Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Near miss: determinants of maternal near miss and perinatal outcomes: a prospective case control study from a tertiary care center of India

Abstract Background/Purpose To study the causes of maternal near miss and compared maternal and perinatal outcome of maternal near miss cases with controls (women with potential life-threatening complication [PLTC]) and maternal death. Methods Mothers (n = 100) who fulfilled the WHO criteria for maternal near miss (MNM) were identified and enrolled in the study. Two controls for each near miss case were taken. This included the women who had same PLTC but did not reach near miss within one week of enrollment. The comparison of maternal and fetal outcome was done between the two groups and with the maternal death (MD) group, who presented initially as near miss. Results Obstetric hemorrhage was the most common potential life-threatening complication in MNM and MD group. On multiple logistic regression analysis, we found that the presence of organ dysfunction was the independent predictor of near miss and need of mechanical ventilation and coagulation dysfunction as an independent predictor of maternal death. A mother in the near miss group or death group had a higher chance of giving birth to a still-born child (p = < 0.001). Risk of neonatal death after NICU admission was numerically more among near miss and death group than controls, although statistically insignificant (p > .05) Conclusion Despite making tremendous progress in obstetric care facilities at a tertiary level, developing countries need to strengthen primary care infrastructure and referral system. To improve maternal care, there should be the provision of health education for all pregnant women and antenatal services should be improved.
Nitrogen and phosphorus nutritional interactions in a CO2 enriched environment

Abstract Nonnodulated soybean plants (Glycine max. [L.] Merr. ‘Lee') were supplied with nutrient solutions containing growth limiting concentrations of N or P to examine effects on N‐ and P‐uptake efficiencies (mg nutrient accumulated/gdw root) and utilization efficiencies in dry matter production (gdw2/mg nutrient). Nutritional treatments were imposed in aerial environments containing either 350 or 700 μL/L atmospheric CO2 to determine whether the nutrient interactions were modified when growth rates were altered. Nutrient‐stress treatments decreased growth and N‐ and P‐uptake and utilization efficiencies at 27 days after transplanting (DAT) and seed yield at maturity (98 DAT). Atmospheric CO2 enrichment increased growth and N‐ and P‐utilization efficiencies at 27 DAT and seed yield in all nutritional treatments and did not affect N‐ and P‐uptake efficiencies at 27 DAT. Parameter responses to nutrient stress at 27 DAT were not altered by atmospheric CO2 enrichment and vice versa. Nutrient‐stress treatmen.
Five-Year Change in Body Mass Index Predicts Conversion to Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia Only in APOE ɛ4 Allele Carriers.

BACKGROUND Body mass index (BMI) has been identified as an important modifiable lifestyle risk factor for dementia, but less is known about how BMI might interact with Apolipoprotein E ɛ4 (APOE ɛ4) carrier status to predict conversion to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between APOE ɛ4 status and baseline (bBMI) and five-year BMI change (ΔBMI) on conversion to MCI or dementia in initially cognitively healthy older adults. METHODS The associations between bBMI, ΔBMI, APOE ɛ4 status, and conversion to MCI or dementia were investigated among 1,289 cognitively healthy elders from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) database. RESULTS After five years, significantly more carriers (30.6%) converted to MCI or dementia than noncarriers (17.6%), p < 0.001, OR = 2.06. Neither bBMI (OR = 0.99, 95%CI = 0.96-1.02) nor the bBMI by APOE interaction (OR = 1.02, 95%CI = 0.96-1.08) predicted conversion. Although ΔBMI also did not significantly predict conversion (OR = 0.90, 95%CI = 0.78-1.04), the interaction between ΔBMI and carrier status was significant (OR = 0.72, 95%CI = 0.53-0.98). For carriers only, each one-unit decline in BMI over five years was associated with a 27%increase in the odds of conversion (OR = 0.73, 95%CI = 0.57-0.94). CONCLUSION A decline in BMI over five years, but not bBMI, was strongly associated with conversion to MCI or dementia only for APOE ɛ4 carriers. Interventions and behaviors aimed at maintaining body mass may be important for long term cognitive health in older adults at genetic risk for AD.
Predictors of adaptive functioning in preschool aged children with autism spectrum disorder

