Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Potential Toxic Elements and Their Carcinogenic and Non-Carcinogenic Risk Assessment in Some Commercially Important Fish Species from a Ramsar Site

Simple Summary This study investigated the contamination status and health risk of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) such as Hg, As, Pb, Fe, Zn, and Cu in four selected fish species from one of the largest wetlands in South Asia. The results showed that the degree of contamination varied among the fish species, with Fe being the most abundant PTE, followed by Zn, Cu, Pb, As, and Hg. Among the fish species, Glossogobius giuris had the highest Hg concentration, while Nandus nandus predominantly accumulated As. Health risk assessment showed the PTEs posed no substantial risks to consumers. The carcinogenic risks (CR) derived from Pb intake were also below the standard limit, further supporting the conclusion that the consumption of the studied fishes did not pose a potential health harm to consumers. Overall, the study provided evidence that, at the existing consumption rate, the analyzed fish species from the freshwater are safe to consumers. Abstract Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) such as Hg, As, and Pb have become concentrated in the aquatic ecosystem as a result of increased human activities. However, these substances frequently have synergistic or antagonistic effects on the human body or other animals. As a result, there are concerns world-wide that commercially available food products, especially fish, may be contaminated with hazardous elements. In this study, samples of four selected fishes, Gutum (Lepidocephalichthys guntea), Baim (Macrognathus pancalus), Baila (Glossogobius giuris), Meni (Nandus nandus) were analyzed from one of the largest freshwater wetlands (designed as a Ramsar Site) in South Asia to evaluate PTEs contamination status and human health risk assessment. The result demonstrated that the degree of contamination for six PTEs decreased in the following sequences for fish: Fe > Zn > Cu > Pb > As > Hg. The edible part of G. giuris had the maximum value for Hg (0.42 μg/g dw), while N. nandus predominantly accumulated As (<0.41 μg/g dw). The estimated daily intake (EDI) values ranged from 0.003 to 1.75, which was much lower than the recommended values. The hazard index (HI), THQ, total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) scores through consuming fish followed the decreasing order of Fe > Hg > Cu > Zn > Pb. The values for each index were less than 1, indicating that there were no substantial health risks for the consumers. The carcinogenic risks (CR) derived from the intake of Pb ranged from 4.92 × 10−8 to 4.14 × 10−8 for males and 5.45 × 10−8 to 4.59 × 10−8 for females, which also did not exceed the standard limit (1.00 × 10−6). This study demonstrated that, under the existing consumption rate, there was no potential health harm to consumers from consuming the studied fishes. This study offers a chance to regularly check PTEs in this environment, reducing the contamination of heavy metals.
Allergy to cypress and olive pollen: Clinical phenotypes and allergen recognition.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Cypress and olive pollen are the most prevalent sensitizer trees in the Mediterranean area. Some patients exhibit a dual sensitization which has not been well documented yet. To identify the allergens involved in the dual cypress and olive allergy (C+O) and study the relationship between phenotype and allergen sensitization. METHODS C+O patients were selected. Monosensitized subjects to olive or cypress were used as reference. Specific IgE to whole extracts and purified allergens from olive and cypress were performed. Immunoblotting was done to analyze IgG and IgE-binding using olive polyclonal antibodies and patients' sera, respectively. Mutual immunoblotting inhibition of olive and cypress extracts, and inhibition of cypress extract immunoblotting with olive allergens were performed. Multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical cluster classifications were conducted to analyze the relationships between C+O clinical presentation (symptoms, seasonality) and allergen profile. RESULTS C+O patients were clustered in 4 phenotypes. The most frequent one (58.4%) was rhinoconjunctivitis in winter (February) and spring (May), with asthma in 38% of subjects. Ole e 1 and Cup s 1 were the major allergens. Homologous proteins to Ole e 1, Ole e 9 and Ole e 11 in cypress pollen were identified and these olive allergens inhibit IgE-binding to cypress extract. CONCLUSIONS The exclusive C+O allergy results from co-sensitization to Cup s 1 and Ole e 1, and to cross-reactivity due to Ole e 1-like, Ole e 9-like and Ole e 11-like allergens not described previously, and translates into 4 clinical phenotypes of winter and/or spring or perennial rhinoconjunctivitis with and without asthma.
Body Composition and Demographic Features Do Not Affect the Diagnostic Accuracy of Shear Wave Elastography

