Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human Milk Nutrient Composition in the United States: Current Knowledge, Challenges, and Research Needs

Abstract Human milk is considered to be the ideal food for infants. Accurate, representative, and up-to-date nutrient composition data of human milk are crucial for the management of infant feeding, assessment of infant and maternal nutritional needs, and as a guide for developing infant formula. Currently in the United States, the nutrient profiles of human milk can be found in the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, and in books or review articles. Nonetheless, these resources all suffer major drawbacks, such as being outdated, incomplete profiles, limited sources of data, and uncertain data quality. Furthermore, no nutrient profile was developed specifically for the US population. The purposes of this review were to summarize the current knowledge of human milk nutrient composition from studies conducted in the United States and Canada, and to identify the knowledge gaps and research needs. The literature review was conducted to cover the years 1980–2017, and 28 research papers were found containing original data on macronutrients and micronutrients. Most of these 28 studies were published before 1990 and mainly examined samples from small groups of generally healthy lactating women. The experimental designs, including sampling, storage, and analytic methods, varied substantially between the different studies. Data of several components from these 28 studies showed some consistency for 1–6 mo postpartum, especially for protein, fat, lactose, energy, and certain minerals (e.g., calcium). The data for 7–12 mo postpartum and for other nutrients are very scarce. Comprehensive studies are required to provide current and complete nutrient information on human milk in the United States.
Predicting the Time Spent Playing Computer and Mobile Games among Medical Undergraduate Students Using Interpersonal Relations and Social Cognitive Theory: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Chongqing, China

Background: Computer and mobile games are widely used among undergraduate students worldwide, especially in China. Our objective was to predict the time spent playing computer and mobile games based on interpersonal relations and social cognitive theory constructs (i.e., expectation, self-efficacy, and self-control). Methods: The cross-sectional survey was conducted in two medical universities using a sample of 1557 undergraduate students recruited by cluster sampling. The five-point Likert questionnaire was jointly developed by researchers from Chongqing Medical University and Jackson State University. Results: Approximately 30% and 70% of the students played computer and mobile games, respectively. The daily times spent by participants on computer games were 25.61 ± 73.60 min (weekdays) and 49.96 ± 128.60 min (weekends), and 66.07 ± 154.65 min (weekdays) and 91.82 ± 172.94 min (weekends) on mobile games. Students with high scores of interpersonal relations but low scores of self-efficacy spent prolonged time playing computer games on weekdays and weekends (p < 0.05 for all). Students with low scores of expectation spent prolonged time playing computer games on weekdays (p < 0.05). Students with high scores of interpersonal relations but low scores of self-efficacy and self-control spent prolonged time playing mobile games on weekdays and weekends (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusions: The prevalence and duration of playing mobile games were higher than those of playing computer games among medical undergraduate students in Chongqing, China. This study determined the interpersonal relations, self-efficacy, self-control, and expectation of the students at the time of playing computer and mobile games. Future studies may consider studying the interaction among game-related behaviours, environments, and personality characteristics.
Inverse Association of Circulating SIRT1 and Adiposity: A Study on Underweight, Normal Weight, and Obese Patients

Context: Sirtuins (SIRTs) are NAD+-dependent deacetylases, cellular sensors to detect energy availability, and modulate metabolic processes. SIRT1, the most studied family member, influences a number of tissues including adipose tissue. Expression and activity of SIRT1 reduce with weight gain and increase in conditions of starvation. Objective: To focus on SIRT1 plasma concentrations in different conditions of adiposity and to correlate SIRT1 with fat content and distribution, energy homeostasis and inflammation in under-weight, normal-weight, and obese individuals. Materials and Methods: 21 patients with anorexia nervosa, 26 normal-weight and 75 patients with obesity were evaluated. Body fat composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, ultrasound liver adiposity, echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness (EFT), inflammatory (ESR, CRP, and fibrinogen), and metabolic (FPG, insulin, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides) parameters, calculated basal metabolic rate (BMR) and plasma SIRT1 (ELISA) were measured. Results: SIRT1 was significantly higher in anorexic patients compared to normal-weight and obese patients (3.27 ± 2.98, 2.27 ± 1.13, and 1.36 ± 1.31 ng/ml, respectively). Linear regression models for each predictor variable adjusted for age and sex showed that SIRT1 concentration was inversely and significantly correlated with EFT, fat mass %, liver fat content, BMR, weight, BMI, WC, LDL-cholesterol, insulin, ESR. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that age and EFT were the best independent correlates of SIRT1 (β = −0.026 ± 0.011, p = 0.025, and β = −0.516 ± 0.083, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Plasma SIRT1 shows a continuous pattern that inversely follows the whole spectrum of adiposity. SIRT1 significantly associates with EFT, a strong index of visceral fat phenotype, better than other indexes of adiposity studied here.
miRNA-203 Modulates Aldosterone Levels and Cell Proliferation by Targeting Wnt5a in Aldosterone-Producing Adenomas

