Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A handbook guide to better use of nanoparticles in plants

ABSTRACT During the last decade, several nanoparticles have been synthesized such as nano-silver, nano-silica, nano-aluminum, nano-zinc oxide, nano-copper, carbon nanotubes, and nano-titanium dioxide. The use of these nanoparticles is rapidly increasing in various areas such as textiles, pharmaceutics, cosmetics, and environmental remediation. In sustainable agriculture and crops improvement, these NPs are being used mainly as nanopesticides, nanofertilizers, and nanosensors, and their application raised a big question about their risk of toxicity to the plants and the environment. Many authors described the use of NPs, their types and the conditions of their use; they further reported their positive and negative effects on growth, germination, and photosynthesis on plants. However, because of the plethora of information available; one gets confused on choosing the most adequate conditions and the most adequate NPs to use to improve crops productivity and avoid toxicity. We thus aimed in this review to report the major current applications of NPs that only had a positive impact on plants growth and productivity. We further review concisely the optimum method of delivery of NPs, their properties, and their concentration limit. Hence, we want this review to serve as a handbook guide for nano-users in plants field.
Comorbidities of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Their Affect on Hospitalization of Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital

ABSTRACT Introduction: COPD is an obstructive airway disease with significant systemic comorbidities that affect hospitalization and the overall severity of the disease. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of comorbidities and their effect on the hospitalization of COPD patients. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2013 among patients of a tertiary care hospital. The sample size was 106. Inclusion criteria were diagnosed patients of COPD according to GOLD criteria. Patients were diagnosed with COPD based on GOLD criteria guidelines and evaluated for various comorbidities based on presenting complaints. Variables collected were the number and kind of diagnosed comorbidities, the average number of hospitalizations per year. The prevalence of each comorbidity was found out and the chi-square test (p < 0.05) was used to find out the correlation between hospitalization and comorbidities. Results: Of 106 participants, 63.2% had at least 1 comorbidity. 37.73% had 2–4 comorbidities. Prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 35.8%, systemic hypertension was diagnosed in 47% of the subjects. 5.7% had left heart abnormalities, 4.7% had ischemic heart disease (IHD), and 16% had pulmonary arterial hypertension. 43.4% had gastroesophageal reflux disease and gastric ulceration, 38.6% had metabolic syndrome and 8.5% had obstructive sleep apnea, 8% had psychiatric disorders, 7.5% had osteoporosis, and 1.9% were diagnosed with lung malignancy. There was a significant association between mean hospitalizations and the presence of comorbidities (p < 0.05). Hospitalizations were majorly due to exacerbation of COPD. Conclusion: Prevalence of comorbid conditions among COPD patients are concluded to be high with an adverse effect on the average number of hospitalizations per year.
Wet-Milling Characteristics of 10 Lines from Germplasm Enhancement of Maize Project Compared with Five Corn Belt Lines

ABSTRACT The use of corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids with high grain yield and starch extractability has steadily increased in the processing industry. In light of widespread corn seed industry participation in the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize Project (GEM), which seeks to enhance exotic germplasm, future hybrids may contain more exotic sources in genetic backgrounds. It is necessary to establish and monitor physical, compositional, and milling characteristics of the new exotic breeding materials to determine the processing value. The present study was conducted to determine the wet-milling characteristics of a set of GEM lines compared with typical Corn Belt lines. Ten GEM lines introgressed with exotic materials from Argentina, Chile, Cuba, Florida, and Uruguay and previously identified as having different starch yields, three commercial inbred lines, and two public inbred lines (B73 and Mo17) were analyzed using both near-infrared transmittance (NIT) and a 100-g wet-milling procedure. There were statistica.
Oat Cultivar Response to Potassium Chloride on Soils Testing High in Potassium

