Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The histology of brain tumours for 67,331 children and 671,085 adults diagnosed in 60 countries during 2000-2014: a global, population-based study (CONCORD-3).

INTRODUCTION Global variations in survival for brain tumours are very wide when all histological types are considered together. Appraisal of international differences should be informed by the distribution of histology, but little is known beyond Europe and North America. PATIENTS AND METHODS The source for the analysis was the CONCORD data base, a programme of global surveillance of cancer survival trends, which includes the tumour records of individual patients from more than 300 population-based cancer registries. We considered all patients aged 0-99 years who were diagnosed with a primary brain tumour during 2000-2014, whether malignant or non-malignant. We presented the histology distribution of these tumours, for patients diagnosed during 2000-2004, 2005-2009, and 2010-2014. RESULTS Records were submitted from 60 countries on five continents, 67,331 for children and 671,085 for adults. After exclusion of irrelevant morphology codes, the final study population comprised 60,783 children and 602,112 adults. Only 59 of 60 countries covered in CONCORD-3 were included, because none of the Mexican records were eligible. We defined 12 histology groups for children, and 11 histology groups for adults. In children (0-14 years), the proportion of low-grade astrocytomas ranged between 6% and 50%. Medulloblastoma was the most common sub-type in countries where low-grade astrocytoma was less commonly reported. In adults (15-99 years), the proportion of glioblastomas varied between 9% and 69%. International comparisons were made difficult by wide differences in the proportion of tumours with unspecified histology, which accounted for up to 52% of diagnoses in children and up to 65% in adults. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first account of the global histology distribution of brain tumours, in children and adults. Our findings provide insights into the practices and the quality of cancer registration worldwide.
Effectiveness of Closed Loop Stimulation pacing in patients with cardio-inhibitory vasovagal reflex syncope is questionable.

recurrent reflex syncope and tilt of The results of the study by Brignole et al. 1 of cardiac pacing in patients with severe reflex syncope and tilt-induced asystole (BioSync trial) are impressive. The estimated syncope recurrence rate at 2 years was 22% in paced patients vs. 68% in controls. Nevertheless, numer-ous questions about the role of cardiac pacing in patients with cardio-inhibitory vasovagal reflex syncope (ciVVS) remain. 2,3 To be plausible, results of Closed Loop Stimulation (CLS) pacing need to be backed up by physiological theory. 3 With regard to the CLS device, the authors suggest that early, rapid pacing of the right ventricle pre-vents the progressive fall in cardiac output during early presyncope before ‘full-blown’ ciVVS develops. 1,3 Rapid pacing is triggered by a change in
Structural analogy between aqueous and oily magnetic fluids

In this paper, we compare the structure and the phase behavior of two kinds of magnetic fluids, also called ferrofluids. They are constituted of the same maghemite particles, the diameters of which lie around 8 nm, dispersed either in water or in cyclohexane. Both systems are constructed to get the same interparticle interactions and differ only through the nature of the repulsion. Repulsion is either electrostatic, due to the charges of citrate molecules adsorbed on the particles surface in water, or steric, due to the alkyl chains of adsorbed surfactants in cyclohexane. Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments show that both systems are highly repulsive and that the structure factors are very similar. This is confirmed by stability measurements: the samples are stable if temperature is decreased and if a magnetic field is applied. If the repulsion is decreased by the addition of electrolyte in water or bad solvent in cyclohexane, a gas–liquid-like transition is observed in both systems. However.
A risk score system for stratifying the risk of relapse in B cell acute lymphocytic leukemia patients after allogenic stem cell transplantation

Abstract Background For patients with B cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (B-ALL) who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT), many variables have been demonstrated to be associated with leukemia relapse. In this study, we attempted to establish a risk score system to predict transplant outcomes more precisely in patients with B-ALL after allo-SCT. Methods A total of 477 patients with B-ALL who underwent allo-SCT at Peking University People's Hospital from December 2010 to December 2015 were enrolled in this retrospective study. We aimed to evaluate the factors associated with transplant outcomes after allo-SCT, and establish a risk score to identify patients with different probabilities of relapse. The univariate and multivariate analyses were performed with the Cox proportional hazards model with time-dependent variables. Results All patients achieved neutrophil engraftment, and 95.4% of patients achieved platelet engraftment. The 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), overall survival (OS), leukemia-free survival (LFS), and non-relapse mortality were 20.7%, 70.4%, 65.6%, and 13.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that patients with positive post-transplantation minimal residual disease (MRD), transplanted beyond the first complete remission (≥CR2), and without chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) had higher CIR (P < 0.001, P = 0.004, and P < 0.001, respectively) and worse LFS (P < 0.001, P = 0.017, and P < 0.001, respectively), and OS (P < 0.001, P = 0.009, and P < 0.001, respectively) than patients without MRD after transplantation, transplanted in CR1, and with cGVHD. A risk score for predicting relapse was formulated with the three above variables. The 5-year relapse rates were 6.3%, 16.6%, 55.9%, and 81.8% for patients with scores of 0, 1, 2, and 3 (P < 0.001), respectively, while the 5-year LFS and OS values decreased with increasing risk score. Conclusion This new risk score system might stratify patients with different risks of relapse, which could guide treatment.
Computational Mutagenesis at the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein/Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Binding Interface: Comparison with Experimental Evidence

