Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preparation and characterization of silver/g-carbon nitride/chitosan nanocomposite with photocatalytic activity

ABSTRACT In this work, a visible-light-driven catalyst of Ag/g-C3N4/Chitosan (Ag/g-C3N4/CS) was developed by a facile soniation-assisted method at room temperature. The surface morphology, crystal structure and chemical composition of the as-prepared catalyst was systematically characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS). The photocatalytic activity of Ag/g-C3N4/CS nanocomposite was evaluated on the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) by sodium borohydride (NaBH4) without separating AgNPs/RGO nanocomposite from the synthesis systems. The result shows that the as-prepared nanocomposite exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity.
Landscape barriers to pollen and seed flow in the dioecious tropical tree Astronium fraxinifolium in Brazilian savannah

Gene flow studies provide information on gene exchange between populations, which is essential for developing genetic conservation strategies. Such analyses enable a better understanding of the life history and seed and pollen dispersal mechanisms of plant species. In this study, we investigate pollen and seed flow in a regenerant population of the pioneer species Astronium fraxinifolium in an area degraded during the construction of a hydroelectric dam. We mapped, sampled, sexed, and genotyped 386 individuals in the regenerant population (RP), as well as 128 adult trees located along two highways adjacent to the degraded area; one in Mato Grosso do Sul State (MS) and other in São Paulo State (SP). Parentage analyses was carried out for 370 individuals of the RP population, using as putative parents 348 individuals from RP and all 128 individuals sampled in MS and SP. Based on parentage analysis and eight microsatellite loci, our analyses revealed that for individuals of the RP with an identified father (pollen donor), 1.1% of the pollen was dispersed up to 532 m, while for those with an identified mother (seed donor), 0.5% of seeds were dispersed up to 4,782 m. However, a large proportion of pollen (76.5%) and seeds (57%) immigrated from trees outside the sampled populations. Pollen and seeds were dispersed through a pattern of isolation by distance. Genetic diversity was significantly similar between adults of both highway populations and individuals from RP, with significant levels of inbreeding detected only in RP. Our results demonstrate that the nearest trees contributed pollen and seeds for the recovery of the degraded area, indicating reproductive spatial isolation among the sampled populations due to the damming of the river. Such results help to understand the process of regeneration for A. fraxinifolium in regenerant populations to inform strategies for conservation and environmental recovery with this species.
Carbon ion radiotherapy using fiducial markers for prostate cancer in Osaka HIMAK: Treatment planning

Abstract Purpose Carbon ion radiotherapy for prostate cancer was performed using two fine needle Gold Anchor (GA) markers for patient position verification in Osaka Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Kansai (Osaka HIMAK). The present study examined treatment plans for prostate cases using beam‐specific planning target volume (bsPTV) based on the effect of the markers on dose distribution and analysis of target movements. Materials and Methods Gafchromic EBT3 film was used to measure dose perturbations caused by markers. First, the relationships between the irradiated film density and absolute dose with different linear energy transfer distributions within a spread‐out Bragg peak (SOBP) were confirmed. Then, to derive the effect of markers, two types of markers, including GA, were placed at the proximal, center, and distal depths within the same SOBP, and dose distributions behind the markers were measured using the films. The amount of internal motion of prostate was derived from irradiation results and analyzed to determine the margins of the bsPTV. Results The linearity of the film densities against absolute doses was constant within the SOBP and the amount of dose perturbations caused by the markers was quantitatively estimated from the film densities. The dose perturbation close behind the markers was smallest (<10% among depths within the SOBP regardless of types of markers) and increased with depth. The effect of two types of GAs on dose distributions was small and could be ignored in the treatment planning. Based on the analysis results of internal motions of prostate, required margins of the bsPTV were found to be 8, 7, and 7 mm in left–right (LR), anterior–posterior (AP), and superior–inferior (SI) directions, respectively. Conclusion We evaluated the dose reductions caused by markers and determined the margins of the bsPTV, which was applied to the treatment using fiducial markers, using the analysis results of prostate movements.
LINC00852 is associated with poor prognosis in non‐small cell lung cancer patients and its inhibition suppresses cancer cell proliferation and chemoresistance via the hsa‐miR‐145‐5p/KLF4 axis

