Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Drug-coated balloon versus conventional balloon angioplasty of hemodialysis arteriovenous fistula or graft: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background Restenosis remains a significant problem in endovascular therapy for hemodialysis vascular access. Drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty decreases restenosis in peripheral and coronary artery diseases. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the patency outcomes following DCB angioplasty, as compared to conventional balloon (CB) angioplasty for the stenosis of hemodialysis vascular access. Methods A comprehensive search in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases was conducted in order to identify eligible randomized controlled trials evaluating DCB angioplasty for hemodialysis vascular access dysfunction. The primary endpoint was the 6-month target lesion primary patency and the secondary endpoints were 12-month target lesion primary patency and procedure-related complications. Risk ratios (RR) were pooled and relevant subgroups were analyzed separately. Results Eleven randomized controlled trials comprised of 487 patients treated with DCB angioplasty and 489 patients treated with CB angioplasty were included. There were no significant differences in the target lesion primary patency at 6 months [RR, 0.75; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.56, 1.01; p = 0.06] and at 12 months (RR 0.89; 95% CI, 0.79, 1.00; p = 0.06). The absence of benefit for the DCB group remained, even in the arteriovenous fistula subgroup or the subgroup of studies excluding central vein stenosis. The risk of procedure-related complication did not differ between the two groups (RR 1.00; 95% CI 0.98, 1.02; p = 0.95). Conclusion DCB angioplasty did not demonstrate significant patency benefit for the treatment of hemodialysis vascular access dysfunction. Wide variations in patency outcomes across studies were noted. Further studies focusing on specific types of access or lesions are warranted to clarify the value of DCB for hemodialysis vascular access. (PROSPERO Number CRD42019119938)
Patch test results in paediatric patients with atopic dermatitis in Laos

Background Dermatological services in Laos, South East Asia are limited mainly to the capital and patch testing is currently not available, so no data exists regarding the common cutaneous allergens in this population. Objectives The aim of this study was to document common allergens in paediatric patients with atopic dermatitis attending the allergy clinic in the capital, Vientiane. Patients/Materials/Methods Fifty paediatric patients with atopic dermatitis were patch tested using TRUE Test® panels 1 to 3 (35 allergens). Readings were taken at Days 2 and 4. Results Twenty-six positive patch tests were recorded on Day 4 in 15 children (30%). The most common allergens were: gold (18%), nickel (10%), formaldehyde (6%) and p-Phenylenediamine (6%). Other positive allergens were potassium dichromate (2%), cobalt dichloride (2%), Bronopol (2%), paraben mix (2%), fragrance mix 1 (2%) and neomycin (2%). The majority of the patients with positive reactions were female. Conclusions This study represents the first documented patch test results in the Lao population. It is hoped that these findings will help clinicians to advise the families of children with atopic dermatitis on common allergens to avoid and inform future work on contact dermatitis in this population.
Phasic cholinergic signaling promotes emergence of local gamma rhythms in excitatory–inhibitory networks

Recent experimental results have shown that the detection of cues in behavioral attention tasks relies on transient increases of acetylcholine (ACh) release in frontal cortex and cholinergically driven oscillatory activity in the gamma frequency band (Howe et al. Journal of Neuroscience, 2017, 37, 3215). The cue‐induced gamma rhythmic activity requires stimulation of M1 muscarinic receptors. Using biophysical computational modeling, we show that a network of excitatory (E) and inhibitory (I) neurons that initially displays asynchronous firing can generate transient gamma oscillatory activity in response to simulated brief pulses of ACh. ACh effects are simulated as transient modulation of the conductance of an M‐type K+ current which is blocked by activation of muscarinic receptors and has significant effects on neuronal excitability. The ACh‐induced effects on the M current conductance, gKs, change network dynamics to promote the emergence of network gamma rhythmicity through a Pyramidal‐Interneuronal Network Gamma mechanism. Depending on connectivity strengths between and among E and I cells, gamma activity decays with the simulated gKs transient modulation or is sustained in the network after the gKs transient has completely dissipated. We investigated the sensitivity of the emergent gamma activity to synaptic strengths, external noise and simulated levels of gKs modulation. To address recent experimental findings that cholinergic signaling is likely spatially focused and dynamic, we show that localized gKs modulation can induce transient changes of cellular excitability in local subnetworks, subsequently causing population‐specific gamma oscillations. These results highlight dynamical mechanisms underlying localization of ACh‐driven responses and suggest that spatially localized, cholinergically induced gamma may contribute to selectivity in the processing of competing external stimuli, as occurs in attentional tasks.
A Novel Approach to Describe the Time–Temperature Conversion among Relaxation Curves of Viscoelastic Materials

