Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determining the Developmental Requirements for Hebb Repetition Learning in Young Children: Grouping, Short-Term Memory, and Their Interaction

The Hebb repetition paradigm has recently attracted attention as a measure of serial order learning, which underlies word-form learning abilities. Although children are good vocabulary learners, it is surprising that previous Hebb learning studies with young children show rather weak Hebb effects. In this study, we conducted two experiments to identify developmental factors that drive an increase of the size of the Hebb effect in young children. Motivated by evidence from adult work, we focused on an ability to group a sequence into consistent subsequences and on phonological short-term memory (STM) capacity. In Experiment 1 (N = 98), it was shown that 3- to 5-year-old children with high phonological STM capacity showed a Hebb effect, particularly in the later experimental trials. In Experiment 2 (N = 97), temporal grouping of the sequences in 2–2 subsequences further encouraged children with high phonological STM capacity to show the Hebb effect even in the earlier experimental trials and children with low STM capacity to show a trend toward a Hebb effect in the later trials. Moreover, across Experiments 1 and 2 we found robust evidence of transfer of the Hebb effect to recall of new sequences that partially overlapped in item-by-item pairings with the Hebb sequence, indicating that children use consistent grouping strategies when learning above-span Hebb sequences. These findings indicate that phonological STM, grouping consistency, and their interaction are developmental requirements for the Hebb effect to emerge.
Local Food Environments, Suburban Development, and BMI: A Mixed Methods Study

More than half the world’s population now live in urban settlements. Worldwide, cities are expanding at their fringe to accommodate population growth. Low-density residential development, urban sprawl, and car dependency are common, contributing to physical inactivity and obesity. However, urban design and planning can modify urban form and enhance health by improving access to healthy food, public transport, and services. This study used a sequential mixed methods approach to investigate associations between food outlet access and body mass index (BMI) across urban-growth and established areas of Melbourne, Australia, and identify factors that influence local food environments. Population survey data for 3141 adults were analyzed to examine associations, and 27 interviews with government, non-government, and private sector stakeholders were conducted to contextualize results. Fast food density was positively associated with BMI in established areas and negatively associated in urban-growth areas. Interrelated challenges of car dependency, poor public transport, and low-density development hampered healthy food access. This study showed how patterns of suburban development influence local food environments and health outcomes in an urbanized city context and provides insights for other rapidly growing cities. More nuanced understandings of the differential effect of food environments within cities have potential to guide intra-city planning for improving health and reducing inequities.
Prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in patients with systemic sclerosis and mixed connective tissue disease

Abstract Systemic sclerosis (SSc) and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) are 2 conditions in which pulmonary hypertension (PH) can develop. We retrospectively analyzed the probability of PH in case of 83 patients (69 SSc and 14 MCTD). The European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society (ESC/ERS) echocardiographic guidelines of 2015 were used for the evaluation. On the basis of an echocardiography, the patients were divided into 2 subgroups: patients with elevated probability of PH (EP) (n = 16) versus the group with a low probability of PH (LP) (n = 67). Of the 16 patients in the EP group, 15 were SSc patients and 1 was an MCTD patient, respectively, that is, 21.7% and 7.1% of all patients. Of the 16 patients with EP, 10 with SSc had right-heart catheterization, which excluded PH in 7 patients; hence, PH was estimated to be 11.6% in the SSc group. The distribution of the individual causes of PH was arterial PH 2.9%, PH associated with interstitial lung disease 4.3%, PH associated with left ventricular disease 1.5%, and PH of unknown origin 2.9%. Further, there was a significant difference between EP and LP in the incidence of the right bundle branch block in standard electrocardiography, left atrial and right ventricular dimension, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and Doppler-derived tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity (S’) in echocardiography. Echocardiography, particularly those evaluating the parameters included in the ESC/ERS guidelines of 2015, appears to be a useful tool in the detection of patients with a high PH probability. Additional tissue Doppler echocardiography seems to be a good option.
The synaptic action of Degenerin/Epithelial sodium channels

