Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Antibodies against Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus among Cullers and Poultry Workers in Ho Chi Minh City, 2005

Background Between 2003 and 2005, highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses caused large scale outbreaks in poultry in the Ho Chi Minh City area in Vietnam. We studied the prevalence of antibodies against H5N1 in poultry workers and cullers who were active in the program in Ho Chi Minh City in 2004 and 2005. Methodology/Principal Findings Single sera from 500 poultry workers and poultry cullers exposed to infected birds were tested for antibodies to avian influenza H5N1, using microneutralization assays and hemagglutination inhibition assay with horse blood. All sera tested negative using microneutralization tests. Three samples showed a 1∶80 titer in the hemagglutination inhibition assay. Conclusions/Significance This study provides additional support for the low transmissibility of clade 1 H5N1 to humans, but limited transmission to highly exposed persons cannot be excluded given the presence of low antibody titers in some individuals.
An Assessment of the Clinical Acceptability of Direct Acoustic Cochlear Implantation for Adults With Advanced Otosclerosis in the United Kingdom.

HYPOTHESIS Assess the clinical acceptability of direct acoustic cochlear implantation for patients with advanced otosclerosis and the support for conducting a controlled trial of its effectiveness in the United Kingdom. BACKGROUND Emerging evidence supports the efficacy of direct acoustic cochlear implantation in patients with advanced otosclerosis whose needs cannot be managed using the combination of stapes surgery and hearing aids. A controlled trial would provide evidence for its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness to healthcare commissioners. METHODS An online survey of clinical professionals was constructed to characterize current standard of care for patients with advanced otosclerosis and to assess whether clinicians would be willing to refer patients into a trial to evaluate direct acoustic cochlear implantation. A consensus process was conducted to define inclusion criteria for the future trial. RESULTS No survey respondent considered direct acoustic cochlear implantation to be inappropriate with a majority indicating that they would refer patients into a future trial. The consensus was that there is a lack of available treatment options for those patients with bone conduction thresholds worse than 55 dB HL and who did not meet current criteria for cochlear implantation. CONCLUSION The present study confirms that a controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of direct acoustic cochlear implantation would have the support of clinicians in the United Kingdom. A feasibility study would be required to determine whether patients who meet the inclusion criteria could be recruited in a timely manner and in sufficient numbers to conduct a formal evaluation of effectiveness.
Age‐specific function of α5β1 integrin in microglial migration during early colonization of the developing mouse cortex

Microglia, the immune cells of the central nervous system, take part in brain development and homeostasis. They derive from primitive myeloid progenitors that originate in the yolk sac and colonize the brain mainly through intensive migration. During development, microglial migration speed declines which suggests that their interaction with the microenvironment changes. However, the matrix–cell interactions allowing dispersion within the parenchyma are unknown. Therefore, we aimed to better characterize the migration behavior and to assess the role of matrix–integrin interactions during microglial migration in the embryonic brain ex vivo. We focused on microglia–fibronectin interactions mediated through the fibronectin receptor α5β1 integrin because in vitro work indirectly suggested a role for this ligand–receptor pair. Using 2‐photon time‐lapse microscopy on acute ex vivo embryonic brain slices, we found that migration occurs in a saltatory pattern and is developmentally regulated. Most importantly, there is an age‐specific function of the α5β1 integrin during microglial cortex colonization. At embryonic day (E) 13.5, α5β1 facilitates migration while from E15.5, it inhibits migration. These results indicate a developmentally regulated function of α5β1 integrin in microglial migration during colonization of the embryonic brain.
A Metabolomics Analysis of Body Mass Index and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk

Background Elevated body mass index (BMI) is associated with increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. The underlying mechanisms, however, remain elusive. Methods In a nested case-control study of 621 postmenopausal breast cancer case participants and 621 matched control participants, we measured 617 metabolites in prediagnostic serum. We calculated partial Pearson correlations between metabolites and BMI, and then evaluated BMI-associated metabolites (Bonferroni-corrected α level for 617 statistical tests = P < 8.10 × 10-5) in relation to invasive breast cancer. Odds ratios (ORs) of breast cancer comparing the 90th vs 10th percentile (modeled on a continuous basis) were estimated using conditional logistic regression while controlling for breast cancer risk factors, including BMI. Metabolites with the lowest P values (false discovery rate < 0.2) were mutually adjusted for one another to determine those independently associated with breast cancer risk. Results Of 67 BMI-associated metabolites, two were independently associated with invasive breast cancer risk: 16a-hydroxy-DHEA-3-sulfate (OR = 1.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.22 to 2.22) and 3-methylglutarylcarnitine (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.21 to 2.30). Four metabolites were independently associated with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer risk: 16a-hydroxy-DHEA-3-sulfate (OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.27 to 2.67), 3-methylglutarylcarnitine (OR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.23 to 2.96), allo-isoleucine (OR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.23 to 2.51), and 2-methylbutyrylcarnitine (OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.22 to 2.91). In a model without metabolites, each 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI was associated with a 14% higher risk of breast cancer (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.28), but adding 16a-hydroxy-DHEA-3-sulfate and 3-methylglutarylcarnitine weakened this association (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 0.93 to 1.20), with the logOR attenuating by 57.6% (95% CI = 21.8% to 100.0+%). Conclusion These four metabolites may signal metabolic pathways that contribute to breast carcinogenesis and that underlie the association of BMI with increased postmenopausal breast cancer risk. These findings warrant further replication efforts.
Impacts of climate change on cropping patterns in a tropical, sub-humid watershed

