Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maternal biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and pregnancy outcomes in women with and without HIV in Botswana

Background Women living with HIV-1 (WLHIV) are at higher risk of having an adverse birth outcome, but the underlying mechanism(s) are unknown. We hypothesized that HIV-associated endothelial activation could adversely impact placental function and lead to impaired fetal growth or stillbirth. Methods We used stored samples from WLHIV and HIV-negative women who had enrolled during pregnancy in the observational Botswana Tshipidi cohort. Written informed consent was obtained from the participants. We measured plasma levels of markers of endothelial activation (soluble vascular adhesion molecule 1 [VCAM-1], intercellular adhesion molecule 1 [ICAM-1] and E-selectin) from samples taken during pregnancy. We compared log10 biomarker levels by maternal HIV status and by the timing of ART initiation (ART prior to conception vs. during pregnancy; ART prior to sample collection vs. no ART prior to sampling) using t-tests and the Kruskal-Wallis rank test. We evaluated the association between these biomarkers and adverse birth outcomes (composite of stillbirth or small for gestational age [SGA]) using univariate and multivariate log-binomial regression controlling for maternal age (continuous) and timing of ART start. We also used generalized linear models (GLM) to evaluate the association between continuous birthweight (in grams) and gestational age (in weeks) and markers of endothelial dysfunction, adjusting for maternal age (continuous) and timing of ART relative to sample collection. Results Specimens collected before delivery were available for 414 women (372 WLHIV and 42 HIV-negative women), with a median age of 28 years and median gestational age at sample collection of 30 weeks (range 26, 35 weeks). WLHIV had significantly higher median VCAM1 (p = 0.002) than HIV-negative women, but HIV-negative women had higher median ICAM1 (p = 0.01); e-Selectin levels did not differ by maternal HIV status. Women starting ART during pregnancy had higher log10 VCAM1 levels than those on ART before conception, regardless of whether the sample was collected before (p = 0.02) or after (p = 0.03) ART initiation. However, ICAM1 and e-Selectin did not differ significantly by ART status or ART timing. Ninety-eight women (91 WLHIV and 7 HIV-negative), or 9 (2%) and 89 (22%) included in this study, had a stillborn or SGA baby respectively. Univariate and adjusted analyses did not show significant associations between levels of any of the biomarkers with these adverse birth outcomes. However, lower birthweight (p = 0.03) and lower gestational age at delivery were associated e-Selectin and ICAM (p = 0.008), respectively. Conclusion Maternal HIV infection and lack of ART (or recent ART initiation) were associated with one marker of greater endothelial activation (VCAM-1), but not with other markers (ICAM-1 nor E-selectin) in pregnancy. e-Selectin was associated with lower birthweight and every unit increase in log ICAM-1 at delivery was associated with lower gestation age at delivery.
Inverse planning in brachytherapy from radium to high dose rate 192Iridium afterloading

We consider the inverse planning problem in brachytherapy, i.e. the problem to determine an optimal number of catheters, number of sources for low-dose rate brachytherapy (LDR) and the optimal dwell times for high-dose rate brachytherapy (HDR) necessary to obtain an optimal as possible dose distribution. Starting from the 1930s, inverse planning for LDR brachytherapy used geometrically derived rules to determine the optimal placement of sources in order to achieve a uniform dose distribution of a specific level in planes, spheres and cylinders. Rules and nomograms were derived which still are widely used. With the rapid development of 3D imaging technologies and the rapidly increasing computer power we have now entered the new era of computer-based inverse planning in brachytherapy. The inverse planning is now an optimisation process adapted to the individual geometry of the patient. New inverse planning optimisation algorithms are anatomy-based that consider the real anatomy of the tumour and the organs at risk (OAR). Computer-based inverse planning considers various effects such as stability of solutions for seed misplacements which cannot ever be solved analytically without gross simplifications. In the last few years multiobjective (MO) inverse planning algorithms have been developed which recognise the MO optimisation problem which is inherent in inverse planning in brachytherapy. Previous methods used a trial and error method to obtain a satisfactory solution. MO optimisation replaces this trial and error process by presenting a representative set of dose distributions that can be obtained. With MO optimisation it is possible to obtain information that can be used to obtain the optimum number of catheters, their position and the optimum distribution of dwell times for HDR brachytherapy. For LDR brachytherapy also the stability of solutions due to seed migration can also be improved. A spectrum of alternative solutions is available and the treatment planner can select the solution that best satisfies the clinical constraints. The inverse planning now can be extended to include characteristics of the radioactive sources that can be used for further improving the dose distributions that can be obtained leading to a generalized inverse planning. The computer-based inverse planning provides solutions that protect the OARs and the normal tissue better than by empirical methods. We present computer-based inverse planning algorithms used for LDR brachytherapy and currently also for HDR brachytherapy.
The influence of a third diffusing component upon the onset of convection

