Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum alpha-fetoprotein as a predictive biomarker for tissue alpha-fetoprotein status and prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Background Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) expression is closely related to hepatocarcinogenesis, and it is an important prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to investigate the relationship between serum AFP concentration and tissue AFP status and identify the prognostic value of serum and tissue AFP for HCC. Methods This is a retrospective review of 248 patients with HCC from January 2012 to December 2018. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to investigate the predictive value of serum AFP for tissue AFP status. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests were used for comparison between two groups. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed for various risk factors. Results The serum AFP level in patients with tissue AFP-positive HCC was higher than those with tissue AFP-negative HCC (506.7 vs. 7.7 ng/mL, P<0.0001). Youden’s index yielded an optimal cut-off value of serum AFP for tissue AFP status of 92.33 ng/mL with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.84 (95% CI: 0.74–0.90) and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.82–0.92), respectively. Moreover, high serum AFP concentrations (≥92.33 ng/mL) were significantly correlated with positive hepatitis B virus (HBV, P=0.012), tumor size (P=0.025) and histological grade (P=0.001); tissue AFP-positive status was associated with positive HBV (P=0.006), tumor number (P=0.033) and histological grade (P<0.001). Further, serum AFP level ≥92.33 ng/mL and tissue AFP-positive status were associated with poorer OS, and positive HBV (Positive: HR 3.496; 95% CI: 1.349–9.064; P=0.010) and larger tumor size (≥5; HR 2.617; 95% CI: 1.372–4.992; P=0.003) were independent factors of OS. Conclusions This study showed that serum AFP level could be a highly predictive biomarker for tissue AFP status in patients with HCC. Furthermore, serum AFP levels ≥92.33 ng/mL and tissue AFP-positive status were associated with poorer OS but were not independent factors of OS.
Stimulating the Hematopoietic Effect of Simulated Digestive Product of Fucoidan from Sargassum fusiforme on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Hematopoietic Damage in Mice and Its Protective Mechanisms Based on Serum Lipidomics

Hematopoietic damage is a serious side effect of cytotoxic drugs, and agents promoting hematopoiesis are quite important for decreasing the death rate in cancer patients. In our previous work, we prepared the simulated digestive product of fucoidan from Sargassum fusiforme, DSFF, and found that DSFF could activate macrophages. However, more investigations are needed to further evaluate whether DSFF could promote hematopoiesis in the chemotherapy process. In this study, the protective effect of DSFF (1.8–7.2 mg/kg, i.p.) on cyclophosphamide-induced hematopoietic damage in mice and the underlying mechanisms were investigated. Our results show that DSFF could restore the numbers of white blood cells, neutrophils, and platelets in the peripheral blood, and could also retard bone marrow cell decrease in mice with cyclophosphamide-induced hematopoietic damage. UPLC/Q-Extraction Orbitrap/MS/MS-based lipidomics results reveal 16 potential lipid biomarkers in a serum that responded to hematopoietic damage in mice. Among them, PC (20:1/14:0) and SM (18:0/22:0) were the key lipid molecules through which DSFF exerted protective actions. In a validation experiment, DSFF (6.25–100 μg/mL) could also promote K562 cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro. The current findings indicated that DSFF could affect the blood cells and bone marrow cells in vivo and thus showed good potential and application value in alleviating the hematopoietic damage caused by cyclophosphamide.
Other comprehensive income and the cost of debt capital

The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between the cost of debt and other comprehensive income (OCI) and its components for a sample of US firms. The empirical analysis is conducted on a sample of 4,350 firm-years observations for the period 2008–2018. In conducting the analysis, we first run the models using ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions and correcting for heteroskedasticity using White (1980) standard errors. Then, we compute the F-statistic using a Wald test. The main results indicate that the separate disclosure of foreign currency translation adjustments, pension adjustments, available-for-sale marketable securities, and derivative securities and/or foreign currency hedging adjustments and the total OCI provide information that is relevant for the cost of debt. Our results will benefit creditors, standard setters, and regulators when examining the effect of each component of OCI on the cost of debt capital. Our study enriches the recent stream of research that investigates the usefulness of decomposing other comprehensive income into its components. This paper contributes to the accounting literature on the value relevance of OCI to the users of the financial statements by showing the effect of OCI on the cost of debt capital. This study supplements and extends the prior research, which documents the value relevance of OCI to the cost of equity capital
Moderating Effects of Opportunity on the Cognitive and Motivational Factors of Internet Engagement: A Study of the Digital Divide in Malaysia

