Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Report COMNAP fellowship 2013/14 The impact of environmental changes on a key component of pelagic food webs in the Southern Ocean: the amphipod Themisto gaudichaudii (Crustacea: Hyperiidea)

For most of the past decades, almost the entire research effort concerning the pelagic ecosystem of the Southern Ocean was directed towards krill (Euphausia). As a consequence, krill served as the icon of polar pelagic metazoans whereas other major players have received disproportionally little attention. Other trophic pathways are both regionally and seasonally important, comprising planktonic herbivores (salps, copepods) and carnivores (amphipods, ctenophores, cnidarians) (Murphy et al. 2007, Mackey et al. 2012), but their functioning and roles are currently much less understood (Smetacek & Nicol 2005, Murphy et al. 2007). Themisto gaudichaudii, the most common pelagic amphipod, plays a similar role to that of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) further south in Antarctic waters and has therefore been referred to as “krill of the north” (Bocher et al. 2001, Padovani et al. 2012). Similarly, it forms dense swarms with densities reaching up to several hundreds of individuals per cubic metre (Froneman et al. 2000) and is both a key consumer of mesozooplankton (e.g. Watts & Tarling 2012) and an important food source for fish, squids, birds and whales (e.g. Nemoto & Yoo 1970, Bocher et al. 2001, Ivanovic & Brunetti 1994, Padovani et al. 2012). However, unlike krill that is more closely associated with polar waters, T. gaudichaudii occupies a much broader temperature range occupying waters around the continent (subzero temperatures) to the subtropics (17°C) (Kane 1966, Auel & Ekau 2009). Hence, this predatory amphipod should therefore be better equipped to cope with ongoing and future environmental changes and its abundance has been predicted to increase southwards in the warming Southwest Atlantic region of the Southern Ocean (Mackey et al. 2012).
Study of Utilisation Pattern,Safety & Efficacy of Ranolazine in Patients of Coronary Artery Disease & Post AMI

Introduction: Ranolazine is an unique agent with antianginal activity that is independent of cardiovascular haemodynamics.It is a new drug with minimal or no significant post marketing safety & efficacy data in our region.On this background, the present study was undertaken to find out the utilisation pattern ,safety & efficacy of Ranolazine in patients of coronary artery disease in our tertiary care Hospital. Methods: Patients attending cardiology OPD, with evident of Coronary Artery Disease (i.e Angina/Acute Coronary Syndrome) & prescribed Ranolazine were included in the study.Episodes of Angina & nitrate consumption per week and TMT reports (Time to ST segment depression Time to Angina ) of these patients were analysed to evaluate the efficacy of Ranolazine. Thorough clinical examination were done . Laboratory parameters were performed at each visit to find out any Adverse Drug Reaction associated with Ranolazine. Results: In majority of patients(94%) in our study Ranolazine was used as add on therapy with other drugs in patients of Coronary Artery Disease. Significant reduction of angina episodes & improvement in exercise capacity was found in patients treated with Ranolazine as monotherapy or as add on therapy.No serious ADR /adverse drug interaction was found with Ranolazine treatement in our study. Conclusions: Ranolazine is commonly used as add on therapy in our region . It is found to be quiet safe & effective in CAD cases both in Chronic Angina & Post MI Patients.
Inclusion of Ethanol Extract of Mesquite Leaves to Enhance the Oxidative Stability of Pork Patties

