Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relevance of Macrophage Extracellular Traps in C. albicans Killing

Candida albicans causes systemic life-threatening infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, such as patients in intensive care units, patients undergoing chemotherapy, and post-surgical and neutropenic patients. The proliferation of invading Candida cells is mainly limited by the action of the human innate immune system, in which phagocytic cells play a fundamental role. This function is, however, limited in neutropenic patients, who rely mainly on the protective immunity mediated by macrophages. Macrophages have been shown to release extracellular DNA fibers, known as macrophage extracellular traps (METs), which can entrap and kill various microbes by a process called ETosis. In this study, we observed that, upon contact with C. albicans, macrophages became active in phagocyting and engulfing yeast cells. ETosis was induced in 6% of macrophages within the first 30 min of contact, and this percentage increased with the multiplicity of infection until a plateau was reached. After 2.5 h incubation, the presence of extracellular macrophage DNA was observed in approximately half of the cells. This study suggests that the formation of METs occurs before pyroptosis (first 6–8 h) and macrophage cell death (up to 24 h), and thus, METs could be included in models describing C. albicans–macrophage interactions. We also observed that macrophage ETosis and phagocytosis can occur simultaneously and that, in the first hours of infection, both processes are similarly important in controlling the proliferation of yeast cells, this being critical in neutropenic patients. Finally, it can also be concluded that, since C. albicans can degrade DNA, the structural component of METs, yeast extracellular DNase activity can be considered as an important virulence factor.
The effect of old-age pensions on health care utilization patterns and insurance uptake in Mexico

Introduction As old-age pensions continue to expand around the world in response to population ageing, policymakers increasingly wish to understand their impact on healthcare demand. In this paper, we examine the effects of supplemental income to older adults on healthcare use patterns, expenditures and insurance uptake in Yucatan, Mexico. Method We use a longitudinal survey for individuals aged 70 or older and an individual fixed-effects difference-in-difference approach to understand the effect of an income supplement on healthcare use patterns, out-of-pocket expenditures and health insurance uptake patterns. Results The implementation of the old-age pension was associated with increased use of healthcare with nuanced effects on the type of care. Old-age pensions increase the use of formal healthcare by 15 percentage points (95% CI 6.1 to 23.9) for those with healthcare use at baseline and by 7.5 percentage points (95% CI 3.7 to 11.3) for those without healthcare use at baseline. We find no evidence of greater out-of-pocket expenditures, likely because old-age pensions were associated with a 4.2 percentage point (95% CI 1.5 to 6.9) increase in use of public health insurance. Conclusion Old-age pensions can shift healthcare demand towards formal services and eliminate financial barriers to basic care. Pension benefits can also increase the uptake of insurance programmes. These results demonstrate how social programmes can complement each other This highlights the potential role of old-age pensions in achieving universal health coverage for individuals at older ages.
Reduced Influence of Perceptual Context in Schizophrenia: Behavioral and Neurophysiological Evidence

Background Accurate perception of visual contours is essential for seeing and differentiating objects in the environment. Both the ability to detect visual contours and the influence of perceptual context created by surrounding stimuli are diminished in people with schizophrenia. The central aim of the present study was to better understand the biological underpinnings of impaired contour integration and weakened effects of perceptual context. Additionally, we sought to determine whether visual perceptual abnormalities reflect genetic factors in schizophrenia and are present in other severe mental disorders. Methods We examined behavioral data and event-related potentials (ERPs) collected during the perception of simple linear contours embedded in similar background stimuli in 27 patients with schizophrenia (SCZ), 23 patients with bipolar disorder, 23 first-degree relatives of SCZ and 37 controls. Results SCZ exhibited impaired visual contour detection while patients with bipolar disorder exhibited intermediate performance. The orientation of neighboring stimuli (i.e., flankers) relative to the contour modulated perception across all groups, but SCZ exhibited weakened suppression by the perceptual context created by flankers. Late visual (occipital P2) and cognitive (centroparietal P3) neural responses showed group differences and flanker orientation effects, unlike earlier ERPs (occipital P1 and N1). Moreover, behavioral effects of flanker context on contour perception were correlated with modulation in P2/P3 amplitudes. Conclusion In addition to replicating and extending findings of abnormal contour integration and visual context modulation in SCZ, we provide novel evidence that abnormal use of perceptual context is associated with higher-order sensory and cognitive processes.
Mid Flexion Instability After Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

