Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nationwide registry study on trends in localization techniques and reoperation rates in non-palpable ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive breast cancer.

BACKGROUND There is a transition from wire-guided localization (WGL) of non-palpable breast cancer to other localization techniques. Multiple prospective studies have sought to establish superior clinical outcomes for radioactive-seed localization (RSL), but consistent and congruent evidence is missing. METHODS In this study, female patients with breast cancer operated with breast-conserving surgery after tumour localization of a non-palpable breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) were included. The cohort was identified from the nationwide Netherlands Breast Cancer Audit conducted between 2013 and 2018. Trends in localization techniques were analysed. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to assess the association between the localization technique and the probability of a reoperation. RESULTS A total of 28 370 patients were included in the study cohort. The use of RSL increased from 15.7 to 61.1 per cent during the study years, while WGL decreased from 75.4 to 31.6 per cent. The localization technique used (RSL versus WGL) was not significantly associated with the odds of a reoperation, regardless of whether the lesion was DCIS (odds ratio 0.96 (95 per cent c.i. 0.89 to 1.03; P = 0.281)) or invasive breast cancer (OR 1.02 (95 per cent c.i. 0.96 to 1.10; P = 0.518)). CONCLUSION RSL is rapidly replacing WGL as the preoperative localization technique in breast surgery. This large nationwide registry study found no association between the type of localization technique and the odds of having a reoperation, thus confirming the results of previous prospective cohort studies.
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Peganum harmala Extracts: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study

Peganum harmala (P. harmala) belongs to the family Zygophyllaceae, and is utilized in the traditional medicinal systems of Pakistan, China, Morocco, Algeria, and Spain to treat several chronic health disorders. The aim of the present study was to identify the chemical constituents and to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and toxicity effects of P. harmala extracts both in vitro and in vivo. Sequential crude extracts including 100% dichloromethane, 100% methanol, and 70% aqueous methanol were obtained and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. The anti-inflammatory effect of the extract was investigated using the carrageenan-induced paw edema method in mice, whereas the toxicity of the most active extract was evaluated using an acute and subacute toxicity rat model. In addition, we have used the bioassay-guided approach to obtain potent fractions, using solvent–solvent partitioning and reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography from active crude extracts; identification and quantification of compounds from the active fractions was achieved using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography techniques. Results revealed that the 100% methanol extract of P. harmala exhibits significant in vitro antioxidant activity in DPPH assay with an IC50 of 49 µg/mL as compared to the standard quercetin with an IC50 of 25.4 µg/mL. The same extract exhibited 63.0% inhibition against serum albumin denaturation as compared to 97% inhibition by the standard diclofenac sodium in an in vitro anti-inflammatory assay, and in vivo anti-inflammatory against carrageenan-induced paw edema (75.14% inhibition) as compared to 86.1% inhibition caused by the standard indomethacin. Furthermore, this extract was not toxic during a 14 day trial of acute toxicity when given at a dose of 3 g/kg, indicating that the lethal dose (LD50) of P. harmala methanol extract was greater than 3 g/kg. P. harmala methanolic fraction 2 obtained using bioassay-guided fractionation showed the presence of quinic acid, peganine, harmol, harmaline, and harmine, confirmed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and quantified using external standards on high performance liquid chromatography. Taken all together, the current investigation further confirms the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and safety aspects of P. harmala, which justifies its use in folk medicine.
Calcium-permeable cation channels are involved in uranium uptake in Arabidopsis thaliana

Uranium (U) is a non-essential and toxic element that is taken up by plants from the environment. The assimilation pathway of U is still unknown in plants and any other organism. In this study, we provide several evidences that U is taken up by the roots of Arabidopsis thaliana through Ca2+-permeable cation channels. First, we showed that deprivation of Arabidopsis plants with calcium induced a 1.5-fold increase in the capacity of roots to accumulate U, suggesting that calcium deficiency promoted the radionuclide import pathway. Second, we showed that external calcium inhibits U accumulation in roots, suggesting a common route for the uptake of both cations. Third, we found that gadolinium, nifedipine and verapamil inhibit the absorption of U, suggesting that different types of Ca2+-permeable channels serve as a route for U uptake. Last, we showed that U bioaccumulation in Arabidopsis mutants deficient for the Ca2+-permeable channels MCA1 and ANN1 was decreased by 40%. This suggests that MCA1 and ANN1 contribute to the absorption of U in different zones and cell layers of the root. Together, our results describe for the first time the involvement of Ca2+-permeable cation channels in the cellular uptake of U.
Regional analgesia techniques for video-assisted thoracic surgery: a frequentist network meta-analysis

