Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Complications with Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Degenerative Spondylolisthesis in the Obese Population.

STUDY DESIGN A level-3 retrospective cohort analysis. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe obesity's effect on complications and outcomes in degenerative spondylolisthesis patients treated by minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI TLIF). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Obesity is associated with a greater complication rate among lumbar spine surgery patients. Poor clinical outcomes might likewise be supposed, but the association is not well established. Minimally invasive techniques have been developed to reduce complications and improve clinical outcomes in comparison to traditional open techniques. METHODS We reviewed 134 consecutive patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis undergoing MI TLIF. Subjects were grouped into nonobese (N = 65) and obese (N = 69) cohorts. The obese group was further subdivided by BMI. Patient demographics, perioperative complications, and outcome scores were collected over a minimum of 24 months. Four periods (intraoperative, postoperative hospitalization, 6-month, and 24-month postoperative) were assessed. RESULTS Cohort demographics were not significantly different, but it was noted that obese patients had more major comorbidities than nonobese patients. There was no difference in intraoperative complications between the two groups. The in-hospital complication rate was significantly greater in the obese group. The 6-month postoperative complication rate was not different between cohorts. Wound drainage was most common and noted only in the obese cohort. Complications at 24 months were not different but did trend toward significance in the obese for recurrence of symptoms and total complications. Functional outcome was better among nonobese subjects compared with obese subjects at every interval (significant at 6 and 12 months). Back pain scores were significantly better among nonobese subjects than obese subjects at 24 months, but Leg Pain scores were not different. CONCLUSIONS MI TLIF can be safely performed in the obese population despite a higher in-hospital complication rate. Knowledge of common complications will help the treatment team appropriately manage obese patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.
Application of Machine Learning Techniques to Predict Binding Affinity for Drug Targets. A Study of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2.

BACKGROUND The elucidation of the structure of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) made it possible to develop targeted scoring functions for virtual screening aimed to identify new inhibitors for this enzyme. CDK2 is a protein target for the development of drugs intended to modulate cell-cycle progression and control. Such drugs have potential anticancer activities. Objective: Our goal here is to review recent applications of machine learning methods to predict ligand-binding affinity for protein targets. To assess the predictive performance of classical scoring functions and targeted scoring functions, we focused our analysis on CDK2 structures. Method: We have experimental structural data for hundreds of binary complexes of CDK2 with different ligands, many of them with inhibition constant information. We investigate here computational methods to calculate the binding affinity of CDK2 through classical scoring functions and machine-learning models. Results: Analysis of the predictive performance of classical scoring functions available in docking programs such as Molegro Virtual Docker, AutoDock4, and Autodock Vina indicated that these methods failed to predict binding affinity with significant correlation with experimental data. Targeted scoring functions developed through supervised machine learning techniques showed significant correlation with experimental data. Conclusion: Here, we described the application of supervised machine learning techniques to generate a scoring function to predict binding affinity. Machine learning models showed superior predictive performance when compared with classical scoring functions. Analysis of the computational models obtained through machine learning could capture essential structural features responsible for binding affinity against CDK2.
Factors influencing participation dynamics in research for development interventions with multi-stakeholder platforms: A metric approach to studying stakeholder participation

Multi-stakeholder platforms have become mainstream in projects, programmes and policy interventions aiming to improve innovation and livelihoods systems, i.e. research for development interventions in low- and middle-income contexts. However, the evidence for multi-stakeholder platforms’ contribution to the performance of research for development interventions and their added value is not compelling. This paper focuses on stakeholder participation as one of the channels for multi-stakeholder platforms’ contribution to the performance of research for development interventions, i.e. stakeholder participation. It uses a quantitative approach and utilizes descriptive statistics and ARIMA models. It shows that, in three Ugandan multi-stakeholder platform cases studied, participation increased both in nominal and in unique terms. Moreover, participation was rather cyclical and fluctuated during the implementation of the research for development interventions. The study also shows that, in addition to locational and intervention factors such as type of the area along a rural–urban gradient targeted by the intervention and human resources provided for multi-stakeholder platform implementation, temporal elements such as phases of research for development intervention objectives and the innovation development process play significant roles in influencing participation. The study concludes that contribution of multi-stakeholder platforms to the performance of research for development projects, programs, policies and other initiatives is constrained by locational and temporal context and conditional on the participation requirements of the objectives pursued by research for development intervention.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Within-Person Changes in Cardiac Vagal Activity across the Menstrual Cycle: Implications for Female Health and Future Studies

