Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association Between Hemoglobin Glycation Index and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and All Cause Mortality in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Meta-Analysis

Background: The hemoglobin glycation index (HGI) has been proposed as a marker to quantify inter-individual variation in hemoglobin glycosylation. However, whether HGI is associated with an increased risk of diabetic complications independent of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) remains unclear. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the association between HGI and the risk of all cause mortality and composite cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: PubMed, and EMBASE databases were searched for related studies up to March 31, 2021. Observational studies reported associations between HGI levels and composite CVD and all cause mortality were included for meta-analysis. A random effect model was used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for higher HGI. Results: A total of five studies, comprising 22,035 patients with type two diabetes mellitus were included for analysis. The median follow-up duration was 5.0 years. After adjusted for multiple conventional cardiovascular risk factors, an increased level of HGI was associated with a higher risk of composite CVD (per 1 SD increment: HR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.04–1.26) and all cause mortality (per 1 SD increment: HR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.05–1.32). However, when further adjusted for HbA1c, the association between HGI and risk of composite CVD (per 1 SD increment of HGI: HR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.93–1.10) and all cause mortality (per 1 SD increment of HGI: HR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.96–1.10) became insignificant. Conclusions: High HGI was associated with an increased risk of composite CVD and all cause mortality after adjustment for multiple conventional cardiovascular risk factors. However, the association was mainly mediating by the level of HbA1c.
Engineering Plants to Improve Their Immune System

Much like humans, plants suffer from all kinds of diseases. In our lab, we study the immune system of plants. Using a technology called CRISPR, which enables us to edit the DNA of different creatures, we made changes in the plant immune system, with the goal of strengthening it. We succeeded in strengthening the plant immune system, and produced plants that are more resistant to diseases. Producing plants with a more active immune system could help us deal with plant diseases and improve agricultural crops.
S2045796021000251jra 1..13

Aims. Childhood trauma is associated with an elevated risk for psychosis, but the psychological mechanisms involved remain largely unclear. This study aimed to investigate emotional and psychotic stress reactivity in daily life as a putative mechanism linking childhood trauma and clinical outcomes in individuals at ultra-high-risk (UHR) for psychosis. Methods. Experience sampling methodology was used to measure momentary stress, affect and psychotic experiences in the daily life of N = 79 UHR individuals in the EU-GEI High Risk Study. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire was used to assess self-reported childhood trauma. Clinical outcomes were assessed at baseline, 1and 2-year follow-up. Results. The association of stress with positive (β =−0.14, p = 0.010) and negative affect (β = 0.11, p = 0.020) was modified by transition status such that stress reactivity was greater in individuals who transitioned to psychosis. Moreover, the association of stress with negative affect (β = 0.06, p = 0.019) and psychotic experiences (β = 0.05, p = 0.037) was greater in individuals exposed to high v. low levels of childhood trauma. We also found evidence that decreased positive affect in response to stress was associated with reduced functioning at 1-year follow-up (B = 6.29, p = 0.034). In addition, there was evidence that the association of childhood trauma with poor functional outcomes was mediated by stress reactivity (e.g. indirect effect: B =−2.13, p = 0.026), but no evidence that stress reactivity mediated the association between childhood trauma and transition (e.g. indirect effect: B = 0.14, p = 0.506). Conclusions. Emotional and psychotic stress reactivity may be potential mechanisms linking childhood trauma with clinical outcomes in UHR individuals.
Phenolic Compounds in Two Hungarian Red Wines Matured inQuercus roburandQuercus petreaBarrels: HPLC Analysis and Diode Array Detection