Background Various regional analgesia techniques are used to reduce postoperative pain in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). This study aimed to determine the relative efficacy of regional analgesic interventions for VATS using a network meta-analysis. Methods We searched the Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Controlled Trial Register, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the analgesic effects of the following interventions: control, thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB), erector spinae plane block (ESPB), serratus plane block (SPB), and intercostal nerve block (INB). The primary outcome was opioid consumption during the first 24 h postoperative period. Pain scores were also collected during three different postoperative periods: the early (0–6 h), middle (6–18 h), and late (18–24 h) periods. Results A total of 21 RCTs (1,391 patients) were included. TPVB showed the greatest effect on opioid consumption compared with the control (mean difference [MD]: −13.2 mg, 95% CI [−16.2, −10.1]). In terms of pain scores in the early period, ESPB had the greatest effect compared to control (MD: −1.6, 95% CI [−2.3, −0.9]). In the middle and late periods, pain scores showed that TPVB, ESPB and INB had superior analgesic effects compared to controls, while SPB did not. Conclusions TPVB had the best analgesic efficacy following VATS, though the analgesic efficacy of ESPBs was comparable. However, further studies are needed to determine the optimal regional analgesia technique to improve postoperative pain control following VATS.
Monthly measurement of child lengths between 6 and 27 months of age in Burkina Faso reveals both chronic and episodic growth faltering

ABSTRACT Background Linear growth faltering is determined primarily by attained heights in infancy, but available data consist mainly of cross-sectional heights at each age. Objectives This study used longitudinal data to test whether faltering occurs episodically in a few months of very low growth, which could potentially be prevented by timely intervention, or is a chronic condition with slower growth in every month of infancy and early childhood. Methods Using anthropometric data collected monthly between August 2014 and December 2016, we investigated individual growth curves of 5039 children ages 6–27 mo in Burkina Faso (108,580 observations). We evaluated growth-curve smoothness by level of attained length at ∼27 mo by analyzing variation in changes in monthly growth rates and using 2-stage regressions: 1) regressing each child's length on their age and extracting R2 to represent curve smoothness, initial length, and average velocity by age; and 2) regressing extracted parameters on individual-level attained length. Results Short children started smaller and remained on their initial trajectories, continuously growing slower than taller children. Growth between 9 and 11 mo was the most influential on attained length; for each 1-cm/mo increase in growth velocity during this period, attained length increased by 6.71 cm (95% CI: 6.59, 6.83 cm). Furthermore, a 0.01 increase in R2 from individual regression of length on age was associated with a 3.10-cm higher attained length (95% CI: 2.80, 3.41 cm), and having 2 consecutive months of slow growth (<15th centile relative to the sample) was associated with 1.7-cm lower attained length (95% CI: −1.80, −1.59 cm), with larger effects in younger children, suggesting that smoother growth patterns were also associated with higher attained length. Conclusions Children who experience extreme growth faltering are likely less resilient to systematic growth-limiting conditions as well as episodic insults to their growth. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02071563.
Joint Torque Prediction via Hybrid Neuromusculoskeletal Modelling during Gait Using Statistical Ground Reaction Estimates: An Exploratory Study