Yield responses of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to additions of KCl fertilizer on high-K soils have been documented. One of the principal effects of KCl on high-K soils is a reduction in foliar disease. Little research has been conducted on the effects on oat (Avena sativa L.) production of KCl on high-K soils. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding KCl to high-K-test soils on grain yield, quality, plant water relations, crown rust (Puccinia coronata Corda) incidence, and lodging of commonly grown oat cultivars. The experiments were conducted at four locations in eastern South Dakota. Fertilization with KCl increased oat grain yields by 4% at two locations. Although the increase in grain yield was significant, it was too small to be profitable under current economic conditions. A significant increase in 1000-kernel weight (4–7% relative to the control) occurred at locations with a yield response. Additions of KCl did not affect crown rust infection, protein, or oil content, relative water content, or stomatal conductance; however, KCl addition decreased solute potential adjusted for full turgor during the boot stage at two locations by 0.07 MPa. The decrease in adjusted solute potential was not consistently associated with a grain yield response. Contribution from Dep. of Plant Sci. and South Dakota Agric. Exp. Stn. Additional support provided by The Quaker Oat Co. Journal Series no. 2426.
Synergistic Effect between Pd and Nonstoichiometric Cerium Oxide for Oxygen Activation in Methane Oxidation

The catalytic behavior of activated oxygen on Pd/CeO2-x/Al2O3 catalyst as well as the synergistic effect between Pd and nonstoichiometric cerium oxide has been revealed through methane oxidation by comparison with Pd catalysts such as Pd/CeO2/Al2O3, Pd/CeO2/SiO2, Pd/Al2O3, and Pd/SiO2 catalysts. The highest activity for methane oxidation was observed on the Pd/CeO2-x/Al2O3 catalyst. This was ascribed to the deactivation of Pd, which was inhibited by the oxygen spillover from Pd to CeO2-x, where the enhanced oxygen storage capacity (OSC) was observed by the nonstoichiometric structure and the oxygen species were reversibly stored/released in the presence of methane. Kinetics studies of methane oxidation resulted in it being first order with respect to methane and a half order with respect to oxygen for Pd/CeO2-x/Al2O3 but nearly zero order with respect to oxygen for other catalysts. From temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), reduction (TPR), oxidation (TPO), and 18O tracer technique analyses, it was fou.
Reduced 1H‐NMR visibility of creatine in isolated rat hearts

The aim of this study was to measure the concentration of creatine in Langendorff perfused rat hearts, both by quantitative 1H‐MRS and by high‐pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). First, the relaxation times and other parameters affecting absolute quantification by MRS were determined. At 11.75 T, the relaxation times of myocardial creatine were T1 = 1.1 ± 0.29 sec (mean ± SD, n = 5) and T2 = 56.4 ± 6.2 ms (n = 9). In phantom experiments the MRS measurements gave accurate values for the known relative concentrations of the detected substances. In glucose‐perfused rat hearts, the creatine concentration measured by HPLC was 14.2 ± 1.9 mmol/kg wet weight (n = 8), in good agreement with literature values. The 1H‐MRS measurements, however, resulted in creatine concentrations of only approximately 60% of this value. The application of CHESS‐pulses for water suppression led to a further 30% reduction of the creatine MRS signal. These results indicate a reduced 1H‐NMR visibility of creatine in the myocardium, which suggests a compartmentation of myocardial creatine into various pools. Magn Reson Med 43:497–502, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Organo-modified silica aerogels and implications for material hydrophobicity and mechanical properties

Two types of organo-modified silica gels, with the organic groups trimethoxymethylsilane (TRIMOS) and 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TMSPMA), have been synthesized. The wet gels were dried by supercritical evacuation of the solvent. The materials with enhanced performance were those hybridized with TRIMOS and dried above the critical conditions of methanol. Such aerogels were found to be hydrophobic with mechanically improved properties whilst still maintaining the characteristic transparency of pure silica aerogels. The condensation degree and the number of superficial hydroxyl groups were determined from solid-state 29Si-NMR spectroscopy. Mechanical properties were measured using nanoindentation.
Fractional extraction by supercritical carbon dioxide for the deterpenation of bergamot oil

