Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Utility of triple tumor markers CA19-9, CA125 and CEA in predicting advanced stage of carcinoma gallbladder: a retrospective study

Carcinoma gallbladder (GBC) is a most common biliary malignancy. Its incidence is very high in northern India. It is a very aggressive tumor. Diagnosis of GBC is delayed because of non-specific presentations in early stage. Serum tumor markers carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were widely used in GBC. These tumor markers were elevated in advanced GBC. One study from India showing use of CA125 as a tumor marker for GBC. CA 125 is a high molecular weight glycoprotein and it is a differentiating antigen associated with coelomic epithelium. It is expressed from the epithelial cells of carcinoma ovary as well as malignancy of breast, pleura and peritoneal lining. Half-life of CA125 is 4-5 days. CA19-9 and CEA are generally used in combination. Tumor markers are used as a prognostic factor or a predictive factor. Prognostic factors are used to determine the risk of disease outcome in absence of treatment or to determine the residual risk after treatment whereas predictive factor is associated with the likelihood of sensitivity or resistance to a specific therapy. In present study the Authors have used CA125 along with the CA19-9 and CEA as triple tumor markers. The aim of the study was to find the significance of combined use of triple tumor ABSTRACT
Genetics of Height and Branching in Faba Bean (Vicia faba)

A better understanding of the genetics of plant architecture, including height and branching, could improve faba bean breeding for varieties with better fit into specific cropping systems. This study aimed to determine the inheritance and genetic interactions of the sources of the dwarf gene (dwf1) and semi-dwarf gene (dwarf1), and to investigate the genetics of branching in the faba bean. We chose inbred lines IG 12658 (dwarf, carrying dwf1) and Rinrei (semi-dwarf, carrying dwarf1) along with Aurora/2 and IG 114476 as sources of non-dwarf faba bean genotypes and crossed them (Aurora/2 × IG 12658, IG 114476 × IG 12658, Rinrei × IG 12658, IG 114476 × Rinrei, and Rinrei × Aurora/2). IG 114476 was also used as a genetic source of a highly branching phenotype and crossed with IG 12658, Rinrei, and Aurora/2 to study the genetics of branching. Parental lines, F1s, and F2 populations were evaluated under growth chamber and field conditions in 2018. The segregating F2 populations were tested for 3:1 single recessive gene inheritance using Chi-square tests. Both dwarfing/semi-dwarfing genes fit 3:1 recessive, and 15:1 for double recessive. Rinrei was not a true dwarf, and the gene creating the dwarf appearance reduced the initial growth rate, but this corrected over time. Multiple F2 populations were also tested for a 3:1 single dominant gene hypothesis for highly branched phenotypes. These populations showed a bell-shaped phenotypic distribution for branch number, with no discernable classes, and revealed that branching was likely quantitatively controlled. In conclusion, dwarfism and branching in faba bean were controlled qualitatively and quantitatively, respectively.
Factors associated with delays in seeking tuberculosis treatment among patients at Muhima district hospital, Rwanda

Background: Few studies exist in Rwanda to establish the reasons behind delays in seeking treatment in the health institutions which further affected timely diagnosis and case detection. The study investigated factors associated with delays in seeking treatment among tuberculosis (TB) patients at Muhima District Hospital, Rwanda.Methods: The study adopted descriptive cross- sectional study of 49 smear-positive TB patients derived using proportion estimation of case registry (November 2016 to January 2017) newly- diagnosed patients, first and second months treatment. Systematic sampling technique used to select 60 TB patients from target population. Data collected by researcher and trained research assistant, using a close- ended questionnaire through a translation in local dialect.Results: About 49% (24) of the smear- positive TB patients experienced delayed in seeking treatment for more than 180 days (6 months). Also 53% (26) were within the 36-45 age-cohort, while majority 75.5% (37) of the respondents was male. About 57% (28) of the respondents have poor knowledge of TB transmission. Similarly, about 51% (25) were the results on the perception of taking anti- TB medication, while median time interval from onset of symptoms and initiation of treatments was 45 days, average 71 days between 15 -180 days.Conclusions: Statistically significant relationship exist between initial source of treatment using home remedies (p=0.0) and private insurance cover (p=0.0) in relation to delay, which further contributed to delay among majority. Recommendations of the study are strengthening medical services utilization, improving case detection, medical infrastructures and collaboration with non- formal healthcare practices.
Value co-creation in Couchsurfing – the Indonesian host perspective