Time and temperature, besides pressure in a lesser extent, represent the most significant variables influencing the rheological behavior of viscoelastic materials. These magnitudes are each other related through the well-known Time–Temperature Superposition (TTS) principle, which allows the master curve referred to relaxation (or creep) behavior to be derived as a material characteristic. In this work, a novel conversion law to interrelate relaxation curves at different temperatures is proposed by assuming they to be represented by statistical cumulative distribution functions of the normal or Gumbel family. The first alternative responds to physical considerations while the latter implies the fulfillment of extreme value conditions. Both distributions are used to illustrate the suitability of the model when applied to reliable derivation of the master curve of Polyvinil–Butyral (PVB) from data of experimental programs. The new approach allows not only the TTS shift factors to be estimated by a unique step, but the whole family of viscoelastic master curves to be determined for the material at any temperature. This represents a significant advance in the characterization of viscoelastic materials and, consequently, in the application of the TTS principle to practical design of viscoelastic components.
Prediction Models for the Mechanical Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete with Recycled Rubber and Silica Fume

The paper aims to investigate the influence of waste tire rubber and silica fume on the fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) and to design multivariate regression models for the prediction of the mechanical properties of self-compacting rubberized concrete (SCRC). For this purpose, 21 concrete mixtures were designed. Crumb rubber derived from end-of-life tires (grain size 0.5–3.5 mm) was replaced fine aggregate by 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% of total aggregate volume. Silica fume was replaced cement by 0%, 5%, and 10% of the total cement mass. The optimal replacement level of both materials was investigated in relation to the values of the fresh properties and mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete. Tests on fresh and hardened self-compacting concrete were performed according to the relevant European standards. Furthermore, models for predicting the values of the compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, and flexural strength of SCRC were designed and verified with the experimental results of 12 other studies. According to the obtained results, mixtures with up to 15% of recycled rubber and 5% of silica fume, with 28 days compressive strength above 30 MPa, were found to be optimal mixtures for the potential future investigation of reinforced self-compacting rubberized concrete structural elements.
S100A4 Is a Biomarker of Tumorigenesis, EMT, Invasion, and Colonization of Host Organs in Experimental Malignant Mesothelioma

Recent findings suggest that S100A4, a protein involved in communication between stromal cells and cancer cells, could be more involved than previously expected in cancer invasiveness. To investigate its cumulative value in the multistep process of the pathogenesis of malignant mesothelioma (MM), SWATH-MS (sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragmentation spectra), an advanced and robust technique of quantitative proteomics, was used to analyze a collection of 26 preneoplastic and neoplastic rat mesothelial cell lines and models of MM with increasing invasiveness. Secondly, proteomic and histological analyses were conducted on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections of liver metastases vs. primary tumor, and spleen from tumor-bearing rats vs. controls in the most invasive MM model. We found that S100A4, along with 12 other biomarkers, differentiated neoplastic from preneoplastic mesothelial cell lines, and invasive vs. non-invasive tumor cells in vitro, and MM tumors in vivo. Additionally, S100A4 was the only protein differentiating preneoplastic mesothelial cell lines with sarcomatoid vs. epithelioid morphology in relation to EMT (epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition). Finally, S100A4 was the most significantly increased biomarker in liver metastases vs. primary tumor, and in the spleen colonized by MM cells. Overall, we showed that S100A4 was the only protein that showed increased abundance in all situations, highlighting its crucial role in all stages of MM pathogenesis.
Sulphate radical oxidation of benzophenone: kinetics, mechanisms and influence of water matrix anions

ABSTRACT Benzophenone (BP) is an emerging contaminant that is widely distributed in soil, groundwater, sediment and surface water. In this study, the degradation kinetics, mechanisms, and influence of anions on thermally activated persulphate (TAP) oxidation of BP were systematically investigated. BP degradation was promoted by elevated temperature. The BP degradation data fitted well to the Arrhenius equation with calculated activation energy of 122.8 kJ/mol. BP degradation was also promoted by alkaline pH and high persulphate concentrations. Radical scavenging experiments suggested that both SO4 •− and HO• were involved in BP oxidation. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS) identified six degradation intermediates. Based on these results, two possible reaction pathways were proposed. Water matrix anions had complex impacts on BP degradation by TAP. Cl− had dual effects on the reaction: low concentration promoted it while high concentration inhibited it. Br− strongly suppressed the reaction. SO4 2− and NO3 − did not affect the reaction. Overall, this study shows that thermally activated persulphate can effectively remove BP and water matrix anions greatly influence the reaction. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Maximal lactate accumulation rate and post-exercise lactate kinetics in handcycling and cycling

