Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Neural Circuit Formation in a Cuprizone-Induced Multiple Sclerosis Mouse Model

Cognitive impairments are key features in multiple sclerosis (MS), a progressive disorder characterized by neuroinflammation-induced demyelination in the central nervous system. To understand the neural substrates that link demyelination to cognitive deficits in MS, we investigated hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptic connectivity of adult-born neurons, which play an essential role in cognitive function. The administration and withdrawal of the combination of cuprizone and rapamycin (Cup/Rap) in C57BL/6J male mice efficiently demyelinated and remyelinated the hippocampus, respectively. In the demyelinated hippocampus, neurogenesis was nearly absent in the dentate gyrus, which was due to inhibited proliferation of neural stem cells (NSCs). Specifically, radial glia-like type 1 NSCs were shifted from a proliferative state to a mitotically-quiescent state in the demyelinated hippocampus. In addition, dendritic spine densities of adult-born neurons were significantly decreased, indicating a reduction in synaptic connections between hippocampal newborn neurons and excitatory input neurons. Concomitant with hippocampal remyelination induced by withdrawal of Cup/Rap, proliferation of type 1 NSCs and dendritic spine densities of adult-born neurons reverted to normal in the hippocampus. Our study shows that proliferation of hippocampal NSCs and synaptic connectivity of adult-born neurons are inversely correlated with the level of demyelination, providing critical insight into hippocampal neurogenesis as a potential therapeutic target to treat cognitive deficits associated with MS. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT To identify the neural substrates that mediate cognitive dysfunctions associated with a majority of MS patients, we investigated hippocampal neurogenesis and structural development of adult-born neurons using a Cup/Rap model, which recapitulates the hippocampal demyelination that occurs in MS patients. A shift of NSCs from a proliferatively-active state to mitotically-quiescent state dramatically decreased neurogenesis in the demyelinated hippocampus. Formation of dendritic spines on newborn neurons was also impaired following demyelination. Interestingly, the altered neurogenesis and synaptic connectivity of newborn neurons were reversed to normal levels during remyelination. Thus, our study revealed reversible genesis and synaptic connectivity of adult-born neurons between the demyelinated and remyelinated hippocampus, suggesting hippocampal neurogenesis as a potential target to normalize cognitive impairments in MS patients.
Circulating Antibodies against Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) and p53 in EBV-Positive and -Negative Gastric Cancer

