Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the association of idiopathic male infertility with polymorphisms in the methionine synthase (MTR) gene

Objective Spermatogenesis is a complex process that is regulated by a number of genes, some of which are involved in folate-dependent 1-carbon metabolism. Methionine synthase (encoded by MTR) is a key enzyme participating in this pathway. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of the MTR 2756A > G polymorphism with idiopathic male fertility in the Iranian population. Methods The participants of this study included 100 men with idiopathic infertility and 100 healthy men as the control group. Genotyping of MTR 2756A > G was performed using the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS ver. 20.0 with a level of confidence of p< 0.05. Results The frequencies of the A and G alleles at this locus were 77% and 23% in infertile patients and 84% and 16% in the control group, respectively. The frequencies of the GG, GA, and AA genotypes were 5%, 36%, and 59% in the infertile patients versus 3%, 27%, and 70% in the control group, respectively. No significant difference was observed in any genetic models. Conclusion In general, the findings of this study suggest that the MTR 2756A > G single-nucleotide polymorphism is not a predisposing factor for idiopathic infertility in men.
Bio-Inspired Balance Control Assistance Can Reduce Metabolic Energy Consumption in Human Walking

The amount of research on developing exoskeletons for human gait assistance has been growing in the recent years. However, the control design of exoskeletons for assisting human walking remains unclear. This paper presents a novel bio-inspired reflex-based control for assisting human walking. In this approach, the leg force is used as a feedback signal to adjust hip compliance. The effects of modulating hip compliance on walking gait is investigated through joint kinematics, leg muscle activations and overall metabolic costs for eight healthy young subjects. Reduction in the average metabolic cost and muscle activation are achieved with fixed hip compliance. Compared to the fixed hip compliance, improved assistance as reflected in more consistent reduction in muscle activities and more natural kinematic behaviour are obtained using the leg force feedback. Furthermore, smoother motor torques and less peak power are two additional advantages obtained by compliance modulation. The results show that the proposed control method which is inspired by human posture control can not only facilitate the human gait, but also reduce the exoskeleton power consumption. This demonstrates that the proposed bio-inspired controller allows a synergistic interaction between human and robot.
Stability and change of basic personal values in early adolescence: A 2-year longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE We examined patterns of change and stability in the whole set of ten Schwartz values over two years during early adolescence. METHOD Participants completed the Portrait Values Questionnaire repeatedly throughout the junior high school years. The study involved six waves of data and a total of 382 respondents aged 10 years at the first measurement occasion (43% female). We investigated multiple types of stability in the values: mean-level, rank-order, and ipsative stability. RESULTS At the mean-level, self-enhancement and openness to change values increased in importance. Self-direction and hedonism values showed the greatest increase - about one third of a standard deviation. Conservation and self-transcendence values did not change with the exception of tradition, which decreased slightly. After correcting for measurement error, rank-order stability coefficients ranged from . 39 (hedonism) to . 77 (power). Correlations between value hierarchies measured two years apart were ≥ . 85 for 75% of respondents, and ≤ . 12 for 5% of the respondents. Thus only a small proportion of participants experienced a marked change in the relative importance they ascribed to the ten values. CONCLUSIONS Results are discussed and related to earlier findings on patterns and magnitude of value change during other periods of the life span. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Low Incidence of Advanced Neoplasia in Serrated Polyposis Syndrome After (Sub)total Colectomy: Results of a 5-Year International Prospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION Serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS) is accompanied by a substantially increased colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. To prevent or treat CRC in patients with a very high polyp burden, (sub)total colectomy with ileorectal or ileosigmoidal anastomosis is regularly performed. The CRC risk after (sub)total colectomy might be decreased, but evidence is lacking. We aimed to assess the yield of endoscopic surveillance in patients with SPS who underwent (sub)total colectomy. METHODS For this post hoc analysis, we used prospectively collected data from a large international prospective cohort study. We included patients diagnosed with SPS (World Health Organization type I and/or III) who underwent (sub)total colectomy. Primary endpoint was the cumulative 5-year incidence of CRC and advanced neoplasia (AN). RESULTS Forty-eight patients (mean age 61 [±7.8]; 52% men) were included and followed up for a median of 4.7 years (interquartile range 4.7-5.1). None of the patients developed CRC during follow-up. Five patients developed AN, corresponding to a cumulative 5-year AN incidence of 13% (95% confidence interval 1.2-23). In 4 patients, AN was diagnosed at the first surveillance endoscopy after study inclusion, and in 1 patient, AN was detected during subsequent rounds of surveillance. The risk of AN was similar for patients with ileorectal and ileosigmoidal anastomosis (logrank P = 0.83). DISCUSSION (Sub)total colectomy mitigates much of the excess risk of CRC in patients with SPS. Advanced neoplasms are mainly detected at the first endoscopy after (sub)total colectomy. Based on these results, after the first surveillance, intervals might be extended beyond the currently recommended 1-2 years.
Assessing the association of university stress and physiological reactivity with decision-making among students

