Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of obesity and pre-diabetic conditions on ventricular-arterial coupling in women

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and women with diabetes have a higher relative-risk of cardiovascular mortality than men. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that is associated with obesity and confers a particularly high risk of diabetes. There is a need to identify cardiovascular dysfunction in the pre-diabetic stage because, once diabetes is evident, it is difficult to improve the prognosis. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and diastolic dysfunction are well-established consequences of obesity, but the mechanisms which underpin these findings are not well-defined. Measurements of ventricular-arterial coupling characterise the load which the ventricle must overcome to eject blood. This thesis investigated whether quantitative measures of ventricular-arterial coupling could explain the development of LVH and diastolic dysfunction in young women at risk of diabetes. Two methods of quantifying ventricular-arterial coupling were used (i) a comparison of arterial and ventricular end-systolic elastance, and (ii) the amplitude and timing of wave reflections in the carotid artery using wave intensity. Increases in elastance were associated with general and central obesity. In contrast, increased wave reflections were predominantly associated with fat around the organs and with worse metabolic health. Arterial elastance and wave reflections were independent contributors of left ventricular mass but did not independently contribute to diastolic function. Women with PCOS had similar cardiovascular risk, elastance and diastolic function to matched controls. However, they had a lower odds-ratio of LVH which appeared to be explained by lower amplitude wave reflections. There may be an aspect of PCOS which mitigates the effects of obesity and pre-diabetic states on the pulsatile loading of the left ventricle. The quantification of ventricular-arterial coupling provides new insights to the effects of obesity and pre-diabetic states on sub-clinical cardiovascular disease.
Direct Coupling of Phthalocyanine Cobalt(II) and Graphene via Self-Driven Layer-by-Layer Assembly for Efficient Electrochemical Detection of Catechol

Electrochemical detection of catechol (CC) based on the integrated nanocomposite electrodes with high sensitivity and excellent selectivity is highly desirable for environment monitoring and assessment. In this work, the methylated tetra-β-(N,N-diethylaminoethoxy)phthalocyanine cobalt(II)/electrochemically reduced graphene oxide ((MtPcCo/ErGO)n) multilayer films were successfully constructed via a directly coupled layer-by-layer assembly strategy based on the electrostatic attraction as well as π-π stacking interaction, and consequent in situ electroreduction. The formation of the robust multilayer films only relies on the alternately self-driven combination of the [MtPcCo]4+ and GO but without addition of any polymer or surfactant adhesives. The directly coupled multilayer films can play such roles of coordination as promoting sensitive response signal, regulable layer architecture, oriented transmission of electrons, and electrical conductivity. As a result, the tailored (MtPcCo/ErGO)10 film can work as an efficient electrocatalyst for CC oxidation and sensitive detection. The oxidation current density (j) of CC is widely linear to its concentration from 5 to 150 μm and 150 to 350 μm, respectively, with a low detection limit of 0.53 μm (S/N = 3). Furthermore, the good selectivity, reproducibility and long-term storage stability make the multilayer film suitable for the practical CC determination.
THE ULTRAVIOLET-TO-MID-INFRARED SPECTRAL ENERGY DISTRIBUTION OF WEAK EMISSION LINE QUASARS

We present Spitzer Space Telescope photometry of 18 Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) quasars at 2.7 ⩽ z ⩽ 5.9 which have weak or undetectable high-ionization emission lines in their rest-frame ultraviolet (UV) spectra (hereafter weak-lined quasars, or WLQs). The Spitzer data are combined with SDSS spectra and ground-based, near-infrared (IR) photometry of these sources to produce a large inventory of spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of WLQs across the rest-frame ∼0.1–5 μm spectral band. The SEDs of our sources are inconsistent with those of BL Lacertae objects which are dominated by synchrotron emission due to a jet aligned close to our line of sight, but are consistent with the SED of ordinary quasars with similar luminosities and redshifts that exhibit a near-to-mid-IR “bump,” characteristic of hot dust emission. This indicates that broad emission lines in WLQs are intrinsically weak, rather than suffering continuum dilution from a jet, and that such sources cannot be selected efficiently from traditional photometric surveys.
Modeling and histopathological recognition of anoikis resistance in colorectal carcinoma

