Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Ephedrine-Containing Products on Weight Loss and Lipid Profiles: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Ephedrine, the main active ingredient of mahuang, may lead to weight loss; however, it can also induce cardiovascular side effects. As ephedrine use remains controversial, this study aimed to systematically review previous studies on ephedrine-containing products and perform meta-analysis of the existing evidence on weight, blood pressure (BP), heart rate, and lipid change effects of ephedrine-containing products. We searched for placebo-controlled randomized studies in PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE until July 2021 using the following search terms: (ephedr* OR mahuang) AND (“weight loss” OR obes* OR overweight). Mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the effects of ephedrine-containing products on weight, BP, heart rate, and lipid profiles. A total of 10 articles were included. Compared with the placebo group, the ephedrine-containing product group was associated with greater weight loss, with an MD of −1.97 kg (95% CI: −2.38, −1.57). In the ephedrine-containing product group, the mean heart rate was 5.76 beats/min higher than in the placebo group (95% CI: 3.42, 8.10), whereas intergroup differences in systolic and diastolic BP were not statistically significant. The ephedrine-containing product group had a significantly higher mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (MD: 2.74 mg/dL; 95% CI: 0.94, 4.55), lower mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (MD: −5.98 mg/dL; 95% CI: −10.97, −0.99), and lower mean triglyceride level (MD: −11.25 mg/dL; 95% CI: −21.83, −0.68) than the placebo group. Compared with placebo, the ephedrine-containing products showed better effects on weight loss and lipid profiles, whereas they caused increased heart rate. The ephedrine-containing products may be beneficial to obese or overweight patients; however, close monitoring is needed, especially heart rate monitoring.
SARS-CoV-2 recombinant proteins stimulate distinct cellular and humoral immune response profiles in samples from COVID-19 convalescent patients

OBJECTIVES: In this preliminary study we investigated cellular and humoral immune responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigens in blood samples from 14 recovered coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and compared them to those in samples from 12 uninfected/unvaccinated volunteers. METHODS: Cellular immunity was assessed by intracellular detection of IFN-γ in CD3+ T lymphocytes after stimulation with SARS-CoV-2 spike (S1), nucleocapsid (NC), or receptor-binding domain (RBD) recombinant proteins or overlapping peptide pools covering the sequence of SARS-CoV-2 spike, membrane and nucleocapsid regions. The humoral response was examined by ELISAs and/or chemiluminescence assays for the presence of serum IgG antibodies directed to SARS-CoV-2 proteins. RESULTS: We observed differences between humoral and cellular immune profiles in response to stimulation with the same proteins. Assays of IgG antibodies directed to SARS-CoV-2 NC, RBD and S1/S2 recombinant proteins were able to differentiate convalescent from uninfected/unvaccinated groups. Cellular immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 protein stimuli did not exhibit a specific response, as T cells from both individuals with no history of contact with SARS-CoV-2 and from recovered donors were able to produce IFN-γ. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of the cellular immune response to stimulation with a pool of SARS-CoV-2 peptides but not with SARS-CoV-2 proteins is able to distinguish convalescent individuals from unexposed individuals. Regarding the humoral immune response, the screening for serum IgG antibodies directed to SARS-CoV-2 proteins has been shown to be specific for the response of recovered individuals.
Experimental Presentation of an Integrated Flow Model

Abstract Integrated flow modeling (IFMing) is an expanding area of research since it was introduced less than a decade ago. It is a combination of the traditional flow simulator with a petrophysical algorithm. This article introduces an experimental apparatus that allows for simultaneous monitoring of fluid flow and elastic wave velocities. In addition to fluid flow monitoring and elastic wave velocities measurement, apparatus provides a means to calculate elastic moduli needed for the petrophysical algorithm in the IFM. Also, apparatus makes possible to evaluate the petrophysical algorithm by history matching experimental fluid flow data.
Multidimensional simulation of earth-contact heat transfer