Abstract Compared with age-matched employees, university students report higher levels of chronic stress and this may affect their decision-making. The impact of chronic stress and physiological reactivity upon cognitive function is receiving more attention, but few studies have empirically assessed the associations of these variables concurrently. Our aim was to investigate if chronic student stress, as assessed by effort-reward imbalance (ERI) and overcommitment, and physiological reactivity, were related to decision-making. As measures of physiological reactivity, we collected salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) and continuously recorded heart rate variability (HRV) data from male students (n = 79) at pretest and immediately after some computerized decision-making tasks (simple and choice- reaction times). Our findings suggest that students who are higher in overcommitment and who are more physiologically reactive (sAA and HRV indices) at the pretest stage may be more “at-risk” of poor decision-making than others. If others can replicate our findings in more diverse samples, this will contribute to an evidence base for interventions targeted at reducing overcommitment, ERI, and dysregulated autonomic reactivity to improve decision-making.
Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillators and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Older Adults With Heart Failure

Implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) are cardiac implantable electronic devices that may improve morbidity and mortality in select patients with heart failure. Although the benefits of these devices have been well defined, competing mortality risks, comorbid conditions, and frailty pose difficulty in determining risk‐benefit trade‐offs when these options are considered for older adults.
Real-world effectiveness of apremilast in multirefractory mucosal involvement of Behçet’s disease

Relapsing oral and genital ulcers (OGUs) represent the stigmata of Behcet’s disease (BD) and may be very painful, affecting both quality of life and relationships. A wide number of topical and immunosuppressive drugs can be used to treat ulcers,1 but failures are commonly reported. The efficacy of the phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor apremilast has been proven in OGUs of BD in two randomised clinical trials (RCTs),2 3 whereas only two case reports are available until now.4 5 We aimed at evaluating the real-world effectiveness of apremilast in BD patients with OGUs refractory to conventional and/or biological treatments. We retrospectively evaluated patients classified as BD, according to International Criteria for BD6 and International Study Group7 criteria, who underwent apremilast (30 mg two times per day) for multirefractory OGUs from November 2017 to January 2019. The number of OGUs was assessed at baseline and either at 3 and 6 months. Pain from ulcers and BD activity were …
Malocclusions in primary and early mixed dentition in very preterm children