ABSTRACT Degenerin/Epithelial Sodium Channels (DEG/ENaCs) are a large family of animal-specific non-voltage gated ion channels, with enriched expression in neuronal and epithelial tissues. While neuronal DEG/ENaCs were originally characterized as sensory receptor channels, recent studies indicate that several DEG/ENaC family members are also expressed throughout the central nervous system. Human genome-wide association studies have linked DEG/ENaC-coding genes with several neurologic and psychiatric disorders, including epilepsy and panic disorder. In addition, studies in rodent models further indicate that DEG/ENaC activity in the brain contributes to many behaviors, including those related to anxiety and long-term memory. Although the exact neurophysiological functions of DEG/ENaCs remain mostly unknown, several key studies now suggest that multiple family members might exert their neuronal function via the direct modulation of synaptic processes. Here, we review and discuss recent findings on the synaptic functions of DEG/ENaCs in both vertebrate and invertebrate species, and propose models for their possible roles in synaptic physiology.
Paediatric Behçet's disease in Iran: report of 204 cases.

OBJECTIVES This study proposed to report the characteristics of paediatric Behçet's disease (PED-BD) in a cohort of patients from Iran's registry and compare them with different reports throughout the world. METHODS From a cohort of 7504 Iranian patients with Behçet's disease those diagnosed before the age of 16 years were included in this study. Data were collected on a standard protocol comprising 105 items, including demographic features, type of presentation, and different clinical and laboratory findings. RESULTS PED-BD was seen in 2.7% of patients. The male/female ratio was 1.02/1, and the mean age at onset was 10.5±3.4. Positive familial history was present in 9.9%. As a first manifestation, oral aphthosis was the most frequent (75%) followed by ocular lesions in 19.1%. The prevalence rates of various manifestations were as follows: oral aphthosis: 91.7%; genital ulcer: 42.2%; skin: 51.5% (pseudofolliculitis: 43.1%, erythema nodosum: 10.3%); ocular lesions: 66.2% (anterior uveitis 52%, posterior uveitis 58.3%, retinal vasculitis 39.7%); articular manifestations: 30.9%; neurological involvement: 4.9%; vascular involvement: 6.4% (venous 4.9%, arterial 2.5%); gastrointestinal manifestations: 5.9%; epididymo-orchitis: 8.7% (boys); high ESR (≥20): 50.8%; abnormal urine: 14.1%; positive pathergy test: 57%; HLA-B5/51: 48.7%. ICBD criteria have the highest sensitivity for the classification of PED-BD patients in Iran (91.7%). CONCLUSIONS The clinical spectrum of PED-BD in Iran in this study was similar to that of other reports; however, genital ulcers, skin lesions (notably erythema nodosum), and gastrointestinal involvement were noticed to occur less frequently, while ocular lesions were more frequent and more severe compared to other reports.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and kisspeptin – A Sri Lankan study

Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the commonest endocrine disorder affecting young women. Kisspeptins are a family of closely related peptides encoded by Kiss1 gene that controls the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis by binding to its receptor (GPR54) expressed in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons and releases GnRH. Since GnRH secretion is deregulated in PCOS, we hypothesized that dysregulated gonadotropin secretion in PCOS is reflected by kisspeptin levels. Aim: We aimed to measure serum kisspeptin levels of subjects with well-characterized PCOS versus controls and explore any correlation between kisspeptin and PCOS-related reproductive and metabolic disturbances. Materials and Methods: Consecutive women with PCOS manifesting from adolescence (n = 55) and adult controls (n = 110) were recruited. Pre-treatment baseline clinical, anthropometry, and biochemical parameters were measured in all. Serum kisspeptin and testosterone levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Results: Serum kisspeptin and testosterone concentrations were significantly higher in women with PCOS (kisspeptin 4.873 nmol/L; testosterone 4.713 nmol/L) than controls (kisspeptin 4.127 nmol/L; testosterone 3.415 nmol/L; P < 0.05). Serum kisspeptin levels were positively associated with PCOS (odds ratio: 1.853; 95% confidence interval: 1.246–2.755; P = 0.002) in our studied population. Conclusion: Serum kisspeptin levels are higher in Sri Lankan women with PCOS manifesting from adolescence compared with controls regardless of body mass index. We propose serum kisspeptin concentration as a useful marker to recognize PCOS that manifests from adolescence.
How does the UK childcare energy-balance environment influence anthropometry of children aged 3–4 years? A cross-sectional exploration

