Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A meta-analytic review of double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of antidepressant efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids.

OBJECTIVE Evidence has indicated an association between depression and low dietary intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). However, clinical trials examining the therapeutic benefit of omega-3 PUFAs in depression showed inconsistent results. The goal of this study is to systematically evaluate the antidepressant efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs by using meta-analytic method. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO databases were searched from 1966 through August 2006 using the key words (depression OR depressive disorder OR mood disorder) AND (omega-3 OR EPA OR DHA OR poly-unsaturated fatty acid OR fish oil). The search was limited to literature in English and clinical trials. STUDY SELECTION Ten double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in patients with mood disorders receiving omega-3 PUFAs with the treatment period lasting 4 weeks or longer were included. DATA EXTRACTION Effect size (ES) of each individual study was derived by computing the standardized mean difference. A random-effects model was used to pool the ESs of all included studies. DATA SYNTHESIS When pooling the results of 10 included studies (N = 329), we found a significant antidepressant effect of omega-3 PUFAs (ES = 0.61, p = .003). Likewise, omega-3 PUFAs significantly improved depression in patients with clearly defined depression (ES = 0.69, p = .002) or with bipolar disorder (ES = 0.69, p = .0009). The dosage of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) did not change the antidepressant efficacy significantly. However, significant heterogeneity among these studies and publication bias were noted. CONCLUSIONS Although our meta-analysis showed significant antidepressant efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs, it is still premature to validate this finding due to publication bias and heterogeneity. More large-scale, well-controlled trials are needed to find out the favorable target subjects, therapeutic dose of EPA, and the composition of omega-3 PUFAs in treating depression.
Roles of Germination-Specific Lytic Enzymes CwlJ and SleB in Bacillus anthracis

ABSTRACT The structural characteristics of a spore enable it to withstand stresses that typically kill a vegetative cell. Spores remain dormant until small molecule signals induce them to germinate into vegetative bacilli. Germination requires degradation of the thick cortical peptidoglycan by germination-specific lytic enzymes (GSLEs). Bacillus anthracis has four putative GSLEs, based upon sequence similarities with enzymes in other species: SleB, CwlJ1, CwlJ2, and SleL. In this study, the roles of SleB, CwlJ1, and CwlJ2 were examined. The expression levels of all three genes peak 3.5 h into sporulation. Genetic analysis revealed that, similar to other known GSLEs, none of these gene products are individually required for growth, sporulation, or triggering of germination. However, later germination events are affected in spores lacking CwlJ1 or SleB. Compared to the wild type, germinating spores without CwlJ1 suffer a delay in optical density loss and cortex peptidoglycan release. The absence of SleB also causes a delay in cortex fragment release. A double mutant lacking both SleB and CwlJ1 is completely blocked in cortex hydrolysis and progresses through outgrowth to produce colonies at a frequency 1,000-fold lower than that of the wild-type strain. A null mutation eliminating CwlJ2 has no effect on germination. High-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy analysis revealed that SleB is required for lytic transglycosylase activity. CwlJ1 also clearly participates in cortex hydrolysis, but its specific mode of action remains unclear. Understanding the lytic germination activities that naturally diminish spore resistance can lead to methods for prematurely inducing them, thus simplifying the process of treating contaminated sites.
Health Worker Focused Distributed Simulation for Improving Capability of Health Systems in Liberia

