Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE EFFECT OF SUPRA-FRONTO-ORBITAL (SFO) BRISTLE REMOVAL ON MALE MATING SUCCESS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT FLY (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE)

Here we present the ﬁndings of a laboratory study in which male Mediterranean fruit ﬂies (medﬂies), Ceratitis capitata , (Wiedemann) had one or both supra-fronto-orbital (SFO) bristles artiﬁcially removed, for comparison with unoperated controls. All the ﬂies were weighed and had their wings measured. The time at which a male began pheromone-calling was correlated with its weight, lighter males beginning calling earlier, but there was no effect of weight on mating success. Mated males had signiﬁcantly longer wings than unmated males although there was no correlation with wing width. Although males missing both bristles were rejected more by females than those with one or two bristles, the loss of a single bristle had no effect on female response. The presence of bristles was not essential for successful mating. This study does not support the idea of females visually assessing males on the basis of their bristle symmetry.
Four diterpenes identified in silico were isolated from Hyptidinae and demonstrated in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Abstract Plants of Hyptidinae subtribe (Lamiaceae – family), as Mesosphaerum sidifolium, are a source of bioactive molecules. In the search for new drug candidates, we perform chemical characterization of diterpenes isolated from the aerial parts of M. sidifolium was carried out with uni- and bidimensional NMR spectral data, and evaluate in silico through the construction of a predictive model followed by in vitro testing Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium smegmatis. Resulted in the isolation of four components: Pomiferin D (1), Salviol (2), Pomiferin E (3) and 2α-hydroxysugiol (4), as well as two phenolic compounds, rosmarinic and caffeic acids. In silico model identified 48 diterpenes likely to have biological activity against M. tuberculosis. The diterpenes isolated were tested in vitro against M. tuberculosis demonstrating MIC = 125 µM for 4 and 1, while 2 and 3 -MIC = 250 µM. These compounds did not show biological activity at these concentrations for M. smegmatis. Graphical Abstract
Exploitation of the antifungal and antibiofilm activities of plumbagin against Cryptococcus neoformans

Abstract Cryptococcus neoformans is an important opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes various infections. Here, the antifungal and antibiofilm activities of plumbagin against C. neoformans and the underlying mechanisms were evaluated. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of plumbagin against C. neoformans H99 was 8 μg ml−1. Plumbagin disrupted the cell membrane integrity and reduced the metabolic activities of C. neoformans H99. C. neoformans H99 biofilm cells were damaged by plumbagin at a concentration of 64 μg ml−1, whereas 48-h mature biofilms were dispersed at a plumbagin concentration of 128 μg ml−1. Whole-transcriptome analysis of plumbagin-treated C. neoformans H99 in the biofilm and planktonic states identified differentially expressed genes enriched in several important cellular processes (cell membrane, ribosome biogenesis, fatty acid synthesis, melanin and capsule production). Notably, plumbagin damaged biofilm cells by downregulating FAS1 and FAS2 expression. Thus, plumbagin can be exploited as an antifungal agent to combat C. neoformans-related infections.
Both Disease Activity and HLA–B27 Status Are Associated With Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis in Spondyloarthritis Patients

Gut microbiome dysbiosis has previously been reported in spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients and could be critically involved in the pathogenesis of this disorder. The objectives of this study were to further characterize the microbiota structure in SpA patients and to investigate the relationship between dysbiosis and disease activity in light of the putative influence of the genetic background.
Acute health effects of desktop 3D printing (FDM) using ABS and PLA materials: an experimental exposure study in human volunteers

3D printers are increasingly run at home. Nanoparticle emissions from those printers have been reported, which raises the question whether adverse health effects from ultrafine particles (UFP) can be elicited by 3D printers. We exposed 26 healthy adults in a single-blinded, randomized, cross-over design to emissions of a desktop 3D printer using fused deposition modeling (FDM) for one hour (high UFP-emitting acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) versus low-emitting polylactic acid (PLA)). Before and after exposures, cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, INF-γ) and ECP in nasal secretions, exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), urinary 8-isoprostaglandin F 2α (8-iso PGF 2α ) and self-reported symptoms were assessed. The exposures had no significant differential effect on 8-iso PGF 2α and nasal biomarkers. However, there was a difference (p<0.05) in the time course of FeNO, with higher levels after ABS exposure. Moreover, indisposition and odor nuisance were increased for ABS exposure. These data suggest that one hour of exposure to 3D printer emissions had no acute effect on inflammatory markers in nasal secretions and urine. The slight relative increase in FeNO after ABS printing compared to PLA might be due to eosinophilic inflammation from inhaled UFP particles. This possibility should be investigated in further studies using additional biomarkers and longer observation periods. The general CGES questionnaire was limited to eight questions referring to “chemical odor sensitivity”; it was used for describing the characteristics of the subject population at baseline. Almost all participants were identified in the low range of the scale. When excluding the two subjects with the highest CGES responses, statistical analyses were not qualitatively different, therefore these subjects were included in all analysis. The results of the CGES questionnaire indicate that the participants studied did not show a higher than average chemical sensitivity.
Arabin cervical pessary for prevention of preterm birth in women with a twin pregnancy and short cervix (STOPPIT-2): an open-label randomised trial

