Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Semi‐quantitative method for the detection of fentanyl using surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) with a handheld Raman instrument

A handheld, spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) system was successfully used to obtain Surface‐enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectra of fentanyl under simulated field conditions. A series of aqueous fentanyl solutions were prepared with commercially available gold nanoparticle solution, at concentrations ranging from 0.003 to 1697 μM. These SERS spectra were then used to generate two concentration calibration models (via a plot of peak area (1026 cm−1) versus concentration, and quantitative spectral decomposition using partial least squares (PLS1)). For both models, the relationship followed Langmuir adsorption and became non‐linear at concentrations above ~0.2 μM, with a limit of detection (LOD) of approximately 3 nM. The same technique was successfully used to measure fentanyl in the presence of two common “cutting agents,” heroin and glucose, at 1% and 2% fentanyl proportions (w/w). Fentanyl detection was successfully achieved, but mixture interference from the cutting agents prevented a calibration model being generated. Four fentanyl analogues were also investigated—butyrylfentanyl, furanylfentanyl, acetylfentanyl, and ocfentanyl. A concentration calibration model for each species was successfully generated, but differentiation from fentanyl proved more challenging, although several potential diagnostic peaks were identified. These results identified a pathway forward in using handheld equipment for the reliable detection of ultra‐low concentrations of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues via SERS, even when mixed with diluents. However, quantitative detection is negatively impacted in the presence of heroin and glucose. This also provides a starting point for a SERS‐based spectral library of fentanyl analogues, in combination with a range of different diluents.
Calcific Tendinopathy of the Rotator Cuff Treated With Acetic Acid Iontophoresis.

A 62-year-old right hand-dominant man with a 20-year history of left shoulder pain and 6-month insidious, progressively worsening symptoms was referred to physical therapy with clinical and radiographic evidence of left supraspinatus tendon calcification. Following examination, the patient was prescribed rest, isometrics, and pain-free range of motion. He was treated with iontophoresis for 3 visits per week for 5 weeks. Radiographs, repeated 1 week post treatment and 9 weeks since his initial radiographs, demonstrated marked resorption of the calcific deposit. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2020;50(11):650. doi:10.2519/jospt.2020. 9270.
A New Case of ApoA-I Deficiency Showing Codon 8 Nonsense Mutation of the ApoA-I Gene Without Evidence of Coronary Heart Disease

Abstract We report a 39-year-old Japanese man with HDL and apoA-I deficiency as well as data from members of his family. Corneal opacity and a stomatocyte were found but not tonsillar hypertrophy, xanthomas, or splenomegaly. His serum HDL cholesterol, apoA-I, apoA-II, and LDL cholesterol levels were 6 mg/dL, <3 mg/dL, 6 mg/dL, and 175 mg/dL, respectively. Plasma triglyceride, phospholipid, apoB, apoC-III, and apoE levels were all within normal limits. Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase activity was half of normal, while lipoprotein lipase and hepatic triglyceride lipase activities were within normal limits. ApoA-I deficiency was confirmed by combined isoelectric focusing and sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by an immunoblotting method. We surveyed the apoA-I gene of the patient and five of his family members by direct sequencing after amplification by polymerase chain reaction and found a codon 8 nonsense mutation (TGG→TAG, Trp→stop) in exon 3 of the apoA-I gene. The results.
A numerical study on fetal head molding during labor