Post total knee arthroplasty, mid flexion instability can be described as a stable knee in full extension but as soon as knee starts bending instability is noticed and the knee becomes stable again at 90° of flexion. Mid flexion instability should not be confused with the true flexion instability. Such instability may be not be recognized in most cases because of subtleness of the nature of complaints of the patient. Soft tissue tension should be equal not only medio-laterally but also in antero-posterior alignment. The knee needs to be balanced in the complete arc of motion. To understand this it should be remembered that main stabilizer of the knee in extension is the posterior capsule and in flexion are the collateral ligaments. Main factors contributing to Mid Flexion instability are: 1.Over release of anterior part of Medial Collateral Ligament (which is a stabilizer from 30° to 60° of motion). 2.Femoral-tibial articular geometry - Malposition of the implant in relation to the epicondyles so that collateral ligaments won9t be isometric. 3.Over release of anterior part of Medial Collateral Ligament (which is a stabilizer between 30° to 60° of motion 4.Tibial post-femoral box geometry. In a fixed flexion deformity, suitable posterior release should be matched with the collateral frame before taking extra-distal femoral cuts. Every 2 mm of additional distal femoral cut causes mid flexion instability of 2 to 3° as was seen in a cadaveric study. It is important to understand the interplay between posterior structures and collateral structures. Normally collateral structures have some laxity at 5° flexion but at 0° knees are locked mainly because of the tension of the posterior structures. We have classified mid flexion instability in three types: Type I: Over-released MCL and Normalised Posterior capsule Type II: MCL Normal, but Posterior capsule is tight / insufficiently released and to balance this disparity distal femur cut is increased. Type III: A Combination of above two conditions with MCL and Postero-medial Capsule both having laxity e.g. in a FFD with varus It is a retro-prospective study. 411 patients with 600 knees were subjected to the study to assess mid-flexion instability in patients with primary Total Knee Arthroplasty. Follow was over a period of 5 years. Of the 600 TKA 60 were LCS prosthesis, 90 were PFC RP, 200 were PFC sigma and rest 250 were Stryker Scorpio. All patients were assessed by clinical and radiological evaluation. X-rays were taken in 0°, 30°, 60°. Arthrograms were also done to assess alignment of the joints. Fluroscopic studies were done in select few cases. Knee society score was noted for each patient and compared with pre-operative data. Mid Flexion instability in a newer concept, the causes of which and further management protocols needs to be worked out. Mid Flexion instability is a failure to release the tight posterior capsule in a fixed flexion deformity. Over release of anterior MCL will result in mid flexion instability but in this situation knee may be unstable even at 90°.
Co-occurrence of Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis and Anti-myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Inflammatory Demyelinating Diseases: A Clinical Phenomenon to Be Taken Seriously

