Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biodistribution of Cy5-labeled Thiolated and Methylated Chitosan-Carboxymethyl Dextran Nanoparticles in an Animal Model of Retinoblastoma

Abstract Purpose The use of more potent medicine for local chemotherapy of retinoblastoma in order to minimize local and systemic adverse effects is essential. The main goal of this investigation was to assess the biodistribution of thiolated and methylated chitosan-carboxymethyl dextran nanoparticles (CMD-TCs-NPs and CMD-TMC-NPs) following intravitreal (IVT) injection into rat eyes with retinoblastoma. Methods An ionic gelation method was used to fabricate Cy5-labelled CMD-TCs-NPs and CMD-TMC-NPs. The NPs were characterized. Cellular internalization of Cy5-labelled NPs was investigated using confocal microscopy and the absorption of labeled NPs was quantified by flow cytometry in human retinoblastoma (Y79) cells. In addition, the Cy5-labeled distribution of nanoparticles in the posterior segment of the eye was histologically imaged by confocal microscopy after IVT injection of NPs into the eyes of rats with retinoblastoma. Results CMD-TCs-NPs and CMD-TMC-NPs showed a mean diameter of 34 ± 3.78 nm and 42 ± 4.23 nm and zeta potential of +11 ± 2.27 mV and +29 ± 4.31mV, respectively. The in vivo study of intraocular biodistribution of Cy5-labeled CMD-TCs-NPs and CMD-TMC-NPs revealed that there is more affinity of CMD-TCs-NPs to the retina and retinoblastoma tumor after IVT administration while methylated chitosan nanoparticles are immobilized in the vitreous and are not able to reach the retina even after 24 hr. Conclusion The ionic gelation technique was efficient in synthesizing a biocompatible polymeric nanosystem for drug delivery into the posterior segment of the eye. The current study demonstrated increased ocular bioavailability of CMD-TCs-NPs relative to CMD-TMC-NPs in retinoblastoma induced rat eyes.
Genome-wide association studies-supported rs12966547 variant of the long noncoding RNA LOC105372125 is significantly associated with susceptibility to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in Han Chinese women

Objective Genome-wide association studies have found that rs12966547 polymorphism was associated with susceptibility to schizophrenia in European populations. Recent studies showed that a genetic overlap may exist in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Here, we analyzed the associations between LOC105372125 rs12966547 polymorphism and schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in the Han Chinese population. Methods Our study recruited 548 schizophrenia patients, 512 bipolar disorder patients, and 598 healthy controls. Genotyping of rs12966547 were performed using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. Results A significant association between rs12966547 polymorphism and susceptibility to bipolar disorder was observed after adjusting for sex and age (additive model: Padj = 0.040, recessive model: Padj = 0.044). However, no significant association was found between rs12966547 polymorphism and schizophrenia risk (all P > 0.05). In the analysis of gender, rs12966547 polymorphism was significantly associated with bipolar disorder (additive model: Padj = 0.027) and schizophrenia (dominant model: Padj = 0.039) in women. However, no significant association was found between rs12966547 polymorphism and the risk of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia in men (all Padj > 0.05). Conclusions Polymorphism of rs12966547 on the long noncoding RNA LOC10537215 are a shared genetic variant of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in Han Chinese women.
Randomised controlled trial of a web-based low carbohydrate diet intervention for adults with type 2 diabetes: the T2Diet study protocol

Introduction Type 2 diabetes (T2D) management frequently involves a multidisciplinary care team. However, standard care for patients with T2D is the central role of the general practice physician, and consists of routine appointments to monitor glycaemic status and overall health. Dietary modification is an essential component of T2D management. Evidence suggests that a low carbohydrate diet (LCD) provides better clinical outcomes for people with T2D compared with other diets. However, providing dietary support in face-to-face settings is challenged by issues of availability and accessibility. Provided in conjunction with standard care, digital interventions can help bridge this gap. The objective of this paper is to describe the protocol of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a web-based intervention that will evaluate the effectiveness of standard care plus web-based LCD intervention when compared with standard care only. Methods and analysis In a two-arm parallel RCT, 100 adults with non-insulin-dependent T2D aged between 40 and 89 years will be randomised to either a theoretically informed 16-week automated web-based LCD intervention plus standard care or standard care only. LCD recommendations emphasise consuming nutrient-dense whole foods and encourage a daily carbohydrate goal of 50–100 g, with an objective of achieving 10% to <26% carbohydrates from total energy intake. Assessments will take place at baseline and 16 weeks. The primary outcome will be haemoglobin A1c. Additional data collected will include dietary intake, self-efficacy, weight and height, anti-diabetes medication and dosages, and diabetes-related comorbidities. Process evaluation will consist of a mixed-methods assessment of website engagement metrics, user experience and participants’ perspectives. Ethics and dissemination All study procedures have been approved by the Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee (2020-349). Study findings will be disseminated widely through public, professional and academic presentation and publication. Trial registration number Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12621000096853).
Developing a theoretical marketing framework to analyse JUUL and compatible e-cigarette product promotion on Instagram

