Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection of Microdeletions by Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing

Background: Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is currently offered for the detection of Trisomy 21, 13, 18 and sex chromosome aneuploidy. The test is unique because it reaches nearly diagnostic levels of accuracy, otherwise achieved only by invasive procedures like chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis, but requires only a sample of maternal blood. The NIPT technology continues to advance and a greater variety of genomic alterations can be detected. This research study describes the detection of two different fetal microdeletions using NIPT, which includes whole genome next-generation sequencing, and targeted region capture and sequencing methods. Methods: Whole genome next-generation sequencing, and targeted region capture and sequencing methods, were used on samples of maternal plasma obtained from pregnancies with confirmed microdeletions. The DNA of these samples was compared to control DNA libraries to identify the fetal microdeletions. Results: We were able to identify statistically significant differences between samples to detect fetal microdeletions on chromosome 12p12.1-p11.22 from maternal plasma samples. Identification of a fetal microdeletion on 5p15.33 from maternal plasma samples was achieved, but highlighted the difficulties in detection, and future challenges for NIPT. Conclusion: Our research has demonstrated the ability to detect microdeletions by whole genome next-generation sequencing and targeted region capture and sequencing methods of NIPT. The findings indicate the ability of NIPT to detect a wide range of genomic alterations, which will impact prenatal care in the future if the technology improves. Development and expansion of NIPT has significant public health implications due to its high levels of accuracy as compared to current screening, and safety for the pregnancy as compared to current diagnostic testing options. NIPT could have major ethical implications, and could impact the role of prenatal genetic counselors and physicians.
Besoins et apport en phosphore chez les poissons

Quantitativement, dans l'alimentation des poissons, le phosphore est l'element mineral le plus important. Les donnees actuelles montrent que, chez les differentes especes de teleosteens et de crustaces, le besoin en phosphore disponible se situe entre 0,4 et 0,9 % de l'aliment. La disponibilite du phosphore issu de differents ingredients varie beaucoup entre especes. Une fois le besoin couvert, l'exces de phosphore semble s'eliminer par voie urinaire. Nos connaissances sur le flux de phosphore chez les poissons sont cependant assez limitees. Il y a lieu aussi d'acquerir des donnees sur le role du phosphore d'origine alimentaire dans la regulation de l'etat dynamique des structures osseuses et dans la prevention des deformations squelettiques. Du point de vue du maintien de la qualite du milieu, l'exces de phosphore se traduit souvent par une eutrophisation accrue des milieux aquatiques recepteurs. Meme si l'impact environnemental de l'aquaculture demeure faible en termes de phosphore compare aux autres activites humaines et qu'une forte teneur en phosphates ne soit pas nuisible aux poissons, il y a lieu d'eviter un apport en exces et d'assurer la meilleure utilisation des apports. Compte tenu du developpement de l'aquaculture, de la diversite des especes rencontrees et des enjeux lies a la diminution de la farine de poissons dans leur alimentation, l'etude du besoin nutritionnel en P et sa disponibilite retiennent une attention particuliere des nutritionnistes.
Real-time Robust Object Detection Using an Adjacent Feature Fusion-based Single Shot Multibox Detector

: A single shot multibox detector (SSD) is used as a baseline for many object detection networks, since it can provide sufficiently high accuracy in real time. However, it cannot deal with objects of various sizes, because features used in an SSD are not robust to multi-scale objects. To solve this problem, we present an improved feature pyramid for using multi-scale context information. The proposed feature pyramid fuses only adjacent features of the conventional SSD to achieve high accuracy without decreasing the processing speed. Our detector, with a 320×320 input, achieved 79.1% mean average precision (mAP) at 63 frames per second on a Pascal Visual Object Classes Challenge 2007 test set using a single Nvidia 1080 Ti graphics processing unit. This result shows better performance than existing SSDs.
Global targeting of MDSC escape mechanisms cures advanced 4T1 breast tumors (P2062)

4T1 is a metastatic breast cancer model with fulminant accumulation of MDSCs. Survival and function of MDSCs is often reported as STAT3-dependent, and STAT3 inhibitors such as sunitinib dramatically deplete 4T1 splenic MDSCs. Paradoxically, sunitinib fails to eradicate 4T1 intratumoral MDSCs or prevent tumor progression. We hypothesized that STAT3 activation is a consistent feature of splenic but not intratumoral MDSCs. PhosphoSTAT analyses of 4T1-bearers confirmed that splenic MDSCs of all Gr1 intensities were solely pSTAT3pos. In remarkable contrast, intratumoral Gr1high MDSCs largely lacked any pSTAT activation, and intratumoral Gr1dim MDSC precursors displayed varied expression of pSTAT5 and pSTAT1 in addition to pSTAT3. We therefore sought global means to target MDSCs. We determined that 4T1 and other tumor models could be cured by repetitive administration of cyclophosphamide alternating with TLR agonists such as CpG ODN1826. While cure required participation of host CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, global targeting of MDSCs was also observed: (1) as with sunitinib, pSTAT3pos splenic MDSCs were eradicated; (2) pSTAT expression by intratumoral MDSCs was fully abolished; (3) the remaining intratumoral MDSCs, all pSTATneg, outsurvived all other cells, and were likely induced to serve as the final mediators of tumor rejection. In conclusion, strategies which globally target MDSCs and promote the endogenous anti-tumor T cell response can cure advanced metastatic tumors.
Pathogenicity of the purportedly toxic dinoflagellates Pfiesteria piscicida and Pseudopfiesteria shumwayae and related species

