jimnoneill/paper-to-field-training huggingface dataset:
Commentary: how long does one need to fast before a Fibroscan examination?

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) is a well-validated non-invasive method to assess liver fibrosis in various liver diseases.1 In chronic hepatitis B, aminotransferase has been shown to be the major factor affecting LSM.2, 3 Fibroscan has the beauty of being simple and fast; it can be done in an out-patient setting for a large volume of patients throughout the day. Recent data have shown that food intake might affect the LSM. One therefore needs to know how long a patient has to fast before the procedure, particularly when Fibroscan is performed in the middle of the day instead of in the early morning. Three studies showed that food intake increased LSM in chronic hepatitis C and cirrhotic patients and LSM returned to baseline after 3 h.4-6 Lemoine and colleagues demonstrated that food intake after a standardised meal increased liver stiffness in patients with chronic hepatitis B and healthy controls.7 There was 0.9 kPa increased in LSM at 120 min, which might lead to overestimation of liver fibrosis. The reliability of LSM, as measured by the ratio of interquartile range to LSM, was also hampered after a meal – an intriguing finding that requires further validation. In the literature, obesity is the key factor that increases the failure rate and unreliable results of Fibroscan.8 In our hospital, we have studied 69 chronic hepatitis B patients with undetectable HBV DNA and normal aminotransferases under anti-viral treatment. Each patient had fasting and 4 h post meal, LSM was measured at week 0 and 2, and the results were combined for analysis. The mean LSM at fasting was 6.3 (2.3–21.3) kPa and 4 h post meal was 6.8 (2.1–35.3) kPa (difference 0.5 kPa; P = 0.05). Fibroscan still had a borderline tendency to overestimate the stage of fibrosis after fasting for 4 h (Table 1). In this study, the reliability of LSM was not affected by a meal. Putting all the evidence together, to avoid overestimation of liver fibrosis by Fibroscan, one should probably advise a patient to fast for at least 4 h before the procedure. Declaration of personal interests: HLY Chan is an advisor for Bristol Myers Squibb, Gilead, Novartis Pharmaceutical, Merck and Roche; has received honorarium for lectures from Bristol Myers Squibb, Gilead, Novartis Pharmaceutical, Merck, Roche, Echosens and Glaxo-Smith-Kline; and has received an unrestricted grant for hepatitis B virus research from Roche. Declaration of funding interests: None.
Mapping the Melatonin Receptor. 4. Comparison of the Binding Affinities of a Series of Substituted Phenylalkyl Amides

Field: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (Life Sciences)

A series of 2-, 3-, and 4-substituted phenylalkyl amides were prepared as potential melatonin analogs in order to investigate the nature of the binding site of the melatonin receptor in chicken brain. The length of the alkyl chain was systematically varied from n = 1 to 4, and methoxyl substituents were incorporated into the phenyl ring at the 2-, 3-, and 4-positions. The maximum binding affinity was found to occur when n = 3 and when the methoxyl substituent was in the 3-position, the direct analog of the carbon framework of melatonin in which the 1,2-atoms of the indole ring have been removed. Whereas there was only a relatively small decrease in binding affinity for the corresponding 2-methoxy derivatives, 4-methoxyl substitution led to a large decrease in binding affinity, suggesting that the binding sites for the side chain and methoxyl group could not now be occupied at the same time. As in the indole analogs of melatonin, replacement of the methyl group of the amide by a longer alkyl chain led to an increase in binding affinity for ethyl and propyl with a subsequent decrease in binding affinity for butyl chains. Thus N-propanoyl-3-(3-methoxyphenyl)propanamine (6f) has a binding affinity of 5.6 nM, a remarkably high affinity for so simple a compound. Substitution of halogen for 3-methoxyl in the propanamide series gave a series of compounds with lower, but still substantial, binding affinities, the 3-chloro derivative 7e showing the highest affinity, 113 nM. In the case of the 3-fluoro propanamides, a maximum in the binding affinity was not observed in the series synthesized, and these derivatives will merit further exploration. These results demonstrate the utility of simple, readily modified phenylalkylamines as a "framework" for studying the effect of changes in the nature and position of substituents on the melatonin receptor binding affinity.
Interplay between baroreflex sensitivity, obesity and related cardiometabolic risk factors (Review)