Two typical Hungarian red wines, Egri bikaver and Cabernet franc, were aged for six months in Hungarian Quercus robur L. and Quercus petrea L. barrels; additionally, Egri bikaver was aged in barrels of French (Nevers) Q. petrea . During the aging period, the qualitative and quantitative changes in the phenolic composition were determined using HPLC separation and photodiode array detection. The following compounds were identified from the extracts of natural and toasted stave wood chips and from the wines: gallic, protocatechuic, vanillic, syringic, caffeic, coumaric, ellagic acids and vanillin, syringaldehyde, 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde, and 5-methyl-2-furaldehyde. In the maturation process of barrique wines, two major compounds, ellagic and gallic acids, appeared to play important roles as their concentrations increased with time and depended on the type of wine and species of wood.
Vascularized lymph vessel transplant (VLVT): our experience and lymphedema treatment algorithm

Supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenicular anastomosis (LVA) and vascularized lymph node transplant (VLNT) are established surgical procedures for fluid-predominant extremity lymphedema. LVA is most effective for early disease, while VLNT is effective for more advanced lymphatic injury. However, the devastating complication of donor-site lymphedema has been reported following VLNT. Contour deformity caused by the bulky VLNT flaps further decreases the appeal of this procedure. Vascularized lymph vessel transplant (VLVT) has emerged as a promising new alternative to VLNT. This novel technique has challenged the accepted belief that incorporation of lymph nodes (LNs) into a flap is necessary for the physiologic treatment of advanced lymphedema. First described with the first dorsal metatarsal artery (FDMA) flap, the superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) and thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flaps were later on described as additional options for VLVT. Outcomes of VLVT have been found to be mostly equivalent to those of VLNT in alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life (QoL). By not sacrificing LNs, it theoretically reduces donor site morbidity. To date, donor-site lymphedema as a sequela of VLVT harvest has not been reported. As with other modalities for the treatment of lymphedema, an understanding of the progression of this disease and careful patient selection is imperative for the successful implementation of VLVT. A review of the literature, combined with the senior author’s experience with these novel techniques, was utilized to generate an updated algorithm for the surgical treatment of extremity
High sensitivity measurement of androgens by two-dimensional-high pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione are precursors of sex hormones; testosterone is a bioactive precursor of steroids responsible for development of secondary male characteristics. Abnormal androgen production may cause changes in genderspecific physiology and measurements are useful in diagnosing androgen and estrogen related disorders. We developed a high sensitivity two-dimensional liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for measurement of dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, and testosterone. Stable isotope-labeled internal standards were added to 200 μL of serum and extracted into methyl-tert-butyl ether. The solvent was evaporated and steroids derivatized with hydroxylamine. Instrumental analysis was performed on an API 4000 (Applied Biosystems) LC-MS/MS utilizing a TurboIonspray source in positive multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Quantitation was performed with Analyst software. The quantitative MRM transitions monitored were (m/z): 304 to 253 Da for DHEA; 306 to 255 Da for d2-DHEA; 317 to 124 Da for androstenedione; 324 to 128 Da for d7-androstenedione; 304 to 124 Da for testosterone; and 307 to 112 Da for d3-testosterone. Two-dimensional chromatographic separation was performed using a Phenomenex Gemini C6 cartridge as the first dimension and a Phenomenex Gemini C18 column as the second dimension. Injection-to-injection interval was 4.5 minutes. The assay was linear up to 9.2 ng/mL for DHEA, 42.5 ng/mL for androstenedione, and 25.8 ng/mL for testosterone. Total imprecision was less than 9.32%, 11.23%, and 5.82% for DHEA, androstenedione, and testosterone, respectively. The limit of quantitation was 0.05 ng/mL for DHEA, 0.01 ng/mL for androstenedione, and 0.01 ng/mL for testosterone. Method comparison with a radioimmunoassay (RIA) for DHEA (ng/mL) yielded the linear regression equation LCMS/MS =0.38*RIA + 0.06 (R=0.92); comparison with a chemiluminescent assay (CLA) for androstenedione (ng/mL) yielded LC-MS/MS = 0.45*CLA + 0.01 (R=0.83); and testosterone (ng/mL) comparison with an existing LC-MS/MS method yielded LCMS/MSeval = 1.14*LC-MS/MSref + 0.04 (R=0.99). Comparison with LC-MS/MS methods (ng/mL) yielded the equations: LC-MS/MSeval = 0.93*LC-MS/MSref + 0.02 (R= 0.99) for androstenedione and LC-MS/MSeval = 0.94*LC-MS/MSref + 0.52 (R= 0.99) for DHEA. Androgen analysis by this method requires minimal sample preparation and is robust enough for use in a reference laboratory setting. It is sufficiently sensitive for measuring these androgens in all population groups.
Observation of cavitation and water-refilling processes in plants with X-ray phase contrast microscopy

