Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Systolic and diastolic function in chronic spinal cord injury

Individuals with spinal cord injury develop cardiovascular disease more than age-matched, non-injured cohorts. However, progression of systolic and diastolic dysfunction into cardiovascular disease after spinal cord injury is not well described. We sought to investigate the relationship between systolic and diastolic function in chronic spinal cord injury to describe how biological sex, level, severity, and duration of injury correlate with structural changes in the left ventricle. Individuals with chronic spinal cord injury participated in this study (n = 70). Registered diagnostic cardiac sonographers used cardiac ultrasound to measure dimensions, mass, and systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle. We found no significant relationship to severity or duration of injury with left ventricle measurements, systolic function outcome, or diastolic function outcome. Moreover, nearly all outcomes measured were within the American Society of Echocardiography-defined healthy range. Similar to non-injured individuals, when indexed by body surface area (BSA) left ventricle mass [-14 (5) g/m2, p < . 01], end diastolic volume [-6 (3) mL/m2, p < . 05], and end systolic volume [-4 (1) mL/m2, p < . 01] were significantly decreased in women compared with men. Likewise, diastolic function outcomes significantly worsened with age: E-wave velocity [-5 (2), p < . 01], E/A ratio [-0.23 (0.08), p < . 01], and e’ velocity [lateral: -1.5 (0.3) cm/s, p < . 001; septal: -0.9 (0.2), p < . 001] decreased with age while A-wave velocity [5 (1) cm/s, p < . 001] and isovolumic relaxation time [6 (3) ms, p < . 05] increased with age. Women demonstrated significantly decreased cardiac size and volumes compared with men, but there was no biological relationship to dysfunction. Moreover, individuals were within the range of ASE-defined healthy values with no evidence of systolic or diastolic function and no meaningful relationship to level, severity, or duration of injury. Decreases to left ventricular dimensions and mass seen in spinal cord injury may result from adaptation rather than maladaptive myocardial remodeling, and increased incidence of cardiovascular disease may be related to modifiable risk factors.
Can total joint arthroplasty be safely performed in patients with chronic kidney disease?

BACKGROUND Patients suffered from chronic kidneydisease are at greater risk of perioperative and postoperative complications. Actually there is no systerm review study demonstrating advantages of total joint arthroplasty can be safely performed in patients with chronic kidney disease. METHODS Literature search was performed inPubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang and Cochrane Library for information from the earliest date of data collection to September 2018. Studies comparing the perioperative, postoperative outcomes of No-CKD with those of CKD patients were included. Statistical heterogeneity was quantitatively evaluated by X2 test with the significance set P<0.10 or I2 > 50%. RESULTS Three papers consisting of 38,209 patients were included (35,363 No-CKD patients; 2,846 CKD patients). The results showed that CKD was related to a greater increase in postoperative infection rate, deep vein thrombosis, re-admission and mortality(P<0.1). No differences inlength of surgery, length of stay, pulmonary embolism and revision (P>0.10). CONCLUSIONS Compared with No-CKD patients, CKD patients demonstrated an increased risk of perioperative and postoperative complications and clear difference about complications between No-CKD and CKD about patients with chronic kidneydisease.
Natural Sources, Pharmacokinetics, Biological Activities and Health Benefits of Hydroxycinnamic Acids and Their Metabolites

Hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs) are important natural phenolic compounds present in high concentrations in fruits, vegetables, cereals, coffee, tea and wine. Many health beneficial effects have been acknowledged in food products rich in HCAs; however, food processing, dietary intake, bioaccessibility and pharmacokinetics have a high impact on HCAs to reach the target tissue in order to exert their biological activities. In particular, metabolism is of high importance since HCAs’ metabolites could either lose the activity or be even more potent compared to the parent compounds. In this review, natural sources and pharmacokinetic properties of HCAs and their esters are presented and discussed. The main focus is on their metabolism along with biological activities and health benefits. Special emphasis is given on specific effects of HCAs’ metabolites in comparison with their parent compounds.
Noteworthy bat records from the Pacific Tropical rainforest region and adjacent dry forest in northwestern Peru

