Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human Genetic Evidence for Involvement of CD137 in Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease and the main cause of cardiovascular disease. Inflammation promotes plaque instability and clinical disease, such as myocardial infarction, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Subclinical atherosclerosis begins with thickening of the arterial intimal layer, and increased intima-media thickness (IMT) in the carotid artery is a widely used measurement of subclinical atherosclerosis. Activation of CD137 (tumor necrosis factor receptor super family 9) promotes inflammation and disease development in murine atherosclerosis. CD137 is expressed in human atherosclerosis, but its role is largely unknown. This study uses a genetic approach to investigate CD137 in human atherosclerotic disease. In publicly available data on genotype and gene expression from the HapMap project, the minor T allele of rs2453021, a single nucleotide polymorphism in CD137, was significantly associated with CD137 gene expression. In the PROCARDIS and Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC) cohorts of 13,029 cases and controls, no significant association was detected between the minor T allele of rs2453021 and risk for coronary artery disease or myocardial infarction. However, in the IMPROVE multicenter study of 3,418 individuals, the minor T allele of rs2453021 was associated with increased IMT of the common carotid artery (CCA), as measured by ultrasonography, with presence of plaque in CCA and with increased incidence of adverse noncardiac vascular events. Taken together, this study shows that the minor T allele of rs2453021 is associated with increased IMT in the CCA and increased risk of incident noncardiac vascular events, thus providing the first human genetic evidence for involvement of CD137 in atherosclerosis.
Coding of Elevation in Acoustic Image of Space

Spectral features of sound are believed to be the primary cues for the human perception of spatial sound elevation. It has also been observed that people connect higher frequencies of sound with a higher elevation of the sound source and lower frequencies with lower elevations. The most common approach to creating an acoustic image delivered by headphones is to use Head Related Transfer Functions (HRTFs). Unfortunately, satisfactory perception of elevation can only be achieved with personalized HRTFs which are impractical to measure. This paper describes an alternative method of sound coding for representation of the virtual sound source elevation in an acoustic image. Our method is based on coding particular elevations with sound stimuli which differ in spectral content. Sound stimuli were created by various signal processing techniques (e.g. filtration, modulation). Experiments show that, in certain cases, test subjects were able to perceive up to 60 different elevations in the range of –40° to 90°.
A global assessment of primate responses to landscape structure

Land‐use change modifies the spatial structure of terrestrial landscapes, potentially shaping the distribution, abundance and diversity of remaining species assemblages. Non‐human primates can be particularly vulnerable to landscape disturbances, but our understanding of this topic is far from complete. Here we reviewed all available studies on primates' responses to landscape structure. We found 34 studies of 71 primate species (24 genera and 10 families) that used a landscape approach. Most studies (82%) were from Neotropical forests, with howler monkeys being the most frequently studied taxon (56% of studies). All studies but one used a site‐landscape or a patch‐landscape study design, and frequently (34% of studies) measured landscape variables within a given radius from the edge of focal patches. Altogether, the 34 studies reported 188 responses to 17 landscape‐scale metrics. However, the majority of the studies (62%) quantified landscape predictors within a single spatial scale, potentially missing significant primate–landscape responses. To assess such responses accurately, landscape metrics need to be measured at the optimal scale, i.e. the spatial extent at which the primate–landscape relationship is strongest (so‐called ‘scale of effect’). Only 21% of studies calculated the scale of effect through multiscale approaches. Interestingly, the vast majority of studies that do not assess the scale of effect mainly reported null effects of landscape structure on primates, while most of the studies based on optimal scales found significant responses. These significant responses were primarily to landscape composition variables rather than landscape configuration variables. In particular, primates generally show positive responses to increasing forest cover, landscape quality indices and matrix permeability. By contrast, primates show weak responses to landscape configuration. In addition, half of the studies showing significant responses to landscape configuration metrics did not control for the effect of forest cover. As configuration metrics are often correlated with forest cover, this means that documented configuration effects may simply be driven by landscape‐scale forest loss. Our findings suggest that forest loss (not fragmentation) is a major threat to primates, and thus, preventing deforestation (e.g. through creation of reserves) and increasing forest cover through restoration is critically needed to mitigate the impact of land‐use change on our closest relatives. Increasing matrix functionality can also be critical, for instance by promoting anthropogenic land covers that are similar to primates' habitat.
Comparative evaluation of Truview evo2 and Macintosh laryngoscope for ease of orotracheal intubation in children – A prospective randomized controlled trial

