Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative efficacy and life quality effects of surgical stripping, radiofrequency ablation, and cyanoacrylate embolization in patients undergoing treatment for great saphenous vein insufficiency

Objectives To compare traditional surgery with two minimally invasive endo-venous procedures in terms of their long-term effect on the quality of life in great saphenous vein insufficiency (GSV). Method This prospective observational study included 217 patients that underwent surgical stripping (n = 62), radiofrequency ablation (n = 70), or cyanoacrylate embolization (n = 85) for the treatment of GSV insufficiency. Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) assessments were made, 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire and Chronic Venous Insufficiency quality of life Questionnaire (CIVIQ-14) were administered, before and 1 year after the treatments. Results Surgical stripping group had significantly higher closure rates than the other groups (p < 0.05). At 12 months, decrease in VCSS scores was less pronounced in the cyanoacrylate embolization group when compared to the other two groups (p < 0.05). Improvement in CIVIQ-14 scores was better in the radiofrequency ablation group when compared to the cyanoacrylate embolization group (p < 0.05). Surgical stripping or radiofrequency ablation groups performed better on several domains of SF-36, when compared to the cyanoacrylate embolization group. Conclusions Surgical stripping and radiofrequency ablation seem to provide a better quality of life results at one year in patients undergoing treatment for GSV insufficiency.
Herbicide Treatment and Timing for Controlling Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) in Cool Season Grasslands of Central Kentucky, USA

ABSTRACT: The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of four herbicides for controlling invasive Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) in idle grasslands by monitoring post-treatment plant communities. Experiments were conducted in two remnant savannas in central Kentucky. With the exception of domestic grazing, these sites were chosen because they were undisturbed by agriculture and development. Single treatments of 0.2 kg ai/ha imazapic, 0.2 kg ai/ha clethodim, 0.2 kg ai/ha imazapic + 1.1 kg ai/ha glyphosate, 0.03 kg ai/ha sulfosulfuron, and an untreated control were implemented in fall 2004 and spring and summer 2005 at each site in a randomized complete block design. Plant communities were monitored 3, 10, 12, 14, and 15 months after the final treatments were implemented. At 15 months post-treatment, tall fescue cover was reduced in all treatment plots relative to the untreated control, with the greatest reduction in tall fescue cover occurring in the summer treatment plots. Spring applications of each herbicide were more effective for Kentucky bluegrass control than summer or fall treatments. All herbicide treatments reduced Kentucky bluegrass compared to untreated plots. The most effective herbicide treatment was imazapic + glyphosate, which reduced Kentucky bluegrass cover to less than 7%. However, the resulting bare ground facilitated invasions by other aggressive exotic species, notably musk thistle (Carduus nutans L.). Spring applications of clethodim reduced Kentucky bluegrass cover relative to the untreated plots, and resulted in the highest number of native plant species compared to all other plots. This conservation of forb cover provided by clethodim may be of importance in managing areas impaired by this aggressive, invasive grass. Nomenclature: Carduus nutans L. , Clethodim, glyphosate, imazapic, Kentucky bluegrass, musk thistle, Poa pratensis L. , sulfosulfuron, tall fescue
Cognition impairment of rat in undersea environment

