A voltage adder was composed of two FEAC devices whose two inputs were connected to two separate function generators, and one output was wire-connected to an oscilloscope. The devices were on a thin dielectric film and low-resistivity silicon substrate to evaluate the parasitic components and substrate effect, resulting in frequency-dependent impedance. The results show that the FEAC devices possessed arithmetic function, but the output voltage decreased. The FEAC devices were still capable of serving as a voltage adder after the reliability test, but electric current leakage increased. Finite element analysis indicated that the highest electrical fields and electron trajectories occur at the apices where the electrons travel with the shortest route less than the MFP in the air, thereby meeting the FEAC devices’ design. The modeling also showed that a sharp apex would generate a high electric field at the tip-gap-tip, enhancing the tunneling current.
Factors Contributing to Sex Differences in Mice Inhaling Aspergillus fumigatus

Aspergillus fumigatus is a respiratory fungal pathogen and an allergen, commonly detected in flooded indoor environments and agricultural settings. Previous studies in Balb/c mice showed that repeated inhalation of live and dry A. fumigatus spores, without any adjuvant, elevated allergic immune response and airway remodeling. Sex-specific differences can influence host-pathogen interactions and allergic-asthma related outcomes. However, the effect of host sex on immune response, in the context of A. fumigatus exposure, remains unknown. In this study, we quantified the multivariate and univariate immune response of C57BL/6J mice to live, dry airborne A. fumigatus spores. Our results corroborate previous results in Balb/c mice that repeated inhalation of live A. fumigatus spores is sufficient to induce mucus production and inflammation by day 3 post last challenge, and antibody titers and collagen production by day 28 post-challenge. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that females exhibited significantly higher levels of immune components than males did. Taken together, our data indicate that host-sex is an important factor in shaping the immune response against A. fumigatus, and must be considered when modeling disease in animals, in designing diagnostics and therapeutics for A. fumigatus-associated diseases or while drafting evidence-based guidelines for safe mold levels.
Socio‐ecological drivers of vertebrate biodiversity and human‐animal interfaces across an urban landscape

Urbanization can have profound impacts on the distributional ecology of wildlife and livestock, with implications for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services and human health. A wealth of studies have assessed biotic responses to urbanization in North America and Europe, but there is little empirical evidence that directly links human activities to urban biodiversity in the tropics. Results from a large‐scale field study conducted in Nairobi, Kenya, are used to explore the impact of human activities on the biodiversity of wildlife and livestock with which humans co‐exist across the city. The structure of sympatric wildlife, livestock and human populations are characterized using unsupervised machine learning, and statistical modelling is used to relate compositional variation in these communities to socio‐ecological drivers occurring across the city. By characterizing landscape‐scale drivers acting on these interfaces, we demonstrate that socioeconomics, elevation and subsequent changes in habitat have measurable impacts upon the diversity, density and species assemblage of wildlife, livestock and humans. Restructuring of wildlife and livestock assemblages (both in terms of species diversity and composition) has important implications for the emergence of novel diseases at urban interfaces, and we therefore use our results to generate a set of testable hypotheses that explore the influence of urban change on microbial communities. These results provide novel insight into the impact of urbanization on biodiversity in the tropics. An understanding of associations between urban processes and the structure of human and animal populations is required to link urban development to conservation efforts and risks posed by disease emergence to human health, ultimately informing sustainable urban development policy.
Milk quality, production process and physicochemical characteristics of Porungo, an artisanal cheese from the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Abstract Porungo is a traditional pasta filata cheese produced using raw milk throughout the southwest region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The objectives of this Research Communication were to evaluate the quality of raw milk used to make Porungo cheese, to characterize its production process, and to determine its chemical composition. The results showed that the raw milk met both Brazilian and international quality requirements. Chemically, Porungo can be classified as a medium to full fat semi-hard fresh cheese. Our study has allowed the first standards and regulations for Porungo to be established in Brazil. By virtue of this, the local producers are able to formalize their activity while consumers can have access to a safe and certified product.
High anal swab viral load predisposes adverse clinical outcomes in severe COVID-19 patients

ABSTRACT To identify the association between the kinetics of viral load and clinical outcome in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, a retrospective study was performed by involved 188 hospitalized severe COVID-19 patients in the LOTUS China trial. Among the collected 578 paired throat swab (TS) and anal swab (AS) samples, viral RNA was detected in 193 (33.4%) TS and 121 (20.9%) AS. A higher viral RNA load was found in TS than that of AS, with means of 1.0 × 106 and 2.3 × 105 copies/ml, respectively. In non-survivors, the viral RNA in AS was detected earlier than that in survivors (median of 14 days vs 19 days, P = 0.007). The positivity and viral load in AS were higher in non-survivors than that of survivors at week 2 post symptom onset (P = 0.006). A high initial viral load in AS was associated with death (OR 1.368, 95% CI 1.076–1.741, P = 0.011), admission to the intensive care unit (OR 1.237, 95% CI 1.001–1.528, P = 0.049) and need for invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 1.340, 95% CI 1.076–1.669, P = 0.009). Our findings indicated viral replication in extrapulmonary sites should be monitored intensively during antiviral therapy.