Background E-cigarette promotion on social media coincided with the rapid growth of e-cigarette use among American youth, particularly with the increased JUUL pod vaporiser use. We examined commercial JUUL-related messages on Instagram to identify marketing appeals used to target users along the continuum of e-cigarette use; we mapped the appeals to existing theoretical marketing frameworks to better understand industry strategies. Methods Hashtag-based keyword rules were used to collect JUUL-related posts from the Instagram application programming interface, 1 March–13 November 2018. Posts were classified as commercial or non-commercial. A combination of machine learning methods, keyword algorithms and human coding were used to characterise message themes in commercial posts. Results Keyword filters captured 50 817 relevant posts and 41% were commercial. Among commercial posts, 91% contained recruitment/trial-based appeals (eg, combustible tobacco cessation; product sampling; giveaways) and 71% featured reinforcement/addiction-related appeals (eg, loyalty programmes). None of the commercial messages contained e-cigarette cessation-related appeals and less than 25% mentioned quitting combustible tobacco as a recruitment appeal. Conclusions Instagram posts featuring e-cigarette related marketing can increase exposure to persuasive messages encouraging e-cigarette trial and use particularly among susceptible youth. Stronger regulations are needed to prevent exposure to social media marketing among young social media users.
The Challenges of Talent Management in a diverse workforce: The Case of Dubai

This paper addresses the key concept of talent management and diversity. Talent management is based on acquiring, motivating and retaining the best suited employees in line with optimal use of human resources. The Talent Management, is widely recognised in debates about managing people, although its inception dates back only to the 1990s, when McKinsey & Company published their report on ? The War for Talent? (Michaels et al., 2001). The scholarly literature on talent management started as a relatively uncomplicated debate on the ? war for talent? between corporate organisations seeking to gain a sustained competitive advantage (Chambers et al., 1998; Morris and Pinnington, 2002). In the main, talent management can be defined as the creative and competitive ways by which organisations meet their human capital needs (Tatli et al. 2012). In recent years the notion of talent management has been broadened in order to deal with issues such as talent shortages and surpluses, how talent may be located and relocated, and lastly how talent may be effectively compensated (Schuler et al., 2011; Tarique and Schuler, 2010). Skils shortages are a global phenomenon, although they impact on economies in different ways across Asia Pacific, Americas, Europe and the Middle East (Manpower, 2010). The UAE relies heavily on its expatriate workers, which has outnumbered its local workers for several decades (Shah, 2008). This is the case in the public sector and the private sector (Forstenlechner and Rutledge, 2011). The effective management of talent is seen as essential for the sustainable development of the economy. This paper will address some of the ways in which Dubai is dealing with this matter. The paper will be based on the theoretical framework and its application to the context.
Photobiomodulation Therapy Minimizes the DNA Damage in 5FU‐Treated Gingival Fibroblasts

5‐Fluoroufacil (5FU) is a chemotherapeutic agent indicated for solid tumors but causes oral mucositis, which can be prevented and treated using photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT). It is unknown whether PBMT modifies DNA damage induced by 5FU in oral cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PBMT on DNA damage and repair and on oxidative stress in gingival fibroblasts exposed to 5FU. Primary gingival fibroblasts were exposed to 5FU and then treated with a laser (660 nm, 100 mW, 1 W cm−2, 0.09 cm2 spot area) for three different irradiation times (6, 10 or 20 s). Six‐second irradiation decreased DNA damage and lipidic peroxidation. All irradiated groups showed low H2AX levels and increased p53 expression. Ten‐second irradiation showed a trend to induce high lipidic peroxidation levels and DNA damage than other irradiation groups. In conclusion, the PBMT effect on DNA damage and repair was dependent on the time irradiation: 6 s‐time irradiation (6.6 J cm−2) protect gingival fibroblasts from 5FU‐related genotoxicity and oxidative stress, whereas 10s‐ and 20s‐time irradiations (11.1 J cm−2 and 22.2 J cm−2, respectively) increased the risk of DNA damage after the 5FU exposure.
Circulation, genomic characteristics, and evolutionary dynamics of class I Newcastle disease virus in China