A numerical investigation of earth-contact heat transfer adjacent to an experimental structure is presented. In particular, a comparison is made between a two- and a three-dimensional simulation. The results are compared directly with data measured from a purpose-built full-scale experiment. Indirect methods of estimating thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity are described and employed. The results show reasonable correlation between the simulated and measured thermal responses. The three-dimensional simulation appears to provide an improved representation of the field problem. Some of the challenges associated with simulating a full-scale field problem are considered. The determination of the representative boundary and initial conditions is shown to be important. Cet article présente l'analyse numérique d'un système de transfert thermique par contact avec la terre installé à proximité d'une structure expérimentale. On y compare, notamment, une simulation bidimensionnelle et une simulation tridimensionnelle. Les résultats sont comparés directement à des données mesurées dans le cas d'une expérience grandeur nature conçue spécifiquement dans ce but. L'auteur décrit les méthodes indirectes d'estimation de la conductivité thermique et de la capacité thermique volumétrique utilisées. Les résultats montrent une corrélation raisonnable entre les réponses simulées et les réponses thermiques mesurées. La simulation 3D semble être une représentation améliorée du problème de terrain. Certaines des difficultés associées à la simulation d'un problème de terrain à grande échelle sont prises en considération. La détermination de la limite de représentation et des conditions initiales est jugée importante. Mots-clés: bâtiments, contact avec la terre, efficacité énergétique, mesures sur le terrain, transfert de chaleur, simulation
Quantitative Detection of Disseminated Melanoma Cells by Trp-1 Transcript Analysis Reveals Stochastic Distribution of Pulmonary Metastases

A better understanding of the process of melanoma metastasis is required to underpin the development of novel therapies that will improve patient outcomes. The use of appropriate animal models is indispensable for investigating the mechanisms of melanoma metastasis. However, reliable and practicable quantification of metastases in experimental mice remains a challenge, particularly if the metastatic burden is low. Here, we describe a qRT-PCR-based protocol that employs the melanocytic marker Trp-1 for the sensitive quantification of melanoma metastases in the murine lung. Using this protocol, we were able to detect the presence of as few as 100 disseminated melanoma cells in lung tissue. This allowed us to quantify metastatic burden in a spontaneous syngeneic B16-F10 metastasis model, even in the absence of visible metastases, as well as in the autochthonous Tg(Grm1)/Cyld−/− melanoma model. Importantly, we also observed an uneven distribution of disseminated melanoma cells amongst the five lobes of the murine lung, which varied considerably from animal to animal. Together, our findings demonstrate that the qRT-PCR-based detection of Trp-1 allows the quantification of low pulmonary metastatic burden in both transplantable and autochthonous murine melanoma models, and show that the analysis of lung metastasis in such models needs to take into account the stochastic distribution of metastatic lesions amongst the lung lobes.
Screening Practices for Disordered Eating in Paediatric Type 1 Diabetes Clinics

Background: Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is associated with increased risk of eating disorders. This study aimed to (1) assess adherence of Australasian paediatric T1D clinics to international guidelines on screening for disordered eating and (2) identify barriers and enablers to the use of screening tools for the identification of disordered eating. Methods: A 24-item survey covering five content domains: clinic characteristics, identification of disordered eating, screening tool use, training and competence, and pathways for referral, was sent to Australasian clinics caring for ≥150 children and adolescents with T1D. Results: Of 13 eligible clinics, 10 participated. Two reported rates of disordered eating of >20%, while eight reported rates < 5%. All clinics used the routine clinical interview as the primary method of screening for disordered eating. Only one used screening tools; these were not diabetes-specific or routinely used. Barriers to use of screening tools included shortage of time and lack of staff confidence around use (n = 7, 70%). Enablers included staff training in disordered eating. Conclusions: Screening tools for disordered eating are not utilised by most Australasian paediatric T1D clinics. Overall, low reported rates of disordered eating suggest that it may be undetected, potentially missing an opportunity for early intervention.
A Systematic Approach to the Development of Cilostazol Nanosuspension by Liquid Antisolvent Precipitation (LASP) and Its Combination with Ultrasound

