Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quality of Sachet Water Produced at Tarkwa, Ghana

Cholera outbreak in some cities and towns in Ghana in early 2011 necessitated a sachet water quality study in Tarkwa to determine their wholesomeness. The study was conducted in four phases in August 2011, December 2011, August 2012 and December, 2013. Most of the physico-chemical parameters analysed were within the recommended WHO limits except for pH, Pb and Ni in the main. About 50% of the samples had their pH below the lower limit of 6.5 and 8% had Pb concentrations above the recommended limit of 0.01 mg/L. Protozoan organisms such as Cyclospora cayetanensis (5%), Cryptosporidium parvum (4%), Ascaris lumbricoides eggs (10%), and Stronglyoides Stercoralis larvae (4%) were identified in some of the water samples. Helminth eggs (6.7%), Protista (13.4%) and 6.7% unidentified insect larvae were also found in the samples. Faecal and total coliforms were found in 40% of the samples analysed. The presence of protozoan organisms and faecal coliforms in some of the sachet water render them unsafe for drinking.
Grazing response groups among understorey plants in arid rangelands

We analysed attributes of the understorey flora in different plant communities along two grazing gradients in arid Australian rangelands. We aimed to determine if there were patterns among species in response to grazing, and easily recognizable ‘indicator response types’ for monitoring grazing-induced change in community composition. Measurements were stratified by vegetation patch type, in woody groves and open patches. Trait selection and analyses followed a hierarchical approach which searched for patterns within major plant life forms. Patch type exerted a dominant influence on both life forms and species attributes, but interacted with grazing. Grazing was associated with loss in differentiation of species composition between patch types, rather than loss in numbers of species overall. Heavy grazing was variously associated with small size, prostrate habit, low meristems, small leaves, coated leaves, high regrowth potential, plasticity in response to grazing, and high fecundity; and light grazing with opposing attributes. Many attributes tended to vary independently of each other and grazing-related attribute syndromes were recognisable only among grasses. This could be because the environmental filters acting on the communities have given rise to many different species with different natural attribute combinations, few of which are closely associated with grazing resistance. For grassy communities ‘large, erect tussocks branching above-ground’ and ‘small, sprawling basal tussocks’ may have potential as response types indicative of light and heavy grazing respectively, but no response types could be identified for herbaceous communities.
Optimization of Salient Object Segmentation By using the influence of color in Digital Image

Human attention is more likely to be interested indifferent objects or striking in image processing called salientobject. Existing approaches worked well in finding the salientobject in this image, but they have not been able to accuratelydetect where objects should stand out due to the influence of lightintensity, there are various object results of salient object detectionin which area is still cut off or do not appear because they do notinclude salient area. We offer solutions to fix these problems byoptimizing salient object detection prioritizing object area aftersalient area, through checking comparison of the color regionlocated around the area of the salient. This Optimization of theapplication is able to improve to 83% from 100 salient object whichhas this problem, and able to produce more natural Saliency Cut.
Pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of fixed-dose combination of candesartan cilexetil/amlodipine besylate (16/10 mg) versus coadministration of individual formulations in healthy subjects

This study compared the pharmacokinetics of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of candesartan (16 mg) and amlodipine (10 mg) versus coadministration of individual formulations to clarify the bioequivalence of the FDC. In this randomized, open-label, single-dose, 2-treatment, 2-way crossover study, healthy Korean volunteers received a single dose of candesartan (16 mg) with amlodipine (10 mg) as either an FDC or single agents concomitantly administered, with a 2-week washout period. Serial blood samples were collected up to 72 hours after dosing for each treatment period, and plasma concentrations of candesartan and amlodipine were measured using a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. A total of 39 subjects completed the study. The geometric mean ratios (GMRs) and 90% confidence intervals (CIs) for the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to the last measurement (AUC0-t) and the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) for candesartan were 1.0182 (0.9562–1.0841) and 0.9492 (0.8726–1.0324), respectively. The GMR and 90% CI for the AUC0-t and Cmax for amlodipine were 1.0552 (1.0255–1.0857) and 1.0668 (1.0259–1.1094), respectively. In conclusion, the new FDC formulation of candesartan (16 mg) and amlodipine (10 mg) was bioequivalent to the concomitant administration of single agents. A single dose of candesartan/amlodipine as the FDC or as single agents was well tolerated. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02988362
IQGAP1 control of centrosome function defines distinct variants of triple negative breast cancer