Chowdhry, S. , Cunningham-Burley, S. , Mei, X. W. , Smith, J. B. E. , Shennan, A. , Robson, S. C. , Thornton, S. , Kilby, M. D. , Marlow, N. , Stock, S. J., Bennett, P. R. , Denton, J. (2021). Evaluation of the Arabin cervical pessary for prevention of preterm birth in women with a twin pregnancy and short cervix (STOPPIT-2): an open-label randomised trial and updated meta-analysis. PLoS Medicine, 18(3), [ e1003506]. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed. 1003506
Central Venous Catheter Malfunction in Children: A Bioengineering Approach.

clinical data to provide a comprehensive fluid dynamics characterization of different CVC designs for pediatric applications. study identified critical fluid dynamics parameters of CVCs that correlated with adverse clinical outcomes. Findings will be verified in large multicentre clinical studies. Future work will use CFD to design new CVCs optimized for children.
Phosphatidylinositol 3‐Kinase δ Deficiency Protects From Antimyeloperoxidase Vasculitis

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis (AAV) is a systemic autoimmune disease in which glomerulonephritis is an important manifestation. Antibodies against myeloperoxidase (MPO) or proteinase 3 are thought to be important in pathogenesis. Phosphoinositide 3‐kinase δ (PI3Kδ) mediates a number of effects in lymphocytes, but its role in myeloid cell responses is less clear. Therefore, this study was undertaken to assess this in a preclinical model of glomerulonephritis induced by the transfer of antibodies to MPO.
Complex filter removal using forceps from combined transfemoral and transjugular approach unhooking the filter apex using forceps and dual access: Two case reports