During vaginal delivery, the fetal head molds into an elongated shape to adapt to the birth canal, a process known as fetal head molding. However, excessive molding can occur due to prolonged labor or strong contractions, leading to several disorders on the fetal head. This work aims to perform a numerical study on the biomechanics of fetal head molding by measuring specific diameters and the corresponding molding index. A finite element model of the pelvic floor muscles and the fetal body was used. The fetal head is composed of the skin and soft tissues, the skull with sutures and fontanelles, and the brain. The sutures and fontanelles were modeled with membrane elements and characterized by a visco‐hyperelastic constitutive model adapted to a plane stress state. Simulations were performed to replicate the second stage of labor in the vertex presentation and occipito‐anterior position. With the introduction of viscoelasticity to assess a time‐dependent response, a prolonged second stage of labor resulted in higher molding. The pressure exerted by the birth canal and surrounding structures, along with the presence of the pelvic floor muscles, led to a percentage of molding of 9.1%. Regarding the pelvic floor muscles, a 19.4% reduction on the reaction forces and a decrease of 2.58% in muscle stretching was reported, which indicates that sufficient molding may lead to fewer injuries. The present study demonstrates the importance of focusing on the fetus injuries with non‐invasive methods that can allow to anticipate complications during labor.
Foraging Behaviour based Management Strategy to Minimize Crop Damage Caused by Indian Pea Fowl (Pavo cristatus)

Gradual increase of Indian peafowl population across low country dry zone of Sri Lanka and expansion of their distribution throughout the country caused many problems. Their omnivorous feeding habit leads to economic loss to the farmers. Objectives of the study were to investigate a management strategy based on the foraging behaviour (FB) to minimize crop damage and to understand the cultural significance in controlling them. A survey was conducted in 4 Divisional Secretariat (DS) Divisions in Vavuniya district based on a structured type questionnaire (n=160). Foraging behaviour was studied for 3 months covering morning (006-008 hrs), mid-day (11:30-13:30 hrs) and evening (1600- 1800 hrs) by direct visual scans of male, female and juvenile bird categories. There were significant differences (p<0.05) between the time of peafowl attack, the sex, the stage of peafowl with type of plant damaged. Peak activity (63%) was recorded during morning while it was 36% in the evening and 1% during mid-day. The food eaten is diverse and consisted of a mixture of plant and animal matter that includes variety of plants, beetles, snakes, snails, worms etc. in which bulk was consisted of plant parts. Rice (83.5%), cereals (62.5), spicy crops (33%) and leafy vegetables (19.5%), plantation crops (14%), vegetables (12.5 %), legumes (11%) were most affected by peafowl while less on tubers (6%). Young peafowl mostly attack (90%) lower level and adults mostly attack (67%) upper level vegetation. Furthermore, the other problems caused by peafowl recorded were as parasite spreader (40%), noisy problem (39.50%), damage vehicles (29.7%) and damage houses (6.5%). Irrespective of the ethnic group, all were respected peafowl due to religious reasons. Respondents were suggested chasing out (63.50%), hitting (9.50%), trapping (2.25%) and death (1%) as controlling measures. It is concluded that fixing water sprinklers and operate them in the morning along with cultivation of replant plants around boundaries of crops can be suggested as management strategy to minimize crop damage. Meantime it is suggested conserving them in forests by maintaining large tracts in scrub forests and associated grasslands with water bodies.
SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM Rapid Test as a Diagnostic Tool in Hospitalized Patients and Healthcare Workers, at a large Teaching Hospital in northern Italy, during the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic.