Difficulties in adaptive functioning are common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and contribute to negative outcomes across the lifespan. Research indicates that cognitive ability is related to degree of adaptive functioning impairments, particularly in young children with ASD. However, the extent to which other factors, such as socioeconomic status (SES) and ASD symptom severity, predict impairments in adaptive functioning remains unclear. The goal of this study was to determine the extent to which SES, ASD symptom severity, and cognitive ability contribute to variability in domain‐specific and global components of adaptive functioning in preschool‐aged children with ASD. Participants were 99 preschool‐aged children (2–6 years) with ASD who attended a tertiary diagnostic service. Results demonstrate that cognitive ability accounted for a significant proportion of variance in domain‐specific and global components of adaptive functioning, with higher cognitive ability predicting better adaptive functioning. Results also demonstrate that SES accounted for some variability in domain‐specific communication skills and global adaptive functioning when compared to basic demographic factors alone (age and gender). By contrast, ASD symptom severity did not predict variability in domain‐specific or global components of adaptive functioning. These findings provide support for a relationship between cognitive ability and adaptive functioning in preschool‐aged children with ASD and help to explain specific contributions of verbal and nonverbal ability to adaptive functioning; from this, we can better understand which children are likely to show the greatest degree of impairments across components of adaptive functioning early in development.
Development of phthalocyanines for photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy is a method for treating several diseases, most notably cancer. Recent synthetic activity has created a number of phthalocyanines for potential use as photodynamic therapy photosensitizers. In this mini-review article, the background and the concepts in the development of new phthalocyanines are introduced.
Circular RNA SMARCA5 functions as an anti-tumor candidate in colon cancer by sponging microRNA-552

ABSTRACT It was reported that circular RNA (circRNA) circSMARCA5, as a tumor-related molecule, could modulate development of cancers, including prostatic cancer and cervical cancer. Nevertheless, the essential function of circSMARCA5 in colon cancer has not yet been confirmed. We aimed to investigate the role of circSMARCA5 in colon cancer. CircSMARCA5 expression in tumor cells was detected using RT-qPCR. CCK-8, colony formation, flow cytometry and Transwell assays evaluated the influences of circSMARCA5 in colon cancer cells. RT-qPCR, prediction database and luciferase report assay were accomplished for revealing the correlation between circSMARCA5 and miR-552. After transfection with miR-552 mimic, colon cancer cell behaviors were re-evaluated. Wnt and YAP1 pathways were explored by western blot. Our data presented that circSMARCA5 was under-expressed in colon cancer tissues. Transfection with overexpressing circSMARCA5 plasmid restrained growth, migration and invasion of colon cancer cells. Besides, circSMARCA5 directly sponged to miR-552 and miR-552 up-regulation offset the effects of circSMARCA5 on SW480 and SW620 cells. Furthermore, circSMARCA5 inactivated Wnt and YAP1 pathways by inhibiting miR-552. Anti-tumor role of sircSMARCA5 was showed in colon cancer cells as sponging miR-552 and blocking Wnt and YAP1 pathways.
Using Intervention Mapping methodology to design an HIV linkage intervention in a refugee settlement in rural Uganda

ABSTRACT Nearly 80 million people have been forcibly displaced by persecution, violence, and disaster. Displaced populations, including refugees, face health challenges such as resource shortages, food and housing insecurity, violence, and disrupted social support. People living with HIV in refugee settings have decreased engagement with HIV services compared to non-refugee populations, and interventions are needed to enhance linkage to care. However, designing health interventions in humanitarian settings is challenging. We used Intervention Mapping (IM), a six-step method for developing theory- and evidence-based health interventions, to design a program to increase linkage to HIV care for refugees and Ugandan nationals in Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda. We engaged a diverse group of stakeholders (N = 14) in Nakivale, including community members and humanitarian actors, in an interactive workshop focusing on IM steps 1–4. We developed a chronic care program that would integrate HIV care with services for hypertension and diabetes at accessible community sites, thereby decreasing stigma around HIV treatment and improving access to care. IM provided an inclusive, efficient method for integrating community members and program implementers in the intervention planning process, and can be used as a method-driven approach to intervention design in humanitarian settings.
Crosstalk opposing view: Independent fusimotor control of muscle spindles in humans: there is little to gain