Background: Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-positive gastric cancers have clinicopathologic differences from EBV-negative tumors and lack TP53 mutation. Serologic profiles may inform viral contribution to carcinogenesis. Methods: We compared humoral responses of EBV-positive (n = 67) and EBV-negative (n = 137) patients with gastric cancer from the International EBV-Gastric Cancer Consortium. Serum antibodies against four EBV proteins, nuclear (EBNA), viral capsid (VCA), early-diffuse (EA-D), and Zta replication activator (ZEBRA), and to p53 were assessed by multiplex assays. OR of antibody level tertiles (T1–T3) were adjusted by logistic regression. We also conducted a meta-analysis of reported anti-p53 seropositivity in gastric cancer. Results: Consistent with EBV's ubiquity, 99% of patients were seropositive for anti-EBNA and 98% for anti-VCA, without difference by tumor EBV status. Seropositivity varied between patients with EBV-positive and EBV-negative tumors for anti-EA-D (97% vs. 67%, respectively, P < 0.001) and anti-ZEBRA (97% vs. 85%, respectively, P = 0.009). Adjusted ORs (vs. T1) for patients with EBV-positive versus EBV-negative tumors were significantly elevated for higher antibodies against EBNA (2.6 for T2 and 13 for T3), VCA (1.8 for T2 and 2.4 for T3), EA-D (6.0 for T2 and 44 for T3), and ZEBRA (4.6 for T2 and 12 for T3). Antibodies to p53 were inversely associated with EBV positivity (3% vs. 15%; adjusted OR = 0.16, P = 0.021). Anti-p53 prevalence from the literature was 15%. Conclusions: These serologic patterns suggest viral reactivation in EBV-positive cancers and identify variation of p53 seropositivity by subtype. Impact: Anti-EBV and anti-p53 antibodies are differentially associated with tumor EBV positivity. Serology may identify EBV-positive gastric cancer for targeted therapies.
Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor (SLPI)—A Novel Predictive Biomarker of Acute Kidney Injury after Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most frequent complications after cardiac surgery and is associated with poor outcomes. Biomarkers of AKI are crucial for the early diagnosis of this condition. Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is an alarm anti-protease that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of AKI but has not yet been studied as a diagnostic biomarker of AKI. Using two independent cohorts (development cohort (DC), n = 60; validation cohort (VC), n = 148), we investigated the performance of SLPI as a diagnostic marker of AKI after cardiac surgery. Serum and urinary levels of SLPI were quantified by ELISA. SLPI was significantly elevated in AKI patients compared with non-AKI patients (6 h, DC: 102.1 vs. 64.9 ng/mL, p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of serum SLPI 6 h after surgery was 0.87 ((0.76–0.97); DC). The addition of SLPI to standard clinical predictors significantly improved the predictive accuracy of AKI (24 h, VC: odds ratio (OR) = 3.91 (1.44–12.13)). In a subgroup, the increase in serum SLPI was evident before AKI was diagnosed on the basis of serum creatinine or urine output (24 h, VC: OR = 4.89 (1.54–19.92)). In this study, SLPI was identified as a novel candidate biomarker for the early diagnosis of AKI after cardiac surgery.
Sarcoidosis and calcium homeostasis disturbances—Do we know where we stand?

The majority of cases involving hypercalcemia in the setting of sarcoidosis are explained by the overproduction of calcitriol by activated macrophages. Vitamin D takes part in the regulation of granuloma formation. However, using vitamin D metabolites to assess the activity of the disease is still problematic, and its usefulness is disputable. In some cases, though, a calcium metabolism disorder could be a valuable tool (i.e. as a marker of extrathoracic sarcoidosis). Although sarcoidosis does not cause a decrease in bone mineral density, increased incidence of vertebral deformities is noted. Despite increasing knowledge about calcium homeostasis disorders in patients with sarcoidosis, there is still a need for clear guidelines regarding calcium and vitamin D supplementation in these patients.
Temperature Sensor Assisted Lifetime Enhancement of Satellite Embedded Systems via Multi-Core Task Mapping and DVFS

Recently, thanks to the miniaturization and high performance of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) computer systems, small satellites get popular. However, due to the very expensive launching cost, it is critical to reduce the physical size and weight of the satellite systems such as cube satellites (CubeSats), making it infeasible to install high capacity batteries or solar panels. Thus, the low-power design is one of the most critical issues in the design of such systems. In addition, as satellites make a periodic revolution around the Earth in a vacuum, their operating temperature varies greatly. For instance, in a low earth orbit (LEO) CubeSats, the temperatures vary from 30 to −30 degrees Celsius, resulting in a big thermal cycle (TC) in the electronic parts that is known to be one of the most critical reliability threats. Moreover, such LEO CubeSats are not fully protected by active thermal control and thermal insulation due to the cost, volume, and weight problems. In this paper, we propose to utilize temperature sensors to maximize the lifetime reliability of the LEO satellite systems via multi-core mapping and dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) under power constraint. As conventional reliability enhancement techniques primarily focus on reducing the temperature, it may cause enlarged TCs, making them even less reliable. On the contrary, we try to maintain the TC optimal in terms of reliability with respect to the given power constraint. Experimental evaluation shows that the proposed technique improves the expected lifetime of the satellite embedded systems by up to 8.03 times in the simulation of Nvidia’s Jetson TK1.
Minimally invasive treatment of multiple valve disease: A modified approach through a right lateral minithoracotomy

