Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Individual Differences in Resting-state Brain Rhythms Uniquely Predict Second Language Learning Rate and Willingness to Communicate in Adults

The current study used quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) to characterize individual differences in neural rhythms at rest and to relate them to fluid reasoning ability, to first language proficiency, and to subsequent second language (L2) learning ability, with the goal of obtaining a better understanding of the neurocognitive bases of L2 aptitude. Mean spectral power, laterality, and coherence metrics were extracted across theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands obtained from eyes-closed resting-state qEEG data from 41 adults aged 18–34 years. Participants then completed 8 weeks of French training using a virtual language and cultural immersion software. Results replicate and extend previous studies showing that faster learners have higher beta power recorded over right hemisphere (RH) electrode sites, greater laterality (RH − LH/RH + LH) of alpha and beta bands, and greater coherence between RH frontotemporal sites across all frequencies, although only coherence measures survived multiple comparisons. Increased coherence within and between RH networks was also associated with greater posttest declarative memory scores and with more accurate speech during learning. Total speech attempts, in contrast, correlated with bilaterally distributed small-world network configurations, as indexed by lower power and coherence over high-frequency (beta and gamma) bands recorded over frontotemporal networks in both hemispheres. Results from partial correlations and regression analyses suggest that the neural predictors of L2 learning rate, posttest proficiency, and total speech attempts varied in their degree of overlap with qEEG correlates of first language proficiency and fluid reasoning abilities, but that neural predictors alone explained 26–60% of the variance in L2 outcomes.
Sepsis Increases Muscle Proteolysis in Severely Burned Adults, But Does Not Impact Whole-Body Lipid or Carbohydrate Kinetics.

Sepsis is a common and often fatal consequence of severe burn injury, but its exact effects on whole body and muscle metabolism in the burn patient is unclear. To address this, 13 septic and 11 nonseptic patients (age: 36.9 ± 13.0 years) with burns encompassing >30% of their total body surface area underwent muscle protein kinetic studies under postabsorptive conditions using bolus injections of ring-C6 and N phenylalanine isotopes. In parallel, whole-body lipid and carbohydrate kinetics were assessed using constant infusions of [U-C6]palmitate, [6,6-H2]glucose, and [H5]glycerol, and during a 2-h hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. Muscle mRNA levels of genes implicated in the development of muscle cachexia were assessed by qPCR. Fractional breakdown rates of mixed-muscle proteins were found to be 2.4-fold greater in septic versus nonseptic patients (P < 0.05). No discernable differences in fractional synthetic rate of mixed-muscle proteins or rate of appearance of plasma free fatty acids, glycerol, or glucose could be observed between patient groups, although the latter was significantly associated with burn size (P < 0.05). Hyperinsulinemia stimulated whole-body glucose uptake and suppressed endogenous glucose production and whole-body lipolytic rate to equivalent degrees in both groups. Muscle mRNA levels of genes spanning autophagy, lysosomal, and ubiquitin proteasome-mediated proteolysis were not enhanced in septic versus nonseptic patients. Our results demonstrate that accelerated muscle proteolysis appears to be the principal metabolic consequence of sepsis in severe burn patients and could be a contributing factor to the accelerated loss of muscle mass in these individuals. The exact mechanistic basis for these changes remains unclear.
Intradermal immunization with botulinum neurotoxin serotype E DNA vaccine induces humoral and cellular immunity and protects against lethal toxin challenge

ABSTRACT Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) produced by the spore-forming, gram-positive, anaerobic bacterium Clostridium botulinum are the most toxic substances known and cause botulism, flaccid paralysis, or death. Owing to their high lethality, BoNTs are classified as category A agents by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Currently, there are no vaccines available to protect against BoNTs, so the rapid development of a safe and effective vaccine is important. DNA-based vaccines have recently drawn great attention because they can be developed quickly and can be applied in mass vaccination strategies to prevent disease outbreaks. Here, we report on the immunogenic and protective efficacy of a DNA vaccine, encoding a 50-kDa carboxy-terminal fragment of the BoNT serotype E heavy chain, which is delivered via an intradermal route. This plasmid DNA vaccine induced robust humoral and cellular BoNT/E-specific immune responses and completely protected animals against lethal challenge with BoNT/E. These results not only indicate that DNA vaccines could be further developed as safe and effective candidates for vaccines against BoNTs but also suggest a possible approach for developing vaccines that protect against bio-threat toxins.
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Social brain, social dysfunction and social withdrawal