This study investigates usage behaviour as a variation in internet engagement by integrating the concept of access gaps with the ability-motivation-opportunity (AMO) framework. The research model was tested with data collected from 270 respondents in Klang Valley, which is the most urbanised metropolis in Malaysia. The result of path modelling analysis revealed that the cognitive factor of internet skill has the most significant effect on internet engagement. Besides, the significant effects of opportunity and extrinsic motivation on engagement were confirmed. Intrinsic motivation has no significant impact on engagement, but it has a significant interaction effect with opportunity. Thus, the lack of opportunity to access the internet does not limit the frequent engagement of the intrinsically motivated user. This study offers a systematic explanation of the underlying mechanism for the interaction among the access gaps and an alternative model in explaining the determinants of internet users’ behaviour.
Association Between Increased Elbow Carrying Angle and Lateral Epicondylitis

Introduction The goal of this study was to ascertain the effect of increased elbow carrying angle (ECA) in lateral epicondylitis (LE) development. Materials and methods This retrospective study involved a total of 62 participants between January and December 2021, of whom 29 were diagnosed with LE. Physical examinations and elbow radiographs of the patients were reviewed retrospectively. ECAs were measured with the elbow fully extended and the forearm fully supinated on anteroposterior elbow radiographs. Two experienced orthopedic surgeons separately evaluated the values on the radiograph. Results This study involved 62 individuals, of which 55.4% are female and 44.6% are male. The mean age of the patients was 45.45 ± 4.77 years (range, 40-69 years), and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 28.1 ± 3.8 kg/m2 (range, 19-34 kg/m2). There were significant differences in elbow carrying angle between the LE group and the control group (p < 0.05). Also, there was a significant correlation between the LE side and the dominant side (p < 0.05). Conclusion Increased ECA is associated with increased incidence of LE and may contribute to its etiology by elevating extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) tendon tension and rerouting it, resulting in increased abrasive and pressurizing forces.
Development of a Sustainable Industrial Byproduct Based Seawater and Sea Sand Ultra-High Performance Concrete

This study investigates the feasibility of establishing an environmentally sustainable ultrahigh performance concrete from seawater and sea sand (SWSS-UHPC) which utilizes industrial byproducts (i.e., ground slag and silica fume) by partially substituting ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Several SWSS-UHPC trial mixes were prepared with varying cement substitution ratio and water-to-binder ratio to reach desired cube compressive strength and workability. A maximum of 50% OPC was successfully replaced by 37.5% slag and 12.5% silica fume without sacrificing the strength and workability. Finally, influences of vibration during molding and thermal curing were evaluated by comparing identical mixes prepared with and without these treatments. Results suggest that locally available marine resources and high volume of industrial byproducts can be incorporated in UHPC fabrication without any special treatments.
Technological Potential of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Portuguese Goat’s Raw Milk Cheeses

In this work, a total of 97 MRS-grown and 135 M17-grown lactic acid bacteria strains were isolated from 20 goat’s raw milk cheeses, and their antimicrobial, acidifying and proteolytic activities were determined in vitro. Principal component analyses adjusted to a subset of 84 promising isolates evidenced that, for MRS isolates, antagonism against Staphylococcus aureus correlated well with higher acidification potential, whereas for M17 isolates, the antagonisms against S. aureus and Listeria monocytogenes were more correlated. The outcomes highlighted various strains with pathogen inhibition ability and satisfactory technological properties that may be useful for the development of a customised starter culture.
Placental Maternal Vascular Malperfusion is Associated with Prepregnancy and Early Pregnancy Maternal Cardiovascular and Thrombotic Profiles