ABSTRACT This study was designed to examine the cognitive responses of rat simulation model of the undersea environment. Rats were randomized into five groups: control, restraint, hyperbaric air, restraint with hyperbaric air, and restraint with hyperbaric air and immersion The cognition functions were assessed by Morris water maze test and forced swimming test. The cerebral blood flow (CBF) was monitored. The parameters examined were total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), and malondialdehyde (MDA). It was observed that the rats in the experimental groups had impaired learning and memory and behavioral despair accompanied by increase in CBF and MDA levels but decrease of TAC, SOD, CAT, GSH-px, GSH, and GR levels. These indicated that the simulated underwater conditions might cause immediate and transient cognition impairment in the rat models. The simulated environment induced oxidative stress led to the negative cognitive changes.
High IgA antiphospholipid autoantibodies in healthy Sudanese explain the increased prevalence among Sudanese compared to Swedish systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Objectives IgA antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are prevalent in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients of African American, Afro-Caribbean and South African origin. Nevertheless, data from North Africa are lacking, and most studies use manufacturer-suggested cut-offs based on Caucasian controls. Therefore, we compared aPL isotypes in Sudanese and Swedish SLE patients using nation-based cut-offs. Methods Consecutive SLE patients and age- and sex-matched controls from Sudan (N = 115/106) and Sweden (N = 340/318) were included. All patients fulfilled the 1982 American College of Rheumatology SLE classification criteria. Antiphospholipid syndrome–related events were obtained from patients’ records. IgA/G/M anticardiolipin and anti-β2 glycoprotein I (β2GPI) were analysed with two independent assays. IgA anti-β2GPI domain 1 (D1) was also investigated. Manufacturers’ cut-offs and the 95th and 99th percentile cut-offs based on national controls were used. Results Sudanese patients and controls had higher levels and were more often positive for IgA aPL than Swedes when using manufacturers’ cut-offs. In contrast, using national cut-offs, the increase in IgA aPL among Sudanese patients was lost. Occurrence of IgA anti-D1 did not differ between the countries. Venous thromboses were less common among Sudanese patients and did not associate with aPL. No clinical associations were observed with IgA anti-β2GPI in Sudanese patients. Thromboses in Swedes were associated with IgG/M aPL. Fetal loss was associated with aPL in both cohorts. Conclusions IgA anti-β2GPI prevalence was higher among Sudanese compared to Swedish patients when manufacturers’ cut-offs were used. This situation was reversed when applying national cut-offs. Anti-D1 was not increased in Sudanese patients. Previous studies on populations of African origin, which demonstrate a high prevalence of IgA aPL positivity, should be re-evaluated using a similar cut-off approach.
New insights into the coexistence of Contracaecum rudolphii A and Contracaecum rudolphii B (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis from Sardinia: genetic variability and phylogenetic analysis

Abstract Contracaecum sp. nematodes are important parasites of fish eating birds that can cause animal health problems. In the present study, specimens of Contracaecum rudolphii sensu lato, from the great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis from Sardinia, were characterized based on morphological and molecular data. The morphological analysis allowed to identify all the fourth stage larvae (n = 1918) as Contracaecum sp. , and adults, male (n = 5845) and female (n = 8312), as C. rudolphii sensu lato. Population genetics and phylogenetic relationships were inferred based on mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Multiple sequence alignment of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer showed the coexistence of C. rudolphii A (n = 157), C. rudolphii B (n = 22) and a rare heterozygote of these species. Moreover, mitochondrial markers, namely NADH dehydrogenase subunits I (nad1), cytochrome c oxidase subunit (cox1 and cox2) and small subunit of rRNA (rrnS), showed that the studied C. rudolphii A populations had undergone bottleneck, or founder effect event, subsequent to a rapid population growth and expansion. The observed heterozygote is with a mitochondrial pattern of C. rudolphii B. Although, both Contracaecum species showed high genetic diversity, no genetic structure between localities was detected. Phylogenetic reconstructions supported the paraphyly of the avian Contracaecum species including C. ogmorhini (parasite of otariids).
Successful Management of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in a Jehovah’s Witness: An Individualized Approach With Joint Decision-Making

