Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Patients' Baseline Characteristics and Survival Benefits in Immunotherapy-Treated Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background The difference of patients' baseline characteristics such as sex, age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS), and smoking status may influence the immune response. However, little is known about whether these factors affect the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Therefore, we performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between patients' baseline characteristics and survival benefits in immunotherapy-treated NSCLC. Materials and Methods We performed a systematic search of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of NSCLC immunotherapy. We also searched abstracts and presentations from the proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the European Society of Medical Oncology to identify unpublished studies. These studies have available data based on patients' baseline characteristics (such as sex, age, ECOG PS, and smoking status). We take the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of overall survival (OS) as the effect index and use the random effect model to pool the results. Results We included 18 phase II/III RCTs with a total of 14,189 participants. The benefits of ICIs were found for both male (pooled OS-HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.72-0.82, P < 0.05) and female patients (pooled OS-HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67-0.87, P < 0.05); for both younger (<65 y: pooled OS-HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.68-0.81, P < 0.05) and older patients (≥65 y: pooled OS-HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.75-0.86, P < 0.05); and for both patients with ECOG PS = 0 (pooled OS-HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.71-0.84, P < 0.05) and ECOG PS ≥ 1 (pooled OS-HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.70-0.82, P < 0.05). Moreover, there was no significant difference in the efficacy of ICIs among different sex (P value for interaction = 0.955), age (P value for interaction = 0.17), or ECOG PS (P value for interaction = 0.765). However, in patients with different smoking status, the application of ICIs significantly prolonged the OS of smokers (pooled OS-HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.71-0.83, P < 0.05) but could not significantly improve the OS of never smokers (pooled OS-HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.70-1.03, P > 0.05). Conclusions ICIs could significantly improve prognosis in patients with advanced NSCLC, regardless of sex, age, or ECOG PS. But among patients with different smoking status, the survival benefits of never smokers treated with ICIs were no better than that of controls. The impact of these factors on immunotherapy should be considered in the future clinical practice and guidelines.
Assessment of the effectiveness of rumen liquor from slaughtered cattle as inoculum for estimation of in Vitro digestibility

A study was conducted to validate the use of rumen liquor from slaughtered cattle as an alternative source of inoculum for estimation of in vitro digestibility of ruminant feedstuffs. The experiments were conducted in three (3) different institutions, namely Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Tanzania, National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NALIRRI) Uganda and Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB) in Rwanda. Each institution evaluated 4 diets of different nutritional quality. The dry matter digestibility (DMD) and organic matter digestibility (OMD) of the diets were determined using in vivo total collection method and in vitro two stage technique of Tilley and Terry (1963). The in vivo experiment was conducted using four rumen fistulated steers which were allocated to the 4 diets for 4 periods in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. The in vitro technique followed 2 x 4 factorial arrangement in which the 4 diets were incubated in 2 different sources of rumen liquor; that is rumen liquor collected from fistulated and from slaughtered cattle. The obtained in vitro results using rumen liquor from fistulated and slaughtered cattle from all institutions were regressed against those determined by in vivo technique to derive prediction equations. The rumen liquor collected from the experimental animals at SUA was assessed for pH and concentrations of ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and total volatile fatty acids (VFAs). The pH value (6.59±0.06) of the rumen liquor from fistulated cattle was not different (P > 0.05) from that of slaughtered cattle (6.53±0.06). Rumen liquor from slaughtered cattle contained higher (P < 0.05) concentration of rumen NH3-N (122.74 ± 1.71 versus 111.34 ± 1.71 mg/l) and total VFAs (151.84 ± 7.75 versus 124.04 ± 7.75 mmoles/l) than that from fistulated cattle. The in vivo DMD of the different diets at SUA ranged from 51.6% 61.8% while in vivo OMD ranged 51.4 – 62.2% and were both significantly (P < 0.05) different. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) on the in vivo DMD and OMD of the diets used at
The Association between Postpartum Pelvic Girdle Pain and Pelvic Floor Muscle Function, Diastasis Recti and Psychological Factors—A Matched Case-Control Study

