Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of citrus flavonoids on laying hen performance, inflammatory immune response, egg quality and yolk oxidative stability

ABSTRACT 1. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with natural flavonoids (naringin and hesperidin) on laying hens’ performance, cellular immunity and egg quality parameters. 2. A total of 72 individually caged laying hens were allocated into 1 of 6 treatment groups: a control (C) group that was fed with a basal diet and groups that were offered the same diet further supplemented with hesperidin at 0.75 g/kg (E1), or 1.5 g/kg (E2), or naringin at 0.75 g/kg (N1), or 1.5 g/kg (N2) or α-tocopheryl acetate at 0.2 mg/kg (VE) for 67 d. 3. Supplementation with naringin or hesperidin did not affect the performance and egg quality (P > 0.05) apart from an improvement in the yolk colour that was more orange in naringin and hesperidin groups in comparison to the controls (P-linear < 0.05). Egg yolk and plasma cholesterol levels were not affected by citrus flavonoids (P-linear > 0.05). 4. Inflammatory immune response, measured by phytohaemagglutinin skin test (PHA), was suppressed in laying hens that were fed with either naringin (P-linear < 0.05) or hesperidin (P < 0.05). Egg yolk oxidative stability was improved from the 4th d after naringin or hesperidin supplementation. This beneficial effect was comparable to that of α-tocopheryl acetate and was observed in eggs that were stored for up to 120 d. 5. In conclusion, naringin and hesperidin may favourably prolong the shelf life of eggs, appear to possess anti-inflammatory properties and could improve the yolk colour without any side effects on the performance or egg quality traits.
High-Sensitivity Microwave Sensor for Liquid Characterization Using a Complementary Circular Spiral Resonator

This paper describes a low-cost, small size, and high-sensitivity microwave sensor using a Complementary Circular Spiral Resonator (CCSR), which operates at around 2.4 GHz, for identifying liquid samples and determining their dielectric constants. The proposed sensor was fabricated and tested to effectively identify different liquids commonly used in daily life and determine the concentrations of various ethanol–water mixtures at by measuring the resonant frequency of the CCSR. Using acrylic paint, a square channel was drawn at the most sensitive position of the microwave sensor to ensure accuracy of the experiment. To estimate the dielectric constants of the liquids under test, an approximate model was established using a High-Frequency Simulator Structure (HFSS). The results obtained agree very well with the existing data. Two parabolic equations were calculated and fitted to identify unknown liquids and determine the concentrations of ethanol–water mixtures. Thus, our microwave sensor provides a method with high sensitivity and low consumption of material for liquid monitoring and determination, which proves the feasibility and broad prospect of this low-cost system in industrial application.
The search for a PKR code—differential regulation of protein kinase R activity by diverse RNA and protein regulators

The interferon-inducible protein kinase R (PKR) is a key component of host innate immunity that restricts viral replication and propagation. As one of the four eIF2α kinases that sense diverse stresses and direct the integrated stress response (ISR) crucial for cell survival and proliferation, PKR's versatile roles extend well beyond antiviral defense. Targeted by numerous host and viral regulators made of RNA and proteins, PKR is subject to multiple layers of endogenous control and external manipulation, driving its rapid evolution. These versatile regulators include not only the canonical double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) that activates the kinase activity of PKR, but also highly structured viral, host, and artificial RNAs that exert a full spectrum of effects. In this review, we discuss our deepening understanding of the allosteric mechanism that connects the regulatory and effector domains of PKR, with an emphasis on diverse structured RNA regulators in comparison to their protein counterparts. Through this analysis, we conclude that much of the mechanistic details that underlie this RNA-regulated kinase await structural and functional elucidation, upon which we can then describe a “PKR code,” a set of structural and chemical features of RNA that are both descriptive and predictive for their effects on PKR.
No Additional Benefit of Combining Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser With Narrow-Band Ultraviolet B Phototherapy for Vitiligo: A Randomized Prospective Study With Half-Body Side Comparison.