Context The aberrant expression or alternation of miRNA in the pathogenesis of aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs) is still largely unknown. Objective We investigated the role of miRNA-203 (screened from miRNA microarrays) and elucidated its effects on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway regarding aldosterone production and cell proliferation in APAs. Methods miR-203 expression was upregulated or downregulated by transfecting miR-203 mimics or inhibitors into primary APA cells, the human adrenocortical cell line HAC15, and C57BL/6 mice. In vitro and biochemical data were correlated with the respective clinical parameters of APAs to evaluate their clinical importance. Results The expression of miR-203 in human APA samples was significantly lower than that of peritumor adrenal samples. Tumoral miR-203 abundance correlated negatively with both plasma aldosterone level and tumor size in patients with APAs. miR-203 inhibitors increased aldosterone production and cell proliferation in HAC15 cells, and restoration of expression via miR-203 mimics showed decreased cell proliferation and aldosterone hypersecretion in APA cell cultures. In vivo selective inhibition of miR-203 via intra-adrenal injection of miR-203 inhibitors in mice led to a substantial increase in systolic blood pressure and plasma aldosterone levels. Additionally, the dual-luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that WNT5A is a direct target of miR-203. Furthermore, plasma Wnt5a levels in adrenal vein sampling were helpful in differentiating tumor localization, and preoperative plasma Wnt5a levels predicted the cure of hypertension after adrenalectomy. Conclusion We have demonstrated that attenuated miR-203 expression in APAs increases aldosterone production and the tumorigenesis of adrenal cells by activating the Wnt5a/β-catenin pathway.
Clinical Outcomes, Tendon Integrity, and Shoulder Strength After Revision Rotator Cuff Reconstruction: A Minimum 2 Years’ Follow-up

Background: The retear rate after primary rotator cuff (RC) reconstruction is high and commonly leads to poorer clinical outcomes and shoulder function. In the case of primary failure, revision RC reconstruction (RCR) has become increasingly important to re-create RC integrity and improve outcomes. To date, clinical and structural outcomes after RCR have not been sufficiently investigated and described at midterm follow-up. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes after revision RCR. It was hypothesized that revision RCR significantly improves clinical outcomes and that the outcomes positively correlate with tendon integrity on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Patients who underwent revision RCR between 2008 and 2014 were retrospectively evaluated with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Outcomes were assessed by a clinical examination, a visual analog scale for pain (VAS), the Constant Score (CS), the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score. Tendon integrity was determined using 3-T MRI and graded according to the Sugaya classification. Results: Thirty-one of 40 patients (77.5%) were available for the final assessment at a mean follow-up of 50.3 ± 20.4 months. Clinical outcome scores significantly improved from preoperatively to postoperatively for the CS (39.7 ± 16.7 to 65.1 ± 19.7; P < .001), ASES (44.2 ± 17.7 to 75.2 ± 24.8; P < .001), and DASH (68.6 ± 15.1 to 21.5 ± 19.1; P < .001). The VAS score decreased from 6.1 ± 1.8 preoperatively to 1.3 ± 1.8 at final follow-up (P < .001). MRI demonstrated a retear rate of 55.5%. No differences in CS, ASES, and DASH scores were detected between patients with an intact repair and failure. Abduction strength was not significantly different in patients with an intact repair and retears (55.5 N vs 44.0 N, respectively, P = .52). Conclusion: Revision RCR improves clinical outcomes and shoulder function at midterm follow-up. The clinical outcome scores were comparable in patients with an intact repair and those with failed RC healing. Therefore, tendon integrity was not correlated with better clinical outcomes after revision RCR at final follow-up.
Child brain exhibits a multi-rhythmic response to attachment cues

Abstract Research on the human parental brain implicated brain networks involved in simulation, mentalization and emotion processing and indicated that stimuli of own parent‐child interaction elicit greater integration among networks supporting attachment. Here, we examined children's neural activation while viewing own parent‐child interactions and asked whether similar networks activate when children are exposed to attachment stimuli. Sixty‐five 11‐year‐old children underwent magnetoencephalography (MEG) while observing own vs unfamiliar mother‐child interaction. Own mother‐child interactions elicited a greater neural response across distributed brain areas including alpha suppression in posterior regions, theta enhancement in the fusiform gyrus and beta‐ and gamma‐band oscillations across a wide cluster in the right temporal cortex, comprising the superior temporal sulcus/superior temporal gyrus and insula. Theta and gamma activations were associated with the degree of mother‐child social synchrony in the home ecology. Findings from this exploratory study are the first to show activations in children that are similar to previous findings in parents and comparable associations between social synchrony and gamma oscillations in temporal regions. Results indicate that attachment stimuli elicit a strong neural response in children that spreads across a wide range of oscillations, underscoring the considerable neural resources allocated to this fundamental, survival‐related cue.
CSF β-amyloid predicts prognosis in patients with multiple sclerosis