Objectives To assess the association between time spent in care, the childcare energy-balance environment, and preschool-aged children’s body mass index z-score (z-BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHR) and sum of skinfold thickness (SST). Design Cross-sectional study. Setting and participants Children aged 3–4 years were recruited from 30 childcare centres in Cambridgeshire (UK) in 2013. Main outcome measures Objectively measured height and weight was used to calculate z-BMI; waist circumference and height were used to generate WHR; subscapular and tricep skinfolds were used to calculate SST. Associations between childcare attendance, the nutrition, physical activity, and overall childcare environment, and three anthropometric outcomes were explored using two-level hierarchical regression models, adjusting for demographic and family based confounders. Results Valid data were available for 196 children (49% female). Time spent in care, the nutrition, physical activity and overall childcare environment were not associated with children’s z-BMI, WHR and SST. Conclusions Childcare environment and level of attendance were not associated with UK preschool-aged children’s anthropometry. The childcare environment has been central to intervention efforts to prevent/reduce early childhood obesity, yet other factors, including child-level, family level, wider environmental and policy-level factors warrant substantial attention when considering obesity prevention strategies for young children.
Modulation of Circulating Protein Biomarkers in Cancer Patients Receiving Bevacizumab and the Anti-Endoglin Antibody, TRC105

TRC105 is an anti-endoglin antibody currently being tested in combination with VEGF inhibitors. In the phase Ib trial, 38 patients were treated with both TRC105 and bevacizumab (BEV), and improved clinical outcomes were observed, despite the fact that 30 patients (79%) were refractory to prior anti-VEGF therapy. Plasma samples were tested for angiogenic and inflammatory biomarkers at baseline and on-treatment. To provide broader context of this combination biomarker study, direct cross-study comparisons were made to biomarker studies previously conducted in patients treated with either BEV or TRC105 monotherapy. Upon treatment with BEV and TRC105, pharmacodynamic changes in response to both BEV (PlGF increase) and TRC105 (soluble endoglin increase) were noted. In addition, distinct patterns of change were identified (similar, opposing, neutralizing). Similar patterns were observed when the combination elicited similar effects to those observed with monotherapy treatment (i.e., decreases of Ang-2, increases of IL6 and VCAM-1). Opposing patterns were observed when the combination led to opposing effects compared with monotherapy treatment (i.e., TGFβ1, PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB, PAI-1). Lastly, neutralizing patterns were observed when one drug led to increase, whereas the other drug led to decrease, and the combination elicited no overall effect on the marker (i.e., VEGF-A, VEGF-D, and IGFBP-3). Patients achieving partial responses or stable disease from the combination exhibited significantly lower expression of E-Cadherin, HGF, ICAM-1, and TSP-2 at baseline. Taken together, the novel biomarker modulations identified may deepen our understanding of the underlying biology in patients treated with BEV and TRC105 compared with either drug alone. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(10); 2248–56. ©2018 AACR.
Impact of high body mass index on surgical outcomes and long-term survival among patients undergoing esophagectomy