Background: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) immunoglobulin G antibodies which exist on myelin sheaths, composed of oligodendrocytes, especially target GluN1 subunits and are highly characteristic of anti-NMDAR encephalitis which is a newly recognized autoimmune encephalitis (AE) characterized by psychiatric symptoms, behavioral abnormalities, seizures, cognitive impairment and other clinical symptoms. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is a type of protein which is expressed on the surface of oligodendrocytes and myelin in the central nervous system. Anti-MOG antibodies cause demyelination. In some rare reported cases, these two types of antibodies have been found to co-exist, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Case presentation: Here we report cases of 4 inpatients (median age 31.5 years, age range 27–43 years) from The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between March 2018 and April 2019. Two of the cases were first diagnosed as anti-NMDAR encephalitis and had developed visual impairments in the course of the dosage reduction during corticosteroid therapy. They were found at the time, to have anti-MOG antibody-positive CSF and/or serum. Another patient was diagnosed with anti-MOG inflammatory demyelinating diseases (IDDs) when he tested double positive for both anti-NMDAR and anti-MOG antibodies early in the course of his illness. Over the course of the dosage reduction during corticosteroid therapy, his symptoms deteriorated; however, anti-MOG antibody levels elevated while anti-NDMAR antibody levels remained low. The other patient had initially developed psychiatric symptoms and limb weakness. She was also double positive for anti-NMDAR and anti-MOG antibodies early in the course of her illness. However, over the course of the dosage reduction during corticosteroid therapy, her symptoms worsened and levels of both antibodies elevated. Conclusion: Anti-NMDAR and anti-MOG antibodies may coexist in rare cases. In addition, anti-NMDAR encephalitis and anti-MOG inflammatory demyelinating diseases may occur either simultaneously or in succession. Thus, when a patient is diagnosed with either of these two diseases, but exhibits symptoms of the other disease, the possibility of co-occurrence with both these diseases should be considered and the appropriate antibodies should be accurately detected to enable prompt selection of appropriate treatments by the physicians.
Municipal Solid Waste Policy and Public Participation in Household Source Reduction

source reduction of municipal solid waste in order to inform the development of waste policy. The objectives are to determine the degree of public participation in household source reduction, the importance given to this waste strategy relative to other waste management approaches with an emphasis on recycling, but also including landfilling and incineration, the motivations behind its practice and the demographic and attitudinal correlates of its practitioners. The method used was a telephone survey of residents in a community in Connecticut, U.S.A. The results
Mapping the teaching of honeybee veterinary medicine in the European Union and European Free Trade Area

Background Honey bee (Apis mellifera) is a very important species for human beings, animals, environmental biodiversity, crop production and economic sustainability in Europe and worldwide. This study investigates whether future veterinarians are trained to deal with the particular needs of the only traditional food-producing insect in Europe. Methods This study analyses data collected from 77 European veterinary education establishments in EU and the European Free Trade Area. Results The results show that 75 per cent of those establishments (58 out of 77) teach honeybee veterinary medicine. There is a clear geographical differentiation. In north-western countries only about half of the establishments include honeybee health, production and product inspection in their undergraduate curricula, while in eastern, central and southern countries, which are also important beekeeping countries, the great majority of the establishments incorporate honeybee veterinary medicine in their undergraduate curriculum. Eighty-six per cent of all the establishments teaching honeybee veterinary medicine (50 of the 58) incorporate it in their core curriculum either as separate subject or as part of other subjects. Twenty-five per cent of all the establishments (19 out of 77) organise postgraduate training courses in this field. Conclusions Veterinarians have an important role in ensuring the health, sustainability and productivity of managed honeybee colonies as they do for other animal species. It seems however that teaching of honeybee veterinary medicine receives less attention in undergraduate veterinary curricula in EU compared with other fields of veterinary medicine. Seeing the increasing importance of honey bees for crop protection, environmental protection and economic sustainability, it would be beneficial to further strengthen the education of honeybee veterinary medicine in the future. Establishments should encourage and prepare veterinarians for practising science-based veterinary medicine in honey bees by incorporating such teaching in undergraduate curricula and by providing postgraduate opportunities to qualified veterinarians wishing to enhance their basic skills in this field.
Enhancement of gallic acid-induced human pulmonary fibroblast cell death by N-acetyl cysteine and L-buthionine sulfoximine

