Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of indulgent food snacking, with and without exercise training, on body weight, fat mass, and cardiometabolic risk markers in overweight and obese men

We hypothesized that exercise training would prevent gains in body weight and body fat, and worsening of cardiometabolic risk markers, during a 4‐week period of indulgent food snacking in overweight/obese men. Twenty‐eight physically inactive men (ages 19–47 yr) with body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 consumed 48 donuts (2/day, 6 days/week; ~14,500 kcal total) for 4 weeks while maintaining habitual diet. Men were randomly assigned to control (n = 9), moderate‐intensity continuous training (MICT; n = 9), or high‐intensity interval training (HIIT; n = 10). Exercise training occurred 4 days/week, ~250 kcal/session. Controls did not increase body weight, body fat, or visceral abdominal fat. This was partially explained by a decrease in self‐reported habitual energy (−239 kcal/day, p = 0.05) and carbohydrate (−47 g/day; p = 0.02) intake. Large inter‐individual variability in changes in body weight, fat, and fat‐free mass was evident in all groups. Fasting blood pressure, and blood concentrations of glucose, insulin, and lipids were unchanged in all groups. Glucose incremental area under the curve during an oral glucose tolerance test was reduced by 25.6% in control (p = 0.001) and 32.8% in MICT (p = 0.01) groups. Flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) was not changed in any group. VO2max increased (p ≤ 0.001) in MICT (9.2%) and HIIT (12.1%) groups. We conclude that in physically inactive men with BMI ≥25 kg/m2, consuming ~14,500 kcal as donuts over 4 weeks did not adversely affect body weight and body fat, or several markers of cardiometabolic risk. Consumption of the donuts may have prevented the expected improvement in FMD with HIIT.
Vitamin B12 Supplementation and Vitamin B12 Blood Serum Levels: Evaluation of Effect Modification by Gender and Smoking Status

Abstract Research suggests that high intake of supplemental vitamin B12 may be associated with increased risk of cancer, with some evidence that this association may vary by gender and smoking status. This investigation evaluates if similar patterns in association are observed for data for 11,757 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2006). Survey-weighted multivariable-adjusted linear regression was used to evaluate the association between regular B12 supplement use and log-transformed serum B12 levels. Persons taking vitamin B12 through a multivitamin/multimineral (MVMM) had a median supplemental intake of 12 mcg/day (Q1: 6, Q3: 25), compared to 100 mcg/day (Q1: 22, Q3: 500) for persons reporting supplemental B12 intake through a MVMM-exclusive source. MVMM users had a geometric mean serum B12 26% (95% CI: 23%-30%) higher than nonusers, whereas MVMM-exclusive users’ geometric mean was 61% (95% CI: 53%-70%) higher than nonusers (p-trend < 0.001). Although a positive trend (p-trend < 0.001) was observed for both men and women, the association was stronger among women (p-interaction < 0.001). No interaction was observed for smoking status (p-interaction = 0.45). B12 supplementation is associated with higher levels of serum B12, with significant interaction by gender but not smoking. Further work is needed to better understand the interplay of B12 and gender.
Microstrip lines using yttrium iron garnet film

The spectral-domain technique is used to compute the dispersion characteristics and the transverse field distributions of microstrip lines using a yttrium-iron-garnet (YIG) film on a gadolinium-gallium-garnet (GGG) substrate. Numerical results are presented to show a sharp cutoff characteristic for a large thickness of GGG (which is caused by the reduction in the negative permeability range), and to show the effect of YIG film thickness on the nonreciprocal behavior. Experiments are carried out using YIG film a few tenths of a micrometer thick and a 400- mu m-thick GGG substrate. A narrow stopband characteristic of 200 MHz is observed at 6 GHz, which agrees well with theory. The application to a band-rejection filter is briefly discussed. >
The Effects of a Pass-Fail Curriculum on a Physician Assistant Program