ABSTRACT The bat fauna of the Pacific Tropical rainforest region in Peru is poorly known. Here we report noteworthy range extensions of 12 bat species, including: Diaemus youngi, Chrotopterus auritus, Micronycteris minuta, Mimon crenulatum, Vampyrum spectrum, Chiroderma salvini, Enchisthenes hartii, Noctilio leporinus, Thyroptera discifera, Eptesicus chiriquinus, Rhogeessa io, and Myotis riparius. These document the first confirmed records for the department of Tumbes. All, except E. hartii and N. leporinus, are also first records for the western slope of Peru. The record of R. io is the first for Peru, while that of C. auritus is the first for the Pacific versant of the Andes. In total, 41 bat species are present in the Pacific Tropical rainforests and surrounding dry forests, at the new Parque Nacional Cerros de Amotape, in Tumbes. This region requires urgent conservation programs, because the Pacific Tropical rainforest is threatened by human settlement, and resource exploitation in spite of its protected status.
Validation of the optimal scaffold pore size of nasal implants using the 3-dimensional culture technique

Background To produce patient-specific nasal implants, it is necessary to harvest and grow autologous cartilage. It is crucial to the proliferation and growth of these cells for scaffolds similar to the extracellular matrix to be prepared. The pore size of the scaffold is critical to cell growth and interaction. Thus, the goal of this study was to determine the optimal pore size for the growth of chondrocytes and fibroblasts. Methods Porous disc-shaped scaffolds with 100-, 200-, 300-, and 400-µm pores were produced using polycaprolactone (PCL). Chondrocytes and fibroblasts were cultured after seeding the scaffolds with these cells, and morphologic evaluation was performed on days 2, 14, 28, and 56 after cell seeding. On each of those days, the number of viable cells was evaluated quantitatively using an MTT assay. Results The number of cells had moderately increased by day 28. This increase was noteworthy for the 300- and 400-µm pore sizes for fibroblasts; otherwise, no remarkable difference was observed at any size except the 100-µm pore size for chondrocytes. By day 56, the number of cells was observed to increase with pore size, and the number of chondrocytes had markedly increased at the 400-µm pore size. The findings of the morphologic evaluation were consistent with those of the quantitative evaluation. Conclusions Experiments using disc-type PCL scaffolds showed (via both morphologic and quantitative analysis) that chondrocytes and fibroblasts proliferated most extensively at the 400-µm pore size in 56 days of culture.
Supramolecular Interactions in Hybrid Polylactide Blends—The Structures, Mechanisms and Properties

The conformation of polylactide (PLA) chains can be adjusted by supramolecular interactions (the formation of hydrogen bonds or host-guest complexes) with appropriate organic molecules. The structures formed due to those intermolecular interactions may act as crystal nuclei in the PLA matrix (“soft templating”). In this review, the properties of several supramolecular nucleating systems based on synthetic organic nucleators (arylamides, hydrazides, and 1,3:2,4-dibenzylidene-d-sorbitol) are compared to those achieved with biobased nucleating agents (orotic acid, humic acids, fulvic acids, nanocellulose, and cyclodextrins) that can also improve the mechanical properties of PLA. The PLA nanocomposites containing both types of nucleating agents/additives are discussed and evaluated in the context of their biomedical applicability.
Hemoglobin Concentrations Predict Physical Function After A 12-Week Resistance Exercise Training and Subsequent Changes After 11 Months of Follow-Up Among Community Dwelling Older Adults