The lipid oxidation (LOX) of pork meat has been associated with loss of quality and shorter shelf life. Consequently, synthetic antioxidants have been used to reduce this process, but their use has shown potential health risks. Thus, the use of natural ingredients has been suggested as a strategy to prevent LOX. This study aimed to assess the oxidative stability of pork patties treated with ethanol extract of mesquite leaf (EEML) during storage. Furthermore, the polyphenol composition (TPC, total phenolic, TFC, total flavonoid) and antioxidant activity (antiradical and reducing power activity) of EEML were also evaluated. For this study, five treatments (CN (control), without antioxidant; Asc, ascorbic acid 0.02%; BHT, butylated hydroxytoluene 0.02%; EEML1, 0.05%; and EEML2, 0.1%) of pork patties were applied. Patty samples were stored at 4 °C, and physicochemical parameters, lipid oxidation, total antioxidant capacity of the meat, and sensory analysis were evaluated at 0, 3, 7, and 10 days of storage. EEML presented high values of TPC (278.5 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g) and TFC (226.8 mg rutin equivalents (RE)/g) levels. The addition of EEML did not modify the chemical composition of the pork patties. On the other hand, colour parameters were affected by the inclusion of EEML in pork patties, presenting the lowest a* in the CN group compared to the other groups after 10 days storage. Lipid oxidation increased during the whole period, showing the lowest (P < 0.05) conjugated dienes and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values (40% and 90% of inhibition, respectively) compared to the CN group. Regarding sensory analysis, there were no significant differences in colour, appearance, odour, flavour, juiciness, fat sensation, and firmness of the cooked pork patties among treatments. These results suggest that EEML has great potential as a natural antioxidant for meat products.
Preclinical Evaluation of Ureidosulfamate Carbonic Anhydrase IX/XII Inhibitors in the Treatment of Cancers

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are a family of enzymes involved in the pH regulation of metabolically active cells/tissues. Upregulation of the CAIX/XII isoforms is associated with hypoxic tumours and clinically linked with malignant progression, treatment resistance and poor prognosis. The elucidation of the crystal structure of the catalytic domains of CAIX/XII provided the basis for the generation of CAIX/XII selective inhibitors based on the sulfonamide, sulfamate and coumarins chemical structures. Ureido-substituted benzenesulfonamide CAIX/XII inhibitors have shown significant potential, with U-104 (SLC-0111) currently present in clinical Phase I/II. Ureido-substituted sulfamate CAIX/XII inhibitors have received less attention despite encouraging preclinical test results. In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), ureidosulfamates revealed a significant antitumour (FC9-398A) and antimetastatic potential (S4). In small cell lung cancer (SCLC), a cancer cell type very sensitive to a dysregulation in CAIX signaling, S4 treatment was particularly effective when combined with cisplatin with no evidence of acquired cisplatin-resistance. These successful anticancer strategies should provide a solid basis for future studies on ureido-substituted sulfamates.
Effects of the performance parameters of a wheelchair on the changes in the position of the centre of gravity of the human body in dynamic condition

Purpose The aim of this research is to establish whether, and to what extent, the tilt angle, gear ratio of the propulsion system and propulsion frequency of a wheelchair influence the position of the centre of gravity. Furthermore, it verifies the usefulness of such research using an original test stand. Materials and methods The article presents the effects of three operational parameters of a wheelchair on the position of the centre of gravity of the human body. The study included 27 wheelchair propulsion tests of a wheelchair with pushrim propulsion using the following variable parameters: gear ratio of the propulsion system, propulsion frequency and wheelchair tilt angle. The position of the centre of gravity of the human body was measured in dynamic conditions at 100 Hz. The results were represented with ellipses defining the region of variability of the position of the centre of gravity of the human body. The coordinates of the centre of gravity were measured in relation to the reference system, with the start point at the centre of the axis of rotation of the rear wheelchair wheels. The measurements were taken in a horizontal plane in relation to the base on which the test stand was positioned. Results The research carried out shows that the inclination angle of the wheelchair has the greatest influence on position of the ellipse describing the position of the centre of gravity of the human body. By controlling the change in the inclination angle value in the range from 0° to 5.4°, the standard deviation of the length of the horizontal half-axis of the ellipse (SD a) equal to 31.2 mm was obtained. For comparison, by changing the frequency of pushes (40 to 50 pushes per minute) of the wheelchair at a constant inclination angle, the standard deviation of the horizontal half-axis length (SD a) equal to 8 mm was recorded. The results of the study show a change in the position of the centre of gravity of the human body in dynamic conditions. They are relative to the contact points of the wheelchair wheels with the ground. Using the dimensions of the plotted ellipses, one can determine the values of pressure that affect the wheelchair’s individual wheels. Conclusions–Increasing the value of each aforementioned parameter resulted in the increase of strength required by the operator to propel the wheelchair. It directly influenced the position of the centre of gravity during the test.
A twenty gene-based gene set variation score reflects the pathological progression from cirrhosis to hepatocellular carcinoma