Abstract Objective: To compare the prevalence of malocclusions in the primary and early mixed dentition of very preterm and full-term children. Material and methods: Study subjects consisted of 205 very preterm (90 girls and 115 boys), and 205 age- and gender-matched full-term children. Data were collected from the register of Turku University Hospital (children born before the 37th week of pregnancy with a birth weight of less than 1500 g, and all infants born before the 32nd week of pregnancy) and from public health centre dental registers. Results: In primary dentition, case children had a higher odds of dental crowding (OR = 2.94, 95% CI 1.17–7.35, p = .021), a tendency toward increased overbite (OR = 1.55, 95% CI 0.93–2.59, p = .096), and a lower odds of increased overjet (OR = 0.19, 95% CI 0.07–0.57, p = .003) compared to control children. In early mixed dentition, there were no statistically significant differences in occlusal traits; however, case children were significantly more likely to have received orthodontic treatment (OR = 2.80, 95% CI 1.50–5.23, p = .001) compared to controls. Conclusions: The results indicate that in primary dentition, the prevalence of malocclusion varies between very preterm and full-term children. In early mixed dentition, the distribution of occlusal traits is more similar.
The interactome of KRAB zinc finger proteins reveals the evolutionary history of their functional diversification

Krüppel‐associated box (KRAB)‐containing zinc finger proteins (KZFPs) are encoded in the hundreds by the genomes of higher vertebrates, and many act with the heterochromatin‐inducing KAP1 as repressors of transposable elements (TEs) during early embryogenesis. Yet, their widespread expression in adult tissues and enrichment at other genetic loci indicate additional roles. Here, we characterized the protein interactome of 101 of the ~350 human KZFPs. Consistent with their targeting of TEs, most KZFPs conserved up to placental mammals essentially recruit KAP1 and associated effectors. In contrast, a subset of more ancient KZFPs rather interacts with factors related to functions such as genome architecture or RNA processing. Nevertheless, KZFPs from coelacanth, our most distant KZFP‐encoding relative, bind the cognate KAP1. These results support a hypothetical model whereby KZFPs first emerged as TE‐controlling repressors, were continuously renewed by turnover of their hosts’ TE loads, and occasionally produced derivatives that escaped this evolutionary flushing by development and exaptation of novel functions.
Driver Workload and Secondary Task Modality while Driving on Horizontal Curves

High driver workload has been considered as a risk factor in motor vehicle crashes. To minimize the number of crashes and improve driving safety, it is necessary to investigate driver workload and the most influential factor that affects driver workload. In this study, we examined the effects of road geometry, driving performance (by both steering wheel and pedal controls), and secondary task modality type on driver workload. A hierarchical ordinary least squares multiple regression analysis revealed that visually demanding secondary task predicted higher driver workload. This finding could help in-vehicle interface designs to minimize driver workload and improve driving safety.
Advancing women in medical leadership

Priscilla KincaidSmith was a highly successful clinician academic: the first female professor of Medicine at the University of Melbourne and the first female president of both the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) and the World College of Physicians. In recognition, the RACP established the Priscilla KincaidSmith Oration, which in 2018 was dedicated to women in medical leadership. This article reflects the oration, draws on evidence and shares personal career reflections, aiming to promote equity in medical leadership, irrespective of gender.
Broncho-vaxom alleviates persistent allergic rhinitis in patients by improving Th1/Th2 cytokine balance of nasal mucosa.

BACKGROUND Probiotics are mainly distributed in the mucosal system and have the ability to enhance mucosal barrier function and regulate immune responses. Broncho-Vaxom (BV), as a probiotic, has been applied to patients suffering from respiratory tract infections, but its potential effectiveness in allergic rhinitis (AR) has not been evaluated in human. This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of BV in patients with persistent AR and to elucidate the underlying cellular mechanisms. METHODS Sixty patients with AR were enrolled to this study and were randomly assigned to the BV group (n=30) and the placebo group (n=30). Changes of clinical symptoms and laboratory parameters of allergic inflammation were measured at baseline visit, immediately after BV treatment, four weeks, and eight weeks after the BV treatment. RESULTS After BV treatment, medication score in the BV group was significantly decreased compared with placebo group, along with a significant drop of the total nasal symptom score and the individual nasal symptom scores (itching score: 23.72±5.32%; nasal rhinorrhea score: 18.59±4.83%; sneezing score: 23.08±4.98%). The levels of IL-4 and IL-13 in nasal lavage were diminished remarkably while the level of INF-γ was markedly increased in the BV group. This rendered a significant reduction of the ratio of IL-4/INF-γ. Moreover, a decrease of eosinophils in nasal smear was observed after BV treatment. The BV-induced favorable changes sustained for at least four to eight weeks post BV treatment. CONCLUSION Oral administration of BV offers remarkable and sustained efficacy in alleviating AR symptoms and may be considered as an alternative therapeutic strategy for patients with persistent AR. BV acts by improving the overall mucosal immunity via restoring and maintaining the normal Th1/Th2 cytokine balance as an underlying cellular/signaling mechanism.
Bereavement outcomes among spousal hospice caregivers: Relief, rumination, and perceived patient suffering

