Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pandemic Influenza in Japan, 1918-19: Mortality Patterns and Official Responses

Japan's most serious peacetime disaster this century is usually assumed to be the 1923 Kanto earthquake, but in terms of human mortality this is easily surpassed by the 1918-19 pandemic of influenza, which claimed nearly twice as many lives in Japan. This major disease-disaster is a strangely neglected episode in modern Japanese history. Few textbooks or reference works notice it, and there is scarcely anything about it in English. This paper draws on official statistics, newspaper reports, and a hitherto untapped literature in Japanese medical journals to suggest possible explanations for Japan's relatively low death rate in this pandemic, one of the lowest recorded in Asia. We argue that traditional herbal medicine may have had an important effect alongside public health measures and Westernbased medical responses. While it is well known that the First World War claimed millions of lives in four years of often senseless slaughter, surprisingly few people are aware that in the closing months of that conflict the world was swept by one of the greatest disease-disasters of recorded human history, in which influenza, a familiar and usually harmless viral infection, killed 25-30 million people worldwide in little more than six months. This was not only the most virulent and lethal of known influenza pandemics, appearing as it did in three distinct waves; it was also the strangest, for while influenza normally kills only the very old, the very young, and the very weak, this epidemic did its greatest damage among seemingly healthy young adults
Age Differences in Secondary Traumatic Stress Levels among Judges and Magistrates in Rift Valley Region, Kenya

The Judiciary is responsible for fair and efficient administration of justice. Due to adjudication of cases involving traumatised clients, judges and magistrates may get vicariously traumatised and hence suffer secondary traumatic stress (STS) which may impact negatively on their capacity to execute duties effectively. In this regard, this study was set to find out the degree to which this psychological condition was related to age. The study was guided by Constructive Self Development Theory. Using ex-post facto research design, data was collected from 83 judicial officers in Rift Valley Region, Kenya, through a self-administered questionnaire. Collected data was analysed through mean calculations and percentages with respect to nominal scale data while ordinal scale data was analysed by use of inferential statistics, specifically ANOVA, at . 05 alpha levels. Analysis task was accomplished through the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) programme, version 22.0. The study established that level of STS associated with traumatising court cases increased with increase in respondents’ age. However, this tendency reversed beyond 50 years of age. Further, the effect of traumatising court cases was more pronounced in intrusive related experiences compared with avoidance and arousal linked experiences. Additionally, a statistically significant difference in regard to experiences of intrusive experiences was established between respondents in 31-35 years and 46-50 years age bracket. A similar observation was found for respondents in 41-45 years and 46-50 years age brackets. This seems to indicate that judicial officers in 46-50 years age range are more likely to suffer from dissociative reactions from thoughts or memories of traumatising court cases. The study is useful to The Judiciary in that it can gain understanding on how traumatizing court cases impacts on officers with different age categories. Hence, the need to sensitize officers on how to identify STS symptoms, in order to take the necessary intervention measures before such symptoms reach a critical stage. Further, the judiciary may consider according more preparation training and counselling to younger officers in order to reduce the risk of developing STS. Finally, scholars may identify investigation pathways they can follow with a view unearthing other factors that can influence the level of STS among judicial officers within and outside Kenya. Keywords: Arousal, Avoidance, Age, Intrusion, Judicial Officer, STS
Prognostic impact of gene copy number instability and tumor mutation burden in patients with resectable gastric cancer

