Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Australian children undergoing selective dorsal rhizotomy: protocol for a national registry of multidimensional outcomes

Introduction Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is a neurosurgical intervention intended to permanently reduce spasticity in the lower limbs and improve mobility in selected children with cerebral palsy (CP). Despite SDR having been performed worldwide for the past 30 years, there is moderate quality of evidence that SDR is effective in reducing spasticity with low to very low evidence of its effectiveness in improving gait, function and participation, using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) system. Published studies have described outcomes for groups that differ in selection, surgical technique and postoperative rehabilitation making it difficult for clinicians to use this information to advise families on best management. There is substantial community interest in SDR. A small number of children with CP undergo SDR in Australia each year and some families seek the intervention at international sites. Capturing clinical outcomes and adverse event (AE) data for Australian children undergoing SDR will provide clinicians with information to help guide families considering SDR. Methods and analysis The Australian SDR Research Registry is a national registry of multidimensional outcomes for Australian children undergoing SDR in an Australian or overseas centre. Data will be collected for up to 10 years following the surgery, to include surgery and admission details, surgical and long-term AEs, and outcome measures across the body structure and functions, activity and participation domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Data will be collected at baseline, during inpatient admission and at 1, 2, 5 and 10 years post. The aim of collecting these data is to improve understanding of short-, medium- and long-term outcomes and adverse effects of the intervention. Ethics and dissemination This study was approved by the individual Human Research and Ethics committees at the five Australian tertiary hospitals involved. Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. Trial registration number ACTRN12618000985280; Pre-results.
Effect of Nursing Intervention Integrating an Islamic Praying Program on Labor Pain and Pain Behaviors in Primiparous Muslim Women

Background: Labor pain has always been a priority issue for primiparous women. Pain behaviors appear as a response to labor pain. This study aimed at examining the effect of nursing interventions integrating an Islamic praying (NIIIP) program on labor pain and pain behavior. Materials and Methods: In this experimental design, 42 women in the control group received the usual care; 41 in the experimental group received the usual care and an NIIIP program from the 32nd week of pregnancy. This was done by providing childbirth education which they then practiced at home every day until they entered the labor room in the Bhinneka Bhakti Husada Hospital and Community Health Center Pamulang, Indonesia. They conducted 30 min of reciting from the Quran, stroking, positioning during their inter contractions, just breathing during contractions at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd h after cervical dilation of 3–4 cm. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and pain behaviors observation scale (PBOS) were used to measure pain and pain behaviors. Repeated measures of the ANOVA and t test were used to analyze the data. Results: There were significant differences in experience of labor pain ([F = 113.07, df (1, 81), p < 0.001] and pain behavior ([F = 147,49 df (1, 81), p < 0.001] between the control and experimental groups. There were significant statistical differences of over four times at the points of pain [F = 82.84, df (2, 182), p < 0.001] and pain behaviors [F = 165.55, df = (2, 189), p < 0.001]. Conclusions: The program effectively resulted in lower pain and increased pain behaviors.
Effect of calcium phosphate heparinization on the in vitro inflammatory response and osteoclastogenesis of human blood precursor cells

The immobilization of natural molecules on synthetic bone grafts stands as a strategy to enhance their biological interactions. During the early stages of healing, immune cells and osteoclasts (OC) modulate the inflammatory response and resorb the biomaterial, respectively. In this study, heparin, a naturally occurring molecule in the bone extracellular matrix, was covalently immobilized on biomimetic calcium‐deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA). The effect of heparin‐functionalized CDHA on inflammation and osteoclastogenesis was investigated using primary human cells and compared with pristine CDHA and beta‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP). Biomimetic substrates led to lower oxidative stresses by neutrophils and monocytes than sintered β‐TCP, even though no further reduction was induced by the presence of heparin. In contrast, heparinized CDHA fostered osteoclastogenesis. Optical images of stained TRAP positive cells showed an earlier and higher presence of multinucleated cells, compatible with OC at 14 days, while pristine CDHA and β‐TCP present OC at 21–28 days. Although no statistically significant differences were found in the OC activity, microscopy images evidenced early stages of degradation on heparinized CDHA, compatible with osteoclastic resorption. Overall, the results suggest that the functionalization with heparin fostered the formation and activity of OC, thus offering a promising strategy to integrate biomaterials in the bone remodelling cycle by increasing their OC‐mediated resorption.
Preparation and Properties of Various Magnetic Nanoparticles