Background: Hemoglobin transports oxygen in blood yet its concentrations generally decrease with age. The aim of the study was to examine whether hemoglobin is connected with physical function in older age people. Design: Intervention study. Setting: Community. Participants: Older adults (N=236, 73.7±5.7 years, 58.2% female). Intervention: A 12-week resistance exercise program (3 times/week; 3 sets, 6-8 repetitions at 75-80% of the 1-repetition maximum) was conducted to increase strength and muscle mass of major muscle groups. Measurements: Anthropometrics, muscle strength, timed up and go (TUG in sec), six-minute walking distance (6MWD in m) and blood chemical variables were measured at baseline, endpoint and after 10.7 months followup. The linear regression model was used to examine the association between baseline hemoglobin and physical function outcome. Results: Only about 4% of the participants were anemic. According to calculations baseline hemoglobin was associated with TUG (0.14 to 0.36 sec improvement by 10 g/L increase of hemoglobin) at all-time points, even though this was of borderline significance for baseline (p=0.57) and endpoint (p=0.062). Hemoglobin also predicted endpoint 6 MWD (4.88m), but not at baseline (follow up 6 MWD was not available). Statistical correction for compliance did not influences results. Conclusion: Hemoglobin is positively associated to physical function in community dwelling old aged people. Additionally, we found that baseline hemoglobin is associated to adaptions to 12-week resistance exercise training and changes in physical function during the follow-up.
Psychosocial consequences of false-positive results in screening mammography

Introduction: To evaluate the psychosocial impact of benign breast biopsies on Lebanese women after a screening mammography and the effect of these biopsies on patients’ attitudes toward subsequent screening. Methods: In this retrospective study (January 2005 till April 2011), 109 consecutive patients with a history of breast biopsy without cancer were asked to answer a phone questionnaire. The response rate was 91.7% (100 women accepted to participate). A questionnaire about sociodemographic characteristics, biopsy characteristics, and patients’ attitudes as measured by the negative Psychosocial Consequences Questionnaire (PCQ) and other independent questions was filled by phone call by one interviewer. Results: The negative PCQ score was low for most women (only 9% have a negative PCQ score ≥18/36) and is statistically dependent on the result of the last mammography (P = 0.01) and the number of previous benign breast biopsies (P = 0.01). A total of 10% of women increased their medical visits after this biopsy, 8% were treated for psychiatric problems after this biopsy, and 19% self-examine their breasts more than once per week. The benign breast biopsy experience increases the willingness to adhere to the screening mammography in 71% of the patients, this reported adherence depends positively on the score of the negative PCQ (P = 0.043). Conclusions: The negative psychosocial effect of the biopsy is minimal in general and is positively correlated to the adherence to future mammographies. Interventions are necessary to decrease the anxiety in most susceptible women and to raise the awareness of women at risk of nonadherence to the screening mammography.
Spatial patterns of natural Pinus strobus L. regeneration in a Pinus resinosa Ait. stand1

Abstract Understanding the regeneration niche of white pine (Pinus strobus L.) is necessary to promote the restoration of this formerly widespread species. We tested several hypotheses drawn from the literature relating to four features of the regeneration niche for P. strobus: distance to seed source, overstory influence, segregation into spatial neighborhoods, and deer browsing. All hypotheses were tested in a 0.36-ha stem-mapped Pinus resinosa Ait. stand with abundant naturally regenerating P. strobus. Few regenerating P. strobus were found in the immediate vicinity of the seed source tree or other overstory trees and the distribution of distances away from the seed tree differed for very young (< 5 yr) and older regeneration. The spatial arrangement of older regeneration was less associated with the overstory than that of young regeneration, although growth rates were lower in areas of higher overstory influence. Evidence was found for the segregation of regeneration on the basis of size and age classes into spatially distinct neighborhoods, which varied in spatial extent. Spatial segregation was also observed for regeneration that had been browsed, although this was not related to size. Our results supported some hypotheses gleaned from the literature and refuted others, indicating that our understanding of the germination and establishment niches of P. strobus is as yet too immature to predict the factors shaping the regeneration niche.
Electronic properties of DNA-related molecules containing a bromine atom