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the pathogen severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), started in China during late 2019 and swiftly spread worldwide. Since COVID-19 emergence, many therapeutic regimens have been relentlessly explored, and although two vaccines have just received emergency use authorization by different governmental agencies, antiviral therapeutics based neutralizing antibodies and small-drug inhibitors can still be vital viable options to prevent and treat SARS-CoV-2 infections. The viral spike glycoprotein (S-protein) is the key molecular player that promotes human host cellular invasion via recognition of and binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 gene (ACE2). In this work, we report the results obtained by mutating in silico the 18 ACE2 residues and the 14 S-protein receptor binding domain (S-RBDCoV-2) residues that contribute to the receptor/viral protein binding interface. Specifically, each wild-type protein–protein interface residue was replaced by a hydrophobic (isoleucine), polar (serine and threonine), charged (aspartic acid/glutamic acid and lysine/arginine), and bulky (tryptophan) residue, respectively, in order to study the different effects exerted by nature, shape, and dimensions of the mutant amino acids on the structure and strength of the resulting binding interface. The computational results were next validated a posteriori against the corresponding experimental data, yielding an overall agreement of 92%. Interestingly, a non-negligible number of mis-sense variations were predicted to enhance ACE2/S-RBDCoV-2 binding, including the variants Q24T, T27D/K/W, D30E, H34S7T/K, E35D, Q42K, L79I/W, R357K, and R393K on ACE2 and L455D/W, F456K/W, Q493K, N501T, and Y505W on S-RBDCoV-2, respectively.
Coupled Microstrip Line Ferroelectric Phase Shifter for Ka-Band Phased Array Antenna

This work presents the design, fabrication and microwave performance of coupled microstrip line phase shifter (CMPS) based on (Ba,Sr)TiO3 (BST) thin films for Ka-band phased array antenna. Ferroelectric BST thin films were deposited on MgO single crystal substrates by pulsed laser deposition. Because this CMPS design can bear the high dielectric constant of ferroelectric thin films at Ka-band, it has many advantages like the high tunability and the low loss. This design is proposed as a component in low-cost beam scanning phased array antennas. Though methods for calculating the characteristics of coupled line are well known, coupled line on the ferroelectric thin film is difficult to analyze because of the high dielectric constant and very thin thickness with respect to that of MgO substrate. So the coupled line on ferroelectric thin films was analyzed here simply using even and odd mode propagation concepts of coupled line by full-wave electromagnetic simulation. The measured results were in good agreement with the simulated results at the frequencies of interest. The measured differential phase shift based on BST thin films was 45° and the insertion loss decreased from −5.7 dB to −3.6 dB with increasing the bias voltage from 0 to 200 V at 30 GHz.
Evaluating the status of phytochemicals within Catharanthus roseus due to higher metal stress

Abstract Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle) is the source of terpenoid indole alkaloids which are minor products in the plants, making their isolation elaborate and costly. The low yield of the alkaloids in the plant combined with their high market price made Catharanthus roseus an important model system for plant biotechnology and secondary metabolism studies. This study highlights the responses of Catharanthus roseus due to metal stress under pot culture conditions. It was observed that metals like zinc and copper showed a positive effect on accumulation of few secondary metabolites in Catharanthus roseus. Accumulation of total alkaloids, phenolics and flavonoids in the plants were observed to increase with increasing concentrations of these metal treatments given to growing plants. Similarly, plants grown in industrially contaminated soils also showed varying alkaloid, phenolics and flavonoid accumulation in comparison to those grown in garden soil. Higher metal contaminations in the soil lead to higher production of certain phytochemicals in different plant parts.
Visualizing anatomically registered data with brainrender