Today there is little experience with minimally invasive treatment of multiple valve disease and no standard techniques have been provided yet. We report our early experience with combined aortic and mitral valve surgery with or without tricuspid surgery through a right lateral minithoracotomy (RmT), describing the technical aspects of our approach.
Glycosylated hemoglobin levels and lipid profile in children with asthma using low dose and high dose inhaled corticosteroids

Objective: To compare the mean Glycosylated haemoglobin level and lipid profile of children using high dose ICS with that of children using low dose ICS. Study Population: Children between 1-12 years attending asthma clinic using high dose and low dose inhaled corticosteroids. HbA1c levels, Fasting blood sugar and Lipid profile of children in the two groups were measured Results: Children belonging to low dose ICS group were using a mean dose of 206.02 ± 67.13 micrograms per day and high dose group were using a mean dose of 444.61 ± 70.33 micrograms per day. The mean glycosylated haemoglobin level was 6.206 ±1.36% among children using low dose inhaled steroids and 6.013 ± 1.185% among children using high dose inhaled steroids. The mean fasting cholesterol was 180.39 ± 28.66 mg/dl in the low dose ICS group and 179.17 ± 30.21 mg/dl in the high dose ICS group. The mean high density lipoprotein levels were 50.8 3 ±11.05 mg/dl among children using low dose inhaled steroids and 53.37 ± 13.36 mg/dl among children using high dose inhaled steroids. The mean low density lipoprotein levels were 111.78 ± 25.39 mg/dl among children using low dose inhaled steroids and 108.01 ± 30.26 mg/dl among children using high dose inhaled steroids. Conclusions: There was no statistically significant difference between the glycosylated haemoglobin levels, fasting blood glucose levels and fasting lipid profile between children on low dose inhaled corticosteroids and high dose inhaled corticosteroids.
Low Calorie Sweeteners Differ in Their Physiological Effects in Humans

Low calorie sweeteners (LCS) are prevalent in the food supply for their primary functional property of providing sweetness with little or no energy. Though tested for safety individually, there has been extremely limited work on the efficacy of each LCS. It is commonly assumed all LCS act similarly in their behavioral and physiological effects. However, each LCS has its own chemical structure that influences its metabolism, making each LCS unique in its potential effects on body weight, energy intake, and appetite. LCS may have different behavioral and physiological effects mediated at the sweet taste receptor, in brain activation, with gut hormones, at the microbiota and on appetitive responses. Further elucidation of the unique effects of the different commercially available LCS may hold important implications for recommendations about their use for different health outcomes.
The Skin and Gut Microbiome and Its Role in Common Dermatologic Conditions

Microorganisms inhabit various areas of the body, including the gut and skin, and are important in maintaining homeostasis. Changes to the normal microflora due to genetic or environmental factors can contribute to the development of various disease states. In this review, we will discuss the relationship between the gut and skin microbiome and various dermatological diseases including acne, psoriasis, rosacea, and atopic dermatitis. In addition, we will discuss the impact of treatment on the microbiome and the role of probiotics.
Longitudinal atrophy characterization of cortical and subcortical gray matter in Huntington’s disease patients

Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease with clinical manifestations that involve motor, cognitive and psychiatric deficits. Cross‐sectional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have described the main cortical and subcortical macrostructural atrophy of HD. However, longitudinal studies characterizing progressive atrophy are lacking. This study aimed to describe the cortical and subcortical gray matter atrophy using complementary volumetric and surface‐based MRI analyses in a cohort of seventeen early HD patients in a cross‐sectional and longitudinal analysis and to correlate the longitudinal volumetric atrophy with the functional decline using several clinical measures. A group of seventeen healthy individuals was included as controls. After obtaining structural MRIs, volumetric analyses were performed in 36 cortical and 7 subcortical regions of interest per hemisphere and surface‐based analyses were performed in the whole cortex, caudate, putamen and thalamus. Cross‐sectional cortical surface‐based and volumetric analyses showed significant decreases in frontoparietal and temporo‐occipital cortices, while subcortical volumetric analysis showed significant decreases in all subcortical structures except the hippocampus. The longitudinal surface‐based analysis showed widespread cortical thinning with volumetric decreases in the superior frontal lobe, while a subcortical volumetric decrease occurred in the caudate, putamen and thalamus with shape deformation on the anterior, medial and dorsal side. Functional capacity and motor status decline correlated with caudate progressive atrophy, while cognitive decline correlated with left superior frontal and right paracentral progressive atrophy. These results provide new insights into progressive volumetric and surface‐based morphometric atrophy of gray matter in HD.
On the Nature of the Word-Reduction Phenomenon: The Contribution of Bilingualism