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is an important cause of cancer-associated deaths. About 30–50% of CRCs show KRAS or BRAF mutation. In many cancers, anoikis, i.e. apoptosis induced by loss of extracellular matrix (ECM) contact, is disturbed. Anoikis resistance is essential for the formation of metastases, and since anoikis resistance assessment is based on in vitro cell cultures, the prognostic value of anoikis resistance is largely unknown. We aimed to identify the histopathological features indicating anoikis resistance in CRC and analyze their prognostic value. The roles of BRAF and KRAS mutations and survivin in anoikis resistance were analyzed and 3-D cell culture was used to model the histopathology of anoikis resistant (AR) structures. The two cohorts of CRC cases used in the study consisted of 62 (series 1) and 137 patients (series 2). Immunohistochemistry for ECM proteins enabled identification of tumor cells with and without ECM contact, and in both populations, apoptosis was determined with staining for caspase-cleaved keratin 18. Based on absence of ECM contact and decreased apoptosis rate, we identified micropapillary (MIP), cribriform and solid structures to represent the putative AR populations. High areal density of AR structures associated independently with short survival and was an independent prognostic factor. MIPs showed lower survivin expression, proliferation and apoptosis rates than non-MIP cells, and low apoptosis rate was associated with poor prognosis in stage I and II cases. For 3-D in vitro model of AR structures, we transfected Caco-2 cells with mutated KRAS or BRAF genes; both induced anoikis resistance as measured with Annexin V test in suspension culture. In 3-D cultures, native Caco-2 cells formed polarized cysts. In contrast, mutated cell lines formed partially filled cysts or solid structures, and inverted polarity in KRAS mutant cells. In conclusion, it is possible to identify putative AR structures by conventional histopathology and their number is associated with poor prognosis. MIPs represent a distinct subpopulation of CRC cells with features of quiescence. KRAS and BRAF mutations induce anoikis resistance in Caco-2 cells. In 3-D cultures, oncogenes KRAS and BRAF induce solid structures and cell piling, with structural resemblance to putative AR structures observed by histopathology. The mutated Caco-2 cells thus serve as a model to study the manifestation of anoikis resistance as a distinct histological feature with oncological significance.
HYPERTENSION MANAGEMENT IN THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE USE OF HOME BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORS AND AN AUTOMATED TELEPHONE INFORMATION SYSTEM

Problem Statement: Many studies have supported the benefits of home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) and telemonitoring in improving hypertension awareness and control. However, little was known about the use of HBPM and telemonitoring by hypertensive patients in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Methods and Design: A six-month prospective observational study using HBPM and telemonitoring was conducted on hypertensive patients in two public sector health centres in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Newly diagnosed and poorly controlled adult patients were eligible for enrollment if they spoke English and were willing to participate in HBPM and telemonitoring. All enrolled patients received the HBPM and telemonitoring intervention and were given a blood pressure goal based on the presence or absence of diabetes. The primary endpoint was change in mean arterial pressure (MAP) between baseline and the six-month follow-up point. Patients who provided blood pressure readings at baseline, three-month and six-month visits were included in the analysis. Results: A total of 171 patients were screened, 157 completed the baseline visit and 118 ultimately engaged in HBPM and telemonitoring for a six-month study period. Of the 118 final participants, 96% expressed a preference for the home monitoring vs traditional management, 87% successfully transmitted their HBPM results via telemonitoring more than once a month and 70% showed a reduction in MAP. Mean systolic blood pressure decreased by 9.2 mm Hg (95% CI 5.4-12.9), mean diastolic blood pressure decreased by
Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Women