Modern inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) are intended to be retrieved once a thrombotic process or risk of pulmonary embolism has resolved independent of administration of anticoagulation. IVCF removal can be challenging with the risk of complications including venous perforation, filter migration, and device fracture. IVCF removal has been described using the nomenclature of routine versus advanced retrieval. Routine retrieval is defined as accessing the filter hook with a loop snare device before advancing a sheath over the filter. Advanced retrieval techniques are employed when routine retrieval fails and can refer to a variety of approaches, including filter realignment with loop snare, stiff wire‐displacement, use of a wire and snare with dual access, angioplasty balloon advanced over a guidewire, single access sling approach, the sandwich technique, the endobronchial forceps dissection and removal, photothermic ablation with excimer laser, and the filter eversion technique among others. Successful routine retrieval of IVCF has been reported at 74% and IVCF retrieval with advanced techniques has a success rate of nearly 95%. The complication rate with advanced techniques is higher when compared with routine techniques (5.3% vs. 0.4%; p < .05) and, as expected, requires fluoroscopic time. We report two cases of advanced filter retrieval using endobronchial forceps simultaneously or sequentially through the transfemoral and trans‐jugular approach
Regional and demographic variations of Carotid artery Intima and Media Thickness (CIMT): A Systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and objective Carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT) is a strong predictor of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and independent phenotype of early atherosclerosis. The global variation of CIMT and its demographic association is yet unclear. We evaluated regional variations of CIMT based on WHO regions and assessed the differences by age and sex. Methods A systematic search was conducted on studies published between 1980 January up to December 2020. PubMed, Oxford Medicine Online, EBSCO, Taylor & Francis, Oxford University Press and Embase data bases were used for searching. Supplementary searches were conducted on the Web of Science and Google Scholar. Grey literature was searched in “Open Grey” website. The two major criteria used were “adults” and “carotid intima media”. The search strategy for PubMed was created first and then adapted for the Oxford Medicine Online, EBSCO, Taylor & Francis, Oxford University Press and Embase databases. Covidence software (Veritas Health Innovation, Melbourne, Australia; http://www.covidence.org) was used to manage the study selection process. Meta-analyses were done using the random-effects model. An I2 ≥ 50% or p< 0:05 were considered to indicate significant heterogeneity. Results Of 2847 potential articles, 46 eligible articles were included in the review contributing data for 49 381 individuals (mean age: 55.6 years, male: 55.8%). The pooled mean CIMT for the non-CHD group was 0.65mm (95%CI: 0.62–0.69). There was a significant difference in the mean CIMT between regions (p = 0.04). Countries in the African (0.72mm), American (0.71mm) and European (0.71mm) regions had a higher pooled mean CIMT compared to those in the South East Asian (0.62mm), West Pacific (0.60mm) and Eastern Mediterranean (0.60mm) regions. Males had a higher pooled mean CIMT of 0.06mm than females in the non CHD group (p = 0.001); there were also regional differences. The CHD group had a significantly higher mean CIMT than the non-CHD group (difference = 0.23mm, p = 0.001) with regional variations. Carotid artery segment-specific-CIMT variations are present in this population. Older persons and those having CHD group had significantly thicker CIMTs. Conclusions CIMT varies according to region, age, sex and whether a person having CHD. There are significant regional differences of mean CIMT between CHD and non-CHD groups. Segment specific CIMT variations exist among regions. There is an association between CHD and CIMT values.
Comparing Outcomes of Appendectomy Versus Non-operative Antibiotic Therapy for Acute Appendicitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Background Acute appendicitis is one of the most common etiologies of an acute abdomen in the emergency department and first-line standard surgical care for the condition has recently been reconsidered. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of surgical intervention versus non-operative antibiotic therapy in the treatment of acute appendicitis in adult and pediatric patients. Methods A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and EMBASE. The search included all studies until January 15th, 2022. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines were followed for abstracting data and assessing data quality and validity. Data were independently extracted by the authors of the study. Meta-analysis was performed and Cohen’s Q test for heterogeneous effects was performed to determine if fixed or random-effects models were appropriate for use. Results Twelve randomized controlled trials investigating a total of 3703 acute appendicitis patients met inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. In the systematic review, eleven RCTs demonstrated that appendectomy had improved effectiveness compared to non-operative antibiotic management. The meta-analysis demonstrated that patients undergoing appendectomy had significantly higher treatment effectiveness compared with antibiotics-only treatment (98.4% vs. 73.3%, P < .0001). The meta-analysis did demonstrate a significant . 54-day reduction in hospital length of stay for the appendectomy group compared to the non-operative antibiotic therapy group. Conclusions Surgical intervention is associated with increased effectiveness of treatment and reduced in-hospital length of stay among patients with acute appendicitis. Guidelines established by institutions and surgical organizations should indicate appendectomy as the standard and superior treatment option for patients presenting with acute appendicitis.
Optimizing a neural network for detection of moving vehicles in video

In the field of security and defense, it is extremely important to reliably detect moving objects, such as cars, ships, drones and missiles. Detection and analysis of moving objects in cameras near borders could be helpful to reduce illicit trading, drug trafficking, irregular border crossing, trafficking in human beings and smuggling. Many recent benchmarks have shown that convolutional neural networks are performing well in the detection of objects in images. Most deep-learning research effort focuses on classification or detection on single images. However, the detection of dynamic changes (e.g., moving objects, actions and events) in streaming video is extremely relevant for surveillance and forensic applications. In this paper, we combine an end-to-end feedforward neural network for static detection with a recurrent Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network for multi-frame analysis. We present a practical guide with special attention to the selection of the optimizer and batch size. The end-to-end network is able to localize and recognize the vehicles in video from traffic cameras. We show an efficient way to collect relevant in-domain data for training with minimal manual labor. Our results show that the combination with LSTM improves performance for the detection of moving vehicles.
Spasmodic dysphonia: introductory phonetic analyses

ABSTRACT Adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD) is a neurological dystonia characterised by involuntary adductor spasms of the larynx during speech. Spasm frequency is often reported to increase during syllables that begin with voiced speech sounds, especially glottal stops. Because of its underlying physical and acoustic complexities, the voicing contrast in American English (AE) appears unlikely to interact consistently with a singular physical phenomenon like laryngeal spasm. This retrospective study investigated additional phonetic contrasts and their relationship to spasm frequency. Standardised, 144-word recordings of 36 participants with adductor spasmodic dysphonia were analysed. Productions were coded for rater-perceived syllable stress, voiced/voiceless onset, vowel/consonant onset, and word-onset place and manner of production. Phonetic contexts were compared using independent sample t-tests and Kruskal-Wallis statistics. Contexts in which spasm varied significantly included stressed/unstressed syllables, content/function words, and multisyllabic/monosyllabic words. Study results reaffirm the clinical usefulness of standardised ADSD/ABSD sentences during differential diagnosis but conflict with previous studies that report a connection between ADSD spasm and phoneme voicing.
Gender Differences in Environmental Perspectives among Urban Design Professionals