We describe the outcome of a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) IgG/IgM rapid test, and discuss the potential suitability of antibody testing. Retrospective single cohort study on patients with suspected Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and asymptomatic Healthcare Workers, enrolled from March to April 2020. Subjects had quantitative PCR (qPCR) test for detection of SARS-CoV-2 via nasal swab and serological testing using the COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test (PRIMA Lab SA) immunochromatographic assay. Some subjects underwent chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) after rapid test. The aim of the study was to analyse the proportion of those who developed a positive IgM/IgG response for SARS-CoV-2. The correspondence between the results from rapid testing and CLIA, when available, was evaluated. 97 subjects underwent qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 through nasal swab, which resulted positive in 40/43 (93.0%) of symptomatic patients, 2/40 (5%) of asymptomatic HCW, in no subjects with suspected COVID-19 (clinical and radiological findings) then excluded by repeated nasal swabs and alternative diagnosis (COVID-19-negative patients, CNPs), and in 6/6 (100%) of patients with confirmed diagnosis and negative follow-up nasal swabs (COVID-19-recovered patients, CRPs). IgM resulted positive in 8/43 (18.6%) of symptomatic patients and in 1/6 (16.7%) of CRPs. IgG resulted positive in 36/43 (83.7%) of symptomatic patients, 2/40 (5%) of HCW, and in 1/8 (12.5%) and 6/6 (100%) of CNPs and CRPs, respectively. A comparison between an IgG/IgM Rapid Test and a following CLIA test showed consistency in negative results in 25/28 of HCW and 8/8 of CNPs tested. Our preliminary data support the role of IgG/IgM Rapid Test (PRIMA Lab SA) immunochromatographic assay as a point-of-care test that may complement molecular tests in the screening of SARS-CoV-2 carriers. The test may gain particular relevance in shortening the time needed to refer patients to a COVID or non-COVID Hospital area and to achieve diagnosis in patients with persistently negative nasal swabs.
Are Disability Rates among People with Diabetes Increasing in Germany? A Decomposition Analysis of Temporal Change between 2004 and 2015

Objectives: We investigated changes in the prevalence of disabilities among individuals with type 2 diabetes and analyzed the contribution of comorbidities on this change. Methods: Data were drawn from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). We estimated predicted probabilities of impaired (instrumental) activities of daily living (IADL and ADL) by means of logistic regression. Multivariate decomposition was employed for analyzing the impact of comorbidities on changes in disability rates. Results: Among people with diabetes, ADL difficulties rose significantly from 11.3% (2004) to 19.1% (2015), while IADL difficulties increased among younger diabetics from 11.5% to 18.3%. Decomposition analysis revealed that the parallel increase in comorbidities contributed to the rise in disabilities. Discussion: We found disability rates among people with diabetes in Germany to be increasing over time, pointing toward a growing demand of tertiary prevention for these individuals to maintain functional health and quality of life.
Alterations in Hemolymph Ion Concentrations and pH in Adult Daphnia magna in Response to Elevations in Major Ion Concentrations in Freshwater

Increases in the concentrations of major ions (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−) in freshwater are a growing concern for ecosystem health. These increases may originate from anthropogenic activities such as road deicing, fracking spills, mining, and fertilizer application and have detrimental effects on freshwater organisms through disturbances in ionoregulation and acid–base balance. The cladoceran Daphnia magna is adapted for active ion uptake and reduction of ion loss to maintain osmotic balance, but alterations in ionic composition of the environmental water are associated with toxicity. In the present study, hemolymph ion concentrations were measured using ion‐selective microelectrode techniques. Increases in the hemolymph concentrations of Na+ and K+ correspond to elevations in the concentrations of these ions in ambient water. Water concentrations associated with sustained increases in hemolymph ion concentrations correlate well with median lethal concentration values from previous toxicology studies, indicating that Na+ and K+ concentrations in hemolymph may predict toxicity. When water K+ concentration is increased, a simultaneous increase in water Na+ concentration mitigates the increase in hemolymph K+ concentration, a finding which is consistent with the reported mitigation of K+ toxicity by Na+. When ambient concentrations of K+, Na+, and Cl− are increased, not only is there a rise in hemolymph ion concentration but hemolymph pH is altered and pH regulation appears to be prioritized over regulation of hemolymph Na+, K+, and Cl− in D. magna. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:366–379. © 2020 SETAC
Developing the Korean Educational Needs Assessment Tool (Korean ENAT) in rheumatoid arthritis: cross-cultural validation using Rasch analysis