In recent decades, there have been substantial increases in crop production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) as a result of higher yields, increased cropping intensity, expansion of irrigated cropping systems, and rainfed cropland expansion. Yet, to date much of the research focus of the impact of climate change on crop production in the coming decades has been on crop yield responses. In this study, we analyse the impact of climate change on the potential for increasing rainfed cropping intensity through sequential cropping and irrigation expansion in central Benin. Our approach combines hydrological modelling and scenario analysis involving two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs), two water-use scenarios for the watershed based on the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs), and environmental water requirements leading to sustained streamflow. Our analyses show that in Benin, warmer temperatures will severely limit crop production increases achieved through the expansion of sequential cropping. Depending on the climate change scenario, between 50% and 95% of cultivated areas that can currently support sequential cropping or will need to revert to single cropping. The results also show that the irrigation potential of the watershed will be at least halved by mid-century in all scenario combinations. Given the urgent need to increase crop production to meet the demands of a growing population in SSA, our study outlines challenges and the need for planned development that need to be overcome to improve food security in the coming decades.
Multistage and Multilevel Power Electronic Converter-Based Power Supply for Plasma DBD Devices

This paper presents the development and performance evaluation of a compact-converter-based power supply for plasma dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) devices. The developed power supply is designed to meet weight and size requirements for applications in aeronautical systems. Multistage and multilevel switch-mode converters are employed to construct the power supply. The multistage part of the power supply is constructed from multiple dc–dc boost converters that have their inputs fed by rechargeable batteries. The outputs of the dc–dc converters are used to feed different levels of a single phase cascaded $H$ -bridge (CHB) multilevel dc–ac converter. The switching signals for the CHB dc–ac converter are generated to facilitate the adjustments of the magnitude and/or frequency of the output voltage. Such adjustments are set to allow manipulating the generated plasma body force. A prototype for the multistage multilevel power supply is constructed for performance evaluation using a fiberglass DBD device. Performance results show an effective generation and control of plasma body force, which can be achieved by a modular, lightweight, and compact size power supply.
Ruxolitinib significantly enhances in vitro apoptosis in Hodgkin lymphoma and primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma and survival in a lymphoma xenograft murine model

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBL) share similar molecular features by gene expression profiling. Frequent gains of chromosome 9p exhibit higher Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2) transcript levels with increased JAK2 activity, suggesting aberrant activity of JAK2 and STAT pathways. This signaling pathway alteration may in part play an important role in the pathogenesis and/or chemoradiotherapy resistance in HL and PMBL. Ruxolitinib is a potent and selective JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor, with activity against myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) including those harboring the JAK2V617F mutation. We investigated the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of ruxolitinib and changes in downstream signaling pathways in HL and PMBL. We demonstrated that ruxolitinib significantly inhibited STAT signaling in both HL and PMBL with constitutively active JAK2 signaling. We also observed that ruxolitinib significantly induced in vitro anti-proliferative effects (p < 0.05) and increased programmed cell death (p < 0.05) against both HL and PMBL cells. Importantly, ruxolitinib significantly inhibited tumor progression by bioluminescence (p < 0.05) and significantly improved survival in HL (p = 0.0001) and PMBL (p < 0.0001) xenograft NSG mice. Taken altogether, these studies suggest that ruxolitinib may be a potential adjuvant targeted agent in the therapeutic approach in patients with high risk HL and PMBL.
Prevalence of Diet Atherogenicity and Coexistence of Lipid Disorders and Arterial Hypertension among 50-year-old Inhabitants of Wroclaw, Poland.