Background and Aims: Truview evo2 has been found to improve the glottic view when compared with the Miller blade in pediatric population. However, there is limited literature comparing it with Macintosh laryngoscope in children. We thus aimed to assess and compare Truview evo2 with the Macintosh laryngoscope for orotracheal intubation in children with regards to time to intubate, laryngoscopic view, ease of intubation, and associated hemodynamic changes. Material and Methods: Fifty ASA I-II children aged 2–8 years for elective surgery requiring general anesthesia with orotracheal intubation participated in this prospective randomized-controlled study. They were randomly allocated to two groups. In group-M (N = 25), laryngoscopy and intubation were performed using Macintosh laryngoscope, and in group-T (N = 25), Truview evo2 laryngoscope was used. Modified Cormack–Lehane grade, time to intubation, intubation difficulty score (IDS), and hemodynamic changes were compared between the groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 17 and P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: CL grade 1 was found in a larger number of patients of group-T (P = 0.003) and CL grades2a and 2b were found in a larger number of patients of group-M (P = 0.023 and P = 0.037, respectively). The mean time to intubation was significantly longer in group-T (19.0 ± 3.4 seconds) than in group-M (13.1 ± 2.1 seconds), P = 0.00. The over all IDS was lower in group-T than group M [i.e. median (IQR): 0 (0-0) vs 1 (0-2), respectively]. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and oxygen saturation were comparable between the groups at all times. Conclusion: Truview evo2 provides better laryngeal view and has a lesser IDS, but takes longer for intubation, when compared to the Macintosh laryngoscope in children.
The challenge of de‐labeling penicillin allergy

Even though 8%‐25% of most populations studied globally are labeled as penicillin allergic, most diagnoses of penicillin allergy are made in childhood and relate to events that are either not allergic in nature, are low risk for immediate hypersensitivity, or are a potential true allergy that has waned over time. Penicillin allergy labels directly impact antimicrobial stewardship by leading to use of less effective and broader spectrum antimicrobials and are associated with antimicrobial resistance. They may also delay appropriate antimicrobial therapy and lead to increased risk of specific adverse healthcare outcomes. Operationalizing penicillin allergy de‐labeling into a new arm of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) has become an increasing global focus.
Self-Disorders in Asperger Syndrome Compared to Schizotypal Disorder: A Clinical Study

Abstract Objective There are historical and theoretical indications of a difference in subjective experience between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the schizophrenia spectrum. However, this difference has not been empirically explored. Therefore, to explore potential differences in subjective experience between the 2 spectra, we examined the presence/absence of self-disorders in Asperger syndrome/autism spectrum disorder (As/ASD) compared to schizotypal disorder (Sd). Self-disorders represent changes in basic self-awareness which have been found to accumulate within the schizophrenia spectrum. Methods All participants were recruited from clinical units and interviewed with a focus on the exploration of presence/absence of self-disorders, with the Examination of Anomalous Self-Experience (EASE) scale, and a general assessment of present psychopathology, with Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN). Results A total of 51 participants (As/ASD, n = 22; Sd, n = 29) were included in the statistical analyses. When controlling for age, gender, years of education, mental problems before the age of 16, and special needs school attendance, there was a clear difference in presence/absence of self-disorders between the 2 groups, with significantly higher levels in the Sd group. Further, there was an overlap in SCAN-rated symptoms between the 2 groups. Conclusion Our results indicate a significant difference between As/ASD and Sd at the level of the basic self, which, in turn, indicates that an exploration of anomalous self-experience is a valuable supplement in the clinical differentiation between As/ASD and Sd.
Head impacts sustained by male collegiate water polo athletes