physiological mechanisms that link system-level phenomena to the multiple hierarchies of brain function. Unfortunately, such a high complexity may also be associated with a high susceptibility to several pathogenic interventions. Consistently, social de ﬁ cits sometimes represent the ﬁ rst signs of a number of neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia (SCZ), Alzheimer ’ s disease (AD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) which leads to a progressive social dysfunction. In the present review we summarize present knowledge linking neurobiological substrates sustaining social functioning, social dysfunction and social withdrawal in major psychiatric disorders. Interestingly, AD, SCZ, and MDD a ﬀ ect the social brain in similar ways. Thus, social dysfunction and its most evident clinical expression (i.e., social withdrawal) may represent an innovative transdiagnostic domain, with the potential of being an independent entity in terms of biological roots, with the perspective of targeted interventions.
The Use of Galleria mellonella Larvae to Identify Novel Antimicrobial Agents against Fungal Species of Medical Interest

The immune system of insects and the innate immune response of mammals share many similarities and, as a result, insects may be used to assess the virulence of fungal pathogens and give results similar to those from mammals. Larvae of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella are widely used in this capacity and also for assessing the toxicity and in vivo efficacy of antifungal drugs. G. mellonella larvae are easy to use, inexpensive to purchase and house, and have none of the legal/ethical restrictions that are associated with use of mammals. Larvae may be inoculated by intra-hemocoel injection or by force-feeding. Larvae can be used to assess the in vivo toxicity of antifungal drugs using a variety of cellular, proteomic, and molecular techniques. Larvae have also been used to identify the optimum combinations of antifungal drugs for use in the treatment of recalcitrant fungal infections in mammals. The introduction of foreign material into the hemocoel of larvae can induce an immune priming effect which may operate independently with the activity of the antifungal drug. Procedures to identify this effect and limit its action are required.
Association of socioeconomic status and health-related behavior with elderly health in China

Previous health studies have focused on the correlation between socioeconomic status (SES) and health. We pooled data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (N = 9765) conducted in 2011, and examined the association of SES and health-related behavior with elderly health in China. The cumulative health disadvantage of the elderly caused by SES can be relieved by lifelong health-related behavior. In the same SES, the odds of self-rated health (SRH) as “good,” mini-mental state examination (MMSE) as “not impaired,” and activities of daily living (ADLs) as “not impaired” among the elderly who exercised regularly, were 46.9%, 28.6%, and 62.3% lower for the elderly who rarely exercised. The elderly who started doing regular exercise from 30 years old, achieved higher SRH, ADL, and MMSE scores to some extent. The health improvement advantage for the elderly who started doing regular exercises after 60 years old, was reduced. However, the odds of SRH as “good,” MMSE as “not impaired,” and ADLs as “not impaired” were still 3.4%, 12.5%, and 17.8%, respectively, higher than the respondents who never exercised. The health-related behaviors not only promote elderly health improvement, but its duration has also been found to be associated with the extent of health improvement.
Comparison and validation of the value of preoperative inflammation marker-based prognostic scores in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Purpose We aimed to compare and validate the prognostic value of inflammation-based prognostic scores for patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and to establish a novel, effective nomogram incorporating inflammation-based prognostic scores to predict disease-free survival (DFS) in these patients. Patients and methods Clinicopathological characteristics and follow-up data were retrieved from our prospective database. A total of 420 patients with PDAC who underwent radical resection were evaluated between January 2007 and December 2016. Blood samples were obtained within 7 days prior to surgical intervention. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to determine optimal cutoff values for independent prognostic factors. Nomograms for DFS were established based on multivariate Cox proportional hazard models, and the results were internally validated using bootstrap resampling. Results Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) >2.13 and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) >140 were independent prognostic factors for DFS and overall survival. Stratified analyses indicated that these associations were not present among patients with stage III disease. Independent predictors of DFS, including Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score, tumor stage, differentiation, adjuvant treatment, NLR, and PLR, were incorporated into two nomograms for prediction of DFS in a cohort of PDAC patients after curative surgery. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve of the nomogram including NLR and PLR (0.804) was higher than that without NLR and PLR (0.711). The bootstrap-corrected AUC for the model including NLR and PLR was 0.803, while that for the model without NLR and PLR was 0.711. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that high NLR and high PLR are important clinical predictors of poor survival in patients with resectable PDAC. Additionally, a nomogram including NLR and PLR can objectively and reliably predict DFS among patients with PDAC following curative surgery.
Dental Care Utilization and Service Needs Among American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian Elders: 2008 to 2017

