Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pathological and immunological protection induced by inactivated reverse genetics-based H3N8 equine influenza vaccine candidate in murine model.

Equine influenza (EI) is an important viral respiratory disease of equines caused by influenza A virus. The antigenic drift in IAVs necessitates regular updating and harmonization of vaccine strain with the circulating virus. The reverse genetics-based aluminium hydroxide gel and challenged with H3N8 virus (A/eq/Jammu-Katra/06/08). The protective efficacy was evaluated through serology, cytokine profiling, clinical signs, gross and histopathological changes, immunohistochemistry and residual virus quantification. Immunizations induced robust humoral immune response as estimated through hemagglutination inhibition assay (HAI). The antibodies were isotyped and the predominant subclass was IgG1. The vaccine candidate produced mixed Th1 and Th2 responses through stimulation of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6 expression. Immunization protected mice against challenge as reflected through reduction in clinical signs and body weight loss, early recovery, mild pathological changes (gross and histopathological lesions) as evident through scoring of lesions, low residual virus in nasopharynx and lungs quantified through egg titration and quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR). The study demonstrates that inactivated recombinant EIV generated through reverse genetic approach provides equivalent protection to that observed with inactivated whole H3N8 EIV vaccine. Keywords: equine influenza; reverse genetics; vaccine; pathology; murine model.
Validation of the Micronutrient and Environmental Enteric Dysfunction Assessment Tool and evaluation of biomarker risk factors for growth faltering and vaccine failure in young Malian children

Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) is an intestinal disorder common among children in low-resource settings and is associated with increased risk of growth stunting, cognitive deficits, and reduced oral vaccine immunogenicity. The Micronutrient and EED Assessment Tool (MEEDAT) is a multiplexed immunoassay that measures biomarkers previously associated with child growth faltering and/or oral vaccine immunogenicity: intestinal fatty acid–binding protein (I-FABP), soluble CD14 (sCD14), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). MEEDAT also measures systemic inflammation (α1-acid glycoprotein, C-reactive protein), ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, retinol binding protein 4, thyroglobulin, and Plasmodium falciparum antigenemia (histidine-rich protein 2). The performance of MEEDAT was compared with commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) using 300 specimens from Malian infant clinical trial participants. Regression methods were used to test if MEEDAT biomarkers were associated with seroconversion to meningococcal A conjugate vaccine (MenAV), yellow fever vaccine (YFV), and pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (PRV) after 28 days, or with growth faltering over 12 weeks. The Pearson correlations between the MEEDAT and ELISA results were 0.97, 0.86, 0.80, and 0.97 for serum I-FABP, sCD14, IGF-1, and FGF21, respectively. There were significant associations between I-FABP concentration and the probability of PRV IgG seroconversion and between IGF-1 concentration and the probability of YFV seroconversion. In multivariable models neither association remained significant, however there was a significant negative association between AGP concentration and YFV seroconversion. GLP-2 and sCD14 concentrations were significantly negatively associated with 12-week change in weight-for-age z-score and weight-for-height z-score in multivariable models. MEEDAT performed well in comparison to commercially-available ELISAs for the measurement of four analytes for EED and growth hormone resistance. Adoption of MEEDAT in low-resource settings could help accelerate the identification of interventions that prevent or treat child stunting and interventions that boost the immunogenicity of child vaccinations.
The Effectiveness of Trunk Stabilization Exercise Combined with Vibration for Adolescent Patients with Nonspecific Low Back Pain

There are many adolescent patients complaining of low back pain, but research on it is lacking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of trunk stabilization exercise combined with vibration on the pain, proprioception, and kinematics of the lumbar spine (LS) during sit to stand (STS) in adolescent patients with nonspecific low back pain (LBP). Fifty LBP patients were recruited and were randomly divided into two groups: Vibration group (n = 25) and placebo group (n = 25). All participants underwent 36-sessions of training consisting of six exercises. The Vibration group provided vibration stimulation during exercise, but the placebo group did not. The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and digital dual inclinometer were used to measure pain intensity and proprioception. The kinematics of the lumbar spine during STS were measured by motion capture system. After training, the pain and proprioception in the vibration group improved significantly greater than the placebo group (p < 0.05). The mobility of LS (maximum range of motion, angular velocity, lumbar to hip movement ratios) and lumbar-hip coordination during STS in the vibration group were significantly improved compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05). Thus, trunk stabilization exercise combined with vibration may be used to improve the pain, proprioception, and kinematic of the lumbar spine during sit to stand in adolescent patients with LBP.
Maternal recall of a history of early-onset preeclampsia, late-onset preeclampsia, or gestational hypertension: a validation study