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

The baroreflex represents a rapid negative feedback system implicated in blood pressure regulation, which aims to prevent blood pressure variations by regulating peripheral vascular tone and cardiac output. The aim of the present review was to highlight the association between baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and obesity, including factors associated with obesity, such as metabolic syndrome, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. For the present review, a literature search was conducted using the PubMed database until August 21, 2021. The searched terms included 'baroreflex', and other terms such as 'sensitivity', 'obesity', 'metabolic syndrome', 'hypertension', 'diabetes', 'gender', 'aging', 'children', 'adolescents', 'physical activity', 'bariatric surgery', 'autonomous nervous system' and 'cardiometabolic risk factors'. Obesity and its related metabolic disorders can influence baroreflex functionality and decrease BRS, mostly by potentiating sympathetic nervous system activity. Obesity induces inflammation, which can increase sympathetic system activity and lead to a higher incidence of cardiovascular events. Obesity also represents an important risk factor for hypertension through numerous mechanisms; in this setting, dysfunctional baroreceptors are not able to protect against constantly elevated blood pressure. Furthermore, diabetes mellitus and oxidative stress result in deterioration of BRS, whereas aging is also generally related to reduced cardiovagal BRS. Differences in BRS have also been observed between men and women, and overall cardiovagal BRS in healthy women is less intense compared with that in men. BRS appears lower in children with obesity compared with that in children of a healthy weight. Notably, physical exercise can increase BRS in both hypertensive and normotensive subjects, and BRS can also be significantly improved following bariatric surgery and weight loss. In conclusion, obesity and its related metabolic disorders may influence baroreflex functionality and decrease BRS, and baroreceptors cannot protect against the constantly elevated blood pressure in obesity. However, following bariatric surgery and weight loss, BRS can be significantly improved. The present review summarizes the role of obesity and related metabolic risk factors in BRS, providing details on possible mechanisms and shedding light on their interplay leading to autonomic neuropathy.
Pluton pinning of an active Miocene detachment fault system, eastern Mojave Desert, California

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences (Physical Sciences)

The Miocene Kingston Range-Halloran Hills detachment fault system of the eastern Mojave Desert, California, delineates part of the eastern breakaway zone for a profoundly extended area between the Sierra Nevada and the Spring Mountains structural blocks. The shallow-dipping, west-rooting detachment fault cuts discordantly across Paleozoic and Precambrian units in the Mesozoic foreland fold-and-thrust belt, exhibits west- to southwest-trending corrugations with structural relief of up to 1.5 km, and underlies the terrestrial Shadow Valley basin. Middle Miocene fault displacement and syntectonic sedimentation in the northern basin were terminated at ∼12.4 Ma by intrusion of the large (∼130 km 2 ), shallow-level (≥4 km depth) Kingston Peak pluton across the detachment fault soon after faulting began. Basin sedimentation and fault displacement southeast of the pluton were not, however, disrupted by its emplacement and continued to evolve. Northern pluton-pinned and southern pluton-free domains were separated by the Blacksmith Hills fault, a northeast-striking, right-slip lateral ramp that accommodated more than 3 km of postpluton differential extension between pinned and nonpinned domains. In more western regions, late phases of detachment-fault-related extension beneath formerly pinned areas (including western and central parts of the pluton itself) are believed to have led to the development of two generations of east-striking left-slip faults. Collectively, these dextral and sinistral transfer faults illustrate the complex patterns of differential extension and accommodation that can characterize detachment-fault systems as adjacent areal domains of extension are generated and die.
Enhanced polarization switching characteristics of HfO2 ultrathin films via acceptor-donor co-doping

Field: Materials Science (Physical Sciences)

In the realm of ferroelectric memories, HfO2-based ferroelectrics stand out because of their exceptional CMOS compatibility and scalability. Nevertheless, their switchable polarization and switching speed are not on par with those of perovskite ferroelectrics. It is widely acknowledged that defects play a crucial role in stabilizing the metastable polar phase of HfO2. Simultaneously, defects also pin the domain walls and impede the switching process, ultimately rendering the sluggish switching of HfO2. Herein, we present an effective strategy involving acceptor-donor co-doping to effectively tackle this dilemma. Remarkably enhanced ferroelectricity and the fastest switching process ever reported among HfO2 polar devices are observed in La3+-Ta5+ co-doped HfO2 ultrathin films. Moreover, robust macro-electrical characteristics of co-doped films persist even at a thickness as low as 3 nm, expanding potential applications of HfO2 in ultrathin devices. Our systematic investigations further demonstrate that synergistic effects of uniform microstructure and smaller switching barrier introduced by co-doping ensure the enhanced ferroelectricity and shortened switching time. The co-doping strategy offers an effective avenue to control the defect state and improve the ferroelectric properties of HfO2 films.
Headache associated with high cerebrospinal fluid pressure