Supercritical fluid extraction of bergamot oil was carried out in the semibatch operation and continuous countercurrent operation to improve the oil quality through selective separation between terpenes and oxygenated compounds. Vapor-phase equilibria for the quasi-ternary system were measured by a semibatch extraction with a uniform temperature column at the temperature range from 313 to 353 K and the pressure range from 7.8 to 10.8 MPa. Internal reflux induced by the temperature gradient along the column improved the separation selectivity. For a continuous operation, the effect of pressure on the separation selectivity was investigated.
Krebs von den Lungen-6 and surfactant protein-A in interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features

Abstract Interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF) is a special subtype of interstitial lung disease that has received worldwide attention. Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) and surfactant protein-A (SP-A) can be used as an important biomarker of interstitial lung disease, but its exact relationship with IPAF is poorly understood. A total of 65 IPAF patients were included in the study and were followed up for 52 weeks. The KL-6 and SP-A were evaluated by chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay. The above indicators were tested at 2 time points, baseline (the first admission of patients) and 52 weeks. We also collected the indicators of antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor. Based on high-resolution computed tomography evaluations, patients were divided into: aggravation, stable, and improvement group. At same time, 30 age-matched normal people as normal control were recruited, the same information was collected. Correlations among the groups were compared and analyzed. The KL-6 and SP-A level in IPAF patients were significantly higher than normal controls (fold increase = 11.35 and 1.39, both P < .001) and differed significantly at baseline and 52 weeks in IPAF (difference ratio = 37.7% and 21.3%, P < .05, both). There were significant differences at baseline and 52 weeks (r values of aggravation, improvement, and stable groups for KL-6 were 0.705, 0.770, and 0.344, P = .001, .001, and .163, and for SP-A the r value were 0.672, 0.375, and 0.316, P = .001, .126, and .152). In aggravation group, KL-6 and SP-A were correlated with CT scores (both P < .05). Diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and forced vital capacity (FVC), % predicted showed a progressive downward trend, with a significant difference at baseline and 52 weeks in IPAF patients (difference ratio = 23.8% and 20.6%, both P < .05). There was a significant correlation between KL-6 and FVC % predicted and DLCO (both P < .05), SP-A showed negatively correlated with DLCO, but not significantly correlated with FVC % predicted (P < .05 and .47). This study demonstrated that KL-6 and SP-A can reflect disease progression, and both 2 play a key role at reflection of lung epithelial cell injury and fibrosis degree in IPAF.
Photoinduced Surface Alignment: The Role of Liquid-Crystalline Order

Abstract The optical control of surface alignment was investigated, using azo-dye doped polyimide films as photosensitive material. The kinetics of the realignment of the easy axis was measured in isotropic, nematic and smectic A phases. It is demonstrated that the light-induced realignment of the dye molecules at the polymer-liquid crystal interface is strongly influenced by the presence of the liquid-crystalline order. A simple model is presented, which accounts qualitatively for the experimental observations.
Effect of education and muscle relaxation program on anxiety, depression and care burden in caregivers of acute stroke survivors

Abstract This study intended to discover the effect of education and muscle relaxation (EMR) program on anxiety, depression and care burden among caregivers of acute stroke survivors. This randomized, controlled study enrolled a total of 110 caregivers of first-ever acute stroke patients, and randomly assigned to EMR (N = 55) and control (N = 55) groups. The caregivers in the EMR group received 12-month health education and progressive muscle relaxation, and those in control group were provided common rehabilitation advices. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale in caregivers were evaluated at the time of patients’ discharge from hospital (M0), then at month(M) 3, M6 and M12 after the discharge. HADS-anxiety score, anxiety rate and severity were similar at M0, M3, while were reduced at M6 and M12 in EMR group compared to control group. Furthermore, HADS-depression score was similar at M0 and M3 but was decreased at M6 and M12 in EMR group compared with control group, however, there was no difference of depression rate and severity between the 2 groups at each time point. Moreover, Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale score was similar at M0 and M3, but was decreased at M6 and M12; meanwhile, degree of care burden was similar at M0, M3 and M6, but was reduced at M12 in EMR group compared to control group. EMR program decreases anxiety, depression and care burden in caregivers of acute stroke survivors, suggesting its potential in improving mental health and further promoting quality of lives in these caregivers.
Predicting 72-h mortality in patients with extremely high random plasma glucose levels

