Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Topical Sensor for the Assessment of PET Dose Administration: Metric Performance with an Autoinjector

Extravasation or partial extravasation of the radiopharmaceutical dose in PET can undermine SUV and image quality. A topical sensor has been validated using several metrics to characterize injection quality after manual injection. The performance of these metrics for autoinjector administration has been assessed. Methods: A single PET/CT scanner at a single site was used to characterize injections using an autoinjector with standardized apparatus, ﬂush volume, and infusion rate (1-min infusion followed by 2 syringe ﬂushes) for 18 F-FDG, 68 Ga-prostate-speciﬁc membrane antigen, and 68 Ga-DOTATATE. In total, 296 patients with topical application of sensors were retrospectively analyzed using conventional statistical analysis and an artiﬁcial neural network. Results: Partial extravasation was noted in 1.3% of studies, with 9.1% (inclusive of partial extravasation) identiﬁed to have an injection anomaly (e.g., venous retention). Extravasation was independently predicted by the time that elapsed as the counts recorded by the injection sensor fell from the maximum value to within 200% of the reference sensor counts greater than 1,200 s; as the difference in counts for injection and reference sensors, normalized by dose, from 4 min after injection greater than 25; and as the ratio of the average counts per second recorded by the injection sensor at the end of a monitoring period to those of the reference sensor greater than 2. Conclusion: Extravasation and partial extravasation of PET doses are readily detected and differentiated using time – activity curve metrics. The metrics can provide the insight that could inform image quality or SUV accuracy issues. Further validation of key metrics is recommended in a larger and more diverse cohort.
Distribution and Timing of Spawning by the Australian Pilchard (Sardinops sagax neopilchardus) off Albany, Western Australia

The pattern of abundance of eggs and larvae of the Australian pilchard, Sardinops sagax neopilchardus, collected by plankton tows in the region off Albany, Western Australia, was investigated. In 1989, surface tows were undertaken at five localities extending from the marine embayment of Princess Royal Harbour to the continental shelf just outside King George Sound. In 1990, oblique tows were undertaken at six localities extending from just inside King George Sound to beyond the edge of the continental shelf. Eggs and larvae of pilchards were found in many months, but peaks in egg numbers were found in July and December of both 1989 and 1990. There was, however, only one peak in larva abundance, during December. Most eggs and larvae were found in the region 2-8 km offshore from the entrance to King George Sound. Few were found either well inside King George Sound and Princess Royal Harbour or in outer-shelf localities. Spawning in the Albany region therefore occurred inshore of the main influence of the eastward-flowing tropical waters of the Leeuwin Current. The implications of this spawning activity in relation to the fishery for this species and the potential for stock separation along this coast are discussed.
In-hospital day-by-day systolic blood pressure variability during rehabilitation: a marker of adverse outcome in secondary prevention after myocardial revascularization.

OBJECTIVE Although it is known that increased visit-to-visit or home day-by-day variability of blood pressure (BP), independently of its average value, results in an increased risk of cardiovascular events, the prognostic value of in-hospital day-by-day BP variability in secondary cardiovascular prevention has not yet been established. METHODS We studied 1440 consecutive cardiac patients during a cardiovascular rehabilitation program of about 12 days after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and/or valve surgery. We measured auscultatory BP at the patient bed in each rehabilitation day twice, in the morning and the afternoon. We correlated SBP variability assessed as standard deviation (SBP-SD) and coefficient of variation (SBP-CoV) of the daily measures with overall mortality, cardiovascular mortality and major adverse cardiocerebrovascular events (MACCEs) after a mean follow-up of 49 months by Cox hazard analysis. RESULTS In our patients (age 68 ± 11years, 61% hypertensive patients) the ranges of SBP-SD tertiles were: 4.1-9.1, 9.2-11.5 and 11.6-24.5 mmHg. Fifty-five percent of the patients underwent CABG, 33% underwent valve surgery, 12% both CABG and valve surgery. In CABG patients, the highest SBP-SD tertile showed the highest overall mortality, cardiovascular mortality and MACCEs (P < 0.01). Results remained significant after multivariate analysis adjusting for age, sex, mean SBP, BMI, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, and diabetes. No association between SBP-SD and mortality or MACCEs was found in valve surgery patients. CONCLUSION In-hospital day-by-day SBP variability predicts mortality and MACCEs in CABG patients, possibly representing a target during rehabilitation and treatment in secondary cardiovascular prevention.
Effects and mechanism of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy in type 2 diabetic rats