Shear-wave elastography (SWE) is an imaging method that can be used to estimate shear wave speed and the Young’s modulus based on the measured shear wave speed under certain conditions. Up to date, no research has analyzed whether body composition factors contribute to ultrasound attenuation, refraction, reflection, and, consequently, SWE measurement errors. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the association between demographic and body composition features with SWE errors for assessing the anterior scalene stiffness (which is a key structure in patients with neck pain and nerve compressive syndromes). Demographic (sex, age, height, weight, and body mass index), body composition (water volume, fat mass, and lean mass), and anterior scalene muscle stiffness (Young’s modulus and shear wave speed) data were collected from a sample of asymptomatic subjects. After calculating the absolute SWE differences between trials and the reliability estimates, a correlation matrix was generated to quantify the association among all the variables. A total of 34 asymptomatic subjects (24 males) were included in the analyses. Test–retest reliability was excellent for assessing the Young’s modulus and shear wave velocity (ICC = 0.912 and 0.923, respectively). No significant associations were found between age, height, weight, body mass index, body fat, lean mass, or water volume with SWE errors (p > 0.05). However, the Young’s modulus error was associated with the stiffness properties (p < 0.01), whereas shear wave speed was associated with none of them (all, p > 0.05). A detailed procedure can reliably assess the AS muscle stiffness. None of the sociodemographic or body composition features assessed were correlated with SWE errors. However, baseline stiffness seems to be associated with Young’s modulus error.
Characteristics of exocentric nominal compounds in Berom: A semantic view of the noun-verb agentive mwat tabak and mwat ha

Nominal compounds, which are very productive in Berom, are formed by combining the noun and verb constituents. The NV compounds are interpreted as the agent, location, or instrument based on the meaning of the existing nominal constituent. This study analyses the semantics of two types of Berom agentive compounds: mwat tabak ‘preacher, [literally, person shoot]’ and mwat ha ‘speaker, [literally, person talk]’. First, both words are realized from the NV structure and the agentive meaning of the compounds is derived from the interpretation of an unspecified N [mwat] that performs the action which is apparently expressed by the V constituent in mwat ha and an action that is not expressed by the V constituent in mwat tabak. Secondly, the two compounds lack the deverbal suffix such as the English -er that is usually attached to agentive nouns and as such they are both treated as compounds with different semantic realizations. The analyses show that the two constructions vary significantly not only in terms of semantics, but also in their specific role and interpretation of the action expressed by the verbal constituent. We argued that the agent nouns in the compounds employ diverse prosodic features such as tone and pitch, in the activity that the compound revealed. Consequently, we conclude that the meaning of agentive compounds in Berom may not necessarily be determined by the structural and semantic property of the compound but by the interaction between the constituents and the relevant context of usage.
Observations on tiletamine-zolazepambutorphanol- dexmedetomidine anaesthesia in six dogs undergoing various surgeries

Six client-owned dogs which underwent various surgical procedures under multimodal general anaesthesia with meloxicam premedication (0.2mg/kg IM), and induction thirty minutes later with a combination of tiletamine-zolazepam (2 mg/kg), butorphanol (0.2 mg/kg) and dexmedetomidine (5 mcg/kg) and administered intramuscularly, were studied. The signs of sedation and induction of anaesthesia, and their respective times of onset were observed and recorded. All animals received 100% oxygen through an endotracheal tube connected to a breathing circuit of anaesthesia machine. The quality of induction, quality of surgical anaesthesia and response to intraoperative surgical stimuli were noted and recorded. Prolongation of general anaesthesia, when anaesthesia becomes lighter, was done using isoflurane in oxygen with or without propofol. All observations were recorded, and the findings are reported here.
Effect of Food Intake on Exhaled Volatile Organic Compounds Profile Analyzed by an Electronic Nose

