Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Malaria during pregnancy: a vaccine designed by nature

Pregnant women have an increased susceptibility to malaria infection and disease, although the presentations of malaria vary according to the parasite species and the immune status of the mother. Pregnancy malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum is frequently severe in non-immune women. In areas of stable transmission, where women are semi-immune and often asymptomatic during infection, falciparum malaria is an insidious disease that can often causes death in mother or offspring without recognition that the inciting agent was a malaria parasite. Severe anemia and hypertension in the mother, and low birth weight and infant mortality in the offspring, are common sequelae that can arise, even though the mother is not aware of her infection. Pregnancy malaria caused by P. falciparum is characterized by infected erythrocytes that bind to chondroitin sulfate A and sequester in the placenta. These parasites have a unique adhesion phenotype and distinct antigenicity, suggesting unique surface proteins that might be targeted for vaccine development. Women become resistant to pregnancy malaria as they acquire antibodies against placental infected erythrocytes, leading to higher hemoglobin levels and heavier babies. Exported proteins of placental infected erythrocytes have been identified, including both variant and conserved antigens, and some of these are in preclinical development as vaccines. A vaccine that prevents Plasmodium falciparum malaria in pregnant mothers is feasible, and would save potentially hundreds of thousands of lives each year.
Pemahaman Hubungan antara Modal Sosial dan Perkongsian Pengetahuan dalam Community of Practice di Sektor Awam Malaysia: Kesan ke atas Prestasi Kerja Individu

ABSTRAK Cabaran terbesar perkongsian pengetahuan dalam Community of Practice ialah kesediaan individu untuk berkongsi pengetahuan mereka. Kertas ini mengintegrasikan Teori Modal Sosial dan Teori Berasaskan Pengetahuan Firma untuk memeriksa hubungan antara modal sosial dan perkongsian pengetahuan, serta kesannya ke atas prestasi kerja individu. Data kajian dikutip daripada ahli-ahli Kumpulan Inovatif dan Kreatif di Majlis Perbandaran Kuantan, dan Jabatan Kastam DiRaja Malaysia. Sebanyak 219 sampel telah dianalisis menggunakan PLS-SEM. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan keakraban, kepercayaan, bahasa sepunya, dan matlamat sepunya boleh mempengaruhi individu untuk berkongsi pengetahuan mereka, serta perkongsian pengetahuan mempunyai hubungan yang positif dengan prestasi kerja individu. Justeru, untuk mempertingkatkan aktiviti perkongsian pengetahuan dalam Community of Practice, pihak kerajaan perlu memberi penekanan kepada aspek-aspek berkaitan modal sosial. Kata kunci: Community of practice; knowledge management; social capital; knowledge sharing; public sector ABSTRACT The biggest obstacle to encourage knowledge sharing activities in the Community of Practice is the willingness of individual to share their knowledge with one another. By integrating the Social Capital Theory and the Knowledge-Based Theory of the Firm, this paper examines the relationship between social capital and knowledge sharing, and it’s impact on individual performance. Data were collected from the Innovative and Creative Circle members in Kuantan Municipal Council and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department. A total of 219 samples were analysed using PLS-SEM. The results showed that closeness, trust, shared language and shared vision promote individuals’ knowledge sharing behavior, and have positive relationships with individual's work performance. As such, to improve knowledge sharing activities in the Community of Practice, the need to understand and focus the underlying aspects related to the social capital is imperative. Keywords: Community of practice; pengurusan pengetahuan; modal sosial; perkongsian pengetahuan; sektor awam
The Safety of Phytoestrogens in Menopause, Prostate and Breast Cancer

Plant based natural products have been proposed as alternatives to the use of hormones for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, which has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and coronary artery disease. Specific herbal compounds such as Thai Kudzu root (Pueraria mirifica) have shown beneficial effects in the treatment of peri-menopausal symptoms and menopausal-related osteoporosis when used as an adjunct or as a single medicine. Pueraria mirifica has been used in conjunction with Vitex Berry (Vitex agnus-castus), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) Sage (Salvia officinalis and S. miltiorrhiza), and Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa), with the optional addition of natural progesterone and soy milk. Clinically, these compounds require careful dosing and are associated with variable times to efficacy. No known drug interactions exist, although research on the effects of phytoestrogens is limited. Phytoestrogens have not been associated with increased risk of cancer and therefore provide a safe alternative to standard treatment modalities.
Immunity and mastitis: is it possible to vaccinate?