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a disorder of raised intracranial pressure, almost always associated with papilloedema, in the absence of underlying central nervous system pathology. It is a rare disease, with an annual incidence of around 1/100,000 persons with an onset between 11 and 58 years. It is predominantly seen in obese women of childbearing age (incidence 10–20/100,000), but can affect any age, race, or sex. The two morbidities associated with IIH are vision loss and headache, with headache ultimately affecting over 90% of patients. The exact mechanisms underlying IIH related headache pain are still unknown, but it is often debilitating and significantly impacts quality of life. The goal of treatment is to reduce intracranial pressure to minimize vision loss and headaches. Effective medical and surgical interventions are available for treatment of headache in IIH and are tailored to each individual patient. Overall, the prognosis for treatment of headache in IIH is good.
Clinical characteristics of thyroid abnormalities induced by sunitinib treatment in Japanese patients with renal cell carcinoma

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Sunitinib is a multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is effective for advanced renal cell carcinoma. However, sunitinib often causes hypothyroidism. In this study, we report eight cases with thyroid dysfunction that occurred during sunitinib treatment for advanced renal cell carcinoma. In seven cases, mild hypothyroidism developed early in the first treatment cycle, and recovered spontaneously. Transient hyperthyroidism was observed during the second or third treatment cycles and was preceded by a rapid increase in thyroglobulin levels. (99m)Tc scintigraphy in the hyperthyroid state showed decreased thyroidal uptake of (99m)TcO(4)(-), suggesting destructive thyroiditis. Hypothyroidism subsequently developed, requiring levothyroxine replacement therapy. Ultrasonography showed a hypoechogenic pattern of the parenchyma and decreased intrathyroidal blood flow. The thyroid glands ultimately became atrophic, which may progress to permanent hypothyroidism. These findings suggest that sunitinib-induced hypothyroidism may occur frequently and may be a consequence of thyroiditis with transient thyrotoxicosis. The marked decrease in thyroid size due to reduced capillary blood flow induced by VEGF receptor inhibition may cause delayed and/or permanent hypothyroidism. Therefore, thyroid function should be monitored in all patients treated with sunitinib.
The effect of N-acetylcysteine on brain glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid concentrations and on smoking cessation: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Field: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (Life Sciences)

Using data form a 14-day double-blind trial with 48 smokers randomized to either N-acetylcysteine (2400 mg) or placebo, we tested the effect of N-acetylcysteine on glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid concentrations in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and on smoking cessation. Smoking related behaviors and neurotransmitter concentrations in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex were assessed before and after treatment. Forty-seven non-smoking males served as baseline controls. Smokers showed higher baseline glutamate but similar gamma-aminobutyric acid concentrations than non-smokers. There were no treatment effects on dorsal anterior cingulate cortex neurotransmitter concentrations, smoking cessation, craving, or withdrawal symptoms. These results confirm glutamate disbalance in smokers, but not efficacy of N-acetylcysteine.
Contribution of the Chemical Structure of Wheat Starch to Japanese Noodle Quality

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences (Life Sciences)

Wheat starch has been completely digested with bacterial α-amylase, and the pattern of oligosaccharides obtained from this digestion varies with starches from different wheat varieties. Wheat varieties of good Japanese noodle-making quality (based on sensory testing) give relatively small amounts of oligosaccharides with a degree of polymerisation (DP) of 5 or greater, while varieties of poor noodle-making quality give much greater amounts of these larger oligosaccharides. There is a significant negative correlation between the amount of DP5 oligosaccharide and noodle eating quality. The correlation between the amount of this oligosaccharide and starch paste viscosity was much smaller. The size of the HPLC peak corresponding to this oligosaccharide may be used as a rapid method of screening for noodle-making quality. Because oligosaccharides of greater than DP4 should have at least one branch point, the results suggest that the structure of the amylopectin in starch of good noodle-making wheats has relatively few branch points close together. Amylose also appeared to be important for noodle quality. The optimum amylose content seemed to be about 22% for good quality noodles, with starch of higher or lower amylose content coming from flour of lower noodle-making quality. Factors other than amylose content must contribute to noodle quality, as some flours of relatively poor noodle quality also contained close to the optimum amount of amylose. © 1997 SCI.
Regional Brain Glucose Metabolism and Blood Flow in Streptozocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Field: Neuroscience (Life Sciences)