The fabrications of iron oxides nanoparticles using co-precipitation and gadolinium nanoparticles using water in oil microemulsion method are reported in this paper. Results of detailed phase analysis by XRD and Mössbauer spectroscopy are discussed. XRD analysis revealed that the crystallite size (mean coherence length) of iron oxides (mainly γ-Fe2O3) in the Fe2O3 sample was 30 nm, while in Fe2O3/SiO2 where the ε-Fe2O3 phase dominated it was only 14 nm. Gd/SiO2 nanoparticles were found to be completely amorphous, according to XRD. The samples showed various shapes of hysteresis loops and different coercivities. Differences in the saturation magnetization (MS) correspond to the chemical and phase composition of the sample materials. However, we observed that MS was not reached in the case of Fe2O3/SiO2, while for Gd/SiO2 sample the MS value was extremely low. Therefore we conclude that only unmodified Fe2O3 nanoparticles are suitable for intended biosensing application in vitro (e.g. detection of viral nucleic acids) and the phase purification of this sample for this purpose is not necessary.
Reconstruction of the Phenotypes of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus by Replacement of the Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec with a Plasmid-Borne Copy of Staphylococcus sciuri pbpD Gene

ABSTRACT The mecA gene, the central determinant of methicillin (meticillin)-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is not native to this bacterial species but may have originated in the animal commensal species Staphylococcus sciuri. All S. sciuri strains carry a close homologue of mecA in the form of pbpD, the genetic determinant of penicillin binding protein 4 (PBP 4) of S. sciuri. Here we describe an experimental system that could be used for additional tests for this proposition. The S. sciuri pbpD gene was cloned into a shuttle plasmid and introduced into methicillin-susceptible S. aureus strain COL-S derived from parental MRSA strain COL from which the resistance cassette staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec was excised. The S. sciuri pbpD determinant was transcribed and translated in the S. aureus transductants producing large amounts of the 84-kDa S. sciuri PBP 4 and was then deposited in the plasma membrane of the host bacterium. Transductants carrying the heterologous S. sciuri pbpD gene exhibited properties typical of those of parental MRSA strain COL, including broad-spectrum, high-level, and homogeneous resistance to structurally different β-lactams. Antibiotic resistance was dependent on the functioning of S. aureus PBP 2 and was suppressed by the specific regulatory genes mecI and mecR and by inhibitors of an early step in cell wall biosynthesis. S. sciuri PBP 4 was also able to replace the essential physiological function(s) of the native PBP 2 of S. aureus and produce peptidoglycan typical of that of parental MRSA strain COL. Our results provide further support for the proposition that the resistance determinant mecA of MRSA strains has evolved from S. sciuri pbpD.
Modeling Individual Damped Linear Oscillator Processes with Differential Equations: Using Surrogate Data Analysis to Estimate the Smoothing Parameter

Among the many methods available for modeling intraindividual time series, differential equation modeling has several advantages that make it promising for applications to psychological data. One interesting differential equation model is that of the damped linear oscillator (DLO), which can be used to model variables that have a tendency to fluctuate around some typical, or equilibrium, value. Methods available for fitting the damped linear oscillator model using differential equation modeling can yield biased parameter estimates when applied to univariate time series. The degree of this bias depends on a smoothing–like parameter, which balances the need for increasing smoothing to minimize error variance but not smoothing so much as to obscure change of interest. This article explores a technique that uses surrogate data analysis to select such a parameter, thereby producing approximately unbiased parameter estimates. Furthermore the smoothing parameter, which is usually researcher-selected, is produced in an automated manner so as to reduce the experience required by researchers to apply these methods. Focus is placed on the damped linear model; however, similar issues are expected with other differential equation models and other techniques in which parameter estimates depend on a smoothing parameter. An example using affect data from the Notre Dame Longitudinal Study of Aging (2004) is presented, which contrasts the use of a single smoothing parameter for all individuals versus use of a smoothing parameter for each individual.
Association of Modifiable Risk Factors With Dental Caries Among Indigenous and Nonindigenous Children in Australia

Key Points Question Does the contribution of modifiable risk factors on area-based inequalities in untreated dental caries among Australian children differ by Indigenous status? Findings In this cross-sectional study of Australian children, the association of modifiable risk factors with area-based inequalities in untreated dental caries among Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian children differed substantially. Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was associated with dental caries for both groups, and irregular tooth brushing was also significantly associated with dental caries for Indigenous children. Meaning Targets to reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages may reduce oral health inequalities for both groups; however, Indigenous children require additional focus on oral hygiene.
Stimulus-selective properties of inferior temporal neurons in the macaque