Interest in cardiac vagal activity (CVA; e.g., parasympathetically-mediated heart rate variability) as a biomarker of physical and mental health has increased exponentially in recent years. However, the understanding of sources of within-person change (i.e., intra-individual variance) in CVA is lagging behind. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarizes and quantifies current empirical evidence of within-person changes in measures of CVA across the menstrual cycle in naturally-cycling premenopausal females. We conducted an extensive literature search following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement in five databases to identify observational studies with repeated measures of CVA in at least two menstrual cycle phases. A broad meta-analysis (nstudies = 37; nindividuals = 1,004) revealed a significant CVA decrease from the follicular to luteal phase (d = −0.39, 95% CI (−0.67, −0.11)). Furthermore, 21 studies allowed for finer-grained comparisons between each of two cycle phases (menstrual, mid-to-late follicular, ovulatory, early-to-mid luteal, and premenstrual). Significant decreases in CVA were observed from the menstrual to premenstrual (nstudies = 5; nindividuals = 200; d = −1.17, 95% CI (−2.18, −0.17)) and from the mid-to-late follicular to premenstrual phases (nstudies = 8; nindividuals = 280; d = −1.32, 95% CI (−2.35, −0.29)). In conclusion, meta-analyses indicate the presence of CVA fluctuations across the menstrual cycle. Future studies involving CVA should control for cycle phase. Recommendations for covarying or selecting cycle phase are provided.
Step Change Detection Based on Analytic Signal for PMU Calibrators

The proper tackling of rapid transients, such as voltage sags and swells, by protection systems of power grids that increasingly incorporate low-inertia renewable generators is a current concern in the power generation and metrology communities. In a previous paper, we have reported the characterization of a PMU calibration system that handles synchronized generation and sampling of signals with magnitude and phase step discontinuities. That calibrator employed an iterative parametric method that estimates the underlying phasor parameters, given a priori knowledge of the step location and an initial rough estimate of the phasor frequency. In this paper, we tackle the latter two problems and propose a method that blindly detects a step change from the phasor waveform and provides an accurate estimate of its location in time. Moreover, a simple method that yields a crude estimate of the phasor frequency is also proposed. We measured the accuracy of the estimates in simulated scenarios, including noisy signals,
Life cycle stages, specific organelles and invasion mechanisms of Eimeria species

Abstract Apicomplexans, including species of Eimeria, pose a real threat to the health and wellbeing of animals and humans. Eimeria parasites do not infect humans but cause an important economic impact on livestock, in particular on the poultry industry. Despite its high prevalence and financial costs, little is known about the cell biology of these ‘cosmopolitan’ parasites found all over the world. In this review, we discuss different aspects of the life cycle and stages of Eimeria species, focusing on cellular structures and organelles typical of the coccidian family as well as genus-specific features, complementing some ‘unknowns’ with what is described in the closely related coccidian Toxoplasma gondii.
Technical Analysis of a Real and Optimized Concentrated Solar Power Plant in the Brazilian Scenario

The increasing demand for energy, associated to the constant need for a diverse energy matrix and the low capacity factors inherent to the photovoltaic systems, creates an appropriate environment for concentrated solar power (CSP) systems in the Brazilian scenario. Based on these facts, the idea for this paper was conceived, whose goal is to analyze the overall performance of a CSP plant with similar characteristics to the GEMASOLAR plant, located in Andalusia, Spain, in case of installing it in three different regions of Brazil. In order to do so, the simulation tool System Advisor Model (SAM) have been used. Additionally, some optimizations procedures were conducted in the geometrical parameters of the plant. Results show that the annual generation and capacity factor achieved in some of the Brazilian regions overcome the real plant in 25%, reinforcing the potentiality of Brazil in installing this kind of power plant. Thus, it is clear that this sort of initiative plays a crucial role in the development of solar energy in the Brazilian scenario and its respective incentive, whether it is through studies of Research and Development (R&D) or regulatory benefits that would make CSP technology an attractive investment.
Precipitation Change During the Snow Period in The Northern Xinjiang, a Typical Arid Region

Precipitation change was the most substantial parts of the hydrologic cycle and regarded as the important performance of climate change. Thus, understanding the precipitation change in the arid area was a key problem in the background of global climate change. In this study, precipitation was investigated by the means of Sen’s Slope and Mann-Kendall. The results were as follows: The Northern Xinjiang was getting wetter than before. The annual precipitation of the snow period of all 28 meteorological stations was increasing by the average rate at 0.642mm/y; the biggest slope occurred in November at the level of 0.167mm/y, the March was smallest at 0.07mm/y. This study could help us understand more about the precipitation change in the arid area.
Cytologic Features of Fine Needle Aspirates of Hyalinizing Trabecular Adenoma with Occult Papillary Carcinoma of the Thyroid.