Dear Editor, Gastric cancer (GC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, especially in China and other East Asian countries [1, 2]. Although considerable achievements have been made in its treatment [3] and predictive biomarkers [4] in past decades, the prognosis of GC remains poor [5]. Therefore, more effective prognostic markers are needed to improve the prognosis prediction of GCs. Small panels based on next-generation sequencing, such as FoundationOne CDx and MSK-IMPACT, are widely used for selecting appropriate treatment approaches (such as targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and chemotherapies) with the advantages of a higher sequencing depth and more cost-effectiveness than whole-exome sequencing (WES). Previous studies have demonstrated that molecular characteristics based on the designed cancer-related gene panel were consistent with those determined by WES and could be prognostic markers for various cancer types [6-8]. As such, we analyzed the molecular features with the designed panel to investigate probable prognostic biomarkers for Chinese patients with GC. We selected 100 patients who underwent surgery and histologically diagnosed with GC. Of the 100 patients, 70 were diagnosed at Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University and classified as the discovery set; 30 were diagnosed at the First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province and were regarded as the validation set. Eighty-nine patients underwent radical gastrectomy, and 11 underwent palliative gastrectomy. Primary and paired adjacent paracancerous tissue samples collected during surgery were used for sequencing. All patients had undergone adjuvant chemotherapy with capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (XELOX). The median number of chemotherapy cycles was 6 (range, 3-12). Overall survival (OS) was defined as the time from surgery to death or the last follow-up. The median follow-up time was 37.3 months (range, 6.0-91.1 months), and 71 patients died during
Pathogen to commensal? Longitudinal within-host population dynamics, evolution, and adaptation during a chronic >16-year Burkholderia pseudomallei infection

Although acute melioidosis is the most common outcome of Burkholderia pseudomallei infection, we have documented a case, P314, where disease severity lessened with time, and the pathogen evolved towards a commensal relationship with the host. In the current study, we used whole-genome sequencing to monitor this long-term symbiotic relationship to better understand B. pseudomallei persistence in P314’s sputum despite intensive initial therapeutic regimens. We collected and sequenced 118 B. pseudomallei isolates from P314’s airways over a >16-year period, and also sampled the patient’s home environment, recovering six closely related B. pseudomallei isolates from the household water system. Using comparative genomics, we identified 126 SNPs in the core genome of the 124 isolates or 162 SNPs/indels when the accessory genome was included. The core SNPs were used to construct a phylogenetic tree, which demonstrated a close relationship between environmental and clinical isolates and detailed within-host evolutionary patterns. The phylogeny had little homoplasy, consistent with a strictly clonal mode of genetic inheritance. Repeated sampling revealed evidence of genetic diversification, but frequent extinctions left only one successful lineage through the first four years and two lineages after that. Overall, the evolution of this population is nonadaptive and best explained by genetic drift. However, some genetic and phenotypic changes are consistent with in situ adaptation. Using a mouse model, P314 isolates caused greatly reduced morbidity and mortality compared to the environmental isolates. Additionally, potentially adaptive phenotypes emerged and included differences in the O-antigen, capsular polysaccharide, motility, and colony morphology. The >13-year co-existence of two long-lived lineages presents interesting hypotheses that can be tested in future studies to provide additional insights into selective pressures, niche differentiation, and microbial adaptation. This unusual melioidosis case presents a rare example of the evolutionary progression towards commensalism by a highly virulent pathogen within a single human host.
Additional Value of Machine-Learning Computed Tomographic Angiography-Based Fractional Flow Reserve Compared to Standard Computed Tomographic Angiography

Background: Machine-learning-based computed-tomography-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFRML) obtains a hemodynamic index in coronary arteries. We examined whether it could reduce the number of invasive coronary angiographies (ICA) showing no obstructive lesions. We further compared CT-FFRML-derived measurements to clinical and CT-derived scores. Methods: We retrospectively selected 88 patients (63 ± 11years, 74% male) with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) who underwent clinically indicated coronary computed tomography angiography (cCTA) and ICA. cCTA image data were processed with an on-site prototype CT-FFRML software. Results: CT-FFRML revealed an index of >0.80 in coronary vessels of 48 (55%) patients. This finding was corroborated in 45 (94%) patients by ICA, yet three (6%) received revascularization. In patients with an index ≤ 0.80, three (8%) of 40 were identified as false positive. A total of 48 (55%) patients could have been retained from ICA. CT-FFRML (AUC = 0.96, p ≤ 0.0001) demonstrated a higher diagnostic accuracy compared to the pretest probability or CT-derived scores and showed an excellent sensitivity (93%), specificity (94%), positive predictive value (PPV; 93%) and negative predictive value (NPV; 94%). Conclusion: CT-FFRML could be beneficial for clinical practice, as it may identify patients with CAD without hemodynamical significant stenosis, and may thus reduce the rate of ICA without necessity for coronary intervention.
Comparative Assessment of Surface and Groundwater Quality in Owerri Municipal, Imo State, Nigeria