ABSTRACT Newcastle disease caused by Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is one of the most serious threats to chickens and has two clinical forms, typical and atypical, caused by velogenic and lentogenic strains, respectively. To control the epidemic, many vaccines against velogenic class II NDVs have been introduced worldwide, but this has led to accelerated mutation of class II viruses under immune pressure and, on the other hand, to non-vaccine targeting class I NDVs becoming the dominant population in poultry. In this context, this study provided the first large-scale genomic epidemiological and quasispecies dynamic analysis of class I NDVs in China, and found that class I viruses that first appeared in East and South China have spread to central China and become the dominant class with an average evolutionary rate of 1.797 × 10−3. In addition, single nucleotide polymorphism and intra-host single nucleotide variation analyses show that HN and P genes have high mutation rates and may act as front-runners for NDV to expand their host range and enhance their virulence. This study also found that the class I NDV population has accumulated a number of mutations under positive selection and that six isolates with shortened C-terminal extensions of the HN protein are evolving toward increased virulence. These results not only enrich the research resources but also help us to better understand the dynamic evolution and mutational trends of NDV at the genomic level, which is crucial for monitoring, early warning, and controlling the outbreak of Newcastle disease.
Influence of sidestepping expertise and core stability on knee joint loading during change of direction

ABSTRACT The aims of this study were twofold: first, to compare core stability and knee joint loading between sidestepping experts and nonexperts; secondly, to determine core predictors of knee joint loading. Thirteen handball male players (experts) and 14 karatekas (nonexperts) performed six unanticipated 45° sidestepping manoeuvers, while trunk and pelvis 3D kinematics as well as ground reaction forces were measured, and peak knee abduction moment (PKAM) was determined. Student t-tests enabled a comparison of both groups and a linear mixed model approach was used to identify PKAM predictors. Sidestepping experts demonstrated significantly lower pelvis rotation towards the new movement direction at the initial contact than nonexperts (4.9° vs. 10.8°) and higher PKAM (0.539 vs. 0.321 Nm/kg-bwt). Trunk medial lean, trunk axial rotation and pelvis anterior tilt at the initial contact predicted PKAM, while trunk axial rotation, pelvis medial lean and posterior ground reaction force predicted PKAM during the weight acceptance phase. Despite higher PKAM, handball players might not be at a higher risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury as the knee joint loading remained at a relatively low level during this sidestepping task. Core stability, in its three dimensions, is a key determinant of knee joint loading.
Choosing antibiotic therapy for severe community-acquired pneumonia

Purpose of review Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is known as a major worldwide health concern considering it has been shown to account for 78% of infection-related deaths in the USA. It is a common cause for hospitalization with a continued incidence rise in the elderly, high mortality rate and long-term sequelae in critically ill patients. Severe CAP (sCAP) is an accepted terminology used to describe ICU admitted patients with CAP. The aim of this review is to further report on the major advances in treatment for patients with sCAP including new antibiotic treatments despite macrolide resistance as seen in the ICU, and multifaceted antibiotic stewardship interventions that may lead to the reduction broad-spectrum antibiotic use in CAP. Recent findings We aim to examine the most recent findings in order to determine appropriate empirical antibiotic choices, timing regimens and evidence for clinical effectiveness. This will be addressed by focusing on the use combination therapies, the usefulness of severity scores and the difficulty to treat multidrug-resistant pathogens, including gram negatives such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Relevant reports referenced within included randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, observational studies, systematic reviews and international guidelines where applicable. Summary New antibiotics have been recently launched with direct agent-specific properties that have been shown to avoid the overuse of previous broad-spectrum antibiotics when treating patients sCAP. Although narrow-spectrum antibiotics are now recommended and imperative in improving a patients’ prognosis, there are also some considerations when prescribing antibiotics that are beyond the spectrum. There is a need to implement effective policies of de-escalation to avoid antibiotic resistance and the risk for developing subsequent infections by combining informed clinical judgement and the application of biomarkers. Reaching clinical stability and avoidance of treatment failure are the most important pillars in treatment success.
Geographic variation in missed opportunities for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV among women receiving antenatal care in Nigeria

ABSTRACT There are missed opportunities for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) in Nigeria. However, little is known about the geographic variation. We examined the geographic pattern in the missed opportunities for HIV testing among antenatal care (ANC) attendees and initiation t on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Nigeria. This study was an analysis of aggregated state-level data on 2,875,370 ANC attendees from the 2019 national HIV/AIDS health sector data. We performed descriptive statistics and explanatory spatial data analysis. Overall, the missed opportunity for HIV testing was 9.3%, ranging from 1.8% in the South South to 14.5% in the North West. The missed opportunity for HIV testing ranged from 0.2% in Imo State to 25.2% in Kaduna State. The local indicator of spatial association cluster map showed a concentration of cold spots in the South and hot spots in the North. The overall missed opportunity for ART was 9.5%, ranging from 7.4% in the South West to 11.1% in the NorthCentral. It was lowest in Adamawa State (0%), while Enugu State had the highest (32.2%). Missed opportunities for PMTCT among women attending ANC in Nigeria occur at varying degrees across the states, with higher levels in the northern region.
Technical Note: Controlling the attenuation of 3d printed physical phantoms for computed tomography with a single material.