Abstract Witnessing end-of-life suffering of loved ones is an underappreciated stressor that may affect caregiver bereavement. We interviewed 61 spousal caregivers of hospice patients who died within the past 6–18 months. Higher rumination about suffering and lower feelings of relief was related to poorer well-being. Rumination by caregivers about end-of-life suffering was an important predictor of depression and complicated grief. Most caregivers viewed the death as at least in part a relief. One important focus of grief support may be to help caregivers find productive ways to avoid rumination and use other forms of coping and to acknowledge feelings of relief.
An update of SGLT1 and SGLT2 inhibitors in early phase diabetes-type 2 clinical trials

ABSTRACT Introduction: More than 424 million adults have diabetes mellitus (DM). This number is expected to increase to 626 million by 2045. The majority (90–95%) of people with DM has type 2-diabetes (T2DM). The continued prevalence of DM and associated complications has prompted investigators to find new therapies. One of the most recent additions to the anti-diabetic armamentarium are inhibitors of sodium-glucose co-transporters 1 and 2 (SGLT1, SGLT2). Areas covered: The authors review the status of SGLT2 inhibitors for the treatment of T2DM and place an emphasis on those agents in early phase clinical trials. Data and information were retrieved from American Diabetes Association, Diabetes UK, ClinicalTrials.gov, PubMed, and Scopus websites. The keywords used in the search were T2DM, SGLT1, SGLT2, and clinical trials. Expert opinion: The benefits of SGLT inhibitors include reductions in serum glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body weight, blood pressure and cardiovascular and renal events. However, SGLT inhibitors increase the risk of genitourinary tract infections, diabetic ketoacidosis, and bone fractures. The development of SGLT inhibitors with fewer side effects and as combination therapies are the key to maximizing the therapeutic effects of this important class of anti-diabetic drug. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01986881.
New Super-Twisting Zeroing Neural-Dynamics Model for Tracking Control of Parallel Robots: A Finite-Time and Robust Solution

Parallel robots are usually required to perform real-time tracking control tasks in the presence of external disturbances in the complex environment. Conventional zeroing neural-dynamics (ZNDs) provide an alternative solution for the real-time tracking control of parallel robots due to its capacity of parallel processing and nonlinearity handling. However, it is still a challenge for the solution in a unified framework of the ZND to deal with the external disturbances, and simultaneously possess a finite-time convergence property. In this paper, a novel ZND model by exploring the super-twisting (ST) algorithm, named ST-ZND model, is proposed. The theoretical analyses on the global stability, finite-time convergence, as well as the robustness against the external disturbances are rigorously presented. Finally, the effectiveness and superiority of the ST-ZND model for the real-time tracking control of parallel robots are demonstrated by two illustrative examples, comparisons, and convergence tests.
Assisting the training of deep neural networks with applications to computer vision