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogenous and lethal disease that lacks diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets; as such common targets are highly sought after. IQGAP1 is a signaling scaffold implicated in TNBC, but its mechanism is unknown. Here we show that IQGAP1 localizes to the centrosome, interacts with and influences the expression level and localization of key centrosome proteins like BRCA1 and thereby impacts centrosome number. Genetic mutant analyses suggest that phosphorylation cycling of IQGAP1 is important to its subcellular localization and centrosome-nuclear shuttling of BRCA1; dysfunction of this process defines two alternate mechanisms associated with cell proliferation. TNBC cell lines and patient tumor tissues differentially phenocopy these mechanisms supporting clinical existence of molecularly distinct variants of TNBC defined by IQGAP1 pathways. These variants are defined, at least in part, by differential mis-localization or stabilization of IQGAP1-BRCA1 and rewiring of a novel Erk1/2-MNK1-JNK-Akt-β-catenin signaling signature. We discuss a model in which IQGAP1 modulates centrosome-nuclear crosstalk to regulate cell division and imparts on cancer. These findings have implications on cancer racial disparities and can provide molecular tools for classification of TNBC, presenting IQGAP1 as a common target amenable to personalized medicine.
Common data model-based real-world data for practical clinical practice guidelines: clinical pharmacology perspectives

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are a set of statements systematically developed to assist healthcare professionals and decision makers to practice evidence-based medicine by promoting cost-effective interventions while discouraging ineffective, wasteful, or potentially harmful treatments [1]. CPGs can improve the consistency and quality of care by providing the gold standard, which also helps reduce variation in clinical practice [1]. To ensure the validity of CPGs, clinically important recommendations in CPGs need to be updated periodically as scientific evidence constantly expands and evolves [1].
Rapid detection of emetic toxin producing Bacillus cereus strains using triple-primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay

Emetic toxin producing Bacillus cereus can cause emetic food poisoning. In this study, an improved triple-primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed as a reliable and rapid identification method for the detection of emetic toxin producing B. cereus strains based on the unique gene sequences of the CER, ces and groEL. Specificity and sensitivity of the primers was confirmed using conventional PCR and gel electrophoresis. In addition, detection limit was determined in pure culture, rice and milk. In brief, sensitivity in pure culture was 10 fold or more higher than artificially inoculated food samples in improved triple-primer PCR detection limit assay. The primers did not react with genes from enterotoxin producing B. cereus or other non-target strains. The presented PCR assay is a useful tool for the rapid screening and diagnosis of emetic toxin producing B. cereus strains in food. Key words: Triple-primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Bacillus cereus, emetic toxin, food poisoning.
Prioritization of the Skills to Be Mastered for the Daily Jobs of Japanese Dental Hygienists

Dental hygienists require proficiency in a wide variety of job skills. Dental hygienists should master their job skills step by step, and the prioritization of these steps is important. In this study, we investigated the frequency at which Japanese dental hygienists performed daily jobs and attempted to classify the jobs according to the proficiency levels. The aim of this study was to surmise the order in which skills should be mastered in terms of priority and to investigate the relationship between daily jobs and the motivation for completing jobs. The Japan Dental Hygienists' Association conducts a survey on the employment status of dental hygienists in Japan every five years. The questionnaire is distributed to all members of the Japan Dental Hygienists' Association. In this study, the responses of 3,807 dental hygienists who worked at dental clinics were analyzed. We analyzed 77 kinds of daily jobs and the items regarding the motivation to work. For the analysis, item response theory (IRT), structural equation modeling (SEM), and logistic regression analysis were applied. According to the item response curve, the jobs were classified into 11 clusters. The jobs classified into Cluster 1 were the jobs that most of the average-proficiency Japanese dental hygienists performed. Scaling and root planing were the representative jobs in Cluster 1. Performing the jobs classified into Cluster 5 clearly discriminated whether the dental hygienists were performing multiple jobs. Jobs concerning care for elderly or disabled patients were classified into Cluster 5. Jobs concerning gerodontology, implants, management of staff, and consultations were significantly associated with the motivation to perform jobs. Polishing and adjustment of orthodontic apparatuses was negatively associated with the motivation to perform jobs. Understanding the features of each daily job of dental hygienists is important for planning dental hygienists' lifelong educational programs and evaluating their skill levels and proficiency levels. The results presented in this study may help to reveal the characteristics of dental hygienists' daily jobs.
Potential use of lenvatinib for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma including after treatment with sorafenib: Real-world evidence and in vitro assessment via protein phosphorylation array