Hyalinizing trabecular adenoma of the thyroid gland is a rare benign neoplasm predominantly diagnosed in middle-aged women. Carney et al. first described this entity that may mimic paraganglioma, medullary carcinoma and papillary carcinoma in 1987. We describe cytologic and histopathologic features of a case of hyalinizing trabecular adenoma combined with occult papillary carcinoma in the opposite lobe. A 55-year-old woman presented with nontender palpable mass of the right neck for 6 months. The aspirate was cellular and contained small clusters and sheets of epithelial cells with abundant filamentous, vacuolated, and ill-defined cytoplasm. The nuclei were slightly pleomorphic and showed nuclear overlapping, nuclear grooves, and intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions. Histologic examination showed hyalinizing trabecular adenoma in the right lobe and occult papillary carcinoma in the left lobe.
Roseltide rT7 is a disulfide-rich, anionic, and cell-penetrating peptide that inhibits proteasomal degradation

Disulfide-rich plant peptides with molecular masses of 2–6 kDa represent an expanding class of peptidyl-type natural products with diverse functions. They are structurally compact, hyperstable, and underexplored as cell-penetrating agents that inhibit intracellular functions. Here, we report the discovery of an anionic, 34-residue peptide, the disulfide-rich roseltide rT7 from Hibiscus sabdariffa (of the Malvaceae family) that penetrates cells and inhibits their proteasomal activities. Combined proteomics and NMR spectroscopy revealed that roseltide rT7 is a cystine-knotted, six-cysteine hevein-like cysteine-rich peptide. A pair-wise comparison indicated that roseltide rT7 is >100-fold more stable against protease degradation than its S-alkylated analog. Confocal microscopy studies and cell-based assays disclosed that after roseltide rT7 penetrates cells, it causes accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins, inhibits human 20S proteasomes, reduces tumor necrosis factor-induced IκBα degradation, and decreases expression levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Structure-activity studies revealed that roseltide rT7 uses a canonical substrate-binding mechanism for proteasomal inhibition enabled by an IIML motif embedded in its proline-rich and exceptionally long intercysteine loop 4. Taken together, our results provide mechanistic insights into a novel disulfide-rich, anionic, and cell-penetrating peptide, representing a potential lead for further development as a proteasomal inhibitor in anti-cancer or anti-inflammatory therapies.
Biomarkers of Inflammation and Lung Recovery in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Patients With Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn: A Feasibility Study

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Objectives: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a treatment for Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn with high mortality. Hypothesis: the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit results in inflammatory responses that mitigate against successful weaning. Design: Single-center prospective observational feasibility study. Setting: PICU. Patients: Twenty-four neonates requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: The reference outcome was death or more than 7 days of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. Other outcomes included serial measures of plasma-free hemoglobin and markers of its metabolism, leucocyte, platelet and endothelial activation, and biomarkers of inflammation. Of 24 participants recruited between February 2016 and June 2017, 10 died or required prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. These patients were sicker at baseline with higher levels of plasma-free hemoglobin within 12 hours of cannulation (geometric mean ratio, 1.92; 95% CIs, 1.00–3.67; p = 0.050) but not thereafter, versus those requiring less than 7 days extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Serum haptoglobin concentrations were significantly elevated in both groups. Patients who died or required prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support demonstrated elevated levels of platelet-leucocyte aggregation, but decreased concentrations of mediators of the inflammatory response: interleukin-8, C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor α. Conclusions: Clinical status at baseline and not levels of plasma-free hemoglobin or the systemic inflammatory response may determine the requirement for prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in neonates.
Risk of second primary malignancies after definitive treatment for esophageal cancer: A competing risk analysis

Esophageal cancer is associated with synchronous or metachronous cancer at other primary sites. However, few studies have evaluated the second malignancies after the treatment of esophageal cancer. The present study aimed to clarify the frequency of and risk factors for the second malignancies after definitive therapy for esophageal cancer.
Diagnostic test accuracy of self‐reported screening instruments in identifying frailty in community‐dwelling older people: A systematic review