Joint torques of lower extremity are important clinical indicators of gait capability. This parameter can be quantified via hybrid neuromusculoskeletal modelling that combines electromyography-driven modelling and static optimisation. The simulations rely on kinematics and external force measurements, for example, ground reaction forces (GRF) and the corresponding centres of pressure (COP), which are conventionally acquired using force plates. This bulky equipment, however, hinders gait analysis in real-world environments. While this portability issue could potentially be solved by estimating the parameters through machine learning, the effect of the estimation errors on joint torque prediction with biomechanical models remains to be investigated. This study first estimated GRF and COP through feedforward artificial neural networks, and then leveraged them to predict lower-limb sagittal joint torques via (i) inverse dynamics and (ii) hybrid modelling. The approach was evaluated on five healthy subjects, individually. The predicted torques were validated with the measured torques, showing that hip was the most sensitive whereas ankle was the most resistive to the GRF/COP estimates for both models, with average metrics values being 0.70 < R2 < 0.97 and 0.069 < RMSE < 0.15 (Nm/kg). This study demonstrated the feasibility of torque prediction based on personalised (neuro)musculoskeletal modelling using statistical ground reaction estimates, thus providing insights into potential real-world mobile joint torque quantification.
Screening and detection of antimicrobials from Dai pharmaceuticals against clinical diseases by methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Oroxylum indicum is one of the valuable Dai pharmaceuticals; the dry seeds and bark of O. indicum were used to treat acute cough, sore throat and so on. Of the seven compounds from O. indicum were determined and obtained using the bioassay‐guided method. Among them, compound 7 was obtained from the plant for the first time. Eight bacterial strains and one yeast fungi were exposed to the compounds. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) or minimum fungicidal concentrations were determined according to the standard broth microdilution method. Baicalein (2) exhibited relative strong antibacterial activities with MIC of 8 μg ml−1 and MBC of 16 μg ml−1 against three MRSA strains of Staphylococcus aureus of SCCmec III type, whereas flavonoids 3, 5 and 7 showed some degree of activities against methicillin‐susceptible S. aureus (MSSA, ATCC 25923). The findings may offer new evidence that why O. indicum was used widely in Dai peoples’ life.
HPTLC and ATR/FTIR Characterization of Antioxidants in Different Rosemary Extracts

The effect of spontaneous fermentation by lactic acid bacteria on the extraction yield of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity from rosemary leaf extracts was investigated using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Brining and spontaneous fermentation with lactic acid bacteria more than doubled extraction of polyphenolics and antioxidants from the rosemary leaves. The results show that lactic acid fermentation enhances antioxidant activity in extracts by increasing the total phenolic content but does not increase extraction of phytosterols. Increased extraction of phenolic oxidants during fermentation assisted extraction, results from the in situ generated natural eutectic solvent from the plant sample. ATR-FTIR spectra from the bioactive bands suggests that this increased antioxidant activity is associated with increased extraction of rosmarinic acid, depolymerised lignin, abietane diterpenoids and 15-hydroxy-7-oxodehydroabietic acid.
Green Synthesis of Stable Nanocomposites Containing Copper Nanoparticles Incorporated in Poly-N-vinylimidazole

New stable nanocomposites with copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) in a polymer matrix have been synthesized by green chemistry. Non-toxic poly-N-vinylimidazole was used as a stabilizing polymer matrix and ascorbic acid was used as a reducing agent. The polymer CuNPs nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible (UV) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was shown, using the dynamic light scattering (DLS) method, that the hydrodynamic diameters of nanocomposites depend on the CuNPs content and are in an associated state in an aqueous medium. The copper content in nanocomposites ranges from 1.8 to 12.3% wt. The obtained polymer nanocomposites consist of isolated copper nanoparticles with a diameter of 2 to 20 nm with a spherical shape.
Hopping Conductivity and Dielectric Relaxations in Ag/PAN Nanocomposites

The dependence of the conductivity and electric modulus of silver/polyacrylonitrile nanocomposites on the frequency of an alternating electric field has been studied at different temperatures and starting mixture AgNO3 contents. The frequency dependences on the conductivity of the nanocomposites in the range of 103–106 Hz are in good agreement with the power law f0.8. The observed relaxation maxima in the relation of the imaginary part of the electric modulus on the frequency can be explained by interfacial polarization. It was shown that the frequency dispersions of conductivity and electric modulus were well described by the Dyre and Cole-Davidson models, respectively. Using these models, we have estimated the relaxation times and the activation energies of these structures. A mechanism of charge transport responsible for the conductivity of nanocomposites is proposed. An assumption is made regarding the presence of Ag42+ and Ag82+ silver clusters in the polymer.
On the Interactions of Melatonin/β-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex: A Novel Approach Combining Efficient Semiempirical Extended Tight-Binding (xTB) Results with Ab Initio Methods