Purpose The grading scale for students in a physician assistant program of study is not standardized. Students may be evaluated on a traditional 5-tiered A to F scale or a pass-fail system. The decision to change from ordered grading to pass-fail at an established program in the southeast was done following a change in the affiliated School of Medicine. The purpose of this study was to review effects on student scores following such a change. Methods The Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) and PACKRAT 2 exam scores for the last 2 cohorts of students scored in the 5-tiered system (2016, N = 60 and 2017, N = 59) were compared against the same for the first 2 cohorts (2018, N = 59 and 2019, N = 58) of the pass-fail system. Nonrandom sampling of all students in each cohort year was evaluated using 2-tailed t-testing. Results A total of 236 student scores were evaluated using a 95% confidence interval. The traditionally scored classes outperformed all pass-fail cohorts (means 460.67/491.86 versus 503.34/493.92). P values were found to be significant at all values between the 5-tier scored classes and the pass-fail cohorts in PANCE scoring, resulting in failure to reject the null hypothesis. This was also true for the PACKRAT 2 with the exception of the 2019 cohort, which was significant only for outperformance of the other pass-fail cohort. For the purpose of this study, the only analysis performed was scoring. Conclusion For cohorts undergoing curricular change, unforeseen impacts on initial standardized exam scores may occur. In this study, PANCE scores for the first year of the 2 pass-fail cohorts decreased while the overall program scores remained at or above the national average. The pass-fail cohort did show an upward trend in the second year of the curriculum, suggesting that as programs become more familiar with the pass-fail system, steady improvements occur. This suggests that while an anticipated drop in initial scores may be expected, further studies are needed to evaluate the impact on stress reduction, long retention, and intraclass competition.
Experiences of Losing Bowel Control After Lower Anterior Resection With Sphincter Saving Surgery for Rectal Cancer

Background Rectal cancer patients who have undergone lower anterior resection with sphincter-saving surgery often experience loss of bowel control. We currently do not have suitable treatment regimens for such patients. Objective The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of losing bowel control in patients who have undergone lower anterior resection with sphincter-saving surgery for rectal cancer in Taiwan. Methods A descriptive phenomenological study design was adopted. Purposive sampling and one-on-one semistructured interviews were conducted for data collection. Narratives were analyzed using Colaizzi’s method. Results Data saturation was achieved after interviewing 12 patients (8 men, 4 women) whose average age was 61 years. Three themes and 11 subthemes emerged: physical problems (pain from broken perianal skin, insomnia, decreased physical strength, and body weight loss), adverse psychological reactions (worries, helplessness, and social isolation), and the use of coping strategies (avoidance of inappropriate foods to reduce bowel irritation and peristalsis, reduction of food intake, and use of antidiarrheal drugs and perianal skincare products). Conclusion The study supports the importance of having a good understanding of patient experiences by healthcare professionals to provide more effective healthcare. Furthermore, awareness of the cultural issue of social isolation was deemed important for providing individualized healthcare. Implications for Practice Education, counseling, and psychological support can enhance patients’ abilities to use coping strategies to overcome the physical and mental challenges of bowel symptoms. For example, appropriate diet-related education programs must be developed to reduce the trial-and-error learning process commonly adopted by patients to identify inappropriate foods.
Dose‐adjusted EPOCH‐R is not superior to sequential R‐CHOP/R‐ICE as a frontline treatment for newly diagnosed primary mediastinal B‐cell lymphoma: Results of a bi‐center retrospective study

Primary mediastinal B‐cell lymphoma (PMBCL) is a rare subtype of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Despite its aggressive course, PMBCL is considered curable. While in recent years dose‐adjusted (DA) EPOCH‐R (rituximab, etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin) has become widely endorsed as first‐line therapy for newly‐diagnosed PMBCL, the optimal treatment for this disease and the role of radiotherapy (RT) remains unclear. DA‐EPOCH‐R provides good clinical outcomes, albeit is associated with short‐ and long‐term toxicity. To address this issue, the current retrospective bi‐icenter analysis compared efficacy and toxicity of DA‐EPOCH‐R and a less toxic R‐CHOP/R‐ICE regimen used for the treatment of newly‐diagnosed PMBCL.
Highly Cushioned Shoes Improve Running Performance in Both the Absence and Presence of Muscle Damage

