Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of IL18 genetic polymorphisms with Chagas disease in Latin American populations

Host genetic factors have been suggested to play an important role in the susceptibility to Chagas disease. Given the influence of interleukin 18 (IL-18) in the development of the disease, in the present study, we analyzed three IL18 genetic variants (rs2043055, rs1946518, rs360719) regarding the predisposition to Trypanosoma cruzi infection and the development of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC), in different Latin America populations. Genetic data of 3,608 patients from Colombia, Bolivia, Argentina, and Brazil were meta-analyzed to validate previous findings with increased statistical power. Seropositive and seronegative individuals were compared for T. cruzi infection susceptibility. In the Colombian cohort, the allelic frequencies of the three variants showed a significant association, with adjustment for sex and age, and also after applying multiple testing adjustments. Among the Colombian and Argentinean cohorts, rs360719 showed a significant genetic effect in a fixed-effects meta-analysis after a Bonferroni correction (OR: 0.76, CI: 0.66–0.89, P = 0.001). For CCC, the rs2043055 showed an association with protection from cardiomyopathy in the Colombian cohort (OR: 0.79, CI: 0.64–0.99, P = 0.037), with adjustment for sex and age, and after applying multiple testing adjustments. The meta-analysis of the CCC vs. asymptomatic patients from the four cohorts showed no evidence of association. In conclusion, our results validated the association found previously in the Colombian cohort suggesting that IL18 rs360719 plays an important role in the susceptibility to T. cruzi infection and no evidence of association was found between the IL18 genetic variants and CCC in the Latin American population studied.
Design of a Flexible Wearable Smart sEMG Recorder Integrated Gradient Boosting Decision Tree Based Hand Gesture Recognition

This paper proposed a wearable smart sEMG recorder integrated gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT) based hand gesture recognition. A hydrogel-silica gel based flexible surface electrode band is used as the tissue interface. The sEMG signal is collected using a neural signal acquisition analog front end (AFE) chip. A quantitative analysis method is proposed to balance the algorithm complexity and recognition accuracy. A parallel GBDT implementation is proposed featuring a low latency. The proposed GBDT based neural signal processing unit (NSPU) is implemented on an FPGA near the AFE. A RF module is used for wireless communication. A hand gesture set including 12 gestures is designed for human-computer interaction. Experimental results show an overall hand gesture recognition accuracy of 91%.
Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases at Baseline and Their Short-Term Changes in a Workplace Cohort in Singapore

We aimed to examine the behavioural and clinical risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at baseline and their changes over 12 months in a workplace cohort in Singapore. A total of 464 full-time employees (age ≥ 21 years) were recruited from a variety of occupational settings, including offices, control rooms, and workshops. Of these, 424 (91.4%) were followed-up at three months and 334 (72.0%) were followed up at 12 months. Standardized questionnaires were used to collect data on health behaviours and clinical measurements were performed by trained staff using standard instruments and protocols. Age-adjusted changes in risk factors over time were examined using generalized estimating equations or linear mixed-effects models where appropriate. The mean age of the participants at baseline was 39.0 (SD: 11.4) years and 79.5% were men. Nearly a quarter (24.4%) were current smokers, slightly more than half (53.5%) were alcohol drinkers, two-thirds (66%) were consuming <5 servings of fruit and vegetables per day, and 23.1% were physically inactive. More than two-thirds (67%) were overweight or obese and 34.5% had central obesity. The mean follow-up was 8.6 months. After adjusting for age, over 12 months, there was a significant increase in the proportion consuming <5 servings of fruit and vegetables per day by 33% (p = 0.030), who were physically inactive by 64% (p < 0.001), and of overweight or obese people by 15% (p = 0.018). The burden of several key NCD risk factors at baseline was high and some worsened within a short period of time in this working population. There is a need for more targeted strategies for behaviour change towards a healthy lifestyle as part of the ongoing health and wellness programs at workplaces in Singapore.
The Effects of Child and Adult Victimization on Psychological Distress: A Mediated Structural Equation Modeling Analysis

Justice-involved women experience significantly higher rates of victimization and psychological distress, and these experiences place women at greater risk of initial and ongoing involvement in the criminal justice system. This research explored the relationship between victimization, the hypothesized mediators (social support and coping), and psychological distress among a sample of 406 victimized women on probation/parole. Results of the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were significant and indicated a partial mediation model (74%) with both direct and indirect effects. Based upon the results of this research, implications and future research are explored regarding gender-responsive practices for this population.
Hamsters in the city: A study on the behaviour of a population of common hamsters (Cricetus cricetus) in urban environment

