Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age at Seroconversion, HLA Genotype and Specificity of Autoantibodies in Progression of Islet Autoimmunity in Childhood.

CONTEXT Children with initial autoantibodies to either insulin (IAA) or glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA) differ in peak age of seroconversion and have different type 1 diabetes (T1D) risk gene associations suggesting heterogeneity in the disease process. OBJECTIVE To compare the associations of age at seroconversion, HLA risk and specificity of secondary autoantibodies with the progression of islet autoimmunity between children with either IAA or GADA as their first autoantibody. DESIGN AND METHODS A cohort of 15,253 children with HLA-associated increased risk of T1D participated in a follow-up programme where islet autoantibodies were regularly measured. The median follow-up time was 6.7 years. Spearman´s correlation, Kaplan-Meier survival plots and Cox proportional-hazard models were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS Persistent positivity for at least one of the tested autoantibodies was detected in 998 children and 388 of children progressed to clinical T1D. Young age at initial seroconversion was associated with a high probability of expansion of IAA-initiated autoimmunity and progression to clinical diabetes, whereas expansion of GADA-initiated autoimmunity and progression to diabetes were not dependent on initial seroconversion age. The strength of HLA risk affected the progression of both IAA- and GADA-initiated autoimmunity. The simultaneous appearance of two other autoantibodies increased the rate of progression to diabetes compared to that of a single secondary autoantibody among subjects with GADA-initiated autoimmunity but not among those with IAA as the first autoantibody. CONCLUSIONS Findings emphasize the differences in the course of islet autoimmunity initiated by either IAA or GADA supporting heterogeneity in the pathogenic process.
Parental Anxiety and Depression Moderate Intergenerational Transmission of Parental Psychological Aggression in China

The present study examined the intergenerational patterns in the transmission of parental psychological aggression in China and the moderating effects of parental anxiety and depression. Participants were 552 children (Mage = 12.81 years, 250 boys) and their parents who were recruited from two junior high schools in Jinan, the capital city of Shandong Province in China. The results showed that both maternal and paternal psychological aggressions were transmitted in Chinese societies, and maternal but not paternal anxiety and depression moderated the transmission of psychological aggression. The strength of transmission was stronger for mothers with high levels of anxiety and depression than those with low levels of anxiety and depression. The findings highlighted the roles of parental distal (psychological aggression experiences) and proximal (negative emotions) factors in their use of psychological aggression and suggested the need for intervention programs to focus on reduction of parental negative emotions.
Childhood Dietary Intake in Italy: The Epidemiological “MY FOOD DIARY” Survey

Promoting a healthy lifestyle during the first years of life is a key strategy for controlling obesity risk in later life; having good-quality epidemiological data on eating habits of infants and toddlers can improve awareness and possibly the education given by pediatricians to parents and children. With this aim, we performed a survey about the dietary pattern of Italian children in early childhood. We described the intake of energy, macronutrients and fiber, minerals, and vitamins of 443 Italian children (range 6.4–131 months), through a three-day food record filled out by their parents and assessed by family pediatricians. The results were compared with the Italian Dietary Reference Values. The median protein intake, in g/kg per body weight, exceeded the average requirement in all age groups, and in the 12–36 month period, the intake as % of energy was outside the reference range (>15%). The majority of the children consumed quantities of simple carbohydrates (consisting of both natural sugars and free or added sugars, 82.3% of the children in the study) and saturated fats (69% of the children in the study) above the limits of the Italian Dietary Reference Values, with low intake of fiber and polyunsaturated fats. Median mineral intake, in our study, was different depending on age, while vitamin D intake was very low in all age groups. This is one of the few studies reporting on the nutrient intake of Italian children with reference to nutrition recommendations in order to identify the principal nutritional errors. The present results underline the need for healthcare policies starting from the first years of life in order to ameliorate nutrient intake during childhood, possibly impacting long-term health outcomes.
The association of maternal alcohol use and paraprofessional home visiting with children's health: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE This study examines the effect of a home visiting intervention on maternal alcohol use, problematic drinking, and the association of home visiting and alcohol use on children's behavioral, cognitive, and health outcomes at 5 time points over 5 years. METHOD We analyzed 5,099 observations of 1,236 mothers and their children from pregnancy to 5 years postbirth, within a longitudinal cluster-randomized trial evaluating the effect of a home visiting intervention on mothers in Cape Town, South Africa. Paraprofessional home visitors coached mothers on coping with multiple risk factors, including a brief, 1-visit intervention on alcohol prevention in pregnancy. We assessed changes in maternal drinking over time in relation to the intervention, and then examined the impact of these drinking patterns on child outcomes over five years. RESULTS Drinking increased over the 5 years postbirth, but it was significantly lower in the intervention condition. Compared with abstinence, mothers' problematic drinking was associated with decreased child weight (-0.21 z-units) at all assessments, increased child aggressive behavior (3 to 7 additional symptoms), and decreased child performance on an executive functioning measure (the silly sounds task; odds ratio = .34) at 3 and 5 years. The intervention's effect was associated with increased child aggression (0.25 to 0.75 of 1 additional symptom), but the intervention appeared to decrease the effect of problem drinking on children's aggressive acts and executive functioning. CONCLUSION These findings support the need for sustained interventions to reduce alcohol use, especially for mothers who exhibit problematic drinking. Maternal drinking influences children's health and development over time. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Determinants of the Complement-Fixing Ability of Recipient Presensitization Against HLA Antigens