The management of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) presents a unique challenge in individuals who are unable to accept plasma due to religious beliefs, given that therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is the standard of care. A 61-year-old Jehovah’s Witness woman presented to our hospital with neurological symptoms and laboratory findings suggestive of TTP. On admission, she refused transfusion of blood products, specifically red blood cells, platelets, and plasma but accepted albumin and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG); fractions of plasma. She was started on steroids, IVIG, and TPE with albumin as replacement therapy with minimal improvement. After a detailed discussion with the patient and family, they agreed to accept cryosupernatant. The patient started TPE with cryosupernatant for replacement therapy, which resulted in clinical improvement. This case highlights the importance of an individualized approach with joint decision-making given the significant heterogeneity that exists in Jehovah’s Witnesses’ attitude toward the receipt of blood products.
Standard methods to test the side‐effects of pesticides on natural enemies of insects and mites developed by the IOBC/WPRS Working Group ‘Pesticides and Beneficial Organisms’

A short description is given of 19 laboratory, 12 semi-field and 5 field methods to test the side-effects of pesticides on beneficial organisms. The methods were developed according to standard guidelines by members of the Working Group ‘Pesticides and Beneficial Organisms’ of the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC), West Palaearctic Regional Section (WPRS); 28 members in nine countries participated and the beneficial organisms (natural enemies of insects and mites) included: 6 Hymenoptera, 4 Coleoptera, 2 Diptera, 1 Neuroptera, 1 Heteroptera, 3 Acari, 1 Aranea, 1 entomopathogenic fungus (Hyphomycetes). There is agreement that a combination of laboratory, semi-field and field tests is needed to show the side-effects of pesticides on beneficial organisms and that the beneficials chosen for the test should be relevant to the crop on which the pesticide is to be used.
Gross, microscopic, radiologic, echocardiographic and haematological findings in rats experimentally infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis

Abstract Although the gross and microscopic pathology in rats infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis has been well described, corresponding changes detected using diagnostic imaging modalities have not been reported. This work describes the cardiopulmonary changes in mature Wistar rats chronically infected with moderate burdens of A. cantonensis using radiology, computed tomography (CT), CT angiography, echocardiography, necropsy and histological examinations. Haematology and coagulation studies were also performed. Thoracic radiography, CT and CT angiography showed moderately severe alveolar pulmonary patterns mainly affecting caudal portions of the caudal lung lobes and associated dilatation of the caudal lobar pulmonary arteries. Presumptive worm profiles could be detected using echocardiography, with worms seen in the right ventricular outflow tract or straddling either the pulmonary and/or the tricuspid valves. Extensive, multifocal, coalescing dark areas and multiple pale foci affecting the caudal lung lobes were observed at necropsy. Histologically, these were composed of numerous large, confluent granulomas and fibrotic nodules. Adult worms were found predominantly in the mid- to distal pulmonary arteries. An inflammatory leukogram, hyperproteinaemia and hyperfibrinogenaemia were found in most rats. These findings provide a comparative model for A. cantonensis in its accidental hosts, such as humans and dogs. In addition, the pathological and imaging changes are comparable to those seen in dogs infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum, suggesting rats infected with A. cantonensis could be a model for dogs with A. vasorum infection.
Review of poliovirus modeling performed from 2000 to 2019 to support global polio eradication

ABSTRACT Introduction Over the last 20 years (2000-2019) the partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) invested in the development and application of mathematical models of poliovirus transmission as well as economics, policy, and risk analyses of polio endgame risk management options, including policies related to poliovirus vaccine use during the polio endgame. Areas covered This review provides a historical record of the polio studies published by the three modeling groups that primarily performed the bulk of this work. This review also systematically evaluates the polio transmission and health economic modeling papers published in English in peer-reviewed journals from 2000 to 2019, highlights differences in approaches and methods, shows the geographic coverage of the transmission modeling performed, identified common themes, and discusses instances of similar or conflicting insights or recommendations. Expert opinion Polio modeling performed during the last 20 years substantially impacted polio vaccine choices, immunization policies, and the polio eradication pathway. As the polio endgame continues, national preferences for polio vaccine formulations and immunization strategies will likely continue to change. Future modeling will likely provide important insights about their cost-effectiveness and their relative benefits with respect to controlling polio and potentially achieving and maintaining eradication.
Spatial and Temporal Patterns in Stream Habitat and Smallmouth Bass Populations in Eastern Oklahoma