ABSTRACT Objective: This study assessed women’s ability to recall different types of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy because of its disproportionate cardiovascular risk later in life. Methods: Participants were 5–10 years post-partum with a history of early-onset-, late-onset preeclampsia, or gestational hypertension. Recall was assessed by questionnaire and compared to medical records. Results: Questionnaire-based recall of early-onset preeclampsia had high sensitivity and specificity, late-onset preeclampsia poor sensitivity and high specificity and gestational hypertension had very poor sensitivity and high specificity. Conclusion: Early-onset preeclampsia can accurately be assessed using a simple questionnaire. Recall of late-onset preeclampsia and gestational hypertension was not accurate.
Factors Controlling the Localizations of Populations of Protodrilus symbioticus Giard

The environmental factors which might be expected to influence the distribution of intertidal interstitial animals are temperature, light, sand grain sizes, salinity variations, water-currents, oxygen tensions and the surfaces of the sand grains themselves. Boaden (1963) analysed in the laboratory the effect of light, salinity changes, water-currents and gregariousness on the distribution of Trilobodrilus heideri Remane. Boaden (1962) showed in field experiments how Protodrilus chaetifer Remane was limited to sands coarser than 500 [u whilst P. adhaerens Jagersten preferred sands with particles in the 210-105 ,u range. Wieser (1956) related the distribution of Cumella vulgaris Hart to sands with particles of 600-150 [Adiameter as only these could be manipulated by the mandibles when feeding. Later, Wieser (1959) showed that most interstitial species occurred in sands with particles greater than 200 u except for nematodes and active burrowers. In an attempt to analyse the factors influencing the localizations of populations of Protodrilus symbioticus on marine sandy beaches, the author has shown the influence on this species of temperature (Gray 1965), of light (Gray 1966a), of grain size (Gray 1966b), and of the surface films produced by bacteria on the sand grains themselves (Gray 1966c). The present paper deals with the effect of oxygen tension, salinity changes, and watercurrents on P. symbioticus. P. symbioticus was obtained from Black Rocks, Anglesey, and extracted from sand using the levitation method of Boisseau (Gray 1965). After each experiment the animals and substrate used were discarded.
Single‑incision mesh vs sacrospinous ligament fixation in posthysterectomy women at a three-year follow-up: a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVES The primary clinical objective was to prospectively compare the effectiveness of the "single‑incisionMESH" technique versus sacrospinous ligament fixation (ACSSF) in correcting the defect of pelvic organ prolapse(POP) in the anterior and apical compartments, Their effectiveness was assessed at a 1-year/3-year follow-up (FU). METHODS In the period of 2013-2015, we have randomized 146 women into two groups, namely 73 into ACSSF group and 73 into MESH groupRESULTS: At 1-year/3-year FU, we achieved an effectiveness of 92 %/87 % in the point Ba (≤‒1 cm) in the MESH group (48/52; 40/46) vs 70 %/66 % in the ACSSF group (35/50; 30/45); (p = 0.005/p = 0.021). At 1-year/3-year FU, in the area of point C (≤‒1 cm), we achieved a 94 %/91 % effectiveness in the MESH group (49/52; 42/46) vs 90 %/80 % in the ACSSF group (45/50; 36/45); (p = 0.005/p = 0.192). In the MESH group, we observed a more frequent occurrence of "de novo" SUI (11 % vs 6 %) and a defect in the unoperated (posterior) compartment (18 % vs 8 %); the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION Our study showed that the vaginal synthetic mesh repair of POP did not improve women's outcomes in terms of effectiveness or adverse effects, while the patient satisfaction is the same as compared to that with sacrospinous ligament fixation at a 3‑year FU. In gynecology, there are situations in which the comparison replaces the scientific solution (Tab. 5, Fig. 2, Ref. 50). Text in PDF www.elis. sk Keywords: sacrospinous ligament fixation, quality of life index, synthetic mesh, randomized trial, prolapse.
A Study of Defect Detection Techniques for Metallographic Images