Brain regional glucose metabolism and regional blood flow were measured from autoradiographs by the uptake of [3H]-2-deoxy-D-glucose and [14C]iodoantipyrine in streptozocin-induced diabetic (STZ-D) rats. After 2 days of diabetes, glucose metabolism in the neocortex, basal ganglia, and white matter increased by 34, 37, and 8%, respectively, whereas blood flow was unchanged. After 4 mo, glucose metabolism in the same three regions was decreased by 32, 43, and 60%. This reduction was paralleled by a statistically nonsignificant reduction in blood flow in neocortex and basal ganglia. It is suggested that the decrease of brain glucose metabolism in STZ-D reflects increased ketone body oxidation and reduction of electrochemical work.
Chemical characterization of Central American pitaya (Hylocereussp.) seeds and seed oil

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences (Life Sciences)

Central American red pitaya (Hylocereussp.) seeds were studied for their chemical and nutritional traits with particular reference to the fatty acid (FA) profile of the seed oil. Proximate seed composition averaged 352 g/kg, 302 g/kg, 296 g/kg, 206 g/kg, 126 g/kg, and 21 g/kg for total carbohydrates, dietary fiber, fat, protein, moisture, and ash, respectively. FA composition of pitaya seed oil determined by GC–MS and quantified by GC-FID was dominated by unsaturated FAs (753 g/kg). Interestingly, linoleic acid was found to be the only polyunsaturated and most abundant FA (466 g/kg), whereas palmitoleic (3 g/kg), oleic (239 g/kg), and cis-11-vaccenic acid (45 g/kg) were the major monounsaturated FAs. Palmitic (182 g/kg), stearic (49 g/kg), and arachidic acid (18g/kg) represented the saturated FA fraction. Iodine absorption value, saponification number and free fatty acid value amounted to 105.6 g I2/100 g, 235.7 mg KOH/g, and 1.9 mg KOH/g, respectively.
The wild pear (Pyrus L., Rosaceae) species in the flora of Azerbaijan Republic

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences (Life Sciences)

The article provides information about wild pears spread in the Republic of Azerbaijan. It has been revealed that currently 21 species of wild pears belonging to the <em>Pyrus </em>L. genus are known in the flora of Azerbaijan. 17 species of them have been spread in the area of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. <em>Pyrus zangеzura</em> Malееv., <em>P. vоrоnоvii</em> Rubtz., <em>P. gеоrgica</em> Kuth., <em>P. demetrii </em>Kuth., <em>P. fedorovii</em> Kuth.,<em> P. psuеdоsyriaca</em> Gladkоva., <em>P. chosrovica</em> Gladkova., <em>P. mеgrica</em> Gladkоva, <em>P.caucasica </em>var.<em> schuntukеnsis</em> Tuz., <em>P. salicifolia </em>var.<em> angustifolia </em>Kuth., <em>P. salicifolia </em>var.<em> latifolia </em>Alexenko species have been given firstly for the flora of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. As a result of climate change and anthropogenic factors in recent years in the Autonomous Republic considering the wild pears of <em>Pyrus boissieriana </em>Buhse (CR A2 abc; C1), <em>P. eldarica </em>Grossh. (CR A2 abc; C1), <em>P. grossheimii </em>Fed. (CR A4 cd; C1), <em>P. hyrcana </em>Fed. (CR A2 abc; C1), <em>P. salicifolia Pall. (</em>NT), <em>P.vsevolodii </em>Heidemann (NT) species rareness and endangering they have been included the Red Book of Azerbaijan, <em>P. mеdvеdеvii</em> Rubtz. (NT), <em>P. syriaca</em> Bоiss. (NT), <em>P. zangеzura</em> Malееv. (VU B1a(i)c(ii); C2a(i)), <em>P. raddеana</em> Wоrоnоw (VU B1a(i)c(ii); C2a(i)), <em>P. vоrоnоvii</em> Rubtz. (VU B1a(i)c(ii); C2a(i)), P. <em>mеgrica</em> Gladkоva (VU B1a(i)c(ii); C2a(i)) species have also been included the Red Book of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
Pengaruh Penerapan Model Pembelajaran Inkuiri Sosial Pada Mata Pelajaran Pendidikan Agama Islam Terhadap Pengembangan Berpikir Kritis Siswa Di SMAN 14 Garut