With the spatial coherence of X-rays and high flux and brightness of the 3rd generation synchrotron radiation facility, X-ray phase contrast microscopy (XPCM) at Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) can provide high resolution dynamic imaging of low electron density materials in principle. In this paper, we investigated the cavitation and water-refilling processes in rice and bamboo leaves utilizing XPCM at SSRF. The occurrence of xylem cavitation was recorded in vivo. The study also revealed that under different dehydration conditions, cavitation occurs in different degrees, and therefore, the refilling process is different. The results demonstrate that SSRF can provide high enough fluxes to study dynamic processes in plants in real-time, and XPCM is expected to be a promising method to reveal the mechanisms of cavitation and its repair in plants nondestructively.
Inula helenium: A literature review on ethnomedical uses, bioactive compounds and pharmacological activities

Dynamic growth of antimicrobial and anthelmintic resistance throughout the years has caused increased interest in natural alternatives to synthetic drugs. Elecampane (Inula helenium L.), a widely distributed herbaceous plant, is one of the most researched and well-known member of the genus Inula, family Compositae. I. helenium has been included in the Chinese Pharmacopeia, Russian Pharmacopeia and Pharmacopeias of some European countries. This review is an up-to-date summary of the existing knowledge on Inula helenium’s ethnomedicinal uses, secondary metabolites and pharmacological activities. Initially used in the treatment of respiratory and digestive diseases in both humans and animals, the roots of elecampane have been also proven to possess a cytotoxic and antiproliferative effect on cancer cell lines, as well as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and anthelmintic activities. The main bioactive compounds isolated from elecampane roots known to be responsible for their pharmacological activities are inulin, sesquiterpene lactones such as alantolactone and isoalantolactone, thymol derivatives, phenolic acids and flavonoids. This review suggests that I. helenium’s secondary metabolites have a strong therapeutic potential. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies of isolated I. helenium bioactive compounds are required in order to understand their mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics and potential adverse effects.
Can Transnational Cooperation Support Municipalities to Address Challenges of Youth Migration?

In the cooperation project ‘YOUMIG,’ funded by the INTERREG Danube transnational programme, challenges of youth migration were discussed in a transnational consortium consisting of project partners from different countries from Central and Eastern Europe experiencing difficulties such as a declining population and outmigration, as well as immigration of young people, which necessitated the provision of an integration infrastructure. Project outcomes included strategies as well as pilot activities performed by local-level authorities. The following article will consider outcomes as well as experiences from stakeholders involved in the project and investigate individual and organizational learning processes throughout the project. It will elaborate on the question of the extent to which transnational cooperation can potentially facilitate sustainable institutional changes and transformation. The results confirm the potential of transnational cooperation towards triggering learning and institutional change. Nevertheless, they underline that in the context of the project, the learning processes that could be achieved were predominantly of an individual nature and that the tangible outcomes could not lead to sustainable institutional changes.
University of Groningen Imaging the distribution of an antibody-drug conjugate constituent targeting mesothelin with Zr-89 and IRDye 800CW in mice bearing human pancreatic tumor xenografts