The present study assessed and compared the quality of the two major sources of water supply namely, Groundwater (Borehole) and the Surface water (Otamiri river) in Owerri municipal area of Imo State. Emphasis was placed on the comparison between the physicochemical properties of these two water sources. Water samples of Otamiri River were collected from four (4) locations while those of boreholes were collected from six (6) sampling locations. In-situ measurements were made and water samples collected with 500ml sample bottles according to standard methods for laboratory analysis. Descriptive analysis, Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were used to analyze data. Mean values of the parameters obtained for the Otamiri and Borehole samples respectively were: temperature 28.49 and 28.01 O C, pH 7.53 and 7.02, TDS 170.22 and 133.92mg/l, electrical conductivity 145.59 and 88.02 us/cm, turbidity 0.17 and 0.03 NTU, alkalinity 42.11 and 26.37mg/l, total hardness 0.44 and 0.01mg/l, chloride 13.99 and 8.34mg/l, NO3 3.35 and 2.03mg/l, SO4 3.49 and 2.20mg/l, DO 4.38 and 4.13mg/l, BOD 10.55 and 7.69mg/l, COD 20.89 and 10.39mg/l, Magnesium 6.64 and 4.52mg/l, Calcium 9.22 and 6.62mg/l, Fe 2+ 0.19 and 0.07mg/l, Mn 0.05 and 0.01mg/l, Zn 2+ 0.34 and 0.15mg/l, Cu 2+ 0.05 and 0.03mg/l. All the parameters analyzed were within WHO (2012) and NESREA (2011) regulatory limits except BOD of Otamiri River. From the findings and conclusion, statistically there was a significant difference from the quality of the two sources of water sample and the borehole water quality was seen as more portable to the surface water quality. KeywordsGroundwater, Surfacewater, Borehole, Otamiri, Water Quality, Water Sample, Phsico-Chemical Parmeters
Frequency and Pathophysiology of Post-Seizure Todd’s Paralysis

Todd’s paralysis, a neurological abnormality characterized by temporary limb weakness or hemiplegia, typically occurs following a seizure, without enduring consequences. Since limb weakness or hemiplegia can also be a common symptom of an acute ischemic stroke, it is often difficult to diagnose Todd’s paralysis in individuals experiencing an acute ischemic stroke if they do not have a pre-existing history of epilepsy. Given that there is a limited understanding of Todd’s paralysis, this review discusses the history, prevalence, clinical manifestations, duration, etiology, and diagnosis of Todd’s paralysis. A few factors that may help clinicians distinguish Todd’s paralysis from other clinical indications are as follows: (1) Todd’s paralysis is commonly observed after partial seizures or generalized tonic-clonic seizures. (2) The incidence of Todd’s paralysis is greater if the epilepsy is associated with old age or stroke history. (3) The duration of Todd’s paralysis can range from minutes to days, depending on the type of seizure or whether the patient has experienced cortical structural damage. (4) The etiology of Todd’s paralysis is associated with cerebral perfusion abnormality after seizures. Further research is needed to explore factors that distinguish Todd’s paralysis from other indications that may lead to limb weakness in order to improve the diagnosis of Todd’s paralysis.
Mismatch repair protein expression status in Egyptian colorectal carcinoma: a single-centre study

