Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical Characteristics and Neuroimaging Findings in Internal Jugular Venous Outflow Disturbance

Abstract Recently, internal jugular vein stenosis (IJVS) is gaining increasing attention from clinical researchers due to a series of confounding symptoms that impair the quality of life in affected individuals but cannot be explained by other well-established causes. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the clinical features, neuroimaging characteristics and pathogenesis of IJVS, and explore their possible correlations, in attempt to provide useful clues for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Forty-three eligible patients with unilateral or bilateral IJVS confirmed by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance venography of the brain and neck were enrolled in this study. Magnetic resonance imaging along with magnetic resonance angiography or computed tomography angiography was applied to identify the radiological pattern of parenchymal or arterial lesions. Cerebral perfusion and metabolism were evaluated by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Of the 43 patients (46.0 ± 16.0 years old; 30 female), 14 (32.6%) had bilateral and 29 had unilateral IJVS. The common clinical symptoms at admission were tinnitus (60.5%), tinnitus cerebri (67.6%), headache (48.8%), dizziness (32.6%), visual disorders (39.5%), hearing impairment (39.5%), neck discomfort (39.5%), sleep disturbance (60.5%), anxiety or depression (37.5%) and subjective memory decline (30.2%). The presence of bilateral demyelination changes with cloudy-like appearance in the periventricular area and/or centrum semiovale was found in 95.3% (41/43) patients. SPECT findings showed that 92.3% (24/26) patients displayed cerebral perfusion and metabolism mismatch, depicted by bilaterally and symmetrically reduced cerebral perfusion and increased cerebral glucose consumption. IJVS may contribute to alterations in cerebral blood flow and metabolism, as well as white matter lesion formation, all of which may account for its clinical manifestations.
Evaluation of antioxidant and antibacterial capacity of green microalgae Scenedesmus subspicatus

Microalgae are considered one of the most promising raw materials for the development of high value products for pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and cosmetic industries, as well as being potential sources of protein, vitamins, and minerals for human consumption. Hence, the present research focuses extraction of antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds from Scenedesmus subspicatus using solvents of different polarities. Different solvents such as ethanol, methanol, butanol, acetone, dimethyl sulfoxide, and water were used to extract compounds from the green microalgae S. subspicatus and then they were examined for phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial properties. In vitro free radical quenching and total antioxidant activity of extracts were investigated with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl and compared with catequin and gallic acid as positive controls. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated in gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Aqueous extracts and dimethyl sulfoxide presented better performance in phytochemical analysis. This result showed consistency in the sequential tests. The antioxidant activity was also better using the two solvents cited above. The extracts acetone, water, and dimethyl sulfoxide showed ability to inhibit the growth of Bacillus subtilis. However, only dimethyl sulfoxide inhibited the growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. Use of the aqueous extract, proven its effectiveness, is an economic protocol and avoids the use of toxic substances.
Early demise of twins in a cohort of stillbirths and second trimester miscarriages

Twins, particularly monochorionic (MC) pairs, are at increased risk for fetal death. Whereas previous work has sought to understand the mechanisms for this increased mortality, most studies analyze viable twin pregnancies or liveborn twin cohorts. In the Wisconsin Stillbirth Service Program cohort of 3,137 stillbirths and second trimester miscarriages, we identified 175 twin pregnancies for a twinning rate of 56/1,000, which is approximately double the general population. The excess of twins among miscarriages and stillbirths was attributable to MC pairs as the incidence of dizygotic (DZ) twinning was not increased compared to livebirth data. The leading causes of fetal demise among twins were twin–twin transfusion, acardia, and twin–twin disruption. Maternal causes of death, primarily premature rupture of membranes, were moderately increased in both MC and DZ twins relative to singletons. Although deceased twins were smaller than expected for viable twins at comparable gestational ages, placenta weights of deceased MC pairs were large compared to combined fetal weight, which indicates placental inefficiency likely due to vascular shunting. Co‐twin survival was much lower for MC than for DZ pairs. Therefore, earlier diagnosis and treatment of MC twinning complications may decrease prenatal mortality.
$H_\infty$ Output Consensus for Markov Jump Multiagent Systems With Uncertainties

This paper investigates the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${H_{\infty }}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> output consensus problem for multiagent systems with Markov jump and external disturbance in both continuous-time and discrete-time domains. The communication network is directed and fixed with uncertainties. Based on the hidden Markov model, an output feedback controller is constructed. Then, the original system is transformed into a reduced-order system, which features the error dynamics. By using a Lyapunov function, sufficient conditions are developed to ensure that all agents can reach the consensus with the desired <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${H_\infty }$ </tex-math></inline-formula> performance in the mean-square sense. Finally, simulation results are presented to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed approaches.
Protective Effect of Resveratrol against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Enhanced High Energy Compounds and eNOS-SIRT1 Expression in Type 2 Diabetic Female Rat Heart

