Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of TLR2 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and correlation with IL-8 and IL-12 levels in acne patients with different severity

Objective To explore the role and possible mechanism of Toll like receptor 2(TLR2)in the pathogenesis of acne.Methods Flow cytometry was performed to detect the expression of TLR2 on peripheral blood CD14~+ monocytes in 35normal controls and four groups of ance patients including 35 cases in each group.according to the severity,levels of IL-8 and IL-12 in sera were also measured by double antibody sandwich ELISA.Results A significant increase was observed in the expression of TLR2 in peripheral blood CD14~+ monocytes and the level of IL-8 and IL-12 in serum of each patient group compared with the normal controls(P0.01). The expression of TLR2 was positively correlated with the level of IL-8(r=0.452,0.583,0.735,0.648,P0.05)and IL-12(r=0.365,0.493,0.526,0.461,P0.05)in the four patient groups.The severity degree of acne was positively correlated with the expression of TLR2(r=0.325,P0.05),the level of IL-8(r=0.426,P0.05) and IL-12(r=0.627,P0.05). Conclusions The expression of TLR2 and the secretion of IL-8 and IL-12 is related to the severity of acne and the expression of TLR2 plays a critical role in the occurrence and development of ance.
Investigation of Topas® for use in optical components

The scope of this thesis is an investigations of a new COC-polymer called Topas from Ticona GmbH as the dielectric layer in a planar technology platform. It was shown that it was possible to achieve a film thickness from a few to several micrometers depending on spin parameters and the weight percent of the Topas solution. Using toluene to dissolve Topas gave a rough surface during spin coating, necessitating the need for a flattening process. Two methods were proposed: The former used a flat stamp to remove irregularities, while the latter used wet etching and a sacrificial layer to separate a bonded substrate and carrier wafer. Only the former yielded usable results with a roughness below 5 nm. During processing with Topas 5013 it was observed that cracks had formed during exposure to acetone and standard photoresist, AZ5214E. Further investigations revealed that the low glass transition temperature grades were more resistant to crack formation than the high glass transition temperature grades. It was further shown that annealing before exposure reduced the induced roughness from exposure to acetone, while annealing afterwards increased the roughness after exposure to acetone and photoresist. The investigations strongly indicated that internal stresses were induced during the spin coating process, and afterwards released as cracks during exposure to acetone or photoresist. Simple stress calculations based on the difference of the thermal expansion coefficients of Topas and the substrate wafer showed that low glass transition temperature grades had a significantly lower stress level than high glass transition temperature grades. Based on these investigations it was decided to use Topas 8007 dissolved in sec-butylbenzene. Long-range surface plasmon polariton waveguides embedded in Topas were fabricated and characterized. The waveguides were fabricated using Topas as the dielectric layer. The fabrication process was simple, where two substrates were spin coated with Topas, followed by a gold deposition to form the waveguides on one of the substrates. Fabrication was ended with a thermal bonding and dicing. The characterization indicated that Topas waveguides had a higher confinement of long-range surface plasmon polaritons compared to waveguides fabricated using BCB as the dielectric layer. A terahertz time-domain spectrometer was also attempted fabricated using the planar technology platform. The spectrometer consisted of aluminum bottom electrodes, upon which was spin coated Topas to form the dielectric layer. On top of the dielectric layer low temperature grown GaAs and gold electrodes were deposited. The fabrication of this device was not completed due to problems in depositing LT GaAs. The spectrometer is expected to work and show a higher analytic sensitivity compared to traditional terahertz time-domain spectroscopy setups.
Whole-body low dose irradiation suppresses cancer cell dissemination in mice

Lewis lung carcinoma or B_(16)melanoma cells were injected into the retrobulbar vein of mice 24h after whole-body irradiation (WBI) with 50, 75 , 100 or 150 mGy X-rays. The dissemination of the cancer cells as evaluated by counting the tumor nodules on the lung surface 14d after injection was found to be markedly decreased in the irradiated rnice as compared with the sham-irradiated control. In mice given 75 mGy WBI 24h before injection of Lewis lung carcinoma cells the splenic NK cell activity and IL-2 secretion were found to be potentiated 2-6 days after irradiation in comparison with the sham-irradiated mice which received the same number of tumor cells. The results suggest that low dose radiation might suppress cancer cell dissemination via the enhancement of immune rcactivity.
Low Levels of Self-Reported Literacy and Numeracy Create Barriers to Obtaining and Using Health Insurance Coverage