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Abstract The risk factors associated with 72-hours mortality in patients with extremely high levels of random plasma glucose (RPG) remain unclear. To explore the risk factors predictive of 72-hours mortality in patients with extremely high RPG under heterogenos pathophysiological conditions. Retrospective, single-center, case-controlled cross-sectional study. University teaching hospital. Adults over age 18 were selected from the medical records of patients at the Saitama Medical Center, Japan, from 2004 to 2013. Extremely high RPG (≥500 mg/dl). Mortality at 72 hours following the RPG test, regardless of hospitalization or in an outpatient setting. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed with adjustment for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and RPG level. The final prediction model was built using the logistic regression model with a higher C-statistic, specificity, and sensitivity. A total of 351 patients with RPG ≥500 mg/dl were identified within the 10-year period. The 72-hours mortality rate was 16/351 (4.6%). The C-statistics of the 72-hours mortality prediction model with serum albumin (ALB) and creatine kinase (CK) was 0.856. The probability of 72-hours mortality was calculated as follows: 1/[1 + exp (−5.142 + 0.901log (CK) −1.087 (ALB) + 0.293 (presence (1) or absence (0) of metastatic solid tumor)]. The sensitivity and specificity of this model was 75.5%. The independent risk factors associated with 72-hours mortality in patients with RPG ≥500 mg/dl are hypoalbuminemia, elevated CK, and presence of a metastatic solid tumour. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and possible interventions to prevent mortality associated with extremely high RPG.
Single Crystals of Ice Grown from KCl Solution and Their Dielectric Properties

Single crystals of ice were grown from KCl solution and their dielectric properties were investigated as functions of concentration, frequency, and temperature. It was found that a limited amount of chlorine was incorporated into the crystal lattice of ice but no trace of potassium. The upper limit of the substitutional incorporation of chlorine was approximately 1 × 10−4M(g moles/1). The distribution coefficients of the solutes were obtained as functions of the KCl concentration of the mother solution.The static dielectric constant of the single crystals of ice decreased due to the chlorine incorporation and the activation energy of its dielectric relaxation was reduced to 5.8 kcal/mole. The low-frequency conductivity increased with the square root dependence upon the chlorine concentration, and its activation energy was 6.1 kcal/mole. The mechanism of the dielectric polarization and conduction was discussed in relation to the defects introduced by chlorine built in the crystal lattice.
Safety and feasibility of laparoscopic gastrectomy for remnant gastric cancer compared with open gastrectomy

Abstract The usefulness, safety and oncological validity of laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) for remnant gastric cancer (RGC) have not been widely reported. A total of 38 patients who underwent gastrectomy for RGC were enrolled at Wakayama Medical University Hospital between April 2008 and December 2018. All consecutive patients were included in this retrospective study; the patients were divided into the open gastrectomy group and the laparoscopic group according to the sequential nature of their operation. Fifteen patients underwent open gastrectomy for RGC (OGR) between April 2008 and December 2013, and 23 patients underwent LG for RGC (LGR) after 2014. In the OGR group, all initial operations were performed by open surgery, whereas in the LGR group, 11 patients (47%) initially underwent laparoscopic surgery and 12 patients (53%) initially underwent open surgery (P = .002), 3 patients of which (25%) converted to open gastrectomy. There was no significant difference in the number of lymph node dissections or in operative time between the 2 groups, but blood loss was significantly lower in the LGR group than that in the OGR group (P = .002). Furthermore, although there was no difference between the 2 groups in C-reactive protein value on postoperative day 1, C-reactive protein value on postoperative day 3 was significantly lower in the LGR group than in the OGR group (P = .012). There were no differences in postoperative complications or long-term outcomes, including recurrence-free survival and overall survival. LGy is suitable in cases in which the initial surgery is performed by laparoscopic surgery. Even if the initial surgery is open surgery, it is oncologically equivalent to open gastrectomy and can be performed safely with less blood loss.
Methodological quality evaluation of systematic reviews or meta-analysis of trastuzumab-based therapy for breast cancer