Word reduction refers to how predictable words are shortened in features such as duration, intensity, or pitch. However, its origin is still unclear: Are words reduced because it is the second time that conceptual representations are activated, or because words are articulated twice? If word reduction is conceptually driven, it would be irrelevant whether the same referent is mentioned twice but using different words. However, if is articulatory, using different words for the same referent could prevent word reduction. In the present work, we use bilingualism to explore the conceptual or articulatory origin of word reduction in language production. Word reduction was compared in two conditions: a non-switch condition, where the two mentions of a referent were uttered in the same language, and a switch condition, where the referent was said in both languages. Dyads of participants completed collaborative maps in which words were uttered twice in Catalan or in Spanish, either repeating or switching the language between mentions. Words were equally reduced in duration, intensity, and pitch in non-switch and in switch conditions. Furthermore, the cognate status of words did not play any role. These findings support the theory that word reduction is conceptually driven.
Blood pressure-related electrocardiographic findings in healthy young individuals

Abstract Purpose: Elevated blood pressure induces electrocardiographic changes and is associated with an increase in cardiovascular disease later in life compared to normal blood pressure levels. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between normal to high normal blood pressure values (90–139/50–89 mmHg) and electrocardiographic parameters related to cardiac changes in hypertension in healthy young adults. Methods: Data from 1449 volunteers aged 18–30 years collected at our centre were analyzed. Only subjects considered healthy by a physician after review of collected data with systolic blood pressure values between 90 and 139 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure values between 50 and 89 mmHg were included. Subjects were divided into groups with 10 mmHg systolic blood pressure increment between groups for analysis of electrocardiographic differences. Backward multivariate regression analysis with systolic and diastolic blood pressure as a continuous variable was performed. Results: The mean age was 22.7 ± 3.0 years, 73.7% were male. P-wave area, ventricular activation time, QRS-duration, Sokolow–Lyon voltages, Cornell Product, J-point–T-peak duration corrected for heart rate and maximum T-wave duration were significantly different between systolic blood pressure groups. In the multivariate model with gender, body mass index and cholesterol, ventricular rate (standardized coefficient (SC): +0.182, p < . 001), ventricular activation time in lead V6 (SC= +0.065, p = .048), Sokolow–Lyon voltage (SC= +0.135, p < .001), and Cornell product (SC= +0.137, p < .001) were independently associated with systolic blood pressure, while ventricular rate (SC= +0.179, p < .001), P-wave area in lead V1 (SC= +0.079, p = .020), and Cornell product (SC= +0.091, p = .006) were independently associated with diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion: Blood pressure-related electrocardiographic changes were observed incrementally in a healthy young population with blood pressure in the normal range. These changes were an increased ventricular rate, increased atrial surface area, ventricular activation time and increased ventricular hypertrophy indices on a standard 12 lead electrocardiogram.
Critical Masculinity Studies and Research on Violence Against Women: An Assessment of Past Scholarship and Future Directions

This article investigates the role of critical masculinity theory on the field of violence against women (VAW). We conduct a meta-analysis to discern which theories of masculinity have been used within the journal Violence Against Women over the past 25 years. This search revealed that many articles use masculinity concepts but do not always articulate explicit theories of masculinity. We review hegemonic masculinity and male peer support, two of the most commonly used theories of masculinity and violence. We then discuss new developments within masculinity scholarship, including theories of manhood acts, inclusive masculinity, and hybrid masculinity, and consider how these perspectives can enhance the already robust scholarship on masculinity and VAW.
Taxonomic significance of cypsela morphology in tribe Cichoreae (Asteraceae) using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy

The current study deals with the detailed morphology investigation of eight Cypsela species belonging to tribe Cichoreae. The different Cypsela types were described, explained, compared, and their taxonomic significance is discussed in detail. Light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have been used to highlight quantitative and qualitative characters of underestudied species. Cypsela exhibit great diversity in macro and micromorphological features such as shape, color, length, width, anticlinal and periclinal wall patterns, surface patterns, epicuticular projections. Majority of Cypsela species were brownish in color and their size ranges from 2.16 to 3.98 mm in length and 1.16 to 0.82 mm in breadth. A great diversity in Cypsela shapes like oblanceolate to obovate, obovoid to cylindrical, obvate, narrowly lanceolate were observed. Most of the platelets having epicuticular projections were observed. The surface pattern on the cypsela surface varied from rugose papillate, verrucose papillate, and striated. On the basis of considerable variations observed, the present study can assist as useful constraints at various taxonomic levels. The aim of the present study is to provide a comprehensive description of the Cypsela morphology and to determine the extent to which these micro morphological data can be used as a taxonomic character to delineate various taxa belonging to the tribe Cichoreae.
Clinical Utility of the Limited Prosocial Emotions Specifier in the Childhood-Onset Subtype of Conduct Disorder

Objective: Clinicians may specify the diagnosis of conduct disorder (CD) as “with limited prosocial emotions” (LPE). This specifier is thought to identify youths with particularly severe and stable symptomatology. However, few studies have examined the clinical usefulness of the LPE specifier among children with childhood-onset CD. The current study examines whether the LPE specifier distinguishes children with particularly severe and persistent symptoms among those with childhood-onset CD. The study also aims to test whether the LPE specifier aids in identifying children with subclinical CD whose conduct problems are at risk of increasing. Method: Two hundred sixty-four children showing at least one CD symptom before age 10 were divided based on the presence of CD and the specifier. Children with and without the specifier were compared on number of CD symptoms (assessed at study inception) and trajectory of conduct problems (assessed over 4 years). The analyses controlled for oppositional defiant and attention deficit hyperactivity symptomatology. Results: Compared with children with CD but without LPE, children with CD and the LPE specifier did not differ on likelihood of endorsing most symptoms nor on total numbers of symptoms. Moreover, they did not show a more stable pattern of conduct problems across the 4 years. Children with subclinical CD with and without the LPE specifier were also similar in terms of their symptoms, severity, and evolution of their problems. Conclusions: Among youths with childhood-onset CD, the specifier appears to offer limited value in identifying those with particularly severe and stable CD symptomatology.
Regional pattern of hysterectomy among women in India: Evidence from a recent large scale survey

ABSTRACT Hysterectomy is one of the major public health issues today. In India, women’s attitudes toward menstruation may be a significant driver in seeking hysterectomy. Therefore, we attempted to study the prevalence, associated factors and reasons for hysterectomy among 540,671 ever-married women aged 15–49 years, using data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) conducted during 2015–16 in India. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. These analyses revealed that the prevalence of hysterectomy was 4.1%. The prevalence was highest in the southern region and lowest in the north-eastern regions of India. Results of multivariate models indicated that high parity (odds ratio [OR] 2.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.52–3.19), high body mass index (OR-1.43; 95% CI 1.35–1.51), older age, early age at first cohabitation, and illiteracy were positively associated with hysterectomy. Excessive menstrual bleeding was the leading reason for hysterectomy in this sample. Hysterectomy has exhibited an upward trend over the years. This may exert adverse effects on the physical, socio-psychological and reproductive health of women. Therefore, it is essential to promote high-quality prevention and treatment choices for women, rather than permanent but potentially inappropriate solutions such as hysterectomy.