Type 2 diabetic women have a high risk of mortality via myocardial infarction even with anti-diabetic treatments. Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural polyphenol, well-known for its antioxidant property, which has also shown interesting positive effects on mitochondrial function. Therefore, we aim to investigate the potential protective effect of 1 mg/kg/day of RSV on high energy compounds, during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion in type 2 diabetic female Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats. For this purpose, we used 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy in isolated perfused heart experiments, with a simultaneous measurement of myocardial function and coronary flow. RSV enhanced adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and phosphocreatine (PCr) contents in type 2 diabetic hearts during reperfusion, in combination with better functional recovery. Complementary biochemical analyses showed that RSV increased creatine, total adenine nucleotide heart contents and citrate synthase activity, which could be involved in better mitochondrial functioning. Moreover, improved coronary flow during reperfusion by RSV was associated with increased eNOS, SIRT1, and P-Akt protein expression in GK rat hearts. In conclusion, RSV induced cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injury in type 2 diabetic female rats via increased high energy compound contents and expression of protein involved in NO pathway. Thus, RSV presents high potential to protect the heart of type 2 diabetic women from myocardial infarction.
Vitamin D status, oxidative stress, and inflammation in children and adolescents: A systematic review

Abstract Vitamin D deficiency is considered a global public health problem with high prevalence in children and adolescents. The majority of the studies in the literature have identified a relationship between vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency and obesity, as well as other traditional cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adolescents. Scarce studies address vitamin D status with oxidative stress and inflammation in the young population. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence of the association of vitamin D status with oxidative stress and inflammation in children and adolescents. This is a systematic review based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA) guideline on reporting systematic reviews. Eight studies were selected for this review. All included studies evaluated inflammatory biomarkers and two out of eight evaluated biomarkers of oxidative stress. The majority of the studies (five out of eight) found association of vitamin D status with biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), cathepsin S, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase, 3-nitrotyrosine, and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Vitamin D status is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation in the majority of the studies with children and adolescents. Thus, the assessment of vitamin D status is important because it is associated with nontraditional cardiometabolic markers in the pediatric population (review registration: PROSPERO CRD42018109307).
Does Europe Need an EU Product Safety Directive for Access Scaffolding?

The main requirement established for the development of European Union product safety directives is to ensure a high level of safety for users. This research aims to analyze whether Europe needs a product safety directive for scaffolding and identify the main factors to be defined in public policies on the use of standardized scaffolding in the absence of such a directive. The principal types of scaffolding were reviewed, along with European regulations, and their risk levels. Finally, a qualitative study using a panel of experts was conducted to determine the differences between types of scaffolding and whether the enactment of such a directive would be justified. Key results were that the risk level associated with scaffolding positioned it third or fourth between material agents more hazardous in relation to falls from height. There is no existing product safety directive for scaffolding, despite the fact that there are directives for other products less dangerous than or as dangerous as scaffolding. However, there are noncompulsory standards EN 12810-1-2 and EN 12811-1-2-3-4 for scaffolding, which would form the basis of the essential requirements contained in a directive if it were created. The experts highlighted significant differences between “standardized” and “nonstandardized” scaffolding, with higher safety levels and productivity, and better maintenance, inspection, assembly, and dismantling associated with the former, and lower costs with the latter. Thus, they found that the enacting of an EU product safety directive for scaffolding would be justifiable, and in its absence supported the promotion of the use of standardized scaffolding.
Effects of Estrogen-Deficient State on Rotator Cuff Healing