Emerging evidence shows that long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in human cancer. In the present study, we examined the expression, prognostic implications and functional roles of a lncRNA, LINC00852 in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Assessment of the Banff Working Group classification of definitive BK polyomavirus nephropathy

Polyomavirus associated nephropathy (PyVAN) continues to be a burden in renal transplantation leading to allograft insufficiency or graft failure. A presumptive diagnosis of PyVAN is made based on the presence of BK polyomavirus in patients’ plasma; however, kidney biopsy remains the gold standard to establish a definitive diagnosis. The Banff Working Group on PyVAN proposed a novel classification of definitive PyVAN based on polyomavirus replication/load level and the extent of interstitial fibrosis. The aim of our study was to test the newly defined classes of PyVAN using independent cohorts of 124 kidney transplant patients with PyVAN with respect to the initial presentation and outcome, and to compare our analysis to that previously reported. Detailed analysis of our cohort revealed that the proposed classification of PyVAN did not stratify or identify patients at increased risk of allograft failure. Specifically, while class 3 was associated with the worst prognosis, there was no significant difference between the outcomes in classes 1 and 2. We also found that the timing post‐transplantation and inflammation in areas of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy might be additional factors contributing to an unfavorable allograft outcome in patients with PyVAN.
Midodrine for the Prevention of Vasovagal Syncope

BACKGROUND Recurrent vasovagal syncope is common, responds poorly to treatment, and causes physical trauma and poor quality of life. Midodrine prevents hypotension and syncope during tilt tests in patients with vasovagal syncope. OBJECTIVE To determine whether midodrine can prevent vasovagal syncope in usual clinical conditions. DESIGN Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01456481). SETTING 25 university hospitals in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. PATIENTS Patients with recurrent vasovagal syncope and no serious comorbid conditions. INTERVENTION Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to placebo or midodrine and followed for 12 months. MEASUREMENTS The primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients with at least 1 syncope episode during follow-up. RESULTS The study included 133 patients who had had a median of 6 syncope episodes in the prior year (median age, 32 years; 73% female). Compared with patients receiving placebo, fewer patients receiving midodrine had at least 1 syncope episode (28 of 66 [42%] vs. 41 of 67 [61%]). The relative risk was 0.69 (95% CI, 0.49 to 0.97; P = 0.035). The absolute risk reduction was 19 percentage points (CI, 2 to 36 percentage points), and the number needed to treat to prevent 1 patient from having syncope was 5.3 (CI, 2.8 to 47.6). The time to first syncope was longer with midodrine (hazard ratio, 0.59 [CI, 0.37 to 0.96]; P = 0.035; log-rank P = 0.031). Adverse effects were similar in both groups. LIMITATION Small study size, young and healthy patients, relatively short observation period, and high proportion of patients from 1 center. CONCLUSION Midodrine can reduce the recurrence of syncope in healthy, younger patients with a high syncope burden. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE The Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
The genome of Cymbidium sinense revealed the evolution of orchid traits

Summary The Orchidaceae is of economic and ecological importance and constitutes ˜10% of all seed plant species. Here, we report a genome physical map for Cymbidium sinense, a well‐known species belonging to genus Cymbidium that has thousands of natural variation varieties of flower organs, flower and leaf colours and also referred as the King of Fragrance, which make it arose into a unique cultural symbol in China. The high‐quality chromosome‐scale genome assembly was 3.52 Gb in size, 29 638 protein‐coding genes were predicted, and evidence for whole‐genome duplication shared with other orchids was provided. Marked amplification of cytochrome‐ and photosystem‐related genes was observed, which was consistent with the shade tolerance and dark green leaves of C. sinense. Extensive duplication of MADS‐box genes, and the resulting subfunctional and expressional differentiation, was associated with regulation of species‐specific flower traits, including wild‐type and mutant‐type floral patterning, seasonal flowering and ecological adaption. CsSEP4 was originally found to positively regulate gynostemium development. The CsSVP genes and their interaction proteins CsAP1 and CsSOC1 were significantly expanded and involved in the regulation of low‐temperature‐dependent flowering. Important genetic clues to the colourful leaf traits, purple‐black flowers and volatile trait in C. sinense were also found. The results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of important phenotypic traits of Cymbidium and its evolution and serve as a powerful platform for future evolutionary studies and molecular breeding of orchids.
Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial of IncobotulinumtoxinA for Sialorrhea in Children