Background: The importance of predicting disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) has increasingly been recognized, and hence reliable biomarkers are needed. Objectives: To investigate the prognostic role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid beta1–42 (Aβ) levels by the determination of a cut-off value to classify patients in slow and fast progressors. To evaluate possible association with white matter (WM) and grey matter (GM) damage at early disease stages. Methods: Sixty patients were recruited and followed up for 3–5 years. Patients underwent clinical assessment, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; at baseline and after 1 year), and CSF analysis to determine Aβ levels. T1-weighted volumes were calculated. T2-weighted scans were used to quantify WM lesion loads. Results: Lower CSF Aβ levels were observed in patients with a worse follow-up Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS; r = −0.65, p < 0.001). The multiple regression analysis confirmed CSF Aβ concentration as a predictor of patients’ EDSS increase (r = −0.59, p < 0.0001). Generating a receiver operating characteristic curve, a cut-off value of 813 pg/mL was determined as the threshold able to identify patients with worse prognosis (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.690–0.933, p = 0.0001). No differences in CSF tau and neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels were observed (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Low CSF Aβ levels may represent a predictive biomarker of disease progression in MS.
Normal peripheral circadian phase in the old‐old with abnormal circadian behavior

Almost all organisms maintain a circadian clock from birth to death to synchronize their own physiology and behavior with the earth's rotation. However, extensive studies based on animal experiments have showed that aging results in circadian dysfunction. Human studies have also indicated age‐associated abnormal phase, reduced amplitude and enhanced fragmentation in circadian physiology and behavior, thereby strongly implying age‐related dysfunction of the clock machinery. Here, we carried out functional assessment of the circadian clock machinery in elderly patients aged 83–94 with severe dementia who showed abnormal circadian behavior. To investigate whether or not the systemic pathway from the circadian input to peripheral clocks functioned normally, the circadian phase in peripheral clock gene expression rhythms was evaluated using plucked hair tissues. Unexpectedly, the phase in all volunteer patients was within a range similar to that of healthy subjects. The circadian pathway from external inputs to peripheral clocks may therefore function normally, even in the old‐old with severe dementia.
Gamification for Teaching Java

The term 'gamification' refers to the use of game elements in non-game environments like education, business, sales and marketing. The method of 'gamifying' has been applied in many different contexts and for many different reasons; for instance, in order to improve productivity, to increase sales, to motivate employees and customers, et al. In recent years, educators began to investigate the effects of different gamification elements within the context of education. There has been a considerable debate regarding the actual effects of gamification on the intrinsic motivation of students towards learning, and many research have been conducted in order to discover the results of 'gamifying' any specific course curriculum. Each research study has revealed another impediment, supported by multiple review studies that revealed significant problems with some of the methods of majority of studies in the research area now known as the 'gamification of education'. This paper explains the design, analysis and implementation process of an open-source gamification platform, which is aimed at providing a gamification platform for education, while also explaining a preliminary survey conducted on an Introduction to Java course. The platform was developed using multiple technologies and frameworks related to the Java programming language while the survey was conducted at third level education students through a quantitative questionnaire.
Biologically Inspired Hierarchical Contour Detection with Surround Modulation and Neural Connection

Contour is a very important feature in biological visual cognition and has been extensively investigated as a fundamental vision problem. In connection with the limitations of conventional models in detecting image contours in complex scenes, a hierarchical image contour extraction method is proposed based on the biological vision mechanism that draws on the perceptual characteristics of the early vision for features such as edges, shapes, and colours. By simulating the information processing mechanisms of the cells’ receptive fields in the early stages of the biological visual system, we put forward a computational model that combines feedforward, lateral, and feedback neural connections to decode and obtain the image contours. Our model simulations and their results show that the established hierarchical contour detection model can adequately fit the characteristics of the biological experiment, quickly and effectively detect the salient contours in complex scenes, and better suppress the unwanted textures.
From Ride-Sourcing to Ride-Sharing through Hot-Spots