Metallography is the study of the structure of metals and alloys. Metallographic analysis can be regarded as a detection tool to assist in identifying a metal or alloy, to evaluate whether an alloy is processed correctly, to inspect multiple phases within a material, to locate and characterize imperfections such as voids or impurities, or to find the damaged areas of metallographic images. However, the defect detection of metallography is evaluated by human experts, and its automatic identification is still a challenge in almost every real solution. Deep learning has been applied to different problems in computer vision since the proposal of AlexNet in 2012. In this study, we propose a novel convolutional neural network architecture for metallographic analysis based on a modified residual neural network (ResNet). Multi-scale ResNet (M-ResNet), the modified method, improves efficiency by utilizing multi-scale operations for the accurate detection of objects of various sizes, especially small objects. The experimental results show that the proposed method yields an accuracy of 85.7% (mAP) in recognition performance, which is higher than existing methods. As a consequence, we propose a novel system for automatic defect detection as an application for metallographic analysis.
In vitro antibacterial activity of Spirulina platensis extracts against clinical isolates of Salmonella enterica serovars Typhi and Paratyphi (SUBP03)

Natural therapy has its inherent attraction in that there are limited side-effects. Spirulina platensis, a naturally occurring algae, has been reported to have more than one therapeutic advantage. It is also used as a source of natural protein and vitamins in many parts of the world. In the present investigation, the antimicrobial activity of S. platensis against clinical isolates of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (n=17) and Paratyphi (n=3) was investigated. Ethanolic and chloroform extracts of S. platensis (40 mg/mL) were investigated for antimicrobial effect. Variable zones of inhibition were observed for the former extract whereas the latter did not show any inhibitory effect on growth of the test organism. Diameters of the zones of inhibition were 9.7-14.0 mm for S. Paratyphi and 9.5-16.0 mm for S. Typhi. The presence of zones of inhibition at the concentration of 40 mg/ml of the extract used is promising towards developing a natural remedy against infections with S. enterica serovars Typhi and Paratyphi. Stamford Journal of Microbiology, Vol.5(1) 2015: 22-25
Caval pseudoaneurysms following complex inferior vena cava filter removal: Clinical significance and patient outcomes