Characteristics of maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM) are frequently observed in placentas from pregnancies impacted by preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm labor, and intrauterine fetal demise. We sought to evaluate the associations of features of MVM with subclinical measures of cardiovascular health and coagulation potential in healthy young women. Sixty-three healthy young women were recruited and assessed prior to pregnancy on cycle day 9 ± 4, at gestational age 90 ± 6 of early pregnancy, and gestational age 216 ± 5 of late pregnancy. Women were assessed for plasma volume, blood pressure, response to volume loading, cardiac output, and uterine hemodynamics. Platelet-poor plasma was collected to assess thrombin generation on a subset of 33 women at all time points. Following delivery, placentas were collected and analyzed for evidence of MVM. Thrombin generation (TG) was evaluated in the presence of tissue factor (TF) with and without recombinant soluble thrombomodulin (TM). For each, we compared TG lagtime, peak level, and endogenous thrombin potential (ETP). Comparisons were made between dichotomized presence and absence of each individual feature of MVM and cardiovascular and coagulation features. Mean ± standard deviation are presented. Women were 31 ± 4 years of age, body mass index of 24 ± 5 kg/m2, 86% white race, and 80% nulliparous. MVM occurred in 70% of placentas, with infarcts and agglutination (44%), decidual arteriopathy (40%), accelerated villous maturation (32%), placental hypoplasia (29%), and distal villous hypoplasia (17%) documented. Decidual arteriopathy and distal villous hypoplasia were associated with prepregnancy maternal physiology, including decreased plasma volume and subclinical cardiovascular variations. All assessed MVM characteristics had identifiable early pregnancy physiologic characteristics consistent with altered cardiovascular function and decreased uterine response to pregnancy when compared with women who did and did not develop MVM. Accelerated villous maturation was the only MVM feature to differ by thrombin generation parameters in early pregnancy. Thrombin generation potential and blood pressure were elevated in late pregnancy in women who developed decidual arteriopathy. Prepregnancy health status and adaptation to pregnancy play important roles in pregnancy outcomes. Both cardiovascular health and thrombin generation potential may influence early placentation. Longitudinal assessment of subclinical maternal factors may allow for better understanding of the etiologies of MVM lesions, as well as allow for identification of a timeline of the origins of placental pathologies.
Human–Animal Interactions and the Promotion of Social and Emotional Competencies: A Scoping Review

ABSTRACT Interest in human–animal interaction (HAI) research is burgeoning. It is suggested that participation in universal programs that incorporate HAI can promote the social and emotional competencies (SECs) of children and youth. However, there is a dearth of empirical evidence (i.e., outcome evaluations) attesting to the effectiveness of such programs. To address this knowledge gap and consolidate findings across studies, a scoping review was conducted. The aim was to provide an overview of the research that combined HAI and the promotion of SECs. Three academic databases were searched for relevant publications published between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 2020. The reference lists of the included publications were also screened for additional relevant publications. From an initial pool of 3,618 publications, 28 unique publications were selected for inclusion in the scoping review. Most authors reported positive outcomes in their evaluations. Across publications, variability was evident in the participating animals (dogs, horses, and wild birds were most common), the designs of programs, and the settings in which programs took place. A lack of methodological rigor was also found across all evaluations reported, including inconsistencies in the reporting of demographic information regarding human and animal participants, minimal use of randomization or control groups, lack of validity and reliability evidence to support outcome measures, and minimal attention to program implementation and animal welfare. The implications for future research are discussed, including the need to conduct rigorous evaluations of programs using reliable and validated measures and to address the inconsistencies in the descriptions of programs and in the reporting of outcome evaluations.
Indigo Carmine Hemodynamic Studies to Treat Vasoplegia Induced by Compound 48/80 in a Swine Model of Anaphylaxis

Introduction There are many reasons to believe that the nitric oxide/guanosine 3’5’ - cyclic monophosphate (or NO/cGMP) pathway on vasoplegic states is underestimated. To study indigo carmine (IC) as an alternative to methylene blue was the investigation rationale. Methods The IC (3mg/kg intravenous infusion) study protocol included five experimental groups; 1) Control group — saline was injected at 0 and 10 minutes; 2) IC group — IC was injected at 0 and saline at 10 minutes; 3) compound 48/80 (C48/80) group — C48/80 was injected at 0 minute and saline at 10 minutes; 4) C48/80 + IC group — C48/80 was injected at 0 minute and IC at 10 minutes; and 5) IC + C48/80 group — IC was injected at 0 minute and C48/80 at 10 minutes. The studies were carried out by registering and measuring hemodynamic and blood gasometric parameters, including continuous cardiac output. Results 1) The effects of the drugs (IC and C48/80) were more evident in the first 20 minutes of recording; 2) hypotensive responses were more pronounced in the C48/80 groups; 3) IC isolated or applied before C48/80 caused transient pulmonary hypertension; and 4) after the first 20 minutes, the pressure responses showed stability with apparent hypotension more pronounced in the C48/80 groups. Clinical observations showed significant hemodynamic instability and catastrophic anaphylactic reactions (agitation, pulmonary hypertension, severe bronchospasm, urticaria, high-intensity cyanosis, violent gastric hypersecretion, and ascites). Conclusion A global results analysis showed differences between groups only in the first 20 minutes of the experiments.
The Use of Laser Energy for Etching Enamel Surfaces in Dentistry—A Scoping Review