OBJECTIVES: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are potentially ideal for type 2 diabetes treatment, owing to their multidirectional differentiation ability and immunomodulatory properties. Here we investigated whether the stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) in combination with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) could treat type 2 diabetic rats, and explored the underlying mechanism. METHODS: SD rats were used to generate a type 2 diabetes model, which received stem cell therapy, HBO therapy, or both together. Before and after treatment, body weight, blood glucose, and serum insulin, blood lipid, pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6), and urinary proteins were measured and compared. After 6 weeks, rats were sacrificed and their organs were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunofluorescence staining for insulin and glucagon; apoptosis and proliferation were analyzed in islet cells. Structural changes in islets were observed under an electron microscope. Expression levels of Pdx1, Ngn3, and Pax4 mRNAs in the pancreas were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). RESULTS: In comparison with diabetic mice, those treated with the combination or SHE therapy showed decreased blood glucose, insulin resistance, serum lipids, and pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased body weight and serum insulin. The morphology and structure of pancreatic islets improved, as evident from an increase in insulin-positive cells and a decrease in glucagon-positive cells. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining of islet cells revealed the decreased apoptosis index, while Ki67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining showed increased proliferation index. Pancreatic expression of Pdx1, Ngn3, and Pax4 was upregulated. CONCLUSION: SHED combined with HBO therapy was effective for treating type 2 diabetic rats. The underlying mechanism may involve SHED-mediated increase in the proliferation and trans-differentiation of islet β-cells and decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis of islets.
Optimization of Culture Protocols to Isolate Leptospira spp. from Environmental Water, Field Investigation, and Identification of Factors Associated with the Presence of Leptospira spp. in the Environment

The successful culture of Leptospira spp. from the environment is challenging. Here, we optimized the isolation of Leptospira spp. from water samples spiked with different species and initial concentrations of this organism. The time periods between water sampling and the isolation process were varied (0, 2, and 4 weeks). Bacterial cultures were observed under a microscope, and cultures were graded for cell density, weekly, for 12 weeks. Most pathogenic Leptospira spp. were difficult to culture under all conditions. All conditions of water samples spiked with novel species of Leptospira subclade P1 were culture positive within 2 weeks. For Leptospira subclade P2, storing samples for 2 weeks prior to isolation resulted in more successful isolation compared with isolation after other storage conditions. For subclade S1, all samples with initial bacterial concentrations of more than 103 colonies/mL, under all storage conditions, were successfully cultured. These results suggest that storing contaminated water samples for 2 to 4 weeks in the dark at an ambient temperature prior to culturing can improve the isolation of Leptospira spp. from the samples. We implemented this protocol and collected water samples from natural sources accessed by both humans and animals. Leptospira spp. was identified in 32% (35/109) of water samples. The animal species using a water source influenced the likelihood of water samples being contaminated with Leptospira spp. Cultures of Leptospira spp. from environmental samples can provide useful information for understanding the complex interactions between humans, animals and the environment in the transmission of leptospirosis.
When Do Good Deeds Lead to Good Feelings? Eudaimonic Orientation Moderates the Happiness Benefits of Prosocial Behavior

Engaging in prosocial behavior is considered an effective way to increase happiness in a sustainable manner. However, there is insufficient knowledge about the conditions under which such a happiness effect occurs. From a person-activity congruence perspective, we proposed that an individual’s eudaimonic orientation moderates the effect of prosocial behavior on happiness, whereas hedonic orientation does not. For this purpose, 128 participants were assigned to play a game in which half of them were explained the benevolence impact of playing the game (the benevolence condition), and the other half played the same game without this knowledge (the control condition). Participants’ eudaimonic and hedonic orientations were assessed before the game, and their post-task happiness were measured after the game. The results showed that participants in the benevolence condition reported higher post-task positive affect than those in the control condition. Furthermore, this happiness effect was moderated by participants’ eudaimonic orientation—participants with high eudaimonic orientation reaped greater benefits from benevolence, and their hedonic orientation did not moderate the relationship between benevolence and happiness. The importance of the effect of person-activity congruence on happiness is discussed, along with the implications of these findings for sustainably pursuing happiness.
The Costs of Leaf Support in Understory Palms: Economy Versus Safety