Background: The impact of high body mass index (BMI, >23/25 kg/m2) on surgical outcomes and prognosis in patients with esophageal carcinoma (EC) after undergoing esophagectomy remains controversial. We herein conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the relationship between high BMI and surgical outcomes and prognosis in patients undergoing esophagectomy for EC. Methods: The study search was conducted by retrieving publications from the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI (up to September 8, 2017). Nineteen studies with 13,756 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Results: We found that high BMI was closely associated with a higher incidence of wound infection (odds ratio [OR]: 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.97, P = .04), cardiovascular complications (OR: 2.51, 95% CI, 1.65–3.81, P < .0001), and anastomotic leakage (OR: 1.50, 95% CI, 1.21–1.84, P = .0002), but a lower incidence of chylous leakage (OR: 0.59, 95% CI, 0.40–0.88, P = .01) when compared with normal BMI. The high BMI group was not associated with better or worse overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.95, 95% CI, 0.85–1.07, P = .4) and disease-free survival (HR: 0.95, 95% CI, 0.72–1.25, P = .72) than the normal BMI group. However, in the subgroup analysis, the pooled result of HRs generated from multivariate analyses suggested that high BMI could improve OS in EC patients (HR: 0.84, 95% CI, 0.76–0.93, P < .01). Conclusions: Overweight patients with EC should not be denied surgical treatment, but intraoperative prevention and careful postoperative monitoring for several surgical complications must be stressed for this population. Besides, high BMI might be a prognostic predictor in EC patients; further studies are warranted.
Investigating optical path and differential pathlength factor in reflectance photoplethysmography for the assessment of perfusion

Abstract. Photoplethysmography (PPG) is an optical noninvasive technique with the potential for assessing tissue perfusion. The relative time-change in the concentration of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin in the blood can be derived from DC part of the PPG signal. However, the absolute concentration cannot be determined due to the inadequate data on PPG optical paths. The optical path and differential pathlength factor (DPF) for PPG at red (660 nm) and infrared (880 nm) wavelengths were investigated using a heterogeneous Monte Carlo model of the human forearm. Using the simulated DPFs, the absolute time-change in concentrations were determined from PPG signals recorded from the same tissue site. Results were compared with three conditions of approximated DPFs. Results showed the variation of the optical-path and DPF with different wavelengths and source–detector separations. Approximations resulted in significant errors, for example, using NIRS DPF in PPG led to “cross talk” of −0.4297 and 0.060 and an error of 15.16% to 25.18%. Results confirmed the feasibility of using the PPG (DC) for the assessment of tissue perfusion. The study also identified the inappropriateness of the assumption that DPF is independent of wavelength or source–detector separations and set the platform for further studies on investigating optical pathlengths and DPF in PPG.
A Rnd3/p190RhoGAP pathway regulates RhoA activity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis fibroblasts

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an incurable disease of the lung that is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), resulting in disruption of normal lung function. The signals regulating fibrosis include both transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and tissue rigidity and a major signaling pathway implicated in fibrosis involves activation of the GTPase RhoA. During studies exploring how elevated RhoA activity is sustained in IPF, we discovered that not only is RhoA activated by profibrotic stimuli but also that the expression of Rnd3, a major antagonist of RhoA activity, and the activity of p190RhoGAP (p190), a Rnd3 effector, are both suppressed in IPF fibroblasts. Restoration of Rnd3 levels in IPF fibroblasts results in an increase in p190 activity, a decrease in RhoA activity and a decrease in the overall fibrotic phenotype. We also find that treatment with IPF drugs nintedanib and pirfenidone decreases the fibrotic phenotype and RhoA activity through up-regulation of Rnd3 expression and p190 activity. These data provide evidence for a pathway in IPF where fibroblasts down-regulate Rnd3 levels and p190 activity to enhance RhoA activity and drive the fibrotic phenotype.
Comparative Strengths of Tetrel, Pnicogen, Chalcogen, and Halogen Bonds and Contributing Factors

