Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of interferon-γ release assays and tuberculin skin test in predicting the development of active tuberculosis (UK PREDICT TB): a prospective cohort study

Background Tackling tuberculosis requires testing and treatment of latent tuberculosis in high-risk groups. The aim of this study was to estimate the predictive values of the tuberculin skin test (TST) and two interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) for the development of active tuberculosis in high-risk groups—ie, people in recent contact with active tuberculosis cases and from high-burden countries. Method In this prospective cohort study, we recruited participants from 54 centres (eg, clinics, community settings) in London, Birmingham, and Leicester in the UK. Participants were eligible if they were aged 16 years or older and at high risk for latent tuberculosis infection (ie, recent contact with someone with active tuberculosis [contacts] or a migrant who had arrived in the UK in the past 5 years from—or who frequently travelled to—a country with a high burden of tuberculosis [migrants]). Exclusion criteria included prevalent cases of tuberculosis, and participants who were treated for latent tuberculosis after a positive test result in this study. Each participant received three tests (QuantiFERON-TB Gold-In Tube, T-SPOT. TB, and a Mantoux TST). A positive TST result was reported using three thresholds: 5 mm (TST-5), 10 mm (TST-10), and greater than 5 mm in BCG-naive or 15 mm in BCG-vaccinated (TST-15) participants. Participants were followed up from recruitment to development of tuberculosis or censoring. Incident tuberculosis cases were identified by national tuberculosis databases, telephone interview, and review of medical notes. Our primary objective was to estimate the prognostic value of IGRAs compared with TST, assessed by the ratio of incidence rate ratios and predictive values for tuberculosis development. The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01162265, and is now complete.
Modelling sediment transport with hysteresis effects

This paper details the extension of the sediment transport and morphology model SISYPHE 2D to include a lag term within the bed exchange source term of the, depthaveraged, continuity of sediment concentration equation. This lag term represents the time it takes for a sediment concentration profile to adapt to spatial or temporal changes in the flow. The inclusion of a lag term means that the settling velocity is no longer the only scaling factor for the exchange of sediment between the water and the bed. The newly modified SISYPHE 2D is tested against field data from the Thames estuary (UK), flume experiments on a dredged trench and a hypothetical channel widening. It is illustrated that the lag factor introduced into SISYPHE 2D is essential to model the sediment transport and morphodynamics, especially when considering engineered situations, where the bed is out of equilibrium with the flow conditions. Moreover, with this lag factor included, there is evidence that SISYPHE 2D can be used for (short term)morphodynamic modeling of engineered situations.
Additive effect of linseed oil supplementation on the lipid profiles of older adults

Background: Linseed oil has been investigated as a rich source of n-3 series polyunsaturated fatty acids, which mainly produce a non-atherogenic lipid profile. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of linseed oil supplementation associated with nutritional guidelines on the lipid profiles of older adults, according to the intake of saturated fatty acids (SFA). Methods: We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 110 older adults randomized in two groups: placebo and linseed oil. The linseed oil group received supplementation with 3 g of linseed oil. Both groups received nutritional guidance and were supplemented for 90 days with monthly blood collection for biochemical analysis. The dietary intake of saturated fat was subdivided into low ( , 7% SFA/day of the total energy value) and high consumption groups ( . 7% SFA/day of the total energy value). Results: Low SFA ( , 7% SFA/day of total energy value) consumption was associated with lower total cholesterol concentrations. However, we observed that the linseed oil group, including older adults who consumed . 7% SFA/day, had a greater reduction in total cholesterol than the placebo group ( P = 0.020). The same was observed for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol ( P , 0.050), suggesting an additive effect of linseed oil and diet. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations were increased significantly in only the linseed group, suggesting that the nutritional intervention alone did not improve HDL cholesterol. Conclusion: The results suggest that the nutritional intervention was effective, but linseed oil showed notable effects by increasing the HDL cholesterol concentration. In addition, consumption of , 7% SFA/day of the total energy value increased the effect of linseed oil, demonstrating the importance of reducing the consumption of saturated fat. studies emphasize the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially the n-3 series. The n-3 fatty acids include alpha linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3) of vegetable origin,
Factors Associated With Outcomes of Patients With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Development and Validation of a Risk Scoring System