There is uncertainty regarding the association between abdominal morphology, pelvic floor function, and psychological factors in women with postpartum pelvic girdle pain (PGP). The aim of this case-control study was to evaluate the differences between women with and without persistent PGP regarding pelvic floor function, diastasis recti, and psychological factors 6–24 weeks postpartum. Pelvic floor manometry, palpation examination of abdominal muscles, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form, The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale—21, and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale were used. The PGP group presented with lower vaginal resting pressure (p < 0.001), more tenderness (p = 0.018) and impaired voluntary activation of pelvic floor muscles (p ≤ 0.001). Women with pain also had more distortion on the level of the anterior abdominal wall (p = 0.001) and more severe diastasis recti (p = 0.046) when compared to pain-free controls. Lower vaginal resting pressure was the strongest factor explaining PGP (OR 0.702, 95%CI 0.502–0.981). There were no differences in terms of the pelvic floor strength, endurance, severity of urinary incontinence and reported distress between the groups. Women with PGP 6–24 weeks postpartum differ in pelvic floor and abdominal muscle function from the pain-free controls. Vaginal resting pressure may be an important factor in pelvic girdle pain shortly postpartum. Further studies are needed to see a trend in changes over time.
Co-W Barrier Layers for Metallization of Copper Interconnects: Thermal Performance Analysis

The back-end-of-line (BEOL) copper interconnect structure has been subjected to downscaling for the last two decades, while the materials used for conforming and assuring its physical integrity during processing have faced significant obstacles as the single-digit nanometer process node is implemented. In particular, the diffusion barrier layer system comprised of Ta/TaN has faced major constraints when it comes to the electrical performance of the smaller Cu lines, and thus alternative formulations have been investigated in recent years, such as Ru-Ta or Co-W alloys. In this work, we assess how PVD (physical vapor deposition) deposited equimolar Co-W films perform when exposed to different vacuum annealing temperatures and how these films compare with the Ta adhesion layer used for Cu seeding in terms of dewetting resistance. The stacks were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) mapping. The Cu film at the surface of the Cu/Co-W system exhibited grain growth starting at 300 °C, with the formation of abnormally large Cu grains starting at 450 °C. Sheet resistance reached a minimum value of 7.07 × 10−6 Ω/sq for the Cu/Co-W stack and 6.03 × 10−6 Ω/sq for the Cu/Ta stack, both for the samples annealed at 450 °C.
Growth of urochloa irrigated in clayey and sandy soil submitted to nutritional management in the cerrado

The reduction in water supply in specific areas and the high costs of agricultural inputs resulted in the need for agronomic management capable of reducing the pressure on water resources and promoting economic development. The objective of this work was to evaluate the response of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu grown in clayey and sandy soils submitted to nutritional and water management in the municipality of Rio Verde, state of Goiás. The treatments consist in combining two levels of fertilization (A1: 30, 7 and 36 and A2: 45, 10.5 and 54 of NPK per Mg of DM produced,) and seven water depths (0%; 25%; 50%; 75%; 100%; 125% and 150% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc)), in four replications. Crop performance was evaluated employing SPAD index, plant height, leaf length, leaf width, neutral detergent crude fiber, and dry matter. The rise in the irrigation depths significantly affected the performance of the forage and despite not having a significant difference, the production of dry matter may be higher when in soil with A2 fertilization. A significant influence was observed in the number of seedlings emergence from 7 to 21 days in Sandy soil as a function of clayey soil, on chlorophyll, and plant height as a function of A2 fertilization concerning A1 and irrigation depths in all analyzed variables.
Distribution Characteristics and Ecological Risk
Assessment of Heavy Metals in Typical Farmland
Soils from Baijiazui Village of Ningyuanbu Town,
China

In the process of industrial production, the flue gas discharged from the chimneys adjacent to the farmland often contains some heavy metal elements, which enter the soil by atmospheric deposition, resulting in long-term accumulation of some heavy metal elements in the soil exceeding the standard. The paper reports the spatial distribution and risk assessment of soil heavy metals in suburban soil from the interior area of Ningyuanbu Town in Jinchuan District, China. Forty-one soil samples were obtained from a depth of 0-40 cm or 0-100 cm using a wooden shovel to analyze the concentrations of heavy metals (Zinc, Copper, Nickel, Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Arsenic and Mercury) by ICP-MS. The results showed that the Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, As, Hg and Cd were mainly distributed in the soil layers of 0-60 cm, and there was a point of inflection at a depth of 60 cm, it basically showed a uniform distribution below the inflection point, but the Cr in the soil layers of 0-100 cm was distributed uniformly. Based on the assessment of the risk screening values and geo-accumulation index, it was found that Cu and Ni surpassed the standard value. According to the index of potential ecological risk (RI), the average value of RI was 323.71 in the soil layers of 0-20 cm and it belong to severe contamination, and the average value of RI was 236.36 in the soil layers of 20-40 cm and it belonged to moderate contamination, and more attention must be paid to Cu and Ni in farmland soils in these areas. Therefore, the study area should be divided into safe utilization category and priority protection category. The input of pollution sources should be strictly controlled for the priority protection category, for instance, alternative planting, fallow and rotating should be implemented to reduce the transfer of heavy metals to crops and reduce the risk of food safety and health.
Oxidative Stress, HSP70/HSP90 and eNOS/iNOS Serum Levels in Professional Divers during Hyperbaric Exposition