The efficacy and safety of lenvatinib (LEN) as a second/third-line treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after sorafenib (SOR) therapy remains unknown. We evaluated the outcomes of second/third-line LEN treatment, investigated the sensitivity of a SOR-resistant HCC cell line (PLC/PRF5-R2) to LEN, and assessed their signal transduction pathways by protein array analysis. We retrospectively enrolled 57 patients with unresectable HCC. Fifty-three radiologically evaluated patients comprised 34 molecular-targeted agent (MTA)-naive (first-line), nine intolerant to SOR (second-line), and 10 resistant to regorafenib (third-line). The objective response rates (ORRs) were 61.8% in first-line, 33.3% in second-line, and 20.0% in third-line groups. The overall survival (OS) in the first-line was significantly longer than that in the third-line group (p < 0.05). Patients with better liver functional reserves (child score, ALBI grade) exhibited higher ORR and longer OS. The IC50 of LEN against PLC/PRF5-R2 was significantly higher than that against PLC/PRF5. LEN significantly inhibited more LEN-related signal transduction pathways in PLC/PRF5 than in PLC/PRF5-R2 cells. This suggests that LEN is active and safe as a second/third-line treatment for unresectable HCC. LEN seems more effective for patients with HCC with better hepatic reserve functions or before MTA-resistance is acquired because of the partial cross-resistance to SOR.
RE-DESCRIPTION OF PYTHIUM ADHAERENS SPARROW

A Pythium species with filamentous non-inflated sporangia, smooth oogonia of moderate size, aplerotic oospores and diclinous antheridia was isolated and identified from Pakistan. This species very closely resembles P. adhaerens Sparrow. The species is re-described and illustrated.
Temperature effect on respiration and photosynthesis of the symbiont‐bearing planktonic foraminifera Globigerinoides ruber, Orbulina universa, and Globigerinella siphonifera

Respiration and photosynthesis of the planktonic foraminifera Globigerinoides ruber, Orbulina universa, and Globigerinella siphonifera and their symbiotic algae were calculated from measured dissolved oxygen gradients using microelectrodes, using different temperatures in dark and light (250 µmol photon m−2 s−1) conditions. At one temperature (24ºC) the respiration rate increased as a power function of the foraminiferan organic carbon mass with a 0.57 ± 0.18 exponent. The effect of temperature on respiration was quantified in two ways: by normalizing the rates to the organic carbon mass and by normalizing the observed rates to a constant temperature (24ºC). This latter normalization was also used for photosynthesis. The respiration rates increase as a function of temperature for all species and can be described either with a Q10 = 3.18 (±0.27) or with an Arrhenius temperature of TA = 10,293ºK (±768ºK). Similar calculations for net photosynthesis yielded a Q10 = 2.68 (±0.36) and a TA = 8766ºK (±1203ºK), and calculations for gross photosynthesis yielded a Q10 = 2.76 (60.29) and a TA = 9026ºK (±926ºK). For the species studied, the photosynthesis : respiration ratio varied from moderate for G. siphonifera (0.58) to very high (13) for O. universa. The high ratios indicate that photosynthesis is much higher than the carbon requirements for both foraminifera and symbiont growth. This excess carbon might be the source of organic exudates.
Influence of major BCR-ABL1 transcript subtype on outcome in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase treated frontline with nilotinib

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by the presence of BCR-ABL1 transcript as a result of reciprocal translocation between chromosome 9 and 22. The most common transcripts subtypes are e13a2 (b2a2) and e14a2 (b3a2). The prognostic impact of the type of BCR-ABL1 transcript has been the subject of controversies over time. In the imatinib era, several studies have suggested a deeper and faster response in patients expressing e14a2. However, the impact on response after first line therapy with a second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, nilotinib, is unknown. We retrospectively evaluated 118 patients newly diagnosed with chronic phase CML and treated frontline with nilotinib inside or outside clinical trial in five French centers. Only patients expressing e14a2 or e13a2 transcripts alone were analyzed. At baseline, 55.3% expressed e14a2, 44.7% expressed e13a2. The median age was 51 years and median follow-up was 49 months. Relative risks of CML at diagnosis were similar according to the ELTS score (p = .87). Complete hematological response and complete cytogenetic response rates were similar among groups. Patients expressing e14a2 transcripts compared to e13a2 transcripts had deeper and faster molecular responses, when considering MMR (100% vs 84.1%, p = .007) with a median time of 6.7 and 17.1 months or MR4.5 (100% vs 59.9%, p = .005) with a median time of 39.7 and 70.9 months, respectively. A sustained treatment free remission was observed in 10/10 patients with e14a2 versus 1/3 with e13a2 transcript (p = .04). In conclusion, even treated with nilotinib first line, patients with chronic phase CML expressing BCR-ABL1 e13a2 transcript have a lower rate of deep molecular responses.
Degradation and effect of hydrogen peroxide in small‐scale recirculation aquaculture system biofilters