Limited health insurance literacy can lead to challenges navigating insurance plan enrollment, accessing health care, and using health care under the health plan. For some newly insured, using health insurance coverage will be a new experience that requires an understanding of such insurance terms as coinsurance, premiums, and deductibles. Once insured, using health insurance often requires adequate numeracy to understand risk and assess the value of different treatment options. These skills may be particularly difficult for adults who have historically had less contact with the health care system. This brief uses data from the June 2014 Health Reform Monitoring Survey (HRMS) to describe literacy and numeracy among nonelderly adults overall and for the population targeted by coverage expansions under the ACA.
Shelly fauna from the Cambrian (Miaolingian, Guzhangian) Shannon Formation and the SPICE event in the Amadeus Basin, Northern Territory

Smith, P.M. , Brock, G.A. & Paterson J.R. 20 September 2019. Shelly fauna from the Cambrian (Miaolingian, Guzhangian) Shannon Formation and the SPICE event in the Amadeus Basin, Northern Territory. Alcheringa 44, 1–24. ISSN 0311-5518 A low-diversity assemblage of linguliformean brachiopods, hyoliths, molluscs, bradoriid arthropods and echinoderms (ten taxa in total) is documented from the upper Shannon Formation (Cambrian, Miaolingian, Guzhangian; Mindyallan) in the Ross River Syncline and Todd River Anticline area, NE Amadeus Basin, central Australia. Taxa described include: the linguliformean brachiopods Treptotreta jucunda Henderson & MacKinnon, 1981, Opisthotreta sp. , Stittia? sp. , an undetermined acrotretid and an undetermined linguloid; the molluscs Kobayashiella? heritagensis Webers, Pojeta & Yochelson, 1992 (a paragastropod), and Apoptopegma joyceae sp. nov. (a rostroconch); the bradoriid Mongolitubulus sp. ; Hyolithida gen. et sp. indet. ; and isolated echinoderm plates. All fauna (including previously documented trilobites) from the upper Shannon Formation disappear at the beginning of a ∼5‰ positive shift in δ13C, identified as the Steptoean Positive Isotopic Carbon Excursion (SPICE). Despite previous links between SPICE and a global extinction, as well as the disappearance of all faunal elements in the uppermost Shannon Formation, certain taxa reported herein range through the event elsewhere in the world. The occurrence of Treptotreta jucunda and Kobayashiella? heritagensis in younger (Furongian) deposits indicates these species survived the SPICE extinction event. This study advocates for more systematic and comprehensive sampling through stratigraphic intervals where the SPICE event occurs, especially for range data of complete faunas (rather than individual taxonomic groups), to facilitate a more complete picture of diversity trends through this important phase. P.M. Smith* [patrick.smith@austmus.gov. au], Palaeontology Department, Australian Museum Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, 2010, Australia; G.A. Brock [glenn.brock@mq.edu. au], Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia. J.R. Paterson [jpater20@une.edu. au], Palaeoscience Research Centre, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, 2351, Australia. *Also affiliated with: Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia.
Listen while you work ? Quasi-experimental relations between personal-stereo headset use and employee work responses

Using a quasi-experimental design, this study examined relations between stereo headset use and employee work responses. Employees (N = 256 ) worked on 32 jobs in an office of a retail organization. Employees indicated whether they were interested in using stereos at work. From those expressing an interest, a random sample (n = 75) was assigned to a stereo condition. These employees used headsets at work for 4 weeks. The remaining employees (n = 181) were assigned to a control condition and were not allowed to use stereos. Results indicated that employees in the stereo condition exhibited significant improvements in performance, turnover intentions, organization satisfaction, mood states, and other responses. The mood state of relaxation best explained the relation between stereo use and performance. Finally, employees in relatively simple jobs responded most positively to the stereos.
AB0722 Trabecular bone score in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis and changes during long term treatment with tnfa blocking agents

