Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Obesity and periodontitis are not associated in pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to investigate an association between obesity (exposure) and periodontitis (outcome) in pregnant women. BACKGROUND This association was investigated and only five studies were identified as showing a positive association. However, some of these studies had limitations such as reduced sample sizes, inadequate exposure criteria and outcome measures, which question the internal validity of these investigations. METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 644 pregnant women of the public health service of the municipality of Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia, Brazil. Data were obtained by collecting of socioeconomic-demographic information, health behavior, health conditions, and reproductive history through an interview. Obesity was evaluated using body mass index adjusted for gestational age and expected weight gain. The diagnosis of periodontitis followed two criteria: (a) Center for Disease Prevention and Control and American Academy of Periodontology (CDC/AAP); (b) Gomes-Filho et al (2018) using criterion that also evaluated bleeding upon probing; Prevalence ratios and respective 95% confidence intervals were obtained by Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS In accordance with the outcome diagnostic criterion, the frequency of periodontitis was 17.24% (Gomes-Filho et al) and 66.92% (CDC/AAP). The participants were classified as low weight (19.72%), adequate weight (42.39%), overweight (24.84%), and obesity (13.04%), based on the exposure diagnostic criterion. The low weight and overweight groups were excluded from the data analysis, giving a final sample of 357 pregnant women. The association between obesity in pregnant women and periodontitis was not statistically significant, after adjusting for confounders such as age, schooling level, alcoholic beverage consumption, alimentary and nutritional orientation, urinary infection, and dental flossing. CONCLUSIONS The findings showed a high frequency of periodontitis, obesity, and overweight in the studied population but no association between obesity and periodontitis in pregnant women was found.
Characterization of activating mutations of the MEK1 gene in papillary thyroid carcinomas.

INTRODUCTION Genetic alterations activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, most commonly BRAF and RAS mutations, are common in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Somatic mutations of the MEK gene, also known as mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAP2K1), coding for a signaling protein downstream of BRAF, have been found in several cancer types. The goal of this study was to investigate if functional MEK1 mutations occur in thyroid cancer. METHODS We analyzed MEK1 mutation status in a series of 101 PTCs lacking other known driver mutations using Sanger sequencing and targeted next generation sequencing. In addition, 64 follicular and Hürthle cell carcinomas and 32 follicular adenomas were studied. The occurrence of MEK1 mutations was evaluated using another series of thyroid tumors studied by targeted next generation sequencing. Western blot and RNA-seq analyses were performed on selected tumors. RESULTS We detected MEK1 mutations in 2/101 (2%) of PTCs that otherwise had no known genetic alterations and in 0/64 follicular and Hürthle cell carcinomas 0/32 follicular adenomas. Two positive tumors carried the same in frame deletion p.L98_I103del; K104I (c.292_309del18; c.311A>T) located in exon 3 of the gene. One additional MEK1 mutation was identified following routine molecular tumor profiling. The tumor had an in frame deletion p.I99_K104del (c.294_311del18) also located in exon 3. Western blot analysis of one of the tumors showed activation of the MAPK pathway. Using RNA-seq analysis to evaluate for changes in gene expression, these tumors were RAS-like and showed high thyroid differentiation score. Phenotypically, the MEK1-positive PTCs were all encapsulated and had predominantly or exclusively follicular architecture, being diagnosed as classic papillary type with significant follicular pattern (x2) or follicular variant PTC (x1). Follow-up was available for 2 patients, with no evidence of disease found 2 and 10 years post-surgery. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we report the occurrence of functional MEK1 mutations in papillary thyroid cancer. All mutations are in-frame deletion in exon 3 of MEK1, representing another mechanism of activation of the MAPK pathway in papillary carcinomas with predominantly follicular growth pattern.
The Transcription Factor Elf3 Is Essential for a Successful Mesenchymal to Epithelial Transition

