Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measurement of peripheral dose to the pelvic region and the associated risk for cancer development after breast intraoperative electron radiation therapy

This study aimed to measure the received dose to the pelvic region of patients during breast intraoperative electron radiation therapy (IOERT). Furthermore, we compared the findings with those of external beam radiation therapy. Finally, secondary ovarian and uterus cancer risks following breast IOERT were estimated. In the current study, the received dose to the pelvic surface of 18 female patients during breast IOERT boosts were measured by thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD-100) chips. All patients were treated with 12 Gy given in a single fraction. To estimate the dose to the ovary and uterus of the patients, conversion coefficients for depth from the surface dose were obtained in a Rando phantom. Given the received dose to the pelvic region of the patients, secondary ovarian and uterus cancer risks following breast IOERT were estimated. The received doses to the ovary and uterus surface of the patients were 0.260 ± 0.155 mGy to 31.460 ± 6.020 mGy and 0.485 ± 0.122 mGy to 22.387 ± 15.476 mGy, respectively. Corresponding intra-pelvic (ovary and uterus) regional doses were 0.012 ± 0.007 mGy to 1.479 ± 0.283 mGy and 0.027 ± 0.001 mGy to 1.164 ± 0.805 mGy, respectively. Findings demonstrated that the ratio of the received dose by the pelvic surface to the regional dose during breast IOERT was much less than external beam radiation therapy. The mean of the secondary cancer risks for the ovary in 8 and 10 MeV electron beam energies were 135.722 ± 117.331 × 10−6 and 69.958 ± 28.072 × 10−6, and for the uterus were 17.342 ± 10.583 × 10−6 and 2.971 ± 3.604 × 10−6, respectively. According to our findings, the use of breast IOERT in pregnant patients can be considered as a safe radiotherapeutic technique, because the received dose to the fetus was lower than 50 mGy. Furthermore, IOERT can efficiently reduce the unnecessary dose to the pelvic region and lowers the risk of secondary ovarian and uterus cancer following breast irradiation.
Bionic Electronic Nose Based on MOS Sensors Array and Machine Learning Algorithms Used for Wine Properties Detection

In this study, a portable electronic nose (E-nose) prototype is developed using metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensors to detect odors of different wines. Odor detection facilitates the distinction of wines with different properties, including areas of production, vintage years, fermentation processes, and varietals. Four popular machine learning algorithms—extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and backpropagation neural network (BPNN)—were used to build identification models for different classification tasks. Experimental results show that BPNN achieved the best performance, with accuracies of 94% and 92.5% in identifying production areas and varietals, respectively; and SVM achieved the best performance in identifying vintages and fermentation processes, with accuracies of 67.3% and 60.5%, respectively. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed E-nose, which could be used to distinguish different wines based on their properties following selection of an optimal algorithm.
Coffee consumption and risk of pancreatic cancer: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis

Abstract The association between coffee consumption and pancreatic cancer risk has been extensively studied; however, there is no consistent conclusion. Therefore, this meta-analysis study sought to evaluate dose–response relationship between them. A search was conducted using the PubMed and Web of Science databases. Thirteen high-quality cohort studies were identified, involving in 959,992 study participants and 3831 pancreatic cancer cases. Comparing the highest with lowest categories of coffee intake, the pooled relative risk (RR) was 1.08 (95% CI 0.94–1.25). For dose–response analysis, no evidence of a nonlinear dose–response association between coffee consumption and pancreatic cancer (p for nonlinearity =0.171) was found. The risk of pancreatic cancer was increased by 5.87% (RR =1.06, 95% CI 1.05–1.07) with the increment of one cup/day. Coffee consumption was identified to be related with the increasing risk of pancreatic cancer in a dose–response manner. Nevertheless, further mechanistic studies are needed to clarify the concerned issues.
An observational study on usefulness of Bromium 30C in atopic respiratory complaints by assessing serum immunoglobulin E levels