Melatonin (MT) is a molecule of paramount importance in all living organisms, due to its presence in many biological activities, such as circadian (sleep–wake cycle) and seasonal rhythms (reproduction, fattening, molting, etc.). Unfortunately, it suffers from poor solubility and, to be used as a drug, an appropriate transport vehicle has to be developed, in order to optimize its release in the human tissues. As a possible drug-delivery system, β-cyclodextrin (βCD) represents a promising scaffold which can encapsulate the melatonin, releasing when needed. In this work, we present a computational study supported by experimental IR spectra on inclusion MT/βCD complexes. The aim is to provide a robust, accurate and, at the same time, low-cost methodology to investigate these inclusion complexes both with static and dynamic simulations, in order to study the main actors that drive the interactions of melatonin with β-cyclodextrin and, therefore, to understand its release mechanism.
Time to Teach: Instructional Time and Science Teachers’ Use of Inquiry-Oriented Instructional Practices

Background There have been repeated calls for more widespread use of inquiry-oriented science instruction in K–12 education. At the same time, questions have been raised regarding whether the amount of time in school schedules for science instruction is sufficient to support inquiry-based teaching. This study investigates the relationship between the time available for science instruction and the extent to which eighth-grade science teachers used inquiry-oriented instructional practices in their teaching. Research Questions We consider two research questions: (1) To what extent is teachers’ use of inquiry-oriented instructional practices related to the time available for science instruction during the school week? (2) To what extent do differences in teachers’ professional training to teach science impact the relationship between instructional time and science teachers’ use of inquiry-based instructional practices? Research Design We use data from the 2011 NAEP Grade Eight Science Assessment and multilevel linear modeling to analyze the relationship between instructional time and science teacher practices. Our analyses include approximately 11,520 eighth-grade teachers in 6,850 public schools. Findings The extent to which science teachers used inquiry-oriented instructional practices in their teaching was related to the amount of time available for science instruction. Teachers with 5 or more hours per week were more likely to use inquiry-oriented instructional practices, and the extent to which teachers engaged in reform-oriented science instruction increased with more time for instruction. The relationship between instructional time and teacher practice was largely independent of teacher qualifications, suggesting that instructional time impacts teacher instructional practice regardless of teachers’ educational background, training, or science teaching experience. Conclusions Identifying optimal allocations of instructional time is a relevant consideration in efforts to promote the types of reform-oriented science teaching called for by the National Research Council's Framework for K–12 Science Education, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and other national and state science assessments. Although investments in teacher training and professional development are also necessary and important investments, with insufficient time, even the most qualified or best trained science teachers may struggle to use inquiry-based instructional approaches.
Monolingual Language Ideologies and the Idealized Speaker: The “New Bilingualism” Meets the “Old” Educational Inequities

Background/Context After decades of restrictive U.S. language policies geared toward English-only education, recent years have seen a proliferation of dual-language programs, Seal of Biliteracy awards, and bilingual education programming more broadly. The demand for such programming ostensibly suggests growing consensus around the benefits of linguistic diversity—dubbed “The New Bilingualism” by The Atlantic in 2016. However, recent research suggests that the pivot to this New Bilingualism is largely taking place in contexts of privilege, disproportionately benefiting English-dominant, middle- and upper-class communities as compared with multilingual communities where demand for bilingual programming is not “new” at all. Focus of Study This piece explores how recent, well-intentioned expansions in bilingual education programming may actually reinforce historical inequities. Putting forth a framework of idealized language ideologies, the article documents how bilingualism has historically been encouraged for some and denied to others in U.S. education and policy contexts. Research Design Through historical analysis, this article documents how language ideologies overlap with racism and nationalism in educational and policy contexts across key periods of U.S. history and into the present day. Conclusions/Recommendations A framework of idealized language ideologies foregrounds (1) idealized language practices, (2) idealized speakers, and (3) institutional interests, highlighting how these dynamics function to maintain educational and broader social inequities. Applying such a lens makes it possible to simultaneously acknowledge positive expansions of bilingual programming, while also questioning the framing of such programming as “new” or as a panacea for educational inequality. In a time of rapid expansion for bilingual educational programming, this piece demonstrates that even bilingualism can be normatively framed as an idealized language ideology to reinforce problematic language hierarchies. Thus, it is imperative that teachers, teacher educators, and policy makers reckon with these historical dynamics to ensure that educational models designed to ameliorate linguistic inequities do not end up reproducing them instead.