At rest. As envisaged by Paillard (1959), alerting manoeuvres, such as the Jendrassik manoeuvre, potentiate tendon jerks in remote non-contracting muscles due to widespread activation of dynamic γ motoneurons. Paillard’s research was ground-breaking, but there are reservations with this hypothesis (Pierrot-Deseilligny & Burke, 2012). It was based on evidence that the H reflex was not potentiated by the manoeuvre. However many authors have shown that the H reflex is potentiated by reinforcement manoeuvres, to the same extent as the tendon jerk if the reflexes are of similar size (e.g. Landau & Clare, 1964; Bussel et al. 1978; Miyahara et al. 1996; Zehr & Stein, 1999; Gregory et al. 2001). It was thought that the increased excitability of the motoneuron pool depended on a muscle spindle input from the test muscle. However, the H reflex was still potentiated when the Ia
High Iron Requirements for Growth in the Nuisance Alga Gonyostomum semen (Raphidophyceae)

The bloom‐forming freshwater alga Gonyostomum semen is associated with acidic, mesotrophic brown water lakes in boreal regions. However, researchers have been unable to conclusively link G. semen abundance and bloom formation to typical brown water lake traits, that is, high water color and DOC (dissolved organic carbon) concentrations. Iron is a main driver of water color in boreal lakes, and a recent study of lake monitoring data indicated a connection between lakes with high G. semen abundance and iron concentrations >200 µg · L−1. Thus, iron may be the missing link in explaining G. semen abundance and growth dynamics. We experimentally assessed the effects of different iron concentrations above or below 200 µg · L−1 on the growth of G. semen batch monocultures. Iron concentrations <200 µg · L−1 limited G. semen growth, while iron concentrations >200 µg · L−1 did not. Moreover, the iron concentration of the medium required for growth was higher than for other common phytoplankton (Microcystis botrys and Chlamydomonas sp.) included in the experiment. These results indicate that G. semen requires high levels of iron in the lake environment. Consequently, this and previous findings using lake monitoring data support the hypothesis that high concentrations of iron favor the formation of high‐density G. semen blooms in boreal brown water lakes. As lakes get browner in a changing climate, monitoring iron levels could be a potential tool to identify lakes at risk for G. semen blooms, especially among lakes that provide ecosystem services to society.
Nutritional aspects in Parkinson’s disease

Abstract The links between diet and Parkinson’s disease (PD) are unclear and incomprehensible. However, numerous studies have demonstrated the correlation between diet, nutrients and health condition in PD patients. They indicate the possibility of management of the disease, which might be possible through nutrition. Pharmaceutical treatment as well as a complementary holistic approach to the patients should be considered. It is of critical importance to understand how the diet and nutrients might influence PD. A better understanding of the relationship between diet and PD could help to better manage the disease explain promising therapeutic approaches, minimize motor and nonmotor symptoms and disease progression based on a personalized diet. In this review, the recent literature on the observed nutrition disorders and the possible role of diet and nutrients in the prevention and potential regression of PD, as well as dietary interventions and supplementation used to manage the disease is revised.
Hedgehog-induced PD-L1 on tumor-associated macrophages is critical for suppression of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cell function

The programmed death-1 (PD-1) and the PD ligand 1 (PD-L1) interaction represents a key immune checkpoint within the tumor microenvironment (TME), and PD-1 blockade has led to exciting therapeutic advances in clinical oncology. Although IFN-γ–dependent PD-L1 induction on tumor cells was initially thought to mediate the suppression on effector cells, recent studies have shown that PD-L1 is also expressed at high level on tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in certain types of tumors. However, the precise role of PD-L1 expression on TAMs in suppressing antitumor immunity within the TME remains to be defined. Using a myeloid-specific Pdl1-knockout mouse model, here we showed definitive evidence that PD-L1 expression on TAMs is critical for suppression of intratumor CD8+ T cell function. We further demonstrated that tumor-derived Sonic hedgehog (Shh) drives PD-L1 expression in TAMs to suppress tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cell function, leading to tumor progression. Mechanistically, Shh-dependent upregulation of PD-L1 in TAMs is mediated by signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, a cascade that has not been previously reported to our knowledge. Last, single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of human hepatocellular carcinoma revealed that PD-L1 is mainly expressed on M2 TAMs, supporting the clinical relevance of our findings. Collectively, our data revealed an essential role for Shh-dependent PD-L1 upregulation in TAMs in suppressing antitumor immunity within the TME, which could lead to the development of new immunotherapeutic strategies for treating cancer.
Apparent exchange rate imaging: On its applicability and the connection to the real exchange rate