Abstract The spatial and temporal dynamics of stream habitat and fish populations are important considerations for the conservation and management of stream fishes. We determined how stream habitat and populations of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu varied among third-order to fifth-order stream reaches in two regional streams in eastern Oklahoma from 2003 to 2005. Eastern Oklahoma represents the southwestern edge of the species' range and is where the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation focuses its stream habitat management efforts. Water temperature, streamflow, and habitat differed between Baron Fork Creek (northeast) and the Glover River (southeast) and changed longitudinally within each stream. Smallmouth bass abundance was highest downstream in Baron Fork Creek and lowest downstream in the Glover River. Recruitment was poor and variable in the upstream reaches of both streams and was strong and stable downstream in Baron Fork Creek. The survival of age-1 and older smallmouth bass was hi.
Bioavailability and Antioxidant Activity of Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) Polyphenols: in vitro and in vivo Evidences and Possible Mechanisms of Action: A Review

Abstract: Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is a distinctive berry with a high content of polyphenol compounds and possesses one of the highest in vitro antioxidant activities among fruits. The bioavailability of aronia polyphenols seems to be low, but there is ample evidence for chokeberry health benefits including antidiabetic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, antimutagenic, and anticarcinogenic effects. This review presents the available information for the bioavailability and antioxidant activity of chokeberry polyphenols and explains the possible mechanisms of action in vivo in the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress-related diseases. The review shows the available data for chokeberry antioxidant activity in vitro, in isolated cells and cell lines, and in vivo, in both human subjects and animals. It is evident that in vivo antioxidant action of chokeberry extends far beyond radical scavenging and includes suppression of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species formation, inhibition of prooxidant enzymes, restoration of antioxidant enzymes, and probably cellular signaling to regulate the level of antioxidant compounds and enzymes. The original contribution of this work is that it compiles the available information up to date and outlines the gaps and future directions in the assessment of chokeberry antioxidant action in vivo.
Genetic variability for mineral concentration of Eruca sativa L. and Diplotaxis tenuifolia L. accessions

Eruca sativa L. (rocket or arugula) and Diplotaxis tenuifolia L. (perennial wall-rocket), are important leafy vegetables and are significant sources of minerals for human nutrition and commonly found in the Mediterranean basin, southern Europe, and Central Asia. The objectives of this study were to determine genotypic variability among and within E. sativa and D. tenuifolia genotypes for NO3, NO2, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn concentrations; to estimate genotype x environment interaction; and to assess relationships among leaf mineral concentration during two consecutive spring seasons. E. sativa and D. tenuifolia leaves contained significant amounts of nutritionally important minerals. In general, genotypic variation was lower than phenotypic variation for all mineral concentrations considered, indicating the influence of environment on the expression of analyzed traits. The variance between genotypes and relative importance within genotype variation indicates that NO3, NO2, K, Mn, Zn, and Cu concentrations may be improved by selecting among cultivars, if the heritability is adequate.
Serum Vitamin D Level among Infertile Women at Basra City