Introduction The main goal of this study was to produce an adaptable learning platform using virtual learning and distributed simulation, which can be used to train health care workers, across a wide geographical area, key safety messages regarding infection prevention control (IPC). Methods A situationally responsive agile methodology, Scrum, was used to develop a distributed simulation module using short 1-week iterations and continuous synchronous plus asynchronous communication including end users and IPC experts. The module contained content related to standard IPC precautions (including handwashing techniques) and was structured into 3 distinct sections related to donning, doffing, and hazard perception training. Outcome Using Scrum methodology, we were able to link concepts applied to best practices in simulation-based medical education (deliberate practice, continuous feedback, self-assessment, and exposure to uncommon events), pedagogic principles related to adult learning (clear goals, contextual awareness, motivational features), and key learning outcomes regarding IPC, as a rapid response initiative to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Gamification approach has been used to map learning mechanics to enhance user engagement. Conclusions The developed IPC module demonstrates how high-frequency, low-fidelity simulations can be rapidly designed using scrum-based agile methodology. Analytics incorporated into the tool can help demonstrate improved confidence and competence of health care workers who are treating patients within an Ebola virus disease outbreak region. These concepts could be used in a range of evolving disasters where rapid development and communication of key learning messages are required.
Effect of Nano TiO2 on Self‐cleaning Property of Cross‐linking Cotton Fabric with Succinic Acid Under UV Irradiation

Optimization of curing cotton textiles through self‐cleaning property constructs the main goal of the present study. Cotton fabrics with 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 on weight of bath percent were cured by nano titanium dioxide (P25 Degussa) with cross‐link and non cross‐link methods. In this study, succinic acid was used as a cross‐link agent to attach TiO2 to the cotton. The amount of loaded titania particles to cotton fabrics and the thermal behavior of cured samples were studied by the burning method and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. Self‐cleaning degree of cured samples, stained with natural and synthesized dyes under irradiation of 20 and 400 W UV lamps was investigated by a reflectance spectrophotometer. The structure and morphology of treated cotton fabrics were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and crystallinity of titania coatings by X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy. The tearing strengths of titania‐coated cotton fabrics before and after light irradiation were measured. Results showed that the stability of nano TiO2 coating and self‐cleaning degree of treated samples with cross‐link method were much higher than those of non cross‐link method, and cotton cellulosic chains were not decomposed by the photocatalytic activity of titania.
The Effect of Lactose Maldigestion on the Relationship Between Dairy Food Intake and Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review

Abstract: Dairy food consumption has been inconsistently shown to protect against colorectal cancer (CRC) in case-based studies, and no clear benefits against recurrent colonic polyps (CRP) have been reported. Based on population-based studies we have hypothesized that dairy food intake may have anti-CRC effects at both low intake lactase non-persistent (LNP) populations and at high intake lactase persistent (LP) subjects. We separately analyse existing case-based studies and divide origins into high LNP (≥ 80% LNP prevalence), low LNP (prevalence ≤ 20%) and mid LNP countries (21–79% prevalence), which coincide with low, high, and mid quantity dairy food intake regions, respectively. Odds ratios and relative risks (RR) of highest versus lowest dairy intake within each group are analyzed together for assessment of protection against CRC and CRP. Eighty studies met stipulated criteria. Thirteen analyzed the effect on recurrent polyps. Forest plots from2regions, high LNP (low dairy food intake) RR = 0.84 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.73–0.97) and low LNP (high dairy food intake) RR = 0.80 (95% CI = 0.73–0.88) demonstrated significant protection against CRC. In mixed LNP/LP populations (mid dairy food intake) nonsignificant protection was found RR = 0.92 (95% CI = 0.79–1.06). Similar regional analysis for CRP failed to show significant protective effect in any region. This meta-analysis supports that the highest level of dairy food consumption protects subjects in both high and low LNP regions but not in areas with significant mixed LNP/LP populations. In both groups, dairy foods had no effect on polyp formation, suggesting it may only protect against CRC at late stages of promotion. These results raise the possibility that LNP/LP status may be partly responsible for the discrepant results with respect to the relationship between dairy food consumption and CRC.
Information and interaction requirements for software tools supporting analogical design