The molecular mechanism of the pathological progression from cirrhosis to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains elusive. In the present study, tissue samples from normal liver, cirrhosis and HCC were subjected to differentially gene expression analysis, weighted gene correlation network analysis to identify the twenty hub genes (TOP2A, CDC20, PTTG1, CDCA5, CCNB2, PRC1, KIF20A, SF3B4, HSP90AB1, FOXD2, PLOD3, CCT3, SETDB1, VPS45, SPDL1, RACGAP1, MED24, KIAA0101, ZNF282, and USP21) in the pathological progression from cirrhosis to HCC. Each sample was calculated a hub gene set variation analysis (HGSVA) score using Gene Set Variation Analysis, The HGSVA score significantly increased with progression from cirrhosis to HCC, and this result was validated in two independent data sets. Moreover, this score may be used as a blood-based marker for HCC and is an independent prognostic factor of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). High expression of the hub genes may be driven by hypomethylation. The twenty gene-based gene set variation score may reflect the pathological progression from cirrhosis to HCC and is an independent prognostic factor for both OS and RFS.
Phase II Feasibility and Biomarker Study of Neoadjuvant Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab With Chemoradiotherapy for Resectable Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: TRAP Study.

PURPOSE Approximately 15% to 43% of esophageal adenocarcinomas (EACs) are human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive. Because dual-agent HER2 blockade demonstrated a survival benefit in breast cancer, we conducted a phase II feasibility study of trastuzumab and pertuzumab added to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in patients with EAC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with resectable HER2-positive EAC received standard nCRT with carboplatin and paclitaxel and 41.4 Gy of radiotherapy, with 4 mg/kg of trastuzumab on day 1, 2 mg/kg per week during weeks 2 to 6, and 6 mg/kg per week during weeks 7, 10, and 13 and 840 mg of pertuzumab every 3 weeks. The primary end point was feasibility, defined as ≥ 80% completion of treatment with both trastuzumab and pertuzumab. An exploratory comparison of survival with a propensity score-matched cohort receiving standard nCRT was performed, as were exploratory pharmacokinetic and biomarker analyses. RESULTS Of the 40 enrolled patients (78% men; median age, 63 years), 33 (83%) completed treatment with trastuzumab and pertuzumab. No unexpected safety events were observed. R0 resection was achieved in all patients undergoing surgery, with pathologic complete response in 13 patients (34%). Three-year progression-free and overall survival (OS) were 72% and 71%, respectively (median follow-up, 32.1 months). Compared with the propensity score-matched cohort, a significantly longer OS was observed with HER2 blockade (hazard ratio, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.97). Results of pharmacokinetic analysis and activity on [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans did not correlate with survival or pathologic response. Patients with HER2 3+ overexpression or growth factor receptor-bound protein 7 (Grb7) -positive tumors at baseline demonstrated significantly better survival (P = .007) or treatment response (P = .016), respectively. CONCLUSION Addition of trastuzumab and pertuzumab to nCRT in patients with HER2-positive EAC is feasible and demonstrates potentially promising activity compared with historical controls. HER2 3+ overexpression and Grb7 positivity are potentially predictive for survival and treatment response, respectively.
Effects of co-pyrolysis of rice husk and sewage sludge on the bioavailability and environmental risks of Pb and Cd

ABSTRACT In this study, biochars were produced by co-pyrolysis of rice husk and sewage sludge, the environmental risk of heavy metal (Pd and Cd) in the biochars was assessed. Co-pyrolysis resulted in a lower yield but a higher C content compared with sewage sludge pyrolysis alone, the relative contents of Pb and Cd in biochars were declined. Co-pyrolysis process transformed the bioavailable heavy metals into stable speciation. The environmental risk assessment codes of Pb and Cd were reduced by 1–2 grades. The co-pyrolysis technology provides a feasible method for the safe disposal of heavy metal-contaminated sewage sludge. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Lower-limb Dynamics of Muscle Oxygen Saturation During the Back-squat Exercise: Effects of Training Load and Effort Level.