Background/Aims This study was performed to undertake cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Educational Needs Assessment Tool (ENAT) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for use in Korea. Methods The study involved two main phases: cross-cultural adaptation of the ENAT from English into Korean, and validation of the Korean ENAT. The first phase followed the established process of cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures, and in the second phase, the Korean ENAT data were analyzed using the Rasch measurement model. Fit to the model was determined using the observed data infit and outfit statistics. Additional tests of validity included unidimensionality and internal consistency. Results Adequate conceptual equivalence was achieved following the adaptation process. A total of 123 patients completed the Korean ENAT. The mean age was 46.7 ± 12.3 years and the majority of patients (81.3%) were female. Thirty-five of the 39 items gave good fit to the model. The four items deviating from the model had infit and outfit > 1.50. The item separation index (5.26) and item reliability index (0.97) provided evidence for good reliability of items. All seven domains of the Korean ENAT fit the Rasch model. The internal consistency of the Korean ENAT was high, and unidimensionality was confirmed (person separation index, 3.41; reliability index, 0.92; item separation index, 16.82; reliability index, 1.00). Conclusions Using the standard procedure for cross-cultural adaptation, the ENAT has been adapted into Korean, and Rasch analysis has confirmed the construct validity, reliability, and unidimensionality of the Korean ENAT.
Identification and validation of a new gene signature predicting prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients by network analysis of stemness indices

ABSTRACT Background: Stem cells play an important role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, their precise effect on HCC tumorigenesis and progression remains unclear. The present study aimed to characterize stem cell-related gene expression in HCC. Methods: The mRNA expression-based stemness index (mRNAsi) was used to analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of HCC patients. The weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to construct a gene co-expression network of 374 HCC patients. Finally, six genes were used to construct the prognosis signature. Results: HCC patients had a higher mRNAsi score than healthy people, suggesting poor prognosis. Two gene modules highly related to mRNAsi were identified. Multivariate Cox analysis was carried out to establish a Cox proportional risk regression model. The risk score for each patient was the sum of the product of each gene expression and its coefficient. Survival analysis suggested that the low-risk group had a significantly better prognosis. Conclusions: The established six-gene signature was able to predict patient prognosis accurately. This new signature should be verified in prospective studies in order to determine patient prognosis in clinical decision-making.
Author's Response

Frans de Waal's reflections on parallels between the social behavior of chimpanzees and gender differences in human political cognition are particularly interesting. Even more useful is the warning against treating aggressive or agonistic behavior as "antithetical" or diametrically opposed tocooperation and social bonding. Having elsewhere insisted that a sound theoretical understanding of political behavior must rest on awareness of the complex integration of cooperativeand competitive behaviors among mammals in general and primates in particular (Masters, 1989: Chap. 1), I agree wholeheartedly that the proposed model of human genderdifferences in political cognition and behavior should not be interpreted in a simplistic or dichotomous manner.
A guide to plant TPX2-like and WAVE-DAMPENED2-like proteins.

TPX2 proteins were first identified in vertebrates as a key mitotic spindle assembly factor. Subsequent studies demonstrated that TPX2 is an intricate protein, with functionally and structurally distinct domains and motifs including Aurora kinase binding, importin-binding, central microtubule binding, C-terminal TPX2 conserved domain, among others. The first plant TPX2-like protein, WAVE-DAMPENED2, was identified in Arabidopsis as a dominant mutation responsible for reducing the waviness of roots grown on slanted agar plates. Each plant genome encodes at least one "canonical" protein with all TPX2 domains and a family of proteins (20 in Arabidopsis) that diversified to contain only some of the domains. Although, all plant TPX2-family proteins to date bind microtubules, they function in distinct processes such as cell division, regulation of hypocotyl cell elongation by hormones and light signals, vascular development, or abiotic stress tolerance. Consequently, their expression patterns, regulation, and functions have diverged considerably. Here we summarize the current body of knowledge surrounding plant TPX2-family proteins.
Impact of CYP2D6 activity and cachexia progression on enantiomeric alteration of plasma tramadol and its demethylated metabolites and their relationships with central nervous system symptoms in head and neck cancer patients