xiv SECTION I Literature Review and Research Objectives. 2 INTRODUCTION. 3 BIOLOGY OF PFIESTERIA Description. 4 Pfiesteria-like Species. 5 Identification. 6 Abundance and Distribution. 7 BACKGROUND OF EARLY PFIESTERIA RESEARCH Discovery. 9 Life-History. 12 Functional Types and the "Toxic Pfiesteria Complex". 14 Controversial Aspects of Pfiesteria Biology. 15 OBJECTIVES. 20 REFERENCES. 23
Larval transport and settlement of pearl oysters (Genus Pinctada) in the Gulf of Mannar

The pearl oyster resources of India show wide fluctuations in their annual yields. In the Gulf of Mannar, after 27 years of barrenness, the pearl oyster beds revived most profusely in 1955, but soon became depleted after sustaining a seven-year fishery series. Such fluctuations are common on both the Indian and Sri Lanka coasts of the gulf, where the same species (Pinctada fucata) has contributed to the pearl fisheries since time immemorial.
MR4RF: MEM-device with impedance and their usage with impedance matching networks for passive RFID tags in the UHF

The passive RFID tag in the UHF has been employed in several different applications including, tracking, logistics, and as a sensing platform for the Internet of things (IoT). The tag is ideal for this industry due to its unique design. It harvests all of its energy from the environment, and is small, cheap, and requires little to no maintenance. However, there are two major issues limiting the potential of the passive RFID systems: the limited power harvested by the tag, and the high susceptibility to interference and coupling. In particular, dynamic environments render the traditionally fixed, RF impedance matching network ineffective. A novel design for a flexible Impedance-Switching Network (ISN) for passive RFID tags in the UHF is presented in this thesis. This novel approach can maximize power harvested by the tag. We propose two approaches to implementing the ISN. First, a more traditional design with a series of varactors is developed and studied. Each varactor is placed in parallel impedance lanes that are controlled via a feedback loop to maximize harvested power. A four-lane ISN is designed, tested, and tuned. The simulations and experiments demonstrate that ISN is capable of compensating for negative effect of mutual coupling in a ferromagnetic-reach environment. The second design employs a new material called a memristive switch that can replace the varactors in the ISN. State of a memristive switch is non-volatile and requires little energy to operate, thus making it ideal for passive RFID tags. We are the first to characterize the Co3O4 based memristive switch in UHF range. The results show that it can be employed as a varying capacitor in the RF front-end design. We propose three general configurations for the ISNs.
IoT-Enabled Light Intensity-Controlled Seamless Highway Lighting System

Motivated by enormous highway-lighting energy consumption, smart lighting development is crucial to better manage available resources. While existing literature focused on ensuring cost-effective lighting, an equally important requirement, namely the visual comfort of motorists, is almost disregarded. This article proposes a novel Internet of Things-enabled system that can be intelligently controlled according to the traffic demand. Cooperative relay-network architecture is the central element that leverages upon placement of cyber-enabled lampposts to allow for sensing-exchanging highway traffic information. Data accumulation is exploited to automate adaptive switching on/off the lighting and provide backtracking detection of faulty lampposts. From the service provider's perspective, we envision to deploy low-cost highly durable sensing and network components to significantly cut down the operating cost. From the road user's perspective, the relay-network is envisaged to provide seamless driving experience where sufficient lighting is always perceived along the road. A critical analysis quantitatively evaluates the seamless driving experience considering car arrival rate, outage probability, and device malfunction probability. A road occupancy-based cost estimation analysis demonstrates the effective cost reduction of the proposal compared to existing systems. Furthermore, the performance of chosen communication modules under different setups is assessed through simulation, suggesting appropriate protocol for different highway traffic conditions.
The impact of problematic substance use on partners’ interpersonal relationships: qualitative analysis of counselling transcripts from a national online service