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess lactate kinetics, maximal lactate accumulation rate (⩒Lamax) and peak power output (POmax) in a 15-s all-out exercise in handcycling (HC) and cycling (C) in terms of (1) reliability, (2) differences and (3) correlations between HC and C. Eighteen female and male competitive triathletes performed two trials (separated by one week) of a 15-s all-out sprint test in HC and C. Tests were performed in a recumbent racing handcycle and on the participants’ own road bike that were attached to an ergometer. Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). POmax and ⩒Lamax demonstrated high reliability in HC (ICC = 0.972, ICC = 0.828) and C (ICC = 0.937, ICC = 0.872). POmax (d = −2.54, P < 0.0005) and ⩒Lamax (d = −1.62, P < 0.0005) were lower in HC compared to C. POmax and ⩒Lamax correlated in HC (r = 0.729, P = 0.001) and C (r = 0.710, P = 0.001). There was no significant correlation between HC and C in POmax (r = 0.442, P = 0.066) and ⩒Lamax (r = 0.455, P = 0.058). Whereas the exchange velocity of lactate (k1) was similar in HC and C, the removal velocity (k2) was significantly higher in HC. ⩒Lamax and POmax during sprint exercise are highly reliable and demonstrate a correlation in both HC and C. However, since ⩒Lamax and POmax are significantly higher in C and not correlated between HC and C, ⩒Lamax and POmax seem to be extremity-specific.
Does Muscle Strength Change Over Time in Patients With Hypermobile Ehlers‐Danlos Syndrome/Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder? An Eight‐Year Follow‐Up Study

Reduced maximal muscle strength and strength endurance have been found in patients with hypermobile Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome/hypermobility spectrum disorder (hEDS/HSD) and are recognized as common associated features of the disorder. However, the extent to which these parameters change over time is currently not documented. Therefore, the purpose of this 8‐year follow‐up study was to investigate this evolution.
Epidemiological Study of Canine Babesiosis and Hepatozoonosis in the South of Romania

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and distribution of canine babesiosis and hepatozoonosis in the south of Romania as well as to assess if there are differences in the prevalence between regions in that area. Blood samples from 300 dogs from the south of Romania were screened for the presence of piroplasmids by PCR. Positive samples were further tested for the presence of Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon canis. Pearson's chi-square with Yates correction was used to determine if there is statistical difference between infected populations. Fifty-four percent (163/300) of the dogs were positive for Hepatozoon spp. or piroplasmids. Forty-eight percent (143/300) were infected with H. canis and 9.6% (29/300) were positive to B. canis. Three percent (9/300) of the dogs were co-infected with Babesia spp. and H. canis. The prevalence of H. canis in the south-west of Romania was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of three other regions while the prevalence of Babesia spp. infection in the south-east of the country was significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to its south-west. A high rate of H. canis infection was found in the stray dog population surveyed with the highest infection rate detected in south-western Romania. Babesia canis was found to pose the highest threat in south-eastern Romania, whereas B. vogeli infection was focused in the same region of high H. canis infection in south-western Romania. These infections should be of important concern to veterinarians and dog owners in Romania.
Peripheral acting mu opioid receptor antagonists in the treatment of opioid-induced constipation: review

The opioid induced constipation (OIC) is an emerging clinical problems that worsen the patients’ quality of life requiring opioids for their pain relief. Many drugs have been launched as Peripheral Acting Mu Opioid Receptor Antagonists o PAMORAs (metylnaltrexone, alvimopam and more recently naloxegol), which antagonize the peripheral effects of opioids without affecting the opioids analgesia. Metylnaltrenone and naloxegol have been licensed for the treatment of CIO, meanwhile alvimopam is approved for the recovery of postoperative ileus after major abdominal surgery. All PAMORAs have shown clinical efficacy but is a matter of debate wich should be their role in the manangement of the CIO. The available information about PAMORAs is reviewed and informed strategy on the use of these drugs is proposed.
Improving the Performance of Evolutionary Algorithms via Gradient-Based Initialization

In this work, we propose the use of gradient-based optimization as a means for initializing an evolutionary algorithm population to approach deep reinforcement learning problems. We investigate the efﬁcacy of this method on several standard reinforcement learning benchmarks by evaluating improvements in the policies of the resulting models and their sample complexity. We ﬁnd that our hybrid approach surpasses DQN and GAs alone in common RL bechmarks
Mode detection and incremental recognition

In this paper, ongoing research pursuing the distinction of online handwriting into textual and different drawing classes is described. In the context of natural pen-based interactions, users will seamlessly switch between such different input modes. Therefore, it is vital for pen input recognition systems to be able to distinguish between these cases, preferably in an early stage of processing. The method described in this paper is tested on data acquired in a multi-modal task setting where users are requested to specify shape and dimensions of bathrooms, using pen and speech. Mode detection in this context yields comparable outcomes to recent findings from the literature. The results presented here elaborate on these findings by examining the possibility to perform early recognition of input modes, so-called incremental recognition. To this end, PENDOWN as well as PENUP trajectories are being explored.
Deep Amplicon Sequencing Quantitatively Detected Mixed Community Assemblages of Symbiodinium in Orbicella faveolata and Orbicella franksi