ABSTRACT Purpose We tested the hypotheses that a highly cushioned running shoe (HCS) would 1) improve incremental exercise performance and reduce the oxygen cost (Oc) of submaximal running, and 2) attenuate the deterioration in Oc elicited by muscle damage consequent to a downhill run. Methods Thirty-two recreationally active participants completed an incremental treadmill test in an HCS and a control running shoe (CON) for the determination of Oc and maximal performance. Subsequently, participants were pair matched and randomly assigned to one of the two footwear conditions to perform a moderate-intensity running bout before and 48 h after a 30-min downhill run designed to elicit muscle damage. Results Incremental treadmill test performance was improved (+5.7%; +1:16 min:ss; P < 0.01) in the HCS when assessed in the nondamaged state, relative to CON. This coincided with a significantly lower Oc (−3.2%; −6 mL·kg−1·km−1; P < 0.001) at a range of running speeds and an increase in the speed corresponding to 3 mM blood lactate (+3.2%; +0.4 km·h−1; P < 0.05). As anticipated, the downhill run resulted in significant changes in biochemical, histological, and perceptual markers of muscle damage, and a significant increase in Oc (+5.2%; 10.1 mL·kg−1·km−1) was observed 48 h post. In the presence of muscle damage, Oc was significantly lower in HCS (−4.6%; −10 mL·kg−1·km−1) compared with CON. Conclusions These results indicate that HCS improved incremental exercise performance and Oc in the absence of muscle damage and show, for the first time, that despite worsening of Oc consequent to muscle damage, improved Oc in HCS is maintained.
Bending–torsion interaction for concrete beams reinforced with steel fibres

Synopsis Results from an experimental investigation on steel-fibre-reinforced concrete beams under combined bending and torsion are presented, the principal variables being depth of beam and torsion to moment ratio. On the basis of the observed skew-bending mechanism of torsional failure, equations are derived for ultimate torque. The test results are then compared with the theoretical predictions. The proposed method gives good predictions of the ultimate torque and interaction behaviour of beams under combined bending and torsion.
Prenatal diagnosis of significant congenital heart disease and elective termination of pregnancy in Nevada

Abstract Objective We investigated the relationship between prenatal detection of significant congenital heart disease and elective termination of pregnancy over time in Nevada. Methods We identified those prenatally or post-natally diagnosed with significant congenital cardiovascular malformations in Nevada with birth dates or estimated delivery dates between July 2012 and June 2021. Results We identified 1246. Of 1246, 69 underwent fetal demise, 42 had elective termination, and 1135 were live-born. Of the 1135 live-born, 1090 had prenatal care, of which 718 (66%) overall had a prenatal diagnosis of significant congenital heart disease. However, prenatal detection statistically significantly increased over time from 45 to 82%, p = . 00001. Termination of pregnancy averaged 10% of those identified within the legal timeframe, and the rate did not statistically significantly increase with increasing prenatal detection rates, p = . 56. Of the 42 undergoing elective termination, 23 (55%) had syndromes or comorbidities vs. 280 (25%) of the 1135 live-births, p = . 0003. Conclusions In Nevada, despite a statistically significant increase in prenatal detection of significant congenital heart disease over time, termination of pregnancy rates did not increase. Nevertheless, those undergoing elective termination were more likely to have associated syndromes or comorbidities.
Usefulness of ELISA Using Total Antibody against Plant-Expressed Recombinant Nucleocapsid Protein of SARS-CoV-2