Address for correspondence Christine HJ Won, MD, MS Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar St. PO Box 208057, New Haven, CT 06520-8057, USA Tel: +1-203-785-3592 Fax: +1-203-785-3634 E-mail: christine.won@yale.edu Obstructive sleep apnea is known to be more prevalent in men. In women the prevalence varies throughout her life span as she goes through different stages; puberty, reproductive years, pregnancy and postmenopausal state. The disparity of prevalence within the lifespan of women and in comparison, to men is not only due to different pathophysiologic factors like upper airway anatomy, chemoreflexes, sex hormones but also due to under recognition of sleep disordered breathing in women due to atypical presentation and difference in polysomnographic phenotypes. This review summarizes the literature regarding sleep-disordered breathing in women, its pathophysiology, sex differences in phenotypes and implications of sex differences on management. J Sleep Med 2019;16(2):75-80
The association of bone mineral density with prostate cancer risk in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study

We investigated the association of bone mineral density (BMD) measures with prostate cancer (PCa) risk in older men enrolled in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study. We hypothesized that men with higher BMD, a marker of exposure to endogenous sex hormones, would have an increased incidence of PCa. The cohort included 4,597 men (89% White, 65 years or older) with no prior history of PCa. Baseline total body, total hip, and spine BMD were assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Prostate cancer was confirmed by review of medical records. Cox regression was used to assess the association of BMD quartiles with incident PCa, adjusting for age, body mass index, and other covariates. During an average follow-up of 5.2 years, 5.6% (n = 255) of men developed PCa. Total body BMD was inversely associated with incident PCa, with a significant trend for decreasing PCa risk with increasing BMD quartiles (P(trend) = 0.007). Men in the highest total body BMD quartile had a 41% reduced risk for PCa (hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.40-0.86), compared with men in the lowest quartile. Total hip and spine BMD did not exhibit significant relationships with PCa. Associations of BMD measures differed for low-grade (Gleason sum, 2-6) versus high-grade tumors (Gleason sum, >or=7). Significant inverse relationships with high-grade disease were noted at the total body and total hip sites. However, no associations were observed with low-grade disease. Our results provide support for an inverse association between BMD and PCa risk. Possible pathophyisological mechanisms linking BMD and PCa should be elucidated.
Pharmacogenomics for Infectious Diseases

Information obtained from whole genome sequencing of pathogens could, in principle, contribute to answering all of these questions. The application of pharmacogenomics to infectious diseases requires consideration of the genomes of both the pathogen and the host. The pathogen's genome may be used for antigen identification, to identify infecting organisms, and to determine antimicrobial resistance. Diagnostic tool development and vaccine design can be aided by knowing which portions of a pathogen are important antigenic determinants. The unique genetic makeup of a pathogen can facilitate its identification as an augmentation to the traditional culture. Important genes conferring resistance to antibiotics can be detected, and this information can be used to choose appropriate antibiotic therapy. The genome of the host may reveal susceptibility genes and new drug targets that may be used in the treatment of infectious diseases. Thus far, polymorphisms in genes of the host immune system have been associated with susceptibility to infections and response to treatment. Pharmacogenomics has the potential to revolutionize the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases.
The Gnat and the Bull Do Climate Outlook Forums Make a Difference?