Background: Atopic disorders represent a major health problem worldwide affecting 5%–30% of the population. The present study evaluates the action of Bromium 30C in reducing serum IgE levels. Objective: To assess the variation of serum IgE levels before, during and after intervention with Bromium 30C. Materials and Methods: Thirty cases of atopic respiratory complaints (diagnosed based on clinical history, CMDT guidelines and serum IgE values during the first visit) were selected as per the inclusion criteria using purposive sampling technique. Bromium 30C was prescribed for these cases and followed for 3 months. Bromium 30C was repeated twice daily for 2 weeks and placebos were administered in between. Serum IgE values were checked every month. The data was statistically analysed using mean, standard deviation and analysis of variants (ANOVA). Results: ANOVA for repeated measures showed P = 0.000, which is highly significant. Pairwise comparison of serum IgE levels in before and during, during and after treatment groups showed P = 0.007, which is highly significant. Pairwise comparison of serum IgE levels in during and after treatment group showed P = 0.016, which is significant. Conclusion: There is a significant reduction in serum IgE levels in cases of atopic respiratory complaints during and after homoeopathic treatment with Bromium 30C.
Neural function in DCC mutation carriers with and without mirror movements

Recently identified mutations of the axon guidance molecule receptor gene, DCC, present an opportunity to investigate, in living human brain, mechanisms affecting neural connectivity and the basis of mirror movements, involuntary contralateral responses that mirror voluntary unilateral actions. We hypothesized that haploinsufficient DCC+/− mutation carriers with mirror movements would exhibit decreased DCC mRNA expression, a functional ipsilateral corticospinal tract, greater “mirroring” motor representations, and reduced interhemispheric inhibition. DCC+/− mutation carriers without mirror movements might exhibit some of these features.
Evaluation of dermatoglyphic patterns using digital scanner technique in skeletal malocclusion: A descriptive study

Background: Skin is the largest human organ, which performs a dynamic role in life. The ectodermal layers of the skin found on the palm with intricate lines are stable throughout life and have grabbed scientific attention. Any disturbances during their formation might possibly have the likelihood of a person developing malocclusion. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate and compare the dermatoglyphic pattern with various skeletal malocclusions. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on 40 outpatients reported with an age group of 18–20 years divided into four groups as follows: Group: I – 10 (Class I occlusion), Group: II – 10 (skeletal Class I malocclusion), Group: III – 10 (skeletal Class II malocclusion), and Group: IV – 10 (skeletal Class III malocclusion). The fingerprints were recorded using scanner exclusively designed for diagnostic purpose of the study. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS statistics software Version 23.0 to find which groups had significant differences. Results and Conclusion: Increased frequency of arch pattern was present in participants with Class I malocclusion, and loop patterns were observed in those with Class I occlusion and Class III malocclusion and whorl patterns in Class II malocclusion with P < 0.05. Dermatoglyphic pattern remains constant throughout life and it can be used as a noninvasive aid in determining the development of malocclusion at a very early age.
Wooden owl that redefines Earth's biosphere may yet catapult a fungus into space