Abstract Purpose To clarify the radiosensitization mechanism masking the Auger effect of the cells possessing brominated DNA, the electronic properties of DNA-related molecules containing Br were investigated by X-ray spectroscopy and specific heat measurement. Materials and Methods X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) were used to measure the electronic properties of the nucleotides with and without Br. We determined the specific heat of 5-bromouracil crystals with thymine as a reference molecule at low temperatures of 3–48 K to calculate the microscopic state numbers. Results Obtained XANES and XPS spectra indicated that both the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and the core-levels were not affected by the Br incorporation. The state numbers of 5-bromouracil calculated from the specific heats obtained around 25 K was about 1.5 times larger than that for thymine below 20 K, although the numbers were almost the same below 5 K. Discussion Our results suggest that the Br atom may not contribute substantially to the LUMO and core-level electronic states of the molecule, but rather to the microscopic states related to the excitation of lattice vibrations, which may be involved in valence electronic states.
Ultra-violet reflectance of male and female red grouse, Lagopus lagopus scoticus: sexual ornaments reflect nematode parasite intensity

In many birds, females prefer males with the biggest or brightest sexual ornaments, which might reflect a higher phenotypic quality, such as fewer parasites. Unlike humans, most birds detect near-ultraviolet (UV) light, and UV signals can play an important role in sexual signalling and mate choice. Using a spectrophotometer, we analysed the colour of red grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus sexual ornaments (their combs). We first show that combs reflect both in the red (600/700 nm) and UV (300/400 nm) part of the spectrum. Second, we investigated whether comb size and colour, and UV reflectance in particular, reflected an aspect of individual quality: the intensity of infection by a main nematode parasite, the caecal threadworm Trichostrongylus tenuis. We first analysed comb size and colour variation, and parasite intensity variation, in relation to sex and age. Males had bigger and redder combs than females, but UV brightness was greater for female than for male combs. Comb colour also differed between age groups, with young birds of both sexes showing brighter UV than old birds. Young grouse also had fewer T. tenuis worms than old grouse. We further tested whether intensity of infection could be predicted from comb characteristics (size and colour) in male and female red grouse. We found that parasite intensity was not significantly related to comb size or red brightness, but fewer worms were predicted from brighter UV in combs, in both males and females. The results indicate that UV reflectance of combs have a quality revealing function and might play an important role in grouse mate choice: UV brightness of combs could enable both male and female red grouse to assess the parasite loads of a potential mate.
A comprehensive survey on fault diagnosis and fault tolerance of DC-DC converters

DC-DC converters are becoming more commonly used in power conversion solutions for energy management purposes, being employed in an ever-increasing range of DC-based applications, such as LED lighting, electric vehicles, energy storage solutions, and consumer electronics (laptops, smartphones, etc.). In this context, efficiency and reliability are critical. The research efforts made in improving reliability of DC-DC converters are still quite narrow and scattered. Moreover, DC-DC converters take the shape of an endless number of topologies, with different functionalities and operation principles, thus complicating the task of improving reliability of all forms of DC-DC converters. Consequently, compiling the information about the main failure modes, corresponding fault diagnostic algorithms and fault tolerance strategies developed so far, in a single document, becomes increasingly necessary. Accordingly, this paper presents an up-to-date review of the recent achievements attained regarding the improvement of availability and reliability of DC-DC converters.
Dynamics of mercury in blood and feathers of great skuas

Mercury dynamics in the blood and feathers of captive great skuas, Catharacta skua, were monitored over 56 weeks. Prior to the onset of molt, mercury intake was solely from their maintenance ration of sprats, Sprattus sprattus. For the first half of molt, in addition to mercury intake from sprats, birds were fed different doses of methylmercuric chloride weekly for 20 weeks. During the second half of molt, dosing was stopped and mercury intake was solely from sprats. Blood was sampled throughout the study and feather growth was monitored. Prior to the onset of molt, mercury concentrations increased over the first 51 to 71 d and appeared to level off after this period. Repeated dosing models based on mammalian pharmacokinetics were, in general, too simplistic to be applicable to the birds in the study. During molt, the elimination of mercury from the blood is probably best described by a three‐compartment model. Mercury concentrations in feathers were significantly correlated with those in blood at the time of their growth, suggesting that blood and feathers reflect mercury intake over the same time period. Individuals varied in their ability to excrete ingested mercury into the feathers.
Evaluating Network Readiness for mHealth Interventions Using the Beacon Mobile Phone App: Application Development and Validation Study

