Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activation of the Epithelial Mesenchymal Trophic Unit (EMTU) and markers of remodelling associated with asthma persistence and remission in early adulthood

FACULTY OF MEDICINE Clinical and Experimental Sciences Doctor of Medicine ACTIVATION OF THE EPITHELIAL MESENCHYMAL TROPHIC UNIT (EMTU) AND MARKERS OF REMODELLING ASSOCIATED WITH ASTHMA PERSISTENCE AND REMISSION IN EARLY ADULTHOOD By Dr Sian Louise Evans Asthma is common childhood illness that sometimes persists into adulthood but remission from childhood asthma is common in the second decade of life. However, even in young adults with remission of asthma symptoms, there often persisting bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation and the pathophysiological characteristics of asthma in remission remain unclear. This thesis compares markers of remodelling, inflammation and epithelial repair in young adults recruited from the well-established 1989 Isle of Wight Birth Cohort. They formed three groups: those with persistent asthma, asthma remission and never asthma. They underwent clinical characterisation, bronchial provocation testing with mannitol and fibreoptic bronchoscopy to obtain bronchial biopsy samples. The samples obtained were analysed for cells involved in the inflammatory response, markers of remodelling and markers of epithelial damage and repair. This allowed us to determine the similarities and differences between those young adults who had grown out of their childhood asthma and those who had not.
The Fungal Microbiome Is an Important Component of Vineyard Ecosystems and Correlates with Regional Distinctiveness of Wine

The composition of soil has long been thought to provide wine with characteristic regional flavors. Here, we show that for vineyards in southern Australia, the soil fungal communities are of primary importance for the aromas found in wines. We propose a mechanism by which fungi can move from the soil through the vine. ABSTRACT The flavors of fermented plant foods and beverages are formed by microorganisms, and in the case of wine, the location and environmental features of the vineyard site also imprint the wine with distinctive aromas and flavors. Microbial growth and metabolism play an integral role in wine production, by influencing grapevine health, wine fermentation, and the flavor, aroma, and quality of finished wines. The contributions by which microbial distribution patterns drive wine metabolites are unclear, and while flavor has been correlated with fungal and bacterial composition for wine, bacterial activity provides fewer sensorially active biochemical conversions than fungi in wine fermentation. Here, we collected samples across six distinct wine-growing areas in southern Australia to investigate regional distribution patterns of fungi and bacteria and the association with wine chemical composition. Results show that both soil and must microbiota distinguish wine-growing regions. We found a relationship between microbial and wine metabolic profiles under different environmental conditions, in particular measures of soil properties and weather. Fungal communities are associated with wine regional distinctiveness. We found that the soil microbiome is a source of grape- and must-associated fungi and suggest that weather and soil could influence wine characteristics via the soil fungal community. Our report describes a comprehensive scenario of wine microbial biogeography where microbial diversity responds to the surrounding environment and correlates with wine composition and regional characteristics. These findings provide perspectives for thoughtful human practices to optimize food composition through understanding fungal activity and abundance. IMPORTANCE The composition of soil has long been thought to provide wine with characteristic regional flavors. Here, we show that for vineyards in southern Australia, the soil fungal communities are of primary importance for the aromas found in wines. We propose a mechanism by which fungi can move from the soil through the vine.
What do children, parents and staff think about a healthy lifestyles intervention delivered in primary schools? a qualitative study

Objective Primary schools are crucial settings for early weight management interventions but effects on children’s weight are small and evidence shows that deficiencies in intervention implementation may be responsible. Very little is known about the roles of multiple stakeholders in the process of implementation. We used a multiple-stakeholder qualitative research approach to explore the implementation of an intervention developed to improve the diet and increase the levels of physical activity for children living in some of the most deprived areas of England. Design For this qualitative study, interviews and focus groups were carried out using semi-structured topic guides. Data were analysed thematically. Setting Seven primary schools (pupils aged 4 to 11) in Manchester, England. Participants We conducted 14 focus groups with children aged 5 to 10 years and interviews with 19 staff members and 17 parents. Intervention Manchester Healthy Schools (MHS) is a multicomponent intervention, developed to improve diet and physical activity in schools with the aim of reducing and preventing childhood obesity. Results Three themes were developed from the data: common understandings of health and health behaviours; congruence and consistency of messages; negotiations of responsibility. Conclusion All participant groups had a common conceptualisation of health as having physical and psychological components and that action could be taken in childhood to change behaviours that protect long-term health. When parents and staff felt a shared sense of responsibility for children’s health and levels of congruence between home and school norms around diet and physical activity were high, parents and children were more likely to accept the policies implemented as part of MHS. Effective two-way communication between home and school is therefore vital for successful implementation of this intervention.
Generation of Viable Candida albicans Mutants Lacking the “Essential” Protein Kinase Snf1 by Inducible Gene Deletion