We sought to identify factors that are predictive of liver transplantation or death in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and to develop and validate a contemporaneous risk score for use in a real‐world clinical setting. Analyzing data from 1,001 patients recruited to the UK‐PSC research cohort, we evaluated clinical variables for their association with 2‐year and 10‐year outcome through Cox‐proportional hazards and C‐statistic analyses. We generated risk scores for short‐term and long‐term outcome prediction, validating their use in two independent cohorts totaling 451 patients. Thirty‐six percent of the derivation cohort were transplanted or died over a cumulative follow‐up of 7,904 years. Serum alkaline phosphatase of at least 2.4 × upper limit of normal at 1 year after diagnosis was predictive of 10‐year outcome (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.05; C = 0.63; median transplant‐free survival 63 versus 108 months; P < 0.0001), as was the presence of extrahepatic biliary disease (HR = 1.45; P = 0.01). We developed two risk scoring systems based on age, values of bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, platelets, presence of extrahepatic biliary disease, and variceal hemorrhage, which predicted 2‐year and 10‐year outcomes with good discrimination (C statistic = 0.81 and 0.80, respectively). Both UK‐PSC risk scores were well‐validated in our external cohort and outperformed the Mayo Clinic and aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index (APRI) scores (C statistic = 0.75 and 0.63, respectively). Although heterozygosity for the previously validated human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DR*03:01 risk allele predicted increased risk of adverse outcome (HR = 1.33; P = 0.001), its addition did not improve the predictive accuracy of the UK‐PSC risk scores. Conclusion: Our analyses, based on a detailed clinical evaluation of a large representative cohort of participants with PSC, furthers our understanding of clinical risk markers and reports the development and validation of a real‐world scoring system to identify those patients most likely to die or require liver transplantation.
Nanotechnology in Agriculture

Agriculture is an area where new technologies are often applied to improve the yield of crops. Nano agriculture involves the employment of Nano particles in agriculture these particles will impart some beneficial effects to crops. The emergence of nanotechnology and the development of new Nanodevices and Nanomaterials open up potential novel applications in agriculture and biotechnology. Nanoparticles are materials that are small enough to fall within the nanometric range, with at least one of their dimensions being less than a few hundred nanometers. These materials would release pesticides or fertilizers at a specific time and targeted location. Nanoparticles tagged to agrochemicals or other substances could reduce the damage to other plant tissues and the amount of chemicals released into the environment.
Internet gaming disorder and online gambling disorder: Clinical and personality correlates

Background and aims The recent growth of Internet use has led to an increase of potentially problematic behaviors that can be engaged online, such as online gambling or Internet gaming. The aim of this study is to better conceptualize Internet gaming disorder (IGD) by comparing it with gambling disorder (GD) patients who only gamble online (online GD). Methods A total of 288 adult patients (261 online GD and 27 IGD) completed self-reported questionnaires for exploring psychopathological symptoms, food addiction (FA), and personality traits. Results Both clinical groups presented higher psychopathological scores and less functional personality traits when compared with a normative Spanish population. However, when comparing IGD to online GD, some singularities emerged. First, patients with IGD were younger, more likely single and unemployed, and they also presented lower age of disorder onset. In addition, they displayed lower somatization and depressive scores together with lower prevalence of tobacco use but higher FA scores and higher mean body mass index. Finally, they presented lower novelty seeking and persistence traits. Discussion GD is fully recognized as a behavioral addiction, but IGD has been included in the Appendix of DSM-5 as a behavioral addiction that needs further study. Our findings suggest that IGD and online GD patients share some emotional distress and personality traits, but patients with IGD also display some differential characteristics, namely younger age, lower novelty seeking scores and higher BMI, and FA scores. Conclusions IGD presents some characteristics that are not extensive to online GD. These specificities have potential clinical implications and they need to be further studied.
Ischemic Preconditioning Improves Maximal Accumulated Oxygen Deficit in NCAA Division I Middle-Distance Runners

ISCHEMIC PRECONDITIONING IMPROVES MAXIMAL ACCUMULATED OXYGEN DEFICIT IN NCAA DIVISION I MIDDLE-DISTANCE RUNNERS EMILY PAULL 2018 Purpose: There is an ongoing debate concerning whether ischemic preconditioning elicits consistent and meaningful exercise performance benefits. We have previously demonstrated no performance benefits of ischemic preconditioning at submaximal aerobic exercise intensities. It is likely that the beneficial effects of ischemic preconditioning on performance only involve supramaximal anaerobic exercise bouts, which elicit greater metabolic and neuromuscular stress. The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that ischemic preconditioning improves maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (aO2D), an indicator of anaerobic capacity, in NCAA Division I middle-distance runners. Methods: A randomized sham-controlled crossover study was employed in which 10 NCAA Division I middle-distance (800 to 1600 meter) track athletes (age: 21±1 yr; VO2 max: 65±7 mlO2·kg·-1·min-1) completed three supramaximal treadmill running trials (110% VO2max; ~12.6 mph @ 5% grade) to volitional exhaustion coupled with indirect calorimetry to assess maximal aO2D at baseline, after a sham control trial (mock preconditioning), and with limb-based ischemic preconditioning (4×5 min cycles of brachial artery ischemia/reperfusion). Maximal aO2D (mlO2·kg-1) for each trial was determined by first calculating the theoretical oxygen demand required for the supramaximal running bout (linear regression extrapolated from 9×5 min submaximal running stages). The actual oxygen demand measured during the supramaximal bout was
Stability indicating analytical method development and validation of eltrombopag olamine in tablet dosage form by RP-UPLC