Three-dimensional (3D) digital brain atlases and high-throughput brain-wide imaging techniques generate large multidimensional datasets that can be registered to a common reference frame. Generating insights from such datasets depends critically on visualization and interactive data exploration, but this a challenging task. Currently available software is dedicated to single atlases, model species or data types, and generating 3D renderings that merge anatomically registered data from diverse sources requires extensive development and programming skills. Here, we present brainrender: an open-source Python package for interactive visualization of multidimensional datasets registered to brain atlases. Brainrender facilitates the creation of complex renderings with different data types in the same visualization and enables seamless use of different atlas sources. High-quality visualizations can be used interactively and exported as high-resolution figures and animated videos. By facilitating the visualization of anatomically registered data, brainrender should accelerate the analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of brain-wide multidimensional data.
Impaired posterior cingulate cortex–parahippocampus connectivity is associated with episodic memory retrieval problems in amnestic mild cognitive impairment

Episodic memory retention and retrieval decline are the most common impairments observed in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients who progress to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Clinical electroencephalography research shows that patients with dementia due to AD exhibit a slowing of neural electrical activity in the parietal cortex. Memory research has further suggested that successful memory performance is associated with changes in a posterior cingulate–parahippocampal cortical network together with increased θ–γ oscillatory coupling, where θ oscillations act as carrier waves for γ oscillations, which contain the actual information. However, the neurophysiological link between the memory research and clinical studies investigating aMCI and AD is lacking. In this study, we look at brain activity in aMCI and how it relates to memory performance. We demonstrate decreased γ power in the posterior cingulate cortex and the left and right parahippocampus in aMCI patients in comparison to control participants. This goes together with reduced θ coherence between the posterior cingulate cortex and parahippocampus associated with altered memory performance aMCI patients in comparison to control participants. In addition, comparing patients with aMCI to control participants reveals an effect for θ–γ coupling for the posterior cingulate cortex, and the left and right parahippocampus. Taken together, our results show that parahippocampus and posterior cingulate cortex interact via θ–γ coupling, which is associated with memory recollection and is altered in aMCI patients, offering a potential candidate mechanism for memory decline in aMCI.
Accomplishing CAPE Domain 3 During APPE Rotations: Student Perceptions

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to examine student perceptions of accomplishment among 6 subdomains of Center for Advancement of Pharmacy Education (CAPE) Domain 3 “Approach to Practice and Care” outcomes in Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE) across distinct geographical regions. Methods: An 18-item electronic survey was distributed to 88 student pharmacists at a private university completing APPEs in 5 distinct regions and 2 concentrated learning experiences during their penultimate rotation. The survey assessed whether students had at least 1 opportunity to achieve Domain 3 outcomes. Students were prompted to report a percentage of perceived successful accomplishment of outcomes if they stated they had at least 1 opportunity for achievement. Results: Survey response rate was 52% (n = 46). Respondents reported a median accomplishment of at least 85% for each question. For 2 questions, respondents reported a median accomplishment of 99%. Students perceived successful accomplishment for most of the questions related to communication outcomes, while the lowest completion percentages were noted in outcomes related to patient advocacy (85%) and problem solving (88%). Student perceptions of accomplishment among the 6 subdomains were similar across regions and concentrated learning experiences. Conclusions: Students felt confident in accomplishing the outcomes associated with CAPE Domain 3. Regional assignments did not impact student perceptions of outcome accomplishment. Preceptors may play a pivotal role in providing students with opportunities to further polish their skills and increase confidence, specifically in the areas of patient advocacy and problem solving.
Approaching to an optimal value of rise time in n-well/p substrate photodiode by controlling depletion layer width

The relationship between response speed of a silicon n-well/p substrate photodiode and the depletion layer width has been investigated. Variation of both the junction capacitance and the series resistance of the photodiode with the depletion layer width have been analyzed. It is shown that the contribution of the time constant and the drift time in the rise time within the depletion layer can be decreased to an optimal value (less than 1ns) just for specific value of the depletion layer width and smaller value of the diffused junction area.
In-vitro studies on the antioxidant assay profiling of Withania somnifera L. (Ashwagandha) Dunal root: Part 1

a b s t r a c t Withania somnifera Dunal, commonly known as ashwagandha, has been used for centuries in ayurvedic medicine to increase longevity and vitality. Various groups of researchers support its polypharmaceutical uses by confirming anti‑inflammatory, immuno‑modulatory and antistress properties in the whole plant extract. The present investigation adds up the antioxidant assay profiling in this list. The Ashwagandha root extracts were prepared in different solvents of varied polarity in a sequential fashion. The maximum yield (5.8%) and total polyphenolic compounds (TPC, 88.58 µg GAE/mg extract) were recorded in methanolic fraction. All the extracts were screened for their potential antioxidant activities using tests such as free radical scavenging activity, metal chelation activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, superoxide radical scavenging activity and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity. Results of study showed methanolic extract as the most potent fraction and a strong correlation could be established with its TPC. Overall, the study suggests that Ashwagandha root extract could be of great use for the preparation of antioxidant rich nutraceuticles to treat various human diseases and its complications. It is quite likely that the antioxidant capacity of plant/root is one of the reasons for its established anti‑stress, anti‑inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.
EBIC microscopy of double‐heterostructure laser materials and devices