Objective: This study describes trends in self-reported dental care utilization and services needed among American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian (AI/AN/NH) elders 2008 to 2017, including demographic and socioeconomic variability. Method: Researchers utilized data from the Survey of Elders administered by the National Resource Center on Native American Aging, representing all regions of the United States and 262 tribes. Data were analyzed comparing means over time and between/within groups. Results: Between April 2008 and March 2017, there was a statistically significant (p < .001) increase in the proportion of older adults who visited a dentist and an increase in need for treatment. A smaller proportion of older adults reported need for treatment among those who were privately insured, high income, had no tobacco use, were employed, and had visited a dental professional in the last year. Discussion: These findings highlight current dental needs among tribal elders while also identifying elders at greater risk of poor oral health.
Immunopathological and molecular basis of functional dyspepsia and current therapeutic approaches

ABSTRACT Introduction: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is widespread with 20% prevalence worldwide and a significant economic burden due to health care cost and constraints on daily activities of patients. Despite extensive investigation, the underlying causes of dyspepsia in a majority of patients remain unknown. Common complaints include abdominal discomfort, pain, burning, nausea, early satiety, and bloating. Motor dysfunction of the gut was long considered a major cause, but recent investigations suggest immune-based pathophysiological and molecular events in the duodenum are more probable contributing factors. Areas Covered: Inflammatory mediators and immune cells including duodenal eosinophils, intraepithelial lymphocytes, and T-cells have been implicated in the underlying cause of disease process, as have genetic factors. In this article, we critically reviewed findings, identified gaps in knowledge and suggested future directions for further investigation to identify targets and develop better therapeutic approaches. Expert commentary: Impaired gastric accommodation, slow gastric emptying, and increased visceral sensitivity have long been thought of as main causal factors of FD. However, more recent identification of eosinophilic degranulation and recruitment of T cells that induce mild duodenal inflammation are giving rise to new insights into immune-mediated pathophysiology. These insights offer promising avenues to explore for immune-mediated therapy in the future.
Mucin degradation niche as a driver of microbiome composition and Akkermansia muciniphila abundance in a dynamic gut model is donor independent

Akkermansia muciniphila, an abundant mucin degrading intestinal bacterium, has been correlated with human health in various studies. The in vitro SHIME model was used to reach a mechanistic understanding of A. muciniphila's colonization preferences and its response to environmental parameters such as colon pH and mucins. These insight can help to identify the optimal conditions for successful in vivo application. After a period of mucin deprivation, we found that mucin supplementation resulted in significantly different microbial communities, with more Akkermansia, Bacteroides and Ruminococcus. Mucin treatment accounted for 26% of the observed variation in the microbial community at OTU level (P = 0.001), whereas the donor effect was limited (8%) (P = 0.035), indicating mucins to constitute an important ecological niche shaping the microbiota composition. The effect of colonic pH had a less profound impact on the microbiome with both pH and donor origin explaining around 10% of the variability in the dataset. Yet, higher simulated colonic pH had a positive impact on Akkermansia abundance while short chain fatty acid analysis displayed a preference for propionate production with higher colonic pH. Our results show that mucins as nutritional resource are a more important modulator of the gut microbiome than colon pH as environmental factor.
Chemotherapy-induced genotoxic damage to bone marrow cells: long-term implications

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) within the bone marrow (BM) are vitally important in forming the micro-environment supporting haematopoiesis after myeloablative chemotherapy. MSCs are known to be damaged phenotypically and functionally by chemotherapy; however, to the best our knowledge, the persistence of genotoxic effects of chemotherapy on the BM micro-environment has not been studied. We therefore aimed to evaluate genotoxic effects of chemotherapy on the BM both in vitro and in vivo, using the comet and micronucleus assays, focussing on the persistence of DNA lesions that may contribute to complications in the patient. The MSC cell line (HS-5) and primary cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMNCs: a source of undamaged DNA) were exposed to the chemotherapeutic agent cyclophosphamide (CY) within a physiologically relevant in vitro model. CY treatment resulted in significant increases in CBMNC DNA damage at all time points tested (3-48 h exposure). Similarly, HS-5 cells exposed to CY exhibited significant increases in DNA damage as measured by the comet assay, with increased numbers of abnormal cells visible in the micronucleus assay. In addition, even 48 h after removal of 48-h CY treatment, DNA damage remains significantly increased in treated cells relative to controls. In patients treated with chemotherapy for haematological malignancy, highly significant increases in damaged DNA were seen in BM cells isolated from one individual 1 year after completion of therapy for acute leukaemia compared with pretreatment (P < 0.001). Similarly, two individuals treated 7 and 17 years previously with chemotherapy exhibited significant increases of damaged DNA in MSC compared with untreated age- and sex-matched controls (P < 0.05). Unlike haematopoietic cells, MSCs are not replaced following a stem cell transplant. Therefore, long-term damage to MSC may impact on engraftment of either allogeneic or autologous transplants. In addition, persistence of DNA lesions may lead to genetic instability, correlating with the significant number of chemotherapy-treated individuals who have therapy-related malignancies.
Detection of Herpes Simplex Virus and Varicella-Zoster Virus by Traditional and Multiplex Molecular Methods