Water exchange between the intracellular and extracellular space can be measured using apparent exchange rate (AXR) imaging. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the measured AXR and the geometry of diffusion restrictions, membrane permeability, and the real exchange rate, as well as to explore the applicability of AXR for typical human measurement settings.
Maternal pesticide exposure and its relation to childhood cancer: an umbrella review of meta-analyses

ABSTRACT This umbrella review summarizes the available meta-analyses elucidating the effects of maternal pesticide exposure on adverse health outcomes in children particularly the risk of childhood cancer. A literature search was conducted on PubMed and Scopus with 10-years temporal restriction and with search terms of (‘pesticides’) and (‘maternal’ or ‘pregnancy’ or ‘gestational’ or ‘perinatal’ or ‘children’ or ‘infants’ or ‘birth weight’ or ‘gestational age’ or ‘cancer’ or ‘tumor’ or ‘malignancy’ or ‘carcinoma’) and (‘meta-analysis’ or ‘systematic review’). Using relative risk estimates, e.g., odds ratio (OR), relative risk (RR), ß coefficients, and 95% confidence interval (CI) as a prerequisite for inclusion/exclusion criteria a total of 19 eligible meta-analyses were included. The results showed that maternal domestic/occupational pesticide exposure increases the risk for childhood leukaemia. The overall OR regarding the risk of pesticide exposure and leukaemia was 1.23 to 1.57 with heterogeneity I2 values that varied between 12.9% and 73%. Some studies found that exposure to dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p´-DDE) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB-153) pesticides appears to decrease infant birth weight to some extent [p,p´-DDE (ß = −0.007 to −0.008)] and [PCB-153 (ß = −0.15 to −0.17)]Needing more studies on this relationship, our study found that pesticide exposure is a risk factor for leukaemia in children.
Quantitative analysis reveals internalisation of Cryptococcus neoformans by brain endothelial cells in vivo

Migration of Cryptococcus neoformans from the blood to the brain parenchyma is crucial to cause fatal meningoencephalitis. Although mechanisms involved in brain migration of C. neoformans have been widely studied in vitro, less is known about how the fungus crosses the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in vivo. This is in part because of the lack of an approach to quantitatively analyse the dynamics of fungal transmigration into the brain across the BBB in vivo. In this study, we report a novel approach to quantitatively analyse the interactions between C. neoformans and brain endothelial cells in a mouse model using flow cytometry. Using this system, we show that C. neoformans was internalised by brain endothelial cells in vivo and that mice infected with acapsular or heat‐killed C. neoformans yeast cells displayed a lower frequency of brain endothelial cells containing the yeast cell compared to mice infected with wild‐type or viable yeast cells, respectively. We further demonstrate that brain endothelial cells were invaded by serotype A strain (H99 strain) at a higher rate compared to serotype D strain (52D strain). Our experiments established that internalisation of C. neoformans by brain endothelial cells occurred in vivo and offered a powerful approach to quantitatively analyse fungal migration into the brain.
Segmental Cardiac Radiation Dose Determines Magnitude of Regional Cardiac Dysfunction