© 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited. Purpose: Collaborative consumption experiences in tourism have been examined widely, yet predominantly focused on guest perspectives. Using the sharing economy platform Couchsurfing, this study aims to use value co-creation to explore hosting experiences in non-monetary accommodation sharing in a developing country, including hosts’ motivations to participate, the range of social practices during hosting and the value outcomes achieved through hosting. Design/methodology/approach: Based on a social constructivist paradigm, 20 in-depth interviews and 1 focus group were conducted with experienced Couchsurfing hosts in Indonesia. Findings: Findings highlight the exclusively intrinsic nature of hosts’ motivations and their subsequent impact on co-creational practices and value outcomes. Social practices revolve around the establishment and acquisition of social and cultural capital and providing guests with authentic local and cultural tourist experiences. Hosts reported value outcomes relating to friendship, knowledge, an improved sense of self and employment opportunities. Research limitations/implications: The results of this research may not be transferable to Western accommodation sharing settings or more rural and less touristically developed regions within developing countries. Social implications: It is argued that hosting can contribute positively to host communities in developing countries by facilitating intercultural communication and knowledge transfer while enhancing cultural self-identity and professional advancement. Originality/value: The majority of existing research on accommodation sharing has examined guest perspectives while being placed within predominantly Western contexts. This paper adds new knowledge by exploring the host perspective and examining the impacts of the sharing economy in a developing country.
Comparative evaluation of a family of isolated Ćuk DC/DC converter with step‐up techniques

: In this study, a comparative evaluation of a family of isolated Ćuk DC/DC converter with step-up techniques is presented. The voltage gain techniques are the reduced redundant power processing and the voltage multiplier. In addition, a detailed comparative analysis of the converters is showed. This comparison comprises features, such as the principle of operation, voltage gain curves, voltage and current stresses, design methodology, and estimated losses. By these comparisons, the main features and constraints of the analysed converters are identified. Four 200 W prototypes were constructed and evaluated in the laboratory. The isolated Ćuk converter with voltage multiplier showed the best performance and a peak efficiency of 95.86%.
Bounded decoupling control for flexible‐joint robot manipulators with state estimation

This study proposes a bounded controller for flexible-joint robot manipulators that only requires state measurements of joint motors. Firstly, the singular perturbation theory is used to decouple the dynamics model of the flexible-joint robot manipulator into slow and fast subsystems. Then, a saturated adaptive scheme combining backstepping control and radial basis function neural network approximator is applied to make the controller bounded and simplify the control law for the slow subsystem, and a new filtering operator is used in the fast subsystem to enhance the overall performance. Furthermore, the extended Kalman filter is involved to eliminate the states measurements of links in the closed-loop tracking control. Finally, the stability of the whole system is analysed and the effectiveness of the proposed approach is verified.
Effect of H Defects on Li Transport during the Deposition Process on an H‐Diamond Surface: A First‐Principles Calculation Analysis

To explore the feasibility and rationality of a hydrogen‐terminated diamond surface film as an solid electrolyte interface (SEI) for lithium‐sulfur batteries, the adsorption and migration behavior of lithium atoms on the hydrogen‐terminated diamond surface with different amounts of hydrogen defects are determined by first‐principles calculations. Since a hydrogen deficiency in the row direction is denser than a hydrogen deficiency in the chain direction, hydrogen deficiency can drive lithium‐ion deposition. Thus, lithium atoms are more stable on the surface of hydrogen‐terminated diamonds with a hydrogen deficiency in the direction of the dimer row. The adsorption of lithium atoms on hydrogen‐terminated diamond films lacking three hydrogens is more stable due to the absence of dangling chemical bonds on the surface of the hydrogen‐terminated diamond. Therefore, lithium atoms cannot be adsorbed on an all‐H‐diamond surface. The low adsorption energy of lithium atoms on a clean diamond surface indicates that it is a simple physical adsorption. H termination increases the adsorption energy and migration activation energy of Li on the diamond surface. H termination changes the migration path of Li on the diamond surface. The atomic deposition of Li is driven by the center of the H defect region on the H‐diamond surface.
Endogenous Plant Hormone Profiles in Growing Campbell Early Grape Berries

To elucidate the profiles of plant hormones involved in growth and ripening of grape fruit at various stages, grape bunches of Campbell Early grape bunches ( Vitis labrusca ‘Bailey’) which were harvested from 14 to 63 days after full bloom (DAFB) were divided into skin, pulp and seeds. Endogenous plant hormones, which included indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), trans-zeatin (Z), isopentenyl adenine (iP), jasmonic acid (JA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), gibberellin 1 (GA 1 ), and gibberellin 4 (GA 4 ), were quantified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Throughout the sampling period, higher IAA concentrations were maintained in the seeds than those in the skin and pulp. In the seeds, the Z concentration was highest at 14 DAFB and then decreased rapidly. However, in the skin and pulp, the iP concentration increased over the course of sampling. The ABA concentration in the pulp was high around veraison. The JA concentration in the skin reached 4,100 pmol·g −1 FW at 27 DAFB. The MeJA concentration in the skin also increased rapidly. These results suggest that increases in iP concentration in the skin and pulp are involved in maturation.
The Predictive Factors for Favorable Outcomes of Peginterferon and Ribavirin Combination Therapy in HCV-Infected Patients