A simple, precise and accurate stability indicating isocratic Reverse Phase Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatographic (RP-UPLC) method was developed for quantitative determination of Eltrombopag olamine in the presence of degradant products. The method was developed using Acquity UPLC BEH C18 (50 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) column with mobile phase containing a mixture of water (pH 3 with 30 % formic acid) and acetonitrile in ratio 30:70. The eluted compound was monitored at 244 nm and run time was within 2 min. Eltrombopag olamine was subjected to the stress condition of oxidative, acid, base, thermal and photolytic degradation. The drug was found to degrade significantly in acid, base and oxidative stress condition and stable in thermal and photolytic degradation condition. The degradation products were well resolved from main peak, providing stability indicating power of the method. The developed method was validated as per ICH Q2(R1) guideline with Linearity range was between 25-75 μg/ml, % Recovery range was found as 99.8-101.9 and Precision was found as RSD less than 2.
Long-term trends of heavy rainfall in South Africa

The long-term trends of heavy rainfall in South Africa were analysed using the annual maximum rainfalls of 1-7 days duration of 786 representative rainfall series. Using the Mann-Kendall indicator-of-trend test, 42.1% of the series gave significant increases of the annual maxima at the 90% significance level while only 9.5% indicated a significant reduction. The Mann-Kendall magnitude-of-trend test identified overall average increases of annual maxima ranging from 0.087 to 0.126 mm year -1 . A comparison of the mean of the first and the second half of each series obtained average increases varying from 13.0 to 15.2 % over durations that averaged to 58 years. This study reveals that annual maxima of 1-7 day duration have been increasing in South Africa and it may not be justified to ignore these trends without verifying their insignificance.
Population-Level Effects of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Programs on Infections with Nonvaccine

Mesher, David; Soldan, Kate; Lehtinen, Matti; Beddows, Simon; Brisson, Marc; Brotherton, Julia ML; Chow, Eric PF; Cummings, Teresa; Drolet, Mélanie; Fairley, Christopher K; +11 more. Garland, Suzanne M; Kahn, Jessica A; Kavanagh, Kimberley; Markowitz, Lauri; Pollock, Kevin G; SöderlundStrand, Anna; Sonnenberg, Pam; Tabrizi, Sepehr N; Tanton, Clare; Unger, Elizabeth; Thomas, Sara L; (2016) Population-Level Effects of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Programs on Infections with Nonvaccine Genotypes. Emerging infectious diseases, 22 (10). pp. 1732-1740. ISSN 1080-6040 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2210.160675 Downloaded from: http://researchonline.lshtm. ac.uk/id/eprint/3515694/
L OOK G LOBALLY AND L OCALLY : I NTER -I NTRA C ON - TRASTIVE L EARNING FROM U NLABELED V IDEOS

State-of-the-art video contrastive learning methods spatiotemporally augment two clips from the same video as positives. By only sampling positive clips from the same video, these methods neglect other semantically related videos that can also be useful. To address this limitation, we leverage nearest-neighbor videos from the global space as additional positives, thus improving diversity and introducing a more relaxed notion of similarity that extends beyond video and even class boundaries. Our ”Inter-Intra Video Contrastive Learning” (IIVCL) improves performance and generalization on video classification, detection, and retrieval tasks
The first case of ischemia‐free organ transplantation in humans: A proof of concept

Ischemia and reperfusion injury (IRI) is an inevitable event in conventional organ transplant procedure and is associated with significant mortality and morbidity post‐transplantation. We hypothesize that IRI is avoidable if the blood supply for the organ is not stopped, thus resulting in optimal transplant outcomes. Here we described the first case of a novel procedure called ischemia‐free organ transplantation (IFOT) for patients with end‐stage liver disease. The liver graft with severe macrovesicular steatosis was donated from a 25‐year‐old man. The recipient was a 51‐year‐old man with decompensated liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The graft was procured, preserved, and implanted under continuous normothermic machine perfusion. The recipient did not suffer post‐reperfusion syndrome or vasoplegia after revascularization of the allograft. The liver function test and histological study revealed minimal hepatocyte, biliary epithelium and vascular endothelium injury during preservation and post‐transplantation. The inflammatory cytokine levels were much lower in IFOT than those in conventional procedure. Key pathways involved in IRI were not activated after allograft revascularization. No rejection, or vascular or biliary complications occurred. The patient was discharged on day 18 post‐transplantation. This marks the first case of IFOT in humans, offering opportunities to optimize transplant outcomes and maximize donor organ utilization.
Estimating health-state utility values for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer using Functional assessment of Cancer Therapy – general mapping algorithms