Biomass allocation to nonproductive leaf-support structures represents an inescapable compromise between economy and safety. In the bifid-leaved understory palm species Geonoma cuneata and Asterogyne martiana, the costs of leaf support increase disproportionately with leaf size and crown size. Greater leaf longevities of larger leaves are insufficient to compensate for these escalating costs. Increases in leaf size also entail increases in stresses acting on the petiole, resulting in lower factors of safety in the largest leaves. In Geonoma congesta, ontogenetic changes in leaf morphology from bifid to split leaves at larger leaf sizes result in reduced costs of leaf support relative to bifid juvenile leaves. Despite differences in maximum leaf size, the leaves of reproductive individuals in all three species have similar factors of safety, indicating that mechanical constraints may be limiting leaf size in these species. Although reproductive G. congesta leaves have the greatest leaf-support efficiency (leaf area per unit of support biomass), total leaf area per whole-plant biomass is lowest. In the reproductive stage, plants of G. cuneata, the smallest species, have the highest leaf-support efficiency at leaf and crown levels and the highest total leaf area per whole-plant biomass. These characteristics, largely a consequence of small leaf and plant size, enable G. cuneata to exploit the most heavily shaded microsites within the rain-forest understory.
Blood pressure medication should not be routinely dosed at bedtime. We must disregard the data from the HYGIA project.

Journal of Hypertension 2020, 38:000–000 Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany, Department of Cardiology, University of Oslo, Ullevaal Hospital, Oslo, Norway, Service of Nephrology and Hypertension, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland, Department of Hypertension and Diabetology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland, Vascular Biology and Hypertension Program, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA and University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
Unexpected warming‐induced growth decline in Thuja occidentalis at its northern limits in North America

Towards the cold margins of the Northern Hemisphere boreal zone, continuing warming should theoretically provide a longer vegetative season, favouring growth and a northward shift in tree species distribution. The northern distribution of Thuja occidentalis L. (eastern white cedar) is marked by the presence of isolated marginal populations distant from the continuous distribution. If those populations proved to be well adapted to their future local climatic conditions, their expansion could accelerate cedar poleward migration. We tested the hypotheses that (1) there will be a growth increase in cedar northern marginal populations as a result of global warming, and (2) the edaphic conditions and regional precipitation regimes will modulate their response to warming.
Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 shedding and mild course of COVID-19 in a patient after recent heart transplantation

In the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, organ transplant recipients are considered to be at high risk for an unfavorable outcome. However, in particular the role of immunosuppression in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) remains undetermined. Here, we present a 62‐year‐old male COVID‐19 patient with recent heart transplantation who developed only mild symptoms, but had prolonged virus shedding, and summarize the available data on COVID‐19 in cardiac allograft recipients. Initially the patient presented with a transient episode of fever and sore throat but no other symptoms, in particular no cough or dyspnea at rest. After diagnosis, immunosuppression was continued unchanged. On day 7, his temperature increased again with concurrent mild rise of C‐reactive protein, IL‐6, and pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide levels. Hydroxychloroquine was started and continued for 7 days. While the patient no longer had clinical symptoms 20 days after initial presentation, virus culture of throat swabs on days 18 and 21 confirmed active virus replication and SARS‐CoV‐2 PCR remained positive on day 35 with copy numbers similar to the onset of infection. In conclusion, the immunosuppression regimen in transplant recipients with mild COVID‐19‐associated symptoms may be continued unchanged. However, it may contribute to delayed virus polymerase chain reaction conversion and thus possible prolonged infectivity.
New Zealand timberlines. 1. Growth and survival of native and introduced tree species in the Craigieburn Range, Canterbury

Abstract Experiments in the Craigiebum Range compare germination, growth, and survival of mountain beech (Nothofagus solandri; var. cliffortioides) and exotic timberline species through an altitudinal range of 900–1780 m and three levels of shade. All species germinate at all altitudes but growth rates are inversely related to altitude. In un shaded plots, beech seedlings survive only at or below 1300 m. Shaded beech seedlings at 1600 m had heavy initial mortality, and eventual1y died because of repeated frosting and winter die-back of shoots. Even at 1300 m plants tend to die back once they grow above surrounding shelter, thereby forming krummholz. Unshaded seedlings of Picea engelmannii are severely damaged by early summer frosts; and from 1450 m upwards, this prevents them from growing taller than surrounding shelter. Pinus contorta grows best in full sunlight. and there are vigorous seedlings at 1780 m; however, wind-exposed plants at 1600 m are developing krummholz forms, because of winter death of t.
Effects of Granule Sizes on Physicochemical Properties of Cross‐linked and Acetylated Wheat Starches