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) have protective effects against oxidative stress and decompression sickness. Nitric oxide may reduce bubble formation during decompression and its activity is regulated by HSPs. A simulated dive can cause the HSP response. The aim of this study was to describe the effect of simulated dives on the antioxidant system, HSPs, and nitric oxide synthase response and demonste the relationship between the concentration of HSPs and the intensification of oxidative stress. A total of 20 healthy professional divers took part in training, consisting of simulated dry dives in a hyperbaric chamber and split into experiment I (30 m exposure, 400 kPa) and experiment II (60 m exposure, 700 kPa) over 24 h. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), endothelial (eNOS) and inducible (iNOS) nitric oxide synthase were measured. Increases in the activity of SOD and MDA concentration were demonstrated. The activity of GPx depended on the dive profile. The HSP70 serum level in both experiments was significantly lower after the dives. The mean HSP90 level was significantly higher after the simulated dive at 60 m. A significant relationship between HSP concentration and SOD/GPx activity was demonstrated. eNOS concentration increased after 60 m exposure. No change in iNOS concentration was observed. In conclusions, the simulated dive significantly affected the antioxidant system, heat shock protein expression and nitric oxide synthase; however, the changes depend on the diving conditions. There is a relationship between the expression of HSPs and the intensity of oxidative stress.
Microwave Heat Treatment Effects on the Microbial Profile of Some Ready-To-Eat Street Vended Snacks

—The effect of heat treatments on the microbial population of plantain chips and roasted groundnut using microwave sterilization was carried out with the aim of improving food safety of various ready-to-eat street vended Nigerian snack foods. The samples were purchased from different food snacks vendors within Auchi Metropolis and immediately taken to the laboratory for analysis. The samples were divided into four parts and subjected to microwave heat treatments at 72 o C for 10, 20 and 30 minutes with the control not treated with any form of heat. Thereafter, each sample were analysed for their microbial density and quality using standard microbiological procedures. The results revealed a reduction in the microbial density of the samples as heat treatment time increased especially among the bacteria population, but the fungal load was not as linear . The microbial quality analysis showed that plantain chips contained some microorganisms which survived the heat treatment and could be of public health importance, although their numbers were within the recommended tolerable limits for ready-to-eat foods. It is therefore imperative to educate and sensitize food producers especially ready-to-eat street vended snack food handlers on the necessary sanitary protocols needed to assure food safety during food preparations.
Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of a New Purine-2,6-Dione Derivative in Rodents with Experimental Autoimmune Diseases

Current treatment strategies of autoimmune diseases (ADs) display a limited efficacy and cause numerous adverse effects. Phosphodiesterase (PDE)4 and PDE7 inhibitors have been studied recently as a potential treatment of a variety of ADs. In this study, a PK/PD disease progression modeling approach was employed to evaluate effects of a new theophylline derivative, compound 34, being a strong PDE4 and PDE7 inhibitor. Activity of the studied compound against PDE1 and PDE3 in vitro was investigated. Animal models of multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and autoimmune hepatitis were utilized to assess the efficacy of this compound, and its pharmacokinetics was investigated in mice and rats. A new PK/PD disease progression model of compound 34 was developed that satisfactorily predicted the clinical score-time courses in mice with experimental encephalomyelitis that is an animal model of MS. Compound 34 displayed a high efficacy in all three animal models of ADs. Simultaneous inhibition of PDE types located in immune cells may constitute an alternative treatment strategy of ADs. The PK/PD encephalomyelitis and arthritis progression models presented in this study may be used in future preclinical research, and, upon modifications, may enable translation of the results of preclinical investigations into the clinical settings.
CYP51 Mutations in the Fusarium solani Species Complex: First Clue to Understand the Low Susceptibility to Azoles of the Genus Fusarium

Members of Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) are cosmopolitan filamentous fungi responsible for invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. Despite the treatment recommendations, many strains show reduced sensitivity to voriconazole. The objective of this work was to investigate the potential relationship between azole susceptibility and mutations in CYP51 protein sequences. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for azole antifungals have been determined using the CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) microdilution method on a panel of clinical and environmental strains. CYP51A, CYP51B and CYP51C genes for each strain have been sequenced using the Sanger method. Amino acid substitutions described in multiple azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus (mtrAf) strains have been sought and compared with other Fusarium complexes’ strains. Our results show that FSSC exhibit point mutations similar to those described in mtrAf. Protein sequence alignments of CYP51A, CYP51B and CYP51C have highlighted different profiles based on sequence similarity. A link between voriconazole MICs and protein sequences was observed, suggesting that these mutations could be an explanation for the intrinsic azole resistance in the genus Fusarium. Thus, this innovative approach provided clues to understand low azole susceptibility in FSSC and may contribute to improving the treatment of FSSC infection.
Daily Exercise Patterns and Their Differences between Parkinson's Disease Patients with and without Postural Instability