Essential genes are those that are indispensable for the viability and growth of an organism. Previous studies indicated that the protein kinase Snf1, a central regulator of metabolic adaptation, is essential in the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans, because no homozygous snf1 deletion mutants of C. albicans wild-type strains could be obtained by standard approaches. In order to investigate the lethal consequences of SNF1 deletion, we generated conditional mutants in which SNF1 could be deleted by forced, inducible excision from the genome. Unexpectedly, we found that snf1 null mutants were viable and could grow slowly under optimal conditions. The growth phenotypes of the snf1Δ mutants explain why such mutants were not recovered in previous attempts. Our study demonstrates that inducible gene deletion is a powerful method for assessing gene essentiality in C. albicans. ABSTRACT The protein kinase Snf1, a member of the highly conserved AMP-activated protein kinase family, is a central regulator of metabolic adaptation. In the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans, Snf1 is considered to be essential, as previous attempts by different research groups to generate homozygous snf1Δ mutants were unsuccessful. We aimed to elucidate why Snf1 is required for viability in C. albicans by generating snf1Δ null mutants through forced, inducible gene deletion and observing the terminal phenotype before cell death. Unexpectedly, we found that snf1Δ mutants were viable and could grow, albeit very slowly, on rich media containing the preferred carbon source glucose. Growth was improved when the cells were incubated at 37°C instead of 30°C, and this phenotype enabled us to isolate homozygous snf1Δ mutants also by conventional, sequential deletion of both SNF1 alleles in a wild-type C. albicans strain. All snf1Δ mutants could grow slowly on glucose but were unable to utilize alternative carbon sources. Our results show that, under optimal conditions, C. albicans can live and grow without Snf1. Furthermore, they demonstrate that inducible gene deletion is a powerful method for assessing gene essentiality in C. albicans. IMPORTANCE Essential genes are those that are indispensable for the viability and growth of an organism. Previous studies indicated that the protein kinase Snf1, a central regulator of metabolic adaptation, is essential in the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans, because no homozygous snf1 deletion mutants of C. albicans wild-type strains could be obtained by standard approaches. In order to investigate the lethal consequences of SNF1 deletion, we generated conditional mutants in which SNF1 could be deleted by forced, inducible excision from the genome. Unexpectedly, we found that snf1 null mutants were viable and could grow slowly under optimal conditions. The growth phenotypes of the snf1Δ mutants explain why such mutants were not recovered in previous attempts. Our study demonstrates that inducible gene deletion is a powerful method for assessing gene essentiality in C. albicans.
Diagnostic accuracy of serum insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 for ovarian cancer

Introduction Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer. The most prominent effects of IGFBP2 include promoting proliferation, driving invasion, and suppressing apoptosis. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of serum IGFBP2 in differentiating between benign and malignant ovarian neoplasms. Methods Preoperative serum IGFBP2 level was evaluated from 76 women with primary ovarian tumor who underwent exploratory laparotomy at Sanglah General Hospital, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. The optimal threshold value of IGFBP2 for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer was determined from the receiver 0perating characteristic (ROC) curve. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathologic analysis of resected ovarian specimens. Results Forty-six (60.5%) patients were diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of IGFBP2 in detecting ovarian cancer was 0.815 (95% CI: 0.721 to 0.910, P<0.001). For a given specificity larger than 95%, the optimal sensitivity was 63%. The optimal threshold value of IGFBP2 for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer was 804 ng/mL [sensitivity 63%, specificity 96.7%, positive predictive value (PPV) 96.7%, negative predictive value (NPV) 63%, accuracy 76.3%, and diagnostic odd ratio (DOR) 49.5 (95% CI 6.1 to 396.5)]. In a subgroup analysis, IGFBP2 showed excellence performance in diagnosing advanced ovarian cancer (AUC 0.904 [95% CI: 0.806 to 1.000], sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 96.7%, PPV 95.2%, NPV 87.9%, accuracy 90.7%, and DOR 145.0 [95% CI 15.0 to 1395.3]). Conclusion IGFBP2 is a novel and potentially promising biomarker for detecting ovarian cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm its diagnostic performance in premenopausal women and for detecting early stage ovarian cancer.
The Effect of Different Intervention Strategies to Alleviate Heat Stress on Behavior, Performance and Some Blood Parameters of Growing Muscovy Ducks