BackgroundColorectal carcinoma (CRC) is genetically heterogeneous. Although the majority develop through the chromosomal instability pathway, around 15% of CRCs display DNA mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency and high-level microsatellite instability phenotype. High-level microsatellite instability has its clinical implications and can occur sporadically or in the context of hereditary nonpolyposis cancer of the colon (HNPCC). AimWe aimed to explore the prevalence of MMR gene defects and HNPCC among Egyptian CRCs using immunohistochemistry and to evaluate the association of MMR deficiency with clinicopathological characteristics. ResultsIsolated or combined loss of MMR gene expression was detected in 14.3% of cases. Germline mutations of MSH2 were the most common, followed by loss of PMS2 expression. Isolated MLH1 loss was the least common. MMR deficiency associated significantly with proximal tumour location, mucinous histology, nodal stage and expanding tumour margin. Tumour heterogeneity, features of poor differentiation, Crohn’s-like lymphocytic reaction, and peritumoral lymphocytes were more common in MMR-deficient tumours without reaching statistical significance. ConclusionHNPCC is not uncommon in Egypt. Immunohistochemistry can detect MMR-deficient CRCs and can specify the defective gene. Thus, routine testing of all newly diagnosed CRCs for MMR protein expression is recommended to identify suspected cases of HNPCC and accordingly direct their future management.
Attendance and Parental Support: Its Influence to College Students’ Academic Performance

This descriptive-correlational study determined which of the factors students’ attendance, motivation, school climate, and parents’ support influence college students’ academic performance. A researcher-made instrument was used to gather the data. This instrument underwent content validation and reliability testing. A total of 109 college students in a higher education institution during the first semester of School Year 2015-2016 were randomly chosen as participants. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were employed to determine the level of students’ motivation, perception of school climate and the level of parent’s support. Spearman rho was also used to determine which of the factors had influence to the academic performance of students. Results reveal that the participants had high level of motivation, and perceived the school climate as very satisfactory and had assessed their parental support as low. Moreover, only parental support and students’ attendance significantly influenced academic performance. From the findings of the study, it implies that college students, as individuals, still need the support of parents not just financially, but morally as well, in their academic endeavors. Hence, parents are encouraged to give their support to their children in all forms.
Physiological Characteristics of Musical Theatre Performers and the Effect on Cardiorespiratory Demand Whilst Singing and Dancing.

AIMS Musical theatre (MT) combines acting, singing, and dancing within a performance. The purpose of the current study was two-fold: 1) to report on the cardiorespiratory fitness of pre-professional MT dancers, and 2) to examine the cardiorespiratory demand of singing whilst dancing. METHODS Twenty-one participants (16 females, 5 males; age 20±1.23 yrs; height 169.1±9.24 cm; weight 62.7±10.56) in their final year of pre-professional training volunteered for the study. All participants performed a maximal aerobic capacity test on a treadmill using a portable breath-by-breath gas analyser. Nine participants completed a 4-minute section from Chorus Line twice, singing and dancing and just dancing, in a randomised order whilst wearing the same portable gas analyser. Blood lactate was measured at the end of each trial. RESULTS Male participants had significantly greater peak oxygen consumption (M vs F, 67.6±2.30 vs 55.6±4.42 mL/kg/min, p<0.001) and anaerobic threshold (% of peak VO2) (54.6±4.04% vs 43.1±3.68%, p<0.001), whilst maximum heart rate and heart rate at anaerobic threshold were similar. The physiological demands of dancing vs singing + dancing were similar, with the exception of the singing + dancing trial having significantly reduced mean breathing frequency and increased lactate (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS MT dancers' aerobic capacity is greater than that observed in other theatre-based dance genres. The observed breathing frequency and lactate differences in the Chorus Line trails could be due to singing reducing breathing frequency, thereby influencing cardiorespiratory recovery mechanics and subsequently blood lactate levels.
Compensatory Guaiacyl Lignin Biosynthesis at the Expense of Syringyl Lignin in 4CL1-Knockout Poplar1[OPEN]