Deep learning has recently been enjoying an increasing popularity due to its success in solving challenging tasks. In particular, deep learning has proven to be effective in a large variety of computer vision tasks, such as image classification, object recognition and image parsing. Contrary to previous research, which required engineered feature representations, designed by experts, in order to succeed, deep learning attempts to learn representation hierarchies automatically from data. More recently, the trend has been to go deeper with representation hierarchies. Learning (very) deep representation hierarchies is a challenging task, which involves the optimization of highly non- convex functions. Therefore, the search for algorithms to ease the learning of (very) deep representation hierarchies from data is extensive and ongoing. In this thesis, we tackle the challenging problem of easing the learning of (very) deep representation hierarchies. We present a hyper-parameter free, off-the-shelf, simple and fast unsupervised algorithm to discover hidden structure from the input data by enforcing a very strong form of sparsity. We study the applicability and potential of the algorithm to learn representations of varying depth in a handful of applications and domains, highlighting the ability of the algorithm to provide discriminative feature representations that are able to achieve top performance. Yet, while emphasizing the great value of unsupervised learning methods when labeled data is scarce, the recent industrial success of deep learning has revolved around supervised learning. Supervised learning is currently the focus of many recent research advances, which have shown to excel at many computer vision tasks. Top performing systems often involve very large and deep models, which are not well suited for applications with time or memory limitations. More in line with the current trends, we engage in making top performing models more efficient, by designing very deep and thin models. Since training such very deep models still appears to be a challenging task, we introduce a novel algorithm that guides the training of very thin and deep models by hinting their intermediate representations. Very deep and thin models trained by the proposed algorithm end up extracting feature representations that are comparable or even better performing than the ones extracted by large state-of-the-art models, while compellingly reducing the time and memory consumption of the model.
Is there a place and role for endocytic TCR signaling?

T‐lymphocyte activation relies on the cognate recognition by the TCR of the MHC‐associated peptide ligand (pMHC) presented at the surface of an antigen‐presenting cell (APC). This leads to the dynamic formation of a cognate contact between the T lymphocyte and the APC: the immune synapse (IS). Engagement of the TCR by the pMHC in the synaptic zone induces a cascade of signaling events leading to phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of proteins and lipids, which ultimately shapes the response of T lymphocytes. Although the engagement of the T‐cell receptor (TCR) takes place at the plasma membrane, the TCR/CD3 complexes and the signaling molecules involved in transduction of the TCR signal are also present in intracellular membrane pools. These pools, which are both endocytic and exocytic, have tentatively been characterized by several groups including ours. We will herein summarize what is known on the intracellular pools of TCR signaling components. We will discuss their origin and the mechanisms involved in their mobility at the IS. Finally, we will propose several hypotheses concerning the functional role(s) that these intracellular pools might play in T‐cell activation. We will also discuss the tools that could be used to test these hypotheses.
Considering anticipated regret may reduce colorectal cancer screening intentions: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract Objective: Regular screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) can substantially improve outcomes. This study investigated how measuring regret expected from failing to screen might lead to stronger screening intentions. Five potential moderators were evaluated: perceived threat, psychological reactance, prior screening participation, concurrently measuring faecal aversion (FA) and anticipated regret (AR). Design: A 2 (AR measured pre/post intention) × 2 (FA measured pre/post intention) single blind parallel randomised controlled trial was used. Australians aged 45 and over completed an online survey measuring AR, FA, intention, theory of planned behaviour variables and potential moderators. Main outcome measures: The primary outcome was CRC screening intention. Results: Eight hundred and three participants were randomised, with 666 analysed. Measuring AR prior to intention unexpectedly resulted in a significantly lower intention to screen (d = 0.18, 95% CI [0.03, 0.33]) compared to measuring after intention. Trait reactance predicted a significantly lower intention when it was at least 0.52 SD above the mean; other moderators were not supported. Conclusion: The processes underlying anticipated regret manipulations must be better understood in order to have practical value in health promotion. More research is required to determine how to minimise or avoid the apparent negative effects of psychological reactance in CRC screening communication. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12618001098224 http://www.ANZCTR. org.au/ACTRN12618001098224.aspx