Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vitamin E ameliorates testicular histological features and androgen binding protein levels in testicle of rats induced by allethrin

Objective: This study aims to determine the ameliorative effect of vitamin E (vit E) on histological features and androgen binding protein (ABP) levels in rats induced by allethrin. Materials and Methods: Thirty sexually mature male Wistar rats weighing between 200 and 300 gm, and aging 3 months were taken for this study and were divided into three groups: negative control (NC), positive control (PC), and treatment (T) groups. The PC and T groups were induced by allethrin 12 h per day for 31 days; however, only the T group was given vit E orally at 1 ml/gm body weight (BW) each day for 14 days. The paraffin block method was used to measure tubules’ diameter, thickness of the seminiferous epithelial layer, and Sertoli cell number. The ABP levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The results showed that vit E gave significant effect (p < 0.05) on tubular diameter at NC 123.67 ± 12.77, PC 147.16 ± 10.64, and T 130.08 ± 10.00; tubular epithelial thickness at NC 33.55 ± 3.21, PC 30.02 ± 1.53, and T 32.96 ± 2.81; Sertoli cells number at NC 55.48 ± 5.9, PC 43.84 ± 3.77, and T 53.44 ± 4.26; and ABP levels at NC 72.35 ± 39.06, PC 38, 48 ± 18.78, and T 86.10 ± 35.77, respectively. Conclusion: This study concludes that vit E has an ameliorative effect against the toxic effects of allethrin at testicular histological features and ABP levels.
Factors Influencing Participation Of Healthy Volunteers In Clinical Trials: Findings From A Cross-Sectional Study In Delhi, North India

Purpose To identify the specific motivations that drive healthy volunteers to consent for their participation in clinical studies. Additionally, the study aimed to document the socio-demographic determinants of participation in the trial related solely to the intention of securing financial gains. Patients and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among subjects who participated as healthy volunteers in clinical trials conducted by Contract Research Organizations (CROs) of Delhi. Pre-tested, validated semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect baseline socio-demographic data, information about factors motivating participation in clinical trials, and pattern of utilisation of money received against participation in the trial. Logistic regression analysis was done to determine the factors that influenced participation in the trial related purely to the motive of securing financial gains. Results A total of 400 participants were selected. The majority of the volunteers (77.5%) reported that their sole reason for participating in clinical trials was for monetary gain. Around a tenth of the volunteers participated with the intent to advance scientific knowledge and another 4.5% participated due to benefits of free medical check-ups. Participants in the age group of 29–38 years, those that were married, those residing in an urban slum, male participants, those with a high number of dependent family members (ie, 5 to 8), and those earning less than 5000 INR (71 USD) a month had higher odds of participating in a clinical trial purely for the financial benefits. Those educated till intermediate and above had lower odds of participation in the trial due to monetary benefits. Conclusion Our study shows that healthy volunteers in Delhi consider participation in clinical trials mainly because of the prospect of financial reward. More research is needed to inform judgments around the ethics of providing financial rewards and enrollment of healthy research volunteers.
Multivariate Analysis Of The Diagnostic Yield Of Conventional Bronchoscopy In Peripheral Lung Adenocarcinoma

Background The new subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma reflect local invasive growth, pulmonary alveoli, and intraluminal spreading, while the effective improvement of the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy still remains unclear. This study aims to explore whether the subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma and other factors affect the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy. Methods All patients were performed 64-row CT examination and bronchoscopy. Results The bronchus cutoff sign in 48 cases and the endoscopic diagnostic yield was 60.4%. The lumen of the lobes and segments was invaded in 59 cases, and the endoscopic diagnostic yield was 54.2%. The lymph node metastasis was detected in 46 cases, and the endoscopic diagnostic yield was 60.9%. In addition, 42 cases showed acinar type-predominant, and the endoscopic diagnostic yield was 28.6%. Eighteen cases showed solid type-predominant, and the endoscopic diagnostic yield was 33.3%. The micropapillary type-predominant was noted in 17 cases, with the endoscopic diagnostic yield as 94.1%. The papillary type-predominant was in 14 cases, and the endoscopic diagnostic yield was 42.9%. The lepidic type-predominant was seen in 13 cases, and the endoscopic diagnostic yield was 7.7%. The mean diameter of tumors with a positive endoscopic diagnostic yield was 4.34±2.65cm, and the mean diameter of tumors with a negative diagnostic yield was 2.83±1.47cm. Multivariate analysis showed that micropapillary lung adenocarcinoma affected the endoscopic diagnostic yield (OR=37.594, 95% CI: 4.074–346.94) . Tumor diameter affects endoscopic diagnostic yield (OR=1.39, 95% CI: 1.073–1.802), bronchus cutoff sign is easy to obtain endoscopic diagnostic yield (OR=4.86, 95% CI: 1.606–14.704), and lymph node metastasis affects the endoscopic diagnostic yield (OR=3.696, 95% CI: 1.255–10.883). Conclusion The micropapillary subtype lung adenocarcinoma has a certain influence on the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy. When the lung adenocarcinoma has a large tumor diameter, bronchus cutoff sign and lymph node metastasis, it is easy to obtain a diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy.
Assessment of Genomic Instability in Medical Workers Exposed to Chronic Low-Dose X-Rays in Northern China