Abstract One mode of creative design is for designers to draw analogies that connect the design domain (e.g., a mechanical device) to some other domain from which inspiration is drawn (e.g., a biological system). The identification and application of analogies can be supported by software tools that store, structure, present, or propose source domain stimuli from which such analogies might be constructed. For these tools to be effective and not impact the design process in negative ways, they must fit well with the information and interaction needs of their users. However, the user requirements for these tools are seldom explicitly discussed. Furthermore, the literature that supports the identification of such requirements is distributed across a number of different domains, including those that address analogical design (especially biomimetics), creativity support tools, and human–computer interaction. The requirements that these literatures propose can be divided into those that relate to the information content that the tools provide (e.g., level of abstraction or mode of representation) and those that relate to the interaction qualities that the tools support (e.g., accessibility or shareability). Examining the relationships between these requirements suggests that tool developers should focus on satisfying the key requirements of open-endedness and accessibility while managing the conflicts between the other requirements. Attention to these requirements and the relationships between them promises to yield analogical design support tools that better permit designers to identify and apply source information in their creative work.
A novel immunosensor platform based on inorganic BST film for point-of-care application

In this investigation, we present a novel label-free immunosensor platform based on inorganic barium strontium titanate (BST) thin film and interdigitated microelectrodes for clinical point-of-care application. The immunosensor is based on non-faradaic process, using DI water as electrolyte. As proof of concept, anti-human IgG, a common biomarker found and associated with many diseases was immobilized on the chemically modified BST film surface as sensing probe for human IgG detection. The BST immunosensor was also used for real clinical sample with pre-inactivated dengue virus as sensing probe to detect dengue antibody in human serum. Good linear correlations were observed for the measured electrical signals, AC impedances or current changes, versus the dilution of the human IgG concentration or the dengue serum samples. The measured signal changes in impedance/current without/with the presence of antibody were attributed to the surface conductivity change upon biomolecules immobilization and the dipole-induced interfacial polarization potential at the BST film/biomolecules interface. Promising specificity was proven with the interference tests by mixing human IgG solution with BSA and rabbit IgG. The performance of BST immunosensors exhibited good long-term stability with very low fluctuation/degradation even after storing dry at 4 °C for 60 days.
Isolation of simple‐sequence loci for use in polymerase chain reaction‐based DNA fingerprinting

Simple sequences are short regions of tandem repetitions of mono‐, di‐, tri‐, or tetranucleotide motifs and occur as repetitive elements in all eukaryotic genomes. These regions tend to be hypervariable in length and can therefore be exploited for DNA fingerprinting purposes, using the polymerase chain reaction with primers flanking such regions. We describe how suitable simple‐sequence loci can be isolated from any given eukaryotic DNA. We show the DNA sequences for a number of variants of such loci and discuss the current results on their usefulness for DNA fingerprinting.
Granivory rates by rodents, insects, and birds at different microsites in the Patagonian steppe

We studied the rates of seed removal by different granivores, in different microsites, at different times, in a Patagonian shrub steppe in South America. Granivory rates of exotic (Phakiris canariensis) and native (Mulinum spinosum) seed species were an order of magnitude lower than those reported for another cool desert from North America with comparable climatic conditions. Insects and rodents removed the greatest amount of seeds in comparison to birds. In general, there were no differences in seed removal across microsites, except at one sampling time (when rodents and insects removed more seeds from bare soil and beside tussocks in comparison to positions beside shrubs, while birds took similar amounts of seeds from all microsites). The length of the experiment differentially affected the granivory rate of different groups. Removal rates (per day) were significantly greater, and exhibited lower variability, when seeds were left for a longer period of time in the field (a month) than for a few days. Insects were more efficient at finding the seeds rapidly and rodents at depleting them; birds could not find or deplete many seeds in short periods of time. Rates of granivory decreased slightly but significantly as the summer progressed mainly due to a reduction of seed removal by birds and rodents but not by insects. Granivores removed an order of magnitude less native seeds than exotic seeds. These differences seemed to be related to palatability as M. spinosum seeds have more phenols, toxic concentrations of iron and copper, and lower dry matter digestibility, phosphorous, and nitrogen content, in comparison to P. canariensis seeds.
Health Information Systems Is our Focus Correct?