BACKGROUND Narrow-band ultraviolet B (nb-UVB) phototherapy constitutes the gold standard treatment for vitiligo. Whether carbon dioxide (CO2) laser might increase the efficacy of nb-UVB is still a topic of debate. OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that the addition of fractional CO2 laser to nb-UVB may enhance repigmentation. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fractional CO2 laser was applied with an interval of 2 weeks for 7 sessions, only to 1 of the 2 symmetrical vitiligo patches located on 2 different half-body sides. Patients received whole-body nb-UVB phototherapy 3 times a week, for at least 4 months. Repigmentation was scored with a quartile grading scale, with the help of a computer program using the photographs taken by the digital dermatoscope. RESULTS Fifty-one symmetrical vitiligo patches of 30 patients were included. No statistically significant difference was found between the mean repigmentation scores for the laser and nonlaser sides (p = .11). CONCLUSION Results of this study suggest that combining fractional CO2 laser with nb-UVB phototherapy with the regimen used in this study does not increase the repigmentation scores for vitiligo.
Trophoblastic proliferation and invasion regulated by ACTN4 is impaired in early onset preeclampsia

Successful pregnancy requires normal placentation, which largely depends on the tight regulation of proliferation, invasion, and migration of trophoblast cells. Abnormal functioning of trophoblast cells may cause failure of uterine spiral artery remodeling, which may be related to pregnancy‐related disorders, such as preeclampsia. Here, we reported that an actin‐binding protein, α‐actinin (ACTN)4, was dysregulated in placentas from early onset preeclampsia. Moreover, knockdown of ACTN4 markedly inhibited trophoblast cell proliferation by reducing AKT membrane translocation. Furthermore, E‐cadherin regulated ACTN4 and β‐catenin colocalization on trophoblast cell podosomes, and ACTN4 down‐regulation suppressed the E‐cadherin‐induced cell invasion increase via depolymerizing actin filaments. Moreover, loss of ACTN4 recapitulated a number of the features of human preeclampsia. Therefore, our data indicate that ACNT4 plays a role in trophoblast function and is required for normal placental development. —Peng, W. , Tong, C. , Li, L. , Huang, C. , Ran, Y. , Chen, X. , Bai, Y. , Liu, Y. , Zhao, J., Tan, B. , Luo, X. , Wang, H. , Wen, L. , Zhang, C. , Zhang, H. , Ding, Y. , Qi, H. , Baker, P. N. Trophoblastic proliferation and invasion regulated by ACTN4 is impaired in early onset preeclampsia. FASEB J. 33, 6327–6338 (2019). www.fasebj. org
Reading comprehension assessment: effect of order of task application.

PURPOSE To investigate the influence of order of reading tasks application on the reading comprehension performance by students with and without reading difficulties. METHODS 40 students (4th and 5th grade) were classified according to the presence (Research Group-RG) or absence (Control Group-CG) of reading difficulties. RG-r and CG-r - 20 students (10 for each group) who retold the read text and responded to open-ended questions; RG-q and CG-q - 20 students (10 for each group) who responded to open-ended questions and then retold the read text. The analysis quantified the main idea, details and inferences retold, causal links and retelling reference standard (3-0) was also established from the best to the worst performance. Open-ended questions received one point for each correct answer. RESULTS Open-ended questions influenced only the retelling performance of good readers. A better performance of CG-q was noted for the number of second level links retold (U=50.50, p=0.155), total of links retold (U=23,00, p=0.038) and retelling reference standard (U=24.50, p=0.039). Reading-monitoring strategies are laborious and tend to be less used by students with reading difficulties. This is because these compete directly with low-level skills (decoding and microstructure processing), losing efficiency or being abandoned in the very course of reading. CONCLUSION There was improvement on the retelling performance of students without reading difficulties when this task was preceded by the open-ended questions, possibly because of the use of monitoring strategies that allowed a better understanding of the link between the retained ideas, improving links and retelling reference standard.
Implementation of multifamily group treatment for veterans with traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the initial efficacy and feasibility of implementing multifamily group treatment for veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS Veterans at two Veterans Affairs medical centers were prescreened by their providers for participation in an open trial of multifamily group treatment for TBI. Enrollment was limited to consenting veterans with a clinical diagnosis of TBI sustained during the Operation Enduring Freedom-Operation Iraqi Freedom era, a family member or partner consenting to participate, and a score ≥20 on the Mini-Mental State Examination. The nine-month (April 2010-March 2011) trial consisted of individual family sessions, an educational workshop, and bimonthly multifamily problem-solving sessions. Interpersonal functioning and symptomatic distress among veterans and family burden, empowerment, and symptomatic distress among families were assessed before and after treatment. RESULTS Providers referred 34 (58%) of 59 veterans screened for the study; of those, 14 (41%) met criteria and consented to participate, and 11 (32%) completed the study. Severity of TBI, insufficient knowledge about the benefits of family involvement, and access problems influenced decisions to exclude veterans or refuse to participate. Treatment was associated with decreased veteran anger expression (p≤.01) and increased social support and occupational activity (p≤.05), with effect sizes ranging from . 6 to 1.0. Caregivers reported decreased burden (p≤.05) and increased empowerment (p≤.01). CONCLUSIONS The results supported implementation of a randomized controlled trial, building in education at the provider and family level.
Enhanced Aflatoxin Production by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus after Gamma Irradiation of the Spore Inoculum.