Nanosizing is an approach to improve the dissolution rate of poorly soluble drugs. The first aim of this work was to develop nanosuspension of cilostazol with liquid antisolvent precipitation (LASP) and its combination with ultrasound. Second, to systematically study the effect of bottom-up processing factors on precipitated particles’ size and identify the optimal settings for the best reduction. After solvent and stabilizer screening, in-depth process characterization and optimization was performed using Design of Experiments. The work discusses the influence of critical factors found with statistical analysis: feed concentration, stabilizer amount, stirring speed and ultrasound energy governed by time and amplitude. LASP alone only generated particle size of a few microns, but combination with ultrasound was successful in nanosizing (d10 = 0.06, d50 = 0.33, d90 = 1.45 µm). Micro- and nanosuspension’s stability, particle morphology and solid state were studied. Nanosuspension displayed higher apparent solubility than equilibrium and superior dissolution rate over coarse cilostazol and microsuspension. A bottom-up method of precipitation-sonication was demonstrated to be a successful approach to improve the dissolution characteristics of poorly soluble, BCS class II drug cilostazol by reducing its particle size below micron scale, while retaining nanosuspension stability and unchanged crystalline form.
Effect of Violet Light-Transmitting Eyeglasses on Axial Elongation in Myopic Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The fact that outdoor light environment is an important suppressive factor against myopia led us to invent violet light-transmitting eyeglasses (VL glasses) which can transmit violet light (VL), 360–400 nm in wavelength, for the suppression of myopia, and can meanwhile block harmful ultraviolet waves from sunlight. The current study is a double-blinded randomized clinical trial to investigate the myopia-suppressive effect of VL glasses compared to conventional eyeglasses (placebo glasses) that do not transmit VL. The subjects were children aged from 6 to 12 years old, the population in which myopia progression is generally accelerated, and the myopia suppressive effect was followed up for two years in a city in Japan. Periodical ophthalmic examinations, interviews, and measurements of reflection and axial length under mydriasis were performed at the initial visit (the baseline) and at 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. The mean change in axial length in the VL glasses group was significantly smaller than in the placebo glasses group when time for near-work was less than 180 min and when the subjects were limited to those who had never used eyeglasses before this trial (p < 0.01); however, this change was not significant without subgrouping. The suppressive rate for axial elongation in the VL glasses group was 21.4% for two years.
Mathematical Modeling of Within-Host, Untreated, Cytomegalovirus Infection Dynamics after Allogeneic Transplantation

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) causes significant morbidity and mortality in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Whereas insights gained from mathematical modeling of other chronic viral infections such as HIV, hepatitis C, and herpes simplex virus-2 have aided in optimizing therapy, previous CMV modeling has been hindered by a lack of comprehensive quantitative PCR viral load data from untreated episodes of viremia in HCT recipients. We performed quantitative CMV DNA PCR on stored, frozen serum samples from the placebo group of participants in a historic randomized controlled trial of ganciclovir for the early treatment of CMV infection in bone marrow transplant recipients. We developed four main ordinary differential Equation mathematical models and used model selection theory to choose between 38 competing versions of these models. Models were fit using a population, nonlinear, mixed-effects approach. We found that CMV kinetics from untreated HCT recipients are highly variable. The models that recapitulated the observed patterns most parsimoniously included explicit, dynamic immune cell compartments and did not include dynamic target cell compartments, consistent with the large number of tissue and cell types that CMV infects. In addition, in our best-fitting models, viral clearance was extremely slow, suggesting severe impairment of the immune response after HCT. Parameters from our best model correlated well with participants’ clinical risk factors and outcomes from the trial, further validating our model. Our models suggest that CMV dynamics in HCT recipients are determined by host immune response rather than target cell limitation in the absence of antiviral treatment.
Solubility of Cinnarizine in (Transcutol + Water) Mixtures: Determination, Hansen Solubility Parameters, Correlation, and Thermodynamics