The small amplitude stability analysis for the onset of double-diffusive convection when the density gradient is gravitationally stable is extended to include a third diffusing component. Special attention is given to systems with κ1 [Gt ] κ2, κ3 and Pr [Gt ] κ/κ1, where κi is the molecular diffusivity of the ith component and Pr is the Prandtl number based on the largest of the Ki. It is found that the boundary for the onset of overstability is approximated by two straight lines in a Rayleigh number plane. Small concentrations of a third property with a smaller diffusivity can have a significant effect upon the nature of diffusive instabilities, the magnitude of this effect being proportional to κ1/Ki. Oscillatory and direct ‘salt-finger’ modes are found to be simultaneously unstable under a wide range of conditions when the density gradients due to the components with the greatest and smallest diffusivities are of the same sign.
Double cancer of primary hepatic angiosarcoma and hepatocellular carcinoma treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab

Primary hepatic angiosarcoma (PHA) is extremely rare, and its imaging findings are similar to those of other liver tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we report a case of hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related HCC followed by PHA that showed remarkable clinical response to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atezo/Bev) therapy.
Linear stability and energy growth of viscosity stratified flows

The non-normality of the Orr–Sommerfeld equation leads to the possibility of disturbance growth even though all eigenvalues are stable. In single-fluid flow the disturbance growth converges to a limit once the number of modes exceeds a minimum number. In the case of a two-fluid flow, however, convergence is not found. The problem of nonconvergence is due to the presence of the interface and the corresponding interfacial mode. The interface is replaced with a miscible layer of variable viscosity. When the thickness of the miscible layer is approximately equal to the thickness of the critical layer, the flow resembles two-fluid flow and one of the modes starts behaving like the interfacial mode.
Dual mechanism underlying failure of neural tube closure in the Zic2 mutant mouse.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms that lead to birth defects is an important step towards improved primary prevention. Mouse embryos homozygous for the Kumba (Ku) mutant allele of Zic2 develop severe spina bifida with complete lack of dorsolateral hinge points (DLHPs) in the neuroepithelium. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling is over-activated in Zic2Ku/Ku embryos, and the BMP inhibitor dorsomorphin partially rescues neural tube closure in cultured embryos. RhoA signalling is also over-activated, with accumulation of actomyosin in the Zic2Ku/Ku neuroepithelium, and the myosin inhibitor Blebbistatin partially normalises neural tube closure. However, dorsomorphin and Blebbistatin differ in their effects at tissue and cellular levels: DLHP formation is rescued by dorsomorphin but not Blebbistatin, whereas abnormal accumulation of actomyosin is rescued by Blebbistatin but not dorsomorphin. These findings suggest a dual mechanism of spina bifida origin in Zic2Ku/Ku embryos: BMP-dependent formation of DLHPs is faulty, together with RhoA-dependent F-actin accumulation in the neuroepithelium. Hence, we identify a multi-pathway origin of spina bifida in a mammalian system that may provide a developmental basis for understanding the corresponding multifactorial human defects.
Large‐scale single‐cell RNA sequencing atlases of human immune cells across lifespan: Possibilities and challenges

Single‐cell RNA sequencing technologies have successfully been leveraged for immunological insights into human prenatal, pediatric, and adult tissues. These single‐cell studies have led to breakthroughs in our understanding of stem, myeloid, and lymphoid cell function. Computational analysis of fetal hematopoietic tissues has uncovered trajectories for T‐ and B‐cell differentiation across multiple organ sites, and how these trajectories might be dysregulated in fetal and pediatric health and disease. As we enter the age of large‐scale, multiomic, and integrative single‐cell meta‐analysis, we assess the advances and challenges of large‐scale data generation, analysis, and reanalysis, and data dissemination for a broad range of scientific and clinical communities. We discuss Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable data sharing and unified cell ontology languages as strategic areas for progress of the field in the near future. We also reflect on the trend toward deployment of multiomic and spatial genomic platforms within single‐cell RNA sequencing projects, and the crucial role these data types will assume in the immediate future toward creation of comprehensive and rich single‐cell atlases. We demonstrate using our recent studies of human prenatal and adult hematopoietic tissues the importance of interdisciplinary and collaborative working in science to reveal biological insights in parallel with technological and computational innovations.
New Detection of Locally Acquired Japanese Encephalitis Virus Using Clinical Metagenomics, New South Wales, Australia