Objective: The objective is to assess Serum Vitamin D level among infertile women in comparison to fertile women and study the possible factors that could lead to its depletion in spite of abundant sunlight in Basra city. Methods: This is a prospective case control study was conducted at Basra infertility center and outpatient Department at Basra Maternity hospital during the period from (15th September, 2017 to 5th March, 2018). Group I include 106 infertile women and group II 104 fertile women. In both groups women were randomly selected and were consented to participate in the study. In both groups women were assessed by specific questionnaire and Serum Vitamin D level was measured by ELISA test. In this research, the normal level for Vitamin D was considered to be greater than or equal to 20 ng/mL and serum level lower than 20 ng/mL was considered to be the deficit level. Results: Among the 106 studied women, 81 (76.4%) of them had Vitamin D deficiency and 25 (23.6%) of them had normal level of vitamin D. The lowest level of vitamin D in studied women was 0.3 ng/mL and the highest level of that was 62 ng/mL with p-value 0.000. Many factors have statistically significant effect on serum level of Vitamin D like socio-economic status with p-value=0.000, dietary habit with p-value=0.003, occupation with p-value=0.019, exposure to sun light with p-value=0.002, while other factors have no statistically significant effect like age of infertile women with p-value=0.05, BMI with p-value=0.101, race with p-value=0.5, level of education 0.243, type of clothes with p-value=0.11, color of clothes with p-value=0.1. Conclusion: In spite of abundant sun in our locality (Basra city) where this study was conducted, serum vitamin D levels were lower among infertile women compare to the fertile women. According to the conclusion of many researches worldwide about the association of vitamin D deficiency and infertility, Vitamin D deficiency should be kept in mind in the management of infertile women at our city. Among the etiological factors (socio-economic status, occupation and exposure to sun light, dietary habit) were found to be significant.
Flesh fly myiasis (Diptera, Sarcophagidae) in Peruvian poison frogs genus Epipedobates (Anura, Dendrobatidae)

Myiasis – the invasion of fly larvae in vertebrate tissues – is a phenomenon well documented in many animals, predominantly mammals and birds, with the most frequent forms being wound and dermal myiasis (Zumpt 1965, Guimaraes et al. 1983, Hall and Wall 1995, Hall and Farkas 2000). Amphibians world wide are also parasitized by larvae of numerous fly species, however this is a poorly studied area of amphibian biology. In Europe, North America and India, amphibians are commonly attacked by larvae of several species of blow flies (Calliphoridae), flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) and muscid flies (Muscidae) (James and Maslin 1947, Dasgupta 1962, Roy and Dasgupta 1977, Strijbosch 1980, Bolek and Coggins 2002, Bolek and Janovy 2004) while in Australia amphibians are infected with the larvae of grass flies (Chloropidae) in the genus Batrachomyia (Schell and Burgin 2001). In the Neotropics, dermal myiasis of amphibians
AMINO ACID COMPOSITION AND NITROGEN TO PROTEIN CONVERSION FACTORS FOR THREE LEGUMES AND TWO PSEUDO-CEREALS

The results of a meta-analysis gave chemical scores for cowpea, lupine and mung bean of 64, 62, and 60, respectively, with the sulphur containing amino acids being limiting in these legumes. Amaranth and quinoa had chemical scores of 74 and 90, respectively, with leucine being limiting in amaranth and valine in quinoa. All species contain substantially more histidine than the FAO/WHO requirement for infants. The nitrogen to protein conversion factors corrected for nonprotein nitrogen content are: 6.01 for cowpea, 6.00 for lupine, 6.40 for mung bean, 5.52 for amaranth, and 5.93 for quinua.
Story-telling maps generated from semantic representations of events

ABSTRACT Narratives enable readers to assimilate disparate facts. Accompanying maps can make the narratives even more accessible. As work in computer science has begun to generate stories from low-level event/activity data, there is a need for systems that complement these tools to generate maps illustrating spatial components of these stories. While traditional maps display static spatial relationships, story maps need to not only dynamically display relationships based on the flow of the story but also display character perceptions and intentions. In this work, we study cartographic illustrations of historical battles to design a map generation system for reports produced from a multiplayer battle game log. We then create a story and ask viewers to describe mapped events and rate their own descriptions relative to intended interpretations. Some viewers received training prior to seeing the story, which was shown to be effective, though training may have been unnecessary for certain map types. Self-rating correlated highly with expert ratings, revealing an efficient proxy for expert analysis of map interpretability, a shortcut for determining if training is needed for story-telling maps or other novel visualisation techniques. The study's semantic questions and feedback solicitation demonstrate a process for identifying user-centric improvements to story-telling map design.