Background Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have the potential to transform the global health care landscape. The processing power of mobile devices continues to increase, and growth of mobile phone use has been observed worldwide. Uncertainty remains among key stakeholders and decision makers as to whether global health interventions can successfully tap into this trend. However, when correctly implemented, mHealth can reduce geographic, financial, and social barriers to quality health care. Objective The aim of this study was to design and test Beacon, a mobile phone–based tool for evaluating mHealth readiness in global health interventions. Here, we present the results of an application validation study designed to understand the mobile network landscape in and around Macha, Zambia, in 2019. Methods Beacon was developed as an automated mobile phone app that continually collects spatiotemporal data and measures indicators of network performance. Beacon was used in and around Macha, Zambia, in 2019. Results were collected, even in the absence of network connectivity, and asynchronously uploaded to a database for further analysis. Results Beacon was used to evaluate three mobile phone networks around Macha. Carriers A and B completed 6820/7034 (97.0%) and 6701/7034 (95.3%) downloads and 1349/1608 (83.9%) and 1431/1608 (89.0%) uploads, respectively, while Carrier C completed only 62/1373 (4.5%) file downloads and 0/1373 (0.0%) file uploads. File downloads generally occurred within 4 to 12 seconds, and their maximum download speeds occurred between 2 AM and 5 AM. A decrease in network performance, demonstrated by increases in upload and download durations, was observed beginning at 5 PM and continued throughout the evening. Conclusions Beacon was able to compare the performance of different cellular networks, show times of day when cellular networks experience heavy loads and slow down, and identify geographic “dead zones” with limited or no cellular service. Beacon is a ready-to-use tool that could be used by organizations that are considering implementing mHealth interventions in low- and middle-income countries but are questioning the feasibility of the interventions, including infrastructure and cost. It could also be used by organizations that are looking to optimize the delivery of an existing mHealth intervention with improved logistics management.
Thunderclap: Exploring Vulnerabilities in Operating System IOMMU Protection via DMA from Untrustworthy Peripherals

DARPA I2O FA8750-10-C-0237 ("CTSRD") DARPA MTO HR0011- 18-C-0016 ("ECATS") Arm Ltd Google Inc This work was also supported by EPSRC EP/R012458/1 (“IOSEC”).
Gram-negative Organisms from Patients with Community-Acquired Urinary Tract Infections and Associated Risk Factors for Antimicrobial Resistance: A Single-Center Retrospective Observational Study in Japan

A specific antibiogram is necessary for the empiric antibiotic treatment of community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTI) because of the global spread of antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to develop an antibiogram specific for community-acquired UTI and assess the risk factors associated with community-acquired UTI caused by antimicrobial-resistant organisms. This cross-sectional observational retrospective study included patients with community-acquired UTI caused by Gram-negative rods (GNR) who were admitted to the emergency department at a tertiary care hospital in Ibaraki, Japan, in 2017–2018. A total of 172 patients were enrolled (including 38 nursing home residents). Of the 181 GNR strains considered as causative agents, 135 (75%) were Escherichia coli, and 40 (22%) exhibited third-generation cephalosporin resistance. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli accounted for 25/40 (63%) of resistant GNR. Overall susceptibility rate of Enterobacterales was 92%, 81%, 100%, 75%, and 89% for cefmetazole, ceftriaxone, meropenem, levofloxacin, and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, respectively. Residence in a nursing home (odds ratio (OR), 2.83; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.18–6.79) and recent antibiotic use (OR, 4.52; 95% CI, 1.02–19.97) were independent risk factors for UTI with resistant GNR. ESBL-producing E. coli was revealed to have a strong impact on antimicrobial resistance pattern. Therefore, an antibiotic strategy based on a disease-specific antibiogram is required.