Ab initio calculations are employed to assess the relative strengths of various noncovalent bonds. Tetrel, pnicogen, chalcogen, and halogen atoms are represented by third-row atoms Ge, As, Se, and Br, respectively. Each atom was placed in a series of molecular bonding situations, beginning with all H atoms, then progressing to methyl substitutions, and F substituents placed in various locations around the central atom. Each Lewis acid was allowed to engage in a complex with NH3 as a common nucleophile, and the strength and other aspects of the dimer were assessed. In the context of fully hydrogenated acids, the strengths of the various bonds varied in the pattern of chalcogen > halogen > pnicogen ≈ tetrel. Methyl substitution weakened all bonds, but not in a uniform manner, resulting in a greatly weakened halogen bond. Fluorosubstitution strengthened the interactions, increasing its effect as the number of F atoms rises. The effect was strongest when the F atom lay directly opposite the base, resulting in a halogen > chalcogen > pnicogen > tetrel order of bond strength. Replacing third-row atoms by their second-row counterparts weakened the bonds, but not uniformly. Tetrel bonds were weakest for the fully hydrogenated acids and surpassed pnicogen bonds when F had been added to the acid.
Unraveling the role of aurora A beyond centrosomes and spindle assembly: implications in muscle differentiation

Aurora kinases are critical mitotic serine/threonine kinases and are often implicated in tumorigenesis. Recent studies of the interphase functions for aurora kinase (Aurk)A have considerably expanded our understanding of its role beyond mitosis. To identify the unknown targets of AurkA, we used peptide array‐based screening and found E2F4 to be a novel substrate. Phosphorylation of E2F4 by AurkA at Ser75 regulates its DNA binding and subcellular localization. Because E2F4 plays an important role in skeletal muscle differentiation, we attempted to gain insight into E2F4 phosphorylation in this context. We observed that a block in E2F4 phosphorylation retained it better within the nucleus and inhibited muscle differentiation. RNA sequencing analysis revealed a perturbation of the gene network involved in the process of muscle differentiation and mitochondrial biogenesis. Collectively, our findings establish a novel role of AurkA in the process of skeletal muscle differentiation. —Dhanasekaran, K. , Bose, A. , Rao, V. J., Boopathi, R. , Shankar, S. R. , Rao, V. K. , Swaminathan, A. , Vasudevan, M. , Taneja, R. , Kundu, T. K. Unravelling the role of aurora A beyond centrosomes and spindle assembly: implications in muscle differentiation. FASEB J. 33, 219–230 (2019). www.fasebj. org
Clinical Analysis of 1593 Patients with Infectious Endophthalmitis: A 12-Year Study at a Tertiary Referral Center in Western China

Background: Infectious endophthalmitis is a severe ocular inflammation which can cause devastating visual loss. The aim of the study was to identify the demographic and clinical features of infectious endophthalmitis in Western China for better prophylaxis and treatment of this disease. Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted based on the medical records of inpatients having infectious endophthalmitis in a tertiary referral center in Western China between 2005 and 2016. Results: The common cause of infectious endophthalmitis was trauma (82.6%), endogenous (7.8%), ophthalmic surgery (6.9%), and corneal ulcer with perforation (2.7%). These four etiological groups differed in age, gender, enucleation rate, visual outcome, etc. The number of cases in the first 6 years accounted for 38.7% of the total collection, which in the second 6 years accounted for 61.3%. The etiology patterns were different between these two periods. Altogether 51.3% of patients received pars plana vitrectomy, 13.9% of patients underwent evisceration, and the remaining 34.8% received other treatments. Of the 670 cases that had culture results, 266 (39.7%) were culture positive and 177 (66.5%) were Gram-positive organisms, 64 (24.1%) were Gram-negative organisms, 11 (4.1%) had fungal infection, and 14 (5.3%) were infected by multiple pathogens. Conclusions: There was an upward trend of the occurrence of infectious endophthalmitis in Western China for the past decade. The demographic and clinical characteristics of infectious endophthalmitis in Western China had its own characteristics and differed from those of developed countries. Here, open globe trauma was the most common cause of endophthalmitis, most traumatic endophthalmitis patients were male, and most of the injuries were work related, implicate that we should strengthen the education and application of ocular safety regulation specifically targeting the workplace.