Author(s): Green, Elizabeth | Advisor(s): Medina, Monica; Barlow, Miriam | Abstract: The taxonomic diversity of endosymbiont Symbiodinium species and the physiological contributions they confer to coral host species are challenging to assess. It seems likely the genetic diversity of obligate Symbiodinium species modulates the physiological performance of reef building corals. Here we used deep amplicon sequencing to reveal high genetic diversity of the endosymbiotic dinoflagellate, Symbiodinium, in coral hosts by amplifying ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS-2). We revealed quantitative proportions of mixed Symbiodinium populations within the Orbicella species complex collected from three Caribbean locations. Symbiodinium diversity at the Flower Garden Banks for Orbicella franksi and Orbicella faveolata demonstrated coral host species contained Symbiodinium clade B type B1 and detected five genetically variable B1 Symbiodinium types, three of which may be endemic to the Flower Garden Banks locations. Our second dataset assessed Symbiodinium diversity in O. faveolata collected from Puerto Morelos, Mexico, previously genotyped using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and direct sequencing. We detected an additional background population of clade A, type A13. Additionally we showed one colony hosted a mixed infection of Symbiodinium genotypes B1 and A13 where RFLP and direct sequencing assigned genotypes C7 and B1. Our third dataset assessed Symbiodinium diversity across a depth gradient in O. faveolata collected from Curacao using the Illumina MiSeq platform. We showed shallow water coral hosted a more complex mixed infection relative to hosts from deeper waters and detected Symbiodinium genotype G3, a genotype not commonly associated with scleractinian hosts. These results highlight the need for consistent molecular genotyping techniques to assess community assemblages of Symbiodinium-host relationships. This deep sequencing approach used to characterize cryptic genetic diversity of Symbiodinium will potentially contribute to the understanding of physiological variations among coral populations.
Impacts of climate change on fish, relevant to the coastal and marine environment around the UK.

1 Marine Scotland Science, Marine Laboratory, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen, AB11 9DB, Scotland, UK 2 Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT, UK 3 School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK 4 Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, PA37 1QA, Scotland, UK
Postgraduate dissertation Identity, belonging and economic outcomes in England and Wales

The United Kingdom’s 2016 vote to leave the European Union revealed the ways in which issues of economic inequality were intertwined with those of national identity. However, research relating to the impact of national identity on labour market outcomes is mixed, while the relationship between national identity and progression at work has not yet been investigated. Drawing on Akerlof and Kranton’s theory of identity economics, this paper explores whether having British identity impacts progression at work for sub-state national and migrant-origin groups in England and Wales. Using the ONS Quarterly Labour Force Survey, I estimate logit models comparing the likelihood of career progression by three identity dimensions – British, sub-state national and migrant-origin, which is itself influenced by social class. The results suggest that identity-related power relations, in-group preferences and bias at work may limit career progression. The paper also provides quantitative evidence for differences in what British identity means in the first place. The novel approach sheds more light on the differential labour market behaviours of migrant-origin and substate national groups, and adds to a better understanding of Britishness.
The impact of social participation on health among middle-aged and elderly adults Evidence from longitudinal survey data in China

Social participation (SP) is known to have a favourable impact on health. However, studies on the issue have been conducted mainly in advanced countries, and results in China have been mixed. This study examined the impact of SP on health outcomes of middle-aged and elderly adults in China, adjusted for simultaneity and heterogeneity biases. Methods 57,417 observations of 28,935 individuals obtained from the population-based, three-wave panel survey: Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), conducted from 2011, 2013, and 2015 were used. The associations between one- or two-wave-lagged SP and health outcomes (mental health, self-rated health [SRH], activities of daily living [ADL], and diagnosed diseases) were examined by linear regression models. Individual-level heterogeneity was addressed by the random-effects estimation method. Results SP was found to have a positive impact on mental health and ADL, whereas it did not affect much SRH or diagnosed diseases. The impact of SP differed by SP type; playing Mah-jong (Chinese traditional game), chess, or cards, or going to the community club had the most favourable effect. The impact of SP on health was also found to be greater for women than men and greater for individuals aged 60–69 years than those aged 45–59 years and aged 70 and older. Conclusions SP had positive, albeit selective, impacts on health outcomes among middle-aged and elderly adults in China. The results suggest that policy measures to encourage these individuals to engage in SP are needed to enhance their health.