Previous studies have reported that some neurons in the inferior temporal (IT) cortex respond selectively to highly specific complex objects. In the present study, we conducted the first systematic survey of the responses of IT neurons to both simple stimuli, such as edges and bars, and highly complex stimuli, such as models of flowers, snakes, hands, and faces. If a neuron responded to any of these stimuli, we attempted to isolate the critical stimulus features underlying the response. We found that many of the responsive neurons responded well to virtually every stimulus tested. The remaining, stimulus-selective cells were often selective along the dimensions of shape, color, or texture of a stimulus, and this selectivity was maintained throughout a large receptive field. Although most IT neurons do not appear to be “detectors” for complex objects, we did find a separate population of cells that responded selectively to faces. The responses of these cells were dependent on the configuration of specific face features, and their selectivity was maintained over changes in stimulus size and position. A particularly high incidence of such cells was found deep in the superior temporal sulcus. These results indicate that there may be specialized mechanisms for the analysis of faces in IT cortex.
Transduction Sites of Vagal Mechanoreceptors in the Guinea Pig Esophagus

Extrinsic afferent neurons play an essential role in both sensation and reflex control of visceral organs, but their specialized morphological peripheral endings have never been functionally identified. Extracellular recordings were made from fine nerve trunks running between the vagus nerve and esophagus of the guinea pig. Mechanoreceptors, which responded to esophageal distension, fired spontaneously, had low thresholds to circumferential stretch, and were slowly adapting. Calibrated von Frey hairs (0.12 mN) were used to probe the serosal surface at 100–200 sites, which were mapped on a video image of the live preparation. Each stretch-sensitive unit had one to three highly localized receptive fields (“hot spots”), which were marked with Indian ink applied on the tip of the von Frey hair. Recorded nerve trunks were then filled anterogradely, using biotinamide in an artificial intracellular solution. Receptive fields were consistently associated with intraganglionic laminar endings (IGLEs) in myenteric ganglia, but not with other filled neuronal structures. The average distance of receptive fields to IGLEs was 73 ± 14 μm (24 receptive fields, from 12 units; n = 5), compared to 374 ± 17 μm for 240 randomly generated sites (n = 5; p < 0.001). After maintained probing on a single receptive field, spontaneous discharge of units was inhibited, as were responses to distension. During adapted discharge to maintained distension, interspike intervals were distributed in a narrow range. This indicates that multiple receptive fields interact to encode mechanical distortion in a graded manner. IGLEs are specialized transduction sites of mechanosensitive vagal afferent neurons in the guinea pig esophagus.
Amygdalar reactivity is associated with prefrontal cortical thickness in a large population-based sample of adolescents

In structural neuroimaging studies, reduced cerebral cortical thickness in orbital and ventromedial prefrontal regions is frequently interpreted as reflecting an impaired ability to downregulate neuronal activity in the amygdalae. Unfortunately, little research has been conducted in order to test this conjecture. We examine the extent to which amygdalar reactivity is associated with cortical thickness in a population-based sample of adolescents. Data were obtained from the IMAGEN study, which includes 2,223 adolescents. While undergoing functional neuroimaging, participants passively viewed video clips of a face that started from a neutral expression and progressively turned angry, or, instead, turned to a second neutral expression. Left and right amygdala ROIs were used to extract mean BOLD signal change for the angry minus neutral face contrast for all subjects. T1-weighted images were processed through the CIVET pipeline (version 2.1.0). In variable-centered analyses, local cortical thickness was regressed against amygdalar reactivity using first and second-order linear models. In a follow-up person-centered analysis, we defined a “high reactive” group of participants based on mean amygdalar BOLD signal change for the angry minus neutral face contrast. Between-group differences in cortical thickness were examined (“high reactive” versus all other participants). A significant association was revealed between the continuous measure of amygdalar reactivity and bilateral ventromedial prefrontal cortical thickness in a second-order linear model (p < 0.05, corrected). The “high reactive” group, in comparison to all other participants, possessed reduced cortical thickness in bilateral orbital and ventromedial prefrontal cortices, bilateral anterior temporal cortices, left caudal middle temporal gyrus, and the left inferior and middle frontal gyri (p < 0.05, corrected). Results are consistent with non-human primate studies, and provide empirical support for an association between reduced prefrontal cortical thickness and amygdalar reactivity. Future research will likely benefit from investigating the degree to which psychopathology qualifies relations between prefrontal cortical structure and amygdalar reactivity.
Postdialysis Hypokalemia and All-Cause Mortality in Patients Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Almost half of patients on dialysis demonstrate a postdialysis serum potassium ≤3.5 mEq/L. We aimed to examine the relationship between postdialysis potassium levels and all-cause mortality. DESIGN, SETTING, PATIENTS, & MEASUREMENTS We conducted a cohort study of 3967 participants on maintenance hemodialysis from the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study in Japan (2009-2012 and 2012-2015). Postdialysis serum potassium was measured repeatedly at 4-month intervals and used as a time-varying variable. We estimated the hazard ratio of all-cause mortality rate using Cox hazard regression models, with and without adjusting for time-varying predialysis serum potassium. Models were adjusted for baseline characteristics and time-varying laboratory parameters. We also analyzed associations of combinations of pre- and postdialysis potassium with mortality. RESULTS The age of participants at baseline was 65±12 years (mean±SD), 2552 (64%) were men, and 96% were treated with a dialysate potassium level of 2.0 to <2.5 mEq/L. The median follow-up period was 2.6 (interquartile range, 1.3-2.8) years. During the follow-up period, 562 (14%) of 3967 participants died, and the overall mortality rate was 6.7 per 100 person-years. Compared with postdialysis potassium of 3.0 to <3.5 mEq/L, the hazard ratios of postdialysis hypokalemia (<3.0 mEq/L) were 1.84 (95% confidence interval, 1.44 to 2.34) in the unadjusted model, 1.44 (95% confidence interval, 1.14 to 1.82) in the model without adjusting for predialysis serum potassium, and 1.10 (95% confidence interval, 0.84 to 1.44) in the model adjusted for predialysis serum potassium. The combination of pre- and postdialysis hypokalemia was associated with the highest mortality risk (hazard ratio, 1.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.35 to 2.19, reference; pre- and postdialysis nonhypokalemia). CONCLUSIONS Postdialysis hypokalemia was associated with mortality, but this association was not independent of predialysis potassium.
Coronary artery calcification in middle‐aged women with premature ovarian insufficiency