At present, the principal diagnostic methods for COVID-19 comprise the identification of viral nucleic acid by genetic approaches, including PCR-based techniques or next-generation sequencing. However, there is an urgent need for validated serological assays which are crucial for the understanding of immune responses against SARS-CoV-2. ABSTRACT Here, we aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of a serological assay using the nucleocapsid protein developed for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) detection and evaluated its performance using three commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), namely, Standard E 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) total antibody (Ab) ELISA (SD Biosensor), and EDI novel coronavirus COVID-19 IgG and IgM ELISA. A recombinant nucleocapsid protein (rNP) was expressed from plants and Escherichia coli for the detection of serum total Ab. We prospectively collected 141 serum samples from 32 patients with reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 and determined the sensitivity and dynamics of their total Ab response. Specificity was evaluated using 158 prepandemic samples. To validate the assays, we evaluated the performance using two different cutoff values. The sensitivity and specificity for each assay were as follows: 92.91% and 94.30% (plant-rNP), 83.69% and 98.73% (SD Biosensor), 75.89% and 98.10% (E. coli-rNP), 76.47% and 100% (EDI-IgG), and 80.39% and 80% (EDI-IgM). The plant-based rNP showed the highest sensitivity and area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (0.980) among all the assays (P < 0.05). The seroconversion rate for total Ab increased sequentially with disease progression, with a sensitivity of 100% after 10 to 12 days of post-symptom onset (PSO) for both rNP-plant-based and SD Biosensor ELISAs. After 2 weeks of PSO, the seroconversion rates were >80% and 100% for EDI-IgM and EDI-IgG ELISA, respectively. Seroconversion occurred earlier with rNP plant-based ELISA (5 days PSO) compared with E. coli-based (7 days PSO) and SD Biosensor (8 days PSO) ELISA. We determined that rNP produced in plants enables the robust detection of SARS-CoV-2 total Abs. The assay can be used for serosurvey and complementary diagnosis of COVID-19. IMPORTANCE At present, the principal diagnostic methods for COVID-19 comprise the identification of viral nucleic acid by genetic approaches, including PCR-based techniques or next-generation sequencing. However, there is an urgent need for validated serological assays which are crucial for the understanding of immune responses against SARS-CoV-2. In this study, a highly sensitive and specific serological antibody assay was developed for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 with an overall accuracy of 93.56% using a recombinant nucleoprotein expressed from plants.
Determinants of vegetable intake among urban socio-economically disadvantaged adolescents: a systematic review of quantitative studies

Abstract Objective: To investigate the determinants of vegetable intake in urban socio-economically disadvantaged adolescents to inform the development of an intervention programme. Design: A narrative systematic review was carried out by searching five electronic databases from 2013 to 2020. The descriptors used for the search strategy were vegetable intake, adolescents, determinants and correlates. Inclusion criteria were including a sample of socio-economically disadvantaged adolescents aged 12–18 years, evaluation of the association between vegetable intake and determinants of intake, and conducted in urban settings of high-income countries. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Identified determinants of vegetable intake were reported according to the five levels of the socio-ecological model of health. Setting: Studies included in the review were conducted in four countries: USA (n 8), Australia (n 3), Ireland (n 1) and New Zealand (n 1). Participants: Adolescents aged 12–18 years from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds living in urban settings. Results: Thirty-nine determinants were identified. Nutrition knowledge was the only determinant consistently investigated in several independent samples which was not associated with vegetable intake in socio-economically disadvantaged adolescents. For the remaining potential determinants, it was not possible to examine the consistency of evidence as there were not enough studies investigating the same determinants. Most of the studies followed a cross-sectional design and were carried out in school settings. Conclusions: There is a need for further studies on the determinants of vegetable intake in this population preferably with longitudinal designs and beyond the school setting in different countries to guide the development of successful interventions.
Limited replication of human cytomegalovirus in a trophoblast cell line

Several viruses, including human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), are thought to replicate in the placenta. However, there is little understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in HCMV replication in this tissue. We investigated replication of HCMV in the extravillous trophoblast cell line SGHPL-4, a commonly used model of HCMV replication in the placenta. We found limited HCMV protein expression and virus replication in SGHPL-4 cells. This was associated with a lack of trophoblast progenitor cell protein markers in SGHPL-4 cells, suggesting a relationship between trophoblast differentiation and limited HCMV replication. We proposed that limited HCMV replication in trophoblast cells is advantageous to vertical transmission of HCMV, as there is a greater opportunity for vertical transmission when the placenta is intact and functional. Furthermore, when we investigated the replication of other vertically transmitted viruses in SGHPL-4 cells we found some limitation to replication of Zika virus, but not herpes simplex virus. Thus, limited replication of some, but not all, vertically transmitted viruses may be a feature of trophoblast cells.
Investigating the Role of Agricultural Extension in Influencing Ontario Dairy Producer Behaviour for Johne’s Disease Control

INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION IN INFLUENCING ONTARIO DAIRY PRODUCER BEHAVIOUR FOR JOHNES DISEASE CONTROL Steven Roche Co-Advisors: University of Guelph, 2014 Dr. David F. Kelton Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton Study objectives were to: (a) describe Ontario (ON) dairy producer and veterinarian perceptions of the barriers and motivators to adopting on-farm management practices for Johne’s disease (JD) control, (b) implement and evaluate an agricultural extension program, called ON Focus Farms (FF), to improve the adoption of JD control practices, (c) compare changes in knowledge, attitude, perception, and behaviour towards JD control among FF participants and a group of non-participating producers, (d) investigate dairy producer learning preferences and perceptions of various sources of information, and (e) economically assess the costs and benefits of implementing FF over a 10-year period. To meet these objectives, preand post-FF intervention questionnaires, JD risk assessments, and post-FF intervention focus groups were
Emerging biological drugs for the treatment of gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma

ABSTRACT Introduction Gastric cancer (GC) and gastroesophageal junction cancer (GOJC) patients have a poor prognosis with a 5-year relative survival rate of 6% in the metastatic setting. Despite the well-characterized molecular features, patients have been historically considered for treatment with universal and undistinguishing chemotherapies and targeted agents, except for the HER2-positive population and some immunological approaches. Areas covered In this review, we discuss the intrinsic characteristics of GC/GOJC from an epidemiological, molecular, and clinical perspective with an exhaustive evaluation of the reported and ongoing phase II/III clinical trials with targeted therapies. Expert opinion The absence of robust biomarkers, the difficulties in measuring it due to the well-recognized molecular heterogeneity, and in part nonoptimistic clinical trial designs have been a major cause of frequent failure. Current efforts should focus on proper recognition of the distinctive molecular and clinical features of each GC/GOJC patient. Sequencing both tumor tissue DNA and ctDNA could identify targetable alterations, including rare alterations, thus allowing GC/GOJC patients for a precision medicine benefit.
Management of Advanced Pulmonary Sarcoidosis.

The term "advanced sarcoidosis" is used for forms of sarcoidosis with a significant risk of loss of organ function or death. Advanced sarcoidosis often involves the lung and is described as "Advanced Pulmonary Sarcoidosis" (APS) which includes advanced pulmonary fibrosis, associated complications such as bronchiectasis and infections, and pulmonary hypertension. While APS affects a small proportion of patients with sarcoidosis, it is the leading cause of poor outcomes including death. Herein we review the major patterns of APS with a focus on the current management as well as potential approaches for improved outcomes for this most serious sarcoidosis phenotype.
The accuracy of the Microsoft Kinect in joint angle measurement

The Microsoft Kinect is a cheap consumer device capable of markerless body segment tracking. While it was not originally designed for research applications, studies have been performed which utilise its capabilities. In order to better define the suitability of the device in a clinical and biomechanical context, a study was performed which assessed the accuracy of the device in 12 separate movements and for two different software-based tracking algorithms (IPIsoft and NITE). The movements were chosen to represent a variety of joint motions and speeds. Ten participants (height, 185 ± 6 cm; mass, 77 ± 9 kg) performed each movement while the Kinect and a Motion Analysis Corporation capture system recorded simultaneously. The procedure was performed twice, once for each tracking algorithm. Median values for RMSE, maximum error, systematic bias and proportional bias were 12.6°, 58.2°, 4.38° and 1.15°, respectively, for the IPIsoft algorithm and 13.8°, 63.1°, 3.16° and 1.19°, respectively, for the NITE algorithm. While maximum errors are high the system has many advantages over existing multi-camera markerless tracking systems. The Kinect could be used in low speed analysis of simple human motions where cost and ecological validity are of high priority.