The increasing use of ionizing radiation (IR) in medical diagnosis and treatment has caused considerable concern regarding the effects of occupational exposure on human health. Despite this concern, little information is available regarding possible effects and the mechanism behind chronic low-dose irradiation. The present study assessed potential genomic damage in workers occupationally exposed to low-dose X-rays. A variety of analyses were conducted, including assessing the level of DNA damage and chromosomal aberrations (CA) as well as cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay, gene expression profiling, and antioxidant level determination. Here, we report that the level of DNA damage, CA, and CBMN were all significantly increased. Moreover, the gene expression and antioxidant activities were changed in the peripheral blood of men exposed to low-dose X-rays. Collectively, our findings indicated a strong correlation between genomic instability and duration of low-dose IR exposure. Our data also revealed the DNA damage repair and antioxidative mechanisms which could result in the observed genomic instability in health-care workers exposed to chronic low-dose IR.
Multiresistant Fusarium Pathogens on Plants and Humans: Solutions in (from) the Antifungal Pipeline?

Abstract The fungal genus Fusarium contains numerous plant pathogens causing considerable economic losses. In addition, Fusarium species are emerging as opportunistic human pathogens causing both superficial and systemic infections. Appropriate treatment of Fusarium infections in a clinical setting of neutropenia is currently not available. ESCMID and ECMM joint guidelines, following the majority of published studies, suggest early therapy with amphotericin B and voriconazole, in conjunction with surgical debridement and reversal of immunosuppression. In this review, we elaborate on the trans-kingdom pathogenicity of Fusarium. Intrinsic resistance to several antifungal drugs and the evolution of antifungal resistance over the years are highlighted. Recent studies present novel compounds that are effective against some pathogenic fungi including Fusarium. We discuss the robust and dynamic antifungal pipeline, including results from clinical trials as well as preclinical data that might appear beneficial for patients with invasive fusariosis.
A generic conceptual data model of social media services

Data modelling patterns provide a good guideline for creating a data model of a software or service. However, there is a lack of such a pattern respecting data protection requirements that an online service should satisfy. Especially for social media services, this is a relevant topic as end-users' data are collected and processed. In this work, we introduce conceptual data model in different abstraction layer: a generic and an application specific layer. The generic conceptual data model for a social media service can be refined to present the conceptual data model of a specific social media service. The primary target audience of this work are academics, who are interested in the research on social media service analysis with respect to privacy and data protection. However, the generic conceptual data model of social media services may support social media service designers in obtaining an overview of data that a service collects and processes for service provisioning. By using our descriptive conceptual data model, service providers are supported to gain valuable information for addressing data protection regulations and to document collected and processed data in a transparent and understandable way. For example, the service providers can use the data model (created by refining the generic conceptual data model) for generating more transparent and usable privacy policies for their end-users. Furthermore, the created data model supports communication of different stakeholders, i.e. service developers, service providers and other involved stakeholders. We illustrate application of our generic conceptual data model with refining it for the online dating application Tinder. We consider our generic conceptual model for capturing data model of social media services as a pattern candidate.
Pathology of Senegalese breast cancers

Introduction Breast cancer is among the most common cancers among women in most of Africa. However, features of histologically confirmed breast cancers presenting in specific regional populations is limited. Our study describes the clinic-pathologic features of invasive breast cancer diagnosed in women undergoing biopsy for a clinically apparent mass in Senegal, West Africa. Methods A prospective cohort of 522 Senegalese women presenting consecutively to Dantec Hospital (University of Dakar Tumor Institute) with a breast mass were included in the study cohort. Demographic data was collected by survey and 197 (37.7%) core needle biopsy-confirmed invasive breast cancers available for review were subsequently centrally reviewed at the University of Washington in Seattle to further to characterize the pathologic features and to perform immunohistochemistry for ER/PR and HER2. Results Seventy six (76.1%) of the 522 Senegalese women presenting for biopsy of a clinically apparent breast mass were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. The average age of a woman with invasive cancer was 46 years old, and most (83%) presented with Stage III or IV disease. The predominant histologic subtype among the 197 biopsy-confirmed cancers was invasive ductal carcinoma (98%), with few cases of invasive lobular carcinoma (2%). Cancers were classified into four clinically relevant treatment IHC groups by combined ER/PR status and HER2 status as follows: ER-/PR-, HER2- (n=92; 46.7%), ER-/PR-, HER2+ (n=20; 10.1%), ER+/PR+, HER2- (n=76; 38.6%) and ER+/PR+, HER2+ (n=9; 4.6%). Age at time of diagnosis was similar between these four subgroups although more HER2 positive cases were pre-menopausal (p=0.05). Stage of disease at presentation differed by IHC group (p=0.008), with HER2+ cancers significantly more likely to present with stage IV disease than other IHC groups, including ER-/PR-, HER2-. There were no significant differences between groups by age group, ethnicity, place of residence or birth, or parity. Conclusion Our analysis of breast cancer cases in Senegal shows a distribution of clinically relevant IHC groups like that seen in the few prior studies of breast cancer in West Africa, with higher frequencies of triple negative cancers than in most United States and European populations. Mean age at presentation, delayed presentation, and genetic/regional risk factors likely influence these differences. A better understanding of the frequencies of the pathologic features of breast cancers in the West African population may help guide future genetic studies as well as appropriate clinical management of breast cancer in these populations.
Amniotic Membrane In Palatal Epithelial-Connective Tissue Reconstruction