Background Inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are associated with osteoporosis. Bone mass in RA and AS has been well evaluated by measuring areal bone mineral density (BMD) with DXA. Trabecular bone score (TBS) is a new method evaluating bone microarchitecture by assessing pixel gray- level variations in DXA images from lumbar spine. Objectives In a case-control study, TBS was evaluated in patients with RA or AS and healthy controls (HC) and the results were compared to lumbar spine (LS) BMD measurements. Changes in LS and hip BMD and TBS score after initiating and during long term anti-TNFa treatment were also examined in a prospective study. Methods In the case control study, 30 patients with RA (ACR criteria, 19 F; 12 post menopausal women; age [mean ± SD]: 56.9 ± 9.7 yrs; disease duration: 11.7 ± 8.8 yrs; 26 under low dosage corticosteroids [CTC]) and 30 patients with AS (modified NY criteria, 27 M, age 43.8 ± 13.4 yrs; disease duration: 13.0 ± 11.1 yrs; no CTC) were evaluated and compared to 50 HC (29 F, 12 post menopausal women, age: 46.6 ± 11.1 yrs). L2-L4 BMD and hip BMD were measured using DXA (Lunar GE iDXA). TBS was calculated from L2-L4 BMD images (TBS insight®, Med-Imaps). In the prospective study, a group of 20 patients requiring TNFa blocking agent (6 F; 12 AS, [age: 40.7 ± 16.1 yrs] and 8 RA [age 60.5 ± 9.7 yrs]; disease duration: 9.6 ± 9.8 yrs; 9 under low dose CTC) were followed for 2 years. LS BMD, hip BMD and TBS score were measured at baseline and after 6, 12 and 24 months of treatment. Results - Case control study: RA patients had lower BMD and T score at the hip (p < 0.005) compared to HC. Hip T score in patients with AS was also decreased (p = 0.02). LS BMD did not differ between patients and HC. TBS was lower in RA and AS compared to HC: 1.242 ± 0.16 and 1.282 ± 0.13 vs 1.365 ± 0.14, respectively (p= 0.005). - Prospective study: under anti-TNFa, LS and hip BMD at M24 increased (+ 6.3% and + 2.4% respectively), with significant changes at the spine (p< 0.001). In the whole group, TBS score slightly increased from baseline to M12 (1,304 ± 0.13 to 1.32 ± 0.09) without significance, then returning to initial values at M24 (1.309 ± 0.09). However, in patients with RA, TBS score decreased (baseline to M24: 1.362 ± 0.048 to 1.308 ± 0.07) (p = 0.032) while in patients with AS, TBS progressively increased (1.257 ± 0.15 vs 1.309 ± 0.11; NS). Conclusions TBS score is decreased in inflammatory rheumatic diseases, especially in RA, suggesting alterations of bone micro architecture. Long term anti TNFa treatment is associated with a positive effect on (LS) bone mass but no major changes in TBS score. Surprisingly and on the contrary of AS, TBS score decreased in RA treated by TNFa blocking agents, suggesting different influences and responses of the bone to this drug’s class. Disclosure of Interest None Declared
Uncertainty of stationary and nonstationary models for rainfall frequency analysis

The development of nonstationary frequency analysis models is gaining popularity in the field of hydro‐climatology. Such models account for nonstationarities related to climate change and climate variability but at the price of added complexity. It has been debated if such models are worth developing considering the increase in uncertainty inherent to more complex models. However, the uncertainty associated to nonstationary models is rarely studied. The objective of this article is to compare the uncertainties in stationary and nonstationary models based on objective criteria. The study is based on observed rainfall data in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where strong nonstationarities were observed. In this study, a nonstationary frequency analysis introducing covariates into the distribution parameters was carried out for total and maximum annual rainfalls observed in the UAE. The generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution was used to model annual maximum rainfalls and the gamma (G) distribution was used to model total annual rainfalls. A number of nonstationary models, using time and climate indices as covariates, were developed and compared to classical stationary frequency analysis models. Two climate oscillation patterns having strong impacts on precipitation in the UAE were selected: the Oceanic Niño Index and the Northern Oscillation Index. Results indicate that the inclusion of a climate oscillation index generally improves the fit of the models to the observed data and the inclusion of two covariates generally provides the overall best fits. Uncertainties of estimated quantiles were assessed with confidence intervals (CIs) computed with the parametric bootstrap method. Results show that for the small sample sizes in this study, the width of the CIs can be very large for extreme nonexceedance probabilities and for the most extreme values of the climate index covariates. The weaknesses of nonstationary models revealed by the bootstrap uncertainties are discussed and words of caution are formulated.
CHARACTERISTICS AND DISTRIBUTION OF POLYPS FOUND IN BOWEL CANCER SCREENING COLONOSCOPY

