Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Loop-mediated isothermal amplification for Candida species surveillance in under-resourced setting: a review of evidence

ABSTRACT Introduction Non-albicans Candida species (NACS) have emerged as a major public health burden, although they are still underappreciated. Some NACS have intrinsic antifungal resistance, requiring constant surveillance to improve patient care and thwart outbreaks of recalcitrant candida infections. However, effective Candida species surveillance has relied on PCR-based or other high-end techniques that are largely unaffordable in under-resourced countries. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) has emerged as a potentially effective and affordable technique for infectious disease surveillance, especially in under-resourced settings. Areas covered We critically reviewed current literature on the application of LAMP for Candida species identification in pure fungal isolates, and in clinical and non-clinical samples. Expert opinion LAMP has been studied for Candida species identification, including the NACS. Besides a short turnaround time, LAMP has analytical sensitivity and specificity that are not only higher than culture method but also comparable with conventional and quantitative PCR techniques. However, extensive evaluation of LAMP for Candida species detection using various types of clinical and environmental samples is required before deploying the technique for Candida species surveillance.
The magnitude and distribution of iron deficiency using serum/plasma ferritin among preschool children and non-pregnant women: a multi-country analysis.

Background In 2004, World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the use of serum ferritin as a primary indicator of iron deficiency. However, there was limited data on the magnitude and distribution of iron deficiency based on ferritin. Objective To describe the prevalence of iron deficiency as measured by serum/plasma ferritin in different regions of the world and its relationship with demographic and health indicators. Methods Data from the Biomarkers Reflecting Inflammation and Nutrition Determinants of Anemia and the WHO Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System Micronutrients Database were used for this analysis. Unadjusted and inflammation-adjusted low ferritin prevalence were calculated for both databases. The prevalence of low ferritin among preschool children and non-pregnant women was examined according to its relationship with national gross domestic product (GDP), infant mortality rate (IMR), and anemia rate. Results In children, the median inflammation-adjusted prevalence of low ferritin was 35.3% (1st and 3rd quartiles: 17.5% and 48.1%). In non-pregnant women, the median inflammation-adjusted prevalence of low ferritin was 28.4% (1st and 3rd quartiles: 21.4% and 42.0%). For both children and women, the correlation between the prevalence of low ferritin and GDP, IMR, or anemia was consistently stronger using inflammation-adjusted prevalences than when using unadjusted prevalences. Conclusions The quartile values of low ferritin prevalence for children and non-pregnant women could be used to define the severity of ferritin as a public health problem.
Interventions for vulnerable pregnant women: Factors influencing culturally appropriate implementation according to health professionals: A qualitative study

Background Proper implementation of interventions by health professionals has a critical effect on their effectiveness and the quality of care provided, especially in the case of vulnerable pregnant women. It is important, therefore, to assess the implementation of interventions in care settings to serve as input to improve implementation. Objective The aim of this study is to identify factors that influence the implementation of interventions for vulnerable pregnant women in the North of the Netherlands from the perspective of health professionals. In this region, an intergenerational transfer of poverty is apparent, leading to many health problems and the transfer of unhealthy lifestyles and the associated diseases to subsequent generations. Methods We used a qualitative research design. Semi-structured interviews with 39 health professionals were conducted between February 2019 and April 2020. To analyse the findings, the MIDI (Measurement Instrument for Determinants of Innovations) was used, an instrument designed to identify what determinants influence the actual use of a new or existing innovation. Results We found two themes that influence the implementation of interventions: 1. The attitude of health professionals towards vulnerable pregnant women: stereotyped remarks and words expressing the homogenization of vulnerable pregnant women. 2. A theme related to the MIDI determinants, under which we added six determinants. Conclusion Our research showed that many factors influence the implementation of interventions for vulnerable pregnant women, making the optimal implementation of interventions very complex. We highlight the need to challenge stereotypical views and attitudes towards specific groups in order to provide relation-centred care, which is extremely important to provide culturally appropriate care. Health professionals need to reflect on their own significant influence on access to and the use of care by vulnerable groups. They hold the key to creating partnerships with women to obtain the best health for mothers and their babies.
Multi-photon processes in cavity QED

Based on a multi-mode multi-level Jaynes-Cummings model and multi-photon resonance theory, a set of universal two-qubit and three-qubit gates has been realized where dual-rail qubits are encoded in cavities. In this way, the information has been stored in cavities and the off-resonant levels have been eliminated by the theory of an effective two-level Hamiltonian. A further model, namely the spin-J model, has been introduced so that a complete population inversion for levels of interest has been achieved and periodic multilevel multi-photon models have been performed. The combination of the two models has been employed to address two-level, three-level, four-level, and even five-level configurations. Considering the present cavity-QED experiments, several numerical simulations have been designed in order to check the robustness of the logic gates to variations in experimentally important parameters including the coupling constants and the detunings. Finally, based on Liouville's equation, and the wave-function treatments, the impact of decoherence processes on the fidelity of the qubit states in the iSWAP and the Fredkin gates has been studied. This thesis may have applications to quantum information processing, involving logic with simple quantum bits, with the possible application to the building of a quantum computer.
Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in amblyopia