Summary Objectives Summarize excellent current research in the field of Health Information Systems. Method Synopsis of the articles selected for the IMIA Yearbook 2011. Results Five papers from international peer reviewed journals have been selected for the section on health information systems. Conclusions The selected articles illustrate that strategic, organizational and human aspects require specific attention in order to increase HIS adoption, and to demonstrate value in supporting the needs of clinicians and their patients.
Differential side effects profile in patients with mCRPC treated with abiraterone or enzalutamide: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background Abiraterone and enzalutamide are currently approved for mCRPC patients. Both drugs have distinct mechanisms of action and may have different toxicity profile. There are limited data comparing the side effects of abiraterone and enzalutamide. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) to better characterize the risk of adverse events associated with both drugs. Methods We performed a literature search on MEDLINE for studies reporting abiraterone and enzalutamide side effects from January 1966 to July 31, 2015. Abstracts presented at ASCO meetings from 2004 to 2015 were selected manually. Phase III RCT were included in analysis. We assessed the risk of adverse events reported in RCT by performing two meta-analyses: abiraterone-prednisone vs. placebo-prednisone (2,283 pts) and enzalutamide vs. placebo (2,914 pts). Summary of incidence, relative-risks (RR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using random-effects or fixed-effects models based on the heterogeneity of included studies. Results Overall, enzalutamide was not associated with all-grade (RR 1.06 - 95% CI 0.67-1.65) or grade ≥3 (RR 0.81 - 95% CI 0.28-2.33) cardiovascular events, but was associated with increased risk of all-grade fatigue (RR 1.29 - 95% CI 1.15-1.44). On the other hand, abiraterone was associated with increased risk of all-grade (RR 1.28 - 95% CI 1.06-1.55) and grade ≥3 (RR 1.76 - 95% CI 1.12-2.75) cardiovascular events, but was not associated with all-grade (RR 0.85 - 95% CI 0.58-1.23) or grade ≥3 (RR 1.07 - 95% CI 0.97-1.19) fatigue. Conclusions In this meta-analysis, abiraterone was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, while enzalutamide was associated with an increased risk of fatigue.
Multidimensional Risk Assessment of Manhole Events as a Decision Tool for Ranking the Vaults of an Underground Electricity Distribution System

Even though an underground electricity distribution system is safer than an overhead system, several accidents have occurred in them. Assessing the risk of hundreds or even thousands of underground vaults is a hard task. Furthermore, given the large variability in external and internal environments and, hence, there being a wide range of possible consequences when an accident occurs, an approach to risk assessment under a multidimensional view is required. Moreover, in terms of decision making, the aggregation of the decision maker's preferences in modeling, by multiple-criteria decision-making methods, is more complete, comprehensive, and, in particular, includes considering the decision maker's desires. Therefore, this study puts forward a multidimensional assessment of the risks from underground vaults by generating a decision tool, which ranks the vaults in a risk hierarchy. Multiattribute utility theory was used to achieve this ranking. An application was generated to demonstrate the applicability of the model, under the following aspects of consequences: those that are human, financial, and operational; and disruptions to local vehicular traffic. The use of information arising from analysis of the differences between risks enabled the decision maker to make an in-depth analysis of the range of possibilities over which alternatives may be chosen in order to implement preventive actions.
Individual representation for optimizing allocation of SVCs in high-voltage distribution systems

This paper proposes an individual representation for optimizing allocation of static var compensators (SVCs). Generally, the individuals indicate the capacities of the devices in the optimal allocation of SVCs. In the proposed representation, capacities and installation places of SVCs are expressed in separate variables. The effectiveness of the proposed representation is verified by computer simulation in the 25-bus high-voltage distribution system. As a result, the type B is superior to the type A from the viewpoints of the convergence and the evaluation value. The SVC of 30 kVar is installed at node 24 using the proposed representation. The voltages at all nodes are maintained within the specified voltage range by installing the SVC at the optimal node.
Auto-Inhibition and Partner Proteins, Core-Binding Factor β (CBFβ) and Ets-1, Modulate DNA Binding by CBFα2 (AML1)