Cellular systems are vulnerable to environmental parameters that impose thermodynamic constraints on metabolic function. These include biophysical challenges and events relating to low water-availability, solute-induced stresses, dehydration-rehydration cycles and extremes of temperature, and these can sometimes be lethal. The concept of a water-availability limit for Earth ’ s biosphere might evoke the Sahara, Atacama and other deserts where water is scarce, or subzero environments where any water is locked up as ice. However, if a cell is dried then, whereas it may remain viable, life processes cease, from an existential viewpoint it is debatable whether life exists/occurs under such conditions at all. Regardless of this, water stress also occurs in microbial habitats that are wet, even within bodies of water. Indeed, it is argu-ably implausible that any microbial system can ever function in a stress-free mode, and this can often be due oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species as well as oscillating suboptimal or supraoptimal water activity (Hallsworth, 2018). Water activity, that is the mole fraction of water mole-cules in a solution, is a potent stress parameter that is numerically equivalent to relative humidity but divided by 100 (Scott, 1957). Cells respond to low water activity, osmotic stress and other water- and solute-induced stresses using a variety of mechanisms, including production of protein-stabilization proteins, increased generation of cell-available energy, adaptations of plasma-membrane composition and accumulation of soluble stress-metabolites (compatible solutes) that can act in osmotic adjustment and protect macromolecular structures, depending on the microbe and stress(es) experienced. Some microbes, known as xerophiles, are able to function optimally at
Frequency, predictive factors and therapy of emergence delirium: data from a large observational clinical trial in a broad spectrum of postoperative pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND Emergence delirium (ED) is an important postanesthetic complication in children. Although it has been thoroughly studied, data on frequency, predictive factors, and therapy of this phenomenon are inconclusive. In this study, we seek to obtain a better understanding of the frequency of ED and different therapeutic approaches, making use of the large amount of patients in our university hospital. METHODS After approval by the local ethics committee, patients aged zero to 13 years, who were treated in the post anesthesia care of our hospital, were investigated in this observational study. ED was diagnosed on basis of a clinical evaluation as well as with the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) Scale. RESULTS In 86 of 821 patients a PAED-Score≥10 and therefore an ED was detected (10.5%). Based on clinical assessment by the PACU staff only 5.7% experienced an ED. Age <five years (OR 2.693, 95% CI: 1.585-4.574; P<0.001), ASA physical status I (OR 1.706 95% CI: 1.057-2.753; P=0.029) and surgery in the area of head and throat (OR 2.213 95% CI: 1.446-3.387; P<0.001) were predictive factors of ED. In 24.4% of patients with PAED-Score ≥10 (21/86) an additional pharmacological therapy with clonidine and/or propofol was necessary. CONCLUSIONS ED was less frequently diagnosed than expected. In spite of its self-limited nature, an additional pharmacological treatment was necessary in one quarter of children with ED.
Emerging methodologies for pathogen identification in bloodstream infections: an update

ABSTRACT Introduction: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) remain a major public health burden worldwide, particularly in high-income countries as they are associated with a significant mortality rate. As early administration of appropriate antimicrobial therapy is a major prognostic factor, there remain unmet needs for shortening BSI diagnosis. Current blood cultures (BC) processing to identify pathogens involved in BSI is not compatible with such delays, although it remains the gold standard. Areas covered: Herein, we review and discuss emerging or ongoing assessed methodologies dedicated to shorten the identification of microorganisms involved in BSI and published since 2015. A particular focus on the economical and clinical impact of these approaches is provided when hindsight is sufficient. Methods to shorten antibiotic susceptibility testing are also reviewed. Expert commentary: Post-culture approaches have encountered a huge success as they are reliable, fast and easy to implement in the laboratory. In particular, the MALDI-TOF MS was shown to be a cost-effective method when combined with antimicrobial stewardship policies. However, further research is needed to optimize methods performed on whole blood in particular next-generation sequencing methods, as they represent an opportunity to substantially improve management of high-risk patients.
DeepMoCap: Deep Optical Motion Capture Using Multiple Depth Sensors and Retro-Reflectors

In this paper, a marker-based, single-person optical motion capture method (DeepMoCap) is proposed using multiple spatio-temporally aligned infrared-depth sensors and retro-reflective straps and patches (reflectors). DeepMoCap explores motion capture by automatically localizing and labeling reflectors on depth images and, subsequently, on 3D space. Introducing a non-parametric representation to encode the temporal correlation among pairs of colorized depthmaps and 3D optical flow frames, a multi-stage Fully Convolutional Network (FCN) architecture is proposed to jointly learn reflector locations and their temporal dependency among sequential frames. The extracted reflector 2D locations are spatially mapped in 3D space, resulting in robust 3D optical data extraction. The subject’s motion is efficiently captured by applying a template-based fitting technique on the extracted optical data. Two datasets have been created and made publicly available for evaluation purposes; one comprising multi-view depth and 3D optical flow annotated images (DMC2.5D), and a second, consisting of spatio-temporally aligned multi-view depth images along with skeleton, inertial and ground truth MoCap data (DMC3D). The FCN model outperforms its competitors on the DMC2.5D dataset using 2D Percentage of Correct Keypoints (PCK) metric, while the motion capture outcome is evaluated against RGB-D and inertial data fusion approaches on DMC3D, outperforming the next best method by 4.5% in total 3D PCK accuracy.
Fibroblast growth factor-23 promotes rhythm alterations and contractile dysfunction in adult ventricular cardiomyocytes.