Background Due to the clinical impact of exercise in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), management should include personalized and effective exercises according to patient's PD stage. We investigated the detailed exercise behaviors of patients with mild to advanced PD and compared their patterns between PD with and without postural instability (PI). Methods We enrolled PD patients from September to December 2019. Clinical data on parkinsonism, exercise behaviors, and Physical Activity Scale of the Elderly (PASE) scores were collected and compared between mild PD without PI (Hoehn–Yahr (HY) stages 1 and 2) and advanced PD with PI (HY stages 3 and 4). Results In total, 263 PD patients were recruited. The mean exercise frequency was 4.7 ± 2.1 times/week, and the average duration was 7.8 ± 6.7 hours/week. The most common exercise was an aerobic exercise (71.9%) of mild-to-moderate intensity, with active walking being the most common (49.0%). The mild PD patients demonstrated a higher duration and intensity of exercise and more physical activity than the advanced PD patients. However, the frequency of exercise was not significantly different between the two groups. The PASE score was significantly higher in mild PD patients than in advanced PD patients (p < 0.001). Conclusion PD patients focused mostly on aerobic exercises, especially active walking. With the disease progression, the amount and intensity of exercise decreased while frequency remained. Higher intensity of exercise is needed in the mild PD group, while the advanced PD group requires the increment of duration for each exercise session.
Impact of Dog’s Age and Breed on Dog Owner’s Physical Activity: A German Longitudinal Study

Simple Summary Dog ownership has been linked to physical activity of the owners in several countries. Physical activity is also affected by age, size and energy level, as perceived by the owners, of the dogs. Earlier studies were mostly cross-sectional, which does not allow causal conclusions. This study aimed to find differences and changes in the physical activity behavior of owners of ten different dog breeds that were selected based on their size and energy level. Nine dog breed groups were used and owners filled out an online physical activity questionnaire once per year for three years. The results show that dog owners’ total and dog-related physical activity as well as their leisure time and dog walking decreased over time. Owners of the dog breed groups differed in all physical activity variables. If only participants who completed the study were analyzed, no changes in any physical activity variable were found. At baseline, owners of different dog breeds differed in the types of reported dog-related activities. Overall, the results indicate that physical activity behavior in dog owners is stable over time. However, no clear pattern could be found based on the age, size and energy level of the dogs. Abstract Dog ownership contributes positively to physical activity (PA). The impact of different dog breeds and age on PA is less investigated in longitudinal studies. This study aimed to evaluate PA changes in dog owners as their dogs’ ages increased and to explore whether there are differences in PA between owners of different breeds over a three-year period. Owners of different dog breeds were categorized into nine groups according to the perceived energy level and size of the breed. PA was monitored using an online questionnaire for three consecutive years. Linear mixed models (LMM) showed a small, but significant decrease in total PA, leisure time walking, dog-related PA and dog walking over three years. No decreases were found if only participants who attended at all time points were included. In all LMM analyses, a significant relationship between the dog breed and the outcomes of PA were shown. At baseline, dog owners performed different types of activities depending on their dog breed. In conclusion, owners of different dog breeds differ in their types of PA. The study emphasizes that age, size and energy level of the dog does not per se have an impact on dog owners PA.
Learning from experience: psychologists’ inquiry into child sexual abuse in therapeutic settings

ABSTRACT Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) has devastating psychological and emotional consequences for survivors. Many clients who attend therapy have experienced CSA, however spontaneous disclosure of CSA during therapy is rare and psychologists often fail to inquire. This study seeks to explore experiences of inquiry from psychologists with specific knowledge and experience in CSA. Seven psychologists across Australia were interviewed to explore their experiences of inquiry into CSA. De-identified transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. When and how psychologists inquired varied depending on client factors and therapist factors, with some participants opting for direct inquiry whereas others utilised indirect inquiry. Psychologists were similar in their responses to disclosure of CSA, with all participants advocating for an empathetic response, while managing their own emotions. Participants described learning how to inquire about and respond to CSA from their experience of working with clients, supervision, and further research and training. Practice impact statement Many clients who attend therapy have experienced CSA, however spontaneous disclosure of CSA is rare, and psychologists often fail to inquire. Improving access to information from psychologists experienced in CSA is essential to build confidence and professional competence, particularly for early career psychologists.