Water polo is a contact sport that is gaining popularity in the United States and carries a risk of repeated head impacts and concussion. The frequency and magnitude of sport-related head impacts have not been described for water polo. We aimed to compare patterns of empirically measured head impact exposure of male collegiate water polo players to patterns previously reported by a survey of current and former water polo athletes. Participants wore water polo caps instrumented with head impact sensors during three seasons of collegiate water polo. Peak linear acceleration (PLA) and peak rotational acceleration (PRA) were recorded for head impacts. Athlete positions were recorded by research staff at the occurrence of each head impact. Head impacts were sustained by athletes in offensive positions more frequently than in defensive and transition positions (246, 59.9% vs. 93, 22.6% vs. 72, 17.5%). 37% of all head impacts during gameplay were sustained by athletes playing the offensive center position. Impact magnitude (means ± SD: PLA = 36.1±12.3g, PRA = 5.0±2.9 krads/sec2) did not differ between position or game scenario. Among goalies, impact frequency and magnitude were similar between games (means ± SD: 0.54±.51 hits/game, PLA = 36.9±14.2g, PRA = 4.3±4.2 krads/sec2) and practices (means ± SD: 0.96±1.11 hits/practice, PLA = 43.7±14.5g, PRA = 3.9±2.5 krads/sec2). We report that collegiate water polo athletes are at risk for sport-related head impacts and impact frequency is dependent on game scenario and player position. In contrast, magnitude does not differ between scenarios or across positions.
Analysis of Errors in ToF Range Imaging With Dual-Frequency Modulation

Range imaging is a technology that utilizes an amplitude-modulated light source and gain-modulated image sensor to simultaneously produce distance and intensity data for all pixels of the sensor. The precision of such a system is, in part, dependent on the modulation frequency. There is typically a tradeoff between precision and maximum unambiguous range. Research has shown that, by taking two measurements at different modulation frequencies, the unambiguous range can be extended without compromising distance precision. In this paper, we present an efficient method for combining two distance measurements obtained using different modulation frequencies. The behavior of the method in the presence of noise has been investigated to determine the expected error rate. In addition, we make use of the signal amplitude to improve the precision of the combined distance measurement. Simulated results compare well to actual data obtained using a system based on the PMD19k range image sensor.
Correlation between Clinical Features, Biochemical Parameters, and Histopathological Findings in Women with Patterned Baldness: A Study from North India

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a non-scarring alopecia with a characteristic pattern in genetically predisposed men and women. Hormonal abnormalities namely hyperandrogenism, hair cycle defects, genetic predisposition, and follicular miniaturization have been implicated as the causative factors for AGA. Aim: To analyze women with patterned hair loss and correlate their clinical findings with the histopathology and biochemical parameters. Materials and Methods: Female patients between 18 and 45 years of age with a history of hair loss on the crown, temporal area, and recession of hairline were clinically examined. These patients were then subjected to histopathological examination, and on confirmation of diagnosis of female pattern hair loss (FPHL), they were included in the study. Their morning blood sample was taken on 3rd–5th day of the menstrual cycle for hormonal analysis. The study was carried out on 30 patients and 30 age- and sex-matched controls. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed between the mean values of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, prolactin, androstenedione, and free triiodothyronine of cases and controls. The most common histopathological finding in our study was an increase in the percentage of telogen hair. Conclusion: The biochemical findings in our study corroborate the role of hyperandrogenism as one of the major etiological factors in FPHL with the role of adrenal androgens being central, and therefore all female patients with FPHL should be evaluated for underlying hormonal imbalances. The role of histopathology in FPHL can be used as a prognostic marker.
Renal ultrasonographic abnormalities are associated with low glomerular filtration rate calculated by scintigraphy in dogs.