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of heat stress on growing Muscovy ducks during summer season and some strategies to alleviate adverse effect of heat stress as nutrition strategies addition of ascorbic acid (AA) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) to feed and swimming access. Forty eight (seven week old) Muscovy ducks randomly allotted to 4 groups (heat stressed group (HS) without any supplementation, ascorbic acid (AA), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) group and swimming access (SWIM)). The results indicated that the swimming access significantly improved Muscovy duck welfare by improving body care behavior (preening, head shake, body shake and ruffling) and significantly increased the standing behavior and reduced crouching percent with significant reduction in blood corticosterone level and( heterophils / lymphocyte) H/L ratio. However, swimming access had significant reduction in relative weight gain than control group.
Portable Gait Lab: Tracking Relative Distances of Feet and CoM Using Three IMUs

Ambulatory estimation of gait and balance parameters requires knowledge of relative feet and centre of mass (CoM) positions. Inertial measurement units (IMU) placed on each foot, and on the pelvis are useful in tracking these segments over time, but cannot track the relative distances between these segments. Further, drift due to strapdown inertial navigation results in erroneous relative estimates of feet and CoM positions after a few steps. In this study, we track the relative distances using the assumptions of the Centroidal Moment Pivot (CMP) theory. An Extended Kalman filter approach was used to fuse information from different sources: strapdown inertial navigation, commonly used constraints such as zero velocity updates, and relative segment distances from the CMP assumption; to eventually track relative feet and CoM positions. These estimates were expressed in a reference frame defined by the heading of each step. The validity of this approach was tested on variable gait. The step lengths and step widths were estimated with an average absolute error of 4.6±1.5 cm and 3.8±1.5 cm respectively when compared against the reference VICON©. Additionally, we validated the relative distances of the feet and the CoM, and further, show that the approach proves useful in identifying asymmetric gait patterns. We conclude that a three IMU approach is feasible as a portable gait lab for ambulatory measurement of foot and CoM positions in daily life.
The Effects of Integrated Care on Patient Outcomes in a Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integrated System

Problem under investigation: The mortality and cost of patients with chronic health conditions who also have mental illness are estimated to be 75% higher than patients in the general population and has constituted 10.4% of the global burden of disease. The integration of Primary and Behavioral Health Care (PBCHI) has been shown in some settings to improve mental and physical outcomes, however they have not been comprehensively evaluated. Objective: The objective of this capstone project is to determine whether the integration of primary and behavioral health care will improve health outcomes of its participants. Background literature review: Review of the literature found no consensus on whether PBCHI had an effect on health outcomes. Theoretical Framework: General Systems Theory and its subset Complex Theory was used to explain the variability in outcomes. Methods: A quasi-experimental design which used a retrospective chart review was used to collect eleven biologic markers collected from 180 patients enrolled in a PBHCI in Syracuse, New York. Data was collected at six-month intervals over a one-year period of time. Data Analysis: Descriptive statistics, and RM-ANOVA was used to determine statistical significance in the difference in each biologic marker over time. Results: The variable carbon monoxide (CO) was the only variable to show a difference over time as noted between the first and last data collection points. No other variables demonstrated statistical change. Conclusion: More research is required over longer periods of time and to control for confounding factors.
Seasonal variations in zooplankton species of Lake Gölhisar, a shallow lake in Burdur, Turkey.

Seasonal variations of zooplankton species were investigated between Spring 2002 and Winter 2003 in Lake Golhisar, Burdur, Turkey. A total of 31 species comprising 15 Rotifera (48%), 11 Cladocera (36%), and 5 Copepoda (16%) were recorded. Keratella quadrata, Daphnia longispina and Acanthodiaptomus denticornis were the common species during the study period. Maximum number of taxa were observed from Rotifera and Cladocera during summer, while minimum taxa was determined from Copepoda during winter.
Dietary and Physical Activity Behaviors Among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2019