Background. The presence of preformed alloantibodies with the ability to activate complement may pose a particular risk for kidney allograft rejection. The aim of this study was to evaluate variables that determine the complement-fixing capability of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) sensitization. Methods. Sixty-five sensitized patients with ≥10% pretransplant panel-reactive antibody (PRA) levels uncovered by immunoglobulin G [IgG]FlowPRA HLA class I and/or class II screening were included. Applying modified FlowPRA screening, sera were evaluated for patterns of alloreactive IgG subclasses and IgM, and, in parallel, for their complement-activating ability assessed by flow cytometric detection of human complement split product deposition ([C4d]FlowPRA). Results. Approximately two-thirds (68%) of tested sera were found to contain complement-fixing alloreactivity (≥10%[C4d]FlowPRA). IgG1 type panel reactivity was predominant (detectable HLA class I and II reactivity in 93% and 91% of IgG-positive sera), followed by IgG3 (49%/44%), IgG2 (44%/27%), and IgG4 (19%/11%). Applying partial correlation we found an independent correlation of both %[IgG1]FlowPRA and %[IgG3]FlowPRA with %[C4d]FlowPRA reactivities (P≤0.01). In addition, for IgG1 a contribution of the amount of bound alloantibody to complement-fixation was observed. Complement-fixation was also favored by the simultaneous presence of alloreactive IgG1, IgG3, and IgM. Previous grafting, but not pregnancy and transfusion, was independently associated with complement-fixing sensitization (P<0.05), presumably due to increased IgG1 type reactivity. Conclusions. Anti-HLA antibody-triggered complement activation is dependent on both the pattern of Ig reactivities and the amount of bound antibody. Previous transplantation represents a major risk factor for the development of complement-fixing sensitization.
A New Homozygous IGF1R Variant Defines a Clinically Recognizable Incomplete Dominant form of SHORT Syndrome

Here, we describe a child, born from consanguineous parents, with clinical features of SHORT syndrome, high IGF1 levels, developmental delay, CNS defects, and marked progeroid appearance. By exome sequencing, we identified a new homozygous c.2201G>T missense mutation in the IGF1R gene. Proband's parents and other relatives, all heterozygous carriers of the mutation, presented with milder phenotype including high IGFI levels, short stature, and type 2 diabetes. Functional studies using patient's cell lines showed a lower IGF1R expression that leads to the alteration of IGF1R‐mediated PI3K/AKT/mTOR downstream pathways, including autophagy. This study defines a clinically recognizable incomplete dominant form of SHORT syndrome, and provides relevant insights into the pathophysiological and phenotypical consequences of IGF1R mutations.
Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C among health care workers in Omdurman

Background: Noise-induced hearing loss [NIHL] was incriminated to be the second most common sensorineural hearing loss, after age-related hearing loss. Objective: This study aimed to investigate noise induced hearing loss among employees of Khartoum international air port. Material and Methods: The study population included sixty adult male employees selected randomly from noisy sections as exposed group. Employees with any middle ear problems, those who received recently drugs that affect hearing, those with congenital hearing problems, and those who were exposed to excessive noise elsewhere in the past were excluded. The control group consisted of forty employees selected randomly from non noisy working places matched for age and sex. Audiometric measurement was done to all participants and environmental noise level was measured by noise dosimeter and sound level meter. Results: The sound level recorded in the airport was greater than the accepted level. The results showed high incidence of NIHL among employees (55%), especially those in most noisy areas and who were not wearing suitable hearing protection devices. Discussion and Recommendations: These findings indicated that sound level in the airport exceeded the accepted level and the incidence of NIHL was high . The employees should wear appropriate hearing protection devices, and the hearing conservation program should be implemented.
Ketogenic diet in combination with voluntary exercise impacts markers of hepatic metabolism and oxidative stress in male and female Wistar rats.