Objectives: In the absence of EuroQol 5D data, mapping algorithms can be used to predict health-state utility values (HSUVs) for use in economic evaluation. In a placebo-controlled Phase II study of olaparib maintenance therapy (NCT00753545), health-related quality of life was measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Ovarian (FACT-O) questionnaire. Our objective was to generate HSUVs from the FACT-O data using published mapping algorithms. Materials and methods: Algorithms were identified from a review of the literature. Goodness-of-fit and patient characteristics were compared to select the best-performing algorithm, and this was used to generate base-case HSUVs for the intention-to-treat population of the olaparib study and for patients with breast cancer antigen mutations. Results: Four FACT – General (the core component of FACT-O) mapping algorithms were identified and compared. Under the preferred algorithm, treatment-related adverse events had no statistically significant effect on HSU ( P . 0.05). Discontinuation of the study treatment and breast cancer antigen mutation status were both associated with a reduction in HSUVs (–0.06, P = 0.0009; and –0.03, P = 0.0511, respectively). The mean HSUV recorded at assessment visits was 0.786. Conclusion: FACT – General mapping generated credible HSUVs for an economic evaluation of olaparib. As reported in other studies, different algorithms may produce significantly different estimates of HSUV. For this reason, it is important to test whether the choice of a specific algorithm changes the conclusions of an economic evaluation.
Neurocase : The Neural Basis of Cognition

Here we describe a patient with epilepsy (secondary to left parieto-temporal brain damage) suffering from the paroxysmal unilateral experience of hearing a person in her near extrapersonal space. The paroxysmal auditory experience was associated with a deficit in spatial auditory perception and other paroxysmal disorders of somatognosia. Based on these findings, it is suggested that the paroxysmal hearing of a person nearby corresponds to an auditory disorder of somatognosia.
Hindi Version of Addenbrooke ’ s Cognitive Examination III: Distinguishing Cognitive Impairment Among Older Indians at the Lower Cut-Offs

Background: Screening and diagnostic tests provide an objective measure of cognitive performance and also aid in distinguishing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from major neurocognitive disorder (MNCD). Further, when such tests are culturally and educationally unbiased, it strengthens their diagnostic utility. This study aimed to validate the Hindi version of Addenbrooke ’ s Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III) in Indian older adults and compare its validity with the Hindi Mini-Mental State Examination (HMSE). Methods: A sample of 412 consenting older adults visiting a memory clinic was recruited into the study. They were categorized into three groups: healthy controls (n=222), MCI (n=70), and MNCD (n=120). The complete clinical protocol was followed. Hindi ACE-III and HMSE were administered and were statistically analyzed. Results: The optimal cut-off values to detect MCI and MNCD with ACE-III were 71 and 62 (AUC: 0.849 and 0.884), respectively, which were slightly higher than with HMSE (AUC: 0.822, 0.861). Education- and age-strati ﬁ ed cut-offs were also computed. Conclusion: Hindi ACE-III has good discriminating power at lower cut-offs than the standard scores in differentiating between MCI and MNCD.
Processes controlling water vapor in the upper troposphere/lowermost stratosphere: An analysis of 8 years of monthly measurements by the IAGOS‐CARIBIC observatory

An extensive set of in situ water vapor (H2O) data obtained by the IAGOS‐CARIBIC passenger aircraft at 10–12 km altitude over 8 years (2005–2013) is analyzed. A multifaceted description of the vertical distribution of H2O from the upper troposphere (UT) via the extratropical tropopause mixing layer (exTL) into the lowermost stratosphere (LMS) is given. Compared to longer‐lived trace gases, H2O is highly variable in the UT and exTL. It undergoes considerable seasonal variation, with maxima in summer and in phase from the UT up to ~4 km above the tropopause. The transport and dehydration pathways of air starting at the Earth's surface and ending at 10–12 km altitude are reconstructed based upon (i) potential temperature (θ), (ii) relative humidity with respect to ice (RHi), and (iii) back trajectories as a function of altitude relative to the tropopause. RHi of an air mass was found to be primarily determined by its temperature change during recent vertical movement, i.e., cooling during ascent/expansion and warming during descent/compression. The data show, with great clarity, that H2O and RHi at 10–12 km altitude are controlled by three dominant transport/dehydration pathways: (i) the Hadley circulation, i.e., convective uplift in the tropics and poleward directed subsidence drying from the tropical tropopause layer with observed RHi down to 2%; (ii) warm conveyor belts and midlatitude convection transporting moist air into the UT with observed RHi usually above 60%; and (iii) the Brewer–Dobson shallow and deep branches with observed RHi down to 1%.