Ultrasound provides information on kidney morphology, but studies relating structural and functional abnormalities in chronic kidney disease (CKD) are lacking. The aim of this descriptive cross-sectional study was to compare individual kidney (IK) B-mode ultrasound abnormalities to IK glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimated by scintigraphy normalized to plasma volume (PV) in dogs, to evaluate if ultrasonographic findings were associated with low IKGFR/PV. Eighty privately owned dogs with and without clinical suspicion of CKD were prospectively enrolled, and kidney ultrasound and IKGFR/PV were evaluated independently. Ultrasound images were assessed retrospectively for subjective abnormalities (shape, cortical, and medullary hyperechogenicity), and kidney size was measured. The normal IKGFR/PV cutoff was derived from dogs in the study group with no history and clinical signs of kidney disease and normal blood and urine results (n = 28) and was 16.84 mL/min/L. Kidneys were categorized into normal, mild, moderate, and severe ultrasound changes according to subjective ultrasound grades. Associations were found between low IKGFR/PV and abnormal kidney shape (P = .0004), cortical hyperechogenicity (P = .0008), medullary hyperechogenicity (P < .0001), and low kidney volume (P = .0092). Apart from the moderate and severe category comparison, IKGFR/PV value significantly decreased with increasing severity of category. The combination of ultrasonographic subjective abnormalities had a high sensitivity (93.8%) and moderate specificity (65.7%) for detecting low IKGFR/PV. Kidneys with normal IKGFR/PV had a low frequency of mild ultrasound changes. Findings indicate kidneys with increasing number and grade of subjective ultrasound abnormalities are more likely to have a lower IKGFR/PV.
FADS and PPARG2 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms are Associated with Plasma Lipids in 9-Mo-Old Infants.

BACKGROUND Dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), e.g., linoleic acid and n-3 (ω-3) long-chain PUFAs, has been shown in adults to affect plasma cholesterol and triglycerides (TGs), respectively. Little is known about the effects of PUFAs on plasma lipids in early life. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore the associations between plasma concentrations of total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol and TGs in infants and 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the fatty acid desaturase genes (FADS) oppositely associated with docosahexaenoic acid (rs1535 and rs174448) and potential effect modification by a functional peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ2 gene variant (PPARG2 Pro12Ala). METHODS In 9-mo-old infants (n = 561) from 3 Danish cohorts, we analyzed associations between plasma lipids, erythrocyte PUFAs, and FADS SNPs, and interactions with PPARG2 Pro12Ala genotype, by multiple linear regression. We also examined potential effect modification by breastfeeding, as 46% of the infants were still being breastfed. RESULTS Minor allele carriage of rs174448 was associated with lower total cholesterol (difference: -0.22 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.37, -0.06 mmol/L; P = 0.006) and LDL cholesterol (difference: -0.15 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.29, -0.01 mmol/L; P = 0.035), but no associations were observed with TGs or for rs1535. Minor allele carriage of both FADS SNPs was associated with 1 SD lower HDL cholesterol, but only in currently breastfed infants (rs174448 × breastfeeding, P = 0.080; rs1535 × breastfeeding, P = 0.030) and PPARG2 minor allele carriers (rs174448 × PPARG2, P = 0.001; rs1535 × PPARG2, P = 0.004). Erythrocyte arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid were inversely associated with LDL cholesterol [estimated effect (β): -0.3 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.06, -0.00 mmol/L per percentage of fatty acids (FA%); P = 0.035] and TGs (β: -0.23 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.41, -0.05 mmol/L per FA%; P = 0.015), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The observed associations with FADS variants indicate that PUFAs are involved in plasma lipid regulation in 9-mo-old infants. Observed FADS SNP differences and interactions with breastfeeding and PPARG2 warrant additional studies to explore the effects of individual FADS SNPs on PUFA status and potential genetic modification of dietary PUFA effects.
Propofol Versus Dexmedetomidine for Procedural Sedation in a Pediatric Population