The electron beam induced current (EBIC) mode of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) has been used to characterize double heterostructure laser materials and devices in GaAs/Ga1–xAlxAs. Scanning the electron probe across the cleaved face of the laser structure shows that displacement of the p‐n junction with respect to the heterojunctions is not uncommon with displacements ∼ 1 μm occurring. Concurrent measurement of the minority carrier diffusion length gives very short lengths of 0·3–0·4 μm, differing from those in much thicker layers. Scanning the electron probe in the contact plane indicates clearly that long‐lived lasers exhibit marked heterogeneity during degradation. Considerable complexity and variation is recorded depending upon the fabrication details and degradation conditions adopted.
Youth and parent report of sleep-based interventions and utilization of technology resources in the treatment of pediatric mood disorders

Objectives: Mood disorders in youth are associated with social and academic impairment, and difficulties within the family system. Engagement in sleep hygiene, and family- and technology-based treatment models can address these impairments. The current study evaluates changes in functioning for youth who participated in a family-based partial hospitalization program (PHP) for mood disorders. Child and parent views of the importance and application of sleep hygiene and utilization of technology-based interventions were also evaluated. Methods: 474 youth diagnosed with a primary mood disorder and their caregivers participated in a family-based PHP that addressed the role of sleep hygiene, technology use for symptom management, and components of evidence-based treatments in ameliorating mood disorders. Participants were evaluated 1-, 3-, and 6-month following treatment. Results: Participants demonstrated improved functioning in social, home, and school domains. The majority of participants and parents found the sleep hygiene content and application important or very important as a component of treatment. Parents were significantly more likely than youth to be interested in using technology to access after care resources. Conclusions: Findings revealed significantly less impairment in functioning at follow-up. Parents and youth reported interest in sleep hygiene strategies as part of a comprehensive treatment for mood disorders as well as the use of technology-based resources to assist with treatment. Limitations include sample demographics and follow-up sample size.
Impact after 10-year use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in the Brazilian national immunization program: an updated systematic literature review from 2015 to 2020

ABSTRACT In 2010, a 10-valent pneumococcal non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV) was introduced in the Brazilian national immunization program; the 3 + 1 dose schedule was replaced by a 2 + 1 dose schedule in 2016. This systematic review presents the latest published evidence (2015–2020) on the impact after 10-year use of PHiD-CV in Brazil from a total of 29 publications. Overall, the PHiD-CV program had a positive impact on the morbidity and mortality associated with invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), pneumonia and acute otitis media (AOM) in children <5 years-old. A reduction in the vaccine-type invasive disease was observed in all-ages; suggesting indirect protection unvaccinated older children and adults. The occurrence of non-vaccine type disease was evidenced in some studies. Higher vaccination coverage is required at national and state level for sustained population impact. Given the change in the vaccination schedule and the dynamics of pneumococcal disease epidemiology, continuous surveillance is warranted. GSK Study identifier: HO-18-19438
Antioxidant Capacity and Total Phenol Content of Sri Lankan Annona muricata L.

Annona muricata L. (Annonaceae) is a tropical fruit tree in Sri Lanka and commercial utilization of this species is poor. The objective of the present study was to determine the antioxidant activity and the total phenol content of the ethanolic extract of fruit pulp of the Sri Lankan variety of A. muricata . Antioxidant activity was determined by using 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging assay, ferrous ion chelating assay, and ferric reducing ability of plasma assay. The total phenol content was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method using Gallic acid standard. The fruit pulp extract exhibited scavenging activity having an IC50 value of 725 ppm and EC50 value for ion chelating activity as 306 ppm. The ferric reducing ability of 1000 ppm of the fruit pulp extract was equivalent to that of 25 ppm of vitamin C. The total phenol content of the extract of fruit pulp was 139 mg Gallic Acid Equivelant /100 g. The ethanolic extract of Sri Lankan variety of A. muricata fruit pulp exhibited moderate antioxidant capacity in terms of redox properties . Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 25 (2): 252 – 260 (2014)