In the context of an emerging Japanese encephalitis outbreak within Australia, we describe a novel locally acquired case in New South Wales. A man in his 70s had rapidly progressive, fatal meningoencephalitis, diagnosed as caused by Japanese encephalitis virus by RNA-based metagenomic next-generation sequencing performed on postmortem brain tissue.
Kynurenine pathway can be a potential biomarker of fatigue in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVES Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune disease with low quality of life caused by various constitutional symptoms and glandular dysfunction. Although fatigue is one of the most frequent symptoms in pSS, its aetiology or biomarkers are poorly elucidated. We investigated potential relationship between severity of fatigue and the kynurenine pathway in pSS. METHODS Clinical data and blood samples of 81 patients were obtained from a prospective cohort for pSS and compared with age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC). Severity of fatigue was defined according to the fatigue domain scores in the ESSPRI. Potential biomarkers related to the kynurenine pathway were determined using ELISA. RESULTS Of the total, 44 patients were defined as the "severe fatigue (ESSPRI fatigue ≥ 5)" group, whereas 37 as the "less fatigue (ESSPRI fatigue < 5)". Serum tryptophan levels in the severe fatigue group were significantly lower while those of kynurenine were higher. Serum interferon gamma, IDO1, and quinolinic acid levels were mostly higher in the less fatigue group. Kynurenine/tryptophan ratios were distinctly higher in the severe fatigue group than both HC and the less fatigue group (p < 0.001). This ratio showed a strong degree of positive correlation (r = 0.624, p < 0.001) with severity of fatigue in pSS while the other markers showed fair degrees of correlation. CONCLUSIONS Serum markers related to the kynurenine pathway, especially the kynurenine/tryptophan ratio, may be associated with severity of fatigue in pSS. These results can provide guidance for further investigations on fatigue in pSS.
Burning mouth syndrome: Analysis of diagnostic delay in 500 patients.

OBJECTIVES To assess the diagnostic delay, the number and type of referrals and the clinical and psychological profile in a wide sample of patients with Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS). MATERIALS AND METHODS Data on the disease onset, oral symptoms, type and number of practitioners consulted, misdiagnoses, and the presence of medically unexplained extraoral physical symptoms were recorded in 500 BMS patients. Potential predictors of diagnostic delay were also evaluated. RESULTS The mean diagnostic delay was 29.71±47.19 months. An average of 2.61±1.65 practitioners were consulted by each patient, the most frequent being the general physicians (287; 57.4%), maxillofacial surgeons (111; 22.2%) and otolaryngologists (104; 20.8%). The mean number of misdiagnoses was 3.54±1.85. Nonspecific stomatitis, candidiasis and gastroesophageal reflux were the most common misdiagnoses. Higher age, low education, the presence of dysgeusia and a previous history of psychiatric illness were predictors of a longer diagnostic delay (p-value: 0.028, 0.050, 0.007, 0.034 respectively). CONCLUSIONS The lack of knowledge among specialists, the high rate of misdiagnosis and the diagnostic delay of BMS highlight the need to introduce educational interventions in all medical specialties in order to promote an early and appropriate diagnosis, thereby improving the prognosis and quality of life of the patients.
Solving time delay fractional optimal control problems via a Gudermannian neural network and convergence results

ABSTRACT In this paper, we propose a Gudermannian neural network scheme to solve optimal control problems of fractional-order system with delays in state and control. The fractional derivative is described in the Caputo sense. The problem is first transformed, using a Padé approximation, to one without a time-delayed argument. We try to approximate the solution of the Hamiltonian conditions based on the Pontryagin minimum principle. For this purpose, we use trial solutions for the states, Lagrange multipliers, and control functions where these trial solutions are constructed by using two-layered perceptron. We then minimize the error function using an unconstrained optimization scheme where weight and biases associated with all neurons are unknown. Some numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
A tensile creep-testing apparatus for ceramic materials using simple knife-edge universal joints

A simple method of long-term tensile creep-testing of ceramic materials is described, employing frictionless knife-edge universal joints and a gripping system which minimizes nonaxialities. The apparatus has a maximum constant load capability of 100 kg and was designed for use up to 1000 degrees C to test glass-ceramic materials. Some results are given which illustrate the reproducibility of the method, and an estimation of the errors involved in strain measurement is made.
An efficient 4‐node 24 D.O.F. thick shell finite element with 5‐point quadrature