Between 293.2 and 313.2 K and at 0.1 MPa, the solubility of the weak base, cinnarizine (CNZ) (3), in various {Transcutol-P (TP) (1) + water (2)} combinations is reported. The Hansen solubility parameters (HSP) of CNZ and various {(TP) (1) + water (2)} mixtures free of CNZ were also predicted using HSPiP software. Five distinct cosolvency-based mathematical models were used to link the experimentally determined solubility data of CNZ. The solubility of CNZ in mole fraction was increased with elevated temperature and TP mass fraction in {(TP) (1) + water (2)} combinations. The maximum solubility of CNZ in mole fraction was achieved in neat TP (5.83 × 10−2 at 313.2 K) followed by the minimum in neat water (3.91 × 10−8 at 293.2 K). The values of mean percent deviation (MPD) were estimated as 2.27%, 5.15%, 27.76%, 1.24% and 1.52% for the “Apelblat, van’t Hoff, Yalkowsky–Roseman, Jouyban–Acree, and Jouyban–Acree–van’t Hoff models”, respectively, indicating good correlations. The HSP value of CNZ was closed with that of neat TP, suggesting the maximum solubilization of CNZ in TP compared with neat water and other aqueous mixtures of TP and water. The outcomes of the apparent thermodynamic analysis revealed that CNZ dissolution was endothermic and entropy-driven in all of the {(TP) (1) + water (2)} systems investigated. For {(TP) (1) + water (2)} mixtures, the enthalpy-driven mechanism was determined to be the driven mechanism for CNZ solvation. TP has great potential for solubilizing the weak base, CNZ, in water, as demonstrated by these results.
Sacrum morphometry and spinopelvic parameters among the Indonesian population using computed tomography scans

Abstract This is a cross-sectional study. This study aims to describe the characteristics of sacrum vertebrae and spinopelvic parameters among the Indonesian population and compare them with studies from other populations. This study also intends to determine the sexual dimorphism of sacrum vertebrae and find the correlations between spinopelvic parameters. Morphometry of the sacrum is necessary for designing sacral prosthesis and instrumentations. Knowledge of spinopelvic parameters further supports the prosthesis installation procedure to restore the physiological spinal alignment of the patients. However, previous studies showed varied results among different populations. This is the first study to be conducted among the Indonesian population. Morphometric dimensions of sacrum vertebrae and the spinopelvic parameters (pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis) were analyzed using thin-cut (1 mm) computed tomography images in 150 males and 150 females, aged 25 to 50 years without any spinal pathology. Generally, the size of the sacrum vertebrae was greater in males (P < .05). The sacral index, curvature index, and corporo-basal index were statistically different between genders (P < .001). Lumbar lordosis was the only spinopelvic parameter found significantly greater in females (P < .001). Significant positive correlations between all spinopelvic parameters, except for lumbar lordosis and pelvic tilt, were found in the present study (P < .001). The study serves as the first large series database of sacrum morphometric characteristics and spinopelvic parameters of the Indonesian population. There was significant gender-associated differences in various dimensions of sacrum vertebrae. The sacral index was found to be the most useful parameter for sex determination. There were strong significant positive correlations between various spinopelvic parameters. A comparison of populations revealed morphometric characteristic differences, which is proved to be critical in surgical implications.
COVID-19 and Artificial Intelligence: An Approach to Forecast the Severity of Diagnosis

(1) Background: The new SARS-COV-2 pandemic overwhelmed intensive care units, clinicians, and radiologists, so the development of methods to forecast the diagnosis’ severity became a necessity and a helpful tool. (2) Methods: In this paper, we proposed an artificial intelligence-based multimodal approach to forecast the future diagnosis’ severity of patients with laboratory-confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. At hospital admission, we collected 46 clinical and biological variables with chest X-ray scans from 475 COVID-19 positively tested patients. An ensemble of machine learning algorithms (AI-Score) was developed to predict the future severity score as mild, moderate, and severe for COVID-19-infected patients. Additionally, a deep learning module (CXR-Score) was developed to automatically classify the chest X-ray images and integrate them into AI-Score. (3) Results: The AI-Score predicted the COVID-19 diagnosis’ severity on the testing/control dataset (95 patients) with an average accuracy of 98.59%, average specificity of 98.97%, and average sensitivity of 97.93%. The CXR-Score module graded the severity of chest X-ray images with an average accuracy of 99.08% on the testing/control dataset (95 chest X-ray images). (4) Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that the deep learning methods based on the integration of clinical and biological data with chest X-ray images accurately predicted the COVID-19 severity score of positive-tested patients.
+Gz Acceleration Loss of Consciousness: Use of G-suit Pressurization and Sensory Stimulation to Enhance Recovery