Background: In dental practice, different situations require etching the enamel layer. Acid etching, the present golden standard, may be replaced by other methods, such as laser etching. The main focus of our scoping review is to assess the existent literature regarding the effectiveness of different types of lasers, to identify the main aspects studied so far, and to understand where new search strategies are needed. Methods: The search was conducted in several databases focusing on the laser etching of human definitive enamel. We included English language articles published between January 2000 and December 2021. Results: The 34 articles reviewed showed that hard lasers, Er:YAG, Er,Cr:YAG, may represent an alternative etching method on enamel surfaces. They create a fractured, irregular surface and open dentin tubules, highly suitable for adhesion but with a lower risk of cavity formation. Nd:YAG, CO2, and Diode lasers do not help in creating sufficient shear bond strength. There is, however, evidence suggesting that microcracks in the enamel layer may appear after thermomechanical ablation using laser energy. Conclusions: While the use of acid etching is still successfully used for enamel conditioning, some researchers have emphasized the role played by saliva in the enamel-remineralization process a few days after the procedure. In this context, laser energy can be used, especially for bonding ceramic brackets in the case of orthodontic treatments. However, as thermomechanical ablation can generate microcracks, further research is required in order to establish clear findings concerning the use of laser energy on enamel etching.
Acute cardiovascular response after maximal cycling exercise in endurance- and strength-trained men

Background: Post-exercise hypotension is an important regulator of ambulatory blood pressure—an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Although post-exercise hypotension may be associated with aerobic exercise capacity in male athletes, it has not been explored whether muscular strength or strength training affects post-exercise hypotension. To elucidate whether the cardiovascular responses after exercise differ between enduranceand strength-trained men, this study investigated cardiovascular indices (e.g., blood pressure, cardiac output, total peripheral resistance) before and after maximal cycling exercise in male long-distance runners, weightlifters, and sedentary peers. Methods: Ten male intercollegiate long-distance runners, nine weightlifters, and 10 sedentary peers performed maximal incremental cycling. Cardiovascular indices were measured before and at 15, 30, 60, and 90 min after the exercise. Results: The runners had remodeled hearts and higher maximal oxygen uptake, and the weightlifters had a higher resting systolic blood pressure. Blood pressure decreased after exercise in all groups. Although the weightlifters showed higher systolic blood pressure than the sedentary men throughout the experiment, the changes from baseline showed no intergroup differences in blood pressure. Cardiac output increased and total peripheral resistance decreased after exercise relative to baseline in all groups; there were no intergroup differences in changes in these measures. Conclusions: The mode of habitual exercise training may affect post-exercise hypotension similarly in enduranceand strength-trained male athletes in spite of their different cardiovascular adaptations.
Effect of Architectural Building Design Parameters on Thermal Comfort and Energy Consumption in Higher Education Buildings

It has been challenging for designers to identify the appropriate design parameters that would reduce building energy consumption while achieving thermal comfort for building occupants. This study aims to determine the most important architectural building design parameters (ABDPs) that can increase thermal comfort and reduce energy use in educational buildings. The effect of 15 ABDPs in an Australian educational lecture theatre and their variabilities on energy consumption and students’ thermal comfort for each parameter were analysed using Monte Carlo (MC) techniques. Two thousand simulations for every input parameter were performed based on the selected distribution using the Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) technique. Sensitivity analyses (SA) and uncertainty analyses (UA) were used to assess the most important ABDPs in terms of thermal discomfort hours and energy consumption. The study found that the ABDPs, such as cooling set-point temperatures and roof construction, significantly reduce the operative temperature by up to 14.2% and 20.0%, respectively. Consequently, these reductions could significantly shorten the thermal discomfort hours, thereby reducing energy consumption by 43.7% and 41.0%, respectively. The findings of this study enable building designers to identify which ABDPs have a substantial impact on thermal comfort and energy consumption.
Antibody Evaluation and Mutations of Antigenic Epitopes in the Spike Protein of the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus from Pig Farms with Repeated Intentional Exposure (Feedback)

The feedback strategy, or controlled exposure of pig herd to the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), significantly decreased losses during a severe outbreak in late 2013 in Taiwan. However, some pig farms still suffered from recurrent outbreaks. To evaluate the association between antibody titers and clinical manifestations, sera and colostra were analyzed from one pig farm that employed the feedback strategy. Furthermore, spike (S) gene full sequences from six positive samples of two farms with and without using feedback were compared to investigate the evolution of PEDV variants circulating in pig herds. The results in this study showed that high PEDV antibody titers do not correlate with the high rate of protection from PEDV infection. In addition, repeated feedback generated the emergence of PEDV variants with unique substitutions of N537S and Y561H in the COE domain and S769F in the SS6 epitopes. These mutations indicated the pathogenetic evolution of PEDV strains existing in the cycle of the feedback method. A very strict biosecurity practice to block the routes of pathogen transfer should be followed to achieve successful control of PEDV infections in pig herds.