Background and Objectives To investigate the efficacy and safety of repeated injections of incobotulinumtoxinA (incoBoNT/A) for treatment of chronic sialorrhea (drooling) associated with neurologic disorders (e.g., cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury) or intellectual disability in children and adolescents in a prospective phase III study (SIPEXI [Sialorrhea Pediatric Xeomin Investigation]). Methods The study enrolled 2- to 17-year-old patients with sialorrhea due to neurologic disorders or intellectual disability. Patients received body weight–dependent doses of incoBoNT/A (20–75 U). A main period with 1 injection cycle (placebo-controlled, double-blind, 6- to 17-year-olds) was followed by an open-label extension with up to 3 further cycles. An additional cohort of 2- to 5-year-olds received active treatment throughout the study. Coprimary endpoints were the change in unstimulated salivary flow rate (uSFR) from baseline to week 4 and the carers' Global Impression of Change Scale (GICS) rating at week 4. Adverse events were recorded. Results In the main period, 220 patients aged 6–17 years were randomized and treated (148 patients in incoBoNT/A group, 72 patients in placebo group). A total of 35 patients aged 2–5 years received incoBoNT/A (no placebo). A total of 214 patients aged 6–17 years and 33 patients aged 2–5 years continued treatment in the open-label extension period. For the 6- to 17-year-olds, a significant difference between incoBoNT/A and placebo was seen in mean uSFR decrease (difference −0.06 g/min; p = 0.0012) and the carers' GICS rating (difference 0.28 points; p = 0.032) at week 4, in favor of active treatment. The secondary endpoints consistently supported these results. A sustained benefit was observed during the extension. Incidences of adverse events were comparable between incoBoNT/A and placebo and did not increase notably with repeated injections. The most common adverse events were respiratory infections. Efficacy and safety were also favorable in the uncontrolled cohort of 2- to 5-year-olds. Discussion Both co–primary efficacy endpoints were reached and superiority of incoBoNT/A over placebo was confirmed. IncoBoNT/A (up to 75 U, up to 4 cycles) is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for sialorrhea associated with neurologic disorders in children. Trial Registration Information Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02270736 (clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/results/NCT02270736); EU Clinical Trials Register: 2013-004532-30 (clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search? query=2013-004532-30). Classification of Evidence This study provides Class I evidence that injection of incobotulinumtoxinA decreases drooling in children aged 6 to 17 years with neurologic disorders.
Topology-preserving smoothing of retinotopic maps

Retinotopic mapping, i.e., the mapping between visual inputs on the retina and neuronal activations in cortical visual areas, is one of the central topics in visual neuroscience. For human observers, the mapping is obtained by analyzing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals of cortical responses to slowly moving visual stimuli on the retina. Although it is well known from neurophysiology that the mapping is topological (i.e., the topology of neighborhood connectivity is preserved) within each visual area, retinotopic maps derived from the state-of-the-art methods are often not topological because of the low signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution of fMRI. The violation of topological condition is most severe in cortical regions corresponding to the neighborhood of the fovea (e.g., < 1 degree eccentricity in the Human Connectome Project (HCP) dataset), significantly impeding accurate analysis of retinotopic maps. This study aims to directly model the topological condition and generate topology-preserving and smooth retinotopic maps. Specifically, we adopted the Beltrami coefficient, a metric of quasiconformal mapping, to define the topological condition, developed a mathematical model to quantify topological smoothing as a constrained optimization problem, and elaborated an efficient numerical method to solve the problem. The method was then applied to V1, V2, and V3 simultaneously in the HCP dataset. Experiments with both simulated and real retinotopy data demonstrated that the proposed method could generate topological and smooth retinotopic maps.
Directed stimulation of the dentato-rubro-thalamic tract for deep brain stimulation in essential tremor: a blinded clinical trial