Background: Rotator cuff retears after surgical repair are a concern, despite advances in operative techniques, but few studies have investigated the effects of the estrogen-deficient state on tendon-to-bone healing at the repair site. Purpose: We evaluated the effect of the estrogen-deficient state on tendon-to-bone healing after rotator cuff repair in an ovariectomized rat model. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Female Sprague Dawley rats underwent detachment and immediate repair of the supraspinatus tendon. Surgery was performed in 24 rats at 4.5 weeks of age 17 weeks after ovariectomy (OVX group) and in 24 age-matched control rats without ovariectomy (control group). Animals were sacrificed at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery for biomechanical and histological evaluations of reattachment. Bone mineral density (BMD) at the insertion site and cancellous bone in the humeral head was assessed by micro–computed tomography. Results: BMD was significantly lower both at the insertion site and in cancellous area in the OVX group than in the control group at weeks 2 to 12. Ultimate load to failure, ultimate stress, linear stiffness, and the Young modulus were significantly lower in the OVX group than in the control group at 2 and 4 weeks, but the difference was no longer significant at 8 and 12 weeks. At 2 and 4 weeks, relatively immature granulation tissue was observed in the OVX group compared with the control group. At 8 and 12 weeks after surgery, there were differences in the tendon-bone interface in the 2 groups: Direct insertion with well-established chondroid tissue was seen in the control group, and indirect insertion without chondroid tissue was seen in the OVX group. Consistently, the amount of chondroid tissue was greater and collagen organization was better in the control group than in the OVX group. Cells expressing cathepsin K were significantly more numerous both at the insertion site and in cancellous bone in the OVX group than in the control group. Conclusion: The estrogen-deficient state by ovariectomy, compared with control rats, led to decreased biomechanical properties and poor development of chondroid tissue that influenced the repair of the tendon insertion after surgery. Clinical Relevance: Agents that modulate bone metabolism might improve tendon-to-bone healing in patients with an estrogen-deficient state, such as postmenopausal women who undergo rotator cuff surgery.
A Meta-Analysis of the Experimental Evidence on the Near- and Far-Transfer Effects Among Children’s Executive Function Skills

In the present meta-analysis we examined the near- and far-transfer effects of training components of children’s executive functions skills: working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. We found a significant near-transfer effect (g+ = 0.44, k = 43, p < .001) showing that the interventions in the primary studies were successful in training the targeted components. However, we found no convincing evidence of far-transfer (g+ = 0.11, k = 17, p = .11). That is, training a component did not have a significant effect on the untrained components. By showing the absence of benefits that generalize beyond the trained components, we question the practical relevance of training specific executive function skills in isolation. Furthermore, the present results might explain the absence of far-transfer effects of working memory training on academic skills (Melby-Lervag & Hulme, 2013; Sala & Gobet, 2017).
The role of parenting stress in mediating the relationship between neighborhood social cohesion and depression and anxiety among mothers of young children in fragile families.

This study was designed to examine the roles of neighborhood social cohesion and parenting stress in influencing maternal mental health outcomes among primarily low-income, unmarried, urban mothers. Structural equation modeling was conducted using cross-sectional Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study data (N = 3,876), to test the hypotheses that neighborhood social cohesion would be associated with depression and anxiety among mothers with children aged 3 years and that this relationship would be mediated by parenting stress. The mediation model demonstrated good fit, χ2 (796) = 3169.07, p < . 001; comparative fit index = 0.96; root mean square error of approximation = 0.028 [90% confidence interval [0.027, 0.029]. Parenting stress partially mediated the effect of social cohesion on maternal depression (indirect effect: -0.04, p < 0.001) and anxiety (indirect effect: -0.05, p < 0.001); higher reported neighborhood social cohesion was associated with lower parenting stress, which was associated with a decreased likelihood of maternal anxiety and depression. Efforts to bolster neighborhood social cohesion may improve maternal mental health outcomes by reducing parenting stress.
GPI-anchor signal sequence influences PrPC sorting, shedding and signalling, and impacts on different pathomechanistic aspects of prion disease in mice

The cellular prion protein (PrPC) is a cell surface glycoprotein attached to the membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchor and plays a critical role in transmissible, neurodegenerative and fatal prion diseases. Alterations in membrane attachment influence PrPC-associated signaling, and the development of prion disease, yet our knowledge of the role of the GPI-anchor in localization, processing, and function of PrPC in vivo is limited We exchanged the PrPC GPI-anchor signal sequence of for that of Thy-1 (PrPCGPIThy-1) in cells and mice. We show that this modifies the GPI-anchor composition, which then lacks sialic acid, and that PrPCGPIThy-1 is preferentially localized in axons and is less prone to proteolytic shedding when compared to PrPC. Interestingly, after prion infection, mice expressing PrPCGPIThy-1 show a significant delay to terminal disease, a decrease of microglia/astrocyte activation, and altered MAPK signaling when compared to wild-type mice. Our results are the first to demonstrate in vivo, that the GPI-anchor signal sequence plays a fundamental role in the GPI-anchor composition, dictating the subcellular localization of a given protein and, in the case of PrPC, influencing the development of prion disease.
Normal cerebral cortical thickness in first-degree relatives of temporal lobe epilepsy patients

Objective To examine cerebral cortex thickness in asymptomatic first-degree relatives of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). Methods We investigated 127 asymptomatic first-degree relatives of patients with MTLE due to hippocampal sclerosis (HS) (mean age ± SD = 39.4 ± 13 years) and 203 healthy control individuals (mean age ± SD = 36.0 ± 11 years). Participants underwent a comprehensive clinical evaluation and structural brain MRI at 3 study sites. Images were processed simultaneously at each site using a surface-based morphometry method to quantify global brain measures, hippocampal volumes, and cerebral cortical thickness. Differences in brain measures between relatives of patients and controls were examined using generalized models, while controlling for relevant covariates, including age and sex. Results None of the asymptomatic first-degree relatives of MTLE + HS patients showed evidence of HS on qualitative image assessments. Compared to the healthy controls, the asymptomatic relatives of patients displayed no significant differences in intracranial volume, average hemispheric surface area, or hippocampal volume. Similarly, no significant cerebral cortical thinning was identified in the relatives of patients. This was consistent across the 3 cohorts. Conclusion Lack of cortical thickness changes in the asymptomatic relatives of patients indicates that the previously characterized MTLE + HS-related cortical thinning is not heritable, and is likely driven by disease-related factors. This finding therefore argues for early and aggressive intervention in patients with medically intractable epilepsy.
Endometriosis: An Enigmatic Disease

ABSTRACT For nearly a century, endometriosis has remained a fascinating yet controversial disease. Clinical opinion and formal research have influenced our understanding of this ubiquitous medical enigma. Since the 1970s, there has been an appreciable rise in the diagnosis of endometriosis attributable to the availability of laparoscopy. Although no one disagrees that symptomatic endometriosis should be treated, the choice of treatment, whether surgical or medical, remains controversial.
Plasma Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Is a Predictor of Persisting Symptoms Post-Concussion in Children.

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI)-associated blood proteomics have become an emerging focus in the past decade, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approving the use of a blood test to determine the necessity of a computed tomography scan after adult mTBI. We now also know that the blood proteome of children is different from that of adults, and new evidence suggests that children may take longer to recover from an mTBI. Despite this, comparatively fewer studies have analyzed changes in blood protein expression after pediatric mTBI. Concussions, an mTBI subset, often go underreported, despite the potential for post-concussive symptoms to last more than one month in up to 30% of children. In the current study, we used a multiplex immunoassay to measure blood protein expression of Apolipoprotein, enolase 2, glial fibrillary acidic protein, interleukin (IL)-1B, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, S100 calcium-binding protein B, tau and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) at admission, one to four days, two weeks, and three months post-pediatric concussion, comparing patients with normal recovery (n = 9) with those with persisting symptoms (n = 9). We identified significant differences in IL-6 (p < 0.001) and tau (p = 0.048) protein expression across time post-injury irrespective of clinical outcome and in IL-8 protein expression (p = 0.041) across time post-injury specific to children with persisting symptoms. Significantly, we have identified an increase in TNFα protein expression at one to four days post-injury (p = 0.031) in children with persisting symptoms compared with normal recovery. To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify TNFα as a potential blood biomarker for persisting symptoms post-pediatric concussion.
Residential transience among US adolescents: association with depression and mental health treatment

Abstract Aims Residential instability, including transience (i.e. unusually frequent mobility), is associated with higher risk for emotional and behavioural problems in children and young adults. However, most studies have not compared the effect of recent v. more distal moves on mental health or on mental health treatment. This study examined associations between recent (past year) and distal (past 2–4 years) residential transience and past year major depressive episode (MDE) and mental health treatment in a nationally representative sample of US adolescents aged 12–17. Methods Data are from the 2010–2014 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (n = ~107 300 adolescents). T-tests were used to examine the prevalence of MDE by number of moves in the past 5 years among a nationally representative sample of adolescents. Additionally, multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the adjusted association between recent (⩾2 moves in the past year) and distal (⩾4 moves in the past 5 years, but no recent transience) and (1) past year MDE and (2) past year mental health treatment among adolescents with MDE. Results MDE prevalence increased linearly with number of moves in the past 5 years (p < 0.001). The adjusted odds of MDE were greater among youths with distal transience (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.09–1.44) and among those with proximal transience (AOR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.17–1.46), compared with those without transience in the past 5 years. The MDE prevalence did not differ between those with distal and proximal transience (p = 0.163). In youths with past year MDE, the prevalence of past year mental health treatment was greater among those with proximal transience compared with those without transience (AOR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.15–1.70), but there was no significant difference in treatment among those with distal v. no transience. Conclusions Distal and recent transience are associated with past year MDE among adolescents. Adolescents with MDE who had recent transience were more likely to receive past year mental health treatment compared with those without transience. However, those with only distal transience were not more likely to receive treatment. Parents, school officials and health care providers should be aware that residential mobility in the past 5 years may indicate increased odds of depression among adolescents even among adolescents whose housing stability has improved in the past year.