Gómez-Carmona, CD, Bastida-Castillo, A, Rojas-Valverde, D, de la Cruz Sánchez, E, García-Rubio, J, Ibáñez, SJ, and Pino-Ortega, J. Lower-limb dynamics of muscle oxygen saturation during the back-squat exercise: effects of training load and effort level. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2019-The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of strength training on lower limb muscle oxygenation. The sample consisted of 12 male subjects (22.4 ± 1.73 years; 1.81 ± 0.08 cm height and 77.76 ± 8.77 kg body mass). Six different strength training stimuli were analyzed, based on the training variables: load (60-75% 1 repetition maximum [1RM]) and level of effort (LE) (E1: 4 × 8 [20RM], E2: 4 × 12 [20RM], E3: 4 × 16 [20RM], E4: 4 × 4 [10RM], E5: 4 × 6 [10RM], and E6: 4 × 8 [10RM]) in the squat exercise up to 90° with a 2-second stop between repetitions to avoid the myotatic reflex. Oxygen saturation at the beginning of the series (SmO2start), oxygen saturation at the end of the series (SmO2stop), percentage of oxygen saturation loss (▽%SmO2), and reoxygenation time (SmO2recT) were assessed using a near-infrared spectroscopy device. In addition, the percentage of mean propulsive velocity loss (%MPVL) was recorded using a linear transducer. The results suggested an influence of LE and training load on muscle oxygenation. A greater LE was directly associated with SmO2recT (r = 0.864), ▽%SmO2 (r = 0.873), and %MPVL (r = 0.883) and inversely with SmO2stop (r = -0.871). When the same LE was used (E1 vs. E4, E2 vs. E5, and E3 vs. E6), it was found that the stimuli with a higher load had a lower SmO2recT, ▽%SmO2, and %MPVL and a higher SmO2stop. Muscle oxygen saturation was found to be minimal (%SmO2 = 0) in stimuli with a LE greater than 60% (E3 and E6). The SmO2 variables studied in the present research could be considered as an easier and more useful method for understanding skeletal muscle fatigue during resistance training.
A Review on Microscopic Visual Servoing for Micromanipulation Systems: Applications in Micromanufacturing, Biological Injection, and Nanosensor Assembly

Micromanipulation is an interdisciplinary technology that integrates advanced knowledge of microscale/nanoscale science, mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, and control engineering. Over the past two decades, it has been widely applied in the fields of MEMS (microelectromechanical systems), bioengineering, and microdevice integration and manufacturing. Microvision servoing is the basic tool for enabling the automatic and precise micromanipulation of microscale/nanoscale entities. However, there are still many problems surrounding microvision servoing in theory and the application of this technology’s micromanipulation processes. This paper summarizes the research, development status, and practical applications of critical components of microvision servoing for micromanipulation, including geometric calibration, autofocus techniques, depth information, and visual servoing control. Suggestions for guiding future innovation and development in this field are also provided in this review.
Modulators of hormonal response regulate temporal fate specification in the Drosophila brain

Neuronal diversity is at the core of the complex processing operated by the nervous system supporting fundamental functions such as sensory perception, motor control or memory formation. A small number of progenitors guarantee the production of this neuronal diversity, with each progenitor giving origin to different neuronal types over time. How a progenitor sequentially produces neurons of different fates and the impact of extrinsic signals conveying information about developmental progress or environmental conditions on this process represent key, but elusive questions. Each of the four progenitors of the Drosophila mushroom body (MB) sequentially gives rise to the MB neuron subtypes. The temporal fate determination pattern of MB neurons can be influenced by extrinsic cues, conveyed by the steroid hormone ecdysone. Here, we show that the activation of Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) signalling via glial-derived Myoglianin regulates the fate transition between the early-born α’β’ and the pioneer αβ MB neurons by promoting the expression of the ecdysone receptor B1 isoform (EcR-B1). While TGF-β signalling is required in MB neuronal progenitors to promote the expression of EcR-B1, ecdysone signalling acts postmitotically to consolidate theα’β’ MB fate. Indeed, we propose that if these signalling cascades are impaired α’β’ neurons lose their fate and convert to pioneer αβ. Conversely, an intrinsic signal conducted by the zinc finger transcription factor Krüppel-homolog 1 (Kr-h1) antagonises TGF-β signalling and acts as negative regulator of the response mediated by ecdysone in promoting α’β’ MB neuron fate consolidation. Taken together, the consolidation of α’β’ MB neuron fate requires the response of progenitors to local signalling to enable postmitotic neurons to sense a systemic signal.
Fuziline alleviates isoproterenol‐induced myocardial injury by inhibiting ROS‐triggered endoplasmic reticulum stress via PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/Chop pathway