Objectives To compare multiplex nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) that detect and differentiate herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) with traditional virologic assays. Methods The HSV ELVIS Test System (Quidel, San Diego, CA) and/or Light Diagnostics VZV direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) kit (Millipore Sigma, Billerica, MA), as well as an ARIES HSV 1&2/VZV assay (Luminex, Austin, TX) and the Solana HSV1 + 2/VZV Assay (Quidel), were performed on non-cerebrospinal fluid specimens. Results The sensitivities/specificities for the ELVIS, Aries, and Solana assays for HSV were 71.1%/93.2%, 94.9%/93.2%, and 94.7%/100%, respectively. The sensitivities/specificities for the DFA, Aries, and Solana assays for VZV were 71.4%/100%, 100%/96.0%, and 95.3%/100%, respectively. HSV and VZV were detected but clinically unsuspected in 5.4% and 4.2% of the specimens, respectively. Conclusions Both NAAT assays were comparable and more sensitive than traditional methods. The recovery of unsuspected HSV and VZV from clinical specimens supports the implementation of a combined HSV/VZV assay.
Fluid‐based proteomics targeted on pathophysiological processes and pathologies in neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative dementias constitute a broad group of diseases in which abnormally folded proteins accumulate in specific brain regions and result in tissue reactions that eventually cause neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. Depending on where in the brain this happens, symptoms appear which may be used to classify the disorders on clinical grounds. However, brain changes in neurodegenerative dementias start to accumulate many years prior to symptom onset and there is a poor correlation between the clinical picture and what pathology that is the most likely to cause it. Thus, novel drug candidates having disease‐modifying effects that is targeting the underlying pathology and changes the course of the disease needs to be defined using objective biomarker‐based measures since the clinical symptoms are often non‐specific and overlap between different disorders. Furthermore, the treatment should ideally be initiated as soon as symptoms are evident or when biomarkers confirm an underlying pathology (pre‐clinical phase of the disease) to reduce irreversible damage to, for example, neurons, synapses and axons. Clinical trials in the pre‐clinical phase bring a greater importance to biomarkers since by definition the clinical effects are difficult or slow to discern in a population that is not yet clinically affected. Here, we discuss neuropathological changes that may underlie neurodegenerative dementias, including how they can be detected and quantified using currently available biofluid‐based biomarkers and how more of them could be identified using targeted proteomics approaches.
Higher-order Graph Convolutional Networks

Following the success of deep convolutional networks in various vision and speech related tasks, researchers have started investigating generalizations of the well-known technique for graph-structured data. A recently-proposed method called Graph Convolutional Networks has been able to achieve state-of-the-art results in the task of node classification. However, since the proposed method relies on localized first-order approximations of spectral graph convolutions, it is unable to capture higher-order interactions between nodes in the graph. In this work, we propose a motif-based graph attention model, called Motif Convolutional Networks (MCNs), which generalizes past approaches by using weighted multi-hop motif adjacency matrices to capture higher-order neighborhoods. A novel attention mechanism is used to allow each individual node to select the most relevant neighborhood to apply its filter. Experiments show that our proposed method is able to achieve state-of-the-art results on the semi-supervised node classification task.
Establishing Heat Alert Thresholds for the Varied Climatic Regions of British Columbia, Canada

Following an extreme heat event in 2009, a Heat Alert and Response System (HARS) was implemented for the greater Vancouver area of British Columbia (BC), Canada. This system has provided a framework for guiding public health interventions and assessing population response and adaptation to extreme heat in greater Vancouver, but no other parts of BC were covered by HARS. The objective of this study was to identify evidence-based heat alert thresholds for the Southwest, Southeast, Northwest, and Northeast regions to facilitate the introduction of HARS across BC. This was done based on a national approach that considers high temperatures on two consecutive days and the intervening overnight low, referred to as the high-low-high approach. Daily forecast and observed air temperatures and daily mortality counts for May through September of 2004 through 2016 were obtained. For each date (dayt), dayt−2 forecasts were used to assign high temperatures for dayt and dayt+1 and the overnight low. A range of high-low-high threshold combinations was assessed for each region by finding associations with daily mortality using time-series models and other considerations. The following thresholds were established: 29-16-29 °C in the Southwest; 35-18-35 °C in the Southeast; 28-13-28 °C in the Northwest; and 29-14-29 °C in the Northeast. Heat alert thresholds for all regions in BC provide health authorities with information on dangerously hot temperature conditions and inform the activation of protective public health interventions.