OBJECTIVE The incorrect composition of a diet, its atherogenicity, is conducive to the occurrence of lipid disorders, arterial hypertension (HTN), diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of incorrect anthropometric and biochemical parameters as well as diet atherogenicity. METHODS The study group included 1,520 adults (880 women, 640 men). The nutritional status evaluation was based on respondents' BMI and waist circumference. The diet atherogenicity was estimated using Keys Index (KI) and P/S ratio. Total cholesterol (TCh), LDL cholesterol as well as triglycerides (TG) concentration in blood serum were also evaluated. RESULTS In 56.8% of women and 60.8% of men waist circumference exceeded referential values. The diets of 71.4% of women and 87.3% of men were atherogenic. HTN was observed in 64.1% of the study population. Hypercholesterolaemia was found in approximately 72% of the respondents. The increased LDL cholesterol concentration were found in 57.5% of women and 64.5% of men. Abnormal concentration of HDL cholesterol occurred among approximately 20% of respondents. Hypertriglyceridaemia was recognised in 26% of women and 44% of men. In the group of women and men with HTN, mean values, i.e. BMI, waist circumference and TG (with TCh concentration additionally noted in men) were found as significant. Normal lipid profile and arterial pressure values were observed in 6.6% of the population. CONCLUSIONS In the diets of men with HTN were observed higher values of KI compared to group without HTN. No significant differences were found in the frequency of occurrence of the analysed parameters either among the group of women with HTN or without it. In the group of men with HTN, the abnormal BMI, waist circumference and TG occurred more frequently.
Performance evaluation of Al2O3 nanoparticle-modified asphalt binder

The rheological and physical properties of asphalt binders modified with aluminium oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles were investigated. Al2O3 nanoparticles were added to the base asphalt binder at concentrations of 3, 5, and 7 wt. %. Superpave binder tests were conducted to evaluate the characteristics of the nano-Al2O3-modified binders. Rotational viscosity tests and a dynamic shear rheometer were used to analyse the rheological and physical properties of the modified binders, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy technique to observe changes in the structure of modified binders compared to the original. The penetration and ductility values decreased with added Al2O3 as well as temperature susceptibility. The phase angle δ is reduced with 5 wt. % or less Al2O3 added to the binder. The complex shear modulus G* significantly increased with the addition of up to 5 wt. % Al2O3. Results recognise 5 wt. % as the optimum level. The performance of nano-Al2O3-modified binders was enhanced regarding their resistance to both thermal rutting at high temperatures and fatigue cracking at low temperatures. Furthermore, statistical analysis of penetration, softening point, complex shear modulus, and phase angle results, using both one- and two-way ANOVA tests, show a significant difference level, having remarkable impacts on the dependent variables.
Flexural properties of veneer-overlaid OSB composite panels from southern yellow pine

This study demonstrates the degree of improvement in flexural properties and dimensional stability of composite panels made with an oriented strandboard (OSB) core overlaid with veneer. Composite panel type A consisted of 7/16-inch-thick OSB overlaid with 1/8-inch-thick southern yellow pine veneers on both sides with the veneer grain parallel to the OSB face flake orientation. Composite panel type B was made with the same components as type A, except that the veneer grain orientation was perpendicular to the OSB face flake orientation. Results of the study indicate that flexural modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) values of composite B in the direction parallel to veneer grain are 96 and 117 percent higher, respectively, than MOE and MOR values of 23/32-inch-thick OSB. In the perpendicular direction to veneer grain, composite B MOE and MOR values are 8 and 38 percent higher, respectively, than corresponding MOE and MOR values of 23/32-inch-thick OSB. In composite B, the ratios of parallel-to-perpendicular veneer orientation properties are 4.5 for MOE and 3.2 for MOR.
The Effect of Probiotic Yogurt on Blood Glucose and cardiovascular Biomarkers in Patients with Type II Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Given the high prevalence of type II diabetes and its complications, the evidence regarding the beneficial effects of probiotic yogurt on some cardiovascular biomarkers in diabetic patients is worthy of investigation. Aim: To investigate the effect of probiotic yogurt on blood glucose level and cardiovascular biomarkers in patients with type II diabetes. Method:This randomized, clinical trial was conducted on 90 patients with type II diabetes who visited the 5 Azar diabetes clinic in Gorgan, Iran, in 2014. The intervention group consumed three 100 g packages of probiotic yogurt per day for four weeks, while the control group used an equal amount of plain yogurt. Dietary intake, as well as anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured before and after the trial. To analyze the data, independent t-test, paired t-test, and analysis of covariance were performed, using SPSS version 18. Results: The mean ages of the intervention and control groups were 50.49±10.92 and 50.13±9.20 years, respectively. In the intervention group, paired t-test showed significant differences between mean levels of blood glucose, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, diastolic blood pressure, and glycated hemoglobin before and after four weeks of daily intake of probiotic yogurt (P 0.05). At the end of trial, the independent t-test showed a significant difference between the two groups in terms of mean levels of blood glucose, LDL, triglycerides, blood pressure, and glycated hemoglobin (P<0.05). Implications for Practice: Consumption of probiotic yogurt showed beneficial effects on blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, blood pressure, and serum lipid levels in the intervention group. However, it had no significant effect on cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and C-reactive protein as compared with the control group. The authors recommend further longitudinal studies to draw a definitive conclusion in this regard. Overall, consumption of probiotic yoghurt can be recommended as an adjunctive therapy for type II diabetic patients.
Integrated CMOS resistance-to-period converter with parasitic capacitance evaluation