Knocking out a lignin-associated gene in poplar reveals a compensatory pathway for lignification with links to thiol redox balance and sulfur assimilation. The lignin biosynthetic pathway is highly conserved in angiosperms, yet pathway manipulations give rise to a variety of taxon-specific outcomes. Knockout of lignin-associated 4-coumarate:CoA ligases (4CLs) in herbaceous species mainly reduces guaiacyl (G) lignin and enhances cell wall saccharification. Here we show that CRISPR-knockout of 4CL1 in poplar (Populus tremula × alba) preferentially reduced syringyl (S) lignin, with negligible effects on biomass recalcitrance. Concordant with reduced S-lignin was downregulation of ferulate 5-hydroxylases (F5Hs). Lignification was largely sustained by 4CL5, a low-affinity paralog of 4CL1 typically with only minor xylem expression or activity. Levels of caffeate, the preferred substrate of 4CL5, increased in line with significant upregulation of caffeoyl shikimate esterase1. Upregulation of caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase1 and downregulation of F5Hs are consistent with preferential funneling of 4CL5 products toward G-lignin biosynthesis at the expense of S-lignin. Thus, transcriptional and metabolic adaptations to 4CL1-knockout appear to have enabled 4CL5 catalysis at a level sufficient to sustain lignification. Finally, genes involved in sulfur assimilation, the glutathione-ascorbate cycle, and various antioxidant systems were upregulated in the mutants, suggesting cascading responses to perturbed thioesterification in lignin biosynthesis.
The Effect of Pulse Polarity on Neural Response of the Electrically Stimulated Cochlear Nerve in Children With Cochlear Nerve Deficiency and Children With Normal-Sized Cochlear Nerves

Objective: This study aimed to (1) investigate the effect of pulse polarity on neural response of the electrically stimulated cochlear nerve in children with cochlear nerve deficiency (CND) and children with normal-sized cochlear nerves and (2) compare the size of the pulse polarity effect between these two subject groups. Design: The experimental and control group included 31 children with CND and 31 children with normal-sized cochlear nerves, respectively. For each study participant, evoked compound action potential (eCAP) input/output (I/O) functions for anodic-leading and cathodic-leading biphasic stimuli were measured at three electrode locations across the electrode array. The dependent variables of interest included the eCAP amplitude measured at the maximum comfortable level of the anodic stimulus, the lowest level that could evoke an eCAP (i.e., the eCAP threshold), the slope of the eCAP I/O function estimated based on linear regression, the negative-peak (i.e., N1) latency of the eCAP, as well as the size of the pulse polarity effect on these eCAP measurements. Generalized linear mixed effect models were used to compare the eCAP amplitude, the eCAP threshold, the slope of the eCAP I/O function, and the N1 latency evoked by the anodic-leading stimulus with those measured for the cathodic-leading stimulus for children with CND and children with normal-sized cochlear nerves. Generalized linear mixed effect models were also used to compare the size of the pulse polarity effect on the eCAP between these two study groups. The one-tailed Spearman correlation test was used to assess the potential correlation between the pulse phase duration and the difference in N1 latency measured for different pulse polarities. Results: Compared with children who had normal-sized cochlear nerves, children with CND had reduced eCAP amplitudes, elevated eCAP thresholds, flatter eCAP I/O functions, and prolonged N1 latencies. The anodic-leading stimulus led to higher eCAP amplitudes, lower eCAP thresholds, and shorter N1 latencies than the cathodic-leading stimulus in both study groups. Steeper eCAP I/O functions were recorded for the anodic-leading stimulus than those measured for the cathodic-leading stimulus in children with CND, but not in children with normal-sized cochlear nerves. Group differences in the size of the pulse polarity effect on the eCAP amplitude, the eCAP threshold, or the N1 latency were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Similar to the normal-sized cochlear nerve, the hypoplastic cochlear nerve is more sensitive to the anodic-leading than to the cathodic-leading stimulus. Results of this study do not provide sufficient evidence for proving the idea that the pulse polarity effect can provide an indication for local neural health.