Exhaled breath analysis using an e-nose is a groundbreaking tool for exhaled volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis, which has already shown its applicability in several respiratory and systemic diseases. It is still unclear whether food intake can be considered a confounder when analyzing the VOC-profile. We aimed to assess whether an e-nose can discriminate exhaled breath before and after predefined food intake at different time periods. We enrolled 28 healthy non-smoking adults and collected their exhaled breath as follows: (a) before food intake, (b) within 5 min after food consumption, (c) within 1 h after eating, and (d) within 2 h after eating. Exhaled breath was collected by a formerly validated method and analyzed by an e-nose (Cyranose 320). By principal component analysis, significant variations in the exhaled VOC-profile were shown for principal component 1 (capturing 63.4% of total variance) when comparing baseline vs. 5 min and vs. 1 h after food intake (both p < 0.05). No significance was shown in the comparison between baseline and 2 h after food intake. Therefore, the exhaled VOC-profile seems to be influenced by very recent food intake. Interestingly, two hours might be sufficient to avoid food induced alterations of exhaled VOC-spectrum when sampling for research protocols.
Associations between Delayed Introduction of Complementary Foods and Childhood Health Consequences in Exclusively Breastfed Children

The timing of complementary food (CF) introduction is closely related to childhood health, and it may vary depending on the region, culture, feeding type, or health condition. Despite numerous studies on the benefits of breastfeeding and the optimal timing of CF introduction, there have been limited investigations regarding delayed CF introduction in exclusively breastfed children. We compared an exposed group (CF introduction ≥7 months) with a reference group (CF introduction at 4 –< 7 months) regarding hospital admission, disease burden, and growth until age 10. Data from a nationwide population-based cohort study involving children born between 2008 and 2012 in the South Korea were analyzed. The final cohort comprised 206,248 children (165,925 in the exposed group and 40,323 in the reference group). Inverse probability of treatment weighting with propensity score matching was used to balance baseline health characteristics in the comparison groups. We estimated the incident risk ratios (IRR) for outcomes using modified Poisson regression and weighted odds ratios (weighted ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using multinomial logistic regression. The exposed group was associated with low height-for-age z-score (HAZ) (IRR (95% CI) for −1.64 < HAZ ≤ −1.03: 1.11 (1.08 to 1.14); HAZ ≤ −1.64: 1.21 (1.14 to 1.27)) and frequent (≥6 events) hospitalizations (weighted OR 1.18 (1.09 to 1.29). The rates of hospital admission, death, and specific medical conditions did not differ between groups. However, delaying the introduction of CF until seven months in exclusively breastfed infants was associated with frequent hospitalization events and lower heights.
Event-triggered controller on practically exponential input-to-state stabilization of stochastic reaction-diffusion neural networks and its application to image encryption

The stabilization problem for a class of stochastic reaction-diﬀusion delayed Cohen-Grossberg neural networks (SRDDCGNNs) with event-triggered controller is addressed in this paper. To address such a problem, Neumann boundary condition, distributed and boundary exter-nal disturbances are introduced. New suﬃcient criteria are derived by using the Lyapunov method, event-triggered mechanism, and the linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach to ensure the proposed controlled systems achieve practically exponential input-to-state stabilization. In light of these criteria, the impact of an event-triggered controller on practically exponential input-to-state stability (PEISS) is examined. Furthermore, the obtained results are successfully applied to stochastic reaction-diﬀusion delayed cellular neural networks (SRDDCNNs) and stochastic reaction-diﬀusion delayed Hopﬁeld neural networks (SRD-DHNNs). At last, simulation results are given to illustrate the main results, and the SRDDHNNs are applied to the image encryption.
POU6F2 mutation in humans with pubertal failure alters GnRH transcript expression

Idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) is characterized by the absence of pubertal development and subsequent impaired fertility often due to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) deficits. Exome sequencing of two independent cohorts of IHH patients identified 12 rare missense variants in POU6F2 in 15 patients. POU6F2 encodes two distinct isoforms. In the adult mouse, expression of both isoform1 and isoform2 was detected in the brain, pituitary, and gonads. However, only isoform1 was detected in mouse primary GnRH cells and three immortalized GnRH cell lines, two mouse and one human. To date, the function of isoform2 has been verified as a transcription factor, while the function of isoform1 has been unknown. In the present report, bioinformatics and cell assays on a human-derived GnRH cell line reveal a novel function for isoform1, demonstrating it can act as a transcriptional regulator, decreasing GNRH1 expression. In addition, the impact of the two most prevalent POU6F2 variants, identified in five IHH patients, that were located at/or close to the DNA-binding domain was examined. Notably, one of these mutations prevented the repression of GnRH transcripts by isoform1. Normally, GnRH transcription increases as GnRH cells mature as they near migrate into the brain. Augmentation earlier during development can disrupt normal GnRH cell migration, consistent with some POU6F2 variants contributing to the IHH pathogenesis.
Preoperative Radiotherapy with a Simultaneous Integrated Boost Compared to Chemoradiotherapy for cT3-4 Rectal Cancer: Long-Term Results of a Multicenter Randomized Study

Simple Summary An international multicenter randomized trial in 174 patients with T3-4 rectal cancer was conducted by the RectumSIB consortium (located at UZ Brussel-VUB in Brussels, Belgium). In this trial, they compared standard 5FU-chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and radiotherapy with a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) without concomitant chemotherapy in a non-inferiority design. The primary endpoint (metabolic response rate) and secondary endpoints (local control, progression-free survival, survival, pathological response and acute/late toxicity) revealed the equivalence of both treatments. Radiotherapy with an SIB is an appealing treatment strategy for patients with T3-4 rectal cancer that are too frail for chemotherapy. Abstract Background: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard treatment for T3-4 rectal cancer. Here, we compared image-guided and intensity-modulated RT (IG-IMRT) with a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) (instead of concomitant chemotherapy) versus CRT in a multi-centric randomized trial. Methods: cT3-4 rectal cancer patients were randomly assigned to receive preoperative IG-IMRT 46 Gy/23 fractions plus capecitabine 825 mg/m² twice daily (CRT arm) or IG-IMRT 46 Gy/23 fractions with an SIB to the rectal tumor up to a total dose of 55.2 Gy (RTSIB arm). Results: A total of 174 patients were randomly assigned between April 2010 and May 2014. Grade 3 acute toxicities were 6% and 4% in the CRT and RTSIB arms, respectively. The mean fractional change in SUVmax at 5 weeks after completion of preoperative RT were −55.8% (±24.0%) and −52.9% (±21.6%) for patients in the CRT arm and RTSIB arm, respectively (p = 0.43). The pathologic complete response rate was 24% with CRT compared to 14% with RTSIB. There were no differences in 5-year overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) or local control (LC). Conclusions: The preoperative RTSIB approach was not inferior to CRT in terms of metabolic response, toxicity, OS, PFS and LC, and could be considered an available option for patients unfit for fluorouracil-based CRT.
Situation analysis of research ethics governance in Pakistan.