ABSTRACT Core-binding factor α2 (CBFα2; otherwise known as AML1 or PEBP2αB) is a DNA-binding subunit in the family of core-binding factors (CBFs), heterodimeric transcription factors that play pivotal roles in multiple developmental processes in mammals, including hematopoiesis and bone development. The Runt domain in CBFα2 (amino acids 51 to 178) mediates DNA binding and heterodimerization with the non-DNA-binding CBFβ subunit. Both the CBFβ subunit and the DNA-binding protein Ets-1 stimulate DNA binding by the CBFα2 protein. Here we quantify and compare the extent of cooperativity between CBFα2, CBFβ, and Ets-1. We also identify auto-inhibitory sequences within CBFα2 and sequences that modulate its interactions with CBFβ and Ets-1. We show that sequences in the CBFα2 Runt domain and sequences C terminal to amino acid 214 inhibit DNA binding. Sequences C terminal to amino acid 214 also inhibit heterodimerization with the non-DNA-binding CBFβ subunit, particularly heterodimerization off DNA. CBFβ rescinds the intramolecular inhibition of CBFα2, stimulating DNA binding approximately 40-fold. In comparison, Ets-1 stimulates CBFα2 DNA binding 7- to 10-fold. Although the Runt domain alone is sufficient for heterodimerization with CBFβ, sequences N terminal to amino acid 41 and between amino acids 190 and 214 are required for cooperative DNA binding with Ets-1. Cooperative DNA binding with Ets-1 is less pronounced with the CBFα2-CBFβ heterodimer than with CBFα2 alone. These analyses demonstrate that CBFα2 is subject to both negative regulation by intramolecular interactions, and positive regulation by two alternative partnerships.
Temporal association of cellular immune responses with the initial control of viremia in primary human immunodeficiency virus type 1 syndrome

Virologic and immunologic studies were performed on five patients presenting with primary human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) precursors specific for cells expressing antigens of HIV-1 Gag, Pol, and Env were detected at or within 3 weeks of presentation in four of the five patients and were detected in all five patients by 3 to 6 months after presentation. The one patient with an absent initial CTL response had prolonged symptoms, persistent viremia, and low CD4+ T-cell count. Neutralizing antibody activity was absent at the time of presentation in all five patients. These findings suggest that cellular immunity is involved in the initial control of virus replication in primary HIV-1 infection and indicate a role for CTL in protective immunity to HIV-1 in vivo.
Functional imaging with MEG and fMRI

The possibility of integrating functional data from magnetoencephalographic (MEG) measurements and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) offers new insight on the brain organization. In fact, MEG and fMRI integration can provide accurate identification of active brain areas as well as a precise identification of the timing of brain response. In this paper two examples will be discussed: the first aiming at the characterization of the human primary (SI) and secondary (SII) somatosensory cortices, the second concerning how brain reacts to sound coming from different spatial directions
Naming is not (necessary for) stimulus equivalence.

Horne and Lowe's article is in many respects a tour de force. By expanding Skinner's (1957) conceptualization of verbal behavior to more fully encompass the behavior of the speaker as listener and the initial development of speaking and listening repertoires, they make a compelling case for the role of operant processes in language. We take issue, however, with several of their contentions about stimulus equivalence and naming. Our commentary focuses on only a few points to which our own work seems direcdy relevant. We believe that they are fundamental to a fully informed evaluation of Horne and Lowe's central argument that naming enables emergent performances from which equivalence relations might be inferred. Implicit in Horne and Lowe's position are four critical assumptions, which we counter as follows: Assumption 1: Match-to-sample (MTS) procedures are necessary to assay stimulus equivalence. It is surprising that Horne and Lowe select mostly experiments that used MTS procedures, rather than other methods, to support their arguments about naming and equivalence. We are gratified that they cited our recent paper (Saunders & Green, 1992) to support the need to reconceptualize equivalence, but it appears that one of our main points did not come through.