A 4‐node flat shell quadrilateral finite element with 6 degrees of freedom per node, denoted QC5D‐SA, is presented. The element is an assembly of a modification of the drilling degree of freedom membrane presented by Ibrahimbegovic et al., and the assumed strain plate element presented by Bathe and Dvorkin. The part of the stiffness matrix associated with in—plane displacements and rotations is integrated over the element domain by a modified 5‐point reduced integration scheme, resulting in greater efficiency without the sacrifice of rank sufficiency. The scheme produces a soft higher order deformation mode which increases numerical accuracy. A large number of standard benchmark problems are analyzed. Some examples show that the effectiveness of a previously proposed “membrane locking correction” technique is significantly reduced when employing distorted elements. However, the element is shown to be generally accurate and in many cases superior to existing elements.
NMR Study of Weakly Itinerant Ferromagnetic Y(Co1-xAlx)2

The hyperfine field, H hf , and the nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate, 1/ T 1 , of 59 Co and 27 Al nuclei have been measured in the weak itinerant ferromagnets Y(Co 1- x Al x ) 2 . The temperature and magnetic field dependence of 1/ T 1 T has been found to be well described by the self-consistent renormalization (SCR) theory of spin fluctuations. From the experimental data of the nuclear relaxation and the magnetization, the parameters characterizing the spin fluctuations in these materials were estimated. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility was calculated using these values in the framework of the SCR theory. The calculated results well reproduce the observed susceptibility, supporting the quantitative validity of the SCR theory. It has also been shown that a theoretical relation between these parameters proposed recently is consistent with the experimental data.
Scalarization for characterization of approximate strong/weak/proper efficiency in multi-objective optimization

In this article, approximate solutions of multi-objective optimization problems are analysed. The notion of approximate solution suggested by Kutateladze is dealt with, and, utilizing different scalarization approaches, some necessary and sufficient conditions for ϵ-(strong, weak, proper) efficiency are provided. Almost all of the provided results are established without any convexity assumption.
Observation of Ferroelectric Domain Structure in TGS

Triglycine sulfate (TGS) is one of the most intensively investigated ferroelectrics. Though the domain structure is an important subject in the research of ferroelectricity, the domain in TGS is invisible by usual optical method. Many substitutive methods have been developed for the observation of static and dynamic domain structure in TGS. This review summarizes these methods mainly from a practical point of view. The methods referred here are the etching method, the powder deposition technique, the decoration method, the nematic liquid crystal (NLC) method, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the pyroelectric probe technique (PPT), the X-ray diffraction microscopy, the cleavage method, the scanning probe microscopy (SPM) and others.
Hypoalbuminemia and colorectal cancer patients: Any correlation?: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: In malnourished patients with colorectal cancer, hypoalbuminemia is common and was proposed to determine the postoperative outcome of colorectal surgery. Mounting articles published but have not been evaluated. We aim to assess the predictive value of preoperative hypoalbuminemia in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. Methods: We performed a literature search from PubMed, Euro PMC, and Cochrane with the terms serum albumin, hypoalbuminemia, prognosis, outcome, colorectal cancer, and neoplasm. We also hand-searched and included any relevant papers. Hypoalbuminemia is defined as plasma albumin level < 3.5 mg/dL. We restricted the included studies to English language and adults undergoing colectomy, laparotomy, laparoscopy, or abdominoperineal resection. Any types of articles were included, except an abstract-only publication and those that did not report the key exposure or outcome of interest. The key exposures were mortality, hospitalization time, and morbid conditions (thrombosis, surgical site infection, sepsis, and wound events). We pooled the odds ratio from each included literature as effect size. The Newcastle Ottawa scale and GRADE were used to determine the quality of each included study. Results: Hereof 7 observational studies (236,480 individuals) were included. Our meta-analysis found that preoperative hypoalbuminemia can predict the postoperative outcome in colorectal cancer patients. Individuals with hypoalbuminemia were not associated with 30-day mortality (risk ratio [RR] 2.05 [0.72, 5.86], P = .18, I2 = 99%) but were associated with morbidity (RR 2.28 [1.78, 2.93], P < .00001, I2 = 87.5%), surgical complication (RR 1.69 [1.34, 2.13], P < .00001, I2 = 98%), and hospitalization (RR 2.21 [1.93, 2.52], P < .00001, I2 = 0%). According to newcastle ottawa scale, the included studies are of moderate to sound quality. Conclusions: The current systematic review and meta-analysis showed that preoperative hypoalbuminemia was significantly associated with morbidity, length of stay, and surgical complication but not mortality.
The association of objectively measured sedentary time with asthma in US youth: A glimpse into the connection between obesity and asthma

Evidence suggests that asthma and obesity may share a common pathway, possibly through an increase in inflammation. Sedentary time is thought to promote both inflammation and obesity and previous studies have found a relationship between self‐reported sedentary and asthma. However, the relationship between objectively measured sedentary time and asthma is not well described. We hypothesized that the association between asthma and sedentary time would not be present when physical activity was measured objectively, nor would objectively‐measured sedentary time play an important role in the relationship between asthma and obesity.