Mesothelin is a tumor differentiation antigen expressed by epithelial tumors, including pancreatic cancer. Currently, mesothelin is being targeted with an antibodydrug conjugate (ADC) consisting of a mesothelin-specific antibody coupled to a highly potent chemotherapeutic drug. Considering the toxicity of the ADC and reduced accessibility of pancreatic tumors, non-invasive imaging could provide necessary information. We therefore developed a zirconium-89 (89Zr) labeled anti-mesothelin antibody (89Zr-AMA) to study its biodistribution in human pancreatic tumor bearing mice. Biodistribution and dose-finding of 89Zr-AMA were studied 144 h after tracer injection in mice with subcutaneously xenografted HPAC. MicroPET imaging was performed 24, 72 and 144 h after tracer injection in mice bearing HPAC or Capan-2. Tumor uptake and organ distribution of 89Zr-AMA were compared with nonspecific 111In-IgG. Biodistribution analyses revealed a dose-dependent 89Zr-AMA tumor uptake. Tumor uptake of 89Zr-AMA was higher than 111In-IgG using the lowest tracer dose. MicroPET showed increased tumor uptake over 6 days, whereas activity in blood pool and other tissues decreased. Immunohistochemistry showed that mesothelin was expressed by the HPAC and CAPAN-2 tumors and fluorescence microscopy revealed that AMA-800CW was present in tumor cell cytoplasm. 89Zr-AMA tumor uptake is antigen-specific in mesothelin-expressing tumors. 89Zr-AMA PET provides noninvasive, real-time information about AMA distribution and tumor targeting.
MESMO 3: Flexible phytoplankton stoichiometry and refractory dissolved organic matter

Abstract. We describe the third version of Minnesota Earth System Model for Ocean biogeochemistry (MESMO 3), an Earth system model of intermediate complexity, with a dynamical ocean, dynamic–thermodynamic sea ice, and an energy–moisture-balanced atmosphere. A major feature of version 3 is the flexible C:N:P ratio for the three phytoplankton functional types represented in the model. The flexible stoichiometry is based on the power law formulation with environmental dependence on phosphate, nitrate, temperature, and light. Other new features include nitrogen fixation, water column denitrification, oxygen and temperature-dependent organic matter remineralization, and CaCO3 production based on the concept of the residual nitrate potential growth. In addition, we describe the semi-labile and refractory dissolved organic pools of C, N, P, and Fe that can be enabled in MESMO 3 as an optional feature. The refractory dissolved organic matter can be degraded by photodegradation at the surface and hydrothermal vent degradation at the bottom. These improvements provide a basis for using MESMO 3 in further investigations of the global marine carbon cycle to changes in the environmental conditions of the past, present, and future.
The Aircraft Choice Based on the Aircraft

Before an aircraft to take-off, an airline flight dispatcher must assess several parameters regarding the aircraft take-off performance. The same aircraft may require different runway distance to operate depending on its take-off weight, air temperature, altitude, wind and runway declivity. For an aircraft lift off the ground, the wings must produce a lift force greater than the aircraft weight. Four variables are essential to produce such force, and those are airspeed, air density, wing area and coefficient of lift. The last variable is a constant determined by the airfoil design and the angle of attack (Horonjeff et al. 2010). A flight dispatcher cannot change the aircraft wing area and coefficient of lift since these are manufacturing characteristics. In addition, the air density varies significantly according to the altitude, air temperature, and air humidity. Thus, in the lift force equation, the airline employee can only manage the take-off airspeed, but it has a serious limitation. The aircraft cannot keep developing greater speed indefinitely due to the tire speed limitation and, above all, due to the physical length limitation of the take-off runway. Sometimes, this limited available area situation imposes constraints to the aircraft take-off weight. When that happens, the airline dispatcher must decide whether to reduce the payload or the fuel onboard, in order to reduce the aircraft take-off weight. Otherwise, the aircraft will not reach enough speed to produce a lift force greater than its weight within the available runway distance. https://doi.org/10.5028/jatm.v12. 1167 ORIGINAL PAPER
EVALUASI HEURISTIC ANTARMUKA APLIKASI PENGENALAN ARSITEKTUR BANGUNAN METEN BALI