Little has been documented about the benefits and impacts of the recent growth in climate services, despite a growing call to justify their value and stimulate investment. Regional Climate Outlook Forums (RCOFs), an integral part of the public and private enterprise of climate services, have been implemented over the last 20 years with the objectives of producing and disseminating seasonal climate forecasts to inform improved climate risk management and adaptation. In proposing guidance on how to measure the success of RCOFs, we offer three broad evaluative categories that are based on the primary stated goals of the RCOFs: 1) quality of the climate information used and developed at RCOFs; 2) legitimacy of RCOF processes focused on consensus forecasts, broad user engagement, and capacity building; and 3) usability of the climate information produced at RCOFs. Evaluating the quality of information relies largely on quantitative measures and statistical techniques that are standardized and transferrable, but assessing the RCOF processes and perceived usability of RCOF products will necessitate a combination of quantitative and qualitative social science methods that are sensitive to highly variable regional contexts. As RCOFs have taken up different formats and procedures to adapt to diverse institutional and political settings and varied technical and scientific capacities, objective evaluation methods adopted should align with the goals and intent of the evaluation and be performed in a participatory, coproduction manner where producers and users of climate services together design the evaluation metrics and processes. To fully capture the potential benefits of the RCOFs, it may be necessary to adjust or recalibrate the goals of these forums to better fit the evolving landscape of climate services development, needs, and provision.
Labeling practices of water bottling firms and its public health perspective in Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Bottled water labels enable the consumers to choose brands that can best fit to their needs and preferences. Anything inaccurate, however, may pose serious public health risks, especially to vulnerable individuals. In Ethiopia, regular monitoring of bottled water quality and labelling practices is still lacking. Objectives: This study assessed the labeling practices of water bottling firms in Ethiopia and compared the values of physicochemical water quality parameters measured in the laboratory with figures inscribed on the labels. Methods: Samples of 11 domestic bottled water brands (N = 165) were randomly purchased from retail stores and supermarkets in Addis Ababa at three different occasions (between July 2013 and May 2014) and analyzed for their physicochemical constituents. The written and graphic information on labels of bottled water products were examined and compared with the values measured in the laboratory. Besides, values of parameters determined in the laboratory were compared and contrasted against national standards and international guidelines to assess suitability for health and to evaluate their legal compliance. Results: A number of deficiencies were identified with regard to labeling practices. The incompleteness of the constituents displayed on the labels was a clear weakness. Only the concentrations of , , , and were appeared on the labels of all brands. On the other hand, ten, eight, and seven firms out of eleven manufacturers inscribed no information on their labels regarding the levels of total alkalinity, and respectively. The paired t-tests performed to compare the values measured in the laboratory and the manufacturer's labeling revealed that significant differences (P < 0.05) observed for the values of . In addition, there were discrepancies between the labeled figures and the values measured in the laboratory for , , , and . Moreover, there were inconsistencies when firms classify their bottled water products as ‘Mineral water’, ‘Spring water’, ‘Purified Water’, and ‘Natural water’ and a few of them were wrongly characterized. Conclusions: From this study, it can be claimed that some parameters were mislabeled or unlabeled and a few brands were inaccurately characterized. Despite the presence of basic legal instruments, it can be said that consumers’ right are yet to be respected. To tackle the problem, regular monitoring by responsible authorities would be helpful. Besides, third-party labeling services could be used to boost the credibility of the labeling process. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2016;30(2):78-85] Keywords: Ethiopia, labelling, misbranding, public health, water quality
Patient Safety Culture: A Meta-analysis of Hospital Data

Background and Objectives: Patient safety (PS) is one of the most important and essential elements of quality in healthcare setting. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to assess the status of patient safety culture using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC). Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis study, data were collected through searching databases including Scopus, Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Magiran , and Iranian Scientific Information (SID) using keywords like “patient safety”, “patient safety culture”, and “patient safety climate”, combined with “hospital: ,“Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture”, “measurement”, “assessment” and “survey”. Out of 1764 retrieved articles, 30 articles were entered into the study. To calculate the overall PSC score and perform the meta-analysis, the computer software (CMA2—Comprehensive Meta-Analysis) was employed. Findings: Using HSOPSC and random effects, the PSC score was calculated to be 56.9%. While the dimension “teamwork within hospital units” generated the highest score (72%), the dimension “non-punitive response to error” received the lowest score (40%). According to PSC grade, “very good” grade had the highest score (%41.3). Approximately %46 of the respondents did not complete any event report in the past 12 months. Conclusions: It seems better that the interventions for improving PSC focus on the dimension of “non-punitive response to error”. The results of this study can be used by policy makers and managers to create and improve a patient safety culture.
Prevalence of functional constipation and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome in Indian patients with constipation