Urban design professionals are key actors in early design phases and have the possibility to influence urban development and direct it in a more sustainable direction. Therefore, gender differences in environmental perspectives among urban design professionals may have a marked effect on urban development and the environment. This study identified gender differences in environment-related attitudes among urban design professionals involved in the international architectural competition ‘A New City Centre for Kiruna’ in northern Sweden. Participants’ self-rated possibility to influence environmental aspects was higher for males than for females. Conversely, the importance placed on environmental aspects had higher ratings among females, although the differences regarding the rating of personal responsibility were small. The gap between the participants’ self-rated belief in their ability to influence and rated importance of environmental aspects was larger among female participants. Females placed great importance on environmental aspects even though they felt that their possibility to influence these was rather low. Conversely, male participants felt that they had the greatest possibility to influence, although some males rated the importance of environmental aspects thelowest. The gender differences identified are important from an equality and environmental perspective as they may influence pro-environmental behavior among urban design professionals and ultimately influence the environmental performance of the built environment.
A study on the effect of tool electrode thickness on MRR, and TWR in electrical discharge turning process

Turning by electrical discharge machining (EDM) is an emerging area of research. Generally, wire-EDM is used in EDM turning because it is not concerned with electrode tooling cost. In EDM turning wire electrode leaves cusps on the machined surface because of its small diameters and wire breakage which greatly affect the surface finish of the machined part. Moreover, one of the limitations of the process is low machining speed as compared to constituent processes. In this study, conventional EDM was employed for turning purpose in order to generate free-form cylindrical geometries on difficult-to-cut materials. Therefore, a specially designed turning spindle was mounted on a conventional die-sinking EDM machine to rotate the work piece. A conductive preshaped strip of copper as a forming tool is fed (reciprocate) continuously against the rotating work piece; thus, a mirror image of the tool is formed on the circumference of the work piece. In this way, an axisymmetric work piece can be made with small tools. The developed process is termed as the electrical discharge turning (EDT). In the experiments, the effect of machining parameters, such as pulse-on time, peak current, gap voltage and tool thickness on the MRR, and TWR were investigated and practical machining was carried out by turning of SS-304 stainless steel work piece.
Parafoveal processing and transposed‐letter effects in dyslexic reading

During parafoveal processing, skilled readers encode letter identity independently of letter position (Johnson et al., 2007). In the current experiment, we examined orthographic parafoveal processing in readers with dyslexia. Specifically, the eye movements of skilled readers and adult readers with dyslexia were recorded during a boundary paradigm experiment (Rayner, 1975). Parafoveal previews were either identical to the target word (e.g., nearly), a transposed‐letter preview (e.g., enarly), or a substituted‐letter preview (e.g., acarly). Dyslexic and non‐dyslexic readers demonstrated orthographic parafoveal preview benefits during silent sentence reading and both reading groups encoded letter identity and letter position information parafoveally. However, dyslexic adults showed, that very early in lexical processing, during parafoveal preview, the positional information of a word's initial letters were encoded less flexibly compared to during skilled adult reading. We suggest that dyslexic readers are less able to benefit from correct letter identity information (i.e., in the letter transposition previews) due to the lack of direct mapping of orthography to phonology. The current findings demonstrate that dyslexic readers show consistent and dyslexic‐specific reading difficulties in foveal and parafoveal processing during silent sentence reading.
Efficacy and safety of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy in diabetic retinopathy: what we have learned and what should we learn further?

ABSTRACT Introduction Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most frequent microvascular complications of diabetes that can lead to blindness. Laser treatment has been the gold standard treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) for many years. Recently, the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been established in the pathogenesis of DR, and the use of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy has gained popularity for the management of DR. Areas covered This review includes a brief overview of the efficacy and safety of currently available (bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibercept) and potential future (brolucizumab, faricimab, and KSI-301) anti-VEGF agents in patients with DR based mainly on publicly available data from phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trials. Expert opinion Clinical trials investigating the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibercept injections demonstrated favorable functional and anatomical outcomes in patients with DME. Moreover, the use of these anti-VEGF agents showed a significant improvement in the severity of DR. Recent clinical research for future anti-VEGF molecules aims to provide higher target-protein binding affinity and prolonged therapeutic effect. Brolucizumab, faricimab, and KSI-301 are three novel anti-VEGF agents that demonstrate promising data for the management of DME and potentially DR.