Purpose: To report retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) in eyes with amblyopia compared with contralateral healthy eyes. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included patients with anisometropic amblyopia, strabismic amblyopia, and mixed amblyopia. All subjects underwent complete ophthalmic examination, including RNFLT measurement with time-domain OCT (Stratus OCT) and scanning laser polarimeter (GDX VCC). A paired “t” test was used to compare average and quadrant-wise RNFL thickness between the amblyopic and contralateral normal eyes. In addition, an analysis of variance test was used to compare various RNFL thickness parameters between the three groups. Results: A total of 33 eyes of 33 subjects with anisometropic amblyopia, 20 eyes of 20 subjects with strabismic amblyopia, and 38 eyes of 38 subjects with mixed amblyopia were included. In the anisometropic amblyopia group, the average RNFLT in the amblyopic eye was 98.2 mm and 99.8 mm in the fellow normal eye (P = 0.5), the total foveal thickness was 152.82 mm (26.78) in the anisometropic eye and 150.42 mm (23.84) in the fellow eye (P = 0.38). The difference between amblyopic and contralateral normal eye for RNFL and macular parameters was statistically insignificant in all three groups. The RNFL thickness in four quadrants was similar in the amblyopic and non-amblyopic eye between all three groups and statistically non-significant. Conclusion: Our study showed that RNFL thickness was similar in amblyopic and non-amblyopic eyes between all three amblyopia groups.
3D Killer Turn Angle in Transtibial Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Is Determined by the Graft Turning Angle both in the Sagittal and Coronal Planes

During the transtibial posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction, surgeons commonly pay more attention to the graft turning angle in the sagittal plane (GASP), but the graft turning angle in the coronal plane (GACP) is always neglected. This study hypothesized that the three‐dimensional (3D) killer turn angle was determined by both the GASP and GACP, and aimed to quantitively analyze the effects of the GASP and GACP on the 3D killer turn angle.
Leishmania enriettii visceralises in the trachea, lungs, and spleen of Cavia porcellus

BACKGROUND Leishmania (Mundinia) enriettii is a species commonly found in the guinea pig, Cavia porcellus. Although it is a dermotropic species, there is still an uncertainty regarding its ability to visceralise during Leishmania life cycle. OBJECTIVE Here, we investigated the ability of L. enriettii (strain L88) to visceralise in lungs, trachea, spleen, and liver of C. porcellus, its natural vertebrate host. METHODS Animals were infected sub-cutaneously in the nose and followed for 12 weeks using histological (hematoxilin-eosin) and molecular tools (polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism - PCR-RFLP). To isolate parasite from C. porcellus, animals were experimentally infected for viscera removal and PCR typing targeting hsp70 gene. FINDINGS Histological analysis revealed intense and diffuse inflammation with the presence of amastigotes in the trachea, lung, and spleen up to 12 weeks post-infection (PI). Molecular analysis of paraffin-embedded tissues detected parasite DNA in the trachea and spleen between the 4th and 8th weeks PI. At the 12th PI, no parasite DNA was detected in any of the organs. To confirm that the spleen could serve as a temporary site for L. enriettii, we performed additional in vivo experiments. During 6th week PI, the parasite was isolated from the spleen confirming previous histopathological and PCR observations. MAIN CONCLUSION Leishmania enriettii (strain L88) was able to visceralise in the trachea, lung, and spleen of C. porcellus.
Association Between Adherence to the EAT-Lancet Diet and Risk of Cancer and Cardiovascular Outcomes in the Prospective NutriNet-Santé Cohort.