Background Mapping of ethical governance structures is very useful in identifying strengths and weaknesses in order to uphold integrity and ensure standardization. However, reliable countrywide data about ethical review committees (ERCs) is unavailable in Pakistan. Aims To evaluate the research ethics governance mechanisms at national level and at key healthcare institutions in Pakistan. Methods This pilot mapping exercise used a mixed-methods approach, involving a cross-sectional survey of 19 key healthcare research institutions, and structured in-depth interviews with the chairs of the National Bioethics Committee and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan. Results Eighteen institutions responded to the ethics mapping survey. Twelve public sector ERCs had a permanent structure and 17 had formal terms of reference. Seven ERCs claimed accreditation, although no central accreditation agency exists in Pakistan. Eight ERCs were chaired by the heads of the institutions. There was no fixed tenure for the heads in 13 committees, and 14 committees allowed multiple terms. Six ERCs had follow-up mechanisms for ethical approvals, and 6 took punitive actions in response to any deviation from an approved protocol, or to a scientific misconduct. Two respondents recalled situations where applicants pressured committee members for favourable approvals. Survey respondents mentioned the lack of central research ethics guidelines as a weakness of the national governance system. Structured interviews revealed the need for formal training of committee members and capacity strengthening, particularly for administrative staff. Conclusion There is a need to develop guidelines for local ethics governance in Pakistan, and ensure accreditation of ERCs through the National Bioethics Committee to uphold the integrity of the ethics governance structure.
ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS IN WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME IN SAUDI ARABIA.

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a common endocrine disorder that is characterized by the presence of chronic anovulation, excess levels of androgen as well as polycystic ovary on ultrasonographic imaging. Objectives: To determine the causes, complications and clinical features of polycystic ovary syndrome. To assess the anthropometric measurements of obesity in polycystic ovary syndrome Saudi women and to provide treatment for the associated obesity.
Effect of weed management practices on growth and yield of okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.)

A field experiment was conducted during the summer season of 2016 to study the effect of different weed management practices on growth and yield of okra as well as economics of cultivation. Treatments included four different organic mulches (mango leaves, paddy straw, newspaper and coir fibre mat), mulching with black polythene sheet, hand weeding, weed management by herbicide and an unweeded control. Black polythene sheet mulching was the best treatment for weed control. Pre emergence application of pendimethalin resulted in lower weed population and dry matter production during initial period of the crop and thereafter population and dry matter increased. Among organic mulches, newspaper mulching resulted in greater weed control followed by paddy straw mulching. Higher weed control efficiency (more than 90%) was obtained with black polythene sheet throughout the crop period. Mulching with paddy straw and newspaper resulted in lower weed index than hand weeding and pre emergence application of pendimethalin. Black polythene mulching recorded higher fruit yield of 14.58 Mg ha-1, followed by paddy straw mulching and newspaper mulching (11.16 and 11.01 Mg ha-1). Highest B:C ratio was also obtained with black polythene mulching.
Integrating Technology Acceptance Model With Maslow’s Hierarchy Needs Theory to Investigate Smart Homes Adoption

The rapid development of technology has led to the prevalence of smart homes as one of the most prominent intelligent devices. This research aims to identify the factors that significantly influence individuals’ intention to use smart homes and provide direction for efficient product positioning and updates. Drawing from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Value-based Adoption Model (VAM), Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT), and Maslow’s Hierarchy Needs Theory, a comprehensive research model is introduced. The model incorporates external factors such as perceived value (PV), price perception (PP), safety perception (SP), social influence (SI), self-esteem (SE), and visual aesthetics (VA), while self-innovation (SINN) is considered a moderator with a conditional effect between perceived usefulness (PU) and PV. The research model was validated with 405 samples, and exploratory factor analysis was conducted. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the results, which indicate that: 1). customers’ intention to use smart homes is significantly determined by PV and VA through PU and perceived ease of use (PEOU). 2). Additionally, SINN moderates the relationship between PV and PU negatively within a specific interval. 3). SE and SI have slight effects on PU or PEOU, while PP and SP have no direct effect. These empirical results provide valuable conclusions and implications for understanding suitable smart homes for customers and finding actionable directions for smart home development