Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surgical management of aortopulmonary window: 24 years of experience and lessons learned.

OBJECTIVES Aortopulmonary window represents 0.2-0.3% of all congenital heart lesions. Progressive pulmonary arterial hypertension and its consequences are more common with this anomaly. The purpose of this study was to share 24 years of surgical experience in managing a spectrum of 55 cases of aortopulmonary window, followed up to 17 years in a single institution. METHODS This retrospective study was done from November 1991 to November 2015 of 55 patients with aortopulmonary window who underwent successful surgical repair. Age ranged from 5 months to 31 years with 45 children (12 years and younger) and 10 adults (older than 12 years). The male:female ratio was 2.2:1. The mean weight at operation was 14.63 kg (range 3.5-50 kg). An initial diagnosis was obtained from 2D echocardiography, which showed echo dropout in the parasternal short-axis view. Cardiac catheterization and angiography were performed in 54 out of 55 patients. Cardiac catheterization was not done in 1 patient who was 4 months of age. The mean right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was 94 ± 2 mmHg, and the pulmonary artery mean pressure was 68 ± 2 mmHg. The average left to right shunt was 5.2:1, and the pulmonary vascular resistance index in room air was 7.97 ± 0.5 Wood units, whereas after oxygen administration, it declined to 2.0 ± 0.5 Wood units. Four surgical techniques were used based on the size of the communication and the anatomical conditions. RESULTS There were no early or late deaths. There were no pulmonary hypertensive crises. All patients underwent echocardiography before discharge; none showed a residual shunt. Mild left ventricular dysfunction was seen in 2 patients. This dysfunction regressed with afterload reduction and diuretics on follow-up. All patients were followed up at intervals of 3 months, 1, 5 and 10 years, with the longest follow-up being 17 years. The mean follow-up period was 7 years. At follow-up, all patients were New York Heart Association class I. The mean RVSP on echocardiography was 32 mmHg at 3 months and 30 mmHg at 7 years with no change on further follow-up. Residual pulmonary hypertension was seen in 3 patients: 2 had mild pulmonary hypertension at 8-years follow-up and 1 had moderate hypertension at 3-months follow-up who required sildenafil postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS Aortopulmonary window is a rare but well identified and surgically correctable anomaly. Operative repair should be offered as soon as the diagnosis is established, regardless of the patient's age. Irreversible pulmonary hypertension with a right to left shunt despite oxygen administration is the only contraindication for surgery. Various surgical techniques can be applied depending on the size of the communication. Associated arch anomalies may require technically challenging approaches and surgical strategies. Early and long-term outcomes after surgical correction are excellent regardless of age or pulmonary vascular resistance.
Metabolic concerns in aging HIV-infected persons: from serum lipid phenotype to fatty liver

&NA; Among HIV-infected persons, the assessment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) provides a window through which overall metabolic health can be evaluated. In this review, we summarize clinical data that support the roles of aging and metabolic dysregulation as factors contributing to fatty liver/NAFLD among HIV-infected persons. Age-related metabolic alterations include hepatic anatomic and functional changes, altered homeostasis of gastrointestinal microbiota and anthropometric changes (such as a shift of body fat depots from the subcutaneous to the visceral compartment) that are often associated with the development of insulin resistance and increased cardiovascular risk. Fatty changes in the liver occur not only with metabolic disruption but also with virus-induced injury. Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is commonly associated with fatty liver, and can be related to both hepatitis C virus genotype and host metabolic features. Similarly, HIV infection is associated with fatty liver as a result of multiple viral and host factors. Clearly, lipodystrophy, dysregulation of the gut–liver axis and HIV infection itself may each contribute simultaneously to NAFLD pathogenesis. Although lifestyle changes are the mainstay of treatment, to date no drug has specifically been approved for use in persons with NAFLD. Moreover, current guidelines provide no specific therapeutic recommendations for persons with NAFLD older than 65 years. Well-designed studies characterizing the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical outcomes and potential therapeutic interventions for liver disease and associated metabolic comorbidities in older HIV-infected patients are urgently needed.
Influence of biochar application on sandy soil hydraulic properties and nutrient retention