Against a backdrop of aging populations worldwide, it has become increasingly important to identify frailty screening instruments suitable for community settings. Self‐reported and/or administered instruments might offer significant simplicity and efficiency advantages over clinician‐administered instruments, but their comparative diagnostic test accuracy has yet to be systematically examined. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the diagnostic test accuracy of self‐reported and/or self‐administered frailty screening instruments against two widely accepted frailty reference standards (the frailty phenotype and the Frailty Index) within community‐dwelling older adult populations. We carried out a systematic search of the Embase, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, PEDro, PsycINFO, ProQuest Dissertations, Open Grey and GreyLit databases up to April 2017 (with an updated search carried out over May–July 2018) to identify studies reporting comparison of self‐reported and/or self‐administered frailty screening instruments against an appropriate reference standard, with a minimum sensitivity threshold of 80% and specificity threshold of 60%. We identified 24 studies that met our selection criteria. Four self‐reported screening instruments across three studies met minimum sensitivity and specificity thresholds. However, in most cases, study design considerations limited the reliability and generalizability of the results. Additionally, meta‐analysis was not carried out, because no more than three studies were available for any of the unique combinations of index tests and reference standards. Although the present study has shown that a number of self‐reported frailty screening instruments reported sensitivity and specificity within a desirable range for community application, additional diagnostic test accuracy studies are required. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 14–24.
Self-monitoring of Blood Pressure in Patients With Hypertension-Related Multi-morbidity: Systematic Review and Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis

Abstract BACKGROUND Studies have shown that self-monitoring of blood pressure (BP) is effective when combined with co-interventions, but its efficacy varies in the presence of some co-morbidities. This study examined whether self-monitoring can reduce clinic BP in patients with hypertension-related co-morbidity. METHODS A systematic review was conducted of articles published in Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library up to January 2018. Randomized controlled trials of self-monitoring of BP were selected and individual patient data (IPD) were requested. Contributing studies were prospectively categorized by whether they examined a low/high-intensity co-intervention. Change in BP and likelihood of uncontrolled BP at 12 months were examined according to number and type of hypertension-related co-morbidity in a one-stage IPD meta-analysis. RESULTS A total of 22 trials were eligible, 16 of which were able to provide IPD for the primary outcome, including 6,522 (89%) participants with follow-up data. Self-monitoring was associated with reduced clinic systolic BP compared to usual care at 12-month follow-up, regardless of the number of hypertension-related co-morbidities (−3.12 mm Hg, [95% confidence intervals −4.78, −1.46 mm Hg]; P value for interaction with number of morbidities = 0.260). Intense interventions were more effective than low-intensity interventions in patients with obesity (P < 0.001 for all outcomes), and possibly stroke (P < 0.004 for BP control outcome only), but this effect was not observed in patients with coronary heart disease, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease. CONCLUSIONS Self-monitoring lowers BP regardless of the number of hypertension-related co-morbidities, but may only be effective in conditions such obesity or stroke when combined with high-intensity co-interventions.
Self-reported oral and general health related to xerostomia, hyposalivation, and quality of life among caries active younger adults

Abstract Objective: The aim was to study prevalence of xerostomia, hyposalivation and quality of life among caries active younger adults. Materials and methods: A questionnaire regarding oral and general health, xerostomia and quality of life was mailed to 134 caries active (CA) and 40 caries inactive (CI) patients, 25–50 years of age (mean age 39.9 ± 6.2 years) treated at a Swedish Public Dental Service clinic, regarding oral and general health, xerostomia and quality of life. Caries data and unstimulated whole salivary flow rates were obtained from dental records. Results: The overall response rate was 69%. Dental records confirmed that CA patients had more decayed teeth over time than CI patients (p < .001). The CA group reported worse oral health (p < .001) and general health (p < .01), more xerostomia (p < .001) and lower salivary flow rate (p < .01) compared to CI patients. Xerostomia was inversely related to unstimulated whole salivary flow rates as well as to oral and general health (p < .01). There were no differences between groups in quality of life. Conclusion: Younger caries active adult patients reported significantly more xerostomia and hyposalivation compared to caries inactive patients. Xerostomia and hyposalivation were inversely related to perceptions of oral and general health, but not to quality of life.
Excitatory Amino Acid Transporters in Physiology and Disorders of the Central Nervous System

Excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) encompass a class of five transporters with distinct expression in neurons and glia of the central nervous system (CNS). EAATs are mainly recognized for their role in uptake of the amino acid glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter. EAATs-mediated clearance of glutamate released by neurons is vital to maintain proper glutamatergic signalling and to prevent toxic accumulation of this amino acid in the extracellular space. In addition, some EAATs also act as chloride channels or mediate the uptake of cysteine, required to produce the reactive oxygen speciesscavenger glutathione. Given their central role in glutamate homeostasis in the brain, as well as their additional activities, it comes as no surprise that EAAT dysfunctions have been implicated in numerous acute or chronic diseases of the CNS, including ischemic stroke and epilepsy, cerebellar ataxias, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and Huntington’s disease. Here we review the studies in cellular and animal models, as well as in humans that highlight the roles of EAATs in the pathogenesis of these devastating disorders. We also discuss the mechanisms regulating EAATs expression and intracellular trafficking and new exciting possibilities to modulate EAATs and to provide neuroprotection in course of pathologies affecting the CNS.