Objectives Frequently, infants and children require sedation to facilitate noninvasive procedures and imaging studies. Propofol and dexmedetomidine are used to achieve deep procedural sedation in children. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical safety and efficacy of propofol versus dexmedetomidine in pediatric patients undergoing sedation in a pediatric sedation unit. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients sedated with either propofol or dexmedetomidine in a pediatric sedation unit by pediatric emergency physicians was performed. Both medications were dosed per protocol with propofol 2 mg/kg induction and 150 &mgr;g · kg−1 · min−1 maintenance and dexmedetomidine 3 &mgr;g/kg induction for 10 minutes and 2 &mgr;g · kg−1 · h−1maintenance. The variables collected included drug dose, sedation time (time that the drug was given to the completion of the procedure), recovery time (end of the study to the return to the presedation sedation score for 15 minutes), need for dose rate changes, airway management, and adverse events. Results A total of 2432 children were included— 1503 who received propofol and 929 who received dexmedetomidine. Propofol and dexmedetomidine resulted in successful completion of the study in 98.8% and 99.7%, respectively (P = 0.02). The mean recovery time for propofol was 34.3 minutes, compared with 65.6 minutes for dexmedetomidine (P < 0.001). The need for unexpected airway management was 9.7% for propofol and 2.2% for dexmedetomidine (P < 0.001). Adverse events occurred in 8.6% and 6% of patients in the propofol and dexmedetomidine groups, respectively (P = 0.02). Conclusions Propofol use led to significantly shorter recovery times, with an increased need for airway management, but rates of bag-mask ventilation (2.3%), airway obstruction (1.1%), and desaturation (1.6%) were low. No patients required intubation. Propofol is a reasonable alternative to dexmedetomidine, with a clinically acceptable safety profile.
Enchained growth and cluster dislocation: A possible mechanism for microbiota homeostasis

Immunoglobulin A is a class of antibodies produced by the adaptive immune system and secreted into the gut lumen to fight pathogenic bacteria. We recently demonstrated that the main physical effect of these antibodies is to enchain daughter bacteria, i.e. to cross-link bacteria into clusters as they divide, preventing them from interacting with epithelial cells. These links between bacteria may break over time. Using analytical and numerical calculations on several models to check the results robustness, we study the rate of increase in the number of free bacteria as a function of the replication rate of bacteria, and the resulting distribution of chain sizes. At higher replication rates, the bacteria replicate before the link between daughter bacteria breaks, leading to growing cluster sizes. However at low growth rates two daughter cells have a high probability to break apart. Thus the gut could produce IgA against all the bacteria it has encountered, but the most affected bacteria would be the fast replicating ones, which could destabilize the microbiota.
Effect of exercise training on heart rate variability in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: A randomized controlled trial

While obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases chemoreflex, leading to an autonomic dysfunction in the long term, no studies have yet assessed the potential benefit of exercise on cardiac autonomic activity in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential improvement in cardiac autonomic function (CAF) measured through heart rate variability (HRV) after a 9‐month physical activity program in patients with OSA. Seventy‐four patients with moderate OSA, aged 40‐80 years, were randomly assigned to an exercise group (n = 36, 3 × 1 h/wk) or a control group (n = 38) during 9 months. Linear and nonlinear HRV parameters were measured during night using a Holter ECG. After 9 months, mean R‐R intervals increased in the exercise group without any changes in HRV parameters, while controls decreased global (standard deviation of normal‐to‐normal intervals, total power) and parasympathetic (root mean square successive difference of N‐Ns, very low frequency, high frequency, and standard deviation of the instantaneous beat‐to‐beat variability) indices of HRV (P < 0.05 for all). Significant correlations with moderate effect size were found between changes in apnea severity and changes in R‐R intervals (P < 0.05). Improvement in moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity was also correlated to improvement in nocturnal oxygen parameters (P < 0.05). In conclusion, supervised community physical activity may prevent a decline in nighttime CAF observed in nontreated community‐dwelling patients with moderate OSA over a 9‐month period. Thus, beyond apnea‐hypopnea index improvement, exercise may be cardioprotective in OSA patients through bradycardia, CAF preservation, and VO2peak increase.