Objective Observational studies utilising diffusion tractography have suggested a common mechanism for tremor alleviation in deep brain stimulation for essential tremor: the decussating portion of the dentato-rubro-thalamic tract. We hypothesised that directional stimulation of the dentato-rubro-thalamic tract would result in greater tremor improvement compared to sham programming, as well as comparable improvement as more tedious standard-of-care programming. Methods A prospective, blinded crossover trial was performed to assess the feasibility, safety and outcomes of programming based solely on dentato-rubro-thalamic tract anatomy. Using magnetic resonance imaging diffusion-tractography, the dentato-rubro-thalamic tract was identified and a connectivity-based treatment setting was derived by modelling a volume of tissue activated using directional current steering oriented towards the dentato-rubro-thalamic tract centre. A sham setting was created at approximately 180° opposite the connectivity-based treatment. Standard-of-care programming at 3 months was compared to connectivity-based treatment and sham settings that were blinded to the programmer. The primary outcome measure was percentage improvement in the Fahn–Tolosa–Marín tremor rating score compared to the preoperative baseline. Results Among the six patients, tremor rating scores differed significantly among the three experimental conditions (P=0.030). The mean tremor rating score improvement was greater with the connectivity-based treatment settings (64.6% ± 14.3%) than with sham (44.8% ± 18.6%; P=0.031) and standard-of-care programming (50.7% ± 19.2%; P=0.062). The distance between the centre of the dentato-rubro-thalamic tract and the volume of tissue activated inversely correlated with the percentage improvement in the tremor rating score (R2=0.24; P=0.04). No significant adverse events were encountered. Conclusions Using a blinded, crossover trial design, we have shown the technical feasibility, safety and potential efficacy of connectivity-based stimulation settings in deep brain stimulation for treatment of essential tremor.
Assessment of local tissue water in breasts following breast reconstruction with an expander prosthesis or DIEP flap

Abstract The role of breast oedema in breast reconstruction is unknown. Therefore, our aim was to investigate local tissue water (LTW) and breast oedema-related symptoms in breasts reconstructed with either an expander prosthesis (EP) or with a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap at a minimum of one year postoperatively. Sixty-eight patients randomised to breast reconstruction with an EP or DIEP flap completed follow-up. Objective evaluation was performed at a mean of 25 (standard deviation, SD 9.5) months following breast reconstruction, and included measurements of breast volume and LTW with the MoistureMeterD® instrument. The patients completed the BREAST-Q questionnaire pre- and postoperatively. No significant differences in LTW were found when comparing EP and DIEP flap reconstructed breasts. The reconstructed breasts had an increase in LTW compared with the non-operated contralateral breasts. The BREAST-Q responses related to breast oedema symptoms were overall low and the median responses ranged from 1 to 2. A score of 1 indicated that symptoms were experienced ‘None of the time’. Our findings indicate that mastectomy followed by breast reconstruction inflicts damage on the lymphatic system, shown as an increase in LTW. However, no breast oedema-related symptoms were reported in the BREAST-Q questionnaire, and therefore, we consider our objective results to be below a potential threshold for symptomatic breast oedema. A threshold for clinical indication of breast oedema remains to be defined.
Impact of modified ultrafiltration on Cardiac Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury

Background: Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) is a frequent happening affecting nearly 40% of the cases undergoing cardiac surgery. This is associated with increased hospital length of stay and mortality. Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship impact of modified ultrafiltration on cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI). Patients and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted over a 6-month period (February to July 2017) at Cardiothoracic Surgery Unit, Kasr AL-Ainy Hospitals. The study included 40 patients undergoing routine valve replacement surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass. Results: There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between AKI and non-AKI patients in pre-operative levels while the postoperative serum creatinine levels were significantly higher (P < 0.04) in AKI than non-AKI patients in the modified ultrafiltration (MUF) group. The pre-operative and 2h post-operative S. NGAL was significantly higher in AKI than non-AKI patients in the MUF group were. Duration of CPB was significantly (P < 0.001) prolonged in the AKI than the non-AKI patients. While, there was no significant difference regarding aortic crossclamp time. There was a significant longer ICU stay and duration of mechanical ventilation in AKI than non-AKI patients. Conclusion: Modified ultrafiltration after cardiac surgery is associated with a lower prevalence of morbidity and mortality. Serum Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) can be used as an early plasma biomarker predictor for AKI in patients undergoing heart surgery
Isotherm adsorption studies of Ni(II) ion removal from aqueous solutions by modified carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel

This paper reports the removal of nickel ions from aqueous solutions using carboxymethyl cellulose-graft-poly(acrylic acid) CMC-g-PAA hydrogel as an adsorbent. The hydrogel was prepared through graft copolymerization of acrylic acid monomer onto a carboxymethyl cellulose backbone in the presence of N,N’-methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinking-agent using benzoyl peroxide initiator system. Isotherm for the adsorption of nickel on CMC-g-PAA hydrogel was developed and the equilibrium data fitted to the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The result showed that at pH of 5 and shaker speed of 100 rpm, Freundlich model was better fitted than Langmuir model, of which R2 = 0.999 and R2 = 0.935, respectively. The constant of Langmuir model was KL value = 0.003 and qmax = 1000 mg/g, whereas the constant of Freundlich model n = 1.2 and KF = 4.614. The CMC-g-PAA hydrogel before and after Ni(II) adsorption were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR).
Assessment of Clinical and Investigations Probabilities for Pulmonary Embolism

Background: pulmonary embolism (PE) is one of the most frequent diseases that could be missed in overcrowded emergency departments. Early and accurate diagnosis could decrease the mortality rate and this standard algorithm should be defined. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of estimating clinical probability of pulmonary embolism and to reveal which a combination of presented clinical data that is more predictable to PE. Patients and Methods: The study included 50 patients with suspected pulmonary embolism, admitted to El Hussein and Sayed Galal University hospitals. Results: according clinical probability of patients 90% of patients from 50 cases were approved positive by CT pulmonary angio. In the current study we found that sensitivity accuracy of clinical probability in diagnosing pulmonary embolism in comparison to CT pulmonary angio was 90%. Conclusion: clinical probability of pulmonary embolism was efficient like other diagnostic methods, so biochemical parameters, clinical findings, and scoring systems, when used altogether, can contribute to the diagnosis of PE.
Fatigability is closely associated with discoordination between heart rate variability and physical acceleration during free-moving days in younger women

Objects: Fatigability is related to several diseases and the autonomic nervous system. We investigated whether fatigability is associated with the coordination between the physical acceleration (PA) and heart rate variability (HRV) in women. Methods: Overall, 95 adult women were divided into younger group (n=50; age: 22–59 years) and older group (n=45; age: ≥ 60 years). HRV and PA data were simultaneously obtained every minute for 24 h. We defined %lag0 as the percent ratio of lag=0 min between HRV and PA in 1 h. Cornell Medical Index was used to determine the degrees of physical and psychological symptoms. Results: In the younger group in the hour before sleep, the participants with high fatigability scores had significantly lower (p<0.05) %lag0 than did those with low fatigability %lag0. Additionally, those with higher fatigability combined with exhaustion in the morning had significantly lower %lag0 than did those without exhaustion in the hour before sleep but not in the hour after waking up (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that the coordination between HRV and PA in younger women was closely associated with their fatigability in the hour before sleep. Additionally, exhaustion in the morning may be related to the discoordination of HRV and PA the previous night.