Abstract Background: Problem alcohol or other drug (AOD) use can have severe impacts on partners interpersonally, including both their intimate relationship, as well as their interactions with friends and family. Previous research has predominantly focussed on spouses of problem drinkers, and recruited individuals who have experienced significant harm requiring medical or legal services. This paper sought to explore the breadth of interpersonal impacts on a broader range of partners, to better inform service provision. Method: One hundred synchronous online counselling transcripts of partners (85% female, aged 15 to over 65 years) of individuals with problem AOD use were sampled from a 24-hour national online AOD counselling service. A thematic analysis was conducted, exploring the interpersonal impact on partners. Findings: Interpersonal impacts included intimate relationship issues (discovery leads to communication difficulties; decisions to stay or leave), challenges in parenting (safety and well-being concerns; exposure to problem AOD use impacts; difficulty managing parenting responsibilities; pregnancy-related considerations), and impacts on and from their social network (benefits and challenges in seeking social support; extended family and social group stressors/support). Conclusions: Interpersonal impacts are multi-faceted, and partners should have access to targeted referrals for relationship assistance, peer support (online or face-to-face), domestic violence and welfare services.
A Hippocampal–Entorhinal System Inspired Model for Visual Concept Representation

Visual concepts play a significant role in human cognition. The question of how past experience guides the formation of the visual concept system has been contentious for decades. There have been exciting recent progresses on concept learning and visual understanding. Despite the great advances, the previous models ignored the manner of visual concepts organization and representation in the brain. The semantic concepts in these models are not grounded on concrete visual representations. In this article, we propose a novel framework named visual concept space model (VCSM) by drawing inspiration from the hippocampal–entorhinal system. Specifically, we extend the role of the hippocampal–entorhinal system from spatial navigation to visual concept space. The proposed model provides a spatial representation format for visual concepts. The semantic concepts in the VCSM are explicitly built on visual representations. Once trained, VCSM can infer the visual attributes of input images and reconstruct diverse images from given concepts. Comprehensive experimental results on 3-D Chairs and Extended Yale Face Database B demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model.
Study of the effect of pantoprazole on glycemic control of type-2 diabetes mellitus in tertiary care center and hospital in North India

Context: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) is a heterogeneous and complex combination of metabolic condition caused by high levels of blood glucose and insulin resistance or insulin deficiency. Some studies suggest the increased levels of gastrin following the administration of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which seek to improve glycemic status and increased pancreatic insulin content. Aim: We determined the effect of pantoprazole on glycemic control in patients with type 2 DM. Material and Methods: Two groups, each with 30 patients of type 2 DM under treatment with oral hypoglycemic agent, were considered for this study. Patients were treated for 24 weeks with placebo or 40 mg pantoprazole tablets twice daily. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), postprandial blood glucose (PP blood glucose), as well as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) before and after treatment were measured. Study: Duration 1 year. Statistical Analysis: A hospital-based, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was used. Data were expressed as mean with standard deviation, numbers, and percentage. Baseline parameters and laboratory safety parameters were compared using appropriate parametric and nonparametric tests. A P value <0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The mean FBG readings at baseline in the intervention and control groups were 170.47 ± 16.65 and 163.39 ± 14.95 mg/dL, respectively, and those at the end of intervention were 157.95 ± 14.37 and 165.32 ± 12.40 mg/dL. The within-group changes in the intervention group were statistically significant (P = 0.003). The statistical analysis between groups after intervention showed a significant differences (P = 0.03). HbA1C changes in the intervention and control groups in the study were 0.53 ± 0.03% and 0.20 ± 0.08%, respectively, but a decrease in the intervention group was statistically significant (P = 0.005). In the end, the change between the two groups was also statistically significant (P = 0.005). Conclusions: There is a significant reduction in FBG, PP blood glucose, and HbA1C after 24 weeks of pantoprazole (40 mg BID) administration, which improved glycemic control in type 2 DM patients. PPI such as pantoprazole may be a new therapeutic approach in type 2 DM in future.
Drug resistance in Fasciola hepatica.

from the 20th International Conference of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology 2005 A conventional interpretation of the effect of gastrointestinal nematode parasitism on animal performance has been that damage caused by the parasite disrupts feeding behaviour, nutrient absorption and increases maintenance costs of repair of damaged gastrointestinal tissue with consequential repartitioning of nutrients to the latter function, causing a reduction in the efficiency of metabolisable energy utilisation. Recently, the hypothesis that the host immune response per se may be responsible for repartitioning of nutrients and impaired performance has been advanced through several workers, though the potential magnitude of this component has not been quantified. We have conducted a series of trials with abomasal and intestinal infections in sheep in which the effects of the immunosuppressive corticosteroid methylprednisolone acetate has been used in an attempt to quantify the role of the immune system in this repartitioning. Studies with naïve and resistant hosts have provided strong evidence that the characteristic depression of appetite in subclinical infections is associated only with the phase of acquisition of immunity and not a mature established immune response, and can be abolished by treatment with corticosteroids. More specifically, the depression of appetite appears to be associated with changes in serum L3 specific IgA, perhaps implicating immune system signalling. Evidence will be presented to suggest that response to this signalling may be dependent on dietary protein supply. Animals treated with corticosteroids during the phase of acquisition of immunity do not suffer the typical reduction in efficiency of utilisation of metabolisable energy, suggesting the immunological cascade and cell proliferation operating at this time imposes a significant nutritional cost to the animal. HAEMONCHUS AND WORMKILL
Diagnostic Value of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography and Digital Periapical Radiography in Detection of Separated Instruments