Smartphones have allowed us to make ad-hoc travel arrangements. Ride-sharing is emerging as one of the new types of transportation enabled by smartphone revolution. Ride-sharing aims to alleviate current environmental, social and economical issues many big cities are facing due to low vehicle occupancy rates. Although ride-sharing companies have millions of users around the world, some of them do not offer true ride-sharing but a similar service called ride-sourcing where private car owners provide for-hire rides. Ride-sharing uptake has not been wide due to lack of convenience and incentives. We propose an enhanced ride-sharing model through the inclusion of proper places to meet that we call hot-spots. Hot-spots are shown to increase the convenience by solving the round-trip ride-sharing problem. As we represent our enhanced model through graphs, we introduce a new graph problem that we call Constrained Variable Steiner Tree, which is NP-hard. An effective and readily deployable heuristic solution to this problem is presented which is up to two orders of magnitude faster than the state-of-the-art solution as combinatorial explosion is avoided by the usage of a novel monotonic nondecreasing function.
Bacteriophages on dairy foods

This review focuses on the impact of bacteriophages on the manufacture of dairy foods. Firstly, the impact of phages of lactic acid bacteria in the dairy industry, where they are considered enemies, is discussed. The sources of phage contamination in dairy plants are detailed, with special emphasis on the rise of phage infections related to the growing use of cheese whey as ingredient. Other topics include traditional and new methods of phage detection, quantification and monitoring, and strategies of phage control in dairy plants, either of physical, chemical or biological nature. Finally, the use of phages or purified phage enzymes as allies to control pathogenic bacteria in the food industry is reviewed.
Disentangling transcription factor binding site complexity

Abstract The binding motifs of many transcription factors (TFs) comprise a higher degree of complexity than a single position weight matrix model permits. Additional complexity is typically taken into account either as intra-motif dependencies via more sophisticated probabilistic models or as heterogeneities via multiple weight matrices. However, both orthogonal approaches have limitations when learning from in vivo data where binding sites of other factors in close proximity can interfere with motif discovery for the protein of interest. In this work, we demonstrate how intra-motif complexity can, purely by analyzing the statistical properties of a given set of TF-binding sites, be distinguished from complexity arising from an intermix with motifs of co-binding TFs or other artifacts. In addition, we study the related question whether intra-motif complexity is represented more effectively by dependencies, heterogeneities or variants in between. Benchmarks demonstrate the effectiveness of both methods for their respective tasks and applications on motif discovery output from recent tools detect and correct many undesirable artifacts. These results further suggest that the prevalence of intra-motif dependencies may have been overestimated in previous studies on in vivo data and should thus be reassessed.
Emerging Medical Treatments for Meningioma in the Molecular Era

Meningiomas are the most common type of primary central nervous system tumors. Approximately, 80% of meningiomas are classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as grade I, and 20% of these tumors are grade II and III, considered high-grade meningiomas (HGMs). Clinical control of HGMs, as well as meningiomas that relapse after surgery, and radiation therapy is difficult, and novel therapeutic approaches are necessary. However, traditional chemotherapies, interferons, hormonal therapies, and other targeted therapies have so far failed to provide clinical benefit. During the last several years, next generation sequencing has dissected the genetic heterogeneity of meningioma and enriched our knowledge about distinct oncogenic pathways driving different subtypes of meningiomas, opening up a door to new personalized targeted therapies. Molecular classification of meningioma allows a new design of clinical trials that assign patients to corresponding targeted agents based on the tumor genetic subtypes. In this review, we will shed light on emerging medical treatments of meningiomas with a particular focus on the new targets identified with genomic sequencing that have led to clinical trials testing novel compounds. Moreover, we present recent development of patient-derived preclinical models that provide platforms for assessing targeted therapies as well as strategies with novel mechanism of action such as oncolytic viruses.
A goblet cell carcinoma of the appendix presenting as an acute appendicitis: a case report

Abstract Background: A goblet cell carcinoma of the appendix is a rare neoplasm with histological features of both adenocarcinomas and carcinoid tumours. It has a more aggressive behaviour in comparison to the more common classic neuroendocrine appendiceal tumours. Clinical presentation is variable and a significant proportion of patients present with an acute appendicitis. The aggressive evolution of these tumours makes the management more challenging. Case report: We report the case of a 43-year-old man with acute right iliac fossa pain who was initially diagnosed with an acute appendicitis. Histological analysis of the resected appendix demonstrated the presence of a goblet cell carcinoma with perineural and lymphovascular invasion. No distant metastasis was present. A right hemicolectomy was performed and adjuvant chemotherapy was administered. Conclusion: Goblet cell carcinomas is a distinct entity which should be delineated from the classical appendiceal carcinoids. Its clinical evolution obliges a more aggressive therapeutic strategy.