BACKGROUND The EAT-Lancet commission proposed, in 2019, a planetary, healthy and universal dietary. However, this diet has been rarely studied in relation to various health outcomes. OBJECTIVES We aimed to prospectively estimate the association between the EAT-Lancet diet and cancer and cardiovascular risk. DESIGN The study was conducted among participants of the NutriNet-Santé cohort (2009-2021). The endpoints were the incident outcomes (cancer and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and mortality from these diseases), combined and separately. Adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet was estimated using the EAT-Lancet Diet Index (ELD-I) modelled as quintiles (Q). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), adjusted for potential confounders and moderators. RESULTS A total of 62,382 subjects were included, 2,475 cases of cancer and 786 cases of cardiovascular occurred during a median follow-up of 8.1 years. The sample was 76% female, the mean age at inclusion was 51 years (Standard Deviation (SD) = 10.2 years). The ELD-I ranged from -162 to 332 points with a mean score of 45.4 points (SD = 25.6 points). In multivariable models, no significant association between the EAT-Lancet diet and the risk of cancer and CVD combined, and separately, was observed. Alcohol consumption was an effect modifier of the association. A significant association was observed among low drinkers (HR Q5 vs Q1 = 0.86, (95% CI 0.73, 1.02), p-trend = 0.02). A higher ELD-I was significantly associated with a lower risk of overall cancer only among females, (HR Q5 vs Q1 = 0.89, (95% CI 0.75, 1.05), p-trend = 0.03). Both associations were largely attenuated by body mass index. CONCLUSION Contrary to our hypothesis, our results documented significant associations between adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet and incidence of cancer only in some subgroups, and no association with CVD.
Artificial intelligence–guided precision treatment of chronic kidney disease–mineral bone disorder

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)–mineral bone disorder (MBD) is a complex clinical syndrome that begins early during CKD and evolves into one of the deadliest complications of CKD through its effects on the cardiovascular and skeletal systems. Achievement of treatment goals to decrease the risk of accelerated cardiovascular events and fractures has been challenging. We hypothesized that application of quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) modeling combined with artificial intelligence techniques could improve the management of CKD–MBD with the goal of improving outcomes for patients with CKD. We present the implementation of a reinforcement learning (RL) approach to achieve the prescribed goals for serum calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone through concurrent dosing of phosphate binders, vitamin D analogs, and calcimimetics by simulation in 80 subjects in Matlab. In silico simulation results demonstrate that the application of a QSP model coupled with RL more effectively and quickly achieves treatment goals even in the setting of inferior simulated subject compliance with medical therapy and identifies key decision variables for therapeutic recommendations.
Clinically suspect arthralgia patients with a low educational attainment have an increased risk of developing inflammatory arthritis

Abstract Objectives Cross-sectional studies have shown that rheumatoid arthritis is more prevalent among people with a lower educational attainment. No longitudinal data are present on educational attainment in the at-risk phase of clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA). We therefore analysed the association between educational attainment and progression from CSA to inflammatory arthritis (IA), and performed mediation analysis with subclinical joint inflammation to elucidate pathways of this association. Methods A total of 521 consecutive patients presenting with CSA were followed for IA development during median 25 months. Educational attainment was defined as low (lower secondary vocational education), intermediate or high (college/university education). Subclinical inflammation in hand and foot joints was measured at presentation with contrast enhanced 1.5 T-MRI. Cox-regression was used to analyse IA development per educational attainment. A three-step mediation analysis evaluated whether subclinical joint inflammation was intermediary in the path between educational attainment and IA development, before and after age correction. Association between educational attainment and IA development was verified in an independent CSA cohort. Results Low educational attainment was associated with increased IA development (HR = 2.35, 95% CI = 1.27, 4.33, P = 0.006), independent of BMI and current smoking status (yes/no). Moreover, patients with a low educational attainment had higher levels of subclinical inflammation, which also was associated with IA development. Partial mediation effect of subclinical inflammation was observed in the relationship between education and IA development. Low educational attainment was also associated with increased IA development in the validation cohort (HR = 5.72, 95% CI = 1.36, 24.08, P = 0.017). Conclusion This is the first study providing evidence that lower educational attainment is associated with a higher risk of progressing from arthralgia to IA. This effect was partially mediated by subclinical joint inflammation.
Acquisition of Tok Pisin phonology in the multilingual highlands of Papua New Guinea

Abstract Purpose: Papua New Guinea (PNG) has extreme linguistic diversity reflected in its three national languages and sociolinguistic diversity comprising over 380 vernaculars or Tokples, English and the lingua francas, which include Tok Pisin (TP). This first clinical cross-sectional study of consonant acquisition in TP-speaking children sought to identify universal features and the impact of age on phonological development. Method: A local picture naming task was developed and used to elicit a speech sample from 80 children (aged 3;0–6;11). Phonetic and phonemic inventories and developmental phonological processes were analysed across the sample and also in 12-month age groups. Result: Statistically significant differences were found between the Percentage Consonants Correct (PCC) of the 3YO and other age groups. Mean PCC increased with age, but high variation within age groups meant differences were not statistically significant. Universal features observed included the early acquisition of plosives and late mastery of /r/. Language-specific features included processes such as fricatisation and earlier acquisition of /ʤ/ before /s/. Creolisation was seen in morphophonemic condensation and the influence of loanwords. Conclusion: This study demonstrates both universal and language-specific features amidst wide diversity influencing phonological acquisition in creolising TP. This first phonological study of TP consonant development will inform future clinical speech-language pathology practice in PNG.
MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY OF HAWAIIAN GEESE (BRANTA SANDVICENSIS) AND LAYSAN ALBATROSS (PHOEBASTRIA IMMUTABILIS) ASSOCIATED WITH RETICULOENDOTHELIOSIS VIRUS