Mastitis is an inflammation of the secretory tissues or milk ducts in the mammary gland in response to a bacterial infection. It affects the quantity and quality of milk production. The causal agents of bovine mastitis are microorganisms that live in the udder of the cow and its enviroment. They can be divided into three groups according to their epidemiology: 1) contagious: with bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, 2) those that are environmentally related: such as Streptococcus agalactiae and Gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli and 3) opportunistic: coagulase-negative Staphylococci. Mastitis control is based on various measures that can include: 1) Proper and hygienic milking routine; 2) Proper use and maintenance of milking equipment; 3) Appropriate dry period therapy, 4) Treatment of clinical cases during lactation; 5) Treatment of skin problems of the udder and teats; 6) Culling of cows with chronic mastitis; 7) Examination of cows that will enter the farm as replacements, 8) Recording of data and 9) Maintaining a clean environment.
HEMOCITOMETRIA EM SARACURA SANÃ (Pardirallus nigricans) (MEASUREMENTS OF BLACKISH RAIL BLOOD CELLS (Pardirallus nigricans)) (HEMOCITOMETRÍA EN SARACURA-SANA (Pardirallus nigricans))

São descritos os valores de hemocitometria para Saracura Sanã (Pardirallus nigricans). Foram realizados esfregaços sangüíneos de sete aves oriundas de vida livre, sendo cinco adultas e duas jovens. Foram medidos, para jovens e adultos: comprimento (CEM) e largura (LEM) do eritrócito maduro, comprimento (CEI) e largura (LEI) do eritrócito imaturo, comprimento (CNEM) e largura (LNEM) do núcleo do eritrócito maduro, comprimento (CNEI) e largura (LNEI) do núcleo do eritrócito imaturo, comprimento (CTB) e largura (LTB) do trombócito, comprimento (CNTB) e largura (LNTB) do núcleo do trombócito, diâmetro do heterófilo (DH), linfócito médio (DLM) e pequeno (DLP). As aves jovens têm os pequenos linfócitos, heterófilos e núcleo de eritrócito maduro maiores (p<0,05) que aves adultas. As demais variáveis não diferem estatisticamente entre as duas diferentes idades estudadas. Pardirallus nigricans tem células de tamanho pequeno a médio e não relacionado com a idade.
Surgical reduction and fixation techniques in the treatment of posterior pelvic injuries