We aimed to investigate the association of pretreatment host and/or viral related factors with sustained virological response (SVR) rate in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infected patients. This cohort study was performed on 200 IFN-naïve Iranian CHC patients who were treated with pegylated interferon-α (PEG-IFN-α) plus ribavirin (RBV). Pretreatment levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), fasting blood sugar (FBS), HCV load and genotype were determined, and the pattern of changes was monitored throughout the course of treatment. The baseline FBS value in the non-responder group was significantly higher than that of the SVR group. The SVR group showed a rapid and continuous decline of ALT/AST activity from the beginning of the treatment, while the ALT level was fluctuating in non-responder and relapse groups. Persistent normalization of transaminases during combination antiviral therapy was significantly associated with SVR rate. Besides, age and FBS levels had the greatest impact on SVR. Minocycline seems to be a safe and effective adjuvant in the management of patients with schizophrenia.
Cultivating online therapeutic presence: strengthening therapeutic relationships in teletherapy sessions

ABSTRACT With the recent global pandemic, therapists have had to shift their psychotherapy practice online, as they have been unable to maintain a face to face relationship due to physical distancing measures. This has created an immediate need to understand how to build and maintain strong therapeutic relationships while navigating this new online therapeutic environment. With the removal of face to face therapy, there is a question of how the therapeutic relationship is to be maintained and fostered over the internet, through considering the necessity of cultivating and maintaining therapeutic presence. This article will discuss therapeutic presence as a precondition to effective therapeutic relationships and a positive therapeutic alliance. An exploration will follow of the challenges of cultivating therapeutic presence in online therapy ; followed by tips to encourage and support both the therapist and the client to remain present while engaging in telepsychotherapy. A final discussion will include implications for future research and clinical training for cultivating presence in telepsychotherapy as well as integrating what has been learned during the pandemic back into face to face sessions.
Sequential changes in histone modifications shape transcriptional responses underlying microglia polarization by glioma

Microglia, resident myeloid cells of the central nervous system (CNS), act as immune sentinels that contribute to maintenance of physiological homeostasis and respond to any perturbation in CNS. Microglia could be polarized by various stimuli to perform dedicated functions and instigate inflammatory or pro‐regenerative responses. Microglia and peripheral macrophages accumulate in glioblastomas (GBMs), malignant brain tumors, but instead of initiating antitumor responses, these cells are polarized to the pro‐invasive and immunosuppressive phenotype which persists for a long time and contributes to a “cold” immune microenvironment of GBMs. Molecular mechanisms underlying this long‐lasting “microglia memory” are unknown. We hypothesized that this state may rely on epigenetic silencing of inflammation‐related genes. In this study, we show that cultured microglia pre‐exposed to glioma‐conditioned medium (GCM) acquire a “transcriptional memory” and display reduced expression of inflammatory genes after re‐stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. Unstimulated microglia have unmethylated DNA and active histone marks at selected gene promoters indicating chromatin accessibility. Adding GCM increases expression and enzymatic activity of histone deacetylases (Hdac), leading to erasure of histone acetylation at tested genes. Later inflammatory genes acquire repressive histone marks (H3K27 trimethylation), which correlates with silencing of their expression. GCM induced genes acquire active histone marks. Hdac inhibitors block GCM‐induced changes of histone modifications and restore microglia ability to initiate effective inflammatory responses. Altogether, we show a scenario of distinct histone modifications underlying polarization of microglia by glioma. We demonstrate contribution of epigenetic mechanisms to glioma‐induced “transcriptional memory” in microglia resulting in the tumor‐supportive phenotype.
Energy Demand Management and Social Norms

The main objective of our study was investigating the impact of norms and financial motivation on the disutility of energy management for Polish households. We analyzed consumer preferences and willingness to accept demand-side management (DSM) programs. Choice experiment was applied for electricity contracts including external control of electricity consumption. Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior provided the theoretical framework of the study, which tested hypotheses about the impact of social norms on consumer choices of electricity contracts. We show that people with higher descriptive social norms about electricity consumption are less sensitive to the level of compensation and more responsive to the number of blackouts. People willing to sign a contract for financial reasons were less sensitive to the external control of electricity consumption and less inclined toward the status quo option. Injunctive social norms and personal norms had a non-significant impact on consumer decisions. We conclude that financial incentives can reduce the effect of the norms. Social and personal norms seem to be more important when we analyze the revealed preferences. European countries face significant challenges related to changes in energy policy. This study contributes to understanding the decisions of households and provides insights into the implementation of DSM.
Determination of Pharmacokinetic Parameters of a Four-Armed, Guanidinium-Rich Structurally Nanoengineered Antimicrobial Peptide Polymer: A Research Protocol