Abstract: Only one virus, Avipox, has been documented previously in wild birds in Hawaii. Using immunohistochemistry and PCR, we found that two native threatened Hawaiian Geese (Branta sandvicensis), one with multicentric histiocytoma and the other with toxoplasmosis, and one Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) with avian pox were infected with reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV). The virus was isolated from one of the geese by cell culture. Surveys of other Hawaiian geese with various pathologies, avian pox cases, and pox viral isolates using PCR failed to reveal REV, suggesting that the virus is uncommon, at least in samples examined. The full genome of the Gag, Pol, and Env genes were sequenced for all three infected birds and revealed geographic divergence of the Pol gene, suggesting it to be under strong selective pressure. Our finding of REV in Hawaii makes this only the second virus documented in native Hawaiian birds associated with pathology. Moreover, the presence of REV in a pelagic seabird is unusual. Future surveys should seek the reservoir of the virus in efforts to trace its origins.
Low‐gradient magnetic separation of magnetic nanoparticles under continuous flow: Experimental study, transport mechanism and mathematical modelling

Low‐gradient magnetic separation (LGMS) of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) has been proven as one of the techniques with great potential for biomedical and environmental applications. Recently, the underlying principle of particle capture by LGMS, through a process known as magnetophoresis, under the influence of hydrodynamic effect has been widely studied and illustrated. Even though the hydrodynamic effect is very substantial for batch processes, its impact on LGMS operated at continuous flow (CF) condition remained largely unknown. Hence, in this study, the dynamical behaviour of LGMS process operated under CF was being studied. First, the LGMS experiments using poly(sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate)‐functionalized‐MNP as modelled particle system were performed through batchwise (BW) and CF modes at different operating conditions. Here BW operation was used as a comparative study to elucidate the transport mechanism of MNP under the similar environment of CF‐LGMS process, and it was found out that the convection induced by magnetophoresis (timescale effective is ∼1200 s) is only significant at far‐from‐magnet region. Hence, it can be deduced that forced convection is more dominant on influencing the transport behaviour of CF‐LGMS (with resident time ≤240 s). Moreover, we found that the separation efficiency of CF‐LGMS process can be boosted by the higher number of magnets, the higher MNP concentration and the lower flowrate of MNP solution. To better illustrate the underlying dynamical behaviour of LGMS process, a mathematical model was developed to predict its kinetic profile and separation efficiency (with average error of ∼2.6% compared to the experimental results).
The construction of preclinical evidence for the treatment of liver fibrosis with quercetin: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Quercetin (3,3′,4′,5,7‐pentahydroxyflavone), a flavonoid, is widely found in fruits and vegetables and exerts broad‐spectrum pharmacological effects in the liver. Many studies have explored the bioactivity of quercetin in the treatment of liver fibrosis. Hence, through a systematic review and biological mechanism evaluation, this study aimed to construct a body of preclinical evidence for the treatment of liver fibrosis using quercetin. The literature used in this study was mainly obtained from four databases, and the SYRCLE list (10 items) was used to evaluate the quality of the included literature. A meta‐analysis of HA, LN, and other indicators was performed via STATA 15.0 software. Subgroup analyses based on animal species and model protocol were performed to further obtain detailed results. Moreover, the therapeutic mechanism of quercetin was summarized in a directed network form based on a comprehensive search of the literature. After screening, a total of 14 articles (comprising 15 studies) involving 254 animals were included. The results from the analysis showed that the corresponding liver function indexes, such as the levels of HA and LN, were significantly improved in the quercetin group compared with the model group, and liver function, such as the levels of AST and ALT, were also improved in the quercetin group. The species‐ and model‐based subgroup analyses of AST and ALT revealed that quercetin exerts a significant effect. The therapeutic mechanism of quercetin was shown to be related to multiple pathways involving anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activities and lipid accumulation, including regulation of the TGF‐β, α‐SMA, ROS, and P‐AMPK pathways. The results showed that quercetin exerts an obvious effect on liver fibrosis, and more prominent improvement effects on liver function and liver fibrosis indicators were obtained with a dose of 5–200 mg during a treatment course ranging from 4 to 8 weeks. Quercetin might be a promising therapeutic for liver fibrosis.