Background Cardiac dysfunction and arrhythmia are common and onerous cardiovascular events in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, especially those on dialysis. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23 is a phosphate-regulating hormone whose levels dramatically increase as renal function declines. Beyond its role in phosphorus homeostasis, FGF-23 may elicit a direct effect on the heart. Whether FGF-23 modulates ventricular cardiac rhythm is unknown, prompting us to study its role on excitation-contraction (EC) coupling. Methods We examined FGF-23 in vitro actions on EC coupling in adult rat native ventricular cardiomyocytes using patch clamp and confocal microscopy and in vivo actions on cardiac rhythm using electrocardiogram. Results Compared with vehicle treatment, FGF-23 induced a significant decrease in rat cardiomyocyte contraction, L-type Ca2+ current, systolic Ca2+ transients and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) load and SR Ca2+-adenosine triphosphatase 2a pump activity. FGF-23 induced pro-arrhythmogenic activity in vitro and in vivo as automatic cardiomyocyte extracontractions and premature ventricular contractions. Diastolic spontaneous Ca2+ leak (sparks and waves) was significantly increased by FGF-23 via the calmodulin kinase type II (CaMKII)-dependent pathway related to hyperphosphorylation of ryanodine receptors at the CaMKII site Ser2814. Both contraction dysfunction and spontaneous pro-arrhythmic Ca2+ events induced by FGF-23 were blocked by soluble Klotho (sKlotho). Conclusions Our results show that FGF-23 reduces contractility and enhances arrhythmogenicity through intracellular Ca2+ mishandling. Blocking its actions on the heart by improving sKlotho bioavailability may enhance cardiac function and reduce arrhythmic events frequently observed in ESRD.
Metabolic consequences of discretionary fortified beverage consumption containing excessive vitamin B levels in adolescents

Over the past decade, there has been a substantial increase in the number of beverage products containing added vitamins and minerals. Often viewed as a healthier choice by consumers, the metabolic impacts of excessive vitamin consumption are relatively unknown, especially in children. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a widely available, vitamin fortified beverage (5h Energy Decaffeinated) on insulin sensitivity, metabolic hormones and serum metabolomic responses in adolescents. Twenty adolescents (13-19y, 10M/10F) completed two randomized trials, consuming either coloured water as placebo (PL) or a vitamin fortified, sugar free beverage (FB, 1.5ml/kg) 40min prior to a modified oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT, 1.75g/kg glucose). Samples were collected at baseline and at 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120min during the OGTT. No differences in blood glucose response were observed between the treatments. However, compared to PL, postprandial plasma C-peptide and insulin excursion was significantly greater with FB, resulting in a 28% decline in the insulin sensitivity index. This was accompanied by elevated GLP-1, glucagon and PYY responses with FB compared to PL. Serum metabolomics (1H-NMR) analysis also revealed perturbations to vitamin B-linked one carbon metabolism flux with FB consumption that became more pronounced over time. These included a transient reduction in homocysteine flux accompanied by increases in betaine, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, choline, folate and taurine. Although these impacts are likely short-lived, results show that beverages fortified with excessive amounts of vitamins are not metabolically inert, but likely result in greater insulin secretion, differential gut hormone secretion and elevated one-carbon flux to process the excessive vitamin loads.
S-Allylmercapro-N-Acetylcysteine Attenuates the Oxidation-Induced Lens Opacification and Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Death In Vitro