Animals in urban environments face challenging situations and have to cope with human activities. This study investigated the ecology and behaviour of a population of European hamsters (Cricetus cricetus) living in the city centre of Vienna (Austria). We recorded the surface activities of 35 hamsters in May 2015. Each focal animal was observed for 15 minutes, and a total of 66 focal samples were analysable. As a prey species in an environment teeming with human activities, we predicted a high level of vigilance by the hamsters. The results show that while animals dedicated a lot of time to vigilance, most of their time was spent foraging. The study also explores whether the frequency of vigilance behaviours differ between males and females. We found that vigilance behaviours were expressed in a different manner by males and females. Finally, we investigated the distribution of the burrows on green spaces depending on proximity to trees and on noise levels. We found a biased distribution of burrows, with a spatial preference for location protected by the vegetation and distant to noise sources. Although burrows were located preferentially under vegetation cover, levels of noise did not determine their positions. Moreover, this species does not respond to disturbances like daily urban noises, probably due to habituation. The common hamster is an endangered species; our results lead to a greater knowledge of its behaviour in a persistent urban population.
Event centrality, transitional impact and symptoms of posttraumatic stress in a clinical sample

ABSTRACT Background and Objectives: There is growing research indicating that event centrality strongly predicts posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, there is not much research on what makes a traumatic event central to one’s life story. One reason a traumatic memory becomes a reference point for one’s life story is that it brings about significant changes in one’s life. This study investigated the relationships between transitional impact of an event, event centrality, and PTSD symptoms. Specifically, it tested whether higher negative changes were associated with higher levels of event centrality and PTSD symptoms. It also investigated whether event centrality mediated the relationship between transitional impact and PTSD severity. Methods: 101 individuals diagnosed with PTSD completed the Transitional Impact Scale (TIS), Centrality of Event Scale, and Impact of Event Scale-Revised regarding their traumatic experiences. Furthermore, they responded to the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale-Self Report (PSS-SR), Traumatic Events Checklist (TELC), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Results and Conclusions: Results indicate that (a) the TIS had valid and reliable psychometric properties in a PTSD sample, (b) most of the traumatic events received high negative psychological and material change scores, and (c) event centrality mediated the relationship between transitional impact and PTSD severity.
CXCL2, a new critical factor and therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases

ABSTRACT Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Previous studies have shown that inflammatory chemokines are involved in the physiological functions of cytoskeletal reorganization, cell migration, adhesion and immune responses. However, in the past decade, there have been studies showing that inflammatory chemokines play a key role in CVD. Importantly, CXC motif chemokine ligand 2 (CXCL2) has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. CXCL2 exerts its effects on the cardiovascular system by mediating inflammatory responses, but the specific signaling pathways by which CXCL2 exerts its effects in CVD remain unknown and need to be further investigated. This review aims to investigate the expression changes of CXCL2 in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), atherosclerosis (AS), obesity, diabetes and ischemic stroke (IS) and its potential key role in cardiovascular disease in order to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Local vulnerability and global connectivity jointly shape neurodegenerative disease propagation

It is becoming increasingly clear that brain network organization shapes the course and expression of neurodegenerative diseases. Parkinson disease (PD) is marked by progressive spread of atrophy from the midbrain to subcortical structures and, eventually, to the cerebral cortex. Recent discoveries suggest that the neurodegenerative process involves the misfolding and prion-like propagation of endogenous α-synuclein via axonal projections. However, the mechanisms that translate local "synucleinopathy" to large-scale network dysfunction and atrophy remain unknown. Here, we use an agent-based epidemic spreading model to integrate structural connectivity, functional connectivity, and gene expression and to predict sequential volume loss due to neurodegeneration. The dynamic model replicates the spatial and temporal patterning of empirical atrophy in PD and implicates the substantia nigra as the disease epicenter. We reveal a significant role for both connectome topology and geometry in shaping the distribution of atrophy. The model also demonstrates that SNCA and GBA transcription influence α-synuclein concentration and local regional vulnerability. Functional coactivation further amplifies the course set by connectome architecture and gene expression. Altogether, these results support the theory that the progression of PD is a multifactorial process that depends on both cell-to-cell spreading of misfolded proteins and regional vulnerability.
Subchondroplasty for Bone Marrow Lesions in the Arthritic Knee Results in Pain Relief and Improvement in Function