Abstract Mucogingival surgery has the objective to obtain coverage of the recession, with a favorable long-term prognosis, but also to minimize postoperative problems and surgery-related risks. Human amniotic membrane is increasingly employed for periodontal tissue repair in order to promote epithelialization and to reduce pain and scar tissue formation. A 38-year-old female patient reports dental hypersensitivity resulting from gingival recession affecting tooth 4.1. A mucogingival surgical procedure was proposed and a partial-thickness flap of epithelial-connective tissue was harvested from the palate and grafted on to the receiving site. The amniotic membrane was positioned at the donor site to reduce postoperative morbidity and to encourage rapid palatal healing. One week after the application of HAM (human amniotic membrane), the wound was healed and 1 month after the donor site was completely re-epithelialized. The present case report suggests that in the surgical treatment of gingival recession with palatal epithelial-connective tissue graft, HAM promotes rapid epithelialization of the palatal donor site wound with a reduction in morbidity.
CCR2 Genetic Polymorphism And Its Potential Effect On HIV Acquisition In A Population Of Children Living In The Northern Region Of Cameroon

Background and objectives The association of chemokine receptor-2 (CCR2) polymorphism with HIV transmission or disease progression remains highly controversial. The role of CCR2-64I allele in HIV infection may differ from one population to another because of their genetic background. The objectives of this study were to characterize the CCR2 genetic polymorphism and to determine its potential effect in HIV acquisition in children living in the Northern Region of Cameroon. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in five health facilities in the Northern region of Cameroon. DNA was extracted from the Buffy coat of each participant using the QIAamp®DNA mini kit. The DNA extract was then subjected to polymorphic analyses. CCR2 genotypes were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The Chi-Squared test was used for the assessment of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Results A total of 134 children under 15 years comprised of 38 HIV-exposed infected (28.36%) and 96 HIV-exposed un-infected (71.64%) participants were recruited. Prevalences of 44.78% wild type homozygous, 48.52% heterozygous and 6.7% mutant homozygous alleles were found in the overall population. An allelic frequency of 29.69% for the mutant allele CCR2-64I was found in HIV-exposed un-infected individuals as compared to 34.21% in HIV-infected children (p=0.47). Conclusion The CCR2-64I allele is relatively common in the Northern Region of Cameroon, with a similar distribution among HIV-exposed un-infected and infected children. As this allele alone does not seem to confer protection against HIV-1 infection, further studies using genotype-combination of CCR2 polymorphism and other single nucleotide polymorphisms would be of great relevance in both HIV prevention and novel therapeutic strategies.
Performance Index Based Observer-Type Iterative Learning Control for Consensus Tracking of Uncertain Nonlinear Fractional-Order Multiagent Systems