Distilled water plus 0.1% surfactant suspensions of spores of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus were exposed to several radiation levels of cobalt-60 gamma rays. Spores of A. flavus isolate M-141 were exposed to radiation levels of approximately 16, 90 and 475 Krads and inoculated onto a sterile rice substrate which was then monitored for aflatoxin production. In this initial trial with A. flavus M-141, aflatoxins B1 and M production on rice increased as radiation dose increased. At the highest dose, this increase was more than 50 times higher than the non-irradiated controls. Spores of an aflatoxin G1-producing A. parasiticus isolate, M-1094, were exposed to 90, 215 and 430 Krads and resulted in increased production of aflatoxins G1, B1, and M. Aflatoxin production by M-1094 was highest at the low and medium dose levels. Irradiation of spores of this isolate with 430 Krads produced no observable spore germination or growth on rice and no detectable aflatoxin after 1 week of incubation at 27 C. A typical colonies from irradiated spores were selected and their mycotoxin production was determined. Increase in aflatoxin production by these strains, as compared to non-irradiated controls, was 67:1 for aflatoxin B1, 136:1 for B2, and 138:1 for M. This potential for greatly increased mycotoxin production must be considered when food is irradiated or when a high production of aflatoxins is desired.
The value of using fludeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography scan with respect to colorectal abnormalities-a cross-sectional study.

Background Fludeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET) shows colic uptake regularly. Complementary colonoscopy is done. Aim: study the findings of colonoscopy. Methods All consecutive scans in 5 years were studied. Focal FDG uptake in colon and/or rectum were scored as + or ++. Clinical files and endoscopy reports were studied for final diagnosis. Results Focal FDG uptake was noted in 173 out of 2,075 scans (8.4%). Focal FDG activity was judged ++ in 73 patients (42.2%) and + in 100 (57.8%). The majority of colorectal cancers scored ++. Patients with ++ activity underwent or had undergone significantly more often a colonoscopy compared with patients with + activity, 82% versus 65% (P=0.02). FDG PET/CT was false positive with respect to polyp(s) or cancer in 13 cases (22%) of ++ FGD activity and in 38 cases of + FDG (P<0.001). In 25 patients a total of 69 polyps were not FDG avid. Conclusions FDG-PET scanning is a useful tool in oncology. However, false-positive and false-negative findings with respect to colonic uptake are present in a significant number of patients. If the clinical condition and the potential prognosis allows the performance of colonoscopy this procedure should be done.
Minimum-Cost Offloading for Collaborative Task Execution of MEC-Assisted Platooning