Field: Social Sciences (Social Sciences)

Critical thinking is essential in education as it enhances students' cognitive abilities during learning activities. However, critical thinking has not yet become a prevalent habit among students, resulting in some students being passive in the learning process, hesitant to express opinions, or ask questions. The social inquiry learning model in Islamic Education subjects is an approach that adapts to students' experiences, enabling them to find answers independently. Consequently, the social inquiry learning model can foster critical thinking in students. The purpose of this research is to describe the impact of the social inquiry learning model in Islamic Education subjects on the development of students' critical thinking skills. This will help determine the extent of the relationship between the application of the social inquiry learning model in Islamic Education subjects (Variable X) and the development of students' critical thinking skills (Variable Y). The method used in this research is the inferential quantitative method, which involves collecting data or information about the phenomenon being studied. Data collection techniques include questionnaires distributed to 25 respondents, observations, and documentation studies. Data processing was conducted through statistical data analysis. The research results show that the social inquiry learning model in Islamic Education subjects achieved a score of 4.056, placing it within the 3.01-4.00 interval range, classified as good. Meanwhile, the development of students' critical thinking skills had an average score of 3.976, also within the 3.01-4.00 interval range, classified as good. Based on statistical tests, there is an influence of the social inquiry learning model in Islamic Education subjects at 38.59%, while other factors influencing students' critical thinking skills account for 61.41% but were not examined in this study. Keywords : Social Inquiry Learning Model, Islamic Education Subject, Students' Critical Thinking
First World Conference on Medical Education

Field: Health Professions (Health Sciences)

One of the aims of the World Medical Association is the improvement of medical education. At the fourth General Assembly of the association in New York, in 1950, preliminary thought was given to the holding of the first World Conference on Medical Education. At the fifth General Assembly in Stockholm in 1951, it was definitely determined to hold such a conference. To quote Dr. Hugh Clegg, 1 the editor of the British Medical Journal , After all, medical education is fundamental to our professional life and work. Without medical education the people of the world would still be at the mercy of the witch-doctor and the cultist; many of them, of course, still are. Perhaps it is because the subject is so vast that doctors have so far fought shy of staging an international discussion on it. Again Dr. Clegg 1 said, Now, then is the time to take stock. Medicine,
Regulatory interactions between RepA, an essential replication protein, and the DNA repeats of RepFIB from plasmid P307

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Life Sciences)

The control of RepFIB replication appears to rely on the interaction between an initiator protein (RepA) and two sets of DNA repeat elements located on either side of the repA gene (BCDD'D" and EFGHIJ). In vivo genetic tests demonstrate that the BCDD'D" repeats form part of the origin of replication, while some of the downstream repeat elements (HIJ) are involved in the sensing and setting of plasmid copy number. RepA DNA binding to these groups of repeats has been investigated in vivo by utilizing the fact that the replicon contains three active promoters (orip, repAp, and EFp), one of which has previously been shown to control the expression of repA (repAp). All three promoters are closely associated with the repeat elements flanking repA, and an investigation using lacZ or cml gene fusions has demonstrated that RepA expressed in trans is able to repress each promoter. However, these assays suggest that the transcriptional responses of orip and repAp to RepA repression are significantly different, despite the fact that both promoters are embedded within the BCDD'D" repeat elements. Extra copies of the BCDD'D" or EFG repeats in trans have no effect on RepA repression of repAp embedded in a second copy of the BCDD'D" repeats, but copies of the HIJ or EFGHIJ repeats are able to derepress repAp, suggesting that there is a fundamental difference between RepA-BCDD'D" or -HIJ complexes and RepA-EFG or -EFGHIJ complexes.