Pelvis kiriklari, yuksek mortalite ve komplikasyon orani ile iliskili yaralanmalardir. Posteriyor pelvik yaralanma tedavisinde anteriyor veya posteriyor yaklasim ile acik reduksiyon veya kapali reduksiyon ile tespit yontemleri tanimlanmistir. Gunumuzde kapali reduksiyon, ozellikle kirik hematomunu bozmamasi, daha iyi ve hizli kaynama saglamasi ve daha az yara sorunu olmasi nedeniyle tercih edilmeye baslanmistir. Kapali reduksiyon yontemleri uygulanirken gereksinim duyulan temel arac, radiolusent bir travma masasi ve C-kollu bir floroskopidir. Erken cerrahi girisim de buyuk onem tasir. Cerrahi sirasinda floroskopi kontrolu altinda reduksiyon kalitesi degerlendirilmelidir. Bununla birlikte, posteriyor kesiye engel olan ciddi yumusak doku yaralanmalarinda, sakroiliyak eklem ayrilmalarinda, buyuk hilal seklinde kirik parcasi bulunan yaralanmalarda ve iliyak kanat kiriklari varliginda anteriyordan acik reduksiyon kullanilabilir. Diger yandan, posteriyordan acik reduksiyon ise, sakroiliyak eklem ayrilmalari, sakroiliyak kirikli cikiklar, ayrilmis transforaminal sakrum kiriklari ve Denis zon III sakral kiriklar icin tercih edilebilir. Reduksiyon cerrahisi sonrasinda tespit icin anteriyor veya posteriyor internal tespit yontemleri kullanilabilir. Hizli uygulanabilir bir yontem olmasina karsin, eksternal tespitin posteriyor yaralanmalarin tedavisinde etkisiz oldugu bildirilmistir. Gunumuzde posteriyordan acik cerrahi yaklasim, yara yeri sorunlari ve uzun iyilesme sureleri nedeni ile tercih edilmemektedir. Bu nedenle, morbidite ve mortaliteyi azaltmak ve anatomik reduksiyonu korumak amaci ile gelistirilen perkutan sakroiliyak vidalama yontemi tanimlanmistir. Politravmali hastalarda, erken tespit saglamasi ve az hasarli bir yontem olmasi nedeniyle perkutan teknik tercih edilmelidir. Sonuc olarak, gunumuzde artik az hasarli yontemler kullanilarak daha az kan kaybi, daha az enfeksiyon ve daha yuksek iyilesme oranlari elde etmek mumkundur.
Preparation and Characterization of Edible Dialdehyde Carboxymethyl Cellulose Crosslinked Feather Keratin Films for Food Packaging

The development of edible films based on the natural biopolymer feather keratin (FK) from poultry feathers is of great interest to food packaging. Edible dialdehyde carboxymethyl cellulose (DCMC) crosslinked FK films plasticized with glycerol were prepared by a casting method. The effect of DCMC crosslinking on the microstructure, light transmission, aggregate structure, tensile properties, water resistance and water vapor barrier were investigated. The results indicated the formation of both covalent and hydrogen bonding between FK and DCMC to form amorphous FK/DCMC films with good UV-barrier properties and transmittance. However, with increasing DCMC content, a decrease in tensile strength of the FK films indicated that plasticization, induced by hydrophilic properties of the DCMC, partly offset the crosslinking effect. Reduction in the moisture content, solubility and water vapor permeability indicated that DCMC crosslinking slightly reduced the moisture sensitivity of the FK films. Thus, DCMC crosslinking increased the potential viability of the FK films for food packaging applications, offering a value-added product.
Co-transfection of hepatocyte growth factor and truncated TGF-β type II receptor inhibit scar formation

Wound scarring remains a major challenge for plastic surgeons. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β plays a key role in the process of scar formation. Previous studies have demonstrated that truncated TGF-β type II receptor (t-TGF-βRII) is unable to continue signal transduction but is still capable of binding to TGF-β, thereby blocking the TGF-β signaling pathway. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a multifunctional growth factor that promotes tissue regeneration and wound healing. Theoretically, the combination of HGF and t-TGF-βRII would be expected to exert a synergistic effect on promoting wound healing and reducing collagen formation. In the present study, lentivirus-mediated transfection of the two genes (t-TGF-βRII/HGF) into fibroblasts in vitro and in a rat model in vivo was used. The results demonstrated that the expression of t-TGF-βRII and HGF in NIH-3T3 cells was successfully induced. The expression of both molecules significantly reduced collagen I and III expression, and also inhibited fibroblast proliferation. Furthermore, histological examination and scar quantification revealed less scarring in the experimental wound in a rat model. Moreover, on macroscopic inspection, the experimental wound exhibited less visible scarring compared with the control. Therefore, the present study demonstrated that the combination gene therapy of t-TGF-βRII and HGF promoted wound healing, with less scarring and more epithelial tissue formation, not only by suppressing the overgrowth of collagen due to its antifibrotic effect, but also by promoting tissue regeneration.
An interdisciplinary comparison of master's thesis abstracts