Introduction Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) in the UK achieved nationwide coverage in 20101. We collected data from a local endoscopy unit that performs bowel cancer screening colonoscopy between 2010 and 2011. Aims/Background This audit aims to look at the characteristics and distribution of polyps found in screening as well as surveillance colonoscopies performed under the BCSP. Method Patients aged between 60 and 75 who underwent bowel cancer screening colonoscopy (first and surveillance) in Torbay endoscopy unit from January 2010 to December 2011 were identified from the BCSP database (Oracle BI Interactive Dashboards). Endoscopy reports were drawn from Scorpio© reporting system and corresponding histology results using Cyberlab© integrated pathology system. Results 887 procedures were performed in the 2 year period. 794 polyps were found in 354 procedures, giving a polyp detection rate of 39.9% in this series. Of which 6% contained focus/were of high grade dysplasia. Majority of polyps was found in the sigmoid colon (40.8%) and rectum (13.5%). 669 polyps had histology results, of which 51.8% were Tubular adenomas, 34.7% Tubulovillous adenomas and 7.6% Hyperplastic polyps. There was a 9.6% increase (95% CI 18.5%–0.7%) in the proportion of Tubular adenomas in the over 70s compare with the 60–65 age group (57% vs. 47.4%) (Table 1). There was also an apparent shift from Hyperplastic polyps and Tubulovillous adenoma to Tubular adenoma with increasing age (Figure 1). Figure 1 Table 1 Age Group Tubular Adenoma Tubulovillous Adenoma Hyperplastic Polyp Overall (n=699) 362 (51.8%) 243 (34.7%) 53 (7.6%) 60–65 (n=276) 131 (47.4%) 99 (35.9%) 28 (10.1%) 66–70 (n=213) 111 (52.1%) 75 (35.2%) 15 (7%) >70 (n=210) 120 (57%) 69 (32.9%) 10 (4.8%) n=the no. of polyps found in each age group. Conclusion The most common benign polyp found was Tubular adenomas, and more common amongst the elderly (statistically significant), but further study such as a national BCSP evaluation is needed.
Comparison of AIDS related sexual behaviors between married and unmarried MSM

Objective To understand the distribution of marriage status and compare HIV-related risk behavior among men who have sex with men(MSM)with different marital status.Methods Participants were recruited using respondent driven sampling and categorical snowball sampling method.A face-to-face questionnaire was administrated to collect the demographic and sexual behavior and sexual partner characteristics.Results The rates of unprotected insertive and unprotected receptive anal sex and unprotected vaginal sex of married MSM were 52.4%,42.5% and 82.8% respectively,which was significant higher than the non-married ones'(44.1%,33.7% and 65.6% respectively). The rates of having male confirm sexual partners and male commercial sexual partners of married MSM were both lower than non-married MSM(49.0%.vs.62.9%,P0.05;3.7%.vs.7.9%,P0.05). Married MSM mostly looked for sexual partners at bath house(40.8%)and non-married MSM did mostly through the internet(42.4%). Married MSM reported significant lower rates of HIV/AIDS testing and consulting service and had a relatively lower education and lower HIV knowledge than non-married MSM(P0.01). Conclusions Married MSM had higher risk behaviors.Intervention should be enforced dramatically on married MSM.
Nonlinear Climate Responses to Increasing CO2 and Anthropogenic Aerosols Simulated by CESM1