PURPOSE The purpose of this work was to characterize and improve the ability of fused filament fabrication to create anthropomorphic physical phantoms for CT research. Specifically, we sought to develop the ability to create multiple levels of x-ray attenuation with a single material. METHODS CT images of 3D printed cylinders with different infill angles and printing patterns were assessed by comparing their 2D noise power spectra to determine the conditions that produced a minimal and uniform noise. A backfilling approach in which additional polymer was extruded into an existing 3D printed background layer was developed to create multiple levels of image contrast. RESULTS A print with nine infill angles and a rectilinear infill pattern was found to have the best uniformity, but the printed objects were not as uniform as a commercial phantom. An HU dynamic range of 600 was achieved by changing the infill percentage from 40% to 100%. The backfilling technique enabled control of up to 8 levels of contrast within one object across a range of 200 HU, similar to the range of soft tissue. A contrast detail phantom with 6 levels of contrast and an anthropomorphic liver phantom with 4 levels of contrast were printed with a single material. CONCLUSION This work improves the uniformity and levels of contrast that can be achieved with fused filament fabrication, thereby enabling researchers to easily create more detailed physical phantoms including realistic, anthropomorphic textures. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Data-driven kinematic and dynamic models for character animation

Human motion plays a key role in the production of films, video games, virtual reality applications, and the control of humanoid robots. Unfortunately, it is hard to generate high quality human motion for character animation either manually or algorithmically. As a result, approaches based on motion capture data have become a central focus of character animation research in recent years. We observe three principal weaknesses in previous work using data-driven approaches for modelling human motion. First, basic balance behaviours and locomotion tasks are currently not well modelled. Second, the ability to produce high quality motion that is responsive to its environment is limited. Third, knowledge about human motor control is not well utilized. This thesis develops several techniques to generalize motion capture character animations to balance and respond. We focus on balance and locomotion tasks, with an emphasis on responding to disturbances, user interaction, and motor control integration. For this purpose, we investigate both kinematic and dynamic models. Kinematic models are intuitive and fast to construct, but have narrow generality, and thus require more data. A novel performance-driven animation interface to a motion database is developed, which allows a user to use foot pressure to control an avatar to balance in place, punch, kick, and step. We also present a virtual avatar that can respond to pushes, with the aid of a motion database of push responses. Consideration is given to dynamics using motion selection and adaption. Dynamic modelling using forward dynamics simulations requires solving difficult problems related to motor control, but permits wider generalization from given motion data. We first present a simple neuromuscular model that decomposes joint torques into feedforward and low-gain feedback components, and can deal with small perturbations that are assumed not to affect balance. To cope with large perturbations we develop explicit balance recovery strategies for a standing character that is pushed in any direction. Lastly, we present a simple continuous balance feedback mechanism that enables the control of a large variety of locomotion gaits for bipeds. Different locomotion tasks, including walking, running, and skipping, are constructed either manually or from motion capture examples. Feedforward torques can be learned from the feedback components, emulating a biological motor learning process that leads to more stable and natural motions with low gains. The results of this thesis demonstrate the potential of a new generation of more sophisticated kinematic and dynamic models of human motion.
Effectiveness of case-based learning in Chinese dental education: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective The application of case-based learning (CBL) pedagogy has been emerging as an improved and more practical learning method across the Chinese dental education system. This article provides a critical overview of CBL pedagogy and further assesses the effectiveness of this teaching model in Chinese dental education. Design A systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods Studies published up to December 2019 were searched in the following electronic databases: China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science Periodical Database, Chinese Biomedical documental database, Wanfang data, PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Control Trials. All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the effectiveness of the CBL teaching model and the traditional lecture-based learning (LBL) model in all dental disciplines were included. The assessment of methodological quality was based on the guidelines described in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews, and the meta-analysis was performed using the software RevMan V.5. 3 Results A total of 30 RCTs were finally included, with a total sample size of 2356 dental students. The CBL pedagogy significantly increased knowledge scores (standardised mean difference (SMD)=1.58, 95% CI: 0.95 to 2.20, p<0.0001), skill scores (SMD=1.22, 95% CI: 0.34 to 2.11, p<0.0001), comprehensive ability scores (SMD=1.91, 95% CI: 1.74 to 4.07, p<0.0001) and teaching satisfaction (risk ratio=1.38; 95% CI: 1.15 to 1.65; p=0.01) compared with the LBL teaching model among the dental students. Additionally, a subgroup analysis showed significant differences in the effects of CBL on knowledge scores, skill scores and comprehensive ability scores when comparing theoretical and practical courses. Conclusions The meta-analysis and systematic review of the eligible literature showed that the CBL pedagogy in Chinese dental education is an effective way to increase knowledge scores, skill scores, comprehensive ability scores and teaching satisfaction. Successful adaptation of this teaching model could solve the scarcity of highly skilled and professional dentists in dental schools and hospitals across China.