Sustainable agriculture in sandy soil generally faces large constraints due to low water holding and nutrient retention capacity, and accelerated mineralization of soil organic matter. Recent studies have shown that biochar can affect hydraulic properties and nutrient retention in arable soils. However, biochar effects have not been fully studied on sandy soils in drylands. In this study, the effect of biochar on sandy soil hydraulic properties and nutrient (nitrate and phosphorus) retention were investigated. Biochar was generated in the laboratory at three pyrolysis temperatures (300, 400 and 500°C) from black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) collected in Tottori sand dune forest. Three mixing rates of biochar (0, 10 and 20 Mg ha -1 ) were used in the experiment. Biochar amendment improved sandy soil hydraulic properties and nutrient retention. The effect of temperature in function of mixing rate had impact on soil hydraulic properties. It was found that biochar produced at 500°C with 20 Mg ha -1 rate exhibited the highest impact. Application of biochar increased the available water capacity by 97%, saturated water content by 56%, and reduced hydraulic conductivity with increasing moisture content when compared to unamended sand. Nitrate retention was significantly affected by both pyrolysis temperature and mixing rate while only mixing rate affected phosphorus retention. The control soil retained only 1% of the applied nitrate, whereas biochar application increased the soil retention of nitrate up to 23% with 500°C at 10 Mg ha -1 and 37% with 300°C at 20 Mg ha -1 mixing rate. Among treated soils, biochar produced at 500°C and mixed at 20 Mg ha -1 rate had the highest retention of phosphorus while that produced at 400°C and mixed at 10 Mg ha -1 ratio retained the least amount of phosphorus. This study highlights the importance of pyrolysis temperature and mixing rate of biochar on its effect on sandy soil hydraulic properties and nutrient retention and hence, the amendment value of biochar in the sandy soil.
Habitat Associations of Juvenile Fish at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia: The Importance of Coral and Algae

Habitat specificity plays a pivotal role in forming community patterns in coral reef fishes, yet considerable uncertainty remains as to the extent of this selectivity, particularly among newly settled recruits. Here we quantified habitat specificity of juvenile coral reef fish at three ecological levels; algal meadows vs. coral reefs, live vs. dead coral and among different coral morphologies. In total, 6979 individuals from 11 families and 56 species were censused along Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. Juvenile fishes exhibited divergence in habitat use and specialization among species and at all study scales. Despite the close proximity of coral reef and algal meadows (10's of metres) 25 species were unique to coral reef habitats, and seven to algal meadows. Of the seven unique to algal meadows, several species are known to occupy coral reef habitat as adults, suggesting possible ontogenetic shifts in habitat use. Selectivity between live and dead coral was found to be species-specific. In particular, juvenile scarids were found predominantly on the skeletons of dead coral whereas many damsel and butterfly fishes were closely associated with live coral habitat. Among the coral dependent species, coral morphology played a key role in juvenile distribution. Corymbose corals supported a disproportionate number of coral species and individuals relative to their availability, whereas less complex shapes (i.e. massive & encrusting) were rarely used by juvenile fish. Habitat specialisation by juvenile species of ecological and fisheries importance, for a variety of habitat types, argues strongly for the careful conservation and management of multiple habitat types within marine parks, and indicates that the current emphasis on planning conservation using representative habitat areas is warranted. Furthermore, the close association of many juvenile fish with corals susceptible to climate change related disturbances suggests that identifying and protecting reefs resilient to this should be a conservation priority.
Medial temporal lobe activations in fMRI and PET studies of episodic encoding and retrieval

Early neuroimaging studies often failed to obtain evidence of medial temporal lobe (MTL) activation during episodic encoding or retrieval, but a growing number of studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) have provided such evidence. We review data from fMRI studies that converge on the conclusion that posterior MTL is associated with episodic encoding; too few fMRI studies of retrieval have reported MTL activations to allow firm conclusions about their exact locations. We then turn to a recent meta‐analysis of PET studies (Lepage et al., Hippocampus 1998;8:313–322) that appears to contradict the fMRI encoding data. Based on their analysis of the rostrocaudal distribution of activations reported during episodic encoding or retrieval, Lepage et al. (1998) concluded that anterior MTL is strongly associated with episodic encoding, whereas posterior MTL is strongly associated with episodic retrieval. After considering the evidence reviewed by Lepage et al. (1998) along with additional studies, we conclude that PET studies of encoding reveal both anterior and posterior MTL activations. These observations indicate that the contradiction between fMRI and PET studies of encoding was more apparent than real. However, PET studies have reported anterior MTL encoding activations more frequently than have fMRI studies. We consider possible sources of these differences. Hippocampus 1999;9:7–24. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predictors of Side Effects With Long-Term Oral Appliance Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