Background: Evaluate prevalence of functional constipation (FC) and irritable bowel syndrome-constipation (IBS-C) in Indian constipated patients and assess their demographic/socio-economic/clinical characteristics. Methods: Patients (≥18 years) who visited their general physician with symptoms of constipation (Rome III criteria for FC or IBS-C as per physician assessment) and willing to participate were enrolled in this prospective, clinical-epidemiological study. Demographic, socioeconomic status, lifestyle and dietary habits, comorbid conditions, treatment history, concomitant medications, stool form (Bristol stool form scale), severity of constipation (constipation scoring system [CSS]), constipation-related symptoms (patient assessment of constipation symptoms [PAC-SYM]) and quality of life (patient assessment of constipation-quality of life questionnaire [PAC-QoL]) were recorded. Results: Out of 925 constipated patients, 75.6% were diagnosed with FC against 24.4% with IBS-C (P < 0.0001). Patients of both subtypes had high average scores of PAC-SYM (FC: 27.1 ± 6; IBS-C: 30.1 ± 4.9) and CSS (FC: 8.4 ± 3.1; IBS-C: 11.2 ± 3), leading to high PAC-QoL score (FC: 38.1 ± 16.8; IBS-C: 42.2 ± 13.6). Hypertension (16%) and diabetes (10%) in patients with FC while acid peptic disorders (21.7%) amongst IBS-C patients were the most common comorbid conditions observed. Laxatives were the most common medication used; osmotic (32.6% versus 40.7%) and bulk laxatives (22.8% versus 37.4%) were the commonest laxatives. However, about 1/5th patients of FC were using home remedies. Conclusions: There was a higher prevalence of FC over IBS-C in Indian constipated patients; both subtypes had high frequency and severity of constipation-related symptoms and poor QoL.
Reluctant Referrals: The Effectiveness of Legal Coercion in Outpatient Treatment for Problem Drinkers

An annoying paradox which has been facing policy-makers and practitioners alike in their efforts to deal with public problem drinkers is that of recognizing the condition of alcohol-related offenders as both a misdemeanor and a disease. This paradox is discussed in terms of a legal model and a therapeutic model for responding to alcohol-related problems. A multivariate covariance model is used to compare the effectiveness of treatment for problem drinkers coerced into treatment by the courts and problem drinkers voluntarily initiating treatment, while statistically controlling for pre-treatment group differences. With regards to effectiveness, and the role played by an element of coercion in effectiveness, type of referral did have an important independent impact upon treatment outcome. An element of coercion involved in that referral did not subvert the goals of the therapeutic model; indeed, it rendered successful treatment outcome considerably more likely than with strictly voluntary self-referral. Finally, coercion proved somewhat more effective where the penalties for non-compliance were the more certain, not necessarily the more severe.
Prospective study for the development of an analysis to measure the tri-linear Higgs coupling using the Matrix Element Method with the ATLAS experiment at the HL-LHC.

The measurement of the Higgs boson self-coupling λ, also referred to as the Higgs boson trilinear coupling λHHH , is of great importance to experimentally reconstruct the Higgs potential and assess whether the Higgs boson discovered in 2012 at CERN is the one predicted by the Brout-Englert-Higgs mechanism. The Higgs boson potential was postulated ad hoc in the Standard Model (SM) and various extensions of the SM predict changes of the value of λ. The Higgs boson pair production, the most direct and stringent way to constrain λ, is a very rare process which has not yet been observed in the most recent data of the LHC (run 2). In this document, we present the first developments of an analysis to measure λ based on the Matrix Element Method (MEM) and assuming data from the HL-LHC. This method uses the likelihood to observe a sample of events given a theoretical model and a set of parameters. The MEM therefore makes it possible to determine which value of λ is the most likely to have produced a sample of di-Higgs event candidates. The MEM establishes a direct link between theoretical and experimental observables and is a statistically optimal method. The computation of the likelihoods was performed using the publicly available MadWeight and MoMEMta tools. Promising prospects were obtained using MoMEMta and a proof-of-principle of the analysis was established.