Objectives To investigate the incidence and clinical significance of caval pseudoaneurysm and extravasation post-complex inferior vena cava filter retrieval. Methods A total of 83 patients (70% female, average age 56) underwent complex inferior vena cava filter retrieval between January 2015 and December 2019 utilizing either rigid endobronchial forceps (n = 69, 83%) and/or excimer laser (n = 20, 24%). Procedural variables were recorded. The incidence and size of caval pseudoaneurysms and extravasation along with treatment type and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results Technical success in all cases was 96% (n = 80). Average fluoroscopy time was 23 min (median: 20.2, range: 0.9–129.5). Average filter dwell time was 85 months (range: 2–316 months). Caval pseudoaneurysm was detected on post-retrieval venography in 10 patients (12%) and frank extravasation occurred in 1 case (1%). Average pseudoaneurysm length and width was 20.4 mm (range: 5–45 mm) and 12.9 mm (range: 4–24 mm), respectively. Pseudoaneurysms occurred most frequently during the removal of Optease (n = 5) and Celect (n = 2) filters. The pseudoaneurysms completely resolved with prolonged (>5 min) balloon angioplasty in all but one instance where a small portion of the pseudoaneurysm persisted. This patient was admitted and observed overnight before being discharged without complication. The solitary case of significant extravasation was effectively managed with immediate stent placement and the patient remained hemodynamically stable. Conclusions Radiographically detectable caval pseudoaneurysm and extravasation is not uncommon in complex inferior vena cava filter retrieval and, despite being considered a major complication by Society of Interventional Radiology guidelines, can often be managed without stenting or other invasive treatment.
IL-33 triggers early eosinophil-dependent events leading to metaplasia in a chronic model of gastritis-prone mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS IL-33/IL-1F11 is an important mediator for the development of Th2-driven inflammatory disorders and has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of GI-related cancers, including gastric carcinoma. We therefore sought to mechanistically determine IL-33's potential role as a critical factor linking chronic inflammation and gastric carcinogenesis using gastritis-prone SAMP1/YitFc (SAMP) mice METHODS: SAMP and (parental control) AKR mice were assessed for baseline gastritis and progression to metaplasia. Expression/localization of IL-33 and its receptor, ST2/IL-1R4, were characterized in corpus tissues, and both activation and neutralization studies were performed targeting the IL-33/ST2 axis. Dissection of immune pathways leading to metaplasia were evaluated, including eosinophil depletion studies using anti-IL-5/anti-CCR3 treatment RESULTS: Progressive gastritis and ultimately, intestinalized spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia (SPEM) was detected in SAMP stomachs, which was absent in AKR, but could be moderately-induced with exogenous, recombinant (r)IL-33. Robust peripheral (bone-marrow, BM) expansion of eosinophils and local recruitment of both eosinophils and IL-33-expressing M2 macrophages into corpus tissues were evident in SAMP. Interestingly, IL-33 blockade did not affect BM-derived expansion and local infiltration of eosinophils, but markedly decreased M2 macrophages and SPEM features, while eosinophil depletion caused a significant reduction in both local IL-33-producing M2 macrophages and SPEM in SAMP CONCLUSIONS: IL-33 promotes metaplasia and the sequelae of eosinophil-dependent downstream infiltration of IL-33-producing M2 macrophages leading to intestinalized SPEM in SAMP, suggesting that IL-33 represents a critical link between chronic gastritis and intestinalizing metaplasia that may serve as a potential therapeutic target for pre-neoplastic conditions of the GI tract.
Ursolic acid reduces Adriamycin resistance of human ovarian cancer cells through promoting the HuR translocation from cytoplasm to nucleus

Ursolic acid (UA) has been shown to suppress various tumor progression, however, its roles in Adriamycin resistance of human ovarian cancer (OC) cells are still unclear. This work aims to investigate the effects of UA on the Adriamycin resistance of human OC cells. Here, we constructed Adriamycin‐resistant OC SKOV3‐Adr cells and found that UA attenuated Adriamycin resistance in SKOV3‐Adr cells. Additionally, UA enhanced Adriamycin sensitivity in the parental SKOV3 and another OC cell line A2780 cells. Mechanistic studies showed that HuR mRNA level was similar between SKOV3 and SKOV3‐Adr cells, but the cytoplasmic expression of HuR protein was increased in SKOV3‐Adr cells compared with that in SKOV3 cells, and subsequently enhancing the mRNA stability of multidrug resistance gene 1 (MDR1). Moreover, UA had no effects on HuR expression, but promoted the cytoplasm‐nucleus translocation of HuR protein, decreased MDR1 mRNA stability and thus reduced MDR1 expression. Furthermore, overexpression of MDR1 rescued the effects of UA on Adriamycin resistance and sensitivity. This work reveals a novel HuR/MDR1 axis responsible for UA‐mediated attenuation on Adriamycin resistance in OC cells.
Artificial Intelligence Chatbot Behavior Change Model for Designing Artificial Intelligence Chatbots to Promote Physical Activity and a Healthy Diet: Viewpoint