In this paper, we study the offloading decision of collaborative task execution between platoon and Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) server. The mobile application is represented by a series of fine-grained tasks that form a linear topology, each of which is either executed on a local vehicle, offloaded to other members of the platoon, or offloaded to a MEC server. The objective of the design is to minimize the cost of tasks offloading and meets the deadline of tasks execution. The cost minimized task decision problem is transformed into the shortest path problem, which is limited by the deadline of the tasks on a directed acyclic graph. The classical Lagrangian Relaxation-based Aggregated Cost (LARAC) algorithm is adopted to solve the problem approximately. Numerical analysis shows that the scheduling method of the tasks decision can be well applied to the platoon scenario and execute the tasks in cooperation with the MEC server. In addition, compared with task local execution, platoon execution and MEC server execution, the optimal offloading decision for collaborative task execution can significantly reduce the cost of task execution and meet deadlines.
Macrophage ERα promoted invasion of endometrial cancer cell by mTOR/KIF5B‐mediated epithelial to mesenchymal transition

Tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) exert tumor‐promoting effects. There have been reports that estrogen receptors (ERs) are expressed on the infiltrating macrophages of endometriosis, ovarian cancer and lung cancer. However, the role of ERs in macrophages is not well characterized. In this study, we identified that ER alpha (ERα) expression on the macrophages of human endometrial cancer was positively correlated with cancer progression. Conditioned medium from selective ERα agonist‐treated M2 macrophages induced the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in endometrial cancer cells. However, this effect can be inhibited by ERα antagonist. Here, we showed that macrophages ERα‐engaged abundantly produced chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 18 (CCL18), and its expression promoted the invasion of endometrial cancer cells by activating the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 pathway, whereas suppressing CCL18 abrogated these effects. Furthermore, we identified that CCL18 derived from TAMs upregulated KIF5B expression to promote EMT via activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in endometrial cancer. Overall, our findings show how ERα‐engaged infiltrating macrophages initiate chronic inflammation and promote the aggressive progression of endometrial cancer cells. ERα‐positive TAMs act as drivers of endometrial cancer, which may become a potential therapeutic target.
The role of effective corporate decisions in the creation of efficient portfolios

J. B. Guerard, Jr.H. MarkowitzG. XuChief executive ofﬁcers and chief ﬁnancial ofﬁcers seek to implementcorporate ﬁnancial decisions that maximize the stock price andstockholder wealth. Real assets may be tangible, such as machineryor factories, or intangible, such as technical expertise or patents.These real assets must be paid for. To ﬁnance the real assets, theﬁnancial manager makes decisions regarding the magnitude ofcommon stock issuance and stock repurchases, long-term debtissuance, and debt repurchases. Cash ﬂows are generated by realassets, and the stockholders receive dividend payments based onthe net income generated by the corporation. Empirical evidenceshows that the dividend payment decision and stock and debtrepurchase decisions can increase stock prices and returns.A variable, denoted as corporate exportsVwhich incorporatesthe amount of dividends, net stock issuances, and net debtrepurchasesVis used as an expected return to create an initialefﬁcient frontier. A stock selection model is used as a constraint inthe portfolio process in conjunction with the corporate exportsvariable to further increase returns. We use a data miningcorrections test for establishing the statistical signiﬁcance of ourportfolio returns.Introduction
Recent advances in the diagnosis and management of chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is a chronic condition characterized by pancreatic inflammation that causes fibrosis and the destruction of exocrine and endocrine tissues. Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive disease, and no physiological treatment is available to reverse its course. However, with advances in medical technology, the existing diagnostic and treatment methods for chronic pancreatitis are evolving. Managing patients with chronic pancreatitis is challenging and necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in the diagnosis and management of chronic pancreatitis and introduce future alternative modalities.
Cardiac Abnormalities in Children with Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease

Background: No previous study has defined the prevalence of cardiac geometric and mechanical function abnormalities through the analysis of advanced echocardiographic parameters in children with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate cardiac geometry and function through advanced echocardiography in a well-characterized sample of pediatric patients with ARPKD. Methods: Standard echocardiograms were obtained in 27 children with ARPKD (0–18 years) and in 88 healthy children of similar age, gender distribution, and body build. Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy was defined as LV mass > 45g/(m2.16 + 0.09) and cardiac remodeling was defined by age-adjusted relative wall thickness (RWT). Systolic function was assessed by ejection fraction, midwall fractional shortening (mFS), and global longitudinal (GLS) and circumferential strain (GCS). Results: Patients with ARPKD exhibited a higher LV mass index as compared to controls, and a more concentric LV geometry (both p < 0.001). Accordingly, the prevalence of abnormal LV geometry was significantly higher in ARPKD (33 vs. 0%; p < 0.005). No differences could be observed in the two groups for ejection fraction or GLS (both p = n.s.), while a significantly lower mFS (p < 0.05) as well as GCS (p < 0.001) could be observed. In the analysis of covariance, both LV mass index and RWT remained significantly higher in the ARPKD group, while mFS and GCS remained significantly lower (all p < 0.05). The prevalence of subclinical systolic dysfunction was significantly higher in patients with ARPKD as compared with control subjects (33 vs. 0%; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Children with ARPKD show significantly impaired cardiac phenotype, characterized by high rates of LV abnormal geometry paired with systolic mechanical dysfunction.
A High Monocyte-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Poor Prognosis in Patients with Advanced Gallbladder Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy

Background: Monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been reported to be prognostic markers in various cancers. However, the prognostic value of these inflammatory biomarkers, particularly MLR, in gallbladder cancer remains to be determined. Methods: From 2005 to 2016, 178 patients with histologically confirmed gallbladder adenocarcinoma who underwent palliative chemotherapy were queried in this study. The association between survival and various clinical and laboratory variables, including MLR, NLR, and PLR, was investigated. The optimal cutoff values for MLR, NLR, and PLR were determined using the maxstat package of R. Results: Patients with high MLR (>0.24) were expected to have shorter progression-free survival [PFS; hazard ratio (HR), 2.100; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.397–3.157; P < 0.001] and overall survival (OS; HR, 2.533; 95% CI, 1.664–3.856; P < 0.001) compared with patients with low MLR (≤0.24). In multivariate Cox model, CA 19-9, stage, and MLR were independent factors for PFS. MLR was also an independent predictor of OS along with PLR, age, and CA 19-9, whereas NLR was not significantly associated with OS. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the area under the curve of MLR for predicting OS was greater than that of NLR and PLR at most time points. Conclusions: MLR independently predicts survival in gallbladder cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Future prospective studies are needed to validate its value as a prognostic biomarker. Impact: MLR is an inexpensive and easily available biomarker for predicting prognosis in patients with gallbladder cancer undergoing chemotherapy.
Morbidity in epilepsy surgery: an experience based on 2449 epilepsy surgery procedures from a single institution.

OBJECT In this paper the authors aimed to provide information related to major and minor surgical and neurological complications encountered following stereoelectroencephalography and epilepsy surgery.Methods The authors performed a retrospective review of 491 and 1905 patients who underwent intracranial electrode implantation and epilepsy surgery, respectively, between 1976 and 2006 at the Montreal Neurological Institute. All intracranial electrode implantations and surgical procedures were performed by 1 surgeon (A.O.). RESULTS A total of 6415 electrode implantations and 2449 surgical procedures were done. There were no deaths related to either procedure. There were no major complications after intracranial electrode implantation, and the risks of infection and intracranial hematoma were found to be 1.8 and 0.8%, respectively. The number of electrodes per lobe (p = 0.05) and number of lobes covered (p = 0.04) were significant risk factors for hematoma and infection. Regarding epilepsy surgery, there were no major surgical complications, and the overall minor complication rate was 2.9%. Infection was the most common complication (1.0%), followed by intracranial hematoma (0.7%). Significant risk factors associated with hematomas and infections were the number of reoperations (p = 0.001) and older patient age (p = 0.03). Minor and major neurological complication rates were 2.7 and 0.5%, respectively, and the rate of overall neurological morbidity was 3.3%. Hemiparesis was the most frequent neurological complication (1.5%). CONCLUSIONS Based on the authors' experience, intracranial electrode implantation is an effective method with an extremely low morbidity rate. Moreover, epilepsy surgery is safe, especially in experienced hands.