STUDY OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of dental changes associated with long-term treatment with oral appliances (OAs) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS This was a retrospective study to investigate Japanese patients with OSA receiving long-term treatment with OAs. Comparisons of cephalometric analysis were carried out between the initial and follow-up assessments of dental and skeletal changes. Based on dental changes, predictors that may cause side effects were investigated. RESULTS A total of 64 patients (average age at start of treatment: 57.7 ± 14.2 years, 44 males) were included in this study. The average duration of treatment was 4.3 ± 2.1 years. Over the total treatment period, there was a significant reduction in overjet (OJ) (1.5 ± 1.3 mm) and overbite (0.90 ± 1.5 mm), and an increase in the lower incisor line to the mandibular plane (3.1 ± 5.4°). A larger reduction in OJ of ≥ 1 mm was associated with treatment duration, use frequency, and mandibular advancement of the OAs. In addition to these predictive factors, the number of teeth was correlated with the amount of OJ reduction. CONCLUSIONS For long-term treatment with OAs, the risk of dental side effects should be considered, such as a reduction in OJ. A small number of maxillary teeth, as well as the factors associated with OAs, including treatment duration, use frequency, and mandibular advancement of the OAs, was correlated with an increased rate of OJ reduction. COMMENTARY A commentary on this article appears in this issue on page 7.
Disruption of cortical network activity by the general anaesthetic isoflurane

Background Actions of general anaesthetics on activity in the cortico-thalamic network likely contribute to loss of consciousness and disconnection from the environment. Previously, we showed that the general anaesthetic isoflurane preferentially suppresses cortically evoked synaptic responses compared with thalamically evoked synaptic responses, but how this differential sensitivity translates into changes in network activity is unclear. Methods We investigated isoflurane disruption of spontaneous and stimulus-induced cortical network activity using multichannel recordings in murine auditory thalamo-cortical brain slices. Results Under control conditions, afferent stimulation elicited short latency, presumably monosynaptically driven, spiking responses, as well as long latency network bursts that propagated horizontally through the cortex. Isoflurane (0.05-0.6 mM) suppressed spiking activity overall, but had a far greater effect on network bursts than on early spiking responses. At isoflurane concentrations >0.3 mM, network bursts were almost entirely blocked, even with increased stimulation intensity and in response to paired (thalamo-cortical + cortical layer 1) stimulation, while early spiking responses were <50% blocked. Isoflurane increased the threshold for eliciting bursts, decreased their propagation speed and prevented layer 1 afferents from facilitating burst induction by thalamo-cortical afferents. Conclusions Disruption of horizontal activity spread and of layer 1 facilitation of thalamo-cortical responses likely contribute to the mechanism by which suppression of cortical feedback connections disrupts sensory awareness under anaesthesia.
Technological Health Intervention in Population Aging to Assist People to Work Smarter not Harder: Qualitative Study

Background Technology-based health care has been promoted as an effective tool to enable clinicians to work smarter. However, some health stakeholders believe technology will compel users to work harder by creating extra work. Objective The objective of this study was to investigate how and why electronic health (eHealth) has been applied in Taiwan and to suggest implications that may inspire other countries facing similar challenges. Methods A qualitative methodology was adopted to obtain insightful inputs from deeper probing. Taiwan was selected as a typical case study, given its aging population, advanced technology, and comprehensive health care system. This study investigated 38 stakeholders in the health care ecosystem through in-depth interviews and focus groups, which provides an open, flexible, and enlightening way to study complex, dynamic, and interactive situations through informal conversation or a more structured, directed discussion. Results First, respondents indicated that the use of technology can enable seamless patient care and clinical benefits such as flexibility in time management. Second, the results suggested that a leader’s vision, authority, and management skills might influence success in health care innovation. Finally, the results implied that both internal and external organizational governance are highly relevant for implementing technology-based innovation in health care. Conclusions This study provided Taiwanese perspectives on how to intelligently use technology to benefit health care and debated the perception that technology prevents human interaction between clinicians and patients.
Erythrocyte Salt Sedimentation Assay Does Not Predict Response to Renal Denervation

Renal denervation (RDN) has recently been shown to be effective in patients without antihypertensive medication. However, about 30% of patients do not respond to RDN, and therefore, there exists a need to find predictors of response. Individuals are either salt-sensitive (SS) or non-salt-sensitive (NSS) in terms of their blood pressure (BP) regulation. The sympathetic nervous system can influence water and salt handling. RDN reduces sympathetic drive and has an impact on salt excretion. The present study was conducted to test the influence of salt sensitivity in terms of the BP reducing effect after RDN procedure. Salt sensitivity was estimated using the in vitro Erythrocyte Salt Sedimentation Assay (ESS). In 88 patients with resistant hypertension, RDN was performed. Office BP and lab testing were performed at baseline and at month 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 after RDN. A responder rate of 64.7% has been observed. Salt sensitivity measurements (ESS-Test) were completed in a subgroup of 37 patients with resistant hypertension. In this group, 15 were SS and 17 were salt-resistant according to the in vitro assay, respectively. The responder rate was 60% in SS patients and 59.1% in NSS patients, respectively. Electrolytes as well as aldosterone and renin levels did not differ between the two groups at baseline and in the follow-up measurements. The present study showed that salt sensitivity, estimated using the ESS in vitro test, did not affect the outcome of RDN and, therefore, does not help to identify patients suitable for RDN.
Nutrition Journal Associations between Dietary Habits and Body Mass Index with Gut Microbiota Composition and Fecal Water Genotoxicity: an Observational Study in African American and Caucasian American Volunteers