The application of the introduction of Balinese Meten building architecture is a new innovation in how to introduce Balinese culture especially the Meten building which is the main house building for Balinese Hindu society. Currently Hindu Balinese people do not understand exactly what is meten, what are the architectural components that build it, people are now more concerned with the beauty of the methane building without emphasizing the social strata that exist in the community. This application was developed and tested from Human Computer Interaction (HCI) using ease of use method (usability) especially heuristic evaluation method from Molich and Nielsen. The end result of this research is an application that can be used as reference learning and to introduce methane building with more practical, innovative and interactive. Based on the user interface test using heuristic evaluation method, generaly the design of user interface is quite good in terms of ease of navigation, error prevention, the application is able to reduce the memory load of its users when running the application.
Fast Color Straight Line Pattern Recognition in an Object Using High Speed Self Learning Devices

Most of the man-made objects are having some straight lines with colors. A very high-speed object recognition method using color straight line patterns is carried out using a novel self-learning device (RKD - Rasiq Krishnakumar Device). Instead of that Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), RKD based networks are used for different steps in this pattern classification. The color and straight-line features are extracted by using high-speed color segmentation and fast efficient straight-line segment extraction methods using the RKD based systems. The training and the testing algorithms of the pattern classification are using RKD-based processing. The fast color features extraction method uses an array of RKD-based devices and the fast efficient straight-line segment extraction method employs an array of processing elements and a main control unit. Some fusion devices are used for a straight line with colors features. The area of interest and the area of line segments of a particular object are other features for improving the accuracy of object classification.
A Possible Cardio-Protective Role of Early Remote Ischemia Preconditioning Against Ischemia Reperfusion Injury I’m Isolated Hearts of Adult Albino Rats: Possible Involvement of Hypoxia Inducible Factor

Background: In spite of the claimed cardio-protective effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC), it is invasive and so using remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) may offer an alternative. Meanwhile, RIPC cardio protective role is controversial, with an equivocal underlying mechanism. The hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1-alpha) which is increased following ischemic insults is claimed as a humoral mediator for RIPC. Objectives: To investigate the effect of remote ischemic pre-conditioning on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats, and to elucidate the possible role of hypoxia inducible factor in this protection. Patients and Methods: The present study was performed on 28 adult female albino rats in the same estrus cycle evaluated by vaginal smear, and they were allocated into 3 groups: Group I: control rats subjected to ischemic /reperfusion injury (I/R) only, group II: early RIPC rats (RIPC 2 hours prior to I/R), group III: acriflavine-treated early RIPC rats. Acriflavine is a drug that binds directly to HIF-1 alpha and HIF-2 alpha subunits, thus inhibiting its dimerization and transcriptional activity, and it was injected IP 10 days prior to RIPC. On sacrifice day, ECG was recorded and isolated heart studies were performed. Later, cardiac chambers weight, serum HIF-1-alpha, myocardial perfusate lactate dehydrogenase, and cardiac oxidative markers: Malonaldehyde and glutathione perioxidase were measured. Results: Compared to the control group, the early RIPC group showed significant increase in the heart rate (HR), QTc interval in the ECG recording, glutathione peroxidase and the HIF 1α levels together with reduction in the percent of decrease in PT and PT/LV, in the percent of prolongation in time to peak tension (TPT), perfusate lactate dehydrogenase and MDA levels, while no significant changes were recorded in the heart chronotropic activity, in the percent of half relaxation time (HRT) prolongation, or in the percent of decrease of MFR. Following acriflavine treatment, the effects of RIPC were abolished highlighting the role of HIF-1-alpha in mediating RIPC protective effects. Conclusion: The non-invasive and non-pharmological remote ischemic preconditioning technique can ameliorate the cardiac ischemic reperfusion injury with an obvious role of HIF-1α in mediating these protective effects. ASMAA T. EBRAHIM et al. 222