From an environmental point of view, hydrogen peroxide (HP) has beneficial attributes compared with other disinfectants in terms of its ready degradation and neutral by-products. The rapid degradation of HP can, however, cause difficulties with regard to safe and efficient water treatment when applied in different systems. In this study, we investigated the degradation kinetics of HP in biofilters from water recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). The potential effect of HP on the nitrification process in the biofilters was also examined. Biofilter elements from two different pilot-scale RAS were exposed to various HP treatments in batch experiments, and the HP concentration was found to follow an exponential decay. The biofilter ammonia and nitrite oxidation processes showed quick recuperation after exposure to a single dose of HP up to 30 mg L−1. An average HP concentration of 10–13 mg L−1 maintained over 3 h had a moderate inhibitory effect on the biofilter elements from one of the RAS with relatively high organic loading, while the nitrification was severely inhibited in the pilot-scale biofilters from the other RAS with a relatively low organic loading. A pilot-scale RAS, equipped with two biofilter units, both a moving-bed (Biomedia) and a fixed-bed (BIO-BLOK®) biofilter, was subjected to an average HP concentration of ∼12 mg L−1 for 3 h. The ammonium- and nitrite-degrading efficiencies of both the Biomedia and the BIO-BLOK® filters were drastically reduced. The filters had not reverted to pre-HP exposure efficiency after 24 h, suggesting a possible long-term impact on the biofilters.
Higher Physiologic Platelet Counts in Whole Blood Are Not Associated With Improved ACL Cross-sectional Area or Signal Intensity 6 Months After Bridge-Enhanced ACL Repair

Background: A bridge-enhanced anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair (BEAR) procedure places an extracellular matrix implant, combined with autologous whole blood, in the gap between the torn ends of the ligament at the time of suture repair to stimulate healing. Prior studies have suggested that white blood cell (WBC) and platelet concentrations significantly affect the healing of other musculoskeletal tissues. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to determine whether concentrations of various blood cell types placed into a bridging extracellular matrix implant at the time of ACL repair would have a significant effect on the healing ligament cross-sectional area or tissue organization (as measured by signal intensity). We hypothesized that patients with higher physiologic platelet and lower WBC counts would have improved healing of the ACL on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (higher cross-sectional area and/or lower signal intensity) 6 months after surgery. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 61 patients underwent MRI at 6 months after bridge-enhanced ACL repair as part of the BEAR II trial. The normalized signal intensity and average cross-sectional area of the healing ligament were measured from a magnetic resonance stack obtained using a gradient echo sequence. The results were stratified by sex, and univariate and multivariate regression analyses determined significant correlations between blood cell concentrations on these 2 magnetic resonance parameters. Results: In unadjusted analyses, older age and male sex were associated with greater healing ligament cross-sectional area (P < .04) but not signal intensity (P > .15). Adjusted multivariable analyses indicated that in female patients, a higher monocyte concentration correlated with a higher ACL cross-sectional area (β = 1.01; P = .049). All other factors measured, including the physiologic concentration of platelets, neutrophils, lymphocytes, basophils, and immunoglobulin against bovine gelatin, were not significantly associated with either magnetic resonance parameter in either sex (P > .05 for all). Conclusion: Although older age, male sex, and monocyte concentration in female patients were associated with greater healing ligament cross-sectional area, signal intensity of the healing ligament was independent of these factors. Physiologic platelet concentration did not have any significant effect on cross-sectional area or signal intensity of the healing ACL at 6 months after bridge-enhanced ACL repair in this cohort. Given these findings, factors other than the physiologic platelet concentration and total WBC concentration may be more important in the rate and amount of ACL healing after bridge-enhanced ACL repair.
Management of multivessel coronary artery disease in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a complex path to precision medicine

Recent analyses suggest the incidence of acute coronary syndrome is declining in high- and middle-income countries. Despite this, overall rates of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) continue to rise. Furthermore, NSTEMI is a greater contributor to mortality after hospital discharge than ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Patients with NSTEMI are often older, comorbid and have a high likelihood of multivessel coronary artery disease (MVD), which is associated with worse clinical outcomes. Currently, optimal treatment strategies for MVD in NSTEMI are less well established than for STEMI or stable coronary artery disease. Specifically, in relation to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) there is a paucity of randomized, prospective data comparing multivessel and culprit lesion-only PCI. Given the heterogeneous pathological basis for NSTEMI with MVD, an approach of complete revascularization may not be appropriate or necessary in all patients. Recognizing this, this review summarizes the limited evidence base for the interventional management of non-culprit disease in NSTEMI by comparing culprit-only and multivessel PCI strategies. We then explore how a personalized, precise approach to investigation, therapy and follow up may be achieved based on patient-, disease- and lesion-specific factors.