The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) are two critical biological processes that are involved in both physiological events such as embryogenesis and development and also pathological events such as tumorigenesis. They present with dramatic changes in cellular morphology and gene expression exhibiting acute changes in E-cadherin expression. Despite the comprehensive understanding of EMT, the regulation of MET is far from being understood. To find novel regulators of MET, we hypothesized that such factors would correlate with Cdh1 expression. Bioinformatics examination of several expression profiles suggested Elf3 as a strong candidate. Depletion of Elf3 at the onset of MET severely impaired the progression to the epithelial state. This MET defect was explained, in part, by the absence of E-cadherin at the plasma membrane. Moreover, during MET, ELF3 interacts with the Grhl3 promoter and activates its expression. Our findings present novel insights into the regulation of MET and reveal ELF3 as an indispensable guardian of the epithelial state. A better understanding of MET will, eventually, lead to better management of metastatic cancers.
Maize Silage Kernel Fragment Estimation Using Deep Learning-Based Object Recognition in Non-Separated Kernel/Stover RGB Images

Efficient and robust evaluation of kernel processing from corn silage is an important indicator to a farmer to determine the quality of their harvested crop. Current methods are cumbersome to conduct and take between hours to days. We present the adoption of two deep learning-based methods for kernel processing prediction without the cumbersome step of separating kernels and stover before capturing images. The methods show that kernels can be detected both with bounding boxes and at pixel-level instance segmentation. Networks were trained on up to 1393 images containing just over 6907 manually annotated kernel instances. Both methods showed promising results despite the challenging setting, with an average precision at an intersection-over-union of 0.5 of 34.0% and 36.1% on the test set consisting of images from three different harvest seasons for the bounding-box and instance segmentation networks respectively. Additionally, analysis of the correlation between the Kernel Processing Score (KPS) of annotations against the KPS of model predictions showed a strong correlation, with the best performing at r(15) = 0.88, p = 0.00003. The adoption of deep learning-based object recognition approaches for kernel processing measurement has the potential to lower the quality assessment process to minutes, greatly aiding a farmer in the strenuous harvesting season.
Task Interruption and Control Recovery Strategies After Take-Over Requests Emphasize Need for Measures of Situation Awareness

Objective Our objective was to determine whether there is a need to go beyond measures of automation deactivation time to understand the transition to manual driving after take-over requests (TORs) using the example of office tasks as nondriving-related tasks (NDRTs). Background Office tasks are likely NDRTs during automated commutes to/from work. Complex tasks can influence how manual control and visual attention is recovered after TORs. Method N = 51 participants in a driving simulator performed either one of two office tasks or no task (between subjects). We recorded reaction times in a high-urgency and low-urgency scenario (within subjects) and analyzed task interruption strategies. Results 90% of the participants who performed an NDRT deactivated the automation after 7 to 8 s. However, 90% of the same drivers looked at the side mirror for the first time only after 11 to 14 s. Drivers with office tasks either interrupted the tasks sequentially or in parallel. Strategies were not adapted to the take-over situation or the task but appeared to be due to individual preferences. Conclusion Drivers engaged in NDRTs may neglect lower priority subtasks after a TOR, such as mirror checking. Therefore, there is a need to go beyond measures of automation deactivation time to understand the transition to manual driving. Using analyses of attentional dynamics during take-over situations may enhance the safety of future car-driver handover assistance systems. Application If low driver availability is detected, TORs should only be used as a fallback option if sufficient time and adaptive driver support can be provided.
Engineering bioprintable alginate/gelatin composite hydrogels with tunable mechanical and cell adhesive properties to modulate tumor spheroid growth kinetics

Tunable bioprinting materials are capable of creating a broad spectrum of physiological mimicking 3D models enabling in vitro studies that more accurately resemble in vivo conditions. Tailoring the material properties of the bioink such that it achieves both bioprintability and biomimicry remains a key challenge. Here we report the development of engineered composite hydrogels consisting of gelatin and alginate components. The composite gels are demonstrated as a cell-laden bioink to build 3D bioprinted in vitro breast tumor models. The initial mechanical characteristics of each composite hydrogel are correlated to cell proliferation rates and cell spheroid morphology spanning month long culture conditions. MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells show gel formulation-dependency on the rates and frequency of self-assembly into multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS). Hydrogel compositions comprised of decreasing alginate concentrations, and increasing gelatin concentrations, result in gels that are mechanically soft and contain a greater number of cell-adhesion moieties driving the development of large MCTS; conversely gels containing increasing alginate, and decreasing gelatin concentrations are mechanically stiffer, with fewer cell-adhesion moieties present in the composite gels yielding smaller and less viable MCTS. These composite hydrogels can be used in the biofabrication of tunable in vitro systems that mimic both the mechanical and biochemical properties of the native tumor stroma.
Safety and Adverse Events after Targeted Lung Denervation for Symptomatic Moderate to Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (AIRFLOW). A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Rationale: Targeted lung denervation (TLD) is a bronchoscopic radiofrequency ablation therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which durably disrupts parasympathetic pulmonary nerves to decrease airway resistance and mucus hypersecretion. Objectives: To determine the safety and impact of TLD on respiratory adverse events. Methods: We conducted a multicenter, randomized, sham bronchoscopy–controlled, double-blind trial in patients with symptomatic (modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale score, ≥2; or COPD Assessment Test score, ≥10) COPD (FEV1, 30–60% predicted). The primary endpoint was the rate of respiratory adverse events between 3 and 6.5 months after randomization (defined as COPD exacerbation, tachypnea, wheezing, worsening bronchitis, worsening dyspnea, influenza, pneumonia, other respiratory infections, respiratory failure, or airway effects requiring therapeutic intervention). Blinding was maintained through 12.5 months. Measurements and Main Results: Eighty-two patients (50% female; mean ± SD: age, 63.7 ± 6.8 yr; FEV1, 41.6 ± 7.3% predicted; modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale score, 2.2 ± 0.7; COPD Assessment Test score, 18.4 ± 6.1) were randomized 1:1. During the predefined 3- to 6.5-month window, patients in the TLD group experienced significantly fewer respiratory adverse events than those in the sham group (32% vs. 71%, P = 0.008; odds ratio, 0.19; 95% confidence interval, 0.0750–0.4923, P = 0.0006). Between 0 and 12.5 months, these findings were not different (83% vs. 90%; P = 0.52). The risk of COPD exacerbation requiring hospitalization in the 0- to 12.5-month window was significantly lower in the TLD group than in the sham group (hazard ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval, 0.13–0.99; P = 0.039). There was no statistical difference in the time to first moderate or severe COPD exacerbation, patient-reported symptoms, or other physiologic measures over the 12.5 months of follow-up. Conclusions: Patients with symptomatic COPD treated with TLD combined with optimal pharmacotherapy had fewer study-defined respiratory adverse events, including hospitalizations for COPD exacerbation. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials. gov (NCT02058459).
Age differences in emotion-induced blindness: Positivity effects in early attention.

Compared with younger adults, older adults tend to favor positive information more than negative information in their attention and memory. This "positivity effect" has been observed in various paradigms, but at which stage it impacts cognitive processing and how it influences processing other stimuli appearing around the same time remains unclear. Across 4 experiments, we examined how older adults prioritize emotional information in early attention. Both younger and older adults demonstrated emotion-induced blindness-identifying targets in a rapid serial display of pictures with less accuracy after emotional compared with neutral distractors-but older adults demonstrated a positivity bias at this early attentional level. Moreover, the bias toward positive but not negative information in older adults was reduced when they had a working memory load. These results suggest that a selective bias toward positive, but not negative, information occurs early in visual processing, and the bias relies on cognitive control resources. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Corruption, Hidden Economy and Environmental Pollution: A Spatial Econometric Analysis Based on China’s Provincial Panel Data

Previous studies show that the environmental quality is significantly influenced by corruption and the hidden economy separately. However, what is the impact of their interaction effect on environmental quality? Based on Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes (MIMIC) model, this study calculates the scale of hidden economy in Chinese provinces firstly. Then, we apply the method of spatial econometrics to analyze the interaction effect of corruption and the hidden economy on environmental pollution with China’s provincial panel data from 1998 to 2017. The results indicate that the interaction effect between corruption and hidden economy significantly increases pollutant discharge, suggesting that both anti-corruption and control of the hidden economy may improve environmental quality directly and indirectly.
Acoustic properties of early vocalizations in infants with fragile X syndrome

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurogenetic syndrome characterized by cognitive impairments and high rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). FXS is often highlighted as a model for exploring pathways of symptom expression in ASD due to the high prevalence of ASD symptoms in this population and the known single‐gene cause of FXS. Early vocalization features—including volubility, complexity, duration, and pitch—have shown promise in detecting ASD in idiopathic ASD populations but have yet to be extensively studied in a population with a known genetic cause for ASD such as FXS. Investigating early trajectories of these features in FXS may inform our limited knowledge of potential mechanisms that predict later social communication outcomes. The present study addresses this need by presenting preliminary findings which (a) characterize early vocalization features in FXS relative to low‐risk controls (LRC) and (b) test the specificity of associations between these features and language and ASD outcomes. We coded vocalization features during a standardized child–examiner interaction for 39 nine‐month‐olds (22 FXS, 17 LRC) whose clinical outcomes were assessed at 24 months. Our results provide preliminary evidence that within FXS, associations between vocalization features and 24‐month language outcomes may diverge from those observed in LRC, and that vocalization features may be associated with later ASD symptoms. These findings provide a starting point for more research exploring these features as potential early markers of ASD in FXS, which in turn may lead to improved early identification methods, treatment approaches, and overall well‐being of individuals with ASD. Autism Res2019. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Association of Gluten Intake During the First 5 Years of Life With Incidence of Celiac Disease Autoimmunity and Celiac Disease Among Children at Increased Risk.

Importance High gluten intake during childhood may confer risk of celiac disease. Objectives To investigate if the amount of gluten intake is associated with celiac disease autoimmunity and celiac disease in genetically at-risk children. Design, Setting, and Participants The participants in The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY), a prospective observational birth cohort study designed to identify environmental triggers of type 1 diabetes and celiac disease, were followed up at 6 clinical centers in Finland, Germany, Sweden, and the United States. Between 2004 and 2010, 8676 newborns carrying HLA antigen genotypes associated with type 1 diabetes and celiac disease were enrolled. Screening for celiac disease with tissue transglutaminase autoantibodies was performed annually in 6757 children from the age of 2 years. Data on gluten intake were available in 6605 children (98%) by September 30, 2017. Exposures Gluten intake was estimated from 3-day food records collected at ages 6, 9, and 12 months and biannually thereafter until the age of 5 years. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was celiac disease autoimmunity, defined as positive tissue transglutaminase autoantibodies found in 2 consecutive serum samples. The secondary outcome was celiac disease confirmed by intestinal biopsy or persistently high tissue transglutaminase autoantibody levels. Results Of the 6605 children (49% females; median follow-up: 9.0 years [interquartile range, 8.0-10.0 years]), 1216 (18%) developed celiac disease autoimmunity and 447 (7%) developed celiac disease. The incidence for both outcomes peaked at the age of 2 to 3 years. Daily gluten intake was associated with higher risk of celiac disease autoimmunity for every 1-g/d increase in gluten consumption (hazard ratio [HR], 1.30 [95% CI, 1.22-1.38]; absolute risk by the age of 3 years if the reference amount of gluten was consumed, 28.1%; absolute risk if gluten intake was 1-g/d higher than the reference amount, 34.2%; absolute risk difference, 6.1% [95% CI, 4.5%-7.7%]). Daily gluten intake was associated with higher risk of celiac disease for every 1-g/d increase in gluten consumption (HR, 1.50 [95% CI, 1.35-1.66]; absolute risk by age of 3 years if the reference amount of gluten was consumed, 20.7%; absolute risk if gluten intake was 1-g/d higher than the reference amount, 27.9%; absolute risk difference, 7.2% [95% CI, 6.1%-8.3%]). Conclusions and Relevance Higher gluten intake during the first 5 years of life was associated with increased risk of celiac disease autoimmunity and celiac disease among genetically predisposed children.
The translational functions of embryonic poly(A)‐binding protein during gametogenesis and early embryo development

Embryonic poly(A)‐binding protein (EPAB) is an RNA‐binding protein that binds to the poly(A) tails and AU‐rich element at the 3′ ends of messenger RNA (mRNAs). The main functions of EPAB are to protect stored mRNAs from undergoing deadenylation and subsequent degradation and to be involved in their translational regulation during spermatogenesis, oogenesis, and early embryogenesis. Following the first characterization of Epab in the Xenopus oocytes and early embryos, spatial and temporal expression and potential roles of the Epab gene have been determined in the vertebrate germ cells and early embryos. In this review, we have comprehensively evaluated all studies in this field and discussed the particular functions of EPAB in the spermatogenic cells, oocytes, early embryos, and somatic cells in vertebrates.
The Dynamic and Correlation of Skin Temperature and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Male Endurance Runners

During endurance exercise, skin temperature (Tsk) plays a fundamental role in thermoregulatory processes. Environmental temperature is the biggest determinant of the Tsk. During exercise, the response of the skin temperature might be influenced by aerobic fitness (VO2peak). The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the dynamic of Tsk in high (HF) and moderately (MF) fit endurance runners during a progressive maximal stress test. Seventy-nine male endurance runners were classified into HF (n = 35; VO2peak = 56.62 ± 4.31 mL/kg/min) and MF (n = 44; VO2peak = 47.86 ± 5.29 mL/kg/min) groups. Tsk and cardiovascular data were continuously monitored during an incremental exercise, followed by a recovery period of five minutes. Results revealed that the MF group exhibited lower VO2peak, Speedpeak, ventilation (VE), muscle mass %, and higher BMI and fat mass % than the HF group (all p < 0.001). HF had significantly higher Tsk at baseline, and at 60% and 70% of peak workload (all p < 0.05). Tskpeak correlated with age, fat mass %, muscle mass %, VO2peak, Speedpeak, HR and VE (all p < 0.05). These findings indicate that VO2peak was positively associated with increased Tsk during incremental exercise in male endurance runners.
Third Trimester Fetal Cardiac Blood Flow and Cardiac Outcomes in School‐Age Children Assessed By Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background An adverse fetal environment leads to fetal hemodynamic adaptations with cardiac flow alterations that may subsequently affect cardiac development. We examined the associations of third trimester placental and fetal cardiac hemodynamics with cardiac outcomes in school‐age children. Methods and Results We performed a population‐based prospective cohort study among 547 mothers and their children. At a gestational age of 30.4 (95% range 28.4–32.7) weeks, we measured umbilical and cerebral artery resistance, cardiac output, and tricuspid and mitral E/A waves with Doppler. At the median age of 10.0 years (95% range 9.4–11.7) we measured cardiac outcomes with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Cardiac outcomes included right ventricular end‐diastolic volume) and right ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end diastolic volume and left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular mass, and left ventricular mass‐to‐volume ratio as left ventricular mass/left ventricular end diastolic volume. Higher third‐trimester umbilical artery resistance was associated with higher childhood right ventricular ejection fraction (P value <0.05), but not with other cardiac outcomes. The third‐trimester umbilical artery‐cerebral artery pulsatility index ratio was not associated with childhood cardiac outcomes. Higher third‐trimester fetal left cardiac output was associated with lower childhood left ventricular ejection fraction and higher left ventricular mass‐to‐volume ratio (P value <0.05). Third‐trimester fetal right cardiac output was not associated with childhood cardiac outcomes. A higher third‐trimester fetal tricuspid valve E/A ratio was associated with higher childhood right ventricular ejection fraction (P value <0.05). Conclusions Our findings suggest that fetal cardiac fetal blood flow redistribution may have long‐term effects on cardiac structure and function. These results should be considered as hypothesis generating and need further replication.