In this paper a novel and simple CMOS integrated interface is presented. The circuit is suitable for typical gas sensor applications being able to reveal: a) high resistive values over a wide-range (more than five orders of magnitude, ranging from hundreds of kilohm up to tens of gigohm); b) relatively low value capacitances (few picofarad) and their variations. The proposed front-end utilizes, as active blocks, operational amplifiers that have been implemented, at transistor level, as suitable OTA showing low input voltage offset and relatively high slew-rate characteristics. With respect to the most topologies in the literature, the proposed interface, based on an oscillating architecture, is very simple and allows to obtain good performances all over a high dynamic range without any initial calibration. System sensitivity has been set to 0.1ms/MΩ. Experimental measurements, performed on chip, fabricated in a standard and low-cost CMOS technology (AMS 0.35µm), have shown a good linearity confirming the front-end validity in a large frequency range.
Drug metabolism in early infancy: opioids as an illustration

ABSTRACT Introduction: Drug dosing in infants frequently depends on body weight as a crude indicator for maturation. Fentanyl (metabolized by Cytochrome P450 3A4) and morphine (glucuronidated by UDP-glucuronosyltransferase-2B7) served as model drugs to provide insight in maturation patterns of these enzymes and provide understanding of the impact of non-maturational factors to optimize dosing in infants. Areas covered: Systematic searches on metabolism and population pharmacokinetic (Pop-PK) models for fentanyl and morphine were performed. Pre- and post-model selection criteria were applied to assess and evaluate the validity of these models. It was observed that maturational changes have been rather well investigated, be it with variability in the maturational function estimates. The same holds true for Pop-PK models, where non-maturational covariates have also been reported (pharmacogenetics, disease state or external influences), although less incorporated in the PK models and with limited knowledge on mechanisms involved. Expert opinion: PK models for fentanyl and morphine are currently available. Consequently, we suggest that researchers should not continue to develop new models, but should investigate whether collected data fit in already existing models and provide additional value concerning the impact of (non)-maturational factors like drug-drug interactions or pharmacogenetics.
Three-Dimensional Morphometry of the A1 Segment of the Anterior Cerebral Artery With Neurosurgical Relevance

BACKGROUND: Despite research in the anatomical sciences for the last 200 years, some structures of the human body remain controversial or incompletely described. One of these structures is the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA). OBJECTIVE: To analyze the A1 segment of the ACA using novel stereoscopic methods because the 3-dimensional morphometry of the ACA is important to neurosurgeons. METHODS: A digital-image computer-based system was used to analyze the A1 segment of 230 ACAs derived from computed tomography. Data analysis included the inner diameter, length, and volume and calculation of A1 symmetry, hypoplasia, and deviation, and tortuosity indexes. RESULTS: Hypoplasia of the A1 segment was found in 0.87% and only on the right sides, whereas asymmetry was found in 42.6% and was more common in female patients. Right A1 segments tended to be longer in male patients, and this reached significance. Also of significance was the correlation of an increased length with age. Right A1 segments tended to have greater volumes, and this was significant in a comparison of male and female patients. Tortuosity indexes tended to be greater for left sides, but deviation indexes tended to be greater on the right sides. CONCLUSION: Morphometric data of the A1 segment of the ACA as analyzed in the present study may be of utility to the neurosurgeon. Right A1 segments tend to be more tortuous, more deviated, longer, and narrower than left A1 segments.
Effect of different intra-canal post materials on detection of root fractures using cone-beam computed tomography

Aim: The aim of the present study is to test the accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in detecting simulated root fractures (RFs) in endodontically treated teeth with different post and cores. Materials and Methods: Forty maxillary central incisors without any defects were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10) according to type of posts; Group A (Cast), B (fiber-reinforced composite post [FRC]), C (hybrid composite), and D (control, without any post). Except teeth in Group D, all of the samples were endodontically treated and prepared for post restoration. Using a reference, FRC post and core, cast post and core, and core build-up in Group C were completed. In Group C, hybrid composite was placed directly into post space. All of the samples were prepared for standard metal crowns considering 2 mm of the ferrule in their preparation. To simulate clinical situation, teeth were mounted in 135° angulation. A universal testing machine was used to fracture the teeth. Then, the CBCT scans were obtained, and three oral and maxillofacial radiologists assessed the images for the presence of RFs. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: There was no significant difference among four groups. The lowest sensitivity was for Group A and B. Kappa coefficient for first and second observer was 0.972 ± 0.0391 and for third observer 0.876 ± 0.0391 (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Within limitations of this in vitro study, different postmaterials had no significant effect on diagnostic abilities of CBCT in detecting RFs.