Fuziline, an aminoalcohol‐diterpenoid alkaloid derived from Aconiti lateralis radix preparata, has been reported to have a cardioprotective activity in vitro. However, the potential mechanism of fuziline on myocardial protection remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to explore the efficacy and mechanism of fuziline on isoproterenol (ISO)‐induced myocardial injury in vitro and in vivo. As a result, fuziline effectively increased cell viability and alleviated ISO‐induced apoptosis. Meanwhile, fuziline significantly decreased the production of ROS, maintained mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and blocked the release of cytochrome C, suggesting that fuziline could play the cardioprotective role through restoring the mitochondrial function. Fuziline also could suppress ISO‐induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress via the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/Chop pathway. In addition, using ROS scavenger NAC could decrease ISO‐induced apoptosis and block ISO‐induced ER stress, while PERK inhibitor GSK2606414 did not reduce the production of ROS, indicating that excess production of ROS induced by ISO triggered ER stress. And fuziline protected against ISO‐induced myocardial injury by inhibiting ROS‐triggered ER stress. Furthermore, fuziline effectively improved cardiac function on ISO‐induced myocardial injury in rats. Western blot analysis also showed that fuziline reduced ER stress‐induced apoptosis in vivo. Above these results demonstrated that fuziline could reduce ISO‐induced myocardial injury in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting ROS‐triggered ER stress via the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/Chop pathway.
Atrial fibrillation and stroke: how much atrial fibrillation is enough to cause a stroke?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The association between atrial fibrillation and stroke is firmly established, and anticoagulation reduces stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, the role of anticoagulation in very brief durations of atrial fibrillation (subclinical atrial fibrillation) is an area of controversy. RECENT FINDINGS Stroke risk increases alongside burden of atrial fibrillation. Ongoing trials will clarify if 24 h or less of atrial fibrillation on extended monitoring necessitates lifelong anticoagulation. Trials examining empiric anticoagulation for individuals with ESUS did not demonstrate benefit over antiplatelet agents. However, hypothesis-generating sub-analyses suggest that certain at-risk groups may benefit. Atrial cardiopathy is associated with subclinical atrial fibrillation and research examining anticoagulation after ESUS in this population is underway. SUMMARY Stroke risk increases alongside burden of ectopic atrial activity. However, this risk may in part be because of prothrombotic dysfunction associated with atrial cardiopathy in addition to the arrhythmia itself. The minimal amount of subclinical atrial fibrillation to warrant anticoagulation for stroke prevention, and how this may be modified by the total duration of monitoring, will be clarified by the results of ongoing clinical trials. Currently research will also help identify whether a select group of ESUS patients who have structural and electrophysiological markers of atrial cardiopathy warrant anticoagulation for secondary prevention.
Image segmentation based on local Fourier coefficients histogram

Image segmentation is a typical problem of image analysis. The aim is to partitioning a grayscale image to disjoint regions of coherent illuminance or homogenous texture. There are many segmentation methods of region-based, contour-based or region-contour-joint approaches to deal with different type images. Here we treat color coherent region as a special texture, and we used a new texture descriptor based on local Fourier coefficients histogram adaptive for this extended texture representation. Then a texture-based image segmentation algorithm is proposed. By utilizing the texture features of a region and the K-mean cluster algorithm we obtain a coarse segmentation of an image. Then by refining the region boundary iteratively a final segmentation can be resulted. Because our texture feature is also suitable for gray-coherence region, this algorithm can protect the gray-coherence from over-segmentation. For the same time, we reprove the boundary refinement by replaced with three steps: horizontal refinement, vertical refinement and boundary integrality checking. We also proposed the pre-processing and post-processing method for this algorithm. The segmentation performance is demonstrated on several synthesis texture images and aerial images.