Gravity-induced loss of consciousness (GLOC) is the second largest human factors problem facing fighter pilots today. Whinnery, Burton, Boll, and Eddy, (1987) found that the GLOC event consists of a 24-sec period of total incapacitation involving unconsciousness and confusion. A study by Tripp, et al. (2006) found that the GLOC problem was much worse that originally thought with total performance incapacitation lasting for 87 sec. The two studies described herein were designed to decrease the time required to recover from the GLOC event. Toward that end, the first study employed an anti-G suit inflation technique while the second study exposed participants to accessory auditory, visual, and tactile stimulation following GLOC. Both procedures significantly reduced the duration of the GLOC episode but the reductions were not substantial enough to be functionally effective.
Relationship between Sensory Attributes, (Dis) Liking and Volatile Organic Composition of Gorgonzola PDO Cheese

Blue-veined cheese tends to polarize the consumers’ affective responses due to its strong flavor. This study aims to: (i) explore the consumers’ sensory perceptions and liking of Gorgonzola PDO cheese; (ii) identify the sensory drivers of acceptance for Gorgonzola in the function of the cheese style; (iii) characterize them by the volatile organic compounds (VOCs); and (iv) explore the relationships of the VOCs with sensory perception and liking. Six samples of Gorgonzola cheese differing in style (sweet vs. piquant), aging time (70–95 days), and production process (artisanal vs. industrial) were evaluated by 358 subjects (46% males, 18–77 years) using liking and Rate-All-That-Apply (RATA) tests. The cheese VOCs were measured by SPME/GC-MS. Liking was significantly higher for the sweet cheese than for the piquant cheese and for the artisanal cheese than for the industrial samples. Penalty Analysis showed that ‘creamy’, ‘sweet’, ‘nutty’, and ‘salty’ were significant drivers of liking while the ‘soapy’ and ‘ammonia’ flavors turned out to be drivers of disliking. Fifty-three VOCs were identified. Regression models revealed the significant highest associations between the VOCs and ‘ammonia’, ‘pungent’, ‘soapy’, and ‘moldy’ flavors. A good association was also found with the consumers’ liking. The identification of the sensory drivers of (dis) liking and their relationship with the VOCs of Gorgonzola opens up a new understanding of the consumers’ blue-veined cheese preferences.
Collaboration networks and collaboration tools: a match for SMEs?

Global patterns of industrial production have resulted in relocation of industrial operations groups in an effort to create new markets for mass and customised mass production. The collaborative effort between these dispersed teams increases the likelihood of combining ideas and knowledge in novel ways. Internet technologies enable these virtual collaboration networks to seamlessly engage in discussions that demonstrate a richness of perspectives when it comes to problem-solving and innovative idea-exchange. Indeed, knowledge creation and harnessing collective knowledge are salient features of collaborative networks (CNs) and this is witnessed by a new interest in these entities. However, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) display a difficulty in partnering and collaborating in global networks, especially since their technological infrastructure may be lacking. Given the widespread adoption of collaborative technologies in social contexts, this research seeks to examine how such informal interactions are facilitated in SMEs through Web 2.0 tools. Specifically, this paper seeks to contribute to existing literature by examining how Web 2.0 affects the collaborative effort in two SME CNs; this study demonstrated that the collaboration effort is amplified when Web 2.0 tools are available. Other parameters such as trust in other members’ ability; perception of usefulness; and enhancement of collective knowledge are seen as supporting the CN mutuality. In addition, it brings together the three diverse research areas of collaborative networks, internet collaborative tools and psychological barriers and enablers.