Gallic acid (GA) has various biological properties including anti-cancer effect. However, little is known about the toxicological effect of GA in primary normal cells. Here, we evaluated the effects of GA on human pulmonary fibroblast (HPF) cells in relation to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH). GA inhibited the growth of HPF cells at 24 hours in a dose-dependent manner. GA also induced HPF cell death, which was accompanied by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP; DCm). GA increased ROS levels including O2 and GSH-depleted cell numbers in HPF cells at 24 hours. Treatment with 2 mM N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) intensified growth inhibition and death in GA-treated HPF cells. NAC decreased ROS levels and increased GSH depletion in these cells. Treatment with 10 mM L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) also enhanced growth inhibition and death in GA-treated HPF cells. BSO increased ROS levels and GSH depletion in these cells. In conclusion, GA-induced HPF cell death was accompanied by ROS increase and GSH depletion. The changes of ROS and GSH levels by NAC and BSO appeared to affect cell growth and death in GA-treated HPF cells.
Characterization of Compost From a Pilot Plant-Scale Composter Utilizing Simulated Solid Waste

A pilot plant-scale composter using simulated solid waste was developed to test the fate of consumer products such as disposable diapers. The simulated waste consisted of a mixture of rabbit chow (which included alfalfa), shredded newspaper, sand, and composted cow manure. The compost mass self-heated from an ambient temperature of 27°C to about 55°C in the first 24 h. Dissolved ammonia levels, high in the early stages of the process, began to decrease after about 4 weeks as nitrate concentration began to increase. Both volatile solids and carbon:nitrogen ratios exhibited gradual decreases with time. Microbial biomass, esterase activity, cellulose mineralization, direct microscopic counts (AODC), and relative APIZYM enzyme activity increased significantly in the first several days, and maintained higher levels than initial measurements throughout the 22-week testing period. We concluded that the simulated solid waste underwent physical, chemical, and microbiological changes that would be expected to occur in municipal solid waste in a full-scale composting system. The pilot plant-scale composter should prove to be a valuable tool in assessing the fate of products and materials under simulated compost conditions.
Maternal glycemic parameters and adverse pregnancy outcomes among high-risk pregnant women

Objective We aimed to investigate the association between maternal glycemic parameters and adverse pregnancy outcomes among high-risk pregnant women. Research design and methods A total of 1976 high-risk pregnant women were enrolled between 2015 and 2017. All participants received a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test during the 24–30 gestational weeks and complete birth and delivery information was collected. Adverse pregnancy outcomes were defined as premature birth, birth weight >90th percentile, primary cesarean section, and pre-eclampsia. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between five maternal glycemic parameters during pregnancy (fasting glucose, 1-hour glucose, 2-hour glucose, HbA1c, and serum 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG)) and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Results Of 1976 participants, 498 were diagnosed with gestational diabetes. The multivariable-adjusted ORs of adverse pregnancy outcomes for each one unit increase (1 mmol/L, 1%, or 1 µg/mL) were 2.32 (95% CI 1.85 to 2.92) for fasting glucose, 1.07 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.15) for 1-hour glucose, 1.03 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.10) for 2-hour glucose, 1.77 (95% CI 1.34 to 2.33) for HbA1c, and 0.96 (95% CI 0.94 to 0.98) for 1,5-AG, respectively. When all five glycemic parameters were simultaneously entered into the multivariable-adjusted model, only fasting glucose was significantly associated with total and individual adverse pregnancy outcomes. Receiver operating characteristic curve showed that fasting glucose plus any one of other four glycemic parameters had significantly enhanced the sensitivity of detecting adverse pregnancy outcomes. Conclusions Fasting glucose at 24–30 gestational weeks was strongly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Fasting glucose combined with one additional glycemic measurement showed non-inferiority indicating that post-load glycemic measurement was not necessary in detecting adverse pregnancy outcomes among high-risk pregnant women.
Synthesis of Nanosilver/PMMA Composites Via Ultrasonically Bi-In situ Emulsion polymerization