One academic genre that can be especially challenging for graduate students is the research abstract, which is frequently found in thesis and dissertation writing. Although previous genre research has focused on published research article abstracts, very little research has analyzed student abstract writing in Master's theses. In this thesis, I hope to extend current research on abstracts by exploring different ways that organizational moves and other discourse elements such as hedging are reflected in graduate student research abstracts. My analysis focuses specifically on Master's thesis abstracts from five disciplines at CSUSB and■how the rhetorical conventions in these texts may reflect the epistemological and social expectations of the writers' academic communities. By using models employed by previous researchers, I analyze the frequency and realization of each abstract move as well as hedging strategies to determine similarities and differences within and across disciplines. Perhaps these abstract patterns may reveal the beliefs and/or values within these particular disciplines. This study's results indicate that these abstracts use a variety of hedging patterns and many of the moves
Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy for Colorectal Cancer

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy represents a new genetically engineered method of immunotherapy for cancer. The patient’s T-cells are modified to express a specific receptor that sticks to the tumor antigen. This modified cell is then reintroduced into the patient’s body to fight the resilient cancer cells. After exhibiting positive results in hematological malignancies, this therapy is being proposed for solid tumors like colorectal cancer. The clinical data of CAR T-cell therapy in colorectal cancer is rather scarce. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge, challenges, and future perspectives of CAR T-cell therapy in colorectal cancer. A total of 22 articles were included in this review. Eligible studies were selected and reviewed by two researchers from 49 articles found on Pubmed, Web of Science, and clinicaltrials.gov. This therapy, at the moment, provides modest benefits in solid tumors. Not taking into consideration the high manufacturing and retail prices, there are still limitations like increased toxicities, relapses, and unfavorable tumor microenvironment for CAR T-cell therapy in colorectal cancer.
The Effect of Donor Human Milk Fortification on The Adhesion of Probiotics In Vitro

Preterm delivery complications are the primary cause of death among children under the age of five. Preventive strategies include the use of pasteurized donor human milk (DHM), its fortification with human milk fortifiers (protein supplements), and supplementation with probiotics. Our aim was to examine the impact of DHM and fortified DHM (FDHM) on the mucus adhesion properties of two widely used probiotics. The study covered two forms of human milk fortifier, liquid and powdered, with or without probiotics and storage at 4 °C for 24 h. To test the adhesion properties of the probiotic strains, DHM+probiotics and FDHM+probiotics were prepared and added to immobilized mucus isolated from the stool of healthy Finnish infants. The probiotic adhesion was then measured by liquid scintillation. Our results suggest that addition of liquid or powdered human milk fortifier in donor human milk had no impact on probiotic adhesion. In addition, given the increased adhesion of probiotics suspended in buffer, other matrices should be further studied. These factors need to be considered when designing future intervention strategies using probiotics in preterm infants.
Next Steps for Interventions Targeting Adolescent Dietary Behaviour

Adolescents in many countries consume poor quality diets that include high intakes of sugary drinks and fast food and low intakes of vegetables. The aims of this Special Issue on adolescent dietary behaviour were to identify methods and approaches for successful interventions to improve diet quality in this age group and identify at risk subgroups that need particular attention. In total, 11 manuscripts were published in this Special Issue—three qualitative studies which included a systematic review, five cross-sectional studies and three quantitative evaluations of interventions. This Editorial discusses the contribution of the studies and provides suggestions to improve the success of future interventions in adolescents. It is important that adolescents are involved in the design of interventions to improve social and cultural acceptability and relevance. Interventions targeting schools or communities framed within a larger food system such as issues around climate change and the carbon footprint of food may improve engagement. Furthermore, targeting adolescents in areas of lower deprivation is a priority where diet quality is particularly poor. Potentially successful interventions also include environmental policies that impact on the cost and marketing of food and drinks, although evaluations of these were not included in this issue.
Multifunctional Graphene-Based Composite Sponge