This paper is devoted to the perfect tracking problem of consensus and the monotonic convergence problem of input errors for the uncertain nonlinear fractional-order multiagent systems (FOMASs), where there exist the linear coupling relations between the fractional order, the perturbations of the system matrix, and input matrix. For the FOMASs including one leader agent and multiple follower agents, an observer-type fractional-order iterative learning consensus protocol is proposed. Based on the two-dimensional analysis for the FOMASs, a novel performance index, which can exhibit the monotonic convergence of the input errors, is constructed by using the definition of fractional integral. A Lyapunov-like method is applied to derive the sufficient conditions in terms of linear matrix inequalities, which can guarantee the perfect tracking of consensus and the monotonic convergence of input errors. Finally, the numerical simulation results including comparisons to traditional two-dimensional analysis are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Interleukin-27 in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluids for Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Background The World Health Organization states that China had 0.9 million cases of tuberculosis in 2017, accounting for 9% of cases globally. Despite a decrease in the incidence and mortality of tuberculosis in China over time, development in choosing the appropriate prevention and control of TB is required. Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic significance of interleukin-27 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids for pulmonary tuberculosis. Materials and methods Eventually, 107 bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from patients were included in this study. The concentrations of interleukin-27 and adenosine deaminase were determined in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results It was found that the concentrations of interleukin-27 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of sputum-positive pulmonary tuberculosis group were significantly higher than those in sputum-negative pulmonary tuberculosis, lung cancer, and previous pulmonary tuberculosis groups, respectively (all P<0.001). Interleukin-27 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids could be used for diagnostic purpose for pulmonary tuberculosis, with the cutoff value of 7.867 pg/mL; interleukin-27 had a sensitivity of 68.8% and specificity of 100% for the differential diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (sputum-negative and sputum-positive PTB) from lung cancer. And with the cutoff value of 6.012 pg/mL, IL-27 had sensitivity and specificity of both 100% for the differential diagnosis of PTB from previous PTB. The risk of pulmonary tuberculosis was positively associated with the concentrations of interleukin-27 and adenosine deaminase in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids. Conclusion Interleukin-27 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids is a sensitive and specific biomarker for the differential diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis from lung cancer and previous pulmonary tuberculosis.
Relation Between Relative Handgrip Strength, Chronological Age and Physiological Age with Lower Functional Capacity in Older Women

Purpose Relative handgrip strength (RHGS), Aged Based on Exercise Stress Testing (A-BEST), and chronological age were evaluated as predictors of impaired mobility in older women. Methods Participants included 88 older women (mean age 68.13±6.02 years) referred for exercise stress testing. Estimated physiological age was computed based on exercise capacity, chronotropic reserve index, heart rate recovery, and medication that could affect heart rate. RHGS was measured using a validated handgrip hydraulic dynamometer and mobility was evaluated by timed up and go test (TUG-test). A hierarchical multiple regression predicted TUG-test performance from A-BEST, chronological age and RHGS. Results After adjustment for diabetes, RHGS was the only variable to add significantly to the prediction model (p=0.001). An increase in RHGS of 1 kg/body mass index was associated with a decrease in TUG-test of 0.7 seconds. Conclusion Relative handgrip strength test was a better predictor of impaired mobility when compared with chronological and physiological age in older women. Moreover, RHGS represents an inexpensive, simple, portable, noninvasive measurement for a clinician when compared with an exercise stress testing.
Bricolage in a hybrid digital lutherie context: a workshop study

Interaction design research typically differentiates processes involving hardware and software tools as being led by tinkering and play, versus engineering and conceptualisation. Increasingly however, embedded maker tools and platforms require hybridisation of these processes. In the domain of digital musical instrument (DMI) design, we were motivated to explore the tensions of such a hybrid process. We designed a workshop where groups of DMI designers were given the same partly-finished instrument consisting of four microphones exciting four vibrating string models. Their task was to refine this simple instrument to their liking for one hour using Pure Data software. All groups sought to use the microphone signals to control the instrument's behaviour in rich and complex ways, but found even apparently simple mappings difficult to realise within the time constraint. We describe the difficulties they encountered and discuss emergent issues with tinkering in and with software. We conclude with further questions and suggestions for designers and technologists regarding embedded DMI design processes and tools.
TNF-α (−308) Gene Polymorphism and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Ethiopian Diabetes Patients

Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder resulting from insulin insufficiency or function. Predisposing factors for T2DM are mainly genetic and environmental. Genetic polymorphism of cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is suggestive of interference with insulin-sensitive glucose uptake and induces insulin resistance that ultimately could lead to T2DM. In this study, we assessed the effect of TNF-α (−308) G/A gene polymorphism and its association with the development of T2DM in an Ethiopian population. Methods An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on study subjects with T2DM and non-diabetic healthy controls. DNA was extracted and genotyping was carried out by using amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction. A genetic-polymorphism on TNF-α (−308) G/A with T2DM was evaluated by logistic regression and Student’s t-test. A P-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results In the present study, we observed a significant association between T2DM and TNF-α (−308) gene polymorphism’s GG genotype [χ2 test P = 0.005, OR (95% CI) =2.667 (1.309–5.45d8)]. In contrast, no statistically significant differences were observed in the frequencies of genotypes AA and AG (χ2 test P=0.132 and 0.067, respectively). Moreover, T2DM individuals had higher concentrations of lipid profiles for those carrying the TNF-α (−308) GG genotype as compared to the control group. Conclusion TNF-α (−308) genetic polymorphism may be implicated in the genetic susceptibility for, as well as the development of T2DM and lipid metabolism in the Ethiopian population. Therefore, a large-scale study and early screening of TNF-α (−308) genetic polymorphism may help in early management and control of diabetes and related outcomes.