Ketogenic diets (KD) are shown to benefit hepatic metabolism; however, their effect on the liver when combined with exercise are unknown. We investigated the effects of a KD vs a 'Western' diet (WD) on markers of hepatic lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in exercising rats. Male and female Wistar rats with access to voluntary running wheels were randomized to three groups (n= 8-14 per group): standard chow (SC; 17% Fat), WD (42% Fat) or KD (90.5% Fat) for 7 weeks. Body fat percentage (BF%) was increased in WD and KD vs SC, although KD females displayed lower BF% vs WD (p≤0.05). Liver triglycerides were higher in KD and WD vs SC, but were attenuated in KD females vs WD (p≤0.05). KD suppressed hepatic markers of de novo lipogenesis (FAS, ACC) and increased markers of mitochondrial biogenesis/content (PGC-1α, TFAM and citrate synthase activity). KD also increased the hepatic GPx1 and lowered oxidized glutathione. Females rats exhibited elevated hepatic markers of mitochondrial biogenesis (TFAM), mitophagy (LC3II/I ratio, ATG 12:5) and cellular energy homeostasis (pAMPK/AMPK) vs males. These data highlight that KD and exercise beneficially impacts hepatic metabolism and oxidative stress and merits further investigation. • Ketogenic diet feeding combined with exercise improved hepatic oxidative stress, suppressed markers of de novo lipogenesis, increased markers of mitochondrial content vs western diet feeding. • Males and females responded similarly to combined ketogenic diet feeding and exercise. • Female rats exhibited elevated hepatic markers of autophagy/mitophagy and energy homeostasis compared with male rats.
Enhancing pancreatic adenocarcinoma delineation in diffusion derived intravoxel incoherent motion f‐maps through automatic vessel and duct segmentation

Diffusion‐based intravoxel incoherent motion imaging has recently gained interest as a method to detect and characterize pancreatic lesions, especially as it could provide a radiation‐ and contrast agent‐free alternative to existing diagnostic methods. However, tumor delineation on intravoxel incoherent motion‐derived parameter maps is impeded by poor lesion‐to‐pancreatic duct contrast in the f‐maps and poor lesion‐to‐vessel contrast in the D‐maps. The distribution of the diffusion and perfusion parameters within vessels, ducts, and tumors were extracted from a group of 42 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Clearly separable combinations of f and D were observed, and receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to determine the optimal cutoff values for an automated segmentation of vessels and ducts to improve lesion detection and delineation on the individual intravoxel incoherent motion‐derived maps. Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified f = 0.28 as the cutoff for vessels (Area under the curve (AUC) = 0.901) versus tumor/duct and D = 1.85 μm2/ms for separating duct from tumor tissue (AUC = 0.988). These values were incorporated in an automatic segmentation algorithm and then applied to 42 patients. This yielded clearly improved tumor delineation compared to individual intravoxel incoherent motion‐derived maps. Furthermore, previous findings that indicated that the f value in pancreatic cancer is strongly reduced compared to healthy pancreatic tissue were reconfirmed. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Frequency of Sexual Dysfunction in Patients Treated with Desvenlafaxine: A Prospective Naturalistic Study