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of CYP2D6 activity and cachexia progression on the enantiomeric alteration of plasma tramadol and its demethylated metabolites in head and neck cancer patients. Fifty‐three head and neck cancer patients receiving oral tramadol were enrolled. The plasma concentrations of tramadol, O‐desmethyltramadol (ODT) and N‐desmethyltramadol (NDT) enantiomers were determined. The CYP2D6 activity score (AS) and degree of cachexia progression were assessed according to genotype and the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), respectively. The enantiomeric ratio of NDT was (+)‐form dominant in all patients. CYP2D6 AS had negative correlations with the plasma concentrations of (+)‐NDT and (−)‐NDT. The plasma concentrations of (+)‐tramadol and (+)‐ODT were higher in patients with GPS 1 or 2 than in those with GPS 0. Lower metabolic ratios to NDT enantiomers were observed in patients with GPS 1 or 2. In patients with GPS 1 or 2, the plasma (−)‐tramadol was associated with the incidence of central nervous system symptoms. In conclusion, CYP2D6 AS partially explained the contribution of CYP2D6 activity to plasma tramadol and its demethylated metabolite enantiomers. Additionally, cachexia progression elevated the plasma (+)‐tramadol and (+)‐ODT levels through the reduction of N‐demethylation of (+)‐tramadol.
Editorial for “Radiomics Approaches for Predicting Liver Fibrosis With Nonenhanced T1‐Weighted Imaging: Comparison of Different Radiomics Models”

Liver fibrosis is one of the major causes of mortality in patients with chronic liver diseases. Fibrotic liver injury activates the hepatic stellate cells and leads to synthesis of excess interstitial collagens and other matrix components. Accurately assessing the extent and progression of fibrosis is important for clinical management of chronic liver diseases. Magnetic resonance image (MRI) techniques, such as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and perfusion-weighted imaging with contrast medium, have shown promising results in staging liver fibrosis. Recently, some researchers reported that T1-weighted (T1w) imaging could be used for liver fibrosis staging. However, unlike apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurement, T1w images are usually used for qualitative visual assessment. Radiomics, which extracts a large number of quantitative features from radiographic medical images, such as statistical metrics and textual features, could provide a powerful tool for quantitative analysis of T1w images. Recently, some studies have shown promising results in applying radiomics methods in staging liver fibrosis and characterizing hepatocellular carcinoma. However, there is no agreement on how to properly select radiomics features and classifiers for specific applications. In this issue of JMRI, an article published by Ni et al investigates how radiomics feature and classifier selection affect the T1w imaging-based liver fibrosis staging. 9 This well-designed study compares two feature selection algorithms and six machine-learning based-classifiers and concludes that LASSO-SVM is the optimal combination for a T1w imagingbased liver fibrosis staging study. Although the study includes a relatively small dataset (n = 97), which may introduce population bias and misrepresentation, this study provides a detailed comparison among different feature and classifier selection methods. In addition, the experiments design and statistical analysis provide a great framework about how to evaluate different radiomics-based methods. Adding a larger dataset and more modeling options, such as adeep-learning model, to this framework would definitely have a great impact in this field.
Polo-like kinase acts as a molecular timer that safeguards the asymmetric fate of spindle microtubule-organizing centers

The microtubules that form the mitotic spindle originate from microtubule-organizing centers (MTOCs) located at either pole. After duplication, spindle MTOCs can be differentially inherited during asymmetric cell division in organisms ranging from yeast to humans. Problems with establishing predetermined spindle MTOC inheritance patterns during stem cell division have been associated with accelerated cellular aging and the development of both cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we expand the repertoire of functions Polo-like kinase family members fulfill in regulating pivotal cell cycle processes. We demonstrate that the Plk1 homolog Cdc5 acts as a molecular timer that facilitates the timely and sequential recruitment of two key determinants of spindle MTOCs distribution, that is the γ-tubulin complex receptor Spc72 and the protein Kar9, and establishes the fate of these structures, safeguarding their asymmetric inheritance during Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitosis.