Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduced cerebrovascular reserve at CO2 BOLD MR imaging is associated with increased risk of periinterventional ischemic lesions during carotid endarterectomy or stent placement: preliminary results.

PURPOSE To determine whether any initial reductions in cardiovascular reserve (CVR) normalize after carotid revascularization and-because reduced CVR represents a risk factor for ischemic events-whether patients who develop periinterventional infarction have more severely reduced pretreatment CVR than those who do not. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ethics committee approval and informed consent were obtained. Twenty-four consecutive patients with symptomatic high-grade internal carotid artery stenosis (seven women; mean age, 73.1 years +/- 9.4 [standard deviation]) were recruited from a prospective, randomized trial that compared carotid artery stent placement with endarterectomy. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, including CO(2) blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) MR, was performed 1-3 days before, 1-3 days after, and 1 month after carotid revascularization (carotid artery stent placement, n = 13; carotid endarterectomy, n = 11). RESULTS Mean CVR in the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory was reduced prior to treatment (mean DeltaT2* in ipsilateral territory, 1.92% +/- 1.18; mean DeltaT2* in contralateral territory, 2.28% +/- 1.15 [P < .05]) and normalized after treatment (mean DeltaT2* 1-3 days after treatment in ipsilateral territory, 2.66% +/- 1.01; that in contralateral territory, 2.48% +/- 1.27 [P > .05]; mean DeltaT2* 1 month after treatment in ipsilateral territory, 2.27% +/- 1.05; that in contralateral territory, 2.14% +/- 0.96 [P > .05]). Those patients who developed new periinterventional infarcts (n = 7 with punctate foci of restricted diffusion) had greater reduction of CVR in the ipsilateral MCA territory prior to treatment (relative reduction, 32.5% +/- 46.0; P < .05) than those who did not develop infarction (n = 17; relative reduction, 9.2% +/- 55.9). CONCLUSION CO(2) BOLD MR imaging could be used successfully to monitor the hemodynamic effects of carotid revascularization; initial reductions in CVR normalized after carotid revascularization. Severely reduced pretreatment CVR was associated with increased occurrence of new periinterventional therapy infarction.
Nail Psoriasis Successfully Treated with Intralesional Methotrexate: Case Report

Psoriasis is a common, chronic disease which affects nearly 3% of the population. The lifetime incidence of nail involvement increases up to 80–90% for psoriatic patients. Nail psoriasis is considered a significant social problem. Many topical agents have been used for psoriatic nails with various side effects and some benefits; management is currently inconclusive. Methotrexate (MTX) is a folic acid analog, which irreversibly binds to dehydrofolate reductase and blocks deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis. It is considered a potential treatment option for rapidly growing cells and has an anti-inflammatory effect through inhibition of the polyamine pathway in autoimmune diseases. Intralesional MTX has been used successfully for various indications. We present a case successfully treated with low-dose intralesional MTX with no observed side effects in a 26-year-old female psoriatic patient suffering from nail dystrophy. In contrast, conventional topical and systemic therapies have various side effects, which limit their use. We conclude that intralesional MTX injection seems to be a safe and effective treatment option for nail psoriasis; however, large controlled studies are needed.
Dispersion Aerosol Indirect Effect in Turbulent Clouds: Laboratory Measurements of Effective Radius

Cloud optical properties are determined not only by the number density nd and mean radius r̄ of cloud droplets but also by the shape of the droplet size distribution. The change in cloud optical depth with changing nd, due to the change in distribution shape, is known as the dispersion effect. Droplet relative dispersion is defined as d=σr/r̄ . For the first time, a commonly used effective radius parameterization is tested in a controlled laboratory environment by creating a turbulent cloud. Stochastic condensation growth suggests d independent of nd for a nonprecipitating cloud, hence nearly zero albedo susceptibility due to the dispersion effect. However, for size‐dependent removal, such as in a laboratory cloud or highly clean atmospheric conditions, stochastic condensation produces a weak dispersion effect. The albedo susceptibility due to turbulence broadening has the same sign as the Twomey effect and augments it by order 10%.
Interferon-induced guanylate-binding proteins: Guardians of host defense in health and disease

Guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs) have recently emerged as central orchestrators of immunity to infection, inflammation, and neoplastic diseases. Within numerous host cell types, these IFN-induced GTPases assemble into large nanomachines that execute distinct host defense activities against a wide variety of microbial pathogens. In addition, GBPs customize inflammasome responses to bacterial infection and sepsis, where they act as critical rheostats to amplify innate immunity and regulate tissue damage. Similar functions are becoming evident for metabolic inflammatory syndromes and cancer, further underscoring the importance of GBPs within infectious as well as altered homeostatic settings. A better understanding of the basic biology of these IFN-induced GTPases could thus benefit clinical approaches to a wide spectrum of important human diseases.
Vascular tissue engineering: Fabrication and characterization of acetylsalicylic acid‐loaded electrospun scaffolds coated with amniotic membrane lysate

As the incidence of small‐diameter vascular graft (SDVG) occlusion is considerably high, a great amount of research is focused on constructing a more biocompatible graft. The absence of a biocompatible surface in the lumen of the engineered grafts that can support confluent lining with endothelial cells (ECs) can cause thrombosis and graft failure. Blood clot formation is mainly because of the lack of an integrated endothelium. The most effective approach to combat this problem would be using natural extracellular matrix constituents as a mimic of endothelial basement membrane along with applying anticoagulant agents to provide local antithrombotic effects. In this study, we fabricated aligned and random electrospun poly‐L‐lactic acid (PLLA) scaffolds containing acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) as the anticoagulation agent and surface coated them with amniotic membrane (AM) lysate. Vascular scaffolds were structurally and mechanically characterized and assessed for cyto‐ and hemocompatibility and their ability to support endothelial differentiation was examined. All the scaffolds showed appropriate tensile strength as expected for vascular grafts. Lack of cytotoxicity, cellular attachment, growth, and infiltration were proved using 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and scanning electron microscopy. The blood compatibilities of different scaffolds examined by in vitro hemolysis and blood coagulation assays elucidated the excellent hemocompatibility of our novel AM‐coated ASA‐loaded nanofibers. Drug‐loaded scaffolds showed a sustained release profile of ASA in 7 days. AM‐coated electrospun PLLA fibers showed enhanced cytocompatibility for human umbilical vein ECs, making a confluent endothelial‐like lining. In addition, AM lysate‐coated ASA‐PLLA‐aligned scaffold proved to support endothelial differentiation of Wharton's jelly‐derived mesenchymal stem cells. Our results together indicated that AM lysate‐coated ASA releasing scaffolds have promising potentials for development of a biocompatible SDVG.
Individual differences v. the average patient: mapping the heterogeneity in ADHD using normative models

Abstract Background The present paper presents a fundamentally novel approach to model individual differences of persons with the same biologically heterogeneous mental disorder. Unlike prevalent case-control analyses, that assume a clear distinction between patient and control groups and thereby introducing the concept of an ‘average patient’, we describe each patient's biology individually, gaining insights into the different facets that characterize persistent attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods Using a normative modeling approach, we mapped inter-individual differences in reference to normative structural brain changes across the lifespan to examine the degree to which case-control analyses disguise differences between individuals. Results At the level of the individual, deviations from the normative model were frequent in persistent ADHD. However, the overlap of more than 2% between participants with ADHD was only observed in few brain loci. On average, participants with ADHD showed significantly reduced gray matter in the cerebellum and hippocampus compared to healthy individuals. While the case-control differences were in line with the literature on ADHD, individuals with ADHD only marginally reflected these group differences. Conclusions Case-control comparisons, disguise inter-individual differences in brain biology in individuals with persistent ADHD. The present results show that the ‘average ADHD patient’ has limited informative value, providing the first evidence for the necessity to explore different biological facets of ADHD at the level of the individual and practical means to achieve this end.
Evaluation of Inertial Sensor-Based Pre-Impact Fall Detection Algorithms Using Public Dataset

In this study, pre-impact fall detection algorithms were developed based on data gathered by a custom-made inertial measurement unit (IMU). Four types of simulated falls were performed by 40 healthy subjects (age: 23.4 ± 4.4 years). The IMU recorded acceleration and angular velocity during all activities. Acceleration, angular velocity, and trunk inclination thresholds were set to 0.9 g, 47.3°/s, and 24.7°, respectively, for a pre-impact fall detection algorithm using vertical angles (VA algorithm); and 0.9 g, 47.3°/s, and 0.19, respectively, for an algorithm using the triangle feature (TF algorithm). The algorithms were validated by the results of a blind test using four types of simulated falls and six types of activities of daily living (ADL). VA and TF algorithms resulted in lead times of 401 ± 46.9 ms and 427 ± 45.9 ms, respectively. Both algorithms were able to detect falls with 100% accuracy. The performance of the algorithms was evaluated using a public dataset. Both algorithms detected every fall in the SisFall dataset with 100% sensitivity). The VA algorithm had a specificity of 78.3%, and TF algorithm had a specificity of 83.9%. The algorithms had higher specificity when interpreting data from elderly subjects. This study showed that algorithms using angles could more accurately detect falls. Public datasets are needed to improve the accuracy of the algorithms.
Monocyte heterogeneity and functions in cancer

Monocytes are innate immune cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system that have emerged as important regulators of cancer development and progression. Our understanding of monocytes has advanced from viewing these cells as a homogenous population to a heterogeneous system of cells that display diverse responses to different stimuli. During cancer, different monocyte subsets perform functions that contribute to both pro‐ and antitumoral immunity, including phagocytosis, secretion of tumoricidal mediators, promotion of angiogenesis, remodeling of the extracellular matrix, recruitment of lymphocytes, and differentiation into tumor‐associated macrophages and dendritic cells. The ability of cancer to evade immune recognition and clearance requires protumoral signals to outweigh ongoing attempts by the host immune system to prevent tumor growth. This review discusses current understanding of monocyte heterogeneity during homeostasis, highlights monocyte functions in cancer progression, and describes monocyte‐targeted therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
Exposure to a Slightly Sweet Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplement During Early Life Does Not Increase the Preference for or Consumption of Sweet Foods and Beverages by 4–6-y-Old Ghanaian Preschool Children: Follow-up of a Randomized Controlled Trial

ABSTRACT Background Whether consuming sweet foods early in life affects sweet food preferences and consumption later in childhood is unknown. Objective We tested the hypothesis that exposure to a slightly sweet lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS) early in life would not increase preference for or consumption of sweet items at preschool age. Methods We followed up children who had participated in a randomized trial in Ghana in which LNS was provided to 1 group of women during pregnancy and 6 mo postpartum and to their infants from ages 6–18 mo (LNS group). The control group (non-LNS group) received iron and folic acid during pregnancy or multiple micronutrients during pregnancy and 6 mo postpartum, with no infant supplementation. At 4–6 y, we obtained data from caregivers on children's food and beverage preferences and consumption (n = 985). For a randomly selected subsample (n = 624), we assessed preference for sweet items using a photo game (range in potential scores, 0–15). For the photo game and reported consumption of sweet items, we examined group differences using predetermined noninferiority margins equivalent to an effect size of 0.2. Results Median (quartile 1, quartile 3) reported consumption of sweet items (times in previous week) was 14 (8, 23) in the LNS group and 16 (9, 22) in the non-LNS group; in the photo game, the number of sweet items selected was 15 (11, 15) and 15 (11, 15), respectively. The upper level of the 95% CI of the mean difference between LNS and non-LNS groups did not exceed the noninferiority margins for these outcomes. Caregiver-reported preferences for sweet items also did not differ between groups (P = 0.9). Conclusion In this setting, where child consumption of sweet foods was common, exposure to a slightly sweet LNS early in life did not increase preference for or consumption of sweet foods and beverages at preschool age. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00970866.
Network abnormalities among non‐manifesting Parkinson disease related LRRK2 mutation carriers

Non‐manifesting carriers (NMC) of the G2019S mutation in the LRRK2 gene represent an “at risk” group for future development of Parkinson's disease (PD) and have demonstrated task related fMRI changes. However, resting‐state networks have received less research focus, thus this study aimed to assess the integrity of the motor, default mode (DMN), salience (SAL), and dorsal attention (DAN) networks among this unique population by using two different connectivity measures: interregional functional connectivity analysis and Dependency network analysis (DEPNA). Machine learning classification methods were used to distinguish connectivity between the two groups of participants. Forty‐four NMC and 41 non‐manifesting non‐carriers (NMNC) participated in this study; while no behavioral differences on standard questionnaires could be detected, NMC demonstrated lower connectivity measures in the DMN, SAL, and DAN compared to NMNC but not in the motor network. Significant correlations between NMC connectivity measures in the SAL and attention were identified. Machine learning classification separated NMC from NMNC with an accuracy rate above 0.8. Reduced integrity of non‐motor networks was detected among NMC of the G2019S mutation in the LRRK2 gene prior to identifiable changes in connectivity of the motor network, indicating significant non‐motor cerebral changes among populations “at risk” for future development of PD.
The impact of organic vs. inorganic selenium on dairy goat productivity and expression of selected genes in milk somatic cells

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the effect of diet supplemented with selenized yeast (Se-yeast) on milk yield and milk composition of goats and expression of casein and mammary-gland-immune system genes in milk somatic cells (MSC). Twenty-four dairy goats in their second to fourth lactations were divided into control and experimental groups, balanced according to lactation number and breed (Polish White or Fawn Improved). Morning milk and blood samples were collected four times during lactation (on the 21st, 70th, 120th, 180th day after kidding). The control and experimental groups were fed diets with 0.7 mg inorganic Se/goat/day (sodium selenite) or 0.6 mg organic Se/goat/day (selenized yeast), respectively. Milk, fat and protein yields during lactation as well as average somatic cell count, fat, protein and lactose contents in milk were evaluated. Microelements in milk and blood serum and biochemical parameters in blood serum were determined at the beginning and the end of the experiment. The expression levels of the genes encoding αS1-casein (CSN1S1), αS2-casein (CSN1S2), κ-casein (CSN3), interleukin 8 (IL-8), serum amyloid A3 (SAA3), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), bactenecin 7.5 (BAC7.5), bactenecin 5 (BAC5), β2-defensin (GBD2), hepcidin (HAMP), chemokine 4 (CCL4), tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), cathelicidin-7 (MAP34) and cathelicidin-6 (MAP28) were determined in MSC. Milk, fat, and protein yields were higher and somatic cell count (SCC expressed as natural logarithm) was lower in the milk of goats fed organic Se. The Se concentration in milk was twice as high in the organic vs. inorganic treatment groups at the end of the experiment, while there were no differences in studied biochemical parameters between groups. The transcript levels of CSN1S2 and BAC7.5 were higher and IL-8 was lower in MSC of Se-yeast treated groups. Such results may indicate better health status of mammary glands of goats treated with organic Se as well as positive impact of selenized yeast on the goat's milk composition. Differences in the IL-1β and IL-8 transcript levels were also noted between the stages of lactation, with the highest expression at the peak of lactation (day 70), highlighting the metabolic burden at this time. We concluded that the Se-yeast supplementation improved the productivity and health status of goats and could have significant economic impact on farmer's income.
Evaluation of body image perception in multiple sclerosis patients without neurological deficit

Background and purpose There is a lack of research on the association between body image perception (BIP) and multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to evaluate BIP in MS patients and its correlation with depression, anxiety, duration of the disease, and sociodemographic characteristics of the patients. Methods Fifty patients with MS who applied to our outpatient clinic were examined. Forty-five healthy control were recruited for the study. All patients were diagnosed with MS according to 2010 revisions of McDonald criteria. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was performed by the same neurologist for all patients. The participants were asked to complete a sociodemographic form, Body Cathexis Scale (BCS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Results The mean BCS score was 86.54 ± 32.24 in MS patients and 155.00 ± 20.90 in the healthy subjects (p<0.001). While MS patients had significantly higher anxiety levels, depression scores were similar in both groups. The mean BAI score was 18.50 ± 14.03 for MS patients and 10.06 ± 7.96 in the control group (p=0.001). The BDI score of the patients was 13.77 ± 11.61 and 11.91 ± 8.65 for the controls (p=0.34). Early age of the disease onset, increased number of attacks, increased depressive symptoms, and higher anxiety levels were significantly correlated with higher BCS scores. Age and being single/ divorced/ widowed were also correlated with BCS scores. Conclusion It is important to preserve the mental well-being of patients. Even in apparently healthy patients, the body perception may be severely impaired.
Modifiable Risk Factors Discriminate Memory Trajectories in Non-Demented Aging: Precision Factors and Targets for Promoting Healthier Brain Aging and Preventing Dementia

Background: Non-demented cognitive aging trajectories are characterized by vast level and slope differences and a spectrum of outcomes, including dementia. Objective: The goal of AD risk management (and its corollary, promoting healthy brain aging) is aided by two converging objectives: 1) classifying dynamic distributions of non-demented cognitive trajectories, and 2) identifying modifiable risk-elevating and risk-reducing factors that discriminate stable or normal trajectory patterns from declining or pre-impairment patterns. Method: Using latent class growth analysis we classified three episodic memory aging trajectories for n = 882 older adults (baseline Mage=71.6, SD=8.9, range = 53-95, female=66%): Stable (SMA; above average level, sustained slope), Normal (NMA; average level, moderately declining slope), and Declining (DMA; below average level, substantially declining slope). Using random forest analyses, we simultaneously assessed 17 risk/protective factors from non-modifiable demographic, functional, psychological, and lifestyle domains. Within two age strata (Young-Old, Old-Old), three pairwise prediction analyses identified important discriminating factors. Results: Prediction analyses revealed that different modifiable risk predictors, both shared and unique across age strata, discriminated SMA (i.e., education, depressive symptoms, living status, body mass index, heart rate, social activity) and DMA (i.e., lifestyle activities [cognitive, self-maintenance, social], grip strength, heart rate, gait) groups. Conclusion: Memory trajectory analyses produced empirical classes varying in level and slope. Prediction analyses revealed different predictors of SMA and DMA that also varied by age strata. Precision approaches for promoting healthier memory aging—and delaying memory impairment—may identify modifiable factors that constitute specific targets for intervention in the differential context of age and non-demented trajectory patterns.