Despite being clinically underestimated, sexual dysfunction (SD) is one of the most frequent and lasting adverse effects associated with antidepressants. Desvenlafaxine is an antidepressant (AD) with noradrenergic and serotonergic action that can cause a lower SD than other serotonergic ADs although there are still few studies on this subject. Objective: To check the frequency of SD in two groups of depressive patients: one group was desvenlafaxine-naïve; the other was made up of patients switched to desvenlafaxine from another AD due to iatrogenic sexual dysfunction. A naturalistic, multicenter, and prospective study of patients receiving desvenlafaxine (50–100 mg/day) was carried out on 72 patients who met the inclusion criteria (>18 years old and sexually active), who had received desvenlafaxine for the first time (n = 27) or had switched to desvenlafaxine due to SD with another AD (n = 45). Patients with previous SD, receiving either drugs or presenting a concomitant pathology that interfered with their sexual life and/or patients who abused alcohol and/or drugs were excluded. We used the validated Psychotropic-Related Sexual Dysfunction Questionnaire (PRSexDQ-SALSEX) to measure AD-related sexual dysfunction and the Clinical Global Impression Scale for psychiatric disease (CGI-S) and for sexual dysfunction (CGI-SD) at two points in time: baseline and three months after the commencement of desvenlafaxine treatment. Results: In desvenlafaxine-naïve patients, 59.2% of the sample showed moderate/severe sexual dysfunction at baseline, which was reduced to 44% at follow-up. The PSexDQ-SALSEX questionnaire total score showed a significant improvement in sexual desire and sexual arousal without changes in orgasmic function at follow-up (p < 0.01). In the group switched to desvenlafaxine, the frequency of moderate/severe SD at baseline (93.3%) was reduced to 75.6% at follow-up visit. Additionally, SD significantly improved in three out of four items of the SALSEX: low desire, delayed orgasm, and anorgasmia at follow-up (p < 0.01), but there was no significant improvement in arousal difficulties. The frequency of severe SD was reduced from 73% at baseline to 35% at follow-up. The CGI for psychiatric disease and for sexual dysfunction improved significantly in both groups (p < 0.01). There was a poor tolerability with risk of treatment noncompliance in 26.7% of patients with sexual dysfunction due to another AD, this significantly reduced to 11.1% in those who switched to desvenlafaxine (p = 0.004). Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction improved significantly in depressed patients who initiated treatment with desvenlafaxine and in those who switched from another AD to desvenlafaxine, despite this, desvenlafaxine treatment is not completely devoid of sexual adverse effects. This switching strategy could be highly relevant in clinical practice due to the significant improvement in moderate/severe and poorly tolerated SD, while maintaining the AD efficacy.
Factors influencing the career preferences of medical students and interns: a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey from India

Purpose The study aimed to identify the motivational factors and demographic variables influencing the career preferences of medical students and interns in India. Methods We conducted a questionnaire-based survey at Christian Medical College, Vellore, India. The participants were 368 of the 460 medical students and interns enrolled at the institution from October 2015 to August 2016. We designed the questionnaire to collect demographic data, students’ preferences for career specialties, and the motivational factors influencing them. Then, we analyzed the influence of these factors and demographic variables on career preferences using regression analysis. Results Of the 368 respondents, 356 (96.7%) expressed their intention to pursue a residency program (known as postgraduate courses in India) after the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program, and about two-thirds indicated their preference to do so in India. The specialties most preferred by students were general surgery, general medicine (internal medicine), and pediatrics, while the least preferred were anatomy, obstetrics and gynecology, and community medicine (also known as social and preventive medicine). Factor analysis yielded three motivational factors, which we named ‘personal growth,’ ‘professional growth,’ and ‘personal satisfaction’ based on the items loaded in each. The motivational factors were predicted by demographic variables (gender, geographical background, current stage in the MBBS program, and the presence of relatives in the health professions). Demographic variables and the motivational factors also had significant influences on career preferences. Conclusion This study provides insights into the motivational factors that influence the career preferences of Indian medical students and interns. A robust longitudinal study would be required to study intra-individual variations in preferences and the persistence of choices.
Mapping gender transition sentiment patterns via social media data: toward decreasing transgender mental health disparities

Abstract Objective Transgender people face substantial mental health disparities, and this population’s emotional well-being can be particularly volatile during gender transition. Understanding gender transition sentiment patterns can positively impact transgender people by enabling them to anticipate, and put support in place for, particularly difficult time periods. Yet, tracking sentiment over time throughout gender transition is challenging using traditional research methods. This study’s objective was to use social media data to understand average gender transition sentiment patterns. Materials and Methods Computational sentiment analysis and statistics were used to analyze 41 066 posts from 240 Tumblr transition blogs (online spaces where transgender people document gender transitions) to understand sentiment patterns over time and quantify relationships between transgender identity disclosures, sentiment, and social support. Results Findings suggest that sentiment increases over time on average throughout gender transition, particularly when people receive supportive responses to transgender identity disclosures. However, after disclosures to family members, people experienced temporary increased negative sentiment, followed by increased positive sentiment in the long term. After transgender identity disclosures on Facebook, an important means of mass disclosure, those with supportive networks experienced increased positive sentiment. Conclusions With foreknowledge of sentiment patterns likely to occur during gender transition, transgender people and their mental healthcare professionals can prepare with proper support in place throughout the gender transition process. Social media are a novel data source for understanding transgender people’s sentiment patterns, which can help reduce mental health disparities for this marginalized population during a particularly difficult time.