Introduction: Antibacterial resistance has accentuated the need for the development of novel, efficacious pharmaceuticals. Structurally nanoengineered antimicrobial polypeptide polymers (SNAPPs) have shown promise as a candidate for a new antibacterial pharmaceutical class which may help overcome the problem of antibacterial resistance in humans or animals. Particularly, the SNAPP with a chemical formula (RGRGRGRGRGRG)4K2K-NH2 (4R6G6) has been shown to exhibit negligible hemolysis while retaining low minimal inhibitory concentrations against bacteria. An important consideration in drug development is pharmacokinetic studies, however, there have been no prior pharmacokinetic studies involving SNAPPs. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of 4R6G6. Methods: 4R6G6 will be synthesized and purified according to previously reported methods. 4R6G6 will be administered to BALB/c mice intravenously, serial blood samples will be taken from 0-48 hours after SNAPP administration and serum 4R6G6 concentrations will be quantified over time by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. This information will be used to calculate key pharmacokinetic parameters using Pmetrics. Results: We expect that the half-life of elimination will be on the order of hours and will exceed 3 hours, while the volume of distribution will be equal to the plasma volume of a mouse (1.2 mL/mouse) Discussion: The half-life of elimination of 4R6G6 will influence its desirability as a future drug target. Additionally, the volume of distribution is expected to indicate a distribution into plasma, and can be used to calculate the desired dose for a certain plasma concentration in future studies. Conclusion: Given the expected half-life of elimination on the order of hours, we expect 4R6G6 to be a strong candidate for further translational study in the race to combat antibacterial resistance. Future directions include the quantification of the safety of the drug by determining the therapeutic index in vivo.
Electrodeposition of Hydroxyapatite on a Metallic 3D-Woven Bioscaffold

In this study, we demonstrate that a uniform coating of hydroxyapatite (HAp, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) can be electrochemically deposited onto metallic 3D-woven bone scaffolds to enhance their bioactivity. The HAp coatings were deposited onto metallic scaffolds using an electrolyte containing Ca(NO3)2·4H2O, NH4H2PO4, and NaNO3. The deposition potential was varied to maximize the uniformity and adhesion of the coating. Using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), we found crystallized HAp on the 3D-woven lattice under all deposition potentials, while the −1.5 V mercury sulfate reference electrode potential provided the best local uniformity with a satisfactory deposition rate. The coatings generated under this optimized condition were approximately 5 µm thick and uniform throughout the internal and external sections of the woven lattice. We seeded and cultured both coated and uncoated scaffolds with human adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) for 12 h and 4 days. We observed that the HAp coating increased the initial cell seeding efficiency by approximately 20%. Furthermore, after 4 days of culture, ASCs cultured on HAp-coated stainless-steel scaffolds increased by 32% compared to only 17% on the uncoated scaffold. Together, these results suggest that the HAp coating improves cellular adhesion.
Mechanical properties and tribological behaviors of yttria-zirconia ceramics with additions of graphene oxide by hot-press sintering for dental implants

Yttria-zirconia (3Y-ZrO2) ceramics are widely used in orthopedic implants and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) attract the public attention due to their unique properties. To investigate the effect of graphene oxide (GO) concentrations on the mechanical properties and tribological behaviors of 3Y-ZrO2 for dental implants, 3Y-ZrO2/GO composites were prepared by hot-press sintering. GO was uniformly distributed in 3Y-ZrO2 and the composites showed good mechanical properties and tribological behaviors with suitable GO concentration. A moderate content in ZG3 and ZG2 (the ceramic with 0.15 wt.% and 0.1 wt.% GO) improved the flexural strength and fracture toughness up to 200% and 40.9%, respectively, compared to 3Y-ZrO2. Microstructural surfaces presented crack deflection, crack bridging, and GO put-out in the composites. In addition, a lower or higher proportion of GO destroyed overall structures of ZG1 (the ceramic with 0.05 wt.% GO) and ZG4 (the ceramic with 0.2 wt.% GO). These not only reduced the mechanical performances, but also resulted to an increase in surface roughness. Besides, Worn surfaces showed micro-ploughing and plastic deformation were dominant wear mechanisms in the ZG0 (the ceramic without GO), however, the addition of GO transformed the wear from a severe state to mild owing to self-lubricating property. Thus, friction coefficient, wear rate and surface roughness of ZG3 were reduced to the least among all the composites.