Abstract Subchondroplasty is a relatively new joint preserving procedure, which involves the localized injection of calcium pyrophosphate bone substitute into the bone marrow lesion. The advent of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has greatly facilitated the identification of these bone marrow lesions. We investigated the clinical efficacy of subchondroplasty in the treatment of symptomatic bone marrow lesions in the knee, including knees with preexisting osteoarthritis. This study comprised of 12 patients whose knees were evaluated with standard radiographs and MRI to identify and localize the bone marrow lesions. They then underwent subchondroplasty under intraoperative radiographic guidance. Preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores, and Knee Injury and Arthritis Outcome Scores (KOOS) were obtained. VAS scores improved significantly from 7.5 ± 1.8 before surgery to 5.2 ± 2.7 after surgery. This further improved to 2.1 ± 2.4 at the one-year follow-up. KOOS scores improved significantly from 38.5 ± 17.0 before surgery to 73.2 ± 19.0 at the one-year follow-up. WOMAC scores improved significantly from 47.8 ± 20.5 before surgery to 14.3 ± 13.2 at the one-year follow-up. Subchondroplasty offers an effective way to treat subchondral bone marrow lesions in the arthritic knee, resulting in improvement in symptoms and early return to activity. Long-term studies are required to evaluate if these benefits can last. This is a Level II study.
Comparison of MicroRNA Expression in Tears of Normal Subjects and Sjögren Syndrome Patients.

Purpose Deregulated expression of several microRNAs (miRNAs) in sera or salivary glands of patients with Sjögren syndrome (SS) has been reported. However, none have investigated miRNAs in samples that can represent lacrimal glands. We compared the miRNAs expression in the tears of SS patients and healthy controls. Moreover, we investigated the correlation between miRNAs expression and ocular staining score (OSS). Methods Individual tear samples were collected from 18 SS patients and 8 age-matched controls. Clinical ophthalmologic assessments included Schirmer I test, tear film breakup time (tBUT), and OSS. The expression of 43 different miRNAs in tears was measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction, and compared between the SS patients and controls. And we also compared between the three groups of control, primary SS, and secondary SS patients. The correlation between the miRNA expression and OSS was evaluated. Results The expression levels of miR-16-5p, miR-34a-5p, miR-142-3p, and miR-223-3p were significantly upregulated in patients with SS when compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05). The expression of 10 miRNAs (miR-30b-5p, miR-30c-5p, miR-30d-5p, miR-92a-3p, miR-134-5p, miR-137, miR-302d-5p, miR-365b-3p, miR-374c-5p, miR-487b-3p) was significantly downregulated in the SS patients (P < 0.05). Eight miRNAs showed statistically significant differences between the three groups of control, primary SS and secondary SS. All 14 miRNAs with significant differences in SS patients and control group were not significantly correlated with OSSs. Conclusions The 14 differentially expressed miRNAs may be involved in the pathogenesis of SS, in particular, related to autoimmunity and neuropathy.
Fibroblasts to Keratinocytes Redox Signaling: The Possible Role of ROS in Psoriatic Plaque Formation

Although the role of reactive oxygen species-mediated (ROS-mediated) signalling in physiologic and pathologic skin conditions has been proven, no data exist on the skin cells ROS-mediated communication. Primary fibroblasts were obtained from lesional and non-lesional skin of psoriatic patients. ROS, superoxide anion, calcium and nitric oxide levels and lipoperoxidation markers and total antioxidant content were measured in fibroblasts. NADPH oxidase activity and NOX1, 2 and 4 expressions were assayed and NOX4 silencing was performed. Fibroblasts and healthy keratinocytes co-culture was performed. MAPK pathways activation was studied in fibroblasts and in co-cultured healthy keratinocytes. Increased intracellular calcium, •NO and ROS levels as well as an enhanced NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4)–mediated extracellular ROS release was shown in lesional psoriatic vs. control fibroblasts. Upon co-culture with lesional fibroblasts, keratinocytes showed p38 and ERK MAPKs pathways activation, ROS, Ca2+ and •NO increase and cell cycle acceleration. Notably, NOX4 knockdown significantly reduced the observed effects of lesional fibroblasts on keratinocyte cell cycle progression. Co-culture with non-lesional psoriatic and control fibroblasts induced slight cell cycle acceleration, but notable intracellular ROS accumulation and ERK MAPK activation in keratinocytes. Collectively, our data demonstrate that NOX4 expressed in dermal fibroblasts is essential for the redox paracrine regulation of epidermal keratinocytes proliferation.
Examining the Discriminant Validity of Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms: Results From a United Kingdom Population Sample.

Complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) was added to the diagnostic nomenclature in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Although considerable evidence exists supporting the construct validity of CPTSD, the distinguishability of CPTSD symptoms from those of borderline personality disorder (BPD) has been questioned. The present study examined the discriminant validity of CPTSD and BPD symptoms among a trauma-exposed population sample from the United Kingdom (N = 546). Participants completed self-report measures of CPTSD and BPD symptoms, and their latent structure was assessed using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). A three-factor model with latent variables reflecting PTSD, disturbances in self-organization (DSO), and BPD symptoms provided the best fit of the data, χ2 (399, N = 546) = 1,650, p < . 001; CFI = . 944; TLI = . 930; RMSEA = . 077, 90% CI [. 073, . 081]. We identified multiple symptoms distinctive to individual constructs (e.g., disturbed relationships and suicidality) as well as symptoms shared across the constructs (e.g., affective dysregulation). The PTSD, β = . 24; DSO, β = . 23; and BPD, β = . 27, latent variables were positively and significantly associated with childhood interpersonal trauma. The current findings support the discriminant validity of CPTSD and BPD symptoms and highlight various phenomenological signatures of each construct as well as demonstrate how these constructs share important similarities in symptom composition and exogenous correlates.
Trends and Inequalities in the Health Care and Hypertension Outcomes in China, 2011 to 2015

Background: Hypertension is one of the most significant and common risk factors for cardiovascular disease, yet it remains poorly controlled in China. This study aims to examine trends and socioeconomic inequalities in the management of hypertension between 2011 and 2015 in China and to investigate the association between antihypertensive medication treatment and reduction of blood pressure, using nationally representative data. Methods: Concentration curve and concentration index were used to assess socioeconomic-related inequalities in hypertension care and health service utilisation. The fixed-effects analysis was performed to measure the impact of medication treatment on reduction of blood pressure among people with hypertension by using linear regression models. Results: Among hypertensive individuals, there were growing trends in the rates of awareness and treatment from 55.87% and 48.44% in 2011, to 68.31% in 2013 and 61.97% in 2015, respectively. The proportion of hypertension control was still below 30%. The fixed-effects models indicated that medication treatment was statistically significant and associated with the patients’ systolic blood pressure (β: −13.483; 95% CI: −15.672, −11.293) and diastolic blood pressure (β: −5.367; 95% CI: −6.390, −4.344). Conclusions: China has made good progress in the hypertension diagnosis, medication treatment and coverage of health services over the last 10 years; however, pro-rich inequalities in hypertension care still exist, and there is considerable progress to be made in the prevention, treatment and effective control of hypertension.
Olfactory Learning in the Stingless Bee Melipona eburnea Friese (Apidae: Meliponini)

Olfactory learning and floral scents are co-adaptive traits in the plant–pollinator relationship. However, how scent relates to cognition and learning in the diverse group of Neotropical stingless bees is largely unknown. Here we evaluated the ability of Melipona eburnea to be conditioned to scent using the proboscis extension reflex (PER) protocol. Stingless bees did not show PER while harnessed but were able to be PER conditioned to scent when free-to-move in a mini-cage (fmPER). We evaluated the effect of: 1) unconditioned stimulus (US) reward, and 2) previous scent–reward associations on olfactory learning performance. When using unscented-US, PER-responses were low on day 1, but using scented-US reward the olfactory PER-response increased on day 1. On day 2 PER performance greatly increased in bees that previously had experienced the same odor and reward combination, while bees that experienced a different odor on day 2 showed poor olfactory learning. Bees showed higher olfactory PER conditioning to guava than to mango odor. The effect of the unconditioned stimulus reward was not a significant factor in the model on day 2. This indicates that olfactory learning performance can increase via either taste receptors or accumulated experience with the same odor. Our results have application in agriculture and pollination ecology.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Dyadic Psychological Interventions for BPSD, Quality of Life and/or Caregiver Burden in Dementia or MCI

ABSTRACT Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses the effectiveness of psychological interventions that involve people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and their informal caregivers, and target improvements in the management of the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD); quality of life; and/or burden reduction for people with either dementia or MCI and their informal caregivers. Methods: Studies were identified through database searches (Cochrane Library, CENTRAL, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE and PsychINFO) and clinical trials registers (ClinicalTrials.gov and http://apps.who.int/trialsearch/). Data were pooled for meta-analysis. Results: Database and reference list searches identified 1,878 references, of which fourteen studies were included. Positive effects were found on the anxiety symptoms of people with dementia on the RAID scale; on the quality of life of people with dementia on the self-rated QoL-AD scale; and on informal caregiver burden on the Zarit Burden Interview. Conclusions: Psychological interventions involving whole dyads have some promise for both people with dementia and informal caregivers, but are still far from uniformly effective across BPSD, quality of life, and caregiver burden. Further research directions are discussed. Clinical Implications: The results suggest that clinicians should routinely involve both halves of the dyad when delivering psychological interventions targeting anxiety or quality of life for people with dementia, or burden for informal caregivers.