Although graphene has been widely used as a nano-filler to enhance the conductivity of porous materials, it is still an unsatisfactory requirement to prepare graphene-based sponge porous materials by simple and low-cost methods to enhance their mechanical properties and make them have good sensing and capacitive properties. Graphene platelets (GnPs) were prepared by the thermal expansion method. Graphene-based sponge porous materials were prepared by a simple method. A flexible sensor was formed and supercapacitors were assembled. Compared with other graphene-based composites, the graphene-based composite sponge has good electrical response under bending and torsion loading. Under 180° bending and torsion loading, the maximum resistance change rate can reach 13.9% and 52.5%, respectively. The linearity under tension is 0.01. The mechanical properties and capacitance properties of the sponge nanocomposites were optimized when the filler fraction was 1.43 wt. %. The tensile strength was 0.236 MPa and capacitance was 21.4 F/g. In cycles, the capacitance retention rate is 94.45%. The experimental results show that the graphene-based sponge porous material can be used as a multifunctional flexible sensor and supercapacitor, and it is a promising and multifunctional porous nanocomposite material.
La refertazione dell'esame capillaroscopico: metodi di valutazione qualitativi e quantitativi * Nailfold capillaroscopic report: qualitative and quantitative methods

SUMMARY Nailfold capillaroscopy (NVC) is a simple and non-invasive method used for the assessment of patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) and in the differential diagnosis of various connective tissue diseases. The scleroderma pattern abnormalities (giant capillaries, haemorrages and/or avascular areas) have a positive predictive value for the development of scleroderma spectrum disorders. Thus, an analytical approach to nailfold capillaroscopy can be useful in quantitatively and reproducibly recording various parameters. We developed a new method to assess patients with RP that is capable of predicting the 5-year transition from isolated RP to RP secondary to scleroderma spectrum disorders. This model is a weighted combination of different capillaroscopic parameters (giant capillaries, microhaemorrages, number of capillaries) that allows physicians to stratify RP patients easily using a relatively simple diagram to deduce prognosis.
Combined effects of global climate change and nutrient enrichment on the physiology of three temperate maerl species

Abstract Made up of calcareous coralline algae, maerl beds play a major role as ecosystem engineers in coastal areas throughout the world. They undergo strong anthropogenic pressures, which may threaten their survival. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the future of maerl beds in the context of global and local changes. We examined the effects of rising temperatures (+3°C) and ocean acidification (−0.3 pH units) according to temperature and pH projections (i.e., the RCP 8.5 scenario), and nutrient (N and P) availability on three temperate maerl species (Lithothamnion corallioides, Phymatolithon calcareum, and Lithophyllum incrustans) in the laboratory in winter and summer conditions. Physiological rates of primary production, respiration, and calcification were measured on all three species in each treatment and season. The physiological response of maerl to global climate change was species‐specific and influenced by seawater nutrient concentrations. Future temperature–pH scenario enhanced maximal gross primary production rates in P. calcareum in winter and in L. corallioides in both seasons. Nevertheless, both species suffered an impairment of light harvesting and photoprotective mechanisms in winter. Calcification rates at ambient light intensity were negatively affected by the future temperature–pH scenario in winter, with net dissolution observed in the dark in L. corallioides and P. calcareum under low nutrient concentrations. Nutrient enrichment avoided dissolution under future scenarios in winter and had a positive effect on L. incrustans calcification rate in the dark in summer. In winter conditions, maximal calcification rates were enhanced by the future temperature–pH scenario on the three species, but P. calcareum suffered inhibition at high irradiances. In summer conditions, the maximal calcification rate dropped in L. corallioides under the future global climate change scenario, with a potential negative impact on CaCO3 budget for maerl beds in the Bay of Brest where this species is dominant. Our results highlight how local changes in nutrient availability or irradiance levels impact the response of maerl species to global climate change and thus point out how it is important to consider other abiotic parameters in order to develop management policies capable to increase the resilience of maerl beds under the future global climate change scenario.