Background: African Americans (AA) suffer from an increased incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC). Environmental exposures including dietary habits likely contribute to a high burden of CRC, however, data on the dietary habits of AA is sparse. Diet might change the composition and the activities of the intestinal microbiota, in turn affecting fecal genotoxicity/ mutagenicity that is thought to be associated with carcinogenesis.
Who r u?: On the (In)accuracy of Incumbent-Based Estimates of Range Restriction in Criterion-Related and Differential Validity Research

Correcting validity estimates for selection procedures for range restriction typically involves comparing variance in predictor scores between all job applicants and applicants who were selected. However, some research on criterion-related and differential validity of cognitive ability tests has relied on range restriction corrections based on data from job incumbents. Unfortunately, there remains ambiguity concerning the accuracy of this incumbent-based approach vis-à-vis the applicant-based approach. To address this issue, we conducted several Monte Carlo simulations, as well as an analysis of college admissions data. Our first simulation study showed that incumbent-based range restriction corrections result in downwardly biased estimates of criterion-related validity, whereas applicant-based corrections were quite accurate. Our second set of simulations showed that incumbent-based range restriction corrections can produce evidence of differential validity when there is no differential validity in the population. In contrast, applicant-based corrections tended to accurately estimate population parameters and showed little, if any, evidence of differential validity when there is no differential validity in the population. Analysis of data for the ACT as a predictor of academic performance revealed similar patterns of bias for incumbent-based corrections in an academic setting. Overall, the present findings raise serious concerns regarding the use of incumbent-based range restriction corrections in lieu of applicant-based corrections. They also cast doubt on recent evidence for differential validity of predictors of job performance.
Planning for outdoor play: Government and family decision-making

Abstract Background: Despite indisputable developmental benefits of outdoor play, children with disabilities can experience play inequity. Play decisions are multifactorial; influenced by children’s skills and their familial and community environments. Government agencies have responsibilities for equity and inclusion of people with disabilities; including in play. Aim: This multiple-perspective case study aimed to understand outdoor play decision-making for children with disabilities from the perspectives and interactions of: local government and families of primary school-aged children with disabilities. Material and method: Five mothers, four local government employees, and two not-for-profit organization representatives participated in semi-structured interviews. Inductive and iterative analyzes involved first understanding perspectives of individuals, then stakeholders (local government and families), and finally similarities and differences through cross-case analysis. Findings: Local government focused more on physical access, than social inclusion. Local government met only minimal requirements and had little engagement with families. This resulted in poor understanding and action around family needs and preferences when designing public outdoor play spaces. Conclusion and significance: To increase meaningful choice and participation in outdoor play, government understanding of family values and agency around engagement with local government needs to improve. Supporting familial collective capabilities requires understanding interactions between individuals, play, disability, and outdoor play environments.
Altered caudate connectivity is associated with executive dysfunction after traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury often produces executive dysfunction, causing long-term problems with behaviour and personality. De Simoni et al. report that executive dysfunction following TBI is associated with altered corticostriatal interactions important for behavioural control. These findings provide a target for the evaluation of treatments aimed at improving executive function after TBI.
Upregulation of the long non-coding RNA PVT1 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression by acting as a molecular sponge of miR-203 and LASP1

Long non-coding RNAs are a group of non-coding RNAs longer than 200 nucleotides and possess diverse functions and exhibit exquisite cell-specific and developmental dynamic expression patterns. The role of the long non-coding RNA PVT1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma remains unsolved. Here, we showed that PVT1 expression is significantly up-regulated in ESCC tumor samples compared with their normal counterparts. Knockdown of PVT1 suppressed tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Further studies revealed that silence of PVT1 lead to up-regulation of miR-203, and vice versa. Moreover, LASP1 was found to be downregulated after knockdown of PVT1 and overexpression of LASP1 attenuated the tumor-suppressive roles of PVT1 knockdown. Our results suggest that PVT1 promote ESCC progression via functioning as a molecular sponge for miR-203 and LASP1 and provide the first evidence of dysregulated PVT1/miR-203/LASP1 axis in ESCC.