The capacity of S-Allylmercapto-N-acetylcysteine (ASSNAC) to protect human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells (line ARPE-19) and porcine lenses from oxidative stress was studied. Confluent ARPE-19 cultures were incubated with ASSNAC or N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) followed by exposure to oxidants and glutathione level and cell survival were determined. Porcine lenses were incubated with ASSNAC and then exposed to H2O2 followed by lens opacity measurement and determination of glutathione (reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG)) in isolated lens adhering epithelial cells (lens capsule) and fiber cells consisting the lens cortex and nucleus (lens core). In ARPE-19 cultures, ASSNAC (0.2 mM; 24 h) increased glutathione level by 2–2.5-fold with significantly higher increase in GSH compared to NAC treated cultures. Similarly, ex-vivo exposure of lenses to ASSNAC (1 mM) significantly reduced the GSSG level and prevented H2O2 (0.5 mM)-induced lens opacification. These results demonstrate that ASSNAC up-regulates glutathione level in RPE cells and protects them from oxidative stress-induced cell death as well as protects lenses from oxidative stress-induced opacity. Further validation of these results in animal models may suggest a potential use for ASSNAC as a protective therapy in retinal degenerative diseases as well as in attenuation of oxidative stress-induced lens opacity.
Effect of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers on permeation of S-amlodipine besylate through intercalated polymeric transdermal matrix: 3(2) designing, optimization and characterization

Abstract Objective: Innovation in material science has made it possible to fabricate a pharmaceutical material of modifiable characteristics and utility, in delivering therapeutics at a sustained/controlled rate. The objective of this study is to design and optimize the controlled release transdermal films of S-Amlodipine besylate by intercalating hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers. Methods: 3(2) factorial design and response surface methodology was utilized to prepare formulations by intercalating the varied concentration of polymers(A) and penetration enhancer(B) in solvent. The effect of these independent factors on drug release and flux was investigated to substantiate the ex-vivo, stability and histological findings of the study. Results: FTIR, DSC revealed the compatibility of drug with polymers; however, the semicrystallinity in drug was observed under PXRD. SEM micrographs showed homogeneous dispersion and entanglement of drug throughout the matrix. Results from the permeation study suggested the significant effect of factors on the ex vivo permeation of drug. It was observed that drug release was found to be increased with an increase in hydrophilic polymer concentration and PE. The formulations having polymers (EC:PVPK-30) at 7:3 showed maximum drug release with highest flux (102.60 ± 1.12 µg/cm2/h) and permeability coefficient (32.78 ± 1.38 cm/h). Significant effect of PE on lipid and protein framework of the skin was also observed which is responsible for increased permeation. The optimized formulation was found to be stable and showed no-sign of localized reactions, indicating safety and compatibility with the skin. Conclusion: Thus, results indicated that the prepared intercalated transdermal matrix can be a promising nonoral carrier to deliver effective amounts of drug.
“Divide et Impera” to dramatically and consciously simplify design: The mental/instance path - How reasoning among spaces, components and goals

In our times, in a complex and universal village where problems are intertwined and pervasive beyond our imagination, we need new approaches to deal with them – appropriately. In a previous work we highlighted the importance to reason ontologies: a ‘world’ f.i. a building – as a mental image – is not a Linnaeus’s classifi cation (structured set of entities) but a system (goals oriented set of classes) able to reasoning upon selectively chosen entities belonging to different Realms (ontology universes) (Fioravanti et al., 2011a). The general aim of our research– to be an effective aid to design – is to simulate wo/man as designer and user of designed spaces, hence how mental skill can be computably included in new tools able to tackle these problems. This paper is focused on the fi rst role: how actor-designers approach design problems and how the inference mechanism can help them and affect the design process. A ‘Building Object’ - the dual system of Spaces and Technology elements – is inferred in several ways according to different goals and the inference mechanism can, simulating human mental shortcuts, optimize thinking.