Large and small wheat starch granules were used for cross-linking and acetylation to determine effects of granule sizes on physicochemical properties of the modified starches. The native and cross-linked starches from the small granules showed higher phosphorus contents than did those from the large granules. However, the level of phosphate substituents in the modified starches was not significantly different between the large and small granules under the same conditions. In contrast, the large granules had a higher reactivity with acetic anhydride than did the small granules. The phosphate group cross-linked starch (CS), acetylated starch (AS) and acetylated cross-linked starch (ACS) from the large granules had lower gelatinization temperatures and higher enthalpies than those from the small granules. The paste viscosities of the CSs from the large granules decreased rapidly, whereas those of the AS or ACS increased significantly as compared with those from the small granules. The pastes of cross-linked starches from the small granules were more stable than those from the large granules, whereas the pastes of AS and ACS from the large and small granules had similar resistance to freeze-thaw treatment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) also showed that the small granules were less damaged after modification than the large ones. Thus, the different granule sizes resulted in different physicochemical properties of starch after modification.
Temperature effects on the seed-germination of 10 kwongan species from eneabba, Western-Australia

The germination responses of 10 species (Acacia blakelyi, A. pulchella, Allocasuarina humilis, Beaufortia elegans, Conostylis neocymosa, Eucalyptus tetragona, Kennedia prostrata, Leptospermum spinescens, Melaleuca acerosa and Xanthorrhoea drummondii) to constant temperatures ranging from 5 to 35o C were studied. These Western Australian perennial species had optimum germination percentages between 15 and 20oC, except Eucalyptus tetragona which had an optimum at 25oC and Leptospermum spinescens which had an optimum at 10°C. Seeds were transferred from high and low temperatures to 15oC to determine whether high or low temperatures induced dormancy. Low temperatures tended not to affect subsequent germination but high temperature decreased subsequent germination for some species. Wetting and drying stimulated the germination of Acacia blakelyi, A. pulchella and Kennedia prostrata seeds.
The Influence of Custom-Milled Framework Design for an Implant-Supported Full-Arch Fixed Dental Prosthesis: 3D-FEA Sudy

The current study aimed to evaluate the mechanical behavior of two different maxillary prosthetic rehabilitations according to the framework design using the Finite Element Analysis. An implant-supported full-arch fixed dental prosthesis was developed using a modeling software. Two conditions were modeled: a conventional casted framework and an experimental prosthesis with customized milled framework. The geometries of bone, prostheses, implants and abutments were modeled. The mechanical properties and friction coefficient for each isotropic and homogeneous material were simulated. A load of 100 N load was applied on the external surface of the prosthesis at 30° and the results were analyzed in terms of von Mises stress, microstrains and displacements. In the experimental design, a decrease of prosthesis displacement, bone strain and stresses in the metallic structures was observed, except for the abutment screw that showed a stress increase of 19.01%. The conventional design exhibited the highest stress values located on the prosthesis framework (29.65 MPa) between the anterior implants, in comparison with the experimental design (13.27 MPa in the same region). An alternative design of a stronger framework with lower stress concentration was reported. The current study represents an important step in the design and analysis of implant-supported full-arch fixed dental prosthesis with limited occlusal vertical dimension.
The Importance of the Intubation Process for the Safety of Emergency Airway Management

Though emergency airway management has clearly improved with the introduction of video laryngoscopy and modern extraglottic devices, Kovacs and Levitan highlight a crucial point: Intubation success is not solely determined by any one factor nor the device used, but rather by the totality of the intubation process. Successful intubation depends on an interconnected network of factors beyond the glottic view and anatomic obstacles to tracheal tube placement. These include pre-intubation preparation, operator experience, correction of physiological derangements, and the availability of backup devices and personnel, among others. Parceling the effect of each factor in research settings is difficult. "Set yourself up for success" is a common procedural mantra invoked across emergency medicine training programs. This echoes Levitan and Kovacs' philosophy, underscoring the importance of process over any single factor.
Nematicidal activity of plant essential oils and components from Gaultheria fragrantissima and Zanthoxylum alatum against the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Commercial essential oils from 29 plant species were tested for their nematicidal activity against the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Good nematicidal activity against B. xylophilus was achieved with essential oils of Gaultheria fragrantissima and Zanthoxylum alatum . GC-MS analysis of the corresponding oils led to the identification of two and ten major compounds, respectively. Four compounds, methyl salicylate, ethyl salicylate, methyl trans -cinnamate and ethyl trans -cinnamate, were tested individually for their nematicidal activities against the pine wood nematode. Methyl and ethyl salicylates showed strong nematicidal activity at concentration of 2.0 mg ml –1 . Concentrations of 1.0 mg ml –1 , as well as lower concentrations showed only minor effects. Another compound, methyl trans -cinnamate, showed 100% activity at concentrations of 0.0625-2.0 mg ml –1 . With ethyl trans -cinnamate, 100% mortality was observed at concentrations of 0.25-2.0 mg ml –1 . The essential oils and their components described herein merit further study as potential nematicides against the pine wood nematode.