Introduction: File Fracture is one of the most common problems during root canal treatment which can affect treatment procedure and prognosis, so it is important to diagnose and prevent it. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the diagnostic value of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and digital periapical radiography for detection of separated instrument retained inside the canal. Methods and Materials: Ninety single-rooted extracted human teeth were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups (n=30). Group 1, separated file #10 at the 2-mm apical third of the root canal; group 2, separated file #35 at the 2-mm apical third of the root canal; and group 3, without a broken file (control group). The teeth were instrumented to size #30 and were shaped to size #55 and then the canals were obturated up to separated instrument, or the working length for the teeth without a separated instrument, with lateral condensation technique. After that all teeth were placed in dry skull, digital radiography and CBCT was taken. After data collection, data was analyzed using SPSS software by means of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and frequency tables. Results: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of digital periapical radiography in detection of a fractured file #10 in the canal was 96.7% and 63.3%, 76.7%, 73.1%, 67.6%, 70%, for CBCT, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of digital periapical radiography in detection of a fracture file #35 in the canal was 93.3%, 96.7%, 96.6%, 93.5% and 95%, and 36.7%, 76.7%, 61.1%, 54.8%, 56.66%, for CBCT, respectively. Conclusion: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of digital periapical radiography was better than the CBCT technique in both sizes of broken files.
Le rôle des patients et de leurs associations représentatives dans l’innovation en santé : représentations et transformations réelles

On note aujourd’hui une evolution importante de la representation des patients dans le monde medical, ceux-ci passant du statut de patients-alibis a celui de patients-acteurs. Un discours structure cette representation dominante, la verbalise. Mais comment cette nouvelle representation peut-elle entrer dans les faits, dans l’organisation concrete du monde medical ? Deux forces majeures sont capables d’operer cette transformation. D’une part, le patient est beaucoup plus sollicite (pour des raisons techniques) et la monopolisation du savoir par le medecin s’en trouve ebranlee.D’autre part, s’appuyant sur cette tendance, les associations de patients passent d’une vision defensive a une vision proactive. En developpant leur capacite d’analyse des donnees sur les patients, en interrogeant leur experience vecue, en cherchant a coevaluer et a coconcevoir de nouvelles solutions en sante, elles donnent force aux patients-acteurs.Il est primordial de suivre attentivement ces transformations, car elles semblent irreversibles et aboutiront a une profonde modification du monde medical.
Attenuer les effets de la chaleur sur les performances des porcs: la voie genetique

La temperature ambiante est l'un des principaux facteurs climatiques affectant les performances des porcs en periode estivale dans les regions temperees et toute l'annee dans les regions tropicales. Les temperatures ambiantes elevees ont des effets directs principalement sur les fonctions de reproduction du mâle ou de la femelle ou indirectement via une reduction de l'ingestion alimentaire sur les performances de lactation et de croissance. Apres avoir brievement rappele les principes de la thermoregulation chez le porc et les effets de la chaleur sur leurs performances en fonction du stade physiologique, cet article fait le point sur les solutions utilisables pour attenuer les effets negatifs du climat chaud, en particulier, sur la possibilite de selectionner des animaux thermotolerants. Cette approche consiste a produire des animaux moins sensibles au stress thermique et/ou ayant une thermoregulation plus efficace. Une des principales difficultes est de comprendre les mecanismes physiologiques impliques dans l'adaptation a la chaleur et la nature des antagonismes entre les caracteres de production et d'adaptation. Cette etape preliminaire conditionne le choix des criteres mais egalement de la meilleure methode de selection. Comparativement aux autres especes (volaille et ruminant), la variabilite genetique de la tolerance a la chaleur et les criteres physiologiques ou zootechniques utilisables dans une demarche de selection chez le porc sont assez peu connus. Cependant, des indicateurs de la sensibilite a la chaleur (Heat Shock Protein), de la thermogenese (consommation residuelle, proteines decouplantes) ou de la thermolyse (rythme respiratoire, conductivite thermique cutanee) pourraient etre des bons criteres a considerer pour l'obtention d'une lignee thermotolerante.