Atmospheric CO2 and anthropogenic aerosols (AA) have increased simultaneously. Because of their opposite radiative effects, these increases may offset each other, which may lead to some nonlinear effects. Here the seasonal and regional characteristics of this nonlinear effect from the CO2 and AA forcings are investigated using the fully coupled Community Earth System Model. Results show that nonlinear effects are small in the global mean of the top-of-the-atmosphere radiative fluxes, surface air temperature, and precipitation. However, significant nonlinear effects exist over the Arctic and other extratropical regions during certain seasons. When both forcings are included, Arctic sea ice in September–November decreases less than the linear combination of the responses to the individual forcings due to a higher sea ice sensitivity to the CO2-induced warming than the sensitivity to the AA-induced cooling. This leads to less Arctic warming in the combined-forcing experiment due to reduced energy release from the Arctic Ocean to the atmosphere. Some nonlinear effects on precipitation in June–August are found over East Asia, with the northward-shifted East Asian summer rain belt to oppose the CO2 effect. In December–February, the aerosol loading over Europe in the combined-forcing experiment is higher than that due to the AA forcing, resulting from CO2-induced circulation changes. The changed aerosol loading results in regional thermal responses due to aerosol direct and indirect effects, weakening the combined changes of temperature and circulation. This study highlights the need to consider nonlinear effects from historical CO2 and AA forcings in seasonal and regional climate attribution analyses.
Ethnopharmacological study of medicinal plants and their possible drug interactions in two cities of the South of Brazil

Medicinal plants have been used by the population for several years for treatment and prevention of diseases. citratus (DC), and Melissa officinalis L , while the most frequent chronic diseases mentioned were arterial hypertension, depression, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus. The drugs cited most often were hydrochlorothiazide, losartan, simvastatin, and metformin, and the results of the study revealed numerous plant–drug interactions. Results of the study indicate a profile of the use of medicinal plants and synthetic drugs used by the population of Manoel Viana, RS, and São Francisco de Assis, RS, Brazil. suas comunidades e o uso de medicamentos para tratá-las. As plantas medicinais mais citadas foram Achyrocline satureioides, Peumus boldus Molina, Chamomilla recutita, Cymbopogon citratus (DC) e Melissa officinalis L, enquanto as doenças crônicas mais citadas foram hipertensão arterial, depressão, dislipidemia e diabetes mellitus. As drogas mais citadas foram hidroclorotiazida, losartan, sinvastatina e metformina, e os resultados do estudo revelaram inúmeras interações planta-droga. Os resultados do estudo indicam um perfil do uso de plantas medicinais e drogas sintéticas utilizadas pela população de Manoel Viana, RS, e São Francisco de Assis, RS, Brasil.
Atmospheric Mixed Layer Convergence from Observed MJO Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies

The Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) dominates tropical weather on intraseasonal 30–90-day time scales, yet mechanisms for its generation, maintenance, and propagation remain unclear. Although surface moist static energy (MSE) flux is greatest under strong winds in the convective phase, sea surface temperature (SST) warms by ~0.3°C in the clear nonconvective phase of the MJO. Winds converging into the hydrostatic low pressure under warm air over the warm SST increase the vertically integrated MSE. We estimate column-integrated MSE convergence using a model of mixed layer (ML) winds balancing friction, planetary rotation, and hydrostatic pressure gradients. Small (0.3 K) SST anomalies associated with the MJO drive 7 W m−2net column MSE convergence averaged over the equatorial Indian Ocean ahead of MJO deep convection. The MSE convergence is in the right phase to contribute to MJO generation and propagation. It is on the order of the total MSE tendency previously assessed from reanalysis, and greater than surface heat flux anomalies driven by intraseasonal SST fluctuations.
Photometric and Spectroscopic Analysis of Five Am Stars

The photometric analysis of sample Am stars is carried out to determine the stellar characteristics and to constrain the stellar dynamics. The spectroscopic analysis of the studied Am stars confirms their general characteristics of Am stars. The available data on elemental abundances for HD 113878 and HD 118660 have shown different characteristics during different epochs of observations. The basic stellar parameters (mass, luminosity, radius, life time, distance, proper-motion, etc.) are also determined to identify the stellar habitat zones for earth like exoplanet. Such information is important to identify suitable planets for human settlement in the near future. In this connection, the tidal radius and boundaries of the habitable zone of each star have been computed to support the search of an extra-terrestrial life around them. Asteroseismic mass scale test shows greater stellar masses comparable to the solar mass.