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Abstract Background: To evaluate the methodological quality of systematic reviews (SRs) or meta-analysis of trastuzumab-based therapy for breast cancer. Methods: We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science, Cochrane library, international prospective register of systematic reviews, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, Wan Fang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and VIP database for SRs or meta-analysis. The methodological quality of included literatures was appraised by risk of bias in systematic review (ROBIS) tool. Results: Twenty three eligible systematic reviews or meta-analysis were included. Only 2 systematic reviews provided protocol. The most frequently searched databases were PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane. The two-reviewers model described in the screening for eligible original articles, data extraction, and methodological quality evaluation had 30%, 61%, and 26%, respectively. In methodological quality assessment, 52% SRs or meta-analysis used the Jadad scoring or Cochrane reviewer’ handbook. Research question were well matched to all SRs or meta-analysis in phase 1 and 35% of them evaluated “high” risk bias in study eligibility criteria. The “high” risk of bias in all non-Cochrane SRs or meta-analyses, which involve methods used to identify and/or select studies. And more than half SRs or meta-analysis had a high risk of bias in data collection and study appraisal. More than two-third of SRs or meta-analysis were accomplished with high risk of bias in the synthesis and findings. Conclusions: The study indicated poor methodological and reporting quality of SRs/meta-analysis assessing trastuzumab-based therapy for breast cancer. Registration or publishing the protocol and the reporting followed the PRISMA checklist are recommended in future research.
Prevalence and grade of RLS in migraine

Abstract Background: Right-to left shunt (RLS) is regarded as a risk factor resulting in migraine, but the relevance between the RLS and migraine remains controversial. This paper aims at investigating the prevalence and RLS grade of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in cases of migraine (including migraine with and without aura) and evaluate the relationship between PFO and migraine. Methods: Synchronous test of contrast transthoracic echocardiography and contrast transcranial Doppler ultrasonography was performed in 251 cases of migraine, which contains 62 cases of migraine with aura (MA) and 189 cases without aura (MO) and 275 healthy adults. Among these cases, 25 cases with migraine and 14 healthy adults were evaluated through transesophageal echocardiography. Results: (1). The prevalence of permanent RLS, total RLS, and large RLS in migraine was 11.16%, 39.04%, and 17.13%, respectively, which was significantly higher than that of the controls (P = .042, <.001, and.001, respectively). (2). Permanent RLS was detected as 7.93% of the cases in MO, 20.96% in MA, and 6.18% in controls. Total RLS was detected as 35.98% of the cases in MO, 48.38% in MA, and 23.64% in controls. Large RLS was detected as 13.76% of the cases in MO, 27.41% in MA, and 7.27% in controls. Compared with controls, the positive rate of total RLS and large RLS in MO increased (P = .004 and.022, respectively), the that of permanent RLS, total RLS, and large RLS in MA also increased (P < .001 for each of the comparisons). The positive rate of permanent RLS and large RLS in MA was remarkably higher than that in MO (P = .005 and.013, respectively). (3) The presence of large-size PFO (≥2.0 mm) of migraine showed higher than that of the controls (P = .048). Conclusions: PFO is associated with the migraine (especially with aura), when it is permanent RLS, large RLS, and large-size PFO (≥2.0 mm).