Women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) enter menopause before age 40. Early menopause was associated with increased risk for coronary artery disease (CAD), death from cardiovascular disease and all‐cause mortality. We compared the prevalence of CAD between middle‐aged women on average 10 years following the initial POI diagnosis, with a population‐based cohort.
Dysmenorrhea and Its Effects on School Absenteeism and School Activities among Adolescents in Selected Secondary Schools in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Menstruation can be associated with dysmenorrhea that may affect daily activities. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dysmenorrhea, effects on school activities, and associated school absenteeism among secondary school girls in Ibadan, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was among 460 students from all girls' only secondary schools in Ibadan, Nigeria, using a cluster sampling method. Data were collected using questionnaires and focus group discussions. The severity of dysmenorrhea was categorized as mild, moderate, and severe. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests performed to determine significant associations. Level of statistical significance was set at 5%. Results: Prevalence of dysmenorrhea and school absenteeism was 73% and 13.1%, with the severity of dysmenorrhea being 37.5%, 43.8%, and 18.8% for mild, moderate, and severe dysmenorrhea. Other school activities affected were as follows: class concentration, class participation, social, and sports activities (17.6%, 12.2%, 10.9%, and 4.6%). Main sources of medication for pain relief were family (15.8%) and self (13.7%). Age and duration of menstruation predicted dysmenorrhea (odds ratio [OR] =3.5, confidence interval [CI] = 1.2–9.7, P = 0.019), (OR = 1.7, CI = 1.1–2.6, P = 0.022), whereas severe dysmenorrhea predicted school absenteeism (OR = 4.2, CI = 1.7–9.9, P = 0.001). Respondents opined that analgesic drugs should be available in school to prevent school absenteeism. Conclusion: Prevalence of dysmenorrhea was high and severe dysmenorrhea played a role in school absenteeism. Health education should be provided to address the dangers of self-medication while drugs for pain relief should be available in schools.
Estimate of the diversity of viral and bacterial assemblage in the coastal water of Lake Baikal.

In this study, we analysed the diversity and composition of double-stranded DNA viral and bacterial communities within the sample of surface coastal water of Southern Baikal through metagenomics and deep sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene analysis has revealed 14 phyla and dominance of the 'Actinobacteria' (43.6%), 'Proteobacteria' (25.2%) and 'Bacteroidetes' (11.5%). The bacterial composition was similar to that obtained previously in Lake Baikal littoral zone. Out of 1 030 169 processed virome reads, 37.4% of sequences (385 421) were identified as viral; 15.1% were identified as nonviral and related to the domains Eukarya, Bacteria and Archaea; and 47.5% had no matches in the databases. The identified virotypes belonged to different families and were predicted to infect a wide range of organisms, from bacteria to mammals. Six families (Myoviridae, Poxviridae, Mimiviridae, Siphoviridae, Phycodnaviridae and Podoviridae) were dominant accounting for more than 90% of the identified sequences (48.3%, 17.4%, 8.3%, 6.8%, 5.8% and 4.1%, respectively). In contrast to other freshwater systems, high percentage of the Poxviridae and Mimiviridae was recorded in the water sample of Lake Baikal.