Establishing healthy dietary and physical activity patterns among youths is an important public health strategy for improving health and preventing chronic diseases; however, few adolescents meet U.S. government recommendations for dietary or physical activity behaviors, and disparities by sex and race/ethnicity exist. CDC analyzed data from the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey to update estimates of dietary and physical activity behaviors among U.S. high school students overall and by sex and race/ethnicity. In addition, 2-year comparisons (2017 and 2019) and trends in prevalence of these behaviors during 2009–2019 were examined. In 2019, overall, during the 7 days before the survey, 41.8% of students had eaten fruit or drunk 100% fruit juices <1 time/day; 40.7% had eaten vegetables <1 time/day; and 16.7% had not eaten breakfast on all 7 days. Moreover, although 57.4% of students had played on ≥1 sports team during the 12 months before the survey, less than half of students had been physically active for ≥60 minutes/day on all 7 days (23.2%), had exercised to strengthen or tone their muscles on ≥3 days/week (49.5%), had met both aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity guidelines (16.5%), or had attended physical education classes on all 5 days in an average school week (25.9%). Trend data indicate limited progress in shifting dietary and physical activity behaviors. That is, with the exception of decreases in the percentage of students who had consumed soda ≥1 time/day (2009: 29.2%; 2019: 15.1%), sports drinks ≥1 time/day (2015: 13.8%; 2019: 10.6%), and <3 glasses/day of plain water (2015: 50.5%; 2019: 44.6%), high school students’ dietary and physical activity behaviors have not improved and, in certain cases, have worsened. These findings support the need for multicomponent approaches, including policy and environmental changes, and opportunities for adolescents to learn about and practice making healthy choices.
Principles and Applications of Miniaturized Near‐Infrared (NIR) Spectrometers

Abstract This review article focuses on the principles and applications of miniaturized near‐infrared (NIR) spectrometers. This technology and its applicability has advanced considerably over the last few years and revolutionized several fields of application. What is particularly remarkable is that the applications have a distinctly diverse nature, ranging from agriculture and the food sector, through to materials science, industry and environmental studies. Unlike a rather uniform design of a mature benchtop FTNIR spectrometer, miniaturized instruments employ diverse technological solutions, which have an impact on their operational characteristics. Continuous progress leads to new instruments appearing on the market. The current focus in analytical NIR spectroscopy is on the evaluation of the devices and associated methods, and to systematic characterization of their performance profiles.
Non-surgical Treatments for Lung Metastases in Patients with soft Tissue Sarcoma: Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) and Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA).

BACKGROUND Radio-frequency ablation (RFA) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) are two emerging therapies for lung metastases. INTRODUCTION We performed a literature review to evaluate outcomes and complications of these procedures in patients with lung metastases from soft tissue sarcoma (STS). METHOD After selection, seven studies were included for each treatment encompassing a total of 424 patients: 218 in the SBRT group and 206 in the RFA group. RESULTS The mean age ranged from 47.9 to 64 years in the SBRT group and from 48 to 62.7 years in the RFA group. The most common histologic subtype was, in both groups, leiomyosarcoma. In the SBRT group, median overall survival ranged from 25.2 to 69 months and median disease-free interval from 8.4 to 45 months. Two out of seven studies reported G3 and one G3 toxicity, respectively. In RFA patients, overall survival ranged from 15 to 50 months. The most frequent complication was pneumothorax. Local control showed high percentage for both procedures. CONCLUSION SBRT is recommended in patients unsuitable to surgery, in synchronous bilateral pulmonary metastases, in case of deep lesions and in patients receiving high-risk systemic therapies. RFA is indicated in case of a long disease-free interval, in oligometastatic disease, when only the lung is involved, in small size lesions far from large vessels. Further large randomized studies are necessary to establish whether these treatments may also represent a reliable alternative to surgery.
Self-assessed puberty is reliable in a low-income setting in rural Pakistan

Abstract Objectives Staging sexual maturation is an integral component of adolescent research. The Pubertal Development Scale (PDS) is commonly used as a puberty self-assessment tool because it avoids the use of images. Among the youth living in rural Pakistan, we determined the accuracy of self-reported pubertal assessments using a modified PDS compared to the ‘gold standard’ of physically assessed Tanner stages by a physician. Methods The strength of agreement between self-assessed puberty using a modified PDS and the ‘gold’ standard of physician-assessed Tanner stages was reported using weighted kappa (κw) for girls (n = 723) of 9.0–14.9 years of age or boys (n = 662) of 10.0–15.9 years of age living in the rural District of Matiari. Results Agreement between the gold standard and self-assessment for puberty was substantial, with a κw of 0.73 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.67; 0.79) for girls and a κw of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.55; 0.66) for boys. Substantial agreement was observed for both boys and girls classified as thinness but only for girls with a normal body mass index. Those who were classified as severely thin had moderate agreement. The prevalence of overestimation was 18.5% (95% CI: 15.9–21.5) for girls and 2.7% (95% CI: 1.7–4.3) for boys, while the prevalence of underestimation estimation was 8.0% (95% CI: 6.2–10.2) for girls and 29.0% (95% CI: 25.8–32.6) for boys. Conclusions Most girls and boys assessed their pubertal development with substantial agreement with physician assessment. Girls were better able to assess their puberty, but they were more likely to overestimate. Agreement for boys was also substantial, but they were more likely to underestimate their pubertal development. In this rural Pakistan population, the PDS seems to be a promising tool for self-assessed puberty.