Background Subclinical left ventricular dysfunction detected by 2‐dimensional global longitudinal strain post breast radiotherapy has been described in patients with breast cancer. We hypothesized that left ventricular dysfunction postradiotherapy may be site specific, based on differential segmental radiotherapy dose received. Methods and Results Transthoracic echocardiograms were performed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 months postradiotherapy on 61 chemotherapy‐naïve women with left‐sided breast cancer undergoing tangential breast radiotherapy. Radiation received within basal, mid, and apical regions for the 6 left ventricular walls was quantified from the radiotherapy treatment planning system. Anterior, anteroseptal, and anterolateral walls received the highest radiation doses, while inferolateral and inferior walls received the lowest. There was a progressive increase in the radiation dose received from basal to apical regions. At 6 weeks, the most significant percentage deterioration in strain was seen in the apical region, with greatest reductions in the anterior wall followed by the anteroseptal and anterolateral walls, with a similar pattern persisting at 12 months. There was a within‐patient dose–response association between the segment‐specific percentage deterioration in strain at 6 weeks and 12 months and the radiation dose received. Conclusions Radiotherapy for left‐sided breast cancer causes differential segmental dysfunction, with myocardial segments that receive the highest radiation dose demonstrating greatest strain impairment. Percentage deterioration in strain observed 6 weeks postradiotherapy persisted at 12 months and demonstrated a dose–response relationship with radiotherapy dose received. Radiotherapy‐induced subclinical cardiac dysfunction is of importance because it could be additive to chemotherapy‐related cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer. Long‐term outcomes in patients with asymptomatic strain reduction require further investigation.
Hydroxylamine Seeding of Colloidal Au Nanoparticles. 3. Controlled Formation of Conductive Au Films

An approach to enlarge preformed colloidal Au nanoparticles in solution based on the Au colloidal surface-catalyzed reduction of Au3+ by NH2OH (“seeding”) has been adapted to 12-nm-diameter colloidal Au nanoparticles immobilized in monolayers and multilayers. Bulk characterization of the ensuing films was carried out by atomic absorption, UV−vis−near-IR optical spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and dc resistance measurements. Exposure of a 12-nm-diameter Au colloid monolayer on organosilane-modified glass surfaces to NH2OH/Au3+ leads to rapid particle growth and coalescence: after roughly 5−10 min, the optical and electrical properties closely resemble that of conductive Au thin films prepared by evaporation. Evolution of the nanometer-scale architecture was followed using atomic force microscopy (AFM), surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), leading to the following key findings: (i) Seeding of surface-confined.
Osteogenesis of human induced pluripotent stem cells derived mesenchymal stem cells on hydroxyapatite contained nanofibers

Biomimetic nanofibrous scaffolds combined with stem cells are promising for bone tissue engineering. In the present study, we have employed nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) contained polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers as a biomimetic nanofibrous scaffold, and mesenchymal stem cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPS-MSCs) as the novel stem cells sources. The response of hiPS-MSCs on the nanofibrous scaffolds in terms of cell proliferation and differentiation into the osteoblastic phenotype was investigated by XTT assay, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), osteogenic genes expression (runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen I (COL1A1), and osteocalcin (OC)), ALP activity, and calcium deposition. It is clearly shown that the hiPS-MSCs attached, and proliferated on the nanofibrous scaffolds. Compared with PCL nanofibers without nHAp, the cells on the nHAp contained nanofibers demonstrated superior capabilites to differentiate to form calcified extracellular matrix. Together with gene expression, all of the results indicate the great potential of the hiPS-MSCs seeded biomimetic nanofibrous scaffolds for bone regeneration in the future.
Surface reconstructions of (001) CdTe and their role in the dynamics of evaporation and molecular‐beam epitaxy growth

We present studies of the surface reconstruction and chemical analysis of the uppermost atomic layer of thick and thin (001) CdTe layers grown on (001) CdTe and ZnTe by (MBE). Techniques include reflection high energy electron diffraction and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). All the surfaces obtained in the temperature range used (220–300 °C) in MBE are Cd covered with about 50% of undimerized Cd atoms; the peak of the Cd surface is clearly identified by XPS on thin CdTe layers. The surfaces can be (2×1), c(2×2) or (2×1)+c(2×2) reconstructed. Heating these surfaces above 300 °C leads to a (2×1) Te‐stabilized surface. A reversible transition occurs between this last surface and the mixed (2×1)+c(2×2) structure: thermal cycling between these two reconstructed surfaces induces the evaporation of half a monolayer per cycle. Tentative models to account for the results are presented and correlation between these results and the properties of the MBE layers is discussed.