Silver-poly(methyl methacrylate) (Ag/PMMA) nanocomposites were successfully synthesized by bi-in situ ultrasonic radiating the emulsion containing methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer and silver nitrate; no initiator or reductant in this method. The resultant Ag/PMMA nanocomposites were charazcterized by infrared spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The results revealed that nanosilver as core within the composites particles were uniform polycrystallines. The thermoanalysis of the nanocomposites showed that the nanosilver within the nanocomposites possessed the effect of the small dimension. The experimental factors such as systemic temperature, the concentration of the silver nitrate, and contents of MMA on the final conversion of monomer were also discussed. It is interesting that the polymerization can be promoted by silver clusters.
Preparation and Properties of Glass Cloth-reinforced Meltable Thermoplastic Polyimide Composites for Microelectronic Packaging Substrates

Meltable thermoplastic polyimide resins (MTPI) with designed polymer backbones and controlled molecular weights for advanced microelectronic packaging substrate application have been synthesized by thermal polycondensation of aromatic dianhydride and aromatic diamine in presence of endcapping agent. The thermoplastic polyimide resins could be dissolved in organic solvents to give low viscosity solutions, which were then employed to impregnate E-glass cloth (EG) to yield MTPI/EG prepregs. After removal of the organic volatile, the MTPI/EG prepregs were plied up and then melt processed to give MTPI/EG composite laminates with high quality. Experimental results demonstrated that the MTPI/EG composite laminates showed desirable characteristics, including: (1) excellent thermal stability (2) good mechanical properties (3) great electrical insulating and dielectric properties as well as (4) high peel strength between copper foil and the composite surface.
Hybrid Methods for Studying Stability and Bifurcations in Delayed Feedback Systems

The dynamics of two related models of second order delay differential equations with four bifurcating parameters are analyzed. Through a classical technique in the time domain which involves the location of the roots of an exponential polynomial equation, the areas of stability of the equilibrium are set. A frequency-domain methodology is applied to study the Hopf bifurcation phenomena and to describe the behavior of the emerging cycles completely via a feedback system approach. Certain types of singularities, which provoke fold bifurcations of cycles are detected precisely. Also, a complete picture of parameter configurations to produce resonances is established for both models. All results are checked with the software DDE-Biftool.
Ionic liquids and their heating behaviour during microwave irradiation – a state of the art report and challenge to assessment

Ionic liquids of the 1,3-dialkylimidazolium-type reveal great potential for the innovative application of microwaves for synthesis as well as for separations. Ionic liquids efficiently absorb microwave energy and thus are employed as solvents and co-solvents. In this context, microwaves assist in carrying out syntheses or unit operations.
Polyethylene glycol 4000 without electrolytes versus milk of magnesia for the treatment of functional constipation in infants and young children: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Functional constipation is a common pediatric problem. Polyethylene glycol and milk of magnesia are osmotic agents used to treat constipation. There were few studies comparing the two laxatives for the treatment of functional constipation in infants and young children. Objective: To compare two laxatives, polyethylene glycol 4000 without electrolytes (PEG) and milk of magnesia (MOM), by evaluating the effectiveness, adverse effects, and patient compliance. Materials and methods: A randomized controlled trial was performed in 94 patients aged one-four years who attended at the pediatric outpatient clinic of Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital and met the Rome III criteria for functional constipation receiving either PEG or MOM for four weeks. The primary outcome evaluation was the improvement rate. The secondary outcomes included the improvement of stool frequency, adverse effects, and compliance rate. Results: Eighty-nine patients completed the study, including 46 in the PEG group and 43 in the MOM group. Baseline characteristics of age, body weight, sex, initial stool frequency, and duration of constipation were similar between groups. At the four week follow-up visit, 91% of PEG-treated patients and 65% of the MOM-treated patients exhibited improvement (p=0.003). Patients in the PEG group had greater increase of stool frequency after treatment than patients in the MOM group. Overall, adverse effects were mild, transient and not different among groups, but there was more diarrhoea in MOM treated patients. No serious adverse effects were observed. Compliance rates were 89% for PEG and 72% for MOM (p=0.041). Conclusion: PEG was more effective and had greater patient compliance than MOM for the management of functional constipation in infants and children aged one-four years.