Background Chatbots empowered by artificial intelligence (AI) can increasingly engage in natural conversations and build relationships with users. Applying AI chatbots to lifestyle modification programs is one of the promising areas to develop cost-effective and feasible behavior interventions to promote physical activity and a healthy diet. Objective The purposes of this perspective paper are to present a brief literature review of chatbot use in promoting physical activity and a healthy diet, describe the AI chatbot behavior change model our research team developed based on extensive interdisciplinary research, and discuss ethical principles and considerations. Methods We conducted a preliminary search of studies reporting chatbots for improving physical activity and/or diet in four databases in July 2020. We summarized the characteristics of the chatbot studies and reviewed recent developments in human-AI communication research and innovations in natural language processing. Based on the identified gaps and opportunities, as well as our own clinical and research experience and findings, we propose an AI chatbot behavior change model. Results Our review found a lack of understanding around theoretical guidance and practical recommendations on designing AI chatbots for lifestyle modification programs. The proposed AI chatbot behavior change model consists of the following four components to provide such guidance: (1) designing chatbot characteristics and understanding user background; (2) building relational capacity; (3) building persuasive conversational capacity; and (4) evaluating mechanisms and outcomes. The rationale and evidence supporting the design and evaluation choices for this model are presented in this paper. Conclusions As AI chatbots become increasingly integrated into various digital communications, our proposed theoretical framework is the first step to conceptualize the scope of utilization in health behavior change domains and to synthesize all possible dimensions of chatbot features to inform intervention design and evaluation. There is a need for more interdisciplinary work to continue developing AI techniques to improve a chatbot’s relational and persuasive capacities to change physical activity and diet behaviors with strong ethical principles.
Recent Increase in COVID-19 Cases Reported Among Adults Aged 18–22 Years — United States, May 31–September 5, 2020

Although children and young adults are reportedly at lower risk for severe disease and death from infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), than are persons in other age groups (1), younger persons can experience infection and subsequently transmit infection to those at higher risk for severe illness (2-4). Although at lower risk for severe disease, some young adults experience serious illness, and asymptomatic or mild cases can result in sequelae such as myocardial inflammation (5). In the United States, approximately 45% of persons aged 18-22 years were enrolled in colleges and universities in 2019 (6). As these institutions reopen, opportunities for infection increase; therefore, mitigation efforts and monitoring reports of COVID-19 cases among young adults are important. During August 2-September 5, weekly incidence of COVID-19 among persons aged 18-22 years rose by 55.1% nationally; across U.S. Census regions,* increases were greatest in the Northeast, where incidence increased 144.0%, and Midwest, where incidence increased 123.4%. During the same period, changes in testing volume for SARS-CoV-2 in this age group ranged from a 6.2% decline in the West to a 170.6% increase in the Northeast. In addition, the proportion of cases in this age group among non-Hispanic White (White) persons increased from 33.8% to 77.3% during May 31-September 5. Mitigation and preventive measures targeted to young adults can likely reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission among their contacts and communities. As colleges and universities resume operations, taking steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among young adults is critical (7).
Bioactive extracts from brewer's spent grain.

In this study, antioxidant-rich extracts from brewer's spent grain (BSG) extracted by solid-to-liquid extraction using different solvents water and ethanol and their mixtures at two ratios (80% ethanol : water (v/v) and 60% ethanol : water (v/v)) were characterized. Nutritional composition was evaluated for the extracts and for the solid residues obtained after extraction. Additionally, the extracts were analyzed for the total phenolic content and individual phenolic compounds and related biological properties including antioxidant capacity (ABTS; ORAC and DNA protection), antihypertensive capacity, antibacterial activity and antibiofilm capacity. Safety was also demonstrated through genotoxicity and cytotoxicity tests. The results obtained showed that while all the extracts exhibited high antioxidant capacity (except ethanolic extract), the highest values were obtained for the 60% ethanol : water extract. The identification of phenolic compounds using HPLC showed that catechin and vanillin were the main compounds identified with the highest concentration being obtained for 60% ethanol : water extraction. In the biological activity assays, water and hydroethanolic extracts were multifunctional (antioxidant and antihypertensive capacity, antibacterial and antibiofilm activity), and the 80% ethanol : water presented better results in some assays. All were non-genotoxic, but the cytotoxicity was dependent on the extract concentration, with complete safe application for all up to 1 mg mL-1. Therefore, this study shows the potential of a viable green solvent based and low cost extraction recovery method of bioactive compounds from brewer's spent grain.